Newsletter Term 4 Week 7
- From the Principal
- From the Deputy Principal
- From the Head of Department - Inclusion
- Norman's News
- From the Head of Department - Curriculum
- Music Matters
- Health Happenings
- Sports News
- Thank you Miss Jenny
- Environment Club News
- From the Administration Office
- P&C News
- School Student Broadband Initiative
- Community News
From the Principal
Remembrance Day
On Friday November 10, in a moving service, our school remembered generations of Australian servicemen and women who have defended our values and freedoms in wars, conflicts, and peace operations. It was obvious to me that a great deal of time and effort was put into the lead up of the morning to ensure it was a respectful service. The manner in which our students conducted themselves during the service was a credit to those involved.
In Flanders’ Field the poppies blow
Between the Crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
Don’t forget to share your kindy transition statement
We are preparing for all the new families and children starting school next year, and we want to support you and your child to plan your transition from kindy to school. Your child has learned so much at kindy, and you have lots to share with their new school. You can share the Kindy transition statement by signing the transition statement consent form provided to you by your Kindy.
Returning in 2024
Thank you to those families who have informed us that your child is returning or departing in 2024. A reminder to let the school know of your intentions for next year if you haven’t already. This is a vital part of the process to assign students to classes and predict our future staffing, along with ensuring we receive the right funding. Class teachers will start to allocate students into classes over the coming weeks along with preparing for your child on “Shuffle Up” Day in the second last week of term.
Day 1, 2024
Attending every day of school is important to ensure students have the very best start in life and learning. At times families are away and that leave may extend into school time. Please phone, email or visit our school before Friday 8 December if you know your child will not be at school on January 22 2024 - Day 1 of Term 1 but will return shortly after.
School Events
Keep an eye out for the following events taking place at our school this term:
Academic and Music Awards parade: Tuesday 21 November - 9:30am
End of Year concert: Wednesday 29 November - 5:30pm
Shuffle Up: Thursday 30 November - 12:30pm
Year 6 Graduation: Friday 1 December - 9:30am
Prep Ngtana Lui: Monday 4 December
Year 3 -6 Swimming Carnival - Tuesday 5 December
Year 6 Aussie World: Wednesday 6 December
Meg McClure
From the Deputy Principal
All Runcorn State School students are currently required to drop their mobile phones at the Office in the morning before school.
From the beginning of 2024, all Queensland state school students will have their mobile phones switched off and ‘away for the day’.
'Away for the day' will support our school to maintain a strong focus on educational achievement, and student wellbeing and engagement by:
- providing optimal learning and teaching environments
- encouraging increased face-to-face social interactions between students
- promoting the health and wellbeing of students through increased physical activity at break times
- reducing the potential for students to be exposed to the negative impacts of the digital world, resulting from unsafe or inappropriate technology use.
All students will continue to be required to drop their mobile phones at the Office before school in 2024
For more information and frequently asked questions, visit the department’s website [link to: https://tinyurl.com/329kup6u]
Roberta Matlock
From the Head of Department - Inclusion
It is that time of the year where we start thinking about the new school year!
There are many different transitions involved with schooling, such as beginning Primary school or returning to school after the summer holidays to a new class and new teachers. Even every day school life involves numerous transitions, which all children are required to manage.
There are many ways that you can help your child to better manage these events. Below are some strategies that can help, for any kind of school transition:
Help your child be prepared - Change and transition can lead to feelings of stress for everyone as there is an element of the unknown involved. Build confidence by talking to your child about their new school year.
Preparing for back to school and transitioning to a new class – When preparing for back to school, help your child reduce their concern by discussing what they are looking forward to about the new year and what they may be concerned about. Then help them by thinking of different strategies that may help them deal with their concerns.
The school environment – It is human nature to feel more comfortable when you know your way around a particular environment. Even if your child is returning to school, the summer break can feel like a long time. Discuss the different areas within the school that they like going to, for example; the Library, Quiet Play, Nature Play area, Lego Club to name a few.
Communicate - It is important to communicate with your child about what they may be worried about and what they are looking forward to. Discuss their concerns and help your child.
To help support students as they transition from one class to another, we hold a ‘Step Up Day.’ This session happens towards the end of Term 4 which provides an opportunity for all students to experience the year level ahead, becoming familiar with the new setting and developing an understanding of the expectations and opportunities available in the coming year.
Teachers also spend time completing a handover to ensure a smooth transition for each student.
