Dear Families,

2023-2027 School Chaplain and Student Wellbeing Officer Program

At Yeronga State School we have received recurring government funding of $20000 per annum since 2009 to employ a school chaplain. Chaplain Jennifer Bennet has served the Yeronga State School Community since the start of 2011. Chappy has held the hands and hearts of the Yeronga State School community through two natural disasters, the 2010-2011 and 2022 Brisbane floods, the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 150^th School Celebrations, major school events such as Camp at School with Dad and Harmony Day, classroom social and emotional learning programs, family and child welfare, Christmas Hamper and staff wellbeing. Chappy is the Padre to the Stevens RSL and a familiar and trusted face in our community. Many of you will be familiar with Chappy’s fundraising events such as Pancake Day, Subway Meal Deal and Christmas in July Movie night. These fundraisers along with donor financial contributions have supported families in need as well as an additional two days per week of service.

On Monday 19 June, schools were invited to apply for new or continued funding for a school chaplain or student wellbeing officer. Community support for the funding application was required and with the due date falling in the second week after the school holidays, pressure was on to engage the community. Fortunately, a PandC meeting was scheduled the following evening and the application was tabled including the discussion of the existing chaplaincy program at the school. As there was no newsletter that week, a Schoolzine survey along with information about the role of Chaplain and Student Wellbeing Officer was sent to all staff and families in the final week of Term 2. The survey invited recipients to nominate for a Chaplain or Student Wellbeing Officer with a closing date of 14 July.  A reminder to the community to respond to the survey was in the Acting Principal, Mr Perry Trattos’s newsletter piece in Week 1 of Term 3. The results of the 122 responses received indicated a 2/3 majority vote for a Student Wellbeing Officer should the application for funding be successful. Successful schools will be notified in Term 4. I have not heard yet the outcome of the funding application and will inform the community as soon as possible.

Significantly, this means we will no longer have Chappy Jenny as part of the Government Funded program at Yeronga State School. I will be working with Chappy and Scripture Union to ensure a smooth handover for those families and staff who access Chaplaincy services.  For many of us, Chappy is an integral and much respected member of Yeronga State School. I invite you to express your acknowledgement and gratitude for Jennifer’s 13 years of service. In keeping with Chappy’s wishes not to have a public and formal farewell, please feel free to drop a letter of thanks or donation for a gift to the school office. Chappy’s last day will be Thursday 7 December.

New Fence and Gates - Feedback

Over the past few weeks students, staff and families have adjusted routines to work in with the school’s new security fence. This has been a significant adjustment for our community. Since the notification from the Department of Education that Yeronga State School had reached the threshold for the installation of a security fence, I have communicated updates via the PandC monthly meetings and the school newsletter. As expected it is not until a change impacts us directly, we are confronted by the reality of how it impacts us personally. We are slowly adjusting to the new routines. I will be providing a response to feedback regarding the new fence and gates at the PandC Meeting on Tuesday evening should you be interested and wish to have anything further clarified.

Emergency Response Plans

All state schools have a current School Emergency Response Plan (SERP) that requires Regional Director approval. All staff are familiar with the plan and practice Evacuation and Lockdown Drills each term as per the SERP procedures. On Tuesday our whole school practiced an off-site evacuation to the Yeronga Memorial Park. All 750 students and staff were evacuated and accounted for as per the plan within 15 minutes of the Evacuation Alarm being sounded. These plans are not published externally due to the confidential and secure information contained within them and individual student and staff medical and support needs. If you would like to discuss the SERP or any emergency procedure with me personally please do not hesitate to make a time to do so.

I look forward to catching up with you at the many ceremonies and events over the last few weeks of school.

Eunice

Year 5 camp

Last week, the year 5 students attended camp at Currumbin Valley.  The weather was on our side as students navigated a variety of rescue challenges, working on their leadership and team skills.  The key theme of the camp activities centred around 3 values: Communication, Valuing others and Resilience.  The challenges certainly tested our students, as they used their learner assets to solve problems, and achieve a team goal.  We’re always proud of our students on camp, stepping out of their comfort zones and putting their best foot forward, and feedback from the camp staff is always positive, praising our students for their behaviour. Great work year 5!

