Dear Families,

ANZAC Day

Firstly, thank you to all who attended the school and community ANZAC Ceremony and march this year. I am always humbled by the reaction of the students to these very formal and solemn occasions. These formal acknowledgements of history are at once emotional and solemn reminders of the terrors of what we are capable of doing to each other as much as the reminders of what we are capable of withstanding and prevailing over. Peace, reconciliation and rightful acknowledgement of suffering, dispossession and generational trauma must always have its place in the raising and education of our children. Lest we forget.

Identified Position – Teacher Aide- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability

Yeronga State School is representative of broad cultural diversity. A strength and wonderful learning environment for our future global citizens. We have several staff who are experienced and work alongside the many families for whom English is an Additional Language to support the educational progress and engagement of students. In 2021 as part of the development of our school Reconciliation Action Plan, it was identified that we need to build on the strengths and capability of our first nations children and families to leverage the outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at Yeronga but also to enrich the cultural capability of all staff and students. Yeronga State School is seeking an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person to fulfil an identified position for 10 hours per week. The identified position is Teacher Aide- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability. The role would encompass supporting individual student progress and providing input the school’s inclusive education strategic priorities. If you or someone you know maybe interested in applying for this position please email me with an expression of interest to Principal@yerongass.eq.edu.au .

Power of Inquiry – Kath Murdoch visit

Last week we had internationally recognised leader in Inquiry Learning Kath Murdoch work in classrooms throughout the school. In the session I observed, 6M students engaged with Kath in Question Formulation Technique (QFT).  Kath presented students with a focus for discussion and then students responded by generating questions about the inquiry concept (Cause and Effect/ Natural Disasters) QFT is a simple but powerful thinking routine that puts the neuroscience of how learning sticks into action. The students in 6M were clearly proficient question generators and as Kath and those of us observing agreed, a result of a classroom climate where the optimal emotional state for learning of ‘relaxed alertness’ pervades.  It makes me proud everyday to see the balance of progressive pedagogy, robust literacy and numeracy routines and student-centred care at Yeronga State School.

NAPLAN Online – 2022

Next week, students in Year 3 and 5 will undertake the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy Assessments online. Year 3 will continue to sit the Writing Test on paper with all other Year 3 and Year 5 Tests administered on 1:1 iPADs. I wish to thank and congratulate all our staff who under the direction and support of Head of Department- Literacy and Numeracy Liz Kemp, have ensure the required infrastructure and devices are ready and the students and staff familiar with the format for the tests.

Have a wonderful week,
Eunice Webb
Principal

CURIOSITY PROJECTS

What are Curiosity Projects?

Curiosity projects are an opportunity for children to choose to investigate one or more suggestions provided by their class teacher during each term, which will support and deepen their understanding of subject content and skills. Students in Year 2-5 can choose whether or not to complete a project and also choose how they will share their learnings with the rest of the class, at a time negotiated with their class teacher. Parents are encouraged to discuss their children’s plans with them and are welcome to help (not take over!) if they want to.  These projects should be reflective of student’s own work.

Principles of Curiosity Projects

1. No assessment - Non-assessment of curiosity projects is a deliberate attempt to allow children the opportunity to develop the habit of lifelong learning.
2. Elective- The ability to choose to complete a curiosity project allows children to work out whether their schedule allows time to complete these over the term. Teachers will advise when curiosity projects will be presented each term and each child can decide whether they will engage in this learning and how they might present it.
3. Presentation – 5 minute maximum. Children can choose to present their curiosity projects in any format however cannot exceed the 5 minute presentation time limit (or the alternative time limit set by the class teacher) to allow everyone to participate.
4.  

Year level expectations for Curiosity Projects

Prep- Year 1 Curiosity projects in Prep and Year 1 will take the form of Bring and Brag or Show and Tell where children will develop oral language and presentation skills. The children will be timetabled for these and are expected to present as per term timetables.

Year 2-5 Curiosity projects are elective and will involve topics that the teachers will publish each term/ semester. Students can present projects to their peers to share their learnings. They will receive peer feedback on their projects however projects will not be assessed. Parents and children can negotiate time they wish to put towards the curiosity project (if any).

