We are nearly at the end of another eventful term! I must say that we are just so proud of how resilient our children – they have been able to settle into the Term beautifully whilst we have had many issues occur in our local community.  It was lovely to see so many parents engage in parent teacher interviews over the last two weeks – this is a valuable experience for families and school to connect.  We also thank our teaching staff as they are working tirelessly at the moment to create a safe, yet engaging environment for the whole school community.

SCHOOL ASSEMBLY

Please feel free to come and see your children on school assembly.  The junior school begin at 9am Friday on even weeks and the senior school begin at the same time on odd weeks.  Children enjoy seeing their parents attend – hopefully we will see you soon!

PREP PICNIC

This coming Saturday at 9am – 11am the P&C are hosting the Prep Picnic. This picnic was scheduled many times over this term and is now going ahead!! We look forward to you attending and making connections with other parents.

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

Queensland state schools embrace a multitude of cultural, religious and non-religious beliefs. Under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006, schools are to provide Religious Instruction (RI) if approached by a faith group seeking to provide RI and students of that faith attend the school.  RI informs students about the beliefs and values of a particular religion. It is delivered by volunteers of a faith group using instructional materials approved by that faith group.

All RI instructors must hold a blue card and participate in compulsory Student Protection and Code of Conduct training. A school staff member will be present during the delivery of RI.

Participation in RI is not compulsory.  Any student (except Prep) may participate in RI if a parent has provided written instructions to the school – this is an area on the Student Enrolment Form.  This consent remains in effect unless the parent informs the school.

The RI program that is offered at the school is one based on the Christian Faith and will begin next term.

Year 6 Legacy Workshop

Last week, the year 6 students engaged in a full day Legacy Committee Workshop. The purpose of these legacy committees is for students to work together as a team of school leaders to improve our school and leave a legacy as they end their primary school journey at the end of this year.  Embedded within the legacy committees is the opportunity for all students to develop their leadership capabilities and lead improvement for our school.

The students worked with Mrs Webb, Miss Kirk and the year 6 teachers to set wildly important goals for the year within the 4 legacy areas aligned to our school improvement journey:

1. Wellbeing Committee - to create a mindfulness space within our school. The Legacy we will leave behind is the promotion of physical and mental wellbeing for students and staff.
2. Curiosity and Creativity Committee - to work within our new curiosity centre to design, make, build and create using a variety of materials and resources. The legacy we will leave behind is to encourage students to be creative and curious, and to showcase this in our new curiosity building.
3. Outdoor Play Committee - update Yeronga State Schools oval and multi-purpose court areas. Our initial focus will be upgrading our basketball area with basketball hoops and backboards.  We will fundraise to contribute to this goal.   The legacy we will leave is to encourage all students to play outdoors and engage in more physical activity. 
4. Sustainability Committee – to improve Yeronga State Schools green footprint. We will reintroduce Nude Food Mondays; conduct Emu Parades twice a term; and fundraise to fund the regeneration of the gardens and donate to some green charities. The legacy is to reduce waste ay YSSby incorporating recycling stations (paper, cardboard, soft plastics, pens, whiteboard markers and batteries) and reintroducing composting of brain snack/munch and crunch rubbish.

At the end of the day, students nominated themselves or a peer for the formal role of legacy committee representative.  Each committee has 2 representatives, who will be the spokesperson for the committee throughout the year.  These committee representatives will also be acknowledged on the Leadership induction ceremony and be presented with a badge on Friday 25^th March. 

Legacy committees will meet once a fortnight with their lead teacher (year 6 teachers) to work towards actions and fundraising ideas to support their legacy goal. Legacy committees will report to the school community about their goal progress and upcoming school fundraising or events via assemblies, newsletters and social media platforms.

Teacher Aide Opportunities

Yeronga State School is seeking Teacher Aides for temporary contracts to work in various roles across our school including: inclusion support, reading support and for 1:1 student support.  Previous inclusion support experience would be advantageous, however not required to apply.

Anyone interested in applying for the position  should email a brief resume outlining precious experience to Deputy Principal Stef Kirk on skirk70@eq.edu.au Applications will closed 1st April 2022.

TA002 Job Description

Parking

Just a reminder to parents that all carparks within the school grounds are for staff parking only. Parents using the carparks for student drop off and pick up is a safety hazard. Many staff are becoming increasingly concerned that a student will be injured whilst walking through the carpark.

