2024 Term 3, Week 6 Newsletter

Principal's News

Bullying No Way: National Week of Action

Bullying No Way Week is a commitment being made by thousands of schools and supporters across the country. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to bullying prevention. It gives us an opportunity to connect with students, staff and school communities to implement workable solutions to prevent bullying.

The new hero colour for the campaign is purple – symbolising peace, strength and empowerment to take a stand against bullying behaviour.

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.

“Positive school climates that value diversity and inclusion can foster a sense of belonging and provide a protective factor against negative peer relationships and reduce bullying.” (Australian Education Research Organisation 2023).

For more information about Bullying No Way Week and bullying prevention, visit the Bullying No Way website.

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.

By working collaboratively within our community, we can collectively help reduce bullying.

Parents and carers play an important role in helping your child understand bullying and know how to respond to it.

If your child tells you about things at school, or you observe something in public that involves conflict or bullying, take the opportunity to talk about what bullying is. You can learn more about what defines bullying at bullyingnoway.gov.au.

Questions you could ask:

• What do you think bullying is?
• Have you seen it? How did you feel?
• Have you ever felt scared at school because of bullying?
• As well as me, who are the other adults you would talk to when it comes to things like bullying?
• Have you or your friends left other kids out on purpose? Do you think that was bullying? Why or why not?
• Have you ever tried to help someone who is being bullied? What happened? What would you do if it happens again?

Remind your child that bullying is never okay and discuss how they can respond safely if they experience or witness it.

Encourage them to seek help from a trusted adult and keep seeking support if needed.

By promoting open communication, we empower children to stand up against bullying and create a safer environment where everyone can feel that they belong.

For more information, visit bullyingnoway.gov.au.

Parent Teacher Interviews 

The 12 minute interviews will be conducted on Monday 02 September in Bottle Tree Hall for all parents/students in Prep to Year 6, as per the times listed below.

Click on the link to place your booking.  https://pittsworthss.schoolzineplus.com/ParentTeacherInterviewsTerm32024

2024 School Opinion Survey

Thank you to all of those 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.

RELIEF POSITIONS AVAILABLE

It is critical that our school has a pool of "relief" or "casual" employees available to call upon in times of need.  At times, permanent staff are required to take emergent leave, become unwell, are unable to complete a shift, or require extra assistance to undertake larger projects.  This is when we need to call upon relief staff.

Relief, or casual, staff are employed for a minimum period of two (2) hours, and at times may be called upon with minimal notice, especially if an employee is on sick leave.  At other times, especially with projects, relief staff can be contacted and a suitable work day and time negotiated.

Below is listed a require position at our school.  As with all positions in the school, a "Working with children" blue card is mandatory, and a criminal history check will be undertaken.  Mandatory All Staff Training (online) will need to be undertaken.

Interested persons are asked to contact the Business Manager, Mrs Kylie Ladner, on 46198333 Tuesday - Thursday, for further information, or email your name, contact details, relevant experience and the name of one referee to bsm@pittsworthss.eq.edu.au 

RELIEF CLEANER

A typical working week is Monday to Friday, 5am - 8am, and 3pm - 6pm.   For more information, click here.

BREAKFAST CLUB VOLUNTEERS

Our school has the privilege of being supported by the YMCA for the supply of donated food to the school, free of charge, for the purpose of a breakfast program.  Breakfast club is available free of charge to any student enrolled at the school, and also for emergency lunches if required.  Our school ‘Breakfast Program Volunteers’ means the School Personnel, who are involved in the Breakfast Program without payment and who act under the direction and supervision of the School.

We would love to get our Breakfast Club started however we need VOLUNTEERS.  Are you available from 8am - 9am each Wednesday, Thursday and/or Friday? (any day that you could be available).   A "Working with children" blue card is mandatory for people who are not a parent of a PSS student.

Please contact Carol, Kylie or Leah at the school if you are able to assist, thank you.

"PICK OF THE CROP" VOLUNTEER

Do you love gardening, especially growing vegetables?  We would LOVE to have volunteers to help in our Kitchen Garden.  Could you spare some time each week to help out?  A "Working with children" blue card is mandatory for people who are not a parent of a PSS student.  Please contact Carol at the school if you are able to help.  Thank you!

Keeping Our Kids Healthy

If your child is unwell, please keep them at home until they are well enough to return.  Even if the illness is not contagious, please keep them at home until they are well.  

Some medical conditions require exclusion from schoool, childcare centres and other settings to prevent the spread of infectious diseases among staff and children.  Timeout Poster.

Carbal Hearing Tests- MONDAY 9 SEPTEMBER

To give our children the best start in life, it is important that they have good hearing and healthy ears!

Carbal Medical Services offers hearing health checks for students at PSS.  Doing so is your best chance of preventing Ear Disease; which can lead to loss of hearing forever if left unchecked.  

Register your child today to receive a hearing test on MONDAY 9 SEPTEMBER.  Phone 1300 379 558.

Curriculum

"The Twits" Live Show in Bottle Tree Hall

Years 3-6 are invited to watch "The Twits" Live Show in BTH on Tuesday 10 September.

Information has been forwarded to all parents & carers. Consent and $8.90 payment due by 2/9/24.

Darling Downs Zoo Excursion 12C, 12H, 12HJ

Years 12C, 12H, 12HJ are invited to go to the Darling Downs Zoo on Wednesday 11 September.

Information has been forwarded to all parents & carers.  Consent and payment of $27.00 is due by 02/09/2024.

Year 6 Sunshine Coast Camp

Year 6 students are invited to attend the Year 6 Sunshine Coast Camp from Wednesday 4 September to Friday 6 September 2024 (inclusive). Camp Information Pack and Consent Form has been emailed home.

