Week 6, Term 1 2024 Newsletter
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Principal's Address
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Reminder - Payments Due
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Apple and Grape Parade
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Farwell Mrs Stephens and Mrs Thompson
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Year 6 Student Council 2024
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Safety at Pick-up and Drop-Off
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Well done at Swimming Trials
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Welcome Mr Hobba
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Remembering...
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G.R.I.P Leadership Day
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Information Afternoon Tues 5 March
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Focus on Learning - Prep
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Granite Belt Basketball and Softball Trials
Principal's Address
Dear parents and families
Our school community has been through a lot in the past few weeks, and I am truly sorry for the passing away of one of our dads. Most staff will be attending his funeral on Monday, so there will be relief teachers taking classes. If your child doesn't cope with change easily, please let them know this in advance so they can be prepared. It will be very emotional day, and if your child may not cope, you are welcome to keep them home if you prefer. I am arranging for our school's Guidance Officer (GO) to attend on Tuesday for those students who would like to speak to him. If you would prefer your child NOT speak to the GO, please email me.
Staff changes
I encourage all families to attend the whole school Parent and Families Meeting on Tuesday 5 March at 3.45pm. We will be talking about staffing changes and what that means for your child/ren. We will also be talking about future projects and things we are excited about, and I'm interested to get your feedback on those. We will finish up with a sausage sizzle and chat.
When school numbers drop, then funding for staff allocations has to decrease also. Mrs Cheryl Green is now teaching Year 5/6 for 3 days per fortnight, and working as a District Relief Teacher the rest of the time, while I am teaching Year 5/6 the other 7 days each fortnight. We have also had to reduce our teacher aide hours, which has meant that Mrs Thompson and Mrs Stephenson finished at Greenlands last week. This has resulted in some timetable changes for teacher aides so that all classes are receiving appropriate support.
I have been speaking to people at Education Regional Office, and they commented that many schools across our region have been affected with lower enrolment numbers this year; and that multiple schools are going through similar changes as Greenlands.
Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN
Year 3 and 5 students will be sitting the NAPLAN practice test on Wednesday 6 March. Year 3s will do a practice writing test on paper, and a combined literacy and numeracy test on computers. Year 5s will do their entire practice test on laptops. These practice tests will not be marked, however it is important that students participate in the practice to get familiar with the type of questions and to ensure they understand how to work their way through the online tests. I will email Year 3 and 5 parents the NAPLAN timetable next week. Day 1 of NAPLAN is Wednesday 13 March, where all students will sit the writing test. If you would like to have a look at sample questions with your child prior to the tests, click here.
Warm regards,
Amanda Jones
Reminder - Payments Due
Invoices for the year 6 Senior Shirts were emailed on the 6 February.
Intrumental music students were also invoiced for hire, learning text and fees where applicable.
Please contact Megan in admin if you have not received your invoice or if you have any concerns or queries relating to payments: 07 4683 6205 or admin@greenlandsss.eq.edu.au.
Please keep in mind that BPOINT is the preferred payment method and that we cannot accept cash.
Thank you.
Apple and Grape Parade
This Saturday 2 March, Greenlands State School will be marching in the Grand Parade for the biennial Apple and Grape Festival with the other schools in the Granite Belt area. The theme for all schools are the Seasons, with Greenlands coming in Autumn colours. Please arrive dressed in accordance to theme with sensible shoes and sun protection.
We ask parents/carers to accompany students to the Hub outside the CDS in Corundum Street by 1pm.
Students are to be collected at the end of the parade by a parent or carer outside the Ergon Energy carpark at the end of the main street before the bridge.
We're looking forward to seeing you there!
Farwell Mrs Stephens and Mrs Thompson
Last week we had the very difficult burden of having to say farwell to Mrs. Mariel Thompson and Mrs. Kristy Stephens.
Both Mariel and Kristy have been invaluable members of our school community over the years. Their dedication and outstanding work and devotion to our students has been second to none. Their smiles, kindness and help will be sorely missed.
