Mackay North SS News...1. Be prepared – get a good night’s sleep and have a healthy breakfast...

NB: The background images on each page of this newsle�er are

photos taken by the students who par�cipated in the

photography session at our STEAM a!ernoon last term.

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

NAPLAN TESTING TIME AGAIN

Next week, our students in Years 3 and 5 are participating in the annual

National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) to assess

their skills and understanding in the areas of reading, writing, language

conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The tests are

conducted in all state and non-state schools across the country from Tuesday 9th

May to Thursday 11th May.

An individual NAPLAN report for each child will be sent home later this year. Results

provide additional feedback for parents, carers and teachers on how students are

progressing in key curriculum areas. The best way you can help your child prepare for

NAPLAN is to reassure your child that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school

program, and to urge them to simply do the best they can.

As our students participate in NAPLAN, I would ask everyone to consider the following five

points to focus on, and strategies for use when taking the

tests. These can help to ensure students do not become

overwhelmed.

1. Be prepared – get a good night’s sleep and have a

healthy breakfast (you can’t concentrate when

you are hungry).

2. Concentrate on one question at a time. If you are

unsure of the answer make note of it and go back

to it later.

3. If you do not know the answer or begin to feel

anxious, breathe and try to relax (wiggle your

toes, stretch, etc.).

4. Have a go – attempt every question, even if you

are not sure of the answer.

5. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Testing is only one

way in which your teacher gathers information

on your learning.

date claimers

TERM 2

Mackay District Cross Country ................... Mon 8th May

P & C AGM .................................................. Mon 8th May

NAPLAN ................................... Tues 9th-Thurs 11th May

Mother’s Day Stall ...............................Friday 12th May

Pyjama Night ............................................ Wed 24th May

Under 8’s Day .............................................. Fri 26th May

Shell Questacon Science Circus ................. Tues 6th June

Senior Sports Carnival ....................................Fri 9th June

Life Educa�on ..........................Tues 13th-Wed 21st June

Junior Sports Carnival .............................. Wed 14th June

Instrumental Camp ................. Mon 19th-Wed 21st June

Mackay Show Holiday ........................... Thurs 22nd June

Term 2 A+ Day ............................................ Fri 23rd June

Last Day of Term 2 ...................................... Fri 23rd June

First Day of Term 3 ................................... Mon 10th July

event date

EMAIL:

[email protected]

Mackay North SS News

ADDRESS: Harvey Street

PO Box 3012

North Mackay QLD

PHONE 07 49 400 333

FAX 07 49 400 300

ISSUE 6

5th May 2017

principal

(Cont’d)

∗ SENTENCE STRUCTURE & PUNCTUATION

∗ NUMBER and always focused on

∗ READING AND WRITING

Mackay North State School

Improvement Agenda 2017

If you have any questions or concerns regarding

2017 NAPLAN, please speak with Mrs Schmidt or myself.

Please see the timetable below regarding testing dates and test

focus during each of the sessions.

NATIONAL EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARDS

The Na�onal Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) Founda�on was formed in 1994 to recognise

the teaching profession and the important role it plays in shaping young minds. Since then, NEiTA

has given much deserved recogni�on to thousands of excellent and inspira�onal teachers across

Australia and New Zealand. The Australian Scholarships Group (ASG) has supported NEiTA since its

incep�on, and together ASG and NEiTA have helped pioneer recogni�on of the important

contribu�on teachers make to our community.

NEiTA gives parents, grandparents, school boards/councils, parent associa�ons and community

organisa�ons the opportunity to nominate their inspira�onal teachers and school leaders.

Nomina8ons for 2017 are now open. For further informa�on or to nominate a great Mackay North

State School teacher please call 1800 624 487 – or visit the ASG NEiTA website: asg.com.au/neita


principal (cont’d)

(Cont’d)

Tuesday

9th

May

Wednesday

10th

May

Thursday

11th

May

Yr 3

Language

Conventions

40 minutes

Writing

40 minutes

Reading

45 minutes

Numeracy

45 minutes

Yr 5

Language

Conventions

40 minutes

Writing

40 minutes

Reading

50 minutes

Numeracy

50 minutes

Closing date for nominations

Monday 3rd July 2017

Stephen Bobby

ANZAC DAY CEREMONY

I would like to thank all those who took the �me on Monday

24th April to share in our school’s ANZAC Day Commemora�on. As a

community we came together to pause, reflect and honour the anniversary

of the landing of the first ANZACs at Gallipoli, 102 years ago. It was wonderful to

see the ANZAC spirit truly alive and well at our school.

