Newsletter 7 August 2020 - Burrowes State School · Web view2020/08/07  · The Show Public Holiday for 2020 is scheduled for Friday 14th August (Week 5 – Term 3). Last day for

Welcome to Week 4 of the term. Term 3 is progressing at a fast pace and it has been pleasing to see children settling back into school so readily. Thank you to all of our amazing parents for your ongoing support throughout the term. Parents have been very accommodating re the necessary changes to school processes and protocols that remain in place during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Term 3 Pick-up and Drop-off ProtocolsTo ensure the health and well-being of all members of the school community we ask that parents continue with the same drop off and pick-up processes implemented in Term 2. Our staff will continue to supervise the school gates in the morning from 8:15am until school commences and again in the afternoon from 3.00pm. Prep students will continue to wait near their allocated pick up gate at 3.00pm.  Please remind your children that all playgrounds are out of bounds before and after school.

Can I please ask parents to refrain from entering school grounds when and where possible? In Term 3 we ask that Year 1-6 students continue to enter/exit via the front (Third Avenue) or back gate (near the hall) and Prep students drop off and pick up from the Prep gate (Third Avenue). All students will finish school on the bell at 3.00pm.

Can I please remind parents to park your car in the designated/signed areas and walk your child/children to the school gate. Your support in ensuring the health and well-being of all members of our school community is appreciated.

Public HolidayThe Show Public Holiday for 2020 is scheduled for Friday 14th August (Week 5 – Term 3).

Term 3, Week 4 – 7th August, 2020

PRINCIPALS REPORT

Pupil Free Day Parents please note that there is a Pupil Free Day being held on Friday 4 th September (Week 8 – Term 3).

Munch and Crunch

I would like to reiterate to parents the importance of students bringing fresh fruit or vegetables for Munch and Crunch at 10.00am each day. This will ensure that students have the sustenance to get them through to the first eating break at 11.30am.

Breakfast Club CancelledParents please note that the breakfast club program has been cancelled for the next few weeks. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Attendance – Everyday CountsI would like to re-iterate to all parents the notion that ‘Every Day Counts’. Can parents please ensure that students are at school every day so that they can achieve success with their learning? Let us unite on the notion that ‘EVERYDAY COUNTS’ and see if we can achieve in excess of 93% attendance for Term 3. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Attendance MattersIf your child is sick, please call the absence line on 3802 3366 and leave a message with the child/children’s name, class and the reason for absence.

High FiveThe High Five behavioural approach will continue to be utilised at Burrowes State School in 2019 and is regularly revisited during classroom lessons and on assembly. Posters have been displayed throughout the school for students and visiting parents to familiarise themselves with the process. Teachers will be following this up with classroom lessons throughout the term, based on the five steps of the High Five process.

Steps of the High Five:1. Ignore 2. Friendly Talk3. Walk Away4. Firm Talk5. Report

What is the High Five? It is an effective strategy to develop problem-solving strategies for our students A whole school approach that can also eradicate bullying It is a 5 step problem solving strategy that can be used in the classroom, in the playground

and for perceived bullying incidents

When students report incidences to teachers’ on duty, they shall be checking that students’ have followed the High Five process before reporting the incident. This will ensure a consistency of practice and the upskilling of students in relation to the process. Using the High Five steps will assist all students, as it empowers them to take control of the situation and ensure that all students at Burrowes State School are playing safely and following the rules. Parents please talk with your children re this process. I am positive that as a united team; we can ensure a continued successful implementation of the High Five program at Burrowes State School.

PBL - Students of the Week As part of our behavioural review of processes and protocols. Students of the week are given certificates on parade (alternating each week Junior and Senior) that reflect the PBL focus area of the week. Please see the attached timetable that outlines what our focus areas are for Term 3, 2020.Term 3 PBL Focus Areas

Our current Attendance Rate for Semester 2 2020 is currently sitting at 87.3%.

As a school community, can we please make an effort to increase this rate as much as we can?

A reminder to parents that ‘Everyday Counts’. Can parents please ensure that students are at school prior to the bell at 8.45am and ready to learn? Your support in raising Burrowes State School’s attendance rate would be greatly appreciated.

