Dear Families,

This will be my last message to you this school year. May I start by extending a sincere thank you for welcoming me as your permanent principal this year. It has been a year of challenges, some thrilling, some not so. In every situation, I have been deeply encouraged by the engagement of the Yeronga State School students, staff and families. The school culture that has been built over the 150 years of the school’s fine history is one we can all be proud to be a part of.

This year we celebrated the 150^th anniversary of the school through some highly significant events. As the everchanging face of the global pandemic continues to impact, we were fortunate to be able to host the 150^th Year key events. Who can forget the exhilaration of coming together as a community for the fete. This was made extra special due to the significance of the occasion. The 150^th Celebration organising committee made up of past and present school staff and parents, and led internally by Chappy Jenny, has been a colossal achievement. I know, that the memorabilia, archival footage and historical treasures that have been painstakingly collated and catalogued over the past few years in preparation will be a testament to the ongoing pride of this great school.

So many student achievements have been celebrated throughout the year. Made possible by the dedicated staff, students and supporting parents. Yeronga State School has a legacy of excellent achievements in sport, athletics, performing arts and academic achievement. So many honours and championships claimed at a regional and state level over 2021 with Yeronga State School in top position. It was an honour to present many of our students with certificates of recognition at the Annual Award Ceremonies held over the past week. What a joy it was to see so many proud families filling the hall to join in the celebration. Proud mums, dads, siblings, grandmas and grandpas. Thankyou for your presence. It was also an honour to announce to the community our incoming School Captains for 2022. I look forward to formally inducting all of our student leaders in February 2022 at our Student Leader Induction Ceremony.

I cannot go without acknowledging the heroes who ensure the wellbeing and best interests of our children front and centre every day. Our PandC staff and army of volunteers who provide care before and after school to our children, made with love tuckshop meals, perfectly fitted uniforms, environmental stewardship, lost property organisation, parent communications through the Parent Representatives and the many, many, volunteers who help out in the library and classrooms every day. We thank you for all you do for our children.

Next year we will have some new and exciting changes to our general curriculum offerings which are responsive to the revised Queensland Curriculum and Reporting Framework whilst expanding and deepening our work aligned to our school vision – Connected, curious and community minded citizens who make a positive difference to our world;

-Two full-time Health and Physical Education Teachers

-A full-time Head of STEM (new Curiosity Centre)

-Introduction of a Visual Arts Teacher

-Increased Music Teacher allocation

-A full-time Guidance Officer

-A Full time Head of Special Education Services

-First Nations Teacher-Aide

-Part-time English as an Additional Language teacher

-Part-time Gifted and Talented Support Teacher

We are expanding student and teacher leadership to align with our four school wide priorities; sustainability, wellbeing, outdoor play and curiosity and creativity. We aim to ensure every student leaves Yeronga, knowing their strengths and developing the learner assets that will carry them through life. That is, to be an effective self-manager, collaborator, thinker, researcher and communicator. Similarly, at Yeronga State School we are deeply committed to ensuring every student’s literacy and numeracy progress is rigorously tracked and responded to. We are refining our whole school approach to tracking and monitoring student data, engagement and inclusion to ensure a highly individualised approach to student learning – know the curriculum, know the student, vary the pathways.

Of course, none of this is meaningful unless young people are firmly grounded in a sense of belonging and unconditional positive regard from and for their community. I extend to you a hearty invite to consider being involved in the life of the school in whatever capacity you can. Be it through a formal PandC Executive Role, Volunteering at the tuckshop, being a parent representative or attending assemblies and school events. Together we are always better.

Our school assembly will change to Fridays at 9.00am from next year. This is hopefully supportive of busy families being able to stay on occasion (or every week) for assembly and parent café after assembly.

Finally, to all our families and students who are leaving us this year, thank you for the role you have played in making our school what it is. I trust the memories of Yeronga State School be fond ones and may your child’s education here be all you had hoped it would be. To all of you returning in 2022, I look for to welcoming you back for another wonderful year.

May each and every one of you have a restful and peaceful break with family and loved ones. Take time to relish the small and precious moments together. They are fleeting yet we all know they are real treasure of our lives.

Sincerely,

Eunice

Principal