24 March 2017

Newsletter Articles

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please find attached the school calendar:

PAYMENTS DUE

PRINCIPALS NEWS

Term one has been an exciting time for learning at Aspley State School wonderful progress from students in years 3 and 5 through their participation in Boost: Cycles of Support and Enrichment. In the coming weeks Boost will support students in years 1 to improve all students writing and in year 6 to improve reading comprehension.

Many other rich learning activities have continued including: Writers club, Chess Club, Japanese Student Study Tour, student leadership, student council; student/ parent/ teacher interviews; year 5 camp; swimming instruction; excursions; Early Act; Band; music ensembles, choir; Sparrows Soccer BrainWAYS and running club.

Term one concludes on Friday 31 March 2017. Students return to school for Term 2 on Tuesday 18 April 2017. I wish all families a safe and happy holiday.

Open Day

Today Aspley State School hosted an Open Day to welcome new Prep parents who will join our school community in 2018. These students will graduate from school in 2030!

An additional Open Day for out of catchment enrolment applicants will be held on the 19th May 2017. This is where parents can join the waiting lists should any places be available for Aspley State School in 2018.

Parent / Student / Teacher Interviews

Across the last two weeks of term one parents and students were invited to meet with their teacher/s to discuss student learning progress. We trust that this opportunity enables a strong partnership between home and school to further support ongoing student progress. This will be a great opportunity to see your child’s work samples and hear their learner goals.

If you have not taken up this opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher, you make a mutually convenient time to meet with them in Term 2, or at any time throughout the year, by appointment.

International Study Tours

Aspley State School will host two International Study Tours in 2017. Study Tours enable our students and host families to meet and interact with students from another country. Students come to Australia to have an international experience, enjoy the Australian culture and to learn English.

A special thank you to the coordinators, Ms Mina and Mrs Dooley who are the school coordinators for study tours. Thank you to all teachers for accommodating our Japanese students to your classroom as part of their integration lessons. We are very grateful for the number of Aspley State School families who hosted students in recent weeks. It was touching to see how the visiting students enjoyed their time with their host families and took away memories to last a life time.

Aspley State School will host the Ritsumeikan Junior High School, Japan on 21 August – 1 September 2017. If you would like to read more about hosting a student and apply to host a student, please contact -. Members of the family homes must have a Blue Card (Working with Children Check) for all adults residing in the home who are over 18 years of age. Apply for a Blue Card at the link below.

Professional Development for School Staff

At Aspley State School we have quality teachers who are dedicated to be reflective professionals who are always refining their craft of teaching. In term one teachers have been engaged in quality professional development through participation in: Modelled writing lessons and collegial feedback; Writing Workshop; Planning an Inquiry Unit; Study Tours to International Baccalaureate Schools; Cycles of Support & Enrichment; Teaching Reading; International Study Tours Training; Cooperative Learning Workshop; Inclusive Education and Student Support Plans; Domestic Violence Awareness; Using Student Learning Data to inform teaching; Use of ICT to support student learning; Supporting Student’s Occupational Therapy Programs; OneSchool data management; Trauma Informed Behavioural Support for Students; Independent Public Schools Network; Department of Education Training; Qld Association of Primary School Principal’s (QASSP) Network; and Australian Primary Principal’s Association (APPA) Network.

Relevant staff have completed Asbestos Management Training; OneSchool workshops; Workplace Heath & Wellbeing networking. All staff have completed mandatory training including Code of Conduct and Student Protection Training.

QParents

In term 2 2017 student summative reports (report cards) will be able to be accessed through the QParents App. In the following week the summative reports will be sent home to parents/ carers via email. Please ensure that your email address it current. If you wish to receive your child’s summative report earlier, I encourage you to join up to QParents via the App.

International Baccalaureate Programme – Primary Years Program

Aspley State School is currently investigating the feasibility of The International Baccalaureate Programme (IB) –Primary Years Program (PYP) as a pedagogical framework to support student learning.