We wish Mariel and Kristy all the very best in their future endeavours. We already miss you both!
Year 6 Student Council 2024
It is my pleasure to announce our Student Council members for 2024!
Chairpeople - Ella and Jacob
Secretary - Riley
Treasurer - Allan
We wouldn't usually have 2 chairs however both times we voted, it was a tie!
Well done, looking forward to seeing what you achieve!
How great do the senior shirts look!
Safety at Pick-up and Drop-Off
We understand that we have very limited parking available outside of school and that these parks can fill up quickly. If you choose to park in alternative space or in the pick up shoulder opposite the bus lane please take extra care.
Some advice offered by the Qld Police around school zones:
- say goodbye to your children on the school side of the road—never get them to cross the road to the school entrance alone
- walk across the road and meet your children after school (never call out to them from the other side)
- try to leave home early to avoid arriving at the busiest times
- follow the directions of all signs
- always single park
- organise a car pool with other parents—to reduce the number of cars trying to park around your children’s school.
When using a drop-off and pick-up area you:
- must use the area like a quick moving taxi rank
- need to move forward in the queue of vehicles
- can get out of your vehicle to quickly help your children get in and out safely (once in the signed area)—however you must not walk away from your vehicle
- should only let your children out once you have pulled into the signed area (it is dangerous to let them out while waiting in a queue)
- should teach your children to look out for your vehicle and to get in quickly when you pull up
- must enter front in (never reverse).
Well done at Swimming Trials
On Wednesday 14 February the Granite Belt Swimming Trials were held. We had four students qualify and three who went along to trials. Getting to this level is no mean feat! There are strict conditions to reach this level. Congratulations to Ella Pavey, Chloe Beckett and Laya Chapman who dove in and gave it a go. Well done, girls. Amazing effort.
Welcome Mr Hobba
We have ourselves a new member of the Greenlands Team. Please welcome Mr Garth Hobba as our new groundsman. Garth will work every Thursday and will be our go-to man for all things garden, maintenance and facilities. Garth is always up for a chat and a hello so please spread that Greenlands charm!
Great to have you on board, Mr Hobba.
Remembering...
As you know, we lost one of our most loved parents on the 12 February. He is remembered for his friendly smile and welcoming demeanour and the students have all remembered "his" bench under the tree where he would wait every afternoon to collect the kids. That space will never be forgotten. We send our heart felt condolences to Grace, Alayah, Ahren, Axel, Edward, Scarlett, Willow, Lee and Mark and families.
If you wish to donate items, non perishable food, cash, clothing or household goods please feel free to leave them at the school and we will forward onto the family.
Our staff will be attending the memorial on Monday. We have arranged for supply teachers to be present in their absence.
Rest in Peace, your memory will live on forever through your beautiful children and family and through our own cherished interactions with you.
G.R.I.P Leadership Day
On Thursday 22 February, the Year 6s along with Mrs Jones and Mrs Green travelled to Toowoomba to participate in the Leadership Day. The Year 6s spoke with students from the 46 other schools, played games with the rest of the 550 students in attendance and came back to school with lots of ideas to implement!
Information Afternoon Tues 5 March
Focus on Learning - Prep
What a great start to our schooling journey we have had in the Prep classroom these past 6 weeks! Our goal during these initial weeks was to ensure a smooth transition for our students, foster a sense of belonging and excitement as they embark on their educational journey with us. All students have settled in well, and have created some beautiful friendships with their fellow classmates and also their Year 6 buddies! This term in Maths, we have been exploring numbers from 1-10, patterns and location. The students have loved creating patterns with blocks, beads and shells. Through these hands-on experiences, the students not only develop a deeper understanding of patterns and numbers but also cultivate essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. They have enjoyed learning to count, with many hands-on activities including dancing, storytelling with counting, jumping and hopping, counting songs and rhymes and even outdoor exploration.
