31 March 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Term Wrap Up

As I have previously mentioned, this term got off to one of the smoothest starts I have seen, however the end of term has thrown us some new and unexpected challenges. I am very proud as a school leader of how our school, with the support of our parent body, has calmly and professionally risen to these challenges and managed our current situation.

Challenging times always create opportunities and allow the best in people to shine. Our Year 1 teachers and students are the perfect example. Last Friday they presented our local Medical Centre and Hospital with the quilt below to express their gratitude to some of our front line essential workers who, despite the enormous pressures and challenges they are currently faced with, are giving our community confidence that they are there for us and our families to keep us safe.

This Week

This week teachers are planning the most effective way to provide online learning for students in the event we are unable to commence school as normal in Term 2. This is a complex task as not all families have the same access to devices, internet, bandwidth or data plans. Additionally, not all students work on the same content as their classmates every day or have the same skills, emotional maturity or resilience as others. Differentiating for a variety of learners is one of the most difficult things teachers do in their everyday role and will continue to be a challenge for teachers and parents in a learning at home environment. Don’t panic as we will be here to support you.

Students of essential workers are being supervised at school this week allowing teachers to participate in professional learning and prepare online resources. Essential workers are those that must currently continue to attend their workplace during this difficult time, when required, during the week of 30 March to 3 April inclusive.

If you are an essential worker and are required to send your children to school to be supervised this week, you must ensure your child is well and not displaying any signs of illness. It is expected that this will only be a small number of students each day. Students will be grouped in multi age classes where supervision will be provided and normal lunchtime play will occur. There will be no Tuckshop this week.

If you would like to support your child’s learning at home this week, a newly established learning@home website has been developed by the Department of Education and can be accessed at the link below. This site contains a range of student learning material and other high quality education websites that will help your child’s learning. Please do not use the “Two-week units of work” as these will be utilized if required next term. Do use the Additional Resources that are provided under these Two Week units.

I encourage families without internet access to contact the school so alternate arrangements can be made for your children. Every teacher this week will be emailing their students’ parents/guardians to check if their email is correct and they have internet access. Please reply when you receive this email. Those that do not reply will receive a phone call to see if details need to be updated.

On Wednesday I will be emailing parents with the access details to our Student Portal. We encourage all parents to explore and check that they are able to access all of the lessons and resources that are being prepared for Term 2, through our Student Portal. Our Enrichment Centre will also be contacting parents of students that require additional support to ensure they are comfortable with the new online environment.

You are also encouraged to stay informed of the latest health developments relating to COVID-19 by regularly visiting the Queensland Health website:

I realise these latest developments may create challenges for parents and caregivers, both in terms of disruption for students and for families who need to manage supervision of children at home. The Department of Education will continue to keep all principals up-to-date with any further changes to schooling over the break and I will continue to provide parents with this information as it becomes available.

Thank you for your understanding as we continue to work together to support and educate your children during this difficult and unprecedented time.

Supporting Students Wellbeing

Many members of our community, including students, are understandably experiencing heightened anxiety at this time. This anxiety will include concerns about themselves or family members becoming infected with the coronavirus, what the immediate future looks like for me, how are my routines changing, arrangements for childcare and education of children as schools close, and the increasing number of parents facing unemployment or reduced income as non-essential workplaces have closed.

I have included a link to a Beyond Blue webpage which outlines 10 Strategies for Managing Anxiety.

You might also like to access a Fact Sheet from headspace titled What is Anxiety?

Children love routines as they give them certainty, as well as the ability to be prepared, organised and predict what is coming next, thus allowing them to feel comfortable and safe. In current times of uncertainty, many children may feel lost and fearful of what could happen. Remember, children will hear adult messages (from siblings and adult conversations, news, social media) and interpret them in a very different and at times irrational way. To assist with this, control what you can (make a list and do it!) and ignore what you cannot control.

For example: Put in place routines for children at home by co constructing a time table with them. Identify jobs/chores and set times when these need to be done, a time for learning, a time for physical exercise, a time for play, a time for down time, a time to connect with others, a time to eat etc.

Kirsty Brady our School Guidance Officer offers the following advice and is available to email kbrad125@eq.edu.au or talk with, if you or your children should you wish to.

