7 February 2025

Dates to Remember

Principal News

Welcome to the new school year,

I hope you have had an enjoyable and restful end of year break. A special welcome is extended to our new students, preppies, and families. At Grand Avenue State School, we create a culture of high expectations and a sense of belonging for our students and staff to grow, achieve and succeed. We want students to feel good about who they are as key members of our school community, build their love of learning and thrive as active participants in learning and achieving.

Our students, your children, are our number one priority. We have been working very hard over the past week to ensure a smooth start for all students. We have well developed, strong systems and organisational processes in place for the start of our 2025 school year, with close to 940 students. Key to this success will be patience and communication for all of us particularly at key drop off and pick up times. I encourage you to join our wonderful P and C Association in an effort to truly build a connected community for this year.

The first meeting for the year will be held on Tuesday 18 February and the AGM held on Tuesday 18 March, please keep an eye out for further details.

I would like to thank our parents and carers for starting the new year with ensuring every student is in our school uniform and adhering to our school uniform policy and procedures. Grand Avenue State School uniform was developed in consultation with parents, students, the P & C Association and the wider community and recently reviewed and updated at our October 2024 P&C meeting.  The school community strongly values and supports the wearing of the school uniform, and it is expected that students wear the uniform correctly and with pride. 

The reasons for a School Uniform are:

• Student safety - it identifies those students attending Grand Avenue State School, allowing us to quickly identify those persons in the school grounds who may not have good reasons for being there.
• A sense of pride - students develop a sense of pride in being associated with a school that has a reputation of excellence in the educational, sporting, cultural and social development of all students.

You will find our School Uniform Policy on our school website

All children need to feel that school is a safe place where people will care about them, where their needs for support, respect and friendship will be met, and where they will be able to get help to work out problems. Belonging is very important for children’s mental health and wellbeing. Research into children’s mental health has found that a sense of belonging and connectedness at school helps protect children against mental health difficulties and improves their learning. (Kidsmatter.edu.au 2018)

At Grand Avenue SS we want to our students and families to be part of our school family and feel a sense of belonging when they walk through our gates. Our STAR values and expectations helps us to keep a warm and inviting environment.

Our STAR expectations are as follows

Our focus for this year is ensuring all students can achieve success at school, by attending everyday and engaging in their learning to achieve success through developing a sense of belonging and connection with all our staff and community.

Our staff focus on a warm friendly welcome to our students, parents, carers, visitors and colleagues at the start of every day. The connections begin in our very first greetings at the front office/gate to the front of the classroom door with a strategic individual greeting with each student. If you have been able to view this greeting you may see the follow posters at the front of each door.

Until next time,

Racheal Jones
Principal

Across the Business Managers Desk

STUDENT RESOURCE SCHEME (SRS)

During term 4 last year, parents were sent important information about the fees and inclusions for the 2025 Student Resource Scheme (SRS).  If you are a parent who had previously opted into the SRS, your participation is assumed for the remainder of your child’s enrolment, unless you inform the school otherwise by completing a new participation agreement form.  If you are a new parent to the school, this information will assist you in making a decision as to whether you wish to participate in the SRS

What is provided by the Queensland Government?  The Queensland Government supports children’s education by providing funding for instruction (teachers), facilities (school grounds and buildings, internet) and administration (staff to run the school).  Funding for schools does not extend to individual student resources such as textbooks, equipment for personal use, excursions, camps or incursions and many items used by the student in the classroom.

Participating in the SRS offers a convenient and cost-effective way for parents to ensure their child/ren have the items they need for school and that all students have access to the same standard of resources.  The school is able to purchase resources at lower rates due to its bulk buying power.   Resources such as textbooks or musical instruments that will be used over a period of time are hired to students to further reduce costs for families.

The types of resources that will be included are:

Owned by the student – eg all student stationery supplies, once provided, these items are retained by the student and used at their discretion

Hired to the student for a specific duration of time – eg textbooks, musical instrument.  These items will need to be returned to the school in reasonable condition at the end of the hire period or if the student leaves the school.

Inclusions for each year level can be found on the school’s website.

