16 September 2022

Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

Thank you for supporting us through yet another big term! I know the staff and I are looking forward to a relaxing Spring break to reset and recharge.

Don’t forget the first day of school in Term 4 is Tuesday 4 October.

We have Free Dress Day to celebrate World Smile Day on Friday 7 October. Children can wear bright clothes to school that day and bring along an age appropriate joke to share with the class.

Keep the night of 26 October free too if you would like your child to attend the Disco! Tickets will go on sale in the first few weeks of school. The lower school theme is Fantasy and the mid to upper school theme is the 80’s.

Finally, save up your pennies as we will be holding a Book Fair in week 3 and 4!

Have a great holiday,

Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

P-2 Sports Day

What a great day we had on Thursday for our Sports Day. Big thank you to Mr Daunt for your organisation and other staff in running the events. Thank you Chappy and Steve our Groundsman for the set up and preparation assistance too. Some year 6 students were invaluable in their running of events at different stations and helping to organise the equipment. Thank you!

It was great to see many parents and grandparents join us for the day to celebrate our young athletes as well.

Cybersafety Presentation for GSS Parents will be held on Wednesday October 5, at 6pm!

Please RSVP your attendance at:

This session will definitely be taking place as we have at least 25 RSVPs for the event.

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.

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

Preparing for Prep 2023

Term 4

Get Set for Prep sessions

Families must RSVP for Get Set for Prep sessions using our online booking system which will be live from October 4.

Session 1: Tuesday Oct 18 OR Thursday Oct 20, 9 – 10:00am Focus on Fine Motor Skills
Session 2: Tuesday Nov 1, 9 – 10:00 Speech and Language Development
Session 3: Monday Nov 14 OR Wednesday Nov 16, 9 – 10:00am Focus on Reading

Prep Orientation meetings: Thursday November 24

Meet the class session: Thursday December 1, 9 – 10am

Term 4 Calendar for P-2 Assemblies

We commence our P-2 assemblies at 2:15, parents are welcome to attend.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

Thank you to all of our choirs and instrumental ensembles for their performances at the Spring Fair! Our students really enjoyed the opportunity to share their music with the school community and the instrumental teachers and I have received some lovely feedback about the performances.

We are very excited to confirm that next term we will be able to host our annual music concert in week 6, on Wednesday 9 November, at 6:00pm. All of our choral and instrumental students will be performing at this concert and it will conclude by 7:30pm (at the latest). Previous concerts have often finished at around 7:15pm. Please lock this important date in your calendar if you have a student in the music program. Conductors will let student know what time they need to arrive to tune up. Choral students can arrive for the beginning of the concert at 6:00pm.

Thank you to our many students and families for their commitment with rehearsals and IM lessons throughout this term. We hope you all have a relaxing and enjoyable Spring vacation and we look forward to seeing you back at rehearsals/lessons next term. Senior Choir rehearsals will resume on the first Tuesday back next term (which is the first school day of the term due to the public holiday).

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

The music rehearsal schedule for 2022

Monday 7:45am – Senior Band (in the school hall)
Tuesday 7:45am - Senior Choir (interested students in years 4 - 6 - in the music room)
Wednesday 7:45am - Junior Strings (in the school hall)
Thursday 7:45am – Senior Strings (in the school hall)
Friday 7:45am - Junior Choir (interested students in years 2 - 3 - in the music room)
Friday 7:45am – Junior Band

Music Teacher Contact Details

Alex Chin - Instrumental Music Teacher - Strings - Email: achin4@eq.edu.au
James Kukulies - Instrumental Music Teacher - Band - Email: jkuku2@eq.edu.au
Naomi Lindh - Classroom Music Teacher/Choir Conductor - Email: nclos1@eq.edu.au

Uniform Shop

Michelle Fanning

Hi all

Welcome to week 10!

Here we are at the end of another term heading into the home stretch of 2022!

PLAN AHEAD FOR 2023

I've noticed some families already ordering and making appointments for fittings for 2023. If you can, buy as early as possible. Just one less thing to worry about when the silly season well and truly arrives.

