Issue 13
23 August
2013
BOOKWEEK
Bookweek Dress Up Parade was held on
Monday 12 August. This was a wonderful
event organized by Mrs Humphries (our
Teacher Librarian) and Mrs Duff (our Library
Teacher Aide). Thank you very much to these
staff members who made our 2013 Book Week
Parade memorable. Students and staff looked
fantastic!! It was great to see so many of our
School Community support this annual school
activity with their attendance. Congratulations
to the winners in the 4 categories : Connor
Vayro, Elise Cuskelly, Terry Johnson and Liam
Smith. Photos of our Book Week Parade are
included in this newsletter for you to enjoy….
2014 PREP INTERVIEWS
Office staff have commenced contacting all families on our
2014 Prep List for an Interview time. If you wish to enrol
your child please contact the school office as soon as
possible.
Children born between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2009
are eligible to enrol for Prep in 2014.
Parents/Carers will need to complete an enrolment form
available from the School Office, provide a Birth Certificate
and attend an enrolment interview. A Pre Prep Playgroup
and an Open Day will be held in 4th Term for Prep students
and their parents. There will also be an Information Session
for Prep Parents in the School Hall. A flyer informing you of
these dates will either be given to you at the interview or
posted to you. Please contact the school office for further
information or log onto our Website at http://
www.fairheigss.eq.edu.au
FATHER’S DAY STALL
The timetable for this years Father’s Day Stall is included in this issue of our Newslettter.
Students are only able to make 2 purchases to allow all students a chance to shop. Thank you
for your understanding.
MORE GREAT NEWS
Further to our new General Teacher Learning Relocatable Building (where 2 of our Year 2 classes
are being housed at the moment) and our New Prep Relocatable Building (that is under construction
at the moment) we have also been allocated a Permanent New Music Block. This dedicated Music
Block will be attached to N block, where there is already a space prepared for future building. This
Music block will be AMAZING!!!! A fully equipped Storage room for musical instruments, a sound
proof music practice room, and a general teaching area for Music. The building will be air
conditioned and completely furnished. Wow!!! The construction of this building will commence next
term. Be on the look out for further development at Fairview Heights.
EVERY DAY COUNTS
There are a number of children who are regularly absent from school. Many times these
absences are not explained. Legally, students have to attend school and there are processes
in place within Education Queensland, where if absences continue on a regular basis, letters
are sent home to parents to inform them about the possibility of pending legal action.
Every day certainly does count for a child’s education and we need parents to support the journey
of learning for their child/ren. For further information on the importance of regular school attendance,
please visit www.education.qld.gov.au/everydaycounts/posters.html
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS SS website address is:
http://www.fairheigss.eq.edu.au
Page 2
ATTENDANCE
Good attendance and success at school go hand in hand.
Absences from school are notified regularly to Education
Queensland. Parents are asked to please comply with the
following when students are absent:
Prices are as follows:
A Family Ticket
$35.00 (this is for 2 Parents/Carers
and any children U/16 in that family or household)
Either
Adult Ticket
$15.00
Phone the STUDENT ABSENCE LINE 46 592860 and leave a
message with students name; class; days absent and reason.
Student:
$5.00
OR
send a written note of explanation on the day that the
student returns to school. This note should be sent to the
class teacher.
If a student is likely to be absent for 3 days or more, please
telephone the school and inform us of the circumstances of
the absence.
If your child is absent for 3 continuous days without contact
from a parent/guardian, the school will make every effort to
contact you.
Unexplained Absences are when a parent or carer does not
notify the school of a student’s absence. The administration
team will run a report on a regular basis. Any unexplained
absences will be identified in One School and a letter
addressed to the parent /carer will provide an opportunity for
you to respond by providing a brief explanation. This letter is to
be signed and returned to the school office.
SCHOOL HOURS
Our school ground hours are 8.00am-3.15pm. During
the beginning of this new term, an increasing number of
students have been arriving at school before 8.00am.
There are few staff members present at this time of the
day; therefore no supervision is available prior to 8.00am.
