21 April 2017

Newsletter Articles

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 2017

PAYMENTS DUE

PRINCIPAL’S NEWS

Welcome back to school for Term 2! Term two is another busy term of learning and events at the school.

School Closure

I wish to thank the school community for their cooperation and support during the school closure over the last two days of school. With the sudden end to term one, due to the unprecedented weather event, we have enjoyed the cross country events and Easter hat parade and concert this week.

Website Consent Forms

At Aspley State School we access a number for websites to enhance student learning. For student to continue to access these sites, I ask that parents / carers return the permission form sent home with your child at the end of Term 1. Thank you to those parents/ carers who have already returned this form. If you would like more information about this please email Greg Thomas, Head of Curriculum: gthom18@eq.edu.au

Website Consent Forms are now due to be returned to the class teacher. If you require another copy of this form please contact the school office.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. It is important to remember that NAPLAN tests are not pass/fail tests. At the classroom level it is one of a number of important tools used by teachers to measure student progress.

Students in years 3 and 5 at Aspley State School will sit the NAPLAN Tests:

All students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 are expected to participate in NAPLAN tests. NAPLAN tests give you information on how your child is progressing against national standards.

This information allows for additional intervention if necessary to ensure your child progresses at a rate where they can fully participate in all aspects of the curriculum. NAPLAN does not replace, but rather complements, assessments run by your child's classroom teacher throughout the year.

Adjustments can be provided for students with disability to enable them to access the tests on an equivalent basis as students without disability, and should be discussed with your child's school prior to the tests. ACARA has developed example scenarios to provide greater understanding of the appropriate adjustments for students with disability.

Removal of the Dental Unit

During the school holidays Queensland Health commenced the removal of the dental unit located at Aspley State School. This work is scheduled to conclude in the middle of May. The school plans to redevelop this area for an outdoor learning area and early years playground.

QParents Online Parent Portal

I encourage all parents/ carers to enrol in the QParents if you have not already done so.

QParents is a web and mobile application that provides the ability for parents/carers of Queensland state school students to access and update information about their child and to communicate directly with their school.

Once a parent has registered an account with QParents and has added their students, they will have secure online access to information such as their student’s:

• attendance details
• report cards
• timetables
• invoices
• payment details

QParents Account owners will also be able to update student details and let the school know of changes to normal routine, such as when the student is unwell or has to leave early.

In term 2 student summative reports (report cards) for Semester 2 will be available through QParents one week prior to them being emailed out to parents.

BOOST

Cycles of support and enrichment to support all students learning commenced this term to support year one students in writing and year 6 students in reading comprehension.

School Musical Invitation

On Wednesday the 3 May students from year six have been invited to attend a musical Bugsy Malone at Wavell State High School. On Thursday 4th May students from year 4 and year 5 have been invited to attend the musical Snow Queen at Craigslea State High School. There will be a small cost for bus transportation.

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL’S NEWS

Solid Pathways

As part of the Solid Pathways program, an eager group of students attended two excursions to strengthen their knowledge about key aspects of the program.

On 24 March 2017, students attended the Queensland Academy for Maths, Science and Technology at Toowong for a Q&A session with well-known scientist Dr Karl Kruszelnicki. By all reports, this event was an amazing experience and the students were able to ask scientific questions of Dr Karl. (Photo 2).

On 29 March 2017, the students attended the University of Queensland St Lucia Campus for the UQ Experience Day - where they attended lectures on Shakespeare, digital technologies and geology. The students again learnt so much from this activity,participating in sessions that do not normally occur at school. (Photo 1 - students pictured near the Great Hall at UQ)

Thank you to Mrs Rossitto for coordinating these excursions and to the parents of participating students for assisting with transport and supervision of these activities.

Ray White Easter Colouring Competition

Before the holiday’s children from grades Prep - Year 2 took part in a Easter colouring competition sponsored by Ray White. All students who participated created some beautiful artwork. Our winners were Isobel in Prep M, Sienna in Grade 1B and Isaiah in Grade 2K.

Easter Raffle

We would like to thank Councillor Norm Wyndham for donating the basket for our Easter Raffle. All funds raised will be donated in support of our chaplaincy program. Thank you to all who purchased raffle tickets.