3 Things we can do for children are:

1. Limit their exposure to the news and social media.
2. Model to them coping strategies and calmness, letting them know that things will be different for a while but they will get better (optimism).
3. Teach them the importance of maintaining good hygiene and social distancing.

eBooks Digital Library for all Students now available

Please check this week that your children can access this resource.

(Note: previous email letter sent with same info below)

Maintenance of Reading for students is extremely important.

To support the students with their reading we are providing an online Education Queensland eBooks Digital Library solution.

This will enable children to continue to develop their passion for reading from a large list of fiction and non-fiction book titles. With over 45000 titles in the collection there will be something for everyone.

Using the Sora app, the eBooks Digital Library will enable every student at the school with internet access and a device to borrow up to 10 books at one time and even put holds on up to 3 popular, in-demand titles. Books can be downloaded to their device for offline reading. Books when due are automatically returned. No overdue books!

There are 3 types of eBooks available.

• Standard eBooks that can be read as you would a normal paperback book;
• Read-a-long eBooks that are great for early readers, which have narration of the text (even highlighting words being read in some books);
• Audiobooks that allow you to sit back and relax and listen to your favourite story being read to you. Great for listening with headphones or even connecting to a speaker/ TV for the whole family to enjoy.

The only thing required to log into the eBooks Digital Library is your child’s school computer username. Most children from Years 2 - 6 will know their username by heart. It stays with them their entire state school career until Year 12. For younger students (Prep, Year 1), class teachers have sent home school credential cards with details. These include school username (which is needed for this eBook Digital Library), each child’s school email address and current password. The additional use of credential details (email address, username or password) may be needed for other school online services at a later stage. If you have not received these please email your class teacher.

Multiple students can use the one device to access the eBooks Digital Library. Children just need to be shown how to log out when finished to allow for brothers or sisters to log into their own account. Alternatively, multiple devices can be used to read from. The Sora eBook reader (downloadable app for Android/ iOS or compatible web browser on a computer) will sync a student’s eBooks, remembering where they were up to.

If your children are having any issues accessing the eBooks Digital Library please send an email to Mr Greig (ajgre2@eq.edu.au) to assist with checking the student account and their access to the service.

Enjoy your reading!

P&C Annual General Meeting

2020 Maleny State School P & C Annual General Meeting

As a parent you can be involved with the P & C in many ways:

• Holding an executive position
• Being a committee member
• Helping with fund raising & catering
• Attending monthly meetings

ALL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE IMPORTANT AND VALUED

To become a member of the P & C

Please fill out a membership form available from the School Office or from the P & C Secretary & return to the office or by email to llorac@outlook.com.au

To nominate for an executive position or position on a committee

You will need someone to nominate you for the position and a seconder. Nomination forms and membership forms are available from the secretary,

Kylie McAuliffe by sending a request to llorac@outlook.com.au.

NOTE: It is a requirement that all positions are held by members.

Keeping our school safe

Please keep an eye on our school over the break and report any suspicious activity that you may notice as unusual. It is a credit to our community that we thankfully have not experienced any of the vandalism etc. that many other schools do struggle with. This being said, we realise that we must all continue to be observant and play our part collectively to ensure that this continues. A big bonus for us is that parents do not allow their children to come to the school over the weekend/break period and know where children are at all times. Our local police also do a wonderful job and regularly patrol our school out of hours, I very much appreciate their continued efforts.

Have a safe and relaxing break. I look forward to catching up in Term 2.

School will resume on Monday 20 April unless health advice determines otherwise. Further information on the return of students to school for Term 2 will be provided over the Term 1 Break.

Have a Great Easter Break
John

From the Deputy Principal

Information on The Australian Curriculum for Parents

Last Familygram, I began the first of a series of segments regarding the Australian Curriculum, beginning with Prep, and the teaching of English, Mathematics and Health and Physical Education in Prep. This Familygram I will focus on these content areas in Year 1 and Year 2.

In years 1 and 2, priority is given to the important areas of literacy and numeracy development.

English and Mathematics are the core subjects for this, however, literacy and numeracy are found in all subjects.

By the end of Year 2, students have a much stronger understanding of themselves and have begun to connect with the wider community.

English in Year 1 and 2

Students listen to and enjoy texts that entertain, inform and persuade, such as picture books, non-fiction and film. Students grow into more independent readers, learn to create a range of different texts and become more confident when they communicate.

