IT TAKES A COMMUNITY TO EDUCATE A CHILD

Collective Efficacy – It takes a community to educate a child is the Metropolitan Region’s vision. I wondered around our school last week with this in mind and noticed the following activities outside of the normal classroom happenings:

• Teachers in their role as sports coaches educating children about sportsmanship and team work
• YOSHC staff educating children on social skills like turn taking and resolving conflict
• Parents educating their children on how to enter and exit the school safely, appropriate ways to play with siblings and how to gain an adult’s attention in respectful ways
• Families helping to educate each other’s’ children about how to play before and after school, within the school guidelines
• The Green team educating children about how to live in a more environmentally friendly way
• Garden Club educating children about plants, compost and recycling
• Older and younger children teaching each other how to work in the technology space, using our robots, drones etc
• Tuckshop people educating children about what they could purchase.
• Office staff educating children on turn taking, manners and walking safely up and down stairs
• Staff educating children on how to play safely before school, including not to run on the paved areas!
• Volunteer scientists inspiring a love of all things Science by educating children about their field of expertise or interest
• Children teaching each other as they problem solve in nature play areas
• Adults modelling how to greet other people and show empathy
• Chappy Jenny has been teaching children how to get along during her weekly art classes.
• Year 6 Peer Mediators helping educate younger children on how to resolve conflict

We have a strong community at Yeronga SS, where everyone is invested in trying to help our children be the best they can be. The new air conditioning that is a result of an enormous community effort will help our children learn all day every day of the school year. The volunteers, consisting of parents, grandparents and members of the wider community, who help out inside and outside our school classrooms make an enormous contribution to better outcomes for our children. Thank you all for the many ways that you are educating yours and other people’s children in the way you conduct yourself in and around our school.

READY READERS

The Ready Reading program aims to improve literacy for children in Queensland through training parents and community members to support children’s reading. If you know of someone who would benefit from volunteering in their local school I encourage you to point them in the direction of the ready reading website below. We would welcome ready reading volunteers to support many students.

https://www.volunteeringqld.org.au/volunteers/ready-reading

PROMPT PAYMENTS

There are many opportunities offered to our students as part of our rich educational program, including excursions, incursions and sports gala days. As our school grows it is becoming more difficult for us to accommodate following up with those parents who do not make prompt payments. Last week the school office had to follow up with over thirty families who did not return their payment or permission slips. This is unsustainable. Failure to pay or return permission forms can leave teachers in a challenging position. Please alleviate this by registering for Q Parents and promptly paying your invoices. We appreciate your support to help us make the best use of our limited office resources.

CYBERSAFETY WORKSHOP

The Department of Education's Cybersafety and Reputation Management team (CSRM) advises, investigates and supports schools to manage online behaviours and digital reputation issues. Within this scope, the team draws on their  diverse experience, including police investigation, policy, social media marketing, and recruitment, to deliver up-to-date informative sessions about positive social media use.

We are offering parents a workshop on cybersafety, trending platforms, online dos and don’ts, and useful settings, delivered by the CSRM. The session will begin at 6:30pm in the school hall on Tuesday 3 September. The session goes for about 45 minutes, and will allow parents to ask questions throughout.

Please pre-register your intention to attend here: http://ems.gs/3wfq0kccrZg.  This session is open to all parents from our community and neighbouring communities.

You can read more about the department’s cybersafety program and resources on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/QEDCybersafetyAdvice/

WE ARE WINNERS

Congratulations to our Senior Girls soccer team who represented Met West at the SEQ Cup Soccer finals last Friday. The team won the title, winning all three games, with the final being a particularly tough context.  This team took out the Junior Girls title at the SEQ Cup final in 2018. They are a positive, cohesive and skilled team, working together to actively encourage and support each other to be the best they can. Thank you to Ms Alex McShane for an outstanding coaching feat. The incredible sportsmanship demonstrated by the team is a credit to your coaching and leadership.

