12 June 2020

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Reducing the potential risk of transmission of COVID-19 in schools

Thank you for your ongoing support with regard to reducing the potential risk of transmission of COVID-19 in our school. I want to particularly thank all parents/carers for your commitment to physical distancing during school drop off/pick up times and continuing to remain outside the school gates. We have really appreciated the way our school community has embraced all the changes over the past 3 months. I said right at the beginning these changes will only work if everyone plays their part and we have all done an amazing job in achieving this.

It is timely that I remind all parents of the advice and directions from Queensland Health, the AAHPC (Australian Health Protection Principal Committee – Federal Advice Body) and the Department of Education regarding sending children to school when they are exhibiting symptoms of illnesses.

‘Unwell students are not to attend the school site and the school must ask parents/carers to collect their child from school if they are unwell.’ Term 2 Operating Guidelines. Department of Education

Prep Enrolments

If you have a child that is eligible for Prep in 2021 and have not yet enrolled, please contact our office immediately to ensure a placement as our Prep classes are Filling Fast. Eligibility for Prep requires your child to be five years of age by 30 June in the year they intend to commence Prep. If you are aware of families that have Prep aged children for 2021 can you pass on this information to them. We do not want any families disappointed.

Winter Uniform

With the cooler weather approaching, I would like to provide a timely reminder that students should wear the school uniform, navy blue tracksuit pants and navy blue jumper (Available at Leading Retailers). Navy blue tights can be worn under shorts or skorts. School shoes always full black. Wearing the correct school uniform is a core expectation for all students here at Musgrave Hill. Being a part of this great learning community means maintaining the standards and image of our school and our uniform plays a very important role in this. Please ensure that all items you purchase are in line with our uniform expectations. Please also ensure that all items of clothing, especially jumpers, which are usually removed as the day’s temperature warms up, are appropriately labelled so that lost clothes can be reunited with their owner. Please help us promote our school’s great reputation in the community by supporting our uniform policy.

School Cleaners Day

This Monday 15 June we celebrate School Cleaners Day. Our school cleaners play an extremely vital role in keeping our schools safe. This year, in particular, it is more important than ever to acknowledge and thank our school cleaners for their efforts in making sure our schools are protected from the spread of Coronavirus.

Julie-Anne McGuinness – Principal

INTRODUCING AT MUSGRAVE HILL

What is KindyLinQ?

KindyLinQ is a play-based program that families living in identified locations can attend in the year before their child can start kindergarten.

The program provides a safe, welcoming space for families to stay with their 3-year-old child and participate in fun early learning experiences.

KindyLinQ is led by a qualified teacher and early years support coordinator for a minimum of 6 hours a week across 2 or 3 days.

Benefits for children and families

KindyLinQ enables young children to play, explore, sing, create and socialise with their parents, other children and experienced staff in a safe space.

The program also offers guidance for families about how to support their child’s learning and development at home.

Parents and carers play the most significant role in establishing the environment children need to support optimal development and learning, and they will attend each session with their child.

Learning through play

KindyLinQ is based on a facilitated playgroup model. It is about children learning through hands-on experiences with the support and guidance of a caring adult.

Children will learn skills that will support them now and in later learning, including socialising, managing their emotions and developing language skills to ensure they can effectively communicate their ideas and needs.

The program is informed by the Early Years Learning Framework and is separated from the curriculum expectations of school-age children.

KindyLinQ also assists in connecting families with approved kindergarten providers.

Where do I register?

Pop into our administration office to register your interest and to collect a registration form. Alternatively, you can register your interest at thall197@eq.edu.au

ASSEMBLY AWARDS

Monday 1/6/2020

Monday 8/6/2020

TUCKSHOP NEWS

Please remember all orders are to be made via Qkr! online, at this time we are not taking any over the counter orders for cash or EFTPOS.

There is a new cut off time for Qkr! It is 9.00am each morning, this is to allow time for the food to be made before our Lunch Breaks. If for some reason you have missed the cut off time or your child has left their lunch at home please ring the school and ask for Sally in the Tuckshop and we will work something out. If you have placed an early order and your child is unwell please ring and get the lunch held over for when they return to school.

If your child has received a $5.00 voucher for the Musgrave Way Award and you are not sure how to use it, the easiest way is to look on Qkr! for the prices of what you want to buy and write a note for the teacher who will pass the note onto the tuckshop. Please make sure you have attached the award.

UNIFORM NEWS

Please remember all orders are online via Qkr! I will be checking each morning around 9.00am and delivering to the classroom by 9.30am that morning. If your order goes in after 9.00am it will be delivered the following day. I know it may be hard trying to figure out sizes when you can’t come in to try it on but if you do order a size and find it’s not quite right just send it back with a note and I can exchange it for you if we have that size in stock.

