Cranbrook Newsletter - Term 1 Week 2 - 2022

Principal's Message

Welcome to the start of the 2022 school year.

I would like to especially welcome all the new families who are joining Cranbrook this year.  A warm welcome is also extended to the Prep children who are embarking on their first year of primary schooling.

Before school supervision started last week, our staff were very busy working hard participating in professional development activities to ensure they give our students an exciting and memorable welcome for the official start of Term One. For those few students at school, teachers had been engaging them in supervisory activities and filling in their day with enjoyment.

Cranbrook State School enjoys a very strong reputation for providing a safe, supportive and quality learning environment that assumes high expectations for each learner. Our Cranbrook Learner Code reflects school expectations regarding respectful conduct and I can assure you that the safety and wellbeing of your child/ren is of high importance to us all.  Therefore, I make no apology for ensuring that inappropriate behaviour is dealt with swiftly and decisively while understanding that for some students an educative approach is, at times, required.  However, if we don’t know that there is an issue we can’t help to find a solution.

We are looking forward to a wonderful year here at Cranbrook.

COVID Update

Below is some general and specific information regarding school operations. Remember, this is the information we have available to hand as of today and that we will provide further updates as circumstances change, which at this point in time is changing daily. We are thinking of all our staff and students during this trying time and hope that all remain safe and healthy in the coming weeks and months.

What if my child or I attended a school or early childhood centre where there was a confirmed case of COVID-19?

You should monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and stay home if unwell. Schools and early childhood centres will follow the advice and requirements from Queensland Health and will work with the school community to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of staff, children and visitors are prioritised.

If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 at your school or early childhood centre, your principal or the service will communicate with you. For information on COVID-19, including isolation, testing locations and vaccinations, please visit the Queensland Health Website. Follow any direction provided by the Public Health Unit (PHU) or Queensland Health. Please note that testing and isolation requirements of a close contact will apply to staff and students who test positive for COVID-19 and have attended a school camp, as they will be treated in the same way as a household-like contact.

Do family members of isolated or quarantined students and staff need to be tested?

In line with Queensland Health advice, only those who are unwell or have symptoms of COVID-19 need to get tested.​

Please follow the latest testing, isolation and quarantine requirements for confirmed cases and close contacts ​ as outlined by Queensland Health.

What if my child is unwell?

Any child who is showing signs of illness or feeling unwell, must stay at home. If they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms , visit the Queensland Health website  to determine the right test for their situation.

Read more about COVID-19 and your child’s health .

If a child is showing signs of illness at school, the school will immediately contact the parent or carer to collect the child. More information on rapid antigen testing for school staff and students is available on the b​ack to school 2022 page​.

What if my child requires health support at school?

Health support will continue to be provided to students attending school. As well as practising and promoting high standards of hygiene, schools will ensure that staff use personal protective equipment (PPE) for specialised health procedures as advised by Queensland Health.

Please see the health support procedures (PDF, 156KB)​ for further details.

What if my child has a medical condition or is medically vulnerable?

Students who are unable to attend school due to medical reasons will be supported by their school, just as they would in the ca​se of any extended medical absence. Students can access the ​learning@home website.​

How will my child who is immunosuppressed be supported?

Parents with children who are immunosuppressed will continue to take advice from their medical practitioner about COVID-19 as they do with other diseases or illness that maybe prevalent in the community. Any adjustments advised by the health practitioner will be included into the student's individual health plan. Parents are encouraged to discuss their individual situation with their teacher.​

Who needs to wear a face mask?

Please regularly check the Queensland Government website to stay up-to-date with the current COVID-19 restrictions for wearing face masks as this advice can change frequently.

Currently, all high school students, including those who are under 12 years of age, all school staff (primary and high school) and early childhood workers, along with volunteers, family members, contractors and other visitors, are required to wear a face mask.

Students in Years 3–6 will be provided with masks and encouraged to wear them when physical distancing is not possible.

