G

S S

AT GSS, we strive to be safe, respectful learners!

We follow the Peace Code:

- We care for ourselves and others- We do the right thing- We speak kindly- We are brave- We find help- We turn things around- We are peacemakers

Friday, 22nd June 2018

A letter from the Principal…

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

School holidays are just around the corner. Please note that

holidays will commence next Friday 29th June and school will

resume for Term 3 on Monday 16th July. I would like to take

this opportunity to wish all students and families a safe,

happy and well-deserved holiday period. I look forward to

seeing everyone back in Term 3.

However, we still have a number of exciting events coming

up before holidays begin. Next week, we look forward to the

following activities in Week 11:

Tuesday / Wednesday – Senior athletics carnival

Thursday – VIP Principal’s award party and report

cards distributed

Friday – Junior athletics carnival

My sincere thanks to Mr Dunlop and all other staff who are

working hard to plan for the sports days to run smoothly. A

big thanks also to all teachers for their hard work and

commitment to writing report cards for Semester 1.

In addition, it was fantastic to see so many students invited

to the attendance party this week – congratulations to the

nearly 200 students with the very best (over 98%) or most

improved attendance in the school. Our attendance and VIP

initiatives will re-set for Semester 2!

We also look forward to sharing big news in Semester 2

regarding our school’s direction for ‘Positive Behaviour for

Learning' (PBL). Stay tuned for news about a new mascot

and our PEACE values!

Yours in quality education,

Daniel Dempsey Principal

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

Unfortunately, a number of issues have arisen in the past few

weeks which require clarification with our school community

in order for our school to operate as an effective and

peaceful learning environment.

1. Parents Approaching Children Not Their Own.

We remind parents of the need for appropriate conduct

related to other children at school. We require that if parents have an issue with a behaviour or concern

regarding other students, they should see their teachers

or admin staff about the concern and not approach any

child. It is against school policy and against the law for

parents to approach and speak to children who are not

their own within the school grounds.

2. Code of Conduct for Parents at Sporting Events

Please ensure that all conduct at school events, particularly

sporting gala days and carnivals, is appropriate and

respectful and models high standard of behaviour for

students. This includes contact and communication with

referees and officials.

Thank-you for your support in maintaining a safe and

respectful environment for all staff, students and community

members.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Date Event

Fri 22nd Jun Gala Day 3

Tues 26th Jun Senior Sports Day

Wed 27th Jun Senior Sports Day

Fri 29th Jun Junior Sports Day

Fri 29th Jun LAST DAY TERM 2

Mon 16th Jul FIRST DAY TERM 3

Tue 17th Jul StartSmart Financial Workshops Year 1

Thu 19th Jul StartSmart Financial Workshops Year 3

Friday, 22nd June 2018

Girls can do anything

The Australian Government’s National

Innovation and Science Agenda identifies the

need to increase the participation rates of girls in

STEM subjects.

Goodna State School Principal Dan Dempsey

says the school’s approach to this problem is to

ensure all students have access to the school’s

many STEM focused clubs and mandated

curriculum initiatives.

“Girls like Vaine and Taylah from1F have

specialist science lessons each week.”

“Kids also have access to coding, engineering,

science, inquiry mathematics, ICAS Science and

Mathematics and Maker Space clubs.”

“We really want children to leave here wanting

to pursue STEM subjects in high school,” said

Mr Dempsey.

Story and photograph by Gerard Salmon

Friday, 22nd June 2018

Crowded

house Two’s a crowd when Australia’s

largest centipede, Ethmostigmus

rubripes, gate crashes the home of

the World’s largest moth, Endoxyla

cinera, the Giant Wood Moth.

STEM coordinator Dan Dempsey

says these images were taken

recently in the bush west of Ipswich

in an area under investigation by the

school’s STEM Ambassadors.

“The Giant Wood Moth

“The two animals have coevolved

over millions of years and are well

able to exploit the resources in the

open eucalypt forest they inhabit.”

“The Giant Wood Moth in particular

has a complex life cycle and has

been a much sought after bush tucker

for thousands of years,” said Mr

Dempsey.

