THANK YOU TEACHER AIDES

Last week we held a morning tea to thank how wonderful teacher aides who work across our school to support learning, social and emotional development and behaviour concerns. We are so lucky to have such a dedicated and committed teacher aide team who work tirelessly to help set every child up for success.

MUSICAL STARS

Congratulations to Charlotte (Violin),  Angus (Cello) and Katherine  (Flute) for being successful in obtaining a position in the Queensland Conservatorium State Honours Primary Ensemble Program for 2019. This opportunity is only offered to the state’s most outstanding young musicians so this is an incredible honour.

SPANISH SPEECH COMPETITION

Congratulations to Ye Bin for her outstanding result in the recent MLTAQ Brisbane Multi Language Speech Contest Primary Spanish 2019. Ye Bin gained first place in  Year 4 and Charlotte gained second place in Year 5. Nakshathra and Aimee gained a Highly Commended in the Year 4 competition and Mila a Highly Commended for the Year 5 competition.

A special mention to Spanish teacher Senora Andrea Beuno for coordinating this event for all languages across Metropolitan Region. Thank you also to Senora Rodriquez, Spanish teacher for Year 4-6, for helping the children become so confident and competent when conversing in Spanish.

CPL STEM PROJECT

Six primary schools recently met as part of the CPL STEM team, to establish a STEM cluster to support the development of STEM opportunities in our schools. We will be holding a network strategic planning session shortly to clarify vision and purpose. Thank you to Deb Cowie for her leadership in this space. 

Mrs Cowie, Mr Newby and myself will be attending an iEducate conference this week to further deepen our understandings in the STEM and digital technology field.

STUDENT RESOURCE SCHEME

Thank you everyone who have completed payments for the 2019 Student Resource Scheme. Please be aware that we will be publishing the 2020 Expression of Interest shortly. You are only able to nominate to be a part of the Student Resource Scheme in 2020 if your 2019 payment has been complete.

PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE FOR TENNIS

RISE Tennis and Queensland Tennis centre have approached the school to begin a Program of Excellence for Tennis next year, for children currently enrolled in our school who are showing great potential. We will be discussing the proposal at the next P&C meeting if you would like to know more.

SCHOOL OFFICE AUDIT

We recently had auditors in to check processes in our school office. I have to congratulate the current office team for a good result, given they are almost a brand new team. Ruth Bennett, in her role as Business Manager, has done an extraordinary job of learning new systems and protocols in the last three months. She is very well supported by Keiran Bowman, Nikita Langhorne and Lisa MacBeth.  We are looking forward to seeing what you can all achieve as we move forward into an even brighter future.

A big thank you also to Nicki Allardyce, our former Business Manager, who did a wonderful job of ensuring we were following expected policies and procedures, over the last few years.

Debbie Spanner
Principal

Teacher Aide Appreciation Week

Week 8 was an opportunity to recognise the valuable contribution Teacher Aides make to the education and support of schoolchildren across our school. Within our classrooms teacher aides are an invaluable resource to teachers as they support teacher effectiveness and work alongside students to help them taking meaningful steps forward in their learning journey. Our school would certainly not run as smoothly without our teacher aides and we are incredibly grateful for the role they play in our student’s lives.

Book Week

Each year, schools and public libraries across Australia spend a week celebrating books, authors and illustrators. This year was no different as Yeronga State School hosted authors Cameron Stelzer, Brian Falkner and Candice Lemon-Scott. Teachers who attended the author sessions all reported that students returned to class eager to start writing their own stories. There is no limit to our student’s imaginations and we can only hope that their stories can capture the imaginations of their peers and future students who may read their stories.

Active School Travel

Last week we were fortunate to have our local councillor Nicole Johnston work alongside the Lions club to provide a breakfast for all our active travellers. The breakfast coincided with our crazy sock competition, which was an opportunity to get more students actively travelling to school. This was certainly the case with our highest percentage of students actively travelling for the month of August. Active School Travel occurs every Wednesday and encourages students to take sustainable and healthy travel options such as walking, cycling, scootering, carpooling and public transport. 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.

Ball Games

This is a reminder that Ball Games Day is fast approaching! Students and teachers are busy practising their skills in order to put on a competitive display. There is also contention amongst students for which class will take out the annual best-dressed award. Make sure to come down and support students for Ball Games Day on the 19^th September. Prep to Year 2 will start at 9:20am for followed by Years 3 to 6 for an 11:45am start.

ECDP Cupcake fundraiser

In celebration of National Week of Deaf, the Student Council, along with children from the Yeerongpilly ECDP will be selling cupcakes at the school. Money raised will be used to purchase literacy resources for the Yeerongpilly ECDP. Cupcakes will be sold for $2 each to the YSS students during first break on Friday 13^th September outside the tuckshop. Due to the overwhelming response last year where we ran out of cupcakes, we are asking YSS parents to kindly help us with the baking of extra cupcakes if they are able.

