14 June 2018

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL REPORT

Thank You

My sincere thanks to the school community for your support during the period that I am in the Acting Principal role. I am certainly feeling like a part of the Yeronga State School community now and appreciate the backing of the school community as I take on this new role for a short time.

I would also like to acknowledge the unwavering commitment and hard work of the Strategic Team at our school- Marie Robertson, Jane Leishman, Louise Vaggs and Deb Cowie. This group hold an incredible amount of collective expertise and experience. They carry out a large volume of the ‘hidden’ and unseen work that happens behind the scenes, in both the strategic and operational aspects of running this busy school!

Year Five Camp

During Week 8 the students in 5H and 5W enjoyed three days at the Currumbin Valley Outdoor and Environmental Education Centre. This week the students in 5M will enjoy the same opportunity and experience.

We were extremely pleased and proud to receive the following feedback from the camp organisers:

“Big congrats from all of our staff to your school program encouraging student directed learning. It was a pleasure to watch the first camp with the way students took on roles in leadership, planning and implementation. Your staff have certainly made a difference to your students compared to other groups we see – well done team.”

This is a wonderful testament to these Yeronga State School students, along with their parents and teachers. As a school we are able to reflect on this feedback as an indication that our Year Five students are benefitting from the Inquiry style of learning and are able to exhibit the ‘Learner Assets’ they have been taught through transfer into unfamiliar environments and scenarios. These students are well on the path to being successful learners who can communicate, collaborate, think, research and self-manage.

Cleaner’s Day

The first to arrive in the morning and the last to leave at the end of the school day…. our wonderful school cleaners! This week we acknowledge and thank our steadfast and loyal cleaners, as we celebrate Cleaner’s Day on Friday. The cleaning crew at YSS certainly deserve our thanks and praise. It is important that we all work together to demonstrate the pride that we have in Yeronga State School by supporting the everyday work of our school cleaners. Make sure you say thank you if you see them around the school this week!

Bridge Builders

Yeronga State School continues to focus on the use of the Bridge Builders program with an aim to equip our students to deal with conflict. Our Teacher Aide group have recently completed a professional development program, over a series of workshops with Jocelyne Churnside, the founder of Empowering Life Skills and the creator of the program. The Year Six Peer Mentoring ‘Buddies’ also completed a series of workshops with Jocelyne, in an effort to review the skills that they need to act as mentors for younger students.

Bridge Builders is a proactive program that provides a common, respectful language for children to draw from during situations of conflict resolution. Our students are developing the skills of conflict resolution through instruction in the classroom and modelling in the playground.

Students and staff have provided feedback that they have also found Bridge Builders helpful in gaining a clearer understanding of the differences between conflict and bullying (i.e. bullying is targeted, repeated and involves a power difference). When students are empowered with confidence, resilience and problem solving skills, they are able to reduce the likelihood of bullying incidents flaring. Bridge Builders supports our students by providing a framework to help prevent early conflict escalating into more concerning issues.

NAPLAN Review

As you may be aware, the Queensland Minister for Education has publicly announced an evaluation of NAPLAN in the Queensland context. NAPLAN has now been in operation nationally for a decade and Minister Grace is keen to hear the views and experiences of Queensland parents, school leaders, school communities and other key stakeholders.

As the first step in this evaluation, Dr Gabrielle Matters and Dr Robert Lake have been appointed to seek the views and experiences of Queensland parents. A public parent survey is now open for the next several weeks and can be accessed here:

As well as the online survey, Dr Matters will run public forums with independent reviewer Dr Robert Lake over the next two weeks in Emerald, Brisbane and Townsville. Parents can book their spot for the forum by email.

Kate Paynter

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL REPORT

Bravehearts Visit

On Tuesday 5 June our students in Prep, Year One and Year Two had the opportunity to experience the Bravehearts personal safety program called “Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure”. This 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.

