Our 2012 Cross Country was held during the last week of Term 1. Congratulations to all competitors for a fantastic effort. Thank you to all the parents who came along to cheer our runners on. Full results can be found in the March 27 Newsletter.
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| Ivory House Captains |
Age Champions |
Champion Boy and Girl |
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National Young Leaders Conference |
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On March 5 we attended the National Young Leaders Conference. There were over 4000 people at the conference.
We bought Young Leaders Badges. One of the things we learnt was that success doesn’t come easily and you have to work for it.
The National Young Leaders Day is an annual event founded in 1997 to develop strong leadership values amongst young Australians. The Program consists of keynote talks, multi media presentations and interactive learning that seeks a range of specific outcomes for young people who aspire to lead themselves and others as well.
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In technology the upper school classes are learning about how the white settlers made their Cob Cottages and are making their own models. They have brought in materials (clay, mud, hay, straw, horse hair etc) from home to make their bricks. Some bricks are made and the children are just waiting for them to dry out so they can begin constructing their model cottages.
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Last Friday we welcomed and recognised our 2012 School Leaders at our annual Leadership Badge Ceremony. Our 2012 Leaders are: School Captains - Emily Brough & Shamus Freese; Music Captains - Cordell Jones & Lilly Drake-Muir; Sports House Captains - Ivory – Nikita Mitchell-Mosley & Eryn Bruen and Eskdale – Zach Moore & Zetta Henry and Student Council members - Cody-Rhys O’Keeffe, Ethan Versace, Shania Gough, Olivia Green.
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“The wearing of the uniform helps to give the school an identity and reinforces school pride. Children are encouraged to wear the school uniform each day.” Esk State School - 2012 Prospectus
The P&C Uniform Shop is located on site and is manned on the first Monday of each term from 8.30am. Come along and grab a bargain from the very affordable $2 bargain bin.
A uniform order form is available on the school website and also at the office. The office staff has a selection of sizes and styles for you to try before placing orders. Hats are also on sale.
Complete the order form with accompanying payments and give it to the office staff. Payments are required in full before the orders are given to the children. Our Uniform Shop Convenor will fill the order and leave it at the office for collection.
In an effort to make the uniforms affordable, second hand uniforms are also available. DONATIONS OF SECOND HAND UNIFORMS (preferably laundered) ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED.
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Quadrennial School Review |
Over these closing weeks of Term 4 I will be leading our Quadrennial School Review (QSR). This will be done in consultation with school and community stakeholders. In brief the review involves:
- reviewing student and school performance against the outcomes, performance indicators and targets established for the previous four year strategic planning cycle.
- reviewing performance trends from data collected over the last four years.
- re-examining our curriculum, the way teachers teach, student needs and diversity and resource management.
- identifying what issues may inpact on the school's priorities and objectives.
From this information we will then develop a draft school strategic plan which outlines where the school wants to be in four years time and how it will get there. This will include documenting:
- the school's statement of purpose and context, describing the school's role within the local community.
- the findings and recommendations from the school review process and the Teaching and Learning Audit.
- the school's key directions for the next four-year cycle.
- key financial resource requirements.
Following the actions as listed above we will then develop the School Strategic Plan. This will contain, among other things, our identified 'improvement agenda' for the next four years.
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Naplan results have been sent home and parents would undoubtedly have their own feelings about the results. I just want to provide you with an overview of results across the school as a whole.
Year 3 - We have made excellent gains in Spelling and Numeracy. Results in writing have improved by 25% and a nearly 30% increase in Numeracy. There was an 8% increase in Grammar and Punctuation. Well done Year 3s!!
Year 5 – We have made solid gains in Reading, Writing and Grammar and Punctuation but experienced a drop in Spelling and Numeracy. Strongest gains have been up by 20% in Grammar and Punctuation. In the top 20% of the state we had an increase of 12%. Well done Year 5s!!
Year 7 – We have made some smaller gains in Year 7. Writing is up by nearly 20%, Grammar and Punctuation and Numeracy up by an average of 4%. Well done Year 7s! |
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Students Waiting for Parents in the Afternoons |
It recently came to the school’s attention that many students are waiting for parents at the gates outside the Prep building in Ann Street. This area and the Green Machine are out of bounds in an afternoon because there is no teacher supervision. No child is to leave the school grounds via the Ann Street gate unless in the company of their parents or caregivers, ensuring the safety of their child/children. Children waiting in an unsupervised area are unsafe. The only access to this area will be for students using the path on their way to the toilet.
The front gates in East Street are the only exits from the Prep building and Primary school buildings. Students who are waiting for parents will be seated in the designated ‘Waiting Area’ at the gate to East Street. At 3 o’clock a bell will go. This will signal to the bus students that they must go into the library and to those still waiting for parents that they must also go to the library to wait for their parents to collect them. If a parent is running late and anticipate that they will be unable to collect their child/children before 3 o’clock, the children will await collection in the library. This reminder is to ensure the safety of our students. |
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Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature |
On Wednesday in the last week of term 3, Years 4 to 7 from Esk State School were fortunate to be included with students from a small number of schools who experienced a day spent with authors and illustrators of children’s books. These visiting artistes were involved in the Ipswich Festival of Children’s Literature and were invited to our region by Ms Hilary Benson, who organized for the schools to attend these workshops. In small groups our students participated in workshops with illustrators Leigh Hobbs (of ‘Old Tom’ fame) and Sara Davis, learning a few of these artists’ secrets. In the Esk Library they listened in fascination as Chris Cheng read from the books he had written and explained his writing process. At the Esk School Hall the students were amazed with the talented Tanya Batt, a storyteller and writer who uses music, movement and sumptuous frocks to tell her stories. A literary feast that was enjoyed by all attendees.
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Yesterday was Teacher Aides’ Day! We celebrated with a special luncheon in their honour. Our Teacher Aides are very special and important members of the staff. The support they provide to students as well as other staff members is invaluable. A special thank you to the P&C and the band of bakers for arranging and providing the luncheon.
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