Farewell and Happy Holidays!

Over the past year, it has been a privilege to lead the Craigslea SS community. I would like to thank our staff, students and parents for the trust and support you have shown me during this time. Next year I am heading to Woodcrest State College as the Primary Principal.

As the year draws to an end, I congratulate our students on the focus they have given to their learning this year and our fabulous teaching staff who have facilitated our students to improve and achieve throughout the year.

I hope that you all enjoy your time over the summer holidays with your family and loved ones. I wish you all the very best for the 2024 school year and beyond.

Staffing Changes

Sarah Abdy will be going to Stafford Heights SS as Principal for Semester 1, 2024. I know you will join me in congratulating Sarah on her next leadership adventure.

Erin Wiles will be P-2 DP at Craigslea for Term 1.

Renee McGregor has been appointed to the Head of Inclusion role for Semester 1 2024.

We farewell some of our long-term teachers who have been transferred to other schools:

Mikaela Halloran

Felicity Corkin

Melanie Pitcher

Alison Jones

Ashleigh Kroll

We welcome our new teachers for 2024:

Georgia Newlan

Siobhan Coppinger

Atika Dunlop

Sharne Harrigan

Ricky Smith

Hayley Hirata

Montana Deamer

Marty Grylewicz

Prescilla Bleney

Jana Seriser

Chelsea Casey

We also have some teachers who will be on leave in 2024: Elly Pilgrim; Sam Hendle; Zenna Smith; Samantha Heselhurst; Rose Bartley

Welcome back to Amanda Dosetto who is returning from maternity leave.

Nikki Finch

PBL & Social-Emotional Learning

Craigslea SS has a set of four LIFE values to assist students to manage their own behaviour. L - be a Learner, I - be Independent, F - be Friendly and E - be Safe in all Environments.

Our focus for the fortnight is to review what it means to be a Craigslea learner and how we demonstrate the LIFE expectations. By following these expectations, our students not only shape their own character but also contribute to the collective spirit of our school. Each act of kindness, each moment of respect, and each commitment to learning is a building block in the creation of a supportive and nurturing school community. We encourage our students to show pride in being a Craigslea Learner.

Time Capsule Reburial

Last year as a part of Craigslea’s 50^th Anniversary celebrations the school time capsule was unearthed and we had fun exploring the treasures that had been buried 25 years earlier. Next Tuesday, 5 December students from Years 1-6 will be gathering together at the Cool Courts to mark a special moment in our school’s history as we rebury the school time capsule. It has been refilled with a variety of work and mementos from the students. Familes and community members are welcome to join us at the reburial ceremony, as we symbolise the passing of time and the creation of new memories for future generations. We look forward to opening this time capsule once again in the years to come to celebrate the growth and accomplishments of our incredible Craigslea community.

Time Capsule Reburial Ceremony: Tuesday 5 December, 9:15am, Cool Courts

Congratulations to Our Year 6 Students!

As the school year draws to a conclusion, we would like to extend a heart felt congratulations to our Year 6 students for reaching the end of their primary school years. We are incredibly proud of the hard work, resilience, and enthusiasm that you have displayed. While this may be the end of one chapter, it’s the beginning of another filled with opportunities. Always believe in yourself, never stop learning and remember the lessons you have learnt as a Craigslea Learner. We wish you the very best in High School and all the success and happiness that the future holds.

Farewell messages and signatures

At the conclusion of their time at primary school, Year 6 students enjoy getting farewell messages and signatures, often across their uniform. We ask that students refrain from doing this until Party Day on Thursday 7 December. Students are not permitted to wear signed uniforms. On Party Day, students may bring in a spare uniform to be signed if they wish. As an alternative to their uniform, they may like to have their Yearbook signed (provided on Graduation night) or a special item (soft toy or ball) signed with messages.

Finally, we are always after uniform donations for students and families in need. If your child’s uniform is in good condition and no longer needed within your family, we would happily take these as donations for 2024! Please drop off at the office.

Step Up Day

At Craigslea we act to support all children with the transition to their new year level in 2024.  As part of this support, we will have Step Up Day on Monday 4 December 2023 for our current Prep-Year 5 students.

Step Up Day provides children the opportunity to be acquainted with their new class members and meet their new teacher (where possible). During Step Up Day children will spend approximately one hour in their 2024 classroom and experience a learning/ get to know you activity. The aim is to enable them to be more comfortable about the change to a new class. This day also provides children an opportunity to be familiar with their new classroom and to then be confident to orientate themselves on Monday 22 January 2024 when they return to school.

