Dear Families,

It is with great hope and optimism I write my first newsletter piece to you this year. Our students and staff have made a focussed, routine and calm start to the school year. What a relief it is to commence the school year without a COVID related remote learning program or delayed start. Whilst the wet season is yet to fully impact, we trust also that our school and families will not be impacted by flooding this year. This will be the first year since starting school our current Year 3 students will have experienced a ‘normal’ start to the school year. They are a high performing group of students who are testament to the resilience of our children, their natural drive to learn and the dedication and expertise of our teachers and parents who have worked so closely over the past few years.

It was a pleasure to meet many of you at our Parent Information Evening this week. I trust you found the sessions informative and encouraging. I am looking forward to meeting with our class Parent Representatives in the near future and thank in advance those who have volunteered for this important community role.

You may have noticed a few changes to our bell system as we continue to adjust to a new administration. Please note the following information;

8:55am                Move to class song- Acknowledgement of Country Yuggera Djarra-Na 

9.00am                First session begins- Alert bell -students need to be lined up ready for teacher

11:00am              FIRST BREAK

11:45am              Second session begins

1:15pm                SECOND BREAK

1:45pm                Last session begins

3:00pm                School day ends- Alert bell- students make their way home

3.15pm               End of the school day song - On the Road Again*    

*reminding all students to immediately leave by 3.15 to one of the following areas as agreed with the parent or caregiver; After School Care, Pick-up Zone, walking/riding home or school office. This is for the safety of all students and the prompt location of unaccompanied/supervised children.

Next week we celebrate two important school events;

Monday 13^th is the official opening of our new administration, classrooms and Curiosity Centre by our Minister for Education the Hon. Grace Grace MP and our local member for Miller the Hon. Mark Bailey MP.

On Friday 17^th is our formal Student Leader Induction Ceremony for 2023.

Our staff and I are very much looking forward to these two significant ceremonies in our school calendar.

Yeronga State School is a school for an international community. The majority of our children and families have been born and lived in other parts of our world with strong family ties to loved ones far away. Right now the unfolding tragedy in Ukraine, northern Syria and southern Turkiye reminds us how important our Yeronga School family can be as a support. Our Chappy Jen, Guidance Officer Robbie Spence and Support Teacher Sally Ainsworth are able to put you in touch with local services or just lend a comforting ear. Each Tuesday morning in the Junior School they run our Parent Café. It is very low key, friendly and informal. Regular guests are invited to talk about community matters. All are welcome.

Please find attached to this newsletter our School Handbook for 2023. Enclosed is important operational and policy information for parents. Click here to access the School Handbook

Yours sincerely,

Eunice Webb

Principal

Bike Racks

Bike racks are located near the tennis courts in the upper school, and near K block in the junior school.  Students are encouraged to use a bike lock to lock up their bike and helmet during the day.  Please refrain from locking bikes up along fenced pathways in other areas of the school as this blocks foot traffic.

Zebra Crossing

A reminder to keep a look out for all community members who are using the Zebra Crossing on Park Road.  A lot of community members use this crossing to access our school at all times.  Help keep everyone safe and slow down and give way to pedestrians.

Student Council

Student Council representatives are appointed in every year 3-6 class.  The student council representatives are a vital part of the student leadership team, and provide a link for student voice in school decision making, school improvement and fundraising.  Classes are currently finalising student council representatives.  Student councillors will be invited to attend the Halogens Young Leaders conference on Monday 20^th February with Miss Kirk and Miss Mac.  This conference is a great opportunity for the student council to come together, and identify individual and team strengths ready for the year ahead.  Further information about this excursion will be provided to Student Council reps on Monday 13^th February at our first student council meeting.

Leadership Induction Ceremony

The Leadership induction ceremony will take place on Friday 17^th February in the Hall at 9am.  All year 6 students and years 3-6 student councillors will be inducted into their school leadership positions.  All parents and carers of year 6 students and student councillors are welcome to join us on this special occasion.  Hope to see you there.

Year 6 Legacy Committee Workshop

On Thursday 16^th February, all year 6 students will participate in a legacy committee workshop.  Miss Kirk, along with the year 6 teachers, will lead the workshop centred around building student leadership and team work.  Students will nominate for a legacy committee aligned to the 4 big areas of school improvement including; sustainability, wellbeing, curiosity and creativity, and outdoor learning and play.  We look forward to sharing our goals with you and working with the whole school community in our improvement journeys.

Bell Music

You may have noticed some new bell music playing at various times throughout the day.  Recently, we have upgraded our bell system and this has allowed for an opportunity to incorporate more music throughout the day.  The year 6 students eagerly provided a lot of great song choices to signify the start and end of the school day, as well as the end of playtime.  Thanks year 6 for all your great suggestions!!  We hope you like the new songs.  The school day starts with the first bell at 8:55am.  Students then have 5 minutes to gather belongings and get ready to meet their teacher at 9am. 

Read Write Inc.

Learning to read is the most important thing your child will learn at our school. Everything else depends on it, so we do all we can to make sure every child learns to read quickly.

