21 February 2020

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

As we approach the halfway mark in Term 1, would like to I commend students for the effort they have displayed each day in the classroom. It has been pleasing to see students working together safely, wearing the correct uniform and conducting themselves appropriately on the playground.

Student Safety

At Gumdale, we place great importance on the safety of our students at all times. Thank you for your cooperation surrounding before school procedures and making sure students are not on school grounds before 8:30am unless they are enrolled in an activity. Early Moves provides fun and active supervision from 8:15am, and many families are availing themselves of this option.

We also value your support in ensuring all students are safe during drop off and pick up times. As I do each year, I recently shared a reminder regarding parking around the school. Parking laws, road rules and street and carpark signs need to be adhered to at all times for the safety of students. We appreciate your consideration of our neighbouring shops and kindies and request that parents use the school car park and drop off/pickup zone when transporting students. Thank you for working with us to provide a safe school for our students.

Finally, please join me in welcoming students and staff from Tama Meguro Junior High School in Tokyo. They will be visiting Gumdale for the next 10 days and we trust they will enjoy their time with us.

Always our Best,

Phil Savill, Principal
Gumdale State School

2020 Term Dates

What’s Coming Up

Always our Best

Reminders from the School

Student Attendance

All children must be present in their classroom for roll marking at 8:50am. Teachers will mark the roll and close it. Any child not in the classroom will be marked as absent. Children who arrive after the roll has closed will be required to go to the office to collect a LATE SLIP for presentation to their teacher.

Office staff will check and clear the Absence Line before 9:45am and a DAILY UNEXPLAINED ABSENCE report will be run. A generic SMS message will be sent to parents advising of their child’s absence and requesting an explanation.

Phone the Student Absence Line before 9:30am to inform of any/all occasions your child will be away from school. This is a 24hr recorded service, you can call it anytime. The STUDENT ABSENCE LINE number is 3902 8399; we suggest you store this number in your phone. Alternatively you can email absence details to admin@gumdaless.eq.edu.au or registered parents can utilise the QParents App. If you receive an SMS message, call the Student Absence Line to explain the absence OR if you believe your child should be at school contact the school office immediately to notify us.

Early Departures

From time to time, you may need to collect your child early from school. This may be in the case of illness, attending an appointment or family emergency. In all cases students must be signed out through the administration office.

Once you have signed your child out, administration staff will issue you with an early departure slip. This must be presented to the classroom teacher before your child can be released into your care (or that of the collecting adult).

Legally the school can only release your child into the care of an adult who is listed on the student’s personal details record as a guardian or emergency contact. Administration staff are able to check these details and verify the identity of the person collecting the child. In the event that a person comes to collect your child and their details are not recorded, administration staff will contact you to seek your instruction.

QParents

A QParents invitation has recently been emailed to all Gumdale families who are not already subscribed. Please check your junk folder if you have not received the invitation or contact info@gumdaless.eq.edu.au if you require assistance. QParents allows parents to connect instantly with the school to access and manage their child’s student information, including:

• Attendance and absence details, as well as the ability to notify the school of an absence
• Academic report cards
• Viewing unpaid invoice details, payment history, and making payments online
• Viewing and updating personal student details, including medical conditions and address
• Enrolment details

Over-the-counter medications

The Department recognises that all medications, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications, e.g. paracetamol or alternative medicines, may be drugs or poisons and may cause side effects. As such, schools are required to receive medical authorisation from a prescribing health practitioner (e.g. doctor, dentist, optometrist, but not a pharmacist) to administer any medication to students, including those bought over-the-counter.

Whilst parents may administer OTC medications to their child without medical authorisation, they are aware of the child’s complete medical history, and are able to provide ongoing, direct supervision for the course of the child’s illness. Due to these circumstances, a parent is also more likely to recognise if their child is having adverse effects and requires immediate medical attention.

The student’s prescribing health practitioner also has the knowledge of the child’s medical history to determine the appropriate OTC medication to administer and is therefore able to determine dosage and provide advice regarding potential side effects or interactions with other medications.

For these reasons, OTC medications will only be administered to students at school if medical authorisation has been received.

Confirming medication has been prescribed

To administer medication to students during school or school-related activities, schools require the medication to be prescribed, which constitutes medical authorisation. Schools can confirm that medication has been prescribed by checking that:

• the original packaging is labelled ‘Prescription only’ or Controlled drug’ (as these medications can only be sold by pharmacists on a medical practitioner’s prescription); and/or
• the pharmacy label on the student’s medication includes the medical practitioner’s name

In some instances, a pharmacist may dispense prescribed medication in more than one box, but not label all boxes. In this case, a parent should request extra prescription labels to be printed by the pharmacist, as only labelled medication will be administered by the school.

