Yeronga State School eNewsletter

Dear Families,

I began my teacher education in 1986 with a Diploma of Teaching Early Childhood. I was privileged to have incredible lecturers, including my mentor and collaborator in forming GoCA (Gallery of Children’s Art), Dr. Barbara Piscitelli AM It was in my years working in early childhood settings I developed a strong appreciation for parents as first teachers and children’s agency as learners. After 20 years in the classroom and completing my Masters in Educational Research with a focus on teacher theories of teaching and learning, I became convinced of the importance of parent/teacher partnerships to student success as agentic and self-determined learners. When we believe they achieve? When they believe, they achieve more! I look forward to catching up with you at parent teacher interviews next week scheduled for this Monday 12^th and Thursday 16^th of August.

2024 School Opinion Survey

The survey will close this Friday the 16 August. Your opinion is hugely important to school staff at YSS. To date 18% of parents have responded. For a valid summary of our parent satisfaction levels we require a minimum of 30% completion.

Parents are encouraged to check junk email folders and all active family email addresses should they not find the invitation after the week beginning Monday, 15 July.

Parents/caregivers who experience difficulties accessing the survey can request a new survey from the School Opinion Survey team via email schoolopinionsurvey@qed.qld.gov.au.

Have a wonderful week,

Eunice

Pupil Free Day 30^th August

School will be closed on Friday 30^th August for teacher professional development hours. Please contact Jabiru if you require care for your child on that day.

Ekka Showday - Public Holiday Wednesday 14th of August

The School will be closed next Wednesday, the 14th of August, for the Ekka Show day public holiday. Have a wonderful day off!

Eyes Open Social Media – Student and Parent Workshops

Don’t Forget to register your attendance for the Parents and carers Social Media Safety Workshop run by an external company-Eyes Open Social Media. The content of the workshop is aimed at parents of the senior school, however, all parents are welcome to attend to hear the important messages.

These workshops will run over 2 separate nights in the Curiosity Centre from 6pm.

Parent Social Media Safety Information Session (21st August at 6pm in the Curiosity Centre)
This session covers the main risks and dangers on social media and empowers parents to make the best choices to reduce their own risks and the risks for their children. The topics covered are:
•Inappropriate material and the current laws around child exploitation material
•Identity theft; how personal information can be stolen and used against people
•Predators; how they work, what they look for and what makes a user more vulnerable
•Cyber-Bullying and the current laws
•Digital footprints and how they can be used to enhance or detract from future opportunities
•How to manage and report issues
Please note that due to the content and examples provided that this is a PARENT ONLY session

Security and Privacy Setting Workshop – Parents and Students (28th August at 6pm in the Curiosity Centre)
The is a practical hands-on session where parents and students are bring in their personal mobile devices. Participants will be shown how to add privacy and security to their accounts step-by-step for a social media site to reduce the risks and dangers that were covered in the first awareness session.

There is no cost to attend either session.

To register your attendance, please click the link below:

https://yerongass.schoolzineplus.com/form/993

Prep Enrolments

We enjoyed meeting new families at our latest Prep 2025 School Tour and information evening.

Prep small group discussions will take place from next week, all enrolled families will receive invitations to book in for a small group discussion where students will join in activities with our Prep teachers. Adults will meet with with Deputy Principal Clare Triggell or Anthea Grant.

Bullying No Way (Wear Orange Friday 16^th August)

Children and young people who know what bullying is, and know what to do about it if it happens, also know they are not alone in dealing with it. They know that parents and school staff will be willing to help if needed.

f a child or young person tells you about things at school or you observe something in public that involves conflict or bullying, and if it is appropriate, take the opportunity to talk about what bullying is.

First, make sure you have a clear idea yourself by checking out the formal definition of bullying on the understanding bullying page. You can also find additional information about the definition of bullying that has been modified to suit a range of ages.

Point out that bullying is not just when someone is mean to you once, but it happens repeatedly and makes you feel like you can't stop it. You could use some of the following questions to support your discussion.

What do you think 'bullying' is?
Have you seen bullying happening? What did you do? How did you feel?
Why do you think some people bully other kids?
Who are the adults you would talk to when it comes to things like bullying?
Have you ever felt scared to go to school because you were afraid of someone bullying you?
Has someone tried to bully you? What ways have you tried to change it?
What do you think parents can do to help stop bullying?
Have you or your friends left other kids out on purpose? Do you think that was bullying? Why or why not?
Have you ever tried to help someone who is being bullied? What happened? What would you do if it happens again?

Tell children that bullying can happen to anyone but it is never okay. Talk about how to respond to bullying safely. Make sure children know what to do if it happens to them or they see it happening to someone else.

Avoid using terminology such as 'bully' or a 'victim'. Although these words are often used in the media, they are not very helpful in describing the behaviour being displayed or in finding evidence-informed solutions.

When you talk about bullying, focus on more appropriate ways to act with others and positive ways to get on with other people.

