Issue 6 Friday 28 April 2023

Just a Reminder - Prep Open Morning

Principal - Sonya Wilson

Welcome back parents and carers to another busy term.

The Easter vacation provided a wonderful opportunity to rest and recharge. It also provided an opportunity for some projects to be undertaken and completed at school.

Extension to the play area directly outside Teaching Block 4, currently Year 6 classrooms. This has been a drawn-out project since the removal of the old gazebo and uneven pavers over the Christmas vacation.  The addition of more shade sails, yet to be finished, and extension to the artificial grass provides students with a play area that offers shade during hot sunny weather and that will stay relatively dry when we have soaking rains. Students are already using this extension to the quiet play area at break times.

Upgrades to the digital technology in classrooms with the installation of interactive electronic whiteboards in  Year 4 , 5 and 6 classrooms. These boards provide teachers with greater flexibility to enhance teaching and learning. This is a gradual upgrade with upgrades planned for younger year levels next year.

I had the pleasure of spending three days last week attending the Year 6 camp. It was a wonderful opportunity to witness how students interact in a different context. I appreciated seeing their independence, resilience and teamwork over the three days. The students took responsible risks, when engaging in the mid-ropes course, Tower of Tremble and Giant Swing. It was a pleasure to see their enjoyment, pride in overcoming their fears and encouragement and support for peers. I do hope they have shared their gratitude with their families for providing them with this opportunity. I know that I am grateful to the teachers for taking time to provide this opportunity for students.

Kind regards

Sonya Wilson

Year 6 Camp

This year the Year 6 students went to Maranatha Camp at Boulder Creek near Gympie. Although it was a bit rainy when we first arrived the weather soon cleared up. The students engaged in a mixture of activities that required different skills such as negotiation skills, perseverance and teamwork. The teaching team that went on camp were repeatedly blown away by how the students were willing to try something new or a bit scary, and how supportive they were of each other's successes. It truly was a fantastic time at camp which gave students an opportunity to bond with each other and the teachers.

Katie - During Camp I enjoyed the Giant Swing, campfire night and eating the delectable food Bridget prepared. I was tested when I went in the creek/lake in the raft building activity as I don't enjoy being in bodies of water were I can't see what is in the bottom of the water.  I loved spending the days and nights of camp even though in the middle of the night people were going to a singular toilet which was located next to my cabin. I rate it: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jenna - During camp I enjoyed the Giant swing the most because the activity tested my limits as I am kind of afraid of heights. My other favourite activity was the creek exploration as I got to dig for gold and try and catch fish or something like that. Lastly the thing I most enjoyed was being with my friends for three days and two night!

Grace - At camp it was so much fun from all the activites to serving breakfast. We all had a great time.

Camryn - Year 6 camp this year was awesome. The food was awesome and all of the activities were very fun and exciting. The mid ropes were the best, they were very high up and very fun at testing everyone’s limits. The raft building was so fun lots of people fell in the water and after the raft building we all got to go for a swim in the dam. The food was the best part and the beds are very stiff and rock hard. All the boys were up talking for hours and we could hear them. Its was also very cold.

Sabine - Whilst at camp I enjoyed archery the most but I also enjoyed spending time with friends. When we got split into the two groups I found out a lot about other people that I didn’t normally talk to. I found the songs at the campfire were really funny and the marshmallows were really good. Although I didn't get put with everyone that I wanted I still survived the two nights.

Emma- My favourite thing was the Giant Swing because I went high and had fun. The swing was scary and I screamed a lot. Everyone would cheer when you were having your turn, which made it even more fun.

Hazel-  During camp my favourite activity was the Giant Swing.

Aroha - During camp I experienced activities like the Giant Swing, Leap of Faith, Creek Exploration and more. All the activities that we did allowed people to go out of there comfort zone and try new things. My experience at camp was wonderful, food was nice and the activities were fun. Personally, my favourite activity was the Giant Swing because it felt like you were flying. One thing that I did not enjoy was the harnesses, the harnesses did tend to hurt on some of the activities. Other than that, my experience at camp was wonder and made I made lots of memories that can’t be remade and will live forever.

Amelie - During camp I experienced many different activities and pushed my limits. I enjoyed the Leap of Faith the most because it made me go further than I thought I could and discovered that if I do not try I will regret it later on. A piece of advice I have for other grades to come is to not be afraid to branch out and test your limits because you don't want to regret not trying.

