23 February 2018

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL REPORT

No Parking in the School Grounds

This week at the P&C it was decided that a clear direction of no parking in the school grounds at any time of the day was needed to give a consistent, clear message and keep our children safe.

Parking Guidelines

1. STOP KISS GO - 2 minute zone (7-9am, 2-4pm)
Please move to the front of the zone before allowing your children to exit or enter your vehicle. This helps make this zone work efficiently. Do not leave your vehicle in this zone as it significantly impacts the flow of traffic around our school.

2. Parking options around our school
a. Front of Dental Building – 1 hour
b. Park Rd opposite school - 1 hour
c. School Rd in front of Junior School - 10 minute
d. Pool Car Park
e. Honour Ave parking
f. General street parking

3. Parking options for YOSHC drop off and pick up
a. Pool Car Park
b. Honour Ave parking
c. Front of Dental Building – we encourage parents to use the entrance located near the crossing at the Senior School. Parents who choose to walk through the Tuckshop car park will see a designated area to the right of the gate as a way to transition safely through the shared vehicle and pedestrian space.
NB: After 4pm – Parking in Stop Kiss Go zone is legal
You can also consider coming 5 or 10 minutes later for pick-up as many cars have left by this time. This zone is supervised by a staff member until 3.15pm and any students still waiting will be taken to the office

Active School Travel

Active School Travel will begin again on Wednesdays shortly. I encourage everyone to look for opportunities to actively travel to and from school every day as this has the biggest impact on the traffic problem, promotes physical exercise and connecting to the community.

A traffic working party has been established to review the 2014 Road Safety Action Plan and re-assess the current parking situation. Long term we are hopeful that the dental building will come back to the school and we will are hopeful that we may be able to ease some access and traffic problems, as we consult on the design of this space.

P&C EXECUTIVE

On Tuesday we had our first P&C meeting of the year, including the AGM where all Executive positions lapse and the selection of P&C Executive for the current year occurs. A special thank you to outgoing officers, Sarah van den Berg (President), Leesa Monahan (Treasurer) and Ruth Bennett (Vice President) for your incredible service and commitment to Yeronga State School. All have been with the Committee for three years or more. The annual P&C report highlighted the great contribution that Sarah and the P&C Executive have made by leading the P&C for 2017. Congratulations!

Welcome to the new executive for 2018:

President: Jo Thomson
VP's: Peppa Brown, Hamish Townsend, Anna Leggo
Minutes Sec: Kym Mansfield
Treasurer: Anna Dudarenok
Correspondence and communications: Anita Forbes
Events: Lauren McHutchinson & Juliet Brooks

A special thank you to Jo Thompson, incoming President, for taking on this important role. Jo was Vice President in 2017 and her willingness to step up allows for continuity of leadership and management in the P&C. I am looking forward to working with you and your team this year.

Our Community is as strong as your contribution

Thank you to the many people who are contributing to our school community. There were a number of people who stepped into non-executive roles this week. If everyone does something we can and do achieve amazing things. I would like to extend a Thank You to Jeremy, Liby and all the helpers that tidied up our little people on the fence this week.

Leadership Induction Ceremony

Councillor Nicole Johnstone, Mrs Carla Walker and Jess Walker (Acting DP- YSHS) were special guests to our annual ceremony last week to celebrate 90% of our Year 6 cohort becoming Senior Leaders and 20 Student Councillors receiving their leadership badges. These children embrace the school motto of `Service Before Self’ as they serve our community by forfeiting lunch hours and after school time to facilitate programs such as Peer Mediators, Prep Buddies, free dress days, Active School travel, Green team environmental initiatives etc. Our students are supported in their leadership endeavours by many staff and parents. Good luck for the year ahead.

Mr Graham Perret, Federal member for Moreton, has sent a letter of support for each individual senior leader to acknowledge their contribution to our school. He will also being visiting the Junior Assembly on Monday 5 March for a shared book reading.

