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Newsletter Term 3 Week 1

From the Principal

Welcome back to Term 3! We hope that everyone has had a relaxing break and has come back refreshed for a productive and focused term of learning. I wish to extend a very warm welcome to students joining us this term, and their families. I hope you settle in quickly and soon feel part of the Runcorn school community. As always it will be another incredibly busy and exciting term with a myriad of happenings taking place across the school.

Prep Enrolment for 2024

Our Preparatory Year enrolment process for the 2024 school year has commenced. Recently, we welcomed families to our school for the first of our Prep Year Information events. In terms of the enrolment process, parents are invited to complete an enrolment form and collect an enrolment package from the front office. Our Prep program for 2024 includes opportunities for our new students to join our school in a Pre-Prep program which will be held over four weeks during term four. This program will be a great way of connecting and engaging with our school in preparation for next year. We encourage you to enrol your child early, to ensure your place is guaranteed for 2024 and to give us a clear idea about the number of classes we can form. All enrolments require an interview with one of our Prep teachers.

Congratulations Sophia!

Sophia recently received a silver medal in girls Basic novice at the 2023 Oceania International figure skating competition in Auckland, New Zealand, at the Paradice Ice Skating Botany. The international event featured the single disciplines (Men and Women) at the Novice, Junior, and Senior levels. What an amazing effort!

School Opinion Survey

The annual School Opinion Surveys will be conducted in Term 3 and will close on 18 August 2023. All families, school staff and students in the target year levels of 5 and 6 will be invited to participate. We encourage you to take this opportunity to have your say about what our school does well, and how we can improve.

An invitation to complete the Parent/Caregiver Survey will be emailed to one parent/caregiver per family in the week beginning 17 July. The invitation will be sent from the Department of Education, not the school, and it will have the subject line School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2023. Check your junk email folders if you can’t find it. The survey can be completed as soon as the invitation is received and will take approximately 5 minutes using a computer, tablet or smart phone. Parents/caregivers who do not have access to the internet at home are welcome to complete their survey online at the school. School computers/tablets will be available. Keep an eye out for yours!

Meg McClure

From the Deputy Principal

Every Day Counts

Every day and every minute counts. Regular, continual and punctual attendance at school is a significant factor in achieving better academic and social outcomes. New concepts and skills are taught and reinforced each day by teachers. If students miss the introduction or the reinforcement of these concepts and skills, they are likely to have gaps in their learning.

Students achieve better when they go to school all day, every school day because:

they have increased access to learning opportunities
they maintain friendships
they stay connected to the curriculum progression
they develop self-efficacy as a learner
they have better long-term life outcomes.

Establishing good routines around school can assist with regular school attendance.

These include:

a set time to go to bed
preparing the uniform and school bag the night before
a set time for starting and finishing breakfast
setting a regular time for daily homework activities
speaking about school positively
sending your child to school every school day, including their birthday

If you are experiencing difficulty in sending your child to school, contact the school for advice and support. Reminder to all that school starts at 8:45am, please drop your children off at school between 8:30am and 8:45am.

Get Ready for Prep 2024

Enrolment applications are still open for Prep 2024. Please be sure to submit as Prep Interviews start in August and our Pre - Prep Sessions start in October.

Yr 6 Transition to High School

Transition to High School is one of the big milestones of a child’s life. Please ensure that you have started the enrolment process at the High School you’d like your child to attend in 2024. By enrolling now, you will ensure that your child has the benefit of attending all of the provided Orientation sessions and programs. This will also enable the High School to make contact with Runcorn State School so that we can provide full transition handover. All of these activities and actions help provide an organised and informed transition process to High School

Roberta Matlock

From the Head of Department - Inclusion

Supporting your child's learning at home

There are many ways that you can support your child and help them grow and improve at home.

Responsibility for your child’s learning is shared between you and their school. We all play an important role in helping your child to understand the nature of learning and in supporting them to grow and improve.

You can help to build your child’s confidence and motivation, as well as helping them to think about their learning in a positive way.

It's important to remember that you do not need to take on the role of your child’s teacher. You'll help your child most by being a supportive parent or guardian.

Things you can do include:

let your child know that you are interested in what they are learning about at school and that you understand that sometimes things can be challenging
support them while they complete homework and other tasks. It's important that this is a positive experience
encourage them to read or write at home for fun
access online tools and resources for learning and help them solve any challenges or questions they may have at home

Remember to always contact the class teacher if you have any concerns about your child’s learning.

