Term 4 Week 9 School Newsletter

Principal Message

Year 5 - 6 News from the Deputy

It seems hard to believe. The year started off at a sprint and it seems to have left many of us still trying to catch our breath. Next week will be our final week for 2022 and our Year 6 students are looking forward to Graduation with mixed emotions. For some this year has been a year of challenges met, mountains climbed and they are looking forward to conquering more summits in the years ahead.  However, saying goodbye and moving into the next phase of their lives can also be difficult.   The graduation ceremony will take place at 9am on December 8^th.  Please don’t forget to book your seats.

In other exciting news, next year we are running a ‘bring your own device’ trial in the upper school. We have had an overwhelming positive response from families and have enough students for two classes in both Year 5 and Year 6 and a waiting list. If your child has been accepted into the Laptops for Learners: Towards Tomorrow trial please return your signed Charter Agreement by 3pm Friday 2^nd December so we can finalise our classes.

Over the last couple of weeks, we have been running the process for the election of our student leaders for 2023. Our successful Year 5 candidates have submitted written applications for shortlisting, been interviewed by the Principal and Deputies and also given speeches to the student cohort on parade. Our school captains and vice captains (those students who received the most votes from both students and staff) will be announced on parade on Monday afternoon. Elections for Sports House Captains will occur this Friday and the winners informed early next week. All school leaders will receive their badges at a special parade early next year.

We are also currently going through the process of selecting students for the Young Scholars program in 2023. Students in both Year 5 & 6 who meet or continue to meet the criteria, will be given a letter of offer in Week 1 of 2023. There will be a parent information session early in the new year to unpack the program and the criteria for inclusion.

I would like to thank all of our families for your support throughout the year and farewell also those families who will be moving on as their child transitions to high school.

Have a wonderful festive season.

Kind regards

Leanne Bell

Deputy Years 5 & 6

Year 3 -4 News from the Deputy

Congratulations to all of our wonderful year 3’s and 4’s for their hard work this year. I will miss working directly with our year 4’s as they transition into year 5 and start their senior adventures however, I know they will love being one of the ‘big kids’.

I am very proud of this cohorts’ efforts both academically and socially. They have worked through the 5 Keys to Success demonstrating their abilities to get along with others, organise themselves, communicate respectfully, tackle their learning with persistence and will now show great resilience as they work through the changes that 2023 will bring.

We are excited to have some new teachers joining us next year from all over the state and to be retaining so many of our skilled and experienced teachers at the school. I am saddened to farewell one of our 3-4 team as she moves on to a lucky new school, Carly Smyth has been a dedicated and exceptional teacher at TBSS as will be dearly missed. Carly is moving on to new adventures and we wish her all the best. 

I wish all our families a great holiday period, festive season and a happy new year filled with love and smiles and I look forward to seeing all our student fresh and ready in 2023.

Kind regards,

Emma Taylor

Prep - Year 2 News from the Deputy

Thank you for an amazing 2023. I have really enjoyed getting to know the students in Prep, year 1 and year 2 and to witness them grow and achieve in not only their academic success but also their social emotional success. Thank you to all families who have worked with me to support their children here at school. It is really appreciated! When we work together, great things happen for our students.

Thank you to my amazing team of teachers in the Prep -2 sector. Each and every one of these teachers has worked tirelessly to ensure that you child is getting the best education they possibly can and support their wellbeing along the way. They advocate every single day for the children in their class and I can not thank them enough for the work that they do. This thanks also extends to the Prep teacher aides who are with our littlest people every single day as well.

I hope that all our Trinity Beach State School families have a wonderful and safe festive season (and Santa makes it to all!) and a great start to 2023. I look forward to seeing everyone back for the start of the 2023 school year on Monday the 23^rd of January and welcoming a new cohort of Prep students to our school family.

Martina Jackman

Head of Inclusive Education News

What a year we’ve had in the Inclusive Education Centre with so many achievements to celebrate! 

• Parents and carers have joined school and departmental staff to create a shared vision for inclusion for their child.

• With regional support through the Opening the Gate funding grant we now offer a successful ‘Paradise Playgroup’ operating every Tuesday from 9:15-11am in the IEC.

