5 May 2017

Newsletter Articles

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 2017

PAYMENTS DUE

PRINCIPAL’S NEWS

Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month

Domestic and family violence is a serious issue.

May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month and provides all Queensland state schools and DET workplaces with an opportunity to raise awareness of domestic and family violence and the importance of building respectful relationships with staff, students and school communities.

This year’s theme ‘Not Now, Not Ever — in our schools, workplaces, sporting organisations and communities’ challenges all of us to play our part by raising awareness to prevent domestic and family violence.

Schools and workplaces acknowledge Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month by:

• speaking out against domestic and family violence
• highlighting positive strategies to increase gender equality for women and girls
• focussing on building healthy, respectful relationships.

The Qld Government’s strong campaign to reduce the incidence of domestic violence NOT NOW, NOT EVER is featured in May with a number of community events to spread the message that we all act to promote an end to domestic and family violence. See the website at:

QParents

For those parents who have not registered for QParents and wish to receive your child/s report cards early this term, time is running out! The QParents web and mobile application provides an easier way for you to interact with our school. Parents will have secure, online access to their child’s student information, anytime, anywhere, through a smartphone, tablet or computer.

Q Parents allows parents to connect instantly with our school to access and manage their child’s student information, including:

• Attendance and absence details, as well as the ability to notify the school of an absence
• Academic report cards (June 2017)
• Viewing unpaid invoice details, payment history, and making payments online
• Viewing and updating personal student details, including medical conditions and address
• Enrolment details

Q Parents will assist both staff and parents in sharing and responding to information in an efficient and effective way. It won’t replace the traditional ways you communicate with our school, but it will provide another way to communicate with us!

Currently, Aspley State School has 406 active Q Parents, which is close to 60% of our families. Let’s see if we can be the first school in the state to reach 85% of parents to be registered this term.

If you have questions or need any assistance with signing up please do not hesitate to come and see one of our helpful office staff or contact admin@aspleyss.eq.edu.au

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.

Information for parents is at the link below

Parents, you can support your child’s success by not placing undue pressure on them about the NAPLAN assessments. Students have completed a practice type test and are aware of the format and the test situation. Please ensure that your child has an early night before the test days, a good breakfast and is equipped with some nutritious snacks / lunch for these days.

Gala Day

Gala day sport was enjoyed by all the students in years 4-6 last week. It is great for children to play other schools, develop sporting skills and to enjoy friendly competition. I am proud that the children set the highest standard of behaviour at Gala Day interschool sports last week.

Sadly, I have received complaints about poor parent behaviour at the recent Gala Day. Please be advised that if your parental behaviour does not reflect the good name of our great school, then the relevant parents will be prohibited to attend the event. Parents, if you cannot model good sportsmanship and represent Aspley State School in the highest regards then do not attend this event where you only serve to embarrass yourself, the school, and, your own child!

Staff Update

Mrs Christine Antoni is on leave for the remainder of term 2 and Mrs Donna Boaler is acting Deputy Principal during this time.

Mrs Murphy is expecting a dearly loved baby and will commence her maternity leave on Friday 12 May 2017. We welcome Mrs Lucy Gothmann who will take the class for the rest of the year. Mrs Gothmann is new to the Aspley community and is an experienced and highly regarded teacher. Mrs Gothmann will be visiting the class 2M over the next two weeks to meet the children and ensure a smooth transition for the class.

Aspley Students Visit Local High Schools

This week year 6 students visited Wavell State High School to attend their school musical “Bugsy Malone”. Students enjoyed this performance and learned about live theatre production. Year 4 and 5 students visited Craigslea State High School to attend their performance of “Snow Queen”.

DRAMA Club

Mrs Vener and Ms Monaghan have established a lunch time drama club for 35 students from years 4 and 5. The drama club will meet each Thursday commencing 18th of May 2017. Performing arts is an opportunity for students to develop an understanding of humanity, self-expression, and develop their skills and acting techniques, and, performance and production skills.

School Photos

School Photos are scheduled for Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th June 2017. A timetable for school photos will be published in the next newsletter.

