School Arrival and Departure Times

A reminder about our before school expectations as per our school handbook.

All students should arrive at school AFTER 8:30 AM. Students arriving between 8:15 and 8:30am must sit under C Block and read or talk quietly with friends. Students will sit in this area until they are dismissed at 8:30am.

Students are then allowed to play quietly outside their classroom area until school begins. No students are to be dropped off in the Junior School prior to 8:30am as no supervision is available. Junior School students can play on junior playground equipment between 8:30am and 8:45am under parental supervision. Senior School students are to play quietly around the classroom area. The oval, nature’s play, tennis courts and senior playground equipment are out-of-bounds before school. Students are not permitted in classrooms before school and at lunch times unless their teacher is present.

Parents who have to drop off students before 8:15am need to enrol students in ‘Yeronga Outside School Hours Care’ (YOSHC) facility, which opens at 7am.

Children remaining at school after 3:00pm must be with a teacher (e.g. sports training), their parent or attending YOSHC.

Parents must actively supervise all children. All students and parents need to exit the school grounds by

4:00pm. If children are arriving home late for no apparent reason, inquiries should be made with the classroom teacher. Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds from the time of arrival in the morning until departure at 3:00pm. Parents who are later that 3:15pm to pick up children will need to collect them from the school office. Please note that the school office closes at 3.30pm.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) takes place every year in August and YSS is preparing for this data capture. The NCCD is a collection that counts the number of school students receiving an adjustment or ‘help’ due to disability and the level of adjustment they are receiving to access education on the same basis as other students.  For further information, please see the Fact Sheet for Parents, Guardians and Carers attached.  

Naplan Item Trial

Yeronga State School has been selected by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) to participate in this year’s ACARA Item Trial, to be conducted using the Online National Assessment Platform.  The Item Trial is a component of the National Assessment Program, an agreed national education requirement and is mandatory that we participate.  A selection of students in years 3 and 5 will take part in the Naplan Item Trial over the next 4 weeks.

Zones of Regulation

Zones of Regulation is being used across the school to help students learn how to self-regulate. The Zones of Regulation creates a system to categorize how the body feels and emotions into four coloured zones with which the students can easily identify. Each fortnight, students learn about the Zones in their classes and set a goal to work towards for the next two weeks.  Consistent language across the school and home environments help students to generalise the skill of self-regulation. Students will be familiar with the following diagram and you may like to adopt these principles and the language at home.

• Blue Zone: Used to describe a low state of alertness. The Blue Zone is used to describe when one feels sad, tired, sick, or bored.
• Green Zone: Used to describe the ideal state of alertness. A person may be described as calm, happy, focused, or content when he or she is in the Green Zone. The student feels a strong sense of internal control when in the Green Zone.
• Yellow Zone: Used to describe a heightened state of alertness. A person may be experiencing stress, frustration, anxiety, excitement, silliness, or fear when in the Yellow Zone. The student’s energy is elevated yet he or she feels some sense of internal control in the Yellow Zone.
• Red Zone: Used to describe an extremely heightened state of alertness. A person may be experiencing anger, rage, explosive behaviour, panic, extreme grief, terror, or elation when in the Red Zone and feels a loss of control.

Farewell to Teachers

Over the last few weeks we have and will be farewelling some of our valued teaching staff.  Ms Leanne Ford 1LS is taking long service leave for the remainder of the term and Mrs Lindsay is replacing and working alongside Mrs Schirmer.  This week Ms Lizzy King will be taking long service leave for the term and Ms Sally Atkinson who is currently at the school working with the inclusion team will assist in this role.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Yeronga Team mates!

Stef Kirk and Tracy Freeman

NAIDOC Assembly

As part of our NAIDOC celebrations in Week 2, we gathered in the senior nature play area for a whole school assembly.  We welcomed Uncle Desmond Sandy, Aunty Deborah Sandy and the Yuggara Chepara Women’s Dance Group. 

We were fortunate to have Uncle Desmond give a Welcome to County.

Aunty Deborah Sandy, with her daughters and granddaughters performed three dances to tell  cultural stories and teach us some Yuggera language.

