15 May 2020

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

As we approach the end of Week 4 for this term, I wanted to again acknowledge and congratulate staff and parents for the work you have done and continue to do to support Gumdale students.

This has been a week of transition as we welcomed our Prep and Year 1 students back to classrooms. Teachers have been hard at work re-establishing routines and expectations in classrooms including additional hygiene and hand washing protocols as part of this ‘new normal’. Thank you to parents for your cooperation around not entering the school site at drop off and pick up times.

We look forward to the remainder of our students returning to school on Monday 25 May. At the time of writing, we are awaiting confirmation of this next step and we will share more information as it becomes available.

Always our Best,

Phil Savill, Principal
Gumdale State School

Welcome Back Preps and Year 1

Reminders from the School

Thank you to our community

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, many local community members, businesses and parents/carers have shown their support to us. Your thoughtfulness and encouragement have been very well received and much appreciated. We love being part of our community! Thank you to the following:

• Aussie Capalaba
• Gateway Church Carindale
• Gumdale Bakery
• Jacques Patisserie Boulangerie
• RACQ Bank
• Ross Vasta MP
• Steve Minnikin MP
• Wynnum Manly Leagues Club

Stay up to date with QParents

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

Prep 2021 Enrolment

To enrol your child for Prep 2021 at Gumdale State School, please complete the Student Enrolment Application Form and submit to our Administration Office or email to: admin@gumdaless.eq.edu.au

The calendar of events for the Prep Information Sessions and Orientation are currently being reviewed due to the COVID-19 requirements.  This information will be emailed through as soon as it becomes available.

School Photos

School photos have arrived and have been distributed to Prep and Year 1 students this week. Photos for Year 2-6 students will be distributed once students return to school.

Stop, Drop & Go

With the staggered return to school, our Stop Drop Go area in the Tilley Road carpark is a popular place to collect students. Please be mindful of your child’s safety and the safety of others when using this facility.

1. Display your child’s surname clearly on your passenger sun visor.
2. As you approach, keep left while queuing for Stop, Drop & Go. We will direct your child to one of the four coloured zones for you to collect them.
3. Children enter cars from the curb side only. You (the driver) must stay in your car. Store bags inside the car and not in the boot.
4. Instruct your child on independent seatbelt use – or park your car if you need to help them.
5. Give way when exiting Stop, Drop & Go as cars may be circling. If your child is not yet at Stop, Drop & Go, drive slowly through the carpark and turn right just before the exit to re-join the queue.

We thank you for your cooperation in helping keep our students safe.

From the Deputies

Tips for talking to anxious children about coronavirus and the return to school

At Gumdale State School we know that children need to feel happy and safe at school. We acknowledge that it is necessary to take the time to support all students through periods of change. Our staff are aware that a number of children have not accessed the school site for several weeks and that for some students, the return to school may be a source of anxiety.

In light of that, we would like to provide some tips for talking with anxious children about coronavirus and returning to school (Source: understood.org).

• Respond with empathy.
• Keep your own anxiety in check.
• Lead by example. Children watch to see how you respond to the situation. If you’re calm and rational, that can help to settle some anxiety. Even if you don’t feel calm, try to act that way.
• Give accurate, honest information at a level children can understand. Explain what they need to know. For example, younger children may need to know more about proper hand washing and hygiene. That is something they can act on and be in control of.

Here are some ideas of things to include in the conversation when talking with your child about returning to school:

• The doctors have told us it is safe for children to start going back to school now.
• The Preps and Year Ones have been at school for two weeks.
• You will see your teacher and classmates again. All of the teachers at school care about you and can help you.
• Your teacher will tell you about some different rules and routines to keep you safe and healthy at school.
  - School drop off and pick up may be a little different but there will be adults to help.
  - You will have to wash your hands a lot.
  - Your class might be smaller for a little while.
  - Sometimes changes can make us feel worried. It’s okay to feel worried. Your family and teachers can help you.
• Your teacher and friends will be very happy to see you.

If you have further concerns, please contact your child's classroom teacher. We are here to assist all children with the transition back to school.

Virtual Assembly

Next week we will share a link for our virtual school assembly! Watch your inbox for the link.

Tech Assistance

For all technical enquiries regarding remote learning, including help accessing lost passwords and difficulty accessing resources, please email our coaches and IT staff on learningathome@gumdaless.eq.edu.au.

Please include the following details: Student's name and year level, device being used and the website or app being used.

Hats

Students are required to bring a hat each day to school to ensure that they are ‘sun safe’ when learning and playing outside. Parents are asked to check with their child to ensure that they bring their Gumdale school hat each day. Hats are to be clearly named with the child’s first and surnames. Hats can be ordered online through the uniform shop and will be delivered to your child’s classroom.

