Newsletter Term 1 Week 10
PRINCIPAL’S PRATTLE
This will be the last newsletter for the term 1. I
would like to congratulate all students on their
commitment to learning this term and the data
collection shows the majority of students
progressing in the subject areas greatly. This is not
only a reflection on the students attitude to learning
but it is also reflects the great work the staff at
Biggenden State School are doing. The teachers are
reflecting on student data and catering their
curriculum delivery to ensure optimum learning is
occurring. It also reflects on the support students
and staff are receiving from parents. Partnerships
that are strong ensure the best educational
opportunities for students.
I wish all families a fantastic Easter break and may
everyone stay safe.
EASTER VACATION:
On Thursday, 2nd April, 2014 school will break for
the Easter vacation. School will resume on the 20 th
April, 2015. Learning will continue up until 2.30pm on
Thursday 2nd April, 2015.
It is important for
students to attend until that time. Every minute of
every day in every class, students are learning and
achieving.
1 April 2015
Under 12 Sporting Trials
Congratulations to all students in the Under 12
year’s age group who went to trials for Soccer,
Rugby League and Netball on Monday.
Britney
Hardy, Abbie Garrigon, Dustin Fawckner, Abbey
Gibbs and Sarah Bust all represented Biggenden
District with Dustin Fawckner and Britney Hardy
being selected to compete in the North Burnett
Team.
Sporting Permission
Students attending sporting trials must not only
have permission from parents/guardians but also
from the school and in particular Principal Approval.
Students who do not behave according to the school
responsible behaviour plan will not be permitted to
attend trials at any level. Also students who have
failed to complete assessment or academic work will
also not be permitted to attend. This is not only our
Biggenden State School policy but is actually a
Queensland School Sport rule.
School Times:
The school grounds will open each morning at 8.15am
with students entering class at 8.30am. Fruit and
Protein break will continue for all the school in the
morning. Break times will be the same length in
duration but will now occur from 11.00am to 11.30am
and again from 12.40pm to 1.20pm. School will
conclude at 2.30pm.
SCHOOL MOBILE PHONE:
A reminder to parents that the school has a mobile
phone that can be used as an alternate contact
number to the main office if unattended. The school
mobile number is: 0408747301. Parents/caregivers
can use this number to send text messages to inform
students of absences.
Reading, writing, phonics and Maths Award
Sharlie Loader, Sophia Radel, Ryan Jewess, Miranda
Nugent, Destinny Evans & Mykaela Vicary,
Please note that on Wednesday
Breakfast Club will start at 8.00am.
Tim Geissler – determined to do his best in school work.
Big on Heart – Respect – Responsibility – Learning.
While Striving to Excel
mornings
Newsletter Term 1 Week 10
Extra-Curricular Activities:
This year staff members have given up much of their
time to provide extra opportunities for students.
Activities that will be occurring include:

Biggenden State School Choir (Wednesday
lunch times)
Please see Mrs Garrigon for
further information

Biggenden State School Instrumental Music
Program (After school) Instrumental music
will be held on Thursday afternoons each
week.

Art Club (Thursday lunchtime) Please see Mr
McGregor

Dance Club ( Monday – lunch time) Please see
Mrs Tobin

Each fortnight there will be a sporting

challenge between Ajax and Milo
Homework Club – Monday each week from
2.30pm – 3.15pm. Students from Years 2 to
10 are welcomed to attend. Students must
bring homework or assignment work with
them to complete during this time.
Please
note the change of day.

Tennis Club is held each Thursday at the
second break in the multi-purpose court.
Miss Brook runs this club and has been
inundated with buddy players. Fantastic to
see.

