Marburg State School Newsletter Principal : Kirrily Newton Ph: (07) 5464 4218 or Mobile 0477 749 447 E-mail: the.principal@marburgss.eq.edu.au Week 1 Term 1 Friday 29th January 2016 Dear Parents and Carers, . Welcome back to students, parents/caregivers and staff of the Marburg School community. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year and are now ready for an exciting and productive school year. Information for New Parents/Caregivers Priorities for 2016 Our school priorities are as follows-: Continued implementation of the Australian Curriculum Improved student performance in Reading Improved student performance in Numeracy Strong Community Partnerships Embed our whole school Pedagogical Framework in all that we do. . AssemblyAssembly occurs on a Friday morning at 9.00am in the school Hall. All parents and caregivers are welcome to attend. Weekly encouragement awards, reading at home awards and class awards are presented during assembly as well as announcements and occasionally special guests or presentations. Bookclub- Scholastic Booksellers operate Bookclub at Marburg State School. Bookclub forms are issued to students on a regular basis and orders can be placed before the closing date of the order. The first lot of bookclub forms have been sent home this week, and orders and monies need to be returned by Wednesday 9th February. We recommend this service as the books are good quality and fairly priced. School Wide Positive Behaviour Support and Superstars- For our students we promote a behavioural standard which congratulates consistent high quality behaviour and provides targeted processes for supporting students who have difficulties managing their own behaviour and meeting our high standards. This system is based on positive reinforcement for desired behaviours. Students work towards awards known as “Superstars” for classroom and playground conduct related to our schoolwide expectations. Information and updates regarding behaviour and wellbeing in our school is reported back to the parent community on a regular basis. An overview of the schools Responsible Behaviour Plan is in the Parent Handbook. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have any queries regarding the rewards system. Our first couple of weeks will be focusing on “Being an Active Listener” and starting our year as “Organised Learners” Sporting SchoolsThis semester we are participating in the government funded sporting schools program and students will take part in athletics training on a Friday afternoon in school time. This is a great opportunity for us to prepare for all of our athletics events throughout the year. Sessions will be provided by a trained Little Athletics coach. Leaders Badge Ceremony The Leaders for 2016 will be presented with their badges at a special parade on Friday 12th February at 9.00am in the Hall. All families are welcome to attend. Parent Handbook Just a reminder that most general information regarding day to day operation of the school is located in the Parent Handbook. Swimming Please note that in 2016 all students will participate in swimming lessons in Term 4. Only Years 3-6 will participate in swimming lessons from week 5 this term for a period of 4 weeks, and then participate in the interschool Carnival with other small schools on the Friday in the second last week of this term. Notes will be sent home shortly and payment of $32 is to be made prior to commencement of swimming lessons. Thank you. Enrolment Details If at any time your details or your child’s details change (eg. phone numbers, address, emergency contact details etc) please notify the office straight away. This ensures clear communication between school and home. Thanks in advance. School Payments Payments are required to cover the costs for RE books and Art Supply. RE books and Art Supply contribution will cost $20 for grades 1-6 and $13 for Prep students (Prep students do not participate in RE). Invoices will be sent out shortly. Dance Fever This term all students will participate in a dance program. Dance Fever Company will work with upper and lower school to teach basic skills such as co-ordination, rhythm, movement to music and enjoyment of dance. This program will run in class time during smart moves and is of no cost to the students as it is paid for by the school. Thank you. Chaplaincy at Marburg Marburg State School has a Chaplain - Chappy Krystal will be at our school every Wednesday from 8.30 until 3pm. Krystal will be providing activities regarding our Social and Emotional Learning Program“You Can Do It”. Krystal will spend time in each classroom and will run lunch time programs as well. Krystal is also available to parents for a chat or a cuppa. Please contact the school if you would like to make an appointment to meet with her. Thank you. PREP-1 News What a wonderful start to the school year with 19 bright faces looking at me