There are some students who are arriving at 7.30am. !! It
is important that students DO NOT ENTER SCHOOL
GROUNDS BEFORE 8.00AM. A bell goes at 8.00am
to let students know that they can move from the
area in front of the Administration Block to the other
areas in the school grounds.
In the afternoons after Look Out, Gary or myself still have
students waiting for parents to pick them up at 3.45p.m.
Unless there has been a prior arrangement made with
Gary or myself, we feel that we have parents taking
advantage of our kindness!
MUSICAL
The School Musical “Cinderella Rockerfella” is
continuing to progress well. Lots of nerves, on my
part!!! However I know that for staff, students, parents
and the wider community that are involved in the
production, it is all worth it to see the pure joy on students
faces as they perform.
Please come and see the
amazing talent on show at the Musical at the Highfields
Cultural Centre on Thursday 19 September at
7.00p.m
Prizes will be for:
• First family ticket sold
• First Adult ticket sold
• First student ticket sold
• Tenth family ticket sold
• 50th Adult ticket sold
• 100th Student ticket sold
• Last ticket sold
Tickets are on sale from the Admin Office during Office
hours.
So you can see lots of incentives to purchase tickets. We
would love to be SOLD OUT AGAIN!!!!
Remember to purchase your tickets early, so you don’t miss
out!! This did happen with our first Musical. Remember to
get in early and avoid disappointment.
More news in our next newsletter!!!!!
Be on the look out for this.
PAYMENT DUE DATES
When parents receive notes regarding an upcoming excursion or school activity which requires payment, the closing
date when payment is required is always stated clearly on
the note. Of late, there are parents who have requested that
they be allowed to make payment after the closing date.
These requests have caused angst for our Office Staff as
well as parents/caregivers. There are numerous Administration tasks that have to be completed prior to the excursion or
activity, which require strict adherence to the nominated closing date.
Our school gives more than sufficient notice about forthcoming activities and payment plans can be arranged, as long as
parents contact the School Office, prior to the nominated
closing date. This Policy will be strictly adhered to, so we are
not seen to be inconsistent in our financial management
practices.
If we make exceptions to the clearly stated rule, this undermines the practices that are put in place for all. Thank you
for your cooperation.
SMS ALERT MESSAGES
As you know we have introduced a new initiative with our
SMS Alert Messages. We have used this facility already and
have found it very effective.
For these SMS Alert
Messages to be effective we need current
mobile numbers and
you need to let the Office Staff know, if there
are any changes to your
mobile number. Remember, of course you
have to have a mobile
phone that is active to
receive SMS message
alerts. We will then be
using this technology
when classes go on
excursions etc. A great
resource that can be
used if required.
Julie
Page 3
FATHER’S DAY STALL
STUDENTS ARE ONLY ABLE TO MAKE 2
PURCHASES TO ALLOW ALL STUDENTS A
CHANCE TO SHOP
Thursday
Friday
29 August
30 August
2013 DATES TO REMEMBER
Tues 20 AugThurs 5 Sep
P-Yr7 Swimming Lessons—Glennie Pool. Payments are
now closed.
Wed 21 Aug
Musical Tickets went on sale.
9.00 a.m.
9.15 a.m.
9.30 a.m.
9.45 am
10.00am
10.15 a.m.
2V
1F
1H
P-4 F
Prep F
1S
Prep H
Prep S
P-4W
P-4F
4V
4F
Sun 25 Aug
Optiminds—Participants register by 9.00am
Wed 28 Aug
Reading Information Session for Parents of P-Yr 1 in
N Block @ 3.15—4.30pm. RSVP in Classroom.
Th 29/Fr 30 Aug
Father’s Day Stall
10.30 a.m.
1V
5F
Mon 9 Sep
2014 Prep Enrolments Commence
10.45 a.m.
11.30 p.m.
11.45 p.m.
12.00 p.m.
12.15 p.m.
12.30 p.m.
2H
2F
3F
3/4FS
2/3FS
7F
5V
6F
6/7FS
Prep W
Prep V
Any students who
missed out
Thurs 19 Sep
School Musical
Sat 21 Sep—
Sun 6 Oct
Spring School Holidays
Mon 7 Oct
Labor Day Public Holiday
Mon 21 Oct
Student Free Day
12.45 p.m.
