Rosella Park School eNewsletter

News from the Principal

Wow, can you believe that the term is almost finished. I wish to thank and acknowledge our entire school community – Families, students and staff for your hard work, effort and more importantly your resilience during what has been at times a very difficult term. There have been many hurdles thrown our way especially at the start of the school year and the two week delay. Despite this, we as a collective school community have hung in and made term 1 a successful term.

I have had many highlights this term, but the biggest achievement and celebration is how well all of our students have engaged in their classrooms and out in the playground. It is really exciting to see the positive relationships students and staff have, and this is evident in the positive outcomes we are seeing in student’s work and behaviour. So, on behalf of the leadership team, I just want to say thank you to the amazing staff, families and cohort of students for everything you have been doing. I can not wait to see what term 2 has for us all.

Recently, Miss Joan (intermediate 2 teacher) stepped up into Acting HOD Curriculum whilst Miss Tracey backfilled for our Deputy Miss Shelley who took some time to welcome her first grandchild. During this time Miss Joan did a great job in the Acting HOD Curriculum role – Thank you Miss Joan.

Some exciting news about a new addition to our school communication modes starting in term 2 2022. Recently I have worked with the Education Department to register and establish a school Facebook page for Rosella Park School. We are committed to continue to use Dojo moving forward, however, the Facebook page will allow us the opportunity to share with the wider community some of the amazing things occurring at our school. I will be sending home correspondence via a letter regarding permissions (many of our students already have permission for social media) as we will ensure any student who does not have permission for social media will not be identified on the Facebook page. In the mean time you can search and find (type in ‘Rosella Park School’) our Facebook page and like it so you can keep up to date. To ensure you like the correct page please look for the picture below:

Finally, on Thursday 24^th March at 5.30 pm we will be holding our Annual General Meeting for the Rosella Park School P & C. I am seeking as many families who are keen to get involved and support the school – whether it is as a nominated position such as President, Treasurer or Secretary, or if at this time you wish to just be a general member. The more hands we have the lighter the work, and it would be fantastic to have a strong parent voice to support the school to continue to strive for whole school and student positive outcomes.

Please take care during the holiday break, and we all look forward to seeing everyone return on the 19^th April (it’s a Tuesday).

A COVID update for families

Please take time to have a look at this link and familiarise yourselves with the regulations about being a close contact. Please note: if the link does not work simply copy and paste into your browser.

https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/stay-informed/exposed-to-covid/close-contacts/first-steps-as-a-close-contact

In order to maintain a safe and supportive school environment, I feel that it is a good time to remind ourselves of our responsibilities if your child is deemed a close contact. Below is a summarized version of the link:

First steps as a close contact - coronavirus (COVID-19)

You are a close contact if you have been with a person that has COVID-19 for more than four hours in a house or other accommodation, a care facility or similar.

Immediately quarantine

If you are a close contact, you need to immediately quarantine yourself at your home, or other suitable accommodation, for 7 full days from the date you last had contact with the person that has COVID-19. If you live with them, your quarantine will last the same amount of time as their isolation period.

Get tested if you have symptoms

If you develop symptoms at any time while you’re in quarantine, get tested.

Before coming back to school: Get tested on day 6

Get tested on day 6 of your quarantine period. You can get tested using a RAT kit or a PCR test.

If the test result is negative and you have no COVID-19 symptoms at the end of day 7 of your quarantine period, you can end quarantine.

If the test result is negative but you have COVID-19 symptoms at the end of day 7 of your quarantine period, wait until you have no symptoms before ending your quarantine.

Cheers Mr Geoff

News from the Deputy Principal

Hi Parents,

This is my first newsletter for the year and I cannot believe that it is almost the end of term 1. Where has this time gone. Thankfully the team allowed me to take some Long Service Leave to share some amazing time with my daughter, who made me a Nanny! It has been so lovely to have snuggles each day after work. Can I thank Geoff, Tracey and Joan who stepped up during this time to enable me to create these precious memories.

