FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Thoughts for the Week
 “If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.”     Job 36:11

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“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

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Early birds catch the worm(s)
Well, this is only partly true. We have noticed an increasing number of children arriving shortly after 07.00 a.m. playing unsupervised in the school grounds. We have in place an excellent Before School Care Centre staffed by caring adults where any student should go, post haste, after arriving this early. Parental practice to drop children off at this early hour is illegal and dangerous. We have no staff available to supervise children before 08.00 a.m. While sympathetic to parents’ needs to start work early, the responsibility must rest on the parents to provide a safe before-school-environment for their children. It is often cold in the mornings. Children are not benefiting from these early arrival times. To  this end I ask for your immediate and full co-operation.

Ivanhoe, Sir Robin, King Richard, merry men and fair maidens from the 12th Century would have felt right at home on the grounds of Ye O’le Roche Dale Towne a.k.a. Rochedale State School last Wednesday. The Year 6 classes welcomed Sir Blair of Bristol to lead their time travel back to a distant past partly shrouded in mystery, partly substantiated through history and archaeology. Sir Blair and the clever Year 6 classes had a chance to see life through the lens of a bygone era. In 1200 A.D. an average life expectancy was 40 for a man and 35 for a woman. If you did not die at an early age through skirmish and battle, visiting plagues could finish you off. Yet the feudal times hold a unique fascination with young and old alike. Hence why there are many individuals and societies in Australia that promote the period through realistic re-enactments. The visit to Rochedale last Wednesday was a great historical learning experience for our Year 6 students and visiting parents. It is highly unlikely that children would have received an education in 1200. The few children who were taught received individual instruction in monasteries preparing them for a future in the clergy, army or at court. Kind Sir Blair allowed all ranks at his scrumptious table where (non-alcoholic) mead, poultry and game competed for room at the laden table. Leaving the Knights of the Round Table behind, I’m pleased to report that all our year 6 students were back at anno 2006 the following day. I would like to thank everyone who helped out to make this day such a success.

Report Card Time is the butt of many cartoons and jokes. Bart Simpson’s classic prevaricating, the Three Stooges, having repeated Year 7 (23 times) are greeted by very aged parents on the front porch and the list goes on. Report Cards may once have solicited fear, jubilation and every emotion in between. That was the past. This is the present. Rochedale State School Report Cards should be welcomed by all students and parents. They are individual check lists on individual students’ progress. They are not intended as charts by which to judge character, strength and/or ability. We can not judge one student against another. This is not how the process works. While some students shine in Maths/Science others excel in the Humanities while others still excel in Sport. Some excel across the board; others experience difficulty in many areas. The report cards are therefore one of several strategies by which we communicate with parents. Ideally, Report Cards are the launch pads from which dialogue begins between parents and teachers. Report cards therefore reflect that important triangle – child; parents; school. While divided into three parts it is prudent to remember that the three parts form the whole! We are all batting for the same side. Received in this spirit I feel sure that no child will have to emulate Bart Simpson on the way home from school. I ask all parents to follow the advice contained in a popular Bing Crosby tune from yesteryear… You’ve to Accentuate the Positive, Eliminate the Negative, Latch on to the Affirmative, Don’t mess with Mister In-Between. Taking this advice, I suggest, Report Card Time at Rochedale State School will take on that dimension for which it was intended. Your child’s Report Card will be issued in the week beginning 13^th June 2006 and should be signed and returned by Monday 19^th June 2006. Parent/Teacher meetings will take place in Week 10 (19^th-23^rd June).

Liam Smith
Principal

INTERHOUSE ATHLETICS
Our Interhouse Athletics events continue this week:

Monday High Jump – 9 years Boys

             Shot Put – 12/13 years Boys 

Tuesday High Jump – 12/13 years Girls

             Shot Put – 11 years Girls

Wednesday – High Jump 11 years Girls

Thursday – Shot Put – 10 years Girls

Walk-a-thon
Our Walk-A-Thon is 2 weeks away and we need everyone to keep on raising donations & sponsorship for our school. Don’t forget the incentive prizes that you could receive if you reach those Prize Group levels – so go and get them.

