2 September 2021

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

Two weeks to go until the Spring break!

Don’t forget Friday (3 September) is a Pupil Free Day! Children do not come to school on Friday.

On behalf of the staff I would like to thank you for your continued understanding and support as we are graduating back to COVID normal. It has been nice to have parents and carers back in the school and we appreciate everyone social distancing and wearing masks when they cannot socially distance. Thankyou!

This year has seen a number of our beloved staff members challenged by health concerns. Unfortunately, this run of health-related concerns continues. As you may have heard two of our teachers are currently undergoing treatment for serious health related concerns. Despite a positive outlook for both, it is unlikely they will return to work this year. I am sure you join with us in passing on our best wishes and positive thoughts to Katie Ellis and Kerrie Byrne.

The Spring Fair committee are back in action and making plans for the Fair on Saturday 6 November. As part of the planning phase, we are creating a Plan B in the event of another cancelation. The Plan B will involve a special day in school time for students where we can run the Student Markets, some side show alley type activities (including Lob-O-choc) and a range of food and treat options. I am grateful to the Spring Fair committee for their enthusiasm and continued support to hold a special event again this year for our community and especially our children.

At Graceville, we have many children who walk/ride/scoot to and from school which is very healthy and great for the environment! We ask all parents of children who actively travel to school, to talk to their children about taking the most direct route home and being aware of Stranger Danger. This week we were made aware of a person in our community approaching families and children as they walked home from school which made them feel uncomfortable. The person has not caused any harm, however the families and children were not sure how to handle the situation at the time. The police were made aware and are following up. This situation has highlighted the importance of families and children understanding Stanger Danger and how to manage themselves if approached by someone they do not know who makes them feel uncomfortable. We will of course reinforce the same message at school. By working together, we can make sure our children and families feel safe when actively travelling to and from school each day.

Finally, the last day of Term is our Book Week Dress Up Day. Unfortunately, Mrs Hutchinson will not be here to share the day with us as she had an accident last week and damaged her knee. Her treatment and recovery require her to take leave for the remainder of this term. In her absence it would be great to see a wonderful turn out of students and staff in costume on the day.

Have a great week,
Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Acting Deputy Principal

Belinda Martin

In-catchment enrolments

If you are a school family or new family within our catchment area and you have a preppie for 2022, please enrol now. This will enable us to start planning for our prep classes for next year.

Preparing for Prep 2022

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

Our Prep waiting list for 2022 for out of catchment is now open. The waiting list must be done in person at the school 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 interviews

Interviews for in-catchment families are now open for booking and interviews will start from Monday August 23rd, these will be done in person at school with either Mrs Martin or Ms Cousins.

You will be able to use a home computer, a tablet or mobile phone to access the parent booking system. Depending on your configuration you will be required to enter an email or uniquely identifying value.

Please use the following URL to make a booking:

Prior to your interview you will need to complete the 2 school enrolment forms and also bring the completed prep profile to the interview with your child.

Term 4

Get Set for Prep proposed sessions: Focus on Reading, Focus on Fine Motor Skills, Introduction to Speech & Language Development

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 using the booking system (same as above) and select the sessions you wish to attend as we will have a limited number of spaces for each session. Please

Session 1: Wednesday Oct 20 OR Friday Oct 22, 9 – 10:30am Focus on Fine Motor Skills
Session 2: Thursday Nov 4, 9 – 10:30 Introduction to Speech and Language Development with our School Speech Language Pathologist
Session 3: Monday Nov 8 OR Friday Nov 12, 9 – 10:30am Focus on Reading

Prep Orientation meetings: Thursday November 25

Meet the class session: Thursday December 2, 9 – 10am

Junior Assemblies in term 3 @2pm

Hopefully with restrictions ending this weekend we will be able to resume our junior assemblies in week 8 to celebrate the achievements of our students with class awards and Gotcha certificates. I’m sure the children have been proudly bringing home their certificates to share with you. 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 2.00pm 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 3 for assemblies and other important dates:

Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Date Claimer: Sports and Music Photo Day Tuesday 26th October

The new Date for Public Holiday to replace Ekka Wednesday is Friday 29th October

Year 5 & 6 Interschool Sport

Interschool Sport will commence next week (10 Sept) for our Year 5 & 6 students. It will go for 6 weeks. Permissions and invoices have been sent out. Please attend to this as soon as possible.

