1032 Lowood-Minden
Road,MINDEN,QLD,4311,Australia
Website: https://mindenss.eq.edu.au
Phone: 5425 7222
Fax: 54268533
Email: admin@mindenss.eq.edu.au
Term 4 Week 7 Thursday 19 November
2015
Dates To Remember
* P&C Meeting * Term 4 -
3.30pm 07/12/15
06/10/15 – 11/12/15
* Senior Assembly -
20/11/15
* School Swimming Carnival -
24/11/15
* Prep Orientation Afternoon -
25/11/15
* Minden School Christmas Carnival 26/11/15
* Junior Assembly -
27/11/15
* Prep Graduation -
27/11/15
* Breakfast Club -
03/12/15
* Ice Block Day for Chaplaincy -
04/12/15
* School Resumes in 2016 -
Wed 27/01/16
From The Principal
Praise for Minden
At the end of semester one, the Ipswich Office
of Metropolitan Region nominated our school
for the Jack Pizzey School of the Year Award.
This award recognises a state school, from all
of Queensland, that has achieved exceptional
outcomes for students by:
* using data to monitor performance, inform
practice and apply learnings to drive
improvement
* developing and implementing an explicit
improvement agenda documented in the
school plan and aligned to the requirements of
the school performance assessment
framework
* sharing successful practice across
classrooms to ensure better outcomes for
students
* working collaboratively with other schools to
improve performance
Whilst we were not the overall winner, we
have received an acknowledgement for our
achievements. This is a significant honour for
our school community and one we should be
proud of.
Swimming Carnival
The Minden swimming carnival will be held
next Tuesday at Woodlands and will follow the
same format as in previous years. The Prep to
Year 3 classes will swim first, followed by the
seniors in the afternoon. Parents are welcome
to attend. We will be looking for volunteers to
help out on the day (e.g. judges). Pre-school
age children will not be able to swim for safety
reasons.
Christmas Carnival
For the last nine months, the P&C have
worked tirelessly on organising the first ever
Minden Christmas Carnival which will be held
next Thursday afternoon from 4:30 to 8:30.
This promises to be an exciting and fun-filled
event with lots to do and see. Flyers and raffle
tickets have been sent home. More tickets are
available from the office.
One of the stalls is a cake / biscuit / slice
theme and we would greatly appreciate
donations of baked items. These can be left at
the office from next Wednesday morning
onward.
See you there!
Choir and Instrumental Music Students
performing at Glenwood
On Wednesday 2nd December, the choir will
once again visit Glenwood hostel in Lowood to
perform some Christmas songs along with
students from Lowood State School. This has
been well-received in previous years and
provides the students with a live-performance
opportunity. Permission forms will be sent
home early next week.
2016 School Leaders program
This year, we have a small number of
students who have nominated for leadership
positions. Each candidate will be delivering a
speech at the next two assemblies
commencing Friday 20 November. Voting will
take place at each assembly and successful
leaders will be announced prior to the end of
school. Parents and extended family members
are welcome to come along and hear the
speeches.
Prep Interviews and Orientation
2016 Enrolments
The office continues to field enquiries for 2016
enrolments. If you know of anyone considering
joining our school community next year,
please encourage them to pick up an
enrolment pack as soon as possible. An
interim class structure will be put in place for
the first two weeks until total enrolments are
confirmed on Day 8.
Volunteers Afternoon Tea
Our school is blessed to have so many
parents who willingly give up their time to help
support us. From working in classrooms,
collating Book Club and Book Fair, working in
the P&C, tuck-shop, selling raffle tickets,
Commonwealth Banking and doing a
multitude of other things, your contribution
genuinely makes a difference and our school
is a better place as a result! To show our
appreciation, we are holding an afternoon tea
on Wednesday 2nd December from 3:15pm
onwards. If you have helped out in any way
during the year, we would really like to see
you there.
Parents And Citizens Association News
P&C Meeting
Next P&C Meeting Monday 07 December
commencing 3:30pm in the library.
Next Wednesday 25 November will be the
final day for 2016 Prep interviews and
orientation. The afternoon sessions have been
well attended with up to 15 pre-Prep students
participating some days.
Our facebook page is another form of
communication to help keep you informed of upand-coming school and P&C events. We also
provide a link for the fortnightly school newsletter.
P&C have erected a stunning new blackboard
facing the car park.
