Dear Parent and Caregivers,

WELLBEING FOCUS
This week on assembly we revisited our last fortnightly focus around Growth Mindset and I was so impressed to see that 3A again had taken that on board in their classroom and were using it to continue the discussions at this busy assessment time. 

This fortnight, I talked about the need for all of us to have some coping strategies in our toolkit to help us to self-regulate and manage our emotions when we are under pressure to ensure that we could engage and participate to the best of our abilities.  I was able to align this a  program we are using in our school called the Zones of Regulation, where students learn that the optimal zone for learning is the green zone and go on to learn some strategies that they can use to assist them to remain or get back into the green zone when things happen.

Using your strengths to develop these coping strategies is a great way forward as strategies may be different for each of us.  They might look like reading, meditation, listening or playing music, drawing or colouring, positive self-talk or accessing some personal support.

PLANNING RELEASE
Currently as well as finalising end of semester assessment and preparing student progress reports for Semester One, our teachers are also being released from class to undertake team planning sessions to ensure all members of each planning team are on the same page around the Australian Curriculum units of work and how they will be implemented and assessed next term.  Mrs O’Malley, our Head of Department-Curriculum is facilitating these sessions with our teachers.

STAFFING CHANGES
As you are aware, Ms Leanne Haslam has taken a role at another school to broaden her experiences and our new temporary Business Manager has commenced this week.  Her name is Mrs Melinda Spurrell and she comes to us from Nerang State High School.

Mrs Jodie Roberts, our additional A02 in the office 2 days a week was fortunate to pick up some extra days at her base school.  Mrs Renee Ovey has commenced at our school this week supporting Mrs Spurrell and Mrs Coats in the office on Wednesday and Thursday each week.

This week we learned that Teacher Aide and Defence School Mentor, Mrs Jody Kellin will be leaving us towards the end of next week to take up other employment.  She will finish up next Thursday.  There will be a recruitment process for the DSM position in the coming weeks.

FROM THE CLASSROOMS
Last week I was invited to visit the Yr 3 classes as they were creating their visual art works from a range of environmental materials such as sticks, rocks, leaves, bark etc.  It was wonderful to see how engaged the students were in the activity and how well they had planned the pieces and how animated they were in their discussions about their pieces and their meaning. Well done Yr 3!

Till next time,
Mrs Anne Robinson
Principal

Year 1 Excursion to Ferny Grove Tram Museum.

On Tuesday 8 June the Grade One students went for a train ride to Ferny Grove to visit the Tram Museum. The children enjoyed a ride on two old trams before walking through the museum and looking at the old uniforms, tickets and station signs.

They also learned that the old trams didn’t have walls or windows and it was easy to fall out if you weren’t being careful.

Lastly, the teachers and students would like to give a big “Thank you” to the parents who gave up their day to join us on our excursion. Without you, our excursion would not have been possible. You were amazing. 

Olympics Torch Visit:
On Wednesday 2^nd June, students from year 3-6 participated in a visit showcasing a large number of Olympic Relay Torches.  Robert and George shared a wealth of knowledge about the Olympics, the Olympic Spirit, the Olympic Torch Relays and their own experiences as Olympic Torch Bearers in previous Olympics.  Students were also given the opportunity to hold the 13 Torches on display at  the time.  Thanks to both Robert and George for their generosity in sharing these amazing pieces with our students.

Met North Cross Country:
Congratulations to Ari who has been selected in the Met North Cross Country Team after finishing second at the recent Met North Cross Country Carnival. He will now compete in the State Cross Country Carnival at Ipswich in August. All the best Ari.

                 

Track and Field:
Preparations are well underway for our School Track and Field 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 were all given a choice as to whether they wished to compete in either or both, 200m and 800m events.  Those who have nominated in these events have received a permission note allowing them to walk to Mt Maria Playing Fields in Mott Street Enoggera.  These need to be returned to school by Friday 11^th June, if notes are not returned students will not be attending this event.  Notes were not sent home with students who opted not to compete.  Students who have chosen not to compete or who do not return their permission forms will remain at school for the afternoon in combined groups. .

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.

Programs will be emailed home once details have been finalised.

District Sport Trials – Term 2:
All District Trials for sports in Term 2 have been completed there are still a couple left for Term 3. Details of these will be provided once information is received by the school.

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

Our school has once again registered for this years Premier's Reading Challenge.

This is a really easy challenge for the students to compete in as they only have to read 20 books for Prep to Year 4 and 15 books for Year 5-6 and they have until Friday 27^th August to return their completed forms to either their classroom teacher or to the library. 

The requirement for Year 5 and 6 to read 15 books acknowledges that older students are likely to select longer, more complex books that may take them longer to read.

The following activities can be counted towards the challenge:

• reading independently
• shared reading
• being read to (Prep – Year 2 only).
• printed books
• e-books, virtual books and digital publications
• graphic novels and comic books
• audio and braille books
• newspapers, magazines and recipe books.

Each student will be issued with a SCHOOL READER RECORD FORM this week and of course 100% participation would be fantastic! As an added incentive, the class with the highest participation rate will receive a small prize.

So good luck everyone – set yourselves a reading target and read, read, read!

The fourth Issue of Scholastic Book Club has recently been sent home with students. To place orders follow the instructions on the order form attached to the brochure. If paying by cash, payments can be made to the office on either Tuesday or Thursday. There are some great offers available including free books with some purchases and the school also earns free books and resources to assist in the library and classrooms.

Happy Reading
Shannon Green 

Senior Choir at Pancake Day
Chappy Sarah has invited Senior Choir to perform on Pancake Day on Thursday June 17. The Choir will perform at 8:30am. Could all Senior Choir members make sure they are assembled by 8:25am.

Instrumental Music Recruitment
The selection process for the 2022 Strings Program is commencing Week 1 of Term 3 for all Year 2 students. This process includes an aural aptitude test held in class (Selmer Listening test), Expression of Interest and consultation with classroom teachers.

Places are always limited for our Strings program and are based on allocation numbers from the Department of Education and vacancies after our Year 6s leave for High School.

Year 2 students have studied the Instruments of the Orchestra this term. It may be a good idea to discuss at home if your child has an interest in playing a String instrument (Violin, Viola, Cello) and the commitment it takes in regard to practice and discipline. 

Mariel Hopper
Specialist Music Teacher
mxhop2@eq.edu.au

A big thank you to all of our families for returning the Wakakirri Order Forms in a timely manner. Moving forward, ticket number confirmations will ensue (we have enough tickets to offer a second round). Families will be then be invoiced.

We can’t wait to perform at the Logan Entertainment Centre!

Thank you
Melissa Wilcox and the Wakakirri team

Term 2

PLEASE NOTE: If your child has any allergies or special dietary requirements, please ensure that they are made aware that there will be a specific stall. Alternatively parents/caregivers are welcome to accompany the child on the day.