Grand Avenue State School eNewsletter

Dates to Remember

*Fri 21 June*	*Last Day of Term 2*
Mon 8 July	First Day of Term 3
Mon 8 - Fri 10 July	Vision Screening - Prep Students
Mon 15 July	Bravehearts - Prep, Year & 2 Students
Mon 15 July	Music Bootcamp - Year 4 Students (Woodcrest S.S)
Mon 15 - Fri 19 July	CGEN
Tues 16 - Wed 17 July	Bandtastic - Year 5 & 6 Students (Woodcrest S.S)

Principal News

As we finalise the first semester of the school year, I want to take a moment to emphasize two critical pillars of our educational mission: the importance of learning and the impact of consistent attendance. These elements are fundamental to our students' success and overall development. As you reflect on your child/children’s learning and report cards and attendance letter, please see below the learning expectations at Grand Avenue.

The Importance of Learning

Learning is at the heart of everything we do here at Grand Avenue State School. It goes beyond memorizing facts and figures; it’s about fostering critical thinking, creativity, and a lifelong passion for knowledge. Here are a few reasons why learning is so vital:

Foundation for Future Success: A solid education prepares students for future academic and career opportunities. It equips them with the skills needed to navigate and succeed in a rapidly changing world.
Personal Growth: Learning encourages personal development. It helps students discover their interests and strengths, building confidence and self-esteem.
Critical Thinking: Engaging in diverse learning experiences enhances critical thinking skills. Students learn to analyse information, solve problems, and make informed decisions.
Civic Engagement: Education fosters informed and engaged citizens. Students who understand history, science, and social issues are better prepared to contribute positively to society.

We are committed to providing a rich and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive. Our dedicated teachers use innovative methods and diverse resources to make learning both effective and enjoyable.

The Impact of Consistent Attendance

Regular school attendance is equally important. Each day of school provides unique opportunities for students to learn, interact, and grow. Here’s why consistent attendance matters:

Academic Achievement: There is a strong correlation between attendance and academic performance. Students who attend school regularly are more likely to keep up with daily lessons, participate in class, and perform better on assessments.
Social Skills: School is not just about academics. It’s also a place where students develop social skills, build friendships, and learn to work collaboratively. Regular attendance ensures they do not miss out on these crucial aspects of their development.
Building Habits: Consistent attendance helps instill a sense of responsibility and discipline in students. These habits are essential for success in higher education and the workforce.
School Community: Each student contributes to the school community. Regular attendance fosters a sense of belonging and helps students feel more connected to their peers and teachers.

Our School Values

At Grand Avenue, we believe in fostering an environment that upholds our core values, which are integral to creating successful learners:

Successful Learners: We strive to provide all students with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for academic success. We encourage curiosity, perseverance, and a passion for learning.
Take Responsibility: We teach our students the importance of personal responsibility, whether it is in completing their assignments, being punctual, or taking care of school property. Responsible behaviour is key to becoming a trustworthy and reliable individual.
Act Safely: Safety is paramount. We emphasize the importance of acting safely, both physically and emotionally. Students are encouraged to be mindful of their actions and to create a safe environment for themselves and their peers.
Respect Everyone: Respect is the cornerstone of our school culture. We expect students to show respect to their peers, teachers, and the broader school community. This includes respecting diverse viewpoints, cultures, and individual differences.

To support our students' success, we ask for your partnership in emphasizing the importance of coming to school every day, on time, and ready to learn. Here are some tips to help ensure your child maintains good attendance:

Establish a Routine: Create a consistent bedtime and morning routine to ensure your child gets enough sleep and is ready for school each day.
Communicate the Importance: Talk to your child about why attending school daily is important for their future.
Stay Informed: Keep track of school events and important dates. Being aware of what’s happening at school can help you plan accordingly and avoid unnecessary absences.
Reach Out: If your child is facing challenges that make attendance difficult, please reach out to our school staff. We are here to help and support you in finding solutions.

Together, we can ensure that our students receive the full benefits of their education. Let’s work hand in hand to make every school day count.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to your child’s education

Have a restful winter break. We look forward to seeing all our families back refreshed for a new term.

Until next time,

From the Deputy Principals

Under 8s Day Brings Joy and Excitement to Our Youngest Learners

Our school recently celebrated Under 8s Day, a special event dedicated to our youngest learners, and it was nothing short of spectacular! This annual celebration is designed to recognise the importance of the early years in a child's education, providing a day filled with fun, creativity, and community spirit.

The morning was alive with laughter and excitement as children eagerly participated in a variety of activities. The biscuit decorating stall was a huge hit, with kids showcasing their creativity through colourful icing and an array of sprinkles. The pet animal zoo captivated the young ones, allowing them to get up close and personal with some friendly animals, sparking curiosity and joy.

Chappy Scott ran the sausage sizzle which kept everyone well-fed and energised, adding to the festive atmosphere. The dancing area was abuzz with activity as children showed off their moves, while the crazy hair stalls brought out the wild side in everyone, with vibrant and unique hairstyles on display.

