19 March 2025

Dates to Remember

Principal News

I would like to take the opportunity to say thank you to our school community for being so understanding through the disruptive start to the school year. My thoughts are with the family homes and business that may have been affected by the recent weather event. If you have been impacted and would like assistance around student or family support, please contact our office for a guidance on how we may be able to help.

We hosted our P&C AGM this week and I would like to congratulate the elected 2025 P&C Executive Committee

President – Jessica Watson
Treasurer – Melissa Meitzler

We are still looking for the following positions to be filled

• Minute Secretary – Responsible for compiling the monthly minutes and distributing reports to members.
• General Secretary – Assisting with emails and communications between meetings.
• Vice President – Managing executive minutes, summarising discussions between meetings, and tabling necessary items at general meetings. This role also involves stepping in if the president is unable to chair a meeting.

If you would like to nominate or find out more information about this position, please contact the P&C Executive team PandC@grandavenuess.eq.edu.au or Principal@grandavenuess.eq.edu.au

Parent Teacher Interviews

The booking portal for Parent-Teacher Interviews opened at 5:00 PM on 14 March, allowing you to schedule a time to meet with your child’s teachers.

Teachers are available across a range of dates and locations, with the main event taking place on Tuesday, 25 March, from 3:00 PM in the Grand Avenue State School Auditorium. All other bookings will take place in the classroom.

Each interview is scheduled for 15 minutes, comprising:

• 10 minutes to discuss your child’s progress with the teacher
• 2 minutes to wrap up the conversation
• 3 minutes for transition time between interviews

To ensure a smooth experience for all families, we kindly ask that you adhere to the 10-minute discussion time and finalise conversations within this period. When you arrive for your interview, please wait until the session in progress finalises before you enter the room, even if the teacher is currently available. This will help ensure a smooth transition between each interview.

Specialist teachers—including HPE, Music, Technologies, HASS (Prep to Year 3), and Japanese (Years 4-6)—will also be available for interviews.

If you are unable to book a suitable time, please contact your child’s classroom or specialist teacher directly to arrange an alternative meeting.

You can access the booking portal here: BOOKING LINK

We look forward to connecting with you.

QParents

At our Parent and Teacher Interview session on Tuesday 25 March 3:00pm to 7:00pm we will have staff available to help you sign up to QParents. All excursions, camps and incursion online consent will occur through QParents, so it is integral for you to sign up.

At Grand Avenue State School, we provide a school environment where students are able to learn successfully and feel that they are connected to our community, however, school absenteeism and holidays taken during the school term can impact significantly on students' learning and wellbeing.

Under Queensland law, you must make sure your child is enrolled and attends school on all school days unless there is a reasonable excuse illness, or participating in an off-site school event are all acceptable reasons for missing school. 

Research shows that in Queensland, higher student attendance is associated, on average, with higher student achievement. Additionally, attending school every day helps children to build social and emotional skills such as communication, teamwork and resilience.

Until next time,

QPARENTS

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

JUNIOR YEARS NEWS

Welcome Back!

An official welcome back after the disruption caused by Cyclone Alfred. I hope that you and your loved ones stayed safe and that your homes and belongings have been spared from significant damage. Our thoughts are with those who may have faced challenges during the storm, and we are here to support our community as we get back into the swing of things.

While Cyclone Alfred caused some unexpected interruptions, it’s wonderful to see everyone returning with renewed energy and positivity. I am so proud of how resilient our families have been during this time.

Year 1 Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

This term, our Year 1 students had the exciting opportunity to visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary as part of their curriculum focus in both English and Science. It was a day filled with hands-on learning and unforgettable experiences!

At the sanctuary, the students were introduced to a variety of Australian animals, learning about their unique habitats, diets, and behaviours. From cuddling koalas to observing kangaroos and wombats up close, the children gained a deeper understanding of these incredible creatures and their place in the ecosystem.

The day was not only educational but also incredibly fun, leaving the Year 1s with lasting memories of their adventure. It was a fantastic way for the students to connect their classroom learning to the real world, deepening their understanding of both English and Science through a memorable, hands-on experience.

A very big thank-you goes out to the teachers and parents for attending and supporting our learners on the day.

We can't wait to see how the students incorporate all that they learned during this incredible outing into their classroom work!