As part of our gathering, students from each class gave their reflections from learning in their classrooms.  Students read statements to share their class voice and understanding of NAIDOC.

We heard phrases like:

“Living, connected, together”

“Holding hands together”

“Celebrating differences and learning about other cultures”

“Celebrating Indigenous culture, history and future”

“We can’t change the past but we can build the future”

Thank you to our P and C for funding the whole school sausage sizzle and to Paul Sutherland for managing the BBQ.  Mrs Webb turned a few sausages too!

Inquiry Learning at YSS

The Year 5 students were involved in a Big Bang workshop this term, where they experimented with equipment to explore the science behind light and sound.

Science Week at YSS

We would once again like to offer our students a range of experiences during the week to celebrate National Science Week.  In the past, we have had many wonderful parents and caregivers share their expertise and knowledge by running before school and lunch time workshops.  Over the last couple of years, we have had ecologists, meteorologists, engineers, marine biologists, doctors, nurses, environmental science teachers and many more experts give us their time to inspire young minds to the possibilities of science.  If you are interested in running a short 10 – 30 minute workshop at school during the week of 14^th – 22^nd August, please make contact.  Please email Clare Triggell cttri0@eq.edu.au for more information.

Dear Prep Families

The school is conducting hearing tests utilising the hearing screening App Sound Scouts. Your child will play a game on an iPad/tablet or smartphone using a set of headphones under the supervision of a responsible adult. A report will be automatically generated following the test. Hearing assessment is encouraged due to the importance of early intervention of hearing issues.

For your student to participate please complete the permission link below: 

PREP 1 - CLICK HERE TO GIVE PERMISSION

PREP 2 - CLICK HERE TO GIVE PERMISSION

PREP 3 - CLICK HERE TO GIVE PERMISSION

PREP 4 - CLICK HERE TO GIVE PERMISSION

PREP 5 - CLICK HERE TO GIVE PERMISSION

Parent permission needs to be given by Friday 13 August 2021.

We hope all families can give the required permission as soon as possible. 

Have you registered for QParents

Dear Families 

We'd like to thank all our parents for meeting payment and permission deadlines for student excursions & incursions. 

These due dates are essential to ensure smooth student transitions to the event along with meeting external company expectations. We do understand that families are very busy. To assist in helping families pay on time and track invoices we encourage all to register and use QParents. 

If you have not yet registered and would like start to process please email nlang67@eq.edu.au for an invitation. To find out more about QParents please download the below documents:

Dear Families

Next week the office will be sending out student statements. If you have a negative amount (-$27.00) this means you have credit on your student account to use toward another invoice. Please do not pay this amount. 

We encourage families to use this credit as soon as possible for upcoming invoice. Credit's will NOT be automatically be allocated to invoices that are unpaid on your student account. You can also use credit from a sibling accounts to pay any outstanding invoices you may have.

To apply this credit please email or call the school admin@yerongass.eq.edu.au to give approval to use this money. 

Enrolments Prep 2022

Dear Families

If you have not yet submitted your 2022 Prep students enrolment form please do so as soon as possible. 

Enrolment interviews will be coming up very soon. Enrolment forms can be collected from the office or can be downloaded from the school website. 

Yeronga Office

2021 Fete success: $90,000 raised

To celebrate the outstanding community effort that made our 2021 Fete such a special and successful day for our YSS community, our wonderful Fete Convenor Juliet Brooks has created a beautiful video to showcase the day's highlights. Congratulations YSS and THANK YOU for your support for bringing our community together to create connections, have fun and raise $90,000 to support our great school.  

Acknowledging P&C Life Members - Carla Walker and Megan Clarke

Life Membership of the Yeronga State School P&C Association is an honour awarded to outstanding members in recognition of the substantial contribution they have made to the current, past and future wellbeing of the P&C and the school community and is only awarded in exceptional circumstances. Since 2018 the P&C has awarded two Life Memberships to Carla Walker and Megan Clarke and we are pleased to acknowledge their outstanding contributions.

