19 May 2023

Principal

Zoe Smith

Hello,

We are now officially half way through the term!

In staffing news, our new Schools Officer Gus starts with us next week. Gus was a firefighter in the UK before coming to live in Australia. He is work place health and safety minded and has a set of tradesmen like skills that will be handy for our aging school. Gus is very friendly and I am sure he will fit into our school community. As you may know, Anne, our substantive BSM has returned to work Monday to Wednesday and we have welcomed Kaye, a new BSM to work Thursdays and Fridays. We ask for your patience as they find their feet working in the role part time.

In exciting news, the Graceville’s Got Talent Auditions have started. We had the pleasure of hosting 40 auditions this week all of which were a joy to watch. We have heard beautiful music, listened to poetry, watched wonderful dances and been entertained by magicians! We allow an audience at the auditions and most days we have had between 100 and 200 audience members. I have to say this has been the most enjoyable week of the year so far! I look forward to next week when we will host 53 more auditions!

We have a range of work being done in the school between now and the end of the term. The vinyl flooring in the Year 3 rooms is being replaced and D, E and F blocks will hopefully be painted before the end of the financial year.

Finally, some of our school leaders will attend the annual community Sorry Day ceremony next week on behalf the school. We encourage all children and families to understand the message of Sorry Day as we move forward as a Nation.

I hope you have a great week,
Zoe Smith

Newsletter Articles

Deputy Principal

Maree Hass

Under 8s Week – Date Claimer

We will be celebrating Under 8s Week this term on Wednesday June 14 with fun and activities on the oval for our prep to year 2 students, 9 – 10:30am and being outdoors hopefully in the sunshine, all parents are welcome to attend and join in the fun! A coffee van will be in attendance.

P-2 Assemblies for term 2

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

Preparing for Prep 2024

Our Prep waiting list for out of catchment has opened. The waiting list must be completed in person, no forms can be sent out or received by email.

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

In catchment families may now obtain enrolment forms from the office and commence this process. Remember that when returning these forms that 2 sets of ‘proof of residency’ documents will be required as well.

Prep Information evening for 2024 will be on Wednesday July 26 at 7pm in our school hall.

Prep interviews will then follow for the rest of term 3. Bookings will be online via a link to be given out through the Information session. These meetings will be face to face at school for 30 minutes, please bring your child to this meeting. Completed enrolment forms and Prep Profile will be required at the interview.

Term 4

Get Set for Prep proposed sessions

Families must RSVP for these sessions using our online booking system also which will be live from July 26.

Session 1: Tuesday Oct 17 OR Thursday Oct 19, 9 – 10:00am Focus on Fine Motor Skills
Session 2: Tuesday Oct. 31, 9 – 10:00 Speech and Language Development
Session 3: Monday Nov 13 OR Wednesday Nov 15, 9 – 10:00am Focus on Reading

Prep Orientation meetings: Thursday November 23

Meet the class session: Thursday November 30, 9 – 10am

Deputy Principal

Lisa McKeaten

Online safety for students – Parent resources

It is always important for us as educators and parents to be well informed about online safety for students. This is always a consideration in schools and included in many aspects of the curriculum.

Everyone has access to some very useful resources which can guide us as educators and also for parents. The esafety website is certainly worth a look for parents. It covers parental controls, cyberbullying, useful resources including webinars for parents, short videos about how to talk to your children about online safety, screen time and many more useful advice for all ages from under 5 year olds to young adults.

I would recommend all parents to visit this site to get some more information.

Business Manager

Anne Nixon

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

Our Intermediate and Senior String ensembles performed at our full school assembly this week. Thank you to Mr Chin and our string students for their fabulous performance! They each played 2 contrasting pieces and demonstrated a range of skills and techniques with confidence and expression. Their performances were thoroughly enjoyed by all of our students and many of our staff. It is always lovely to hear our students play and share the music they work hard at during rehearsals and while practicing at home.

Please ensure that all of our Beginner String students have completed and returned their permission slips for the String Extravaganza workshop being held at Sherwood State School next Wednesday 24 May. This is an exciting event for our Beginner Strings, providing them the opportunity to further develop their skills, musicianship and repertoire, with students and teachers from some of our local schools.

Congratulations to the students who auditioned for a place in the West Cent music camps. This year places were highly competitive. Some of the students who were selected to audition (by our IM teachers) have received a place at the camps. IM teachers have contacted families regarding this. Thank you to all of the students who auditioned and families who took students to and from the audition.

