FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Thoughts for the Week
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”       Proverbs 3:6

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“It’s never too late to be the person you could have been.” George Eliot

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Prep Information Evening
Prep starts at Rochedale State School in 2007

Parents may have noticed the Prep Year television advertisement currently on air.

Prep will be full-time, non-compulsory and will be available at all primary schools across the state so there won’t be any waiting lists. From 2007 children turning five by 30 June will be eligible for Prep.

In addition, the school starting age is increasing by six months from 2008. At the moment, children must start Year 1 if they turn six by the end of December. From 2008, children must start Year 1 if they turn six by the end of June.

The change will bring Queensland more into line with other states and territories.

children. That means that those children born in the six months from January 1 to June 30 2002 will go to Prep in 2007. Children born between 1 January and 31 December 2001 will start Year 1 in 2007.

However, from 2008 onwards, the full 12-month age group will be eligible. That means all those children born between 1 July 2002 and 30 June 2003 will be eligible for Prep in 2008.

It’s generally accepted that a Prep Year can go a long way to preparing children for Year 1, and recent research into the Queensland Prep Year trial supports this belief.

In Prep, children learn through inquiry, investigation and play — known as active learning. It’s a powerful way for children to develop important skills and the right attitude for school.

Rochedale State School will be offering Prep in 2007. If you want to know more about Prep please come along to our information morning/evening to be held on 30^th May 2006 at 9:30am and 6:30pm.  Sessions should run for approximately 1 hour.

“Shop for Your School” Project
Our school is participating in the Westfield Garden City’s 2006 ‘Shop for Your School’ project.

If you are unable to participate whilst at Garden City, please drop your Garden City dockets into the school office as we have parents/staff who are willing to go to Garden City and enter your dockets on behalf of our school. You can also participate by shopping at any Westfield Shopping Centre, as long as you drop you dockets off at Garden City.

If you shop at Garden City, please participate in this project as our school can earn valuable rewards.

Mothers’ Day Stall
Many thanks to all the wonderful parents who made the Mothers’ Day stall such a success on Friday.  Judging by the number of smiling faces from the satisfied customers the P&C Association should be justly proud of their achievements and for another valuable contribution to the students of Rochedale State School.

Who is your child talking to???
With the advent of email and cyber chat rooms, we are all keenly aware through media reports of the potential dangers for children posed by unsupervised use of these communication tools.  Many parents would be extremely wary of their child talking on the phone with a perfect stranger, however do not necessarily use this same level of ‘control’ over their child’s use of chat rooms.  These are terrific communication tools that allow children to talk to people all over the world, however I would like to remind parents that these tools can and have been misused.  I would suggest to parents that children be permitted to use these tools under your watchful supervision and guidance.

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

1J         Bailey H
Having such a positive attitude towards his work and always striving to do his best.

Values Journey Continues
Rochedale State School has received recognition again for its values Education. (Recently our School’s Values Education Program has been showcased in the Courier Mail and Education Views.)

This term we are currently in the process of designing Values Posters showing our children demonstrating the six values (Respect, Responsibility, Consideration, Co-operation, Fairness and Honesty) and what the values mean.

The value of responsibility is our focus this term. Responsibility involves making appropriate choices and being responsible for your own learning, conduct, actions and communication. 

Our school web page (www.rochdalss.qld.edu.au) has been updated and shows our Values journey so far. Our six values are the building blocks of everything we do at Rochedale State School. Values pervade every facet of our individual and collective lives.

Ticks
Parents can you please check your children for ticks as there has been a couple of reports of students having ticks in there hair.

Liam Smith
Principal

LAST COLLECTION DAY TUESDAY 16 MAY
ENGLISH COMPETITION
Tuesday 16 May 12 noon sharp is the deadline for accepting money for the English competition.  Late orders will not be accepted. 

P&C NEWS

Mother’s Day Stall
The purpose of having a Mother’s Day Stall at school is to allow the students the opportunity to buy a small gift in secret. The stall proved to be a great success, with many purchases being made. Thee children enjoyed selecting something special that they thought their Mums would love. A big thank-you too the team who made having the stall possible. There was a lot of shopping, creating , wrapping and serving involved.

Thank you Kath R, Jenny P, Anne D, Sue G, Vanessa E, Michelle G and Sharon.

P&C Meeting
The next P&C Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 23^rd  May – Starting at 7:00pm in the Teacher’s Staffroom.

Planning for our 75^th Anniversary Fete will be a major topic for discussion. We need help planning this major fundraiser. All are welcome.

Julie Johnson
P&C President
0423 919 534

YEAR 7 RAFFLE REMINDER
Just a reminder that Raffle Money and replies are due back Tuesday 23^rd May to Mrs Papas in the Library. Raffle will be draw on Parade Friday 26^th May.

