1032 Lowood-Minden Road,MINDEN,QLD,4311,Australia

Phone: 5425 7222

Website: https://mindenss.eq.edu.au

Email: admin@mindenss.eq.edu.au

Dates To Remember

  * Term 1 23/01/17 - 31/03/17

  * Junior Assembly  10/03/17  * Senior Assembly   17/03/17  * Whole School Assembly

  31/03/2017

  * Cross Country   14/03/17  * Parent Teacher Interviews

  15/03/17

  * Prep Presentation - 2pm

  23/03/17

  * Chappy Ice Block Day

  23/03/17

  * Easter Fun Day   30/03/2017From The Principal

Welcome

We have had a new family join our community this week. We trust that your time with us will be both enjoyable and rewarding.

Classroom movements

The year ones and year twos have settled well into their classrooms. Thank you to those parents who provided support and encouragement through the moving process. This was no small feat and your consideration was much appreciated.

Sporting Achievement

Congratulations to Harry in year 6 who has been selected to play for the Ipswich & District Hornets 11 & 12 Years Rugby League Squad. This squad will be going on tour and competing at an inter-state level in the coming months. We wish you all the best Harry!

Principals Conference

Last Thursday and Friday I attended the State Principals Conference along with approximately 1250 of my colleagues from across Queensland. This event is held every two years and provides Principals with an opportunity to interact with members of Central Office as well as participate in sessions run by Australian and overseas educators. There continues to be a strong focus on developing children’s literacy and numeracy development along with providing teachers with the skills to ensure Queensland students are performing to their potential.

Outside School Hours Care

Hall-Thorpe Sports is operating primarily from the Resource Centre now and will continue to have access to all previously licensed areas of the school. Please contact either the OSHC staff or the Toowoomba office should you have any queries regarding their services as the school does not have authority to act on their behalf or inform parents of any changes.

Cross Country

This event will take place on Tuesday 14 March and the course will be similar to that run in previous years. The first races will commence at approximately 9:00am with all age levels completing the course by about first lunch break. Students are permitted to wear their house colours.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

This event will take place in the Resource Centre

on Wednesday 15 March from 3:15pm to 7:00pm. Bookings are essential and can be made by logging onto www.schoolInterviews.com.au and enter the code d7xg6. Please make alternative arrangements with your child’s teacher should this day not be suitable for you. Parents / carers need also be aware that there is no school supervision of children during interview times.

New Newsletter segment

Minden school has grown significantly over the last few years and in 2017 we have a number of new staff members that you may not know much about. Consequently, we are going to profile various staff members each newsletter to let you know a little more about us.

Minden’s PrincipalHi, I’m Anne Wilkes. I live locally and am married with two teenage daughters who are currently both in high school. I attended teacher’s training college in Toowoomba straight out of high school and have the following formal qualifications: Bachelor of Arts, Graduate Diploma of Teaching and a Master of Education. This is my 28th year in education and I have held many roles during that time.  I have been a classroom teacher of all year levels from Prep to year 7 in single year level classes as well as composites and multi-age settings. Other roles include Itinerant Key Teacher for the Year 2 Net, Education Advisor, Curriculum Coordinator, Head of Curriculum, Deputy Principal and Principal. Every day I am delighted by something I see or hear happening in our wonderful school and over the last 4 years, I have witnessed many children grow and develop, from uncertain days at the commencement of Prep to seniors attaining leadership roles. I firmly believe that education is a partnership between school and home and I value the support efforts of parents and carers who continually contribute what they can when they can, regardless of how big or small this

contribution may be. Along with a team of committed and dedicated staff, let’s work together to ensure Minden continues to be a great school.

Parents And Citizens Association News

Book Fair

Thank you for supporting the Scholastic book fair – We have raised a value of $700 of resources to benefit our school.  Congratulations to our 6 lucky winners who received $10 vouchers to spend at the fair. It was wonderful to see parents and students coming to browse and purchase.  Book fair will be returning in Term 3, so remember to get in early to grab a bargain.

 

New School Banking rewards now available!Welcome to our new school bankers!

