Newsletter Term 3 Week 7
PRINCIPAL’S PRATTLE
The school year is certainly going extremely quickly as we
are now in Week 7 of Term 3. Student assessment
continues to be performed across all year levels with
teachers providing me with 5 weekly data information
showing student progress.
This information allows
teachers to continually provide students with feedback on
their learning and assists students of all year levels to
take responsibility for their learning. Results that have
been occurring have shown me that students are taking
their learning in to their own hands and striving to achieve.
Please remember parents and caregivers are part of a
partnership with the school and teachers always welcome
contact.
Many new programs are being developed in the school and
I am asking for parent/caregivers or any community
members to volunteer their time to come to school and
assist. We need assistance with hearing student’s sight
words and to listen to students read daily. Please if you
have some spare time, come up and volunteer. We would
love to have these programs working efficiently across the
entire school.
Year 7 Maths Award – Chloe Eadie and David Geissler
Father Of The Year
Last Wednesday we held our special school parade to
congratulate Mr Darren Geissler on being awarded Father
of the Year for the Wide Bay/Sunshine Coast region.
Darren will now go on to represent our Region at the State
Finals in Brisbane next week and we certainly wish him all
the best. We will certainly be cheering from Biggenden
State School for this occasion.
Wide Bay Athletics
Sharmaine Garcia, Jaiden Jeynes, Jasmine Schaper and
Kaylee Garrigon travelled to Maryborough on Wednesday
to compete in the Wide Bay Athletics carnival as part of
the North Burnett team. At the time of printing this
newsletter, no results were available.
everyone on their results next week.
28 August
2014
attend school and I will be making appointments with
parents/caregivers whose child is showing high
absenteeism to discuss the matter further.
We as
educators have an obligation to teach students and provide
them with the best learning opportunities available.
We will inform
ATTENDANCE
Attendance this term is not pleasing at all with large
number of absences occurring throughout the year levels.
Once again this term we will continue to strive to achieve
our attendance goal of 96.3% across the school. The Year
to Date overall percentage is currently 91.8% with the
Semester percentage dropping to 89.4%. Data shows that
if your child misses 8 days in a school year, their learning
is affected greatly. It is compulsory for students to
Parents have an obligation to ensure students attend
school. Absences will have negative effects on student’s
academic results.
Year Level
Prep
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Attendance
For Week 6
96.92%
86.9%
92.5%
73.8%
88%
87.08%
93.34%
65%
92%
73.83%
100%
Term 3
92.9%
91.8%
87.9%
87.9%
91.6%
82.2%
92%
89%
89%
81%
97.5%
Please remember that the school must have absenteeism
explained. Parents/caregivers need to contact the school
when students are away. Please remember that learning
does occur every day and the staff are more than happy to
prepare work to give to students to ensure they do not fall
behind when they are absent.
Reading Award
– Ivan Wykes 20 books Ben Cooper 60 books
Gotcha Winners
Emma Faint and Parkka Dowling
SCHOOL WIDE POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR
This term our school wide positive behaviour
topics focus on respect. This week the topic is
on good manners.
Topics will focus on
identifying what good manners are and how we
can use them at school and in our lives. This
topic is a great topic to be reinforced and
taught at school.
SCHOOL RULE:
Regular attendance and punctuality are essential. In the
case of absence or late arrival, a note written by the
parent/caregiver is required to be given to the
Principal or class teacher when the pupil
returns to school. If an absence is
anticipated for the purpose of holidays,
medical or dental appointments, the school
should be advised beforehand.
Big on Heart – Respect – Responsibility – Learning.
While Striving to Excel
Newsletter Term 3 Week 7
If no notification has been received, an Absentee Call may
be made by office staff or a letter requiring further
clarification be posted to parents after three days
absence. It should be noted that a complete pupil record
is kept on attendance and punctuality as per Education
Queensland requirements. Absences of more than 3 days
will require a medical certificate explaining the reason for
the continual absence.
Bicycles
Students riding bikes, roller blades and skateboards to
school are required to store them in the bicycle racks
provided. The wearing of bicycle helmets is law. Parents
will be contacted if students are seen to arrive
without a helmet, so they can arrange the
delivery of a helmet before the child
leaves the school grounds in the afternoon.
These are not to be ridden in school
grounds at any time.
FRUIT BREAK:
Fruit/protein break is held in the Primary School each
morning for students to stimulate their brain for the
learning time ahead of them.
Fruit/protein break will now be
trialled in the Secondary School.
Students are to take with them a
piece of fruit or protein at the
start of classes and it can be eaten
in class at a time they choose but
must be before the commencement
