29 July 2016

Newsletter Articles

UPCOMING EVENTS

July/August 2016

PAYMENTS DUE

PRINCIPAL'S NEWS

North District Athletics

Congratulations to the children who competed on Monday and Tuesday at the North District Athletics Carnival. You have represented Aspley State School with pride! There were many personal bests and a fantastic team spirit and great sportsmanship demonstrated on the day. Thank you to the parents and staff who accompanied the students and thank you to Mr Maxwell for his support of this event. Selected students will compete in the trials for the Metropolitan Regional Track and Field.

Special thanks goes to Mrs Weisje Zonneveld, North District Sports Secretary, and her team of teachers and staff from local schools for their dedication to school sport and performing their respective roles.

Winner of A Schools shield and Aggregate points shield was McDowall SS
Winner of B school shield and Percentage shield was Northside Christine college
Winner of C schools was Queen Of Apostles.

Parent / Carer, Teacher and Student Meetings – Term 3 2016

Parents/ carers are invited to attend a parent teacher interview in Term 3. The purpose of attending this meeting is to discuss your child's learning, engagement and effort at school. These meetings allow children to celebrate their learning, share their goals for improvement as they become older and more self-managed. Class teachers will contact parents to make a mutually suitable time for these meeting.

NAPLAN Results 2016

The Qld Curriculum and Assessment Authority advises that the NAPLAN individual student reports will be posted to schools from 27 July. Reports for all students are planned to be delivered to students on 29 July 2016. Schools will receive one printed report for each student for distribution to parents/carers. Another copy may be requested if family circumstances require it.

If you require an additional copy for your family please email: admin@aspleyss.eq.edu.au and place NAPLAN Report Request in the subject title.

Student Absences

A reminder to parents/ carers that if your child is absence from school it is a requirement to notify the school by either telephone on 3863 9160 or by emailing absence@aspleyss.eq.edu.au

Please also remember to contact Camp Australia (or other relevant care provider) if your child has a booking for before/ after school care. Last week we had three frightful incidents where a child did not arrive at Camp Australia, as they were not at school that day and the parent/ carer had not contacted Camp Australia. So please save staff unnecessary stress by being diligent to contact both the school and the before / after school provider if your child is to be away.

Upcoming Holidays for Students

Please note that 10 August is the appointed show holiday for the Brisbane Exhibition (Ekka) and school is closed on this day.

Monday 17th October is a student free day and students do not attend on this day. This is a day where staff attend professional development.

A useful school calendar

Dates for school in 2016-2020

Mobile Phones at School

Almost all young people don't know a world without mobile phones. Often they're initially provided to help parents and their children alert each other about school pick up, sporting schedules etc. and then they become a principal means of communication between young people and themselves.

Aspley State School requires students who bring mobile phones to school to check them in at the office on arrival to school and collect them prior to departure each day. Phones are not permitted to be used during the day, as they are not required and they are a costly asset which may be lost, broken or taken from a child's bag or desk.

Parents please ensure that your child is following the school procedures if they bring a phone to school.

Who is Chatting to Your Kids?

The internet has brought the world to our children's fingertips, providing access to vast resources of information and the opportunity to communicate with people from around the world.

Smart devices and social media have become part of our children's lives and they have strongly influenced how our children create, share and exchange information with others. Unfortunately these same devices and applications have been embraced by sex offenders, who have proven to be exceptionally skilled at using them to gain access to children.

As parents and caregivers it is imperative you have basic understanding of these technologies to enable you to guide, assist and supervise your children. Children might not safeguard their personal details on the internet like they would in the real world. Therefore it is just as important to educate our children about 'chatting' to people online as it is meeting new people in the real world.

See the e-brochure at :

Source: Qld Police Service

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL'S NEWS

NAIDOC Week (Mrs Wright)

On Thursday 14 July, the Aspley children enjoyed a variety of NAIDOC activities which included dance, artefacts, traditional games and boomerang throwing. The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves and learnt a lot about the life of indigenous Australians.

As I have walked around the school over the last week, many of the children have been writing about the NAIDOC activities and all classes have decorated rocks using dot art. Some of their work is displayed here.

At first break, many children gathered in the hall to watch and participate in the dance performance.

Thanks must be extended to Fred Leone who organised and coordinated all the activities and his helpers James Williams and Archie Dynevor pictured below with Mrs Leann Griffith-Baker.

Playing after School

Children are not to play unsupervised after school in any part of the school.

