Newsletter Term 4 Week 9

From the Principal

This will be our last newsletter for this year. I would like to take the opportunity to thank the whole school community for a positive year with so many things to celebrate. Thanks go to our P&C for the dedication and ongoing support throughout the year to enable students to have the resources they need to excel and the connection to community to thrive. A hearty congratulations to the P&C Executive and a heartfelt thank you to all of the volunteers who have supported our amazing school this year.

Thank you to all of our students for a successful year, full of fun and learning. They are not afraid to make mistakes, support their friends and their teachers, and are always willing to have a go and try new things. Our learners are always filled with encouragement of their friends and a generosity of spirit. The staff and I are very proud of them all. Farewell to Year 6, our current school leaders, who had their graduation this week. It was lovely to see them dressed up for the occasion and we enjoyed the Strings players. Farewell to any of our families who are moving onto other opportunities. We wish you all the best.

Thank you to our amazing staff, who demonstrate daily, expertise in their fields. I appreciate every individual, for as individuals we create a strong team. The strength of commitment found in our teachers who continually strive to do their very best to ensure our children learn. It is seen in the long hours our Teachers put into our school often at the expense of their own families. It is seen in what they do above and beyond the call of duty. It is seen in the professional way in which they meet many challenges and care unconditionally for every learner in our school without exception and any expectation of reward or thanks. With students at our core our Teachers and Support Staff have been well equipped to meet the needs of every student. Our focus for 2023 will continue to ensure that every student is known, valued and cared for.

Please take the time to rest and recoup with your family over the break, and I look forward to another successful year in 2023.

FAREWELL

Farewell to staff who will be heading to other roles next year and taking with them a piece of Runcorn magic:

Mrs Whittred (PW), Mrs Irons (2IH), Ms Duffy (3D), Mrs Liao (4L), Miss Uppman (1D), Mrs Dolores (2C), Mrs Nielson (Inclusion), Mr Schilling (Band) and Mrs Linford (Office). 

We farewell these wonderful people who have made a real difference to our school and your children. Thank you so much for the energy and support you have given us here. We will miss you, but wish you all the very best.

2023 STUDENT LEADER SELECTION

On Wednesday last week forty Year 5 students delivered a speech to the Year 5 cohort to put forward their reasons for wanting to be a part of the 2023 Student Council. Year 5 students and school staff then voted. From this list of forty students, the top eight were shortlisted for school Captains in 2023. A huge congratulations goes to the eight students who were shortlisted. Mr France, Mrs Gadsby and I had the privilege of speaking briefly with all of the shortlisted students individually as part of the process and we were incredibly impressed with their maturity and leadership potential. Congratulations go to our incoming 2023 Captains.

School Captains: Renae Espinosa and Yuto Katsuta-Hung

Vice-Captains: Shizuku Netting and Alvin Chen

Our outgoing student leaders have a lot to be proud of. They represented Runcorn with pride and integrity. I would especially like to thank our four school captains who have been fabulous examples to the rest of our student population.

A handover parade will occur on Monday, Week 10. The 2022 Student Leaders officially hand their duties over to our incoming 2023 Student Leaders. Congratulations and thank-you to all students who submitted an application for a leadership position next year. An extra special thank-you to Year 5 Teacher, Mrs McNamara, who has worked incredibly hard in the background organising the leadership process and assisting students.

END OF YEAR CONCERT

What an amazing night, music at Runcorn continues to thrive! We are truly fortunate to have such a dedicated music team led by Mrs Hopper. The work put into running a night like this is extraordinary and she did a marvellous job. It was also terrific to see this night so well supported by our school community.

Thanks also to our choir riser spotters: Mr France for coordinating and supervising the sound and lighting, Mrs Schooth and Mrs McNamara for helping backstage, Ms Duffy for putting together the PowerPoint, the P&C and school community for the amazing catering and hampers, Mr Simiana for transporting our choir risers to the venue and our captains: Max Stewart, Maia Smith, Neave McCusker and Lily Henning for the professional compereing of the night. Many hands make light work.

School Events

Keep an eye out for the following events that are taking place at our school this term:

Prep Ngutana Lui: Thursday 1 December

Year 6 Wet and Wild: Friday 2 December

Year 3 -6 Swimming Carnival - Tuesday 6 December

Meg McClure

From the Deputy Principal

As we complete the last two weeks of the 2022 school year, we reflect on the busy year of learning and growing through  incursions, excursions, camps, special days and class activities where we worked together to imbed the values of being safe, respectful and responsible learners.  Thank you to  everyone who has supported our students in their learning journey.

