23 August 2019

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

We have passed the halfway point of the term and it is hard to believe there is only 4 weeks remaining until the September holidays. For me the term is a little shorter than that, as I will be on Long Service Leave for the last week of this term.

Musgrave Hill State School Review

I mentioned in an earlier newsletter that Musgrave Hill is scheduled to have a full School Review. The dates of this review have changed. Our review is now Wednesday 9th October through to the Friday 11th October. The department’s School Improvement Unit (SIU) conducts all reviews.

The reviews are an important part of how the department monitors and supports schools. The reviews are about providing schools with quality and independent feedback, tailored to the school’s context and needs. Each school is reviewed every four years, providing valuable opportunities for self-reflection and improvement. Reviews are undertaken by experienced educators trained in the use of the National School Improvement Tool (NSIT), a nationally recognised framework for reviewing teaching and learning practices.

Our Review Team will consist of three experienced members. They will look closely at our school’s performance data and speak with a wide range of staff, students, parents and community members to get an accurate picture of the school.

Unlike many other review systems, schools are not ranked or given a performance rating. Instead, the school is given a comprehensive report for consideration. The report outlines key findings and recommended improvement strategies to maximise student outcomes. Principals are encouraged to share this information with their staff and school community to help shape the school’s strategic direction.

We are very much looking forward to showing off all the amazing things we do here at Musgrave.

Drop Off and Pick Up Zones

As you are aware, we have been working tirelessly to seek explanation around our Drop Off and Pick Zones. We have finally been able to get clarity from an Acting Senior Sergeant at Southport Police Station via Sam O’Connor’s (MP) office.

Our inquiries were put forth to the Road Policing Command for advice and comment, and we received the following:

If drivers are queuing through the no parking zone in order to pick up children at the ‘kiss and go’, which many schools have, then a TIN (fine) should not be issued. If the vehicle is left unattended during the stated 45-minute window, then TIN is valid.

We have been advised to spread the word to families that cars cannot be left unattended during that window.

Attendance

A reminder about the importance of attendance. If you achieved 90% at something, you would 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. How well 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.

Because of this, please understand that where absences are persistent and regular, we will be now asking for a medical certificate as every day counts.

Book Week 2019

The Children’s Book Council of Australia first celebrated book Week in 1946, as a way of bringing words, images and stories into the hearts and minds of Australian children, enriching our nation and nurturing a literate, educated and creative society. Here at Musgrave Hill State School, we continue this tradition with our annual Book Week parade, which will be held on Thursday 29th August. As always, we encourage all students to come dressed as their favourite book character and for parents to attend our parade.

School Support Staff Recognition Week 26th to 30th August

Without our amazing ladies in the front office, or my wonderful Business Manager and Grounds and Facility Officer our school would not run as effectively or efficiently. This week we say a big thank you for their contribution, passion and commitment to our school. So if you get the chance please be sure to say your own thank you because we would be lost without each and every one of them.

Speech Pathology Week 26th to 30th August

Speech Pathology Week seeks to promote the speech pathology profession and the work done by speech pathologists with the more than 1.2 million Australians who have a communication or swallowing disorder that impacts on their daily life.

The theme for Speech Pathology Week in 2019 is “Communicating with Confidence”.

We would like to acknowledge the amazing work they do at our school and many other schools. Thank you for empowering students to communicate with confidence.

Gold Coast Show Holiday

Please note that Friday 30th August is the Gold Coast Show Holiday so school will not open.

Julie-Anne McGuinness - Principal

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Book Week Parade

BRING YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK TO SHARE! WHO WILL YOU BE?

Each year Musgrave Hill enjoy's dressing up as our favourite book character to celebrate children’s literature. We will be holding two assemblies on Thursday 29th of August, Week 7. Students who participate are encouraged to bring along their favourite book to share and book prizes will be awarded to the best dressed in each year level. Classes will enjoy buddy reading and we will count the number of books read by our school for Week 7 to attempt to reach the goal of 500 BOOKS. Parents are welcome to join us for this memorable event.

2019 Book Week Parade Theme: ‘Reading is my Superpower’

Where: Hall
When: Thursday, 29th August
Week: 7
Times: Junior 9:15am - 9:45am and Senior 10:00am – 10:30am

Your child may need to pack their uniform to change into if their costume is uncomfortable.

A MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE

Life Education Talk About It Program

Our Life Education Talk About It Program for Years 5 and 6 has been postponed until Term 4. The actual dates are from Wednesday 16th October until Friday 18th October, with the Parent Information Session being on Wednesday 16th October from 8.15am – 8.40am in our Science lab.

ASSEMBLY AWARDS

Monday 12/8/2019

Monday 19/8/2019

TUCKSHOP NEWS

What’s New

We have a new ice cream – Choc Caramel Paddle Pop for $1.50.

Lately there have been a lot of children who have been coming to school without spoons for their lunches so unfortunately we are now having to charge 10c for each spoon to cover the costs.

Lost Property

There are a lot of food containers and drink bottles which have been found around the school so if your child has lost theirs, please come and check our lost property box which is located outside the tuckshop.

Uniform News

Senior Shirts for 2020 can be purchased via our Qkr! App or over the counter at the tuckshop

Sally and Rachele - Tuckshop and Uniform Convenors

P&C News

Father’s Day is just around the corner so our Tuckshop will be running a Father’s Day Stall from Monday 26th August to Thursday 29th August, it will be open before school, at little lunch and big lunch. All gifts are $5.00 and under so come on in and find something cool for Dad.

Next Clue for our End of Term Surprise: Mum is probably not going to like doing the washing????????

Melissa Holland - P&C President

CLASSROOM CAPERS – 4 TEAL

In Team Teal we have been scientists learning about Forces and Motion. We have participated in rotations using forces including friction, air pressure, push/pull and magnetism. We watched demonstrations of eggs with parachutes, made paperclips move with magnets, bounced ping pong balls and used ramps to move cars.

We have consolidated this knowledge by developing and creating a game using 'Forces' and we are in the process of writing procedures about how to play our game. Below are some of our amazing designs that we created on SCIENCE FRIDAY.

We look forward to sharing our games with our parents and the Year 4 cohort at the end of term celebration.

Warmest Regards

Classroom Teachers – Mrs Newman

CLASSROOM CAPERS – 1 JADE

1 Jade Learning Adventures for Term 3

This term in English, 1 Jade has been talking all about Procedures! Students have been learning about what procedures are, where we see them and how to write one. A big focus has been on using bossy verbs and describing words. 1 Jade enjoyed reading the story Wombat Stew and having a go at writing a procedure for their own disgusting stew.

A WORD FROM OUR GUIDANCE OFFICER

Confidence

How Confidence Develops

For most children school means spending more time on learning and less on ‘play’. It also means more expectations of them – from parents, carers, teaching staff and also of themselves. Children typically start out with high expectations. When they see how well they do things compared to others, their view of their own abilities often changes. They learn that they are good at some things and not so good at others. They also see how others respond to what they do. These things influence their confidence in their abilities, and influence how willing they are to have a go in situations where they feel unsure.

How Parents and Carers Can Help

Confidence improves through building on small successes. Parents, carers (and teaching staff) can help by:

• explaining that skills develop with practice
• encouraging persistence when outcomes aren’t achieved straight away
• praising effort, persistence and improvement
• making sure that goals are achievable by breaking down large tasks or responsibilities into small steps
• being ready to help when necessary, without taking over
• encouraging children to have a go and valuing individual improvement

Confident Thinking

Self-esteem is an important part of confidence. Having good self-esteem means accepting and feeling positive about yourself. Confidence is not just feeling good but also knowing you are good at something. Remember: How I think affects how I feel

Particular ways of thinking are very important for building confidence. Helpful ways of thinking include:

• believing that, if you try, you can succeed
• finding positive ways to cope with failure and being prepared to give it another go
• enjoying learning for its own sake by competing with your own performance rather than that of others.

Dealing with Disappointment

Everybody fails to achieve their goals sometimes. Parents and carers (and teaching staff) can help by:

• Acknowledging feelings, and respond sympathetically and with encouragement e.g. “You sound disappointed, but at least you had a go.”
• Helping kids focus on what they can change to make things better, rather than thinking that the situation is unchangeable or that there is something wrong with them, e.g., “What can you try that might make that work better next time?”
• Challenging words like ‘I can’t’ or ‘I’m a failure’, and letting them know that ‘giving up’ may not help them reach their goal.

Let them know you believe in them and remind them of what they have achieved.

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”

SOUTHPORT SPECIAL SCHOOL - INAUGURAL ART SHOW

UPCOMING EVENTS