1 April 2021

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,
Happy Easter!

The holidays came a few days earlier than expected for students so we thank you for acting quickly to find ways to supervise your child/ren at home due to the lockdown. We greatly appreciate how our families act with such care and consideration for the wider community and all do their bit to help tackle the management of the spread of COVID. Thankyou! The school staff and I have been at work supervising the children of essential workers and preparing for Term 2.

At this stage Term 2 starts as normal on Monday 19 April. We have rescheduled the Easter Hat Parade for Wednesday 21 April as we know how much our students were looking forward to it! So keep those bonnets and hats in good condition as they will be on display next term! Prep 9am, Year 1 2.15pm. As this event has been planned as an outdoor event and we know our parents will help us to ensure social distancing, parents will be able to attend.

On Friday 23 April we will be hosting an ANZAC assembly. This year the assembly will be an internal event with only students and staff attending.

Year 6 camp has been rescheduled for 5, 6, 7 May and we have our fingers crossed that all will be well and we can attend.

Don’t forget there are two public holidays in early Term 2, Monday 26 April and Monday 3 May. Children do not attend school on those days.

The staff and I wish you all a very happy and enjoyable Easter and look forward to seeing you back safe and sound next term.

Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Health Reminder

If your child displays any of the following symptoms they must go and get a COVID test:

• Fever
• Respiratory symptoms
• Coughing
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Runny nose, headache, muscle or joint pains

The following is directly from the COVID guidelines:

Any child or adult who is showing signs of illness COVID or other illness must stay home and go and get tested if they have COVID symptoms.

If a child is showing signs of illness or feeling unwell at school parents or carers will be contacted to come and collect the child.

Naplan 2021

Year 3 & 5 students will participate in Naplan testing online (except for the Year 3 Writing).

All classes will participate in practice tests in Week 1 of Term 2. The actual Naplan tests will run over a 2-week period – 11-21 May.

For more information please have a look at the website:

Acting Deputy Principal

Belinda Martin

Wow, term 1 just about done, what a busy and productive term! It certainly has been a new learning curve for me and I have appreciated all of the support from staff and parents. I hope you all have a safe and relaxing Easter break and come back revived and ready for term 2.

Easter Hat Parade POSTPONED until Wednesday Week 1

We were so excited to be having year 1 also take part after missing out in 2020 and were disappointed that the Easter Hat parade will not be on this week. This WILL be having a postponed parade so that we can still celebrate our amazing little milliners in Prep & year 1. The new date will be Week 1 Wednesday with Year 1 Parade at 9am and Prep at 2:15pm

ANZAC DAY 2021

Graceville State School ANZAC Service on Friday 23rd April. This will be a student only service due to COVID safe plan.

$2

50cents

How can we support ANZAC day?

All funds raised from the sales of these white poppy pins, silver fern badges, ribbons and silk stickers go to the RSL Sub Branch welfare program which supports our serving and ex-serving ADF veterans and their families.

When: Monday 19th April through to Friday 23rd April
Where: Acacia Avenue gate and Park Drive gate, GSS
Time: Student Council Students Selling from 8am-8:30am

SUNDAY ANZAC DAY MARCH

In keeping with Graceville State School tradition:

Join us on Sunday April 25th for the ANZAC DAY MARCH

Assemble 7am at the corner of Verney Rd East and Appel Street (Outside the Music shop)

Followed by 7:30am Community Service at the Graceville Memorial Park

Please wear school uniform, hat, sunscreen and bring a water bottle.

Waiting List for Prep for 2021 – opens first day of next term Monday April 19th.

The waiting list for 2022 will open on Monday, 19th of April at 8:00am. Please let any interested people know that forms and information can be obtained from our school office from that date which is the first day of next term. Families from within our catchment area we also invite you to obtain enrolment forms to begin the process when convenient after the start of term 2. For in catchment families, a birth certificate and proof of residency in our catchment is required along with the completed enrolment form.

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

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.

Junior Assemblies

Parents and care givers of those hosting or performing a class item are invited to join us for Junior Assemblies which will be held every second Thursday afternoon from 2.15pm in the hall. These assemblies will be for all Prep to Year 2 classes. Year 2 students have the opportunity to develop their skills of public speaking by taking turns in leading these assemblies and classes also take part presenting items for us all. We also like to recognise Birthdays and present awards to students from across all classes.

Below is the calendar for term 2 assemblies and other important dates.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

Thank you to all of our students and families for their commitment to lessons and rehearsals this term. We have had one performance this term from the Junior Choir for Harmony Week and we have a number of performances scheduled for next term, listed below. If we need to make any changes to our rehearsals or performances, we will communicate this and will endeavour to reschedule them for as soon as practicable. We know students have been working hard at lessons and rehearsals and both our conductors and students are very keen to share their music with the school community throughout this year.

