Dear Families,

Communities around the globe celebrated International Women’s Day this past week. Whilst student recognition of the day was largely conducted within classrooms at Yeronga State School it did not go unmarked. Each year I wear IWD colours. A purple shirt (for justice and dignity) along with a sprig of green (for hope) to signify the day. I am aware I have had opportunities as a woman with my cultural background and country of birth that my sisters with different socio and/or cultural barriers are not afforded.  The statistics cannot be ignored;

87,000 women are killed every year just because they are women. Of those, 50,000 are killed by their male partners or family members – and those are only the deaths we know about

2.7 billion women are legally restricted from having the same choice of jobs as men

14% is the size of Australia’s gender pay gap

45 countries do not have specific laws against domestic violence

35% of women globally have experienced sexual or physical violence

Research shows that violence against women is much higher in countries where the economic, social and political rights of women are poorly protected. Violence is consistently worse in areas where power and resources are unequally distributed between men and women (for example by an under-representation of women in parliament and on corporate boards, a pay gap between men and women, and a gender gap in superannuation). Evidence also reveals that the 'constants' in predicting higher levels of violence against women relate to social structures and norms, as well as organisational practices that support gender inequality.

Concurrent to this year’s IWD celebrations came a national focus on the blight of sexual assault and the need to be educating, guiding and supporting our young people more to develop the skills of respectful relationships and consent. As you may be aware, the Minister for Education issued a statement on Wednesday 10 March, outlining the department’s commitment to examining whether existing education materials adequately address sexual consent and reporting in Queensland schools. Schools, in partnership with parents, family and communities play an important role in shaping students’ views on what constitutes a healthy, safe and respectful relationship. It is only by working together that the issue of consent and respect can be fully addressed.

Next week is an opportunity for us to reflect on what it means as the Yeronga State School community to examine how our actions create a sense of inclusiveness, respect and belonging for everyone. Harmony Week 15- 21 March celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. I am looking forward to engaging with students, families and staff throughout the week in the various celebrations planned.

If you are free, consider joining our Junior (9.30am) and/or Senior (1.50pm) special Harmony Day Assemblies. I hear YSS Harmony Day is amazing and I am so looking forward to my first one.

It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

Have a great week,

Eunice Webb

Principal

Regards,

Office

Running Club

Running club has commenced this term on Tuesdays, from 3:15 to 3:45 and Thursdays from 7:45 to 8:15. Mr Sutherland will hold his sessions on Fridays from 7:45 to 8:15. Remember that all of these sessions will occur on the main, or years 3-6, oval.

School Swimming

School swimming lessons have commenced for Year 1 to Year 6, at Yeronga Park Pool. A big thank you to Yeronga Park Pool for their cooperation in organising and teaching lessons to our Year One to Four students and for the use of the complex for our carnivals, free of charge, and our behaviour celebrations at a very friendly price.

Qld Swimming Trialist

Congratulations to Samantha C who has been selected for the Met West Regional Team to swim at the Qld State Trial at Chandler on the 24^th of February. Our other students who trialled for Met West were;  Jesse S, Angus W, Toby A, Oliver C, Liam M, Oliver W, Georgie B, Eadie B, Saskia A.

Senior Cross Country Day 17 March (Reserve Day: 22 March)

As we have a chance of hot, humid weather continuing we have decided to maintain extra safeguards for the impacts of heat.

As well as having drinking water on course we have scheduled a reserve day. This date is noted above. If we deem the heat predicted on the set date to make it unsafe for our students to run then we will move the cross country to our reserve day. Unfortunately we will not be able to make a decision until we are very close to the set date due to the fickleness of the weather. If our reserve day proves to be unsuitable then we will look at a selection trial involving only those wishing to attend the District Cross Country with our School Cross being delayed until the weather becomes more Autumnal. 

