6 October 2016

Newsletter Articles

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 2016

PAYMENTS DUE

PRINCIPAL'S NEWS

Swimming Lesson

Swimming has commenced this term and children will enjoy five weeks, with one-hour swimming lessons. Class teachers are supervising the children to change and be prepared for the whole hour swimming instruction. For the children who participate in swimming lessons, parents will receive a progress report to detail their child's level of proficiency after the completion of the program. At swimming each child will be supported to progress at their level of ability. The children who do not participate in swimming, will continue their learning in another class at this time.

We welcome Miss Ebony Smith who has been appointed as teacher aide to support Mr Anthony Schmidt, HPE Teacher. Miss Smith is an acclaimed swim coach and has demonstrated her strong skills in the teaching of swimming this week.

Staff News

Mrs McKinnon has returned from leave and she will support Aspley State School as our internal relief teacher in term 4. Mrs Balfour will continue in the role of science teacher in term 4. We welcome Mrs Leanne Youitt who will work in the school to assist Mr Greg Thomas as Head of Curriculum (HOC) in term 4 2016. Mrs Youitt will support the students and class teachers with the improvement agenda of writing.

Teachers transferring into Aspley State School for 2017 include Ms Sally Boorer-Williams and Ms Katrina Mann. We welcome them and look forward to working with them in 2017.

Mrs Donna Boyce has been transferred to Kallangur State School in 2017. It is with great sadness that Mrs Boyce will leave the school at the end of this year and we wish her every best wish as she continues her career in a new school.

BConnected

In 2017 students from year 4, are invited to bring an iPad to school to support their learning in a program called BConnected. The school culture will be that students entering year 4 will be invited to bring a personally owned iPad for school and home use across year 4, 5 and 6. A final expression of interest form will be sent home to parents in week 4 so that parent can indicate if their child will be joining BConnected in 2017.

For students in years 5 and 6 in 2017, there is an invitation for students to join children in existing iPad classes for the BConnected Program for 2017. A final expression of interest form will be sent home in week three to the relevant parents to indicate if they would like their child to join the program in 2017.

iParent Resources for Parents

The Australian Government through the Office of the Children's eSafety Commission have excellent resources for parents to understand digital environment and keep updated on their children's digital use. Here you can find guidance for using safety settings on your family's web-connected devices, tips for choosing movies and games and strategies for keeping young people safe online. Other topics include is strategies to keep children safe on-line and seven ways to manage devices.

Games, Apps and Social Networking is a site that provides useful snapshot od some information about common apps, parental controls and how to report inappropriate use to the app owner.

Respect our staff, respect our school

Violent or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated in our schools. It's not just a courtesy. It's the law.

The Respect our staff, respect our school campaign aims to create safer and more respectful communities in Queensland state schools. The campaign is part of the Queensland Government's commitment to tackle the issue of violence and continue to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for all students and school staff.

We all have different beliefs, expectations and experiences, so there are inevitably going to be times where conflicts or disagreements occur in schools. How we handle those conflicts can make a significant difference to the learning and development of our students and the positive environments we aim to foster.

The safety of our students and staff is the number one priority and everyone in the community plays a part in ensuring learning environments are safe. All members of the community are encouraged to work together to prevent abuse and violence directed towards school staff.

Helpful Parenting Resources

Being a parent / carer is a tough job in contemporary times! There are some excellent resources for parents at Familes NSW on a variety of interesting topics such as being a parent, stepfamilies, grandparenting, single parenting, being a dad, bedwetting, grief and loss and self-esteem.

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL'S NEWS

Writing Focus

Students in all classes are continuing to focus on their writing skills. They are sharpening their emphasis and concentrating on different aspects of writing using the Seven Steps in Writing Success.

This program helps them look at their stories critically. Firstly, it is important for the students to learn to plan a story.

• To Plan for Success – they need to put their ideas down, who are the characters in their story? Where will the scene take place? What is going to happen? Is there a climax to the story?
• Is the story hooking the reader with a Sizzling Start?
• Is the piece of writing persuading the reader and building the momentum by Tightening Tension?
• Does the piece of writing have quotations or famous sayings to make a point i.e using Dynamic Dialogue?
• Does the story Ban the Boring by adding an interesting twist to it?
• Is the story Showing not Telling through the addition of interesting and descriptive sentences/ paragraphs?
• Finally, how does the story end? Does it have an Exciting Ending? Is there a punch line? Does it make the reader want to read the next chapter? Is the ending powerful?

