Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome back to Term 3! We are slowly returning to normal but the Director-General of Education on the advice of the Department of Health has still insisted that adults remain off school grounds for Term 3. This is not an ideal situation for us as I am sure it isn’t for you.  The operation of gates is a large human resource commitment for us and time away from other things. However, the up side is our connection and service to members of the community to whom we may not have had the chance to connect with every day in the same way. Being the first person to welcome your child to school every day is a privilege for us. We hope that this is a positive for them as well.  I have certainly gained comfort from the saying “It is what it is.”

Our academic focus currently is ensuring we have assessed every child’s reading and writing in the school so we can ensure they are meeting current targets and set goals to move every student forward from where they are. Teachers meet fortnightly to plan the next step for writing for each student and reading goals will be shared with parents at Parent/Teacher Interviews in Week 3  or through other means, so these can be discussed and supported at home where possible to progress their learning. Teachers will also invest time this term in professional development and planning around writing through watching others’ work and gaining feedback. Additionally, the leadership team (being the Principal, Deputy Principal, Head of Curriculum and Head of Inclusion) will do walkthroughs to provide teachers with feedback around the implementation of the Literacy Block in their Classroom. I have attached the school’s Literacy Framework to this newsletter for your perusal as this drives much of our work.  Click here to download the Literacy Framework document.

Sadly, we have had to cancel Year 5 Camp to Currimundi and the Year 6 trip to Canberra. The uncertainty around venues being CoVID safe and the school’s ability to obtain refunds if these trips couldn’t go ahead at the last minute, made it impossible to proceed. In the coming weeks, we will be discussing some scaled down and low key alternatives that students will learn from and enjoy.

Finally, some good news is that we have re-scheduled the following events:

• Junior Sports Day to Wednesday September 9 (Week 9)
  
  
• Cross Country to Friday September 11 (Week 9)
  
  
• Senior Sports Days to Monday September 14 (Day 1) and Thursday September 17 (Day 2)

Though these events will be modified and there will be strict guidelines under which we need to operate, we are hopeful that parents will be able to come along and observe their children in action if cases in Queensland keep trending in a positive direction. More details will follow later in the term.

Finally, please email me on kcana2@eq.edu.au if you would like to join our virtual Cuppa Morning (via Zoom) on Friday July 31 at 9.30am as this is an opportunity for parents and carers to provide the leadership team with ideas to improve the school and find out more about our policies, programs, events and facilities.  Education Queensland has recently funded an educational version of Zoom that has safeguards that aren’t available in the open environment so it will be safe version of the app.
I encourage those who are interested to attend.

Have a good week,


Kathy

IMPORTANT!  Have you booked your interview with your child’s teacher yet?  The booking site CLOSES to parents on Thursday 23 July.  Reports and interviews in week 3. Please indicate to your class children whether your preference is Zoom or telephone call as these can't take place face-to-face. Remember the Semester 1 report is a modified report due to home learning taking place and schools unable to undertake assessment in the usual manner. This is a state-wide decision by the Department of Education.

Prep 2021 update

We have now finished sibling enrolments for Prep 2021.  We are booking in new in catchment families for next year.  If you have a child starting in Prep next year and have not booked an interview, please do so through the front office immediately as we are organising a transition program this term.


Senior Leaders update

Thanks to the School Captains and Tech Crew who assisted with an assembly by Skype in week 10 of last term.  They were having to move around classrooms pretty quickly as the awards were taking place in real time.   See below for the photos of our LIFE award recipients.

The Peer Mediators are complaining that there isn’t any conflict happening at play time!  What a great problem to have.

The Sport Captains have been doing a superb job of setting up play spaces with equipment before school each morning.  They cater for the multipurpose courts, the Prep and Year 1 playgrounds.  They also have to lock it away.  It is an important job and many year levels rely on them doing it.

Until recently, a number of our senior leaders have been responsible for ensuring tuckshop is delivered to the Prep and Year 1 classes in a timely manner.  They were delightful in fulfilling this role and I thank them for their efforts. 

Narelle Green

'Curriculum Corner' is a new section of the newsletter which will provide strategies and ideas to support your child's learning at home. After the holidays, it can be difficult to get back into the homework routine. I know at home with my children, it is important that I do not micro-manage or nag them as it only makes them feel frustrated and angry.  A better solution is to think of yourself as a coach and cheerleader.  I have added some tips below,  that will help bring harmony back into your homework routine, whether your child is in Prep or in their last year at Craigslea State School.

1. Do It As Early As Possible
On days when there are no afternoon activities, give your child a time frame - say, between 3pm and 5pm - to get their homework completed.  This gives them some control over their schedule as some children need a longer break after school, and others need to start right away to keep the momentum going.

2. Build Confidence
When your child doesn't get something right away, they may feel like they're not smart enough and start to shut down.  You can short-circuit negative thinking by sitting down and figuring out the first problem together.  That alone can help them remember how to do the rest. Then provide heaps of praise: "You did a great job on that one! Try the next one now." 

Another strategy: Have your child show you similar problems they have worked on in class.  This may jog their memory so they can retrace the steps.  Plus, it helps you see what they are learning at school.

3. Cut It In Half
That's right - you can make an executive decision to lighten your child's load for a night if:

• They do not understand the homework
• They are exhausted from a long day of school or after school activities

If your child is completely lost, you can excuse them entirely, just make sure you inform their teacher.

4. Change the Scene
Something as simple as a special place to work can boost a child's motivation and in turn, their confidence.

5. Your Way vs. The Teacher's
Your child is struggling with a concept and you actually remember how to get the answer.  But the teacher's instructions are different.  Do you show your child your method - so at least they will have the correct answer? HOLD OFF! Your process may confuse them even more.  You can help your child by talking to them about what they remember from class. If your child is still lost, just inform their teacher that they didn't understand that particular concept. Your child's teacher would also be happy to help you understand the method taught in the classroom so you can support your child next time at home.

Sarah Abdy

Head of Curriculum 

Showcase
Showcase has been planned for the 11^th of September this year. We are still working towards this concert, however are unsure to whether it will go ahead.Due to Covid restrictions we are guided by government decisions. Showcase is an annual concert that the music department hosts each year. This concert is a wonderful display of the high school and primary school music groups combined. We will inform you of updates as we receive them. Information notes will go out to all children closer to the event. The children involved in this performance are: Senior Band, Senior String Orchestra and Performance Choir.

Music Workshop
Our annual music workshop will be going ahead this year. Notes have been given to all students involved this week.

Parade Performances
We are trying to bring to you our student’s talent online this term. Stay tuned to be dazzled!!

Pauline Stockill

Library Update
The Library is open again for student borrowing. Students are able to borrow 2 books at a time. Please support your student to find and return any books they have borrowed during the year as students with overdue books will not be able to borrow. In line with Department of Education school Library Covid-19 Guidelines, please encourage your child to wash their hands before and after reading. 

Book Club
Book Club Issue 5 catalogues have been distributed to students and are available online. All ordering and payments can be completed online using the Scholastic Book Club LOOP Platform. Register at www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP and place your Book Club order by August 3. 

Premier's Reading Challenge
It's not too late to join the Premier's Reading Challenge! Students can join by signing up with Mrs Bryce in Library on Monday and Tuesday at 2nd Break.

Tess Bryce