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The term is half way through and it is proving to be very busy. It is important for us as educators to keep at the forefront of our thinking, the main game. It is easy to get distracted by events and schedules. Teaching and learning is our core business. Well done to students who come to school every day and demonstrate all the learner assets. I am also impressed with those students who might have reflected and know what their next step is in their learning journey. Student voice was clear when the reviewers visited the school.
Thank you to parents and carers and teachers who connected via phone for the parent teacher interviews. Clear lines of communication about student progress in learning and wellbeing is important.
This partnership between home and school extends to many aspects of the community. I would like to thank Sue, Jeremy and the volunteers who plan to give up some of their time on the weekend to participate in the working bee and paint some more of the Gingerbread fence people. Yeronga fence line is known far and wide.
Quadrennial School Review
With the conclusion of the school review, begins the work around developing the next four-year plan. The process will begin with the receipt of the review report, community consultation and school data analysis. The school has requested the facilitation of the process by an outside consultant with school leadership experience. We are currently finalising the process and timelines but the graphic organiser is a snapshot of what has been considered. Parents will receive a request to complete a survey before the end of the term. A random selection of parents will then be invited to join the forum. The final report and plan will be ratified by the P&C.
COVID-19 update
In the interest of clarity, the following reminders and actions that all of us should prioritise, have been circulated to all families:
- Students who are unwell must remain at home. If at school, parents will be asked to collect the sick child.
- Adults and children who are unwell must not come into the school grounds.
- Parents are respectfully asked to assist the school in maintaining ‘social distancing’ measures by dropping off and picking up students outside of the school classroom buildings and dropping off outside the school grounds. The following locations have been set aside as morning drop off points (at 8.45am) and afternoon pick up points. Parents are asked to drop off/collect students and then leave the school grounds immediately.
Prep- outside Prep classrooms (Parents are asked to stay at the bottom of the Prep classroom steps and not come up on to the verandas or into the classrooms. Prep Teachers will stand at the door of their classroom and provide access to students at 8.45am. Students only will be asked to step up on to the veranda with their bags. No sign in processes by parents will be required. Parents are asked to wait away from the Prep stairs at the end of the school day and children will be sent down when a parent is sighted.
Yr 1- on artificial grass beside the Year One building (Parents are asked to not come up the stairs into the Year One building or into the classrooms. Year One Teachers will stand at the bottom of the Year One building at 8.45am. Students only will be asked to move inside with their bags.
Yr 2 - outside of buildings/ bottom of stairs- own classrooms
Yr 3- bottom of stairs- own classrooms
Yr 4- bottom of stairs- own classrooms
Yr 5- outside of buildings/ bottom of stairs- own classrooms
Yr 6- bottom of stairs- own classrooms
- No parents or carers should be on verandas or in buildings.
- At 3.15pm parents will be asked to leave the premises.
- No children should be on the playground equipment before and after school.
- Parent-teacher meetings will be conducted by phone. Any face-to-face case meetings where necessary, will be under COVID-safe conditions with 1.5 m social distancing.
- All parent volunteers and visitors must come and sign in at the office and complete a COVID safe survey.
- Parents and carers who have children at before or after school activities must also drop/pick up-and-go. At all times social distancing must be observed.
- The school will continue with cleaning protocols.
- We will continue to monitor guidelines around music, sport, library and sharing spaces.
- Make sure that your child can log into OneNote from home.
Michelle D’Netto
Dear Parents, Students and Families
We are entering a very busy period of the school year with parent-teacher phone interviews and a number of incursions and excursions taking place. Due to COVID regulations many of these events are modified and we really appreciate the cooperation and spirit of our community as we keep moving forward, whilst remaining safe and healthy.
Parent Teacher Interviews – Week 5 and 6
Our phone interviews will be conducted by phone (similar to last time) at a time booked in by parents over the coming weeks. Please make a note of the time in your diary and expect a call from your child’s teacher.
NOIIE Symposium
On Monday and Tuesday (10-11 August) many of our staff attended the NOIIE (Network of Inquiry and Indigenous Education) along with our partner schools in Curiosity and Powerful Learning. This has been vital in helping us to maintain professional partnerships and focus on what really matters at our school – students being literate, numerate and curious and feeling a sense of connection and community.
