Dear Families,

What a joy to see our students, families and staff enjoying the Ball Games competition on Friday. This tradition at Yeronga State School is one event on the school calendar that has been held with much relish over decades. Mr Bateman has led the event each year. I reflected with a few parents and staff on Friday, what it is about the event that is enduring? Firstly, the dress ups, secondly, the lass team comradery and thirdly, the ‘just right’ and inclusive nature of the challenge. What joy!

Last week I met with members of the Annerley-Stephens History Group at the new Co location of the Yeronga Community Centre with the view to establishing a partnership between the group and the school. Over the course of our meeting, it became evident that working together is a wonderful opportunity.  Especially in supporting the educational and social purpose of both entities. Did you know…

• The Annerley-Stephens History Group (ASHG) engages with the local community and finds and shares stories of our local area through events, talks, walks, books, displays and online. 
• The group covers the suburbs that were included in the former Stephens Shire which was amalgamated into Brisbane City Council in 1925. The suburbs include Annerley, Fairfield, Holland Park West, Tarragindi, Tennyson, Yeerongpilly, Yeronga and parts of Greenslopes, Moorooka and Mt Gravatt.
• ASHG’s aims to weave together stories told, memories shared, archival records, family histories, physical and social landscapes, and various forms of creative expression. The perspective of First Nations people is fundamental to their work.
• ASHG is a voluntary member-based organisation. It has its first permanent home in the new Yeronga Community Centre in Villa Street. There is a public drop in morning each Wednesday.
• The group has published five books: Stories of Stephens, Echoes of Stephens, Stephens and War, Women of Stephens and the newly launched Memories of Stephens. The books can be purchased for $25 each. The Children of Stephens is a small book produced through an internship with the Australian Catholic University in 2022. It focuses on the games that generations past played.

For more information;

email: annerleystephenshistorygroupin@gmail.com

Web address: annerleystephenshistory.org 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashgInc 

Please look out for the ASHG flyer in the Community News section of this newsletter.

This past week, I completed with Stef Kirk and Clare TRIGGELL the Berry Street Education Model training. The Berry Street Education Model is a trauma informed strengths-based approach to support students in the school setting through principles of positive psychology and trauma informed practices. The training was outstanding and we look forward to bringing all Yeronga State School through the training over 2025 and 2026. Please follow the link for a brief overview of the BSEM approach.

We look forward to seeing all our students back safe and well after the September holiday break for a great Term 4.

Sincerely,

Eunice

Prep Enrolments 2025

Our final round of ‘Prep Discussions’ will take place on Monday.  It has been wonderful to meet our newest learners and their families and we are excited to welcome them to our school.  Our ‘Get Set for Prep’ stay and play sessions will take place next term, families are encouraged to book into a session with their little one to help familiarise them with our environment and staff. 

Prep Orientation morning will be held on 11^th November.  All Prep students enrolled for 2025 are encouraged to attend this session.

Outdoor Toy Request

Our Prep and Year 1 students love playing with cars and trucks (big and small).  In the interest of sustainability, we are seeking donations of outdoor toys (cars and trucks) you may no longer be using in your home.  These can be brought in and left near the Prep sandpit. 

Persistence and Resilience

I recently read a quote that explored the relationship between an educator and student.  The educator said, ‘I will do my absolute best to meet your needs, and I will do anything I can to support you…. I am also going to ask you to take risks – to try your best even when it is difficult…

As teachers, we provide learning experiences that require students to stretch their thinking and come to grips with new ideas.  Sometimes learning is hard, and it is in these moments of struggle that deep learning and growth occurs.  How can you help your child build resilience?  Here are a few ideas to try..

2025 Class Allocation considerations

Parents and Carers are encouraged to use the form below if they have any considerations you would like the school to know when allocating students to classes for 2025. This information will be considered alongside staff recommendations when allocating students to classes.

This form will close on Friday 1st November 2024.

