10 September 2020

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

One week to go!

This is our last newsletter for Term 3. I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your support as we navigated our way through Term 3. Fingers Crossed Term 4 allows us more freedom!

Don’t forget the first day back next term is Tuesday 6 October. Monday 5 October is a Public Holiday!

As you may have heard, a long standing teacher at Graceville will taking leave for the remainder of year to seek long term treatment for a significant health condition. We wish Mrs Beruldsen best wishes and send her positive thoughts as she undergoes treatment. We hope to see Mrs Beruldsen back with us some time next year. Thank you to the class parents for their understanding and the Chaplaincy Committee for their kind support.

We have two big events to end the year, the Rainbow Ninja Challenge and the Arts Illuminated: Our 2020 Creative Journey. I will briefly outline both events for you.

Rainbow Ninja Challenge – Thursday 17 September:

Students will take part in an obstacle course which will test their ninja strengths! Year level groups will have time to ‘run’ the course and engage with the obstacles. As part of the final run of the circuit the children will run through a ‘rainbow’ of colour! After their time on the course the children will clean up and get changed. Children also have the opportunity to have a go at lob-o-choc at a separate time on the day. Children who ordered the food specials will receive them at the designated time for their year level.

Children will come to school dressed in old clothes they are happy to get colour on. Children also need to bring their school uniform to change into after their time on the course.

This is a student only event – no spectators due to our COVID plan.

This is really our major fundraiser for the year so we hope your family and friends can be generous in their sponsorship!

I would like to thank the parent volunteer organising committee and members of my leadership team who have been working together to make sure the event meets our COVID safe plan and of course includes maximum fun for the children!

The Arts Illuminated: Our 2020 Creative Journey! – Thursday 29 October.

This is an afternoon/evening event which is open to Graceville State School students and their parents. To work within our COVID safe plan, the whole school will be used as the backdrop for our art gallery! The school will be curated and illuminated into a magical space! Entry to the event is limited to around 600 staggered across the course of the night. Entry to the event will be by pre-booked tickets for a specific one hour time slot. Tickets go on sale in week 1, Term 4. Official advertising and communication for the event will go out next week. I have included a short blurb as a ‘sneak peak’ for the event:

During the period of at-home learning earlier this year, many of our students and families found the time to explore the arts in various forms, and to experience the pleasure of making and doing differently. Now that we are back at school, we don’t want to let the learnings of that time slip away, so we are planning to put the arts - as diversely as we can manage - in the spotlight, centre-stage! We invite you to join us as we explore the imagination and innovation of our school community, and support the creative endeavours of our students, parents and local artists.

The arts are a powerful vehicle for sharing our lived experience, and the experience of living in 2020 has not been for the faint hearted! Surprisingly, COVID and creativity do share some common ground: living with either requires us to extend our flexibility and resilience, to tolerate unknowns and think outside the box. Creativity asks us to take risks, to solve problems, to be brave, to learn and grow and especially have fun!

This exhibition gives our students and community the opportunity to reflect on the many ways the arts add value and meaning to our lives, especially in the midst of a pandemic. Engaging in the arts lifts our mood, boosts our energy and encourages a sense of wonder. It helps us make connections, find meaning, build confidence, feel hopeful - in other words, the arts help us flourish. So, what better place to experience and celebrate the arts than in our school!

Each year level has identified a theme from which children will base their ‘art’ piece/s. Each student will create or be part of a creation which will be on display and for sale! The ‘arts’ more broadly will also be highlighted as part of the event. Our choirs and ensembles will have pre-recorded performances which will be heard as background music in parts of the gallery walk. There are also opportunities for individual or small groups of student musicians to play live background music as part of a special art installation in the quadrangle. Our young entrepreneurs, have the chance to design and create items to sell as part of a Young Designers Market at the end of the gallery walk. Finally, we hope to have an auction and raffle to support the event.