After their session, children will bring home a class placement note. This note will inform you of your child/ren’s class teacher and class placement for 2024. These sessions are very effective in supporting students transition to their new class.

Report Cards

Teachers have worked hard to give an accurate description of every student’s learning achievements throughout the school year. Sharing your child’s report card with them and capitalising on the opportunities to reflect on the learning journey is a crucial factor in establishing expectation and front ending success for the following year. It is important that you share this document with your child and discuss the positives and where to from here.

Semester Two reports will be emailed home on Wednesday 6 December (Week 10, T4).

If you have changed your email address recently, please update this prior to Wednesday on QParents or contact our office staff administration@craigsleass.eq.edu.au to update your details.

Please make sure you add Application.ONESCHOOL@dete.qld.gov.au to your list of safe senders to ensure the report card emails aren’t sent to your Junk folder.

Mobile Phones and Wearable Devices – ‘Away for the day’

Earlier this year, it was announced that all state school students will be required to keep their mobile phones ‘away for the day’ from the beginning of Term 1 2024. This includes wearable devices like smartwatches, which can be worn, but must have notifications switched off, so that phone calls, messages and other notifications cannot be sent or received during school hours.

At Craigslea SS we support students if they need to bring these devices like mobile phones, to school. Mobile phones are handed to our school office when a student arrives. These are kept safe for the day. Students pick up their phone at 3:00 pm when they depart for the day and can collect these if they have an early departure. This process reduces the distraction of mobile phones, providing optimal learning environments for all students.

Our staff remind students of this procedure over the school year. We anticipate that in 2024 our students and staff will adopt the ‘away for a day’ process with little disruption to our regular business. Parents and caregivers are reminded if you need to share an important message with your child during the school day, contact our administration team via the school phone (07 3350 8777). Email is not always checked by our staff during teaching and learning time or during breaks.

Medication collection End of Year

Please collect your child’s medication from school office by COB Friday 8 December 2023.

Remember to collect your child’s medication from school before the holidays begin and store them correctly at home.  Any medications not collected will be disposed of at a local pharmacy.  You should also check the expiry dates before bringing medications back to school after the holidays.  New medications must have the Doctors name and dosage on the label.

A new 'Administration of Medication at school record sheet' will need to be completed for 2024.

Active School Travel 

 Walking Wheeling Wednesday’s

Wednesdays at Craigslea, are Walking Wheeling Wednesdays! Our school is a part of the Brisbane City Council initiative – Active School Travel.

Santa Walk – 6 December 2023

Join in on the Active School Travel fun on Wednesday 6/12 as we meet up at Frederick Annand Park for the final time this year and walk to school with the Active School Travel Team. As some end of year fun as we walk to school, we will be on the look out for Santa who may have a sweet reward for our eagle-eyed spotting!

We wish all members of our school community a Merry Christmas. Whether you’re traveling or staying close to home, We wish you safe journeys and a happy time with family and friends.

Enjoy the last week of the 2023 school year,

Natalie and Sarah

2024 Student Leaders
Congratulations to our upcoming 2024 Student Leaders. We know they will work hard to fulfil their duties as School and Vice Captains, Music Captains, Sports House Captains and Tech Crew.

our day but the entire community!

After reading Pamela Allen’s book ‘The Potato People’, Prep created their very own potato people characters.

Craigslea Festive Musical Morning

Our Craigslea community enjoyed a festive and musical morning.

Senior Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to Webster for bringing home the trophy

Year 4 Excursion to Ngutana-Lui

Last week Year 4 attended Ngutana-Lui Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Cultural Studies Centre to explore and experience traditional art and culture.

Junior Swimming Carnival
Congratulations to all participants in the Junior Swim Carnival. Thank you to Mr H, parent and teacher helpers and senior student supporters.

Year 3 Creations
Year 3 have been investigating ‘heat’. Their learning culminated in designing and building solar ovens. What is the best way to test a solar oven? With s’mores, of course! They are happy to finally see some sunny days and test their designs.

A BIG THANKYOU to our army of 159 AMAZING Reading Club members, AWESOME Reading Buddies, DEDICATED teachers & WONDERFUL parent helpers!

We look forward to seeing you again when Reading Club reopens in 2024!

From Mrs Dang & Mrs Le Roux

Christmas Concert

Thanks to all of  the wonderful students who made our Xmas Concert so wonderful.

Thanks to all of our wonderful parents in our Community Choir

Thanks to Santa for taking time in his busy schedule to visit us.

 Toy Drive

What a specail year!

