Tartan Times McDowall State School An Independent Public School since 2013

Achieving better outcomes for all students

School Administration (Office)

Open Mon to Fri, 8.00am – 4.00pm

Payment days: Wed & Fri: 8am – 11am

Recess Times

Prep – Year 2: 10.30am – 11.10am

12.45pm – 1.25pm

Years 3 – 6: 11.00am – 11.40am

1.15pm – 1.55pm

School Assemblies

Mon: 8:55 – 9:30am (Years 3–6)

Wed: 8.30 – 9:00am (Prep–Yr 2)

Tartan Tuckerbox (Tuckshop)

Monday: 1st break only

Open Tuesday to Friday

Flexischools orders avail. Mon-Fri

To volunteer: click here

Uniform Shop

Open Mon & Thu, 7.45am to 9.30am

Standard Uniform (Mon – Thu)

Tartan or red polo shirt

Bottle green pants shorts / skorts

Bottle green socks & black shoes (Tartan)

White socks (with red and bottle green stripes) & black shoes (red polo shirt)

Red bucket (for Prep Year) or Bottle green reversible broad-brimmed hat

Winter: bottle green jacket, jumper and track pants

Friday (Sports)

House shirt or red polo shirt if playing inter-school sports

Bottle green pants shorts / skorts

White socks (with red and bottle green stripes)

School hat

EDITION: 7th December 2017

N E

W S

L E

T T

E R

Office 3872 5333

Absence 3872 5366

OSH 3353 5755

Tuckshop 3872 5304

Fax 3872 5300

Email admin@mcdowallss.eq.edu.au

Website www.mcdowallss.eq.edu.au

2 Principal’s Post

3 Principal’s Post

4 Admin News

5 Defence Family News

6 P&C Association News

What’s Happening

Mon 15 Jan Tues 16 Jan Wed 17 Jan Thur 18 Jan Fri 19 Jan

School Administration re opens for 2018, 8am - 4pm

Mon 22 Jan Tues 23 Jan Wed 24 Jan Thur 25 Jan Fri 26 Jan

P-6 Return to school 2018

Tuckerbox Meal Deal Yrs 1-6

Australia Day

Mon 29 Jan Tues 30 Jan Wed 31 Jan Thur 1 Feb Fri 2 Feb

Student Bank-ing Recom-mences

School Enrol-ment Waiting List Opens 2019

Mon 5 Feb Tues 6 Feb Wed 7 Feb Thur 8 Feb Fri 9 Feb

P-2 Parent Info Evening

Yrs 3-6 Parent Info Evening

Instrumental Music Fees Due 2018

FAREWELL YEAR 6!

Tartan Times – 7 December 2017 Page 2

Principal’s Post

Celebrations, Farewells and

Anticipation

As the 2017 school year comes to a close,

we fondly farewell our Year 6 students. It

doesn’t seem that long ago, that these

fresh faces were enrolling into the

Preparatory Year. Now, they look forward to the

commencement of their secondary schooling, while 145 fresh

new Preparatory Year faces begin their formal primary

schooling at McDowall State School. As a staff and school

community, we eagerly look forward to meeting all our new

students in 2018.

To all departing students, thank you for your diligence

toward your studies, your upholding the ‘McDowall’ standard

of student conduct and for being a valued, contributing

member of our student community. You will remember your

primary school experience at McDowall State School with

fondness and pride. To all our departing parents, may I

thank you for your partnership in delivering the best

educational experience possible for the students of this ‘fine’

State School. Your support and involvement has indeed

made a difference. We all wish you well as you begin a new

school year.

McDowall State School continues to evolve and the new

school year will be no exception. We will continue striving for

even higher standards of student academic achievement

while delivering a well balanced (child-centred) educational

programme. McDowall State School is becoming an ‘Action

Research School’ where staff continually investigate better

and more productive ways of teaching, working in

partnership with both Macquarie University and University of

Queensland. Our initiatives are informed through ethical data

capture. We anticipate that the work being undertaken at

McDowall SS will be academically published, eventually

influencing how many other schools operate both nationally

and internationally.

There will be 6 class drafts on each of P-4 and 5 class drafts

on each of Years 5-6. There will be 40 classes established to

accommodate approximately 990 students. All classrooms

will be in use. Our successful dance programme will be

renamed, ‘Human Movement’ and will extend P-6. The

teaching of the Japanese language will be extended across

Years 2-6 in preparation for full Australian Curriculum (LOTE)

implementation by 2020. Existing curricula and extension

programmes will continue in 2018. Sadly, we farewell Ms

Lucy Boulton (5G4), thanking her for her professional

investment in our school.

May I wish all enrolled and associated with McDowall State

School a very merry Christmas and a happy and safe New

Year. This season is not about gifts and travel. It is about the

loving relationships that constitute a family. Please spend

quality time with each other and strengthen the bonds that

nurture children enabling them to securely and confidently

develop into young adults. Turn off the computer and put

away the mobile phone. Talk. Play board games. Share

special moments. These times are from where cherished

memories are created.

Bruce T. Fogarty Principal.

