22 October 2015

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

This week started with a Pupil Free Day with a focus on Curiosity and Powerful Learning. We were privileged to have the directors of the project, Wayne Craig and Professor David Hopkins, spend two hours with our staff, introducing them to the ‘big picture’ of the project and inspiring us to engage with them for the next 3-5 years.

This term our school will be taking part in a Self-Determined School Review. As we will be in the Curiosity and Powerful learning project for the foreseeable future, we have decided to use the Curiosity and Powerful learning school review tools to frame our review. Our review is set to take place in the week of 9-13 November. There will be a community consultation section of the review and I will be advising the P&C early next week of how this will occur and how many parents can be involved. The P&C will then select the parents who will take part in the consultation.

Next Monday afternoon, our staff will be involved in a Twilight session to complete the self-assessment for the school review. We will need to start at 3.10pm and appreciate the understanding of parents when we ask teachers to close classroom doors by 3pm that day.

I attended the Year 5 school camp this week. We went to Noosa North Shore and had a great time. I would like to thank the teachers for giving up two nights of their own time so our Year 5 students could experience attending camp. Our students are always well behaved and were a pleasure to take on camp.

You may also have noticed our new flag poles with the Australian, Queensland, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags flying proudly this week. Purchasing the flag poles and flying the flags was an initiative of the student council. They worked hard this year to raise the funds required. We were also very lucky to have a family make a significant donation towards the fundraiser. I would like to thank Mrs Davey for working closely with the student council to turn their idea into a reality!

Finally a reminder, the disco will be held on 28 October. The disco is usually a fun night so please support the school by coming along.

Don’t forget Friday 30 October is Day for Daniel and World Teachers Day.

On behalf of the student council events committee, I would like to remind you that on the 30th October, Daniel Morcombe Day will take place. On this Day, the Events committee will run a number of fundraising events. You will be encouraged to wear a red shirt. You can also walk to school with your family to raise awareness. Also, a coin trail will be held on the oval. The letters ‘D’ and ’M’ will be spray painted on the oval. You can place your coin on one of these letters. So remember, on the 30th October, Daniel Morcombe Day will commence. We encourage you to participate in the fundraising events.

Have a great week.

Newsletter Articles

From the Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

School Disco – Wednesday October 28

For Prep-year 2 students: 5 – 6pm
For year 3 – 6 students: 6.30 – 8pm

Students are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite book or movie character.

Chappy’s BBQ will be on from 4.30 – 7.00pm

Chips and drinks will also be on sale during the Discos.

Tickets are $5, available now before school at both the front and back gates. Tickets will also be available at the door on the evening.

Prep Profiles and interviews

I have met with nearly all families who have a preppie beginning in 2016. There are a few outstanding Profiles which do assist in the placement process and gaining a more in depth understanding of your child so I do encourage anyone who hasn’t dropped this at the office or don’t have a profile document to please come in as soon as you can.

Date Claimer: 2016 Prep Orientation visits

Tuesday, November 24 will be Prep Orientation meetings for 2016 students and parents. Information regarding classes and when and where to come will be mailed home to families before this occasion.

Reminder about special prep uniform selling dates that are coming up:

Tuesday November 3rd from 3 – 6pm
Wednesday November 11th from 3 – 6pm

As these afternoons are very busy, it would be great if current school families who are around mornings at drop off could choose a regular time to come and purchase their uniforms for 2016 preppies. The regular times are Mon, Tues and Fri mornings 8.15 – 9.00.

Thanks to Sue-Ellen and her band of volunteers who ‘man’ the shop during these times. You do a great job in preparing our students to become part of the Graceville community by wearing our uniform with pride.

Waiting List for Prep for 2016

Our waiting list for families who reside outside of our geographical catchment area but are interested in a place at our school, has opened now. Please let any interested people know that forms and information can be gained from our school office.

Graceville State School recognises the provision of access to an appropriate educational service for students residing within this community as defined by its local catchment area as its prime obligation.