My sincere thanks go to all those who helped make the event what it was; in par�cular Mr O’Donnell,

Mrs Heel, Mrs McKinnon, Mrs Schmidt, our student leaders, our Recorder Band and Mrs Hunt, our staff,

our students, our parents and school community.

It has been wonderful to receive a significant amount of posi�ve feedback regarding our ANZAC Day

Commemora�on – par�cularly in terms of our student leaders’ presenta�ons and our students’ conduct

and behaviour. It is clear that the significance and importance of ANZAC Day is fully grasped by our students

and those involved with our school.

It was also wonderful to see so many students and staff par�cipate in the Mackay Regional Council

ANZAC Day march. Well done to the whole school community. Lest We Forget



Mr McKinnon was our

ANZAC Day special guest

Students released balloons with

messages of peace a�ached

Our school leaders about to lay

a wreath on ANZAC Day.

(Cont’d)

CROSS COUNTRY/FUN RUN CHAMPIONS

AND SOUTHERN SUBURBS CROSS COUNTRY

On Friday of Week 1 this term, we held our school’s Cross Country/Fun

Run which had been postponed last term. Well done to the students who had

to compete in the rain (although I think they enjoyed

it). Everyone seemed to enjoy the a!ernoon.

Congratula�ons must go the whole community for your

efforts in suppor�ng the fundraising element of the Fun Run.

The Fun Run has raised $7926.10. Huge thanks need to go to

Ms Balchin for her efforts in coordina�ng the Fun Run. This is an

enormous job and the school community appreciates your efforts.

Herbert was our winning Sports House on the day. Our top three

place ge�ers for each year level are as follows …



12 YR BOYS 11 YR BOYS 10 YR BOYS 9 YR BOYS

1st Max Cain 1st Shelby Percival 1st Jack Priestley 1st Koben Kulpinski

2nd Tyrone Southgate 2nd Couper Harberger 2nd Isaac Gavan-Kross 2nd Lachlan McVean

3rd Lemekani Phiri 3rd Daniel Shanks 3rd Zeth Southgate 3rd Djarot Jenkins

8 YR BOYS 7 YR BOYS 6 YR BOYS

1st Jesse Fowler 1st James Tebble 1st Chisenga Phiri 1st Ayden Fleetwood

2nd Chikondi Phiri 2nd Brodie Fleetwood 2nd Logan Edwards 2nd Leo McGuinness

3rd Cairo Cowan 3rd Levi Fowler 3rd Codie Hughes 3rd Braylen Knowles

5 YR BOYS

12 YR GIRLS 11 YR GIRLS 10 YR GIRLS 9 YR GIRLS

1st Julie Kitchener 1st Alexis McVean 1st Finlee Boulding 1st Hunter Lang

2nd Charli Kenny 2nd Tia Brick-Binsiar 2nd Amelia Coleman 2nd Millie Bishop

3rd Jess Hodgson 3rd Keisha Prior 3rd Cassandra Jocelyn 3rd Dezi-Lee Eagleton

8 YR GIRLS 7 YR GIRLS 6 YR GIRLS 5 GIRLS

1st Kaniqua Miskin 1st Jamie Eldridge 1st Shimaya Attard 1st Sophia Adams

2nd Emilia Hollis 2nd Abbey West 2nd Kelsey Sanderson 2nd Isabelle Harris

3rd Amanda Oliphant 3rd Chloe Giblett 3rd Kushi Bennur 3rd Mikaela Mtali

(Cont’d)



(Cont’d)

Last Thursday our eligible students par�cipated in

the Southern Suburbs Cross Country trials at the Goose-

ponds. All of our students par�cipated with great sportsman-

ship and the children men�oned below secured posi�ons in the

Southern Suburbs team to par�cipate in the Mackay District Trials on

Monday 8th May at Harrup Park.



10 YR BOYS Jack Priestley

11 YR BOYS Shelby Percival

11 YR GIRLS Alexis McVean

Tia Brick-Binsiar

Belle Watling

Breeanna Taylor

12 YR GIRLS Charli Kenny (Reserve)

Southern Suburbs Cross Country Team

Stephen Bobby

Our en�re Mackay North

cross country team with

two of their trainers,

Mrs Smith & Miss Jodie

RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS

W e have begun to talk about ‘Respec�ul Rela�onships’ at our

school. During parade in par�cular there will be messages about

respec�ul rela�onships and how the use of social and emo�onal learning

gives students opportuni�es for meaningful engagement in developing

healthy rela�onships.

