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The School Report

Newsletter of Fernvale State School

1605 Brisbane Valley Highway Fernvale Q 4306

www.fernvaless.eq.edu.au PH 54271333 Fax 54271300 Absence 54271360

Issue No: 09 23 March 2020

Dates to Remember

March May

30-31 Prep Vision Screening 4 Public Holiday April 3 Last day Term 1 20 First day Term 2

Further school date claimers will be added once finalised. Dates are subject to change.

From the Principal

May I thank the school community for their continued support and patience as we continue the challenging journey related to the ever changing Coronavirus situation. First and foremost may I ask that all school community members keep yourselves and family members safe and healthy as we navigate through this unprecedented event. Please find below links to the very latest Health and Government advice to assist in keeping all school community members well informed. For latest updates on COVID-19, visit:

I trust that all school community members were able to read through the emailed information late last week on general information and updates impacting on our school community and Parent Teacher Interview process. Since this information was released I can now also confirm that Monday 23 March will be the final swimming lesson for all students for the term. There will be no swimming on Monday 30 March due to renewed advice. May I also remind school community members that Cross Country this week is cancelled. Teachers and school staff continue to remind students on a daily basis on ways to promote healthy and hygienic practices particularly with regular hand washing on numerous times throughout the day. Our school takes the health and wellbeing of all our school community members most seriously in all our operations. We are actively following all Government information and Health advice whilst our schools remain open to best look after the health and wellbeing of all. Again I sincerely thank all school community members for your trust and faith in our school staff and operations in these challenging unfolding times.

From the Principal

Continuity of Learning

As discussed last week in my emailed letter to all parents and carers, the Leadership team has been working extremely hard to set up an online platform to allow students to continue some form of learning in the event that a Government decision is to close schools. Over the weekend this work progressed to include the uploading of two week units of work for Prep to Year 6 students in the subject areas of Mathematics, English, Science and also Hass. Some learning activities in the area of Health and Physical Education, Music and Chess are being considered in the next few days along with clear links for access to Soundwaves, Reading Eggs/Eggspress and some other possible links. This has been a significant piece of work and I am proud that this project will be completed within the next 24-48 hours. Much credit must go to our Head of Curriculum Mrs Kalinowski for her expertise and guidance in this process. To access our school specific edStudio all children from Prep to Year 6 will be sent home a laminated card with access details for Reading Eggs/Eggspress on the one side and MIS username and password details to access the edStudio on the Learning Place on the other side. Teachers will familiarise all students on how to access the Fernvale SS edStudio over the coming week. Our intention is to also email out to all parents/carers a simple step by step instruction guide on how to access the edStudio and best support your child in the event that a Government decision is made to close schools. In the interim, Education Queensland has released some “Learning at home” resources that may assist some families if your child is currently at home for various reasons. The “Learning at home” resources can be accessed by clicking on the link https://education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/learning-at-home As this pandemic continually unfolds around us, may I ask that we all band together to support each other. The Australian way is to look out for each other. If there are elderly neighbours close to you check to see if they need any supplies or offer a helping hand where possible to those in need. The deep economic impacts will affect us all as the health crisis continues. Many will need help and support in one way or another. Let us band together and help out a mate where we can. If you or someone you know needs help and support in dealing with a crisis please ensure you seek medical help or other agencies for example Lifeline or Beyond Blue.

Take care everyone. Kind Regards

David

From the Deputy Principal

It’s still fun at Fernvale! Your child is probably seeing and hearing a lot about coronavirus (COVID-19) on TV, radio, and social media, as well as from other people. Many of our children are worried about schools being closed and we have had a few tears from children over the past week. Talking with your child about coronavirus (COVID-19) can help your child understand and cope with what’s going on.

Make time to talk Find the right time to talk with your child. This might be when your child gets home from school, at bedtime or in the car. When your child is ready to talk, give your child your full attention.

Find out what your child knows It is a good idea to start by asking your child what they know about the virus and whether they have any questions. For example, ‘On the news today, they were talking about coronavirus. Were people at school talking about that? What were they saying?’

