newsletter-2015-april-24 - Eatons Hill State School

NEWSLETTER
24 April 2015
Date claimers
27 April
North District Cross Country (Pine Rivers Park)
st
15 May
Dance Extension Program Parent Viewing Afternoon
1 May
1 Gala Day – Yrs 4-6 Interschool Sport
18-20 May
Yr 4 Excursion to Bunyaville

18/5 4GM & 3/4T

19/5 4KM & 4FH

20/5 4F & 4W
4-8 May
Prep & Yr 1 Parent Teacher Interviews, classroom
19 May
ICAS Testing – Digital Technologies (Computer Skills) 8am
6 May
Yrs 2-6 Parent Teacher Interviews 7-8am, 3.20-6.30pm,
Hall
22 May
2nd Gala Day – Yrs 4-6 Interschool Sport
9 May
Uniting Church Fete, Choir & Band performances
28 May
Dance Eisteddfod Yrs 4, 5 & 6 Dance Extension Groups
12-14 May
NAPLAN Yrs 3 & 5
3 June
ICAS Science Test, 8am
13 May
RAW Art (2R, 2G, 2N, 2NM)
1-4 June
Yr 6 Canberra Tour
14 May
RAW Art (2WH, 2MJ, 2M)
5 June
3rd Gala Day – Yrs 4-6 Interschool Sport
15 May
NAPLAN Catchup Day
8 June
Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday
Events at our School this week – Cross Country & ANZAC Day Ceremony
Phone: 3264 9222
Email: the.principal@eatonshillss.eq.edu.au
Absence Line: 3264 9260
OSH: 3264 8500
School Website – www.eatonshillss.eq.edu.au
Newsletter 24 April 2015
Page 2 of 9
A message from our Principal…..
Term 2 Begins
Welcome back to Eatons Hill State School for the start of a
very exciting Term 2. A warm welcome is also extended to
new students and their families. It has been a busy and
productive start with lots of learning already occurring in
classrooms. I would like to congratulate our students on
the way they continue to apply themselves to all aspects
of their schooling as they endeavour to Come, Learn and
Understand.
Improvement in Reading Remains Our Priority
A reminder to parents that the teaching of
reading remains a priority for improvement
here at Eatons Hill State School. We
regularly assess and track student progress
so that we can ascertain the extent to
which our teaching programs are effective and to organize
support programs for students where necessary.
I encourage parents to speak with your child’s teacher
about their reading progress at the upcoming ParentTeacher Interviews.
I draw your attention to the following article from Sarah
Cracknell, our Master teacher highlighting the importance
of reading.
Cross Country
Under blue skies and on a dry track our Athletics Season
kicked off on Tuesday with our 2015 Cross Country. Well
done to our students who participated to the best of their
ability. Congratulations to Pegasus our champion house
and thank you to the many parents & family members
who joined us on the day to cheer on all competitors.
Thank you to Mrs Graham and Mr Bull for their
coordination of this event.
ANZAC Commemoration
Our Anzac commemoration was held today. Thank you to
our staff and students for their participation in this
important event and the acknowledgement that they gave
to those Australians who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Parent Teacher Interviews
Prep – 1: Parent teacher interviews will be held during
the week 4-8 May in classrooms. Further information will
be provided via letter shortly.
Yrs 2-6: Parent teacher interviews will be held on
Wednesday 6 May (7-8am & 3.20-6.30pm). Bookings will
be via Parent Teacher Online (PTO). Information has been
provided via letter this week.
GIVING OUR BEST IS THE EATONS HILL WAY!
COME, LEARN AND UNDERSTAND.
PHIL SAVILL, PRINCIPAL
Reading Evidence
Learning to read is the most important academic
skill children master at school. Improvement in
reading ability is the major focus for every child,
every day. Evidence gathered over the past
decade, from over 30 000 schools, highlights the
following worthwhile findings:
 A minimum of 15-30 minutes a day of
independent reading is essential.
The 'sweet spot' for independent, engaged
reading is maximised at 30 minutes. Reading
gain is still made after this point but to maximise
reading growth aim for 30 minutes every day.
