Newsletter Week 10 - Beachmere State School

Around the Classroom
Business Service Manager News
Dates to Remember
P&C
Community News
Principal's Message
Welcome everyone to the final newsletter for Term 1 2015. It has been a huge term and a productive start to the
year. With all the activity at Beachmere State School this year, it is timely that we thank all the staff, parents,
carers, P&C representatives and volunteers for all their dedication and commitment to the children at our school.
This term has seen many staff changes. We have had two new Prep Teachers, two returning Class Teachers,
two new Specialist Teachers for Music and PE, three new Special Education Teachers, and two new Special
Education Teacher Aides. This change has presented our school with some challenges, but also some exciting
opportunities for building a strong team with positive energy. We have a talented staff team that are ready for the
job of improving learning outcomes for the students at Beachmere State School.
I can confirm that Mrs Fay Bond will extend her leave for next term until 19th June and I will
continue in the
Acting Principal role, with Mrs Anna Bailas filling the Acting Deputy Principal role. We wish Mrs Bond all the best
at this time. Our thoughts are with her. I would like to thank Mrs Bailas for the amazing work that she has done in
the second half of the term to support a seamless transition of school leadership. Mrs Bailas has maintained a
strong focus on students, teachers and families.
Mrs Karen Jubb will step into the Coaching role for next term to support great teaching practice
across the school. Ms Kirra Gam will fill the role of Class Teacher for 1J for next term.
We welcome Ms Gam to our school and to the great Beachmere State School staffing team.
We also congratulate Mrs Kerrie Kerr on her extension next term as the Business Services Manager in Mrs Di
Carpenter’s absence. Thank you to Ms Kerr for the amazing work she does at our school.
Thank you to Mrs Sharon Beattie for doing a great job and stepping in as the 5S teacher whilst Mrs Carla
Sedgman was on sick leave. We look forward to Ms Sedgman’s return at the start of next term. Thank you also to
Ms Jacqueline Blake for her work on contract supporting classes and testing at the end of term.
Some of our significant achievements this term are:
The idea for our proposed Community Garden has well and truly germinated this term! The school and the P&C
are working together with the community to build a Beachmere Community Garden, to grow food items for
students and the community. There has been some planning around chickens, worm farms, compost bins and
garden beds already. The potential for this garden to be an incredible source of life learning skills for students
and community is enormous. We are looking forward to being part of this community movement. If you would like
to join in, please catch up with Ms Mumford or Ben
Bernhardt, P&C President.
Parent Teacher Interviews finish this week. Thank you to all the parents / carers that took this opportunity to build
positive partnerships with our teachers for your child’s learning. These interviews are an important part of the
educational journey for our students. The next event in the school year is reporting at the end of next term.
Our recent Gala Day Sporting event was a huge success with our Year 5 and 6 students. Our new Rugby League
Team has proven a very dedicated and talented team. Thank you to the Beachmere Pelicans for the use of their
jerseys. Congratulations to Cayse and Max for their selection in the District Rugby League team. Congratulations
also to Zac and Leah both made the Regional Touch Football teams ready to compete at the state competitions
shortly! Thank you to Ms Salter for her commitment to sport at Beachmere SS and making many exciting things
happen for our students.
There have been a number of Playtime Programmes that have engaged students at playtimes across the school
this term. Thank you to all the teachers that gave up their time to organise and run these programs to keep our
students active. Aspiring student leaders have completed the Peer Mediation Programme. They have finished
their training with Mrs Gooderham this week and will start next term ready to support our Junior students in the
playground.
The quality of our Student Leadership programme was recognised this week with an unsolicited letter of
appreciation from the public. Our student leaders were recognised for their amazing manners and attitudes
whilst on the train during the Halogen Leadership excursion in Brisbane. Well done to all our student leaders!
The National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence was a huge success. Mr Cuffe is busy fixing the
displays to show off the winning poster entries around the school. All students that entered the competition
received a certificate and the winning entries received a winner’s certificate. This event served to highlight a very
important cause and has had a profound effect by raising awareness of the impacts of bullying. Our students
stood in unity against bullying behaviours and now know the High Five strategy for challenging this unfortunate
behaviour.
Our trial use of Community Service after school for students presenting with challenging behaviours has proven
to be relatively successful in supporting positive behaviour choices. We thank parents for their support of this
strategy in offering effective ways to promote positive student behaviours. We will continue with this strategy next
term for some students as an alternative to short suspensions for some types of challenging behaviours.
Our whole school Inclusive Special Education Programme has really taken off this year under the leadership of
Mrs Scott. There are large numbers of students receiving support in classes with more teachers and Teacher
Aides throughout the school. This has had a profound impact on the way that we include all students and their
learning needs.
Our comprehensive Volunteer Programme at Beachmere this term has seen 45 volunteers inducted into our
school. Volunteers play a vital role in making a difference to students’ lives every day. If you are interested in
volunteering at our school and have something that you can share, please contact the school.