School Banking day is every Monday.

Exciting new Term 1 rewards with a Future Savers theme are now available, while stocks last! So don’t forget to put your banking in each week.

For every deposit made at school students will receive a silver Dollarmites token. Once students have individually collected 10 tokens they can redeem them for exclusive School Banking reward items in recognition of their regular savings habits. There are two new items released each term so be sure to keep an eye out for them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Thank you for supporting the School Banking program.

 

Easter RaffleFirst Prize: Lots of Easter Chocolate

Second Prize: Some Easter Chocolate

Third Prize: A bit of Easter Chocolate

Tickets $1 each

Please return entries / money / unsold tickets by March

30th

Drawn at whole school assembly on Friday March 31st

Tuckshop

Meal Deals are on offer every Wednesday. Remember to get your orders in early! Orders and money should be placed in a sealed zip lock bag or envelope and placed in the tuckshop box

outside the tuckshop.  Pre-Orders can be placed for upcoming meal deals throughout the term. Drinks can be purchased on a Wednesday, but no treats.

Snack days are continuing on Fridays. Kids can bring in a whole apple to be “slinkied” for free in first break. We have a range of drinks, ice blocks and snacks available in first break.

The tuckshop is run by volunteers, and the kids love to see family helping out. Please consider if you are able to lend a hand, even if it is only once or twice a term.  Contact Kylie Neal on 0406108 033 if you would like join our team.

 

Like our facebook page to receive our updates and the fortnightly newsletter.

Outside School Hours Care (OSHC)

Operating Hours

Monday - Friday before school opening at 6:15am and after school closing at 6:00pm.

For bookings or details please see the OSHC esucatiors, call main office (07) 4638 7965 or email admin@hallthorpesports.com.au

School Chaplain

School ChaplainThe role of a School Chaplain can vary from school to school, and is made up of  different areas.  These include; Social and/or Emotional Support, Community Development, Spiritual Support, Mentoring, Educational Support, Extra-curricular Activities, General work and administration and other activities such as professional development and training with Scripture Union (the employing body)

The third area as explained in the chaplaincy

work plan;

Spiritual supportChaplains provide an additional dimension to a school’s care by supporting the spiritual needs of students, regardless of their faith or beliefs. For students who seek it, chaplains can help them explore their worldview in relation to

spirituality, values and ethics in a safe and respectful environment.

I am often asked if I teach R.I. (Religious Instruction) lessons.

The answer is no, it is against Education Queensland policy for a school chaplain or student welfare worker to conduct these lessons.  It is the role of an external body, usually a local church who will organise and facilitate these lessons.  In our case the Minden Baptist Church provide the friendly and caring R.I. Teachers to present the lessons each Friday afternoon.

I believe it is important to have a faith and belief system, however it is very personal and it often looks different to each individual.  I respect everyones space and opportunity to explore and discover what is right for them.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding this please feel free to make contact with me on the details below.  I am able to meet before, after or during school times.

The Blooming Treasures Gardening Club

Again I have some THANK YOU'S to give out this fortnight!

You may have noticed that we now have turf laid around our raised garden beds.  This mammoth effort was undertaken by several people.

This turf was sourced through a company at Wivenhoe Pocket.  This company generously donated the turf for free.  THANK YOU ANTHONY!

THANK YOU to Karen and Joshua Wade, Candice Thompson and Paul, Emma and Laif

Russell, all to my wonderful children (whom were woken very early for a Saturday) and my husband.

The garden now has irrigation set up and functioning also.

This year I will be at Minden each Thursday and Friday, and my other schools for the rest of the week.  Please make contact with me if the need arises, via the contacts below or in person.

Faith can move mountains.

Chappy (aka Mrs Hewett)

Rebecca Hewett

School Chaplain

rebecca.hewett@chappy.org.au

Minden State School

Classroom News

Prep News

Prep News:*Dojo points: Ask your child at the end of the day if they have received a Dojo point. Dojo points mean they have been working hard all day.

*Homework: We have a spelling test each Friday. High Frequency Words are tested each week. Your help at home means that your child is growing in confidence and skill.

