16 July 2020

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello everyone,

Welcome to Term 3! Let’s hope this term sees us gradually return to a more normal way of working!

It has been interesting to hear about all of the wonderful family time and trips away children had in the holidays. It sounds like most of our families who went away took the opportunity to support Queensland tourism and businesses which is fantastic to hear!

As you are aware, we decided to err on the side of caution for the first two weeks of the term and are still restricting access to the school site for parents/carers and visitors. We are grateful to you for your understanding as we gradually return to normal. If all goes well and we see no spikes in QLD, we will start to relax our restrictions from week 3. Given the current situation in Melbourne and now starting to unfold in Sydney, I will hold off any announcement about when we will lift some of our restrictions until the end of next week. The situation in Melbourne and Sydney may impact upon our ability to travel to Canberra and Sydney this year for the planned trip. We are in the process of discussing possible scenarios and will make parents aware if we will travel by next Monday at the latest.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Ms Elliott back from maternity leave. Ms Elliott will be sharing the year 3/4 Enhancement class with Mrs Harrison.

Our pre-recorded Prep Information session will be released next Wednesday. Ms Hass will provide the details for how to access the information session. I would like to thank the Prep teachers and Ms Hass for working so hard in the lead up to the holidays to film the session.

The next P&C meeting is Wednesday night, 22 July. The P&C meeting will be held face to face and parents will also have the opportunity to zoom in for this meeting. We will hold the face to face meeting in the Waratah room which is a large space with a big screen. We are able to ensure social distancing in the Waratah room (based on the usual numbers of people who attend P&C meetings). There will be agenda items related to possible fundraising ideas for 2020 and I will share up to date information about our gradual transition back to normal.

In week 2 we will maintain a staff presence at the Stop, Drop and Go zones at our gates. Please remember that only the Preps and their older siblings leave early (2.40pm). All other children are released from class at 2.50pm and should be at the gates soon after. Remember we are at the gates until 3.10pm so you can leave your run a bit later if you need to.

Have a great week,

Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Hope you all had a great break and are ready for an action packed term 3!

Term 3 for us will see lots of work around setting up and preparing for our 2021 intake of new prep students. Please read the following and let any new families know what is on offer and required. Any current school families who have a prep student for next year please enrol your child now so that we get a good idea of numbers in planning for next year.

Preparing for Prep 2021

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

Our Prep waiting list for 2021 for out of catchment is now open. The waiting list must be done in person at the school office.

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 presentation will be released shortly, we are looking for an online option that is available to only our school community.

In catchment enrolments may now be done and enrolment forms with our information pack can also be collected from our school office.

Prep interviews

Interviews for in-catchment families are now open for booking and interviews will start from Monday July 27, these will be done in person at school.

You will be able to use a home computer, a tablet or mobile phone to access the parent booking system. Depending on your configuration you will be required to enter an email or uniquely identifying value.

Please use the following URL to make a booking:

Prior to your interview you will need to complete the 2 school enrolment forms and also bring the completed prep profile to the interview with your child.

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 to Prepyear@gracevilless.eq.edu.au or phone the office as we will have a 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

Just some information about upcoming events:

• Year 4, 5 & 6 classes will start Relationships Education sessions in Week 4 (from 4 August)
• Religious Education classes for Years 3, 4 & 5 will commence on Friday 31 July
• Years 2-6 UNSW competitions (Science) Week 6 (various days before school) ENTRIES CLOSED!
• Years 2-6 UNSW competitions (Maths) Week 8 (various days before school) ENTRIES CLOSED!
• Interschool sport for Years 5 & 6 will commence on Friday 21 August (more information will come home soon, once the sports are confirmed)
• Year 5 students will be involved in the ‘Kokoda” excursion in Week 7 OR 8 this term (more information to come, Date TBA)
• School photos will be held in Week 1 of Term 4 – Thursday 8 October
• Year 5 camp will go ahead in Week 2 of Term 4, 14-16 October at Noosa North Shore

The Year 6 Graduation will be on Wednesday 9 December. I will be in touch with the School Captain parents in the next couple of weeks to start this process. Subsequently, all the Year 6 parents will be invited to be a part of the organising committee. Year 5 parents will also be asked to help out on the night, later in the year.

Money Matters

Anne Nixon

This week we will be sending statements home to parents so you can see what credits and invoices are on your child’s accounts. If you have a credit on your account please contact the office via email (admin@gracevilless.eq.edu.au) or call on 3716 2777, if you wish to apply the credits to any invoices you may have.

