8 February 2019

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Welcome back to what I am sure will be another very exciting year. To our existing families it is great to see you back ready to go in 2019. To our new families a big Musgrave Hill welcome to you. You have chosen an amazing school and community to be a part of.

2019 is shaping up to be another big year in enrolment growth and as things currently stand we have approximately 550 students starting the year which is around 40 more students than this time last year. It is important to note that at this stage there will be no class changes but unfortunately this may not last if our numbers continue to grow throughout the year. This growth is not only attributed to the many parents who proudly support our school but also the exceptional teaching staff and ancillary staff who always have the best interests of the students embedded in their practice and planning.

Apart from our regular teaching team, 2019 introduces a new face to Musgrave Hill State School - Kayla Bransdon joins our Year 3 Team. We also welcome back Catrin Alban and Candiece Ledwidge who are both returning from maternity leave.

Reminder of our Parents on School Grounds Policy

Musgrave Hill State School is a school that embraces and encourages strong community involvement, and I know you would agree with me that the safety of our students and staff has to be our highest priority.

Therefore, I am asking that unless you are attending a scheduled school activity or meeting, or collecting your child/ren after you have signed them out through the office, that you do not enter the school grounds until the end of the school day at 2.40pm. Once you have collected your child/ren, I ask that you please exit the school grounds by 3.15pm.

I understand and appreciate that many parents arrive early in the afternoon to secure a parking spot. However, this early arrival results in the school grounds being accessed by parents 1/2 to 1 hour prior to the end of the school day and sitting outside classrooms, near classrooms, or congregating in main thoroughfares within the school. Afternoon sessions are still critical learning times for our students and parents outside classrooms, or near classrooms, are proven to be distracting for both students and teachers.

The numbers of people on site is also a significant safety concern as we are unable to keep track of who is coming and going within our school.

I acknowledge the importance for parents/carers to connect with each other. We have a very supportive school community and I encourage you to utilise the various locations outside the school gates where these gatherings and conversations can take place. This will assist staff to be able to quickly identify anyone who should not be on the premises, limit the disruption to the learning of our students, and most importantly, ensure the highest safety measures are operating within the school environment.

Parent Information Sessions

Parents/Guardians of Musgrave Hill students are invited to attend the upcoming parent information afternoon sessions on Wednesday 13th February 2019. These afternoons are a great opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, hear all about the great things your child will experience this year as well as an opportunity to ask any questions you may have in relation to the teaching and learning planned for your child. Details for the Parent Information Sessions are;

Facebook Pages and Posts

Please be aware that Musgrave Hill State School does not have an official Facebook page nor do we have any other social media sites that we are affiliated with. Q Schools has been adopted by the school as our method of keeping parents informed.

It is important to be aware that any unauthorised sites listing or naming the school name, names of students or staff, photos of students or staff or any sites that defame our school or any staff member is in breach of the information privacy principles under the Information Privacy Act and action can be taken. I understand that Facebook and other social media sites can be an effective communication tool but I ask that you respect the school’s stance and remove any posts or sites created using our school name or that mention our staff or students but most importantly please remove any photos. I thank you for your support in this matter.

Amazing Student Achievements

Reilly D participated in the track State Championships at Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane on the 11th of January, 2019.

He raced in Under 9’s even though he is only 7, and performed amazingly. In the 200m “Fly Race” he came second by .11 of a second. In the 500 time trial, Reilly went on to win the race and broke a record that has been in place for 4 years. To top it all off Reilly is now the state record holder for Under 9 track 500 time trials.

The last race Reilly participated in was what they call a “Scratch Race” where he was required to complete 4 laps of the velodrome where he managed to finish first and he received a gold medal.

We here at Musgrave are always proud of our students but when we hear of such amazing feats the pride grows ten-fold. Well done Reilly from everyone here at Musgrave.

P & C Meetings

P & C meetings will be held on the second Thursday of the month at 2.15pm in the Staffroom. All welcome to attend. The first meeting for the year is on 14th February.

Drop off and Pick Zone

Our new families may not be aware of the rules and regulations regarding our “Drop off and Pick up” area and also this comes as a friendly reminder to our existing families-:

Parking in Nakina Street in front of the school is prohibited between 8am to 9am and 2.30pm and 3.30pm. This side of the street is a pick up and drop off zone only. You are not permitted to park your car and get out as you stop the flow of traffic. The effectiveness of our Pick up and Drop off zone depends on parents doing the right thing. So please remember for the safety of our students - do not park and get out of your cars in the Pick-up and Drop off zone.