Fine Motor Skills in Prep: Building the Foundation for Success

Our Preppies have been working hard on developing their fine motor skills, and I couldn’t be more pleased of their progress! But what exactly are fine motor skills, and why are they so important in a child's early development?

What are Fine Motor Skills?

Fine motor skills refer to the ability to use small muscles in the hands, fingers, and wrists to perform tasks that require precision and control. These skills are crucial for activities like writing, cutting, drawing, buttoning shirts, using scissors, and even eating with utensils. Fine motor skills allow children to interact more independently with their environment and engage in everyday tasks with confidence.

Why are Fine Motor Skills Important?

Fine motor skills play a significant role in a child's overall development, especially in the early years. As children develop these skills, they gain a sense of accomplishment and confidence in their abilities. Strong fine motor skills help children:

• Enhance Cognitive Development: The ability to manipulate objects and perform tasks with precision helps children strengthen their concentration, problem-solving, and memory skills.
• Build Independence: Mastery of tasks like tying shoes or zipping jackets promotes a sense of self-reliance and boosts a child’s self-esteem.
• Prepare for Academic Success: Fine motor skills are essential for writing, drawing, and using classroom tools. As children develop these abilities, they are better equipped to succeed in school activities.

What Can You Do at Home to Practice Fine Motor Skills?

There are plenty of fun and simple ways you can support your child’s fine motor development at home. Here are some ideas to try:

1. Play with Playdough: Rolling, squishing, and shaping playdough helps build hand strength and coordination.
2. Cutting and Pasting: Practice cutting along lines or into shapes with child-safe scissors. Pair it with gluing to enhance hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
3. Building with Blocks: Playing with small blocks or LEGO sets strengthens finger control and helps with spatial awareness.
4. Threading Beads or Pasta: This activity encourages precision and helps develop hand-eye coordination.

Until next time,

Earning Rewards: A Powerful Lesson for Life

For children in many homes, screen time—whether it’s phones, iPads, or gaming—has become an expected part of daily life. When children misbehave, parents often take these privileges away. But what if we flipped this approach? Instead of removing rewards, let’s help children earn them through effort, respect, and engagement at school.

The Power of Earning

Children thrive when they understand the link between their behaviour and the rewards they receive. Rather than handing out screen time automatically, create a system where privileges are earned through positive actions—such as completing schoolwork, showing kindness, and making good choices. This approach builds responsibility and motivation while reinforcing the value of effort.

Simple Strategies for Parents

• Create a Reward Map: Work with your child to set clear expectations. A simple chart can help track achievements, making progress visible and motivating.
• Make Screen Time a Bonus, Not a Right: Allow access to devices only after key responsibilities—homework, chores, and respectful behaviour—are met.
• Connect with Teachers: Regularly check in with your child’s teacher to align rewards with school behaviour, ensuring consistency between home and school.
• Encourage Family-Based Rewards: Instead of just screen time, consider family movie nights, outdoor adventures, or extra playtime as rewards for great effort.
• Reflect on Setbacks: When missteps happen, use them as learning moments. Discuss what went wrong and how to earn privileges back.

By shifting the focus from punishment to earning, we empower children to take ownership of their behaviour. This simple change strengthens home-school connections, builds lifelong habits of responsibility, and helps children understand that effort leads to success.

Senior Years

Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians,

I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well following Cyclone Alfred. Our thoughts are with all those affected, and we encourage anyone in need of support to reach out.

As we near the end of a busy term, I’d like to acknowledge the hard work of our students, staff, and families. Thank you for your ongoing support and resilience.

Take care, stay safe, and look out for one another.

6 FRIENDSHIP FLAGS TO TEACH YOUR KIDS – REBECCA SPARROW (aka Australia’s ‘Friendship Whisperer’).

Do you ever ask yourself, why does my child choose friends who treat them so badly? Why do they continue to ‘exclude’ them?

Here’s the thing – we can’t choose our kids friends for them. Instead, all we can do is gently ponder and prod about what THEY think a good friendship looks like. Learning to recognise a great friendship is a SKILL and it’s something we need to actively teach our kids. We want to teach our kids what great friendship looks like and feels like and how to be a good friend to others.

So here are Rebecca Sparrows 6 Red Flags in friendship.

