Brisbane Central State School eNewsletter

Head of Department Curriculum

ICAS Results

Each year, at Brisbane Central State School, we offer parents the opportunity for their child/children to sit the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) tests. The ICAS Tests are now complete.

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 provide 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.

Parents and students can access their own results using their TAP-ID and PIN:

The English test results are now available.

Students that have sat ICAS before can find their TAP-ID and PIN on the back of a previous year's certificate.
Students that have sat ICAS at your school for the first time this year, can request their TAP-ID and PIN via this form.

Teaching and Learning Reference Group

Interested parents and carers are invited to join the Brisbane Central State School Teaching and Learning Reference Group. This group is being formed to gain feedback on and input into school policies and practices for the delivery of the curriculum for all students. The planned topics include:

Assessment and reporting on learning (Report Cards) for students in Prep
Learning Webs
Reporting on learning (Report Cards) for students Prep – Year 6

The Teaching and Learning Reference Group is a small team made up of parents, a community member, class teachers, the Head of Department, Curriculum and the principal. The group will meet approximately two to three times a term to:

provide perspectives on the focus topic
plan and implement ways to gain feedback from the broader school community
analyse and draw conclusion based on feedback gained

While the Teaching and Learning Reference Group will be a small, consistent team, opportunities will be available for the broader parent community to provide input into the school’s policy and practices, without being part of the Teaching and Learning Reference Group. These opportunities will be shared with parents and caregivers.

Register your interest to be part of the Teaching and Learning Reference Group:

Application is via the Forms survey by Friday 4 October. https://forms.office.com/r/0EPdKGRwvi

Those who apply are invited to a meeting on Thursday 10 October 2024, 7:45am – 8:30am in the school library.

The purpose of this meeting is to share information about the scope of the group and the ways of working, to seek commitment from those in attendance and to create a group based on group size and diversity within the parent group including members with children in a range of year levels.

For more information please contact:

Maureen Kelly, Head of Department, Curriculum, mkell83@eq.edu.au

Micheal Grogan, Principal, mgrog1@eq.edu.au

King Street Kids

It's time for the young makers of Brisbane to shine! As part of the inaugural King St Kids Festival, we're excited to introduce the Next Gen Markets, a dedicated market precinct showcasing the creativity and innovation of Brisbane's finest young artisans, makers, and entrepreneurs.

Set in the heart of Bowen Hills at Alexandria Park (RNA Showgrounds), the festival is a dynamic celebration featuring performances from young circus artists, breakdancers, DJ's, roving entertainers, and more. The Next Gen Markets will be a central feature, providing talented youth (recommended aged 10-17) a platform to display and sell their handmade creations, from crafts and artwork to innovative products and designs.

If you're a young creator or entrepreneur, this is your chance to get involved! We’re calling all emerging talents to express their interest in being part of this exciting market. Join us at King St Kids for a day filled with creativity, play, and community, where youth take the lead and showcase their entrepreneurial spirit.

Expressions of Interests can be completed here.

Mr Micheal Grogan

We have had a great term here at BCSS. Four years ago, we set about creating a Vibrant Learning Community amongst our staff, students and across the school community. While this is evident in the events, we hold such as our NAIDOC Assembly, Book Week parade and today’s PBL celebration, it is in the daily activities where we see the most positive outcomes and representations of our Vibrant Learning Community. It’s the way our students look after one another in and out of the classrooms, the work of our staff in supporting one another to meet the needs of our students as best as we can every day. It’s evident in the connections we see being developed by students, parents and staff with one another each day.

I feel privileged to be the principal at BCSS and look forward to coming back next term and welcoming in the School Review team to share our school’s story, celebrate our strengths, and identify the next opportunities for growth.

I hope you all have a safe and happy spring vacation.

Staff Changes
Next term we will welcome a new admin/enrolment officer. Rachael Park will join our staff early in term 4 and will be joining Mrs Harman and Mrs Stoodly in the office.

Ms McMahon has also begun here return to work form parental leave and will be working alongside Ms Cidnii in the teacher librarian role each Monday and Friday for Term 4.

