15 April 2016

Newsletter Articles

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 2016

PAYMENTS DUE

PRINCIPAL'S NEWS

Welcome back to Aspley State School in Term 2. The school has a number of exciting events for students to challenge their learning and inspire their engagement. School events for term 2 include:

• Gala Days, school ANZAC Day ceremony, NAPLAN, Mother's Day stall, music concert, and the school track and field competition;
• District sports for students including: tennis, touch football, cross country, rugby union; and
• ICAS Tests including: digital technologies, science, writing, spelling.

Please keep informed with upcoming events on the school website at:

During the vacation I was invited by the Department of Education to be the acting Principal, as I am currently a principal, at level, for Aspley State School. Previously, I have been the substantive Principal of Wilston State School and Bounty Boulevard State School, North Lakes. I have 16 years of experience as a primary Principal. My passion is to ensure that each child is achieving their potential and act as engaged learners and responsible citizens. I personally have a strong passion for reading, science, mathematics, gifted education, electronics, performing arts and instrumental music. I take on the challenge to use powerful technologies to enhance student learning and enhance the opportunities for all students to demonstrate high standards in the Australian and Qld curriculum.

In term 2 the position of Principal of Aspley State School will be filled substantively through a Department of Education (DET) merit selection process. This process will be led by a selection panel including the Assistant Regional Director, DET and a representative from each of: the Aspley State School Council; Qld Teachers Union; and the Qld Association of State School Principals (QASSP). The substantive Principal will be appointed at the end of term 2.

In my first week at Aspley State School I have been impressed by the excellence in learning and teaching that I have observed throughout the school. I thank those students, staff and parents who have extended a warm welcome to me. I look forward to work collaboratively with students, parents, staff and the School Council to achieve the goals outlined in the established school improvement plan.

I would like to take the opportunity to publicly thank Mrs Lisa Morrison, who was the acting Principal in Term 1 2016 for her leadership of Aspley State School in term one. Her enthusiasm and efforts are greatly appreciated by all. Mrs Morrison has returned to her substantive position as Principal of Manly West State School. On behalf of the school community I thank her for her dedication to the students and school community during her time as acting Principal.

Solid Pathways Program

Several students from Aspley State School are eligible to participate in the DET Solid Pathways Program. Solid Pathways engages selected students in web based lessons with their peers to develop metacognitive skills and engage in philosophical collaborative inquiry. Students who achieve within the top two bands of NAPLAN (Reading or Numeracy) and identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders are eligible for this program. This program is proudly an initiate of the Queensland Government.

Brisbane North District Cross Country

On Monday 18th April 2016 36 students will compete in the regional cross country finals. I wish every student a successful day and look forward to a demonstration of good sportsmanship and personal best effort from the Aspley State School Students.

ANZAC Ceremony

All parents and community members are invited to attend the Aspley State School ANZAC Ceremony to be held on Thursday 21 April commencing at 8:45. See later in this newsletter for more information.

Student levy

Parents are reminded that the student levy in now overdue. Payment, or a payment plan, should be negotiated as soon as possible to avoid your child being denied the services such as Mathletics, Spelling City and other optional resources for student learning.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN is the National Assessment Program- Literacy and Numeracy. In May each year, across Australia, students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 take part in an assessment of reading, writing, language conventions and numeracy. NAPLAN tests provide a point-in-time information in relation to student performance and complement the existing range of school based assessments. Teachers analyse student results and use this information to inform the teaching and learning programs for your child.

In 2016 NAPLAN tests for year 3 and 5 at Aspley State School will be held on:

• Tuesday 10 May 2016 - Language Conventions (40 min) and Writing (40 min)
• Wednesday 11 May 2016 - Reading (year 3-45 min / year 5-50 min)
• Thursday 12 May 2016 - Numeracy (year 3-45 min / year 5-50 min)

It is important that all year 3 and 5 students are in attendance on these days. You can support your child to be at their optimum by ensuring they have a good night sleep prior to the test and a healthy breakfast on the day. Students participate in a practice test at school and they are aware of the type of assessment that they will be required to complete.

Specific adjustments for students with disabilities may include rest breaks, a scribe, extra time, assistive technology, black and white print or large print formats, braille or electronic formats. Teachers will contact parents if your child is eligible for any specific adjustments for NAPLAN.

More NAPLAN information for parents is at:

Welcome Mrs Michelle Johnson

We would like to extend a warm welcome to Michelle Johnson who will be replacing Di Groenhuijzen in the role of Business Service Manager. Mrs Johnson is an experienced BSM who will be with us for the first five weeks of Term 2 while Mrs Gruenhuijzen is on leave.