Keenan - During camp I really enjoyed the GIANT SWING and ARCHERY. The Giant Swing was really enjoyable from going to the max height of the Giant Swing with swinging over a massive drop. The archery is very fun and I got two bullseyes in a row. The scenery was great.

Gabby - I hated the mid-ropes NEVER AGAIN it was very SCARYYY. My favourite part was the raft building because when it sunk we got to swim in the pond and jump off the jetty but when I was shampooing my hair IT CAME OUT GREEN. Overall, I had a really good time. I am glad I went.

Rhys - Camp was fun and challenged you to do stuff that you might not want to do. The activities were great even if it was a challenge. I learnt that I can do stuff that I don’t like but I still gave it a go. My activity that I liked the most was the Creek Exploration because I found a yabby and saw people fall over in the puddles. 

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ANZAC Day 25 April 2023

Carbrook State School remembered the fallen in a solemn but moving ANZAC service on Monday 24 April. Staff and students showed respect as they listened to the senior leaders talk of the bravery, mateship and passion of the soldiers that fought in battles many years ago. As the flag flew at half mast, the sound of student voices singing ‘Brown Slouch Hat’ rang through the air. The Last Post, played by Carbrook’s music teacher Melissa Dillon, cut through the silence and gave warning for the minute of reflection that followed.

Carbrook staff and students were joined by special guests that included past service men and woman, donned with medals that acknowledged their dedication and sacrifice. Student representatives laid hand-made wreaths before Year Six students placed 14 individual red roses at the cenotaph to remember the men and women of Carbrook who served for our country. Mia and Azalyah read the poem, ‘Not a Hero’, about a young boy who sat with a digger on a park bench, admiring his medals. The boy believed the medals were given for being a hero, however the old digger soon explained it was the ones who never came home that were the true heroes. 

Carbrook’s ANZAC service concluded with the singing of the New Zealand and Australian National Anthems before the special guests moved to the staffroom to enjoy coffee and an Anzac biscuit. All students displayed the Carbrook value of respect to an exceptional standard.

Deputy Principal - Liz Cook

Welcome back to Term Two. I’m sure you have all enjoyed your break over the Easter period and have been re energised from quality time spent with family and friends.

This term is already looking to be quite busy with Semester 1 reports card issued at the end of the term.

Consolidation Sprints

At the end of Week 1, your child’s class teacher would have communicated the learning goal and success criteria for your child during their weekly consolidation sprints cycle. The duration of this cycle will be for 5 weeks, with a certificate of achievement sent to you at the end of Week 5, informing you how your child has succeeded with their goal. If you have not received this information, please get in contact with your child’s class teacher to discuss further.

Life Education Program

From 18 -24 May (Week 5 & 6), the Life Education program will be visiting our school for all year levels. A letter outlining the program and modules for each year level was emailed and sent home as a papercopy to families today, this has also been attached below for your reference.

As stated in the letter, our P & C has generously funded this program for all students to attend at no cost to our families. The cost of this program would normally be $11 per student and I would like to acknowledge and thank the P & C for this contribution to our students’ learning at Carbrook State School.

Although there is no cost involved, you will need to complete and return the permission slip to your child’s class teacher by Monday 15 May for your child to attend the incursion.

Information regarding when your child will be attending their session will be communicated with families closer to the date.

Curriculum Newsletters

Curriculum newsletters were sent to parents/caregivers this week, outlining the learning that your child will undertake for Term 2. If you did not receive this in your inbox, each newsletter has been attached below for your reference.

Have a fabulous fortnight,

Liz Cook

Deputy Principal - Jane Tuckett

Home Reading Survey Results

Thank you to everyone who responded to our Home Reading Survey about your favourite children’s books. The survey indicated that:

• 75% of those who responded had a favourite book as a child, whereas others were unsure.
• All indicated that their child has a favourite book.
• 64% suggested a book that we should include with our Home Reading Program.

We have heard of, or read, many of your or your child’s favourite books; however, some were new to us like, Ten Things I Love About School, Down by the Bay, Scenes for the Life of Dragons and Spud. Some of the titles we will pass onto the library for them to consider purchasing. Some of your favourite books we have purchased to be included in our Let’s Read, Home Reading Program (Prep-Year 2). These books include Wombat Stew, Who Sank the Boat, Hairy Maclary, Where is the Green Sheep?, The Sausage that Went for a Walk, The Gruffalo, The Rainbow Fish, Koala Lou and Possum Magic. Based on your suggestions we have also include books written by Nick Bland, Pamela Allen, Mem Fox and Aaron Blabey, We have also included some more recent publications like The Speedy Sloth and Dirt by Sea.

