1032 Lowood-Minden Road,MINDEN,QLD,4311,Australia

1032 Lowood-Minden Road,MINDEN,QLD,4311,Australia / Phone: 5425 7222
Website: https://mindenss.eq.edu.au
Email:

Dates To Remember

* Term 1 / 23/01/17 - 31/03/17
*Junior Assembly / 24/02/17
* Senior Assembly / 03/03/17
* P&C AGM / 06/03/2017
* Cross Country / 14/03/17
* Parent Teacher Interviews / 15/03/17
* Prep Presentation - 2pm / 23/03/17
* Chappy Ice Block Day / 23/03/17

From The Principal

Welcome
Due to enrolment growth, Minden school has been allocated an additional teacher for 2017 and we have been working closely with Ipswich Office staffing unit to find a suitable teacher to join our team. Fortunately, this has happened quite quickly this year. On Monday, Ms Annabelle Hughes will commence teaching at Minden and I know you will make her feel welcome at our school.
Year One Class
As many families would be aware, our year one class has 34 students this year which exceeds Education Queensland’s class size target of 25 students. With the addition of an eighth teacher, our year one class can now be divided into two smaller classes of 17 students each. The year one teachers will work collaboratively and the smaller class sizes will provide a better teacher –student ratio than the current situation.
Classroom movements
As the newly created year one classes will occupy both rooms in E block, the year 2s will move to the classroom beside Prep.
Outside School Hours Care
The movement of classes into available classrooms has triggered a domino effect and the service will relocate to the Resource Centre. Hall-Thorpe Sports will continue to provide continuity of care during this process. Children attending OSHC will continue to have access to all previously licensed areas of the school.
Before School Arrangements
The school has an increasing number of children arriving at school prior to 8:15am. In the last week, we have had mornings where over 30 children have been on the grounds by 8:10am.Under the Teachers Award, teaching staff are not able to be rostered on duty until 8:30am. This is to allow for preparation time and meetings. Children arriving at school prior to 8:15am should access the OSHC service.
Recess times
Children and staff have transitioned well to the new break times. We have noticed a significant positive change in behaviour from introducing an eating time at second break. Please ensure your child has sufficient food to cover both breaks as some children are eating everything at first break.
Parent-Teacher Interviews
This event will take place in the Resource Centre on Wednesday 15 March from 3:15pm to 7:00pm. Bookings are essential and can be made by logging onto www.schoolIinterviews.com.au and enter the code d7xg6. Please make alternative arrangements with your child’s teacher should this day not be suitable for you.
Brisbane Lions AFL clinic
On Wednesday 22 February, children in years 4, 5 and 6 were provided with an exciting opportunity to participate in a 30 minute clinic with representatives from the Brisbane Lions AFL team. Feedback from students and staff was very positive. If your child is interested in participating in AFL, the Brisbane Valley Rattlers Junior Australian Football Club located at Fernvale Sports Park are taking recruits now. For more information contact Graham on 0401 931 513 or Michael on 0416 276 545 or go to www.play.afl
From the Michael Grose series:
Shifting Children’s Moods
Ever had a child in a grumpy mood and they just don’t know how to make themselves feel better? The slightest thing might trigger moodiness and for some children, it can last for hours.
Feeling emotional extremes is part of life, but that doesn’t mean we need to stay in those states. Children and young people aren’t necessarily hostages to their moods – with a little knowledge and effort they can shift their mood to a more pleasant and productive place. Generally, kids can modify their moods by changing their thinking or changing their physiology. That can be hard for a child to get his or her head around. Kids learn better through concrete strategies (rather than abstract concepts) as they are easier to learn and remember.
Here are 3 practical strategies kids can use to shift their moods:
1. “Take a breath…take a few actually”Perhaps the simplest way for a child to feel better, whether it’s to settle some nerves before a talk or reduce anxiousness before meeting new friends, is to take three or four deep breaths. Deep breathing releases dopamine into their system and gives them something else to focus on.
2. “Picture yourself…”Encourage your kids to carry a picture of a favourite thing – person, pet or holiday – to help them move them to a happier place when needed. Pictures and photos can impact at a deep emotional level. Anyone who carries a picture of a loved one with them will know how powerful a visual reminder can be. If carrying a photo/picture isn’t possible, teach children how to visualise a favourite thing, place or occasion in their mind.
3. “DO something…”Boys are action-oriented and tend to act out their feelings more than girls. When they are happy they move around and when they are mad many become aggressive or just more active. Boys also can use action to dissipate emotion or shift their mood to a better place. If they are angry then insist they play an active game or sport to get the energy out. Lethargy, boredom and other passive emotional states too can be shifted through physical activity.If your child or young person uses ineffective strategies such as worry, catastrophizing, acting out, self-blame or blaming others, then help them choose more effective strategies to regulate their emotions.