REMEMBER any monies received before the actual Walk-A-Thon day, must in the form of donations only and all monies must be given to the office. Anyone requiring another sponsorship from can get one from the office.

Mr Brown

YEAR 7 RAFFLE
The raffle was drawn on parade last Friday. The winners are:

1^st Prize – Portable CD Player from WOW:     Violet Anderson

2^nd Prize – Voucher from Strip and Wax:  M Wishart

3^rd Prize – Voucher IGA Underwood:   Agnes Chan

4^th Prize – Jewellery from Bead with Me:    B Herbert

7^th Prize – Meat Tray from Diamond Meat S’wood:   Jim Lloyd

5^th Prize – Hair Products from All Hair Underwood:              Sandy Davidson

6^th Prize – Fruit Tray from Rochedale Fruit Market:   Mr John

The year 7 teachers would like to thank everyone who supported this raffle. We raised $1157.00 and this will go towards subsidising the end of year activities for all year 7’s.

TRIVIA NIGHT
When:  21.07.06, 7:00pm

Where: Activity building, Rochedale State School

Cost:    $10 per person – Up to 8 per team.

Why:    Raise fund to help defray costs of end of year activity week for year 7 students. This is a FUN TRIVIA NIGHT not an IQ test. Come along and meet other parents and support the school community.

More information to follow.

To book a table or find out more, contact Jeff Finlay on 3340 8326 (school hours).

ROCHEDALE CHALLENGE
Each year, teams of children from the local feeder schools are invited to Rochedale High to take part in the annual Rochedale Challenge. A maximum of four teams per school is allowed. Each team consists of five, Year Six students chosen for their ability to listen carefully, think logically, read and comprehend accurately and above all work together as a team. As in previous years, our school sent along four teams.

The challenge itself consists of a total of 10 activities – 5 mental and 5 physical challenges. The teams rotate through these activities during the course of the day and points are awarded according to how well the challenges are met.

One of the children’s favourite challenges this year , was the cross country skiing. In this event, all five team members were strapped to the one set of skis and had to work together to get their team across the oval. Another favourite was the tug of war where not only strength, but also skill and teamwork were important.

Computers also played a part in the day with teams using a computer and the Web to investigate natural disasters.

Science, of course, could not be left out. In this challenge, teams had to work together to test the pH of a variety of chemicals.

As well as this, there were Maths and English puzzles which tested the children’s minds.

In the performing arts theatre, children entered as self-conscious eleven year olds and emerged as confident actors and actresses having displayed their ability to turn themselves into an amazing assortment of objects and characters.

At the end of it all, points were totalled and amid rousing cheers Rochedale Primary School team number 1 was announced as the winning team. The children went home exhausted but jubilant having had a thoroughly enjoyable challenging day where teamwork and team spirit were the real winners.

The teams were:
Team 1 - Brendon McB, Jake M, Isabelle S, Olivia L Conor McN and Emma P as the reserve

Team 2 – Talitha V, Joel G, Rhys C, Jake L, Ashleigh C and Matthew T as the reserve.

Team 3 – Kelly G, Samantha T, Caitlin McR, Matthew G and Courtney W.

Team 4 – Scott B, Jessica D, Ruby-Ray B, Thomas A, Sarah C and John D and the reserve.

Well done Year six children!

SHOP FOR YOUR SCHOOL
Colouring in Competition
Shop For Your School Colouring In Competition. A reminder that all entries must be taken to the Concierge Desk on the Upper Level by Monday 29 May. Entries will then be displayed in the Coles Mall from Tuesday 20 May. Points will be awarded in age categories, with first prize receiving 300 points for their school, second prize receiving 200 points and third prize receiving 100 points.

