Dear Parents/Carers,

Class Allocation Process For 2023

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 Monday 3 October (before school starts for Term 4). 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 2022 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 2023 school year. We do understand that circumstances do change but an indication will help with making plans.

50th ANNIVERSARY: SEPTEMBER 10 (12 to 4pm)

We look forward to all joining together with former students and staff to celebrate Craigslea's big birthday which is just two short weeks away! Please (CLICK HERE) for the program and the flyer.  There will be rides, activities and performances for the children as well as food trucks, music, a bar, reunions and tours for the adults. Historical displays and student work for the time capsule will be on display for young and old. Please find below the warm up and performance times for each year level as well as their dress for the performance. Students wear free dress on the day so they can easily partake in the activities so if their performance costume is comfortable, they can just keep wearing that.

YEAR LEVEL AND BAND PERFORMANCES (PLEASE ARRIVE AT COMPUTER LABS FOR WARM UP TIME. ALL PERFORMANCES WILL BE IN THE HALL)

We do not expect families to go to additional expense. Items located around the home are absolutely fine.

Join us for the party!

Kathy

Enrolment forms are available on the school website https://craigsleass.eq.edu.au/enrolments. Please email your completed forms to enrolments@craigsleass.eq.edu.au as soon as possible.

Parents of children enrolled to start Prep in 2023 have been invited to attend a prep experience session. These sessions started off this week and it was so great to see some of our 2023 Preppies have a wonderful time in one of our prep rooms – we can’t wait for them to be with us full time next year!

PBL & Social-Emotional Learning

The focus for the fortnight is:

Be a safe in all Environments – We travel safely to school and around the community.

 With so many students from Craigslea taking the healthy option to walk or ride to and from school each day, it is important to talk about some aspects of safety. This fortnight’s Positive Behaviour for Learning focus is on “Safe Travel” to and from school. Whether students are travelling by foot, bike/scooter, car, taxi or bus there are many aspects to consider in order for students to keep themselves as safe as possible. That may be by wearing protective equipment such as a bike helmet, planning a safe route, getting out of parked vehicles on the “safe” side, standing back from the gutter as a bus or taxi approaches and having a plan of what to do if something has not worked out as expected.

Most young children are still developing the skills needed to judge safe road situations such as the ability to judge distances, speed of vehicles and distinguishing traffic sounds. As such they should not be left to make their own way to school until these skills are developed. This is usually around 10 to 12 years of age.

Road safety experts advise that children up to eight years old should hold an adult's hand on the footpath, in the car park, or when crossing the road. Further advice suggests children up to ten years old benefit from being actively supervised in the traffic environment and holding an adult's hand when crossing the road.

Children learn most of their road safety skills through the observation and imitation of adult behaviour, so even if your children are not with you, it is important that you set a good road safety example near the school and at all other times.

You can also help your child learn road safety by explaining to them the hazards they face and how to negotiate them while travelling to and from school. You can use examples to explain the difference between safe and unsafe behaviour. For children this can be a fun activity. You can also try a different mode of transport each week such as walking, riding a bicycle or using the bus.

Some personal safety tips for children travelling to and from school are:

• leave school as close to 3:00pm so they are walking together
• never go anywhere with an unknown person. If your child is unsure, advise them to return to school for us to check arrangements.
• never accept gifts or sweets from an unknown person.
• never get in a car with an unknown person
• never go off on their own without telling parents or a trusted adult
• stay with their friends and not to go e.g. to the park on their own.

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation also has some tips for traveling safe to school.

Bridge Builders

Congratulations to our Bridge Builders who have been continuing their duties in the playground as peer mediators for our younger students. Please see below for those who have earned badges and/or certificates. Silver and Gold certificates will be handed out on assembly in week 10.

Active School Travel

Bling your RIDE to School Day

Decorate your Bike or Scooter and ride to school on Wednesday 14 September.

To celebrate the last Walking, Wheeling Wednesday of the term we are planning a day full of fun and colour where students, teachers and parents will discover the fun of riding to school.

We are inviting all students and families to Bling Your Ride to School on Wednesday 14 September 2022 to coincide with our Active School Travel Day. Everyone is encouraged to dress up their bikes, scooters, wheelchairs with bright, colourful decorations. The best decorated ride from P-3 and Years 4-6 will win a prize, so start planning your creations!

Have a great week!

Principal’s Academic Award  

Excellence in Digital Technology  

Criteria :

• Shows enthusiasm and commitment in lessons 
• Uses digital technology safely and for learning purposes 
• Works hard to improve skill level 

Year 3 have had so much fun making their cute and creative fruit snacks for Design Technologies.

Well done to our students who participated in the QLD Primary Schools Volleyball Cup. All teams demonstrated great skill and exceptional team spirit.

Under 8s Day - fun and games!

Well done to our Prep-3 Junior Sports participants.

Photos from our Book Week Celebrations

Well done to our very own Tech Girls for being awarded Highly Commended in the Qld Showcase over the weekend!!! Congratulations team. 

Please click the following link to view - https://www.facebook.com/Techgirlsaresuperheroes/videos/498453598777255