PETRIE LOG - Edition 18/13 – November 13, 2013
From the Principal
School Community and Parent Partnerships - not just a statement ...but meaningful!
School administrators and teachers everywhere recognise the important contributions parents make toward a child’s success in
school. There is no question about it - success at school begins at home. Parents are the single most important variable in a child’s
schooling. Research across the world has proven this time and time again. Parents model both a silent and spoken language in front of
their children daily. So do our teachers, so do our administration and of course, so do I.
One of the most important components of a good school is the partnership between the school and parents who work together for the
best interest of children. The close partnership between home and school is one of the exceptional strengths that I want to build on
here at Petrie State School.
Petrie State School has a strong tradition of supportive, hard-working parents. Throughout the year parents have the opportunity to
develop that partnership in a wide variety of ways. Parents join the P&C, volunteer in the classroom, help at the fun days, school
socials, attend Teacher/Parent interviews, read to their children and help in many other ways. It is important to your child that you are
involved in some way at school. It’s a way to let your child know you think his or her school is important. Is Petrie State School
important to you?
I have had feedback from many parents that they would like help with knowing what they can do to support their child from home. One
area that parents are especially keen to find out more about is the "new Australian Maths Curriculum". I have had people say to me,
"it's not taught how I learnt". "Everything is different; the way you add now is not what I learnt". This is especially true and it is so
important to see what and why maths has changed in teaching and learning. For this reason, recently Kathy Elder (one of our brilliant
year 1/2 teachers) and I attended a workshop on designing workshops for parents on the new Australian Maths Curriculum. It is
interesting that many simple assumptions are made in the teaching and learning of maths. Why do so many of us have a negative
memory of maths at school? Do you? We certainly don't want this for our students. Together we can explore the ways maths should
be taught and learn some very simple yet fun ways of learning maths with your child.
Early next year, Kathy and I will begin a series of parent workshops in maths that will be another way that we can all work together in
this shared partnership in your child's education. We can do this together.
Classroom and school wide standards, rules, procedures and expectations
In any good school and its classrooms, we find teachers and administrators establishing school rules. In the most successful schools
and classrooms, teachers have established specific routines for the children to follow. This means giving the children a specific place
to find and keep materials, a set schedule for classroom instruction, etc. These routines, blended with the teacher’s consistent
standards, form a smooth running classroom where the children have the security of understanding their environment and are
reinforced positively for their contributions.
Across our school community over the coming year, together we will explore a whole school wide positive behaviour approach. This
involves establishing school wide expectations and recognising and rewarding those students who follow these. This process involves
not only teachers, but also parents and our community.
At home, it is important to provide routines. Many families build a daily “quiet time” when the television is turned off. This quiet time
provides students with the opportunity for completing schoolwork or for recreational reading if there is no homework. During this quiet
time a suitable place, somewhat free of other distractions, should be available. The routine of a daily quiet time provides an opportunity
to develop self-discipline, stimulate imagination, and enhance reading skills.
Routines can also make completing "jobs" easier for both children and parents. If children are consistently expected to complete
routine household duties at the same time on the same day in the same place, they soon begin to develop a responsibility for their
commitment and contribution to the family.
At the same time, it is helpful to keep in mind that childhood is
a special time of learning, exploration and growth. Children
need to be provided free time to explore their world and
experience the joy of discovery.
reasonable excuse for them being absent, such as illness. Going
shopping, visiting family, staying up late, or being tired are not
acceptable reasons to be away from school.
Hopefully we can provide time for our children to be
children. The realities of the adult world will be there all too
soon. As children grow and learn, they find joy and satisfaction
in working closely with their families toward a common
goal. Such is the case with the students at Petrie State
School. Commitment to the best for our children on the part of
parents, students and staff is the key to our success with the
children we teach. It is the hope of the staff that all parents will
help us full fill this commitment to excellence on behalf of ALL
children at Petrie. School and home can work together to build
skills and knowledge, reinforce values, and develop a strong
sense of self worth. We must invest our time and energies in
our nation’s most valuable resource - our children.
If a child is absent one day a fortnight, it adds up to 20 days (4
weeks) of missed school in a year. Over 13 years of schooling,
that’s almost 1.5 years.
Bullying
With the recent media stories about bullying it is shocking to
know that this behaviour is occurring in our schools. Bullying
has no place in any school or community. At Petrie State
School, students must understand that their actions and
behaviours always have a consequence. The issue of cyber
bullying is something that we all struggle with as parents and
teachers. The key message is for all parents to make sure they
communicate with their children. Does your child have access
to technology in their bedrooms unsupervised? Research
indicates that unsupervised internet access by children at home
is a major aspect in cyber bullying. We must stamp out bullying
and this will take a culture change in not only in schools but
also in society.
The 'Like' phenomenon on Facebook is what is adding to the
issue of bullying and thus sharing and endorsing inappropriate
behaviours. A culture change is required. We will explore more
of this as part of our school wide positive behaviour journey
next year. Also in March 2014, we as a school will join the
national day of action to Say No To Bullying...we will stand
together as a school community to say NO to bullying.
John Bray
Principal
Petrie State School
From the Deputy Principal
It is really important that we have a clear idea of the numbers of
students we are expecting for 2014. We understand that
sometimes circumstances change quickly, and families move
although they had not planned to. It is important though, that if
you know your children will not be returning to Petrie for 2014,
that you advise the office as soon as possible. Unfortunately
sometimes children pass on incorrect information, so we ask
that parents advise us. This would assist us greatly with our
planning. As always, staffing will be finalised after Day 8
numbers for next year are confirmed. However, we would prefer
to have this picture as clear as we can in advance to avoid
disruption after the start of the school year. Thank you for your
support.
