Once there was a time when all official items for the school community came through this Newsletter, and then Facebook was invented. I am aware that most who will read this Newsletter have a Facebook interaction. Last month, through a process of different communications to different audiences, the Facebook readers became aware that I was talking to Gary Cully about Parklands. So I thought I should try and clarify this for the school community.
Next week I celebrate the start of my 70th year of life. This means my 69th birthday. As I look back and reflect on those years I remember the adventures, the school days, the heartaches, my early days in the field of engineering, and the journey in leading two Christian Schools. I have had a wonderful life. In reflecting on this, I see two things that have clearly guided my life to this point. They are “saying yes” to the call of God when those moments came, and learning to trust God and allow Him to change me during very difficult times in my life.
I am now very aware that “age does weary us”. I used to run 1hr 22min half marathons in my early forties, but at the last Cross Country day, I was unable to catch the little runner who did his best to beat me home. It is a delight for me to come to school and do the job that I love. However, it is only an interim role as I move slowly but surely towards old age. I am still young at heart, but l know I am not as sharp as I used to be.
Many are now aware that I have been talking to Gary, who helped me build this school, starting with the role of teacher in the first Year 8 class and eventually becoming the Head of Secondary School. If all goes according to plan, he will join with me in the school from the start of 2020 to assist me in my role, and any further appointment would then be for the Board of the school to announce.
Another major event coming in the next few weeks is a National Election.
Independent schools are generally comfortable with what each potential government is prepared to offer in recurrent funding to assist families who chose an Independent School for their children. The issue of concern is more about the freedoms we enjoy in this country. We have all seen campaigns over our lifetime to give all citizens in Australia equality as stated in the rules of the Nation. However, there are issues arising where people are wanting to reduce the freedoms enjoyed by a part of the community because of conflict with another issue. This is the case currently with Freedom of Religion as defined in a public utility such as a school.
We care for all in our school and this aligns with our Christian purpose, but we believe that a community of a Christian School needs to be able to select people who hold to both the value of teaching and the commitment to Christian purpose. We remain hopeful that both major parties will support this fundamental right.
The school continues to grow towards a full two stream from Prep to Yr 12. There is the continuing issue that most classes are full. Our full Primary classes coming through to transition to Secondary are giving little space for extra student intake. As we approach the start of 2020, we are advising enquiring families that many of our classes are full and additions can only come from gaps in existing classes. It should be noted that when gaps occur, we offer these to students on our Waiting List which means students are now coming into the upper grades of primary in preparation for secondary schooling at Parklands.
A school needs to be planned in land, resources, finance and education. This I have done carefully from its beginning to this time. There are two guiding principles that I have held to in building Parklands that come from my previous experience in Townsville.
The first is that big, crowded schools are not necessarily a good thing, and secondly, the senior school needs a variety of resources to allow students to achieve their potential. These must be in place to ensure continued growth in the senior years. We have the Resource Centre, Science Labs, Manual Arts, Music Centre and Sports fields. We recently added a large Sports Centre and a Hospitality Centre. Our future planning will include Drama and Engineering facilities. We continue to buy land when it becomes available.
Our next emerging project is to plan a three stream Primary School on the location of our first demountables. This will be a long drawn out process with several stages of development, and high demands on our finances. The end result will eventually be a three stream Primary then continuing into a three stream Secondary. This will allow us to have two medium sized parts to our school with each offering students the potential to develop their gifts and talents.
This is my dream for Parklands.
Most house fires start in the kitchen, so remember:
Never leave your cooking unattended
Clean your oven, stove and range hood regularly to prevent the build-up of grease and fat which could catch fire
Keep tea towels and other flammable items aware from cooking appliances
Ensure that dishwashers have completed their cycle before leaving the house
Do not use metal items in the microwave
Check all electrical appliances and cords for damage
If cooking oil catches fire, DO NOT use water and DO NOT pick up the pot. Instead, turn off the heating source if safe to do so, place the lid on the pot, or use a fire blanket as per instructions on the packaging. LEAVE IN PLACE and call Triple Zero (000).
If you are concerned about the fire risks in and around your home, call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) to book your free SafeHome visit or book online at www.qfes.qld.gov.au
Parklands Outside School Hours Care is situated within the school grounds of Parklands Christian College in the Prep Building Area. The service operates for before school, after school and vacation care. Before and after school care offers a nutritious breakfast/afternoon tea and children are able to engage in a variety of activities based on their interests.