Students Vs Staff Cricket
This week we had our regular Student Vs Staff sporting match. Once again, the Brisbane Central State School Cricket Ground (BCSSCG) was host to the termly grudge match. The students have extended their period of dominance over the staff to remain undefeated.

There were some notable performances on the day, highlighted by Mr Lane making a wonderful debut for the teacher’s team. He is a certainty to hold his place in the team for a long time to come. The staff were sent in by the students, and Mr Dargusch wound back the clock, literally hitting the ball out of the BCSSCG at the start of the teacher’s innings. It is hard to imagine a bigger shot being played in the 148 year history of this ground. Unfortunately, the staff were not able to go on with it and were 4 for 80 off their 8 overs.

The students came out swinging early, showing a tendency to take advantage of the short leg side boundaries present at the BCSSCG. The staff tried valiantly to plug the gaps along the ground forcing the students to take the aerial route, something a challenge they accepted with glee.

Despite their best efforts of the staff, the students settled into a rhythm and stormed away to a convincing 15 run victory finishing at 3 for 95 after their 8 overs.

The teachers are currently planning for the term 4 match and are confident they will finally get a victory in the next contest.

We would like to acknowledge the student team captain, Dylan, who organises these matches, emailing our staff, inviting participants, setting up and packing up the field and even supplying (with the help of an amazing grandma) the banana bread to share afterwards.

School Review
In the second week of term 4 we will be participating in our 2023 School Review. The review will occur from Tuesday October 10 – Thursday October 12. The review is an opportunity for our school to receive external and independent feedback, identifying our strengths and the opportunities for next steps.

Attached to this newsletter is some further information for parents and families about the School Review process and their purpose.

Dress Code
The P&C has endorsed our school’s new dress code. A final copy will come out early in term 4 with accompanying pictures to show all families what the expectations are for wearing the school uniform for all students.

Mr Nick Dargusch / Deputy Principal

I hope you all manage to have a wonderful break with your families. I know both staff and students need this much deserved break after another event-filled term, full of fun and learning. A reminder that school will resume on Tuesday, 3^rd October, after the King’s Birthday.

It was great to see Owlie on Assembly this morning to present the Positive Behaviour for Learning awards. Our students have worked extremely hard this term being learners, and today we were able to see all their aspirations on display. There were many doctors, lawyers, rock-stars, footballers, builders, truck-drivers, artists, policeman and even a few more teachers. Thanks to the PBL team for organising our end of term celebration.

Legacy Project
Our Year 6 Students Leaders prepared lunch for many of our students and teachers today with a sausage sizzle. All money raised will contribute to their Legacy project (gardens) which will be nearing completion at our upcoming working bee on Saturday, 7th October. Thanks to Mr McKee and the Year 6 senior leaders for organising and preparing the feast.

Upcoming Events
Please continue to check emails and if you are not getting updates, please check your SPAM or JUNK folders.

Week 1 – Gala Sports Days

All information has gone out to parents regarding permission, payment and dates. If you have not yet signed permission, please scan the QR Code to access the online permission form.

Think You know Presentation
Thank you to all those parents that were able to make the Think You Know Presentation on Wednesday evening. It was an intimate occasion where we heard from Daryl from Microsoft and Jose for the Queensland Police, who outlined the importance of building strong, transparent relationships with our kids and their online use. This ensures that we, as parents know what our young children are accessing, as well as being the person that they can come to if they ever feel uncomfortable online.

Some great resources for both young and old were shared, including the ebook, ‘Jack Changes the Game’ where a young boy meetings a new ‘online friend’. This is a great conversation starter, as well providing conversation prompts to guide parents. There is also an activity book to compliment this story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h2Okywzin0

Family_online_safety_contract_prefilled_.pdf

Teachers Vs Students Cricket Match
Another great event hosted from our School Leader, Dylan Gordon who once again, challenged the teachers to a Students v Teachers cricket match. Dylan has prepared a summary of the day. Unfortunately, the teachers suffered another loss, but spirits are still high in anticipation for the re-match in Term 4.

by Dylan G

This week at BCSS the Students took on the Teachers in a game of cricket. After a record books batting innings from Mr Dargusch and a bowling attack that came back fighting. The Students came out victorious by 15 Runs

Here are some special mentions
Student Top Plays
Dylan Gordon 24 runs (7), 1/22 (2) & a catch
Ayush Arun 22 runs (7) & 0/18 (2)
Agrit Sirohi 2/2 (1) & 8 runs (5)

And a special thanks to students who participated including Mergedei Saurl, Smyaan Nandi, Nishant & Many other students.