Typically, students will:

• listen to, read, view and talk about simple information books, stories, films and some online texts
• independently read books and discuss what they have read or viewed with other students, teachers or family members
• sound out or recognise words
• use simple punctuation, such as capital letters and full stops
• write about their experiences, tell a story or talk about topics they have covered in the class
• spell a number of common words correctly and write in sentences
• add pictures to what they write
• produce their texts using computers or other devices
• listen and give talks to the class about a topic they are interested in
• develop readable handwriting.

Mathematics in Year 1 and 2

Mathematics in Years 1 and 2 places a strong focus on the development of numeracy. Students are introduced to mathematical symbols and language to communicate and explain mathematical ideas; they pose basic mathematical questions and develop simple strategies to investigate and solve simple problems.

Typically, students will:

• describe number sequences and locate numbers on a number line
• represent simple fractions using pictures
• learn about Australian money
• describe and draw shapes and objects, and use units to measure length
• learn to tell the time from an analogue clock, and use a calendar to determine the date
• describe the outcome of a chance event
• collect and investigate data collected from simple problems

Health and Physical Education in Year 1 and 2

Students start to learn more about themselves and explore their abilities. Through physical play with and without equipment, they learn skills like problem-solving and persistence, and become more confident and cooperative.

Typically, students will:

• practise what to do and how to get help when they feel uncomfortable or unsafe
• talk about similarities and differences in families
• talk about actions that make the classroom a healthy, safe and active place
• recognise and practise various emotional responses
• learn simple movement skills and understand how their body reacts to physical activity
• learn to take turns, share equipment and include others in games and activities.

Paula Heiniger

Contact Details – Do we have your most up to date contact details?

There are times when we may need to contact parents and carers. Do we have your most up to date contact details? If not, please contact the school on 5499 8333 so we can update our records. These details include parent/carers’ name, address, phone numbers, email address and emergency contact details. Please remember to contact the school if any of these details change.

Students of the Week: Week 7

Highest Class Attendance for Week 7

Congratulations Prep A

Students of the Week: Week 8

From the Enrichment Centre

If your child is feeling anxious during this difficult time here are some tips on what you can do to help:

Ask your child how they are feeling and thinking.

Encourage children to talk about their thoughts and feelings. Sometimes children can better express their feelings through play than through words, so make time to play with them.

Talk to your child about your feelings.

Express your feelings honestly but do your best to avoid alarming or upsetting your child further.

Monitor media exposure.

Limit the amount of time your child listens to media reports. If children are viewing media stories of distressing events, it is best to watch with them.

Reassure children.

Children need comfort, reassurance and support, and to know that they are safe and are being looked after.

Allow your child to retain as much of their daily routines as possible during stressful times.

Maintaining familiar schedules can help reduce anxiety in children and re-establish a feeling of normalcy.

PBL (Positive Behaviour Learning)

THE ROCKET IS ALMOST FULL WELL DONE TO ALL STUDENTS!!!

Be FUN (Flexible – Understanding – Negotiate)

For the last four weeks we have been focussing on reinforcing Positive Behaviour outside of the classroom. Our BUZZ PHRASE is “Be F.U.N to have fun”.

We are encouraging students to be:

FLEXIBLE – willing to do what others want to do,
UNDERSTANDING – try to look at things another way and
NEGOTIATE – work together to make a plan that works.

Whole school reward

During play and eating times, students being F.U.N have been recognised with a sticker which is then exchanged in class for a ball in the bucket. Each class tips their balls into the school ‘rocket’. The rocket is almost full, meaning a school-wide reward of extra playtime will soon be enjoyed by all!

PBL Team

Year 3/4C

Class routines are flowing well, students are actively engaged in all learning areas and progressing well. New friendships are being established and I am seeing great teamwork amongst the students. A popular task from our design technology, the creation of their very own Pinball Machines has been a great success! A lot of thought and care has gone into their designs.

Our science units this term were another area of great interest, as we studied living and non-living things. We studied the life cycles of both animals and plants. Students closely looked at the various relationships between animals and their habitats and how other living things can have either a positive/negative effect on them at the various stages of their life cycle. Some great scientific diagrams have been created in their science books.

Enjoy the holiday break, stay safe and well. Looking forward to next term.