You can access the form here: https://yerongass.schoolzineplus.com/form/994

Departing Students

In preparation for 2025, can you please notify the school if your child will not be returning to Yeronga State School in 2025. You can notify us via email on: studentdepartures@yerongass.eq.edu.au

Please also indicate if you are intending your child to leave, but are yet to have confirmation of a future enrolment at another school. 

Please provide the following information:

Student Name:

2024 Year level:

2025 Departing to (school name):

Chess Champ

Leo, one of our amazing Prep students, played in his first school chess tournament last Sunday, the Brisbane Primary Term 3 tournament, with children from all over Brisbane and beyond. Leo came first in the Prep/Year 1 division.

Today, he played in the Brisbane South Primary Interschool tournament. He again came first in his division out of 60 children from Prep to year 3, winning all of his games.

Congratulations Leo, we are proud of you!

Teacher Aide Appreciation Week

This week marks Teacher Aide Appreciate Week.  As we celebrate Teacher Aide Appreciation Week, we take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our amazing Teacher Aides. Your dedication, expertise and caring support make a significant difference in the lives of our students and staff. At YSS, we have many wonderful Teacher’s Aides that support all of our students across the school. Our students are thanking our Teacher Aides for their dedication and hard work with some hand made cards and letters.

The Eliza Tape Legacy Project

At Yeronga State School, over the past few years we have embraced an exciting initiative allowing Year 6 students to contribute to a Legacy Project, marking their time at our school with a meaningful contribution. Eliza Tape, who has been a part of our school community since Prep, and her family have made a wonderful addition to this effort. The Tape family has generously donated a large collection of books that promote and celebrate the concept of inclusion. They are the first family to create an individual legacy to the school.

In honor of Eliza, we are proud to introduce the Eliza Collection—a curated set of eight book sets, one for each year level and an additional set focused on Inclusion. These books are available for borrowing by staff, students, and parents, and we plan to continue expanding this collection over time.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Tape family for this remarkable Legacy Project. For more information about the Eliza Collection, please click the link or scan the QR code.

Be Cyber Wise

Our students are playing online games at an earlier age than before. It is important to keep our students safe. This week we are highlighting the parent resources from the eSafety Commissioner. Click here to access the parent information videos which can be viewed in many different languages.

Instrumental Music News

Southside Senior Music Workshop

This week twenty-two of the school year 6 instrumental music students have participated in the three-day regional Southside Senior Music Workshop. They have been working hard in that time to learn three challenging string orchestra or concert band pieces and memorise three choir pieces. The concert finished with a performance in the 1500 seat Chandler Theatre. The students said the workshop was challenging and hard work but also fun and that they enjoyed being able to play in an extra large ensemble with students from other schools.

Instrumental Music Recruitment Night Wrap-up

Last week we held the instrumental music recruitment evening for families interested in joining the instrumental music program next year. The evening was well attended, and the students enjoyed hearing demonstrations of the instruments on offer. Applications for the program close at the end of the term. All year 2 and 3 families will have had the application link emailed to them.

Congratulations to our SHEP students

Congratulations to the following strings and band students accepted into SHEP Primary- the State Honours Ensemble Program held at the Queensland Conservatorium: Lucy C, Evie D, Piper H, Emily H, Helena M, Violet M, Zelda M, Hope M, Hunter N, Henry P, Edith S, Artie S, Clementine T, Josie V. The students will join with other students from state and private schools across Brisbane at the Conservatorium over a weekend in November to learn music with some of Queensland’s best conductors and music educators.

Ball Games

This important school event will occured on the 6^th of September. What a great day it was. Full of fun, colour and fantastic inter class competition. Unfortunately some classes were more successful than others in dressing for and competing at the event. A big thank you to all the parents who came along to enjoy the colour, creativity and sporting prowess on show during our only class based sporting event. Thank you so much to the teachers for giving up class time to practice, organise and produce amazing outfits. Congratulations to all on a fantastic spectacle.

