20 March 2019
Newsletter Articles
- Ride 2 School Day
- Voluntary Financial Contribution
- Free Dress Day – Friday
- Bullying No Way
- Spark Lab & NASA Exhibition – Yr 5 & 6
- Queensland Ready Reading
- Woolworths Earn & Learn
- Pikki Street Building Construction
- P&C 2019
- Uniform Shop
- Medication during school hours
- Maroochydore State High School
- NAPLAN Year 3 Year 5 News
- PE News
- P&C News
- Vauxhall Car Display
- Routines and Expectations
- School Learning Times
- School Absence and Text Messaging Service
- Playground Use
- The Sky Above
- Rookies2Reds Holiday Programme
- Positive Behaviour for Learning
- School Dates 2019
- Term 1 Dates
- Term 2 Dates
- Year 6 Important Dates for Transition to High School
Ride 2 School Day
Friday March 22
Pedal – Scoot – Skate
We have a small number of students who ride, scoot or skate to school and March 22 would be the day to encourage your child to join in for the chance to win some prizes.
Sunshine Coast Council is offering great prizes this Ride2School Day including bike shop vouchers valued at $500, $200 and $100.
You can register your children for Ride2School Day at Councils website before 5 PM on Friday 22nd March. Children can ride, scoot or skate to be eligible.
PLUS - Mr Maish and Mrs Pool will have a random draw for one of two movie vouchers at the bike compound at 2:30pm.
This year Council is encouraging students to ‘buddy up’ with their friends and ride to school together.
Parents can join in by riding with children.
Families who live far from school can still participate. Just park the car a kilometre away and ride, scoot or skate the rest of the way.
All students riding to school are required to wear helmets (this includes children on scooters and skateboards).
Bikes, scooters and skateboards will be secured during the school day in the locked bike compound. A reminder a chain should be added to securely lock up bikes and scooters.
We would love to see our students continue riding to school throughout the year.
Voluntary Financial Contribution
Participation in the Voluntary Financial Contribution is voluntary and you are under no obligation to join. However, please be aware that we enhance the resources available for our students with extra materials and consumables that are used in class across each week.
Its purpose is to provide you, the parent, with a cost effective, value for money alternative to purchasing extra resources, consumables and materials not included on the school’s book and stationery list from elsewhere.
These resources and materials will enhance classroom projects and investigations (including photocopied materials), art and craft activities and maintain the use of technologies across the school. We do ask for your continued support to enhance what we offer at our school.
Please refer to the following information sheet.
Should you wish to contribute please see Robyn in the Office with your payment or part payment if you would like to pay in small instalments.
Free Dress Day – Friday
This Friday , March 22, students are invited to join in the School Leaders’ first fundraiser of 2019 with a free dress day.
The student leaders will collect the coins as the students enter the school grounds on Friday morning.
Come along with a gold coin to donate to the Guide Dogs Queensland cause.
Please make sure your child is still appropriately dressed for school with covered shoulders and safe footwear for the being outside in the playground and on the equipment.
Don’t forget your hat and as for any school day – no make-up or jewellery.
Bullying No Way
Maroochydore State School is participating in the annual Bullying, No Way programme this year.
We continually remind our students to speak nicely and respectfully at all times as we know that name calling and teasing is not positive or helpful in promoting a happy learning environment.
How to Handle a Problem – Do the High Five
REPORT
TALK FIRMLY
WALK AWAY
TALK FRIENDLY
IGNORE
Classes also completed some art and activities to reinforce the Bully No Way message last week and students were given a Bullying No Way bracelet to reinforce the message for all.
Spark Lab & NASA Exhibition – Yr 5 & 6
School excursion
Friday
On Friday grades 5 and 6 classes went to the science museum. Ruby and I were partners on the way there and back.
When we arrived we went to the spark lab. That was really cool, I lost Ruby about 5 times because either me or her would wonder away. Ruby was listening to a guy talking about Jupiter.
There were all these cool exhibits such as when we had to lift a fridge, make a bridge out of beakers and there was even these cords that you would put together to turn on a fan or a light.
After that we went to the NASA the exhibition. Ruby and I were walking through and this guy who was like a super fan of NASA told us interesting facts about how the Russians and Americans worked together at one point but it all started with the Americans being afraid about the Russians sending bombs to America.
On the way home there was traffic because it was raining and someone slipped off the road. Ruby, Katlyn and I were drawing to start with and then we got home.
What a great day.
Luisa.
The fives and sixes got to go on an excursion last Friday to the Brisbane museum.
It was amazing as I got to learn lots about space and science. We went to two new things that were opening up.
The Spark Lab was all about science although I got to learn about four of Jupiter’s moons and there was even an earth quake tester to see if your building can survive.
Did you know that Jupiter has the oldest moon and the moon with the most volcanos.
We also got to go to the NASA exhibition. It was about space. My friend and I even got a tour guide. He was very nice and seemed to love space a lot. We learnt a lot about space because of the guide and when we said bye we found him again when we went down to the other part of the exhibition. It was an amazing excursion.
We didn’t get back to school till late in the afternoon. We also got to sit with our friends on the bus.