Strong Back, Soft Front

"In the absence of love and belonging there's always suffering."

Every now and then I come across a great read that I wished I had when I was raising my beautiful children. I am taking the liberty of sharing Brene Brown’s latest:

Brene Brown is a research professor who has been studying courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy for many years. Her new book `Braving the Wilderness’ explores the importance of belonging. Exploring ways to `combat the crisis of loneliness’, which is not about being alone, but more how we can feel alone standing amidst a room full of people. Brene’s research suggests that our loneliness can be driven by our lack of authenticity and inability to be vulnerable. In fact, being able to stand alone confidently aligned to your belief and values as well as being your true self with those around you.

True belonging is the practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.

There are four elements that how to foster a sense of belonging, and a quick summary of each of these is below:

1. People Are Hard to Hate Close Up. Move On. “Women and men I interviewed who had the strongest sense of true belonging stayed zoomed in … forming their opinions of people based on their actual, in-person experiences” writes Brené. The news and social media give the impression that we’re more divided than we actually are. But it’s our day-to-day relationships – like the ones we form with co-workers – that have the potential to broaden our perspectives and increase our feeling of belonging.
2. Speak Truth…... Be Civil. In this chapter Brené shares a powerful story about how one of her employees openly questioned a decision Brené made at a team off-site. Although the employee was alone in her stance at the time, Brené appreciated how she bravely addressed her concerns in a civil way. Brené cites WorkHuman speaker Christine Porath’s research on how civility standards can lead to higher-performing and better-functioning teams.
3. Hold Hands With Strangers. “Social media are helpful in cultivating connection only to the extent that they’re used to create real community where there is structure, purpose, meaning, and some face-to-face contact,” writes Brené. This is where social recognition could play a role in reinforcing feelings of gratitude and positivity that naturally arise as we work together and collaborate in the workplace.
4. Strong Back. Soft Front. Wild Heart. Here Brené cites Buddhist teacher Dr. Joan Halifax, who asks, “How can we give and accept care with strong-back, soft-front compassion, moving past fear into a place of genuine tenderness? I believe it comes about when we can be truly transparent, seeing the world clearly – and letting the world see us.” Allowing people to be transparent, to be their true selves at work reminds me of WorkHuman speaker Susan Cain’s work. Are we giving all personalities – even the quieter introverts – the space to set boundaries and live their values at work?

It is important for our school community to reflect on how well we are preparing our children to operate in a world of rapid change and significant social media platforms. I encourage you to read Brene’s book, listen to a podcast or watch a TED talk, to learn more about what we need to do to help our children have such a deep sense of self and strong sense of `true belonging’.

Debbie Spanner

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL REPORT

What a fabulous fortnight we have had despite the heat! Classrooms were full of children learning and being curious, Chappy pancakes provided a yummy treat for us to enjoy and our Leadership Induction Ceremony was a jubilant occasion acknowledging our 2018 student leaders.

Parent teacher interviews

Parent teacher interviews are a wonderful opportunity for you to meet with your child’s teacher to discuss their progress and learning goals for the year.

Interviews will be held during weeks 8 and 9 and an e-mail will be sent next week advising you of how to book.

Parent Information nights

It was wonderful to see so many parents in attendance at the parent information evenings held last week. Particularly when it involved braving the elements!

We have received positive feedback from a number of parents who were pleased with the format and information provided. We continue to welcome your feedback to help us refine these evenings further to ensure they meet the needs of our school community.

Home/School Communication

Strong, committed partnerships between our school and our parents play a crucial role in our children’s learning and development. To help us strengthen our communication with you we will be placing a copy of notes/letters that have been sent home on the Schoolzine app under the forms section. This will make it easier for you if you need another copy or would like to check information from a note/letter when you are out and about.