Following the show each child received 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

Athletics Trials are continuing for students in Year Three to 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’ was held today for selected students on and the 800m events will be held tomorrow, Friday 15 June. Prep to Year Two students can look forward to the Junior Athletics Carnival will be held from 9am-11am on Thursday 21 June. Students are welcome to wear their sports uniform for this event.

Student Council Disco - “Fantasy”

The first disco of the year is fast approaching. The theme is ‘Fantasy’ and 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)!

Date: Thursday 28 June
Times: Prep to Year 2 from 5:00 – 6:00pm
Year 3 to Year 6 from 6:30 – 8:00pm
Ticket pricing: $5.00 pay at the door
Glow Products: On sale at both Junior and Senior discos

Disco Tuckshop Meal deals available

Sausage sandwich or pizza slice, soft drink and mini cupcake $6.00

Sausage sandwich or pizza slice, popper and mini cupcake $5.00

Please remember, parents are not allowed inside the hall at any time during the discos. If you need to speak with your child, please ask the staff at the door to bring your child out. Also remember that before posting any photos to social media you must have permission from all relevant parties.

Staff Professional Development

Yeronga State School promotes an active professional learning culture. Over the past weeks, our staff have participated in various professional development sessions. Staff have been involved in the State Wide Inquiry Conference, Positive Behaviour for Learning sessions and instructional rounds focusing on inquiry teaching. Our teachers are involved in a book study during weekly staff meetings focusing on improving student writing through the Six Traits of Writing, and have worked on professional goal setting in our twilight workshop held earlier this week. Our Teacher Aides have been involved in weekly Professional Development sessions that include the teaching of guided reading, helping students learn conflict resolution skills through the Bridge Builders program and professional goal setting.

The ongoing professional development of our staff forms a critical element in the delivery of effective education and care at Yeronga State School. By continuously improving YSS teaching practice through academic staff professional development, and critical reflection of school performance, we will ensure that our students continue to achieve to the best of their abilities.

Out of the Box

In the last week of the term our Year One and Two students will be attending Out of the Box (Playhouse QPAC) as part of our English and The Arts (drama/dance) program. Out of the Box is a biennial festival for children 8 years and under, held at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). The festival takes pride in its history as a national leader in programming for young children, nurturing children’s creativity and imagination.

Our Year One students will be attending a performance Little Yawar and dance event Dance…Like No One Is Watching, as well as two workshops. While our Year Two students will be attending performances Little Yawar and The Arrival. The aim of the activities is for students to experience the role that theatre plays in telling a story, and how stories can entertain an audience via dance and drama.

Both year levels will be catching the train in for their excursions. It is sure to be quite and adventure; a wonderful day for all involved.

Music Showcase

On Friday 15 June, our instrumental music students will be involved in the Yeronga Music Showcase held at Yeronga State High School. This event starts at 6pm, we would love to see you there.

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.

Marie Robertson and Jane Leishman

P & C REPORT

pandc@yerongass.eq.edu.au

Building Fund Appeal

We are getting tantalisingly close to the half way mark in our building fund appeal. Remember this is completely different to the voluntary contribution to school for stationary earlier in the year. The building fund appeal will only be used to air condition the children's classrooms. Thank you so much to the 87 families that have contributed to our appeal and allowed us to raise $8230 so far. Remember every donation is fully tax deductible and allows you to contribute to your school community from your armchair. If we are going to be able to air condition another grade this year we still need to raise a whole lot more so please consider doing this now, and giving a little extra if you can. The kids will really thank you come summer.

Building Fund Business Donations

Know of any businesses interested in making a tax deductible donation to our appeal? Donations can be made via the following link.

Extracurricular Guitar Lessons

Extracurricular guitar lessons are available any afternoon after school. These can be private or group lessons. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Blaise from Virtuoso Guitar School virtuosoguitarschool@gmail.com or 0448620396

Thank You

Huge thank you to Alan from Amazing Paints, Moorooka, for donating paint for us to update our music room and Sinisa Pavic, one of our dads, for offering to paint it for us. We really appreciate your generosity and can't wait to see the finished result!

