2 March 2018

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

We have passed the 1/2 way mark of Term 1 which in itself is hard to believe but that also means that the Commonwealth Games are just around the corner. It is important that we stay as well informed as possible with regards to the games. There have been some stories circulating throughout the community that there will be school closures leading up to the games so I am assuring you that Musgrave Hill will be open and operating as per usual.

Preparing for the Games

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (the Games) is the largest event ever to be held on the Gold Coast, and the first time this international sporting event has been held in a regional city. Hosting an event this size does not happen without some temporary changes in key areas around the city both in the lead up to, and during the Games.

During the Games there will be increased pressure on transport and road networks, with over 6 million additional journeys expected. To manage the increase in demand, temporary changes in key areas around the Gold Coast will be introduced in the lead up to the Games, including localised road closures, diversions, and removal of on-street parking in some areas.

Some changes, including reduced speed limits on the M1, will take effect in early March, however, the majority do not commence until after the end of Term 1. I am encouraging all parents and carers to stay informed about changes that impact their local area/s by signing up to receive email or SMS updates

Attendance

A reminder about the importance of attendance. If you achieved 90% at something you’d probably think that you were travelling pretty well. What does 90% actually mean in terms of attendance? 90% attendance means 1 day off a fortnight, this equates to 20 days in the school year. What results do you think you would achieve having this much time off and missing vital learning concepts? The evidence is clear in school results, students with better attendance have better results. Every day counts.

Drop off and Pick up Zone

The passenger pickup zone/2 minute zone allows for quick pick up of children during congested peak school ‘let out’ times. It is vital that parents/carers do not leave their car unattended to drop or collect their child/ren from their classes.

Our staff is out the front both morning and afternoon to assist with a smooth transition through this area for all. I understand that this zone can be very frustrating at times but I ask that you please continue to respect the wonderful staff who are there simply to ensure the safety of our students.

How to use the Drop off and Pick up zone

• Vehicles move slowly along the loading zone towards the front of the queue
• Children see the vehicle and are ready to get in
• Motorists ‘give each other a fair go’
• If your child is not there then you move to the front of the line and can stay there in your vehicle for a maximum of two minutes before you are required to move off and park or go around the block and re-enter the line.

RESPECT THE TIMING

• Do not stop for more than two minutes
• Do not park in the zone and walk away from the car

PICK UP AND LOADING BAGS

• You can get out of the vehicle only to assist the children to load bags
• Never double park to pick up children – it is illegal and dangerous.

The Staff carpark

Please do not use either of the staff car parks to pick up and drop off your child. This is an unsupervised area and we have already had a couple of near misses this year. It is a narrow area. All foot traffic through the car park should be on the footpaths provided – not between the cars.

Riding bikes and scooters through school grounds

Please note that the riding of bikes and/or scooters is prohibited within the school grounds. It is a safety issue for all and I ask that everyone please respect our position and dismount your bike/scooter prior to entering the school grounds.

P & C

Due to circumstances beyond our control we have had to change the day of our next P & C meeting which also happens to be our AGM. This meeting will occur on Wednesday 21st March at 5.00pm in our school staffroom instead of Wednesday the 14th March. The AGM will be first then a general P & C meeting. I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Julie-Anne McGuinness – Principal

ASSEMBLY AWARDS

WOOLWORTHS EARN & LEARN

We had an exciting delivery of school resources today which were supplied by Woolworths from the stickers that were collected from our parents and students through the Earn and Learn promotion.

Here is a list of the resources that we received:

• 1 x Bee-Bot transparent grid mat
• 1 x Transparent pocket mat and Robotics card set
• 1 x Bee-Bot Mat with transparent pockets
• 1 x MTA Robotics cards set – 60 double side cards
• 2 x Blue-Bot – bluetooth floor robot
• 1 x Bee-Bot early number mat
• 1 x All about me family counters
• 4 x Document pouches

SPORTS TALK

Congratulations!!!

We have had some wonderful performances at recent Broadwater Trials and I am very proud to announce that both Keira and Anabell have been successful in making the Broadwater Hockey Team and Jaya was also successful at her trials and has made the Broadwater Basketball Team! Congratulations girls! We wish you all the best at your upcoming carnivals!

Coles – Sports for Schools

We are collecting Coles Sports for Schools ‘dollars’. There are Musgrave Hill State School boxes provided in some shopping centres but if you can’t find a box PLEASE bring the Coles “dollars” into school where there is a box provided in the front office or your collection can also be given to Sally in the canteen.

Mrs Halsall – PE Teacher

SCHOOL PHOTOS

PREP 2019

TUCKSHOP NEWS

Uniforms

All stock and sizes are now available

Preps who are wearing our new uniform can purchase winter jackets or track pants at Kmart, Best and Less and several other department stores, the colour must be plain navy blue with no logo prints.