Focus Expectation 1 I am a learner - I am always ready to learn2 I am a learner – I am always ready to learn 3 I am respectful – I will treat my property and others property with respect 4 I am respectful – I will treat my property and others property with respect5 I am safe - I will enter and leave learning areas when my teacher instructs

me 6 I am safe - I will enter and leave learning areas when my teacher instructs

me 7 I am respectful - I will respect others and what they have to say8 I am respectful - I will respect others and what they have to say9 I am a learner – I will be an active learner and allow others to learn without

disruption10 I am a learner – I will be an active learner and allow others to learn without

disruption

Virtual ParadesParades for Term 3 shall be undertaken using a virtual format. Junior Parades will be held in Weeks 1, 3, 5, 7 & 9 and Senior Parades in Week2 2, 4, 6, & 8. The Principal Parade will be held on the Monday of Week 10 Term 3. The virtual parade is run by our highly talented school captains every Monday afternoon at 2.00pm and is steamed into classrooms throughout the school.

Take care and stay well.

Kind regardsTrish WilmottPrincipal

Linking home and school

School is one of many environments where children learn and develop. Learning begins well before children enter school, and once children are attending school they continue to learn both inside and outside the classroom. Parents play a critical role in providing learning opportunities at home and in linking what children learn at school with what happens elsewhere.

There is a positive impact on learning and academic outcomes when families and schools work together.

Mrs Karen Lemon – Deputy Principal (Prep to Year 2)

Sharing information with parents about students’ progress, is very important, and can greatly influence success at school. When students are experiencing difficulties, working together enables the best outcome. We all share the same goal, and that is, to give each child the opportunity to be the best they can be. This is best achieved when there exists a mutual trust and respect between home and school.

Thank you to all parents for your continual support and working with school staff to exchange important information that helps to provide your child with the best opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Year 5 and 6 News

Year 5 Students have started their leadership journey in the last week with the distribution of their Blue Cards for School Leadership Accreditation. These cards require the students to demonstrate competency in key areas and ultimately to apply for the leadership positions on offer in 2021 such as School Captains, Cultural Captains and Sports Captains. Parents/carers received an email explaining the process. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Social Media/Cyber Safety

BSS Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students states that all electronic devices, including mobile phones, need to be handed in at the office. Online behaviour, the use of social media and phones is an increasing issue for our 5/6 cohort. It would be appreciated if parents could take some time to reinforce the school expectations regarding phones and the consequences of poor behaviour online. There are many resources available to support parents to manage these behaviours. If you need assistance talking to your students about these matters please don’t hesitate to reach out – we have many staff at the school who are very willing to help!

PBL

Each fortnight students focus on a particular behaviour expectation at BSS. All students participate in a lesson on this focus and practice demonstrating the expectation. Merit points are given as a reward for those successfully demonstrating the focus. You can help support the school by asking your student about the focus and encouraging them to use appropriate behaviour. A huge incentive is our end of Term celebration days! Information about how we will celebrate this term will be available soon!

Reading

Reading at home is one of the ways students can improve their reading skills. Here are some tips for bringing reading into your life at home. Remember every little bit helps!

Mrs Danielle Young the Year 5/6 Deputy

Discuss the meaning of stories and words. • Encourage your child to read anywhere and at any time. • Let your child see you enjoy reading. • Visit and use a library near you. Borrow books for yourself as well as your child. • Talk to your child’s classroom teacher or the principal for further help and advice. • Enjoy reading – it should be fun.

Student Code of ConductIt is a requirement for all Queensland State Schools to have a Student Code of Conduct in place by the beginning of 2021. At Burrowes SS we value collaboration and consultation and as such we will be seeking your feedback in a number of ways. This document outlines the key timelines for consultation about the Student Code of Conduct. Any questions can be directed to Danielle Young through the school office or emailed to [email protected] Please keep an eye out in your inbox for a DRAFT of the Student Code of Conduct in coming weeks and take the opportunity to have your say!

No Toys allow at school

Toys of any sort – including Pokemon cards and bey blades – are not permitted at school.  If students state that their teacher allows it this is incorrect.  The no toys rule is in place for EVERY student in EVERY class.

