Student Wellbeing and Respectful Relationships

What a fortnight.  Thank you to the many interactions I have had with parents and community members over the past fortnight. What a joy it is, to be immersed in a community who values learning! 

Firstly I would like to congratulate all of our school leaders who were recently inducted, last fortnight.  They have already risen to the mantle of leadership in all areas of our school.  

If you missed out on the ceremony, our student leader representatives took an oath of service which pledged;

As a student leader of Rochedale South State School, I promise:

• to lead by example in behaviour and school spirit, reflecting the 5C’s, and our school rules,
• to follow all school rules and make decisions that reflect commitment to doing what is right,
• to adhere to the school dress code and wear my school uniform with pride,
• to persistently apply myself to my learning, both at school and at home, and
• to work hard to make a contribution that will support my school’s development and promote its good reputation within the wider community.

I understand the importance of my role in helping to set high standards within our school and hereby pledge to undertake these responsibilities to the best of my ability.

It was our community’s privilege to see our students proudly take this oath with conviction and we look forward to seeing the impact a group of passionate young leaders can have on a community.

Congratulations to our 2023 student leadership body:

School Captains –

Cynric Hou & Sasha Huang

Vice-School Captains – 

Riley Cook & Adyson Robinson

Cultural Captains – 

Evelyn Mannering 

Sanvi Patel

Olivia Perkins

Mia Richardson

Tahlia Ross

House Captains -

Logan House Captain –            Carter Ferris & Tate Neidermair

Oxley House Captain –             Sofie Campbell & Ruby Reynolds

Cunningham House Captain –   Willoh Storta & Kobi Robinson

Student Councillors -  

Media Team –

Playground Rangers –

Eco Rangers –

WATER – the forgotten brain food

What a humours topic considering our current weather predicaments. This past fortnight has brought about many capricious weather events with challenges for our young people to overcome to be the best learners they can be. Considering that in one short week we will be barracking for our houses to win our annual Cross Country I thought I’d deliver some handy information about our friend H2O. 

Our bodies are 70% water, and our brains are 75-80% water so there must be a very good reason why our brains get 20% of the blood supply when they’re only about 2% of our body mass. This high investment in a single organ is important because water is an essential element in neurological transmissions.

Poor hydration at any time affects how well a child's brain operates and his or her learning ability. At school hydration is imperative to achieving learning objectives. If kids are slightly dehydrated they may appear tired, complain of headaches and have a reduced ability to concentrate; if they are usually like this they might know no different and think they feel normal.

If a child actually feels thirsty then his or her mental performance is already about 10 per cent lower than before and mental performance deteriorates as dehydration increases.

You feel thirsty with only a 1 - 2 per cent drop in body weight due to water loss. In a 10-year-old child this is about the same as one or two very large glasses of water, or the amount a child could lose during a PE lesson or recess time.

Drinking water immediately revitalizes the body and brain. It is in a child’s best interest to replace any lost fluid. Water is a brain booster because neurons work best at full hydration and stable pH. Children need to be adequately hydrated to maximize their learning potential and drinking water regularly throughout the day makes healthier pupils who are better learners (even in this cooler weather).

How much water do children need to drink?

Children need about 50% more water than they lose through sweating and breathing. This allows a dilute urine and healthier waste management. In fact urine colour may be the best indicator. Teach your child to recognize when their urine is about the colour of pale straw, odourless and copious. If it’s deep yellow, cloudy and smelly, or they don’t urinate at all, they’re not drinking enough.

Alas, like most things there is a dark side kids need to hear about. Drinking too much water can be dangerous as over-hydration causes a sodium imbalance that can be fatal – so warn the kids not to go silly or drink more than they feel is right.

What to do?

• Provide easily accessible water to children all day. Water bottles on the desk or on a side table work well. Room temperature water gets to the brain faster.
• Have a full glass of water at a time. Little sips make your mouth feel better but sips don’t provide enough water to get to your brain.
• Ensure students drink water, not sweet soda or fruit juices. The brain accepts a sweet drink as a food rather than water, so it takes longer for the water to be of benefit.

• Be consistent – water is for everyday, not just during exams or sports events.

• Teach students to check the colour and smell of their urine – dark yellow and smelly is not good.

