2024 Term 4, Week 4 Newsletter
Principal's News
This week is State Education Week and we have LOTS to celebrate!
State Schools are GREAT Schools....and our school is THE BEST ... You even told us this in our recent School Opinion Survey!
Check out the School Opinion Survey Highlights!
| Parent / Caregiver Agreement | Staff Agreement | Student Agreement |
This is a good school. | This is a good school. 100% | My teachers motivate me to learn. 92% |
| The schools works with me to support my child's learning. 97% | Students are encouraged to do their best at this school. 100% | My teachers expect me to do my best. |
School Community Parade - Friday 25 August, 9am, Bottle Tree Hall
Day for Daniel: Wear red, educate, and donate to show your support! You can get involved by wearing red, and raising awareness. For more information and resources visit: https://danielmorcombe.com.au
This October 25 marks 20 years of Australia’s largest child safety education and awareness day. Child safety is everyone’s responsibility. It’s crucial to educate children on recognising unsafe situations, reacting appropriately, and empowering them to report abuse and seek help. Tuckshop is selling RED FROGS on Friday!!
Grandparents Day. Bring along Nan & Pop, Grandad & Grandma, Diddi & Pa! After parade, kids can take their special visitors for a walk around the school including a classroom visit. Enjoy morning tea at the Bottle Tree Hall kitchen!
Get ready to celebrate Grandparents Day on Sunday, 27 October. Thank and acknowledge the grandparents in your life for their care and support, and for sharing they knowledge, experience and traditions. To celebrate, talk to your grandparents about their experiences, memories and family history. You can also play games or share a favourite meal with them. Visit the Grandparents Day website for more celebration ideas and to download free resources.
World Teachers Day. Celebrate World Teachers Day and say THANK YOU to our hardworking, expert teaching team. Come along to parade and acknowledge our dedicated teachers for the work that they do, each and every day.
| Lauren Byrne | Toni-Ann Smith | Michael Santsingh | Kaitlyn Cherry | Delma Hafey |
| Tracey Hayes | Jen Jackson | Tamara Attwood | Jess Briggs | Anna Reynolds |
| Terri Neale | Megan Parker | Kathryn Denning | Millie Edwards | Danielle Cameron |
| Megan Neylon | Annie Murphy | Lizzie Price | Lucyann Stevens | Breanna Will |
| Beth Wheeldon | Ronnie Macneil | Sharon Bendle | Morgan Pearce Deb Grills | Catherine Blackmore |
School Crossing Supervisors 40th Anniversary
The Department of Transport & Main Roads celebrate the 40th anniversary of the "School Crossing Supervisor Scheme". To mark this significant milestone and recognise the wonderful work of our school crossing supervisors, we say "THANK YOU" to Karen Draper and Karen Pomeranke.
This year's Awards Ceremony will be held at the Pittsworth State HIGH School (PSHS) Multi-purpose hall (the NEW hall), starting at 9am. Parents are asked to arrange for children to be taken directly to PSHS by 8.50am on Monday 02 December. Further information will be emailed to parents.
Parents & carers have received an electronic Student Consent Form: thank you for completing the consent form allowing your child to attend the Awards Ceremony. As per previous years, it is expected that all students attend the ceremony.
Have you returned your Awards Ceremony Consent Form?
Mental Health Week: Connect with self, others, nature, community.
2024 Pittsworth Mayoral Prayer Breakfast
Book your tickets today to attend the "2024 Pittsworth Mayoral Prayer Breakfast" to be held at the Pittsworth Function Centre on Friday 25 October from 6am - 8am. Listen to guest speaker, Col Ryan, talk about: "Flipping the script on the story of young men’s lives". Funds raised help support our School Chaplaincy program.
2024 Semester 2 Report Cards
Report cards will be emailed to families by Friday 13 December 2024.
2025 Staffing and Class Allocations
As we begin preparations for 2025, we ask that you communicate with the school in relation to any possible changes with your child's enrolment in 2025. It is intended that 2025 classes be organised, and parents informed, by the last week of this term.
Please advise the office of any change in circumstances and personal details including change of: name, address, parent contact details, emergency contacts, legal orders, email addresses, medical history.
Report Student Absences
QParents
P: 4619 8366 SMS: 0429 320 360
E: admin@pittsworthss.eq.edu.au
Friday 06 December 8am – 9.30am
FREE Breakfast for our whole school
Thanks to Sunny Queen Eggs!
PARADE. Monday 04 November - Year 5 Leadership Speeches
2025 Student Leaders
The 2025 Student Leadership Application Process has begun. All Year 5 students have been presented with the Leadership Application package including all relevant dates and information. Applications are to be handed to Mrs Coonan by Friday 25 October.
Curriculum
Life Ed Qld 21 – 24 October
Life Ed Qld supports and reinforces the important health messages being taught at home and in the classroom such as nutrition, healthy eating and the importance of physical activity, personal safety, respectful relationships and emotional well-being and more.