During the school term the service operates from 6:30-8:30am and 3:00-6:00pm (with office staff available from 2pm), and vacation care from 6:30am-6:00pm. Parklands OSHC have qualified educators and encourage parents and families to pop into the service to discuss any care needs, suggestions or ideas or alternatively via phone 3297 0577 or email: parklandsoshc@simrick.com.
We currently have limited spots available for before and after school care and advise families that a current 2019 enrolment is required to accept all bookings including emergency care bookings.
We look forward to assisting with all your care needs.
Are deducted from your bank account on the 17th unless received by the 10th of each month.
Please ensure funds are in your account one (1) business day before the 17th of the month.
Our Bank Account details are as follows:
BSB: 034115 Account Number: 169944
Please use your surname and initials as reference e.g. ‘J&C Smith’
Term Direct Debit Deduction Dates
17th February
17th April
17th July
17th September
Note: Direct Debits that reject from your account due to insufficient funds will incur a $10.00 fee and loss of discount. An additional late fee of $20 will apply to invoices outstanding at the end of the month.
Please find attached all of the Bus routes, that have been made available to Parklands families.
Bus Queensland now offer 3 pick ups in the afternoon outside Prep with various routes.
Departing 3:22pm
Departing 3:31pm
Departing 3:45pm
As this is a service offered by Bus Queensland (not PCC) please direct all further enquires to Bus Queensland on 3802 1233 or email customers@busqld.com.au
For further information please contact Michelle Secretan
Phone: (07) 3380 4256
Mobile: 0412 917 299
Email: uniforms@parklands.qld.edu.au
Second Hand Uniforms available CASH ONLY (no refund or exchange) For Second Hand Uniform Enquiries please email Alisha Mane amane@parklands.qld.edu.au
Also check our FB page for updates…
Are you all ready for a night full of fun for the entire family…… The time has arrived for our annual Bush Dance, Saturday 18th May 2019 is the night you don’t want to miss! Be ready to kick up your heels with live entertainment with Beefa’s Bush Band. Sausage sizzle available to purchase from 5.30pm, and then from 6pm-8pm the live band will play. Admission is only $20 per family or $5 per person. (payable at the door on the night) Make sure you invite all your family and friends. Hope to see you there! Please note this is a non-alcoholic event and parent supervision is required.
Woolworths Earn and Learn Stickers has now begun! Such a fantastic program where the school receives so many valuable resources just from everyone who shops at Woolworths collecting the stickers and either filling up the official Woolworths sticker sheets and dropping them in the collection box at Student Services or at Park Ridge Woolworths collection box. You are also able to just drop your stickers into the collection boxes and we have helpers who are more than happy to place them on the official sticker sheets for you. There are also extra Woolworths Sticker Sheets available at Student Services. Please remember to only use the official Woolworths Earn and Learn Sticker sheets and only fill the spaces provided.
We do love to see new faces at our meetings, they are always open and welcoming to any families within our Parklands community. Our first Meeting for Term 2 will be on Friday 10th May at 6.45pm at Park Ridge Maccas.
If you are not available to come to meetings but would love to stay updated, or help out at our different events just email friendlies@parklands.qld.edu.au and it will be our pleasure to add you to our email list.
Term 2 has got off to a great start with the beginning of Band rehearsals. Both the Give It A Go! Band & our new Wind Ensemble began rehearsals in Week 1 of Term 2, and the students are sounding amazing already! They’re all preparing for their first performances at the College Fete on Sat 1stJune, and we will be thrilled to present them to you.
Please make sure your child arrives at school at 7:20am on rehearsal days so they are ready to begin playing at 7:30. There is always setup to do at the beginning, and many hands make light work. There are chairs & stands to get ready, and they’re all part of the team.
All choirs are continuing to rehearse and are starting to sound wonderful. Secondary Choir meets on Friday 7:30 – 8:15am in S1, Primary Junior Choir rehearses from 7:45-8:15am on Wednesday, & Primary Senior Choir rehearses from 2:30-3:10pm also on Wednesday. New members are always welcome!
It’s never too late to be part of the Instrumental Programme in 2019 – here’s how your child can be involved:
1. Give It A Go! Band Programme – Year 5 students only
This is a one year programme for Year 5 students, giving them the opportunity to learn a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument in small groups during school time.
2. Private lessons – all ages
Private lessons are available for piano, guitar, drum kit, most woodwind & and all brass & stringed instruments. Lessons are scheduled mostly during school time, & fees are billed by & payable directly to the instrumental teachers at $30/30mins.