• We have worked with The Benevolent Centre to offer a facilitated playgroup for children with developmental concerns in the IEC on Thursdays and thank The Benevolent Society for their support.

• We have expanded our Early Years Pathways program from 1 day per week to 2 days per week supporting students with additional needs in the early years as they transition to school.

• Our Inclusive Education Centre and staff have shown their ability to be flexible and accommodate the changing needs of the school having hosted the Administration Team and offering space for NDIS therapy to occur on site.

• IEC staff have participated in high quality professional learning opportunities linked to our Explicit Improvement Agenda.

• Our students have engaged in a range of excursions and events including school camp, leadership activities, walks to the beach and Cattana Wetlands, Trinity Fest, Variety Inclusive Sports Day, transition to high school, swimming, interschool sports, visual arts and the recent Awards Night.

It’s been a busy year!  During the school holidays you might like to talk to your child to prepare them to transition to 2023.

The Department of Education has some great resources for transition for students with autism (that are great resources for all children) including the online Transition Resource package found here https://autismhub.education.qld.gov.au/resources/online-transition-resource

A great Australian parenting website is https://raisingchildren.net.au and you can download

Raising Healthy Minds a free app you can tailor to your child, family and interests. It answers your questions about child wellbeing and shares practical tips for your day-to-day family life.  The app will assist you to start building your child’s wellbeing, encouraging positive behaviour and emotions, strengthening family relationships and ways to look after yourself as parents.

Thank you to all our parents and carers for your support in 2022 as we continue our journey toward an inclusive culture.

Kind regards,

Samantha Ilic

HEAD OF INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

Head of Department Curriculum Year P-6 News

As the term comes to an end, it’s a great time to reflect and look back at all the incredible things that have happened at our school this Term. From excursions, swimming lessons and whole school events like the art expo.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank all our volunteers who have helped in classrooms, the library or on excursions. Without our volunteers a lot of the activities and events would simply not be able to run. If you would like to volunteer please see your child’s teacher or the ladies in the office and they will be able to assist you.

Report cards will be emailed out Thursday week 10 (8/12/22). Please make sure you have your details updated.

As the end of the year approaches, we kindly ask that all borrowed library books are returned by Wednesday week 10.

Thank you all for a fantastic year!

Guidance Officer News

As the year draws to a close, there are families who may need a little extra help.  Christmas can be a difficult time for some, and support services can be unpredictable over the holiday season.  The following services are available for support if needed:

Child and Youth Mental Health Service (Cairns) – 4226 5280.

After hours Mental Health support – 1300 642 255

Lifeline phone support (adults and children) – 13 11 14

Kids Help Line – 1800 551 800

Wellways (support for those who care for someone with mental health issues or a disability) – 1300 111 500 or www.wellways.org

For emergency food relief, Marlin Coast Neighbourhood Centre (Reed Rd) can provide support – Available Monday  morning, Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning of each week – call 4055 6440 or visit http://www.mcnc.org.au for further details. 

School Savvy is a support service run by Centacare Cairns, to assist families with the costs involved in getting their children back to school (in the New Year).  They will have a pop-up shop available in Cairns City, opening on the 4^th of January 2023.  For more details, check out the attached document (poster) or visit the website below:

https://www.centacarefnq.org/school-savvy-fnq-1

Uniforms and school supplies – if you have children leaving the school, or who have grown out of their current uniforms, we would love them to be donated to the school.  Uniforms can be left at the library (left at my office).  If you have way too many school supplies left over, and would like these passed on to needy children / families, please hand any donations in to the library.

PBL - Positive Behaviour for Learning is our Whole School Approach for behaviour

The fundamental philosophy of PBL is that we cannot assume that our students know how to behave at school if they haven’t been explicitly taught the expectations required.

Each fortnight our PBL team meets to analyse the behaviour data to determine what needs to be taught or revised in regard to our school expectations. These expectations are then taught as focus skills in the classroom and on parade. The language is used by all staff and the posters are displayed around the school and on our school’s Facebook page so that they can be reiterated at home. This week our focus skill is ‘Respect other people’s personal space’.

Pop into parade on Monday from 2:15pm to see our new TBSS Breaking News segment thanks to the Mr Terry’s Drama Extension team. Each week the news team helps our students understand our Behaviour Focus.