 Girls outpace boys in reading.
From Year 4 onwards, girls on average read over
100 000 words more per year than boys.
Cumulatively, girls read close to a million words
more than boys by the end of high school.
In your family you can support your child in
achieving their full potential by both
encouraging boys to read and making set times
for daily reading in your home.
Sarah Cracknell
Master Teacher
From the Deputies
Mrs Sarah Ramsden (Prep & 1)  srams31@eq.edu.au
Mrs Wendy McKay (Yrs 2&3)  wmcka2@eq.edu.au
Mr Brad Geisel (Yrs 4-6)  bgeis2@eq.edu.au
ANZAC Day Ceremony
Our school commemorated ANZAC Day on Friday 24 April.
We would like to thank and make special mention of our
guest conductor Mr Kevin Edwards from Griffith
Conservatorium of Music and also Bray Park State High
Student Matthew Ashton who played the “Last Post.” We
would like to extend a huge thank you to all parents, family
and community members who attended. Congratulations
to our students who demonstrated exemplary behaviour
and attentiveness.
Eatons Hill Student Supporting “Foodbank”
One of our Year 4 students has recently been asked to
speak on behalf of “Foodbank Australia” to promote their
“School Can Drives Project” to encourage schools to
collect food cans for those most in need. Danny Blessen
Newsletter 24 April 2015
was chosen by “Foodbank Australia” after they viewed a
YouTube clip of Danny speaking about world hunger and
poverty. Congratulations to Danny and we are very proud
of you representing such a worthy cause. Further
information about “Foodbank Australia” can be found on
their website: http://www.foodbank.org.au
Preparing For Learning the Eatons Hill Way – Students
in Year 1-6
Every day and minute counts for learning and at Eatons
Hill State School our teachers maximise learning time. Our
daily lining up routines before school and after each lunch
break ensure that students quickly settle to prepare for
learning. We ask that parents support our teachers by
adhering to the follow procedures before school:
 Each year level has a gathering area where they go to
when they arrive at school:
- Years 1 & 2 – Underneath the Administration
Building & Shelter Extension
- Years 3 & 4 – Gathering Area beside Tuckshop
and Uniform Shop
- Years 5 & 6 - Senior Eating Area
 When the 8:10am bell rings, students leave their bags,
wear their hats and walk to the Oval and line up
waiting for the supervising staff member/s. Students in
iPad classes drop their bags off at Base Club.
Students arriving after 8:10am, drop their bag off to
their gathering area and walk to the oval.
 The staff member/s on duty will send students back to
their gathering areas between 8:40-8:45am. Students
are to sit in 2 lines with their class and wait for their
classroom teacher to collect them. Classes will walk
with their teachers back to their classrooms to begin
learning time promptly at 8:50am.
Even if you are waiting with your child it is important to
remind them that they must follow our morning routines.
The use of playground equipment is not permitted before
and after school.
Preparing For Learning the Eatons Hill Way – Students
in Prep
Parents and Caregivers of our Prep students prepare their
children for learning by waiting with their child in the
designated Prep waiting areas beneath the double storey
Prep building. You can help prepare your child for learning
by encouraging them to go to the toilet, have a drink and
using the waiting opportunity to read with your child. Prep
teachers will open their classroom doors at 8:45am. A
reminder that the use of playground equipment is not
permitted before and after school.
Mathletics
Our school has purchased a license for this on-line
mathematics website this year as a tool to support student
learning. Mathletics is the next generation in learning,
helping students enjoy maths and improve their results.
Mathletics covers mathematical content for students from
Prep to Year 6 and is clearly aligned with the Australian
Curriculum.
Every student in our school has been provided with a
username and password to access this site. (If your child
has forgotten his/her username & password, please
contact your child’s teacher). Students can access
Mathletics from school and from home. Mathletics is
Page 3 of 9
accessible from the following
http://www.mathletics.com.au/
or
“Mathletics.”
website
simply
address:
Google
Mathletics a fantastic tool to support learning for the
following reasons:
• Students are engaged and motivated to learn
• Easy to use
• Students have access to Mathletics 24 hours a day, 7
days a week
• Provides the perfect link between home and school,
where results flow seamlessly
Student Safety at school
At EHSS, we are committed to quality learning and
teaching in a safe and respectful environment. Our
Responsible Behaviour plan outlines our system for
facilitating positive behaviours and responding to
inappropriate and unacceptable behaviours.
