4 February 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

An Exciting Year Ahead

It was wonderful to see our students arrive in bright, clean uniforms ready to start a new year. Their enthusiasm is evident in the comments they make in conversation with me while moving around our campus.

At the end of last term we were formally advised of Mrs Graham (Principal) being appointed permanently to her Assistant Regional Director position. We wish her well in her chosen career path.

I will be continuing in my current role until Easter. Mrs Wagstaff, our Acting Deputy Principal has been appointed to the Acting Principal position for this term at Marmor State School. Mr Corrin has stepped into the role of Acting Deputy Principal at Mount Archer.

Currently we await our Day 8 figures which determine our final staffing for 2016.

We welcome Ms Lacibal (Year3), Miss May (Year4) and Mrs Gear (Year2) to our staff as permanent employees and Mrs Woolley (Year6) for Term 1.

We have a very busy term ahead with:

• Prep Photos for the Morning Bulletin
• Year 4 Swimming Programme
• a visit by Michael Salmon, a renowned author
• Life Education Programme
• appointment of School Captains
• Student Leadership training
• commencement of our Peer Mediation Programme
• Arts Council (March)
• 2.5Km Classic Race
• Friday afternoon Interschool Sport

That is a busy calendar for a nine week term! Teachers and students are already busy with their curriculum programmes.

Assemblies:

Due to the extreme heatwave that we were experiencing, this week’s Assembly was cancelled. However, we will conduct an Assembly next Tuesday 9th February. Assemblies are held fortnightly. Parents are welcome to attend to celebrate our student successes.

Traffic Issues:

Our Crossing Supervisors are currently trialling changed hours.

Mornings: 7.50am – 8.50am
Afternoons: 2.35pm – 3.05pm

I have unfortunately had to request the support of the Rockhampton City Council parking inspectors and the Queensland Police Service to patrol our school at peak traffic times. We again have parents who risk their child’s safety by double parking and calling their child onto a very busy road, abusing local residents who are trying to get out of their own driveways and who are continuing to park in areas clearly identified as “No Parking” zones.

Mobile Phones at school:

Parents, caregivers and students are reminded of the school policy regarding the use of mobile phones.

If parents wish to contact their children during the school day, please inform the office and every endeavour will be made to pass the message on to the student via the classroom teacher.

If students require a mobile phone for after school use, they should bring the phone to the office where it will be stored safely at the office until home time. The policy states:

‘The use of mobile phones, portable CD and MP3 players, Personal Digital Assistants and similar electronic devices in school is disruptive to the learning environment of all students. Such devices are not permitted at Mount Archer School, either during lessons; break times or during excursions, camps and extra curricular activities. Staff usually carry mobile telephones during such activities to cater for any emergencies that may arise. Parents wishing students to use these devices in special and exceptional circumstances must negotiate arrangements through the Principal. Parents are reminded that no liability will be accepted by the school in the event of the loss, theft, or damage to any such devices’

Attendance:

The Department of Education monitors state school student’s attendance and it is important that your child is at school all day, every day. Every Day Counts is a state wide initiative as school absenteeism can impact significantly on students’ learning and wellbeing. Research shows that in Queensland, higher student attendance is associated, on average, with higher student achievement. Additionally, attending school every day helps children to build social and emotional skills such as communication, teamwork and resilience. This week we have just one week of data to share with parents.

WHAT A GREAT START!

Our aim is to reach a minimum attendance level of 95% each week. Students need to be here to engage in the learning process.

Conclusion:

Welcome back everyone! We look forward to a very positive, educationally productive year!

Lyn Hill
Acting Principal

General Information

Brekky Club

Brekky Club has commenced for 2016 and will be conducted every Tuesday and Friday at the SEP. This Friday will also see our Second Bite Program up and running under the Covered Games Area. Please see flyer at the end of this newsletter.

Student Details Update

If your address, phone number or any of your child’s circumstances have changed, such as medical conditions, or family situation, please ensure that you see the office about obtaining a Student Update Form. Please complete the changes and return it to the office.

Student Arrivals and Departures

Parents are reminded that students should not be left unaccompanied on the school campus before 8.00am in the morning. The cleaners, groundsman and any staff arriving early are not responsible for their safety. Upon arrival, after 8.00am, students are required to wait under the covered area near the tuckshop until the 8.20am bell rings. They are then able to organise themselves for the commencement of the school day and play with their friends until the 8.40am bell. In the afternoon, school finishes at 2.45pm. Parents are reminded that they need to arrange to pick up their students promptly. Supervision is only provided until 3pm by staff. There is a great ‘after school care’ service provided by Helping Hands in our school hall which parents should consider if they are going to be later than 3pm to pick up their students. It is not the responsibility of our busy office staff to supervise students in the afternoon.

