Proston State School EWSETTE · Last day of Term 1 Monday 20th April First day of Term 2 * Please note, School Banking has been paused until Term 2 due to the Covid-19 Virus. Term

Proston State SchoolStrive to Excel 20 MARCH 2020

NEWSLETTER

Principal’s MessageDear Parents, Carers and Students,

Well, we have certainly said ‘see you later’ to summer and ‘hello’ to autumn. The first term continues to bring rich and engaging learning opportunities and a chance for students to connect with their new peer group and teacher. This is why attending school each day is crucial.

Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day - missing school puts them behind. Being at school every day helps to build connectedness to peers and helps to build rapport with staff. It enables children to feel a part of the school community. This term we will continue with our Every Day Counts initiative and highlighting that ‘Coming to School is Cool!’

As mentioned the need for regular and punctual school attendance is important to your child’s education. Hopefully you will take time to think and reflect on that, and hopefully have a shared commitment to have your child at school on time every day. If we can assist you in having your child attend school more regularly please let us know.

As a parent myself, I know that some days can be easier than others in getting children to school. So please sing out if you need a hand as we would dearly love to see every child here every day. More to that however, we need your children here before the school bell. The processes of the morning only take a few minutes, and from there instruction begins. If your child is regularly late to school, then they are regularly missing the important elements of instruction. Their lateness also causes disruption to the class as the teacher is then required to back-track or make up for lost time. For your child’s benefit, and for the benefit of those in the class please be sure to arrive 5-10 minutes before the bell, rather than 5-10 minutes after.

Over the last 12 months the Proston State School P-10 has been undergoing a Priority School Review. It is with great pleasure and pride that I would like to announce that Proston State School P-10 has successfully passed the review. The State Reviewers were totally impressed with the growth of the school, especially around our two school priorities of reading and behaviour. The exceptional work undertaken by all of the school staff is to be commended. We have collaboratively worked together to enrich the standard of education offered to the students and increased the learning outcomes of every student. A big thank you to the parents and careers who consistently support your children by taking an interest in their education and the school community. Proston State School P-10 is super proud of our achievements and as a team we will continue to strive for excellence and continue to achieve great things for all.

Together we are providing the best education for our future leaders.

Diary Dates:

2020 Term Dates:

“Every day Every Student is Learning and Achieving in Every Classroom”

94 Rodney St (PO Box 70), Proston QLD 4613 Ph 4169 4333 Fax 4169 4300 E [email protected] Website https://prostonss.eq.edu.au Office Hours 8am-4pm Monday to Friday

Report Student Absences by 9:30am: Ph 4169 4333, E [email protected] or SMS Text 0457 530 680

✓ Be Safe ✓ Be Respectful ✓ Be Cooperative ✓ Be a Learner

Key ContactsPrincipal Mrs Samantha SkerrittAdministration Jess Scanlan, Michelle Sanewski, Rach JolleyUniform Shop NB Inspirations (Ph: 4168 9013)

Friday 3rd April

Last day of Term 1

Monday 20th April

First day of Term 2

* Please note, School Banking has

been paused until Term 2 due to the

Covid-19 Virus.

Term 1: 28th January - 3rd April

Term 2: 20th April - 26th June

Term 3: 13th July - 18th September

Term 4: 6th October - 11th December

Assembly is cancelled until further notice.

P&C Association Meetings are now held on the second Wednesday of each month at 3:30pm in the school library. All welcome!

Regular Events:

Kindest Regards

Mrs Samantha Skerritt, Principal

Congratulations to the Principal’s Student of the Week:

Week 7 - Tammi Sims

Week 8 - Brewster Burfoot

Principal’s Student of the Week

Proston State SchoolStrive to Excel Page 2

NEWSLETTER 20 MARCH 2020

Head Lice Alert NoticeDear Parents/Guardians,

Head lice have been observed in the Year 1 classroom. It is extremely important for you to check all family members for head lice TODAY. If you find head lice, please commence effective treatment immediately. You may use the conditioner and combing method that we use at the school or you may choose to use a chemical treatment. Our Community Health Nurse or Proston Health and Beauty may be able to advise you on a suitable chemical treatment. Immediate treatment will help prevent head lice from spreading.