SRS Charges for 2025

Prep & Year 1                      $75
Year 2 & Year 3                    $65
Years 4, 5 & 6                      $50

Full payment for the SRS is due Friday 28 February 2025

SRS - INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM  $40/$40    (Students selected to participate in the Instrumental Program Only)   Decreased from 2024 rates to help reduce costs to families.

Students who participate in the school’s Instrumental Music Program are required to pay a levy of $40 per year to cover costs incurred in running this program.  In addition, a hire fee of $40 is also charged to those students who utilise school purchased instruments.

SRS – CHOIR  $15   (Students selected to participate in the Choir)

REFUND POLICY

Please note the school’s refund policy as per DoE guidelines. The full Refund Guidelines for Excursions and Camps is available on the school website.

As the school budget cannot meet any shortfalls in funding for an extra-curricular activity due to the subsequent non-participation of a student who had previously indicated attendance of the activity, fees already paid for an extra-curricular activity may be refunded in full or in part or not at all, having regard to the associated expenses incurred and the circumstances of the non-participation.

If a parent wishes to apply for a refund due to their child’s non-participation in an extra-curricular activity, they may do so by completing a Request for Refund Form available from the school office. Where possible, the request should include the original receipt relating to the payment for which a refund is being sought.

• All applications for refunds must be made on the Application for Refund Form available at the administration office.
• If payment in advance is made by the school to a venue, or is conditional on the cost of transport then no refund will be made.
• Cancellation Fees charged by venues will be passed on to the parent

This policy was supported and approved after consultation with the Parents and Citizens Association.

CREDIT POLICY

Should financial hardship exist parents are asked to contact the office so that special arrangements can be made for the payment of activities. Please note that all discussions will be held in confidence.

When these arrangements have been made, regular payments or payment by the agreed date is expected.  Should this not occur, students then become ineligible to participate in future parent-funded activities for this year and future years, or until outstanding debts have been cleared.

UPDATING STUDENT DETAILS

We are currently updating school records, therefore we are asking parents to please update their student and their own personal details that may have changed.  Please pay particular attention to any changes of:

• Current Address
• Contact telephone Numbers
• Emergency Contacts, and
• Medical Conditions

If changes are required please contact the school office at your earliest convenience – email : office@grandavenuess.eq.edu.au.  Alternatively, you may phone 3372 0555.

AVOID LOST PROPERTY

It is very important that you NAME ARTICLES OF CLOTHING so that if it misplaced, we have the ability to return it to the student/s via their classroom teacher.  Especially hats.

Please check that your child’s school uniform items are all named clearly.  This gives the school the ability to return items to students, for the student to identify their own property, and avoid the necessity to purchase another uniform.

When we move between seasons or we have significant rain periods, it may be cooler in the mornings but still warming up during the day.  Many students will arrive at school in the morning wearing school jumpers and jackets and then remove them later, sometimes during play.

Please also name lunch boxes and reusable water bottles.

The LOST PROPERTY TROLLEY is located at the rear entrance to the school office.

SCHOOL CROSSING – OPERATIONAL TIMES

For the continued safety of students travelling to and from school, please note that these are the only times that the two crossings are supervised.

Centennial Way                  morning   8.05 – 8.50 am  afternoon   2.40 – 3.10 pm
Grand Avenue                    morning   8.00 – 9.00 am   afternoon   2.40 – 3.10 pm.

STUDENT SAFETY

The school has various pedestrian gates.  Each day at 9.00am the gates are closed, but not locked.

When entering the school grounds during the day can you please close the gate after entering and leaving, even if you are visiting for a short period of time.

SCHOOL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES – EVACUATION AND LOCKDOWN

Due to a range of potential risks from within and outside our school, it is necessary for the protection and safety of students that Grand Avenue has well-advertised and rehearsed Lockdown and Evacuation Procedures.  Although the purpose of the procedures are shared and practiced with students regularly, it is important that parents are aware of, and also discuss the procedures with their children.  For your information, details of the procedures are:-

Lockdown – students are to be seated on the floor out of line of sight of any external door or window while windows and doors are secured by school staff.  Students and staff need to be protected from various situations, aggressive intruders (eg: estranged adult, large dogs etc) and environmental mishaps (eg: dangerous chemical spill).  A broken siren wail signals lockdown (SHORT SIREN – STAY).

