1. education
2. school

Wednesday 6 May 2015
 Principal
Mr Aleksandr Taylor-Gough
 Head of Curriculum
Mrs Chantelle Bauer
 Office Admin Staff
Mrs Lisa Maslen
Mrs Christine Jones
 Postal Address
Drayton State School
55 Brisbane Street,
DRAYTON. Q 4350.
CONTACTS
Phone: 4637 7444
Fax: 4637 7400
Prep: 4630 1913
www.draytonss.eq.edu.au
OUTSIDE SCHOOL
HOURS CARE
We value & strive for SAFETY - EFFORT - RESPECT - PRIDE - SELF-RESPONSIBILTY
Principal News
school program, and to urge them to simply
do the best they can.
Welcome Back
I would like to ask all parents of students
completing the NAPLAN tests to ensure that
students receive a healthy breakfast on the
days of the test (as is important every day).
However, I would especially like to ask that
parents be vigilant with maintaining a strong
sleep routine, as all students will need to be
ready to complete the 5 different tests.
Remember, the pattern will be:
Hi all.
With Parent-Teacher Interviews successfully
completed yesterday evening, I would like to
take this opportunity to thank the many
teaching staff and family members for giving
up their time to discuss the important
aspects of student progress, improvement
and achievement. It was particularly
pertinent some of the strategies teachers
gave in order to assist you in understanding
what your child needs to do in order to
maximise their learning opportunities.
THURSDAY 21 MAY
Such an event does not happen without the
support of key personnel, and I would like to
thank my Acting Head of Curriculum,
Chantelle Bauer and class teachers for their
involvement. With so many positive
comments flowing into the school about the
format, we have today sent home a Feedback
form that enables parents and caregivers to
provide feedback about the new format, and
other suggestions. We do understand that
an online booking system would work well,
along with a safe play area for children
outside. However, please complete this
survey and if you could return it to school
between now and Friday, that would be
greatly appreciated.
 AMAROO 1T & 1C
NAPLAN
TUESDAY 16WEDNESDAY 17 JUNE
 ATHLETICS
Our Years 3 and 5 students will soon
participate in the annual National Assessment
Program — Literacy and Numeracy
(NAPLAN) tests to assess their skills and
understanding in the areas of reading, writing,
language conventions (spelling, grammar and
punctuation) and numeracy. The tests will be
conducted in all state and non-state schools
across the country from 12–14 May.
Coordinator
Megan Karhenbring
0422 005 470
UPCOMING
Check out the
Website
THURSDAY 07-FRIDAY 08
MAY
 MOTHERS DAY STALL
TUESDAY 12THURSDAY14 MAY
 NAPLAN YR 3 & 5
*TUCKSHOP
Friday
First break only
See P&C section for more
details
Checkout the school
website for new menu
UNIFORM STORE
Tuesday 8:30-9:15 am
Friday 2:30-3:15 pm
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An individual NAPLAN report for each child
will be sent home later this year. Results
provide additional feedback for parents,
carers and teachers on how students are
progressing in key curriculum areas. The
best way you can help your child prepare for
NAPLAN is to reassure your child that
NAPLAN tests are just one part of their
Tuesday 12
May
Year 3 Language
conventions
Wednesday
13 May
Thursday 14
May
Reading
Numeracy
45 minutes
45 minutes
Reading
Numeracy
50 minutes
50 minutes
40 minutes
Writing
40 minutes
Year 5 Language
conventions
40 minutes
Writing
40 minutes
Students will be completing the tests in
classrooms, maintaining the familiarity of
their environments as best as possible. We
look forward to another successful NAPLAN
experience this year.
School Priorities
With a major focus on reading and
numeracy, I welcome the chance that we are
now focussing in a detailed way on writing.
To that end, we will gradually be
implementing a programme entitled the
“Seven Steps to Writing Success” over the
coming 6 months. Designed by former
teacher and author Jan McVeity, this engaging
way in which to teach writing is being
implemented currently in Mrs Ormsby’s Year
5/6O class, and students are speaking in a
highly positive way about how they are
writing. Watch out for this exciting
development at Drayton State School as we
move into Terms 3 and 4.
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Wednesday 6 May 2015
We value & strive for SAFETY - EFFORT - RESPECT - PRIDE - SELF-RESPONSIBILTY
In essence, the Seven Steps are:
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1.
Plan for Success
2.
Sizzling Starts
these days. Hence, I ask for your patience during these
days. I am confident that the Auditor will be supportive
of our administrative processes and I look forward to
showcasing the ways in which we work, here at Drayton.
3.
Tightening Tension
Attendance Update – Target 95%
4.
Dynamic Dialogue
5.
Show, Don't Tell
6.
Ban the Boring
7.
Exciting Endings
Sadly, as a whole school, we have slipped behind our
target of 95% attendance. The final day of Term 1 didn’t
help, nor did the wet days last week. Could I please ask
that everyone pay attention to the message that Every
Day Counts. Sickness and essential travel do need to be
