Term 4 Week 2
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Principal - Mr Micheal Grogan
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Deputy Principal - Mr Nicholas Dargusch
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Head of Department - Curriculum Ms Maureen Kelly
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Technology Leaders - STEM Celebration
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Assembly Certificates
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Sustainability Leaders
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Swimming Term 4
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Library News
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Instrument Music 2024
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PBL Newsletter
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AST / Active School Travel
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Day for Daniel
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PBL Celebration Day and Colour Fun Run
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School Fun Run
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P&C Newsletter
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Miltson State School Fair on the Green Saturday October 21
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Vicki Howard's 2023 Christmas Card Competition
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Being Safe Online
Principal - Mr Micheal Grogan
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to our first newsletter of Term 4. It is hard to believe we only have 8 more weeks in the 2023 school year. As always there has been lots happening around our school the past fortnight. In the last two weeks alone, our students have been debating, attending STEM conferences, talking on the radio, and building a community garden.
We have also been participating in our School Review. As I have flagged previously the review is a once in four years opportunity to see how the school is travelling and get expert advice as what the next steps in improvement should be. We highly value feedback as a way of working within and across all of our classrooms and the review is an opportunity for the whole school to get feedback on where we are at, how we are going and how we can imporve.
This week we have had the pleasure of hosting the review team and having a conversation with them about our school. They have spoken to all staff, our students and you, our community. The findings presented back to us have been pleasing to hear. It is always great when visitors to our school can see the great work happening each day and the commitment of all of our staff, students and community to ensuring that all of our students are able to achieve their best.
I will be sharing the executive summary with the school community as soon as we receive that back in a few weeks’ time.
The school staff will also dig deeply into the full report to shape up our 4 year strategic plan between now and the end of the school year.
I would also like to thank and acknowledge all of our staff, students and community for making the review team feel welcome and helping them gain a full and deep insight into what makes our school so special.
Micheal Grogan
Principal
Deputy Principal - Mr Nicholas Dargusch
Welcome Back to Term 3.
It has a busy start to the term with many events already flooding our calendars.
This week we welcomed three school reviewers to assist in the analysis of our school across nine school improvement domains. They spoke with members of staff, students, parents and local community associates. The feedback given highlighted that we as educators, have the privilege of working in one of the most knowledgeable, dynamic and inclusive school communities. It was an honour to hear all the hard work of our teachers being recognised and celebrated.
Last week we had our first of three gala sports days. This is a are great opportunities for our year 4-6 students to participate in a variety of sports against schools within our city cluster. We have cricket, touch football and Australian Rules Football on offer this term, and it certainly was a proud moment to see nearly every child participate in the first round.
A special shout-out to our Year 5/6 teacher, Mr McKee and his helpers for their support at last week’s working bee. Mr McKee has gone to such great lengths to support our school leaders in ensuring that their legacy project is completed before the end of the year. We appreciate the weekends that have been sacrificed.
Next week our Year 5 students will be given the opportunity to apply for their 2024, Year 6 leadership nominations. In 2023 we identified the power in providing greater opportunities for our student leaders to engage and having a voice across our school. Now with nearly 20 senior leaders across seven different areas of our school, we are deepening the way in which our students have agency across their school. This year we have been diving deeper into the power of student voice and agency. Our commitment to fostering a learning environment that is truly student-centered is at the heart of our vision.
So why is student voice so impactful?
Empowering Students to Drive Their Learning:
Student agency empowers our learners to take an active role in shaping their education. When students have a say in what and how they learn, they become more engaged and motivated. This leads to a deeper understanding of the subject matter and a stronger sense of ownership over their educational journey.
Customised Learning Experiences:
Every student is unique, and their educational needs and interests vary. By encouraging student voice, we can personalise learning experiences to better cater to each student's individual learning style, strengths, and challenges. This approach leads to more effective learning outcomes and ensures that no one is left behind.
Encouraging Critical Thinking and Communication Skills:
Students who are encouraged to voice their opinions and ideas develop strong critical thinking and communication skills. They learn to express themselves articulately, listen actively to others, and respect diverse perspectives. These skills are not only valuable in the classroom but also in their future careers and personal lives.
Fostering a Sense of Community:
When we make room for student agency, we create a more inclusive and cohesive school community. Our students feel valued, respected, and heard. This sense of belonging enhances the overall school experience and contributes to a positive school climate, reducing instances of bullying and disciplinary issues.