We have now provided another way of getting
information out to our families.
Thank you Chris Player for volunteering your
time to build our board, dig the holes and erect
the board.
Meat Raffles at the Sundowner Saloonevery
Friday 6:00 – 6:30pm. Thank you to our limited
volunteers who spend half an hour on a Friday
night selling meat raffle tickets.
Each Friday night we provide 2 awesome $40.00
meat trays from Summerville Butchers. Our
volunteer goes to the Sundowner, sells the
tickets (usually takes about 20 – 30 minutes),
then Mark the Manager will draw and announce
the winners.
Thank you to our 3 awesome Dads who regularly
volunteer their time each Friday to support our
volunteer or sell the tickets should our volunteer
be unable to make it.
If you think you could spare half an hour of your
time selling meat raffle tickets on a Friday at the
Sundowner, please call Brie on 0415 630 460,
she will then be able to add you to the roster. If
we have four volunteers, each volunteer sells
once a month, if we have eight volunteers, each
volunteer will be required only once every two
months.
Llewellyn Local Legends Program: We are
lucky enough to have been partnered with
Llewellyn Motors. Llewellyn Motors will donate
up to $20.00 per vehicle service and when a car
purchase is made, they will donate $1.00 per
$1000.00 of purchase value.
For more information:
www.llewellynmotors.com.au/local-legends-howit-works or ring our coordinator & Llewellyn
Representative Brie on 0415 630 460.
Save the Date!
Minden School Christmas Carnival
Thursday 26 November 2015
4:30 - 8:30pm on the oval
Come and join us for an evening of family fun!
A flyer and 10 raffle tickets were sent home
with students last week. Tickets are $1.00 each.
Extra tickets are available at the office for those
who wish to buy or sell more.
Raffle tickets and money can be returned to the
office or you can bring them along on the night
(tickets are also available for sale at the carnival).
Fantastic prizes including sports memorabilia,
hams, meat trays, toys, portable fire pit/camp
oven and more.
We have lots of free games, events and prizes
for all families to join in.
We are excited to be partnering with: Ponies,
Ponies, Ponies from Glamorgan Vale who are
providing a Baby Animal Petting Zoo, Let’s Face
It providing us with face painting & Ipswich Party
Hire who are providing our Jumping
Castle. Tickets for these 3 activities are $4.00
each or 3 for $10.00.
A BBQ dinner of hamburgers, sausages and soft
drinks are on offer. Hamburger with drink: $5.00,
Sausage on bread with drink: $4.00, Hamburger:
$4.00, Sausage on bread: $3.00, drinks: $2.00.
Muffin Break Contest:
Thank you to all who voted and shared.
Official ranking has not been confirmed yet, but,
it is believed we placed 4th in QLD and 25th
Australia wide. Unfortunately, no muffins or cash
for us this year, but thank you all for a fantastic
effort.
P&C have agreed to donate $4000.00 to
Minden State School to assist with the cost of
their mandatory Wi-Fi upgrade.
Lowood Scout Group will be selling snacks of
fairy floss & popcorn.
A coffee van will be available for those seeking
coffee.
$1.00 Lucky Dips for the children.
There will also be a bake sale. We are asking if
anyone would like to donate some baked goods
(cake, cookie, muffin, slice, fudge) please ensure
you have a copy of the ingredients used in your
item and we will take collection at
the tuckshop on Wednesday 25 from 9:30 –
11:00am and Thursday 26 throughout the day
(you can also deliver on arrival at the carnival).
7 things every child needs to hear;
As always, with a large event like this, we are
seeking those who might be able to volunteer 15
minutes – half an hour of their time, between
4:30 and 8:30pm, to serve at the bbq tent, ride
ticket tent or raffle ticket tent.
* I'm proud of you.
The more volunteers we have, the more likely we
can all enjoy spending valuable time with our
families.
* This is your responsibility.
Please call Lyn on 0401 007 494 with your
preferred time slot, that way we can update our
run sheet.
* I love you.
* I'm sorry.
* I forgive you.
* I'm listening.
* You've got what it takes.
Breakfast Club
Uniforms
The uniform convenor will be available for
uniform sales on Mon 7, Wed 9, Fri 11 December
2015 at 8:30 - 9:00am and on Wed 20, Thurs 21,
Fri 22 January 2016 at 9:30 - 11:30am.
