21 April 2023

Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

Welcome to Term 2! I hope you enjoyed the Easter Holiday break.

This term we continue our whole school focus through the lens of Expression. To emphasize the Arts as a way to express ourselves we have two events this term. All children in the school will take part in an intensive two week dance curriculum that is facilitated by external providers and we will hold Graceville’s Got Talent which has both performing arts and visual arts streams. I can’t wait to see how some of our children will shine in these arts-based events.

On Friday, I will be gathering together all of the children who expressed an interest in taking part in Graceville’s Got Talent. During the meeting I will explain the timeline in the lead up to the event, including the audition process. Students will be given a letter to take home which explains the process. The Graceville’s Got Talent Show will take place on Wednesday 21 June from 4.30-8.15pm. Tickets will be limited for the show due to the size of our hall however the art gallery and pre-show entertainment will have unlimited entry numbers. There will be an entry fee to help us cover the costs associated with the event.

Next week we will acknowledge ANZAC Day. The school will hold a whole school assembly to commemorate ANZAC Day on Monday at 10.15am. You can also join our school in the community ANZAC march on the ANZAC Day public holiday Tuesday. We ask all students who will be participating with us in the march to wear their school uniform (including hat) and remain with our school group throughout the service.

As you may have heard, Steve, our much-loved Schools Officer (Groundsman) has taken on a new role outside of our school. As this happened very quickly in the last few days of last term, we do not yet have a full time replacement for this position. Due to this we have negotiated for Steve to return to Graceville a few days a week to help us while we interview for a new Schools Officer. We will ensure the mowing and other basic maintenance is complete on the days Steve is with us. We hope to have a new full time Schools Officer to start in week 4.

This term many clubs and groups that are offered in a voluntary capacity by our own school staff, will start. Mrs Chudasko hopes to advertise soon for Robotics Club and Mrs Payne and Ms Byrne will start the Indigenous Inquiry groups. I am sure the Green Team will also get up and running again soon.

The Year 1 building is still under construction. We have been told the hand over date for the building will be sometime in week 6. I hope you have noticed the gradual development of the Tennis Courts, the work that has been done in and around the pool and the general tidy up of gardens around D and F blocks. We have been told D and F block will be painted externally sometime this year which will lift the exterior of the buildings.

I hope you have a great week,

Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

I hope you all enjoyed the Easter break and have returned re-charged for a busy term 2 ahead!

Waiting List for 2024 Prep out of catchment is now open

Please let any interested people know that forms and information can be obtained from our school office. Families from within our catchment area, we also invite you to obtain enrolment forms to begin the process when convenient now. For in catchment families a birth certificate and proof of residency in our catchment is required along with the completed enrolment forms.

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 in our school hall, everyone is welcome to attend.

P-2 Assemblies for term 2

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

Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Anzac Day Community March & Ceremony

Students and Families and encouraged to participate in the ANZAC Day community march and ceremony in Memorial Park on Tuesday 25th April.

Our school will be participating in the march from Graceville train station. Students are to wear school uniform (no coloured house shirts please) and meet us at 7.00am. They need to wear their hats and bring a water bottle. Year 6 School Leaders are strongly encouraged to attend and be at the front of the group. The march will commence at 7.15am. It will travel down Verney Road, along Oxley road to the park.

The ANZAC service will commence at 7.30am in Memorial Park.

Several staff members will be attendance for the march and the ceremony.

Chewing Gum

Just a reminder that chewing gum is not allowed at school. Please make sure that your child doesn’t have any at school please.

Mobile phones and smart watches policy

Parents are reminded that all students are to hand in to the office all mobile devices (phones & smart watches that are not on “school mode” or where students can access any apps apart from just telling the time).

There is an increasing number for students now with mobile devices and it is very important for cybersafety reasons that students can’t access any personal devices to send or receive messages, take videos or photos or access the internet.

Parents are asked to be very vigilant with students accessing mobile devices at school. Please only send them with your child if absolutely necessary.

Mobile devices need to be handed into the office before school and then can be picked up after school has finished.

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

Welcome to the new term! I hope all of our families had a relaxing and enjoyable Easter. Our rehearsals and instrumental lessons have resumed this week and we are preparing music for performances later this term.

