Calliope State School eNewsletter

Class Open Morning – Friday November 29

Classrooms will be open after parade for parents and caregivers this Friday to see the amazing learning our students have been doing.

We also invite you to bring your picnic lunch and rug to have lunch time with your child/ren.

2025 Class Transitions

During middle session on Wednesday December 4, students will be visiting their 2025 classrooms with their 2025 teacher. This is an opportunity for students to meet their new teacher and their fellow classmates.

We have new teachers joining us at Calliope State School in 2025, and some of these are unable to attend this transition session – rest assured these classes will work with one of our specialist teachers for this time. There will be no changes to class structures until Day 8 in 2025. Changes will be made, if necessary, early in the new year depending on enrolment numbers.

End of Term Parade – Thursday December 5

Our End of Term 4 Parade will be held on Thursday December 5.

All parents and caregivers are invited to share this special parade with us. It is our last one for 2024.

This is also our school break-up day, and students are encouraged to wear their favourite Christmas outfit.
Please ensure these outfits are appropriate and sun-safe.

2024 Week 4 or Term 4, Week 11 (December 9 to 13)

Calliope State School will be open for all students in Week 41 (or Week 11 of Term 4), but we wanted you to be aware of some changes during this week.

All school learning, programs and events will be completed by Friday 6^th December.
At Calliope State School, that means by Friday 6^th December, we will have completed:

All learning necessary for the year
All ceremonies (e.g., Year 6 Graduation, End of Term Parades and Open Classrooms)
All prep and high school transition days
Allocation of 2025 classes and classroom transition activities

Report Cards will be sent home via email on Thursday 12^th December.

In Week 11, from Monday 9^th December, we will be taking this opportunity to have an enhanced focus on student wellbeing activities through alternate programs. It should be noted:

Students may not necessarily be supervised by their regular teacher
Students will be combined into diverse groups varying ages depending on the students who are present at school
There will be no formal learning of the Australian Curriculum
Activities will comprise of tasks that a multitude of age groups can participate in
Groups of teachers will be taken offline to work on deep planning and preparations for 2025 in line with the Australian Curriculum
Uniform is still expected to be worn each day
Tuckshop will be open Tuesday to Thursday

Calliope Community Christmas Carols

It’s that time of year again – Christmas Carol time!

Calliope State School students will be performing as part of the Calliope Community Carols this Friday.

Our year level cohorts will be singing a Christmas Carol and there will be performances from our String Ensemble and Concert Band.

This is a community event, and parents must be responsible for their own children. There will be no adult supervision provided by the school.

Locking up Bikes and Scooters

Students are highly encouraged to ensure their bikes and scooters are locked to the racks each day when they arrive at school.

Prep Enrolments 2025

Prep Enrolments for 2025 are now open!

Enrolment packs are available from the school office. If you haven’t already booked in a time, please book one as soon as possible through our school office.

Intentions for 2025

If you are intending on leaving Calliope State School in 2025, please let our friendly office staff know, as we are in the planning stages of our classes for next year. Please email our office staff at admin@calliopess.eq.edu.au

Each year, some students like to give a card to their friends at Christmas. There is a Christmas Card Post Box in the school office, for students to post their cards in.

Our Year 6 Santa helpers will deliver the cards to classrooms. Please ensure each card has the students name and class written clearly on the front.

Due to Health and Safety guidelines, we ask that no food items are placed in the cards. The Post Box will be in the office for Weeks 9 and 10.

Congratulations to 4/5D who had an amazing attendance rate for Week 8. Their attendance rate was 96.66% for the week!

Remember, every day you are away is a learning day lost.

PBL focus this week is ‘Using kind words.’ Students will be reviewing strategies to regulate that stop them from using unkind words. They will also be identify kind words. At home, asking your child what was one kind thing they did for someone today will help encourage them to be kind.

GEM Focus

This week students will be identifying 3 things that went well for them today. At home, asking your child this question will help them feel gratitude in their day.

Positive Behaviour Comparison Data

Action Type	End of Term 4 2023	End of Week 8 2024
Positive Behaviour	724 positive Behaviour records	565 positive Behaviour records
-Awards (Teacher Aide Certificate, Cool Kid Certificate, Classroom Cool Kid, Principal’s Award)	234 awards	169 awards
-Good News Letter	77 letters	103 letters
-Contact Home (Positive email home, positive phone call home, e-postcard)	31 contacts home	101 contacts home

3A focussed, exceptional and having fun along the learning journey!

Mrs Diaz – “I have never had such an impressive group of learners in my many, many years of teaching.”

Tech savvy students using digital skills to enhance learning!

Haven’t thrown baby with the bath water. We use the ‘Three R’s’ as part of our learning program – Reading, Writing and Arithmetic.

Calliope_Community_Christmas_Carols_2024_Program.pdf

Calliope_Community_Christmas_Carols_2024_Program _pdf 184.27 KB

Our End of Term celebration is Wednesday 4^th December during last session. Please send your child to school with a white shirt that they will change into, also please send a spare towel as we have the Rural Fire truck attending. We will ensure that all children are wearing sunscreen before participating. If your child does not wish to participate in the Colour Run, please email your classroom teacher. We have alternate activities available in the hall. Please advise before 3.00pm Monday 2^nd December if your child is not participating in the colour run by emailing the classroom teacher.

