31 May 2017

Newsletter Articles

Athletics Carnival – Swans Vs Seagulls

Following last year’s carnival I wrote – ‘a little bit wet and very windy’.

This was certainly not the case this year as the students ran, jumped, threw and played ball games under clear blue skies and quite warm, late May conditions.

The Swans house team were able to outscore the Seagulls house team by a very close margin of 10 points.

Congratulations to all students who enjoyed and thrived on the participation aspect of the day.

Three cheers and congratulations to our senior age champions –2008 Chloe and Morgan, 2007 Elle and Zandor, 2006 Yaghie & Teshaunna and Jake, 2005 Charli and Reuben and to all in Swans house for regaining the Champion House title for this year.

Thank you to our P&C who also ran a wonderful sausage sizzle and tuckshop for students and parents.

Mrs Pool has placed a number of action photographs on the school Facebook page. Thank you to Tracey for being such a willing photographer!

All Year 6 Parents

Transition Day at Maroochydore SHS
Wednesday August 9, 2017
Commencing at 8:30 in the School Hall at MSHS and finishing at 2:30pm
Bookings are required for parent attendance – please phone 5409 7333

Reporting

As the end of term rapidly approaches it will be a very busy few weeks ahead. Our teachers are spending many hours at night and across the weekends completing each students’ end of semester report card. These reports are a comprehensive account of how your child is progressing against the expectation of the Australian Curriculum.

Another reminder to please ensure you have provided the Office with your correct or an updated email for reports to be emailed home by Monday June 26.

Prep 2018

Enrolments for Prep 2018 are open now following a number of enquiries. In semester two, we will have regular Prep tours for families interested in enrolling at Maroochydore State School and also hold a number of open days for families and information sessions for parents.

If you would like to receive information about Prep enrolment for 2018 please contact the office to add your name and contact details to our mailing list.

Under 8’s Day

This was a delightful morning for our younger students and their parents with a range of activities. We hear the disco was the best with the police car being a close second, and we were surprised that we quickly went through four 10 kg bags of rocks which students painted.

Important Cyber Safety Tips

The Department of Education and Training (DET) has recently been alerted to random users contacting children using the social media app ‘Instagram’ as well as a number of other Apps.

The following tips are provided to parents on how their children can avoid random contact on social media:

1. Know which social media your child uses.
2. Discuss with your child who their online friends and followers are. Only be friends with people online who you know and trust in the real world.
3. Take a proactive approach and establish clear and agreed rules for your child’s internet use.

Also, while your child is at school, some measures we take are:

• There is a red Cyber Safety Button on every computer.
• This gives your child instant access to advice and a safe way to report cyber bullying directly to the Australian Federal Police.

The Importance of Reading

The Importance of Reading

I cannot overstress the importance of developing reading skills for all students. These skills are critical for future success in all other learning areas and later life. It is also important to recognise that preparations for success in reading begin long before Prep. I am keen to share some information about reading at various stages and how parents can help.

Reading - babies and young children

Sharing stories, talking and singing every day helps your child’s development. You’re helping your child become familiar with sounds, words, language and the value of books. This all builds your children’s early literacy skills, helping them to go on to read successfully later in life.

Reading stories sparks your child’s imagination, stimulates curiosity and helps with brain development. Interesting illustrations and word patterns –such as rhymes – can get your children talking about what they are seeing and thinking, and help them understand the patterns of language. Exploring stories also helps them learn the difference between ‘real’ and ‘make-believe’.

Sharing stories with your child doesn’t mean you have to read. Just by looking at books with your child, you can be a great storyteller and a good model for using language and books. Your child will learn by watching you hold a book the right way and seeing how you move through the book by gently turning the pages.

They will learn that print carries a constant message that doesn’t change. Reading or telling stories can also be safe ways to explore strong emotions, which can help your child understand new or frightening events. Books about going to the dentist or hospital, starting at child care or making new friends will help your children learn about the world around them.

Reading stories with children has benefits for grown-ups too. This special time together promotes bonding and helps to build your relationship, laying the groundwork for your child’s later social, communication and interpersonal skills.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

We are delighted to invite all Maroochydore State School students to join in the 2017 Premier’s Reading Challenge.

Reading plays an important part in students’ lives during their school years and beyond.

It allows children to actively engage their imagination and opens up a world of educational opportunities. Last year, an outstanding 165,000 students from 900 schools took part in the challenge reading a total of 2.24 million books, an impressive rise from 1.95 million in 2015.

The reading period for the 2017 Premier's Reading Challenge commenced on Monday 15 May and closes Friday 25 August.

This year the Premier has challenged all state and non-state school students from Prep to Year 2 to read or experience 20 books, Years 3 and 4 to read 20 books and Years 5 to 9 to read 15 books. Experiencing books can include shared reading, listening to stories, or reading picture books. The aim for the 2017 challenge is engage more students than ever before.

Students wishing to take part in this year’s challenge can register by talking to their class teacher.

Every student who completes the challenge will receive a Certificate of Achievement signed by the Premier. Students who participate but don’t complete the challenge receive a Certificate of Participation from the school. It will be my great pleasure to present these certificates during the Premier’s Reading Challenge celebration weeks to be held 6 – 17 November 2017.

You can play a big part in your children’s future by encouraging them to be part of this positive initiative.

Along with our class teachers Mrs Pool and I look forward to seeing as many of our students as possible embrace the 2017 Premier’s Reading Challenge.

Ghana, Beat that Drum

Whole School P&C funded performance.

Coming up on June 5 the school hall will come alive with the performance of a drumming group – Ghana, Beat that drum. Thank you to the P&C who are again funding this performance for all of our students to attend.

Staff Long Service Leave

Whilst on leave Mrs Pool shall fill the principal’s role with Mrs McFadzen, Mrs Sinclair and Mrs Skehan replacing Mrs Pool for a week each in her HOC role. These teachers will be replaced for the week by Mrs Mossman.

MGM Wireless Messaging Service – app – School Star

Maroochydore State School would like to further upgrade our school communication services by using an app called School Star. This app is free and can be downloaded from your app store.

News, Events, Notices and general messages can be sent using the School Star app with no cost.

Only parents and community members can access content in this secure app for iPhone and Android.

Please download to your phone or tablet ASAP. The app is called School Star.

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.

School Uniform

With the cooler weather beginning a reminder to all parents and students that the School Uniform Policy has support for students wearing a bottle green jumper/jacket as opposed to a variety of colour and branded jumpers/jackets. No hoodies.

Don’t forget to name your child’s jumper as they are often taken off during playtime and left lying about. Having a name greatly assists in the jumper being reunited with it’s owner quickly!

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.

Term 2 Dates

June 5 – Whole school Performance, Ghana Beat That Drum
June 26 – Student Report Cards sent home electronically

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.

Keeping up-to-date - Facebook Updates

Mrs Pool regularly updates the School’s Facebook page to share information you might like to check in and follow the school page.