FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Thoughts for the Week
“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”

                                    Romans 8:28

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“All the strength you need to achieve anything is within you.”

                                    Sara Henderson

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“An they’re off to a smooth if hectic start” began the ABC announcer a few weeks ago as hundreds of yachts set off from Sydney harbour for Hobart’s Constitution Dock. I guess I can borrow that introduction with regards to our first week of term. It was wonderful to see how smooth the transition to a new academic year progressed. Our newcomers to school looked confident and shed less tears than their somewhat apprehensive parents. “It’s a big thing to let go, Mr. Smith,” said one parent making a hurried exit after dropping her son off in Year 1. The son is today ‘an old hand’ with four day’s experience of primary school. Some may well have said that it was unfortunate to schedule a public holiday during the first week of term. However, as we all know, Australia Day commemorates the landing of the First Fleet in Sydney on the 26^th January 1788 and, like our other unifying public holiday – ANZAC Day is always commemorated/celebrated on the same day in April in each year.

Australia Day is traditionally a day of Naturalisations and Awards. The former, taking place in City Hall, historical settings such as Newstead House and a host of other venues is an important milestone of assimilation into the host culture by hundreds of people who have chosen not only to leave their foreign shores, but to make Australia their home. We, who are born in this wonderful country, sometimes take it for granted and cannot fully comprehend what the transition of life from the other side of the world would be like. This life, this culture and way-of-life sufficiently inspires scores of new settlers to pledge their allegiance to Australia. Through this rite-of-passage, like no other, these ‘new chums’ as they were once called, contribute much to the rich Australian fabric which is not frozen in time but an evolving ‘work’ of unlimited potential.

Part of being an Australian is indeed to contribute. So how can we, as ordinary Australians contribute? This Year’s Awards speak volumes. Two of the recipients were justly honoured in arguable the same field. Humble trailblazer Professor Ian Frazer, having developed a vaccine against cervical cancer was more concerned about his ‘future research in finding a cure for women  already suffering with cervical cancer’ than to rest on his laurels, considerable as they are. Related to medicine, but through a starkly different perspective we find Bundaberg Nursing Sister Toni Hoffmann being honoured for speaking out, for ‘blowing the whistle’ for speaking when other chose to keep silent. Both recipients deserve our congratulations and set standards for others to emulate. So you see, Australia Day is more – much more – than the traditional snag on the barbie, a tinnie in hand.

History back on the agenda
Last week the Prime Minister, Mr. Howard, announced that the Federal Government would like ‘History’ taught in the classrooms of all Australian schools. It is felt that this traditional core subject has been somewhat ‘watered down’ over the years. Our syllabus currently includes ‘history’ with ‘geography’ and ‘social science’ under the rubric of Study of Society and Environment (SOSE). This is the Education Queensland preferred model where a topic such as the “Gold Rush” can be investigated through the lens of three complimentary disciplines. History is thus alive and well at Rochedale State School. Indeed, it is rigorously taught for the same reason as it has always been taught – ‘we need to know our past to make sense of our present and make informed choices about our future.

At the keyboard, this Monday…

Stop press
I was visited this morning by two of our super fish, Maddison and Bryana W who both competed in the Brisbane Junior Metropolitan Swimming Championships.  Both girls did exceptional well swimming personal bests, with Maddison achieving finalist status in the 9yrs girls breastroke (Eighth fastest swimmer in Brisbane).  Congratulations to both girls!!

LIAM SMITH
Principal

FRIDAY’S PARADE
There will be no Parade this Friday due to Rochedale High having a swimming carnival.

DRAMA
Speech and Drama will be continuing this year. More information will be coming in the next few weeks.

CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (CRE)
Christian Religious Education (CRE) lessons will begin in Week Three this term and will be presented to all students unless they have been WITHDRAWN by a parent’s WRITTEN REQUEST.

As outlined in a letter sent home with Grade 1,4,5,6 and 7 students last week, the implementation of our CRE Program necessitates the purchase of CRE workbooks or worksheets. To cover the cost it is necessary to charge a one-off levy of $4.80 per child in these year levels.

This year, Grade 2 and 3 children obtained their manuals with their ‘book packs’ through Underwood News. Please see Underwood News as soon as possible, if your Grade 2 or 3 child has yet to obtain their CRE student manual.

Thank you to these students in Grade 1,4,5,6 and 7 who have brought their money already. Could we encourage everyone else in these grades to bring in there levy money as soon as possible so all children can have their workbook/sheets ready for their first CRE lesson.

Money may be brought to the classroom teacher on Monday, Wednesday or Friday.