If your child is experiencing any difficulties with 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 - Intermediate 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

P&C

“The P&C are supporting Graceville’s Got Talent on Wednesday 21 June 2023 by offering food and drinks for sale before the main event from 4.30 - 6.00pm. The menu is currently being finalised and parents will be encouraged to pre-order food and drinks on Qkr! before the event.”

Kind regards
Kate Gould
President P&C

Spellathon 2023

Spellathon 2023 is here! The annual Graceville Spellathon is one of the P&C's biggest fundraisers, second only to the Spring Fair. Last year the Graceville Community raised over $25,000 - an incredible effort. Let's make 2023 even bigger! All money raised goes directly to the school to support a range of literacy initiatives and resources. Last year, funds were used to purchase new books for the school library.

Your child will have brought home a Sponsorship Form, Word List and Parent Letter. Please assist your child to learn to spell their List Words in preparation for Spellathon Day - Tuesday 6th June - as well as collect Sponsorship. On Spellathon Day, students return their Sponsorship Forms for their class teachers to record their result on.

Prizes are awarded to students with the most points (1 point per word correct + 1 point per $1 of sponsorship) in each year group, raffle prizes for students who get 100% of their words correct, classes who raise the most money and classes who have 100% of their students collect sponsorship (however large or small).

We are grateful to our Sponsors - Place Graceville and Graceville Village Discount Drug Store for their generous support of this event.

If you have any questions please contact the Spellathon Committee - gracevillespellathon@gmail.com

Tuckshop

MENU NEWS

Chilli Con Carne served with rice is now on the menu as our Monday Special! It’s delicious, Gluten Free, Dairy Free and we just know the kids will love it for only $6. Option to add sour cream and avocado.

Jelly Joys are back and available to order! Please note that as we are struggling with storage space at the moment, we are unable to offer both jelly joys and fruity ice shapes, so the fruity ice shapes are saved for class boxes only. As we are able to upgrade the Tuckshop and its equipment we will be able to expand this.

WEEKLY SPECIALS

MONDAY – Chilli Con Carne (GF/DF) and Hot Chicken Wraps
TUESDAY – Chicken Burgers (GF available)
WEDNESDAY – Sushi, Bahn Mi, Rice Paper Rolls
THURSDAY – Beef Burgers

REMINDERS

• Daily orders cut off at 8am
• If your child is away, please cancel the order in Qkr! before 8am or call us to arrange asap.
• Sushi must be ordered by 11am Tuesday.

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, most of us aren’t too scary. ;P

Emma, Alex, Edina, Annette and Becc
aka Team Tuckshop 2023

Uniform Shop

Hi all!

Welcome to week 5. How on earth are we half way through the term already??

OHSC GREEN T FOR VACATION CARE

After a good response from our first round of supplying green t shirts, we will continue to supply the shirts by special order only.

They will be available to order for $10 for a limited time, so if you’re interested please head to the Uniform Shop or our Online Store to purchase. Please remember to include your child’s name and class so your order can be passed on in the classroom.

The final day for ordering is -

FRIDAY THE 26TH OF MAY

After all orders are tallied up, the special order will be made and shirts will take approximately a week to arrive in time for the school holidays.

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.

There are also a small amount of long sleeve Flinders shirts available (see sizes on the online store) that are perfect for this cooler weather as well as great sun protection heading into the warmer months.

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

HOUSE SHIRTS

Recently the motion to remove the house names and logos from the shirts was approved. The team 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 arrive in a few weeks time.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 -

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.

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

JUNE/JULY SCHOOL HOLIDAY TENNIS COACHING CLINICS

MONDAY 26th, TUESDAY 27TH, WEDNESDAY 28TH JUNE 2023

Enrolments are now open for the upcoming School Holiday Tennis Clinics as well as special discounted holiday private coaching sessions. Positions are available for all school students between the ages of 4-15 years but please note timings will differ depending upon your child's age and experience.

Holiday clinics are being held at Graceville and Sherwood State Schools - Children from all schools are invited to attend any clinic.

For further details or to enrol, please click this link - Tennis Holiday Programs at School Venues | Tennis For Kids

CLINIC 1 - RECOMMENDED FOR RED BALL CHILDREN 4-7 YEARS OF AGE

Red Ball students will be at Graceville State School from 8.15-10.45am (2½ hours)

CLINIC 2 - RECOMMENDED FOR ORANGE BALL CHILDREN 7-10 YEARS OF AGE

Orange Ball students will be 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 be at Sherwood State School from 8.00-11.00am (3 hours)

We have staggered the drop off and pick up times so parents can comfortably drop siblings to both venues as they are less than a 5 minute drive from each other.

For further details or to enrol, please click this link -

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

Limited places are still available for term 2 tennis lessons.

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 -