Let’s Read – Illustrations and Icon

We would like to thank Terry Whidborne for creating our Let’s Read logo and related illustrations. Terry has been illustrating books and creating art for many years. His artwork has been in Grand Designs Australia and various exhibitions. He has illustrated and co-wrote a series of books, titled Word Hunters, with Nick Earls. He has also illustrated Tales of Icehaven and the O-Oh series of children books. The recently published Faeries of Tasmania was written and illustrated by Terry. He has also created short aminated films and been involved with many smaller projects like the set of Australian Animal gift cards.

Based on some ideas provided by some of our Year 6 students, Terry created illustrations based on the possum that lives in our school grounds. You will see the parent possum and their child on the Home Reading guides. Below are some of the illustrations Terry has created for our Home Reading Program – Let’s Read.

Research informs us that the most effective way to teach children in the early years to comprehend text (and develop a “love of reading” or become a “reader”) is through multiple opportunities to be read to, talk about what has been read, read, and enjoy quality literature.

Our home reading program, “Let’s Read” focuses on children being read to, talking with the reader about what has been read, and enjoying quality literature.

The Let’s Read Home Reading Program will begin in Prep next week. All Prep students will borrow for a week, a book pack which contains a quality book and a guide to assist parents with reading the book to their child, talking about the book and engaging with the book. These books are not intended to be read by the child, but with most of the books as it becomes more familiar, most children will be able to join with some of the text.

Each set of books includes fiction and non-fiction books. The fiction books can generally be read in one sitting with follow-up discussion and/or an activity. We suggest that non-fiction books are read in sections based on interest, with you and your child using the table of contents to choose the chapter to read that afternoon/night. Once the chapter has been read, then talk about it and maybe complete an activity before reading another chapter.

Parents are encouraged to read the book in the book pack to their child every day for one week (or at least for five days) and over the week, talk with their child about the book, the vocabulary, the letters and sounds in the book and any connection the child might have with the book. An additional activity has also been included for children who enjoy making and creating; this activity is optional. After the week, the child returns the book pack to school and swaps it for another one.

A guide has written for each book with prompts to assist parents when talking about the book. The guide consists of two sides.

The first side outlines some general information about the program, ideas to help you and your child get ready and a section about reading to your child. The first side is the same for each guide.

The second side of the guide is specific to the book in the pack. The is three sections to this page:

1. Let’s Talk and Explore – Questions and ideas to help you talk with your child about the book; with a focus on a specific topic/concept, the language or vocabulary used and a letter/sound used in the book.
2. Let’s Connect – Question or ideas for your child connect with the book; How does the book relate to their life? In Year 1, this section will be “Let’s Recount” and in Year 2 it will be “Let’s Problem Solve”.
3. Let’s Make or Let’s Do – An activity involving making something related to the book or doing something.

We hope that the Let’s Read Home Reading Program becomes an important part in our Prep students’ routine and that they and their parents/carers enjoy the book packs as much as we enjoyed selecting the books and writing the guides.

Remember, even five minutes reading to your child (regardless of their age) and talking about it, will make a difference to them learning to read and as a bonus this time spent together is precious.

As Emillie Buchwald once said,

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”

Happy reading and enjoy your time together.

Kind regards,

Jane Tuckett 

STEM - Sheri Walls

This term we will be giving Year 5 and 6 students the opportunity to join a Robotics Club at first break every Wednesday. Using LEGO Spike Kits, students will learn about robotics and coding in a fun and engaging way. The club provides an opportunity for students to work collaboratively, develop their creativity and problem-solving skills, and participate in exciting challenges. By working in teams, students will learn how to build and program robots that can move, sense their environment, and interact with the world around them. They will also be introduced to basic programming concepts, giving them a head start in the ever-growing field of technology. Teachers will discuss this with their classes this week and let Mrs Walls know by Friday the students interested in joining.

iHUB

iHUB News: Setting your child up for success at school

There are a number of things that you can do to assist your child to be set up for success at school:

1. Good before school routine

Morning routines set the mood for the whole day. A calm and relaxing morning routine assists your child to have a brighter outlook and enables them to:

• get organised
• be more responsible
• improve their time management
• form healthy habits.

Some examples of good before school routines are below.

