2022 Term 3, Week 9 Newsletter

From the Principal's Desk

"Astro Force" School Musical

You had to see it to believe it!  Xarbafleebans, aliens, astronauts, robots and a cyborg – a star studded cast undertaking a stellar performance, lighting up the stage of the town hall in their quest for intergalactic peace. 

“Astro Force”, a primary school musical created by the highly talented Mitchell Wheeldon, explored the themes of resolving conflict, developing respect, working together, showing leadership & negotiating peace. 

Performed by Pittsworth State School students under the direction of creative genius, Beth Wheeldon, the show was undoubtedly an astronomical success.  From Captain Weaver to Zenzar, Vanestak to Tay-Alpha-1, Systems Officer Carpenter to Commander Trigaborg, students were the stars of the show, displaying extraordinary confidence and courage on stage to deliver lines, sing lyrics & dance to popular songs well known by the audience.  Their enthusiasm and passion for the musical spread joy to those privileged to watch!

The extraordinary talents of Beth Wheeldon on this, her eighth musical, did not disappoint. When you see tears glisten in the eyes of the dads present watching their child realize their dream on stage, you know you’ve hit the mark.  Months of hard work by staff, students, choreographers, parents, P&C & production committee paid off with this cosmic event. 

Black Inc, Pittsworth’s very own community band, performed astronomically well, highlighting again the brilliance of our local combined musicians’ talents. Creative Director, Colleen Greenwood, was on hand at all times to assist with the hazards of space travel and the “Awestruck Sound and Lighting” added another level to the professional standard of the show.

The success of the show was testament to how the entire Pittsworth community connected to ensure that the performance was ‘out of this world’.  This is a great demonstration of how state schools are great schools and that our students have fantastic opportunities provided by dedicated staff and parents and supported by a strong and committed P&C Association.

“Astro Force” was truly a meteoric success.  Sincere thanks to every person involved in this event.

THANK YOU to our amazing School Support Staff who work tirelessly to ensure the best for all of our students!

Curriculum

We are now taking Enrolments for Prep for 2023. 
Contact the office today for an enrolment pack.

Excursions

• Thursday 15 September - Years 1A, 12HR, 2H - Darling Downs Zoo
• Tuesday 13 - Friday 16 September - Year 6 Great Barrier Reef Experience Camp!
• Friday 21 October.  Prep - Year 1.  "Read with me" (event based at St Stephen's Catholic Primary School)

Sporting News

Upcoming events

• Fri 09 Sept - Junior Track and Field Carnival POSTPONED DUE TO PREDICTION OF WET WEATHER.  NEW DATE Friday 07 October 2022.
• Fri 14 Oct - Colour Explosion!
• Term 4, Weeks 3-9, Learn to Swim Program.  Applications for funding to support our Learn to Swim programs have been submitted.  Once the outcome of the applications is known, swimming costs can be determined.

Swimming Dates Term 4 2022

Term 4 Swimming will start in week 3 on Wednesday 19^th October and Thursday 20^th October. 

• Wednesday Classes (4CN, 4A, 2H, 5HC, 5E & 1A)
• Thursday Classes (6S, 6M, 3D, Prep S, Prep B, 1/2HR and 2/3CD)

Each class will have 6 swimming lessons.  On Thursday 24^th of November St Stephen’s is having their swimming carnival, therefore, the Thursday Group will have their final swimming lesson on Wednesday 30^th November. 

Carnival Dates

• Senior Carnival Week 9 Friday 2^nd of December 9-3pm
• Junior Carnival Week 10 Wednesday 7^th December 9-2:30pm

Junior Track & Field Carnival (new date Friday 07 Oct)

The SRC are excited to be co-ordinating a Colour Explosion.

When: Friday 14^th October 2022 from 1:15pm – 3:00pm

Where:  Bridgman Oval

Fundraising information has been sent home.  There are great prizes up for grabs. 

Funds raised will be used towards creating a yarning circle in our school and making a donation to Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Congratulations to Ella and Emily J who competed in the Chinchilla Horse Sports Event on Friday 12 August.

Ella rode in the Combined 7 & 8 Year group of 14 riders coming home with 1st overall.

Emily rode in the 6 Years coming home with 2nd overall in a group of 4.  Well done girls!

P&C Patch

TUCKSHOP

Meal Deal Orders and payment due by THIS Friday 3pm.  No late orders accepted.  Meal Deal Day on Wednesday 14 September will also be the last day of tuckshop for Term 3. 

Next term after we use the remaining pizza bases on hand, we will be switching to using premade pizzas to sell to save Tracy and the team time. 

FUNDRAISING

Father’s Day Stall

Thank you to everyone who donated items for our Father’s Day stall, it was another great success with the P&C raising around $1200 on the day.  A special thank you to Melody and the other volunteers who made the stall possible this year. 

Sprint Fence

A huge shout out to those dads, mums and student, who helped set up and pack down the sprint fence.  We look forward to receiving our donation cheque from the Sprints Association. 

P&C MEETING

We have a meeting this Thursday in the Pittsworth Function Centre starting at 6:30pm.  All welcome.  If you are unable to join in person, we also offer you to join via teleconference.  All the details of teleconferencing are on the top of the first page of the agenda. 

Meal Deal - Wednesday 14 September $7 Meal Deal Offer.

