2023 Term 1, Week 10 Newsletter
SRC News/Eco Club News
Crazy Hair Day & Free Dress Day - Thursday 30 March
The SRC is having a crazy hair day on Thursday 30 March to raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation. Students are encouraged to come with crazy hair and bring a gold coin donation AND they can wear Free Dress!
Principal's News
ANZAC DAY PARADE
You are invited to attend the Pittsworth State School ANZAC Day Parade to be held on Monday 24 April from 9am - 9.30am. This parade will be held in lieu of our normal Monday parade. The Cadets will join us for this parade. Chosen students will have the opportunity to lay a wreath.
Emu plume of Honorary Captain Stanley Thomas Parkes, 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance, Australian Imperial Force AWM REL28700.
MARK THESE DATES IN YOUR CALENDAR
Friday 31 March is a Public Holiday for the Toowoomba Show.
Last day of Term 1 is Thursday 30 March.
First day of Term 2 is Monday 17 April.
Tuesday 25 April is a Public Holiday for Anzac Day.
Monday 01 May is a Public Holiday for Labour Day.
School Photo Day is Tuesday 02 May 2023
If you do not wish for your child to be included in the class photo (including their name),
please contact the office by 20 April 2023.
School Photo Ordering details
Online orders only. To order visit: https://qldschoolphotography.com.au/
School Access Code: C4F64PEK
Sibling Photos will be taken between 8.30am and 9am at PFC. Parents are to supervise their students.
Have you downloaded the QParent App?
Online permissions are now managed through the QParents App.
It is quick, easy and you can give consent for excursions at the click of a button!
Invitations have been sent out to all parents/carers.
If you require another invitation or have any questions, please contact Mrs Kelly in the office.
* Thanks for advising of any changes to your personal details *
It is important that we have your updated personal details including:
- Address
- Phone Number
- Emergency Contacts
- Any other changes
Report Absences
Qparents
P: 4619 8366
SMS: 0429 320 360
E: admin@pittsworthss.eq.edu.au
Curriculum
Top Blokes
Year 6 boys participated in the "Top Blokes" Program this term: thanks to Coltron and Colin for facilitating this valuable program for our students!
Year 34D and 3PJ PCYC Cycle Safety Course
- 34D will attend on 27 and 28 April
- 3PJ will attend on 4 and 5 May
- Consent has been emailed via QParents (and emailed home to those parents who don't have a QParents account).
- Consent and Payment due by 21.4.23
4CN Empire Theatre Excursion "Mr Stink"
This excursion for Yr 4CN will be held on Thursday 27 April. Consent Forms have been sent home via QParents (and email to non-QParent account holders). Consent and payment is due by 18/4/23.
Year 5 Emu Gully Camp
The Year 5 Camp will be held on 18 and 19 April.
Year 6 Camp
A Parent/Student Information Session will be held:
- Wednesday 26 April 2023. 6:00pm - 7:00pm
- Location: PFC
- ALL Year 6 Parents/Carers & students attending camp are requested to attend this meeting
Students in Year 5 and 6 had the opportunity to participate in an eSafety webinar discussing the Three C’s of Cybersafety. By being aware of the 3 C’s, most online risks can be minimised.
Contact:
- Friends/followers Vs Acquaintances
- Who can see your personal information
- Who can contact you
- Who are you sharing information with
- Be careful who you trust
Conduct:
- Think before you post, chat, upload, download etc
- Don’t retaliate to or join in cyberbullying
- Treat others with respect
- Be a positive digital citizen (report, rate effectively)
Content:
- Protect your digital reputation
- Protect personal information
- Be wary of scams, pop – ups etc
- Contribute positively to online content such as reviews, blogs etc
- Be a digital skeptic
Sporting News
Cross Country Results
What a great time the students had on Cross Country day. Participation rates were high and the students showed great sportsmanship, cheering each other over the line. Thank you to the parents and spectators who came to cheer on the students.
The winning sporting house was Leslie with 292 points. Condamine achieved 268 points.
40 students have been nominated to participate in the Gore Highway Cross Country which will be held on Thursday 20 April at the Cecil Plains Golf Club. Information has been emailed to relevant parents.
Age Groups | Boys | Girls |
12 | Tyrell P | Ruby K |
11 | Adam K | Georgia C |
10 | Beau B | Tori K |
9 | Brodie T | Brooke C |
8 | Dacian S | Kihana V |
7 | Hudson K | Eliza D |
6 | Brax S | Hannah W |
5 | Kleo J | Elsie D |
Gore Highway Cross Country
DATE | THURSDAY 20TH April 2023 (Week 1, TERM 2) |
TIME | 9:45am-1:00pm |
VENUE | Cecil Plains Golf Course, Dalby Cecil Plains Road, Cecil Plains |
MEDICAL FORM | All participants must bring a completed DD Trial Permission Form to the trial (no form=no trial). |
Program of Events:
9.45am Arrival of competitors then course familiarisation at 10am.
