29 March 2019

Newsletter Articles

UPCOMING EVENTS

April/May

PAYMENTS DUE

PRINCIPAL’S NEWS

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests will be held for all students in Australia in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 on Tuesday 14 May to Thursday 16 May 2019.

The NAPLAN tests are designed to assess the skills of Australian students in literacy and numeracy. The specific purposes are:

• to collect data from the population of Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students for reporting to parents/carers and schools for systematic reporting
• to accommodate the assessment of students against national minimum standards.

A series of tests will assess areas of literacy and numeracy. The NAPLAN tests will provide all students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 the opportunity to complete the following assessments:

The following areas of literacy are assessed:

As in other years, students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will be required to respond to a stimulus in the NAPLAN Writing test.

In numeracy, the content areas assessed are:

• Number and algebra
• Measurement and geometry
• Statistics and probability

Results from the NAPLAN tests will provide important information about children's progress in literacy and numeracy. Following the tests, schools and students will receive a statement of performance in relation to the national minimum standards. The NAPLAN test results also guide teachers, to plan and provide future learning experiences to support student learning progression.

Teachers support adjustments for students with disabilities so they can participate in the NAPLAN test at school and they can also be aware of the test environment situation. Individual students with a disability may be supported by reasonable adjustments for some or all tests. Some adjustments, that may be approved for student with a disability, may include: use of a scribe; support person; assistive technology; large print format; braille format; extra time; or an electronic test format.

Teachers will provide a specific permission for the parents of children, who are eligible for an adjustment/s for NAPLAN tests. If you receive a form from your child’s teacher, please ensure that this form is returned to the school at your next opportunity as timelines dictate the access to the approval of these specific adjustments for the learner.

Emergency Carpark

I request that parents / carers do not use the emergency carpark, located near the office, when they come to drop off / pick up, or, attend the school office. This emergency carpark is to be vacant, so that if an emergency vehicle is required to attend the school they have quick access to the sickbay or school environment. Thank you for your cooperation with this matter.

Parent / Carer Survey

Next week parents / carers will receive an email to request your feedback, to enable the school to support effective communication with parents / carers. I ask that you take a few minutes of your time to complete the survey and provide your feedback.

National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence

The National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA) on 15 March saw all Queensland state schools stand together to say Bullying. No Way!

The #endcyberbullying campaign was launched on the NDA and is currently rolling out on social media to Queensland state school secondary students, parents and educators.

The #endcyberbullying message to teenagers is that if you see something happening online that you know is wrong, you can do something about it. Our students have the power to be part of the solution by calling out cyberbullying, reporting or blocking serious online bullying and supporting someone being bullied.

Future school holidays and term dates

Plan your holidays ahead of time. The dates for Queensland state school terms and holidays (2020–25) are now available on the Department of Education website .

Eagles Cup

We look forward to 22 children competing in the Eagles Cup on Thursday 4 April 2019. The Eagles Cup is an interschool soccer competition kindly hosted by Aspley State High School. Thank you to Mr Schmidt and Miss Oliver for accompanying the children to this event.

Anzac Schools Initiatives Competition

For students who wish to enter the Anzac Schools Initiative, we invite them to bring their entry to the school office by 4.00 pm on Thursday 4 April 2019 so the entries can be posted to the competition organiser. Students in Prep - Year 2 are invited to enter a colouring competition and students in Year 3-6 are invited to enter a writing competition, with the theme “Why is Anzac Day special to me?”

Please see the attached Entry Form

Anzac Day Ceremony at Aspley State School

School community members are invited to attend the special Anzac Day Ceremony to be held at Aspley State School on Wednesday, 24 April at 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm. Our community will be fortunate to be joined by Mrs Trish Lesina, Geebung Zillmere Bald Hills Aspley RSL, as our honoured guest speaker detailing the significant contribution of Women in War. We will also enjoy a performance by the National Servicemen’s Memorial Pipes and Drums Band.

