8 October 2020

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

Welcome to Term 4! It is amazing to think that there are only 8 and a half weeks to go! As you may be aware, the last two days of the year have now been classed as Student Free Days which means the last day of the school year is Wednesday the 9th December.

Don’t forget Friday is a free dress day – please send along a gold coin! All money will go to help purchase materials to curate the spaces for our upcoming event, The Arts Illuminated – Our 2020 Creative Journey!

To start the term we will continue our COVID safe practices from Term 3. We will make you aware when we can start to ease restrictions a little more but for now please only enter the school for a specific purpose. Our parents and carers have been very supportive and understanding this year and we ask you to hang in there with us as we hopefully return to a closer version of normal in the near future.

The next 8 and half weeks are jam-packed! Please be aware of the following dates and events:

• 9th October Free Dress Day – gold coin to support the purchase of resources for the Art show
• P&C meeting Tuesday 13th October 7.30pm
• Year 5 camp 14 – 16th October
• Prep swimming starts 19th October and runs for 5 weeks
• Student leadership process for 2021 starts 22nd October with the announcement of short listed School Captains and Student Learning Ambassador Leaders and continues until 26th November
• Arts Show the evening of Thursday 29th October – tickets on sale next week!
• World Teachers Day 30th October
• State of Origin Free Dress Days – wear maroon or blue – bring a gold coin – to support the student council. Wednesday 4th, 11th and 18th November
• Year 6 swimming starts 4th November and runs for 4 weeks
• P&C meeting 25th November 7.30pm
• Year 4 camp 2-3rd December
• Week 10 (7-9th December) – report cards home, meet the teacher and Year 6 Graduation.
• 9th December – Last day of term

In this timeframe, we will also host a range of opportunities for our 2021 Prep families to get to know the school, organise classes and send home book lists for 2021.

Our big event for the term is the Arts Show – The Arts Illuminated – Our 2020 Creative Journey. A team of creative and dedicated parents have been working with the school to organise the inaugural event. It will be a COVID safe event and has been planned according to our COVID safe event guidelines. Save the date of Thursday 29th of October! Every student in the school will be creating art/music/drama pieces for the event. Tickets are limited to approx. 900 with all tickets issued a specific entry time with a one hour time limit. Tickets go on sale next week! Although the first entry will start around 4.30pm, the prime time to come through the exhibition, to experience the full effect of the ‘illuminated’ aspects of some of the art installations, is from 6.15pm. Tickets for adults are $20 and $5 for each child. As tickets are limited (due to our COVID safe plan) we kindly ask that only school aged children and their parents attend this year. Any child attending must remain with their parents and follow the one way flow of the exhibition through the school. Keep an eye out for advertising early next week!

The P&C meeting is being held next Tuesday night in the Waratah room and all parents/carers are welcome to attend.

I hope you have a great few weeks,
Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Preparing for Prep 2021

We have had to change the date of our second Get Set for Prep session due to a clash of the use of the hall. Please note that Session 2 Introduction to Speech and Language Development will now be on Thursday November 5.

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

Music News

Naomi Lindh

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday! Our music students and teachers are having some additional sessions this week with their conductors to rehearse and record music to share with the school community. Our string students are rehearsing and recording on Wednesday and our band students on Friday. Please refer to emails from our teachers/conductors for further information or the letter given to students/emailed to parents regarding these rehearsals and recordings. Thank you to our instrumental teachers and students for their hard work preparing for these recordings and their time and commitment this week!

Choir rehearsals will resume next week on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 October. (They were cancelled this week as I am on long service leave). Please note the attached letter regarding the rehearsals and recordings for choir students next week. 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 choir will have their own rehearsal/recording time.

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

Music rehearsals

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. We look forward to sharing our music with you.

Naomi Lindh
Music Teacher and Choral Conductor

P&C News

Rainbow Ninja Challenge Wrap Up

Thank you very much to all the parents, carers, teachers and sponsors who helped make the Rainbow Ninja Challenge a success at the end of last term. It was a fantastic day with the kids having lots of fun and an amazing $33,000 raised.

It really was a whole school community effort to ensure the day ran as smoothly as it did. Thank you to the army of parents and carers who volunteered on the day to make sure our kids had fun on the course, received their treats and were kept safe. Thank you also to the massive coordinating efforts of the teachers who organised the timetable.

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

Our final fundraising event for the year will showcase the talents of our budding creatives and promises to be a magical experience for all who attend. As you move through the school, you’ll be wowed by how the school is transformed by the artists, musicians, crafters, actors and actresses of Graceville State School. Look out for further information about this amazing afternoon and evening.

Tuckshop Online ordering – Change from week 3

At the beginning of week 3, we will change the tuckshop ordering systems from School24 to Qkr. We think you will find Qkr easier to use, and it is cheaper too! You can read all about it here with sign-up instructions coming soon on the Graceville State School web page. You can use Qkr either via an app (iPhone or Android) or a web page.

Tuckshop orders for collection in weeks 1 and 2 of term four should be made via School24. Orders for week 3 onwards are to be made via Qkr. School24 will cease to operate after the first two weeks of term. Please note that if you are ordering tuckshop in weeks 1 or 2 for collection in week 3 onwards, you will need to place the order using Qkr.

As part of this change, we need parents to tell us how they would like any outstanding School24 balance managed. If you haven’t already received an email asking how you would like your balance dealt with, please keep an eye out for this email very soon.