of Period 3. Students will not be permitted to leave the
room to collect their food or will they be permitted to eat
unhealthy food during this time.
RESOURCES WRITING:
Tips for Prep to Year 3
1.
2.
3.
Read from a variety of sources. Reading and
writing are linked – success in one supports
success in the other. Read stories, newspapers,
advertisements, instructions, etc. to your child
every day and then discuss what you have read.
Encourage your child to write. Children love to
make their own birthday cards, write thank you
notes, make place cards for the table, or send an
email to a friend. Save old cards from birthdays
and holidays to recycle for homemade cards.
Whenever possible, let your child see you writing –
grocery lists, instructions on the family
whiteboard, emails, etc. – and get them to help.
Writing can be done anywhere. Have lots of
magnetic letters or words on the fridge. Get a
box of chalk and write your names on the
28 August
4.
5.
6.
7.
2014
driveway or sidewalk. Get a white board – it can
be used again and again.
Play writing games. Make a game of letter
finding. Show them how to form a letter and then
go letter hunting in your house or in a book –
count the number of "Ds" on a page. Find a picture
they like and have them write words or a sentence
about it.
Help children build their vocabulary. Try
rhyming games starting with one word such as
"mat". Say and write down all the words that
rhyme, like "cat", "hat", "fat" and "splat". You'll
be surprised how fast their word list grows.
Explore the meaning of words. Create a word
book at home and have your child add words as
they're learned. Have them note the words they
use the most and talk about why.
Write to each other. Write notes to your child
and leave them in interesting places, like the lunch
box. Ask them to write a reply or come up with
something new. If they have their own email, email
each other. Have kids email jokes to family and
friends.
8.
Don't limit what you write with or what you
write on. The sky's the limit – pudding, sticks or
fingers in mud, earth, snow and sand, sparklers,
steamed up windows and mirrors, and bubble soap
markers for some sudsy learning.
9. Writing comes in all shapes and sizes. Point out
different ways writing is used – letters, signs,
advertisements, instructions – and explain why
they are different. Also point out different ways
letters are created – printed, cursive (written)
and fancy variations. Let them be inspired to
create their own letter art.
10. Start writing at an early age. Children often
learn to write before they can read. Encourage
this by showing them how to print their name or
the names of friends and other family members.
Buy them notebooks with lines so they can learn
to make their letters correctly or a practice book
with letters they can trace.
TEACHING AND LEARNING AUDIT:
On Monday, 18th August, 2014 the school underwent a
teaching and learning audit. The auditor visited the school
looking at the school documents related to teaching and
learning. During the visit he spoke with staff, P & C
President and students. It is with great pleasure that I
inform the school community that the initial audit report
that was returned last week positioned Biggenden State
School with 8 out of 8 domains in the high category. This
is absolutely fantastic moving our results from the
previous audit where we received 3 lows and 5 mediums.
Big on Heart – Respect – Responsibility – Learning.
While Striving to Excel
Newsletter Term 3 Week 7
Biggenden State School is providing a high quality
education program to the students, parents and community
but we are committed to continually improving and striving
to achieve higher.
28 August
2014
www.biggendess.eq.edu.au.
Parents are also able to
download the QSchools App to receive the newsletter as
well.
NAPLAN RESULTS:
The school has now received all Naplan test results for all
year levels. The parent reports have been sent out to
each family of the Year 3, 5, 7 & 9 students. Parents are
encouraged to make an appointment with class teachers to
discuss any results. NAPLAN is an Australian test with all
students in Years 3, 5, 7 & 9 participating. The school
values the tests and analyse the information on individual
students as well as whole school data that is gathered.
These tests inform teachers of ways to improve their
delivery of the curriculum.
BREAKFAST CLUB:
Breakfast Club continues to be well supported
each Wednesday morning. A special thank
you once again to Biggenden Foodworks,
Biggenden Apex Club and the Biggenden
State School P & C for sponsoring this
great initiative.
Also I would like to recognise Mrs
Joyce Miller and Ms Gabrielle
Cuthbert for volunteering to assist
each Wednesday. These two great
parents give their time to assist our students.
P & C MEETING:
Do you know all the great things the P & C do for
Biggenden State School?
Please come along to the
monthly meeting on Monday night in the Learning Centre
from 6.30pm. P & C provide money and resources to the
school to assist with the learning of all students.
The P & C are looking for support from all families or from
any community member who would like to be involved with
Biggenden State School.
NEW WEBSITE:
The Queensland Government has launched a new website
for the general community and parents. This website has
some significant information there for Prep parents .
http://www.qld.gov.au/education/childcare/prep/

