Cranbrook Newsletter - 2023 Term 2 Week 8

Principal's Message

Welcome to our Week 8 newsletter!  It's been a quiet week around here with the majority of our 4s, 5s and 6s on camp!  

Lunches

Firstly a reminder that students are not allowed to bring metal cutlery to school.  Please send along disposable or reuseable plastic options. 

Can your child open the packet?  Please ensure if you are giving your child pre-packaged food that they can open it.  Unfortunately, staff on duty may not have time to open the packaging for all students.

EVERY DAY COUNTS… Frequently asked questions

Do I need to let the school know if my child has been away?
Yes – Parents must let the school know the reason for the absence, if not beforehand, then within two days of their child’s return to school.
Can I take my child out of school for family or social occasions?
No – you should arrange leisure activities, visits to family and friends and shopping trips outside of school hours.
Does the occasional day away from school really affect my child’s education?
Yes – Research shows that in Queensland, higher student attendance is associated, on average, with higher student achievement.
What should I do if my child refuses to go to school?
Contact the school as soon as possible for advice and support.

Early Collection of Students

If you have an appointment or need to collect your student/s early, please send a note for the classroom teacher so the student/s can be sent to the office at the appropriate time.  Please also remember that only adults listed as emergency contacts on the applicable student profile, are able to collect them.

Emergency Contacts

Please ensure the school has up to date information regarding emergency contacts so that you can be reached if an illness or accident should occur.

Lost Property

Our lost property collection is growing.  Please check our lost property box to claim any of your children's missing belongings.

Reporting

Report Cards will be distributed on Friday, 21st July and no parent teacher interviews will be offered as part of this process. However you are reminded that you can request a meeting with your child’s teacher any day about any concern that you have.  The teachers' email addresses are also included in the report cards and via the link below, for you to contact them electronically if this is preferred.

Today is School Cleaners Day.  If you see one of our cleaners around our school, please stop and say thanks - they work hard and keep our school buildings, classrooms, toilets and grounds clean and tidy!

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.

Cranbrook is a UNIFORM SCHOOL

As the cool weather approaches the Cranbrook P&C have reinforced that Cranbrook State School is a UNIFORM school. This includes the winter uniform of jumpers and jackets and if purchased now will maximise the use and provide value for money.

The Cranbrook P&C were very conscious as to not ask the school to enforce the winter uniform policy when the jacket was only available due to the higher cost. However, they have now had the economical fleece jumper option available for two years and as such, have now moved to have these requirements enforced.

Over the next fortnight:

• Students will receive paper notes to take home to parents reminding them of the school’s uniform expectation.
• Parents will receive emails notifying them of the Cranbrook Sate School’s winter uniform policy.
• Parents will be contacted by phone by their Year Level Principal (Amanda Allender – Prep, Yr 2, Yr 4 & Yr 6 & JeffCapell – Yr 1, Yr 3 & Yr 5) to discuss the uniform expectations.

Thank you to those parents who have been able to ensure their child represents the school with pride by wearing the school’s Winter Uniform Policy.

The Uniform Shop is open each morning from 8-9am and payment may be made by cash or card.  Alternatively, you can order via the P&C’s Big Commerce website and the purchase will be delivered to your child's classroom. 

The school jacket is $45.  The school jumper is $30.

The website is:  https://cranbrook-state-school-pc-association.mybigcommerce.com/  

Cranbrook jumpers/jackets

Cranbrook jumpers and jackets are a part of our compulsory uniform! Not only are they necessary for the cooler weather, they are also handy to have in the airconditioned classrooms - no matter what time of the year.  Our P&C have worked hard to be able to offer you two lovely, good quality and practical options.

The jacket is light, windproof and spray proof, has two zipped hand pockets and is lined with soft knit material, making it ideal for wearing at any time. The cost is $45.

The fleece pullover also has two zipped hand pockets and a zip near the neck, allowing the child to protect their neck in the cold but gives the option of having some extra air if it's getting a bit warm. This is our more economical option at $30.

A big well done to our Winter Uniform Snappy Winner for Week 7, Peyton and our Week 8 winner, Cooper!

Thanks for being responsible and respectful Cranbrook learners and having the appropriate winter uniform! 

Each day across the colder months and until the end of Term 3, students with their Cranbrook jumper/jacket are awarded a snap.  Snaps are collated and one winner is drawn out every week on parade.  The recipient receives a $5 voucher to spend at the Tuckshop.

Thank you to all the families who support us in ensuring their children are responsible and respectful Cranbrook Learners.

Positive Behaviour for Learning

A big congratulations to our weekly PBL snappy winners:

Joshua  and Mackenzie

Thanks for being safe, responsible and respectable students.

In Week 7, our PBL lesson was about being respectable.  Our statement was 'I include everyone'.         In Week 8, we focused on being responsible and how to actually accept responsibility.