1st Prize – L. Hancock

Easter Concert

It was fantastic to see all the Prep- year 2 children coming together and engaging in such a wonderful program of music and creativity dedicated to the celebration of Easter. The students demonstrated how hard they have worked, with a beautiful array of Easter hats and lovely performances by all students who participated. Each year level performed two songs and we would like to thank the classroom teachers and our music teacher Mrs McIntyre for all their hard work.

STUDENT RESOURCE SCHEME

Thank you for your support with the SRS. This scheme enables us to buy resources for the classroom at bulk prices and this reduces parent cost on the booklist. Access to the digital resources will be continued only if you have paid the SRS by Friday 28 April, 2017.

Resources purchased through the scheme include:-

• Digital access to Mathletics and Spellodrome
• Digital access to Literacy Planet
• Digital access to IXL
• Digital access to Typing Tournament
• Reading and Comprehension Activity Cards
• Think Tanks – problem solving activities
• Class sets of Atlases
• Class sets Dictionaries
• Photocopied booklets to support units of work
• Laminating pouches for pieces of artwork
• Classroom reading resources

Please note that students who have not made payment for the SRS will be unable to access the digital resources after Friday 28 April 2017.

Please see your class teacher or the Office for replacement SRS Forms. Your prompt attention to this matter is appreciated.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT NEWS

ASPLEY CHORAL PROGRAM

Mrs Macca has had a wonderful week seeing all choralists participating in their first choral ensemble rehearsals for Term 2. Our young choralists are very excited to be working towards their upcoming performances throughout this term.

If your child is unable to attend a choral ensemble rehearsal please ensure that you contact Mrs Macca via email, or alternatively, write a letter notifying Mrs Macca that your child will be absent.

Please take note of the choral ensemble rehearsal schedule below:

Please note that Boys Choir rehearsal will be cancelled next week (Week 2 ONLY) due to the Anzac Public Holiday, however, Boys Choir rehearsals will resume in Week 3 as per rehearsal schedule above.

Happy Singing to you all.

EDUCATION QUEENSLAND METROPOLITIAN CHORAL HONOURS MUSIC CAMP

Congratulations to our Senior Choristers Luciella, Anneka, Saskia, Emma and David for their participation in the Metropolitan Choral Honours Music Camp held in the last week of Term 1. These choralists participated in one of two different choral ensembles and had the opportunity to work with renowned choral conductors Barbara McGeever and Kate Albury as well as a range of other musicians and accompanists.

I had the wonderful pleasure of attending the Twilight performance where children, their conductors and accompanists had the opportunity to showcase what they had achieved over the three-day choral camp. It was so lovely to see the children excited, happy and enthusiastic regarding their time at this camp.

Luciella has written a recount of her time at Metropolitan Choral Honours Music Camp:

On the 27th, 28th and the 29th of March I went to choral honours camp with four other Aspley Choristers Saskia, Annika, Emma and David. We had two amazing conductors Kate Albury and Barbara McGeever. We sang four songs - Can't Stop The Feeling, Child of the Goldfield, both were massed choir items. We also sung The Rainbow Connection and Its Bonfire Season, in Kate's Choir. All five of us were in Kate's Choir. On the first two days we were at the Voices of Biralee venue and the last day was at the old Museum. Over all we learnt a lot and really enjoyed ourselves.

Below are photos of our young choralists participating in their last day at the choral camp and their performances:

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

A reminder to all instrumentalists to ensure that you refer to the Instrumental Music Timetable for changes regarding lessons and ensemble rehearsals for the beginning of Term 2. Please note the following changes as per timetable:

BAND REHEARSALS

Wednesday morning Senior Band rehearsals begin at 8am. Children are expected to arrive no later than 7.50am to set up their chair, stand and instrument. Junior Band begins on Monday 15th May, and due to assembly set up at 8.30am, we must start playing at 7.50am, so arrival is 10 minutes prior.

JUNIOR BAND WORKSHOP

Due to the many Monday interruptions, I have timetabled a Junior Band workshop on Wednesday 26th April. This will allow me to see the children after 5 weeks! This workshop will be their first introduction to band – how exciting! Thanks to the parents who have volunteered to help out that day. I am guessing you may need a strong coffee afterwards.