Reminder to be safe when travelling on or near buses

With another school term underway, we'd like to remind all students and parents to please be safe when travelling on or near buses.

A significant number of school students in Queensland travel on buses to attend school. All students have the right to a safe and enjoyable journey, and their safety is our number one priority.

Ensuring students safe travel on or near buses is a shared responsibility which brings together the efforts of students, their parents/carers, schools, bus drivers and bus operators. When travelling on or near a bus, there are some safety tips you should follow to ensure a safe journey:

A Code of Conduct for School Students Travelling on Buses is also available to provide students and parents/carers with information about how to travel safely on buses. To view the code and more information, visit:

Kind regards

Leann Griffith-Baker
Principal

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL'S NEWS

Assembly Monday 18 April

Please note that we will not be having assembly on Monday 18 April. The Anzac assembly will be held on Thursday 21 April @ 8:45am

Aspley Reading Club

It is wonderful to see the mentors and the younger students involved in their reading activity before school at the Reading Club (see attached photos). As per the letter that went home late last term, ARC is on every Tuesday and Wednesday except weeks 5 (May 10 and 11) and 11 (June 25 and 26) this term. Please ensure that your child is using the online program at home as the more they read the better for them.

Deputy Principal

Mrs Nelma Wright is acting Deputy Principal for the next 3 weeks as Mr Smith is on leave.

Easter Concert

If you attended the Easter Concert last term I know you would agree that it was another wonderful concert by the P-2 students, teachers and our awesome Mrs Macca…..and our Year 2 comperes. Didn't they do a marvellous job? The Hall was bursting at its seams with 'proud as punch' parents and friends.

Congratulations to the students (and their families) who won Ray White's Easter colouring competition. The basket of goodies looked irresistible. The excited look on the student's faces when they went out of the hall and saw the Easter Bunny footprints leading to their classrooms was priceless!!

P-2 Fun Run

Late last term we had our very first fun run with the P-2 students on the same day as the Cross Country. There were mixed feelings as to how the little Preppies especially will go at this activity.

We were pleasantly surprised with the outcome. The Preps and Year 1's enjoyed the 'fun' part of the run but the Year 2's just wanted to run, run and run. This activity will be a keeper for next year!

Gala Sports Days

As you are aware, the Gala Sports Days will be held on the Fridays of Week 2, 4 and 7. All children should have returned their permission forms and their money by now.

On Gala Days, Year 4, 5 and 6 children should be at school no later than 8:30am, ready to get on their bus to sport.

Please ensure the children are wearing the correct attire and shoes for their respective sport. They must also have sunscreen, a hat, water bottles and food for the day.

It is hoped that children will be back at school by 3pm but can vary depending on Friday traffic. Please be mindful of this when collecting your child.

Christine Antoni, Nelma Wright

HEAD OF CURRICULUM – MICROSOFT OFFICE 2016 FREE

Get Microsoft Office 2016 free of charge

Did you know your child can get Microsoft Office 2016 free of charge, just for being a student at Aspley State School? All you need is your child's school email address to sign in.

(A student's email address consists of their school user name followed by eq.edu.au
Students in year's 4 to 6 know their user name. Parents of students from Prep to year 3 will need to contact the school office to obtain their child's email address.)

To help prepare your child for success this academic year, the Department of Education and Training has teamed up with Microsoft to provide free Office 2016 to every Queensland state school student. With Office 2016, your child will have access to the latest version of Word for writing, Excel for spreadsheets, PowerPoint for presentations, OneNote for organisation and notetaking, and much more.

You can install a complete version of the latest Microsoft Office on up to five compatible PCs and Macs, five tablets and five smartphones. Your Office subscription lasts for as long as your child is a state school student.

Ask your child to follow these simple steps to get Office:

• For PC and Mac, visit the link below, login using your school email address, click through to install and follow the onscreen process.
• For tablets and smartphones, download from your app store and sign in with your school email address.

Visit the link below for instructions on how to download and install Office 2016 to your personal home computers. If you have any trouble, contact Greg Thomas (Head of Curriculum).

MUSIC DEPARTMENT NEWS

Aspley Choral Program

Junior Choir Performing at Albany Creek Uniting Church

The Aspley State School Junior Choir has been invited to perform at the Albany Creek Uniting Church Annual May Fair. Students will this week receive a parent information letter outlining the finer details of this exciting performance. This is a wonderful opportunity for our talented Junior Choir members to perform to the wider community in a caring, friendly and fun environment. Please take note of the following details for our very first performance for 2016:

Metropolitian Choral Honours Music Camp – Congratulations Katrina, Alexandra and Luciella

Three talented Senior Choralists Katrina Wang, Alexandra Hassall and Luciella Spink had the honour of attending the Education Queensland Metropolitan Choral Honours Music Program in March, Term 1 2016. Congratulations girls on an amazing achievement, we are all so very proud of your efforts. These students had the opportunity to work with renowned conductors Tim Sherlock and Barbara McGeeven and presented an evening performance at the Old Museum Building Concert Hall.