Many of our partners (including Kath Murdoch) spoke about the importance of curiosity and inquiry in Australian schools around the following key messages:
- The mindsets of leaders and how they drive improvement in schools
- The Cultural Markers of an Inquiry School
- Inquiry Schools and Remote Learning: Inquiry to Foster Resilience and Solve Problems
Additionally, staff at Griffin opened their classroom doors for teacher instructional rounds, allowing visiting staff to observe teaching practice, reflect on inquiry strategies and share ideas to enhance learning.
Staff Meeting – Focus On Using Technology To Collaborate
Last week at our staff meeting, teachers were involved in using OneNote as a tool to help us work collaboratively. Clare Triggell, our Inquiry HOC prepared a number of quotes and videos to view and asked teachers and year level groups to respond to these using OneNote. This was powerful in that it allowed us to:
- Practice our problem solving skills when using OneNote
- See other people’s responses in “real time” and collaborate with them
- Work with people who were not physically in the room
Over the coming weeks, year levels will be working with their classes to keep our OneNote skills current. Some year levels are using it for simple questions, others for blogs or bookclubs. We want to maintain and build on the skills we have built using OneNote in 2020.
Active School Travel
Active School Travel has started back up this Wednesday. It will look a little bit different due to COVID-19. The junior school will now have their passports stamped in class on Wednesdays when they actively travel to school. The prizes will be given out to classes and children by the AST captains. The collection of data will occur each Wednesday for the remainder of the term. Please ensure you get your active on!!
Prep Information Session
Please note that information regarding the Prep information session will be coming out shortly – you will be required to book in for the session and it will be one parent per family due to COVID restrictions. The date is set for 31 August!
Tracy Freeman and Louise Vaggs
Deputy Principals
Year 6 - Queensland Muesum Excursion
Year 6 students will be visiting Queensland Museum on Monday. They must be in Formal Uniform (No Senior Shirts)
Students will be travelling by train. Permission and Payment are required for your student to attend. Invoices were emailed home by rbenn127@eq.edu.au.
Permission must be handed into the teacher.
Students need to bring morning tea, lunch, water bottle in a paper or plastic bag (No Backpacks).
Year 5 - Hoodwinked Excursion
Year 5 students will be attending Hoodwinked next week. Payment and permission were due in last Friday.
Excursion Dates:
5L: Monday 17 August
5M/W: Tuesday 18 August
5HT: Wednesday 19 August
5C: Thursday 20 August
Your child will need:
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Closed in walking shoes (please note that shoes may get wet) JOGGERS/ SCHOOL SHOES
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Suitable bush walking clothes (long pants are STRONGLY recommended - tracksuit pants, jeans)
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Weather - appropriate clothing (e.g. jumper or raincoat)
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Hat – NO CAPS
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Sunscreen and insect repellent applied at home
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Lunch and afternoon tea (food and containers could reflect the era of the story e.g. homemade products wrapped in tea towels and/or carried in a basket)
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Plenty of water to drink (please no poppers or soft drinks)
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A simple, practical costume to support their historical role (please make sure it can be changed into easily during the afternoon tea break)
Student's require Payment and Permission to attend the excursion. Please complete these as soon as possible.
Invoices were sent from rbenn127@eq.edu.au.
Permission links below:
5HT – Aaron Hartin & Kate Thomas
Prep Toohey Forest Excursion
Excursion Dates:
Prep 3 and Prep 4 Monday 24 August
Prep 1 and Prep 5 Tuesday 25 August
Prep 2 Thursday 27 August
Payment and permission was due on Thursday 7 August.
If you have not yet given permission please click on the blue links below to provide online permission for your student.
Permission Links:
Prep 1 Amanda Harland & Julie Nolan
Prep 4 Sharon Prestridge & Christine Pollock
Full payment and permission are required for your student to attend. Invoices have been send out by rbenn127@eq.edu.au.
Year 5 - Big Bang - Incursion
Year 5 students will attending Big Bang Physical Education Sciences program in Week 7.
