On Monday 25 May, all students returned to school. This was a celebration on many levels: living in a safe environment, being resilient during a global pandemic, learning from home, learning at school, technology used as a tool to connect like never before, upskilling, managing drastic change and building on our determination and creativity to create new pathways.

Students at Yeronga have reflected with their teachers and shared their individual experiences during this time. They have also fallen back into the routines seamlessly and it has been a pleasure to observe the respectful and calm behaviour of all the students. Getting back ‘school fitness’ took a few days but we are confident that it is business as usual in terms of learning. Thank you to parents and families for the part you have played during this time. We do not underestimate the impact that you have had in your child’s formal education during the learning@home phase of lockdown.

Despite the fact that all students are back at school, we are still observing guidelines around controlling the virus. Hygiene practices are paramount for the students. Teachers continue with routines around hand washing and sanitising. For the adults, social distancing is important. Please consider the safety of our workforce and observe the social distancing practices that have been put in place at the school. We respectfully request that pick-up and drop-offs are quick and that adults not linger in the school grounds or go into the buildings.

Our school review

Our school is scheduled for a review in Week 3 of Term 3- 27/28/29 July. The Department of Education regularly reviews the teaching and learning practices of Queensland state schools. The reviews are conducted by the department’s School Improvement Unit. The reviews do not rate or compare schools, but provide us with independent feedback so we can continue to improve learning outcomes for students. The information that they gather and the recommendations made, will assist the school develop the next quadrennial plan.

All schools have a review at least once every four years. Key findings from the review will be made available to parents and the community on our school website. The review team like to hear from the school community and I encourage anyone who is interested to have their say. Your feedback is important and will help us continue to deliver a great education for students. Feedback can be provided to the review team by phone or in person. All feedback remains confidential. Please contact the school office closer to the date if you are interested in speaking to a reviewer.

More information about the review process is available from the department’s website at www.schoolreviews.eq.edu.au.

"Primary Schools – Essential to our Economy" 

It’s been said that: “No other investment yields as great a return as the investment in education”. Research certainly confirms that education is one of the clearest indicators of life outcomes including employment opportunities, income and social status, and also a strong predictor of physical and mental wellbeing. In every sense, education is one of the fundamental drivers of a vibrant community and a thriving economy.

Our state primary schools support the development and creativity of young learners through innovative and differentiated approaches designed to ensure all students have access to education at their level of need. This work provides the foundation of all future learning. We provide a safe, supportive environment that nurtures the development of students intellectually, physically, artistically and emotionally.

The current health crisis has also highlighted the extent to which parents depend on schools as they go about their working lives and the role schools play as hubs of community support and resilience.

So as you pass by our school this week, we hope you will reflect on the vital role state primary schools play in keeping our economy humming but also in working alongside our community to prepare our children to be active contributors to our collective future.

Michelle D’Netto

We have been thrilled to see our students and staff all back together again (in the flesh). We were also excited to lead our first ‘virtual’ staff meeting on Wednesday, with the YSS Teachers enthusiastically participating via Microsoft Teams.

15OTH CELEBRATIONS

Be a part of the YSS 150th Commemorative Book-   all current and past students, parents, teachers, and others who have been involved with Yeronga State School at any time are invited to contribute written pieces sharing your memories of your time at the school, for a special commemorative book to be published for the 150th year in 2021. Please email contributions and questions to Carla Walker at history@yerongass150.com. The deadline is Friday 4 September.

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK

Over the last week, we have been recognising National Reconciliation Week throughout the classrooms of Yeronga State School. National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. 2020 also marks the twentieth anniversary of the reconciliation walks of 2000, when people came together to walk on bridges and roads across the nation to show their support for a more reconciled Australia. As always, we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and Australians now benefit from the efforts and contributions of people committed to reconciliation in the past. At YSS we work together to further that national journey towards a fully reconciled country. The theme for this year is ‘In this together’.

SCHOOL UNIFORM REMINDER

Is your child wearing the correct uniform/ shoes for school?

