Dear Families

Next week is an important week for our Year 3 and 5 students as they sit the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests. These tests are a point in time test delivered under controlled conditions. The test format and test conditions are designed to provide a valid comparison of where your child’s literacy and numeracy knowledge sits in relation to their same age peers across the nation. The reports generated from the test provide useful but not comprehensive information about your child’s ability. At school we also administer a range of standardised (usually age normed) assessment. This alongside your child’s demonstration of what they know and can do in the unit based assessment tasks used for end of semester A-E reports, form an overall picture of their skills, aptitudes and abilities. The NAPLAN tests are important, however only a snapshot of your child’s ability. It is important they are regarded in context of the entirety of information that makes up your child’s learning profile. In order for the students to perform at their best on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week, please ensure they have a good night’s sleep, a nutritious breakfast and gentle encouragement to their best.

On behalf of our school community I extend a thank you to Councillor Nicole Johnston for the ‘Go Slow for Sam’ sign on Park Rd. This visible reminder along with our ‘fence people’, is an additional reminder to slow down and be mindful of our driver behaviours to protect our children. The Active School Travel program, also a Brisbane City Council initiative, encourages all students who are able, to walk or ride to school. One thing I love about our community is the extensive green spaces surrounding the school, the wide streets, bikeways and road crossings supported by ample traffic lights and pedestrian overpasses. This is a strength of our neighbourhood. Whilst the STOP DROP and GO can be very busy, for a school of close to 800 students, demonstrates the vast majority of our families take the slow option of walking or riding to school. This is wonderful.

In a couple of weeks’ time, we will come together as an entire community for the Yeronga Biennial Fete. I am very much looking forward to the welcome to country and performance by our Kalari Kids dance group. Several of our first nation’s families have been working tirelessly behind the scenes with the children. This will be a most spiritually uplifting and significant opening to the Fete and the 150^th celebration of our school. All students are preparing performance items including our instrumental music students. I encourage each and every one to set aside the date, bring your neighbours, and family. It is sure to be a wonderful event.

Finally, I would love to see you at our school assemblies. Please know you are always welcome to join us. They are held each alternate fortnight on a Thursday afternoon. If you are not sure when your child’s attends assembly, please check with your child’s teacher.

Have a great week.

Eunice Webb

Principal

STUDENT RESOURCE SCHEME FOR MUSIC

Student’s in Junior and Senior Choir would have received the Music SRS invoice of $5.00 last week. This will be used to buy sheet music for performances.

SCHOOL PHOTOS

School Photos will be happening next week (Week 4) in the school hall. Students must wear Formal Uniform – No senior Shirts.

Photo envelops were sent home at the end of last term before the lockdown. If you have not received it yet please check with your class teacher. If the form has been lost please come to the office for a replacement.

Please note - If you are paying by cash it must be placed in the photo envelop and will only be accepted on the photo days, not before. Change will not be given so we recommend enclosing the exact amount needed. 

Below is a list of when each grade will be having their photos. Sibling photos will be taken on both Monday and Tuesday from 7:30am each morning.

Monday 10 May – Prep, Year 3 & Year 5, 6HW & 4M & Captain and Student Council Group Photos

Tuesday 11 May – Year 1, Year 2, Year 6, Year 4

TUCKSHOP CAR PARK – CLOSED TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS

Due to the Dental Building renovation works that have started the entrance via the tuckshop school carpark has now been closed to students and parents for the whole year or while construction is still underway.

Safety is our first priority and these renovations will mean many cars, trucks and delivery vehicles will be coming in and out of the tuckshop car park.

To keep everyone safe we ask that all families avoid this carpark and enter the school grounds from School Road or via the main gate near the pedestrian crossing.

FREE PARENTING SEMINAR

HELP YOUR CHILD HANDLE UPS AND DOWNS, INCLUDING ONLINE

We all do our best to supervise our children’s online activities, but this Triple P – Positive Parenting Program seminar offers tips on how to develop your child’s ability to cope with problems, now and in the future, in real-life and online. The seminar is fun and friendly and only 90 minutes long, it’s FREE, and it’ll help kids AND parents take the drama out of family life (including screen time), and deal with issues calmly and more confidently.

REGISTER NOW: Search for a Triple P session in your area called “Raising Resilient Children (focus on Cyberbullying) Seminar”.

The session will be held on the 8^th June 2021 from 6pm – 7.30pm in the school hall.

Regards,

Office

Welcome Back 

This term is busy in all areas of the curriculum and is the busiest of the year for PE and Sport. Please peruse the dates below as there are many important events.

Running Club 

Running club will continue 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.