Jillian Chittenden

Norman's News

Welcome to Term 3! I hope you all had the “ulti-mutt” holiday and are feeling “pawsitively” ready for another great Term of learning and growing. I know that when I was in classrooms early this week I saw some amazing writing and drawing around holiday activities, and I think we are a very lucky community who made the most of the Winter break!

I had a very relaxing holiday, going for lots of walks with one of my best friends, Osso; playing at the park with some of the friends that I met when I did my therapy dog training; and towards the end of the two-week break spent a some time on the couch where I enjoyed some classic movies with Mrs Schooth and a big bowl of “pupcorn”. I also had a visit with Dr Nelly at Vetlove Kuraby where I was very brave and got a needle! Dr Nelly and the nurses there always make such a fuss of me… I definitely am a “pampered pooch”.

I am really looking forward to the Junior Sports Carnival on Friday and all the fun that lies ahead this term!

Until next time, Big licks and tail wags,

Norman

From the Head of Department - Curriculum

The Big Write

The Big Write continues to grow our Big Five writing skills weekly. At the end of Term 2 I was lucky enough to have many amazing authors from year 6 come and share their work with me. Below is a small selection of this amazing work – enjoy!

Magnifying Glass
A short story by Renae

She plays in the garden. Soft jet-black hair and pale skin, almond shaped eyes with a soft chestnut shade. The light blue dress she’s wearing seems to trail around her as she giggles and spins around the garden, the grass hiding her little feet. She seems happy, in this life I’ve created for her, in the country. Her little hands reach for mine, and I’m spinning with her, her laughter full and light in my ears. We stop though, to regain consciousness, then she goes inside to grab something. When she comes out, I see the magnifying glass clutched in her hand and a huge grin plastered on her face. The magnifying glass, a trinket from my history, a dark past. Then her little legs take off, taking her to wherever she wants to go. She stops by the hug dirt mound, clear fascination on her face. I watch as she watches intently, through the magnifying glass and I find her shrieks of laughter have stopped. Curiosity overcomes me and I want to know what she’s found. It’s not long before I’m with her, staring through the glass myself, when a series of antipathies stream through me. Anger, sadness, confusion, hatred and anxiety. Because they’ve found me. My past, staring back at me from the magnifying glass, is back

The Big Write
By: Lara B

Brenda, Brenda was a girl like no other. A girl who didn’t like dressing up, painting her nails or going out to the shops. She was girl who loved climbing trees, mismatching her clothes and loved exploring her backyard. Everyday Brenda would go outside with her lucky magnifying glass and would search in her backyard to see if she could any exotic insects. As days passed Brenda couldn’t find anything, well not anything she would always stumble pass this one LARGE dirt pile. It would get larger as time passed but this never came to Brenda’s realization.

“Skk Skk” a mysterious voice squeaked.

“What’s that” Brenda uttered. Pulling out her magnifying glass from her pocket. As the grass covered her feet and her pupils staring through the magnifying glass, she saw 5 little, rainbow insects saying ‘hi’ to her through the dirt pile. All had differences to them one had 1 eye and the other had 3! “You will be my new friends” Brenda said.
THE END!

By Ivan

I looked outside at the going down of the Sun, my parents had gone out on a date. I was home all alone, everything I’ve wanted to do at home, I could finally do. The taste of freedom stayed on my tongue, I looked around looking for things to do.

I turned a corner, seeing the door my parents told me to never open I searched the house thoroughly or a key. I talked to myself thinking about where I would be. That’s when I realised, I was short, I searched up on the closer. Barely avoiding the ceiling fan. I looked, and there it was, the mighty key in all its glory. Shining Infront of me, I grabbed the key and jumped down.

I dropped down grabbing a toy gun from underneath the bed. I ran to the door as I continued hearing weird noises inside of the place. I could no longer hold my curiosity; I opened the door peaking around. I saw nothing, I looked above and climbed into the attic up, here. It was dark, there was nothing but old rifles of my grandpa when he went to war in Vietnam.

I heard more shuffling, I then turned around and saw some black figure in the dark, I ran down stairs leaving my toy gun behind. Just as I was about to close the door a squirrel jumped out. A breath of relief released from my mouth it was all a squirrel.

Why I Love my House

I love my house. I love that so many people live with me.

Stacie Louis lives at my house. She throws loud parties every night that drive my mum crazy! I love Stacie’s bubbly personality.

