Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome back to Term 4! This term we will have a number of events that will take Year 5 and 6 students outside the school to extra-curricula sport in particular Gala Sport. A reminder to parents/carers that uniform, hair and jewellery must be according to the Dress Code that has been ratified by our school's P and C.  Any exemptions on medical, cultural or religious grounds should be submitted through the Principal (kcana2@eq.edu.au) for presentation to the Uniform Committee which consists of school staff and representatives from the P and C. This request for exemption should be accompanied by the necessary evidence backed up by a religious/cultural leader or medical practitioner. In Queensland, P and C Dress Codes are supported through legislation in the Education Act.  Please click here to access our school's current Dress Code. We'd ask parents/carers respectfully not to take any requests to adjust a child's uniform to attend extra-curricula activities personally, it is simply the school adhering to legislation and the standards set by the school community. This is a policy requirement of all Education Queensland schools with the expectation that school staff will uphold the Dress Code. There is an exemption process to support genuine cases that parents/carers can use. Although it is desirable that all uniforms are worn in line with the dress code, children whose uniform doesn't comply can access a sporting program at school just not in competition with other schools.  


COVID Planning
With the recent outbreak, there have been some adjustments to our COVID plans yet again. Most of this effects students attending events across schools and having additional non-staff adults indoors. Therefore, our Instrumental Music Muster for our Band (Brass, Woodwind and Percussion students) has been cancelled. For Strings students, parents/carers won't be able to attend the concert. Drop off and pick up arrangements have been sent home for those students as parents/carers will be unable to walk into the venue. The Music Information Night for students who have been selected for the 2022 Instrumental Music Program, will take place on Monday night but we will be using the Year 2/3 covered area and the covered area outside the Year 6 building for the presentations, as we are unable to hold meetings of this size indoors.

At the moment, we are back to 4 square metres per person, therefore, there will be limits on the numbers of adults that can assist indoors in classrooms at the same time. Based on the square metres in each classroom, there can only be one parent/carer volunteer per classroom at a time and they must wear a mask. In the old Prep classrooms (Prep T and Prep K) there can be up to ten masked parent/carers indoors at a time due to the larger classroom size.  Outdoors is more forgiving but masks must be worn if the 1.5 metres distance can't be achieved.


Class Allocation Process For 2022
(PLEASE DO NOT NAME STUDENTS WHO YOU WANT IN YOUR CHILD’S CLASS. THERE ARE TOO MANY FACTORS INVOLVED WHICH MAKE SOME OF THESE REQUESTS DIFFICULT. TEACHERS WHERE POSSIBLE WILL BE MINDFUL OF PLACING STUDENTS WITH AT LEAST WITH ONE OTHER STUDENT WITH WHOM THEY ENJOY LEARNING AND WITH WHOM THEY LEARN EFFECTIVELY. THEY WILL ASK THE STUDENTS FOR THIS INFORMATION)

During Term 4, teachers commence the process of class allocations for next year. Teachers have considerable expertise and motivation in allocating students to classrooms where they think they will learn best particularly when they have worked with a group of students all year. The first priority is to attempt (with the best knowledge we collectively have), the creation of balanced class groups according to social, emotional, academic and behavioural characteristics. Teachers are not allocated to the class until well after the class groups are formed. Teachers (through a set process appropriate to each age level), will take into account the friendship networks of the student (based on student perspectives and teacher observations) as another part of the placement picture bearing in mind that students may not always work best in a classroom with particular friends. At certain times, a change from being in a classroom with a particular friend or group is necessary for student growth and classroom balance. The teacher is best placed to make this decision.

If parents wish to express a point of view about your child’s allocation, this needs to be put in writing to the Principal by submitting it on paper to the office or by email to kcana2@eq.edu.au strictly by Sunday 17 October (end of Wk 2). In order to be considered, this point of view must be framed in terms of an educational reason focusing on your child’s social, emotional and academic needs rather than requesting placement or non-placement with particular students or teachers. In short, please do not name students or teachers in your submission. In a school of this size, it is not possible for students to all be placed with a teacher or student favoured by themselves or their parent. Conversely, it is not possible for parents to request avoidance of a particular student or teacher. There are just not enough options when placing large numbers of students and more often than not, everyone wants the same thing. The information on which students and parents make these requests can be flawed.

Teachers are also aware that some students may not be compatible within a classroom environment or require a ‘break’ from each other in order to foster their learning. Additionally, there is no guarantee that certain teachers will be attached to their 2021 year levels. This is due to the fact that there are a range of external factors that can affect this from year to year. It has been our practice to move teachers around and the state-wide transfer process can impact belatedly on how classes are staffed from year to year.

I’d ask parents to understand that there are many complexities involved in forming classes and although parent views are definitely taken into account other circumstances can affect their child’s class placement. In most instances we have 75 to 100 students to place. Parents choosing their child’s class is not a workable solution for any school. Therefore, in fairness schools can’t offer choice of placement to particular parents as it is impossible to offer to all. I can assure parents this is a lengthy process that is given a great deal of time and effort and thank you in advance for your understanding and adherence to the guidelines outlined above if you decide to submit information before the due date.

Please note that information submitted after the due date cannot be considered as this process is done as part of a number of scheduled meetings and the opportunity for teachers to meet again to discuss late submissions is not possible at this time of year. In order to assist us with class allocations, please complete the online form (click here), stating your child’s return or non-return for the 2022 school year. We do understand that circumstances do change but an indication will help with making plans.