1. They're not consistent. You turn up to school and sometimes this person is super friendly to you and other times they give you the cold shoulder and ignore you completely.  You're left wondering where you stand ...
2. There are a lot of rules. Who you can talk to. Where you can sit. What your opinion is meant to be (We all love Stranger Things/NRL/sushi and if you don't - you're not one of us).  Most of all this person doesn't want you to be friendly with everyone at school - instead you're only allowed to be friends with the right (read: cool) people.
3. There's a pattern of bad behaviour. Everyone messes up in friendships but look for patterns. If they have routinely humiliated you, betrayed you, excluded you -- that's a big red flag that things aren't likely to change anytime son.
4. You have to choose between being loyal to the group/that friend and being loyal to your own values. Here's a tip: if you don't like who you are when you're with your friends - RED FLAG!
5. They don't show up for you. When you get cast as the lead in the school play. When you miss out on a leadership badge. When your dog is really sick at the vet. Friendship is about showing up for people in the good times, in the bad times and in the boring blah times.  It's not about big performative sharing - instead it's about being there for each other.
6. They gossip and share other people's personal stories with you. I'm telling you - if they gossip with you, they'll gossip about you. BE WARY!

Halogen Young Leaders Day and Public-School Alliance Leadership Day.

These special days were an opportunity for our student leaders to develop and refine their leadership skills, work together as a team, and learn how to inspire and guide their peers with confidence and responsibility.

Throughout the Leadership Days, our captains engaged in activities designed to challenge their thinking, promote teamwork, and foster personal growth. They had the chance to reflect on what it means to be a leader, how to make a positive impact within our school community, and the qualities that set great leaders apart.

We are incredibly proud of our student captains and look forward to supporting them as they grow in their leadership journey. These days not only strengthen their skills but also provide them with the tools to lead with integrity and care.

Below are stories from our Student Leaders.

Leaders' Day By Senaya Subasinghe

The Halogen Young Leaders' Day began with an exciting train ride to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Upon entering the arena, we were greeted by a vibrant atmosphere filled with students from schools all around Brisbane. We had brought iPads and booklets to take notes during the motivational talks from our esteemed speakers: Samantha Mostyn, Casey Rainbow, Dayne Zorko, and Todd Hazelwood. Each speaker shared their personal journey and the challenges they overcame to reach their current positions. My favorite speaker was Casey Rainbow, who spoke about her experience with bullying and how she used that hardship as fuel to achieve success. Her story was incredibly inspiring.

The day was all about gaining the inspiration and skills necessary to become a great leader.

After taking a train and bus to get to QUT, we settled into our assigned tables for the leadership workshop. The team at QUT guided us through valuable lessons on how to be effective leaders and how we can motivate others to engage in leadership projects.

Through group activities and thoughtful discussions, I walked away with a much deeper understanding of leadership. Overall, this was an unforgettable and inspiring day that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Leaders Day by Mustafa Almuwali

Halogen Young Leaders Day: We heard all kinds of role models speak. Giving us motivation and showing us how to never give up and always believing in yourself. The role models that we met were, Dayne Zorco, the current Brisbane Lion superstar, Kasey Rainbow, an author, artist and an advocate, Todd HazelWood, Supercars driver and 2024 winner of Australia’s most iconic Motorsport event (the Bathurst 1000) and finally, Ms Sam Mostyn Ac, the Governor-General of the commonwealth of Australia since July 2024. All these role models had significant life stories, especially Kasey Rainbow. My personal favourite was Ms Sam Mostyn Ac because she was just really interesting to me. We also had fun learning new dance moves with the dance crew to taking pictures with the role models. But at the end, it was amazing.

Public Schools Alliance Day: We went to QUT, a university in the city, and we did activities teaching us about leadership skills. We were all at the top floor with a beautiful view of the city. After we did a couple of activities, we were provided with morning tea, they handed us bingo cards and when you finish a row you have to put it into this bingo card box and then at the end of the day they shuffle the cards and pick one card out of the box. The winner gets a $50 gift card ANDDD GUESS WHO WON! Not us. But because they handed them out on morning tea, everyone and I mean everyone began to sprint across the room like their life was in the line and try to get a row to try win that $50 gift card. This caused a large commotion.

