10 June 2021

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

Two weeks to go until the winter holidays!

Winter really felt like it was upon us this week as the windy cold weather blew through the school. It is a great idea to have the children’s jumpers and tracksuit pants out ready for the coming weeks. Please make sure they are named. We often end up with a big pile of unnamed uniforms in lost property in winter.

Thank you to Mr Daunt, the teachers and our parent volunteers for helping out at the Athletics carnival Thursday. It is always a wonderful experience for our students to attend the carnival at the UQ Athletics fields. It makes it feel just that little bit more special.

The Cairns trip is only one week away. Let’s hope nothing gets in our way this time around! It is very exciting as the program is so diverse, with educational and many fun recreational activities to take part in.

Report Cards will go home early in week 10. Please keep an eye out in your in book as they will be emailed home.

The first day back in Term 3 is Monday July 12.

Don’t forget School Photos are in the first week back next term also.

I hope you have a safe and relaxing winter holiday!

Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Acting Deputy Principal

Belinda Martin

Preparing for Prep 2022

Our Prep waiting list is now open for in-catchment enrolments and forms can be collected and returned from our 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 Night for 2022 will be on Wednesday July 28 at 7pm in our Hall

Prep interviews will commence in term 3. Bookings will be online via a link to be given out through the Information session. These meetings will still be face to face at school for 30 minutes, please bring your child to this meeting. Completed enrolment forms and Prep Profile will be required at the interview.

Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Health Reminder

f 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.

University of new South Wales Assessments

Attached in the newsletter is an Expression of Interest form if you wish to enter your Year 2-6 child in either the Maths or Science assessments this year. Your child must be available during the weeks of the tests. Invoices will be sent to parents once the Expression of Interest forms are finalised. Closing date for forms to be returned to the office is Friday 18th June. A confirmation email will be sent in Week 10 of this term to confirm.

Business Manger

Anne Nixon

Music News

Naomi Lindh

Thank you to Mr Kukulies and our Senior Band for their performance at the Senior Assembly this week! They are the final senior music group to perform, as earlier this term we had performances from the Senior Choir and the Senior Strings. We are very pleased to be able to share our music with students and families again. Congratulations to the Senior Band for their performance and thank you to the family members who were able to attend the performance.

The Junior Choir has a performance scheduled in the last week of this term, in week 10 at the Junior Assembly on Thursday 24 June. One parent/adult per child is able to attend this due to the number of students in the choir. Please also see the message below re Junior Choir rehearsals - next term they will resume in week 2 (and there will be no rehearsal on Monday 12 July).

In week 10 of this term, there will be no Senior Choir rehearsal (on 22 June) due to the number of students who will be attending the Cairns trip. Mr Kukulies and Mr Chin will confirm with parents via email whether their senior rehearsals will be on that week or not. The Junior Choir rehearsal will be on in week 10 of this term, to prepare for our performance on Thursday 24 June. Next term, we will start Junior Choir rehearsals in week 2 on Monday 19 July, (so there will be no Junior Choir rehearsal on 12 July). The Senior Choir rehearsals will start in week 1 on 13 July.

Please ensure that your child attends rehearsals regularly, unless they are unwell. If they are absent due to illness, please send an email to your child's conductor so they are aware of the absence. We appreciate your support in ensuring students attend rehearsals regularly, as it assist them with building their skills and repertoire, and preparation for performances which is important for the entire ensemble/choir.

Thank you for supporting your child's involvement in the music program!

Term 2 Performance Schedule

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) - 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 on Friday 21 May at 7:45am) - in the school hall

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!

Welcome to Week 8. Winter is well and truly here!

WINTER STOCK

The Polar Fleece jackets are now back in stock in sizes 4 and 6. I also have re stocked the Leisure pants and Track pants so now is the time to buy as they will sell quickly with the weather cooling down so much. Remember we also have the long sleeve Gold Polos available which are a great option for winter. 2nd hand winter gear has been flying off the rack too, so pop in and find a bargain while you can.

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

** PLEASE NOTE ** I will be closed on Thursday the 23rd of June (Week 10/last week of Term 2) but will open on Monday the 21st of June instead. So to clarify in Week 10 only, I will open Monday and Tuesday.

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

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 uniform store is gracevillessuniform@gmail.com

Thanks everyone!
Michelle

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop News 2021 – week 9 & 10

Can you believe it?! We are so close to end of term!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

To all the people that have knocked on the door and asked if we needed help and all the new faces that have popped in recently. We have been absolutely smashed these last few weeks with our Wednesday/ Thursday/ Friday averaging over 100-200 orders per day. That’s a lot to prepare in 2.5 hrs!

The last week of school is always crazy so if you have some time to spare, please think about signing up and lending a hand we’d love to see you. Simply click on the link below and pop in your name.

If you have 1 hour or 3 it is greatly appreciated.

SignUp.com:

MENU NEWS

Beef lasagna is now available everyday and perfect for our much cooler weather and don’t forget Sushi and Rice Paper Rolls need to be ordered by Monday midday for Wednesday.

We’ve also added Mini Spinach and Ricotta Sausage Rolls to the menu @ $1.50 each. The perfect sized winter warmer snack!

Hard to believe we have hit the end of term. Emma and I hope that everyone has a lovely break. Travel safe if you’re lucky enough to be heading away and we look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday 12th July.

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

Tennis court bookings

Did you know parents and members of the broader community can book the school tennis courts for use outside school hours?

Courts are $10 per hour before 6pm and $15 per hour after 6pm, which includes lights. The lights go on automatically for bookings after 6pm.

Book here:

Contact: tennis@gracevillepandc.org.au

Voluntary contribution

The P&C are again supporting the voluntary contribution scheme in 2021. Voluntary contributions are payments made by families and collected by the P&C on behalf of the school, with all funds transferred directly to the school. This year the amount is set at $100 per student, but we understand this may not be affordable for all families, so we encourage you to make whatever contribution you are comfortable with. 75% of funds raised will be dedicated to improving and maintaining IT resources and the remainder will be spent on other learning resources.

Payments can be made by electronic transfer to the P&C (see below for details) or via the Online Uniform Shop at the following link

Account name: Graceville State School P&C Association

BSB: 064-111
Account number: 00900130
Ref: VC “Child’s name”

School Plus

Week 7 & 8 Newsletter

In the Program

We’ve got our green thumbs on at School Plus Graceville! Getting involved in the garden is a great way to have fun and get your hands a little dirty. We’ve done our research and decided to plant some lavender. We had so much fun and can’t wait to see our plants grow!

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. We have spent the week talking about reconciliation and doing many activities that celebrate and show our appreciation and respect for indigenous culture.

Clubs

Last week School Plus Graceville turned into a Graceville Pizzeria! Our little chefs made some amazing pizzas for Cooking Club last week! It’s sad to say that this week will be our last week for Cooking Club. We have all had so much fun and learnt so much. Big thank you to ‘Chef’ Adeline for showing us the ropes and teaching us all to be magnificent mini chefs!

Senior Club has been some great fun so far this term. In the coming weeks the seniors will be taking on another special community themed project that will be announced soon!

What to look out for

The end of the term is creeping up fast! Our Vacation Care program has just released! We are so excited for all our days including a trip to ‘Urban Extreme’ and a visit from the Space Cosmodome. Don’t forget book in ASAP to get the Early Bird Discount, some days will be very popular so you don’t want to miss out! If you need help doing an enrolment or have any other enquiries you can get in contact via phone (07 3395 8099) or email (Graceville@schoolplus.com.au) or come in and speak to one of our friendly Educators!