*Our Focus at the moment is being responsible during lunch breaks.

*Munch Crunch – this is a quick snack, cutting up snacks helps students in eating snacks in a limited time.

*Presentation – Keep free Thursday 23rd March (2pm) our Term 1 class presentation.

*Lunch – all children need a sandwich/wrap/salad – something that will  fill

them up. Snack foods are not enough to get them through the day.

*Easter Fun Day – Prep to year 3’s will be having a fun day participating in Easter activities on the 30th March 9-11am. If you would like to come and help out you are most welcome.

*Cross Country – Prep’s will be having fun in the cross country on Tuesday 14th March. If you would like to come along they will be running at approximately 10.15am. Please check out what sports team/colour your child is in. Wearing team colours helps with organization on the day.

If you have any questions then please come and see me.

Thank you Mrs Williams and The Prep Students

Science

During Science this week all grades are starting to work on their assessment. Year Fives and sixes are both working on research assignments about animals. Year six are looking at endangered animals and year five are making up their own, looking at the various adaptations required for the environment they have selected. Year fives are also going to make a Diorama to go with their report which they will present to the rest of their class. Year sixes are presenting their report in a powerpoint. Year four will commence their assessment next week. This will also be a report on an endangered animal. Year three will need to demonstrate their knowledge of living and non-living. Year two and one are looking at habitats and the needs of animals and plants. Prep learnt all about plants and their needs this week. Their assessment will be a diorama of an animal and what it needs.

Makers Space have had very busy weeks with regular attendance of around 20 students. Several are busy making teddies and one of the girls made herself a bag. Some of the students had fun with the Spirograph. In Coding students are working on the hour of code while others are busy with the edbots.

Students of the week for Science over the past fortnight are Wade, Bella, Ebony and Jazmine. I

would like to thank Ebony and Ella for their help in setting up for science and the clubs.

Jenni Einam

General School News

Assembly Gotcha Awards

Hailey, Evie, Shae, Laif, Charlotte and Stephanie

Congratulations!

Easter Fun Day

All students in the Prep to Year 3 classes will be involved in a morning of Easter activities on Thursday 30 March. The activities will run from 9am to 11am concluding with an Easter egg hunt. If you would like to assist in Prep/Year 1/Year 2/Year 3 on the day please see your child’s teacher. Please inform your teacher if you do not want your child to participate in our Easter activities, we can organise alternative activities on the day.

Thank you, Prep, Yr 1, Yr 2 and Yr 3 Teachers.

Cirriculum Awards

Year 1C

Special Awards:

Sofie - Student of the Week - For outstanding behaviour choices!

Hunter - For using your strategies when reading!

Alyssa - For using your strategies when reading!  Keep it up!

Layla - For exceptional work in the classroom - Keep up the awesome effort!

Year 1H

Special Awards:

Hamish - For working really hard on improving his writen work.  Well Done Hamish!

Abbey - For beautiful book work and always being ready to learn.

Joshua - For being extremely helpful and a responsible member of our classroom.  Well Done Joshua!

Amelia - For fantastic results in her spelling and always being ready to learn.

Year 1 Reading Links

For Successfully Completing Reading Links

List 1, Module 1

Lilyana, Evie, Aiden, Ryder and Joshua

List 2, Module 1

                           Scarlett

Year 2

Special Awards:

Sophia - Special Award

Chace - Special Award

Mia - Special Award

Penelope - Special Award

Year 3

Special Awards:

Michael - For making great choices in his behaviour, especially this week!

Alistair - For his excellent work ethic in all areas!

Jayden - For trying his best with his learning.

Year 4

Special Award:

Rylee - Rylee has written a fantastic narrative in English, Well done Rylee!

Abby - Abby has been working hard on her spelling within narrative writing. Well done Abby!

Science

Special Awards:

Bella - Excellent report on mould!

Darcy - For being an environmental warrier!

Birthdays

Cody, Annaliese, Benjamin, Lena, Chevy, Kiara,Lachlan, Emma and Mikayla

Happy Birthday from everyone at Minden State School!