6 October 2017

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL REPORT

WELCOME BACK

It is hard to believe it is Term 4 already. We hope you all managed to engage in some quality family time over the long weekend.

Term 4 is a very busy term. Please take note of the many activities planned in the Date Claimer section of the newsletter.

STUDENT FREE DAY

Monday 16 October is a Student Free Day. Our teachers will be engaging in professional learning and year level collaboration as they prepare for 2018. Please ensure you make other arrangements for your children as there will be no supervision at school. YOSCH will be operating from 7am to 6pm – please contact them directly if you would like to use their services.

MODERN LEARNERS

Creating schools that meet the needs of modern learners is a huge challenge currently facing educators. Yeronga State School began its 3-5 year journey with Curiosity and Powerful learning in 2016, in an effort to establish classroom learning environments that are more learner focussed, giving students greater autonomy and agency in their learning. The TED TALK The Surprising Truth About Learning in Schools by Will Richardson captures why this work is essential.

What’s changed so far?

• Student voice in our classrooms has been turned up as children are asked to engage in rich dialogue to deepen understanding and justify their thinking.
• Our teachers are adopting an inquiry stance:

An inquiry stance is our underlying approach to teaching; it favors questions over directions, student voice over teacher voice, and process over outcome. It’s about thoughtful structure, intentionally choosing where students explore openly, and where there are limits and scaffolds.

• Learning Intentions and Success Criteria are regularly articulated, both visually and orally, so our students clearly understand the purpose of the learning and what they have to do to be successful.
• Introduction of Learner Protocols – teaching our children about the dispositions and skills they need to be a successful learner
• Introduction of Weekly Maths Novel Problem Solving Lesson, where children are challenged to tackle problems that have no one answer or way of completing them. Children collaborate, think critically and creatively and articulate their understandings to solve the problems.

I am currently participating in an 8 week course called Change School, which consists of a global network of educators supporting each other to create Modern Schools, relevant for today’s learners. The key message has been the need to focus our work on developing kids who are deep, powerful, curious, agile learners first and foremost.

The course has challenged my thinking! I have gained greater insight into what modern work places could look like (Valve Handbook). The need for our students to have skillsets that will enable them to function in such work environments means that our work with Curiosity and Powerful Learning is the right work. So what now?

Our aim at YSS is for our children to live our 2020 vision of Connected Individuals, Curious Learners and Community Minded Citizens every day. This graphic highlights some of the ideas that we as educators are grappling with as we undertake this work. It doesn’t highlight our dilemma with the prediction that text based communication will decrease as video and podcasts become the main form of knowledge acquisition!

BYOD

Last term I engaged in a number of forums to discuss the school proposal to introduce BYOD classes in Year 2 in 2018. We are asking our Year 2 parents to partner with us in a different way as we seek to provide our students with the learning tools necessary to provide evidence of their learning in ways that are meaningful for them. We have had some robust conversations as parents have sought to understand the reason for BYOD approach. Thank you to the many who attended as your feedback helped us to understand your concerns and adjust the plan where we could. The BYOD FAQ is available for reference if you would like to know more.

The driving force behind BYOD is to create seamless learning opportunities for our children, so that technology does not stop at the school gate. Whilst we have chosen iPads as our preferred device, we are not an iPad school. The device is a learning tool to allow children to design and create so that our students can truly be innovative, as well as engage in more personalised learning.

Next week we will be having 2018 Year 2 parent sessions in the Resource Centre to give some further details about 2018 BYOD at the following times:

Tuesday 10 October at 6:30pm
Wednesday 11 October at 9:30am

We look forward to partnering with you all as we continue in our efforts to create a school that is relevant for your child’s future (and not our past).

STUDENT ENROLMENTS - 2018

Are you leaving? To ensure we are able to plan successfully for next year and to try to avoid the necessity to renegotiate classes after Day 8, it is important for us to have accurate information regarding student enrolments for 2018. Please advise class teachers or the school office if your children will not be returning for 2018. We understand that plans may change between now and the beginning of next year, however families who know they are leaving can help us plan for a successful 2018. Thank you for your help.

2018 Class Considerations - Student class allocation for 2018 will commence shortly. If you have any information of an educational nature you would like us to consider when we decide where to place your child for 2018, please write to Mrs Cowie or Mrs Spanner by Monday 9 October. Any requests received after this date may not be able to be considered.

Prep Enrolments 2018 - Making the decision where to send your children is a difficult one and often parents put their children’s names down for a number of schools whilst trying to decide. If you are aware of anyone who is no longer coming to Yeronga SS but has not let us know, can you encourage them to do so. We have strong numbers for 2018 and are keen to offer places to others as soon as possible, if there are vacancies. Likewise, anyone contemplating whether to do another year in Kindy, you need to let us know by the end of term too, so we can plan and allocate classes

YEAR 6 SENIOR LEADERS PROGRAM

All students in Year 5 are eligible to become senior leaders by completing an application form, that must be signed by staff against set criteria, to apply for the senior leader badge. Senior leaders engage in many activities, including peer mediation, prep buddies, sports room monitoring and are regularly consulted regarding school matters.

