27 October 2017

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Commonwealth Games Mascot Visit

On Monday 23rd October we had a special visit from Borobi, the official Mascot of the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Borobi is the indigenous Yugambeh language word for koala and will play a key role in welcoming the athletes of the world and bringing to life the true spirit of the Games and we were lucky to have a sneak peek at some of the things he will be doing.

One of our students was fortunate to be selected to be a part of the Queen’s Baton Relay for the games. This is a phenomenal achievement and we are extremely proud of Shaylah.

World Teachers’ Day 2017

Today, Friday the 27th of October we celebrated World Teachers’ Day. World Teachers' Day offers a chance to acknowledge our teachers and say thanks. Every day our MHSS teachers are making a difference educating and inspiring our students, as well as providing a supportive environment where the social and emotional needs of our students are being met. We appreciate the pivotal role our teachers play in shaping our student’s lives. We are very lucky to have such a dedicated and enthusiastic team who make a difference every day. Our teachers enable our students to discover and develop their interests and talents, pursue their goals and dreams and to reach their full potential! A BIG thank you to our teachers for all their hard work!

Teaching is one of the most noble professions. Teachers shape the future generation.

Day for Daniel

Today Musgrave Hill also took part in Day for Daniel. The Daniel Morcombe Foundation created Day for Daniel to help raise the awareness and importance of child safety within schools and their wider community. The Foundation aims to make the world a safer place by educating students on safety matters while providing them with life skills for real world situations. To support this worthy cause, students were encouraged to wear a plain red shirt to symbolize the foundations beliefs surrounding the prevention and awareness of child safety. We had the entire school walking around the oval as a symbol of respect to this wonderful foundation. The sea of red that engulfed our school today was incredible! Thank you to all who supported this memorable event and remember that personal safety is everyone’s right!

2018 Prep and Class Placements

An information letter went home to Parents/Carers regarding the process we as a school undertake when placing children into classes for the following year. I urge all parents to read this information prior to any requests as it outlines how to document your requests and what requests can be made.

We are continuing with 2018 Prep enrolment interviews. These interviews are all held with the aim of ensuring that our prep students make a positive start to their schooling here at Musgrave Hill State School.

It is important that we get our enrolment numbers for 2018 as accurate as possible so I ask you to please do the following:

• Ensure that you have enrolled your child for Prep if they are to commence next year
• Let anyone you know who intends to attend Musgrave Hill State School in 2018 not only in Prep but all year levels to come and get an enrolment pack to complete as soon as possible
• Please inform the office ASAP if your child will be leaving Musgrave Hill and therefore not be attending our school next year

Our Prep classes and the other year levels are filling fast so the earlier people apply and enrol the more likely they will be able to attend our fabulous school. Last year we trialled sending out letters informing the students of their classes before the end of the year. This is only possible if we know how many students we will have and therefore how many classes. Your support in this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Words can be Powerful

Musgrave Hill is an amazing school with amazing students and parents but like most school in this ever growing world of social media, one of the biggest challenges we face is how quickly information can be uploaded online and even more concerning is that the information posted can be extremely inaccurate. We all know that when a story gets told to one person and then another it can change slightly and can often become exaggerated over time. So when all this is mixed in with reliable information from reliable sources, the truth can be very hard to discern at times.

This misinformation can have significant impact on a person’s reputation, ability to make friends, interactions with others and can damage one’s self-esteem. Therefore it is imperative that we teach our students-: "if we say mean things, tell stories that we are not sure are true or reveal information we know is supposed to remain private, that we are spreading misinformation."

It is important that we do not jump to conclusions based on assumption, speculation and/or partial knowledge. One of my favourite quotes of all times is “Never judge someone's character based on the words of another.”

Julie-Anne McGuinness – Principal

ASSEMBLY AWARDS

CLASSROOM CAPERS – 4 TEAL

We have had a wonderful start to the term in 4 Teal! Everyone has been working very hard to achieve their semester 2 learning goals which they keep track of on their desk.

In English, we are enjoying learning all about the characters in our novel for this term, Rowan of Rin. The students have been doing a great job taking turns reading the text aloud to the class, practicing their fluency and building confidence speaking in front of their peers.

In Science, we have been exploring and investigating the direction of forces and the effect of contact and non-contact forces on objects. We are exploring different forces acting around the school, and making predictions in science games. The students are also using book creator to make their own book all about forces which they are really enjoying.

In week 2 the students participated in CPR training, where they gained invaluable life skills. They gained knowledge of the DRSABC Management procedures, and experienced hands on techniques using manikins to perform compressions and breathing. It was a very rewarding experience.

