Cranbrook Newsletter - Term 4 Week 6 2020

Principal's Message

Remembrance Day

In 2020, 11 November marked the 102^nd anniversary of the Armistice which ended the First World War (1914–18). Each year on this day Australians observe one minute’s silence at 11 am, in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts.

On Thursday, our school observed one minute of silence. It is important that we model for our students the expectations of our community. A personal experience I had that shows the significance this event holds in our community, was a Remembrance Day in Melbourne. When the bells chimed throughout the city centre, pedestrians, cars and trams all came to a halt to observe the moment of remembrance. This was done without instruction or intimidation but done via respect of members of our Australian community.

SLIME – NOT PERMITTED AT SCHOOL

Please be aware that as our school cannot confirm if SLIME has any toxic chemicals (e.g. bauxite) due to the homemade nature of such a product, therefore SLIME is not allowed at school. Please note that if SLIME is found at school, parents will be required to collect the item or it may be disposed of.

Student Resource Scheme and Student Stationery Supplies

At the next P & C Meeting on the 25th November, the P&C members will decide if we will see the continuation of the Student Resource Scheme at Cranbrook State School.  Basically this means any resources that your child requires for learning in 2021 can be purchased from the school OR supplied by you as the parent.  In 2020 the school will recommend continuing the stationery supplies to each student. This means that the school will supply all needs for your child while they are at school other than uniforms and lunches.

At the next P & C Meeting on the 25th November, a decision will be made as to the cost of this scheme for 2021, based on the resource list the school develops.  This scheme also allows eligible parents to make part payments, reducing the financial burden of schooling. A parent is directly responsible for providing the student with textbooks and other resources for a student's use while attending school.

The purpose of the scheme is to provide the parent with a cost effective alternative to purchasing textbooks, resources, consumables and/or materials from elsewhere, through reduced prices gained from the school's bulk purchasing processes. A student resource scheme enables a parent to enter into a written agreement with the school in return for payment of a specified annual participation fee.

The school and the parent share decision-making and responsibility for the scheme.  Participation in the scheme is voluntary, and no obligation is placed on a parent to participate.  A parent's decision to participate is based on consideration of the value afforded by the scheme. If a parent chooses to participate in the scheme and completes a Participation Agreement Form a participation fee will be due and payable by the parent.

On lodgement of the completed Participation Agreement Form with the school and payment of the participation fee in accordance with the agreed payment arrangement, the school shall provide the items to the student when due for the student's use. Payment of the participation fee by the parent is a requirement for continued participation in the scheme.  An unpaid fee will be subject to the school's debt recovery processes.

Where parents have opted for the textbook and resource allowance to be paid to the school, the allowance must be applied to offset the student resource scheme participation fee.

A parent who does not wish to join the scheme is responsible for providing the student with the items that would otherwise have been provided to the student by the scheme as detailed on the Year Level Requirements List and/or Subject Requirements List, to enable the student to engage with the curriculum. 

Hair Lice

There has been a number of hair lice cases reported in the school recently.  Treatment, as we all know, can be very costly and time consuming, but vigilant checking and treatment by ALL parents would assist in dramatically reducing the number of cases.  

Safe Management of Bikes and Scooters in the School Grounds

Students should walk bikes/scooters into and out of the school grounds.  If students are repeatedly unsafe they will be required to lock their bikes/scooters to the fence and NOT bring them inside the school grounds..

Finance Reminder

Due to all receipting closing from 3:00pm on Friday, 4th December it would be appreciated if all 2020 payments could be made prior to this time.

Money can still be taken after this close-off point, but handwritten receipts will be available only.

All SRS fees are well overdue and parents/caregivers are reminded that payment needs to be finalised (or payment plan arranged with the BM) if students are wanting to participate in any extra-curriculum activities e.g. swimming, graduation, sport, live performances

2021 Prep Enrolments – Limited places available

If your child will be attending Cranbrook State School in 2021 you will need to ensure that the following tasks are completed as soon as possible to allow for class placement for 2020 to occur.

Complete the enrolment form (PDF below).

Bring your child’s original birth certificate to the school so we can process your child’s enrolment.

Clubs

Breakfast Club will cease on Friday 4th December (Week 9) and will recommence in Week 2 of 2021.  A big thank you to everyone who has donated food items and helped throughout the year (including our students).  Breakfast Club is a wonderful service for the Cranbrook Community.

Homework Club will cease on Thursday, 27th November (Week 8) and will recommence in Week 2 of 2021.

Jeff Capell 
Principal

Every Day Counts - Attendance

Regular, punctual attendance at school is expected of all students.  If a student is late, a letter of explanation from the student's parent/guardian is required and be presented to the office on arrival.

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.  If the parent/guardian is aware of the absence please respond with a reason for the absence.  Letters, notes, emails or phone calls can also be used to notify the school of your child's absence.  

If your child will be absent from school please contact us:

Absence Hotline - 4726 1260

Absence Email - absences@cranbrookss.eq.edu.au

Please leave a message detailing:

• Child's name
• Class
• Reason for absence
• Period of absence

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 note to teachers or by contact this hotline.

