Thursday 12 October 2017

Principal’s Piece…..

Dear Parents and Caregivers

I always tell people what wonderful kids we have here at Serviceton South State School, and going along to camp this week highlighted and underlined that belief. Every child tried something new, every child faced a challenge, every child was a team player, cared for their camp mates and learned new skills. I struggle to find my favourite part of camp because it was all great, but if I had to pick a highlight it would have to be the moments of joy I saw on our students’ faces throughout the three days.

Thanks to Chappy Sian, Miss Cusack, Mrs Garbellotto and Mr Baldwin for going along as camp supervisors; it’s always tough to be away from home and family responsibilities, work around the clock for a few days, sleep in strange beds and get dirty and tired along with the kids, but they were fantastic sports and I’m sure they had as much fun as our students. Thank you also to Mrs Prendergast and Mrs Hagenbach-Freney for their superb organisational skills. The three days ran seamlessly, and the location was perfect. I hope everyone enjoys the photos I took. Some of them are crackers!

Transfers were announced at the end of last term, and we have three new(ish) teachers joining our team next year. Mr Blake McGregor is returning after a couple of years at Carole Park, and we also have Mrs Margot Birmingham joining us from Kruger State School, and Mrs Sarah Parkinson from Bohlevale State School in the north of Queensland.

During Term Three each year, we serialise the School Annual Report for members of our school community. The 2016 School Annual Report can be found in full on the school website. This week includes key student outcomes.

Student attendance The table below shows the attendance information for all students at this school:

STUDENT ATTENDANCE 2016

Description 2014

2015

2016

The overall attendance rate* for the students at this school (shown as a percentage).

92% 93% 94%

The attendance rate for Indigenous students at this school (shown as a percentage).

90% 86% 83%

*The student attendance rate is generated by dividing the total of full-days and part-days that students attended, and comparing this to the total of all possible days for students to attend, expressed as a percentage.

The overall student attendance rate in 2016 for all Queensland Primary schools was 93%.

Year Leve

l

Prep

Yr 1 Yr 2

Yr 3

Yr 4

Yr 5

Yr 6

Yr 7

2014

92%

91%

93%

92%

93%

94%

92%

92%

2015

91%

91%

92%

95%

93%

94%

94%

2016

91%

94%

93%

96%

94%

95%

94%

*Attendance rates effectively count attendance for every student for every day of attendance in Semester 1. The student attendance rate is generated by dividing the total of full-days and part-days that students attended, and comparing this to the total of all possible days for students to attend, expressed as a percentage.

Student Attendance Distribution

The proportions of students by attendance range:

Description of how non-attendance is managed by the school

Non-attendance is managed in state schools in line with the DET procedures, Managing Student Absences and Enforcing Enrolment and Attendance at State Schools and Roll Marking in State Schools, which outline processes for managing and recording student attendance and absenteeism.

Non-attendance is managed in state schools in line with the DETE policies, SMS-PR-029: Managing Student Absences and SMS-PR-036: Roll Marking in State Schools, which outline processes for managing and recording student attendance and absenteeism.

When students are absent for several days without reasonable explanation the class teacher attempts to contact the parents/caregivers.

When there are persistent absences without reasonable explanation, or there is a pattern of non-attendance then a meeting is called with the parents/caregivers to discuss the non-attendance. At such a meeting, it is usual for the school administration officers and parents/caregivers to work together to find ways to support improved student attendance. Staff regularly refer to EQ policy issues around Every Day Counts so that students are consistently reminded of the need to be at school to learn.

With the high numbers of students who have overseas family commitments in our school, extended absences by some students has been by arrangement with parents as per departmental policy and agreements. The option most used is that of an expectation that students will continue with work assigned them by their class teachers, and that this may involve some commitment by the parents to assist in this teaching where needed.

A range of motivational strategies around measuring and improving class level of attendance were implemented in 2016 aimed at enhancing student attendance, including weekly attendance trophies on parade, a data wall, and acknowledgement of 100% attendance.

Warm regards Marni Morrison Principal

Positive Behaviour for Learning We have had a very positive start to the term with a limited amount of inappropriate behaviours occurring.

