FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Thoughts for the Wee
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger and brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”                                      Ephesians 4:31

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“There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same.”   Chinese Proverb           

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Learn by example is an age old adage relevant to young and old. As educators parents and teachers share the task of being role models to our young. This shared responsibility should never begrudgingly be shared in the interests of children. No, it should be warmly embraced by all parties contributing to the physical and emotional well-being of young people. Toddlers and young infants model behaviour every day. This is, after all, how they learn; how they interpret the adult world, and how they try to gain acceptance in this world. In a multi-secular, multi-cultural pluralist society such as ours there are many competing values. Teachers hold certain values - parents hold a diverse range of social and ethical values. What may be perfectly acceptable in one family may be viewed as unacceptable in another. Such is the nature of social values and norms that we need to be vigilant at all times, lest we set the wrong example to our children. I suggest it is hypocrisy to admonish children for using bad language if we use it as matter of course ourselves. Moreover, what use is there in admonishing anger and violent tendencies in our young if we are prone to road rage, modelling atrocious behaviour to our children over a trifling traffic incident. How many times do we endure the spectacle of irate customers in shopping centre car parks, going hammer and tongs at each other over who should get that particular parking spot? Turning to weekends, we are constantly witnessing inappropriate parental behaviour from the  sidelines at the football. Small wonder then, when some children attend school, that they take onboard their parents’ anger, violence and inappropriate behaviour. It ought not to be the teachers’ role to correct traits developed, if not necessarily sanctioned by parents, outside the school. Unfortunately, inappropriate adult behaviour occurs in and around our school from time to time. There should be no reason for an individual adult visiting our school to speak or behave in an inappropriate manner.

Schools are institutions of learning. Schools are sanctuaries for intellectual discourse and rigour, free of abuse, threats and inappropriate behaviour. Our Values Education is a great asset to all. These principles are embedded in our Values Education Curriculum and can be found in the core of most societies – eastern and western. At its genesis is a belief that we love our children. We want them to experience and emulate this love. Secondly, we want our children to show empathy, sympathy and tolerance in their lives. As adults we need to remember that we are surrounded by our children. If we want our children to tell the truth and accept responsibility for their actions, we need to model this behaviour in our own lives. The greatest reward parents can hope for is that their adult children will reflect on their youth and conclude: “My Mum and Dad were the best role models a child could have.”

 Get on your bike, mate…but do it safely! It is interesting to note that we do not require a riding license to mount our bikes, yet are expected to negotiate the very heavy suburban traffic. We had a ‘near miss’ reported to us last week. A ‘near miss’ is only a pedal stroke away from a ‘fatal accident’ when struck by a car or truck. I appreciate that students like to ride their bikes to school. I am asking parents, by way of dinner conversations, to touch on the subject of bike/road safety.

Helmets are great. Helmets protect, but helmets alone provide scant protection in traffic. Concentration and alertness are essential traits we look for in our school bike riders. I shall certainly address these concerns on assembly and flag the topic here as well as asking parents to do their bit on the home front so that our many students arrive and depart from Rochedale alive and well.

And that’s the way it is at Rochedale at the end of October…

Liam Smith
Principal

POPPIES FOR SALE
Poppies are now on sale from the school office until Friday 10 November for a cost of 50c each.

P&C NEWS
Disco
The School Disco will be held this Saturday, November 4^th in the Activity Hall. The theme is ‘It’s A Crazy Disco’ – wear a crazy outfit or a crazy hairstyle. See the flyer in this newsletter for more information. Parents who are able to help with the Disco please let us know.

CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (CRE) NEWS
Considering CRE Teaching in 2007 at Rochedale??

If you belong to a local church and have thought about getting involved in your child or grandchild’s school why not mix them both and join our CRE team next year?

Requirements include a blue card, a letter of accreditation from your minister, ½ an hour each week to teach and some time to prepare the lesson.

We provide comprehensive teacher manuals, FREE training, a flexible timetable, orientation, help and support.

We have two Grade 3 classes and one Grade 5 class without a CRE teacher in 2007.  (We may even have two Grade 7 classes that need a CRE teacher)  Why not give me a call and find out more.

Please contact Robynne T, the CRE Co-ordinator for more information on 3219 9771, 0408 785 494 or email camrob@iprimus.com.au

CRE Student Workbooks
The Student Workbooks that are a part of our CRE program will now be available through our booklist provider, Underwood News.The CRE Student Workbooks have been included on the 2007 booklists for Grades 2 – 7 and will therefore come with your child’s ‘book-pack’.

CRE is presented to all students at Rochedale State School unless parents have sent in a written request asking that their child be excluded.  If this written letter of exclusion will apply to your child in 2007, please cross off the CRE Student Workbook on your child’s booklist order before submitting it to Underwood News.

Grade 1 students will receive photocopied worksheets during most CRE lessons.  Prep children, according to Education Qld’s draft RE policy document are not to be offered RE lessons.

For more information, please contact Robynne T, the CRE Co-ordinator on 3219 9771, 0408 785 494 or email camrob@iprimus.com.au.

CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
FOOD AND GIFT DRIVE
Each year our School Community packs many boxes of donated food and gift items. These items are distributed through St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers to needy families in the Rochedale/Springwood area.

We are beginning our ‘Food and Gift Drive’ this week and we will be collecting donated items through to the end of week 8.