Student Leadership 2024

Over the past 5 weeks, year 5 students have embarked on the selection process for student leadership in 2024.  It was great to see so many students involved in this process!  It’s with pleasure that we announce the student leaders for 2024.  These students will be formally inducted into the roles at the Leadership Induction Ceremony in term 1 next year. Congratulation’s students!

Performing Arts Captains

House Captain

School events Events that are coming up in the next 2 weeks:

20^th November – Chappy Subway Day

21^st November – PandC meeting 7pm

25^th November – Art Soiree in the Curiosity Centre

27^th November – Year 3/4/5/6 swimming carnival

28^th November – Year 1 / 2 swimming carnival

30^th November – year  1/ 2 awards ceremony, 9am

1^st December – year 3 / 4 awards ceremony, 9am

1^st December – year 5 /6 & sport awards , 12pm

Year 6 students were invited by the Stephen's  RSL Sub Branch to submit a Remembrance Day essay/poem on 'What Remembrance Day means to you'. This linked in to the current year 6 Inquiry curriculum with the focus being on Connection. 

Congratulations to Joshua Harrison (6M) on being the winner this year. Joshua read his poem at the ceremony on Saturday 11 November in Yeronga Memorial Park. Well done to all the other entrants. The feedback from the RSL was that all entries were commendable and heartfelt.

Big Sing

The Big Sing concert, featuring members of the Junior, Senior and Chamber choirs and Yeronga's newest group, the Marimba Ensemble, bought the YSS amphitheatre to life last Thursday night. With great weather on our side, and delicious treats served by Tracy and the team at the Tuckshop, we were so thrilled to have families and friends join us for an evening of music and community. The student performances were remarkable and concert goers enjoyed music from Coldplay to movie soundtracks and even some classics thrown into the mix - it was quite a journey!

The concert was a fantastic way to celebrate such a successful year of community music at YSS. It is always so rewarding to attend a concert where every student is engaged and excited to be performing. It is this love of music that makes the performances so extraordinary. 

We would like to take the opportunity to thank all the staff and families who support our students in their musical endeavours. Most of all, we commend our music students. It takes practice, patience and consistency for children to thrive in music, and bravery to perform in front of such a large, and grateful, audience. Congratulations on such a musically successful 2023. 

Foundation to year 6 Spanish Program

Querida familias / Dear families/care givers

WOW week 7, were has the time gone. Your amazing children have been working really well in Spanish finalising their amazing work. Year 1 and 2 have being working on their favourite zoo animal and describing their features in Spanish. Year 3 and 4 have being busy writing a description in Spanish about their monster. Their art work is amazing. Year 4/5 and year 5 have designed a timeline about their life learning to use verbs in the past tense. Some amazing work has been produced. Year 6 have been working on writing about what their future will look like, focusing on their profession and family learning to use verbs in the future tense. Stay tune to our last newsletter as I will be sharing some year 6 work.

Read all about it!

I am happy to share exciting news from Yeronga State High School about their Spanish Academy program.

In partnership with the Spanish Embassy in Canberra, we are pleased to announce that Yeronga SHS is now an accredited Spanish Language Academy.  The Yeronga SHS Spanish Academy is a new immersion program commencing in 2024. Students will have the chance to immerse themselves in Spanish culture and language with instruction in at least 50% of the curriculum in Spanish through to the end of Year 9. This is a great opportunity right in the heart of Yeronga, so keep an eye out for more events and information about this amazing program for future students! In the meantime, and for more information, please visit the Spanish Academy space in the Yeronga SHS Website.

Running Club

Mr Sutherland's Run Club 5km Relay Race is on next Friday 24th November. We are looking for adult/student pairs to complete 5km by running one lap of the oval at a time. All you need to do is arrive at the Senior Oval at 7:45am, we will begin at 8am. All Welcome!

Yeronga State School Touch Football Wrap 2023

Over Semester Two many of our students have been involved in learning, training and playing Touch Football. The Year 4 students had the opportunity in Health lessons to participate in skills and drills which cumulated in class games.