10:20am Event 1 Boys and Girls 12 Years (2011) – 3km
10:50am Event 2 Boys and Girls 11 Years (2012) – 3km
11:20am Event 3 Boys and Girls 10 Years (2013) – 2km
11:50am Event 4 Boys and Girls 9 Years (2014) – 2km
12:20pm (Approx.) Clean up and presentations
The 2023 Gore Highway Cross Country will be held on the Cecil Plains Golf Course, on the Northern end of town, on the Dalby Cecil Plains Road. Students born 2013 and 2014 will complete the 2km course, while students born 2011 and 2012 will complete the 3km course. Course maps will be emailed to school cross-country convenors prior to the trials. All runners will walk the course prior to the trials commencing. There will be a small canteen operating on the day (menu will be emailed). Schools are reminded to bring along their own shade and will be advised on where to assemble on arrival.
INNER DOWNS CROSS COUNTRY – Friday 5th May – information will be emailed Gore Highway.
The Arts
Pittsworth Choir Camp
Last week we were very proud to host the sixth three-day Pittsworth Choir Camp (Wednesday 22 March – Friday 24 March). The event was held at the Pittsworth Town Hall and featured almost 80 students from eight Darling Downs primary schools … Pittsworth, Biddeston, Mt Tyson, Southbrook, Millmerran, St Josephs (Millmerran), Greenmount and Back Plains.
As co-ordinator of the Choir Camp, I am always very proud to work with incredible young performers during an exciting three days of making amazing choral music. With support from local teachers and volunteers, the students fully immersed themselves in the challenges of workshops and rehearsals and created lasting memories and lifelong friends. They demonstrated great maturity over the course of the three days and were great ambassadors for their school.
The concert on Friday night was absolutely BRILLIANT! So much energy, talent and enthusiasm from our young performers. The drummers, the dancers, the soloists … and our fantastic guest artists, the wonderful Peters Family and the outstanding Fern Brothers.
Congratulations to our talented singers – Avrille, Matilda, Reva, Kalana, Addison, Heidi, Haylee, Lilian, Ruby-Rose, Mitchell, Sophie G, Alex, Tori, Lilly L, Gracie M, Lexie, Romily, Zoe S, Cooper S, Piper, Isabelle, Olivia and Jack – who represented Pittsworth at this year’s Choir Camp. A massive thank you to Colleen Greenwood for her incredible assistance and to the lovely ladies who volunteered for various jobs before and during Choir Camp. Rebecca McMahon (Millmerran) and Chloe Fern (Warwick) were invaluable vocal coaches for our soloists and provided amazing support during rehearsals. Thanks also to Michael Fletcher for transporting choir risers to and from Millmerran and to Mick Santsingh, our fantastic concert MC. The Awestruck Sound and Lighting team (Wendy and Alan Cheetham) once again did a great job. And thank you to the many parents and siblings (and visitors!) who helped pack up all the gear and return it to the school on Friday night.
We are also very grateful to our local ‘Gardens of the Downs’ group who have kindly donated $200 to assist with the running costs of this year’s Choir Camp.
What an outstanding showcase of the talent of our primary school singers!
Term One Visual Arts:
Our art works are almost finished and the kids are very excited to share their masterpieces with our community! Come along to our Art Exhibition at the Pittsworth Function Centre on Friday 21 April:
10.00am – 11.00am Senior Citizens (* Invite grandparents, relatives, neighbours, members of our Pittsworth Community)
5.30pm – 8.30pm Everyone welcome!
CGEN:
Huge congratulations to Sophie G who has been selected as a Featured Vocalist for this year’s Creative Generation – State Schools Onstage.
Our first Brisbane Massed Choir rehearsal will be held this Thursday 30 March at Raceview State School.
Dancers: please check with Miss Chenyl about upcoming dance rehearsals.
Date Claimers:
21 April – Art Exhibition
12 - 15 July - CGEN
P&C Patch
TUCKSHOP
Thank you to our new Tuckshop Convener, Meleah, and to all of our wonderful volunteers for all of your hard work in the tuckshop this term. It was a very busy start to the year!
Don’t forget that there is no Tuckshop this Friday 31 March due to the Show Holiday. The Tuckshop will reopen on Wednesday 19 April. Orders can be placed via the Qkr App.
