14 July 2016

Newsletter Articles

UPCOMING EVENTS

July 2016

PAYMENTS DUE

PRINCIPAL’S NEWS

NAIDOC Week – Songlines: the living narrative of our nation

This Thursday students from Aspley State School will learn about and celebrate our indigenous culture by participating in the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) day of celebration.

NAIDOC celebrations are held around Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The week is celebrated not just in the Indigenous communities but also in increasing numbers of government agencies, schools, local councils and workplaces.

After speaking with teachers from a range of classes, some of the activities to celebrate NAIDOC Week across a the school include:

• Display the National NAIDOC Poster or other Indigenous posters in classrooms
• Flying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Flags
• Traditional games
• Aboriginal dancers to perform
• Watch a movie about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history
• Study a famous Indigenous Australian
• Study Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and crafts
• Boomerang throwing
• Learn the meanings of local or national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander place names and words.
• Decorating a stone with meaningful designs to depict a songline

Special thanks to Mrs Antoni, Mrs Wright and Fred Iselin-Leone, parent, and his colleagues for their assistance and support of this special event.

School Opinion Survey 2016

Each year the Department of Education invites students, parents/ carers and staff to complete a school opinion survey to communicate their level of satisfaction of a number of aspects of school life. The annual School Opinion Survey will be conducted throughout the 18 to 29 July 2016. All families, school staff and a random sample of students will be invited to participate. We encourage you to take this opportunity to have your say about what this school does well, and how this school can improve.

Survey access details for the Parent/Caregiver Survey will be sent home with students on Monday 18th July 2016. Please go online to complete your survey before 29th July 2016. If you do not have access to a computer parents/ carers can access the computer lab in the administration building or school library.

All Write!

As a school goal to achieve a quality standard in writing for all students at Aspley State School. Students have begun to use a dedicated time called All Write! to focus on producing quality writing, in a range of genres. Parents are encouraged to talk to your child about their writing. Ask them questions about their current writing topic. You may help them with brainstorming interesting vocabulary to use, talking about the plot and an interesting complication. Perhaps ask them about the characters and help them use interesting language to describe the character or the setting. We look forward to publishing some great writing on our school website in the coming weeks.

Prep A students are excited to write and use their strong phonemic knowledge to write words and sentences to convey an interesting story to the reader!

Year 1 students have a special Author’s Chair where you can sit to read your amazing story to others!

District Athletics

On 25-26 July 2016, forty-five 10-12 year old students from Aspley State School will compete in the District Athletics to be held at McPherson Park, Bracken Ridge. Students will compete in their specific nominated events e.g. high jump, long jump, discus, shotput, sprints (100m, 200m, 800m) and relay races. We wish all of the competitors the very best on this day and know that they will proudly represent Aspley State School during this event. Special thanks to Mr Ben Maxwell and Mrs Sharon Iselin-Shea for their before school coaching of these students. Parents are invited to come and spectate at this event.

School Council Update

Members of the Aspley State School Council have been invited to attend a workshop called Building Dynamic School Councils. Being a member of the school council brings with it both opportunity and responsibility to contribute to a thriving school community, with a view to improving student outcomes.

The election of one parent and staff representative for the school council will be held

I would like to publicly thank Mrs Sharon Rodgers and Mrs Nelma Wright who are retiring members of the school council and have served a 2 year period. As members they have championed the spirit of Aspley and been diligent in their duties and have been active contributors to the inaugural Aspley State School Council.

Notice of Upcoming Aspley State School Council Elections

Elected Staff Member

Take notice that the election for a staff member of the Aspley State School Council will be held at the Aspley State School at 3:30pm on the 8th day of August 2016.

The final date for receipt of the nominations will be 4:30pm on Friday, the 22nd of July, 2016.

Elected Parent Member

Take notice that the election for a parent member of the Aspley State School Council will be held at the Aspley State School at 7:00pm on the 16th day of August 2016.

The final date for receipt of the nominations will be 4:30pm on Friday, the 29th of July, 2016.

Nominations must be made on the attached form.

Scrutineers

Each candidate may appoint by written notice to the returning officer, one scrutineer for the examination of the voting papers received by the returning officer, to be present when the returning officer opens the ballot box containing the voting papers on the day of the election.

A notice of an appointment of a scrutineer by a candidate must be received by the returning officer not less than 5 days prior to the day of the election.

