Edition 1 - Week 1, Term 2

Principal's Message

Welcome to our first newsletter!  This term has so far, although still impacted by COVID, has been more settled than last term.  It was wonderful to see so many refreshed, smiling faces on day 1.  Term 1 was certainly one not to forget for so many reasons.  I think we all needed a break to rejuvenate.

Our first few weeks back have been busy with the celebration of students who achieved their Bronze Certificate for reaching 50 CARE credits, acknowledging all of the students who participated in our Foundation Student Art Competition, inducting our 2022 Foundation Student leaders, and holding our first ANZAC Day service. 

Our 2022 school leaders are:

School Captains: Archer M and Maneet G

CARE Captain: Alexis F

Sports Captains: Riley H, Karson T, Jason D and Chanel D

Our inaugural ANZAC Day service led by our school captains at our ANZAC Day garden near the Resource Centre was well attended by our community.  Our student body was very respectful throughout the service.  Our school captains, with the assistance of Mr Morley, led our service very respectfully.  This was Archie and Maneet's first leadership responsibility.  Thank you to special Dignitaries Ex-Serviceman Mr Rod West, who gave a Commemorative Address, Ex-Serviceman and Parent Mr Jade Cook, Mr Linus Power MP Member for Logan, Mr Denzil Hersch from the Department of Education, Mr Adam Finn from FKG Group, Ms Suzanne Guastini from Enriching Communities and Mrs Tenneille Langton, President of Everleigh State School P&C Association.  I would also like to extend a special thank you to Mr Tyler Brown who performed The Last Post and The Rouse as part of our service.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support and patience.  While this year has been a dream come true, it has come with a number of unexpected challenges, which have added to the journey.  The support from our community has been wonderful.

Kind regards,

Nicole Wheatley

Deputy Principals' Message

ICT in the Classrooms

Students in Years 3-6 will be operating in 1-1 iPad classrooms. This is as part of our commitment to being and developing lifelong learners. Using iPads in the classroom will assist in engaging students in the curriculum using real-world tools and developing capabilities to learn and adapt to the constantly changing technological world around them. Developing flexibility and adaptability are identified as key indicators of success for our students in the future as evidence by the McCrindle Institute. The use of technology is not about replacing methods and styles of teaching. It is about enhancing the learning within the room. It is about increasing the access to learning. It is about students feeling connected, engaged and successful.

Most student iPads have now been rolled out into classrooms, with those students who have paid in full being given their iPad to take home.  There are a small number of iPads that are causing us grief and we contine to troubleshooot with our IT tecnhician.  If you have elected to supply a personal iPad, please complete and return this form to enable us to connect your student's iPad to the school's network and download relevant apps.  All additional security such as thumb print and parental access permission should be disabled to make the process run more smoothly.

Students will participate in a range of learning through these devices with the focus on developing creativity, critical thinking and collaborative work. A range of apps will be utilised which will focus on individual learning areas. This is an exciting space to watch as students embark on this journey.

NAPLAN Online

Students will be participating in NAPLAN Online beginning on May 10^th. Students in Year 5 will be using their iPads for all tests while Year 3 students will be completing a hard copy writing test. NAPLAN Online allows tailored testing which allows students to face different pathways throughout the testing to maximise their engagement, build on success and focus heavily on assessing what students can do, rather than finding out what they struggle with. Students in year 5 have participated in a School Readiness Test and students will be further exposed to samples to help them to feel confident when facing these tests.

Curriculum Overviews

By now, all parents should have received a digital copy of our Term 2 Curriculum Overviews via Seesaw.  These overviews provide a snapshot of what students are learning in all learning area.  Please contact your child's teacher if you are yet to receive it.

Taking photos/vidoes on school grounds

We would like to remind parents and carers that taking photos of other children is not permitted on school grounds.  Prior to taking a photo of your child on school grounds, permission should be sought to ensure there are no copyright/media issues involved.  When taking permitted photos of your child, please be mindful of who or what may be in the background.  It is not appropriate to share photos via social media or any digital platform when other individuals, adults or childre, are visible in your photos.  A number of our students have restrictions on the sharing of photos or video beyond the school and in doing so is a breach of confidentiality and their consent.  Please keep this in mind for future school activities.

Vision Screening for Prep students catch up clinic

The Primary School Health Nurse recently visited Prep students to conduct vision screening.  If your child was absent during this period, you are welcome to visit a catch up session.  Please note that this service is only available for children who are currently enrolled in Prep.

Our Winter Uniform has arrived!

As you should be aware, our winter uniform is now in stock at the the UMS uniform shop.  With the availaility of the jacket, it is an expectation in this cooler weather that all students are wearing this instead of plain jumpers or jackets. If you wish to purchase your child's winter uniform, please visit our Uniform Shop in Building A on Tuesday from 7.30 - 9.30 or Thursday from 2.00 - 4.30 pm.

Online purchases can also be made at the below link: www.umspl.com.au/collections/everleigh-state-school

Please ensure you label your child's winter uniform with their full name as soon as possible to ensure it can be easily identified should it be misplaced.

Under 8s Day

YOU’RE INVITED! On Friday the 20^th May, our students in Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 will be celebrating Under 8’s Day.

We invite parents and carers to attend with their child and younger siblings as the students will be participating in a range of visual, creative and movement based interactive activities which will be set up around our learning spaces. School staff and community organisations will be providing the activities for the day. The activities will run from 8:45am through until 10:45am.

We would love for you to attend this special event. This year’s theme is ‘Play in a changing world’ and we would love for you to join us to celebrate this special occasion designed to embrace the joy of early childhood.

Please ensure all children are wearing a hat and closed-in shoes so they are able to enjoy all of the activities. There will be a sign in sheets in the parent waiting area for parents to sign on the day.

Please RSVP your attendance with your child to your child’s classroom teacher.

We look forward to a fun morning of activities with you all!

PBL Focus of the week

Everleigh State School focuses on Positive Behaviour for Learning.  On a weekly basis, staff and students focus on a particular behaviour.  This week is Commitment – We Arrive on time and ready to learn. Our school day starts at 8.30 am and finishes at 2.30 pm.  It is an expectation that students arrive in time for the commencement of the school day to support successful transitions into the daily routine and learning.  Students who arrive after 8.30 am are considered late and must report to Executive Services for a late slip.  We ask you to support us in ensuring students arrive time to school.

Cross Country

We were finally able to run our inaugural cross country!  A big congratulations and thank you to our PE teacher, Mr Johnson who organised this event and at short notice this morning had to plan an alternative should this morning's rain continued.  Thank you also to Mr Giles our Schools Officer for assisting with the set up.  All of the students had fun and it was great to see so many parents/carers in attendance.  We look forward to our next sporting event later this term.  Fingers crossed the weather improves by then!

P&C Mother's Day Stall

What a busy and successful day we have had today!  Thank you to our P&C and volunteers for the wonderful cupcake staff to celebrate our special mums and carers.  Additional shopping trips were needed to keep with the demand from students and parents alike.