Read more at:

Junior Engineers Engagement Project

This week our student leaders joined our guest teacher, Mr Fowler, to take up the challenge of structural engineering, to embark on an inquiry of building structures, including bridge structures and a ferris wheel. In the coming weeks enthusiastic student leaders will be working with other classes to enable them to build some interesting structures.

Engineering principles and systems is one part of the Technologies learning area in the Australian Curriculum. It provides opportunities for students to explore and learn, to harness their creative, innovative and imaginative ideas and approaches, to achieve designed products, services and environments. They do this through planning and awareness of the characteristics and properties of materials and the use of tools and equipment. They learn to reflect on their actions to refine their working and develop their decision-making skills.

Creative Generation – State School Onstage

Creative Generation – State Schools Onstage 2019 returns to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 July. This year’s theme is ‘Our time’ so be prepared to be wowed by vocals, instrumental, performance and dance featuring every musical genre.

More than 1500 talented Prep to Year 12 state school students are currently working hard to bring us an amazing show. We invite school communities to get behind students to support them in what promises to be a highlight of the state school year.

Purchase your tickets, including special discount rate for school group bookings, at Ticketek

DEPUTY PRINCIPALS NEWS

Harmony Day

It was fantastic to see many of our students in their beautiful cultural outfits. Classroom teachers, and even the Principal, joined in to showcase the many cultures at our school.

The students stole the show with their dancing skills learnt at the Footsteps incursion.

P-2 Fun Run

The Prep students looked wonderful in their house colours as they entered the oval from the Prep precinct. They displayed lots of energy and stamina as they ran around the oval. They were still going strong after the 15-minute whistle. The Year Ones seemed to feel the heat but they persevered and maintained their drive to the end. Next came the Year Two’s. They participated in a mini cross-country. They ran around the oval, along the banks to the netball courts. They then came back down onto the oval and ran to the finish line. The winners were very proud when they received their ribbons.

Easter Hat Parade

All Prep to Year 2 classes will be participating in the Easter Hat Parade on Friday 5 April. The performance will begin at 9am at the school hall.

Parents and friends are invited to attend this special event. Please be aware that parking is at a premium in and around the school. Doors to the hall will only be open from 8:40am.

The P and C will have food and drinks on sale before and after the event.

ARC Term 2

Please note the following schedule for ARC in term 2.

It is pleasing to see the young readers so enthusiastic when they come to the reading club on Mondays and/or Tuesdays. Some of the students want to read more than one book.

Children should continue with their reading using Sunshine Classics during the holidays. The activities are designed to help the children with their comprehension and vocabulary. Please let the classroom teacher know when the students are ready for more books to be uploaded.

Water Fun Day

This is a culminating activity to end the swimming season in Term 1 for the year 1, 2 and 3 cohorts.

On Thursday 4 April, all students enrolled in the swimming programme will have an hour of water fun activities. The table below shows the time the year levels will be involved.

Thank you

Thank you to three Year Five students (Luke, Jacob and Alex) for bringing a baby possum straight to the office after it had fallen out of a tree. Mrs Boaler and Mrs Antoni were able to take the possum to a local vet. The possum is now with a wildlife carer. Well done boys!

Before school supervision

On Monday’s assembly, the students were congratulated for the efforts that have been made this year to wait at the hall before the first bell. Recent feedback indicates that attention needs to be paid to the ‘rush’ of students down the steps once the bell has rung. This can be an unsafe activity if some students choose to run, as the potential for injury is high.

Students were told the following sequences for leaving the hall area and getting to class:

Below is the slide from the assembly PowerPoint as a visual reference.

Parent / Teacher /Student Interviews

A reminder that the Parent /Teacher / Student interviews on Wednesday 3 April 2019 will be held in the school hall in fifteen-minute intervals.

Expression of Interest (EOI) for second round senior leadership

EOIs were given to students interested in the second round of the senior leadership process. A committee of teachers from Years Five and Six, together with Specialist teachers, met on Wednesday to review each EOI for shortlisting. Students who have been shortlisted will be notified today and invited to participate in the next level of the process. Students will receive a participant booklet, to be returned by Friday 10 May 2019. At this time, an interview time will be made with Mrs Griffith-Baker to complete the process.

