Dear Parent and Caregivers,

PARENT TEACHER INTERVEWS
Thank you to those families that were able to attend the parent teacher interviews-muster style in EPAC last night.  It was fabulous to see so many parents and students attending the sessions, and I have no doubt that all present gained a great deal of information regarding their child’s current level of understanding and the progress that has been made this year. As always there was lovely vibe in the room as the conversations were happening. Having a positive parent-teacher relationship,  contributes to your child's school success and great things happen for children when teachers and families work together. 

It was also wonderful to see the most important person sitting at the table for some of the ‘3 way conferences’ -in this student centred model.  Whilst we are just beginning the journey into ‘3 way conferences’ this format nurtures the on-going cooperation between parents and teachers and transforms students from passive to active learners, having direct input in how they are going to achieve their learning goals.

A big thank you must also go to the staff for the amount of work they did in the lead up preparing for the interviews,  and then the long day they worked. Luckily, we are heading into the Easter holidays as they were very tired by the end of the day, as we near the end of busy but disjointed term at school.

NAPLAN 2022
Another reminder about NAPLAN 2022.  As our school continues to prepare for the NAPLAN Online testing again this year we have set our testing schedule for this year. We will be conducting the tests online from Tuesday, May 10 through to Friday, May 13 this year. We may need to do some catch up tests on the following Monday, May 16.

Between now and then we are continuing to prepare our student for the testing through comprehensive teaching of the Australian Curriculum, focusing on aspects of Literacy and Numeracy and also by providing additional lessons in the ICT skills required for the online testing platform.  We will also implement the required online practice test just prior to the testing which will ensure that all of the students understand the platform and how to best demonstrate what they know and can do.  The practice tests are also an opportunity to test the environment, devices and bandwidth access.

The support staff in collaboration with class teachers have identified students with disabilities according to the National Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) in Yr 3 and Yr 5 who are eligible and consistently have special considerations offered in the classroom. Those parents have been provided with a form sent home for approval to allow the child to access the special considerations during the tests.  These special considerations are likely to include extra time or extra rest breaks.

Obviously, we would like to see every student access the NAPLAN testing but understand that sometimes parents do not wish for their child to undertake the tests.  In this case, if you are planning to withdraw your student from the testing program a form also needs to be completed and signed by yourself and me.  If you are planning on withdrawing your child please contact the school to complete this paperwork as soon as possible.

Below is the link to further information for parents around the NAPLAN testing which includes the information brochure for parents and carers for 2022.

 https://nap.edu.au/naplan/parent-carer-support

COVID Reminders
Whilst the COVID-19 virus to continues to spread through communities it also is here at school.  Whilst we are taking all cleaning precautions as per DoE guidelines we certainly have been feeling the impacts here at school with staff and many students either contracting the virus or being considered close contacts and also unable to attend school. On a frequent basis of late we have struggled to obtain Supply Teachers to cover classes and have continually had to use internal staff to take classes.  We expect that this will continue next term as the regular flu season kicks in on top of the COVID absences, as our DoE Teacher Relief Scheme struggles to fulfil bookings each day.  We thank parents and students for being flexible during this time as we continue to do our very best to ensure that learning outcomes for our students are impacted as minimally as possible.

A further reminder that whilst recent restrictions in schools have been wound back and we welcome all parents back onto the site again, we need to continue to follow the COVID safe guidelines and social distancing requirements, that include, if you are ill you need to stay away from school. Any students who display COVID symptoms whilst at school will be provided with RAT test to do at home and parents will need to collect their children from school.  These precautions continue to stay in place to keep everyone at school safe as we continue to see an increase in cases across the state in our school settings.

A reminder also that if your child tests positive to COVID you must report this to school immediately, and also if they are absent due to being a close contact with a positive case as we are required to report this data to the DoE each school day.

SCHOOL PHOTOS
A reminder that our school photo day for 2022 is on the first day back to school after the holidays on April 19 through MSP.  Students will need to wear their school polo (not house shirt) on this day with their school shorts/skorts, black shoes and white socks .  Hair will need to be neat and tidy in natural style and colour and girls hair adornments will need to be in school colours only.  Jumpers will not be required for the photos.

In addition to the class photos we will also be taking some special group photos on the day which will included our Yr 6 students, student leader photos, Senior Dance, Senior Strings Ensemble and the Senior Choir as well as some new marketing photographs.