Beth, Rocky and Josh live at my house. They’re great roommates, and they have their own band! I love their country music.

Uncle Mick lives at my house. He’s not really my uncle, but I wish he was. I love Uncle Micks stories about the sea.

Mrs Monroe lives at my house. Even though she just moved in, it feels like I’ve known her forever. I love how kind Mrs Monroe is.

Micha lives at my house. He draws really funny cartoons. I love Micha’s art.

I love living at my house. I love all the great people who live with me.

Katie

The Germ Poem

Under the microscope they lay,
They do this almost every day.
Sometimes I wonder if they may,
Get tired doing this all day.
If you take a look inside,
where all the little germs hide.
You might just find the little guys,
Eating the honey from the bee hives.
The little germs always have to cope,
Getting stepped on by people wearing coats.
Sometimes I wonder how they manage to eat,
When they live on all those giant streets.

By Matilda

Big Write Week 8
Sadness

As I took my first deep breaths of city air, I noticed how hectic life would be. It wouldn’t be my normal laid back town life. It would be much crazier. Since my parents were rich, we lived in the top apartment and I went to a good school. I made some friends and got great grades. So, my life was amazing. Until. My friends got me into drugs and vaping and this was an addiction that lasted for years. It wasn’t until my parents got me a tutor. He told me he used to vape and do the same drugs I do. He told me it would wreck my lungs if I continued, and so, I stopped.

But when I stopped vaping and doing drugs life felt dull and I felt depressed, I didn’t have the same sensation I had when I did the drugs. I thought often of death and if my new friend wasn’t there to cheer me up through it, I wouldn’t be here today, writing this story. My friend was a great friend and helped me get through this problem so I still exist today.

Written by: Isaac

BIG WRITE WK9 – Look Closely

Life before was filled with apathy,
All I had to do was look closer,
Life is filled with tragedy,
Ups and downs like a roller-coaster.

If only we can lift a magnifying glass,
To find our love ones imbedded in lead,
But we have to go to class,
And no, but no they are dead.

Life is as clear as dirt,
We have to watch for who we love,
For who we love will get hurt,
And may end up above.

They are watching closely,
From the skies and clouds,
And they want us to be keen,
And be happy and not frown.

Our grandpas, grandmas, mums and dads,
The people that might have left,
want us to move on and not feel bad,
so, watch closely, stop hyperventilating and catch your breath.

Alvin

Rachel La Sala

Sports News

Our Prep - Year 2 junior athletics carnival will be held this Friday 14 July from 9am to 3pm. Families are welcome to attend and cheer on our athletes.

We would like to congratulate all of our students who have qualified to participate in the Eastern Taipans District Sport Track and Field Trials on 17 and 18 July.

Venue: QSAC - Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, Kessels Road, Nathan.
Parents must arrange transport for their child to and from the venue.
Participants will need to take a hat, waterbottle, suncreen and full lunch including snacks.

Can you please return any outstanding permission forms and pay any outstanding entry fee invoices. We wish all of our competitors the best of luck.

Music Matters

Save the date:

Week 6 Instrumental Music Recruitment Information Evening- Thursday 17^th August

Week 8 Singfest- Senior Choir- Wednesday 30^th August:

Week 9 Music Showcase Concert- Sunnybank State High School- all IM and Choirs (Senior and Year 3)- Wednesday 6^th September.

Music Showcase Concert

We have our annual Music Showcase Concert on Wednesday 6^th September, held at Sunnybank State High School. This is our major concert for our ensembles and Choirs (Senior and Year 3) and everyone is expected to attend. As this is an evening concert, please advise your ensemble teacher or Ms Hopper if you are unable to attend.

Attendance at all rehearsals in preparation for this concert is expected every week.

Further information will be provided in the coming weeks.

Senior Choir - Singfest

Singfest is an all day singing workshop that our choir will attend in Week 9, Wednesday August 30th. Students have been learning repertoire all year leading up to this event. A note will be going out soon so please ensure it is returned and payment is made.

Singfest- Parent volunteer

We are looking for 2 parents volunteers to come along to Singfest and help us supervise during the day. This day will be from approximately 7:45am to 5pm finishing at The Old Museum. If you are interested in coming along, please contact Ms Hopper- mxhop2@eq.edu.au

It is a requirement that parent volunteers have completed their Code of Conduct and Student Protection training. See the office about this if you would like to complete it.

