9 August 2019

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Classroom Learning

This past fortnight I have visited classrooms across several year levels where I have seen some great learning being undertaken in our priority areas of reading and writing. We are continually striving to build and achieve academic success and social and emotional confidence for all children entrusted into our care.

Thank you to parents who have encouraged their children to always try their best. I also want to acknowledge the work our staff are continuing to do throughout the school. Their care and professionalism is second to none.

Praise Report

With numerous excursions taking place this term, it’s very pleasing to hear reports of how well behaved and polite Gumdale students are. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the Year 6 students who attended Camp in Canberra later last month. We received the following email:

"We are just writing to let you know that during the students’ stay with us here at Comfort Inn Airport International over the past few days for their Canberra excursion, the students were well behaved and had lovely manners. Other motel guests also told us how well-mannered and nice the children were, we believe you must be very proud of them." Comfort Inn Airport International

Good Luck

Finally, I would like to wish our Sport Aerobics teams all the very best as they compete in the FISAF National Championships at Sleeman Sports Complex this weekend.

Always our Best,

Phil Savill, Principal
Gumdale State School

What’s Coming Up

Always our Best

Reminders from the School

School Opinion Survey

The annual School Opinion Survey was issued to parents on Monday 29 July 2019. The survey can be completed online up to Friday 30 August.

Parents who have difficulty accessing computers or internet at home can contact the administration office for assistance in completing the survey. Everyone is encouraged to complete their survey before 30 August to ensure that their opinion is included in our schools’ reports, which we will receive later this year. The reports will help our school and Education Queensland to further understand how to better meet the needs of our community.

QParents

Pay multiple invoices easily with QParents! Invoices can be viewed and paid in bulk, rather than making individual payments. In addition, any outstanding amount can be viewed and paid.

If you haven’t yet registered for QParents, register now. You can provide your 100 points of identity documents for registration online through QParents, or in person at the school. If you have limited identity documents, or experience difficulties registering, please contact info@gumdaless.eq.edu.au for help.

QParents is a great way to stay informed about what’s happening in your child’s school life.

News from the Payment Desk

Office Procedure for Payment of Excursions

Three weeks after an excursion has taken place, One School will produce a Credit Adjustment for those students who have not paid. This is a system generated document which will clear your student’s account for this excursion. If your student attended and payment has not been received, you will be emailed a new invoice for this particular excursion.

Please ensure you advise the office and teacher if your child will not be attending the excursion, this will save you receiving another invoice.

Prompt payment of invoices will also ensure that additional invoices are not emailed to you. Payment due dates are stated on the excursion letter which you receive the day before you are invoiced.

Paying your school invoices

All excursions and events require payment and a permission form to be returned by the due date.

Please note that payments can be made one of three ways:

1. Using the QParents App.
2. Using the BPOINT Payment Gateway https://www.bpoint.com.au/payments/dete or from the invoice using the BPOINT link.
3. In person at our Administration Office during office hours (8:15am-3:30pm). No cash will be accepted.

Current Excursion Invoices

From the Deputies

Year 1 Excursion

Last week our Year 1 students ventured out for a day at the Daisy Hill Koala Centre. Students enjoyed observing, questioning, discussing and developing understandings about koalas in their natural habitat. The current unit of work in Year 1 English requires students to write an information report about a chosen animal. We look forward to sharing samples of their work with you in the next newsletter.

Year 2 Excursion

Attending the Year 2 Excursion last week was like walking back in time. The Year two teachers and the staff at the Gumdale Historical Museum created an array of hands-on learning experiences which supported our students’ knowledge and understanding about what living in the Gumdale Community in the past was like. The activities included hop-scotch, a tour of the Historical Museum, creating sketches of the old house, memory and games such as, pick-up-sticks.

The students had a wonderful time and a special thank you to all of the parents and grandparents who came along to help out.

NAIDOC Week

This year’s focus for NAIDOC week was Voice, Treaty and Truth and the student council did an incredible job of providing opportunities for students to respectfully engage in lunchtime activities which recognise and celebrate Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander culture. Activities on offer included Indigenous games on the oval such as ‘Mer Kolap’, ‘Kai’ & Barambah Gimbe’ learning Torres Strait Islander songs, creating Message Sticks and Dot paintings. The student council finished off the week of activities with the Gumdale Great Book Swap, which raised approximately $600 for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Congratulations to Mrs McAuliffe and her student council team!