FUNDRAISING
Billy G’s Cookie Dough
Order closing date: Friday 31st March 2023
Delivery will now be in Term 2, date to be confirmed (Week 1 or 2 hopefully)
Everyone should have received the information about our Billy G’s Cookie Dough fundraiser. Please spread the word to your family, friends, neighbours ASAP and get your orders in. If you share your fundraising page on Facebook you will be surprised at how many people order!
The cookie dough is extremely handy to have in the freezer to whip up for a quick afternoon tea, lunchbox snacks or when visitors pop around.
Don’t want the prizes? Order directly through the P&Cs own fundraising page to just receive the dough… https://cookiedough.com.au/campaign/6406a94aa1c6da290941ef9f/view
Mother’s Day Stall 2023
Our annual Mother’s Day Stall will be held in Term 2. Please start keeping an eye out for donations, we appreciate each one. The P&C purchase gifts for the stall but also rely on donations so that each child can buy a couple of items for the special lady in their lives. A great way to think about donating is to give the equivalent number of gifts as you have children at the school.
P&C HAPPENINGS
ART SHOW
We are all very excited to see the students’ art work on display. The P&C will be catering on the evening. We are asking for some amazing volunteers to cook warm meals and/or rice. If you think you can help us out, please contact Morgan at psssecretary@outlook.com Your help will be very much appreciated!
The P&C will also be running a multi-prize raffle at the Art Show. Make sure you purchase your tickets to be in the draw for some great prizes!
VOLUNTEERS – MANDATORY TRAINING
There is a small amount of mandatory training that must be completed in order to volunteer at school. It is quite quick to complete (10-15 minutes), you will find the link and instructions below. Once completed it lasts for the calendar year.
P&C MEETING
Our next meeting will be Thursday 11 May in the Pittsworth Function Centre starting at 6:30pm.
It’s not too late to join our committee, please send your Membership form in to be accepted.
Have you downloaded the Qkr! App to order tuckshop?
Quick, easy, no more looking for cash!
Tuckshop open Wednesdays and Fridays
P&C Bank Account Details:
Pittsworth State School P&C Association
BSB: 064427
Account: 00900460
Mandatory All Staff Training - click on this link to complete
School Management
Position Vacant: School Crossing Supervisor
We urgently require a School Crossing Supervisor at PSS. Please see flyer below with information.
Excursion Consent Forms
In 2023, we will be utilizing QParents to distribute and collect consent from parents for Excursions. Parents who are existing QParent Account Owners will be able to give consent for their child to attend any Excursions electronically.
Invitations have been emailed home. Please phone or email the office to ask for your child's EQ ID number.
Benefits of QParents include:
- Attendance and absence details, as well as the ability to notify the school of an absence
- Academic report cards
- Viewing unpaid invoice details, payment history, and making payments online
- Viewing and updating personal student details, including medical conditions and address
- Enrolment details
- Giving electronic Consent for your child to attend Excursions
More information about QParents can be found at https://qparents.qld.edu.au/#/about
QParents
Do you have a note or paperwork to drop to the office?
Please place in the "Possum Box" at the Student Services window.
All the students at PSS know where the "Possum Box" is located and they would love to deliver the note for you.
2023 School Calendar
Mandatory All-Staff Training Key messages guide 2023
Please note ALL VOLUNTEERS at our school must complete the 2023 Mandatory All Staff Training. Please click on this link to complete. Once completed please bring in the signed Declaration (page 20) to the office as proof of completion.
Mandatory All-Staff Training Key messages
Healthy Food and Drinks at School
A reminder that our school follows the “Smart Choices – Healthy Food and Drink Supply Strategy for Qld Schools” which focuses on offering healthy food and drink choices to students.
Thank you for ensuring that the food and drinks that your child brings to school aligned with “Smart Choices”: the most suitable drink at school, and also the cheapest, is water!
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
Online Consent Forms - QParents App
Queensland State Schools are moving towards online permissions managed through the QParents app. We believe that moving to digital consent for excursions, SRS and Third Party Consent would be beneficial to all. It would remove the need for paper-based permission forms to be printed, distributed, signed and returned.
Many in our community already have a QParent account but for those who do not, an invitation will be sent to your email address in the coming days. By signing up you will not only have access to digital permission forms but also attendance records, finance (view only), positive behaviour and report cards.
We understand that everyone is busy, and we hope that by streamlining our services online where we can, we will better service our community
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
- Our School Newsletter (emailed)
- SMS
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.
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
Community News
Kids Club
St Andrew's Parish are inviting primary school children to come along to Kids Club at St Andrew's Hall on Thursday afternoons from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. We will start with a sausage sizzle on the Thurday 20 April. Parents welcome. If you would like your child to attend, please phone Vicki on 0400 939 304.