In January, our volunteers will be opening the Uniform shop during the week before school starts back on the following days:

Friday January 24^th 8:30-11:00am

If there is a need for additional opportunities we will release more dates via our Facebook page.

If you’re already planning ahead for 2025 please consider shopping at Office National Gladstone for your stationery needs. The more families that purchase their booklist supplies through Office National, the more money they will give directly back to the P&C for the benefit of all our students. Office National is a locally owned business, has super competitive prices and also delivers your booklist supplies to your home for free when you spend over $50! You can drop off your booklist in person or email it in.

Booklist_2025.pdf

Booklist_2025 _pdf 194.29 KB

Hi Families,

You're probably wondering, didn’t I read that last week? The answer is YES. Reminding you our final major fundraiser this year will be our Holly Jolly Markets held Saturday 7^th December 2024. We are needing donations from our school community to make this a successful fundraiser. If you have any items to donate, please drop them off to the Uniform Shop Friday mornings between 8.30-9am or email communication.calliopess@gmail.com to arrange drop off.

All money raised, goes back to the children for 2025 to help cover costs for buses (excursions, camps, etc), cost of resources for the children such as readers/books, performances and assets like tables, fridges and microwaves.

Without volunteers and the endless task of fundraising, subsidising these events and other resources for our children would not be possible and this will then fall back on to the families to cover the costs.

If you have a spare hour or two, we would appreciate any help. As they say many hands make light work and we are all striving for the same outcome – providing resources, safety, respect and happiness for the children of Calliope State School.

So this is a great chance to declutter in time for Christmas and give back to the community as well.

Uniform Shop

Are you prepared for the 2025 schooling year? Why not get in early with your uniform order for next year? The uniform shop will be open every Friday until the end of school, with some opening hours over the school holidays. To make life less stressful and hectic, you can place your orders now for 2025. Further information about the uniform shop school holiday opening hours will be posted on the P&C facebook page.

We are urgently seeking volunteers to help pack orders weekly/fortnightly on a Friday for 1 hour (8:30-9am). If you are available and have completed your mandatory training, please email uniformshop.calliope@gmail.com

P&C Meeting

Well that’s a wrap for our P&C meetings for 2024. We will be back when school commences in 2025, followed by the AGM in March. Keep your eye out on our facebook page for details.

As every year, we welcome new and old families to come along to our meetings and see for yourself what it’s all about and you don’t have to be a member to help around the school. Fresh faces, many hands and new ideas are what a growing school community strives for to make it successful. The only people who benefit from a successful P&C are our children.

If you are interested at all, you can contact us on communication.calliopess@gmail.com for our Communication Officer or pandc@calliopess.eq.edu.au for our Executive team.

Tuckshop News

The amazing Miss Lisa will be working hard till the second last day (Thursday - Week 11) to provide food for our kids, this means we still need you! Miss Lisa can always use an extra set of hands or two each tuckshop day to make sure your kids get their food as quickly as possible at break times. Friday is Miss Lisa’s busiest day; it is always a rush to get your child’s food ready and packed on time so an extra pair of hands would be appreciated. If you’d like to lend a hand, please contact Miss Lisa via our Facebook page or pandc@calliopess.eq.edu.au

In Week 10, Tuckshop will be open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, with Thursday being closed. This is due to the P&C supplying a sausage on bread, Zoopa Doopa and piece of fruit to every child at Calliope State School.

In Week 11, Tuckshop will be open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with Friday being closed.

Thank you to Miss Lisa, Miss Mel and all your helpers for your hard work over the year.

Warm Regards

Geoff, Angela & Lisa

EarlyAQtion_Early_Childhood_Groups_Service_Overview_Flyer_4 pdf 651.53 KB

Join us this Thursday for a Thankful Filled supported playgroup!

Although not heavily celebrated here in Australia, we would like to honour the special holiday of Thanksgiving - by coming together to say “Thank you” for all the good things in our lives! Together we can celebrate kindness, sharing and being thankful! ?

Date: Thursday 28th November

⏰ Time: 9:15am - 11:15am

Location: Calliope Staye School

Take a look at what’s happening this week at Playgroup:

Hand Print Art

Feather Threading

Foam Sensory Play

Ice Water Play

Stamp Painting

Sprinkler Water Play

Group Time with Storytelling, Dancing and MORE

We also supply a free morning tea for all attending

Our friendly facilitators will always be there in the Blue ‘Be Kind’ Shirts, please speak to them if you require some support.

No registration required | We will sign you in upon arrival.

We are in need of uniform donations. If you have any uniforms at home no longer in use, feel free to drop them into the front office. Any size or item would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

This is to raise money to pay for Leah, her two team mates, coach and part costs of a judge to compete in Las Vegas next April.

This year they have medaled in 2 national events and have scored high enough to be considered in the Australian Junior development squad.

So they hope to get some international experience.