“Ecology and sustainability are

themes that run through most of our

school’s science units. The Year 2s

study lifecycles and the Year 5s

investigate adaptations animals make

to their environments,” Mr Dempsey

added.

Story and photographs: Gerard Salmon

Not home alone: An Australian Giant Centipede emerges from

a hole a Giant Wood Moth larva has chiselled into the stem of a

Grey Gum, Eucalyptus longirostrata .

Super grub: The larval stage of the Giant Wood Moth lives in

the stems of Eucalypts.

in particular has a

complex lifecycle”

Reporting news from Mrs McKay

Background information for parents:Please note that report cards outlining student achievement for Semester 1 will be sent

out during Week 11, the final week of term.

Reporting for all students is based on evidence and reflects judgments based on your child’s

learning. The evidence of each student’s achievement is collected using a range of formative

and summative assessments. Teachers make on-balance judgements about the quality of

student work and then compare that with the elements of the achievement standard,

according to the Australian Curriculum. Below is a summary of the reporting scales and what they mean.

A major change in the Goodna State School reports this year is the additional comment around reading. Please

note that there are expectations (decoding and comprehension skills) around reading for each year level.

Students at this school receive support for reading in a variety of ways, such as:

- Extra reading support in small concentrated groups

- Support within the classroom setting from the teacher.

In order for this support to happen, as a school, we ensure that teaching staff and teacher aides receive ongoing

feedback and training around reading.

Just a reminder – there will be reading sessions throughout term 3 for parents. Stay tuned – information is

coming early after the holidays.

Prep reporting scales

Use the following five-point scale to report student achievement in the Australian Curriculum:

Applying (AP)

The student applies a thorough understanding of the required concepts, facts and procedures. The student

demonstrates a high level of skill that can be transferred to new situations.

Making Connections (MC)

The student makes connections using the curriculum content and demonstrates a clear understanding of the

required concepts, facts and procedures. The student applies a high level of skill in situations familiar to them

and is beginning to transfer skills to new situations.

Working With (WW)

The student can work with the curriculum content and demonstrates understanding of the required concepts,

facts and procedures. The student can apply skills in situations familiar to them.

Exploring (EX)

The student is exploring the curriculum content and demonstrates understanding of aspects of the required

concepts, facts and procedures. The student applies a varying level of skill in situations familiar to them.

Becoming Aware (BA)

The student is becoming aware of the curriculum content and demonstrates a basic understanding of aspects of

required concepts, facts and procedures. The student is beginning to apply skills in situations familiar to them.

N: Insufficient evidence to make a judgment

Friday, 22nd June 2018

A yarn with Mr Horridge…

VERY IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE

Congratulations to our students who have reached each of their milestones throughout the semester. From your VIP card all the way to your Principal’s award, it is great seeing and hearing our students excited about achieving each phase. It is certainly a pleasure to present the certificates every week to each student when they have reached each milestone. Semester Two will see all students ‘restart’ their journey of earning VIPs.

The aim is for students to ‘go beyond’ what they achieved in the first semester.

PBL – Positive Behaviour for Learning

I am RESPECTFUL I am SAFE I am a LEARNER This year has seen the roll out of PBL at Goodna State School. It has provided some sharper focus in our behaviour management processes, which has seen the alignment of past practices at GSS with current evidence based research. Our initial approach has been: Keep it Simple - PBL is everyone’s focus A clear, narrow focus makes life easier for everyone involved. PBL is a journey, it is never finished

Our journey involves the PBL team, whole staff, students, parents and community Keep expectations simple but clear and precise Take your time to get it right Frequent dialogue about positive behaviour

Throughout Semester 2, we will continue to refine our process, build our knowledge and grow and develop plans

to drive Goodna State School forward to help our students be successful, in and out of the classroom.

Friday, 22nd June 2018

Years 1 – 2 reporting scales

Very High

The student applies a thorough understanding of the required concepts, facts and procedures. The student

demonstrates a high level of skill that can be transferred to new situations.

High

The student makes connections using the curriculum content and demonstrates a clear understanding of the

required concepts, facts and procedures. The student applies a high level of skill in situations familiar to them

and is beginning to transfer skills to new situations.