Buddy Classes

Buddy Classes continue to meet and share different activities. In the gallery below, 3W and Prep M enjoyed reading stories together on Epic. This encourages confidence amongst the Prep students while the Year 3 students are learning responsibility.

eSafety

Parents are encouraged to take time to carefully guide and regularly monitor their child’s online activity. A recommended approach is for parents to discuss appropriate online behaviour and to highlight the importance of positive online interactions. Further information and parent resources can be accessed at the eSafety Commissioner’s website here. Please remember, as a parent or caregiver you play an important role in helping your children have safe and positive experiences online.

Resource Centre

Scholastic Book Fair

Book Fair Hours are as follows:

• Wednesday 28 August – 8:00am - 8:45am and 3:00pm-3:45pm
• Thursday 29 August – 8:00am - 8:45am and 3:00pm-3:45pm
• Friday 30 August – 8:00am - 8:45am and 3:00pm-3:45pm
• Monday 2 September – 8:00am - 8:45am (stock on hand only - no orders taken on Monday morning.)

Student Council

Last week Student Council was proud to present a week of NAIDOC themed activities to celebrate our culture and heritage and commemorate our history. Under the theme ‘Voice. Treaty. Truth. Let’s work together for a shared future’, NAIDOC Week was held nationally from 7 July to 14 July this year but as this was during our last school holidays, our Student Council decided to host a week of events at our great school in Week 3 so the Year 6 students would be back from camp.

2019 is recognised as the United Nations International Year of Indigenous Languages, so the topic of voice is a timely reminder that the Indigenous voice of our beautiful country is over 65,000 years old.

The culmination of our week’s activities was The Great Book Swap on Friday, 2 August. Interestingly, Andy Griffiths is a Lifetime Ambassador of the Indigenous Literacy Fund and Jessica Mauboy is an ILF Ambassador.

This was a very special fundraiser for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Their aim is to bridge the literacy gap by gifting books that engage remote communities in reading. The books are carefully chosen so they are culturally appropriate with 40% by Indigenous authors and illustrators. Thank you so much for your support in bringing in books to swap and gold coin donations in support of this very worthy initiative. Our Gumdale State School got behind the cause and raised a wonderful $601.50 in total.

In addition, we would like to acknowledge some very generous school community donations to the online site for which Student Council and Mrs McAuliffe are very grateful.

We hope that you all enjoyed the week’s activities and Mrs McAuliffe would like to thank the incredible student councillors and some amazing students and parents who gave up their own time to help.

You are very much appreciated!

STEAM News

National Science Week

National Science Week is next week, and all students are invited to enjoy the following activities:

• Tuesday: watch the ‘Mission Accepted’ stage show with their class
• Friday: Join the ‘Celebrating 50 years since landing on the moon’ event and activities in the STEM room
• All week: Explore the ‘Mission Moon’ display in the Resource Centre

STEM Learning

Year 1 - Investigating Farms

Students started investigating farms this week. Using a variety of farming books and rich in depth classroom discussions, students have drawn different types of farms. It was great listening to them work with a partner to come up with different design ideas. Here are some of their ideas:

“Our farm has flowers in rows.” Alina & Emilie 1H
“We have vegetables and a scarecrow to scare the birds.” Bonnie & Charlotte 1H
“Ours is a crocodile farm.” Milana & James 1ZL
“We added a water tank and pipe so our vegetables can have some water.” Dylan & Latham 1ZL

Year 2 - How does it grow?

Students started their mealworm investigation. They will monitor and record any changes over the next six weeks. Most students are enjoying handling the mealworms with great care, but others are yet to muster the courage to touch! Here are some of their thoughts:

“Our mealworm is very calm and slow.” Saskia & Grace 2J
“Our mealworms are very active. They keep moving all over our hands, it tickles.” William, Emma, Janice and Lachlan 2J

Sustainability @ Gumdale

Let’s work together in making Gumdale State School more sustainable! Sustainability Steve has spent time with 1WL, Prep D and 5M . Keep up the great work!

