Tartan Times McDowall State School An Independent Public School since 2013

Achieving better outcomes for all students

School Administration (Office)

Open Mon to Fri, 8.00am – 4.00pm

Payment days: Tue & Thur: 8am – 11am

Recess Times

Prep – Year 2: 10.30am – 11.10am

12.45pm – 1.25pm

Years 3 – 6: 11.00am – 11.40am

1.15pm – 1.55pm

School Assemblies

Mon: 8:55 – 9:30am (Years 3–6)

Wed: 8.30 – 9:00am (Prep–Yr 2)

Tartan Tuckerbox (Tuckshop)

Monday: 1st break only

Open Tuesday to Friday

Flexischools orders avail. Mon-Fri

To volunteer: click here

Uniform Shop

Open Mon & Thu, 7.45am to 9.30am

Standard Uniform (Mon – Thu)

Tartan or red polo shirt

Bottle green pants shorts / skorts

Bottle green socks & black shoes (Tartan)

White socks & black shoes (red polo shirt)

Red bucket (for Prep Year) or Bottle green reversible broad-brimmed hat

Winter: bottle green jacket, jumper and track pants

Friday (Sports)

House shirt or red polo shirt if playing inter-school sports

Bottle green pants shorts / skorts

White socks

School hat

EDITION: 22 May 2020

N E

W S

L E

T T

E R

Office 3872 5333

Absence 3872 5366

Tuckshop 3872 5304

Fax 3872 5300

Email admin@mcdowallss.eq.edu.au

Website www.mcdowallss.eq.edu.au

Please direct ALL OSH enquiries to the following

number - 3353 5755

2 Principal’s Post

Final Week of Home-Based Learning Yrs 2 - 6

Robyn H - 3F3 & Cooper C - 3F1

Music practice via skype.

Nicholas D - 6C2 & Madeleine D - 4E4

Sibling trombone duet.

Olivia M - 1J4 & Eve M - 2J7

Alex G - 3N2 & Felix G - 2Q1

Kirsten W - 3F4

Japanese Activities.

Tartan Times 22 May – 2020 Page 2

Principal’s Post

Welcome Back

It is our extreme pleasure to welcome Years 2

-6 in rejoining P-1 at McDowall State School.

Our ‘Great State School’ has not been the

same without them. Schools are a community

of people, substantially created by our

students. Our students afford our school a

‘life giving pulse’ that creates a warmth,

vibrancy and perspective. The ‘silence’ and

‘stillness’ has been hard to accept. Teaching

and learning is an ‘interaction’ not an electronic procedure. All

teachers have had to learn new ways of partnering with

parents and catering for the learning needs of their students.

Our mutual experiences have highlighted how people and

relationships sustain the McDowall State School experience.

Staff and students are happy and achieve great things here.

COVID-19 restrictions are still in place. Government is

gradually relaxing some. School operations are yet to return to

anything like the ‘normal’ of the past. School operations

revolve around Year Levels and Classes. Staff meetings are

held on-line. Student assemblies are not planned. Parents will

be invited to engage in Teacher / Parent Interviews on-line or

by phone. Student Progress Reports will include reference to

‘home-based learning student achievement’ and these will be

issued on Monday, 27th July, 2020.

The extended effects of COVID-19 are not fully known yet.

During student absence, while teachers focused on ‘remote

learning’ the school fast-tracked many capital works projects

to both minimise school disruption upon student return and to

enhance employment opportunities. The School Budget 2020

will be reviewed in July in responding to additional outlays in

hygiene, cleaning and projects such as new sink installations.

More parents are likely to remain working from home so the

demand for McDowall OSHC places may decline. Many families

may need to curtail discretionary expenditures.

We’ve seen examples where many localities have begun to

shop locally to support small business. These entrepreneurs

often employ parents and youth entering the workplace. As a

school community, we need to make it our business to support

each other. Let’s look out for each other. Monitor the

‘happiness factor’ of other parents in your Year Level or where

you live. It is always the little things that you do that make the

greatest impact! “Are you ok?” “Is there something I can assist

you with?” “Do you want to talk?” For the remainder of 2020,

the McDowall State School is reducing discretionary costs (fees

and contributions) requested from parents. The School

Guidance Officer is available to offer assistance or perhaps

recommend a professional referral.

