11 November 2022

Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

Four weeks to go! Time is flying!

I would like to congratulate our Touch Football teams who participated in the All Schools Touch Football competition last weekend. The children played with great sportsmanship and one of the teams won the competition bringing home the gold cup! I would like to thank Mr Daunt and Mr Cook for volunteering to coach the teams and attend the full weekend carnival with the children.

Last night we held our Annual Music Concert. Our musicians performed brilliantly. At one point in the night while listening to the Senior Stings, I felt I was listening to a professional string’s ensemble playing a movie soundtrack. Amazing! We are so proud of our students who have a passion for music and dedication to express themselves as musicians. I would also like to thank Mr Chin, Mr Kukulies and Mrs Lindh, our music teachers for inspiring our students to engage with music and encouraging them to persist in practicing and improving.

Next Wednesday afternoon we will announce the School Captain, Student Learning Ambassador Leaders and Cultural Ambassadors for 2023. At the same assembly, we will announce the shortlisted students for Sport Houses Captains and Music Captains. The speeches for Sports House Captains are the afternoon of Friday 25 November.

A few dates to remember:

• Prep Orientation Day Thursday 24th November
• Year 4-6 swimming carnival Friday 2nd December
• Year 1-3 swimming carnival Tuesday 6th December
• Report Cards emailed home Tuesday 6th December
• Class letters for 2023 sent home Tuesday 6th December
• Graduation night Wednesday 7th December
• Year 6 White Water World end of year celebration Thursday 8th December

Finally, don’t forget we are celebrating World Kindness Day next Monday 14th. Students can wear free dress. Kindness is priceless and so there is no cost for wearing free dress. We encourage all children to consider doing a random act of kindness for another person on Monday!

I hope you have a great week,

Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Preparing for Prep 2023

Term 4

Get Set for Prep sessions are underway!

Families must RSVP for Get Set for Prep sessions using our online booking system on SOBS.

The link is below.

Session 3: Monday Nov 14 OR Wednesday Nov 16, 9 – 10:30am 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.

Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

The GSS booklists have now been finalised and can now be ordered.

With the booklists you have several options:

*Order the booklists through Campions:

The Due date for orders is Wednesday 14th December.

You have the option of home delivery or pick up at school (except Prep packs)

Use the code to access the 2023 resource lists (8QM2) - Campion website

(bypass code)

*Another option is to purchase the items you need from somewhere else. There is no obligation to purchase from Campions. The P & C do get some commissions from Campions however. If you purchase from somewhere else please ensure you buy the correct quantities & brands as these are chosen by teachers for their quality and efficiency.

Music News

Naomi Lindh

We have had a fabulous week in the music department with our Annual Music Concert on Wednesday night! We have not been able to host this concert for 3 years due to Covid restrictions, so we were very pleased to be able to hold it this year! As well as providing the opportunity for students to perform for family members, they have the experience of being involved in a more formal type of concert and can listen to each of the other choirs and ensembles throughout the evening. These are all important experiences for our young musicians.

After the performances, we congratulated our graduating year 6 choral and instrumental students for their commitment to the program and presented them with certificates. We hope they continue to enjoy music and be involved in choirs/instrumental music throughout and beyond high school.

This week is the last week of choir rehearsals. Thank you to our committed choir students and families for your singing and enthusiasm. I hope to see many of you back at our choir rehearsals next year, as well as some new faces and voices!

2023 IM Recruitment

The instrumental music teachers will be sending out first round offers for the IM program before the end of this year, to parents/carers of students who submitted an expression of interest last term.

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

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

Elders Lunch

Nishta R

On Saturday, the fifteenth of October, a lunch was hosted at our school and we had the opportunity to chat with some of the traditional owners of this land.

Mrs Payne and some students came to the occasion and we were extremely happy to learn some interesting things about how the owners of our land used the resources found in nature. We chatted with Auntie Debbie about the uses of Bush Tucker, which is like food and medicine from nature. Auntie Debbie told us about lots of different plants that can be used from the bush. Did you know that if you pluck a bottle brush flower really early in the morning and swirl it around in some water, you can make a sweet drink? This is because of the nectar from the flower. It was really fun talking, and learning so much about the Indigenous culture. Thank you so much, Auntie Debbie! We also chatted with Gaja Kerry Charlton who helped in creating our acknowledgement of country, and Jody Rara with whom we collaborated to create our Maiwar Turtle. We spent some time with Uncle Glen Lindh too!