We are here to support your children. If you have any concerns, please reach out to us for assistance.
Jillian Chittenden
Norman's News
Norman’s News
As I continue to grow and learn in my role as a therapy dog at Runcorn I am so grateful for the way the staff, students and families react to me and assist me with learning new tricks and provide creative ideas for areas in which I may be able to work. If you have any ideas around this, Mrs Schooth and I would love to hear from you. Please send us an email at jscho128@eq.edu.au and set us a challenge to work towards over the up-coming holidays!
In the meantime, I will share (from my repertoire of existing skills) some of my finest jokes.
What do puppies and pages of a book have in common?
They're both dog-eared!
What type of dog is constantly aware of the time?
A watchdog.
What could be more incredible than a talking dog?
A spelling bee.
Where do dogs park their cars?
In the barking lot.
Why are dogs terrible dancers?
Because they have two left feet!
Until next time,
Big licks and tail wags,
Norman
From the Head of Department - Curriculum
Hello Runcorn State School, my name is Farah Anderson and I am the acting Head of Department/Curriculum while Rachel La Sala is away on maternity leave. I am very excited to be working here at Runcorn and can’t wait to spend time with the students as well as the teachers.
Farah Anderson
Music Matters
Save the date:
Term 4:
Week 6 Friday November 10- Remembrance Day parade- Senior Choir
Week 8 Tuesday November 21- Music and Academic Awards- Senior Choir, Band, Senior strings
Week 8 Tuesday November 21- Strings family afternoon- Beginner and Junior Strings 3-4pm
Week 9 Wednesday November 29- End of Year Concert
Week 9 Friday December 1- Graduation- Year 6 Strings and selected others
Senior Choir Rehearsals
Senior Choir rehearsals have finished for the year. Thanks to all the committed members who’ve been so dedicated this year. Thanks to our captains Ivy Hayden and Athena Cheung for their leadership. We can’t wait till next year when we start in Week 3.
The last performance will be at the Academic and Music Awards next Tuesday morning 21st November.
Instrumental Music
Formal ensemble rehearsals and lessons will finish in Week 8 and the last performance will be at the Academic and Music Awards next Tuesday morning 21st November. Well done to our captains Kevin Dowe and Amy He (Band) and Rainden Tsunoda and Cecily Szarka (Strings). All school instruments will need be returned by the end of Week 8.
Instrumental Music offers for 2024
Students who are successful in receiving a place in the Strings and Band Programs for 2024 will receive their offer letters in Week 8.
End of Year Concert
Our End of Year Concert is getting closer and closer!! Every year level has been preparing 2 songs to perform at Sunnybank State High School on the evening of November 29th. It will be an exciting way to send out our year and we look forward to seeing everyone there! The P&C will be raffling off hampers and there will be food and drink to purchase.
Please reserve your tickets via the Schoolzine link- capped at 6 tickets per family including students. Please contact the office if you have a large family and require more tickets. https://runcornss.schoolzineplus.com/event/326
Looking forward to seeing everyone next week.
Ms Mariel Hopper (mxhop2@eq.edu.au)
Health Happenings
Our focus at Runcorn State School this fortnight are the Resilience Key and Communicator Learning Asset.
Resilience at Runcorn State School looks like:
- Students bouncing back from daily challenges
- Students adopting a Growth Mindset and thinking positively
- Students working independently and/or together to solve problems
- Students using strategies to help keep them calm and focussed
Effective Communicators at Runcorn State School are:
- Confident
- Responsive
- Respectful
Staff across Runcorn State School will be actively looking for students displaying communication and resilience skills. Over the next fortnight, one student per class will be awarded with a certificate to acknowledge their dedication to consistently displaying these skills.
Sheridan Stirling
Sports News
Swimming Carnival
Tuesday, December 5th, will be our Senior Swimming Carnival. Students from Grades 3 to 6 are encouraged to participate in all age appropriate 25m races with students who are keen to challenge themselves encouraged to strive for ‘swimming age champion’ where they will be competing in all 4 strokes (Breaststroke, Backstroke, Freestyle and Butterfly) over 50m.
A program will be sent out closer to the date.
Term 4 swimming timetable
All students must bring the following items:
- A swimming cap (preferably not blue in colour)
- A one-piece swim suit or shorts and a long sleeve sun safe shirt (not singlet)
- A towel
- Thongs or sandals for walking to and from the pool
- SPF 30+ broad spectum sunscreen
- swimming goggles are optional
- Students with open or infected sores or abrasions are not able to swim in the pool. Bandaids and dressings can't be worn in the pool.