MLTAQ Brisbane Multi Language Speech Contest Primary Spanish 2019

On Sunday the 8^th September, students from Yeronga State School participated in the 2019 Brisbane Multi Language Speech Contest at Griffith University. All students received a certificate of participation at registration and congratulations to our these students who received a place were presented with a medal and certificate during the award ceremony. Below is a list of those who are to be recognised for their achievements on the day;

Year 4 Spanish Speech Competition 

1st - Ye

Highly Commended - N Pralin

Highly Commended - Aimee K

Year 5 Spanish Speech Competition 

2nd - Charlotte D

Highly Commended - Mila P (Yanirza has certificate)

A big congratulation must also go to Ye who also received 1st place for Korean background Speech.

Maths Tournament

Each year in Term 3, Yeronga SS prepares teams of Years 5 and 6 students to participate in the Brisbane Curriculum Leaders Mathematics Tournament. The aim of this tournament is to stimulate interest in mathematics, provide an activity of intellectual fun in a scholarly atmosphere and to foster interest in creative problem solving. The tournament requires the students to work cooperatively to solve a number of challenging mathematical problems.  Students thoroughly enjoy participating in this event and our teachers, parents and caregivers are extremely proud of the students’ achievements and their levels of cooperation and enthusiasm. Outcomes from the tournament on Monday the 9^th September will be shared in the next newsletter.

Prep Interviews for 2020

Prep interviews for 2020 have now begun.  Mrs Lizzy King and Mrs Freeman have been conducting the interviews with new and returning parents.  We have enjoyed welcoming families and children into the Yeronga Community and it has been lovely to see the children enjoying the activities that have been included in their ‘Getting ready for Prep’ take home bags.

Have a terrific two weeks!

Kate Paynter and Tracy Freeman

Deputy Principals

ECDP Cupcake Day – Friday 13 September – $2 per cupcake

Can you help bake cupcakes?

In celebration of National Week of Deaf People, Yeerongpilly ECDP is holding a Cupcake Day THIS Friday, 13 September. YSS Student Council representatives and students from ECDP will sell cupcakes for $2 each at school during first break to raise funds to purchase learning resources for the children with hearing impairment who attend ECDP.

Due to the overwhelming response last year where there weren't enough cupcakes available for all the children who wanted to buy them, YSS parents are asked to kindly help with the baking of extra cupcakes if they are able (please do not use nuts or nut products in the cupcakes and label if gluten free). Please see the attached flyer for details.

P&C meeting - 17 September

Please join us for our next P&C Meeting next Tuesday, 17 September, in the Resource Centre (Library) at 7:00pm. All members of our school community are welcome - come and have your say on the P&C's plans to support our kids and school.

It was wonderful to be able to welcome new parents to our school community, Andy and Anna, at our last meeting. If you haven't been to a meeting before, we promise we're a friendly bunch and you will be warmly welcomed.

Lost Property

The piles of lost property are growing. Please remind your children to have a look in the lost property for any belongings they have misplaced. Junior lost property is located underneath the Year 1 building (in the middle) and Senior Lost Property is located under the stairs in Admin Block.

The end of term is approaching quickly, to ensure lost property is collected before the term ends our Uniform Convenor will be displaying all lost property in front of the Uniform Shop (ground floor, F block) from 2:30pm-3:00pm for collection at the end of next week:

• Thursday 19 September, and 
• Friday 20 September. 

Please note that the left over property will be disposed of at the end of the day.

ART CLASSES: Spring Holiday & term 4 bookings

If you're seeking a creative activity for your kids in the upcoming holidays, our YSS extracurricular art class teacher, Sophia Dias, is now accepting enrolments for Spring Holiday, and also term 4 art classes - see attached flyer for more information.

2019 Spring Holiday art classes

• Week 1:23 to 27 September - Ages: 5 years old and up
• Week 2:30 September to 4 October - Ages: 8 years old and up
  • Venue:St Lucia Community Hall
  • Address:27 Guilfoyle St, St Lucia QLD 4067
  • Time:9-11am (2-hour session)
  • Fee: $40/day - includes art supplies and materials, healthy morning tea. 

Term 4 extracurricular art and craft class bookings

• Days:Monday and Wednesday
• Time:3:15-4:15pm
• Place:Art Studio under D Block (near admin building and tennis courts)
• Price: 
  • Monday - $184 (8 classes 14 October to 9 December)
  • Wednesday - $230 (10 classes 9 October to 11 December 
  • All art supplies and materials are included in the Term Fee.
  • Fee payment is required at the time of enrolment to secure your place. 

