Rain Bomb

Along with other areas of South East Queensland, Brisbane has been impacted by the current significant weather event bringing torrential rains, flash flooding and record flood peaks.  I’d like to acknowledge any members of our community who have been affected by this event and it's times like these that we rely on one another and can support one another.

The decision around closing schools was designed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff, our students and our school community.

COVID restrictions easing

On Tuesday 22 February, the Premier announced the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in Queensland, including the state-wide mask mandate from 6 pm on Friday 4 March.COVID-safe measures will remain in place until 4 March to continue to protect school communities.From Monday 7 March, we are allowed to conduct assemblies, excursions and school camps.  Parents and visitors will be welcomed back onsite.

Please remember - anyone who is working or volunteering at a school site must be fully vaccinated for COVID 19.  All volunteers and helpers are required to sign in at the office and show proof of vaccination.

Thank you for your understanding of the restrictions that have been in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students, staff and the community.

I’ll continue to let parents know when we have been advised of a positive case in a class or if a staff member tests positive.

Thank you 

Swimming Volunteers - this week, I saw a number of swimming volunteers coming up to the office to sign in and out.  Thank you for volunteering your time, staff appreciate it and I know children love having their parents involved.

P and C was held last Tuesday night over TEAMs, thank you to the parents who joined us. It was a well run meeting and really reinforced that there’s a strong sense of community at Rochedale SS.

School Council was held on Wednesday morning, thank you to Sally and Greg for representing the parent body.

Mobile Phone Policy 2022

Rochedale State School accepts that genuine safety concerns exist which require a phone to be in the property of some students as they travel to and from school. 

Rochedale State School’s Student Code of Conduct clearly states that phones and other personal technology devices such as smart watches must be handed into the office each day.

Over the past week, we’ve had a number incidences of students contacting parents via smart watches or phones during school time. We’ve also had students viewing photos and videos on personal devices.

I have elaborated on the information included in the Student Code of Conduct in the attached policy.

Please click here to access the 2022 Mobile Phone and Personal Technology Devices Policy 

Pick up and Drop off

Your child’s safety is our top priority, I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you about Road Safety around our school. 

At Rochedale State School, we take pride in providing a safe environment for students, parents and staff. We have 3 entries points to the school along Rochedale Road. Gate 2 and 3 driveways into the school are closed to pedestrian access.  Parents and students are not permitted to walk up the roads to the school drop off zones, pathways are provided, this will ensure all pedestrians are safe.

Please follow the road rules when using the car park off Rochedale Road.  The car park is not a drop-off/pick-up area, children are not permitted to walk to cars unsupervised.  Parents must park cars in designated parking spaces and walk into the school to drop-off or collect children, this is a matter of safety. If you do not find an available space, you must find alternative parking off the school grounds. 

If using the drop off area please be patient and follow the road rules for the safety of our students, parents and staff. If there are incidences of road rage or aggression towards staff, the matter will be referred to the police.

Gate 1 is staff parking only with no entry for students and parents.

Disabled & Sick Bay Parks out the front of the office are for parents collecting sick children from the office and for emergency vehicles.  These designated car parks are reserved for parents collecting sick children and emergency vehicles only.

As our school community continues to grow, parking availability will only get harder to find. Compared to many other schools we are fortunate enough to have parking onsite as well as around the school. Please take the time to know the surrounding area and make a drop off/ pick up plan that is less congested.

The safety of our students, and pedestrians, surrounding Rochedale State School, is of paramount importance and we thank you for your support.

Celebrating Children’s Birthdays

Throughout the year we enjoy celebrating students’ birthdays with them. Parents often ask what they are allowed to bring to school to share with their class. We encourage a small pre-packaged treat, e.g. a freddo frog, icy pole, or small individual cupcakes.

Lollies / Lolly bags will not be passed onto students. We are nut friendly and prefer items not to contain nuts. Teachers will acknowledge the student’s birthday and share the supplied item with the class at lunch or at the end of the day.

Requests for Letters or Paperwork for Specialist Appointments

Rochedale State School is more than happy to provide information and share our insights for specialists such as paediatricians and psychologists.  Due to the increasing number of requests please allow two weeks for the Leadership Team/ Guidance Officer to provide requested information and/or letters. 

This will allow time to consult with staff who work with your child and table the report through our Student Support Team.

Request for Specialists to engage in classroom observations

Due to privacy and confidentiality requirements for all children in a class, in class observations by specialists such as psychologists, OTs etc will no longer be approved.

We are more than happy to share information with the specialist either face to face, over the phone or via a letter. Please contact Stacey Lloyd, HODLE, if a specialist requires observation information. Stacey’s email is stdun0@eq.edu.au

Requests for specialists to provide therapy at school

Requests for a specialist to provide therapy at school are considered on an individual basis.  An EQ requirement is that a staff member must be able to see the provider and student throughout the session, for this reason approval will only be given for therapy to be done either before or after school if a room is available. All staff are rostered on class throughout the day meaning we are unable to meet the EQ requirement during school hours.

