NEWSLETTER
20 March 2015
30 March
Cookie Dough delivered to school
1 April
Cross Country
2 April
Prep Easter Hat Parade, 9.30-10.30am, Gathering area
3-19 April
School holidays
22 April
P&C Meeting, 7pm, Hall conference room
24 April
ANZAC Day Ceremony, 9-10am, Jnr Courtyard
1 May
1st Gala Day – Yrs 4-6 Interschool Sport
4-8 May
Prep & Yr 1 Parent Teacher Interviews, classroom
6 May
Yrs 2-6 Parent Teacher Interviews 7-8am, 3.20-6.30pm, Hall
9 May
Uniting Church Fete, Choir & Band performances
12-14 May
NAPLAN Yrs 3 & 5
Date claimers
Running Club: Monday-Friday on the school oval,
8.15-8.45am. All students Yrs1-6 welcome to
attend.
A message from our Principal…..
Our Shared Responsibility
We are now in the closing weeks of term 1 and it is pleasing to
see so many of our students making good progress with their
learning. High expectations continue to be the order of the day
for all students in the areas of Attendance, Behaviour and
Academic Performance. These areas are continuing to be
monitored by staff and I appreciate the support from parents as
we strive to get the best from our students. I continue to
impress on staff and students that we need to improve our
results in Reading, Writing and Numeracy and that “setting a
benchmark to aspire to should be more like a pole vault than a
limbo dance”.
Thank you Eatons Hill Presbyterian Church
Last weekend a backyard blitz was conducted on our school
grounds by the local Presbyterian Church. A number of gardens
were cleaned up and a landscaping project was completed.
Their work is very much appreciated by our school community
especially our grounds staff.
School Council Formation
This year Eatons Hill State School became an Independent Public
School. As part of this move toward school autonomy we will
be forming a school council. Next term we will undertake a
process to elect members to this strategic group. I would
expect that our School Council will be operational by the
beginning of Term 3. If you would like more information
regarding the role of the school council please contact Sarah
Ramsden - [email protected].
Phone: 3264 9222
Email: [email protected]
What I saw this week in Year 5
This week I visited our year 5 classes to see how our boys were
progressing in the area of English. What I saw was some great
work and results particularly in the first five weeks of the term.
The challenge for our boys is whether this progress will be
mirrored as term 1 comes to a close. I look forward to visiting
these classes again in week 1 of term 2 to see if they have met
my challenge.
Student Council Success
Congratulations to our Student Council on
the success of the recent skate nights. All
who attended had a great time. From the
money raised at these nights a donation
will be made to Vanuatu Cyclone Relief.
GIVING OUR BEST IS THE EATONS HILL WAY!
COME, LEARN AND UNDERSTAND.
FOLLOW EATONS HILL STATE SCHOOL ON TWITTER
AND ON THE QSCHOOLS APP
PHIL SAVILL
Absence Line: 3264 9260
OSH: 3264 8500
School Website – www.eatonshillss.eq.edu.au
Newsletter 20 March 2015
Page 2 of 6
From the Deputies
Mrs Sarah Ramsden (Prep & 1)  [email protected]
Mrs Wendy McKay (Yrs 2&3)  [email protected]
Mr Brad Geisel (Yrs 4-6)  [email protected]
Volunteer for Team Read in
2015!
Bullying, No Way!
Friday, March 20 marks the fifth National Day of Action
against Bullying and Violence. This day provides a focus
for all schools to say Bullying, No Way! It also allows us to
strengthen our existing everyday messages that bullying
and violence at Eatons Hill State School are not okay.
Students will be made aware of this day during their class
lessons. Please take the opportunity to reinforce to your
child at home, that bullying and violence at school are not
acceptable and cannot be justified by ‘I was just joking’ or ‘I
didn’t do anything. I was just watching’.
The BullyingNoWay website suggests the following tips for
parents:
-
Stay calm and positive
Talk with your child
Do not advise your child to fight the other child
Report the bullying to the school
Seek help for your child to support his/her social skills
When it comes to Cyberbullying, the above strategies can
be used as well as staying informed about available
resources and teaching your child how to remain safe
while online.
There are some great websites to assist parents.
www.mydove.com.au (focuses on girls)
www.bullyblocking.com.au
http://www.parentingideas.com.au/Parents/Bullying
ICAS Testing
Eatons Hill SS has registered to participate in the ICAS
academic competitions this year. The competitions are for
students in years 2-6.
Specifically, our school has
registered for the following competitions listed in the table
below. A parent letter has been distributed to all years 2 –
6 students outlining costs associated with entering these
competitions (also available under Notes for Parents on
the website).
