11 June 2020

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

Two weeks to go until the school holidays!

As a staff we are very grateful to families for respecting the current operating guidelines, especially those that involve restricted access to the school site. Yesterday, schools were made aware that the current operating guidelines will remain in place until the end of the term. Consistent with easing Roadmap restrictions, the department aims to create a plan for staged re-introductions of aspects of schooling and school activities across Term 3. The only part of the plan that has been shared so far is that school sport, including interschool sport, will be able to start again during Term 3. The rest of the plan has not yet been provided and I will share it with you as I am made aware.

I would like to thank all of the families who are helping us to keep the school illness free by keeping children at home if displaying signs of being unwell. As part of the current Operating Guidelines, all staff and children who are unwell in anyway are not allowed to attend school. We will continue to send children and staff home if we notice they have the sniffles or are coughing and sneezing, unless the child has an asthma plan or we have a letter from the doctor stating the child’s symptoms are due to seasonal hay fever. We also have a tummy bug (Diarrhoea and/or Vomiting) going around at the moment. Tummy bugs spread like wild fire in schools and so we really need your help by following the advice of Queensland Health. Please keep children at home at the first signs of being nauseous and maintain their presence at home until 24 hours after their last known bout of vomiting and/or diarrhoea. We are surprised to have the tummy bug going around as we have such strict handwashing and sanitising practices in place at the moment.

Below is the link for Parents to use as a guide for Children to be kept home issued by Queensland Health

Recently a group of teenagers have been entering the school grounds outside school hours and on weekends and engaging in unsafe and destructive activities. We have made State Government Security and the Police aware and have asked for more regular checks of the school site outside of hours. If you see a group of youths on the school site, please contact School Watch on 131788. If the group of youths are behaving in a dangerous or destructive manner, please contact the Police directly and report the incident.

The P&C zoom meeting took place on Wednesday night. As part of my agenda, I shared the following:

• Canberra Trip – as the trip is at the end of Term 3, it is possible the trip could still go ahead. We will know more after the DoE have released their plan for re-introductions of school activities. The company have extended the time lines for payment to give us the best possible chance of still being able to attend. A letter will be sent home to those who have paid a deposit with more details.
• School Photos – have now been postponed until week 1 Term 4.

Please read the P&C section of this newsletter to find out information about changes to the Fete and Trivia Night. The Uniform Shop and Tuckshop also have important information to share. You will also see that the P&C are now encouraging parents to pay the Voluntary Contribution. This year, we understand things are tough for some families and any voluntary donation will be gratefully accepted. 75% of the funds from the Voluntary Contribution goes towards purchasing new and updated devices (iPads or Laptops) and 25% goes towards purchasing resources to support the development of writing.

Finally, Ms Hass as included information about new Prep enrolments for 2021 in this newsletter. Please read the information if you have a prep aged child coming to school in 2021.

As our newsletters are now fortnightly, my next communication will be Thursday 25 June. You will be notified of any urgent or emergent information via our SMS system. Hopefully, I will have some more information to share about the staged re-introduction to aspects of schooling by 25 June!

Have a great weekend,
Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Preparing for Prep 2021

Some key dates have changed this year due to COVID-19.

Our Prep waiting list will open on Monday July 13 from 7:45am at the office, please observe social distancing when lining up. The waiting list must be done in person, no forms can be sent out or received by email.

Please visit the following link which details our school enrolment management plan and also provides a link to the catchment area for Graceville State School:

Prep Information for 2021 will be given out on Wednesday July 22, this will be online this year and not at a large group meeting in the hall. More details on how to access this will come later.

From Wednesday July 22, in catchment enrolments may be done and enrolment forms can be collected from our school office or emailed out upon request.

Prep interviews will then follow for the rest of term 3. Bookings will be online this year via a link to be given out through the Information session. These meetings will still be face to face at school for 30 minutes, please bring your child to this meeting. Completed enrolment forms and Prep Profile will be required at the interview.

Term 4

Get Set for Prep proposed sessions

At this stage we will plan to proceed with face to face sessions although we will have to wait and see health and safety directives to come. Families must RSVP for these sessions either by email or phone as we have limited number of spaces for each session.

Session 1: Tuesday Oct 20 OR Friday Oct 23, 9 – 10:30am Focus on Fine Motor Skills
Sesion 2: Thursday Oct 29, 9 – 10:30 Introduction to Speech and Language Development with our School Speech Language Pathologist
Session 3: Tuesday Nov 10 OR Friday Nov 13, 9 – 10:30am Focus on Reading

Prep Orientation meetings: Thursday November 26
Meet the class session: Thursday December 3, 9 – 10am

Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

UNSW assessments/competitions

The Expression of Interest process for the UNSW competitions for 2020 has now closed. We have the completed list for the Science & Maths assessments ready to be processed to invoice families for these events. These invoices should be coming via email next week. The Last day for payment will be Friday 26th June.

