FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Thoughts for the Week
“The Lord has done great things for us and we are glad.” Psalm 126:3

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“Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love, and to be loved, is the greatest happiness of existence.” Sydney Smith (1771 -1845

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China was for several thousand years known as “The Middle Kingdom.” Most saw it as the centre of the then civilised world. Through a series of dynasties spanning into modern times Chinese culture survived Mongol invasions from the north, western raiders from Europe and, in the 20^th Century occupation by its eastern neighbour Japan. The most populous nation on Earth wrestled with Communism under Mao Zedong and emerged, while still officially a Communist nation state, as the most successful contemporary export nation in the world. China, getting ready for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is moving ahead on all fronts. At its present rate of economic development I venture to say it will be the largest industrial nation within a few years. While economic development is running at a staggering 10.4% much emphasis is now being placed on the education of China’s millions of school students. Australia’s strategic position as one of China’s major trading partners leads to cultural and educational exchanges. To optimise both countries’ deeper understanding of each other’s culture an exchange program involving Rochedale State School is about to be launched.

Education Queensland International has chosen three Queensland schools to be part of the program. The inaugural group of Chinese students, aged 12-14 will arrive at our school in September and remain with us for approximately two months. Needless to say, this will be the first time these boys and girls will be outside China. Their anticipation and excitement is understandable. I might mention here that I have had most pleasant experiences of Japanese exchange students in my previous school. This experience assures me that similar rewarding experiences will occur during this exchange.

As you may well imagine, China, despite its economic growth, is not an overall affluent nation. To make possible the students’ stay in and around Rochedale we are looking for families willing to host a student - or two - for a couple of months. This is not an unpaid billeting request. On the contrary! The program allows for a stipend of $175.00 per week for each student. You are invited to show interest in hosting one or two children, if you can help. Two students in your home, apart from the obvious benefits that cultural exchanges accrue, would yield $350.00 per week to host parents. The students will live with the host families and be part of their weekly lives and weekend social events such as going for a drive in the country or to a football game or backyard barbeque. In short, the visitors would be afforded a unique insight into Australian family life. This insight will better help international understanding, tolerance and kindness in a world too often divided by conflict.

Education Queensland, in its deliberations about suitable schools for this program, looked long and hard at the demographics, social structure and history of many schools. Rochedale State School came up trumps on all counts, suggesting that our peak governing body recognises what most already know – that Rochedale State School, situated in an outer Brisbane idyllic setting – is a showcase of yearning for learning, a precinct where Chinese is taught in our LOTE program, where sights are set high and where the hand of welcome is outstretched to those who share our vision.

Enquiries about hosting Chinese students should be directed to Mr Clint Burton (Deputy Principal).

Open Day is a popular term for Universities and Colleges around Brisbane. It’s a day when spruikers, handing out ‘show’ bags rev up the message about what they have on offer be they courses in podiatry, medicine or law. Primary schools do not try to emulate the big league. However, they do have Open Days. From the start, I am keen to stress that at Rochedale, every day is an Open Day. Our unique concept of easy access by parents to teachers and administrative staff is legendary and lauded by every parent. What is done on Open Day is more a planned event showing parents of already enrolled students, as well as prospective students, what our school has to offer. We live in times where schools are less regionally bound. While serving the greater Rochedale basin we also take students from neighbouring areas. This year’s Open Day is scheduled Friday 11^th August. We hope to meet as many people as possible on our Open Day. It will be an excellent opportunity to see our newly constructed Prep-Year facilities and proposed playground. Our friendly staff will be on hand to answer questions and take visitors on guided walks of our grounds. We feel sure your visit to Rochedale State School will be worthwhile. It may lay the foundation for your child’s future educational journey.

Liam Smith
Principal

TRIVIA NIGHT
7:00pm, Friday 21-07-06
Activity Building Rochedale State School
Light supper provided – BYO drinks
$10 per player – up to 8 per team
Questions – Easy
Prizes – Not much
Experience – good Fun
If you can’t form your own team, we will find one for you.
Bookings – Jeff Finlay, Library 3340 8326
Child Minding – 1 gold coin

75^th 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.

P&C NEWS
P&C Meeting

The P&C meeting will be held on Tuesday 25^th July, starting at 7:00pm in the Teacher’s Staffroom. The main topic of discussion will be planning for the Fete and the School Reunion.

Grocery Wheel
Please start sending in your donations for the Fete. This week we are calling for any items for example bottles of soft drinks, canned food, pasta, noodles, or cleaning products. Donations should be taken to your child’s class by Thursday each week.

Thank you for your support

Walk-a-thon
An outstanding effort! The children of this school have raised over $15,000, which will be used for new playground equipment.

The winners were announced last Friday on parade.

Congratulations:

1^st Prize Zac V (7L) raising $253
2nd Prize Alisha B (6R) raising $236.80
2nd Prize Dylan B (5F) raising $236.80
3^rd Prize Lachlan T (2C) raising $225

Special mention to the following students who also raised over $200, they will each have $10 to spend at the Tuckshop – Rhianne S (4S), Courtney C (6C) and Trent T (2C).

