1 February 2017

Newsletter Articles

A new school year - 2017

Welcome to the hidden gem of Maroochydore – Maroochydore State School

What a lovely start to the new school year we have had as we have welcomed a large number of new families and given smiles and that friendly wave to our returning families.

It certainly was an impressive sight on day 1 to see some 239 students march in, with perfect uniform standards, an excellent attitude and an eagerness to quickly settle into a learning routine. This also included our newest learners in the prep classes and it was certainly exciting to see these students leap into their activities!

Thank you very much to the wonderful efforts by all of our staff, the P&C volunteers and parents in having both the school and children so well prepared for the beginning of the new school year.

We’ve started the year with 10 classes from Prep to Year 6 and an increase in enrolment numbers of over 20 students. Our teaching staff -

Routines and Expectations

Wearing the correct school uniform including a broad brimmed hat for play times.

School learning starts at 8:30am sharp.

There are high expectations around student work, personal achievements and behaviour.

For any student absence please call the school before 8:30am on the day of the absence. 5475 1555

Our 4 School Rules are:

All student mobile phones are to be taken to the School Office for safe keeping during the school day. Students collect them at the end of the school teaching and learning day at 2:30pm.

Having a 95% whole of school attendance rate.

Weekly Parade

On Monday’s parade Mrs Pool and I shared our efforts at making a replica of the Mars rover, Opportunity. This rover celebrated its 13th birthday on Mars last week and we have challenged all students to create their own replica of Opportunity using materials or food.

Please bring them in to the Office for a photo and creation of a pictorial mural.

Six students were quick off the mark and had their creations on our desks before 8am on Tuesday! Thank you and well done Lily (Yr2), Jett (Yr 2), Eason (Yr 2), Katlyn (Yr 4), Natasha (Yr 6) and Macka (Yr 6). Brilliant work and a great start to our design challenges.

School Learning Times

As it is the start of a new year it is also a good time to remind everyone about being prepared for the school learning day.

Remember classrooms at open at 8:20am at the latest every school day. This allows time for students to unpack their bags, come in and get their learning space organised.

This ensures all students are organised and ready to start learning at 8:30am every school day.

Please note after 8:45am, if students and parents are running a little bit late you BOTH must come to the Office for a late slip as ONLY the parent is required to give a reason for the lateness.

Playground Use

It is great to see students and families enjoy the wonderful facilities and playgrounds straight after school. However, I need all of the community to please support this practice in the following way.

If students are to use the playground after school, their parent must be actively supervising their child from right next to the playground.

I appreciate everyone’s support with this.

P&C Meeting

Next Wednesday February 8 is the P&C’s first meeting of the year. All parents are welcome to come along from 6pm and join in supporting your child’s school. We are meeting in the staffroom in the Administration Block.

Tuckshop

The P&C will have the tuckshop open for first break this Friday.

A menu will be published on our school Facebook page.

Chappy Sam

Chappy Sam is here on a Tuesday and Thursday again this year. All parents and students are invited to catch up with Chappy Sam in her room or to make an appointment please ring the Office 5475 1555

Thursday Breakfast Club – on a Thursday with toast and a drink. * Please note the food delivery has not arrived at the time of finalising this newsletter so it may not happen this Thursday.

Students and families are welcome to come to the main forecourt area from 8:00am. and join in the Breakfast Club social start to the day.

Parent Teacher Partnership Afternoon

Before your students come home with the Week 4 Settling In Report, all parents are invited and have the opportunity to meet your child’s class teacher, find out about the routines and expectations of the classroom and get the latest on the term’s units of work, or ask any questions that you may have.

All parents are warmly invited and encouraged to please try and attend. Studies do show that communication between home and school is highly effective and leads to improved student outcomes as everyone is working together on an improvement agenda.

Monday February 6 from 2:40pm

Year 3 LS, Year 3/4 SB, Year 5 CH.

Wednesday February 8 from 2:40pm

Prep KC, Prep/Year 1 CV/KE, Year 1 LM, Year 2EB and Year 2 LB, Year 4 MS.

Thursday February 9 from 2:40pm

Year 6 LS and Year 6 AL.

Yarning Circle

Mrs White has sent home information for our Indigenous students about an upcoming Yarning Circle on Thursday afternoons. Please keep an eye out for these details.

Term 1 Dates

Parent Teacher information sessions from 2:40pm

Year 3 LS, Year 3/4 SB, Year 5 CH – Monday February 6
Prep KC, Prep/Year 1 CV/KE, Year 1 LM, Year 2EB and Year 2 LB, Year 4 MS – Wednesday February 8
Year 6 LS and Year 6 AL – Thursday February 9

Rocket-It Musical performance – Tuesday February 21
Being Brave performance – Wednesday March 1
Parent/Teacher Interviews – Week 10 March 27-31
End of Term – Friday March 31

Positive Behaviour for Learning

Every day counts

Parents are reminded of the importance of sending children to school every day. Being at school every day is important, with one day absent each week quickly adding up to two months of missed lessons in a year.

Unless your child is ill, it is expected that your child will be at school learning every day of the school year.

More information on the importance of regular school attendance is available at the link below . The videos associated with this link highlight issues often faced by parents and dispel some myths about absences form school and are worth a look.

By sending your child to school every day we are together developing good habits for success at primary school and beyond. When parents do not support developing a solid routine of attending school every day issues of truancy and poor work habits can emerge.

If you have any concerns regarding your child’s attendance, please do not hesitate to contact the school for support.

This week’s rules of the week is – Be Safe. Walking on the concrete is a safe option, walk your bike on school grounds, don’t forget to have your hat for outside play.