Bookings Available Now at: 

• kidsart.fun
• Email: kidsartfun@gmail.com
• Text/Call: 0422 539 568
  
  

NEW Tuesday morning Chess Mates class and Tuesday venue change - Term 4

Chess Mates is pleased to offer a new Tuesday morning extracurricular chess class at YSS from the beginning of term 4.

Please note, the venue for both Tuesday chess classes - morning and afternoon - will be the Art Room on the ground floor of D block, near the tennis courts and school admin building (from term 4 chess classes will no longer be held in the library).

Term 4 classes will be:

• Tuesday - 7:45am to 8:30am - Art Room (ground floor, D block)
• Tuesday - 3:15pm to 4:00pm - Art Room (ground floor, D block)
• Thursday - 7:45am to 8:30am - Year 3/Music Block.
• The cost for the classes is $8 per child per lesson. 

Chess Mates specialises in teaching chess to children of all age groups and skill levels and is dedicated to teaching chess in a fun and engaging way, so that all children can join in, make new friends and learn while enjoying the ancient game of chess. Rather than focus on winning, the classes teach kids how to understand and deal with winning and losing to improve their social and emotional development.

To book or for more information please contact Chess Mates at info@chessmates.com.au or phone 1300 243 776.

Wedding congratulations for YOSHC Director, Charlee

We are delighted to share the news that on Saturday, 24 August, YOSHC Director, Charlee Carey, celebrated her wedding to Jordan Young (immediate past YOSHC Director). Please join us in congratulating Charlee and Jordan. We wish them a lifetime of happiness together, and thank them for sharing some beautiful photos of their special day - you can see them on the P&C Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/YerongaSSPandC/.

In honour of their upcoming wedding, at the YSS Trivia Night the week before YOSHC Committee Chair, Simon Lake, presented Charlee and Jordan with an arrangement of flowers on behalf of the YOSHC Committee and P&C community.

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 date in Term 4 is 18 October. Children should be continuing to train to maintain their skills and teamwork.

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.

Boys Junior T-ball/softball

Our second gala day was another ripper for the Yeronga junior boys T-ball/softball team.

They began with a fun warm up round of baseball 5 with the wonderful team from Baseball Australia and went into their first game of the day feeling confident and ready. This was followed by a solid win and a spectacular triple play, which is a rare move of team co-ordination, where our fielders took out three players from the batting team in one swift catch and then two quick throws.

Even the high school refs were impressed!

The next two games were softball, with some great pitching efforts from our boys and great hits without the stability of the T.

Every player was committed and confident and kept great spirits and sportsmanship throughout the day despite the soaring temperatures. Our boys were undefeated in every game. Well done everyone!

Softball Boys A

The boys backed up their ‘3 wins no losses’ on Day #1 with another ‘3 wins and no loss’ record on Day #2 at Runcorn. The boys defeated Stretton College, Warrigal Road and Sunnybank Hills State School.

On a very warm day, the team just kept on scoring and putting pressure on the opposition. Alec once again pitched extremely well, while Amin, Aidan, Josh and Harry all played great defence. Lewis, Jarvis and Campbell took care of the catching duties for the day and hit the ball well too! Sebastian and Hamish each pulled off a great outfield catch, robbing the opposition of potential big hits!

The boys are now sitting alone at the Top of The Table with one round robin game left to be played on Oct. 18, then the Finals will begin.

Well done to all members of this talented group!!

Softball Boys B

The Boys Senior B Softball Team fought hard to secure two wins from three games on a hot day at Runcorn for Gala Day 2. It was a great all-round effort with Timo, Benjamin, Owais and Rohan among our top scorers, while pitching duties were shared between Daniel, Benjamin and Rohan. The Bs came out swinging to out-score Algester in the first game featuring some clean-hitting from Benjamin to get himself and two batters home. Stretton proved a more challenging proposition as we struggled to get bat on ball, but Daniel B kept them honest with some accurate pitching. The boys finished the day with a win, outscoring Warrigal B across four innings, holding their nerve to come from behind and keep the opposition scoreless in the final inning. Well done boys.

Gala Day 2 Touch Football

In hot and windy conditions the Touch Football players demonstrated good improvement across all teams. There were a number of tries scored off the back of great team play. Defensively, many of the teams showed a real calmness on their try line and managed to repel multiple attempts from the opposition. All players are to be congratulated on their behaviour and efforts last Friday. The teams achieved 13 wins, 4 losses and a draw.

Important Sporting Dates

Gala Day Three: 18 October

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

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

YSS Senior Swimming Carnival:  26 November

YSS Junior Swimming Carnival: 3 December

Cameron Bateman
Sports Teacher

Bridge Builders

Congratulations to our year 6 Bridge Builders who have completed a year of peer mediation, helping the students in the junior school resolve conflict at break time. Certificates honouring their service across the year have also been handed out at assembly this week. A special mention to Elyanna and Milly who achieved Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels within the program with 36 and 37 sessions completed respectively.

