Principal’s Report

Our students in Years 3 and 5 have been participating in the annual National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) during Week 8, this term. The program occurs across several days and covers the learning areas of Reading; Writing; Language Conventions and Numeracy. Results of the tests will be available later this year. NAPLAN provides a discreet, point-in-time, assessment of student attainments; these results need to be considered within the full suite of data that is available to the school on individual student attainments. The school’s data-capture provides a deep analysis of individual student’s learning, which is used as a platform for teaching. Teachers have extensive knowledge in the capture and analysis of data and use their professional judgements to inform learning pathways within their class, as well as programs delivered by our very skilled Step-Up team (intervention and extension).

Our teachers are very busy planning for Term 2 key learning areas. The planning program includes all teachers in the year level, as well as specialist teachers where appropriate – the planning day ensures deep analysis of learning programs across the year level as well as moderation of student work to ensure consistency of teacher judgements. Our teachers are also addressing our school Transition to Australian Curriculum Version 9. In 2024 all year levels will implement the key learning area of English and in 2025 Numeracy. Our Head of Department/Curriculum, Mrs Nicole Vokes, will be sharing information on the new curriculum throughout the year.

The Department of Education (DoE) has established a Reading/Writing Centre with a very impressive range of resources on the teaching of Reading – I encourage you to visit the site to learn more about your child’s learning journey. The website link is:
https://readingwritingcentre.education.qld.gov.au/resources

The partnership between home and school is pivotal to our students learning. In Term 2 there will be additional Teaching of Reading information sessions for families – the feedback from the Term 1 sessions was impressive.

Mr Michael Frearson retired from the department on Friday 1 March. The selection, and appointment, of the new Camp Hill Deputy Principal/Junior campus is underway and I will advise the school of the successful applicant as soon as I can.

The remaining few weeks of Term 1 will be busy with: Gateways programs; Senior Cross Country; combined Easter parade; Year 3 Indigenous Incursion and of course the much-admired Easter Bonnet parades. The P&C school calendar is a great reference for date-claiming key programs for your children.

I hope everyone is pacing themselves as we are certainly in the ‘busy’ part of the term. Time-management is a skill that we are constantly working on with all our students (Prep to Year 6).

Take care
Deborah Driver

Best wishes

Deborah Driver
Principal

Deputy News

While conflict is inevitable, parents play a vital role in nurturing their children's abilities to navigate and resolve disputes effectively. Equipping your child with the following strategies can enhance their conflict resolution skills and foster stronger friendships:

Managing Strong Emotions:

It's crucial for children to understand that reacting with aggression or hostility doesn't resolve conflicts. Teaching them simple techniques like deep breathing and counting to ten can empower them to remain calm during tense situations. Our daily classroom meditation practice serves as a valuable tool for honing these skills.

Teaching Active Listening:

Being attentive and empathetic listeners is fundamental to resolving conflicts. Encouraging children to take turns speaking, maintain eye contact, and focus on the speaker's words helps them develop active listening skills essential for understanding others' perspectives. This can be explicitly practiced at home. 

 Teaching Agreeable Disagreement:

Respecting differing opinions is key to resolving conflicts amicably. Saying, 'I don't agree with what you said' is fine. Saying 'you're stupid to think that' is not. Guiding children to express disagreement respectfully, without resorting to insults or demeaning language, reinforces the importance of constructive communication in conflict resolution. 

Encouraging Appreciation of Others' Strengths:

Promoting a positive outlook towards others fosters empathy and cooperation. Encouraging children to focus on individuals' strengths rather than their flaws cultivates healthier relationships and reduces conflicts stemming from negative attitudes.

Promoting Trustworthy Support Networks:

Empowering children to seek help from trusted adults when faced with challenging situations is essential. Teaching them to recognise when to walk away and seek assistance can provide comfort and clarity in resolving conflicts. Our school utilises a child-friendly "high 5" approach, emphasising steps to address conflicts effectively: ignore, walk away, express dislike in a friendly voice "stop it, I don't like it", assertively state dislike "STOP IT! I don't like it", and then seek adult support.

Shelley Edwards 

Acting Deputy Principal (Monday, Thursday & Friday)

Kelsey King

Acting Deputy Principal (Tuesday & Wednesday)

Deputy Principals

How children learn to read

Learning to read is a process that needs step-by-step teaching and plenty of practise at school and at home. Unlike walking or talking, reading is not a skill that we learn naturally — everyone needs to be taught how to read.