Attendance- IM rehearsals and Senior Choir

Attendance at all rehearsals is expected and very important at this time due to Singfest and the Music Showcase Concert. Please ensure students are there every week, on time and with any resources or instruments they need.

Strings and Band recruitment for 2024

Students in Year 2 in 2023 are eligible to apply for the Strings program starting in 2024. Students in Year 3 in 2023 who are not already in Strings are eligible to apply for the Band program starting in 2024.

Please note there are only a small amount of positions available in each program and not everyone who would like to be in the program is able to be.

Selection is based off these factors:

Aural test completed during Classroom Music during Term 3
Semester 1 Music and Academic results
Consultation with Classroom Teacher
Attendance at our Recruitment Information Evening (held in Week 6)
Assessment of physical suitability to instrument

It is a good time to discuss with your child if they may be interested in playing an instrument in 2024. Further questions please email Ms Hopper- mxhop2@eq.edu.au

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

Health Happenings

Our assembly awards focus this fortnight are the Confidence Key and the Thinker Learning Asset.

Confidence at Runcorn State School looks like:

Students striving to do their best
Students not feeling afraid to make mistakes
Students willing to try new things
Students actively communicating their feelings, thoughts and ideas in and out of the classroom
Students showing independence in different activities
Students taking pride in themselves, their learning, and products of their learning

Effective Thinkers at Runcorn State School are:

Open minded
Flexible
Persistent

Congratulations to all students who have been acknowledged for demonstrating the above skills and have received tickets and/or awards from staff. Our Principal Ms McClure is very excited for the next Principal’s Afternoon Tea in week 5 with those lucky students whom names will be drawn at the week 5 assembly. Good luck to all students!

Sheridan Stirling

Japanese News

Year 4

In week one students learn a story behind a traditional Japanese event, Tanabata which is known as Star Festival. They will write a wish on colour paper and decorat a bamboo tree

Year 5

Students discussed and shared ideas on “What builds a good team?”. They compared “Sports Day” in our school to a school in Japan.

Year 6

Students listed what they knew about Japanese food at the beginning of the lesson. Then a variety of Japanese food was introduced to them. They also looked at “plastic food samples” that are used for display in restaurants. They were so impressed with the look of the fake food! Some food samples even have fragrance!

Nagashima sensei
Japanese Teacher

4R

4R students recorded their memories of our recent incursion, then collaborated to combine the main points into paragraphs for this report. They hope you enjoy!

The performance was by Dion Drummond and Bala (brother) Phil. It happened on the 10^th of July for NAIDOC Week. Some kids went up to the stage including Nikola, Lorenzo, two Hunters, Hardik, Holly, Quade, Edison and Piripi.

The performers got the teachers to dance on stage! They also started to do different dances and showed us burnie beads which grow on rainforest trees, fall and crack open out of their pod, and then wash up on the beach.

We learned there were different types of boomerangs. We were shown different instruments that were cool. There were awesome types of learning like songs. People learned dances.

Our favourite moments were when the teachers danced like emu and when we got to learn a dance. We also liked when we danced really fast and when the boys danced like kangaroos.

We have lots of feedback about the performance. It was an awesome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. It was very interesting, knowledgeable and great for education. It was excellent!

By 4R Students

School Photos

School Photos will be held on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd August. Students are to be in full school uniform including white or black socks and black shoes. If any accessories are being worn in student's hair they are to be royal blue in colour.

Order envelopes have been sent home with your student today. The class photo schedule will be emailed to parents in the coming weeks.

Environment Club News

The Environment Club has continued paper and cardboard recycling. This has been happening 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 is also going well. Year 5/6 students place clear containers in both junior and senior eating areas each day. The large Wave of Change wheely bin is filling up and we are waiting for a replacement. So pleased that Runcorn State School families are accessing the green bins as well. The Runcorn State School Scheme ID is below, if that is easier to use. All funds raised goes towards resources for the school.

We now re-established the Heritage Garden beds by planting tomato and lettuce seedlings kindly donated by Bunnings, Underwood. The 5/6M and Prep C students lovingly planted these seedlings during Buddies and will work together to water and tend to them. Hopefully, we will start supplying salad for the Tuckshop. Lettuce and tomato are the most frequently used items in the Tuckshop.

Ever heard of GREENWASHING?