Parents experiencing distress or anxiety regarding school

payments or expectations are invited to meet with their

respective Deputy Principal or our Business Manager. These

discussions will be conducted sensitively and as appropriate,

confidentially. If we can assist you, we will. No judgement. No

charity. Just support, perhaps over time and through options.

Our ‘Great State School’ is strong and effective due to our

diversity in people, skills, and talents but always with a clear

focus on ‘the child’. Working together in partnership we may

continue to achieve collective benefits relating to wealth,

happiness, security and lifestyle. Are you self-employed, a

home-based entrepreneur or conducting a business from

home? We would be delighted to promote your endeavour

through a ‘Tartan Times’ attachment.

The McDowall State School Parents’ & Citizens’ Association will

reconvene on Monday, 22nd June, 2020 from 7pm. The current

P&C Association Executive have continued to productively

maintain Association business interests and operations during

recent months. They have indicated that they will make

themselves available to membership for endorsement to

continue in their duties through until February, 2021. As P&C

Association activities recommence, there is a list of volunteer

positions that need to be filled for 2020. Please give this your

due consideration. Following the formality of an Annual

General Meeting, a General Meeting will follow from 8pm. It is

anticipated that all reports for the period February-June will be

electronically issued prior to the meeting so that time will focus

on questions and decision-making. The Tartan Tuckerbox will

reopen from Monday, 25th May with Uniform Shop attendance

by appointment. McDowall OSHC continues to operate with

access being only through the Kiss-and-Ride Facility.

To close, no-one should under-estimate the impact that the

COVID-19 disruption is having on school staff, parents,

contractors and our children. No-one likes unprecedented rapid

change. We are all working harder and in different ways. For

some, the effects have been devastating while others may see

a ‘light at the end of the tunnel’. Both Principal and staff thank

all parents for your assistance and support during this chaotic

period. Please support and look out for each other. We have

been doing likewise within the school staff. Gratitude continues

to be expressed to staff for the goodwill they have invested in

supporting P-1 transition during the past fortnight. Be assured

that McDowall State School will retain a ‘focus on the child’.

Our students feel safe, secure and familiar within their school

routine and environment, after all, it is their school! We

welcome P-6 back as we realign teaching and learning to the

classroom.

B. T. Fogarty

Principal.

P-6 Are To Return To Mcdowall State School On Monday, 25th May, 2020, P-6 students will return to

McDowall State School. This will mean that a 30min separated

timetable will again apply for P-2 and Yrs 3-6 so that as many

P-2 parents as possible may collect their child and clear local

street infrastructure before Yrs 3-6 parents require that same

access.

State School access remains restricted, under Principal

direction, seeking to maintain a virus / flu-free workplace for

staff and school for students. Physical distancing between

adults continues to apply. School gates will be monitored.

On Monday, 25th May, 2020, P-6 students will return to

McDowall State School. This will mean that a 30min separated

timetable will again apply for P-2 and Yrs 3-6 so that as many

P-2 parents as possible may collect their child and clear local

street infrastructure before Yrs 3-6 parents require that same

access.

State School access remains restricted, under Principal

direction, seeking to maintain a virus / flu-free workplace for

staff and school for students. Physical distancing between

adults continues to apply. School gates will be monitored.

Tartan Times 22 May – 2020 Page 3

Main (Rode Rd) School Gate is used by independent

P-6 student access; and adult visitors accessing only

School Administration. Adult access to Teaching Blocks

and associated areas remains prohibited.

Metro Street (pedestrian) Gate will open for:

P-6 students between 7.50am-8.20am.

P-6 students between 2.40pm-3.10pm.

This gate is also used by students for access to Keona

Road via the walkway.

Kiss-and-Ride Facility is used by:

P-2 students between 7.50am-8.15am.

Yrs 3-6 students between 8.15am-8.45am.

Kiss-and-Ride Facility is used by:

P-2 students between 2.35pm-2.55pm.

Yrs 3-6 students between 3.05pm-3.30pm.

Kiss-and-Ride Facility (Parking) is used by parents &

adult visitors accessing only School Administration.

Adult access to Teaching Blocks and associated areas

remains prohibited.