It was the best day ever.
Ruby
I really loved Spark Lab because you got to get your hands on a lot of different things.
I really loved building stuff. I made a really cool two room house.
I also liked the planet in the NASA exhibit that you could control with a iPad.
Eddie 5/6 AL
We went on a science excursion to the Brisbane Museum.
The school day started by getting ready for the trip itself. After that everyone who was going headed over to the bus and got on. The trip to the museum was noisy and cramped. When we finally arrived everyone was excited.
The first exhibit was Spark Lab which was so awesome. They had a planet viewing sphere, a ball of plasma, a room with many coloured shadows, an Earth that had a moon rotating around it and much more. We watched the Dino Shadow Show while eating lunch.
We finished the day at the museum by going to the new NASA exhibit. We were the first school to ever see it. They had rovers and space suits and lots more. Then we had afternoon tea, got on the bus and headed back to school.
Sam 5/6 AL
Our recent excursion provided a wonderful opportunity for students from years 5 and 6 to experience some learning beyond the classroom. As teachers, we faces multiple challenges in the classroom, including providing opportunities for students to see, feel and touch the concepts we strive to pass on. Watching the students interact with the different displays at the Sparklab demonstrated how vital it is for students to get their hands on different learning experiences. From problem solving, or learning about different forces, students had the opportunity to try and retry.
Many of the items on display in the NASA exhibit provided students with perhaps the only opportunity to see or experience objects such as this. While some objects, such as the moon buggy, were amazing 1:1 replicas, some items had actually travelled into space or had been on the moon. The exhibit provided a great insight into the history of space exploration. The value of the excursion, or from a teacher’s return-of-investment perspective, came from excited students sharing what they had learnt or asking questions to gain a deeper understanding.
Mr Leis
On the 15th of March on a very special Friday, we were able to visit the Museum of Brisbane for the day! It was an hour and fifteen minute drive and teachers allowed us kids to talk and sing songs. When we got there we were asked to head up to the second floor. They were explaining to us that for the next hour we would be able to experiment different activities to test our strength, our intelligence, and our teamwork. There were so many activities; liquid magnets, musical pipes, ropes that lifted an 80 kilogram fridge, and a camera that took pictures of you and when you walked away - it would show you your shadow! After we were finished, we were asked to go to lunch. There, we watched a show that taught us about dinosaurs. Then it was time for our minds to be blown. We were THE first school to ever see the new NASA exhibit. There was replicas of real spaceships! There were things that had actually been into space! And there was even a replica of a giant proper spaceship! It was so amazing and I feel so fortunate and lucky to have been able to see the things I saw!
~ Nate ~
On Friday the fifteenth of March, Mr Leis’, Miss Basset's and our class went to Brisbane. It was a science excursion. On the bus, Jess, Alix and I sat next to each other. I sat on the window seat, Jess sat on the edge, that left Alix was sandwiched in between us. Nate and Charlee sang songs with us and we had a great time. When we got to Spark Lab we got to actually do things instead of having to sit back and watch. I got to make sound with water, have a hearing test, race someone by pulling myself up with a rope on a seat, and learn how magicians create fire in their hands! We also went to a brand new NASA exhibition and learnt about space. Overall it was a great day!
~ Scoute ~
On Friday, 15th March we went to Brisbane for a science excursion. When we were at the Spark Lab there was really cool stuff. There was a massive bowl with electricity and when you touched it, it would follow your hands on the bowl. Then there were ropes with two chairs attached - you had to pull yourself up with the rope. When you are sitting on the chair it was really fun but then it would hurt after a couple of turns. Then there was this really cool thing where there was a massive white board and you could stand there and it would take a photo and your shadow would be left behind. It was really cool! There was another thing, it was an 80kg fridge and three pieces of rope and you had to pull on the rope to make it go up - that was really hard. There was also a little show where a guy how demonstrated how magician make the paper disappear. There is a special piece of paper called 'fire paper' or 'flammable paper' (I can’t remember), and he showed us how quick it goes and that it just disappears into thin air. Then he showed us stages of pieces of papers and you could notice when it changed colour - it was very cool! There was another activity where you had blocks and you would stack them up to make an arch and it would stay up by the force of them all together.
~ Charlee ~
On the 15th of March 2019, years 5-6 went to the Brisbane Museum, but first of all we left the school at 9:30am on the bus. We were on the bus for over an hour. As soon we walked into the museum we were greeted by one of the workers. Then we had to put our bags in the storage room and went upstairs to see all these really cool scientific activities. We could play around with them for about an hour. After our session ended, we went down to the playground area and had lunch. Then we made our way to the tallest part of the building and got to see two rooms with NASA stuff in them. Finally, we had to get back on the bus and head back to school at 2:30pm. We eventually got back to the school at 5:00pm and that was the day.
~ Jett ~
The room was buzzing with excitement! Every student arrived to school on time and with an abundance of alacrity! The day was finally here and 6EB Beasts were pumped for our trip to Brisbane. We all boarded the bus, and for a moment, our huge smiles disappeared - we realised it was going to be quite a cosy trip. Three students squished together in their seats. "Buckle up!" Mr Maish announced. The teachers crammed into their seats at the back and we were off. Time passed quickly (for some) and soon we were unloading in Brisbane.
