Newsletter Term 2 Week 5
From the Principal
Our class teachers are well and truly into teaching our Term 2 units of work based on the Australian Curriculum and contextualised for our Runcorn students. The curriculum covered at Runcorn gives our students genuine opportunities to engage and connect with good quality learning each and every day. This term is an exciting term for our school and we look forward to once again developing strong partnerships with you to ensure your child experiences positive growth in their education. There are many school events held this term so keep abreast through the school newsletter each fortnight or through the school and P & C Facebook pages.
Karawatha Camp and Concert
Thursday was a spectacular night enjoying the fruition of 4 days of camp that our string and band students have enjoyed at Runcorn High School. It was wonderful to see the delight on their faces when they looked out into the large audience and performed their hearts out. As always, the feedback from the camp leaders was so positive regarding our students and how they represented our school. Thank you to Mr Biedermann and Ms O'Callaghan for the extra work that went into creating this great night and experience for our students.
Mother’s Day Stall
Thank you to all of the families that supported the Mother’s Day stall. Whether you donated, wrapped, priced, served or sent money for students to spend it all counts and we are grateful as a school to have your support.
2024 Annual Improvement Plan
Each year the school team develops the Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) which is then approved through the school council. The plan outlines the strategies and actions that we will implement over the course of 2024 to improve outcomes for our students. The strategies have been drawn from the core school priorities outlined in our School Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027 which are the broad, long-term goals of our school. Hopefully you have received your copy of this year’s plan. If you did not receive it, please contact the office as extra copies are available.
Under 8’s Day
Fun alert! Today we welcome families with children from Pre-Prep to Year 2 for Under 8s Day. This gathering is aimed at celebrating curiosity, nurturing imagination, fostering play, and exploration, and enjoying the vibrant energy of our youngest students. The theme this year is 'Connecting to Culture through Play'. This is an exciting theme, as it highlights and celebrates the ability of play to break down barriers and bring children together, as well as helping them to understand more about themselves and each other. Thank you to the staff that make this event possible and to the parents and carers that came along to support this great event and make it so memorable.
Meg McClure
From the Deputy Principal
Building a national picture of child health
From May 2024, our school, along with thousands of others across the country, will participate in the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC).
The AEDC is a teacher-completed census (similar to a questionnaire) which provides a comprehensive picture of how children have developed by the time they start their first year of full-time school.
The AEDC is an Australian Government Initiative and is completed nationally every three years.
Children don’t miss any class time while the AEDC is completed, and parents/carers don’t need to supply schools with any new information.
The data collected through the AEDC is used by schools, communities and governments to better understand children and families’ needs, and identify the services, resources and support they need.
AEDC data is reported at a school, community, state/territory and national level. AEDC results for individual children are not reported and the AEDC is not used as an individual diagnostic tool.
Some teachers have found that completing the AEDC made them more aware of the needs of individual children and their class, and that the data was useful for planning for transitions to Year 1 and developing programs.
Participation in the AEDC is voluntary, however the AEDC relies on all schools with children in their first year of full-time school participating in the collection. Parents/carers don’t need to take any action unless they choose not to include their children in the census.
To find out more about the AEDC and how it is being used to help children and families visit: www.aedc.gov.au.
If you have any questions, you can contact Ms Matlock on rmatl2@eq.edu.au.
Roberta Matlock.
From the Head of Department - Curriculum
Next week Runcorn State School will be participating in National Simultaneous Storytime. National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.
This year the chosen story is “Bowerbird Blues´ by Aura Parker. Aura Parker is an award-winning illustrator, writer and designer. Her picture books are joyful with a playful sense of humour, brimming with details to explore. Aura Parker’s storytelling through words and pictures inspires imagination, courage and confidence in young readers as well as a love, curiosity and passion for nature.
We will all be stopping to read Bowerbird Blues together at 12.00 pm, Wednesday 22 May.
Jillian Chittenden
Head of Department - Inclusion
Meet one of the Inclusion Team Teachers
At Runcorn our students are lucky to be well supported by our Inclusion Team. Ananda Duffy is one of our Inclusion Teachers who is working with students while I am Acting Head of Inclusion. Ananda has been at Runcorn State School for over 17 years. She has worked in a variety of roles at Runcorn, including as a classroom teacher across many year levels. She currently works five days per week supporting staff and students across all year levels to primarily address the literacy needs of our students. Her love of sport, the arts and animals ensures that her lessons are always engaging and of high interest to the students at Runcorn.
Julie Schooth
Norman's News
I have had a pawfectly busy time at Runcorn this week, working in classrooms and seeing some amazing literacy activities in action. In Prep I was amazed to see how many camera words that the students could recognise. The Year Two students shared with me some of their delicious alliteration ice-cream ideas and I also joined the Japanese lesson in Year 4 where they were practicing their introductions. Great work students.
