11 August 2017

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL REPORT

ALL THINGS SPANISH

PREP – YEAR 2 SPANISH LESSONS

We are excited to be introducing Spanish lessons from Prep – Year 2 in 2018, for two half hour sessions each week. Developing a love of learning languages and developing cultural understanding at an early age is important to help our children operate in the global community. The children can more easily train their ears to listen to and understand other languages and accents, from a young age.

It is important to note that children would need many more hours than they have in primary school to become fluent in Spanish. The expectation would be that the children will be able to speak social Spanish when exiting Year 6. In the younger years they will be familiar with common nouns, numbers etc. The children will acquire cultural understanding of countries with a Spanish heritage. Given that Spanish is the third most spoken language in the world, this will be deep.

We currently have a Prep – Year 2 Spanish intranet that you are welcome to access. 5 minutes Spanish learning a day will help your children prepare for language learning.

MEET OUR NATIVE SPANISH SPEAKERS

Since Term 2 we have employed two native speaker teacher aides in our Spanish program. They participate in class activities, play games at lunch time and even attend Gala Sports days. The children are taking the opportunity to interact with Marie and Sergio and we thought you should meet them too.

Sergio Zárate

Hola! Me llamo Sergio Antonio Zárate Orrego. I was born in Santiago de Cali, Colombia. I am a mechanical engineer and my partner and I decided to come to Australia because we wanted to improve our English levels. Nowadays, I work at the University of Queensland as an occupational trainee in research projects focused on waste disposal. Further, I am a Spanish teacher – aide at Yeronga State School. In fact, I really wanted to work in education because both my parents are teachers I find it the best way to help people. Over the weekend, I usually try to have a rest and go out to dinner with my friends. In the future, I would like to study a Master’s degree and stay in Australia for a long time. I am enjoying working in the lunchtime robotics program with the children.

Maricarly Castillo

Hola! Me llamo Maricarly Escalona Castillo and I am from Venezuela, South America. I’ve come to your beautiful country looking for a better future for me and my family.

I’ve always been passionate about languages, which is why I’ve got a degree in modern languages. Coming from Venezuela, my mother tongue is Spanish but I also speak English and French.

I strong believe that languages open many doors along the way and help people to understand different cultures in a deeper way. When you learn a new language you also learn about the culture of the countries where that language is spoken and I find this absolutely fantastic. When learning a language we learn that with different cultures things are not wrong or right, they are just different. Since I’ve been in Australia I’ve decided that teaching my beautiful language is what I want to do. I was a Spanish teacher in France for a while and I’ve very much enjoyed coming back to it again.

My husband, my daughter and I came together to this adventure in your country. At home we always speak Spanish so my daughter doesn’t forget it. We enjoy dancing, listening to music and drawing together. On the weekends we enjoy the open green spaces Australia has to offer.

I’ve been to quite a few places around the world but I have to say that it is here Down Under that I’ve discovered is the most exciting place ever.

NAPLAN

Last week we received the NAPLAN report for 2017 and our school continues to achieve where we should be. Our school is well above like schools and the nation in all strands in Year 3 and Year 5.

Our results are similar to previous years in terms of the Top 20% of the nation, with Year 3 Reading and Grammar and Punctuation and Year 5 Grammar and Punctuation close to or exceeding our greater than 55% target in the top 20% of the nation. Most strands are equal to or exceeding previous Top 20% of nation results.

Year 5 writing results were surprising however aligned with a similarly low performance across the nation which may indicate that the task was not particularly engaging for children.

We will continue to analyse results to ascertain what adjustments are needed to our English and Maths program and I will share more information at the next P&C meeting.

Individual NAPLAN results will be distributed on Monday.

reSolve Project

The benefits to our school being involved in the reSolve Project are:

• Having our own teachers networking with a community (at a regional, state and national level) of like-minded professionals who are committed to the delivery of quality mathematics learning that has a spirit of inquiry;
• Exposure to quality, research-based maths resources and lessons will provide our teachers with the confidence to lead their colleagues and work on their teaching practice;
• Upskilling our teachers in how to promote a spirit of inquiry in maths to challenge and develop all students’ mathematical thinking.
• Having an opportunity to trial reSolve materials and offer feedback to the Australian Academy of Science to improve the lessons.

Yeronga State School is delighted to be part of the reSolve project and to contribute to enhancing mathematics education in Australia.

School Opinion Survey

The School Opinion Survey is currently open and all are encouraged to give their opinions. The survey will close on the 25 August 2017.