The Senior Boys and Junior Boys missed Met West representation for the SEQ Cup by one game each, with the Junior Boys just missing out after playing one man down. The boys should be very proud of the stellar effort they delivered under challenging circumstances.  Mr Curness is their inspirational and skilled coach who is definitely hungry for success for his teams.  I sense that our Junior boys may well be at the SEQ cup next year.

STUDENT ENROLMENTS – 2020

To ensure we are able to plan successfully for next year and to try to avoid the necessity to renegotiate classes after Day 8, it is important for us to have accurate information regarding student enrolments for 2020. Please advise class teachers or the school office if your children will not be returning for 2020. We understand that plans may change between now and the beginning of next year, however families who know they are leaving can help us plan for a successful 2020. Thank you for your help.

CLASS ALLOCATIONS - 2020

Prep interviews for 2020 will begin shortly. If you or someone you know is yet to enrol, please do so ASAP. If you have any information of an educational nature you would like us to consider, please write to Mrs Paynter by Friday 11 October.  Any requests received after this date may not be able to be considered.

PARKING- PLEASE RESPECT OUR NEIGHBOURS

The school and our neighbours work together to help keep our students and the school safe. Please show respect to our neighbours by not parking across driveways. This not only causes unnecessary tension but also models poor behaviour to your children. Brisbane City Council regularly patrol around our school. Taking a few minutes to park respectfully can avoid unwanted consequences.

PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Thank you to all our parents for your enthusiastic participation in our `speed dating’ nights over the last few weeks. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and we plan to continue this process next year. Please do let us know if you have a hearing concern so we can vary arrangements of where an interview takes place if necessary.

BYOiPad

Last week we offered opportunities for our Year 1 parents to learn more about the BYOD program. This is the third year that we have offered the opportunity for our parents to partner with us to create more seamless access to technology throughout the school day. During these sessions we had a few teachers share the way they are using the devices for learning. Mr Newby also shared some of his practice at the P&C Meeting. If you are a Year 1 parent who was unable to attend last week, please approach Deb Cowie in the resource centre as she would be happy to assist. Please do not hesitate to talk to me as I move around the school if you have any questions that you would like answered.

The next session on Tuesday 10 September, will provide information on hardware, app requirements and purchasing options. We will be seeking Expressions of Interest to be a part of this program by the end of the first week of Term 4.

The BYOD iPad program is not compulsory. The number of classrooms with one to one iPad environment is dependent on how many families choose to participate. The school can provide up to 20 devices for in school use to families who object philosophically, economically or logistically to the purchase of the iPads.  Less than the 80% participation rate means that we will have some classrooms that operate in a one to one environment and some that won’t. We will provide information at the beginning of Term 4 regarding participation rates.

Thank you for your support and understanding as we partner with you to create optimal, balanced learning opportunities for your children.

Debbie Spanner
Principal

Week Six and Seven have flown by, as we have been involved in a range of bonus experiences here at Yeronga State School, including the much anticipated Prep Excursion in search of the Bunyip at Toohey Forest, Life Education Van visit for Prep to Year Two, SINGFEST, RACQ visit, Gala Day, SEQ Soccer Finals (girls and boys) and Year Five Bridge Builders.

Our staff have also recently been involved in a range of professional development initiatives, which have seen teachers being part of a two day seminar with Kath Murdoch with a focus on teaching and learning through Inquiry and some staff attending an Inquiry workshop with Marianne Nicholas at Mitchelton State School. This is a great demonstration of the need for us all to be constantly developing ourselves as learners and curious individuals.

Student Council- Real Life Inquiry

Our Student Council representatives in Year 3-6 have started their own ‘real life’ Inquiry in an effort to address the problem that we have related to inappropriate use of our school toilets. At the Student Council meeting they were ‘provoked’ into action by a recent photo of the toilets that was shared. See the photo below, along with the response as the group ‘tuned in’ to their thinking as real life problem solvers.