Harmony Day

Each year Yeronga State School celebrates the diversity of our school population with a special Harmony Day assembly. This year we will be holding two special assemblies on Thursday 22nd March - Prep – Year 2 students at 9:15am and Year 3 – Year 6 students at 1:45pm.

Part of these special assemblies will involve a procession of flags of the countries of birth or the cultural identity of the children and parents in our school.

This year we have flags from Australia, Indigenous Australia, Torres Strat Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cyprus, Denmark, El Salvador, England, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Ivory Coast, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liberia, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, United Kingdom, United State of America, Vietnam, Wales, Zimbabwe.

We will be organising flag bearers for these flags in the coming weeks.

If you or your child are from a country not listed above please let Mrs Marg Malouf know via email – mmalo5@eq.edu.au so the flag can be included in our procession.

2018 ICAS Competitions

All students in Year 2-6 are invited to participate in the ICAS Competitions run by the University of New South Wales. In 2018, we will be participating in the following competitions:

Year 2 (ICAS Letter Year 2 2018)

Science - $9.00 Tuesday 29 May
Spelling - $12.00 Wednesday 13 June
English - $9.00 Tuesday 31 July
Mathematics - $9.00 Tuesday 14 August

Year 3 – 6 all of the above plus (ICAS Year 3-6 letter 2018)

Digital Technologies - $9.00 Tuesday 8 May
Writing - $18.00 Thursday 14 June

If you wish for your child to participate, please complete the attached ICAS form and return, with payment, to the payment boxes by Friday 16th March. As these tests are pre-paid we are unable to take late entries or provide a refund.

Active School Travel - Let’s get active!

This year our Active School Travel day will be Wednesday – commencing Wednesday 7th March. Active School Travel promotes clean and green, active and healthy school travel modes such as walking, cycling, carpooling and public transport. By leaving your car at home, at least one day a week on our active travel day, we can reduce traffic congestion at the school gate, improve our students’ road safety awareness, create a cleaner environment, and improve our health and fitness!

As part of the Active School Travel program, students participate in their weekly active travel day - Wednesday. Each Wednesday, students who actively travel get their passports stamped. When students reach target trips in their passport, they are eligible for an Active School Travel reward. There are lots of great rewards for your children – highlighters, bouncy balls, etc.

Come on, let’s get active!

Student Council

Each year the students in Years 3 - 6 have the opportunity to vote for a class representative to join the student council. This election process was held earlier in the term. The successful representatives were presented with their badges as part of last week’s leadership induction ceremony and will have their first meeting this Friday morning 8am. Ms Masselos and Mrs Paynter are excited about working closely with these students to enable this group to provide a voice for the students of Yeronga State School.

These students have also been invited to be part of the Halogen Young Leader’s Day, held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 2nd March. This is an exciting leadership opportunity for our students to hear from a variety of high profile speakers and develop their future leadership potential.

International Women’s Day Breakfast

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to press forward and progress gender parity, motivating and uniting friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive.

At Yeronga State School, we will be holding a breakfast event on Friday 9th March for Year 5 and 6 girls, their mothers, grandmothers, or other prominent women in their lives. Please see the invitation attached and mark the date in your diaries. We would love to see you there.

Bridge Builders

Bridge Builders is the school’s conflict resolution and peer mediation program. This program is used in every class and in the playground. The aim of the program is to teach students the nature of conflict, behaviour is a choice, how to respond to conflict, how to manage emotions, how to work out conflict and the role of others in conflict.

Each classroom has the Bridge Builders posters displayed for students and staff to refer to. The Bridge Builder strategies are taught to students through classroom lessons and are reinforced during weekly assemblies. The Peer mediators also help our junior students to remember the strategies during lunch breaks.

The Bridge Builders Peer Mediators are a selected group of Year 6 students who are rostered to be in the junior playground during lunch breaks to assist junior students to care for others and resolve conflict with each other in the playground. The program helps in developing responsible learners who have ownership for their problem solving and focusses on positive relationships.