BIGGENDEN STATE SCHOOL WEBSITE
Please remember that the school has an active website
which is constantly being upgraded with newsletters,
information
and
documents.
Please
go
to
www.biggendess.eq.edu.au.

NEWSLETTER/WEBSITE/QSCHOOLS APP
Please remember that the school has an active website
which is constantly being upgraded with newsletters,
information
and
documents.
Please
go
to
AUGUST
27
Primary WB Athletics
SEPTEMBER
12
Chaplaincy Dinner
17
Immunisation Clinic Yr 8 & 10
22 – 3 October SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
WE NEED YOUR HELP
Our schools P&C Assn has been invited to run/assist in
the canteen at the Cycle Queensland visit on Thursday
11 September.
We need volunteers who can help out in the canteen
during the hours of 9am – 3pm. Even if you can do only
an hour this would be a great help.
If you can assist please either ring the
school 4127 6333 or Michelle Radel 4127 1774
with your details.
This is a great fundraiser for the P&C without any
financial outlay expected from you.
The funds from this venture will directly support
your child’s education.
Big on Heart – Respect – Responsibility – Learning.
While Striving to Excel
It would be great to see every family
represented in some way.
Newsletter Term 3 Week 7
28 August
2014
When can my child attend kindergarten?
Child Born
CHAPPY NEWS
Some months ago I began promotion of Father of the Year
at our school and wider community. The award is a joint
venture between Scripture Union Qld and RSL Qld and
recognizes outstanding men who are great fathers in their
families and great role models in the community.
It is such good news that Darren Geissler has been
selected as Regional Winner. This is not only a win for
Darren and his family, but a win for farming families doing
it tough and a win for our small town Biggenden.
It is also a reminder to be grateful for those amazing
male role models we have in our lives.
We wish Darren all the best with the competition which is
being judged on Wed 3rd Sept at the Brisbane Convention
Centre, South Bank.
Don’t forget Kids’ club every Tuesday, 3 to 4.30pm. Free
food, fun and good times.
Chaplaincy fundraising Dinner Friday 12th September,
2014 at 6.30pm. Tickets are available at the school
office or at Biggenden Bakery.
2015
1 July 2010 to 30
June 2011
2016
2017
2018

1 July 2011 to 30
June 2012

1 July 2012 to 30
June 2013

1 July 2013 to 30
June 2014

YEAR PREP – 6 CAMP
DON’T FORGET…
Our primary school camp will be 19th November – 21st
November. We are travelling to Boyne Island Educational
Centre. This camp will provide students with opportunities
to develop team building and leadership skills, as well as
developing an awareness of nature and lots of fun!
SECONDARY SPORT
North Burnett Secondary Athletics
On the 26th August, five Biggenden students travelled to
Gayndah to compete in the North Burnett athletics trials
with the aim of gaining selection into the North Burnett
team that will attend the Wide Bay trials in September.
The students who attended these trials were:
Tye McGeough (year 8)
Lucas McAskill (year 7)
Jessica Hardy (year 9)
Hayden Beresford (year 9)
Jymi-Dean Spencer (year 10)
The North Burnett team that was selected on the day is
to be confirmed and the successful students will be
notified at a later date.
Activities include bike hire, Astronomy, Bush Cooking, Low
and High Ropes and surf awareness.
Camp and activity costs : $105
Catering: $65
The P&C has kindly donated the money for the bus, final
payment costs will be available in the coming weeks. Please
note, the office will provide payment plans but all monies
need to be finalised before the kids depart.
INVITATION
BIGGENDEN STATE SCHOOL CHAPLAINCY
FUNDRAISING DINNER
Friday 12th September 2014
KINDY NEWS
Big on Heart – Respect – Responsibility – Learning.
6.30pm
While Striving to Excel
Newsletter Term 3 Week 7
BIGGENDEN MEMORIAL HALL
Guest Speaker Rod Strong
28 August
2014
Kerrie 0401 588 796
Joyce 0459 271 214
Chris 0419 518 423
Rod has vast experience of BRINGING HOPE and
MEANING into life’s most difficult moments. Forty years
a Chaplain, including Army Reserve,
Qld Police, 3RAR, Qld Fire and Emergency Services.
YOUR SUPPORT OF THE BIGGENDEN STATE SCHOOL
CHAPLAINCY program is vital for its growth.
MEAL $30 per person
RSVP 9th September
TICKETS to be pre-purchased.
These can be bought at Biggenden State School or
Biggenden Bakery or by postal payment to the “Biggenden
Local Chaplaincy Committee”, Biggenden State School, PO
Box 15, Biggenden 4621
The Stephanie Alexander
Kitchen Garden Program is
looking for donations of old
Wheel Barrows.
If you can help out
please contact Shane Johnson or
leave a message for him at the
school office 4127 6333.
Enquiries Mark Ruge 41271959
or Moira Thompson 41271991 or 0458365051
COMMUNITY NEWS
Gayndah & District Little Athletics Sign On
Friday 29 August 6pm at Gayndah Sports Grounds
Ages 5 – 17
Enquiries
Helen Smith 0429 964 454
CHILD PROTECTION WEEK
Presented by: Laine Collins
School Based Youth Health Nurse
Date: Thursday 11th September 2014
Time: 10am to 11.30am
Place: The Learning Centre,
Frederick Street, Biggenden
TOPIC
Conversation with Parents around Children and Sexuality
{covers children of all ages}
-What is normal sexualised behaviour?
-How to go about having a conversation with your child
-Protective behaviours
Morning Tea Provided
Courtesy of the Biggenden Parent Support Group
Contacts:
Big on Heart – Respect – Responsibility – Learning.
While Striving to Excel