taken into account, however, please remember that each
unnecessary day away from school will result in your
child being one day behind the rest of the class. These
days can add up to be weeks (and in some cases,
months). Over the course of a schooling career, it’s
alarming how many months a child may have missed.
Whilst the steps give away what the focus areas are, it
has been pleasing, as Principal, to read some of the
‘sizzling starts’ (the beginning paragraphs of student
writing) across students from Year 5/6O. I look forward
to supporting this process and hope to inform the school
community of its success over the coming 6 months.
Additional Speech Language for Preps
In another exciting (and necessary) development, we this
week formally welcomed Bethany Guest, Speech
Language Pathologist who will be working alongside our
current Speech Language Pathologist, our Support Teacher –
Literacy and Numeracy and Prep Teachers and Teacher
Aides. Bethany will be providing vital support in early
language activities each Monday morning to students in
both Prep classes. It is no surprise that students’ early
learning and language development is crucial to future
educational success in school. I look forward to
evaluating, alongside staff the effectiveness of this
additional human resourcing in Prep.
Support A Talker
In addition to the Prep speech language programming, we
have formally started this term Support A Talker. This
programme will be facilitated by trained school staff to
assist students with their oral language. It is a big
commitment, however, we have contributed human
resourcing towards this so that all students have the best
opportunity in terms of their oral literacy.
Internal School Audit – Week 5
By the time the next newsletter goes to print, we will be
wrapping up our quadrennial Standard School Audit (for
internal and administrative controls) that will be held
from Monday 18th May – Wednesday 20th May (Week 5,
Term 2). This audit will examine how well Drayton State
School maintains its financial controls, along with a host
of other legislative requirements, such as staffing records,
workplace health and safety and purchasing policies.
Whilst curriculum and pedagogy won’t be specifically
examined, the Auditor will look to see the schooling
running in good order.
Please note that Lisa Maslen, our Business Services
Manager, Chris Jones (Administration Officer) and
other Administrative personnel (including myself at
times) will be particularly busy with the Auditor during
ANZAC Reflections
Thank-you to everyone for your involvement and
participation in our annual ANZAC Day Commemorative
Service and Centenary Gardens Opening. We had a high
level of engagement from the wider community, and
many messages of positive reflection from the Mayor of
the Toowoomba Regional Council, Councillor Paul
Antonio along with the State Member for Condamine, the
Hon. Pat Weir MP. In addition, our Assistant Regional
Director – School Performance, Debbie Hails, praised the
entire school community for the ways in which students
behaved, and the reflections presented on the day. Our
guest speakers from the Australian Defence Force were
insightful and the students who sang, recited poems, or
laid wreathes did so in the spirit of ANZAC. May the
memory of ANZAC Day live on and may Drayton State
School be ever thankful for their sacrifices now, and well
into the future.
On That Note
In addition to a packed schedule, we welcome back
Debbie Hails (Assistant Regional Director – School
Performance) for a School Visit on Tuesday 19th May from
1:00pm, where she will speak with me about our
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Wednesday 6 May 2015
We value & strive for SAFETY - EFFORT - RESPECT - PRIDE - SELF-RESPONSIBILTY
progress of school goals, along with visits to classrooms.
I look forward to presenting our wonderful school once
again to her and we welcome her with open arms on this
afternoon. Please note that I will be attending the Darling
Downs South West Regional Principal Business Meeting at
Highfields this Friday, with Chantelle Bauer acting in
my absence. Also, please diarise the Chaplaincy Parent
Morning Tea on Friday 15th May, all welcome.
Finally, with Mothers’ Day next Sunday, we will be
opening the Mothers’ Day Stall this Thursday and Friday.
To all the mums, grandmothers, aunties and carers that
support our students, thank-you for the tireless work
you do at home and here at school in classrooms. A
child looks up to their mother or female figure in their
life and it is a special time when we can remember the
special role you play. Happy Mothers’ Day.
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FROM THE HEAD OF CURRICULUM
Curriculum News
Supporting your child in Years 4 to 9 –
Literacy
Activities to do with your child
Here are some simple yet effective activities you can
do with your child to help them apply the literacy skills
they learn at school.
Read some of the same books
as your child and talk about
characters, storylines and
themes.
Have a great fortnight, and I’ll keep in touch.
When assembling a newly