Reading requires two very important skills:

• decoding (reading) the words on the page
• making meaning from the words, sentences and paragraphs that are read.
For children to learn how to decode words, they need to understand how sounds and letters link together. They are taught that:
• words can be broken up into sounds (the word ‘cat’ is made up of 3 sounds: c-a-t) and those sounds can be blended to form words (the sounds c-a-t blended, forms the word ‘cat’)
• the sounds in words can be represented by letters or groups of letters.

As children develop their understanding of letter-sound correspondences and apply this knowledge to reading words and texts, they learn more complex English spellings.

• The same sound can be represented by different letters; the words ‘play’, ‘rain’ and ‘stage’ all contain the sound /ay/ but the spelling is different in each one.
• The same letter can represent different sounds; the letter ‘c’ can represent a ‘k’ sound as in ‘cat’, or an ‘s’ sound as in ‘race’.
• Small parts of words can have a meaning all their own; in the word ‘walked’, the ‘-ed’ tells us that the walk has already happened — it marks past tense.
• Children practise their word reading skills by reading decodable texts that contain only the letter-sound correspondences children have been taught.
• As children develop their decoding skills and their reading becomes more automatic, they will move from reading simple decodable texts to authentic texts. Authentic texts are any texts that are read for enjoyment or learning and that support word reading, language development and engagement.

Children develop their language skills through the language they hear and read. In the early stages of reading instruction while children are developing their decoding skills, it is very important that they are read to often, so they hear lots of new words and learn about new things that they may not yet be able to read about themselves.

Parents play an important role in helping children learn to read by both:

• listening to your child read aloud to practise decoding words
• reading aloud to your child to build their understanding of language and literacy.

Reading at home using shared reading practices

Why use shared book reading?

Shared reading describes the interaction that occurs between an adult and a child when reading or looking at a book. Although one of the most obvious and engaging features of storybooks is their illustrations, they also provide children with access to a world of sights, sounds, and words that may be quite different from what they experience in their homes, communities, and schools.

Reading aloud with your child builds language development so that by the time children have mastered letter-sound correspondences and can read increasingly complex texts themselves, they will have the language skills to understand what they read. Having strong oral language skills sets the foundations for children to build strong literacy skills.

Reading authentic texts aloud to your child allows them to continue to hear stories, information and written language they may not yet be able to read themselves.

What does shared reading look like?

An important aspect of shared reading is the conversation that occurs between the adult and child during the reading. Pausing while reading and taking the time to discuss details in the story can support your child’s oral language development. The conversation might focus on the storyline, such as characters or where the story takes place; it may focus on similar experiences the child has had to those that happened in the book; it may focus on specific words; aspects of print; or concepts that are new to the child. When you read aloud to your child, they hear and learn lots of new and sophisticated words and sentences they may not hear or use in everyday talk.

What books should be used for shared reading?

In the early years of reading instruction, children engage with different books for different purposes. They need to read decodable texts to develop their word reading skills and they need to read and hear authentic texts to develop strong oral language skills. Authentic texts include picture books, storybooks, information texts and any reading material the child enjoys.

When children are first learning to read, the books they will read independently are designed to improve their ability to decode (decodable texts). For most children, the language used in these books will be far simpler than the language they already understand and use.

Virtually all children’s books are appropriate for shared reading, but the best books will have rich, detailed pictures, and are interesting to the child. Remember, the purpose of shared reading is to stimulate rich talk between the adult and child, not for the child to be able to read the text themselves.

Nicole Vokes
Head of Department/Curriculum

Hi Everyone

Please see below regarding upcoming activities this term.

Business Manager

Our school will soon be providing parents with access to a new, convenient, online parent portal called QParents. The QParents web and mobile application provides an easier way for you to interact with our school. Parents will have secure, online access to their child’s student information, anytime, anywhere, through a smartphone, tablet or computer. QParents allows parents to connect instantly with our school to access and manage their child’s student information, including:

• Attendance and absence details
• Academic report cards
• Viewing and paying invoices
• Viewing and updating personal student details
• Providing consent for excursions and incursions

A staggered roll-out of QParents will commence in Term 2.

Updating Student Information

During the school year, there can be occasions when it is important that we make immediate contact with parents. We are unable to do this if our information is not current. Please help us to provide care and consideration for your child by updating your family records whenever a change occurs.

• If there is a change in your emergency contact phone number, email, or other emergency contact persons details.
• If you change your address.
• If any significant changes occur with regard to your child/children's health or medical details e.g. Health Plan or medication.
• If there are any changes regarding custody or access to your child/children.
• If you feel we should know of any other changes which relate to your child.

