Term 1, Week 4

Principal - Cassandra Clarke

Hello,

My name is Mrs. Clarke, and I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of this vibrant and welcoming community. I can’t wait to work alongside our dedicated staff, wonderful students, and supportive families to ensure we continue to make BCSS the best place for learning and growth.  

It’s hard to believe that we’re already nearing the halfway point of the term! We’ve had such a fantastic start to the year, with classrooms settling in and students connecting with their teachers and adjusting to new routines. The energy and enthusiasm in our school is truly inspiring, and the learning taking place is nothing short of exciting! 

Pick Up Zone  

It has been lovely to say goodbye each afternoon as our students head home. 

Thank you to those families that consistently adhere to the Pick-Up Zone procedures. Without doubt our shared commitment to safety at drop off and pick up times keeps our children safe. A few reminders as we progress through the term: When you are using the zones, please do not get out of your car. Move forward slowly as the car in front of you moves forward. Thank you for helping to keep our kids safe! 

Safety Issues 

When a student is injured at school, our staff responds immediately. We provide first aid and closely monitor students throughout the day. As a precaution, we also reach out to parents and, if needed, call for an ambulance to ensure the best care for the students. We thank our Admin Officers who are professional in their dealings with sick or injured students every day. 

This week, one of our students was injured, and we followed our school procedures. Thankfully, the student was able to go home with their family at the end of the day. 

It’s important to keep everyone informed to ensure we remain focused on safety. We ask that all members of our community stay alert to the safety of our school grounds, and we deeply appreciate your continued support and understanding. 

NAPLAN 

From Wednesday 12th March to Monday 24th March 2025, students in Year 3 and 5 will engage in NAPLAN testing. NAPLAN is a national point in time, literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit in March each year. NAPLAN has been moved to this earlier time within the year to allow teachers to use the data to inform their teaching and best support our students.  

Students will participate in four key tests: 

• Writing 

• Reading 

• Conventions of Language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) 

• Numeracy 

Please note that all schools in Queensland will conduct NAPLAN online. However, Year 3 students will complete the Writing test on paper. Teachers will ensure that students are familiar with the format of the tests prior to the testing window. 

It is important to remember that NAPLAN is not a test that can be studied for, and it is not about passing or failing. Instead, it is an opportunity to assess your child’s progress in literacy and numeracy. The best way to prepare your child is by encouraging them to do their best on the day. 

Below is a timetable outlining the different tests across the testing period: 

If students are absent at the time of testing, we will arrange for individual students to complete missed tests at another time during the school’s test ‘catch up’ sessions. 

Participation in NAPLAN 

Your child may be exempt from NAPLAN tests if they have: 

• significant disabilities that severely limit their capacity to participate in the tests 

• a language background other than English and have recently arrived in Australia (less than a year before the tests). 

Please alert your classroom teacher or contact Mr Taufatofua or Mrs Clarke for further information about withdrawals and exemptions and to sign a parent or carer consent form. 

Tailored testing 

NAPLAN reading, numeracy and conventions of language tests use a tailored test design. Tailored testing adapts to student's responses. It provides a more precise assessment of individual student performance. 

Students at each year level start with a similar set of questions. Depending on the number of questions a student answers correctly, their next set of questions may be more, or less, difficult. 

Students should not be concerned if the questions are more difficult than expected. 

A student’s NAPLAN result is based on both the number and difficulty of questions they answer correctly. A student who completes a more difficult set of questions is more likely to achieve a higher score and a higher proficiency level. For more information on tailored testing visit the NAP website. 

If you wish for more information, please see the Parent Information flyer. 

Have a great fortnight! 

 Thank you,

Cassandra Clarke  

Deputy Principal - Nik Taufatofua

Dear Families,

As we continue into Term 1, I would like to take a moment to thank and update our community on a few key happenings at our school.

Thank You for Displaying Your Child's Name for Pick Up

Firstly, a sincere thank you to all the families who have been displaying their child's name on the dashboard of their car during pick-up. This small but very helpful change has made a significant difference in ensuring a smooth and efficient process. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and it helps maintain a positive and organised environment for all our students and families.