Each
fortnight, an aspect of our plan will be communicated in
this newsletter. This week’s behaviour focus is being safe
around our school grounds!









When arriving at or leaving school, students must
dismount and walk their bikes and scooters when in
the school grounds.
Parents and students must stay off the road that runs
behind A block and up to the Hall. This is NOT a
walkway or bikeway.
When crossing any road, always Stop, Look and
Listen.
Stay out of gardens and trees.
Use playground equipment only when supervised by a
teacher.
Avoid all out of bounds areas.
Play fairly and follow the rules of the game.
Remain within school grounds unless permission has
been given to leave by a teacher, Deputy Principal or
Principal.
If waiting for the afternoon bus or parent pick up, wait
inside the designated areas eg. brick walled area near
flagpole or grassy area inside fence.
These expectations are communicated to students and
reinforced in a variety of contexts, including classroom
lessons, Gatherings and during active playground
supervision.
We would appreciate all parents and
caregivers supporting our plan and leading by example.
EVERY DAY COUNTS Parents are reminded of the
importance of sending children to school on every school
day unless there is a strong reason for the student to be
away, such as illness that requires exclusion from others or
bed rest. Research shows that students who have a very
good attendance record are more likely to achieve high
results. Going shopping, visiting family, staying up late,
being tired or extending school holidays are not acceptable
reasons to be away from school. Please visit the
Department of Education and Training website for more
information: www.education.qld.gov.au/everydaycounts
Curriculum Update
This semester, our curriculum focus is on aligning English
tasks to improve writing results across the school. The
alignment ensures that students in every year level are
taught a range of imaginative, informative and persuasive
Newsletter 24 April 2015
Page 4 of 9
genres, and are able to practise and build upon these as
they progress through the grades.
Year Level
Coordinators met with our Head of Curriculum and Master
Teacher at the end of Term 1 to plan assessment tasks,
refine criteria and develop lessons in preparation for Term
2. We will continue to monitor and build upon
students' success in the area of English.
Is coming to EHSS…
Tuesday May 5th & Thursday May 7th
Red Prep in the Spotlight
In English this week our class has been studying ‘The Three
Little Pigs’. We learnt how to read the sentence ‘Once upon a
time, there were three little pigs’ and then created a
fantastic picture that showed the straw, sticks and bricks that
the pigs used to build their houses.
Junior Gathering Area
8:30am-9:30am
First & Second Break
After School
Everything $2 - $6
News from the PE Dept
This activity compliments our Science unit where we have
been investigating various materials and their properties. We
have built some of our own houses from straw, sticks and
bricks to see which one is the strongest.
During Mathematics we have been investigating 3D shapes
and finding which shapes are good for building a house. We
used a variety of different 3D shapes to see which ones are
best for sliding, rolling and stacking.
Cross Country Results
Congratulations to all students who participated in our
Cross Country event on Tuesday 21st April. All participants
displayed courage and determination and an enjoyable
day was had by all. Thank you to all the staff that
contributed to making this a fantastic school event.
Particular compliments to the students who will attend
the North District Trials on Monday 27th April at Pine
Rivers Park.
Interschool Sport Term 2
The deadline for permission notes and payment was on
the last day of Term 1, Friday 27th March. Students must
bring back permission notes and pay the fee to attend.
Gala Sports dates are Friday May 1st, Friday May 22nd and
Friday June 5th.
Training has commenced for all sports excluding golf.
North District Representatives
Congratulations to Alex Shaw, Kyle Beckey and Jordan
Griffin who were chosen to represent our school for North
District Boys Hockey competition. Excellent efforts to you
all!
Congratulations also to Korey Brady who participated as a
State Representative for the 1100m Race Walking Event
last term and achieved a fantastic second place!.
