21 May 2021

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Welcome to the second addition of the Musgrave Hill State School newsletter for term 2.

Parent Code of Conduct

When you come into the office you will see a Parent Code of Conduct information sheet on our Notice Board.

This policy is being adopted by every state school across Queensland and will become the standard by which we operate when interactions occur between parents and school. Much of what is included in the Parent Code of Conduct is already well embedded within our school community, which is why we have such a positive and supportive culture. It is truly a concern that this is not the case in many schools across Australia evidenced by recent media reports of school staff frequently being abused and even threatened by parents and community members as a matter of course. It is important to remember that we are the role models for our students; what we do demonstrates to our students the standards we accept.

I am thankful that Musgrave Hill does not have the serious issues other schools report and reinforce that we are all working towards the same common goal of ensuring that your child, our students are happy, safe, healthy and active learners.

Thank you for your continued support.

NAPLAN… just another week

I would like to congratulate and thank the staff and students in years 3 and 5 in regards to their conduct during the NAPLAN testing that occurred last week. I would also like to thank the rest of the school for the support they gave while these tests were undertaken. Students started each of the test days with a healthy breakfast from the tuckshop allowing them to tackle the tests on a full belly and a clear mind. I am confident that all students have done their best.

Students constantly undertake assessment at school in many different forms, so NAPLAN is just another component of this assessment cycle. The best preparation for any assessment is high quality teaching and learning which is what we focus on each and every day here at Musgrave Hill. When the NAPLAN results are back, we will analyse them to see if there is anything we can do better as a school.

As a learning community we always want to strive to improve and change our practice in response to students’ needs to ensure our students get the best opportunities for future life.

Well done everyone.

Next year 2022, all schools are to move to NAPLAN on-line. We are currently looking at ways we can best support our students transition to the new digital format.

ZONES OF REGULATION -: FOCUS

The Zones of Regulation curriculum is designed to help students learn to identify their feelings and emotional reactions and learn sensory and perspective-taking strategies to encourage better self-regulation across different situations. A simple colour-coded, four-zone format encourages learning.

The lessons and activities taught in the classroom will provide students with strategies that will assist them to get back to the green zone and self-regulate their emotions and behaviour. There are five steps that assist students to self-regulate.

5 Steps to Teach Emotional Self-Regulation

1. Understand Different Feelings. At the most basic level, students need to be able to understand different emotions.
2. Identify Emotions in Self. Once students understand feelings, they need to be able to recognize them in themselves.
3. Accept Their Emotion.
4. Express Their Feelings.
5. Use Regulation or Coping Skills.

The Zones of Regulation will work alongside our School Values of Respect, Responsibility, Compassion and Excellence. If parents can talk with their students in regards to our Zones focus and check-in on how they are progressing it would ensure that the partnership between school and home is further strengthened.

ACTIVE TRAVEL

We are currently working with a senior project officer for the Transport and Traffic Branch Gold Coast in an attempt to look at alternative ways our families can travel to school. They recently conducted an audit of the transport network up to 3km radius around the school. Once the audit has been unpacked we will work with them to look at the recommendation and see how we can implement an Active Travel Plan for Musgrave.

Even if we can reduce 30 cars from our Drop Off and Pick Up Zones this would greatly assist in reducing the traffic in and around our school.

I will continue to keep you updated.

Julie-Anne McGuinness

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Hero Day for Slater

Hero Day for Slater Raffle

NAIDOC Week

Jingeri Jumbelungs (Hello friends),

Musgrave Hill State School is celebrating NAIDOC Week 14 – 18 June this year. Classes will be involved in a variety of activities to promote understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures. Over the week students will continue to develop their understanding of the First Nation Peoples of this area, including Yugambeh language words.

NAIDOC Theme 2021 is Heal Country. Healing Country means embracing First Nation’s cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia's national heritage

(Source: https://www.naidoc.org.au/ ).

Look out for our student banner competition winners and more information in our next newsletter.

If you would like more information, please contact Annette Vlaanderen or Luke Kennelly, Indigenous Champions within the school.