Brendan Smith (Returning Officer)

Community Coffee

The next Community Coffee will be held on Monday 25 July after the school assembly at 9.30 am. On this day the teachers from the Student Support Services (SSS) Team will discuss how staff cater for the needs of diverse learners in an inclusive school environment. The Student Support Services Team of professionals including teachers who specialise in catering for children with a disability, who are supported with learning support, require Occupational Therapy or Speech Language Therapy. Please join us for coffee/ tea and learn more about the school support services team who enable learners to grow, develop skills and achieve.

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL’S NEWS

Year Five Leadership Training

Year 5 Leadership training commences this Friday. In a change from previous years this training will go for 5 sessions, has a full day workshop and a one day Kokoda Challenge Excursion. The permission letter for the excursion was sent home with students this week.

Brendan Smith, Deputy Principal

Junior Sports Day

As mentioned in the last newsletter, all the children in Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 had a great introduction to Sports’ Days at Aspley on the last Tuesday of Term 2.

I would particularly like to thank all the Senior Leaders who assisted with the Tabloid sports during the middle session. They did a marvellous job in organising all the equipment for the different activities and then guiding the children through the activity. I think the Year 6’s had as much fun as the younger people.

Nelma Wright, Acting Deputy Principal

BSM NOTICE

ATTENTION YEAR 3 PARENTS – UNNAMED DEPOSIT TO SCHOOL BANK ACCOUNT

An unnamed deposit of $17.00 for the Ngutana- Lui excursion has been made to the school bank account on 13-07-16, from a Bendigo Bank account. If you think this might be your deposit, please contact the school office, as we are unable to allocate your payment until we know who you are paying for.

Dianne Groenhuijzen BSM

MUSIC DEPARTMENT NEWS

ASPLEY MUSIC PROGRAM

Welcome back to our young budding musicians and choralists for a very exciting Term 3 for our Music Department. We have a musical feast of events happening this term including Singfest for our choralists, Northside Honours Music Camp and Fraser Music Tour for our instrumentalists - just to name a few.

Please ensure you read the music newsletter fortnightly to keep up to date with the many on goings for our talented students.

CHORAL REHEARSALS TERM 3

A reminder to all choralists that rehearsals will commence in Week 1 of Term 3, 2016.

The table below outlines the weekly rehearsal days and times for our choral ensembles for Semester Two:

CURRENT AND UPCOMING MUSICAL EVENTS - TERM THREE 2016

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

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC NEWS

Our Instrumental Music Teachers are preparing for a very busy term. Hopefully with a team effort from all, it will be as stress free as possible. Good attendance, home practice and self-managed students will make for a much easier time this end.

JUNIOR CONCERT BAND is on assembly next Monday morning (18th July). I am asking that they arrive at school at 7.50am for an 8am rehearsal. Everyone is welcome to attend. If you missed our Music Evening performance, we will be polishing up that program for their assembly debut.

A reminder that the SENIOR CONCERT BAND has only 6 rehearsals until we are on tour!!!! It is vital all students are in attendance with their instrument and music. A reminder to all students attending the FRASER COAST MUSIC TOUR that payment is due no later than 19th August. Please return the medical and homebake form with payment, so we can start collating paperwork .

COMPULSORY MUSIC TOUR REHEARSALS

We have several woodwind/brass/percussion and string students auditioning for HONOURS MUSIC CAMP. (7th – 9th Sept). These auditions will be recorded the afternoon of Thursday 21st July. Signed permission forms must be returned by 15th July.

Christine Jabs
Instrumental Music Teacher

Timetables

All Instrumental music students have this week received new timetables outlining instrumental music lesson times for this semester. These new timetables are also displayed in the music noticeboard outside the music classroom. Please see respective teachers if you require a copy of the new semester two timetables.

All Instrumental Music group lessons have commenced this week, as well as ensemble rehearsals.

Northside Honours Music Camp

Experienced Instrumental Music Woodwind/Brass/Percussion and String Students have now received all parent information letters regarding the Northside Honours Music Camp to be held at Craigslea SHS from Wednesday 7th September – Friday 9th September, 2016.

The Camp selects 140 of the best Woodwind, Brass, Percussion and String players from 41 primary schools and they work with guest conductors and tutors for three days, culminating in a finale concert on Friday afternoon.

Auditions will be recorded in Week 2 of Term 3 with our Instrumental Music Teachers Ms Jabs and Ms Jerram and the school notified of selections in Week 5.