Running Club

Running club will continue until the end of the year unless the weather makes it impossible to run safely or public health restrictions return. 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.

Metropolitan West Athletics Representatives

Congratulations to all of the students listed below who have had their selections confirmed in the Metropolitan West Athletics Team; Hyuga B, Clara J, Nina J, Phoenix L and Mollie W. What a tremendous achievement. These students will compete from the 8^th to the 10^th of October for selection in the Queensland Athletics Team.

Football Goals

Please remember, that although these goals are metal, they are not built to be climbed upon. Please do not climb on them as you will be endangering yourself, damaging the goals and be the unhappy recipient of a white slip.

Yeronga State School (YSS) District Trial Selection (Years 4 to 6)

The representative pathway for school sport is for students aged 10 to 12 years. Yeronga is part of a very strong district which consists of 28 schools (Eastern Taipans District).

In most sports we are encouraged to send only 2 students from the school that demonstrate a very high level of ability. The majority of these teams are under 12 teams. A good guide for this is:

• A representative club player
• A top performer in your sport outside of school
• Playing in higher age groups
• Consistently demonstrating outstanding performances in interschool sport fixtures and training sessions in the highest division.

In order to be considered to attend a District Trial students should make themselves known to either (Mr Bateman or Mr Curness) at least 2 weeks prior to the trials.

Important Sporting Dates Terms 3 & 4, 2024

11 October 2024 – Paper Nominations Due for 11 – 19 Years District Triathlon

11 October – Gala Day 2

18 October – Gala Day 3

25 October – Gala Day Reserve Day

2 December 2024 – Yeronga State School Senior (Competitive) Swimming Carnival

End of term celebration

The End of Term 3 celebration at the Moorooka Clubhouse is coming up! Join us on 13 September from 3.30 pm till evening for a sausage sizzle hosted by the P and C, kids’ games with Anytime Fitness, Shed Choir, face painting and more. Please sign up for a shift on the BBQ, or for setting up on Friday morning and packing down on Saturday morning.

We are particularly seeking volunteers for transporting the big items from school to the Clubhouse on Friday morning & setting up the BBQs from midday on Friday 13th

Head to our event page or sign up for a volunteer shift here:

https://signup.com/go/SNJqxgd

https://www.facebook.com/share/E18AXHgfiFNkJ1GY/?mibextid=9l3rBW

Pie Drive

In week 3 of Term 4 we are offering  pie drive to families selecting some of the most popular flavours from Gisler’s savory selection and the finest sweet fruit-flavored pies available. Gisler’s is a family owned and operated business that has been providing exceptional products and services since 1976 on the Bayside, Brisbane. The selection we are offering will be up on Flexischools next week. Orders will close Friday 4^th October. Pies will be made fresh and delivered for collection Friday 18^th October. Please order for friends and family!

Democracy sausage – 26 October

The P and C are hosting a Democracy Sausage at the School on election day on Saturday 26 October. It’s a great way to get involved in the school community and support our P and C. The CWA will be in attendance selling their trademark delicious cakes and treats.

Sign up or a shift on the tongs here:

https://signup.com/go/wVVdMTc

Mango Fundraiser

From week 10, you will be able to order a tray of mangos with proceeds going to the P&C straight from Flexischools. Orders will close on Thursday 24th October and will be available for collection in week 10 (ending Friday 6th December. Let your friends and family know and order for everyone!

The Mango Fundraiser only use Bowen Special Mangoes also known as Kensington Pride Mangoes.  They are packed in a single layer tray and each tray will usually have between 12 and 20 mangoes, with a total tray weight of approximately 7kg.

When you buy Mangoes from the Mango Fundraiser you know the fruit is coming directly from the farm to you.  Your mangoes aren’t being held for long periods in storage or ripening rooms.

Not currently part of the P&C?  Sign up here -  P&C Sign UP- to be the first to learn about what’s happening around the school.