Carbrook State School eNewsletter

Principal Mark Winrow

I was delighted to celebrate my first ever Heart of Carbrook Day this week. This special annual event aims to celebrate the wonderful things that Carbrook offers and more importantly, the incredibly warm and supportive relationships we enjoy. During the day, children were encouraged to consider the people that care for them in our community and share the importance of these relationships.

This year all children participated in a drama incursion titled “Thoughts Have Feelings, Too” which promotes resilience through comedy. It was thoroughly enjoyed and shared an important message. As a whole school, we also created an acrostic poem, with each class collaboratively contributing one line. The poem is published below and captures what is special about Carbrook in the eyes of our children. I think it is quite a heart-warming tribute.

The Heart of Carbrook is.......

Happy, healthy place to learn.

Everyone at Carbrook belongs.

A kind heart speaks kind words. All kind words spread joy and happiness!

Respecting everyone’s differences.

Tremendously kind, thoughtful and caring talented thinkers with tender hearts!

Oh – being kind is such a cool and clever thing to do.

Fabulous, fantastic, funny, friendly people.

Caring community where kids come first.

Awesome and accomplished academics, athletes and artists.

Remember be responsible, respectful and resilient all day, every day and that’s the Carbrook way.

Be brave and always stay true to yourself, and try your hardest.

Really caring friendships are built each day.

Our outstanding, organised students at Carbrook are one of a kind and are always encouraging.

Oh we are one outstanding, obliging and original school!

Kindness is kool!

" A collaboration of all classes at our wonderful school"

14 February 2024

Parent Information Evening

We were overjoyed to welcome so many parents into our classrooms on Tuesday night to share information about the routines and expectations of each class. It was also a wonderful opportunity to meet some new faces and reconnect with familiar ones. We cherish open relationships with families so we can work together to support kids in reaching their potential. You are encouraged to maintain these open, respectful relationships with the school throughout the year. We all want the best for your kids.

P&C

I was delighted to join my first P&C meeting this week and see, first hand, the passion this group of dedicated parents has for our school. I look forward to working together with our P&C to facilitate new experiences for our kids and create a community culture in our school. All families are welcome to attend P&C meetings and support them in their work. They are also a key stakeholder who are consulted when changes are considered in our school. The P&C are in need of new members to replace those who have moved on. Without our P&C we cannot hold events like discos, Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day stalls, Subway lunches or even parents volunteering in classrooms. Please consider supporting them to support your kids and community.

NAPLAN

All Year 3 and 5 children across Australia are invited to participate in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) from 13-25 March. Please note that this is a point in time test and teachers are not able to provide the usual support to students during this test. The results of this test are received later in the year and do not count towards student achievements on report cards. If you have concerns with your child participating in NAPLAN please contact the office or class teacher as soon as possible to discuss options.

Before School

So far, our new before school procedures are working very well, with children entering classrooms very calm and ready to learn. Parents are reminded that children will be supervised in the covered area from 8:30am until 9:00am when teachers will collect them for learning. Classes do not start until 9:00am.

Transition to QParents

This year we will be transitioning to QParents for all excursion consent forms to support our continued commitment to sustainability. QParents allows parents to login to the app and provide consent online with direct links to payment options. This streamlined approach also allows parents to keep track of those excursions they have provided consent and paid for. Parents will need to ensure they have downloaded the QParents app and signed up for our school. We are very happy to support parents with this if required through the office.

Take care of yourself and others over the fortnight ahead.

Mark Winrow

Principal

QParents

Deputy Principal Kerry-Ann Reese

NAPLAN Online 2024

Students in Years 3 and 5 will be required to undertake the NAPLAN testing online in March. At Carbrook State School the NAPLAN testing will occur from 13 March to 19 March inclusive. No testing will occur outside this testing period at Carbrook State School.

Students will be participating in a practice test over the next couple of weeks. This provides the school with an opportunity to fine tune any technical and logistical needs, as well as familiarise students and teachers with the online testing process.

Parents and caregivers of children in these NAPLAN year levels will need to be aware of important information relating to privacy, which can be found on the NAPLAN website https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/for-parents-carers

To get an idea of what the tests look like, visit the public demonstration site and read more about NAPLAN Online.

NAPLAN testing is for everyone and all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are expected to participate in NAPLAN tests. Adjustments can be provided for students with a disability to enable them to access the tests on an equivalent basis to students without a disability.

Carbrook State School will work with parents/carers and students to identify, on a case by case basis, reasonable adjustments required for individual students with disability to access NAPLAN. The school will make contact with parents regarding children who are able to access adjustments, however parents are able to make contact with their child’s teacher to arrange a meeting to discuss the adjustments available to their child.

Parents or carers may withdraw their child from the tests to address issues such as religious beliefs and philosophical objections to testing. It is recommended that withdrawal be considered in consultation with the school. Formal notification must be received by the school Principal prior to testing.

We will keep you up-to-date in the lead-up to Naplan testing, but if there’s anything you need in the meantime please contact your child’s teacher.

Carpark Protocols

At 3pm collection, teachers escort classes to the undercover area and dismiss children to allow them to walk to the appropriate pick up zones.

Students need to be responsible for looking out for parents and/or the vehicle they are being collected in. When students are waiting in the pickup zones, students will not be permitted to play games, participate in drawing or reading activities or eat food. Students are to ensure they are keeping an eye on parents coming to collect them. This will ensure for a prompt collection and less congestion in the pickup zones.

Pick up / (Kiss and Go) Zones

These areas are specifically designated for parents to swiftly collect their children immediately after dismissal at 3pm, operating as a 2-minute loading zone. To ensure the smooth flow of the pickup line and prevent any blockage of the carpark entrance from Kruger Road, we kindly request parents to move up to the beginning of the pickup zone.

