28 October 2021

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Cybersafety Presentations for students in years 5 and 6 and for parents

Please see information below and ensure that you RSVP for the parent session at the link below as we require at least 15 parents to run this session.

The Department of Education's Cybersafety and Reputation Management team (CRM) advises, investigates and supports schools to manage online behaviours and digital reputation issues. Within this scope, the team draws on their diverse experience, including police investigation, policy, social media marketing, and recruitment, to deliver up-to-date informative sessions about positive social media use.

The CRM team will be visiting Graceville State School on Tuesday 23 November. They will be conducting sessions with students in Year 5 & 6, and are also offering a parent and caregiver information session at 5pm. The parent session is an overview of cybersafety, trending platforms, online dos and don’ts, and useful settings to be aware of. This session goes for about 60 minutes, and will allow parents to ask questions throughout.

Please RSVP your attendance here.

You can read more about the department’s cybersafety program and resources on their Facebook page:

Sun Safety Policy for Graceville State School

It is mandated that all state schools will have a sun safety policy in place for the start of the 2022 school year. Year-round sun protection is important for all children and young people in Queensland as research demonstrates that high ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure in childhood and adolescence significantly increases the risk of developing skin cancer.

We are offering the opportunity for parents of GSS to be involved in the formulation of the policy and hear about the elements. We will be holding a meeting on Monday November 15 just after drop off at 8:45am in the Waratah room for any interested parents.

2022 Prep Information

It was great to see our 2022 preps and parents for their first Get Set for Prep session last week! We look forward to seeing them again next week for session 2.

Get Set for Prep sessions: Focus on Reading, Focus on Fine Motor Skills, Introduction to Speech & Language Development, all 9:00 – 10:00am

Families must RSVP for these sessions using the booking system (link below). Please select the sessions you wish to attend as we will have a limited number of spaces for each session.

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

Other important dates are:

Prep Orientation meetings: Thursday November 25

A letter will arrive at home before this date with details about your child’s class and time to come for orientation as this is in smaller groups.

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

Junior Assemblies in term 4 are at 2pm

Please see the schedule for assemblies for this term below. Parents and care givers of those hosting or performing a class item are invited to join us for Junior Assemblies in the hall. Due to continuing COVID restrictions, please ensure you are wearing a mask. These assemblies will be for all Prep to Year 2 classes. We also like to recognise birthdays and present awards to students from across all classes.

Below is the calendar for term 4 for assemblies:

Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Year 6 Graduation

We are starting to organise the Year 6 Graduation event on 7th December. Myself and a Year 6 teacher have met with the 4 School Captains parents to do some initial planning. It will surely be a wonderful night for students, staff and parents. More information will be coming out shortly.

Booklists for 2022

I am waiting to get the final booklists back from Campions. That should happen very soon. Once this is ready we will send out the information to parents to order online. Parents who have applied for the Enhancement Program for either a current Year 2 or 4 child, will need to hold off ordering until the classes are released to parents in the last week of school. There will be separate booklist for the 3 /4 & 5/6 classes. The online ordering system will be open for the week after school finishes in December.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

This week all of our string students performed at the Senior Assembly. We were able to invite one guest per child to this performance as an opportunity for our students to share their music. Thank you to Mr Chin and all of our string students for their hard work preparing for this performance! It is lovely to hear our ensembles perform again this year. We hope our Beginner Strings, Junior Strings and Senior String enjoyed this opportunity to share their music.

As confirmed previously in our Newsletter and the Spring Fair performance timetable, the Senior Band, Junior Choir and Senior Choir will be performing at the Spring Fair. Please note that the Spring Fair performances will be held in an outdoor area in the quadrangle, which means that these performances will also only be possible in fine weather and if restrictions permit, however we hope they will be able to happen.

In week 6 the Junior Band and Senior Band will be performing at the Senior Assembly. Due to current COVID restrictions, we are inviting one guest/adult per child to the performance. This will be in lieu of a concert, due to our hall space, number of students in the program and current COVID restrictions. Conductors will also be sending out recordings so students have an opportunity to share their music with their families.

Next week we will be recording our songs during our normal choir rehearsals. We will continue choir rehearsals until and including week 7, so the last Junior Choir rehearsal will be on Monday 15 November and the final Senior Choir rehearsal will be on Tuesday 16 November. Thank you to our students and families for consistently attending rehearsals this year! We are looking forward to singing at the Spring Fair and sharing our recordings with you.

We look forward to our upcoming performances!

Performance Schedule

Spring Fair - to be held in the quadrangle

2:00pm - 2:20pm Senior Band - students will be asked to meet Mr Kukulies approximately 30 minutes prior to the performance time

2:30pm - Junior Choir (2 songs)
Students are requested to meet me at the quadrangle approximately 10 minutes prior to this performance.

2:40pm - Senior Choir (2 songs)
Students are requested to meet me at the quadrangle approximately 10 minutes prior to this performance.

Senior Assembly IM performances

Week 6 - 10 November - Junior Band and Senior Band (one guest per child is invited to attend this performance)

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 (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

Library News

Melanie Hutchinson

LIBRARY NEWS - GSS BOOK FAIR 2021

We are fortunate enough to hold our Book Fair this term. However, it will be a STUDENT ONLY event. There will be a terrific range of engaging and affordable books and stationery items for children to purchase.

These items will be on sale to students when they visit during their scheduled Library time between WEDNESDAY 27TH OCTOBER and WEDNESDAY 3rd NOVEMBER.

The Book Fair will also be open to STUDENTS ONLY before School at 8.15, at First Break 11.00 – 11.20 and Second Break 12.55 – 1.15.

THE BOOK FAIR WILL ALSO BE ONLINE.