All children will be expected, unless medically unable, to participate in the Cross Country. The children who are 8 years old will run a smaller course inside the school grounds. The children who age from 9 to 12 years will be given the option of running a long course (outside the school grounds) or a short course (within the school grounds). Those who opt for the short course will be identified by a fluorescent vest they must wear. The difference between the course options is that the long course option allows children to qualify for the Yeronga State School team for the Eastern Taipans District Cross Country, to compete to be Age Champion and to more greatly help their sporting house’s total.

Please remember that the team for the Eastern Taipans District Cross Country will not be settled for a week or more after the Yeronga State School Cross Country as we may have a number of children absent on the day and our policy is to allow those either absent due to illness or higher representative honours the opportunity to be considered for a place in teams at a later date.

ORDER OF EVENTS FROM 9.00 am

1. Boys Born 2009
2. Girls Born 2009
3. Boys Born 2010
4. Girls Born 2010
5. Boys Born 2011
6. Girls Born 2011
7. Boys Born 2012
8. Girls Born 2012
9. Boys Born 2013
10. Girls Born 2013
    
    

Absence From Cross Country

If you know that you will be absent from the Cross Country day and are keen to have a time recorded please see Mr Bateman so that this may be done before the 10^th of March. If you are ill on the day you will need to collect a form from Mr Bateman to have a time recorded after the event to be considered for District Selection. We will be using the times of the top 8 in the 10, 11 and 12 year events for comparisons.

Cross Country Day Helpers

If you would like to volunteer time to help either as a check point attendant or a finish line official your help would be most appreciated. It is always great to have extra pairs of eyes and ears available. We have been blessed, for many years, with wonderful volunteers like Ruth Bennett. Thank you Ruth for so many great years of selfless service.

Representative Sport Dates Release (Important)

The trial dates for the remainder of term one and term two of 2021 are listed below.

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.

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. Thanks to all of those who purchased at Rebel over the break. We have a very useful amount for equipment.

Important Draft Sporting Dates Term 1, 2021

11/03/2021 – District Netball Trial

12/03/2021 – District Hockey

12/03/2021 – Gala Day 1 (10 – 12 years)

17/03/2021 – Yeronga State School Senior Cross Country

22/03/2021 – District Rugby League (Boys)

31/03/2021 – District Cross Country

28/04/2021 – District Boys Football

30/04/2021 – Gala Day 2

5/05/2021 – District Tennis

5/05/2021 – District Boys Football

5/05/2021 – District Girls Football

5/05/2021 – District Rugby

6/05/2021 – District Touch

6/05/2021 – District Softball

14/05/2021 – Gala Day 3

28/05/2021 – Gala Day Reserve Day

8/06/2021 – District Rugby League (Girls)

Cameron Bateman

Sports Teacher

Kalari Harmony Week Message

Do you know the history of Harmony Day? Harmony Day comes out of the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, first observed in 1979, in solidarity with all those people who have struggled against racism.

https://www.un.org/en/events/racialdiscriminationday/background.shtml

In Australia, Harmony Day is also about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone in our multicultural society. This includes a celebration of Indigenous heritage, culture and communities that have called these lands home for tens of thousands of years. So, Harmony Day is both a celebration of our diversity and a reminder to fight for justice and equality for all.

This year YSS harmony day celebrations coincide with National Close the Gap Day (19 March 2021).

YSS Indigenous acknowledgement

An acknowledgement is made at the beginning of a meeting of people to demonstrate respect to the land you are gathering on and respect for the Traditional Owners as the caretakers of that land. An acknowledgement can be made by anyone – Indigenous or non-Indigenous. YSS has developed its own acknowledgement in consultation with Indigenous students and the acknowledgement is made at the beginning of school meetings, assemblies and other events. This great poster of the YSS acknowledgment with art work by YSS Indigenous students is also on display in each classroom – have you spotted it?!

Yuggera word of the week:

International Women’s Day was 8 March!

Learn how to say ‘woman’ in Yuggera: ‘Dhungal’ (Dhun-gal).

What is Kalari?

Kalari means ‘message stick’ in Yuggera 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.

