Cranbrook Newsletter - Term 1 Week 5 2021

Principal's Message

Leadership Ceremony

Sincere thanks to all of our presenters at the Student Investiture Ceremony on Thursday - Councillor Maurie Soars, Indigenous Elder Aunty Joy Hunter, P&C President Mr Ashley Nuttall, Cranbrook's Adoped Cowboy Player, Wiremu "Woody" Grieg and our 2020 School Captains Miss Maddison McMinn and Miss Montana Hampson.   It is always a special moment when the next generation of school and future community leaders are recognised for the special role they will play at our school throughout the year.

Medical Information and Parent Contact Update

It is important that all student medical records and parent/emergency contacts are current.  If your child has Asthma, Anaphylactic Reactions, Allergies, Diabetes or any medical condition that the school needs to be aware of please make sure that an Action Plan, if necessary, is current. The Action Plan needs to be filled out by a medical practitioner. Please also ensure that the medications held at the school have not passed the use by date.

Parent/Emergency Contact Updates

If you or your emergency contact details have changed please contact the school so your data can be updated.

Jeff Capell

Principal

Every Day Counts - Attendance

Regular, punctual attendance at school is expected of all students.  Students should be present at school ready to prepare for the day's learning by 8:30am.

Late Arrivals

Students arriving after 8:50am must report to the office to receive a lateslip.  If a student is late, a letter of explanation from the student's parent/guardian must be presented to the office staff on arrival.

Absence

If a student is absent and the parent/guardian has not notified the school, they will receive an automated text message by 10am that day.  

Parents will receive a text message informing them that their child is absent. If you receive one of these text messages, please contact the school to explain the reason for your child’s absence.

A working mobile number should be registered with the school, if available.

Please remember that absence is only marked for the days specified by the parents. If you ring up on a Monday informing that your child is sick and they remain away from school for the following 2 days because they are sick you need to inform us that this was the reason for their absence. You can inform us after the absence via a message directly to the teacher or by contacting our absence hotline or email.

If your child is absent, please leave a message detailing:

• Child's name
• Class
• Reason for absence
• Dates or duration of absence

Absence For More Than 10 Days

What is an exemption and why do I need it?

Every parent of a child of compulsory school age has a legal obligation to ensure their child is enrolled and attending school. Parents can apply for an exemption from this obligation when their child cannot attend or it would be unreasonable in all the circumstances for their child to attend school for a period of more than 10 consecutive school days.

Situations where an application for an exemption may be made include:

• Illness
• Family reasons
• Cultural or religious reasons

If your child is exempt from compulsory schooling, you are excused from your obligation in relation to compulsory schooling. 

The school principal is not responsible for providing an educational program for your child, however they may provide advice on other educational options available. Decisions about exemptions for up to one school year are made by the principal and decisions about exemptions for more than one school year are made by the relevant Regional Director of the Department of Education, Training and Employment, responsible for the supervision of the school your child attends.   

Attendance Award Winner

Positive Behaviour For Learning

Reading - Explicit Improvement Agenda wk 5

This week the focus is on how well your child has understood the text.  These guiding questions are generic enough that you can ask these for almost any book that is read. Don't worry if you are still working your way through these strategies.  Take your time.  It can be overwhelming if you've never done this before.  If you require any support with this please speak to your child's teacher first.

What Your Child is Learning - Year 2

Below is a quick overview of what your child is learning in Year 2 this term, including what parents and guardians can do at home to help.

At Cranbrook, each week at the Cohort Parades, student achievements are recognised and awarded to encourage all of our students to be engaged, successful learners. 

Congratulations to these students (below) who were awarded certificates for various accomplishments at Year 2 Cohort Parade this week.

From the Resource Centre

Name the Mini Library Competition Winner

Thank you to all of the creative students who entered the competition.  It was a difficult decision to pick just one special name to give our mini library.  The winner was Zoe in 6B who captured the feeling of community and togetherness we experience everyday when we we see all of our 'little people' read  at Cranbrook.

We officially declare the name of the mini library:

'The Little Readers Co.'

