Newsletter 23 January 2018 Issue 01 PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Dear Parents, Welcome to the first newsletter for 2018. The theme for 2018 at GA is SHINE. I would like to welcome all of our families back from last year and extend a warm welcome to the new families who have joined us for the first time today. I am looking forward to getting to know the new families and their children over the many school activities that will be happening once again. I especially look forward to getting to know our new Preps for 2018. I would hope that all of our children have the opportunity to SHINE in some way during the course of the year. One of our mothers, Candy Guillon, underwent successful brain surgery in the holidays. This is wonderful news and Candy was very appreciative of the prayers and support of our school community at this difficult time. Australia Day Holiday A reminder that there is no school on Friday this week, due to the Australia Day holiday. GA Swimming Carnival Next week, the children from Year 3-6, as well as some Year 2’s will compete in the school swimming carnival. Marty Macgregor, our PE teacher, has already been busy organizing the events for this day. Commonwealth Games Competition Last year one of our students in Prep won a colouring competition in relation to the Commonwealth Games. As part of the prize, 500 tickets and bus transport from the school will be on offer to watch the dress rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony. There will be more information on how you can access this wonderful opportunity shortly. Staff News Terry O’Brien underwent successful surgery in the holidays. Hopefully Terry will continue his great recovery. In the holidays, Kerrin Brown was appointed as Performing Arts teacher, to assist Rita Monteith. Kerrin will be working on Tuesday and Wednesdays while Rita works on Thursdays and Fridays. Victor Garcia will be teaching PE each Wednesday this year at GA. Victor has worked at the school last year and also has a child in Prep this year. Have a great first week. Stephen Montgomery Principal

We recognise the traditional owners of the land The Kombumerri people

Edmund Rice Drive ASHMORE Qld 4214: PO Box 267, Ashmore City QLD 4214 Phone: 5510 0055 Fax: 5510 0056 Email: pashmore@bne.catholic.edu.au Web: www.gaps.qld.edu.au

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ADMINISTRATION

Welcome Back Welcome back to all of our families here at Guardian Angels and welcome to all of our new families this year. It has been a very busy time at GA over the holiday period with some wonderful new play areas in the junior prep area that should be very popular for our students. The bottom carpark has been fenced which will help keep our little students safe and the balcony railings have also been replaced outside the year 4 and 6 classrooms. Parking This week and next week we will have the bottom oval open for parking so that parents can park and walk their children into school. There will be staff members on site to show you where to park. Teachers On Duty Our staff commence their morning duties at 8am and we ask that if you drop your children to school prior to that time that they sit and wait in the main quad area until 8am. Waiting Outside the Year 1, 2 and prep Classrooms We ask that if you are coming into school in the afternoon to collect your children please wait away from the classrooms and not look into the windows as this has proven to be a big distraction to the children and teachers. There are seats and tables now in these areas for you to wait. After School Play on the Playgrounds The junior playground is closed after school however the prep playground is open for parents and children until After School Care starts and need to use the area. The break times have changed slightly to the following: First Break - 10:30am - 11:10 am with (10 minutes eating time 10:30 to 10:40) Second Break - 1:25pm to 1:55pm Bernard Kearney Assistant Principal Administration ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Welcome to 2018 @ GA Welcome to the new school year, particularly to those families who are joining the Guardian Angels community for the first time. I look forward to meeting each of you and assisting in your child’s growth and development throughout the year. I hope that everyone had a restful break and that you were able to spend plenty of time with loved ones. The image to the left was chosen to represent our theme for 2018, that being SHINE. As our school year commences, we remember that God’s light radiates from within us, illuminating and transforming our lives even when we are unaware of its power. Let us also remember that we have the ability to let our light shine in varying degrees of brightness, colour, and shape and that our light is better shared with the world, inspiring others and making a difference in their lives.

First Prayer Assembly for 2018 Our first prayer assembly for the year will commence in the hall at 8.30am next Monday 29 January. The staff will lead us in prayer and some of our students will tell us all about each of our Qualities of Angels and show us how we can demonstrate these in our school community. There will be light refreshments available in the Quad at the conclusion of assembly. Everyone is welcome so I hope you can join us for this special occasion. Beginning of School Year Mass We will be celebrating the beginning of the new school year with a mass on Wednesday 31 January. This will be held at Mary Immaculate Church and will commence at 9.00am. During this celebration, the members of our Year 6 Student Council will be officially presented with their badges and inducted into their leadership role. We will also welcome new staff and students who are joining the Guardian Angels community this year. All students and staff will attend and as always parents and friends are also most welcome to join us as we celebrate Eucharist together for the first time in 2018.