Staff administer medications that are essential for the student’s health. Where a school is concerned that the medication may not have been prescribed and is an OTC medication, e.g. the label does not include the name of the medical practitioner and the school has no other evidence that the medication has been prescribed (e.g. letter from the medical practitioner), the school may phone the pharmacist who dispensed the medication (named on the label) to confirm that it has been prescribed by a medical practitioner.

In the event that the pharmacist will not disclose if the medication is prescribed, the school should advise the parent that they cannot administer the medication without written authority from the student’s medication practitioner.

Example of a student’s prescribed medication with the names of the patient and medical practitioner on the pharmacy label

Further information about medicine labelling is available via this link:

News from the Payment Desk

Bulk Invoices are Due Today

A reminder that Bulk Invoice payments are due today, Friday 21 February. Any extra-curricular activities which incur a cost will be invoiced separately. Please contact the front office on 3902 8333 with any queries.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.

Refund Policy

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 receipt relating to the payment for which a refund is being sought.

It is preferred that refunds be made as a credit against the student’s account at the school, and used to offset any future charges. No refunds will be given under $20.

Invoices Due

School Photos

Flyers are being sent home next week regarding school photos which are scheduled for Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 March with Little Images Photography. Please note that all orders need to be placed online. The class timetable will be made available next week.

From the Deputies

Leadership Induction Ceremony

It was with great pride that we were able to announce the names of our student leaders for 2020 to our school community. The student leadership roles announced included those of school, cultural, sporting and STEM captains. Additionally we were able to announce the names of student leaders who will represent their class at Gumdale’s Student Council in 2020 across age groups.

Each of our student leaders have made a yearlong commitment to set an example for their peers and to inspire others to do their best. These student leaders will work to improve our school and the community at large through many forms of service. Their duties include representing the school at community events. By being the voice of our student body, our student leaders will also take on the important role of advocating for change to make our school even better.

We all look forward to seeing how these students grow in their roles supported by our teachers including Ms Ros McAuliffe (Student Council Coordinator).

Writers Workshops - Author Visit

This week, the Year 4 and 5 teachers and students welcomed Ms. Samantha Wheeler to Gumdale State School. An accomplished children’s author, Ms. Wheeler has previously worked with students to inspire, plan, write and publish their own unique stories. A local to the area, Ms. Wheeler spent time with each class discussing how students can improve their narrative story writing. Professional Development was also offered to teachers by Ms. Wheeler, with a focus on teaching strategies to develop student writing in the classroom. This valuable learning experience will also be on offer for our Year 6 students later this year.

National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual national assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. It has been an everyday part of the school calendar since 2008. NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling and numeracy. The assessments are undertaken nationwide, every year, in the second full week in May.

Federal, state and territory education ministers have agreed that NAPLAN will move online over a two-three year period. This means moving NAPLAN from the current paper-based tests to computer-based assessments commencing from 2018. We will be holding a parent information session on 11 March.

Further information on NAPLAN on-line for parents/caregivers can be accessed at the ACARA website here.

Building Positive Connections with Peers

This term, the Year 5 classes have begun working with Mrs Michelle Thomson to learn about the positive role that we can all play in social situations. Students are investigating how they can enact kindness in social interactions, as well as learning to implement simple strategies to shape positive social interactions. Mrs Thomson will also be running small group sessions on building peer connections with a focus on self-confidence and communication. Further information regarding this new small group program will be communicated directly to parents.

Young Gumdale Writer

The Sunday Mail recently printed a story written by Gumdale student Sarazen I from 4D. Well done Sarazen! You can read Sarazen’s story entitled ‘Cinderella…A different story’, here.

STEAM News

Sustainability @ Gumdale

Thank you to 1HC, 1N, 2B, 3W, 4J, 5M and 6R for volunteering to look after the Organics bin for their eating area this term.

Congratulations to 2B! Sustainability Steve has spent the week with this class for their initiative and thoroughness in looking after the Organics bin. Our worms are very happy!

Green Heart

At Gumdale State School, we have taken inspiration from the Brisbane City Council’s Green Heart Schools program to implement our sustainability programs to take action to help create a cleaner and greener school. As we continue to grow and improve our sustainability programs we can now watch our very own ‘Green Heart’ grow on the STEM classroom wall. Only possible with the kind donation of the ‘Native Grape Vine’ from Wallum Nurseries.