Carla Walker

During her 25 years’ service as Deputy Principal of Yeronga State School, Carla's leadership and support for our school, the P&C and broader school community was exemplary. Carla's ongoing dedication to countless P&C meetings, events and activities enhanced the reputation and future of our school and the P&C, and her citizenship, valued leadership and role modelling brought credit to the Association and school community over many years. Carla kindly continues to volunteer as a member of the 150th Anniversary Committee, and the annual Carla Walker Award is highly coveted by YSS students. 

Megan Clarke

Having served Yeronga State School, the P&C and broader school community for more than 25 years as a staff member, P&C volunteer and member, Megan has made an outstanding and lasting contribution to our school and community. Prior to joining the school's staff team, Megan was a volunteer school supporter for three years. She has also served as a volunteer on 15 Fete Committees and has regularly attended P&C meetings to help make important decisions for all the years she has been involved in our school.

We extend to Carla and Megan our sincere and heartfelt appreciation for your tremendous support for our school over so many years. Our school, community, children and families continue to benefit through your tireless contributions. Thank you! 

 YSS Family Bush Dance: Tickets on sale now!

We are excited to announce that tickets are now on sale for the 2021 YSS Family Bush Dance. Priced at just $15 per family (up to 7 people) or $5 each, buy your tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/yssbushdance2021.

A homage to an old school tradition, and in celebration of the 150th Anniversary, Yeronga State School is bringing back it's famous Bush Dance! Join the festivities for a good old fashioned hoe-down with dancing, a live band calling and teaching the dances, fun games and competitions, a sausage sizzle, food trucks and bar.

• Date: 11 September, 2021.
• TIme: 5.00 - 8:30pm
• Venue: Main oval, Yeronga State School.

All proceeds from ticket sales are directed back into the running costs for this special school community event. For more information please see the flyer.

150th merchandise: Don't miss these limited edition YSS mementos

Our YSS 150th Anniversary Committee has arranged wonderful mementos of our school's 'big birthday' this year. To secure your limited edition 150th merchandise items - including the special commemorative book and bages - head to: https://yss150shop.square.site/.

You can choose to have items posted to you, or for postage-free pick up please visit the school Uniform Shop (opening hours are Monday 8:30-9:30am and Thursday 2:30-3:30pm).

The 150th Anniversary Commemorative Book is a vibrant snapshot of the history of our school with fun facts and recollections of the past and present memories contributing to 150 years of education and community. The book is filled with 188 pages of colourful photos and stories, making a wonderful keepsake for all students, parents, staff, and volunteers of Yeronga State School.

150th merchandise shop: https://yss150shop.square.site/

A peek inside the 150th Anniversary commemorative book:

P&C leads school grounds transformation

After years of planning, saving and discussion at meetings, P&C members and the school leadership team have given the green light to much-needed improvement of our school’s grounds. To be funded by the P&C, this major project to renovate highly degraded environments will transform the following areas into valued assets for our school:

• the area between the hall and library - outdoor learning areas and functioning drainage
• 'Old Netball Courts' oval behind the the library, hall and music building
• the banks surrounding the oval will become Nature Play and outdoor learning areas, and
• the path to the gate from the Yeronga pool car park will be restored.

These areas have been referred to by many as “the quarry” due to the damage caused by erosion affecting buildings, trees and the safety of our children. Once the site of rolling green hills and a grass netball court, none are in evidence today. Urgent environmental concerns in 2019 were exacerbated in 2020 following significant rain and further erosion resulted in injuries to children as degraded drains and exposed tree roots created trip and fall hazards.

Following the development of the YSS Nature Play plan in 2018, proactive designs were drawn up for the repair of these areas. Through the 2020 strategic planning process, P&C members identified the creation of new Nature Play areas as one of the top two priorities for P&C investment to support our school. Securing a $30,000 Brisbane City Council grant to renovate the oval was the catalyst for the development of comprehensive designs to rejuvenate the whole area, including the banks around the oval, and to fix drainage and water system issues that have contributed to the area's degradation. Final designs were completed in early 2021. After an external tendering process the budget and timeline for works were approved by the school leadership team and P&C members at our July meeting.

