FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Thoughts for the Week
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”  1 Peter 4:8

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“You meet your friend, your face brightens – you have struck gold.”     Kassia

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Why is history important?
A starting point would be that we need history to understand our past, make sense of our presence and make rational decisions about our future. The recently concluded summit on “History in Australian schools” sought to redress the fact that school children do not learn enough history. There can be no argument here. Tests amongst Victorian and South Australian high school students showed that few ‘average’ Year 10 students knew much about the settlement of Australia; the colonial era; Australia’s role in wars; indigenous history; famous people and events which shaped our nation. Closer to home surveys in many suburban primary schools yield similar results. The summit on history sought to redress the current trend by reintroducing history as a subject on its own. Both history and geography have been accommodated under the SOSE umbrella in recent years. Today, geography teaching leans towards meandering river systems, sedimentary rock formations and explanations of El Niño effects on local environments. A year 7 child should, in my opinion, be able to find Rome, Paris or Buenos Aires on a world map! Likewise, a Year 7 child should possess some rudimentary knowledge of Henry Lawson, Banjo Paterson, the prime ministers of Australia, the Snowy Mountain Scheme, post-war immigration, monarchy, Australian authors, artists, Nobel laureates, poets, sporting greats, bush-lore and of course, indigenous history. Great history teachers are essentially good story tellers. One of the best was Kath Walker, or as she preferred later to be known, Oodgeroo Noonuccal, sitting under a shady Stradbroke Island gum telling captivating yarns [teaching] young people of her ancestors’ rich history and adaptation - or should that read to compromise - under white settlement? Either way, Walker left an indelible impression on many teachers who took their classes across to the island in the 1960’s and 70’s. So too, can history be resurrected at Rochedale. I could not think of a better and more appropriate way to celebrate our school’s 75^th anniversary than to inject some energy into a history renaissance with a biography series written by Year 7 students after interviewing past pupils of the school. History is very much like throwing a pebble into a pond. The first ring created concerns the immediacy of our own area, the second ring, the State of Queensland, the third… Australia. Shattering the surface on a peaceful pond creates many rings. The outer rings keep going as natural student curiosity will pose questions such as: Why did Australia end up in Gallipoli? What made Douglas Mawson go to Antarctica? Why does Queensland only have one House of Parliament when all other States have two? Why do we have compulsory voting in Australia? And why is it that I get all choked up with emotion when I hear some good Australian poetry? I suggest if my Year 7 students can provide me with answers to all of the above by end of term, we shall have achieved much in our school’s anniversary year.

You’ve heard of the National Gallery, the Louvre, the Guggenheim Museum, Amsterdam’s Reich Museum etc. etc. Okay, so they are great, featuring anything from classic Rembrandt, Rubens and Michelangelo to the post modernists such as Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol. However, visitor’s numbers will most likely drop off somewhat when a new player comes on line. No, I am not announcing a long overdue new art museum in Brisbane. I am simply announcing Sunnybank Hills Shopping Centre’s forecourt, magically transformed to hang and feature the art of the prolific painters and sculptors of Rochedale State School. Under the title “Children’s Art from the District” visitors are in for a rare treat. Our school’s entries mean that a wider audience can enjoy our students’ work. Be it aquarelle, pencil drawing or charcoal on canvass, the results are most impressive. Art at Rochedale State School is not an ‘occasional’ subject, but an integral part of our Key Learning Areas. Our enduring aim in art is two-fold: participation and appreciation. Our students love art and enjoy the medium as a worthwhile tool of communication. A visit to Sunnybank Hills Shopping Centre this week, will confirm what I have alluded to above.

“Roll Up, Enrol Now, Roll Up, we need you now!” cried the World War I posters in Brisbane in 1916. May I assure you that nothing sinister is intended on this occasion. This is simply just a friendly reminder that the time to enrol your child for next year’s Prep-Year and/or Year One, is right now! The time has never been better than now for a visit, by your friends, relatives and neighbours in the area to Rochedale State School. To have your child’s place in the Prep-year assured already takes a lot of weight off parents’ shoulders. You can just imagine that for many parents with pre-school-age children the task is daunting and is often left to the last minute. This is where our greater school community comes into the picture. Your information about our school, communicated across the neighbour’s fence is an ideal way to attract new students to our school. Planning and preparation is easier for everyone once our numbers are finalised for 2007.

Liam Smith
Principal

COW PLOP STALL
The COW PLOP STALL at last year’s fete was a great success once again. This year we will be organising this out-of-the-ordinary experience yet again!