If your child would like to join one of our choirs (and is in years 2 - 6), please contact me ASAP so they can start attending rehearsals and learning the songs we are planning to perform later this term as part of our celebration of 'expression'. The goal of our choirs 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. Many people also find it beneficial to their wellbeing to sing as part of a group. If your child is in years 2 - 6 and would like to join one of our choirs, please email me and I will provide further details.

All of our Beginner Strings students will be attending a String Extravaganza workshop at Sherwood State School on Wednesday 24 May. Further information and a permission form will be sent out from Mr Chin in the coming weeks regarding this excursion.

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.

Thank you to families who have contacted our music teachers/conductors to let them know if their child is sick an unable to attend a rehearsal. Email addresses are below if any families need these contact details.

Thank you for supporting your child's involvement in our music 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

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, 28 April

P&C News

Welcome to Term 2! We hope you and your families have had a well-deserved break over the holidays. In the last week of term 1, we had the Annual General Meeting for the P&C. A new executive committee was formed for 2023 during the AGM. We would like to thank the outgoing president, Michelle Murphy and vice president, Anita Armstrong for their hard work, effort, and contribution to the P&C committee in the last year.

We would also like to welcome the new executive committee for 2023:

President – Katie Gould
Vice President (HR) – Cari Clarke
Vice President (Projects) – Daniel Upham
Treasurer – Paul Ruberry
Secretary – Veena Sudarshan

New Members

Join us and grow our community

We welcome all families to join the P&C to share your perspective on topics that affect your children while they are at Graceville State School. New membership forms are attached below. If you have any questions, feel free to write to us.

TRIVIA TICKETS ON SALE ON MONDAY 24 APRIL @ 8pm!

Plans are well underway for the annual GSS Trivia night and we are really excited to hear so many people getting excited for it! Tickets will be available to purchase on Monday 24 April from 8pm via QKR.

Limited number of tables so first in best dressed (you buy a table not individual tickets)

Allocate a person from your table to be Team Captain,

Once they have booked your table we will send them the form to submit your team's theme, wine and platter requests.

Once your theme is confirmed let the fun begin!

If you have any questions please email the Trivia Team - trivia@gracevillepandc.org.au

Tuckshop

Tuckshop News 2023

Welcome Back to Term 2! So lovely to see all the smiling faces happy to be back for another term.

We have hit the ground running this first week back and have been busy, busy, busy. Thanks to the Class Reps who sent out a call for help this week. Some new faces have already popped in to help which we love so please don’t hesitate to drop by and say hello.

Any time you can spare we are very appreciative and grateful – hopefully we will see YOU soon!

MENU NEWS

Keep an eye out for some exciting new menu items this term. As it starts to get cooler, we have some surprises in store to keep the cold away. Watch this space.

REMINDERS

• Daily orders cut off at 8am
• If your child is away, please cancel the order in Qkr! before 8am
• Birthday Balloons and Ice blocks need to be ordered through the Qkr! system – we have had a few children asking “where their balloons and/or Iceblocks are” for their birthday. Please remind your child that as much as we would love to give everyone these items, unfortunately they do need to be purchased.

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.

Emma and Alex
Tuckshop Conveners 2023

Uniform Shop

Hi all!

Welcome Term 2. I hope you all had a lovely Easter break and had a few days to enjoy some r & r.

Year 6 Commemorative Shirts

The shirts are on their way! I will deliver them straight to the classroom for the teachers to hand out to the children, so keep an eye out.

HOUSE SHIRTS

In the last P&C meeting the motion to remove the house names and logos from the shirt was approved. The team’s 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 this term.

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

I currently have a great size range of the winter gear in store. 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.

Don’t forget about our 2nd hand rack that is currently jam packed with winter gear!

OUT OF STOCK

We are currently out of stock of the following items, but all have been re ordered and are due to arrive next month –

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

Tennis for Kids

TENNIS HOT SHOTS – LIMITED PLACES STILL AVAILABLE FOR TERM 2!

Limited places are still available for term 2 tennis lessons and Fixture Leagues.

ENROL ONLINE at

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 -

Community Notices

Go Sport

Bullsharks U10 boys rugby

We need some more U10 boys to play at this great little club that is the junior feeder club for Uni of QLD Rugby Club when the boys get older.

Training ground is just at the Graceville Cricket fields on Oxley Road Friday nights 5:30pm.

Games will be on a Sunday morning.

All the boys are just learning, emphasis is on learning skills and having fun.