Sound

The student can work with the curriculum content and demonstrates understanding of the required concepts,

facts and procedures. The student can apply skills in situations familiar to them.

Developing

The student is exploring the curriculum content and demonstrates understanding of aspects of the required

concepts, facts and procedures. The student applies a varying level of skill in situations familiar to them.

Support required

The student is becoming aware of the curriculum content and demonstrates a basic understanding of aspects of

required concepts, facts and procedures. The student is beginning to apply skills in situations familiar to them.

N: Insufficient evidence to make a judgment.

Phone: 3437 9333 Absentee Text No: 0429 601 574

Absentee Line: 3437 9350 Prep: 3288 1813

Westside Buses: 3288 1333 Dental Clinic: 1300 763 246

Outside School Hours Care: 0434 422 456 Email: principal@goodnass.eq.edu.au

Website: www.goodnass.eq.edu.au

Friday, 22nd June 2018

Mindfulness Emotions certainly play an important role in the

decision making process.

Do you pay attention to your feelings and

recognise how those emotions may distort your

thinking and influence your behaviour.

Our moods affect the way we act and respond to

situations on a daily basis. It is important that we

start every day with the right mindset. I challenge you

to sit and think positively about your day.

Here are five ways we can start our day off on a

positive note:

1. When you wake up in the morning, take a few

minutes to check-in (go within). Take a few deep

breaths and find something that you are grateful for

(your children, partner, your health, the warm bed

you are in, nature outside your window). Take this

time to be thankful for all that you have in your life

instead of wasting your energy on thinking about

what you do not have.

2. Instead of bouncing straight out of bed, spend 5 to

10 minutes (or however long it takes) meditating.

Simply observe your breath. Breathe in for a count of 4 to 5.

3. Take a few moments while in the shower and/or while eating breakfast just to be present.

4. Eat something for breakfast

5. Get clear about your intentions for the day.

ICAS Writing Competition 2018 On Thursday 14th June twenty-four

students from Years 3 to 6 sat for the ICAS

Writing Competition. The genre this year

was a narrative and the students had only

30 minutes to complete this task, writing a

story around a setting and an object. The

students responded admirably, writing

some creative, interesting and nicely

structured stories using excellent

punctuation and spelling. Congratulations

to all students who participated!

EVERY DAY COUNTS @ GOODNA STATE SCHOOL

Goodna State School students are working very hard on improving attendance, however we need parent/carer support. Students need to be at school every day

unless there is a valid reason. However, if your child is absent and it is not explained on the day of or when they return, a report will come home on Friday at the end of that week requesting a reason for the absence/s. Please return the slip to administration on the Monday. Please report absences by text to 0429 601 574 by 9:30 on the day to make the above paperwork unnecesssary. Thanks for your support.

Jenny Rawle Engagement Officer

Friday, 22nd June 2018

SCHOOL FETE FRIDAY 10

TH AUGUST 2018

3PM-8PM PRE SALE OF ARMBANDS WILL BE

$25.00 EACH ON THE NIGHT THE ARMBANDS WILL BE $30.00 EACH

(ARMBANDS ENTITLE YOU TO UNLIMITED RIDES) Super Sizzler, Giant Slide, Mega Castle, Tea Cups, Merry

Go Round, Inflatable Maze, Laser Skirmish.

NO REFUNDS ON PRE SALE ARMBANDS. PLEASE HAND CORRECT MONEY WITH THE CHILD'S

NAME AND CLASS TO THE OFFICE OR TUCKSHOP FOR PRE SALE ARMBANDS. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PAY FOR

OTHER SIBLINGS AT THE SAME TIME. BE QUICK AND DON’T MISS OUT.

Friday, 22nd June 2018

Shooting hoops with Miss Gerhardt Leroy Loggins played basketball in the National Basketball League and for our very own Brisbane

Bullets. He has continued living in Australia. We were lucky enough to have him visit GSS late last

year.

At GSS we have our very own basketball superstar, Miss Gerhardt. She works hard on the court

each week to teach our students the skills and sportsmanship they need to play a fair and honest

game of basketball.

Who runs the Basketball Academy at GSS? I do, sometimes Miss Honnery helps out, but she is pretty busy with netball and the school Wellbeing Committee.