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:

This site also outlines the process for placing your child’s name on our waiting list if you reside outside of our catchment area.

Term 3 Fine Motor Program

During Term 3, Student Services implemented a 4 week block of support focussed on developing fine motor skills. With support from an OT, we targeted fine motor strength, fine motor planning, in hand manipulation, scissor and pencil skills.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank four of our senior students- Flynn, Megan, Maddie and Beth for assisting staff with the smooth running of the program. We are also extremely grateful to the parents who worked at fine motor stations, supplied resources and brought their children to school bright and early!!

We have thoroughly enjoyed our mornings helping students develop their fine motor skills and watching them grow, as they engage in new tasks and work collaboratively with students from different classes.

At our last session we celebrated our success by engaging in some fun fine motor activities. Check out the photos below!!

Parking /2 minute zones

Please be conscious of the parking regulations, especially the 2 minute zones on both sides of our school. These zones only allow you to ‘sit’ in the queue for a maximum of 2 minutes. You are not permitted to get out of your car or leave your car. If you need to get out of your car please find a suitable parking spot away from the 2 minute zones. If you are a Prep parent then you are required to go to the classroom to pick up your child so you should not be using the 2 minute zones.

If your child/ren is not there ready you are obliged to leave, do the block & re-join the queue. You must be conscious of not queuing and blocking off traffic. On Acacia Avenue it is illegal to queue in the right hand lane & block the road for other motorists. I realise this only allows for a small number of cars, but it is a road rule for the safety of all motorists.

The signs at the Park Road entrance, back gate, clearly state that this area is a “loading zone” between the hours of 2pm – 6pm, therefore we remind any parents who might be parking for longer lengths of time e.g. swimming lessons, that you find appropriate parking for your length of stay. This “loading zone” is required for after-school pick-ups until 6pm. We thank you for your attention to this matter.

Below is the calendar for the remainder of term 4 assemblies. All parents are welcome to attend. These assemblies begin at 2.15pm

Term 4 Junior Assembly Calendar

Week	Date	Class Item
4	October 27	Prep C
5	November 3	No assembly
6	November 10	Prep K
7	November 17	Prep R
8	November 24
9	December 1	Prep S
10	December 8	Prep T

From the Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Safety warning for Parents – Asbestos in children’s crayons

Children's Crayon Recall

The Australian Government has issued an alert regarding the sale of crayons within Australia that have been found to contain trace amounts of asbestos. Trace amounts of asbestos have been detected in some brands of children's crayons that have been imported into Australia. The crayon products in which asbestos has been identified are as follows: Dora the Explorer Personalized 32 pack crayons Dora the Explorer Jumbo crayons Arti Crafti 16 piece crayons Peppa Pig 8 wax crayons Disney 'Frozen' Jumbo crayons Disney 'Mickey Mouse and Friends' crayons Information regarding these products and what to do if you have purchased them can be found at: Click here to more information https://asbestossafety.gov.au/sites/asbestossafety.gov.au/files/Consumer_and_Retailer_Alert-Asbestos_in_Crayons-Sept2015.pdf https://asbestossafety.gov.au/sites/asbestossafety.gov.au/files/Consumer_and_Retailer_Alert-Asbestos_in_Crayons-Sept2015.pdf

Enter the 2016 Premier’s Anzac Prize to win a firsthand Anzac experience

Applications for the 2016 Premier’s Anzac Prize are open until 30 October 2015. The successful applicants will travel to Gallipoli and the Western Front to experience the dawn service and visit other historic locations.

To enter, students are required to submit an application form along with a two to five minute multimedia presentation reflecting on how the Anzac tradition has shaped our nation and why it is important for future generations to keep the tradition alive.

Visit www.education.qld.gov.au/anzac-prize for more information.

Find out what STEM is

Heard about STEM, but not too sure what it’s about? Find out what it is, where it can take you and why it’s important to our future.

