8 December 2017

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

It is hard to believe another school year has come and gone. Throughout this year Musgrave Hill has focused on creating learning opportunities for all our young people to assist them to realise their true potential and help them build upon their dreams for the future. There have been so many memorable moments this year, too many to individually mention but as a Principal there is nothing more rewarding than seeing students continually exceed their own expectations and always strive for excellence. I am definitely looking forward to what 2018 has in store for us all here at Musgrave.

Student Leaders For 2018

The newly elected Student Leaders were announced at a special assembly last Thursday. I am sure this amazing group of students will do a phenomenal job upholding our school values and leading by example. It certainly reassures me that our school will continue to be in good hands with our Student Leaders for 2018

School Captains-:

Nate P
Hesed L
Anabell Mc
Alice F

Student Council President-:

Luke W

Peacebuilder Captain-:

Amily P

Sports Peacebuilder Captain-:

Jayden C

Pelican House Captains-:

Mariah C
Sienna H

Dolphin House Captains-:

Ethan G
Keira W

Koala House Captains-:

Essence P
Lisa H

Black Shoes - Dress Code Reminder: Uniform Policy- 2018

We have discussed for a long time now that the Musgrave Hill State School endorsed Dress Code policy stipulates black shoes are the only option for footwear at our school. We have made allowances over the past 2 years so parents and carers can get used to the idea. From 2018 it is an expectation that all students will wear closed in black leather school shoes or black sneakers with black laces. Ankle boots or any style of boots is not acceptable. If students attend school wearing the wrong shoes they will be sent to the Administration Building where they will change into a pair of school supplied black shoes for the day.

So please ensure over the Christmas break that the shoes purchased for school in 2018 are similar to the examples below.

It will be priority in 2018 and we appreciate your support in this matter.

20 Merit Morning Tea-:

A big congratulations to over 60 students who joined me to celebrate their wonderful achievement - 20 Merit Awards for the year. We had a great time as we do every year. Congratulations must also go to the many other students who received 5, 10 or 15 Merit Awards this year. Hopefully we can continue to increase the number at the morning tea in 2018.

Semester 2 Reporting- What does a ‘C ‘really mean??

Both learners and teachers have now completed their final term of work together. You should have now received a report card for your child that is written with a 5-point scale (A-E). Achieving a ‘C’ on this scale means a child is ON TARGET for their age level. Achieving above a ‘C’ is awarded to learners who show that they are independently working beyond the criteria required for their year level. If you have queries about your child’s report card, please contact your current class teacher/s.

Thank you-:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our teachers here at MHSS for their un-wavering commitment and devotion to the students of Musgrave Hill. They do a remarkable job not only upholding the values of our school but by ensuring every student has the best learning opportunities available to them.

As with every year we do have some staff we unfortunately have to farewell. Alison Alderson Year 1 (but will be back relieving in 2018), Gemma Martin SEP Prep, Taylar Gibson ECDP and Di Deverson also after 18 years keeping the grounds of Musgrave beautiful, Tim Baker has made the tough decision to call it quits. On behalf of myself and Musgrave Hill State School we thank you all for everything you have done for the students of Musgrave and we wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

To the Parents/Carers, I thank you for your continued support not only of myself but the school as a whole. The number of you that give your time so generously truly represents the strong and productive relationships we have formed.

Students, staff and parents working together is a key ingredient to enhancing student outcomes and creating a great place in which to learn. Thank you for your support in making this a reality at Musgrave Hill State School.

Return Date for 2018-:

Please note that the school year will start on the Monday, 22nd January 2018. I wish you all a safe and relaxing holiday.

Julie-Anne McGuinness – Principal

MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE

Student Resource Scheme 2018

You should have received information and an email invoice for participation in our Student Resource Scheme (SRS) 2018.

