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Newsletter Term 2 Week 1

From the Principal

Welcome back to our wonderful Runcorn Community. I trust that you had a relaxing holiday and that the students are ready to tackle the new term. We are proud of our staff and the hard work they do every day for every student in our school. Our teachers work collaboratively to develop and implement a high yield Australian Curriculum. We look forward to sharing our teaching and learning with you throughout the term.

Anzac Day

The school will have a short commemoration on Monday April 24 at 10AM to help students to remember the sacrifices made for our freedom and our safety. This important day, around our nation, ensures our students have the opportunity to honour those men and women who fought bravely so that we can enjoy our wonderful country.

"Prime" Drinks

There are two types of Prime drinks – Hydration, and Energy.

Prime Hydration is a still, coconut water-based electrolyte drink that claims to be fortified with "BCAAs and vitamins". BCAA supplements have not been tested on children under 18, so there is no guarantee of their safety for children. It is available for purchase in Australia however bottles have a disclaimer saying it's not suitable for children aged under 15. It also says it should only be used under medical or dietetic supervision.

Prime Energy drinks are not legally allowed to be sold in Australia thanks to strict energy drink regulations under Food Standards Australia New Zealand, which require energy drinks to contain no more than 32mg of caffeine per 100ml. The 200ml of caffeine found in 350ml Prime Energy cans is roughly double the Australian legal limit at 57mg of caffeine per 100ml. Prime Energy drinks are advertised for ages 18 and over.

Given that the products clearly list that they are for children 15 years and over we are requesting that parents do not send any form of Prime drink to school.

School Review - Term 2 Week 5

(Tuesday 16, Wednesday 17, Thursday 18 May)

Our School Review is scheduled for Term 2 Week 5 with an Executive Summary (3 pages), Whole School Report (18 pages) and Info gram Placemat expected to be released in the following 2-3 weeks after completion. We are eager to see the commendations and recommendations that come from this review.

Reviews give schools focused, independent feedback about how they are performing and where they can improve. Principals use the findings to work with their school community and assistant regional director or principal supervisor to develop clear actions to move the school forward. The review process is not used to compare schools, or to assess the performance of principals, teachers or other staff. This feedback informs region’s allocation of the differentiated support for each school. This support is tailored to a school’s context and needs.

I encourage you to be involved as this will influence the future journey of the school. Please contact the school office by email, admin@runcornss.eq.edu.au – use SUBJECT “School Review” so we can include you in our future planning. Parent feedback is an important part of every school review, so I encourage you to consider having your say.

P & C Special AGM

We had a special P&C AGM on Monday. I look forward to working with and congratulate the following members of our community who were voted onto the executive committee and into coordinator roles:

President: Vacant, to be filled
Vice President: Rachael Truman
Events/fundraising: Andrew Kingsley
Fence signage: Zoee Forder
Social Media: Rahnia Collins
Grants Officers: Jenni McNamara and Shena Jarvis

We need your imput!

We are seeking Community Feedback, to inform our future strategic planning, articulating what we value at Runcorn State School. We would love to hear what you and your child love about our school. We will send out surveys throughout the year to get feedback from as many families as possible. In the meantime feel free to email us at admin@runcornss.eq.edu.au

Tell us:
• STARS - What you love about Runcorn State School
• WISH - What you think we could improve

How often do you read the school newsletter?

Poll is closed

Meg McClure

From the Deputy Principal

Attendance:

At Runcorn State School, everyday counts! Unless your child is sick, it is a requirement that they attend school every day. Arriving before the 8.40am bell helps your child have a settled and organised start to the day. If your child is sick, you are required to phone, text or email the office and advise why they are absent from school.

Research shows that in Queensland, higher student attendance at school is associated, on average, with higher student achievement. Regular school attendance provides you child with optimal opportunities in life.

Under Queensland law, you must make sure your child of school age is enrolled and attends school all day, every school day unless they have a reasonable reason. Illness, competing in a school sporting event or going on a school excursion are reasonable reasons for being absent from school. Absence from school for birthdays, shopping, visiting family and friends, looking after siblings, minor check-ups or care such as haircuts. You are also encouraged to reach out to class teacher or myself if you’d like some support in improving your child’s attendance at school. Remember, every day counts at Runcorn.

2024 Prep enrolments

Many of our families have little ones starting Prep next year. If you haven’t yet enrolled them, please see the office staff and pick up the enrolment pack. We are already receiving enquiries and application forms for Prep 2024 and we have already started planning for next year, so please let us know if your child is going to be joining us. If you know of any families wanting their child to come to Runcorn next year, please encourage them to download enrolment forms from our website and submit them to the office or collect an enrolment pack from the office.

Pre-service Teachers

Please welcome Rebecca in 1S and Vy in 5c from Griffith University who are completing their final pre-service teaching practical. Supporting pre-service teachers is an important role for schools to be involved in.