Every Day Counts. We are working really hard to ensure that
every day, in every classroom, every student is learning and
achieving. One thing that makes this difficult to achieve is the
number of students whose attendance at school is inconsistent.
Research shows that if your child has a record of good
attendance, they are more likely to achieve high results in the
future. Inconsistent attendance can have the opposite effect.
As we come up to the end of the year, parents are reminded of
the importance of sending children to school on every school
day right up until the end of the school year, unless there is a
If a child is absent one day a week it adds up to 40 days (8 weeks)
of missed school in a year. Over 13 years of schooling, that’s over
2.5 years.
If a child is absent two days a week, it adds up to 80 days (16
weeks) of missed school in a year. Over 13 years of schooling,
that’s over 5 years!
Every day counts.
Linley Greenland
Deputy Principal
Calendar of Events
November
14
End of Year Concert – Choir 6.30pm
18
Swimming Yr 3 & 4
P & C Meeting 7pm – Resource Centre
20
End of Year Concert – Instrumental 6.30pm
25
Swimming Yr 3 & 4
26
Student Leadership Interviews
December
04 – 05 Christmas Stall
04
Swimming Carnival
06
School Disco 6pm
10
Volunteers’ Afternoon Tea
10
Sports Assembly Yrs 4 - 7
11
Year 7 Farewell
12
Celebration Parade
Class Break-Up Parties
Yr 7 to Redcliffe Lagoon
13
Last Day of School
January
27
Australia Day Public Holiday
28
First Day of School
Student of the Week
Week 3
PA
PB
PC
1B
1C
2A
2C
3B
Isabella
Nikita
Rayne
Brock
Jack
Antonia
Daisy
Connor
Jayden
Taylah
Week 2
3/4
4B
5A
5B
6A
6B
7A
7B
Week 4
Jett
Kate
Aidan
Kyra
Week 4
Anika-Rose
Ben
Tienna
Joseph
Adam
Declan
Hulita
Guidance News
As the 2013 school year has only weeks to go, here are a few
points to consider on the holidays to make the return to school
in 2014 a pleasure:
1.
In the week or two before the 2014 school year starts,
begin moving your child’s bedtime back to his or her
school bedtime by small increments of time.
2.
Also have your child wake up earlier each day, again in
small increments, until he or she has woken up at your
family’s regular school wake up time for a week or so
prior to the first day of school.
3.
In the week before school starts make a conscious effort
to re-establish regular mealtimes.
4.
Teach your child how to plan a healthy lunch. Together
with your child, brainstorm a list of healthy foods your
child likes. Then, when you are under pressure to
include unhealthy items in his or her lunch box, you have
healthy alternatives to offer.
5.
6.
You may want to take your child grocery shopping for
healthy foods. The more children are involved in making
choices where appropriate, the fewer power struggles
you may face. Your child will also establish healthier
habits and lifestyles, which will potentially follow into their
adult years.
Encourage your child to remain physically active on the
holidays. It is great for body and brain.
Ellaine Warner, Guidance Officer
In Year 2 Science, we are learning to investigate the life stages of
living things. We have been observing the growth bean seeds
and silkworms. We know that it is important for living things to
have a healthy environment so they can grow, change and
continue with their life stages.
Community News
Petrie School Aged Care (P.C.Y.C)
We currently have vacancies for Before School Care only with
places filling fast. Please contact the service on 0428 993 043 or
petriesac@pcyc.org.au if you are requiring care.
Kylie Meal, coordinator, Petrie SAC
Music Department
Twilight Markets - Saturday 7 December – 5.00pm to 9.00pm
Year 3 Recorders
The Year 3 students will be starting recorder lessons next week.
Each child will require a descant recorder. These are available
for purchase at the office at a cost of $7.50 each.
Pine Rivers United Sports Club, Wendy Allison Park, Samsonvale
Road, Strathpine. Sausage sizzle & cold drinks, bar open,
sporting goods raffle, Santa, games for kids. All types of stalls
welcome – stall cost $30.00. Contact pruscmarkets@gmail.com ,
Dave on 0410512154 or Anna on 0411635288
Creative Generation
Creative Generation – State Schools Onstage 2013 (CGEN)
was broadcast nationally on Network Ten recently. I am now in
the process of putting together our team for the 10th anniversary
of C Gen in 2014. If your child is in Year 4 – 7 in 2014 and
would like to join the massed choir please let me know.
Wendy Rose (Music Teacher)
School Work
William (3C) has made
significant progress in his
reading. He is now
reading level 22 and is
growing into a confident
reader!
Pine Rivers State High Celebrating 50 Years
We are seeking part students, staff and P&C to help us celebrate
our 50th in 2014. For more details go to
www.pineriversshs.eq.edu.au and click on the 50th anniversary
logo.
School Transport Assistance for 2014
The school transport assistance scheme (STAS) – for information
go to www.transport.qld.gov.au/qt/PubTrans.nsf/index/assisthome
or phone 3863 9849. A brochure is available to view at the office.
Moreton Bay Region Libraries Dec 2013/Jan 2014 School Holiday
Program – Monday 16 December to Friday 24 January. Visit your
local library or go to www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/libraries for
more information.
Brochures available at the school office.