and all smartly dressed in their school uniforms. The room, first thing on Wednesday morning, was filled with lots of anxious adults and small students who were, for the most part, taking everything in their stride. The love and concern for their little ones was so evident. It was a truly beautiful sight. Once the class started, the students all settled down and focussed on the activities. They listened carefully and followed all instructions. The Preps have already been introduced to their first sound and are completing activities that reinforce it. I use Letterland characters and ditties so the children will remember the sound. Lots of the activities involve craft, which is also a way of developing their fine motor skills, using scissors, pens and crayons. The Year Ones will be revising the sounds learned last year before proceeding further. I will be testing their reading and sounds this week so I can group them according to levels and give extra attention to those sounds not known. Until next time, Ciao, Gail Ducci 2-4 NEWS Hello and welcome to the 2016 school year, This year the class contains all of the Yr. 2 and 3 students. Out timetable for specialist lessons for the term (and probably the entire year) is as follows…. Monday Cars and Stars Reading 9.15am Tuesday PE Morning Session Tuesday German (LOTE) Last Session Wednesday Music 12.00 noon Thursday RE (starting later in the term) 9.00am Thursday German 12.00 noon Friday Library 12:00noon Dance Fever will be held in term one and will be held on a Friday afternoon. Athletics is also being practised on Friday afternoon and the students will spend half an hour completing each activity. Please be aware that the steps and ramp at the far end of the admin block are for the use of our class. As you can imagine the front/closest steps are used by the senior students and all adult visitors to the school. Students are being encouraged to walk, with their friends, to the school carpark at the end of each day. Should it be more convenient to meet your child under the school building please feel free to do so. If it can be avoided please do not collect your child from the classroom at the end of the school day due to the enormous amount of traffic this areas experiences at this time. I am aware that parents/ caregivers often need to communicate with me regarding their child and this is highly valued, however for the safety of the children please see me outside the time immediately at the beginning or ending of the school day. My mobile number is 0427076297 and I am available to discuss your child’s education from 7am- 7pm each work day. Please be aware that I will text or ring you should I feel the need to pass on information to you. This system has worked well for my time at Marburg. Should you prefer this not happen, please let the office know as soon as possible. School report cards are due at the end of term 2 however parent teacher interviews will be organised at the end of term one. Should you wish to make an interview time before this please feel welcome. I look forward to work with you all this year as we encourage and support the students along their educational journey. Until next time Marina K 5-6 NEWS Welcome back to parents and caregivers of year 4/5/6 students. We have had a fantastic start to our term and it is going to be very busy. This term has begun with the continuation of the Australian Curriculum. Students will be participating in the English, Mathematics and Science and History and Geography curriculum from the beginning of this term and will still access the Essential Learnings for LOTE, HPE, The Arts, Technology and Music. What does this mean for you? Students will continue to be engaged in the highest quality of learning. Our focus remains the same high expectations for the students and staff. This term we are studying short stories with an emphasis on elements such as humour and persuasive text. Students will be focused on learning goals and improving their outcomes in all learning areas this year. I will continue to teach Maths/English/Art/Technology and ICTs on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday while Mrs Bryant will teach Geography/History and Science on a Thursday and Friday. This year we have assigned a teacher aide to work specifically within one classroom each, to allow students and staff to build productive and consistent learning relationships. The year 4/5/6 teacher aide is Mrs Monique Meier and our volunteer teacher aide is Mrs Wood on Tuesday. Mrs Nuffer will continue to provide intervention and targeted support to students in the year 2 to 6 cohort throughout the year. If you need clarification on any issues/questions concerning your child’s learning please do not hesitate to make an appointment to see me. Our first parent teacher interviews will be held in week 8 this term. Until next time Mrs N. I am very excited to be spending 