Do you have somewhere to train? We typically train on the outdoor court. Getting the key to the hall can be time consuming and problematic at times. Last year Mr

Gerchow gave us $200 to update our basketballs as the old basketballs were leather and expensive to replace. I have had some donations of cones and basketballs also. Students should have access to the yellow basketballs.

When will we find you running the Basketball Academy? On Wednesdays at second break.

Who do you hope will join in the basketball training? Anybody in years 3-6. I have had as many as 63 show up at one time.

What are your main focuses this term? Learning the fundamentals. The base skill set -

Dribbling, shooting, passing.

Why did you take on basketball as a lunchtime activity for the students? I have coached since high school. It was one of the first things I realised I was good at. Which also led me to teaching.

Where does your interest in basketball stem from? Good question, because no one else in my family plays basketball. I certainly feel most like myself on a basketball court. I love the competitive nature of the game and that it doesn’t matter how “small or big” you are, you can still be successful. I also love the ‘family’ atmosphere that the basketball community seems to have. It’s a GAME of LIFE lessons.

What – Basketball Academy Who – Year 3-6 Where – Basketball Courts When – Wednesday Second Break

Goodna State School

HOUSE SHIRTS ARE ON SALE AT THE SCHOOL

OFFICE FOR $10 each

Friday, 22nd June 2018

Goodna State School Fill-a-Bag Sale On Wednesday, June 13th 2018, the Goodna State School Student Council held a mega Fill-a-Bag sale. This was the leaders’ first initiative for the school year and was aimed at reducing landfill waste, giving the community cheap clothing and raising some much needed funds to support the student coun-cil's next project.

This clothing initiative required the student council to meet multiple times a week to create advertisements asking the community to donate unwanted clothing. From there, the students had to sort and organise the donations they had received into reusable and recyclable. The reusable clothes were then put up for the sale whereas the recyclable clothes were stored aside and were donated by the students to the Indooroopilly H&M repurposing initiative on June 20th, 2018.

The Fill-a-Bag for $1 sale took place on the grounds of Goodna State School, underneath the Jacaranda tree be-tween 2pm and 3pm. Student Council representatives, along with selected fellow students, operated the sale. They worked together to cater to all of the needs of the buyers. From setting and packing up, to collecting the money and directing buyers to their potential desired clothing, the students of Goodna State School did it all. Their hard work paid off as the Fill-a-Bag sale was an enormous success! Over 150 bags of clothing were rehomed at a low price and all of the local community members who attended the event left with a smile on their face. All money raised has been added to the Student Council fund and will gratefully benefit the students’ next project: the Lunch Time Sports Hire Shed.

All of the support and encouragement they have received from their local community astounded the Student Council members. They are excited to take on their next initiative in the very near future!

Sports News

Annual Sports Days Senior—10yrs born 2008 to 12yrs. Monday

June 25th and Tuesday 26th

Junior—Prep to Yr.4 9yrs born 2009, Friday

June 29

Gala Day This Friday is this term's finals day with many of our teams competing. Good luck everyone and do Goodna SS proud. Please note: Our rugby league U-10s team will be playing at Redbank Plains Reserve.

Central Comets District Congratulations to Shilo, Sala and Mani for their selection in the girls' rugby league team.

Friday, 22nd June 2018

Tips from the 'Speechies' Thank you

The speech language pathologists would like to say a special thank you to all the parents and carers of children in the Headstart and Prep program at Goodna State School who came along to the parent information session last week. Your interest in the work of the early years staff and the support we provide to your children is much appreciated.

With your help and support, your children will become great communicators. If there are any parents / carers who were unable to attend on the day who would like to speak to one of the speech language pathologists you can contact us through your child’s teacher.

Enjoy your holidays and we look forward to working with you and your children in semester 2.

Look out for us in the newsletters in term 3.

Remember – it takes two to talk and by spending time with your child and giving them lots of encouragement and praise, you will help build their language skills, self-esteem and give them the confidence to try new things.

For further advice please contact the school.

Heidi Yau & Gill Lovie

Speech-Language Pathologists

Friday, 22nd June 2018