31 May 2018

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL REPORT

Thank You

Thank you to staff, students and parents for the enthusiastic greetings on my return. Relieving at Indooroopilly SS gave me the opportunity to learn the systems and actions that are necessary to help a larger school operate effectively. This information will prove invaluable as we continue to grow enrolments at Yeronga SS.

I want to thank Michelle, Kate and Marie and all staff for their ability to continue to progress the school improvement agenda in my absence. The professionalism of staff and their commitment to all students is obvious. My walk through classrooms reveals children highly engaged students who are developing a deep curiosity. Staff and students have a growth mindset at Yeronga State School.

Prep 2019 Enrolments

Please complete enrolment forms and return asap so that we can begin our planning for 2019. Prep 2019 interviews will begin in Term 3 and we also need to begin planning for any facility changes. Handing in enrolment forms now will help us to plan effectively. Thank you for your help.

Our School Is As Strong As Your Contribution

The bi-annual fete is a pivotal event for Yeronga state school. Putting aside the financial aspect, the fete is a wonderful community event that helps our children create beautiful memories.

A big thank you to the new fete committee and Fete Convenors for their willingness to commit time and energy to make sure our next fete in 2019 occurs. Whilst this is a great start, the committee will be need many hands to ensure the fete happens. I thank you all in advance for the many ways you will contribute.

Behaviour Celebrations

In the last week of school children who have received a C or more for behaviour on their report card participate in a behaviour celebration. Prep – Year 2 will be involved in an outdoor learning session- nature play area, ecology plot, paper plane flying to name a few. Year 3-6 will have an extended lunch hour playing table tennis, board games, oval games, nature play, WII.

We are looking forward to celebrating our students’ great choices with them. You may like to check in with your class teacher if you have concerns about whether your child is on track to participate.

It’s Not Our Story To Tell

Tragic events sometimes happen to members of our school community and this often leaves those who know the families unsure how best to respond. Yeronga State School is such a caring community that everyone often wants to help. As a school leadership team, we also hear families express concern at the lack of information we share on these occasions. When tragedy happens, the school is always in contact with the family and they guide us as to the information we distribute to the wider community. Families differ in how they want the school to respond and our concern is always to support the family in the first instance. In simple terms, it is not our story to tell.

My best advice is if your child tells you about something concerning that has happened, believe them and comfort them. We always have Chappy or the Guidance Officer that can give additional support if needed. Families who are looking for ways to help can check in with the class teacher or administration. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Debbie Spanner

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL REPORT

Staff vs Students Netball Game

Last Friday the staff enjoyed a ‘friendly’ game of netball against some of our Year Six students. The staff and students who took part, as well as the large audience, greatly enjoyed the spectacle. Funnily enough it seemed that most of the students were supporting the staff team! We hope to have a repeat of this entertaining event again in the near future.

School Jumpers

A reminder to parents to ensure that your child is wearing the appropriate Yeronga State School uniform during the cooler weather. Students are required to wear the YSS school jumper and tracksuit, which is available from the Uniform Shop. The winter uniform is a plain navy jumper and navy track suit pants (with no logos). In cold weather children may wear a plain blue or white skivvie or shirt under their uniform and girls can wear navy blue tights of full length leggings. Some children choose to wear singlets or t-shirts under their uniforms for extra warmth. These must be navy blue or white in colour and are not to be visible.

Bravehearts Visit

On Tuesday 5 June our students in Prep, Year One and Year Two will have the opportunity to experience the Bravehearts personal safety program called “Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure”. The program is designed for students in Prep- Year Two and aims to empower them with the tools to keep safe. The focus of the program is to educate the students on building resilience, confidence and awareness. It also teaches children what to do if they feel unsafe or unsure. The thirty minute interactive show is presented by a trained facilitator who guides the children through a PowerPoint presentation and songs complete with actions, along with the mascot “Ditto”, who encourages audience participation. Parents are welcome to join the students as they watch the presentation. There will be two performances in the Hall (9.45am and 11.45am). Following the show each child will receive a “Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Activity Book” as a follow up to take home to reinforce the key messages. More information about the Bravehearts program can be found below.

Athletics Carnivals

Athletics Trials are continuing for students in Year Three- Six. These trials are an opportunity for students develop their skills across the different athletics events and possibly gain selection to represent their sports house at the Athletics Carnival. The Senior Athletics Carnival is being held on Tuesday 19 June. A ‘Discus Day’ will be held for selected students on Thursday 14 June and the 800m events will be held on Friday 15 June. Prep- Year Two students can look forward to the Junior Athletics Carnival will be held from 9am-11am on Thursday 21 June.

