Dear Parents and Carers

We are very proud of the school and the great work that has been conducted over the past four years. This week we were reviewed. I have included some of the feedback at the end of my section.

Naplan Online

As children progress through their school years, it is very important that checks are made along the way to see how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and mathematics – skills that will set them upon the path to success as adults.

NAPLAN is a point-in-time assessment that allows parents to see how their child is progressing in literacy and numeracy against the national standard and compared with their peers throughout Australia. At the classroom level, NAPLAN provides additional information to support teachers’ professional judgement about student progress.

Federal, state and territory education ministers agreed to gradually transition NAPLAN online by 2022. NAPLAN Online is a tailored test that adapts to student responses, providing better assessment and more precise results.

 The school is preparing for this transition and is considering being part of a trial to test the school capability in an online forum.

Looking ahead

We are gradually getting back into a post-COVID routine. We are endeavoring to accommodate activities and events that were scheduled in Term 2 and during later stages of lockdown. In terms of incursions and excursions, we must ensure that any provider has a clear and relevant COVID-Safe Industry Plan. Not all events, camps and incursions can be accommodated due to unavailability of dates and restrictions that camps continue to manage. Please be assured that we are trying.

 I have included a message sent to schools, from the DG: While we are all working together to make sure that COVID-19 does not re-establish itself in Queensland, we also know that we must continue to be vigilant to the possibility of break-outs of the virus.

I want to assure you that the Executive Response Team and support teams throughout our department are keenly following the current developments across Australia, planning for contingencies, and ensuring that we have appropriate arrangements in place over the coming months to support our school staff and communities.

Staffing changes

Kate Paynter was offered an acting principal position in Sunnybank State School and has accepted it. I would like to congratulate Kate on this opportunity and the recognition of all the work and commitment to Yeronga SS. The position is short term and begins on Monday. Louise Vaggs will be stepping into Kate’s DP role. Louise acted in this role for the first few months of the year. Clare Triggell will step into the Head of Curriculum role.

Review update

Thank you to parents who received a phone call and spoke to the reviewers. These were randomly selected names from our system. The review was a great success and the school community should be very proud of all the work and the achievements.  Here are some of the initial successes:

·       Curiosity and Powerful Learning is embedded and everyone is invested in the framework. Under this framework, there is commitment to inquiry as a signature pedagogy.

·       The school offers many Professional Development opportunities to support the priorities and build capacity amongst the staff.

·       Student voice is pervasive in decisions made. The students value their teachers, recognise their hard work and compassion.

·       The curriculum is strong and aligned to the Australian Curriculum and has strong quality assurance processes in place.

·       Good transitions programs are in place supporting children entering school and moving to high school.

A couple of areas that could be the next step include:

·       Sharpen the focus of the improvement agenda by consolidating and narrowing – ‘less is more’

·       Track progress against regular checkpoints and targets ensuring that resources are achieving the goals set.

Michelle D’Netto

Welcome to an eventful couple of weeks at Yeronga State School, as we begin to return to some our ‘normal’ activities. In the coming weeks we look forward to our school photo days, preparations by Year Five for their “Hoodwinked” excursion to Pullenvale Environmental Education Centre, Parent Teacher Interviews and participation by some of our staff in a two day Inquiry Symposium.

YSS SCHOOL SONG

As a part of the preparations for our 150^th year the students of Yeronga will be stepping back in time to learn to sing the “Yeronga State School Song”. This song was written back in 1972 to celebrate the centenary of our school, which was actually held one year after the actual centenary. It was composed by Harry Brewer (words) and Ray Thomasson (music), who were both teachers at the school. Our current Music Teacher, Mrs Lauren Easey has produced a new recording of the song, which our students will all be learning in Music lessons in preparation for our celebrations next year. We also plan to bring this special song into our daily morning announcements, in order to recognise its significance. Please see the words below:

1. This is the tale that should be told

   Of a school that is a century old.

   Rich is its name in blue and gold,

   Yeronga’s the school for us!

   No matter the task that must be done

   We’ll seek no rest till the goal be won.

   ‘Service before Self’ by everyone

   Yeronga’s the school for us!

 

2. If we say these words at least once a day,

   The harder we’ll strive at work or play.

   What are the words that we should say?

   Yeronga’s the school for us!

   Whether we win or whether we lose,

   It’s how we play and the rules we use.

   Which is the school we’ll always choose?

   Yeronga’s the school for us!

 

3. As we prepare for the years ahead,

   To think for ourselves and not be led.

   We can only repeat what we have said-

   Yeronga’s the school for us!

