Newsletter 19 May - Week 5 Term 2
Message from the Principal
Work will be carried out to remove asbestos containing material in the Outdoor Learning Area (school garden-storage shed) this weekend. The work will be finalised on Saturday and I expect that the hygienist’s clearance will be provided on Sunday. We will not use the area for another week or two in any case. A new storage shed will be erected on the same slab.
The Stones Corner C&K Kindy contacted us to mention that children in Buranda SS uniforms were seen jumping their fence last week and playing on equipment within the Kindy Centre (last Friday afternoon). I spoke to all students about this today at assembly. If your children walk home through Hanlon Park, please remind them to behave appropriately.
Next Wednesday 26 May is National Sorry Day- this is a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how all Australians can play a part in the process of healing for the people and nation.
https://nationaltoday.com/national-sorry-day/
Please continue to keep children at home if they are unwell, particularly if showing cold or flu symptoms.
The Queensland Government has decided to discontinue school banking programs in Queensland Government Schools from Friday July 30 2021. As a result the CommBank School Banking Program will no longer operate at our school after the end of this term. If you are unsure of other methods of depositing into your child’s account, please feel free to contact the Bank’s general enquiries hotline on 13 2221 or alternatively visit your local CommBank branch.
Simon Vaseo
Principal
One of our year 6 students, Peregrine has been invited to dance in the Queensland Ballet Company's Sleeping Beauty at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)! The show opens in June. We wish Peregrine all the best.
https://www.queenslandballet.com.au/2021/the-sleeping-beauty
From the Head of Curriculum
NAPLAN
Well done to all the Year 3 and 5 students who sat the NAPLAN tests and tried their best. All students who participated in NAPLAN receive an individual report which will be issued through the school from August to September.
National Sorry Day
Wednesday 26 May is National Sorry Day. You might like to watch and listen to Sorry Day by Coral Vass with your child/ren and talk with them about the significance of the day.
National Sorry Day commemorates the publication of the “Bringing Them Home” report (May 26, 1997) on the stolen generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The report recommended an unreserved apology and reparations. Ex-Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, made the formal apology on February 13, 2008.
Website for Parents – Raising Children
Raising Children is the Australian parenting website which provides ad-free parenting videos, articles and apps backed by Australian experts and is supported by the Australian Government (Department of Social Services). The website provides information and advice on all stages of parenting including:
- pregnancy
- newborns
- babies
- toddlers
- preschoolers
- school age
- pre-teens
- teens
- grown-ups
- autism
- disability
The toddlers section has ideas about outdoor play. It talks about why outdoor play is important, which extends well beyond the toddler years. I will quote it at length here.
Playing outside gives your child the chance to explore the natural environment and have adventures. They can play games, test their physical limits, express themselves and build their self-confidence.
Outdoor play can also mean more mess – and more mess often means more fun!
When your child is outside, they probably have more space and freedom for big movements, like running, jumping, kicking and throwing. Physical activities like these are good for your child’s health, fitness and physical development.
Spending time outdoors might lower your child’s chances of developing short-sightedness. And a bit of safe play in the sun can be good too – small amounts of sunlight exposure can help boost vitamin D levels.
Often the most difficult part of getting outdoors is getting our shoes on. Take the opportunity to practice tying laces. Your teachers will really appreciate your efforts. Once the shoes are on and you are out and about the rewards might include unexpected hidden treasures like special rocks, ducklings, a rainbow, maybe a dinosaur in the clouds or a new skill the child/ren have finally mastered … all things we miss if we stay inside in front of screens.
From the Inclusion Team
Parent Tip 5: Be patient
When your child comes across an unfamiliar word, give them time to implement some of the following strategies:
- Remind your child to look closely at the first letter or letters of the word and sound them out.
- Skip over the word and read on until the end of the sentence. Have them go back to the beginning of the sentence and start again.
- Look for parts of words they know inside the word (word chunk).
- Break the word into syllables.
- Look at the picture for clues to help read the words and understand the story better.
Lost Property
Please check our lost property baskets as they are overflowing. As winter approches please remember to label your child's jumpers and all belongings.
From the P&C
Dear Buranda State School Community,
This year, Buranda State School P&C are hosting a Biggest Morning Tea to help Cancer Council raise vital funds for people impacted by cancer – and we'd love for you to join us for this great cause!
When: Thursday 27 May at 8am
Where: Buranda State School Hall
Entry: Gold coin donation.
Details: Please bring a plate to share, meet others and be part of the morning!
Your children are to remain in the hall until 8.30am at which time they can "walk and talk" as per their usual routine.
We can’t wait to get together and share some tasty treats, all while helping create a cancer free future.
If you can’t make it, you can still help us make a difference by donating to our fund raising page here https://www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/s/29646/34960
Zoe Gill - P&C President
From the Tuckshop
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!
We can only run a Tuckshop because we have our amazing, wonderful volunteers .
But more volunteers are needed, there's so much to do, please help us!
As a volunteer your job may include chopping veggies and fruits, loading/emptying the dishwasher, tasting food, serving children, etc. If you don't like cooking you don't have to. Only one hour of your time is a much-needed amazing contribution.
It's a great way to meet other parents and contribute to our school community... we simply cannot do it without volunteers.
We are currently working on Thursdays and Fridays.
Check our Volunteer Link https://signup.com/go/rqwpybE
Ice blocks
Ice blocks are every Thursday and can be ordered through the Qkr! app. New cards are to be collected from the tuckshop unless the children are in Prep - teachers will hold their cards. New cards must be purchased by 5pm on Tuesday. Please contact Ludivine on ludivinedr@hotmail.com if you have any issues.
From Helping Hands
Hello again from the team at Helping Hands,
Our service hours of operation are 7am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm. The service shuts at 6pm promptly. We are getting lots of late pickups, please make sure you are here by 5:55pm to collect your child/children. We understand that life gets busy, but after 3 late nights last week, we must insist you or your approved person comes to collect your child/children on time. Please appreciate that we do a long day already and have our own families to attend to. We appreciate your help with this.
After that massive storm last week, I thought I would let everyone know what our process is when there is a storm that looks nasty and I think that it might hit us right in the windows. We are blessed to have the use of the library and thankfully, it is a little sanctuary in the face of a large, loud, and scary storm. Some of our children are extremely noise sensitive and not the best with lightning either. We practice our evacuation procedure, so the children know where they are going and what is going on. We have an evacuation bucket that includes flashlights, a battery radio and snuggle blankets for the incredibly scared that travel with us. I wanted to say a huge thank you to our older girls who, in very short order, arranged the evacuation bucket and helped get the younger children to the library. We attempt to let everyone know where we are, however, with 60+ children, that is a mission. So, to sum up, if there is a storm, and we are not in the room, we will be in the library. Please make your way there, as the children will have their bags with them. Thank you.
Kindest regards,
Sue Chiswell
Coordinator
Helping Hands Buranda
Phone 0429 528 206
Email: Buranda@helpinghandsnetwork.com.au
National Road Safety Week
National Road Safety Week (NRSW) kicks off from 16 – 23 May 2021.
Every year, more than 1200 people are killed and 44,000 seriously injured on Australian Roads. National Road Safety Week honours those we have lost and pledges to make the roads safer for everyone.