Here are the flyers with some handy hints to chat about at home.

Coming up in Week 9, we'll focus on being respectful and respecting others' privacy and property and in Week 8, we'll focus on being responsible and being resilient.  

Around the school

It's very exciting to see the progress of our watermelons!  We have at least 7 growing.  Thanks Environmental Club champions!

In Prep our students have been discovering Science and learning about what things are made of and what materials can weather the weather!  Students were challenged to hang items that would be able to tolerate wind and water.  How do you think they went.....?

Year 6 families.....save the date for this term's Culminating Activity (All about Queensland) to be held on Wednesday 21 June, from 2-3pm.

This term Year 6s have been studying significant events in Australia’s history with a particular focus on bush poetry, federation, government, and significant people like Eddie Mabo who have made an impact on our society.  As part of the science curriculum the students have studied natural disasters, in particular disasters that have impacted Australia over time.  The students have visited the Townsville City Council, Local Disaster Coordination Centre, been visited by a bush poet (parent Ben Freedman) and will participate in a live virtual lesson with educators at Parliament House in Canberra.  They even attempted to ride a hoverboard as inspiration for their own innovation on Mulga Bill’s Bicycle by Banjo Paterson.

The students will be on camp on the actual QLD day, 6^th June, so we will celebrate QLD and Australia and it’s colourful history as our culminating event, in Week 9. Students are currently working out a catering plan as part of their maths assessment to provide food and drinks for parents and guests.  

We hope you can come along to celebrate all of this learning, try some damper and cordial, listen to our bush poetry and see some whip cracking – this has become an annual celebration at Cranbrook SS! 

See you there!

On Thursday, we were privileged to have Senator the Hon Sarah Henderson, Shadow Minister for Education and Senator for Victoria, visit our school and take an interest in what we do and see for herself all the wonderful things she has heard. 

From The Arts

Cranbrook Creates is here!!!! 

This Monday 12 June, in the hall, beginning at 6.30pm.  

The groups that will be involved are:   Prep students, Piccolo Chorus, Songbird Chorus, Nightingale Chorus, Recorder Group, Ukulele Group, Junior Woodwind and Brass, Senior Band, String Orchestra, Chamber Strings, Selected Drama Performances, Selected Piano Performances.

There are some individual and small group performances also.  Your child should have received an information note if they are involved.  Please check with your child and the information in the links below.

Drinks and snacks will be available from 5.45pm.  Tickets are $5 per family and $2 for an individual.

We're looking forward to showcasing just what we've been able to achieve so far this year!  Come and join us.

CONGRATULATIONS to Arts Class of the Week for Week 7.......5B!  

CONGRATULATIONS to Arts Class of the Week for Week 8.....2A!

Look at the FANTASTIC work students from our 2/3 class are creating!  As part of their visual arts assessment, students must design a landscape piece that has attention to colour - patterns - lines.  

......and how's this piece of incredible artwork from Year 6 student, Fabian?!!  Visual Arts have been working on creating an animal sculpture of paper mache and sound objects.  Very clever.

Look what's coming to Cranbrook!!!

Don't miss the opportunity for your child to experience this amazing performance.

Sports News

Round two of Interschool Sport gets underway for us in Week 9.  Games are played between 12 - 2.15pm at various locations.  As we have information about the games, we'll endeavour to share it with you.

Rugby Union - sadly, we were not able to nominate a team.  Parents have been emailed and offered either Touch or Soccer.

Touch Football - games are played at Greenwood Park on Thuringowa Drive.

Soccer - is played at Paradise Park (formly Brolga Park) within the Murray Sporting Complex on William Angliss Drive.  Boys Division 1 (year 5) will play at 12.30pm.  Boys Division 2 (year 6) will also play at 12.30pm.  Girls Division 1 will play at 1.15pm.

All students must wear their full school uniform, including school hat and bring a waterbottle.  

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Our Athletics Carnvial will be held on the last day of school - Friday 23 June.  Keep an eye out for more details to come in a dedicated email soon.

What we can confirm is the P&C Sausage Sizzle!  Have the morning off from making lunches and support the group that supports your school.  Please note:  the tuckshop will NOT be open this day.

From the Resource Centre

Class Borrowing Days

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

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

The Premier's Reading Challenge is here!  

The Premiers Reading Challenge is not a competition, but a way to encourage students to develop a love of reading for life.  Students are encouraged to select a range of fiction and non-fiction books suited to their reading ability and record books read during the reading period,  8 May - 25 August. 

To complete the challenge:

* Prep to Year 2 must read or experience at least 20 books                                                                                      * Years 3 and 4 must read at least 20 books                                                                                                                    * Years 5 and 6 must read at least 15 books

To acknowledge students' great efforts in completing the challenge, a certificate signed by the Premier, will be awarded.