We have a small organising committee, the school leadership team and some school staff who are willing to make this event happen. We do need more help though along the way! You can help us in the following ways:

• Help us find sponsors for the event! We are missing a key person to contact sponsors for the event. We need sponsors for a few key art installations and some of the lighting for our illuminated spaces. If you can help we would greatly appreciate your support!
• Send in large and medium moving boxes by Tuesday 15 September
• Volunteer to help at a working bee during the day on Tuesday 15 September to paint boxes with a base colour which will decorated by students at the incursion later in the week (these will be used as places to display art in various locations around the school).
• Volunteers to help supervise our student artists at a special incursion on Friday 18 September. Even if you can only spare a few hours we would love to see you!
• Help as part of the set up team (during the day on Thursday 29 October) or in the week of or the day of the actual event (these dates TBA). There will be a master plan for each space and we need your help to set up a space according to the plan.
• Help as part of the pack up team on the night (29 October from 8.45pm – 9.30 – just so that any outdoor items are safely stored inside overnight) or day after the event (30 October during the school day for the major pack up of some spaces).

We are also looking for local businesses to provide prizes for a raffle at the event. We would love any arts related prizes including arts or creative items/experiences/events/lessons etc. – art forms, design, photography, music, theatre, media, flower arrangements, we are open to all ideas so think outside the box! We can also consider raffle prizes that align with the idea of pre and post art events you may attend – wine or cheese packs, a meal at a restaurant etc.

These are two big events and we are so grateful to the parent volunteers and school staff who are working together to make them happen!

I hope you enjoy the Spring holiday break!

Have a great week,

Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

In-catchment enrolments – ENROL NOW!

If you are a school family or new family within our catchment area and you have a preppie for 2021, please enrol now. This will enable us to start planning for our prep classes for next year.

Prep Information for 2021

If you are interested in viewing information about prep please use this link and password to view a video about the prep program and steps to enrol and prepare for prep entry for next year (this is instead of our annual prep information evening):

Password is GSSPrepInfo

Preparing for Prep 2021

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

Prep interviews

I am just finalising prep family interviews now as I head into prep class formation and meeting with kindy staff about our prospective students. Please ensure we receive the ‘transition statement’ for your child from the pre-prep setting.

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
Session 2: Thursday Nov 5, 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:

• School photos will be held in Week 1 of Term 4 – Thursday 8 October. This year there will not be any siblings photos.
• Year 5 camp will go ahead in Week 2 of Term 4, 14-16 October at Noosa North Shore

Music News

Naomi Lindh

We are very pleased to confirm plans for our instrumental recordings next term during week 1 which we will be able to share with the school community during the term. The string students will rehearse then record music with Mrs Prout on Wednesday 7 October and our band students will rehearse then record music with Mr Kukulies on Friday 9 October. We will provide further details in a letter which we will send out by Monday 14 September. Appropriate permissions will be checked prior to the recording for the filming of students. The recordings will be for school and private use only e.g. for family members to watch. Each ensemble will have their own rehearsal/recording time (this will include Junior/Beginner Strings and Senior Strings on the Wednesday and Junior Band and Senior Band on the Friday).

Choir update

We are also planning to record some choir songs from our Junior Choir and Senior Choir. At this stage these will be recorded in week 3 of next term. Further details will be provided prior to the recordings. Appropriate permissions will be checked prior to the recording for the filming of students. The recordings will be for school and private use only e.g. for family members to watch. Please also note that I will be on long service leave for the first week of term 4. Choir rehearsals will continue next week for the last week of this term, but there will be no Junior Choir or Senior Choir rehearsals in the first week of next term (6 and 7 October). I will be replaced for classroom music lessons but rehearsals will be cancelled. Rehearsals for both choirs will resume in week 2 of term 4, on Tuesday 13 October for Senior Choir and Tuesday 14 October for Junior Choir.

Instrumental Music Recruitment for 2021

We will be conducting the recruitment process for places in the 2021 instrumental music program next term, with places being offered by the end of the year, once our recruitment process is finalised. Please read the attached letter about the recruitment process and return the slip if you would like your child considered for a place in the program next year.

If you have any questions for teachers/conductors, please note their email details below. If your child is sick and unable to attend a rehearsal, please send an email to their conductor.

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

Rehearsal days (rehearsals are all currently held in the school hall)

Tuesday 7:45am - Senior Choir (Year 4 - 6 students)
Wednesday 7:45am - Junior Choir (Year 2 - 3 students)
Wednesday second break - Junior/Beg Strings
Thursday 7:45am - Senior Strings
Thursday 2:50 - 4pm - Senior Band
Friday 7:45am - Junior Band

Thank you for supporting our music program!