   So if to ourselves we would be true,

   Proud of our name and our school’s name too-

   Yeronga’s the place for me and you!

   Yeronga’s the school for us!
   
   

STUDENT COUNCIL- CLASSROOM MAEKOVER CHALLENGE

The Student Council Representatives recently ran a ‘Classroom Makeover Challenge’ where they challenged classes across the school to select a part of their classroom and work together to create a more inviting and inspiring learning area. The motivation for the classes was a prize of a gift voucher, which could be spent by the class in their classroom.  One of the criteria was to ensure that there was not a cost involved and recycled materials were used.There was a flurry of excitement across the school as many classes participated and produced some extremely thoughtful and inventive classroom improvements. The Student Council went through a voting process by looking at ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures of the classroom makeovers. Congratulations to the following classes, who were selected as winners:

• 5/6W
• 2M
• 5HT

100 DAYS OF PREP

It was lovely to see the Prep teachers and children celebrate their 100 days of learning recently.  They were very excited to dress as centenarians. They discussed all things 100 and made some lovely artwork that is displayed in the office foyer.

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

Religious Instruction will begin again in Week 4 of this term.  An invoice for the Connect books (the religious instruction resource) will be coming home shortly.  Please see the Religious Instruction educators and days they will be attending below:

Religion 2020 Timetable

Year Level	RI Teacher	Date and Time
Year 1	Roseanne Waia	Tuesday 2:30pm 1T, 1W, 1C Thursday 2:30pm 1P, 1FM
Year 2	Bec Dorah	Tuesday 11:45 – 12:15 2M & 2BH Tuesday 2:15 – 2:45 2R, 2P & 2W
Year 3	Margaret Ingham	Thursday 9 – 9:30 3D & 3L 9:30 – 10 3N & 3IW
Year 4	Margaret Ingham	Thursday 10:30-11:00 - 4C and 4J Thursday 11:45-12:15 - 4H and 4K
Year 5	Anna Duncan	Monday Monday 1:50 - 5C and 5L Monday 2:25 - 5HT, 4/5M, 5/6W
Year 6	Emilia Campbell	Thursday 9-9:30, 10-10:30

ACTIVE SCHOOL TRAVEL

The Active School Travel team will be meeting this coming Monday morning to discuss how we can move forward with AST in the current climate.  Under the current COVID-19 climate we will be asking that children only come to the stamping station on the Wednesday mornings once we begin. Please keep an eye out for SchoolZine updates as to when the AST campaign will start again.

Kate Paynter and Tracy Freeman

Deputy Principals

School Photos 

School Photos begin Week 5 on Monday 10th & Tuesday 11th August.

If your student/s are involved with photos on Tuesday, please ensure your student has a formal uniform to change into for the photos. 

Sibling photos will be taken from 7.30am both mornings. 

Parent Teacher Interveiws

Interviews will be held via phone in Week 5 & 6 of this term. The sessions will be between the dates of the 10 August – 21 August 2020.

The sessions are now available to book via this link. Click HERE

For step by step instructions on how to book a session please follow the information below:

Parent Booking Guide:  https://yerongass.schoolzineplus.com/sk-booking-guide

Bookings will close on the 5 August 2020 (Wednesday).  

Year 6 Camp

Dear Parents

The year 6 Camp letter has been emailed home to all families. Invoices will be sent home very shortly. 

Students will be bringing home a medical form and a list of what to pack. Both forms are also included in the email. 

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to speak with your student's teacher. 

Office

Athletics Trial Information

Congratulations to Evans

As can be seen below Evans have outscored all other houses, in almost every event to claim the inter-house Athletics for 2020. What a great performance.

Inter-House Participation Scores 

Running Club

Running club has re-commence this term, Mondays and Tuesdays 3:15 – 3:45,  but only students whose parents can collect or deliver them, in person or through YOSHC, should attend. This condition is necessary to ensure the safety of the children. Mr Sutherland will re-commence his sessions also this week. They are held on Friday mornings from 7:45 to 8:15.

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.

Gala Days Semester Two

The Sunnybank Sporting Cluster will be holding interschool Gala Days this semester. There have been several modifications to venues and sports.  The Gala Days will also follow the guidelines provided by Education Queensland and the Queensland Government in regards to COVID 19. Unfortunately, one of the key guidelines at the moment is no spectators will be allowed to attend due the limit of 500 people at a venue.

Gala Day 1 - Friday 28 August

Gala Day 2 - Friday 11 September

Gala Day 3 - Friday 23 October

Back up date – Friday 30 October

The following sports have been offered by the Sunnybank Sporting Cluster to the students who are eligible (students must be born in 2010, 2009, 2008 or 2007).

