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Pick of the crop developments
Our school will host a regional coordinator role for the Pick of the Crop Healthy Eats project for our community starting term 4 this year. In previous newsletters I have spoken about this great opportunity to encourage an increase in vegetable and fruit intake of our students. The coordinator appointed and based at our school will assist cluster schools to promote and investigate innovative ways to educate students and families of the importance of a healthy diet. There are a range of suggested activities including farm visits and learning within the curriculum including cooking. As we progress to the advertising phase of the project we envision the appointed coordinator would start work across the community next term. I will keep families up to date as this fantastic project progresses.
ARD visit Monday week 9
Next Monday we will host Graham Foster the Assistant Regional Director. Part of his visit will be classroom walkthroughs to see the work progressing across the school. We are looking forward to spending time in the reading groups in each cohort and talking to students about their reading. We will be discussing their own individual goals and next steps in the learning. Feedback to students has been a priority and we are looking forward to students articulating the “right feedback just for them”
The leadership team will then spend the remaining hour reflecting on the key work and the discussions around the table will focus on the Collaborative Inquires that have been occurring and the coaching for staff this term.
Parent teacher student interviews
Next term families will have an opportunity to book in for the term four Teacher Student and Parent interview process. We will be using the SOBS School Online Booking System and share a link with families to lock in an interview time. Maxine Hilary our Head of Curriculum will provide more information via the newsletter and Facebook page regarding this. Parents can feel safe our parade hall will provide the social distancing requirements and parents will be asked to register on entry for contact tracing requirements. A detailed plan with the COVID smart requirements will be communicated closer to the date. We envision that the interviews will take place over Tuesday afternoon Week 2 term 4.
Year 6 graduation
Due to the ever changing guidelines relating to large school events our school has made the difficult decision to adjust the agenda and format of the year 6 graduation for this year. With consultation from Regional Office and the school P&C we believe we have made a sensible and appropriate plan for the students and families. To date the graduation committee has decided on the following:
- Year 6 graduation will be held at school during the day.
- Students and limited family members will attend a short graduation parade in the hall in the morning. Families will have an opportunity to see their child formally graduate with various activities and presentations as part of this.
- Parents will then leave the school and students will attend a catered lunch in the Music Hall (no cost to families)
- Students travel via bus to view a special feature movie at the local cinema ( no cost to families)
More information will be provided by the graduation committee throughout term 4 however I feel the need to communicate the general plan to inform parents of the change that will occur. I would like to thank the P&C for covering the cost of the graduation this year. We understand the students have not had the opportunity to fund raise for this event and the P&C have kindly stepped up with their generous support. This means there will be no cost to families this year.
Looking forward to sharing more great stories happening in our school over the next fortnight. Until then have a wonderful couple of weeks.
I believe in: Hard Work Honesty Transparency
Christien Payne
Principal
Our Best Week for Attendance 2020
Last week our whole school attendance rate was an incredible 93.7%, the best result we have had all year! Thank you to everybody for making the effort and ensuring that your child makes it to school every day.
A big shout out goes to Mrs Witt’s class in Year 1 which had an amazing 99% attendance rate last week. The children in that class were very chuffed with this achievement as they collected their trophy and held it up proud on parade like they had just won the NRL premiership.
Another special mention has to go out to Mrs Daley’s and Mrs Gallagher’s Year 2 class who on Tuesday achieved 100% attendance for the day, which was the first time this has happened all year. The students in that room were all very excited when they were awarded a special sticker from the Deputy Principal.
Keep up the great work!
School Facebook Site
If you haven’t had a chance to check out our Bowen State School Facebook site, then make sure you do. We are constantly updating our page with important information and videos of all of the great work our students are achieving here at school. With every newsletter release, we upload our student news show called ‘What makes Bowen State Great’, which is a great 5 min wrap up of all of the happenings from around the school. Every episode features different students ding different things, so make sure you keep up to date with these episodes to spot your child. Remember to like our page too, so you don’t miss out.