Our last Breakfast Club for this year will be
held on Thursday 3 December.
Outside School Hours Care (OSHC)
As always, if you would like to come along and
help you are more than welcome, pop in at
8am. Your help is always greatly appreciated.
Operating Hours
Monday - Friday before school opening at
6:15am and after school closing at 6:00pm.
If you would like further details please
contact OSHC on 0408409572.
Breakfast is served from 8:15am on the day.
We look forward to holding Breakfast Club
again next year.
Ice Block Day for Chaplaincy – Friday 4
December
School Chaplain
The past three weeks have been quite
challenging for myself and my family on a
personal level.
Most of you have ordered your ice blocks
already. If you haven't there is a note attached
with the newsletter. Simply fill it out and
include it with your money, then place it in the
payment slot in the office.
PLEASE REMEMBER: Money and orders are
due on FRIDAY 27 NOVEMBER.
It reminded me of a famous saying “Be kind,
for everyone you meet is fighting a hard
battle. - Plato.”
As we all get busier in these next few weeks,
coming to the end of the school year, getting
ready for Christmas, let's make an extra effort
to be kind to one another. A little extra
kindness can go a long way. Enjoy the end of
year celebrations and cherish each day as a
new blessing.
PLEASE NOTE: NO LATE ORDERS CAN BE
ACCEPTED
I am available for a chat on Thursday and
Friday for students and parents, if the need
arises. Please call the office on 5425 7222 or
send me an email on the address below.
Have a fantastic week,
Mrs Hewett
Rebecca Hewett
School Chaplain
Mt Tarampa, Fernvale & Minden
rebecca.hewett@chappy.org.au
library books must be returned by Week 9
(beginning Monday 30/11/15) please.
Classroom News
General School News
Assembly Gotcha Awards
Prep News
*Parent/Teacher Interviews: Great to see
parents at recent interviews.
*Presentation: Don’t forget class presentation
this term will be Thursday 3rd of December at
2pm. Prep students look forward to sharing
their developing skills with you.
Congratulations to Amy L, Amy N and
Sharleigh.
School Banking
Dollarmites Achievement Certificates
Gold:
Silver:
Bronze:
40 Deposits:- Jake Marsh
Health Issues
Head lice
It is extremely important for you to check your
child’s head for head lice TODAY.
If you do find head lice, commence treatment
immediately and be sure to complete the
process of treatment. This will help prevent
head lice from spreading.
Remember to keep checking your family
member’s heads every 2 days until there are
no head lice found for 10 consecutive days.
All students (girls and boys) with collar
length hair must have it tied up at school at
all times.
Library Borrowing
*High Frequency Words: Keep up the great
work with High Frequency Words. Continue to
work during the holidays to assist Prep
students to be confident when they begin year
1.
*Prep 2016: There is only 1 Prep open day
remaining! Please assist anyone you know in
your neighbourhood with a Prep student for
next year, to contact the school office for more
information.
*Swimming: Next Tuesday is our swimming
carnival. Please come along and share in your
child’s progress. Prep to Year 3 carnival 9:30 11:30am.
*Chat time: Chat time in term 4 is about
things that move. Children need to be able to
talk about how their item of interest moves,
why it moves and include a demonstration.
Extend students thinking by interesting your
child in items that work in different ways – we
have lots of toys brought in….. Great to see a
beetle and caterpillar visit for the day. Giving
us interest and variety.
*Prep graduation: Junior assembly, Friday
27th November at 2.15pm in the library Prep
students will be having a short graduation
ceremony. Hope you can make it…
*End of year preparation: Please make sure
your child brings in a strong bag to carry
books etc home during week 9. I will then
begin sending books home. Limiting weight of
items, making it not so difficult for Prep
students to carry them.
*Please ask if you are unsure about
anything…
Thank you
Mrs Williams and The Prep Students
Week 8 (beginning Monday 23/11/15) is the
last week of library borrowing for the year. All
Year 5 Poems
Incredible activities with journeys ahead
Light
Just waiting to be pumped through the sea
“We few that are gathered here today are here
to remember the life of Leonardo Armani. His
life was cut short due to a tragic crash. Lives
were lost that day. Many, not just his. As his
friends mourn over his death, and then
celebrate over what he had accomplished in
his life, the family, his beloved wife Julia and
only child Tiffany have had a horrible
experience dealing with his death. Not only
was he a husband and friend but also a father.
