2 August 2019

Newsletter Articles

UPCOMING EVENTS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

PAYMENTS DUE

PRINCIPAL’S NEWS

School Disco

We look forward to students from Aspley State School and their parent / carer joining in some fun at the school disco which is held today for Prep – Year 2 at 5.30 -6.45pm and for Year 3-6 at 6.45 – 8.00m. Students are invited to dress in the theme of Disney vs Marvel. Students are to be supervised by an adult at this event. Parent assistance on the night is welcomed by the P&C Association.

School Opinion Surveys

School Opinion Surveys are designed to obtain the views of parents/caregivers, students and school staff from each school on what they do well and how they can improve.

Opinions on the school, student learning, and student wellbeing are sought from a parent/caregiver in all families and a sample of students from each state school.

Opinions on the school as a workplace are sought from all school staff and principals.

Each family will have received a parent/ carer survey letter and access code. We ask that you complete the survey online at the link below before Friday 23 August 2019. If you do not have internet access or a computer, the teacher librarian or office staff will assist you with access to a computer or iPad so you can complete this survey.

Parent Teacher Student Progress Meetings

The next parent / teacher / student learning progress meetings for students in year 1-6 will be held on Wednesday, 28 August or Wednesday, 4 September from 5.30 pm – 7.30 pm at the school hall. Interview times can be booked in 15 minute intervals through accessing SOBs at this link:

Preparatory students and their families enjoyed attending their learning progress meetings last week.

Please remember, you can request an interview at any time throughout the year to discuss your child by contacting the class teacher and negotiating a mutually suitable time.

School Sport and Recreational Facility Upgrade Program 2018-2019

Aspley State School has been awarded funds of $23,150 from the Brisbane City Council to support the purchase of a replacement pool blanket, motorised roller and replacement lighting for the pool surrounds and change rooms. This significant contribution will benefit the Aspley community and enable the strong swimming programs at the school to continue.

Councilor Tracy Davis, McDowall Ward, Brisbane City Council, recently came to announce this enabling grant to the students at Aspley State School.

Read more at:

Australian Professional Standards for Teachers

Teachers are the heart of teaching and learning. At Aspley State School our teachers engage in a range of professional learning that supports their ongoing high performance. As part of their professional development, triads of teachers watch each other teach and provide professional feedback to their peers to support professional reflection and high standards of performance.

Lest We Forget

This week we recognise the service men and women who gave their lives in defence of our country by installing a statue of an Australian Light Horseman on our commemorative stone.

Ekka Show Holiday

Parents/ carers are reminded that Wednesday, 14th August 2019 is a public holiday in Brisbane for the Royal Qld Show ( Ekka). School is closed on this day.

DEPUTY PRINCIPALS NEWS

Circular Rhythm

As part of our NAIDOC celebrations this year, we were delighted to host Circular Rhythm. This interactive presentation complemented our current transdisciplinary theme, How We Express Ourselves, as the presenter shared his personal story, connecting information to cultural heritage. The informative and entertaining presentations helped students acknowledge the diversity of Australia in landscape and people, using music and storytelling.

Assembly

This week we had two classes Showcase the exciting learning at school. I J/B introduced their topic using the Firefighters Song for Kids. The students then entertained us with a movie of the recent visit by the Queensland Fire Service and educated us on personal fire safety. Thankyou 1 J/B!!

Next the students in 4 M detailed the many tricks that are used to produce effective advertising. The students focussed on the many forms of written language types that can persuade the public to buy a product. Investigating advertising is how Year Four will be addressing the transdisciplinary theme of ‘How we express ourselves’. The central idea for this unit of inquiry is ‘People can create of manipulate messages to target specific audiences’. We look forward to being persuaded by the end products!!

CURRICULUM NEWS

Literacy Planet – Word Mania

REMINDER DATES: Year 1 - 6

Practice Round: 23rd May - 11th August
Round 1: 12th August - 16th August
Round 2: 19th August - 23rd August
Finals Round: 28th August - 30th August

Let’s get ready for Round 1 Aspley!

NAIDOC Week

Prep’s Rock Art

After the amazing Circular Rhythm performance on Monday, the Prep students during the week engaged in a range of different conversations and shared a variety of texts around Aboriginal culture, creating strong connections between students, the land and respecting the traditional owners. As a cohort, each students will/has decorated a rock that will be on display in our soon to be finished, friendship garden, giving back to the land.