EDUCATION QUEENSLAND NORTHSIDE BAND BLITZ WORKSHOP – Thursday 8th June 2017/

EDUCATION QUEENSLAND NORTHSIDE JUNIOR STRING CAMP – Wednesday 7th June – Friday 9th June 2017

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. Please see a music teacher if your child needs another participation form.

STRINGS

Please note the following changes for Ms Jerram’s Instrumental Timetable for the beginning of Term 4:

• Thursday 4th May – Senior Orchestra rehearsal cancelled, however all lessons are on as per timetable.
• Thursday 11th May – Senior Orchestra rehearsal cancelled, however all lessons are on as per timetable.

String Orchestra students who attend prior commitments before ensemble rehearsals are to ensure that they leave their other activities on time. If needing to change shoes etc instruments are to be given to Ms Jerram for tuning first.

Happy Music Making
The Aspley Music Department

SPORTS DEPARTMENT NEWS

Prep – Year 2 Fun run and mini cross Country

It was great to see so many students participating and putting in a fantastic effort.

Our Grade 2 winners were:

Girls:

1. Cassandra
2. Xiana
3. Amy
4. Kayla

Boys

1. Tyler
2. Cruz
3. Beau
4. Bentley

The Cross Country for Grades 3 – 6 was held on Wednesday the 19th April. All students involved showed exemplary behaviour demonstrating safe practices walking to and from the venue. Congratulations to everyone involved, every student who participated earned valuable house points. We would like to wish every age champion and student who placed the very best of luck when representing Aspley State School at the North District trials on Friday.

Our Age Champions and Place Winners are:

9yrs:

Boys - 1st Jalun, 2nd Eli, 3rd Riley 4th Jettlin 5th Luke, 6th Kian
Girls - 1st Sian, 2nd Jocelyn, 3rd Emerson, 4th Keeley, 5th Sia, 6th Christine

10yrs:

Boys - 1st Oliver, 2nd Sebastian, 3rd Jay, 4th Ashton, 5th Angus, 6th Jasper
Girls - 1st Jasmine, 2nd Mia, 3rd Maya, 4th Elane, 5th Niamh, 6th Lucy

11yrs:

Boys - 1st Jamaji, 2nd Jahrel, 3rd David, 4th Ryan, 5th Kaius, 6th Tyrone
Girls - 1st Emma 2nd Indie 3rd Mya 4th Jordan 5th Stephanie 6th Lauren

12 years:

Boys - 1st Zane, 2nd Tom, 3rd Charlie, 4th Willem, 5th Sebastian 6th Noah
Girls - 1st Luciella 2nd Georgina, 3rd Alicia, 4th Anaiya, 5th Kaitlyn, 6th Isabella

Gala Day

Just a reminder that Gala day sports starts this Friday for grades 4-6.

North District Sports

We would like to congratulate all the students who participated in the North District cross country, all represented Aspley State School with pride.

I am pleased to announce that our Boys have won the Stan Bentley Shield with the most Boys percentage points. It was great to see, Well Done Aspley!!

North District Tennis Trials (Tuesday the 2nd of May) are open for registration (only students turning 10,11 & 12 in 2017). Please see Mr Schmidt for all your forms!

ANZAC Service and Badges

Anzac Badges and Service. - Anzac Badges are being sold each day up to and including Monday the 24th April. The cost of the badges will be $1. Senior Leaders will visit the classrooms to sell the badges. They will also be on sale outside the hall on Monday, prior to the service if any parents etc wish to buy.

Aspley State School will be holding its Anzac service on Monday, the 24th April at 2pm.

All parents are welcome to attend.

Children are welcome to bring a small bunch of flowers which will form part of the display or be put around our monument on the day.

Canberra Trip Fundraiser – Entertainment Books

Entertainment Books - Aspley State School is again selling the Entertainment Books as a fundraiser. This year the money raised will assist the Year 6 students going to Canberra. For every book sold at a cost of $65, we receive $13.

A flyer about buying the Entertainment Books is included in this newsletter.

Please tell your friends that they can purchase their books from us.

Thank you for your support.

Nelma Wright

Canberra Trip Raffle.

Thank you to all who purchased tickets in support of the Year 6 students travelling to Canberra. Our winners were drawn at the Easter concert, Friday 21st April.

