Dear Parent and Caregivers,

ANZAC DAY

On Friday we held our traditional ANZAC Ceremony at the front of the school in the memorial gardens.  It was a beautiful ceremony in a beautiful location and our students were so respectful of the occasion, which I was immensely proud of.  

Much thanks must go to the amazing work to co-ordinate the service by Mrs Jody Kellen and Mr Darren Roxburgh, but also to the teachers and other staff who ensured our students were well prepared for the event and that their class had a beautiful wreath to lay.  Our school leaders also did a fantastic job leading the service and with the flags. Much thanks to our grounds staff, Mr Adam Sheppard and Mr Tane Goffe and the cleaners who ensured the area was in tip top condition for the day. Thank you also to those members of the community who attended and to those parents who helped to create the class wreaths. A special thanks to our guest speaker, Warrant Officer Class One, Graham Forbes, whose speech helped the students make the event relevant and to understand the connections to their lives.

A small contingent of staff and students braved the early morning on Sunday to represent our school proudly at the Gaythorne RSL March and our school captains again did us proud as they lay a wreath on our behalf. 

It is special events like this where our school come together to support each other that we see our true strength surface.  Well done everyone!

Yr 3 and 5 NAPLAN TESTING

As I have already communicated, the NAPLAN testing for us will be online this year.  We have scheduled the tests within the national testing window and will conduct the tests as per the table below:

Last week our students participated in the practice test online to familiarise them with the online testing portal and procedures and for us to check our connectivity. Between now and the tests we will continue our regular teaching programs around the Australian Curriculum which is the best preparation but we will also give our students as many opportunities to continue to experience the types of questions they will face.  This can be done at school through the training environment but also at home using the public demonstration site at the link below:-

https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

I would encourage students to go on and use the site as much as possible using a laptop/desktop and mouse, as this is what they will be using for the tests.  Using the mouse to practise the select and click and drag and other skills will assist them immensely between now and the test. Also keyboarding skills and being familiar with where the keys are on the keyboard will save time.

Below are links to the parent information around the NAPLAN testing including the privacy information.  Please ensure you read this if your child is sitting the NAPLAN testing. 

https://nap.edu.au/docs/default-source/resources/naplan-online-information-brochure-for-parents-and-carers.pdf

https://nap.edu.au/docs/default-source/resources/naplan-privacy-notice.pdf

https://www.nap.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/naplan-online-protecting-privacy.pdf

NAPLAN PARTICIPATION

All students in Years 3 and 5 are expected to participate in NAPLAN tests, as the tests give you information on how your child is progressing against national standards. This information can be used to identify areas in which your child may benefit from additional assistance or extension. NAPLAN does not replace, but rather complements assessments run by your child's classroom teacher throughout the year.

Adjustments can be provided for students with disability to enable them to access the tests on an equivalent basis to students without disability. Adjustments should reflect similar support and assistance provided in the classroom for assessment activities. However, not all adjustments provided in a classroom setting are applicable for NAPLAN due to the nature and mode of testing.

Some students who have been attending school in Australia for less than a year before the tests may also be eligible for exemption. Exemptions should be discussed with the Principal.

Parents or carers may withdraw their child from the tests to address issues such as religious beliefs and philosophical objections to testing. It is recommended that withdrawal be considered in consultation with the school. Wherever possible, schools will organise for individual students who are absent at the time of testing to complete missed tests at another time during the test window.

Detailed information about exemptions, withdrawals and absences from NAPLAN can be found in the https://nap.edu.au/naplan/school-support/student-participation

A reminder that we are now finalising those students who are eligible for special considerations such as extra breaks and extra time and staff will be contacting parents and sending home forms to be signed.  If you do not want your child to participate in the NAPLAN testing a withdrawal must be organised with myself. 

UNIFORM

At Enoggera State School we have a very clear dress code which abides by the Education General Provisions Act (2006) and is approved by the P & C.  It is expected that students wear their full uniform to school every day including the school shirt, shorts/skorts, black shoes, white socks and school hat.  In cooler weather students need to have blue jumpers/track pants or a school jacket only. At present we are seeing a lot of students wearing multi coloured jumpers, non-school hats and coloured shoes and socks to school.  We would appreciate your support in ensuring that your children come to school in correct uniform every day so that consequences do not need to be applied as per the approved dress code attached.