Children can modify their behaviour with support from parents and teachers. If the labels of 'bully' or 'victim' stick, it can make it harder for them to change. Using these words can suggest that bullying and being bullied are due to unchangeable things about the children involved.

The labels of 'bully' or 'victim' can also cause further harm if a child accepts them as part of their social identity.

More information and resources can be found here https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/

Parent Teacher Interviews

We look forward to meeting with families to discuss student achievement, progress and next steps in the upcoming interviews next Monday and Thursday. Please arrive promptly for your interview in the Curiosity Centre.

Staff Spotlight

Thank you Evelyn for continuing to bring us joy with your staff spotlights.

Ekka_Goat_flyer.pdf

Ekka_Goat_flyer _pdf 4.22 MB

Dear Year 5 and 6 families,

Some exciting news from YSHS (Yeronga State High School), they have organised an intensive Spanish course for Year 5 and 6 students who want to join the Spanish Academy in year 7. There is a QR code to register and if you have any questions email Lidia Gracia lgarc23@eq.edu.au or Kathy kfort7@eq.edu.au. Please see attachment.

YSHS Get Ready For Spanish.pdf

YSHS Get Ready For Spanish _pdf 4.57 MB

Gracias

Señora Andrea Bueno

Book Week

Will be here soon! We will be celebrating Book Week between 19 August and 23 August, with a following of a visit from Cameron Stelzer. This year’s theme is Reading is magic!

Key Events

21 August (8:00 – 8:45) -Milo and Marshmallows- Come enjoy the magic for reading a book to your child before school in the library while enjoying a cup of Milo and Marshmallows.

23 August (9:15) - Book character parade for prep to year 4 students dress as something magical.

28 August – Author Visit – Cameron Stezler will bring the magic of his writing and illustrating for all year levels and introduce his latest book. Gold coin donation please.

Author Visit – Dr Cameron Stelzer, The Story Doctor

On Wednesday 28 August, we have a special visit from Author

and Illustrator Dr Cameron Stelzer. Dr Cameron is visiting Yeronga State School to run workshops with our P-6 students. Prep students will enjoy an interactive Big Screen Book Reading with Cameron. Year 1-6 students will be taking a behind-the-scenes look at creating a book and applying their own creative components. Students and teachers are looking forward to a great day!

In conjunction with the Author Visit, Yeronga State School families have a special opportunity to purchase signed and personalised copies of Cameron’s books at special prices. Individual books are $10-$15 each and there are also exclusive book sets available. Students will receive an order form on the day of the workshops (payment is via the online payment portal listed on the form; no cash). Forms can be returned the following day, to the Library.

Be Cyberwise

Library lessons for this term are for prep to year 2 students. During library lessons we are covering topics that relate to cybersafety. We are encouraging our students to be Cyberwise. This includes:

Being safe online - Follow the five rules that Swish and Glide (characters from the book Swish and Glide and rule number 5) teach us

Be kind and take turns
No Screens at meal times
Only use devices in shared spaces
Ask before you use it
No taking screens to bed

Being kind – Words can really hurt and if they are online they are there forever.

Being aware – Online friends are different

From the friends you see each day.

You can’t be certain who they are,

So be careful what you share and say.

Ask for help – it is important to go to a trusted adult for help.

Each newsletter we would like to highlight an aspect of the eSafety that relates to lessons being taught. This week the spotlight falls on Parental Controls and Family Tech contracts.

To support your child we recommend the eSafety Commission website and looking at their suggestions for setting parental controls. Click here to go to the site.

It is a good idea as a family to establish a family tech contract click these links for some examples of agreements that you can adapt to your own family needs.

Under 5

5 – 8 year olds

For older students follow this advice. Which is available in different languages.

Plese read below for infomation about the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) 129.09 KB

Running Club

Running club will continue until the end of the year unless the weather makes it impossible to run safely. Sessions will be held on Mondays, from 3:15 to 3:45 and Wednesdays from 7:45 to 8:15 with Mr Bateman. Mr Sutherland will be holding his sessions on Fridays from 7:45 to 8:15. Remember that all of these sessions will occur on the main, or years 3-6. Parents are most welcome to participate.

District Cricket Representatives

Congratulations to Ted H on being selected for the Met West Regional Cricket Team who will compete at the state championship. It is a big achievement.

Eastern Taipans District Athletics Representatives

Congratulations to all of the students listed below who have had their selections confirmed in the Eastern Taipans Athletics Team; Hyuga B, Felix B, Finnley C, Clara J, Nina J, Phoenix L, Hunter N, Esha P, John-Allan S, George T, Mollie W, Skye W, Cash J-B, Natalia A and Abraham C. What a great achievement. Yeronga SS has the most primary school representatives in the team.

Ball Games - 6^th of September

This important school event will occur on the 6^th of September. Please do come along to enjoy the colour, creativity and sporting prowess on show during our only class based sporting event. I’ve included the program below for your convenience.

Ball Games Program

9:00: Prep to Year 2

Year Two Mixed Heat One & Two

Under Over Ball, Tunnel Ball & Take & Put

Year One Mixed Heat One & 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