Face masks may be removed in some circumstances (e.g. if seated or if physical distancing can be maintained). 

There are a number of exceptions  to wearing face masks, including for children under 12 (unless they are in Year 7) and people with particular medical conditions or disabilities.

Does physical distancing apply to children and staff?

When working with children, staff are not required to physically distance from the children, including those aged 18 years or older. Students who are 18 years or older are able to interact at school in the same way as their younger peers. However, adults should maintain physical distancing from other adults in line with current health advice.  

Do students have to be vaccinated to attend school?

No. Students of all ages are able to attend school regardless of their vaccination status.

However, vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19, and we encourage everybody to get their vaccinations or boosters  as soon as they can.

Vaccinations are now available for all children age 5 and above.

Attendance and reporting

Are parents, contractors and other visitors allowed on school sites?

For the period 7 February to 4 March 2022, a number of measures have been put in place to ensure schools remain COVID-safe environments as students return to school. See our Back to school 2022 page for more information.

Except when special arrangements, restricti​ons or a school closure is in place, visitors including parents, carers, family members, adult volunteers and visiting specialists are welcome on state school sites. However, adults are kindly reminded to maintain physical distancing at all times, especially at drop-off and pick-up time, in the car park, outside classrooms and at the school gate.

Unless a school is closed, builders and contractors are permitted to undertake construction and maintenance work in areas of the school that are unoccupied by students and staff.

All visitors must follow any Chief Health Officer directives ​ such as wearing face masks if required.

Parents’ and carers’ may be asked to check in for contact tracing purposes. All other visitors must adhere to school visitor and sign-in arrangements.

Please do not visit a school if you are sick, are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms ​ or have been directed by Queensland Health to isolate .

What happens if my child's teacher is unwell?

Your school will have a plan in place to minimise disruption to student learning. Your principals will communicate regularly with your school community regarding your school’s circumstances.

There may be times when schools need to adjust their timetable, combine classes, or bring in relief staff to manage any workforce challenges. There may even be a need to close a school on departmental or health advice — in the same manner we would normally take for other health related concerns such as a gastro outbreak.​

Can shared or loaned equipment be used?

Shared equipment such as library books, school readers, laptops, Ipads, musical instruments and sports equipment can be used or loaned.

Please see the COVID health and hygiene page​ on the use of shared equipment for further details.

Can community groups use school facilities?

Principals may negotiate the use of their facilities for external users, as the external user is operating in accordance with Queensland Government COVID Safe Businesses ​.

The principal must ensure all measures have been taken to meet departmental and Chief Health Officer requirements.

Will sporting events be continuing?

For the period 7 February to 4 March 2022, a number of measures are in place to ensure schools remain COVID-safe environments as students return to school. See our back to school 2022 page for more information.

Except where special arrangements, restrictions or a school closure is in place, schools will be able to conduct both indoor and outdoor school sport programs, including inter-school and representative competitions, following health and safety requirements to ensure these events are COVID safe. 

Further information regarding Queensland School Sport , including FAQs, planning documents and a calendar of state championship events, is available to support schools and sports organisers to train and compete in a safe, responsible and low risk manner that complies with the latest health advice.

Please do not attend any event if you are unwell. 

Are rehearsals and performances allowed for instrumental music programs, ensembles and choirs?

For the period 7 February - 4 March 2022, a number of measures put in place to ensure schools remain COVID-safe environments as students return to school. See our Back to school 2022 page for more information.

Unless special arrangements, restrictions or a school closure is in place, schools are able to conduct instrumental music programs, ensembles and choir rehearsals, provided COVID safe measures are in place. 

Can school functions be held?

For the period 7 February - 4 March 2022, a number of measures put in place to ensure schools remain COVID-safe environments as students return to school. See our Back to school 2022 page for more information.

Except where special arrangements, restrictions or a school closure is in place, schools can hold functions, provided COVID safe measures are followed. 

