August 10 Newsletter

Dates to Remember

Principal News

Grand Avenue State School is excited to offer individual parent teacher meetings in week 9 of this term. They will take place on Tuesday 5 September from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. Parents and carers will be invited to book a time through our online booking system for an interview on Friday 25 August with their selected teacher.

Our meetings will be offered in one forum this semester, face to face in the Auditorium or Library.

The meetings will be 10 minutes in duration. All our classroom teachers and our specialist teachers of the Japanese, Physical Education (PE) and Music will also be available for bookings.

Instructions on how to book for a meeting will be sent to parents and carers on Friday 25 Augus. Please keep a look out in your email box for this information.

We look forward to our school community taking this opportunity to meet the teachers looking after your child/children to share information and connect as a team for a positive school year.

We are excited to host the following events this term.

Science Week – 14^th to 18^th of August

National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence – Friday 18^th August

Book Week – 21^st to 25^th of August

Book Dress Up Day and Parade – Monday 21^st August P-Yr 1 9am, Yr 2- Yr3 10:15am and Yr 5 – Yr 6 12pm in Auditorium

Student Fundraiser Event – Crazy Hair Day - Thursday 31^st August (gold coin donation)

Bravehearts Incursion – Prep to Year 2 – Friday 8 September (more information to be shared)

R U Okay Day -Thursday 14 September

Grandparents and Friends Day – Friday 15 September (more information to be shared)

Planning for 2024

The semester is already in full swing and planning for 2024 is also well begun.  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 will begin working on class structures for 2024 early next term. 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.

Semester 2 Attendance Rewards

As part of our explicit improvement agenda of improved student achievement and engagement in school every day, we are implementing a student class reward process to encourage and celebrate attendance.

Our goal is to achieve every day 95% or higher attendance.

As a school, all staff will continue to promote full attendance at school through the school community, developing a positive culture for every student to engage and learn successfully every day.

Classroom Teachers will engage their students in a classroom activity - a game of Attendance BINGO.

Each class will be provided with a BINGO card from the leadership team as per below.

Teachers will complete this chart during their school day.

The goal is to mark off one achievement per day.  Once a line is completed either horizontally, vertically or diagonally will have a BINGO! 😊 

The BINGO achievement can be celebrated in class and the BINGO card should then be brought to the office to be placed into the year level barrel (located in the office).  A new BINGO card will then by distributed for another attempt.

Every Friday, year level class winners will be drawn from the cohort barrels by the DPs.  Two representatives from each of the winning classes will be invited to the staff room to spin the reward wheel!  A photo of the winning classes will be displayed in all classrooms via the interactive whiteboard.

We are seeking Student Council ideas for our reward wheel e.g. – no homework for a week, game on the oval during a learning session, ice block from canteen etc.

The class in the cohort with the most BINGO cards filled in will be given a pizza party in week 9 in term 4.

Exceptions will be made for students who have approved leave such as exemptions for lengthy travel or illness or other off-campus activities, ie. sport events/flexible arrangements.  These must be approved by the Principal as per Departmental policy. 

Thank you for your cooperation and support of our school.

Until next time,

Prep, Year 1 & 2 News

Year 2 News

This Term, students in Year 2 are on a fact-finding mission.  They are exploring the different ways information can be communicated and how images support the text.

In English, students are viewing a range of information sources about animals and locating important facts to organise under topic headings. They are using images, technical vocabulary and the information they discover to create their own informative text.

In Science, students are investigating the life cycles of the different animals they have been looking at in English and representing their learning in diagrams.

In Media Arts, students are learning the skills they will need to publish their writing using an iPad.  They are creating an animated slideshow using the Keynote app and using their newly learnt skills to add meaning to their ideas.  Students have been taking photos from various angles to support their ideas, drawing pictures, typing, adding voice recordings to give the viewer more information, and looking at inventive ways to transition between slides.

Year 3 & 4 News

News from Year 3! 

Year 3 have been working on procedural text in class this Term, here are a few great examples of the students wonderful work! 

Year 5 & 6 News

Year 5 News

Greetings, Grand Avenue Space Explorers!

In Year 5, we've been busy unravelling the mysteries of our solar system and reaching for the stars. So, buckle up, grab your spacesuits, and get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure through the cosmos!

