August 14 Newsletter
SCHOOL OPINION SURVEY
The 2009 School Opinion Survey is currently being conducted in state schools. Each year the company conducting the surveys gives schools instructions on how to do the random selection of families. After following the instructions 40 of our families will receive surveys next week.
If you receive a School Opinion Survey, we ask that you complete it, seal it in the envelope provided and send it in to the office by August 19 please. The surveys are confidential and upon return are packaged and returned to the organising company for collation.
Staff members and students from Years 5 and 7 also participate in the survey. The results form part of our School Annual Report, identify areas of strength in our school and areas we may need to develop further. These are then included in the Annual Operational Plan for the following year.
Results of the survey will be sent to the school later in the year. We thank families in anticipation of their participation in this year’s survey. If you have any questions regarding the survey please contact Neil, Trudy or myself.
DISTRICT ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
Congratulations to the students who represented our school at the District Athletics Carnival on Monday this week. I have received amazing feedback on your level of participation and behaviour – thankyou. You were fabulous ambassadors for our school. – I am very proud of you. Congratulations to Jesse W. (Discus and Shot Put) and Michael G. (100m and Long Jump) who now go on to represent Bramble Bay in the Regional Carnival at the end of August. Best wishes to you both.
My thanks also to Mrs Luhrs, Mrs English, Mrs Wighton and Mr Burton who went to Nudgee with our students as officials and Manager. I also heard that we had a huge number of parents at the carnival on both days supporting our students and our school - thankyou.
JUNIOR SPORTS DAY
What a wonderful morning and a great way to start the day! The weather was perfect and our Prep to Year 3 students had a great time participating in a series of different events eg ‘Hammer Throw’, Javelin (with a pool noodle), Shot Put (using a Bean Bag), Long Jump, sprints and relays etc.
Thankyou to Mr Taylor, our Phys Ed Teacher, Early Phase Teachers and Teacher Aides for organising and running the morning. We also had a number of Year 6 and 7 students assisting with each group and activity – thankyou for a job well done.
It was terrific to see so many family members came along to cheer on the athletes. Thankyou to our students, staff and parents for making the Junior Sports Day such a happy activity.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND LATE ARRIVALS
A reminder to parents that our school day starts at 8.50am. We still have a number of students who are arriving late each day which means they are missing a vital part of the day with their teachers. We understand that the mornings can be hectic at home but ask that parents endeavour to have their child at school on time please.
Parents are to be reminded also that under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006, students are expected to attend school each day unless there is a reasonable excuse. I am concerned about a small number of students whose absences are regular or lengthy. One of the roles of a Principal in a State School is to monitor the attendance of students and address any issues through correspondence initiated by Education Queensland. I ask that you also endeavour to have your child attend school on a regular basis please.
DAFFODIL DAY
Our Student Leaders, with the assistance of Mrs Judy Harvey, are organising a fundraiser to recognise the Queensland Cancer Council’s research into cancer. A number of families in the Geebung school community have had close experiences with cancer in the last year so we wish to assist by fundraising for the Cancer Council. On Friday 28 August we are holding ‘Daffodil Day’. Students, staff and parents may wish to wear something yellow.
The following ‘Daffodil Day’ items will be available for sale from 8.15 – 9.00am outside the First Aid room between C and D Blocks:
- Wrist Bands - $4
- Silk ribbons - $3
- Lapel Pins - $5
- Fresh Daffodils - $7 per bunch
Gold coin donations for the Queensland Cancer Council will also be accepted.
Thankyou Mrs Harvey for coordinating the activity again this year.
GEEBUNG ARTS FESTIVAL
The inaugural Geebung Arts Festival is certainly a work in progress at the moment with students preparing items to highlight the areas of the Arts curriculum ie Visual Arts, Music, Dance and Drama. We hope you have marked September 9 and 10 on your calendar so that you can come along to see the work our students and teachers are doing. The evenings should be lots of fun.