When children are dismissed at 3pm, they need to leave the school and make their way home. If they are waiting to be collected, then there are two designated areas for this: one at the front of the school in the seated courtyard area; or up at the Hall.

When the 3:20pm bell goes, then any children still on site must report to the school office. They would usually be accompanied by the teacher who has been on duty in that area.

This is being reinforced to ensure safety of all parties concerned.

Year 5 Leadership Training (Mr Smith)

Congratulations to all Year 5 students for their engagement over the last two sessions. This Friday, Year 5 students will participate in the Full-day Leadership Workshop.

A reminder to return permission forms and payment for the upcoming Kokoda Challenge on 9 August 2016.

Please see attached this year's Senior Leadership timeline. This has already been provided to students as part of their Training Booklet.

Congratulations Jamaji!

Congratulations to Jamaji Iselin-Leone for representing Met North at the recent Queensland School Sport 10-19 Years Cross Country State Championships in Maryborough.

In his individual event (10yrs Boys), Jamaji placed 14th in Queensland, completing the 2km course in 7mins 59sec.

In the Teams Relay, Jamaji was part of the Met North team who won their event – making them the fastest 10 year old relay team in the state.

Well done Jamaji!

KIDPRENEUR PROGRAM

This term, a selection of students from each Year 5 and 6 class have been invited to join the Club Kidpreneur program. The program provides an opportunity for students to show their creativity and entrepreneurial flair. Throughout the program students work through modules and use Club Kidpreneur's signature Business in a Backpack Kit full of business-building materials to launch their own micro-enterprise. The program is fully mapped to Australian Curriculum outcomes.

Each Business in a Backpack Kit is designed for a group of three students and includes a complimentary $40 voucher from Cleverpatch, which enables the Kidpreneurs to purchase raw materials to make their products. Students will then sell their products at a 'market stall' which will be held at a Community Coffee morning in term 4.

The Challenge is for each business to sell enough products at the market stall to pay back their setup costs (which are covered by the school) then donate all profit above this to a worthy cause of their choice.

The students will be withdrawn from class each Friday afternoon from 2pm-3pm to work in their teams of three to design and create their product.

This is an exciting opportunity for the students to spark their entrepreneurial spirit and build business acumen, confidence and resilience.

We are looking forward to working with the students on this program throughout Term 3.

Liz Campbell and Sally Agnew

MUSIC DEPARTMENT NEWS

EDUCATION QUEENSLAND SINGFEST

SENIOR CHOIR & BOYS CHORALISTS YEARS 4 – 6 ONLY

All Choristers in both the Senior and Boys Choral Ensembles this week received an invitation to participate in the upcoming Education Queensland Singfest to be held on Tuesday 30th August, 2016.

Singfest is an annual massed choral music event for Education Queensland Primary School students. It features students from across the Metropolitan Region coming together to learn selected choral repertoire at school, then participate in a one day workshop with a Guest Conductor, Mr Timothy Sherlock.

Boys Choir members who choose to participate in Singfest will be required to attend Senior Choir rehearsals on a Thursday 1.15pm – 2.00pm from Weeks 3 – Week 7 in term three to ensure they know the selected repertoire for this special performance. This repertoire will NOT be covered in Boys Choral Ensemble rehearsals on a Monday morning. Thus, Boys participating in Singfest for 2016 will have two rehearsals each week from weeks 3 – week 7.

Permission slips, medical/consent forms and the payment of $20.00 are to be handed in to the school office by Tuesday 16th August, 2016.

It is a truly wonderful opportunity our young choristers and I encourage everyone to participate in this memorable event.

CHORAL REHEARSALS TERM 3

We have had a wonderful start to choral rehearsals for all ensembles in Term 3. A reminder to all choralists that rehearsals days and times for our choral ensembles through-out semester two are:

Monday
Boys Choir
8.00am – 8.35am (Music classroom)

Thursday
Senior Choir
1.15pm – 2.00pm (Music Classroom)

Friday
Junior Choir
1.15pm – 2.00pm (Music Classroom)

CURRENT AND UPCOMING MUSICAL EVENTS – TERM THREE 2016

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

EDUCATION QUEENSLAND SINGFEST
Senior Choir and Boys Choir Members ONLY (Years 4 – Years 6 ONLY)
Tuesday 30th August 2016 – All day activity
Old Museum Building, Bowen Hills

ASPLEY SPEAKS OUT
Piano Accompanists ONLY
Wednesday 31st August, 2016

FRASER MUSIC TOUR GALA CONCERT
Tour Participants ONLY
Monday 5th September, 2016

NORTHSIDE HONOURS MUSIC CAMP
Invitation ONLY
Wednesday 7th September – Friday 9th September, 2016
Craigslea State School and Craigslea State High School

FRASER COAST MUSIC TOUR
Tour Participants ONLY
Tuesday 13th September – Thursday 15th September 2016

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC NEWS

A reminder that the Senior Concert Band has only 4 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 payments are due no later than 19th August, 2016. Please return the medical and homebake from with payment to the school office, so we can start collating paperwork.