Year 6 - Curiosity projects in Year 6 will be compulsory as we are looking at developing children’s time management and organisation skills as they prepare for the transition to high school and the responsibility for assignment submission. Year 6 class teachers will set the curiosity projects each term and negotiate due dates, provide criteria sheets etc.

Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing Survey - Information for parents and carers

Why are we doing the survey?

We know that wellbeing and engagement are important parts of your child’s life at school. The department and your school are looking at ways to collect information on these topics so we can support our students in the best way possible.

The Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing (QEW) Survey is designed to measure how state school students view their wellbeing and engagement.

Results from this survey will tell us about students’ levels of wellbeing and engagement. This information will allow us to better support our students and meet their needs.

When will the survey take place?

The QEW Survey will run over the next 2 weeks of this term.  Teachers will determine a suitable time for their class.  Students in years 4, 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to engage in the survey.

What is the survey about?

The survey measures many aspects of students’ wellbeing, engagement, and experience at school.

What is involved in participation?

Teachers will arrange for students to take part in the Survey online during class time. It will take about 30 minutes to complete. If your child requires additional assistance, teachers and/or support people are able to help them.

Does your child have to participate?

Participation in the survey is voluntary. Choosing not to participate will not affect your child’s education in any way.

Your child will also be asked if they would like to participate before starting the survey. They will be free to stop or withdraw at any time.

If you do not wish for your child to participate in the QEW Survey, please email DP Stef Kirk on skirk70@eq.edu.au and your child will not participate in the survey.

Your child will still get a link to the survey in their email even if you opt out, but they won’t be able to get into the survey without the access code given only at the time of completing the survey.

How will your child’s information be kept confidential?

The information collected through the survey will be kept confidential. No personal information will be shared with anyone outside of the Queensland Department of Education. The Queensland Department of Education will store the data according to strict guidelines. The collection of information is in line with the Educational General Provisions Act (2006) and the Information Privacy Act (2009).

How will your child’s responses be reported?

Student’s answers will be de-identified. They will only be reported back to the school as part of their year levels’ results. No one at your child’s school will be able to see their individual responses.

Where can I get more information?

 More information, including FAQs, can be found on the Education website: https://qed.qld.gov.au/publications/reports/statistics/schooling/students/queensland-engagement-wellbeing-survey

You can contact the QEW Survey team by email: QEWSurvey@qed.qld.gov.au.

Cyber Safety

In today’s world, students use many forms of online platforms to connect with their friends.  The e-safety webpage is full of information, and handy tips for parents to support young people in their use of social media to promote safe online practices.  To find out more, click the following link: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

Many social media platforms now come with parental controls. The eSafety Guide below has advice on safety features that can be useful for parents and carers.

Mother's Day Stall

Please ensure your student is able to bring $3 to purchase a Mother's Day gift at the stall tomorrow.

The gifts will be purchased from the Hall. 

School Photos

Next Monday & Tuesday Yeronga State School will have school photos. If you would like purchase any photos please do so by Friday.

Please remember that students must be in Formal Uniform (No Senior Shirts) for their photos.

The Photo schedule was emailed home to families today.

Sibling Photos have been scheduled for both Monday and Tuesday mornings at 7:30am. Please ensure all students are in Formal Uniform for these photos.

If your student is a House Captain please have your student bring their sports shirt for their captain photo on Monday 9^th May.

Year 4 Excursion - 4H, 4M & 4N

Moreton Bay First Contact Excurion.

Monday 9th - Students in 4M/4N/4H will need to be at school by 8am tomorrow as the bus for our excursion leaves at 8:15am. 

Please meet at your classrooms. 

Bring your backpack with your hat, water bottle and a nude food lunch for the day.

Friday 13th -  Students in 4L & 4W will need to be at school by 8am tomorrow as the bus for our excursion leaves at 8:15am. 

Please meet at your classrooms. 

Bring your backpack with your hat, water bottle and a nude food lunch for the day.

Regards

YSS Administration

ANZAC Day 2022…

Our Yeronga SS ANZAC Day service this year continued with the traditions established in 1924 with special emphasis once again on our memorial garden and Honour Avenue. The message given by guest speaker, Pilot Officer Callum Hyatt from 33 Squadron, RAAF Base Amberley resonated with our students more than other ANZAC Day speech that I’ve heard in my time at this school. He remarked that, “Gallipoli wasn’t a glorious event, far from it, it was an absolute disaster” and asked the audience, “why do we now remember this occasion?”