Kitchen Garden

Our Kitchen Garden Coordinator Michelle Boutin has stepped down due to other commitments. We would like to say a big THANK YOU for the amazing job you have done over the past couple of years. Club members, young and old, have enjoyed many gardening, cooking, dining and craft experiences under your guidance. Your knowledge and dedication will be missed and we wish you the best in your future endeavours and look forward to having you drop by when you can.

We are looking for volunteers to assist with our Kitchen Garden Club. You may like to join us for a single activity or on a regular basis. You may have garden, food, health, craft or DIY knowledge, or you may be interested in learning alongside the students. We would love to hear from you – please contact Amanda Sheppard axshe7@eq.edu.au

The Club is in full swing again! Club members have been busy:

• Harvesting potatoes and sweet potatoes which gave us a great yield.
• Planting new seedlings, such as fennel and dill.
• Planting seed “bliss” balls.
• Picking herbs for drying.
• Watering, weeding, compost and worm farm maintenance

Donations of plants, seedlings, seeds mulch or soil for the garden are appreciated and can be dropped to the STEAM Centre.

Article contributed by Sabine Clark – Kitchen Garden volunteer

Community Events

Robotronica Robotics and Technology Festival is on Sunday 18 August 2019

For more information and to enter please click here. Prizes include iPad Pros and Apple pencils. Entries close on 30 September. Talk to your STEM teacher if you have any questions or would like support and guidance.

Digital Tech News

Digital Technology Year 4 Unit – Nude Presentation

In Week 2, the Brisbane City Council to presented their ‘Nude Food’ workshop to our Year 4 students. During the workshop, we learnt that more than 400,000 tonnes of rubbish is generated by Brisbane households and sent to landfill every year. We estimated that 800,000 pieces of rubbish are sent to landfill by our students every year from their school lunch boxes. This semester, Year 4 will be using this information in their Digital Technology unit, as they collect data and generate graphs on the type of rubbish that is found in lunchboxes and how we can educate our community to reduce the amount of waste we generate.

BYOD 2020

Thank you to the families who have responded to the email sent regarding the BYOD school hire program. If you have opted into this program, you will receive more information in the coming weeks. If you have any questions about the 2020 BYOD Program please contact our Digital Technology Coaches via email iPadclasses@gumdaless.eq.edu.au.

Parent Cybersafety Webinar

Safe on Social Media are hosting online parent training programs titled ‘Parenting at the Speed of Light’. They are a certified training provider for the Australian Office of the eSafety Commissioner. The webinars feature real-life examples, anecdotes and detailed recommendations to inform people how to protect themselves online with information covering cyber safety, security and privacy. Some content is this 60min webinar is 18+. Webinars will be conducted using Zoom and all links will be sent prior to the event. Tickets cost $27.50. To select a date and buy tickets, use the link below.

Sports News

Soccer Finals

Congratulations to the 5A Soccer team who played Belmont State School in the next stage of the Met East Knockouts. Unfortunately the team went down 2-0 in what was a tightly contested game at Citipointe College. It was a great experience for the team and they walk away as Bayside District Champions for 2019!

Signature Programs

Signature Programs commenced last week for our Year 4-6 cohorts. Students have selected one of the following programs to participate in:

The Arts, Touch Football, Robotics, Music Ensemble/Technology and Sports Aerobics.

This program will give all students the opportunity to develop their skills in their chosen area and work towards a culminating activity at the end of the year.

2019/2020 Camps

The camps for 2019 and 2020 are as follows:

Sydney and Canberra Excursion

Students from our school have recently undertaken an education tour of the national capital. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding of $60 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion. Gumdale State School has used this rebate to subsidise expenses for Year 6 families throughout the year.

Sailing 2019

Little Accelerators

Acceleration and Gumdale State School have partnered again in Term 3 to run Little Accelerator sessions for Gumdale State School students.

Want to know how fast your child is? Want your child to run faster? Want to know what GSS Little A’s Program is all about?

Little Accelerators Sessions will include: Stability, Flexibility, Footspeed, Strength, Agility and Anaerobic Fitness. These sessions will increase your child's Speed whilst being FUN at the same time.

Sessions are Wednesday & Friday mornings on the Paul Green Oval from 7:30am – 8:15am.

