17 May 2019

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your perspective) we have had our last public holiday for this term and we now have seven uninterrupted weeks of school until our Winter break.

NAPLAN

This week our students in Years 3 and 5 took part in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests. The NAPLAN tests are a formal measure of how students are performing, however it is important to remember that they are a point in time test and only one aspect of the school’s assessment and reporting process. I believe that, as a school, we had the balance right as far as our NAPLAN preparation goes. Obviously these tests are important but we know there is so much more to a student’s success. We also recognise that some of the most important outcomes or results that occur in schools can’t be measured by standardised testing.

We expect that this year’s test results will be sent to our school around September, and an individual NAPLAN report for each student will be sent home around this time. These confidential reports will show your child’s results against key national information in each year level. Our school will use the information in a number of ways, primarily to better identify students requiring support and extension, and to identify strengths and improvement areas in our teaching programs.

Our students started the day with a healthy breakfast and brain gym exercises which allowed students to tackle the tests on a full belly and a clear mind.

We are very proud of the efforts of all our students who undertook the NAPLAN tests this week.

Mother’s Day

It is my hope that all of our amazing Mothers, Grandmothers and Carers had a wonderful Mother’s Day last Sunday. The contribution you all make to your children is immense and should never be underestimated. Every mum deserves to be spoilt rotten for the magnificent job they do each and every day.

I would also like to acknowledge and thank our Tuckshop ladies who ran our Mother’s Day Stall. I know from the many discussions I have had this week with students that they were very excited with their shrewd purchase of their gift for Mother’s Day.

Parent/Teacher Interviews

A big thank you to all the families who attended our interviews this week. These interviews allow for the strong relationships between home and school to continue to grow and prosper. Please note that Semester 1 Report Cards will be emailed out in week 10 so please ensure your email and contact details are up to date. Please contact the office immediately if these details have changed.

Being on time for School

At Musgrave Hill State School, we believe that children learn best when they arrive on time for school as it enables them to effectively embrace their learning for the day. When children arrive late regularly, not only does it affect their learning and progress, but it also creates distractions for their teacher and peers.

We encourage parents to consider the positive impact that punctuality has on your child’s learning.

The first bell goes at 8.40am and many important whole school messages are given at Meet and Greet. Upon returning to the classroom the day of teaching begins.

Therefore being late by 5 minutes?

That results in a loss of 8% of the learning in the first lesson of the day. This is when children get organised and ready for the main teaching activity after the bell.

Late by 10 minutes?

That results in a loss of 16% of the learning in the first lesson of the day. This is when the teacher is 30% into the main teaching activity of the first lesson of the day. It is during this time that the teacher begins to introduce the lesson learning objectives, teaches new concepts and explains what the children are required to do during independent activities.

Late by 15 minutes?

That results in a loss of 25% of the learning in the first lesson of the day. We classify this as substantial loss of learning. Your child may find it difficult to work confidently during the independent activities in this lesson as he/she has lost out on the main teacher explanation time.

So please ensure your child is at school on time every day.

Winter Uniform

I would like to remind families about the school dress code. Please ensure your child is wearing the full school uniform, this includes black shoes. I do not want to put families under financial hardships but I do ask that the uniform policy is adhered to.

As winter is quickly approaching, I am noticing many of the jumpers students are wearing to school are not in line with the Dress Code Policy and therefore students may be asked to remove the jumper as it is not school uniform. Please support us and your child by ensuring they are aware of the dress code expectations and are in full uniform each day? A full copy of the dress code will be made available at the office for those who require it.

Julie-Anne McGuinness - Principal

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Conversational Reading Workshop

Under 8’s Day

Come and Join in the Fun

Prep 2020 – School Tour, Coffee and Chat

ASSEMBLY AWARDS

TUCKSHOP NEWS

We are trialling some new options on the menu.

Sweet and Sour Chicken and Vege Mac and Cheese

Both will be $4.00 each or $6.00 in a meal deal which comes with a water and a Quelch ice block.

We are currently trying to phase out Flexischools to fully use the Qkr! App which is Fee Free. Would you kindly switch over to Qkr! at your earliest convenience. If you have any concerns please come and see Sally or Rach at the tuckshop.

Uniform News

I am pleased to say that we have jackets, polo shirts and hats in stock.

Sally and Rachele - Tuckshop and Uniform Convenors

SPORTS TALK

School Fundraiser Wrap Up

I cannot begin to thank each one of you that contributed to our 2019 School Fundraiser. As previously mentioned, we not only reached our target, we absolutely smashed it!

Our final official total for 2019 was $22,779.51

The winner of our Hover Board was Braxton P in 2I – congratulations!

Below you will see …

• The final tally boards for both the Weekly Challenge and the Overall Class Champions
• The top 10 Individual Fundraisers

Broadwater Cross Country

WOWSERS – what an amazing day we had! A day whereby previous records came tumbling down and new ones created! This, was, Musgraves’ best performance ever at a Broadwater Carnival! Not only do we have four students that have finished in the Top 20 that are either competing or have made the Shadow Broadwater Team, we had one of our very own, Taylor W come away with a win for his age group! I am extremely proud of all of our students for the way in which they conducted themselves on the day, their sportsmanship, behaviour and sporting performances were exceptional. We will be sending you all the luck in the world, as you get ready to compete at the South Coast Carnival in early June.

Run Club

Class Run Club posters have now been created and will be on display throughout each classroom. These posters will enable any student (or parent) at any time to have a quick check to see exactly how they are travelling and which run club badges they have achieved. Classroom teachers will be sent a fortnightly update for students to update the posters once a new distance badge has been reached. It is hoped that this new system will enable the message to get home quicker as to which run club badge your child has reached. Thank you for your patience whilst this new process is getting under way.

Mrs Halsall – Sports/Health Teacher

CLASSROOM CAPERS – 1 GREEN

1 Green has been learning about Australian animals and their habitats. We have been writing factual sentences about each animals’ appearance, habitat, diet and interesting facts. So far we have focussed on kangaroos and crocodiles. 1 Green is looking forward to visiting David Fleay's Wildlife Park this Friday. For our 'Big Talk' show and tell, we have been presenting a mystery creature for the class. 1 Green has enjoyed trying to figure out the mystery animal from their clues.

Ms Benson and Mrs Swan – Classroom Teachers

A WORD FROM OUR GUIDANCE OFFICER

Joy Wheeler – Guidance Officer

A WORD FROM OUR CHAPLAIN

If you have any questions please contact Chappy Rusty through the school office on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesdays for future information or enquiries.

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”

Mozi Run

The Mozi Run will be held on Saturday 18 May this year, at the Gold Coast Botanical Gardens with:

• A 10km Ultimate Run (The Andy Rulfs Tribute Run) and a 5km Challenge Run both with generous cash prizes kindly sponsored by A Team Tuition.
• A brand new 1km Family Run for families with younger children. This is an exciting run with inflatable obstacles.

Once again we are raising funds to help educate children in Mozambique, one of the world’s poorest nations.

This year The Mozi Run is more vital than ever as we need to rebuild the school from the devastation caused by Cyclones Desmond & Idai. But it's more than that, it's standing by a community that have been given hope through education for the last 19 years.

Your registration fee will help give Mozambican children an opportunity to attend school.

I hope that you can join us this year and invite others to run with you.

UPCOMING EVENTS