We have been very busy working on our new kindness display in the classroom, and have been ‘throwing kindness like confetti’! The students look for acts of kindness throughout the day and acknowledge these wonderful people by recording it on our kindness wall. This has had a really positive effect on our class, and reminded us all of how important it is to be kind to others.

Miss R and 4 Teal

A MESSAGE FROM THE ARTS PROGRAM

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the musical, ‘Lost in the Story’, advertised for the 25th of October will now be performed on Wednesday the 15th November at 2pm. Apologies for any inconvenience caused by this change.

Students are currently in the middle of their ‘Music’ units. Year 1 and 3 are concentrating on their rhythm, pitch, volume and dynamics skills. Year 2 and 4 are becoming choirs and learning about rhythm, vocal range, pitch, harmony and dynamics. Their songs will feature in this year’s Christmas concert – don’t miss it! Year 5 are writing raps with the theme ‘Music’, which should produce some great performances. Finally, Year 6 are learning the basics of the Ukulele, which most students seem to be enjoying.

Ms Doolan – Arts Program

Is your child interested in learning a musical instrument in 2018

Learn a Musical Instrument at Musgrave Hill State School

We are now receiving Expression of Interest Forms for the Strings and Band programs for 2018.

Our Instrumental Music Information Session last week was very successful with plenty of enquiries and many questions answered.

If you were unable to attend or would simply like to get the Musgrave Hill Instrumental Music

Information Handbook, please ask admin staff for one or come to the Arts/Music Block and pick one up. The handbook is our school’s policy document for Instrumental Music and has everything you need to know regarding the program at Musgrave Hill State School.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the music staff or admin if you have any further questions.

Mr Denning and Mrs Rickert - Instrumental Music Teachers

eLEARNING

2017 has been another year of review for our eLearning Program. It has seen an increase in iPads and laptops as well as refined processes for management of both software and hardware. It has also been a chance to explore options for the implementation of the Digital Technologies Curriculum which will be introduced in 2018.

This sets us up to continue the advancement of our BYOx Program, with emphasis on students bringing iPads to school every day in 2018 in Year 3 to 6. The curriculum focus for iPads will be in a number of areas, including a whole school focus on using iPads in Independent Reading activities as part of Guided Reading sessions each week. All students across Prep to Year 6 will be completing at least one assessment task using the iPads during the year. They will also continue to use them to access Mathletics and as part of the NETTS program.

What does this mean to students and parents?

• As the policy will be BYOx from Years 3-6, our goal is to aim for all students to have a BYOx in those year levels, with the school supporting eLearning in Prep to Year 2 with iPads.
• Our chosen device so far has been iPads and given the experience of some of our staff and students this will continue to be our focus. For this reason, iPads are our preferred device. If an iPad is looked after, it has the capability of being in use for the 4 years needed at school Teachers at our school are still using the iPads that they purchased more than 4 years ago.
• Some students have tablets and other devices from other schools. While any of these are able to be brought to school, we have found that many have fewer of the capabilities that we request for our BYOx program. Please be aware that teachers and support staff have less experience and knowledge of other devices.
• There will be parent/community information sessions and ‘how to’ sessions next year to build parent knowledge of the iPads and also what opportunities they can provide for eLearning.
• MHSS is committed to safe Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) practices. All students and parents must agree to the ICT Usage Agreement BEFORE access to schools ICTs OR BYOx are able to be brought to school.
• Students in Years 3 to 6 with existing BYOx already will need to bring their iPad next year every day, with all students in Years 3 – 6 requiring access to BYOx once Wi-Fi and infrastructure upgrades have been completed. Once again, we hope this will be finalised in 2018.

The preferred device for 2018 will continue to be an iPad. The minimum specification for students new to the BYOx Program is the iPad Air2 (Wi-Fi) (3G/ 4G is unnecessary and must be disabled for school). Due to the small screen size the iPad mini is not acceptable. Existing students with earlier models will be supported but please be aware that Apple have ceased major updates of their iPad2 and other models with the release of the iOS 10. We recommend all devices be covered by an extended warranty. The life of an iPad should be between 3-4 years

All iPads MUST come to school in a sturdy iPad case and with a screen protector. An outer zippered case is another safeguard that we encourage.

The Core App List, available on our website, is mandatory if iPads are to be brought to school. We recommend purchasing apps through the use of iTunes cards, available from supermarkets and department stores, throughout the year. Family iPads, with adult content, are not appropriate for school.