Thank you for your cooperation.
Enquiries: Robynne T 3219 9771

UNIFORM SHOP
The Uniform Shop is open:-
Thursday & Friday from 8:00am - 9:00am.  Last year's orders/layby's are required to be picked up this week:-
Esposito            Singlewood
Rose                 Wilson

We had an overwhelming response with our Chair Bags, we have SOLD OUT.  We still have a few Book Bags left and are a great use as a Homework folder. They are only $7.00 each. This is a new stock line so purchase one now before you missed out.  While stocks last!  We have some second-hand uniforms for sale, at reasonable prices.  Thank you to all parents who have kindly donated these uniforms. Come by and have a look...
We have Sports Uniforms in stock, ready for purchase this week. They are $23.00 each. Just a reminder that we have no EFTPOS facility - Bankcard, Visa and Mastercard, and of course Cash are accepted. If you have any queries, I may be contacted on 0413 033 093.  A big thanks to Julie J. and Marie S. for assisting me during the busy periods.

Thanks
Mari-shell S

tuckshop News
If for any reason you are unable to work on your rostered day, please give Norma a call on 3341 1149.

TUCKSHOP
Tues    Sharon McF
31/1     

Wed     Melissa T
1/2       

Thurs  Kathy M2/2       

Fri       Maryanne McN
3/2        Julie McN, Amanda H Jenny C

Mon    Kym B
6/2       

Tues    Chris A
7/2       

Wed     Volunteer Needed
8/2

Thurs  Maryanne McN
9/2       

Fri       Maryanne McN
10/2      Georgina  Gaila D

Mon    Anne D
13/2      Zoe B

Tues    Shirley L

14/2

Wed     Sue Vanstone
15/2

Thurs  Karen W
16/2      Sue G

Fri       Maryann McN
17/2      Nicky R, Pat B

Mon    Lyn L
20/2

Tues    Anne D
21/2      Michelle G

Thank you Douglas, Kath and Maryanne for your assistance on Friday.

Volunteers Needed
We need a volunteer for Wednesdays, once a month starting 8^th February. Please see Norma if you can help.

Bathing Caps / Stationery
We stock 2 styles of bathing caps – Lycra $5.50 and Latex (Rubber) $3.20.

The tuckshop stocks a wide selection of stationery.

Pizzas Ham and Pineapple
We still have limited stock of Ham and Pineapple pizzas $1.40, once this stock runs out, we will only stock cheese and bacon pizzas $1.40.

Scones
You can now enjoy those yummy scones with strawberry jam. We will warm them for you.

New Bakery Supplier
All our bakery lines now come from Brumby’s Rochedale.

Workplace Health and Safety

To all Tuckshop Volunteers and the Parent Community
Legislation now puts school tuckshops under the same laws as milk bars and the local shop. If you are working in our tuckshop in any capacity, then you are required to wear enclosed footwear, NOT sandals, thongs and scuffs. You are also required to wear your hair up or tied back, if you have long hair.

These are Workplace, Health and Safety Regulations, not ideas we’ve just made up for our own benefit. I would ask that if you do volunteer in our tuckshop, could you please adhere to these regulations. It helps us to provide our school and our students with the very best service and care that we can.

Under the legislation we can be liable to spot   inspections by Queensland Health and if we comply with the above rules, then we know we can have a clear conscience about our workplace health and safety practices.

ROCHEDALE ROVERS NETBALL CLUB
Sign on Saturday 4 February 9:00am to 1:00pm, Underwood Park Netball |courts, Underwood Road.

Junior (Nettta) Teams for girls in years 1996 to 1998. Junior Netball Teams for girls born 1994 and 1995.

Senior Netball Teams for all other ages.

Saturday Competition for girls aged 8 to 15 years.

Wednesday Night Competition for girls/ladies 14 years and over.

Contact Sheryl on 07 3423 0094 or Helen on 07 3804 7105 for more information.

LIFE EDUCATION
Harold and the Life Education Team will be visiting Rochedale State School from 25^th February – 8^th March, 2006.

What’s life education?
Life Education is a positive health program that promotes a healthy lifestyle and the prevention of Drug abuse for a safer, smarter life.

The program encourages children:

·         To value themselves and their bodies

·         To develop the skills to resist peer pressure

·         To make educated choices about what they put into their bodies and to be responsible for those choices

In today’s society, it is important to provide as much support for children as possible. Your contribution of  $8.00 covers your child’s participation in the program and the student activity book. It is a small investment which helps to ensure the ongoing education of drug awareness and health promotion for your children.

The programs are sequential from Preschool to Year 7, with each level covering different aspects of a continuous program throughout primary school.

You are invited to view the Life Education van for a FREE parents information Session on Friday 24^th February, 2006 at 3:15pm.

Come and learn what Life Education is all about and what your children will be doing in the Van. Please fill in the form below and return it to the school.

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 FREE  Life Education Information Session

…………………………………...... (name)

* Please tick the appropriate box

Friday 24^th February, 2006 at 3:15pm at our School.

Please Return this section to the Office.