Newsletter Term 2 Week 5
From the Principal
Great Start
Our class teachers are well and truly into teaching our Term 2 units of work based on the Australian Curriculum and contextualised for our Runcorn students. The curriculum covered at Runcorn gives our students genuine opportunities to engage and connect with good quality learning each and every day.
This Term is an exciting term for our school and we look forward to once again developing strong partnerships with you to ensure your child experiences positive growth in their education. There are many school events held this term so keep abreast through the school newsletter each fortnight or through the P & C Facebook page.
Welcome Back Parents
A noticeable impact of Covid has been less parents and caregivers being at school and part of our everyday routines. So, parents we want to welcome you back into our school! Please wait in Girrawheen Place for your children rather than outside their classrooms at the end of the school day as this distracts them in their final twenty minutes of learning. We would be very pleased to see you back as a part of the everyday life of our school and would like to encourage you all to make a commitment to join us in some way this term, whether it is through attending one of our weekly whole school assemblies or being a part of our monthly P&C meetings.
At Runcorn State School we welcome parents and caregivers as active partners in their child’s education. Your role in our school is vital to the success of our students as we work together to make a smooth transition between home and school. We are proud of the supportive parent group that we have at Runcorn and truly encourage all families to be an active part of the Runcorn school community!
Writing - our priority - High Expectations
Research has shown that setting high expectations for students is essential in them knowing what can be achieved. At Runcorn State School the teaching team regularly reviews students’ progress against data and observations. From this information, we then develop goals, and plan towards moving your child forward in their learning.
As parents and caregivers, I ask that you continue to talk with your child’s teacher and talk to your child/ children about ‘the language of schooling’. Hattie, a world leading education researcher, suggests ‘that positive expectations from the parents can be critical to the success of children. As such, parents need to know how to “speak the language of schooling” so that they can aid their children in terms of developing the child’s learning and love of learning, and in creating high and positive shared expectations for learning’.
At home I encourage you to talk to your children about their day at school with a focus on what they have learnt. This will help your child to think about what they have learnt, and develop a deeper understanding of what they have learnt. Parents are asked to consider the following when chatting with their children each day:
- What did you learn about today?
- How are you going with your learning?
- How do you know if you are doing what is expected?
- What do you need to do to improve? …and
- If you are having trouble – where can you go for help?
These may seem like simple or obvious questions, but research-based queries such as these assist children in governing their own learning – and let you know what they are up to at school.
Meg McClure
From the Deputy Principal
Transition to High School
Year 6 Parents, Carers and Students will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from Runcorn State High School, Sunnybank State High School and Macgregor State High School on Term 2, Week 10 - Thursday 23/6/22, from 2pm -4pm on the Basketball Court. No RSVP required. Please come along and find out more about our local high schools and pick up enrolment paperwork. Please contact Ms Matlock if you require further information. rmatl2@eq.edu.au 3323 8777.
Roberta Matlock
From the Head of Department - Curriculum
Premier’s Reading Challenge
I am delighted to invite all Runcorn students to join in the 2022 Premier’s Reading Challenge.
The PRC is not a competition but a way to encourage students to develop a love of reading for life. Students are encouraged to select a range of fiction and non-fiction books suited to their reading ability and record books read during the reading period, between 9 May to 26 August. Students in Prep and Year 1 will complete the challenge as a class. Individual record forms for students in Yrs 2-6 were distributed last week.
To complete the challenge:
- Prep to Year 2 must read or experience at least 20 books
- Years 3 and 4 must read at least 20 books
- Years 5 to 9 must read at least 15 books.
Experiencing books can include shared reading, listening to stories, or reading picture books. The aim for the 2022 challenge is to engage more students to read than ever before! Last year saw more than 168,000 children from around the state participate.
For suggested books or for more information about the PRC, please visit: readingchallenge.education.qld.gov.au or contact your child’s teacher.
Every student who completes the challenge will receive a Certificate of Achievement signed by the Premier. I look forward to seeing as many of our students as possible take part in the 2022 Premier’s Reading Challenge. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have 100% of Runcorn students participating?!
The Big Write
The students had a different challenge last week – instead of a visual stimulus to inspire their writing, the students listened to a piece of music played by a symphony orchestra and had to write something that matched. If you would like to have a listen and try it for yourself click this link https://youtu.be/4nMUr8Rt2AI . I’m still accepting any writing from brave adults who complete the Big Write at home to add to our library display board. Forward your writing to me at rlasa2@eq.edu.au.
Parent Workshop
Join me on Friday 20 May at 8:50am in the Library for a Parent Workshop on Inquiry Learning at Runcorn. Please sign-in and show proof of vaccination at the front office before entering the Library.
Rachel La Sala
Prep 2023
Music Matters
Senior Choir
Attendance: A reminder that if students are not able to attend a Senior Choir rehearsal an email needs to be sent to Ms Hopper- mxhop2@eq.edu.
From the Resource Centre
If you have some spare time to cover some books please come and see us at the Resource Centre. We have some fantastic new books which need to be covered before students can borrow them. Book covering is easy and we are happy to teach you the knack!
You can take a box of 10 books home to cover or if you prefer you could cover these books in the library. All help is greatly appreciated. Looking forward to seeing you!
Thank you,
The Resource Centre Team
Sporting News
District Sport News
Congratulations to Avant, John, Raiden & Zlatan who have been selected for the Eastern Taipans Rugby Union Team. They will be competing in the Regional Rugby Union Trials on Wednesday 1st & Thursday 2nd of June.
