2024 Term 4, Week 8 Newsletter
Principal's News
Invitation to Attend our 2024 Awards Ceremony & Year 6 Graduation
Parents, Carers and immediate family members (eg grandparents) are respectfully invited to attend our annual Awards Ceremony and Year 6 Graduation on Monday 02 December 2024 which will be held at the Pittsworth State High School Hall from 9am – 11am.
The Awards Ceremony allows our school community to celebrate the academic, sporting, cultural and social achievements of
Prep – Year 6 students for the 2024 school year.
Protocols to follow for a successful and enjoyable Awards Ceremony
- It is an expectation that all students are present for the Awards Ceremony to celebrate the achievement of self and peers.
- An online consent form has been sent to parents/carers: please complete and return by Monday 25 November 2024.
- The Awards Ceremony is a formal event.
- All students are to wear a clean school uniform. Dress code for families and visitors is “smart casual”.
- Parents, Carers and immediate family members (eg Grandparents, no more than five (5) persons per family) are invited to attend.
- Parents/carers of students receiving special awards will be emailed a separate invitation prior to Monday 25 November.
- All Prep students will receive a book and merit certificate: all Prep parents are invited to attend.
- All Year 6 students will receive a Graduation certificate: all Year 6 parents are invited to attend.
- Student leaders will co-lead the ceremony along with the Principal.
PITTSWORTH STATE HIGH SCHOOL HALL
- Parents/carers are required to take children directly to PSHS on Monday 02 December from 8.30am: drop students at the main entrance off the Toowoomba Road. PSS Staff will be supervising students. BUS Students will be dropped at the Factory Street bus stop: staff will be on duty to collect children from the bus.
- Strings students and Band students will be performing: please ensure that instruments are taken to the hall by 8:15am and have been set up, and “warmed up”.
- Choir students will be performing.
- Doors open at 8.30am. Parents, students, staff and special guests are to be seated by 8:55am.
- Proceedings will commence at 9:00am sharp and are expected to conclude by 11:00am.
- Upon entering the Hall, students will be directed to the seating which will be separate to parent seating.
- Ushers will be on the front door guiding audience members to appropriate seating.
- To ensure adequate seating, we request that younger siblings sit on their parent’s lap rather than their own seat.
It is requested that all young children (under school age) are supervised by parents and not by student siblings. - School staff will sit with students in class groups to supervise.
- Once seated there will be no exiting the hall except in the case of an emergency.
- Respect everyone by refraining from talking and moving during speeches and award presentations.
- No food or drink is allowed in the venue (this includes lollies, softdrink, gum). Water bubblers are available at the hall.
- High heels cannot be worn (due to the specialised sport flooring).
- Mobile phones are to be turned off. Students must not have mobile phones in their possession.
- Photos will be taken of award recipients. Parents are welcome to stage front to photograph their child receiving an award.
- Year 6 students and families are invited to remain after the proceedings to partake in coffee and cake as part of the
Year 6 Graduation. - Students will return to PSS via coach after the ceremony.
Year 6 students and their parents are invited to remain at the PSHS Hall for coffee & cake: students will be transported back to PSS after morning tea.
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.
2024 - 2025 TRANSITION Program
Prep to Year 5 students will engage in a TRANSITION PROGRAM in Week 11 where each child will have the chance to spend time with their 2025 teacher in their classroom.
2025 Meet the Teacher and Book Drop Off
Friday 24 January 2024, from 2:00pm - 3:00pm.
Year 6 end-of-year event
Monday 09 December
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
Curriculum
Pittsworth State School has been selected as one of this year's People's Choice winners of the Rabo Community Fund 2024 “George the Farmer” Book Competition.
As a People's Choice winner, we will receive a full 2024 George the Farmer book collection bundle valued at $260.00!
Term 4 Important Dates
| 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 School Musical MOVIE DAY | Friday 06 December |
| Year 6 End of year event | Monday 09 December |
| Last Day of Term 4 | Friday 13 December |
| Meet the Teacher, Book Drop Off | Friday 24 January |
| First Day of Term 1 2025 | Tuesday 28 January |
2025 Booklist
Sporting News
Changes to Swimming Timetable Week 8:
- 12H and 12HJ will swim on Friday 22/11
- 6S and 6MP will swim on Thursday 21/11 (Yr 6's attending PSHS Transition Day on Friday 22/11) Please note on your calendars.
- Due to the wet weather on Wed 20 Nov, some class swimming lessons were postponed. Changes have been made to the 100m races - parents will be informed.
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!
Timetable for Carnival
Please see flyer below
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 |
8 | 20th – 22nd November | ‘Learn to Swim’ Lessons (Selections for PSS Carnival) ***change of days for 12HJ, 12H, 6SW, 6MP |
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
FORMS DUE!
* NEW Instrumental Music Students for 2025 with Mr Todd
* CONTINUING Instrumental Music Students in 2025 with Mr Todd
* cGen 'Expression of Interest' Forms must be returned to the school office no later than Friday 6 December.
P&C Patch
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!
TUCKSHOP
Opened Wednesday and Friday. Orders to be placed via Qkr! app by 8.30am
Musical Meal Deal Friday 6th December. Keep an eye on Facebook for more information.
FUNDRAISING
Mango drive
Orders have now closed. Thank you to everyone that placed an order and supported this year’s Mango Drive. Orders will be delivered Thursday 21st.
2025 P&C Events
Can you believe it’s time to start planning for 2025 already?! We have lots of events pencilled into the calendar for 2025.
Our first major event is a Fancy Dress Ball to be held on Friday 21st 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 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
DATE CHANGE: Our final meeting for the year will be Thursday November 21st at the Pittsworth Hotel Motel starting at 6:00pm
P&C General Meeting
Thursday 21 November, 6pm
Pittsworth Hotel Motel
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
Thank you to all the students, families and teachers who supported our Pittsworth’s Got Talent show. The display of talent and courage from all performers was exceptional. Our crowd participation was someone to be proud of.
Our 2024 winners were:
- Years 1/2 – Indi P
- Years 3/4 – Zara S
- Year 5/6 – Romily S, Mitchell F, Addison C and Heidi D.
Congratulations to all.
Student Support Services
Thank You! A huge thank you to St Andrew's Anglican Church for their kind donation of $500 towards our Breakfast Club. The students appreciate it very much.
School Management
Lost Property
Parents/Carers, please check the lost property tub (Under B Block) before the end of the school year. All remaining items will be donated to a local charity
| 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
| |
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.
Community News
Little Friends Scholarships
Scholarships available up to $500. https://www.friendswithdignity.org.au/little-friends-scholarships/
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.
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. | |
