We are on the final half of Term 4. The last few weeks have fun events to be held, such as swimming carnivals and Year 6 camp, as we finish the school year. Report cards will be emailed out to parents in the last week, so please ensure your contact details and email addresses are current.

School Review

This week we welcome our school review team, Anthony Palmer, Judith Fountain and Garth Hunt who arrive on Wednesday. The School Review Team will talk to our school staff, the P&C and will also engage with parents at pick up times in afternoons or may call. This information is used to celebrate our achievements together as a school and to support our school to identify our next improvement goals to put together our strategic plan for the next four years. When completed, our report will be available on our website.

NAIDOC Week

This week we are acknowledging NAIDOC Week. A range of activities are planned for classrooms as well as lunch breaks during the week. Thank you to all the staff who have organised the activities and are assisting during the lunch breaks.

Warmer Weather

As is often the case, Term 4 has already seen the arrival of warmer weather and it will most likely be a term with some very hot and humid days. It is important that all students bring and wear their school hat each day – clearly labelled with their name and class. It is equally as important that students keep themselves hydrated. The best way to do this is to bring a water bottle, filled with water each day. Students are strongly encouraged to have their own water bottles as part of our COVID safe practices.

Class Groups 2021

This term sees us undertaking major planning around class groups for 2021. Parents are invited to send in requests about placements until Friday 13 November. These requests should be made in writing and placed in an envelope marked CONFIDENTIAL or emailed to admin@calliopess.ed.edu.au

Parents will understand that:

· It is not always possible to meet all requests

· Only issues that impact on the educational needs of the student will be considered

· This process is NOT about requesting a teacher

· Parent requests close Friday 13 November 2020 and it will not be possible to consider requests after this date

· There will be no change made to class lists at the end of year

· If enrolments change significantly in 2021, there may need to be minor changes. Classes will not be finalised until after Day 8 2021. This usually occurs around Week 3.

Teachers take considerable time and effort with class placements. We consider each child in determining class placements. We aim to ensure that optimum use is made of the prior knowledge that teachers, parents and others have of each child prior to class placement. Your child will find out their class, teacher and new room as part of our transition process on Monday 7 December 2020.

Prep Excursion

Last Wednesday our Prep students attended their first school excursion to the Gladstone Entertainment Centre to see the performance of ‘Magic Beach’. There was much excitement as some students travelled on a bus for the first time. Everyone enjoyed the show

Feedback Welcome

Calliope State School is committed to ensuring that ‘everyone at Calliope State School is working together to ensure that every day, in every classroom, every student is learning and achieving’. We want to know from our parents, carers and students, what we are doing well, and if there are any areas we can improve on or do differently. You can give feedback at any time to a staff member, coming into the school office, or leaving a message in our Suggestion Box (in the office foyer). Please be respectful when providing feedback.

If you have a complaint we ask that you:

1) Arrange a time to speak with the class teacher as the first point of call.

2) If your concern is regarding the classroom teacher or a staff member, contact the office to speak with a Deputy Principal responsible for your child’s sector.

· Miss Raelene Norris is the P-2 Deputy

· Mrs Naomi Hughes is the 3-6 A/Deputy

· Mrs Rebecca Crapp is the A/Principal.

We ask that you refrain from using social media platforms to comment about issues or incidents involving our school. We have a great school with great students and staff and together we can continue to promote our school as a fantastic learning venue in our community.

Kind Regards

Raelene

Weekly Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

Welcome to Week 6 everyone. The PBL lesson this week is on: 

Safe – How to play safely on the oval. One might be forgiven for thinking the warmer weather would slow down play on the oval, but kids have boundless energy and love to run around despite the heat which is why it is important to revisit playing safely on the oval. Playing safely on the oval includes:

- walking on the concrete when approaching the oval;

- staying in our designated areas throughout break time;

- keep our hands and feet to self;

- remember that tag type games means a soft tag;

- following the instructions of the adult on duty.

Don’t forget to let your kid/s know about all the cool Active & Engaged activities on a break time. Whether they want to play netball, chill out colouring in and watching a movie, or learn to dance, there is something for everyone. Here are the events:

Fantastic Fun Friday was on last week and the events were: Prep-2 Disney movie and colouring in a Years 3-6 Skipping challenge.

Below are some pictures from the event.

Thanks.

Brian Rowe

Student Welfare Teacher

Prep to 2 students enjoying a Disney movie and some colouring in.

Congratulations to 3C and 4C who had an amazing attendance rate for Week 5. Their attendance rate was 96% for the week! Also congratulations to the 7 classes which were at or above our school attendance target of 94% for Week 5. Remember, every day you are away is a learning day lost.

2021 Preparation – BOOK PACKS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE P&C

Great quality books and stationery for less money PLUS, you don’t even have to go shopping!

Book Packs are now available on QKR! and via lay-by.

This year, we have organised to have a book pack ordered through the P&C for each year level. No need to battle the crowded shops; we have it all sorted and it is super simple! Simply order your child’s book pack through QKR for delivery in January. We also have lay-by available. Please email uniformshop.calliopess@gmail.com to arrange your lay -by.

Book packs will be available before school returns next year to ensure you have time to cover and name all items. Please note that the delivery date may be subject to change. All orders MUST be ordered through QKR or via lay-by before NOVEMBER 30th. Please make sure you are ordering you child’s 2021 year level.

We are super excited to offer this service this year and we hope that we see lots of families ordering.

Tuckshop & Uniform Shop

We will be open Tuesday – Friday this term. Tuckshop will be closed in Week 10 to allow time to clean, stocktake and prepare for 2021. We are still cashless so all orders via the QKR! app please.

Uniform Shop is also only available via QKR! We have sold out of Size 8 and 10 blue school shirts. More stock is due in at the start of December. If you need these sizes please email uniformshop.calliopess@gmail.com and we will put shirts aside for you. 

Sports shirts are available in these sizes still.

Once you have placed your order, please allow 3 business days for your order to be processed and delivered your child’s classroom. We are all volunteers with other responsibilities, but we will do our best to get your orders to you, as soon as possible. Contact us via Facebook or via pandc@calliopess.eq.edu.au for any queries. We are always happy to help.

Next General Meeting – Tuesday 10th of November at 6pm (TONIGHT!) in the Conference Room. If members cannot attend, all apologies must be emailed please.

If you would like to become a member of the P&C, to have your say about what we are doing to support our school, come along to a meeting. New members are always welcome, and we would love to see you there!

Your P&C Team

Tenielle, Sian, Bec & Kate