School Opinion Survey

Parents and Caregivers are invited to participate in this year’s School Opinion Survey and have a say about schooling during the COVID-19 lockdown.  You are also given the opportunity to provide feedback about our school more generally.

Participation in the survey is anonymous and you are encouraged to take this opportunity to have your say.  The survey form has been designed so that it can easily be completed on a computer or smartphone. The online survey will be available until Friday, 17 July 2020, and should take less than five minutes to complete.

To access the survey, please click on the link below or copy and paste it into your web browser:

Parent survey – https://survey.qed.qld.gov.au/form/Parents-HaveYourSay

Please contact the school if you have any questions about the survey.

Yesterday I was informed that my contract at Yeronga  will be extended to the end of Term 3. I am very pleased about this. This means that I can support the school through the review process in Term 3.

Michelle D’Netto

Over the previous two weeks, we have observed as our teachers have been highly engaged in year level planning and Inquiry planning, as teaching teams refine the curriculum and pedagogy for the students of Yeronga State School. This collaborative planning means that our students are engaging in quality learning opportunities. Teachers are also meeting within their TRIADS, to unpack providing quality Assessment for Learning (our current Curiosity and Powerful Learning Theory of Action), to be a key part of their daily practice.  The teaching teams in Year Two and Year Four are continuing to work closely with Dr Cam Brooks (University of Queensland) in this focus area. It is these collaborative empowerment opportunities for our teachers that allow us to achieve successful learning for our students.

SCHOOL CLEANERS’ DAY

Monday 15 June was School Cleaners' Day. We recognised and thanked the dedicated cleaners at Yeronga State School for their tireless efforts in keeping our school clean and safe. We particularly thank them for going above and beyond the 'call of duty' over the past few months. Thank you to the YSS cleaners- we appreciate all that you do!

BEHAVIOUR CELEBRATIONS – TERM TWO

Next week those children who have achieved an A, B or C rating for the term in regards to their behaviour standards will participate in the term’s behaviour celebrations. This will be a time for student across the year levels to be recognized for consistently meeting the Yeronga State School expectations of doing your best, being responsible, being respectful and being safe. Children who are not participating in the celebrations will be provided with alternative supervision. Class teachers will confirm beforehand if your child is not participating.

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.

SCHOOL UNIFORM REMINDER

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

Our school prides itself on our student dress code. 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 previous two weeks our students and staff have taken part in a practice for what to do in the event of a Fire Evacuation and 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 provided 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.

Take care of yourselves and your families.

FAREWELL AND BEST OF LUCK

Two of our staff members Luke Marchment (2M) and Jane Rodriguez-Cardenas (Snr Spanish) are both completing their contracts at the end of this Term. The Yeronga community thanks them for their efforts and wishes them all the best in their future endeavours. 

Kate Paynter and Tracy Freeman

Deputy Principals

NEW 2021 Fete Committee

A massive THANK YOU to our newly formed 2021 Fete Committee, ably led by Juliet Brooks as Fete Convenor!

It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces from the 2019 Fete Committee returning to support the planning and coordination of this special event for the school's 150th year. There were also some very welcome new faces at the Committee's first meeting on Monday, 8 June.

It's not too late to become part of the Fete Committee to help to create the magic of the Fete - please email Juliet at yssfete@gmail.com to find out how you can get involved. It's fun and rewarding!

Keep in touch with 2021 YSS Fete updates by liking and following the Fete Facebook page.

Seeking natural play items for Nature Play

YSS children love playing in nature and the senior school Nature Play area (pool side of the school campus) is also a popular play space for children attending YOSHC after school and during the holidays.

To help provide more variety of play in the senior Nature Play area, the YOSHC team is seeking donations of natural materials that help children to build, create and enjoy the space. Should you have any of the following you are willing and able to donate, please drop them to YOSHC any day of the school week (7:00am to 6:00pm):

• tree branches and large sticks
• wooden logs
• seed pods and pine cones
• other natural items from backyards that would make fun play items
• old tyres.
  
  

YOSHC Family Survey

With COVID-19 restrictions lifting and more parents and carers returning to work in the coming weeks and months, the YOSHC team asks all current families, and those considering enrolling their children in the service, to please complete the YOSHC Family Survey to enable the service to meet the changing needs of our community. 