READER’S CUP COMPETITION
This year we have entered a team of students into the Brisbane North Reader’s Cup Competition to be held at Kurwongbah State School on Thursday, June 9.  We are in the process of selecting the team of 5 x Yr 6 students to represent our school at this reading competition.  We are hoping to have this finalised this week so that we can send home information and permission letters and so that our students can make a start reading the 5 novels for the competition over the holidays.  Entering a team in this competition, along with the Maths Tournament later in the year, is part of our strategic plan focus around offering more enrichment opportunities to our higher achieving students.

ANZAC DAY CEREMONY
Our school will hold its traditional ANZAC Day ceremony on Friday, April 22 at 9:15am in the front memorial garden.  Parents are welcome to attend and we place out some seating for parents at the back of the student area.  As our school is growing space is at a premium for the whole school ceremony so some parents may be required to stand around the fence line to view the service.  Mr Roxburgh and our Defence School Mentor, Amy Della-Torre are convening the service which our school captains will MC.  Our Senior Choir will also perform at the ceremony and we have
defence parent, Bianca Sherrington as our guest speaker for the service.

On actual ANZAC day our school has once again been invited to participate in the  Gaythorne RSL March and Service which our school will march in and our school captains will lay a wreath on behalf of the school.  All students are invited to join us for the march which will depart form Sid Loder Park at Gaythorne at 6:15am.  We ask all of our students to assemble at 6am at our school banner ready to fall in and march around the block before the service.

Our school has once again been provided with badges to sell for ANZAC Day and our student leaders will be selling these before school each morning in the first week back at school underneath D Block from 8:15am.

STAFFING CHANGES
Unfortunately, on Friday our lovely Administration Officer, Mrs Renee Ovey will be leaving us as she takes a promotional position at Everton Park State High School.  We will really miss having her at our school as she has been a great addition to the administration team during her tenure.  As Anita Coates is continuing in her role at Payne Rod SS the temporary A02 position at Enoggera SS has been advertised on Smart Jobs and within the DoE circles.  The position closes on Friday, so a recruitment process will then be conducted to hopefully have someone commence in the role early in Term 2.

SCHOOL WATCH
A reminder that whilst we are all on holidays of you see any suspicious activity at the school please call the School Watch number which is displayed on our school sign.  If we all are vigilant and keep our eyes and ears open we can ensure our school stays free of damage and graffiti over the holidays.

CHAPPY SARAH
We are very proud of Chappy Sarah who has been selected to attend the Invictus Games in the The Hague, Netherlands over the holidays.  This is a wonderful honour for Chappy Sarah to compete at  the Invictus Games, which is an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans. The Games use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect of all those who serve their country. The word 'Invictus' means 'unconquered', chosen as an embodiment of the fighting spirit of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and what they can achieve, post injury.

The Invictus Games were founded by Prince Harry. The inspiration came from his visit to the Warrior Games in the USA, where he witnessed the ability of sport to help both psychologically and physically.

She will be competing in weight lifting and rowing and we wish her all the best at the games.  Our Yr 5/6 students created a card for her to wish her good luck and presented tit to her on behalf of the students and staff of Enoggera State School.  We will be looking forward to hear how she has gone and for her safe return next term.

EASTER HOLIDAYS
Whilst term One ends on Friday as we head into the Easter vacation, we wish our families a happy holiday and hope that you all get some time with your families over the break to rest and relax.  If travelling, please stay safe on the roads as we want all of our lovely students back after the break and ready to go again for another busy term at Enoggera SS on Tuesday, April 19. 

Till next time,
Mrs Anne Robinson
Principal

Term One has been challenging in many ways for our school community. But as we reach the end of the term, we can reflect on the positive things that have happened.  Some of the highlights include the return of face to face assemblies; the Student Leaders’ Investiture Ceremony, the introduction of Clubs and Activities for students at breaks and the beginning of construction of our new building.   These are some of the many things that we can celebrate in a Term that was unpredictable!  I would like to take this opportunity to thank the students for their resilience and dedication to learning; the staff for their commitment and flexibility to overcome difficult times and provide the best possible opportunities to our students; and the parents for their support and understanding throughout this term.  I hope everyone has a relaxing Easter Holiday and look forward to seeing you all in the new Term.