Patron Parent Network I will once again be the liaison person for the Patron Parent Network. Part of our school’s Mission Statement is to work in partnership with parents, caregivers and the parish community. The goals of the Patron Parent Network are: To build community within our school; To be a point of contact for parents who are unsure about school procedures; To support the school through active participation in helping with school events. In the last couple of years, it has been difficult to find parents willing to take on this role, which is a real shame given the support a network such as this can provide to people in our community. I am pleased that I have already been approached by some parents who are interested in becoming a Patron Parent but if you would like to put your name forward as the representative for your child’s class, please email me your name and your child’s name and class by next Friday 2 February. Blessings for a peaceful first week back at school. Shandel Flynn sflynn@bne.catholic.edu.au CURRICULUM CORNER

Happy New Year! Welcome to Curriculum Corner. This part of the newsletter gives parents information on weekly curriculum events at GA. Angels Challenges Our school has a ‘no homework’ policy from P - 4. Instead, at Guardian Angels we encourage all our pupils to take on a number of challenges that we will acknowledge and recognise at school. These are called Angels Challenges in Years 3 to 6 and Junior Angels Challenges in Prep to Year 2. Growing evidence shows that children benefit more from being involved in family-related and social activities after school. The Angels Challenges program picks up on this theme and offers children a means to record and report on the huge variety of activities they are involved in during and outside school time.

JUNIOR CHALLENGES – PREP TO YEAR 2 This year students will receive a Junior Angels Challenges badge at the beginning of Term 4 if they: Keep a record book as a history of their challenges that is given to the students at the beginning of the school year. Complete 15 challenges throughout the year. Complete 5 challenges per term – one in each category. Submit those 5 challenges to the teacher at the end of Terms 1, 2 & 3. ANGELS CHALLENGES – YEAR 3 TO YEAR 6 This year student will receive an Angels Challenge badge at the beginning of Term 4 if they: Keep their own records digitally on a computer. Use the template they receive in class fill it in accordingly. Keep their record on My Site which can be accessed at school and home. Complete 15 challenges throughout Term 1, 2 & 3. For more information, go to http://www.gaps.qld.edu.au/Students/Pages/Angels-Challenges.aspx Parent Portal Parents are able to locate curriculum overviews for this term on the Parent Portal under the Curriculum tile. The page is currently under construction as teachers make changes to their plans based on our recent professional learning. This should be finalised by the end of the week. Moving Learning Forward – Our critical challenge in 2018 is to engage in a whole school approach to the teaching of writing with staff working with students to create high quality writing on a regular basis. On Wednesday, the whole staff participated in The Big Write/VCOP professional learning in order to get the ball rolling on our 2018 challenge. There will be more information about how parents can help their students become better writers in subsequent newsletters.

GA Learning Powers The GA Learning Powers are the dispositions we encourage our students to develop in order to become better learners. More information is available here http://www.gaps.qld.edu.au/LearningandTeaching/Pages/Learning-Powers.aspx Week 1 and 2 will see the whole school focussing on developing independence. Indi Independence will help students remember just what to do if they get stuck in their learning. Best wishes for a brilliant 2018! Jo Makin Primary Learning Leader MUSIC NEWS

Welcome back to our musicians! We are so excited about 2018. All band and choir rehearsals will commence in Week 2 of Term 1. Please be prepared and already practising your music. Term 1 Band and Choir rehearsals

Band / Choir information · To be in the Jazz Band or Classic Angels students must first be selected into Senior Band. Senior Band is by invitation except for Year 6 where it is expected. · Students must bring their music and instruments, no instruments to be loaned for rehearsals when students forget. · All music rehearsals start on time, please be prompt and organised. · Our choir is not auditioned but regular attendance is expected. Rita Monteith Performing Arts Teacher P & F NEWS

Welcome back to all the families of GA wishing everyone an awesome start to 2018. The P&F have some exciting things to bring you this year so stayed tuned. To start the year off we are looking for volunteers in the GA Coffee Shop which is opened every morning before school. If you would like to be involved and help us out (don't worry full training and support is provided) please contact myself. Take care and have an awesome Week 1 for 2018 Sam Lee P&F President

