Principal – Andrew McDonald Fortnight ending Thursday, 6th February 2020

2020 Term Dates

Term 1

28th January—3rd April

Term 2

20th April—26th June

Term 3

13th July—18th September

Term 4

6th October—11th December

Pupil Free Day September 4th

Parade

9am Friday Mornings

P&C Meetings

1st Wednesday of the Month at 6:30pm

in the Resource Centre.

Date Claimers

21 February—Student Leader Badge Presentation

4 March—Year 1 Science Incursion

20 March—National Day of Action Against

Bullying and Violence

3 April—Easter Bonnet Parade

3 April—PBL Rewards Day

3 April—Last Day of Term 1

20 April—First Day of Term 2

24 April—ANZAC Day Assembly

4 May—Labor Day Public Holiday

15 May—Ipswich Show Public Holiday

Student Absence Line: 3280 3266

Priority 1: Excellence in Teaching

Consistently implement evidence

based, high impact teaching strategies

Priority 2: Excellence in Learning

Enhance systems and processes

for making student growth visible in

an inclusive environment

Priority 3: Excellence in

Partnerships

Implement a dispersed leadership

model that supports the sustaina-

bility of effective systems and pro-

Are your details up to date?

A letter has been sent home with your child,

please complete the details if any of your contact

or emergency contact information has changed

since enrolling your child.

Please return the YELLOW Student Resource Scheme letter to the

office as soon as possible. Invoices for the Student Resource Scheme

will be emailed home. Payments can be made via BPoint by clicking

the link on the bottom left corner of the invoice, or QParents.

Cash and EFTPOS payments can be made via the payment window

on Fridays only between 8:30—9:15am.

Bell Times

First Bell: 8:50am

Lessons Commence: 8:55am

Morning Break: 11:00am – 11:40am

Afternoon Break: 1:00pm – 1.40pm

School Finishes: 3:00pm

If your child is late (after 8:50) please ensure they go to the office be-

fore attending class to get a late slip.

Parents collecting children early must get an early departure slip from

the office before getting their child.

Please contact the student absence line if your child is going to be

away.

Welcome to the 2020 school year.

It was great to see so many smiling faces walk through the school gates and classroom doors on

our first day back. Thank you for your part in making Day 1 go smoothly.

Please note for forward planning, that this school term is ten weeks long and students will break up for

the Easter holidays at 3pm on Friday April 3rd. School resumes for students in term 2 on Monday April

20th.

School Priorities 2020

With a new year comes a reminder of the areas that our school will be focusing on in 2020. Our

school will be continuing to evolve our practices in response to a changing population, but in partic-

ular, the following three areas are the ones we are aiming to improve the most:

Excellence in Teaching – Consistently implement evidence based, high impact teach-ing strategies

Excellence in Learning – Enhance systems and processes for making student growth visible in an inclusive environment

Excellence in Partnerships – Implement a dispersed leadership model that supports the sustainability of effective systems and processes

Staffing

We have welcomed a number of new staff members to our school this year: Beth Strow (1A), Deb-

orah Goddard (2C), Dominica Balancio (3A), Aaron Scott (4B), Signe Langi (5A), Paige Maddy

(Technology and Design Specialist), Waney Wilson (Computer Technician). We also welcome back

Shelley Roser (Teacher Aide).

Student Enrolments

Teacher staffing is normally confirmed or adjusted at Day 8, but for 2020 it will be confirmed or adjusted

at Day 13 (13 days into the new school year). This year, Day 13 falls on Thursday 13 February. If you

know of any families returning late to school, for example after this cut off date, please encourage them

to inform the school. This way we can ensure we have the right number of teachers to meet the needs

of the students.

Upcoming Events

Our parades commence Friday 7th February at 9am-9:30am in the Hall. They continue on a weekly ba-

sis at this time. Parents who are available are welcome to join us. On Friday 21st February, our student

leaders will receive their badges on parade. Class information sessions for parents will be held in week

4 of this term, with more information to follow.

Does your child require medication during school hours?

If your child requires medication while at school, please visit the school’s office to

obtain relevant authorisation forms. You will also need to provide prescription-

labelled medication in the original packaging with clear directions for its use. Find

out more at the Department of Education website.

