GLPS Newsletter Week 8 Term 2 - Grace Lutheran Primary School

Term 2 Week 8
Thursday 2 June 2016
RIPPLES
From the Principal
Investing in our Future
‘STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is one of the most talked
about acronyms in education circles at the moment. Australia is falling behind globally
when it comes to STEM education, and it’s clear that we have a big challenge on our
hands to turn this around.’ (Principals Institute Australia Education Review – May 2016
p 12). One of the key recommendations in this report is that first and foremost, the
focus for STEM should be with primary-aged children. So, what is Grace Primary doing to
promote STEM?
1. There is strong support for teacher’s Professional Development (PD) opportunities which have
STEM as their key focus. Earlier this week, two teachers attended the two-day Edutech
Conference at the Brisbane Convention Centre, while two others attended the Master Classes
which followed the Conference. Today, four staff members visited a lighthouse school in flexible
digital learning, while next week, two teachers will travel to Sydney as part of a digital learning
study tour organised for staff from Lutheran Schools across Queensland. During the Staff
Development Week (the first week of the school holidays for students), Grace Primary is also
hosting a PD day for teachers from across the peninsula being organised by the Coding Club of
Australia.
2. The P&F Committee recently allocated $7000 to robotics equipment, which will be utilised
across our early childhood classes, and this is in addition to $5000 which was allocated last year
to support the Robotics Club for students in Years 3-6.
3. Two members of the P&F Committee, Samantha Hunt and Wendy Timms, were nominated
earlier this term to join members of the School’s Leadership team and teaching staff members at
the regular meetings of the Digital Innovative Learning Forum (DILF), to provide insight from a
parent perspective, as the Committee sets the direction for digital learning in the school.
4. Utilising the expertise of staff at
the school, an after-school Robotics
Club is run for students in Years 3-6,
and a Coding Club is about to be
formed, which will add to the
opportunities for our students to
engage in higher-order thinking
utilising technology.
As you can see, our School is
investing significantly into the
development of teachers who are equipped to improve delivery of the skills students will need for
tomorrow’s careers, and in providing access to resources which will guide their interest and
expertise.
General P&F Meeting
All parents are invited to this term’s General Meeting of the P&F Association which is being held
on Tuesday 14 June at 7.00pm in the Library. This is the once per term meeting at which all
parents can gain insight into the work of the P&F and will feature Miss Amanda Pashen, the
School’s Student Welfare Worker. Miss Pashen will be introducing a new parenting support
program that she will be running in Term 3, as well as profiling some of the wellbeing programs
that are available for students. Mental health is a particular focus of Miss Pashen’s work, and
she will be presenting some insights into the challenges facing our young people today, and will
be available to answer questions from parents. Mrs Katrina Russell, Director of Teaching and
Learning, will also have a showcase of robotics equipment, which will be utilised across our
early childhood classes. Please make the effort to attend if you can, as this will be of interest to
all parents.
Wishing you every blessing for the week ahead
Mr Stephen McGrath
“But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our
love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.” 2 Corinthians 8:7
Whatever their potential ... we help them reach it.
38 Maine Rd, Clontarf, 4019
PO Box 3099 DC QLD 4019
graceadmin@glps.qld.edu.au
Ph. 32830011, Fax 32830012
www.graceprimary.qld.edu.au
Absentee Line: 3283 0088
absent@glps.qld.edu.au
SMS: 0427016460
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Message from Pastor Mark
One of the important aspects of life in the Lutheran Church is Baptism. For Lutherans, Baptism is a
‘Sacrament’ and a rite of initiation into God’s family; it is where we are welcomed into the community of
faith.