Roberta Matlock

From the Head of Department - Inclusion

At Runcorn our teachers work exceptionally hard to understand your children and the way they learn. Teachers regularly make reasonable adjustments to enable them to access and participate in education.

So, what are Reasonable Adjustments?

Reasonable adjustments are strategies or supports that help children to learn, participate in school activities and support their wellbeing while at school. Reasonable adjustments can be made in the classroom, in the playground, to the school environment or when students are participating in special events such as excursions or camps. Reasonable adjustments help to reduce the barriers to learning that some children may experience because of many different reasons.

At Runcorn we use the Maker Model of differentiation to assist with making reasonable adjustments for the children.

Jillian

Norman's News

Welcome back to Term 2! We hope that you enjoyed a relaxing holiday with family and friends and that you are excited as I am to be back for another great Term of learning at Runcorn!

I should start by saying thank you for all the wonderful community “suppawt” from those families who were able to attend our Community Picnic Party at the end of last term. It was very special to celebrate my 2^nd birthday with you all, and to see so many parents, carers and students enjoying our lovely oval, playgrounds and each other’s company! A big “bark out” also to Cr Kim Marx and her team who gave out some “party bags” of dog treats, drink holders and colouring in pages to our families. I was also spoilt with beautiful cards, pats, treats and presents – thank you!

Following on from this special event, the school holidays allowed me to “embark” on a fabulous challenge which will continue throughout April, as Mrs Schooth and I are taking part in the “pawsitively” exciting Canteen Fundraiser #paws4cancer. For this Challenge, we are walking 100km during April in order to help young people stand up to cancer.

With 23,000 young people aged 12-25 being impacted by cancer every year in Australia, Canteen is the only Australian organisation that provides life-changing support to these young people. As such, it has been so special to join over 2000 other fundraisers and hear that over $244,200 has been raised so far. Norman and I are very grateful to our “fur-iends” who have kindly donated to us and who have joined us on some of our walks!

If you have any questions about our walk or the work I do at Runcorn, please don’t hesitate to email Mrs Schooth on jscho128@eq.edu.au

Until next time, Big licks and tail wags,

Norman

From the Head of Department - Curriculum

Australian Curriculum: Version 9

You may be aware that in 2024, Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum will be rolled out in Queensland Schools. The Australian Curriculum has implemented in Queensland schools for over 10 years, and we are currently teaching and assessing Version 8.4. Since 2020 there has been a nationwide feedback and review process of the current curriculum, resulting in an evolution to Version 9.

From now until the end of the year I will be adding some details of changes to the curriculum for 2024 and any impacts if may have here at Runcorn to the newsletter.

Below is an infographic explaining how the Australian Curriculum is ‘built’.

If you wish to explore what Version 8.4 and Version 9 currently looks like follow the links below:

Version 8.4: https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/

Version 9: https://v9.australiancurriculum.edu.au/

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me via email rlasa2@eq.edu.au

Rachel La Sala

Music Matters

Save the date:

Week 2 April 24th- Anzac Day ceremony 10am

Week 5 May 15-18th- Karawatha Music Program (Year 4, 5 and 6)
Evening concert Thursday 18th 6pm Runsorn State High School

Anzac Day

Our Anzac Day parade will be held on Monday 24th April at 10am. Senior Choir and Band will be performing during this special occasion. Can anyone in Senior Choir or Band please be in Girrawheen Place at 9:15am in their Formal Uniform and with their instruments.

Ms Mariel Hopper (mxhop2@eq.edu.au)

Environment Club News

The Environment Club has resumed paper and cardboard recycling. This usually happens on a Thursday or Friday. So far, the collection has been going well with most classes remembering to only put paper and cardboard in these bins. Just a reminder that tissues must not be placed in the Recycling Bins.

Collection of plastic bottles, poppers etc for the Containers for Change program will also resume. Year 5/6 students will place clear containers in both junior and senior eating areas each day. We raised $250 worth of much need funds for the school in 2022 and hoping to raise more in 2023. We now have the Wave of Change wheely bins in the school (pictured), and hoping all Runcorn State School families will access the green bins as well. We have also left the Runcorn State School Scheme ID if that is easier to use.

We are also working towards re-establishing the Heritage Garden beds once the construction of the seating is completed. We would like to be able to start producing salad for the Tuckshop and would appreciate any donations of seedlings (not seeds). Lettuce and tomato seedlings are the most frequently used items in the Tuckshop.

Above is some information you may share with your family about where plastic ends up. Sadly, the recycling of soft plastics has been paused, but hope in the future this will return. In the meantime, there may be other ways to recycle or reduce the plastic we use. We just need to be THINKERS!!

Looking forward to working alongside everyone to make a difference to the thinking around the Environment and Sustainability within Runcorn State School.