Once children have been approved as Senior Leaders, they are able to apply for positions such as School Captions, House Captains and Music Captains. The election process for these positions will begin later this term and be concluded prior to the end of the year.

Year 5 Parents are encouraged to discuss with their children what they would like to do during this process. Please refer to the Student Leadership Handbook to help you with this.

We wish the Year 5 students every success as they begin their leadership journey.

Debbie Spanner, Principal

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL REPORT

As we have been having discussions about BYOD some questions have arisen about general use of ipads and how parents can control their use. I thought I would take this opportunity to share ideas with parents as I realise that these devices create a huge learning curve for all of us. One of the first questions I have received is about parental controls. Below is a link to how to set up parental controls or restrictions.

Using restrictions enables you to hide certain apps so that your children may not access them unless you enter the restrictions code. One word of warning though, don’t forget this code as you may need to wipe the ipad completely and start from scratch!

You can also restrict your child to using only one app. To do this …

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Go to general and choose Accessibility
3. Turn Guided Access on
4. Set a passcode
5. Launch the app you want to lock the device into
6. Triple-click the Home button
7. You can choose to disable touch or motion in addition to disabling the Home and volume buttons.
8. Tap start
9. To exit triple-click the Home button again and enter the Guided Access passcode.

STUDENT RESOURCE SCHEME

In 2017 the Student Resource Scheme consisted of parents in Year 1- 6 contributing a set amount and then each child being given a pack of books that each child labelled and kept as their own. This process was time consuming and did not allow the degree of flexibility that we need to help meet the long and short term `just in time’ resourcing needs that our students may have.

In 2018 we will not be constructing book packs for each child but rather delivering a bulk order to each classroom so that teachers can distribute resources as needed, as we have done previously in Prep. This process allows teachers to have more control over what resources they use in the classroom, as many teachers inherit resources that have been determined by teachers that were on the year level the previous year. Creating a more flexible resourcing strategy allows class teachers to have access resources needed and reduces wastage. We will forward information on the Student Resource Scheme shortly.

Parents in Year 2-6 will be asked to provide pencils, pens, rubbers, rulers etc for their children as we understand that children do like to own their own writing implements. All other resources will be provided by the school when parents choose to be part of the Student Resource Scheme.

Debbie Cowie, Acting Deputy Principal

P & C REPORT

UNIFORM SHOP CLOSED

The Uniform Shop will be closed during Week 2, Term 4: Monday 09 October and Thursday 12 October. Any Flexi school deliveries will not be made until the following week on Tuesday 17 October.

UNIFORM SHOP NEWS

A reminder that the yellow sports shirts will be discontinued at the end of this term, with the new navy sports shirts to be worn at the beginning of 2018.

We will not be selling yellow sports shirts after 2017.

LOST PROPERTY

We have had a great response from Ragtagd Company becoming the top school in QLD for items returned to owners.

BUT there are still a lot of jumpers which haven’t been ragtagd, with no names on the clothing, PLUS a lot of lunch boxes and water bottles without names which have been left around our school grounds or in our 3 lost property areas.

Please check …

1. Underneath stairs of main office.
2. Underneath year 1 building.
3. In YOSHC.

PLEASE CHECK FOR LOST PROPERTY!!!

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

MONEY MATTERS

Payment Due Dates

Please ensure you check the due date for payments when invoices are sent. The due date is set to enable sufficient time for office staff to provide reports to teachers and collate any necessary paperwork. Some events require final numbers to be submitted before the event. Making a payment made after the “due date” may run the risk of a student missing out on participating in the activity.

If there is a financial reason that you are not able to pay by the due date, please contact me to discuss the available options – nalla6@eq.edu.au

Payment Boxes

Payment boxes are located in the Year 1 building and downstairs in the Admin Block. The Admin payment station is manned between 8.15 and 8.45. Payments after these times can be left in the box and will be receipted at a later time by office staff. We are no longer able to process payments in the office before 10am. Credit card slips are available in both locations so details can be completed and put in to the locked box marked OFFICE.

Nicki Allardyce, Business Manager

FROM THE OFFICE

PROCEDURE FOR LATE ARRIVALS

Our school rolls are marked by the classroom teachers by 9:00am daily. If your child is not at school by this time, it is highly likely you will receive an SMS indicating that your child is absent. Your child’s safety is our first priority and therefore any unexplained absences receive our immediate attention. If you receive an SMS, please contact us immediately so we can follow up your child’s whereabouts as quickly as possible. I encourage you to `assume the best’ if you know your child is at school.

All late arrivals (after 9am), from Prep through to Year 6 students, must report to the Senior school office for a ‘late’ slip before going to their classrooms. The school office logs the arrival and you will receive a slip to take to the class teacher. It is important to note that even 5 minutes late each day means your child is missing nearly half an hour of schooling a week. That quickly adds up over the course of a year. Late arrival also disrupts the teaching and learning of all students so please help by being on time.

Carla Walker’s Retirement Function

Tickets are selling fast for Carla Walker’s retirement function. All parents are invited to attend and celebrate Carla’s career in education. Please read the attached invitation for further information.

