28th November 2017

St Helens News L e a r n i n g w i t h F r i e n d s

TERM CALENDAR

Friday 1st December Yr 6 Graduation & lunch Monday 4th December Tuesday 5th December Gold Party Friday 8th December Last day of school Monday 22nd January First day of school 2018

_______________________________________________ It was a privilege to listen to all 16 leadership speeches yesterday morning on parade. The high degree of preparation that went into the speeches was clearly evident. Every student who spoke on parade should be very proud of themselves. It takes tremendous courage for children to speak in front of so many people. School leadership positions will be announced at the school concert next Monday night. Our Yr 6 students experienced a taste of high school yesterday at their respective orientation days. We look forward to celebrating the Yr6 graduation with these students this Friday. Graduation will commence at 11:45am.

END OF YEAR CONCERT The Concert starts at 6:30pm with gold coin entry. Students may arrive from 6pm to the back door of the Theatre. The door will not be opened until that time. All students will be seated in the Federation Room for the whole performance with a live video feed. We are requesting that all students stay for the entire concert as they will be required again on stage towards the end of the concert. Also please be aware that we are planning on recording this year’s concert, if you have any issue with your child being recorded let the office staff know as soon as possible. DVD’s will be on sale from the office early next year. Enrolments for 2018 Please be advised that we are currently looking at student numbers for 2018, if you are planning on moving from the area could you please inform the office at your earliest convenience. This information is used to help guide the number of new students we are able to accept under the enrolment management plan.

As announced last Friday, I will be acting principal at Kawungan State School for semester 1 of 2018. Stacey Werder will be acting principal in my absence. Miss Werder is currently the Principal of Giru State School in North Queensland and is very excited to be coming to St Helens next year. Lectern News New and improved lectern. Thanks to the generosity of the 2017 Student Council. Student Council News Student Council will be receiving their leadership certificates on parade this Friday 1st of December. Parents are welcome to attend as we congratulate and thank the leaders for their roles in 2017. Library News All library books are now due back at school. Strings News Could all strings students please bring a plate on Friday to celebrate a wonderful year in the strings program. This will be at first break (11am). Book list Please be aware that you are now able to purchase “My Home Reader” books from the office for $6. New book bags can be purchased for $15 (very good quality) We are also accepting early payment of the $70 prep levy. EFPTOS is available for all of these.

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Year 4S Over a period of 2 weeks students actively participated in a STEM activity involving balloon powered vehicles. Firstly they designed a car, then had the opportunity to modify if for an improved performance!!

Volunteers Needed Grade 6 Grad Lunch, we need help:

1. Setting up the Hall from 1 pm Thursday. 2. Food preparation, serving, clean up from 11 am Friday.

School concert, we need help:

1. Collecting the gold coin donations (just before the concert starts).

Please let Mrs Southall know in the office if you can help. Report Cards and 2018 Classes Report cards and 2018 classes will be sent home in the last week of school on Wednesday the 6th of December. Choir News All choir shirts are to be brought back to Mr Morgan before the end of the year.

Art Night Some amazing art was on display last Thursday afternoon in our school hall. Jo Jo Frost has done some great work with many of our students over the course of the year through the art extension program.

School Banking This will be the last week of school banking End of Year Art Raffle Tickets are now available from the office for a chance to win a beautiful piece of art work. These pictures are hand painted by our wonderful art teacher JoJo Frost. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5. Prizes will be drawn at the end of year concert, being held at the Brolga on Monday the 4th of December.

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Dinner Table Topics

Prep – At the End of Parade this Friday our Prep students will be receiving a prize for their excellent Home Reading this year. Please stay after parade to join us for the presentation. Year 1A & 1R – This week lots of used books and spares will come home; please keep an eye out for these. Also, lots of Christmas craft is underway in Year 1, ask your child what they have been doing. Year 2B – We are busily practising our concert rehearsal! A copy of the lyrics was sent home with your child last week however if you would like another copy in order for your child to practise at home then please let me know. 2B do not require any special outfits or clothes for their performance – just a big, happy grin J. We have enough shoe boxes, thank you to those parents who sent them in. If you haven’t already please send $4 in with your child for our joined end of year party with 2C.

Year 2C– If you are able to assist us to prepare food for our Break-up Party next Thursday, please see me. We will start preparation at around 10 and are having our Break- up Lunch at 12:00. We are also starting to send home unused items that may be of use for your child or their siblings next year. No special dress requirements are needed for the End of Year Concert. Year 3F – Next week as a reward for all the hard work over the past semester, we are going to have a class party. The party will be on next Thursday 7th December. Can students please bring in some food or drink to share on that day? If students want to bring in food or drink that will keep before next Thursday, like juice, soft drink, chips or popcorn, it would be great too! ☺ Year 3N – Parents, unused books and stationery will start to come home over the next week. Keep an eye out on Class Dojo for our timetable for Week 10, as well as information about our concert piece and class party!

Year 3/4H – Parents please look out for an important note regarding our class rewards day Wednesday 6th December. Students will need to bring a towel and change of clothes that they can get wet in. They will also require $2 to be sent in for our pizza lunch by Monday 4th December.

Year 4S – The students have been rehearsing their dance routine and look fabulous!! We will be having our pizza party and wet day next week, perhaps on Wednesday. Most students will be attending and have already brought in $2 to cover the pizzas. We are asking for donations of “Bunch o Balloons” which are the water balloons that work very well here on our school taps. The cheaper ones are too hard to attach to hose nossiles and too hard to tie up. Only send students with the water balloons if you can afford them. Looking forward to a fantastic fortnight!!!

Year 5H – Your child has been investigating B.O.M.D.A.S. Ask your child what this acronym stands for and how to apply it to complex equations.

Year 6M – Graduation this Friday at 11:30am, I am looking forward to seeing everyone there.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Geese for Sale

3 geese, approximately 9 weeks old. $10 each or 3 for $15 Please contact For Sale Size 16 blouse (worn twice) 2 x Size 16 skorts (worn twice) $25 for the lot. Please contact Emily in the office if you are interested. Size 14 school shirt $10, please call into the office.

Star of the Week

Prep Possums

Vanessa Daw For wonderful concentration during dance practise. Well done!

Prep Wombats

Taylor Blain For her excellent improvement in reading. Keep up the great work!

Year 1A Harper De Vries For always being a helpful and hardworking classmate!

Year 1R Miah Boddy For always being a wonderful helper within the class. Thank you for being you.

Year 2B Lachlan Lem For being a respectful leader and listening to your group members during an English retell-well done!

Year 2C Kayne Scougall For the responsibility you take in the classroom and your consideration for those around you.

Year 3F Jack Johnson For a great effort in the presentation of his poem for our English assessment.

Year 3N Lane De Vries For your improved concentration and effort towards class activities. Keep it up!

Year 3/4H Blake Ransome For the extra effort you have put in to communicating your thinking. Keep it up!

Year 4S Payton Brown-Styles For you fantastic participation and thoughtful answers during Mathematics this week.

Year 5H Nathaniel Copland For your outstanding behaviour all year. You are a role model for your peers.

Year 6M Elizabeth Austin For showing resilience in the classroom resulting in an improved commitment.

Library Abigial Kerridge For successfully completing her library activity this week. Well done!

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