8 August 2017

Newsletter Articles

LEADERSHIP TEAM REPORT

Hi Everyone,

We have had a very busy few weeks with the year 3 camp, Eisteddfod and the inaugural STEM/Robotics Challenge held at Jones Hill.

BARAMBAH CAMP

Mrs Grogan and I visited the students on camp at Barambah. For some it was their first experience away from home and their first camp experience. While the students attending took part in a vast range of activities I am sure they have come away with some great memories. Thank you to our staff who have put the time and effort into organising and running the camp.

Congratulations to our students, the feedback received from the staff at the camp only highlights what great quality students Jones Hill has. They were particularly impressed with our students manners, behaviour and the way they all helped each other.

SHOWCASE AWARDS

Last week it was announced that the Gympie Mathematics Alliance, made up of Jones Hill, One Mile, Two Mile, Gympie West, Gympie Central, Gympie South and Gympie State High were state finalists in the State Showcase awards. The work our teachers are doing in mathematics has been recognised as best practice within Queensland. A fantastic result that demonstrates why our students continue to show strong improvement in mathematics.

PREP 2018

Next week we begin our interviews for prep students starting in 2018. Numbers for next year’s classes have been filling quickly. If you have a student attending prep in 2018 that is not currently on the list for next year, please contact the office to secure a place.

ROBOTICS CHALLENGE

Last week Mr Callaghan hosted the first primary school STEM/Robotics Challenge in Gympie with approximately 49 students in attendance. The students had a fantastic day. Participants made animations and enjoyed a Sumo battle with their robots.

SCHOLARSHIPS

We are Very proud to announce our students who have received scholarships to high school next year

James Nash High School

Amalia D – Academy of Creative Arts
Chris P – Academy of Creative Arts

Gympie State High School

Breanna T – Sports
Mitch K – Sports
Lilly S - Music

PAYMENT BPOINT

Following on from last week, parents have begun using BPOINT. Parents have also begun using BPOINT eDDR (Electronic Direct Debit Registration) - payment plans. This is a very easy way to pay your school fees. You simply follow these steps:

1. Enter into a payment plan at the school with the Business Manager.
2. The Business Manager will process the information discussed into BPOINT and generate an email link exclusively for you.
3. The email is sent to you.
4. Click on the email and you will be taken to a BPOINT screen and all of the information from your meeting will be generated in the BPOINT screen, all you need to do is add your bank or credit card details and approve.

Below are three links containing all the information regarding the use of BPOINT. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office on 54890555. Please remember that BPay will soon not be an option for payment.

STUDENT RESOURCE SCHEME

Last year Jones Hill School ran a Student Resource Scheme that included a full stationery book list. The scheme was overwhelmingly supported by parents/caregivers and was very successful. As with all things, we are looking to improve this scheme and have already received some very good feedback from staff, parents and even students. The operation of the Student Resource Scheme is discussed annually at a meeting of the Parents and Citizens’ Association. Parents are extended an invitation to attend this meeting and provided with an opportunity to express their opinions. A vote is taken at this meeting on supporting the operation of the scheme. The date for this P&C meeting is Tuesday 12 September. Shortly after this meeting we will ask the parents for written feedback in the newsletter. This will allow everyone to have input in to this excellent scheme.

Participation in the scheme is voluntary and no obligation is placed on a parent/guardian to participate. However, if you chose not to participate, you will be required to provide all textbooks and resources that would have been otherwise provided by participation in the scheme and pay a non-participation fee which will cover the cost of items such as Classroom learning activities, resources, textbooks (including photocopied textbooks used in lieu of traditional textbooks) and all licences for Computer Programs (this includes Apps for iPads). Full details of the Jones Hill Student Resource Scheme will be published in future newsletters to allow parents the opportunity to make informed decisions.

CANBERRA TRIP

The first payment of $350 for the 2018 Canberra Trip is due on or before Tuesday 22 August. For your child to attend this trip, you must have paid this amount or have entered into a regular payment plan before this date. This trip is limited to 68 students. If your child no longer wishes to attend please let staff in the school office know so the invoice will be removed from your child’s account. If your child is attending, please return your payment or contact the office to arrange a payment plan.

There is a fundraising meeting every second Wednesday of the month at 5:30pm in the school library. The date for the next meeting is Wednesday 9 August.

BREAKFAST CLUB

We will have no breakfast club for the next 3 weeks.

EISTEDDFOD NEWS

Eisteddfod has been another successful event for our students. The results of our groups are listed below. I would like to acknowledge the students who have put in a lot of effort and their own time to attend practice before school and during their lunchtimes to ensure they put on polished performances.