Teacher Top plays
Mr Dargusch 20 (6) with a monster 6 out of the school off St Paul's Terrace & 0/14 (1)
Mr Lane 22 (6), 1/0 (1) & A magnificent boundary catch
Mr Grogan 11 (4) & 1/1 (1)

And a special thank you to the teachers that helped and participated in the match

Assembly Certificates

Mrs Maureen Kelly / HOC

Learning to Read
Reading Comprehension Instruction at Brisbane Central

At Brisbane Central we use a ‘gradual release of responsibility’ model to guide the students through the learning process when teaching students to effectively use reading comprehension strategies to gain a deep understanding of texts. In modelled and shared reading lessons the students are learning about the reading comprehension strategy – how it helps you be a better reader, the thinking that you use and what that looks like and sounds like while reading. During the guided and independent reading lessons the responsibility for using the strategies is shifting to the students. The students practice using the strategies in the context of silent reading and reflect on and talk about their implementation of the reading comprehension strategies, as well as the understanding they have gained from the text. Through this process the students are learning how to apply these strategies to their everyday reading, increasing their proficiency as active readers.

For more information about the reading comprehension strategies see the Brisbane Central State School website. Refer to the attached documents on the website.

https://brisbanecentralss.eq.edu.au/curriculum/teaching-and-learning/learning-to-read-reading-comprehension-instruction-at-brisbane-central

Yr.5 Camp

On the 28^th of September Year 5 embarked on a 3 day camp to the Sunshine Coast Recreation Centre in Curramundi. After being allocated their into their camp groups, all the students participated in a range of both challenging and enjoyable activities such as archery, body boarding, caving, rock climbing, beach games, kite making and low ropes. The activities were thoroughly enjoyed by students and even the teachers with the most notable being body boarding, archery and rock climbing. It was great to see all the students step out of their comfort zone and tackle the challenges head on. Students were also provided the opportunity to use and engage leadership skills in team challenges and natural leaders emerged from all groups. Everyone learnt how to work effectively in teams to achieve common goals and it was heartening to hear the students all being extremely supportive and encouraging of one another. All in all it was a fantastic 3 days with students forming memories that will hopefully last a life time.

Imagine going on a camp with friends and enjoying a once in a lifetime experience … sharing memories, laughter and getting to know more people. Luckily, the Year 6’s got to experience this!

On Day 1, students travelled to Hervey Bay, went whale watching, and went for a 4 kilometre evening walk from our accommodation to the end of the Urangan Pier and back.

On Day 2, we shared a trip to K’gari Island and splashed in the waters of Lake Mackenzie, floated down Eli Creek and saw the Maheno shipwreck.

On Day 3, having pizza for lunch? Awesome! Playing in playgrounds and getting wet in Splashside is just way too fun to miss out on! Also, bowling with friends. Wow!!

On Day 4, we went on a nice peaceful walk with a beautiful view, and also visited the the alligators and crocs at Koorana Crocodile Farm! Wow! And to finish off our day’s tour, having a swim in one of the largest pools – Yeppoon Lagoon!

On Day 5, We visited Great Keppel Island, going snorkelling and boom-netting, just how awesome is that!? And at the end of the day, we got to play in the Discovery Park’s waterpark!

Finally, on Day 6, we got up at 4.30am to get on to the Tilt Train to head back to Brisbane to meet our families.

by Siddhi, Ruth and Hamsini

* The Great Barrier Reef Education Experience Program provides a subsidy to primary and secondary school students in Queensland undertaking school excursions along the length of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), from Bundaberg to Cooktown. The program supports opportunities for students to undertake place-based learning activities in the GBR.

** Brisbane Central State School students have been grateful beneficiaries of this scheme