Prep Enrolments

If you are a current parent of an Aspley State School student and have a child starting school in 2018, please make sure you come and collect a Prep Enrolment Pack, if you have not done so already. If you have any questions regarding enrolments please contact admin@aspleyss.eq.edu.au

Playground Redevelopment

Currently the school is designing a new early years playground and outdoor learning space for our young students. Whilst this is a significant work with partnerships from the school and other partners. With the demolition of the Dental Clinic underway, we have made the decision to close the Early Years Playground as the current condition of the eroded pathway and playground may be a risk to student safety.

Please be advised that the early year’s playground is closed due to deconstruction of the area. The access gate adjacent to the early years playground on Maundrell Tce will not be accessible during this construction period. We apologise for any inconvenience that this has caused and ask parents to walk further along Maundrell Terrace and enter via the main entry gate.

Mother’s Day High Tea

A reminder to return your RSVP if you would like to attend the Mother’s Day High Tea at the school hall at any time from 10.00 am-12.00 noon on Saturday 12th May 2017. The cost of the High Tea is $5.00 per person and funds raised support the Chaplaincy Program for Aspley State School.

Parents and Citizens Association Meeting

The next Parents and Citizens Association Meeting is to be held on Tuesday 16th May at 7.00 pm in the school hall. All are welcome to attend.

Hawaiian Disco

Don’t miss the upcoming P & C Association Hawaiian themed disco to be held on Friday 19th of May 2017 from 6pm – 8.00 pm at the school hall. Entry is for Aspley State School students and their younger siblings only and is $6.00 per child. Food and drinks are available from 5.30 pm. Parent supervision is required.

(Pre-purchased tickets are available for $5.00 through Flexischools from 8-17 May 2017.)

Road Safety

Keep your child safe - Be a good Role Model

Your primary aged child is still developing an understanding of danger and safety. While they are often keen to do things for themselves, an adult must always be responsible for your child in the traffic environment, role modelling good road safety practices.

Your child is a vulnerable road user. They are still developing the skills that help them to judge the direction of sound and the speed and distance of vehicles. Your child is physically small, making it harder for drivers to see them. They may be easily distracted and tend to only be able to focus on one thing at a time. This means that they find it difficult to deal with sudden changes in the traffic environment.

Pedestrian Safety

Hold a grown-up's hand when –

• you cross the road
• you're on the footpath
• you're in the car park

Stop! Look! Listen! Think! Every time you cross the road

• Use a safe place to cross the road

Pedestrian traffic signals

Always wait for the light to change to the green walk signal before crossing. Make sure that vehicles stop before you cross, and don't walk if vehicles are moving through the crossing or if the red don't walk signal shows. When approaching traffic lights, you must not start to cross on the flashing red don't walk signal. You must wait for the green signal before you start to cross.

Dropping off and picking up

The beginning and end of the school day are busy times for pedestrians and vehicles outside schools. Parking signs are planned with your child's safety in mind.

It is helpful for everyone if you park safely, even if you have to walk further to the school gate. This is a good time to model positive road safety behavior and physical activity for your child.

Drop your child off and pick them up on the school side of the road. Calling out to them from across the road is dangerous – they may run to you without checking for traffic. This will help keep all children as safe as possible during the busiest times of the school day.

You should always:

• park legally
• avoid dangerous manoeuvers such as U-turns and three-point turns
• give way to pedestrians, particularly when entering or exiting driveways
• avoid using the school car park or driveway
• avoid parking in the school bus bay
• make sure your child uses the Safety Door (rear curb-side door) to get in and out of the car

Dangerous driving behavior around schools puts children at risk.

Model safe and considerate behavior for your child – they will learn from you.

Past Students

Aspley State School is always keen to hear about success stories of their student alumni. If you have anything that you would like to share please contact admin@aspleyss.eq.edu.au

Elli Zhang recently shared a story with us about her two daughters Jiadai Mi and Jiameng Mi who attended Aspley State School……..

My husband and I were very happy with everything my daughters learnt at Aspley State School. We moved to this area about 15 years ago from Japan, We visited many schools and we have found Aspley State School is the best, then we bought a house near to school.

The girls met the best teachers at Aspley State School. Jiadai was a music captain and Jiameng was a school captain in year 7. They both joined school band, Jiadai played Saxophone, Jiameng played Trumpet. They also played Piano for many years and achieved highest level. Jiadai also teaching piano at her spare time.