Wonderful effort!
North District Details and Dates TERM 2
A reminder that students must obtain the North District
form pack from either Mara Graham (Music Room) or Dan
Bull (PE Room), pay the fee well before the trial date, sign
Newsletter 24 April 2015
Page 5 of 9
the forms and bring with them to the trial. As we receive
trial notices intermittently, students can keep a track of
which week they need to collect forms by checking the
whiteboard just inside the Indoor Sporting Complex. Each
week we will write up the forms available for collection.
Media Release
Lodging of an entry either individually, or via a school, consents
to the athlete’s name and/or image being used by either of the
organising partners, and to their name and/or image being
displayed on related websites/social media sites, or being
displayed by the official photographer.
North District Trials are for students turning 10,11 & 12.
Students turning 13 can trial for Swimming, Cross Country
and Athletics only. Parents are required to fill out forms
titled “Permission to Attend a Regional Trial”. Students
need to take these forms to the North District Trials. No
form no trial.
Objections to this must be lodged with Queensland Running in
writing before the event.
Please note the following North District trial dates:
Touch Football (12&U)Girls- Thurs 23rd April (Please note
that District Competition clashes with the EHSS Canberra
trip in Term 2)
Touch Football (12&U)Boys- Thurs 30th April (Please note
that District Competition clashes with the EHSS Canberra
trip in Term 2)
Cross Country- Monday 27th April
Softball (12&U) Girls-Tues 9th June
Rugby Union; Boys- Wed 10th June
Track & Field- Mon 27th/ Tues 28th July
Cricket (12&U) Boys and Girls- Wed 19th Aug
2015 Queensland All Schools
Championship
Saturday 9 May 2015
St Paul’s School, Bald Hills
Indemnity
It shall be the sole responsibility of the individual or their legal
guardian, coach or teacher, to decide whether they start or
continue in an event. Queensland Running, its parent body the
State Athletic Clubs Association Inc, their officials, volunteers
and/or sponsors accept no responsibility whatsoever for any
injury, accident or loss sustained by an competitor whilst
competing in or attending the Championship. Lodgement of an
entry with the appropriate entry fee acknowledges acceptance
of these conditions.
Competition Bibs
All competitors will be issued with, and be required to wear, a
printed competition bib number on the front of their person for
the duration of the event, including pre-race check in and postrace recording.
Further Information
For further information about your school’s entries please
contact:
Mara Graham, mgrah82@eq.edu.au, Sports Coordinator
For further information from Queensland Running about the
event, please contact: Anne Scott Phone: 0418 11 33 77
Email: anne@queenslandrunning.com.au
Jointly conducted by Queensland Running and Future State
Greats
Parent Information Sheet
Entries
Obtain a registration form from Mara Graham. Pay the
registration fee to the office. $5.00 students 5-9 years; $10.00
student 10-19 years.
Closing Date
Entries close with Queensland Running on Wednesday 6 May
2015. Return to Mara Graham by Friday May 1st.
Late Entries
Entries received after the closing date may incur an additional
$10.00 late entry fee. Late entries will be accepted until sixty (60)
minutes before the scheduled event starting time, when
accompanied by the late entry fee.
NOTE: Parents are requested to double check entries with
their school prior to the event. Competitors or parents who
claim to have lodged entries through their school, but who do
not appear on official entry lists, may be required to pay the late
fee and then follow this up with their school. If this is found to
be an error on the part of the organisers, then any late fee paid
will be refunded.
Flipped Class Approach – Ms Johnson
This year I will be working with a number
of students and teachers within the
school. I will be using a blog to assist in
lesson delivery. This blog can be viewed at home and
therefore learning can be reinforced at your leisure.
URL: http://ehssjadej.edublogs.org/
Please note students are welcome to post comments
and ask questions on the blog. Look for the comment
section at the end of each post. Students are invited
to attempt any lessons available on the blog.