Assembly Showcase

On Monday’s assembly, the school learnt about the learning journey 6H has been on so far this year. 6H described the essential agreement that frames the work that is done in class and the type of learner each student can be.

Curriculum News

International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme

With the support of the IB learning community, we have begun planning and implementing a transdisciplinary unit linked to Where We Are in Place and Time. Using knowledge gained from the three day professional development course focussed on understanding the IB framework, teachers have collaboratively planned a unit linking it to the Australian curriculum. The aim of each unit is to develop significant, relevant and engaging knowledge, understandings, skills and attributes that can be built upon with each unit across the year levels. Student engagement is built as students propose questions linked to the unit’s central idea that they want to answer. Through direct teaching and structured inquiry students answer these questions and share this learning with others. Currently students are engaged in the ‘tuning in’ section of the unit, which aims to build interest and understanding of the central idea. The unit will continue into term 2.

Share a book by torchlight!

This year, Earth Hour is on Saturday 30 March. From 8:30-9:30PM, we have one hour when we can choose to turn off non-essential electricity, all devices, all screens. Earth Hour started in Sydney in 2007 as an initiative of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) as a way to highlight energy use and the environment.

Why not try using the hour to read a great book by torchlight? Children of all ages love hearing a great story.

Boost

Our first cycle of Boost in Year 3 and 5 is coming to an end. Year 3 students have been developing their reading skills through learning the reading strategies of predicting, clarifying, questioning and summarising. Knowing how to use these strategies whilst reading assists students’ reading comprehension. It is very important that students think about what they read and know how it relates to what they already know. Nightly reading helps build reading stamina. Following the reading with a conversation can help assist your child’s understanding of the text. The Year 3 post Boost assessment is currently underway.

Year 5 Boost has focussed on developing students’ persuasive writing skills. Students have certainly found their voices in making clear where they stand on issues. In Year 5 students learn how to make their writing sound more expert, drawing on personal experience and knowledge of the world. Food has proven to be a popular topic for comment with students convincing others that chocolate is recommended in moderation for health and well being, our farmers need to be recognised and remunerated for the work they do in keeping us supplied with healthy produce and that green eggs and ham is definitely worth a taste!

We look forward to sharing a few of these excerpts with you as this cycle comes to an end.

NAPLAN

The NAPLAN reading task provides students in Year 3 and 5 with a range of texts to read and proposes questions for each text. Students must return to the text’s words, diagrams and illustrations to locate key words and clues to assist their selection of a correct answer.

Students in Year 3 and 5 undertake a writing task as part of NAPLAN. Students receive a stimulus picture and are instructed to write. The genre is identified on the day of the test and will either be a narrative (story) or a persuasive piece.

For further information on NAPLAN please visit

Creative Writing Corner

The Guide to Stop Bullying for Parents and Students By Shiv in 4G

Halogen Student Leader Conference

On the 1 of March 2019 all of the Aspley State School captains, along with 2000 other student leaders went to the Halogen Young Leaders day, at the Brisbane Convention Centre. Here we witnessed four guest speakers, Tim Diamond from the ‘Cotton On Foundation’, Olympic gold medallist Cate Campbell, children’s author and illustrator, Matt Cosgrove, and John Coutis, entertainer, mentor and role model. We had a great day with plenty of dancing, movement and fun.

The first Speaker Cate Campbell talked about how when she was young she was so lazy but wanted to be just like her sister and to do so she had to set goals for herself. Now she is an Olympic gold medallist. Cate Campbell says “have a clear vision of your goals / where you’re going” and “ if you think your goal is too hard change it, but first finish it”.

The second speaker Matt Cosgrove (author and illustrator) shared with us to find our passion and practice it, he also tells us how we should focus on the good parts!

The third speaker, Tim Diamond told us about the ‘Cotton On Foundation’ and how you can do anything you want to do if you stick to it! And we can change the world.

And the last but definitely not least, John Coutis was so inspirational to me because he told us about how important we are in this world and that we are going to be great leaders!