EDUCATION QUEENSLAND – BAND BLITZ

Congratulations to our young Instrumental Brass, Woodwind and Percussion players for their amazing efforts at Junior Band Blitz held at Aspley on Wednesday 8th June. Ms Jabs is so very proud of your efforts!!! Another one of our talented youngsters who attended this wonderful event has penned a recount of their experience below:

Andrew Wang – 4C

On Wednesday 8th June I attended the Education Queensland Band Blitz – it was tiring and amazing all at the same time!! In the morning, we got a music camp shirt and we then sat down to listen to instructions. Different people were in different bands such as red and blue band. Both bands were playing different pieces of music. I was with my fellow friends from my low brass lessons because I play the euphonium. We were in the Red Band and had the privilege of playing onstage first. After our onstage rehearsal we had a short break. Next the bands all swapped around, so I went to go and practise in the low brass section. We got some great tips from our low brass teacher. At the end of the lesson, I asked our teacher why his instrument had an extra valve at the bottom of the instrument, he said it was there to make different sounds. At the end of the lesson the teacher gave us each a piece of paper, it had what we’ve learnt in the session that day.

Finally it was concert item. The concert started with Blue band while the Red band was waiting in the music room. When it was our turn we did the best we could.

EDUCATION QUEENSLAND – NORTHSIDE JUNIOR MUSIC STRING CAMP

Congratulations to our young Instrumental Music String beginners who attended the Northside Junior Music String Camp at the end of Term Two!!!! We are all so very proud of your efforts!!!! Miss Jerram in particular!!!!

One of our talented youngsters who attended with wonderful event has penned a recount of their experience below:

Elaine Chu

It was my first time to go to a music camp. I thought it would be tiring after playing my violin for 3 days. I was a bit stressed, so I set up my alarm clock to 6.30 in the morning. However, it was much more fun than I expected.

Tuesday 7th June

Students were divided into 2 orchestra groups. Unfortunately, I wasn’t in the same group with my friends, but I made a new friend with a nice girl called Marli. Isn’t camp a good chance to make new friends?

We played strings for the whole morning and learnt 5 new pieces. My arms were aching after practicing for so long!

After lunch, a big surprise was awaiting us. A music teacher was coming over to teach us choir, where we learnt 3 beautiful and interesting songs. While we were singing, the music teacher separated us into sopranos and alto’s (high pitched and low pitched).

We finished the day by doing Zumba, which taught us some dancing skills. Although it wasn’t my favourite, I still enjoyed it.

Thursday 9th June

Thursday was a big day for all of us. We were performing in the Old Museum in both orchestra and choir to show what we had learnt in the last 2 days.

When it was time for our performance, we saw lines and lines of audiences sitting before us. This was the right time to showcase our talent and excellence to our parents and the rest of the crowd. An applause shook the hall and I suddenly realized this performance must have been very successful!

I know next time when there is another string camp, I would put my hands up to attend with no hesitation.

Happy Music Making Everyone
The Aspley Music Department

SPORTS DEPARTMENT NEWS

• Senior Rugby League players please come to Mr Schmidts’ office and hand in your Jerseys to Mr Maxwell.
• North Districts are being held on Monday 25th July and Tuesday 26th July. Classroom teachers have received the North District Letters and Information Packs and will distribute to participating students. Parents are requested to fill out attached forms and return to the school office with the $5.00 Levy payment that is required.
• North District training will be held every morning from 7.45am – 8.30am on the oval leading up to districts. Please check forms for training schedule. Parents are more than welcome to volunteer setting up and participating with training.

Kind Regards,
Ben Maxwell (Acting PE Teacher)

EARLY ACT NEWS

This term, the Earlyact Club is meeting during first break on Thursdays, every second week. Our first meeting for the term is on in Week 1 in Mr Grove’s room. Children from Years 4 – 6 are encouraged to join this club and we would love to see some new members. Our main role is to assist charitable organisation

YEAR 6 CANBERRA TRIP NEWS

DATES

JAPANESE STUDY TOUR

School Study Tour 2016

Our school will be hosting a Study Tour this year. A study tour is a group of international students coming to Australia (Aspley SS) to learn English and be immersed in the cultural experience of going to an Australian school and staying with Australian host families. The group of 20 Japanese students aged 14-15 years old, will be arriving on the 21st of August and departing on the 2nd of September. This particular group of students are from a prestigious school in Japan called Ritsumeikan Uji Junior High School, which is located in the Kyoto Prefecture.

