22 November 2017

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

School Parking

On Wednesday of last week, a number of Gold Coast City Council Parking Inspectors visited our school community. Regrettably, a considerable number of parents and staff received parking tickets for their illegal parking. On Thursday, I was down at the car park area and highlighted the need for parents to stay with their vehicles when they are parked in the 2-minute “Kiss and Go” area. I also have been made aware that the last eight bays of car parking are included in the “Kiss and Go” area. Therefore, parents who use these parking bays must remain with their vehicles or they will be fined. My intention for visiting this area in the afternoon is to ensure that our children safely transition to their pick up whilst also clarifying for any parent who may be unaware of the areas.

2018 Staffing

Over the past few weeks, our school’s leadership team and I have been working closely with our South East Queensland Human Resources (SERHR) team to ensure our 2018 staffing accurately reflects our anticipated enrolment numbers. Currently the anticipated number of 2018 students does not sustain our current number of teachers. It is my clear intention to enter the 2018 school year without having to re-structure the classes and year levels following the Day 8 Enrolment process. As a result of this commitment, our school community will need to farewell up to five full time equivalent teachers from our school.

This process is devastating for our school community. Late last week we were saddened to receive notification from the SERHR team that Mrs Belinda McIntyre (Prep) and Mr Chris Judd have been selected for a required transfer at the end of the school year.

Mrs McIntyre has been an extremely valued member of the school’s Prep teaching team. Over the past 15 years Belinda has developed so many positive relationships with our students and their families. Her commitment and dedication to our students exceeds the classroom environment and she will be truly missed by her teaching colleagues and the entire school community. Mrs McIntyre has received a transfer to William Duncan State School.

Mr Chris Judd is the second member of our teaching team to receive a required transfer. Chris joined our teaching team at the beginning of the 2017 school year. He has brought a wealth of experience and strength to our year 5 teaching team. Mr Judd is passionate about embedding technology into teaching and learning and has been successful in being provided the opportunity to continue this work in his new school – Southport State School. All members of staff appreciate Chris’ teaching expertise. I wish Chris all the very best as he transitions into this new and exciting role.

2018 Class placements

I sincerely thank the many parents who have provided me with information regarding 2018 class placements. Although I am unable guarantee everything on these “wish lists”, I can guarantee that my leadership team and I will work hard to include your feedback in all of our deliberations.

I again seek the assistance of all parents to ensure our transition into the 2018 school year is smooth and without any major re-structures. If your child is not attending our school in 2018 please notify the office as soon as possible. At this time of the year we are very busy placing students in their classes and this information will be critical to our school’s operations.

2018 High School Scholarships

A number of our Year 6 students have been acknowledged by their future high schools and been awarded 2018 scholarships. I will acknowledge and celebrate these students through the Pipeline once all of the high schools have provided us with details. I look forward to publically acknowledging these students at the Year 6 Graduation evening as well as through the next edition of the Pipeline.

Behaviour

Term Four Focus:

Being a Good Friend
Respecting other people’s feelings
Respecting other people’s property
Play fairly

Positive Behaviour for Learning Weeks 8 and 9

Second Step Weeks 8 and 9

Head Lice

We are a ‘Health Promoting School’; we value the physical and emotional health of everyone in our school community. When we deal with a particular issue (such as head lice), we consider:

• the need for accurate information and support to decrease any myths or blame;
• the importance of feeling good about ourselves and others;
• the need for everyone to work together.

Detecting and treating head lice is the responsibility of families. Our school supports families in that role in a number of ways including:

• reducing head-to-head contact between all students in class activities when we are notified that someone in the class may have head lice (individual students are not identified as having head lice);
• recommending that students tie back long hair to reduce the chance of transmission;
• teaching children about head lice in class lessons;
• keeping families informed. When we are notified that there are a number of children with head lice in your child’s class, you will receive an alert notice with a tear off slip. Help us to help you by returning your slip;
• providing information through our school newsletter.