Senior Sports Day & Trials
We have been unable to complete the trials due to the wet weather. This means we will endeavour to catch up all trials at lunch time before Sports Day. Fingers crossed the weather dries up. Go Acacia! Go Banksia! Go Grevillea!
Gala Days
Let’s start the "no rain" dances so we can head to Gala Day on Friday 27th of May. Our final Gala Day for this term is on Friday 3rd June. A reminder children need to be at school by 8:00am so we can board buses and leave by 8.30am.
Hats
Please ensure your child has a hat on their PE days. No hat and students will not be able to participate.
Leah Sutherland
Norman's News
I have been “fur-tunate” to have been working closely with some small groups of students this week as well as being “unleashed” to enjoy some learning activities in one of the Prep classrooms. “Paw-don” my bias, but it seems that students are so keen to read and share with me when they know there is complete acceptance and adoration from me. Every day I spend at Runcorn is affirmation that learning is never scary when you have a “fur-iend”!
Until next time,
Big licks and tail wags,
Norman xx
P&C News
On Friday, 20th May, we celebrate P&C Day. Thank you to everyone from our Executive Team, who are involved with the Runcorn P&C including Members, Volunteers, and staff. Without the hard work of these wonderful people our children would not be provided with some of the opportunities they have. Did you know the P&C run our Tuckshop (‘The Runcorn Refueller’), provide an on-site Uniform Shop for the convenience of our families, employ two staff members, and spend hours organising events and fundraising to better our school. So, to all who are a part of our P&C we thank you and we acknowledge your hard work.
It is not too late to become a member of the Runcorn State School P&C. If you are interested in finding out what that means, please contact Nadera at rsspcsecretary@outlook.com.
Election Day Sausage Sizzle and Cake Stall – This Saturday, 21st May
Can you spare one hour of your day?
We are still requiring volunteers between 6:30am and 3:30pm to help set up, cook the BBQ, serve food and drinks, serve at the cake stall and help pack up.
Sign up now at Federal Election BBQ and Bake Sale Stall — Signup Sheet | SignUp.com
A signup sheet can also be found in Girrawheen Place or contact Zoee at rsspcevents@outlook.com
Is baking more your style?
Donations are also requested for our Election Day Cake Stall. Cakes, slices, cookies, brownies, or any yummy treats that you can think of would be most appreciated. Please drop off your treats to the Tuckshop Friday 20th May, or on Saturday, 21st May, morning to the stall. Where possible please have treats individually wrapped.
Mother’s Day Stall
The Mother’s Day Stall was a huge success this year. It was filled with a wide range of gift options, from hamper packs to earrings and plants. We raised an approximate total of $2400. We hope everyone who celebrated Mother’s Day had a wonderful day.
NAPLAN
Thank you to the Volunteers who helped serve our Year 3 and 5 students a light breakfast before they started NAPLAN last Tuesday, 10 May. The students enjoyed pancakes and Milo which went down a treat. At the conclusion of NAPLAN on Tuesday the P&C provided a small treat to students to celebrate their hard work.
Maze Products Competition
We need your help!
Runcorn State School has been registered in the Compost Heroes Competition. Maze Products goal is to educate the future caretakers of our soil and engage kids (young and old) across Australia to learn about the importance of composting and how to create a sustainable future. Becoming a Junior Compost Hero is an opportunity to engage and learn about composting, gardening, and sustainability!
Every child who joins, will gain an automatic entry in the giveaway. When registering select, ‘Runcorn State School’, as your school and this will give us one extra entry in the draw. One lucky school will be awarded $2000, plus another $2000 for your family.
Follow this link to sign up now Junior Program Sign Up - Maze Products Australia
Tuckshop
Operating Hours – Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (8:15am - 1:45pm)
All orders for lunch and afternoon tea need to be made using Flexischools.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact our Convenor via email tuckshop@runcornss.eq.edu.au. Please ensure you see the Admin Team at the office to sign in before your volunteer shift.
Over the counter sales are now available Mondays. Over the counter purchases can be made at first break only on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. A selection of ice blocks, ice-creams, and other frozen treats are available.
Cupcakes and Ice Block Buckets are available for order for any special celebration. These can be ordered for delivery on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. Ice Block Buckets can now also be ordered for delivery Monday and Tuesday. These can be ordered on Flexischools and must be ordered at least 2 days in advance. Please see the birthday option in the Flexischools app.
Uniform Shop
Operating Hours - Monday (2:00 – 2:30), Tuesday (8:00 – 8:45)
Winter stock is now available but selling fast. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT? Email all orders to rssuniform@outlook.com and we will deliver your order to your child’s classroom as soon as we can.
If you have any uniforms that you would like to donate, please send them in with you child. Please let us know at rssuniform@outlook.com so we can arrange collection from your child’s classroom.
Feedback
We are always looking for feedback. If you have something you would like to let us know, a ‘SUGGESTIONS’ box is set up outside the PCYC room. We are also looking at having a box located outside the school Office. Feedback can be made anonymously via these boxes. Alternatively, you can email, Debbie, at rsspcpresident@outlook.com
Year Level Facebook Groups
To find your year level group search RSS – Grade (enter grade) 2022. Join Now!
TO KEEP UP TO DATE – FIND US ON FACEBOOK at Runcorn State School P&C Association.
On behalf of the P&C Runcorn State School Association Executive
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