NEWSLETTER NO.33 – 11th November 2015 From the Principal

New start date for the 2016 Queensland school year The Queensland Government has announced a new start date for the 2016 Queensland school year that will see students return to the classroom on Wednesday 27 January 2016 — the day after the national Australia Day public holiday. The previous Term 1 start date of Monday 25 January 2016 will now become a flexible professional development day for staff. Remembrance Day Observance: Please consider supporting this dusk commemoration as it is a very family friendly atmosphere and actively brings our country’s history to the children of today in a short ceremony. Children are required to assemble at the Bucasia Esplanade at 5:45 pm tonight, Wednesday 11 November. There will be teachers there so if students look for school staff, this is where we will gather as a school. (There has been no nominated spot and I am sure we will be directed to a particular place) Children will sing the anthem, the school leaders will recite poems and lay a wreath on behalf of the school. Please ensure students are in school uniform for this event. ….2

Junior swimming 2/11/15 Swimming Fun day 19/11/15 Bucasia’s Got 23/11/15 Talent Final Celebration 30/11/15 Movies day Year 6 MNBSHS 1/12/15 Transition day Year 6 Graduation 3/12/15 Celebration Night 9/12/15 Star day 10/12/15

From the Principal cont.

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support Respect: respect yourself and follow teacher directions! One of the important aspects of growing up is respecting yourself, choosing and owning your own behaviour. One way this is demonstrated is by showing respect too and importantly, this sets a school tone and culture. Attendance Congratulations to students and parents for achieving an improvement on 2014’s attendance rate. The school is sitting at just under 95% and that says that our students are in the best position possible to learn. Did you know that a child who misses one day a week has an additional 2 months off in the school year? This means they attend school for a total of 7 months and this is very detrimental to their learning. The end result of this is lower achievement and less options later in life. It is excellent to see so many parents who invest so much in their child’s future.

Report Card Changes This year teachers have been working very diligently to make the report card you receive more mean-ingful. All the information you require to effectively read the report card is recorded there. For example, on the front page achievement and behaviour standards are outlined. If your child receives a ‘B’ or ‘making connections’ it explains clearly what that means so please refer to the information. The teach-ers have been writing succinct comments that accurately reflect what your child has learned, how well they have learned it and how they could improve. After the reporting period this year, the school will be requesting feedback as to how to make this reporting more meaningful for you – is it better, how could it be better???

Moving away? If you know that you will be moving over the holidays, please let the school know. This enables us to plan and resource for 2016 as efficiently as possible. At the moment I am definitely planning for 16 clas-ses next year with growth mostly in the upper school. So I am sure you can appreciate how much I would love to know who will and who won’t be attending our school next year!

From the Principal cont. Gossip In any community or group we hear gossip about other people. These pieces of gossip are often based on very little fact and grow to be more and more 'interesting' as they are passed from one person to the next. Here is a story that I hope you find thought provoking. One day the great Philosopher came upon an acquaintance, who said excitedly, " Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?" "Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before telling me anything I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test." "Triple filter?" questioned the young man. That's right," Socrates continued, "Before you talk to me about my student, it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you're going to say. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?" "No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and ...'' "Ah right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not - Now let's try the second filter, the 2nd filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?" "No, on the contrary..." "So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, but you're not certain it's true. You may still pass the test though, because there's one filter left: the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?" "No, not really." "Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?" We should apply the Triple Filter test to anything we have heard about a fellow human being and are considering repeating. Gossip can be a cruel, humiliating and thoughtless punishment and is a severe forum of bullying and exclusion. Think it over before you repeat anything about anyone and consider the impact that being gossiped about can have or is having on your life. Gossip is the act of a bully. Small minds talk about people, mediocre minds talk about things and great minds talk about ideas. Try and be a great mind in everything you do."

Have a great week,

Belinda Eckford

From the Deputy Principal

Place Value

This fortnight we are looking at Place Value. Place value talks about where the house or place numbers belong. It is also important to talk to children about empty houses having 0 in as a place holder. Practice some of these with your children at home.

From the Deputy Principal cont.

SWIMMING FUN SESSION As part of the 2015 swimming program students will be attending a Fun Session. This will be happening next Thursday 19

th November from 9.30 – 12.00 at Pioneer Pool. Students will be

travelling by bus (departing at 9am) and permission forms were included in the original swimming information. Please note only students who attended swimming lessons are able to participate in the Swimming Fun Session. The format for the day is being finalised and includes: formal swimming races, novelty races, fun rotational activities. Students wear togs, sun shirts, sun screen & thongs and bring towel, water bottle, lunch & money to buy lollies from shop. School uniforms are left at school and students change back into uniforms, shoes, socks when they return. Regards, Rebekkah Pollard

Student of the Week 5th November 2015

Back Row: Cadence, Bailey, Leon, Tyreece, Wade, Kane, Zara Middle Row: Dustin, jack, Tristan, Wren, Onikah, Imogen, Kane, Jai, James Front Row: Ava, Cassie, lily, Joel, Logan Absent: Ruby, Madison, Isaiah

Celebration Movies day money is due to the office no later than 25th November 2015

Uniform Raffle

Raffle tickets are available to purchase from the office , in aid of purchase of Sports Equipment. Tickets are priced at $2 a ticket or 3 tickets for $5. 1st Prize: Your choice of 2 school uniforms (1 each from each of the sizes 6, 8,10 & 12) & a stationery pack. 2nd Prize: The remaining 2 school shirts. Drawn on Celebration Night.

Tuckshop will be closed on Celebration Movies day, 30th November 2015.

Helping Hands Network Survey. $100.00 gift voucher to be won!

To assist us in providing an OSHC program that meets both you and your child’s individual requirements, and to understand what is important to your family we would appreciate if you could please take a couple of

minutes to complete this survey. Please include your name and contact details to be eligible to go into the

draw to win a $100 gift voucher. (One survey per family).

Follow this link to complete the survey online; https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2015bucasia

Or email accounts@helpinghandsnetwork.com.au to get a copy emailed to you. Hard copies are also available at the service. The survey closes on

27 November 2015

Helping Hands Bucasia Outside School Hours Care!!

Enrolment is Free!! Permanent or casual bookings available.

Assisting families for those “Just in case” emergencies.

Indoor and outdoor activities include:

Music, Physical Activities, Homework Club, Arts & Crafts, Cooking

activities and Cooperative games.

Nutritious breakfast and afternoon tea to kick start children’s en-

ergy levels.

Located on the school grounds in the hall

Open every Monday – Friday:

BSC – 6.30am – 8.50am

ASC 3.00pm – 6.00pm