FOS_A3_Poster_PR.pdf

FOS_A3_Poster_PR _pdf 2.30 MB

Please find a link below with information regarding the Global Passport: Explore the world in 5 days online program.

Global Passport is a fully funded online opportunity for state school students commencing Years 4–6 in 2025, and including Year 6 students transitioning into Year 7 in 2025, designed to build global competence. The program is facilitated by Griffith University and will be delivered during the January 2025 school holidays.

Global_Passport_Suggested_Communication_1_.pdf

Global_Passport_Suggested_Communication_1 pdf 144.79 KB

Global_Passport_Expression_of_Interest_Form.PDF

Global_Passport_Expression_of_Interest_Form _PDF 3.72 MB

RW_A4_Poster_PR.pdf

RW_A4_Poster_PR _pdf 396.64 KB

Did you know that you can apply for an exemption for your student if they are needing to take leave from school for a period of more than 10 consecutive school days for an exceptional circumstance?

Please read the attached information sheet below for more information relating to this. The exemption form is also attached. These forms are also printed and available from the office.

If you are wanting to apply for an exemption, you will need to complete the form and have a discussion with your classroom teacher or organise a meeting with the Deputy Principal of the year level your student is in. You can do this by phoning the school office. They will then discuss the exemption with you and make the decision as to whether the exemption will be approved or not.

Exemption Form Policy Information

CalliopeSS_Exemption_Form_2024_Application_for_exemption_for_a_child_or_young_person_enrolled_in_a_queensland_state_school.pdf

CalliopeSS_Exemption_Form_2024_Application_for_exemption_for_a_child_or_young_person_enrolled_in_a_queensland_state_school _pdf 149.32 KB

QParents

QParents is a secure, online portal that is free for all Queensland state schools to use and provides parents with quick, easy access to their student information including:

student and parent contact details
attendance details
report cards – all report cards (past & present) are available to view and upload
invoices and payment history
Online consent management

The student information displayed in QParents is surfacing information that is already recorded and managed in One School. The benefits of using QParents for schools and parents include:

a faster, more efficient way to communicate with parents regarding student information
a secure, convenient and automated process for parents to pay school invoices
significant time and effort savings for both your school and parent community
an innovative online communication tool that’s free of charge for both schools and parents to use.

How do I register for QParents?

You will be sent an email inviting you to register for QParents. You will then be able to register via the secure QParents website: qparents.qld.edu.au using the unique invitation code contained in the email. You will require each child’s unique EQ ID and you must verify your identity by providing 100 points of identification. If you cannot verify your identity online, you should contact your child’s school for assistance. The school will review your registration and approve your account. You will then be able to access the QParents app.

Please note: if you have not received the QParents invitation email, please send correspondence through to admin@calliopess.eq.edu.au with your full name, student/s full name & DOB to request your QParents invitation.

ARTICLES FOR OUR SCHOOL NEWSLETTER: If you wish to publish a NOT FOR PROFIT COMMUNITY article in our school newsletter you can do this by sending an email to admin@calliopess@eq.edu.au with all the relevant details. This will then go through our approval process prior to publishing.
REMINDER TO PARENTS: Reminder to parents and visitors to the school to drive carefully when accessing the front entrance of the school. Please drive slowly, abide by the speed limit, normal road rules and be mindful of your surrounds. We appreciate your attention and understanding.
COLLECTING YOUR STUDENT EARLY FROM SCHOOL: We realise that, on occasion, students may arrive late for school, or need to leave early; it is hoped that these occasions can be kept to a minimum so that the learning of the student, the class and the routine of the school is not unduly disrupted. In the event that your child is late or leaves early, please ensure that the correct procedure is followed to sign in/out by going to the Administration building signing out on the iPad, collect a slip and present it to the classroom teacher.
These processes are in place so that the teachers and school staff are aware of the movement of students at school. This is for the protection and welfare of all staff and students. It is important to look at the impact that late arrival and early departure have on a student/s education and those around them. It is not only disruptive to learning that is occurring in the classrooms at the time of arrival and departure, it is all time that accumulates to missed opportunities for learning. A student who is arriving late or leaving early by 15 minutes twice a week will miss, in total, the equivalent of 4 days of school across the year.
RETURNING CALLS TO THE SCHOOL: We ask parents to assist us by checking their message bank before returning calls to the school, to establish which staff member has phoned. Due to the high volume of staff within our school it is not possible for us to identify who may have called you. Please call the member on their direct number if they have provided this as this will free up the office phone lines.
MESSAGE TO STUDENTS: As you know, schools and classrooms are very busy places!

To ensure our students are fully engaged in their learning, and our office staff are able to complete their multitude of daily required tasks, we ask that parents communicate clearly with their child at the beginning of each day where you will be picking them up from in the afternoon.

As you can imagine it is extremely difficult for our office staff to field scores of phone calls asking for messages to be passed on to children regarding pick-up information.

Should you need to contact your children throughout the day, please do this via the office. These should be emergency situations only. Messages received after 1.45pm may not be acknowledged by the class in time, so please ensure children know their pick-up arrangements.