Soon landscapers will begin work on the area to improve drainage, safety, and the life of our trees and play areas, which will add to the construction work on the old dental hospital building. The netball court will return, new paths will finally reach the drains they were designed for and the area between the oval and gate to the pool car park will become accessible to all. Nature Play will be significantly improved as it is incorporated within the entire area. For families who use the pool car park, a concrete path will finally reach the school gate, and maybe beyond.

Future use has also been catered for as the dental building renovation will create ‘a new heart’ for the school with more people using the area. Designs and artwork will soon be available for public view. We look forward to sharing these with you!

Uniform Shop: limited edition 150th sports polo Celebration Sale

As part of our 150th Celebrations, the Uniform Shop is holding a celebration sale on our special 150th sports polos. Normally $24 each, they're now selling 2 for $30! 

The sale is for a limited time only whilst stocks last - the shirts can be worn in 2022 and beyond (just like the sports shirts without the 150th wording). Order your little piece of history now via Flexischools or pop into the uniform shop.

New Tuckshop menu items

The Tuckshop has some super tasty new menu items this term that just have you licking your lips! Spinach and cheese puffs, chicken katsu curry, seasonal roasted veggie wrap, and sweet chilli chicken wraps to name a few. For the full menu visit our Tuckshop web page and click through to the menu here.

Next P&C meeting  

Our next P&C meeting will be held in the Resource Centre (library) on Tuesday, 17 August, at 7:00pm. We look forward to seeing you there!

Friendship Skills…

"Having even just one good friend means that the world takes on new meaning.  One good friend can be your entire world.  This more than the food we shared or the warm clothes or the medicine, was the most important thing.  The best balm for the soul is friendship and with that friendship, we could do the impossible." - Eddie Jaku, The Happiest Man on Earth.

In a 2020 survey with 700 Queensland School Chaplains, friendship/peer issues was identified as the number one issue that students talk to Chaplains about, and I would agree that even in our school I have many conversations each week with students about this matter.  It helps to drive some of the programs I put my energy to, and this week I begin the Fun Friends program across all year 2 classes. 

An important lesson is that it is normal that there will be disagreements, conflict, and little tiffs now and then.  Students often will say in the heat of the moment, “I’m not your friend anymore!” or “I don’t like you” which adds more fuel to the fire.  So it is important to teach our children that just because there are some issues, they can still be friends.  It may mean that they need time to calm down, have a moment, or take a break. That could be five minutes, a whole lunch-time, a day, or even a week before they are ready to regroup.  The next step may require some conversation, an agreement, or the need to say sorry.  Adult help may also be necessary to encourage them in the right direction, or to help to form their words.  How can you best help your children develop their friendship skills to help them through life?

Coming up… This Term

30/7 Chappy’s Movie Night is SOLD OUT!

30/8 Sub and Drink Deal – envelopes will be sent home soon.

Next term:

16-17/10 Chappy’s Camp at School

15/11 Sub and Drink Deal

Blessings, Chappy Jenny

Yeronga Football Teams on Fire!

After completing a very successful Gala Day series the Senior Boys and Girls and the Junior Boys football (soccer) teams have all won the opportunity to continue on into a competition against the best schools in South East Queensland (SEQ Cup). This is a knock out competition that culminates in a full day of play offs against the best teams in the South East corner. There are several steps in this journey:

Step 1: Win the Gala Day Cluster competition;

Step 2: Win the Eastern Taipans District title;

Step 3: Win the Met West Regional title; and

Step 4: Compete against the other Regional winners at the SEQ cup finals.

Currently all 3 teams are still active and one win each away from claiming the Met West title. This is a huge achievement and many exciting and nail-biting games have been contested so far in this journey.

We would like to thank all the parents who have assisted with transport. Also, a special thank you to Yvonne Starr, Lorien Cook and Phillip Wright for their donation of football uniforms for the students. They look amazing! We wish all three teams the best of luck as they continue on their journey.

Please note we will be adding a photo of the Girls Team after their next match. They had a few players away during their recent match.

Junior Boys 

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.

Representative Sport Congratulations

Qld Football

A massive effort from Luka S has resulted in his selection for the Qld 10 -12 Years Boys Football team. Unfortunately, he will be unable to compete at the National carnival due to COVID restrictions forcing its cancellation. Congratulations and commiserations to Luka. An outstanding effort and our second Queensland representative for 2021.