Vivo Voices – National Apology Day Performance Link Up QLD

An honour and a privilege would be the way in which I described the sombre and celebratory tone of Link-Up Queensland’s, "Apology 2023" event.  Our students performed the Australian National Anthem in the Yugambeh language in front of elders, local and national.  We couldn't be more proud of their performance but also the respect they were able to bring to such an occasion.  

I was personally moved and inspired by our students innocent and humble voices singing over so many and bringing hope for our next generation.  As always, none of this would be possible without the ernest and passionate work of our gifted Mrs Joanne Cooper, who was recognised amongst the contributors of the service, Troy Cassa-Daley and Mal Meninga.

You can see their performance now https://www.link-upqld.org.au/apology-event-video/ 

Our students were accompanied by an address from The Honourable Dr Kevin Rudd AC Former Prime Minister of Australia from New York, Mal Meninga AM, Troy Cassar-Daley and addresses from local artist Edgar Conlon and Director of Wellbeing Tanja Hirvonen. 

We were moved, educated and inspired by the courageous stories of hardship, perseverance and triumph that was articulated in the 'Uluru Statement' which captured the beginning of - Voice, Truth and Treaty. 

Mal Meninga shared his story from the sugar industry and his great grandfathers integrity and struggles as a South Sea Islander.  He shared a poem for the first time, on his person history and left us all with the message of CARE 

• Connectedness -  together  we are more
• Aspirational - that we in all things can look ahead to reconciliation 
• Respectful - of culture and contemporary standards and bringing an open non judgmental voice based on trust and dignity 
• Empowerment - Empowered to create balance and harmony and responsibility for our decisions 

Lastly, I'd like to share one of the moving songs that Troy shared of Charles Perkins who in 1965 started the freedom rides.  Troy can be heard sharing the story here.

We left feeling; connected to country, connected to people and connected to our national story. 

Halogen Young Leaders Day

Our School Captains led themselves, and myself, to the National Young Leaders Day conference last week. Sasha Huang, Cynric Hour, Adyson Robinson and Riley Cook  journeyed to the Brisbane convention centre along with over five hundred other young leaders to be inspired by some of the best Australia has to offer.  The young leaders were challenged by Anthony ‘Harries' Carroll one of the most recognisable lifeguards in the world thanks to the TV series ‘Bondi Rescue’, he has spent more than three decades protecting beachgoers on the Australian coastline. Hillary Rogers, best-selling writer and publisher, who is the author of the Girltopia trilogy and the Dragon Girl series. Bryson Klein Multiple Australian Ninja Warrior grand finalist, and part of the ‘USA Versus the World’ team where he won first place!      

Our leaders were especially challenged by author Hillary Rogers and ninja warrior winner Bryson Klein.  Both spoke about overcoming dyslexia to not only excel at what they are doing now but to deeply engage with communication and the written word. 

Our leaders thought it was a worthwhile day with these lessons:

“We were inspired and challenged”

“BE GROSS – have a Goal, know your Reason, overcome Obstacles, have a Strategy and make a Start.”

“There are times when you will be feeling higher than the ceiling, and others when you feel lower than the floor, being a leader is showing up irrespective of how you feel to achieve a goal bigger than yourself.”

National Day of Action against Bullying & Violence

Today students engaged with the entertaining Brainstorm Productions – who presented a compelling story of two friends caught in frenzy of emotion when confronted by school yard issues.  Today we focused on personal ownership of behaviours and the affect they can have on ourselves and others around us. 

It can be difficult for parents or carers to know what to do when their child talks to them about bullying. You are an important part of our work to prevent bullying and to respond effectively if it happens. 

If your child talks to you about bullying:

Listen calmly and get the full story. Your calm response is important to allow your child to tell you all about the situation.  After they’ve told you their story, ask questions to get more details if you need to: who, what, where, when.  Although you may feel some strong emotions about your child’s experience, try to keep calm to avoid more distress to your child. 