Digital Technologies
Science
Writing
Spelling
English
Mathematics
Tuesday 19/5
Wednesday 3/6
Monday 15/6
Tuesday 16/6
Tuesday 28/7
Tuesday 11/8
8am
8am
8am
8am
8am
8am
– 9am
– 9am
– 9am
– 9am
– 9am
– 9am
Be a part of something new in 2015 by
joining Team Read at Eatons Hill State
School.
Volunteers will be recruited and trained
early next year to deliver targeted
reading skills to students.
Register your interest below by clicking
on the link and completing the form.
We look forward to having you as part
of the team.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VWMFHNY
Helpers are required to distribute
Cookie Dough on 30 March 2015.
Please contact the P&C via
[email protected] if you
are able to help out.
Wavell State High Middle
School Problem Solving
Challenge
Bright and early Monday
morning 16 very studious year
five and six students set off to
participate in the Wavell State
High Middle School Problem
Solving Challenge.
They
competed alongside students
for year 5, 6, 7& 8. This amazing event consisted of 84
teams from over 20 different schools.
We were transported all
the way to France from
the moment we entered
the hall. Our exciting day
started with a hilarious
dramatic performance set
to the pink panther theme.
A
foreign
exchange
Newsletter 20 March 2015
student welcomed us in her beautiful French language,
fortunately we had a translator.
The competition was intense
from the moment the
students
entered
the
scorching hall.
The day
consisted of three sessions
that tested the students’
mathematics,
science,
technology and problem
solving skills. The first session was a range of vigorous
mathematic problems that made even the teachers
nervous. Our students gave it their all and did our school
proud. They even faced the same questions as the year
seven & eight students!
After a quick Morning
Tea break the students
were recharged and
ready to face the science
challenges. This time the
students had to answer a
range of perplexing
questions that kept the students on their toes. This was
an area where our students truly shined.
The final session was a
technology challenge that
really tested the students’
creativity and design skills.
The students were given a
selection of materials and
had to create a tower to rival
the Eiffel Tower. The students received points based on
their design and the height of their tower.
Even though they did not place, they tried their hardest
and did our school proud. One of the year six team even
came 3rd in their year level! This was not a day for the
faint hearted and we are looking forward to doing even
better next year. Thank you to all the parents who
assisted in the transport to and from the event. The
students did a wonderful job and should be congratulated.
Well Done!
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Library News
New Faces
Ms Belinda and Ms Lesleigh have joined us in the
Library this year. Next time you are in the library
make sure you say hello to these lovely ladies.
Our 2015 Library Captains
Congratulations Benedek, Lucy and Portia. Looking
forward to a great year.
Volunteers
A big thank you to the lovely mums who have been
doing a fabulous job covering our new books.
Make sure you come into the library and check out
the New Books Display. There is some great holiday
reading there for you.
Interschool Sport Term 2
Interschool sport will commence in Term 2. There will be 3
GALA Days held over the course of the term on Friday
May 1 (week 2), May 22 (week 5) and June 5 (week 7).
Students are required to attend weekly practice times,
commencing Week 9 of Term 1. Individual coaches have
designated practice times and locations, which can be
found on the school website and will be distributed to
students at their first practice date, outlined on the Gala
Days Interschool Sport Permission Note. Permission notes
are to be returned to the coach and payments returned to
the office no later than Friday 27th March. Please feel free
to contact Mara Graham [email protected] with any
queries.
(NOTE: There will be no practice times or dates for
intraschool sports such as Golf and Options)
Newsletter 20 March 2015
Rugby League Training:
Please note that Rugby League Interschool Sport
training that was scheduled for Week 8 and 9 will be
cancelled due to the coach's absence. Training will
commence as scheduled Week 1, Term 2.
Cross Country
The Inter-House Cross Country will be conducted on
Wednesday April 1st. All children in Years Prep – Year 6
will participate in the Cross Country running in a variety of
distances appropriate to their age group.
Maximum participation is encouraged with house points
being awarded to all children in year 4-6 who participate,
therefore the House that wins the Inter-House Cross
Country trophy will be the House that exhibits the best
team performance, not the House that has only one or two
fast runners.
Please Note - This year, the Prep, year 1 and 2 children
will be running in a NON-Competitive race. They will run in
year level groups rather than age groups. Preps will run in
class groups. NO medals will be awarded to place getters.
All children who participate will receive a certificate. This is
in keeping with our junior school sports philosophy of
maximum participation in a non-competitive environment.
Years 3-6 will be competing in championship races with
medals awarded to the first 3 place getters.
Programs have been distributed to students and can be
found on the school website.
MUSIC NEWS
Eatons Hill State School has an exceptional Instrumental
Music Program. To maintain such high standards, we
must ensure all students involved in the Instrumental Music
Program pledge their ongoing commitment on acceptance
into the program. This requires ongoing motivation and
enthusiasm when participating in class and practicing at
home. Students and teachers have an understanding of
the following expectations.
