Welcome to Term Two. It will be, without a doubt, a school term like no other. Thank you for your continued support as Yeronga State School delivers programming for students in an online capacity. Our teachers are committed to guiding, supporting and challenging our students as they learn from home or onsite. I have been overwhelmed by the encouraging and affirmative messages from families and I know that the staff have highly valued the support that we have received from our amazing community. The success of the ‘learning@home’ model reflects the positive partnerships between teachers, students and families.

I can confirm that throughout Term 2 I will be continuing in the role of Acting Principal here at Yeronga State School. It is a privilege for me to be in this role and I understand the importance of continuing to work to provide stability and robust leadership during these times of significant change. I am committed to holding the strong focus at Yeronga State School on our 2020 vision of creating Connected Individuals, Curious Learners and Community Minded Citizens.

ANZAC DAY

Yeronga State School has a long and proud history of commemorating ANZAC Day. Usually this would be a week where we would be busy at school preparing for the ceremony, which would involve a ceremony which would include readings by the School Captains, a guest speaker, a speech by the Principal and each class producing a wreath which would be placed at our on site memorial. Honour Ave would also play a special part in the ceremony. Since 1924 the students at Yeronga State School have brought along small individual bouquets which they take out to Honour Ave and place around the trees, which were planted by the community WW1 to remember the 97 men and women who came from the area and who lost their lives during the war.

Unfortunately, in 2020 we will not be able to commemorate ANZAC Day in the same way that we normally would. I encourage families to become involved in other ways. Our School Captain Team have been busily working at home to prepare a ‘virtual’ ceremony, which will be shared with our community on Friday 24 April. It is our hope that families can watch this short ceremony together at home. Families are also encouraged to link in to the RSL Queensland ‘Light up The Dawn’ ceremony, where people are invited to join together at 6am on ANZAC Day by standing in your driveway/ on your balcony or in your living room to remember all of those who have served and sacrificed. Details can be found at:

https://rslqld.org/whats-on/anzac-day

150th CELEBRATIONS

There are exciting times ahead for our school in 2021 as we celebrate turning 150!

Boggo School, the first school on the southside, made its appearance in 1871. On 6 February the small wooden school opened with 70 students catering for the children coming from Annerley, Moorooka, Dutton Park, Fairfield and Yeronga. In 1886, Mr St Ledger, Headteacher at the time, made a representation to the Department of Public Instruction to have the name changed to Yeronga State School.

In 2021, Yeronga State School will celebrate 150 years of public education. Events throughout the year are planned to allow those with a connection to the school to reconnect and reminisce.

One particular concept which I strongly encourage our community to become involved in, is the publication which will be put together for the celebratory year. It will contain a series of pieces written by present students, past students, parents, teachers, and others who have been involved with Yeronga State School. The writing could take any form reflecting the writer’s memories of their time at the school. This would form a type of informal history of the school over the past 25 years or so. Any questions regarding the publication and the writings to be included please contact Carla Walker by email – history@yerongass150.com

Prep Information - 2021

The information seminar for parents with kids starting prep in 2021 on Tuesday the 5th of May are cancelled the session will now to be held in Term 3 on Monday 31 August 2020 (9.15am, 6pm).

LOOKING AHEAD

I will continue to work to keep our school community as up to date as possible over the coming weeks. We are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to keep in touch with our community and are open to any ideas you may have.

Take care of yourselves and your families.

Kate Paynter

Acting Principal