Disco

Our Student Council have set the date for a Disco later this term. It will be held on the night of Thursday 28 June, with the Prep-Year Two students able to attend from 5pm-6pm and the Year Three- Six students able to attend from 6.30-8pm. The theme for the disco is ‘Fantasy’- so students can start coming up with their best ideas for imaginary characters (as there will be prizes for the best costumes- the more creative the better)!

Yeronga State High School Open Day

Our Year Five and Six students recently enjoyed a fabulous day at Yeronga State High School, where they were able to experience a ‘day in the life’ of high school. The students gave a range of positive feedback about the array of different learning experiences on offer throughout the day. We thank the staff at Yeronga State High School for affording our students this exciting opportunity.

Class Recycle Bins

The Green Team at Yeronga State School have been working industriously to set us up in readiness for classes to use paper recycling bins, continuing to maintain our focus on being ‘Global Citizens’. This involves the collection of paper waste in each classroom, which is then emptied out into the recycling bins on a regular basis. The Green Team have done a fabulous job in setting up this program for Yeronga State School in 2018, enabling us to develop sustainable practices within our school community.

Kate Paynter and Marie Robertson

P & C REPORT

pandc@yerongass.eq.edu.au

2018 Building Fund Appeal

Thank you so much to the 67 families who have helped us raise almost $6500 for our building fund appeal so far. This money will be used to air condition our kids classrooms, but to make a significant difference we need to raise more. We understand that not everyone can donate however if you are able to donate any amount it will be gratefully received. For those in our community who have capacity to donate more, your donations will really boost our appeal. All donations are fully tax deductible. Please give what you can via:

Business Donations to the 2018 Building Fund Appeal

Huge thank you to Jay at HO2 Barber Shop at Yeronga Village for being the first business to donate to our 2018 Building Fund Appeal! This local business has only been open for 6 weeks so we really appreciate their support to help air condition our school. If the kids are starting to look a bit dishevelled, think about popping in to say hello to Jay and the team at HO2. If you know of any local businesses who would like to make a tax deductible donation to our appeal, please share our giving details. They'll get a certificate of appreciation, acknowledgement in the newsletter and a shout out on Facebook.

Fete Committee

A huge thank you goes out to the 10-15 parents who have put their hands up to coordinate the 2019 fete. We now have a fete committee and are truly indebted to you all. Over the next few weeks we will introduce you to the whole team. This week we want to give a special shout out to our new fete convenors Juliet Brooks and Lauren McHutchison. They have the job of coordinating and delegating all the tasks so if you ever get a tap on the shoulder from them, please help them out!

Fairfield Family Picnic

Thank you so much to all our snow cone volunteers for turning up in the pouring rain to support our local community. Despite being washed out, it was great to be able to support this local event.

Jo Thompson

MONEY MATTERS

The following excursions and invoices are now due. Please use BPoint or QParents to finalise these amounts as soon as possible.

2018 Student Resource Scheme. Payments must be finalised in full by 31 August 2018

Religious Instruction - $6.90
Year 5 Camp - $200.00
Year 2 Big Bang - $7.00

Nicki Allardyce

FROM THE OFFICE

Lost Property

The piles of lost property are growing. Please remind your children to have a look in the lost property for any belongings they have misplaced. Junior lost property is located underneath the Year 1 building (in the middle), Senior Lost Property is located under the stairs in Admin Block, and YOSHC.

Student Absences

Please remember to advise the office of all student absences by 8.30am. The school cannot assume students are attending sporting events, open days etc so please ensure these are also reported. Our preferred way to receive this information is through QParents. Once you have set up your QParents account, you can download the app and advise an absence from your phone or iPad, as well as from your computer. You can also advise absences in advance i.e long weekends, holidays, off campus activities.

MUSIC

Music Performance

Coming up on Friday, June 15, all members of the various Junior and Senior music ensembles will be performing at the Junior and Senior Showcase at Yeronga State High School. This will be a brilliant night of music and fun and so we would like to invite everyone to come along to see the brilliant musical talent that we have here at Yeronga State School.

The details are as follows:

DATE – Friday 15 June
WHERE – Yeronga State High School (in the large hall)
TIME – Performers will need to arrive by 5:30pm to be tuned and warmed up for a 6pm start
WHO – All members of Cosmio Singers, Stella Voce, the Senior Concert Band, the Junior Concert Band, Stradivari Strings, Brandenburg Strings and, the Chamber Strings group.
COST – Gold coin donation

If you are interested in attending, please email Mrs Lauren Easey at leeas0@eq.edu.au or if you are the parent/guardian of a performer, please RSVP via the School Zine link in the letter that was recently emailed to you.