District Cross Country 

Congratulations to our District Cross Country representatives who overcame sodden conditions and a field of 100 competitors to finish in the top 6. The District Representatives who will now go on to regionals are; Georgie B, Violet C, Finn C, Leo C, Nicholas P, Finn S, Matthew T, Aggie W & Martha W. Special congratulations to Aggie W who won her event. All of our other runners competed with distinction as well. They were Saskia A, Edward B, Archie C, Emeline C, Nadia C, Hudson C, Eliza D, Jack G, Neve H, Ainsley H, Callum H, Sam H, Phoebe H, Bobby J-S, Hudson M, Andrew M, Sophia P, Hana P, Arabella R, William R, Sebastian S, Ivy V, Piper V, Dash W and Angus W. It was a very special experience watching all of our runners finish fatigued, but satisfied with their efforts. They were fantastic.

Yeronga State School Athletics Trials 

The term two PE and sport focus is athletics. As part of our process the year 3 to 6 students will be involved in athletics trials to find those who will compete in field event finals on championship day and push for district selection as well. Please remember that although 8 year old students will compete in the athletics trials this year they will not be involved in championship (field event) day, only running events on race day. The rotations are contained in the table below. 

Representative Sport Dates Release (Important) 

The trial dates for 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 2, 2021 

13/05/2021 - Yeronga State School Athletics Trial (Years 4 – 6) 

14/05/2021 – Gala Day 2 

17/05/2021 - Yeronga State School Athletics Trial (Years 4 – 6) 

28/05/2021 – Gala Day 3 

31/05/2021 - Yeronga State School Athletics Trial (Years 4 – 6) 

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

11/06/2021 – 8am Yeronga SS 9 to 12 Years 1500m 

14/06/2021 – Athletics Championship Day (Yrs 4-6) (Reserve day: 21/06/2021) 

15/06/2021 – Athletics Race Day (Yrs 3-6) (Reserve day: 22/06/2021) 

17/06/2021 – Junior (Prep to Year 3) Athletics (Reserve day: 24/06/2021) 

25/06/2021 – Yeronga State School Senior Cross Country (9-11) 

25/06/2021 - Yeronga State School Junior (Prep to Year Two) Cross Country (11:45 – 1:15)

Cameron Bateman

Sports Teacher

Soccer Boys Senior and Junior A Teams Gala Day 1

Last Friday the A Soccer teams headed out to Runcorn High School to play 3 games of soccer each. After the disappointment of having the first Gala Day washed out, the boys were super excited to finally have the opportunity to play against other schools. Both teams had a great day winning all of their games. For many of the boys it was their first time playing on a full field. The Junior Boys team were extremely dominant and rarely let the opposition cross the half way line. They also demonstrated some brilliant attacking plays and scored a number of goals from good teamwork. The Senior Boys had to work extremely hard in two of the three games. The final half of the day produced one of the greatest and most exciting comebacks in Yeronga’s 150 year history. Trailing 4-1 with 15 minutes to go the Senior Boys managed to find the net 4 times to win 5-4 on the final whistle. All players are to be congratulated on the sportsmanship and teamwork they demonstrated on the day.

Results:

Junior Girls Tee ball

Congratulations and well done to the Tee ball teams on their successful entry to Gala Day sport. Both teams played well and the experience of competition certainly improved their fielding skills. Despite a rain interrupted 2nd game, both teams had success. Yeronga 1 had 3 wins and 1 draw whilst Yeronga 2 had 3 wins and 1 loss. Most improved players in confidence and game skills were Arabella C and Layla F. Fierce batting from Helena and Isabel C, and super catching from Charli and Erin added to Yeronga's success. A final congratulations goes to Julia who subbed in for the Y6 softball team at last minute notice. Great job, girls!

Senior Girls Softball

It was with much excitement and chatter that our senior softball girls headed off to their first gala day of 2021. Congratulations to both senior softball teams for their efforts on the day.   

Senior Pink ended the day with a clean sweep, winning all their games.  The combination of fast pitching, big sloggers and some amazing fielding meant convincing wins for the girls.   

Senior Green had one draw and two loses. The girls never gave up and it was incredibly pleasing to see a huge improvement in their batting and fielding skills.  We came away realising that we need to focus on our pitching to improve our overall game.  

Special mention to Julia from 4H who stepped up from tee-ball and did an amazing job filling in a slot in one of our senior teams. 

In true Yeronga fashion, the girls showed great sportsmanship and it was an excellent day. 

Bring on gala day two.

FETE UPDATE

Food trucks, stalls, bar, rides, entertainment, music, activities, pre-loved items, cakes, books, merchandise, raffles, trivia, comps, fireworks and more - it's all on offer at 2021 YSS Fete on Saturday, 22 May! The program is confirmed and FUN will be the order of the day!!!

 

With just 2 weeks to go until the Fete preparations are well and truly hotting up! A massive thank you to the Fete Committee volunteers who are working hard to make this special event in our 150th year a true celebration of our school and community.

