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 - school service
The school will have a short commemoration on Wednesday 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. We would love you to join us.
ANZAC Day - Sunnybank Community March and Service
For a number of years now Runcorn State School has been represented at this community event on 25th 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 for the community service. Our school leaders will be laying a wreath on behalf of the school at this 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.
School Buddy Bench
You may have noticed our bright new addition under the camphor laurel tree in our nature play area. It is a buddy bench donated to the school by Brisbane Pinelands Lions Club. It commemorates one of our past students and one of Brisbane Pinelands Lions Club long serving members, Joe Sester. I was invited to attend a Brisbane Pinelands Lions Club meeting on March 27 to accept the commemorative plaque on behalf of the school from Mrs Sester, Joe’s wife.
The bench is a way for students to signal to others that they are feeling lonely and need a friend to play with or someone to talk to. It allows other children on the playground to clearly see when another student needs support or a friend, and they can join them on the bench for a chat or invite them to play.
A massive thank you to the Brisbane Pinelands Lions Club for the donation of the buddy bench.
Brisbane Pinelands Lions Club
Lions Clubs across Australia have been running for over 75 years and give back through an array of community-based programs and initiatives. They believe in making a difference. They do this by giving people the opportunity to contribute to the causes that matter to them as individuals and their community, as well as working together to take on larger challenges that face us all.
If you would like to know more about the work Brisbane Pinelands Lions Club does or are interested in getting involved with a Lions Club, Brisbane Pinelands Lions Club is holding a special meet and greet at 6.00pm on Wednesday May 22 at the Pinelands Lions Hall at 21 Nathan Road Runcorn.
Congratulations Kai!
Kai represented Runcorn SS as a member of the Taipans touch team. What a fabulous opportunity for him. It is always exciting to see our students thriving in their extra curricula activities. Well done Kai!
Meg McClure
From the Head of Department - Curriculum
Visible Thinking Routines
As part of our inquiry learning at Runcorn, teachers incorporate Visible Thinking Routines into their pedagogical practice. A visible thinking routine is a set of questions or a brief sequence of steps used to scaffold and support student thinking.
A ‘visible thinking routine’ is different from ‘an activity’. Activities may occur once in a classroom and are then ‘done’. Thinking routines are repeated. They are designed to deepen students’ thinking and to help make that thinking “visible.” Once a routine is taught to the children, they can then transfer their knowledge of the routine to other areas of their learning.
An example of a Routine is, ‘I used to think …. Now I know’. This routine gives students an opportunity to reflect on their learning. It makes students aware of how their thinking may have altered about a particular topic. After the teacher has finished teaching new content to the students, students are given time to reflect on how their thinking has changed. By making their thinking more visible (writing it down), students become more reflective.
If you are looking to find more examples of Visible Thinking Routines the Project Zero website has some great information and many routines you can look at in the Thinking Routine Toolbox.
Happy Thinking !!
Jillian Chittenden
Head of Department - Inclusion
Autism Awareness Month 2024
April is Autism Awareness Month – a month dedicated to reducing stigma and creating a more inclusive society that embraces and appreciates neurodiversity. This month is a celebration that fosters understanding and deconstructs stigmas and prejudices that people may have towards Autism.
So, what is Autism? Autism Awareness Australia define Autism as a developmental condition that is typically life-long. It affects how people communicate and interact with others and also affects how they make sense of the world. People with Autism may be described as having ‘Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with the term “spectrum” being used to emphasise that autism presents differently in every single person.
Raising awareness and acceptance of Autistic people and how we can help support them is vital in creating a more harmonious and empathetic world. However, Autism Acceptance Month is not just about how we can help Autistic people feel supported, but also about acknowledging and celebrating their strengths. In challenging our pre-existing biases and prejudices about Autism, we can help empower Autistic people and recognise the array of wonderful qualities that come with being on the Autistic spectrum.
Each year, National Autism Acceptance Month has a theme that the month is centred around. In 2024, the theme is: “Celebrate Differences.” This means that this year, Autism Acceptance Month will be dedicated to celebrating the differences in Autistic people to foster a greater sense of inclusivity. It also challenges us to re-shape our thoughts to be more inclusive and accepting to everyone.
One of the easiest and most important ways to involve yourself in World Autism Acceptance Month is to simply educate yourself and others on Autism. You can do this by using some of the many resources available through Autism Awareness Australia or other internet searches. Knowledge is power, but knowledge also leads to understanding and empathy.
Norman's News
Music Matters
Save the date:
Anzac Day Ceremony Term 2 Week 2 24 April – Band and Choir
Karawatha Music Program Term 2 Week 5- 13-16 May – All Band and Strings students
Instrumental Music- Karawatha Music Workshop
Karawatha is coming up for Band and Strings students in Week 5. If you haven’t brought back forms or made payment please ensure you do this with urgency.