The Respec�ul Rela�onships educa�on program — an ini�a�ve of the

Queensland Government — is part of a broader mul�-departmental commitment to

ending domes�c and family violence. The program takes a primary preven�on approach.

In schools, primary preven�on educa�on is about posi�vely influencing behavioural change

in young people to prevent undesirable social consequences such as domes�c and family

violence.

A growing body of evidence shows that social and emo�onal learning of this nature leads to:

• improved social and emo�onal skills, self-concept, bonding to school, and posi�ve

classroom behaviour

• fewer conduct problems such as disrup�ve classroom behaviour, aggression,

bullying and delinquent acts

• reduced emo�onal distress such as depression, stress or social withdrawal.

Studies also show that students perform be+er academically.

The role of parents and families is cri�cally important in the educa�on of young people. Families are the

first educators of children — they have the poten�al to influence the social and emo�onal learning of their

children because of the frequency of learning opportuni�es at home.

DAILY READING IS IMPORTANT

W e have long known that reading each day is extremely important to children being successful learners.

That’s why reading is an essen�al part of homework each night at Mackay North. An ar�cle in the

Australian Literacy Educators’ Associa�on backs up this importance.

Children who read widely and independently outside of school are more likely to do well academically.

The recent review of the Australian Curriculum has recommended a strengthening of the teaching of phonics and phonemic

awareness. While this may be important for some children, a new Australian longitudinal study also suggests that books and

reading at home may be an important factor in a child's ongoing academic success. The findings of this study, undertaken

by University of Queensland’s Faculty of Health and Behavioural Science researchers, were recently published in the

Australian Journal of Labour and Economics. It tracked the academic results of 4000 children aged between 4 and 10. It

confirms a body of international research evidence: those participant children whose

households had more books, regardless of socioeconomic status, had consistently higher

test scores.

Other important factors in a child's success included their development at preschool, the

education and background of the child's parents, the mother’s working hours and the child's

birthweight.


deputy

principal

(Cont’d)

Children who read are more likely to do well

CLASS WEEKLY ATTENDANCE AWARDS

O ur a�endance target each week is 95% or be�er.

Congratula�ons to all classes who have been achieving this

target as regular school a�endance leads to quality learning which in turn

gives the greatest chance for improvement and being the very best we can

be. I would encourage all of our students to a�end school every school day

unless they are truly ill.

Well done to 1B for their 100% a�endance in Week 1 and to 3S for a great result of

99.2% in Week 2.

WEEK 1 ATTENDANCE

Attendance

Award

Week 1 – 1B

Week 2 – 3S


deputy


PB PMW 1B 1M 1/2B 2HB 2O 2/3B 3S 3W 4JH 4M 4N 5M 5S 6H 6O

95.6 99.3 100 90.0 92.6 94.4 94.4 96.7 96.2 97.6 93.1 92.3 94.6 93.0 94.2 87.7 98.5

PB PMW 1B 1M 1/2B 2HB 2O 2/3B 3S 3W 4JH 4M 4N 5M 5S 6H 6O

97.1 98.0 95.2 95.2 90.0 96.8 94.4 96.8 99.2 96.0 94.8 94.6 90.8 95.7 95.0 95.6 95.2

WEEK 2 ATTENDANCE

(Cont’d)

MOTHERS DAY

M other's Day is a celebra�on honouring the mother of

the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the

influence of mothers in society. As we approach Mother’s Day on

Sunday 14th May, I would like to wish all of our mothers a wonderful day.

In the words of Susan Diranian, “The meaning of being a mother is virtually

endless. A mother is a protector, disciplinarian and friend. A mother is a selfless,

loving human who must sacrifice many of their wants and needs for the wants and

needs of their children. A mother works hard to make sure their child is equipped

with the knowledge, skills and abili�es to make it as a competent human being. Being a

mother is perhaps the hardest, most rewarding job a woman will ever experi-

ence.” (Livestrong.com)

----------------------------------- -------------------------------


deputy


Di Schmidt

MOTHER’S DAY STALL

Our P&C have organised a

Mother’s Day stall for Friday 12th

May. All classes will have the

opportunity to visit the stall

during the day to buy gifts. If you’d

like your child to purchase some-

thing on that day, please send

money with them to school in an

envelope, marked with their name.

Hello again Mackay North Families,

F.R.E.E. COURSES Should anyone have free time, F.R.E.E Courses are available NOW for the next two weeks. Please pass on to anyon e who could benefit.