Leaders Day by Suyeon Hong

Recently, I attended two inspiring leadership days. On the first day, we listened to speeches from four amazing people. Ms. Sam Mostyn, the 28^th government general of Australia, started with a talk about young people's leadership. She encouraged us to make a difference in our school communities. Mrs Kasey Rainbow, a neurodivergent artist and author, gave an inspiring speech about believing in ourselves and staying motivated. She shared tips on how to stay positive even when things are tough. Mr Dayne Zorko, a professional Australian rules footballer, talked about the importance of never giving up. He shared his journey as a professional athlete and how perseverance helped him achieve his goals. Mr Todd Hazelwood, an Australian motorsport racing driver, also spoke about never giving up. He shared his experiences in racing and how he faced his problems.

On the second day, we took a train and a bus to QUT and learned about the importance of leadership through various activities. We discussed about the problems in our schools and wrote down a lot of ideas on how we could fix them. We also explored what makes a good leader and how we can use leadership skills in our daily lives. The experience was helpful and made us feel ready to take on leadership roles at school and in our community.

Leaders Day by Abithra Suthaharan

On the 24^th of February the school captains were invited to participate and join other school leaders in an event called Halogen Leaders Day. This was an amazing experience for me as I have learned so many more leadership skills. This day was packed with so many new skills and I will definitely take them on board in my leadership journey. First, we started off by meeting the governor general, Ms Sam Mostyn.  She shared many reasons about leadership and was a great role model for all of us school captains. We had learnt many important lessons like ‘life is supposed to be a roller coaster’. Then we met Kasey Rainbow, who was an author and a text designer. She had shared her childhood, and we had learnt so many more quotes just from that such as ‘Life is not always about the big chapters in life, it is the little descriptions’ and ‘You don’t have to wear a cape to be a hero and so many more. That was a very motivational speech. Next, we had a Brisbane lions’ player, Dayne Zorko and he mostly shared about his life and how he showed to never give up and nothing’s over yet. After those three speeches, I had learnt so many quotes to leadership and so many more skills I felt like I was learning like a true leader. Lastly, we had Todd Hazlewood, an Australian motorsport racing driver. Overall, I was amazed and started to understand the true things about becoming a leader. It shows leading and responsibilities and working alongside with others.

Next on the 27^th of February we had our next leadership conference at Queensland University of Technology. That was a lot different to what we had done from Halogen Leaders Day and it was more focused on future plans for the school. We had got a lot of writing, and I had really enjoyed a few things. Firstly, we had learned about different types of leadership which were transactional leadership and transformational leadership. Transactional leaders focuses on structure, processes and reward. They focus on clear roles and task completion. Transformational leaders focus on vision change growth and inspires people to do things. It really had helped me give me a deep understanding.  We had also learnt about different types ideas for our school and I think that helped generate a lot more ideas. We had started planning of what we were going to do for the school and the process, and it was important as we learned about all of the pros and cons.  We had planned our process our activities and I thought that this was a great way for us to enhance our leadership skill. This was an amazing day and I think both leadership days have taught me so many leadership skills.

Across the Desk of the Guidance Officer

Ashleigh Granzin
Guidance Officer

SOCIAL WORK UPDATE

HARMONY DAY CELEBRATIONS

HEAD OF CURRICULUM

HEAD OF CURRICULUM / Library News

Melissa McLennan
HOD-Curriulum (Prep-Yr2)

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AT GASS

An Exciting Challenge Awaits – Kokoda 2025!

We’re thrilled to offer our Year 6 students the opportunity to take part in the 2025 Kokoda Challenge – an 18km endurance event that will push them both physically and mentally!

Taking place on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Brookfield Reserve, this event is more than just a hike—it’s a chance for students to develop resilience, teamwork, and determination as they navigate rugged bushland and steep terrain.

Each team of 4 students + 1 teacher will take on the challenge while also raising funds to support Kokoda Youth Programs.

We encourage families to support their child in this incredible experience, reinforcing the Kokoda Spirit of Courage, Endurance, Mateship, and Sacrifice. To be eligible for this unique opportunity the first part of the selection process is your ability and willingness to;

• Be available to take part in the event on Saturday the ^7th of June 2025
• Provide your own transport to and from the location
• Have your parents or caregivers at the event or in close proximity during the event
• Pay the $50 registration fee
• Fund raise $250 as a team
• Walk 18km through a challenging natural environment including rugged bushland, steep inclines, rough and uneven ground
• Be responsible for carrying their own water and snacks and wear suitable clothing, footwear and sun protection.

