19 October 2023

Dates to Remember

Principal News

A warm welcome back from the holidays, I trust you have had an enjoyable break and are ready for a busy term ahead. It is lovely to welcome back all students, staff and families, ready for the many events that make up the Term 4 calendar. Staff will maintain the focus on seeking every ounce of progress and growth for each child in the last term of the year. This is the last term in primary school for our Year 6 students and I know they will continue to make the most of all opportunities and maintain the high standards they have demonstrated all year.

A very big welcome to some new families joining our Grand Avenue community.

Planning for 2024

The semester is already in full swing and planning for 2024 is also well under way.  As part of this process, we are asking parents/carers to notify the school if your child/ren will not be returning to Grand Avenue in 2024 or will be late to return due to an extended holiday, etc.  (Please note the return date is Monday, 22 January 2024).

It is very important that we have this information in writing as soon as possible as staffing levels and funding are determined by our enrolment numbers.

If you are planning to transfer your child/ren or they will return late, and have not already informed the school, please contact our Enrolment Officer at enrolments@grandavenuess.eq.edu.au or phone 3372 0555.

Your prompt assistance is appreciated.

Student Class Placement for 2024

Staff have begun working on class structures for 2024. As always, we invite parents to write an email outlining information that you may need to share. Please remember that you cannot request individual teachers, request notes are focussed on learning and social concerns that you may wish to be taken into consideration. Parent requests are due by Monday 16 October 2023 to allow time for classes to be compiled for 2024. Requests will be unable to be accepted after the 23^rd of October. All requests must be in writing and submitted to Principal - Mrs Racheal Jones rjone233@eq.edu.au

Please note that if you have previously put in writing your requests in previous years. You will be required to do this every year.

Year 4 School Camp

The Year 4 students attended their very first school camp at Camp Kindilana at the start of the term. Thank you to the year 4 team and Ms Sandra Bourke and Mr Jeremy Went for planning and coordinating the Year 4 camp this year. Thank you also to the staff for their willingness to provide such a great learning experience for our children. School camps help children learn human skills like risk taking, team work, conflict resolution and building resilience. New friendships can also develop, and a new level of independence is fostered. School camp is often the least fun for our families left behind. Thank you to all our parents who have been so courageous in letting their children attend!

Year 6 Graduation

The Year 6 Graduation will be held this year on Thursday 7th December at the Nissan Arena, Mt Gravatt from 9:15am to 11:00am. Our aim is to ensure all family members are able to attend and celebrate this very important milestone and this venue is perfect for accommodating a larger school like Grand Avenue SS. An Initiation and details around the organisation and ticketing for this exciting event will be sent shortly to all year 6 families. Please save the date in your calendar.

Uniform Check

Now that it is Spring and has we are heading into the warmer weather, it is a great time to check in around the requirements of our uniform expectations. Please see the pictures below of our Grand Avenue Uniform Policy.

STUDENT DRESS CODE

A uniform dress code reinforces in students a pride in their own appearance, instils recognition of

themselves as an integral part of the Grand Avenue State School community, and assists in developing pride in representing the school. Issues of equality, health and safety, and expense are also factors that contribute to the establishment of the following Student Dress Code.

The aim is to:

• promote equality amongst all students;
• develop a sense of pride in, and identification with our school;
• provide durable clothing that is cost effective and practical for our school environment;
• maintain and enhance the positive image of the school in the community

Grand Avenue State School believes as a school community that there are benefits in students following an agreed dress code. These benefits include:

• Appropriateness: Guarantee that all students are dressed appropriately for all school activities.
• Safety: Promote a safe environment for learning by enabling ready identification of our students in the school grounds; while travelling to and from school and on excursions.
• Equity: Promote an effective teaching and learning environment by eliminating the distraction of competition between students to wear more expensive or fashionable clothing, and avoid the pressure on parents to purchase fashionable clothing.
• Expense: To minimise the cost to families.

In line with the Education General Provisions Act 2006, staff and the Parents and Citizens’ Association of the Grand Avenue State School have endorsed the following Student Dress Code for all students.

Grand Avenue has a dress standard in relation to:

• Clothing worn by students, including headwear and footwear
• Students’ personal grooming and hygiene.

The Grand Avenue Student Dress Code reflects school community standards and is consistent with occupational health and safety and anti-discrimination legislation.

The Uniform Shop is on the Grand Avenue State School campus and all items are only available from school.

Thank you for your cooperation and support of our school.

Until next time,

Prep 2024

Year 2 News

From the 2B Classroom

This week, 2B embarked on an exciting journey into the world of science during our Big Bang incursion. They explored various toys, uncovering how they utilise push and pull mechanisms to function. This hands-on exploration made learning an absolute blast! 

Year 2 News 

This Term Year 2 have been learning about Chance and Data. The students have been graphing raw data in small groups, and in whole class investigations. They have been learning to read graphs to find the most common and least common results, as well as the amount difference between different results.

The have also been categorising events according to the Chance of the events occurring. They have used scales, spinners, and even ice-cream cones to do this. Soon they will be completing their Chance and Data assessments, then moving onto Telling Time- quarter to and quarter past.

Year 4 Camp

Year 6 News

For our Year 6 students, this term promises to be a particularly busy one as they embark on their last leg of primary school. With important assessments, special events, and memorable experiences on the horizon, our Year 6 students will have a lot on their plates. A weekly highlight for some students is reading with their Prep buddies.

Some Year 6 students have recently reflected upon some highlights from their schooling over the past nearly seven years.