We encourage you to take this opportunity to have your say about what this school does well, and how this school can improve. Information was given via the classroom teacher. Please contact the office if you no longer have the log-in details.

MUSIC PRACTICE

Last week I spoke on assembly to our students to remind them of the importance of daily instrumental music practice. Free weekly instrumental music lessons are provided to students participating in the program on the condition that they perform as a team in the school band. Children who fail to practice let down their team (band members) and affect the quality of performances significantly. Numbers of instruments and aptitude in playing them impacts the quality of the sound and performance. Please help your children to establish a routine around practice to enable them to be successful.

2017 National Science Week is around the corner

Future Earth is the theme for this year’s National Science Week from 12–20 August. Jenn Reed, a Science teacher and keen parent, is coordinating lunch time activities on Thursday 17 August to ignite the imagination of our children.

You may like to encourage your child to participate in the War on Waste competition that the ABC is currently running.

School Carparks

Safety of our students is always a top priority for the school. We have noticed over the last term that parents have been using the staff carparks to drop off and pick up their children. This is a very concerning practice.

Please be aware that parents are not to use the staff carparks at any time in the morning. We will have a staff member at the gate from 7.45-8.15am checking for Staff Permits on vehicles. YOSCH families can use the carparks after 3.30pm if there is a carpark available.

Remember:

• Stop Kiss and Go is at the front of the school. This is a 2 minute zone and parents must stay with their vehicle. Be sure to move to the front of the zone before dropping off or picking up to allow the zone to be used efficiently
• Yeronga Park Swimming Carpark – has a pick up zone at the back near the school gate; and
• Parking is available on Honour Av, School Rd, Park Rd and surrounding streets – checking the council signs.

We ask for your help ensuring that all our students get to school and home again safely.

Every Day Counts at School

The importance of a team effort in achieving school attendance is the main theme in the next animation and comic book in The Adventures of Jimmy and Sam the Dog series, developed by the Department of Education and Training.

Once again NRL star Sam Thaiday plays Sam the Dog, with a cameo appearance by Johnathan Thurston, plus former Queensland Firebird Beryl Friday and two Solid Pathways students.

Research shows that school attendance leads to positive student outcomes, and can help children build social and emotional skills.

Head to the Every day counts website.

Team EDC

Premier’s Creating Queensland Future Coding Competition

#code4Qld and win great prizes

Got a kid who’s mad on coding? Get them to join the battle of the coders.

The Premier’s Creating Queensland’s Future coding competition is now open and there are some amazing prizes up for grabs.

Students from Years 5 – 10 are challenged to create a digital solution to help keep young Queenslander’s safe and secure in a digital world. Entries could be an interactive animation, a game or even an app. It’s only limited by their imagination.

Entries close Tuesday 12 September. Find out more at the Advancing Education website below

2017 Premier's Coding Competition

Debbie Spanner, Principal

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL REPORT

Student Council

Last week our student councillors organised lunchtime events for our students. This was well attended by our junior students on Wednesday and our senior students on Friday. It was great to see the enthusiasm, cooperation and strategies for success.

Our next event coincides with book week. We will be having a PJ day with a gold coin donation. The students will have opportunities to meet with their buddies and read a book together.

Student Council Activities

Prep 2018 Interviews

As part of the enrolment and placement process for Prep 2018 we invite parents to come to an interview with school personnel and to bring their child with them. At the interview one of our school team will be meeting with the parent/s while other school personnel will be doing a short check listed test with the new enrolee. This will be done in the same room so that your child feels as comfortable as possible.

Information about how to make an appointment will be emailed next week to families who are in our catchment area.

If you are aware of anyone who is in catchment area and who has not submitted their enrolment forms, please encourage them to do so as soon as possible

Being Ethical

Mrs Spanner and I had the opportunity to meet with our year six students to discuss what being ethical meant. Being ethical is one of our learner protocols. The students discussed the complexity of being ethical, bringing up issues such as peer pressure and the self confidence that you need to be able to stand up for what you believe in. They talked about having the courage and knowledge to do the right thing. They also talked about how they as a group could support each other and how they will be building trust and respect by being ethical.

A key point about being ethical was that being ethical meant doing the right thing without expecting praise. “It’s about doing the right thing even though no one is looking.”

Being Ethical

Debbie Cowie, Acting Deputy Principal

THANK YOU from MRS WALKER

Thank you to all the parents and students who were at the Afternoon Tea on Monday 31 July to say goodbye and wish me well. I really appreciate the warmth and caring shown to me and the good wishes for my future in retirement. Thank you also to those who could not be there and sent messages via the school office. I hope to catch up with others at future school events.