3. Shared lessons – all ages
Shared lessons are available for all of the above instruments except piano. Lessons are again scheduled mostly during school time, & fees are also billed by & payable directly to the instrumental teachers at $18/30mins for a Group of 2, or $14/30mins for a Group of 3, pending availability.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions on instruments@parklands.qld.edu.au
Year 12 student, Emma, recently completed a Psychology Unit as part of the University of Southern Queensland’s University Headstart program. Mrs Wallis had the pleasure of attending Emma’s graduation at USQ Springfield campus.
As a University Head Start student, senior students may study one university subject during a semester, allowing students to start your university studies early. Most universities offer this pathway; students may enquire via the VET department of the school – vet@parklands.qld.edu.au.
Congratulations on an outstanding achievement, Emma!
Active Volunteering
As part of the Certificate I in Active Volunteering and the “Students as Active Volunteers Initiative” (SAAVI), the Year 10a students recently spent a morning cooking meals for the Parklands Food Bank. The Food Bank serves as a giving initiative for Parklands families in their time of need.
The Year 10 Certificate I in Active Volunteering “Student of the Term” is selected for outstanding efforts and an amazing attitude towards their volunteering.
Miss Kayley Lane has been selected Student of the Term for Term 1. Kayley assisted the teachers and teacher aides with the 2019 Prep orientation day, the Back-to-School BBQ and assisted with the PCC LOKOP program over 4 weeks, assisting with childminding and delivering interactive activities to the siblings.
Kayley has now completed the required 20 hours of volunteering that contribute towards completion of the Certificate I Active Volunteering.
Congratulations Kayley – keep blessing those around you!
The Parkland’s values of Christlikeness, Learning, Excellence, Attitude and Respect lead us to have the desire to be looking after the wellbeing of our students. The Student Care and Wellbeing team are there to provide the support, encouragement, gentleness, challenge and love that is required for our students to have a good and healthy wellbeing.
We do this in many different ways through programs, courses for parents, presentations, class room visits, individual sessions and referrals to outside services. We want the students to get the best information and understanding on the topics that affect them. Topics such as grief and loss, resilience, interacting with friends, dealing with circumstances of life, working with difficult people, showing honour, being a powerful person, demonstrating loving on purpose and dealing with conflict. These are normal life issues that we face and getting support and learning through these is the best way to be a powerful person.
We know that there will be times when there is conflict at school between people especially in the playground. Energy is high, competitive natures and differing opinions come out through the playing of sports and games in the breaks. It is good and healthy to have manageable levels of conflict in our lives. As children grow they require the conflict to be able to teach them new skills and understandings in working with people. This is healthy growth, but through this conflict (as we all know through our own experiences) people sometimes make mistakes and do not deal with conflict appropriately. So they need help to be able to learn the skills in respectfully dealing with conflict.
Knowing this, the Student Care and Wellbeing team is the safe place for students to come and learn from this conflict and the mistakes that they have made in their interactions with others. We encourage our students to inform us about an incident that may have occurred in the playground, so that all involved can get the appropriate support for their wellbeing and learning.
The process for reporting an incident:
Student or teacher informs the Student Care and Wellbeing team that an incident has occurred. This is best done ASAP after the incident. The longer the time frame is between an incident and us finding out about it, the harder it is for quick, positive resolution.
Student Care and Wellbeing team will request student/s to complete incident report (where appropriate)
Support is given to the student/s involved in the incident and their physical and emotional wellbeing addressed.
In every circumstance where an incident is reported, a thorough investigation is completed. This includes speaking with the student/s involved, any witnesses and the referring teacher.
The outcome of the investigation is reported to a Head of School.
The student/s are then provided the opportunity to work on a resolution. This may include completing a Responsible Thinking Plan, an apology letter, a support session with a social worker, referral to friendship skills masterclass conflict resolution program, a Head of School discussion or referrals to external support services.
We appreciate your understanding of the college privacy restrictions which mean that we are not able to discuss with you the outcomes related to other students. This also means that your child’s involvement or information is protected from being discussed with others. We will however, advise you if there are any outcomes or actions relating to your child.
Please find the link to the policies relating to this topic –
Our values and tools of supporting students lead to positive resolutions of conflict. Through this process there are skills to learn for all the students involved. Skills that take repetition and time to learn. Yes, healthy resolution and communication through conflict feels like hard work. Every time they work through a conflict and learn from this experience with the appropriate support from the Student Care and Wellbeing team they are building the skills to be powerful people.