Sun Safety & Staying Well Hydrated

Just a reminder about sun safety & keeping well hydrated. Please ensure that your children have sunscreen on before they leave home in the morning and are wearing their hats if they are in the sun coming to school eg. walking. Try to encourage your children to take a water bottle with them and have it at school. We are expecting a hot summer and these good habits are important for long term wellbeing.

Positive Parenting Program

Parents and carers of children up to 16 years old can now access the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program for free! Learn new skills and build the confidence you need to raise happy, healthy children and teenagers. Find out more and register for free at www.qld.gov.au/triplep

Money Matters

Roberta Haryicki

MONEY MATTERS

Family Statements will be out this week. Your family statement will include Term 4 excursions and those overlapping from Term 3. Please note the details on the flipside.

Also note, payments and permissions must be returned by the timeline stated for each excursion. This will ensure your child’s attendance and participation.

Credit in Account: These will be applied to current invoices at the parent’s request.

Request for Refund form for an excursion paid and not attended is available from the front office. Prepaid ticketing excursions are non-refundable.

Payment of account days:

8am-3.15pm - 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.

Library News

Melanie Hutchinson

LIBRARY NEWS – ANNUAL BOOK FAIR

A love of reading is the greatest educational gift you can give your children.

Our school’s BOOK FAIR, which STARTS NEXT WEEK is a great way to give this gift to our children. Every student gets to visit the Fair and I hope you and other family members will stop by as well. The Book Fair is open to everyone! You will find a great selection of the best books available for all children.

We look forward to seeing you at the BOOK FAIR!

When: Wednesday 28 October until Wednesday 4 November

Times: Begins Wed 28th at 3-4 pm
then each day from 8 – 9 am & 3 – 4 pm until Wed 4th

Family Event: Wednesday 22 October from 5.30 – 7.30 pm
(same night as the School Disco)

Remember all Book Fair purchases benefit our school and more importantly, our school library. Keep an eye out for the information flyers that will be sent home with each student.

Active School Travel

TACO TUESDAY!
(Travel Actively Coming-to-school On)

International Walk to School Day – 7th October 2015

A big thanks to all the students who took the time to “bling” their back packs to celebrate International Walk to School Day. There were many bright, big and creative entries. Cr Johnston had quite a task on her hands to decide the winners. Thank you to Mrs Hornstra and the student council for all their hard work in organising and promoting the event and also to all the teaches for “driving” the walking buses. Thanks to all the students (and parents) for taking part in this event and helping to make it a great success. Well done everybody!

Melbourne Cup Day – Decorate your school hats.

Our next event will be to decorate your school hats on (T.A.C.O.) Tuesday 3rd November, which just happens to be Melbourne Cup Day. There will be prizes for the best hat on parade and Cr Johnston will be providing a delicious breakfast for the school. More information to follow.

Keep reading the newsletters for more information on the program and for special stamping days. If you are interested in learning more about the Active School Travel Program or have any questions or concerns about areas of safety around the school our next meeting is at 10:45am 22nd October in the Waratah Room. We are in need of some parents / caregivers to join our committee. If you can spare a few hours a month and want to get involved and be part of a fantastic program please contact Jo Richards at sajrichards@iinet.net.au

Music Notes

Naomi LINDH

Thank you to the students and families who returned the slip regarding the instrumental music program for 2016. If you would still like to be considered for a place in the program, please complete the form (or email nclos1@eq.edu.au for a form) by the end of this week, Friday 23 October. It is important to note that there will be a recruitment process involving a number of considerations as well as limits on student numbers due to the allocation of instrumental music teachers to our school. Students are not able to swap instruments once they have accepted a place in the program. Current students will remain in the instrumental program until the end of primary school.

We are looking forward to our upcoming performances as listed below. All choral and instrumental students will perform at the Annual Music Concert on 11 November, in full school uniform. This is a fabulous opportunity for our music students to share their voices and instruments with families and students as well as members of the school community. Information and invitations for guests will be given to students in the Senior Strings and choirs soon regarding the Grandparents' Concert which is always a lovely morning of performances followed by a shared morning tea.

