School Phone: 4789 6333 School Fax: 4789 6300 Email: Principal@rasmussenss.eq.edu.au Website: www.rasmussenss.eq.edu.au

20 February 2020 Dear Parents/Carers I would like to thank the whole school community for the very warm welcome I received last week. I had a great first week and I am looking forward to getting to know everyone and everything that happens at Rasmussen SS. Over the coming weeks we will be finalising our Annual Implementation Plan for 2020. This will set the direction of the school year. There are many great practices already occurring and these will be continuing with some added work to progress the work that has already happening in every classroom. STEM Club Thuringowa SHS have welcomed some of our Year 5 and 6 students for an after-school STEM Club. Students were very excited to be part of the 1st lesson last week.

Assessment Literate Students Ask your child the 5 student questions about their English lessons: 1. What are you learning? (Lesson Intention – WALT) 2. How are you doing? (Feedback based on Success Criteria) 3. How do you know? (Descriptive Feedback) 4. How can you improve? (Set Learning Goals - strategies)

5. Where can you go for help? (Self-directed - 3 before T) “when students can answer these questions confidently and accurately, then we know that self-assessment has taken place – because teachers have been explicit in making their expectations for successful learning transparent to their students.” (Lyn Sharratt pg 74, Putting Faces on Data) Bus Zone The school Bus Zone, indicated by numerous signs, is not a drop-off zone. Please ensure you abide by the road rules and help us in keeping our students safe. Bus Families A letter was sent home to all bus students/families that travel on the Sunbus to and/or from our school. Please ensure your child is aware of the Bus Code of Conduct whilst travelling on the bus. Scooters & Bicycles Scooters and bicycles are left at the students’ own risk on the school ground. There are bike racks behind the tuckshop area. Please ensure your child’s bike/scooter can be locked each day. School Crossing Students are ONLY allowed to cross the road via the school crossing. Have a chat with your child around road safety and following the instructions of our Crossing Officers. Pancakes A huge thank you to our wonderful Chappy Dan for giving everyone a free pancake last week! Chappy Dan’s pancakes are on the Student Council’s most requested list!

Jodie Sewer A/PRINCIPAL

SCHOOL PRIORITY: READING & WRITING

At Rasmussen SS, one of our priorities is to

ensure your child has improved their reading

over the year. How can you help as a parent -

speak with your child’s classroom teacher. They

will only be too happy to discuss our school

strategies with you.

Some of our Reading Strategies at school are below. We have a HOME READING BOOKMARK – if you would like a copy of this, please see your child’s classroom teacher.

Reading - Classroom Canines One of Rasmussen SS’s priorities is to improve reading across our school. Staff are working very hard to support your child in improving their reading strategies and understanding. We engage an external program called ‘Classroom Canines’.

It is a program in schools where students practise their reading ‘to’ a canine (dog). The dogs have been working in our school the last 2-3 years.

Students in Yr 1 were involved with a ‘Dog Safe’ program to meet our workplace safety requirements and their awareness of behaviour around the dog. During reading time, the trained adult will be present with the student and dog at all times. For students to participate in this program, we require parent/caregiver to be aware of the program. If you do not want your child to be part of the program, please let the classroom teacher know.

Writing on Demand Every day at 8.30am, students will commence the day with writing activities. Please make sure your child is at school on time for this learning to occur. Students may be involved with free writing, using a stimulus or story starters, creating a writing journal or working on the ‘7 Steps of Writing Success’. STEP 1: PLAN FOR SUCCESS; STEP 2: SIZZLING STARTS; STEP 3: TIGHTENING TENSION; STEP 4: DYNAMIC DIALOGUE; STEP 5: SHOW, DON’T TELL; STEP 6: BAN THE BORING BITS; STEP 7: EXCITING ENDINGS

SCHOOL PRIORITY: ATTENDANCE

It would be AWESOME, if we could all work

together and achieve 88% for the end of the

year.

If a student is going to be absent from school parents/caregivers should: Ring the school on 4789 6333 to report the

absence and reason why the student will not be attending that day

Provide a note explaining the absence prior to or on the first day of the student returning to school

ABSENT HOTLINE – 0426305975 - that you can ring or text to leave a message.

Going to school every day is the single most important

part of your child’s education. Students learn new

things at school every day – missing school puts them

behind.

Badge Ceremony – Friday 21 Feb Our school will conduct its Annual Badge Ceremony. This is where the School Leaders and House Leaders receive their badges for the year. Class Captains have also been nominated by their peers and they too will receive their badge. Class Captains hold their badge for a Term.

Our School Leaders and Class Captains have a responsibility towards: Being a Learner, Showcasing outstanding behaviour, applying our School Dress Code and regularly attending school.