The Student Council representatives have committed to working through a problem based Inquiry Cycle, in an effort to come up with some kind of problem solving action. They will do this through conducting an investigation of this issue within our school. Keep an eye for more information as we move towards some resolutions!

AST Promotion

As a school, we participate in the Brisbane City Councils Active School Travel program. The Active School Travel program promotes road safety and sustainable and healthy travel options such as walking, cycling, scootering, carpooling and public transport. Active School Travel occurs every Wednesday, students are encouraged and rewarded for consistently travelling actively. Every fortnight, the junior and senior assembly announces the class that travels most actively to school. Teachers meet students at River City Cycles each Wednesday to form a walking train, teachers meet students at 8:10am for an 8:15am departure.

Student Council Free Dress Day- Friday 30 August

Support research for childhood genetic diseases in style, by donning a pair of your best jeans this Friday 30 August and bringing in a gold coin donation.

Why has the Yeronga State School Student Council chosen this cause?

While the majority of babies are born healthy, 1 in 20 is born with a birth defect or genetic disease and more than 160,000 children around the world are diagnosed with cancer every year. Medical research is always looking for ways to treat or prevent such childhood diseases and some of the major advances over the years have included the eradication of polio, smallpox and diphtheria.

In Australia, the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) is dedicated to finding ways to treat or prevent childhood cancers, birth defects and genetic diseases to create brighter futures for all children. However, medical research is expensive, which is why Jeans for Genes Day was born.

Over the next two decades, the Institute plans to develop new treatments for epilepsy, kidney disease, diabetes, infectious diseases and every type of cancer. They also hope to find gene therapy cures for rare genetic diseases in children.

To help pay for this important work, the organisation holds Jeans for Genes Day every year in August. On Jeans for Genes Day, much needed funds are raised across the nation for children’s medical research. The Yeronga State School Student Council has elected to support this cause by holding a Free Dress Day. We are encouraging students and staff to come along this Friday wearing their favourite denim jeans and to bring a gold coin donation!

Book Week Assembly Week 8

Each year, schools and public libraries across Australia spend a week celebrating books, and Australian authors and illustrators. Teachers and librarians will conduct activities relating to a theme to highlight the importance of reading. Across week 8, Yeronga State School will enjoy hosting its own Book Week. Below is a schedule of events that will occur in week 8 as part of Book Week:

• Monday Prep and Year 1 Cameron Stelzer Author Visit
• Tuesday Year 6 Brian Falkner Author Visit and Year 2 and Year 3 Big Dream Performance in the Hall
• Wednesday Year 4 and Year 5 Candice Lemon-Scott Author Visit
• Thursday 9am Book Character Parade for Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 in the Hall. Students have to dress up as a character from a book. They then must change back into school uniform after the character parade. We encourage parents and guardians to attend.
  
  

Head Lice ‘Heads Up’

It has come to our attention that some students in the school may have head lice.  We seek your cooperation in checking your child’s hair and scalp as soon as possible.  If we all take action at the same time, it will help enormously to stop the spread of head lice.

REMEMBER

• We can all catch head lice
• Head lice are spread mainly through head to head contact
• Mechanical methods can be used to control head lice
• You need to check with Queensland Health Child Health Centre or your local pharmacist about whether chemical preparations are effective
• To be sure, keep checking every two (2) days for ten (10) days after this time.
  
  

Camp Quality

On Wednesday the 28^th August, Yeronga State School hosted the educators from Camp Quality. It was an engaging program that helped to dispel the myths and misconceptions that are commonly associated with cancer. Our aim for all students who engaged in the program was to reduce the likelihood of bullying, confusion, exclusion and anxiety that can follow a cancer diagnosis. As a school, our hope is that we can help build a supportive school community for any child growing up with cancer. Further resources to supplement the program are available on the Camp Quality website.

https://www.campquality.org.au/

We look ahead to an exciting few weeks on the horizon with Book Week, Parent Cybersafety Info Session and Gala Day Two.

