Newsletter Term 4 Week 3

From the Acting Principal

Confirming Your Intentions for 2025

Is your child returning for 2025?  If you are planning to transfer, move, or expect to return late due to overseas travel, please let us know as soon as possible. This information is invaluable in helping us make accurate staffing predictions for 2025.

Schools and Community carparks are smoke and vape free

Smoking and vaping are prohibited on school facilities and 5 metres beyond the boundary of the school. Laws extend smoke and vape-free protection to include all carparks provided for school communities, including those on council land. These laws apply to all persons, including organisations using school facilities, and at all times, including outside of school hours.

I want to inform our community about an incident of determined vandalism that occurred on our school grounds over the weekend.  Three individuals were captured on CCTV breaking the stem of the oval netball hoop and moving it to the upstairs balcony of C block. Thanks to the 19 x CCTV cameras installed across the school last year, we were able to capture this incident, and the footage has been forwarded to the Queensland Police Service (QPS) for further investigation.

The installation of these cameras is an important part of our ongoing commitment to safeguarding school property and ensuring the safety of everyone on campus. Please be assured that the use of CCTV footage complies with all privacy regulations.
We encourage everyone to report any suspicious activity observed on the school grounds outside of school hours directly to the Police. Thank you for your continued support in helping us maintain a safe, welcoming, and well-maintained environment for all.

 Roberta Matlock.

From the Acting Deputy Principal

World Teachers' Day
It’s Hats Off to Teachers on Friday 25 October!

Let’s celebrate our teachers and thank them for all the work they do to educate, inspire and empower our students.

It's time to tip our hats to the incredible educators who shape our child’s future.

On Friday 25 October, grab your hats and snap a selfie to share on your social media – let’s make sure our teachers know how much we value them and their work.

2025 Prep Enrolment

Do you have a child commencing Prep in 2025?  Have you enrolled, had an interview and been offered a place?  Even if you already have a child at school and you are in-catchment, please let us know that you have accepted the offer as soon as possible. 

Early drop off and late pick up

 Just a friendly reminder that students cannot be dropped at school before 8:00am and should be picked up at 3:00pm from the pick-up zone only.  Children are not to be playing on the oval or waiting for pick up except from the pickup zone.  We understand that balancing work/study commitments can be challenging however we want to ensure the safety and well-being of all our students.  Please utilise the services provided by Jabiru if you are requiring greater flexibility.

Cathy Seto-Payne

From the Head of Department - Curriculum

The Power of Visible Thinking

What is Visible Thinking?

Visible Thinking comprises a range of routines and strategies designed to enhance students' cognitive engagement and promote a culture of inquiry. By utilising these techniques, teachers can help students articulate their thoughts, explore different perspectives, and develop a more profound understanding of the subject matter. One effective approach that we use at Runcorn is Visible Thinking, a framework developed by Harvard University’s Project Zero and Ron Ritchhart’s ‘Cultures of Thinking’. Visible Thinking encourage students to make their thinking processes visible, allowing both teachers and peers to engage with their ideas more meaningfully.

Key Benefits

1. Enhanced Engagement: Visible Thinking routines invite students to actively participate in discussions, fostering a more interactive learning environment.
2. Critical Thinking Skills: Students learn to analyse, evaluate, and synthesise information, leading to better problem-solving abilities.
3. Collaboration and Communication: As students share their thoughts and reflect on their peers’ ideas, they develop essential collaboration and communication skills.
4. Self-Reflection: This approach encourages students to reflect on their learning processes, promoting metacognition and self-awareness.

Teachers can easily integrate Visible Thinking into their classrooms through simple routines like:

• Think-Pair-Share: Students think about a question individually, discuss it with a partner, and then share their insights with the class.
• See-Think-Wonder: This routine prompts students to observe something, interpret it, and then pose questions, fostering curiosity and deeper analysis.

Visible Thinking transforms the classroom into a vibrant learning community where students feel empowered to share their ideas and learn from one another. By implementing these strategies, teachers can cultivate a generation of critical thinkers ready to tackle the complexities of the world around them.

Jillian Chittenden

Head of Department - Inclusion

October is ADHD Awareness Month and this year’s theme is “Awareness is Key!"

ADHD Awareness Month therefore provides us with a vital opportunity to shine a light on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the impact it has on individuals and families. With approximately 6-9% of children and 4% of adults diagnosed with ADHD worldwide, awareness and understanding are more important than ever.