Parents And Citizens Association News

Bookfair is coming! Give your child the gift of a book, and help earn valuable resources for the school. Come along and have a look with your children before or after school. If you are unable to come, orders can be placed on-line to be collected from the book fair - your child can just bring in your receipt number.
Competition - Don’t forget to return your entry form to the school office for your chance to win one of six $10 vouchers.
There is something for everyone – Books from $4, Posters are $2 or $4, and stationary items from $1. We would love to see you there!
When: Thursday 2nd, Friday 3rd, Monday 6th & Tuesday 7th of March
Where: School Library
Time: 8.15am – 9am & 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Payments:Cash, eftpos and on-line credit card payments.
New School Banking rewards now available!
Exciting new Term 1 rewards with a Future Savers theme are now available, while stocks last!
For every deposit made at school students will receive a silver Dollarmites token. Once students have individually collected 10 tokens they can redeem them for exclusive School Banking reward items in recognition of their regular savings habits. There are two new items released each term so be sure to keep an eye out for them!
Thank you for supporting the School Banking program and remember, School Banking day is every Monday.
Tuckshop
Meal Deals are on offer every Wednesday. Remember to get your orders in early! Orders and money should be placed in a sealed zip lock bag or envelope and placed in the tuckshop box outside the tuckshop. Pre-Orders can be placed for upcoming meal deals throughout the term. Drinks can be purchased on a Wednesday, but no treats.
Snack days are continuing on Fridays. Kids can bring in a whole apple to be “slinkied” for free in first break. We have a range of drinks, ice blocks and snacks available in first break.
The tuckshop is run by volunteers, and the kids love to see family helping out. Please consider if you are able to lend a hand, even if it is only once or twice a term. Contact Kylie Neal on 0406108 033 if you would like join our team.
Like our facebook page to receive our updates and the fortnightly newsletter.

Outside School Hours Care (OSHC)

Operating Hours

Monday - Friday before school opening at 6:15am and after school closing at 6:00pm.
For bookings or details please see the OSHC esucatiors, call main office (07) 4638 7965 or email