“The Primary Years Program is designed for students aged 3-12 and it focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the outside world. It is a framework of six transdisciplinary themes of global significance, explored using knowledge skills and derived from six subject areas, as well as transdisciplinary skills, with a powerful emphasis on inquiry.”

Source: IB Primary Years Programme.

Teachers and some members of the school council have been visiting International Baccalaureate (IB) schools in Brisbane, through study tours, to see first-hand the application of structured inquiry approach to learning. Through the Primary Years Programme there is

Read more about the IB Primary Years Program at:

Our Rainbow House

Recently Aspley State School hosted invited guest speakers, Mrs Alison Rae and Mrs Pam Quinn, from Our Rainbow House at a school assembly. Students learnt about the charity Our Rainbow House which has established a small school for fifty students within a small village on the outskirts of Lusaka, Zambia. The school provides an education for the most vulnerable students who without this charity would have no education.

We were touched to hear at assembly that the children are orphans and are cared for by a kind person in the village. We learnt that the students enjoy a breakfast of mealie meal on arrival at school and a cooked lunch. The charity also provides a bag of mealie-meal to the family to feed them over the school holidays. We shared photos of their small school and learnt how

We were excited to hear that some children had completed seven years of education in just four years and now have an opportunity to attend a high school. Mrs Rae explained that the children attended school every day and wanted to come to school on weekends! She told us that donations had enable the training of a teacher and that their school had a Parents and Citizens Association.

The Aspley State School Early Act team, through Aspley Rotary Club, will consider how our school can respond to help these children. Year 3M students are going to publish their writing into a book to send to the students in Zambia. Our Rainbow House is a registered charity in Australia and Zambia and is endorsed by Rotary International and Rotary Australia Worldwide Community Services (RAWCS).

We learnt that a donation of $A 12 will buy a family a bag of mealie-meal. A donation of $760.00 sponsors a child for their education and health care for one year. Students heard that some other schools had donated money to buy text books, stationary, mattresses, mosquito nets and school uniforms. Other donors provided money to train a teacher or for health care for the children.

Learn more about Our Rainbow House at the link below.

Leann Griffith-Baker
Principal

DEPUTY PRINCIPALS NEWS

SENIOR LEADER – ROUND 2

Round 2 of the Senior Leader process is now open, with interested Year 6 students meeting on Wednesday 22 March 2017 and being provided with a copy of the Aspley Exit Statements and the Expression of Interest (EOI) Form.

In line with the Senior Leader process from Round 1, students must submit their completed EOI Form and an accompanying written statement to the School Office no later than 3pm on Wednesday 29 March 2017. Late receipts will not be accepted. Round 2 concludes the Senior Leader process for this year.

YEAR 5 CAMP:

Many thanks to the extended Year 5 staff for their attendance at Camp from Monday to Wednesday this week.

In particular, thanks to Mrs Francis for her lengthy planning pre-Camp and to Mr Robinson, Mrs Vener, Mr Grove, Ms Mann, Ms Rys, Mrs Crosland and Chappy for putting their own families on hold for the benefit of the students who attended the Camp.

By all accounts, the Camp was exciting and a little precipitation (ok, on Monday afternoon there was a lot of rain at Tyalgum Ridge) failed to dampen the spirits of all who attended.

Well done!

Recounts of Year 5 Camp at Tyalgum Ridge Retreat

Jayla wrote…

On Monday the 20th March 2017 the year five students from Aspley State School went for three days to Tyalgum Ridge Resort. We boarded the buses and off we went. On my journey we saw lots of different looking houses and even though I’ve seen them before I found it very interesting. I absolutely loved the country feel. As I looked out the window, I saw the sign and we were finally there!

We started cheering and we were so excited for what was to happen next!

Aleara wrote….

I could barely contain my excitement as got on the bus! We were welcomed by the guides who took all of the teachers and students to a vast hall. Here we found out what activity group and cabin we were to be. I was excited to be in a cabin with my friends. We enjoyed morning tea and the first activity was the high ropes and flying fox. It was pouring with rain and we all got soaked. We then went back to our cabins and enjoyed a nice warm shower before going to dinner.