Being a Responsible Learner – trying their best at all times

Showing Respect – using manners, listening the first time, kind to others

Staying Safe

Offer a role model for peers in classrooms, citizenship and sportsmanship.

Accept duties and roles requested by the Classroom Teacher and other support staff.

Represent the school within and beyond the local community;

Visit by Registered Nurse for Free Prep Vision Screening

Good vision is important for a child’s educational, physical and social development. Vision screening checks for common eye conditions that may impact your child’s ability to see and therefore impact their learning and development. A Registered Nurse will be visiting the school on/between 10/11 March to conduct vision screening for children in their prep year. If you wish to have your prep child participate in this free vision screening program, please complete and sign the consent form that has been sent home with your child and return this to your child’s class teacher by Friday 21 February. Parents do not need to be present for screening, however if you would like to be, please contact the school to arrange this. If your child’s vision is screened, you will be advised of the results in writing. If a vision concern is found, you will receive a phone call from the nurse to discuss referral to an eye health professional for further assessment. If a vision concern is identified and your child requires glasses, eligible health care card holders may be assisted with free basic glasses through the Spectacle Supply Scheme. Participation in vision screening is not compulsory. If you do not wish for your child to participate in screening, please complete the consent form and indicate that you wish to decline screening. If you have any questions, please contact the Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program on 1800 687 372.

MEDICATION (Administration of all medication (routine, emergency, over the counter): The school is not allowed to administer any medication (including Panadol and Aspirin) to children without written parental consent and a copy of the dispensing doctor’s label/ letter. Children are not allowed to keep medication in their bags or desks and must hand it into a staff member, preferably to the staff in the office. Children who suffer from asthma and have a “puffer” must have the written parental consent completed with the dispensing label’s attached to puffer.

RESOURCE SCHEME FOR 2020

Thank you for continuing to enrol your child/children at our school for 2020. We believe we are one of the best schools in Townsville to support your child/children’s learning. At our school we have a Resource Scheme to provide stationery materials to your child/children for their learning. School Fees for 2020 – COST for YEAR: $120/student

School Fee Payment Options

Full amount paid by 28 Feb

$100/student

Families linking with Centrepay

$120/student

Payment Plan options – EFTPOS available at school.

$30/student per term.

Payment Plan options Direct Debit from your account to school account – amount $10 or more. Set up with own bank.

Families enrolling that have more than 3 siblings at the school will have a reduced payment amount. We want the best for your child’s learning and to ensure they have the appropriate resources available to them for their schooling.

School Fees/1st instalment payments are due Friday 28th February 2020

SEASON 1 SPORT – 2020 In the next fortnight the Year 5 and 6 students will have the opportunity to trial for our Inter-School sporting teams of Rugby League/Netball. In regards to School Sport, Year 6 students are given priority but also need to meet the required skill level for the sport. Sport is an optional curricular area and this year there will be a fee charged in regards to bus transport. If you would like your child to be eligible for selection for the round of sport – Rugby League/ Netball, please note that these are conditions for being invited onto the Rasmussen SS team: (note: Mouthguards is mandatory for Rugby League) a. School Fees are up to date with payment (full year paid ($100) or Term 1 Fees paid ($30) or on a regular Centrepay/Direct Debit payment plan b. Meeting an acceptable standard in regards to the School’s Responsible Behaviour Expectations – responsible, respectful and safe. c. Meeting regular attendance standards for school – everyday counts. d. Meet the Sport Fee payment (approx... $35/ 7weekSport Season) – bus transport. MOUTHGUARDS are mandatory for Rugby League for Season 1 sport.

P& C The next P&C meeting will be held March 10, 2020 in the Library at 2:45pm All are welcome to attend

TUCKSHOP - CHANGES COMING To start the year – we will continue using our current Tuckshop system. Our school tuckshop provides a daily service at both lunch breaks. Voluntary tuckshop workers are always welcome and you are cordially invited to register your name for tuckshop duty. Please see the Tuckshop Convener for times.

Ordering procedure

Parents are asked to provide a suitable paper

bag on the outside of which is written the

child’s name, class, first lunch and / or second

lunch order. If no bag, then place the order on

an envelope and enclose 5 cents. Bags are

also available in the classroom box.

Correct money, if possible, should be placed

inside the bag.

These orders are to be placed in a basket in

each classroom. The orders will be collected

and lunches returned to each classroom. All

grades MUST order.

A separate notice giving prices and additional

details will be sent home at the beginning of

the year and when changes to menu/prices

occur. A menu and pricelist is displayed in all

classrooms.

Towards the end of this term – we will be phasing in

the use of ‘ONLINE ordering’ for our Tuckshop.