Our school prides itself on our student dress code. After many weeks of our students wearing casual clothing while learning from home, we wish to remind parents of uniform expectations and request your cooperation in preparing your child for school by ensuring that they are meeting the school uniform expectations.

Please note the following important information:

- Closed black shoes such as sports shoes or leather school shoes are to be worn with the formal dress uniform. Black or white joggers are the preferred colour of joggers for the sports uniform. Laces must match the shoe colour.

- Navy school jumpers and navy track pants are the winter school uniform.

-Students’ hair is to be neatly presented and tied back if longer than shoulder length, using blue or gold hair accessories for formal uniforms and the appropriate sports colour for the sports uniform.  Coloured hair is not appropriate for school.

-In cold weather children may wear plain blue or white skivvies or shirts under their uniform and girls can wear navy blue tights or full length leggings. Some children choose to wear singlets or t-shirts under their uniforms for extra warmth. These must be navy blue or white in colour and are not to be visible.

-The only acceptable jewellery items to be worn at school are watches and one set of sleepers or studs worn in the ear only. This ruling is for safety reasons particularly during sporting and physical activities

ECDP CAR PARK

A reminder to YSS parents to ensure that you do not to park in the Yeerongpilly Early Childhood Developmental Program (ECDP) car park. This car park is located below the Yeronga State School Prep classrooms. Access to this car park is only for families of students who attend the ECDP program. We have families with very young children who are deaf and hard of hearing, so it is important we have the car spaces available for our ECDP families, close to the ECDP building entrance. Restricted car parking signs have been put on the gates to remind people. Thank you for being considerate of these guidelines and supporting our ECDP families.

REPORT CARDS

Yeronga State School’s Assessment and Reporting will be adjusted to reflect the modified nature of learning during Semester One, 2020. The Education Queensland requirements for academic reporting have been revised and Yeronga State School has made the decision to report on the following areas: English, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Music and Spanish. 

The ratings given are indicative of student progress against the achievement standards outlined in the Australian Curriculum. These are based on anecdotal evidence, teacher judgement and assessment completed in class. Reports for students in Prep will not include effort ratings or achievement ratings for Science and Spanish.

An overview of the content covered during Term One for English, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Music and Spanish will be provided within the report card. The report card will not reference attendance for Semester One. Effort and behaviour ratings will be included in the report card for each individual learning area reported on. The overall behaviour rating will be accompanied with a comment.

Report Cards will be sent out to parents via email during the last week of Term Two.

FIRE EVACUATION AND LOCKDOWN PROCEDURES

Over the next two weeks our students and staff will take part in a practice for what to do in the event of a Fire Evacuation or a ‘Lockdown’. It is important that our students have a good understanding of the procedures, in the event of either of these occurrences.

The procedure for a Lockdown involves everyone in the school moving inside the school buildings to a secure position. The reason for the lockdown may be anything that could cause danger to someone out in the open e.g. severe storm, chemical hazard, threat from a person in the grounds.

Following these practices our teachers will provide a ‘debrief’ to the students in their classes, in order to share an understanding of the purpose of a fire evacuation and a lockdown and to reassure students about their safety while at school.

Stop, Drop and Go Zone

We have noted an increased use of the “Stop, Drop and Go” zone out the front of our school. Please ensure that you read the information below, to ensure the safety of our school community.

Here’s how the “Stop, Drop and Go” Zone works:

• Stop, drop and go zones are a safe place to be dropped off or picked up outside school.
• Signed as 2 minute loading zone and are enforceable by Council’s Local Law Officers
• They operate like a fast moving taxi rank picking up students from the front of the zone
• There is a two minute limit for stopping in the zone
• Two minutes gives kids time to get in or out of the car without holding up the traffic too much
• Ensure children exit and enter the vehicle from the footpath side permitted
  
  

In the afternoons:

• Delay your arrival until after release time. If you arrive early, do not park in the zone!
• Drive slowly to the head of the line
• Move forward as space becomes available
• Collect only at the head of the line
• Drivers are to stay in the car unless assisting with the loading of baggage and passengers
• Do not park for more than 2 minutes during signed hours of operation. If others don’t use the zone correctly, don’t follow their lead
• Ensure passengers have secured seatbelts before driving off
  