Shannon wrote….

On the second day in the morning I was really tired and we had to clean out cabin from last night’s mess while having to get dressed. At 6.30 am we slipped our shoes on and headed over for breakfast. I only ate one slice of toast, a hash brown, bacon, eggs and it was it delicious.

We went rock hopping. I was really excited and found really cool rocks called jasper. My shoes were really wet and I got some leech bites but apart from that it was OK.

Jordan wrote….

I found some Jade and quartz while rock hopping. We did canoeing and Jordan wrote and it was really fun. I didn’t know how to canoe and Shanny who was my partner, knew how and taught me. Soon we were canoeing as smooth as butter. Two kids jumped out of their canoes because apparently there was a spider in their canoe. My other friends were one of the pairs who bumped into the bank of the dam in the reeds because they couldn’t stop or reverse their canoe.

Next we had animal feeding with goats, lamas, alpacas, ponies and horses. When I fed one baby goat it ate like a cat drinking milk and it really tickled my hands.

Tyronne wrote ….

On the second day my group did canoeing in the pond and then we did the waterfall hike. The waterfall hike was really fun because everyone went in the waterfall. That nigh we had a disco followed by watching Night at the Museum. Some people were tired and went to bed early.

Amber wrote….

My favourite part of the camp was rock hopping. I think that I gained more skills of trust, teamwork and leadership. For the cabins I think I made new friendships with my cabin mates. The least favourite part was getting muddy and having disgusting squishy bugs on me. Camp was amazing and even though I had mud and leeches on me I loved camp! I hope I will enjoy the next camp!

FOCUS RULE:

The Focus Rule for Weeks 9 and 10 is “Value Learning”, with the Target Behaviors being ‘giving 100% in everything that I do”. This has implications across the school – including in the classroom, during break-time, waiting areas before and after school, extra-curricular activities and in our standard of presentation every day.

Please assist us with this by reminding students of this focus at home.

BOOST:

The first cycle of BOOST for the Year 3 and 5 students has now concluded, with post-session assessments being finalised at the time of print.

The second cycle commences in mid-week 1 next term, with a focus on ‘boosting’ student performance in writing (Year 1) and reading comprehension (Year 6). Further updates will be provided next term, once the cycle has commenced.

GOOD NEWS STORY:

We received notification recently that Ashton (4P) was the Runner-Up in the 2016 Lilley Christmas Drawing Competition, organised by our local Federal Member, Mr Wayne Swan MP.

Congratulations on a job well done, Ashton!

ARC

Next Tuesday (28 March) is the last day of ARC for this term. Please keep the calendar below for next term’s dates for your reference. We commence on the first day back after the holidays in April.

PREP – YEAR 2 EASTER CELEBRATION CONCERT

On Thursday 30 March, the Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students will be performing in an Easter Concert held at the School Hall from 9:00am to 10:15am.

Entry into the Hall will only be allowed from 8:30am onwards as we need to set up for the event and check sound and lighting.

The Parents and Citizens group are having food and drink on the morning.

We are very lucky to have Ray White Aspley sponsor a colouring in competition for the students. Prizes for the winning entry from each Year Level will be presented at the end of the concert. All completed entries will need to be sent in to the school office by 3pm on Monday 27 March.

All children from Prep to Year 2 are allowed to come in free dress for the day and are encouraged to wear a decorated hat for the concert.

We would love to see all parents and friends at this concert and we assure you that you will have a wonderful time.

PREP/ YEAR 1 FUN RUN

On Wednesday 29 March, the Prep and Year One students will be involved in a fun run on the school oval. The students have had the opportunity to participate in the Great Race for the last 5 weeks in preparation for this.

Please see scheduled times below:

Students are encouraged to wear their house coloured tee shirts, running shoes and a hat for the run.

Parents and caregivers are welcome to come and support their children during the activity.