Here is how the Book Fair works if you decide to buy online:

1. Students will complete their wish list at school and take it home. Parents/Carers can view their child’s selected titles or the online catalogue in the scholastic store https://shop.scholastic.com.au/
2. Parents/Carers can complete an online order and payment at https://parentpayments.scholastic.com.au/BookFairs
3. Students bring their Record of Payment/Receipt (Book Fair Flyer or Wish List) to the library to collect their purchases – these can be collected from the GSS LIBRARY during the advertised book fair opening hours. N.B. If the book is sold out, it will be reordered and delivered to the classroom on arrival.

Students who have purchased books online also have the opportunity to buy any stationery items Before School and during the Lunch Breaks. Stationery items will range in price from $1 - $6.

Contact the school library if you have any questions 3716 2777 or mhutc70@eq.edu.au

We thank you for your support of this library event.

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

Our year four and five students have returned from their respective camps with many exciting tales to share. These camps are a great experience for students, where they participate in a variety of activities, vastly different to the normal school routine. I would like to acknowledge the wonderful attitudes of our students, excitedly taking on the challenges and supporting one another. One of the highlights for me is the cabin inspection times, in particular, the spot inspection. This year all cabins were very presentable and the competition was of a very high standard. I can only assume this means our year four and five parents have some extremely tidy children’s bedrooms. The attention to detail on year five was most impressive.

With camps completed for the year, our focus now turns to the Spring Fair. This will be an awesome day and opportunity for Graceville to come together and celebrate our school. It will be a busy time for many but I am convinced all the smiling faces, Saturday week will make it all worth-wile. Come and be part of this wonderful weekend and a huge thank you to all those working hard, behind the scenes to prepare for this incredible event.

Have a fantastic week!
John Erichsen
(Chappy

Uniform Shop

Michelle Fanning

Welcome to week 4!

It’s been a busy couple of weeks with new families already buying uniforms for next year and current families buying from our online store.

Stock is starting to get low, but of course I have ordered more. I'm hoping the majority of it will arrive within the next 4 weeks. Sadly Covid is still a cause for delay with a few of our suppliers, but I have been assured they are doing their best to help as much as they can during this peak selling/buying period.

DRESSES

Please note that due to fabric issues we now have limited stock in our dresses. I will not be ordering any more in the near future so if you know you would like one for next year, please don’t delay!

PLAN AHEAD WITH AN APPOINTMENT

Term 4 is extremely busy with many new Prep parents and 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 4

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.

PLEASE NOTE – When buying online please add your child’s FULL NAME and CLASS on the FIRST page. Thank you.

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

DONATIONS

We are always grateful for donations of 2nd hand uniforms that are in freshly washed, saleable condition with no tears or holes 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.

PAYMENT

We encourage you to use Eftpos or credit cards when purchasing.

REFUNDS

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:

www.uniformshop@gracevillepandc.org

Thanks everyone
Michelle

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop News 2021 – week 5/6

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

SignUp.com:

We are halfway there!

Can you believe it? Its already ramping up to be our busiest term ever so please drop by and/sign up if you can lend us a hand, we would really appreciate it.

THIS WEEKS NEWS

CANCELLING ORDERS:

Please remember that if your child is sick and you have ordered tuckshop for the day then YOU MUST CANCEL THE ORDER BEFORE 8AM USING THE QKR! APP. Any cancelled orders after this time then please give us a call at Tuckshop and we will try and help you.

PESTO PASTA

We have a new Tuesday special….Pesto Pasta. Our Pesto is Nut Free and comes with the option to add chicken and/or cheese. Its delicious and at $4.50 a great new addition to the menu.

ICEBLOCKS

We are still not taking cash over the counter so please order any Iceblocks/Slushies through the Qkr! App for your child.

FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY - SLUSHIES ARE BACK!!!

Now we have hit the warmer months we have Slushies back on the menu!

We have 3 flavours – Mango Passion, Strawberry Banana and Purple Lemonade. At $3.00 each they are the perfect cold treat for break time.

As always, 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

Spring Fair

Only just over 1 week to go until the Spring Fair 2021! After many months of planning - and some slight hitches (thanks COVID) - Fair Day is almost here!

You can still get involved to help make this year’s Spring Fair a success for our kids and community by;

• Signing up for a volunteer shift to help set up / run / clean up the Spring Fair - reach out to your class rep or Faith Studd the Fair Convenor to find it how you can help or refer to the school email sent on Monday for sign up links.
• Making some lovely baked goodies to bring in on 5/11 for sale at the Fair Cake Stall

Please keep an eye out for ride bands which will we coming home in school bags (of the youngest child in a family where applicable) on Wed 3rd November.

Please note that, whilst we are trying to minimise cash on the day, the following stalls are cash only - Student Market, Book Stall, and don’t forget the all-important 50c pieces for the Lob-o-Choc!! To aid with our efforts to minimise cash the bar, which opens at 1.30pm, will be cashless (so don’t forget your cards!) There will not be an ATM on site this year.

Please keep in mind our green aims by bringing your own bottles, coffee cups, totes and cutlery and by walking or using public transport to get to the fair.

Please note that the event will be held in accordance with prevailing Covid restrictions so do remember your masks and to pay attention to the COVID safety signage displayed around the grounds. Admission will be restricted to the Acacia Avenue and Park Road Oval entrances.

We can’t wait to see you there! And don’t forget hats and sun cream!’

Tennis

CHRISTMAS SCHOOL HOLIDAY TENNIS COACHING CLINICS

MONDAY 13th, TUESDAY 14th & WEDNESDAY 15th DECEMBER 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)

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 - or contact Tennis For Kids at info@tennisforkids.com.au or on 0408 187 741

Community Notices