We also ask that parents have a clearly written surname on a sheet of paper that can be attached to the sun visor in the car. Please let the office know if you require a new sign and we will ensure one is made up for you. This makes the process so much easier for the staff on duty and for the smooth operation of the pick-up zone.

How to use the Pick up Zone

The passenger pickup zone/2 minute zone allows for quick pick up of children during congested peak school ‘let out’ times.

The Concept

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 the staff car park for a pick up and drop off for your child. This is an unsupervised area and we have already had a couple of near misses in past years. It is a narrow area. All foot traffic through the car park should be on the footpaths provided – not between the cars.

Julie-Anne McGuinness – Principal

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Spell-Off Competition

This week notes were sent home about the Musgrave Hill State School Spell-Off. Students in Years 1-6 will practise their spelling words at home in preparation for the Musgrave Hill Spell-Off. The Spell-Off is an opportunity for families to partner with their child and their education.

Each class will determine a ‘Class Champion’ via a class Spell-Off. The Class Champions will then participate in a Year Level Spell-Off to determine the ‘Year Level Champion.’

Timeline:

25-27th March: Class finalists determined in classrooms

Year level Championships:

Year 3: Monday 1st April 9am
Year 1: Monday 1st April 10am
Year 6: Wednesday 3rd April 9am
Year 5: Wednesday 3rd April 10am
Year 2: Thursday 4th April 9am
Year 4: Thursday 4th April 10am

LUNCH TIME CLUBS

Clubs on offer

FINANCE FACTS

The school is trying to create efficient payment options for busy parents.

When an excursion is offered to students a permission and information note is sent home with the student. The invoice is created and automatically emailed to you so if you receive the emailed invoice first please ask your child if they have received the note.

BPoint payment from the link on all invoices, is the best way to make payments that will be directly credited to your child’s excursion invoice.

Please read attached brochure for more information

Bpay payments do not go directly to the invoice you wish to pay. The system will direct the payment as per a formula. This can cause problems.

Please no longer use Bpay.

Is a new payment app.

This app can be used for Tuckshop, Uniform Shop, Building Fund Donation and P&C Fundraising Events.

Payment can be made with any type of credit card. Please read attached How to Guide.

Student Resource Scheme (SRS)

Thank you to all parents who have returned the Student Resource Scheme Forms. This year invoices are issued when the form or payment is returned.

Please request a form from the office if you still wish to participate in the Student Resource Scheme.

All payments for SRS or a payment arrangement should be finalised by February 28.

ASSEMBLY AWARDS

TUCKSHOP NEWS

Great news! We have found a 'FEE FREE' way to order your Tuckshop Lunches. It’s called Qkr! All you have to do is download the app to your phone, it will ask you to setup an account where you can add your Credit/Debit Card. You can then set up your profiles and check out our new menu. In order to keep with our Traffic Light Food System of Green Foods - All the Time, Amber Food - Some times and Red Foods - Occasionally, we’ve had to change a few things There is a new 'Build Your Own Sandwich/Wrap or Salad' option and new items such as:

Vegan Hot Dog - Monday only
Coconut Chicken Curry (Mild) - Tuesday only (Dairy and Gluten Free)
Vegie Burger - Wednesday only
Vegetarian Pizza - Thursday only
Vegie Pastie - Friday only

and many more delicious items.

We have also changed our Muffins to fit the healthy choices, they are now Apple and Cinnamon and Blueberry. Keep an eye on the menu for a new breakfast item 'Homemade Granola and Yoghurt'

If you have a FlexiSchools account please don't worry we will be running both systems side by side for a while. If you have credit on Flexischools you do have the option of ringing them and asking for your money to be deposited back into your account.

If you have any queries please come and see myself or Rach and we will be happy to help.

Uniform News

It’s so great seeing everyone in the new uniform, our jackets will be arriving closer to winter so keep an eye out.

Uniform Prices

Sally McWilliams, Rachele White - Tuckshop & Uniform Convenors

P & C NEWS

Firstly welcome back everybody I hope you all had a very good holiday and got lots of rest. This year is going to be HUGE!!!!!!

We have our very first fundraiser this term for our Cross Country. This is the main fundraiser for the year so let’s make it a great one. We are still raising money for our 'Playground Upgrade' please keep an eye out for your sponsorship forms.

