2 February 2021

Newsletter Articles

Date Claimers

Timetable for Maleny State School Swimming Program for Term 1, Weeks 2 - 9

Principal’s Report

Welcome Back

Welcome back to what has been a very positive and smooth start to the year. A special welcome to our 49 new Prep families and 35 additional students that are new to our school this year. We are very happy to be able to welcome parents into our school and can feel the new energy and vibe created by this.

I congratulate all of our staff who have worked incredibly hard over the last few weeks in creating a supportive learning environment for all students and setting high expectations by embedding school / classroom rules and routines.

Prep Welcome

This Friday 5 February a special welcome afternoon tea for our new Preppies and their families will be held in the Prep area at 2:00pm. Many thanks to our P&C for catering for this event, we hope all families can stay and meet other parents while students play together.

Assemblies

Face to face assemblies with all classes (Prep will commence in week 4) will be held fortnightly commencing this Wednesday at 2:15pm in the Hall. Parents are welcome to attend and will need to socially distance. Students will be released by teachers after assembly in the normal manner. Prep parents will be required to collect students from the Hall at approximately 2:45pm.

Maleny SS School Values

• High Expectations
• A Supportive Learning Culture
• Being a Reflective Life Long Learner

Each year our teachers commence the year by embedding our school values into everything they do. Setting high expectations for students with rules, routines, behaviours, uniforms and learning outcomes. We also realise the importance of creating strong positive relationships with students and families to ensure we create a supportive learning culture in which our students can thrive. By teaching children how to learn we aim to mould students into becoming reflective lifelong learners.

Prep Parents Workshop – “Helping your Child with Reading and Writing at Home!”

Prep parents and other interested parents are invited to attend a workshop this Wednesday 3 February at 9:00 am to look at how Prep students learn to read, how we teach them to read at school and how parents can best support their children at home. Paula Heiniger our Deputy Principal will be presenting this workshop, please contact her if you would like any further information.

Maleny State School Volunteer’s Induction

Maleny State School has always had a significant number of volunteers who assist our staff and students with teaching and learning. We greatly appreciate the support and assistance provided by our amazing volunteers.

We would like to invite anyone interested in volunteering at Maleny State School in 2021 to a “Volunteer’s Induction and Morning Tea”. The volunteers program includes people working in classrooms, assisting with supervising during swimming lessons, assisting in the Innovation Centre and many other roles.

When: Thursday 11 February at 9.00am
Where: The meeting room of the Innovation Centre.
What: The induction session will cover the Mandatory Training requirements and the Student Protection Training.

If you are unavailable to attend this session and would still like to volunteer at the school we can provide you with the necessary policy information to read over and sign. The documentation is required to be completed prior to commencing volunteering.

If you have any queries please contact Maleny State School on 5499 8333.

Swimming Carnival (9yrs-12yrs)

Our 2021 Swimming Carnival will be held next Wednesday 10 February commencing at 9:00 am. Students should ensure they wear their Sports House shirts to promote their team. Please reinforce with your children, before they leave home, the importance of reapplying sunscreen throughout the day and drinking lots of water. Please note only Year 3 students turning 9 this year will participate in the carnival. We ask for your cooperation in limiting the number of family members attending as we have a reduced spectator capacity due to Covid regulations. Parents will have access to one side of the pool and students the opposite side. Socially distanced seating will be provided for parents.

Our school plan for parents and visitors to ensure COVID safety for all includes the following:

• Keep your distance – maintain physical distancing (1.5m) when at school. Parents should avoid congregating in groups on the school site, in carparks or around the school.
• Wear a mask – when you can’t socially distance, as per Queensland Health advice it recommended that you wear a face mask. When entering the school, consider having a mask with you, just in case.
• Good hand hygiene – sounds simple, but washing your hands properly is important. Wash your hands with soap regularly and try not to touch your face. Use hand sanitiser if you can’t wash your hands.
• Stay home when sick – it remains important to get tested and stay home until you receive the results. Isolate yourself at home and protect your family and others.
• Register your attendance in advance – for contract tracing purposes (should this be necessary in future).

I thank all parents in advance, for your cooperation in keeping our school community safe.

The District Swimming Carnival will be held at Beerwah on Wednesday 17 February. Selected students will be given information regarding this event.

Reminder: Slow down in 40km/h school zones

Police across the Sunshine Coast District are urging all motorists to take extra care, slow down and be on the lookout for pedestrians near schools. The school zone speed limit is designed to ensure motorists have a greater chance to react if something unexpected happens.

