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Edition 52

Principal's Message

We have such a great school community! Over the past few weeks, we have had students out and about, representing our school community with such CARE.

Recently, our Year 4 students travelled to St Helena Island. All students had a great day of learning and represented themselves and our school extremely well. I was very impressed to see all students wearing their full school uniform, including their school hat.

Last week, 34 of our Year 5 students, along with Miss King, Ms Suter, Ms Muller and I travelled to Camp Goodenough in Northern NSW. Every single student who attended showed a great deal of bravery and resilience, challenging themselves at each of the activities. A special thank you to Miss King, Ms Suter and Ms Muller for their attendance at the Year 5 camp, and Mr Waugh for making the very early trip on Friday morning to allow me to return to school on Friday.

Each term this year, our Year 5 and Year 6 students have had the opportunity to participate in cluster sporting Gala events. At each one of these events, our students have been exemplary representatives of our school community.

This week, our Year 2 students visited Beenleigh Historical Village. Again, our students represented themselves and our school beautifully.

This weekend, Miss King, Mrs Lau-Hamilton and a small group of Year 5 and Year 6 boys will be participating in the Primary All Schools Touch competition. From the Everleigh State School community, we wish the team every success.

For the past three (3) Thursdays, we have had over 100 of our 2025 Prep families joins us for our annual Prep Start program. A HUGE congratulations and thank you to Mrs Harker and our Prep team for such a successful program. The time and effort spent organising such an important event will ensure a successful start for our Prep students in 2025.

As the saying goes, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’. The CARE our students bring to school each day starts at home. Thank you to our school community for working with the school to raise Committed, Accountable, Respectful and Encouraging adults.

Ongoing carpark issues

While I can speak so highly of our students, we continue to struggle with some parents/carers who continue to disregard the appropriate use of our drop off and pick up zones. Please note, the outer parking spots at the Kangaroo (front) carpark are for DROP OFF AND PICK UP ONLY! Drivers MUST REMAIN IN THE CAR.

The Platypus zone is a PICK UP AND DROP OFF ONLY!

As part of the Stage 2 build, there will be a pedestrian access gate about halfway along the Anderson Drive fence line. When this access opens in 2025, there will be NO PEDESTRIAN ACCESS VIA THE PLATYPUS ZONE, as this will be a strictly drop off and pick up area, as it should be now. I am aware of the lack of footpaths, and I am working with all relevant stakeholders to remedy this issue.

Parents/Carers are reminder that students from Prep to Year 2, including older siblings are expected to use Kangaroo Zone, with Year 3 to Year 6 students should be using Platypus Zone. This will be particularly important for both foot and vehicle traffic from 2025, with Stage 2 facilitating our Year 3 to Year 6 students.

Uniforms

At this week’s Parade, students conducted a ‘uniform check’, as we are observing a lapse in students adhering to our Uniform Policy. Students and teachers were reminded of the following points:

Wearing our school polo shirt
Sports shirts are only to be worn on Friday or sporting events such as Cross Country, Athletics carnivals
Shorts/Skorts with the school logo should be worn with both the polo and/or sport shirt
White socks, not black or any other colour
Black shoes
No jewellery outside of a simple signet ring, sleeper or stud earring and watch. The only bracelets, bangles or necklaces to be worn are those of religious or cultural significance. Students wearing inappropriate or unnecessary jewellery will be instructed to remove and place in their school bag
Watches are not to be cellular smart watches. Any such watch is considered to be a digital device and will be treated the same as mobile phones, requiring an exemption. There is no need for students to have cellular watch at school, as all communication should come through the school office

Staff will be conducting regular checks and reminding students of our uniform policy. We seek your support in respecting our school’s uniform policy, which has been endorsed by our P&C. Parents/Carers will be contacted if students continue to be in breach of this policy. Should you have any concerns or questions in relation to our Uniform Policy, please contact your child’s teacher.

Everleigh State School’s Dress Code can be found here.

Planning for 2025

As I mentioned in our last two (2) newsletters, planning for 2025 is well underway.

As you can appreciate, a great deal of planning is required when forming our classes. To assist us with planning for the number of classes needed in 2025, please contact administration as soon as possible if your child/ren will not be returning in 2025.

Additionally, if you are aware of family or friends who are yet to enrol for 2025, please request they contact administration as soon as possible.

Annual Parent Information - 2025 Student Resource Scheme

How the scheme operates and the annual participation fee

The Queensland Government supports students’ education by providing funding for:

Instruction, e.g., teachers
Facilities, e.g., buildings, amenities, furniture
Administration, e.g., staffing and resources to administer the operations of the school.

Funding does not extend to individual student resources such as textbooks, equipment for personal use, and items used/consumed by the student in the classroom. Supply of these items is the responsibility of parents.