Life Education

The Life Education van recently visited Yeronga State School. Harold and Michele thoroughly enjoyed their time at our school and reported that they were made to feel very welcome. The students in 1M were particularly impressive and received a letter from Harold. Congratulations!”

In addition to the lessons in the van, all students and classroom teachers received workbooks and resources to extend the lessons delivered in the Life Education classroom. Parents and carers can find out what their children learned in the mobile classroom by going to the parent section of the Life Education website http://www.lifeeducation.org.au/parents Click on the relevant links to also check out the 'conversation starter' ideas so you can carry on discussing the lessons at home.

Have a terrific two weeks!

Kate Paynter and Tracy Freeman

Deputy Principals

Father's Day Stall - THIS Friday, 30 August

Our annual YSS Father's Day stall will be held in the hall THIS Friday, 30 August. On the day children bring in a donation of $3 and are able to choose a gift from the stall for their significant person for Father's Day (this Sunday, 1 September). 

This is a special activity for our school and we sincerely thank all the parents and carers who have donated gifts for the stall. If you haven't already made a gift donation, it's not too late to contribute $5 towards a gift (P&C volunteers go shopping on your behalf) - please pop this in an envelope with your child's name and class into a P&C payment box (Grade 1 building, or Admin building), or to a YOSHC coordinator. 

If you have any questions or would like to help on the stall please contact Kristen at kristenmjennings@gmail.com.  

Wishing a very happy Father's Day to all the amazing dads, step-dads, grandfathers, God fathers, and all those who have taken on the role of father and carer for our YSS kids. We hope you enjoy opening your Father's Day stall gifts chosen by your kids.

New Summer Tuckshop menu and prices

Our summer tuckshop menu will be served in term 4 (click on link below). The P&C is proud that tuckshop prices have remained the same for five years despite the increasing cost of the ingredients used to make the menu items. However, from the beginning of term 4 there will be some modest price increases on some menu items - the new prices are shown in the attached menu (including an increase in the cost of meal deals from $6.00 to $6.50).

Thanks to our dedicated Tuckshop Convenors, Tracy and Stacey, and a team of wonderful parent and carer volunteers, our children are able to order healthy, home made, tasty and modestly priced food each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

We always need more volunteers from - even 2 hours a term is a big help (of course you're welcome to do more hours if you would like) - 9am to 11am on a day/s that suits you. To volunteer in the tuckshop please email Tracy and Stacey at yerongasstuckshop@gmail.com.

Uniform Shop - Come and Collect

The end of term is approaching quickly, to ensure lost property is collected before the term ends the Uniform Convenor will be displaying all lost property on Thursday 19 September & Friday 20 September in front of the Uniform Shop from 2.30pm-3.00pm for collection. Please note that the left over property will be disposed of at the end of the day.

Trivia Night THANK YOU

A massive thank you to our amazing Trivia Night organisers, Rachel Mackenzie and Simon Lake, the fantastic volunteers, prize donors including Darren Cosgrove and Graham Perrett MP, and members of our community who joined in the wonderful night of fun, community building and fundraising on Saturday, 17 August. Darth Vader made a special guest appearance and school parent Shaun Charles has created a terrific video to showcase the evening which you can view here: https://www.facebook.com/YerongaSSPandC/videos/536892683782819/.

Grill’d token jar for YOSHC - ends 31 August

For all the burger lovers in our community, you can support YOSHC through the Local Matters promotions at Grill’d Fairfield Gardens until the end of August.

Local Matters is the Grill’d community donation program that sees each Grill’d restaurant donate $500 back into the community every month. The donation is split between 3 local community groups $300 / $100 / $100. Anytime you order a burger at Grill'd Fairfield Gardens during August you'll be given a Local Matters token to put in the jar of your choice. Our wonderful YOSHC team would love our support to secure the highest $300 donation by popping your token in the YOSHC jar! The group with the most tokens at the end of the month receives the largest donation.