Jiadai Mi, after attending Aspley State School, was accepted into Brisbane State High school in 2007 and entered the Queensland Academies for science, maths and technologies. In 2011 Jiadai started science at UQ and graduated in 2015 with Class 1 honours. She is now studying her doctorate in Neuroscience and would like to contribute to research and medical study.

Jiameng Mi was known as Jasmine and became very popular with students and teachers at Aspley State School. Jiameng was elected as School captain in Grade 7 and became very passionate about English and writing, debating and philosophy as well. She studied for 5 years at Kelvin Grove College involving herself in many community activities. She was elected English captain in grade 12 with her poetry being published in the UK and the US. Jasmine has just received an offer from UQ Law faculty, however currently she is on a 1 year youth exchange program organised by Rotary International to Norway.

We very much appreciate all the school teachers’ excellent work. I always think the girls are very lucky and we live at the best country in the world.

Thanks again for all your great work.

Elli Zhang

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL’S NEWS

BOOST

For the next 6 weeks, Year 1 and Year 6 students will be involved in cycle 2 of BOOST.

Last week, Year 1 students commenced their focus on writing with the Year 6 students commencing their focus on reading comprehension.

This week, Year 1 students and BOOST staff were observed working hard to improve a key area of their writing.

From Mrs Agnew’s group learning about adding “wow verbs” to Mrs Neil’s group creating adjective-rich stories about “witchy teachers with crooked noses”, students in Year 1 BOOST are developing their literacy skills in new ways within smaller, targeted groups.

On Thursday the Year 1 students in Mrs Agnews’s group did a ten-minute quick write called, “A Moment in Time”. Here are some great examples of their work…

Lucas Yr 1

The time I felt nervous.
I heard a gun.
I heard a bomb.
I saw a jet.
I saw an army.
I felt funny.
I felt nervous.
I wondered if it would come again tomorrow.
I wondered when Anzac Day would end.

Eddie T

I felt nervous.
I heard noises at the door.
I heard creaking wood.
I saw a pair of wrinkled, disgusting hands break through the door.
I felt nervous.
I felt sick.
I wondered what it was.
I wondered if the zombies were going to get me!

SENIOR LEADER – ROUND 2

The Leadership Committee met earlier this week to determine those students who will continue the Round 2 process and complete the Senior Leader Booklet.

Please note that the Assembly presentation for the Round 2 Senior Leaders process has been delayed by one week, with the Round 2 Induction to be held on Monday 29 May (not Monday 15 May as previously advertised).

LIBRARY TEAM, HOSPITALITY TEAM AND TECH CREW

The Leadership Committee also made determinations about the membership of the Library Team, Hospitality Team and Tech Crew for this year. Students selected to proceed will now be interviewed as advertised, with the successful students inducted to the Team/ Crew at the Assembly on 22 May 2017.

LOCAL STATE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICALS

Thank you to Craigslea State High School and Wavell State High School for the invitation for students to in Years 4-6 to attend their musical productions this week. We are grateful for the opportunity to attend these wonderful amateur productions and it was pleasing to see some former Aspley students on stage showcasing their talents at high school. Well done to all concerned.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT NEWS

ALBANY CREEK UNITING CHURCH – JUNIOR CHOIR PERFORMANCE – SATURDAY 13TH MAY 2017

All Junior Choristers have now received a parent information letter regarding their upcoming performance at the Albany Creek Uniting Church Annual May Fair. This is a wonderful opportunity for our talented Junior Choir members to perform to the wider community in a caring, friendly and fun environment.

Please take note of the following details for this performance:

It is expected that all children be in attendance. However, we are aware that children are involved in activities on weekends. All students/parents are expected to return the slip regarding your child’s availability to perform at Albany Creek Uniting Church on Saturday 13th May, 2017 to the school office no later than Monday 8th May 2017.

If you are able to assist with supervision at this performance, it would be greatly appreciated if you could fill in the section on the return slip also.

We look forward to our first performance and thank you for supporting our choral program at Aspley State School.

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

All Lessons and ensemble rehearsals will be as per the instrumental music lesson timetable.

Please note the changes to Instrumental Music Lessons on Wednesday 17th May, as Ms Jabs will be in attendance at an assembly performance for Craigslea State High School.