For more information on our school eLearning policy, please go to the school website.

We look forward to maximising the learning opportunities that eLearning provides for our students.

If you have any questions on any eLearning issues, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Annette Vlaanderen - avlaa2@eq.edu.au

TUCKSHOP NEWS

Uniform News

We currently have all stock available for purchase via layby,eftpos, cash or flexischools.

Lost Property

Our lost property bin is located outside the Tuckshop, however if you have lost a hat or jacket, please come to the Tuckshop and enquire as they are kept in the uniform room.

Angela Anderson and Sally McWilliams – Tuckshop Convenors

P&C NEWS

A big thankyou to everyone who braved the weather and came to the fete. I hope you all enjoyed it.

Major raffle winners were

1st prize Baronnet Apartments, Surfers Paradise was won by Kelly
2nd prize Uniform package - to be confirmed
3rd prize Southport Sharks $100 voucher was won by Kelly

Christmas Concert - Monday 4th December

We are holding an Arts & Craft Market prior to the concert.

Anyone interested in holding a stall (from 4 - 6pm) please contact the office or tuckshop.

Tina Quirke - P&C President

A WORD FROM OUR GUIDANCE OFFICER

The Importance of Sleep

We all know how sleep affects our life – a good night sleep makes life’s dilemmas easier to cope with while a bad night’s sleep (or limited sleep) makes us grumpy, lethargic and mostly no fun to be around. Sleep problems in kids don't just drive parents batty, they also affect children's health and development, including academic performance, growth and even immunity.

Sleep researcher and psychologist Dr Sarah Blunden, from the Centre for Sleep Research at the University of South Australia, Melbourne (2010), stated that sleep problems – which can be medical or behavioural – can affect memory, attention, thinking ability and behaviour including mental health issues. For children there are also studies that link bed wetting with sleep problems. The most common cause of medical sleep problems is snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea (holding the breath), but sleep walking or night terrors, periodic limb movement disorder or restless leg syndrome and other conditions, such as asthma and eczema, can also affect sleep.

Behavioural sleep problems can include difficulty falling or staying asleep, resisting going to bed, changing sleep hours (like teenagers do), and getting out of bed during the night.

So what is enough sleep?

• Toddlers need 12 to 14 hours sleep daily
• Primary school kids 10 to12 hours.
• Adolescents need about 8½ to 9½ hours of sleep per night

Research suggests without this amount of sleep, children don't function as well. They're more irritable, aggressive, hyperactive, fidgety, and can't concentrate or remember information, compromising learning, and exhibiting delayed response time. They get sick more and have an increased risk of accidents. We as adults can also relate to these symptoms.

DID YOU KNOW?

Poor sleep can affect all of us at some time. Sleep experts recommend the following tips.

• Get into a routine - go to bed around the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. Encourage teenagers not to take `catnaps’ during the day so they can sleep at night
• Investigate if there are any fears or anxieties that might be keeping you/them awake
• Before bed, do relaxation, breathing or visualisation exercises (imagine a happy place such as the beach or park)
• Do relaxing activities such as reading, drawing, listening to quiet music in the hour before bed to help wind down.
• Turn off the television (keep TV out of the bedroom), computer, electronic games and other activities in the hour before bed.
• Avoid strenuous exercise in the few hours before bed but make sure you/ your child gets plenty of exercise during the day.
• Avoid caffeine (soft drinks and coffee) and limit spicy or salty food which can cause thirst – and wake you/ your child during the night
• Encourage your child to fall asleep on their own (even from age six months - put babies down when drowsy rather when already asleep)
• Use reward systems (star charts culminating in a lucky dip or favourite outing) to motivate preschool and school-age kids, especially if they are getting out of bed or coming into your bed at night
• Install a hall or night light if your child is scared of the dark
• If work is affecting your sleep seek help to manage stress

If all else fails see a GP who can refer you/your child to a medical specialist, sleep physician or psychologist to investigate why you or your child struggles with sleep.

Adapted from: ABC Health and Well Being – Kids Need a Good Night’s Sleep by Helen Carter KidsHealth

Joy Wheeler – Guidance Officer

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAPLAIN

In the last newsletter I stated that the 1st Prize for Chappy's Spare Change Challenge was a class pizza party with pizza from Pizza Capers. This was incorrect the pizza was actually from Crust Pizza – my apologies for that error.

Southport Church of Christ Light Party

Chappy Rusty

COMMUNITY NEWS

“This is a service provided when space permits. The school acts solely as a messenger and is not actually recommending any activities advertised”

UPCOMING EVENTS