Term 4 Performances

11 November - Annual Music Concert - 6pm in the hall - all choral and instrumental students - full school uniform
17 November - Oxley Senior Citizens Concert - Senior Choir and selected Senior Strings (during school day)
25 November - 10am - Grandparents' Concert - all choral students and Senior Strings
December - choral students are usually invited to perform in the Community Carols evening

P & C NEWS

Upcoming Events

• Final meeting for 2015 - Wednesday 2nd of December 7.30pm;

If you’re able to attend can you please register your interest by emailing the P&C email pandc@gracevilss.eq.edu.au

As with previous years, light snacks and refreshments will be served at the end of the meeting for those able to attend.

Briefly at last week’s P&C Meeting

• the Principal discussed upcoming school learning initiatives and the continuation of the powerful and curious learning program;
• The P&C Treasurer advised the P&C budget was healthy and able to support the ground works on the new playground, shortly to be completed;
• Cr Nicole Johnston advised the Honour Avenue shop precinct project will begin soon for approximately six months. Please support the local traders at the Bank Road shops while the works are done; works will greatly improve the area. Project is carried out with funding from traders and council. Cr Johnston advised there will be a local election in March next year.
• Cr Johnston thanked the Active School Travel committee for their hard work in making the local roads around the school safer and for their continued commitment to road safety for the local community. There will be a free BBQ before school for the Taco Tuesday Active Travel day in November;
• Tuckshop Convenor advised that Tuckshop will be closed for the last week of school as per usual procedures - Monday 7th - Friday 11th December. Last day of tuckshop for the year is Friday 4th December 2015. Brief discussion on Tuckshop going totally online for 2016; need more information regarding popularity of School24 by users. This will be discussed in further detail and a decision made at the next meeting.
• Uniform shop advised a healthy stock level and planning for Brodies booklists for 2016 has begun. Lists to be provided when full information available. Will communicate to the school body that items on the lists are required texts and optional items. Not everything has to be purchased;
• Next P&C meeting and final for the year is at 7.30pm on Wednesday 2nd of December, refreshments and nibbles will be provided, all welcome to attend.

SCHOOL BANKING

Sam Kennedy

Reminder

1. If you are requesting a reward, a Gold Coin must be provided OR you are about to receive a Gold Coin.
2. You have to fill in the deposit slip. If you don't fill in the deposit slip we can't process your deposit.
3. You can come to the Canteen between 8-9am on Wednesday to look at the rewards and chose one.

This Terms Rewards

Volunteers are:

Monika Kim
Linda Vigara
Sonia Reis
Rachel Rillie

8am onwards in the Hall Canteen.

Sam Kennedy
Graceville School Banking Co-ordinator
Parent/Volunteer
gracevillessbanking@gmail.com
0431 447 372

UNIFORM AND STATIONERY STORE

Sue-Ellen Lockwood

**2ND HAND SALE**

We have good 2nd hand jumpers, shirts (sports and gold), dresses and culottes in stock. 2nd hand items are always being received. 2nd hand stock sale - culottes, jumpers and long pants $8 each; gold shirts $5.

All sizes of house shirts and Friday sports shirts are in stock.

Swimming caps, towels, bags and goggles in stock all year round.

PRICE INCREASE 1ST NOVEMBER 2015

Gold shirts increasing to $30 each from 1 November 2015.

Order forms are available on the School website. If you email the order, the items will be sent to the classroom.

Email address for school uniform store is: uniformstore@gracevilss.eq.edu.au .

Community Notices

Cello for Sale

Much loved three quarter size student cello for sale. Good quality strings and bow new this year. Hard case and soft case. $500. Contact Susan Graham. Tel: 0408 466 125 or susan_k_graham@hotmail.com

Facebook, Phones and Family Seminar

Sherwood District Meals on Wheels

Do you know someone who is having difficulty shopping for food or cooking for themselves?