Important Due Dates:

• Payment of $435 is due by Monday 12 August (Payment Plans are available, please contact the office)
• Student Medical Form is due by Monday 12 August
  

ICAS - Years 2-6

• Science:  19 August, 9.30am
• Spelling Bee:  20 August, 10.30am
• Mathematics:  26 August, 9.30am

Term 3 Important Dates

Sporting News

Track and Field Carnival Dates

• Inner Downs Athletics: Thursday 15 August ***NEW DATE***
• Junior Carnival:  Thursday 29 August (5 -8 yrs born 2016-2019)
• see Program below

Netball Gala Day - Miss Will

On Wednesday 7 August, Ms Will and Mrs Lord travelled into Toowoomba with ten students to compete at the Darling Downs Netball Gala Day. The girls were super pumped to hit the court and compete for the title. They played five games against other schools around the district in Pool B and won all of them! The girls then went to the Semi-Finals and played the team that came second in Pool A, St Joseph’s Stanthorpe and we won! We then played the Grand Final against Geham SS. It was a tough game but we came out as the Champions, winning 12-2! I was super impressed with all our girls. They all played exceptionally well and showed great sportsmanship and team work.

Hopefully next year we can make some mix teams and play again.

GO PSS!!!

Inner Downs Trial Fees

As the IDZ Trials are currently underway, we would like to bring to your attention a matter of utmost importance regarding the nomination fee. The IDZ Sports Contact has advised some students are attending trials without having paid their nomination fee. They wish to emphasize the critical nature of timely payment to ensure the smooth conduct of the trials and maintain fairness in the process.

To facilitate the payment process, we kindly request all participants to utilize the Qkr! app. It is imperative that the nomination fee is settled by the designated date. Failure to adhere to this deadline will regrettably render students ineligible to partake in the trials. It is the parent's responsibility to ensure payment is made by the due date.

Please see the Guide below for detailed instructions on utilizing the Qkr! app. 

NO fee paid by due date = No trial for students

2024 Darling Downs School Sport

Parents/Carers please contact Ms Will for further information regarding these events. These events will be open to students that are interested and have experience in these sporting events. Nominations come out a few weeks prior to events so please let Ms Will know closer to the event if your child is interested.

Students will only be nominated for Cross Country and Track & Field if they have made qualifying times.

Ms Will’s email: bwill641@eq.edu.au or phone 4619 8333.

The Arts

SRC News/Eco Club News

Student Support Services

P&C Patch

TUCKSHOP

Due to the school musical, the Tuckshop will only be open 1^st break this Friday, 16^th August (11.00am-11.30am). 

Also, due to no volunteers being available to assist in the Tuckshop this week, the menu will be limited.  No burgers or wraps.

We are still looking for volunteers to help out in the tuckshop this term.  If you are able to spare a few hours on a Friday morning, please get in touch with Karla Trott or psssecretary@outlook.com.  Thank you to our regulars and new volunteers who have already popped their name down!  Unfortunately, if we do not get volunteers, the tuckshop will have to reduce the number of menu options available.

FUNDRAISING

Father’s Day

On Thursday 29th August we have a jammed packed day. Starting with a Father’s Day BBQ breakfast to celebrate our Dads, Grandads, uncles or other significant male in your child’s life. The breakfast will run similar to last year. Ordering will be done on the Qrk! App or brown paper bag (which can be dropped in the office). ORDERS FOR BREAKFAST CLOSE 9AM MONDAY 26 AUGUST. Siblings for High School or younger are more than welcome to attend just make sure you order enough breakfast for everyone. Breakfast will start from 7am and we will be hosting the breakfast out at Bridgman Oval from the canteen. There will be games to play and things to do during this time. If there are any parents who would be able to help out on the morning, please contact Louise Boyes or Jess Briggs.

Junior Carnival Canteen

If you have come for breakfast how about having the whole day off and stay to watch your child participate in the Junior Athletics carnival. The P&C will be running a canteen out on the oval for the day so volunteers would be greatly appreciated as well. There will be a menu put out closer to the day.

We will also be looking for home bake to sell in the canteen at the Junior Carnival.  If you could assist up by donating some home baking, please email psssecretary@outlook.com

Pittsworth Sprints Volunteers

Start your engines and get yourself down to the industrial estate. Pittsworth P&C have been asked to help set up and dismantle the temporary fencing for the sprints for a large monetary donation. As the saying goes many hands make light work and this activity is no exception. So bring your gloves and your muscles and give an hour or two of your time to help. Set up will happen on Saturday 31st of August from 1pm and pack down will begin on 8^th of September at 3.30pm.  Please let Louise or Jess know if you are able to help.

Join Our Committee!

Would you like to make a difference in our school?  Would you like to see more community/family events in our school?  Would you like to have a say in how P&C funds are spent? Then join the P&C! 

If you have ideas or have ever considered joining, whether your child is in Year 6 or just starting out in Prep, now is the time.  New members are always welcome!

Please contact psssecretary@outlook.com or submit a membership form to the office to be accepted.

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 10 October in the Pittsworth Function Centre starting at 6:30pm.

Mandatory Volunteers Training 

P&C Bank Account Details

Have you downloaded the Qkr! App to order tuckshop?

Quick, easy, no more looking for cash!

Tuckshop open Wednesdays and Fridays

School Management

Headlice

We have had multiple cases of Headlice at the school recently. Please check your entire household for headlice TODAY & commence treatment if required to help prevent spreading.  Please see below information.

Community News

Cost of Living Support

Families and individuals are encouraged to check their eligibility for concessions and other support by visiting:

https://www.qld.gov.au/community/cost-of-living-support/concessions

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/