Below are recounts from these three talented students and their experience had at this magnificent camp:

Luciella Spink:

On the first day Katrina Wang, Alex Hassall and I all went to the Biralee voices headquarters at Bardon. We registered and sat down in a choir shaped seating pattern. Then we were introduced to our conductors Mrs McGeeven and Mr Sherlock we then learnt our first song called "Umoja, The Spirit of Togetherness". We then split up into our 2 choirs and learnt our songs. We were all in the same choir Mrs McGeeven's choir and we sang "Sakura" and "Can You Hear The Bells".

On the second day we worked on our other massed choir piece, "I Got Shoes" with Mr Sherlock. We then kept working on our separate choral pieces. The teachers and accompanists were awesome helping us out which was cool. At the end of the second day, we had a pep talk about the next day.

On Wednesday everybody went to the old Museum and we staged our show doing 3 run throughs in a row but we had fun watching Mr Sherlock's choir perform then all of our hard work paid off when we got delicious subway and then all of the parents and some of the teachers arrived for a concert to showcase our three days. Overall Alex, Katrina and I had a great time singing at choral honours camp.

Katrina Wang

The Choral Honours Program was an amazing experience. I was a three day event. Once I walked into the doors of the main room, I saw many other children from Year 5 and 6, sitting in the black chairs, all lined up for us. Our conductor was Mrs Mageeven, a very energetic person. The last day was the concert night. We rehearsed for hours, with rests in between. I was a bit nervous when the concert started, but after a while, I gor used to it. We performed the opening together and the finale. Our choir sang two extra songs while the other choir sang three. At the end of the concert, I felt tired, but also felt awesome. Those few days were one of the best ones ever. It was a real honour to be there.

MUSIC PERFORMANCE UNIFORM

All students participating in Junior Choir, Senior Choir, Boys Choir, Senior String Orchestra, Junior Concert Band and Senior Concert band have received a letter outlining the Aspley Performance Uniform for the 2016 school year.

The Aspley Performance Uniform is worn by all performing ensembles at Aspley State School (excluding Beginner String students). Performing students are required to wear the following Aspley Performance Uniform – Long Black Dress Pants, Long Sleeved White Dress Shirt, Black Socks and Black Shoes.

All orders placed through the Aspley Shop are expected to be available for collection from the Aspley Shop (Uniforms) Tuesday 26th & Wednesday 27th April 2016. A notice will be sent home advising the arrival of your order for your collection.

Continuing String/ Woodwind/Brass/Percussion and Choral students should have the necessary uniform requirements.

MUSICAL EXCURSION TO THE SOUND OF MUSIC 2016

On Wednesday 16th March 2016 our young instrumentalists and choralists had the amazing opportunity to see the stage performance of 'The Sound of Music'. What an absolute treat both for the eyes and the ears! Our children behaved beautifully and enjoyed themselves immensely. Recounts of this special excursion:

Sarah Lam:

On Wednesday the 16th March a large group of children and I went to the theatre and saw the musical production of the Sound of Music. I found it to be a wonderful experience because I enjoyed all of the singing and the songs. It was amazing how the people singing and acting knew all of their parts. I was surprised by how quickly they changed the settings and their costumes. I had never been to the theatre before and this was such a great experience for me and everyone else who was there.

Angus Dooley:

On Wednesday 16th of March, some Grade 3, 4, 5 and 6's from the music program went by bus to see The Sound of Music Musical at QPAC near South Bank. It was awesome, my favourite part was when the kids sang the song 'So Long Farewell'. I loved it! It is a show for the whole family. It was a very fun time and I cannot wait to see the next show!

Thank you to all in making this excursion such a success! As a music teacher, it was so beautiful to hear students comments such as 'I cannot believe I am seeing my favourite movie as a stage show' and 'I never knew children could sing so beautifully' and hearing the children sing as the performers sang each song and hearing the clapping and cheering at the end of the performance. A magical event for all. We are looking forward to the next show!

CURRENT AND UPCOMING MUSICAL EVENTS - TERM TWO 2016

Please take note of upcoming musical events for Term Two below:

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC NEWS

PRIMARY MUSIC TOUR – 13th – 15th September

There are limited places available for the primary music tour in September. Please return your permission note and deposit by the 15th April. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students, so don't miss out.

LESSONS AND REHEARSALS WEEK 1, TERM 2

All lessons and rehearsals will be normal in Week 1, Term 2. We start work straight away for a busy term ahead.

