Dear Parent and Caregivers

PARENT TEACHER INTERVEWS

It was wonderful to see the bookings mostly full for last night’s muster style parent teacher interviews in EPAC.  A huge thank you to those parents who were able to attend the evening to find out how their children have settled into the new school year, and how they are travelling towards Semester One assessment and reporting periods. The evening went very smoothly thanks to the excellent organisation of our Head of Department - Mrs O’Malley and the support staff who prepared the venue and did all of the behind the scenes work.  Thank you also to our wonderful teaching staff for giving up their evening to conduct their Semester One interviews.  As you can appreciate on top of a full work day to stay focussed and interview for 4 hrs is challenging but they all managed it with a smile and I am guessing are pleased that they were mostly all done in one hit. 

Staff received positive feedback from most parents around the evening and the ease to book interviews and to do multiple interviews with multiple teachers in one evening rather than coming back up to school several times during the fortnight as they usually did.

I have created another survey monkey to gain feedback from the community around the event so that we can continue to improve the concept into the future to make it the best experience possible for all involved.  Please click on the link below to answer 5 questions about the evening.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PLZV6RM

WELLBEING

This week on assembly I spoke to the students about the importance of using the character strength of perseverance which is a strength needed to put in your best effort and to sustain that effort in the face of challenges or obstacles.  This character strength sits in the group of strengths within the virtue of courage.

I talked to the students about how coming into the business end of the term, students will need to use perseverance to complete their learning and assessment tasks and to ensure they do the best they can. 

NEW BUILDINGS

It was great to meet with the project team who are working on the preliminary designs and concepts for a new 6 classroom building for Enoggera State School to be built ready for the 2023 school year. This is a very exciting time for our school as we will get some new modern learning areas to take us into the future.  The preliminary drawings we have seen will position this building in the centre of the school to adjoin to the existing E Block. This will mean relocating the playgrounds and sandpit currently in this area, and then eventually the demountable buildings would be removed as they are currently situated on a wall with heritage significance. It is hoped that down the track some more space will be acquired by the school to enable some more green space and play areas and additional car parking to be built.

This will mean that the big project for this year, which is the building of a roof over the multi-purpose court can go ahead now without the concern that it may need to be moved in the future.  This will mean that this project can now be altered and will go to tender shortly.

NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST BULLYING

This Friday 19th March, is the National Day of Action Against Bullying which is a big focus in schools all around the country.  Staff have been provided with a range of resources available to support conversations and activities around the focus but it would also be nice to see our students support the day by wearing something orange to school on Friday.  This could be an orange shirt or orange ribbons or even orange socks.

NAPLAN 2021

Another reminder about NAPLAN 2021.  As you may have heard in the media, NAPLAN will continue for students in Yr 3 and 5 in Qld schools in 2021.  As our school was preparing to go online with NAPLAN testing last year before it was cancelled, we will continue that preparation this year.  We will conduct the practice tests for the students to practice the format and to check connectivity etc in the last week of term on Wednesday 31^st March and the actual online tests will be conducted between 11-21 May, 2021. If your child is in Yr 3 or 5 and you have any concerns about your child sitting the NAPLAN tests this year please contact myself or our Head of Department-Curriculum - Mrs Amy O’Malley.  Those students who have Disability and have regular adjustments and special considerations in regular classes may be able to have these same considerations in the tests.  These may include additional time, extra rest breaks etc.  School staff will be sending home forms to confirm these considerations by the end of this term.

INCLUSION

One of our school priorities this year, as mentioned previously, is building an inclusive mindset within our whole school community to welcome students with diverse learning needs into our school.  Recently our school leadership team undertook some work with the Principal Education Officer-Inclusion from the Department around the signposts for school improvement around inclusive education.  The results of this work will help to guide our action plan for this year and into the future.  Our staff are also undertaking a range of professional development courses to build their skill sets in catering for the needs of diverse learners in the classroom, but we will also be doing some work with our students and wider school community to build their empathy, understanding and resilience.

Till next time,

Mrs Anne Robinson

Principal

Parent Teacher Interviews

A huge thank you to those parents who met with classroom teachers yesterday to discuss student progress so far for 2021.  A parent survey seeking feedback link around this process has been included in the Principal' Pens article and any ideas or suggestions regarding the process would be greatly appreciated.

Enoggera State School Council Parent Representative required.

The Enoggera State School Council is seeking nominations for a parent representative for 2021. 

All Independent Public Schools (IPS) are required to establish a School Council. School councils enable greater involvement of the school community and other stakeholders, such as industry, in setting the strategic direction for the school.

The School Council must perform its role in accordance with legislation and in a way that achieves the best learning outcomes for the school's students.

The School Council meets every term in week 5 and:

• monitors the school's strategic direction
• approves plans, policies and other strategic school documents including the annual estimate of revenue and expenditure
• monitors the implementation of the plans, policies and other strategic documents
• advises the school Principal about strategic matters.

Please see attached further information outlining the roles and responsibilities of the School Council and its members. 

What a wonderful term we have had so far in Year 3. The Year 3 teachers have been so impressed with the hard work of all of our students.