Dates:
24 August 2020 – 5C & 5HT
31 August 2020 – 5M, 5W & 5L
The cost of the workshop is $8.80, invoices have been emailed home via rbenn127@eq.edu.au.
Payment was due today (Thursday 13 August).
Once payment has been made your student will be able to attend.
Life Education Session
The Life Education Team and Harold the Giraffe will be visiting Yeronga State School from Wednesday 12 to Monday 24 August.
Due date for payment and permission is Wednesday 12 August. Invoices were emailed from rbenn127@eq.edu.au.
Due to the nature of this incursion, permission is also required.
Permission Links:
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Year 6 Camp
The year 6 Camp letter and invoice has been emailed home to all families.
Medical forms were sent home last week, please return these to the class teacher as soon as possible.
Permission & Payment - Due Tomorrow 14 August 2020
If you have not yet given permission please do so by clicking on the links below:
6M – Kate Middleton-Pol 6A – Alex McShane 6Q – John Quirk
Students must have permission and the invoice paid in full to attend.
Do you have a credit to use?
If you have a credit on your students account and would like to use it to pay an invoices please email admin@yerongass.eq.edu.au we will organise to have this credit applied to your invoice.
Credit's are not automatically applied to outstanding invoices.
For auditing purposes the school must receive written permission from parents to use a credit.
ICAS - Testing Dates
Students that have ordered the 2020 International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) will be completing their test over the next few weeks. Please see below the dates and times the tests will be held.
The dates for the competitions are listed below.
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Subject |
Year Level |
Sitting Dates |
Time of Test |
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Science |
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Year 3 & 4 |
17 August 2020 (Monday) |
8.00am – 8.45am |
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Year 2 & 6 |
18 August 2020 (Tuesday) |
8.00am – 8.45am |
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Year 5 |
21 August 2020 (Friday) |
8.00am – 8.45am |
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Maths & Spelling |
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Year 2 & 3 |
31 August 2020 (Monday) |
8.00am – 8.45am |
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Year 4 & 5 |
1 September (Tuesday) |
8.00am – 8.45am |
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Year 6 |
2 September (Wednesday) |
8.00am – 8.45am |
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Digital Technology & English |
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Year 2 & 3 |
7 September 2020 (Monday) |
8.00am – 8.45am |
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Year 4 & 5 |
8 September 2020 (Tuesday) |
8.00am – 8.45am |
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Year 6 |
9 September 2020 (Wednesday) |
8.00am – 8.45am |
All tests will be held at the Resource Centre (Library). Please arrive at the Library by 7:45am to be ready to begin at 8am.
Students in Year 2- 4 that are included in the BYOD program will be completing their test on their device. Students that don’t have a device will be provided one at school.
Office
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.
Representative Sport Dates Release (Important)
As part of the “road map” out of COVID representative sport dates have now been released. Please do look below if you or your child is interested in any of the sports listed.
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
– Regional Hockey 10 September 2020
– Regional Basketball 8 September 2020
-District Boys Cricket 14 September 2020
- District Girls Cricket 17 September 2020
-YSS Ball Games 15 September (Reserve Day 17 September)
Cameron Bateman
Sports Teacher
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples – 9 August
In this newsletter, Kalari invites everyone to think about Indigenous people all over the world. Last Sunday, August 9, was the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. This day is celebrated around the world and marks the date of the inaugural session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations at the United Nations in 1982.
This year’s theme is ‘COVID-19 and Indigenous Peoples’ Resilience’ and asks us to think about the many ways that Indigenous peoples continue to demonstrate resilience and strength in the face of the pandemic while confronting threats to their survival. This year the UN is considering how the preservation and promotion of Indigenous peoples’ traditional knowledge and practices can be used and promoted more fully during this pandemic.
Yugara word for this week
Buran (Boo-ran), meaning ‘wind’.
As the August winds blow around us, we thought it would be good to learn the Yugara word for wind!
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.
Education Perfect and MLTAQ State Languages Speech Contest 2020
We have exciting news from the Spanish Department. Despite not being able to run the Brisbane Multi Language Speech Contest at Griffith University this year, we are pleased to announce that there is an online contest!