Preparing Students for Life Beyond School:
At BCSS, we're committed to preparing our students not only for academic success but for success in life. Encouraging student voice helps them develop the skills and confidence needed to actively participate in the broader community and the workforce, where the ability to express themselves and collaborate effectively is invaluable.
Promoting Equity:
Student voice is especially important for promoting equity in education. Our diverse student body may face unique challenges, and it's crucial to listen to their voices to address disparities and ensure that every student has an equal opportunity to thrive.
We recognise that our students are our most valuable resource, and their voices are essential in shaping our educational community. We are committed to continuing our efforts to promote student agency, create a student-centered learning environment, and empower our students to become active, engaged learners and responsible citizens.
We encourage all members of our school community to support and celebrate student agency. When we work together, we can create a school where every voice is heard and valued, and where every student can achieve their full potential.
I hope you all have a wonderful fortnight ahead.
Mr Nicholas Dargusch
Deputy Principal
Head of Department - Curriculum Ms Maureen Kelly
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.
For some subjects the new learning focus started at the beginning of term and for others the new learning focus will start next week. The Term 4 Learning Webs will reflect the Term 4 / Unit 6 learning for each subject. We are expecting the Learning Webs for Term 4 to be published on the school website by the end of Week 3.
The Learning Webs are available on the Brisbane Central State School website. https://brisbanecentralss.eq.edu.au/curriculum/learning-webs
Feedback during the assessment process
Feedback is a key approach that we use in the teaching and learning at BCSS so that students have the skill and will to improve their own learning. Feedback also has a part in some assessment contexts. Teachers together agree on and record the access to feedback that will be consistently applied across the year level during the completion of the selected assessment.
Some types of feedback that students may be able to access while doing an assessment include:
- Feedback to self - students are guided to use resources developed and accessed during the term to find the strengths and gaps in their own assessment piece and to find how to improve
- Peer feedback – students are provided opportunities to give and receive feedback from peers on their draft assessment piece based on a clear set of criteria that the students have worked with over the term
- Teacher feedback – students are provided with feedback from the teacher on their draft assessment piece. This may be limited to whole class feedback and models of how to improve covering the main needs identified in the students’ drafts or individual feedback on areas for improvement without direct teacher directions on how to improve.
The feedback opportunities are selected and implemented by the teachers to suit the year level, nature of the assessment piece, the need to maintain the integrity of the assessment and with careful consideration of the students’ needs.
For more information about our use of feedback in learning see the Brisbane Central State School website. https://brisbanecentralss.eq.edu.au/curriculum/teaching-and-learning/feedback
ICAS Assessments – Results and certificates
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. The ICAS assessments are complete for 2023. Certificates are being distributed as we receive them.
Parents can access the online results portal for their child using the TAP ID and PIN printed on previous ICAS certificates. ICAS have created a TAP-ID and PIN request form that parents can use to access their TAP-ID and PIN. If you have any questions,please feel free to email Maureen Kelly, Head of Department Curriculum, mkell83@eq.edu.au.
Maureen Kelly
Head of Department - Curriculum
Technology Leaders - STEM Celebration
Congratulations to Abhishek, Agrit and Smyaan, our Technology leaders who did a fantastic job on Thursday evening when presenting their project to the judges at the STEM Celebration .
There were over 200 students from about 20 schools in attendance.
The leaders were awarded a trophy in the Engineering Design Technology category for communication.
Congratulations and thanks to Mr Perkins for supporting the boys with their work. Below is an article the boys have written about the event.
Hello, our names are Agrit, Abhishek and Smyaan and we are the Technology Leaders at BCSS. We would like to share our achievement with you from the Kid’s STEM Convention. We achieved an award in the Engineering Design Technology category in the area of Communication for our project.
Our project was based around the question, “How can we design a digital system to pick up rubbish?”. We worked on our project all throughout Term 3 after we attended an inspiration day at the University of Queensland. Our final solution included 3D modelling, 3D printing, coding and engineering. We managed to create an automated robot that can use a camera to follow a track and an ultrasonic sensor to detect rubbish. It then uses a double scoop design that we 3D modelled and printed ourselves to collect the rubbish when it is sensed. We have attached our project to the link below as well.
We have created a display in the school office that we would love for you to see the next time you visit.
From the Technology Leaders
Hello, our names are Agrit, Abhishek and Smyaan and we are the Technology Leaders at BCSS. We would like to share our achievement with you from the Kid’s STEM Convention. We achieved an award in the Engineering Design Technology category in the area of Communication for our project.
