Dear Families,

Congratulations to our newly inducted Student Leaders and Student Councillors for 2021 who gathered with staff, students and families to formally receive their badges last week. The underpinning principle of a student leadership induction ceremony is for the school community to formally acknowledge the positive influence our young leaders play in the success of our school. Through positive role modelling of school values and expectations, each of the students receiving a badge not only have already demonstrated the potential for leadership but have additional leadership responsibilities throughout this year.  In so doing they contribute to the strength of our whole school community. Certainly, there are people who may be considered natural leaders because of their inherent characteristics. Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Eddie Koiki Mabo, Greta Thunberg. We all have our heroes that we look up to due to their renowned achievements.  It is my belief people choose to be leaders, starting with self-leadership. How people lead their lives, their choices, the contributions they make, and the development of their character are at the heart of self-leadership. The same applies to the definition of student leaders and how they are created. As adults we help our students develop their leadership qualities by providing opportunities for them to do so. By providing these opportunities, we are helping students discover the leadership potential within themselves.

At Yeronga State School we teach and model leadership skills such as empathic listening, problem-solving, working in teams, resolving conflicts, and appreciating people’s differences. We help our students take more ownership for learning and behaviour choices by setting and helping tracking their own goals. We give them specific responsibilities to make a difference in the classroom, at home and community.  We encourage them to think in terms of leadership roles that allow them to help others, make a contribution, and feel a sense of purpose -aligning with our school strategic principle of community minded citizenship. Our school motto is service before self. My message to our Student Leaders last week encouraged them to lean in to their developing leadership journey, to find the thing that matters most to them and start with that. All students can make a positive difference to others and the world through that one thing that matters to them and subsequently, be a leader.

We are currently, readjusting our routines to respond to a return to welcoming families and community back on to the school site following the distancing required throughout 2021. Whilst we are delighted we can welcome families back on site, we are asking you assist us with some of the constraints we have in place to protect our students and staff as well as abide by our legal obligations to YOSHSC licensed areas and organisations who hire our school facilities.

Please note the following school expectations;

Start of school day

• Students arriving prior to 8.30am must be seated in the designated areas
• Limited play activities and supervision is in place from 8.30am to 8.50am
• Parents/visitors who are on the school site after the 8.50am bell must signed-in at the school office and be on site for a legitimate purpose

End of the school day

• Unaccompanied students who have not departed for YOSHC, After School Activities or home by 3.15pm must report to the school office where they may wait until 3.30pm to be collected.
• After 3.30pm parents of students who have not been collected will be contacted by the school administration
• Please refrain from using the school facilities for social play after school

We understand the importance of community connections and for families to play together in an informal way. We are fortunate at Yeronga State School to have an expansive area adjacent to our school of wonderful play areas and parklands. As our play areas are under the licence agreement with YOSHSC and After School Activities from 3.00pm each day the school is unable to allow anyone not enrolled in these activities to be in these areas as a requirement of student protection procedures. Please consider the use of our beautiful Yeronga Memorial Park for this purpose. I thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Eunice Webb

Principal