Reminder: Teachers as the First Point of Contact

I would like to remind parents that teachers are the best first point of contact when it comes to any questions or concerns about your child’s progress, wellbeing, or learning. Our teaching staff are dedicated to providing support and are always happy to assist, and addressing matters directly with them helps ensure that concerns are resolved in the most timely and effective way.

Leadership Investiture Assembly – Next Friday

Next Friday, we will be holding a very special assembly – our Leadership Investiture, where we will celebrate and officially announce our 2025 Student Captains. This is a wonderful occasion to recognise the hard work and dedication of our student leaders and to celebrate their commitment to contributing to our school community. We invite all families to join us in this momentous event.

Valentine’s Day Bingo Night – A Heartfelt Thanks

Finally, I would like to express my genuine gratitude to everyone who attended our Valentine's Day Bingo Night. It was a fantastic turnout, and I was thrilled to see so many families enjoying the evening. A heartfelt thank you to the P&C for their efforts in organising this event – it was such a wonderful community-building occasion. It was lovely to meet so many parents and carers, and I look forward to more opportunities to connect with our school community throughout the year.

Thank you all once again for your continued support. It is your involvement that makes our school a special place for learning and growth.

Library News

Congratulations to Nandhithaa and Hanvitha for being elected as the 2025 Library Captains.

They wish to promote a love of the library, reading and welcome involvement from the school’s wider community. The library captains would like to hear not only the students and staff ideas but your ideas and represent your voice, choice, and ownership of the BCSS Library.

Firstly, they would like to invite you – our community to assist with repairing and covering the library books every Thursday from 2.15p.m. to 3.00 p.m.

(Regular or occasional volunteers very welcome).

Our library has two exceptional champions for the library space and are ready to be leaders that represent all the needs, interests, questions, and passions of all students, assist staff and the wider community in the decision making on the developmental trajectory of the library.

Hanvitha and Nandhithaa have an exciting and very enjoyable year ahead as they:

• Attend Student Council Meetings and actions
• Support Library staff team, library supervising teacher, staff, students, and community volunteers who are helping to organise Library Key Events.
  • National Simultaneous Storytime
  • Premiers Reading Challenge
  • Readers Cup
  • Book Club
  • Book Week
  • Book Fair and
  • Celebrating Brisbane Central State School 150^th (1875-2025)

(Fundraising –New or 2^nd Hand Toys and Books)

• Make announcements at assembly and community spaces regarding Library events.
• Meet regularly with Library supervising teacher for an open three-way reflection and direction update:
• Deliver the Library/Captain Action/Learning Plans
• Voice their and student ‘feedback’ for selecting and purchasing library books
• Assist in the design and display of library posters/flyers,
• Assist with student library surveys - (books/games for Library Media Room)
• Library/school fund raisers and
• Presenting ‘in house’ library displays.
• Give introduction and thankyou speeches to community Library support personal.
• Represent the school on required occasions.
• Assist with the establishment of Library monitors and support them in their roles and responsibilities.
• Liaise with Library monitors and a point of contact for students to gather the ‘ideas’ - ‘voice’ and ‘choice’ of students to promote all student’s ‘ownership’ of their Library.

The library captains have expressed their joy and willingness to use their skills - knowledge to collaborate, contribute, think, self-manage, communicate, research and be compassionate custodians of the planet and the library.

Please help keep our library books in good condition by your child/ren using a library bag.

The library bags can be purchased from the school’s uniform shop for $10.00.

It is waterproof, fits 2 to 3 books, stable carry handle, a slip on the back to write your child’s name for easy identification and the ‘worlds’ best school logo.

From the Classroom - 5C

Students in Year 5 are learning the elements of art and focusing on the elements of colour, line, shape, pattern and value in portraits inspired by the Cubist master, Picasso. They are just beginning - by drawing their portrait outlines, cutting them in half and swapping with a chosen partner's other half-face, they are learning the meaning of abstraction. How do we represent a feeling in a portrait when we don't represent a realistic portrait? They are thoroughly engaged!