RISE Yeronga Holiday Sports Camp

RISE Tennis is offering a Holiday Sports Camp during the first week of the September-October school holidays. Bookings are now open for kids of all primary year levels (Prep – Year 6). Covering a variety of sports including tennis, netball, soccer, cricket, sprinting, ball games and jump rope/agility, the camp will appeal to kids that enjoy being active through sport and want to learn new skills. Please visit https://www.rise.com.au/holiday-sports-camp/ and see the attached flyer for more information:

• Dates 23rd – 26th September, 2019
• Time 8:00am – 12:00pm
• Venue Yeronga SS Tennis Courts – Park Road, Yeronga.

Hamish Townsend and Kym Mansfield

Yeronga State School P&C Co-Presidents
ysspandcpresident@gmail.com

Ball Games

The Ball Games Carnival is beginning to loom large. Please find the information as to timing below. Names are probably finalised and I imagine that costumes are about to be made.

Ball Games Program 19 September 2019

9:20: Prep to Year 2

Year Two Mixed Heat One

Under Over Ball, Tunnel Ball & Take & Put

Year One Mixed Heat One

Under Over Ball, Tunnel Ball & Take & Put

Year Two Mixed Heat Two

Under Over Ball, Tunnel Ball & Take & Put

Year One Mixed Heat Two

Under Over Ball, Tunnel Ball & Take & Put

Year Two Mixed Heat Three

Under Over Ball, Tunnel Ball & Take & Put

Year One Mixed Heat Three

Under Over Ball, Tunnel Ball & Take & Put

All Prep Mixed Heat (Approximately 10:30)

Under Over Ball, Tunnel Ball & Take & Put

Years 3 to 6: 11:45: Years 3-6

Year 3 Mixed Heat One

Tunnel Ball, Leader Ball & Captain Ball

Year 4 Mixed Heat One

Tunnel Ball, Leader Ball & Captain Ball

Year 5 Mixed Heat One

Tunnel Ball, Leader Ball & Captain Ball

Year 6 Mixed Heat One

Tunnel Ball, Leader Ball & Captain Ball

Year 3 Mixed Heat Two

Tunnel Ball, Leader Ball & Captain Ball

Year 4 Mixed Heat Two

Tunnel Ball, Leader Ball & Captain Ball

Year 5 Mixed Heat Two

Tunnel Ball, Leader Ball & Captain Ball

Year 6 Mixed Heat Two

Tunnel Ball, Leader Ball & Captain Ball

Year 3 Mixed Heat Three

Tunnel Ball, Leader Ball & Captain Ball

Year 4 Mixed Heat Three

Tunnel Ball, Leader Ball & Captain Ball

Year 5 Mixed Heat Three

Tunnel Ball, Leader Ball & Captain Ball

Year 6 Mixed Heat Three

Tunnel Ball, Leader Ball & Captain Ball
 

Rebel Sport Community Kickbacks

Just a quick note to publicise our involvement with this scheme and how it works. For some time now Yeronga State School has been part of the above mentioned scheme. The scheme gives the school credit for purchases of equipment at Rebel as anyone who purchases equipment nominates Yeronga State School as the recipient of Community Kickbacks. I have purchased cricket equipment, Footballs and Netballs with this credit. It is an easy way to contribute resources to our school especially if you enjoy spending time and money in sports stores like myself.

Gala Days

The remaining dates for these very important day in Term 3 is 6 September. Children should be continuing training now in preparation.

State Athletics and Cross Country Participants

Congratulations to Willow H, Joshua S and Maggie S who were selected in the regional team; for 1500m and discus in Athletics. These athletes participated in the State Carnival with distinction and all finished in the top 10 in their events. Amazing!

Extra Congratulations to Willow H who also came in the top 10 in the state cross country. What a great year for someone who has had to wait so patiently for what felt like so long.