Last year we did trial 300 plots instead of the usual 200 plots.  While this was successful, it was more difficult to be sure that we were going to have all of the plots sold before the cow was lead into the designated area. This year we will revert to having 200 plots for sale – same price, same prize money but much better odds of winning!

For the uninitiated, this is how it works!  There are 200 plots approximately 1.5m X 1.5m.  These are numbered 1-200. Each plot is sold to supporters of the school for $5 each.  The cow is led in at a predetermined, advertised time. The plot where the cow decides to first PLOP! IS THE WINNER of $500.  Easy!  And great odds – 1 chance in 200 or even better odds if you buy more tickets.

It is anticipated that plots will not be available on fete day. Plots, by previous experience, will all be pre-sold. We are SELLING NOW before school at 7B’s classroom [next door to the tuckshop]. During the day monitors will collect monies from classrooms. Plots will be available until 15 September 2006 or until sold.

To make sure your money and wishes are received, please send money in an envelope clearly marked “Cow Plop Stall” with NAME, CLASS, PHONE NUMBER, HOW MANY TICKETS. Your envelope will be returned to you as a receipt with your allotted number/s written on your envelope after processing.

It is only 3 weeks to the fete - be early if a choice of numbers is your preferred option!

Thank you for your anticipated support.

J.BARNES 7B

P&C NEWS
Fete/Reunion Planning Meeting
A Fete/Reunion Planning Meeting will be held this Thursday night 29/8/06 starting at 7:00pm in the Teacher’s Staffroom. Please come along and help with planning these important events

Swim Coach
Please note in last week’s newsletter an old item was included by mistake regarding expressions of interest for a Swim Coach / Learn to Swim Teacher.

The P&C are in fact advertising for the position of Squad Coach only. Resumes can be addressed to: the P&C Secretary, Rochedale State School. , 694 Rochedale Road, Rochedale, by 1/9/06

Please call Anne Dee for further information on 0402 114 544.

Unfortunately Mr Mat Van Doren is unable to return this season. Mr Mat will be sorely missed, he was a great help for our many swimmers. The P&C is pleased to advise that Teuila Dodson is returning as our Learn to Swim Teacher for 2006 -2007 season.

Father’s Day Stall
This Friday (1/9/06) the P&C is holding a Father’s Day Stall. Gifts range from $2 to $5. There are lots of exciting gifts to choose from. Helpers are needed to serve!

Any parents that can share an hour or two on Friday (especially the morning) please call me or show-up on the day.

We start selling straight after parade.

Thanks for your support.

Julie Johnson
P&C President
0423 919 534
julieaj@aanet.com.au

ART NEWS
Sunnybank Hills Art Exhibition
Each yeah the Primary Arts Network holds an exhibition of children’s artwork in local shopping centres. This year, the exhibition is being held at Sunnybank Hills Shopping Centre on Compton Road. Thirteen schools from the local area have contributed work and 10 of our students have their paintings exhibited.

They are: Drue, Brent, Georgia, Rebekah and Pumudi from 2B as well as Kacie, Stephanie, Harry, Rhys C and Ashleigh C from 6R.

The exhibition will be officially opened at 4:30pm tomorrow (Tue4sday 29^th) by Paul Kidston (Principal Advisor, Education Services with Education Queensland). Our senior choir will also be performing at the opening. Congratulations to all children involved.

Art Competition Winners
Several weeks ago students from 2B and 6R entered an art competition where they were asked to draw ‘A significant Senior’ in their lives to celebrate Seniors Week in Logan. Two students from 6R were short listed as finalists in the competition. Ashleigh C and Harry attended the final judging last Friday and Harry’s entry was judged the best year 5 and 6 entry by Lady Flo Bjelke Peterson. Congratulations Harry!

FUNDRAISING SUCCESS
A BIG THANK-YOU TO THE Rochedale School Community for their recent support in fundraising for Ashlee K (our representative in the Queensland Basketball team) who is competing at he National Titles in Perth. Your generosity was much appreciated and certainly helped fund her trip to Perth. Also many thanks to those parents who baked for the cake stall and made donations for the sausage sizzle. Many thanks to the teacher aides and teachers who worked tirelessly on this fundraising project. It was good to see you haven’t lost your touch cooking sausages, Jan. A big thank you to Saville’s Fresh Meat at Beenleigh for their generous donation of sausages. Well done everyone and we wish Ashlee all the best at the Nationals.