We are very proud of or students this year with a significant reduction in student behaviours in comparison to 2021.

Well done team.

Focus

Week 7

Week 8 and 9

Week 10

2023 Booklists

Student of the Week

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Around the classroom

2D have been working hard (in their spare time) on some wonderful Christmas cards for the wombats!

Student Environmental Leadership:

Eli from 5F is supporting wildlife on our school grounds. He has met with Mr Hollis and created an awareness campaign to support the birds. It is about being respectful to our environment. Well done Eli.

Meet this awesome young lady Eva from 4D.

Eva has been planning a recycling initiative for trial under the Senior Learning Centre for 2023. Eva designed a poster and has brainstormed ideas on how this can be achieved successfully in a school context.

Eva is now coordinating a group of like minded students to support the project.Well done Eva for your environmental conscious thinking and action.

Superstars in 4E Mrs S.

Students are linking mathematical probability by rolling a dice to help inform their narrative structure. Students have recently completed imaginative writing based on the Roald Dahl's novel The Twits.

Student Leadership Process:

The final stage of our 2023 Student Leadership process have occurred.

Led by Mrs Bell Deputy Principal Year 5/6, students completed their persuasive speeches to the Year 4 & 5 students. Students have already completed their Leadership applications and interviews. The Year 4 & 5 students and staff have cast their vote.

We were so impressed with all of the student's presentations today. We are looking forward to the successful applicants being announced soon. Stay tuned.

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Prep C | Ms Cavenett |

Prep students share their writing with Mr Hollis with such pride.

EAL/D News

Library Books

Lost Property

Lost Property items are homesick.There are many unlabled quality items overflowing in lost property. Please collect this week. In week 10, unclaimed items will be taken to charity.

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program News

Attendance Award

PREP A | Attendance Champions for Week 6.

Golden Graden Gnome Award

Golden Garden Gnome Awarded to P1/B for their involvement in looking after our gardens.Well done P1/B.

Golden Garden Gnome Award:

The green thumb recipients this week are P/1A Montessori. Well done for respecting our environment.

Prep enrolments are open

Prep enrolments are open!

Come and join one of the fastest progressing schools in the Cairns region.

From Prep to PhD with the Tropical North Learning Academy.

Prep spaces are filling fast.

Student wellbeing, hands on learning opportunities and the Science of Reading using decodable materials is our priority.

Prep Montessori is full for 2023.

Piano Tuition 2023

To all parents / guardians:

Are there any students from Year 1 - 6 (in 2023) who are interested in learning the piano at TBSS in 2023?

If so, or you have any queries, please contact – Mrs. Maori Forsyth for Year 1- 6 students in 2023 at ffoorrssyytthh@gmail.com

You will need to pay $35 each weekly half hour lesson, and your child will need a piano weighted keyboard or piano to practise on at home.

We look forward to hearing from you 🎵

Maori Forsyth

Paradise Playgroup

Only 1 week left of Paradise Playgroup before we break for Christmas holidays! We look forward to seeing you there.

9:15 - 11 Tuesday

Entry via the Inclusive Education Centre on Huon St

2022 Awards Presentation Night

Our first 2022 Awards Presentation Night, Congratulations to all our award recipients. Thank you to all the parents and staff for supporting this event. A big thank you to our P&C Association for your ongoing contributions to our school.

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Stop, Drop and Go Zone

Thank-you for safely using our Stop Drop and Go on both Madang and Wewak Streets.

Remember no parking and leaving your vehicle. This can be a safety risk for our students. Please refer to our signage to guide the flow.

New Scooter Rules for Riders

P&C News

Thank you so much for supporting our Working Bee in this tropical weather. We our school.

Mulching, weeding, planting...consider it done!

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Tuckshop News

OSHC News

Bike Bus News

Bike Bus voucher was awarded to Byron for his commitment and safe riding behaviours.We our bike bus!

That's a wrap for the bike bus this year.

Thank you to all our students for riding safely. Thank you to our staff for volunteering your time to make this happen. Thanks again to our families for ensuring two pumped up tires each week. There was a Christmas theme today. Ride safe.

Bike Bus participants had a Pizza and Zoopa Doopa party.

