Term 3 Week 4

Mr Micheal Grogan

NAIDOC Week

Welcome to our second newsletter of the term. It has been a great past two weeks here at BCSS. Last week we spent time celebrating and learning about Aboriginal and Torres Striat Islander Cultures. This week culminated in our NAIDOC Assembly on Thursday and included a warm welcome to country from Song woman Maroochy Barambah, Aunty Maroochy is an Aboriginal Elder from Brisbane. She is of Turrbal and Gubbi Gubbi ancestry with additional bloodline connections to Wakka Wakka, Kamilaroi and Birri Gubba Country.

We often say that at BCSS, our diversity is our biggest strength, so too is the fact that we acknowledge all our cultures and celebrate the unique contributions they all make to our everyday lives. Today is an opportunity to celebrate the oldest continuous living cultures in the world.

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each year, to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations.

NAIDOC Week is a celebration of more than 65,000 years of history, culture and achievements. It is a time when we reflect on our past, celebrate one another, while looking forward to consider our shared future. This year’s theme – For Our Elders – honours the achievements and lives of our Elders.

This year’s NAIDOC Poster competition winner Bobbi Lockyer said “Where there is knowledge there are our Elders. Our Elders paved the pathways for us, taught us our knowledge, our history, they passed down their art, stories and wisdom. Our Elders are the foundation of our communities and role models for our children.”

Bobbi highlights how important it is, for all of us, to reflect on the central role our Elders hold in our lives, families, communities, and culture. Across every generation, Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in communities and families. They are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and our loved ones.

NAIDOC week was an opportunity to pay our respects to the Elders we’ve lost and to those who continue fighting for us across all our Nations and we pay homage to them.

We were also fortunate to have cultural performances from the Deadly Dancers from Leichhardt State School and Kooma/Kunja man Rhan Hooper and I would like to again acknowledge them and thank them for those amazing performances.

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Mr Nick Dargusch / Deputy Principal

 District Athletics Carnival

Last week I have the privilege of attending the District Athletics Carnival in which Brisbane Central had 12 representatives in a very competitive field of students from across the city cluster.  

Some very pleasing results came from the day with many personal bests and a really positive experience for all those involved. BCSS students gave it their all and it was a proud day for both the students, their parents and the school.  

• Oriana Anderson
• Franchi Marinelli
• Keilaan Suraweera
• Aastha Shetty
• Lexi Wilson
• Luca Lancelot
• Amelie Bull
• Amber Hsu
• Kaeden Leukes
• Nikki Hrechanyl
• Sonraj Shrestha
• Renee Thompson

Some very pleasing results came from the day with many personal bests and a really positive experience for all those involved. BCSS students gave it their all and it was a proud day for both the students, their parents and the school.  

Congratulations to the following students who have made it through to the next stage and will represent Metropolitan North at the Regional Athletics Carnival.

• Sonraj Shrestha (2^nd in the 100m, 4^th in the 200m)
• Franchi Marinelli (4^th Shot Put)
• Keilaan Suraweera (4^th High Jump)
  

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NAPLAN results

All Year 3 and 5 students who participated in NAPLAN this year should have their results. To assist in understanding the new format, please see the attached document: https://nap.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/faq-individual-student-report.pdf

Playgroup / Transitioning to School 

Starting Prep in 2024. You can begin the transitioning period now. Over the next couple of newsletters, we share how you can assist in preparing your child for their transition into Prep.

Know your school

Help your child get to know the school environment and routine by:

• driving past and walking around the outside of the school, especially during school hours, so that your child gets used to the number of children, and their movements within the school grounds. 
• asking the school what equipment and materials your child needs, like a school bag, library bag or hat. Most schools will provide a booklist. Make sure all possessions are labelled with your child’s name.

Strengthen your child’s independence

Before your child starts school, you can encourage independence by helping your child to practice:

• packing and carrying their own school bag
• putting on their shoes
• eating and drinking without help
• going to the toilet on their own
• using tissues to blow their nose
• recognising their belongings.

To assist you in developing your child’s independence, Ms Maile has set up a wonderfully collaborative space where both parents and children can engage in age-appropriate activities which simulate their oral language and develop their independence towards learning.

Come and enjoy the space each Friday morning and create a learning community for your child before they begin school. 

Meet down in F Block via Gate 9, or come through the office at Gate 7.

PBL / Positive Behaviour for Learning

Mrs Jo Gawne / HOI

Nationally consistent collection of data on school students with disability (NCCD)

WHAT IS THE NCCD?

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) takes place every year in August. The NCCD is a collection that counts:

• the number of school students receiving an adjustment or ‘help’ due to disability
• the level of adjustment they are receiving to access education on the same basis as other students.

Students are counted in the NCCD if they receive ongoing adjustments at school due to disability. This ‘help’ allows them to access education on the same basis as a child without disability. The NCCD uses the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
Schools provide this information to education authorities.

WHY IS THIS DATA BEING COLLECTED?