The school uniform contributes greatly to the tone of the school, encourages students to take pride in the school and their appearance, and it ensures identification outside the school confines. Thus, to ensure student safety and to promote a high standard of dress at Enoggera State School, the School dress code applies to all students.

If you are struggling to provide the correct uniform please contact the school as we may have some links to charities/organisations that could help.

We have a solid team attending the District Cross Country event on Friday to represent our school as they try out for selection in the District team.  I am sure they will represent us proudly displaying perfect uniform, behaviour and sportsmanship.  Thank you to Mrs Jardine for coordinating the trials and selections last week after the actual school cross country was once again cancelled before the holidays.  All the best to those competing on Friday!

Till next time,

Mrs Anne Robinson

Principal

5A`s Holiday

Over the holidays, students in 5A did a lot of fun and exciting activities. Some people went to the beach. The summer weather made it perfect to play in the water and on the sand. Most people went camping or glamping. Other people did activities such as skateboarding, roller skating and riding bikes. Many children from 5A went to the movies, the most popular movies watched included Peter Rabbit 2, Raya and The Last Dragon. Near the end of the holidays Heidi, Lara, Ruby, Evie, Sofia and Natasha went to the same art class, painting parrots with a professional artist call Jessinda. Additionally on Easter Sunday most of us went on an egg hunt with family.

Term 1 Highlights

In Term 1

students in 5A had variety of highlights. Some students enjoyed learning about the tones and characters in Chinese, whereas other students preferred subjects such as The Arts and more physical learning categories. We asked a group of students what their highlights were in Term One “We enjoyed learning science and the experience we got from learning on digital devices when we were looking at creating a creature”, Overall most students had a good term one.

What kids are looking forward to in Term 2

This term the kids are looking forward to an exciting range of subjects, events and happenings. In this term the kids will be participating in Wakkakiri, which is a story expressed through dancing, we will be learning about choreography and memorizing dance moves. We are also looking forward to HPE, where we will be doing activities on dry land as posed to in the pool. In science we will be learning about the key features of our solar system .e.g. planets , the sun and orbits. We will also be writing and analysing news articles. We are also welcoming a new student teacher Mr Rigby, it will be great to have another new face in the classroom. In math we are learning about symmetry and translation, reflection and rotation.

By the students in 5A  

Forms for the live performance and payment of the $50 participation fee are now due.  

Welcome all new senior students to Wakakirri!

On Friday, the team gathered for the first time. It was a productive afternoon commencing with a trip down memory lane. We stood in the foyer and reflected on the Wakakirri photos from previous years. It was very meaningful to revisit the past stories and the great work of previous teams.

We have a great deal of work ahead. However, guaranteed we will also have some fun developing our powerful environmental story for audiences.

Chookas!

Melissa Wilcox and the Waka team (Mr Roxburgh, Mrs Lesson and Ms Kerr)

wilcoxm@eq.edu.au

Welcome back to Term 2! I hope everyone had a lovely and restful break. 

Choirs and Recorder Club: 

Choirs and Recorder have started up again this term and assembly performances are on this term with the dates as follows: 

Junior Choir and Recorder: Week 4 

Senior Choir: Week 6 

Could I please ask that any new interested members of each ensemble wait until these performances are over to join. 

Ms Mariel Hopper 

mxhop2@eq.edu.au 

Welcome back to another busy term in sport.  Our abrupt finish to Term 1 made for an urgent start to Term 2 in some areas. Hopefully from here we can settle into a better routine.

As always if you have any 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.  

School Cross Country

With Greater Brisbane going into lockdown for the last three days of Term 1, our Cross Country for the second year running had to be abandoned.  Unfortunately, with the whole school program and the PE program already in place for Term 2 it is extremely difficult to consider including another whole school event – so sadly there will be no School Cross Country again for 2021.

City District Cross Country

The City District Cross Country is scheduled for Friday 30^th April at Grammar Playing Fields at Northgate.  With such a tight turn around for nominations after the holidays, students who wished to attempt to qualify for the District Cross Country participated in a trial during class time on Wednesday 21^st – with students demonstrating some amazing efforts given how quickly the morning warmed up.  From this trial 26 students were nominated to participate in the City District Cross Country and we wish them well. 