Upcoming Events

We would love to see you at our upcoming events this term. They include:

• Friday 9th March – International Women’s Day Breakfast
• Thursday 22nd March – Harmony Day
• Monday 19th March – Senior Cross County

Next Term

• Tuesday 24th April - ANZAC day ceremony

We look forward to seeing you at these events in our wonderful school.

Kate Paynter and Marie Robertson

P & C REPORT

pandc@yerongass.eq.edu.au

2018 P&C Committee

Following the AGM on Tuesday, 20 February, we are pleased to announce your 2018 P&C Committee team:

• Executive Committee
• President: Jo Thomson
• Vice-Presidents: Peppa Brown, Hamish Townsend, Anna Leggo
• Minutes Secretary: Kym Mansfield
• Treasurer: Anna Dudarenok

Additional Officers

• Correspondence and Communications Coordinator: Anita Forbes
• Events Coordinators: Lauren McHutchinson & Juliet Brooks

Thank you to everyone who attended the AGM and February general meeting, and an especially big THANK YOU to outgoing Executive Members, Sarah van den Berg (President), Ruth Bennett (Vice President) and Leesa Monaghan (Treasurer). Together these ladies have devoted countless hours to supporting our school community. They have ensured P&C operations, including YOSHC, the Tuckshop and Uniform Shop are well governed and in a strong position to continue to provide significant support for our school and the education and well being of our kids.

We also thank all the parents and friends of the school that have given hours to help at the many events, attended meetings and joined robust discussions, and those who have put up their hands for 2018.

We look forward to a fun, rewarding, and no doubt busy, year working with you, building on the strong sense of community we enjoy at Yeronga State School. Please email the P&C team at yerongasspandc@gmail.com if you have any questions, would like to get involved, or to find out more.

COLES SPORTS FOR SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Yeronga State School has registered for the Coles Sports for Schools Program. Coles shopping vouchers can be deposited in boxes that are located next to the payment boxes – Block L (Grade 1 building) and lower level Block A (Administration). The program runs until May 2018 so plenty of time to collect lots of vouchers. The P&C is also in the process of getting a box located near the self-checkout’s at Coles Fairfield. Thank you to Carolyn who has volunteered to co-ordinate this project.

EASTER RAFFLE

Raffle tickets will be coming home this week. Tickets are 50 cents each or a book of 12 for $5.00. Over 50 prizes will be won. Additional tickets can be obtained from the Admin building, YOSH or the Uniform Shop. The class that has sold the most tickets collectively will receive a prize. A flyer about donating chocolates will be coming home at the beginning of Week 6. This is always a very popular event in the school calendar and a great fundraiser for the P&C. Last year we raised

$3 300. Let’s go Yeronga and aim for $3 500.

Sarah van den Burg

MONEY MATTERS

Payments Now Due

• Swimming
• Year 3 Toohey Forest
• Student Resource Scheme

Please check on QParents for outstanding invoices or to confirm payments for your children.

Nicki Allardyce
Business Manager

INQUIRY LEARNING

Year 5 and 6 Inquiry Units This Term

This term year 5 and 6 are both starting inquiry units. This sort of learning provides a balance between explicit instruction and student-centred inquiry stance. Already the students have been displaying learning assets including: self-management, collaboration, research, thinking and communicating. These classrooms are exciting places to be.

The Year 5 unit is: The Ultimate Survivor

They are investigating:

• The features of different environments in Europe and Nth America.
• How living things (including humans) adapt to survive in different environments
• How knowledge of animal adaptations can be communicated through art

The Year 6 unit is: The Travel Expo

They are investigating:

• The features of countries in the Asia-Pacific region
• How they are connected to each other through travel and trade
• How we can make good decisions when travelling

The teachers and students have worked very hard in the last two weeks to set up powerful learning environments that promote curiosity, discussion and meaningful learning. The photos below illustrate some key learning experiences including:

1. Unpacking a main idea
2. Collaborative before/after reflection on a region
3. Setting up class agreements for positive learning

FROM THE OFFICE

Have your details changed?