Our PBL Lessons of The Week for this fortnight have been focussing on our expectation of We Learn: We Transition Back To School and We Show Pride in Our School work. In order for your child to be learning every day please ensure they have all of the necessary materials needed to complete their school work. We encourage you to have daily conversations with your child/children about the types of things they are learning in class. There are only 8 weeks to go after this one and there is still plenty of learning to be completed.

Brain Talks Next week we have professionals from Pathways to Resilience coming into our school to deliver Brain Talks to all of our classes on Tuesday and Thursday. The purpose of these lessons is to:

Introduce students to their ‘hardware’ (the brain) and ‘software’ (the mind)

Understand how the brain works can help in cultivating happiness and wellbeing

Understand emotional regulation and self-regulation

Attendance Before the holidays we referred to the Every Day Counts message. When speaking with families we discuss how a day off here and there all add up. Below is a document that outlines our school expectation around attendance and how absences do impact negatively on learning and life choices.

11

14

16

6

10

10

24

24

24

60

52

51

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

2016

2015

2014

Proportion of Students

Attendance Rate: 0% to <85% 85% to <90% 90% to <95% 95% to 100%

Spot Light on 2B Year 2B has many budding artists in the class. Each Friday we all look forward to our Friday afternoon art sessions. This year we have painted, glued, folded, cut and drawn some incredible pieces of art. Last Friday we watched a YouTube clip on "How to draw a kookaburra". The results were utterly amazing. Have a look at the photos below.

Remember to get to school every day and on time.

First Bell: 8:35am

School Starts: 8:45am

School Finishes: 2:45pm

Swimming Prep – Year 2 On Wednesday 18 October students in Prep – Year 2 will participate in a structured swimming program for their HPE lessons. Swimming instruction will be at Dunlop Pool, Inala with trained instructors and all lessons will be completed in small ability groups. The swimming program will take place on Wednesdays for 5 weeks. Parents/Carers are reminded that no payment on the swimming day will be accepted at the office.

Vietnamese Parent Meetings You are invited to attend the next Parent Information Session. Please come and join us for information sharing and meeting other parents. Light refreshments will be served.

Date: Monday 30th October Time: 2:00pm – 2:45pm Place: Parent Room Hope to see you then.

Louise Blair (EALD Teacher)

All Vietnamese Parents/Carers welcome!

Attention Somali parents You are invited to attend four information sharing sessions from 1:45pm - 2:45pm in the EAL/D Classroom/Homework Club Room this term. The purpose of these meetings is to build better home school partnerships and intercultural understandings as a way of improving outcomes for your children. Come and find out what’s happening at school as well as ways to help your children socially, emotionally and academically.

These sessions will be held fortnightly throughout term 3 on the following dates -

October 23rd November 6th November 20th December 4th

You will have an opportunity to ask questions about topics which you would like to know more about.

Light refreshments will be served. Younger children are welcome to attend and we will provide toys for them to use.

I look forward to seeing you then.

Kay McNamara

Healthy Mouth Day consent forms Due!

Escape to Anywhere We have now received the printed copies of our book publication Escape to Anywhere.

All pre-purchased copies will be distributed to students in class this week. There are a few extra copies on sale at the office for $7.00 each, until they sell out. It is not planned to print any further copies, but 16 copies have been purchased by our school library, and

there will be a copy in each class for students to read.

P&C News Upcoming events: Pizza Day 31 OCT Free Dress Day 24 OCT Next Meeting: Parent Room 13 NOV 9.00am The P&C executive would like to thank the parents and students for their support this year in raising funds for the air conditioner for the Prep rooms. We are very close to reaching the target. We will keep you up to date on our progress.

We respectfully acknowledge the Jagera people, the Traditional

Owners of the land on which this school stands.

Dates to Remember

16 Oct Pupil Free Day

17 Oct Brain Talks – Prep – Yr 3

18 Oct Swimming – Prep – Yr 2 Commences

19 Oct Brain Talks – Yrs 4 - 6

19 Oct Prep 2018 Parent Information Session

23 Oct Somali Parent Meeting

25 Oct Swimming Prep – Yr 2