P-2 students are now capable of

independent walking from the Kiss-and

-Ride Facility to their before school

waiting area. Student leaders may

continue to provide support should it

be required. P-2 students will be

walked to the Kiss-and-Ride Facility

arriving by 2.40pm.

Kiss and Ride Facility seating is for students. This is a staff

supervised area.

It is expected that Years 1-6 students will independently daily

access and depart the school.

Please do not enter the McDowall State School through the

Staff Gravel Car Park.

McDowall Out-of-School Hours Care

McDowall Out-of-School Hours Care is available from 2.30pm.

Childcare staff collect Preparatory Year students from their

classroom areas. From class dismissal, Years 1-6 are expected

to promptly attend K Block (OSHC) for programme sign-in.

Parental access to Out-of-School Hours Care is through the

Kiss-and-Ride Facility and along the Central Covered Area

Walkway. Access is only permitted before /after school

operations. Adult access to Teaching Blocks and associated

areas remains prohibited.

Cross-Timetable Sibling Pick-Up 2.30pm-3pm

Those few parents supervising P-2 children while awaiting Yrs

3-6 siblings must not enter the school building and associated

facilities areas. They may though, wait under the two large

covered areas beside the School Tennis Courts Area at the

school oval edge. Please do not wait in the Kiss-and-Ride

Facility. These P-2 students will arrive with their peers

attending the Kiss-and-Ride Facility. Between 2.30pm-3pm

these children are under the direct care and supervision of

their parents. Being within school grounds, parents, visitors

and children must always comply with staff direction should it

be provided.

Preparatory Year Pick-Up 2.40pm

It is strongly recommended that as many students as

possible, use the Kiss-and-Ride Facility. We seek to

reduce the number of vehicles requiring to be parked in the

Metro / Goldwyn / Mayer Street Circuit. It is anticipated that

sometime during the next few weeks, PA Block and Covered

Area will be closed due to reroofing works and classes will be

temporarily relocated into the new Languages Classroom and

School Hall. Advice will be issued soon.

Preparatory Year parents only, may enter the Metro

Street (pedestrian) Gate between 2.40pm-3pm and wait

on the bitumen between the boom gate and positioned

witches hats. Preparatory Year students w ill be walked

from classroom areas to stand in their designated ‘Emergency

Assembly Area’. Should they identify their parent, the student

will be dismissed to walk through the witches hats. It is

expected that parent and child will then immediately depart

the school grounds, freeing up car parking space on local

streets.

Wet Weather School Departure

Wet weather infrastructure is only available at the Kiss-and-Ride Facility.

School Timetabling… From Monday, 25th May, 2020

McDowall State School will resume normal timetabling from

Monday, 25th May, 2020. A 30min separated timetable will

again apply for P-2 and Yrs 3-6 so that as many P-2 parents as

possible may collect their child and clear local street

infrastructure before Yrs 3-6 parents require that same access.

Did You Know? The distance from the Kiss-and-Ride Facility to the McDowall OSHC door is 3m shorter than if you walked from the Metro Street Gate.

Tartan Times 22 May – 2020 Page 4

Physical Distancing

Parents and carers are to pay particular attention to the

requirement for adults to maintain physical distancing of 1.5m

at all times. Only if absolutely necessary, are parents and

carers to enter the McDowall State School grounds to attend

OSHC before or after school or to attend School

Administration.

Parents and carers must not gather in areas around the school

such as carparks, at the school gate or on footpath areas

during this time. Please use the Kiss-and-Ride Facility (Stop,

Drop/Pick Up and Go). The driver remains with the car and

departs.

All visitors to McDowall State School must immediately report

to School Administration. Adult access to Teaching Blocks and

associated areas remains prohibited. School play equipment

remains closed to before / after school and for public use.

School Access Restrictions Continue To Apply

Our goal is to maintain a ‘virus / flu-free’ school environment

for both staff and attending students. All stakeholders have a

responsibility toward making this happen. During school hours,

only staff and students are permitted unrestricted

access to McDowall State School.

All visitors to McDowall State School must immediately

report to School Administration.

Only two visiting adults are permitted access to School

Administration reception at any one time. Other visitors

are to patiently wait outside. ‘Physical distancing’

applies.