1st Prize - $50 Coles/Myer Voucher - and Large Box of Chocolates - Edward Turner 1 B
2nd Prize - $50 Coles/Myer Voucher – A. Woodward 1T

P&C NEWS

Thank you to the families and friends who attended our impromptu Trivia Family Fun Afternoon on Saturday 8 April. Given the short notice, we received a lot of support from local members and businesses, and it was a great event that demonstrated the community spirit of Aspley State School in supporting the P&C and the postponed Easter Concert Bake Stall. Due to the school closure, we were only able to advertise via the Facebook page and Aspley Spirit communications, so we encourage you to follow the P&C Facebook page or email PandC@aspleyss.eq.edu.au to subscribe to updates.

We have a busy term 2 planned and are looking forward to your #1thing!

Please join us at the next P&C Meeting on Tuesday 16 May, at 7pm, in the Library, to hear more about the great work your P&C is planning for 2017.

FAQs

What does being a member of the P&C entail, and how involved do I need to be?

Being a member of the P&C entitles you to vote at meetings on decisions such as how the P&C supports the school. Whether it be sand in the playground or building a whole new playground, you can have your say. Attending meetings is an opportunity to ask questions and give feedback to the school’s leadership team.

You don’t need to be a P&C member to be involved in the school community, but it is a great way to keep informed on how things work. How involved you are is entirely up to you – whether it is volunteering an hour at tuckshop every week, baking a dozen cupcakes for a bake stall, or showing up at a working bee with your trailer – every volunteer is appreciated. Many hands make light work. #1thing!

REMINDERS

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

• Winter uniforms will be arriving in the next few weeks and Jane (our Shop convenor) will be available on Monday and Wednesdays from 8am to 11am for you or your student to collect. Please remember to label your items with a name and phone number.

Mother’s Day Stall Donations/Volunteer Call Out

• Individually wrapped chocolates/biscuits and coffee donations – please leave at the office.
• Volunteers to package gifts (usually on a Thursday after student drop-off).
• Volunteers on Thursday May 11 (9am – 2pm) and Friday May 12 (8am – 9am) to help serve the students.
• 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).

UPCOMING EVENTS (Dates Confirmed):

Term 2

MOTHER’S DAY STALL – Thursday 11 May and Friday 12 May, before school.
P&C GENERAL MEETING – Tuesday 16 May 7pm Library.
HAWAIIAN DISCO – Friday 19 May – Hawaiian Theme
SPORTS DAY BAKE STALL – Tuesday 20th June

Term 3

LOOSE CHANGE FUNDRAISER – July - Start collecting those 5c coins and other loose change 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.

SPARROWS SOCCER PROGRAM NEWS

Welcome back!

As Term 2 kicks off, so too does the Sparrows Soccer Program. No doubt many of our Sparrows took the opportunity during the school holidays to practice their soccer skills and we look forward to seeing all our wonderful players, committed staff, fabulous volunteers and enthusiastic supporters as the Sparrows launch into the new term.

Eagles Cup postponed

The highly anticipated Eagles Cup soccer event was postponed in the last week of Term 1 due to wet weather. A rescheduled date and any adjusted team’s line-up will be announced as soon as possible.

Training resumes Thursday

See you at 7.30am! Remember to get your name marked off the Sparrows attendance list.

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

ASTHMA INHALERS RECALL

Nearly 600,000 inhalers were just voluntarily recalled nationwide by GlaxoSmithKline due to "defective delivery system," with a large number of units having "out of specification results for leak rate" (possible package leakage).

The FDA describes the affected inhalers as prescription-only "Ventolin HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol, 90 mcg per actuation, 200 metered inhalations, net weight 18 g inhalers." The recall is classified as "Class II," which means "the products might cause a temporary health problem, or pose only a slight threat of a serious nature," the FDA reports.

To see if your child's inhaler is affected by this recall, see the lot numbers and expiration dates of the affected inhalers below.

• 6ZP9848 (expiration date: March 2018)
• 6ZP0003 (expiration date: April 2018)
• 6ZP9944 (expiration date: April 2018)

Wavell High School Open Day

COMMUNITY NEWS

Mandarin Classes at Aspley State School

Aspley Young Engineers Program

Walk Over Breast Cancer

Register today and join us for the 20th Anniversary of the Mother’s Day Classic on Sunday 14 May 2017, Cultural Forecourt, South Bank Parklands, Brisbane.

Pine Hills Hockey Club

Saver Plus Program