ORDER ONLINE AT WWW.QUICKCLIQ.COM.AU

or Orders to be returned to the P&C Box by Friday 9 September

(sorry, no orders will be accepted after 3pm Friday 9th)

Please note there will be no Tuckshop on the last day of Term, Friday 16 September

On-line Tuckshop Ordering. Easy, Convenient, Cashless!

https://www.quickcliq.com.au/ 

P&C Bank Account Details:

Pittsworth State School P&C Association
BSB: 064427
Account: 00900460  

Mandatory All Staff Training

Pittsworth Chaplaincy Trivia Night

School Management

TEACHER AIDE POSITIONS (TEMPORARY AND CASUAL) - TERM 4

Expressions of interest are invited for the positions of temporary/casual Teacher Aides at Pittsworth State School for Term 4.

• 12 hours per week
• Years 1-3 Literacy and Numeracy Support
• Year 5 Student Learning and Wellbeing

Applicants are requested to send their resume, outlining skills and experience for the role as well as the names of two (2) referees to: 

Kylie Ladner (Business Manager) bsm@pittsworthss.eq.edu.au

Mandatory Department of Education Requirements include:

• Hold a Current Paid Blue card
• Undertake a Criminal History Check
• Undertake Mandatory Training

The ideal applicant will be someone who is:

• highly motivated, well organised and able to work individually and as part of a team. 
• able to communicate effectively and appropriately with students and staff.
• able to display confidentiality, tact, reliability and sensitivity to students and their families

Key duties include and are not limited to:

• Support for teachers in providing learning materials
• Working with small groups as well as individual students
• Use of computers when working with students
• Communicating effectively and displaying high level of interpersonal skills
• Playground Duty

Skills required:

• Demonstrated high level communication skills
• Efficient multi-tasking and time management skills
• Proven ability to work independently, achieving quality work outcomes

Birthday Celebrations at School

We kindly ask that you please consider the following when providing birthday cakes at school:

• Minimise food handling:  provide single/individual treats (eg. individually wrapped cake) rather than an entire birthday cake. 
• Please drop the treats to the office and a member of the Admin team will ensure your child's teacher receives the treats in a timely manner

The Dental Van is Here!

ORAL HEALTH CARE FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS 
Free dental care is offered to all Queensland students from the age of four to the completion of Grade 10 through the School Dental Service. 

If you have yet to register your child/ren, please complete the form below.

Parents are required to sign in at the office before proceeding to the Dental Van.

QParents

Medication at School

For staff to administer medication at school the following is required:

• Any medication needs to have a chemist label with the name of the registered medical person who prescribed the medication on the label.
• Medication will only be administered if it has been prescribed by a qualified health practitioner (e.g. doctor, dentist, optometrist, but not a pharmacist), is within date, in the original container, with a pharmacy label attached including the practitioners name on it, shows student name and current dosage.
• Submit the most recent action plan from your doctor for that student if required
• For over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol or alternative medicines, a letter from a Doctor and the medication with a Chemist Tag is sufficient
• An Administration of Medication Form is required to be completed and handed in to the office with the Medication.
• It is a requirement that all Asthma medication be provided, along with your child’s current Asthma Action Plan, for staff to be able to administer.

Office Hours
The school office is open daily from 8.30am - 3.30pm with the exception of Visitors who are required to sign in upon arrival.  

Visitors to our School
All Visitors to our school, including Volunteers and Parent Helpers, are required to electronically Sign In at the office and obtain a Visitors Lanyard which is to be worn at all times whilst on school grounds.  You are then required to Sign Out at the office prior to leaving the school grounds.

Late Arrivals
Parents/Carers, if your student is late to school, please escort your student to the office to sign your child in and to obtain a Late Slip for them to give their teacher.

Communication with Parents/Carers
All letters and consent forms are emailed to parents. 
Information is also available to parents online:

• Pittsworth State School Website
• Facebook
• Qschools APP (free download, make PSS your favourite)
• SMS 
• Email

Email:  admin@pittsworthss.eq.edu.au

Returning Forms
For planning purposes, permission slips/notes, must be submitted to the office by the due date; late forms will not be accepted. 

IMPORTANT TIP:
When you are emailing your consent forms back to the office please:

• email to: admin@pittsworthss.eq.edu.au 
• TIP: If you receive your emails on your Mobile Phone you can complete, sign the form and email it back to the school's admin email address.
• Use: the free ADOBE ACROBAT app (use the fill and sign icon) send the pdf version via email, don't press share as we are unable to open them this way.

Payment Methods

We accept the following methods of payment:

• BPoint (preferred method)
• QParents
• EFTPOS (in person only)
• NO CASH
• Bank Transfer 
  Pittsworth State School
  BSB 064-427
  Account 00090031
  Reference:  Student Name

Private Transport Forms

Time Out - Keeping Kids Healthy

Compliments or Complaints

Department of Education Customer Complaints, Enquiries and Feedback

Community News

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Students in Year 4 who are wishing to complete the Sacrament of Reconciliation are invited to participate in lessons starting in Week Two of Term Four. The lessons will be held on Monday afternoons in MacKillop Hall at St Stephen’s School from 3.30 – 4.30pm . Lessons will be held on Monday 10^th October, Monday 17^th October, Monday 24^th October & Monday 31^st October – Parents are invited to attend with their children for these lessons.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will take place at St Stephen’s Church on Friday 4^th November at 5pm.

Please note – these students will then be able to partake in the Sacrament of Holy Communion & Confirmation in 2023. Further information will be given closer the date.

If you would like your child to participate in this program, please contact Fiona Drew, Assistant Principal Religious Education – fiona.drew@twb.catholic.edu.au or the Parish Office.