‘Be Prepared’

This has been the motto of the Boy Scouts organisation since 1907 and reflects a readiness to face the future and any eventually which may arise. This theme translates perfectly to the school environment where we constantly try to stay at least one term ahead to ‘be prepared’ for what is coming over the horizon. The past two years and the COVID pandemic has shown us that we can never really be certain of what the future holds. We can anticipate and pre-plan, but we also have to be able to pivot and react to ensure we can overcome any variables which emerge. While this Friday marks the halfway point of Term 4, we continue to plan and position ourselves in preparation for 2022. Staffing and classes for next year are put together this year, based on existing enrolments and future projections. However, the potential for domestic and international borders to re-open over the Christmas holiday break, and the impact this may have on our enrolments in 2022, is something we cannot predict but are preparing for. Our school is growing and as we put together classes and staffing for next year, please understand that while we must work on this year’s figures as a base point, we have prepared a number of options which we may have to initiate next year if numbers warrant. The end of 2021 is in sight, but we still have so much to do to be ready for the start of 2022; and as always, we want to ‘be prepared’.

New Building

Rochedale State School is growing and this growth has meant that our school is reaching its classroom capacity. When I commenced my position here at Rochedale in 2015, our enrolments were 850 students; currently we have 1028 students with more new houses being built in our catchment each day. To help accommodate our ever-growing numbers, our school will be receiving a new classroom block. This $15.2 million project will see a new double story, brick building constructed containing 12 new classrooms. In addition, there will be refurbishments of some existing rooms and an upgrade to the staff carpark freeing carpark spaces in Carpark 4. The old demountable buildings, currently used by Year 3, are also earmarked to be removed. The tender process for this work has just closed and work is anticipated to begin before the year is out. It will be a 12 month build and the new facilities should be ready for use for the beginning of the 2023 school year.

School Leaders 2022

The School Leaders election process for 2022 is underway with over 30 students showing interest in undertaking one of our leadership roles. These candidates gave an initial speech last week in front of the Year 6 cohort and staff as part of our narrowing down process. From these speeches, the final candidates are being determined and these students will give a formal speech to a larger audience of Years 4, 5 and staff. After these formal speeches, a vote will be conducted to identify our School Captains for 2022. We will then work through a process to elect Music and Sports Captains. Students who miss out on School Captain positions are eligible for these other positions if they have nominated. All of our school leaders will be formally inducted at a ceremony early next year. Leadership is an important role and I thank all of our potential leaders for taking a risk and nominating. I wish them well.

Tuckshop Day – Friday 5 November

Tuckshop Day is held each year on the first Friday in November to recognise and give special thanks to all tuckshop workers and volunteers across Queensland state schools. It also highlights the important role tuckshops play in school life. The daily efforts of our Snack Shack team have been tremendous this year and we should never take their hard work for granted. Our P&C run a wonderful service for parents, which assists our families who have to juggle many different tasks each day. On Tuckshop Day this Friday, I encourage everyone to say a special thank you to our wonderful Snack Shack Team; our P&C, our Snack Shack staff and our volunteer parents who put their hand up and get involved. Together you provide a high quality and valuable service for our school. Thank you.

Learner Profile:  Attribute focus for the week – Risk Takers – Students should try something new or attempt something challenging in relation to their school work. This may be done as an entire class or as an individual, check with your class teacher. If it is being done individually, children should share their risk-taking goals with their class teacher.                

Kind regards
Keith Graham
Principal

E-readers and tablets are becoming more popular as such technologies improve, but research suggests that reading on paper still boasts unique advantages.

As we continue to watch the technology world boom across the globe, it’s important to remember the importance of reading good literature. Today's so-called digital natives still interact with a mix of paper magazines and books, as well as tablets, smartphones and e-readers; using one kind of technology does not preclude them from understanding another. However – does the technology we use today change the way we read?