STEM Clubs

Kitchen Garden Club

Last week saw the return of our Kitchen Garden Club. 21 enthusiastic students braved a stormy, rainy morning to attend the first meeting. A welcome session including a health and safety presentation, the issue of "tool licenses", and a brainstorm of all things garden kicked off the year. Students are required to bring a hat, have sunscreen already applied and bring their own set of gardening gloves if they can. Spare gloves are available if they forget. Students will learn about garden care, soil nutrients, water requirements, composting, weed control and plant growth as well as how to use fresh garden produce to make healthy snacks.

This term we look forward to getting our gardens into a healthy state ready to grow some delicious crops through the year.

Article contributed by Gumdale SS Kitchen Garden parent volunteer Amanda Sobey

Digital Tech News

This week, iPad classes have commenced using Mathletics, Spelling City, Typing Tournment, Showbie and Soundwaves. However there are still a few families who still have not finalised payment for the Digital Subscription levy. If you are unsure about this, please contact your child’s class teacher. Please note, students will not receive access until payment has been made.

This week, Year 2 students have been learning about counting patterns and how to partition numbers. Students used the app Number Pieces where they have MAB’s they use to represent different numbers. Our clever Year 2 students then took a picture of their work in the app Number Pieces and used their pictures to create number posters in the app Pic Collage. Some student work samples are below. Amazing work, Year 2!

If you have any questions regarding the iPad program, please contact our Digital Technology Coaches, Sally Connell (shull11@eq.edu.au) and Andrew Ward (award43@eq.edu.au).

Sports News

2020 Camps

The camps for 2020 are as follows:

Bayside District Swimming Trials

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected in GSS Swim Team and attended the Bayside Districts trial at Brisbane Aquatic Centre yesterday:

Harris B, Nicholas P, Alexander F, Edwin L, Paige M, Annabelle S, Chloe S, Rileigh B, Angus C, James W, Mia K, Becky R, Saebra B, Josie C, Hunter C, Oliver S, Maximus C, Millie C, Stella M, Charli M.

Results from this carnival will be published in the next newsletter.

Sailing 2020

In Term 1, Year 6 students have the opportunity to participate in a ‘Tackers 3’ learn to sail program and a sailing regatta led by qualified instructors at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (RQYS). Students will learn the basics of sailing, learning boat handling skills, and the essential background sailing theory that will allow them the freedom of sailing the small boats with guidance from the RQYS Instructors.

Sailing lessons will occur on the following days:

6L and 6R/6S– Wednesday 05, 12, 19, 26 February and 04, 11, 18 March and a regatta on 1 April
6D and 6V – Thursday 06, 13, 20, 27 February and 05, 12, 19 March and a regatta on 2 April

GSS Elite Sailing Team

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected in the GSS Elite Sailing team:

Red Squad – Hunter C, Cuan H, Toby M, Angelique A, Kieran B, Max L, Tom S, Jade P, Preslee P
Blue Squad – Daniel K, Oscar C, Ruby C, Milo S, Ella B, Emily S, Brandon B, Sophie M, Rhys W

These teams will train on alternate fortnights in preparation for the Qld Youth Sailing Championships in Yeppoon in September.

Cross Country

The Gumdale State School Cross Country will be held on Friday 27 March. Participating in Parkruns is also an excellent way to prepare for the school cross country. Local parkruns are available on a Saturday morning at 7am at Capalaba, Lota, Wynnum and Minnippi. These are a free 5km timed run. More information available via the link below.

Keep moving!

Music Notes

Upcoming Events

Music Events Calendar

To assist with any specific queries relating to year levels or music ensembles, please see our staff list below:

Music Meet and Mingle BBQ

Meet the Cultural Captains…

Alyssa Ful

What is your favourite food? Tuna sushi.

Do you have any hobbies? I do like playing the piano, reading books and watching movies.

How long have you been performing music? I was 5 years old when I started piano and started the cello when I was 8.

Why do you like music? I like music because it helps to relax me and not get stressed. Also because it is fun.

What is the best thing about being Cultural Captain? I like having the extra responsibilities with the role.

Isabella Smith

What is your favourite food? Hash browns.

Do you have any hobbies? Yes, I play the flute, I do diving and I sing.

How long have you been performing music? I used to perform for my family when I was about 3 years old. At school I started choir in Grade 1 and started in instrumental in Grade 4.

Why do you like music? I like music because it is different to everything else and through practise and hard work you can get better at it.