Yeronga State School (YSS) District Trial Selection Policy Special Consideration (Years 3 to 6)

The representative pathway for school sport is for children from 10 to 12 years of age. Yeronga is part of a very strong district which consists of 28 schools from Yeronga State School to the Calamvale area. In contact and skill team sports those aged 11 and 12 need to possess the advantages of size and speed, as well as skill on most occasions.  Selectors  will choose those with the skill and the resilience to compete at a higher level. Remember that selectors give up their time for these trials meaning that it is important for us to send only those ready to compete at a higher level. Very seldom is it appropriate to send students for experience. An indicator of readiness for participation at a higher level would be being among the best 3 or 4 players in most games for your club under 12 teams.

In order to be selected to attend a District Trial children should make themselves known to me (Mr Bateman) for either a selection trial with the appropriate teacher or so that they may be given the appropriate forms. Remember that children must give at least two weeks notice that they wish to attend a district trial to allow for a school selection trial to be held in the event of a great deal of interest being shown in a particular sport.

Important Sporting Dates

Gala Day Two: 6 September

YSS Ball Games Day (Prep to Year 6): 19 September

YSS School Swimming Commences (Notes coming very shortly): 8 October

YSS Senior Swimming Carnival:  Week 8, Term 4

YSS Junior Swimming Carnival: Week 9, Term 4

Gala Day #1

Softball Boys A

The Yeronga boys got off to a flying start with 3 wins from their three games on a beautiful day at Runcorn. The day was highlighted by some brilliant pitching by Alec. He was backed up by some very impressive defence from his fielders. Harry sparkled at 1^st base and Amin, Josh and Jarvis picked up all the ground balls to retire the opposition batters. Outfield defence from the twins Aidan and Campbell, Sebastian and Hamish kept the other teams off the base paths. Lewis handled the duties behind home plate and led our batters with some strong hitting. The two big lefties Josh and Alec also hit the ball hard and knocked in lots of runners! Our real strengths on the day were 1. All players had good ‘at bats’ and were tough to retire and 2. All the players were awake and concentrating in the field making it tough for opposition players to reach base. Gala Day #2 is on Friday Sept. 6. We must press on now boys! Training Thursday, remember those gloves!! Mr. McGuire

Softball Boys B

Yeronga B softballers had a great first outing. As beginners, they all learned lots at batting and tried out lots of different fielding positions. Colin showed early brilliance at second base with the first out at against Sunnybank Hills. Ben soon found his feet as pitcher and his accuracy kept improving all day. Before long Andrew took up first base and made several outs with his trusty glove and quick reactions. His batting was outstanding. Timo hit his stride as third base and learned to tag incoming runners or force them out. A finger injury had Hade on the sidelines for game 2 but he was back swinging the bat and catching the ball in game 3. Jackson scored runs in both the first and third games. It was a day of firsts for all of the boys including Rohan and Finn who gave their all in pitching in Game 3, and Owais who worked hard in the outfield. We hope Huruy will be back on deck for our next game. Before gala day 2 we need lots of batting and throwing practice. Bring your gloves on Thursdays. Mrs McGuire (for Mr Quirk)

Jnr Boys T ball team

What a super start to what will no doubt be a sensational season for the junior boys T- ball team!

The boys began their first Gala day with an hour of skills training from the fantastic coaches from Baseball Australia. They had plenty of batting practice, tested their arm strength by recording the speed of their throws and warmed up with an intense game of Baseball 5.

It was then straight into three games against Runcorn and Sunnybank Hills (and Runcorn again) seeing Yeronga take out two wins! All the boys batted well and learned a lot about navigating the bases, watching their fellow runners and generally picking up the finer points of T- balls rules and regulations.

As fielders, the boys worked very well together, covering the field and making it hard for their opposition to get their runners home. Highlights from the day included Adnan, who made a home run almost every time he batted, bringing his fellow team members home with him, and Dempsey’s spectacular ‘match winning catch’, that ended the first game with the victorious sound of the ball hitting leather at full pelt.
We are very proud of our junior boys who played with great sportsmanship, gave everything their best effort, and didn’t stop smiling all day.