Blogger of the Week: Allyse 5B
Family Quiz Week 1 – Ben 6LB
Top Bloggin’ Grade – Year 3
Jan Johnson, Best Practice, GEM, Great Results Team,
Project Unify jjohn366@eq.edu.au
Newsletter 24 April 2015
Page 6 of 9
MUSIC NEWS
DANCE NEWS
A reminder that the timetables for all classes are rotating
and need weekly checks for a change of time. This is to
foster educational equity and reduce subject-specific loss
of learning. Each classroom should have rosters displayed
and accessible for the students. Rosters are also found on
the school website and in the windows of the music room.
Senior Choir rehearsals are Monday mornings at 7.45am.
Junior Choir remains at first break Tuesdays at 11.10am.
The Senior String Ensemble, Senior Concert Band and
Junior Choir will be performing at the Albany Creek
Uniting Church Fete on Saturday 9th May. This is a
wonderful opportunity for our ensembles to perform for
their parents and friends. Details will be sent home to
parents and can be found on the school internet.
Instrumental Music Timetable — Semester 1, 2015
Ms Mara Graham—Instrumental Music Coordinator
mgrah82@eq.edu.au
Mr John Nagy—Woodwind jnagy1@eq.edu.au
Mr Tim Lefever—Woodwind/Brass and Percussion
tlefe1@eq.edu.au
Mr Georges Stylianou—Strings gstyl2@eq.edu.au
This year we have decided to enter our Year 4, Year 5
and Year 6 Dance Extension teams into the Brisbane
Eisteddfod, Arts In Focus, within the Primary School
Groups section. The Brisbane Eisteddfod is a very wellknown and well organised competitive event that allows
our students the opportunity to perform onstage and
also to view what is happening in primary schools
around them.
Where: Edmund Rice Performing Arts Centre, St
Laurence’s College, 82 Stephens Road, South
Brisbane, 4101.
When: Thursday 28th May. Our session has been
confirmed to start at 8.30am on Thursday 28 May.
Details will be sent home to parents and can be found
on the school internet.
Term 2 Dance Performance dates
Wednesday 11 May, First
Performance Year 3,4,5,6 DX
Break,
Lunchtime
Friday 15 May, 2-3 pm, Dance Extension Parent
Viewing Day Year 3,4,5,6 DX
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
Thursday 28 May, All Day, Brisbane Eisteddfod Year 4,
5,6 DX
7.30—
8.40am
Senior Concert
Band 7.30am in
the hall
Junior Concert
Band 7.45 am
(Commencing in
Term 3) in the
hall
Senior Strings
Ensemble
7.30am in the
Hall
Monday 15 June, First Break, Lunchtime Performance,
Year 3-4 Dance Club & Year 5-6 Dance Club
9.00—
11.00
Mr Lefever
Mr Nagy
Mr Stylianou
11.00
Mr Lefever
— 1.00 Mr Stylianou
Mr Lefever
Mr Nagy
Mr Stylianou
2.00—
3.00
Mr Lefever
Mr Nagy
Mr Stylianou
MONDAY
Mr Lefever
MADDNESS News
Welcome back to Term 2. All music, dance and drama
students are busy and into their classes. There are some
events coming up: the Uniting Church fete on 9th May,
the QYMA events with junior choir on the 20th May and
the Dance Eisteddfod on the 28th May.
We are looking for a small number of volunteers to assist
with the QYMA junior choir 20th May and the dance
Eistedffod 28th May. If you are able to assist with either
event please contact samdavidson2@bigpond.com. Our
next meeting is 19 May at 6pm in the music room. All
welcome.
Year 6 Dance Extension - Change of Weekly Lesson
After much consideration we feel that the Dance
Extension rehearsal would be much better placed on a
Friday morning from 7.45-8.45 am. This new time and
day should enable us to have our full team together, on
stage, to rehearse for the upcoming Brisbane
Eisteddfod. This timeslot will remain even on Gala
Sport Days, as there will be no clash for the students
attending sport later in the day. Could you please let us
know if this new time clashes with any other sport
training your child may be involved with?
The first Year 6 Dance Extension rehearsal will now be
held on Friday 1st May (week 2) from 7.45-8.45 am in
the Eatons Hill State School Hall, Stage End. The year
6’s also have an additional rehearsal on a Monday
Morning from 8.15-8.45 am, on stage in the Hall, as
notified in the previous Term 1 letter. This extra weekly
rehearsal begins on Monday 27th April.