We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we learn, work and play, is the land of the Kombumerri people. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We would also like to further extend that respect to all present and their ancestors.

Mrs Vlaanderen

CHAPPY WEEK

During the 23-30 of May, we celebrate CHAPPY WEEK. It is the perfect opportunity for us as a school community to say THANK YOU to our incredible ‘chappy’ Rusty!

‘Chappy Rusty is personable, popular and prayerful. Her door is open to everyone and she shares joy, kindness and gentleness with all who cross her path.’

‘Thank you for always being there for our community.’

‘We love you.’

‘You have made a huge impact on each and every one of us!’

HAPPY CHAPPY WEEK CHAPPY!

Information about ‘Chappies’

Scripture Union (SU) QLD chaplains, or ‘chappies’, provide spiritual and emotional support to school communities. They are in the prevention and support business: helping students find a better way to deal with issues ranging from family breakdown and loneliness, to drug abuse, depression and anxiety.

They provide a listening ear and a caring presence for children and young people in crisis, and those who just need a friend. They also provide support for staff and parents in school communities.

For more information head to the link below:

SCHOOL BANKING IS CEASING

The Queensland Government has decided to discontinue school banking programs in Queensland government schools from 31 July 2021. As a result, the CommBank School Banking program will no longer operate at our school after the end of this term. If you are unsure of other methods of depositing to your child’s account, please feel free to contact the Bank’s general enquiries hotline on 13 2221 or alternatively visit your local CommBank branch.

If your child is eligible to receive a reward, please notify our School Banking Co-ordinator which can do done through the office prior to Thursday 24 June 2021 which will be the final day for banking.

We would like to thank you for your participation and support throughout the School Banking program.

ASSEMBLY AWARDS

Friday 14th May 2021

TUCKSHOP NEWS

Traffic Light System

At Musgrave we like to adopt the Traffic Light System with our tuckshop items. This means we are looking at portion sizes as well as nutritional value. The Traffic Light System works on the basis of Green Foods are an everyday food, Amber Foods are a sometimes food and Red Foods are an occasional food.

I have sat with our Principal and President of our P&C and really looked at the options for our school. Not only do we like to keep the tuckshop an affordable place but we also want to make sure we are providing a healthy option for the children. All the meals are portion controlled and balanced. We use only fresh ingredients that are sourced locally. The only things that are not made on site are our chicken fingers, chicken nuggets, pies and sausage rolls, everything else is homemade and has extra hidden vegetables for your childs wellbeing. To give you an idea of the system here are some examples of the different coloured foods:

Green Foods – rice, yoghurt, pasta, low fat custards, fruit salads, salads, eggs, vegetables and water (these items are our basis for our menu and are available everyday)
Amber Foods – cakes, muffins, processed meats, mayonnaise and ice creams (these items are portion controlled to allow them to be an everyday item on our Menu)
Red Foods – chips, lollies, chocolates, deep fried foods, chocolate coated ice creams and sweet pastries (we don’t offer any of these items except for special occasions voted on by our P&C and Principal)

We like to offer other foods that are nutritionally balanced as well as affordable as speciality items on our menu. These include our Sushi Day which is offered every fortnight, this food is made by Sushi-Pro, are classed as a Green Food item and are made and delivered the day of delivery. We also have just brought on board Subway who are also classed as a Green Food item and we will be using them for our big sports days such as Cross Country and Athletics Day.

If you have any questions regarding these systems please don’t hesitate to contact the Tuckshop. The most important thing that we like to do for your children is provide a substantial, cost effective and nutritionally balanced meal.

Sushi Day

We have another Sushi day coming up on Thursday 27th May. All orders must be placed via QKR by Wednesday 26th May.

Munch & Crunch

The Tuckshop is no longer providing Munch & Crunch on the Menu due to delays in class learning time. Please remember to pack an apple, pear or carrot sticks for your child.