“Year 6 camp was my favourite memory because it was a break from school work which many of us needed! All of grade 6 that came were connecting with each other and mainly having fun and making special memories.”  Maddy

“School camps can undoubtedly be the best primary school experience. From fun and adventurous activities to excellent food, school camps have everything to offer. This is why school camps are my most memorable experience from primary school.”  Nivaan

“My favourite time in primary school was when I was playing on the oval in Year 3. We were playing bullrush and I fell over. The person in the middle let me finish while pretending I did it myself.” Oliver

“My favourite memory was playing soccer on the oval and just having fun with my friends.” Shaurya

Let's all come together as a school community to support them in their endeavours and make this term a truly remarkable one. The staff and students are looking forward to a fantastic Term 4 filled with learning, growth, and unforgettable moments!

2023 Book Fair

Thank you to the many people who visited and purchased from our Book Fair. It certainly was a family affair.  Lots of smiles and discussions about the best book and stationery to buy.  Thank you again for your support. In the next newsletter we will let you know the money that was raised for the school.

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Playgroup News

Did you know we have a playgroup on site that runs from 9am – 11am on Tuesdays and Thursdays?

All welcome. Please see the exciting activities planned for the next two weeks below:

Day for Daniel

Chess News

QLD Inter-School Chess State Finals: Jethro and Vonal's Last Hoorah and Winston and Blake Showing Plenty of Promise for 2023

Over the weekend of October 7 & 8 2023, the best 60 chess teams from state and private schools across Queensland competed in the Interschool Chess Finals at St Joseph's Anglican College. For the fourth consecutive year, Grand Avenue State School was selected to represent Brisbane West. Jethro, Vonal, Blake and Winston made up our team and demonstrated exceptional skill and sportsmanship through six intense hour-long games over the two-day tournament. Despite formidable competition, we clinched a commendable 20th place out of 38 teams in the primary school division. For Vonal and Jethro, this was their last state finals after representing our school for four consecutive years since 2020. Jethro's outstanding performance secured him the 9th spot among 38 players on Chair 1. Winston and Blake, after having only started competitive chess in the last two years, displayed remarkable growth and showed early signs that a fifth state finals might be on the cards for GASS in 2024. Plenty of work to do until then... we'll have to wait and see! Special thanks to Jethro's mother, Annie Chang, for supervising and supporting our students over the two days (and the last four years).

Photos from the Term 3 Brisbane West Interschool Chess Tournament!

Chaplaincy

Dear Grand Avenue SS Community. 

As your dedicated chaplain, I am excited to share some updates with you. We've been working to create engaging lunchtime activities for our students, and I'm glad to report that these activities are well underway.

Our Junior students have the chance to join us every Monday during the first lunch period, while our Senior students get their opportunity every Thursday during the same lunch period. In these sessions, we offer open-ended creative play, craft activities, coloring, LEGO, and a variety of board games to the students. These activities aim to provide a pleasant diversion during lunchtime and create opportunities for playing with peers in a relaxed atmosphere. A big thank you to my year 6 helpers who assist to run the Junior program!

On another note, I'd like to extend an invitation to our wonderful community to consider becoming mentors in 2024. The presence of positive adult role models can have a significant impact on our students. Mentors play a crucial role in helping students build self-confidence, acquire essential life skills, and create lasting connections with caring adults.

If you have just one hour to spare during the week and are interested in spending quality time with a student, whether through crafting, engaging in sports, sharing the joy of reading, or any other hobby that fosters positive mentorship, I warmly welcome you to be a part of our 2024 mentorship program.

To explore the possibility of becoming a mentor, please reach out to me directly at sophie.board@suchaplaincy.org.au or sboar17@eq.edu.au.

Your support and commitment are invaluable, and I'm grateful for your partnership on this journey. Together, we can continue to create an environment where our students can grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

I'd also like to again thank our local community for supporting our programs, especially the Breakfast Club Program which receives support from the Lakeside Fruit Barn, The Grand Bakery and the Blue Fin Fishing Club. 

With warmest regards,

Chappy Sophie

P&C News

Term 4 - Planning:

Family Portraits: 10 & 11 November

Disco Under the Stars: Friday 24 November  (*date change)

Meal Deal Day: Various - See Below

Welcome Back

Term 4 is here and this term sees lots of exciting things happening at school. We have 2 events organised for this term, family photos and a disco under the stars. We are also well into our planning for 2024. We had a fundraising meeting over the holidays and 2024 is looking exciting. We love that as a school community we have seen so much support for our events this year and we want to continue this going forward. If you have any suggestions or ideas please reach out to our executive p&cSecretary@grandavenuess.eq.edu.au

Term 4 Plans:

We have had an outstanding response to our family photos and as a result we have now opened bookings on Sunday 12 November. Bookings are limited and will fill quickly, book via: www.trybooking.com/1129448

Do you run or work in a business that might be interested in supporting our Disco Under the Stars? We are seeking sponsors who are interested in supporting us to make this a successful night. If you know anyone, please let us know.

We will be running a raffle on the night and are currently seeking donations for the night. If you have any contact that you'd like us to reach out to, please email p&cpresident@grandavenuess.eq.edu.au

Uniform Shop News

Canteen News

Facebook:

'Like' and 'Follow' our Facebook page to keep updated with information on upcoming events. Feel free to share this with family and friends in our Grand Avenue community. https://www.facebook.com/gasspandc 

Next General Meeting:

All are welcome to attend our general meetings. They are held the third Tuesday of the month during the school Term. If you would like items added to the agenda, please email p&csecretary@grandavenuess.eq.edu.au. Want to become a member? Membership forms can be found on the school website or email the secretary above for a form.

Our November meeting will have a special guest and pizza will be provided. Please RSVP by Monday 20th of November on our Survey Form. 

OSHC News

Community Notices