FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Thoughts for the Week
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” Psalm 37:7

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“The lazier we are today, the more we have to do tomorrow.”

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An unusual six-pack needs explanation. Attending Rochedale State School you are able to access, free-of-charge, the most valuable ‘six-pack’ in the world. I am of course talking about our six core community values inculcated from years 1 to 7. The initiative found a favourable response in the polemic of New South Wales Chief Justice James Spigelman, the other day. Not that our learned friend would know much about a Brisbane suburban primary school, but what was brought out in the public domain was a recognition that all is not well in society. Spigelman’s premise, that a pervading rudeness ‘can be stopped’ – ‘should be stopped’, found fertile ground in many quarters. While Spigelman had little to say about reality TV,  broadcast obscenity or tricked-out music videos featuring young ladies wearing outfits made entirely from dental floss, he did make some top-drawer points. The Chief Justice called for us to temper "the assertion of self-interest". As anyone who has braved the express lane at Coles can attest, this is a very good idea. There is nothing wrong with an appeal for a little garden-variety kindness. Author Lynne Truss made an international bestseller last year from her equally practical call for compassion in Talk to the Hand: The Utter Bloody Rudeness of the World Today. Not before time, a growing chorus of erudite voices is urging a Please, May I?, Thank You singalong. If it were reasonable to blame television for a culture overblown with conceit and rudeness, I would. It's a convenient bit of reverse engineering that would easily unshackle me, and all the others, from time to time, accidentally rude people, of blame. Sorry, sir, Big Brother made me do it. However, that is too far from the truth for comfort. Reality check suggests MANNERS begin in the home, are developed in school and society at large only to be perfected, as an ongoing challenge throughout adult life. By adhering to common principles, moral values and codes of ethics can we temper excess and hand down to our children those traits we all embrace but intermittently forget.

(1) Respect; (2) Honesty; (3) Responsibility;

(4) Consideration; (5) Co-operation; (6) Fairness. This six-pack begins with common definitions at Rochedale State School. It ends with… No, it does not end! It endures, as our Year 7 students take this ‘six-pack’ on to high school and beyond. Our parent/school partnership is vital to its success. When the ‘six-pack’ of values enjoy the same priority in home and school we will have achieved that turnaround sought by Justice Spigelman, and dare I say, the silent majority of Australian families.

Records tumbled in the pool last week. Australian swimmers excelled. None more than Lisel Jones. Breaking every record in the book, the brave breaststroker’s name appeared in the sports pages of major dailies around the globe. Where did it begin? In a small school swimming pool somewhere in Australia. We are uniquely lucky to have a great swimming pool at Rochedale State School. Not surprisingly, swimming is on the curriculum. It is not an elective, it is not an ‘add-on’ for a select few. It is there for all to do, to enjoy and to excell. Apart from our ‘learn-to-swim program’ we also offer coaching and general aquatic fun activities. Primary school children in most schools would give their right arm for a pool to be installed in their schools. At Rochedale, it’s already there. All our children are expected to participate in the fun-filled program which, for the record, is an integral part of the Rochedale State School curriculum.

New School Leaders
While most politicians serve 3-4 years, School Captains have content themselves with a 1-year tenure. During that year they grow in stature and are exposed to a side to school life others may not experience. They are elected, like any other politician. They serve, like any other politician. But, unlike other politicians, they listen and learn what their constituents [students] want from them. The calibre of our field this year was outstanding. Any one of the candidates for office could have taken on the role of Captains with confidence. As is the case in every race, there can be only one winner. The school captains for 2006 are Bryana W and John G. Both bring many new, innovative ideas to their office. I congratulate Bryana and John on attaining this high office and trust they will always look back with  pride on their record of achievements during their term of office. Along with our School Captains we also elected Alex A and Chris P as our Vice-School Captains.  Our House Captains for 2006 are: Waratah – Tayla B and Joshua D,

Banksia – Ashleigh K and Mitchell D,  and Jacaranda – Sharnee B and Aaron C.  Congratulations to all our office bearers.

Set Down / Pick up Zone

We have received the following complaints related to the set-down/pick-up zone at the front of the school:

1.      Parents leaving their vehicles in the middle of the zone to go and find children or class teachers

2.      Double parking whilst waiting for children or dropping children off.

3.      Not moving down the zone if the vehicles in front move off.

It would be appreciated if everyone could work together during these stressful times of the day by co-operating and obeying the rules.

Please read the signs on the zone- it is only a 2 minute standing zone. The police have ‘booked’ motorists previously for not obeying the signs.

Parking in School Grounds
Parents are reminded that they are NOT PERMITTED to drive their vehicles into the school grounds between the hours of 8.00am and 3.15pm every school day.

This practice could result in either an injury to a child or damage to another vehicle.

Unless authorised by me, parents are requested not to drive their vehicles into the school grounds during those times.

Administration of Medication at School

Should your son or daughter be prescribed by their medical practitioner to take medication while at school I wish to inform you of the Department of Education regulations with respect to this matter.

1.      The parent or guardian must in the first instance make a written request to the principal of the school.

2.      The student’s medication, with the pharmacist’s written instruction on the container must be lodged with the school for security purposes.