Please wash hats/sheets to reduce risk of infestation. We urge you to check older students and other family members.

If for any reason you are having difficulties treating the head lice on your child/ren or family members effectively, please contact the school office on 4169 4333.

Head of CurriculumReading at Proston

During the last 12 months there has been a major focus on developing every student’s reading and comprehension abilities. A reading framework developed by the school describes the strategies and tools used by teachers and students to drive improvement across the school.All the additional work has resulted in an amazing improvement across the school – a 51% improvement during the last 12 months of students reading independently at or above the Darling Downs South West regional reading benchmarks.The accompanying graph shows the improvement for different grouped year levels.Please continue to encourage and support your child’s reading of books and magazines at home, every night if possible.

Positive Behaviour Improvement

As a PBL school, behaviour data is tracked and monitored at Proston SS P-10. First term this year has seen an excellent improvement in positive behaviours for learning with more than 90% of students being learners, cooperative, respectful and safe (Tier 1, see diagram). A small percentage of students have had a pattern of behaviours that is not in accordance with our schools expectations (Tier 2, see diagram). Interventions with those students include reteaching expectations and other outcomes and are outlined in the school’s behaviour management flowchart. Students are rewarded frequently and consistently to encourage appropriate behaviour with weekly awards, Proston Proudies, and participation at rewards day for eligible students. Positive behaviour

makes the learning environment pleasant, safe and productive for all students. Mr Andrew Dobson Head of Curriculum | Science & Mathematics Teacher



Students of the Week

Congratulations to our award recipients

Butterfly releaseAfter watching our butterflies emerge from their chrysalis’ over the past week, we decided to release them back to nature.Everyone from Prep to Year 2 gathered to observe our 6 butterflies take their first flight into the “wild”. Students watched them fly up into the trees and nearby bushes. One was spotted resting near the plants in front of the administration building.Prior to the release the Year 2 class, carefully made observations and diagrams of the butterflies and noticed that one of the 6 butterflies had a spot on its’ wing. This marking indicates that it is a male butterfly. Everyone is now hoping that they have decided to live in and around

the school grounds so that we can watch out for caterpillars and butterflies in the future.

Primary Science

Mrs Patricia Morris HPE, Science and Food Studies

Positive Behaviour for LearningI am a LEARNER! I am making active choices about the things I do each day to make a difference. I am prepared for class, I am on time, I am following instruction the first time it is given.

Congratulations to all those students that reached their half-way mark to rewards day and accessed privileged play. It is wonderful to see so much pride in our students as they wear their coloured wrist band. Keep up the fabulous effort.

Miss Lisa Vandenberg

Student Support Teacher

Proudie System We have seen amazing success with our new and improved Proudie system. Most students are well on their way to the 200 Proudie goal, with many students already receiving a special wristband and some privilege play during lunchtimes. The countdown to rewards day is on and students need to keep up their momentum and follow the school expectations to earn those Proudies. Just a reminder that students who have received an in-school or out-of-school suspension will be unable to attend rewards day. Also, please note that student absences can affect their Proudie totals - if they are not at school, they are not earning Proudies. Remember - every day counts!

Miss Tammi Fitzgerald

Secondary Teacher



Proston Show ResultsCongratulations to all the students who entered articles in the Show and were winners.

Equestrian Event P&C Committee Executives for 2020Dear Parents and Carers,

Please be advised that the One Day Interschool Equestrian Competition set for Thursday 7th May 2020 at Nanango has been cancelled.

This is in line with the forced cancellation of similar activities due to the COVID-19 event.

Congratulations to the newly appointment P&C executives for 2020.

President – Mrs Barbara Hockey

Treasurer – Jeanette Hales

Secretary – Nikita Hockey

Vice President – Nick Hockey

P&C Meetings will now be held on the second Wednesday of each month starting at 3:30pm.

Proston State School P-10 look forward to working with you throughout the year.



Prep NewsIt’s Prep turn to do the display in the Office. Stop by and check out the great work they have been doing.

Miss Donna Howard Prep Teacher

Year 1 NewsThis fortnight, Year 1 students have been busy exploring new concepts in HASS. We loved being “school inspectors” on our walk around the school grounds with our clipboards to identify the natural, managed and constructed features of an area!