Encourage your child by asking them what they did during writing and get then to share their writing with you.

Prep Readiness Information Night

A reminder that on 16 November from 6:30pm to 8:00pm, we will have an information session for 2017 Prep families at the School Hall.

During this session, you will hear from an Occupational Therapist, a Speech Language Specialist and current Prep teachers who will share tips and insights to assist with getting your child Prep ready.

Prep is compulsory in 2017 and we encourage your attendance at this information session.

Year 5 Student Leadership update

Currently, the Year 5 students endorsed through the Senior Leader Expression of Interest process are completing their Senior Leader Booklets, including meeting with all current Year 6 teachers and culminating in an interview with Mrs Griffith-Baker prior to this Friday when the Booklet phase is completed.

In the next few weeks, preparations will be made for the shortlisting of School Captains (by our staff) and the School Captains ballot conducted. Further information will be made available in future issues.

For those students that we not endorsed in Round 1, remember to apply your feedback and continue to give your best – as this further development will be taken into consideration for Round 2 applications in Term 1 2017.

ARC

Participating students should have brought home a letter regarding their performance so far in the ARC program. We are very happy with the progress and urge the students to continue with their efforts for the remaining 8 weeks of this term in the program. Practice makes perfect and if the students continue reading, their efforts will breed success.

At ARC, each week, we are focusing on one aspect of comprehension. This ensures that students are reading for meaning and using different strategies to understand the text.

For example, they might be asked to give the main idea of the text if they are reading a non-fiction text or retell the story in their own words if the text is fiction to show that they understand the sequence of the story.

Waiting Areas – After School

A reminder that the only approved Waiting Areas after 3pm are at the Eastern Hall or the upper Maundrell Terrace Entry (near the Staff Car Park). Staff members are on duty in these areas until 3:20pm to ensure students are supervised and safe during these peak access times.

For student safety, no one is permitted in the Year 1/ 2 Playground after school. Students found in this area will have a consequence applied, as this reminder has been ongoing for a lengthy period of time via assemblies and school newsletters.

Students and parents are reminded that any student at the Hall or Maundrell Terrace waiting areas once the 3:20pm bell song plays are taken back to the Office. Again, this ensures that everyone is safe and accounted for.

Brendan Smith
Christine Antoni

MUSIC DEPARTMENT NEWS

Welcome back to a very exciting Term 4 for the Aspley Music Department.

CHORAL REHEARSALS

With our music evening and assembly performances fast approaching, it is crucial that all choralists attend their weekly rehearsals from Weeks 1 through to Week 6 in Term 4.

Please note the following rehearsal schedule for each ensemble for this Term:

BOYZ VOCAL ENSEMBLE

Week 2 - Monday 10th October
Week 3 - Tuesday 18th October (to make up for Student Free Monday 17th October SFD)
Week 4 - Monday 24th October
Week 5 - Monday 31st October
Week 6 - Monday 7th November

SENIOR CHOIR

Week 1 – Thursday 6th October
Week 2 – Thursday 13th October
Week 3 – Thursday 20th October
Week 4 – Thursday 27th October
Week 5 – Thursday 3rd November
Week 6 – Tuesday 8th November

JUNIOR CHOIR

Week 1 – Friday 7th October
Week 2 – Friday 14th October
Week 3 – Friday 21st October
Week 4 – Friday 28th October
Week 5 – Friday 4th November

Choral ensemble rehearsals will conclude at the end of Week 6.

If you have any queries, please contact Mrs Macca.

FOOTSTEPS DANCE PROGRAM

In Term Four 2016, each child in classes from Prep through to Year Three at Aspley State School will be participating in an 8 week dance programme with the Footsteps Dance Company. Students have received a parent information letter regarding this exciting program. We highly encourage participation from ALL STUDENTS in classes Prep through to Year Three and feel that this dance course would be highly beneficial to your child. No previous dance experience or skills are required to partake in the programme. Exciting new skills for all abilities will be taught during the duration of the term. Participating students will perform learnt dance repertoire at the P-3 Christmas Celebration Concert at the end of Term 4, 2016. The Footsteps dance lessons will be held each Thursday commencing in Week 2 of Term 4 and will conclude in Week 9, Term 4.