It is imperative that the office has up-to-date information for parents and emergency contacts. Trying to find current phone numbers may lead to delays in students receiving medication or care that is needed. Ideally one emergency contact should be a neighbour or family friend. The office also issues important messages via email, as well as classroom notices, invoices and online permission forms.

Please take a moment to ensure your details are correct. Parent email address and mobile number, and student address can be updated directly through QParents. If you need to make any changes to or add an emergency contact, please email the office at
admin@yerongass.eq.edu.au ensuring student name and class is included.

MUSIC

SOUTHSIDE BEGINNER BAND CAMP

All year 4 instrumental band students are invited to attend the Southside Beginner Band Camp on Wednesday 21-23 March. It is a wonderful opportunity for our beginner students to get their first opportunity at playing in a band with other students from our District. The camp is held at the Sleeman Theatre, Chandler and private transport is required to and from the venue. We recommend families look into car-pooling to ease the travel.

Please ensure the medical/consent form and camp payment is handed to the office by 2nd March to secure your child’s position.

Robyn Rosewarne
Experienced Senior Teacher – Instrumental Music
Brisbane State High School
Wellers Hill State School
Yeronga State School

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Cross Country Training

Cross Country Training has begun next with the climax being the School Cross Country on 19 March (confirmed). Sessions will be on Mondays from 3:15 to 3:45pm; Tuesdays from 8:00 to 8:30 in weeks 6 and 8 and 3:15 to 3:45 in weeks 7 and 9; and Fridays 8 to 8:30.

Gala Days

Gala Days are well and truly on the horizon for children interested in Boys and Girls Football (What used to be called Soccer), Rugby League and Girls Softball and Teeball. The dates for these very important days are, weather permitting, 2 March, 16 March and 27 April. The sports offered will include Boys and Girls Football (Soccer), Girls’ Softball and Rugby League. Notes have been sent home with students participating. Please ensure these are returned ASAP.

Swimming

Swimming will begin in week 4 and finish in week 8 (a total of five weeks). Students will need a rashie, togs, towel, sturdy bag, spare underwear & Flip Flops (thongs).These sessions provide high quality swimming instruction across the school. We will be conducting these lessons, in conjunction with the staff of Yeronga Park Pool. This means the instructors will take the lessons for all children from Year 1 to Year 4 to enhance those children’s’ competence in Aquatics. Not only are these children being given expert stroke correction in small ability specific groups, but also water safety knowledge. These lessons will cost $7.50 per lesson.

Children in years 5 and 6 will receive lessons from Mr Bateman and their class teachers at the pool entry cost of $2.50 per lesson. Thanks again to Yeronga Park Pool for its continued support. They not only discount our lessons, but also give us our carnivals and various play days free of charge.

The Met West Swimming Trial

At the Met West Swimming Carnival, held at the Sleeman Swimming Complex (Chandler), on 21 February, we had 9 students competing. They were: Sebastian B, Liam C, Harry C, Margaret G, Georgia M, Clayton R, Joshua S, Alexsandra S and Corey S.

All of our 9 competed very strongly and deserve a great deal of credit for going to such a high level at such a large venue. One of our students was rewarded for his efforts, in the 100m 11 years boys Breaststroke, with a silver medal and Met West Selection. Congratulations and good luck to Liam at the Qld Schools Swimming championships which will be held at the Chandler from 19 to 21 March.

District Representative Sport Opportunities

Students turning 10 – 12 years old in 2018 are able to nominate to attend Eastern Taipan District sporting trials. Athletes who compete at district trials must have a high level of ability in their chosen sport.