If your child is already a member of the choir, parents/carers should have received an email from the choir email group I have created. If you have not received this correspondence please check your 'junk email' folder in case it is there and if is isn't please send me an email with any email contacts you would like me to add to the email group for Junior or Senior Choir. It is particularly important at the moment that I have contact details, in case there are last minute changes to rehearsals or performances on occasions.

We would like to thank all of our music students and families for their commitment to lessons and rehearsals. We are looking forward to sharing our music with you at our upcoming performances!

We understand that is has been an abrupt end to the term, but we hope you all have a relaxing and enjoyable holiday and Easter.

Term 2 Performance Schedule

Week 1 - Senior Choir - recorded performance of a song will be played at the assembly

Week 4 - Senior Choir - Senior Assembly, Wednesday 12 May, 2:15pm - two parents/adults per child are invited to attend

Week 6 - Senior Strings - Senior Assembly, Wednesday 26 May,

Week 8 - Senior Band - Senior Assembly, Wednesday 9 June, 2:15pm - two parents/adults per child are invited to attend

Week 10 - Junior Choir - Junior Assembly, Thursday 24 June, 2:15pm - one parent/adult per child is invited to attend due to the size of the choir

Rehearsal schedule for 2021

Monday 7:45am - 8:30am - Junior Choir (students in years 2 and 3) - in the music room
Tuesday 7:45am - 8:30am - Senior Choir (interested students in years 4 - 6) - in the music room
Wednesday 7:45am - 8:30am - Junior Strings (this is for second year string students and it will begin in week 2 of term 2, 28 April) - in the hall
Thursday 7:45am - 8:30am - Senior Strings - in the hall
Thursday 2:50pm - 4:00pm - Senior Band - in the hall
Friday 7:45am - 8:30am - Junior Band (this will begin mid term 2, date TBA)

Music teacher contact details

Alex Chin - String teacher and conductor (Wednesdays and Thursdays) email: axchi4@eq.edu.au
James Kukulies - Band teacher and conductor (Thursdays and Fridays) email: jkuku2@eq.edu.au
Naomi Lindh - Classroom music teacher and choral conductor (Monday - Friday) email: nclos1@eq.edu.au

Uniform Shop

Michelle Fanning

Hi everyone!

Here we are in week 10 and sadly not the way we'd like it to end, but either way we have time with our loved ones so that’s always something to be grateful for.

OPENING DAYS AND TIMES FOR TERM 2

We will remain APPOINTMENT ONLY as well as having the online store for easy ordering. The appointment days are Tuesday and Thursday each week from 8:15am – 10:15am

BOOKING APPOINTMENTS ONLINE

There is an option when booking online for new families joining us to make a 20 minute appointment to allow time for trying on uniforms etc. The usual 10 minute appointments will apply for current families who know what sizes and items they are after.

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.

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. All uniform items can be found online except for 2nd hand garments. Items ordered online will be sent to your child’s classroom.

The online store can be found on the link below

*Feel free to order online throughout the holidays and your orders will be packed as soon as we head back for Term 2. Just remember to ignore the “pick up" date as all online orders are only ever sent to the classroom.

DONATIONS

We are always grateful for donations of 2nd hand uniforms that are in a freshly washed, saleable condition. We also ask that any donations are SCHOOL BRANDED ITEMS ONLY, so no items from any outside stores.

If you were thinking of going through the wardrobes, please do! When donating, please either drop them in on a Tuesday or Thursday morning when the store is open, or you may leave them with the ladies in the office any other day. Please DO NOT leave bags at the uniform store if it is closed.

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.
• We encourage customers to use their EFTPOS or credit cards when purchasing.

The email address for school uniform store is:

gracevillessuniform@gmail.com

Thanks everyone. Have a safe and happy Easter break!

Michelle

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop News 2021 – Final Week

We finally made it to the end of term – even if it has come around a little earlier than expected!

Thank you to all our volunteers for all your sandwich making, ice cream scooping and the fantastic way you always answer our last-minute calls for help.

It has been a big start to the year with our biggest Friday this term coming in at over 240 orders!

Tuckshop cannot run without volunteers and so if you can spare an hour or three please think about and then sign up for next term. We are very grateful for your time and love meeting new people!

SignUp.com:

MENU ITEMS NEWS

Next term we will be introducing lasagna for our Tuesday special so look out for it when you are ordering - all our other favourites will be back and a few new surprises so keep an eye out!

We look forward to seeing all the smiling faces again at the beginning of term on Monday 19th April.

If you have any questions or concerns and you’d like to speak with us, please email tuckshop@gracevillepandc.org.au or pop in for a quick chat we’d love to hear from you.

See you at Tuckshop!
Alex and Emma
Tuckshop Convenors 2021

P&C News

P&C AGM

The P&C held its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 24 March. All memberships were open for renewal and it was pleasing to see many existing members renewing their membership and some new parents taking up the opportunity to become members.