June P&C Meeting

The June P&C Meeting will be held in the Resource Centre at 7pm on Tuesday 19th June. Please come along to hear how fete preparations are going and catch up on all that's been going on at YSS.

Calling All Local Businesses!

If you are the proud owner of a local business or work for a company who might like to support our 2019 school fete, we would love to hear from you. Many sponsorship options available so please contact our Sponsorship Convener, Faith Hage at yssfetesponsorship@yahoo.com to find out more.

Coles Sport for Schools

Thank you to the school community who, together, collected over 78 000 Coles Sport For Schools vouchers. These vouchers will allow the school to order new equipment such as skipping ropes, lots and lots of balls and gear for the ping pong tables. A big shout out to Carolyn who volunteered to co-ordinated this project and has been liaising with Mr Bateman to order the equipment. The new supplies will be arriving at the beginning of Term 4.

BankWest Community Grant

The P&C will be applying for a grant to improve our PA system. To apply for the grant, we need a parent who is a current customer of Bankwest. The grant will be open on June 29th. If anyone would like to sponsor this grant application and is current customer of BankWest please contact Ruth Bennett on 0403 252 536 or rbenn127@eq.edu.au

Your votes will be needed for us to be successful. Information about how to vote will be listed in the parent rep emails and the P&C Facebook page.

Jo Thompson

MONEY MATTERS

Payment Desk Changes

As the majority of payments are now being paid by direct deposit, we will be reducing the hours that the payment desk is open in the administration block. From Monday 18 June the payment desk will be open from 8.15am to 8.45 every Tuesday and Thursday only. The Department’s preferred method of payment of invoices is via BPoint and Qparents. We thank you for your support in using these methods.

Nicki Allardyce

FROM THE OFFICE

2019 Enrolment

We are starting the enrolment process for 2019 and ask all current families who will have a new child starting next year, to complete an enrolment form ASAP. Enrolment forms are available here, our website or from the school office.

Once the enrolment form is completed, please deliver to the office together with a copy of Birth Certificate. If you are aware of any families looking to start at Yeronga State School next year, please direct them to the office for further information.

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) and Senior Lost Property is located under the stairs in Admin Block.

Nature Play Update

In 2017, the school was successful in getting a Commonwealth Bank grant for $30 000 to develop our nature play areas. In addition, another $10 000 was received from Graham Perrett (Federal Member for Moreton) Building Stronger Communities grant. As stated in the school’s Nature Play and Outdoor Learning Policy:

Natural Play challenges and fascinates children and teaches them about the wonders and intricacies of the natural world while they explore and play within it. It is intuitive and unstructured, constructive (or deconstructive), and timeless, encouraging interaction with natural materials, features, indigenous vegetation, and creative landforms. Natural Play is often a blend of materials and experiences to create purposely complex interplays of natural and environmental objects.

Several areas within the school have been identified for redevelopment and redesign: (1) area near Prep 5 at the back of the dental hospital; (2) Paul’s Place and (3) current nature play area. Initial demolition work was carried out in January 2018 to remove the two sheds adjacent to Prep 5. Work on this area will start at the end of the year.

Over the last several weeks, a sub-committee interviewed numerous landscape architects who have skills in the nature play area. The successful applicant was Matt Smith from Barefoot Landscape. Matt has dual qualifications in landscape design and civil engineering. Matt brings a unique combination of creative style and pragmatic problem solving to his projects. Matt is passionate about the natural landscape around us and spends as much time outdoors as possible as this is where he is the most inspired. Matt is a father of young children and has experience working within the educational sector.

As part of the process, Matt will be meeting with key stakeholders to incorporate ideas into a Nature Play/Outdoor Education Master Plan. It is scheduled for the Master Plan to be available for community presentation by late Term 3.

MUSIC

Music News

The Stradivari Junior String ensemble performed at the Junior Assembly on Monday June 4. We performed Frere Jacque in unison and as a canon. For many of the students it was their very first public ensemble performance and it was lovely to see them perform with such confidence and enthusiasm!