Our office will be open from Thursday 18th January 2018 to receive payments, however, you can pay for your SRS at any time through BPoint, BPay or Direct Debit into our account. Our account details are as follows:

Name: Musgrave Hill SS General Account
BSB: 064 – 430
Account No: 00090243

Thank You

We would like to thank: Triscina and the YMCA staff, Natalia and Gerry for the lovely morning teas they have provided for the staff throughout the year and to our wonderful families who have spoilt us with gifts. We wish you all a happy and safe Christmas.

ASSEMBLY AWARDS

SPORTS TALK

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the students and their parents that have taken part in Run Club for 2017. Being ready, out the door and at school by 8am is by no means an easy feat, and for that I am truly appreciative of each and every Wednesday that you have turned up, ready to run! There have been some amazing achievements this year and I am looking forward to another year next year, smashing records again!

Below is a rundown of all the results this year –

Top Run Club Female = Grace A
Top Run Club Male = Jayden C
Winning Run Club House = Koala

Top 5 classes =

1st 6 Onyx
2nd 3 Purple
3rd 5 Aqua
4th 3 White
5th 1 Blue

Top Runners from each class =

Mrs Halsall

CLASSROOM CAPERS – 3 PURPLE

3 Purple Problem Solvers

3 Purple have been busy this term creating their own board games. They worked in groups to design and write their own word problems using a range of strategies including Split Strategy, Jump Strategy and Regrouping. The kids had a ball playing and sharing their games with each other.

TUCKSHOP NEWS

Uniforms

Our uniform shop will be open on the last week of the school holidays on the following dates and times:

THURSDAY 18th January 2pm - 5pm
FRIDAY 19th January 10am - 2pm

Payment can be made via laybys, flexischool, cash and direct deposit

Angela Anderson and Sally McWilliams – Tuckshop Convenors

P&C NEWS

It has been another wonderful year at the school and I wish to thank everyone for their support with the P&C fundraising for our Mothers & Father’s Day stalls, Cross country and the Fete. The fete was an overall success raising over $5,500 especially considering the rain we had on the day.

You may have noticed the new structure on the oval, this was achieved by our parents and communities fundraising efforts.

The P&C would like to thank everyone for their ongoing support, and look forward to achieving more projects like this in the future.

On behalf of all of our members we wish you a happy and safe Christmas and New Year.

Look forward to seeing you and our new families in 2018.

Tina Quirke - P&C President

eLEARNING

The last few newsletters have focused on the direction that eLearning and our BYOx iPad Program will take into 2018.

The previous newsletter listed some of the specifications for iPads that we will expect students to have for optimised learning as part of our Year 3 to 6 BYOx program next year.

The Core app list will only include free apps for 2018, with paid apps being requested only for the year levels that will be using them.

Students in Prep to Year 2 will have access to eLearning opportunities using devices provided by the school and include using some of the core apps as well.

A couple of points of which to be aware, should you choose to be part of the BYOx Program in Year 3 to 6:

• All iPads MUST come to school in a sturdy iPad case and with a screen protector.
• All families will need to agree to the ICTs and BYOx Acceptable Use policy to participate in eLearning activities at school.
• The Core App List, available on our website, is mandatory if iPads are to be brought to school.
• All iPads must come to school in good repair and charged, ready for learning.
• At school iPads are seen as a learning tool – not a gaming tool.
• Extra apps may be requested throughout the year.
• 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.

All necessary information will be on our website from early in 2018 and please do not hesitate to contact the school for more information. Previous newsletters can be found here.

Next year we will be offering a parent session to tie in with the class Parent Information Afternoons in Term 1 and we will have our school ICT Technician available to answer any technical questions. He will also be available for a limited time to trouble shoot any iPad difficulties during the first few weeks of Term 1 next year. Part of the Parent Information session will include looking at the sorts of activities students may have opportunity to be part of throughout the year.

We ask that no iPads come to school until after all agreement forms have been completed and students have had their school usernames and passwords set up which will take place after Day 8.

As in previous years we continue to grow eLearning in our school. Next year it will include the Digital Technologies subject as well as providing eLearning opportunities. We look forward to continuing to maximise learning opportunities that eLearning provides for your students.