Parents, grandparents, extended family, etc are not

permitted w ithin the school proper, unless urgent

circumstances apply and are staff accompanied.

Generally, a message will be forwarded or the student

will be summoned to attend School Administration while

the visitor waits at School Administration.

Parents are to avoid entry within the McDowall State

School, in preference to using the telephone, email,

note with the student or designated on-line

communication.

School Administration and contractor foremen on site,

will screen their workers and assume responsibility for

them. Eg. Construction work, air-conditioning

installation and wireless upgrade works, etc.

Adult access to Teaching Blocks and associated areas

remains prohibited.

School play equipment remains closed to before / after

school and for public use.

Parents may access McDowall Out-of-School Hours Care

only out-of-school hours. Access to McDowall OSHC

remains from the Kiss-and-Ride Facility, past the School

Library and through the central Covered Areas to/from K

Block (OSHC). Teaching Block Areas are closed to

unauthorised adults.

Please do not enter McDowall State School, if you ….

Exhibit or are experiencing any flu-like symptoms.

Have travelled or returned from overseas within the last

14 days.

Are or have been in contact with any person who is a

confirmed COVID-19 case.

Parent Contact with School Staff

Telephone – Message left with School Administration.

Written note – Via student.

Email – Brief message to School Administration or

teacher.

Staff telephoning the parent back to (a) Discuss an

issue (b) Arrange a time to meet.

Teacher / Parent Meeting – Only if pre-arranged and

agreed and usually under a Covered Area.

The biggest risk of transmission of COVID-19 in schools is between adults.

If parents and extended family do not need to enter McDowall State School – Please don’t.

Be informed. Act wisely. “Don’t be the reason why McDowall SS must close.”

Tartan Times 22 May – 2020 Page 5

Sick / Ill Students

It is essential that you keep your child home from school if

they are unwell. In accordance with Queensland Health

Directions parents or carers of any child showing signs of

illness will be asked to collect them immediately from the

school. The sick / ill student (or student displaying flu-like

symptoms) will be immediately empathetically isolated and

cared for away from their peers. The parent will be called to

collect their child with recommendation to take their child to a

GP or phone 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) if concerned.

Student Procedures

Before School / Student Covered Areas

Working across Covered Areas, teacher aides will monitor

seated students. A Deputy Principal will casually check students

for flu-like symptoms or illness.

Student Physical Distancing

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) advice provides guidance that physical distancing (eg. 4sqm per person in an enclosed space and 1.5m distancing otherwise) is not required for students during school activities. AHPPC believes that this ‘density rule’ is not considered appropriate nor practical for students within the physical limitations of the school environment. Other physical distancing measures for adults remain in place. This includes the requirement that staff and adults should maintain a physical distance of 1.5m from each other to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Our goal is to maintain a ‘virus / flu-free’ school environment for both staff and attending students. All stakeholders have a responsibility toward making this happen. During school hours, only staff and students are permitted unrestricted access to McDowall State School.

Student Procedures

Students are required to wear their school uniform for

clear identification.

Students are instructed and reminded to implement

physical distancing, maintaining personal space, keeping

approximately one arms length apart.

School Assemblies are suspended.

Normal Specialist Timetables apply across P-2 / 3-6.

School Library, Home Reading Programme and eLearning

Centre will open. Restrictions will limit the number of

students at any one time. Returned materials will be

stored for three days, then wiped over, before being

returned to shelves.

Instrumental Music Immersion Programme of Excellence

tutorials and sectional practice will recommence.

Presently, bands, ensembles and concerts are still

suspended.

All school excursions, events, sport and district &

regional sports are suspended until further notice.

Students should bring a water bottle to top up

throughout the day – avoiding use of bubblers.

Normal school expectations and standards relating to

conduct apply.

Health & Hygiene

Good personal hygiene and social practice is

critical in minimising spread and severity of

illness. Parents may assist by ensuring

students engage within a healthy lifestyle:

(a) Enough sleep (b) Water hydration (c)

Healthy food (d) Activity and fitness.

Regular cleaning of hands with soap and water:

When they enter their classroom each morning.

Before they move to their Eating Area.

At Toilet Facilities.

When they re-enter their classroom after recess.

As considered necessary.

Hand wash foam is available from Toilet Facility

dispensers.