CAPRAS COACHING CLINIC

While I was on leave, I was asked to assist in the organisation of Gladstone’s very first Capras Coaching Clinic run by Capras Community Care (CCC). Of course, I jumped at the opportunity and I am so glad I did. We had a great turn out of students and adults with a disability who all joined in and had a great hour of fun, despite the crazy heat. You may have seen some photos in the Gladstone News. The students got to meet Wayne Bennett and also got a free pack as you can see below. CCC are hoping to do more of these clinics in Gladstone, however they need support from businesses to keep this going. If you are connected with any businesses that you think might be interested, please let me know their details and I can connect them with CCC or see the flyer below for further information.

MULTICLASS TEAMS – Classification and Letters

Some students may have also received a letter to access their classification cards to allow them to participate in Cross Country and Athletics. We had a team start with this last year and we are looking to grow this team over the next few years. If your child is aged between 10-19 yrs and you believe they would like to be involved, give me a call and we can chat about what this entails. This classification process is only for their Intellectual Impairment; however, every disability has different weightings when they compete at events. For some students it is better for them to be classified in another disability to give them the best advantage when competing. Each disability has a different process. I am more than happy to run a parent session to explain these processes, should there be enough interest from parents. Please feel free to email me if you are keen to know more about this. If you have got forms, please pay your $25 to Sports Inclusion Australia via direct debit BSB: 014-215 Account No. 422114518. Make sure you quote your last name as a reference then send the registration form back to me so I can process them. We have our first event in the first week of next term, Cross Country. Keep an eye out for photos and results from the kids.

News from Administration

This term we are operating our Breakfast Club on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. So far it has been a huge success and our students are really enjoying the options that are being provided. Most days we have toast, cheese toasties, fruit, yoghurt and muffins. This has been possible due to a small grant we were able to obtain, that has allowed us to open more than one day and provide the students more options.

A huge thank you to the breakfast club staff who come in early and prepare the food for the students, as they arrive, whether by parents/carers, buses or taxis. It is great to see so many of our students accessing this service, as it helps give them a great start to the day.

We are always looking for help in donations or volunteers on the day. If you would like to find out how you can help keep this great incentive running please contact: Tracey Davis (HOC) on 49768333 or email: tdavi215@eq.edu.au.

Reporting Student Absences

A reminder to all parents and carers that if your child is going to be absent from school for any reason please contact the school absentee line on 49768333 and leave a message OR please respond to the SMS text message. This way you will avoid a letter home regarding an unexplained absence.

While on absences, please also remember if your child is absent and travels to school via the school contract transport (either taxi or bus) then it is your responsibility to advise the relevant transport company not to pick up your child. The contact number for Blue and White Taxi company is 49727138 and for the CDC bus company is 49721670. This avoids an unnecessary trip to pick up an absent child.

General news

The end of term 1 is fast approaching and term break runs from Saturday 2nd April until Monday 18th April (inclusive). Students will be commencing term 2 on Tuesday 19th April. Have a safe, relaxing holiday, a happy Easter and enjoy everything the Harbour Festival has to offer.

Room 1 - Junior - Mrs Thomas

Individual Curriculum Plans (ICP's) will be sent home for parents to sign for those that are unable to make a parent interview. The timetable for a parent interview has been sent out and interviews have been scheduled for next week. Room 1 staff have started collecting data evidence on the student’s math goals for graphing and interpreting data questions and continuing patterns. The students have been exposed to many stories through the English unit and are completing activities based around the book. In Science we are exploring different properties of materials and this has included many hands-on activities and investigations. In HPE we have had a scavenger hunt to locate places at school that can help us to stay fit and do physical actions/movements e.g. the trampoline and soft play area. We have also learnt about mindfulness colouring and attempted Yoga. We have celebrated Miss Ash’s birthday with a class party and some visitors and Miss Tracey has returned back from her leave and for this we are excited. Enjoy the upcoming holiday break family time.

Room 1

In Digital Technology, we have been learning about special things that are unique to us like our name, address and birthday and why we never share them online or with people we don't know. We have also been learning about cyberbullying and how to be a good friend.

