Dear Queenscliff Parents and Carers,
I cannot believe we are over halfway through Term 1 already! As they say, ‘time flies when you are having fun’. I would like to extend a special thank you to all of the parents, carers and community members who attended our very first assembly for the school year on Friday 23 February. It was an outstanding turnout! We were also extremely impressed by our School Leaders, Elli Smith and Ella Tamblyn, who did a tremendous job in hosting their first assembly. We enjoyed hearing about the learning successes and triumphs from Year 3/4TA, 5/6PH and Year 1 classes. Thank you for sharing your learning with us.
Congratulations Learmonth
A big congratulations to Learmonth who were our winning house for the first four weeks of school. All of the house points earnt by students from Prep to Year 6 were calculated and Learmonth came out on top. As a result, the Learmonth flag has been on display every day in the playground.
Huff and Puff
Huff n’ Puff commenced in Week 5 and has been an absolute success! We have enjoyed seeing our students getting to school before 8:30am to join in games and physical activity coordinated by Mr Thompson and our school staff. Being active is a brilliant way to start your day. Over the past few weeks, students have been participating in fun active games including poison ball, sack races, egg and spoon races and ‘capture the flag’. We encourage all of our students to come to school early Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings to get active.
Ride, Scoot or Walk to School Day
On Friday 8 March, we had our first Ride, Scoot or Walk to School Day for 2024. We had an impressive turnout with 75 students and 28 adults joining in the event. Riding, walking or scooting to school is a simple way we can promote active lifestyles with our students, encouraging their independence whilst reducing carbon emissions to look after our environment. I would like to express my gratitude to all of the parent volunteers who assisted throughout the morning to ensure our students were able to cross roads safely and ride to school.
Prep Enrolments 2025
Prep enrolments for the class of 2025 are now open. We are hosting two open mornings on Friday 22 March and Monday 29 April from 9:30-10:30am. Prospective parents will take a school tour and meet our Prep Teacher, Jackie Morris, to learn more about our learning programs and school. Families can register their attendance for the Open Mornings by visiting https://www.trybooking.com/CPQPS . We encourage families to register their enrolment as soon as possible due to the limited number of places available.
Kinder and Lonsdale House Excursion
Last week, I visited the Kinder and Lonsdale House with our tremendous student ambassadors Elli Smith, Ella Tamblyn, Sol Elderidge, Charlie High, Beau Mieszkowski, Suhani Kheni, Willow Krivan and Ravi Patel. Our students read picture books, engaged in creative play and took time to get to know the three- and four-year old kindergarten children. They were outstanding role models for the younger children and enjoyed their visit. We look forward to children from Lonsdale House and the Kinder joining us at school in Week 8 and 9 for an Easter Scavenger Hunt.
Bravehearts - Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Show
On Tuesday 5 March, students in Prep to Year 2 participated in the Bravehearts, ‘Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Show’ aimed at enhancing students’ understanding of personal safety and wellbeing. It was a highly engaging show with plenty of dancing and singing, with a visit from Ditto himself. Our students learnt about differentiating safe and unsafe feelings, how to recognise the body’s warning signs, body ownership and that it is okay to say ‘no, naming public and private parts using anatomically correct names and useful strategies to maintain personal safety.
Cross Country
The QPS Cross Country carnival has been postponed to Thursday 14 March 2024. Students from Year 3 to 6 will compete in a cross country course along the rail trail finishing in the school grounds. Students in Prep to Year 2 will have an opportunity to compete in a modified cross country course within the school grounds. We hope parents and carers are able to join us for the morning and there will be a coffee van on school grounds in the morning for parents.
NAPLAN - Year 3 and Year 5
In Week 7 and Week 8, students in Year 3 and Year 5 will undertake the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). Over the past few weeks, students have had opportunities to participate in practice NAPLAN assessments to support their preparation. We have reiterated to our students that NAPLAN is a normal, routine process for all students in Year 3 and Year 5 across the country, and that we expect them to simply try their best. NAPLAN is a snapshot assessment of how students are achieving on one particular day and we must remember that NAPLAN does not assess all students' knowledge, skills and understandings. We want to reduce the stress, anxiety and worry students may be feeling as they lead into NAPLAN by encouraging them to do their best and ‘have a go’. Students who are unable to complete the NAPLAN assessments on the scheduled day will have an opportunity to complete their assessments on another day. Please see below for the NAPLAN schedule:
Wednesday 13 March - Writing
Monday 18 March - Reading
Tuesday 19 March - Conventions of Language
Thursday 21 March - Numeracy
Song Room
Our Year 3/4 students have thoroughly enjoyed participating in Song Room workshops weekly with our teaching artist, Tess Duddy. Students have been sharing their interests and workshopping ideas for a musical performance held in Term 3. The performance will be based on the theme ‘identity’ linked with their Integrated Studies unit of work and tie in with the Winter Solstice. We look forward to seeing the magic they create together.
The Great Book Swap
Indigenous Literacy Foundation Fundraiser
The SRC are organising ‘The Great Book Swap’. The Great Book Swap is a fundraising activity that supports the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and their works with remote Communities across Australia. The Indigenous Literacy Foundation is a charity that works with 424 remote Communities to supply books and literacy resources, and publish books in First Languages by and for First Nations Peoples.
We are asking families to donate good quality, second-hand books. These books may include: fiction, non-fiction, subject specific, and picture books. Please place the donated books in the tubs located in the School office. On Monday 25 March 2024, we will be hosting our Great Book Swap! Each class will have a scheduled time to attend the Book Swap to purchase a book. We are asking that students bring a gold coin or $5 note to school as a donation. Our Student Representative Council will be leading and coordinating the QPS Book Swap.
Our fundraising site also allows you to make an online donation to our school’s Great Book Swap in the lead up to the event.