We had over one hundred and ten students from Year 5 and 6 participate in Gala Day Touch Football. These teams demonstrated excellent development over the season. Many of the teams made and won finals.

Gala Day Premiers

Senior Boys A Division – Yeronga 1

Senior Boys C Division – Yeronga 2

Junior Boys A Division – Runners Up Yeronga 1

Junior Boys C Division – Yeronga 4, Yeronga 3 were Runners Up

Junior Girls – Yeronga 1 Runners Up

Senior Girls B Division – Yeronga 2

*Due to a clash with the AFL SEQ Cup we had a number of players missing for Gala Day 3. The Junior Girls and Senior A Girls team would have been strong contenders for the premierships with full squads.

Brisbane All Schools and Qld All Schools Touch Football

For the first time in a few years the school entered teams in to the All Schools competitions. The Girls played on very hot Saturday in the Brisbane All Schools Tournament. After a few tough pool games which saw the team record a win, a loss and a draw they were paired to play All Hallows in the knock out quarter final. In a great game of footy the girls went down very narrowly 1-0. Interestingly, All Hallows went on to win the tournament. Our girls certainly showed plenty of grit and improvement of the day.

The Boys team played in the Qld All Schools Tournament which involved playing both Saturday and Sunday. They encountered very different conditions to the girls with rain almost forcing the tournament to be cancelled. Day one saw the team have two good wins and 1 loss. On day 2 the team was listed to play in the knock out Cup competition. Similar to the girls team the boys were gaining momentum with each game. Many of the players were quickly learning some of the finer and more technical points of playing high level Touch Footy. After 3 very entertaining wins in a row the boys were in the Grand Final. After a strong start the opposition St Pat’s Shorncliffe pulled away with some very good footwork and a little more energy left in their legs.

I would like to thank all the coaches and supervisors that assisted with the Touch Football players across all levels this year. Also, a big thank you to the parents and supporters that attended games. Finally, congratulations to all the players for giving Touch Football a go and demonstrating improvement and sportspersonship at all events.

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 terms Three and Four 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 regularly among the best 3 or 4 players 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 and nominates Yeronga State School as the recipient of Community Kickbacks. I have purchased Footballs and Netballs with this credit this year. 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 3 & Term 4, 2023

27 November – Yeronga State School Senior Swimming Carnival (Yrs 3 – 6)

28 November – Yeronga State School Junior Swimming Carnival (Yrs 1 & 2)

 7 February 2024 – Eastern Taipans District Swimming

 19 February 2024 - Eastern Taipans 10 to 12 Yrs District Netball

 20 February 2024 - Eastern Taipans 10 to 12 Yrs Boys & Girls District Basketball

22 February 2024 - Eastern Taipans 10 to 12 Yrs Boys & Girls District Touch

23 February 2024 - Eastern Taipans 10 to 12 Yrs Boys & Girls District Squash (nominations due)

26 February 2024 - Eastern Taipans 10 to 12 Yrs Boys & Girls District AFL

1 March 2024 - Eastern Taipans 10 to 12 Yrs Boys & Girls District Golf (nominations due)

5 March 2024 - Eastern Taipans 10 to 12 Yrs Boys & Girls District Tennis

6 March 2024 - Eastern Taipans 10 to 11 Yrs Boys & Girls District Rugby League

TBC 2024 - Eastern Taipans 11 to 12 Yrs Boys & Girls District Rugby League

8 March 2024 - Eastern Taipans 10 to 11 Yrs Boys & Girls District Hockey (nominations due)

Upcoming Swimming Carnivals

As always we will need parental help staffing these carnivals. We are fortunate that the parent body has always been very generous in volunteering time. For the Senior (Years 3 – 6) Carnival, on 27 November, we will need timers. For the Junior (Years 1 & 2) Carnival, on 28 November we will need marshalls / checkstarters. If you can help please email Mr Bateman; cbate12@eq.edu.au .