1. Reassure your child they are not to blame. Many children blame themselves and this may make them feel even worse. You could say things like, ‘That sounds really hard to deal with. No one should have to put up with that.’ or ‘I’m so glad you told me. You should be able to feel safe at school; that’s not fair at all’.
2. Ask your child what they want to do and what they want you to do. A critical part of your response is to avoid jumping in to solve the problem.  While it is natural to want to protect your child, helping them to find their own solution is a better option.  It helps them feel they have some power in the situation.
3. Visit www.bullyingnoway.gov.au to find some strategies. The website has tips and ideas for different bullying situations. Discuss and practice the High 5 or other strategies at home to help your child feel more confident.
4. Contact the school. Your child may be reluctant for you to do this, so discuss the idea and reassure them that the school would want to know and is able to help. Make an appointment to meet with your child’s teacher and, if you need to, ask to talk with the principal.
5. Check in regularly with your child.  Keep the conversation going. It can take time to resolve issues, so check in regularly with your child about their experiences and their feelings.  Your ongoing support is important. 

Cross Country – Wednesday 8 March

This is not a drill, I believe this could be the first year we are hosting our Cross Country on the first advertised date.  We encourage all of our students to wear team colours and cheer for their house.  The timetable will be staggered to incorporate all year levels and we welcome community attendance.  We will be stitching together a piece of media to capture the days events.

See Mr Stilianos article below for the schedule. 

PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS (Tuesday 28 March)

The format for Parent Teacher Interviews will continue as we have in the Term 1 tradition, to be hosted in the Performing Arts Centre.  More information concerning bookings will be forthcoming in the week coming for Tuesday, March 28, Week 10.

The SZ app can be utilised to book your session.  Look out for the colourful tile.

Easter Bonnet Assembly (Friday 31 March)   
Prep-Year 3

We are elated to promote our first Easter Bonnet Parade in three years.  We will be welcoming all students Prep- Years 3 to join in the celebrations of Easter and invite you to prepare to show off your home made Easter Bonnet. 

SAVE THE DATE- Monday 6^th March at Rochedale South State School- INCLUSION MATTERS.

Please RSVP for catering purposes (Tea & Coffee). Thank you to our P & C who are providing tea and coffee for our event. You are appreciated.

A glimpse into the week just gone by:

Our students are creating a wide range of texts across the school.  Here is an insight into the creativity of one of our students in Year 5.  The task  was to create a useful App.

Wellbeing Hub fun - 

Community Resource Unit– Families for Inclusive Education Project

Following the success of the engagement initiatives for parents and families of students with disability, the Department of Education is pleased to be extending its partnership with the Community Resource Unit (CRU).

To continue the work to build parent and family self-advocacy and successful partnerships with State schools and Early Childhood Development Programs (ECDPs) for students and children with disability, this year CRU consultants are:

• delivering free parent and family workshops face-to-face in all regions and online (generic flyer attached);
• providing free advice and consultation to parents, families and schools, in person or by phone;
• developing peer networks for families;
• maintaining extensive resources on its website focusing on inclusive education; and
• delivering a workshop in each region for departmental staff regarding effective engagement from a parent perspective.

Families can access the Families for Inclusive Education Project page directly from the CRU website for accessible information about upcoming parent workshops; Inclusive education factsheets; and recorded webinars and resources, including a webinar to support parents with transition planning. Families can request more information or speak with consultants at CRU by phone on (07) 3844 2211 or by email at EducationProject@cru.org.au.

Brigette Cannons
Head of Inclusion

Learning in the classroom

As we reach the second half of Term 1, students are busy learning across all of their subject areas. It is amazing how much they have already learnt this year. The following questions can help talk with your child what they have been learning:

• What are you learning in English / Maths / Science / HASS?
• How are you going?
• How do you know?
• What do you need to do next to improve your learning in ____?

NAPLAN – Weeks 8 & 9

NAPLAN will be held in Weeks 8 & 9 of this term. The timetable will be distributed to parents/carers of Year 3 and Year 5.

It is essential that all students are at school on time on these days as the tests begin from 9am. Aim to arrive at school by 8:45am each day to be ready to start the day.

All students need to have a full and nutritious breakfast and lunch to keep them working through their sessions.

Please remind students that NAPLAN is about doing your best and that it is just one way of showing information about your learning at school.

Students in Years 3 & 5 have been participating in practice tests and familiarisation activities over the last few weeks. For parent information on NAPLAN please see:

https://nap.edu.au/naplan/for-parents-carers

For demonstration tests please see:

https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site

Literacy Groups

All Year 1 – Year 6 students are involved in Literacy Groups each week. Literacy includes reading, writing, speaking and listening. Ask your child what they have done in Literacy Groups this week.

Jennifer Bampton

INTERSCHOOL SPORT