purchased item, ask your child to
assist with the reading of the
instructions and interpreting
diagrams.
Kind Regards,
Aleksandr Taylor-Gough.
ACTING PRINCIPAL
Read the newspaper with your
child each morning — choose an
article to discuss and ask
questions such as ‘what is the
report telling you?’ and ‘what
does this word mean?’
YOU CAN DO IT - CERIFICATE EARNERS
Our ‘You Can Do It!’ program exists in every
classroom & aims to build the capabilities of every
student with positive messages & lessons in each
class about being:
Use language that encourages
thinking and reflection such as
‘do you agree with what was
written in that newspaper article
or story?’ — have your child
locate sources within the story or
text to support their point of view.
- Organised - Confident - Persistent - Resilient Able to get along with others
This past fortnight has once again seen many of our
students earning certificates for their efforts. They
are as follows:
Week ending 1 May: Cody W, Cody H, Rebecca D,
Jayden M, Shaleek W, Billy M, River D, Zorion H,
Izaack S, Shelby M, Hannah C, Ruby C, Ash K, Seth
P, Jordan J, Mr Gray
Talk about movies you have
seen — discuss why a filmmaker
may have created a movie in a
certain way, the purpose of the
film, the intended audience and
what points of view or values are
conveyed. Talk about language
choices and why characters are
represented in certain ways.
Regards,
Chantelle Bauer
Acting Head of Curriculum
Congratulations to our award winners!!!!
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Wednesday 6 May 2015
We value & strive for SAFETY - EFFORT - RESPECT - PRIDE - SELF-RESPONSIBILTY
Hi everyone,
We have had a busy few weeks with Drayton SS hosting
the school and Cambooya District Cross Country
Carnivals. All students who participated should be
commended on their commitment and determination –
Well Done!
Drayton State School Cross Country Age
Champions 2015:
5 Years – Caleb O’Neil & Abby Brady
6 Years – Hunter Evans & Jayda Deme
7 Years – Matthew Macy & Breanna Morton
8 Years – Brody Hilt & Hailey Brady
9 Years – Tyler Madden & Charlotte Ladyman
10 Years – Sonny Curthoys & Hannah Parkinson
11 Years – Dillon McFeeters & Jade Morton
12 Years – Lincon Holmes & Amy Alexander
Every student who ran on the day scored points for their
Sporting House. The winning house (for the first time in
15 years!) was Peak House. Go Peak!
Cambooya District Cross Country
On Tuesday 28th April, Drayton hosted the Cambooya
District Cross Country, which involved students aged 1012 from schools in our surrounding district.
The following Drayton students were selected to
compete at the Cambooya District Cross Country
Carnival: Lincon Holmes, Ben Ladyman, Dechlan Heilig,
Connor Wockner, Braydon Denman, Amy Alexander,
Maggie Brunner, Kaylee Richters, Dillon McFeeters, Ethan
Hennessy, Tyler Collins, Elijah Fiteni, Jade Morton, Abby
Hayes, Kate Sneddon, Molly Hain, Jordan Lavers, Sonny
Curthoys, Ben Rankin, Matthew Morgan, Isaiah Heilig,
Ben Roche, Hannah Parkinson, Zoe Ladyman, Mikayla
Brady, Crystal Hade and Sophie Burton.
Congratulations to all students who competed. Also, well
done to Lincon Holmes who received the 12 Years
Boys Age Champion, after running first in his age
group.
Inner Downs Cross Country Trials – Good luck to
Lincon Holmes, Ethan Hennessy and Dillon McFeeters,
who have been selected to trial at the Inner Downs
Cross Country on Wednesday 6th May.
Inner Downs Soccer Team – Well done to Ethan
Hennessy, who has been selected in the Inner Downs
Soccer team. Ethan will compete for a spot in the Darling
Downs Team – Good luck!
Inner Downs Hockey Team – Well done to Braydon
Denman, who has been selected in the Inner Downs
Hockey team. Braydon will compete for a spot in the
Darling Downs Team – Good luck!
Inner Downs Rugby League Team – Well done to
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Dechlan Heilig, who was selected in the Inner Downs
Rugby League Team. Dechlan has also secured a shadow
position in the Bunya District Team. Well done Dechlan!
Ben Roche – Darling Downs Softball
A massive congratulations goes to Ben, who not only
gained a spot in the Inner Downs Boys Softball Team, but
has now gained selection in the Darling Downs Team!
Ben will compete at the State Championships in
Bundaberg on the 28th – 30th August. Well done Ben, we
wish you all the best!
Inner Downs Touch Team – Well done to Dillon
McFeeters, who has been selected in the Inner
Downs Touch team. Dillon will compete for a spot in the
Darling Downs Team – Good luck!
Yours in sport,
Chantelle Manteufel
[email protected]
Bookclub news
Brochures for issue three have gone home. All orders are
due back to the office by Tuesday 5th of May. Please
make all cheques out to Scholastic Australia. If ordering
by credit card, please ring the number and follow the
prompts. Remember to record the credit card
information, and the receipt number, on the slip at the
bottom of the form.
Beatrice Giaimo
Get connected with the QSchools app
The QSchools app lets you connect with your state
school to get up-to-the-minute information including:

