4th September 2018

St Helens News L e a r n i n g w i t h F r i e n d s

TERM CALENDAR

Friday 21st September Last day of Term 3 Monday 8th October First day of Term 4 Wednesday 24th October 5/6 Camp Friday 25th October Return from camp

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Hello to the families of the St Helens Community. My name is Kim Burns-Atkinson and I have been appointed as the permanent Principal of St Helens State School. Currently, I am the Acting Principal of Torbanlea SS. I have been here for 14 years, holding a number of different roles, firstly as a special education teacher, then as a classroom teacher, later as Head of Curriculum and for the last 8 years as Deputy Principal and Acting Principal. My husband and I live in Hervey Bay, we have five children and one grandchild. My husband Craig works in Hervey Bay as a registered nurse. We also have a little dog named Rusty, and some chooks. We love getting out and about on the weekends, spending time with our family and friends and enjoying our beautiful surrounds.

I have been an educator for more than 20 years, beginning my teaching career in a small country school called Booral P.S in NSW, before relocating to QLD in 2003. I am committed to ensuring that every child feels safe and happy at school, and is provided with the educational opportunities to reach their potential. I love the St Helens moto ‘Learning with Friends’, these three words say so much about the ideals of your lovely school.

I’m starting to wrap things up and say my goodbyes at Torbanlea, not an easy task after so many years. I am both very proud and excited to be appointed Principal at St Helens State School. I will be calling in on Wednesday to say hello to staff and students, and look forward to meeting everyone in the community, when I begin at St Helens after the September school holidays. Have a great end to the term, I look forward to meeting you all soon.

Kim Burns-Atkinson

2018 School Focus Areas:

Mathematics

Reboot

Father’s Day Breakfast:

Our annual Father’s Day Breakfast was eagerly awaited by our Prep and Prep/1 students and their Dads! The breakfast was an opportunity for students and their Dads or Grandads to share a special meal and quality time together, to celebrate the wonderful role Dads play in our students’ lives. Students offered their Dad a yummy bacon and egg roll and grabbed a bowl of cereal to enjoy. After breakfast, it was fun to see lots of Dads and Grandads enjoying some soccer and football on the oval.

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Monster Truck visit: Thursday afternoon we had a visit from one of trucks from the Monster Truck show. So while the students sat under the tree, the presenters shared information and then gave the students question time. Some even had their photo taken with the truck.

Singing Ensemble: Next Monday, 10th September, our singing ensemble will perform some of the songs they have been learning on Parade.

Indigenous Artist Visit: This Thursday and Friday, an Indigenous Artist, Arthur Conlon will be visiting our school to work with our middle and upper school students to paint murals on our handball courts in the big shed and our toilet block.

Maths Team Challenge: This Friday, Mrs Stepanov will take a small group of students to the Maths Team Challenge in Hervey Bay. We wish these students all the best as they compete against other schools at

the challenge.

Junior Reading Challenge: This Friday, Mr Fraser will take a small group of students to the Junior Reading Challenge. We wish these students all the best as they compete against other schools at the challenge.

Acting HOC: From this Friday until the end of the term, Mrs Dean will be working in the office in Mrs Foskett’s place. Mrs Pat Wheeler will teach Mrs Dean’s class during this time.

Consequences Inappropriate Behaviours: Please find below some definitions and examples of what constitutes major and minor behaviour infractions, linked to our key school value, Respect.

Respect:

During the year, some students have engaged in serious and inappropriate acts of physical misconduct. As a school, we do not tolerate this behaviour and firm consequences are put in place to remind students that this behaviour is unacceptable, and to also serve as a deterrent to other students.

Minor Behaviour Infractions Major Behaviour Infractions

Defiant/Threat to an adult.

Student engages in brief or low intensity failure to respond to adult requests.

Examples include but are not limited to: Minor forms of disrespect to teacher, eye rolling, neck rolling, sighing, smacking lips, impolite, using bad manners, etc.

Student continually refuses to follow directions or comply with teacher requests.

Examples include but are not limited to:

Talking back, socially rude interactions, repeated minor infraction, blatant disregard for teacher

instructions, etc.