COMPULSORY MUSIC TOUR REHEARSALS

Congratulations to the Junior Concert Band for their performance on Assembly last Monday

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CHANGES TO ENSEMBLE REHEASALS/LESSONS

Please be aware that ALL Instrumental music lessons and ensemble rehearsals for ALL Woodwind/Brass/Percussion and String students in Week 5 (Monday 8th August – Friday 12th August) will be cancelled for both Ms Jabs and Ms Jerram as they are in attendance at the Craigslea State High School Music Tour.

Happy Music Making

The Aspley Music Team
Mrs Macca, Ms Jabs and Ms Jerram

LIBRARY NEWS

This is going to be a busy Term with Premier's Reading Challenge and Book Week on the Calender.

KEY DATES – LIBRARY Term 3

15 – 26 August PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE - Early Childhood participation Period

20 – 26 August BOOK WEEK – Theme is "Australia Story Country"

26 August Book Character Parade
Reading Finishes for Premier's Reading Challenge

26 August – 2 Sept. Premier's Reading Challenge Reading Record Sheets returned to school for collation and verification.

Premier's Reading Challenge:

I would like to challenge you all to have your family participate in the Premier's Reading Challenge. There is still plenty of time to read the required number of books for an official certificate endorsed by the Premier. Reading finishes on 26 August and you can return your sheets to school for final collation in the week following that date.

We have some copies of reading record sheets available in the Library or you may print off additional copies online. Further details are available at the website

It would be great to have everyone participate, so please support this Challenge.

New Resources:

We added many new books to the collection last term, spending $1500 – $2000 on resources for Junior Fiction, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Magazines and Classroom Resources. Some of the money spent was our commission for the Book Fair. We spent nearly $500 on resources from Scholastic on some of the most popular books.

Currently we are in the process of cataloguing and covering them and they will gradually be stocking our shelves.

Loans & Overdues:

At present we are distributing printed lists to class teachers, however I am sure that many parents are not even aware that their child has a book that needs returning. We are hoping to begin sending out overdue notices directly to you via email. This will keep parents better informed.

Prep to Year 2 Students can borrow their books for 1 week, Students from Year 3 to Year 6 may have their books for 2 weeks after which time they can be renewed. If books have not been renewed your child will receive an overdue notice asking for the book to be returned.

If the book is damaged beyond repair it would be appreciated that you return the damaged book for our records. We do not currently charge fines for severely overdue books, however it is always appreciated when a family offers to replace a lost or damaged book.

Oliver Online:

We have been online since November 2015. Your child can access the school catalogue from home. They can see what books they currently have on loan and can search for other resources they may want to borrow. Some students will also be able to reserve books. You will also be able to request an update to details e.g. Contact email etc. and Change their Password. You will also be able to setup the mobile device Library Link using the QR code on the Details page.

Accessing the library catalogue from home

1. Login to the school library system at the above address:
2. You will be able to search the catalogue without logging in.
3. To login click on the red login button on the top right.
4. Type in your MIS Username.
5. Type in the Password Aspley2016 or your password from last year. (If you have forgotten your password you can click on Forgot Password and a link to reset will be sent to your email - check both student EQ email and parent email)
6. You can change the password after you login.
7. You can check to see what resources you have on loan and when they are due.

STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS

Jeans for Genes Day

On Friday, the 5th August, all children and staff are asked to wear jeans for "Jeans for Genes" Day. If children could bring a gold coin donation to support this worthy cause, it would be greatly appreciated. The senior leaders will visit the classrooms during the first session on the Friday, to collect the money. Thank you for your continued support.

Nelma Wright

YEAR 6 CANBERRA TRIP NEWS

DATES:

JUMP ROPE FOR HEART

It's great to see the students out skipping and raising funds for the Heart Foundation. To date we have raised an amazing $997.34 on- line. Keep up the great work and we will reach our $4000 target by the end of week 5.