In Week 8 we held our Academic and Music Awards Ceremony to recognise and celebrate English, Maths, Overall Academic, Citizenship  and Music high achievement across each year level.    Our Choirs, Band and String ensembles performed absolutely beautifully and impressed the audience. Congratulations to all students who achieved and performed at a very high level.  You deserve to feel proud of your achievement.

SchoolStuff

Please ensure that you order 2023 School stationery before the holiday period so that your child can start the school year in an organised way with stationery they need for their learning.

Please enjoy a restful and safe holiday period and I look forward to seeing you in  2023 buoyed  with resilience and persistence to challenge ourselves to try new experiences for another year of learning together.

Roberta Matlock

From the Head of Department - Curriculum

Happy Holidays

As this academic year draws to a close can I take the opportunity to reflect on all of the wonderful things Runcorn has achieved in the realm of Teaching & Learning.  2022 has been a very busy year for classrooms!  We have continued embedding Inquiry Learning into our classrooms: cultivating curiosity, learning about the Learning Assets and how we can harness them as deep thinkers and learners.  We continued The Big Write and used the Big 5 skills to build and improve on our writing.  Teachers participated in Coaching, Learning Walks and Moderation both in school and with surrounding schools to share and build on their practice.  I can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store for us.   Stay safe over the break, relax, keep reading and I’ll see you all in January.  

Rachel La Sala

Music Matters

As another school year comes to a close, the Music Team would like to take the opportunity to pass on some important information and thank-you messages. It has been wonderful to have a full year of lessons, ensembles and performances. We are very proud of all of our music students at the recent Awards Ceremony and Afternoon Concert from Band, Choir and Strings. All of our students have made great progress this year and are to be very highly commended knowing the hours of hard work they have put into learning and practicing their instrument or singing.

We would also like to thank you, the families of our young performers, for all of your support throughout the year. We could not do what we do without your support. Thank you for choosing to enrol your child/ren in our music programs, for encouraging their practice at home and for getting them to early morning rehearsals - we truly appreciate your support.

We thank Mr Schilling for his hard work this year and wish him all the best for the future. We would like to welcome Mrs Amie O’Callaghan as our new Band Teacher next year. Mr Biedermann will continue on as our Strings teacher.

New String and Band students for 2023 have also been given their enrolment pack for Instrumental Music. Students have been selected on a strict criteria process. If you have received an enrolment pack, please read the information and fill in all forms. All forms need to be returned to the office by Tuesday, December 6th, 2022.

There will be NO Instrumental Music lessons and rehearsals next week, Week 10.

Once again thank you, Music Community, for your dedication and commitment to Music and we hope that everyone has a safe and restful break. See you in 2023!

Ms Hopper, Mr Biedermann and Mr Schilling

END OF YEAR CONCERT

What an amazing night!! Thanks to everyone who was involved in any way, big or small and particularly all the children for singing their hearts out!!

Student Resource Scheme (SRS) 2023

​The aim of Runcorn State School is to achieve the best learning outcomes for all students.  Each year, the school asks parents to contribute to the payment for classroom consumables and other resource items as deemed necessary by the teacher and school. 

It was unanimously agreed at the P&C Meeting on 20 November 2022  that the cost of the SRS Scheme for 2023 will be a flat fee of $40.00 per student with no family discount as per departmental guidelines.  This is a reduction of $20.00 from the 2022 SRS fee. Forms and invoices will be sent to parents at the commencement of the 2023 school year.

A reminder also, that from 2021, the Participant Agreement Form that Parents/Caregivers sign are valid for the duration of your child's enrolment at Runcorn State School unless Parents/Caregivers inform the school otherwise by completing a new Participation Form.

From the Administration Office

School Photos

Class and individual photos have now all been sent home, with group photos being returned early 2023. This year we moved to a new student photo provider. If you have feedback that you would like to provide or if you have not received your photos please either email admin@runcornss.eq.edu.au or see our Admin team.

Incursion/Excursion/Camp Payments

Runcorn State School is now a cashless school.  Thank you for continuing to pay for your children's incursions/excursions/camp payments via our preferred methods:-  BPoint and EFTPOS.  If you require any assistance paying via BPoint, please contact the school office.  Unfortunately we are unable to accept payments over the phone.

Newsletters

Don't forget that you can always collect a hard copy of the current newsletter from the office.  You can also view/download it from our website: https://runcornss.schoolzineplus.com/enews?nid=23  You can also download the Schoolzine App from your App Store.  Once downloaded, search for Runcorn State School and use password 4109, when prompted.  Happy reading.

Celebration Day 2022! - Thursday 8 December Prep – Year 1

On Thursday 8th December,  Prep – Year 1 students will celebrate the successful school year of learning in class and year level groups.  As part of the day students in Prep to Year 1 activities will include water play activities on the oval.