In January 2013, a study from the University of Stavanger in Norway asked 72 10th-grade students of similar reading ability to study one narrative and one expository text, each about 1,500 words in length. Half the students read the texts on paper and half read them in pdf files on computers with 15-inch liquid-crystal display (LCD) monitors. Afterward, students completed reading-comprehension tests consisting of multiple-choice and short-answer questions, during which they had access to the texts. Students who read the texts on computers performed a little worse than students who read on paper. Is this because these students were raised reading texts on paper and are finding it hard to adjust?

Other researchers have suggested that people comprehend less when they read on a screen because screen-based reading is more physically and mentally taxing than reading on paper. E-ink is easy on the eyes because it reflects ambient light just like a paper book, but computer screens, smartphones and tablets like the iPad shine light directly into people's faces. Depending on the model of the device, glare, pixilation and flickers can also tire the eyes. LCDs are certainly gentler on eyes than their predecessor, cathode-ray tubes (CRT), but prolonged reading on glossy self-illuminated screens can cause eyestrain, headaches and blurred vision.

Technology is important – but don’t forget the benefits of reading a good book!

Tom Grimson
Deputy (Y3-4)

Next week we will be commemorating Remembrance Day, on Thursday 11 November.

At 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918 silence filled the air. After four years of continuous war, there was a cease fire. A peace settlement was secured by the battling armies and World War I was finally over. While on this day we commemorate the end of the First World War, we also remember those men and women who have fought in other conflicts. It is a good time to pause, reflect and consider the work and sacrifice that our service men and women continue to give to ensure our safety and freedom.

The first world war was also the first time that the young nation of Australia sent soldiers to war. It was during these conflicts that the tradition of the ANZAC spirit was born. 

After the first world war, society had moved forward with a greater focus and effort on equality. The end of the first world war also saw the rise of international mindedness, with a focus upon dialogue and nations working collaboratively to solve problems. This brought about the beginning of the United Nations.

To foster global citizenship, it is important for us to know about our own national history and traditions, as well as the history of other countries and global events. It is through knowledge and understanding that we are able to develop the attitudes of tolerance and acceptance and build everlasting peace and well-being for all.

In week 6, to help commemorate this day, the Student Council will be selling poppies and badges to students out the front of the administration building. This will be on Monday 8, Tuesday 9, Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 November from 8am. Student Council will also be selling the badges and poppies after the morning tea play bell on those same days. Thank you on behalf of the Student Council for your support.

                          Poppies 50c

                          Badges $5.00

Natasha Floyd
HOD- Curriculum

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.

UNIFORM SHOP NEWS: Uniform shop (eq.edu.au) - Prep 2022 Online Ordering is open now! Please note that this is for pick up on Shuffle Up Day only. If you have older children, then please order through the regular Uniform Shop menu. There will be a second opportunity in the new year for Prep 2022 online ordering, once we know the dates and times we will publish them in the newsletter.

We are gearing up for Back-to-School 2022. Online orders through Qkr are always processed on a Thursday. Please be patient while we work through them. If your order is not delivered to your child's classroom on the Thursday it will be delivered on the Friday after parade. Uniform delivery is subject to class times and if your child's class is not there this will cause a delay. Every effort is made though to make sure the orders are delivered directly to the teacher for distribution to your child. Any questions or concerns can be sent to uniform@rochedalesspandc.com.au

ROSHCA NEWS: ROSHCA (eq.edu.au)

All information regarding enrolling at ROSHCA can be found on the school's website or by emailing us at roshca@rochedalesspandc.com.au

SNACK SHACK NEWS: Tuckshop (eq.edu.au)

We are trying to limit the receipt of cash over the counter, please consider our online options or eftpos when ordering.  Any concerns or questions you may have please email fsmanager@rochedalesspandc.com.au or pandc@rochedalss.eq.edu.au

P&C NEWS: P&C (eq.edu.au)

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, the previously advertised Movie Night and Disco Night have been cancelled.  If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to pandc@rochedalss.eq.edu.au

Kind regards
Michelle Duncan
Admin Asst. RSS P&C
07-3340-8365