20th August 2019

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Thank you to those parents who completed the Student Report Survey. The results of this survey will be taken into consideration as we continue our review of this process. We are aiming to maximise teaching time and allow children time to consolidate their learning, prior to reporting. It is important that our teachers complete teaching units and have time to review and consolidate concepts taught prior to reporting. At present, with the lengthy comments being written for each subject on report cards and time required for editing, proofreading and printing over 300 reports, teachers are having to complete assessments and make these judgements several weeks before the end of the semester. We are looking at how we can inform parents about what students are learning prior to reporting rather than in the subject comments on the report cards. This will also allow parents to assist in their child’s learning at home throughout the term. Grades would be awarded on reports for each subject, with a behaviour and overall comment provided. Parent teacher interviews are offered twice throughout the year, and this is a very effective way for teachers and parents to discuss the units of work being covered and student progress.

A final decision about any changes to reporting will be made in consultation with the P&C before the end of the year.

Family Field Day Saturday 24th August 10am to 2pm Just a reminder to return raffle tickets to school this week for the P&C Family Field Day raffle. Some fantastic prizes are up for grabs including a $1 000 Flight Centre Voucher, Samsung Tablet from Harvey Norman and a Family Photo Shoot with Chappy Kim, formerly of Thompsons Photography. Our Field Day starts at 10am on Saturday morning. Be sure to buy your ride tickets this week from the office if you would like to get the discount rate $28(CASH ONLY) or $30 on the day. Looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

Please be aware that there will be NO tuckshop this week due to Family Field Day preparations.

Saturday 24th August Family Field Day Friday 20th September Last day of term 3 Tuesday 8th October First day of term 4

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Volleyball Team heading to Brisbane Our Volleyball team are heading down to Brisbane on Thursday to take part in the Spikezone Volleyball Competition organised by Volleyball Queensland. Thanks to Aldridge High School for their support and to Mrs Akers who has been coaching the team and will be travelling with them to Brisbane for the day. Best of luck to our teams.

Come visit Dino-Mite Book Fair! 20th-24th August Students at St Helens are eagerly looking forward to this years book fair themed Dino-Mite where they will have the opportunity to purchase a book, poster or stationary from our book fair. All purchases benefit our school library. Parents, Grandparents and friends are all invited along where you can also check out the awesome dinosaur display created by Mrs Bailey. A book fair brochure will be sent home this week. Dates: Tue 20th to Sat 24th Time: 8:15am - 9am before school 2:45pm - 3:45pm after school 10am – 2pm Saturday at the field day Place: Library Then & Now Show – Thursday 15th August

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This week our Reboot lessons have focused on feeding the ‘emotional brain’. Children have been learning that exercising, meditation, listening to music and spending time with people who are positive, are all great ways to help to regulate their emotions and feel happy.

Tips to Help Your Children Learn

Talk with your child. Talking and listening are important skills that children need to succeed at school. When you are talking with your child, encourage them to stop what they are doing and look at you. Ask questions to check that they have heard you and understood what has been said. It is also important to show your child that you are interested in what they have to say.

ENROLMENTS FOR 2020 Please call 4120 2222 if you know of anyone interested in enrolling their child/children at St Helens next year. We have positions available in prep and various year levels for the 2020 school year. School Opinion Survey – closing soon! Parents are invited to participate in our annual school opinion survey. It is a great opportunity to have your say about what our school does well, and how we can improve. The anonymous survey can be completed online. A random selection of parents were chosen by our computer system and a copy of the survey details were sent home to these families early next week. The online survey will be available until Friday 23rd of August. Please contact the school if you have any questions or queries. Equestrian Team News Our school Equestrian Team will compete at the Maryborough Showgrounds on Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week in the Interschool Equestrian Competition. This group of youngsters have been training for a number or weeks in preparation for the event. I am looking forward to seeing them compete on Thursday. They have a number of events over the three days, including a group dance performance on horses…

something I’m assured is not to be missed. Good luck to our young riders! Congratulations Kayli! Kayli competed at the Athletics State Championships in Brisbane over the weekend, competing in the 800m and 1200m races. Kayli achieved a new PB in both events, an outstanding achievement. Well done Kayli.