Sandy D and Vicky K.

ROCHEDALE STATE SCHOOL NETBALL TEAM
We are at the end of another Netball season and I am pleased to announce that our team of girls in the Supastarz Netball Team have finished the season as semi finalists at the Underwood Park Netball Association. They began the season in the 11year old division but were soon promoted to the 12 year old division after consistent wins.

Congratulations to them all, they have been training every week on Wednesday s after school with their Coach Violet Adamson, who we all thank for all her hard work and commitment.

Team Members: Jessica D, Sarah C, Drassinah P, Olivia WQ, Madison H, Isabaelle S, Ashleigh S, Shiara A.

We also had 2 other teams playing at Underwood Park in Netta Divsions. The Suparoos (10 year old division) and the Supachicks (8/9 year old division). These girls have also had a wonderful season achieving some great results. They have been training on Monday afternoons with their coaches, Anne Dee (Suparoos) and Karen Wilde (Supachicks).

Team Members Suparoos: Lucy G, Kristen B, Samantha D, Lauren S, Cheyanne E, Courtney G, Katie G, Alana G, Chloe R.

Team Members Supachicks: Georgia W, Georgia H, Caitlin Z, Holly G, Jessica B, Sharnie G, Tayla J, Chloe M, Katarina N.

Many thanks must go to Trish Griffin for all her hard work as Manager of the 3 teams. She has worked tirelessly to make sure we are all organised and turn up when we are supposed too.

Thanks also to Vanessa Garwood and Michelle Noora for all there help with the coaching of the Suparoos and Supachicks. Thanks Ladies, we’ll be looking for you next season!!

TRASH N TREASURE 2^ND HAND CLOTHES
Now is the time to clean out your wardrobes and homes. We need all of your unwanted clothes and items to sell at the fete. Your trash is someone else’s treasure. Please leave all of you donations at the Activities Building in the specially marked spots.

We also need plastic bags for a few of the stalls. Leave these in the hall in the specially marked box.

If you have any queries contact:
Jenny P                        0402 011 696

CAKE STALL, CALLING ALL BAKERS!
The fete is nearly upon us and so I am calling for the help of all you who can bake a slice, cake, biscuit, lollies… anything really. Also, if you are able to make jams, pickles, chutneys, marmalades… If you are able to help with any of these things WE NEED YOU!

This year myself (Anne Dee) and Michelle Galt are convening the yummiest stall at the fete…. So please if you can help us, call us and let us know. We can hopefully help you out with some ingredients (we realise the cost quickly adds up!) , and we will have bags and trays for you to display your goodies in.

Anne Dee 3342 5253 or 0402 114 544 Or Michelle Galt: 3341 7470

If you would like to help us but don’t bake, please don’t despair. We would be willing to accept donations of baking ingredients to help our bakers. Just send donations to your class so they can be counted and then they will be forwarded to us and be very much appreciated. Thank you

UNIFORM SHOP
REMINDER:
For ordering purposes, the Deadline for Uniform requirements for 2007 will be this Thursday 31 August 2006 and you are required to put a 30% deposit and lay-by to be finalised by end of November..  We will only be holding minimum surplus for uniforms so please do not leave it until the last minute.  Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated.  Please note that if you are ordering your uniform requirements for 2007 allow for growth spurts during the school holidays.

PREP UNIFORMS

 Are now available for purchase.  We stock a size 4 polo shirt and shorts, however if you do require a size 3 shorts, please place your order by 31 August 2006.  The Legionnaire "gold" hat will be the only difference in Prep Uniforms - this is so Prep children can be identified easily.

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

SPECIALS!!
Skorts now selling for $21.  Normal price - $26 - Saving of $5 (Sizes 8-16 are available) 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

tuckshop News
If for any reason you are unable to work on your rostered day, please give Norma a call on 3341 114

TUCKSHOP
Tues    Gaila D
29/8

Wed     Sue V
30/8     Cathy W

Thurs  Sue G                           PIE ORDERS
31/8     Karen W                      DELIVERED

Fri       Maryanne McN                        INTERSCHOOL
1/9       Sylvia B                       SPORT
  HELPER NEEDED PLEASE!!