IT misconduct Student engages in non-serious but inappropriate use of mobile phone, music or video player, camera or computer. Examples include but are not limited to: Accessing games during work sessions, bringing phone, ipod, ipad to school without consent, etc.

Student engages in continual, unsafe and inappropriate (as defined by the school) use of mobile phone, music or video player, camera or computer. Examples include but are not limited to: Searching for illegal or explicit information, viewing inappropriate content during class time, using phone during class, inappropriate language in emails, etc

Misconduct involving object.

Student engages in minor acts of misconduct involving an object where the safety of another person is not threatened. Examples include but are not limited to: Throwing an object around the classroom, using class materials inappropriately, playing with object during class lesson, scratching desks, minor graffiti, etc.

Student engages in deliberate acts of misconduct involving an object where the safety of another person could be at jeopardy. Examples include but are not limited to: Hitting another student with an object, etc.

Physical misconduct

Student engages in non-serious, but inappropriate acts of physical contact. Examples include but are not limited to: Minor body contact, pushing, tripping, poking, pinching, play fighting, contact sports, flicking with hats, etc.

Student engages in serious and inappropriate acts of physical contact that have the potential to injure another person. Examples include but are not limited to: Fighting, slapping, hitting, punching, biting, kicking, pulling hair, etc.

Property misconduct

Student engages in low intensity misuse of property. Examples include but are not limited to: Improper sitting or use of chairs, rocking, leaning back on two legs, writing on desk or classroom material (in pencil), abusing classroom or teacher materials, minor graffiti, etc.

Student deliberately engages in activities that damage or impair the usefulness property. Examples include but are not limited to: Vandalism, deliberately damaging the property of others, graffiti, etc.

Threat to others

Student engages in minor or brief acts that threaten another person. Examples include but are not limited to: One off verbally intimidating another student, one off physical threat without contact, etc.

Student engages in serious or extreme acts that emotionally or physically threaten another person. Examples include but are not limited to: Intimidating others, tormenting others, vicious teasing, using influence to control others, etc.

Bullying/ Harassment

See major behaviour referral. Students intentionally engage in repeated teasing, physical or verbal intimidation of another student or member of staff. Examples include but are not limited to: Continual name calling, continual put downs, repeated threats, physical subjugation, etc.

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Fiver for a Farmer Day

Friday the 14th September, Student Council in partnership with P&C, will be holding ‘Fiver for a Farmer day’. For $5 students will have a sausage sizzle for lunch with a drink and be able to dress as a farmer (or just free dress if you prefer) for the day. The full amount of $5 can be paid with your tuckshop order.

Student Council would like to thank P&C for donating the sausages and drinks as well as our dedicated tuckshop ladies who will cook on the day. All $5 donations will be sent to Drought Angels. They are one of the amazing organisations sending feed, fuel and food supplies to our farmers.

An order form is attached to today’s newsletter and can be handed in any time before the 12th

September.

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Prep W – We have been working very hard this term and this week we are completing lots of different assessments. You should be very proud of the progress your child has made so far this year. During Guided Reading we have been working on a range of strategies to help us to decode and understand what we read. Encourage your child to use these strategies at home.

Sound out Re-read the sentence Skip the word and read on (always go back and

reread the sentence) Does the sentence make sense?

After your child has finished ask them to retell the story. Ask them questions while reading to ensure they are comprehending the text. To be a successful reader students need to use these strategies without prompting and read fluently. Fluency is when students read smoothly (not sound robotic).

Prep/1 We have been learning about the weather, and changing skies and landscapes. Ask your child about different things you see in the sky at night and things you see during the day.

Year 1R – 1R has been working with Mrs Akers looking at the day and night sky in science. Over the next week, head outside and have a look at what they can see in the night sky.

Year 1/2A – This week we are starting to make our Marvellous Medicine procedures into a PowerPoint presentation.

Year 2B & Year 2/3C – Only 8 days to go until our excursion to Bundaberg to see the performance of “George’s Marvellous Medicine” and to visit the Hinkler Hall of Aviation. We will send a note home early next week with final arrangements. Please ensure all payments have been finalised by this Friday and that you have returned your permission and medical forms. Thanks.