Maths Tournament Monday 6th September

At this stage we are hoping that our planned Maths Tournament for of some our students in Years 5 & 6 will go ahead on Monday 6th September. We weren’t able to participate last year, but have done in previous years. We usually have 4 teams of 5 students from the Year 5 & 6 classes participate with teams from other schools. It is generally a great day of challenging Maths problems for students who love difficult challenges in the area of maths!

Swimming Term 4

We are in the process of organising our swimming program for Term 4. With the COVID requirements for cleaning of the pool change rooms between lessons (when required), we are trying to work out what is possible. We are endeavouring to offer swimming to every year level this year. In Term 1 we had Year 2 and 4 participate in swimming lessons. We will have intensive swimming lessons in small groups for our Prep & Year 1 students. This will incur a cost to families. Hopefully these will commence in Week 2 next term.

We are also hoping to have Mr Daunt take swimming lessons with our Year 3, 5 & 6 students. More details will be sent in the next couple of weeks.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

At our Senior Choir rehearsal this week we had a visit from a special guest, Kaylah Coghill. During this visit, we learnt a song which was co-written by Kaylah and some elders in Inala, ‘Old Spirit is Calling Us’. This song was also sung by some of our student leaders and AOC students at Sorry Day this year.

During the rehearsal, Kaylah shared her story and culture and the co-writing song process for the CD ‘Songs of Hope and Healing’, which includes this song. Kaylah said “Old Spirit is Calling Us is about the spirits of culture, when we talk about old spirits, we are talking about the science of nature and interconnectedness of things, living off the land and our ancestors. The songs on the CD are the stories of everyone coming to Inala in the 60s and sharing their experiences of how they came to be there.”

We will now be working on learning this song which includes a chorus in 3 parts during our rehearsals. The Senior Choir and Mrs Lindh are looking forward to sharing this song with the school community later this year.

As you are aware, we had to postpone our IM workshop due the lockdown last term. We have rescheduled the IM workshop for week 1 of next term on Wednesday 6 October and Thursday 7 October.

All of our instrumental and choral students are enjoying being back into their regular routine with rehearsals and lessons. Please contact your child's conductor if they are unable to attend a rehearsal.

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

Rehearsal schedule for 2021 (when we are able to resume rehearsals - please note that locations may change to the hall depending on the restrictions as advised)

Monday 7:45am - 8:30am - Junior Choir (students in years 2 and 3) - in the music room
Tuesday 7:45am - 8:30am - Senior Choir (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 music room
Thursday 7:45am - 8:30am - Senior Strings - in the music room
Thursday 2:50pm - 4:00pm - Senior Band - in the hall
Friday 7:45am - 8:30am - Junior Band - in the 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

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

Chappy’s Chat

It is good to be back on deck after some time off for sun cancer treatment. We have great weather in Queensland for much of the year but, for some, that can come at a price. Thankfully, these days there is far more information regarding sun safety and skin care. We trust that students will be well prepared for next week’s commencement of Interschool Sport, with hats, water bottles and plenty of sun screen for Friday sporting events.

On Wednesday, our Student Learning Ambassadors were busy playing a vital part in our school’s Inquiry Open Day, showcasing our school’s learning approach to staff from other schools. A day like this is a fantastic opportunity for our students to voice their experience of and passion for learning. Our school has travelled some distance down this road with teachers, students and families successfully partnering together to explore life-long learning. I find these very empowering for our students as they grasp opportunities to personalise their learning story while they provide information to interested attendees.

The Paralympics have been an awesome success and I have seen some inspiring performances and many incredible people over the past couple of weeks. As impressive as our able-bodied athletes are, these Games have shown something even more incredible. The triumph of the human spirit over adversity.

Have a fantastic week!

John Erichsen
(Chappy)

Uniform Shop

Michelle Fanning

Hi all!

Welcome to week 8! The term is flying by with just a couple of weeks to go.

With that in mind and the last term for the year not too far away, I suggest planning ahead for next year if you are thinking of buying uniforms.

PLAN AHEAD WITH AN APPOINTMENT

Term 4 is extremely busy with many new Prep parents and other new families needing attention. Stock flies out the door in record time so to avoid missing out and waiting periods, you can easily book an appointment ahead of time via the link below.

OPENING DAYS AND TIMES FOR

TERM 3

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

For any reason you cannot make your appointment time, please cancel online asap so others don’t miss out. When visiting the store, it’s important to enter and exit the school grounds via 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 what your child needs you can order and pay online and it will be sent to your child’s classroom.

The online store and appointment bookings can be made via the following link below:

DONATIONS

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

• We encourage you to use Eftpos or credit cards when purchasing.
• Please be advised that refunds will ONLY be given if you have the original receipt and items should not have been washed, worn and any tags should still be attached.

