25 October 2018

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL REPORT

WELCOME BACK

Welcome back to Term 4. This term is always busy and always over before we know it. Our focus as always remains on ensuring that every day in every classroom our students are learning and achieving. We intend to ensure that we finish strong and continue to keep our students engaged and motivated.

CLASS FORMATION 2019

Over the next few weeks we will be tentatively forming the classes for the 2019 school year. We have already received a number of written parent requests for consideration. Please remember that although we take your requests into account and try to accommodate them where possible, the final decision on class groupings rests with the school. Our focus is to maintain a cohesive and balanced mix of students in each class to ensure optimum access to learning for every student.

All requests from parents need to be in writing and emailed to principal@yerongass.eq.edu.au .

BOOKLISTS

Teachers are in the process of finalising booklists for 2019. These lists will be emailed to parents and uploaded to schoolzine early next week.

WORLD TEACHERS` DAY

This Friday we will celebrate World Teachers` Day. Thank-you to the P&C who will be providing our teachers with a special morning tea on this day.

The teachers here at Yeronga come to work every day committed to providing quality learning experiences for the students in their classrooms. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work they do and the care they provide to our students.

Our students also wanted to show their appreciation for the teachers at Yeronga. Josh (yr 6) and Maddison (yr 4) have expressed their feeling through the poem below, which will be presented to each teacher.

Teachers are clever, fun and cool
That's why we want to come to school
They teach us all our ABC's
Number facts and 123s

They talk about stories of their days in college
So we can increase our knowledge
We love to learn and do our best
So we can get an A in our test

Thank you teachers for helping us believe
So later in life we can happily achieve
Let's celebrate World Teacher's Day together
Grateful for their guidance forever

Carmel Herbert

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL REPORT

Term Four is in full swing now with a strong focus on teaching and learning, as well as our swimming lessons which are up and running. The weather is changing and it is timely to remember to be prepared for the warmer months by ensuring that students always have their school hat and full water bottle every day.

Our staff enjoyed a comprehensive day of professional development on the Pupil Free Day with a focus on health and wellbeing, the Responsible Behaviour Plan and curriculum planning for 2019.

World Teacher’s Day

On Friday 26 October we will take the time to recognise the amazing contribution that our Teachers make to the lives of their students. The United Nations' (UN) World Teachers' Day celebrates the role teachers play in providing quality education at all levels, which has in turn enabled children and adults of all ages to learn to take part in and contribute to their local community and global society.

A morning tea will be held on Friday to recognise our fabulous teachers. We thank them for their tireless efforts in educating and inspiring the students of Yeronga State School. A thank you also to the families who have provided morning tea for them.

Classroom Awards – Update for 2018

Please note that during Term Three our staff completed a review process of the Class Awards. This was necessary to ensure that the awards are:

• The result of a transparent selection process
• Based on consistent criteria (detailed below)
• Aligned to assessment processes (A-E scale) mandated by ACARA
• A true recognition of student academic achievement

Academic Awards

Effort Awards

Citizenship Award – Walker Award

Enjoy the next two weeks!

Kate Paynter and Louise Vaggs

P & C REPORT

pandc@yerongass.eq.edu.au

World Teacher’s Day

Yeronga will be celebrating World Teacher's Day on Friday October 26th. We will be showing our appreciation for our teachers by providing a morning tea for them on this day.

The P&C are looking for food donations which you can drop at the Senior School Staff Room between 8-9am on the 26th. We have created an online sign up - please click on the link below and indicate what you can bring. Thank you in advance for celebrating the amazing job our teachers do at Yeronga State School.

Thank you in advance for celebrating the amazing job our teachers do at Yeronga State School.

Jo Thompson

MONEY MATTERS

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

Statements & Outstanding Payments

Statements will be issued in the upcoming weeks. A reminder that if your statement shows a negative amount ie - $15 this is a credit and does NOT require any payment. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact the office.

If you do have any outstanding payments it would be greatly appreciated if you could attend to payment as we are now in Term 4 and require all accounts to be paid. Should you wish to pay in instalments please contact me by email nalla6@eq.edu.au or by phoning the office on 3426 0333 so that arrangements can be made.