We have dived into the world of story books including some childhood favourites such as “We Are Going on A Bear Hunt”, “Giraffes Can’t Dance” and “Pig the Pug”. Students have enjoyed shared reading experiences to develop their early literacy skills and the craft that follows! Students have enjoyed easing into our Phonics program, with learning 6 initial sounds and how to write these. We have woven fun activities into our Phonics program to compliment our knowledge of sounds including: cooking, face painting, food tasting, and of course, craft! So much FUN!
We have had an amazing start to the term in Prep, and we are so excited to see the progress of the students over the coming year!
Mrs Adams and Mrs Pavey
Focus on Learning in Prep
We are learning to line up while waiting for our teacher!
Granite Belt Basketball and Softball Trials
Basketball Trials
Where: Bathersby Centre, St Josephs School Stanthorpe
When: Tuesday 12th March 3:30-4:30pm
What to bring: Water and a Basketball (Size 6).
Eligibility: 10-12 years
Convenor: Mr. Damian Petrie and Mrs. Lauren Staley
The selection criteria are as follows:
Have played in a structured Basketball competition previously.
Display a high level of basketball skills (strong controlled passing, dribbling, shooting and catching).
Display the ability to play on both sides of the body.
Display knowledge of the rules of basketball
Be able to work successfully in a team situation
Display sportsmanship at all times
Be able to listen, accept and adopt coaching points put forward
Maintain a consistent and positive attitude.
The 2024 Darling Downs Regional Primary Basketball Trials will be held in Toowoomba on Monday 25th March. Information regarding these trials will be provided for students who are selected.
If you have any children that have shown an interest in attending The GB Basketball trials and they meet the above criteria please notify the PE Teacher at your school and send names directly to the convenors for feedback.
Thanks,
Damian Petrie & Lauren Staley
GB Basketball Convenors
Softball Trials
Granite Belt Softball Trials: Boys and Girls 10-12 years
Boys and girls aged 10-12 years, who display the following criteria, are invited to attend the Granite Belt Softball trials:
Date: Tuesday, 12 March
Time: 3.30pm
Venue: The Summit State School (Community Oval at side of school)
SELECTION CRITERIA
THE STUDENT WILL:
1. Be able to work successfully in a team situation
2. Display sportsmanship at all times
3. Be able to throw a softball a distance of 25 metres with a hard, flat trajectory
4. Catch in a glove, a ball which has been thrown with reasonable speed - 9 out of 10 times
5. Catch a ball thrown into the air at a height of at least 10 metres and from a distance of 10 metres - 8 out of 10 times
6. Hit a ball pitched with reasonable speed from a distance of 10 metres - 8 out of 10 times
7. Run 20 metres, from a standing start to a complete stop in approximately 4 seconds
8. Pitch a ball, with speed, fairly accurately
9. Be fit and able to slide
10. Be able to field a ball rolled to them - 8 out of 10 times
Students MUST meet criteria 1 and 2 and Majority of 3-10.
Students are to bring their own gloves and bat to trials.
Successful students will be notified of their selection on the afternoon. Students will need to notify school principals or contact of acceptances by Wednesday, 13 March. Principals or school contact to email jharv142@eq.edu.au by the afternoon of Wednesday, 13 March. Nominations will be put through on Wednesday at 4pm.
All students accepting must be able to attend the Darling Downs Trials AND be prepared to accept an offer to be in the Darling Downs Team.
Selected Granite Belt students will then attend the Darling Downs Softball Trials.
DATE: Tuesday, March 21, 2024
VENUE: Kearney Springs, Corner of Ruthven and Spring Streets, Toowoomba
TIMES: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
· Students are required to travel privately to the trials.
· Students must be wearing the Granite Belt Zone sports polo shirt at trials.
· Students must be willing to accept a position in the Darling Downs Team, if selected.
· Students are required to supply personal bat, glove and catcher equipment (for catchers) on the day.
· Nomination Fees are paid for by Granite Belt Sports Association.
· Students must bring their permission forms to trials. No form, No trial.
Jodie Harvey
Softball Convenor