To provide parents with a cost-effective alternative to purchasing stationery and/or resources elsewhere, Everleigh State School operates an SRS for 2025.

The scheme ensures that students have the resources required for them to engage with the curriculum for their education and saves parents time and money in sourcing the prescribed materials elsewhere. Savings are gained through the school’s bulk purchasing practices and hiring arrangements. The scheme is not used to raise funds for other purposes, and revenue collected through the scheme is applied only to the resources and operation of the scheme. The financial impact on parents and whether the school can absorb any of the cost has been considered before determining the SRS fee.

The scheme’s operation, resource inclusions and participation fees were approved by the school’s P&C Association at the meeting held on Monday 14^th October 2024.

SRS Participation

The objective of the scheme is to provide a convenient and cost-effective way for students to access the educational resources necessary to enhance their learning experience at school. The Department encourages parents to participate in the scheme. Participation in the SRS is optional, and no obligation is placed on a parent to participate. Participation is for the duration of your child’s enrolment at the school.

Student is new to the school.….

Parents are required to complete and return the SRS Participation Agreement Form when joining the scheme for the first time. If no participation form is received at the time of enrolment, the school will take the view that the parent has chosen to opt out of the SRS. The parent is then required to provide the educational resources listed in the SRS for their child by the start of the school year. A parent can opt in or out of the scheme in subsequent years by completing another Participation Agreement Form.

Continuing student of the school…..

A parent’s participation or non-participation in the scheme will continue as per their previously completed Participation Agreement Form. A parent can opt in or out of the scheme in subsequent years by completing another Participation Agreement Form.

If a parent has opted out of the scheme the parent is required to provide the educational resources listed in the SRS for their child by the start of the school year.

The Participation Agreement Form can be obtained from Administration.

More detailed information about the SRS can be found on the Department’s website: (https://ppr.qed.qld.gov.au/pp/student-resource-scheme-srs-procedure).

Resource Inclusions

All resources included in the SRS are detailed below in the SRS Resource list. This list is also available on the school’s website. This is a comprehensive list of all resources included in the scheme and their associated costs.

Parents must inform the school if items on the list of resources are not received by their child when resources are distributed.

Type of Resources provided

Generally, the three types of resources that could be included are:

Owned – these items are retained by the student and used as required (e.g. stationery, exercise books, student diary).
Used – these items are used/consumed in class by the student (e.g. industry technology/cooking/art supplies).

work/items produced from these resources will remain the property of the student.

Hired – these items are hired to the student for their personal use for a specific period of time (e.g. textbooks, musical instruments, laptops).

Hired items must be returned to the school in good condition at the end of the hire period or if the student leaves the school.
A repair or replacement cost may be charged to the parent for any hired items that are damaged or not returned.

Costing Methodology

The schools SRS fee is calculated based on:

A flat fee for all students in the school, OR
A flat fee for a cohort group of students (e.g. a year level), OR
A general fee for all students or a cohort group plus additional fees for individual subject inclusions.

Please refer to the SRS Resource list for the associated costings.

The 2025 SRS Participation Fee

The SRS fee payable for the 2025 school year is as follows and an itemised list is published on the school’s website. https://everleighss.eq.edu.au/support-and-resources/forms-and-documents/documents

Prep - $165.00

Year 1 - $163.00

Year 2 - $160.00

Year 3 - $136.00

Year 4- $123.00

Year 5 - $131.00

Year 6 - $122.00

SRS Digital Device Component (Years 2-6)

Option 1 – BYO iPad (students bring their compatible iPad as per specifications listed on annual SRS information

Option 2 – Hire Fee $130 (iPad, screen protector & case)

Financial Hardship

Parents experiencing financial hardship who are currently participating or wish to participate in the SRS should contact the school to discuss available options in confidence.

Payment Arrangement

Several payment options including a single payment for the full year’s fee or term instalments are available. An instalment plan can also be negotiated with the school.

Any unpaid invoices will be managed according to the department’s Debt Management Procedure. Only as a last resort, a Principal may use discretion to exclude a student from optional, non-curricular activities where a parent has an outstanding debt with the school. (https://ppr.qed.qld.gov.au/pp/debt-management-procedure).

Payment Method

SRS payments can be made by QParent/BPOINT, BPAY, EFTPOS (Credit/Debit Card), Centrepay.

Payment may be made through the QParents portal using a credit card. Payment will be directed from the QParents portal to BPOINT where relevant outstanding invoice information may be selected.
When paying by BPOINT, please use the Customer Reference Number (CRN) and invoice number printed on the invoice received from the school. If unsure of the CRN, please contact the school.
Centrepay Deductions are available to pay the SRS fees. Use Centrepay to make regular deductions from your Centrelink payment. Centrepay is a voluntary and easy payment option available to Centrelink customers. Go to gov.au/centrepay for more information on how to set up your Centrepay deductions.