We certainly appreciate how disruptive the changes
have been over the past term, but we are hoping that
we have found a solution and as always, we sincerely
appreciate your patience and support.
Newsletter 24 April 2015
Page 7 of 9
Congratulations to Jhett Calderwood!
Jhett Calderwood,
in 3I, competed in
the QLD State Dirt
Track (Motorbike)
Titles over the
Easter holidays.
Jhett placed 1st in Long Track and 2nd in Dirt Track (2
different styles of race tracks) on his 85cc 4 stroke
motorbike. Jhett also placed 4th in QLD in Long Track on
his 65cc 2 stroke motorbike. As Jhett competed in the 7-10
age group, he was competing against older and more
experienced boys.
Eatons Hill State School is very excited and extremely
proud of Jhett. Well done Jhett!
5 Tubs of Cookie Dough for sale!!

 RIDES
 GAMES
 RACING PIGS
 MARKET STALLS
 DOG SHOW
 ANIMAL NURSERY
 CHOCOLATE GAME
 GROCERY WHEEL
DANCE & CHOIR PERFORMANCES
 SCIENCE SHOW
 FACE PAINTING
 BALLOON TWISTING
 SAND ART
 BEADING
 HEAPS OF FOOD
Contact us for Sponsorship opportunities –
Sponsor a Piglet Race!
Please contact admin@eatonshillpandc.org if
you would like a stall in the Market Hall – over
40 stalls booked already!
$13 each, cash only
1 x Chocolate Chunk
2 x Triple Chocolate
1 x Gluten Free
1 x Caramel
An update from our Local High Schools
Contact admin@eatonshillpandc.org
Thank You!!
Your assistance with this fundraising has been
much appreciated, we sold over 1300 tubs
and made over $4000 for the tuckshop
renovation!!
Craigslea State High School is proud to present ‘High
School Musical Onstage’ – a musical based on the Disney
Channel Original Movie. This is an exciting opportunity
for your students to view a live performance and enhance
their appreciation of the Arts – Dance, Drama, Music and
Visual Art (set production).
Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez come from two
different worlds: Troy the Basketball God and Gabriella
the Smart, Stunning Geek. When they meet at a New
Year's Eve they instantly click. When they meet each other
again at East High School, they accidentally audition for
their high school's musical. The social cliques they belong
to don't approve of this new friendship and try to separate
them. At the same time, drama queen Sharpay Evans and
her brother Ryan, the co-captains of the Drama department,
Newsletter 24 April 2015
try in every way to prevent Troy and Gabriella from
winning over them in the callbacks. Can Troy and
Gabriella lead their friends to a more open-mind thinking
and acceptance of one another? Or will their friends win?
Date: 9th May 2015
Time: 11am
Tickets: $5.00
Place: Craigslea State High School – Hall
Hamilton Road, West Chermside
Length: 2hours
Community News
Get your family active and eating well
Local families can now sign up the free healthy lifestyle
program called PEACH™ - Parenting, Eating and Activity
for Child Health. Registrations are now open for a group
to commence in term 2, 2015.
The program is fun for kids and helps parents and carers
make healthy eating and activity a part of every-day life.
It is available to families with a child aged between 5-11
years who is above a healthy weight their age.
It consists of 10 group sessions that run for 90 minutes
each. The first 9 sessions are held weekly within the
school term. Ongoing individualised family support is
offered through the second half of the program ending
with one final group session.
Some of the topics covered include nutrition skills,
relationships with food and eating, changing family
lifestyle behaviours and making healthy eating
affordable. While the parent sessions are taking place,
children enjoy active play with a trained child physical
activity facilitator.
Page 8 of 9
The program is funded by the Queensland government
and being delivered by the Queensland University of
Technology.
If you would like more information about the PEACH™
program or to register please contact free call 1800 263
519 or visit www.peachqld.com.au
Newsletter 24 April 2015
Page 9 of 9