The answer provided was a lesson that we hope all our children learn, that we need to grow our resilience, to build character, strength, and to not give up.  It’s also about mateship and not letting our friends down, instead working together to fight for what we value and believe in.  The men and women fighting during the Gallipoli campaign exemplified what it means to have the ANZAC spirit, inspiring us today to be true to our country and what it means to be Australian.

Just as our students learnt from this special day reasons why we remember this occasion, what lessons have you learnt from your understanding of the ANZAC tradition, and how do you instil those ideas/values within your family? 

Parent Cafe…

The Parent Café is just in its early days of being established, and really is at the moment just a wheelie cart with basic tea and coffee.  It was started to provide opportunity for families to seek help with flood recovery, and it served this purpose well. However, the dream for this initiative in the near future is a drop-in space where any parent/caregiver can come to meet and chat, and to come for information and access to resources.  Once our new building is open, we will be able to start forming this dream in the space that currently is a staff room and first aid area for the junior school.  In the meantime, please come and have a cuppa and chat on a Tuesday morning from 8:30am down in the junior school.  Our Week 4 special guest will be Deputy Principal Tracy Freeman, with Stef Kirk, a/Deputy Principal visiting in week 5. Come along and say hello. 

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

Election Day Bake & BBQ Stall 

Calling all Chefs and Grilling enthusiasts !

On Saturday the 21st May, the Yeronga school hall will be buzzing with excitement as the community attends to vote.

This year, we will be surprising voters with a rosemary sausage sizzle & delectable bake stall. Funds raised will help the P & C to contribute to school events and improvements.

How can I help?

Bake Stall donations are a perfect opportunity to get baking with the kids. Donations can be delivered to the tuck shop at the following times:

8.30am to 9.00am Friday 20.5.2022

1.45pm to 3.15pm Friday 20.5.2022

7.00am to 8.00am Saturday 21.5.2022

Or why not pop on a BBQ apron and flip some snags? We need volunteers to cook, serve and sell on Saturday 21.5.2022. If you're coming to vote, why not join us for a 2 hour volunteer spot and mingle with some other school families. Volunteering is a great way to make new friends.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

Congratulations

Congratulations to strings players Ariel M, Toby A. and Indigo M. who have been accepted into this year's Queensland Conservatorium Middle School State Honours Ensemble Program.

Congratulations to the Junior Choir, the Cosmio Singers, for their outstanding performance of “Tiny Bubbles” on assembly. For a number of our Year 2 students, this was their first choral performance and these students handled their nerves and excitement very well. I look forward to more performances in the future.

Date Claimers

Friday 13 May – Year 6 String Quartet performing @ Junior Assembly (9am in the YSS Hall)

Friday 20 May – Senior Choir AND Chamber Strings performing @ Senior Assembly (9am in the YSS Hall)

Monday 25 July - YSS Winter Showcase @ Yeronga High Hall (5pm start)

Friday 11 November - YSS Big Play @ Yeronga High Hall (5pm start)

Friday 18 November - YSS Big Sing @ Yeronga High Hall (5pm start)

Strings Captain Feature 

I am Indigo M, I am the strings captain this year. I am in my fourth year of playing viola with Mrs Eastgate and having weekly lessons with my neighbour Ruth. I have completed my Grade 1 AMEB music exam and I am practicing for my grade 2 or 3 exam.  

I am very excited to be helping lead the Brandenburg strings ensemble at school with my friend and fellow strings captain Mia S. At school I also play viola in the Chamber Strings Ensemble.  

On Saturday mornings I play viola in the Young Conservatorium ‘Overture Strings’ Ensemble at Griffith University. We get to do really special concerts in a huge concert hall twice a year for all the families, my mum loves it, and my grandparents come. 

My quartet group was started by my friend Ariel M and her mum Ysolt Clark who is a professional French Horn player. Greta M, and Abbie P are also in it. We are hoping to play on assembly soon. This is probably my favourite ensemble based on the friends I get to be with.