I have enjoyed once again facilitating the Bridge Builders program, and seeing the program become further embedded into the school with the way our kids relate to each other and resolve conflict. In reviewing the program with our year 6 leaders, they have told me some of the things that have been good:

• Helping kids find good solutions
• Helping the juniors and learning new skills
• Seeing how happy kids are once they’ve made up with their friends
• Feeling a big sense of accomplishment when I help to solve a conflict
• Preps trusting us more and arguing less
• Preps not relying on teachers as much and are becoming better at solving problems

A new group of year 5 leaders have now been trained to continue the program after the school holidays, and into 2020.

Back to School Assistance

The St Vincent de Paul Society is once again offering assistance to eligible parents of school students to help pay for basic back-to-school items needed in January 2020.  Eligible families are those with a parent with a CRN and is in receipt of Family Tax Benefit Part A.

The application and supporting paperwork must be received at Head Office from the local Vinnies Volunteers by 27 September 2019, so it is important to apply immediately. Please phone the Vinnies Helpline today on 1800VINNIES = 1800 846 643 or on 3010 1096 for a home visit from local Vinnies volunteers who will help you complete the application form.

Coming Up

26-27/10  Camp at School

19/11  Sub and drink Deal

Blessings,

Jennifer Bennett

jenniferb@chappy.org.au

Book Week

Each year, schools and public libraries across Australia spend a week celebrating books, authors and illustrators. This year was no different as Yeronga State School hosted authors Cameron Stelzer, Brian Falkner, Candice Lemon-Scott and Big Dream Performance. The week concluded with a spectacular Book Character Parade for Prep to Year 2 students.  Teachers who attended the author sessions all reported that students returned to class eager to start writing their own stories. Thank you to all who supported the events of Book Week.

Congratulation to the following students

Jamila 6M for winning the Book Week Mural Display. You can visit the library and see her wonderful work on display in the junior fiction section

Chloe 1BR for winning the Design a Stroogle Character Competition

Sofia 5/6W for winning the Book Week Writing Competition

Happy Reading,
Mrs Cowie and Mrs Hage 

Prep

Australian Curriculum Achievement Standard: Students describe the properties and behaviour of familiar objects.  Students share and reflect on observations, and ask and respond to questions about familiar objects.

After researching and investigating different types of movement and materials, students chose to build an object that moved.  The decided which concept of movement and materials they needed to explore further in order to create their object.  Here are some of their working designs.  

“The spoons rotate to push the water back so my boat moves forward.”  

“The air from the balloon is pushing my boat forward.”

“We found out if you turn the wings up and narrow the nose, the plane flies further.”

“If you face the other way, the wind will help to push the plane further.”

“We used a sling shot to give our planes a bigger push.”

“We folded the paper to make it stronger.”

“The car gets power from us when we push it.  We made the ramp steeper so the car would travel further.”

 Year 2

Australian Curriculum Achievement Standard:  Students describe changes to objects.  Students pose and respond to questions about their experiences and predict outcomes of investigations. They use informal measurements to make and compare observations.

We use ‘Split Screens’ to identify and talk about the learning in a lesson.  Here is an example of one from this Science inquiry.

Over the last two weeks, students have been researching how to make their own toy with moving parts.  They created toys using pendulums and levers as well as push or pull powered toys.  Here are some examples from Sam, Eve and Liam.

Year 4

Achievement Standard: Students apply the observable properties of materials to explain how objects and materials can be used.

Students in 4J have been exploring objects from home and school that are built for a purpose.  This week they explored a range of gloves.   They will use this analysis and research of materials to design their own piece of clothing or shelter.

Year 5

Achievement Standard:  Students describe the key features of our solar system.

Year 5 students have recently started a new inquiry into the solar system.  They started off by watching a 5 minute video clip put together by Mr Landbeck.  The video sparked wonderful curiosity and prior knowledge related to properties of planets, size and scale, space exploration and other life forms (amongst other ideas).  Students are now engaging in further exploration of some of these ideas and began by drawing what they think they know in a diagram.

Students will refine their thinking through research, identify how their ideas have changed and will have opportunities to delve deeper into other individual curiosities related to space science.

Have you heard about inquiry learning at Yeronga State School? 

The link below is a recorded discussion between Sofia, Ben and Madison from Year 5.  We discussed what inquiry learning means for us at Yeronga.  We would love to hear your feedback or questions.  Please take 10 minutes to listen and email you thoughts to Clare Triggell (Head of Curriculum for Inquiry) at cttri0@eq.edu.au

https://yerongass.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/890/1080p.mp3