Please support this raffle if you cane. Sooner or later all our children will experience this very important year of school.

Thank you for you support.

CRAFT GROUP FOR FETE
Every year the fete has a Craft Stall, which sells mostly hand-made items – items made by parents and grandparents of the children at this school.

Every week we meet to make things in the P&C shed near the Year 5,6 & 7 play area. Other parents are busy making things for us at home, using their own supplies or materials supplied by the Craft Group.

We need ideas, helpers, and donations of materials. Each week we will let you know what we need and when we are meeting. It would be great if you could join us or help us in any way.

This weeks meeting: Tuesday 16^th at 10:30
What to Make: Hair scrunchies and bracelets.
Donations needed: Brightly coloured lycra scraps or   metal tins.(Donations can be left at the tuckshop.)
Hope to see you there or phone 3341 2980 for ideas and suggestions.

Kath R
P.S. Thanks very much to Leisa H and Jenny P and their children for helping to make up bracelets, necklaces and tassels for the Mothers Day stall. If you received any of these for Mothers Day we hope you liked them. Special thanks goes to Robyn P, the owner of Bead With Me, for helping to keep the cost of our supplies down, and for ensuring supplies were delivered on time.

CELEBRATE UNDER EIGHT’S FRIDAY 26 MAY: 9:15am – 11:45am
This year is the 50 year celebration of Under Eight’s Week. Rochedale State School will join in the celebration by holding an activity morning for all year 1,2,3 students on our school oval. The students will participate in craft, music and physical activities organised by their teachers. Parents are invited to join their children as they participate.

Uniform shop
WINTER UNIFORM ORDERS
If you have placed an order for Winter Uniforms, it is now ready for collection

Second-hand Uniforms
Is your child 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.

If you have uniforms that no longer fit your child/ren - you may sell this at the Uniform Shop. Terms and Conditions apply. Just a reminder that we no longer accept white emblem uniforms to sell, only the embroidered ones.  Please ensure that all uniforms are washed and in good condition prior to selling.

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

HELP REQUIRED
Thank you to the parents who have already volunteered their precious time to assist me in the Uniform Shop. Your help is invaluable and is greatly appreciated. If you have a few hours to help out in a month, fortnightly or weekly basis, please come and see me this week.  I will be organising a roster and you may only need to help out once a month. Training will be provided, all you need is a teachable spirit, and good customer service skills.

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
Tues    Anne D
16/5

Wed     HELP NEEDED TODAY
17/5

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

Fri       INTERSCHOOL SPORT     
19/5     Maryanne McNGaila D  Melissa T

Mon     Kaye S
22/5     Sylvia B

Tues    Sharon McF
23/5    

Wed     Melissa T
24/5

Thurs  Sharon M
25/5     Sharon G

Fri       INTERSCHOOL SPORT
26/5     Maryanne McNAmanda Hankins 1 HELPER NEEDED

Mon     Kym B
29/5     Toni G

Tues    Chris A
30/5

Wed     Amanda R
31/5

Thurs  Maryanne McN
1/6

Fri       INTERSCHOOL SPORT
2/6       Maryanne McN    Gaila D   Melissa T

Mon     Kym G
5/6       Toni G

Tues    Shirley L
6/6

Wed     Sue V
7/6       Cathy W

Thurs  Karen W
8/6       Sue G

Fri       INTERSCHOOL SPORT
9/6       Maryanne McN       2 HELPERS NEEDED   

Thank you Gaila, Melissa, Linda and for your help last week.

Apple Slinky Machine
I know you have heard about this terrific machine. Now is your chance to purchase one. The cost will be $35.00 each. Order forms are available at the tuckshop. I am sorry no cheques will be accepted. This will be CASH ONLY. You have until Friday 26^th May to place your orders. Delivery will be first week in June. Orders and money are to be in a sealed envelope and placed in a container at the tuckshop. This machine is a hit at the tuckshop. We have children who normally don’t eat apples but because of the machine, they come back for more slinkies. This is a small investment for such an ingenious invention. Order one today.

Kellogs Cereal Bowls
For all you children who miss out on cereal at home, you can now purchase it from the tuckshop. There are 4 varieties:- Crunchy Nut Corn Flakes, Nutri Grain, Corn Flakes and Just Right. These will sell for $2.20 each and includes milk and spoon.

HOUSE WANTED
House wanted in Rochedale from 15^th December to 9^th January 2007. Prepared to swap new house in Christchurch New Zealand. Please phone John or Lyndsay McMillan 3341 2665 or 0432 605 002.

Thank you very much
Jon McMillan