I must also thank the teachers and teacher aides who assisted with very short notice to support our trial run either at the running track or with disruptions to their morning as the age groups came and went.

Regional and District Sports

There were a number of District trials which were postponed during that last week of school which have all now been held in the last few days.

District Sport Trials – Term 2:

At this time there are still a number of City District Team Sports Trials scheduled for Term 2.  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.

City District Cross Country – Friday April 30^th

Met North Cross Country – Tuesday May 25^th

Track and Field Carnivals

• Upper School 200m and 800m events – Wednesday 16^th June (Week 9) – afternoon session.
• Upper School – Wednesday 23^rd June (Week 10) – all day
• LowerSchool – Thursday 24^th June (Week 10) – 9am to 11am

Mother’s Day Stall

Wednesday, 5 May 2021

Each student will have the opportunity to buy up to 2 special gifts this year. Gifts range from 50c to $20.  It is cash only, the stall will only have a limited amount of change so please coins and smaller notes would be appreciated!

Students are asked to bring a carry bag in on the day to take their gift home in.

School Banking day is changing to Thursday

The new banking day will commence THURSDAY  13th MAY 2021  

Please ensure that Dollarmites deposit wallets are now brought into school on Thursday mornings. 

If your child has lost their Dollarmites deposit wallet, please contact your School Banking Co-ordinator Khesanh Brock pandc@enoggerass.eq.edu.au or visit any Commonwealth Bank branch for a replacement.

School banking will stop at the end of July following an Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s (ASIC) Review of school banking programs that found there was limited value for children and that children were being exposed to sophisticated marketing tactics. We will continue with banking until then. If you’d like to learn more about this, take a look at the Queensland Government’s statement

Thank you for supporting the School Banking program at our school. 

ESS 150thYear Celebration!

At the P & C meeting last night it was agreed Saturday, 28 August 2021 will be the day to celebrate 150 years of Enoggera State School!  It will be a day of fun, celebration and reminiscing the bygone days of the school. Save the date!

The P & C Executive have organised an initial planning day on Sunday, 2 May at 3.00 pm at the Everton Park Hotel.  If you would like to be involved please come along – bring the kids as they can enjoy the playground.

Wednesday Specials is coming to the Tuck Inn this term!  Children will be able to experience flavours of the world every Wednesday.  The international flavours rotated throughout the term are:

• Italian - Week 2 and Week 6 – Neapolitan Pasta & Garlic Bread
• American – Week 3 and Week 7 – Hot Dog & Brownie
• Japanese – Week 4 and Week 8 - Sushi (same as previous terms)
• Chinese – Week 5 and Week 9 – Fried Rice with Spring Rolls

Use the QKR! App to order for Wednesday Special and all other Tuckshop items!  The Tuckshop no longer accepts cash.

Please check the Term 2 menu and QKR! App for new additions to the menu such as Blueberry muffins, and carrot and cucumber sticks served with Hommus.

Volunteers Needed!

Volunteer Bakers -The Tuckshop needs bakers to assist with keeping up the home baking demand.  The Tuckshop is setting up a home bake roster as we currently only have a few bakers doing all the baking.  If we have enough bakers you probably only need to make one batch of either biscuits, muffins or choc balls during the semester.  The tuckshop has the recipes to be followed; ingredients and containers…all you need to do is bake or make.  Please contact Lynelle via email opsmanager@esspandc.com.au

Tuckshop Volunteers – We still require a few volunteers for the Tuckshop this term if you are interested in volunteering on a Wednesday or Friday (9.00 – 11.30 am), please send an email to Lynelle (opsmanager@esspanc.com.au).  Grandparents with a Blue Card are welcome!

Uniform Shop

A reminder that our Uniform Shop is open every Tuesday morning during school terms from 8.15am. Orders can be placed via the QKR! App.

The Uniform Shop accepts second-hand Enoggera State School uniforms in fair to good condition.  Unfortunately we cannot accept items that are not official ESS supplies, it is suggested these are donated to your local charity shop.

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 – Renee Coyne Vice President – Belinda Dow

Secretary – Sian Gillinder Treasurer – Debbie Brauer

The Enoggera State School P & C meets every 4^th Tuesday of the month – next meeting is 25 May 2021 @ 6:15pm

pandc@enoggerass.eq.edu.au