Before His Ascension, Jesus said (Matthew 28), “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I
have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Lutherans have understood that Jesus’ words ‘all nations’ includes children as well as adults. Therefore,
children (whose parents promise to ‘teach them’ about God) are baptised. Baptism is seen by us as a wonderful
gift where we celebrate being part of God’s family, as well as accepting certain responsibilities that flow from
this. This includes teaching the faith in a life that flows from worshipping God. And as we grow older, we share
in the gift Christ has given in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
Jesus’ promise is ‘to be with us always’. In Baptism we see a wonderful sign of this promise. The Apostle Peter
speaks about ‘baptism saves you’ (1 Peter 3:21) and the Apostle Paul speaks about how in Baptism we are
joined to Jesus in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5). This is why we see Holy Baptism as a wonderful
gift where we are made a child of God. God’s own, forever.
In Christ,
Pastor Mark
For more information about Grace Lutheran Congregation (and our Baptism practices) you may visit
www.gracelutheran.org.au.
School Council Round-up
School council met last Wednesday night for our regular monthly meeting. The major discussion point
was the formation of our Vision and Mission statements, as we work towards our 2017 - 2019 strategic
plan. As I’m sure you’ll agree, a succinct, well-crafted statement of our School’s Vision and its
subsequent mission is greatly important as it focuses our minds and efforts towards our collective goals
not just for the next three years, but well beyond. These statements are something that we as a school
community have to “own” and feel comfortable to back them up with our actions. So it is a very important and
time consuming process to achieve the right outcome. We are progressing with this and hope to have both
statements formalised by our next meeting.
Blessings!
Martin Fenwick, School Council Chairman
Prayer Families for Week 9
Staff
Monday
Tuesday
Thursday
Friday
Jasmine Deighton and Angela Milburn
Kathryn PZ, Alexander 1H Ivory, Thomas 1B Ella 1H Hungerford
Toby 1B, Elijah 5H Jackson, Sean 3J, Catalina PF Hunter, Morgan Hull-Jones 4N
Jett Jones 3W, Ebony Jaques-Watson 4B, Ben Jansson 3W, Aidan Jones 6D
Memphis 2W, Hunter 3J Jones, Zuria Johnson 4B, Lucius Jeynes 5T
Chapel Donations
The money donated this term will support Yirara College, Alice Springs. Children are encouraged to contribute
to the Chapel offering each week. Last week we raised $68.75.
Please help us reach our target of raising $1000 this term through each student bringing a chapel donation on
Thursdays for this valuable cause...we are half way there!
Thank you for your support.
Year 2 Together With
Thanks to our Year 2 students and their teachers for
leading today's Chapel services and for their involvement
with this Sunday's Together With service at 8.30am at
Grace Lutheran Church. All families are warmly welcome
to join us.
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From the Deputy’s Desk
Access to Academic Reports in Parent Lounge
Parents will now be able to access their child’s school reports online via Parent Lounge.
Each semester students are issued with a detailed written report regarding their academic progress at
school for that period.
As part of our continued rollout of the functionality available to parents through Parent Lounge, students’ Semester
1 2016 Student Reports will be issued online securely and no longer sent home as a hard copy. Currently parents
can view their child’s 2015 reports via Parent Lounge.
A Year Level Semester 1 2016 Student Report Subject Overview Home Note, will be sent home with students in
their blue folders in the last week of school. The Grace Academy Instrumental reports for Year 4-6 students will be
sent home to families.
It is anticipated that the Individual Semester 1 2016 Student Academic Reports will be available for access by
parents from Thursday 16 June. The Year Level Semester 1 2016 Student Report Subject Overview Home Note is
expected to be issued to students on Tuesday 14 June 2016.
How to Access Your Child’s Student Academic Report Online
1.
Visit our Website www.graceprimary.qld.edu.au and hover the curser over the top right tab My Grace
Primary to activate the drop down menu and select Parent Lounge. This will take you to the log in screen for
Parent Lounge. You can also access this via the School App by clicking on the Parent Lounge button.
However, if it is the first time you have logged into Parent Lounge we recommend you use a large screen (ie.