Mon     Karen W
4/9

Tues    Anne D
5/9

Wed     Angie L
6/9

Thurs  Douglas K
7/9       Amanda C

Fri       Maryanne McN                        INTERSCHOOL
8/9       Gaila D, Melissa T       SPORT

Mon     Anne D
11/9

Tues    Sharon McF
12/9

Wed     Melissa T
13/9

Thurs  Sharon G
14/9

Fri       Maryanne McN                        INTERSCHOOL
15/9     Amanda H                   SPORT Gaila D

Mon     Lyn L
18/9

Tues    Chris A
19/9

Wed     Amanda R
20/9

Thurs  Maryanne McN
21/9

Fri       Maryanne McN
22/9     Gaila D, Melissa T

Thank you to my year 6/7 girls for helping out last wee

Friday Interschool Sport – Years 5 – 7

If you are attending interschool sport on Fridays you must put your order in the plastic container marked “SPORT” on the counter before you go to parade. Please mark on orders “SPORT”. You must also order chips and drinks through the bag system.

Big and Little Lunch Orders
Both Big and Little Lunch orders must be written out on separate bags. Thank you

IOU’s – Forgotten Lunches
If children forget to bring their little or big lunch to school, the Tuckshop will only provide patty cakes or choc chip muffins and vegemite, peanut butter sandwiches. No Drink or Other Food Will Be Available.

Plastic cutlery
If children require plastic spoons or forks, the cost is 5c each.

Fete Stall Convenors
If you require stock of spoons, cups, foam trays, chips, paper bags etc from Canteen Supply for your stall at this year’s fete, your order must be in by Thursday 7^th September at the tuckshop.

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 7 orders.

Homestyle Bakery Pies etc
For those people who have pies etc, don’t forget to collect your orders from 2:30pm on Thursday in the Activity Hall.

Healthy Food Competition
Brisbane Markets are running a healthy foods competition through the tuckshop. Each time a students buys a healthy item with fruit or vegetables in it e.g. toasted ham and tomato, salad sandwich or salad box, corn on cob, fruit cup, a piece of fruit etc. you will receive a boarding pass card and one fresh for kids Token Sticker. Collect 4 stickers and stack them onto your boarding pass, then hand this into the tuckshop and you will be given a wrist band, you also have the chance to win prizes, Sea World Passes, Ipod Names, $25 Retail sports Voucher. See poster at tuckshop. Offer closes Friday 15^th September.

ROSHCA
Monday
Afternoon Tea             Dip, Crackers and Fruit
Inside Activity             Wrapping Paper
Outside Activity           Blindfold Relay/Games

Tuesday
Afternoon Tea             Fruit Platter
Craft                            Splatter Paints
Outside Activity           Parachute Games

Wednesday
Afternoon Tea             Dip, Crackers and Fruit
Craft                            Chocolate Crackles
Outside Activity           Prisoner

Thursday
Afternoon Tea             Chocolate Crackles and Fruit
Craft                            Fathers Day Gift(Photo Frame)
Outside Activity           Soccer Ball

Friday
Afternoon Tea             Dip, Crackers and Fruit
Craft                            Fathers Day Cards
Outside Activity           Fly

September Vacation Care
Dates: Monday 25^th September – Friday 5^th October

It’s that time again, time to make your vacation care bookings. If you need care for your child/ren during this period please make a booking with the ROSHCA team. A booking deposit of $20.00 is payable when making your booking. This deposit will be absorbed by your child care fees during this period. To avoid disappointment please make your booking as soon as possible.

To collect your program and/or make a booking please see Fran or Zoe at the ROSHCA room.

GROCERY WHEEL UPDATE
The competition has heated up big time after last week with new leaders in both lower and upper grades.  But what stands out the most is that there are a number of classes tied and that only 20 items can differ between 6th place and 1st!!!

Leader Board as at Friday 25/8/06

Lower Grade             Upper Grade

1st           2C                 1st      6R
2nd (tied)  3K & 3N       2nd     4S
3rd  (tied)  1B & 1L       3rd      5C
4th           2D                 
4th (all tied up) 5/6K, 6L & 6C
5th         3W                  4D                   6th  (tied)  1J & 1S         4C & 4H

1st Prize           PIZZA PARTY                
2nd Prize         COLD ROCK ICE CAKE (Thank you to Cold Rock for their kind donations)
3rd Prize          ICE CREAMS                

At this stage, with 3 weeks to go, it is ANYONES!!!!

Items for this week - packets – pasta (i.e. shell, spiral, spaghetti as we are very low), biscuits, jellys, gravy etc. and cans never go astray.  Big week this week and lets see what happens!!!!

Sara H.