12 May 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Maleny Spirit Shines Bright

A huge thank you to all parents and guardians who are doing a great job in supporting their students learning at home. I have seen some wonderful examples of students working from home and parents being very creative in providing a variety of learning experiences for their children. I also take this opportunity to thank all of our staff who have been simply amazing in adapting to different working conditions and managing a variety of different learning methods and approaches.

At times it has been challenging for students, parents and staff, so to lighten the mood and promote the Maleny Spirit, staff have created our very first film clip to bring a smile to all and possibly a belly laugh. You can view it on our School Facebook page.

Maleny State School Annual Improvement focus area

Writing

Tips for Writing at Home with your children.

Would you struggle if you went for a long distance run?

If your answer was yes, we would quickly conclude you need to develop your physical fitness.

Writing is no different, it is a physical skill which requires stamina. If children find writing for a length of time difficult (you may have seen hand flicking, lapsing head and body onto desk or straight out refusal) our solution is the same. Children need to work on their writing fitness and this requires Daily Writing. The secret is to make it fun, quick (time will depend on age) and ensure each day you use a different stimulus and writing activity that does not require children to pick up from where they were up to yesterday. Positive feedback from parents is essential and if you can join in and model how you write, and share your writing, your child will see the genuine value you place on writing and you will be amazed at how quickly they can improve.

For our youngest students letter formation takes a lot of brain memory and writing sessions might start with the automaticity of practising letter formation or writing the alphabet as many times as they can in a given time (3min). Older students will still benefit from automaticity and might see how many spelling words/lines they can freely write on any topic in a given time frame. Time these and make it a challenge next time to write more in the same time (ensuring writing is legible) or gradually extend the length of writing time. Our fine motor skills also play a huge part in the writing process. Like any skill we want to develop, the key is regular practice, practice, practice.

I encourage parents looking for strategies to assist their children with writing to contact their teacher or our Literacy Coach Brent Heiniger, who would be excited and very willing to give you assistance as this is part of his specific role at our school. (I will add he is also very good at assisting reluctant writers.)

Congratulations to all our Mothers in Maleny and to all those that also take on this role. I salute you and thank you for the valuable part you play in our children’s lives every day. Unfortunately, our P&C could not hold a Mother’s Day stall this year and look forward to being able to bounce back in 2021.

Return to School

The decision to return to school for Prep and Year One is informed by advice provided by the Australian Health Principal Protection Committee (AHPPC) and discussions with Queensland Health about a phased return to regular schooling.

Schools are identified as safe places for students and present low risk in relation to the spread of COVID-19.

The following measures will continue to be in place in our school:

• students and staff who are unwell must not attend school
• physical distancing of 1.5 metres is required by all adults
• adults must not gather in and around school grounds, car parks, school gates and outside classrooms
• parents should drop and go rather than walking their children into school where possible
• students will engage in regular effective handwashing and hygiene protocols, including regularly washing hands with soap and water and covering coughs and sneezes
• increased cleaning frequencies of high-touch surfaces such as light switches and door handles, computers, desks, playgrounds and equipment will be conducted daily
• technology such as video conferencing used for gatherings, meetings and assemblies
• school swimming pools remain closed and excursions, camps, trips and interschool activities are postponed at this time.

Welcome back Year One and Prep students

This week we welcomed back our beautiful Prep and Year One students. It was adorable to see how elated both kids and teachers were to see each other again.

Kids have been quick to settle back into class routines and teachers have been amazing in prioritising learning tasks for children to focus on after an incredibly different start to Term 2.

Year 2 - 6 Students will return on Monday 25 May

All Year 2,3,4,5 and 6 students will return to school on Monday May 25 (Note: Friday, 29 May of this week is Maleny’s gazetted Show holiday.)

New Parent Drop Off and Pick up Process

As a result of ‘Covid 19’ new processes will be in place that aim to limit adult entry into the school. Where adults are required to come into the school, it needs to be for the shortest time possible and all adults are required to maintain social distancing of 1.5m between themselves and others.

