Term 4 Week 7

We are coming to the end of the 2021 school year (how exciting!!).  The children are engaged in finishing off assessments, projects and oral presentations and the teachers are constantly being amazed with how much the children have grown over the 12 months.  We are constantly grateful for our parent community that supports the learning that takes place at school.  As a leadership team, we look forward to seeing you all at the many events that are scheduled over the next few weeks.

AFTER SCHOOL ON SCHOOL GROUNDS

Just a gentle reminder to follow school rules before and after school.  We love having children in the school grounds after school and understand that it is a lovely time to connect with families in the community.  However, there has been some little children climbing the outside stair banister of the Year 1 building and we are asking parents to ensure that their children do not do this as we want to ensure all children are safe.  We thank you in advance for this.

There have also been some behaviour incidents with high school children that are in the school grounds to pick up siblings.  If you have an older sibling that comes in to collect younger children we kindly ask you to talk with your children about following the primary school rules of ‘Be Safe, Be Respectful and Be Responsible’.  Thank you for this.

AWARD CEREMONIES

Our academic and effort award ceremonies will be held in the last two weeks of the school year.  Please see the criteria for the Awards below.  To acknowledge all the wonderful work our children do in the space of Spanish, Physical Education and Music there will now be a year level award to recognise and value student achievement in these specialised subject areas.

Effort Awards

Citizenship Award – Walker Award

Award Ceremony Dates:

• 30/11 (9:15am) – Year 5 & 6 Academic and Effort Awards

– Year 5 & 6 Academic and Effort Awards

• 1/12 (9:15am) – Year 3 & 4 Academic and Effort Awards
• 2/12 (9:15am) – Year 1 & 2 Academic Awards

ZONES OF REGULATION

This week, teachers and teacher aides participated in a two hour Zones of Regulation workshop.  The workshop connected our current thinking, consolidated shared language and gave us new ways to discuss the Zones of Regulation.  Sometimes you may hear your child talk about being in a particular zone – please see the information below regarding the different Zones of Regulation.

Explaining the Zones 

The following information is to be used as a guide only. Please note that there are several other emotions and strategies that students may implement that are conducive to both this program and their learning.  

Blue Zone:  

• Feelings include: Tired, Sick, Sad, Upset, Bored
• Students may be slumped at their desk, not engaged in activities
• Strategies for the blue zone aimed at waking up the student’s body, helping students feel 

better and regaining their focus. Example include: 

• Have a drink of water
• Movement break or exercise
• Get some fresh air or a run and errand
• Red coloured movement break

Greens Zone: 

• Feelings Include: Good, Happy, Focused, Calm, Relaxed
• Students are settled, ready to learn, sitting up straight and listening to instructions
• Strategies for the Green Zone are aimed at keeping the feelings of in control and maintaining an appropriate level of focus. Example Include:
• Popcorn holds
• Carry heavy object

Yellow Zones: 

• Feelings include: Confused, Frustrated, Annoyed, Excite, Scared, Silly
• When students are unable to correctly respond to a given situation. For example, when student is becoming restless in the classroom because they are unsure if what to do. Often, they are confused about their response to a task or how to seek support.
• When students are in the Yellow Zone, they have a choice of weather they try to return to the green zone or let the situation escalate to the Red Zone. 
• Strategies for the Yellow and Red Zone are aimed at calming the student’s body and/or mind.
• Take 5 deep breathes (in through the nose, out through the mouth)
• Count backwards from 10 slowly
• Figure 8 breathing
• Movement break 
• Positive self-talk
• Classroom card to indicate break and teacher check in on return.

Red Zone: 

• Feelings include: Angry, Out of Control, Mad, Terrified, Aggressive

PREP ORIENTATION/ PREP AND YEAR 1 MOVE ON MORNING

This past Monday, the Prep teachers hosted the new 2022 families.  It was a lovely morning where children were welcomed into classrooms, met the prep teaching team and engaged in activities.  This morning also was set aside for the current Prep children to go to the year 1 building and learn all the wonderful things they will do next year.  The Year 1 children also moved on to Year 2 – once in the Year 2 buildings they learnt about the different eating areas, toilet spaces, playgrounds and learnings.  This transition was set up to ensure children have a sense of what next year will look like.  Over the coming weeks children will be inquire into what the following year will look like, sound like and feel like – this is organised by teachers in an effort to create a smooth transition to the next year level.