CASHLESS STORE

We are now a cashless store so will only be accepting payment by Eftpos card or credit card when purchasing at the store.

OUT OF STOCK

We are currently out of size 8 Gold Polo shirts and size 4 shorts. They have been ordered and should be back in store this week.

DRESSES

Please note we have very limited stock in our dresses. We now only have small quantities of sizes 1, 8, 12, 14 and 16 left in stock. I also currently have 2nd hand dresses in size 2, 6 and larger.

I will not be ordering more so if you’re a new family and you would like a dress for Prep 2023 please do not delay.

PRICE INCREASES

Due to price rises in fabric, our suppliers across the board have increased the cost of their garments and bags. This obviously mean some price changes for our items in store which will happen shortly.

2nd HAND STOCK

Why not look at our 2nd hand rack. Items start at just $5 and are always marked at 50% off or less! Pop by the store on a Tuesday or Thursday morning for a look or send me an email with what you’re after so I can help.

DONATIONS

Could donations please be given during opening hours only or handed in at the office if absolutely necessary. Please DO NOT leave bags outside the uniform shop. Thank you.

OPENING DAYS AND TIMES

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 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 via your pc or laptop, please add your child’s FULL NAME and CLASS in the notes section. If ordering via your mobile device, please add your child’s details beside yours. 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.

REFUNDS

Please be advised that refunds will only be given if you have your receipt originally sent to you via text message or email. Items should not have been washed, worn and any tags should still be attached. PLEASE NOTE any items should be returned or exchanged within 60 days.

Email address for school uniform store is:

uniformshop@gracevillepandc.org.au

Thanks everyone. Have a wonderful break!

Michelle

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop News 2022

Yay it’s holiday time! We hope you have an absolutely fantastic break and we will see you back next term! Due to supplier issues expect to see some changes in both price and items.

Remember we love a drop in visit before and/or after reading groups to help out. You would be surprised just how much 10 minutes of your time can help us with the morning.

Just follow the steps below to sign up in QKR! Or pop in and we can put your name down for you.

Thank you to all those volunteers that pop in regularly to see if we need help and a big shout out to the volunteers that pop in EVERY week to give us hand – we couldn’t do it without you!

Menu News

NEW MENU ITEM!!!

Reminders

Please be mindful that

• Cutoff time for ordering is 8am every morning
• Sushi orders must be in by 12pm Tuesday for Wednesday delivery (remember to order through the Sushi menu)
• If your child is sick please cancel the order before 8am on your app, if it is after that time please call us and we can help

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 2022

GSS Spring Fair 2022

After many months of hard work from our tireless team of volunteers, Saturday 27th August finally arrived – GSS Spring Fair Day!!

After the particularly challenging start to the year with the 2-week delayed to school, due to COVID, and the February floods, it was wonderful to be able to come together once again and enjoy all the wonderful things that make up GSS and this community, and most importantly to have some fun!

And what a wonderful day it was, the weather was brilliant, the food was delicious, the rides and activities in Kidzone were awesome, the entertainment was fabulous, and top it off the fireworks extravaganza was incredible. It was so wonderful to see so many happy and smiling faces around the school all enjoying a great day out. With that said, an event of this magnitude does not just happen overnight or by itself. It is a labour of love that has involved many people over many months. So, we would like to extend our deepest and heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers and organisers for their generous contributions and tireless energy, and without whom this event would not have happened.

Firstly, to Faith Studd, our amazing coordinator, who came back again this year to organise and coordinate the 2022 Spring Fair - thank you Faith for all your hard work and dedication, we could not have done this without you. Alongside Faith, her brilliant team - Deepa Dasari our fair co-convenor, Jean Ling our food convenor, as well as Anita Armstrong, Carrie Grassick and Prue Duff for all their fundraising efforts. Thank you so very much you guys have done an awesome job. A thank you also to Laura Nadal, Nicola Playle, Eliza Priest, Emma Cooper, Veena Sudarshan, Paul Ruberry and John Adams for all your hard work.