Lucas Proudfoot Incursion

‘Aspley State School Prep to Year Six students had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Lucas Proudfoot NAIDOC Week incursion this week. What a fantastic learning opportunity for our young students. Students had the amazing opportunity to listen to wonderful, insightful stories and facts and participate in some hands on musical performances by Lucas Proudfoot. Mr Proudfoot certainly inspired students in their journey of learning and celebrating NAIDOC week here at Aspley. Enjoy these photos of students participating in this incursion playing beautiful aboriginal instruments’.

FINANCE NEWS

Excursion Deadlines

Last term we had an unfortunate situation of students not being able to attend excursions/incursions due to failure to provide permission slips and/or finance by the due date. On each excursion form there is a published due date. This is also published in our school newsletter. This is the date where the excursions are closed and venue and buses organised. Our system integrates the processes of excursion planners, risk assessments, permission letters, invoice statements and finance payments. Once the due date is reached, it is not possible to re-open to account for late payments. We choose the due date to allow families the maximum time to complete forms and make payment. There is no provision to accept late payments unless prior consultation and a payment plan has been entered into before the due date has passed.

The due date is necessary so we can ensure our obligations are met. Students need to be registered on OneSchool before they can leave the school grounds. Families cannot indemnify the school of their legal obligations because a permission form and/or payment has not been received by the due date.

Due dates must be adhered. We would like to avoid having disappointed students missing exciting learning opportunities. We encourage families to meet consent and payment deadlines so every child can enjoy the amazing opportunities on offer.

Please be advised that if a consent form and/or payment is not received by the due date, affected students will be unable to participate in the excursion/incursion.

Payment Methods

Aspley State School has reviewed the process of receiving payments from students and their families at the school.

I ask, where possible, that parents / carers use QParents or BPoint to make payments. These two methods can accept payment using your credit card. The security and safety of your financial data is paramount. These methods are widely accepted as the most secure methods of payment.

The school will also accept direct transfers into the Aspley State School bank account, or a cash deposit at any branch of the Commonwealth Bank. Please ensure you use your Childs name as a reference so we can easily identify who the payment is for.

Aspley State School Bank Details are: BSB: 064-151 Account Number: 0090 1234 Account Name: 0610 Aspley SS GA

Please use your child’s name as a reference Payment MUST be paid by the due date identified on the permission note.

By paying through Q Parents, B Point, Electronic Bank deposit or Cash at Bank deposit you will assist the school to:

• Reduce the amount of cash students / parents carry to school;
• Minimise cash or cheques kept on the premises and reduce the risk of theft;
• People will receive a receipt for the payment at the time of payment;
• Reduce the risk of a student losing money or cheques;
• Reduce the administration time of processing of payments;
• Remove the responsibility for children to be responsible for amounts of cash;
• Keep your financial details private and safe;
• Follows the Dept of Education Qld guidelines for cash collection and cash storage.

Aspley State School will only accept cash payments between the hours of 9.30am and 10.30am on Tuesday and Thursday at the administration office. Credit Card over the counter transactions will also be accepted during this time. Payment envelopes will not be required for these transactions. By paying during these times you will be provided an immediate receipt. Please note in term 3 the office drop boxes will only be used for returning permission forms. No Cash will be accepted through the office drop boxes.

STUDENT ABSENCES

ABSENCE TEXT MESSAGE MOBILE NUMBER – 0427 286 794

ID Attend help’s us to streamline absence notifications for students. We now have a 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 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

MUSIC NEWS

CREATIVE GENERATION – RECOUNTS

Year Four, Year Five and Year Six Aspley State School students had the incredible opportunity to attend the Education Queensland Creative Generation performance – what an inspirational experience for our young students. Please enjoy the recounts below from students who attended this magical performance:

Leala V 5F

On Friday 19th of July, I was fortunate to be one of the forty-five students from year’s four to six to see an incredible performance of the 15th Anniversary Creative Generation. This year’s theme was “Our Time”, which took us on a journey back through the ages of music, movies and inventions.

The cast was made up of over 1800 students from different state schools in Queensland, with many of them making up a massed choir to support the featured singers, musicians, dancers and actors. One of the featured singers was a cute little boy whose talent blew us all away. Mrs Macca and I turned to each other in absolute amazement when he began to sing. There was also a group of little marshmallows in the Ghost Busters scene that should have been big and scary, but were little and adorable.