Parents as Learners – Inclusion and Disabilities

Equality – Equity - Justice

The policies and legislation underpinned by EQUITY – It’s not about equality –

They are both strategies that we can use in an effort to produce fairness. Equity is giving everyone what they need to be successful. Equality is treating everyone the same. Equality aims to promote fairness, but it can only work if everyone starts from the same place and needs the same help.  In the third image all three can see the game without supports because the cause of the inequity was addressed, the systemic barrier has been removed.

Let your imagination roam free! Curiocity Brisbane is a 12-day celebration of science, art and tech, where new possibilities play and big ideas collide. From 9 to 20 March 2022, explore a packed program of interactive installations and events. 

Let your imagination roam free at Curiocity Brisbane!

https://www.worldsciencefestival.com.au/curiocity-brisbane

Reminder: COVID Health Advice

If your child is sick/symptomatic

To keep our school community COVID-19 safe, students must not attend school if they are unwell or have COVID- 19 symptoms. Students should attend their local Queensland Health testing clinic  where they will be prioritised to receive a rapid antigen test (RAT).

If the test result is negative and the student is well, they can return to school.

If the test is positive, the student will need to follow Queensland Health quarantine and isolation requirements .

Learning materials if you child is in isolation due to illness or as a close contact

The learning@home website has resources for students in Prep to Year 10. Students are also be able to view quality curriculum-based television programs on three different stations – programming information can be found at Learning@Home TV  

Additional resources are also available at The Learning Place . Students will need their EQ user name and password to access.

Teachers will not be providing online learning materials or printed materials as they will be engaged in full time face to face teaching.

Further information on supporting your child, maintaining healthy learning routines and setting up a learning space at home can be found at

https://education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/learning-at-home/wellbeing-of-students   

Have a great week.
Melissa

BRAVEHEARTS – Ditto Show – Thursday 10 March

“Ditto” and the Bravehearts team will visit our Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students on Thursday 10 March. Bravehearts specialises in personal safety education programs. By teaching our students the principles of personal safety, we are giving them the knowledge they need, to stay safe and know what to do if they find themselves in a vulnerable situation. The ‘Ditto Show’ is a live performance with “Ditto” being the star attraction.

Should you have any questions about the Ditto program or the work of Bravehearts, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Bravehearts on ph: 07 5552 3000 or go to bravehearts.org.au. If you would like to learn more about how to talk to your child about personal safety, download Bravehearts’ FREE PERSONAL SAFETY PARENTS AND CARERS GUIDE from the Bravehearts website. Just go to: bravehearts.org.au/personalsafety.

Captain Readit – Prep Visits

Captain Readit flew into our Prep classrooms last week to talk to our students about his love of reading. They all enjoyed having a chance to meet Captain Readit and had lots of questions for him (mainly around his super hero powers…). As Captain Readit flew away we heard him say “May the words be with you!

Learning to read is a significant milestone in your child’s life. Parents are important partners in modelling reading behaviours and supporting a child’s reading efforts. We are often asked “How can I help my child learn to read?”

Ways you can help your child’s reading in Prep

• Model reading Let your child see you reading, read to yourself and read to your child – often.
• Join your local library Find out where it is and what programs and activities they offer, and of course borrow books regularly! Librarians are full of ideas about which books your child might enjoy reading.
• Make time for reading Make regular time for reading, even if it is only 10 minutes a day!
• Sing! Singing nursery rhymes, jingles and fun chants helps your child have fun with language and to develop their phonological awareness. Even making up silly songs is great for literacy development – have fun with words!
• Sounds like Play talking games that require your child to hear the same beginning sounds, for example, ‘Let’s look for all the things in the fridge that begin with the mmmmm sound’, or ‘I can think of lots of words that start with ssssss, snake, Sammy, silly, can you think of more?’
• Encourage and praise Reading should be enjoyable for you and your child. Always encourage their attempts and praise their efforts.

(https://readingwritingcentre.education.qld.gov.au/resources/guides)

Have a great week
Nicola Leslie
Deputy Principal (Prep - 1)

Members of the 2022 Student Council will be introduced to the school community and will receive their badges.

Congratulations to:

Year Four – 4R Elizabeth, 4E Hae-Yo, 4F Milan, 4H Lucy, 4M Leo, 4K Rayansh

Year Five – 5M Lachlan, 5J Jasmeh, 5A Lincoln, 5B Kyle, 5C Eve, 5R Alexander

Year Six – 6A Gemma, 6M Samara, 6C Aric, 6N Jungyeon, 6T Chloe, 6L Ananya

Captains – Max, Mia

Vice Captains – Basileia, Logan

The Student Council work very hard in providing opportunities for students to participate in school wide actions to support awareness campaigns such as:

• Harmony Day
• Hi 5 and Bystander5
• Environmental concerns
• Endangered species
• Wear your team colours/supporting Australian Athletes
• Support for disadvantaged school children

Student Council also organise and host teachers v students sport events to help boost community engagement within the school.

While these events are all small events in themselves, combined they form a key element in building our Rochedale School community.

Rochedale lets encourage our students to support the Student Council throughout 2022.

Have a great week
Natasha Floyd
HOD- Curriculum/PYP Co-ordinator

The following invoices are due for payment as follows. 