Choir News

With the Junior and Senior Showcase coming up quickly, please remember that next week, we will be combining the Cosmio Singers and Stella Voce rehearsals with both choirs rehearsing with their accompanist on Tuesday, June 5. Stella Voce will be rehearsing first from 7:30 – 8:00am and then Cosmio Singers will rehearse from 8:00 – 8:30am. Any strings students who are involved in the “Let Go the Long White Sails” performance will also need to attend the Stella Voce rehearsal from 7:30 – 8:00am. Stella Voce members will not be dismissed from this rehearsal until 8:30am and so it is requested that these students bring a book or something to keep them quietly occupied if they do not wish to observe the Cosmio Singers’ rehearsal. It is requested that Cosmio Singers members do not arrive until 8:00am for this rehearsal to avoid any extra distractions. Please note that there will be no Cosmio Singers rehearsal next Monday, June 4.

Strings News

It was great to have the Brandenburg ensemble perform at the Junior School Assembly last week. It was also lovely to see the maturity, cooperation and enthusiasm of the students with setting up and waiting patiently during the assembly before their performance. The students have a solid performance and we can now work on making further improvements in preparation for the upcoming music concert on Friday June 15.

Stradivari Junior Strings will be performing at the Junior Assembly this coming Monday, June 4.

RESOURCE CENTRE

Not just a library! Our resource centre is a central hub where students can go and do a variety of activities. Our students come up with some great ideas where they share their knowledge and interests. These activities are offered at no cost to parents. However, if you feel you would like to contribute, please donate to the library fund.

Scratch Jnr Club (Prep and Year 1)

First break on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This is run by a group of dedicated year three students, who come set up the ipads. They then go and collect the children from year 1 and prep who want to learn Scratch Jnr and bring them to the library. They teach them new skills on coding. They take them back to their line up area at the end of break.

Scratch Jnr Club (Year 2)

First break Friday. One of our enthusiastic Year Two students, offers other year two students the chance to extend their skills in coding.

Robotics Club (Year 3 – 6)

First break Tuesday and Wednesday. Greg Cowell, a fantastic volunteer parent, sets challenges using the EV3 robots for students to try. These include bot wars, obstacle courses and using the variety of sensors on the robots. The robotics club was started by a group of enthusiastic year six students who lobbied for robots and thanks to the P&C and School council started with our first four robots.

Yughio Club (Year 5 – 6)

Every first break. This club is organised by year six students. Bring your own cards. Cards may only come out to challenge and cannot be out in the playground or at any other time.

Drone Club (Year 3 – 6)

First Break Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Bring your own safety goggles. Our students love to show off their skills as pilots. Firstly to fly the drones with precision and then with challenges, through mazes, dropping and picking up items and even shooting the canons.

We also have pop up clubs, such as drawing club, making club, design club, hand knitters club. These run for a couple of weeks. Yes, you may wonder, do we still read books in the library? Yes we do! It is a pleasure to see the number of students who do curl up with a book and enjoy reading. Last week alone we had almost 2000 books borrowed and returned. No wonder we are constantly shelving. If you have a spare five minutes and want to help shelving it would be much appreciated.

Deborah Cowie and Faith Hage

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Regional Cross Country Participants

Best of luck to Margaret G, Alexander P, Elijah H, Chloe P, Harry C and Harry A who will compete for Regional selection at Limestone Park in Ipswich this Friday.

Eastern Taipans Football Selection

Congratulations to Archie S for his selection as part of the Eastern Taipans football team. We wish him the best of luck for his games.

Athletics Training

Athletics training has commenced on Monday afternoons from 3:15 to 3:45pm and Thursday mornings from 8 to 8:30am and will continue until the Senior and Junior Athletics Carnivals. The dates of these two carnivals can be found below.

Athletics Selection Trials (Years 3 - 6)

These are now in progress and the following schedule is to inform students what they will be doing in each of the following weeks. These trials are to select the finalists and relay teams from each House for our Senior Athletics Carnival to be held on 19 June.

Senior Athletics Carnival Day 19 June

Our year 3 – 6 students are looking forward to an exciting day on 19 June. As with all of these events we would like to extend an invitation to all parents to attend this carnival. Additionally we would very much appreciate some help in officiating on the day. Last year we had a very healthy contingent of parents assisting which made the carnival a very smooth operation. If you can spare some time it would be most appreciated - please email cbate12@eq.edu.au .