Andrew McDonald

Principal

Welcome Back

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome back all of our returning families and also offer a warm welcome to our new families. It was

amazing to see how quickly all students settled in to the new school year as a result of our supportive school environment. My classroom and

playground observations over the last two weeks have certainly reaffirmed my belief that we have the very best staff working with the very best

students.

Homework Policy

Our school community believes that homework provides students with opportunities to consolidate their classroom learning, pattern behaviour

for lifelong learning beyond the classroom and involve family members in student learning. The setting of homework takes into account the

need for students to have a balanced lifestyle. This includes sufficient time for family, recreation and cultural pursuits. At Deebing Heights State

School homework is set in accordance with the P-12 Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Framework Homework Policy, which states that

homework is most effective when it:

Is clearly related to class work

Is appropriate to particular years of schooling

Is varied and differentiated to individual learning needs

Consolidates, revises and/or applies students’ classroom learning

Develops students’ independence as a learner through extension activities such as investigating, researching, writing, design-ing making

Assists students to prepare for upcoming classroom learning, such as collecting relevant materials and information, completing surveys and audits

Is monitored by the teacher.

Classroom teachers to include, but not defined as, the following activities as homework: English

Home Reading

Tasks to supplement current classroom learning eg phonics, sight words, vocabulary, grammar Mathematics

Mathematical facts to assist fluency

Tasks to supplement current classroom learning including problem solving Additional Tasks

Mathletics

Reading Eggs

Tasks from additional key learning areas

Leisure, home or recreational activities Time allocations in addition to home reading:

Year 1-3: Could be up to but generally not more than 1 hour per week. Year 4-5: Could be up to but generally not more than 2-3 hours per week. Year 6: Could be up to but generally not more than 3-4 hours per week.

Responsibilities Students Students can take responsibility for their own learning by:

Discussing with their parents or caregivers homework expectations

Accepting responsibility for the completion of homework tasks within set time frames

Following up on comments made by teachers

Seeking assistance when difficulties arise

Organising their time to manage home obligations, participation in physical activity and sports, recreational and cultural activi-ties.

Parents and Caregivers Parents and caregivers can help their children by:

Reading to them, talking with them and involving them in tasks at home including shopping, playing games and physical activity

Helping them to complete tasks by discussing key questions or directing them to resources

Encouraging them to organise their time and take responsibility for their learning

Helping them to balance the amount of time spent completing homework, watching television, using technology devices, play-ing sport and engaging in other recreational activities;

Contacting the relevant teacher to discuss any concerns about the nature of homework and their children’s approach to home-work. Parents must inform their child's classroom teacher in writing if they do not want their child to participate in set homework activities due to outside of school circumstances.

Practical Hints for Parents

Provide an attractive and quiet work area where there is a desk and adequate lighting

Establish a routine

Encourage children to work reasonably quickly and efficiently

When helping, keep explanations simple and practical

Jason Ball

Deputy Principal

Instrumental Notes:

Welcome to the beginning of the school year and to the Instrumental Program for 2020. This year promises to be an exciting and eventful one for all involved – some highlights will include BOOTCAMP and BANDTASTIC WORKSHOPS and our annual Celebration Concert.

Lessons for Woodwind, Brass and Percussion students started in week on Monday 3rd February for continuing students and beginner percussion while beginner woodwind and brass students will receive their lesson on Friday 7th February afternoon. Teachers and students have received a copy of their Term timetable.

School instruments on loan will go home in week 3.

Continuing students will commence Concert Band in week 3 from 1:00—1:30 on Mondays.

Please note that Enrolment & Loan Agreement forms will need to be returned on or before this lesson.

Student Resource Scheme – Instrumental Music All instrumental students will be issued with an invoice as part of the new student resource scheme in week 2. This pay-ment contributes towards our Instrumental program by offsetting the cost of maintaining equipment, purchasing music etc. Please forward all payments through the school office.

Payments need to be finalised by the end of Term 1 to remain in the program.

Want to learn an instrument? There are still places in the instrumental program for 2020. If you are interested in learning a woodwind, brass, percussion instrument please complete the brochure available from the school office or music room.