Elaine Dooley and Keri-Anne Butler
Jump Rope Co-ordinators

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)

CHAPPY'S CORNER

It has been an interesting start to the term; I was away week 2 with Professional Development and I will be away again week 4 with Chaplaincy State Conference. This disruption to the term has made getting going a little more difficult.

Sporting Schools

The after school Sporting Schools program has started up again this term and will be in full swing come week 5. This term we have offered 4 sports:

Table Tennis, Squash, Volleyball and Softball.

There are still a few places available so if your child is interested you can find the form here:

Mini Men's Shed

Mini Men's Shed is up and running again this term, with some exciting news as some local businesses have committed to partnering with the program. This means that we will have better access to resources and tools to allow us to continue to do different tasks. This term we are focusing on making furniture and recycling.

The Forge

Week 3 will be the first week for 'The Forge' to run in term 3. I am really looking forward to this as there has been an increase in interest in the program from the student body and also the discussions from term 2 were very interesting.

WRITER'S CORNER

With a school priority of improving writing we are making an opportunity to share some student writing in our newsletter.

NAIDOC Week by James, Year 3B

On 14th of July 2016 we celebrated NAIDOC Week at Aspley State School. There were a lot of great activities on the oval and in the hall.

First we enjoyed Boomerang throwing. My class went firs. My boomerang did not go fast the first time. The second time it went around the air but not too far up!

Next we did a lot of fun activities like catch the kangaroo and a war game, which was like stuck in the mud. The games were organised by James.

Finally Fred taught us different kinds of aboriginal language.

After that we learnt about all sorts of interesting things like didgeridoos, spears that were used for hunting and he showed us a kangaroo skin. Fred also showed us an Aboriginal dance! I really enjoyed NAIDOC Day because I learnt a lot of new things about the Aboriginal culture.

Talking Animals by Kate Boxshall, Year 3B

When Lucy opened the door, a shiver went down her spine. She saw that her dog, Amber, was whimpering at the door. She looked up the hallway and there were bones everywhere. She then grabbed Amber and shut the door with her heart racing.

"Oh Amber," said Lucy, "Did you scatter those bones everywhere?"

"No I didn't," said Amber. "Ahhh, you can't talk!" yelled Lucy. "Yes I can," replied Amber, "you humans are feeding us animal food that makes us talk, and I might have spread those bones everywhere."

After hearing all that Lucy decided to buy new dog food. She ran swiftly to the dog shop and got a different brand of dog food. After Amber ate it, she stopped talking. Then Lucy told her, "Naughty Amber, don't scatter bones everywhere!"

By Kate Boxshall 3B

POSITION VACANT FOR SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS

Each fortnight I will make a shout out to seek the help of volunteer/s who can enact a positive contribution for Aspley State School. Many of the tasks we are seeking to be done will be enabled by a volunteer/s or friends of our school. Some require specialist skills and some tasks just require a little time and thought.

This fortnight we are seeking a volunteer to construct 4 wooden scarecrows to go in the vegetable patches. These will be available for children to dress and enjoy fun in the garden. I will supply the materials as per your requirements.

We also require a volunteer to act as the fashion stylist to assemble two dress up boxes with clothes for the 4 scarecrows. As you can see in the photo clothing and accessories should be easy to put on and mainly for the head and shirts.

If you feel you can help to complete a short simple project, without commitment to ongoing matters or membership of committees, please read this article in each newsletter. You may be able to personally assist or alternatively a family member, friend, business associate or an Aspley State School alumni connection may assist. Pay it forward and look for a position in upcoming newsletters that suits you! Email: admin@aspleyss.eq.edu.au if you can assist.

Leann Griffith-Baker
Principal

ASPLEY SHOP NEWS

Tuckshop

There are a few little 'extras' to the menu this Term.

Monday & Friday – Warm Pumpkin Soup & Damper $4
Wednesday – Hawaiian muffin Pizza $3.60
Thursday – Crispy Potato Halves filled with Bolognese (topped with cheese as an option) $4

Slushies are now available over the counter for $1.50.

The Fruit Based mixture consists of no artificial colours and natural flavours and are all AMBER approved.

Volunteers

We have volunteer positions available on Thursday & Friday mornings.

If you are interested in helping out, even for only an hour in the Tuckshop, please call Karyn on 3863 9111.

Thank you

We would like to say a BIG thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers who have helped so far this year.

We couldn't do it without you!

Uniform Shop

Thank you to our two wonderful volunteers in the uniform shop, Meredith and Iris. You have done a wonderful job sorting out the second hand uniforms and serving our community.

