FINISH STRONG!

This week on assembly I spoke to the Year 3-6 students about finishing strongly. I have used the analogy with our students of finishing the year like it is a running race. It is important that they give 100% until they are across the finish line and not to stop or slow down a few metres short. As always, we will maintain our high expectations of student effort, attendance and behaviour, every day.

It is also that time of the year when students have the opportunity to demonstrate and apply their skills, knowledge and deep understandings. Even though we can see the holidays on the distant horizon, it is the most important time of the year as students complete culminating learning activities that connect their learning and experiences from the academic year. Essentially, it is a time for our students to show us how far they have come and the academic distance they have travelled. We don’t just want to finish the year, we want to finish strong!

The end of the year sees many school events including Graduation, Awards Ceremonies, School Disco and the Christmas concert. Be sure to check the calendar so you don’t miss anything. We look forward to seeing many of you at these events and celebrating a successful 2019 with you. Hopefully you can finish strongly too!

CLASSES- 2020

Class Allocations for 2020 are progressing well. Parents and children will be advised on Wednesday 22 January class teachers for 2020. Publishing early in the year helps us to determine more accurate enrolment numbers for each cohort as this seems to change daily with some enrolments in and out. At present it appears that we will have 31 classes, including five Preps.

CLASS PARENT REPRESENTATIVE SCHEME

In 2020 we will be again seeking two parents for each classroom to be the parent representatives for that class. The role of the Parent Rep is to strengthen the parent-school partnership, create a welcoming class atmosphere for new families and promote parent involvement within our school. Class teachers will be looking for parent representatives for their classrooms early in the new school year. If you have not done this role yet, I encourage you to be involved as it is a wonderful opportunity to contribute meaningfully.

Thank you to all the class parent representatives this year and the coordinator, Jodie Swan, for the excellent manner in which you have helped connect our families, students and school. Jodie’s weekly Parent Rep e-mail is an integral and highly valued communication to set families up for success at school. Well done, Jodie!

TENNIS PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE

Next year RISE and Yeronga State School will offer an opportunity for some students to participate in the Tennis program of excellence. Selected children will have the opportunity to access lessons between 9am – 3pm, at times that will not disrupt their academic program. Parents will have to pay a fee for their children to be in the program. Invitations will be sent out to selected students’ parents in the next week or so, including attending an information session to gain more insight.

PAST STUDENT CELEBRATIONS - SPANISH EXCELLENCE

Congratulations to past student Tiggy Taylor who received the Year 7 Spanish Academic Award for the Spanish Immersion class at Indooroopilly State High School. We are always delighted to hear of our past students’ achievements. We also appreciate the great foundation our whole school Spanish program is providing for our students to develop deeper cultural understandings and a love of language learning.

SCHOOLS UPDATE MESSAGES

Vaccination is the best protection against measles

Measles is circulating in South East Queensland. Measles is highly infectious and can have serious complications such as pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). You need two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine to be protected. Check your own and your child’s vaccination history with your GP today. Early symptoms include fever, runny nose, tiredness and sore red eyes. This is followed by a blotchy red rash, which often starts on the face before becoming widespread. If your school-age child is unwell, keep them at home, seek medical advice, and contact the school to let them know. For more information, visit Queensland Health or call 13HEALTH.

Tough times?

Make time to talk, get tips to support your children through tough times with Triple P – Positive Parenting Program: it’s free in Queensland.

Do you really know your online friends?

The Queensland Family and Child Commission has launched the #doiknowu campaign to raise awareness of the behaviours that lead to online grooming. It educates young people, parents and carers to recognise, respond and avoid the trap of doing something they don’t want to do by highlighting the tactics predators use to engage young people. A range of resources are available to help young people stay safe online.

We say: not now, not ever, together

The Queensland Government is committed to the elimination of domestic and family violence. The Government’s Third Action Plan - ‘Not now, Not ever, together’ highlights that by taking action and working together, we can end domestic and family violence in our communities. Our school is committed to modelling and building relationships that are based on equality and respect, free from violence and abuse. You play a critical role in teaching respect. More information and access to support services for domestic violence are available on the Queensland Government website.

FUN MUDDA

Fun Mudda is a wonderful tradition at Yeronga as the Term 4 Behaviour celebrations for Year 3-6. The extremely dry conditions this year means that we have decided not to have this event.  We are all extremely disappointed however we know this is the most ethical thing to do. We are currently working on a plan to replace this event and will endeavour to create something memorable. Please understand that we have not come to this decision lightly and we so wish it would rain a lot in the next two weeks, and then we may be able to reconsider.

Debbie Spanner
Principal