Our budding scientists kicked off their celestial quest with a planetary showdown that pitted the planets against our magnificent sun. Armed with mind-blowing facts, they eagerly compared the sizes of the planets to the sun. The students learned that although the Earth may feel pretty big to us, it's a mere speck next to the mighty sun! The journey didn't stop with size comparisons. Our young space travellers took measuring wheels to the oval and discovered the distance from sun to Earth – which is around 150 million kilometres apart.

Using VR on our iPads, we jetted off to Mars and explored its landscapes, as well as how the moon orbits around Earth! Next, we investigated lunar craters by creating our own mini meteorite impacts. Students unravelled the secrets behind how craters are formed on the Moon's surface, as we watched our tiny meteorites make a grand impact!

So, as they continue to journey through the vast reaches of space, I think it’s safe to say, we've got some potential future astronauts among us!

Year 6 Camp!

The excitement was palpable as Year 6 students from Grand Avenue State School recently embarked on an unforgettable journey at a Survivor-Themed Camp. For three action-packed days, these young adventurers immersed themselves in a range of challenging activities that tested their survival skills, teamwork, and determination.

Nestled in the heart of nature, the camp provided the perfect setting for students to connect with the outdoors and develop essential life skills. Led by experienced instructors and teachers, the students had the opportunity to step out of their comfort zones and face exciting challenges that promoted resilience and camaraderie.

Students participated in practising the fundamental skills of shelter building and damper making. Armed with natural materials, the students worked in teams to construct sturdy shelters, fostering creativity and resourcefulness. Next, the students delved into the art of fire lighting, mastering the ancient skill of creating fire using basic tools and techniques. The crackling flames brought a sense of accomplishment and warmth to the campsite. Later, they enjoyed the rewards of their hard work as they tasted their delicious homemade dampers baked over a campfire.

Students set out on an exhilarating canoeing adventure. They were sent on a mission to capture all pieces of a missing map to find their treasure. Paddling through the serene waters, they honed their communication and navigation skills, fostering trust and unity among team members to help get the job done!

With their newfound confidence, the students took on the thrilling Giant Swing and Crate Stacking challenges. Strapped into a harness, they soared to great heights on the Giant Swing, facing their fears head-on. Crate stacking tested their physical prowess and problem-solving abilities as they attempted to build towering structures of crates while balancing precariously on top.

Another highlight of the camp was the Chariot Building activity, where students designed and constructed their chariots to race against each other. Encouraging creativity and teamwork, this event showcased the inventiveness and competitive spirit of the students. Then was the archery session. Under the watchful eye of experienced instructors, the young archers practiced focus, precision, and patience to hit their targets.

The Survivor-Themed Camp proved to be a fantastic opportunity for Year 6 students to challenge themselves, build lasting friendships, and experience the joy of outdoor adventures. Throughout the journey, they learned the value of teamwork, adaptability, and perseverance, qualities that will undoubtedly serve them well as they progress in their academic and personal lives.

The camp not only fostered a love for nature and adventure but also instilled essential life skills that will stay with the students for years to come. As they returned to school with beaming smiles and stories to share, it was evident that the camp had left an indelible mark on their young hearts and minds.

As the academic year continues, the memories of the Survivor-Themed Camp will serve as a reminder of what can be achieved through collaboration, determination, and the spirit of adventure.

Top of Form

Damian- My favourite thing about camp was the giant swing and seeing all the other people’s expression and having fun while everyone is also having fun while I was conquering my fears of heights.

Nehaya- Camp Warrawee was the best. The astonishing food, the magnificent activities planned for us, and we must never forget the kind hearted staff. These staff (including teachers) have given up their time to let us have the best time of our lives. Camp staff had also taken up their time to have the world’s best activities. I loved everything because without these pieces, the wonderful machine, would not work. My favourite part of camp was the Giant Swing because it finally got me out of my comfort zone. Camp Warrawee was the best.

Sienna- When I was on camp, we had so much yummy food and fun activities but one activity was the best out of them all… CRATE CLIMBING! It was so much fun and I loved it. I had so much fun when my best friend and I were up there together. After 3 minutes had passed, we had fallen off the crates that were so far up that the drop was awesome! I loved camp it was the best!