Naomi Lindh
Music Teacher and Choral Conductor

P&C News

Rainbow Ninja Challenge

With less than 2 weeks until the Rainbow Ninja Challenge on Thursday 17 September, our children are all getting very excited! It will be a day for them to run, laugh, play, enjoy, navigate the huge inflatable obstacle course, and celebrate their school and community.

Sponsorship

To be eligible for a huge prize pool, sponsorship payments and forms are due by Tuesday 15 September. Please encourage your children to ask family, friends and neighbours to sponsor an amount for them to participate in the Rainbow Ninja Challenge and support our school. There are also SKY ZONE prize packs for early birds in each year level who have raised the most sponsorship money by 7pm this Thursday 10 September, with prizes awarded on Friday 11 September. Please make all sponsorship payments via the link below and return sponsorship forms to your child’s teacher or to the office.

Food

Food orders for the event closed last Friday 4 September, so if you have not placed a food order make sure you pack lunch as usual for your child. Even if you have ordered food, you will still need to pack some extra snacks for your children. There will be no food available for purchase on the day, and the tuckshop will be closed.

What to wear and bring on the day

Children should come to school dressed in old clothes, wearing white clothes if they want to be coloured by the rainbow chalk powders. Children will need to bring their school uniform to change into afterwards, as well as a face washer or towel to clean themselves. Although the coloured chalk powder is non-toxic (ingredients are corn flour and vegetable dye), it is recommended that children bring a mask, sunglasses or goggles to avoid getting chalk in their eyes. Face masks are recommended for children with asthma and any other children who would like to wear one.

For any children wanting to try their luck at Lob-O-Choc, they will need to bring a handful of 50 cent coins as coins cannot be reused on the day – they can also bring and toss larger denominations, but change cannot be given.

Parents and carers

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, SPECTATORS ARE NOT ALLOWED AT THE EVENT. However, we are still looking for some parents/carers to volunteer on the day, particularly for set up and pack up – please sign up if you can help via the link below.

Health and Wellbeing – COVID-19 precautions

Please stay at home if you or your children:

• are unwell or have a cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue or shortness of breath;
• are an active COVID-19 case;
• have been overseas or to a declared COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days;
• have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case.

We would like to say a huge thank you to all our sponsors, who have supported our school and been incredibly generous. All our sponsors are part of our local community, so please thank them in return, by supporting them with your custom. The list of sponsors who provided us with donations and prizes is included at the bottom of the P&C news.

The Arts Illuminated: Our 2020 Creative Journey

All parents should have received information via email earlier in the week about the upcoming Arts Event on Thursday, 29 October. This promises to be a fun event as the children are provided with the opportunity to showcase their creative talents. Just a reminder that the expression of interest forms for the Visual Art Incursion for students in years 3-6 are due this Friday, 11 September.

Trivia Night

Unfortunately we’ve had to make the decision to cancel Trivia Night this year. We know this will be disappointing for our trivia fans and supporters, but with the current COVID-19 restrictions not showing any signs of easing, we just can’t make it work this year. We hope to be back for a bigger and better event in 2021!

Tuckshop price increase

From Week 10 of this term, some items on the tuckshop menu will be subject to a small price increase. The P&C aims to keep prices in the tuckshop as low as possible for students and families. This is only possible because of the help of the many volunteers who work in the tuckshop. With the increase in the cost of some supplies, a small price increase has been applied to some items. This has generally been in the order of 10 to 30 cents per item—and only applies to some items.

Tuckshop Online ordering -Transition from School24 to QKR!

To assist in the transition away from School24 platform we have now switched off the option to “Top-up” your balance within the system. Orders can still be made using your current balance or when those funds are not sufficient the order can be paid using the credit card process.

Change to the date of the next two P&C meetings

The final two P&C meetings of the year will take place on Tuesday, 13 October and Wednesday, 25 November. Please note that this is a change to the dates that were originally advertised.

Voluntary Contribution

Thank you to those families who have made a Voluntary Contribution this year. These funds have been put to good use to purchase literacy resources and new devices to replace the ageing fleet of desktops, iPads and laptops.

While 2020 has been a difficult year, our children’s needs for learning resources at school continue to grow. We are asking all families who can 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 at the link below.

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

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.