The information you provide about your needs will allow YOSHC to make appropriate administration, staffing and programming adjustments to meet the needs of as many families as possible. To advise YOSHC of your care requirements, please complete the YOSHC Survey by COB Friday, 19 of June.

Additionally, the Australian Government has confirmed the Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package ('free childcare') will end on 12 July 2020 (at the conclusion of the June/July holiday vacation period). This means that from 13 July 2020 - the first day of term 3 - Child Care Subsidy (CCS), Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS), and YOSHC fees, will recommence. 

The YOSHC team wants to ensure that families are not financially disadvantaged, especially given the fact that the 'COVID-19 increased' 62 initial absence days per child will cease on 30 June 2020 and reduce back to 42 initial absence days in the 2020/21 financial year.

Following the survey, the YOSHC team will be in contact with any changes and direction on how the service will proceed. Survey link: https://forms.gle/8fRB3avcUKmUUh6u7 .

YOSHC June/July holiday care bookings open

Holiday Care bookings for the upcoming June/July holidays (Monday, 29 June to Friday 10 July) are now open through YOSHC. Bookings can be made here. 

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all Holiday Care days will be run on the YSS school campus by YOSHC staff. The team is working hard to offer a fun and creative program with a variety of activities through hiring equipment such as disco lights, smoke machines, giant backyard games and laser skirmish! The attached picture planner shows the daily themes and activities. For questions or more information please contact the YOSHC team or speak to their friendly staff in person.  

The Australian Government's 'free childcare' package will be in place for this holiday period, which means here will be no fees associated for June/July Holiday Care bookings. To secure places for your child/ren, please submit booking forms for all required days prior to COB on Wednesday, 24 June.

 

 

Uniform Shop: Can you please help?

The wait for microfiber tracksuit tops is almost over and (if all goes to plan) they will arrive in time for the start of term 3. Given the delay in the delivery (due to COVID-19) we anticipate there will be a rush on the Uniform Shop when these become available (our apologies to our community for this delay which was beyond our control).

The P&C would love to hear from anyone interested in volunteering in the Uniform Shop to support our wonderful Convenor, Yvonne Starr, in term 2, and into what we anticipate will be a busy term 3. Uniform Shop opening hours are:

• Monday 8.30am – 9.30am
• Thursday 2.30pm – 3.30pm.

Please email Yvonne and Sarah (P&C Operations Manager) at yerongasspc@gmail.com if you would like to help. They, the P&C, and our community will be most grateful!

Uniform Shop: Seeking pre-loved uniform items

The Uniform Shop is experiencing higher than usual demand for pre-loved winter uniform items and our pre-loved stock rack is running low. To support as many families as possible, the P&C is seeking donations from families who have uniform items their children have grown out of or no longer need. We'd love to help you find a bit more space in your drawers! :-)

ALL uniform and navy items (jumpers, shorts, skirts, skorts, trackpants, etc) are welcome. Any items that we are unable to sell in the Uniform Shop will be donated to a partner school to help provide warm winter clothing to families in need of assistance. 

Please help us support our community by dropping donated uniform items to the Uniform Shop (ground floor, F block) or to YOSHC. Thank you!

Tuckshop: Volunteers back in term 3!

We are excited to announce that the P&C has been given approval by the school for volunteers to assist in the Tuckshop and Uniform Shop. Tuckshop Convenors, Stacey and Yvonne, will be in touch with past volunteers to invite you to start volunteering again from the beginning of term 3. Everyone is welcome so please email Stacey and Yvonne at yerongasstuckshop@gmail.com to let them know if you would like to help in term 3.