DOGS IN THE SCHOOL GROUNDS
I have noticed an increasing number of dogs being bought into the school grounds at drop off and pick up times each day. Concerns were also raised at the P and C meeting on Tuesday night. In the interests of the safety of you and your dog and our students, you are requested to not bring dogs into the school grounds please.
HEAD LICE
We agree that head lice are extremely annoying and unfortunately at the moment they are rife. Head Lice letters were sent to all families last week and we ask that you check your child’s hair and treat if necessary please. Remember that lice have a hatching period of two weeks so you will need to treat again in a fortnight. Thankyou for your diligence in helping to treat this problem.
Jayne Buchanan
Principal
19 Aug Assembly 9am
19 & 20 Aug Metropolitan North Regional
Athletics Carnival
24 – 28 Aug BOOK WEEK
26 Aug Assembly 9am-Book Week Dress up Whole School
27 Aug Author Visit – Prep to Yr 3
28 Aug Author Visit – Yr 4 to 7
28 Aug DAFFODIL DAY
In week 3 of our AFL lessons we began our tournament. In 6/7J, the Geebung Tigers beat the Hawks 9-2. It was a well played game. The second game was played by the Tigers and Bombers, and the Tigers caught victory in this challenging game by just 1 point, 14-13. We are using the skills we learned in the first and second weeks, particularly kicking, catching, passing, tackling, and umpiring signals. We are all enjoying it very much.
By Rhiannon, Sarah, Josephine, and Zahlee.
4B and 4W Go to the Art Gallery
On Thursday 4B and 4W went to the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art to see the awesome paintings. We went on the ICB. Kevin, the bus driver was funny. It was bumpy at the back of the bus.
We saw a sculpture called `Totem’. It reminded Mrs Beckett of chocolate but Aldan thought it was more like a rocket ship. Ricky liked the way it was polished. In the water mall there were three giant pears and a platform in the middle where you could sit and relax. We saw a picture of Alice in Wonderland.
At the American Impressionist’s exhibition we compared how art work is similar and different. Francine liked `Apple Blossoms’ by E.Phillips Fox. Seth drew `The Church at Gloucester’ by Childe Hassam.
At lunch there was a giant frilly lizard that stared at Seth. We went for a walk on the boardwalk and through the State Library. At GoMA we admired `The Stags’ made from two motor scooters and a sculpture called `In Bed’ that Francine thought was really creepy. At `Release the Bats we got to draw cut and fold. The Aboriginal fibre art in `Floating Life’ was magnificent. We really enjoyed the day. Mrs Beckett said we should take our families back and show them around.
Francine Ricky Aidan Seth
BRAMBLE BAY DISTRICT SPORTS
On Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th August, 38 athletes participated in the Bramble Bay Athletics Carnival at Nudgee College. They participated in High Jump, Long Jump, Shot Put, Discus and the 800m, 200m and 100m running events. All athletics gave their greatest in each event and we are extremely proud of their efforts.
Two students, Michael (5AC) and Jesse (6/7M), demonstrated excellence in their events and will proceed to the Metropolitan North competition by representing Bramble Bay. Michael showed great composure and athletic ability in his 2nd place in Long Jump by jumping 3.93m beaten only by 2cm on the last jump! The 100m final lived up to its hype, even more so for the Geebung Supporters with Michael winning the final in 15.28 seconds. An outstanding effort Michael.
Jesse showed exceptional strength and technique in both his 2nd place in Discus, throwing 25.42m and his 4th place in Shot Put, throwing 9.10m. Again another outstanding effort Jesse. We wish the boys the very best for the Met. North Competition.
Another pleasing note was the support, and encouragement given by the large number of parents and carer’s who joined us at Nudgee. It was fantastic to see the Geebung Tents so full of supporters for each of our athletes.
It was an enjoyable couple of days.
Mr. Burton.
Thankyou to our regular volunteers, and families that support us with donations. We are always in need of muffin mix and long life skim milk.
We are still needing volunteers on Thursday’s.
This term we have specials on offer while stocks last.