Children can be impulsive, unpredictable and inexperienced, which is why motorists need to exercise caution in the vicinity of a school.

Speeding through school zones greatly increases the risk to pedestrians as the faster a vehicle is travelling, the longer it takes to stop and the greater the severity of impact.

For further information on school zones, visit the link below.

Parent Teacher Interviews (Years 1- 6)

Each year we have 2 formal occasions where parents sit one on one with their child’s teacher and discuss their child and the progress they are making. Please go on line and book your time slot. If you do not have internet access please call the office who will be able to assist you.

Interview One (Years 1-6)

The first opportunity will be in Week 4 Term 1 to open communication channels between teachers and parents and allow a positive relationship to be developed. On this occasion parents will do the majority of the talking, informing the teacher about your child and how they learn best (e.g. what they are good at, interests, motivators, special needs or considerations, medical issues, social abilities, academic challenges, behaviour). Teachers will be able to briefly communicate how your child is settling in and inform you if there are any early concerns noted. Prep parents have their parent teacher interviews in Weeks 1 and 2 of Term 1.

Interview Two

These interviews (Prep – Yr6) will be held late in Term 2. On this occasion teachers will do the majority of talking, giving parents more detailed and explicit information around how your child is progressing academically, behaviourally and socially at school. You will also receive your child’s Semester One Report around this time.

Please note parents are welcome to meet with your child’s teacher at any stage throughout the year, please ensure you make an appointment with the teacher to enable this to be a productive meeting.

Email- Ensure you have your teacher’s email address and they have yours to further facilitate parent / teacher communication.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

This week’s Rule: Be Respectful
Our Buzz Phrase: First Time Every Time (Parents love this one, use it at home to reward behaviour when it occurs and you will see more of the desired behaviour displayed.)

Our school is a Positive Behaviour for Learning School. This means we teach our children what our rules and routines expectations are and reward them for meeting or exceeding these expectations. An important element is making clear what our expectations are. For this reason, I have outlined some of our before and after school expectations below.

Before School Routines

Note supervision is only provided from 8:30am onwards, students are encouraged not to attend before this time.

• Arrive at school from 8:30 onwards (Preps go straight to classrooms)
• Students may go to the Innovation centre and borrow a library book
• Sit in year level area until the first bell goes
• After the first bell at 8:30 students may play handball on courts in year level area only
• Running or hanging around toilet areas is not permitted
• When second bell goes students line up for class or move directly to classrooms

After School Routines

Walking or Riding

After students are released from school they should promptly head directly home.

Bikes are to be kept in bike racks and scooters in the lock up area near the staff room.

Students, for safety reasons, should wear a helmet and must dismount inside the school grounds, footpath and when using the crossing.

It is important students are respectful of all other footpath users.

Smile and acknowledge our Lollipop Lady /Man (It’s Free).

Students waiting for parents in cars (arriving at 2:50)

Students are to wait quietly along the Prep fence or behind the Pedestrian Crossing area on the school side only, not on the fence across the road. Parents can park on this side of the road and students can then cross and meet them when they arrive. (This is for their safety and a courtesy to our neighbours.) If parents are ever later than the time Lollipop workers have finished, children must move to the office, call home and wait there safely.

Waiting for High School Siblings

All students waiting for older siblings need to wait in the supervised area under B Block with bus students. Staff will escort them out on time to meet siblings.

No students are to wait on the other side of the road near the crossing.

Bus departures

2:50pm Buses

Students move promptly to the footpath and wait along the fence in front of the appropriate bus and wait for the Bus driver to load students. Prep and Year 1 students are collected by school staff from their class and directed to the correct areas until they board their bus.

Students need to ensure they are not waiting on the walkway as this impedes pedestrian traffic.

Once loaded, students must remain seated at all times and talk quietly.

Students must follow the QLD Transport Code of Conduct. I spoke with all bus students in Week 1 in relation to the Code of Conduct for Students on buses and have emailed all parents this information. Bus drivers will enforce this policy.

3:05pm Buses

Students move directly under B Block at 2:50pm and wait quietly in bus lines.

Staff will take students and load them on to buses just after 3:00. This coincides with the time High School students start to walk past our school.

GoodStart – After School Care

Students attending afterschool care must sit and wait quietly under B Block where they will be collected by GoodStart staff and transported by mini bus to Goodstart.

After School Drop off / Pick up Zone 2:50 (to the right of pedestrian crossing school side)

Students wait quietly next to the Prep school fence until parents arrive, NOT across the road.

Students load quickly when parents arrive.

