FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Thoughts for the Week
“Those who seek me early shall find me.”     Psalm 8:17

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“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in riding every time we fall.”   Confucius (551-479 BC)

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Threatening clouds and a short but intense downpour did not dampen spirits last Saturday. The Rochedale State School Fete 2006 can be judged by many things. Starting with attendance, a friend signalled around lunch time that parked cars on both sides of Rochedale Road stretched beyond Priestdale Road, and past our school for several hundred metres. Add to this armada the many people who simply walked to the fete and you get an idea of the numbers. In short, the mild overcast conditions did not dampen either the organisers’ or visitors’ spirits. On the contrary, great fun was in evidence all over the place as young and old ate, drank and played their way through the day; that proven formula for school fetes. I take the opportunity to thank P. & C. President Mrs Johnson, my Deputies and Teachers and the many volunteers who made the day possible and the result so welcomed in the continued improvement to our school and grounds.

Yesterday continued in the same spirit, as we welcomed hundreds of Rochedale State School alumni to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of our school. Tattered old black and white school photographs went around for scrutiny amongst many of our elder members of the district. It is a great way to time travel, totally absorbing the viewer. I noticed already the day before one senior couple looking at school photos from the 1930s. The gentleman was so engrossed in the picture that his wife had to tug at his shirt sleeve to get his attention. I also overheard him tell his wife about a couple of his school friends who had passed away. Yet in the old school photo they were all alive as a flood of memories momentarily returned. Some of the stately trees at our school entrance were only young saplings back then. Yesterday they provided shade and grandeur as the very contented visitors retired from a fun-filled occasion – their important link with the past.

Cross Country time at Rochedale…As a competitive sport, cross-country running began in England with a game called "hare and hounds" or "the paper chase" in the early 19th century. In this game, a runner or group of runners laid a trail by dropping pieces of paper or other markers while following a random course, and a second set of runners then set out in pursuit, trying to follow the paper trail. The first formal competition was the Crick Run, first held at Rugby School in 1837. Many other public schools soon established similar events, followed by Oxford and Cambridge Universities. Although hare and hounds continued to be popular at schools, in important competition the game became a cross-country race along a course laid out in advance over open country. Cross-country was on the Olympic program in 1912, 1920, and 1924, but it was dropped after that because it was considered unsuitable for summer competition. Well, it is spring time at Rochedale, a tad short of the jacaranda flowering, as we launch our two Cross Country days this final week of term. First to take to the course will be our seniors who line up for the challenging course on Tuesday morning. They will be followed by the junior school that run a slightly shorter yet equally rigorous course towards glory on Thursday. Cross Country is not what we call ‘a riveting spectator sport,’ yet it is a wonderful endurance race for the competitors whom I wish well after much preparation and training for the event. Winners and grinners will be announced in the first Newsletter after the holidays.

No pupil free day on the first Monday back, is the Education Queensland message for Fourth Term. There will be a pupil free day in term Four, but it is scheduled on Monday 23^rd  October. I take this opportunity to wish all members of the Rochedale School community all the best for the Spring School Holidays. Wherever you plan to go, whatever you plan to do, be safe, happy and content with yourself and your surroundings. Once back at school we have much to do in the lead-up to Christmas. Our dedicated, hard-working School Council will no doubt mark important days such as Remembrance Day, the Melbourne Cup and the occasional Free Dress Days and events that generate a pleasant conduit between and amongst the entire school community.

And that’s the way it is this Monday, after a successful, if tiring, weekend…

Liam Smith
Principal

75^th ANNIVERSARY BOOK
Orders are being taken for copies of the 75^th Anniversary Book. If you would like a copy please order it by this Friday – 22^nd September, at the office.

They are $16.00 and a copy is available at the office for you to look through.

Thank you
Kath R

PREMIERS READING CHALLENGE
Please ensure all reading sheets are retuned by WEDNEDAY 20 September.

P&C NEWS
Fete and Reunion News
Although their was a glitch in booking fine weather for the Fete it still proved to be a great day, followed by a memorable Reunion Day. I hope everyone enjoyed the events. I will be writing the final Fete/Reunion Newsletter this week.

There are many people I need to thank for their hard work in making both these events a success, if I haven’t already thanked you personally please know I appreciate the support you have given and will endeavour to acknowledge you in the Fete Newsletter.

If any of the stall convenors have any outstanding expenses please drop your receipts/ invoices with an explanatory note to the School Office (mark attention – Sue Glennon – P&C Treasurer).

Squad Training
Please note the P&C has appointed John Austin to the position of P&C Swim Coach. We are excited about John taking up this position. John Austin is a past parent of the school, who had been heavily involved in the Rochedale State School Amateur Swim Club and the P&C.

John has an excellent understanding of how to motivate children to improve and develop their swimming skills.

Squad will begin after the holidays for both children and adults (a flyer will be issued with more details this week). Anne D (P&C Vice President) will continue in her role as Squad Co-ordinator, (any inquires Ph: 3342 5253).