No Cash Payments at the Tuckshop/Uniform Shop

We are still currently abiding by the Covid-19 rules of no cash payments or parents at the counter. All orders are to be placed via the QKR! App or using a Musgrave Way Award. If there are any changes we will notify you all in the Newsletter. If you have any concerns or queries please don’t hesitate to call.

Lost Property

Please see attached photo for all lost property containers and drink bottles that are located outside the Tuckshop. If you see your child’s belongings please tell them to come up to the Tuckshop to collect it.

Uniform News

Please remember all orders must be placed on Qkr! The orders will be delivered to the classrooms no later than 24 hours after the purchase date. If your child has not received their item please contact the uniform shop. Our Jackets have arrived and I’m currently working through all the backorders. If you have not received your jacket please contact the uniform shop and we can sort it out for you.

Unfortunately, the Senior Shirts have been delayed, we should receive them within the next two weeks.

I apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.

Sports/House Shirts

We no longer stock the coloured house shirts as we opted instead for a reversable house hat. Your children are more than welcome to wear a coloured shirt on Athletics Day which is being held next term.

Sally McWilliams - Tuckshop and Uniform Convenor

PREP 2022 – DATE CLAIMERS

A WORD FROM OUR GUIDANCE OFFICER

Self-Esteem - Part 2

Whether we have it or not it shows, but what is self-esteem? Many people would consider it means ‘being confident’ but it is more than that. Confident people, like actors, comedians and singers can still have poor self-esteem.

The word `esteem’ comes from a Latin word meaning `to estimate’, so self-esteem is about how you estimate yourself.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I like myself?
• Do I think I’m a good human being?
• Am I someone deserving of Love?
• Do I feel deep down that I’m OK?

If saying `yes’ to these questions is difficult then you may have low self-esteem.

Here are some tips to improve self-esteem:

• Do things you love doing – it’s fun and will improve how you feel.
• Help others out – Good deeds help others but also make you feel good.
• Acknowledge your strengths – It’s always easy to see what our faults or misgivings are but we all have strengths – Why not focus on them.
• Surround yourself with people that are uplifting, positive and supportive. If you hang out with people who complain and moan they will ultimately bring you down.
• Read about / watch shows about people who have done positive things – their influence could lead you into a new direction.
• Always look for positive even if something seems negative eg. traffic – may mean lateness, but it may also mean you were able to read/listen to/think about something worthwhile.
• Learn to accept compliments and give compliments.
• Compare yourself against yourself – you are unique. If you truly look at yourself and set achievable goals for improvement you will be satisfied.
• Never put yourself down – it reinforces low self-esteem and self doubt. Find a positive thing about yourself and rejoice in it.
• If you see an injustice do something about it – don’t put up with it.

People with good self-esteem can achieve anything they put their mind to. Isn’t it great to know that we are in control of choosing the right to feel great about ourselves.

Joy Wheeler – Guidance Officer

CLASSROOM CAPERS – 1 GREEN

We have had a great start to Term 2 in 1 Green, we’ve been learning a lot and having fun too!

We have been learning how to write an information report about an Australian animal. We learned all about the green tree frog’s appearance, diet, habitat and interesting facts in weeks 2 and 3 and now we’re learning about crocodiles. We have drawn pictures of crocodiles, moved around like them, danced to Crocodile Rock and written some super sentences using noun groups and conjunctions.

We are learning superstars!!!

Miss Woynarski - Classroom Teacher

CLASSROOM CAPERS – 1 JADE

1 Jade students have been working together in cooperative learning sessions to explore money. Each team member adopts a role-manager, writer, drawer, encourager, reporter and works with others towards achieving the given task. A wonderful team building and learning experience!

1 Jade is rocking!

Mrs Burke – Classroom Teacher

A WORD FROM OUR CHAPLAIN

Chaplaincy Fundraising Dinner

We are having our annual Chaplaincy Fundraising Dinner and would love to have staff, parents and volunteers join us on June 7th!

You may register in the link provided or contact myself or Judy O’Driscoll at MHSS with any questions.

What does a Chaplain Do? – Part 3

Chappy Rusty

UPCOMING EVENTS