24 March 2023

Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

I have just returned from Year 6 camp which was fantastic! We tried a new camp venue this year and the children really enjoyed themselves. The focus was very different to our usual camps and most of the activities contained experiences the children would never have taken part in before. Some of our children were really pushed outside their comfort zones, they overcame fears and faced challenges head on! I was very proud of them all.

I hope you can help us to manage a traffic related issue on Acacia Avenue/Oxley Road. We were made aware a near miss occurred at the traffic lights on Oxley Road and Acacia Avenue this morning. Witnesses to the incident, who use the crossing regularly said the near miss this morning was not a one off. Speed and a lack of focus of the driver seemed to be common reasons for similar incidents at the lights. We ask all parents/carers to drive as slowly as possible from Oxley Road onto Acacia Avenue at peak times of the school day. We ask all parents/carers to maintain their full attention to the road and surrounds to ensure they can react to the unexpected. If we all work together, we can ensure our children are safe.

Thank you for supporting Harmony Day by wearing orange on Tuesday. Our special whole school assembly to celebrate Harmony Day will be held Friday from 10am.

The P&C AGM is next Wednesday night. Most positions have nominations now however we still do not have a potential P&C President! If you think you can help us, please contact the school.

Don’t forget we have some fun events next week, the Easter Hat Parade for Prep and upper school Cross Country.

Next Friday is the last day of Term! I hope you have a great Easter break and we will see back on Monday 17 April.

Have a great week,
Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Prep Easter Hat Parade

Where did term 1 go!?? Where ever you are I hope the Easter Bunny finds you this holiday, have a great one, stay safe and get ready for a busy term 2!

On Thursday March 30 we will be holding our annual Prep Easter Hat Parade at 9am under QBlock, we look forward to sharing children’s Easter hat creations along with some prep songs.

Waiting List for Prep for 2024 – opens first day of term 2 on Tuesday April 17

The waiting list for 2024 will open on Monday, 17th April. Please let any interested people know that forms and information can be obtained from our school office from that date which is the first day of term 2. Families from within our catchment area, we also invite you to obtain enrolment forms to begin the process when convenient after the start of term 2. For in catchment families a birth certificate and proof of residency in our catchment is required along with the completed enrolment form.

Graceville State School recognises as its prime obligation the provision of access to an appropriate educational service for students that reside within this community as defined by its local catchment area.

Please visit the following link which provides information about the catchment area for Graceville State School:

Our annual Prep Information session will be held on Wednesday July 26 at 7pm, everyone is welcome to attend.

P-2 Assemblies for the remainder of this term

All parents are welcome to attend these assemblies starting at 2:15 each fortnight.

Term 3 P-2 Assemblies

School Sun Safety Policy

Last year was the first year of implementation of our Sun Safety Policy. Year-round sun protection is important for all 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.

Parents are asked to apply sunscreen before school and all teachers will provide an opportunity for students to reapply sunscreen while at school using school provided sunscreen which is Ultra Protect Vitamin E 50+ brand.

If you do not wish for your child to use the school provided sunscreen please complete the ‘Non-consent’ form which is Appendix A of the attached policy.

Please take the time to read this policy and ask any questions at all about its contents.

QParents

QParents

The QParents web and mobile application provides a more convenient, easier way for parents and legal guardians of Queensland state school students to interact with their child’s school. Parents will have secure, online access to their child’s student information, anytime, anywhere, through a smartphone, tablet or computer.

QParents allows parents to connect instantly with their child’s school to access and manage their child’s student information, including:

• Attendance and absence details, as well as the ability to notify the school of an absence
• Academic report cards
• Online service consent approval
• Viewing unpaid invoice details, payment history, and making payments online
• Viewing and updating personal student details, including medical conditions and address
• Enrolment details
• Upcoming events list showing school events, exam and assessment dates, and excursions.

QParents will assist both staff and parents in sharing and responding to information in an efficient and effective way.

We will be sending out invitations for parents in years 1,2, 5 and 6 to register for QParents on Friday 10th March (Prep and Year 4 parents have already been sent invitations). If you do not want to register, you may advise us not to send you any more invitations, and your child’s student information will not be available to anyone through QParents.

QParents won’t replace the traditional ways you communicate with our school, but it will provide another way to communicate with us.

More information about QParents can be found at

Acting Business Manager

Sue Prior

How to Make Payment at Graceville State School

DET Preferred Payment Method – Bpoint

Please use the CRN (Customer Reference Number) located on the bottom left hand side of your invoice. Payment can be made through the Payment Portal:

This is a secure site and receipts are issued immediately. Our records are updated within 24 hours.

Copies of invoices and receipts are available on your QParents Portal. Payments can also be made in QParents.

Payment Plan Via eDDR (Electronic Direct Debit Registration) Contact admin@gracevilless.eq.edu.au or please phone to speak to our Finance Team to discuss a payment plan.

By Phone with a Credit/Debit Card Please phone 1300 BPoint – 1300-631-073.

When making a payment please have your invoice ready as you will need your CRN (Customer Reference Number) and Invoice Number.

In Person at Graceville State School

Office Hours are Monday to Friday 8.00am to 3.30pm on school days. Payment can be made by EFTPOS. American Express not accepted.