Julie Lewis Instrumental Music Teacher

Next Meeting

March 4th at 6:30pm in the Library

or email deebingheightspandc@gmail.com

2020 Uniform Shop Opening Hours

8—9am Wednesday and Fridays!

Located at the Tuckshop!

Term 1 2020 Tuckshop Opening Hours

This year our tuckshop will also be trialling

opening for a second day during term 1.

Tuckshop will be open during term 1 on

Wednesdays and Fridays for both breaks!

Tuckshop and Uniform Shop orders can be

placed online via Flexischools.

Visit www.flexischools.com.au to set up an

account.

We love our tuckshop volunteers.

Email the P&C with your availability!

deebingheightspandc@gmail.com

Avoid those overdue notices with our eBooks Digital Library!

You can read and borrow from our eBooks Digital Library whenever you like – it’s always open!

It’s super simple to get started straight away. To read on the internet, visit our school site and in

the Support and Resources menu click on Student Resources. Select eBook Library and use your

normal school MIS ID (that you use on the computers at school) to log in. To read on your tablet

or phone at home, download the OverDrive app

and search for the Queensland State Schools col-

lection. To log in, use your normal school MIS ID.

You can access thousands of ebooks and audio-

books, including picture books, chapter books,

novels and comics. Happy reading!!

2020 Before School

Library Borrowing Times

Wednesday and Friday

Mornings

8:30 – 8:45

PERFORMING ARTS NEWS

I would like to invite students in grades 2 – 6 who enjoy singing and performing to join our School Choirs.

Choir Goals:

* To encourage the musical growth of students through singing, listening and other activities.

* To provide a progressive study of vocal and choral techniques.

* To help students develop an appreciation for different styles of music.

* To provide students with performance opportunities.

Student Responsibilities:

* Attend and be on time for all rehearsals (listed below)

* Participate actively and appropriately at all rehearsals and performances.

* Ensure their presentation aligns to the school dress code.

* Display exemplary behaviour at all times.

Parents, please encourage positive behaviour and attitude, and attendance at rehearsals and performances.

Rehearsals in the Performing Arts room Q Block:

Senior Choir for Grades 4 – 6 Tuesday 2nd break | Junior Choir for Grades 2 – 3 Thursday 2nd break

Please come along and have a try – there are no auditions.

Tricia Roots

Performing Arts Teacher

Service name: OSHC phone:

Deebing Heights 0439063730

Welcome to the new school year!

A very warm welcome to everyone, and a special welcome to families new to the school and our program.

At Camp Australia, we provide an engaging and supportive outside of school hours space for children to play,

connect, learn and grow. We work together with your school community to deliver a tailored program that is de-

signed to bring out the very best in each individual child. Creating a unique place where children can practice real-

life skills in a fun, exciting environment that challenges them to succeed. In our sessions, children will be provided

with a healthy snack while given time to relax, socialise with friends and learn some life skills along the way.

Come to the OSHC room to meet the friendly team and discover how we can help your family.

It’s FREE to Register.

To attend our program, you must register your child. You can register an account with us at

pp.campaustralia.com.au/account/login. Once registered, it’s easy to make bookings and manage your book-

ing options online via our parent portal. If eligible, to help you with the cost of child care, you may be entitled to

receive the Australian Government Child Care Subsidy. Visit my.gov.au to find out more.

Program Details

For more information on our service and fees, visit our website www.campaustralia.com.au. If you prefer to speak

to us, you can contact our Customer Care Team, available to support families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week -

except for National Public Holidays. Alternatively, you’re welcome to visit us in service and chat with our qualified

Educators about the Camp Australia program at your child’s school.

We look forward to seeing you and your family soon!

From the Team at Camp Australia

SILKSTONE S.S. SWIM CLUB

IS BACK!

Join us every Monday evening from

3rd Feb 2020 at the Silkstone school pool.

Open from 6pm, First race at 630pm.

Non-competitive, social and fun!

Open to all school aged children,

all abilities welcome!

Bring your togs, towel and swimming cap!

(swim cap compulsory for all swimmers)

For more information contact Judy 0435 442 252 or Mirandah

0424 928 196