Expectations of students:
1. I will care for and maintain my instrument
2. I will attend all lessons for a minimum of one year
3. I will practice at least 15 mins (beginners) and 30 mins
(2nd yr and above) per day, 5 days a week
4. I will bring all my equipment (tutor book, music folder
and instrument), and arrive on time, to all lessons and
rehearsals
5. I will become a member of the Concert Band or String
Ensemble when I have reached the required standard
6. I will attend all Concert Band/String Ensemble
rehearsal, performances, concerts & camps
Page 4 of 6
We want all of our Instrumental Music Students to achieve
their full potential. Thank you for supporting us by
reinforcing these expectations with your child.
The Senior String Ensemble, Senior Concert Band and
Junior Choir will be performing at the Albany Creek Uniting
Church Fete on Saturday 9th May. This is a wonderful
opportunity for our ensembles to perform for their parents
and friends. Details will be sent home to parents and can
be found on the school internet.
PLEASE NOTE: Choral Teacher Ms Kim Podlich will be
absent Week 10 of Term 1 and therefore Senior and
Junior Choir practice (Monday 30th and Tues 31st) will
be cancelled. Students will be reminded of this the
second last week of school. Choir practice will resume
in Term 2.
Kim Podlich
[email protected]
DANCE NEWS
This year we have decided to enter our Year 4, Year 5 and
Year 6 Dance Extension teams into the Brisbane Eisteddfod,
Arts In Focus, within the Primary School Groups section. The
Brisbane Eisteddfod is a very well-known and well organised
competitive event that allows our students the opportunity
to perform onstage and also to view what is happening in
primary schools around them.
Where: Edmund Rice Performing Arts Centre, St Laurence’s
College, 82 Stephens Road, South Brisbane, 4101.
When: Thursday 28th May. The times will be confirmed
shortly, but it is anticipated that this activity will occur within
school hours.
Details will be sent home to parents and can be found on the
school internet.
As this is our first major performance we would like to offer
our students a second rehearsal each week. When and
where possible we would like to see all students at this extra
rehearsal time. If your child is involved with another before
school activity (ie Band/Ensemble/Choir/Sport), they must
attend that activity first and then come to the extra dance
rehearsals if time permits. Extra rehearsals will run in Term 2
from week 2 to week 6. Please remember that all other
Dance Extension lessons remain as normal. Please feel free
to contact us with any queries.
Newsletter 20 March 2015
Monday
7.45- 8.45 am
Tuesday
7.45 -8.45 am
Wednesday
7.45 -8.45 am
Thursday
7.45- 8.45 am
First Break
Nicole Galea
[email protected]
Page 5 of 6
Year 5 Dance Extension
Year 6 Dance Extension join
at 8.15 am
Year 6 Dance Extension (as
normal)
Year 4 Dance Extension
Year 5 Dance Extension to
join at 8.15 am
Year 3 Dance Extension
Year 4 Dance Extension
Robert King
[email protected]
Mara Graham
[email protected]
An update from our Local High Schools
A New University Pathway at Albany Creek SHS
One of the exciting challenges that faces our school
involves finding new ways to challenge our more capable
students to extend themselves beyond normal
expectations. For the past few years, high performing
students in English have been targeted for an accelerated
English course which has seen them complete the
Australian Curriculum six months ahead of schedule. The
additional time created will provide these students with a
new opportunity for Albany Creek students – they will
study a first year University of Queensland course as part
of their Year 12 Senior English program.
Past Eatons Hill State School Captain Tom Gurnett is one
of the 100 students involved in the program across Years 8
to 12. Tom has been a part of the English Extension
program since its inception in 2012 and is looking forward
to the challenge presented by the early university start.
“I’m excited about this program and the preparation that
it’s giving me for university. Regardless of the university I
go to, I know this program is going to make a big
difference for me”. Students successfully completing the
program will receive a bonus tertiary rank as well as credit
for the course they study towards their degree program.
Families wishing to learn more about the program should
contact Mrs Wendy White, Head of Department English at
Albany Creek State High School by phoning 3325 6333.
Alternatively, information will be available at the school’s
upcoming Open Day to be held on Thursday 28th May
commencing at 3.30pm.
Craigslea State High School Open Day
On Sunday, 3 May Craigslea State High School
will present an Open Day for interested parents,
carers, prospective students and friends wishing
to view our range of resources and programs.
This is an opportunity to meet students and staff
and to take a tour of the school. This occasion
will commence in the school hall at 1.30pm.
For further details please see the flyer below.
Newsletter 20 March 2015
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