This term saw the launch of our Facebook site. It is an excellent way to get important updates and
celebrations
instantly. The feedback has been all positive from this exciting new platform. It is another way in which our school
is working with the community. If you would like to join, pick up an application form from the school office.
Thank you to the P&C for the great Fundraising Free Dress Day and special tuckshop menu day last Thursday.
The Student Council raised $350.20, P&C raised $300 (correction on Facebook figure) and the Graduation
Committee raised $100. It was a very successful day! The students had a great time too!
The Year 2 excursion to the Caboolture Historical Museum recently was a success with all students bringing
home a few bags of gems. The excursion paralleled the learning in the student’s History Unit. All students
enjoyed themselves and behaved very well. Thanks to all the volunteers that helped on the day. Thanks also to
Mrs Pippa Griffiths for organising the event.
Our Easter Bonnet Parade will be held on Thursday morning starting at 9am. We look forward to seeing all the
students with their Easter Bonnets. Mr Bird and Mr Bernhardt will be judging the best bonnets on show.
Next term, the P&C Working Bee will be held on the 22nd and 23rd of April between 9 – 11am to help prepare
the gardens at the front of school, the Community Garden and also the bush tucker garden at the rear of the hall.
If you would like to help and have some extra energy, please come along to contribute. We hope to get as many
parents, carers, community members along to pitch in as we can.
The ANZAC Day Gallipoli Centenary Commemoration Event will be held on Friday 24th April in the first week
back of Term 2. This is a significant event on the school calendar and we would be pleased if you could join us in
the school hall at 9am sharp. The students will then place Australian flags, as provided by the P&C around the
Lone Pine memorial garden as a symbol of dedication to those that have fallen and to mark 100 years since the
Gallipoli landing. We will have some distinguished guests at this community event.
Finally, one of our amazing Year 1 students, Jacob Proctor, will be participating in the Two Feet and a Heartbeat
charity walk event at Noosa in May to raise funds for Heartkids QLD. This charity supports children who have
suffered Childhood Heart Disease and their families. Jacob has had a significant
journey in his life to be the
amazing student he is today. Look out for Jacob in the media as he will be soon running on the field with the
Broncos. You can use the following link for more info or to donate:
https://twofeetandaheartbeatsunshinecoast.everydayhero.com/au/team-jacob
We wish everyone a safe and restful Easter break. We look forward to seeing everyone back in school refreshed
ready for another great term on learning and achievement in Term 2.
Kind Regards
Dan Ball
Business Service Manager News
Wishing every one a Safe and Happy Easter .
You can help look after our school by reporting any security issues to School Watch
Look Listen Report
School Watch
131788
Thanks
Kerrie
P & C News
Thanks for all the support on Red Food Day. Many thanks to the families that have donated Easter items for our
raffle—it promises to be great. All money and unsold ticket were due Monday so please return all tickets as soon
as possible.
For anyone who is interested in holding a position on the committee, this is a great time to come and chat to
us. We love to see new faces and appreciate any involvement in our students wonderful school. Remember our
Tuckshop, volunteers and fundraising is not possible without our P&C and the support they provide. We look
forward to seeing you there.
Dates to Remember
Wed 01 Apr
Whole School Parade 1:45pm
Awards (Choir Performance)
Thur 02 Apr
Easter Bonnet Parade
Fri 03 April
Easter Holidays
Sun 19 April
Fri 24 Apr
ANZAC Day Service
Our Champions
Reading Awards
Around the Classrooms
Prep
Well done to all our Preppies and Prep families for making it through the first term of the year. You have all
accomplished a lot. From the start of term 2, week 1, Prep will be expected to be dropped off at the hall each
morning. Drop off times will commence at 8.15am. Your child will be supervised by Mr Ball and Mrs Balias until
8.30am at which time your child’s class teacher will collect their class from the hall and walk them back to the
Prep room. Should your child be late, you will need to go directly to the office for a late slip. Pick up will remain
the same.
From term 2, Prep will be participating in weekly Parade. Parade will be held on Wednesday afternoon from
1.30pm. Students will be going back to class at the end of Parade before being dismissed.
We would like to thank all the Prep families for all their continued support and wish you all a safe and happy
holiday.
Year 1
This Thursday is Easter bonnet parade, it is hoped that students have completed or are putting the finishing
touches on their Easter bonnet and we are excited to see their creations. Congratulations to those students who
received enough stars to participate in this terms incentive day. A goal for your child next term may be to achieve
a higher star level, or maintain a 4 star behaviour accomplishment.
Year 2
The students of year 2 have had a super busy last couple of weeks with lots of assessment. We are very proud of
how hard all the students have been working! Homework will look slightly different in Term 2. There will be more
information to come when school starts back next term. We wish all Beachmere S.S. families a happy and safe
holiday. We will look forward to seeing you all when Term 2 begins on the 20th April.
