Filter Content
I welcome you and your children back after the two week break, in what will undoubtedly be an amazing term 3 of learning, caring, growing and achieving at YSS. I sensed the love of learning at YSS from day one of the term and I congratulate each member of this great school community in how they work with the committed staff to support all learners. YSS is truly special and I am honoured to serve you while Eunice is on leave for the term.
I frequently talk with students to check in and many have shared with me their great learning this week. It is wonderful to hear of how they feel supported in classrooms and feel safe at school to be the best version of themselves.
It has been a busy and productive start to the term with celebrating 100 days of Prep on Wednesday and seeing 117 Year 4 students depart for Camp Warrawee, in addition to all the engaging learning experiences in classrooms. Please follow our Facebook page to see some of the highlights of the week and I am sure our Year 4 parents will enjoy seeing some of the photos from camp.
Thank you
Thank you to the parents/carers who attended the reading volunteer induction session this week, facilitated by Tracy Freeman and Liz Kemp. It is wonderful to have our reading volunteers work with us in supporting our emerging readers.
School Opinion Survey
The annual suite of School Opinion Surveys will be conducted in Term 3 and will close on 18 August 2023. All families are encouraged to take this opportunity to have your say about what our school does well, and how we can improve.
An invitation to complete the Parent/Caregiver Survey will be emailed to one parent/caregiver per family in the week beginning 17 July. The invitation will be sent from the Department of Education, not the school, and it will have the subject line School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2023. Check your junk email folders if you can’t find it. The survey can be completed as soon as the invitation is received and will take approximately 5 minutes using a computer, tablet or smart phone.
Please note, only Years 5 and 6 students are in scope to complete the student iteration of the school opinion survey and they will be provided an opportunity in week 3 to complete their individual feedback in classrooms.
Daily attendance
YSS is committed to improving the whole school attendance rate, with a goal of 95%, in recognition of the direct correlation between school attendance and schooling success (not just academic data). The overall 2022 student attendance rate for all Queensland state schools was 85.6 per cent and while YSS is currently trending higher than the state average in 2022, please continue to talk with your children about the importance of attending school as much as possible and attending the school day on time (bell rings at 8:50am and first session commences at 8:55am).
2024-27 Chaplaincy and student wellbeing officer services
The National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP) provides up to $18.35 million per annum to Queensland over five years (2023– 27) to fund chaplains and student wellbeing officers in state and non-state schools. The State Government has also continued its commitment to fund additional chaplaincy and student wellbeing officer services for the 2023-27 school years.
Our current Chaplain service provides pastoral care, helping to meet welfare needs, and encouraging social and emotional learning through many different programs, lunch-time activities, and conversations. The Yeronga State School community is now invited to consider continuing with this Chaplaincy service or to change to a student welfare worker for the years 2024-2027. Please provide your input into this decision through the completion of a consultation survey which is available through Schoolzine and closes Monday 17 July 5pm.
Perry Trattos
Acting Principal
Welcome back to another great term of learning. We trust that you were able to make the most of the sunny days spending some time with friends and family enjoying our local area. We are looking forward to a term full of wonderful events – it started this week with our Prep children completing 100 Days of Prep and our Year 4 children and teacher attending camp – we will have some very tired children and teachers coming back to school Friday afternoon.
SCHOOL EVENTS FOR THE NEXT FORTNIGHT
17/7 & 18/7 – District Sports
17/7 – Yr 1 First Nation Perspectives Incursion
18/7 & 19/7 – Yr 6 Toohey Forest Excursion
18/7 – Yr 2 Make & Meld Incursion
19/7 – First Nations Mooroka NAIDOC Art Session
21/7 – Prep – Yr 2 Assembly
25/7 – 6pm Diverse Learners Parent Group
26/7 – Sustainability Legacy Fundraiser
26/7 – Yr Parent Information Tech Meeting
100 DAYS OF PREP – SO MUCH FUN, JOY AND LEARNING
A huge thank you to all the teachers and staff involved in 100 Days of Prep. The children all looked amazing, we had some very old little people and our teaching staff looked the part too. The day was full of activities that all were about the number 100 – as well as some funky dancing, you guessed it all to 100. Classes also made a joint class art piece that will be showcased when we meet our Prep 2024 children and families. The morning of celebration was topped off with a very lovely cupcake.