Elise- My favourite activities that we did at camp were the giant swing, create climb, archery and finding out the winning tribe. The giant swing was one of my favourite things because it was very fun and you were allowed to scream very loud (although I didn’t scream). Create climb was also one of my favourite things because when the time was up you could jump down and kick your tower so it will fall. Archery, it was my favourite because I hit the bullseye about 3 times and it was just fun. Finding out the winning tribe, it was only the best because my tribe won(the barbie tribe) but the tribe that came 2nd was 2 points behind us. Now my favourite foods. My favourite breakfast was when we had sausages, bread and a hash brown, my favourite lunch was the chicken burger, my favourite dinner was the first night which was spaghetti with garlic bread and finally my favourite dessert was the apple tart which was first night dessert.

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The winning tribe for this year was "The Barbies". They scored an amazing 158 points to take home the trophy this year! 

Student Council News

BYOx Program

Dear Parents and Carers, 

We have recently become aware that a handful of our students in Years 5 and 6 have sent inappropriate messages and other content to their peers via messaging apps. 

While this is contained to a small number of students and is not occurring during school time, we wanted to take this opportunity to remind all parents to please be vigilant with monitoring your child’s devices.  

There is clear research that shows when parents take an active approach to engaging their children in conversations about appropriate technology use, children are better informed to make safer choices.  

We want to support parents with resources to manage the boundaries that are required for children to learn to use these devices safely. Please ensure you have a discussion with your child about safe use of devices.  

These websites provide information for parents around boundary setting and management of devices:  

E-Safety Commission -
https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents 

E-Safety Commission Facebook -
https://www.facebook.com/eSafetyOffice/ 

Australian Parents Council -
https://austparents.edu.au/information-and-advice/digital-parenting/ 

Head of Curriculum News

Don’t forget The Premier's Reading Challenge is still running and all students have until the 25^th August to read as many books as they can before the forms are due back to school. Once the forms are complete, please hand in to the office. Parents must sign the permissions on the back of the form.

The challenge is not a competition but aims to improve literacy and encourage children to read widely for pleasure and learning.

Students who complete the challenge will have their efforts recognised through the receipt of a Certificate of Achievement signed by the Premier of Queensland.

Grand Avenue State School is excited to be apart of National Science Week 12-20 August 2023.

The school theme for National Science Week in 2023 is Innovation: Powering Future Industries. The theme incorporates the advancement in technology in all industries, especially using artificial intelligence (AI).

The curriculum focus of the theme is on:

• Science as a Human Endeavour
• Chemical Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Earth and Space Sciences, and
• Biological Sciences.

Along with the Sustainability cross-curriculum priority, it is versatile and accessible to all students and teachers. More details to come about school based activities.

Save the date for our annual Book Week Parade.

Date: Monday 21st August 2023

Theme: Read Grow Inspire

We will be hosting our Book Week Parade in the Auditorium starting at 9:00am. We encourage you to dress up as a character from a book, or dress up to match this year’s theme “Read, Grow, Inspire”.

Each student that dresses up with receive a ticket to enter the draw for a new book from the library. One prize per class will be awarded.

More details to come about school based activities.

Guidance Officer News

Japanese Corner 日本語のコーナー

Konnichiwa everyone!

Yet another first for Grand Avenue, students in Class 5D had the fantastic opportunity to participate in a live video lesson with students on an island that is far from the Japanese mainland! The island has a population of 169, no airport, hospital, shops or restaurants! The only school there has only 13 students from Year 1 to Year 12! The only access to the volcanic island is by a boat once a month or to helicopter in (just like Jurassic Park)! Tokyo Board of Education chartered a helicopter to the island and recorded the lesson for showing on Japanese TV and in a newspaper. Watch this space! Our students were fascinated by the Japanese students’ lifestyles.

During July, Sonoda sensei who is the principal of our sister school in Kumamoto in Southern Japan, kindly video called all of the Year 5 and 6 students by class, to announce the winners of the Manga competition and speak directly to the winners. He told the students about how to learn Japanese and helped motivate them for future Japanese study after Primary School including visiting Japan.

The Year 3 students are currently studying a unit called ‘Out and About’. In this unit they are learning vocabulary and shopping etiquette before participating in a shopping role play scenario using the Japanese taught. The Year 4s have been studying about spaces in their homes and have designed their own dream homes, labelled in both English and Japanese. The Grade 5 and 6’s, have spent their lessons exploring a unit called ‘How Do we Play’. They are currently creating and edited their own videos introducing a game of their choice in Japanese. These videos are also being judged by the Tokyo Board of Education who we have regular Zoom video calls with. The main focus has been trying to get students to speak in Japanese and understand that it is fine to make mistakes (much better than only using English).