In Design and Technologies we have been learning about puppets and textures. We have done a blindfolded texture describing activity, a treasure hunt for textures around the school, and made sock and spoon puppets.

Room 1.5 - Junior - Mrs Coulston

WOW! Here we are at the end of term one, where did that go? We have had so much fun in Room 1.5, check out the photos. The students have been exploring the story of the Three Little Pigs in English and they almost know it word for word. During Maths sessions we have been counting to and from 10 and looking at 2D shapes. Next week we will do some Easter activities as the holidays quickly approach.

Room 1.5

Hello everyone,

Over the past few weeks Room 2 has enjoyed participating in a range of movement breaks at undercover, Adventureland, the trampoline and in the classroom. Experiencing different pieces of equipment has been fun with students balancing on the beam, exploring on the trampette, climbing apparatus and digging in the sandpit. A huge highlight was a water play session with junior and intermediate students at undercover. Both staff and students had a fantastic time running under the sprinkler and playing in the water tubs.

We will be exploring the story ‘The three little pigs’ for the remainder of the term. We have read the book, listened to the story on a power point and engaged with the song. Role playing with props and switches and constructing our own house utilising a range of materials including duplo, boxes and blocks will be our focus for the next couple of weeks.

Thank you

Michelle and Laureen

Room 2

Room 3 - Junior - Mrs Hayne

This month Room 3 has been busy with all their learning across all the subjects. In English we have continued the focus on sensory exploration for the letters of the week which has been lots of fun. In Maths the students count different objects and enjoy songs around different numbers. They have been practicing patterning with musical instruments, blocks, beads and threading reels. The Health sessions have seen the students role play actions to keep us healthy and using life like food items to sort into Grow, Glow and Go and Everyday and Sometimes. In Science the focus has been to look at different materials and sort into various categories such as wood, plastic, metal, wool. In Digital Technology and Design and Technology the student have enjoyed making puppets and have begun to use coding.

Warm regards,

Leanne

Room 3

Room 4 - Intermediate - Ms Atkins

Unfortunately due to illness, we are unable to provide any class updates for this room.

Room 5 - Intermediate - Mrs Nash

Room five has been very busy of late. This week we enjoyed reading “Pete the Cat and the Missing Cupcakes”. We enjoyed being detectives and searching for clues on who took the cupcakes. At the end of the week the class made cupcakes and we had our own Cupcake party. During our writing time we wrote about our favourite coloured cupcakes. On Friday we took our cupcakes and our writing to show Mr Geoff.

ICP’s have been finalised. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Room 6 - Senior - Mrs Buckle

Well here we are at the end of the Term 1. It has been a short term, jam packed with lots of learning.

One of the highlights of our Literacy programme is the Predictable Writing Chart Books. Firstly we ‘share’ read a highly repetitive book. From that we select the idea that repeats itself and complete an innovation of it. We have our ‘take’ on a sentence. We practice reading our sentences every day. We cut up the sentence and rebuild it, then illustrate it. The pages are compiled to make a book that we revisit each week.

ICP's will be completed soon for you to discuss and sign.

Our PBL Rewards Day will be held on the last day of term, Friday 1st April. Most of the Senior students will be completing ‘Minute To Win It’ activities.

We hope you all have a lovely holiday and get to enjoy the local festivities. See you in Term2.

Janice

Room 6

Room 8 - Intermediate - Mrs Maguire

Despite such a mixed-up and confusing start to the year, room 8 has been working towards their individual goals. In English students have continued to focus on comprehension and have enjoyed exploring a number of books and recording activities in their folders. In Maths students have explored their goals by completing a number of hands on activities. In science students have explored materials and grouped them according to their attributes. They have enjoyed the experiments that they have conducted and collected lots of pictures. In HPE we have explored safe places to play in the school and habits that promote better health. In Design and Technology students have followed instructions and made puppets which they really enjoyed.

It’s been a busy term and it’s hard to believe that the term is almost done and we are again looking forward to rewards day. Have a safe and relaxing term break and see you all on Tuesday 19th April for term 2.

