Dear Parent and Caregivers

NAPLAN TESTING

I am very pleased to report that the NAPLAN ONLINE Testing for 2021 is now over.  We had excellent participation rates across Year 3 and Year 5 and were able to catch up almost all students who were absent for tests in the timeframe available.  A big thank you to Mrs O’Malley (NAPLAN Coordinator) and Ms McKenzie (NAPLAN Administrator) and Mr Wilson (Technical Officer) for ensuring everything went so smoothly.  Thank you also to the teachers for the great work in class leading up to the tests; ensuring our students were familiar with the testing platform and the skills they would need to navigate the platform, but also to do their best in answering all of the questions.  We look forward to positive data for our school coming back later this term.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Currently our teaching staff are undertaking a course of professional development around moderation within the Australian Curriculum.  Thus far we have had two cohorts of teachers commence this training run by the DoE Teaching and Learning team.  Our first cohort commenced their course last year and are continuing the series of five days professional development. Our second cohort commenced their course this week.  Whilst this is a big commitment financially and timewise for our school, the benefits are, further clarity around the Australian Curriculum and the consistency of teacher judgment through the assessment and reporting processes.

MULTI-PURPOSE COURT

Our roof over the multi-court project is progressing along nicely following having to gain a fire certification due to the close proximity of the court to adjoining houses and also our library.  I can report that following that,  the project will be ready to go through the tender process through the DoE School Subsidy Scheme. We look forward to the successful tender being chosen before the end of the term so that work can start as soon as possible.

NEW BUILDING

Our new building plans have progressed through another stage of planning and are now awaiting to be a funded project.  We have been very pleased thus far as to how the heritage elements of our school have been retained in the designs.  It is very exciting to think we will have a new and modern teaching and learning facility with six learning spaces that fits into the overall look of our school.

BEHAVIOUR FOCUS - PILLAR OF SAFETY

Last week Chappy Sarah held a very successful Red Pillar Day which is the Pillar of Safety.  It was a great opportunity to revisit the recent learnings from assembly around this pillar, but also to raise funds for Chappy Sarah as we headed into Chappy Week.  The focus of the Pillar is:

• Using equipment properly and safely
• Responding to instructions promptly
• Protecting safety of self and others
• Caring for our school and environment
• Moving around the school safely

CHAPPY WEEK

Chappy Week is an annual event run by SU QLD to raise awareness of the value of school chaplains and to raise funds to support Chaplains. Schools and communities get on board, hosting special events and taking to the streets for their ‘Chappy’.

We are so fortunate to have Chappy Sarah at our school each week for two days to provide pastoral care to our whole school community.  She does a wonderful job supporting our community through lunch time activities, breakfast activities and running a range of programs within our school.

Unfortunately, the government funding to have Chappy Sarah for two days each week does not cover her wages fully and it is up to the school community through the support of our P & C to fund the shortfall each year.  On top of the funds raised through the Red Pillar day last week, the P & C are also asking for donations through the QKR app.  If you are in a position to support our Chaplain, please go to the app and make a donation as every little bit helps.

150th CELEBRATION

Thank you to the parents and citizens who attended the P & C meeting last night.  It was once again great to hear how the preparations for the Family Fun Day on August 28 are going, to mark the school’s 150^th celebration. Please keep this day free to support the event and pass on the information to any past students.

Stay tuned for further details, but I would encourage as many families as possible to support our new P & C executive with the organisation of the event.

MORNING ROUTINES

Another reminder that in the morning our routine is that students:

• Do not arrive at school prior to 8:00am and they are to be seated under D Block. Only students supervised by parents should be under E Block.  There should be nobody under any other buildings or in other parts of the school.
• School staff provide supervision from 8:15am, when students will be allowed to move around under D Block and on the soft fall only. They may play handball, use the skipping ropes or sit with friends.
• At no time should students be playing with big balls (footballs, basketballs, soccerballs) or running around these areas.
• At the bell at 8:40am students should move to their class line up area and wait quietly in two lines for their teacher.

We thank parents who wait in the morning with their children for their cooperation with these expectations as they are in place to ensure everyone is supervised and safe.

Till next time,

Mrs Anne Robinson

Parent Representative Required

The School Council Committee is still seeking nominations for a Parent Rep for 2021.  The School Council plays a role in monitoring and informing the school's strategic direction in a way that achieves the best learning outcomes for the school's students.

The functions of a school council under s.81 of the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (Qld)  (the Act) are to:

• monitor the school's strategic direction
• approve school plans and policies of a strategic nature, or other documents affecting strategic matters including the annual estimate of revenue and expenditure for the school
• monitor the implementation of the plans, policies and other documents mentioned above
• advise the school's Principal about strategic matters.

The Enoggera State School Committee meets once a term on Mondays from 3:15pm – 4pm to discuss the school’s workings in driving and embedding the strategic vision set down. 

To nominate

• Please return nomination form by Friday 18 June 2021. This can be done by:
• Delivering: to the school front desk during school hours
• Email Amy O’Malley School Council Committee President: aomal3@eq.edu.au 
• Regan Flegler School Council Committee Secretary: rfleg3@eq.edu.au
• Fax to: 3550 1000

Week 7 – 10 Class Information

Throughout weeks 7 – 10 classroom teachers will be busy assessing student learning, collecting data and meeting with the Head of Department – Curriculum (HOD – C) and Student Services Team (SST) to plan teaching and learning sequences aligned to the Australian Curriculum for Term 3. 