Kerry Lees (3/4C)

Year 5A, 5B & 5C

End of Term 1 in Year 5

As we approach the end of Term 1, we are very busy finishing off unit work. Our Science “Create-A-Creature” powerpoints are now finished and all students created some unusual creatures suited to their particular environments. See some fabulous examples below

In English, we used our knowledge of the Seven Steps and the Fantasy genre to complete a short imaginative story so that it is ready to publish. Editing is a big focus to ensure that our writing is accurate and the best that it can be.

Maths has seen us look at many areas including: Number concepts for whole and decimal/fractional numbers; data-collecting, displaying and analysing, as well as working hard to improve our number fact recall.

We are also looking forward to completing our “Hero or Villain” sculptures. So far we have investigated known representations of various heroes and villains, their symbols, costumes and also strengths or powers. Now we will use our own designs to bring these ideas into a 3D form using various media.

Deb Darcy (5A), Eric Faulkner (5B) & Tammalee Johnston/ Caroline Hartley (5C)

School Photos

As you are aware school photos were scheduled for Thursday 26 March 2020.

It has been decided to postpone our school photos until Thursday 15 October 2020.

Our school photo provider, Advanced Life, have provided us with the following information in relation to packages already purchased.

“If you have already purchased your package and your school photo day is postponed, either in part or entirely, please be assured that your package will be delivered once the rescheduled photography has taken place.

We will be working closely with your school to ensure that we let families know what is happening regarding your school photography.”

Chappy News

A CHAPLAIN’S ROLE…PART 2

Relationships…every meaningful conversation and difference made in a person’s life, comes from a place of relationship. I remember when I was a teacher, the significant difference in a child’s desire to learn, came from a desire to please their teacher. If there was a good relationship with my students, I would always get the best from them and it’s the same in any situation. Clearly, not everything is sunshine and lollipops, so another aspect of my job entails walking with people through hardship, pain and suffering. When I have been privileged to be invited into those painful places, I am there as an emotional and sometimes spiritual support. When a parent is faced with a serious or terminal health issue, I am there to be a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen and a person to pray with. Over the last 5 ½ years, I have seen the pain of death, divorce, domestic violence, self-harm, mental health disorders, addictions, prison and many other scenarios that people experience. I know personally the pain of some of those particularly well and feel deep compassion for families going through these trials. I have spent many a night crying and praying for people because there is no magic way to make their pain go away. These are the times that I feel so grateful to be there. To walk with a student as they go through their journey of grief is a very honoured place to be and I do not take it for granted that for this moment in their life, I can be that person who brings hope, kindness, love and hopefully some wisdom into their lives. This is just another aspect of my role in the school. A spiritual and emotional support.

Stay safe everyone and make the most of being at home. Choose to see the good in this time. All the best.

Chappy Becky

P & C News

2020 Maleny State School P & C Annual General Meeting

Wednesday 29th April 2020 at 6:30pm

Stay tuned of how this meeting will progress under the circumstances we currently find ourselves in.

From Our Tuckshop

The Tuckshop is open three days a week – Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

If you can help, please see Gunnar at the Tuckshop. Your support will be much appreciated.

Flexischools is our preferred ordering system and is simple and easy to use.

To register go to:

From the Office

Payments

Payments can be made by any of the following methods.

1. Directly into our bank account noting the invoice number, initial and surname of the student for whom you are paying. Our Bank account details are:
   BSB: 064-462 Account Number: 10080359
2. Credit card using the bPoint reference number that is located on the bottom left hand side of your invoice. Credit card payments can also be made in person at the office.
3. Cash and cheque can be made by placing the cheque/correct change in a payment envelope and depositing it into the drop-safe in the office. Please ensure that the envelope is sealed so the cash does not fall out. Please write the student’s name, class, amount enclosed and what the payment is for, clearly on the envelope.

Office hours are 8:00am to 4:00pm on Monday - Friday.

Uniform Shop

If you have one hour per month that you may be able to help us out in the Uniform Shop please contact the office on 5499 8333. Open from 8:30-9:30am on Fridays, bring along a friend and be part of our happy team

The Uniform Shop's regular hours are Friday mornings between 8.30am and 9.30am. Payment options are EFTPOS, cash or cheque at the uniform shop only. Alternatively, orders can be placed online at the link below by 5pm Wednesday for Friday pickup or class delivery.

Community News

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