What measures are you taking to keep kids safe in schools?

For the period 7 February to 4 March 2022, a number of measures have been put in place to ensure schools remain COVID-safe environments as students return to school. 

See our Back to school 2022 page for more information.

All staff and volunteers in schools, childcare and other education facilities must be vaccinated and face masks must be worn in line with the latest Chief Health Officer directions, unless an exception ​ applies. See our Face masks page for further details.

Students, staff and visitors must not enter a school site if they are unwell or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms ​. Please follow Queensland Health advice ​ regarding isolation ​ and testing ​.

Cleaning

COVID-19 cleaning protocols are in place.

State schools have high standards of well-established hygiene protocols and cleaning of their facilities ( departmental employees only).

See our creating a COVID safe environment page for further details. 

Ventilation

Schools have been provided information regarding ventilation and our Cooler Cleaner Schools program means that every classroom, every library and every staff room in every Queensland state school will soon be air-conditioned which will assist with ventilation.

See our creating a COVID safe environment page for further details. 

What are the vaccination requirements for community users of school facilities?

COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for workers, including volunteers, in education settings and is required as part of school operations. This does not extend to community groups using school facilities outside school hours.

Further information can be found via the Education Queensland website at: https://qed.qld.gov.au/covid19/ 

Please do not enter the school grounds if you are either:

• Feeling Unwell; or
• Have returned from overseas within the last 14 days; or
• Had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19

Staffing and Day 8

Each year schools are resourced with teaching and non-teaching staff based on actual enrolment numbers collection on Day 8. These final enrolment counts determine the staffing allocations for primary, secondary and special schools, schools of distance education and for students with disability in mainstream locations.

Due to the majority of classes being close to full at the end of 2021 and the standard number of new enrolments at the beginning of the new school year averaging 20 students (we have no way of knowing what grades these student will be in until they arrive), the majority of classes will be changed after Day 8.

The timeline around this is yet to be confirmed by the Education Department.

Have a great week!

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.   

The Arts Space

Drama Excellence

The Arts is a powerful way of exploring the world, providing students the opportunity to utilise their curiosity and imagination to achieve success. Learning through and about The Arts enriches the experience of studying while at school as well as preparing students for life after school. Student participation in The Arts has been shown to have a positive impact on cognitive capacity, communication and social skills, improved academic outcomes and critical thinking skills.

The Drama Excellence program is for creative and self-motivated students who have an interest in drama are prepared to accept challenges and undertake tasks which are unfamiliar. 25 students from years 3-6 will be selected into the program based on the following criteria:

* Strong interest in Drama

* Academic results

* Audition classes Tuesday 15^th and 22^nd February

Drama Excellence will be held weekly Tuesday 3-4pm in The Arts Block.

If your child is interested in applying for the 2022 program, they must attend an audition class on 15^th & 22^nd February. Final selection notices will be given to students on 24^th February. Students not selected will be placed on a meritorious waiting list and when positions arise they will be invited to join.                                                                                              

Visual Arts Excellence

The Arts is a powerful way of exploring the world, providing students the opportunity to utilise their curiosity and imagination to achieve success. Learning through and about The Arts enriches the experience of studying while at school as well as preparing students for life after school. Student participation in The Arts has been shown to have a positive impact on cognitive capacity, communication and social skills, improved academic outcomes and critical thinking skills.

The Visual Arts Excellence program is for creative and self-motivated students who want to extend their visual arts skills and understandings. 15 students from years 4-6 will be selected into the program based on the following criteria:

o   Strong interest in visual arts

o   Demonstration of potential (submission of artwork can be completed at home or during the audition lessons 16^th & 23^rd February)

o   Academic results

Visual Arts Excellence will be held weekly Wednesday 3-4pm in The Arts Block. If your child is interested in applying for the 2022 program, they must submit an artwork by 23^rd February. The artwork is not a formal test, but a way of encouraging applicants to express their creative ideas and innovative solutions. The theme for the work is All About Me. Artwork should be no larger than A4 and can be completed in any medium.