This means parents will not be able to go into classrooms, or able to chat with staff or friends before, during or after school. We ask parents to drop children off at school after 8:30 am and collect at 2:50 pm and not come early for children.

This seems so foreign to us as we spend most of the year encouraging parents into our school and welcome parents into classrooms however it is all about ensuring the safety of our students, staff and yourself.

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 attached & 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 llorac@outlook.com.au.

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

Have a Magic week in Maleny. John

From the Deputy Principal

Australian Curriculum for Years 5 & 6

If you recall from my last Familygram issues, I am writing a series of segments regarding the Australian Curriculum, today’s write up relates to the teaching of English, Mathematics and Science in Year 5 and Year 6. With many parents assisting their own children with their learning at home some of the key points are areas that parents may wish to focus on.

In Years 5 & 6, students develop an ability to take positive actions for their wellbeing; they relate to others and communicate well with others; they ask challenging questions and seek answers; they make informed decisions and act responsibly.

The development of information and communication technology skills increases across the curriculum at this level.

English in Year 5 & 6

Students read and compare complex texts, for enjoyment and learning, and can express their thoughts and opinions about what they have read. They can write a wide variety of well-constructed texts such as reviews, reports and narratives. Students develop skills to communicate with others in most settings. They can transfer the literacy skills developed in English to other subjects.

Typically, students will:

• analyse and explain how authors organise their texts
• select vocabulary to represent ideas, characters and events
• compare and analyse information in different texts
• use evidence from a text to explain their response to it
• using electronic devices, create detailed texts about a range of topics, including topics they have been studying
• demonstrate understanding of grammar, including the ability to write complex sentences
• develop an expanding vocabulary
• use accurate spelling and punctuation
• use speaking strategies including questioning, clarifying and rephrasing to contribute to class discussions.

Mathematics in Year 5 & 6

Students extend their knowledge of the key areas of mathematics, particularly of fractions and decimals. They increasingly use models, pictures and symbols to represent and communicate mathematical ideas.

Typically, students will:

• place positive and negative numbers on a number line
• add and subtract fractions and decimals
• compare and interpret statistical graphs
• convert between 12- and 24-hour time and interpret timetables
• continue and create sequences, involving whole numbers, fractions and decimals, and describe rules
• measure length, area, volume, capacity and mass, and calculate perimeter and area of rectangles
• list outcomes of chance experiments
• apply fractions, decimals, percentages, angles and measurements to solve problems
• explain mental strategies for calculations
• pose appropriate questions for statistical investigations

Science in Year 5 & 6

Students learn how to look for patterns and relationships. They recognise the important role of variables in investigations. They develop explanations based on evidence.

Typically, students will:

• investigate adaptations in living things and their interactions with the environment
• add gases to their study of materials and investigate chemical changes
• investigate the solar system and the behaviour of light
• investigate volcanoes and earthquakes
• deepen their understanding of historical and cultural contributions to science
• understand how science influences community decisions.

Paula Heiniger

PBL (Positive Behaviour Learning)

What a great (different) start to Term 2 we've had with the students that are here. Students are to be congratulated for their efforts to be the best that they can be and follow our school four Be Rules – Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe and Be a Learner.

Our new buzz phrase for the next two weeks is..... I CAN, I WILL, I’LL HAVE A GO.

This means:

• I have a positive attitude towards learning
• I give my best effort when working
• I always have a go to begin and finish any work I may need to do

We look forward to introducing this to the students.

PBL Team

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.

Year 4A, & 4B

Watching New Growth

Over the last three weeks we have been investigating the life cycle and key stages of plants including growing our own grass head. We’ve been revising the characteristics of living things using MRS NERG (Movement, Respire, Stimuli, Nutrients, Excretion, Reproduce, Growth) and recording our observations.

In English we have been focusing on the persuasive language features that advertisers choose to sell a product. The students have been identifying the visual features used as well and completing oral presentations where they review the effectiveness of the cereal box advertising.

The students have been completing a still life drawing and have experimented with shading. The artwork is exquisite!