From this experience the main things we learnt were if you want something you must work hard, find your passion, have life goals, do what makes you happy and be mindful of the people around you because they could be a huge asset.

We also enjoyed meeting other Young Leaders and seeing things from their perspective.

By Maddie, Hannah Y, Rory, Tyla, Charlie, Jasper, Shivani and Ruby

Prep Term 1

What a great first term Prep has had.

We have worked hard building a strong connection with new friends and our classroom Teachers. We have worked hard to learn and follow all the classroom rules and instructions. We are the new faces of the school, continuing to grow, learn and achieve our goals. Watch out Aspley State School the Preps have arrived and will be back for more learning and fun in Term 2.

Donations to Prep

Student Absences

NEW ABSENCE TEXT MESSAGE MOBILE NUMBER – 0427 286 794

With the introduction of ID Attend to help us streamline absence notifications for students, we now have a new mobile number that parents can send a text message to, so we are notified of upcoming absences.

Please put this number into your mobile phone as “Aspley SS ID Attend Absences” and send the school a text message for any absences (including future absences) with the following information:

• Name of student
• Class
• Reason for absence (for example… sick, family reasons or holiday, etc)
• Date of absence/s

This new text messaging line is the preferred method to notify the school of student absences.
The existing school absence line, email absence address and Q Parents are still functioning.
We appreciate your help with this matter to ensure all students are attending school and safe.

Road Safety

Sports News

Year 3-6 Cross Country

Congratulations to Oxley House –the 2019 House winners of the Year 3-6 Aspley State School Cross Country and to all the age champions.

Winning House

1. Oxley (266 points)
2. Kennedy (224 points)
3. Mitchell (166 points)

Age Champions:

Good luck to all our runners going to North District Cross Country next term, we wish them the best of luck!

District Sports Trials:

Congratulations to the following students who have progressed to the next level in interschool sport. These students are off to Metropolitan North Championships –

Oliver (Grade 6) – Boys Touch Football

2019 Aspley State School Year 3-6 Track and Field Carnival update:

The 2019 school Track and Field Program (Sports Day), will be uploaded to our website very soon. We encourage parents and the community to become familiar with the layout and structure of the carnival and its events, as there have been changes made from last year.

Important District Trial Dates Coming Up:

**Any students that would like to attend these trials will need to see Mr Schmidt to get all the necessary permission forms and information. Parents you can access the Met North website for all details for any of the sports trials this year for North District.

Music News

Aspley Choral Program

METROPOLITIAN CHORAL HONOURS MUSIC CAMP – CONGRATULATIONS!

This week Senior Choralists Dylan, Charles and Mahi attended the Education Queensland Metropolitan Choral Honours Music Camp. This marvellous choral camp has given these students an opportunity to participate in an extension choral activity under renowned Choral Directors Kylie Los and Claire Finlayson. The music camp has provided these students with opportunities to meet and interact with music/choral students from other schools.

I had the pleasure of attending the Choral Honours Music Camp on Monday to support our students in their choral endeavours and I must say, what a talented group of 112 students! I had the pleasure of hearing a 30 piece boys choir (just amazing!) and an 82 piece girls choir as well as the two choirs combining singing stunning music with such musicality. Congratulations to our young choralists!

Please read below the recounts from Dylan, Mahi and Charles :

From Monday to Wednesday, Mahi, Charlie and I went to the Metropolitan Choral Honours program at Bardon and the Old Museum in Bowen Hills. All together we learnt six songs and three canons. The experience was amazing because of our great conductors, being able to meet people from other schools, and the challenging - but fun - music we performed. Not only did we sing in two and three-part harmonies and in canon (which is when you all sing the same song but start at different times) in English, we also sang in other languages including Swahili, Latin and Greek.

By Dylan H

My name is Mahi and I was invited to go to the Metropolitan Choral Honours Program. It was an amazing experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We learnt so much about singing and music making and how to work together as a team. Our team goal was to work towards an amazing performance at The Old Museum in just three days. We sang four songs in various languages – English, Swahili, Latin and Greek. It was an amazing experience and I loved meeting new people.

