8 December 2020

Newsletter Articles

Date Claimers

Principal’s Report

A Year to Remember

There are so many reasons to remember 2020 and areas to celebrate. The positivity, flexibility and innovation that teachers, parents, students and our P&C have shown in so many areas of our school has been amazing this year. It has also been very evident in our local community and State. Change is often a very hard concept for people to take on and for an organisation to implement. I have been so proud of our staff especially in their resilience, supportive nature and willingness to learn new technologies in a very short time frame to support the learning of our community’s most prized asset, our children.

Systems and organisation of events has had to be reorganised, often in the blink of an eye, and they have been done extremely efficiently and without fuss. We have greatly missed our regular interaction with our parent and volunteer body and I thank them all for their understanding and compliance to the many new ways we must currently operate.

Our school’s 2020 focus area of Writing has been incredibly successful with students positively engaging and producing some outstanding writing from Yrs Prep to 6 which has been led by staff in daily writing sessions with children. Congratulations to all our students who were successful in the Sunshine Coast University run Rotary Writing Competition earlier in the year. Our students have kept pace with their learning in all academic areas this year and have produced some outstanding results that would be the envy of many schools. 2021 will see a continuation of our explicit teaching systems and methods with a focus on the precision of our pedagogical implementation.

Student behaviour throughout the school this year has been simply outstanding and the best I have witnessed in my time at Maleny since arriving in 2012. Our school leaders and senior students have been excellent role models and I thank them along with all students for helping to create such a supportive environment and upholding our school’s high expectations. Our staff and Positive Behaviour Learning (PBL) Team are to be congratulated on some new initiatives introduced this year after some genuine student / parent consultation.

Our P&C has had limited opportunities to fundraise this year yet have raised the highest amount ever with our Colour Fun Run event and have introduced our very first online Christmas Raffle. Even more pleasing for me are the strengthening of relationships that our school is forging with our local businesses which has being driven by our very hard-working P&C. Our goal in 2021 will be to reach out and increase our P&C membership by engaging and welcoming more members of our school and wider community.

Year 6 Graduation and Farewell

Our special Graduation Ceremony for Year 6 students is on this Tuesday beginning at 9:30am.

Our Year 6 Graduation Dinner (students only) is at the Maleny RSL Tuesday evening.

It is always a proud moment to farewell our Year 6 students. I wish all of our students the best at High School and for the future. We will also sadly miss many of our Year 6 Mums and Dads, Grandparents and Guardians who have over the last six or more years have been a great asset to our school in many different capacities. Thank you also to our School Leaders, Sports Captains, Music Captains and Student Council representatives for showing such initiative and enthusiasm in their roles within the school this year.

Thank You to our Volunteers

We have numerous volunteers who assist in the important areas such as reading, swimming, tuckshop, LAP (Learning Assistance Program) tutoring, arts, classroom help, religious education, excursions, P&C activities, sporting teams, mentoring and a host of other activities on a daily basis.

This year we were unable to hold a thank you morning tea but we did send our appreciation in the form of a card with a heartfelt thank you from staff and students. A huge thank you to Trish McKay who coordinated this activity.

Anyone interested in becoming a much-valued volunteer in 2021, can contact the school on 54998333.

Class Formation 2021

One of our most important and difficult tasks at this time of year, is devising our school’s class structure and staffing for 2021. The reason it is difficult is due to the fact of uncertainty around exact enrolments. New families are still enrolling in all grades at our school (and will continue to do so until the start of next year) and some families depending on employment and sale of properties etc. may be leaving us. Our school is staffed on a set allocation according to student enrolment numbers calculated on day 8 of 2021. Hence estimates and predictions need to be made now for organisational purposes to commence the year but may need to be adjusted next year. Ideally, we aim to put a structure in place that will remain the same over the Christmas break. It is for this reason that we hold off as long as possible in releasing our 2021 class structure. On Monday we informed students of their classes for 2021, this often helps to reduce student anxiety over the holidays. Teachers have spent a considerable amount of time making sure that these classes are composed with a balance of factors in mind, including parent preferences. There are many variables involved and the change of just one student can have a domino effect that affects other students and the balance of the class. Now that classes are formed, there will be no room for changes to be made. Please respect this process. As parents the best skill we can assist our children to develop is resilience, which means facing issues rather than avoiding them.

Congratulations Year 5 Campers

Our Year 5’s had a wonderful time at Mapleton Camp last week and Facebook photos are the proof of the fun that was had. I congratulate them for receiving some wonderful praise from both Maleny staff and Camp staff on their conduct and behaviour.

2021 Welcome Back to School

School commences on Wednesday 27 January 2021 at 8:50am. Please ensure your children have their required equipment from their appropriate book list and the correct uniform to ensure they enjoy a successful start to the year.

Attendance

Children are expected to attend every day this week including Wednesday. Please ensure you call the absentee line if your children are away, especially Wednesday this week. As the additional work caused by parents that do not do so puts incredible pressure on Desley in the office at a very busy time of year.

