30 August 2021

Newsletter Articles

Date Claimers

Principal’s Report

Early Intervention Summit

On Friday I attended an Early Intervention Summit hosted by the Sitting Room Maleny. Professor Tony Attwood, who is considered to be one of the world’s foremost experts on Autism Spectrum Disorder was the guest speaker. Tony spoke on the characteristics of autism and outlined the value of early intervention for children with ASD from infancy to age 7 years. This was an incredibly informative and engaging presentation. I congratulate Co-ordinator Kylie Gallagher (parent of our school) not only on her role as the Sitting Room Co-ordinator and drawing such a quality guest speaker, but also on her address to parents sharing her own personal experiences in which she spoke extremely positively of our school. Kylie also interviewed the Head of Clinical Services from Bush Kids Susan Harrison and myself, pictured below.

Student Council Disco this Thursday 2 August in our Hall

(Proceeds will assist fund 2022 student leaders to attend GRIP Leadership Conference)

Theme: "Glitter and Glam" or "Rock ‘n’ Roll"
Junior P-3: 5:00pm - 6:15pm
Senior 4-6: 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Students must attend the Disco of their age group and not with older or younger siblings age group.

Tuckshop available (helpers required – just drop in) Cash Only

Food must be consumed outside the hall.

Parents must collect students from inside the hall (students will not be allowed to meet parents outside the hall) and exit via the pool end exit.

Students will enter via carpark drive in entrance.

Cost $4 per student – correct change would be appreciated.

Parents wishing to stay are welcome but will be required to wear a mask indoors and register with the QLD Check in App.

Students – no mobile phones/devices or cameras.

Pupil Free Day

Please note that Friday the 3 September is a Pupil Free Day for all State Schools. Our teachers will be participating in professional development and planning activities on this day. Perfect to sleep in after a Disco!

Father’s Day Stall 2021

Father’s Day Stall this week from Tuesday 31 August to Thursday 2 September from 8:15am to 8:45am. The Father’s Day Stall will be run from the Uniform Shop. Please see P&C parent Mandy McMahon (contact the office 54998333) if you can assist during this week. A huge thank you to Mandy for coordinating this event this year. We hope that all Dads enjoy a wonderful Sunday and a small gift from our stall brings a smile to your face.

Colour Fun Run – Only 2 weeks to fundraise, register on line now.

Fantastic News - our Colour Fun Run is now on Wednesday 15 September in the last week of school, with parents welcome to attend.

Fundraising closes on Tuesday 14 September.

Prize orders commence Wednesday 15 September and run through the school holidays closing Wednesday 6 October.

Please register your child on line today to ensure this is a successful fundraising event for our school.

Student Incentive Competition concludes on Tuesday 14 September

Online Registration Prize:

• Class with highest percentage of students registered online will win Free Popcorn for all class members.

Highest amount raised Prize:

• Class with highest amount of funds raised (avg per student) and registered online by 14 September will win Ice cream Sundaes for all class members. (Free Tuckshop Pizza Lunch and a Week of no duties, redeemable Term 4 for Class Teacher)

Our target is $20 000 which we are slowly progressing towards. It was pleasing to see 60 new children sign up last week.

Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Survey

Goodstart have advised that they are in time, looking at phasing out their OSHC (Before School Care, After School Care) (this will include Vacation Care) service in time for primary school-aged children. This will not occur until a suitable alternative provider is established.

The School and the P&C Association have been approached by Goodstart Maleny with a request to transition the OSHC service to the school campus. At the last P&C meeting the principal invited the P&C to operate the OSHC on the school site which members accepted. The P&C has formally committed to investigate the processes involved in operating an OSHC service. The first stage in this process is establishing the demand for the service. The P&C have organised a survey, click on link below, that will establish how much actual demand there is for this service.

As part of our planning and preparation, the P&C needs to know how many families would be likely to regularly use this service and how often each week throughout the year. This survey has been sent to Goodstart and C&K Maleny centres as well as all Maleny SS families.

Please click on the link below to indicate if you would use this service before the survey closes on Monday 6 September.

If there is a positive demand for an OSHC the P&C will proceed in the next step of applying to run a service at our school.

THANK YOU!

Your responses will help the P&C determine the need for an OSHC program.