By Mahi L

From Monday 25th March – Wednesday 27th March three students from Year 6 went to the Metropolitan Choral Honours Program. For two days we went to Bardon Voices of Biralee Centre to participate in choral rehearsals. There we workshopped our songs which included Mozart Canon, Awake My Song and Ajuba Ajuba. The third and final day was at the Old Museum Building where we practised for our concert. We performed spectacularly and we were very proud of our achievements.

By Charles S

CURRENT AND UPCOMING MUSICAL EVENTS - TERM TWO 2019

Please take note of the Music Departments important dates for Term Two 2019 and ensure that you place these dates in your calendars 

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

NORTHSIDE BAND BLITZ

All beginner Woodwind/Brass/Percussion students have received this week an invitation to attend and participate in the Metropolitan Region Northside Band Blitz Workshop to be hosted at Aspley State School on Wednesday 5 June 2019.

This day workshop is open to all 2019 beginner Woodwind/Brass/Percussion Instrumental Music Students ONLY. Students will be involved in sectional tutorials and a large ensemble, culminating in a free concert at 3.45pm (finishing by approximately 4.15pm) on Wednesday 5 June 2019.

The camp is a wonderful extension activity with our beginners meeting instrumental music students from eleven other local schools, but also reinforces the elements of their instrumental music tuition so far this year.

Please ensure that the medical/consent form and payment are returned to the Aspley State School office no later than Friday 3 May 2019.

JUNIOR CONCERT BAND

The Aspley Junior Band commences on Monday 1 April. All 2019 beginners are involved in this ensemble. Rehearsal begins at 8am, with arrival at 7.50am. With students receiving band music prior to the their first band rehearsal, we are now reminding families to ensure they purchase the green band music folder at the cost of $16.00 from the Aspley Uniform Shop. The Monday morning commitment for Junior Band will continue through until the end of 2019.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSON CHANGES – WEEK 10

All Instrumental Music Lessons and ensemble rehearsals are cancelled next week as both Ms Jabs and Mr Pearson are on the Craigslea State High School Music Camp.

Happy Music Making
The Aspley Music Department

Library

Last Day for Borrowing This Term

As the end of Term One approaches, we remind parents that all books need to be returned to the library by Wednesday 3 April. Today was the last day for borrowing for the term and overdue notices were given to teachers this morning. Please assist your child in locating any overdue or missing books so that they are able to borrow their full allocation of books next term. If you are unsure if your child has any overdue books, please email the library staff on library@aspleyss.eq.edu.au

Brisbane City Council School Holiday Activities

As there is no borrowing from the school library over the school holiday period, we would encourage students to continue to read through the access to DET online books, home collection or visiting the Brisbane City Council libraries for borrowing. The link to find your nearest BCC Library is

The Brisbane City Council also has a range of activities available over the school holidays. The link is

Caring For Our Books By Always Using a Waterproof Library Bag.

One of the easiest ways we can care for our library books is to always have a waterproof library bag when borrowing and returning our library books. Your support in ensuring that your child uses a waterproof library bag rather than a calico/cotton bag, plastic shopping bag or a plastic folder is appreciated. Books and resources will not be borrowed to students unless they have a waterproof library bag with them at the time of borrowing. The Uniform Shop sells the recommended library bag (green) for $15.00.

When can we borrow?

Students may borrow before school from 8:00 until 8:40am. After borrowing, the student must return to the waiting area at the hall. The Library is also open during playtime at second break for borrowing, browsing, scheduled activities or quiet reading. We also are open in the afternoons, Monday to Friday from 3.00 – 3.15pm, for students to borrow.

Linda Hamilton
Teacher in Charge of the Library

P&C News

Oh no, not I, I will survive
Oh, as long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live
And I've got all my love to give and I'll survive
I will survive, hey, hey!

Well done Parents & Community! You have survived! Hard to believe this term has flown by so quickly – it’s been a very busy term and your P&C have been super-hard at work with planning out the events for the remainder of the year! We hope all our Prep and new families have settled in – if you’re ever needing a helping hand, please be sure to reach out to the P&C.