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Communication Process: 2021 Student Code of Conduct

Key Contact: Danielle Young - Deputy Principal – [email protected]

Step 1: Information sharing with key stakeholder groups

What change?2021 Student Code of Conduct

Reason for change?During 2020 all Queensland state schools are transitioning from the Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students to the new Student Code of Conduct. This update will help ensure that all state schools have a current, consistent framework in place to support high standards of student behaviour, including safe and appropriate use of mobile phones and other technology, preventing and responding to bullying and communication through social media. It is an Education Queensland requirement that all schools have a new Student Code of Conduct in place for the start of the 2021 school year.

Process and timeframes for consultation:

Data review, information sharing and discussion to inform draft policy: 20th July until 13th August 2020

Consider feedback for formulation of draft policy: 13th of August – 20th August

Draft Policy review: by 27th of August

How and when final decision is made:The Burrowes State School leadership team, LCC and P and C will ratify a final Student Code of Conduct by the end of Term 4, 2020

Who will be involved in making the final decision?The Leadership Team and P & C

Step 2: Discussion to inform draft policyCommunication strategies used to inform of need for change and consultation process:Leadership Team – Term 3, Week 5Sector meeting – Term 3, Week 5P&C Meeting – Term 3, Week 2Parent/Carer Email and survey – Term 3, Week 5Strategies to gain views and opinions:Leadership Team – Term 3, Week 4PBL Team Meeting – Term 3, Week 4P and C Meeting – Term 3, Week 1

Step 3: Final policy developed

Collation of information:Deputy Principal to collate feedback and form final policy to be reviewed by the BSS Leadership Team (by 18 September 2020)

Recording and communicating decisions and reason for decision:

Final Student Code of Conduct ratified by BSS Leadership Team and P&Cby end of Term 4 2020

Final Student Code of Conduct emailed to key stakeholders by end of Term 4 2020

Step 4: Executive Team Decision (Implement)Implement change:New Student Code of Conduct to take effect from beginning of 2021Information sharing to occur at 2021 Staff Pupil Free Days

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News from Ms Douglas – Deputy Principal – Year 3 and 4

Time sure does fly by when you are having fun. We are almost halfway through Term 3 and our Year 3 and 4 teachers and students are enjoying their time immersed in learning. As I walk through many of our sector classrooms this past week, I can report many wonderful learning opportunities are taking place.

Reading

At Burrowes State School one of our Whole School Priorities is Reading. Each week teachers deliver learning intentions in order for students to have success in their reading. Teachers provide students with whole class Modelled Reading lessons, small group Guided Reading and one-on-one independent reading tasks. Over the past weeks, our Year 3 and 4 students have begun digging deeper into their reading journey by establishing reading goals. Teachers and students are working together to set whole class, small group or individual reading goals. As the term progresses students will begin to mark off their achievement of their goals and celebrate their success in reading.

Partnering with our families at home, we would like to encourage all students to be reading with their parents, carers or siblings. By establishing and maintaining these reading behaviours at home, will help students to advance in their reading journey and achieve their reading goals. I would encourage you to speak with your child about their reading journey at school and how they are progressing with their reading goal.

Thank you for partnering with us as we eagerly take this step forward in learning.

Ms Douglas

I am safe - I will enter and leave learning areas when my teacher instructs me.

For the next two weeks for our Positive Behaviour for Learning topic, we will be focusing on

our Safety rule – specifically: I will enter and leave learning areas when my teacher instructs me.

This means that students will discuss, role play and examine why students are not permitted in certain areas at certain times, whether it be for safety, respect, or learning reasons.

Students will also be looking at why it is important to remain in class during learning time.

We are asking parents to please discuss this with their child to reinforce the message that teachers are giving.

Positive Behaviour for Learning Focus for Week 5 and 6

Have a great week.

PBL team.

Lauren Sutton Team Leader - Kids Helpline @ School Phone: 07 3867 1284 Email: [email protected]

Pupil Free Day Parents please note that there is a Pupil Free Day being held on Friday 4 th September (Week 8 – Term 3).

Public HolidayThe Show Public Holiday for 2020 is scheduled for Friday 14th August (Week 5 – Term 3).

Last day for Premiers Reading Challenge is 28th August.