2.00p.m.
2.15 p.m.
2.30p.m.
7V
4-7F
1-5F
Mon 25 Nov
—Fri 29 Nov
Yr 7 Camp—Tallebudgera Beach Outdoor Ed School.
Forms and Final Payment due Monday 4 November
Mon 2-Wed 4
Dec
Yr 5 Camp—Emu Gully. Payment due Monday 4 November
Tues 10 Dec
Yr 7 Farewell Dinner in School Hall
REGULAR ACTIVITIES
We are encouraging parents/carers to access our Newsletter on our website. As an added incentive for families
when keeping up to date with the exciting things happening here at Fairview Heights, we are introducing a lucky
spot in our Newsletter. Find this section, fill it out and
return to the school office where it will be placed into a
lucky draw which will be selected on parade each fortnight.
Winners will receive a tuckshop voucher. Who will be
first??
Mon/ Thurs/ Fri
TUCKSHOP
PrepF / PrepV / P-4V Tuckshop is on Thursday
PrepH / PrepS/ PrepW Tuckshop is on Monday
Tuesday
Woodwork Option—Lunchtime
2nd Tuesday of
Month
P&C Meeting – All Welcome
7.00 pm – Staff Room
Wed
Yr 6&7 Choir Rehearsals 8-8.45am at the FHSS Hall
Wed
Technology Club (Yr 4) N Block
Wed
Chess Club - Library 1.15pm
Wed
Knitting Club - L Block 1.15pm
Wed
Assembly (in Hall) 2.20pm
Thurs
Yr 4&5 Choir Rehearsals 8-8.45am at the FHSS Hall
Thurs
Cartooning Club—N Block 1.15pm
Answer: 19 is the cubed root of 6859
TOOWOOMBA CITY COUNCIL
2013 FREE PLANTS VOUCHERS
Are you planning to use these vouchers which come with your
Rates Notice? IF NOT, please consider donating it to our school to
enhance our gardens!!
STUDENT ABSENCE LINE
Student’s Name: ……………………....
46 592 860
Class: ……
I have read this issue of the FHSS Newsletter
Please Leave:
Name
Class Days Absent Reason As some of you know, on 8 August, 10 people were selected from year 7
to participate in Maths Challenge. In Team A we had Jake Ridley, Kiah
Wake, Nicki Redman, Tom Panitz and Courteney Rixon. In Team B we had
Dylan Wenham, Arleigha Thomas, Jarred Samuels, Riley Naumann and
Lachlan Mohr. A big thanks to our two reserves Tyler Swain and James
Sorrensen who weren’t needed on the day but who trained with us. We
all went to St Ursula’s College and competed against 24 other maths
teams from the Darling Downs region. First we had a group challenge and
had 12 questions to answer in 45 minutes. Then we had the relay
challenge and that was where both teams gained a lot of points.
Congratulations to both teams for their fabulous effort. Team A did
well and achieved 15th place. Big thanks to Mr Ferris and Mrs Murphy
for all their enthusiasm throughout the whole year!
This is a 12 point question that Dylan Wenham and Jake Ridley solved:
The cube root of 125 is 5. This is written mathematically as: 3√125 = 5.
What is the largest four-digit number whose cube root is a prime
number? (A prime number only has 2 factors, 1 and the number itself)
Find the answer on the previous page.
by Courteney Rixon
West Zone Athletics
Congratulations to our 60 super athletes who attended
West Zone on Monday. All combined to help Fairview
achieve 5th in the boys and 3rd overall in the girls
competition. Great work.
8 of our Fairview athletes will be part of the West Zone
team and will compete at the DD carnival in
September. These students are;
Harry Lucas, Levi Cuskelly, Bailey Hope, Kate Owen,
Brock Ridley, Lauchlan Voss, Danielle Wyatt,
Mackenzee Bradley and Keegan French. We are very
proud of these students and wish them the best of luck.
Swimming
We are repeating this information session that was offered to parents of Prep/Year 1 children earlier this
year.