With a total of over 600 gifts donated by Craigslea Community we were able to gift each admitted child two gifts. Thank you to all who gave to this worthy cause and to Mrs Stockill for organising the toy drive and special thanks to Emily Miles for transporting gifts.

Pop up Concert

Congratulations to the Brass, Woodwind and Percussion students for their Pop up Concert last Friday.

Farewell Mrs Allley. We wish you well.

Pauline Stockill 

P&C News

In this edition…

Bunnings Sausage Sizzle – Saturday  9December, 2023 Volunteers needed.

1. COS book packs for 2024 – order before the 3 December 2023 for free delivery!
2. OSHC Enrolments – Vacation care program, 2024 bookings and closure dates.

 Also….

• Time is running out to watch the recording of the Safe Education Session for parents. Clink on the link to watch before the end of term Internet Safe Education Parent Session for Craigslea State School Parents.mp4
• Swim club’s last night is this Friday 1December. Parents don’t forget to bring your togs so you can race your kids! We have had over 100 children enjoy swim club this season. A big thank you to the Swim club committee for all of your hard work this year. Swim club will back in 2024 starting on Friday 2 February.
• We will be holding a “mow the school” afternoon before school goes back in January – please follow our P&C facebook page for more details next year
• Next year, we will be introducing two great initiatives to ensure our students are not hungry at school. This includes rolling out the School Breakfast Program (supported by YMCA and funded by the Queensland Government) and a “Pay it Forward” feature in Munch Monitor. More to come in 2024.  
• The P&C have lots of events planned for 2024. Check out our calendar by clinking on the link https://tinyurl.com/2024-School-Planner
• Can you help? Volunteering opportunities available
• P&C Contacts – Get in touch
• Fundraising Opportunities 
  
  

1. Bunnings Sausage Sizzle – Saturday 9 December.

• Our Bunnings Stafford Sausage is coming up on Saturday 9 December. A big thank you to those that have already registered to help out on the day. If you have an hour or two spare that day please clink on the link below. There are morning and afternoon shifts available or you can select the “One-hour Helper” and we will contact you to see what time you are available. This event will be our last fundraiser for the year – let’s make it our most successful!!
• Here’s the link to sign up org/R8T7P
• If you haven’t got an hour free why not at least swing by and purchase a sausage….or 10. 
  
  

2. COS book packs – order before the 3 December for free delivery!

• Did you know the P&C get a small cut for every pack ordered the COS? So why not take the hassle out of next year’s book list and order online at Parent Portal - School Supplies | COS and do a little fundraising for the P&C at the same time!
• You can order online by entering Username: craigsleastate@cos.net.au Password: Parents-24 (then just select the year level required for 2024).
• If you order before 3 December, you will get free delivery for any orders over $55. 
  
  

3. OSHC Enrolments

• If you have a little person starting Prep in 2023, they are more than welcome to join in the fun of vacation care from Monday 8 January 2024. It’s a good chance for them to make new friends and learn where everything is at school before everyone starts back. Did you know that most families are eligible for Child Care Subsidy at OSHC? Here is the link to enrol your child https://tinyurl.com/OSHC-enrolment
• 2024 before and after school care is also open for enrolment. Places are filling up – make sure to contact OSHC if you would like your child to be booked in.
• OSHC will be closed from 23 December 2023 (last day is Friday 22 December 2023) until 7 Janurary 2024 (first day back Monday 8 Janurary 2024).

Can You Help?

Help to make Craigslea State Primary School a better place by volunteering for these activities:

1. Bunnings Stafford Sausage Sizzle 9 December: org/R8T7P

P&C Contacts

The Hub (Carol)
3350 8741 or operations@craigsleapandc.org.au

Tuckshop (Deb, Jolei, and Emily)
3350 8744 or tuckshop@craigsleapandc.org.au

Bookshop and Uniform Shop (Emily)
3350 8741 or uniforms@craigsleapandc.org.au

Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) (Kylie)
3350 8724 / 3256 3688 or oshc@craigsleapandc.org.au

Sustainability Group (Jen)
sustainability@craigsleapandc.org.au
https://www.facebook.com/groups/223902536111469/

Swim Club (Andrew)
info@craigsleaswimming.com

Fundraising Opportunities

• Entertainment Books: Craigslea State School link - https://au.entdigital.net/orderbooks/225332?utm_campaign=2021-130521
• We currently have spaces available for advertising on our electronic school sign at the front of the school.  Should you be interested, please contact Carol on either 3350 8741 or operations@craigsleapandc.org.au