Be a Responsible Learner:
Students are focussing on finishing the term strong by following instructions; listening carefully; being organised; putting up their hand in class; showing respect by being quiet during teaching, paying attention and continuing with their work.   Each assembly we introduce three aspects of our Pillars to practise.  This ensures that are Pillars of BE SAFE, BE RESPECTFUL and BE A RESPONSIBLE LEARNER are embedded in our action everyday and are not just words.

Facebook
Our school Facebook page will continue over the holiday with frequent posts about the upcoming term.  Term Two events will be posted to allow parents time to be prepared for the term ahead.  We encourage all of our parents to follow our page so you can enjoy the wonderful experiences our school has to offer.  The more you interact with the page by liking and commenting on posts, the more our page will appear in your newsfeed.  The Facebook page will not be checked daily over the holidays, so responses to questions may be delayed.  Thanks for your support of our Facebook page and for interacting on the page with respect and support.

OSHC Drop Offs
We would like to request that parents dropping off/picking up their children at OSHC before and after school refrain from parking in the stop, drop and go section of the car park.  This is causing some difficulty to delivery trucks who need to park in this area to make and deliveries and also for staff reversing out of carparks.   For the safety of all, we ask that you park in an available car park on the right when walking to and from OSHC.  Thanks for your support with this. 

Easter Bonnet Parade!
We are all very excited about the Easter Bonnet Parade on Friday 1^st April at 12:15am. This will be held on the area in front of the Year 1 classrooms and involves our Prep and Year 1 students.  Parents will be directed to stand around three sides of the area and the students will parade around the area from Under C Block for parents to enjoy.  There will also be some special Easter dancing on the bitumen with parents at the end of the parade.  We hope to see you there!

Morning Routines
Parents are reminded that the waiting area before school for parents with their own children is under E Block only (Prep C and 2B classrooms).  Under C Block is out of bounds (Under Prep B and 2A) as it is difficult to supervise is additional children are heading over there to visit their friends and then playing in the out of bounds areas.  Students with no parent supervision are to be waiting under D Block in their designated area until the bell rings to move to line up areas.  Thanks for your support of the before school processes and the out of bounds areas.

About the Day
The Colour Fun Run is all about Fun! It will be a huge colourful mess and will undoubtedly be one of the most exciting days on our school’s calendar, with all students participating the aim!

This year parents are allowed to spectate! Parents can spectate under EPAC veranda. We ask parents to stay located in this area as we only have a limited amount of room on the oval and this will be required for the event. Parents are welcome to bring chairs.

Students will be located along the walkway to cheer each other on!

The event will commence from 1.15pm after students have finished eating.  To follow is the proposed event program:

On the Day

• Children to wear white or light-coloured T-shirts that can be coloured or get very messy. The T-shirt is to be sun safe.
• Shorts can be coloured or white as long as they can get messy. Please do not wear your uniform.
• Old sandshoes and socks that can be coloured and get messy.
• Children not wanting to get “coloured” should wear a red shirt.
• Children can wear swimming goggles or sunglasses and bandanas to protect their faces.
• Hat, sun cream and water bottle will be required. Hats will not be worn during the run.
• Old towel to dry off at the end of the run.

Students will be allowed to wear their Colour Run outfit, white shirts, old bottoms and old shoes, to school. The Colour Run will finish at 3.00pm so students can head straight home, it is at parents’ discretion to pack a change of clothes for your child to go home in.

Please be aware the colour is very safe and every attempt will be made not to be thrown above the head.

As this is a running event, please specify on the School Activity Consent form any relevant medical conditions and any potential treatments.  For asthmatic children, ensure they have their Ventolin/Asmol and Spacer and provide to their teacher on the day.

Congratulations to 3A for winning the prize for the class with the most active profiles and highest fundraising for Week 3 of the event!

School Council
The student leaders are meeting with Mrs Robinson and Mrs Burrows this week for their first official Student Council meetings.  The Student Council comprises of the School Captains, Vice-Captain and the Class Representatives from Years 3-6.   This groups of students will meet on Thursday at first break to develop their action plan for Term Two and to report back ideas and suggestions from their classmates. 

On Friday, the Year 6 Student Leaders including the School Captains, Vice-Captain, House Captains and Arts Captains will meet to discuss how their roles have gone in Term One and what events and responsibilities they have coming up in Term 2.  Mrs Robinson is hosting a morning tea for these leaders.  These leaders will also be helping out at the School Fun Run on the course as a leaders’ responsibility. 