The session will provide you with tips on how to support
beginning readers and will include an explanation of the
reading strategies that are used at FHSS. The session
will be run by Chris McVeigh, Year 1 Teacher and Trina
Murphy, Learning Support teacher.
WHEN: Wednesday, 28 August, 3:15 – 4:30pm
WHERE: N Block
RSVP: Place your name on a sign-on sheet near
your child’s classroom.
Great to see over 400 students take part in the swimming
program this week. Lots of great swimming and learning
taking place. Please remember to name all items,
particularly underwear as it seems to be the most often
‘unclaimed’ item. Unfortunately, Glennie can now longer
offer ‘loan’ goggles. A great number of the ‘loan’ goggles
went missing after the first day. If you could please check
that your child didn’t accidently take a pair home that
would be appreciated.
Al Aston
PE Teacher
We celebrated Science Week (10-18 August) here at Fairview Heights with our own Science
Expo in the hall, run by Mr Ferris and selected science ‘experts’ from each class: Samuel Collier, Kaitlin Wright, Rachel Berry, Noah Richardson, Jack Lobegeiger, Sally Nugter, Siara
Prince, David Bell, Marc Dimiclad, Matthew White, Larz Garvey, Kasey Gearin, Andrew
Chipisuboff, Jamie Radke, Georgia Wright, Jase Sampson, Harry Panitz, Keegan French, Ashley Baxter, Hannah Becker and Riley Naumann. It was a great opportunity for students, who
excel at science, to be extended. Check out what our Fairview scientists got up to.
On Wednesday, 14 August, thirteen Year 5 students were selected to visit Toowoomba State
High School – Wilsonton Campus, to participate in various science activities, run by some
talented year 8 students (many of the year 8 students were past FHSS students!). Our students thoroughly enjoyed their high school experience. Many thanks to those students who
have written about what they learnt. There isn’t enough room for all the science reports today, so keep watching future newsletters for more.
Amber Peasley (5F) reports:
At Wilsonton Campus we were split into groups. I first went to an egg experiment.
The aim was to make a shuttle so your egg was safe when the teacher dropped it
from 3 metres high. I worked with a girl from another school and we got second
place. We kept our egg safe by putting paddle pop sticks on the bottom of a cup
and then we put bubble wrap around the inside of the cup. Then we put cotton
balls on the bottom of the cup. We then placed our egg inside the cup. I blew up a
balloon and taped it to straws. Then we went out to test them. Ours floated down
slowly and our egg didn’t break!! Overall I had a fun day at the Wilsonton High
School. It was a great opportunity to meet new friends.
What a great day we had! 600 excited and colourfully dressed children, sang and rapped to ‘The Dewey Decimal Rap’! This is a catchy rap
video that immortalises Melville Dewey and his famous Dewey Decimal System for Library organisation. The children learned the lyrics
during Mrs Chetty’s music lessons and with Mrs Duff & Frau Cotterell during Library Borrowing time. They even practised on Mr Aston’s
Sport bus!! The children entertained parents & staff with a song that has penetrated our brains and will not go away! It is one of those
catchy tunes that is still spinning around in my head at 2am! I have been a Teacher-Librarian, teaching Children’s Literature and Library
Science for a very long time, but have never had such a rapturous response to learning the Dewey Decimal System! The power of technology and Youtube! This was also the last Book Week for our yr 6 teacher Mr Mac and we enjoyed a montage of past memories of his many
antics on stage! Mr Mac, dressed as Captain Underpants, led our parade, marching, skipping and dancing the perimeter of the hall. All children received a beautiful bookmark
prize and 4 children won the major prizes of a $15 book voucher from QBD. Our winners
were: Connor Vayro, Elise Cuskelly, Liam Smith & Terry Johnson. Everyone had a wonderful time celebrating Children’s Literature, with many of our teachers also dressing in
amazing character costumes. Special thanks go to Mr Traynor for his techno skills, adding lyrics to the video. I would like to especially thank parents for their efforts in preparing spectacular costumes again this year!
Keep reading!
Mrs Humphries, Teacher-Librarian