Head Lice Facts

• Head lice are tiny insects. They do not have wings, so they cannot fly. Head lice have strong claws and swing from hair to hair – they cannot jump.
• Head lice can only survive on human heads. They live on the hair and suck blood from the scalp.
• Head lice must feed every six hours or they will die from dehydration.
• Head lice can only be spread from one person to another by direct head-to-head contact.
• The female louse lays five to 12 eggs per day (up to 300 in her life time). Eggs remain strongly glued to the hair, even after hatching. Eggs are sometimes called nits.
• Live eggs need the warmth and moisture of the scalp to hatch and will be found up to 1.5cm from the scalp.
• Eggs that are further than 1.5cm from the scalp are either dead or hatched and do not require further treatment.
• At any one time, it is possible to have adult head lice, young lice and eggs.
• Anyone can get head lice – they have no preferences for cleanliness, hair colour, hair type, ethnicity or age.
• Only the insects (adults and young lice) can move from one head to another. Eggs cannot spread.
• Dandruff and hair particles can be mistaken for eggs.
• Head lice are a nuisance but they do not cause disease or illness.

Treatment – Conditioning and Combing

• Conditioner and combing is the most effective way of finding head lice.
• Conditioner and combing is also an effective way of treating head lice, particularly mild conditions.
• The conditioner stuns the lice for some minutes so they can be easily removed.
• Conditioner and combing is cheap. It also avoids the use of head lice chemicals (insecticides).
• Conditioner and combing is easy for older children to learn to do for themselves.
• Using conditioner and combing every two days between chemical treatments removes young lice as they hatch from the eggs. No insecticide will kill the eggs.

From the Head Lice in Primary Schools Kit – Queensland Health

Uniform Policy

As we near the end of the year, we have noticed that some students are choosing to wear non-uniform items to school. This has included jewellery, hats and shoes.

The way a child dresses him/herself influences his/her behaviour. Worongary State School in conjunction with the Parents’ & Citizens’ Association have introduced an appropriate dress code. This has been implemented to:

• Promote a sense of identity and pride within our school community
• Promote equality amongst students
• For student security. School uniforms mean students are easily identified.

Children are required to wear the correct uniform each day. The uniform is expected to be kept in a clean, neat and correct fashion. It is inappropriate for undergarments to be visible. (ie boxer shorts, long sleeve shirts, etc)

Should students be unable to wear the uniform due to an unusual circumstance, parents are asked to send a note with an explanation with the student that day. Students who breach the uniform code will be issued with a warning. Repeat offenders will partake in a disciplinary program (see ‘Uniform Breach Code”).

During the school holidays, many parents will be buying new school shoes for the new year. This is a timely reminder of the styles of shoes which are acceptable as part of the school uniform. Our uniform policy states:

Shoes are to be kept neat and tidy. Shoes are to be made of leather or vinyl (no canvas shoes). White ankle socks MUST be worn with shoes. For safety reasons, laced shoes must be tied tightly. Laces are to be the same colour as the shoe. All parts of the shoe must be black, including soles, eyelets and motifs. Shoes and socks MUST be worn at all times unless instructed by a teacher. Slip-on shoes are prohibited due to health and safety.

School Concerts

We are excited that this week we will be performing our two biannual concerts for each of the sectors of the school (junior and senior school). Junior school’s concerts will be held on Thursday 23 November at 6:00pm and a matinee concert on Friday 24 November at 1:30pm. Senior school’s concerts will be a matinee concert on Thursday 23 November at 1:30pm and an evening concert at 6:00pm on Friday 24 November. Students will be performing at both matinee and evening shows.

Reporting on Student Achievement

This semester all report cards will once again be sent out electronically. All parents are advised that student reports will be distributed via email to all parents on Wednesday 6 December. Please ensure that your email address is current with administration. Parents are encouraged to make an appointment with your child’s teacher if you would like to receive any additional information on your child’s progress. I sincerely thank all of our teaching staff for their efforts in completing these informative reports. I trust all parents will join with me in acknowledging the efforts of our students and staff once these reports have been received.

