ph: 54 627 109 mob: 0475 832 584 {text only} email: principal@tenthilllowerss.eq.edu.au

Don’t forget to visit our website : www.tenthilllowerss.eq.edu.au Like us on Facebook to get regular updates and helpful hints.

Thursday 30th December 2020 Volume 01/20

Note from the Principal … Hello Parents and Caregivers,

WELCOME TO OUR 2020 SCHOOL YEAR

A warm welcome back to all of our new and existing families. It is wonderful to welcome so many new families into our school community. The staff are very excited to share this educational journey with you and your child. 2020 is shaping up to be an exciting year, particularly as our school is experiencing some growth in enrolments. There are currently 85 students enrolled in the school. It is pleasing to see the students settling back into their school routines and engaged in learning. As always, the classroom teachers are actively teaching the school expectations in terms of classroom procedures, routines, transi-tions and behaviour and in the playground. We will continue to use the Explicit Instruction pedagogies to maxim-ise on task teaching and learning time. Parents can note the weekly expectations in the BUDS section of our news-letter for follow-up discussion at home. This year the staff are introducing a social-emotional skills program, known as PAUSE. The program teaches students self awareness around emotions and how to calm themselves. It also teaches students to be kind to others and to see things from another person’s point of view. The program is taught over 18weeks which is one semester. It will then start again with reviewing and enhancing students’ skills in Semester Two. We will be running a session on this program at our Parent Information session .

Staff for 2020

Principal—Mrs Janelle Kowitz

Yrs 5/6—Mrs Joyce Martin

Yrs 3/4 teacher—Mrs Louise Wynhoven/ Mrs Denise Kaye

Year 1/2 teacher—Miss Eloise McVay

Prep teacher - Mrs Theresa Samuelsen

Admin Assistant - Mrs Sonia Lund/Mrs Terri Kugel

Teacher Aides—Miss Merris Jenkins, Miss Fiona Daw, Mrs Mirjam Hoefnagels, Mrs Sharnee Stephan, Mrs Meagan Teelow

Visiting Specialist teachers are:

Music—Mr Daniel Edwards (Monday)

Physical Education—Mr Barry Donaldson ( Wednesday)

German—Herr Frank Belley (Monday/Wednesday)

Support Teacher—Miss Jennifer Steele (Thursday )

Our staff are readily available to assist with providing information and general enquiries at any time. However if you have a bigger and more private issue, it is always best to call and make an appointment to speak with the class-room teacher at a mutually agreed upon time.

At this time I would like to provide a special thanks to our cleaner Debbra Dionysius and groundsman Bruce Sam-uelsen. During the past weeks Debra and Bruce have worked tirelessly to transform our buildings and grounds to a welcoming state.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAYS The school staff undertook a range of activities during our staff development over 3 days last week. Time was taken for all teachers to engage in collaborative planning, Mandatory training and attend an Inclusivity conference.

These were exceptionally rewarding days where outcomes will certainly improve learning opportunities for all students.

This being our first newsletter of the year, it includes many of the initial pieces of information we believe parents need to know to assist them in the understanding the operations of our school (found on our 2nd page) If there are any further questions that may arise of information you would like to know about our school, please make contact with your classroom teacher, administration staff or myself.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

P & C NEWS

SCHOOL ROUTINES

GOING HOME

CAR PARK SAFETY

CONTACT DETAILS

MEDICATION

PLAYGROUP

HOMEWORK

NO HAT NO PLAY

Q SCHOOLS APP

SMOKING REGULA-

TIONS

BOOKLISTS

LIBRARY DAYS

Congratulations to our new preps for

achieving the first certificates

of the year Nate

Bailey Carter

Jet

Well done!

EVERY DAY COUNTS Good attendance is vital to getting a good education as well as the law in QLD. Our school target is 95% for optimum learning. Also, it is a requirement that absences need to be explained. Please phone us or send a note if your child is sick. Holidays and other non urgent appoint-ments should be scheduled for school holiday times.

GROWING BEAUTIFUL FUTURES IN THE VALLEY OF OPPORTUNITIES

SCHOOL HOURS:

Reminder that students are not to be at school before 8:15am. Supervision of students com-mences at 8.15am.