Maleny State High School - Enrolment

The Maleny State High School will hold a parent information session for Yr 6 parents on Tuesday afternoon. If you missed this opportunity it is essential that you complete an enrolment package, available from the Maleny State High School (we also have a number of packages available at our office). Students must have their application lodged to be available to attend the High School Transition Days.

Maleny State High School Transition Days: Transition days for 2022 Year 7s will be held during Week 8 of Term 4 (25th and 26th of November 2021). This 2-day event will be for only those students who have submitted enrolment applications prior to these days.

2022 Classes

Class Preference Forms Due in by Week 3 Term 4

Please ensure you have completed a class preference form in writing by Friday 22 October 2021 if you would like us to consider any educational reasons about the placement of your children in 2022. I remind parents that we are a relatively small school and most year levels have two full class cohorts, this does not allow for a great deal of flexibility around which class or teacher some requests may ask for. All requests on time are considered but ultimately decisions are made by the school to benefit all students rather than specific individuals. We aim for balanced classes and an incredible amount of time is put into making classes up by teachers who consider numerous factors including, academic, behaviour, social-friends, emotional, students with special needs, disabilities, physical classrooms and legitimate on time parent requests.

Sorry late requests from parents will not be able to be considered. For requests to be considered they must be lodged on time on the correct form. Any request previously submitted in a past year must be resubmitted again this year if you wish the same circumstances to be considered. Once classes are formulated changes will not be made.

Our staffing formula is based on student day 8 2022 enrolment numbers and as such it is crucial that 2022 Prep students enrol now to assist us with our class structure organisation. It is also crucial that if families are leaving next year they alert us now.

P&C Meeting – We Need You!

Our last P&C meeting for the term will be held on Wednesday 8 September. Please come along at 9:00am. Everyone’s ideas and support are welcome. Find out the latest updates on where we are at with a proposed OSHC in 2022, how our Country Fair progress is tracking and other fundraising initiatives and future planning priorities.

Register for Prep now! Don’t wait.

It is essential that parents who have not contacted the office to register their child for Prep in 2022 do so now. Please do not assume we know you are coming. Registration can be completed in a one minute phone call (Ph54998333) or an email to admin@malenyss.eq.edu.au.

Note: all students will require a birth certificate before commencing Prep in 2022. I look forward to meeting with you soon. If you know a family in the area that has a Prep eligible student for 2022 please encourage them to contact us immediately.

Prep Enrolment Interview Dates:

If you have not booked your Prep enrolment interview please do so as soon as possible.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 20 October, Thursday 21 and Friday 22 October.

Please Call 54998333 to book your 20 min interview with your child and collect enrolment forms from office or on the Web Site.

Welcome to Prep and Transition Days

Students need to be enrolled to attend our transition days on the 3, 10 and 17 of November from 9:00am to 10:00am. Parents can order uniforms for students on these days. Parents must attend these sessions unless children are coming with Good Start Centre staff.

Proposed Christmas Country Fair Class Stalls (Friday 26 Nov)

We still need parents to assist organise and run our second-hand clothing stall. Maybe that is you and one of your friends! Please let us know – 54998333.

If you can assist with donations or able to complete a shift working on the stall on the day it would be most welcomed.

Plant Stall

I am also thinking we could run a very effective plant stall. If you are into your garden and can start now to pot seedlings or re pot some plants that have 10 weeks to grow and be ready by our Country Fair, what a wonderful stall this would make. Let me or the P&C know if you would like to assist coordinate this stall.

Have a Magic week in Maleny.

John

From the Deputy Principal

Online safety basics

The digital world is an exciting world but it can also send fear through parents who are concerned about their children’s safety in such a vast ‘open’ environment. Helping your children safely navigate their digital world and educating them to avoid harmful online experiences can begin by exploring websites, games, apps and social media together and setting some rules. Your support and guidance can give your children the confidence to make sound decisions online ― and will encourage them to ask for help when they need it. Three other key strategies are:

1. Be engaged, open and supportive

• Get involved. Share online time with your children as part of family life. Play games together. Talk about favourite apps, games or websites.
• Keep lines of communication open. Ask about their online experiences, who they are talking to and whether they are having any issues.
• Reassure your child they can always come to you, no matter what. Let them know you will not cut off internet access if they report feeling uncomfortable or unsafe when online ― this is a real concern that may stop your child from communicating with you openly.
• If you notice a change in behaviour or mood, talk to your child about it. If you are concerned, consider seeking professional help ― from your GP, a psychologist or school counsellor.

