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FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Thoughts for the Week
“Smiling faces
make you happy, and good news makes you feel better.” Proverbs 15:30
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“Happiness sneaks in through
a door you didn’t know you left open.” John Barrymore (1882-1942)
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“What
do you do on a pupil free day,”
asked a parent the other day?
The question is quite legitimate and deserves a wider answer.
Traditionally, teachers and students commenced each term on the same day.
Traditionally, once graduated from Teacher’s College after 1-2 year study,
yesteryear’s teacher began his/her career and continued until retirement,
or until marriage, if you were a woman, as married women were not
permitted to continue in the Public Service at the time. Things have
changed dramatically in the past few decades. The teaching profession is
now filled with graduate teachers, many with post-graduate qualifications.
Demand in all professions, be it teaching, health, law and others is to
update qualifications. Pilots, flying with our two domestic carriers or
any international airline, update their qualifications monthly,
often-times weekly, as new systems come on line. Similarly, teaching in
2006, requires enduring professional development. It is this development
which occurs on Pupil Free days. The fare is often varied. Some of our
teachers attend Mathematics conferences others do in-service pertaining to
Education Queensland’s latest policy objectives. Major breakthroughs in
teaching practice only occur when theory is followed by practice. While
each State school prides itself on its uniqueness, this uniqueness is
limited to atmosphere, culture and inter-personal relations. The core
teachings, based on Education Queensland’s curriculum planners’ and policy
advisers’ agenda, is intended to reflect uniformity from Cape York to
Coolangatta. Pupil Free Days are therefore accepted practice providing a
chance to further our knowledge, learn innovative practice and accept
challenges thrown in our path – challenges that commonly reflect society’s
expectations of our contemporary Teaching Profession. I am often told by
my teachers that ‘meeting colleagues from other schools, networking ideas
with these teachers, yields additional rewards beyond the keynote
speaker’s delivery at teaching conferences. Hopefully, this explains why
Pupil Free days, while possibly inconvenient to working parents, are for
the common good of teachers and students alike.
The
death of English
“Chat rooms,
acronyms, illiterate educators, blatant disregard for punctuation. English
is fighting battles on all fronts. Is it losing the war?” asks Patrick
Carlyon in last week’s Bulletin. Carlyon takes us on a seemingly
light-hearted romp through the state of our language. Yet there are
serious, if not sinister, undertones in his message. It was not that many
years ago when Cooper’s Plains and Surfers’ Paradise both brandished
apostrophes. The placing of the apostrophe naturally signifies, on the one
hand, old Mr. Cooper’s place of residence while proclaiming that the
‘Paradise’ is open to more than one surfer. So irate at the demise of the
apostrophe are people in England that they have formed The Apostrophe
Protection Society – don’t laugh, look it up on the net! Yet more than
the humble apostrophe is at risk! Its critics argue “all they do is let
the highly literate show that they know the rules.” But wait, there is
more. The often maligned semi-colon seem to be going the same way; even
those people taught in their use avoid them for fear of appearing
pretentious. I well recall how a university lecturer from many years ago,
marking exam papers, would scribble the letters “CA” followed by a bold
exclamation mark in the margins of undergraduates’ assignments. Few
bothered to question the eccentric professor about the meaning. One did,
and was told it means ‘celestial apostrophe’ where the writer’s hand
throws one in ‘for luck’ far enough away to appear as a celestial object
looking for a home! Current debate in Western Australia decries a planned
Year 12 English curriculum that does not penalise students for bad
spelling or punctuation. However, may I assure parents and care givers
that Rochedale State School takes the English language seriously in every
class. Standard English is still the lingua franca at Rochedale. Much time
and effort is placed on correct punctuation. I see evidence of this in
every classroom. I can not foresee a necessity to place . , : ; ? ! ‘ and
“ on the endangered species list at the time of writing.