Parents are required to stay in their vehicles, and children should independently enter the car from the left-hand side, facing the footpath. As cars leave the queue, we appreciate your cooperation in moving up to maintain an organized flow.

Please note that this zone is not suitable for children who need assistance entering the car or those who must stow bags or equipment in the car's trunk. For safety reasons, no child or parent should be on the road within these zones. If your children require assistance or if there's a need to stow items, we kindly ask you to park, collect your children, and accompany them to the car. Your adherence to these guidelines ensures a safe and efficient process for everyone.

Park and Collect

Children will not be permitted to walk from any pickup zone to a parked car in the carparks. If you are parking in either of the carparks, you will be required to collect your children from the nominated zones as indicated below and walk them to the car.

Kindy Bus Carparks

At Carbrook, we have designated kindy buses that transport children to after-school care facilities at 3 pm. Reserved parking bays for these buses are marked with bollards at the back of the carpark. Please show consideration by refraining from parking in these reserved spaces. Your cooperation ensures the smooth operation of our kindy bus service and contributes to the safety and convenience of everyone involved. Thank you for your understanding.

End of Week Clubs have kicked off!

All students from Years 1-6 are warmly invited to join Turn-It-Out Thursdays each week at 8:30am outside the library. We try to keep the moves simple and the music loud! Walk-It-Off Fridays are back on too, with all students from Years 1-6 welcome to don their hats from 8:30am and join us for leisurely strolls around the oval, with laps counted up for our inter-house competition.

Preps will be encouraged to come along once they’ve got Term 1 under their belts.

Getting moving can benefit our learning and wellbeing in so many awesome ways; I hope to see many students making the most of these active opportunities. Mrs B

Music Melissa Dillon

Choir

Students in Years 3 to 6 are invited to join the Carbrook State School choir. We will be rehearsing on Tuesday at first break (11:00 – 11:20). Our first public performance will be the ANZAC parade held in early Term 2. This is a free program offered to our students.

Instrumental

Forms and invoices have been sent. To ensure students receive their hire instrument as soon as possible, please make these payments and return forms promptly. No instruments will be able to go home until forms and fees have been paid. Timetables for both of these programs will be on the music room window and Mrs Dillon’s office window (other side of the music block).

We look forward to your ongoing support of our students this year.

Please feel free to contact Mrs Dillon at mbudd20@eq.edu.au if you have any concerns or questions.

PE Melissa Dillon

District sports trials – 10, 11 and 12 years only!

Pacific District School Sport provide opportunities for students to represent at a District and Regional level through sporting teams. To take advantage of this opportunity, students with experience in their respective sports are invited to nominate for trials through our sports coordinator, Mrs Dillon.

To be eligible to trial:

be participating in regular matches and training in their respective sport (this is not suitable for beginners)
born in 2012, 2013 or 2014
email their intent to nominate including:
- Student name
- Class
- Sport
- Positions played (if applicable)

Please ensure to take note of the trial due dates as NO late nominations will be accepted.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs Dillon at mbudd20@eq.edu.au

Please look out for more trial emails coming through as there are multiple trials happening throughout the rest of the term and year.

iHUB

Some children find it challenging to say goodbye to their loved one in the morning. Here are some helpful tips to make the goodbyes easier. Remember consistency is key. Discuss the routine with your child, practise it, remind your child the night before and morning of school what the decided routine is and stick to it.

Prep & Year 1 Incursion

PREP and Year 1 Incursion

On Thursday 8 February the Prep and Year 1 classes participated in an incursion organised by Moreton Bay Environmental Centre. The program allowed students to investigate and identify living things in our school garden habitats. We worked in groups, using nets and bug catchers to discover insects. Students then worked in small teams to examine external features of various living things under a microscope. Identification charts were used to identify organisms and assist with sketching and labelling. This incursion engaged us in science curriculum concepts, communication and teamwork and critical and creative thinking.

We had such a fun day – thank you to all our Prep and Year 1 parents for being organised and ready for the day.

In Week 4, the Year 1 cohort participated in a cultural learning experience about the Lunar New Year. Mrs Lo shared her cultural heritage and how her family celebrates the Lunar New Year. We learned about lanterns, dragons, red envelopes and messages of hope and encouragement. Mrs Lo even brought in her calligraphy set and showed us how to write some of our names in Chinese. The children marvelled at all the exciting traditions and activities that take place. We also shared some fortune cookies filled with lovely messages.

Library News

We warmly welcome past and new students to Carbrook State School’s library for 2024.

Our library is now open for borrowing and most students have undertaken their orientation lesson on Carbrook’s library expectations. All students will be allowed to borrow 1 library book for 1 week and they must bring a library bag to be permitted to borrow.

Our library strikes to positively influence the learning outcomes of students by encouraging a lifelong love of learning and reading. We work in conjunction with students to get books into their hands that they want to read.

Another way that we encourage students into the library is with our lunchtime activities. This term we have a different activity on offer each day. Hopefully they will be able to find one activity a week that sparks their interest.

This year Carbrook State School will once again be supporting Queensland School Library Week which runs from Monday February 12 until Friday February 16, 2024. We are encouraging students to participate in the following competitions where winners will receive a $50 book voucher for themselves and a $100 book voucher for the school. Students may unleash their creative energy at school or at home and bring their masterpiece into the library. Last year both our Junior and Senior entries made it to the short list featured on the Queensland School Library Associations website. https://www.qsla.org.au/qslw. We look forward to seeing some amazing entries.