2 whole days in the 4/5/6 classroom this year. In addition to our vocabulary and numeracy work, we will be learning all about Australian History, Geography and the Biological sciences this term. In History, we will learn all about the early explorers and the first Australian colonies; Geography will focus on mapping skills and our place in the world and in Science (the best subject in the universe) we will be learning about life on Earth and exploring life cycles, adaptations and habitats. I am looking forward to exploring our learning together. It is going to be a great term and a fantastic year. Mrs B. Library Update As the students will shortly be borrowing from the school Library every week, there are certain factors which should be kept in mind. 1. A waterproof bag is required to keep the book/s safe and dry. 2. A secure place should be found for the Library book/s whilst at home - e.g. the bag could be hung on the bedroom doorknob. 3. Book/s should only be kept for a maximum of two weeks. If needed for a longer period, the book/s will need to be re-borrowed through the Library computer. It would be appreciated if parents could check with students regularly to ensure that our school resources are well cared for and returned promptly. P & C News Welcome all families – old and new to 2016 at our Marburg State School. We trust everyone had a great break and is ready for an extremely busy term and year! Our first fundraiser for 2016 is on Sunday February 7 at 9 am. We are hosting approximately 100 – 120 members of the BRISHOG – Harley Owners Group at the Marburg State School. Their visit as a fundraiser will help subsidise school excursions, swimming and educational expenses for every Marburg State School student this year. Entry is $10 - $5 per person for morning tea provided by Marburg School and $5 worth of Raffle Tickets. Cold drinks will be on sale as well. We are asking every family to donate some morning tea as per attached note. All donations will be appreciated and Kellie will be available to collect goods on the afternoon of Friday 5th in the carpark at 3.00pm. Lets ALL get in, bring the whole family for a fun morning, check out the motor bikes and support your school! On Friday February 12th the P & C will be holding a “Carpark Meet and Greet” for all families - old and new from 3.00 pm – 4.00 pm. Please bring a plate of afternoon tea to share. We look forward to a great beginning to our school year. Have you seen our new Shirts? After 5 years+ and continuing uniform supply issues we now have new shirts and shorts. The modern logo based on our new school branding is very popular and well accepted. Rebecca has had a lot of feedback from old and new parents who came to the uniform shop last week. All feedback was positive. The old and new students who came with their mums have said that they look ‘really cool’. Please don’t worry if your child is still wearing the old style shirts, they are still part of our uniform. We are slowly phasing out the old and coming in with the new. A note will be going out shortly regarding Senior Shirts for Year 6 students. If you need more uniforms please complete attached Uniform Order Form and contact Rebecca Perkins on 0407 649 346 or email rebeccaschulz74@yahoo.com.au to make an appointment. No doubt you will have noticed “The Hub” is finally underway!! Work has begun on our Marburg Community Calendar for 2016 and we would appreciate your fundraising ideas so they can be included. All new ideas and contributions are always welcome. If you have been at any of the Marburg State School events this year and have some interesting photos please email them to Brenda at brenda.berry@bigpond.com so they may be included in a photo collage on our Calendar. Please find attached Application for P & C Membership for 2016 form for completion by ALL Parents and Caregivers. Please bring completed form to the P & C Meeting. If you are unable to attend please complete and return it to the School Office ASAP as the membership details are needed for funding and grant application submissions. Under the Parents and Citizens’ Association Constitution every family must submit their application each year. Our next P & C meeting is on Tuesday 9th February, 2016 in the Prep/1 area at 3.15pm. If there is anything that you would like to be brought to the table, please contact the P & C on email pandc@marbugss.eq.edu.au or contact any of the Executives Brenda 0408 457 896, Kellie 0458 380 354, Kathy 0427 588 317, Jo 0400 340 526 or Rebecca 0407 649 346. New and retuning Parents and Caregivers are most welcome. Hope to see you all there! Regards Marburg State School P & C DATE CLAIMERS February Tuesday 9th Friday 12th Tuesday 23rd Attachments to newsletter: Application for P&C Membership Uniform Price List HOGS morning tea COMMUNITY NEWS P&C Meeting 3.15pm at Prep. Leaders Badge Ceremony Swimming commences years 3-6