We have a few new features in the Cranbrook Library which has sparked a lot of interest and a reading frenzy.  Reading Buddies are visiting the library and they all love listening to a story.  

A new spinning shelf has been a hit as it houses our extremely popular book series.  Quite often we see this shelf bare as all of the books have been borrowed out!  

What's On in Year 5

Year 5 students have been investigating the different properties of light including reflection and refraction.

This week, 5A conducted an investigation to identify how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples use their knowledge of properties of light, especially refraction when hunting in water. The students enjoyed adjusting their aim so they could hit their ‘fish’. They finished their investigation by completing a formal scientific report to communicate their findings.

Amy Kennett

Year 5 Cohort Leader

Year 6 Excursion

On Tuesday this week, 6B and 6C ventured out on a Townsville Tour to locate the 'money shot' to use for their multi-disciplinary unit of making a promotional video of Townsville.  Students explored The Stadium, The Strand, Pallarenda and ANZAC Park and many other venues to capture the essence of Townsville.  6A explored Riverway, the Dam, The old Cowboys Stadium, Readings Cinemas, Sk8teway, Ninja Park and many other venues on Thursday. 

All students were very excited to be able to capture the sights of Townsville.

Year 6 Teachers

Tour of Townsville

Environmental Club News

Our Environmental Club students are collecting the Woolworths Discovery Garden Seeds for one of our environmental projects.  

We welcome your donations.

Aussie of the Month - February

Aussie of the Month is based on encouraging and recognising students for their contribution to community. 

The intention is that it aligns to the Values for Australian Schooling and Curriculum framework and recognises students for their effort outside of academic application or sporting achievement, and instead acknowledges students who demonstrate outstanding contributions within their community.

Key values we seek to amplify are:

​Fair go – not just how we apply ourselves but also in providing opportunity for all

Mateship - a generosity of spirit and compassion for those in need

Respect – of self, of others, our community, and the environment

Inclusion – acceptance and respect of difference

The Arts Space

Year 2 have been exploring detective characters in a process drama this week in Performing Arts.

And, in musical this week 4/5 and Year 5 started learning an audition dance in preparation for auditions.

Our Arts Excellence Programs offer Cranbrook students opportunities to express themselves and develop skills in a variety of special interest subjects. 

We invite you to watch this video of Jasmine in Year 3, playing a preliminary piece, “Full of Confidence” by Christopher Norton.

Year 6 Leadership Camp 2021 - Mungalli Falls

In Term 2, Week 10 (Tuesday June 22nd - Friday June 25th 2021), Year 6 students will have the opportunity to attend a Leadership Camp at Mungalli Falls near Milla Milla on the Atherton Tablelands.

The camp will cost approximately $350 - $380 per child.
          
At this stage we are trying to work out roughly how many children will be attending. Should your child not attend the camp they will be involved in normal lessons at school.

Parents may wish to start a payment plan with the school so that it is not such a large, lump sum to pay when the camp date arrives. Please see the office staff about this.

*Please note: If your Student Resource and Stationery Scheme fees have not been paid, or an active payment plan is not in place, your child is unable to attend.

Also, please note that school behaviour policies apply in regards to camp attendance.

Contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions.

Accommodation – The students stay in dormitory style accommodation (Boys and Girls separate).
Food and Travel – The food is absolutely amazing. The students travel by bus but depending on the number of children wishing to attend we may need some parent helpers to bring their cars for extra transport.
Activities – Some of the activities included are; abseiling, canoeing, tubing down a river, a giant 200 metre slide, archery, an obstacle course, a flying fox and platypus viewing.

More information, medical forms and ‘what to bring’ information will be sent home closer to the departure date.

*A non-refundable deposit of $50 will need to be paid as an “intention to attend” by 1st March 2021.

Free Dress Day - Support for Sidonie

Our  Free Dress Day on Friday 5th March will support our school's World Vision Sponsor Child, Sidonie.  

Sidonie Mismadji  is a 10 year old girl from Chad who is currently in Year 3 and enjoys playing board games.

Sports Pride Fridays

Community News

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this issue is accurate at the time of publication. 

Please contact our office if you have any enquiries.