JUNIOR CONCERT BAND

Our Junior Band members have been issued with their green band folder. Please send this folder along every week. Students need to split their practice time between their book and band pieces. This folder has a name tag and includes 4 band pieces ready to start band on the 9th May 2016 at lunchtime. So very exciting for our young beginners!

JUNIOR BAND BLITZ

In Term 2, our woodwind/brass/percussion beginners will be invited to attend the Junior Band Blitz on Wednesday 8th June. This one-day camp is approximately $40 (TBC) and is hosted at Aspley State School. Notes will be issued in late April regarding this opportunity.

Christine Jabs
Instrumental Music Teacher

Happy Music Making
The Aspley Music Department

SPORTS DEPARTMENT NEWS

Congratulations to the following students who performed amazingly at the school cross country last term. The Age Champions are –

Overall winning house – Mitchell

ANZAC SERVICE

Aspley State School will hold its Anzac Service on Thursday, the 21st April commencing at 8:45am. Members of the Aspley Community are invited to attend. After the service, a light morning tea will be available.

As the classes assemble in the hall, children are encouraged to bring flowers and lay them on the stage where shown.

I have been informed by the Geebung RSL that the Anzac badges will be delivered to our school on Monday, the 18th April. Senior Leaders will come around to sell the badges for $1 each on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week. Badges will also be on sale on the Thursday morning at the hall before the service if any adults wish to buy them.

It would be greatly appreciated if any parents who are staying for the morning tea could contribute a plate of goodies.

Thanking you
Nelma Wright

STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS

The Student Council will be again selling ice blocks for $1 on Tuesdays at second break. Children are only allowed to buy one ice block each, so whenever possible send the correct money.

Thanking you
Nelma Wright

PARENT MATHS NIGHT

The last session of the Parent Maths Nights will be held on Monday, the 18th April in C7 from 7 – 8pm.

We will be looking at Problem Solving and Fractions.

Nelma Wright

SPARROWS SOCCER PROGRAM NEWS

Soccer students do Aspley proud

Wrapping-up from the Aspley Eagles Challenge Cup on last day of Term 1, while no trophies or medals were won by our teams (this time), we were rewarded with impeccable behaviour by the 45 students who participated in the inter-school soccer tournament hosted by Aspley State High School.

Well done Sparrows students! Volunteers and sideline supporter families couldn't have been prouder of the way our four teams conducted themselves throughout the day, on and off the field.

Thanks goes to a long list: coaches – Andrew Revie, Jason Mulcahy, Aaron Shea, guest 'alumni' assistant coach Dylan Harrison, and Mr Farrow; volunteer car-pool drivers – Michelle Leonard, Tracey Tinney, Julie Mellor, Andrew Revie, Annie Contarini, Carolyn Moore, Toni Donaldson, Aaron Shea, Lauren Pollard, and Danny Coonz; parents/grandparents (there were plenty) sideline-supporting the kids and transporting them directly to/from; shirts-washer, Jessica Rigby; and for helping to organise and inform families – Deb, Kathy and Julie in the office.

The "Eagles Cup" is an extension of Aspley State High School's Eagles Soccer Enrichment Program (development academy). For more information about the "Eagles" advanced physical education elective contact hpe@aspleyshs.eq.edu.au or 07 3863 9222.

Sparrows nominated for Excellence Award

Aspley State School Sparrows Soccer Program is presently under consideration for a Queensland Government "START PLAYING STAY PLAYING EXCELLENCE AWARD".

Administered by the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing (through Sport and Recreation Services), the Excellence Awards offers an INNOVATION category, which recognises individuals, groups or organisations that have implemented a new and innovative initiative to increase or enhance women and girls' participation in sport in Queensland.

Our high quality, bound submission responding to questions about the evolution of and planned future for the Sparrows initiative, is in the hands of the Awards team. We eagerly await the outcome of the first round nominations. A decision is expected during April or May.

Excellence Awards submission puts Aspley Sparrows in contention for "Innovation" category prize

For Sparrows information:

Kym Farrow, Class 6F teacher & Sparrows Coordinator, kafar0@eq.edu.au | 07 3863 9111

Carolynne Hassall, parent & Sparrows communication/administration support, carolynne.h@dhconsulting.com.au | 0404 883 462

HIGH SCHOOL OPEN DAYS

Craigslea State High School

Wavell state High School

Aspley State School

COMMUNITY NEWS

Mother's Day Stall

Lord Mayor's Young Photographers Award

Go Sport

GO SPORTS – GO NETBALL and GO SOCCER – Time to Play and Learn a New Game or just improve skills. Join us for all the fun Term 2