We will all miss him greatly and he will always
be remembered in our hearts.”
A purpose
What is life? A thing that people take for
granted? Something people despise? When
it’s at its worst does that mean we are living
death? No. No matter how bad it gets we must
go on. We may struggle through the tough
times and our hearts may skip a beat from
time to time but we must go on.
She shines on all the world for me
I felt it before I heard it. A vibration running
through the ground. Then it came. I don’t
exactly know what it was. But it rose out of the
white, swirling void beneath me. A moving
golden mass. Was I dreaming or was I dead? I
had no idea but the resplendent, phantom like
creature moved as though it was one with
everything. Suddenly it took human form
except bigger. “Who dare lurks in the
Guardian’s Realm?” it asked. Instead of
answering I asked a question myself. “Who
are you and why am I here?” “I am the
Guardian of the Realm and very few make it
here. You are special. You have been chosen
to represent us on the 2nd of November.”
“What’s on the 2nd of November?’ I asked.
“On the 2nd of November is The Day of the
Dead!” he answered.
She shines for all of the galaxy
A destiny
Just waiting to be found
This is the end
Just to be
Samantha Shaw
The Sun
She shines on all the planets
She shines on all of the stars
She shines because we are so free
She shines for you and your friends
She shines for people to mend
She shines for you and me
She’s made of fire and gas
Her colours of orange, yellow and red!
Growing smaller every day
This is something you can not mend
She gives light to all of us
The light is there for us to live
If there was no sun
How would we have our daughters and sons
The light and heat helps our plant to grow
Providing us with food to thrive
Otherwise we would not live
Treasure
The Sun provider of our lives
A treasure
Kyden
A House
A living mouse
Wonders and mysteries
Coming with puzzles
Questions surrounding me
With mythical answers
Faraway from home
The light I can barely see
Curriculum Awards
Prep
Indeanna, Ella, Lucy, Taj, Niketah, Hunter,
Declan, Emily, Jessica, Jasmine, Cameron,
Amy, Shaylee.
Year 5/6A
Special Awards:
Ronin - Ronin has completed Primer (Dolch)
High Frequency Words. Great work Ronin!
Special Awards:
Kyden - For participating in History
discussions.
Piper - Piper has completed Pre Primer (Dolch)
High Frequency Words. Great work Piper!
Riley - For participating in History discussions.
Olivia - Olivia has completed Year 1 (Dolch)
High Frequency Words. Great work Olivia!
Russell - For putting his best effort into
creative writing.
Zye - Zye is showing confidence and
completing tasks independently.
Year 5/6B
Alexis - Alexis is extending her work, showing
interest and development.
Sienna - Sienna is showing enthusiasm and
putting effort into completing tasks.
Year 2
Special Awards:
Jace - Jace has been working well in maths
with terrific results.
Special Awards:
Samuel - Excellent work.
Abby - Working very hard.
Scarlett - Trying hard in writing.
Landon - Excellent writing.
Year 3
Special Awards:
Peter - Peter has been working well in maths
with terrific results.
Karly - Karly has been working well in maths
with terrific results.
Amber - Amber always puts in her best effort
with fantastic results.
Josh - Josh is always enthusiastic and puts in
his best effort in swimming.
Kaleb - For a good effort with his poem.
Reading Links:- For amazing progress in
Reading Links during 2015.
Beau, Judd, Lilly, Cooper, Reagan, Cody,
Landon, Mikayla, TaeIl, Nickkie, Olivia,
Savannah, Hayley, Jessica, Tyler, Laila,
Birthdays
TaeIl, Adam, Charlotte, Joshua, Dylan, Cody
and Ethan.
Happy Birthday from everyone at Minden
State School!
Community Notices
Marburg Church of Christ Christmas Carols
Sunday 6 December starting at 6:00pm
Have your first taste of Christmas for 2015
The Marburg Church of Christ Christmas
Carols (Queen St. Highway end, Marburg)
Enjoy a Family fun and ENTIRELY FREE
night with

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

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Sausage Sizzle
Drinks
Face Painting
Arts and Crafts
Gift Bags for Kids
With a special guest appearance by SANTA!
Enjoy Christmas Carol Classics sung live!
Please bring your rug, chairs, candles and
singing voices.