Baseball 5 – Baseball Australia initiative

All our softball and t-ball players were taught to play a terrific new game called Baseball 5. Development officers had the students playing this action-packed 5-a-side ‘diamond’ sport during our ‘bye’ timeslot. What a great way to develop speed and hand-eye co-ordination!

Touch Football

Last Friday over 50 students participated in the Touch Football Gala Day at Fairfield. For many of the students it was their first adventure into the Touch Football world. The day proved to be fun filled and an excellent learning opportunity for the players. The improvement demonstrated throughout the day was enormous. The players should also be commended on their sportspersonship and positive attitudes. The 6 teams had 13 wins, 5 losses and a draw.

Thank you

The Runcorn Indians’ fields were the perfect venue on this super day. Thanks to our Yeronga High helpers Zoe and Yeongna who kept us with scoring and batting orders, and past Yeronga student Otis, for coaching the junior team with Mrs Modulon.

Cameron Bateman
Sports Teacher

Happy Father’s Day to the men of Yeronga State School.  I salute you and encourage you as you connect, engage and provide care for your children, benefiting their wellbeing now and into the future.  Check out the research from thefatheringproject.org (program from the University of Western Australia) and get some great tips for being a great Dad (or uncle, or grandfather, or friend…)

Positivity Strategy

In a recent Harvard Mental Health Letter “In Praise of Gratitude”, it talks about how expressing thanks may be one of the simplest ways to feel better, and that the research shows “that gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness”.  Practicing gratitude is a great strategy to help boost positivity, and cultivates awareness and appreciation of the good times and the good things in your life.  It will help you to find joy, give you a greater connection to your family and friends, and help you to cope through tough times.

Feeling grateful naturally will happen at times, but you can also increase those feelings through regular reflection and intentionality.  Start a journal or write down a simple statement on a piece of paper to collect in a gratitude jar (it makes a great read when you’re feeling down).  Express gratitude to someone in your life, verbally or through a thankyou note, or share around the dinner table some grateful moments from your day.  Prayer and meditation will also help to cultivate gratitude.  Explore the different ideas, and find what works for you.

Coming Up

21/10  Please let me know if you are interested in joining me at my table for the Frontline Dinner at Howard Smith Wharves (with guest speaker Dylan Alcott, holder of all four tennis Grand Slam quad wheelchair singles titles, 2016 Australian Paralympian of the Year, 2019 Logie Winner)

26-27/10  Camp at School

Blessings,

Jennifer Bennett

jenniferb@chappy.org.au

BCC Cleaner Suburbs Awards

Thank you to everyone who voted for Yeronga State School's Green Team.  The voting is now closed.  Now we just have to sit and wait until 17th October to find out if we have won!  Fingers crossed!!

Single-use plastics and Lost Property

Our Green Team over the past two and a half years have been working very hard to reduce single use plastics in our school.  It's fantastic to see everyone embracing Nude Food and bringing their lunch to school in reusable containers.  Unfortunately, we're starting to see an increase in the number of containers ending up in lost property.  If not claimed, these containers and drink bottles are taken to be recycled or landfilled, effectively turning many of them into single use plastics once again.  Please make sure that any container, drink bottle or cutlery you send to school with your child is clearly labelled with their name and class to help it find its way back to its owner if it is lost.  Please swing by one of the three lost property locations in the school to see if any of the many containers waiting in there belong to you (under stairs in admin block, under year 1 block and at YOSHC).

Book Week – Reading is my Secret Power

Book Week is about to begin on Monday 2^nd September. Please make sure you have paid your $7 for participation in the Book Week Activities

Book Character Parade

Thursday 5^th September 9am Hall

All Students in Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 are asked to come dressed as a character from their favourite book. After the character parade it is required for all students to change out of the costume and into the formal school uniform. This parade will replace the afternoon parade this week. Parents and Guardians are welcomed to attend the parade. 