Sports Days
On Saturday 10 and 24 June, Westfield Garden City will be holding Shop For Your School Sports Days in Town Square! All participants can earn ten points for their chosen school, up to 1000 points, simply by participating in Fastball Fun or Speedball Soccer. All participants can register at the Aussie Sports Fun registration desk on the day.

July School Beats
July School Beats will take place in Centre Court on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 July. Each participating school will receive 500 points towards their points tally. Registration forms for this day will be sent out early June with more information. Time allocations will depend on the number of school participating over the two days.

Gift Card Bonus Update
Any purchase of a Westfield Gift Card during the campaign will receive 1 point per $1 spent (including the activation fee) PLUS an additional 100 bonus points.

There is a drop off box in the school office, where students can drop off their Shop For Your School dockets.

Uniform shop
WINTER UNIFORM ORDERS
If you have ordered your winter uniforms, they are now ready for collection.  Uniforms must be collected before the end of Term 2 - June 23

CHAIR BAGS
Have arrived.  They will be available for purchase this Thursday and Friday for only $8.00

UNIFORM SHOP WEBSITE
If you can't make it to the Uniform shop during its normal trading hours, we have a website!  Uniform price list and order forms can now be downloaded by visiting www.rochedalss.eq.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.

THANK YOU
To my wonderful helpers this week:- Maree M. and Gaila D.  Your help is greatly appreciated.
 
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    Chris A
30/5

Wed     Amanda R       LONE PINE 1L
31/5

Thurs  Maryanne McN
1/6

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

APPLE SLINKY ORDERS DUE 

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       Sylvia B     1 HELPER NEEDED

Mon    
12/6     QUEENS BIRTHDAY HOLIDAY   

Tues    Anne D
13/6

Wed     Angie L
14/6

Thurs  Douglas K
15/6     Amanda C

Fri       Maryanne McN
16/6     Melissa T         Gaila D

Mon     Lyn L
19/6     Lesley H

Tues    Sharon McF
20/6

Wed     Melissa T
21/6           PIZZA DAY

Thurs  Sharon M
22/6     Sharon G

Fri       Maryanne McN
23/6     Amanda H        1 HELPER NEEDED

Thank you Cathy, Melissa, Kath and my Year 7 helpers for helping out last week.

Apple Slinky Machine
You now have till this Friday June 2^nd to order your Apple slinky Machine. Cost is $35.00, I am sorry no cheques will be accepted. This will be CASH ONLY. This is a small investment for such an ingenious invention. Order one today.

ROSHCA
Monday
Afternoon Tea             Dip & Crackers
Craft                            Pom Pom Aliens
Outside Activity           Fugitive

Tuesday
Afternoon Tea             Sandwiches and Fruit
Craft                            Mask’s
Outside Activity           Softball

Wednesday
Afternoon Tea             Fruit Platter
Craft                            Match Stick Sculpture
Outside Activity           Soccer

Thursday
Afternoon Tea             Ice blocks and fruit
Craft/ Cooking             Chocolate Slice
Outside Activity           Capture the Flag

Friday
Afternoon Tea             Chocolate Slice and Fruit
Craft                            Construction Craft
Outside Activity           Fly

UKULELE CLASSES
Mr John McMillan is offering ukulele lessons as from the beginning of next year, especially Grade 2 and 3 students. The classes will be held at the school between 3 and 4pm. For further information and bookings please contact John McMillan Phone 3341 2665

MOUNT GRAVATT EAGLES BASEBALL CLUB INC.

Skills Development Day

BOYS & GIRLS OF ANY AGE ARE WELCOME!!

F R Caterson Park
Weedon St West, Mackenzie  (Next to the Gateway Arterial)

Sunday 4^th June, 2006
9.00am to 11.00am
(followed by ‘FREE’ Sausage Sizzle)

Phone Bruce Wilson on 3343 7371[h] or 0409 057 419[m] for more details