Email address for school uniform store is:

Thanks everyone and enjoy the rest of the Week, Michelle.

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop News 2021 – week 7/8

Jump on to Sign Up and pop your name down where you can using the link below

SignUp.com:

Hi Everyone

Wow – can you believe that we are in the final weeks of Term 3? Just crazy how quickly it seems to be flying by.

THIS WEEKS NEWS

A reminder that we extended the Sushi cut off time to MIDDAY TUESDAY and that we have added Teriyaki Salmon to the menu. It is NOT gluten free so please be aware of this if you order.

If your child wakes up sick BEFORE 8AM please CANCEL YOUR ORDER through QKR! If you don’t realize this until after 8am cutoff then please call us so we can cancel the order for the day.

Also – Blueberry and Cookie Dough frozen yogurts have been discontinued we will be replacing them with a new flavour we are just waiting to hear back from suppliers.

SHOUT OUT

We would like to acknowledge our fabulous local business suppliers that week in and out help us keep the place running! Please make sure you support them as well when you’re out and about.

SUPERIOR FRUIT – Bank Rd Graceville for all our fruit and vege every week
CILANTRO FRESH – Oxley Rd Corinda for our Sushi and Rice Paper Rolls
MADE BY C – for all our Bretzels
FUN XTREME – Balloons for any occasion by Brendan

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

Spring Fair – Save the Date

A new date has been set for the Spring Fair - Saturday 6 November. The kids won't miss out on the fun of the rides and fireworks and all the hard work of the Fair Committee won't be wasted. We will be crossing our fingers for fine weather and no lockdowns in the meantime. More information will be provided as the date approaches, but mark your calendars now and save the date.

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 below:

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

We are getting closer and closer to the end of the term! And what a term it has been! We have been endeavouring to make sure every day is the best it can be for all our OSHC families! Let’s check out what fun we’ve been up to in weeks 7 & 8:

In the Program

Book Week is all about celebrating our love and appreciation for reading! We also recognise how lucky we are to be able to enjoy books, which unfortunately cannot be enjoyed by everyone across the world. We decided to celebrate Book Week by telling, writing and making up our own special stories! We had a fun dress up as our favourite characters and having a yarn with our friends about our favourite stories.

National Science Week was a celebration of the importance of science as part of our learning. Science is a fantastic and fun opportunity for children to learn about our world. We spent National Science Week running crazy science experiments with a focus of fun. Our little scientists learnt so much, having silly science fun!

White Balloon Day is an important day in our calendar dedicated to being a symbol of support to those survivors of child abuse. It is also a time where we can reflect on how to make this world a safe place for all children now and into the future. In light of this, at School Plus Graceville we are raising money to donate to the very important Braveheart’s Foundation! As part of this have been making and selling cookies with the help of our young chefs at School Plus Graceville. The children have also been making Hama Bead keychains for a gold coin donation, and they have been selling fast! All are welcomed to pop in and purchase a Keychain or donate to the wonderful cause!

What to Look Out For

Our September Vacation Care program has now been released. Our program is packed full of fun excursions with a visit to Paradise Country to get a taste of farm life as well as the Lego Exhibition at the Queensland Museum. We also have some fun incursions including the Dazzling Discovery Dome and the cool Comic Express! Of course, we also have lots of fun themed days in between. We can’t wait, but spots are filling up quick so make sure book early! If you need any assistance or would like to enquire about our upcoming vacation care program, feel free to get in touch with one of our friendly educators.

Don’t forget to book for our Student Free Day this Friday 3rd September where we are celebrating everyone’s birthday’s!

The Graceville Lightning Swim Club

The Graceville Lightning Swim Club is back!

Come and join us for a fun season of Friday night swimming! Swim club starts back on 8th October, 6pm and runs every Friday night through Term 4 and Term 1, 2022.

Who can join?

Anyone over the age of 5 can join and swim. Gain experience racing in the pool against your friends in a fun and supportive environment. Assisted swims are provided for the younger swimmers until they feel confident on their own.

2021/22 membership prices have been reduced and start at only $50 for our younger swimmers for the entire season!

And Friday night dinner is sorted - enjoy a burger or sausage from the BBQ or a drink from the canteen. And don’t forget the lollies for the kids!

All are welcome to come along to one of the club nights to check out the action. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the pool!

Visit the link below or email secretary@gracevillelightning.org.au for more information.

www.gracevillelightnight.org.au

Community Notices