Understanding ADHD

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects both children and adults, manifesting in symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. While many associate ADHD with childhood, it often persists into adulthood, affecting daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life.

Breaking the Stigma

Despite growing awareness, stigma surrounding ADHD remains. Misconceptions often label individuals as "lazy" or "disruptive," leading to frustration and misunderstanding. ADHD Awareness Month aims to challenge these stereotypes, encouraging empathy and support for those affected by the disorder.

Celebrating Strengths

It's essential to recognise that individuals with ADHD often possess unique strengths, such as creativity, resilience, and the ability to think outside the box. By focusing on these positives, we can foster a more inclusive environment that celebrates diverse cognitive styles.

Julie Schooth

Norman's News

Norman’s News

I hope you are all enjoying the “busy-ness” of Term 4 as much as I am. Inside and outside of Runcorn, I am still finding life to be such an adventure. Here’s a few highlights from the past “pawtnight”!

What will this bag of Balls become?

Mrs Davies surprised me this week when she came to school with this giant bag of balls. You can imagine how excited I was, thinking that they were a gift for me. I made all of the office staff laugh with my enthusiasm but unfortunately, for me, the balls are going to be used to create a rhyming game for the students. Nevertheless, this bag of balls was a great reminder of how playtime helps us connect with each other and how much fun we can have as we learn.

Walking in the Rain

You might think a rainy day is a gloomy one, but not for me. Over the weekend, Harvey and I had such a fun venture out in the rain. Walking through puddles was a blast, and the smell of fresh rain on the grass made me wag my tail even more. Strangely enough, Mrs Schooth didn’t seem to be enjoying the experience so much, and we diverted to the empty carpark of a local shopping centre where we could walk undercover and stay dry.  Rainy days can be a great reminder that even when the weather isn't perfect, there’s always fun to be found. Plus, I made sure to give plenty of snuggles to warm everyone up afterward.

Supporting Prep Students

During Prep outdoor time, I’ve been helping our youngest learners explore the exciting topic of celebrations. From birthdays to holidays, we’ve been discussing how different cultures celebrate special moments. I’ve been there for cuddles and encouragement while the students share their stories. It’s heartwarming to see their faces light up when they talk about their favourite celebrations—like cake, balloons, and of course, hugs.

As we continue to learn and grow together, I’m proud to be a part of our school community. Whether it is discovering and being creative with new resources, walking in the rain, or supporting our Prep students, I’m here to bring a little joy and comfort.

Until next time, remember to embrace every moment, rain or shine.

Until next time,

Big licks and tail wags,

Norman

Music Matters

RUNCORN RHINO BEATLES

Congratulation to our Rhino Beatles on their amazing performance on Monday on parade! It was thrilling to see how you energised the whole school and everyone loved you!! We can’t wait to see you perform at graduation. Well done!!!

BEFORE SCHOOL REHEARSALS

Recently we have had children arriving very early for before school rehearsals. Children are not permitted to be dropped off before 8:00 am unless they are enrolled in Jabiru, choir, band, or strings, and are under the direct supervision of a teacher for those programs. There are no teachers available for supervision prior to rehearsals so please ensure that you are not at school too early.

VIRGINIA STATE SCHOOL Tour

We are fortunate enough to have the performance troupe from Virginia State School coming to perform to us. Virginia State School has a concert band of 105 students and a stage band of 30. They are the inaugural State and National winners of the ABC Classic FM and Music Play for Life “FLAME AWARDS” as well as the recipients of many Regional and Finalist Showcase awards.

PERFORMANCES THIS TERM

Dates for Band:      Music and Academic Awards- Week 8 November 19

Dates for Strings: Music and Academic Awards- Week 8 November 19 (Senior Strings)
Strings family afternoon concert - Week 8 November 19 (Beginner and Junior Strings)

Dates for Choir:      Remembrance Day ceremony- Week 7 November 11
Music and Academic Awards- Week 8 November 19

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

Sports News

Swimming lessons are well underway here at school. This term the coaches are focusing on backstroke and breaststroke with the Grade 4 to 6 classes as most students are already competent with freestyle.  For those students who aren’t, they have been placed in a like ability group where the focus will continue to be freestyle.

Junior Swimming Carnival

When: Term 4 Week 10, Thursday 5 December 2024
Time: 9.00 - 11.00am
Who:  Prep - Year 2

Please email me with any questions.

