FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Thoughts for the Week
  “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct they oaths.”      Deuteronomy 28:12

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“Yesterday is the past. Tomorrow is the future. Today is a gift; that’s why it’s called ‘the Present.’ ”

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The fact that we were only away for little over a week celebrating our Easter holidays made little impact on some of the excited students pouring through the school gates last Tuesday. Bubbling over with stories about Easter bunnies, camping trips and visits to the beach, our little ones became louder and louder vying for an adult ear willing to listen to their exciting news. This is wonderful news for teachers to hear and share with students. Apart from the unbridled enthusiasm by which children share their stories with teachers and each other, we should applaud their ‘cutting edge’ inroads into language per se. Storytelling and recall requires adjectives galore. What children acquire, consume, retain and rearticulate is truly amazing. Holidays provide rich fodder in the paddock of language. Judging by the animated storytellers in the playground before school’s start last Tuesday, most were showing off new, innovative language composition suggesting we are on track with language development from P to 7.

Again we pause to reflect on the folly of war and attendant carnage experienced by young Australians 91 years ago tomorrow. ANZAC Day is arguably the most prominent commemoration we acknowledge as a nation. Thousands of young and old Australians are presently in Turkey making their way to the Dardanelles and ANZAC Cove for the commemoration service at dawn. Indeed, an increasing number of Australians see such a visit as a rite of passage or an important jigsaw piece in the complex yet fascinating tapestry of Australian identity. Early Rochedale settlers swept up in the fervour of King and Empire sought adventure in the Brisbane recruiting office before sailing off from Pinkenba Wharf to an uncertain future. Descendants of those young Rochedale boys are still living in the area and attend our school. The commemoration of ANZAC Day, far from diminishing, as suggested in Eric Bogle’s poignant And the Band played Waltzing Matilda where a line laments ‘soon there be no one marching at all’ is growing in numbers. What we now experience is a renaissance of memory. Far from a glorification of war, ANZAC Day has evolved into its very antithesis. It is this antithesis, fused with empathy and compassion for those young men and women, whose lives were so prematurely extinguished, that we commemorate tomorrow. This commemoration is an important part of our civic studies here at school. It binds us together as a community.  

Good, healthy children is the number one item on parents’ wish lists. Sadly, many of our children suffer from allergies, asthma and other medical conditions requiring intervention at school. From time to time we read of emergencies occurring in schools where hospitalisation of children has been required. Responding to the acute needs of children with assorted allergies, Education Queensland has amended guidelines for the distribution of pharmaceutical intervention to address the often-times life threatening situations occurring when peanut allergies affect a child. My staff and I are attuned with, and subscribe to, the latest guidelines which include interviews with parents and the formalisation of a Health Action Plan which springs into action if and when an emergency occurs at school. Apart from emergencies the administration of prescribed medication to children at school is professionally conducted in the Administration Office. On occasions we note that parents let prescription medication run out at school. I draw your attention to the fact that our school can not provide extra medication should your child run out of prescribed medication. Only through diligent co-operation and support from parents can we, as a school, discharge our role as ‘partners in health’. As an aside, I draw your attention to, as the colder months set in, the school policy of allowing children to stay home when ill. Sick children infect other children. Well children learn - sick children endure.

Student of the Month Awards
Congratulations to the following students who were selected as the “Student of the Month” for the month of April. These awards were presented on parade last Friday.

1L        Georgia N
Her enthusiasm to strive for her best in class.

1B        Ashleigh N
Her enthusiasm towards learning and always putting in her best effort.

1S        Jakeb D
Being a polite and conscientious student who works independently to produce excellent results.

2J         Lily W
  Always applying our school values in and out of the classroom.Rochedale State School.           

2B        Jake S
Putting in his best effort at all times and growing in confidence in all class activities. Keep it up , Jake!

2U        Conor B
 His great ideas about using pictograms to improve the school environment.

George G
Working so hard to improve his reading, spelling and attitude towards school.

3W       Lidea M
Her much improved attitude towards her work and her classmates. It is delightful to see Lidea believing in herself and her abilities

3T        Ethan B
  His great improvement and effort in Guided Reading Groups. Well done Ethan.

3K        Matthew S
His contributions to class activities, his exceptional behaviour both in and out of class and his personal achievements in many curriculum areas.

3N        Hannah W
Always completing her schoolwork quickly and quietly. Hannah does very neat work and always tries to do her best. Well done Happy Hannah.

4S        Brendon S
A huge improvement in his behaviour and for “giving things a go” in class. Well done, Brendon!!

4C        Taylor P
Her excellent attitude in all aspects of her work in class and being helpful within the class environment.

5F        Mitchell A
 Exceptionally responsible student who gives 100% effort in all activities.

5I         Lucy G
A quiet confidence, excelling in all areas.

6L        Scott B
The interest and enthusiasm he displays in all aspects of school life and for the fabulous start he has made to Year Six.

6R        Joel G
Always producing work of a high standard and having a great attitude to learning.

6C        Olivia L
A successful transition to a new school and maintaining a positive outlook toward learning.