Evacuation – students and staff must be able to evacuate buildings quickly in the case of fire or bomb threat.  A continuous siren signals evacuation (LONG SIREN – LEAVE). The evacuation assembly area (EAA) is the school oval on the other side of the cricket pitch.

Should the school be without power, members of the school leadership team are allocated various teaching blocks to sound an evacuation alarm.  This will be two short bursts of a whistle, followed by the words ‘EVACUATION” and two more short bursts of a whistle.  They will then move onto their next allocated building.

Practices must occur at least once per term.  Generally, practices happen during class time and lunchtime breaks.  The school may also have a practice before school or on the afternoon dismiss bell as potentially an incident could occur during the short time before classes begin for the day or at the end of the day.  In the event of a lockdown before school, parents who are waiting with their children outside classrooms can enter the classroom.

During the school day unless volunteering in classrooms, adults who are not staff members will NOT be admitted to any classroom during a lockdown.  At all times parents and visitors are asked to follow the directions of staff members.  Visitors/volunteers working in classrooms should not leave the school grounds during an evacuation but accompany the class/group they are with to the Emergency Evacuation Area.

For any reason, should parents arrive at school during an evacuation or lockdown procedure, for your safety you are asked to remain in the public car park.

In the event of a real situation, school staff and the public will be directed by Queensland Police and Emergency Services.

Teachers will be discussing our procedures with their class during this week.  During second session on Tuesday we introduced all staff and students to the emergency procedure tones.  For our lower grades teachers will have a walk through with their class on the route that they will need to take to the EAA. 

ADULT UNI-SEX AMENITIES

Parents are asked not to use students’ toilets.  Adult Amenities are located at each undercover area and are well signed.

EVACUATION/LOCKDOWN PROCEDURES – GENERAL REMINDER – SCHEDULED DRILLS – TERM 1

Due to a range of potential risks from within and outside our school, it is necessary for the protection and safety of students that Grand Avenue has well-advertised and rehearsed Lockdown and Evacuation Procedures.  Although the purpose of the procedures are shared and practiced with students regularly, it is important that parents are aware of, and also discuss the procedures with their children.  For your information, details of the procedures are:-

Lockdown – students are to be seated on the floor out of line of sight of any external door or window while windows and doors are secured by school staff.  Students and staff need to be protected from various situations, aggressive intruders (eg: estranged adult, large dogs etc) and environmental mishaps (eg: dangerous chemical spill).  A broken siren wail signals lockdown (SHORT SIREN – STAY).

Evacuation – students and staff must be able to evacuate buildings quickly in the case of fire or bomb threat.  A continuous siren signals evacuation (LONG SIREN – LEAVE). The evacuation assembly area (EAA) is the school oval on the other side of the cricket pitch.

Should the school be without power, members of the school leadership team are allocated various teaching blocks to sound an evacuation alarm.  This will be two short bursts of a whistle, followed by the words ‘EVACUATION” and two more short bursts of a whistle.  They will then move onto their next allocated building.

Practices must occur at least once per term.  Generally, practices happen during class time and lunchtime breaks.  The school may also have a practice before school or on the afternoon dismiss bell as potentially an incident could occur during the short time before classes begin for the day or at the end of the day.  In the event of a lockdown before school, parents who are waiting with their children outside classrooms can enter the classroom.

During the school day unless volunteering in classrooms, adults who are not staff members will NOT be admitted to any classroom during a lockdown.  At all times parents and visitors are asked to follow the directions of staff members.  Visitors/volunteers working in classrooms should not leave the school grounds during an evacuation but accompany the class/group they are with to the Emergency Evacuation Area.

For any reason, should parents arrive at school during an evacuation or lockdown procedure, for your safety you are asked to remain in the public car park.

In the event of a real situation, school staff and the public will be directed by Queensland Police and Emergency Services.