Mr Harvey, from Yeronga State High School, also kindly lent us some of his maths students last year. Many thanks to him for this. I am hopeful of a repeat performance this year if exam timetables permit.

Timetable for the Athletics Carnival

The day will commence at approximately 8:45am with the march past. At 9am the boys field rotations will commence in the following order. Each rotation will take 30 minutes and these rotations will therefore conclude at 11am. While the boys are completing these the girls will be completing the heats and finals of their sprints and 200m events.

At 11:00 there will be a 30 min lunch break
At 11:30 the girls will complete their field rotations and the boys their Sprint and 200m heats and finals
At 1:30 there will be a 15 minute break
At 1:45 the boys' and girls' Gifts will be held
At 2:00 The Relays
At 2:45 The Presentation

The Yerongalympics

This event is a Tabloid sports event comprised of five activities, explained below, which give first turns to children who have been in the least amount of field events.

Activity 1 - The Dress up relay

A minimum of 6 children are assembled in line. On the whistle the first child will put the clothes on. They will then go over obstacles around the turnaround marker and back to the team assembly point. Once there they will give the next person in line the clothes and they will have a turn. One point for each person through. Teams keep having as many turns as possible, tallying their points, until the whistle blows to stop. The amount of times the course is completed will equal the amount of points each team has scored.

Activity 2 - The Barrel Relay

A minimum of 6 children are assembled in line. On the whistle the first child will put the barrel on its edge and roll it, weaving in and out of the markers, turning around at the turnaround marker and weaving in and out of the markers back to their team. Once there they will give the barrel to the next in line so that they may complete the course. One point is given for each person through. Teams keep having as many turns as possible, tallying their points, until the whistle blows to stop. The amount of times the course is completed will equal the amount of points each team has scored.

Activity 3 - The “Every Drop is Precious Relay”

A minimum of 6 children are assembled in line. On the whistle the first child will pick up the cup and run out to the reservoir over the hay bales. Once there they will draw a cup of water and take it back to their bucket and pour it in. When they have completed their turn they will pass the cup to the next person in line. Teams keep having as many turns as possible, tallying their points, until the whistle blows to stop. Markings on the bucket will indicate how many points the team has scored.

Activity 4 - Rubber Boot Throwing

A minimum of 6 children are assembled in line. On the whistle the first child will pick up the rubber boot, throw it as close as possible to the target circle. The target will be two circles, one inside the other. The inner circle is worth 10 points and the outer is worth 5 points. Once they have completed their turn by retrieving the rubber boot the first person will pass the rubber boot to the next person in line. Teams keep having as many turns as possible, tallying their points, until the whistle blows to stop.

Activity 5 - “Running Cheek to Cheek”

A minimum of 6 children are assembled in line in pairs. On the whistle the first pair place the gator skin ball between their faces. They must weave in and out of the markers and go around the turnaround marker and return to their team weaving in and out of the markers with the gator skin ball between their faces. If the ball should fall they must pick it up before continuing. Each pair through will score one point for their team. Teams keep having as many turns as possible, tallying their points, until the whistle blows to stop.

Junior Athletics Day 21 June

Our Prep – year 2 students are looking forward to a fun-filled morning on 21 June. Parents are very welcome to watch the sessions. Bring along your picnic rug or folding chair. Please be aware that all students need to be with their class teachers during the activities. They will need to bring along their snack, drink bottle and hat to the activities. Sunscreen should be applied before coming to school.

After roll call all classes are to assemble under the shelters next to the top oval (at the “Big School”) at 9:00am. We will complete activities at approximately 11am so the lunchbreak should run as usual. Tuckshop may be ordered using the normal system and it will not be open to sell food during the sports activity sessions. Each rotation (2 activities of 15mins) will run for approximately 30 minutes with a 5 minute change over.

Please note students will participate in their classes not age group. The day is one of participation in, and enjoyment of physical activity and our endeavour is to ensure all children achieve this. Many of the activities will provide the students with an insight to what skills they will need when they enter the Senior Sports Day in years to come. We hope you can join the children on the day.

Junior Athletics Day - Friday 21 June 2018

*This program is a guide and times may alter slightly on the day.

Gala Days (10 to 12 Years Students)

Gala Days for Semester One have reached their conclusion. However we have boys and girls football teams who have won the cluster (what used to be known as our district). We await details to see where and when these teams will play off for regional supremacy.