1. Dr Tony Attwood (NEW) (35 min webinar) >> Click Here

2. Sue Larkey (Repeat of Last Year’s) (40 min webinar) >> Click Here

Sue Larkey provides some wonderful ideas for engaging students with Au�s�c

Spectrum Disorder. She also provides a free eNewsle�er. Click on the link below if

you would like to read it or subscribe to it.

MY APP Last Term I put a link to some of the best ever learning apps. My app for this newsle�er is a

Grammar App: ‘Grammar Wonderland Elementary’ (There is a free Lite version. However, if you like the app, the full version is about $2.99)

This Newsle�er features:

♦ Teen years and beyond – adults with ASD are often the best resource for strategies, support and insights. In this newsletter Chris Bonnello has kindly offered to share his tips (pg 10).

♦ How to Share Diagnosis – Anna Tullemans, a parent, shares her top tips (pg 12)

♦ Motor Skills – handwriting, fine motor skills. Sally McNamara an Occupational Therapist has some VERY important information to consider with motor skills using a whole body approach (pg 4).

♦ How to Adjust Curriculum – we take a look at curriculum engagement and provide some strategies for classroom adjustments (pg 13).


sep

(Cont’d)

Click Here to View or Download Complete E-Newslette r

This is what one student (9 years old) likes about the game:

Θ It is challenging.

Θ I like the game part of it.

Θ I am learning more about grammar.

Some things adults like about it:

Θ It makes us recall our grammar knowledge! In the beginning you may have to spend time with the children explaining what some of the concepts are.

Θ It requires knowledge and speed.

Θ It has games around sentence structure and not just working out what is a common noun etc. In a sentence the word plant for example could be a noun or a verb depending on how the sentence is structured.

This looks like a great way for students in Years 3 – 6 to practise and learn their grammar. The graphics are great and you can choose levels and the grammar target area you wish to work on.

The only thing the game really lacks is some explanation at the start. If for example they are not familiar with the term concrete noun, they won’t know how to proceed through the game.


sep (cont’d)

Until next time, Helen Parker (For the SEP Team)

Las��, � � � ��nd�, C��, i� �� t� B�i�b�� f� " r$�� x& '()* .

W� h.� C�� ha� / sa0� 1��2 �n3 / ".(e5� 6ec8��.

W� 9i�: C�� n3 ;i� p�6�nt� �=� 8�� >es&.

Instrumental Music

Reminders –

• All instrumental students should be prac�sing at least 4 �mes a week for 20 minutes

each prac�ce session.

• Families who have outstanding instrumental fees; please contact the office to make a

payment plan/make a payment towards your balance owing.

• Families of beginner instrumental students; remember your child will need their own

instrument next year so now is the �me to start saving.

• Students in the concert band and string ensemble will need long, black pants, black shoes and

black socks for their upcoming performances.

Senior Choir

Our first rehearsal for this term will be Monday 8th

May at first lunch.


music

Rehearsal 8metable

Monday Tuesday

BWP Strings

Senior Choir Recorder Ensemble

Semester 1 Cultural Calendar

EVENT DETAILS

T

2 Instrumental Camp Selected students: Sun 18

th – Wed 21

st June

T

E

R

M

3

Wakakirri Wakakirri Troupe: Friday 21st

July

Mackay Orchestra & Bands Concert Band & String Ensemble: August 12/13 TBC

Big Sing Senior Choir: Wed 30th

& Thurs 31st

Aug, Fri 1st

Sept

Rats of Tobruk Ceremony Recorder Ensemble: Friday 1st

September 5pm

Twilight Concert All Cultural Students: Tuesday 5th

September

DID YOU KNOW?

Singing daily for at least 10 minutes

reduces stress, clears sinuses, improves

posture and can even help you live longer.

Jodie Hunt

PLEASE RETURN ALL CULTURAL

UNIFORMS SHIRTS/HATS/PANTS TO

MRS HUNT ASAP!

Music gives a soul to the universe,

wings to the mind,

flight to the imagination

and life to everything

~ Plato

With our new shelving up and organised in the library, we

have been able to create more flexible learning areas for

students to utilise in group work situations. After scouring the

catalogues we chose 5 tables and 16 ottomans to sit under those tables as

the ideal arrangement for our space.

The P&C very kindly got on board with financing this and the children have

been very excited to see how it transformed our library. I would like to express

our sincere appreciation for this to the P&C.

We can now host bigger reading groups in a few different locations in class time.