Final selection notices will be given to students on 24^th February. Students not selected will be placed on a meritorious waiting list and when positions arise they will be invited to join.

Choir

If you like to sing and enjoy being part of an amazing group of people then join one of Cranbrook SS Choirs. Students in Years 5 & 6 who would like to join The Nightingale Chorus please attend a meeting in the Music Room Tuesday 8:20am. Students in years 3 & 4 who would like to join the Songbird Chorus please attend a meeting in the Arts Block Thursday 8:20am.

Instrumental Music

All the new and continuing students in the woodwind, brass and percussion programs please attend a meeting with Ms Greenfield in the Music Room on Thursday morning, at 10.10am.

Any students who would like to learn an instrument but have not completed an enrolment form, please see Ms Earle or Mrs Onslow to collect a Music Handbook.

Guitar Lessons

For students wishing to take guitar lessons, these will commence the week beginning Monday, 7 February and will run through to Week 10, giving the students 8 lessons.  

Payment must be made by Friday, 7 February, via Qkr or directly to the office.  Places are limited.

Piano Lessons

For students wishing to take piano lessons, these will commence the week beginning Monday, 7 February and will run through to Week 10, giving the students 8 lessons.

Payment must be made by Friday, 7 February, via Qkr or directly to the office.  Places are limited.

Sports News

Sports Excellence

2022 Sports Excellence Program

If you are in Years 4, 5 or 6, love sport and love learning new skills to help improve your sporting ability, then our excellence program is for you!  Come and join us!

Students engage in sport for numerous reasons. Some students are interested in maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle; others love the thrill of competing with their friends whilst other students strive for the competition to play sport at representative levels. Whatever a student’s motivation, Cranbrook State School’s sports program is structured to enable them to continue to extend and develop their skills, hence increase their sporting pathways including the school’s Sporting excellence program.

For those identified students demonstrating sporting potential or prowess, Cranbrook’s Sporting Excellence Programs offer specialised coaching and individualised programmes enabling them to have the optimum opportunity to reach goals in their chosen sport or pathway.

Cranbrook’s Sporting Excellence program endeavours to:

· Provide expert coaching for identified students to further enhance skill development and knowledge in numerous sports throughout the year– Rugby League, Rugby Union, Touch Football, Netball, Basketball, Oz-tag, Hockey, Soccer and more.

· Encourage students to participate and represent Cranbrook State School at interschool, district, regional and state sporting events.

· Identify pathways for targeted students to participate and gain selection in representative district, regional and state sporting teams and competitions.

· Develop and maintain partnerships with the local and wider business, government and sport community which support Cranbrook’s Sporting excellence program.

· Promote participation in state wide competitions and carnivals.

Outcomes for students are:

· Increased numbers of students participating in school sporting and Physical education programs.

· Increased numbers of students with higher-level sporting skills and fitness.

· Increased numbers of students participating whilst representing the school at interschool, district, regional and state sporting events.

· Increased number of targeted students gaining selection in representative sporting teams and competitions.

· Increased sponsorship and partnerships with the local and wider business community assisting with the provision of financial, physical and human resources that support the enhancement of student needs and sporting programs/resources.

· Exposure to greater competitive opportunities.

Program details                                                                                                                                                                            30 students from years 4-6 will be selected into the program based on the following criteria:

* Sporting ability

* Sportsmanship qualities

* Academic results

Training will be held weekly at Cranbrook State School (or alternate location depending on programming) on Wednesdays 8:00-9:10am. Parents may be required to drop students to alternate venues with transport provided by the school bus on return to school.

If the offer is accepted, students must meet a 90% attendance rate otherwise their position will be offered to another student.