Teachers will be discussing our procedures with their class during this week.  For our lower grades teachers will have a walk through with their class on the route that they will need to take to the EAA. 

Thank you for your interest and cooperation.

Julie Downes
Business Manager

QPARENTS

Do you know how amazing the QParents App is? Stay Connected and setup your account now !!

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome to the first newsletter of 2025! I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our new families joining us this year, as well as to those returning. I am truly excited to spend this year with our youngest learners in Prep and Year 1. It has been a wonderful start to the school year, and I have been thrilled to see our students engaged in their classrooms, embracing the Grand Avenue STAR expectations, and displaying enthusiasm for learning over the past two weeks.

A little bit about me -my journey in education began with a teaching placement in Central Queensland, where I spent much of my time in the early years sector. It was here that I first experienced the profound impact of creating rich, supportive learning environments where children feel safe, encouraged, and inspired to explore the world around them. I have always seen early education as a privilege, as we are shaping the foundations of young minds during such a critical period of their development.

In addition to my teaching experience, I have also had the privilege of working as a Guidance Officer in a Special School setting, which deepened my understanding of supporting students with diverse learning needs, including those with disabilities. This experience reinforced my belief in the importance of inclusive education and personalised, strengths based support for every student.

On a personal note, I am a proud mother of two daughters who are currently in their final years of primary school. As a parent, I understand the delicate balance between family life and the busy schedules that come with raising young children. I recognise the importance of creating a strong partnership between home and school, and I firmly believe that when both work together as a team, our children's growth and success are nurtured in the most effective way possible.

As we embark on this exciting learning journey together, I would like to share a few tips to support your child’s transition into school life. These are suggestions I still find valuable with my own daughters in senior primary school! The importance of establishing routines for our youngest learners cannot be overstated. Routines provide children with a sense of security, helping them feel confident and ready to engage in their learning. Here are some practical tips you can use to support your child at home:

1          Establish Consistent Bedtimes: A good night’s sleep is essential for learning and development. A c consistent bedtime helps children feel rested and ready to engage with their school day.

2          Create a Morning Routine: Establish a predictable start to the day. This could include having     breakfast together, getting dressed, and packing school bags the night before. A calm and organized morning sets a positive tone for the day ahead.

3          Encourage Independence: Simple tasks like packing their own lunch, putting on their shoes, or hanging up their backpack can foster confidence and a sense of responsibility.

4          Keep Communication Open: Encourage your child to share their thoughts about their school day.   Celebrate their successes, no matter how big or small, and offer support when challenges arise.

5          Stay Connected with Teachers: We are partners in your child’s learning journey. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Open communication is key to ensuring your child’s success and well-being.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my diverse experiences in early years education, special education, and school leadership to the students and families of Prep and Year 1. I firmly believe in the power of collaboration between educators, parents, and the wider community to create the best possible learning environment for our young children.

I look forward to a fantastic year ahead as we work together to support and nurture the growth of our wonderful learners.

Until next time,

Erin Strohfeldt
Years Prep & 1
Deputy Principal  

Hi Families,

I’m excited to be working with our Year 2, 3, and 4 students and supporting them through these important years of learning.

This is a time when children really start building confidence in their understanding of who they are as a learner, their growing independence, and strengthening friendships.

You can help at home by reading together, encouraging curiosity, and keeping good routines around sleep, nutrition, and screen time. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please reach out—chatting early makes a big difference in supporting their wellbeing and learning.

I’m looking forward to working together to make this a great year for your child/ren.

Jeremy Went
Years 2,3 &4
Deputy Principal

Hello everyone,

I am thrilled to take this opportunity to reintroduce myself to the school community as the Year 5 and 6 Deputy Principal. I’m excited for the year ahead, where we will continue to work together to provide a nurturing, engaging, and enriching environment for our learners.

I hope you all had a wonderful school holiday and made the most of your time away from the school routine. A warm welcome to all new families joining the Grand Avenue community—I encourage you to connect with other parents and families as you settle in.