In English, the students have just completed their narrative unit study of “Matty Forever”. They have completed writing their own narrative based on the theme of “friendship”. These narratives were quite creative and we were pleased with the level of effort from all students.

We have begun our next unit of work in English, which will continue into next term. This unit asks students to read and analyse persuasive texts and examine ways to persuade an audience. Next term they will write their own persuasive text. Last week, the students enjoyed role-playing scenarios where they needed to argue their point of view and convince the audience. So, watch out parents, your child’s negotiation skills are about to greatly improve!

In Maths we have been focussing on addition and subtraction strategies and have moved to multiplication strategies as well as some data representation. Our flexible maths groups are working really well and it has been good to get to know all of the students across the year level.

In Design Technology, the students have begun their footwear designs and we will begin constructing these next week. At the moment we have loads of plastic and cardboard recycled materials. If you happen to have any other materials (fabric, foam, rubber etc.) that we might be able to use, please keep bringing them in.

Parent teacher interviews have now been conducted. Thank you to those parents who booked in a time with your child’s teachers. It was wonderful to meet you and discuss your child’s progression this term.

It has been a great start to the year and we can't believe holidays are just around the corner. We wish everyone a safe and relaxing holidays.

Worry Warts Drama Incursion

Thank you families for returning completed activity consent forms and making the incursion payment of $6. Your support is valued. We are looking forward to seeing the show and learning more about the elements of drama. Furthermore, we are looking forward to seeing Morris Gleitzman’s story communicated on stage and appreciating the messages from the book. Enjoy.

Wakakirri

We are super excited about Wakakirri 2021! The first step is to return the Wakakirri Expression of Interest Form, due this Friday 19^th March. Student numbers will be finalised by the end of term. At this time, families will receive an Activity Consent Form for completion and be invoiced the fee of $50.

Best wishes to our Year 6 students who are currently going through an audition process for lead roles. They have been doing a sterling job!

Mrs Melissa Wilcox

wilcoxm@eq.edu.au

Assembly performances

Assembly performances are coming up next term for Choirs and Recorder Club. Please note that attendance at all rehearsals (unless sick) is required to be involved in performances.

• Week 4 Monday 10^th May - Junior Choir and Recorder
• Week 6 Monday 24^th May - Senior Choir

Edstudio

For Choir and Recorder Club members who wish to practice at home the ESS Music Edstudio is available. On this page there are lyrics and backing tracks for the songs we are working on. This could be particularly helpful for Preps who have joined Junior Choir this year and need some help at home to learn lyrics. The Recorder page hasn’t been updated yet but will be soon.

https://students.learningplace.eq.edu.au/lp/pages/default.aspx?cid=257938

Access key: S208257938

Mariel Hopper

mxhop2@eq.edu.au

In the final week of Term 1 there are still a number of events coming up.  If you do have questions relating to sport, please email me at jjard16@eq.edu.au and I will endeavour to answer them or find out the answers from the relevant group.  

Regional Team Selection:

Congratulations to Summer who has been selected in the Met North Basketball Team. We wish you all the best at the State Carnival in Term 2.

District Team Selection:

Congratulations to Tyler and Asha who have been selected in the City District Football (Soccer) Team. We wish you all the best at the upcoming Regional Carnival.

School Cross Country

Our whole school cross country is scheduled for Thursday 1^st April during the morning session from 9am to 11am. Parents are welcome to attend this session. There will be a spectator area set aside for parents in front of EPAC. Spectators are asked to sign in on the sign in sheet at the Laurel Street, EPAC entrance to the school and are reminded that while spectators are allowed to attend our event Social Distancing is still required for all adult attendees.  

Students who are born in 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009 may choose whether they wish to compete in a District Qualifying event which may enable them to compete at the City District Cross Country, or if they would prefer to do the shorter ‘fun run’ distance to earn points for their houses.  All students who are medically fit are expected to compete in the Cross Country event on the day.

Should inclement weather prevent the running of the event on this day, we will hold a trials session in the first week of Term 2 to identify students to be nominated for the City District Cross County early in Term 2. At this stage, we will not be rescheduling the whole event to next Term.

Class Swimming:

Class swimming is underway for all classes.  Despite the rain moving in, classes will still swim if it is safe to do so.  Please make sure you send your student with their swimming gear on their allotted day and decisions will be made on the prevailing conditions on the day and at the time of each class lessons.  

Students Unable To Swim due to illness – if your child is unable to swim on any particular week, please send a note to school with your child or email Mrs Jardine at jjard16@eq.edu.au or Mrs Prill at tkfar0@eq.edu.au 

Kilometre Club:

Kilometre club is open to all students on a Thursday morning between approximately 8.15am and 8.45am.  Students must remain under the building if they are at school at 8.15am to be collected by the PE teachers. If they arrive after this time they may join in with the morning running after checking in with the PE teachers on the oval.