There were 19 members in attendance. Over the last five years, an average of 22 members have attended AGMs each year, ranging between 14 and 28 members. The activities of the P&C extend well beyond our meetings and many parents—members and non-members—contribute to supporting the school through the P&C. The decisions made at P&C meetings, however, are an important foundation to P&Cs activities. Members who are involved and well-informed contribute to rich discussions and sound decisions and we are grateful to those parents who attend meetings to support the school in this way and we value your contribution. All parents and carers in the school community can join the P&C at any time during the year and membership forms are available at the office. Thank you to the members who came on Wednesday night.

The AGM also saw all executive positions become vacant and a new executive established. We are very fortunate that many of the 2020 executive were keen to continue to volunteer their precious time in 2021. Congratulations and a big thank you to the following members who will form the 2021 executive:

Three of the 2020 executive will not be continuing, and we would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge their hard work.

Tim Symonds has spent the last two years as Vice President (Projects) and he has delivered fantastic projects such as the hall refurbishment. Projects like these only get over the line with the tenacity of someone like Tim.

Lydia Kelly served as Assistant Treasurer for two years and in that time, conducted a major review of tuckshop pricing essential to the ongoing viability of this service and managed a major change to the tennis court booking system.

Dave Portas has made a significant contribution as Treasurer, a role that all aspects of P&C activity rely on heavily. We are grateful Dave will continue as Assistant Treasurer and to share the knowledge and experience he has developed of P&C business over the last three years.

Long-standing executive member and former President, Chris Hansen resigned from the executive ending a seven-year period of serving on the P&C executive. Chris kindly stayed on in 2020 to help provide a handover and will be missed. To acknowledge Chris’ long and meritorious service to the P&C, there was a unanimous vote at the AGM to award Chris an Honorary Lifetime Membership. Congratulations Chris and thank you for the many tireless volunteer hours you have devoted to the P&C over the years.

Trivia Night

In further exciting news, THE TRIVIA NIGHT IS BACK!!! A massive thank you to Michelle Murphy and Carrie Grassick who have stepped up to take on the task of organising the event. They are currently in discussions with a local venue to work out a way to make this a COVID safe event. Further details will be released shortly.

SAVE THE DATE & blow away the winter blues with GSS’s Spring Fair – 28 August 2021

We are so pleased to announce that (all going well with COVID restrictions) the fabulous Meloni Bourke has kindly stepped forward and agreed to take a lead on organizing what we are going to call our Spring Fair! This will be our major 2021 family, fun, fundraising event for 2021 and will be a revamp of our traditional Fete. Organising such an event is no small undertaking, so we are actively recruiting a team to pull together to support Mel and will shortly share a list of roles and requirements date & a date for our next meeting which we will hold ASAP once we are back to school in Term 2. In the meantime, if you are super keen to get involved please contact Mel fete.stallconvenor@gracevillepandc.org.au or Karen President@gracevillepandc.org.au

Class rep meeting

The P&C exec would like to thank all our Class Parent reps for stepping up and getting communications, play dates & even a few dinners going this year already – thank you & well done! As many know, our class reps are so valuable in helping us to build the community that supports the students and the school. We are seeing this take some time to get back into the swing of things for some, so to say thanks and to welcome our newer reps, the P&C would like to invite ALL CLASS REPS to a welcome morning tea in week 2 of term 2, on THURSDAY 29th April 2021 from 8.30am-9.30am to be held in the small annex off the hall.

We are still looking to fill the Class Parent Rep roles for classes 5/6 EH, 6A & 6E so if you can help fulfill this role – please contact Anita Armstrong ASAP vp@gracevillepandc.org.au.

Holiday Swim Clinics

Peter Geraghty

Bookings are now being taken for the holiday swim clinic being held at the Graceville school pool this Easter holiday. The clinic will be run from Monday April 5th [Easter Monday public holiday] until Friday April 9th. All ability levels are catered for with learn to swim, stroke correction and squad classes on offer. You do not need to attend every day of the clinic as long as you mention your availability when enrolling. Children in holiday school care may also join the program as staff are able to bring students to the pool and pick them up after their lesson. You will need to do some paperwork with school care if this is the case. The number of enrolling students for the group lessons will determine the start time of the private one on one lessons. As a rough guide squad will start at 7:30 am followed by Advanced Stroke Development at 8 am and then Beginner stroke development at 8:30 am. I will then have teachers on hand for the one-on-one program from about 8:30 am. When booking please state which hour you are available [e.g. between 8:30 am and 9:30 am or 10 am and 11 am]. To really help me with making the schedule the best response is available 'anytime'. See you at the pool...

Pete Geraghty
Ph: 0432407442

Tennis Holiday Clinics

EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY TENNIS COACHING CLINICS

TUESDAY 6th & WEDNESDAY 7th, THURSDAY 8th APRIL 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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 - https://tennisforkids.com.au/holiday-programs/ or contact Tennis For Kids at info@tennisforkids.com.au or on 0408 187 741

Community Notices