Congratulation to Jamila 6M for winning the Book Week mural competition. She is busy working on her piece of artwork and it will be displayed in the library once it is completed. Well done to all those who entered the competition.

Writing Competition and Character Competition

Last call for entries into these competitions. Due in on Monday 2^nd September, winners to be announced on Thursday 5^th September.

Cyber Safety

The Department of Education's Cybersafety and Reputation Management team (CSRM) advises, investigates and supports schools to manage online behaviours and digital reputation issues. Within this scope, the team draws on their  diverse experience, including police investigation, policy, social media marketing, and recruitment, to deliver up-to-date informative sessions about positive social media use.

The CSRM team will be visiting Yeronga State School on Tuesday 3 September. They will be conducting sessions with students in Years 4, 5 and 6, and are also offering a parent and caregiver information session on the same day  at  6:30 in the Hall. The parent session is an overview of cybersafety, trending platforms, online dos and don’ts, and useful settings to be aware of. This session goes for about 45 minutes, and will allow parents to ask questions throughout. Please pre-register your intention to attend here: http://ems.gs/3wfq0kccrZg.  This session is open to all parents from our community and neighbouring communities, not just the year four to six parents.

You can read more about the department’s cybersafety program and resources on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/QEDCybersafetyAdvice/

Happy Reading,
Mrs Cowie and Mrs Hage 

2020 INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM RECRUITMENT

As some of you may be anticipating, the music staff are now preparing to recruit new strings and band instrumentalists for 2020. The first stage of this process commenced last Tuesday (August 20) when students from Years 2 and 3 sat a music aptitude test with Mrs Easey during classroom music lesson time. Any students who were absent on this day will be provided with the opportunity to sit a make-up test this Friday (August 30). This test is used to determine the strengths/weaknesses of each child’s aural skills and requires children to take note of any similarities or differences in the pitch, rhythm, harmonies and melodies in music that is played to them.  

The data collected from these tests is combined with the semester one Classroom and Classroom Music results to generate a list of students who would be recommended to join the Instrumental Music Program. These students will be sent an invitation/recommendation to attend the Instrumental Music Recruitment Information Night which will be held on Thursday, September 12 at 6pm in the Yeronga State School hall. I must stress that if your child does not receive an invitation to attend the Information Night, it does not automatically mean that your child is ineligible to be accepted into the Instrumental Music Program. You are still more than welcome to attend the Information Night to hear about how the Program operates, to meet our Instrumental Music teachers and to submit a consent form allowing our Instrumental Music teachers to physically test your child out on an instrument.

After the Instrumental Music Recruitment Information Night, students whose parents/guardians have returned consent forms will be physically tested by the Instrumental Music teachers to determine which instrument/s would be the most physically appropriate for each student. Classroom teachers will also be asked to supply information on how reliable, responsible and capable students are and therefore, how they will go with handling the extra workload that learning an instrument brings. Ensemble balance is also carefully considered when allocating instruments and successful students are offered an instrument they are physically and musically best suited to.

Our Instrumental Music teachers are allocated a set number of hours to teach at Yeronga State School from Metropolitan District and therefore enrolment numbers in the Instrumental Music Program are limited and highly sort after. The Department of Education provides funding for students to participate in one program only. Therefore, students who agree to participate in the string program will not be eligible to join the band program. If your child is wanting to join the band program they will need to decline a string offer and wait until year 4. 

Offers of Acceptance into the 2020 Program will be sent out midway through Term 4.

As you can see, this process is rigorous and well-planned. This is because when a child takes a place in the Instrumental Music Program, it is understood that they have agreed to be a member until their graduation in Year 6. Therefore, we aim to select students who are ready, willing and able to undertake this long-term commitment.

Should you have any questions or concerns about this recruitment process, please do not hesitate to come and see me in person or to email me at leeas0@eq.edu.au.

Mrs Tamsyn Eastgate
Strings Teacher

Yours in Music,
Lauren Easey