Despite the very hot weather, it has been wonderful to see learners rekindling friendships in the playground and classrooms. Learners have returned rested and ready for the school year.

I try to shine a spotlight on kindness whenever I am talking to our students. Instilling kindness and a sense of wanting to pay it forward is not something that is necessarily part of our curriculum, but it is something I truly believe is an important part of the learning. Such life lessons taught by parents, friends, communities and educators are critical to encourage our students to flourish into good humans. Please help us choose kindness whenever you can.

If you ever have any questions or would like to discuss any aspect of school life, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I look forward to working with you all this year!

BACK TO SCHOOL REMINDERS

Supervision and play before and after school

• We ask that students do not arrive at school prior to 8.15am.  If you do need your child to be here regularly prior to this time, we ask you to consider OSHC;
• When students arrive, they are to sit at the MPA, where they will be supervised;
• No children, including those being supervised by adults, may play on playgrounds or other parts of our school grounds. All of these spaces fall under our OSHC agreement at these times;
• The bell goes at 8.45am, when children move safely to classrooms;
• All playgrounds and school grounds are not to be used by families after 3pm. From this time those spaces fall under our licencing agreement with OSHC. We ask families to understand this legal requirement and respect these time frames. 

School uniforms

• Thank you to all of our parents for ensuring students have started the year in full school uniform. The students look amazing! 
• No jewellery except a watch, a religious or medical necklace or bracelet, sleepers or studs only;
• No nail polish please; 

Mobile phones

• All mobile phones are to be signed in at the office each morning and then signed-out from the office after 3pm; 
• There are NO exceptions to this rule. This is to ensure the safety of the phones and ensure they are not being misused at break times.

Cara Middleton
Year 5 & 6
Deputy Principal

Across the Desk of the Guidance Officer

Ashleigh Granzin / Sabrina Blaas
Guidance Officers

HEAD OF CURRICULUM

Hello, my name is David Robertson, and I am delighted to be returning in 2025 as the Head of Department, Curriculum in Years 3-6. I am thrilled to be part of this vibrant school community and excited to contribute to the learning and growth of our students.

With a deep passion for education and a focus on fostering a positive learning environment, I am looking forward to working alongside both teachers and students. My aim is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential and experience success in all areas of their education.

As we all settle into the 2025 school year, I am excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Together, we will continue to enhance the curriculum and support the development of each child, creating a rewarding and enriching experience for all. I’m looking forward to a wonderful journey ahead!

David Robertson
HOD-Curriculum (Yr3-Yr6)

Library News

HOSES NEWS

My name is Linda Leegwater, and I am joining the Grand Avenue team this year as Head of Special Education Services (HOSES).

I consider myself fortunate to have been working in the special and inclusive education sector for more than 20 years, including over 13 years as a HOSES in various Logan schools.

Whilst programs, policies and procedures may have changed considerably over time, the one constant is that our students are at the centre of everything we do.

I am looking forward to working closely with our wonderful Grand Avenue students, families, and staff.

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AT GASS

Meet Our Student Engagement Coach – Mr Reece Neyland!

Hi everyone! My name is Mr Neyland, and I’m excited to be working as the Student Engagement Coach. This is my 21^st year in Education. My role is all about supporting both students and staff to create engaging, positive, and successful learning environments.

I work closely with students to help improve attendance, engagement, and behaviour, ensuring they feel supported and motivated in their learning. I also collaborate with teachers to implement effective strategies that enhance classroom engagement and student success.

Whether it’s through structured programs, targeted interventions, or simply being a supportive presence, my goal is to help every student feel connected, capable, and confident in their school journey.

“Welcome – MADI TUBUS”

YEAR 1 NEWS

English: Information reports and presentations

In English this term, Year 1 students are being introduced to non-fiction texts. We are exploring Australian animals’ appearance, diet, and habitat. Students will be learning how to create a written multimodal information report and labelled diagram to write and present details from learnt topics.

Science: Living things

In Science, students will be busy learning to recognise the needs of living things and how their habitats meet their needs. Integrated with English, students will explore this unit hands on to inquire about what a healthy and unhealthy habitat looks like, and how we can support/fix and create healthy habitats for living things.  

