Smith RoadWoodridge QLD 4114Subscribe:Subscribe: http://harrisfieldsss.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Email:Email: the.principal@harrfielss.eq.edu.auPhone:Phone: 07 3387 1222

Fax:Fax: 07 3387 1200

3 March 20173 March 2017

Dear Parents and Carers,

Bullying is such a hot issue in our society today, and withthe majority of people using the term “Bully” in one way oranother we need to ask the question, ‘are we taking the wordcompletely out of context?’

The excerpt is from a document written by Ross Ellis, founderand Chief Executive Officer of STOMP Out Bullying. I found itvery informative and would like to share this with you:

The dictionary describes the word “Bully” as a person whois habitually cruel or overbearing to others. It also says --antagonizer, browbeater, bulldozer, coercer, harrier, hector,insolent, intimidator, oppressor, persecutor, rascal, ruffian,tease, tormenter, tough – all done on a continual basis. It isbecoming increasingly alarming at how many people use theword “Bully” in the wrong context, to the point that if peopledon’t like what you say, they don’t like your opinion, or they justcan’t get what they want from you, they will call you a “Bully.”

Normal social interaction, being told something you don’t wantto hear, being ribbed by your friends on one occasion, beingtreated cruelly one time -- is not bullying.

Kids who are repeatedly harassed and taunted and attackedare absolutely being bullied and need to be protected by theirparents and the school system. However, children who happento find themselves on the receiving end of a snarky remark or adisrespectful comment, have to learn the power to stand up forthemselves. This is called resilience.

Bullying as it is clearly described above, is done on a continualbasis. When we use the word “Bully” in the wrong context weare sending a message to those around us that everyone isbeing bullied and we are telling people we are victims.

We have become desensitized to the word and as a countrywe are overusing it. This can be harmful to kids who are trulybeing bullied on a regular basis. We cannot become victims byonetime events – or because we didn’t hear what we wanted tohear from the person we were speaking to.

So please for the sake of our children – let’s use the word“Bully” in a real and responsible way. Bullying is difficult enoughwhen it happens for real. Let’s not create a country of victimsbecause our society overuses a word.

Have a great week!

Mrs Jo Sinclair-JonesPrincipal

Visual Art NewsThe Year 5s have been working hard creating their ReliefSculptures this term. It is wonderful to see how well ourstudents problem-solve through design issues and showresilience during their artistic process.

Miss Nakamura

Sports News

CROSS COUNTRY

The annual whole school Cross Country event will be held onFriday 17th March between 8:30 am and 10:30am. Pleasemark the date on your calendars as we would love parents andfamily members to be a part of the morning and encourage youall to come along and cheer loudly for all students. Please seeyour class teacher if you are not sure what sport house yourchild is in.

INTERSCHOOL SPORT

Interschool Sports starts Friday the 3rd of March. Just areminder for all students participating in Interschool Sports thatyou need to have your Activity Consent Forms returned wellbefore then, along with the $45 season fee paid to the office.Thank you to the families who have already paid and returnedforms. Your support is greatly appreciated.

SPORTING EXCELLENCE PROGRAMS

Before school training has commenced for both Learning andLeague and Tackling Touch. Training will go ahead rain, hail orsunshine so please make sure your child is at school by 6:45amin time for training to begin and they have their training uniform,water bottle and boots with them. On Mondays students needto bring their normal school uniform and shoes to school withthem to get changed into after training. On Wednesdaysstudents may wear their program uniforms all day if they chooseto. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

RegardsMr Whitaker

P & C NewsHello all Parents and Carers,

The objectives of the Association are to promote the interestsof, and facilitate the development and further improvement ofthe School, for example, by promoting parent participation andencouraging collaboration between parents, students, schoolcommunities and non-government entities to foster acommitment to achieving the best educational outcomes for

children and young people. If you would like to volunteer sometime to help the P&C support your child’s school please contactus through the school on 3387 1222 or emailpandc@harrfielss.eq.edu.au.

The P & C Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held onWednesday 8th March at 2.45pm in the Admin Building.

All executive positions are up for re-election. All welcome,including children.

Tuckshop

The tuckshop is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.Barbara McMaster is the tuckshop convenor. Barbara is alwayslooking for helpers, so if you can spare a couple of hoursto help out drop by and see Barbara or call her on 33871232. Orders for little and big lunch are to be made prior toschool commencing. Menus are available from the tuckshopand EFTPOS is available (sorry no cash out). Please be awarethat there will be a new menu out soon and there will beprice increases across all items. The tuckshop hasn’t had priceincreases for two years, however, we have had cost prices risesfrom all our suppliers and so consequently our prices must rise.

Uniform shop

The uniform shop is open before and after school everyTuesday and Thursday and at other times by appointment.Please contact the school office on 33871222 or emailpandc@harrfiless.eq.edu.au to make an appointment. Yellowpolos with the school emblem are now available and we wouldlike to apologise for any inconvenience with the delay in delivery.EFTPOS is available, (sorry no cash out).

School Banking News

School Banking day is everyFriday

Remember, Friday is School Banking Dayand students should bring in their weeklydeposit.

For every deposit made at school, students will receive a silverDollarmites token. Once students have individually collected 10tokens they can redeem them for an exclusive School Bankingreward

item in recognition of their regular savings habits.

School Banking is also a great fundraiser for our school, raising5% on every deposit made through the school (to a maximumof $10 per individual deposit).

If your child has lost their book, they can bring their money toschool in a sealed envelope with a note on the next SchoolBanking day. We will issue them with a replacement.

Thank you for supporting the School Banking program at HarrisFields State School. We would also like to thank the wonderfulparents who volunteer as our School Banking Co-ordinatorsand process our banking every week.

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Community News School Safety around Schools

Council will soon commence with the 2017 school parkingpatrols and is seeking your assistance in helping make schoolzones safer.

Thank you for your assistance in making school zones a saferplace for children.

School Dentist Service

The Harris Fields Dental Clinic is open to treat your children.Please call 1300 300 850 for an appointment.

Breakfast Club Helpers Needed

Breakfast Club Helpers needed, please contact the officeon 3387 1222 if you are interested.

Upcoming events

3 March Interschool Friday Sport Starts

7 March School Photos

8 March P&C Annual General Meeting 2:45pm (AdminBuilding)

17March

School Cross Country

21March

Harmony Day

31March

Easter Bonnet Parade

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