Students in Years 4 to 6 can try out in Week 7. Please come and collect a speech from the Senior Spanish room if you do not already have one. We can only choose the best 4 students from each year level so please work hard and come along on your designated trial day. We will let you know via the morning announcements in week 7 and each year level will be on a different day. Thank you to the many students who have already collected a speech. Your enthusiasm is much appreciated.
Background speakers may also participate so please come and ask the Spanish teachers for information about the year level and languages available as there are 9 languages in the contest this year which is exciting! If one of your parents is from one of the 9 designated languages then you may enter as a background speaker.
It is a great experience participating in a language contest so step out of your comfort zone and give it a go. Entries must be videoed and uploaded by 3pm on Friday, September 11. If you are one of the 4 chosen in your year level then you must remember to wear your school uniform and learn your speech off by heart. We look forward to seeing you at the trails in Week 7. Ludwig Wittgenstein once said, “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.”
Looking after our whole community
Senior’s Week is coming up soon from 15-23 August, and is a great time for the seniors to enjoy a program dedicated just to them. It also gives the rest of us opportunity to acknowledge them and to show our appreciation for the contribution that they have made to our community and families. In thinking about the grandparents at our school, there are many that take on great responsibility to help their families, and even some becoming quite involved here at school. I personally applaud their dedication and effort to contribute and support their loved ones.
At this time, many of the elderly are isolated and shut in because of the pandemic, So if you know any seniors in your neighbourhood or community of friends, it would be great to reach out to them with a phone call, drop off a card, check if they are doing okay, and leave a word of encouragement. Many times being kind and showing you care is just about sitting and listening. To help your children engage and have conversation with the elderly, you could help them think of some questions they could ask, they could do a drawing, make some cookies, gather some flowers, or help do a job around their house. This opportunity for connection might help your children to develop their empathy towards others, be curious beyond their own world, and think differently beyond their usual way of learning.
"The best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person" - Andy Rooney
Shout out for Uniforms
If you have any old uniforms at home that are too small or no longer needed, please consider donating them to my supply as stock is currently very low. These spare uniforms are accessed regularly by the office staff for children who have an accident at school, are wearing the wrong uniform, or can’t afford new items. They can be dropped off to my office or to school reception. Alternatively, you may want to donate to my welfare program that is used to buy new uniforms, underwear, books, and school lunches for students in need.
Sub and Drink Deal
The next date for our special lunch is Tuesday 1 September, (after changing from the 25 August). The other change is the forms need to be submitted by 9am on Friday 28 August to allow more time for processing of the large volume of orders. Thank you for supporting the ongoing fundraising needs for the Chaplaincy program.
Blessings,
Chappy Jenny
Facebook and Instagram – Community Chaplain
NEW CASH 4 CANS RECYCLING BINS
Library Recycling Hub
P&C meeting: Tuesday, 18 August
The next P&C meeting is at 7pm next Tuesday 18 August. A videoconferencing link will also be sent to members with the meeting agenda. We look forward to seeing you there. If you haven't already signed up as a P&C member, it's not too late - you are welcome to join via our online membership form: www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020ysspandcmembership.
2020 Father's Day stall: Call for donations
The P&C is excited to have approval to run our annual Father's Day stall for our community (a safe and socially distanced version that will look slightly different from the photo from the 2019 stall below). This special activity will be held on Thursday, 3 September - it is like a big 'lucky dip' that brings joy to children and adults alike when our children select a gift for their significant adult.
Families who are able are invited to please donate a gift to the stall of approximately $5 value, or $5 towards a gift for each child you have at YSS. Ideal gifts are ones that can be wiped clean prior to children selecting them. On the day, children are asked to each bring a donation of $3 for their choice of gift.
We understand this is a challenging year for many in our community and would like to assure you that every child will be given the opportunity to select a gift from the stall for their significant adult (even if they don't have $3 on the day).
If you have the capacity to do so and would like to support others in our community, we invite you to please donate more than one gift per YSS child in your family to help ensure there are enough gifts for every child. To donate $5 in lieu of a gift, please pop this in an envelope with your child's name and class into a P&C payment box (Grade 1 building, or Admin building), or to a YOSHC Coordinator (a P&C volunteer will go shopping on your behalf). Should you prefer to do so, you are also welcome to make an online donation here (www.bit.ly/yssdonations).