Thank you must also go to Mrs Falk, Mrs Luke and Mr Berry who have worked very hard with our students.

Results in a number of events were very close, in particular in the choir event. The Jones Hill Choir was very unlucky not to place. The students performed very well and received 89 points. The winning choir receive 91 points with only one point separating first and third.

Our strings ensemble received a second place, Djembe ensemble third and marimba group a Highly Commended.

GUIDE DOGS NON UNIFORM DAY

The Jones Hill School are sponsoring a litter of puppies for the Guide dog foundation. It costs at least $35 000 to train one puppy. We will be holding a non-uniform day this Friday in aide of the foundation. Gold coin donations will be collected. A reminder that sun safe clothing and closed in shoes must be worn.

SAGE MUSIC ACADEMY

We were lucky enough to have Sage Music Academy and some students from Cooroy State School perform on parade Friday. All present enjoyed it immensely which was evident by the volume of the applause. If you are interested in having your child enrol for music or theatre lessons please see the forms at the end of this newsletter. Don't miss the 1/2 price Term 3 introductory offer plus free trial lesson.

SWIMMING TERM 4

Swimming will commence in week 2 of term 4. Preps will attend Deep Blue Aquatics on Wednesday afternoons and years 3 from 3/4C, 4, 5 and 6 and will swim on Mondays. Invoices will be sent home this week. Permission notes, medical forms and further information will be handed out to these students before the end of term.

Kind Regards,
James Watt and Helen Grogan

EVENTS CALENDAR

PARADE AWARDS

The following students will receive awards on Parade Friday August 11 at 9:00am in the Hall

Thumbs Up Certificates

20 TOKENS: (PM) Temujin S, Jakob R; (PC) Tyson M; (2A) Lilly S; (4Z) Caleb S; (6G) Madeline D

40 TOKENS: (PR) Serene B; (PM) Mason B, Lawson B, Savannah B, Emily B, Taiyah E, Clara M, Ruby M, Casey W, Bronte S; (1Z) Sianna D; (2A) Sophie T; (2/3L) Dean P, James W; (3G) Wade G, Kane L, Ella S; (4Z) Zachary W, (6C) Cody K, Hannah W

60 TOKENS: (PR) Chelsea L; (PM) Kyran B, Mitchell W, Corey C, Connor D; (1Z) Lachlan W; (2/3L) Ruby A, Cooper K, Tyler R, Sophie N; (3G) Bradley C; Matthew B, Ryan J, Rylan S, Lainey W; (4Z) Regan H, Asha N; (5M) Kenzie H, Miriam J; (6C) Ryan B, Harry D, Ashley M, Annalise S, Mitch W; (6G) Laura F, Jade H, Harley L

80 TOKENS: (PR) Zander M; (1Z) Ben D, Isaac Y; (3G) Kate F, Liza J, Jayden R, Matthew B, Fred H

100 TOKENS: (3G) Mackenzie K, Camryn W

Behaviour Awards

LEARNING: (PC) Cooper A; (PR) Bella-Maree B; (1Z) Addison M; (2A) Paige E; (2S) Ebony W; (2/3L) Audrey M; (4Z) Hannah P; (6C) Seth C
ALL VALUES: (6G) Sydney J
RESPECT: (PM) Jakob R; (1B) Lucas S; (2A) Aurora W;
RELATIONSHIPS: (5M) Jessica H
RELATIONSHIPS & LEARNING: (6G) Alec B

DANCE FEVER

On Wednesday 6th September parents are invited to the Dance Fever Parent Showcase Performances.

9:30 - 11:00am - P-3 (PC, PM, PR, 1B, 1Z, 2A, 2S, 2/3L & 3G) - in the hall
11:45 - 1:05 - yr 4-6 (3/4C, 4Z, 4/5W, 5M, 5/6N, 6C, 6G) - in the hall

Come along and enjoy the dances, the fun and be amazed by our talented performers!

YEAR 3 CAMP

The year three students had an adventurous camp at Barambah this term. Our camp focused on the curriculum areas of History and Science. The students also participated in exciting activities that helped to develop social skills, team work, self-confidence and co-operation. Over the two days we enjoyed learning about the Gubbi Gubbi people and how they were able to hunt for food in the local area using boomerangs and spears. The students had a great time learning these skills and practising their boomerang throws. The students formed teams and were able to build a traditional Aboriginal shelter that would keep you dry in the rain and provide shelter from the hot sun. This was a fantastic activity and we were impressed with how well the students worked together to plan, organise resources and build their shelter. It was great to see the ideas that they came up with to solve problems.

