6 March 2019

Newsletter Articles

Settling In Report

Students settle into new class routines at different rates and teachers always endeavour to help each student feel comfortable and be working to the best of their ability.

As a follow on from the parent/teacher information session, over the next few days you should receive your child’s reflective settling in report. This gives your child an opportunity to do some self-reflection on how they are going and also share a little about their school day with you.

No doubt you ask your child about what they did at school. “Nothing” maybe a common reply and we hope this reflective settling in report will arm you with a bit of information to ask further questions on how they are improving and what they are currently working on.

iPads

On Parade this week we reinforced being responsible when using our iPads, carrying them with care and not in a rush, not leaving them on the floor and putting them away to charge correctly each night.

Our school is in a very unique position with our iPads. Being careless or not being responsible will see learning with the iPad impacted as we do not have spares just lying about!

Reading – Spotlight on Year 6 Readers

Reading is so important for us all.

Our Year 6 students are reading:

Students are given an opportunity to read for their own enjoyment too and it is encouraging to see the students beginning to settle in some good self-reading practices.

Medication during school hours

Does your child require medication during school hours?

If your child requires medication while at school, please ensure you request an Administration of medication record sheet from your school’s office.

You will also need to provide the school with the prescription-labelled medication in the original packaging with clear directions for its use.

Maroochydore State High School

Parents of Year 6 students are asked to regularly check the dates at the end of this newsletter for key dates specifically for Year 6 students as we begin the transition programme with Maroochydore State High School.

You will be invited to parent information sessions, need to complete enrolment forms and or apply for excellence programmes and your child will attend transition days as your enrolment forms are confirmed by the high school.

NAPLAN Year 3 Year 5 News

14 – 24 May

Again this year our Year 3 and Year 5 students will access the NAPLAN test online with the exception of the Year 3 writing test.

All students will need to have their own headphones to hear the instructions and access the test components. Could all parents please check now to ensure their child has working headphones.

PE News

Cross country regulars – don’t forget the different arrangements for this week. Meet at the front gate of the school by 7:50am. Bring your water bottle along!

Mr Turner and I are greatly impressed by the dedication being shown by our runners and the participation is growing each week.

The aim of the activity is to run some laps in a fun, social environment with friends and to improve our general fitness at the same time.

P&C News

The P&C Annual General Meeting will be held on March 11th at 8:45 am in the staff common room in the office. All parents and carers are invited to attend.

What happens at the AGM?

The AGM is when the election for P&C positions is held. Positions include President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Fundraising Officer as well as other roles.

You're welcome to nominate yourself or someone you know OR you can just come along and find out what's going on around the school.

If you cannot attend but would like to be on the P&C mailing list to find out about future meetings, events and other P&C news, please fill out a membership form in the office, uniform shop (on Monday mornings) or the tuckshop (on Friday mornings) or email Mel at maroochydorestatepc@gmail.com for a digital copy.

Who is the P&C?

Parents and Carers volunteering in the school.

What does the P&C do?

We fundraise for extra resources for every child in the school. The fun run with colour and the Christmas raffle were two of our major fundraisers last year. We also:

• Run the uniform shop
• Run the tuckshop
• Run the Mother's and Father's Day Stalls
• Run the Scholastic bookclub

None of these things happen without volunteers! So if you can give a couple of hours of your time this year to help at upcoming events, please sign up to the mailing list to stay in the loop and let us know when you can help out.

Some things the P&C have helped fund in recent years:

• We fund incursions each term like the science show
• We helped fund part of the new playground
• We've helped fund iPad purchases
• We've helped fund new books for the library

5 reasons to lend a helping hand at school

1. Your kids love seeing you at school
2. Meet new people and make new friends
3. Learn new skills or build on the ones you have
4. Find out what's going on at school
5. Science says community participation makes you happier!

Hope to see you on March 11th at 8:45 am for the AGM.

Routines and Expectations

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

All students should be dropped off at school from 8:20 to 8:30am.

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:

Be Respectful Be Responsible Be Safe Be a Learner

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.

Hats – all students should have a green bucket hat for outside activities including both breaks. Parents please ensure your child’s hat is named.

Toys – all students are to leave their toys at home for play at home and to not disrupt the teaching and learning of the teacher and other students.

Jewellery – could all necklaces and bracelets/bangles stay safe at home?

Make-up is not necessary at primary school and all students are reminded not to wear to school.

We are encouraging all students to actively play and socialise during first break this year and as such the Library is closed during this time.

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.

School Absence and Text Messaging Service

A reminder:

If your student is absent - Phone the Student Absence Line before 9:00am to advise of any/all occasions when your child/ren will be away from school. This is a 24hr recorded service, you can call it anytime (convenient if your child is up ill during the night!). The Maroochydore State School Student Absence Line number is 07 5475 1555 – then dial 2 and leave clearly state your child’s name class and a reason for your child’s absence.

If your student is late and the class teacher has marked the rolls - Children who arrive after the roll has closed will be required to go to the office WITH THEIR PARENT to collect a LATE SLIP for presentation to their teacher. Legally a child’s explanation for their lateness is not acceptable and is recorded as an UNEXPLAINED ABSENCE.

If/when you receive an SMS message, reply to the SMS with the reason for your child’s absence and their name immediately OR if you believe your child/ren is/should be at school contact the school office immediately to notify us.

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.

The Sky Above

March 21 – March Equinox

The March Equinox on March 21st is not a night sky event per se.The March Equinox marks the point on the Earth’s annual orbit when everywhere on Earth has almost exactly 12 hours of day and night. “Equinox” means “equal night,” so this makes perfect sense. The perfect balance between day and night occurs because of the distance and angles between the sun and the Earth at its 23.5° tilt.

March 26 – Close Approach of the Moon & Jupiter

March 28 – Close Approach of the Moon & Saturn

March 29 – Close Approach of the Moon & Pluto

Chappy Sam

Chappy Sam is here on a Monday 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

Breakfast Club – on a Monday and 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.

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.

We have 4 school rules. Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful and Be a Learner.

This week’s rules of the week is – being responsible when using our iPads.

Term 1 Dates

Term 2 Dates

Year 6 Important Dates for Transition to High School

Term 2 Dates

Term 3 Dates

Term 4 Dates