KUMMARA
Perry Green, will be running a program at Yeronga State School this term. The program is called Building Resilience Indigenous Kids for School. The program will run on school grounds on even weeks, Friday 2-3pm and will focus on culture, identity and belonging. Perry would like to invite our first nations families to meet at 3pm – 3:15pm Friday 21 July. If you happen to see Perry, please welcome him to our learning community.
WELCOME TO MARGOT SHANAHAN
Margot Shanahan, will be the class teacher on Mondays for the 1LF class. Margot is excited to be working as part of the Yeronga SS team. Margot is an experienced teacher from Sydney. She has taught a range of year levels from Prep to year 6, Drama, HPE and behaviour. The last two years my role has been district relief teacher including working at Yeronga. Margot is looking forward to becoming a part of the Yeronga Learning Community.
Under 8’s Day
Last term, we celebrated Under 8’s day. This year’s theme was “PLAY - You, me and our communities”. Play is such a brilliant tool for learning and it was lovely to see so many students and community members playing and learning together.
Our deepest thanks to all those in our school and community who collaborated to make this such a special morning.
Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Talk – Years 3-6.
We’re excited to welcome Denise and Bruce Morcombe from the Daniel Morcombe Foundation to Yeronga State School in term 3. Denise and Bruce will talk with students in years 3 to 6 about being safe. They will equip students with skills to trust their instincts, stay in control and be confident to use these skills if and when required. Parents are welcome to join us for this session, held on 10th August at 9am in the hall. If you’d like to know more about the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, or to access some resources to talk about safety at home, the Daniel Morcombe website is a great resource: https://danielmorcombe.com.au/
It is so exciting to be back at school after having term 2 away. I used my long service leave well by going on two conferences, progressing with my MA studies, and taking a short overseas holiday to South Korea. Throughout the term I regularly kept in touch with staff and met with those needing support and encouragement, which helped me to quickly resettle in again at school this week and be ready for year 4 camp. If you would like to catch up with me, please email and we can make a time to meet. It will be good to hear how you and your family have been travelling, and see how I can help throughout this next term.
Last week I was at a Chaplaincy Conference with over 900 Chaplains from across Australia (such a wonderful experience!). An elective I attended was, “Working Together to Create Flourishing Communities” which explored the principles and tools of asset-based community development, considering the strengths of our communities and how to tap into people’s unique capacity to contribute to a flourishing community. I was reminded of the great resources we have represented across our Yeronga families and wider community, and how when we collectively bring our skills and resources together, we can turn a shared dream into a reality. I encourage you to be brave and make time to offer what you have to contribute to this great school. Get started by talking with staff, the P&C, or even me, and see how what you have to offer can contribute to a flourishing school community.
Have a great term 3!
Blessings, Chappy Jenny
Email – jennifer.bennett@suchaplaincy.org.au
Facebook and Instagram – Community_Chaplain
Term three is always a busy term in the library. This term students will be receiving a 45 minute library/STEAM lesson every second week by Debbie Cowie. Book week is coming up in the week 19 – 25th August with the theme of “Read, Grow, Inspire. We will be hosting a book week parade for our younger students. So keep your thinking hats on for inspiration. Remember to keep it simple though.
Premiers reading challenge is still running so please get your child to fill in the books that they have read. Every child should be eligible for a certificate from the Premiers Reading Challenge.
Click here to down load a copy of the recording sheet.
ICAS
ICAS tests will be run before school in the library. This is a reminder that enrolments close on 19 July 2023
What is ICAS?
ICAS is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students’ higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee and Digital Technologies.
Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals.
At Yeronga State School we offer students the opportunity to sit the ICAS test as an option, by providing an assessor and space to sit the test.
Learn more about ICAS here. (https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas)
How to participate in ICAS
If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:
- read about ICAS subjects and prices here: (com/products-icas)
- read the terms and conditions here:(icasassessments.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2023-ICAS-Assessments-Parents-PPS-TsCs_final.pdf)
- go to Parent Portal to purchase tests here: (shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps)
- enter our school’s access code –CZP999
- enter your child’s details, select the tests you would like to purchase, then proceed to payment.
NB. Parent registrations close by 17 July.