P-2 Students were ecstatic to see the classroom butterflies released last week! A big thank you to Mrs Morris for caring

for the butterflies and providing students with the opportunity to see a life cycle up close!

Miss Ali Kassulke Year 1 Teacher

Mrs Dianne Cross Year 2 Teacher

Year 2 News

Year 3 NewsIn English, we have been starting to learn how to use persuasive language to persuade others. Students have been writing persuasive paragraphs using reasoning to support their point of view. In Health, we are learning to identify strategies to use when we need to do a challenging activity. This week in Maths, we will be starting to learn about chance.

Miss Rebecca Connell, Year 3 Teacher



Year 9 & 10 HumanitiesStudents are working hard on assessment. In English we are concentrating on writing Imaginative Memoirs for Year 9 and analysing an opinion on Romeo and Juliet for Year 10. In HASS, students are working on in-depth

research tasks. We have been learning about the Industrial Revolution, migration to Australia and Australian politics.

Mrs Peta-Ann Clarke Year 10 Form and Secondary Teacher

Year 7 & 8 Mathematics

Mr Nicholas Blanch Year 8 Form and Secondary Teacher

Year 7 and 8 have been very busy in Mathematics over the past three weeks. After we completed our first assessments, we turned our focus to Probability and Statistics (Year 8’s) and Area, Volume and Perimeter (Year 7s). Both classes are working towards completing real-life based projects, and are showing real enthusiasm for the new concepts. Measuring using a range of relevant scales and representing data visually have been our two biggest

challenges to date! By the end of the Term, the Year 7s will have designed their own gardens and the Year 8s will have conducted a data gathering and representing challenge.

Year 7 & 8 NewsWow, Week 8 already! This past fortnight, the Year 7s have been working hard finalising some units and getting through assessments. The students have been working on literary memoirs and, over the coming days, will begin writing a memoir about a significant event in their life. In Science, they created some polluted water and used their knowledge of separation techniques to filter out as much pollution as possible. In HASS, students have been analysing sources about Qin Shi Huang, preparing to complete their assessment over the next week. Overall, students have been working extremely hard and have come so far already this year!

In English, the Year 8 students have finalised their learning for the unit and will begin their assessments this week. Students have been analysing different issues presented in drama scripts, and for their assessment, they will take on the role of a character to discuss an issue. These scripts have led to some great class discussions about ethical and personal issues, and how these issues can impact different people.

Miss Tammi Fitzgerald Year 7 Form and Secondary Teacher

Year 4/5 NewsThis week students have begun their end of term assessments. They have started their fantasy first chapter for English, their adapted creature for Science and their written assessment for Geography. Students have also completed some Maths and Health assessments as well. Parents can support their children through this hectic time by ensuring they get lots of sleep and that they are eating lots of healthy, energy rich foods to help keep their stamina

up through the day. We look forward to sharing some of their results with you during the Week 10 Parent/Teacher interviews.

Year 6 NewsWhat a fortnight it has been!! In Science, students have been learning all about yeast, they even got to make their own bread. In Maths, we have been learning about order of operations (BODMAS). Year 6 have enjoyed playing different games with cards and dice to practice their solving problems skills using their knowledge of BODMAS. As we are getting closer to the end of term students have been completing their assessment, please ensure your child is at school every day to give them the best

learning opportunities.Miss Megan Kingston Year 6 Teacher

Miss Katrina Hayward and Mrs Amanda Wagner Year 4/5 Teachers





Community Notices

Coronavirus – Information to support children and young people Advice for parents and carers Reports regarding Coronavirus have been prevalent in the media recently, and it is natural for children and young people to have questions or concerns when events such as this occur. This fact sheet contains some information for parents and carers to keep in mind when supporting their children.

Pay extra attention to your child’s needs It is perfectly normal for children to have questions about events that are covered in the media, such as the information currently being distributed about Coronavirus.

There is a common misconception that talking with children and young people about a topic such as Coronavirus may increase their anxiety. However, research suggests that it usually has the opposite effect. For children, not having information is scary, and many children will fill in the blanks with their own imagination – often imagining something far worse than the truth. For older children, they may take to the internet for their answers, which can sometimes become overwhelming or misleading.

