Dear Queenscliff Parents and Carers,
As we head towards the end of Term 2, it is always a wonderful time to reflect on the exciting learning experiences, adventures and opportunities our students have gained throughout the past ten weeks. Students have been engaging in rich learning experiences daily, undertaking a range of different excursions including ‘Farm My School’ and visits to the Queenscliff Historic Museum, camp adventures for our Year 3 to 6 students and sporting opportunities including Lightning Premiership. In addition to this, it has been a pleasure to see our parent and grandparent volunteers assisting in the Prep and Year 1 classrooms supporting our students with their literacy and numeracy skills. It has been a busy, fulfilling and rewarding term. I am grateful for the energy, expertise, passion and enthusiasm that each one of our QPS teachers and education support staff show each and every day to make our school a thriving, engaging and supportive environment to learn and play. Thank you!
Year 3/4 Kangaroobie Camp
This week our Year 3/4 students and teachers ventured to Camp Kangaroobie for a three day adventure. Students and staff had a blast! It was wonderful to see our students experience several nights away from home and have opportunities to be challenged in new ways by engaging in outdoor activities including obstacle courses, team initiatives and beach games. Our students gained real-life farm experience by learning about animals and the operations of a farm. A key highlight from the camp was the bush dance on Tuesday evening, whereby students and staff got their groove on by learning traditional bush dances as they dressed up in costumes.
I am extremely proud of each and every student who attended the camp, overcoming their fears, challenging themselves and supporting one another to be persistent, resilient and independent. I am grateful to our amazing teachers and education support staff who coordinated and attended the camp to make this special learning experience possible for our students and for spending time away from your own loved ones. Thank you to Mrs. Ebony Tannouri, Ms. Megan Fullard, Mr. Harry Thompson, Mrs. Chaya Lewry, Mrs. Kirby Young, Mrs. Cherry Wake and Mrs. Melissa Fitzgerald.
Congratulations Xavier
A huge congratulations to Xavier Grainger who represented Queenscliff Primary School in the Under 9 and 10 Boys Division at the Western Metropolitan Primary Cross Country Regional event Brimbank Park in Keilor on Thursday 20 June 2024. Xavier competed against talented runners from across Geelong, Western Melbourne and Victorian regional areas in the event. He placed 21st out of 85 runners. We are incredibly proud of Xavier on this achievement, especially competing the day after the Year 3/4 Camp. Xavier exudes resilience, persistence and determination. Well done Xavier.
Farm My School Year 5/6 Excursion
On Wednesday 19 June, our Year 5/6 students ventured on an excursion to Bellarine Secondary College to a ‘Farm My School’ excursion as part of their Science unit on ‘Healthy Soils’. Students went on a tour of the working farm, completed a dig and compare activity learning about soil health, including carbon and PH levels, and explored processes related to effective composting. Students and staff returned buzzing with excitement sharing their new understandings about worms, soil and plant life cycles.
New 5/6PH Classroom Teacher
Mrs. Yvette Hurley, has been appointed as Classroom Teacher for 5/6PH on Mondays and Tuesdays for the remainder of the year. Yvette is a highly experienced and knowledgeable educator with over 20 years teaching experience in state, independent and catholic primary schools. She has experience as a Classroom Teacher, Learning Support Teacher and in leadership positions, including, Head of Curriculum and Year Level Coordinator, at her previous schools. Yvette is deeply passionate about education, and has comprehensive curriculum knowledge and employs evidence-based practices to support student wellbeing and differentiation.
Yvette will commence teaching 5/6PH in Term 3 on Tuesday 16 July, following the Curriculum Day on Monday 15 July. Students in 5/6PH have already had an opportunity to meet Yvette this week and some students have written letters to her telling her about themselves and how they learn best. Mrs. Hannah Petrie and Mrs. Morgan Lee Hickey will have a handover with Yvette next week to ensure important information and data is shared about each student, so that she is prepared and informed before the commencement of Term 3. Mrs. Hannah Petrie will continue her role as Classroom Teacher on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for 5/6PH.
Mrs Atkins Parental Leave
Next week will be Mrs. Laura Atkins final week at Queenscliff Primary School as Year 2 Classroom Teacher before she commences her parental leave in Term 3. I encourage families to pop in to see Laura and wish her all the best in the coming week. Our school will have a formal farewell to Laura at our final assembly for Term 2 next Friday 28 June. We wish Laura, and her partner, Tom, all the best as they embark on their journey of parenthood.