All Cranbrook State School Sports Excellence students will be required to purchase a training shirt which must be worn to training.  The cost is $30.  Suitable sneakers and a school hat is compulsory and safety equipment such as mouthguards, will be necessary on occassions.

Interested?  What’s next?                                                                                                                                                        If your child is interested in trialling for the 2022 program, they must attend trials Wednesday 16th & 23rd February from 8:00am - 9:10am.  Students are permitted to wear comfortable clothes to trial in. Please bring joggers, school hat and water bottle to trials.

Final selection notices will be given to students on Friday 25th February which will include an order form for a training shirt and payment details. Students not selected will be placed on a meritorious waiting list and when positions arise they will be invited to join.

Please Note: If your Student Resource Scheme fees have not been paid or a payment plan is not in place, your child is ineligible for the programme

For more information please contact Mrs Woods:   lmvon0@eq.edu.au

Positive Behaviour for Learning

Cranbrook State School is a NO BULLYING school!

One of the most emotive issues we face at school is around incidents of bullying (real or perceived) within the school setting.  As a school, Cranbrook is committed to ensuring incidents of unwanted attention are avoided where possible and managed appropriately if they do occur.  Determining whether a child is being bullied as opposed to when a child has been involved in a disagreement or one off incident is sometimes difficult. 

Education Queensland has engaged the services of renowned child psychologist, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg.  The link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8agOi2nSvA&list=PLgjv5epyrnQD34Il_hKJGYDU0dV7-3e3g

will take parents to a suite of resources that helps explain to parents what constitutes bullying and what may be considered reasonable and common experiences of everyday life.

Each week, every class will discuss one of the key components of our PBL code: 

Safe - Responsible - Respectful

Administration

School and P & C Payments

Qkr! is our preferred method of payment for all school and P&C payments.  The free app can be downloaded to your mobile phone for quick and convenient card payments at anytime!

Here are the different ways we accept payments:

Bank Transfer Payments to Cranbrook State School:

• Account Name: Cranbrook State School,
• BSB: 064-823    Account Number: 00090674    
• Reference: Student's Name.

Bank Transfer Payments to Cranbrook Outside Hours Care:

• Account Name: Cranbrook SS After Hours Care
• BSB: 064 823     Account Number: 00914493     
• Reference: Student's Name.

Permission Notes

Permission notes will be delivered via:

• SOBS - Our school online booking system; and/or
• Physical Notes

Physical notes may be returned to the office via the return slots, located outside of the office.  There are two  return slots:

1. Permission Notes (any notes without money)
2. Money & Permission Notes (notes with cash enclosed)

Contact Details

Please ensure that the school has your most up to date contact details on our records.  

This is especially important where a student has living arrangements in separate residences with their parents/guardians.  

Please email Nellie Millett on nmill140@eq.edu.au to update/correct our records.  Please include the following information:

• First Contact (parent/guardian) - address, email and phone numbers
• Second Contact (parent/guardian) - address, email and phone numbers
• The child's primary residential address (please note the system will only allow one).

Please note: if you do not provide details for both parents and you are separated, the system will show that you both reside in the same address with the student on a full time arrangement.

Contagious Conditions

The ‘Time Out’ poster from Queensland Health outlines the contagious conditions that school communities should be aware of. It includes the ‘Exclusion of Case’ for each condition and the ‘Exclusion of Contacts’ information relevant to members of the community, both staff and students. Queensland Health alerts confirmed contagious conditions with us and provides the relevant information to be shared with our community. However, we also encourage families to advise us of any contagious condition so that we can take the appropriate action. The Time Out poster is available to view and download from our website.

Over the Counter Medications

The Department recognises that all medications, including over-the-counter (OTC) medications, e.g. paracetamol or alternative medicines, may be drugs or poisons and may cause side effects. As such, schools are required to receive medical authorisation from a prescribing health practitioner (e.g. doctor, dentist, optometrist, but not a pharmacist) to administer any medication to students, including those bought over-the-counter.