$117 for 9 Sessions or $187 for 17 Sessions. You will also receive a discount up to $20 if 2 or more children enrol together. To register or for more info please click on the link here.

Keep moving!

Music Notes

Upcoming Events

Choir

Singfest

This term the Gumtrees Choir will be taking part in Singfest on Monday, August 26 at the Old Museum, Bowen Hills. Our singers will combine with other schools from across Brisbane for a wonderful day of workshops with guest conductor Katherine Ruhle, before presenting the works as a massed choir in a Twilight Concert at 5:15pm. Permission forms are now due.

Upcoming Choir Performances

Please save the date for the upcoming assembly performances and we hope to see you there!

Instrumental Music

Year 3 Instrumental Recruitment

At Gumdale we offer a three year Instrumental Music Program (beginning in Year 4) of group instrumental lessons on percussion, woodwind instruments and brass instruments. This also requires participation in Band and performance activities.

The selection process has begun in class music lessons with all Year 3 students. Students with higher levels of music aptitude from in-class assessment will then undergo further testing on specific instruments with Mrs Thomas.

To assist us in the recruitment process, the expression of interest survey needs to be completed through Schoolzine by Friday 9 August. Complete the EOI form here .

The following link has demonstrations of the different musical instruments we offer:

Xylophone Group

Xylophone group is now up and running for students in Year 3 and 4. For further inquiries please email Miss Moran mfmor1@eq.edu.au

From the Music Department,

Community Business Network

Gumdale State School is pleased to have the support of businesses in our local and nearby community by way of sponsorship. Each year, our school resources are enriched courtesy of members in our Community Business Network.

More details regarding our program and the packages available can be found on our school website or by contacting Marissa Bowen, Executive Assistant.

Phone: 3902 8333 Mail: mbowe79@eq.edu.au

In 2019, our Platinum and Gold Sponsors are:

Platinum Sponsor

Todd Gerhardt Realty goes above and beyond for his clients. Todd has broken countless street records, priding himself on getting the best possible price for his vendors. Todd Gerhardt is considered a real sellers agent, but he is equally devoted to his buyers and he knows how to close the deal leaving both parties more than satisfied (which in today's market cannot always be the case).

Todd leaves no stone unturned in the search for the right buyer for your home. It is Todd's mission to offer the best real estate experience you can get.

Gold Sponsors

Ian lives in Wakerley and brings his background as a marketing consultant to achieve the best result for his clients. Ian has achieved numerous property records in the Bayside area. As a great supporter of Gumdale State School, Ian currently serves as a community representative on the School Council.

Alpha Home Maintenance is a handyman service designed to save time, money and energy for all your property maintenance needs and those general repairs around the home. We provide a free consultation prior to any job so we can work together on an option that will ensure you choose the service that is right for you. We strive to work hard and deliver outstanding results and exceptional customer service every time. Call us today on 0400 823 868.

Gold - STEM Sponsor

South East Electrical Services conducts all types of electrical works from a single power point in your home to extensive electrical and data works in your office, school or commercial property. Completing regular maintenance for safety switches, lamp replacement service, test and tag of electrical items or emergency light testing, South East Electrical Services can solve your electrical or data problems. Call 1300 997 621.

P&C News

GOSHC

Gumdale OSHC (GOSHC) are committed to providing children with quality learning opportunities, delivered in a safe, secure and stimulating environment, while aspiring to deliver the highest standard of care. All our endeavours support the values and mission of Gumdale State School (GSS) benefiting the educational experience of all students.

GOSHC will embrace the Gumdale State School philosophies of “GROW” and “Always Our Best”.

Employment Opportunities

Can you recommend a fantastic educator? Gumdale Outside School Hours Care will be commencing service to students of Gumdale State School in September and requires great people to join the team. We are now hiring for several positions; click on the job titles below to view and please send cover letter and resume to Dennis Shanahan at goshc@gumdalesspc.org.au

• ASSISTANT COORDINATOR
• EDUCATORS
• EDUCATIONAL LEADER

Bunnings BBQ

Mark your calendars. On Sunday 25 August, we are running a BBQ at Bunnings Manly West. Thank you to Rebecca Chippendale for offering to coordinate the upcoming BBQ. We hope many people will show their support by volunteering for an hour to cook and serve, or will stop by and grab a sausage sizzle with the family! Please sign up here or email fundraising@gumdalesspc.org.au if you are able to help with this event.