Thanks for your continued support

Julie Johnson
P&C President

BP ROCHEDALE
A thank you to all the parents and teachers for supporting our school by buying petrol at the BP across the road. We encourage you to keep supporting our school.

FAIRY FLOSS SALE

·         $1.00 per bag

·         Big Lunch only Tuesday 19^th September

·         Outside Activity Building

No Fairy Floss is to be eaten at school. It must be taken home to be consumed under parental supervision.

UNIFORM SHOP
Size 3 shorts (Prep) will be available for purchase by the end of November for $16.50.  The price difference is due to a special order as our normal supplier for rugby knit shorts are unable to supply this.  

Just a reminder that all lay-by's are required to be finalised by 30 November, otherwise cancellation fees will apply.

SPECIALS!!

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

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

As this is the last week of Term 3, I wish you all a safe holiday break.  The Uniform shop will resume its opening hours on Thursday October 12 at 8.00am.

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 1149.

TUCKSHOP
Tues    Chris A
19/9

Wed     Amanda R
20/9

Thurs  Maryanne McN
21/9

Fri       Maryanne McN                       
22/9      Gaila D, Melissa T        

Mon    25/9 to Fri 6/10 HOLIDAYS

Mon    Anne D
9/10

Tues    Sharon McF
10/10

Wed     Melissa T
11/10

Thurs  Sharon G
12/10

Fri       Maryanne McN                        INTERSCHOOL  SPORT
13/10    Amanda H     Kath R

Mon    Lyn L
16/10

Tues    Chris A
17/10

Wed     Amanda R
18/10

Thurs  Douglas K
19/10    Maryanne McN

Fri       Gaila D                         INTERSCHOOL

20/10    Melissa T                      SPORT     Maryanne McN

Mon                PUPIL FREE  DAY
23/10               

Tues    Shirley L
24/10

Wed     Sue V
25/10    Cathy W

Thurs  Karen W
26/10

Fri       Maryanne McN                        INTERSCHOOL   SPORT

27/10    Kath R     VOLUNTEER NEEDED

Thank you Amanda, Cathy, Maryanne and my Year 6/7 girls for helping out last week. Thank you Mrs Kath R for our school anniversary book.

Red Product - Deleted
One of our popular dairy products is now placed in the RED category of Smart Choices Healthy Foods. – chocolate Dairy Dessert – 70c, will not be available next term. Please delete from yellow Tuckshop Price lists. Thank you.

IOU’s
All IOU’s must be finalised by this Friday.

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.

Bathing Caps
Just a reminder swimming will start next term and bathing caps will be available to purchase from the tuckshop. Speedo rubber caps in blue or yellow $3.30, Lycra caps in blue only $5.50.

Holidays are here, terrific!! It was a long term. If you are travelling, drive safely, and for the rest of us enjoy the break. See you all next term. Norma

Tuckshop Café
What a shame it rained, never mind the fete must go on. I could not run this café without the assistance of Glenda P. Thank you.

There are many people to thank for their time with serving and baking but I can’t name you all, you know who you all are and I thank you.

Desley, Gaila, Kathy and of course our Mr J (I am waiting for your late note) thank you so much. Keep your calendar marked for next year. Thank you all. Norma

ROSHCA
Monday
Afternoon Tea              Sandwiches and Fruit
Inside Activity               Marbled Letter Sets
Outside Activity            Get the Bean Bag

Tuesday
Afternoon Tea              Dip, Crackers and Fruit
Craft                            Finger Puppets
Outside Activity            Chalk Drawings

Wednesday
Afternoon Tea              Dip, Crackers and Fruit
Cooking                        Chocolate Slice
Outside Activity            Obstacle Course

Thursday
Afternoon Tea              Slice and Fruit
Craft                            Tiger Scoobies
Outside Activity            End to End

Friday
Afternoon Tea              Dip, Crackers and Fruit
Craft                            CD Coasters
Outside Activity            Red Letter

Breakfast: Toast and assorted cereals served daily.

CITY TOUCH FOOTBALL
Term 3 has been an exciting one for City Juniors. The number of teams has doubled and we expect the same trend for term 4. Now that many other sports have finished, Term 4 is an opportunity to register your touch team for continued fitness.

Sign on night for existing teams/individuals is the end of term 3 season. That is,

18 September - Chelmer 5pm
19 September - Shaw Rd , Wooloowin 5pm
20 September - Mt Gravatt 4.30pm
$49 per player at ALL venues.
Competition starts in the week beginning 16 October.

City Touch Juniors Sign On for Term 4.
Mon 9 Oct - Chelmer Western Districts AFL Club Queenscroft St 5.00pm
Tues 10 Oct - Wooloowin Shaw Sportz Shaw Road 5.00pm
Wed 11 Oct - Mt Gravatt Clairvaux Mackillop College Klumpp Rd 4.30 pm
Sign on as a team or as an individual player.
$49 per player.

Josh White - Junior Development Officer
Jason Connors - Junior Development Officer
Marilyn Williams - District Development

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