PICASSO COW NEWS

Our cow has students over the moon!

She may be made of fibre-glass, but Mootilda has certainly made a name for herself at Aspley State School since she was primed, painted and primped as part of Dairy Australia's Picasso Cows program!

Students have spent the last two months learning all about the Australian dairy industry and the benefits of consuming dairy foods such as milk, cheese and yogurt for good health and wellbeing.

Armed with glue, paint and loads of enthusiasm, our students chose Farm to Plate as their dairy learning focus, which saw Mootilda transformed from a blank life-size fibreglass cow, into a piece of art with an important educational message!

The students documented their experience from start to finish in a learning journal which we showcased alongside Mootilda at the Picasso Cows presentation day on 27th July in Mt Ommaney together with other participating schools in the region.

While we didn't win the title, our students thoroughly enjoyed showing off their new creation and all of their hard work. We are exceptionally proud of their efforts and they are certainly considered winners at Aspley State School!

Mootilda is now a permanent member of our school community. If you haven't seen Mooitlda in the flesh, you'll find her moo-ving around the school grounds, so be sure to keep an eye out!

SPARROWS SOCCER NEWS

Ready to roll in Term 3

Grab your boots and guards, and bring your Sparrows spirit to the oval because Aspley's before-school soccer program is ready to kick off!

With the conclusion of track and field preparations for North District competition, Sparrows training will resume from Thursday, 28th July.

Looking forward to seeing eager faces, heaps of energy from students and helpers, and great listening and cooperation as we work together to hone those core soccer skills.

Code of Conduct

Regular readers will note we've never before included a "code of conduct" item in our news.

As we step into the second half of 2016, and reflect on the positive impacts of the Sparrows Soccer Program upon our students, their families, and our school – not the least being our achievement of a "Start Playing Stay Playing Excellence Award for Innovation" – it's timely to remind all involved in the Sparrows about expectations around behaviour and conduct, whether you are a participant, coach, helper or coordinator.

In summary:

• It is expected that students play, and volunteers act, in accordance with appropriate sports conduct – respecting the rights, dignity, and worth of fellow players, coaches, officials and spectators.
• Acts of verbal or physical aggression will not be tolerated.
• Respect for the talent, potential and development of fellow players, competitors, and helpers is paramount.
• Training attendance is taken seriously; we stand firm on punctuality, regularity and effort.
• Football boots and shin guards are mandatory for safety reasons.
• Acceptance is key! Sport is achievable life-long, no matter gender or age and we welcome players and helpers with no prior exposure to the sport.
• Boys and girls will play sport together, as equals.
• We shall nurture our school-spirited, team-oriented, confidence-building theme; our concentration is on learning a broad range of skills, not on winning.
• Sparrows' participants are role models, being positive and encouraging examples of players and helpers in our community.

Behaviour that reflects any conflict with the above values will be addressed. We thank you for your support and responsible involvement in our award-winning Aspley State School Sparrows Soccer Program.

Date Claimer – Thursday, 15th September 2016

Sparrows' students in grades 5 and 6 have the opportunity of selection for our Aspley Eagles Challenge Cup teams.

The Eagles Cup is an inter-school soccer tournament, offered as an extension of Aspley State High School's Eagles Soccer Enrichment Program (development academy). The 9th "Cup" is scheduled for last Thursday of Term 3 and will once again be held on the High School's fields, with the involvement of Brisbane Roar representatives and their "rapid fire" inflatable field.

In Term 3, we are looking to take one girls' and one boys' team to the competition. Nomination and selection details are coming soon.

Note: As the Fraser Music Tour coincides with the Term 3 Eagles Cup, we are aware of the instrumental students who will not be available for Eagles Cup selection on this occasion.

For families of a graduating year 6 student, if you would like more information about Aspley State High School and their Eagles advanced physical education elective, please contact program coordinator/HPE teacher, Nathan Knox at hpe@aspleyshs.eq.edu.au or 07 3863 9222.

For Sparrows information contact:

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

SWIM SOLUTIONS NEWS

Read the Swim Solution news

Swimmer,jpg

CRAIGSLEA SHS OPEN DAY

COMMUNITY NEWS

Close to My Heart Afternoon Tea

Hayley Wilson - Vocal Coach/Musician

I am a vocal coach/musician offering private singing tuition to primary aged children. I have several years experience and study in music. If you want more information, please contact me on:

EMAIL: admin@hayleywilsonmusic.com

North Brisbane Basketball Club Junior Skills Session