7B        Robert T
Always trying hard to improve his skills where possible. Well done, Robert!

 French             

Chinese Monika P
Participating in activities with commitment and interest. 

ROSHCA  Montana S
Improved leadership skills.

 Liam Smith
Principal

PARENT’S PRAYER GROUP
The Parent’s Prayer Group is up and running for Term Two.  We meet each Wednesday afternoon in the ESL room just near the area between the Grade Three classrooms, from 2.30pm till 2.45pm. 

Just a reminder, there is a Prayer Point Box for use by anyone within the school community who might like the Parent Prayer Group to pray for specific needs.  The Box (with pens and paper) is located on the CRE Bookshelf in the area between the Gr 3 Classrooms

Enquiries, please call
Mary       3841 6322 or Robynne 3219 9771

LOST
Girl’s white and green Rash shirt
Black bikini bottoms
Floral towel
All in a plastic City Beach bag.
Please hand in to office or Chloe M 4S.

Uniform shop
Chair Bags
I have been advised by our supplier that due to shipping delays that the chair bags won't be in until the end of May!.  My apologies for any inconvenience and I thank you for your continued patience.

Second Hand winter uniforms
Are you feeling the cold? We have a number of second-hand winter uniforms at reasonable prices. Please come by and have a look.  A reminder that there are no refunds on second-hand clothing.

BARGAINS!!
Fleecy track pants are on sale for $10 only.  Normal price is $20.  This is an old stock, sizes are only 12 & 14.  Football socks are only $4.00 normal price $5.50 - good for soccer or bed socks!!

As always if you have any queries, please feel free to contact me through the school's email link:-Marishell.Scott@eq.edu.au

Thanks, Mari-shell S
Uniform Shop Convenor

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

TUCKSHOP
Tue     
25/4                  ANZAC DAY HOLIDAY
Wed     Melissa T
26/4     

Thu      Sharon M
27/4      Sharon G

Fri       INTERSCHOOL SPORT     
28/4      Maryanne McN  Amanda H      2 HELPERS NEEDED

Mon    LABOUR DAY
1/5        HOLIDAY

Tue      Chris A
2/5

Wed     Amanda R  9.30am
3/5

Thu      Douglas K
4/5        Maryanne McN

Fri       INTERSCHOOL SPORT
5/5        Maryanne McN Gaila D
   2 HELPERS NEEDED

Mon    Anne D
8/5

Tue      Shirley L
9/5

Wed     Sue V
10/5      Cathy W

Thurs  Karen W
11/5      Sue G

Fri       INTERSCHOOL SPORT
12/5        3 HELPERS NEEDED

Mon    Lyn L
15/5      Leslie H

Tues    Anne D
16/5

Wed     Angie L
17/5

Thurs  Douglas K
18/5      Amanda C 9:30am

Fri       INTERSCHOOL SPORT     
19/5      Maryanne McN
  2 HELPERS NEEDED

Thank you Leanne, Kath and Jenny for your help on Friday. Thanks to Linda who helps me when she is needed, on top of each Thursday roster, and for baking extra muffin stock, also thanks Denise for  baking many dozens of muffins over the years.

New Drink – We are now stocking Fuze a new drink on the market.  Currently stocking 3 flavours for $1.30 each – Raspberry, Passionfruit and Orange.  Fuze has no added sugar, is 99% fruit juice and has no artificial colours or flavours.

Before School
You may be surprised as to what you can purchase from the tuckshop in the mornings. (You cannot purchase chips, ice creams or flavoured mineral water (Quench). We are open at 8:00am, so pop in and have a look.

Tuckshop Committee Meeting
Our April meeting will be held on Wednesday 26 April at 2:00pm in detention area.

UP & GO Drink
We are now stocking this healthy, high in fibre, breakfast drink, cost $1.70.

JUNIOR TOUCH FOOTBALL
Want to play Junior touch Football?

Register and Play:-
WHEN?           Every Wednesday 4:40pm – 5:30pm      (Register for Term 2 NOW)
WHERE?         Clairvaux MacKillop College Klumpp Rd    Upper Mt Gravatt
WHO?             Boys and Girls 8 – 16 years
COST?             $39 a player per season
CONTACT      Josh White (Junior Development Officer)
                        0423 719 234 or 3275 2077
                        OR Nominate Online www.citytouch.com.au

TRANSPORT HELP NEEDED
I am a grandparent raising a grandchild, and due to bus services being discontinued, I am finding it difficult to transport my grandson to and from school. If anyone living close to Holmead Rd or Sheldon Caravan Park could help, please contact Pat B on 3423 1624. I would be happy to cover some cost.

St James College
St James College, 201 Boundary Street, Brisbane City, will hold an Open Day and Multicultural Fair on Saturday 13 May 2006 for enrolments Years 8 – 12, 2007 and onwards. The day will begin at 10:00am and conclude at 2:00pm. The event incorporates a Multicultural Fair, college tours, activities and entertainment. Parking on lower playground via Hartley and Gloucester Streets is available. St James is a welcoming inclusive Catholic Co-educational Secondary school in the Edmund Rice tradition.