Be Inquirers and investigate this concept with your class or families. Another space where we 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

From the Administration Office

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

P and C General Meeting

The next P&C general meeting will be held next week on Monday, 17^th July at 6:30pm. The meeting will be held in the Resource Centre/Library. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Loose Change Challenge
Congratulations 2B

2B were our Loose Change Challenge winners. They raised a total of $140.00. They will enjoy a Pizza Hut Stretton PIZZA PARTY.

Our runner up was 3C ($121.05) and third place went to 5C ($107.05). These classes will be enjoying a celebration treat also.

Thank you to the community who supported this fundraiser. With the amazing effort put in by all we raised a total amount of $1131.00.

Tuckshop
tuckshop@runcornss.eq.edu.au

Operating Hours

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

Can you help?

If you would like to volunteer and have some time free between 9 am and 11 am we would love to hear from you. No experience necessary. Please come and see Jodie or Nita in the Tuckshop or contact tuckshop@runcornss.eq.edu.au

At the end of Term 2 we said goodbye to our Tuckshop Assistant, Miss Etsu (left) and welcomed our new Assistant, Miss Nita. We thank Etsu for her service to the Runcorn State School P&C Association and wish her the best for the future. We also look forward to having Nita join the team to support our Tuckshop Convenor, Miss Jodie and continue to offer great service to our students and community.

UNIFORM AND STATIONERY SHOP

rssuniform@outlook.com

The Uniform Shop will reopen next week (Week 2).

Operating Hours

Monday (2:45pm – 3:15pm)
Tuesday (8:15am – 8:45am)

If you would like to order online, you can do so using our online service.

Order forms can be found on the school website. Download from here: Uniform Shop Order Form (eq.edu.au)
Email you completed order to rssuniform@outlook.com
Your order will be fulfilled and delivered to your child’s classroom.
If you require an exchange, please advise via email, and send your order back to school with your child to be collected and exchanged.

Contact Us

If you have an enquiry, would like to offer feedback or suggestions or you would like to become a member of the P&C, please reach out using one of the following email addresses:

Vice President – Rachael - rsspcvicepresident@outlook.com
Secretary – Nadera – rsspcsecretary@outlook.com
Treasurer – Zoee – rsspctreasurer@outlook.com
Community Operations Manager – Angela – rsspccom@outlook.com
Events Coordinator – Andrew – rsspcevents@outlook.com
Social Media Coordinator – Rahnia – rsspcfacebook@outlook.com
For any fence advertising enquiries please contact, Zoee – rsspcmarketing@outlook.com

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

School Student Broadband Initiative - Australian Government

School Student Broadband Initiative – Australian Government

To boost educational opportunities and narrow the digital divide, families without home internet are encouraged to apply for the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI). Access to internet at home can support children to build their digital skills and participate in a world that is more reliant on digital technology.

The Australian Government is supporting the National Broadband Network (NBN) to implement the SSBI to provide free home internet for one year for up to 30,000 unconnected families across Australia with school aged students.

To be eligible for SSBI, a family must:

Have a child living at home that is enrolled in a Queensland state school in 2023.
Not have an active internet service at home. Having a mobile internet service does not affect eligibility.
Be referred by a nominating organisation such as the Department of Education (the department).
Agree their child has access to a device and has the digital skills to use the internet safely or will be supervised.
Live in a premises that can access the NBN via a standard connection – this will be checked by NBN.

Referral through the department

The department is pleased to support the nomination of families for the SSBI. If you would like to apply for the SSBI please contact the Runcorn State School office for an application (online or paper form) and further information about the initiative. Applications must be submitted by 1 September 2023.

This link to the SSBI information factsheet is available in multiple languages.

Community News

MacGregor State High School are hosting their last School Tour of the year next Thursday, 20 July! Join their Principal Mr Brendan Barlow, teaching staff, program coordinators, and students of MacGregor SHS at 3.00 pm for an afternoon tea meet and greet. Following this, there will be an official facilities tour and information session from 3.45 pm to 4.45 pm. Tours at MacGregor SHS provide a fantastic opportunity to see their school, meet staff, and ask any questions you may have about their curriculum, the transition to high school, and what you can expect from MacGregor SHS as the destination for your child's high school education.

MacGregor SHS are currently accepting enrolments for all students beginning Year 7 in 2024 and 2025, including out of catchment enrolments. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn more about MacGregor State High School and how they enable students to be The Best We Can Be. RSVP to their School Tour via their Facebook page today: www.macg.link/JulyTour

Students and families of all year levels are welcome to attend! For further enquiries please call 3347 3555.

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