Please contact stall coordinator, Kristen, at kristenmjennings@gmail.com with any questions.
Working bee invitation: 'Gingerbread fence people' preparation, 15 August
YSS school parents Sue and Jeremy Tape invite parents and carers to a fun painting working bee this Saturday, 15 August, from 12:00pm.
With the dates set for our Prep to Grade 4 children to paint their own 'fence people' there is still some work to be done preparing the timber cutouts with undercoat ready for our children to add their creative touches.
Please sign up for the working bee here: https://signup.com/go/ZZhRHTH. The address (in Yeerongpilly) will be provided when you sign up.
'Gingerbread fence people' painting: Seeking volunteer helpers for kids'
There's still time and several volunteer spots for you to sign up to help children in Prep to Grade 4 create their own 'gingerbread fence people' to add to the wonderful array decorating our school. The schedule for when each grade will paint is (grade 4's painted their fence people on Wednesday, 12 August):
- Week 6 - Friday 21 August - Year 3
- Week 7 - Monday 24 August - Year 2
- Week 8 - Monday 31 August - Year 1
- Week 9 - Tuesday 8 September - Prep
- Week 10 - Thursday 17 September - Year 6 Leaders.
Volunteer shifts are available across five separate days of painting between Friday, 21 August, and Thursday, 17 September - there are 3 painting shifts per day. Parents and carers are warmly invited to help teachers supervise our children to bring their visions to life with paint. Three volunteers are needed for each time slot. To see the available volunteer spots, and sign up, head to www.signup.com/go/bubxRfV:
- Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
- Sign up!
- When your volunteer time comes, please wear old clothes, BYO apron and check in at the school office when you arrive to volunteer.
Thank you for your support!
Casual and multi-week bookings available for extracurricular RISE Active Kids Program
The new RISE Active Kids Program on Monday afternoons on the tennis courts is open for casual and multi-week bookings. The program offers lots of fun and variety and has been created in response to calls from our community for more extracurricular sporting opportunities:
Active Kids Program (starts Monday, 3 August)
www.rise.com.au/rise-active-kids-program/
- Mondays 3:15-5:15pm
- $26.50 permanent bookings or $30 casual
- Venue: Tennis courts
- Experience play and functional movement through a variety of different sports and activities, games and fun. There will also be a supervised chill space and undercover areas for anyone who wants to rest. Afternoon tea will be provided for all children.
Please book directly with RISE Yeronga using the web at www.rise.com.au/rise-active-kids-program/. For specific queries contact Georgia Hansen (Head Coach Yeronga) on 0412 633 322 or georgia@rise.com.au.
To see the full list of extracurricular activities available at YSS head to: http://yerongasspandc.org.au/index.php/extracurricular/
Tuckshop seeking volunteers: Can you help?
The P&C's Tuckshop team, Stacey and Yvonne, have warmly welcomed volunteers back into the Tuckshop in term 3. Volunteers play a huge part in the successful running of our Tuckshop and in ensuring the menu items are as affordable as possible for families.
There are a number of 2-hour volunteering spots still available during the term. Shifts are from 9.00-11.00am each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of school term. No experience is needed – if you can make a sandwich or cut up fruit, this is the volunteer opportunity for you! It's also fun and a great way to meet and get to know fellow school parents.
To volunteer please email Stacey and Yvonne at yerongasstuckshop@gmail.com.
Extracurricular guitar lessons available
Children keen to learn how to play guitar are in luck, as P&C extracurricular guitar teacher Rowan Russell has lesson openings from 4:30pm on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Rowan is currently completing a degree in classical guitar at the Queensland Conservatorium (Griffith University) and has a lifelong experience with guitar.
To book in your children please contact Rowan directly:
- Phone: 0433 799 379
- Email: rowan_russell@hotmail.com
- Lesson venue: Library (Resource Centre, computer room)
Hamish Townsend and Kym Mansfield
Yeronga State School P&C Co-Presidents
ysspandcpresident@gmail.com
NOTICEBOARD