Building Fund

Great News! We have a Building Fund donations option on our new Qkr! app as well. You simply select 'Building Fund Donations' under the ‘School Events’ section. This is where you can choose an amount to donate towards our playground upgrade. This is all tax deductable and you will get a receipt instantly after payment. You can then forward your receipt to your email using the letter icon in the top right hand corner, if you need a different receipt please come and see Sally in the Tuckshop and she will arrange one for you.

We have streamlined our fundraising this year to only 1 big fundraiser, being our school Cross Country Fun Run but we have a few little fun ones throughout the year as well. A Disco, Mother’s Day Stall, Father’s Day Stall and yes you guessed it COLOUR RUN is BACK!!!!!!! So keep an eye on the newsletter and check the handouts from your teachers, as I said this year is going to be HUGE!!!!!!!! and remember all money raised will go towards our 'Playground Upgrade'

Melissa Holland - P&C President

SCHOOL CROSSING SUPERVISOR – VACANCY

Musgrave Hill State School

THE ARTS PROGRAM

Welcome to Semester 1 2019! I hope you all had a lovely break. This semester in The Arts our students will be covering…

Students in Year 5 have the opportunity to come to the Arts room each Thursday at 1:15 – 1:45pm to complete unfinished portfolio pieces from previous lessons. I encourage all Year 5 students to take this opportunity. It’s going to be another busy term!

Kerrie Doolan – Arts Teacher

MUSIC NEWS

Instrumental Music 2019

Dear Music Students and Parents,

Welcome back for 2019! As well as welcoming back all the band and strings students from last year it is our pleasure to welcome our new students to the program this year. We are looking forward to another productive and successful year.

Continuing Band students (Yr 5&6)

Instrumental Music lessons (during school time) will commence on Mondays from week 3.

Band Ensemble (before school at 7.45) Rehearsals will commence on Monday week 4 in the Arts/ Music Block.

Beginner Band students (Yr 4&5)

All beginning students will begin lessons on Monday in week 3 in the Arts/Music Block. Beginning students with their own instruments should bring them on Monday. Students hiring school instruments will be issued with those during the next couple of weeks.

Strings Program – Miss Williams

We welcome back Miss Williams to Musgrave Hill State School as our Instrumental Music (Strings) teacher in 2019.

Beginning and Continuing String students

Instrumental Music Strings (lessons and ensemble practice) will commence on Wednesdays from week 2.

Please check your respective timetables to make sure you have the correct day and time. Timetables are located on the Arts/Music Block window beside the entrance and all Yr 4, 5 and 6 classrooms will have a copy.

Please return any remaining Instrumental Music forms to the Arts/ Music Block or to Admin as soon as possible. If you have any questions regarding the Instrumental Music Program please contact me or administration. We are looking forward to a great year filled with music.

Is your child interested in learning a musical instrument in 2019?

Learn a Musical Instrument at Musgrave Hill

There are still some limited places available for band and string instruments at Musgrave Hill in 2019.

If you missed our parent information session or would simply like to get more information about the Instrumental Music program, you can request an Instrumental Music Handbook from our admin staff 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. There is also an Expression of Interest form attached to the back which can be filled out and returned to the school.

Students currently in Year 3 are eligible to learn a string instrument in 2019:

Violin, Viola, Cello

Students currently in Year 4, 5 and 6 are eligible to learn a brass, woodwind or percussion instrument in 2019:

Trumpet, Trombone, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Drums/Percussion

Drum Club

Following the success of Drum Club in 2018, we are excited to be continuing the Drum Club in 2019.

Drum Club has been organised to give as many students at Musgrave Hill an opportunity to participate in a percussion based ensemble and learn basic drumming and music reading skills in a fun but disciplined and inclusive environment.

Drum Club is available to all students in years 4, 5 and 6 who are not currently in the Instrumental Music Program but are keen to participate and agree to abide by the rules of Drum Club.

Students who are already participating in the Instrumental Music Band program are eligible to apply for The Percussion Ensemble if they are keen to join and agree to abide by the same rules as Drum Club.

Places in Drum Club are limited. Students are not required to audition. No prior music experience is necessary. Students who complete and return the enrolment form are considered first until places are filled. A waiting list will be set up for anyone who doesn’t get a place initially but wishes to be involved.

There is no cost to participate in Drum Club or Percussion Ensemble in 2019. Drums, practice drums, drum sticks and mallets are provided. Music sheets and practice sheets are also provided.

Drum Club meets on Monday in The Arts/Music Room at 1.10pm for 30 minutes from week 3 until week 9 during term time unless indicated otherwise.