Religious Instruction Semester 2

At this stage, we are not sure if we will be able to have RI classes in Semester 2. We will have to wait until the guidelines from the Department of Education are released in the next few weeks to see if we can proceed with these classes. We need to start preparing for RI classes, in anticipation of starting next term. The classes that will be involved would be Years 3, 4 & 5. There will be information sent home about the RI classes and programs in the next few days.

Library News

Melanie Hutchinson

PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE 2020

Literacy is at the heart of a student’s ability to learn and succeed – at school and for life. An enjoyment of books not only encourages an active imagination but allows the reader to learn about their world and develop literacy skills.

The Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) aims to improve children's literacy, cultivate a passion for literature and encourage children to read widely for pleasure and learning.

That is why every student is encouraged to participate in this year’s 2020 Premier’s Reading Challenge. The Challenge is open to students in Prep to Year 6 and is running from 11 May until 28 August.

The Premier is challenging every child from Prep to Year 2 to read or experience 20 books, Years 3 and 4 to read 20 books and Years 5 and 6 to read 15 books.

Student Reading Record Sheets have been handed out during library time to all students. Children who take up the challenge and read the required number of books will receive a signed participation certificate from the Premier herself. Parents and caregivers can play a big part by encouraging everyone to be part of this positive initiative.

Please ensure your child keeps a record of every book they read or experience. Books and e-books may be selected from our school library, your local library, home libraries and/or reading resources at school.

I hope many students will join in on this wonderful journey of reading and learning!

Premier’s Reading Challenge Coordinator

Music News

Naomi Lindh

Unfortunately, this year the Westcent Honours and Intermediate instrumental music camps were cancelled. A number of our students had completed auditions for it and recently received certificates to acknowledge their achievement of regional level representation in instrumental music. We would like to congratulate these students (listed below) for their efforts preparing for this audition and their commitment to instrumental music.

Honours Camp

Eliza B (oboe)
Jude M (trombone)
Jacqueline P (clarinet)
Chloe R (flute)
Max W (trumpet)
Matthew W (tuba)
Isabelle D (cello)

Intermediate Camp

Luke B (violin)
Hamish S (violin)
Mandi S (violin)
Sandy C (percussion)
Henry C (clarinet)
Lucia J (percussion)

Preparation and participation in the audition process

Alice Mc

Instrumental lessons have resumed but there will be no instrumental rehearsals or choir rehearsals for the remainder of this term. We will let students and families know when we are able to start rehearsals again. Thank you for your understanding with this. We hope to have many keen musicians returning to rehearsals once we are able to resume them.

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichson

Chappy’s Chat

What a year we are experiencing! At every turn, another significant event screams for our attention and demands action. It feels as though we barely have time to catch our breath before another massive wave hits. With so much negatively filling screens and media outlets, we can easily feel lost and more than a little helpless. One of the difficult aspects of the COVID 19 restrictions is the increased isolation for most people and especially for those more vulnerable. With restrictions starting to ease, I hope we can move to lessen isolation in our communities. Acting sensibly and safely, of course, make time to connect or reconnect with a family member, friend or neighbour. Conversation is a simple, yet powerful, place to start. It goes a long way to giving that person a voice and sense of value. We can even have different opinions and respect different points of view, despite what we see portrayed in the media. I hope that, as we work through the changes COVID 19 has forced upon us, we move forward with an increased desire for acceptance, tolerance and genuine dialogue to underpin all parts of society. I believe we are in an exciting place in history and I hope we move into the future building one another up and working collaboratively to make our corner of the world a better place. Even more exciting is that we can start today, right where we are. Perhaps all we need is a heart, an ear and a smile? What a wonderful world it could be!

Have a fantastic week!

P&C News

Tennis Courts

Thank you for everyone’s continued patience with the temporary closure of the tennis courts due to COVID-19. We are pleased to announce they are now available for hire again with bookings through https://play.tennis.com.au/court-hire. There are new terms and conditions of hire in place regarding social distancing and hygiene which will be emailed to you upon booking the courts through the above link. In summary:

• 4 people per court maximum
• players only inside the court enclosure
• no access to the remainder of the school
• please use hand sanitiser provided on arrival and departure (there will be hand sanitiser at the courts but you are also welcome to bring your own).

Fete

It is with a heavy heart that we have to accept the fete will not go ahead this year in August and in its usual format. This tough decision is unavoidable considering ongoing government restrictions around social distancing, the uncertainty about if and when these restrictions may be further lifted and the lead in time needed to organise the fete.

All is not lost though as the P&C are exploring other options both to create a fun day as close to the fete as we can for the kids later in the year, and also to find creative ways to raise funds for the school in this difficult year. We’ll keep you posted as more details become available. If you are keen to help organise P&C events this year, please get in touch with pandcPresident@gracevilless.eq.edu.au

Trivia Night

The parent’s trivia night will still go ahead but will be held in term 4 this year. We’re thinking outside the box, so be prepared for some possible changes to the format but we can guarantee it will still be a fun night.

Uniform shop goes online

The uniform shop is now online through the following link https://gss-pandc.square.site/. If you already know what your child needs, you can order and pay online and it will be delivered to your child’s classroom. If you need to try clothes on, you can continue to make an appointment through the following link.

