Welcome to Term 2! I trust you had a relaxing and enjoyable Easter break with your family and are ready for another exciting school term. Teachers at Parklands create many fun and engaging learning experiences to cater for all students. We look forward to partnering with you and your children as we support all students to develop their God given gifts and strive for individual personal bests.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Romans 12: 6-8)

Remembering our ANZACs
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning;
We will remember them.”

Students from Prep to Year 12 participated in services on Wednesday 24 April, honouring our veterans and commemorating the Anzac Spirit. We are especially grateful for the Jimboomba Cadets who provided a catafalque party at our Years 5 to 12 service, and for our year 5 student, Hudson Martin, who participated in both services. We congratulate our Year 3 students on leading the Prep to Year 3 service so beautifully and respectfully. It was a moving tribute to those who served, reminding us of the sacrifices made for our freedom. Lest we forget.

Faith in Our Future

On 21 March, the final recommendations of the Australian Law Reform Commission were released. If the Government accepts the ALRC recommendations, Christian schools won’t have the freedom to preference people who share the same traditional Chrisitan values and beliefs when making employment decisions (click here for further information). I am sure you agree with me, that it is our staff who make our school AMAZING!

This week I had the privilege of attending a Faith in Our Future Town Hall Event, with many other Parklands staff, that brought together supporters of Chrisitian schools and their representatives in parliament. The impact of Chrisitan staff on students was shared in a variety of personal stories from students, parents and teachers. These personal stories, including the one from our year 12 student Priya Jaga-Abeyasekera, were personally and emotionally compelling, reiterating the importance of Christian staff in Christian schools. Further stories can be read on the My Christian Schools website and I encourage you to share your good news stories too, as we seek to pass on these good news stories to future generations.

Building a National Picture of Child Health

During May and June 2024, our school, along with thousands of others across the country, will participate in the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). The AEDC is a Prep teacher-completed census which provides a comprehensive picture of how children have developed by the time they start their first year of full-time school. The AEDC is an Australian Government Initiative and is completed nationally every three years. Children don’t miss any class time while the AEDC is completed. The data collected through the AEDC is used by schools, communities and governments to better understand children and families’ needs, and identify the services, resources and support they need. AEDC data is reported at a school, community, state/territory and national level. AEDC results for individual children are not reported and the AEDC is not used as an individual diagnostic tool. Some teachers have found that completing the AEDC made them more aware of the needs of individual children and their class, and that the data was useful for planning for transitions to Year 1 and developing programs.

Uniform

Thank you for ensuring your child is wearing the correct uniform and is neatly presented each day. As the days become cooler, please pay particular attention to jumpers. While the softshell jacket is designed to be worn with both sports and academic uniforms, the sports jacket is only worn with the sport uniform.

OSHC Update

Over the last school holidays we were given government approval to move OSHC back into the Prep Centre. While we were previously at capacity due to government regulations around indoor space, we can now open a further 22 spaces in OSHC. We would like to advise families that a permanent booking is the only way to guarantee a position in both before and after school care. Please contact Celine Clunn, our OSHC Coordinator, via email oshc@parklands.qld.edu.au or phone 0478 111 207, for further information or to make a booking.

Term 2 Date Claimers

● 26 April to 23 May – Prep 2025 Enrollment Interviews
● Saturday 4 May – Family Mountain Bike Ride
● Monday 6 May – Labour day public holiday
● Friday 10 May – Mother’s Day Stall
● Sunday 12 May – Mother’s Day
● Tuesday 14 May – Primary Building Opening
● 10 May to 21 June – AEDC Census data collection
● Saturday 18 May – Outreach Gala Dinner and Auction
● Wednesday 22 May- National Simultaneous Storytime
● Saturday 25 May – Parklands Fete
● Saturday 1 June – Family Mountain Bike Ride
● Thursday 6 June – P-3 Athletics Carnival
● Friday 14 June – Last day of term – Free dress day
● Monday 17 June to Friday 21 June – Staff Professional Development Week

Many Blessings,

Anne-Maree
akingston@parklands.qld.edu.au