Tina Burrows
Deputy Principal

This term we have had a strong learning focus on our Reading which is proving to be fantastic.  The students are involved three times a week in reading groups. Their classroom teacher is also teaching the explicit strategies required to be a literate student.  

We have diligently worked on learning to write a chapter for The Twits using the narrative structure in English along with the grammar and punctuation needed to make our text flow. 

In Mathematics, we are covering a range of topics including number, patterns, chance and data, measurement and space.  It has been interesting to note how much basic number facts impact on most areas of both mathematics and our lives.

We have also worked on our HASS unit, which looks at pre and post first Australian contacts throughout history. 

In Science, we enjoyed exploring soil and erosion and we will look at Mapping Lifecycles. 

We have also worked on PE, health, technology, dance, music and art throughout the semester.  We look forward to commencing Wakakirri next term and can’t wait to showcase our talents. 

Overall, so far the students have worked well despite the challenges and we are all looking forward to a great start to Term 2.  Happy Easter to you all, have a great break  and see you next term.

The Year 4 teachers.

The Wakakirri Participation and Publicity Consent Form has been emailed to families for completion. The signed form is to be returned to the class teacher by Friday 22nd April. Payment of the $35 Wakakirri participation fee should also be made at this time.

Mrs Melissa Wilcox

Senior Choir
Senior Choir will be performing for the Anzac Day ceremony on Friday 22^nd April. The practice music for this has been put on the Music edstudio for students to practice at home. Please ensure members of choir are at all rehearsals leading up to this important event and are dressed in neat school uniform on the day. https://staff.learningplace.eq.edu.au/lp/pages/default.aspx?cid=257938

Senior Strings
Due to the Monday public holidays in the first 3 weeks of Term 2, Senior Strings rehearsals will be on Wednesdays at 8am for those first 3 weeks.

Mariel Hopper
Music Teacher

What’s New.

We have started the year with a bang. At the end of term 4 2021, we won a grant of $2,500 to set up 8 worm farms so we can recycle our food and paper waste. This term we have begun getting things ready. The worm farms have been ordered, we are just waiting for them to arrive. One of the big problems is the three tumble bins we will be using to help the composting process take 4 hours each to build and appear to be a two-man job. If you have a few handy people in your family and would like a small project, please phone the school. I will be happy to have some others help me with this project.

The second big news is that we also won a grant from Tim Mander to supply 5 times 4 different coloured (blue, yellow, red, green) 240L wheelie bins to allow us to sort our waste into carboard, soft plastics, general waste, worm food and paper waste. This is very exciting. This project will begin implementation in term 2.  Also, our containers for change program is up and running again so, if you do have those containers feel free to drop into our purple wheelie bins. Last year the program raised over $1,000. This year I hope with our quality sorting options we will increase that fundraising opportunity.

Regards,
Karen Kent

Hello Enoggera State School Community and Defence Families,

FORTNIGHTLY DEFENCE KIDS HQ UPDATE

How is it almost the end of Term 2?!

It has been a bit of a topsy turvy Term 1 and amongst all the challenges we have had such a great time at Defence Kids HQ. It has been an absolute joy getting to know all the Defence families and I hope to see some new faces at Defence Kids HQ in Term 2. This week was very exciting because during our Defence Clubs we played computers. Defence Kids HQ is always filled with Lego, board games, arts and craft so computers were a special treat. It was the most excited I have seen some of the kids all year! Dakoda was so helpful showing some of our younger Defence HQ kids how to log in and they all danced along to some fun songs on cool maths games. We joked around that Curtis got to Level 100 and were reminded that our legendary Dylan has already completed the whole game. Defence Kids HQ is on every Thursday and Friday Big Lunch in D Block Art room.

I know some of you are still off working in other places and we are all looking forward to having you back! If you are able to let me know when you are going away via email adell37@eq.edu.au it really helps me in being able to offer my support to the students. I am always open for a phone call too, just reach out.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OTHER NEWS

Enoggera State School ANZAC Day Ceremony
Our Anzac Day ceremony will be held Friday the 22^nd of April at 9.15am.

We will be having a whole of school gathering at the front of the school and look forward to seeing those who wish to come along there. Our Senior leaders will be selling ANZAC Day Merchandise donated by our wondering local Gaythorne RSL during the 1^st week of Term 2 under D block. Thankyou so much Gaythorne RSL we are grateful for your ongoing support.