Thank you to our sponsors

Many thanks to our generous sponsors for the Rainbow Ninja Challenge, including:

Balance Brisbane
BounceINC
Crank Indoor Climbing
Harcourts
Iceworld
Inflatable World, Darra
Jindalee Pool
John Carew Swim School
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Oxley Golf Complex
SchoolPLUS
Sherwood Little Rides
Skyzone
TennisForKids
The Studio Dance and Arts
Treetop Challenge
Urban Climb
Urban Xtreme
Ray White Sherwood
Councillor Nicole Johnston
The Honourable Mark Bailey, State Member for Miller
Graham Perrett, Federal Member for Moreton
Bank of Queensland, Sherwood
Thrive, Graceville
C&K Lawyers, Sherwood
PE Department, Chelmer

Uniform Shop

Michelle Fanning

Hi all! Welcome to week 9.

The official holiday countdown has begun at our house. Not long to go now!

OPENING DAYS AND TIMES FOR TERM 3

Until we hear of further restrictions being lifted, we will remain appointment only for the remainder of Term 3 as well as having the online store for easy ordering. The appointment days this term are Tuesday and Thursday each week from 8:45am – 9:45am.

For any reason you cannot make your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible via the uniform store email.

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

To book an appointment click on the following link -

ONLINE STORE

The uniform shop has an online store, so if you already know the sizes you're after you can order and pay online with ease. The order will be delivered to your child’s classroom via their teacher.

The online store can be found on the link below –

OUT OF STOCK

Sadly we are very low, or out of stock on a few items including -

• Kennedy House Shirt – size 8 and 10
• Flinders House Shirt – size 8
• Skorts – size 6 and 8
• Dress – size 8
• Polar Fleece Jacket – size 8
• Bootleg Leggings – size 10

If you’re thinking of grabbing extra uniforms or replenishing after growth spurts, DON’T DELAY! Don’t be afraid to go up a size, because as we all know...kids never stop growing! We hope that most stock will arrive back in store by mid November, but there may be some delays due to Covid.

DONATIONS

We are always grateful for donations of 2nd hand uniforms that are in clean, saleable condition. We also ask that any donations are SCHOOL BRANDED ITEMS ONLY, so no items from any outside stores. Thank you for your generosity and understanding.

• For the remainder of Term 3 we will be cash free and accept cards only when purchasing.
• Please be advised that refunds will only be given if you have the original receipt. Items should not have been washed, worn and any tags must still be attached.

The email address for school uniform store is:

gracevillessuniform@gmail.com

Thank you all for your ongoing support and understanding during this time.

Michelle

Tuckshop News

Hi Everyone

Can you believe we are nearly through the term? It really has gone so quickly.

Rainbow Ninja Warrior is next Thursday so the tuckshop will be closed for lunch orders and are only serving the items pre ordered for the event.

We will be open for the last day of term on the Friday.

As you can see we are rather desperate for volunteers next week so if you can spare some time please let us know and we can add you to the roster or alternatively jump onto school24 and roster yourself on.

Finally – a very big thank you to all our volunteers over this term. We really mean it when we say we could not do it without you. You are an integral part to ensuring we stay open 5 days a week to provide a service to the school. Thank you thank you thank you!

As always, if you have questions or concerns please email us and we will get back to you asap.

Have a great week everyone – and a safe and restful holiday.

We look forward to seeing everyone again in Term 4….

See you at Tuckshop!

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

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

As this final newsletter for Term 3 arrives in inboxes our students will be revelling in the Rainbow Ninja Challenge and our school oval will explode in colour and smiling faces. 2020 has been a year unlike any other and so many year highlights have been lost. This event, will hopefully, provide our students with an extremely special experience to brighten this year’s school journey. If the success and enjoyment of the day aligns with the efforts of the P&C parents in pursuing, presenting and producing the package, it will be an absolute blast. Thank you to everyone hard at work, connecting all the dots and transporting this marvellous beast from idea to reality.

Next term school swimming commences but will look a little different to what students have experienced in the past, as we ensure all the Covid Safe plans are followed. Given the abundance of swimming pools and our proximity to beaches and other bodies of water, these lessons are an essential component of the Physical Education Curriculum. We are so fortunate to have access to a pool onsite and do everything to take advantage of this wonderful resource.