Each classroom has a ‘Donation Box’ where children can place any food or gift donations.

Some ideas to consider include:

« Any non-perishable Food Items (eg tins or packets--please check use-by dates);

« Gifts (must be new);

« Toiletry Items (eg hair products, shower gel);

« Any non-perishable ‘Special Treats’ that you think would brighten up someone’s Christmas Season.

If anyone would like to help sort and box up the donated goods on a Thursday morning at 8.40am please give me a call.

Robynne T        3219 9771, 0408 785 494 or camrob@iprimus.com.au

BOOK FAIR
Great news! The Book Fair is here!

This year’s Book Fair will commence on, Tuesday 14/11/06. All classes will be allocated a time to visit the Book Fair, peruse the materials available, and compile a Wish List. Children are not permitted to browse prior to this time unless a parent accompanies them. Parents are welcome at any time between 8:15am and 3:00pm. The Wish List is made for Mum and Dad’s consideration. Should you decide that you would like your child to purchase a particular item, they may bring the money the next morning (8:15am opening). Book Fair closes 1:00pm Friday 17/11/06 as the books need to be packed up ready for collection. We regret that time constraints prevent us from ordering new stock if your selection is sold out. We also advise that we do not have credit card facilities. A percentage of all proceeds goes to the library.

We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you during the week.

75^TH ANNIVERSARY BOOKS

Orders for the 75^th ANNIVERSARY BOOKS are now available to be collected from the office.

UNIFORM SHOP
Just a reminder that all lay-by's are required to be finalised by 30 November, otherwise cancellation fees will apply.
 If you have just enrolled or are new to the school, we have uniforms which are available for purchase. Otherwise, we have second-hand uniforms at reasonable prices.

SCHOOL HATS
Have now arrived...  Please ensure that your child brings a hat for protection and remembering the school policy of "No hat, no play".  Please ensure that your child's hat is labelled.  

Second-hand Uniforms
If you have uniforms that no longer fit your child/ren - you may sell this at the Uniform Shop. Terms and Conditions apply. Just a reminder that we no longer accept white emblem uniforms to sell, only the embroidered ones.  Please ensure that all uniforms are washed and in good condition prior to selling.    A reminder that there are no refunds on second-hand clothing

SPECIALS!!
Skorts now selling for $21. Normal price - $26 - Saving of $5 (Sizes 8-16 are available) A great option for the girls instead of the Rugby Knit shorts.

NEW ITEMS
Now that it is swimming season, we now stock Gymsack bags.  Perfect to put in your child's swimming gear. Cost is only $8.00.  The Uniform Shop also sells Artsmock, Homework folder (this is a sturdy, waterproof with velcro) and Chair bag. Please check our website for the current price list.

Don't forget our website. - Please spread the word...
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.

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    Anne D
31/10

Wed     Angie L
01/11

Thurs Amanda C
2/11     

Fri       Maryanne McN                        INTERSCHOOL SPORT

3/11      Gaila D          Kath R

Mon    Karen W
6/11

Tues    HELP NEEDED TODAY
7/11

Wed     Melissa T
8/11

Thurs  Sharon G
9/11

Fri       Maryanne McN                        INTERSCHOOL SPORT
10/11    Amanda H  Melissa T

Mon    Anne D
13/11

Tues    Chris A
14/11

Wed     Melissa T
15/11

Thurs  Maryanne McN
16/11

Fri       Maryanne McN                        INTERSCHOOL SPORT
17/11    Gaila D        Melissa T

Mon    Lyn L
20/11

Tues    Shirley L
21/11

Wed     Cathy W
22/11    Michelle D

Thurs  Karen W
23/11

Fri       Maryanne McN
24/11    Kath R Sylvia B

Thank you Michelle and my year 6/7 girls for your help last week.

Pizza Day
We will be having a Pizza Day on 15^th November order forms will go home with next weeks newsletter.

Tuckshop Christmas Dinner Breakup
Our Christmas dinner will be held at Addiction Asian Restaurant at Garden City Town Square (next to Cinemas) on Friday 1^st December at 7:0pm. If you would like to attend, please add your name to the list in the tuckshop by Tuesday 28^th November. To make the evening a little different, would you please bring along a wrapped gift to the value of around $5.00, so we can exchange gifts on the evening. Any queries please contact Norma.

Apple Slinky Orders
We have now our order of 12. Would the people listed below please arrange to have $35.00 cash to the tuckshop ASAP so order can be sent off. Michelle D, Dian G, Anne D, Julie B, Karen E, Sharon G D, Owen N, Linda M (friend), Amanda H, Sharon G.

Thank you

ROSHCA
Monday
Afternoon Tea              Dip, Crackers and Fruit
Craft                            Pirates Treasure Map
Outside Activity            Obstacle Course

Tuesday
Afternoon Tea              Sandwiches and Fruit
Craft                            Foam Ghost
Outside Activity            Treasure Hunt

Wednesday
Afternoon Tea              Dip, Cracker and Fruit
Craft:                            Glitter Masks
Outside Activity            Greek Ballgame

Thursday
Afternoon Tea              Fruit Platter
Cooking                        Jelly
Outside Activity            French Cricket

Friday
Afternoon Tea              Jelly and Fruit
Craft                            Family Tree
Outside Activity            Bullseye