• For school pick up and drop off, the Stop-Kiss & Go zone is for 5 minute parking only and you must stay with your car
• For any extended parking, all day parking is available in Honour Avenue and neighbouring streets
• If parking in streets, please be mindful of our neighbours and don’t park across driveways or footpaths
• Parents using the YOSHC Service are also not allowed to access the carparks and need to park outside school grounds

The only exception to this policy is for those parents who need to use the disabled carparking spots in the A Block and the Tuckshop carpark. If you need access to the disabled carparking bay, please contact the Office.

Late Arrivals and Early Pick up

A reminder to parents that if your child is arriving at school after 9am they are required to come to admin to collect a late slip before going to class. If you need to pick your child/ren up early from school, Parents are required to come to the office to collect a sign out pass before going to the classroom. 

For student collection after 9am and before 2pm parents are welcome to park in the Stop Kiss Go Zone for longer than 5 minutes.

QParents

Prep parents will have received an invitation via email on Monday to register for an online account for their child. If you have not recevied this email or are in another grade and would like access for an online account, please email Nikita at nlang67@eq.edu.au 

Initial registrations must be done on a laptop or desktop computer as it is not tablet or device friendly. 

QParents home page is notifying us of an issue, however there is a continue button, which should allow you to complete your registration. 

Upcoming Events

Prep and Year 1 'Bravehearts' -  Permission only Due by April 1st 2022

Prep Big Bang - Payment only Due by April 1st 2022

Year 5 Big Bang - Payment only due April 1st 2022

Year 3 Toohey Forrest - Payment AND Permission due April 1st 2022

Year 6 Camp - Permission due MARCH 28th 2022, Payment Due April 1st 2022

Year 1 Big Bang - Payment only due April 1st 

Year 2 Make and Meld - Payment only due 29th April 

Gala Days - Permissions and Payment Due April 1st 2022 

*April 1st is the last day of Term 1

*April 29th is the end of week 2 Term 2

If you need assisstance please contact the office.   

Regards,

Administration

Flood Recovery…

A month has now passed since our community faced the flood crisis, and is well on its way to recovery.  While I’ve tried to contact all the families who have been affected to check in how I can help, I may not have heard about all those who suffered.  So please contact me if I haven’t already been in touch.  Offers of help, donations, tickets, etc. come my way and will continue to, which I can then forward on to those on my radar.

Parent Café has moved from inside the building to out under the trees down in the junior school area.  Please feel free to join me and other support staff to have a cold drink or cuppa and have a chat.  Going forward it will be operating on a Tuesday morning from 8:30-9:15am.  There are plans underway to make this a permanent service to our parent community, to set up an inviting community space, and invite guest speakers to inform and support families.  So come with a friend or to meet a friend!

Quarantine Care Packages…

The quarantine care packages are still available if you are at home in isolation.  I am happy to drop a package around to your family.  Please email me with your address and I’ll come as soon as possible. 

Bullying. No Way! …

While Harmony Day was postponed last week, students were able to wear orange in support of the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.  It is a day to encourage a kindness culture to promote inclusion, respect and community belonging, which is similar to the goals of Harmony Day.

If you are having concerns that your child is being bullied, Jocelyn Chirnside identifies three characteristics of bullying in her book, Empowered for Life, saying that each of these need to be present to separate it from conflict.  Bullying is targeted, is repeated, and has a power difference.  While conflict is normal, and we can learn skills to manage and resolve, when it comes to bullying, I encourage students and parents to contact their class teacher or myself for help and direction.  You can also check out this website for more information:  https://bullyingnoway.gov.au and watch this great video with Michael Carr Gregg, “What I can do and where I can go?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOvSV3S6D2A

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

STRINGS NEWS:

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to get tickets to Camerata- Queensland's Chamber Orchestra for the Four Seasons Reimagined concert. I loved the piece by composer Mark O’Connor, The American Seasons “Summer”. The music was amazing and I loved the sounds made by the instruments to imitate dogs barking. My favourite part was the wildcard guest musician who played the banjo along with the orchestra. Overall, it was an evening to remember.

Mia 6K, Strings Captain

MUSIC ENSEMBLES:

After a slight delay, music ensemble rehearsals have commenced for the year! The roster of rehearsals are as follows:

Monday – Junior Strings – 7:45 – 8:30 am; Chamber Strings – First Break

Tuesday – Senior Strings – 7:30 – 8:30am

Wednesday – Senior Band – 7:30 – 8:30am

Thursday – Senior Choir (Grades 4 to 6) – 7:45 – 8:30am

Friday – Junior Choir (Grades 2 and 3) – 7:45 – 8:30am

If your child missed the sign on to choir this year and they would like to join, please send Mrs Lauren Easey an email at leeas0@eq.edu.au request the enrolment details. Choir is open to all students from Grades 2 to 6.