A highlight of the day was the special appearance of our school mascot, Startacular. The children were thrilled to see Startacular, whose presence added an extra layer of excitement and joy to the festivities. The mascot's playful interactions delighted us all.

It was also lovely to see so many carers, parents, grandparents, and special friends joining in the fun. Their participation and enthusiasm added to the vibrant atmosphere, showing the strong community support for our school and the shared joy in celebrating our young students.

Under 8s Day is more than just a fun event; it underscores the significance of early childhood experiences in shaping a child's future. It's a celebration of the wonder and excitement of learning, encouraging our young students to explore, create, and discover in a supportive environment.

We owe the success of this wonderful morning to the dedicated efforts of Mel McLennan, Lynda Morcus, Vicki Rolfe, Kuldeep Kaur, and Helen Grace. Their hard work and meticulous planning made the day memorable for everyone involved. Additionally, a heartfelt thank you goes out to all the teacher aides and teachers who manned the stalls and ensured everything ran smoothly. Your commitment and enthusiasm were invaluable.

Under 8s Day was a testament to the strong sense of community at Grand Avenue SS, and we look forward to many more such celebrations in the future. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making this morning a resounding success!

**Louise Vickers**
**Prep & Year 1**
**Deputy Principal**

As Term 2 draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the many achievements and memorable moments we’ve experienced over the past 10 weeks. Our school community has been buzzing with activities, projects and events that have enriched our students’ learning and fostered a sense of enthusiasm. Here are some of the many activities that our students have participated in; years 4-6 cross country, ANZAC Day Ceremony, Cooneana Heritage Village, Street Science, Music Night, Active School Travel with a special guest, Startacular, Under 8’s Day, Year 5 Camp and athletics day to name a few. What a term it has been, Grand Avenue!

As we conclude this eventful term, I extend my heartfelt thank you to students, teachers and parents for their unwavering support and enthusiasm. Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing break, filled with rest ad rejuvenation. Let’s look forward to another exciting and productive term ahead!

Until next time,

**Erin Strohfeldt**
**Year 2, 3 & 4**
**Deputy Principal**

Spellathon

The student council would like to thank everyone that participated in this year’s spell-a-thon event! We are very lucky to have raised $7, 500 which will go towards new fitness trail equipment on the oval. Congratulations to the winners in 2024:

Willow (Prep A) Mikayla (1B) Evelyn (2D) Daxton (3B)

Harper (Prep D) Nate (1B) Camden (2C) Lincoln (3A)

Arlena (Prep A) Eliana (1D) Flynn (2C) Edward (3E)

Guillem (Prep D) Milla (1D) Ethan (2B) Michaela (3B)

Ellie (4F) Zachary (5D) Savanah (6A)

Elena (4E) Harrison (5F) Maya (6C)

Archie (4C) Suyeon (5C) Emanueli (6C)

Lily (4A) Charlie (5E) Jacob (5D)

Attendance

Well done to the following classes who received a pizza party this week for their great attendance

Academic Awards

All families should have received their report cards via email. Students who have achieved academic excellence will be celebrated at our academic awards ceremonies in Week 3, Term 3. Students who have achieved a gold, silver or bronze award will receive an invitation via email today with details of the event. I can’t wait to celebrate the student’s success – they have worked so hard this semester.

Academic Awards Ceremony Prep to Year 3: Wednesday 24 July 5pm

Academic Awards Ceremony Years 4-6: Thursday 25 July 5pm.

For more information about academic awards, please see the Student Recognition Policy on our school website.

NAPLAN

All students who participate in NAPLAN receive an individual report of their results. NAPLAN individual student reports (ISRs) will be provided to schools from the start of Term 3, with timing determined by the state or territory test administration authority (TAA). Since 2023, NAPLAN individual student results are reported against proficiency standards to provide parents and carers clear information on student achievement.

The proficiency standards are set to a challenging but reasonable level expected for students at the time of NAPLAN testing. What NAPLAN assesses has not changed. As soon as they reports are received by the school, we will send them home to students and their families.

**Tamara Walsh**
**Year 5 & 6**
**Deputy Principal**

Year 2 News

Term 2 in Year 2 has been terrific and amazing. We have really enjoyed all of our learning and activities. Here are our thoughts on this term:

-My favourite activity in term 2 was going onto Mathletics on the iPads (Akudzwe).

-My favourite activity in term 2 was Athletics Day (Vivaan).

-My favourite activity was completing homework each week (Josiah)

-What I loved about term 2 was Mrs Turner always helping me with everything (Michelle).

-My favourite activity in term 2 was sounds-write (Bentley).

-My favourite activities were the running on Athletics Day and using iPads (Paisley).

-My favourite activity in term 2 was making our dioramas going on the excursion to Cooneana (Alicia).

-My favourite activity in term 2 was Athletics Day because I enjoyed the high jump (Ethan).