It is also important that children begin thinking about their gala day options for semester 2. These will include: AFL (for boys and girls), Cricket (for boys and girls), Netball (for girls) & Touch (for boys and girls).

Eastern 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.

Important Sporting Date

District and Regional Dates for 10 to 12 Year Olds Only

Regional Cross Country 1 June
Regional Touch Trial: 4 June
Regional Girls and Boys Football 5 June
Regional Tennis 5 June
District Girls and Boys Softball 7 June
Regional Rugby Union 13 June
Regional Golf 14 June
Regional Girls Softball 21 June
Regional Boys Softball 22 June

Cameron Bateman

CHAPPY’S-CHAT

Thank you for your support with the Sub and Drink lunch last week. I’ve had very positive feedback about how much our students and staff enjoyed it.

Saying Sorry

National Reconciliation Week is being celebrated across Australia this week giving us opportunity to reflect on our past history, and consider ways we can all contribute to a reconciled future, and strengthened by respectful relationships between all parts of the Australian community. The week began with the anniversary of National Sorry Day (May 26), which is a day “to remember and acknowledge the suffering and resilience of the Stolen Generations and their families.”

As part of the Bridge Builder program used across our school, our students are taught that saying sorry is one way to resolve conflict with others. Learning to say sorry can be a difficult thing to do, but a heartfelt apology has the power to turn anger and hurt into healing and peace. Martin Luther King said, “Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude”. So in reflection of the important messages around reconciliation and saying sorry, how can you contribute to a reconciled future for all Australians? Is there someone that you need to forgive and show empathy and compassion towards? I hope that you find peace and hope as you take small steps towards a reconciled future.

Qld Father of the Year Colouring-In Competition

Nominate a deserving dad or father figure (grandfather, uncle, coach, teacher, etc) for the 2018 Qld Father of the Year Competition presented by SU Qld. The Queensland winner will win a five night family holiday at Sea World Resort and Water Park. In 2014, a wonderful YSS Dad was the regional winner for Brisbane South. Do you know an inspirational father to honour and nominate? Check out

Coinciding with the nomination process, there is also a colour-in competition for students to enter. There will be a YSS winner selected from both the junior school and senior school, with one entry being submitted for the state-wide competition. Please download the entry form attached to this newsletter. Copies will also be available at the payment boxes.

Entertainment Book

The 2016/2017 Entertainment Books have now expired. If you want to order the current issue and support Chaplaincy you can order the book or a digital membership from …

Upcoming Events

22 June - Closing date for Qld Father of the Year Colouring Competition
3 August - Chappy’s Movie Night
21 September - Chappy Pancakes
27-28 October - Camp at School with Dad

Blessings
Chappy Jenny

GREEN TEAM

Beauty Products Recycling Program

We have begun collecting beauty product packaging again. Each item recycled will raise money for our school! Please bring your empty beauty packaging to the Resource Centre and place them in the recycling box.

The products accepted include skin care, hair care and cosmetics packaging. For a detailed list and examples, please view the attached flyer.

Class Paper Recycling

The Green Team have been helping the students learn about paper recycling on assemblies and each class has now received their new paper recycling box. We’d love for you to start a conversation with your child to find out what they know about paper recycling. Setting a good example of only using paper when really necessary (ie not printing unless you have to), using paper wisely when you do, and then recycling it at the end of its life is one of the best ways to get the message across.

SCHOOL BANKING

Remember, to bank every Thursday to earn some great prizes.

Congratulations Mitchell

Over the past 10 or so months, Mitchell has been following his passion for cycling. This has meant many early morning starts, hours of training and many kilometres on the bike. This hard work has resulted in terrific success.

To date, he has entered and won all three road races in the Junior Sizzling Summer Series and was the U9 overall winner, won his race in the Ipswich Junior Tour and most recently won the criterium and road race and is the Under 9 age champion for the Gold Coast Junior Tour. This was presented to him by Katrin Garfoot, the Australian Olympic Team cyclist. The races involve riding for many km's under official race conditions.

There are two more Junior Tours this year: the Balmoral Junior Tour and the Queensland Junior Road Championships in Townsville. We wish Mitchell good luck and safe riding.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Photographer Needed

Are you a photographer or know a photographer who would like to donate your services to the school? We are looking for someone to take photos at the Year 6 Graduation evening Monday Dec 10, 5- 9 pm.

For more details please contact Annie Stevenson on anniestevenson@optusnet.com.au

Holland Park State High School Open day

Chelmer AFL Program

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