To Ruth Bennett and the team who helped set up and run the afternoon tea a big thanks too.

Carla

Mrs Walker’s Afternoon Tea

P & C REPORT

P&C August Meeting - Change of Date

Please note this month the P&C meeting has been delayed by one week. The new date is Tuesday 22nd August at the same time and venue: 7:00pm in the Resource Centre (Library). All welcome.

2017 Fete Results

Time to exhale and celebrate!

If you've been holding your breath waiting to learn how much was raised through the 2017 fete, your wait is over, and we hope the result brings you a smile and a warm inner glow.

Together we raised $58,847.20 for Yeronga SS and our kids!!!

Thank you to the entire school community for supporting this special community building and fundraising event, especially the fete committee who dedicated 18 months of work to ensuring an enjoyable and successful day for all.

Feedback from this year's fete will help guide planning for 2019. It's never too early to put your hand up to join the fete organising committee. Please email yerongasspandc@gmail.com to find out how you can get involved.

Woolworths Earn & Learn 2017

Woolworths Earn & Learn is now on. Through this program we will be able to get new educational resources for our school and all we need you to do is save your Earn and Learn stickers from Woolworths.

You will get one Woolworths Earn & Learn Sticker for every $10 spent (excluding liquor, tobacco and gift cards). Place the Woolworths Earn & Learn Sticker onto a Woolworths Earn & Learn Sticker Sheet and when it’s complete, the Sticker Sheet can be dropped into the Collection Box here at the school or at your local Woolworths. The collection boxes at school are located next to the lost property in both the junior and the senior school. If you’d like to know more visit the link below.

pandc@yerongass.eq.edu.au
Jo Thomson, P&C Committee

MONEY MATTERS

SCHOOL WATCH 13 17 88

If you see anyone or anything suspicious happening after hours in the school please call School Watch on 13 17 88 and they will send a patrol out to check the school. Please be assured that this is a confidential service and your identity will not be revealed. We appreciate your assistance in keeping Yeronga State School safe.

PAYMENT BOX IN ADMIN BLOCK

Due to staff absences the payment desk in the administration block may be un-manned before school until the end of August. Please put your payments in the payment box provided. If you wish to pay using your card, payment slips are also available at the payment box for you to complete. All payments will be processed during the day by office staff.

As the office can be very busy before school commences, we appreciate your assistance in using the payment box provided rather than coming to the office. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

QParents

QParents is a free and very convenient method of paying school invoices. If you would like an invitation please email me and you will then receive an invitation from QParents. The initial process of registering for QParents should be done on a computer and thereafter you will be able to access QParents on your phone, ipad etc.

Nicki Allardyce, Business Services Manager

REMINDERS

School Opinion Survey

Just a reminder - School Opinion Surveys is currently open and all are encouraged to give their opinions. The survey will close on the 25 August 2017.

We encourage you to take this opportunity to have your say about what this school does well, and how this school can improve.

Lost Property

Please check the lost property boxes for clothing items etc which may belong to your child. Any unclaimed items are given to local Charities at the end of each term.

MUSIC

Cosmio Singers – Junior Choir Year 2 Invitation

A number of Year 2 students have shown an interest in joining choir. As we are starting new material, any more Year 2 students who would like to join Junior Choir are invited to join the group. We rehearse Thursday mornings from 7.50, in the Senior Music Room. Please email Ms Plumridge with your child’s name and class if you would like them to participate. The cost is $5 to cover the remainder of the year. Our next concert is Friday November 24 at Sherwood State School. jplum10@eq.edu.au

Our website for learning can be found at the link below, Students will receive the password at rehearsal.

Jane Plumridge, Music Specialist

RESOURCE CENTRE

Author Visit - Cameron Stelzer

On Friday 1 September, we have a special visit from Author and Illustrator Dr Cameron Stelzer. Cameron is visiting Yeronga State School to run workshops with our students. Prep-Year 1 students will enjoy an interactive Big Screen Book Reading and follow-along drawing activity with Cameron. Year 2 - Year6 students will be taking a behind-the-scenes look at creating a book, and applying their own creative drawing component. Students and teachers are looking forward to a fantastic day!

In conjunction with the Author Visit, Yeronga SS families have a special opportunity to purchase signed and personalised copies of Cameron’s books at special prices. Individual items are $15 each and there are also exclusive book sets available. Students will receive an order form on the day of the workshops. Forms and payment can be returned the following Monday, 4 September, to the Office. Cameron will personally sign all books (including the child’s name and message), and students will receive their books the following week.