Semester 1 Reporting

Semester 1 Report Cards will be provided to parents on Friday Week 10 electronically.  The report card reflects the effort and demonstrated capacity your child has shown throughout Term 1 and Term 2. The A – E reporting scale provides an overall achievement in the whole curriculum area however, please remember to focus on the comments teachers provide as these give insight into a students’ areas of strength and areas where focus can be given to improve. 

Amy O'Malley

aomal3@eq.edu.au

In Prep this term, we have been reading some traditional tales and learning how to write and draw the beginning, middle and ending of a story. We are still learning the Jolly Phonics Program and have been taking home readers this term for our homework.

In Maths we are learning teen numbers and place value. We say in class ‘Numbers in the teen start with a one (1).

In Science, we are focusing on the properties and uses of different materials. We have been using our senses and understanding that objects are made of materials.

We are still going to Music, Dancing and Health and Physical Education with our lovely teachers.

We have lots of learning and fun events happening this term and we look forward to teaching your children.

From Prep B Team

This Term in Prep A, we have been exploring different materials and their properties. In our play we have set up a ‘Bunnings Warehouse’ to shop for various materials. As part of our science assessment we have designed a wind ornament and some of us have finished making it too! They are hanging up outside our classroom making lovely sounds and catching the sunlight.

In English we have been writing a retell of ‘The Three Little Pigs’ and we are using letters/sounds and our tricky words to write some fantastic sentences.

This week we say goodbye to Miss Kroll who has been working in our classroom for her final teaching practicum. We have loved having her in Prep A and wish her all the best!

Prep A Team

Drama Enrichment Group

Our Year 4 Drama Enrichment group are off to a flying start! Each week we will undertake a series of warm up activities to prepare the body and brain for drama! Last week we participated in a reading circle where we unpacked a poem by author, Steven Herrick from his book Untangled Spaghetti. We look forward to developing his poems for stage.

Please note that there will be no Drama Enrichment Group on Thursday 3rd June due to Professional Development off site.

Senior Dance Ensemble

Senior Ensemble members have almost finished learning the choreography for their ocean-inspired dance. The students have really applied themselves to the contemporary style and are looking fantastic.

Please note that the Senior Dance Ensemble will NOT go ahead on Tuesday 1^st June as I will be attending Professional Development off site.

Wakakirri

The Friday afternoon rehearsals have been very productive! With the help of Mrs Leeson and Ms Kerr, the performers have worked hard on clarifying their positions on stage as well as developing accuracy in their movement. The lead characters have been working with Mrs Wilcox to develop the storyline through dance and drama. Mr Roxburgh has led the backstage crew through a series of tasks including prop making, Excel lists, set design and labelling.

Soon, we should receive news of the actual live performance date. As soon as we receive any news, we will update all those involved.

Melissa Wilcox

wilcoxm@eq.edu.au

In Prep, we are using Bee-Bot floor robots to learn about following, describing and representing algorithms. The term algorithm describes simple steps in an order, like a recipe, or a set of instructions. Over the next few weeks, Prep students will represent the steps needed to solve a Bee-Bot problem. The following app and website provide a fun way to practise for students.

App for IPad and IPhone

Website – Bee-Bot Emulator

https://beebot.terrapinlogo.com/?community-mat

Melissa Wilcox

wilcoxm@eq.edu.au

Recorder Club on Assembly

Pitch Plastic, Enoggera’s Recorder Club will perform on assembly in Week 8. I apologise to any parents/caregivers who came along in Week 4 when we ran out of time to perform.

Mariel Hopper

mxhop2@eq.edu.au

Our busy term is set to continue, with a number of events still upcoming. 

Olympics Torch Visit

On Wednesday 2^nd June, students from Year 3-6 will get the opportunity to view Olympic Torches from almost every Olympic Games of the modern era, including one from the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay.  This collection is being bought to school and shared by a local enthusiast who will also share his abundant knowledge of the Olympic Games History.  We are looking forward to a wonderful session.

Auskick

Wonderful to see so many students enjoying the Auskick Sessions on Friday Afternoons.

Track and Field

With the end of Term 2 already on the horizon we are in full preparation for our school Track and Field (Athletics) Carnivals.

Dates:

• 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

Distance Running Events: - these will be occurring at the Mt Maria Junior Playing Fields at the end of Mott Street, Enoggera.  Students who are 9, 10, 11 and 12 years this year will be given the opportunity to decide if they wish to participate in either the 200m and/or 800m running event.  These students together with staff will walk from Enoggera to the playing fields on the afternoon of 16^th June, all other students will remain at school.  For students, wishing to compete a permission form will come home in the next week or so with more details regarding this event.

Upper School Carnival:– this will be held on Wednesday 24^th June, at school.  This will be an all-day event with students from Year 3-6 participating in a variety of track and field events.  

Lower School Carnival:– this event is planned for Thursday 25^th June, at school for the morning session only. Students from Prep to Year 2 will participate in a running event plus a number of tabloid style events.

More details including proposed program will be sent home closer to the event as the planning comes together.

District Sport Trials – Term 2:

There are still a handful 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, trail 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

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.

Key Dates – this term.

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

As the tempo starts to pick up around Gallipoli Barracks and exercises, operational duties, training courses and even deployments are again in full swing, please don’t forget to either let your child’s classroom teacher or myself know of any parental absences so we can support your child at school and check in with them when needed. Parental absences and changes at home, coupled with assessment time at school can weigh heavily on children.

We are changing our name

On 1 July Defence Community Organisation (DCO) will change their name to Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS).

The new name reflects their vision, what they do and who they do it for. While their name is changing, there will be no changes to the services or programs offered to ADF members and their families.

Find out more about the name change www.defence.gov.au/dco

Jody Kellin

jkell551@eq.edu.au