Room 9 - Intermediate - Mrs Pointon

Good Afternoon to all you parents, grannies and carers. Gee whiz, its March already and we are already half way through it. I am sure I can almost smell chocolate Easter Eggs and can almost see the dust in the near future from Old Mr Rabbit.

Room 9 class has been excellent as always, busy cooking pizza’s, pancakes and this Friday chocolate crackles. The hot weather stopped us from our HPE (Health and Physical Education) but we are now back at it. Miss Kirsty and myself showed the students our amazing talents and fitness levels as we raced the students and competed for who could do the best NRL footy tackle.

This is a busy time for assessments and with the Mathematics completed, English will soon follow. I am proud of the hard work the students do each day and look forward to seeing how much the students have improved.

Mrs P.

Room 10 - Senior - Mrs Bickle

Wow! Where has Term 1 gone? Room 10 has been head down engaging with work challenges. We have been looking at being healthy, hygienic and safe during H&PE. We have also looking at being active and the activities and places that we can enjoy physical activities. The class will be organising an ending activity where we will plan an outing – keeping within mind healthy, hygienic and safe choices.

We have been loving looking at data in a variety of displays and tables and interpeting the information. We have been exploring mathematical language and concepts such as – most/least, main idea, same/different and more/less.

Our second maths goal is looking at 3D shapes and describing there features (eg corners, edges, faces, flat/curved and shape of face). We have been playing a 3D shape game, finding 3D shapes in environment and examining 3D shape model representations. The class really enjoyed making by cutting and folding up their own 3D shapes.

We voted for and we all agree that our Technology lessons with Mrs T are super fun and our favourite. We have been very creative and made puppets and enjoyed using them in puppet shows. We will upload some photos of our master pieces to Class Dojo, be sure to check them out.

Till next Term – Room 10 over and out.

Room 11 - Senior - Ms Harris

This was written by the students and staff of room 11.

We got to present the PBL Lesson for week 8 at parade; it involved us telling everyone about walking and moving around the school safely. Tyler, Jessy, Allie and Zach gave examples of safe movements and respectful choices.

On a weekend in February a lot of our students attended a Capra’s Football activity day at Marley Brown Oval. It was great to see them there.

School work wise there is lots going on in Room 11 this Semester.

We do Maths in room 11 and it is hard work; about data and telling the time.

In English we have been working on poems and we read the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We are going to read the second book starting when all our students are back from holidays.

In Science we have been doing cool experiments about solids, liquids and gas. We have been heating things up and cooling them down to see how they change.

In Health we have been talking about healthy eating, exercise, sleep and having healthy relationships.

Miss Harris is a very annoying and nice teacher for the students in Room 11. Miss Nicole is an awesome teacher aide. Jessy is a bit silly but really good at giving ideas. Allie is a bit cheeky and also very friendly. Zach is really good sometimes especially when we are cooking. Tyler is good at science. Holly is great at remembering our classroom routines. Josh has been away a lot; Miss Harris misses him.

Thanks for reading!

Room 11

Room 12 and 13 - Senior - Mrs Ward and Mrs Dunstan

Rooms 12 and 13 have come together to work on the Health program. We have been exploring actions to stay healthy and safe. We have been looking at the importance of personal hygiene practices, healthy eating and different ways the community keeps others safe.

Jayden, Beau and Sami put on their gloves and searched the school for rubbish to support Clean Up Australia Day by cleaning up their school. It was a great way to learn about the impact of rubbish on the local environment and provided an opportunity for the students to take part in a community programme. After sorting through the rubbish to dispose of properly, the senior students discovered that small items were the most abundant; especially straws and plastic from juice boxes.

Healthy eating has included all foods. We have been exploring the idea that there are no good or bad foods but the idea of all the time foods and sometimes foods, with a focus on portion size. To put their knowledge into practice, the students have been challenged to find healthy snacks and lunch recipes that can be made and tasted at school. Last week, Jayden, Beau and Sami made Mexican Layer Dip and a healthy version of Mexican Sangria. Chilli preferred not to participate in the preparation but was happy to try the final product.