A big THANK YOU to all volunteers, and our terrific YOSHC team who have stepped in to help while volunteers have not been able to assist due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Extracurricular activities: Piano and guitar lessons starting again

The P&C's extracurricular piano and guitar teachers have been approved to resume classes at YSS. To inquire about classes and availability please contact the teachers below. For parents of existing students, your teachers will most likely be in touch to make arrangements with you, but you are welcome to contact them to confirm lesson times and starting dates with them:

Piano

Contact: Rachael Ryan - 0459 705 943, rachaelemilyryan@gmail.com

Days and times:

Before and after school – Monday to Friday

7:00-8:45am, and 3:00-6:00pm

Venue: Old Music Room (C block), ground floor  

 

Guitar

Days:  Monday, Tuesday, Friday - Before and after school

Contact:  Kurt Lucas 0450 928 590, ku.lucas553@gmail.com

Days:  Wednesday and Thursday - Before and after school,

Contact: Rowan Russell, 0433 799 379, rowan_russell@hotmail.com

Venue: Library (Resource Centre, computer room)

Thank you to Local Schools Community Fund for Grade 1 playground shade

Just as term 2 was finishing early due to COVID-19, a fantastic new shade sail was constructed over the Grade 1 playground, thanks to the Australian Government's  Local Schools Community Fund.

The P&C worked with the school to apply for the $10,000 grant that funded the shade and we are thrilled that our children now have a much more comfortable place to play thanks to the new shade structure.

Yeronga State School was chosen to receive this grant by Graham Perrett MP and the Moreton Local Schools Community Advisory Committee. 

We thank the Australian Government, Graham Perrett and the Moreton Local Schools Community Advisory Committee for choosing our school to be a recipient of the grant for this much needed infrastructure.

Our YSS Grade 1 kids will be enjoying playing in their new shade!

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.

2021 Enrolments

The enrolment process has begun for 2021 and ask all current families who will have a new child starting next year, to complete an enrolment form ASAP. Enrolment forms are available here, our website or from the school office.

Once the enrolment form is completed, please deliver to the office together with a copy of Birth Certificate.  If you are aware of any families looking to start at Yeronga State School next year, please direct them to the office for further information.

Yugara word of the week:

Ear: Binung  (Bin-ung), to remind us of the importance of listening.

In the last few weeks, there have been numerous global protests against racism sparked by the death of George Floyd in the United States. In Australia, this has led us to deeply reflect on our own history and the ongoing injustices still faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly with Deaths in Custody.

We have seen marches in all Australian cities, including Brisbane, which have demonstrated that these issues are very real and ongoing concern in our communities. Although we are saddened by the events that lead to this, we embrace the opportunity understand our shared history and create change. We are hopeful that as more people understand Australia’s full history and race relations, Australia will take an important step towards true reconciliation.

We understand that conversations about racism and injustice can be confronting and uncomfortable for some, so we have included a useful resources on how to approach this issue with your family, friends and children:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-10/how-to-talk-to-your-children-about-racism-during-coronavirus/12216354?nw=0

If you want to know more about the continued injustice and structural racism faced by Indigenous Australians, some of these articles might be helpful:

https://theconversation.com/despite-432-indigenous-deaths-in-custody-since-1991-no-one-has-ever-been-convicted-racist-silence-and-complicity-are-to-blame-139873

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/audio/2020/jun/12/new-data-on-the-unfair-policing-of-indigenous-people

https://theconversation.com/was-there-slavery-in-australia-yes-it-shouldnt-even-be-up-for-debate-140544

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.

Districts Athletics Cancellation

We have, in the last week, had confirmation that the District Athletics Trial will not occur this year due to the gradual relaxation of the COVID 19 restrictions. We will continue to hold our virtual carnival and give our students the opportunity to set records. However do please read the Important Sporting Dates below for updated information on other sporting trials.

Athletics Trial Information

At the moment we are carrying out a process that will allow us to collect distances and times for Athletic events for our children. This process was developed primarily to identify students who would be eligible for District Athletics, through meeting qualifying distances and times, but also allows us to calculate house participation points. 

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 finals will not be held, but times and distances will be collected, points for participation will be allocated and records can be broken. Please remember that 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, Long Jump and 800m records. She took the High Jump mark from 1.19m to 1.22m, the Long Jump mark from 3.79m to 3.88m and the 800m mark from 2minutes 45.94 seconds to 2 minutes 40.66 seconds . Well done Willow. Keep your eyes peeled as she runs a very good 200m & 1500m as well.

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)

– Regional Hockey TBA

– District Softball 5 June

– Regional Basketball TBA

-District Boys Cricket 23 July

- District Girls Cricket 17 July

Cameron Bateman
Sports Teacher