2. Set some rules

• Set age-appropriate rules for devices and online access, with consequences for breaking them.
• Ensure your child’s input — this will help them understand risks. As they get older you can review your rules together. 
• Consider creating a  family tech agreement  (sometimes called a family media plan or family online safety agreement). A family tech agreement is a set of rules about how devices, like smartphones, tablets, computers, TVs and gaming consoles are used in your home. It is written down and agreed to by all family members and kept in a place where everyone can see it, such as on the fridge.
• Your family tech agreement could cover the type of websites that can be visited, time spent online and acceptable online behaviour. 
• eSafety has created our own version of a  Family Tech Agreement , in collaboration with  ABC KIDS , especially designed for families with  children under 5. You can download this and fill it in with your family. Another example, from  ThinkUKnow  Australia, can also be a good starting point for families with older children.
• The consequences for breaking the rules should be clear. Negotiate these with your child when you create your agreement so they mean something to them —  Raising Children Network  has some useful tips and advice.
• Consider making some ‘rules for parents’ too — and stick to them! Model behaviour that you would like to see.

3. Use the available technology

• Get to know the devices you and your children use and set them up for privacy and online safety. Take advantage of parental controls to monitor and control screen time and access to content in ways appropriate to your child’s age and experience. See our guide to  taming the technology.
• Choose apps and games carefully, taking age ratings and consumer advice into account. Check the App Store or Google Play, and for games, the  Australian Classification Board’s online database.  NetAware (UK)  has a comprehensive guide to popular social media apps and games. The  Australian Council on Children and the Media  and  Common Sense Media (US)  both offer information about apps, games and websites searchable by age.

For more cybersafety advice visit the eSafety Commissioner website at:

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.

SWPBL (School Wide Positive Behaviour Learning)

Be Respectful – No Put Downs!

This fortnight's Focus and Buzz Phrase is brand new: “No Put Downs!”.

This helps us to think about others and how our words and actions can make others feel. It also helps us to think about how WE can respond if someone puts us down.

In a positive way we can do these things:

• Use manners.
• Speak nicely to others.
• Care about others.
• Listen to others and accept their ideas.
• Be friendly.
• Take turns and include others.

From the PBL Team.

Physical Education

Student Spotlight

Maleny State School is a competitive and well-respected sporting school amongst our competing schools. This results in our school achieving many team and individual awards. We like to recognise young individuals who have attained a high-level sporting achievement within their chosen sports.

2021 has been another crazy year but this has not affected Conor and his sporting achievements. Conor has been extremely busy representing his school, District and Region in swimming, cross country and athletics. Age champions, firsts and representative selection have been a common occurrence for the 10yr old in his first year of eligibility for representative sport.

Recently, Conor competed at the State Cross Country trials in Ipswich after winning the school and District 2km Cross Country events. He then attended the Regional Trials in Maroochydore where he finished 6th overall and was selected in the Sunshine Coast Regional team. When he attended the State Trials, he was competing against the 60 best runners from all over Queensland. Conor ran an exceptionally good race and finished 20th overall and was the second Sunshine Coast runner to cross the line.

This is an outstanding achievement and Conor should be extremely proud of his efforts. We look forward to following Conor’s achievements in the future.

Shane Turner – PE Teacher

Prep A & Prep B

Time for a Rhyme

The preps have been very busy creating and reciting rhymes. They have been doing an awesome job of using of rhyming pairs and thinking of WOW words (adjectives) to make their rhymes more interesting.

This week they are practising how to recite their rhymes loudly and clearly using expression.

We hope you enjoy some of their work.

Charlie – There was a fox who sat in a box throwing some socks and rocks.

Indi - There was a snake who liked strawberry cake on a rake near the lake.

Van – There was a dog who sat on a log and saw some grey fog while playing with a rusty cog.

Julian – There was a fox looking at some really amazing socks.