Kylie Hulm (4A), Lou Walsh & Trish Mackay (4B)

Year 5A & 5B

Space Landers Sighted In Maleny

WOW! What a crazy start to Term 2. Congratulations to all for such a great job with learning under such different circumstances.

As part of our Science studies about Space, some students have designed and created Space Landers. These space landers are handmade containers/ boxes or an alternative covering designed to protect a raw egg from breaking when dropped from the two different balconies outside 5C’s classroom. Here are a few photos of this process. Some designs were completed at home while others were done at school. Hopefully most missions were successful and the egg-stronauts survived the landing.

One student also created a model of the Solar System and installed it in their kitchen. Very creative.

Looking forward to seeing more of what the Year 5 students achieve and create during this “Home Learning” time.

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

Year 6A & 6B

Learning at Home Adventures

We are so proud of our Year 6 troops and how they have been managing their at home learning over the past few weeks! Well done to both parents/carers and students for all your hard work and efforts in this very unique and challenging time. It has been great to see the wonderful things being done at home and at school. Thank you for all the photos that have been sent in this term and we really appreciated the taste testing of some of the delicious ANZAC biscuits that made their way into our staffroom! Thank you!

Emma Back (6A) & Greg Corkin (6B)

War on Waste

A Beautiful Functional and Tidy Garden

Over the last two weeks I have been up in Rockhampton to care for my sick mother. Whilst away some little fairies came to tidy up the garden, fixing up the compost system, recycling pots to make scarecrows and completing signage in all the garden beds. What a wonderful surprise.

Special thanks to Mrs Mackay and Mr Erbacher the groundsman for the amazing transformation and to the other staff who helped out and most importantly all the Garden Club members. We have planted some broccoli and snow peas this week and have been germinating zucchini to add as well.

Lou Walsh

Enrichment Centre

Play is crucial for developing children’s communication skills. Here are 10 reasons why it is so important:

• Play lays the foundation for literacy.
• Play is learning.
• Play encourages adults to communicate with the children in their lives.
• Play gives children the chance to be spontaneous
• Play gives children choice.
• Play gives children space.
• Play gives adults the chance to learn how to play again.
• Play allows adults to learn their child’s body language.
• Play teaches adults patience and understanding.
• Play is fun.

Learning to play well, both by themselves and with others, sets children up to be contented and sociable.

Sharon Furlong (Head of Special Education Services)

Chappy News

Words of Life

Children become who you say they are. Every night before bed, it’s the custom in my house to say prayers with my children. I’ve only recently seen just how important this time is with my children. One of the many benefits during this intimate time is that I thank God for giving me children who are kind, thoughtful, considerate, helpful, loving and encouraging. One thing I have always appreciated is how powerful words are. They have the ability to tear down or build up, and as a person whose love language is words, I have seen the depth of change and repair that can be done through my words. I have also seen the destruction and pain that can come when words have been used as swords and arrows. There is a powerful teaching about the tongue and it says this: “Look at the ships. Even though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines. In the same sense, the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boast of great things.” It also talks about the tongue being like a fire that can set our whole life ablaze. The tongue holds the power of life and death and we see that explicitly in cases like Dolly and the damage of bullying. I just want to encourage you today to stop and really think about what words you are speaking not only to your children but also about yourself. Are they life giving? Are they building up or tearing down? Are they truthful and kind? This is a challenge for myself also. Tell your children they have a super power…the ability to speak life and encouragement wherever they go. Have a wonderful day.

Chappy Becky

P & C News

Next P&C Meeting

P&C Annual General Meeting, Wednesday 20th May 6.30pm. Online meeting via Skype. Please RSVP via the Secretary llorac@outlook.com.au by Monday 18th May

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. Please contact the office to confirm the open dates during this time.

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 below by 5pm Wednesday for Friday pickup or class delivery.

Community News

Please see the link below to the Maleny Sports and Rec Maleny Events Calendar

Choose how to add this event to your calendar:

Apple Calendar iPhone, iPad, Mac - Download .ics file

Outlook Desktop Outlook - Download .ics file

Android Calendar Android devices - Download .ics file

Other Calendar Google Calendar, Yahoo, etc. - Download .ics file

Download Event