Students in the 3/4 classes attended a lesson called bCyberwise based on digital literacy and staying safe. They investigated their use of tech and the positives and negatives of being online, including unwanted contact and unsafe situations.
This week year 1/2 students had a visit with Healthy Harold. Students considered the importance of good friendship qualities and recognising body cues when we feel unsafe. Everyone got the opportunity to identify 5 trusted adults in their life.
Years 3-6 AusCycling - FREE Bike Course!
The Qld Community Development Co-ordinator for AusCycling will lead FREE bike courses for Years 3-6 students on Thursday 31 October and Friday 01 November. If your child has their own bike and helmet, please allow them to bring both items to school on these days in order to participate in the course. AusCycling will provide bikes for those students without. The courses will be held on Bridgman Oval and each class will be participating in a one hour lesson.
Term 4 Important Dates
| Life Education | Monday 21 October - Thursday 24 October |
Pittsworth Mayoral Prayer Breakfast | Friday 25 October |
| PSHS Junior Secondary Transition Day | Friday 1 November. 9.30am - 10.30am, walk around the school. |
| Kindy - Prep Transition Day | Tuesday 5 November |
| QuizWorx Yr1-Yr6 (Students with RI Consent only) | Thursday 14 November. |
| PSHS Junior Secondary Transition Day | Friday 22 November. All day. |
| PSHS Junior Secondary Transition Day | Monday 25 November. All day. |
| Kindy - Prep Transition Day | Tuesday 26 November |
| Awards Ceremony | Monday 02 December |
| Swimming Carnival | Wednesday 04 December |
| FREE Breakfast | Friday 06 December |
| Last Day of Term 4 | Friday 13 December |
| First Day of Term 1 2025 | Tuesday 28 January |
2025 Booklist
Sporting News
Term 4 "Learn to Swim" Program
"Learn to swim" lessons have begun and will conclude in week 9: students will engage in six (6) swimming lessons in total. Each lesson will be 30 minutes in duration, held at the Pittsworth Pool, with three qualified swimming instructors teaching students.
A HUGE THANK YOU to our P&C for subsidising the cost of swimming lessons to the value of $10 per child. This is able to occur due to the ongoing hard work of the P&C to fundraise to support your child's education.
The school will contribute a total of $4100 towards the cost of swimming (funds received from the State Government's Learn to Swim funding and the "Sporting Schools" funds).
2024 Whole School Swimming Carnival
Wednesday 04 December is the planned date for the whole school swimming carnival which all students are expected to attend. Families are invited to attend also & watch the fun!
Learn to Swim Lessons
Lessons will run for 30 minutes each week, on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, starting Wednesday 23 October.
Class times for ‘Learn to Swim’ | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
12:10pm - 12:40pm | 34PD | 34A | 45E |
12:45pm - 1:15pm | 34BR | 12C | 45CN |
1:35pm - 2:05pm | PS | 12HJ | 6S |
2:10pm - 2:40pm | PB | 12H | 6MP |
Week | Dates | Program |
4 | 23rd – 25th October | ‘Learn to Swim’ Lessons |
5 | 30th October – 1st November | ‘Learn to Swim’ Lessons |
6 | 6th – 8th November | ‘Learn to Swim’ Lessons |
7 | 13th – 15th November | ‘Learn to Swim’ Lessons |
8 | 20th – 22nd November | ‘Learn to Swim’ Lessons (Selections for PSS Carnival) |
9 | 27th – 29th November | ‘Learn to Swim’ Lessons (10-12 years) |
10 | 4th December | PSS Whole School Swimming Carnival |
11 | 11th – 13th December | Make up Swimming Lessons, if required (parents will be notified) |
The Arts
Come along and listen to our CHOIR sing at our special PARADE this Friday 25 October 2024 from 9am.
P&C Patch
TUCKSHOP
Open Wednesday and Fridays. Orders to be placed via Qkr! app by 8.30am
Thank you to the people who have already volunteered in the Tuckshop this term. Unfortunately, we are still very light on helpers for the remainder of the term. If we are unable to find extra volunteers to assist Karla on Fridays, we will have to reduce our Friday menu options. If you are able to help, please contact Karla Trott on 0403 405 327, the school office or email psssecretary@outlook.com. It’s a very easy and enjoyable, social morning. Even just one day a term helps!
FUNDRAISING
Mango drive
Our mango fundraiser is back! Trays are 7kg and are priced at $25 each. Tell your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues. Order via Qkr! Orders close 26th October.
Club Pittsworth Raffles
Thank you to everyone that came to Club Pittsworth last Friday night to support the P&C by purchasing raffle tickets. It was a fairly quiet night at the club but we were still able to raise $396 to put towards our new play equipment. Thanks again to Club Pittsworth for supporting our school and giving us this opportunity.
Day for Daniel
On Friday 25th October our school will honour the memory of Daniel Morcombe through our ‘Red’ Day. As part of this day, our tuckshop will be selling red frogs in a pond (red frogs in red jelly cups) for $2.50. All money raised through the purchase of the jelly cups will be donated to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation to support them in providing free resources to parents, carers and educators to teach children how to stay safe and also support young victims of crime. A cause that is important to all in our school community. Orders for red frogs in a pond close Tuesday 25th October at 11am.