Commitment and dedication are two things Emily Fotek demonstrates regularly in her passion of gymnastics. Every afternoon Emily leaves school early to make training on time and work on her routines. Over the Easter school holidays, Emily competed at the Queensland State Gymnastics Championships. The competition was held over 2 days where Emily finished 1st and was crowned Level 8 State Champion. She was also selected in the Queensland State Team to compete at the Australian National Championships in Melbourne May 20th-24th. Congratulations on your selection Emily, and all the best for the Nationals.
Athletics Carnival
In week 2 the college held their annual 9-12yrs and 13-18yrs Track + Field carnivals.
This is always a great opportunity for the students to show their house colours and support each other as they compete in a number of events throughout the day.
The 13-18yrs carnival was won by Joshua 1897 points, defeating Samuel on 1705.
The 9-12yrs canirval was a tight finish with all students competing for their house. Samuel won the day on 1303 points, defeating Joshua on 1281 points.
The 2 carnivals were great days and we thank all staff, volunteers and students for making it one to remember. Congratulations to all the age champions on a huge effort across all events.
9yrs
Emmy Campbell
Lachlan Mane
10yrs
Hayley Thomson
Ashtyn Jackson
11yrs
Georgia Holland
Justin Hunt
12yrs
Ella Leau
Zac Hollenberg
13yrs
Jacinta Hicks
Hudson Hunt
14yrs
Zac Brown
Charlise Sargeant
15yrs
Dallas Hudson
Tommy Patton
16yrs
Charlotte Lee
David Martinez
Opens
Bianca Dikanovic
Shem Jackson
Fitness Trainings
Mondays- Cardio and Cross Country Training- 7:30-8:15am on Top Oval
Fridays- Athletics- 7:30- 8:15am in Top Oval
Rugby League Training
Boys Years 3 to 6 Rugby League Training – Tuesday 2:30-3:20pm
Term Two is such a busy term in the life of a school with a lot of excursions, incursions, sporting opportunities, the Arts department fiercely rehearsing an upcoming production and Duke of Edinburgh students preparing for their first overnight hike in May.
Attendance – Every Day Counts
Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days in a school academic year, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month. (“Attendance Matters,” 2018).
Regular school attendance allows your child to:
– Cement learning and understanding
– Connect with their classroom teacher daily, building a relationship of trust and academic integrity
– Receive support with learning, assessment and projects
– Involved themselves in specialist subjects (the arts, sport, design technology and digital technologies)
– Connect with their peers face to face, rather than via other forms of media
– Practice and master organisational and timetabling skills that will be used in further studies and the workplace.
If your child is absent for a day, please ensure that Students Services is contacted. Encourage your child to contact the teachers for the subjects they missed that day so they can complete the classwork. Alternatively, they can check the subject websites (all students know how to do this) to see the content and lessons they missed.
Uniform for Term 2
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
7a
Academic
Academic
Sport
Sport
Academic
7b
Academic
Academic
Sport
Academic
Sport
7c
Academic
Academic
Sport
Sport
Academic
Upcoming Events
Public Holiday Anzac Day: Thursday 25th April
Secondary Athletics Carnival: Wednesday 1st May
9-12yrs old Primary Athletics Carnival: Thursday 2nd May
Public Holiday Labour Day: Monday 6th May
Secondary Profile Evening: Tuesday 7th May
Years 7 & 9 Naplan: Tuesday 14th , Wednesday 15th & Thursday 16th May
We have hit the ground running in Year 1 and everyone was excited to catch up with friends and share all about our holidays. We also had the opportunity to watch a beautiful puppet theatre show about life in the reef! It was wonderful.
As always, in Term 2, we will have a heavy focus on literacy. We are learning about Recounts in English and will be extending our knowledge and use of reading strategies to help us become remarkable readers!
We are continuing our unit on Past and Present in HASS and Science is going to see us participating in some cool experiments as we learn about Physical and Chemical Changes.
Can’t wait to see what term 2 has in store for us!
Mrs Clausen, Mrs Davis and Mrs Marsh
Year 5
At the beginning of this term, Year 5 visited the Caboolture Historical Village. This trip helped the students to go back in time to over one hundred years ago, where they experienced aspects of school and life in that era. The students participated in four activities and were immersed in life during the colonial time. The eye opening job of washing without a machine, making machinery and tools without electricity and only the skills of a blacksmith, gem sieving and the life of a lone bush ranger, amongst many other elements, really engaged the students. The day took them on a journey of life over a century ago whilst comparing it to their everyday lives today. It was a day thoroughly enjoyed by all!