The students were able to build their self confidence on the low rope course. Students were put into groups of three and helped each other through the course. A lot of concentration was needed to complete the course and as the students made their way through it, they continued to smile and take pride in what they had accomplished. During both days we were able to spend some time enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Barambah with an orienteering activity, a bushwalk up one tree hill, a tour through the nursery - learning about native plants and choosing one to take home and other activities like pingpong.

We were very excited to learn about solar energy and look at different ways we could use reflective surfaces to capture this energy and transfer it to another object. We were able to use digital thermometers to measure the heat in different materials and discuss which materials were better conductors of heat energy.

At night, we enjoyed star gazing and learning about the different constellations. We were able to use a space walk app to learn some more information about the stars and planets. We loved sitting around the campfire and toasting marshmallows. As we sat in the warmth of the fire we listened to the Didgeridoo being played and learnt how the sounds are made.

The food at Barambah was delicious and the students were able to sit around tables and talk as they ate their lovely, healthy meals. This time was great to see as we saw students working together to set the table and clean up after eating. We were very impressed with the students behaviour on our camp. The students displayed respect to other students, parents and the Barambah staff. They were all wonderful learners who showed enthusiasm to try new things and to learn about the History of the area. All students fostered caring and encouraging relationships with others and as they worked together they were keeping everyone safe. We would like to say a big thank you to all the year 3 students for helping us to have an awesome camp!

Our Year 3 camp also had some very special parent helpers. These parents were such great helpers with activities, organising meal times and clean up and guiding students in small groups and supporting them with the new skills they were learning. Thank you to our wonderful parent helpers, the time and commitment you gave to assisting us on camp was greatly appreciated.

Thank you also to the lovely Barambah teachers for their amazing facilities and we thoroughly enjoyed all of the activities.

Sheryl Greaves, Lorretta Levis and Fiona Cole

NATIONAL DATA COLLECTION

National Collection of Data on School Students with Disability

Collecting data on school students with disability helps teachers, principals and education authorities support the participation of students with disability in schooling on the same basis as students without disability.

The school will identify students under the broad category of disability – cognitive, physical, social/emotional and sensory. Collecting data on students who fall into one or more of these categories helps teachers, principals and education authorities support the participation of students with disability in schooling on the same basis as students without a disability.

All Australian schools participate in this annual data collection.

Please be reassured that the Department will not provide to another organisation any data that can identify an individual student. The only data being collected at the school level to be reported nationally is the:

• number of students in the school who are provided with an adjustment to address a disability;
• level of adjustments we provide for those students; and
• broad category of disability.

While only data that cannot identify your child will be submitted outside of the Department, if you do not wish for your child’s details to be included, please let me know.

Information and fact sheets are available to help you make a decision from the links below:

If you have any questions about the data collection please contact the school.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

• The Premier’s Reading Challenge has started and finishes the 25th August.
• Please record the books your child reads on the sheet – it must be signed by the parent.
• The Prep teachers will complete the reading record sheet at school.
• If you lose the Reading Record sheet or did not receive one, just ask at the office.
• The children who complete the challenge receive a certificate – this is a great way to reward our readers!

Happy Reading, Stacey Seed

BOOK WEEK

"Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere” — Mary Schmich

Book week is August 21 to 25.

Our Book week dress up day will be held on Thursday August 24. All students are invited to dress up as their favourite book character. This year’s theme is ESCAPE TO EVERYWHERE.

So have fun exploring the magic of books, escape into a story and ask: where will your reading take you?

STRINGS NEWS

Congratulations to our String ensemble for receiving a second place at the Gympie Eisteddfod last Monday.

Strings Workshop will be run on the following days at Gympie South School. Please see Mrs Luke for further information.

• Beginners (year 3) – Monday September 4
• Advanced (year 4, 5 & 6) Tuesday September 5

PREP 2018

Do you or someone you know have a child who will be attending Prep in 2018? Please contact our administration staff regarding registration. For information about our Prep Transition program please click on the link below.

UNIFORM SALE

RELAY FOR LIFE

JONESY’S 5 CENT CHALLENGE

Which class will collect the most money for Jonesy’s challenge? Weekly class tallies will be read on parade every Friday. Have you checked in the lounge for spare coins?

SAGE MUSIC ACADEMY

PADDOCK TO PLATE LUNCHEON