Spring School Vacation Period

The McDowall State School will close for the Summer School

Vacation from Saturday 9th December, 2017 to Sunday 21st

January, 2018. P-6 students will return to school on Monday

22nd January, 2018.

School Administration Closure Period

McDowall State School Administration will close at 4pm on

Friday 8th December, 2017 and will re-open on Monday 15th

January, 2018. Office hours are from 8am to 4pm. Messages

may be left via email on: admin@mcdowallss.eq.edu.au

Tartan Times – 7 December 2017 Page 3

School Watch Tel: 13 1788

We need your eyes and ears! Not everyone values nor

appreciates our school.

It is not expected that

anyone will be found

loitering or wandering

among our buildings during

the vacation period, week-

ends or out-of-school

hours. Gates are locked.

Police will challenge your

presence. Contractors and

OSH staff are instructed to

take digital photographs

and refer such people to the

police. If you see or hear

anything out of the

expected at our school,

please ……. Phone 13 1788.

Unless you have written

authorization from the

Principal, adults and

children found within the

school grounds are

trespassing and can be

charged by the police.

Please keep clear of the

Out-of-School Hours Care

Programme, unless you

are a parent dropping off

or collecting your child.

OSH access is only via Metro Street pedestrian gate

and Kiss-and-Ride Facility pedestrian gate during

vacation periods. The Principal expects that when

charges are made by police, that cost recovery be pursued

through the courts for rectification costs associated with any

found school damage and vandalism.

P&C Association AGM 2018

The McDowall State School Parents’ and Citizens’ Association

Executive will meet on Monday 19th February, 2018 from

5.45pm at School Administration.

The McDowall State School Parents’ and Citizens’ Association

will hold its Annual General Meeting on Monday 26th

February, 2018 from 7pm in K Block.

All Committee and Sub-Committee endorsed/audited Reports

are due at School Administration by Thursday 22nd February

for compilation and printing. Annual Reports and audited

financial statements will be presented during the AGM.

Following the endorsement of reports, all P&C Association

Executive positions are declared vacant and nominations are

called for 2018. A General Meeting will follow the AGM at

approximately 7.45pm.

An earnest and sincere thank you is expressed to the

McDowall State School P&C Association Executive and

membership for a very productive and successful partnership

in furthering the development of our Great State School. To

parents considering an active role within the P&C Association

in 2018, please refer to the information on the P&C Qld

website. www.qcpca.org.au . Please discuss your interest

with a standing P&C Association member or attend School

Administration. We’ll pass your contact details on. All P&C

Association memberships lapse at the AGM. Parents need to

annually re-apply for membership.

P-2 Student Pick-Up Advice

The first day and Week 1 of the

new school year is a significant

event for all children, especially

those enrolled in Preparatory to

Year 2. Having experienced a

day of wonder and of making

many new friends, when the

end of school day ‘bell’ sounds,

a child’s thoughts return to

rejoining their parents. To

avoid unnecessary child

anxiety, parents of P-2

students are requested to complete a P-2 Student Pick-Up

Advice and hand it to the class teacher on Monday 22nd

January, 2018. The class teacher may then ensure that all

students are in the ‘right place’ for parent pick up.

Tartan Times – 7 December 2017 Page 4

Administration News

School Contribution 2017

This year, School Contribution funds have allowed teachers

to provide students with additional education experiences,

materials, equipment and opportunities that they would not

have been able to access without these contributions. The

School Contribution funds are expended by the Class Teacher

to broaden, enhance and extend student learning beyond

that which may be possible should payment not be made.

Below is a table detailing the materials and equipment

purchased by class teachers in 2017.

Preparatory fine motor activities Year 2 plant propagation

Year 2 water colour pencils

Year 3 knitting

Year 1 musical instrument

CONTACT: Ms Vanessa Crowhurst, Head of Curriculum

Principal’s Gallery

Tartan Times – 7 December 2017 Page 5

Year 4 Mathematics Challenge

On Monday 27th November, 42 keen mathematicians

descended on the McDowall State School Hall for the

inaugural Year 4 Mathematics Challenge. In teams of four,

these students engaged in a battle of the brains as they

tackled a range of tricky problems. This activity was the

culmination of a year of problem solving and mathematical

investigations. All students proved great capacity to apply

their problem solving strategies and work cooperatively

within a group.

Thank you to our Mathematics Olympiad students from 6C3

who stepped up as judges for our Challenge Day. They were

great role models for our budding young mathematicians.

Well done to all Year 4 participants. It has been a pleasure to

work with you throughout the year.

CONTACT: Ms Naomi Thistlethwaite, Child Needs

Sports News

Inter-House Swimming Carnival

Yrs 4-6 students enjoyed a day at Wavell State High School

Pool swimming and racing their peers. The weather was kind

and the cheering was loud. Students

competed in at least five events.