Senior Leader Process For 2022
In the week commencing October 18,  students in Year 5 will be given the option of applying for a Senior Leader position using our school form.  Those students who wish to apply for Captain positions (School Captains, House Captains, Music Captains, Tech Crew) are additionally expected to submit either an essay or video presentation on how they meet the selection criteria. Those students who wish to be considered for Captain positions will also be called to an interview with the school leadership team and representatives from the P and C. These senior leader forms and the essays/video presentations prepared by those who wish to be considered as Captains, are due to be submitted through the office by 3.20pm on Monday November 1.  No late applications can be accepted.

Have a good week,

Kathy

Social-Emotional Learning

Our focus this week is the ‘Environment’ in our LIFE rules.  Senior leaders have been reporting back their observations after monitoring the environment around year level blocks Yr 1 – Yr 6.  Issues identified have been school bags left on the ground, many with zips left open.  While birds accessing lunches from bags has not been an issue of late, if students continue to be tardy in this regard, we may be inviting trouble.

On another note, we have some nice new garden beds up near the Greenhouse and I have plants on order to fill the gaps in our gardens in the next few weeks.

Welcome back for Term 4
We have such a busy term of learning ahead!  One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is the ability to feel 'uncomfortable' in their learning, whether it be at school, home or in any social situation. What we tend to want to do for our children is to shield them from the pain of struggling, to make things that bit easier and in some cases remove all barriers so they have an easy ride through school and life.  We have all had to struggle in some way to get where we are and finding ourselves in the 'learning pit' is a critical aspect of our own character development. 

At Craigslea, we believe students need to experience challenges and struggles as through this comes new learning and growth on so many different levels.  Talking to your children about being in the 'learning pit' and using this resilience model for almost any aspect of their development, reaps enormous rewards when you are confronted with them 'giving up' or demanding that you do it for them. Using every situation that comes before a child as a potential learning opportunity can be time consuming and arduous, yet the children I have seen have a better understanding on how to problem solve, are often the most resilient when they move on to more complex situations like high school. 


Term 4 - Year Level Curriculum Snapshots 
The Term 4 Curriculum Snapshot for each year level will be uploaded to the school website next week.  You will also receive a copy of the snapshot in your child's class newsletter.  The Curriculum Snapshot provides you with an overview of what your child will be covering in their classroom for Term 4. It can be used to help focus your conversations with your child about their learning and the types of activities that they are currently undertaking. 

Principal’s Academic Award 

Excellence in Arts: Dance/Drama/Visual Arts 

Criteria:

• Completes all arts tasks on time 
• Shows originality and creativity 

Music Muster
Unfortunately the Music Muster on Tuesday 12 October has been cancelled for Band students. It will be still on for Strings students who have paid and completed the permissions.  Parents/carers will no longer be able to attend the concert.  Those String students who have paid and completed permissions will be receiving a letter regarding new arrangements for drop-off and pick-up today. 

Year 6 Parliament House Excursion 2021
Prior to visiting Queensland's Parliament House we had an opportunity to visit the Cube at the QUT Campus.  This interactive display gave us the opportunity to use huge interactive displays on aquatic life, dinosaurs and plant life.

Our excursion to Queensland Parliament House was both fun and educational. We had afternoon tea, then did a wonderful tour of the precinct, where we experienced places like the Parliamentary Annexe, the George Street Wing, the abolished Upper House, and something we all know, the setting where the Premier does her COVID press conferences live on the news. We had many interesting lessons where we learned about the history of Parliament and the roles of our parliamentary representatives. Finally, came the highlight of our day. Our class went through an immersive role play in the Lower House Sitting Room and some of us even got to sit in the seats of important public figures like the Premier and the Opposition Leader. Truly, the excursion to Parliament house was a trip that I doubt many of us will forget for years to come.

Jeswin, 6K

The Next Tech Girl Superheroes Competition
We would like to congratulate Cyrine, Maria Haira and Ehblu in Year 6 for their incredible achievements in the Tech Girl Superhero digital competition. This team were named Queensland Finalists and are also recipients of the "Techgirls Competition United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Award", which acknowledges how their app meets the United Nations Good Health & Well-being Goal. They have been working collaboratively since Term 2 to create and code their app "Time Killers". Of their app the team said, "We know that too many kids are wasting time on their phones and iPads so we wanted to make an app that lets them have productive screen time." We are so proud of their achievements and dedication to creating a better world using technology. 

Parent meeting around 2022 Instrumental Music program
Parents of students who have been identified in the Instrumental Music program for next year have been invited to attend the Music evening meeting on Monday 11 October. Due to current restrictions, we will be holding the meetings in the 2/3 covered area and the covered area outside the Year 6 block.  At this meeting, we share the requirements and responsibilities of the IM program, after which, parents and students together decide if this is something they want to commit to.  The decision is not a light one for families because accepting the offer means someone has missed out, as we are unable to provide offers to all those who show promise in learning an instrument.  ‘Promise’ is the first requirement; regular practice, determination and resilience are other requirements. 

Free Parenting Seminar - Help your child handle ups and downs, including online
We all do our best to supervise our children’s online activities, but this Triple P – Positive Parenting Program seminar offers tips on how to develop your child’s ability to cope with problems, now and in the future, in real-life and online. The seminar is fun and friendly and only 60 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. REGISTER NOW: Search for a Triple P session in your area called “Raising Resilient Children (focus on Cyberbullying) Seminar”.

FLYER QLD Resilient Cyberbullying Seminar Flyer 2 Craigslea SS

New recycling point
Drop any old pens and markers into the collection box that is situated in the library. Thanks to the sustainability team for leading this environmental project.

Prince Charles Early Education Centre Visit
This  morning, we had children from Prince Charles EEC visit us for an experience at Craigslea SS.  This visit, initiated by PCEEC, gives the children an opportunity to become more familiar with the primary school environment as they have been preparing for at kindy.