Students need to ensure they are not waiting on the walkway as this impedes pedestrian traffic.

If parents have not arrived before Lollipop workers have finished, students move to the office and wait to be collected.

This is not an area to park and leave the car.

P&C Christmas Raffle Winners

Our first meeting for the year will be held on Wednesday 10 February at 6:30pm in the Innovation Centre (library). Please join us, new faces are always welcome.

Fiona Maclean collecting her raffle prize above and Zoltan Bourne P&C Vice President presents Heather Bennetts with her raffle prize.

P&C Christmas Raffle Winners:

Draw 1: Heather Bennetts
Draw 2: Fiona Maclean
Draw 3: Sharon Schofield
Draw 4: Catherine Millett

After minimal costs, the final profit to the P&C was $4,188.02 for disbursement to the School for Home Readers and Garden Club enhancements. There will be a discussion point at the upcoming P&C General Meeting with a motion to disburse these funds immediately thereafter. As a parent you are welcome to be a part of this discussion.

Tickets sold:

Draw 1: 311
Draw 2: 214
Draw 3: 505
Draw 4: 283
Total: 1,313

We are extremely grateful to our P&C for the organisation of this raffle and to our community for their generous donation of prizes.

Have a Magic week in Maleny.
John

From the Deputy Principal

2021 Our Priority is English!

Every year we have a focus. This year we will be focussing on English and the precision of teaching English. The rationale for teaching English in the Australian Curriculum states that ‘The study of English is central to the learning and development of all young Australians. It helps create confident communicators, imaginative thinkers and informed citizens. It is through the study of English that individuals learn to analyse, understand, communicate and build relationships with others and with the world around them. The study of English plays a key role in the development of reading and literacy skills which help young people develop the knowledge and skills needed for education, training and the workplace. It helps them become ethical, thoughtful, informed and active members of society. In this light, it is clear that the Australian Curriculum: English plays an important part in developing the understanding, attitudes and capabilities of those who will take responsibility for Australia’s future.

Australia is a linguistically and culturally diverse country, with participation in many aspects of Australian life dependent on effective communication in Standard Australian English. In addition, proficiency in English is invaluable globally. The Australian Curriculum: English contributes to nation-building and to internationalisation.

The Australian Curriculum: English also helps students to engage imaginatively and critically with literature to expand the scope of their experience. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have contributed to Australian society and to its contemporary literature and its literary heritage through their distinctive ways of representing and communicating knowledge, traditions and experience. The Australian Curriculum: English values, respects and explores this contribution. It also emphasises Australia’s links to Asia.’

Paula Heiniger
Deputy Principal

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.

PBL (Positive Behaviour for Learning)

What is PBL (Positive Behaviour for Learning)

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is a whole-school approach to creating a safe and supportive environment that has a strong evidence-base and is used in many Queensland State Schools. It uses preventative, teaching and reinforcement-based strategies to achieve meaningful and durable behaviour outcomes.

Why is PBL important at Maleny State School?

• Increase teaching time and improve academic outcomes.
• Reduce rates of problem behaviour across the school.
• Positive public profile of the school with parents and community.
• Keep the school's Student Code of Conduct updated, relevant and ensure consistent management of problem behaviours.
• Improve the way problem behaviour is being managed.
• Improve the positive feeling tone (climate) of the school and classrooms.
• Meaningful and durable behaviour outcomes.

Key features and processes of PBL at Maleny State School?

• Matrix- expected behaviours separated into the 4 Be rules across various settings (behaviours are stated in a positive way- Not “Don’t…”)

• 4 Be Logo- incorporates the 4 Be Rules

• Behaviour Ladder- to track student behaviour across the day to assist students to self-monitor their own behaviour and encourage them to make good choices.

• 4 Be Cards (small logo cards) – given to students by staff in recognition for following the 4 Be rules. These are then exchanged for a stamp on their “Hive Prize” tracking sheet

PBL Team

Year 4A & 4B

A Great Start to the Year!

It has been wonderful getting to know all the children last week. We have been busy writing about ourselves and completing portraits for our Welcome Wall.

This term we will be focusing on writing a new chapter for a narrative. The children will be reading The Twits by Roald Dahl. We discovered today that Mr and Mrs Twit are quite horrid and hideous. We have started recording adjectives and listing them as a cline showing how words that are similar can have more intensity (Eg. mean, nasty, horrible, despicable, hideous). We used drama to take on the role of different characters so we could hear different perspectives)

The children have also been fascinated with our very big map of the world and are learning to say hello from many countries. Next week the children will survey their families to find out where our ancestors are from and then they will locate the country on the map.