• Year 6 Senior Shirts. Final payment due by Friday March 11.
• Year 6 Camp. Final payment due Friday April 1.
• Year 2. Power of Words. Final payment due March 11.
• Prep to Year 2 Ditto. Final payment due Friday March 4.

If you have not received an invoice please contact the office. All payments are to be made by our preferred method of BPoint online. 

Office Hours

The school office is open each day from 8am to 4pm. 

Student State School Consent

It is the school’s usual practice to take photographs or record images of students and occasionally to publish limited personal information and student materials for the purpose of celebrating student achievement and promoting the school and more broadly celebrating Queensland education. Consent to use your child's name, photograph, voice/video recording or year level is requested at time of enrolment via the "State School Consent Form". If you wish to make changes to consent for your child please request a new State School Consent Form from the school office. 

Religious Instruction at Rochedale SS

Religious instruction (RI) will start in Week 7 for students who are participating. This will be dependent on the school returning to normal operating arrangements from Monday 7 March, further information will come out closer to the date.

Students are allocated to attend religious instruction based on information provided by parents/carers on the completed Application for Student Enrolment unless other written instructions have been provided to the school. Note: This information remains operational unless the parent/carer informs the school otherwise, in writing.

Students who are not participating in religious instruction will remain in their classroom and be provided with other instruction by their class teacher. Other instruction relates to part of a subject area already covered in class and may include, but is not restricted to:

·   Personal research and/or assignments

·   Revision of class work such as literacy and/or numeracy activities.

If you wish to make a change to your child’s participation preference in religious instruction, either to attend or not attend, please email Jane Jeffrey  on jjeff157@eq.edu.au , please included in the subject Religious Instruction. Parents will be advised if there are to be changes to the religious instruction offered and/or other instruction programs conducted at this time to ensure they are able to make informed decision on their child’s participation.

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.

Hi Parents and carers, 

Your child will have received their first 2022 Scholastic Book Club Catalogue recently. Book Club provides you with great value books, and for every dollar spent, our school receives 20% back in the form of free resources for our classrooms and library. 

ORDERS CLOSE FRIDAY 11 MARCH 2022.

Please register online via scholastic.com.au/LOOP or download the LOOP app - see payment option 1 on the back of the catalogue. When ordering online, please note that classes are listed without a space (e.g. '6M' not '6 M') and Prep classes are listed at the bottom (e.g. 'Prep K' not 'PrepK').  Issue 2 can be found online here: https://scholastic.com.au/media/6789/bc222_web.pdf 
If you get stuck and need help ordering online, simply call the Scholastic customer service team on 1800 021 233 during business hours.Books are delivered to your child's classroom once they have been shipped from Scholastic and sorted by volunteers.

This year students will receive issues #2, #4 and #6 (one per term) and in term 4 our Library runs a Book Fair.  There are 8 issues per year, if you wish to order from the other issues you can do so online and have them home delivered for a small fee.  If you have any questions please feel free to email me at larapurdie@gmail.comHappy reading!

Lara Purdie
RSS Book Club Coordinator

P&C NEWS: P&C (eq.edu.au)

Next meeting – AGM - Tuesday March 8 at 7pm in the staffroom. Our next General Meeting - Tuesday 22 March, 7pm. All are welcome. Check the website for membership applications or to nominate yourself or someone else for an executive position. If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to pandc@rochedalss.eq.edu.au

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

It's official. We have re-opened. Due to the restrictions & requirements surrounding Covid, we are now in need of some volunteers to help plug the gap in our workforce in the hope we will not need to close again.

Here at Rochedale State School Snack Shack, we are looking for new volunteers, so we can maintain our great service to the children of the school, but we cannot do this without your help. Mums, Dads, and Grandparents make great volunteers, and your child will love seeing you there! See what we do and how we prepare all the lunches on site. If you can spare some time, even if it is only half an hour in the mornings (when you do school drop off), every little bit helps. Make new friends and have a laugh. Any concerns or questions you may have please email tsmanager@rochedalesspandc.com.au

Look forward to meeting you 
Team Snack Shack 

UNIFORM SHOP NEWS: Uniform shop (eq.edu.au)

We are re-opening for over-the-counter sales as of Monday March 7, 2022 at 8.15am. Please note: We are no longer able to deliver Qkr orders direct to the classrooms. We will now be delivering Qkr orders to the teacher's pigeonholes for the teacher to collect and then distribute to your child. This will happen on Mondays & Wednesdays. Please speak with your teacher in the first instance if you do not receive your order. We appreciate your patience during this adjustment. Every effort is made to ensure 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

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

Parents of student/s that held a 2021 Clarks Logan City Bus Pass that rolled over for 2022 have until Friday, 25 February 2022 to collect their passes.  If these passes are not collected by this date you will need to reapply.  Collection times at our depot are Monday – Friday  11:00am – 1:00pm.  If you have any enquiries, please contact us at info@clarkslogancity.com.au

As a reminder if parents have not collected their student’s Bus Pass that rolled over for 2022 by Friday 25 February, students will be required to use a Go Card to board their service.