Forms to record the books read have been sent home to all Prep and Year 1 students.  Interested students in other grades are encouraged to get a form from their teacher to participate.  Alternatively, please find the record form attached below.  Please note, a completed consent form must be attached to the record form and returned to school.

Maybe the whole family can join in the challenge! Happy reading!  

Here are some interesting non-fiction books that are new to our library....

P&C News

The Tuckshop has a fabulous new service for us.  Birthday celebrations anyone???

The new Tuckshop Menu is out!  Please also remember to double check that it is your child's 2023 class that is listed on the Qkr! app.  Many thanks!

Don't forget to come and see us at the Athletics Carnvial!  Please note:  the tuckshop will be CLOSED on Athletics Day - Friday, 23 June.

School holidays are just around the corner and our OSHC has an AMAZING Vacation Care program planned!  Call now to book your spots!

Please note:  the excursions for 26/27 June are already full.

WE ARE HIRING!  Interested in joining our amazing team?

Our Picture Plate Fundraiser is back!

An always popular, easy and special fundraising idea that YOU benefit from and so do we!  These plates make a beautiful keepsafe or gift.  Maybe you could start on your Christmas list now.

Spotlight on:

Our SEP team! 

Students experience inclusive education when they can access and fully participate in learning, alongside their similar-aged peers, supported by reasonable adjustments and teaching strategies tailored to meet their individual needs. Inclusion is embedded in all aspects of school life, and is supported by culture, policies and every day practices.

The Department of Education's commitment means that children and young people across Queensland, from all social, cultural, community and family backgrounds, and of all identities and all abilities are able to:

• attend their local state school or education centre and be welcomed
• access and participate in a high-quality education and fully engage in the curriculum along-side their similar-aged peers
• learn in a safe and supportive environment, free from bullying, discrimination or harassment
• achieve academically and socially with reasonable adjustments and supports tailored to meet their learning needs

Special Education Program (SEP) supports inclusion and plays a significant role in helping classroom teachers make reasonable adjustments for students with a disability.  The Head of Special Education Services (HOSES) and SEP teachers provide advice on how to make reasonable adjustments and co-teach or work with the cohort teams to develop strategies to enable students with a disability to engage and participate in education and school activities.  Some students with a disability may need more focused and intensive teaching in small groups to access parts of the curriculum.  This may need to occur as a reasonable adjustment for part of the school day.  Making this reasonable adjustment, when necessary, to enable the student to learn, is an important part of inclusive education and achieving equity and excellence.  

Let's meet our teacher team.....

Heading up the group with the title Head of Special Education Services is Kaye Buchan. In her leadership role, Kaye promotes the inclusive culture and practices within the school community for students with a disability. Her teaching caseload includes supporting our Prep students.  Kaye has the best of both worlds living at Saunders Beach and spending her holidays on her farm in the South Burnett.  Her career in education has spanned 43 years, the majority of which has been in special education and still finds joy in each and every day with her students.

Supporting our Year 1s and 2s is Melissa Stepanov.  Mel LOVES seafood and LOVES curries!  Her favourite holiday destination is Melbourne.  Teaching in the classroom for 8 years now, this has been Mel's first year in SEP and has just loved seeing her students making progress - it makes her days very rewarding.

Supporting all of our Year 3s as well as students in both composite classes, is Kari Martyr.  Kari has been teaching for 23 years - 15 in the classroom and 8 years in SEP.  Cranbrook is the school I have spent the longest time at....it's my 9th year this year!  Kari's favourite food is Mango Weiss Bars and cheese platters.  Her dream holiday destination is Paris but out of the places she has been too,  Freemantle, WA or Airlie Beach, Qld would have to be the favourites. Kari loves working with the students and particularly when they have a light bulb moment and grasp a new concept for the first time. She also loves seeing the students regulate their own behaviour by adapting the 'Zones of Regulation' and their personal tool boxes.  Kari finds it very rewarding to be a SEP teacher.

Supporting our 4s is Jenny Gordon.   Jenny has been a classroom teacher for 25 years and took the step into SEP last year.  Supporting students to become life-long learners is her passion.  Jenny loves Italian food and escapes up to Mission Beach whenever she gets the chance.

Supporting our students in Years 5 & 6 is Teresa Garnett.  Teresa comes with loads of teaching experience - this is her 20th year of being a teacher and has just this term joined our SEP team.  Give Teresa a taco and a trip to London any day and she's a happy girl!  Within her job, she gets really excited to support students by giving them a simplified strategy which then results in them being 'successful' and solving problems.  

Working alongside our amazing teachers, is our equally amazing teacher aides.  They are Kristine, Maddi, Annelise, Sami, Holly, Kelli and Stacey.   

For further information from Education Queensland, please click on the following links:

Sports Pride Fridays

Community News

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.