Push notifications and emergency announcements

Newsletters and documents

Calendar events and news

Tuckshop and uniform shop information

School hours and contact details

Social media feeds
Available for free download from iTunes Store, Google
Play, Windows Store and Windows Phone Store. As well
as the school website.
Visit http://qld.gov.au/QSchools
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Wednesday 6 May 2015
We value & strive for SAFETY - EFFORT - RESPECT - PRIDE - SELF-RESPONSIBILTY
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Diana Ruhle
Secretary
[email protected]
Our next meeting will
be held on Tuesday May 12 at 6.30pm. We will
be discussing priorities for school improvement
that we can target for grant applications. New
faces and ideas are welcome, so direct some
thought towards how you think our school can be
improved and come along and share your ideas.
Please email through anything you would like
added to our agenda for discussion at this
meeting. Again, we ask you to consider
volunteering some time to help in the tuckshop,
the uniform store or in some other small way to
contribute to our school – it would be greatly
appreciated.
th
POSITION OF TUCKSHOP CONVENOR
We are holding open the closing date for
applications for tuckshop convenor if anyone is still
interested in this position. The correct email
address for our P & C President Will Curthoys is
[email protected]. Please send your application
to Will before Tuesday May 12th. We apologise for
any inconvenience this error may have caused.
THANK YOU
A big thanks goes out to Julia Brunner and Bluey
Gordon for their generous donation towards our
ANZAC day sausage sizzle. Also to those of you
who contributed towards the bake sale. We raised
$750 to put towards the installation of the new
playground. At present we are working through
departmental rules and regulations that need to
be met before installation goes ahead.
MOTHERS’ DAY STALL - THURSDAY MAY 7TH
AND FRIDAY MAY 8TH
Our Mother’s Day stall will be operating this
Thursday and for a short time on Friday morning.
We need helpers to set up the stall on Wednesday
after school and then to assist during the day on
Thursday. On Friday the stall will be open until
11.00am. Helping out with this fundraiser would
be a great way to support the school. Please
contact Tracey Jensen if you can help.
[email protected]
UNIFORM STORE
Parents of students going on the CANBERRA TRIP can
contact me with any questions they may have
regarding the jackets for the trip - call or SMS
0400 210377.
If you are unable to visit the store during our open
hours, ORDERS for new items can be left at the office
in order envelopes (available at office) with cash or
cheque. Uniform items, prices and sizes are on the
school website. Your items can be collected from the
office after the next store day. Please contact me
with any queries you may have.
If you have any good quality (no stains, rips, etc)
SECOND HAND uniform items that you would like to
sell on a commission basis - especially the yellow
polos shirts - please bring them in!
Trisha Ott
Convenor
TUCKSHOP
Treat Day this Friday afternoon 3:00 to 3:15pm. To
celebrate the end of the school week, Ice Blocks,
Drinks and Snacks from our usual menu can be
purchased from the tuckshop.
Kirsty Wall
Relief Convenor
Upcoming Dates
 Mothers’ Day Stall Thursday 07 & Friday 08 May
 Next P & C Meeting Tue 12 May 6:30pm in the Staff
Room
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Wednesday 6 May 2015
We value & strive for SAFETY - EFFORT - RESPECT - PRIDE - SELF-RESPONSIBILTY
07/15
Hello Everyone
Welcome to week 2 and 3 of the school year. We have had so many
things happen in the past fortnight, including the creation of our own
worm farm, and the beginnings of our own veggie patch! The students
are thrilled to be helping support their environment by saving water to
water the veggie garden and supplying the worms with our scrap food!
Another large factor over the last fortnight revolves around
Assessment and Rating. I am extremely proud of all the students that
were here during this time, their behaviour was fabulous! Here I would
like to recognise the school for their support and help throughout this
process. We are eagerly awaiting our results, and will keep you all
posted!
During term 2, the superstar reward chart is still in full swing, and some
prizes have already been handed out! Well done guys!
Just a reminder to everyone that our hours of operation are as follows:
6.30am to 8.55am of a morning, and 3.00pm to 6.00pm of an afternoon.
We supply breakfast at 7.30am which includes cereal, toast with milo or
milk. During afternoon tea we supply fruit & veggie platters and a
healthy treat.
Cheers and enjoy your coming fortnight!
Megan Krahenbring
Coordinator
0422 005 470
[email protected]
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