What students will need: 

• Free dress, must be sun-safe clothes including a hat.  Please ensure all clothing is labelled.
• Water play clothing including swim wear, swim shirt, hat, towel, thongs/crocs/slides, sunscreen in a water proof bag
• Apply sunscreen before school 
• Water bottle and hat
• Normal lunch and afternoon tea lunch box.

Or

• ‘Meal Deal’ available from the Tuckshop that must be ordered on Flexischools online ordering by cut-off  6/12/22 ($6.00 pizza and popper, cupcake and Zooper Dooper, provide own fruit break)

Swimming Carnival - 6th December 2022

Sports & Co-Curricular Group Photos

The School Sports and Co-Curricular groups (see below) are now available for viewing and purchasing.  

Parents/Carers would have received an email on purchasing instructions.  If you have not received an email regarding the above photos, please contact the school office.

To order, please click on the link below:

https://www.advancedimage.com.au/PublicPortal/BrowseGroups.aspx?nbnhmHqqedAzqenYYPw4k8y+ceJwx6RC 

Images can also be viewed by visiting www.advancedlife.com.au entering the code: RJY QRZ J39 and clicking on “Group Photos”.

Important

• Sports and Co-Curricular group photos can only be purchased online, PLEASE DO NOT return payment to Runcorn State School.
• Photos will be returned to Runcorn State School for distribution in Term 1, 2023.

Environment Club News

The Environment Club has implemented paper and cardboard recycling this term with the help of the Year 4’s. All classes have been participating in the paper recycling and it is good to see the paper and cardboard now going into the yellow bins. This program will continue in 2023.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IP0Ch1Va44&t=20s

Paper recycling can also be done at home and above is a cute video about paper recycling that could be a discussion starter or project for your families to investigate over the holidays.

Wonder Bread Bags

Prep students proudly display their new sports equipment including Balls with bells, ribbons and frisbees, all redeemed from the points earned from the Wonder Bread Bag collection in Term 2 and Term 3. Thanks to the Runcorn community for providing all the bread bags and hope the Prep students enjoy the new equipment for their Outdoor Play.

Containers for Change

The collection of plastic bottles, poppers etc for the Containers for Change program is going very well. Year 5 students are making sure that the clear containers are in both eating areas. We have raised over $200 worth of much need funds for the school. Any families keen to contribute to this project can deposit their glass, plastic and cans in the TOMRA Reverse Vending Machine near Macgregor State Primary School (pictured) or at the Return-It Centre at 137 Ingram Road, Acacia Ridge (using the Scheme ID number below). We are hoping the community can match the goal of $250 before the end of this term.

Heritage Garden

Lastly, the Heritage Garden vegetable gardens are being rested over the holidays. Students have buried the compost from the Subpods so it can break down ready for 2023.  We realise that the plants have been a little squished under the nets but we have successfully prevented the possums feasting on our vegetables. Ideas are being floated around about how we can grow some of the taller plants.  Please email suggestions to Mrs McNamara or Ms Daglish.   Thank you for all your support with these ventures.

The Environment Club

(Mrs McNamara and Ms Daglish)

jmcna155@eq.edu.au               mdagl3@eq.edu.au

Norman's News

As we come to the end of the 2022 school year, I would like to take this “oppawtunity” to wish our wonderful Runcorn students and families a very “yappy” “howlidays”. It has been my absolute pleasure to have been a part of this community and to support students and staff in such a varied manner. I am hoping 2023 will be just as “furbulous”!

I know in the coming weeks I will be dreaming of a “White ChrisMutt” as I listen to some special songs like “Santa Paws is comin’ to town”, “Deck the halls with frisbees and ball-ies”, and “Oh Christmas Treat, Oh Christmas Treat”. The snuggle is real… and even at my young age, I understand the “impawtance” of holiday traditions.

I’ve been told by lots of staff and students that I have been a “furry” good dog this year so I am hoping for some special Christmas treats. I “pawmise” I won’t unwrap the presents before I’m allowed but it may be tempting to “terrier” them up a little. I’m sure you can understand the excitement, despite my training!!

I would also like to say a big woof of thanks to the Runcorn P&C, Vetlove Kuraby, Cr Kim Marx and Paws Only Grooming for their ongoing support this year.