  

Driver Tips

• Allow time to get your child to the school gate safely and without rushing
• Only pick up or let someone out when you have stopped at the front of the queue
• Stay in the car unless you need to help with bags or seatbelts
• Do not park in the zone and walk away from your car
• If your passenger is not ready, drive around the block to re-join the queue or find a legal place to park
• Never double park to pick up children - it is illegal and dangerous. Double parking blocks the vision for other drivers, forces children into the road and obstructs the flow of traffic
• Never call out to your child from across the road
• Think about timing your trip to avoid the busiest times
• Always obey the school zone speed limit (generally 40km/h)
• Park only where parking is permitted
  
  

PLEASE NOTE: Parking and Traffic laws apply to ensure the safe and fair use of Queensland roads. If you park illegally you risk being fined.

STUDENT COUNCIL- FREE DRESS DAY

Our Student Council representatives are keen to hold a Free Dress Day. Students will be invited to come along in free dress and bring a gold coin donation to support the Student Council in their fundraising. It has been scheduled for Friday 19 June and the theme will be “Let’s Party” (in celebration of everyone being back at school)!

Take care of yourselves and your families.

Kate Paynter and Tracy Freeman

Deputy Principals

P&C keen to support our community

COVID-19 has forced many changes on us as individuals and as a community and the P&C is keen to help keep our community connected while we are not able to gather or volunteer on school grounds.

Please email yerongasspandc@gmail.com with your ideas for how we can help you and our community, eg socially distanced walks around Yeronga Park after school drop off. Is this something members of our community would like? Are there other ways we can help? The P&C is open to all ideas!

2021 Fete Committee – First planning meeting: Monday 8th June @ 7:00pm via zoom

It’s time to start planning another awesome Fete for the school community, and with the 150th Anniversary next year, the Fete will be a big part of the sesquicentennial celebrations. If you are interested in being a part of the Fete Committee and helping to create the magic of the fete, please send an email to yssfete@gmail.com to receive a link invitation to the zoom meeting (keeping in line with current COVID-19 social distancing restrictions).

Tuckshop update: Thank you YOSHC team and a new record

Tuckshop order records hit a new high last Friday, 29 May, with a massive 296 orders packed and delivered for students!

With volunteers not able to assist at this time due to COVID-19 restrictions, several YOSHC team members have stepped in to help Tuckshop Convenors Yvonne and Stacey to prepare and pack first and second break orders. Thank you Stacey and Yvonne, and the terrific YOSHC team for being such great sports and ensuring our children are able to be fed.

To all Tuckshop volunteers, Stacey and Yvonne are looking forward to your return, hopefully in the not-too-distant future. If you are interested in helping in the Tuckshop when volunteers are allowed back on campus, please email your interest to yerongasstuckshop@gmail.com.

Uniform Shop back OPEN

The Uniform Shop has re-opened at the following times:

• Monday 25th May - 8.30am - 9.30am
• Thursday 28th May - 2.30pm - 3.30pm

With all children back at school, all Flexischools orders are being delivered to children's classrooms (they will no longer be dropped to YOSHC for pickup).

Several COVID-19 checks and precautions are in place within the Uniform Shop, including:

• Social distancing markers on floor
• Hand sanitisers readily available
• Cleaning wipes to wipe down EFTPOS machine after every transaction
• Uniform shop is thoroughly cleaned regularly.

Stock update - Microfiber tracksuit pants are in stock now, and the microfiber jackets are due any day. There are plenty of regular school jumpers in stock in all sizes. Boys formal shirts are in stock in all sizes, and girls formal blouse and culottes are also due any day. For Uniform Shop inquiries please email yerongassuniformshop@gmail.com.

Outdoor extracurricular programs now running: RISE Tennis and Mr Sutherland's boot camp

While indoor extracurricular activities are on hold, we have received confirmation that RISE tennis lessons and Mr Sutherland's boot camps are now running because they are outdoors and strictly adhering to government social distancing measures. Please contact RISE for more information on their current program.