Laptop or ipad) over a small mobile device, so you can familiarise yourself with the site clearly. It’s a great
opportunity to see all the information and actions you have access to via this tool.
2.
Log in using your User Name and Password. Logins and passwords have been sent to all parents via
e-mail. This is the same 7 digit login and password that you use to gain access to online shops (Tuckshop &
Uniform Shop) and the one you used for booking the Reporting Conferences in Term 1.
If you are unable to find or recall these details, simply call Reception and they will advise you of them. You
can change your Password to be something more relevant to you via our website - hover over My Grace
Primary to activate the drop down menu and select Manage Parent Access.
3.
You can see what the Parent Lounge home screen looks
like below.
At the Menu at the left hand side of the page, select
Academic Reports
4.
Select Semester 1 2016 School Reports
5.
Your child’s report should present in pdf format.
6.
Click and open this to view your child’s report.
7.
Print this report as required.
8.
If you are a new parent and have not yet received your
login name and password please contact reception to
obtain advice on gaining this for access to Parent Lounge.
Mrs Kathy Stock, Deputy Principal
New Piano Tuition Teacher
It is with considerable sadness that we say a fond farewell to Mrs Jennifer Wakeling who has been giving piano
lessons to Grace Lutheran Primary School for many years. Jennifer will be working in a different music capacity from
Term 3. We wish to thank Jennifer for her efforts at Grace Primary and for her work alongside Alison Grady our other
piano teacher who is continuing on with her students next semester. Jennifer has coordinated student end-of-year
piano recitals each November to support students with their performance skills and to enable parents to enjoy seeing
their child perform.
Fortunately we are blessed to have the appointment of Mrs Allison Chambers as Jennifer’s replacement from Term 3,
2016.
Alison has been appointed through Grace Academy and enrolments will be coordinated through the Academy. We are
fortunate that a hand-over time is planned for 16 June where Jennifer’s students can meet their new piano teacher.
If you would like your child to enrol in piano or keyboard tuition please contact Grace Academy to find out more about
this opportunity at graceacademy@glc.qld.edu.au
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Library News
Story Night for Preps to Year 2
Date: Wednesday 8 June
Time: 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Place: Grace Primary School Library
Dress Code: Pyjamas and warm footwear
We have had an overwhelming response to this event with 145 responses received on Tuesday, 31 May and the
latest tally stands at 153. Please note that we cannot accept any more RSVPs.
Thank you to all the families who have responded. Please check with your child for a confirmation slip from the
library with regards to the event.
“If you are going to get anywhere in life you have to read a lot of books.” ~Roald Dahl (author, 1916 -1990) ~
Happy reading,
Mrs Soh Ping Summers, Teacher Librarian
Sports News
Field Events Athletics
It has been amazing to see so many parent helpers come along on Friday afternoons to help with
officiating our Senior Athletics Field Events. This help is always most appreciated. The one hour
format seems to be very positive and engaging. The students all enjoyed themselves and the staff
commented on how well behaved our students were.
We still require more helpers for the Track Carnival on Friday 10 June. The timetable is as follows:
Time
Girls
8 Yrs
Boys
8 Yrs
Girls
9 Yrs
Boys
9 Yrs
Girls
10 Yrs
Boys
10 Yrs
Girls
11 Yrs
Boys
11 Yrs
Girls
12 Yrs
Boys
12 Yrs
8:30am
Students catch buses out to Langdon Park accompanied by their class teachers.
9:00am
Students are then accompanied to their house tents by their class teachers. Each set of house
captains will lead their house war cry and a short warm up and some stretches for their house.
9:15am
100m Heats
10:00am
800m Final
11:00am
200m Heats
12:00 pm
200m Final
12:30 – 12:45pm
Lunch Break
12:45pm
100m Final
1:30 pm
Relays
2:15 pm
Announcements, final war cries and clean up
2:30 pm
Back on the buses to return to Grace Primary School.