Contact Us

For all queries regarding the SRS and its inclusions, please contact Administration on 07 2899 5111 or email Admin@everleighss.eq.edu.au

Messages From The Executive Services

Student Absence Procedure

If your student will be absent, parents/carers have a legal obligation to notify the school office, 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

Change of contact details:

Please advise Executive Services if any of your details have changed. For example:

Address
Best contact phone number
Work details
Emergency contacts other than parents/carers

Please pop into the office to complete a change of details form, or email admin@everleighss.eq.edu.au to update your details.

Year 6 Students Leaving:

We will be sad to say farewell to our wonderful year 6 cohort at the end of this term. Families should have already received a leaving form to complete and return to the office. We kindly ask that you return them as soon as possible so we can enter their new school details into the system, ready for us to depart them at the end of term. If you have not received one, please contact the office.

Spare change of clothes reminder

Please ensure you pack a spare change of clothes in your child’s bag just in case. Please include underwear, black shorts/skort and socks.

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 jackets, hats, lunch boxes, water bottles, etc. We really appreciate your assistance with this. Any item that is labelled gets returned directly to the classroom.

Now that the cooler weather is abating, all previously unclaimed and unnamed school jackets are being given to our guidance officer to distribute to families in need.

All unclaimed, unnamed items are disposed of or donated at the end of each term.

Please note, we have had an unclaimed scooter in the bike shed since the school holidays. If this belongs to you, please ensure you collect it and take it home. See photo attached.

Message From The Head of Department - Curriculum, Ms. Tanya Conway

Message From The Head of Special Education Services, Mrs Rhiannon Kemp

Supporting Your Child Through School Transitions: Tips for Parents

As we approach the end of the year and look ahead to 2025, it’s important to consider how we can best support our children as they transition back to school. Transitions can be a time of anxiety for many children, whether they are moving from one grade to the next or starting a new school altogether. Here are some strategies to help ease these transitions and support your child’s emotional well-being. More information can be found at the following links

https://www.education.gov.au/disability-standards-education-2005/students/english/advocating

https://www.education.gov.au/disability-standards-education-2005/students/english/milestones

Open Communication is Key

Meeting with the school ahead of the new year should be a priority for parents.

Dr. Roy emphasises the importance of being “honest” and detailed about your child's needs. “Don’t underplay any challenges,” he advises, “because they will become apparent. You want the school to be ready to support your child.”

This advice comes from a recent ABC article, which highlights the significance of preparing your child for school transitions, especially for those with specific needs or disabilities. You can read the full article here.

Consider communicating with your child’s current teacher. Discuss any concerns or specific needs your child may have. This collaboration can help ensure that appropriate support plans are put in place and tailored to your child’s unique situation.

Familiarise with New Routines

Changes in routine can be a significant source of anxiety for children. As Term 4 progresses, schools are busy finalising plans for the upcoming year, including class placements and support strategies. Take time to talk to your child about what to expect. In the last weeks of Term, your child will have the opportunity to meet their teacher for next year and explore their new environment. Familiarity can help reduce anxiety and make the transition feel more manageable.

Build Coping Strategies

Help your child develop coping strategies for managing anxiety. This could include deep breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, or creating a “calm down” toolkit with items like stress balls or calming visuals. Practicing these strategies together can empower your child to use them when they start feeling overwhelmed.

Focus on Positive Experiences

Highlight the exciting aspects of the upcoming transition. Whether it’s making new friends, participating in different activities, or learning new things, focusing on the positives can help shift their perspective. Share stories of your own school experiences and how you overcame challenges, reinforcing that it’s normal to feel anxious about changes.

Collaborate with the School

If your child has specific needs, don’t hesitate to reach out to their teacher or school support staff. Early intervention can make a significant difference in easing transitions. Share any concerns or strategies that have worked in the past so the school can be well-prepared to support your child effectively.

Stay Updated

Start planning for next year with the 2025 school calendar now available on the Education Queensland website.

The calendar features school term dates, school holiday dates, public holidays and student free days.

iCalendar updates will follow later in the year.

Let’s work together to ensure our students feel supported and ready for the next exciting chapter in their education!

Staffing Updates:

I want to share some important news regarding our staffing.

I will be going on maternity leave towards the end of this Term, and I am excited about this new chapter in my life. During my absence, I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition for our students and staff. We are currently in the process of finalizing the arrangements for my replacement, and I am confident that the school will be in great hands while I am away.

I want to assure you that we will be announcing the new staff members shortly, and they will be fully prepared to support our students and continue our school’s commitment to excellence in education.

I appreciate your support and understanding during this time, and I look forward to returning to our wonderful community after my leave. Thank you for being a vital part of our school, and I wish everyone a smooth transition as we head into the next year!