* Murphie’s (potato pie) $1.50
* Chicken & Corn Soup $1.50
* Pumpkin soup $1.50
* Large Pizza Slab $2.50
Please note our Frozen Products are only available at BIG LUNCH.
Reminder about Donut Day on Wednesday 26th August. Orders to be handed in to tuckshop by Friday 21st August. Orders forms were sent home a week ago but more are available from the tuckshop/office.
FUNDRAISING – ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS
As part of the fundraising activities we are now selling the 2009/2010 Entertainment Books. There is an information/order form with this newsletter so please let all your friends and family know that they can purchase these books from the Geebung State School Office. There is a sample of the book at the office if you wish to have a look. All books purchased will help the school. For more information please contact the office on 3623 8777.
The Junior Sports Carnival
On Tuesday the 11th of August the Prep to Year 3 students enjoyed the junior sports carnival. They had 6 sports to participate in - long jump, discus, javelin, sprints, hammer throw and shot put. This is what happened …
Long jump was fun for everyone and everyone showed great sportsmanship. Everybody joined in and had a great time.
At discus we were sorted into two groups. Ms Ashby taught everyone the rules and Andrew taught everyone how to throw the discus onto the hoops.
Javelin was an exciting part of the carnival. What you had to do was to get a pool noodle, and throw it as far as possible. The longest throw was done by a little prep. It was very impressive.
The sprints were 60m long for the preps and 80m for the older kids. Everyone participated and had good time even if they didn’t get a place.
Hammer throw was great fun. Everybody (including the teachers and parents) enjoyed throwing a thing, that is like a ball in a sock, as far as they could.
Shot put was so much fun too. The kids threw bean bags into cones. If they got it in the first row it was 1 point, second row 2 points and the third row was 5 points. Everyone had a great time.
Altogether it was a great day and everyone had fun. We would like to thank all the teachers, students and parents for helping to set up everything and making the day a huge success.
By Jacinta, Maddie, Jade T, Georgina and Mitch.
Book Week Celebration: BOOK SAFARI
Our school is celebrating Book Week during August 24 – 28. Next week there will be various competitions for the students to enter: colouring and guessing competitions. Entries need to be handed into the Library by Friday 21 August. The Library will be open during Book Week for parents to view the great class displays.
DRESS UP ASSEMBLY: Wednesday 27 August
Come along and enjoy the FUN! Students will be celebrating BOOK WEEK with a fun DRESS UP ASSEMBLY. Students may come dressed as their favourite book character or as a character their teacher and class have chosen.
AUTHOR VISITS: 27 & 28 August
Prep – Year 3 Nette Hilton – Thursday 27 August
Year 4 – 7 Martin Chatterton - Friday 28 August
Would students please return their permission notes with $4 to the office to ensure they can attend this great event.
BOOK CLUB
Many thanks for your support for the Book Club. The next issue will be early next term.
Julie Silva
Teacher Librarian.
Please remember to contact the Student
Absentee Line on 3623 8760 if your child
is going to be absent from school. Please
phone on the day of the absence and leave
your child’s name, class and reason for absence.
Community News
Northgate State School 50th Birthday Festival will be held on Friday 11th September from 4pm to 9pm. All Welcome!
50th Birthday Dinner will be on Saturday 12th September and tickets are available from the office. $50 per head RSVP by 28th August. Catered semi-formal evening at Northgate State School. Come along to reunite with old friends or just help us celebrate our 50th Birthday.
Lost: child’s pink prescription glasses. Please contact 3630 5169.
Triple P Anxiety: UQ researchers are offering your family the opportunity to participate in a new parenting program aimed at treating anxiety in children and adolescents aged 7 to 14. Anxiety is the most common psychological complaint experienced by youth. If left untreated anxiety can increase the risk of developing other psychiatric disorders and often leads to peer and school difficulties.
Triple P Anxiety has been developed by family and child psychologists and researchers Dr. Vanessa Cobham and Prof. Matthew Sanders.
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