We will no longer be putting in a second order for senior shirts as it would be next year before we would receive them. I do apologize to those students who missed out.

Sally McWilliams –
Tuckshop/Uniform Convenors

CLASSROOM CAPERS – 6 ONYX

This semester in science we, Six Onyx, have been learning about ‘Fair Testing’ and how scientists conduct investigations to find out how changing one thing ‘a variable’ affects another. We used the acronym ‘Cows Moo Softly’ of Changing one variable, Measuring another variable and keeping all other variables the Same to enable a fair test. Our investigation was to collect, organise and analyse data to identify environmental factors that contribute to mould growth and determine the best environment for storing bread.

Firstly, our bread was given faces for entertainment and to not confuse the three locations. Then an even amount of water was sprayed onto the bread to help speed up the growth of mould and after a complete risk assessment was undertaken our experiment was ready. The bread, safely inside plastic ziplock bags, was placed in a cupboard, on the windowsill and in the fridge. We then observed the growth of the mould over a two-week period to discover some rather disgusting results.

*Actual results may not match image

A WORD FROM OUR CHAPLAIN

WELCOME BACK TO ALL THE STUDENTS!!

You were very missed!

I hope you are happy to be back at school. It's wonderful to catch up with you. If you or your children are having any challenges or concerns and would like to have a chat please contact me at the school Monday - Wednesday.

Just 2 weeks and we have a break again!

All the best!
Chappy Rusty

A WORD FROM OUR GUIDANCE OFFICER

TEACHING TOLERANCE

The dictionary defines tolerance as `showing respect for the rights or opinions or practices of others`. In short it is about accepting people for who they are and treating others the way you would like to be treated. Tolerance is about respect shown by: accepting difference of opinion, of family and culture, of beliefs and religion, and most importantly, of habits.

Today, more than ever, our children interact with people of differing ethnicities, religions and cultures and ability levels. Classrooms are increasingly diverse and reflect the communities where families live and work.

Having tolerance not only improves our relationships with people but it also opens up more opportunities in education, business, and many other aspects of life.

Teaching Tolerance

Live it: Children develop their own values, in great part, by mirroring the values and attitudes of those they care about. Parents' attitudes about respecting others are often so much a part of them that they rarely even think about it. Parents who demonstrate tolerance and respect in their everyday lives give out a powerful message – I accept and respect your uniqueness. As a result, their kids learn to appreciate differences in others as well as themselves, as well as acknowledge and respect differences within their own family.

Talk about tolerance and respect: When media or life experiences present opportunities regarding tolerance or lack thereof, talk to your child about the values you would like them to exhibit. Answer kids' questions about differences honestly and respectfully. This teaches that it is acceptable to notice and discuss differences as long as it is done with respect. Point out and talk about unfair stereotypes that may be portrayed in media.

Remember that tolerance does not mean tolerating unacceptable behavior. It means that everyone deserves to be treated with respect — and in turn should treat others with respect as well.

Provide opportunities: Give them opportunities to play and work with others of diverse backgrounds. Children learn firsthand that everyone has something to contribute and we really aren’t that different in our thinking and living.

Select books, toys, music, art and videos carefully. Keep in mind the powerful effect that the media and pop culture have on shaping attitudes.

Build self-esteem: Help your children feel good about themselves. Kids who feel badly about themselves often treat others badly. Kids with strong self-esteem value and respect themselves and are more likely to treat others with respect, too. Help your child to feel accepted, respected and valued.

Learn about traditions: Learn together about holiday and religious celebrations that are not part of your own tradition.

Honor your family's traditions and teach them to your kids — and to someone outside the family who wants to learn about the diversity you have to offer.

When parents encourage a tolerant attitude in their children and talk about their values and model the behaviour they would like to see by treating others well, kids will follow in their footsteps.

If we all could take on board that:

‘EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT
EVERYBODY IS SPECIAL
EVERYBODY IS IMPORTANT’

the world would be a better place.

Adapted from Kids Health

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”

Benowa State High School Round 2 – EXCELLENCE PROGRAM APPLICATIONS

Round 2 Excellence applications for Year 7 2021 Cultural and Academic programs will be accepted commencing Monday June 15 2020 until Friday July 17 2020 (excluding school holidays). Applications must be submitted in person 8:00 AM – 3:15 PM to the parent counter in the administration building. All out of catchment applications are required to pay a non-refundable $100 application fee (Debit/Credit card only). Applications will only be accepted if all documents are provided at the time of submission as per the requirements on the application form. Please click here to download the application form or collect from the administration building. Applications for Sport Excellence are not being accepted at this time and will be advertised at a later date.

Keebra Park State High School