What is the best thing about being Cultural Captain? I like the responsibility of being a leader in the music program and representing the school.

Choir

ALL choir rehearsals will be held in the Music Room, please take note of the changes to days and times this year.

Instrumental Music

Band Rehearsals

ALL band rehearsals will run from 7:30 – 8:30am in the music room. It is essential that all students are ready to start on time. Students should arrive from 7:20am to allow time to set up. The beginner students will start their Junior Band rehearsals in Term 2 on Fridays.

Xylophone Group

The xylophone Group has a weekly lunchtime rehearsal and will have performance opportunities throughout the year and anyone is welcome to join. Come along Friday at first break with your lunch and A4 display folder. Looking forward to seeing you there.

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

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 Sponsor

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

Notice of the P&C Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Gumdale State School Parents and Citizens’ Association will be held on Wednesday 11 March, 2020 commencing at 7:00pm in the Resource Centre.

Following acceptance of the minutes from the 2019 General Meeting and the tabling of the Audit Report for the year ending 31 December 2019, all current office bearer roles will be declared vacant and nominations called for the following positions:

• President
• Vice President
• Secretary
• Treasurer

All current P&C members are encouraged to attend the AGM to vote and/or nominate for vacant positions on the Executive Committee.

For more information concerning any aspects of the P&C including the conduct of the AGM, and the roles of executives, please email pandc@gumdaless.eq.edu.au

The AGM is open to all parents and carers who wish to attend, however only members are eligible to vote and/or nominate for vacant positions. At the completion of the AGM the March general meeting will be held.

Volunteering at Gumdale State School

Volunteering is a great way to get involved in our school. If you would 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 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

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

GOSHC

Making a Permanent Booking

Please make sure you update your details, if needed, via QK Enrol for 2020. If you do update your details, please print out and sign an updated enrolment form and bring into the service.

Booking permanently for 2020, please send us an email. All casual bookings will still be made through the MyFamily Lounge App and you will be able to book one term at a time. Each term will open one week prior to starting.

Enrolments

Enrolling for GOSHC in 2020 is easy, with our online enrolment system QK Enrol. All information is via the Gumdale State School website here. We have plenty of positions available for new and existing families.

A reminder that all enrolments must be made from a desktop browser only. To assist you with this process, please view the FAQ here:

Gumtree Eatery

Have you tried the Meatball Sub? Homemade here in the Tuckshop! Order for $4.00 via Flexischools.

Sushi Wednesday

If you would like to order sushi on a Wednesday please see Flexischools for our full menu. The cut-off is 9:00pm on the Tuesday prior.

Reminders

• Flexischools cut-off is 8:00am every day.
• Please do not call the Tuckshop unless you are cancelling an order. Emails are only checked first thing in the morning then after 2:00pm.
• Preps are not permitted to purchase items over the counter - ordering is through Flexischools only.
• We cannot store parents’ own Zooper Doopers or ice-blocks.

Volunteering

If you would like to volunteer here in tuckshop signing up is quick and easy!

• 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.

Please ‘like’ the Parents & Citizens Facebook page to keep up to date on Tuckshop news.

Carol and Helen
Gumtree Eatery Tuckshop Convenors

Uniform Shop News

Ordering

Uniform requirements, price lists and how to order online are on the school website here. Order online with the convenience of Flexischools and have your order delivered to the classroom:

Our staff and volunteers deliver to the teachers’ pigeonholes on Monday and Thursday mornings to avoid disruption to classes. Teachers will collect and distribute to students.

Stock

Polos in all sizes are now back in stock. We are still waiting on the shorts to arrive. Our supplier is working hard to get these to us as soon as possible.

Swimwear

Gumdale swimwear is a custom order and is only available to pre-purchase through Flexischools. Ordering is now open and will close 4:00pm, 13 March. Expected delivery will be Week 3, Term 2.

Second Hand Uniforms

Thank you for your donations of used uniforms over the last couple of weeks. We still require uniforms in all sizes from 4 to 16. Donations can be left in the box located outside the Uniform Shop.

If you have any questions regarding uniforms, please email the Uniform Shop on the details below.

Michelle Moffatt
Uniform Shop Manager

Community Notices

School Transport Assistance Scheme

The Department of Transport and Main Roads provides assistance under the School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS) in situations where access to education is impeded by distance, income or isolation. Applications can now be made online, making the application process more convenient for parents, guardians and independent students.

Further information about STAS, eligibility and online applications, including a short video explaining how the new online application works, is available at:

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