English and Science:

In March, year 1 students have an excursion to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, here they will have an opportunity to explore real life healthy habitats and have a hands-on learning with Australian animals in the Backyard Explorer Experience.

Maths: Number, Directions and Data

In Maths this term, Year 1 students are building their knowledge and understanding of number names, numerals, and quantities through hands-on engaging practical lessons.

Students will be learning how one- and two- digit numbers are partitioned into tens and ones and giving, and following directions to move people and objects to apply their learning to real-life situations. We will also be developing an understanding of collecting and recording data to represent their findings using pictographs, tables, and tally marks.

The Arts: Art

This term art is filled with creativity and imagination. Year 1 students will be making artworks in different forms to express their ideas using different techniques and processes. They will be responding to artworks using descriptive language and building their knowledge of colours (primary/secondary/warm and cool/and tints and shades). We will also be exploring Indigenous art works, and investigating where and why artworks are made and showcased.

Alyson Gratton 
1A Classroom Teacher

YEAR 3 NEWS

Community Project Launch: STAR X 5A and 6A Explore Deep Learning

As the new academic year begins, we are excited to share the early highlights from STAR X 5A and 6A. Our students have eagerly settled into their new classrooms and have started engaging deeply with the curriculum.

Our first community project was a highlight, focusing on the 6C's of Deep Learning: Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, Citizenship, and Character. Students from grades 5 and 6 teamed up to engage in challenges at six dynamic stations, each designed to ignite interest and deepen their understanding of these essential elements. The activities included the Match Stick Challenge—where students adjusted a single stick to correct an equation—the Jigsaw Challenge, Story Relay, Values in Action, designing a Multi-Purpose Hat, and brainstorming ideas for community action.

We look forward to continuing this collaborative spirit and exploring more topics that inspire and challenge our students.

In reflection, the children expressed great enthusiasm for the hands-on activities, particularly enjoying the opportunity to work with different grade levels and articulate their ideas and solutions.

Student reflections:

6A: Orion – I enjoyed talking with other people and understanding what they were like.

6A: Ella – I liked getting to know the grade 5s and working as a group.

6A: Nabeel – It was really nice team work. We had to think a lot and work together – I liked the station where we had to write on our whiteboards and collaborate with each other to brainstorm community action.

6A: Dominic – I thought it was really cool that we got to make stories one sentence at a time because in the end the stories were really funny and engaging.

6A: Xavier – It was fun because we got to work with people from grade 5 and 6 to do different activities and use the 6Cs of deep learning!

5A: Archie- I enjoyed working together and solving all the problems!

5A – Heer: I liked all the activities because we solved problems using critical thinking and worked together collaboratively.

5A: Dana – I liked being able to communicate with each other to solve all the problems because it helped us come up with great ideas!

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to grow, learn, and innovate together!

Mrs Haba Ahmad                                                                   Miss Tahlia Frater
Class Teacher 5A                                                                    Class Teacher – 6A

MUSIC NEWS

Another year of music ensembles and rehearsals has started at Grand Avenue SS. All Band and Strings families will have received an email last week, with 2025 information, lesson times and any changes that may have happened.  Choirs and Ukulele Club start next week and the Senior Band and Senior Strings groups start in week 4. Choir notes are going home to families this week.

Mr Tom Stewart is a highly experienced Band teacher, who has joined us this year. He has spent time working in the Oxley and Corinda areas, along with teaching in the Instrumental Music Online classes and we’re excited to welcome Tom to our school.

Times to Remember:

Mrs Cathy Cheel is also new to our school and will be teaching the Prep music classes on Mondays. Cathy has spent a long time teaching on the northside of Brisbane and loves teaching the young ones, so we are glad to have her here enriching the lives of our youngest students.

Mr Cason Mackenzie, Ms Jen Hemmings and Ms Alisen McLeod are continuing in their roles and are looking forward to seeing all their students again. Pop in and say hi sometime. Please contact Alisen if you have any concerns or questions, amcle71@eq.edu.au See you all at a concert soon.