Whilst parents may administer OTC medications to their child without medical authorisation, they are aware of the child’s complete medical history, and are able to provide ongoing, direct supervision for the course of the child’s illness. Due to these circumstances, a parent is also more likely to recognise if their child is having adverse effects and requires immediate medical attention.

The student’s prescribing health practitioner also has the knowledge of the child’s medical history to determine the appropriate OTC medication to administer and is therefore able to determine dosage and provide advice regarding potential side effects or interactions with other medications.

For these reasons, OTC medications will only be administered to students at school if medical authorisation has been received.

School Staff Car Park

Parents are reminded that the school staff car park, is not a safe place for children to be delivered or collected from school. Parents who have students with disabilities have been given permits to drop off their students at the cul-de-sac.

Uniforms

School Uniforms must be purchased from the P & C Uniform Shop, located at the back of the Hall, near the Staff Car Park.  Fittings are by appointment only.

2022 Student Stationery & Resource Scheme

Thank you to those parents who have made a decision regarding the Student Resource and Stationery Scheme (SRSS) for 2022.

For those parents who have decided to participate in 2022 by signing the SRSS form and making the $120 payment (10% discount is given if paid by the close of business on Sunday, 6 February -  10% discount is also given for 2^nd and subsequent students), congratulations to you, as you have already fulfilled your parental responsibility to provide the required resources for your child’s education. Our school will ensure they have all the required equipment for the year.

For those parents who have decided to opt out of the scheme AND have returned the Participation Form informing us of that, congratulations to you, as you have taken the first step and you now only need to source the listed resources. Please ensure when you are purchasing the consumable and non-consumable items to clearly mark your child’s name on their belongings as these will be needed every year. For any items that are missing we will contact you on the first day to ensure you can source these before the next day of school so your child can have access to all the resources they require. Your teachers will no doubt be in regular contact throughout the year so you can supply further resources when your child uses the current resources or loses them. If parents don’t supply the consumable items in a timely manner the school will provide your child with the resources and invoice parents the appropriate retail price as listed in our School Resource and Stationery Scheme documentation.

For those parents who forget to opt in or out of the School Resource and Stationery Scheme by completing a Participation Form AND/OR have forgotten to pay the SRSS Fees of $120 will be contacted shortly to make the appropriate arrangements, so that your child can access the classroom with their peers with the required resources for learning.

Communication

Without doubt, the greatest issue I face as a school principal (and parent) is around communication and its impact on all facets of education.  Whether it be a teacher’s (or parent’s) ability to communicate with a child, my own ability to communicate with staff, or even the school’s overall ability to communicate with the wider community – communication is such an important factor in my daily existence.

Constantly we are reminded that communication is a two way street. I take this opportunity to encourage all members of the school community to take an active role in communicating. Our teachers appreciate any correspondence that assists them in working with children and families to maximise their learning experience at school.  Out of school successes, student stresses and medical issues are all factors that impact on a child’s learning and should be communicated.   When we all work together and open communication channels, we can achieve even greater things for our kids. 

It is important that family contacts are up to date.  Please contact our office as soon as possible to update your information.

During the course of the school year, situations may arise that require parents/ care givers to contact staff. It is recommended that parents should first contact the staff member closest to the source of the question.  i.e. - your child’s teacher is the most appropriate person to speak to regarding a question about his/her school progress, classroom behaviour and educational program.

You can either leave a message for the relevant staff member to contact you for a phone discussion or make an appointment so a time can be scheduled for a meeting.  Email addresses for all staff are available from the school or the website.

Please be aware that teachers cannot leave their classes during class time for an impromptu discussion with you. Teaching begins at 8.50am so after this time teachers are NOT available for discussions or messages.

How we communicate with you

Good communication is very important and it is important for parents to be aware of the types of communications we have in place.

Cranbrook uses a variety of methods to communicate with parents and our school community.