Year 3D – In Design and Technology, we are making a pinball machine and designing a games environment. Every student needs a shoebox to make the pinball machine. Also, if any parents have spare shoeboxes to send in, we would be very

grateful. Thank you!

Year 3/4M – It was a fantastic day on Saturday at the Rockin’ Maryborough Vintage Festival. Our Mini Hot Rod ‘Black Beast’ came runner up in the competition and we’ve been asked to participate in a Mini display at Nationals! Well done to all students involved!

Year 4H – We have finished reading our novel “Rowan of Rin”. For homework this week the students have been sent the final chapter (chapter 13) to read. Parents please help your child read this chapter as it will be used during their English assessment. We will be analysing this chapter in class this week. Thank you.

Year 4/5H - This week are busy working on assessment tasks and are doing a wonderful job. Make sure students are getting a good night’s sleep and have had breakfast each morning. Year 5 Camp deposits are due at the end of next week.

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Year 5N – This week in maths we are examining number patterns and working with money. If there is an opportunity to go to the shops together this would be the perfect opportunity to work out change needed after a purchase has been made. In science this week we are examining reflections in mirrors and measuring those using protractors. In English we are beginning to work on our end of term assessment task and transforming a poem into a multimodal narrative. In media arts we are using PowerPoint to create a short movie.

Year 5/6H - Your child is investigating area and perimeter of rectangles and squares. Ask your child what formulas are used for finding both and how they would find the area and perimeter of a compound shape.

Year 6S Just a friendly reminder that camp deposits are due next Friday 14th September. Due to recent illness homework has not gone out on consecutive Fridays thus far. Homework will be handed out this Thursday instead.

TUCKSHOP SPECIAL

Friday 7th September

Chicken & Gravy rolls $4

More photos on the office noticeboard.

Star of the

Week

Prep Wombats

Kaydence Simpson For her amazing improvement in writing. You’re a Superstar!

Year 1R Mila Skuse-Arrevillaga For putting in her best effort when writing in the red & blue lines. Thank you for trying your best!

Year 1/2A Noah Schwarzock For always thinking of others and always trying his best in class.

Year 2B Kyrah Gibbs For the outstanding commitment you put into writing your “Candy Toasted Sandwich” procedure. Keep up the great work Kyrah!

Year 2/3C Bailey Cullen For the knowledge and enthusiasm you bring to our classroom.

Year 3/4M Dirren Atkinson For being a committed learner; using learnt strategies and confidence to achieve results.

Year 4H Sawyer Mattson For your excellent work with fractions this week. I loved how you extended your learning too.

Year 4/5H Thomas Titmarsh For the wonderful way you go about your work with a smile on your face! Keep up the great work!

Year 5/6H Caleb Stadler For demonstrating an outstanding improvement towards your behaviour and commitment to learning.

Year 6S Dan Lindley For you honest and thoughtful literacy assessment.

OZTAG SIGN ONS Sign on for Maryborough Oztag 2018 Summer Season will take place at Doon Villa Football Club on Monday 3rd September from 4pm until 6pm for juniors, while senior registrations are completely online. Divisions are available for boys and girls from Under 6 -15 and Mixed, Mens and Ladies for senior divisions. Both teams and individuals, or groups of friends are welcome. Let us find you a team if you don’t have one! Lots of passing, running, kicking, tagging and try scoring! Oztag can be played by everyone, so stop standing around thinking about it, come and join the other 150 000 registered Australian players and “GET TAGGED – YOU’LL LOVE IT “Go to www,maryboroughoztag.com or call 0414893840 for all of the info, you can even register yourself or your team online from the comfort of your lounge chair! Our Venue Coordinators are waiting to assist you in every way possible.

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In conjunction with our ‘Fiver for a Farmer’, P&C will be offering a sausage sizzle for all students and teachers. This includes,

Sausage sizzle and a Juice, milk or water & Free Dress for $5.

If you would like to order a sausage sizzle for this event. Please fill in the details and circle your selection in the form below and return to the St Helens State School by September 12th.

Child’s Name __________________________________ Class _________________________________

Sausage sizzle with Tomato / BBQ Sauce ( mustard available also)

Choice of Apple or Orange Juice, bottle of water,

Strawberry, Chocolate or Banana 300ml milk

(Please circle your preferences)

Thank you