Sanitiser is available at Specialist Classrooms and

locations where is it impractical to wash hands using

soap and water.

School Toilet Facilities are provided for designated staff

and student groups.

A Deputy Principal and two teachers aides are assigned

to oversee soap (all classrooms) and sanitiser

distribution (only in areas where it is impractical to use

soap and water) and maintenance of supplies.

An additional School Cleaner has been engaged to work

during the school day to maintain high hygiene

standards within Toilet Facilities, Specialist Areas and

across frequently used hard contact school surfaces.

Students are permitted to use personal hand sanitiser

for discrete self-use.

Where practical, air conditioning will not be used. Open

windows are to be used where possible.

Only people who are unwell and have access to a face

mask should use it. For everyone else, who do not have

symptoms, a face mask is unnecessary.

McDowall Out-of-School Hours Care is implementing

heightened hygiene and health protocols.

McDowall State School staff who feel ill or display flu-like

symptoms, are a confirmed COVID-19 case (directed to

self-isolate) or have close contact with someone else

who is a confirmed COVID-19 case, have been instructed

not to attend for duty.

Tartan Times 22 May – 2020 Page 6

Playground Equipment - Restricted

School playground equipment remains closed to before / after

school and for public use. Play equipment may be used by

students during the school day and during the McDowall OSHC

Programme with restrictions applied.

Scheduling restricts and avoids over-crowding. A roster

applies for access.

Students will wash their hands before and after using

play equipment.

Unwell staff and students are excluded from access to

play equipment areas.

Play equipment is cleaned and disinfected by school staff

between 1.30pm-2.30pm.

Play equipment is cleaned and disinfected by OSHC staff

between 8.30am-9.30am.

Student Assessment & Reporting

Student assessment and reporting for

Term 2 and Semester 1, 2020 will be

adjusted by schools to reflect the nature

of student learning during this time.

McDowall State School will issue Student

Progress Reports on Monday, 27th July,

2020. It is anticipated that Teacher /

Parent Interviews will be conducted through Microsoft Teams,

access being effected through the Student Log-In. Parents will

soon be advised of available interview dates and times.

School Transport - Buses

Normal school transport arrangements

continue to apply for P-6 students.

Physical distancing guidelines will

continue to be expected on school

buses (where practical), at bus stops

and at other shared transport services.

Transport operators ensure that buses and surface touch points

are cleaned according to COVID-19 cleaning and disinfection

recommendations.

School Facilities

McDowall SS Hall Hirers Suspension

The McDowall State School Hall is temporarily closed to School

Hall hirers. All out-of-school hours programmes and activities

delivered by hall hirers are currently suspended until further

notice.

McDowall SS Facilities Improvements Update

Wireless Expansion Project has been completed by

Education Queensland. The school has contributed in

excess of $75,000.oo to expand and improve service

internally across the school.

Languages Classroom and School Administration Storage

construction has been completed. These rooms will be

phased into use.

New Groundsman Shed – Construction is underway and

due for completion soon.

The School Oval Irrigation System is due for completion

within one week. School Oval remains closed.

Tendering is underway for the replacement of the N

Block Shade Cloth Structure with a permanent, all

weather Shade Structure. It is anticipated that this

project will be completed this term.

P&C Association AGM & General Meeting

The McDowall State School Parents’ & Citizens’ Association will

reconvene on Monday, 22nd June, 2020 from 7pm in K Block

(OSHC) or via Zoom. The current P&C Association Executive

have continued to productively maintain Association business

interests and operations during recent months. They have

indicated that they will make themselves available to

membership for endorsement to continue in their duties

through until February, 2021. Should members agree, this

needs to be validated during an Annual General Meeting. As

P&C Association activities recommence, there is a list of

volunteer positions that need to be filled for 2020. Please give

this your due consideration. Following the formality of an

Annual General Meeting, a General Meeting will follow from

8pm. It is anticipated that all reports for the period February-

June will be electronically issued prior to the meeting so that

time will focus on questions and decision-making.

All P&C Association memberships will lapse at the Annual

General Meeting. Parents are requested to complete the

attached P&C Association Membership 2020 Form and either

leave it at School Administration, at McDowall OSHC or send it

to: secretary@mcdowallsspc.org.au . A P&C Association

Membership 2020 Form may also be downloaded from the P&C

Association website. Following the Annual General Meeting,

parents are required to attend a P&C Association General

Meeting to have their application for membership accepted.