If your child is up for the challenge and wants to be part of this unique and rewarding experience, please contact Grand Avenue Student Engagement Coach Mr. Reece Neyland at rneyl3@eq.edu.au by Wednesday, April 2, 2025 (Week 10, Term 1).

YEAR 1 NEWS

MUSIC NEWS

On Wednesday 19 March, Grand Avenue SS celebrated Harmony Day.

At lunch time on that day, the combined Junior and Senior Choirs performed a joyful song about diversity called "So Many Colours, So Many Shapes". They had been learning it all term and were so excited to share it with the school community. Our music program is filled with children from cultures all over the world and we love sharing new music and ideas.

Alisen McLeod
Class Music Teacher
Instrumental Music Coordinator

DANCE NEWS

GASS Development Squad Program

SPORTING NEWS

• Congratulations Imani S. who has made the Southern Scorpions Rugby League Team.
• Interschool Sports is on Friday the 21^st and 28^th. We have students representing GASS in Rugby League, Netball and Soccer.
• Grade 4-6 Cross Country is on Monday morning the 24^th. Students are invited to wear their house colours on the day.

AFL Longest Kick

We’d like to acknowledge the fantastic efforts of all students who participated in the Play AFL longest kick competition here at Grand Avenue State School.

It was great to see so many students come down to the oval after school to show off their kicking skills and compete for the longest kick.

Well done to Raymond in Year 6 for taking out the longest kick title with a whopping 28.7 metres! Special mention goes to Jasper in Year 1 as well for his outstanding kick!

Regards,
Dave Johnson / Hailinn Diola / Glenn Shaw
HPE Department

OSHC NEWS

We are celebrating Harmony Day today down in the OSHC rooms. Lovely to see the children involved, celebrating Australia’s rich cultural diversity and creating inclusive school communities. When everyone feels a sense of belonging, we help everyone realise their potential.

Last week we said farewell to Jai, after 9 years he has moved on to an administrative traineeship. We are currently interviewing for a new Senior educator. We are also interviewing for some new educators.

Vacation care program has been sent out this morning, families can check your emails for this one. We are heading to Ice Skating, Bounce and Lone Pine over the 9 days.

Regards
OSHC Team

P&C NEWS

• AGM Wrap-Up & Call for Volunteers – On Tuesday night, we held our AGM with a fantastic turnout. Many parents stepped up to take on various roles within our subcommittees and working groups. However, we are still looking for additional members to join our executive committee. We are particularly seeking:
• Minute Secretary – Responsible for compiling the monthly minutes and distributing reports to members.
• General Secretary – Assisting with emails and communications between meetings.
• Vice President – Managing executive minutes, summarising discussions between meetings, and tabling necessary items at general meetings. This role also involves stepping in if the president is unable to chair a meeting.

If you are interested in any of these roles, please reach out to us!

Upcoming Events

• School Disco – We are working on a new date and hope to share this soon.
• Mother's Day Stall – 6-8 May
• Outdoor Movie Night – TBA
• Ekka Day – 13 August
• Father's Day Stall – 2-4 September
• Family Photos – 15 November
• Next P&C Meeting – 20 May 2025 at 6pm in the STEAM Room
  Our next meeting will be held in the STEAM Room. We encourage all parents and carers to attend and have their say in school matters.

Tuckshop & Uniform Shop News

• Tuckshop –Flexischools is our preferred method of payment. We have noticed an increase in the number of over-the-counter sales, which requires students to line up before school to place their orders from 8.30am. If you need a hand with Flexischools, please reach out.
• Uniform Shop – Our uniform shop will remain closed for over-the-counter sales for the remainder of the term. Flexischools orders can still be placed, and deliveries will be made to students. If you need to try on uniforms or have any enquiries, please visit the canteen, where Jen will be able to assist you.

Thank You!

A big thank you to all our wonderful parents, carers, and volunteers who continue to support our school. Your involvement, no matter how big or small, helps make Grand Avenue a fantastic place for our children.

For any questions, suggestions, or if you’d like to get involved, feel free to contact us at pandc@grandavenuess.eq.edu.au or follow our updates on https://www.facebook.com/gasspandc.

Looking forward to another great term ahead!

Jessica Watson
GASS P&C President