Mr Sutherland's boot camps currently have a maximum of 10 participants per session and run on the school oval at the following times (for contact information please go to the 'Boot camp' listing at http://yerongasspandc.org.au/index.php/extracurricular/):

• 5:30am – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
• 2:00pm – Monday and Thursday.
  
  

Online extracurricular art classes

While indoor extracurricular activities are not able to be offered at school for the time being, the P&C's extracurricular art teacher, Sophia Dias, is offering Online Art Classes starting 1 June, Monday to 10 July, Friday. This includes the rest of the Term 2 and Winter Holidays for 2 weeks.

All art supplies and materials will be packed with children's names on them and delivered to children's classrooms. To enrol in Term 2 and Spring Holiday Art classes visit www.kidsart.fun, or contact Sophia on 0422 539 568, or kidsartfun@gmail.com.   

Calling Yeronga State School alumni - sign up for 150th celebrations updates

With Yeronga State School celebrating its 150th Anniversary in 2021, the 150th Anniversary Committee is planning a diverse array of activities to mark this special milestone with current and former students, teachers, families and our community.

A new Yeronga State School 150th Anniversary Facebook page has been created to share plans for the 150th celebrations - please 'like' the page to stay in touch with the latest news and plans (the details of the planned events have already been uploaded!).

Many current parents are also former students (alumni) and the 150th Committee is keen to keen in touch with you. Please join the YSS alumni 150th mailing list here: https://yerongass.schoolzineplus.com/form/485.     

YSS 150th Commemorative Book deadline for contributions extended to Friday, 4 September: All current and past students, parents, teachers, and others who have been involved with Yeronga State School at any time are invited to contribute written pieces sharing your memories of your time at the school for a special commemorative book to be published for the 150th year. Please email contributions and questions to Carla Walker at history@yerongass150.com.

The 150th Committee is keen to connect with as many people as possible with current and past associations with our great school. Please pass on these details to any past members of staff, parent group or student body with whom you have contact and ask them to do the same.

Hamish Townsend and Kym Mansfield

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

Lost Property

Please remind your children to have a look in the lost property for any belongings they have misplaced before the term ends. 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 and YOSHC also has a lost property location in their office.

School Carparks

We have noticed over the last two weeks that parents have been using the staff carparks to drop off and pick up their children for late arrivals, picking up from first aid or signing out early.  This is a very concerning practice as the school has clear signage allowing staff only to enter the school parking areas. Please be aware that parents are not to use the staff carparks at any time. This area must be kept clear for Emergency vehicles and delivery trucks to the school as safety of our students is always a top priority for the school. 

Parking is available on Honour Av, School Rd, Park Rd and surrounding streets – checking the council signs. We ask for your help ensuring that all our students get to school and home again safely. Thank you for your assistance.

Street Parking

We would like to remind the community that there have been concerns that parents have been parking over driveways of surrounding residence. Parking over a driveway is illegal, we appreciate that parking can be difficult during busy times. Ensuring that we work together as a community by respecting road rules and respecting those who live around our school will provide a safer school environment and be a good example for our students.    

Have your details changed?

It is imperative that the office has up-to-date information for parents and emergency contacts.  Trying to find current phone numbers may lead to delays in students receiving medication or care that is needed.  Ideally one emergency contact should be a neighbour or family friend.  The office also issues important messages via email, as well as classroom notices, invoices and online permission forms.

Please take a moment to ensure your details are correct.  Parent email address and mobile number, and student address can be updated directly through QParents.  If you need to make any changes to or add an emergency contact, please email the office at admin@yerongass.eq.edu.au ensuring student name and class is included.

Mabo Day – 3 June

Yesterday was Mabo Day. Mabo Day commemorates Eddie Koiki Mabo and his decade-long effort to make the Australian Government recognise that his people owned Mer Island in the Torres Strait.

On 3 June, 1992, the High Court of Australian acknowledged that Mabo and his people had owned the land. This overturned the fiction of terra nullius (land belonging to no-one). Terra nullius was the European legal concept that Australia and the Torres Strait Islands were not owned by Indigenous peoples because they did not ‘use’ the land in ways Europeans believed constituted some kind of legal possession. This idea was used to give legitimacy for the British, and later colonial and Australian, governments to allow the dispossession of all Indigenous peoples of their land and access to it.