Parent Drop Off and Pick Up Issues

With a student population of approximately 625 students, it is inevitable that there will be traffic congestion and delays when delivering and collecting your children from school. However, we urge parents to exhibit patience and diligence in following the road rules so that student safety remains our top priority at peak traffic times. It is timely to again mention that the teacher car parks are only for staff at Mount Archer State School. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES are parents or caregivers able to drop off or pick up their children from the teacher car parks.

School Banking

School Banking will commence in Week 3, each and every Tuesday. Please hand school banking to the classroom teacher so it can be placed in the banking bag. New information packs will be sent home to all Prep students as soon we receive them from the Commonwealth Bank.

Student Absence Hotline 49235 260

Our absence hotline is available 24 hours a day. We would ask that if your child is away from school, that you please ring the absence line and clearly state the following:

1. Student Name
2. Class Name
3. Date of absence
4. Reason for the absence

Messages to Classrooms

Increasingly, parents are asking our admin officers to pass on messages to students about early collection, appointments or pick up arrangements. Please be aware that we have only one phone in each learning block and those teachers need to stop teaching in order to take these calls. Our preference is that academic learning time is not interrupted. If you need a message passed through, an email to admin@mtacherss.eq.edu.au before the school day starts would be appreciated. If a genuine emergency arises, please call the front office on 49235 222.

Tuckshop

Our first menu for the year will be GREEN coloured. Please destroy any previous menus that you may have been using as there are changes to the 2016 Menu. When completing tuckshop orders, would you please observe the following:

• NEW GREEN MENU is now in use
• Please note that BBQ Chips are unavailable
• Raspberry Icy Poles are now in stock for $1.10 ea
• Use a separate bag for Little Lunch and Big Lunch
• Clearly print your child’s name and class on each bag
• Do not use Gel Pens when completing orders
• Blue or Black biro is preferred
• Do not use sticky tape or staples when securing the bags
• Please see how to complete a tuckshop bag

A tuckshop helpers’ letter, as well as the new menu, has been sent home. If you have not received your copy, please see the tuckshop. Please consider helping out in the tuckshop by returning the slip to the tuckshop as soon as possible.

Tuckshop Roster

Notice for Parents and Students from Rockhampton Regional Council

Rockhampton Regional Council has notified the school of a new section of concrete footpath recently constructed at the intersection of Wiltshire and Saunders Streets. The new footpath links the bus stop with the school crossing, and includes kerb ramps for easier access across Saunders Street. With the new footpath in place, there may be higher than usual numbers of pedestrians crossing Saunders Street, and Council asks that parents and carers please exercise extra caution when travelling through the intersection.

BOOK CLUB

The first Bookclub for the year has been sent home and is due back on Monday 8th February, 2016. Under no circumstances will any late orders will be accepted.

Dates to Remember

Community Sporting and Cultural Events

Touch Football Junior Development Day

Rockhampton Touch Association is holding their annual Development Day for juniors interested in learning more about Touch Footy. This event is open to every child from the ages 9 to 16, no matter what experience or skill level they are. (Children under 9 may find skills and drills a bit advanced and the morning too long).

Date: Sunday 7th February, 2016
Times: 9am to 12:30pm (8:30am arrival for registration please)
Bring: Hat and water bottle and wear shoes and sunscreen
Provided: Morning tea is provided
Cost: NO COST

Anyone interested should email Denise at admin@rockytouch.com for more details or to register to attend (for catering purposes and to ensure sufficient coaches and support staff are in attendance).

Junior Fixtures

Rockhampton Touch is also holding a junior competition in the first half of the year for Under 10s, Under 12s and Under 14s Boys and Girls teams (no mixed) on Friday nights commencing Friday 26th February 2016. Nominations are being called for teams from schools, clubs and individuals to participate in this competition and close on 19th February. For more information please call Denise on 0409 631 633.

Rockhampton Panthers AFL for U7, U9 and U11's (GET STARTED CLUB)

Sign On and Training commences Tuesday 23rd February 5pm-6pm at Elizabeth Park Berserker (Edward Street entrance) due to RCG under repair. New players Welcome for 2016 season.

For further information Contact Tom Kneen 0429 478 189

Frenchville Junior football – Registration 2016

Come and join Frenchville Junior Football Club by signing on for the 2016 season. Download registration instructions from the Frenchville Sports Website.

Please note all FJFC members need to be a member of the Frenchville Sports Club, payable at reception and is just $7 for adults and $2.50 for students. An information day will be held at the Frenchville Sports Club on Sunday 7th February, 2016 12noon – 3pm. There will be no facility to register at the Information Day.

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