Dear Parents and Carers,
Term three continues to be very busy and full of engaging activities for all year levels.
Everyone Belongs - Bullying No Way: This year we are participating in the Bullying No Way: National week of action, 12 - 16 August 2024.
The theme for this year's campaign is Everyone Belongs. This theme highlights the importance of creating a sense of belonging and inclusion for students. We recognise bullying often thrives in environments where individuals feel marginalised or excluded, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that every student feels valued and respected.
During the week we will be engaging students in meaningful discussions and activities aimed at promoting empathy, understanding and respect for diversity. We encourage parents and carers to take this opportunity to have open and honest conversations with their children about the impact of bullying and what they can do if they need support. You can visit the Bullying No Way website for tips around how to have this discussion.
School Opinion Survey: Thank you to all who have already completed the Parent/Caregiver Survey. If you have not had a chance to complete the survey yet, please note that the online surveys will remain open until Friday 16 August 2024. This is your opportunity to provide feedback about what our school does well and how we can improve. To have your say, check your email for an invitation from the Department of Education titled 'School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2024'. Can't find your invitation? If your family has more than one parent/caregiver, check that they haven't received the invitation and/or check your junk email folder. All families will have received by email a link to the School Opinion Survey.
Events: Last week Year 3, 4 and 4/5E visited the beach with Mrs O for a Marine Education Day. Students learnt all about our local environment and the many different species of animals, birds and plants that call Emu Park home. Thank you to Livingstone Shire Council, Landcare, Team Turtle and Birdlife Capricornia for sharing their knowledge and expertise. Our Year 1 students also visited the beach and park areas to learn about and identify different features of the local community and environment.
Gala Days – Years 5 & 6: On Friday the 16th and Friday 23rd our Year 5 & 6 students will participate in two Gala Days. Our students, along with students from the Capricorn Coast schools, will compete in two days full of sporting fun. Sports this term include Soccer, Tee Ball and Touch Football.
On Thursday 12th September some of our year 5 and 6 students will participate in a Cricket Gala Day.
Year 6 Japanese Excursion: Year 6 students will be visiting Tsuruya Japanese Restaurant on Wednesday 4th September. The aim of the excursion is to celebrate and consolidate the students' Japanese language and cultural learning.
Prep Beach Excursion: The Prep Beach Excursion has been rescheduled to next Monday 19th August due to wet weather this week. Please inform the school if you wish to withdraw permission for this event due to the date change.
Prep “Grug" Pilbeam Theatre Excursion: On Monday 26th August Prep students will be attending a performance at the Pilbeam Theatre and visiting Alf Kele Park for lunch and a play on the way back to school.
Year 4 Konomie Island Environmental Education Centre: In Week 7 each of our Year 4 classes will be heading to Konomie Island Environmental Education Centre for a day excursion. They will be researching and discussing ways we can be more sustainable in our ways of living and how this approach can help protect our fragile and unique reef eco systems.
Beginner Instrumental Students Band Camps: Band Students - Monday 26th , and Strings Students - Tuesday 27th August. Our Beginner Band and Strings students will be heading to Yeppoon High School for a day long band camp where they will join other beginner instrumental students from the Capricorn Coast schools to participate in workshops to improve and develop their musical skills. The finale for the day will be a short concert at night where the students will get to demonstrate their new skills in a performance for parents and friends.
Year 2 Rockhampton Heritage Village Excursion: On Wednesday 28th August the Year 2 students will be off to the Heritage Village in Rockhampton to learn about life in the past. They will have the opportunity to observe items and experience how different lifestyles were in the past.
Australia's Biggest Child Safety Lesson - Tuesday 3rd September: This lesson will be livestreamed to students during National Child Protection Week. The theme for this year will build on what students learnt in 2023 about consent. ABCSL 2024 will provide an easy way for teachers, parents and carers to have conversations about enthusiastic and affirmative consent confidently with children. For more information: https://danielmorcombe.com.au/keeping-kids-safe/keeping-kids-safe/australias-biggest-child-safety-lesson/
Student Free Day: Friday 30th August is a Student Free Day. While families get to have an extra day together, our teachers will be busy further growing their skills and knowledge in developing more inclusive and universally designed learning opportunities for students.
Parent Teacher Interviews: Parent teacher interviews will be held on Wednesday 4th September in the hall. You will have received an email inviting you to book in a time slot on SOBS to meet with your child/ren's teachers. We look forward to seeing you all there.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of these events, please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher.
Kind regards
Ellen