School Chaplain

School Chaplain
The role of a School Chaplain can vary from school to school, and is made up of different areas. These include; Social and/or Emotional Support, Community Development, Spiritual Support, Mentoring, Educational Support, Extra-curricular Activities, General work and administration and other activities such as professional development and training with Scripture Union (the employing body)
The second area as explained in the chaplaincy work plan;
Community Development;
Chaplains help to build strong links between the school and the wider community. They network with school-based support staff, community based organisations, churches and other networks to mobilise the resources of the community to support student needs.
This is an important aspect of my role, getting to know which organisations are present in our community, also surrounding communities and those who can support the families and students of Minden. Also building relationships with local businesses and churches. In the past these community members have helped me provide support to local families by providing food hampers to those in need. In 2017 I aim to build further relationships within the community and look forward to working on projects with these groups in the future.
The Blooming Treasures Gardening Club
If you have been in the school grounds lately, you will have noticed some changes near the Year 1 & 2 classroom building.
Our lovely new garden beds have been filled and planted in preparation for the continuation of the garden club into 2017.
SPECIAL THANK YOU to Craig Severn from Severn Excavations who used the heavy machinery to level the ground and fill the raised garden beds. Thank you to Craig for taking time out of your busy work week to assistant our school in the setting up of these gardens. It is a huge blessing.
Also a SPECIAL THANK YOU to Craig's wife Cathy who helped on the day with laying down the weed mat, and sugar cane mulch. This help made the job more achievable!
Another SPECIAL THANK YOU to Loretta Matthews who provided us with ample feed bags that we were able to recycle as weed matting at the base of our raised garden beds.
More SPECIAL THANKS goes to Cindy Ritcher who was able to donate 8 bags of sugar cane mulch from her work place. This is another wonderful blessing our garden project has received.
THE FINAL THANK YOU'S for now go to Mrs Rapley for her donation of the Rosella trees that are now planted in the previous garden bed that the students were using. We look forward to seeing some fruit grow on these trees. Also THANK YOU to Tamara Davies, with Lillie & Max, who helped me plant the Rosella trees on Friday afternoon. These trees are very happy in their new home and have already enjoyed some rain.
To celebrate all these wonderful achievement I am holding an 'opening ceremony' and morning tea to thank all of the wonderful community members that have been involved in making this garden area a reality.
Please see the details below and if you are able to attend, please RSVP to allow us to cater sufficiently. Costa will return this year to celebrate this achievement with us.
'The Blooming Treasures'
would like to cordially invite you
to the official opening
of their new garden area
at Minden State School.
on: Friday 10th March 2017
at: 10:30am for the ceremony with morning tea to follow.
We look forward to you celebrating this event with us.
If you are able to attend,
please RSVP by Wednesday 8th March
via email to our School Chaplain, Rebecca Hewett
at
or by calling the school office on 5425 7222
Thank you for supporting our Students
This year I will be at Minden each Thursday and Friday, and my other schools for the rest of the week. Please make contact with me if the need arises, via the contacts below or in person.
Share a smile with someone, you WILL brighten their day!
Chappy (aka Mrs Hewett)
Rebecca Hewett
School Chaplain

Minden State School
5425 7222

Classroom News

Prep News

Prep News:
*Reward system – students receive dojo points each day. They receive points when they try hard and do the right thing in the classroom. Once they have 10 points they are given a reward (iceblock).
*Homework: Spelling words – we have started learning how to correctly form letters. Please help your child learn and write each spelling word. High Frequency Words – great work helping your child/children learn high frequency words, high frequency words assist with reading progression. Good to see homework and library books returned each Friday.
*Our Focus at the moment is listening the first time, students are guided to listen and respond quickly.
*Munch Crunch – this is a quick snack, cutting up snacks helps students in eating snacks in a limited time.
*Presentation – Keep free 23rd March (2pm) our Term 1 class presentation.
*HEADLICE – please continue to check your child/children’s hair daily. Keeping on top of any eggs/live lice will help in assisting control and management before we have a big problem.
*Fingernail polish – please be aware that coloured nail polish is not permitted at school.
If you have any questions then please come and see me.
Thank you Mrs Williams and The Prep Students

Science

Science this fortnight is still all about the needs of animals and plants. Some of the students have been able to plant seeds and see them germinate. It has been good timing to see the Garden Club at work and see that garden coming alive as well. We have also talked about the adaptations various animals and plants need to fit into and survive in various environments. Year five have conducted an experiment where they tried to pick up a variety of food items using items that mimicked a bird’s beak. The year sixes are conducting an experiment where they are looking at the best conditions to store bread without forming mould.
Both the Makerspace and Coding clubs are starting to be well attended. Some students are having fun playing with the edbots and the material is proving very popular.

Cirriculum Awards