Our project was based around the question, “How can we design a digital system to pick up rubbish?”. We worked on our project all throughout Term 3 after we attended an inspiration day at the University of Queensland. Our final solution included 3D modelling, 3D printing, coding and engineering. We managed to create an automated robot that can use a camera to follow a track and an ultrasonic sensor to detect rubbish. It then uses a double scoop design that we 3D modelled and printed ourselves to collect the rubbish when it is sensed. We have attached our project to the link below as well.
We have created a display in the school office that we would love for you to see the next time you visit.
From the Technology Leaders
Assembly Certificates
Sustainability Leaders
On Tuesday the 10th of October we had the opportunity to visit KISS 97.3FM radio station.
They invited us to talk about our projects and achievements. We told Robin and Kip about how our school is involved in ‘Cup Rescue’ by 7 Eleven and how we are busting teachers and making sure they recycle their coffee cups. Did you know that coffee cups can’t go in a normal recycling bin? We do! And we are making sure they get recycled! The project we got to discuss was our food waste audit. We are in the process of surveying our community about their wasted food. From this we plan to ask for recipes that use these identified ‘waste’ foods. If you haven’t completed the waste audit yet, please scan the QR code and complete it today. It will only take a few minutes! Below we have outlined our achievements for 2023 so far!
Clean up Australia Day with Brisbane City Council
Brisbane City Council came to our school and helped us run ‘Clean up Australia Day’. The winners were the preps so we gave them 3D printed world globes as a prize for their effort in cleaning up there eating area and playground!
7 Eleven Coffee Cup Recycling
We busted teachers on not recycling coffee cups and we busted the principal who threw the coffee in a regular bin twice. Ms McVean and Miss Pafflin walk our whole school’s coffee cups that we collect up to our local 7 Eleven every fortnight to make sure they get recycled properly.
Paper Bin Recycling
We gave every class/space in the school a paper recycling bin and we collect the paper bins and recycle the paper in it every fortnight.
Waste Smart Games
We participated in Waste smart games. We got a waste audit kit from the council and went through our school’s rubbish to see what things are being thrown in the bin. We also had the council come out teach our school about rubbish. Then we had to make a presentation that tracks our waste journey and make an improvement. We are submitting a presentation to go in running to win a prize for our school!
Popper Bins Containers for Change
Coming soon! We have been waiting over 2 terms for our bins!! You can start now by collecting 10c recyclables and taking them to your local containers for change drop-off location. If you want to donate to our school, you can use our QR code!
Challenge for KISS 97.3
We challenge you to audit the foods that people are wasting the most and then come up with some recipes to use those foods and share them with your colleagues!!
Swimming Term 4
Reminder swimming will start week 3 (16 October) please see timetable below for class time and days of swimming.
Please make sure your child has swimming costume packed in a separate bag:
- Girls (Sunsafe shirt and board shorts or a full one-piece swimsuit) swimming cap, towel and goggles (if preferred)
- Boys (Sunsafe shirt and board shorts or swimming trunks), swimming cap, towel and goggles (if preferred)
- All clothing should be clearly named
- In line with Education Queensland policy, students cannot be permitted to swim if they do not have their Sunsafe shirt.
Library News
Instrument Music 2024
All students in year 3 in 2023 are invited to apply to participate in this program from 2024.
Detailed information and how to apply can be found using the link below.
Applications close on the 27th October.
A hard copy application is available upon request if you would prefer this to the online survey.
Contact: Our band instrumental music teacher Mr Colin McIntyre via email cmcin13@eq.edu.au if you have any questions
https://forms.office.com/r/2XaSrkMFiJ
PBL Newsletter
AST / Active School Travel
Well done to 3 Blue who won this weeks Active School Travel prize with 75% of thier students travelling actively.
Day for Daniel
PBL Celebration Day and Colour Fun Run
School Fun Run
P&C Newsletter
Miltson State School Fair on the Green Saturday October 21
Vicki Howard's 2023 Christmas Card Competition
Students will be provided with an entry form in class next week. If you wish for your child to enter the competition, we will have an entry box in the administration. Entries will close on Friday the 27th of October.
Being Safe Online
The eSafety Commissioner has some invaluable resources to support young people and their families navigating the challenegs of the online world safely. From time to time we and our children may come across distressing content online. The information below will support all of us on what we can do should this arise.