Prep – Preps had a wonderful morning rugging up in their winter woollies and flying on a plane to Antarctica. Ask your child about all the different penguins they saw during their travels. 1H- Thank you to all the donations for the Family Field Day stall, it’s not too late to donate! This week in technology we are looking at food, fibre and shelter. Yesterday we looked at how wool comes from sheep (fibre) and sheep then becomes a source of food. Have discussions with your child about this at home and some ways to help our food grow including gardens and what makes a good environment for animals to live in. 1/2A – In English, the students have begun writing a procedure for their own marvellous medicine. Ask your child what ingredients they decided to put in their medicine for Grandma.

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2B – Don’t forget Family Field Day this Saturday. Come and win some soft drink at our “Soft drink Quoits” class stall! 3C – This week we are beginning our science unit about heat energy. The children will be learning to use a thermometer to take measurements and revising what a fair test is. Our Munch and Crunch garden is growing and we are continuing to supply the tuckshop with our tomatoes from our adopted tomato bush.

3B -. We have been learning about multiplication. Ask your child what the x symbol stands for. By the end of year 3, students need to be able to recall or use a strategy to answer all 1’s, 2’s, 3’s, 5’s and 10’s facts. Students need to understand that multiplication and division are related. If they can recall a multiplication fact then they can use this to answer the related division fact.

4S – Thank you to all of our families who have provided items for our White Elephant stall on Saturday. If you have any items you

would like to send in, please do so before Thursday.

5D – Thank you once again to all the donations we have received for the 5D family field day stall. We still require some ‘lucky dip style’ prizes – any donations are very much appreciated! Thanks! 5N – We’ve got something exciting planned for Friday’s lunch – but the students are going to have to work for it! Ask your child what they’re doing with Mrs Birch to celebrate her last day! 6H – Thanks to all those parents who have made donations for our Field Day. We still require some more prizes if you haven’t contributed yet. This week we have been discussing Tropical Cyclones in science. Tell your children about an experience you may have had with a cyclone when you were younger. 6S – Dear parents and caregivers the time has come for your children to take their magnificent bird houses home this week. Whilst we couldn’t place all of them out is was wonderful to see them hanging around the school. The joy the students got from building, showing and then displaying their creations was fantastic to see. They should all be very proud of their efforts.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Maryborough Touch 2019/2020 Senior Mixed Summer Seson Tuesday nights form 6:30pm. Starts 8th October 2019. Junior Season Come ‘n’ try days, Tuesday 10th & 17th of Sept at 5:30pm. Junior season sign on day is the 8th of Oct. $80 a player Sydney Street touch fields (behind Maryborough Sports Club) For more information call 0408 454 404.

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Star of the Week

Prep Possums

Margaret C For her positive attitude to her schoolwork and friendly manners in class.

Prep Wombats

Chase H For working well in science groups and being a confident speaker to present ideas to your class!

Year 1/2A Chloe Mc For making great choices inside and outside the classroom this week! Great work!

Year 1H Maya S-A For trying your best in everything you do! We are so lucky to have you in our class!

Year 2B Holley L For her hard work and huge improvement in reading. Keep up the great work Holley!

Year 3C Kylah G For the commitment and enthusiasm you show in all that you do. You are amazing!

Year 3B Cooper J For always participating in maths activities enthusiastically.

Year 4H Jack B-S For contributing some great ideas in our English class discussions.

Year 4S Flynn D For always focusing on his work and endeavouring to complete his tasks.

Year 5D Riley H For always having a positive attitude and participating enthusiastically in class!

Year 5N Emily S For your commitment towards completing your work on time. Keep up the fantastic work.

Year 6S Ethan G For your new found commitment to group work and whole class discussions. Well done!

Year 6H Ellea L For a wonderful commitment to her writing skills. Keep up the great work!