3.      Administration of that medication will be carried out by an adult staff member designated by the principal.

Non-prescribed medications should not be brought to school and will not be administered by school staff.

LIAM SMITH
Principal
Happy, grateful and humble at the birth of my first child, Mia, last Friday…

ABSENTEES NOTES
IMPORTANT
Parents, please send a note to school when your child returns after an absence advising the reason for absence. If NO note is sent the absence will be marked as un-authorised.

SAUSAGE SIZZLE FOR YEAR 7
Last week a sausage sizzle was held to fundraise for the Year Sevens. It was held on Friday to coincide with the Rochedale State High School swimming carnival, making it quite a successful day. We would like to thank all of the parent helpers on the day, the parents who donated bread, napkins, etc., and all of the students who supported the stall.

BOOKCLUB
Bookclub order forms were handed out last week. Completed order forms and money are due back to your child’s teacher TOMORROW, Tuesday 7^th February. Late orders cannot be accepted. Please read the order form carefully, sometimes an extra coupon with a parent’s signature is required. Payment may be made by cash, cheque (made out to Scholastic Australia) or credit card. Please take care filling out credit card details.

Thank you
Denise M
Bookclub Convenor

CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (CRE)

We extend a warm welcome to all our Christian Religious Education (CRE) Volunteers who will begin teaching CRE lessons throughout the school this week.

Rochedale State School is fortunate enough to have a team of 18 CRE teachers, Helpers and Relievers. These wonderful people give of their time each week, preparing and presenting CRE lessons, some taking up to 5 different classes. Because of our large and committed CRE Team, we are able to offer CRE in every class at Rochedale State School.

CRE lessons will be presented to ALL students unless they have been WITHDRAWN BY A PARENT’S WRITTEN REQUEST.

Just a reminder, for all Grade 1,4,5,6 and 7 students, the CRE Levy ($4.80/child/year which covers the purchase of two Student Workbooks, one for each semester of the year) is due in now. Could we encourage all who have yet to send in their Levy to do so as soon as possible, so each child can participate in the workbook activities during their CRE lesson.

Grade 2 and 3 students who do not have the CRE student workbooks need to pick up their copies from Underwood News.

Thank you for your co-operation.

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
Wilson

STOP PRESS!
If you can't make it to the Uniform shop during its normal trading hours, we now have a website!  Uniform price list and order forms can now be downloaded by visiting www.rochedalss.qld.edu.au - and clicking on the word "Uniform Shop" on the left hand side of the page.  Once the form has been completed, please submit this to the office and I will process your order that week.  You may opt to get your child to pick up the order for you, and a receipt will be issued.  

If you are paying by cheque, please make the cheques payable to "Rochedale State School - P&C Association".  I have also created an order form with credit card facility.

Please feel free to use this option, all details will be strictly confidential and will be returned to you once the order has been processed.

Just a reminder that we have NO EFTPOS facility - Bankcard, Visa and Mastercard, and of course Cash are accepted. If you have any queries, please drop me an email specified in the web page or  I may be contacted on 0413 033 093.  

A big Thank You to Glenda Crew for your assistance with the website.  I am sure parents will find and appreciate the convenience of this new method.

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    Chris A
7/2      

Wed     Shirley L
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     Cathy W

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

Wed     Angie L
22/2    

Thurs  Douglas K
23/2     Amanda C 9:15am

Fri       Maryanne McN
24/2     Georgina Gaila D

Mon     Kaye S
27/2     Sylvia B

Thank you Kathy, Donna, Janelle and Sandy for helping me out last week.

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.

Lactose Free Milk and Soy Milk
Just a reminder to let you know you can purchase Liddiells Lactose Free Choc milk for $1.30 and Sanitarium Long Life Soy Choc milk for $1.50 from the tuckshop.

Tuckshop Committee Meeting
Our first meeting for 2006 will be held Tuesday 14^th February at 2:00pm in Detention.

ROSHCA Program

Monday
Afternoon Tea             Popcorn and Fruit
Craft                            Alien Pompoms
Outside Activity           Spaceball

Tuesday
Afternoon Tea             Dip, Crackers and Fruit
Craft                            Murals
Outside Activity           1,2,3 Home
Cooking                       Biscuits

Wednesday
Afternoon Tea             Biscuits and Fruit
Craft                            Matchstick Creations
Outside Activity           Wacky Races

Thursday
Afternoon Tea             Dip, Crackers and Fruit
Craft                            Tooth Fairy boxes
Outside Activity           Capture the Flag

Friday
Afternoon Tea             Fruit Platter
Craft                            Nature Collage
Outside Activity           Oval Tiggy

LOST
One gold stud earring was lost in the girl’s change room at the pool. If found, please hand in to the office.

BLUE CARE
Feel like a Pancake? Then join us on Pancake Day Tuesday February 28 at The Coffee Club, Springwood, from 7:00am – 11:0am. $10.00 includes a 3 stack of pancakes, maple syrup and a hot expresso coffee.

This is a Fundraising Day with proceeds being donated to Springwood Blue nurses and Burremah Respite Centre.