Monday

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Senior Band 7.15am- 8.30am

Assembly 8am all Senior Band members

Senior Choir 1st break in the Music Band room

Jazz Band 10am- 10.40am

Junior Choir 1st break in Music Band room

Year 4 Band 11.40am- 12.25pm

Year 6 Band 1.55pm- 2.4pm

Year 5 Band 1.55pm- 2.40pm

Classic Angels 1.55pm- 2.40pm

SPORT NEWS SWIMMING CARNIVALS The Guardian Angels Senior School Swim Carnivals will be held on Thursday February 1 for the 8 and 9 year old students starting at 9am. Friday February 02 will be for ages 10, 11 & 12 students, starting at 9:15am. I will place the full program on the Parent Portal early next week. If a child is missing from a race they can be added on to a race on the day! Students do not have to wear school rash shirts to these carnivals. They are to wear their sports uniform, apply plenty of sunscreen and bring water bottles. There will be tuckshop available. Boxes will be delivered at approximately 10.40am so students who have tuckshop need to have a snack to get them through to that time. Presentation will be at the Kombumerri Centre at approximately 1.00pm Friday. Trials for the 100m medley and freestyle will be on this Wednesday at 1st Break. Any new students or students who have not trialed need to bring their swimmers, cap and goggles on Wednesday or Thursday this week. Marty McGregor PE / Sport GENERAL NEWS

School Chess Program for Guardian Angels Primary School 2018 Lessons cater for all ages and abilities Coaching details for Guardian Angels Primary School: Chess will commence on Wednesdays starting February 7 from 3pm – 4pm Venue: Library Cost per term: $100 per student or $360 for the year if paid by Wednesday 21st February (a saving of $40) The Value of Chess in Education Playing chess is a great way for children to interact socially as well as improve their skills. Strategies taught in stress apply to life particularly chess etiquette and learning to think. We are fortunate to have two really skilled coaches and your child/children will really improve their skills as well as learn new ones. But most importantly . . . because it’s fun! Throughout the year our players are able compete in Inter-School Chess competitions organized by Gardiner Chess and they get the chance to experience the joy of competition and game play strategies. If you would like your child to try out for chess tell him/her to come to the library On Wednesday afternoon after school and you can pick him/her up at 4pm. For more information ring Anthea in the Resource Centre or collect a form from the library. Go to the Gardiner Chess site at: http://www.gardinerchess.com.au Guardian Angels Outdoor Fitness on the Oval Starting Saturday 27 January. 6:30am every Saturday during the term. All fitness levels welcome. $15 for a casual drop in or only $120 for the term. Call Danielle from Bodyworks PT for more details 0414799957 www.bodyworkspt.com.au Violin Lessons Private lessons are available at school on guitar and bass guitar. Contact Valentine Jones on 0418 278634 or email valentinecharles@bigpond.com

TUCKSHOP NEWS

Group 2 – Week starting Monday 29th January Monday Carol Oshyer, Christina Quig Tuesday Liz Greene, HELP NEEDED PLEASE Wednesday Carol Oshyer, HELP NEEDED PLEASE Thursday Alison Holcombe, Sheryl Broadhurst Friday Felicity Lenehan, Sandra & Roslyn Aurisch Baking Alison Holcombe , HOME BAKERS NEEDED PLEASE Sushi Jacqui Ranger, Rika Wong WHAT’S ON

January 24 Jan Prep Boys (8.30 – 12pm) 25 Jan All student (8.30 – 2.40pm) 26 Jan Australia Day Holiday February 01 Feb Swim Carnival 02 Feb Swim Carnival 14 Feb Ash Wednesday March 07 /09 Yr 5 Camp – Lake Ainsworth 25 Mar Palm Sunday 29 March Last Day of Term 30 Mar Good Friday

2018 SCHOOL TERM DATES

Term 1 Tuesday 23 January - Thursday 29 March (10 weeks)

Term 2 Tuesday 17 April - Friday 29 June (11 weeks)

Term 3 Monday 16 July - Friday 21 September (10 weeks)

Term 4 Monday 8 October - Friday 7 December (9 weeks)

Professional Development

and Planning Days

Wednesday 17 January Thursday 18 January

Friday 19 January

Administration Day Monday 22 January 2 PDP days in Easter vacation or as approved by Area Supervisor

Moderation/CTJ Day Monday 22 October