1. NEWSLETTERS – A weekly electronic newsletter is published on Fridays. The e-newsletter is emailed to all parents and staff.  It is also published available to download from the website and the facebook page.  Newsletters are also available to view from the Schoolzine App.  If you are not receiving our newsletters you are welcome to subscribe at any time or email lross160@eq.edu.au to request to add your email.  We encourage all of our families to ensure they are receiving and reading the weekly newsletter. 
2. WEBSITE - Our website provides current information about our school and procedures.  Families are also access the school calendar, newsletter and also download many forms and documents.  
3. FACEBOOK - Regular posts regarding important and urgent news, reminders, school events, student achievements and daily activities are published to keep our school community informed and engaged.  Like our facebook page to receive our regular updates. https://www.facebook.com/CranbrookStateSchool 
4. SCHOOLZINE APP - The schoolzine app is an easy to use mobile phone application  that allows parents and carers to have access to school news at their fingertips at any time, including receiving the newsletter, newsflashes and the school calendar.
5. NEWSFLASHES - A brief message or reminder sent via email and available via the schoolzine app for urgent and quick reminders.  
6. SCHOOL CALENDAR - Every effort is made to update our school calendar with events prior to them occurring.  The school calendar is available to view directly from our website, the newsletter or the Schoolzine App.  
7. LETTERS – Letters will go home in the form of emails and/or physical notes when special excursions and events are being planned or when parents need to be advised of something important that cannot wait for the weekly newsletter.  We also use our School Online Booking System (SOBS) to request permission for your child to participate in various school activities or events.  
8. ALICE STREET SIGN BOARD – Our sign board is very visible on Alice Street. This sign is updated weekly and will remind families of forthcoming events.
9. MEET THE CLASS TEACHER – At the beginning of each year parents are invited to attend meetings to communicate the goals and procedures for each school year. 
10. PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEW OPTIONS – While our teachers are happy to communicate with parents at any time about student progress, the most popular times are at the end of each term or semester. The teacher will inform you about how your children are progressing and what they need to do to get the best results.
11. SCHOOL PARADES – School parades are held weekly, alternating between senior and junior parades during the term.  A full school parade is held at the start of the term and at the end of the term.  Parents are most welcome to attend Parade held each Thursday at 2:30pm.

Download Our School Communication App

A direct and free communication channel to parents

SZapp is a mobile app that’s free for parents to download. SZapp allows our school to send free push notifications to our families and school community at any time.

Everything at your fingertips

The App features:  Events, News, School E-Newsletters, School Calendar, Forms and Documents and push notification alerts (Newsflashes) direct from the school.

All of our school's important information is collated in the one place and notifications are sent to our families and school community your mobile device so you can receive instant updates.

INSTALLING SZapp

1. On your device, open the App Store
2. Search the App Store for SZapp
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School Procedures

Morning Procedures

When children arrive at school in the morning, we ask that they come to the large covered area in front of the tuckshop.  This area is supervised by staff.  Parents of Prep children are also asked to bring their children to this area rather than taking them to the classroom for this term.  Students and parents are asked to sit and wait.  Breakfast Club is available from 8.00am.  The 8.30am bell is for ALL students to line up in class lines ready for teacher collection. Teachers will come to the covered area and walk their students to their classroom between 8.30 and 8.40am to start classes at 8.50am.

Students should be here ready to prepare for the days learning by 8.30am.

Prep Parents and Students

Drop off to Prep playground area after 8:00am each morning.

Prep students can be collected at 3pm from the covered walkway, outside the Prep playground.  Please do not come in to the playground area, as this distracts the children from their learning of curriculum, routines and fostering of independence.  

The prep playground is out of bounds for all students after school.

Late Arrivals

All children arriving after 8.50am are asked to report to the office.  Students should be accompanied by parents or a note SHOULD be provided to staff to explain the lateness.

Play Areas

ALL play areas are out of bounds before and after school as there is no adult supervision.  This also includes the Prep Playground.  Prep students will be able to access supervised play from 8.00am.