Positive Productive Communications

Please remember that it is important that we continue to build upon the wonderful rapport that has developed between your child, the class teacher and yourself. If you have any questions, concerns or feedback, your first point of communication should always be with the classroom teacher. Most things can be addressed in this manner, and it allows teachers to have the opportunity to build upon their constructive interactions with parents. It also displays an appropriate level of respect to the classroom teacher, who is spending the majority of the day with your child. These productive and respectful communications will continue to support your child’s learning and success at school.

Upcoming Excursion - Year 6 Big Day Out

Our end of Year celebration for Year 6 Students, Big Day Out will be held on Wednesday 6 December. Big Day Out is an exciting day, where Year 6 Students spend the day at Wet & Wild with their Teachers and Support Staff. It is requested that in preparation and in the lead up for this event, that you discuss with your child the importance of demonstrating positive and appropriate behaviour at school and in school activities (such as Interschool Sport and Excursions). All Year 6 students will be placed on a behaviour contract in the weeks prior to Big Day Out and their opportunity to attend this activity will be reliant upon them demonstrating positive behaviour choices.

Learning Vine Awards

Read and Grow Update

Thank you so much to all of the families who have attended some or all of our Read and Grow Sessions over 2017.

We still have two weeks left (week 8 and 9) so I hope that all of my friends are available to attend one or both of the final sessions for 2017.

I hope the children have enjoyed listening to the stories and completing the activities in the sessions and that the parents have learnt how shared reading can promote oral language skills and early literacy skills in order to get children ready for school. I have certainly loved running the program and sincerely hope that we are able to continue to provide the program to the community in 2018.

Merry Christmas everyone and don’t forget to ask Santa for a new book for Christmas!

Regards Katie Huggard, PrepTeacher

Excursions

P&C News

P&C MEETING

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on Wednesday, 14 March 2018 at 4:30pm in the School Staff Room. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Please note that all P&C roles are declared vacant at the AGM and any parent is welcome and encouraged to express interest in taking on one of these P&C roles. The 2018 P&C Executive Committee members are elected at this meeting.

The AGM is a great way to find out what is happening at our school, so we hope you can attend. The AGM will be followed directly after by the March 2018 P&C meeting.

P&C President Role

• Is responsible for the successful functioning of the P&C Association
• Chairs the meetings & acts as spokesperson in the public arena
• Sets out & supports the P&C’s objectives & ensures the adherence to the constitution
• Supports & encourages volunteers and welcomes all new members
• Communicates with the principal

P&C Vice President Role

• Is the back-up person for the President (ie chairperson, spokesperson etc)
• Assists all office-bearers in their individual roles & at events throughout the school year
• Is a point of contact for the school community and the Principal if the President is unavailable

P&C Secretary Role

• Responsible for a range of administrative tasks
• In consultation with the President, prepares & distributes all meeting agendas
• Documents & distributes the minutes of the meetings and the action register
• Maintains official records
• Prepares papers for AGM

P&C Treasurer Role

• Responsible for the P&C’s compliance with financial accountability requirements
• Receives & deposits monies, retains records, draws cheques and presents accounts

For detailed information on any of these roles please visit the link below:

We hope you can join us!

Senior Playground

Our senior playground is well underway and looking great. We can’t wait to see it completed and our children enjoying it.

Kind Regards P&C

Tuckshop & Uniform

Our Thanks

As 2017 draws to a successful close, Jasmine and I would like to thank our dedicated P&C Executive Committee, Tuckshop Volunteers and supportive school community for their friendship and generosity. We hope that everyone has enjoyed the Tuckshop themed weeks and meal deals we’ve had on offer throughout the year. They will be returning in 2018.

