Cranbrook Newsletter - 2023 Term 1 Week 6

Principal's Message

Good afternoon everyone.

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.

Engaged Successful Learners

During 2023, we have had a significant focus on ensuring our learners are successful. What this looks like this year is: 

* Our high achieving students will be offered extension and enrichment activities either through our Extra or Co-curricular programs and/or additional learning opportunities through our Global Tropics partnership with James Cook University, our school based enrichment program run by Mrs Teresa Garnett or an individual enrichment program coordinator by Cohort Leaders/Classroom Teachers. 

* The Digital Pedagogy and Learning Improvement Team, means our teachers will be focusing on the quality of teaching and learning using the digital space for 100% of our students to improve students outcomes and engagement. 

* The Student Monitoring of Learning Team will continue the great work Cranbrook has already achieved in this area to support students in being able to monitor their learning success at a lesson and unit level. 100% of our students are using our Student Monitoring Checklists during lessons (Yes – even the Preps) to help the be engaged successful learners. 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Jeff Capell - Principal

Coming up....

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.   

Positive Behaviour for Learning

Here is our Term 1 PBL focus outline............

Over the past two weeks, we have learnt how to be Respectful and encourage and support others as well as how to be Responsible and be determined to improve.  Have a chat at home - you may find these tips helpful.

Our Snappy Winner for Week 5 was Barry!

(Our winner for Week 6 does not have media permission)

Next week (Week 7), our PBL lesson will be focused on Respect. 

We will be learning how to include everyone. 

In Week 8, we'll be looking at how to be Responsible and accept responsibility.

Week 5 Snappy Fun

Congratulations to all our amazing students who have shown us that they can be safe, responsible and respectful.  Those students who earned 15 classroom snaps, had some Friday afternoon fun last week!  

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Year 1 is so much fun!

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.....and so is learning in Year 2!

Take a look at this......

This term in Science 2A have been exploring the different properties of materials and what they can use them for!  They have been using the Learning Journey to help them with their ideas.

Meet Year 2 student, Samuel, who was given a 'Principal's Award' for improving his behaviour and always striving to be a Cranbrook Learner!  Well done Samuel - it's great to see!

Year 6 Excursion

Over the last three days, our Year 6 students have had the opportunity to visit Ingham to create a promotional video of the area as part of their English and Media Arts assessment.  Thanks Mr Ted for getting us there safely and thanks teachers for your engagement.  A huge thank you to the community members and businesses we had contact with in Ingham.  You were all so obliging and patient with us!  We really did have fun!

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Year 4/5/6 students......don't forget that your camp form and deposit was due today.  Please bring it in to the office FIRST THING on Monday morning, if you have forgotten.  Deposits can be made via the Qkr! app.

Year 5 students......your excursion form and money are due next Friday, 10 March.  Don't forget!

Year 5 & 6 families......don't forget to join our Facebook page to stay up to date with all that's happening for us.  Search 'Year 5 & 6 @ Cranbrook SS' and enter your child's name to join us.

NAPLAN 2023

Year Three and Five students have been taking part in familiarisation sessions in preparation for NAPLAN which will take place on Wednesday the 15^th and Thursday the 16^th March for all tests- writing, reading, conventions of language and numeracy . Students who are absent for these days will have an opportunity to complete make-up tests in the days following. Parents who wish to withdraw their students from participating in NAPLAN must notify the principal in writing prior.

From the Resource Centre

Class Borrowing Days

For students in Prep / Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3…..you must have a library bag to protect your books.

It is very important that books are returned every week. 

Students are not allowed to borrow more books until any outstanding ones are returned.

Students in Prep, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 borrow 2 Home Readers and 1 'Read for Pleasure' book.

Students in Years 4, 5 and 6 can borrow 2 books.

Please return your child’s home reader and library books on the following days:

The Arts Space

The Arts Class of the Week for Week 5 was......6B!  Congratulations 6B on being engaged and on task, having quick transitions and excellent singing in canon with a melodic ostinato!  

The beautiful Prep C were awarded Class of the Week for Week 6, for walking in straight, quiet lines with their bubbles in.....for singing 'SeeSaw' with their singing voices.....trying hard in ALL activities!  Well done Prep C students.

Have you seen our mini Art Gallery in the office foyer?  We are so proud of our students and the amazing work they produce!

Congratulations to students who have been awarded lead parts in our 2023 Musical, Mystery at Magpie Manor.  Please check when your rehearsal time is and make sure you continue to practise at home aswell.  

Sports News

Our 2023 Swim Team has been finalised, however, there is still 7 students who have not returned their permission note.  WE MUST HAVE THIS ON MONDAY.  No permission - no go, which will be a shame for both you and our team.  We will be competing in the 'C' Schools Carnival this coming Tuesday morning at Long Tan Pool.  All the very best, team Cranbrook!

Season 1 of Sport is being organised and forms have been sent home for students in Years 5 & 6 who have expressed their interest in participating.  Sports on offer this season are Hockey, Netball and Rugby League.  Please return your form and your $30 payment by Thursday 9 March.  The first round will be played on Thursday, 20 April. 

Congratulations to Class of the Week 4B for Week 5.  This class had great listening and excellent cricket skills during PE.  (Apologies we didn't get a photo this week)

P&C news

Our AGM is set for Wednesday 15 March at 6pm.

The P&C group at Cranbrook is not about having to do a job.  It's about coming together with a bunch of friendly people, to enjoy chatting and working together and giving your feedback to the Principal, to make Cranbrook an even better community.  Participating in events becomes fun, when you do it alongside others and achieving some great resources for the school, will give you a wonderful sense of achievement.  Projects we have been able to complete are:  the school bus, the covered area at the front, various playgrounds and numerous other little enhancements.  Don't be shy - come along and just see what it's about.  