Until next time,

Big licks and tail wags,

Norman

P&C News

With only a week remaining of the school year we reflect on the achievements our wonderful committee has contributed to the benefit of our amazing school and its community and how it has enriched the lives of our students.  This year the P&C have:

• Helped organise Norman’s first birthday
• Held a Slime Run
• Held Mother’s and Father’s Day stalls
• Provided a NAPLAN breakfast and treat to the Year 3 and 5 students
• Provided special Tuckshop Days
• Provided cupcakes for 100 Days of Prep
• Provided a bake sale and coffee van for the Junior Sports Carnival
• Ran a disco
• Ran Cookie Dough and Mango Fundraisers
• Celebrated the Runcorn Teachers by providing cupcakes on behalf of the community
• Held the Nature Play Celebration Picnic
• Catered and organised raffle baskets for the End of Year Concert
• Provided the Year 6 Graduation with lunch
• Rehired two Tuckshop staff and employed a Community Operations Manager.

The P&C have donated $10,000 to the school to upgrade iPad Software, covered the cost of the sound and lighting at the Instrumental Music night and End of Year Concert, supported the purchase of the Prep Library bags, purchased flexible learning equipment, supported Norman by covering his training and insurance expenses and continued the construction of the Heritage Garden.

Wow! All this on top of running the Uniform Shop onsite and providing a Tuckshop service three days a week.

Let's make Runcorn State School even better in 2023! Is there "just one thing" you can help with? Or perhaps you would like to get more involved? The gift of your time really makes a difference in the success of P&C events, fundraisers, the Uniform Shop, and the Tuckshop which all put money back into resourcing our school.

Volunteers are the backbone of the P&C and if you would like to become involved in 2023 our first meeting will be held on Monday, 20^th February.  We would love to see many new faces and welcome any new parents to the school who would like to get involved. You can also email our Secretary, Nadera, at rsspcsecretary@outlook.com for any information on becoming a member, what’s involved or how you can contribute your ‘one thing’ in 2023.

We wish everyone a wonderful and safe holiday and look forward to seeing everyone back for another great year in 2023.

MANGO FUNDRAISER

Mangoes are due to be delivered on Tuesday, 6^th of December. A collection time will be provided once we have received this information from the delivery company.

NATURE PLAY CELEBRATION PICNIC

What a wonderful afternoon we all had at the Nature Play Celebration Picnic. It was a great opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate this lovely new space.  We have had very positive feedback from the afternoon and will be looking at doing this more regularly in 2023.

END OF YEAR CONCERT

Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to help transport items, set up, serve food and drinks, cook the BBQ and sell raffle tickets at the End of Year Concert. Thank you to those that helped ensure all the raffle baskets were wrapped and ready for the night.  The raffle baskets looked amazing and were a credit to all classes.  Congratulations to all the lucky winners on the night. It was a hugely successful night raising just over $3500.

TUCKSHOP

The Tuckshop is winding down for the year. Next Wednesday, 7^th of December, will be last trading day on a limited menu.  Orders for the Swimming Carnival meal deal close strictly Friday, 2^nd of December.  

Thank you to our wonderful Tuckshop volunteers for generously giving up their time this year to help with the success of the Tuckshop.  We hope to see you all back in 2023.

UNIFORM SHOP

Thank you to all those who have volunteered in the Uniform Shop in 2023.  Our Uniform Shop is run by volunteers and could not continue onsite without the hard work of these volunteers.

Uniform Shop End of Year Closure

The Uniform Shop will be closed next week, Week 10, for stocktake finalisation and cleaning before the holidays.

• Any orders emailed and paid for by 6:00pm today, Thursday 1st December, will be processed and delivered to students' classrooms tomorrow, Friday the 2nd of December.
• The Uniform shop email account will be intermittently monitored, and orders processed over the holidays, but all orders and emails will be replied to from the 16th of January.
• The Uniform shop will be open again on the 20^th of January for in store purchasing and collecting of Back-to-School orders.
• The Uniform Shop WILL NOT be open on the 23rd of January (first day of school), as our volunteers will be settling their own children in classes.

We thank you all for your understanding and cooperation.  Order forms are available from the website Uniform shop (eq.edu.au)

If you are available to volunteer on Friday, 20^th of January, please contact rssuniform@outlook.com.  If we do not get enough volunteers on this day, we will unfortunately be unable to open for anything other than pick-up orders.

Year Level Facebook Groups. Press on the link to join now.

Prep -  RSS - Prep 2022 | Facebook

Year 1 – RSS - Grade 1 2022 | Facebook

Year 2 - RSS - Grade 2 2022 | Facebook

Year 3 – RSS - Grade 3 2022 | Facebook

Year 4 - RSS - Grade 4 2022 | Facebook

Year 5 – RSS - Grade 5 2022 | Facebook

Year 6 – RSS - Grade 6 2022 | Facebook

Prep 2023 - RSS - Prep 2023 | Facebook

TO KEEP UP TO DATE – FIND US ON FACEBOOK at Runcorn State School P&C Association | Facebook

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