Payment of account days:

8am-3.00pm - Monday to Wednesday
8am-12pm - Thursday and Friday

BPoint is the preferred method of payment; Eftpos, Debit Cards: Visa/Mastercard, cheque or cash payments are accepted.

BPOINT User Information

For payment of multiple items on your statement/invoice, you will need to do a separate entry for each item, entering the invoice number and the corresponding payment amount for that item only e.g.

Separate Entries for each line must be done to ensure the payment is allocated to the correct Excursion/Resource Fee.

BPOINT payments must be processed in time to clear (usually 2-3 business days) before the Due Date for payment.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

Welcome to term 3! This week our instrumental lessons have resumed, with string lessons in OHSC and band instruments continuing in the Oxley room. However, Mr Kukulies will be taking some leave from Friday, so please refer to his email to families regarding band lessons.

We will be resuming instrumental and choral rehearsals in week 3, including beginner and junior ensembles. Please check the days and times below. Rehearsals will be held in the hall unless otherwise advised prior to rehearsals starting. If you have any questions for teachers/conductors, please note their email details below. It is important for students to wear warm clothes for the early morning rehearsals.

Music Teacher Contact Details...

Mrs Ruth Prout - string teacher and conductor - Wednesdays and Thursdays - rprou5@eq.edu.au
Mr James Kukulies - band teacher and conductor - Thursdays and Fridays - jkuku2@eq.edu.au
Mrs Naomi Lindh - classroom music teacher and choir conductor - Mon - Fri - nclos1@eq.edu.au

Tuesday 7:45am - Senior Choir
Wednesday 7:45am - Junior Choir
Wednesday first break - Junior/Beg Strings
Thursday 7:45am - Senior Strings
Thursday 2:50 - 4pm - Senior Band
Friday 7:45am - Junior Band

Naomi Lindh
Music Teacher and Choral Conductor

Uniform Shop

Michelle Fanning

WELCOME BACK!!

I hope that you all enjoyed a little R&R over the last couple of weeks, I know I sure did!

OPENING DAYS AND TIMES FOR TERM 3

Until we hear of further restrictions being lifted, we will remain appointment only as well as having the online store for easy ordering. The appointment days this term are to Tuesday and Thursday of each week from 8:45am – 9:45am.

When visiting the store, it’s important to enter and exit the school grounds via the Oxley Road gate near the tennis courts. The uniform store is located just to the left of the courts.

ONLINE STORE

The uniform shop now has an online store, so if you already know what your child needs you can order and pay online and it will be delivered to your child’s classroom.

The online store and appointment bookings can be made via the following link -

WINTER UNIFORM

All sizes of the new sports jacket, polar fleece and rugby jerseys are in stock. We have 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. Stocks are limited.

• We will be cash free this term 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.

Email address for school uniform store is:

gracevillessuniform@gmail.com

Michelle

Tuckshop News

Hi Everyone

Welcome back to Term 3 – let’s hope it’s less bumpy than the last couple! Looking forward to getting back into routine and seeing all those smiling faces!

Just a few reminders this week.

Firstly, cut off time for orders is now 8am. This is to give us enough time to prepare and get out orders with limited helpers especially on a Friday when we can have up to 160 orders!

If you order the night before and then your child is sick the next day – please call us to let us know asap, that way we can cancel the order and credit your account.

Secondly, Sushi and Rice Paper Roll orders need to be placed by 12pm on Monday for Wednesday. If it gets a little hard to remember – you can always do a few weeks in advance to make it easier.

As always if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call or email us and we can help you out however we can.

Thanks everyone – stay safe and see you at Tuckshop.

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

School Plus

What a Term 2 we had! The children transitioned well back into routine and to School Plus, and as the numbers increased with families returning to work towards the end of Term 2. The children were happy to see and play with their friends and the educators at Before School Care and After School Care. In the final week of Term 2 the children enjoyed lots of Wiggle Kart fun, had chocolate pudding to celebrate “Chocolate Pudding Day” and made a beautiful poster. An exciting announcement was School Plus winning a Collaborative Community Project, teaming with School Plus Worongary. The pen pal project took out first place within the School Plus competition. The children loved to connect with a new school and make new friends, especially during the COVID crisis, which had children missing their friends!! Vacation care was filled with many fun themed days that involved cooking, craft and lots of outdoor fun. The most popular day was the Staff Vs Students day, which had both teams in face paint and a day filled with lots of competition! Staff won by a close 2 points! Graceville Market Day, and the Sleepover Day were also very popular! The children had lots of fun and were refreshed and ready for Term 3. Watch this space to see how the first week of the term went at School Plus!

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