Jane Culverhouse/Classroom Teacher/5C

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Learning Webs

Each term parents are provided with an overview of the curriculum that the students are learning for that term.  These are called the Learning Webs.  The Learning Webs also provide key school and class information.   

The Learning Webs for the current term are made available on the Brisbane Central State School website.  https://brisbanecentralss.eq.edu.au/curriculum/learning-webs 

The Learning Webs are also emailed by the teachers.   

The following excerpt from our school vision is reflected in our daily practices across the school.  All teachers collaborate in formal team meetings and informally weekly to develop a deep shared understanding of the curriculum, the learning needs of the students and high impact teaching and learning strategies for improved learning for the students in their classes.  The Learning Webs provide a snapshot of the focus learning for this term.    

How can we effectively communicate the focus of the learning for the students to the school community? 

The Teaching and Learning Reference group will be undertaking consultation with parents and carers over the next few weeks to gain perspectives on how we can best communicate with parents, carers and the school community about what the students are learning in the classroom. 

The Teaching and Learning Reference Group is a team made up of staff and parents, formed to gain feedback on and input into school policies and practices developed in line with Department of Education policy for the delivery of the curriculum for all students. 

In about a week’s time staff and parents will be available before and after school at the key entry points to the school to listen to your perspectives on what would be useful to know and how we can communicate about what the students learn at school.  We look forward to hearing from many parents.  Next newsletter will also outline some other ways to respond. 

Beginner Language Experience

The Global Engagement team, within the Department of Education International, is excited to announce that applications are now open for our fully funded, online program – Beginner Language Experience.

Running over five consecutive days during the April school holidays (7–11 April 2025) via MS Teams, this engaging, program gives Queensland state school students in Years 4–6 the opportunity to learn a new language; Japanese or Spanish from the comfort of home. Through interactive 90 minute lessons students will develop language skills, expand their cultural understanding, and enhance their global competence.

For more information and criteria and timelines for applications see the link:  https://education.qld.gov.au/schools-educators/international/global-opportunities/explore/online-beginner-language-experience 

BOOK CLUB

There are two issues of Book Club each term. Issue 2 will be out very shortly.

Scholastic bulk delivers the books to school after their issue closing date. Sometimes your child’s book will not arrive in the bulk delivery because it is on back order. It will arrive.

When the books arrive at school, they will be handed to your child to take home.

The Scholastic Book club flyer for Issue 1 accidently printed the date for closing orders as the 4^{th of} April, however, it was the 17^{th of} February. Sincere apologies for any inconvenience.

Thank you for your orders.

Enjoy the books and keep reading!

Training for Cross Country

Let’s get your kids moving!  

We need your help with training our year 3-6 students for the upcoming Cross Country. Training will be on the school oval 8:30am-8:55am for weeks 5-8. This could be running laps, playing games or a workout. If you would like to facilitate training sessions, please email Miss Wylie at rwyli0@eq.edu.au with the dates you are available. 

Consent Management / QParents

All parents are now required to register on QParents in order to access and provide consent for school activities.

To register, please download the QParents app and use the access code you would have received in your invitation email to begin the process. If prompted to visit the school to verify your ID, please disregard this message and continue with the registration process.

Many in our community already have a QParent accounts but for those who do not,  invitations  have previously been sent out to your registered email addresses.  If you require a new invitation please contact the office.  By signing up you will not only have access to digital permission forms but also attendance records, finance (view only), positive behaviour and report cards. 

We understand that everyone is busy, and we hope that by streamlining our services online where we can, we will better service our community.

Music Notes

Junior Choir (Year 3) will commence in Week 5 on Tuesday 25 February.  Choir rehearsals are held in the Music Room from 8.00am to 8.45am.

Uniform Shop

Our Uniform Shop has had a make-over!

Please come and visit on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 - 9:15am. 

- House bucket hats are back in stock of all sizes. 

- Get ready for winter with school jumpers back in stock of all sizes.

- Small and large school bags are back in stock. 

Juicy Tubes!