Year 3
What an amazing term we have had. We have learnt so many new things. Thank you to those parents who came
up for a chat, we really appreciate learning more about your child. Don't forget the Easter bonnet parade on
Thursday. Have a wonderful time enjoying the company of your children over the holidays. Happy Easter!
Year 3/4 and 4K
4K and 3/4A are looking forward to a well deserved Easter break. Students have worked hard this term in all key
learning areas. Well Done. Have a Happy holiday.
Year 5/6 & 6
Wow, what a massively big busy term we have had. The year 5 and 6s have worked extremely hard this term
and have worked towards achieving their goals. Both 5/6L and 6A are busy working to finish of their last pieces
of assessment for the term. A reminder that the creating of an Easter Bonnet is set for homework for both 5/6L
and 6A, it adds to the atmosphere of the Easter Bonnet Parade when our senior school are fully involved so
please encourage your child to create an amazing hat or accessory (there are prizes)!
Thank you to all parents that attended parent / teacher interviews it was great to see so many of you. Also a BIG
thank you to all parents and carers that volunteer their time in our rooms, your time is appreciated.
Hope you all have a great break and a safe and happy Easter. Till term 2
ANZAC DAY SERVICE
Our school ANZAC Day service will be held on Friday 24 April at 8.30am. This year marking the 100th
anniversary of ANZAC Day; our service will be enhanced by a flag ceremony to dedicate our own Gallipoli
Pine. This pine tree, planted in 2005, is one of the many pine trees propagated by nurseries in Canberra from
seeds originating from soldiers returning from the Lone Pine conflict. It is now proudly growing in the school
grounds as a living war memorial to the service men and women who fought at Gallipoli.
The flag ceremony and dedication will see hundreds of students and other school community members ‘planting’
flags around our Gallipoli Pine Tree.
We invite all members of the school community to our service and would love to especially hear from past
servicemen and women now residing in Beachmere. Please let our office staff know if you will be attending our
service in April.
School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS)
This is an exciting week in our school for proactive behaviour support. The very first group of year 5
students
to be involved in training as peer mediators will commence on Wednesday. We have had 10 successful
applicants and these young people will develop skills in helping to support students during playtime with the
teacher on duty. Mrs Gooderham will be conducting the training.
Community News
Curriculum News
The end of the term is approaching very fast. Why not continue to support and strengthen your child’s literacy
and numeracy skills over the school holidays. The internet is a resource that offers a range of engaging
educational websites that are easy to use and support student learning.
Below are links to a website called BBC KS2 Bitesize. One link is for English which will provide you games and
activities in: reading, writing, spelling and grammar. The other link is for Maths which will provide you games and
activities in: number, shape, space, measurement and handling data.
Have a go at using these fun and interactive sites over the holidays. It will give you a good idea of what your child
can do and allow you to support them in extending their knowledge.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/english/
Rugby League NRL
Development Day – Beerwah
A first outing for a team of 18 students who participated in games of Rugby League against the schools St
Michael‘s CC, Elimbah SS and Maleny SS. In extremely hot conditions the team tried very hard in each of their
games, especially to back up from one man down. Throughout the day the team learnt a lot about sportsmanship
and collaborating with each other. Cayse was awarded man of the match for his constant enthusiasm and skills
demonstrated throughout the day. The team came away with a determination for improvement for their next
outing, Interschool Sports Gala Day. Thank you to the parents/guardians who braved the heat to support the
boys and assisted with packing up the equipment. Thanks must go out to Mrs Hollinger and the Beachmere
RLFC who provided the team
Interschool Sports Gala Day – Rugby League, Soccer and Softball
Rugby League – A team of 13 boys attended the Gala Day where the boys played three games, versing teams
from Minimbah SS and Caboolture SS. A much improved performance was demonstrated by all players in skills,
game sense, cooperation and teamwork. I would like to commend the boys for their positive attitude and the way
they represented their school. Thank you to Mrs Jarvis for her assistance and encouragement of students,
parents/guardians who attended to support the team, and also to those students who ran water on such a hot
day.
Soccer – a team of 12 boys were involved in three games of soccer. The team versed the schools of Burpengary
Meadows SS, Wamuran SS and Morayfield SS. Congratulations to all those who participated for demonstrating
positive attitudes on and off the field. Thanks must go to Mr Lowe, whose role involved both coaching and
umpiring and to Mrs Beattie for her support of the team.
Softball – two teams were involved in the interschool gala day, a junior and senior team. As the day progressed
it was wonderful to see the girls build on their skills, knowledge and rules of softball (stealing bases), camaraderie
and support for each other. Thanks to Mrs Armstrong who spent the majority of the day umpiring, and to Mrs
Cameron for her assistance with coaching and organising the students on the day.
Congratulations once again to all those who attended, from the positive feedback from both staff and students we
look forward to attending the next Interschool Sports Gala Days.
Yours in sport Emma Salter (PE Teacher)
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