The cost of attending the author visit is $2 per student. Invoices went home this week.

If you would like to explore Cameron Stelzer further please visit his websites. There are lots of activities to explore.

Faith Hage, Teacher Librarian

DONATIONS

Toys and Games

During the week of the 21 to 25 of August we will be accepting donations of puzzles, Lego, board games or toys in good condition that your children no longer play with. If you have any of these that you wish to donate to the school there will be a box located at the bottom of the stairs in the Administration building where you can deposit them.

These toys and games will be used by a variety of students across the school. Your help would be much appreciated.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Regional Athletics

Congratulations and best of luck to our Sunnybank District Athletics Team members who will compete at the regional championships on 14 and 15 August. These people include Yar C. who came first in the 10 years girls long jump, Hayley R. who came third in the 10 years girls high jump, Codey R. who came third in the 12 years boys high jump, Oscar S. who came third in the 10 years boys high jump, Joe K. who came second in the 11 years boys 800m, Yohan B. who came second in the 11 years boys 200m, Margaret G. who came first in the 800m and third in the 100m and 200m, the winning 10. 11 & 12 years boys relay teams, the winning 11 years girls relay team and the third placed 10 years girls relay team.

Queensland School Golf

Commiserations to Harvey P. who was busy competing in the Qld Schools Golf Championships two weeks ago in Toowoomba. Harvey is an extremely skilful and versatile athlete who looked forward to this opportunity immensely. Unfortunately he came away unhappy with his performance. However if there is anyone capable of learning from such an experience, it is Harvey. I don’t think anyone will be surprised if he returns from next years’ Qld Schools Golf Championships as a proud state team member. Congratulations Harvey on an achievement so many are unable to attain.

District Cricket

We have just selected our trialists for the Sunnybank District Boys Cricket Team. The successful boys are: Harry C, Harvey P, Brayden M and Joash M. Best of luck at the next level to these very skilful boys on 22 and 24 August.

District Events for Students Aged 10 – 12 years This Term (Except Ball Games (open to all))

Please make your children aware of these events well ahead of time so that they may consult the relevant teachers regarding their suitability and participation.

Regional Athletics 14 & 15 August
Gala Day 1 – 11 August (Reserve Date 18 August)
District Girls Cricket – 21 August
District Boys Cricket – 22 & 24 August
Regional Boys Cricket – 4 & 5 September
Regional Girls Cricket – 6 September
Gala Day 2 – 8 September (Reserve Date 15 September)
Yeronga State School Ball Games – 12 September

Congratulations to two of our old girls

Congratulations to Isabella G. and Abbie C. who have made State teams in Cross Country and Football respectively. Well done girls for a magnificent achievement.

Sunnybank District Sporting Trials

The representative pathway for school sport is for children from 10 to 12 years of age. Yeronga is part of a very strong district which consists of 28 schools from Yeronga State School to the Calamvale area. In contact and skill team sports, those aged 11 and 12 possess the advantages of size and speed, if not skill on most occasions. Selectors are choosing those with the skill and the resilience to compete at a higher level. Remember that selectors give up their time for these trials, meaning that it is important for us to send only those ready to go to a higher level. Very seldom is it appropriate to send students for experience. An indicator of readiness for participation at a higher level would be being among the best 3 or 4 players in most games for your club under 12 teams.

In order to be selected to attend a District Trial, children should make themselves known to me (Mr Bateman) for either a selection trial with the appropriate teacher or so that they may be given the appropriate forms. Remember that children must give at least two weeks’ notice that they wish to attend a district trial to allow for a school selection trial to be held in the event of a great deal of interest being shown in a particular sport.

Cameron Bateman, P.E. Teacher

CHAPPY’S CHAT

Letting go…

“Helicopter parenting” is one of the hot topics listed on the Triple P Parenting website at the moment. It is a term that was used first by Dr Haim Ginott in 1969 in his book ‘Parents and Teenagers’, but has since become popular enough to be listed in the dictionary, and generally refers to over-parenting, being controlling and over-protective.

Parenting educator, Michael Grose, said recently, "Spoon-feeding children had given rise to a generation of risk-averse kids who remained financially and emotionally reliant on their parents well into their 20s.” Helicopter parenting can lead to children having decreased confidence and self-esteem, underdeveloped coping skills and life skills, increased anxiety and even a sense of entitlement.

So how do we avoid being this style of parenting? It is about providing direction for our family, being engaged and supportive, but also finding a balance where we give opportunities for them to learn to do things by themselves, space to grow and the ability to make mistakes in safe place.