On the holidays, please remember to be safe, whether travelling or staying home. Continue to practice good hygiene with hand washing and applying hand sanitiser. Social distancing is still important and as the weather continues to warm up, don’t forget to be Sun-Smart. Broad-brimmed hats, long sleeves or sunscreen applied regularly and sunglasses will protect you from a danger we sometimes forget to act upon.

Have a wonderful holiday break. I hope you enjoy the time spent with family and loved ones and can’t wait to find out some of the highlights when you return in Term 4. This crazy year seems to be gathering pace so some time out to relax a little, enjoy good company and make some special memories might be just what we need as we prepare and steel ourselves for Term 4.

Have a colourful fortnight!

John Erichsen
(Chappy

School Plus

Can you believe we are in the final weeks of Term 3! Weeks 7 and 8 have flown on by and have been filled with many exciting adventures! Years 4-6 had their exclusive Senior Club in the hall where they chose to have HAMA Beads, Scoop Ball and indoor Dodgeball Ball. It’s not too late to sign up for Senior Club!

The children enjoyed our delicious brekky specials including bacon and eggs and hash browns as well as Sushi, meatballs, honey joys, peach cake, and yummy wraps…. just to name a few.

Rip Tag, Herb Garden, Craft Garden Gnomes and Zoo Animal Collages, have been highlights of the fortnight. We ended Week 8 with a Birthday Themed Student Free Day, where we made and decorated delicious chocolate cupcakes and played lots of fun party games to celebrate everyone’s birthdays!

We also decorated our parent area for Father Day with some balloons, steamers and a poster the children made.

With our September Holiday Program out be sure to book your child/ren in for 2 weeks of adventures and fun memories! With excursions to Inflatable World and Bounce and Rock Climbing and Hungerball Soccer Incursions, you don’t want to miss out on the fun! We are also anticipating that Pokémon Gym Day and Wheels Day (bring your bikes, scooters, skateboard or rollerblades) will be very busy days!

Term 4 Tennis

TENNIS HOT SHOTS – ENROLMENTS FOR TERM 4 NOW OPEN!

Enrolments are now open for term 4 tennis coaching.

ENROL ONLINE at www.tennisforkids.com.au

PRIVATE AND SEMI-PRIVATE LESSONS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

Should you have any questions please contact Tennis for Kids on info@tennisforkids.com.au or 0408 187 741.

ALL NEW CHILDREN ENROLLING IN TERM 4 WILL RECEIVE A FREE JUNIOR TENNIS RACQUET!

Tennis For Kids is a FairPlay activity provider and therefore can accept Government FairPlay Vouchers - www.qld.gov.au/fairplayvouchers

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SEPTEMBER SCHOOL HOLIDAY TENNIS COACHING CLINICS

MONDAY 21ST, TUESDAY 22ND & WEDNESDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER 2020

School Holiday Tennis Clinics are now open for enrolments. Positions are available for all school students aged between 4-12 years.

CLINIC 1 – RED BALL STUDENTS (RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN 4-7 YEARS OF AGE)

• 8.00am - 10.30am at Graceville State School (Oxley Road, Graceville)

CLINIC 2 – ORANGE BALL STUDENTS (RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN 7-9 YEARS OF AGE)

• 8.00am - 11.00am at Graceville State School (Oxley Road, Graceville)

CLINIC 3 – GREEN BALL STUDENTS (RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN 9-12 YEARS OF AGE)

• 8.00am - 11.00am at Graceville State School (Oxley Road, Graceville)

Coaching clinics are suitable for everyone as children are divided into groups according to both age and ability. Each session includes plenty of coaching and games, with coaches ensuring regular breaks and snack time, especially for the littlies!

Holiday Clinic positions are limited - so please enrol early to avoid disappointment!!

For further details or to enrol, please click this link below or contact Tennis For Kids at info@tennisforkids.com.au or on 0408 187 741

Community Notices

Go Sports Term 4 Flyer

GO SPORTS Coaching Term 4: Please see flyer

SOCCER : Grades Prep-3 commencing Wednesday 21st October 7.45-8.30am
NETBALL : Grades 1-4 commencing Wednesday 21st October 7.45-8.30am
CRICKET : Grades Prep -3 commencing Thursday 22nd October 7.45-8.30am

To Register go to the link below and click on Register Now