Black Shoes – White Socks

Please ensure your children help to make our school look and feel great in 2021. It is an expectation EVERY STUDENT in every year level will have BLACK SHOES (joggers) and WHITE SOCKS to commence the year. Navy shorts/skirt/skorts not denim pants or jeans.

We want your old Uniforms, Hats and Black Shoes

If your child is leaving this year or has grown out of their school, sports shirt, hat, shoes, jumper etc. and they are in good condition please consider donating them back to the school. Please drop cleaned uniforms at the office. These will assist some of our families greatly and also assist us to ensure everyone has access to a school uniform.

Uniform Shop 2021 Opening Times - (Week before school starts.)

The uniform shop hours for the holidays are:

• Monday 18 January: 8:00am – 9:30am
• Wednesday 20 January: 8:00am – 9:30am
• Friday 22 January 8:00am – 9:30am

Volunteers are required to assist sell uniforms, please leave a message for Corinne (at the office) who is organising helpers for these days.

Remember all helpers are volunteers giving up their holiday time to assist families get organised for the start of the year so please show them your appreciation. I very much appreciate their extra efforts at busy times of the year to accommodate our new and existing families. Please show your appreciation with a smile and a thank you.

Tuckshop 2021

Once again, tuckshop will open 3 days from start of Term 1 next year – Tuesday/Thursday/Friday.

This means Tuckshop will NOT be available on Wednesday the first day of Term.

If you can volunteer next year please see the office or get in touch with our convenor Gunnar.

School Reports

Parents will be emailed students Semester Two Report Cards this week. Please discuss your child’s progress with them and seek any clarification if required with your child’s teacher. Remember a ‘C’ academic rating means your child is achieving the outcomes expected of a child at their year level. The majority of children will generally fall within this rating.

2021 Booklists

Students will bring home a hard copy of their 2021 booklist on Monday. If this gets misplaced in the new year you will find all 2021 booklists on our School Web page.

P & C Thank you,

Thank you to our P&C who have been truly innovative and have contributed so much to our school this year. A special thanks to our P&C executive who have continually sacrificed their time to ensure our school is forever improving and our students gain the benefits. Thank you also for the tremendous work done by our tuckshop convenors, uniform shop, Mother’s and Father’s Day Stall, Shopping Bags, Colour Fun Run, and our behind the scenes busy Book Club coordinator. A huge thank you to those parents who are leaving us this year and have been great supporters of our P&C over many years.

School commences on Wednesday 27 January 2021.

A Wonderful Maleny Team

As this is the last Newsletter for the Term, I would like to acknowledge and extend my sincere thanks to the great school team of staff behind me. This is my eighth year at the school and I am excited that each year we have strived to make it better than the year before. Thank you to all staff for your flexibility and resilience in such a challenging year. We have had a tremendous 2020 and produced some amazing outcomes, thank you for the positive contributions you have made to our school and to each and every student every day.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Enjoy the festive season with your family and have a safe and relaxing break. I look forward to seeing everyone in the New Year. Thank you for keeping an eye on our school over the holidays by reporting any suspicious activity on 131788.

John

From the Deputy Principal

Quick and Simple ideas over the Holiday Break

1. Label: Come up with some little poems or thoughts that can be added to the tags of presents, so much more can be said than just having - to and from. These can also be decorated and embossed in so many different ways to make them beautiful and individual.
2. Put on a Talent Show: This is an activity with so many possibilities! And it's great for all ages, children can write their program outline and performance scripts and put on a show for any member of the family over the holiday break.
3. Bake: From toddlers to teenagers, kids love the mixing and the measuring—this is a wonderful activity that develops so many skills, the baked items can also be used for homemade gifts.
4. Read: At this time of the year there are so many new books available for children to read, they can be given to children as presents that will keep on giving or go to a public library to borrow out some books. Public libraries always have holiday programs for children to enjoy.
5. Write: Buy or hand-make a beautiful journal and get children to write in it, they can also add photos of their experiences over the holidays.
6. Give: Christmas cards are still a wonderful way for children to get involved in writing, the personal messages will be treasured by those who receive the card, particularly if the card has been hand-made as well.

Best wishes for the Holiday Season!

On a final note for 2020, have a wonderful break with your family and enjoy the little things, as ‘it’s the little things that make life big!’ I look forward to seeing you all again next year in 2021!

Paula Heiniger – Deputy Principal

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.

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.

Innovation Centre News

A big thankyou to all students for returning their library books. If you do find any over the holidays, please put them aside to bring back in the New Year.

Adrian Greig- Innovation Teacher

SWPBL (School Wide Positive Behaviour Learning)

SWPBS- Fortnightly Focus Rules Be Respectful.