Our first session was the Spark Lab - Wow! A huge area full of interactive science experiments. The students had a fabulous time exploring, working together, competing with each other, all in the fun of learning. By midday, many students and teachers were growing ravenous and were in need of a rest and recharge. We ate lunch out in the dinosaur garden - some watched an education show, some confabulated with their friends, some just sat quietly reflecting on their morning.
Next was our visit to the NASA display. Many people were extremely excited about this new display in the museum, but no one was more excited than Mr Maish. And Maroochydore State School was the first school EVER to visit this new display! We had a fantastic look at all the objects and artefacts on display. Wow! It really was incredible to see it all right here in Queensland. After we concluded our walk through the museum display, we returned to the bus and headed for home. Despite how tired everyone was feeling, we ended the day with huge smiles and lots of chatter - just as it had begun many hours earlier. Wow! What a day!
~ Miss Burnett ~
Queensland Ready Reading
The Ready Reading program invites parents and community members to make a difference in their local community by volunteering in schools to support children’s reading.
Reading is a powerful tool to help children grow their vocabulary, language skills and imagination. It helps them to develop life-long skills that will support their future growth and learning.
The Department of Education’s Reading Centre and Volunteering Queensland are working together to help improve literacy for children in Queensland by training up to 3000 volunteers to share their knowledge and time to foster a love of reading.
Register your interest to become a Ready Reading volunteer.
Woolworths Earn & Learn
We’d love your support. We are asking all families to collect as many stickers as they can when shopping at Woolworths during the promotion period from May 1 to June 25. These can be stuck on the sticker sheets for collation at school.
Pikki Street Building Construction
Shortly, work will commence on the vacant block of land next door to the school in Pikki Street. Around safety for students, parents and staff, the gate access and access road for the teacher’s carpark will be closed off during the construction period.
Students and parents will be asked to access the school via the access pathway into the Prep and ECDP and to follow the path up to the primary school building areas. The reverse procedure will occur in the afternoon with students and parents exiting the school at the Prep and ECDP access gate.
The playground will be closed before and after school when there is no teacher supervision, with safety for all in mind around the construction period.
P&C 2019
Congratulations to our P&C Office bearers for 2019
President – Kylie Blake
Treasurer – Mandy Dunstan
Secretary – Mel Goodwin
Fundraising – Tracy Cook and Skye Amson
Uniform – Chloe Graham
In a flying start for the P&C as part of their 2019 budget they have agreed to support the school’s reading focus by donating $8000 towards new reading books for the Library, and again this year the P&C will fund for students to attend the cultural incursions. Just wonderful and thank you!
Uniform Shop
Please note the changed operating times.
Monday c. 7:55am – c. 8:20am
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 AGM was held in March, and the new exec voted in. There are some old faces and as well as some new faces, which is great to see.
The next meeting will be on the second Monday in May in Term 2.
What is the P&C funding this year?
This year, the P&C is donating $8,000 to the school to purchase new books for the library. The P&C also fund the incursions each term for the whole school.
This money comes from the fundraising efforts in previous years so THANK YOU for your support! It’s great to see the kids get these extra resources.
Upcoming Funding Commitments
The P&C has committed to help fund new playgrounds in the school. This is a big fundraising commitment for our small school, so if you have any fundraising ideas, we would love to hear them. But especially, we need helping hands to put those ideas into action.
The P&C email address is maroochydorestatepc@gmail.com, or you can catch one of us in the tuckshop or uniform shop or around the school.
Vauxhall Car Display
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
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.
https://education.qld.gov.au/initiatives-and-strategies/initiatives/every-day-counts
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
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Tuesday/Thursday March 19/21 |
Proposed Woolies tour by Year 1 and Year 2 |
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Saturday March 23 |
Staff to Numeracy PD Meridan State College |
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Weeks 9 and 10 March/April |
Parent/Teacher Interviews |
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Thursday April 4 |
Year 6 Ropes Leadership Course |
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Friday April 5 |
End of Term |
Term 2 Dates
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Friday May 10 |
School Photo Day |
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May 14 – 24 |
Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN Online |
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May 29 |
Under 8’s Day |
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June 13 |
Year 5 to Sunshine Coast University |
Year 6 Important Dates for Transition to High School
Term 2 Dates
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May 9 |
Parent information Session – Year 6 Parents 5pm – 6pm MSHS |
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June 20 |
Enrolment packages, including Programme of Excellence applications due |
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June 25 |
Transition Day 1 - MSHS |
Term 3 Dates
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August 18 |
Year 6 Programme of Excellence Auditions – Sport, Drive, Music |
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August 29 |
Sports Excellence interviews 2:45pm – 5pm Appointments only |
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September 17 |
Transition Day 2 – MSHS |
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September 20 |
Programme of Excellence letters sent |
Term 4 Dates
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December 5 |
All enrolled Year 6 to MSHS |
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Parent Information and Wellbeing Session 9:30am – 11am |