Queenscliff Seaside Spruce Up Day
Next week, our SRC have organised a ‘Queenscliff Seaside Spruce Up’ Day on Wednesday 26th June. Students will venture out into specific areas of the Queenscliff community with their teachers and a buddy class to clean up litter and rubbish from parks, beaches, nature reserves and streets. Students will bring back the collected rubbish and use it for a House challenge on Friday 28th June to create a representation of their House mascot. Students will also sort the rubbish into recyclable and non-recyclable items to learn more about sustainable practices. We look forward to our school making a positive contribution in taking care of our local community and keeping our environment free from rubbish. Thank you to the SRC and Mrs. Robertson for leading this exciting initiative.
Year 3/4 Travel Expo
Parents and carers are invited to attend the Year 3/4 Travel Expo next Friday 28th June from 10:00-11:00am in the Year 3/4 classrooms following assembly. Students have been working hard over the course of the term as part of their Geography based unit to learn about a chosen country of the world. Students have developed travel brochures showcasing information, highlights and cultural experiences from a vast range of countries. We hope to see you there.
Semester 1 Reports
Semester 1 student reports will be available for parents and carers via Compass on Thursday 27 June 2024. I encourage all families to take time to carefully read and review the reports to gain an understanding of your child’s achievements and successes from Semester 1 and to learn about their next steps for their learning journey. I commend the time, effort and expertise our teachers have put into writing these reports for each of our students.
Term 3 Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Tuesday 23 July, 3:00-6:00pm and Wednesday 24 July 3:00-5:00pm in Term 3. Parent Teacher Interviews are a wonderful opportunity for parents and carers to meet with their child’s teacher to learn about their learning achievements and goals for Semester 2. Bookings for Parent Teacher Interviews will open in the first week of Term 3 on Tuesday 16 July on Compass. Parents and carers who wish to meet with Specialist Teachers will be able to do so only on Tuesday 23 July.
Financial Voluntary Contributions
We have had 45% of our families make voluntary financial contributions to our school over the past two terms and at the end of 2023. These contributions have gone towards covering the costs of student stationery, books, learning resources, specialist program resources and equipment and online subscriptions that were purchased for students at the beginning of the year.
Whilst I understand at this time, many families are experiencing financial hardship and difficulties due to the current climate and costs related to rising interest rates and inflation, we would greatly appreciate it if families who have not made a contribution as of yet, to consider doing so. As a result of having a significant reduction in the number of families this year who have paid voluntary financial contributions to our school, we have had to reduce budgets and costs planned for other learning programs, opportunities, gardens and grounds projects and whole-school initiatives to cover costs of learning supplies for students.
Voluntary financial contributions to our school are based on two categories:
Curriculum Contributions of $370 - These financial contributions pay for curriculum items and activities, stationery, online subscriptions and resources for Specialist subjects.
Other Contributions of a minimum of $50 - These financial contributions pay for non-curricular items, including playground development, improved technology and our School Building Fund.
We understand that many families may find it difficult to afford the above outlined financial contributions, however, we would be grateful for any level of voluntary financial contribution that is less than the suggested amount outlined by the school. All contributions make a huge difference to supporting our school in implementing engaging, inclusive and high quality learning programs and experiences, as well as working towards improving the grounds and gardens of our school. Thank you for your support.
QPS Art Show
Our school will be hosting an Art Show on Thursday 8 August 2024. Every student will have art showcased in the show reflective on their learning in our Visual Arts specialist program delivered by Mrs. Kelly Caldwell. The theme for this year's show is ‘It’s Alive’ and will include art from our students in a range of mediums and forms.
Parents and carers can purchase individual tickets for $5.00. Tickets can be purchased online through the TryBooking website or using the QR code on the Art Show advertisement.
Our Art Show will be open to the public from 11am to 2:30pm and then open to families and students from 3:30pm until 7pm. The show will be hosted at the local community church on Learmonth Street. We will be seeking parent volunteers to assist in the setup and packdown of the show and in providing baked goods for sale.
Assembly
Parents, carers and friends are invited to attend our final assembly for Term 2 on Friday 28 June May at 9am on the basketball court. We will have students sharing their learning from 5/6PH, Prep and First Nations/Visual Arts specialist programs. We will also be presenting Excellence Certificates to celebrate the dedicated learning efforts of our students over the course of Semester 1.
Term 3 Curriculum Day
Term 3 commences on Tuesday 16 July. On Monday 15 July, teachers will be engaging in a Curriculum Day, so students will not be required to attend school on this day.
School Council
Unfortunately, due to a significant number of council members being unavailable on Monday 17 June, we were unable to meet this week. Our next School Council meeting has been postponed to Tuesday 16 July 2024. I look forward to meeting with our School Council to discuss school operations.
As we conclude Term 2, I hope to see many parents and carers over the coming week visiting our school. I wish all of our students and families a safe, enjoyable and relaxing Winter holiday break. Stay warm and I look forward to seeing you bright-eyed and excited for a spectacular Term 3.
Nyatne baa Gobata
(Thank you and take care)
Mat McRae
Principal
