22 February 2019

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

We are four weeks into Term 1 of 2019 and I am delighted to say that our students have embraced and excelled in all aspects of school life. A particular mention must go to our new Prep students who are showing great interest in their learning and have settled in to the routines of school life with little issues to speak of. Thank you parents for assisting us with a very smooth start to the year.

Full School Review and Improvement Agenda

In 2019 our school will undertake a full School Review as part of the Quadrennial School Review (QRS) process. This enables the school to evaluate our journey since 2016 and design and develop a strategy for 2020 and beyond.

In 2019 our School Improvement Agenda will focus on:

1. Ensuring all students receive an inclusive and quality education that promotes life-long learning.
2. Developing staff capability, knowledge and understanding of health and well-being that promotes positive change through a conscious and collaborative approach.
3. Extending and consolidating our whole school approach to English.
4. A strong focus on the Early Years as quality early years learning experiences can set students up for success.

Our Improvement Agenda is both exciting and challenging but a journey that will enhance our current programs as well as introduce new and innovative programs for our students.

Before School Routine

For those new to the school and as a friendly reminder to others, please note that all students from Years 1 to 6 are to sit in the Hall Undercover Area BEFORE SCHOOL. This is due to a number of Workplace, Health and Safety issues that have been raised by parents, teachers and students alike.

The routine will be as follows;

• Children arriving before 8am (which there should be none) must sit outside the Library on seating until 8am or alternatives can be made to attend before school care if this early arrival continues.
• Children are to go straight to the Hall Undercover Area WITH THEIR BAGS as soon as they arrive at school. No child is to go to their classroom first.
• All Children will sit in the Hall Undercover Area until the bell goes at 8.40am at which time they move into their class lines ready for Meet and Greet.
• NO iPADS will be used before school and must remain inside your child’s school bag until they go to class.
• If a child needs to utilise the Tuckshop for breakfast they will be given the opportunity to do so.

Every day at School Counts

Every day at school is so important for student learning. Please help us support your children by ensuring their full and regular attendance so that we can give our maximum effort to every student in every lesson, every day. There is a direct correlation between absenteeism and student outcomes. The right thing to do for your child is to have them at school on a regular basis to ensure they are learning.

Attendance Facts (something to think about)

Just a little bit late for school doesn’t seem like much but

Parent Information Sessions

A big thank you to the many parents who attended the Parent Information Sessions on Wednesday 13th February. Afternoon’s like these are extremely important as it helps build stronger and more positive relationships between teachers and parents.

Bike / Scooter Safety

Please remember to ensure students are wearing helmets and riding safely to and from school. Students are required to walk bikes and scooters into and out of the school grounds. Please remind students to be careful of vehicles and pedestrians as we do not want accidents to occur.

Julie-Anne McGuinness - Principal

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Play Group

One of the many wonderful programs we offer here at Musgrave Hill State School is our pre-school Play Group. The Play Group is held every Monday from 9am -10.45am in the after school care building. All pre prep students are welcome and need to be supervised when attending. We are currently welcoming all new students for 2019. For more information please contact Luke Kenelley on 55313919.

FINANCE FACTS

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.

OFFICE TALK

Industrial Action

Our office staff are currently undertaking industrial action as the Department offer provided to us in the last week of school in 2018 did not provide an EB pay rise to AO2s. The offer was for a 1.5% pay rise in 2019 while everyone else will receive at least 2.5%. You may not be aware but we are the lowest paid public servants across the sector. AOs in Health, Transport and Main Roads and TAFE are all paid more than AOs in schools. Being able to secure a pay rise that is the same as our colleagues is important.

We did not expect to be still having to take action right now. This has never happened before and we hope the Department will make a new offer soon. In the meantime during the period between 1.30pm and 3.30pm another member of staff will be answering the phone. At times the phone call may go to the answer phone so please leave a message if it is urgent and we will get back to you. If you have pick up arrangements please try and ensure you phone before 1.30pm. We will also not be collecting any payments for the Student Resource Scheme or music scheme over the counter until the matter has been finalised. Payments can still be made through BPoint or directly into our school bank account.

If you would like to support our cause please write to the local member and voice your opinion.

ASSEMBLY AWARDS

SCHOOL PHOTO DAY

TUCKSHOP NEWS

Our new ordering system Qkr! is up and running and working really well. You can sign up for free and there are no charges involved. We will still be running our Flexischools ordering is still available but we hope to have it phased out by Term 2. If you do have credit on your Flexischools account you can simply ring them and ask for your money to be refunded into your account.

Uniform News

Uniforms haven’t arrived as yet but we are hoping they will be here soon. If you have any questions please come and see us.

Sally McWilliams,
Rachele White - Tuckshop & Uniform Convenors

MUSIC NEWS

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 in the Instrumental Music Program 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. 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 – 1 BLUE

It has been a very busy start to the year in Year 1. We have had lots of fun learning more about ourselves and each other. We have done lots of fine-motor art activities and attempted self-portraits. Here are some of our creations!