Responding to questions If a child brings up Coronavirus or asks questions, it is important to acknowledge how they may be feeling and to answer questions as honestly as possible. This will help them feel informed and understand what is happening.

It is important to emphasise that even though there is a very small number of cases of the virus in Australia, the likelihood of them coming into contact with the virus is still very, very low. It is important for children to understand that we are lucky to live in a country where students will be able to access immediate and high quality medical attention. Also, it is important children understand the low risk of serious illness.

Encourage children to engage in things that help them to feel better.

Here are some pointers for how parents and carers can have a calm conversation with children and young people about Coronavirus and try to ensure that any concerns around the situation is kept at bay.

1. Be aware of your own behaviour. It's important that adults understand the effect their own behaviour can have on children. If you're visibly upset or react in a way that suggests you're fearful, children will take their cues from you. Remain calm in your conversations with children and young people, and reassure them that there is no cause for alarm.

2. Tell children the facts. Scary headlines attract attention and help sell newspapers but they don't always tell the whole truth. Ensuring you're armed with facts will help keep conversations calm, considered, and constructive. Some key facts are:

- There is only a few confirmed cases of the Coronavirus in Australia. The overwhelming majority of the cases are in China, with most of those from Hubei province, where the outbreak began.

- The most serious cases have occurred overseas, not in Australia.



Community Notices

Sharing this information should help reassure children that there is no immediate risk to themselves, their friends, or their family.

3. Explain what efforts are being made to contain the virus. Authorities are responding quickly. Travel in and out of the affected areas has been restricted, and scientists are working to develop a vaccine. In Australia, the government is carefully monitoring and actively managing the situation and the risk to the public here remains very low. Children should be confident any confirmed cases will be treated quickly in our world class hospitals.

4. Finally, offer practical advice. For the time being the easiest way to reduce the risk of being affected by viruses of any sort (including the common cold) is to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze (coughing into your elbow is a useful strategy), keep hands clean by washing them regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub, and avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth. These are easy habits for children to adopt, and should help them feel as though they're able to exert some control over their circumstances.

Communication is important It is important that the lines of communication with children be kept open at all times. Children and young people need to feel informed and safe, especially when they hear so much information in the media.

Discussing the Coronavirus situation openly with children will provide the opportunity to reassure them that they are safe and dispel any false information they may have heard in the media or through rumours.

Available supports Schools make a number of staff available to provide extra support to students who may be anxious and to provide information and advice to parents and carers. If you are concerned about your child’s wellbeing, you can contact their school to ask what additional support might be available.

Support is also available through a number of Queensland Government agencies and community organisations. Parents and carers can:

call 13Health (13 43 25 84) at any time for practical medical advice and assistance

review headspace’s tips for a healthy headspace for friends and family, or contact headspace for professional support

contact Lifeline Australia’s telephone counselling service on 13 11 14 for information, referral and advice

obtain help and information from the local General Practitioner or Community Health Centre.



Community Notices

ndis.gov.au

Accessing the NDIS – Kingaroy

Do you have a disability that impacts your daily life, or do you know someone who does? The National Disability Insurance Agency invites people with disability, families and carers to attend a workshop with a focus on accessing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The workshop will cover:

• NDIS eligibility criteria • how to request access • what information to provide • where to go for more information.

Accessibility is important to us. If you have any accessibility, interpreter or other requirements, please advise at the time of registration. Please note we require a minimum of five (5) business days' notice to book Auslan interpreters.

South Burnett Regional Council Room: Kingaroy Main Hall

Date: Wednesday, 25 March 2020 Time: 10.30am – 12.00pm Address: 41-45 Glendon Street, Kingaroy Queensland 4610

RSVP: Please register via Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/accessing-the-ndis-kingaroy-tickets-98104345739

Attendees who haven’t registered are welcome. For more information, please email us at: [email protected]

Documents

Proston State School EWSETTE · Last day of Term 1 Monday 20th April First day of Term 2 * Please note, School Banking has been paused until Term 2 due to the Covid-19 Virus. Term