YEAR 2 MINI-XC

The Year 2 students will be involved in a mini cross country on the school oval on Wednesday 29 March. The students have had the opportunity to participate in the Great Race for the last 5 weeks in preparation for this.

Students are encouraged to wear their house coloured tee shirts, running shoes and a hat for the run.

Parents and caregivers are welcome to come and support their children during the activity.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT NEWS

ASPLEY CHORAL CONTRACTS/PAYMENTS

Students in Years 2 to Years 6 interested in participating in the Aspley Choral Program should have now returned the student contract to the school office accompanied with the choral resource scheme payment. The choral resource scheme payment is a one off single payment of $15.00 (regardless of how many choirs your child chooses to participate in). We request that you pay this amount with the return of the choral contract as soon as possible. If you have difficulty paying this amount, please contact the school to discuss a payment plan.

EDUCATION QUEENSLAND METROPOLITIAN CHORAL HONOURS MUSIC CAMP

We wish our Senior Choristers Luciella, Anneka, Saskia, Emma and David the best of singing luck for their participation in the Metropolitan Choral Honours Music Camp which will be held in the last week of Term 1. These choralists will be participating in one of two different choirs and will have the opportunity to work with renowned choral conductors Barbara McGeever and Kate Albury as well as a range of other musicians and accompanists. We look forward to hearing and seeing your wonderful musical endeavours at this incredible camp!

MUSIC PERFORMANCE UNIFORM

The Aspley Performance Uniform is worn by ALL performing ensembles at Aspley State School - Junior/Senior/Boys Choirs, Senior String Orchestra, Junior Concert Band and Senior Concert (excluding Beginner String students). All students involved in these ensembles at Aspley are required to wear the following performance uniform at all performances – Long Black Dress Pants, Long Sleeved White Dress Shirt, Black Socks and Black Shoes.

All students in performing ensembles who are required to purchase this music performance uniform have now received a parent information letter regarding purchasing the Aspley Music Performance Uniform through the Aspley Shop.

A REMINDER THAT IF YOU ARE PURCHASING THE PERFORMANCE UNIFORM FROM THE ASPLEY SHOP, THE ORDER FORM NEEDS TO BE RETURNED TO THE ASPLEY SHOP NO LATER THAN 10.00am Monday 3rd April 2017 or alternatively, ordered through the Flexischools online ordering system by 3.50pm Sunday 2nd April 2017. Orders with the supplier for the required uniforms will then be placed and should be available for collection by week beginning 17th April 2017.

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

CURRENT AND UPCOMING MUSICAL EVENTS - TERM TWO 2017

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

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC NEWS

WOODWIND/BRASS/PERCUSSION

Congratulations to our talented young musicians in the Senior Concert Band and their conductor Miss Jabs for their amazing assembly performance last week!

Please take note to changes to Ms Jabs Instrumental Music Lesson Timetable for Weeks 9 and 10. Senior Concert Band rehearsals will be cancelled on Wednesday 22nd March due to Year 5 Camp, however students in Years 6 will still be required to participate in group instrumental music lessons.

Senior Concert Band and all lessons will be cancelled on Wednesday 29th March as Ms Jabs and Ms Jerram both in attendance at Craigslea State High School Music Camp.

EDUCATION QUEENSLAND NORTHSIDE BAND BLITZ WORKSHOP/NORTHSIDE JUNIOR STRING CAMP

A reminder to our young beginner families who are participating in the Education Queensland Northside Band Blitz Workshop and the Northside Junior String Camp that all Medical/Consent forms and payment are due to the school office by Friday 28th April 2017 (Week 2, Term 2). Please take note of the cost of these workshops below:

• Northside Band Blitz cost is $40.00 per student.
• Northside Junior String Camp cost is $85.00 per student.

For further information regarding this exciting musical opportunity please refer to the parent information invitation that your child received from your instrumental music teacher.

STRINGS

Please take note that Senior String Orchestra and group lessons will be cancelled on Thursday 30th March due to Ms Jerram in attendance at Craigslea State High School Music Camp.