The journey through the ages took us back to a time where Elvis Presley became the King of Rock’n’Roll and Michael Jackson, the King of Pop. Movie favourites, like “Back to the future”, “Footloose”, “Titanic” and “Ghost Busters” were presented through creative floor and screen projections, colourful lighting, memorable music and dynamic dance.

The Creative Generations team definitely put together an amazing show that explored important milestones throughout history. They totally lit up the stage at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre with all the performers looking like they were having so much fun and I had a ball watching them. After the show, friends, teachers and parents raved about how great it was, so it will definitely be a show that I will remember for quite some time. Thank you Mrs Griffith-Baker and Mrs Macca for giving us the opportunity to see such a wonderful performance.

Emily S 4G

On Friday the 19th July we went to Creative Generation, we had so much fun starting with a bus ride and ending with a bus ride. The show was excellent and I will never forget it. I went with my friends and teachers including Mrs McIntyre, Ms Rys, Mrs Boaler and Mrs Leach. We sat in the best seats in my opinion. My favourite shows at Creative Generation was the hip-hop and the singing. The show was extremely amazing and I loved it so much I would go again.

Tiffany P, Xiana L and Mia L 4G

On Friday the 19th of July, 45 students from Grades 4, 5 and 6 went to the Brisbane Convention Centre to see Creative Generation. The theme was ‘Once in Time’. The performers were from Queensland State Schools that included children from Kindergarten to Grade 12. The shows included dancing, singing, drama, orchestra and choir. Indigenous issues, the progression of technology and pop culture were all explored creatively through the ages. The audience was wowed, with everyone, thinking, laughing and amazed at all the performances. The experience was a magical opportunity and left all who attended, wanting more.

EDUCATION QUEENSLAND SINGFEST – YEAR 4 – YEAR 6 SENIOR/BOYS CHOIR – THURSDAY 29 AUGUST

50 Senior and Boys Choral Members will be participating in the 2019 Education Queensland SingFest to be held in Week 7 of Term 3 on Thursday, 29 August 2019.

Choralists have been busily preparing for this annual massed Education Queensland choral event which will feature over 1500 students from across the Metropolitan Region coming together over seven separate days to workshop selected choral repertoire previously learnt at school. Students will then participate in a one-day workshop with Guest Conductor, Katherine Ruhle.

All participants have now received a parent information letter outlining the finer details of this special choral excursion. Please note that the finer details (outlined in the parent information letter) will be placed into the school newsletter closer to this event.

CURRENT AND UPCOMING MUSICAL EVENTS - TERM THREE 2019

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

LESSONS AND REHEARSALS

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSON CHANGES

SENIOR WOODWIND/BRASS/PERCUSSION

• (Week 5) Wednesday 14 August – Senior Concert Band and group lessons are cancelled due to the Ekka Holiday.

STRING

• (Week 5) Thursday 15 August – Senior String Orchestra and group lessons are cancelled due to the Craigslea State High School Music Tour.

All lessons and ensemble rehearsals will be on as per the Instrumental Music Lesson Timetable with both Ms Jabs and Ms Jerram.

Happy Music Making
The Aspley Music Department

SPORT NEWS

School Sport

Primary Schools Volleyball Cup 2019

Congratulations to all of our students who trialled for the Year 4/5 Aspley State School Volleyball Team which will be competing at the Primary Schools Volleyball Cup at Craigslea State High School on the 22nd of August. Aspley will be sending two boys teams and one girls team. Good luck!

Swimming Term 4

Just a reminder that students in years 3-6 will be invited to participate in swimming lessons in term 4. The Year 3-6 Swimming carnival will be held on the 5th of December 2019. Time trials will occur in the students swimming lessons. Those students not participating in the swimming program that would like to trial for the Yr 3-6 Swimming Carnival will need to see Mr Schmidt prior to the carnival.

North District Interschool Sport

Term 4 Sport (years 4-6)

In Term 4, students in years 4-6 will have the opportunity to play in an Inter-School Sport for 4 weeks. The dates for these competitions are 18th, 25th of October, 1st and 8th of November 2019 (in the event of wet weather, the reserve days are 15th and 22nd November). There are 4 extended rounds where games will commence at 11.00am and conclude at 2.00pm (students will depart before First Break).