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All positions and memberships are vacated at the AGM.  

New memberships will be accepted.  Please forward a completed membership form below, to pandc@cranbrookss.eq.edu.au or drop into the office before the meeting.  The AGM is the only meeting that you are able to submit a membership form and it be accepted in your absence.  

Nominations for executive positions are welcomed.  Nominations can be in writing (on the membership form) or from the floor on the night.  You can nominate yourself or someone else can nominate you.  If you are nominated, you will be asked if you accept the nomination prior to be elected in.

You do not have to be an Executive - you can choose to be a General Member.

Positions that will be vacant:

• President:  Responsible for ensuring compliance in relation to legislation and regulations, works in conjunction with the Operations Manager and other staff.  Chairs the meetings.
• Vice-President:  Support for the President and responsible for all President duties in absence or in conjunction with the President.
• Secretary:  Responsible for all administrative work of the P&C in conjunction with the Operations Manager including agendas, minutes and correspondence.
• Treasurer:  Responsible for the financial viability, budgeting, accounting and compliance of the P&C Association in conjunction with the Operations Manager.

All Executives are the Approved Providers for OSHC and are the P&C Employers.   All are responsible for the compliance and operation of the P&C Association.  Although no experience or qualifications (except a current Blue Card) are required, some knowledge of P&C operations, legislation and financial management would be beneficial.

The Executive Committee work in conjunction with Bridget Bambrick - P&C Operations Manager, who oversees the management of the P&C Association.  If you would like more information regarding duties and responsibilities of roles or the process at the AGM, please feel free to contact Bridget on 0457 869 194 or pandcoperations@cranbrookss.eq.edu.au or email the current executives on pandc@cranbrookss.eq.edu.au

Our dedicated webpage can be found at:  https://cranbrook-state-school-pc-association.mybigcommerce.com/ or via the link below.

Our After School Hours Service has had a lovely upgrade to it's building, thanks to some serious fundraising and support from our community.  OSHC can be contacted directly on 4773 4424.

Who wants to bother with making lunches on a Monday morning? 

Hot Dogs will now be Monday's Daily Special at the Tuckshop.

Treat your child this week! 

Spotlight on.....

Our Administration Team!

Yes, this is the backbone of our school community - the ladies who know everything that's going on and can solve just about any query you have!  These are the ladies that answer the hundreds of phone calls, handle the finances, put on the bandaids, hand out the notes, give out the medication, patiently remind us of our lunchtime duties and constantly have smiles on their faces.  Headed up by our amazing Business Service Manager (BSM), Deana (who we didn't manage to get a photo of!) Sallyanne, Nellie and Amanda serve us graciously every day.  

Here's a couple of things you may not have known about them.....

Deana has been working at Cranbrook for 11 years and on the weekends loves her family time and especially watching her three children play soccer.

Sallyanne has been with us for 9 years.  On the weekends, you'll find her down at soccer, spending time with her extended family, gardening or cooking.

Nellie has spent the past 15 years with Cranbrook!  Spending time with her family and especially her Grandson, is what she loves to do the most.

Amanda has clocked up nearly 13 years with us.  On the weekends you'll find her socialising with her family and friends, going to the footy and walking Castle Hill.

Thanks a bunch girls - we're glad you're here!

Look who was spotted:

Quietly slipping out the back door (nearly!) is our long time cleaner extraordinare, Marg.  

Marg has been lovingly and diligently cleaning up after us since February 1987.  Thirty-six years and one day later, Marg has finally hung up her mop and bucket and decided to retire.  But....she hasn't left us yet.  Did you know that Marg has actually been volunteering in the school in various roles since she moved from Scotland to Townsville with her young family, back in 1984?  She loves us so much that she has come back to volunteer with Lillian and make those amazing burgers on a Wednesday in the Tuckshop.  

She's marvellous Marg and we thank her immensly for her love and dedication to us and wish her all the very best for her retirement and her time enjoying her gardening!  

Sports Pride Fridays

Community News

Saver Plus – helping take the stress out of back to school time
The Saver Plus community program has helped over 55,000 Australians take the stress out of back to school time. It’s free for eligible people to join.

At Saver Plus, we pair you with a savings coach while you budget and save over the next 10 months. You attend online workshops to learn tips, tricks and information to grow your budgeting and savings skills. Once you reach your agreed savings goal, ANZ matches your savings dollar-for-dollar, up to $500. You can use that money towards education costs such as uniforms, text books, laptops or extra-curricular activities such as sport or music.

You could be eligible to join Saver Plus if you:

• have a Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card
• are at least 18 years old
• have some regular income from work (you or your partner) including casual, part-time, full‑time or seasonal (we also accept child support and carer’s payment as income)
• have a child at school or attend vocational education yourself.

If you’re eligible, start now and we’ll help take the stress out of next year’s back to school.

To find out more, or to apply, go to www.saverplus.org.au or call  1300 610 355.

𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬! Know about a business that is passionate about The Arts and giving back to the local community? We want to hear from you!We are seeking a local business to provide sponsorship for our 2023 production of The Addams Family. This opportunity provides your business naming rights and to be featured on a range of promotional materials such as our musical shirts, banners, posters, and programs.Think you can help us out? Contact Deputy Principal, Dave Ackers – dacke3@eq.edu.auSupport Local Townsville #supportlocaltownsville #townsvilleshines

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this issue of our newsletter at the time of publication. 

For all enquiries please contact our School Office on 4726 1222.