Happy Music Making

The Aspley Music Department

P&C NEWS

Last newsletter, we introduced the P&C and the importance of the Association at Aspley State School and invited you to participate in donating/volunteering just #1thing each semester. This week, we will highlight the contributions that the P&C have made to the school in the past four years, and what’s happening this year.

What has the P&C done to help support the school and my children?

In the past four years (2013-2016), the P&C has provided significant funding to the school. In fact, over $250,000 has been provided to the school to:

• upgrade the main computer server and replace computers in the school (ongoing ICT support and program)
• purchase iPads for classroom use
• build a new playground for the main oval
• assist Year 7 (then) and Year 6 (now) Graduation nights
• support sporting and curriculum initiatives (e.g. Friday sport uniforms, athletics equipment, supporting participation in camps and other activities for those in need, Garden Club)
• fund Hall upgrades - new internal steps to sound and lighting box with built in trophy cabinet, sound-system upgrades
• fund125 celebration activities
• assist in the renewal of the Netball courts
• air-condition all classrooms

What is the P&C fundraising for now?

There are always projects and programs planned to enhance the educational and extra-curriculum benefits for our students. Many of the above items need financial support every year.

In addition, this year, the P&C community have highlighted the need to improve many of the outdoor learning and play spaces. We will not only need funds, but also people-power to help achieve this.

Why should I care?

What we do as a P&C enhances every child’s time here at Aspley State School. Being a member of the P&C means you get to have a say in what events are held, and where the funding will go. Events are organised and run by volunteers, and we need to spread the load. You don’t need to be a member to volunteer (but why not become a member, membership is FREE!). Volunteers don’t necessarily have time – they make time, and we hope you will too. After all, it’s just #1thing!

What do I do now?

We invite you to become a member of the P&C, opt-in to email communications (saves paper, saves time, and you will always know where to find that note!), or check us out on Facebook - (you can view the posts on this page without having a Facebook account), and volunteer! #1hour or #1thing. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something!

Please join us at the next P&C Meeting on Tuesday 16 May, at 7pm, in the Library.

REMINDERS

Aspley Spirit Year Level Representatives

• Are you a parent/carer who knows what’s happening on the ground? Can you help pass on messages from the P&C to your year level? Are you able to give us feedback on behalf of your year level? We are looking for people to be a part of the Aspley Spirit Committee. Email pandc@aspleyss.eq.edu.au to nominate yourself. You will need to become a member of the P&C (but membership is FREE!).

OPT IN to Aspley P&C Communications

• Wish you could find out information without being on Facebook or waiting for the newsletter? Send your details (name, student’s name and class, email address) to pandc@aspleyss.eq.edu.au by 27 March 2017 to be kept in the know!

Tuckshop Volunteers

• Need to get out of the house? If only for an hour? Contact Judith at tuckshop@aspleyss.eq.edu.au to volunteer your time. Parents, carers and grandparents welcome!

Uniform Shop - Winter Uniforms

• The deadline to order Winter Uniforms is Monday 27 March so they will arrive in time for the cold weather. Please place your order on Flexi schools or see Jane in the Uniform Shop on Mondays or Wednesdays 8am to 11am.

UPCOMING EVENTS (Dates Confirmed):

Term 1

Uniform Shop Pre-Owned Sale – Monday 27 March 8am-10am.

• Outside the Uniform Shop
• Everything $5 Cash Only!
• Grab a bargain, plenty of winter uniform items available in a variety of sizes.
• #1thing: If you can spare an hour to help on Monday between 8am-10am, please contact Jane at the Uniform Shop on tel: 38639114 or email Jane at theshop@aspleyss.com.au.

• Easter Concert Bake Stall Fundraiser – Thursday 30 March 2017 8am to 10.30am

• Roll up, roll up and buy a Hot Cross bun, cupcake or cookie and cup of coffee to enjoy before and after the Easter Concert.
• WESTERN SIDE OF THE HALL – FOLLOW THE SIGNS on the day.
• Coffee Van available from 8am.
• #1thing: Volunteers to help on the day of the stall (9.30am to 10.30am)
• Volunteers can contact Tee Poh at pandc@aspleyss.eq.edu.au.