Softball/Teeball : Boys and Girls (Venue: Indians Baseball Club, Wakerley Park. 65 Dew St, Runcorn)

Netball: Girls (Venue: Macgregor Netball courts, Granadilla St, Macgregor)

Touch Football: (Venue: Runcorn State High School)

AFL: Boys and Girls (Venue:  Griffith University, Nathan Playing Fields (Entry via Kessels Road)

We have already taken an expression of interest from the students and will hold training sessions on Friday afternoons (2pm – 3pm).

Due to the large number of students participating our Touch Footballers will train on the Souths Seniors Rugby Union lower field in Yeronga Park. AFL players will need to wear a mouth guard for training and games.

Important Sporting Dates 2020 

– Regional Hockey TBA

– Regional Basketball TBA

-District Boys Cricket TBA

- District Girls Cricket TBA

-YSS Ball Games 15 September (Reserve Day 17 September)

Cameron Bateman

Sports Teacher

Cyber Safety

It has come to our attention that many of our students are using TikTok. This a form of social media is designed for users thirteen years and over.

“TikTok is intended for users age 13 and over. Please do not allow a child under the age of 13 to use the app. If you learn that your child under the age of 13 has registered for a TikTok account, you may alert us at privacy@tiktok.com. We will promptly take appropriate action. For more on appropriate use, please see our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines.” (https://support.tiktok.com/en/privacy-safety/for-parents-default)

It considered high risk as users can be contacted directly, there are limited controls of content, which has a strict 12+ rating.

Here is a link to the eSafety website where you can research a variety of apps and see if their use is appropriate for your child. In order to determine the safety features of an app or website the department uses certain guidelines. A key guideline is if users can be contacted through chat. Many children have been known to be groomed through innocuous websites or apps because strangers have free access through chat. We avoid any app or website that has this feature. Unfortunately, many of the popular websites or apps have chat as a feature. It is important that we take necessary steps to protect our child so that we do not inadvertently give strangers access to our children. 

Book Club

Happy Reading,
Mrs Cowie and Mrs Hage 

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC IN 2021

It’s the time of year where we begin the recruitment process for students to join the Yeronga State School Instrumental Music Program. All current year 2 students are eligible to join the Strings Program with Mrs Tamsyn Eastgate in 2021 and current year 3 students are eligible to join the Band Program with Mrs Robyn Rosewarne and Mr Alex Grodecki in 2021.

Every year 2 and 3 student will soon be sitting an aural aptitude test in classroom music time. The results of this test along with each student’s classroom music and general classroom results (both achievement and effort) will be considered in the selection process. Keep your eyes on the newsletter over the next few weeks to hear more about this process.

CHOIR

It has been so pleasing to see our wonderful choirs rehearsing again. Currently our ensembles need to rehearse in an area that allows us to abide by the 4m2 per person rule. This means that choir is rehearsing in the hall during first break for the foreseeable future. Therefore, students need to remember to come to the hall after eating time on their required day:

Senior Choir – Tuesdays at 11:15am

Junior Choir – Fridays at 11:15am 

It has been so pleasing to see our dedicated students give up their lunch times in order to attend choir once again and sing some new and exciting repertoire. Keep up the hard work everyone! Due to the lack of performance opportunities this year, we will hopefully have some recordings of each choir performing for you to listen to soon.

Yours in Music, 

Lauren Easey.
 

STRINGS

Coronavirus has had a significant effect on the instrumental music program this year with many concerts, workshops and competitions needing to be cancelled. However, all bands and string ensembles are now back up and rehearsing in term 3. The current restrictions mean that most rehearsals have been moved to lunchbreaks in the hall as there is more space to spread out. It’s been very encouraging for instrumental teachers to see that throughout all the disruption parents have continued to support their children with home practice.  

To maximise the time available in lunchbreak rehearsals the Junior Stradivari string ensemble has been rehearsing without setting up music stands- so this term the students have been taking on the additional challenge of learning their ensemble music off-by-heart.  

The Chamber Strings ensemble for the most advanced strings players has been making good use of the additional time that has been funded with rehearsals running for 1 hour each week this year. This has meant the group has been able to learn about twice as much repertoire as in previous years. This has included classical music, wedding music and movie themes. You can listen to the Chamber Strings performance of Canon in D by Pachelbel by following this link: https://soundcloud.com/user-59122544/chamber-strings-canon-in-d.
 

Mrs Tamsyn Eastgate