Mrs Brownrigg
Classroom Teacher

SPORTS TALK

CUA Fundraiser

Our major fundraiser for the year has begun! The challenge has been set and some classes have set a blistering pace to see who will prevail as Champion Fundraisers for 2019. As you all would be aware, I love a challenge and would very much like to set a new record for our fundraising efforts this year. Apart from breaking records, the most important reason to get behind this fundraiser is that all of these funds will go directly towards a playground for our ever-expanding school.

How can you help?

Firstly, go to schoolfundraising.com.au and create a student profile page. This is FREE to do. Everything to do with your fundraising revolves around this page. Once you have completed this, read through your Sponsorship Form, which has instructions on how to raise money and order prizes.

The easiest way to help your child raise money is through online fundraising. To start fundraising online, go to your student profile page at schoolfundraising.com.au and share your online fundraising link. If you have misplaced your Sponsorship Form/Brochure, feel free to see Sally at the tuckshop for another one, or follow the link above where everything is explained.

We thank you for your support and look forward to seeing what our team on The Hill can raise – we are one mighty TEAM!!

Mrs Halsall – P E Teacher

eLEARNING

NETTS: Number Explicitly Taught Through Skills

Musgrave Hill State School offers a targeted program for improving the understanding of number concepts and problem solving in Prep to Year 4. Students from Year 1 to 4 have a lesson for one hour a week, while Prep students have a 30 minute lesson each week. This is the fifth year that NETTS has been offered at our school and it is a way of exploring number concepts in a fun, game and digital learning environment. Students are involved in counting, writing and reading numbers in lots of different ways, as well as using hands-on materials, iPads and computers to share their understanding. While NETTS supports the school program and Australian Curriculum, it also focuses on improving students’ skills from the students’ current level of understanding. It is a program unique to our school.

Do you like Maths? Are you good at it? One way to improve numeracy understanding is to talk to your children about how you use numeracy in everyday life; whether it is cooking, shopping or completing puzzles.

This month I have added a link to an information sheet outlining what Numeracy actually is. It offers some helpful strategies on how we can improve attitudes and skills in number. We all know that if we start with a positive attitude we are halfway there!

If you would like more information on how to improve numeracy understanding in your family, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Date Claimer: Term 1 ICT Parent Information Session: Strategies for safe ICT use

Tuesday 5 March 4-5pm NETTS Room Library

Each term we will be hosting a Parent and Carers Information Session to help you stay informed about our Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Program. Andrew Shaw our ICT Technician and I will run the session. See the poster in this newsletter for more information.

Term 1 will focus on strategies for keeping your family safe online. We will be running the session from 4 – 5pm in the Library. If you have any questions or would like information but cannot attend, please email me avlaa2@eq.edu.au . We hope to see you there.

Annette Vlaanderen – NETTS Teacher - avlaa2@eq.edu.au

PREP 2020

A WORD FROM OUR GUIDANCE OFFICER

Parents - Tips for regular stress-free reading

At the end of a long day it can sometimes be hard to get our young ones motivated to read. They are often tired and so are we. Here are some tips to keep everyone happy and sane –

and reading regularly!

1. Read together as soon as you get home from school with the incentive of your child being able to then have free time. If kids plonk themselves in front of the TV or go out to play it can
2. be harder to reign them in.

1. Prepare a yummy, healthy snack to tempt them to sit with you to read.

1. If you are rushing to sport and other commitments after school ask your child to read aloud
2. in the car or they can read with you while waiting for their swimming lesson.

1. If your child becomes frustrated, angry or upset it's better to stop reading. Ask them to choose their favourite book and you can read to them instead. A battle to get them to read is
2. counterproductive – reading should be fun and enjoyable.

1. Read alternate pages to take the pressure off your child having to do all the reading. This
2. is particularly helpful if the text is a little difficult or if they are tired.

1. It's not always necessary to finish a whole book each night. Allocate a set amount of time if that works better - 20 minutes is adequate. Reading can be a challenging process for some
2. kids and concentration can wane if you read for too long.

1. If the reader selected from school doesn't interest your child make it as fun as your imagination allows - use silly voices, look for funny things in the illustrations, make up a different ending, imagine they were the author and could change any of the characters. A seemingly bland book can be made a little more exciting if we inject some excitement.

Angela Bueti - Creator and Writer - WOW books 4 boys

Joy Wheeler – Guidance Officer

BACK TO SCHOOL – ROAD SAFETY

A WORD FROM OUR CHAPLAIN

Breakfast Club

Chappy Rusanne (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”

Broadwater Netball Needs Players

Southport State High School

Helensvale High School – Year 7 2020 Information Session

Helensvale High School – Year 7 2021 Information Session

UPCOMING EVENTS