Anzac Day- Choir and IM- Formal Uniform
Band and Choir are performing for the Anzac Day ceremony next Wednesday April 24. All Band students are required to bring their instrument to school Monday for normal lessons, Tuesday for ceremony practice and Wednesday for the official ceremony. All students are required to wear their Formal Uniform for this occasion.
String Family Afternoon Concert
Congratulations too all our amazing Strings students for a wonderful concert in Week 10 of last term. You sounded fabulous and it was great to see all your hard work paying off with this performance.
Parade Performances- Term 2:
We have some exciting Musical performances coming up this term:
Year 3 Choir- All year 3s- Week 4 Tuesday May 7
Runcorn Rhino Beatles- Rock Band- Week 3 Parade Monday April 29
Classroom Music- Year 2
In Term 1 the Year 2s were focusing on learning to develop their ensemble skills by playing Beat and Ostinato parts on the Xylophone along to a sung melody. They did a really great job!! This term they are going to be learning about all the Instrument families that are in the Orchestra in preparation for Strings recruitment in Term 3!!
Ms Mariel Hopper (mxhop2@eq.edu.au)
The Senior Concert Band will be performing at the school’s ANZAC Day Ceremony on Wednesday 24th of April. All Year 5-6 Band students are required to wear their formal on the Wednesday, and attend the following rehearsals with their instruments and music.
Monday 22: Band rehearsal @ 7:35am and lessons, as normal.
Tuesday 23: ANZAC Day Ceremony practice during school hours.
Wednesday 24: ANZAC Day Ceremony performance during school hours.
If you have any questions, or concerns, or you know that your student will not be available, please let Miss O’Callaghan know ASAP via email at aloca1@eq.edu.au.
Sports News
Welcome back to another exciting term of sport here at Runcorn State School.
I have another busy term planned with both the senior and junior athletics carnivals occurring this term. Please mark the below dates in your calendar if you wish to come and support your child/ren on the day/s.
Week 8, Thursday 6th June, and Friday 7th June Senior Carnival Grade 3 to 6
Week 10, Friday 21st June Junior Carnival – Prep to grade 2
With this in mind, I will be spending the term preparing students in all activities that they will compete in on the day. These include, sprints (short and middle distance), shot put, long jump, high jump, discus and javelin (a new activity to RSS). I will also be working with the Prep to Grade 3 classes during their Gross/Fine motor lessons on a number of ball games. These include games such as:
- Over/under ball
- Bob ball
- Captain ball
- Tunnel ball
You may recall last term I wrote about Eastern Taipans trials and how successful our students had been at these trials. I am pleased to announce that one of our students competed at the swimming state titles during the Easter period and achieved some incredible results. Alison was in the top 10 for two different strokes and attained a bronze medal for the team medley! An outstanding effort and a testament to the hard work and commitment to her training.
Below is a display of the trials that are taking place this term. If you would like you child to participate at one of these trials, please get in contact with me (lbrad101@eq.edu.au) so I can forward you the required paperwork.
As always, any questions please email me (lbrad101@eq.edu.au) and I’ll do my best to reply within 24 hours.
Have a great day!
Mr Brady
Wellbeing Social Worker
Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing Survey
In Term 2, students in Years 5 and 6 will be asked to take part in the Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing (QEW) Survey.
We know that wellbeing and engagement are important parts of your child’s life at school. The QEW Survey is designed to measure how students view their wellbeing and engagement across different topics. The information we get from the survey helps us better understand and support our students.
An information letter will be sent out to parents and carers closer to the time. If you have any questions, please contact the school. More information, including FAQs, can be found on the Education website: (https://qed.qld.gov.au/publications/reports/statistics/schooling/students/queensland-engagement-wellbeing-survey).
Sheena Cranwell
Environment Club News
The Environment Club and Mrs Jenni McNamara
From the Administration Office
Student Resource Scheme
We would like to thank all of our families for supporting our Student Resource Scheme. The monies raised helps purchase learning materials used in each of our classrooms and specialist lessons. Your assistance enhances our student's learning outcomes.
Attendance
Runcorn State School's Admin team are available between 8.00am and 3.30pm each school day. You can contact us on 3323 8777 if you have any queries. Student absence texts can be sent to 0429 928 611 or a voice message can be left on 3323 8777 and press option 1.
If students arrive to school from 9.00 am onwards they are to present to the office to collect a late slip. This ensures that our rolls are marked correctly and prevents parents from receiving incorrect absence texts.
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 their student 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 the 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 authorisation. 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.
Community News
Jabiru offers before and after school care and vacation care at Runcorn State School. Our team includes a range of friendly people who are into craft, sport and outdoor exploration, so there’s something for everyone at Jabiru Runcorn.