The Environment Club

Mrs McNamara and Mrs Anglim

jmcna155@eq.edu.au sangl1@eq.edu.au

Japanese News

Parent consent form reminders

Year 4 Japanese Tea ceremony incursion
Year 6 Japanese online exchange (ongoing)

Both of them need to be returned to school ASAP.

From the Administration Office

The Runcorn administration office team would like to thank our wonderful students for always demonstrating such a great community spirit. We would like to share with you in each newsletter some of our students who have recently shone the Runcorn Spirit. These following students are this fortnights Runcorn Success Stars.

Student Resource Scheme (SRS)

The SRS provides students with cost-effective resources. 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.

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.

DID YOU KNOW?..... that using BPoint is a convenient and secure way to pay for your child's school invoices. BPoint is a user-friendly online payment platform that enables you to pay your school invoices quickly and easily, without having to worry about sending cash or cheques through the mail or visiting the school in person. It can also be done by phoning the school on 3323 8777, choosing Option 2 which will redirect you to the BPoint payment platform.

By using BPoint, you can make payments from the comfort of your home or office at any time, day or night. You can also track your payment history and receive email receipts for each transaction, making it easier to keep track of your expenses.

BPoint offers a secure and reliable payment system, ensuring that your personal and financial information is protected. It also helps reduce administrative costs for the school, which ultimately benefits the entire school community.

We strongly recommend giving BPoint a try for your next school invoice payment. It's an efficient and hassle-free way to pay your school fees.

We have also included some easy to follow instructions. If you still require further assistance with the process please contact our friendly Admin team!

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.

P&C News

Welcome back to Term 2. We hope everyone had a restful holiday break.

A Special Meeting - AGM was held on Monday night and we are very pleased to advise all P&C Executive positions and coordinator roles have been filled except for President.

Your 2023 Committee is:

President: Vacant

Vice President: Rachel Truman

Treasurer: Zoee Forder

Secretary: Nadera Kingsley

Events and Fundraising Coordinator: Andrew Kingsley

Uniform Shop Coordinator: Zoee Forder

Social Media Coordinator: Rahnia Collins

Fence Signage Coordinator: Zoee Forder

Grant Coordinators: Shena Jarvis and Jenni McNamara

Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting on Monday night and to those who have accepted positions. If anyone is interested in joining the committee in the President role please contact Angela, rsspccom@outlook.com, to discuss further.

Mother’s Day Stall

The Mother’s Day Stall is fast approaching. It will be held on the 11^th May and all students will have the opportunity to make a purchase for that special person in their life.

We will be seeking volunteers to help with the running of the stall on the day. Jobs include helping students with their selections, especially in our younger grades, wrapping gifts, cash handling and replenishing stock. If you would like to express your interest in helping on this day please email, Angela, rsspccom@outlook.com and she will be in contact.

TUCKSHOP

Operating Hours

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (8:30am - 1:45pm)
Monday and Tuesday (over the counter sales only, 11:15 – 11:45)

If you have one or two hours free in the morning to volunteer, we would love to hear from you. Please come and see Jodie or Etsu in the Tuckshop or contact tuckshop@runcornss.eq.edu.au

Order for your Term 2 birthday? Don’t forget Cupcakes and Ice Block Buckets are available to order via Flexischools. Get in early and secure your spot so you don’t miss out. (Cupcakes only available Wednesday-Friday). All birthday orders must be placed two days prior.

UNIFORM AND STATIONERY SHOP

Operating Hours

Monday 2:45 pm – 3:15 pm

Tuesday 8:15 am – 8:45 am

Can’t get in during opening hours? Orders can be emailed to rssuniform@outlook.com and we will deliver your order to your child’s classroom as soon as we can. Order forms are available from the website Uniform shop (eq.edu.au)

Thank you to those community members who have reached out to Volunteer already. If you would like to Volunteer, please contact rssuniform@outlook.com or rsspccom@outlook.com. With more volunteers we will be able to offer extended opening hours.

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

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

Community News

ANZAC DAY STREET PARADE AND COMMUNITY SERVICE AT SUNNYBANK

For a number of years now Runcorn State School has been represented at this community event on 25^th April which commemorates all who served and died in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. This year, the parade commences at 8am with a community service following at 9am.

If students would like to participate in this, please meet Mrs Schooth and Mrs McNamara at 7.30am on the Sunnybank High School Oval (at the Boorman Street side). The parade will march from Boorman St, on to Lister St and then into Gager Street.

Students will be required to meet with their parents at the conclusion of the march. It will be at parental discretion whether they would like to remain on for the community service.

Students will need to come dressed in full school uniform, including their school hat.

We would love it if you would like to join us – it’s always a special event which has grown significantly over the years and now reflects our diverse community.

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