A letter with more specific information will be sent home soon with all the details and associated cost.

LIBRARY NEWS

Book Week Assembly - Reading is my Super Power!

The Book Week parade will be held on a special assembly on Monday 26 August commencing at 8.50 am. All students are invited to dress up as a character of their favourite book for this assembly. The theme for the 2019 Book Week is Reading is My Secret Power.

The short listed books for the awards are listed at: https://www.cbca.org.au/shortlist-2019

Premier’s Reading Challenge 2019

The Premier’s Reading Challenge 2019 is closing on Friday 23 August. All classes at Aspley State School are participating. The goal for students in Prep to Year Four is to read twenty books and for Year Five and Six students to read fifteen books. Class teachers have notified their classes as to how they are keeping a track of their reading, whether by recording on the official Premier’s Reading Challenge recording sheet or keep track using their regular home reading record book. Once your child has read their required number of books, take your completed recording sheet or home reading record book to your class teacher and they will enter them as “completed” on the Premier’s Reading Challenge website.

Change to the Second Break Activity Roster for Term Three

Students are welcome to come into the library to read, browse and borrow at second break. In addition, we have a lunchtime activities roster. We have made a slight change to the original roster for term three. Please see below for the activities available.

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.

Linda Hamilton
Teacher in Charge of the Library
library@aspleyss.eq.edu.au

SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

My name is Louise Cash and I am excited to be commencing as the Speech Language Pathologist each Monday, continuing the work of previous SLPs, Marissa Cowland and Maureen Liddy. I look forward to becoming part of the Aspley State School community and to working with students, staff and families.

I have worked across a number of different school settings, including primary school, high school, and special education settings. Out of school hours, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

Please say ‘hi’ if you see me around the school.

CAMP AUSTRALIA

Week 3

Welcome back to another week of hard work, fun and learning. We have had our term resources arrive at the center with new board games, craft and puzzles. The children have been enjoying spending more time outside as it starts to warm up, although it’s important for the children to have a hat to be outside on these lovely afternoons.

This week

This week we are doing a variety of activities, making treasure maps, creating our own black boards and getting ready for the disco this Friday night. Celebrating National Tree Day and appreciating trees is another key factor of this week.

Ekka holiday

Just a reminder that the EKKA holiday is on the 14th of August and the OSHC service is closed for that day. We look forward to hearing about everyone’s day off on the 15th of August.

Registering

Not yet Registered? Don’t worry, it’s never too late. Plus, it is FREE to register.

To attend our care, you must register your child. You can register an account with us at the link below. Remember, you may be entitled to receive the Australian Government Child Care Subsidy, visit the myGov website below to find out more.

We look forward to seeing you and your family soon!

Kind regards,
Aspley OSHC Team

P&C NEWS

Today is Principal’s Day and an opportunity for school communities to recognise the work done by Principals and Deputies. The P&C would like to acknowledge their work in supporting our students and staff. Thank you Mrs Griffith-Baker, Mrs Donna Boaler, Mrs Christine Antoni, Mrs Leanne Youitt, Ms Sally Boorer-Williams, and Ms Sally Agnew who are the leaders within our school.

A key role of P&Cs is to foster community engagement in educational matters. The School Opinion Survey 2019 is a great way to give your feedback.

DISCO is on TONIGHT! If you missed out on the Early bird pre-order, you can still rock up on the night - $5 entry for Aspley students. We look forward to seeing you there! Big thank you to Amy Franz and her team of Prep parents for their enthusiasm in helping out tonight – many hands make light work! We would also like to thank Liz and her team at Numbers Works N Words for sponsoring our Disco – we greatly appreciate the local community who support us!