The Sherwood District Meals on Wheels service is able to help. For $10.00 (or $9 with govt subsidy) a client receives soup, a main meal, juice and dessert. The meals are nutritionally prepared for us by Nutrifresh and are delivered daily by our volunteers between 9 and 10 am. The meals can be delivered fresh or frozen allowing more flexibility for the clients. Special dietary needs can be catered for.

Who is Eligible?

• People who are having difficulty preparing meals for themselves or shopping for ingredients for their meals
• People recovering from hospitalisation or illness
• People who have a disability
• Carers of the above people

Volunteers

Volunteering for Meals on Wheels is a satisfying experience as we enable people to maintain the independence of living in their own homes and provide a friendly daily contact for people, many of whom are isolated or frail.

We welcome new volunteers to either do a delivery run to people in their homes one morning a month (starting around 8.45 am and usually finishing shortly after 10 am) or to help prior to this by packing the meals for delivery.

If you know someone who needs help with meals or you would like to volunteer, please contact Donna at Meals on Wheels on 33797715, or find more information at our website at www.sherwooddistrictmealsonwheels.com.au .

Sherwood Community Festival

It’s on again!

Sherwood Community Festival is having its 20th birthday party this year and everyone is invited!

This free family event, sponsored by Brisbane City Council and local businesses, packs a punch with plenty of attractions for the whole family: free rides for the children, a rock-climbing wall, a petting farm, plus a fabulous variety of food and market stalls. The live entertainment includes bands, choirs, dance troupes, a roaming Santa, and a nativity play – complete with live camels, of course – plus a whole lot more! And don’t forget the raffle with some amazing prizes.

There will even be a Best Sausage in the Shires competition run by Living in The Shires, with local butchers vying for bragging rights!

The Sherwood Community Festival is a not-for-profit family-friendly event, organised entirely by a team of volunteers who give their time willingly to make it happen. It takes over the entire shopping strip, and this year, to mark its special 20th-birthday milestone, the street will be dressed up with 1000s of balloons.

President of the organising committee Viv Rogers says that every year someone leaves their car parked in the street, seemingly unaware of the frenzied preparations going on around them. Here’s a tip: November 13 is not a good day to park your car in Sherwood Road from late afternoon! It is going to be party central down there. You have been warned!

It really is a night of great family fun.

This year, to celebrate its 20th year, revellers are encouraged to come in fancy dress. There will be spot prizes for the best dressed!

When: November 13 from 5.30 pm until 9.30 pm.
Where: Sherwood Road, between Oxley Road and Hedges Street, Sherwood.
Getting there: The Sherwood train station is right at the end of the street, plus there is plenty of street parking in the surrounding area.
Cost: free entry, free rides, free entertainment.

Corinda State High School – Golden Opportunity Learning Days

The final primary school student workshop hosted at Corinda SHS is fast approaching!

This event is called, ‘The City of Tomorrow’ and it involves the development of a city model over a period of two days with our internationally recognised model expert – Mr Stephen Thrum. Mr Thrum, recently returned from NASA with Corinda SHS students, will guide your child through the process of model design and construction skills to culminate in the development of a full city model at the completion of the two days.

Date: Thursday 5th and Friday 6th of November 2015, 8.30am to 2.50pm
Place: Corinda SHS
Cost: $40 to cover materials

For more information and to register: Erin Hudson, echud0@eq.edu.au or 33790214

FLAT SHOES JAZZ AND BLUES

2 SUPERB JAZZ & BLUES BANDS ON THE BOWLS GREEN AT OXLEY!

Dan’s Hot Five Experience the joy and sounds of the 20’s and 30’s ‘Jazz Age’... when it didn’t matter how down you were the music would always make you feel good about life.

Karen Anderson & the Fortunate Sinners Join soulful songstress Karen Anderson and her high steppin’, hot blowin’ band for a journey through sweet jazz, soul and blues. This really is a voice not to be missed - sultry, smooth and big!