Letting go and not being in control can be a difficult thing to start to do. Unfortunately if we don’t make small steps in that direction while our kids are young, it is will be harder to cope with the giant leaps that our teenagers will want to take as they move towards being a young adult. Giving them that space to mature will also help to ensure that we can be involved in their lives into the future. I’ve seen teenagers make poor choices too many times because they really wanted to show some independence and shake off controlling parents. So we just start with small steps, and walk with them as they continue to grow and find their own path.

"As parents we need to remember that our job is to make ourselves redundant from the earliest possible age and make our kids independent," - Michael Grose

Coming events…

9/10 September - Camp at School with Dad

30 September – Riverfire Event at YSHS

Blessings, Jennifer Bennett
jenniferb@chappy.org.au

MEET OUR STAFF

Kathy Lyons

Why did you decide to become a teacher?

In the course of working and studying as a bank manager, my developing interest in training and the process of learning reawakened a desire to become a teacher.

What other schools have you worked at or where else have you worked?

My prac experience was at Sherwood SS and Whites Hill College. Since graduating I worked full time at Mansfield SS for six years across a number of year levels. In my previous life in one of the big four banks, I was fortunate enough to be chosen as the Communications Manager during a major transformation process. I participated with senior management in presenting our business plans to our CEO in Melbourne and was subsequently appointed one of the first female branch managers in Brisbane.

Who is in your family? What do you like to do together?

I am Mum to 19-year-old Moira, 17-year-old Siobhan, and 7-year-old Coco (a black standard poodle). My husband Paul and I love going to the movies. As both girls are dancers, we love going to a musical when there is one in town and we see the Nutcracker every year as a family Christmas treat.

What do you like to do on the weekend?

I like going to the beach with my family. I love to feel the sand between my toes. But like many families, most week-ends are spent ‘encouraging’ my teenagers to do their study.

Where is the most exciting place you have visited?

My most exciting trip was to Disneyland to watch my girls dance with their dance school in the Disneyland street parade. They also performed on stage at Disney California Adventure Park, at Universal Studios and on Hollywood Boulevard. As well, I have a dream to spend a White Christmas in New York with my family and my US cousins – the other half of my grandparents’ Irish family.

ARCHIVES MATTER

Today, Yeronga State School has the Green Team. The Green Team is a group of students who meet regularly to investigate ways that our community can be environmentally wise and ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recyle’. However, did you know that Yeronga State School has a proud tradition of looking after our environment and being aware of our footprint that we leave for future students?

In 1939 a Forestry Club was formed and one of its objectives was to “improve the school grounds”. The Club started with 45 members and it quickly increased to 95. The Club planted many trees throughout the school grounds and some of the pine trees from 1939 are still standing today.

Another occasion that was remembered fondly by past students is Arbor Day. Arbor Day is a day held annually for public tree planting. It is still held in some overseas countries but unfortunately Arbor Day is no longer celebrated in Queensland schools. In 1992, Yeronga State School celebrated 100 years of Arbor Day celebrations.

During this same period in 1992, the Fred Bauer Ecology Plot was established. Mr Bauer was a Deputy Principal during the 1970’s and was responsible for constructing the ecology plot with dry lands on the school side and wet lands on the pool side. During the construction phase, a rare species of frog, Pseudofronices Majore, was identified. Flowering shrubs and trees were planted to encourage the return of bird life to the area. After 25 years, current students still visit the Ecology Plot and benefit from Mr Bauer’s vision.

Not only has the school population driven the environmental agenda but Yeronga State School has always been forward-thinking in embracing environmental government initiatives. In 2010, Yeronga State School was the first school to launch a statewide recycling program.

Ruth Bennett

SCHOOL BANKING

03.09.2017 : 62 Bankers
Junior Banker of the Week - Sebastian S. (1E)
Senior Banker of the Week – Lizzie H. (3C)

10.08.2017 : 58 Bankers
Junior Banker of the Week - Chloe (P1)
Senior Banker of the Week – Charlie (3M)

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Oxley Futsal Indoor Soccer

Tarragindi Community Day

Holland Park High Open Morning Tour

The Smith Family Saver Plus

School Calendar

Choose how to add this event to your calendar:

Apple Calendar iPhone, iPad, Mac - Download .ics file

Outlook Desktop Outlook - Download .ics file

Android Calendar Android devices - Download .ics file

Other Calendar Google Calendar, Yahoo, etc. - Download .ics file

Download Event