TUCKSHOP NEWS

• Tuckshop Opening Hours – 8.30am to 1.45pm Tuesday to Friday.
• VOLUNTEERS are needed to ensure our Tuckshop costs are kept low. We currently are in need of volunteers on Friday August 9th and 16th – can you lend a hand? Even an hour from 9am to 10am is a huge help! Please email Tuckshop.AspleySS@gmail.com if you can assist.
• Return the Pot and Litter Free Lunch Box Projects have launched! Well done to all the children who are returning their pots and showing our Tuckshop staff their litter free lunch boxes – we are super proud of you! Winners of the draw are announced at Assembly, and students can collect their prize at the Tuckshop from Tuesday to Friday. This initiative is happening all term, so keep those entries coming! Check out our Facebook page for lunchbox inspiration - @AspleySSPandC

UNIFORM SHOP NEWS

• Normal operating hours -Mon 8-9.45am and Thurs 3-3.45pm.
• GALA DAY SPORTS shirts must be returned to the Uniform shop ASAP. Any families who have not returned their gala shirts will receive an invoice from the school for the cost of replacing the hired shirt. If you have any concerns or questions, please let our Uniform Shop Convenor know: uniforms.aspleyss@gmail.com
• WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK – We are seeking feedback regarding the current Winter Uniform. Please complete the following survey – we look forward to hearing from you! Survey closes Friday 30th August.

WANTING TO BE MORE INVOLVED?

The P&C are looking for some project officers to help with–

1. Supporting the school with sustainability projects, including the Container Refund Scheme, and any other initiatives. This role would suit families who are passionate about reducing waste, recycling, reusing, and just want to help Aspley be the best environmentally friendly school community it can be!
2. Organisation of the Community Pop Up Garage Sale and Movie Night in Term 4. We mainly need a few people on the ground on the day who can co-ordinate activities, but we’d love your help leading up to the day with any ideas. Lots of guidance will be provided (if needed!).

If you can assist, please email pandc@aspleyss.eq.edu.au

P&C Meeting 30 July Update. Welcome to our new members and thank you to all the parents, staff and community members who attended the P&C meeting on Tuesday night.

• The P&C agreed to support the Sports and Recreational Facilities Upgrade Grant project (Pool upgrade project) by funding $3000 towards the requirements of the grant.
• The P&C’s Student Representation Policy will undergo a review.
• The Grievance Policy, following discussion, will have a few changes made, and put forward to the P&C at the next meeting to be endorsed. This Policy is to provide the P&C with a process that can be followed to help with any complaints. It is used in conjunction with our P&C Constitution to ensure our processes are transparent.
• The school is also seeking one or two parent volunteers to assist with the tender process of the school’s Before and After School Care. If you are interested, please contact the principal by Wednesday 7th August.
• The P&C discussed the idea of a Multi-Cultural Harmony Festival in 2020 to coincide with Harmony Day in March 2020. If you are interested in co-ordinating an event such as this, please contact us.
• The next P&C meeting has been moved to Tuesday 17 September 7pm, Library. All welcome.

The P&C Association plays a vital role in supporting our students and our school – we provide services, such as the Tuckshop and Uniform shop, as well as organise activities and events to help our families come together. We fundraise so we can contribute to making our children’s educational experience the best it can be. Members discuss and vote about how we use the funds raised to support the school. If you’d like to know more, or be more involved, please let us know – we’d be happy to chat!

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. Occasionally each classroom 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

Prep Playground Project

Builder Ben and Mr Cooke were busy again these holidays designing and building their next project for the Prep Playground. Two amazing imaginary play stations…. Check them out! So much fun has already been had!

Swim Solutions

Aspley State High School – Twilight Tour

Aspley State High School is holding its second Twilight tour for 2019 on Wednesday 21st August. Doors open at 4.30pm, Ms Miller, our Principal will speak at 4:50pm, and the tour with school administration begins at 5.20pm. Our Twilight Tours offer an opportunity for all families to get a feel for our school and to meet students and teachers. Information about the school and a tour of key specialist facilities ‘in action’ allows you to get a sense of the community here at Aspley. Parent and Student leaders and our teaching staff will be available to answer any questions you have. If you are seeking enrolment for a year seven in 2020, please register for this Tour on our website.

Zillmere Library – Homework Help

Every Wednesday 3.30-4.45pm. Free help is available for grades 1-8. Starts on 24th July 2019.

Women’s Self Defence Workshop

A Women’s Self-Defence Workshop will be held on Monday 12th August at the Aspley State School Hall from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Cost is $95 for the 2 hours.

The Krav Maga techniques and tactics taught are readily absorbed and highly effective against a wide variety of attacks. Develop self-confidence, self-worth, get fit and have fun! No prior experience necessary.

For more information, contact Pillar on 0431 036 448 or email info@valiantkravmaga.com.au

Brisbane Science Festival

Everton Cricket Club

Brisbane State High School

The Gap State High School