BAND REHEARSALS

A reminder that for both our Senior Band and Junior Band members ensemble 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

The first Junior Band rehearsal – the band enjoyed their workshop last week and learned a lot about the basics of ensemble training. Congratulations to our youngsters and wonderful parents for their involvement in this Junior Band Workshop.

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

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

Thank you to families who have returned medical/consent forms for our young beginner instrumental music students to attend the Education Queensland Northside Band Blitz Workshop and the Northside Junior String Camp.

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. All lessons are cancelled for this day (except for the timetabled 2.25pm group as per timetable schedule) due to Craigslea State High School Musical commitments for Ms Jerram.
• Thursday 11th May – Senior Orchestra rehearsal cancelled, however all lessons are on as per timetable.
• Thursday 18th May – Senior Orchestra rehearsal on as usual, however, all lessons from 11.45am on this day will be cancelled due to concert preparation at Craigslea State High School (please refer to your String Timetable).

Happy Music Making
The Aspley Music Department

Anzac Day

On Monday, the 24th April, at 2pm, Aspley State School held their Anzac Service. Thank you to the National Servicemen's Memorial Pipes and Drums for playing, Mr Jack Duffy for being our bugler and Mr Kym Farrow for speaking.

I especially wish to congratulate our School Captains and additional Year 6 students involved in the Service. They did an excellent job and made the event a truly memorable one.

All of the Aspley children were extremely well behaved showing their respect for Anzac Day and what it stands for.

Year 6 Canberra Trip

There will be an information session for parents regarding the trip on Wednesday, the 10th May, commencing at 5:30pm in the Music Room. This meeting will only go for about an hour.

A huge thank you to Jan and Tim (Isabella Scott's parents) who have assisted with sponsorship of the jackets the children wear during their trip. Tim and Jan own the business Tim, the Tree-Man. Tim is a well respected arborist who has donated considerable time and expertise to our school over the years.

Nelma Wright

Aspley State School Entertainment book Fundraiser

Support our School by buying the NEW 2017 | 2018 Entertainment Membership for your Mum, other family members, or even spoil yourself this Mother's Day. Entertainment Memberships are filled with hundreds of valuable offers for everything you love to do, and you'll be helping our fundraising at the same time!

WAVELL HIGH PROBLEM SOLVING

On 24th April, 16 students from years 5 & 6 attended the annual Problem Solving Day at Wavell High School. Even though we didn’t win this year, the students came back very excited from the day.

P&C NEWS

Congratulations to Aspley Swim Club for celebrating 50 years of club swimming at their annual Presentation Night on April 29. If you’re interested in joining Friday night Swim Club, it is open to all families, not just those that attend this school. Email swimaspley@hotmail.com to find out how to join up for next season.

The only P&C General Meeting for this term will be held on Tuesday 16 May, 7pm, in the Library. We welcome all members of the Aspley School community. You do not need to be a member of the P&C to attend the meeting. If you have any feedback or questions, please do not hesitate to contact Brenden, P&C President on 0412 405 462, or email pandc@aspleyss.eq.edu.au.

REMINDERS;

TUCKSHOP

• The term 2 Winter Menu is up and running and "Sushi Tuesday" is now available. Ordering is strictly cut off at 10am Mondays and can be ordered from the first menu page on Flexischools or scroll to the bottom if ordering from your phone. If you cannot order via Flexischools, please see Judith at the tuckshop before school on Mondays to place your order. Note: Normal menu is still available on Tuesdays.
• #1thing: If you are free to help on Tuesdays between 9 and 10.30am for packing we would love to see you.
• Other winter menu treats include Oven Baked Fried Rice and Penne Pasta - Check out the full tuckshop menu on the school website!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

MOTHER’S DAY STALL

Thursday 11 May, 8.30am to 2pm; and Friday 12 May, 7.45am to 9am.

• REMINDER: Encourage your children to bring their own bag to take home your gifts in.
• Thank you so much to the families who have donated to the stall, and who have been helping with the wrapping of gifts.
• #1thing: Jodie is still hoping for a few more volunteers on Thursday and Friday morning before school – even if you can spare just 1 hour – to help serve the students. We welcome all help, whether mums, dads, or grandparents.
• 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).

P&C GENERAL MEETING

Tuesday 16 May, 7pm Library.