2025 P&C Events
Can you believe it’s time to start planning for 2025 already?! We have lots of events penciled into the calendar for 2025.
Our first major event is a Fancy Dress Ball to be held on Friday 21 February. This will be a very fun night for all of our PSS families to get together. We’ve booked the DJ, now you need to start planning your costumes! More information to come in the new year.
Do you have a student starting Prep next year? Do you know a new family starting at our school next year? The P&C will be hosting a morning tea to comfort and welcome our Prep parents/carers and new families. More details to come, spread the word!
Join our P&C in 2025!
Thought about joining the P&C this year but left it a little late? Be sure to keep an eye out for 2025 membership forms early in the year! Being a part of the P&C is one of the best ways to contribute to our fabulous school.
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 final meeting for the year will be Thursday November 14 at the Pittsworth Hotel Motel starting at 6:00pm
Fancy Dress Ball! "Dress Up" (movie star, book character, superhero), "Dress Up" (black tie, formal dress, ballgown), "Fancy Hat" (wear a favourite hat), "Masquerade" (wear a mask), "I'm Dressed" (wear your favourite & most comfortable clothes!!)
Town Hall is booked, DJ is booked................PUT THIS ON YOUR FAMILY CALENDAR!!! A FUN night out for all!
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
SRC News/Eco Club News
Pittsworth Millmerran Landcare supporting the Toowoomba Region Koala Habitat Project: KOALA COMPETITION
PSS Students have been invited to enter the KOALA COMPETITION run by Pittsworth Millmerran Landcare.
Our Eco Club Captains, Zoe and Caitlyn, along with super-keen Landcare advocate Boston, will be informing students about the Koala Competition on Thursday. Students will have until Friday 08 November to submit their entries to the Eco Club.
COME ALONG to the KOALA DAY to be held at the Pittsworth Function Centre on Saturday 09 November starting at 10am.
Student Support Services
School Management
| Office Hours: 8.30am - 3.30pm | Visitors must sign in and out of the school via the Office. |
| Join QParents | Late to school? Parents must sign children in to the office. |
| Excursion Consent Forms | |
| Transport Forms | Time Out Poster Keeping Our Kids Healthy |
| Birthday Celebrations at School | Medication at School |
| Mandatory Volunteers Training | School Dress Code |
| Payment Methods | Health Food and Drinks at School |
Communication with Parents/Carers
| |
RELIEF POSITIONS AVAILABLE
RELIEF CLEANER
A typical working week is Monday to Friday, 5am - 8am, and 3pm - 6pm. For more information, click here.
BREAKFAST CLUB VOLUNTEERS
Please contact Carol, Kylie or Leah at the school if you are able to assist, thank you.
"PICK OF THE CROP" VOLUNTEER (Kitchen Garden)
No Aerosol Cans
Due to the severe sensitivity of some of our community members, aerosol sprays are not permitted at PSS. Parents/Carers, please ensure spray cans are not brought to school and that roll-on deodorants are substituted in their place. Assist in making PSS a safe place for all by checking your student’s bag for aerosol cans before they leave for school.
NO DOGS on the school grounds.
We prioritise student safety.
Community News
Have you returned your Dental Van Form?
Dental Van: Oral Health Care for PSS Students
The Dental Van is currently based at our school. Forms have been sent home. Please complete and return the Registration Form at your earliest convenience.
Pittsworth Lions Market
The next Lions Market will be at the Pioneer Village on Sunday November 17 starting at 8.00am. A special feature will be the High School Jazz Group, who will be playing from 8.00 -9.00am. Come and get a BBQ breakfast or a coffee and enjoy their entertainment.
Stalls will include cooking, preserves, crafts, garden decorations, vegetables, plants, jewellery, art work, and honey as well as our huge Trash and Treasure stall. By November 17 it won’t be long until Christmas, so it’s a great chance to find a special present. Lions Christmas cakes and puddings will be on sale. As well as the BBQ, you can have morrning tea, soft drinks and ice cream. ‘Polly’ Pollard will be there from Bunnings with activities for the children and Doug Hendry will entertain with his music.
Entry and parking are free. The site and all facilities are wheelchair accessible. The village provides a lovely setting for the market and it’s a very pleasant way to spend Sunday morning.
For more information or to ask about having a stall, contact Wilma Proudlock on 0438 933 308 or wproudlock@bigpond.com
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/
| Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 | DV Connect 1800 811 811 |
| Family and Child Connect 13 32 64 | Life Care Pittsworth. Free & Low cost food. 0418 615 773 |
| Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 | Bullying. No Way! |
| headspace | Lifeline 13 11 14 |
| Parentline 1300 30 1300 | Standby – Suicide Bereavement Support 1300 727 247 |
| Chaplaincy Donations gratefully received! BSB 084004. Account # 833694350. Pittsworth Primary School: 178532. | |