Don’t forget to come and support all of our Instrumental and Choral Music students at the Junior and Senior Showcase this Friday, June 15 at Yeronga State High School. The Showcase begins at 6pm with a gold coin donation upon entry being greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,
Lauren

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Kendall are winners again

Congratulations to Kendall for winning the Cross Country trophy yet again. Alex and Tahlia were excited to accept the trophy!

Regional Touch Success

Congratulations to Harry C on a great achievement in being selected in the Regional Touch Team. It’s a big achievement and I know that his Dad is very proud.

Athletics Training

Athletics training will continue on Monday afternoons (3:15 to 3:45) and Thursday mornings (8 to 8:30) until the District Athletics Carnivals. The exception being days when athletics’ events are held.

Yeronga State School Senior (Years 3-6) Athletics Carnival Day 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. Many thanks to Greta Palmer, Ruth Bennet & Samantha Kendall who have already volunteered.

Mr Palmer, 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 8:45 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

Junior Athletics Day: 21 June (9- 11am)

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

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 Dates (District and Regional Dates for 10 to 12 Year Olds Only)

Regional Girls Softball 21 June
Regional Boys Softball 22 June

Cameron Bateman

Student Council & ECDP

Cupcake/Muffin Day

The Early Childhood Unit (Yeerongpilly ECDP) is hoping to raise funds to make Maths Prop Boxes for the centre.

During 1st Break on June 22nd, they will be selling cupcakes/muffins to the students of Yeronga State School, with the support of the Yeronga SS Student Council.

Please bring $1 or $2 on Friday 22nd June to buy a muffin or cupcake to support our Early Childhood Development Program for hearing impaired children.

CHAPPY’S-CHAT

Thursday Club

Thursday Club is a special part of my week, when I spend time out and about at 1st break with students in the senior school. Each Thursday the activity is different, as I try to target different groups of children and what they might engage with. It gives me opportunity to meet lots of students, but importantly gives them opportunity to chat with me. It also provides something different for students to do each week, particularly if they find lunchtime a difficult part of the day, and are at a loss as to what to do. While I have an activity planned and set up, I usually just sit, listen and chat.

As parents, we put a lot of effort into planning special days and events with our children. Sometimes though, it is not about the activity that is important, but the quality time we give. In the coming holidays, make sure you allow time to just sit and play with your children, taking the time to listen and enjoy each other’s company. Find some cheap but fun activities to do together. Bake cookies, do some gardening, find a craft project, play a board game. Investing quality time into your family shows how important they are to you, so that they know they are loved. Have fun together!

And if your child is having difficulty engaging at lunchtime, encourage them to check in with me.

Qld Father of the Year Colouring-In Competition…

Is your Dad (or grandfather, uncle, coach, teacher, etc) exceptional? Then don’t forget to nominate them for the 2018 Qld Father of the Year. Check out:

The colouring-in competition is closing next week. I have to submit the winning entries from the junior and senior school to a state-wide competition. Please download the entry form attached to this newsletter. Copies are also available at the payment boxes.

Upcoming events…

22/7 Closing date for Qld Father of the Year Colouring Competition
3/8 Chappy’s Movie Night
21/9 Chappy Pancakes
27-28/10 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.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Indigo Soul Holiday Program

Talking Families

Parenting is hard, but you’re not alone

It’s a myth that you’re born with parenting skills. You learn as you go and there are going to be times when parents will feel overwhelmed or frustrated with the pressures of raising children. But you’re not alone — all parents struggle with the stress of parenting.

Getting it off your chest helps. Just talking to someone about what’s worrying you can be the first step to realising you’re not alone and getting the help you need.

The Talking Families website is full of helpful information and easy ways to ask people around you for help before you feel like you’ve reached breaking point. And you may be surprised at just how many people you know who would be happy to offer support. Go to the website below.

Parents can also follow the Talking Families Facebook community for information about events, tips for parenting, and different ways to get some support @talkingfamiliesqld

Talking Families is an initiative by the Queensland Family and Child Commission.

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