Kerry Lees (4A), Lou Walsh & Trish Mackay (4B)

Year 4/5C

New Classroom

To start the 2021 year, we were lucky enough to have a newly renovated classroom to set up. In this first term we will work hard to make it our very own. It is a huge space with clean white walls, timber look vinyl and blue carpet. The most impressive part is the teaching wall which has lots of storage cupboards, a sliding whiteboard that hides a large TV screen in a cavity. There are still a few things that need to be finished off but we are really excited about our beautiful new learning space and can’t wait to see what happens to the computer lab at the other end of our block. Thanks to Liam (Year 5) for taking the photos.

This term

As we are a composite class we will do some things the same as the other Year 4 and 5 classes but we will also be doing some things a little differently. This term in English we will be reading a David Walliams book called “Fing” and writing a new chapter for it. In Science we have started looking at animals and how they are classified. The Year 4 students will be writing an information report about an endangered animal and various facts about its survival (life cycle, predators and threats), while the Year 5 students will create their own fictional creature which has various adaptations (behavioural and structural) that enable it to survive in a specific habitat.

Deb Darcy (4/5C)

Year 5A & 5B

This Term

We are so excited to be back at school! What a great start to the year. 5B has been eagerly moving into their new teaching space – freshly renovated over the school break. This Term in English we will be diving into the Emily Rodda Series – reading book 1 – The Forests of Silence. We will do our best to write a chapter inspired by this novel. In Science we will be investigating the Biological side of the animal world by creating our own fictional creature which has various adaptations (behavioural and structural) that enable it to survive in a specific habitat. We welcomed some wonderful new students to our Year 5 group and can’t wait to get to know our new classmates this year.

Eric Faulkner (5A), Caroline Hartley (5B) & Tammalee Johnston (5B)

War on Waste

Lily is our new Sustainability Leader for 2021.

We welcome Lily this year, who will take over the leadership role of running the Garden Club with Hazel who has been an outstanding leader for the past four years.

The two girls will be planning different activities and will be addressing the students on parade to keep them up-to-date with fund raising and educating the entire school on using our five bins appropriately. They will also be sharing our garden news with families and the community in our Familygram and School Facebook page.

Hazel enjoyed taste testing the peppers on the bush which were like capsicum.

4B spent some time in the garden last week looking at different plants, meeting the native bees and enjoying the smells of a variety of herbs. They picked different types of kale and were lucky to learn a new recipe. The kale chips were a big hit!

Next week we will be planting out new seedlings and mulching.

Kind Regards
Lou Walsh

Chappy News

IDENTIFYING VALUES

Welcome back everyone! It’s so lovely to wander around the school and see so many familiar faces and so many new faces! I don’t know how everyone else felt, but getting back into routine and especially getting up early was not easy. This holiday has been very family focused and simple. I felt after the year we have just experienced, investing in family and valuing those closest to us was of the upmost importance. If there was anything that I felt more strongly about at the end of 2020, was the priority of relationships with those in our inner circle. I know in my own life I have been guilty of neglecting the people closest to me, by having wrong priorities and not being able to say ‘No.’ As I went into the holidays, I saw more clearly than ever, the importance of loving and valuing our families and when I say this, I mean being intentional in how I love my family. Over the course of this time, I strived to identify specific values that I recognised in my husband and in my children, and I went out of my way to tell them the things that I appreciated. What a difference it makes when we encourage values that we see in our relationships. The truth is that we become what we are told we are or what we tell ourselves that we are. So this year, I encourage you to look for the values in your children and don’t forget to tell yourself the values you recognise in yourself. Have a wonderful first week.

Mentoring

I am looking for people who have a spare hour to invest in making a change in a child’s life. If you love children and feel you have something to offer a child at Maleny, please come to the MENTOR TRAINING DAY on the 9th February at 9am to learn more about this valuable program in the school. Please contact me through the office from Monday to Wednesday if you would like to learn more.

Chappy Becky

P & C News

Next P&C Meeting

10 February @ 6.30 in the Innovation Centre.

From Our Tuckshop

The Tuckshop is open three day 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 the link below:

Uniform Shop

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.

Helpers Needed

We are in need of some extra helpers in our uniform shop. If you have one hour per month or even one hour a term that you may be able to help us out, 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

School Hats

Due to a price increase, new school logo hats are now $20 each.

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.

Community News

P&C’s Qld - Click through to view their most recent editions of Parent Talk

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