Father’s Day Stall

The P&C is proud to provide a shopping stall for students to purchase gifts and cards for their Dads, Step-Dads, Pops and carers. Mark your calendars for Thursday 29 and Friday 30 August. The younger children need assistance with choosing those precious gifts, so if you can help please utilise the online sign up system by clicking here. We understand your time is valuable so even an hour of your time is most appreciated.

Fun Run

Plans are under way for Gumdale’s First Colour Run! Thank you to Natalie Herity who has offered to organise this exciting event. Please contact fundraising if you would like to help, we need many parent volunteers to help make this very successful.

Shaunesy Pegg
P&C President
pandc@gumdaless.eq.edu.au

Gumtree Eatery

Our usual supplier of Cheese & Bacon Pizza Singles is out of stock until Feb 2020, so we are going to make them ourselves, which is even better! Same price, same size, same flavour and available to order on Flexischools. The days they are available may change to being homemade in Tuckshop so please bear with us. Please ask your child to put the box in recycling.

Did you know that the spoon straws that we use for our slushies are biodegradable? The 'Eco-Straw' range is helping reduce the impact of plastic waste on our environment and every bit helps.

If you are available to volunteer for an hour or two, please follow the link below to our Signup page. Signing up is quick and easy! Click here:

• Click on the required SignUp.com link below
• Scroll through the available dates and make your selection.
• SignUp.com will email you a reminder 48 hours before your selected date.
• If you cannot make a shift which you have signed up for, could you please remove yourself from signup for the day in question. This will ensure that spot is left open for someone else to add their name and we will get an email notification.
• To provide a safe working environment, a minimum dress standard is required when volunteering in the Tuckshop as it is a food production area.
• Closed in shoes, no singlet tops and hair longer than shoulder length must be worn up.

Carol and Helen
Gumtree Eatery Tuckshop Convenors

Uniform Shop News

The second ordering of GSS Swimwear is now open. GSS swimwear is not compulsory Gumdale State School uniform, however all swimwear items can be worn for swimming and sailing. We encourage you to wear your GSS Swimwear outside school activities to show you're Gumdale proud.

GSS Swimwear is available to be purchased online via Flexischools ONLY and includes three full one piece designs, jammers, wide side briefs as well as short and long sleeve sun shirts to choose from.

GSS Swimwear is a special order via Flexischools and the Uniform Shop will not be holding stock other than samples and the sizing kit. The Uniform Shop has a limited sizing kit from size 6 available for students to try swimwear on. Please understand that all orders are non-refundable, so kindly ensure correct size when ordering. Size chart link is available on Flexischools.

All orders are due by Friday 30 August at 4pm with expected delivery date of Week 2, Term 4.

If you have any questions regarding the swimwear or purchasing, please email the Uniform Shop team at uniform@gumdalesspc.org.au.

Many thanks to the volunteers who continue to assist in the Uniform Shop, we appreciate your help.

Michelle Moffatt
Volunteer Uniform Shop Manager

Volunteering at Gumdale State School

Thank you to all who have joined the volunteer pool. Volunteering is a great way to get involved in our school.

If you’d like to find out more or would like to be added to our volunteer pool, please email fundraising@gumdalesspc.org.au and you will be notified via Sign-Up Genius when volunteering opportunities arise throughout the year.

Fundraising Calendar

We are very excited about this year’s calendar. Please ‘save the date’ for the events detailed below. Details for each event will be published in the newsletter, and on social media, closer to the date.

Fundraising Programs

A reminder to support the following organisations if the need arises for their goods and services. For every purchase made, they kindly give back to our school.

Follow the P&C

To stay up to date with all things P&C, follow us on social media:

• Facebook at Gumdale State School Parents & Citizens
• Instagram at gumdale_ss_pandc
• Twitter at gumdaless_pandc
• Or contact us on pandc@gumdalesspc.org.au

OSHC

Contact YMCA OSHC Gumdale
Phone: 07 3890 2675
Mobile: 0428 333 317
agd@ymca.org.au

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