Explain coronavirus (COVID-19) in a way your child can understand Use a calm, reassuring tone and stick to the facts.

For younger children, keep it simple and brief. For example, ‘That’s right, some people are getting sick with a germ. It makes them cough and sneeze. The sick people are being looked after well by doctors and hospitals’.

For older children, offer more detail. For example, ‘I heard you talking with your friends about how you catch coronavirus. The virus spreads through things like sneezing, coughing and touching infected things. That’s why good hygiene and hand-washing are really important. They help to protect everyone.’

Tune into your child’s feelings Some children might not be worried about coronavirus (COVID-19). But some might be frightened, upset or worried. They might be worried about the virus itself or about how it might affect their lives.

Ask your child how they feeling and listen to what they says. You can also ask them what they need to feel better. It might reassure your child if you share your own feelings and let them know what you’re doing to cope with them.

There are many resources designed to support you in talking to your children about COVID-19. Here are a few resources that may support your discussions. Education Queensland https://education.qld.gov.au/student/Documents/coronavirus-fact-sheet-for-parents.pdf Life Education https://lifeeducationqld.org.au/talking-to-your-child-about-coronavirus/ Unicef https://www.unicef.org.au/blog/news-and-insights/march-2020/how-to-talk-to-your-children-about-coronavirus Education NZ https://education.govt.nz/school/health-safety-and-wellbeing/pastoral-care-and-wellbeing/talking-to-children-about-covid-19-coronavirus/ Take care, Kylie

Getting to know our Fernvale Staff! This week meet our fabulous Specialist Teaching Team! Mr Geoff Butler – Chess and Library

Six Quick Favourites

Colour Blue

Animal Eagle

Snack Bananas

Drink Pineapple juice

Song/Band LRB

Hobby/Recreation Activity

Cycling, Kayaking

1. What is the best thing about teaching? Helping children and sharing my passion. 2. Have you met anyone famous and when? Played Chess and tennis with ex-World

Champion Boris Spassky for an afternoon… a great guy! 3. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Make what you love to do into your

work. 4. What is the one thing you would like to change in the world? More kindness and less

inequality. 5. What is your happiest childhood memory? Running into the waves at Surfers in

1977… fresh off the plane from Europe and never seen a wave before. 6. Who are the people you most admire? My Mother… for her resilience and positive

attitude to everyday life and its challenges. My wife Katrina, for putting up with me for so long!

Mrs Maryann Leeds – Library and Support

Six Quick Favourites

Colour Red

Animal Giraffe

Snack Dark chocolate

Drink Hot chocolate

Song/Band AC/DC

Hobby/Recreation Activity Reading

1. What is the best thing about teaching? Thinking of all the different ways you can teach

that one concept. 2. Have you met anyone famous and when? Bill Hayden came to Fernvale SS in the

1980s. 3. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Be honest. 4. What is the one thing you would like to change in the world? Poverty 5. What is your happiest childhood memory? Going to Sutton’s Beach on a Sunday,

crossing the old Hornibrook Bridge, and buying that 20c watermelon. 6. Who are the people you most admire? Dad and Mum- they left family and friends and

migrated to Australia for a better life.

Ms Lauren Horrobin - German

Six Quick Favourites

Favourite Colour Pink

Favourite Animal Dog

Favourite Snack Cheese and

Bickies

Favourite Drink Coffee before 5pm

Favourite Song/Band

80’s and 90’s rock and pop

Favourite Hobby Gardening

1. What is the best thing about teaching? Seeing those ‘aha moments’ 2. Have you met anyone famous and when? I went to high school with Kate Miller-Heidke 3. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? treat other people how you want to be

treated 4. What is the one thing you would like to change in the world? People treating each

other with kindness 5. What is your happiest childhood memory? Sunday drives and holidays to Kingscliff

each year. 6. Who are the people you most admire? My mum - she’s a champion!