2022 Student Leadership

We would like to congratulate all of the students who nominated for student leadership positions for 2022.  With over half of the year 5 students nominating for school captain, house captain, or performing arts captain, we couldn’t be more proud, that so many students are interested in leading our great school next year.   All candidates have shown courage in applying, and have put their best foot forward, recognising some excellent inner leadership qualities, making the selection process are very tight race.  Candidates presented their speeches to the year 5 and 6 cohorts on Wednesday, and votes are being counted to finalise the process.  Successful applicants will be notified soon, and introduced to the school community at the year 5 and 6 academic awards ceremony on the 30^th November. Well done to all students who applied! We know that you will all be an asset to the YSS school community next year.

Reconciliation Action Plan Survey

Yeronga State School, in partnership with Yeronga State High School, Yuggera Culture in Community Cluster, and Yeronga State School’s Kalari Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group, are developing our Reconciliation Action Plan [RAP]. Reconciliation Action Plans are an initiative of Reconciliation Australia, and   information is published on their website:   https://www.reconciliation.org.au/

One of our first steps in the RAP process is to conduct a survey of Staff and Families.  The RAP Working Group will analyse de-identified baseline data to establish priorities, next steps, and those who can support our school to develop our RAP. The link to the Reconciliation Action Plan Survey was published through Schoolzine last Thursday 11^th November. If you have not yet had the opportunity to complete the survey, it will remain available through Schoolzine until Friday 19^th November. If you wish to participate, please Click Here We appreciate your participation, which is voluntary. 

You are welcome to contact Lynette Wood: lwood41@eq.edu.au or 3426 0333 if you have any questions regarding the RAP process, including the survey.   

Tracy Freeman, Stef Kirk, Lyn Wood

Deputy Principals

Hampers…

There are just two more weeks left to make donations towards the Christmas Hamper Campaign that will help and bless our vulnerable school families.  We now have four hampers complete, with six more to go!  There have been a lot of donations of stationery, books and toys, so it would be great to now focus on some special food items that are treats and aren’t the normal pantry fillers, although all donations are welcome. So please continue to drop items into the baskets downstairs in the admin foyer.

What happens when you give…

Giving and helping others is an important way of making the world a better place for everyone.  Not only does it mean that you are supporting others and helping to meet their needs, but it is also a great way to help yourself.  When you give, it increases activity to the part of your brain that registers pleasure, providing a great mood booster where you feel good, and others feel good as recipients of your kindness.  Also by developing your sense of empathy and seeing the needs of others, you take the focus off your own needs and problems, and see that there are others facing more difficult issues, giving your perspective on what really matters.  So my encouragement is to find a cause that is meaningful and important to you, and then find ways to support and give to make the world a better place. Of course, school is always a great place to start being generous! 

Blessings, Chappy Jenny
Email – jennifer.bennett@suchaplaincy.org.au
Facebook and Instagram – Community_Chaplain

Crossing Safely

We've had reports come in about some unsafe crossing happening around the school and Daniel the crossing guard has asked us to remind students and parents to only cross at the lights or used to the marked crossing before and afterschool. 

Running Club

Running club will continue, unless the weather makes it impossible to safely 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.

Swimming Resumes in Week 6

School swimming lessons resume in week 2, for Prep to Year 6 students, at Yeronga Park Pool. Lessons will continue until the end of week 7 (week ending 19 November). A big thank you to Yeronga Park Pool for their cooperation in organising and teaching lessons to our Prep to Six students and for the use of the complex for our carnivals, free of charge, and our behaviour celebrations at a very friendly price.

Please send your child with all of the appropriate equipment. These items are noted on the swimming information which was released last term.

Ball Games Appology

My Apologies to Miss Mac’s Monarchs who were the best dressed team in the Year 3 & 4 ball games carnival this year. They did not receive recognition in the original ball games round up and deserved that recognition for the work they did with their costumes.

Representative Sport Dates Release (Important)

The trial dates for term four of 2021 are listed below.

Swimming Carnivals

Swimming Carnivals will be held in Week 8 of this Term please see below dates and schedule. As this event is off school grounds and is water based, permission will be required for your student/s to participate. An email will be sent home with permission links for each class. Please complete this as soon as possible so your student/s can participate in the carnival.

I will again need parents to help out in timing at the senior (years 3 to 6) carnival and to help marshall and start races in the junior carnivals for years 1 and 2. There will be special operating procedures for these people inside the complex which I will pass onto them before the event. If you wish to help at these events please email me cbate12@eq.edu.au . Remember that places will be limited. All COVID safe plans will be followed during the event. 