All schools in Australia must collect information about students with disability.
The NCCD:

• ensures that the information collected is transparent, consistent and reliable
• provides better information that improves understanding of students with disability
• allows parents, guardians, carers, teachers, principals, education authorities and government

to better support students with disability.

WHO IS INCLUDED IN THE NCCD?

The definition of disability for the NCCD is based on the broad definition under the Disability
Discrimination Act 1992.The following students are examples of those who may be included in the NCCD if they need monitoring and adjustments:

• students with learning difficulties (such as dyslexia)
• students with chronic health conditions (such as epilepsy or diabetes).

HOW IS STUDENTS’ PRIVACY PROTECTED?

Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all students is an essential part of the NCCD.
Data is collected within each school. Personal details, such as student names or student identifiers, are not provided to federal education authorities.
Further information can be found at https://www.nccd.edu.au/tools/fact-sheet-parents-guardians-and-carers

Using your own language

There is a strong body of research that indicates learners with a strong foundation in their first language or dialect are likely to learn English more quickly and achieve greater success at school. Continuing to use your child’s first language allows them to develop age-appropriate world knowledge and vocabulary without having to wait until they have learned enough English language to engage with these topics. It is difficult to build an additional language if the first language foundation is not established and supported while the additional language is being learned. Establishing and supporting your child’s foundation in their home language is essential for successful development of their English language knowledge and skills.

As a parent, it is important for you to continue using your family’s home language at home. Your child’s first language or dialect is closely tied to their identity. Encouraging the development of your child’s first language eases the social and emotional transition that occurs when they move into new learning environments.

Helping my child to learn English
As parents, you can support your child to learn English by:

• reading to your child on a regular basis in the home language and/or English
• encouraging your child to develop and maintain active use of your home language
• involving your child in talking about their school experiences
• speaking with your child’s teacher or appropriate staff member whenever you have questions or concerns about the learning program or your child’s progress
• attending parent-teacher interviews. If English is not your first language and you feel more comfortable speaking in your own language, you can ask a family member or friend to accompany you to school and help you communicate with school staff. Alternatively, you can ask the school for an interpreter through the Translating and Interpreting Service. This service is provided free of charge.

Helping my child with school
If your child is still learning to speak, read and write in English, they are considered English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) learners and are given extra support to help them with their learning. All students in Australian schools learn the content of the Australian curriculum. Because your child is learning English at the same time he/ she is learning new content, learning tasks are modified to accommodate their level of English proficiency. As they learn more English, the kinds of support they receive will change.

Homework
If your child can’t understand their homework, you should talk to the class teacher about it. Reading books at home for fun and enjoyment is a very good homework activity. You can read to your child, with your child, or they can read by themselves. Books can be in English or in your home language and can be borrowed for free from the school library or the local council library.

Department of Education and Training, Queensland Government

Mrs Maureen Kelly / HOC

ICAS Tests for registered students

At Brisbane Central Sate School we offer parents the opportunity to have their children sit the ICAS assessments and this information is shared in the school newsletter.  Only students registered by their parents participate in the tests.  ICAS registrations are closed and no further registrations are possible.   

Dates and times for the tests are subject to change due to unanticipated events, however the tests will be offered in the allocated week.

Student’s results and certificates are received in schools approximately four weeks after the end of the test week, except for writing.  Writing certificates are received approximately eight weeks after the official sitting window has closed since it involves manual marking.  Students who have sat an ICAS test in previous years have online access to their results via the Results Portal using the TAP ID and PIN on the certificates from previous years.  The school does not have access to individual student codes for online access to results.  Online access is available about a week after the end of the test week except for writing.   If you have any questions please feel free to email Maureen Kelly, mkell83@eq.edu.au. 

Premiers Reading Challenge
8 May until 25 August

It is not too late for the children to engage with The Premiers Reading Challenge. 

What children need:  books to read and a reading record form.  Extra reading record forms can be collected from the display in the library or parents also have the option of downloading the forms from the website. 

https://readingchallenge.education.qld.gov.au/register/Documents/individual-reader-record-form.pdf 

What children do: 

1. Read - Read books to themselves or have books read to them depending on the year level. Prep to Year 4 students read 20 books.  Years 5 and 6 students read 15 books. 
2. Record – Write the book details on the reading record form.
3. Submit form – There is a box on display in the library for the completed forms.
4. Be awarded with a certificate - The children who meet the target number of books and hand in the form at school receive a certificate from the Premier in Term 4.

Encourage your children to read at home and take part in this year’s Premier’s Reading Challenge!   https://readingchallenge.education.qld.gov.au/ 

The Premiers Reading Challenge is an annual state-wide initiative for students in schools and children in early childhood centres.  It aims to improve literacy and encourage children to read for pleasure and learning. 

2023 School Opinion Surveys

The annual suite of School Opinion Surveys will be conducted in Term 3 and will close on 18 August 2023. All families, school staff and students in target year levels (5, 6, 8 and 11) will be invited to participate. We encourage you to take this opportunity to have your say about what our school does well, and how we can improve.