• Working Bee planning is underway and we are looking for donations of OUTDOOR PAINT and an IRRIGATION/SPRINKLER SYSTEM. If you can help, please email pandc@aspleyss.eq.edu.au by Monday 15 May, so we can determine how much we will need to purchase.
• Do you have a great idea on how we can make the outdoor areas or Early Years Playground better? Email us your ideas – we’d love to hear them

HAWAIIAN DISCO

Friday 19 May, 6pm to 8pm, School Hall.

• Channel your inner Moana or Maui and get ready to have a great time at the Hawaiian themed school disco!
• $5 tickets can be purchased via Flexischools from 8-17 May 2017; or at the door for $6. Parent supervision is required.
• See the flyer for more details.
• #1thing Volunteers needed from 5.30pm to help. 30mins of time is all it takes to help everything run smoothly – why not tag team with another parent to keep an eye on your children? Email AspleyEvents@gmail.com to offer your time.

SPORTS DAY BAKE STALL

Tuesday 20th June

• #1thing Are you handy in the kitchen? Looking for donations of sweet and savoury baked goods to sell at the Sports Day.
• #1thing Are you planning on being a spectator? Can you spare 30minutes to help on the Stall? We’d love your help.
• If you can help, please email AspleyEvents@gmail.com or message us on Facebook.

WORKING BEE – Date to be advised.

Term 3

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

P&C General Meeting – 18 July, 7pm, Library (only meeting for Term 3).

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 NEWS

Soccer builds skills for life!

A fantastic start to the new term for participants with a ‘welcome back’ to the Sparrows program Thursday mornings. The enthusiasm of the players is alive in their smiles. Their commitment to turning up on time, working as a team and giving it their best shot—all are valuable skills for soccer and life!

Eagles Cup update

The Eagles Challenge Cup at Aspley State High School is unable to be re-scheduled this semester. BUT WAIT! The good news is Grade 6 Sparrows (and, if possible, Grade 5’s) can look forward to another opportunity to represent Aspley State School when the next Challenge Cup is held on Thursday, 14th September. Further information to follow at the beginning of Term 3.

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

CAMP AUSTRALIA NEWS

COMMUNITY NEWS

GO SPORTS

GO SPORTS Coaching Term 2

Join us for all the FUN!!

SOCCER Grades Prep-3 commencing 2nd May 7.50-8.35am

HOCKEY Grades 3-5 commencing 3rd May 7.50-8.35am

To register go to the link below and click on Register online

Brisbane City Council Libraries Gold Star Reading Club

The Gold Star Reading Club will kick off in Council libraries across the city on Tuesday 2 May 2017.

There are five great reasons for children to get involved in the 2017 Gold Star Reading Club.

1. Membership to the Gold Star Reading Club is FREE!
2. The Gold Star Reading Club can help children improve their reading and literacy skills.
3. Children will be rewarded for reading with exciting monthly incentives – felt tip pens, a puzzle and a library bag.
4. The opportunity for all participants to enter the monthly draw to win a $25 book voucher.
5. It’s FUN! Children will have fun sharing their reading experiences with family and friends.

This is a great opportunity for parents to share in their children’s reading achievements.

To register your child for the Gold Star Reading Club, simply visit the link below or your local library to complete a registration form.

For more information about the Gold Star Reading Club, visit your local library or call Council on 3403 8888.

Wavell State High School Open Day

Norris Road State School

Goju Ryu Karate

The AGKK Karate family is pleased to offer students and family member’s one free first lesson this Term (All ages welcome)

There are a limited number of spaces available for this offer, and the places will go fast. Please note that a student does not need any experience in karate to sign up for this free lesson offer. The lesson is obligation free and provides helpful essential life skills which are proven to boost - confidence, friendships, respect, self-discipline and self defence skills.

In our Karate family children are taught courtesy, respect for their elders, confidence and self-control at home and school. By training in Goju Ryu Karate a student learns to take responsibility for their actions and learn from their mistakes. These life skills are important for future success at school, home, work and relationships in the future. In our Karate family we see the significance of team work, creating leaders, respectful sportsmanship, dignity in all actions and self-control. If you would like yourself, children and families to participate in this offer or need any further information please ring Bernie Sensei on 0409 474 494 - 5th Dan Shihan trained and graded in Japan.