- Jewelry is not permitted including any earings
Luke Brady
Thank you Miss Jenny
Runcorn State School would like to thank Miss Jenny for her 21 years of service volunteering in the class rooms. Jenny's assistance and dedication to improve student's learning outcomes has been outstanding. We wish Jenny all the best for her future endeavours.
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.
We have 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
Parent reminder: Check and make sure that we have your most current and correct email address on file. This will ensure that you receive your child’s report card at the end of the term. Contact the front office to make any changes.
Students leaving at the end of 2023:
Planning is well on the way for establishing class placements for the 2024 school year. To ensure that we allocate placements as equitably as possible, we kindly request your assistance in informing us of your intentions regarding your child's enrolment status for next year.
If you are definitely leaving Runcorn State School at the end of the 2023 school year, can you please email office@runcornss.eq.edu.au with the following details:
Name of Student:
Current Class:
Name of school your child will be attending in 2024:
If you are unsure about your plans for next year, please let us know your current status, and you can update us as soon as you make a decision.
Student Resource Scheme (General) 2024
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 held on 13 November 2023 that the cost of the SRS Scheme for 2024 will be a flat fee of $40.00 per student with no family discount as per departmental guidelines. This remains the same amount as this year.
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.
Student Resource Scheme (Instrumental Music) 2024
The SRS for Instrumental Music was also tabled at the P&C meeting on 13th November 2023.
It was unanimously agreed that the IM SRS levy for students with their OWN instruments be increased to $50.00 per student and students with a SCHOOL OWNED instrument be increased to $100.00
Please DO NOT send any money for these schemes. You will be invoiced early in 2024.
First Aid Processes
If children are injured or become ill at school they will receive treatment within the classroom or in the Health Room. Parents/Carers will be contacted if necessary. Please note that staff must give Parents and Carers a courtesy contact home for all head related injuries (no matter how minor).
When a student is considered too unwell to remain at school, parents will be contacted to collect in a timely manner. If a student's condition deteriorates while waiting to be collected an ambulance may be called if deemed necessary.
If a student presents to the health room with a suspected allergic reaction, parents/carers will be contacted. As per Education Queensland policy, if a student requires an EpiPen to be administered parents will be notified. An ambulance must be called and student will be transported to hospital for further treatment. Children with known allergies will have their own school based EpiPen. We also hold a school EpiPen for any unforseen emergencies.
Medication must be prescribed by a doctor or dentist and may only be administered to students by school staff. The medication must be taken to the school office in its prescription container and administered according to the doctor’s instructions.
Non prescribed oral medication such as Panadol and cough mixtures can only be administered by school staff with a pharmacy label and medical aurthorisation. Education Queensland prohibits students from carrying their own medication to school and requires Parents/Carers to deliver the prescribed medication to the office and collect after school or before weekends as needed. A school register of all medicines administered is kept.
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
EVENTS
End of Year Concert Raffles
Well done Runcorn State School on your fabulous donations for our “mega” raffle for the End of Year concert. With an extra 10 baskets being delivered to classes, we currently have 29 hampers (and counting!) to be raffled off on the night – our biggest to date! Raffle tickets can be purchased on the night to win the hampers.
You can continue to supply donations (relating to your child’s class theme – see table below) until Friday 24th November. Please make sure items are in new and unopened, and do not expire before January 2024.
Volunteers needed for Events!
Hamper Basket Wrapping Morning
As you have been so generous, we are asking for volunteers who can help creatively organise and wrap the baskets presentably ready for the raffles. If you can spare some time on Monday 27th November from 9am, please sign up here – volunteersignup.org/4KLLA
The more helpers we get, the smoother and quicker this process will be!
Help on the afternoon/night of the End of Year Concert:
- Transporting the raffle baskets to the hall from 2:30pm on Wednesday 29th November
- Setting up the hall (chairs and raffle tables)
- Cooking food (e.g. BBQ) or preparing baked goods for sale outside the hall
- Selling and/or serving food and drinks
- Collecting gold coin donations as people enter
- Selling raffle tickets
- Packing up (chairs and raffle tables)
If you are interested and able to volunteer, please contact Andrew at rsspcevents@outlook.com
P&C Meetings
Our final P&C meeting for the year was held on Monday night. Some highlights:
- The P&C generously approved to pay for all Runcorn State School students to attend the Nexus Arts Incursion in 2024
- The P&C approved for new school readers (decodables) to the value of $500
- The P&C will be contributing towards treat bags for year 6 students for their graduation
- An anonymous donation of $1,000 was made to the P&C. Thank you to this donor for your very generous donation in support of our school.