RESOURCE CENTRE

Welcome back to term 4, borrowing has started again and all classes are eligible to borrow each week with all books due to be returned by the end of week 9. All premier reading forms should have been returned by now and thank you to all those students that entered. Participations forms will arrive from the Queensland Government this term and will be handed out at parade once they have arrived.

We are trialling a new system in the library for lunch time use of the computers. The computers will be available for use by the junior school (prep-year2) on Tuesday and Thursday first break sessions and by the senior school (year3-6) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday first break sessions. Each class will also have a computer room voucher that they may be given by their teacher if they have classroom work to finish and need a computer at break. There are 30 computers in the library computer room and each student will need to sign in and identify what they will do on the computer before being allocated a computer at lunch time.

Book Fair

Book Fair will be on again this term starting on Tuesday 7 November to 14 November.

Book Club

Apologies again for the late return of Book Club and for your patience and understanding around this late delivery. I wanted to remind everyone on the process of ordering Book Club because some students have been a little confused on the process. Book Club magazines are sent home and families have two weeks to order those books either online using the loop services or by filling out a paper form and putting it into the payment box. At the end of the two weeks all orders are processed at school and then Scholastic supplies the books. Once the books have been delivered to the school they are then organised and sent to classrooms to be handed out to students. This process can take two weeks as we are reliant on Scholastic and Australia post on delivery. Therefore if you place your order at the start of the two week order time you will have a longer wait for your order. I do encourage you to use the loop service as a form of ordering as it offers incentives for multiple purchases.

Faith Hage, Teacher Librarian

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

State Softball Championships

Congratulations to Zoe H. and Lauren Z. on their selection in the Metropolitan West Under 12 Softball Team to compete in the State Softball Championships at Redlands. The team won 10 of their 11 matches to become the State Softball Champions! Zoe played outfield, 2nd and 3rd base and was able to secure a number of homeruns for her teammates. Lauren played first base at the titles after trying out as catcher and was a stronger hitter, gaining some valuable points.

Well done girls!

As I have said before we have never had two students achieve to such a high level in this sport. I can’t wait to hear of your achievements in years to come.

State Softball Championships

Regional Cricket

We are very proud of our two selections for the Sunnybank District Boys Cricket Team; Harvey P and Brayden M. Both performed strongly at the regional trial, but only Harvey P was selected.

Harvey is obviously highly regarded to be selected as the only wicket keeper, but also due to the fact that he only turns 11 this year. Congratulations Harvey!

School & District Events for Students Aged 10 – 12 years This Term (Except School Swimming Carnivals (open to all in the correct year levels)

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

2017 Camp at School with Dad Wrap-up

Another amazing camp this year - check out the photos attached. Thank you to all the Dads who got into the spirit of the camp and had fun with their children - letting them shave and decorate them, test their strength, endurance and patience at the Chappy Games, and then also volunteering to do a job to help with camp duties. Thank you to the Kurilpa Scouts for again managing a great campfire that is such a highlight of the camp. And finally, a big thank you to the Chaplaincy Committee and other volunteers who came and helped with the camp setup, pack-down and all the food prep.

Camp will be on again in term 4 next year. I’ve already booked in a keen fisherman who is happy to give a masterclass for those who are interested. Unfortunately I won’t be able to provide the fish though!

Chappy Pancakes – next Tuesday 10 October

It’s been a long time since we had a pancake breakfast at school. So this is another exciting event for us to enjoy together. Money raised from this breakfast will be used to fund gifts and treats for YSS staff for World Teacher’s Day coming up later in the month.

Pancakes will be cooked and served from the tuckshop area. Cooking will begin at 7:00am, serving from 7:15am and will finish up at 8:40am. Staff, parents and students are all welcome. $2 pancakes with butter and syrup. $1 juice, tea and coffee. Come and enjoy a yummy breakfast!

Blessings, Jennifer Bennett
jenniferb@chappy.org.au

ARCHIVES MATTER

Ruth Bennett

GREEN TEAM NEWS

NUDE FOOD DAY

Tuesday 10 October is NUDE FOOD DAY... are you ready?

On the day, do your best to bring along a HEALTHY, RUBBISH-FREE lunch.

There will be class competitions, individual competitions, nude food workshops (courtesy of Food Connect), art activities and best of all, less rubbish floating around our beautiful school grounds!

We recently did a class litter audit and discovered an average of 2.2 pieces of rubbish per student. With approx 620 students in our school, that's approximately 1364 pieces of rubbish coming to school every single day. We'd love if you could do your best on Nude Food Day to help us reduce this number. For some great ideas on a 'Nude Food' lunch, 'like' the P&C facebook page and start planning your lunch for 'Nude Food Day'!

For our 'Nude Food Day' artwork, we're collecting plastic bottle tops in the tuckshop. Pop them in the little bin by Friday this week and see your rubbish turned into a masterpiece on Nude Food Day!

SCHOOL BANKING

05.10.2017 :54 Bankers

Junior Banker of the Week - Nathan 1E
Senior Banker of the Week – Joyce 3T

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Holland Park High School: Enrolments for 2018

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