Attendance Award - Week 5

Uniform Roll Out - Term 4

By the end of Term 4, 2020

100% of students are wearing the following:

• A pair of Cranbrook Shorts
• A pair of Cranbrook Skorts

Please note that plain royal blue shorts are NOT part of the new school uniform.

P & C News

Tuckshop

The new Point of Sale system is currently being implemented in the tuckshop.  Please be patient with the tuckshop staff as they learn the new system.

Uniforms

• Fittings for uniforms are by appointment only.
• Call Bridget on 0402 142 961 to book a private fitting prior to ordering if you are unsure of sizing. 
• Please BYO bag for carrying your uniform purchases.  Plastic bags are available for purchase @ 15 cents each.
• NEW Uniform Shop opening soon!!

The next P&C meeting is on 25th November starting at 6.30pm in the staffroom in the Administration block.  All welcome.

Student Code of Conduct

What is the Student Code of Conduct?

This our school’s behaviour policy, with information about school rules, consequences and processes for addressing bullying and the use of technology. The Student Code of Conduct clearly sets out expectations about staff responsibilities to support students to understand and meet discipline expectations of the school, and guidance on the application, where required, of disciplinary consequences.

From 2021, the Student Code of Conduct replaces the Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students, Code of Behaviour and Statement of Expectations. The Student Code of Conduct is developed in consultation with each local school community, is published on the school website and provided to every student and family upon enrolment. Until a school finalises their Student Code of Conduct, the existing Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students continues to apply.

As part of our school consultation, we invite parents to read the Draft Cranbrook State School Student Code of Conduct and provide feedback at our next P & C meeting on 25^th November at 6:30pm where the document will be ratified ready for implementation in 2021. If you have any questions prior to the meeting, please call the office to book in a meeting to discuss these with me.

For more information around the Student Code of Conduct please visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/education/schools/health/behaviour

Positive Behaviour For Learning

NAIDOC Week

Our Indigenous School Captains, Keyarn and Harmony were busy organising various activities that they led and took part in for NAIDOC week at school. The activities included: colouring in & art, storytelling and reading, playing musical instruments and traditional games during break times.  

While this year's NAIDOC Week was different due to restrictions, our school was honoured to have our Community Elder, Aunty Joy, join us at Parade to give the Welcome to Country.  Our school senior and junior choirs joined to perform "Inanay Capuana", an Indigenous children's song and some senior students also performed a traditional dance.  

Our Senior council members also elected for students to have a Free Dress Day on Thursday as part of NAIDOC week celebrations, encouraging students to wear indigenous designs and flag colours.

This year's NAIDOC Week Theme:  Always Was, Always Will Be, recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years.  The 2020 theme also acknowledges that hundreds of Nations and our cultures that covered this continent were all caring for and managing the land - the biggest estate on earth - to sustainably provide for their future.

From The Music Room

The students of the Cranbrook SS Percussion Ensemble have been busy rehearsing "Summon the Spirits", a piece inspired by Japanese taiko drumming. Here is a snippet from their rehearsal in preparation for the Parent Information Night next week. Stay connected to hear the whole piece later this term. Rock On!

Mrs O'Keefe

Resource Centre News

Premier's Reading Challenge

Congratulations to our Cranbrook students who completed the Premier's Reading Challenge.  The Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, challenged students to read from May to August.  More than 161,000 Queensland children participated this year. 

Students were awarded certificates from the Premier to acknowledge their efforts.

What's On in Year One

Our Year 1 students have been working extremely hard in reading this term. Students work with their classroom teacher, cohort leader and teacher aide during Reading Groups to meet their Reading Goals. Some students have been working with Mrs Maluga, our specialised reading intervention aide, 5 times a week. This intervention is targeted to the specific needs of students in order to help them progress and make benchmark. 

The year one benchmark for the end of the year is level 16.  We have seen some fantastic progression from our students who have benefitted from our Intervention Program. Seven students have recently made it to benchmark for year one! These students are: Ezekiel, Ember, Raylan, Akanisi, Donphirose, Rylan and Leon. Congratulations to these wonderful readers. Your perseverance has paid off! 

Thank you to also to Mrs Maluga for her continued professionalism and dedication to building a life long love of reading for our young learners.  

Environmental Club News

WANTED:  JUICE AND MILK BOTTLE TOPS

The Environmental Club would like to make art to hang in our environmental centre.  Please bring your used bottle tops to school and place them in the containers provided in the classrooms.  

Cranbrook's Got Talent

Auditions are Underway!

Week one of auditions are underway and our senior council members have been getting down to the serious business of watching and selecting the finalists from the acts that have signed up for Cranbrook's Got Talent! 

Auditions are being held during break times in Weeks 6, 7 and 8.  

Swimming Lessons - Week 9

Swimming notes were sent home this week.

Our preferred method of payment is through QKR!, EFTPOS or by Cash at the Office. 

All families will receive an invoice for the swimming lessons happening in Week 9, however please disregard the invoice if your child will not be attending. 

Sports Pride Fridays

Cranbrook Bus Driver Needed

Community News