The tables will also be used for before school and lunchtime reading, meetings and

the Indigenous Homework Program run after school.

We love our new furniture!

I would also like to give a big shout out to some extra special library monitors who are

showing a very pleasing level of responsibility in assisting us. Bianca Woodrow and

Layla Wetzel-Ryan have only just become monitors this year, however they are showing

much initiative and are now an invaluable help to us.

Lastly, if the children are requiring some quiet time during the breaks, we have a puzzle table

with a rather tricky jigsaw puzzle that needs putting together. It might take us a while so we

could use some help from the students.

Not only are jigsaw puzzles excellent brain training and coordination improvement tools -

they’re fun, too! Working a puzzle helps develop your abilities to reason, analyse, sequence and

deduce, as well as your logical thought processes and problem solving skills. These types of

puzzles also improve hand-eye co-ordination and develop a good working sense of spatial

arrangements. Puzzles can also be relaxing. Concentrating on the puzzle pieces helps refocus the

mind away from negative and stressful thoughts. Have a great week!


library

(Cont’d)

Wednesday

24th May


Mrs Maunder & Miss Sandy

Children are

invited to bring a

parent along for

story-telling in our

Library!

5.30—7pm Storytelling Pyjama Night

In the Library Bring your pillow and teddy,

and wear your pyjamas ready to listen to some

great bed-time stories

with us. Hot chocolate and biscuits

served as a treat after! Due to the popularity of

Pyjama Night,

we are requiring an RSVP. Please call the office and leave your name if you

are interested in attending with your child.

We have space for 60 children,

so get in fast!

This event is aimed at Years Prep - 4, but

older children are most welcome to attend with younger siblings.

Call 49400333 to RSVP

library (cont’d)

RESOURCE SCHEME

If you wish to par8cipate in our $50

resource scheme please come to the

office and fill out a form.

PAYMENT OF FEESPAYMENT OF FEES

The school offers the following payment methods for payment of school fees.

⇒ Cash, cheque or EFTPOS at the school office

⇒ Mastercard or Visa over the phone

⇒ Direct Deposit to: BSB 064-707 Account No 00090722 CBA

⇒ BPoint: details on the bottom of student invoices (www.bpoint.com.au/

payments/dete)

⇒ Centrepay – application forms can be obtained from the office

Please be aware that payments made via Direct Deposit and BPoint may take up

to 2 business days to appear in the school bank account. We advise parents to

forward a copy of the payment confirmation/ receipt to the school office or email

[email protected] .

If you are unable to make payments please contact the school office. A payment

plan can be set up so your child can participate in activities.


office

FOUND

♦ 1 fuel card

♦ 1 set of keys

♦ 2 watches

Please see Mrs Scott in the office

if any of these may be yours.

Joining the students of the week on parade

were children who received reading awards.

Congratulations

Come and check out one of the innova�ve ways

Year 3 are learning their tables .

Mackay North SS News student

of the

week

Week 1

foyer display

As part of our ongoing commitment to financial education, we’re introducing the CommBank Youth app, now available from the App Store. This innovative digital banking tool will complement and enhance the School Banking experience, as well as improve the way young Australians learn real-life money skills in an increasingly digital world.

With the CommBank Youth app, your child can

• Check the balance of their Youthsaver account

• View School Banking deposits in their transaction history

• Track the number of Dollarmites tokens they collect

• Set up savings goals and monitor their progress

• Create a list of chores they can do for pocket money

Getting Started

1. Download the CommBank Youth app from the App Store on any iOS device (version 8.0+)

2. Log on with your child’s NetBank client number and password.

If they don’t already have one, you can set this up by simply visiting a branch with identification documents, ie your driver licence and your child’s birth certificate. Note, only one child can log on per device.

To download the app, or for more information, visit commbank.com.au/schoolbanking


school

banking

Enhance your School Banking experience

with the CommBank Youth app.

School Banking Co-ordinator, Jayde Austin


community


Therapeutic Foster Carers are needed in the Mackay region. These types of carers provide safe homes to children whose needs are higher and more complex than other children. They have often experienced significant trauma, grief and loss, and as a result will often have challenging behaviours. Some of these children can also have an intellectual or physical disability. Foster carers who provide this type of care are resili-ent, calm, patient, nurturing and have a good sense of humour.

We believe every child has the right to a loving and secure home and we provide additional supports, training and 24 hour on call to carers who take care of children with complex needs.

Mackay North SS News...1. Be prepared – get a good night’s sleep and have a healthy breakfast...

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