First Bell: 8.55am Last Bell: 3.00pm

Late arrivals and early depar-tures need to sign in/out at the office.

PARENT INFO SESSION

Thursday 13th February

After school More info

The AGM and general Monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday 11th February at 3:30pm in the staffroom. All parents are welcome to attend.

Just a reminder about our school operating hours. Morning Drop off is after 8.15am. Students are to put their bags in the bag rack and lunch in the fridge. Students go to the library for our before school activities. Around 8:45am students participate in a short fitness program. School commences at 8:55am Morning Tea:11.00am - 11.30 am Lunch:1.00pm -1.45 pm School finishes:3.00pm For the safety and welfare of students and staff, students are NOT to be at school before 8:15am. Be reminded there is no supervision prior to this time. Your co operation with this matter is greatly appreciated.

Our routine for after school is as follows

Students are to line up in their class groups under the eating shed until a parent is present to collect them at the gate..

Bus students remain seated in the shed until they are marked off the roll by teacher on duty.

We understand from time to time, children go home with other students for play or sleepovers. It is important for us to know who is picking up your children and how they are getting home. Please ensure you notify your child’s teacher or the office by 2:00pm. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Entry is one way via the eastern opening while exit is via the western opening. Parents are asked to take extreme care when moving in and out of the car park as it becomes very congested in the peak traffic times. The road outside the school grounds is a 60km zone. Once students have left the school grounds they are in the care of their parents. Students should go directly to their vehicles and re-main inside. In the interest of safety under no circumstances should students be allowed to wander around the car park. Please collect students promptly at 3.00pm

Should there be any changes to your enrolment details e.g. address, telephone numbers, emergency contacts, family circumstances etc., it is imperative that the school is advised as soon as possible.

Reminder, if your child needs medication and you require staff to administer medication to your child at school you need to ensure that medication;

Has been prescribed by a qualified health practitioner

Is in its original container

Has an attached pharmacy label with correct details Parents are also required to complete a medication form (at

the office)

From next week [week 2], teachers will start homework. All homework is focussed on critical content that is critical for student learning. Homework will provide extra review and practice for work covered in class. Apart from the younger students who need help while they are still learning to read, most students should be completing homework independently. Homework will generally consist of spelling or sight words, basic maths/number facts and reading nightly. Positive praise from parents is also part of supporting students learning goals of mastering the basics

At Tent Hill Lower State School it is a requirement that all students wear their hat at playtimes. In the interest of health and hygiene, we are not able to provide spare hats for students who have forgotten theirs. We strongly encourage all students to wear the school bucket hat. Students who do not have a hat will be required to sit on the blue seat in the undercover area outside Mrs Wynhoven’s room. The P&C have hats for sale in the uniform shop for $10. Please ensure your child's hat is clearly labelled.

The Q Schools app is a convenient way to receive up-to-the-minute infor-mation from and about schools. The app is designed to integrate with school websites, and allows users to see when news, events and newslet-ters are posted to their selected school website. The school community can also receive emergency announcements such as natural disasters and school closures through the app. The Q Schools app will be particularly useful to parents who have students in different schools, as the app manages updates from multiple schools in a single view. All Queensland state schools are searchable via the app. Find out more about Q Schools and download the app today.

Smoking banned 5 metres around school grounds Smoking any tobacco products or using an electronic cigarette within five metres of any state or private school grounds has been banned. This applies before, during and after school hours as well as over weekends and school holidays. On the spot fines can be issued by environmental health offic-ers, police or other officers authorised by the local government to anyone found in breach of this legislation. The ban does not extend to businesses or residences that share a property boundary with a school. Smokers are asked to put out your cigarette and dispose of the litter thoughtfully well before you reach the school boundary. www.health.qld.gov.au/public-health/topics/atod/tobacco-laws/schools/

default.asp

At this stage, it is hoped that all children have all necessary items as per our booklist in order to fully participate in school activities. Book lists are still available from the office or alter-natively on our webpage under documents. It is recognised that school starts can be expensive for par-ents, however, the longer children are without items, the great-er the potential it has to disadvantage their learning. Should parents have any problems in accessing the items on the book-list, please talk with your classroom teachers. Also please en-sure everything is named for ease of returning lost items.