*** PLEASE THANK AND SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

OF THE EASTER BAKE STALL ****

Jacob’s Bakery Aspley
Brumby’s Carseldine
Brumby’s McDowall
Coles Aspley Hypermarket
Coles Rode Road
IGA McDowall
Woolworth’s Chermside Markets
&
THANK YOU TO THE LOVELY LADIES WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO BAKE ADDITIONAL GOODIES TO SUPPORT THIS FUNDRAISER.

Prep Parents/Carers MINGLE & CHAT – Thursday 30 March 2017 (approx. 10.30am to 11.15am)

• Prep parents/carers are invited to stay after the Easter Concert to catch up with each other, and to find out more about the P&C.
• Please see the note sent home last week or email pandc@aspleyss.eq.edu.au for more information or to RSVP.
• NB: Parents/carers are to stay up at the hall until all Prep students and teachers are back at their classrooms.

Years 3-6 Cross Country Friday 31 March 2017

• Coffee Van – Jumping Bean Café will be available at Ben Lomond Park from 8.30am to supply you with caffeine.
• A percentage of sales will be donated back to the P&C.
• The Uniform Shop has gorgeous hair ribbons and bows for sale – support your house team in house colours! The Uniform Shop is open from 8am until 11am on Monday and Wednesdays – students are welcome to visit the Shop during 1st Break.

Term 2

Mother’s Day Stall – Thursday 11 May 2017 and Friday 12 May, before school.

• #1thing: Donation of Hot choc/Coffee sachets and individually wrapped chocolates/biscuits.
• #1thing: Volunteer 1 or 2 hours to help package gifts (ongoing between now and the event).
• #1thing: Volunteer 1 or 2 hours (or more) to help at the stall (Thursday 9am from 2pm; Friday 8am to 9am).
• If you can help at all, please contact Jodie Parke on 0408 392 367 or jodie.parke@bigpond.com (please provide your contact details and when you are available to assist).

SAVE THE DATES! (Details to come)

Term 2

DISCO – Hawaiian Theme Friday 19th May
SPORTS DAYS BAKE STALL – Tuesday 20th to Thursday 22nd June

Term 3

5c FUNDRAISER – July - Start collecting those 5c coins now!
FATHER’S DAY STALL – Thursday 31 August; before school Friday 1 September

See the link below (you can view the posts on this page without having a Facebook account) or keep an eye out in your inbox.

HARMONY DAY:

It was wonderful to see the Aspley state school community coming together to celebrate diversity. All the children came together and embracing the theme of “Everybody Belongs” wrote a message of Harmony on an orange paper chain to represent how we at Aspley State School work together.

These are some student comments from the orange chains.

SENIOR LEADER NEWS

Mad Hair Day - Thank you for your support with our Mad Hair Day. We raised in excess of $600 and the children thoroughly enjoyed doing and watching the teachers have their hair done.

Nelma Wright (Senior Leader Coordinator)

ANZAC DAY CEREMONY

Anzac Day - Aspley's Anzac Service will be held on Monday, the 24th April commencing at 2pm. Members of the community are welcome to attend. We will again have a bugler play the Last Post and the Pipe Band to play the anthems etc.

Anzac badges will be on sale in the first week of term for a $1 each. Senior Leaders will come around to classrooms with these badges.

Nelma Wright (Senior Leader Coordinator)

CANBERRA TRIP EASTER RAFFLE

From Monday to Thursday next week, Senior Leaders will be selling raffle tickets for $1 each. Ticket sales will be outside the hall each morning and just before the Easter Concert on Thursday. The prizes will be a 5kg box of Favourite chocolates and two $50 Coles/Myer vouchers. Proceeds from this raffle go towards the Year 6 Canberra trip.

Nelma Wright, Canberra Trip Coordinator.