Please remember that;

• A purpose of this carnival is to be a selection trial for those wishing to trial for the Eastern Taipans District Swimming team in 2024,
•  Year 5 & 6 Students should come to school in their togs,
• Students will be marked to show whether they have been approved to swim in deep or shallow water,
• There will not be finals
• Age for events will be according to year of birth ( Students born 2011 are 12 years), And
• Students should not bring money to buy food at the pool canteen as there will not be an opportunity to do this.

Approximate Schedules for the Senior Carnivals

27-11-2023 - Years 5 & 6

Years 5 & 6 will run roughly to the following schedule

9:10 – 10, 11, & 12 yrs 50m Freestyle Events, 25m Freestyle Events (Deep water),

9:50 - 10, 11, & 12 yrs Breaststroke Events, 25m Breaststroke Events (Deep water),

10:30 - Yeronga Swimming Gift:  (Boys/Girls Open Freestyle Race (Nine fastest times swum in 50m heats for 10 -12 Yrs boys and girls freestyle))

10:50 - 10, 11, & 12 yrs 50m Backstroke Events,

11:10 10, 11, & 12 yrs 50m Butterfly Events,

11:30 - Freestyle Relay

11:50 Presentation of 10, 11 and 12 years Age championships if time permits. 

12:00 Commence returning children to school following the Presentation. 

27-11-2023 - Years 3 & 4

Years 3 & 4 will run roughly to the following schedule;

12:00 – 8 & 9 yr 50m Freestyle Events,  Non-Competitive 25m Freestyle Events (deep water),

12:30 – 8 & 9 Yrs 50m Breaststroke Events, Non-Competitive 25m Breaststroke Events (deep water)

1-1:45 – Years 3 to 6 Shallow Water noodle or kickboard races on front and back (1/2 length)

1:45 – 8 & 9 Yrs 50m Backstroke Events,

2:05 -8 & 9 Yrs 50m Butterfly Events, (deep water),

2:20 - 8 & 9 Yrs Age Championship Presentation if time permits.

2:30 - Commence returning children to school following the Shallow water

Approximate Schedules for the Junior Carnivals

28-11-2023 - Year 1 & 2

Classes (1LF & 1S)

11am: 25m & 12.5m Freestyle boys and girls

11:10am 12.5m Independent kickboard on front boys and girls

11:20am 12.5m Assisted kickboard on front boys and girls

11:30am 25m & 12.5m  Backstroke boys and girls

11:40am 12.5m Independent kickboard on back /noodle boys and girls

11:50am 12.5m Assisted kickboard on back /noodle boys and girls

Please note that 1LF and 1S students need to be finished snacking and dressed earlier than 10:45 due to events beginning at 11.

Classes (1C & 1M)

12 pm: 25m & 12.5m  Freestyle boys and girls

12:10pm 12.5m Independent kickboard on front boys and girls

12:20pm 12.5m assisted kickboard on front boys and girls

12:30pm 25m & 12.5m  Backstroke boys and girls

12:40pm 12.5m Independent kickboard on back /noodle boys and girls

12:50pm 12.5m Assisted kickboard on back /noodle boys and girls

Classes (2BW, 2MJ, 2P, 2V & 2Y)

1pm: 25m & 12.5m  Freestyle boys and girls

1:10pm 12.5m Independent kickboard on front boys and girls

1:20pm 12.5m Assisted kickboard on front boys and girls

1:30pm 25m & 12.5m  Backstroke boys and girls

1:40pm 12.5m Independent kickboard on back boys and girls

1:50pm 12.5m Assisted kickboard on back boys and girls

2:00pm 25m & 12.5m  Breaststroke boys and girls

2:10pm 12.5m Independent noodle boys and girls

2:20pm 12.5m assisted noodle boys and girls

T-Block Character Decals

If you’ve been upstairs in T-block this term, then you may have noticed over 700 quirky characters appearing on the walls as you enter the Curiosity Centre. At the start of this year every child had the opportunity to draw their own Sharpie character during an art lesson.

There were many steps and months of preparation involved in the process of this project. Each character was photographed, their background digitally removed and then cut into a sticker decal using the school’s Cricut machine. The decals needed to be ‘weeded’ to reveal the image and have contact applied to keep each design in place before finally being installed on the walls of T-block.