Unfortunately, Eddie Mabo died 5 months before the historic High Court decision.

Mabo Day has been celebrated on June 3 in Australia since 2002 as part of National Reconciliation Week. Mabo Day celebrates as a significant turning point in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ rights in Australia and is an important symbol of truth and justice in Australia.

Yugara word for this week

Grandfather: Yuguinpin (You-gwin-pin)

What is Kalari?

Kalari means ‘message stick’ in Yugara language and is name of the YSS Indigenous Working Group.

Kalari aims to increase the acknowledgement and celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history at YSS, through an inclusion of Indigenous perspectives and in line with the YSS school values.

Kalari is made up of Indigenous and non-Indigenous volunteer parents and anyone can join! For more information or to get involved about contact Aren Healy at mamaaren101@gmail.com.

Athletics Trial Information

Due to the current circumstances and rules affecting our community we will be unable to hold our Yeronga State School Athletics Carnival. However there is a strong chance, if the current progress in battling the COVID 19 pandemic is maintained, that the District Athletics Carnival will go ahead. Therefore we need a process which helps us identify students for districts without having large crowds.

At the moment we are carrying out a process that will allow us to collect distances and times for Athletic events for the children who would have participated in those events at our Yeronga State School Athletics Carnival. This process was developed primarily to identify students who would be eligible for District Athletics, if it is held, through meeting qualifying distances and times.  Only 2 students can be nominated for field events (Discus, Shot, Long Jump & High Jump) and 3 students for Track events (100m, 200m, 800m & 1500m).

The process for collecting these distances and times consists of putting year 4 to 6 students through athletic events in their weekly PE lessons. Remember that this is, at best, a virtual carnival as times and distances can be collected and, all being well, points for participation can be allocated, but the rules regarding social distancing and crowds do not allow for any parental spectators. It is regrettable, as we have a helpful and responsible parent body, but this is an extraordinary year.

Weekly Groupings and Events for Athletics Trials (Schedule may change due to weather)

Inter-House Participation Scores

Record Breaker

This week Willow H broke the 11 years Girls High Jump record. She took the mark from 1.19m to 1.22m. Well done Willow. Keep your eyes peeled as she has her eye on more records.

Running Club

Unfortunately running club will not re-commence this term due to the continued precautions around the COVID pandemic. We will advise the community next term when precautions ease further.

Rebel Sport Community Givebacks

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.

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 2020 (All upcoming events, for this term, cancelled. We will advise you of dates when events of this nature are permissible)

All representative sport cancelled until after June 30

– Gala Day Reserve Day (10 – 12 years) TBA

– YSS 1500m (Years 4 – 6) TBA

– District Softball TBA

– YSS Senior Athletics Day 1 TBA

– YSS Senior Athletics Day 2 TBA

– YSS Junior Athletics TBA

Cameron Bateman
Sports Teacher

Dear Parents

We have signed up to Clickview and would dearly like our students to be able to use it. Currently only 67 families have registered to be able to use it.  If you are one of the families who have signed up please contact me for your log in details. Clickview is a library of videos which can be used for educational purposes. For example, teachers can edit a video with text and be able to insert inquiry questions for all subject areas. There are educational videos that link directly to the Australian curriculum.  Currently we are able to show these to a whole class but would love to be able to use them in group situations so that we can differentiate the learning for individual students. In order to do this, we need the students to be able to log into their own account. For this reason, we need your permission to be able to register the students with their email address. There will initially be a generic password but your child can change this as long as they are able to remember their password. If you have not already registered, please click on this link in order to give permission. https://yerongass.schoolzineplus.com/form/515.

You can also search the database of videos looking for one to explain a concept for homework. This - is really useful for maths. However, there are also a library of 216 G-rated films, 221 PG- rated films and 759 TV series. Students and their families are able to watch these for free, through their school account.

Here is a quick example of the videos available.

Happy Reading,
Mrs Cowie and Mrs Hage