Meet our Green Team

This year’s Green Team is the biggest we’ve ever had.  It’s fantastic to see so many keen, enthusiastic and passionate environmental warriors making a difference around our school every day!  We have six teams this year, the Waste Warrior litter pickers, Recycling Renegades, Nude Food Dudes, Green Thumbs, Carbon Crusaders and a Junior Green Team!  We look forward to seeing what we manage to achieve in 2021!

Recycling Hub

Thank you to all those people who have donated lids to the library recycling hub, but there are plenty of incorrect, dirty lids that are being left.  Please make sure you only bring the right ones (see the attached picture for accepted lids), make sure they are clean (washed in soapy water or dishwasher) and that they have the white inserts removed. Thank you!

The Recycling Hub also accepts batteries, phones, cords, e-waste, textas, ink cartridges and bread tags!

Cash 4 Cans

The money earned from the Cash 4 Cans recycling program is used on more sustainable initiatives throughout the school, so we’d appreciate your eligible containers in our big yellow and blue bins.  Please no rubbish, food waste, coffee cups or smoothie cups.  Just 10c eligible containers. Thanks!

Yours for the environment,

The Green Team

Year 6 Country Inquiry

This term the year 6s have been researching about Spanish Speaking countries. Their inquiry presentations were of a very high quality and we learned much about many countries. Students could choose what they wanted to research about, however, many taught us about the flag, location, population, climate, culture, traditions, history, famous landmarks and cities, travel tips, animals, plant life, sports, national dress, famous and infamous people among other things.

Some even looked into the forms of greeting each other and discovered that women in one country greet each other by shaking forearms instead of shaking hands. We even sampled scrumptious food and refreshing drinks and some dressed up for the part, looking like natives of the country. We may not be able to travel at present, however, the year 6 presentations kept us connected to other countries and through them we were able to experience the culture and are now more knowledgeable for when we may travel overseas again.

Below is a list of the twenty countries which have Spanish as their first language and the highlighted ones were those chosen by the students to do their inquiry.

Argentina                                                        Guatemala

Bolivia                                                            Honduras

Chile                                                              Mexico

Colombia                                                        Nicaragua

Costa Rica                                                      Panama

Cuba                                                              Paraguay

Dominican Republic                                          Peru

Ecuador                                                           Spain

El Salvador                                                      Uruguay

Equatorial Guinea                                             Venezuela

Other Countires where Spanish is commonly spoken are;

Andorra                                                                   The United States of America

Belize                                                                       Gibralta

Congratulations on a job very well done year 6. You should be proud of yourselves. Hopefully you will get to visit some of these countries one day and use the Spanish you have learned at Yeronga State School and beyond.

Señora Hegarty

Year 4 to 6 Spanish Teacher

2021_Y_Tour_Poster_3_.pdf

2021_Y_Tour_Poster_3 pdf 11.39 MB

2021_Enrolment_Interview_Sessions_Poster_3_.pdf

2021_Enrolment_Interview_Sessions_Poster_3 pdf 4.32 MB

HARMONY_DAY_ACTIVITIES_6_.pdf

HARMONY_DAY_ACTIVITIES_6 pdf 3.53 MB

Nia_Dance_Classes_Yeronga_Community_Centre.pdf

Nia_Dance_Classes_Yeronga_Community_Centre _pdf 153.94 KB

Love to Sing? Join Voices of Birralee for their Harmony Week Celebrations – 16-20 March 2021

Queensland’s Voices of Birralee is celebrating Harmony Week with a series of Open Rehearsals for their training choirs and Previews for their signature choirs. Harmony Week is about spreading the message of ‘everyone belongs’ and at Birralee this is achieved by learning music from different parts of the world – singing is a universal language and there are so many reasons to sing. Singing increases self-esteem, provides a sense of belonging, enhances memory and boosts overall mental and physical wellbeing.  Voices of Birralee nearly has a choir for everyone – their weekly programs cater from 5 to 35 years. Harmony Week is free to attend and pre-registration for COVID safety is preferred. Visit www.birralee.org for more information or call 3367 1001.