We have been thrilled to see our students and staff all back together again (in the flesh). We were also excited to lead our first ‘virtual’ staff meeting on Wednesday, with the YSS Teachers enthusiastically participating via Microsoft Teams.

15OTH CELEBRATIONS

Be a part of the YSS 150th Commemorative Book-   all current and past students, parents, teachers, and others who have been involved with Yeronga State School at any time are invited to contribute written pieces sharing your memories of your time at the school, for a special commemorative book to be published for the 150th year in 2021. Please email contributions and questions to Carla Walker at history@yerongass150.com. The deadline is Friday 4 September.

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK

Over the last week, we have been recognising National Reconciliation Week throughout the classrooms of Yeronga State School. National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. 2020 also marks the twentieth anniversary of the reconciliation walks of 2000, when people came together to walk on bridges and roads across the nation to show their support for a more reconciled Australia. As always, we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and Australians now benefit from the efforts and contributions of people committed to reconciliation in the past. At YSS we work together to further that national journey towards a fully reconciled country. The theme for this year is ‘In this together’.

SCHOOL UNIFORM REMINDER

Is your child wearing the correct uniform/ shoes for school?

Our school prides itself on our student dress code. After many weeks of our students wearing casual clothing while learning from home, we wish to remind parents of uniform expectations and request your cooperation in preparing your child for school by ensuring that they are meeting the school uniform expectations.

Please note the following important information:

- Closed black shoes such as sports shoes or leather school shoes are to be worn with the formal dress uniform. Black or white joggers are the preferred colour of joggers for the sports uniform. Laces must match the shoe colour.

- Navy school jumpers and navy track pants are the winter school uniform.

-Students’ hair is to be neatly presented and tied back if longer than shoulder length, using blue or gold hair accessories for formal uniforms and the appropriate sports colour for the sports uniform.  Coloured hair is not appropriate for school.

-In cold weather children may wear plain blue or white skivvies or shirts under their uniform and girls can wear navy blue tights or 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.

-The only acceptable jewellery items to be worn at school are watches and one set of sleepers or studs worn in the ear only. This ruling is for safety reasons particularly during sporting and physical activities

ECDP CAR PARK

A reminder to YSS parents to ensure that you do not to park in the Yeerongpilly Early Childhood Developmental Program (ECDP) car park. This car park is located below the Yeronga State School Prep classrooms. Access to this car park is only for families of students who attend the ECDP program. We have families with very young children who are deaf and hard of hearing, so it is important we have the car spaces available for our ECDP families, close to the ECDP building entrance. Restricted car parking signs have been put on the gates to remind people. Thank you for being considerate of these guidelines and supporting our ECDP families.

REPORT CARDS

Yeronga State School’s Assessment and Reporting will be adjusted to reflect the modified nature of learning during Semester One, 2020. The Education Queensland requirements for academic reporting have been revised and Yeronga State School has made the decision to report on the following areas: English, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Music and Spanish. 

The ratings given are indicative of student progress against the achievement standards outlined in the Australian Curriculum. These are based on anecdotal evidence, teacher judgement and assessment completed in class. Reports for students in Prep will not include effort ratings or achievement ratings for Science and Spanish.

An overview of the content covered during Term One for English, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Music and Spanish will be provided within the report card. The report card will not reference attendance for Semester One. Effort and behaviour ratings will be included in the report card for each individual learning area reported on. The overall behaviour rating will be accompanied with a comment.

Report Cards will be sent out to parents via email during the last week of Term Two.

FIRE EVACUATION AND LOCKDOWN PROCEDURES

Over the next two weeks our students and staff will take part in a practice for what to do in the event of a Fire Evacuation or a ‘Lockdown’. It is important that our students have a good understanding of the procedures, in the event of either of these occurrences.

The procedure for a Lockdown involves everyone in the school moving inside the school buildings to a secure position. The reason for the lockdown may be anything that could cause danger to someone out in the open e.g. severe storm, chemical hazard, threat from a person in the grounds.

Following these practices our teachers will provide a ‘debrief’ to the students in their classes, in order to share an understanding of the purpose of a fire evacuation and a lockdown and to reassure students about their safety while at school.

Stop, Drop and Go Zone

We have noted an increased use of the “Stop, Drop and Go” zone out the front of our school. Please ensure that you read the information below, to ensure the safety of our school community.

Here’s how the “Stop, Drop and Go” Zone works:

• Stop, drop and go zones are a safe place to be dropped off or picked up outside school.
• Signed as 2 minute loading zone and are enforceable by Council’s Local Law Officers
• They operate like a fast moving taxi rank picking up students from the front of the zone
• There is a two minute limit for stopping in the zone
• Two minutes gives kids time to get in or out of the car without holding up the traffic too much
• Ensure children exit and enter the vehicle from the footpath side permitted
  
  

In the afternoons:

• Delay your arrival until after release time. If you arrive early, do not park in the zone!
• Drive slowly to the head of the line
• Move forward as space becomes available
• Collect only at the head of the line
• Drivers are to stay in the car unless assisting with the loading of baggage and passengers
• Do not park for more than 2 minutes during signed hours of operation. If others don’t use the zone correctly, don’t follow their lead
• Ensure passengers have secured seatbelts before driving off
  
  

Driver Tips

• Allow time to get your child to the school gate safely and without rushing
• Only pick up or let someone out when you have stopped at the front of the queue
• Stay in the car unless you need to help with bags or seatbelts
• Do not park in the zone and walk away from your car
• If your passenger is not ready, drive around the block to re-join the queue or find a legal place to park
• Never double park to pick up children - it is illegal and dangerous. Double parking blocks the vision for other drivers, forces children into the road and obstructs the flow of traffic
• Never call out to your child from across the road
• Think about timing your trip to avoid the busiest times
• Always obey the school zone speed limit (generally 40km/h)
• Park only where parking is permitted
  
  

PLEASE NOTE: Parking and Traffic laws apply to ensure the safe and fair use of Queensland roads. If you park illegally you risk being fined.

STUDENT COUNCIL- FREE DRESS DAY

Our Student Council representatives are keen to hold a Free Dress Day. Students will be invited to come along in free dress and bring a gold coin donation to support the Student Council in their fundraising. It has been scheduled for Friday 19 June and the theme will be “Let’s Party” (in celebration of everyone being back at school)!

Take care of yourselves and your families.

Kate Paynter and Tracy Freeman

Deputy Principals