Rooms 12 and 13

Clean Up Australia Activities

Room 14 - Transition - Mr Pallett

Busy. Busy. Busy.

It’s been a packed programme in Room 14.

We spent four weeks learning about time in Maths – using analogue and digital clocks, recognising the different measures of time and using the calendar to find our birthdays and the time between days. We have moved on to learning about money and how to give the correct change in a shop.

In our Certificate 1 lessons, the class have adapted well to the demands of the course and have already completed some assessment work. In English, the students have impressed me with their reading and their writing of both fiction and non-fiction.

We have been out and about in the community for our Technology and Citizenship lessons. We have visited the library to use their catalogue computers and the offices of both our local MPs.

Fitness has been a particular favourite and during these warmer months we have been playing floor volleyball in the library as well as getting our hearts pumping with Just Dance!

I think our greatest success has been in Music. The class have loved drumming to songs on the big screen and have enjoyed putting together a repertoire of songs to sing to the junior students.

I have posted photos of our activities on ClassDojo for parents and friends to enjoy.

Room 15 - Transition - Mrs Leeson

Busy. Busy. Busy.

It’s a packed programme in Room 14.

We spent four weeks learning about time in Maths – using analogue and digital clocks, recognising the different measures of time and using the calendar to find our birthdays and the time between days. We have moved on to learning about money and how to give the correct change in a shop.

In our Certificate 1 lessons, the class have adapted well to the demands of the course and have already completed some assessment work. In English, the students have impressed me with their reading and their writing of both fiction and nonfiction.

We have been out and about in the community for our Technology and Citizenship lessons. We have visited the library to use their catalogue computers and the offices of both our local MPs.

Fitness has been a particular favourite and during these warmer months we have been playing floor volleyball in the library as well as getting our hearts pumping with Just Dance!

I think our greatest success has been in Music. The class have loved drumming to songs on the big screen and have enjoyed putting together a repertoire of songs to sing to the junior students.

I have posted photos of our activities on ClassDojo for parents and friends to enjoy.

Room 15 - Transition - Mrs Leeson

We continue to be very busy in the Transition Cohort. Our year 12 students have completed their Clean Up Australia Day project. They worked together to create the public awareness in the school by making information posters and talking to all the classes in the school. When it came to organising the Clean Up the School event, each student took on several rolls to ensure the event ran smoothly. Alex, Zach, Aroha and Shayla sorted out the equipment each class would need and helped distributed the equipment. Abbey helped Alex, Zach, Shayla, Keira and Aroha with the deliveries. Jayden, Angel, Keira and Shayla spoke to each class to outline the safety requirements of the event and some important event information. Each and every Transition student, with the help of the Senior students did a complete sweep and clean of our school. Once the free dress money was collected and Zach got busy counting it, we raised $76 for the Clean Up Australia Organisation. Check out our photos of the event. (PS the year 11 Technology in the Community Class have kindly offered to bank the money as part of their program).

Room 15 literacy group have been kept busy studying some popular subjects in the past few weeks. First, we had Pancake Tuesday and read a book about a runaway pancake that ended up in the pigs tummy. The good news about this story was we were able to make and eat yummy pancakes. This week we read a book called “How to catch a Leprechaun”. We talked about the kind of trap we could make to catch a leprechaun and hopefully get his pot of gold.

Last Friday, Jayden, Angel, Kiera, and Aroha visited APM Employment Services to start the process of looking for jobs. They were excited to find out that part of transitioning to life beyond school they can start a part time job and attend school at the same time. The best part of finding a job is that they will get paid. Watch this space and we will let you know how they get on.

Jayden, Angel, Keira, Shayla and Aroha began their work experience programs this week. Jayden has joined the gardening crew with CPL on a Friday, Angel is working a Sports Power, Keira is working at Little Bloom Room, Shayla is working at Hansen’s Food Work in Clinton and Aroha is working at Feed Barn. We tell you all about it in upcoming newsletters.