Japanese Club remains running on Monday first break in the MakerSpace room in the library. Watch this space for further details!

Any feedback or suggestions/questions, please do not hesitate to contact Walker sensei on cxwal14@eq.edu.au or Brown Sensei on albro1@eq.edu.au.  We are always looking at ways to bring language and culture into our classrooms. 

またね。よろしくおねがいたします。

Walker sensei より

“ONE language sets you on a corridor for life.

TWO languages open every door along the way.”

Frank Smith, 1992

Dance Moves

Congratulations to all the Dance Troupe team members on a successful day at the Beenleigh Eisteddfod on the 4^th of August. The team placed 1^st (Right type of Mood) and 3^rd (Live Louder) in the Jazz category! In the Contemporary section, Grand Avenue placed 3^rd with their Sand item. The children represented the school beautifully and are congratulated on their wonderful performances.

Grand Avenue’s Hip Hop Crew – The Avenue

On Friday 4^th August, Grand Avenue’s Hip Hop Crew, The Avenue, performed for the first time at the Beenleigh Eisteddfod.  Throughout the year, The Avenue have worked closely with their choreographer Tia, and were able to perform their highly energised, technical, and extremely entertaining routine for the first time in front of their peers and families. And they absolutely nailed it!

The Avenue Crew came first in their section, with the adjudicator praising the choreography as well as their knowledge and enthusiasm for the hip hop genre. Not only did they win their section, but The Avenue Crew was named as the most outstanding primary school – grade 6 and under, and received a trophy as well as $100 to go towards the program.

Congratulations The Avenue Crew!!

P&C News

Diary Dates Term 3

P&C General Meeting: 7pm 15 August

Movie Night on the Oval: Friday 18 August 

Father’s Day Stall: 29-31 August 

Term 4 - Planning:

Family Portraits: 10 & 11 November

Disco Under the Sun: 25 November

Meal Deal Day. Date TBA

 Term 3 Disco 

TERM 3 Disco

💐THANK YOU💐

Friday saw the GASS P&C host 3 disco sessions.

A sincere thank you to Staff, Volunteers and Parent Volunteers who contributed to making the night a huge success. It was great to see so many new faces, without your time and effort we could not have run such a successful event.

Big thanks to our Chaplain Sophie and her team for putting on the BBQ and our favourite DJ for keeping everyone entertained.

It was a great time for everyone, and the P&C Executives are so grateful to be involved in these memorable events.

Until next time!!!

Purchase tickets ahead of time on Try Booking: https://www.trybooking.com/CKIEE

Father’s Day Stall

Get ready to spoil Dad or that Special Someone. Who’s your Hero!

Father’s Day Stall: 29-31 August 

Class timetables will be shared closer to the date.

Uniform Shop News 

The uniform shop will be temporarily relocated to the P&C Room (next door) during renovations. This is planned for late August/ early September. Dates will be advised as soon as we have our team of volunteers organised. Flexischools ordering will remain unchanged however, opening hours will be limited for the week.

Volunteers:

We have some awesome events coming up this term and we need your help to make them a success.

Movie Night: 18/08: volunteersignup.org/TMK9Q

Father's Day Stall: 29/08 to 31/08 volunteersignup.org/DDAPW

We need every bit of help we can get will help these events run smoothly. If these times or days don't suit you please reach out to our exec to let us know and we'll make something work.

We are still looking for volunteers to help paint the Uniform shop. The P&C Room is now complete, thank you to the volunteers who helped over the holidays. If you have some availability this term please let us know p&cSecretary@grandavenuess.eq.edu.au

We look forward to seeing you there. Many hands make light work!  

Facebook:  

Like and Follow our Facebook Page to keep updated with information on upcoming events. Feel free to share this with family and friends and others 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 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.

OSHC News

Grand Avenue State School P&C Association supports this sustainable and recycling initiative and hope you will too!  You can deposit containers at any of the collection centres using our Scheme ID.

https://www.containersforchange.com.au/qld/

Community News