Dear Families,

Thankyou to all for a great turnout on Thursday afternoon for our Big Sing celebration in the outdoor amphitheatre. With the storm looming overhead our young choristers entertained with verve and joy. Thankyou Mrs Truce for wonderful effort again to prepare the students and organised the event!

This week I have had several emails regarding the increasing presence and unfortunately, increasing distress, dogs on school grounds are presenting for our youngest children. I will be discussing the issue at the PandC meeting this coming Tuesday evening as part of my report to the members if you are interested. In the meantime, please, if you are bringing your family dog on to the school site, make sure they are on a leash at all times. It is appreciated if they are kept off verandahs and walkways to allow for safe passage of children, families and staff throughout the school site.

As you may be aware this term is an 11 Week term. In consultation with the Queensland Teaacher’s Union earlier this year the Minister for the Department of Education confirmed Week 11 would be a week of supervision activities only. This means a program of activities will be developed to ensure our students will be actively engaged for the week. The program for week 11 will be shared with parents once it has been finalised with teachers.

Have a wonderful week,

Eunice

Senior Swimming Carnival “Swim Meet”

This year, our senior swimming carnival will look different to previous years.

Changes are essential to the organisation of the swimming carnival, due to mandatory swimming safety risk management measures as specified by the Department of Education. Unfortunately, this means participation events cannot be offered.

• This year, the “Senior Swim Meet” will be for students who are turning 10, 11 or 12 in 2025 who are aspiring for district level swimming.
• The Swim Meet will be held on Wednesday 4^th December at the Yeronga Park Memorial Pool.
• Student swim times from the swimming lessons earlier this year will be used for nominating students for the competitive 50m races.
• Swimmers will have an opportunity to check this list from today and into next week to confirm their qualifying swim time and can speak with Mr Bateman if they see a discrepancy with their swim time.
• Students invited to participate in the Swim Meet competitive event will be required to be at school at 8:45am on Wednesday 4^th A consent will go home via Qparents next week. 
• The Swim Meet begins at 9am, and finishes approximately 1:00pm with the relay and gift.
• Students in years 5 and 6 who are not competitive swimmers, will be invited to attend the swim meet from 10am to cheer on their house mates. A separate consent will be issued via Qparents next week.

As the carnival is now a competitive event only, moving into next year, we will trial a ‘swim off’ concept, where students in every year level will have an opportunity to earn points for their house during their swimming lessons.  This ‘swim off’ will be built into the year level swimming lessons, and points will contribute to their overall house tally.  This will provide students with the opportunity to swim at their level and in the safest water depth conducive to their swimming ability.

We acknowledge there may be some disappointment in the community as this required change is a departure from a well-established tradition on the school calendar at Yeronga State School.  If you have any questions about the Swim Meet please feel free to reach out and contact the school.  

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 provide the following information:

Student Name:

2024 Year level:

2025 Departing to (school name):

Please note, we do not need an email for year 6 students graduating to High School.

Congratulations to Chess Champion Leo

7 November Prep student Leo, played in the Brisbane Age Chess Championships, which is the strongest chess tournament for six-year-olds in Queensland. It was going to be a tough event for Leo, but he was very excited to play.  Leo was fortunate enough to win his age division, which was children born in 2018 or later. There were 39 players. This result means that Leo is the Brisbane Under-7 Champion for 2024. Congratualation Leo!

Staff Spotlight

Big Play Coming up - 28th of November 

Big Sing Wrap-up

Congratulations to all Singers who performed at the end of year Big Sing last night. It was a great night filled with excellent singing, despite the gloomy weather. A Big shout out to our 2 student accompanists, Neal Hegde and Sebastian Perren who both worked hard to play with the Junior choir.

Last night we announced the 2024 Senior and Junior Choir spirit Award recipients. This award is presented to students who always aim for excellence, come to rehearsals prepared and inspire their fellow choir members at their weekly rehearsals and concerts. Congratulations to all the Junior and Senior Choir Spirit Award winners for 2024

Hope McPhail

Isabel Thomson

Maggie Faulkner

Tarquin Knox

Varvara Abramova

Lachlan Corless

Angus Williams

Nina Hegde

Miles Kalic

Amelie Meulenbroek

Sebastian Perren

Mabel Hands

Max Pini

Aubrey Wilson

With the weather dampening the pomp that our award recipients deserved for their hard work others in choir we will present them with their award at the next 2 assemblies.

Choir end of Year dates

Please note the following diary dates;

Senior Choir is now finished for the year. There will be no further rehearsals.

Tuesday 19/11 – Junior choir rehearsal

Friday 22/11 – Junior assembly choir (yr 2 only) award presentation

Tuesday 26/11 – NO junior choir rehearsal

Friday 29/11 – Senior assembly choir (yr 3-6) awards presentation

Tuesday 3/12 – Junior choir before school rehearsal and break up followed by their Christmas concert performance from 9am

Tuesday 10/12 – NO Junior choir rehearsal

Choir 2025

I will be in contact early next year with new rehearsal times and expression of interest for all choirs in 2025. Please note that there will be no choir rehearsals before school next year and all choir rehearsals will be held at a lunch time. Please make the appropriate arrangements for before school care should you require.

Finally, Thank you! To all the families who have supported their young singers over the course of the year. Taking them to rehearsals, their first eisteddfods, attending assemblies and coming out yesterday in the heat to support them in their last big sing for the year. The choral program, truly, wouldn’t be as successful without all of you in the background, especially listening to them sing the songs at home (a lot I’m lead to believe).