Uniforms

As the weather cools and we reach for warmer clothing, a reminder that the GSS school jumper must be worn as part of the school uniform. Uniforms can be ordered online from Flexischools and delivered to classroom teachers for your convenience. More information on our uniform policy is available on our website here.

Growing @ Home

During this time of change and uncertainty, it is important we support the wellbeing of our students. In addition to the remote learning resources that will be sent out weekly, we have created a new platform called Growing @ Home to support the social and emotional needs of our Gumdale students and allow them to stay connected to our school community.

Each Monday we will send out a Growing @ Home email with links to:

• Suggested daily activities (created by Thrive) to support social and emotional development through the arts, play and creativity. Included in this will be a weekly challenge where students will be invited to share a photo or video of one of the activities from the week.
• The Gumdale YouTube channel where short videos will be uploaded for students to view.
• Useful websites that might be of interest to students
• Mindfulness activities/meditations.

Week 3 video

Week 4 video

STEM News

STEM Learning

Well done to all students, parents and carers for their amazing efforts as we tackle this challenge of learning@home. We have seen some wonderful examples of students engaging with and enjoying their Science learning. If you have not been keeping up with your weekly Science learning you can still go back and complete unfinished lessons.

Your STEM Teachers are here to support your Science learning.

Please continue to communicate your questions, queries, concerns, challenges and successes through your year level platform and/or email us directly (addresses below).

2020 Premier’s Coding Challenge

The Premier's Coding Challenge is an annual statewide initiative for all Queensland students in Year 3 to Year 10. The Premier's Coding Challenge aims to encourage an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Queensland students. Students can enter as individuals or as a pair, in one of 8 categories. See examples from previous winners. Winners receive prizes of coding and robotic kits (total prize pool $10,000).

Sports News

Stay Active

While students are learning at home, we encourage them to stay active! Check out some fun fitness challenges on our YouTube channel.

Keep moving!

Music Notes

It has been great to see your growing at home music activities over the past weeks and it has been wonderful to hear how your music practise has been going at home. From all of us, stay well and keep on making music!

Growing at Home Videos

Check out the weekly music challenge in the Growing @ Home videos!

Instrumental Music

Mr Cosic’s instrumental students have access to their learning at home information on Onenote. Each week you will be emailed reminders and other helpful information.

Mr Charlton’s instrumental students need to check their emails for the weekly focus, practise tips and information about sending recordings.

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.

P&C News

May Meeting

Members were notified that the meeting scheduled for Thursday 14 May was cancelled. It will be rescheduled for a later date. Thank you for your understanding.

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

Aaron Beake
P&C President

GOSHC

We loved having the teachers on the GOSHC Deck for morning tea. It was so nice to mingle with them and make them feel appreciated for all the hard work they have been putting into the students at Gumdale State School. Carol, the Tuckshop Convenor, put on an amazing spread and treated us all to some delicious goodies.

Booking Updates

If you require your child to attend BSC or ASC, you must create a booking either via email or the MyFamily Lounge App. Gumdale Outside School Hours Care will be operating at a limited capacity. It is imperative for families to only use the service if it is essential for your family.

Due to our limited capacity GOSHC will be unable to accept any children that DO NOT have a booking for the BSC or ASC session.

Gumtree Eatery

Winter is coming! To help keep everyone warm, the Eatery will be offering a soup of the day and a fresh bread roll, beginning next week.

We will also offer monthly specials so check out our Facebook posts!

Carol Matheson
Gumtree Eatery Tuckshop Convenor

Uniform Shop News

The Uniform Shop is closed for all over the counter sales until further notice. All orders are to be placed via Flexischools and will be delivered to Teachers pigeon holes to avoid unnecessary contact.

Polos, Hoodies, Microfibre Trackpants and NEW Microfibre Unisex shorts are back in stock.

Sale

The Uniform Shop is clearing overstocked and discontinued items. Prices have been marked down by up to 80% off. Price lists can be found on Flexischools or the link below.

2020 Senior Shirts

Second round of 2020 Senior Shirts have arrived and has been delivered to Teachers pigeon holes ready for when your child returns to school.

Uniform requirements, price lists and how to order online are on the school website:

Online ordering

Order online and have your order delivered to the classroom:

Our staff and volunteers deliver to the teachers pigeon holes to avoid disruption to classes on Monday and Thursday mornings for the Teachers to collect and distribute to students.

Michelle Moffatt
Uniform Shop Manager

Community Notices