*** WE WILL ENDEAVOUR TO STAY TO THE TIMES THAT ARE PRINTED ON THIS TIMETABLE. HOWEVER, DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES THESE TIMES
MAY CHANGE ON THE DAY.
Junior Athletics Carnival
The Junior Carnival is to be held on Monday 13 June 11.30 - 1.30pm. Parent assistance on the day would still
be appreciated. It is always a great day for students and parents alike.
Mrs Liz Begoihn and Mrs Sue Coghlan, PE Teachers/Sports Coordinators
Reminders
GOSHC Pie Drive
Last chance to order for the Pie Drive. Orders are due tomorrow, Friday 3 June.
Order forms are available from GOSHC or pick one up in the Parent Hub. Thanks for your support.
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Introducing …
Mrs Jo Forrest
I have been teaching for 9 years. Most of this time has been spent in Years 3 and 4 at St Peters
Lutheran College Indooroopilly. I have also held contract and relief positions in various state and
independent schools across Brisbane.
This year I am teaching Prep at Grace Lutheran Primary. Although my face has been around Grace for a number
of years doing relief and contract work, this year is my return to full time work after having children. I am
thoroughly enjoying working with the Prep children and families. It is great to have the opportunity to introduce
them to the first year of formal schooling and be part of such a special time.
I am married to Trent and we have 3 children. Poppy is in Year 2 here at Grace, Matilda has just turned 3 and
Sebastian is 18 months. We are a very active family and particularly love spending time in our pool, riding our
bikes and going camping. I have previously called myself a runner, having completed 2 marathons and too many
half marathons to count. I am hoping to participate in the Jetty to Jetty half marathon here on the peninsula in
July.
I am very happy to be part of the Grace community. I have been warmly welcomed by the staff and families. I am
particularly impressed with the enthusiasm of the parent body and the involvement they have in all aspects of the
school.
Join us for Cuppa and Chat – Wednesday 8 June 8.30-9.15am
Please join us next Wednesday for Cuppa and Chat from 8.30am in the Parent Hub. We are planning to
share information with you on the Semester 1 Student Reports and accessing them online, Sports
Carnival updates, our Term 3 Parenting workshop series, feedback on Grace Primary in Action and our
plans for Grandparents Day, and a Grace Fete update.
We look forward to sharing information with you then.
Nominate a Grace Primary Teacher Who Inspires Your Child
Nominations for the 2016 ASG National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA) are now open. We are proud of
all our staff and would encourage any parent who would like to nominate their child’s teacher to do so via the
ASG NEiTA website – www.asg.com.au/nominate
ASG NEiTA is a wonderful way to recognise the fantastic work done by our teachers and is a great reflection on
the whole school community. Teachers who reach the national level are rewarded with professional development
grants of $5,000 and the opportunity to attend a Space Camp in the USA!
Nominations close on 31 July so don’t miss out! For information about the awards, contact ASG NEiTA on
1800 624 487.
Rock Art Fun
Year 4 students enjoyed yesterday's rock art workshop and created beautiful pieces to include in our Redcliffe
Show display.
Art Workshop Exhibition – 9 June from 3pm
We invite you to view our Art Workshop Exhibition next Thursday 9 June 3pm – 3.30pm in The Space, and see
all the wonderful pieces of art created by all the students involved. We thank all the students and families who
chose to come along and participate. This artwork will form the basis of our Redcliffe Show school art entry and
will be displayed in key areas around our school following this event.
Thank you to all the staff and parent volunteers who have helped make these workshops a success and a big
thank you to Mrs Rachel Saurini for her creative direction and involvement in this project.
Karen Misso, Communication and Marketing Manager
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Grace Fete
Get your Early Bird Ride Armbands Now by purchasing via
the School Shop $30 each.
Don’t forget to Donate Your Pre-Loved Books. Thank you to
those who donated during Donate A Book Week.