Final scores for the carnival are as follows:

Grevillea 67 pts

Melaleuca 67 pts

Acacia 70 pts

Banksia 79 pts

Table Tennis Tournament

Congratulations to Kees Yr 6 who has won the School Table

Tennis Tournament 2018. Runner-up was Lucas H Yr 5. The

final was very close. Luca won the 1st game. Kees won the

2nd game. The 3rd game was 21-19. Congratulations to all

players. It was a great tournament. Thank-you to North

Lakes Table Tennis Club for donating prizes. North Lakes

Table Tennis Club meets on Fridays at North Lakes College.

Report Cards Physical Education

The PE Achievement Rating relates to skills ,

strategies, teamwork and sportsmanship.

The Effort Rating relates to student

behaviour and attitude.

Have a great break. Stay active and eat

healthy!

CONTACT: Mr Paul Henderson, PE Teacher

Defence News

Merry Christmas Families,

To those of you off on holidays or Posting- safe travels and

restful stoppings. Remember to keep in touch we’d love to

hear how you are getting on in your new locations. To those

staying home this Christmas period safe and happy holidays.

If you are looking for inspiration over the holidays then…

check out Defence Community Hub and Brisbane Kids where

you can find inspiration to keep young minds and bodies

busy over the vacation period.

If you need a listening ear, or find yourself in need of

assistance while we are on vacation visit

www.defence.gov.au/dco or phone the hotline 1800 624 608.

Preparatory Year and Year 2 Reindeer biscuit art

CONTACT: Mrs Jesse Ramm, DSTA.

WINNING TEAM The Mathemagi-cians

EQUAL RUNNERS-UP The Republic of Ding

EQUAL RUNNERS-UP Mathematicians

Charlotte P. Harini P. Vyoma P. Oliver F.

Ermia F. Aowen D. Kori K. Reuben C.

Tanish A. Flynn T. River W. Eshaan R.

Tartan Times – 7 December 2017 Page 6

P & C Association News

P & C Association Executive Update

On behalf of the P&C Association Executive I would like to

thank everyone for a fantastic year. We had the most

successful fete yet. We have had an extremely successful

election BBQ, fantastic Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day stalls,

grandparents morning tea and so much more. We delivered the

completed Sports Centre and are about to begin construction of

the first of two playgrounds for our kids. We continue to

improve our OSH and strive to offer best quality and most

convenient care for our children. Our Tuckerbox and Uniform

Shops continue to go from strength to strength.

We would like to say a very special thank you to our staff in

OSH, Tuckerbox and Uniform Shop. You are all such amazing

hard workers and we could not do what we do without you. We

would like to thank all our countless volunteers for their hard

work, small or large time investment. We cannot deliver the

services we do without you. Some of you go above and beyond

and give us more time then you should but without amazing

people like you, we would not have the fun, family and

community events we do, let alone a successful P&C

Association. You truly are amazing tireless hardworking parents

and we couldn’t do what we do without your help and time.

We wish everyone a safe and merry Christmas and look

forward to a bigger and better year in 2018. Thank you again

for all your help and support.

Regards, John Bradley

McDowall State School P&C Association President.

Carols by Glowstick

We’re so sad that Carols by Glowstick had to be cancelled this

year due to the weather.

Big thanks to the organisers for all your hard

work and efforts in preparing the event.

Thanks also to all those who had volunteered

to help.

We’d also like to thank Councillor Norm

Wyndham and the Suburban Initiative Grant

which had allowed us to book a stage for the carols event.

Uniform Store - Trading Times 2018

The Uniform Store operating times in the New year will be -

Saturday 20th January 8:30am - 12:30pm

Mon 22nd - Thursday 25th January 7:45am - 9:30am

From Monday 29th January onwards normal opening times will

resume - Mon & Thurs 7:45am - 9:30am.

Welcome Morning Tea

We are looking for parents with children in Years 3+ to

volunteer assistance toward the Welcome Morning Tea from

7:30am-8am & 8am-8:30am. If parents with children aged

Prep - Year 2 can assist between 8:30am – 9am, this would

also be appreciated.

If anyone can assist with baking we’d love to hear from you

too.

Please contact Liz at community@mcdowallss.com

Coordinators for 2018 Events

We are seeking nominations to Co-Coordinate or Volunteer for

2018 Events:

Jan: Welcome Morning Tea (first day of school after drop off)

Feb: Skate Night

Mar: Disco

Apr: Neighbourhood Day Easter event

May: Mother's Day stall

June: Astronomy night, Sports Day

July:

Aug: Grandparents morning tea, Trivia Night

Sept: Father's Day Stall

Oct:

Nov:

Dec: Carols by Glowstick

Please note, these dates are just proposed dates and are

subject to change. They are yet to be approved at a P&C

Association Meeting. If you have any questions, please

contact Liz H.

2017 co-ordinators will be contacted shortly to see if they are

interested in co-ordinating again.

We are also seeking interest in anyone who would like to co-

ordinate or join a 2019 Spring Fair Team. A 2019 Spring Fair

has not yet been approved.

Election Day BBQ & Cake Stall

Thanks to everyone who helped make the Election Day

BBQ and Cake Stall a possibility. We raised over $2,600.

Thanks!!

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season!

Stay tuned for our Facebook page. Make sure you subscribe

to our e-news to stay up to date in 2018. Thanks for your

support!!