This Fortnights Rule Be Responsible

BUZZ Phrase Make Good Choices

• I think before I do something
• I can be trusted when the teacher is not looking
• I act appropriately when asked to help
• I follow all the rules especially when in or near toilets
• Before and after school
• Online
• In the words I use
• In how I react to others when things go wrong.
• If I hurt someone how I fix things
• I am honest

Have a great holiday.

PBL TEAM

Prep A & Prep B

End of Year News

The Preps have been busy preparing for Year One. The lovely Year One teachers, Mrs J and Mrs D came to visit the Prep classrooms and answered our huge list of questions. Later in the week, the children visited both classrooms to see the Year Ones at work.

A highlight has been learning the rules of the Junior playground. Initially, Prep A and Prep B explored the new playground together before playing and eating with the Year One and Two children.

Thank you all for a wonderful year. We appreciate your support and understanding.

Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday.

Mandy Bauer (Prep A) & Lindy Hicks (Prep B)

Year 1A & 1B

Joke Show

To complement our recent design technology unit where the students made puppets, students have been learning jokes to tell with their puppets. 1A and 1B will hold a combined joke show to celebrate the end of the year in the hall on Friday (without their puppets!). The joke show will be a little like a comedy club “open mic night” and the kids are very much looking forward to the celebration as are we.

Thank you

For a wonderful year with your children to all of our class helpers we appreciate you! We have enjoyed every moment with them and wish them all the very best in the future.

Jo Dykes (1A) and Jenny Jenkinson (1B)

Year 2A & 2B

Farewell Year 2A

What an amazing and unpredictable year it has been. It has been a privilege to have taught your children this year. I am so proud of their achievements and their ability to work at their best level always. I wish them a safe and happy holiday and look forward to seeing them around school next year, also wishing all the best to those who are leaving the school. I will have fond memories of our 2020. - Mrs Anthony.

Farewell Year 2B

Thank you for a great year. We wish you all the very best for the New Year. Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy the school holiday break. Libby Ferguson

Sarsha Anthony, Hayley Chamberlain (2A) & Libby Ferguson (2B)

Year 3A & 3B

Last Newsletter

It’s hard to believe that we’ve finally arrived at the end of the school year and what an unbelievable year it has been, certainly unlike any other. We’ve all faced unique challenges and discovered many positive attributes about ourselves. The students emerged stronger and more confident and arrived back at school enthusiastic to continue their learning. Both Ms Chandler and I are amazed at their resilience and we are very proud of them. I know that our students are ready to move forward with their learning and we hope that we have instilled positive lifelong habits to foster success in the future. May we take this opportunity to thank you all for your support throughout the year. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your children’s journey. It has been a privilege.

As we are still observing some Covid restrictions at school we are not sharing food for our last day on Wednesday. We have asked the children to bring along a special picnic lunch for themselves (this can include some treats) and we are hoping, weather permitting to sit out under the trees. The children are allowed to wear free dress but clothing needs to be sun smart which includes a hat.

May we wish you all a safe and happy holiday and look forward to seeing some of you around the school community next year.

Best Regards,

Kathryn Brown (3A) & Shelly Chandler (3B)

Students of the Week: Week 7

Students of the Week: Week 8

P & C News

Please go online and purchase some tickets in our very first online raffle. Over $16,000 in cash, gift cards and prizes have been donated from our local businesses. There are four separate prize draws.

Help us raise much-needed funds for new home reading and library books for our kids in Prep to Year 2 and for extending our Kitchen Garden! Tickets start at $5 - Drawn on 24/12/2020.

We are hoping everyone with an online presence can spread the word and the link to help broaden our purchasing audience further than just our local community.

Click to purchase a ticket.

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 8:30-9:00am 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 9.00am. 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.

Chappy News

Distractions

I’ve been thinking recently about how distracted I have been and how most people I speak to relate to this topic. Living in such a fast-paced society, we are constantly bombarded by one thing after another. Whether its distractions on the road while I am driving, adverts on TV, drama unfolding in our lives or family, events and things to do, at times it seems never ending. In all of this, I have recognised how damaging these distractions can be if we let them. I know that often these distractions can come when I am doing something that is really important and I lose my train of thought or forget entirely what I was doing! Often I am thinking of something very meaningful and then…where was I?...oh yeah…that’s right! Distractions!

In all of this, I have been reminding myself – ONCE AGAIN to slow down. Make the choice to walk slower, drive a bit slower, read slower (just to name a few) and maintain a steadier and more balanced pace. I know that when I do this, I am a much happier person to be around.

After the storm we had the other afternoon, I was focused on charging out to check the water tanks, but instead, I found myself looking up and taking in the beauty of the sky in all its aftermath. I slowed down and smelt the grass and the smell of wet soil. I looked and saw the dew on the flowers and fruit in the garden. I noticed the cool breeze on my face and in the end, the last thing on my mind was how high my tanks were.

So I encourage you – don’t become distracted by the unimportant things of life. Give your focus, time and attention to the things that really count. Have a great week.

Chappy Becky

Community News

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