We still need quality items for our Trash ‘n’ Treasure
including household items, home wares, kitchenware, toys,
furniture, garden tools. Please give the items a wipe over
and please no clothing.
Bake Us A Cake – Please contact our Cake Stall Convenor,
Nicole Caddy, if you can help out with baking.
nicloe@dandyblinds.com.au
Coming Up
Volunteer Roster will be out soon.
Stage Performance Line up will be revealed next week
Thank you for your continued support
Rebecca Crew, Fete Coordinator
Winter Wonderland Update
Firstly thank you for supporting the school and its community.
Unfortunately the original plan for Winter Wonderland has been changed and relocated due to not meeting the
minimum numbers needed for their venue.
For those who bought tickets, you will receive a full refund in the next few days.
Considering you planned to have the night free please join us at ‘Pilpel by the Sea’.
It will still be a night to remember and great opportunity to meet new families in a relaxed environment- please
tell your friends to join us also! Here’s the details:
Location: Pilpel function room
Date: Saturday 11 June 7pm
Cost: $40 - Charcoal BBQ
Drinks - pay as you go
Auction items, photo booth, lucky door prize etc.
RSVP - NOW to Pilpel directly. Phone Tracey on 32843320 and quote Grace event and pay over the phone.
Thank you for your support,
Tina Smith-Roberts, P&F Committee
Follow us on Facebook
Please like us on Facebook and keep updated on what's happening around
the school.
www.facebook.com/GraceLuthPS
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Community News & Events
Due tomorrow
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What’s Coming Up at Grace Primary
Dates For Your Diary
Friday 3 June
Year 3-6 Sports day - Field Events 2-3pm Dalton Oval
Pie Drive orders due to GOSHC
Sunday 5 June
Together with Year 2 at Grace Lutheran Church 8.30am
Monday 6 June
Photo Catch Up Day
Years 3 - 6 Assembly in Hall 2.15pm
Wednesday 8 June
Story Night for Preps, Years 1 & 2 at 6:30pm
Thursday 9 June
Prep - Year 2 Chapel 8.40am
Years 3 - 6 Chapel 2.15pm
Art Workshop Exhibition from 3pm
Friday 10 June
Years 3-6 Sports Day
Track Events at Langdon Park 8.30- 2.30pm
Monday 13 June
Prep - Year 2 Sports Carnival 11.30am - 1.30pm
Date Claimers
Tuesday 12 July - Astronomy Night from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm (to be confirmed by Brisbane
Astronomical Society)
Friday 22 July - Grandparents Day 8.30am to 11.00am
Saturday 30 July - School Fete 12.00 - 6.30pm (fireworks)
Community News & Events
2016 Census Field Officers
August 9 is Census night and the Australian Bureau of Statistics is seeking up to 38,000 community
minded people, who are comfortable using a computer, mobile or tablet device, to join our team
and play a role in shaping the future of Australia. A Census Field Officer’s duties may vary,
depending on their assigned area. Job seekers from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Apply now at abs.gov.au/careers
Grace Lutheran
Primary School
Ph: 3283 0011
graceadmin@glps.qld.edu.au
www.graceprimary.qld.edu.au
Student absences:
Ph: 3283 0088
SMS: 0427 016 460
absent@glps.qld.edu.au
www.facebook.com/GraceLuthPS
Uniform Shop
Trading Hours:
Tuesday, Thursday
8:00am-11:00am
Wednesday Afternoon
2:00pm-4:00pm
Ph: 3283 0022
or
Place orders using the
Grace Primary online school shop
Worship at
Grace Lutheran Church
Maine Rd, Clontarf
8:30am Worship Service
8:50am Sunday School
2nd & 4th Sunday
Grace College Chapel
Mewes Road, Rothwell
5:30pm Worship Service
5:50pm Sunday School
1st & 3rd Sunday
4:30pm Youth Group
1st & 3rd Sunday
ALL WELCOME
www.facebook.com/GraceChurchRedcliffe
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