District Sport Trials:

Term 1 & 2 are particularly busy with City District Team Sport Trials. Depending on the sport, students born 2011, 2010 & 2009 may be able to trial for City District Teams and ultimately commence a Representative Pathway.  This is an optional extra-curricular activity for students. It involves costs to parents in terms of trial fees, most trials are during the day with transport the responsibility of the parents, however, trials will also remain ‘Spectator Free’ environments – parents will need to drop off prior to the trials and return and pick up at completion of trials. If students are selected in a City District Team there will be additional costs including, uniforms, team levies, possibly some travel to larger venues around the city. There will also be additional training sessions. Parents and Students need to be fully aware of the commitment that will be needed if they consider trialling.  

As a general guide, the student should be participating in club sport or tournaments of the particular sport for in excess of one year.  Forms will be distributed by the HPE teacher if they are eligible to participate in trials.  They will need to be completed by parents, signed off by the Principal and taken to the trial by the student, trial payments will need to be made via the City District School Shoponline all prior to the trial. School nominations will be submitted by the HPE teacher for those students who have been provided with forms. If your student does not wish to trial please, let me know ASAP after you have received forms and I will withdraw the school nomination.

For some sports a trial will be held at school to select those attending trials as our nomination numbers are limited. Students who have expressed an interest will be advised of trials when they arise, which will typically be during a lunch break or short period of class time. These trials will be supported by Education Queensland Staff who have experience in the nominated sports.

Please remember this is an opportunity at REPRESENTATIVE SPORT not an opportunity to try something new. 

The upper school classes have all discussed with me the sports in which they participate outside of school and their interest in potentially participating in representative trials and their experience playing their sports, which helps in considering whether it is timely for them to be nominated or whether they should be waiting for another year.   

Some additional information about the District is available on the City District Sports Page connected to the Metropolitan North Website. Feel free to check in on this site.    https://metnorthschoolsport.eq.edu.au/district-sport/our-districts/city

Key Dates – this term.

Enoggera Cross Country – Thursday April 1, morning session

Jo Jardine

jjard16@eq.edu.au

Path to Wellbeing

Dealing with Grief and Loss

RSL Queensland and Defence Community Organisation are proud to invite you to our virtual Path to Wellbeing online event.

During this practical session Registered Psychologist, Tatum McGregor will present strategies to navigate grief and loss from a family perspective.

DCO Social Worker, Kim Copple will also present on the support DCO can provide within the grief and loss space, particularly in bereavement support.

Date:              Thursday, 25 March 2021

Time:              7:30pm - 9:00pm

Upon registration you will receive confirmation of registration with further instructions for participation or visit;

https://ptwforum.eventbrite.com.au 

CLICK TO REGISTER

Path to Wellbeing is a series of educational forums for Defence families, brought to you by RSL Queensland and Defence Community Organisation.

P&C Events

Saturday 20 March, 2021 - P&C Thrift Shop Trivia Night

Tuesday 23 March, 2021 - P&C AGM at EPAC - 6.15pm

Thrift Shop Trivia Night

We are very excited to be hosting our Thrift Shop Trivia night on Saturday night this week. We still have a few single tickets left so get in quick via QKR! to purchase yours.

Dress in your thrift shop finest.  BYO Food.  Bar available for drinks (no BYO) but please supply your own resusable glass or mug.  Light snacks available for purchase.  This will be a cashless event and a COVID safe event. 

We are also seeking a few volunteers to help out with set up, pack down, raffle ticket sales and bar sales. If you are able to volunteer, please pop your name down via our volunteer sign up sheet.   https://volunteersignup.org/BKYQL

AGM - Call for nominations

A reminder that the P&C AGM will be held on Tuesday 23 March at EPAC from 6.15pm.  Nominations are sought for the roles of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. 

We are also seeking nominations for somebody to fulfil the role of Communications Officer to take responsibility for managing the P&C Facebook page and preparing newsletter content. For more information on any of the roles, please email enoggerapandc@gmail.com. 

Please ensure you complete a membership form if you're interested in joining the P&C and a nomination form if you're interested in one of the executive roles or the communications role.

Uniform Shop

A reminder that our Uniform Shop is open every Tuesday morning during school terms from 8.15am.  All items have been restocked and are available for sale.  Orders can also be placed via the QKR! App.

The Tuck Inn (our Tuckshop)

Thank you to our wonderful Term 1 volunteers at the Tuck Inn.  Rosetta is interested in hearing from anybody able to volunteer on a Wednesday or Friday (9am - 11am) in Term 2.  For further information, please contact Rosetta directly on rosettadimauro@bigpond.com.

Containers for Change

Please help us fill up those Containers for Change bins at school (purple bins) with suitable containers for recycling.  To check if your containers are eligible, check the back of the container for the 10c symbol (lids must also be removed).  If you wish to visit the depot and deposit your own containers and contribute to the ESS scheme, our school scheme ID is C10051863.

If anybody has connections with any  local businesses who would be happy to save their containers for us to cash in as part of our fundraising, please contact one of the P&C members with details.

P&C Executives

President – Jacqui Phillips 

Vice President – Patricia Cabrera

Secretary – Ainslie Fiene

Treasurer – Bec O’Donnell