The lunch was incredible. Every one who came brought a dish along with them, for lunch or dessert. All of the food was amazing! Kuppibunda Kitchen presented some delicious bush tucker, including Rosella relish & bush tomato and wild basil chutney. Kuppibunda Kitchen is a place for students at BYETC to showcase their catering skills using indigenous ingredients. All of the tables were covered by indigenous art table cloths. They were absolutely beautiful.

After lunch, we got a treat from some of the musicians present! Aunty Sharron Lindh (Mrs Lindh’s sister-in-law) shared her song which will be aired on Play school next year. The song’s name is Stomp. There were many other people from the community who brought along their instruments, and sang some songs. It was a great afternoon, filled with lively music and fun!

These were all of the Elders present at the lunch.

Uncle Glen Lindh and some students from Graceville State School.

Auntie Sharron Lindh performing STOMP.

Students from GSS, Mrs Payne, and Auntie Debbie. (Can you see the amazing table cloths?)

P&C News

P&C News

Appreciations and Thanks.

It has been a very busy fortnight in terms of celebrations at GSS! We firstly had “World Teachers Day” on October 28th and then “Tuckshop Day” on November 4th.

The P&C would like to recognise and thank all our incredible teachers, teacher aids, admin, support and office staff, and the leadership team at Graceville State School. Your hard work and dedication towards all our students each and every day is so appreciated and valued. Thank you for everything you do. We hope the little treats left in the staff room brightened your day!

Also, our incredible tuckshop team – Emma, Alex, and Edwina – thank you so much for all your hard work this year. The tuckshop is such a vital and central facility to our school and without all the hard work and time that you give each week, we simply would not be able to have this available to our students. Thank you so very much!

Help needed

We are putting a call out to our wonderful community who may have some expertise and be willing to lend a hand.

Firstly, we are still on the hunt for a co-convenor for the Spring Fair next year. If you have any interest in helping put together and co-ordinate that Fair for 2023 (which is the biggest fundraising event for the year), please reach out to us.

Secondly, we have identified several potential grant opportunities that have proposal submissions due in the next 6 months. If you have any grant application experience or can help with some insight on preparing grants, we would love to hear from you!

Finally, the library is looking for some help covering all new reading resources that have been purchased this year. Covering books is super easy – our lovely library teachers have already pre-cut all the contact for us – and will be more than happy to guide you through it. If you can help, just drop past the library either before or after school and pick up a box of books. Best bit – there is no deadline on when to return them!

If you are able to help out with any P&C events for 2023, or grant applications, please get in contact with us ( president@gracevillepandc.org.au ).

Next P&C meeting date

Please be advised that the next P&C meeting has been scheduled for 30th November 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.

Please also be reminded that at the next P&C meeting a draft strategical plan for 2023-2025 will be tabled for review and approval. This plan will help us to plan out the direction for the P&C for the next couple of years in terms of projects and fundraising events.

Uniform Shop

Michelle Fanning

Hi all!

Welcome to week 6

How crazy that we're halfway through our last term for 2022!

PLAN AHEAD FOR 2023

Families are 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.

APPOINTMENTS

Please be aware that this is the busiest time of the year for the uniform shop so appointments are absolutely necessary. I have 10 min appointments for current families/students or 20 min appointments for new families/students needing to try on uniforms etc. Appointments days are Tuesdays and Thursdays. These can be made by scrolling down to the ‘link for appointment’ section.

OUT OF STOCK/LOW STOCK

We are currently out of stock of size 6 and 8 Gold Polos.

The Polo Shirts will be restocked within the next week.

RETURNS/REFUNDS

Please be advised that refunds will only be given if you have your receipt which will be sent to you via email or text message. Items should be in perfect condition so should not have been worn or washed and any original tags should still be attached. You have 60 days for returns and refunds.

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.

DRESSES

Please note we have very limited stock in our dresses. We now only have small quantities of sizes 8, 12, 14 and 16 left in stock. These will not be re stocked.