Indigo – There was a naughty cat. He liked to sit on a fancy mat and he liked to put on a skinny hat.

Gabe – There was a whale delivering mail.

HASS learning

This week the children made models and maps of their bedrooms. They had to think about what features they have in their bedrooms and where they are located. Next, they will make models and maps of the Prep area and classrooms.

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

Year 1A & 1B

Incursion instead of Excursion

Thanks to the ongoing events in the world around us, Year 1 has enjoyed a lovely ‘incursion’ to our chook pen and rain forest area for Science to look for Natural, Managed and Constructed environments. In these times, as much as Mary Cairncross Park would have been amazing it is also wonderful that our beautiful school also has these areas that we can use to explore the curriculum for our kids.

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

Year 2A & 2B

Welcome to Year 2

Once again a busy and successful few weeks in Year 2. We have had some really amazing procedures created for our English Unit. We are sure George’s Grandma will enjoy the many food and clothing items our students have created. Students have begun using computer software to develop their work and all are coming along well, being able to use word processing and inserting pictures.

We are heading into assessment time so look forward to 100% attendance so students are not catching up towards the end of the term. Hats are still required everyday.

In Math we are looking at calendar and measurement. Students are just completing their number and fraction assessment. In Science our mealworms and silkworms are going very well and students have been enjoying watching their transformations. Students have worked well to grow our seedlings and write their observations – well done.

Our Fun Run is coming up very soon and we are asking that all students register online so we are able to raise vital funds to help with resources in our school. Thank you to those who have registered so far.

We look forward to a busy and productive few weeks ahead.

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

Year 3A & 3B

Hello from Year 3

The students have been working with enthusiasm since returning from lockdown and we have now commenced some of our Term 3 assessment tasks. We are presently enjoying our HASS Unit which encompasses mapping and Australia’s interaction with our neighbouring countries.

Dates to remember: Don’t forget to register online for the Colour Fun Run being held on Wednesday, 15 September. Other important dates are Father’s Day stall this week before school on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at the uniform shop. We welcome any donations. The disco is Thursday, 2 September at 5.00pm. Remember that Friday, 3 September is Pupil Free Day.

I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Mrs. Jan Gray who will be teaching 3A while I am on Long Service Leave commencing 30 August for 3 weeks. I know that 3A students will display their best manners and work collaboratively with Mrs. Gray. To all our parents, carers and students enjoy your holidays in three weeks' time. Ms. Chandler and I look forward to our final term on my return.

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

Students of the Week: Week 6

P & C News

Our last P&C meeting for the term will be held on Wednesday 8 September. Please come along at 9:00am everyone’s ideas and support are welcome. Find out the latest updates on where we are at with a proposed OSHC in 2022, how our Country Fair progress is tracking and other fundraising initiatives and future planning priorities.

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, uniforms can be purchased via the P&C online store.

Flexischool ordering is now only available for Tuckshop.

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

Chappy News

Mental Health

In these testing times, I want to ask the question, how are you...really and truthfully? It’s so easy to give a rehearsed and ‘automated’ response when someone asks that, “Yeah good thanks,” but is it really the truth. I have been seeing more than ever, the absolute need for connection and community. With all the restrictions and uncertainty, we can be left feeling very lost and lacking any source of peace in our lives. We can often feel isolated and lonely – feelings that I would imagine most of us are struggling with at times. I just want to encourage you to talk. Talk to someone who is an encourager and a listener. Focus on the positive things and if that means turning off the news then do it. (It will all be there tomorrow). Give yourself a mental holiday. Pick up a good book. Watch an uplifting movie. Pick up the phone and encourage someone you know who lives by themselves. Invite someone for dinner. Play a boardgame with your children. Kick the ball and run around outside. Don’t forget to be grateful. Write a list of things you are grateful for and stick it on the fridge or the back of the toilet door. Focus your attention on the things that lift your spirits. And if you ever want to talk, please know that I am here anytime.

Breakfast Club

Monday and Wednesdays (if no restrictions). Parents are welcome to come over to the Tuckshop and meet some friends from 8am. See you on Wednesday!

Chappy Becky

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

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

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

Landsborough Cricket Club wants you!!

Registration now open. To register click the link below:

Choose how to add this event to your calendar:

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