Nicki Allardyce

FROM THE OFFICE

2019 Student Resource Scheme

The Student Resource Scheme has been implemented at Yeronga State School to ensure that all students have the necessary resources to support their educational requirements. It is also intended as a convenience to parents/caregivers to provide a more economical option to purchasing resources and consumables each year.

Contribution to the scheme is voluntary. Parents/caregivers are under no obligation to join, however they will need to purchase and provide all necessary textbooks and resources for the students if they elect not to join the scheme.

The Student Resource Scheme operates at this school under the policy and guidelines of the Department of Education and Training (DET).

Please read the Student Resource Scheme letter and the Student Resource Scheme Agreement Form attached (do not print or return this form to the school).

If you wish to participate in the Student Resource Scheme please use the link below to complete your details.

Invoices will be sent to those participating in the Student Resource Scheme in term 4. Do not pay until you have received your invoice.

Orders must be received by Wednesday 31 October 2018. No late orders will be accepted.

2019 Enrolments

The enrolment process for 2019 is well underway and we ask all current families who will have a child starting next year, to complete an enrolment form ASAP. If you are aware of any families looking to start at Yeronga State School next year, please let them know to contact the office as soon as possible. Enrolment forms are available at the link below, our website or from the school 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.

Magpie Nesting Season

It’s magpie nesting season! Please be aware of swooping magpies that have nested in the school grounds over the coming weeks.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Swimming has commenced

Swimming lessons are being held at the times stated in the permission note with the exception of 4CH and 4J who exchanged their time with 2L and 2W.

4CH and 4J now attend swimming on Tuesdays from 1:45 to 2:30 and 2L and 2W now attend swimming from 12:30 to 1:15.

Please remember to refer to the equipment list on the permission note so that your children have everything they need for their lessons. Children should have a complete change of clothes, swimming togs including a rashie for lessons, goggles (essential), towel, sunscreen, bathing cap (will be supplied), deodorant (for older students) and flip flops or thongs (much preferred). Rashies are not required for races at carnivals, but students should cover up when not racing.

Swimming Carnivals

Preparations are beginning for these very important events on the Yeronga State School Calendar. Students need to be thinking, from the commencement of lessons, exactly which events they would like to compete in as once the program is written there will be very little time for changes.

If children wish to withdraw from events that they can swim they will need parental permission. Please remember that as the carnival will be held in the 25m pool at Yeronga Park there should be little concern over the completion of 50m events.

We will, as always, require parental support in the form of officials to make these carnivals run efficiently. If you are able to help please contact Mr Bateman via email; cbate12@eq.edu.au. We have been very fortunate, over the years, to have outstanding parental contributions from people like Ruth Bennett and we hope that this tradition continues. Also we are hoping to re-introduce some 100m events this year. Obviously we will require time to hold these events. Time will be difficult to find unless we have adequate numbers of officials.

On a lighter note the big question is; who can end Lawson’s 7 year dominance in swimming? Can Kendall, who won Cross Country? Can Evans, who won the Athletics? Could Paterson, who are yet to chalk up a win this year? Only time will tell who will be the winner of our new swimming trophy.

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.

Congratulations Margaret!

A well earned congratulations to our Margaret G who has been selected to run for Queensland at the National Athletics Championships. She is our second state representative this year and a remarkable track athlete. She will run the 800m for Queensland, but has placed in the 100m and 200m at district level. Her versatility alone sets her apart.

Congratulations Again!

Next Year’s Early Sporting Trials

It is a little way off just now, but worth noting that there will be a one in seven year change next year (2019) with the Northern Territory hosting National Athletics. Due to this circumstance it is most likely that both the Cross Country and Athletics Carnivals will be held in term one. District Cross Country will be held in week 10 of term 1 and District Athletics will be held in week 5 of term 2. This will mean a considerable increase in the workload for all in term 1 including students. It’s particularly worth noting for those training toward representative honours in Athletics and Cross Country.