 

One of our greatest needs is for all parents and carers to please sign up as volunteers to spread the load. It is such a great way to connect with fellow parents and community members and past volunteers have overwhelmingly said that volunteering at the fete was really fun! Please book your spot on a Fete stall here: https://signup.com/go/dxjNQMR.

 

 

Stall volunteers - please let us know when you'd like to help

We have an amazing community and one of the things that makes YSS so special is the connections created through volunteering. If everyone donates just an hour of their time to help on a stall on Fete day we'll have all the shifts covered several times over. Please - for the wellbeing of our team of Fete Committee volunteers - can you sign up early and not leave it until the last minute. The fete runs on volunteers, without your help, it just can’t happen! If you haven’t done so already – please sign up here: https://signup.com/go/dxjNQMR



CLASS	STALL	CLASS	STALL
P1	BBQ	3D	BBQ
P2	CENT AUCTION*	3I	BAR
P3	BBQ	3J	SNOWCONES
P4	MERCH	3W	PICK A NUMBER
P5	PLANTS	4H	CAKE
1C	PRE-LOVED CLOTHES	4L	POPCORN
1FM	GAMES*	4M	HOT CHIPS
1LS	DUNK	4N	FACE PAINT
1M	PRE-LOVED BOOKS AND TOYS	5B	PRE-LOVED BOOKS AND TOYS
1O	CANVAS ART	5C	HOT CHIPS
2BH	PRE-LOVED CLOTHES	5L	BAR
2C	ICE CREAM	5TW	COFFEE
2L	PRE-LOVED CLOTHES	6HW	HOT CHIPS
2P	CRAZY HAIR	6K	GLOWSTICKS
2W	ICE TEA	6M	SUSHI+RICE PAPER ROLLS
3C	FLOSS	6Q	RAFFLE

Performance Times

To help you choose your volunteer times, here is where your students will be throughout the day:

11:20	Principal's welcome
11:25am	Band
	Strings
	Choir
12:15pm	Prep
12:30pm	Grade 1
12:45pm	Grade 2
1:00pm	Grade 3
1:15pm	Grade 4
1:30pm	Grade 5
1:45pm	Grade 6

Fete Raffle

There are amazing prizes on offer for this year's bumper Fete Raffle - grab your tickets today and please share with family and friends. It's super easy to 'be in it to win it' - head to www.raffletix.com.au/?ref=pedff to buy your tickets, and please share with family and friends too.

Here are just some of the amazing prizes on offer:

• Kingfisher Bay Resort Fraser Island Accommodation Package (RRP: $2,700.00) - 5 nights in a 2 bedroom Spa Villa 
• Maytronics Pool Robot (RRP: $1,500.00) - Experience superior pool cleaning with this advanced new robot.
• Back to Basics Movement - 6 Level Course (RRP: $997.00) from Your Space Pilates
• OZtrail - Camp Kit (RRP: $755.00) - OZtrail Fast Frame 6 person tent, 2 RV sport chairs for the parents and 2 camping chairs for the kids
• Village Roadshow Theme Parks - 4 x Local's One Passes (RRP: $670.00)
• Plus soooo much more!!

www.raffletix.com.au/?ref=pedff

 

Ride Armbands

The best value fun around! For just $30 at early bird rates, our Fete ride passes (wrist bands) provide unlimited rides all day. Head to www.flexischools.com.au to buy your passes - under 'Payments' and '2021 Fete'. The early bird special ends soon! 

 

Junior Art Canvases

Each Fete the Prep to Grade 2 students each produce a lovely canvas keepsake. These can be pre-purchased on www.flexischools.com.au (2021 Fete under Payments) to make collection on Fete day easy.

Pre-loved donations

Thank you everyone for your wonderful pre-loved donations. Donations will close THIS Saturday 8 May! Please see the sorting day info below for details (no need to worry if you only have time to drop your donations and run, promise you won't be pressured to sort!).
 

Sorting day - THIS Saturday 8 May

The second hand stalls are a massive draw card for our Fete and lure lots of extra patrons from outside our community seeking the bargains on offer. It's a big job to get all of the wonderful donations sorted to display on Fete day.

From 9.00–11.00am, this Saturday, 8 May, a team of volunteers will meet at the shipping container on the school oval to organise the donated goods. They would love your help! Please sign up at https://signup.com/go/ygVXNHF to let the team know you'd like to come along to help.

As an added bonus, you are welcome to purchase any items you like at the time - be among the first to see the amazing array of items on offer. It’s a bit of fun and a great chance for first dibs! We will also accept donations at this time too.  Please let the Stall Leaders know you can help by signing up at the link above. If you find yourself with some time on Saturday you're also welcome to just show up too.

