9 December 2021

From the Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

We made it! It is amazing how fast the year flies!

The staff and I would like to thank you for your support this year. Once again, we proved this school community is a strong and flexible one which can take on and work through challenges. We appreciate and are grateful to work in such a wonderful community.

I would like to wish Miss King, Mr Arnold and Ms Denobriga the best of luck as they take on a move to another state school in QLD. I would also like to wish Miss Logan, Miss Draganov and Mrs Woolston the best of luck as they explore teaching roles in other schooling systems. We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of them all.

I would like to welcome back Mr Osborne and Mrs Gray (Miss Simms) as they return to us from various forms of leave. I would also like to officially welcome Mr Cook, Mrs Sheppard, Miss Salmond, Miss Beckinsdale and Miss Spalding to Graceville State School. We look forward to teaching, learning and working with them all in 2022.

The new school year starts on Monday 24 January. As stated in the 2022 class letters that went home Tuesday, the school is prepared for any COVID related changes that may impact on us as a community. Please make sure your contact details are up to date with the school by 3pm this Friday just in case we need to contact you in the lead up to the new school year.

As we plan for the first week back next year, don’t forget Wednesday 26 January is the Australia Day Public Holiday.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Music News

Naomi Lindh

Thank you to our students and families for your involvement in the music program this year and your commitment to lessons, rehearsals and performances! In 2022 there may be some changes to some of the days our IM teachers are here, which may impact on the days/times for rehearsals and lessons. Once final plans are confirmed with their itineraries we will let you know which days they will be at Graceville and the rehearsal days and times for each ensemble and the choirs.

For any students interested in joining the choirs, we will send a letter out during the first week of school with information on the days and times of rehearsals. Students in years 2 and 3 are welcome to join the Junior Choir and students in years 4 - 6 are welcome to join the Senior Choir. Rehearsals will start in week 3.

We wish of our students and families a very Merry Christmas and a safe holiday!

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

I would like to take this opportunity to end the 2021 school year with some words from the heart. This year has been a year with some significant challenges for all involved in schools. Students, families and staff have done their very best in, at times, extremely trying circumstances to make the year a positive one for learning. Well done everyone for your efforts to get to where we are today!

For me personally, the end of this year completes my 15th year of chaplaincy at Graceville State School and I remain most appreciative of the opportunity I have in sharing primary school years with this community. I look forward to 2022 and connecting with new families, as they commence their Graceville experience.

To the staff at school, I place great value on your professionalism and expertise as educators and consider a huge privilege to work with you in supporting your young charges. Your creativity in making learning fun and engaging is truly a great asset and our students are so fortunate to be in this learning environment.

To the families, thank you for allowing me to partner with yourselves and the other staff at school to support, encourage and protect your most valuable asset, your children. It is an incredible honour to be allowed into such a special place, that is part of your child’s school experience. For those continuing their Graceville journey in 2022, I will be keen to reconnect with you after the break and work alongside teaching and administration staff to provide the positive learning environment our young people require to thrive. For the families who move on to High School next year, thank you so much for the past seven years. We have shared lots of joy, with some tricky moments thrown in, and seen your children bloom and grow. May the years at Graceville be a strong foundation and a platform upon which your children can build for their future.

To the students, it has been a great year and I love being part of your world. From sporting events and camps, to barbeques and Just Dance in the hall, the smiling faces do light up my world. Thank you for all the fun, the energy and the diverse conversations we have shared over the year. Have a fantastic break and I will see you in 2022.

Take care everybody and may your school break be everything you need it to be.

See you next year,

John Erichsen
(Chappy)

Uniform Shop

Michelle Fanning

Hi all!

Well here we are, the last week of the school year for 2021. It feels like the year has flown by yet again!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the parents who have donated uniforms, made appointments, ordered online, been patient with waiting periods and those who have just popped by to say hi.

I truly appreciate the kindness given by the school community. I enjoy my position so much, but it really makes my day serving such lovely people.

The children are also to be thanked for their friendliness and manners always saying good morning and the Year 2’s in particular ‘playing shop' standing at the counter waiting to be served.

A HUGE thanks also to the teachers and P&C committee for their support every single year. Also to my two favourite ladies in the office going above and beyond to help however they can. I couldn’t do my job without you.

Lastly I thank the fantastic volunteers that help out every year. Your time and effort is never taken for granted. You are all so appreciated!

I wish the entire GSS community a safe and happy holiday season. I very much look forward to helping you all again in 2022!

LOW STOCK

Many of our gold polo's are low in stock as well as smaller sizes in skorts but of course I have ordered more. 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.