Prep Excursion – Bunyaville Environnemental centre.

On Wednesday the 22nd of March, Prep A, Prep M, Prep C and Prep S went to Bunyaville Environmental Centre to participate in The Easter Bilby Adventure. We were all so excited to board the bus and travel to Bunyaville to learn more about the endangered bilby. We crawled through a tunnel to spend time in a bilby burrow and listened to a special book. We discussed living and non-living things in the forest, made nests, hunted for eggs and lastly we got to meet a Bilby!

SPARROWS SOCCER PROGRAM NEWS

Sparrows selected in North District Soccer Teams

Well done to the eleven Sparrows who recently trialled for selection in North District Soccer teams: Kailee Field, Georgina, Saskia, Luciella and Anaiya; along with William (Billy) , Jahrel, Aiden, Zayne, Charlie and Tom.

Proceeding through to the next round were six students, including Georgina, Kailee and Saskia who were all selected in the North District Girls Soccer Team; with Aiden, Charlie and Tom making it as far as the ‘probables’ and ‘possibles’ round.

Congratulations students! All trialling and selection opportunities were a superb achievement, especially for two of our selected three girls whose only exposure to football has been through Aspley State School Sparrows Soccer Program.

Sparrows teams to compete at soccer tournament

More than 20 Aspley State School students will take part in the 10th Aspley Eagles Challenge Cup hosted by Aspley State High School next Thursday, 30th March 2017. They will be among hundreds of students from schools across Aspley, Eaton’s Hill, Bald Hills, Zillmere and Taigum who are involved in an action-packed day of round-robin soccer matches.

Best wishes to all our participating grade 6 students and the two captains appointed to help lead our boys and girls teams (respectively) during the day-long soccer carnival: Zayne and Georgina.

We wish you every success in bringing home the Eagles Cup … but mostly have fun and do yourselves proud.

Generous Geebung RSL takes students to Eagles Cup

Special thanks to the community service of Geebung RSL; they’re generously transporting students and supervising teacher/parents via their courtesy bus.

Angus makes QCSA Rep Team

In more exciting news, one of our Grade 4 Sparrows was recently selected in the Queensland Christian Soccer Association North District Zone Under 10’s Representative Team. This is Angus’ first representative team achievement after playing for Northside Christian Football Club since Prep age. Angus and the team will play several QCSA competitions this year, starting with the State Titles at Sunshine Coast Stadium, Kawana, over the May long weekend. We look forward to Angus sharing some of his developing skills and game tips with fellow Sparrows this year.

Pine Hills wants players!

Pine Hills Football Club is looking for players in all year levels – boys and girls. If you’re scouting a soccer club for your son or daughter, consider the inclusive and family friendly Pine Hills, which is the first club in Brisbane to achieve the FFA’s National Club Accreditation Level 2 Award. For more info visit:

To search for alternative Football Federation Australia-affiliated clubs in your local area, visit the FFA website link at:

Shoe & shin-guard swap proves popular

We recently launched “Big Sibling’s Boots” - our shoe and shin-guard swapping system. Thanks to all those families who’ve donated no-longer-needed boots and guards. We’ve collated various size shoes and have even kitted-up students so they can join training immediately.

Give or take! If you have excess soccer gear, we’re happy to have it. Alternatively, if your child’s feet need the next-size-up boots, come along to Thursday training and simply ‘take’ from the two large bags attraining–one for second-hand shoes, the other shin-guards. It is THAT easy!

Term 1 Count

Can you believe that around 81 boys and girls (weekly average) have been turning up to Sparrows training every Thursday in Term 1 2017? This is an outstanding show of enthusiasm by kids, mums, dads and other caregivers. Just think of all the health benefits!

#1thing in action

Special mention goes to our volunteers. A whole bunch of new faces appeared this year, and we welcome you gladly. It’s one great example of the P&C’s #1thing campaign in 2017: it asks you to think about at least ONE thing you will do, either as a parent, as a student, or as a family, each semester to help support our school community.

