Edition 33
Principal's Message
2024 Enrolments
Thank you to those families who have informed us that they are sadly leaving Everleigh State School at the end of this year. This assists us greatly with our class formations and gauging a more accurate understanding of our funding for 2024. Schools' teacher and teacher aide allocations are based on the total number of students enrolled at the school and we use this, and if necessary, school funding to ensure we have appropriately sized classes. Based on our current enrolments, which is currently changing daily, we will have 24 classes, allowing (hopefully!) for sufficient spaces in all classrooms for growth in 2024. At this stage, we are employing 2 teachers more than what we are entilted to and have budgeted for this. As a result, all of our classrooms will be in use in 2024.
Stage 2 Update
Our initial start up meeting for the construction of Stage 2 occurred recently. This new building will be situated on the vacant land between the oval, Resource Centre and Anderson Drive. Construction of 20 classrooms, with 4 'future' classrooms will commence in late January/early February. Other than noise, it is expected that there will be little impact to our daily operations. Our next meeting is scheduled for mid January. I will provide further updates throughout the project.
Semester Two Report Cards
Semester Two Report Cards will be emailed home to parents/Carers on Wednesday 6 December. Please ensure your email address is up to date.
Congratulations to our 2024 School Captains
On Monday, students from Year 3 to Year 6 voted on our school captains for 2024. We had 8 well spoken contenders, making voting difficult, which was evident in the final votes. I would like to congratulate all of our very worthy contenders being: Peppar, Amitojbir, Lilly, Mickie, Charlotte, Addison, Lexie and Chase. Each and every one of these students spoke extremely well and are role models for our school community.
After student and staff votes, Peppar and Lexie were delighted in being able to ring their parents with the exciting news of being elected our School Captains for 2024. I have no doubt that Peppar and Lexie, as well as the other students who ran for this position will be positive role models and exemplary representatives of Everleigh State School in 2024. A formal badge ceremony will take place in early 2024.
Voting for Captains and Vice Captains for our Sporting Houses will take place next week.
End of Year Concert
As was advertised in our last newsletter, our End of Year Concert is taking place in our School Hall on Thursday 23 November from 6.30 pm. Unfortunately, due to a lack of volunteers, the P&C is unable to hold a sausage sizzle beforehand.
Students need to arrive between 6.00 - 6.15 pm for a prompt 6.30 pm start. It is expected that students will remained seated with their class for the duration of the concert. Please see Mrs Chivers' article below for the program of events.
To assist us with coordinating this event, please complete this quick survey to indicate your child’s attendance. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/77T65Q8
Everleigh State School P&C Colour Fun Run
Thank you to our P&C and parent volunteers for a funfilled afternoon of colour. Our staff and students had a great time. The sliming was certainly very exciting!
Deputy Principals' Messsage
Semester Two Celebration of Learning
Our Semester Two Celebration of Learning will take place on Friday 1 December from 8.40 am - 9.40 am in your child's classroom. This is an opportunity for you to sit with your child and view their Student Learning Folio and reflect on their learning journey for not only Semester 2 but their learning throughout the 2023 school year.
Every Day Counts – let’s finish strong!
Our school target for attendance is 95% and we are currently at 88.8%. This means that, on average, students have missed 20 days or 4 weeks of learning across the year! If this were to continue, students would miss the equivalent of a whole year of learning throughout their school career.
With only 15 school days left for 2023, let’s work together to prioritise attendance at school every day!
We know that illness, injury and personal circumstances sometimes arise but is a requirement that parents/carers provide an explanation for all absences. For the remainder of the year, every student in a class with no unexplained absences will receive an ice block. Please ensure you notify the student absence line 07 2899 5160 or contact your child’s teacher so they can update the roll.
This fortnight's attendance is:
Cohort | % Year to date | Last fortnight | This fortnight |
Prep | 90.17 | 89.34 | 90.65 |
Year 1 | 90.16 | 91.13 | 88.55 |
Year 2 | 89.83 | 88.54 | 91.83 |
Year 3 | 87.02 | 82.40 | 88.20 |
Year 4 | 87.23 | 89.81 | 86.85 |
Year 5 | 88.80 | 88.08 | 87.57 |
Year 6 | 84.60 |
Congratulations to this edition’s Attendance Champions – Year 2! Congratulations also to Prep and Year 3 for increased attendance since last edition. Prep C and 1C both enjoyed ice blocks this week for having no unexplained absences in their classes.
2024 Year 6 School Camp
Students in Year 5 took home notes earlier this week to express interest in school camp in 2024. This will focus on leadership and working in a group at Sunshine Beach Recreation Centre in week 6 of Term 1. Students will have the opportunity to surf and participate in high ropes challenges while learning the importance of working together.
iPad Information session
On Tuesday November 21 November an iPad information session will be held for parents. This session is intended for parents of students entering Years 2-6 in 2024 but other parents/carers are welcome to attend. This session will focus on how iPads are used to augment learning, how they are managed from a school and classroom level and how to set up iPads to support children to engage meaningfully. Thank you to those who have already completed the survey at the link below to let us know you will be attending and to those who have provided some questions they would like discussed during the session.
Student Council News
Holiday Hamper Raffle
Student Council are selling raffle tickets of a morning to give away five (5) holiday hampers to lucky winners. Funds raised will be used to support student activities in 2024. The winners will be announced on Friday December 1 during our Celebration of Learning from 8.40 - 9.40 am. Please take the opportunity to stop in and see our student council to buy some raffle tickets and stock your pantry for the holidays.