The class raising the highest total was 6R ($1,140.20) who have won a barbeque lunch cooked by Mr Brown, followed by 2C and 1J who will have ice-blocks.

Well done every one and thank you for your continued support. A special thank you to Mr Brown for his enthusiasm with organising this event.

Julie Johnson
P&C President
0423 919 534

CRAFT GROUP FOR THE FETE
Thanks for everyones help before and during the holidays.

This week we are meeting at Michelle H’s place on Tuesday at 9:30am. We are going to decorate tins using “Scrapbacking’ techniques.

Donations needed Old Stockings, denim jeans, skirts etc, buttons, ribbons etc.

If you are interested please call me on 3341 2980 or 0400 280 998.

Hope to see you there.
Kath R

UNIFORM SHOP
SPECIALS!!
Skirts now selling for $21.  Normal price - $26 - Saving of $5
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

REMINDER:
Our Open Day - August 11:  We will be showing the Correct Uniforms to be worn and the Uniform Shop will be open until 11.30 for Try-ons and to order your Uniform requirements for 2007.
 
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

CITY TOUCH FOOTBALL
The action continues for Term 3. Term 3 season starts the week beginning July 10.

We would love to see you all back for a bigger and better competition in Term 3. Bring along your mates.

Sign on night is
10 July - Chelmer 5pm
11 July - Shaw Rd , Wooloowin 5pm
12 July - Mt Gravatt 4.30pm
$49 at ALL venues. Please note that Chelmer is $49 NOT $59 as originally advertised. Competition starts in the week beginning 17 July.

Please do not hesitate to contact Josh at the office should you have any queries.

Josh White - Junior Development

Marilyn Williams - District Development

PLAY TOUCH! ... PLAY FAST! JOIN YOUR MATES!

Call Josh 0411 757 577 Fax 3275 2229

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
18/7

Wed     Angie L
19/7

Thurs Sharon M
20/7      Sharon G

Fri       Maryanne McN
21/7      Amanda H, Kath R

Mon    Kaye S
24/7

Tues    Chris A
25/7

Wed     Amanda R 9:15am
26/7

Thurs  Maryanne McN
27/7

Fri       Maryanne McN                        SPORTS DAY

28/7      Gaila D, Melissa T         YEARS 4 - 7

Mon    Toni G
31/7

Tues    Shirley L
1/8

Wed     Sue V
2/8        Cathy W

Thurs  Karen W
3/8        Sue G

Fri       Maryanne McN
4/8        Kath R, Sylvia B

Mon    Toni G
7/8

Tues    Anne D
8/8

Wed     Angie L
9/8

Thurs  Douglas K
10/8      Amanda C

Fri       Maryanne McN
11/8      Gaila D, Melissa T

Mon    Anne D                                    SPORTS DAY
14/8                                          YEARS 1 - 3

            2 HELPERS NEEDED

Thank you Marie, Bernie and year 6/7 girls for your help last week.

Senior Sports Day, Friday 28^th July
Parents who are attending sports day for grades 4 - 7 are requested to please hand little lunch and big lunch orders in at the Tuckshop by 9:00am sharp. Tea and coffee will be available with a voluntary coin donation to cover cost of tea/coffee sugar and milk. A sausage sizzle is also being put on, please support this. Thank You.

Apple Slinky Machine
The response to this machine has been terrific. I will take orders if you still want one. Cost is $35.00 and must be cash only. To order these I require 12 orders (supplier only takes orders of 12). Pop into the Tuckshop for a demo. I need 3 orders now. Thank you.

ROSHCA
Monday
Afternoon Tea              Dip and Crackers, Vegies and Fruit
Craft                            Bookmarks
Outside Activity            Baby in the Air

Tuesday

Afternoon Tea              Dip, Crackers,Vegies and Fruit
Craft                            Foxtails
Outside Activity            Soccer
Cooking                        Chocolate Crackles

Wednesday
Afternoon Tea              Chocolate Crackles and Fruit
Craft                            Dream Catchers
Outside Activity            Wolf on the Prowl

Thursday
Afternoon Tea              Fruit Platter
Craft                            Finger Puppets
Outside Activity            Space Ball

Friday
Afternoon Tea              Pop Corn and Fruit
Craft                            Peg Planes
Outside Activity            Everyone’s Up

FREE GIVEAWAY BEAUTIFUL KITTENS
6 Weeks Old,

Ph. Harley Hamilton: 3411 0914 (h)   0439 001 402 (m)

THE NED SHOW
On the 25^th of July from 11:30 to 12:15 the NED Show, an inspirational 45 minute school assembly involving yo-yo’s, humour, audience participation, and academic motivation will be performing in the activity building.

Following this performance,  yo-yo‘s will be available for purchase at the school office for 5 school days.