Also, with the assistance of Swim Solutions and Aspley Swimming Club, we recently submitted to the Brisbane City Council Sports and Recreation Facility Upgrades Grants – keep your fingers crossed! If you have experience with grant writing – please get in touch with the P&C – we’ve been looking for a grant writer for years, we know you’re out there somewhere!

We wish our Aspley Swimming Club members a fantastic Club Championship meet as they complete the 2018-2019 Season this weekend – Friday night (from 6.30pm) and Sunday afternoon (from1.00pm). If you’ve ever wanted to see a Swim Meet up close, please join us!

TUCKSHOP NEWS

• Special Meal Deal for last day of Term 1. Tuckshop is open first break only on Friday 5th April, as we need to do a thorough clean up before the holidays. A special meal deal of either sushi or toastie, plus a drink and a snack – for just $5 (there might even be an Easter treat in there!). Please see Flexischools for the options available. Order cut-off is STRICTLY Thursday 12pm (mid-day) as we outsource the sushi making so it is fresh Friday morning.

• REMINDER: If your child is in Year 1 of the 2/1T Class, can you PLEASE update their name in their Flexischools profile (for 2/1 T - “Year 1” in front of it). This ensures we pack their lunch to go down to the Year 1 eating area. Year 2 students come up to the Tuckshop to collect their orders.

• Tuckshop will re-open Tuesday, Term 2, Week 1.

UNIFORM SHOP NEWS

• Due to the Easter long weekend and ANZAC Day public holiday in Week 1, Term 2, the Uniform Shop will be open on Wednesday 24 April 8am to 9.45am. Normal operating hours (Mon 8-9.45am and Thurs 3-3.45pm) will resume in Week 2, Term 2.
• SECOND HAND SALE – Monday 1st April 8am to 9.30am – OUTSIDE the Uniform Shop. House colour shirts, shoes and winter items without a logo all $2 ea.; all other items $5ea. Cash preferred. If you can assist Jodie with sorting donations or helping serve on the day, please email Uniforms.AspleySS@gmail.com OR drop in and let her know.
• Get in quick for your Winter jackets before they sell out! Due to a delay in delivery last year, we have been left with last year’s stock to sell so we will not be ordering new stock this year.
• Reminder: If you cannot get to the uniform shop during the opening hours, Jodie is happy to arrange for your order to be delivered to your student via the classroom teacher. Order via Flexischools for convenience. Email: Uniforms.AspleySS@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Last newsletter’s trivia was so tricky we only got one response! This week’s trivia question is much easier – What date will the Aspley State School P&C Association’s Trivia night be held in 2019? The FIRST person to send through their answer to aspleypc@gmail.com will win a prize!

The P&C are trying to do our sustainability bit by reducing the number of notes being sent home. We use the school newsletter, Facebook, and opt-in emails to keep you updated about P&C events and school activities. Each classroom also receives a copy of our flyers so please ask your children if they have seen the P&C note. Please contact us at pandc@aspleyss.eq.edu.au to reach all members of the executive; or aspleypc@gmail.com to reach Alice (President) directly.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Shake & Stir Theatre Co – PRIMARY DRAMA CLASSES

Classes will start in Term 2 (April 29 to June 24 – 9 weeks) in the Music Classroom

3:15pm – 5:15pm

Enrolments Open Now – Enrol Online Now to Secure Your Spot

07 3358 6025 / shakeandstir.com.au

Confident Kids Program

Book now for our Term 2 Program

Confident Kids ® + teens is an innovative group program for kids 5-11yrs that aims to boost confidence, emotional resilience, social skills and brain power. Students discover their strengths, and build resilient thinking skills to reduce stress, anxiety, worry, or negative thinking.

Our team of experienced Psychologists will coach, encourage and support your child to be all they can be! Medicare and Private health fund rebates apply. Individual sessions also available.

Register and Book online today at the link below Or contact us at

info@positivefamilies.com.au or 07 3096 0450 for more details.

Young Engineers

Padua Football Camp