A lot can happen in a year

This time last year, our first term came to an early end after the Premier designated the final days of Term 1 as Pupil Free Days. This decision was designed to help prevent the increasing spread of COVID and saw everyone across Queensland preparing for what would become a period of five weeks of home learning in Term 2. Prior to the COVID pandemic, a shutdown of society – and a shut out of schools - would have been unimaginable. One year on and with the benefit of hindsight, we now know anything is possible. While we have come a long way and have dealt with the pandemic extremely well, particularly in comparison to many other parts of the world, the pandemic is not over. Restrictions have eased and life has returned to something resembling a new ‘normal’ however, the threat of COVID and its impact remain. It is for this reason that we are still limiting visitors on our school site and modifying some school activities. Events in Brisbane over the past few days, with the two cases of community transmission remind us of the risk that is still present and the precautions we still need to take. Queensland Health has listed many locations around Brisbane as potential transmission sites. To maintain our vigilance, I ask anyone who has visited these sites at the specified times to be tested immediately and isolate until a negative result is returned, to stay away from school if you are sick and to maintain hygiene and social distance when on site. These expectations extend to myself and school staff as well. We have come a long way in a year; however, the journey is not over yet and a successful end relies on everyone playing their part.

Stop the presses

I wrote the above paragraph yesterday afternoon based on the latest information at the time. This morning the situation has changed and the Premier has announced a three day lock-down for greater Brisbane and the surrounding areas beginning at 5:00pm today in response to the increased spread of COVID cases. I am yet to receive full details, and I will send a further newsflash later today, however, my best guess is the Premier wants minimum movement and social contact for the next three days. Like previously, only children of essential workers will be cared for on school sites over the next three days. If you are working from home or have an adult at home, it is expected that children will remain at home too. Please watch out for further clarifying details today.

School Photos

Thank you to everyone for your support of our formal uniform expectation with our school photos last week; your support was greatly appreciated. The school photo is a lovely official memento of your child’s school years and looks so much better, for all participants, when all students are in the same formal uniform. Our staff too, dressed for the occasion in our staff photo and in a nod to this being our school’s 90^th anniversary, dressed in black and white to replicate some old staff photos we have hanging in the office. You can admire this photo when it hangs in the main office later this year.

Learner Profile: Behaviour focus for the week – Reflective – students who are reflective, think about how their actions impact on others and make the correct choices to ensure everyone at school can focus on our core business of teaching and learning. Children who need help with being reflective use our Reflection Room as part of the school behaviour management plan. Children who haven't been to the Reflection Room this term have achieved this learner profile attribute.

Students who have achieved all ten Learner Profile attributes this term will receive the Bronze Learner Profile badge this week recognising their outstanding achievement. Students who missed out will have a second chance of achieving this goal next term.

Happy Holidays

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all in our school community a very happy and safe Easter holiday. I hope you all have a wonderful and refreshing break and I further hope the lock down period does not extend beyond Thursday. If news breaks over the holiday period, I will ensure I send a special newsletter prior to the commencement of school next term with all of the latest details. Whatever eventuates, I know we will face it together and continue to do what we can to support all in our community.

At this stage, I look forward to everyone’s safe return to school next term and hope we can return to ‘normal’ schooling on Monday 19 April.

Please help keep our school safe over the holiday period by reporting any suspicious trespassers or behaviour to the police or School Watch on 13 1788.

Kind regards
Keith Graham
Principal

Raising Resilient Children

Want your children to be able to cope better with life’s ups and downs?

Resiliency helps kids navigate the inevitable trials, triumphs and tribulations of childhood and adolescence. Resilient kids also become resilient adults, able to survive and thrive in the face of life’s unavoidable stressors (Reference: psychcentral.com/lib/10-tips-for-raising-resilient-kids). 

We are inviting interested parents to attend a free parenting seminar presented by Triple P – Positive Parenting Program focusing on online platforms and raising resilient children. The seminar will be held Term 2, Week 3, Wednesday May 5, 2021 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm at Rochedale State School Performing Arts Centre (RPAC).

More specifically this Raising Resilient Children (Focus on Cyberbullying) seminar can help you:

• Problem solve with your children how to stay safe and manage risks online
• Support your child’s ability to manage emotional ups and downs
• Manage screen time and set age appropriate boundaries
• Know what actions to take if your child is being bullied online
• Help your child cope with stress and setbacks and stay positive

I am told the seminar is fun and friendly and only 90 minutes long, it’s FREE, and it’ll help kids AND parents take the drama out of family life (including screen time), and deal with issues calmly and more confidently.

Numbers will be limited due to COVID restrictions and capacity in our RPAC venue, so first in best dressed when registering.  If we have overwhelming interest, we will look to run another session at a later date. 

TO REGISTER- book your free seat at https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/qld-uken/find-help/check-our-calendar/2021-05-05/cyberbullying-seminar/raising-resilient-children-focus-on-cyberbullying/109165/

Any questions in regards to the program, please contact me.  Enjoy your Easter break.