If I don’t see you around the grounds prior to the end of the year, have a relaxing and restful break and we will see returning families in the new year.

Running Club

Running club will continue until the end of  week 8 (November 20) on Mondays and Wednesdays and Week 10 on Fridays, 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, oval. Parents are most welcome to participate.

Queensland Athletics Representatives

We were lucky enough to have Clara J and Nina J qualify. Although if you talk with them you find out that luck has very little to do with their success. They are very dedicated to the throwing events. What a tremendous achievement. These students will compete for the Queensland Athletics Team in Sydney from the 28^th of November to the 2^nd of December.

Senior Swimming Carnival Volunteers

As always we will need parental help staffing our Senior (Years 3 to 6) Swimming carnival (See Swimming Carnival details in the Deputy News section above). We are fortunate that the parent body has always been very generous in volunteering time. For the Senior (Years 3 – 6) Carnival, on 2 December, we will need timers. If you can help please email Mr Bateman; cbate12@eq.edu.au .

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 Term 4, 2024 & Term 1, 2025 (Preliminary)

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

7 February 2025 – 10 – 12 years District Boys Netball

10 February 2025 – 10 – 11 years District Boys & Girls Netball

10 February 2025 – 10 – 12 years District Girls Netball

12 February 2025 – 10 – 19 years District Swimming

25 February 2025 – 10 – 12 years District Girls AFL

26 February 2025 – 10 – 19 years Met West Regional Swimming

28 February 2025 – 10 – 19 years District Squash

4 March 2025 – 10 – 12 years District Boys Basketball

5 March 2025 – 10 – 12 years District Boys Rugby League

5 March 2025 – 10 – 12 years District Girls Basketball

6 March 2025 – 10 – 12 years District Girls &  Boys Netball

12 March 2025 – 10 – 12 years District Boys AFL

14 March 2025 – 10 – 12 years District Boys & Girls Golf & Hockey

Parent and Carers Coffee Cart – Every Tuesday Morning

Our Coffee Cart is back in full swing this term! Join me every Tuesday at 8:40 AM for a casual catch-up over a cup of tea or coffee. It’s a great opportunity to meet other parents and have a chat. This term the coffee cart is being held outside the Prep and year one buildings. I look forward to seeing you there!

Lunch Time Activities – Fun and Mindfulness

This term, we’ve introduced some fun and mindful activities during lunch breaks, including colouring, skipping, and hula hooping. These activities have been a hit with the students, giving them a chance to unwind and engage in something creative while also providing a fantastic way for me to connect with more of our students.

Yeronga Community Centre – Fundraiser and Open Day

We are excited to announce that we will be running a canned food and non-perishable fundraiser for the Yeronga Community Centre. Donations will be gratefully accepted, and a collection box will be in the school administration for any contributions.

The Yeronga Community Centre provides vital support to families in need, offering hot meals and Christmas hampers to those facing hardship. If you'd like to know more about the centre’s services or how you can help, feel free to contact them directly or reach out to me at jane.minogue@jabiru.org.au.

The centre is also hosting an Open Day on Saturday, November 16th, from 9am to 12pm. The day will feature a range of activities including coffee, a sausage sizzle, children’s activities, market stalls, and workshops.

ART SOIREE – FRIDAY 22 NOVEMBER – TICKETS SELLING FAST!!

Tickets for the YSS Art Soiree are flying out the door! Get in quick to avoid missing out on the social event of the year!

The Yeronga State School Art Soiree is one of the biggest events on the P&C social calendar.  Celebrating the work of Prep to Year 6 visual artists, this adult-only event will see us sipping wine, enjoying cheese, listening to a live jazz band (‘4000 Records’).

Tickets are $10 ($8 P and C members) and are available NOW on Flexischools. Your ticket includes a drink, raffle ticket and delicious grazing platters.

*ART ARMY HELPERS NEEDED!*

Can you volunteer an hour or two in the week leading up to the Art Soiree to help hang our students’ artwork? Or could you lend a hand on the night by doing a bar shift? If so, please Sign Up for a shift here: Yeronga SS Art Soirée- art army & soiree — Signup Sheet | SignUp.com

These events don’t happen without our school community pulling together – any and all help is appreciated ?

MANGO FUNDRAISER – MANGO SEASON HAS STARTED EARLY!! - NEW DELIVERY DATE

The Mango season has started early. The fundraiser has brought our order forward 1 week to meet supply. Collection will now be 28 November 2.30-3.30pm.

Pick up location will be in the staff room/printing room under L Block (The grade 1 building).

If you cannot make it there will be two final collections 8.30am-9am, 2.30-3pm Friday 29 November.

Any questions please email Amy at treasurer@yerongasspandc.org.au

 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE P&C

Are you keen to help run an event for the P&C in 2025? Do you have grant-writing skills? The P&C are currently mapping out our events calendar for 2025 and would be keen to hear from anyone with a flair for events management (big or small!) or grant writing. Come along to the next meeting or contact the President at president@yerongasspandc.org.au if you are interested.

NEXT P &C MEETING THIS TUESDAY

Our next P and C meeting on Tuesday 19 November is the last one for 2024 and it will be a big one. We will be discussing our events calendar and planning some goals for 2025. We will be on the lookout for event leaders and locking in some exciting new activities to hit our fundraising targets.

If you are a P&C member and have an item you would like to add to the next meeting agenda please contact the P&C Secretary at secretary@yerongasspandc.org.au and come along to the next meeting.

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.