As the end of the year fast approaches there are several events and reminders we need to share.
Christmas Cards, Candy Canes and Celebrations: As the holiday season approaches, we ask that the giving of cards, candy canes and other Christmas celebration items be kept for the last few days of term during the last week. This will assist us in keeping the student's focus on learning while we are still teaching and implementing the curriculum.
Students may wear Christmas themed shirts or clothes on the last day of the year. Please ensure they are sun safe.
Year 6 Graduation: We will be holding our official Year 6 Graduation Cermeony on Tuesday 5th December. This celebration begins at 6pm with some light refreshments followed by the more formal part of the evening commencing at 6:30pm. To ensure all adult guests can be accommodated in the hall there is a maximum of 4 guests per student and we request that siblings do not attend.
Year 6 Fun Day: On Wednesday 6th December the Year 6 Students will be having their Fun Day. Students will be going to Bell Park for games in the park and on the beach, followed by lunch and a swim at the pool. Students are required to wear school uniform and sun safe swimwear is compulsory.
Colour Explosion Fun Run: All fundraising donations and prize orders need to be handed in by this Friday 24th November. Late entries will not receive their prizes as orders must be processed this week so they arrive before the end of the year. The Fun Run will be held in Week 10 on Thursday 7th December from 1pm.
Report Cards: Semester 2 Report cards will be emailed home on the last day of term. To guarantee you receive these without issue please confirm that we have your current email address on record. Unfortunately, due to the system settings and firewalls associated with Hotmail accounts, they do not allow the One School system to communicate efficiently with them. Therefore, in the past, families with Hotmail accounts have had difficulty receiving report cards. To ensure you receive your child's report providing us with alternative email address if possible, would avoid a missed report.
Classes and Teachers for 2024: We are currently working on the class structures and teachers for 2024. If you are not returning to Emu Park State School next year could you please notify the school office as soon as possible. Class structures and school staffing are decided on student enrolment numbers and finalised on the 8th day of the school year. It is important to be aware if these numbers change on or prior to this day, teachers and allocated classes for students are subject to change. If this was to occur we will notify parents and carers.
Students, parents and carers will be notified of their 2024 class and teacher when we have finalised numbers and classes. All families will be notified by email.
Booklist 2024: Our 2024 booklist is available on our website. To save some heavy lifting and to make the first day of the year a little easier, families will be able to drop off their book packs to their new classroom on Thursday 18th January between 2-3:30pm. Please name all of your children's belongings, books and pencils clearly.
Uniforms: The school office will be open from Monday 15th January for families to purchase school uniforms. We expect and appreciate all of students in the correct uniform.
Emu Park shirts $30
Bucket hats $12
Broad Brim hats $12
Skorts $20
Shorts $ 15
Swimming Lessons 2024: Over the last few years the cost of providing swimming lessons has been substantial. We have been working hard to reduce the cost of the lessons for 2024. Costs for lessons in 2024 have been reduced by the school increasing the amount of school funding and staff to provide the lessons.
2023 Costs included: Travel costs – bus, pool entry, 4 paid instructors, 6 lessons
2024 Costs include: Travel costs – bus, pool entry, 1 paid instructor (Yrs 1-6) 2 paid Instructors (Prep), 5 lessons. The school will be funding a trained teacher aide and our HPE teacher to provide swimming instruction.
Additionally, to manage costs the school is contributing an additional $10,000 towards the swimming program. Overall, these adjustments collectively contribute to a cost-effective approach to swimming lessons when compared to the previous year.
2023 swimming lessons cost families $72 per child. Due to the changes and increased school contributions, we are happy to announce 2024 lessons will be $40 per student
Student Use of Mobile Devices: From the beginning of Term 1 2024, all Queensland State School students must keep their mobile phones switched off and 'away for the day' during school hours. Notifications on wearable devices, such as smartwatches, must be switched off so that phone calls, messages and other notifications cannot be sent or received during school hours.
Emu Park students are required to hand their phones into the school administration each day where they are safely stored. School policy states that students require written permission from a parent to bring a mobile phone to school.
Regards
Ellen