Angela Anderson and Sally McWilliams – Tuckshop Convenors

eLEARNING

It is great to see so many students engaging with our BYOx program and so many parents who made it to the Digital Technology information session on the parent information afternoon.

Just a reminder that students must have a suitable case on their iPads. We also recommend that students carry their iPads in a carry case to protect it from lunch box spills and wet weather.

The other condition of bringing iPads to school is that students have the school apps on the iPads. The core list of apps can be found on the school website here.

• In the settings on the device you can set passwords so that students cannot purchase apps without your permission
• Use iTunes cards rather than credit cards to purchase apps and always log out if you do use a credit card. Make sure that you do not save credit card details on the iPad.

Next newsletter we will look at setting restrictions on the iPads.

If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Annette Vlaanderen - avlaa2@eq.edu.au
eLearning Coordinator & NETTS Teacher

CLASSROOM CAPERS – 1 BLUE

This term we have been working really hard learning how to work in small groups and then rotate groups to new activities. One way we do this is by doing a variety of fine motor activities. 1Blue have loved using playdough, weaving, threading, construction, stamping just to name a few.

COLOUR YOUR CURLS FOR CRAZY HAIR DAY

Date: Friday, March 9th

• Come to school with a wacky, colourful hairstyle to raise money for the Leukemia Foundation.
• Hats are still to be worn at breaks so nothing too BIG please!
• If you don’t want to do it at home, the Student Council will spray your hair with washable, coloured hairspray at school.
• We will set up in the Year 2 eating area before school.

All hairspray will be non-toxic.

Cost: A gold coin donation to come with crazy hair, or $2 per colour to have it sprayed at school (All money raised will go to the Leukemia Foundation).

*Please send the permission note and money in to your teacher by Thursday, MARCH 8th if you wish to have your hair sprayed at school. Permission notes were sent home this week.

• Donations of Coloured hairspray would be appreciated

A WORD FROM OUR GUIDANCE OFFICER

FAMILY SQUABBLES

Parents often worry about brothers and sisters quarrelling. A certain amount of quarrelling is normal for children in families. It is one of the ways that they learn how to get on with other people. Quarrelling can be positive. Sometimes, however, you will need to step in when tempers become frayed and you can see that things are getting out of control.

What causes quarrelling?

Learning to get on with others

Arguments between brothers and sisters are one of the ways that children learn to respect other people’s belongings and feelings. It is one of the ways children learn to solve problems. Learning to argue fairly and without hurting each other will help them get on with others.

Parents’ attention

Children in families also fight about parents’ love and attention. To children love means time and attention. Young children do require more attention, but allocating time to an older child is just as important and will make for better relationships all round.

Health

When feeling unwell, resistance can be low for coping with adversity. We may be more sensitive to comments and less able to manage our own emotions.

What parents can do

Here are some steps you can take to help lessen quarrels.

• Protect the needs of each child, for example prevent older children’s activities from being interfered with by younger children and vice versa.
• Spend special time with each child on a regular basis.
• Allow each child to own some special things of their own that they don’t have to share. For younger children, see that there is more than one of the same toys, such as matchbox cars, so that they can play together without having to share. Two second hand bicycles are often better fun than one new one that has to be shared. If you have three children make sure that the same one is not left out every time.
• Invite other children over – children learn social skills through exposure and practise.
• Children need their own bit of space which will not be interfered with by others, even if it is only a drawer.
• Try not to compare children with each other - this always leads to bad feelings.
• Be generous with hugs and affection to all your children – even the teenager that appears to pull away – deep down they love the contact.
• Make ground rules. Get your children to help you make some rules about what behaviour is not allowed in your home, for example name calling or hitting = being respectful. Then if you have to step in, you do so because someone has broken a rule, not to take sides.
• When you can see that children are feeling upset, help them to find ways to express their feelings by talking about feelings. For young children play that helps with feelings includes water play, painting and playdough. For older children and adolescents it may be something like going for a run or playing their music, and especially an opportunity to talk and problem solve themselves.
• Maintain good health - Healthy, active children may exhibit greater tolerance/ resilience and manage their emotions more appropriately when needed.

Children need adults to teach them how to solve problems, and while squabbles may be annoying and stressful they also may be the means of teaching resilience as well as developing skills for managing relationships throughout our lives.

Adapted from `Parenting SA’, Government of South Australia

Joy Wheeler – Guidance Officer

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”

Keebra Park High School

School Tour for Year 7

Girls Sport Excellence Day

Basketball Excellence Experience Day

UPCOMING EVENTS