An invitation to complete the Parent/Caregiver Survey will be emailed to one parent/caregiver per family in the week beginning 17 July.  The invitation will be sent from the Department of Education, not the school, and it will have the subject line School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2023.  Check your junk email folders if you can’t find it.  The survey can be completed as soon as the invitation is received and will take approximately 5 minutes using a computer, tablet or smart phone. 

Art Show Tonight!

We Look forward to seeing families and friends of the community at this fun event. 

I Block level 1 / entrance via gate 6

Join us for a night of Art, Auction, Food and Drinks as we showcase our students works.

Student of the Week

School Photo's

School photography day is coming up Tuesday 15 August, whole school photo, individual school photo and class photo. Students have received the Advanced Life Photography envelopes from the classroom teacher, for sibling envelopes please send your student to the Office. 

Students MUST wear full school uniform, NO sports polo, NO NAIDOC polo, black school polo shirt with black shorts of boys, girls can wear either skort with black school polo or check dress, black lace up school shoes, white or black short socks.

Group and portrait photographs can be purchased by following the link below or by returning the order envelope with your payment to our photographer on school photo day.

2 easy ways to purchase:

1. Visa / MasterCard / PayPal
2. Cash – complete the envelope supplied and return it to our photographer on photo day

Or visit: www.advancedlife.com.au
And enter online order code: V5E EHQ LM2

School photography information:

• Online orders - do not require an envelope returned to your school
• Sibling Photos - Don’t forget to pre-order your sibling photos online up to 24 hours before photo day. We provide your school with a list of sibling orders right up to the day of photography, so no one misses out. If you miss the online order deadline, you can submit a completed sibling order envelope first thing in the morning of the day of photography, so your school is aware you want the photo taken and can bring your children together in time for it. Sibling photographs only apply to children enrolled at your school. Please note not all schools offer sibling photos
• Late fees - a late fee will be applied to each package purchased after photo day due to the additional cost of producing these packages separately
• Package delivery - School photographs will be returned approximately 6 weeks after the day of photography. Please note this delivery timeframe is dependent on proofing and additional photography days at your school.
• Previous Years’ photos - Past years’ photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups are also available to order under the “previous years or group photo” tabs at your school’s advancedorder site when you click on the “Order School Photos Here” button above. You can also order past packages, portrait images and gifts from your child’s unique, individual and secure advancedyou image archive site using the unique 9 digit image code found on packages you have ordered in the past

Advancedlife would like to express our appreciation to Brisbane Central State School for placing your trust in us. Please remember we offer a 100% money back guarantee on our products to ensure your peace of mind. We would also love to receive your feedback or resolve any issues you may experience as fast as possible, to ensure your satisfaction. If you have any questions, comments or feedback relating to your advancedlife experience please contact us at: www.advancedlife.com.au/contact

Book Week 2023

Book week is coming up in Week 7. There will be a book cover design competition, book readings in the library featuring special guests and of course the book week dress up parade on Tuesday the 22^nd of August.” 

Jnr Choir

Performance
Our Art Show is a wonderful community and familyl event, our students are so much looking forward to performing for family and friends, and sharing their talent and creativity.

• Both Jnr and Snr Choirs will be performing
• Jnr Choir to meet in the Music Room in I Block at 6:10pm for a quick warm up
• We will be singing on the timber stairs outstide the Music Room
• Students are to wear casual clothes (uniform is not required)
• The performance will will take approx. 25mins

Week 5 Jnr Choir
Thank you to all of those Year 2 and 3 students who have expressed an interest in joining Junior Choir in Semester 2. All vacancies in Junior Choir have now been filled for 2023. We look forward to welcoming our new students, in rehearsal, in Week 5.

Regards, 

Mrs. Shephard / Jnr Music Teacher

Prep News

Last Friday, 28 July, it was National School Tree Day! This is a day to appreciate how amazing trees are, not to mention the fact that they are vital to our survival! To celebrate this special day, the buddy classes of Prep Blue and 6 Blue spent some time outdoors admiring and sketching their favourite trees.

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Prep Vision Screening

Library News

During the past few weeks every student and the participants of the ‘play group’ have coloured one butterfly for the NAIDOC week library display to show their respect ‘For Our Elders’. 

All of our students’ butterflies are flying high in the library.

Why ‘Butterflies’

Every word symbolizes and communicates meaning and has an impact on you and others. They express feelings and share knowledge.

Elders are usually addressed with ‘uncle’ or ‘aunty’ which in this context are terms of respect. They are used for people held in esteem, generally older people who have earned that respect.

Some describe elders at events as "butterflies":

They fly in, sit down and rest and talk and yarn and joke, then fly out. But at the same time, they have a presence of authority that commands respect.

Source: Respect for Elders and culture - Creative Spirits, retrieved from https://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/people/respect-for-elders-and-culture

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