We want your child to love reading – and to want to read for themselves.

You can help. 

Throughout the year we will run a series of workshops for parents to learn how we are teaching your children to read and learn how you can help at home.

We are holding a workshop 

The details of the workshop are below:

An Introduction to Read Write Inc. Phonics

• An overview of how we teach children to read.

Set 1 Sounds

• How we teach children to read their first sounds.

Fred Talk

• Fred Talk is how we teach children to blend sounds into words

Welcome to Prep

A HUGE welcome to our new prep families.  We hope your little ones have enjoyed the first two weeks of school and are now getting used to their new routine.  We are so proud of how well the children have transitioned to school and we are building on routines and learning everyday.  A huge thankyou to Chappy Jen who hosted the morning tea straight after first day drop off.

This coming Saturday (11 Feb) at 9am – 11am the P&C will be hosting a prep meet and play in the prep play area.  We would love to see all our prep families there!! This is a great way to connect with our learning community.

Upcoming Events

Please note that Senior Assembly is on Friday 9am odd weeks and Junior Assembly is Friday 9:05am even weeks.  The exception being Week 3 as there is a change – Junior Assembly will be on Friday Week 3 as Leader Induction Assembly will be held in Week 4.

17/2/23                              Leader Induction Ceremony

3/3/23                                 Harmony Day Assembly

6/3/23                                 Senior Cross Country

7/3/23 & 9/3/23               Parent Teacher Interviews

10/3/23                              Gala Day – Senior Students

14/3/23                              Bravehearts Presentation – Prep and Year 1

15/3/23                              Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN starts

20/3/23-22/3/23              Year 6 Camp

25/3/23                              Chappy Jen Carboot Rummage Sale

27/3/23                              Prep – Year 3 Cross Country

28/3/23                              Diverse Learners Lounge 6pm

30/3/23                              Beginner Strings and Band Concert 5pm

Stef Kirk and Tracy Freeman

Deputy Principals 

Welcome to 2023 from the P&C - AGM February 21

Hello and welcome (back) to all new and returning parents from Yeronga SS P&C. We like to keep the first few weeks clear of non-school messages so you can get yourselves and kids ready for the new year without extra things to think about, but its a busy start to the year.

Firstly, I would like to encourage all parents to join the P&C. By joining you will receive our meeting minutes and read what we have been planning and doing. No one is required to attend a meeting or volunteer for anything just because you've joined, but you need to be a member to vote at a meeting. I have included a copy of our membership form, please sign and return to secretary@yerongasspandc.org.au

What does the P&C do anyway?

If your kids have sat on it, played on it, eaten it or worn it, it was probably supplied by the P&C. That lovely air-conditioning that allows your precious one to learn on hot afternoons? That was us. The beautiful gardens behind the library? That looked like a quarry two years ago, until we fixed it. The nature play areas - us again. We are also strong advocates for the school around the greater community. That amazing new building? That was set to be a carpark until the P&C joined the lobbying to have it saved and renovated. You want to make a difference? Join the P&C.

Prep parents and children picnic - Saturday 11 Feb - 9am - 11am

Our first event of the year is our most low-key and easy. On Saturday 11th February The P&C will be hosting the annual new parents and children picnic in the Prep play area. This just a chance for parents and children to meet and talk, we are looking forward to meeting you.

This years AGM is Feb 21 from 7pm and this meeting essentially reviews and  approves reports from 2022 and elects a new executive. After four years as president, it is time for me to stand aside so there will be a number of positions open. I hope to see you all there.

Hello and welcome to the new school year.  I have met many new families at my Welcome Morning Tea on the first day of school, but would still like to connect with you. Please feel free to email me, or come and see me at Parent Café every Tuesday morning. Each week, Parent Café is set up under the trees in the junior school where you can have a cuppa and talk with me, as well as with other staff and parents. This week we had visitors from the Metro South SEQ Flood Mental Health Recovery Unit come to connect with families and talk out about the services offered to support any needs following natural disasters. For more information about what they offer, please see the attached brochure. 

Harmony Day – Friday 3 March 

Harmony Day is a special day for our school, with many conversations held in classrooms around diversity, inclusion, respect, and harmony.  We celebrate the day by having two special assemblies, with performances from each year level, Chamber Choir, and a very moving flag procession. This year we have 90 different countries represented at our school.  Please come and join in the celebration:

Jnr School Assembly (prep – year 2) at 9:15am

Followed by a Cultural Food Fair (bring a plate of food to share that represents your cultural background)

Senior School Assembly (year 3-6) at 12pm

Talking about School

It is so tempting to ask lots of questions of our children at after-school pick up, but often they will be hot (in these summer months), tired, possibly hungry, and unfortunately not very willing to talk about school. The most important thing in that moment is be welcoming with a friendly smile and a hug (if you can catch one) so that your children know you are happy to see them. It also reassures those who are feeling unsettled at drop off in the morning to know that you will be there for them in the afternoon.

