What a fabulous fortnight we have had at Yeronga State School! Classrooms were full of children learning and being curious, our new Prep families joined in the fun at the Prep Welcome Morning, and our Foundation Assembly was a great occasion to mark the 150^th anniversary of our school. All students at Yeronga State School were thrilled to receive their very own commemorative badge to mark this special milestone in the history of our school.

STUDENT COUNCIL

Each year the students in Years 3 - 6 have the opportunity to vote for a class representative to join the Student Council. This election process took place last week and the successful representatives will presented with their badges as part of the forthcoming leadership induction ceremony.

Miss McDermott and Mrs Paynter are eager to work closely with this year’s Student Council Representatives to enable this group to provide a voice for the students of Yeronga State School. These students are also invited to be part of the Halogen Young Leader’s Day,  which is being held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday 24 February. This is an exciting leadership opportunity for our students to hear from a variety of high profile speakers and develop their future leadership potential.

STUDENT COUNCIL- FREE DRESS DAY

Our Student Council representatives are holding their first Free Dress Day for the year. Students will be invited to come along in free dress and bring a gold coin donation to support the YSS Fete Committee. It has been scheduled for Friday 26 February and the theme will be “come dressed in clothing from your choice of a decade within the last 150 years” (in line with our 150^th celebration)!

COVID NORMAL- UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENT ARANGEMENTS

The structure of the parent information and special assembly events has changed from previous years due to the Department of Education Industry COVID Safe Plan. Under COVID Normal parents are now welcome on school grounds and into classrooms, however social distancing parameters still remain.  Until otherwise advised there will be no large grouping of parents in halls and classrooms.  Please see the details below for our forthcoming events.

PARENT INFORMATION EVENINGS

• YEAR 3-6 Parent Information Evening: TWO SESSIONS- Wednesdays 17 February (parents will be advised by classroom teachers which session attend). 6.00-6.30pm and 6.30-7.00pm

We welcome the opportunity for parents to meet with teachers in individual classrooms for Parent Information Evening and Week 4 (Year 3-6). Teachers will invite one group of parents into their classroom from 6-6:30pm and then a second group of parents into their classroom from 6:30pm – 7pm.  The guidelines will be one parent per family (please note that parents are welcome to discuss any exceptional family circumstances with the class teachers).  Teachers will make plans by dividing their class roll in half and will let parents know via class newsletters which sessions to attend.

LEADERSHIP INDUCTION CEREMONIES

The Student Leadership Inductions Ceremonies will take the following format this year:

THURSDAY 18 FEBRUARY 9am – Senior Leader Induction Ceremony (School &Vice/ House & Vice/ Music/ Environment/ ICT/ Resource/ Bell/ AST Captains as well as Year Six Senior Leader Badge presentation) . The guidelines will be one parent per family (please note that parents are welcome to discuss any exceptional family circumstances with the class teachers). Year 5 and 6 students will attend this ceremony.

FRIDAY 19 FEBRUARY 9am- Student Council Induction Ceremony (Year 3-6 Student Council Representatives). The guidelines will be one parent per family (please note that parents are welcome to discuss any exceptional family circumstances with the class teachers). Year 3,4, 5 and 6 students will attend this ceremony.

HELP KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE

For your child’s safety please ensure that students only enter the school grounds via the pedestrian gates (not the through any of the car parks). Cars are not to park in the school grounds. Street parking is available for parents. We also have a 2 minute – Stop, Kiss and Go area on Park Road.

The safety of our students is our priority, as these spaces have continual vehicle movement it is imperative that no student, even with an adult, walk through these areas. We thank you for your assistance in keeping our school a safe place to learn, grow and have fun.

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

Queensland state schools embrace a multitude of cultural, religious and non-religious beliefs. Under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006, schools are to provide Religious Instruction (RI) if approached by a faith group seeking to provide RI and students of that faith attend the school.  RI informs students about the beliefs and values of a particular religion. It is delivered by volunteers of a faith group using instructional materials approved by that faith group.

All RI instructors must hold a blue card and participate in compulsory Student Protection and Code of Conduct training. A school staff member will be present during the delivery of RI.

Participation in RI is not compulsory.  Any student (except Prep) may participate in RI if a parent has provided written instructions to the school – this is an area on the Student Enrolment Form.  This consent remains in effect unless the parent informs the school – all families that have given permission for RI will receive an email.

The RI program that is offered at the school is one based on the Christian Faith.

JUNIOR PARENT INFORMATION SESSIONS

It was so lovely to see all the parents that attended the junior parent information sessions.  It was a chance for parents to learn about how their child’s classroom operates as well as get to know the class teacher.  Thank you also to our teaching team who work tirelessly to ensure the Yeronga learning community is being engaged and inspired in their learning.

ACTIVE SCHOOL TRAVEL

If you are a parent who would like to help in the active school travel space please email tfree19@eq.edu.au.  We currently have two active travel captains and two active travel vice captains, a lower school teacher and hopefully…… YOU!

We look forward to some parents joining the team and to seeing you at our forthcoming Parent Information Evenings.

Kate Paynter and Tracy Freeman