Happy
Holidays…
This Friday is the
last day of Term 2, Semester 1. As the bell chimes on Friday afternoon we
all head off in different directions. I have heard some of my staff and
many of our students are off to enjoy snow holidays in New South Wales and
Victoria. Indeed, some are off to the New Zealand Alps. Others plan quiet
time in and around Brisbane. Others still are off on camping holidays or
to ocean view apartments on either the Gold or Sunshine Coasts. May I take
this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday period. My
staff and I shall be looking forward to seeing all our happy students back
again on Tuesday, 11th July. Enjoy yourselves!
From my
office, this crisp winter Monday….
Liam Smith
Principal
STRICT GUIDELINES FOR
MEDICINES IN SCHOOLS
Strict new procedures
have been developed by the Queensland Government regarding prescription
and over-the-counter medication in schools. Our school is committed to
working closely with parents and students to highlight and minimise the
risk of students misusing these medications.
All
parent/caregivers must:
·
Notify our school
in writing of a health condition requiring medication at school
·
Request in writing
if school staff are to administer medication or assist in the management
of a health condition |
·
Notify our
school in
writing of any
requests and/or
guidelines from
the medical
practitioners
including
potential side
effects or
adverse
reactions
·
Provide the
medication in
the original
labelled
container to the
nominated staff
member
·
Ensure the
medication is
not out of date
and has an
original
pharmacy label
with the
students name,
dosage and time
to be taken
·
Notify our
school in
writing when a
change of dosage
is required.
This instruction
must be
accompanied by a
letter from a
medical
practitioner
·
Advise our
school in
writing and
collect the
medication when
it is no longer
required at
school.
75th
BIRTHDAY
CELEBRATIONS
As Rochedale
State School
turns 75 this
year, our class
will be
comparing life
now to life in
the past. This
unit will be
culminating in a
display at the
fete in
September. To
assist us in
doing this unit
we are looking
for old photos
of the school or
past students.
We would like to
borrow these for
a short time to
scan and return
to you. If any
past students
would be willing
to talk to our
class about what
school life was
like at
Rochedale in the
past, we would
also be
interested in
hearing from
you.
Please contact
Gayle Healey or
Vicky King on
3340 8333 during
school hours.
2006 PREMIERS
READING
CHALLENGE
Thank you to the
many children in
Years 1, 2 and 3
who signed up
for the Premiers
Reading
Challenge. There
is still time if
you haven’t
returned your
permission slip.
Registered
Students will
receive their
Student Reading
Record Sheet on
Thursday 22nd
June, so they
may begin their
reading
challenge during
the school
holidays.
P&C NEWS
Walk-a-thon
What a wonderful
day for a
Walk-a-thon! We
were blessed
with a beautiful
winter day. We
had many parents
and grandparents
joining the
children for an
enjoyable
stroll. Please
take some time
to look at the
School’s Webpage
for great photos
of the day.
Thank you Mrs.
Crew for
recording this
fun and fitness
fundraising
event. Thank you
to Mr. Brown for
all your
enthusiasm in
organising our
Walk-a-thon
again. Also
thank you to our
Teachers and
Teacher-aides
for recording
the laps and
encouraging the
children to keep
on walking!!!
The Go Milo
Energy Team
provided free of
charge a much
appreciated cold
cup of Milo to
our weary
walkers.
Money collected
from the
Walk-a-thon is
due this week
(Monday 19th
June to Friday
23rd
June), please
ensure your
child to return
their
Sponsorship
Sheet and money
to the
Collection Point
in the Activity
Building before
school each
morning. Thanks
to those who
have already
brought in their
donation money.
The money raised
from the
Walk-a-thon will
be spent
improving
playground
equipment and
purchasing
sporting gear
for our school.
Don’t forget
there are many
incentive prizes
plus 1st,
2nd
and 3rd
prizes for those
individuals
raising the most
money and a
Barbeque Lunch
for the class
collecting the
most funds.
P&C Meeting
When: Tomorrow
Night (Tuesday
20/6/06)
starting at
7:00pm
Where: Teachers
Staffroom
Why: To
support
Rochedale State
School by
providing input
and financial
support to
maintain and
improve the
opportunities,
facilities and
resources
available to our
children.
Who: All are
welcome
Thank you for
your continued
support.