Later at home, once everyone has settled and are ready to talk, ask simple questions about their day that require more than a one-word answer. Give your undivided attention when they share, be respectful, and use active listening techniques. I find that dinner time is a great opportunity for the whole family to take turns and share something about their day. A great conversation starter around the table is for everyone to share a “down” and an “up” from their day, which helps to normalise that each day brings all sorts of experiences, thoughts, and feelings.  It provides a way for the family to support each other through their ups and downs.

For more information and other questions to ask, check out the information provided at raisingchildren.net.au at: https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/connecting-communicating/communicating/talking-about-school

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

Running Club

Running club has resumed and will continue until the end of the year unless the weather makes it impossible to run safely or public health restrictions return. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays, from 3:15 to 3:45 and Wednesdays from 7:45 to 8:15 with Mr Bateman. Mr Sutherland will hold his sessions on Fridays from 7:45 to 8:15 although I am yet to ask when he would like to commence so stay tuned for that information. Remember that all of these sessions will occur on the main, or years 3-6, oval.

District Swimming Trialists

Congratulations to the following students who have qualified for the District Swimming Team and will now compete at regionals for a spot in the Met West team;

Mollie W, Archie C, Tane D, Jesse S, Stevie K & Charlotte R.

This trial will be held on the Wednesday 22^nd  of February at Chandler.

District Cricket Representatives

Congratulations to the following cricketers who will represent the Eastern Taipans District at Regionals and vie for selection in the Met West team. The successful students are;

Ted H

Lily M

Arabella R

Piper V

And

Emma G.

New Football Goals

Please remember, that although these goals are metal, they are not built to be climbed upon. Please do not climb on them as you will be endangering yourself, damaging the goals and be the unhappy recipient of a white slip.

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 Sporting Dates Term 1 2023

14/02/2023:  10 -12 Years Regional Girls Cricket Trial

16/02/2023:  10 -12 Years District Touch Trial

17/02/2023:  10 -12 Years District Squash (Paper Nominations Due)

21/02/2023:  10 -12 Years District Basketball Trial

22/02/2023: 10 -19 Years Regional Swimming Trial

28/02/2023: 10 -19 Years Regional Squash Trial

1/03/2023:  10 -12 Years District AFL Trial

8/03/2023:  10 -12 Years District Netball Trial

9/03/2023:  10 -12 Years Regional Basketball Trial

13/03/2023:  10 -12 Years Regional Girls AFL Trial

06/03/2023:  YSS Senior (Years 4 to 6) Cross Country (Reserve Day 23/3/2023)

14/03/2023:  10 -12 Years Regional Boys AFL Trial

14/03/2023:  10 -12 Years Regional Touch Trial

15/03/2023:  10 -12 Years District Boys Rugby League Trial

24/03/2023 10 – 12 Years District Hockey Paper Nomination Due

27/03/2023:  YSS Junior Cross Country (Prep to 3)

28/03/2023:  10 -12 Years Regional Netball Trial

Welcome back to another year of reading. A recent visitor to our library commented on how popular our library is. This was her comment “What a joy to see all those lovely students enjoying their time in your wonderful library!” Our students certainly love reading and we have a high turnover rate of books being borrowed and returned. We ask that you help your child develop those habits of looking after books by providing a book bag to borrow books. All students should have a book bag to protect their library books.

Each year level has different borrowing needs. At the moment we are encouraging our prep students to borrow just one book at a time, until they get into the habit of borrowing and returning books. Year One and Two students will be bringing home library books as well as home readers. Later on, in Year Two and from Year Three and above their library books are their home readers. We encourage our students to select their own reading material, and encourage a variety of reading, which would includes fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels and picture books. Yes, we even have picture books for our mature readers. Our older students can borrow three books at a time.

Lost or missing books

Please contact us  as soon as a book is lost or missing (email dcowi11@eq.edu.au). We are able to take the book off the student’s name, so that they can continue borrowing. However, if a book is lost or damaged we ask that you either replace the book like for like or make a $20 donation so that we can replace the book. We don’t invoice you for this amount until we know that the book has not reappeared for at least a term. Often books mysteriously reappear or are found, under the car seat, down the back of the sofa or even in another classroom.

Up coming events

Our Year six students will be looking forward to a visit by Zanni Louise author of Queenie in Seven Moves, in March. This story fits in beautifully with our current inquiry on community.

Book Club 

The best gift any parent can give a child is the love of books and the joy and benefits of independent reading for fun. Children who read at home, or are read to, have a head start on reading success in school.

Our school is participating in Scholastic Book Club this year. Once a term, during the school year, you will receive a Book Club catalogue with a different selection of books offered for all ages

Books span a wide range of children’s reading levels and interests and are inexpensive (some books cost as little as $3).

It is easy to order.

The Book Club LOOP platform for parents allows you to pay by credit card. Your child’s order is submitted directly to school and the books will be delivered to class. You can place your child’s order at scholastic.com.au/loop or by using the LOOP app, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

Owning your own books is something special! I hope that you will encourage your child to order books this year. Each order helps earn free books and teaching materials for the school, however there is never any obligation to order.