Containers for Change
Students have been doing an excellent job of recycling throughout the year with funds feeding back to the Student Council. These funds supported the Street Science visit during Science Week, enabling all students to attend and view the show. With the summer holidays approaching and the school being closed for six weeks, the recycling efforts by the school will be limited. You can help support the student council by scanning the code on the image below. If you are accessing this newsletter on a mobile device, simply screen shot and crop the barcode for easy access when returning bottles, cans and poppers at your local recycling centre.
Music Notes with Mrs Chivers
Wow, only one week to go until our school concert!
All classes have been practising their items to present to the school community and are sounding great!
I have been asked by some students who are understandably nervous about getting up on stage, how will performing help them in their lives? This list below pretty well sums it up…
Some of the benefits of performing include:
- building and developing self-confidence
- promoting self-motivation and self-expression
- overcoming of fears and anxieties about public speaking
- developing skills in memory
- expressing creative flare
- problem-solving through dealing with unexpected situations,
and
- team building, including social interaction and cooperation
from https://speakupstudio.com.au/benefits-of-performing
This is not only true for students, but adults as well. Involvement in performing arts whether it be music, dance or drama provides all of the above benefits and more.
I look forward to seeing you on Thursday the 23 November at 6.30 pm for our end of year concert.
As Bono once said, “Music can change the world because it can change people”.
Keep on singing,
Mrs Chivers
From the Business Manager
2024 Student Resource Scheme (SRS)
The Student Resource Scheme (SRS) is a user‐charging scheme operated by schools to provide parents with a mechanism to access individual student resources that are not funded by the government. Government funding for schools does not extend to individual student resources and equipment for their personal use or consumption. Supply of these items, such as textbooks and personal laptops/iPads, is the responsibility of the parent.
The objective of the scheme is to provide parents a convenient and cost‐ effective alternative to individual supply of resources for their students.
For all year levels this includes:
- Discounted access to online learning platforms to complement the curriculum. These resources can be accessed at home and at
- Payment towards bulk purchase of arts and crafts
- Purchase and supply of all stationery and booklist items at a reduced cost to parents due to the school being able to buy items in This cost includes used items being replenished throughout the year as required.
- Any relevant handwriting text books
- Purchase of relevant year level apps for iPads
The cost of the SRS for 2024, which we will invoice shortly for is as below:
2024 all-inclusive SRS costs | |||
Year Level | Cost | Year Level | Cost |
Year 1 | $195 | Year 4 | $160 |
Year 2 | $190 | Year 5 | $155 |
Year 3 | $175 | Year 6 | $145 |
To assist the school in covering the large upfront cost of purchasing student stationery, booklist items and iPads, a deposit, full payment or part payment will be required by 23 February 2024.
For parents/cares who have opted to hire an iPad the cost per year of $130 will remain the same for 2024.
The SRS Participation Agreement Form was completed upon an enrolment. If you no longer wish to participate in the SRS, you are required to notify the school in writing.
Messages from Executive Services
Spare change of clothes reminder
Please ensure you have a spare change of clothes in your child’s bag in case of accidents. Please include underwear, black shorts/skort and white socks.
Student Absence Procedure
If your student will be absent, parents/carers have a legal obligation to notify the school, including advising the reason for the absence. We kindly request you let us know by 9am on the day of the absence. We have two preferred methods for advising absence:
- Via the Q-Parents App – please see reception if you require information on this.
- Via our dedicated Student Absence Line – (07) 2899 5160, where you can leave a message any time of the day or night. Please save this number in your phone.
Reminder: You will also need to advise YMCA if your child is booked in and will be absent.
YMCA absences should be advised before 2:15pm via email aev@ymcabrisbane.org or via text or phone call 0459 905 087.
Don’t forget to also cancel your canteen order if you have pre-ordered ahead: (07) 2899 5125
Lost Property
Name labels make all the difference in helping us to returned lost items to the correct students. We kindly remind parents to name hats, lunch boxes, water bottles, etc. We really appreciate your assistance with this. Please see the attached photos of current treasures waiting for their owners to claim them.
Note: All unclaimed items will be donated or binned at the end of each term.
Lost Property
Q Parents
We remind all parents and carers to set up their Q Parents app. This app is our preferred option and is a one-stop location to check on your account or pay invoices, as well as to report absences. It is quick and easy to use. If you require any assistance to set this up, please contact executive services.
Thom and Ann's Canteen News
Thom & Ann's is Hiring!!!!!
This is a rare opportunity to be part of the Thom & Ann's team. We have a vacancy in our school canteen section of the business.
If you are:
- A team player
- Hold a paid blue card or willing to get one upon employment
- Work well with children
- Organised
- Complete food safety documentation
Then we are after YOU!
This is a permanent part time position at Everleigh State School's canteen. Please send your resume to info@thomandanns.com.au
Applications close 6 January 2024. if you have any questions, please call us on 07 5677 0828
UMS Uniform Shop Update
Get ready for 2024
Due to the busy period in January and to avoid long waiting times, UMS encourage families to purchase their uniforms before the end of Term 4 2023. See below for details on booking an appointment online and holiday opening hours.
To ensure only families enrolled at Everleigh State School can purchase uniforms, UMS have introduced the need for a password to access their online shop. This unique password will be shared via SeeSaw and should not be distributed to other individuals. Should you not have access to SeeSaw and require access to this password, please contact UMS directly.
Position Available
Casual Vacation: Everleigh School Uniform Shop
For Back to school availability from 12/1/24 - 28/1/24
Starting Mid January for 2 weeks, approximately 6 hours per day, assisting with student fittings, packing orders and restocking shelves.
Police Check and Blue Card will be required.
If you are interested, please drop a short resume to the school uniform shop by 3 December
Be sure to include your phone number and email address.
Alternatively, please send your resume and contact details via email to: paula@umspl.com.au