Monday: Year 3/4 + Year 1/2 Tuesday: Year 5/6 Wednesday: Prep

school routines

Going home after school

homework P & C news

Every Wednesday 9am - 11am

free

Contact details

Car park safety

booklists

Smoking regulations

No hat no play

Q schools app

Medication process

Library days

School Office hours are 8:15am - 3:00pm P&C Uniform hours - Tuesday and Friday 2:45pm - 3:15pm

Tent Hill Lower is a Positive Behaviour for Learning School At Tent Hill Lower we :

Be responsible Use Respect Do your best Stay Safe

Week 2: At THLSS we:

Show pride in our school Wear our uniform

Week 1: In the classroom we:

Use B.U.D.S.

Our teachers explicitly teach our four school expectations to all students. Each week there is a focus on a particular expectation which is taught in all classrooms. Each week’s focus is also addressed on assem-bly and mentioned in our fortnightly newsletter, so parents and carers can also discuss and reinforce the school expectations with students. This ensures that the whole school community is aware of the school values and expectations and promotes high standards of responsible behaviour:

CHAPPY’S CHATTER Welcome to 2020. Yes it is certainly hard to believe that it is 2020. To think that 45 years ago I started school. Where have those years gone? I hope that you all had a wonderful break and were able to get away for some quality refreshment. A special welcome to our brand-new preppies and their parents. I am delighted that you have chosen Tenthill Lower State School for your child’s education. I am sure your child will be happy here and will have a wonderful and positive learning experience and lots of fun. Yes, I am the school Chaplain, and in case you don’t know what a School Chaplain does at school I ‘d like to tell you. The Queensland Department of Education defines the School Chaplain’s role as, provid-ing social, emotional and spiritual support for students, and staff. I am also here to listen to you if you are going through or experiencing any struggles in this thing called life. I also have the privilege to journey beside the students in their learning and to encourage them in the playground as they participate in differ-ent sporting activities. I am at Tent Hill every Monday and Tuesday. I look forward to an exciting year ahead and encouraging your child to accomplish goals, both educational and sporting. Until next time take care and have fun, Chappy Matt

PARENT’S CORNER

Healthy Lunchbox A healthy lunch keeps active kids alert and focused and gives them the nutrition they need every day.

FRUIT & VEGE Fresh fruit is easy to pack. There is no substitute for fresh. Raw vegies such as carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, celery and cucumber are also great snacks.

STARCHY FOOD Use wholegrain, high fibre breads for tasty sandwiches. Cold pasta, rice and potatoes all make great healthy filling snacks. Boil some tricolour pasta, throw in some frozen mix vegies and have cold the next day at school.

LEAN PROTEIN Tins of tuna or salmon in springwater, boiled eggs, beans, a piece of chicken or beef are all great additions to a lunchbox.

DAIRY Yoghurts and cheese sticks are the easiest way to provide a dairy option in a lunchbox.

DON’T FORGET YOUR WATER!

Our school policy:

Packaged snacks are expensive and unnecessary and many do not meet with good nutritional guidelines despite manufacturers claims. Look at the information panel on the lunch snacks and go for low sugar content, low salt and low fat.

No more than ONE treat needs to be packed daily.

This year we are doing things a little different. We are asking parents to meet in the administration building at 3:15pm. There

Mrs Samuelsen we will be discussing the PAUSE Program {approx:15mins} followed by our BUDS expectations

{approx:15mins}. Parents will then go to their child's classroom to meet their teacher.

We encourage parents to come along and hear about classroom expectations and learning programs for the year. It is also a

great opportunity for you to ask questions and to clarify any concerns you may have. The teachers are happy to assist you and

your child to get the most out of their education.

Each day staff supervise the students at eating times. All students are expected to eat their healthy food first before they indulge in treats. Parents are asked to include no more than ONE treat/packaged item of food. Please pack these at the bottom of the lunchbox as students tend to eat whatever is on top first. A reminder that no lollies, chips or soft drink should be sent to school.

PE Teacher Mr Barry Donaldson

Wednesday

Music teacher Mr Dan Edwards

Monday

LOTE Teacher Herr Frank Belley

Monday & Wednesday

Support Teacher Miss Jennifer Steele

Thursday