Have an enjoyable Christmas break.

Annette Vlaanderen - eLearning Coordinator
avlaa2@eq.edu.au

ANNOUNCMENT FROM SURFSIDE BUSLINES

A WORD FROM OUR GUIDANCE OFFICER

Keeping Our Kids Safe During School Holidays

With school holidays approaching, it’s a good time for parents to talk with their kids about personal safety. For parents or carers, keeping children safe is one of the most important things we can do. To do this, we must equip our children with the knowledge and skills they need to avoid risky situations. Just as we routinely teach children the road rules, we need to give them an understanding of their rights to protect themselves.

The basic principles we need to teach our children (remember: it’s never too early to sow the seeds of personal safety) are:

1. To trust their feeling/instincts
2. That they have the right to say ‘no’ if they feel unsafe or unsure
3. That nothing is so yucky that they can’t tell someone about it
4. That if they feel unsafe or unsure to run and tell someone they trust (and to keep telling until someone listens).

There are some basic rules that we need to teach our children to keep them safe when they are not at home or with their parents. Rules for younger children might include:

• Know your name, address, phone number and your parents’ name.
• Always check with your parents or person in charge before going anywhere – even going somewhere with someone you know.
• Always take a friend with you when you go somewhere.
• Never go anywhere with someone you don’t know - run away if someone tries to get you to go with them.

Rules for teens might include:

• Don’t go out alone – there is safety in numbers.
• Always let an adult know where you are going.
• Never go anywhere with someone you don’t know.
• You can say ‘no’ if someone makes you feel uncomfortable or threatens or pressures you to do something you don’t want to.

Additionally, with many kids spending substantial periods of time online here are five quick tips you can teach your kids to stay safe online:

1. Private stuff needs protection (if you wouldn’t want you parents or grandparents to see something, don’t post it)
2. You can only really know someone if you know them offline (think about what ‘a friend’ means to you)
3. What you share will always be there (think before you post)
4. Not everyone online is who they say they are (remember that behind the screen it is easy to pretend to be someone you are not)
5. If something doesn’t feel right, tell a trusted adult (check out Bravehearts’ Join the Dots reporting app and website: www.bravehearts.org.au/join-the-dots)

If you would like further information explore Bravehearts website or call their wonderful Information and Support staff on 1800 272 831.

Source: Bravehearts http://bravehearts.org.au/pages/keeping-our-kids-safe-during-school-holidays.php

Joy Wheeler – Guidance Officer

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAPLAIN

A Thank you from Mrs Deverson

$100.00 donation has been made to the MHSS Chaplaincy program as an expression of thanks to the beautiful children at our school. Recently I lost a bracelet of great sentimental value and the kids showed real concern for me. I am pleased to say that it has been found and I am very, very happy and thankful.

Thank you.

Mrs Deverson

Thank you to all of the MHSS community and students who have given their time, donations and support in many ways to the chaplaincy service this year. I feel very blessed to be part of such a special team.

Have a very safe and fun break. Merry Christmas and abundant blessings to all.

Love & Peace

Chappy Rusty

Y.M.C.A. MUSGRAVE HILL

We still have some spaces left for Vacation Care so pop into the service for a booking form.

Incursion Day’s

We have some fun organisations joining us for the day:

Peter May’s Magic Show, Funky Frog Disco, Jolly Jumps and Laser Tag in a box.

We are also going to Robina Bowling for our excursion and we will be joining up with our sister service Helensvale YMCA.

We will be closed the first week after Xmas and will reopen on the 2nd Jan 2018.

We wish all of our families a merry Xmas and safe holidays and look forward to seeing you all back here again in 2018.

Triscina James
Phone: 07 55283490 - Mobile: 0439752168 - Email: amh@ymca.com.org.au

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”

Free Surf Safety School

Animal Welfare League – School Holiday Program

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – Eco Rangers

UPCOMING EVENTS