The Footsteps Dance sessions will be held in the school hall with the timetable below:

ALL YEAR ONE CLASSES (1B, 1LM, 1N, 1P, IT)
9.30am – 10.30am

ALL PREP CLASSES (PA, PC, PM, PJ, PS)
11.15am – 12.15pm

ALL YEAR TWO CLASSES (2C, 2D, 2K, 2S)
12.15pm – 1.15pm

ALL YEAR THREE CLASSES (3B, 3F, 3G, 3N)
2.00pm – 3.00pm

A reminder that permission slips and correct payment of $25.00 was required to the school office by Friday 16th September 2016.

AUSTRALIAN GIRLS CHOIR

Congratulations to girls in Grade 1 and above who recently took part in the AGC assessment workshop. All participants should have now received their personalised assessment report either posted to your home or via school. Girls in Prep will be receiving an information flyer about the AGC Open Day and we hope that you will be able to join us! Everyone is welcome to come along to the Open Day on Sunday October 23, which will give girls the opportunity to try a complimentary class and attend an information session. Ph 3256 0207 for more information or visit the AusGirlChoir website.

CURRENT AND UPCOMING MUSICAL EVENTS – TERM FOUR 2016

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

ASSEMBLY PERFORMANCE

Junior Choir
Week 5 - Monday 31st October

ASSEMBLY PERFORMANCE

Boyz Choir and Senior String Orchestra
Week 6 – Monday 7th November

SEMESTER TWO MUSIC PERFORMANCE EVENING

All ensembles
Wednesday 9th November 2016

ASSEMBLY PERFORMANCE

Junior String Orchestra
Week 7 – Monday 14th November

2017 BEGINNER PARENT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC RECRUITMENT EVENING

2017 Accepted Beginner Instrumental Music Students ONLY
Tuesday 15th November 2017

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC RECRUITMENT PROCESS FOR 2017

Thank you to the families who have returned the Expression of Interest Application form for the 2017 Aspley Instrumental Music Program.

All students in Years 2 and Years 3 have now completed the Selmer Test as a part of the Instrumental Music Recruiting process. The Selmer Test is a written test that indicates a student's ability to discriminate between Pitch, Harmony, Melody and Rhythm in a segment of music. These tests will now be given to our Instrumental Music Teachers to help in the selection process for the 2017 Instrumental Music Program.

The Recruitment Timeline below outlines the various steps that will be followed through Term Four for our 2017 intake to our wonderful instrumental music programs. Please take note of these dates, as testing/enrolment outside these dates if not permissible.

Instrumental Music 2016

Recruitment Timeline and Procedures

If you have further questions regarding this exciting process, please contact Mrs McIntyre.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC NEWS

FRASER COAST MUSIC TOUR

Congratulations to the 60 Aspley and 31 Craigslea musicians, 10 parents and 4 staff for an amazing Fraser Coast Music Tour. The Concert Band, String Orchestra & Big Band performed at Gympie South State School, Kandanga State School and Pialba State School, which was much enjoyed by all. Our students had the most fantastic day at Fraser Island enjoying a tour to the Maheno ship wreck, Eli Beach, Lake Mackenzie and the barge ride to and from Hervey Bay.

A huge thank-you to all our diligent musicians, our supportive parent body and our magnificent parents who came along to accompany the group. A big thank you to Miss Christine Jabs who arranged and organised this educational and amazing once in a life time experience for our instrumentalists. We are so very lucky, thank you Miss Jabs.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LETTERS – CONTINUING ON 2017

Current Instrumental music students will this week receive a letter regarding their participation in the Instrumental Music Program in 2017. Please ensure these letters are returned by Friday 14th October to the school office. This information will greatly assist our instrumental music teachers with recruiting and organisation for the 2017 Instrumental Music Year.

TERM 4 LESSONS

It has been wonderful to hear and see all of our instrumentalists returning to their instrumental music lessons and ensemble rehearsals this week working towards our upcoming Music Performance evening to be held on Wednesday 9th November 2016.

A reminder to students to refer to your instrumental music timetables for lesson days and times throughout this term.

Woodwind/Brass/Percussion students please note that there are changes to lessons on Wednesday 19th October.

String students please be aware that Senior String Orchestra rehearsal will be cancelled on Thursday 20th October. On Thursday 27th October, all beginner string students will combine for their first Junior String Orchestra rehearsal from 11.25pm – 12.25pm with Miss Jerram.

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

SPORTS DEPARTMENT NEWS

Swimming

Swimming will start in the first week of this term, so students please be aware of the time and day of your sports/swimming lesson.