Assembly - Save the Date
Our next assembly will be on Friday 15 March 2024 and we look forward to Year 2, 3/4TH and 5/6C sharing their learning. We hope to see plenty of parents, carers and community members joining us for the special occasion.
Mobile Phone and Smartwatch Policy
Our School and the Department of Education’s policy does not permit students to bring mobile phones to school. Research indicates mobile phones and smartwatches can cause significant disruption to students and their learning in the classroom and foster social isolation when used at school. School is a place for learning and we want our classrooms to be focused on learning and break times for fun and building positive relationships with peers. We had had challenges of students bringing mobile phones to school playing online games on the bus before school and during break times. Students who wear smartwatches to school must have the watches switched to ‘school mode’ for the duration of school hours. We would appreciate the support of parents and carers in ensuring your child does not bring a mobile phone to school or have a smartwatch on without ‘school mode’.
School Council
I would like to congratulate Hazel Brown, a new member, and Heidi Boyd, a continuing member, to our School Council for the coming two years. Hazel and Heidi were our only nominees, and as a result we did not have a ballot. Richard Fewster, Lisa Golightly, Sharna Thomason, Naomi Stacey, Melissa Fitzgerald, Ebony Tannouri, Heidi Boyd and Hazel Brown will make up our School Council for 2024 and I look forward to working with them closely throughout the year.
Business Manager
Our recently appointed Business Manager, Dune Richards, has resigned from her position. We are currently in the process of recruiting a new Business Manager. In the interim, we welcome back Sylvia Tomkin. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dune for optimism and positive contributions to our school in the short time she was with us. I wish Dune and her family all the best for the future.
Parent Class Representatives
We are seeking 2 parents to be Class Representatives for each class in 2024. Parent Representatives aim to increase the communication between the school and parent community. Class Representatives will meet with the School Leadership Team termly and may facilitate communication in organising class/grade level events outside of school hours. Class Representatives will also assist in organising parent volunteers for school events, functions and fundraisers. Parents and carers who are interested in being a Class Representative for their child’s class are to email me directly at mathew.mcrae@education.vic.gov.au. Thank you to the parents and carers who have already registered their interest. We will finalise the Class Parent Representatives in the coming week and send out a notification via Compass. Registrations for Class Representatives will close on Friday 8 March 2024.
School Photos
On Tuesday 27 February, school photos were taken of our students and staff by Arthur Reed Photos. To view the images of your child and order photos, you will need to first register online.
1. Go to https://order.arphotos.com.au and enter the 2024 image code for your child (from their personalised flyer)
2. Tap on ‘Add another child’ to enter the image codes of any siblings
3. Fill in your email and mobile details and then review all details before confirming your registration.
When 2024 photos are ready, parents will be notified by email and SMS.
Even if parents registered in previous years, it’s important that you do it again each year using your child’s new image code to link their photos for the current year with your contact details. To ensure you are ordering school photos for the current year, please wait for notifications that 2024 images are online before placing orders. In the webshop, parents can view photos and customise your photo package including images and layouts. All photo orders will be sent directly to the address parents provide when ordering.
Prep and Year 1 Parent Volunteer Induction
On Thursday 7 March, Melissa Fitzgerald and I hosted a Prep and Year 1 Parent Volunteer Induction Session to a large group of eager parents, grandparents and community members. We were delighted with the interest and enthusiasm from our parent community and we are excited to have their support and contributions in the classroom to assist our students’ learning. The volunteer program will officially commence in Term 2 with volunteers assisting in the classroom. All volunteers working within the classroom must complete the Induction training, have a Working with Children Check submitted to the school and sign the Volunteers Code of Conduct and Responsibilities document before commencement.
Prep to Year 2 Literacy Workshop
On Monday 26 February, we hosted a Prep to Year 2 Literacy Workshop. I would like to extend my gratitude to the families and parents who were able to attend the session, both in person and online. We hope the workshop provided you with valuable information and practical strategies you can use at home to support your child with their literacy skills and development. I would also like to congratulate our Literacy Leader, Jackie Morris, along with our Year 2 Teacher, Laura Atkins, and, Year 1 Teacher, Teyha Robertson for delivering such a comprehensive workshop for our parent community.
Gardens and Grounds Committee
Last Thursday 19 February, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with our enthusiastic Gardens and Grounds Committee on developing a vision for our school grounds with specific goals. The committee agreed on 4 guiding principles for our vision for the QPS grounds. All future projects and works on the grounds will aim to achieve one or more of the following guiding principles:
Wellbeing and Inclusivity
Sustainability
Connection with Country and Community
Creativity and Imagination
The next steps for the committee will be to work towards developing a Master Plan for the school grounds and plan projects for 2024 that align with the principles. A key focus for the committee is on creating an imaginative, nature-play space for our students, bike storage area and sensory garden. We intend on applying for several community grants to support our vision.
We are seeking support from any parents or community members who can assist us in developing a Master Plan for the school grounds. If you have experience or qualifications as a landscape architect, draughtsman or design background, and are interested in helping the committee, we would love to hear from you. Please email me directly at mathew.mcrae@education.vic.gov.au .
I would like to thank Nathan Ulph, Ebony Tannouri, Jackie Morris, Melissa Fitzgerald, Hazel Brown, Stuart Kent, Richard Fewster, Chris Wilmot, Brooke Burgess and Yolanda Wosny for volunteering their time and enthusiasm as part of the Gardens and Grounds committee.
Monday 11 March is the Labour Day Public Holiday. Students will commence their first day of Week 7 on Tuesday 12 March. I wish all of our families an enjoyable and relaxing long weekend.
Nyatne baa Gobata
(Thank you and take care)
Mat McRae
Principal