District Touch Football News!

Congratulations to Sophia P and Finn S on their selection in the Eastern Taipans District Touch Football Teams. Lily M was also named as a shadow player. We also had Nicholas P, Dash W, Max S and Molly W attend the trials. All of these students will potentially have the opportunity to return next year.

Running Club

Running club has resumed and unless the weather makes it impossible to run safely, 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.

Qld State School  Swimming Championships

Congratulations to Toby A who competed at Chandler in the Qld State Schools Swimming Championships;

District Netball Representatives

Congratulations to Arabella R and Emma G who were selected in the District Netball team and commiserations to Olive S and Ruby who narrowly missed selection.

Yeronga State School Senior (Years 4 – 6) Cross Country – Individual Results

Congratulations on a wonderful day of competition and, in particular, to our age champions;

9 Years Girls: Emily H           Boys: Toby C

10 Years Girls: Mollie W       Boys: Lati H

11 Years Girls: Aggie W        Boys: Nicholas P

12 Years Girls: Sophia P        Boys: Matthew T

Also and most importantly thank you to all of our officials on staff and from the parent body. The cross country ran very smoothly due to your efforts.

Yeronga State School Cross Country Runners to Districts

10 Years Girls: Mollie W, Chloe S, Pippa M, Zelda M, Emma G & Emilia B.       

10 Years Boys: Lati H, Alex C, Lachlan G, Alastair J, Lewis L & Owen T.

11 Years Girls: Aggie W, Neve H, Violet C, Arabella R, Alisa S & Piper V.

11 Years Boys: Nicholas P, Finn S, Dash W, Jesse S, Hudson C & Finn C.

12 Years Girls: Sophia P, Saskia A, Nadia C, Kate H, Anastasia M & Layla M.    

12 Years Boys: Matthew T, Sam H, Hudson M, William R, Luca R & Sebastian S,

Junior / Infants (Prep to Year 3) Cross Country 30 March 2022

Please see below for a rough timetable of events. Again parent helpers are most welcome and should contact Mr Bateman (cbate12@eq.edu.au ).

ORDER OF EVENTS from 9:10am

1. PREP Boys
2. PREP Girls
3. Year One Boys
4. Year One Girls
5. Year Two Boys
6. Year Two Girls
7. Year Three Boys
8. Year Three Girls

Representative Sport Dates Release (Important)

The trial dates for term one of 2022 are listed below.

District Sport and COVID

Please remember the following district/regional policy if your child is attending district or regional trial in term 1:

“In light of the department’s back to school Covid Safe Plans and Practices, as well as restrictions imposed by various school venues running many of our trials, we have made a decision that NO SPECTATORS will be permitted to attend Eastern Taipans District Sports Trials until further notice.”

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 Term 1, 2022

29/03/2022 – District Cross Country

30/03/2022 – Yeronga State School Junior Cross Country

30 & 31/03/2022 – Regional Boys Rugby League (11’s & 12’s)

28/04 & 5/05/2022 – District Boys Football

28/04/2022 – District Girls Football

4/05/2022 - District 11-12 Years Rugby Union

6/05/2022 – District Boys & Girls Softball

14/06/2022 – District Girls Rugby League

13 & 14/06/2022 – Yeronga State School Senior (Years 4-6) Athletics

15/06/2022 - Yeronga State School Senior (Years 4-6) Athletics Reserve Day

22/06/2022 - Yeronga State School Junior (Prep – Year 3) Athletics

23/06/2022 - Yeronga State School Junior (Prep – Year 3) Athletics Reserve Day

Dear Parents

To optimise functionality please ensure that you have updated your child’s iPad to the latest IOS and ensure that there is at least 30g available on the ipad.

All Relevant documents are linked below.

2022 Terms and Agreements. Please read carefully and discuss this with your child. This will now be an annual agreement. Every child in the BYOD programme will need to have a signed agreement.

2022 App list is specific for your child’s year level. Please do not delete previous apps as they may still be useful.

2022 Year 3 App list

2022 Year 4 App list

2022 Year 5 App list

2022 Year 6 App list

2022 Parent Checklist. This will help ensure that your child’s ipad is set up so that it is optimal for school use and safety.

2022 iPad Security and Safety. It is important for everyone to understand the expectations of keeping these devices safe.

Should you need help in setting up your child’s ipad  or have any other questions, please feel free to send them to ict@yerongss.eq.edu.au or book an appointment.