• If students are swimming in the first period of the day – they will need to have their togs on under their school uniform when they come to school.
• If students are swimming in the middle period – they will need to get changed during first break and have their togs on under their uniform.
• If you are swimming in the last period of the day – students will need to change into their togs during second break.

*This will essentially mean that students will have more time in the pool instead of getting changed.

Students please remember to bring the correct swimming attire – togs, swim shirt, cap, goggles and towel. Failure to bring these could result in non-swimming (sunscreen is optional but will be available at the pool if required).

Friday Afternoon Sport

Friday sport will be run over 4 weeks this term (starting in week 1, week 2, week 4 and week 5). Students are reminded to contact your designated coach or teacher for any information regarding that sport such as draws, training sessions and any updates. Students need to bring a hat, water bottle and sunscreen to each sports session. Buses will start leaving from Maundrell Tce at first break. Parents are more than welcome to attend the venues as spectators. Good luck to all teams and remember about sportsmanship and teamwork!

A copy of the letter home with details of sports venues can be downloaded below.

Anthony Schmidt

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT NEWS

Year 2 Science Experiment

Every student in Year 2 has received the following sheets in their science lesson. If the forms have not come home, please ask your child about them as they are about an experiment that is done at home. The sheets with the observations are then to be returned by week 3 science lesson.

Thanks
Tamara Balfour, Science Teacher

Year 3 Science Experiment

Every student in Year 3 has received the following sheets in their science lesson. If the forms have not come home, please ask your child about them as they are about an experiment that is done at home. The sheets with the observations are then to be returned by week 3 science lesson.

Thanks
Tamara Balfour, Science Teacher

STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS

Ice blocks on Sale

Members of the Student Council will again be selling lick stick iceblocks from the tuckshop on Tuesday's at second break. The cost will be $1 each.

Each child should only buy one ice block and whenever possible it is best for them to bring the correct money. Children should not bring money to buy iceblocks for their friends.

All profit made from the sale of the iceblocks goes toward reducing the cost of the year 6 Canberra trip.

Nelma Wright

MELBOURNE CUP DAY

Melbourne Cup Day at Aspley

Aspley State School will again have our own Melbourne Cup Race Day. On the first Tuesday in November, all children and staff are encouraged to wear clothing appropriate for going to the races. For this privilege, they are asked to bring a gold coin donation.

During the day, races will be held on the oval with representatives from each class being involved. The highlight of the race meet is the relay race between some of our Senior Leaders and members of the staff.

Spectators are most welcome.

There will be further information in the next newsletter.

Nelma Wright

P&C FUNDRAISER "MOVIE NIGHT"

Movie Under the Stars

Movie Night Volunteers

Donate A Can Week 10th – 14th October

SPARROWS SOCCER PROGRAM NEWS

Dual Grand Finalists at Eagles Cup

Recapping the last Thursday of Term 3, once again our Sparrows Soccer Program participants did Aspley State School - and their families - proud.

Grand Finalists we were! Both our girls and boys teams won each of their preliminary rounds, essentially knocking out eight other teams in respective competitions. Sadly, one goal by the Eatons Hills girls and two by Aspley East boys meant our Aspley SS teams weren't the trophy-takers on the day. However, no one would deny that the Sparrows achieved exceptional results and played terrific football.

It was rewarding for all sideline supporters to see just how far the girls' skills have come along through the Sparrows Soccer Program, and to watch the boys represent Aspley with great sportsmanship as well. WELL DONE!

Volunteer Coaches: We Thank You

Thanks once again goes to Lily's dad, Andrew Revie, for having coached our girls right from the program's commencement. Also Charlies' dad, Trevor Wendt, who stepped into boys' coach role on the day following lead-up training by Zayne's mum, Leigh-Ann Rohde. Your efforts are invaluable and time greatly appreciated.

Bring back Sparrows shirts please

Do you have a Sparrows Soccer shirt at home? We need to outfit Aspley's inter-school teams for this Term 4 inter-school sport season. If you still have a Sparrows/School sports top at home (from Term 2 Gala Days or the recent Eagles Cup) please bring it to Mr Farrow's classroom this week … with urgency!

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

CAMP AUSTRALIA NEWS

COMMUNITY NEWS

Queensland Academies Creative Industries Open Day

Queensland Academies Creative Industries is a selective entry senior state high school for highly capable students.

61 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove Urban Village

Open Day 1pm - 3pm, Saturday 8 October.

Please register your attendance below.

Junior Engineers

GO-SPORTS NETBALL, CRICKET

EVERTON PARK CRICKET