Robotics will commence in term 2.
Biggenden State School certainly offers a wide
variety of opportunities for all students of all
ages.
ATTENDANCE:
Once again this year attendance is a key focus area
for our school. The goal has been set at 96.3%
attendance for all year levels.
Last week our
attendance rate dropped below the goal, with the
entire school attendance rate being at 94.2%. This
is however a pleasing improvement from the previous
week. Excellent effort on the following classes who
have achieved 100% attendance for week 9: Preps,
Year 2, Year 3, Year 4 and Year 6. Congratulations
to all these year levels!
Please remember learning occurs each and every day
at school and no matter what day of the week it is,
students need to attend. I am sure students are
working hard to reach the goal and they all realise
1 April 2015
the importance of attendance and the effect it has
on their learning.
BIGGENDEN STATE SCHOOL
ATTENDANCE DATA
WEEK 9 TERM 1
%
%
YEAR
ATTENDANCE ATTENDANCE
LEVEL
WEEK 9
TERM 1
PREP
100%
93.5%
YEAR 1
98.34%
94.6%
YEAR 2
100%
93.5%
YEAR 3
100%
95.9%
YEAR 4
100%
95.9%
YEAR 5
97.5%
95.7%
YEAR 6
100%
96.4%
YEAR 7
97.32%
97.2%
YEAR 8
85.7%
97.7%
YEAR 9
96.6%
94.7%
YEAR 10
78.4%
87.3%
SCHOOL WIDE POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR
Biggenden State School is Big On – Heart,
Responsibility, Respect and definitely Big On
Learning. This term the focus is on Big On Heart.
This week’s topic is showing appreciation. We should
be very appreciative of everything we have in life.
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.
Biggenden State
School also uses the QSchools App. Please contact
the school if you need further instruction on
connecting to the App.
SPECIAL P & C MEETING:
On Thursday, 2nd April, 2015 at 1.30pm a special P &
C meeting will be held at Biggenden State School
Learning Centre to review and adopt the new P & C
Constitution. Further information is available from
Robbie Radel, Tina Houton or Rob Tucker.
P & C VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED:
The P & C have been asked to assist at the Teebar
Show and Rodeo on the 13 June by preparing food
and serving in the canteen. The P & C are asking for
volunteers to work in the canteen from
approximately 7.00am through till 9.00pm on the day.
Big on Heart – Respect – Responsibility – Learning.
While Striving to Excel
Newsletter Term 1 Week 10
1 April 2015
A roster will be drawn up for times throughout the
day. Names of volunteers to be given to the school
office or Mrs Brandy Nugent the P & C fundraiser
co-ordinator. This event would be a great fundraiser
for P & C to enable them to receive funds to support
the school.
Arrival and Departure Times
8.15AM
8.30AM
2.30PM
STUDENTS ARRIVE (NO EARLIER)
CLASSES BEGIN
SCHOOL FINISHES FOR THE DAY
Parade every Monday 8.25am ALL WELCOME
Breaky Club Wednesday 8.00am ALL WELCOME
TERM DATES
Maddi Dundas – You Rock!:
On Monday, Year 9 student Maddi Dundas committed
to Shave For A Cure and had her head shaved. Her
beautiful long hair was cut after many years of
Maddi growing it but as she said it was all for a
great cause. Maddi raised over $2000 and she
thanks everyone for their support.
Easter Vacation 3 - 17 April
Gotcha Winners – Lisa Brown and Koori Munro
KEEP WATCH
Keep a watch on our school these holidays
With the holidays fast approaching, we need you to
look out for after-hours crime in our school.
If you see anything suspicious, please remember to
call the School Watch number – 13 17 88.
Big on Heart – Respect – Responsibility – Learning.
While Striving to Excel
Newsletter Term 1 Week 10
The School Watch program is a partnership between
the Department of Education and Training, the
Queensland Police Service and the State
Government Protective Security Service. It aims to
reduce vandalism, theft and arson in Queensland
schools.
If you do see something suspicious, please don’t
attempt to intervene. Call the School Watch number
and let the local police or State Government
Protective Security Service deal with the matter.
Keep the number handy – 13 17 88 – and let’s work
together to help create a safer school community.
If you would like to know more about the School
Watch program, please call our Emergency and
Security Management Unit on (07) 3034 6013.
No access to the school over
the first week of the school
holidays. MAJOR
maintenance is occurring and
workmen do not need to be disturbed by people
running in and out of their construction zones.
The second week of the holidays is Chappy Camp and
as work is to continue visitors to the camp will have a
restricted area.
CHAPPY NEWS
Thank you to everyone for their support of the
Chaplaincy program at our school.
After-school Kids’ Club has been assisted by
Heather and Albert Jones, Tina Houton, Peter
Taubner who has come every second week from
Childers and Maddi Dundas who has helped prepare
afternoon tea each Tuesday. For donations towards
afternoon tea many thanks to Ruth and Arthur
Clifford as well as Olga Schaper and Sonia Parkinson
Thank you so much.
For all those who have supported Breakfast club,
especially donations from Biggenden Food Works,
Apex and time given each week by Joyce Miller, to
all of you thank you very much.
1 April 2015
Wishing all of you a Happy and enjoyable Easter and
hope to see some of you at Chappy Camp from 14 th to
17th April.
PARENT REMINDERS






Student Absentees need to be explained –
either a phone call to the office or a
written note to the class/form teacher is
required.
Unpaid invoices may impact on your child’s
learning or full participation.
Volunteers are always needed. Put your name
down with either your child’s class teacher or
office staff.
Students and parents are not to leave the
school grounds through the buses. This is
a danger to you and your child. Crossings
are manned for your safety. Please use
them.
Office Hours are 8.00am – 3.30pm. Staff
attend meetings and have other duties to
perform so do not expect the office to be
manned outside of these times.
Canberra End of Year Camp – Your next
payment instalment of $100.00 is due
NOW.
Keep your payments regular to
avoid paying a lump sum before the camp.
CAR WASH
Last Saturday saw Biggenden State School students
from year levels 3 to 10 participate very
successfully in a car wash fund raising event here at
the school. A considerable number of cars were
washed, vacuumed and tyres blackened.
While this was all happening, car owners, parents and
friends of the students had the opportunity to
partake in a great morning tea that was provided.
Many students enjoyed the opportunity of not only
washing cars, but taking the opportunity of enjoying
each other’s company in a very wet manner.
Many thanks to all who volunteered their cars for
this event, parents who allowed their children to
participate, and parents who helped out in any way on
the day. A great big special thank you to all
students who helped make this event the success it
was.
Big on Heart – Respect – Responsibility – Learning.
While Striving to Excel