Julie Johnson
P&C President
0423 919 534
UNIFORM SHOP
HAPPY
HOLIDAYS
Term 2 finishes
this Friday.
The Uniform
Shop will resume
its trading
hours on
Thursday July 13
from 8am.
Until then, have
a great and safe
holidays.
WINTER
UNIFORM ORDERS
The following
winter uniform
orders needs to
be finalised.
Uniforms
must be
collected before
the end of Term
2 - June 23:-
Orders not
finalised by
Friday will be
cancelled and
deposits will be
forfeited.
A. Esposito - 2D
T. Pearce - 4C
C & J Pratt - 1L
& 2B
G. Calabria
L. Bellert - 4D
We also have
surplus
new
winter uniforms,
they will be
available for
purchase.
Otherwise, we
have secondhand
uniforms at
reasonable prices.
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
20/6
Wed
Melissa T
21/6 Marie
W
PIZZA DAY
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Thurs
Sharon M
22/6 Sharon G
Fri Maryanne McN
23/6 Amanda H Kath R, Marie W
Mon
26/6
JUNE/JULY to
Fri
HOLIDAYS
7/7
Mon PUPIL FREE
10/7 DAY
Tues Anne D
11/7
Wed Angie L
12/7
Thurs
Douglas K
13/7 Amanda C
Fri Maryanne McN
14/7 Gaila D, Melissa T
Mon Lyn L
17/7
Tues Sharon McF
18/7
Wed Melissa T
19/7
Thurs
Sharon M
20/7 Sharon G
Fri Maryanne McN
21/7 Amanda H, Kath R
Thank you
to Marie and my Year 6/7 girls for helping out last week.
Apple
Slinky Orders
I have been advised these
will be available last week of school, before holidays, probably on the
Wednesday. All customers will be advised by Norma upon arrival. Thank You
End of
Term Food Stock
As we are nearing the end
of term, we like to run our food stock down. If we cannot supply your child’s
order an alternative will be supplied.
Prices
Increase – Fuze Drink
Due to one of our less
expensive suppliers not stocking this drink, we have had to increase the price
to $1.50. Thank you.
IOU’s
All IOU’s must be finalised
this week.
Pizza
Day
Don’t forget Wednesday is
Pizza Day. Thank you Marie, Gaila and Douglas for offering to help serve the
pizzas out.
I look
forward to seeing my volunteers after the holidays. Enjoy the break, if
travelling please drive safely.
Happy
Holidays.
ROSHCA
Monday
Afternoon Tea
Fruit Platter
Craft Scoobies
Outside Activity European Handball
Tuesday
Afternoon Tea
Dip, Crackers and Fruit
Craft Colouring in Competition
Outside Activity Shave
Cooking Chocolate Crackles
Wednesday
Afternoon Tea
Chocolate Crackles and Fruit
Craft Picture Jigsaws
Outside Activity 44 Home
Thursday
Afternoon Tea
Sandwiches and Fruit
Craft/ Cooking Large Brush Painting
Outside Activity Touch Football
Friday
Afternoon Tea
Dip, Crackers and Fruit
Craft Construction Day
Outside Activity Hockey
ROSHCA
June/July Vacation Care Bookings
June/July
Vacation Care commences on Monday the 26th of June and concludes on
Friday 7th of July.
If you
wish to book your child/ren in for this time period please see one of the ROSHCA
team. A booking deposit of $20.00 is payable when making your booking. This
deposit will be absorbed by child care fees. No booking deposit = no booking.
NEWS FLASH - CHAIRBAGS
We are trialling this new chairbag:-
Features of this chair bag are:
New Endura Comfort Chairbag $12.00
Fabric is durable 600D polyester with pvc backing (Colour: black)
Quilted airmesh panels with dense foam for back support, comfort & warmth in
winter months
2 slip pockets to hold books & papers
Clear PVC ID window for students to decorate
Dimensions are: 47cm wide x 60cm high
They will be ready for sale this Thursday... We only have a limited supply, so
first in, best dressed!
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 Convenor
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