Supervised Crossings

Three supervised crossings operate near our school to provide safety for students when leaving the school grounds in the afternoon.  The crossings are on Ross River Road, Bergin Road and Albert Street.  These crossings operate before school from 8am to 9am and after school from 2:30pm to 3:20pm.

Head Lice

If there is a case of Head Lice in your child’s classroom, a note will be sent home asking you to check their hair and treat, if necessary.  It is imperative that you use a nit comb as the treatment solution alone will not work and check again in seven days.  Please return the note to your child’s class teacher as soon as possible.

After school procedures

Students riding or walking home after school should promptly leave the school grounds by no later than 3:10pm.

No children (school age or not) are allowed on the playground equipment (including the prep area and the prep adventure playground) after 3:00pm. This direction is for safety reasons as there is no staff supervision after this time and they are not being supervised by parents.  

Lunches - Cold Room Storage

The Cranbrook P&C installed a new cold room at the end of 2016 and have given our school the privilege of using the cold room to store student lunches in the warmer months of the year. This service will allow parents to broaden what they pack for their children’s’ lunches as the heat should not spoil perishable foods. The procedure is as follows:

• Large lunch tubs will be available for students and parents at the ends of the large under covered areas, labelled with their classes.
• Upon arrival, students should place their lunches in the tubs if they would like their lunches to be placed in cold storage.
• At 8.50am tubs will be placed in the cold room. There is NO access to the cold room for students who arrive late.
• Tubs will be taken out of the cold room during 1^st break playtime and placed back at the ends of the large under covered areas for students to collect at the beginning of eating time.
• Students nominated by the classroom teacher will collect the tubs and take them to the eating area.
• The empty tubs are returned to the cold room by the same students at the conclusion of eating time and students take their lunch boxes to their classroom/port racks. 
  

Healthy  Snack

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club has begun!  

The club provides breakfast to our students in all educational sectors. They aim to assist disadvantaged children and young people to get a good start to the school day by providing them with the opportunity to share a nutritious meal in a supervised environment before school, on the school premises. Breakfast programs enhance the health and wellbeing of children and young people. They contribute to the nutritional needs of children, help improve attendance, assist in improving engagement and have a positive impact on the capacity of children and young people to learn.

Breakfast programs increase social connection and improve engagement with school by providing an opportunity for children, young people and their families to build informal relationships with key school personnel and with each other.  Breakfast programs can also be a vehicle for teaching social skills and provide a means by which students can share and assume varied responsibilities. Breakfast will be available to all students in the Undercover Area from 8.00am to 8.30am.

Breakfast Club Menu:

• Toast and toasties
• Fruit Cups and fruit
• Weetbix

Donations such as: 

• Tinned Spaghetti
• Cheese
• Spreads (jam, vegemite etc)

are most welcomed.

Homework Club

Home Work Club runs weekly from Monday to Thursday (3.05pm to 4.00pm) and will commence on Monday 21st February.   

The purpose of the Homework Club is to assist students in completing homework set by the school by providing a staff member to assist students. The Homework Club is held in the Senior Lab in the Resource Centre to allow students’ access to ICT in case this is a requirement of any assignment work. Every child and parent is required to sign a permission and agreement form before attending.  Afternoon Tea is available to students as part of the service we provide.

School Bus Service

Cranbrook State School operates its own private bus service for use by students travelling to and from school and for other school related activities, including excursions.

The collection of students will be from their residence or other parent allocated collection point.

The Cranbrook State School Bus Application Form is available on the website.

Phone Amanda - 0477 703 598 to make your bookings or to clarify any questions you may have.

Sports Pride Fridays

P&C Update

The next P&C Meeting will be held this coming Wednesday, 9 February, in the Uniform Shop at 6.30pm.  All welcome!

Community News

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information printed in this issue is up to date and correct at the time of publication.