Alisen McLeod
Class Music Teacher
Instrumental Music Coordinator

DANCE NEWS

GASS Development Squad Program

HPE NEWS

My name is Dave Johnson

I have had the pleasure of being an Educator for more than 30 years.  I have had leadership roles in schools, managed projects and run programs. My key passion has been Sport and HPE teaching. I have been responsible for coordinating representative school sports programs within Queensland and across Australia, performing official duties at district, regional, state and national championships and events, developing sports specific policies, and promoting quality sports programs for all students in affiliated schools.  I am passionate about health and sport, and continually endeavour to deliver quality learning experiences for all my students and school community.

District Sports-Using benchmarks and selection criteria (4-5 years club sport experience) I will inform senior students (Grade 5-6) of upcoming district trials and sport information. The Southern Scorpions District Coordinator and Regional School Sports Officer have highlighted students attending trials are of Representative Standard. 

Gala Sports-This year we will be working with Pallara SS, Forest Lake SS and Forest Lake SHS. The Term 1 Gala Days will be on Friday 21 February, Friday 28 February and Friday 4 March if needed. The interschool sports will be Netball, 2 grade 5 teams and 2 grade 6 teams, Rugby League, 1 grade 5 team and 1 grade 6 team and Soccer, 2 grade 5 teams and 2 grade 6 teams. Students will need to pay an interschool sport levy to cover the cost of transport, gear, officials, equipment and other expenses. The cost for all interschool sport will be between $30-$50 TBC. Consent and Invoice information will be sent out shortly. There will be back at school activities run by the senior teachers. These activities will be run as round robin stations eg art and craft, just dance, ball games, court games, STEM. There is no cost for back at school round robin activities. Class Teachers have been talking with students and they will complete a preference sheet this week. 

Our health program with a focus on Culture commences in week one. Our PE program with a focus on movement and fitness commences in weeks 4-5. Our end of term event and celebration is the Senior School Cross Country in week 9, Monday 24 March 2025.

Yours in Sport,
Dave Johnson-HPE Teacher

CHESS NEWS

After School Chess

Chess Club is Back!

Starting Week 3, Chess Club will be running every Thursday at 1st break in the library. Open to students in Year 2 and above, this is a great opportunity to learn new strategies, challenge friends, and have fun! We look forward to seeing our young chess masters there!

SPORTING NEWS

2025 District Swimming Trials

– February 12^th 2025

Can you please email Mrs Diola (hmdio0@eq.edu.au) if your child is interested in attending the District Trials in 2025.

Students must be 10-12 years old in 2025, and are an active member in a swim club to be eligible to attend.

Regards,
Hailinn Diola

OSHC NEWS

Welcome to OSHC 2025

We are happy to welcome in our new families and our new Prep children to the service. We hope you have all had a wonderful holiday. Our office door is open should you have any questions, suggestions or problems.

There is usually a staff member in the office during the day if you wish to call us.

Our Vacation Care program was a great time for our children and families who attended.

We had trips to bowling, movies and SPLASH water park.

We took our Year 6 children to Movieworld to finish their schooling with a fun park.

We were visited by a Pirate Show, A magic show and the big favourite – Inflatable Water Slides in the final week.

We have also moved rooms at the end of 2024 – our children are now enjoying the large room at the end of the centre as a quiet space – this room has been named the “KidzCave’ and the children are enjoying their time in there.

Regards
OSHC Team

P&C NEWS

Welcome from the Grand Avenue State School P&C Association

On behalf of the Grand Avenue State School P&C Association, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our families, both new and returning, for another exciting year.

The P&C plays a vital role in supporting our school community, working together to enhance opportunities for our students.

We encourage all parents and carers to get involved, whether by attending meetings, volunteering, or sharing ideas. Your support helps make a real difference. If you would like to learn more about how you can contribute, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

You can contact us via email at p&c@grandavenuess.eq.edu.au or connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gasspandc for updates and opportunities to get involved.

We look forward to a fantastic year ahead!

Jessica Watson
GASS P&C President

Canteen News

UNIFORM SHOP HOURS