Kind regards
Jessica Rigby
Deputy Principal Year 2 / Head of Diverse Learning and Enrichment

Dear Parents/caregivers,

How will we know what we have learned?

Assessment is a key part of any learning and teaching program. Its primary function is to find out what children know and to support their learning progress. Assessment gives children feedback on their current learning and helps direct goals for their future learning. Assessment also informs teachers about what their next lesson needs to focus upon.

Assessment falls into two main categories – formative and summative.

Formative assessment can be a task (or tasks) that is completed as a part of the class’ learning experiences. It focuses upon the ongoing formation of learning and achievement. It is used to identify areas of challenge that can be focused upon during an up-coming sequence of lessons. It can also assist with differentiation and the setting of learning goals. Formative assessment provides teachers and students with specific short term and effective feedback on a concept or learning skill.

Summative assessment is usually a task or project that is completed at the end of a unit of work. It gives children an opportunity to demonstrate everything they know about that topic. Summative Assessment as the name suggests is aimed at giving children the opportunity to demonstrate all that they have learned through past recent learning sessions. Summative assessment helps children to bring together and summarise their learning. It provides them with the opportunity to reflect upon their learning and synthesise it within an enduring understanding.  

Teachers engage students in these assessment strategies through many different approaches and tools. Some of the ways teachers may invite children to demonstrate their learning and progress is:

* to build a model to demonstrate the design make and appraise process in Design and Technology.

* as a part of a guided reading group discuss and respond to a set of questions or discussion points.

* by demonstrating a specific swim stroke during a PE class.

* by demonstrating how they apply a mathematics concept in a familiar or unfamiliar problem solving task.

* answering questions through a research project and present their enduring understanding about a concept through a power-point and/or an oral presentation to the class.

* by answering a set of knowledge questions through a Short Answer Response  Assessment (SARA).

* completing a piece of writing.

* participating in a drama or dance showcase.

* completing a set of cords or songs on a musical instrument.

* and many more.

It is through these wide range of assessment tools and strategies that not only are we able to assist each child to reach the full potential of their learning, but we can also support them to develop a love of learning that they can take well beyond the school gate.   

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy holiday and hope you enjoy the break with family and friends.

Paul Kelly
PYP Coordinator

Hi Rochedale State School Community,

I hope you and your family have a special Easter holiday. Traditionally in our family we celebrate Good Friday with toasted hot cross buns for breakfast before church and then we watch Easter movies. Sunday is spent with chocolate Easter eggs for breakfast and attending church and a celebration lunch with all our family at my sister’s home. Beliefs, traditions, cultures are so important and there is joy when people around the world celebrate what they believe in.

How wonderful that 7 year 5 students from our school were quick to register for the SU holiday LOOP Easter camp at Peregian Beach. Although the LOOP camp is fully booked, SU have the Redlands Super Sports Day Camp running in the second week of the school holidays. This camp is also run by school chaplains and is very affordable at $75 for the 3 days – which includes food. The camp is at Birkdale South State School and the link is below if you are interested.

https://sucamps.org.au/camps/redlands-super-sports-day-camp-2021/

Kind regards
Chappy Sue

Welcome to Week 10 of 2021!

Science Week

Last week we had a great week celebrating National Science Week in the library and have had many students getting involved with our colouring-in competition to celebrate the event. We have quite a task ahead of us this week, selecting our winners.

Brain Teasers

Q. Can you unscramble the following to find 3 Countries?

               "Who am I? A mobile size ABI tap."

A. Zimbabwe   Somalia,   Ethiopia

Congratulations to Cameron F in 3G for working this one out.

Q. Can you unscramble me to find 3 pests?

             "To cost so...do a quick mouse search."

A. Mosquitoes   Toads    Cockroaches

Congratulations to Will S in 3A for cracking this one. 

Have a great week!
Jackie and Lorraine

Hi Rochedale Parents and Friends

Mother’s Day is fast approaching, Sunday May 9.

Volunteers will be running a Mother’s Day stall again this year on Wednesday May 5 and Thursday May 6.

There will also be an opportunity to buy gifts Friday morning before parade 8.00am - 8.30am May 7. The stall will be held in RPAC.

If you are able to assist at the Mother’s Day stall could you please contact Petta Traynor on 0434 149 834 and advise which day and times you are available.

Happy Easter
From the P&C Committee.

ABSENCE LINE 3340 8388 or

text 0427 890 693 (24 hours)

*******IT IS NOW A REQUIREMENT THAT ALL STUDENT ABSENCES BE REPORTED ON THE DAY OF THE ABSENCE TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE*******

To report a student absence, please call the absence line on 3340 8388 or text our SMS line on 0427 890 693.  These lines are both open 24 hours a day.

When recording an absence on either our phone line or SMS line, please state the following:

1. Your name
2. Student's name
3. Student's class
4. Reason for absence

Please speak clearly and slowly and help us with spelling of names when calling the phone line.