Save the dates! Our meeting dates for 2024 will be Monday 29th January, Monday 4th March (including Annual General Meeting), Monday 22nd April, Monday 27th May, Monday 15th July, Monday 19th August, Monday 14th October, and Monday 11th November. These meetings are a great opportunity to find out what is happening at the school, including planning for our community events and fundraising, as well as the best avenue to raise any suggestions. We look forward to your ongoing support in 2024!
Mango Fundraiser
Thank you to all those who ordered Mangoes through our Fundraiser! We will be in touch closer to the delivery date, expected in late November.
DONATIONS
Did you know that you can donate to the P&C?
We understand that some families may not be able to give their time to assist with fundraising efforts for the school, and would prefer to make a monetary donation. We recommend making a payment by accessing the following account information:
Account Name: Runcorn State School P&C Association
BSB: 064-204
Account Number: 10025068
Reference/Details: please enter ‘Student Surname, Class and P&C donation’
Your financial contribution to the P&C helps to provide necessary facilities and resources for your child’s school.
TUCKSHOP
Contact: tuckshop@runcornss.eq.edu.au
Operating Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (8:30am - 1:45pm)
How to order from the Tuckshop:
- Register with Flexischools (see graphic below)
- All orders must be placed online via Flexischools
The Tuckshop also offers over-the-counter purchases Wednesday to Friday where students can bring cash to purchase ice blocks, drinks, and slushies.
Birthday Orders
Don’t forget that Cupcakes and Ice Block Buckets are available to order via Flexischools. Get in early and secure your order so you don’t miss out (Please note that cupcakes are only available Wednesday to Friday). All birthday orders must be placed at least two days prior.
Volunteers Needed in the Tuckshop!
You can help in one or more of the following ways:
- Putting labels on bags
- Filling drink orders
- Preparing food
- Baking
- Washing up
- Placing orders into bags, and allocating to class tuckshop delivery boxes
- Volunteer under the guidance of the Tuckshop Convenor (Wednesdays to Fridays from 8:30am) - no experience is necessary
- All volunteers who work a two-hour shift receive a complimentary lunch from the menu
- An excellent way to help out in your community by providing an important service to students and staff
How to sign up to volunteer with one of the two options:
- Click this SignUp online link: https://signup.com/go/iBhmPbC. Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like. (you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp. SignUp does not share your email address with anyone)
OR
- Email tuckshop@runcornss.eq.edu.au if you prefer not to use your email address on SignUp so that we can manually add you to your preferred shift/s.
Please note that the tuckshop will be open on Wednesday of week 10 (the final week of term) with a limited menu, and will be closed on the Thursday and Friday of week 10.
UNIFORM AND STATIONERY SHOP
Contact: rssuniform@outlook.com
Operating Hours: Monday (2:45pm–3:15pm) & Tuesday (8:15am–8:45am)
Booklists
The 2024 booklists have been sent home. The uniform shop has a small amount of stationery for sale.
Volunteers Needed in the Uniform Shop!
You can help in one or more of the following ways:
- Making sales
- Cash handling (not necessarily expected)
- Assisting families to select and/or try on appropriate sizes
- Retrieving stock from the shelvesD
School Student Broadband Initiative
The Albanese Government announced a plan to provide 30,000 unconnected families with school aged children across all the states and territories with a free National Broadband Network (NBN) for 12 months. It has recently been announced that this program has been extended until the end of 2025. This extension also means that families can continue to sign up to the program until 31 December 2024.
Families can self-nominate via the recently launched National Referral Centre, or be referred by approved nominating organisations who work with vulnerable communities.
If you would like any assistance with this process, please send correspondence to kane.hart@aph.gov.au
To be eligible, a family must:
- Have a child living at home and enrolled in an Australian school
- Be referred by a nominating organisation or self-nominate through the National Referral Centre
- Have no active home broadband service over the NBN network
- Live in a premises that can access a standard NBN service.
Families can contact the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610 (Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm AEDT) or visit: www.anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet
Community News