Outside of school I have been very busy walking every day to raise funds and awareness for CANTEEN. Mrs Schooth and I are walking 63kms during the month of May. We have already superseded our fundraising goal to raise over $300 to go towards supporting young people affected by cancer. A big shoutout to those students and teachers who joined us on Monday afternoon as we walked 6 laps of the oval and to those students who joined Norman and myself on playground duty to walk another 2kms during the lunch hour on Tuesday. We love your company so hopefully even more students will join us next week.
Until then,
Big licks and tail wags,
Norman
Music Matters
Save the date:
Instrumental Music- Karawatha Music Workshop
Our Band and Strings students have been enjoying themselves at Karawatha this week. There is a concert that will present all their hard work on Thursday 16th May at 6pm.
Classroom Music- Prep
This term Prep have been learning about the rhythms Ta and Titi. They have been learning to identify and clap them to a beat. They have also been developing their singing skills singing See Saw using words and the solfa sounds So and Mi.
Ms Mariel Hopper (mxhop2@eq.edu.au)
Sports News
Welcome to another busy fortnight in the sporting world at Runcorn State School.
We have continued to prepare for the upcoming sports carnival in Week 8 (June 6thd and 7th) with the Week 1 and 2 of this term focusing on shot-put training for all year levels, Week 3 and 4 have been javelin and long jump training, once again, for all year levels. We will now focus on sprints (100m this week and 200m next week).
In our gross/fine motor lessons for grades prep to 3, our ball game focus had built upon our knowledge/skills of over-under and tunnel ball to Captain Ball.
I am really pleased how well the students are comprehending the techniques associated with each discipline and am enjoying the friendly rivalry that some groups are having.
Over the past two Tuesday’s, Runcorn State School has had 5 students attend the Eastern Taipans District boys’ and girls’ football (soccer) trials. I would like to acknowledge the conduct, sportsmanship and ability all 5 students demonstrated at the trials. Nikola, Jackson, Mehdi, Amanda and Victoria were great representatives of our school and I am proud to share with our school community that Mehdi has been selected in the Eastern Taipans team that will now compete at the Met West trials CJ Greenfields Park, Richlands.
We wish you the best of luck Mehdi.
As always, any questions please email me.
Have a great fortnight!
Mr Brady
lbrad101@eq.edu.au
Health Happenings
Our assembly awards focus this fortnight are the Persistence Key and the Researcher Learning Asset.
Persistence at Runcorn State School looks like:
- Students trying their best when completing challenging tasks
- Students finishing their work on time
- Students avoiding distractions when completing learning activities
Effective Researchers at Runcorn State School are:
- Curious
- Courageous
- Resourceful
At the beginning of Week 5, two tickets from each year level were randomly selected. Our Principal, Mrs McClure, celebrated with those students at a special afternoon tea. The next afternoon tea with Mrs McClure will be held at the end of Week 10.
Sheridan Stirling
sstir16@eq.edu.au
Prep C
Inquiry in Prep C : We are learning about living things.
We have been thinking, researching with our buddies and wonder about living things…
Corrina Cox
IDAHOBIT
The Queensland Department of Education proudly recognises the diversity of our community.
This Friday 17 May is IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia. We mark this day as a commitment to stand against discrimination with all our LGBTIQA+ staff, students and families.
If you’d also like to show your support to the LGBTIQA+ community, adding something “rainbow” to your outfit on this special day is just one way you might like to do so.
If you are looking for information on how our State Schools can recognise and support students in this space, there is a Fact Sheet for Parents on the topic: https://education.qld.gov.au/student/Documents/diversity-parent-fact-sheet.pdf
Amber Ryan
Department of Education True Colours (LGBTQ+ Employees) Steering Committee member
Resource Centre
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.
P & C Association
Wowzer! What an incredible whirlwind it's been.
The P&C team is still buzzing with excitement from our epic Mother's Day Stall last week. It was jam-packed with action, especially for our new executives – many of whom were running their very first event at the school. And let me tell you, we couldn't be happier with the result.
Over two fabulous days, we saw a fantastic turnout of our amazing parents pitching in to help with the stalls. The room was filled with banter and laughter, and that's when it hit us – we found the true purpose and spirit of the P&C. It's all about bringing our community together to share a common goal while having an absolute blast doing it.
A huge shout-out to our two special guests, Norman and Cr. Kim Marx. Norman had quite the struggle deciding which of our adorable goodies to take home – talk about spoiled for choice! And Cr. Kim Marx, we're incredibly grateful for her generous donation and the time she spent helping us at the stall.
Last but certainly not least, a massive thank you to all you wonderful parents out there. Your participation and support are what keep the P&C going strong. So go ahead and give yourselves a pat on the back – you've earned it.
How much profit was raised you asked? Our treasurer extraordinaire, Kia Teck, is hard at work crunching all the numbers (Hint: the money bag was suuuuuuuper heavy). We'll be making the big announcement very soon on our Facebook page. So be sure to scan the QR code to visit the P&C Facebook Page and slap that follow button like no tomorrow.
See you over at our Facebook page,
The P&C Execs
pandc@runcornss.eq.edu.au
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.