If your child is interested in participating in a selection trial, contact Mr Bateman a month before the trials. Dates can be found on the Eastern Taipan District website and below. District Convenors expect each school to only nominate students who have exhibited a very high level of ability in that sport. Whilst your child may be at the highest level at club sport, this is no guarantee they will be selected to try-out for District Team. Our school has 2 sports convenors who understand the standard required and for this reason we only send children who demonstrate that high level of ability.

Qualification for Track and Field, Swimming and Cross Country district trials are finalised after the school carnivals.

Important Sporting Dates (10 – 12 year olds)

Boys and Girls District Basketball Trials: 27 February
Gala Day One: 2 March
Gala Day Two: 16 March
Regional Basketball Trial 13 March
District AFL Trials: 26 March
District Rugby League Trials: 28 March
District Girls' Football (Soccer) Trials: 23 April
District Boys' Football (Soccer) Trials: 23 April
YSS Senior Cross Country: 19 March
District Netball Trials: 19 April
Regional AFL Trial: 23 to 24 April
District Touch Trial: 21 May

Cameron Bateman

CHAPPY’S-CHAT

Thank you for your support with Chappy Pancakes last Friday. The next Pancake event will be held on the last day of term 3, Friday 21 September. A long time to wait!

Harmony Day…

Harmony Day is a wonderful celebration of cultural diversity, promoting respect, fairness, and a sense of belonging for everyone. It is an important day for our school community as we celebrate our many different cultures, religions, and upbringings. Even though we are all different, we all belong, and we can come together despite our differences. Actually, it is our differences that help to make our school so wonderfully rich and diverse.

Harmony Day this year will be celebrated at our school on Thursday 22 March with two separate assemblies on the same day. Junior School Assembly (Prep – Year 2) will be held at 9:15am, and the Senior School Assembly will be held at 2pm. There will be a moving procession of flags of all the countries that we represent, performances by many year levels, and both junior and senior choir will sing.

There is also an extra activity in the lead up to Harmony Day this year. Just like the GC 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay is making its way to the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games this year, we are passing a Yeronga State School Baton through each classroom, and into the hands of every student. As it arrives in each class, students will have a relay experience unique to their class, and discuss the importance of harmony in our school and community. What would you consider to be an important aspect about harmony? How could you help others have a “sense of belonging” to our school community?

How can you help…

Thank you for the many donations of books and stationery to help students get back into their learning this year. My next initiative is to build up a supply of second-hand uniforms. They are used for any student needing a change of clothes when there is an accident during the day and also given away to families in need. If you have uniforms that are no longer needed, please consider donating to my supply. Donations can be dropped off in the boxes provided in the office foyer (ground level). Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Blessings
Jennifer Bennett

GREEN TEAM

Clean up your School Day is back

Monday 5th March (during middle session)

Please send along gloves (rubber tipped are best), old tongs or litter pickers with your child/ren next Monday 5th March to help us clean up and green up our school!

Classes will be asked to spend 20 minutes picking up rubbish in an allocated area. Feel free to come along and help. Just check with your child's class teacher to find out exactly what time they will be out collecting.

Last year, we picked up over 20kg of rubbish from around our school. Let’s see if we can beat that number this year because we all know it’s out there! Here's a picture of just one bag of rubbish collected last year (gasp!)

Thank you for helping us make our school clean and green!

SCHOOL BANKING

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Queensland Academies Creative Industries Campus Open Day

Wellers Hill Girl Guides

Wellers Hill Girl Guides offers the opportunity for your daughter to share time with girls and develop her leadership skills, learn to plan and carry out new activities, understand what is “service”, explore new crafts and best of all develop herself. Due to our popularity we now have our younger Guides 6-9years, ( calling them Brownies again) meeting on a Monday afternoon from 4.00 to 5.30 pm in school term. Our older Girl Guides 9-15 years still meet on Saturday 2.00 to 4.00pm. We have a trial four week period where your daughter can visit and not pay any unit fee so come along, share the fun and be part of the worlds’ biggest all-girl organisation. Contact Eleanor 34200406 .

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