Mr Brady
lbrad101@eq.edu.au 

Health Happenings

Our assembly awards focus this fortnight are the Getting Along Key and the Collaborator Learning Asset.

Getting Along at Runcorn State School looks like:

• Students working cooperatively with each other in and out of the classroom
• Students solving/resolving problems in a calm and friendly manner
• Students making responsible choices
• Students being friendly and patient to those around them
• Students listening while others are speaking
• Students helping those in need

Effective Collaborators at Runcorn State School are:

• Empathic
• Compassionate
• Reliable

Staff across Runcorn State School will be actively looking for students displaying skills of getting along and collaboration. Congratulations to all students who have been acknowledged so far! Getting along and collaboration makes Runcorn State School a better place to learn and grow.

Sheridan Stirling
sstir16@eq.edu.au

Guidance Officer

Childhood friendships can be one of the most joyful aspects of a young person’s time at school and help young people feel a sense of belonging. However, navigating these relationships proves challenging for everyone from time to time.

Parents play a vital role in their child’s social development. A close parent-child relationship sets the foundation for your child to feel secure and confident in their relationships with others.  

It can be difficult for parents to hear that their child is experiencing challenges with their friends. However, there are some key things a parent can do to support their child to navigate the highs and lows of making and losing friends:

• Maintain a secure and safe relationship with your child, so they know they can turn to you during times of distress.
• Talk with your child about any issues on their terms, ensuring you are listening without judgement. Sometimes, your child may just want to be heard.
• Connect the situation to a feeling eg. “How did it feel when Susie wouldn’t let you play?” This helps your child understand and manage their own feelings.
• Arrange play dates with peers outside of school to build positive connections.
• Provide simple social reminders and practice these at home eg. scripts for initiating play, “Hi, I’m Angus, can I join in your game?”
• Help your child to understand the rules of playground games.
• Sharing your own friendship struggles when you were a child and how you overcame them.
• Read stories about friendships with your child.

Remember, all young people experience challenges with their peers from time to time. These are opportunities to develop important life skills like navigating conflict and social problem solving. People who develop these skills at an early age are less likely to experience social/emotional difficulties in the later stages of life.

If you’d like to read more or are seeking additional parenting tips on a range of topics, the Raising Children website is a great resource.

https://raisingchildren.net.au/ 

Catherine Atkin
catki129@eq.edu.au 

School Wellbeing Social Worker

To assist students or families gain access to the school social work services, a drop-in session on Tuesday Mornings from 8:00 – 8:40 is now available and pre-arranged times on a Tuesday afternoon after 3:00 pm.

Social workers can support students and families in a variety of areas, whether it be with social challenges at school, school refusal, managing challenging family situations, mild-moderate mental health support or assistance with referrals to community organisations/resources.

Sheena Cranwell our school social worker is happy to meet for an informal chat at the above times or contact via email scran79@eq.edu.au to organise a more suitable time.

Sheena Cranwell
scran79@eq.edu.au 

School Photos

We wish to advise that our 2024 school photos are in the final stage of production and should be delivered to the school in the near future.   We will send your ordered photos home with your student when they are available. 

Group Photo Orders 

You can now view and purchase the group images at the Advanced life link below.  If you place your order before 1/11/2024 you will get a 20% early order discount.  Please note that the link will automatically be applied during checkout. 

www.advancedlife.com.au enter the code: RJYQRZJ39 and click on "Group Photos"

Important

• Sports and co-curricular group photos can only be purchased online, PLEASE DO NOT return payment to your school
• Photos will be returned to your school for distribution approximately six weeks after the discounted early order period has closed.
  

Inquiry in Prep C

We have been thinking, researching with our buddies and wonder about moving things…                                                                                                                                                      

Year 1 Beenleigh Historical Museum Visit

Last week the Year 1s stepped back in time and visited a historical museum and village! The students got to experience firsthand how our ancestors once lived.

We started at Mr Bob’s Print Shop, where we saw one of the first printing presses in action. Next, we visited the Blacksmith Mr Jeremy’s forge, where we watched metal being shaped in the hot flames.

One of the highlights was cooling off with the fire hose at the old fire station – perfect for such a hot day!

We explored quaint cottages, got a glimpse of how life was in the past, and saw an old schoolhouse, so different from today’s classrooms – NO AIRCONDITIONING!. We also stopped by the old post office, checked out the packing room, attended an old church and wandered through a general store. A favourite for many students was checking out the old lock up!! What an amazing day! As much as we loved stepping back in time, it felt great to return to the comforts of modern day life!