2. Great communication with your child’s class teacher around any changes in your child’s life

Anything from a family member or pet passing away to a lost favourite toy, if your child is upset, worried or anxious about anything at home, it is important for this to be communicated to your child’s class teacher so that they are aware of the situation and can provide the support required throughout the day.

3. Student voice

Below is a really simple sheet that has been put together by Autism Queensland that is child friendly and allows a child to have a ‘voice’. This is beneficial for a student to fill out and has been trialled with a number of students this year with great success. The students that have trialled it have felt empowered in knowing that they had been heard and their needs addressed. I encourage you to print it off and use it to have a conversation with your child and see if they want to fill it out and hand to their teacher to provide a little more information about them and how they learn.

4. Reinforce the expectations for the day or the strategies that your child is learning

Consistency is the key. If you can, reinforce the expectations or strategies that your child is currently learning, in the car on the way to school. This could be around:

• The school wide expectations (Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Safe and Be a Learner)
• Classroom expectations (I sit in my chair, I lock my lips, I raise my hand, I do my work)
• ZONES of regulation (red, yellow, blue, green)
• 7 caring habits
• High 5
• Or another program your child might be working on (Super Flex, ALERT, Friendship, Anger Management, Hunter and the Amazing Remote Control etc) 

Remember – successful learning is a partnership. We all need to consistently work together to assist students to reach their full potential.

AQ Workshops coming up

2/3 - Deidre Klatt

Students from 2/3DK used Bee-Bots to further learn about control, directional language and programming. As part of our maths learning, these exciting programmable floor robots are an invaluable tool for the students as they problem solve in a fun way. Communicating and collaborating with another student was also important.

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PE - Melissa Dillon

On Wednesday 19 March, a team of twelve Carbrook students participated in the Beenleigh Zone Cross Country at Rivermount College. All students put in their best effort for their event and represented the school with pride and respect. Not only were are students extremely well-behaved, they also had amazing support and encouragement for their fellow Carbrook team mates.

After the races were done, we participated in the Cross-Country relay event. This was where we witness some amazing teamwork, support, grit and determination. Being such a small group, we had to make teams to the best of our ability. Several of our students raced in the relay team one or two years above their age-group.  A special thank you to Willow, Portia and Mason for running in two different relay teams to allow everyone to have-a-go.

Sports Day Date Claimer

Our whole school sports day will be held on Wednesday 17 May 2023. 

The purpose of the day is ‘participation and fun’. We want all students to attempt the events and build confidence whilst participating in sport. Physical activity stimulates brain activity, builds resilience and creates a sense of belonging. Parents, we ask you to help us build that positive relationship with physical activity by encouraging their participation!

Junior Sports Day: (Prep – Year 2 & 2/3DK)

This is an event designed to give our students an opportunity to participate in activities that use the foundation skills of the various track and field events. All events are non-competitive with an emphasis on maximum participation for all. The Junior Sports Day non-competitive events will be on the Junior Oval at the back of the school (behind the library).

Senior Sports Day: (Years 3 – 6)

Students will assemble in classrooms at 8.50am and teachers will mark the class roll and put on student badges. Students are to have their hats and drink bottles. Teachers and students then assemble on the oval under shade tents in AGE groups: 8yrs (2015), 9yrs (2014), 10yrs (2013), 11yrs (2012), 12yrs (2011). War cries from the three houses will be heard, junior sprints will be viewed and then the rotations begin!

Spectators are welcome!

We welcome parents and carers as spectators for our events.  All spectators will be asked to remain behind the bunting in the designated areas at all times.  Whilst we understand that many parents wish to take photos of their child when crossing the finish line in the sprinting events, we ask that all parents stand clear of the finish line in order for the place judges to award ribbons to the correct students. Please find a place to take your photo which will not interfere with this process. Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated and will in turn avoid confusion for the place judges.

Remember that our team colours are yellow for Albert, red for Logan and blue for Kruger. We look forward to seeing you all on Sports day!

P&C Mothers' Day Stall

       Mother's Day Stall

Movie Night Saturday 20 May 2023

P&C Pie Drive

General Information

At Carbrook State School we understand that pets are important members of many of our families and therefore take part in many daily activities. While we value this involvement, we also recognise that bringing animals onto school grounds can bring with it the risk of injury to our students, cause allergic reactions, and create stress for children/adults who may be afraid of certain animals. These reactions can occur even with the most friendly and well-restrained pets.

As a school, we therefore remind families that animals are not permitted on our school grounds at any time unless they are assistance or service dogs and prior approvement has been given by the Principal.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.