Gaythorne RSL Anzac Day Ceremony

When: Monday the 25^th of April

Time: March begins at 6.15am

Where: Sid Loder Park

ADF Equip (KidSMART) — Brisbane 6 April 22
ADF kids aged 5 to 11 years join us for a fun resilience-based programme. The workshop aims to assist children manage the challenges of Defence life. This includes discussions around managing the absence of a parent at home. Keep an eye out for the Eventbrite Link or email dmfs.brisbane@defence.gov.au.

The Defence Member and Family Support Branch South Queensland send out monthly newsletters with tonnes of great information and upcoming events. Families are welcome to subscribe to the local DMFS Mailing lists via DMFS South QLD - dmfs.southqld@defence.gov.au

I hope everyone has a great Easter break and look forward to seeing everyone again in Term 2!

Signing off,

Amy Della-Torre
Defence School Mentor – Thursday and Friday
adell37@eq.edu.au

Annual General Meeting

Congratulations to our new P & C Executive elected at the Annual General Meeting last Tuesday:

• President - Dean Collings
• Vice - President - Khesanh Brock
• Secretary – Christina Maher
• Treasurer – Debbie Brauer (returning)

To the outgoing Executive, Renee, Belinda, and Bec, thank you for your hard work and dedication to our school and for bringing the school community back to life with the 150^th Anniversary Family Fun Day.

We have a record number of P & C members this year so it is wonderful to see everyone is keen to be involved in our community. The new P & C constitution was agreed to at the meeting which includes you don’t need to attend a meeting to become P & C member. If you would like to be a member but unable to attend a meeting please feel free to submit a membership form.

Only 2 sleeps to go!! We are so close to our school target! A huge effort in the last 2 weeks, THANK YOU!

Congratulations to 1B who won Week 2 competition and to 3A who won Week 3 competition. Year 1B were so excited to choose their lucky dip prizes and congratulations to Raiden for being the class student to raise the highest amount.

The wonderful students of 3A took a class vote to wait to have their pizza party next term as they have a number of class mates away due to Covid and they didn’t want them to miss out! Great school vibes!

The Top 3 fundraisers will be announced at the School Fun Run on Friday and presented their prize – Mr Toys Toyworld gift cards! And the House to raise the most will also be announced – who will it be Banksia or Waratah?

A completed consent form is to be returned to class teachers for a student to participate in the Fun Run. No form, no participation. Parents are welcome to attend this year and spectate from the EPAC verandah. The event will commence from 1.15 pm after students have finished eating with the first wave at 1.25 pm. We have had a huge response to our volunteer signup, there are a few spots left including the Chase the Cheetah mascot, to sign up go to https://volunteersignup.org/K3KBE

Click Here Form Consent Form

Click Here Form Consent Form 839.43 KB

Mother’s Day High Tea – Saturday, 7 May

Mother’s Day Stall
Mother’s Day Stall is on Wednesday, 4 May.  This year is going to be different…it is going cashless! Vouchers to the amount of $5, $7, $10, and $15 will be made available to be purchased from the QKR! App from 20 April. Children will be able to select a beautiful gift for their Mum to the value of the voucher purchased. There will be a limited number of vouchers and gifts per student. Some beautiful and unique gifts are being prepared for the stall.

Uniform Shop
We currently do not have any size 6 fleece jumpers available and only a limited number of size 8 jumpers due to our uniform supplier having problems with sourcing a quality fleece. Hopefully the fleece jumpers will be available in late April, in the meantime if you require a size 6 or size 8 jumper the Uniform Shop has second-hand jumpers or you could source a plain royal blue fleece jumper.

Tuckshop
We are still looking for tuckshop volunteers and bakers to help the tuckshop during term 2. If you are able to assist on Wednesday or Friday morning in the tuckshop, only until 11am, or assist with home baking please get in touch with Lynelle via opsmanager@esspandc.com.au

We currently only have a small group of volunteers that we rely on, it would be nice to meet other parents and expand our school volunteers!

Containers for Change
The purple bins are conveniently placed all around the school for you to bring your containers in!  Alternatively you can visit the depot, deposit your containers and contribute to the ESS scheme, our school scheme ID is C10051863

Key Dates
Follow Enoggera P & C on Facebook to keep up to date on planned events, activities, Tuckshop menu and Uniform Shop.  It is the best way to stay informed on all the latest happenings! https://www.facebook.com/EnoggeraSSPandC

 P&C Executives

The Enoggera State School P & C meets every 4^th Tuesday of the month – next meeting is 26 April 2022