Next P&C meeting – Tuesday 13 October

The next P&C meeting will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday 13 October in the Waratah Room. We had a few technical issues last time with the Zoom meeting, but we'll give it another go this time! Please email Vanessa at secretary@gracevillepandc.org.au before midday on Tuesday 13 October if you'd like to be sent the link as an alternative to attending in person.

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:

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.

Uniform Shop

Michelle Fanning

Hi all, welcome to Term 4...It’s going to be HUGE!!

OPENING DAYS AND TIMES FOR TERM 4

We will remain appointment only as well as having the online store for easy ordering. The appointment days this term are Tuesday and Thursday each week from 8:15am – 9:45am.

For any reason you cannot make your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible via the uniform store email or call the school office to leave a message.

When visiting the store, 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.

ONLINE STORE

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

STOCK DELAYS

Due to COVID some items have been delayed. This means we are still out of stock of the Skorts and some House Polo Shirts. Fingers crossed these items will be back in store by the end of the month.

If you are thinking of grabbing extra uniforms or replenishing after growth spurts, DON’T DELAY! As we head to pointy end of the year, the Uniform Store will become much busier. Don’t be afraid to purchase new uniforms early and 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.

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.

• 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.
Michelle

Tuckshop News

Hi Everyone

Welcome Back to Term 4!

A few housekeeping issues this week so please read on and take note!

From week 3 this term we will be moving away from School24 and begin to use the Qkr app for ordering.

You will need to download the app for your iphone or android to continue to order tuckshop from week3.

The attached PDF is a great How to for Parents to help you navigate the new app and answer any questions you may have.

New to the menu this term are CHICKEN BURGERS and PASTA SALAD!

The new items will be available in Week 3

Specials for this term are:

Monday – Fried Rice
Tuesday – Pasta Salad
Wednesday – Sushi
Thursday – Beef and Chicken Hamburgers
Friday – Ice cream

And don’t forget Birthday Iceblocks!

We are also moving to a new system of Volunteering. I’m sure you’re familiar with Signup.com. A link has been sent to your nominated email account through schhol24 to sign up or you can click on the link below to add your name to a time that suits you.

Feel free to drop us a line though if you have any questions or concerns and we can certainly help you out.

Thanks everyone, we look forward to seeing you at tuckshop soon.

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

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

Welcome back everyone! Term 4 is off to a quick start with school photos and the 2020 remodelled instrumental Music performances taking place this week. Next week our Year 5 cohort head off to experience an awesome 3 days of camp. Our Intra-school sports program will commence this term, as will swimming lessons. While looking a little different to previous years, all these events will provide students fantastic opportunities for personal growth, skill development and showcasing their many talents.

In our school hall, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Graceville State School P and C, our new audio- visual system is ready to go. I am excited to be working with selected students, training them to set up and operate the new equipment. The goal is to have designated students able, with some supervision, to be responsible for any audio-visual needs during school assemblies. I have some extremely excited students keen to learn how the new sound desk works. Watch this space!

Have an amazing week!

John Erichsen
(Chappy

Term 4 Swimming Program

Bookings are now being taken for the Term 4 swimming program. All students who have participated in the swim program will begin the term in the SAME ABILITY LEVEL as Term 1 unless told otherwise when re-joining the program this term. During the course of the term, the coach may move students to different levels where appropriate.

To join the entry group class of, “Beginner Stroke Development" (BSD), children must be in Year 1 or older and be able to swim 25m freestyle non stop bi-lateral breathing [Breathing both sides]. Any children not of this age or ability may enrol in private lessons on offer Friday and Monday afternoons. If I have teachers and space in the pool available there is a chance you may be able to book a private lesson on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after school as well. To help me make this schedule I need an hour’s time frame to work with. This program is from 3 pm until 5:20 pm on Fridays and 3 pm until 6 pm on the other week days, so if you want a private 20 minute time slot you would need to let me know day/s you are available and a 1 hour time frame of availability ...[for example between 3 pm and 4 pm on Tuesday and Friday] . It is impossible for me to give everyone a lesson straight after school so if you live nearby, maybe it is best to go home after school and return for the 4 pm until 6 pm timeframe. The best response I can receive is that you are available ANYTIME.

Spaces are limited, so to avoid disappointment, respond to this message asap with your preferred days and available times. My email is petegeraghty@hotmail.com

I am unable to respond to email queries over the next week but am able to answer any question by phone (ph: 0432407442). Talk to me...DO NOT TEXT ME. Call me to discuss all if you have any questions.

An attachment with the first draft of the schedule has been included in this message (you may need to scroll to the bottom). Information regarding the 3 levels of group/squad classes is contained in the attachment. The three group levels are Beginner Stroke development [BSD], followed by Advanced Stroke Development [ASD] and then Squad.

The scheduled program may change due to over demand or lack of demand for any particular class.

A new terms and conditions agreement will be given to all the students at their first lesson. This needs to be signed and returned no later than the 2nd lesson. Parents will be invoiced for the term once the program is settled.

Please send me ALL YOUR AVAILABLE DAYS and times to help me with the scheduling. You will receive an email regarding your booking, which will need to be confirmed by you before you join the program. Please forward this information to any friends or family who would be interested in joining the program. High school students and adults may join the program. You do not have to attend Graceville State School to participate. Everyone is welcome.

I am always looking for swim teachers. If you know, any qualified teachers or know anyone who would be interested in becoming a swim teacher, please put them in touch with me.

See you at the pool.

Pete Geraghty
0432407442