Junior School - Monday 22 November 2021

• Year 1 - 9am -11am 
• Year 2 - 11:45am - 1:15pm 

Senior School - Wednesday 24 November 2021

• Year 3 & 4 - 9am - 11am 
• Year 5 & 6 - 12:00 - 2:30pm

Proposed Swimming Carnival Schedule

Important Sporting Dates Term 4, 2021

22 / 11 / 2021 – Junior ( Yrs 1 & 2) Swimming Carnival

24 / 11 / 2021 – Senior ( Yrs 3 – 6) Swimming Carnival

6 / 12 / 2021 – Prep End of Year Swim

7 / 12 / 2021 – Years 1 & 2 End of Year Swims

8 / 12 / 2021 – Years 3 – 6 End of Year Swims

Grounds renovation update – Nature play, outdoor learning areas, and ‘Old Netball Courts’ oval 

The large outdoor learning/nature play areas under construction around the ‘Old Netball Courts’ oval, and between the hall and library, are progressing well despite recent rains. 

Heritage overlays had held some of the project back, however the project managers reported this week that both Brisbane City Council and the State Government have provided support for concrete paths to continue past the school fence to connect with paths to/from the pool car park. 

This is a significant win for the school as the paths and landscaping will be completed as a system, from the Tuckshop to the pool car park. Students with mobility issues will now be able to more easily access the pool and the park with their friends (it's only 2021!). 

With the completion of the dental building renovation imminent, this area of the school is expecting greater foot traffic and drainage pressure so the landscaping is coming just in time. 

Under the surface, the network of heavy drainage has been revitalised and the formally damaged watering system repaired. Construction of retaining walls, stairs and footings is close to completion. The new renovated spaces are expected to be complete close to Christmas and will be given a fitting name in 2022. 

Photos: Old Netball Courts and nature play area 

Photos: Outdoor learning areas under construction between the hall and library 

Trivia Night thank you 

Musical superstars were out in force at the 2021 Yeronga State School ‘Lost in Music’ Trivia Night on 13 November. 

The Beatles, Kate Bush, Devo, Elvis Presley, Sia, Bon Jovi, Tim Minchin, the Bee Gees and Red Hot Chilli Peppers were spotted among the star studded attendees. 

A huge thank you to Rachel Mackenzie and Simon Lake for creating this spectacular night of fun for our community, and to the 150 parents and YSS community members who came along and showed off their trivia, dancing and dress up prowess. Enjoy the photos below and awesome promo video here – more highlights and photos will be shared via the P&C Facebook page in the coming days/weeks.

Trivia Night promo video: www.facebook.com/watch/?v=578796363202619

Swimming Carnival Sno Cones 

Thank you to Lauren McHutchison for coordinating the swimming carnival snow cone stalls this year, and everyone who has already signed up to volunteer: 

• Junior Swimming Carnival - Monday 22 November, 9.00-11.00am 
• Senior Carnival - Wednesday 24 November, 9:00am-3.00pm. 

Volunteers are still needed for the Junior Swimming Carnival – please sign up here: https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/394310180110/false#/invitation 

The children love their $2 sno cone treats on the warm swimming carnival days after their races. Traditionally proceeds from the swimming carnival sno cones contribute to funding the senior yearbook and graduation activities for the following year. 

Just One Thing 2022: How would you like to help? 

All YSS parents and community members are invited to nominate 'one thing' you would like to do to support our school community in 2022 at www.surveymonkey.com/r/YSS2022JustOneThing. A P&C representative will be in touch with you at the appropriate time. 

2022 P&C membership 

It’s never too early to renew your membership for 2022, and it’s easy to do via the online form: www.surveymonkey.com/r/2022YSSPandCMembership. 

Dental building tour with Mark Bailey MP 

On Friday, 5 November, the P&C Presidents were invited to join Mark Bailey MP on a tour of the dental building renovation with our Principal, Mrs Webb. Kym was fortunate to be able to join the tour and it was exciting to see the internal spaces being transformed into new administration, classrooms and STEM spaces. When finished this will be an amazing facility for our school! View the video of the tour here: www.facebook.com/YerongaSSPandC/posts/3016073008641419.  

P&C Website and Facebook for information and latest news

To keep up-to-date with YSS P&C information, news, updates and activities, please bookmark the P&C website - www.yerongasspandc.org.au - and 'like' and 'follow' the P&C Facebook page: www.facebook.com/YerongaSSPandC. These are key sources of information for our school community and are regularly updated by the P&C team.

Kym Mansfield and Hamish Townsend
Yeronga State School P&C Co-Presidents
president@yerongasspandc.org.au
www.yerongasspandc.org.au

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. We only have 2 Enrolment Interview session left in 2021! https://yerongashs.schoolzineplus.com/form/15

Please bring the following along with your child:
- completed enrolment application
- past report cards
- birth certificate/proof of citizenship (passport, travel documents)

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