P&C Association Membership 2020 Forms must be fully

completed on both sides.

During an Annual General Meeting, all roles within the

McDowall SS P&C Association are declared vacant and are

made available for nominations. Parents interested in filling any

P&C Association role for 2020 are welcome to contact a current

P&C Association Executive Member or speak with the Principal.

Due to COVID-19 and physical distancing requirements,

attendance through Zoom is strongly encouraged. A link to the

on-line meeting will be distributed to all P&C Association

Membership 2020 applicants.

Executive Roles

President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Non-Executive Roles

WH&S Co-Ordinator, Tartan Network Co-ordinator, Fundraising

Co-ordinator #, Community Event Co-ordinator #,

Communications Co-ordinator #, Traffic & Safe ST Co-

ordinator, School Banking Co-ordinator, Book Club Co-

ordinator, Grants Co-ordinator #.

# indicates a role for which no nominations have been received

to date.

Tartan Times 22 May – 2020 Page 7

Tartan Tuckerbox and Uniform Shop The Tartan Tuckerbox will reopen from Monday, 25th May,

2020. Uniform Shop attendance is by appointment. All sales

are only available through flexi-schools.com.au. A Tartan

Tuckerbox ‘Welcome Back Meal Deal’ will be advised for Friday,

5th June, 2020. At this time, only P&C Association staff (no

volunteers) are being used within the Tartan Tuckerbox. Tartan

Tuckerbox staff hold Hygiene / Food Preparation Certificates. A

reduced menu may apply.

Uniform Shop orders are to be made by

email uniformshop@mcdowallsspc.org.au or

on-line through www.flexischools.com.au .

Once processed all orders will be dispatched

directly to student classrooms.

School Community

Celebration & Promotion Of Parental Achievements

Parents have achieved so much in recent weeks due to COVID-

19 restrictions. We need to acknowledge and celebrate what

has been done. Many parents are working from home. Mindful

that some of our parents have lost their paid employment, and

perhaps have ‘reinvented’ themselves to become

entrepreneurial and self-employed from home, McDowall State

School is keen to promote their endeavours. This offer is only

for self-employed parents who wish to promote their offer of

skills to others.

You are invited to draft a small advertisement (maximum

quarter of an A4 page) suitable for inclusion within a Word

document and send it to Mrs Tracy Pearce AO at School

Administration. Tpear254@eq.edu.au No fee will be applied.

These advertisements will be included as a public service

information attachment to a future ‘Tartan Times’ newsletter.

All advertisements must complement the objects and values of

State Education and that of McDowall State School. The

Principal has final say regarding the inclusion or exclusion of

any advertisement. No endorsement nor connection is

generally offered by McDowall State School concerning services

nor items offered for sale, etc. Parents will ultimately decide

whether or not a personal relationship should be established

should services or products be appropriate for their needs.

Should a parent wish to lift their profile or self-employment

status in offering a service or sale of items, across the

McDowall State School parental community, please contact Mrs

Pearce AO. We seek to assist our parents as best that we may

during these challenging times. This offer is not available to

businesses or companies. This offer continues at the sole

discretion of the Principal.

Special Thanks - Funkateers Pizzeria & P&C Association

Acknowledging the challenges that teachers and staff faced

with the transition to ‘remote learning’, Mr Julian Primiero from

Funkateers Pizzeria / Open Book Cafe (A child in Prep and Yr 2)

donated and delivered a pizza lunch for all McDowall State

School staff. Acknowledging that small business was

experiencing challenging times, so though grateful, the

Principal indicated that the gesture wasn’t necessary. Mr

Primiero indicated that he wanted to thank teachers and staff

for all that they were doing. He was also delivering pizza to

other local schools. Principal and staff thank Mr Primiero from

Funkateers Pizzeria / Open Book Cafe. If looking to purchase

pizza for a meal, his product was thoroughly enjoyed by staff.

The McDowall State School staff also wish to acknowledge and

thank the P&C Association for their payment toward a Coffee

Van visit to McDowall State School Kiss-and-Ride Facility during

the ‘remote learning’ period. Again, this was immensely

appreciated.