Nikola from 1R wrote about his experiences of the day:

All of the Grade Ones went on an excursion to Beenleigh Historical Village. First we met Mr Bob. He printed some notes and bookmarks for us on an old printing press.

Then we met Mr Jeremy, the Blacksmith. He had some blacksmith items and horseshoes. 

Finally, we met Mr Graham. He showed us an old fire truck. He had some hoses and a nozzle. Viraat was a fire chief. He held the nozzle and others held the hose.

It was a great day!

From the Administration Office

Student Resource Scheme 2025 Update

At Runcorn State School, we strive to achieve the best learning outcomes for all students. Each year, we request a voluntary contribution from parents to support the provision of essential teaching and learning resources. The Student Resource Scheme (SRS) levy for 2024 was set at $40.00 per student.

Last month, the school community was informed that the proposed 2025 SRS would be discussed at October's P&C meeting, and all parents were invited to attend. We are pleased to advise that at Monday’s P&C meeting on 14/10/24, it was approved that the SRS fee for 2025 will be $15.00 per student. The Instrumental music levies will remain unchanged in 2025 ($60.00 for own instrument; $100.00 for hired instrument).

Why has it reduced?

Earlier this year, the Department of Education issued a directive to all schools to review school fees in light of the rising cost of living. After careful consideration of the updated guidelines and a thorough review of the resources required to support our students' learning, it was determined that the SRS levy could be reduced to $15.00 per student.

A detailed list of what the $15.00 will cover will be uploaded to our website in the near future:

Thank you for your continued support in ensuring the best educational outcomes for our students. If you have any questions please contact the office. 

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

MANGO DRIVE  

The Runcorn State School P&C is running a Mango Drive to raise funds for supplies, excursions, and future events for Runcorn SS students. This is a great opportunity to buy fresh, healthy, seasonal fruit in time for the holiday period. Please offer this opportunity to as many of your friends and family, neighbours, and co-workers as possible. Past buyers have given great feedback and are pleased with the opportunity to buy quality fresh mangoes again.

Quality Bowen Special Mangoes,formally known as Kensington Pride Mangoes, are ordered directly from North Queensland farms. Collection from the school will be the week commencing the 25th of November 2024. 

We’re bringing back the Bowen Special Mangoes (aka Kensington Pride) straight from North QLD farms – fresher and tastier than store-bought! These beauties are left on the tree longer, meaning better flavour and quality. At $30 per tray of approximately 14 to 23 mangoes, with a total tray weight of approximately 7kg, they are great value.

Please order and pay via Flexischools before Friday, 25th October 2024.

No Flexischool?

No drama. Come and see Jenny in the uniform shop and we’ll get you sorted either cash or EFTPOS. Yeeew! 

Recap and Invitation: Join Us for the Next General Meeting

We had a fantastic General Meeting on Monday, 14th October. The energy was high, the discussions were productive, and we’re really pleased with the outcomes. It’s always great to see our community come together, sharing ideas and working towards making our school the best it can be.

And there’s more good news. We’re inviting everyone to our next General Meeting on Monday, 11th November, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the school library. This is a perfect opportunity to see what’s happening behind the scenes, contribute to important discussions (if you’d like to), and be among the first to hear about all the exciting plans and updates we have in store.

Whether you’re a regular attendee or joining us for the first time, we’d love to have you there. Your voice matters, and your involvement helps shape the future of our school community. So, mark your calendars and let’s keep the momentum going.

So mark your calendar and we look forward to another productive and engaging meeting with everyone on the 11th of November.

P.S.: You are more than welcome just to drop in and observe. 

Important Update: Uniform Shop Price Increase Starting Term 4

We wanted to give everyone a heads-up that, due to an increase in costs from our supplier, there will be a price adjustment for items in the uniform shop, effective as of Term 4. We understand that price changes can be challenging, and we’re working hard to ensure we continue offering the best possible prices to our community while also maintaining the financial viability of the shop.

We value your support and aim to keep any increases as minimal as possible. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for the updated pricing, or feel free to contact the uniform shop directly if you have any questions or need more information.

We appreciate your understanding and continued support as we navigate these changes.

Thank you all

Our online ordering platform is  https://runcorn-state-school-parents-citizens-association.square.site 

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.