Juliet Brooks

0417177199

150^th Anniversary and Fete Coordinator

Yeronga State School – Celebrating 150 years in 2021

Kalari Mothers Day Message 

Mothers’ Day is celebrated in Australia this Sunday 9 May.  

Learn how to say ‘mother’ in Yuggera: ‘Budang’ (Boo-dung)! 

This year we have a special story about Neveah’s (one of our year three students) nan or ‘Gami’, Aunty Ollie. Gami is a Darumbal woman and is fourth generation from Neveah. You can learn more about Darumbal country in the Central Queensland area here https://darumbal.com.au/darumbal-country/.

The below story was written by photographer Trent White and, along with the photographs, are provided with his permission and that of Aunty Ollie. See more of Trent’s work with traditional owners here:  https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057039177178. 

‘Introducing Nan/Aunty Ollie (Gami), Elder & Darumbal Woman. It's a absolute privilege to photograph her, being one of the guibiri (eldest) left in the clan group she holds an immense amount of knowledge.

I asked her when is the last time you've been painted up, and she said when she was 12-15yrs of age in Woorabinda, Central Queensland, which is some 60yrs ago now - that's a life time ago 60yrs! She also mentioned that at that time she was not allowed to speak her language as it was forbidden and you would be punished.

She's magara wanmala dhagula (painted in traditional white clay) from nunthi (country). She also shared her knowledge on how to apply it to old people (protocol) I also asked her about dance you'll notice picture No 2 the way she's holding her hand she's depicting the Mundaghutta dance (rainbow serpent) creator.  

Pictures taken near Tunuba (Fitzroy river) garrgal swamp area)’  

Credit Trent White, photographer. 

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.

CLASSROOM MUSIC

If you are curious about what your child is currently working on in classroom music, look no further: 

PREP – creating and performing musical patterns using body percussion and un-tuned percussion instruments; singing songs individually and with others.

YEAR 1 – writing and talking about people they know who make/perform music, why they do this and, using music specific vocabulary, discussing what this music sounds like; singing call and response songs.

YEAR 2 – reading from the treble staff to sing and perform on tuned percussion instruments, phrases of story songs (students have this music on their iPads if they wish to practise this repertoire at home).

YEAR 3 – creating 2-part rhythmic accompaniments to perform in time with the song ‘Tommy Was a Soldier’.

YEAR 4 – creating and writing on the treble staff, a short waltz in ¾ time that can be performed on the recorder.

YEAR 5 – creating a new melody for the celebration song ‘Happy Birthday’ using either the C Pentatonic, F Major or, A Natural Minor Scales.

YEAR 6 – performing (singing and playing an accompaniment) in groups, two folk songs from different countries ensuring each performance is confident, fluent and contains expressive elements like dynamics.
 

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES 

Recently a number of extra-curricular opportunities were created to allow the numerous musicians/performing artists within our school to gain some extra performing experience. These are: 

1. Student ‘background music’ musicians who will perform before assembly in the hall as classes are entering 
2. Yeronga’s Got Talent entrants (this is open to all performing artists, not just musicians). 

Students who wish to perform before assembly will need to audition before being added to a roster of performers and so they will need to see Mrs Easey for an Expression of Interest form first to obtain an audition date.

Yeronga’s Got Talent will be held on the evening of 30 July before Chappy’s Movie Night. Students who are interested in entering should see Mrs Easey for an Audition Nomination Form.

CHOIR 

This year, the Junior and Senior Choirs are combining to perform as one massed choir at the Fete. The combined choir is scheduled to perform in the 11:25 – 12:15 slot after the Band and Strings. Therefore, all choir students will need to meet in the Music Room at 11:45am for a quick warm up before we move to our performance space on the Senior Oval.

To present as one unified group, all choir members (along with band and strings performers) will be required to wear their full formal uniform. Note that students will have time after their performance to change into any applicable outfits for their year level dances. Furthermore, choir students may also wish to wear one or more of the following when they sing ‘Gary Galah’:

• A bowtie 
• Sunglasses 
• A cowboy hat 

• Braces/suspenders 
• A velvet cloak

At the conclusion of the performance, all students will need to be collected by a parent or guardian. Students will not be permitted to leave the performance space on their own.

ANZAC DAY 

Thank you to the Senior Band members who performed with the Yeronga State High Band at the Stephen’s RSL Sub-Branch ANZAC Day Memorial Service on ANZAC Day. The community gave many words of praise for not only your playing but for your dedication too. Well done especially to Evie L for your excellent performance of The Last Post and the Rouse/Reveille.

MUSIC EXAMS 

I have been hearing through the grapevine that a number of Yeronga students have sat or are preparing to sit external music exams (through the AMEB/ABRSM/Trinity College etc.) Parents/guardians, please email me at leeas0@eq.edu.au to let me know about these milestones so that I can share/publish your child’s success in the school newsletter.

Lauren Easey

Music Teacher