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.

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

LINK FOR BOOKING APPOINTMENTS

If for any reason you cannot make your appointment time, please cancel online asap so others don’t miss out.

LOCATION

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.

If you are a new family to the school please let me know so we can arrange a pick up time from the uniform shop. The school office prefer not to hold items there for pick up if at all possible.

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. Please do not leave donations at the uniform shop when it is closed. Thank you for your generosity and understanding.

Email address for school uniform store is:

uniformshop@gracevillepandc.org.au

Thanks everyone!

Michelle

Tuckshop News

The Count down to end of term is getting closer!

Please be aware that Tuckshop will be closed for the last week of school (week 10).

The last day of Tuckshop for 2022 will be FRIDAY 2nd DECEMBER and all orders must be placed by MIDDAY THURSDAY 1st DECEMBER.

With only a few weeks to go – if you have any time to spare, please sign up to help out, we love a drop in visit before and/or after reading groups so drop in and say hello!

Just follow the steps below to Volunteer and sign up in QKR!

Menu News

It’s been only a week since we have expanded our Gluten Free options and we love that we can now offer even more kids tuckshop each day.

Our Gluten Free Options include:

• GF Hot Chicken Wraps (only available on a Tuesday)
• GF Toasties
• GF Sandwiches and Wraps
• Sushi and Rice Paper Rolls (Wednesday and Friday)
• Vegan Sausage Rolls
• GF Blueberry Muffins
• GF Banana Muffins
• Popcorn
• Rice Crackers w Dips or Cheese

Also a reminder that we have Oat Milk in Chocolate and Vanilla Flavours and Lactose Free Chocolate Milk available now as well.

DON’T FORGET SUSHI IS AVAILABLE WEDNESDAY and FRIDAY! Orders need to be in by 11.30 Tuesday and Thursday respectively for next day delivery!

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

School Plus

OSHC Contribution for Newsletter

Christmas Appeal

This week we have started our Salvation Army appeal here at OSHC. We would love the Graceville School Community to come together to help us to donate to those in need at Christmas time. You don’t need to come to OSHC to donate, you can drop by during opening hours if you would like to contribute. Please donate dry pasta, canned and jarred goods, new toys, and hygiene products. We will be presenting our donations to the Salvation Army Monday 12th of December. Thank you.

Lost Property

We have got quite a lot of lost property here at the OSHC room again. If your child has lost something, please come by during opening hours to check our many hats and jackets.

Christmas Closure Period

OSHC will be closed from the 24th of December to the 08th of January. The last day of Vacation Care will be the 23rd of December.

The Fun We’ve Had…

Halloween

Halloween was lots of fun here at OSHC. The children loved decorating the room with spooky yarn mummies, balloons, caution tape and more. We had lots of fun doing spooky face paint like zombies and vampires. We also made some trick-or-treat cookies for parents that were shaped like ghosts and pumpkins topped with candy spiders and bones.

Outdoor Classroom Day

We took the classroom outside last week with some science experiments and outdoor art. The children enjoyed collecting sticks, leaves and more to create some fantastic naturescapes. It was interesting to see the unique ways in which they used materials with different textures to create their artworks. We have been taking craft outside more often and it has been great to see the children who almost always play outside taking an interest in craft.

Tennis

CHRISTMAS SCHOOL HOLIDAY TENNIS COACHING CLINICS

MONDAY 12TH, TUESDAY 13TH, WEDNESDAY 14TH DECEMBER 2022
WEDNESDAY 16TH, THURSDAY 17TH, FRIDAY 18th JANUARY 2023

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) & Sherwood State School (464 Oxley Road, Sherwood)

CLINIC 2 – ORANGE BALL STUDENTS (RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN 7-10 YEARS OF AGE)

• 8.00am - 11.00am at Graceville State School (Oxley Road, Graceville) & Sherwood State School (464 Oxley Road, Sherwood)

CLINIC 3 – GREEN BALL STUDENTS (RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN 10-12 YEARS OF AGE)

• 8.00am - 11.00am at Graceville State School (Oxley Road, Graceville) & Sherwood State School (464 Oxley Road, Sherwood)

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