Only minimal snack/drink items e.g icy pole,

slushy will be available over the counter –all

other items MUST be ordered online.

DATES FOR THIS TERM

Term Calendar DATES

21 Feb Badge Ceremony

26 Feb Adopt a Cowboys visit

03/04 March Healthy Hearing Visits

10/11 March Prep Vision Screening

20 March Action Day for Bullying

03 April School Fun Run

04 April Last Day of School

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO COUNTRY

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where we gather and pay our respect to

Elders past, present and emerging.

SCHOOL PRIORITY – Positive

Behaviour for Learning

Each semester at Rasmussen, the students participate in a positive behaviour celebration of Gold, and ONYA days. Our positive behaviour day rewards are for those whom display appropriate behaviour at school throughout each term and the semester. Students need to display the following to participate in each of the rewards:

GOLD Celebrations ONYA Celebrations Semester 1 (Terms 1&2 combined)

Collecting all year.

Always follows PBL by: - Has 0 suspension - Has 0 smarter choice

zone - Has 0 class reflection

zones. - Has 0 buddy reflection

zones. - 90% attendance (unless

doctors certificates are received.)

- Not excluded from extra-curricular activities.

- Book Fees are paid

By following the PBL rules and being a great Rassy learner a student will earn ONYA’s over the year. This terms activities are: Interactive room, Computer Lab, Craft, Rebound Ball, Disco, Movie etc. These are activities supported by Student council.

This information is sent home at the start of each term in your child’s cohort newsletter and each fortnight in our whole school newsletter. Please have a conversation with your child and their teacher to see if they are on track to make ‘Gold’ celebrations for Semester 1. We would like to take this opportunity to remind you about paying your child’s book fees as they have been working hard to be a Safe, Responsible and Respectful Learner.

SCHOOL RULES

Rassy Learners

Rassar’s School Rules

Rassar’s Unacceptable Behaviours

1. TRY for “5”

and attend school every day – Arrive on time for 8:30am start!

2. Listen to the teacher the first time

3. ‘Have a go’ to try their best and if not…ask for help

4. Stay in the classroom (toilet and drinks are for break times – not learning time!)

5. Read every day

1. Stay Safe 2. Be

Responsible 3. Show

Respect

1. Not listening to the teacher the first time

2. No physical violence

3. No swearing

4. No out of class without a pass

INDUSTRIOUS WORKERS

Week 2 Week 3

(PR) Loulou P – For doing her best with her writing.

(PA) Jesse C – For fantastic effort in writing.

(PM) Sedonia S – For neatly writing the letter ‘Bb’ for

Brown Bear.

(1A) Arzanhia O – For enthusiastically participating in all

learning tasks.

(2A) Kierra W – For always showing integrity.

(2S) Sage H – For writing a sizzling start in Writing On

Demand.

(3A) Oliver T – For his great use of sentence starters in

Writing On Demand. Well Done Oliver!

(45M) Grace H – For great effort in all her work.

(4R) Kaleaha B – For her energetic attitude and

enthusiasm during English lessons this week.

(4A) Zyron O – For accurately identifying noun groups

and verb groups in a chapter of The Twits.

(5R) Jessie F – Persisting with the split strategy in

Maths.

(5A) Neve H – For excellent brainstorming of character

traits for her good and evil character.

(6R) Laith M – For putting a positive effort into all tasks.

(6A) Angelina V – For offering creative ideas in Maths

and English

(6S) Casey H – For being organised and having a

positive mindset during all learning activities

(PR) Amber M – For pointing to the words in

Reading Groups.

(PA) Chenoa C – For fantastic name writing.

(PM) Dolton S – For trying hard to use Eagle

Eyes to work out names of shapes.

(1R) Delilah B – For always trying her best and

showing initiative in her writing.

(2A) Summer O – For using expanded noun

groups to describe characters and setting.

(2S) Elijah D – For writing a Show Don’t Tell in

Writing On Demand.

(3R) Anneka W – For working hard with her

persuasive writing.

(3A) James N – For his excellent effort in

creating sentences with a modal verb. Well

Done James

(3S) Kailen F – For writing an engaging sizzling

start using onomatopoeias to capture his

readers attention

(45M) Banawu W – For displaying a ‘have-a-go’

attitude to all of his work.

(4R) Rae-Lee I – For her ‘energetic’ involvement

across all learning areas.

(5R) Lucas T – Using a bubble gum brain when

problem solving in Mathematics.

(5A) Jasiah P – For his excellent Rassy learner

attitude.

(6R) William T –For completing all tasks to the

best of his ability at all times.

(6A) Hannah T – For exciting adverbs in English.

(6S) Hannah R – For an incredibly detailed

paragraph in her Writing On Demand.