“The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. It has been an annual event for schools since 2008.
A reminder we have our annual Year 3 & 5 National Testing again this term. Staff have steadily been preparing these students for the various tests and look forward to seeing their results later in the year. Would Year 3 & 5 parent please provide their child with a good breakfast and ensure they are at school on time these days:
• Tuesday 14th May — Language conventions & Writing
• Wednesday 15th May — Reading
• Thursday 16th May — Numeracy
• Friday 17th May — Catch-up tests for students absent on 14, 15 or 16th May.
Please remember that NAPLAN results are only a ‘snap shot’ and not a full, true reflection of your child’s academic performance! It would be best to look at the NAPLAN results in consultation with the Term 2 report results and the teacher’s comments from their interview.
If you don’t wish for your child to do the NAPLAN Testing, please feel free to contact Mrs. Jo Anderson – in the Learning Enrichment Department.
Chapels
We have enjoyed wonderful times in Chapel, now on a Tuesday afternoon. It’s been great to see so many parents and grandparents joining us as we listen to memory verses, sing a couple of songs, hear a story from Mr. B and esteem our ‘student of the week and awardees’. I can honestly say that Chapels are the highlight of my week!
A very big “Thank you” needs to go out to all the amazing people who have made Chapel possible each week: Mr. Holman, Mrs. Bazley and Patane for the IT / lighting and sound, Mr. Baskerville for his words of wisdom, teachers and students for leading song worship, Miss Rachel Baskerville & Strubin for the announcing awards, Mrs. Lowe for doing up the award power point slides, teachers attending to the classes and staff and parents preparing the students for their memory verse. Without everyone playing their part, Chapels would not be as enjoyable as they are, Thank you!
Communication
Can I please take this opportunity to remind you of important information about Primary School communication procedures?
Class Teachers ask that IF you have a concern or question about class work, assignments, process or procedure, behaviour, calendar events etc. that you please contact them directly. They are your first port of call.
– If you require information about any of the following areas, please contact the specific staff member concerned directly:
Specialist lessons (HPE – Mr. Lewis, Music – Mrs. Patane, Art – Mrs. Bazley, Library – Mrs. Bayer or
Student Services – Mrs. Oxley, Mrs. Swinn or
RTC – Ms. Godwin, Mr.Crawford, Mrs. Broughton, Miss Robinson or
LE – Mrs. Jo Anderson
If you don’t get resolve or wish to discuss the matter further after having spoken to a teacher, would you kindly then contact myself, Grant Jakins through Student Services?
Profile Preview Afternoon and Profile Evening
A big ‘Thank you’ to all those parents that took the opportunity to visit classrooms to see their child’s profile and took extra time to catch up with teachers on the Profile Preview afternoon. This assisted to reduce the set interview process on our formal Profile Evening!
If you haven’t as yet met with your child’s teacher and still wish to do so, please make an appointment to see them at a mutually agreed upon time.
Car Park Speed and Vigilance
A reminder to please slow down (20klm) and drive very carefully through the school car parks, especially vigilant around the Prep area and pedestrian crossing! Students have been reminded to stop, look right, left and right before walking over the crossing but can I ask that you take it for granted, that they will not do the correct thing. Please also remind students to be careful with bags while moving between cars so as not to cause any marks or damage.
A big Thank YOU to Mrs. Ann Schatkowski who does an amazing job keeping everyone safe when using the pedestrian crossing!
Parent Support and Involvement
Learning isn’t bound by the school gates. Research indicates that ongoing parental involvement in children’s learning reaps benefits in many ways, including shaping positive attitudes to learning and supporting student achievement. Finding practical ideas for parents to engage in learning in a way that is fun and purposeful takes time that classroom teachers don’t always have.
Learning Potential Resources can help. This parent-friendly website is free to access and provides a range of literacy and numeracy activities designed to support the Australian Curriculum for primary school children.
Visit the Learning Potential Resources website
Browse by year level band and discover:
• Everyday ideas – simple activities for home and out and about
• Practise together – offline activities to reinforce literacy and numeracy skills
• Practise online – interactive games and videos.
Enjoy the time spent learning and having fun together.
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