An important aspect of Study Tours is in providing “homestay” for the Japanese students. Information about providing “homestay” and the application form follows this message. If anyone is interested in providing “homestay”, please complete the application form and return it to the Administration Office.

I will keep you all up-to-date with any details regarding the Study Tour. Elaine Dooley (6DA) is also an Accredited Officer of Study Tours which is fantastic! She too will be working with me on the Study Tour.

Kind Regards
Rowena Mina (6MV/LOTE Teacher) and Elaine Dooley (6DA)

2016 Jump Rope For Heart

This year our jump off day for Jump Rope for Heart will be Friday 12th August (week 5). Students in years 1 to 7 will be practicing so they can participate on the day. We are asking that students gain sponsorships to raise funds for the Heart Foundation and in so doing will earn themselves great prizes. Sponsorship forms will be handed out in week 1 or you may prefer to take advantage of the online services which provide even greater prizes. Click on the link provided below to raise money online and gain even better prizes.

Flick your friends and family an email, asking them to sponsor your Jump Rope for Heart efforts. Last year we raised an amazing $2899 and our goal this year is $4000 which we have achieved in the past.

So get skipping, ask for some sponsors and have some fun whilst getting fit.

Thank you for your anticipated support.

Elaine Dooley (year 6 teacher) and Keri-Anne Butler (year 4 teacher)
Jump Rope Co-ordinators

CHAPPY’S SPORTS PROGRAM

CHAPPY’S SPORTING SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Please note that the following dates have been changed:

Table Tennis

Starting date postponed to the 25th of July.

Softball

Starting date postponed to the 28th of July.

ASPLEY SHOP NEWS

Tuckshop

Friday Special - Over the counter only - Island Way Sorbet $3

Expressions of Interest

Seeking Volunteer Tuckshop Assistants A couple of things that may be helpful in this role…

• Some knowledge of food safety
• Some knowledge of food preparation
• Some knowledge of Smart Choices
• Enjoy working in a team
• Reliable
• Able to follow instructions

WE ARE ABOUT KEEPING THE MESSAGE POSITIVE.

Please see Karyn or phone 07 3863 9111 for more information

Uniform Shop

Last call for purchasing Winter Uniforms. We have a small amount currently in stock and will be doing one more order on 27th July.

Many thanks
Karyn & Belinda

P& C NEWS

Aspley P&C Events/Fundraising Update

Track & Field Carnival

A big thank you to all the volunteers and home bakers for either your time helping out on the day or baking delicious treats to sell. Your contribution help fundraise $950, great effort everyone!

Election Day Sausage Sizzle

Thank you to the following people who gave up their time in the middle of the school holidays to volunteer at the Election Day Sausage Sizzle: -

Carolynne Hassall, Judith Whitehead, Allison Dewar, June Reynolds, Eileen O’Hely, Campbell Hill, Sarah Pobjie, and to everyone who stopped by and bought a sausage to help fundraise $1000.

Fathers’ Day Stall

We will be holding a Fathers’ Day Stall on Thursday 1st September and Friday 2nd September for students to purchase gifts for Dad. Gifts will be priced from $2.00 to $5.00.

We are looking for donations of clear cellophane, curling ribbon, individually wrapped chocolates, or any other items you would like to donate.

We will require helpers to wrap presents etc, and on the day to serve on the stall. If you can assist or make a donation please email cinhill1@gmail.com.

Loose Change Challenge

Date to be confirmed! More information coming soon.

Each class will have a bucket at the hall, before school every day, for two weeks. Students will place “loose change” into their class bucket. The class that has the most money at the end of the two weeks will win a pizza party!!

If you would like to assist with this fundraiser please email cinhill1@gmail.com.

Movie Night

Change of date. The Movie night on the oval is now going to be in term 4 on Friday 21st October, when the weather is a little warmer!

Please support these P&C fundraising initiatives, to help fund playground upgrades and outdoor learning spaces and other projects around the school.

If you would like more information on any of the above please contact Cindy Hill cinhill1@gmail.com or Phone: 0408 897665

Thank you
Aspley State School P & C Association

CAMP AUSTRALIA NEWS

COMMUNITY NEWS

Swim Solutions

Queensland Academy of Creative Industries Open Day

Geebung Kindergarten & Preschool Open Day

Junior Engineers