Continually showing up to help Aspley State School run this program for our kids are: Andrew Revie, Leigh-Ann Rohde, Sharon Iselin-Shea, Cindy Le Vieux, Brett Testa, Aaron Shea, John Forward, Renee Mills, Danny Power, Carolynne Hassall and Jodie McLagan.

Boys spaces filled: girls can still join

Due to capacity, we are unable to accept any more boys in the program at this time. However, there is space for grades 4, 5, or 6 girls. Permission letters are available at the office. Bring signed forms to Mr Farrow at training, and remember to wear football boots and shin guards.

Wet weather – what shall we do?

Wherever possible, if rain is predicted for Thursday morning or lead-up rainfall has impacted field conditions, we will cancel training and relay a message over school’s PA system on the Wednesday afternoon prior. Perhaps make a point to prompt your child by asking “Is Sparrows training still on tomorrow?”, and remember that:

• In unforeseen light sprinkle to drizzle, we will generally train.
• In showers and consistent rainfall, training will typically be abandoned.
• As no ‘wet weather line’ exists, common sense prevails; it is entirely your choice whether to send your child to Sparrows training or not.

Given Queensland’s unpredictable weather, a wet “call” can’t always be decided until close to 7:30am on Thursdays. Be prepared for the chance of late cancellation if you decide to send your student for training when inclement weather is present. Please note that students not participating in an organised school activity must be supervised by their parent/caregiver until 8:15am. After that, they can wait at the Eastern side of the Hall under staff supervision.

Contacts for Sparrows information:

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

Jodie McLagan, volunteer program liaison, jodie@ozrig.com.au | 0403 186 609

Chaplaincy News

Wanted: Donations for the Mother’s Day High Tea for Chaplaincy

We are seeking donations of Macconna Coffee Jars to use as flower vases for the forth coming Morning Tea for Mothers, Grandmothers and friends in our community to be held on Saturday 13th May from 10 am – 12.00 noon. If you can donate any jars, we ask that parents to take them to the library (for safety). We are also establishing a kit of Trios being a matching teacup, saucer and plate that can also be used on this day. The kit of Trios be made available to other community groups for special morning teas. If you have that odd set of china in the cupboard that you don’t currently use we would encourage you to donate it to our kit. All who donate will be able to borrow the kit of trios for their next special function!

CAMP AUSTRALIA NEWS

COMMUNITY NEWS

Little Lifesavers

Surf Life Saving Queensland runs the community based Little Lifesavers program at several locations across Queensland including Southbank Brisbane. Little Lifesavers program is a great introduction for children aged five to 11 to surf lifesaving without having to travel to the beach or join a surf lifesaving club. Our highly skilled surf lifesavers will guide your children through a structured program.

HOT SHOT TENNIS

WEST CHERMSIDE C&K

NORTH STAR FOOTBALL CLUB

Craigslea SHS Open Day

ALBANY CREEK SCHOOOL DENTAL CLINIC

Free dental check-ups and treatment available now!

Regular dental check-ups and early preventive care are an important part of good oral health.

The Albany Creek School Dental Clinic is offering your child/children a dental check-up. They will also receive additional appointments if any treatment is needed – all free of charge!

There have been some changes to who we can now offer dental care to. The following children are eligible for our service now:

• ALL Students 4 years of age through to year 10
• Students in Years 11 and 12 who have a current Centrelink Card, Healthcare Card or Pension Card
• 2 – 3 year olds whose parents have a current Centrelink Card, Healthcare Card or Pension Card
• 2 – 17 year olds who are eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). To check your eligibility visit the website at my.gov.au or phone 132001

This offer of care is an opportunity to provide your child with more timely access to public dental care and we also now have the ability to offer more regular recalls for children who attend our service. So if it has been over six months since your child’s last check-up ring us up now. We have appointments available in the school holidays.

The Albany Creek School Dental Clinic is open Monday to Friday so please call us on 3264 6217 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and our friendly staff will arrange an appointment for you.

Young Engineers Brisbane North