In addition, a big thank you to our principal Zoe Smith, her team here at GSS and Chappy for all their support and help in organising this event. Thank you to all the class reps and parent volunteers who have gave so much of their time not only on the day but also in the lead up to the event to make sure everything ran smoothly, and all the stalls were manned.

A big thank you to our named sponsors - Ray White Sherwood (rides), BOQ Forest Lake (face painting), P.E. Department (BBQ), Place Graceville (bar), and Thrive (fireworks), as well as all our platinum, gold, silver, and bronze event sponsors, and all those businesses that offered donations and support. A shout out needs also to go to Nick and the Art & Gusto team who have kept everyone well caffeinated!

And finally, a big thank you to all who came and supported this year’s Spring Fair, and once again made this such a successful event. We hope you have enjoyed yourself and had a great time.

The fun of the Spring Fair does not need to stop because this year’s event is over. Our attention is already turning to the GSS Spring Fair 2023!! Some of our key team members will not be returning to convenor/organiser roles for next year, so we are already on the look out for new fresh faces who are able to help out for next year’s Fair. If you are at all interested in helping organise the 2023 fair (in any capacity – big or small), please get in touch with us via the P&C (exec@gracevillepandc.org.au)

GSS Spellathon – Wrap Up

Peter May from Place Graceville as well as representatives from the P&C and our Spellathon convenor, Fiona Bird, were on hand last week (week 9) at the GSS full school assembly, to hand out awards for this year’s Spellathon that was held last term. Prizes for first, second and third were awarded to students in each year level (prep through to grade 6), as well as a class prize for highest student involvement.

Congratulations to all our winners for this year, and a massive THANK YOU to all the students at GSS for being involved this year. Your enthusiasm and involvement in Spellathon 2022 has meant that the event this year has been our most successful Spellathon ever, raising approximately $27,429!! The funds raised from this year’s event will be used to purchase new library books for the school library as well as other literacy resources for classrooms.

GSS P&C Survey – WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

The P&C is undertaking a targeted engagement strategy to hear from and gain feedback from our community of parents, carers, teachers, school staff and students, on things that are important to you. This survey will give an opportunity to help decide which projects are of priority to you, where fundraising money should be allocated, and what other areas or improvement we can work on to help support the school and its students.

The survey will open from 15th September and close on Wednesday 12th October. All participants who take part in the survey will be anonymous.

Here's your chance to provide feedback to the P&C committee.

Survey Link:

Next P&C meeting date

Please be advised that the next P&C meeting has been scheduled for 19th October 2022 at 7:30pm in the Waratah Room. You can also attend virtually via Zoom – details will be sent out closer to the time. Everyone is welcome.

Tennis

TENNIS HOT SHOTS – ENROLMENTS FOR TERM 4 NOW OPEN!

Enrolments are now open for term 4 tennis coaching.

ENROL ONLINE at the link below:

PRIVATE AND SEMI-PRIVATE LESSONS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

Should you have any questions please contact Tennis for Kids on info@tennisforkids.com.au or 0408 187 741.

ALL NEW CHILDREN ENROLLING IN TERM 4 WILL RECEIVE A FREE JUNIOR TENNIS RACQUET!

Tennis For Kids is a FairPlay activity provider and therefore can accept Government FairPlay Vouchers -

SEPTEMBER SCHOOL HOLIDAY TENNIS COACHING CLINICS

MONDAY 19TH, TUESDAY 20TH, WEDNESDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER 2022

September School Holiday Tennis Clinics are now open for enrolments.

Positions are available for all school students aged between 4-12 years.

Enrolments can be done online -

RED BALL CLINIC - RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN 4-7 YEARS OF AGE

Clinics for Red Ball students (4-7 years) will be at Graceville State School from 8.00-10.30am (2½ hours) (please select your preferred venue when enrolling)

ORANGE & GREEN BALL CLINIC - RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN 7-12 YEARS OF AGE

Clinics for Orange/Green Ball students (7-12 years) will be at Graceville State School from 8.00-11.00am (3 hours) (please select your preferred venue when enrolling)

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