Mr Matt Grassick – Physical Education (PE)

Six Quick Favourites

Colour Green

Animal Eagle

Snack Chocolate

Drink Water

Song/Band Matchbox 20

Hobby/Recreation Activity

Cricket & Soccer

1. What is the best thing about teaching? Seeing kids have fun!! 2. Have you met anyone famous and when? As a kid I was in a Qld Cricket Squad with

Nathan Reardon who went on to play T20 cricket for Australia. Berrick Barnes was also in that squad who went on to make 51 appearances for the Wallabies.

3. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Never leave a job half done! 4. What is the one thing you would like to change in the world? No Wars. 5. What is your happiest childhood memory? Playing in the backyard with family and

friends. 6. Who are the people you most admire? Mum and Dad.

Mrs Bronwyn Trezise – Music

Six Quick Favourites

Favourite Colour Navy blue

Favourite Animal My dogs and

sharks. Oh how I loooove sharks

Favourite Snack Lindt sea salt

chocolate

Favourite Drink Skinny latte

Favourite Song/Band

Depends on my mood Palestrina to punk. Most recent

concert was Pentatonix (never

Celtic or old school country).

Favourite Hobby photography, my rose garden and

scuba diving

1. What is the best thing about teaching? Sharing my passion for music and seeing the

joy in the faces of the kids in my classes. Sometimes those who struggle in class shine in

music.

2. Have you met anyone famous and when? Literally bumped into Tina Arena in a

boutique in Noosa. But Valerie Taylor and Rodney Fox were highlights for their passion

for the aquatic environment and their humbleness to spend time chatting with me as if I

was an equal.

3. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Do what’s right, not what’s easy.

4. What is the one thing you would like to change in the world? Global warming, more

renewable energy. We have one planet I want it to be healthy for our kids and their kids.

5. What is your happiest childhood memory? Sleepovers with my Grandma. Her bed

seemed huge. Endless hours of playing on the floor, cooking and exploring Brisbane in

the ferry just across the street from her home in St Lucia.

6. Who are the people you most admire? My father-in-law. After coming back from WW 2

with PTSD from the Solomon Islands he could have been a broken man. But he

overcame to be the most compassionate and loving person I ever met. I still miss him

dearly after he passed nearly 23 years ago.

Telephone Numbers Student Absences: 5427 1360

The student absence line is available if you wish to leave a message that your child will be

away. Please include reason why and what class your child is in without waiting for your

call to be answered which may be more convenient to you.

Zones of Regulation – Tools/Strategies To support the implementation of the Zones of Regulation program across our school, each week in our newsletter we will share information and/or tools & strategies that we are teaching our children. This week our focus is Different Body Stimulating/Calming Techniques - The purpose of these strategies is to get better blood flow, release excessive energy, relax muscles, and get the mind and body working together.

Write it down o If you are stressed about all of the things you need to, do make a list o If you are worried about what to say to someone, write it down first o If your adult is busy and you don’t want to forget, write it down

Get a Drink o Warm drink for overstimulated student o Cold drink for understimulated student

Distraction Tools o Listen to music o Watch videos on specific Apps (no YouTube) iTunes-Cat Videos, Google Play-Funny

Cat Videos o Brain Teaser Apps o Talk about their favourite things o Read a book o Have someone read to you o Draw o Colour

Yoga have a place to do yoga moves to calm and centre the body o Yoga Cards/Poster o Cosmic kids yoga – You Tube

Set up a Calming Corner/Break Space/Relaxation Station/Chill Town/Chill Out Zone o Low Light o Seating-Pillows or Bean Bag Chair o Visuals of Calming Strategies o Visuals of system using (Zones of Regulation, etc.) o Basket/bucket of Calming tools/Fidgets

Other School Matters

Singfest Choir Due to unforeseen circumstances Singfest Choir rehearsals will be cancelled for the last 2 weeks of term. Rehearsals will continue on the first Friday morning at 8am after the holidays.

Notice from CommBank School Banking

The health, safety and wellbeing of our communities and our people is our first priority.

Due to the rapidly developing situation with coronavirus, School Banking has been temporarily

paused from 20 March 2020 until the start of Term 2. Please don’t bring your deposit book with

your weekly banking into school and we will notify you when banking will recommence.