A big thank you to Deb Cowie for her Cricut guidance, Rachel Potter, Tracy and Stef for ‘weeding’ piles of decals, Vidisha Bhatia, Emma Powlett, Heidi Von Kistowski and Charlie Young for their help during the install stage, and the many volunteers in our community who came to the working bees to see this project completed. It’s been incredibly satisfying to watch the children’s joy as they explore the growing sea of characters.

Art Soiree

The Art Soiree is on Saturday November 25th. This is an opportunity for adults to view the art on display and peacefully enjoy a refreshment and cheese platter while doing so. The soiree will be held in the Curiosity Centre from 5pm-7pm. From Monday, November 28th to Thursday, November 30th, everyone is invited to attend between 3pm-5pm. This is when children can proudly show their families what they’ve achieved in art this year. Each child will have at least 1 piece on display.

Art Soiree Volunteers

If you would like to help with the art show set-up, then please note the following dates -

Thursday, November 23rd - 9am-3pm

Friday, November 24th - 9am-3pm

Pack-up

Friday, December 1st - 9-12pm

Did you make your bed today?

Admiral William McRaven gave a 19-minute speech to the graduating class at the University of Texas in 2014 about ten lessons he learnt during his 37 years in the US Navy. That now-famous speech has had over 18 million views on youtube, and he has since delved further into each of the life principles he presented, in his book, “Make Your Bed - Small things that can change your life … and maybe the world”. I read this outstanding book at the beginning of the year and plan on reading it again in January to be reminded of some great thoughts to doing life better for the coming year.

As our year 6 students come to an end of primary school each year, I present to them an animated version of the speech, found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTlhfjjEWD0  Together we have a discussion around the desire that most of us have to change the world and make it a better place, each in our unique way with our own gifts and talents. The difficulty is often knowing how to get started without feeling overwhelmed by the giant task. While there are many approaches, the Admiral suggests to start each day by completing a simple task, beginning with making your bed. From there, you will be encouraged to keep going with more tasks, until many tasks have been completed across the day. It’s about understanding that the little things matter, and developing a sense of accomplishment and pride. It leads to the encouragement that tomorrow will be better.

It’s fascinating to see the response after asking the year 6 students who actually made their bed that day! So few have this responsibility at home, and instead leave bed-making for their parents, or not bother with it at all. I wonder whether we can help our young people on their journey in life by empowering them through having some responsibility and contribution to the daily chores, that can be paired with a sense of accomplishment and pride? As their capability grows, not just in the pursuit of academic performance, but in the ability to contribute, take responsibility, and develop life skills will help them to face the challenges that they will have throughout life. Changing the world may just start with making your bed.

Gift Hamper Campaign

Thank you for the wonderful donations towards the Gift Hamper Campaign, with enough goodies collected so far for six hampers. Please continue to make your donations of non-perishable special foods items (not your usual pantry items) and decorative items (decorations, serviettes, bon-bons, etc.). Next week (week 8) is the last chance to make a contribution, as the hampers will be distributed in week 9. 

Blessings, Chappy Jenny

Email – jennifer.bennett@suchaplaincy.org.au

Instagram – Community_Chaplain

P & C Positions available 2024 

There will be a number of P & C Executive Positions available in 2024. Anyone who is interested can get in contact & is encouraged to come along to the final P & C meeting of the year (7pm Tuesday 21.11.2023). Please email: secretary@yerongasspandc.org.au 

Art Soiree, Opening Night

Saturday Nov 25^th, 5 – 7pm, Adults Only. 

Join us for a celebration of Prep to Year 6 artwork in the Curiosity Centre. Wine, beer and cheese platters will be available from the P and C Bar.  

This exciting school event gives an opportunity for parents to attend a viewing of the vast amount of incredible artworks completed by students throughout the year. In a casual setting while sipping on wine and nibbling from a delicious cheese platter you can mingle and enjoy a night out without the kids. 

The exhibition will be open to families from Monday Nov 27th to Nov 30th 3-5pm Daily.