Students who learn an instrument in the Band Program are eligible to join the Percussion Ensemble which meets on Monday in The Arts/Music Room at 11.00am for 30 minutes from week 3 until week 9 during term time unless indicated otherwise.

Enrolment Forms for Drum Club are available from the Arts/ Music room or from Administration.

Mr Denning and Miss Williams - Instrumental Music Teachers

CLASSROOM CAPERS – PREP SILVER

We have had a fabulous start to the year in Prep Silver! We have been settling into our classroom and getting to know our new friends. To familiarise ourselves with the school environment and important places within our school we went on an adventure! First we read the story “Where is the green sheep?” and went exploring to see if we could find him! We visited the library, office, hall and other areas within our school. Along the way we found lots of different sheep from our story. When we returned to our classroom we found the green sheep asleep in our reading corner! It was a really fun way to explore our school and we are looking forward to a great year ahead.

Miss Radisavlyevic – Classroom Teacher

SPORTS TALK

Broadwater Trial Dates for Term 1

For any serious little sports stars (10yrs, 11yrs & 12yrs), listen out at Meet and Greet for when to come and see Mrs H for further details regarding the trials that you are after. Please remember that these trials are of a very high standard and only students that play first division for their club are encouraged to trial

Save the Date … Prep – Year 6 Cross Country

Friday 22nd March 9:00 – 11:00am

Our major fundraiser for the year is coming!

The CUA Fundraiser is on again and there will be some close competition to see which class can take out the title of Champion Fundraisers! There are some amazing prizes on offer and the extra incentive of a Hoverboard up for grabs for one lucky student that manages to create their own Personal Profile Page (with the help of mum and dad) and raise a minimum of $10. All money raised will go directly back into the school. Pamphlets will be ready for students to take home, sign on and start collecting on Friday 15th Feb …. stay tuned as we have some extra little incentives along the way to help with the friendly competition that has been created between classes!

Run Club

It’s back! Along with it, the Run Around Australia Challenge between classes! Run Club will start again for the year in week 3. A reminder of its times – Tuesday 2nd break (years 1-6) and Thursday mornings before school at 8am for Prep - Year 6. It’s a great way to stay active, enjoy moving with your friends and get in some training for the Cross Country. So come on down and join us on Thursday mornings before school!

Mrs Halsall – P E Teacher

eLearning

Welcome to 2019

Tuesday 6th February was Internet Safety Day. This year’s theme is 'Together for a better internet’, which encourages individuals to create a better internet by developing four critical skills. We call these skills the 4Rs: Respect, Responsibility, Reasoning and Resilience.’ All students in Years 1 to 6 will participate in cybersafety activities as part of their introductory lesson in the ICT Lab and these will be followed up throughout the year as needed. Musgrave Hill State School is committed to being a cybersafe school. Please take the time to discuss internet safety with your children. If you are looking for some useful information on internet safety, you may find this site useful:

The School’s Acceptable Use of ICT Policy and Personally Owned Device Policy have both been uploaded to the School website. Please take the time to read these policies and discuss them with your child/ren. The Agreement part of the policies were sent home for parent and student signatures but in effort to reduce paper use, the actual policies are available online. If you would like a paper copy of the policies, please contact the office.

Year levels are also in the process of sending home Third Party Website permission forms as well. These websites save some personal data and require parent permission before they can be used at school. Please contact class teachers if you have any questions about any of the websites that will be used at school. Each year level’s list is slightly different.

All agreements must be signed before students are able to bring iPads to school, access the school network or use the websites. Both sides of the note must also be signed, regardless of whether they have their own iPads/ devices or not.

If you would like to find out more about eLearning at our school, come along to a short presentation that will coincide with the Parent Information sessions in Week 3. Please see the flyer in this newsletter for more information.

Please do not hesitate to contact class teachers or myself if you have any questions.

Regards,
Annette Vlaanderen - avlaa2@eq.edu.au

A WORD FROM OUR GUIDANCE OFFICER

SMITH FAMILY – SAVER PLUS

Joy Wheeler – Guidance Officer

A WORD FROM OUR CHAPLAIN

I would like to wish you a warm welcome to the new school year.

I am here at Musgrave Hill on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Please feel free to come and say hello.

Chappy Rusanne (Rusty)

SURFSIDE BUSLINES BUS PASS AND TRAVEL INFO

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”

Southport State High School

Little Big Sport – Soccer Program at MHSS

Rugby League Skills Program

All-Girls Junior Cricket

UPCOMING EVENTS