CentrePay

Deductions Please contact our Finance Team to discuss this option

Music News

Naomi Lindh

Happy Harmony week! This week marks the first performances for the Senior and Junior Choir at our special Harmony Week assembly. I hope all of our choir students have enjoyed preparing for this and the opportunity to share the songs at the assembly. Over the last few years, we have had to limit performances and even rehearsals at times, due to COVID restrictions. It is very exciting for our keen young musicians to have more opportunities to perform this year!

The goal of the choir is to bring students who enjoy singing together each week to learn songs by different composers (including Australian composers), experience singing songs from different cultures and styles of music and further developing their musicianship skills, including singing in parts. If your child is in years 2 - 6 and would like to join the choir, please read the attached note and contact me as soon as possible, so I can add your parent/carer details to my email contact lists and students can start attending rehearsals to prepare for our performances next term.

If your child is experiencing any difficulties with starting their instrumental lessons or engaging in their lessons/practice, please contact their IM teacher so they can work through this with you and your child to support their involvement in the IM program.

We hope all of our students and school community has a safe and relaxing Easter vacation!

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

Music Rehearsals

Monday - Senior Band (Mr Kukulies) - 7:45am in the hall
Tuesday - Senior Choir (Mrs Lindh) - 7:45am in the music room - students from years 4 - 6 are welcome to join
Wednesday - Junior Strings (Mr Chin) - 7:45am in the hall
Thursday - Junior Choir (Mrs Lindh) - 7:45am in the music room
        Senior Strings (Mr Chin) - 7:45am in the hall
Friday - Junior Band (Mr Kukulies) - 7:45am in the hall - starting in term 2, date to be confirmed

Tuckshop

Tuckshop News 2023

We made it to the end of Term 1! We wish everyone a happy and safe break, rest up and we look forward to seeing happy faces next term. Tuckshop will be open the first day back of term Monday 17th April.

As we finish up, we would like to say a huge WELCOME to Annette Bennett who joins our Tuckshop team. We are very happy to have Annette on board to help with the growing numbers of orders and to help keep us sane!

Lastly, THANK YOU to Edina Symonds who is in every Friday lending a hand everyone who has dropped in this term to lend a hand – we are very appreciative of your time and the effort it takes to be here... thank you thank you thank you!

MENU NEWS

Did you enjoy your Harmony Donut? We are excited to be offering limited specials this year. Keep your eye out for more special items throughout the year.

If you have any menu questions or concerns or would like any information on how the Tuckshop runs, please pop in and have a chat with us – we’d love to see you.

Have a great break everyone and see you next term.

Emma and Alex
Tuckshop Conveners 2023

Uniform Shop

Hi all!

Welcome to week 9. Well there goes Term 1. As they say time flies when you’re having fun!

Hopefully we'll return to a cooler Term 2.

Year 6 Commemorative Shirts

The shirts have been sent away for screen printing so expect to see them coming home in Term 2.

VACATION CARE GREEN TEE SHIRT

The shirts are close to arriving so will be sent to your child’s classroom in time for the school holidays.

HOUSE SHIRTS

In the last P&C meeting the motion to remove the house names and logos from the shirt was approved. The teams colours will remain the same of Red, Blue and Green.

Children are of course still welcome to wear their current house shirts and the remaining stock can still be purchased as usual until completely sold out.

The new house shirts will be ordered in Term 2.

SWIM GEAR ON SALE

We are phasing out a few swimming items so the following are now on sale at 50% off
Swim shirts – were $38 now $19
Towels – were $18 now $9
Swim cap with stitching - were $10 now $5

STOCK IS LIMITED

Please note we will now only carry the silicone swim caps in store. No other swim items will be available due to price increases and unavailability with suppliers.

WINTER STOCK

Considering the humid days we've been having I know it sounds crazy to talk about winter uniform. I currently have a decent size range of most of the winter range in store so if you’re super organised you're welcome to make an appointment and try on our long sleeve gold polos, fleece jackets, sports jackets, rugby jumpers, track pants and leisure pants.

Please note size 8 Sports Jackets are currently not available due to fabric supply issues.

OUT OF STOCK

We are currently out of stock of the following –

Gold Polo size 16
Cook House Shirt size 6, 8 and 10
Flinders House Shirt size 6 and 16
Kennedy House Shirt size 6, 8 and 10

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.

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 – 10:00am

LINK FOR BOOKING APPOINTMENTS

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.

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

P&C News

As you may have heard already, our current President and Vice President are stepping down this year and we need to fill these vital roles.

The president and vice-president roles are critical to form a P&C executive committee. Without a president, we will not be able to have any P&C related initiatives such as the tuckshop, uniform shop, and fundraising events like the Trivia night, Spring Fair or be able to complete our planned major projects such as the Tuckshop refurbishment or make contributions to the school etc).

You will receive ample support to perform your role and we promise the workload will be divided amongst all executive committee members. So please spread the word amongst other fellow parents / carers.