Thank you to Mr Clair for organising. Well done to all the students, staff and families for your support of Bike Bus in 2022

Bike Bus end of year pizza partyCongratulations to the Northside for winning the perpetual Bike Bus Trophy.

Thanks again to all students, staff and parents who were involved in this year’s bike bus program A big thanks must go to our sponsors. Our amazing P&C and Poolwerx Clifton Beach - for all your pool needs.

We are blessed to have such an amazing school community Can’t wait to see you all back on the road in 2023

Infrastructure Update

Strong progress is being made with our all weather covered play area, new toilet block with showers and fully kitted out stainless steel Tuckshop. This space is 6 times larger than the original covered play area.

The cranes were lifting the 400mm gal dipped I-beam rafters in to place. Purched with precision on the concrete formed pillars.

It will be inclusive of security cameras, large Big Ask fans and LED lighting throughout. Concrete marking of handball courts, hopscotch, counting games and targets will be etched into the non slip surface.

This is going to be a spectacular all purpose area in the heart of the school for our school community to use. We want only the best for Trinity Beach State School Students...

Smithfield State High School News

Community News

The School Savvy program has become an ongoing Centacare project launched in Poverty week 2016, with an annual pop-up store that assists families to be able to support their children to begin the school year ready to learn.

Centacare FNQ is calling for donations of school supplies and school uniforms for what will be the seventh School Savvy pop-up shop set to open in January 2023. 

School Savvy wouldn't be possible without the support of many local organisations that donate funding, storage, transport, labour, and school supplies. 

How can you be involved in School Savvy Program?

• Term 4: Donate your good condition pre-loved school uniforms, shoes, backpacks, lunch boxes and stationery supplies to our School Savvy Donation Points

• Visit School Savvy Pop-up Shop in January 2023 to get your child ready for the 2023 school year

• Follow School Savvy FNQ Facebook Page and Centacare FNQ website for your local Donation point.

Please contact more details:

School Savvy Program

Centacare FNQ

P: 07 4044 0114 | E: SchoolSavvyFNQ@centacarefnq.org

Web site: www.centacarefnq.org/school-savvy-fnq-1

Mail: P.O. Box 201, Cairns QLD 4870

Welcome to all existing and new School Bus travellers

2023 is approaching and we have had some exciting changes.

Sunbus and Love’s Bus has now rebranded as

Kinetic

Kinetic has operated Cairns school bus and public transport services on behalf of the Queensland Government since 2019, when Sunbus joined its network, and we look forward to continuing to service your school community.

Translink has also introduced new fares and zones that came into effect on Monday 26^th September to make travel in Cairns simpler, easier, and fairer.

Information on the fare and zone changes to the urban bus network in Cairns, including the updated network map, is available at the Mytranslink app, www.translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares or by contacting Translink’s 24/7 call centre on 13 12 30.

Apply for school transport assistance

Any student who is eligible for a bus pass should apply via the Translink website. As a Guide:

• Primary school students must live more than 3.2km from the nearest state primary school.
• Secondary school students must live more than 4.8km from the nearest state secondary school.

Year 6 students need to re-apply for bus passes for senior school.

Any change of address or school, need to re-apply.

Students who travel the school bus network are required to produce their bus pass.

Any student that does not produce their bus pass can have their name taken to cross-check to ensure their eligibility.

Those students who are not on the system are expected to pay their fare.

Students not eligible for bus passes can travel but need to pay a fare.

Safety-net assistance

If students reside too close to their school to qualify for distance-based assistance, they may still be eligible for STAS assistance if they are listed as a dependent on the applicants:

• Health Care Card issued by the Services Australia (or hold their own Health Care Card)
• Pensioner Concession Card issued by the Services Australia or Department of Veterans’ Affairs
• Or if they are under a Child Protection Order by Child Safety Services

Applications must be the name of the cardholder and require evidence of eligibility. The cardholder must also agree to data-matching being performed with the Department of Human Services.       Apply for STAS online (School Transport Assistance Scheme)

For more information:

Visit www.qld.gov.au/schooltransportassistance

Contact STASdigital.Helpdesk@tmr.qld.au

Or 1300 119 289 for technical assistance with your online application.

Please select ‘TRANSIT AUSTRALIA (LOVES BUS SERVICE)’ - As your Bus Operator