-My favourite activity in term 2 was the Athletics Day and learning about money and telling the time in Maths (Hanson).

-What I loved about term 2 was Athletics Day, the Cooneana excursion, talk time and the Kaboom music incursion (Nate).

-What I loved about term 2 was the Cooneana excursion (Chelsea).

-What I loved about term 2 was the Cooneana excursion. My favourite activity in term 2 was drawing because it is fun (Annie).

-What I liked about term 2 was making a diorama of a snake habitat (Archie).

-My favourite activity in term 2 was the addition game in Maths and that my teacher was so nice, and we did a lot of learning and games (Alice).

-My favourite activity in term 2 was the Athletics Carnival because it was fun and funny and exciting (Timothy).

-My favourite activity from term 2 was writing information reports in English because you could research information (Rory).

-My favourite activity in term 2 was the excursion to Cooneana and dancing the Cha Cha Slide (Tanisha).

-My favourite activity in term 2 was drawing (Shriya).

Year 5 News

Design Technology 5F

For Design Technology we had to design and make a model of an animal enclosure for Australian animals to survive in an unfamiliar environment.

Eva

I have chosen the Platypus for my enclosure.

I have put a burrow for my platypus to sleep in and raise its young.

I have put a rocky playground for the platypus’ entertainment and daily health, and

a river for my animal to swim in as he has adapted to this.

Senaya

I have made an enclosure for a Black Swan.

I put a pond for them for them to swim in and you can see a nest on top of the water

where the swans like to build them.

I added more than one swan, so they won’t get lonely.

I left some space for them to play and a shelter for them to stay in.

I added some extra things to the pond like tadpoles and pond weed.

Niya

My animal is a turtle, so I had to make a tank for it.

Inside my enclosure I added rocks, plants, tunnels, toys and weed.

My animal needs these things in it’s enclosure because you find these things in its natural

environment. Tunnels help turtles hide or have quiet time and the toys keep the turtle

entertained. The weed is for food.

Ariana

My animal is a Pigeon and they love living around people. For that reason, I put two buildings

at the back of the enclosure.

I have trees for the pigeons to sit in and nest in, water and food so that they can survive and they

have a pond that they can play in.

Nicholas

My animal is a Blue-tongued Lizard.

I used the bark for flooring because it looked like an Australian Outback.

I used leaves so that the animal could eat and lastly, I used twigs and rocks

for the lizard could play and hide in.

Ella

My animal is a Coconut Lorikeet.

In my enclosure I have added lots of things for my Lorikeet.

There is a fresh water pond, berries for food and lots of trees for sitting in and nesting.

There is even a sign with their name.

Nabeel

My animal is the Tasmanian Devil

In my enclosure, I have made use of materials like cardboard, a plastic cup and the boxes where batteries are in when you buy them at the store. I have also made use of a plastic bowl and soap. It is a realistic representation of what is in an enclosure of a Tasmanian Devil. I have placed the parts evenly so the Tasmanian Devil would have enough space to move around and have fun. There are a variety of appropriate places to stay and hide.

Jennifer

My animal is the Tiger Snake.

In my enclosure I included small trees, plants, ponds, caves and algae.

The materials I have made use of were egg cartons for caves, blue cellophane for ponds, paper towel rolls for the small trees and artificial grass that represented the algae on the caves.

Prithika

The enclosure I have made is for a Micro Bat.

The materials I used to make it are bottle caps as rocks, paper towel rolls for trees, and a beaded necklace. I made a mini cave because Micro Bats live in caves, old mines and stone basements. They like to eat frogs, so I made a frog out of modelling clay. I made lots of rocks, put vines in the trees and used green paint for the grass. I put some fake leaves on top of two trees and a bottle top rock on the top. It was a lot of fun to make.

Year 6 News

Term 2 Recap

This term Year 6 have participated in interschool sports where they played and participated in rugby league, soccer, netball, roller skating, and rock climbing. They found these activities extremely fun.

In the last few weeks, they have been working hard at completing a number of assessments for all subjects. Last week they had street science where they built a number of different simple electrical circuits.

Last Friday they had their final primary school Athletics Carnival, which saw them participate and showcase their skills in a range of different activities including high jump, long jump and sprint races, which they had been working on during PE lessons.

Next term they are looking forward to the Year 6 camp happening in week 4.

Athletics Day Carnivals

Evening of Music

Congratulations to everyone involved in the Grand Avenue Evening of Music Concert last week. All groups performed confidently and musically on stage. Thank you to those staff who volunteered to supervise and support our young musicians, it was a great night.

Our Junior Strings performed for the very first time as an ensemble and our Senior Band and Senior Strings were able to share with us some of their songs from the recent Fanfare competitions. Thank you to our P & C Association who organised the tickets and made sure everyone knew where to sit. Our young musicians were all very excited to perform and had a lot of fun sharing their songs with family and friends. See you at the next one!