If you are interested in becoming involved in the P&C or would like to help out with any of our 2023 events, grant applications or are interested in a role, then please get in contact with us ( exec@gracevillepandc.org.au )

We are also looking for other volunteers to help with a range of projects and needs:

• Community engagement / coordination of Class Reps (VP or Assistant VP role)
• IT support for the P&C – set up & management of Office profiles/ website/ etc
• Social Media / Marketing – managing P&C Facebook Page
• Grant/ funding applications
• Coordination of a Movie Night fundraiser

If you have any experience or interest in any of these roles or can provide support, we would love to hear from you via exec@gracevillepandc.org.au.

We have also provided our 2023 membership form below. All current and new members need to re-join the P&C again each year and need to provide the forms before the Annual General Meeting commences. They can also be scanned and returned to secretary@gracevillepandc.org.au or dropped into the P&C mailbox at the school office. Being a member doesn’t mean you have to attend every meeting; it just means you will be on the list to receive agendas and minutes and have voting rights at the meetings you do attend.

Chappy’s Chat

John Erichsen

This week, from Monday to Wednesday, our year 6 students were away on camp, being challenged by some demanding activities and rough terrain. For the first time Graceville State School students travelled to Emu Gully, near Helidon Spa, to experience their camp adventure. I am sure this will have provided many ‘Kodak’ moments for our year 6 cohort, including overcoming challenges and working collaboratively to achieve success. I will be interested to see any change in dynamic, within the cohort, after they have shared this experience.

In a busy week, we also celebrate Harmony Week, with this year’s theme being, “Everyone belongs’. A simple, yet extremely powerful message. There will be a Harmony Day assembly on Friday, March 24, starting at 10 am, to promote this message and celebrate the wonderful diversity in our school community. I wonder what we can all do in our daily lives to live out the Harmony Week theme, and help ensure people know that ‘they belong’.

Next week is the final week of Term and with it, we experience one of Graceville State School’s most colourful moments. Yes! It’s the Prep Easter Hat Parade, where creativity and imagination explode and we see the results in all their spectacular wonder. It is truly a visual feast and a beautiful feel good moment, as we celebrate our youngest students, their creations and their first term of school. 9 am Thursday, March 30. Highlight it on the calendar. Set a reminder. Tie a piece of string on your finger. Just don’t miss it.

Have a brilliant week!

John Erichsen
(Chappy John)

School Plus

Welcome to the last OSHC news update of the term. How quickly this term has flown by!

Vacation Care bookings are now open so please check out our fantastic, fun-filled program for all of our themed days, incursions and excursions. Vacation Care is a great way for children to expand their interests, learn about new things, have new and exciting experiences, spend time with friends (and of course, a great chance for parents and carers to have a bit of a day off!)

This Vacation Care we’re heading off to Queens Park nature reserve to see kangaroos, cows, goats, dingos and even the incredibly rare quoll. This is sure to book out, so secure your place today to brush a cow, watch some bilbies digging and dingos chasing playing like puppies and more!

We will also have themed days including our tropical Hawaiian day, Easter Bunny Bonanza complete with homemade hot cross buns, Mad Scientist day full of experiments, days for chess and tennis and a day celebrating Indian culture and food. Don’t miss out!

In the meantime, we’ve been busy here at OSHC even with the heatwaves that seem to just keep on coming. We’ve got out the water pipes more than once in this sweltering heat and enjoyed time in the shade reading books, learning new games, practicing our gymnastic tricks and more.

In craft we have been exploring our ocean world, learning about puffer fish, turtles and how to look after our oceans and seas. We are working on creating an ocean themed art space display in the room and creating lots of fun art to go on the wall. The children had so many suggestions on how to look after the oceans, especially when it came to visiting the beach. The children love getting involved in these big decorative projects, as they did last term with our solar system project. It’s a fun way for children to work together, collaborate on ideas and see their work displayed. This helps to connect their knowledge to the ‘Real World’ and gives them a sense of pride and self-confidence.

Tennis for Kids

TENNIS HOT SHOTS – ENROLMENTS NOW OPEN FOR TERM 2 2023!

Enrolments are now open for term 2 tennis coaching.

ENROL ONLINE from 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 2 WILL RECEIVE A FREE JUNIOR TENNIS RACQUET!

Tennis For Kids is a FairPlay activity provider and therefore can accept Government FairPlay Vouchers - www.qld.gov.au/fairplayvouchers

EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY TENNIS COACHING CLINICS

MONDAY 3rd, TUESDAY 4TH, WEDNESDAY 5TH APRIL 2023

Easter 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 from the link below.

CLINIC 1 - RECOMMENDED FOR RED BALL CHILDREN 4-7 YEARS OF AGE
Red Ball students will be at St Joseph's Corinda from 8.15-10.45am (2½ hours)

CLINIC 2 - RECOMMENDED FOR ORANGE BALL CHILDREN 7-10 YEARS OF AGE
Orange Ball students will be just down the road at Sherwood State School from 8.00-11.00am (3 hours)

CLINIC 3 - RECOMMENDED FOR GREEN BALL CHILDREN 9-12 YEARS OF AGE
Green Ball students will also be at Sherwood State School from 8.00-11.00am (3 hours)

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

Gardiner Chess

Go Sport