You are welcome to pre order any items that are currently out of stock. Please email uniformshop@gracevillepandc.org.au or make an appointment at the store on a Tuesday or Thursday morning from 8:15 – 10:15 to let us know how we can help.

DRESSES

Please note that due to fabric issues we now have limited stock in our dresses. We have now sold out of size 2’s and 4’s.

I will not be ordering any more in the near future so if you know you would like a dress for next year, please don’t delay!

PLAN AHEAD WITH AN APPOINTMENT

Term 1 of the new school year is extremely busy. 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.

2022 OPEN DAYS

• Tuesday the 18th of January
  9am - 12pm
• Wednesday the 19th of January
  11am - 1pm

Please use the online booking system highlighted below to secure an appointment.

OPENING DAYS AND TIMES FOR REMAINDER OF 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 passed on to their teacher.

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: uniformshop@gracevillepandc.org

Thanks everyone!
Michelle

Tuckshop News

Well, that’s it for another year! Thank you to all our volunteers that have helped us out throughout the terms. Whether you came in every week or once a term we really do value the time you give up giving us hand. Without you we really could not make any of this happen.

Next year you will be able to sign up to volunteer through the QKR! app using the Volunteer Menu. Make sure you pop your name in when you order tuckshop next year.

Tuckshop will reopen the second week of school Monday 31st January.

A huge thank you to all our suppliers this year for their continued support:

• Superior Fruit Graceville
• Cilantro Corinda
• Funextreme Balloons
• MBC Made by Carolin

Please make sure you continue to support these businesses through the holiday period.

We hope everyone has a fantastic break over the Christmas/ New Year. Stay safe and we look forward to seeing some new and familiar faces next year.

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

School Plus

It’s the last week of Term! It has been a busy year and we’ve all been having so much fun lots of laughs along the way. Vacation care is right around the corner, and we are so excited for what’s in store! Let’s take a look at what we’ve been up recently at School Plus Graceville:

Recently we celebrated World Children’s Day! This day is all about celebrating children’s rights and welfare. This day is also an opportunity to think about how we can improve child welfare across the world. To celebrate this day, we made sure to ask the children what their favourite activities are at School Plus. We played ping pong, did face painting, played the Playstation and so much more!

We also had some special science experiments going on last week. We loved doing the famous coke & mentos experiment. This was a very interesting and very messy experiment!

The children at School Plus Graceville love their arts & crafts! This week we tried a new type of painting called string painting! These were a bit messy and a bit difficult at time, but they turned out amazing! The children and staff loved trying out a new painting technique and are super happy with the beautiful creations.

We had our Senior Club Breakup on Friday the 3rd of December! Our Seniors got to have a little party to celebrate making it to the end of the year as well as to farewell our Grade 6’s as they Graduate. Our seniors always play an important part at School Plus Graceville helping the younger children and we loved celebrating with them!

This year particularly has been extremely difficult for some families during the COVID-19 Pandemic. School Plus Graceville Outside School Hours Care is collecting food and toy donations from next week onwards to donate to the Salvation Army during Vacation Care on Tuesday 14th December. We are thrilled to be able to help support our local community and families. If you would like to donate, we would greatly appreciate any donations which can be dropped off in our OSHC room.

Our Christmas Vacation Care Program has been released! We have so many fun days including lots of Waterslide Days, Balance Brisbane, Cirque Du Soleil (Circus), My First Gym and so much more! Make sure to book now as spots for excursions fill up quick! Early Bird bookings are ending on the 1st December 2021. If you have any questions regarding vacation or making bookings please don’t hesitate to email (graceville@schoolplus.com.au), call (07 3278 2254) or pop in for a chat!

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

Community Notices

THE SALVATION ARMY CHRISTMAS APPEAL

The Sherwood Salvation Army store is again coordinating the collection of goods to create Christmas hampers and bring some Christmas cheer to those less fortunate in our community.

We’re calling for your support to purchase extra non-perishable item/s when your grocery shopping, and/ or purchase extra new children’s gift/s when you’re gift shopping in the coming weeks, and pop these into the Christmas box just inside the Sherwood Salvo store before Tuesday 14th December.

An example list of grocery items is attached. Suggested new children's gift/s include outdoor/ sporting equipment, clothing, lego, puzzles, games, books, art and craft packs, hair and beauty, and gift vouchers. We kindly ask you do not wrap the children’s gifts so parents can personally select suitable gifts for their children. You may wish to donate wrapping paper and sticky tape to allow parents to wrap the gifts themselves.

Drop-off: Salvos Sherwood, 450 Sherwood Rd, Sherwood QLD. Open every day 9am – 5pm (except Sundays).

Thank you for your generosity and support in advance.