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Welcome to 2020 at Calliope State School!
It is my privilege as Principal, to welcome both our new and returning students and their families, to another exciting year of learning and activities at our school. We have started the year with just under 660 students enrolled.
As well as over 100 new students starting today, we welcome a number of new staff to our team at Calliope State School and look forward to the contributions they will bring to the learning opportunities for our students. A full list of our staff has been included in this newsletter.
Our new preps have wasted no time playing in the playgrounds!
School Priorities
In 2020 we are continuing to improve and build on the work conducted in previous years in the three priority areas of Wellbeing, Curriculum and Pedagogy. The table provides a summary of what this means in each of the areas.
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Wellbeing Every student succeeding and engaging |
· Embed Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)- weekly lessons, supporting identified students. Responsive data sharing with staff (year levels), students and parents. · Review and update Responsible Behaviour Plan (RBP) with staff and school community. · Implement whole school You Can Do It (YCDI) program and Social Emotional Surveys. |
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Curriculum Every student succeeding in their learning |
· Use Early Start and P-10 Literacy Continuum to monitor and develop ‘next steps’ for students. · Reviewing and informing student learning opportunities based on student data collection. · Embed moderation practices- consistency in A-E allocation. · Embed Learning Walls in Maths, English and Science. |
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Pedagogy Every teacher succeeding in their teaching |
· Whole school reading training. Consolidation of school wide reading practices and expectations. Fortnightly reading meetings for teaching staff. · Termly school action plan to support reading across the curriculum. · Enact school observation processes and staff to engage- self: peer. |
Day 8 Class Changes
I wish to advise that there is the possibility of class and teacher changes over the coming fortnight, depending on student enrolment numbers. As a school we aim to ensure departmental class targets are met and should your child’s class be affected by such changes, you will be notified.
School Works
In preparation for the new school year, we have had a number of facility enhancements take place at the school. These include:
- External painting of the Year 3 block
- Full conversion of the pool pump room and operation from chlorine to salt water
- Full refurbishment of the Year 2-6 toilet block.
We wish to advise that the toilet block area is still under construction with this expected to be completed in the coming fortnight. The area has been fully fenced off preventing students from accessing the area to ensure their safety and a temporary toilet block has been brought in for students to use. Students have be advised of the location of toilets and which to use, based on their year level whilst construction is completed.
New Newsletter
This year, we are moving to an online platform for our newsletter. You will be able to view the newsletter via a link sent to your email address, via the Schoolzine app on your phone or by requesting a hard copy from the front office. More information about signing up can be found in the newsletter. For any questions regarding the online newsletter please contact the office staff.
Car Parking
At the start of the year, we know there is a significant increase in vehicular traffic at our school during pick up and drop off times. It is the responsibility of all road users to ensure our students are kept safe during these busy times. We therefore ask:
- That you park only in designated bays and where legally allowed to- avoid solid painted lines and keep disabled parks available for those with authorised permits.
- The Stop, Drop and Go is supervised in the afternoon. Students will be shown a video on how to use this area. It has also been uploaded to our Facebook page (Calliope State School) for parents to watch as well. Ensure you follow the instructions from our staff and do not call your children to enter your car before directed.
- Consider delaying by 5. The Stop, Drop and Go remains supervised until approximately 3:30pm. Let your children know you will arrive at 3:20pm rather than 3:15pm (peak time).
We have a dedicated School Safe Transport Committee who can be contacted via safest@calliopess.eq.edu.au for feedback regarding travel to school.
Get Involved
A key component of your child’s engagement at our school is achieved through open and constructive communication between home and the school. Please take the time to connect with our school community via the various platforms (school newsletters, email, class newsletters, social media and meetings).
Class teachers will make contact over the coming weeks advertising how you can be involved in your child’s classroom. Please take these opportunities to help in any way you can. It doesn’t have to be academic- do you have knowledge in extracurricular areas like sports or STEM?
We have a wonderful P&C committee looking to extend membership in 2020. The P&C is a vital component of our school who represent the views of parents and assist the school leadership in decision making. They also significantly subsidise school activities and excursions to help make them affordable for all children to participate. Your involvement can vary from attending meetings, helping in the tuckshop or uniform shop, or supporting fundraising.
I look forward to working with students, families and the Calliope community throughout 2020.
‘Together for Student Learning’
Mark Wright
Principal
In 2020, our school will have 28 classes, including 1 multi-year level classes (3/4E). In addition to our new students and families, we also welcome our new teaching and non-teaching staff.
Please welcome our new staff for 2020: Suzie Jacovou (Prep C), Jess Kenyon (1B), Karen Fennell (3C), Victor Brown (5D) and Paige McQuillian (4A).
As we start the new school year we would like to remind parents/carers not to pack the following items in student's lunchboxes for school:
- Ring pull tins of food like tuna or spaghetti as children can cut their fingers opening the tins
- Glass water bottles - glass water bottles are not permitted at school due to safety
Food Allergies - please be aware that we have students with a variety of food allergies. Students are not to share any food they bring to school.
Thank you for your cooperation - if you have any concerns please contact the school on 4975 8333.
School banking will commence on Wednesday 5 February 2020 for Term 1. There will be no school banking in the first week of school.
If you would like to sign your child up for School Banking, all you'll need to do is open a Youthsaver account for your child with Commonwealth Bank, please see their website for more details or pop into a local branch.
https://www.commbank.com.au/banking/school-banking.html
In order to access your SZapp from your mobile device, you will be required to enter a 4 digit passcode: 0213.