Please read on for our final Pipeline instalment of the year as it contains some important information about Uniform Shop hours for next year as well as details on the two last meal events that will round up the year.

We wish you all a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you all again in the new year.

Tuckshop News

Opening Hours

Monday-Friday: 8:30am-2:00pm
Closed: Entire last day of each Term

REMINDERS:

Tuckshop will be
CLOSED ALL DAY Friday 8 December
for cleaning and stock take
[We will re-open Monday 22 January, 2018]

• ONLINE ORDERING PROFILES MUST BE UPDATED FOR 2018

When your child joins their new class for 2018, please remember to update their “Schoolshop Online” ordering profiles with their new class, as this does not happen automatically. Please note that Tuckshop and Uniform Shop profiles must be updated individually.

Christmas Meal Deals – Ho Ho Ho!

Please see the attached Meal Deal Flyer for details on Christmas themed Meal Deals that are coming your way. The deals will be available:

• from Monday 4 December – Thursday 7 December
• at First Break and Second Break
• via online or manual ordering

Please note that substitutions may be required within the last few days.

Subway Day

For the last day of the Term, Friday 8 December, we will once more be having a SUBWAY Sub Day. As the Tuckshop will be closed on the last day of Term, this provides an alternative option for ordering lunch on this day. Here’s what you need to know:

• available on the last day of Term, Friday 8 December
• available by pre-order only
• available at First Break only
• drinks available as an optional extra
• bonus Meal Deal option available ONLINE only. If you’re not already registered for online ordering, please scroll down for information.
• cut-off date for ordering is Wednesday 6 December. Orders must be received online or into the Tuckshop (via classroom Tuckshop basket) by 9am on this day.
• if ordering manually, please use the order form attached here. Printed copies of the order form will be available from the Tuckshop and Admin office should you require them.

Volunteers

Thank you to our incredible Volunteers for all that you do for our Tuckshop and ultimately for Worongary State School. The gifts of your time and talents are so appreciated. New volunteers, regular volunteers, returning volunteers and executive volunteers – we’re so happy to have had the pleasure of working with you all and look forward to having you on board again next year.

Lynette T, Lizzy M, Philippa U, Narelle R,
Stephane L, Monique M, Tara R,
Ann-Marie M, Tatiana P, Neyomi M
Here’s a very big thank you to you all!

UNIFORM SHOP

Opening Hours

Monday: 8:00am-9:00am
Wednesday: 2:15pm-3:15pm
Friday: 8:00am-9:00am
Direct Dial number: 5502 4409

Stock

Please be aware that as we approach the end of the school year, stock is becoming low in selected uniform items/sizes. However, you can rest assured that our back to school orders for 2018 were placed last term and all shipments are on track to arrive before school resumes in January, 2018. In the meantime, if you require any items that are unavailable at the time of ordering, you are welcome to come into the Uniform Shop or call us during opening hours to pre-order your item/s. We will then contact you when the shipment/s arrive to arrange collection.

Uniform Shop Back to School Hours 2018

The Uniform Shop will be open for ‘Back to School’ sales in 2018 before school recommences. Layby orders and online orders can also be collected at these times so save these dates in your calendar:

Thursday 18 January 2018 - 2pm-7pm
Friday 19 January 2018 - 7am-12pm

In addition to these days, we are also offering extended hours for the first two days of the term as follows:

Extended Uniform Shop Hours

Monday 22 January 2018 - 8:00am-10:00am
Tuesday 23 January 2018 - 8:00am-10:00am

We then return to the regular open hours from Wednesday 24 January, 2018.

Seniors’ Shirts for Year 6

Thank you to those parents who have already arranged their child’s Year 6 Seniors Shirts for 2018. If you are yet to order, please remember that the final date for ordering and paying for these shirts is Monday 5 February, 2018. Please find attached a copy of the order form here.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday.

Regards Michelle Lee, Tuckshop and Uniform Convenor

Community Notices

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