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

Gala Day 2 – 19 October
Gala Day 3 – November 2
Yeronga State School Senior Swimming Carnival (Years 3 – 6 ) – 20 November
Yeronga State School Junior Swimming Carnival (Years 1 & 2)– 29 November

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

Robotics News

Four students from grade three (Maggie, Oliver, Sam and Brendan) have completed the EV3 robot coding challenges and have been presented with their certificates. These coding challenges included:

Getting a robot to follow a line.

Getting one robot to copy another robots' movements.

Getting a robot to find its way out of a maze.

We have now moved on to coding using Scratch and the students are busily coding their own computer games. From the week starting 22/10, Robotics Club will be switching to Wednesdays and Thursdays at first break due to the commencement of swimming lessons.

MUSIC

The music department has been busy preparing for an eventful end to 2018. Please mark on your calendars the following end of year concerts:

Big Sing – November 9 at Yeronga State High School – this concert involves performances by Stella Voce, Cosmio Singers and the Year 6 Chamber Choir

Big Play – November 23 at Yeronga State High School – this concert involves performances by the Junior and Senior Strings, Senior Band and Junior Band.

Further details about these concerts will be sent home soon to participating students.

We look forward to seeing you there!

MusicFest

It's exciting times for the school string orchestras with our MusicFest performances coming up this Saturday!

The performances will be on Saturday October 27 at Coorparoo Secondary College.

Students in the Stradivari Junior String Ensemble need to arrive at 1pm.

Brandenburg Senior String Ensemble students need to arrive at 2:30pm.

Please also take note that the entry fee for audience members is cash only as there will be no EFTPOS facilities.

Further details have been emailed out to strings families.

Lauren Easey

RESOURCE CENTRE

Library News

During Term 3 students were invited to participate in a RACQ, We were delight when we got the news that not one but two classes had one prizes for our library. 5W won first prize $5000 worth of books for our library and 2W won Second Prize which was also more books for our library.

Congratulations to them all for giving it a go.

Deborah Cowie and Faith Hage

AROUND THE SCHOOL

On Thursday afternoon of last week, year 6 visited the Stephens sub-branch of the RSL. We had the opportunity to speak with returned soldiers who told us about their experiences fighting for Australia in various campaigns, from World War 2 to more recent campaigns in the Middle East and East Timor. These men shared their memories of how important it was for them to look out for each other, being part of a team, sharing their fears, joy and mateship in difficult circumstances and strange places. Our year 6’s did us proud. They were very interested, and respectful. Our hosts were clearly impressed.

GREEN TEAM

Nude Food Day success!!

Who knew not bringing rubbish to school could be so much fun? Our Nude Food Day was a raging success! Thank you for all of your support in encouraging your children to reduce their impact on our environment and making our school litter-free by bringing to school a ‘Nude’ lunch!

We had a ‘Decomposition challenge’ in the morning before school where students had to guess how long the items shown take to decompose or break up into small pieces (☹). How would you have gone? (see photo for one of the guesses) The correct answers will be revealed on assembly.

Liby Elcome our resident artist, spent time with some of our year 2 and 4 students creating a beautiful artwork with all of the bottle tops the school community has collected over the last few months (there were hundreds). When it is ready, we’ll do a ‘big reveal’ on assembly and it will be hung on the tuckshop wall for all to see as a gentle reminder to consume consciously. We can’t wait to see the amazing splash of colour!

At lunchtime, some year 5 and 6 students got busy and made themselves some beautiful beeswax wraps so they can now avoid using cling wrap or plastic. They looked and smelled amazing!

And of course, our classroom teachers completed a litter audit in their classes to count how many pieces of rubbish were in lunch boxes. The students with no rubbish at all will go into a draw for some beautiful prizes and the winning class with the least amount of rubbish will be awarded some package free snacks to celebrate. All prizes donated by ‘The Source’ bulk foods at West End. A visitor from ‘The Source’ will come and present the prizes over the next two assemblies for the junior and senior school! Which class will claim this year's 'Golden Bin Award'?

Well done to everyone!!

SCHOOL BANKING

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

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Holland Park High Homestay Program

Stephens RSL Remembrance Day Centenary Walk

Grand Opening – Hyde Away Café

Special Free Event for Teachers and Parents

Yeronga State High School

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