Spotlight on Health Lessons (Mr Curness)
Welcome back to Semester 2. At Yeronga State School every class will continue to receive a 30-minute Health lesson a week. These lessons will comprise of both theory and practical sessions. At the moment we have moved back into the classrooms to focus on the theory side of the Health curriculum. The students have made a positive start to the term. All year levels have demonstrated a genuine interest in their new topic and seem very keen to explore them more. Later in the semester all classes will participate in a variety of movement activities ranging from perceptual motor activities in the junior school to game play and skill development in the upper school. A Specialist Teachers Newsletter will be sent out in the next few weeks outlining what each year level is covering.
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 is now holding 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.
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.
Representative Sport Dates Release (Important)
The trial dates for term one of 2023 are listed below.
Yeronga State School (YSS) District Trial Selection Policy (Years 4 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.
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 2 & 3, 2023
17 & 18 July – District Athletics
29 & 30 August – Regional Athletics
31 August – YSS Ball Games Day
2023 Instrumental Music Information Evening- Year 2 and Year 3 families
The 2023 Instrumental Music Information Evening for families with students who are interested in joining the school’s Strings or Band program in 2024 will be held on Wednesday August 23 at 6:30pm in the school hall. Current Year 2 students are eligible to apply for the 2024 Strings program and current Year 3 students can apply for the Band program. Current Year 3 students who are already participating in the Strings program are not eligible to join the Band program next year. If a student wishes to be considered for selection in the 2024 Instrumental Music program, it is highly recommended that the student and one caregiver attend the information evening. This will ensure all families have a comprehensive understanding of the program and are aware of the commitment and costs involved.
Parents will be able to register their interest in their child participating in the program at the information evening. If you are unable to attend, you will need to email the strings teacher Tamsyn Eastgate at teast42@eq.edu.au or the band teacher Alex Grodecki at agrod3@eq.edu.au prior to the information evening to ensure that we know that your child would like to apply for the program.
Participation in Instrumental Music at Yeronga is in high demand and there are limited places available. The selection process involves aural testing of all year 2 and 3 students, consultations with classroom and specialist teachers, and physical testing on the string or band instruments that allows students the opportunity to try out different instruments and determine their physical capability for an instrument.
A men's style wedding ring was found on the grounds, and handed into the office. If anyone has lost this, please come to the office and give us the description.
Yeronga State High School
YOU’RE INVITED TO YERONGA CELEBRATES! FRIDAY 18 AUGUST (3PM TO 7PM)
Yeronga SHS is an incredibly diverse school community where everyone takes immense joy and honour in celebrating all the unique cultural backgrounds. It's also an opportunity to be unified by pride in our children and to celebrate all the richness and benefits we get from being such a diverse community. Yeronga Celebrates is a biennial event that our school community always look forward too. This year we are CELEBRATING on Friday 18 August! It will be an all-day event. Save the date as we are inviting the community to be a part of this event too! Here’s our Yeronga Celebrates Facebook Events Page - https://fb.me/e/107D8EQ9M
YSHS students will be involved in various activities from 8.45am to 2.45pm and the festival is open to general public from 3pm to 7pm.
3PM to 7PM
Yeronga Markets
Food Festival
International Cultural Concert
Bar on the Green (The Bar will be operated by our P&C)
Get ready to be immersed in the vibrancy of Yeronga Celebrates and Yeronga State High School!
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. Afternoon tea will be provided.
Please click HERE to fill out a registration form if you'd like to attend our Y-Tour Enrolment Information Session.
Thank you and have a good day
Please click HERE to fill out a registration form if you'd like to attend one of our Enrolment Interview Sessions. For enrolment interviews, please bring:
- Your child that is being enrolled
- Birth certificate/passport/travel documents
- Most recent report card
- Enrolment application documents
Alternatively, you may also email our Enrolment Officer at enrolments@yerongashs.eq.edu.au to make an appointment for an enrolment interview session.
For out of catchment enrolments, please click HERE for more information.
Thank you.
Thank you to everyone who have submitted an application for our Academies. We’ve had an overwhelming response!
Applications for Spanish Academy is still open until 1 September 2023 so do contact our Enrolments Officer at enrolments@yerongashs.eq.edu.au to submit an application.
To find out more about our Specialist programs, please visit our website - https://yerongashs.eq.edu.au/curriculum/specialist-programs
Thank you.
NOTICEBOARD