Jeremy Callaghan
Deputy Principal
1 W/P
Moses, Taylor, Anna and Kai have been reading the book “The Marble Game”. We visualised what a marble game would look like and then we played a game of marbles.
2 M
This term, 2M have been really fortunate to work with a Preservice Teacher, Mrs Bath, who taught the class so much about fractions, informative animal reports and life cycles of living things. How lucky were we?!
Since then, we have recently been on a HASS excursion to the Bowen Historical Museum to observe objects from the past. We explored how the change in technologies used in and around the home have impacted our daily life. A fun outing was had by all and many students are keen to return for another visit, (hint hint, wink wink parents J).
Currently, we are learning about procedures in English. We began the unit making and eating our own fairy bread to pique everyone’s interest. After reading “George’s Marvellous Medicine” to the class, they are now in the midst of creating their own rather disgusting medicine recipes - imaginations are running wild!
6 F
We all know a Dr Suess book by simply seeing the cover. The candy-striped spine, the bright and bold colours, and the unique way the characters are drawn. We also know what to expect on the inside. He has a distinct 'style' of writing. Year 6 students are examining the writing of a prominent Aussie author in order to prepare a speech detailing the unique combination of features used that contribute to their signature style.
4 A/M
In 4AM students are ready to present an historical recount of the a child convict, a child marine or a First Australian child when the colony was first settled in New South Wales on January 26, 1788. Students are busy rehearsing and learning to use vocal techniques to engage the audience. The students have written their own recount and edited for presentation.
GO Update
I’ve been asked frequently lately what a Guidance Officer does. A Guidance Officer’s role is diverse, it includes supporting students’ social emotional learning, academic learning, and leadership skills. Collaborating to make program adjustments to cater for individual student’s needs. The GO supports families, students, and staff as part of our inclusive education for all. Strong partnerships with students, families, staff and the wider community is the core of the Guidance Officers role.
Some of the work covered in the past fortnight include:
* Referrals to GP’s
* Connecting with Paediatricians
* Counselling service referrals such as Relationships Australia and Whitsunday Counselling
* Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support via Girudala to the Family Wellbeing team and Juke Tabua the new Sport and Recreation Officer.
* PCYC Sargent Michelle and new Community Development Officer Rachel Miller program planning.
* Attendance Task Force team meetings, and connecting with families to break down barriers to students attendance
* Daily connections with CEC and Chaplain (the Student Support Team SST)
* Connecting with Speech Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists
* Parent/student/staff case meetings
The above tasks are for the sole purpose of supporting students’ engagement and success at school.
The boys pictured at part of the year 4 Social skilling and Leadership program that Ms Tracy and I are running. We are using Rock and Water skills (physical martial arts skills) to then self-reflect and increase boys’ self-awareness.
The boys are using Chinese Boxing open hand strategy to defeat their opponent by getting them off balance and moving their feet. The boys have been working on standing strong and being centred, grounded and focused. They are all showing determination and focus and increasing the amount of time they can stay in this state.
If you are still wondering what I do at school please sing out when you past me next. I’ll be happy to share.
We are thrilled that we will still be able to host our annual Colour Splash & Dash event this year. In order to ensure we can fit it in, it will be held in Week 10 of this Term.
Unfortunately, at this stage parents/guardians will not be allowed to attend the event to watch but don’t worry, we will take lots of photos for you!
Students will need to bring a light coloured shirt and wet clothes (extra pair of shorts to change into prior to the event).
We will be fundraising for large shade tents for school events and carnivals. Our target is $7000. Money raised will be due online, or to the school office by Friday October 16th 2020 (Term 4, Week 2). Online fundraising and setting of prizes is encouraged.
Swimming Lessons
Just a heads up, swimming lessons will start Term 4, Week 3 for students in Prep, 3L, Year 5 & 6.
Notes and permission forms will be sent home early next term.
We are also excited to announce that we will be having our annual Swimming Carnival later in Term 4. Lots of exciting things happening. Stay tuned!
Cricket Visit
This week, Bowen State School had some specials guests to do a cricket session with our Year 4 students who have been practising Cricket for their assessment this term. We had lots of fun.