Assessment & Reporting Semester 1, 2020

In light of the recent COVID-19 crisis and in alignment with the

Department of Education’s advice to schools, assessment for

Term 2 and reporting for Semester 1 will be adjusted to reflect

the modified nature of learning over this time. There will be

changes to the time line and content of McDowall State

School’s Semester One Student Reports.

McDowall State School will use evidence of achievement from

Term 1 along with evidence from face-to-face teaching for the

remainder of Term 2, to award levels of achievement (A- E

rating) in the learning areas of English, Mathematics, Science

and either HASS or Health. Progress Reports for students in

Prep will not have a level of achievement rating.

Please read specific Year Level reporting details below.

Prep: All students w ill receive a w ritten report w ith

subject descriptors indicating what has been taught throughout

the semester. However, a level of achievement will not be

recorded. Behaviour and a standardised overall comment will

be written.

Year 1: All students w ill receive a w ritten report w ith

subject descriptors indicating what has been taught throughout

the semester. An A-E level of achievement rating will be

awarded in the learning areas of: English, Mathematics,

Science and Health. Behaviour and a standardised overall

comment will also be written.

Year 2: All students w ill receive a w ritten report w ith

subject descriptors indicating what has been taught throughout

the semester. An A-E level of achievement rating will be

awarded in the learning areas of: English, Mathematics,

Science and HASS. Behaviour and a standardised overall

comment will also be written.

Year 3: All students w ill receive a w ritten report w ith

subject descriptors indicating what has been taught throughout

the semester. An A-E level of achievement rating will be

awarded in the learning areas of: English, Mathematics,

Science and Health. Behaviour and a standardised overall

comment will also be written.

Tartan Times 22 May – 2020 Page 8

Year 4: All students w ill receive a w ritten report w ith

subject descriptors indicating what has been taught throughout

the semester. An A-E level of achievement rating will be

awarded in the learning areas of: English, Mathematics,

Science and Health. Behaviour and a standardised overall

comment will also be written.

Year 5: All students w ill receive a w ritten report w ith

subject descriptors indicating what has been taught throughout

the semester. An A-E level of achievement rating will be

awarded in the learning areas of: English, Mathematics,

Science and HASS. Behaviour and a standardised overall

comment will also be written.

Year 6: All students w ill receive a w ritten report w ith

subject descriptors indicating what has been taught throughout

the semester. An A-E level of achievement rating will be

awarded in the learning areas of: English, Mathematics,

Science and Health. Behaviour and a standardised overall

comment will also be written.

Reports will be released via the QParents app on Monday 27th

July, 2020 as teachers will be continuing to teach and assess

student achievement until the end Term 2.

We appreciate the hard work and dedication of families during

this COVID 19 crisis and understand that as a community, we

have collectively worked hard in ensuring the continuity of

learning for every child. Some of the silver linings we have

noticed are the stronger relationships, collaboration and

communication that has taken place during this time.

CONTACT: Ms Vanessa Crowhurst, Head of Curriculum

School Library News

Welcome

The School Library will be reopen for borrowing from Monday

25th May, 2020. McDowall State School staff are committed to

supporting every child’s reading while adhering to the latest

Health advise. All returned books will be cleaned and stay out

of circulation for three days ensuring they are safe to return to

the collection and ready for the next eager reader.

National Simultaneous Virtual Storytime

We will celebrate reading on Wednesday the 27th May, when

we join schools across the nation to read Chicken Divas by

Lucinda Gifford. The National Simultaneous Story Time

celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. This delightful story

will be just what we need to reconnect as a community. Photos

of the event will appear in the next Tartan Times.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

Every student at McDowall State School can participate in the

Premier’s Reading Challenge in 2020. In 2019, more than 2.31

million books were read by more than 168,000 Queensland

children and students from 937 schools and 386 early

childhood centres. Let’s see if we can break the record this

year.

All those wonderful books read at home over the last few

weeks can be recorded and count towards your child’s goal.

Need more information – click on the link below. https://

readingchallenge.education.qld.gov.au/about/frequently-asked

-questions

CONTACT: Mrs Arlene Smethurst, Leading Literacy Coach