Containers for change

Did you know that the Graceville State School P&C are registered with Containers for Change? You can drop off your bottles at any Containers for Change depot and quote our ID, and your funds will automatically be credited to the P&C. The closest Containers for Change depot is located at 78 Andrew Street, Rocklea and our ID is C10055214.

School directory

In past years, the P&C have put together a school directory with the phone numbers of all school parents to aid communication. It has been decided that the P&C will no longer produce this directory as there are now so many more ways to communicate with parents than in the past. The parent reps for each class will still distribute a list of parent’s contact details to their own class, however this information will not be distributed more widely to the whole school community. If you need to contact a parent from another class, you can always contact the P&C who will put you in contact with the relevant class rep.

Voluntary Contribution

Have your children brought home stories about needing more and newer technology resources in class?

The current fleet of desktops, iPads and laptops at Graceville State School is old, with many devices out of warranty and unable to support the latest software and some aspects of the incoming Information, Communication and Technology Curriculum.

At Graceville State School, rather than implementing a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) scheme, which requires families to purchase devices for each child, our school aims to provide the devices our children need to learn.

As a community, we aim to raise the funds required to help fund devices for the school, at a much lower cost to individual families than buying a device for each child under a BYOD scheme.

This is achieved through Voluntary Contributions – payments made by families which are collected by the P&C on behalf of the school with all funds raised transferred directly to the school. Seventy-five per cent of these funds contribute to purchasing devices and this year the remaining twenty-five per cent will again be used to purchase learning resources to support the school’s focus on writing.

The school is also continuing its plan to implement NAPLAN online which will rely on the school’s fleet of iPads, laptops and desktops.

We appreciate this year has been difficult beyond measure for so many families and for our whole community. As a result, the P&C will be unable to hold many of its regular fundraising activities in their usual format. Our children’s needs for learning resources at school, however, continues to grow.

We are asking all families who are in a position to make a Voluntary Contribution to do so again this year. The Voluntary Contribution scheme is again $100 per student. While this is much less than the cost of a laptop or iPad, we understand this amount is still not affordable for all families, particularly at this time, so we also encourage families to make whatever contribution they are comfortable with.

Payments can be made by electronic transfer to the P&C (see below for details) or via the Online Uniform Shop.

Account name: Graceville State School P&C Association
BSB: 064-111
Account number: 00900130
Ref: VC “Child’s name”

Uniform Shop

Michelle Fanning

NEW OPENING DAYS AND TIMES

For the remainder of Term 2 the uniform store will be open for appointment only on Thursdays and Fridays. When visiting the store please enter and exit the school grounds through the Oxley Road gate near the tennis courts.

Bookings can be made online via the following link below:

WINTER UNIFORM

All sizes of the new sports jacket, polar fleece and rugby jerseys are in stock. We have unisex track pants (in a quick dry fabric and a cotton lining) and leisure pants (a cross between a track pant and stretchy leggings) for girls. We also have a bootleg lycra jazz pant on sale for just $5 a pair.

• For the remainder of Term 2 we will be cash free and only accept cards when purchasing.
• Please be advised that refunds will ONLY be given if you have the original receipt and items should not have been washed or worn.
• Order forms are available on the school website and can be emailed to the uniform shop at the below address, the items will be sent to the classroom via the teachers pigeon hole in the main office.

Email address for school uniform store is:

gracevillessuniform@gmail.com

Thank you all for your ongoing support.

Tuckshop News

Hi Everyone

Hope that you are all settling back into some sort of routine now we are all back. Emma and I have loved seeing everyone’s face back at the tuckshop counter!

A few housekeeping issues this week… remember

• Tuckshop is open 5 days a week
• We are only taking online orders which must be done by 8.30am via school24 www.school24.net.au no over the counter orders will be allowed
• Due to Covid-19 we are a cashless tuckshop
• There are no ice block or snack sales over the counter during break – if your child would like an ice block or tuckshop treat then please pre order the item for collection at break
• Preps can pre-order ice blocks with their order but no ice cream on a Friday

Numbers are still limited in the tuckshop to only 4 people at any one time, but we still need your help!!!!

Volunteers are required so email us at tuckshop.gss@gmail.com with your availability or sign up through school24 and click on volunteer roster. Whether you can help for 1 hour or 3 we still need you. Break times are now split so anytime you can pop in to help would be greatly appreciated.

On your rostered day please make note that you can only enter and leave the tuckshop through the tuckshop carpark. This is to ensure we are adhering to school protocol and limiting any extra people on school grounds.

We are very conscious of hygiene, social distancing and the wellbeing of not just the kids but our whole school community, so please if you are not feeling 100% on the day of your shift even if it’s just a little niggle – call and cancel. We will miss seeing you, but we can always reschedule!

Lastly - keep an eye out for a new menu item to be added in the next few weeks…here’s a clue:

“What do you call cheese that is not yours...Nacho Cheese!”

Thanks everyone – stay safe and see you at Tuckshop.

Alex and Emma
Tuckshop Convenors 2020
E: tuckshop.gss@gmail.com