District Cricket

Congratulations to Archie C who was successful in being selected for the Eastern District 10 -12 Years Boys Cricket Team. We wish him success and hope that he will be selected for Met West.

Congratulations also to Eady and Georgie B, Amelie M, Abbie P and Phoebe H who were successful in being selected for the Eastern District 10 -12 Years Girls Cricket Team. We wish them success in their quest for Met West selection.

Yeronga State School at District Athletics

Congratulations to all of our District Athletics Trialists. We had a very big and talented contingent and could have had many more qualify for the District Team if luck had run our way a little more. Special congratulations to those successful in being selected. Our successful trialists were;

Neve H. – High Jump, Aggie W. – 1500m, Sophia P. – Multi -Event & Long Jump, Hunter S. – Discus, Adam P. – 200m & Discus, Georgie B. – 1500m & 800m, Angus W. – 800m & Long Jump, George N. – High Jump, Mitchell B.– High Jump, Finn S. – 1500m & Long Jump, Charlie S. – Long Jump, Oliver C. – Discus, Oliver W. – Shot Put and Maggie S. – Shot Put.

Congratulations and we wish them all the best in being selected for Met West.

Important Sporting Dates Term 3, 2021

27/08/2021 – Gala Day 1

31 August & 1 September – Met West Regional Athletics

14/09/2021 – YSS Ball Games (Reserve Day 17/09/2021)

Stephens Sub Branch Inc has erected a new Memorial Wall adjacent to the WW1 Cenotaph in Yeronga Memorial Park, Ipswich Road Yeronga in memory of all Men and Women who served their country and in honour of those who gave their lives in all wars and conflicts for our well being.

There will be a special Memorial Service for the Unveiling and Dedication of our new "All Conflicts" Memorial Wall at 10:00am on Saturday 31 July 2021.

The Dedication of this "All Conflicts" Memorial Wall in July 2021 marks the 100th anniversary since the WW1 Cenotaph was erected in July 1921.

All members of the public are invited to attend.

Yeronga SHS Y-Tour Enrolment Information Sessions information –

We look forward to welcoming you and your family to our Y-Tours. We welcome families to explore our facilities, meet our leadership team, student leaders and experience the Yeronga difference. This is a great opportunity for prospective parents to discuss subjects, the school and any enrolment information.

All are welcome to attend. Morning/afternoon tea will be provided.

Please click on the link below to fill out a registration form if you'd like to attend our Y-Tour Enrolment Information Session.

https://yerongashs.schoolzineplus.com/form/14

If you have any queries, please email us at office@yerongashs.eq.edu.au or contact our office at 3249 1400.

Yeronga SHS Enrolment Interview Sessions information –

Please click on the link below to fill out a registration form if you’d like to attend one of our Enrolment Interview Sessions.

https://yerongashs.schoolzineplus.com/form/15

Please bring the following along with your child:

- completed enrolment application

- past report cards

- proof of citizenship (passport, travel documents, birth certificate)

For all queries, please contact our office at 3249 1400 or email us at enrolments@yerongashs.eq.edu.au

Hello Yeronga State School!

Recently, a group of Year 11 students at Yeronga State High School got together to discuss ways in which we can give back to the community, and help charities in need. Our first initiative seeks to assist Share the Dignity Australia. Share the Dignity hold dignity drives twice a year, collecting donations of period products to distribute to these women in need.

Our wonderful Yeronga community has always been incredibly supportive and collaborative. We would love if you could help us!

This organisation works to make a real difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or just helping those women doing it tough. They distribute period products to women and girls who need support. Share the Dignity has helped many people by setting up donation boxes, raising money and informing people of this incredibly important issue. We have created a donation box to place in your school office, and would love it if the Yeronga State School community could donate any of the products listed below:

• Pads
• Tampons
• Menstrual cups
• Period underwear

There will be a donation box placed at the YSS admin/school foyer. 

The products will later be collected and picked up by Share the Dignity to distribute to these women and girls in need. If you would like to read more about this amazing organisation you can head to their website. https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/

Thank you in advance for your support!

Kindest Regards

Yeronga State High School