Prep - Year 2

The YCDI! Early Childhood Program has newly developed social-emotional learning activities that support the brain development including the emotional maturity of children. The Program incorporates a variety of new activities, which:

1. Increase the type of positive, interactive, social learning activities to heighten dopamine levels at the beginning of many lessons
2. Incorporate visually stimulating images, props, and discussion prompts that arouse students’ curiosity.
3. Include more activities that aid children’s processing and memory of new content.
4. Help students connect new social-emotional knowledge and skills with what they remember about similar previously learnt content.
5. Incorporate activities to increase student awareness of ways to regulate their stress (e.g. slow, deep breathing).

The Children in the Prep and Year One classes recently enjoyed the story of Bert, in the story “You Can Do It, Bert!”

Just like the words in the “You Can Do It” song, Bert had to believe in himself in order to be able to have a go at something new. The children could relate to this character as he struggled to gain the confidence to do something he hadn’t done before, for the first time.

“I’M FEELING CONFIDENT TODAY AND I KNOW THAT ON MY WAY,
I AM TAKING RISKS AND BEING INDEPENDENT.
I AM ACCEPTING OF MYSELF. ‘I CAN DO IT!’ WITHOUT HELP.
IT’S A MESSAGE THAT I TELL MYSELF EACH DAY.”

You Can Do It program developer, Professor Michael E Bernard explains that we can teach the attitudes and self-talk that help young children to be confident: -
• Accepting myself means thinking, “I am likeable and good at doing many things.”
• Taking risks means thinking “It is okay to make mistakes when learning something new.”
• Being independent means thinking “It is good for me to say and do what I want to do. I don’t have to be bossed around by my classmates.”
• I Can Do It means thinking that “I can do things that are hard to do.”

This term, all classes in Yr1-6 will be involved in swimming lessons, as part of their HPE curriculum. Lessons will be taken by Mr Bourke, Class Teachers and Teacher Aides, with the assistance of parent helpers. Students will come to the pool with a range of experiences - from swimming lessons at an early age, to those with limited exposure to water.

The swimming unit in Term 1 focuses on swim and survive activities, based on the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework. Children will learn a range of swimming methods and water survival strategies.

Parent helpers are requested for us to meet supervision ratios and for productive lessons. If you are able to help support, please contact your child’s classroom teacher. Unfortunately, no younger siblings or other children will be allowed at the pool for safety reasons.

Students will need:
• Swimmers
• Sun shirt / rashie
• Swimming cap (available for purchase from uniform shop)
• Goggles (Optional but recommended)
• Towel
• Water proof bag (to carry wet togs and towel home)

Please ensure all articles related to swimming are clearly marked with your child’s name. Writing their name on their cap is also helpful.

Yr3-6 Primary Campus Cross Country Carnival

The date for our primary campus cross country carnival is Tuesday 26 March, from 9.00 -11.30am. Before school training will be offered to students through the term to help prepare.

Distances for our school carnival have been modified, to cater for maximum participation and completion of races. Distances for our school carnival are:

8yrs (Born 2016) – 800m
9yrs (Born 2015) – 1000m
10yrs (Born 2014) – 1000m
11yrs (Born 2013) – 1500m
12yrs+ (Born 2012 and 2011) – 1500m

Successful students in the 10yr, 11yr and 12yr age groups at our school carnival, will have the opportunity to be nominated for the Lytton District cross country. The district event would be held on Tuesday 30 April. At the district event, the following distances will apply:

10yrs (Born 2014) – 2000m
11yrs (Born 2013) – 3000m
12yrs (Born 2012) – 3000m

Yr3-6 Primary Campus Cross Country Training

Training for the primary campus cross country carnival will be offered to students from 8:00am-8:45am on Monday mornings, starting in Week 5. Interested students should meet on the primary campus main oval and have spare clothes to run in, changing into school uniform after. Training is optional for students and do not need to pre-register to be involved. If in the event of wet weather, training would usually be cancelled.

Remaining training schedule dates are:

Monday 18 March (Week 9)
Monday 25 March (Week 10)

Met East Swimming Representatives

Recently we had 8 of our students represent Lytton District, in the Met East swimming trials. Well done to all students who represented our school and also our district at this meet.

Congratulations to the following swimmers, who qualified at regionals and have gained section in the Met East swimming team. They now compete in the Queensland State school sport swimming trials! We wish them the best of luck.

Monti M – 50m Breaststroke, 50m Backstroke and 100m Backstroke

Emilie W – 200m Individual Medley

Lytton District Swimming Representatives

Our school is 1 of 29 schools in Lytton District school sport. Congratulations to the following students, who have recently gained selection in Lytton District sporting teams. These students now compete for their district, in their upcoming Met East regional competition.

Jayde B – Netball and AFL
Finn D – AFL
Jasper W – AFL
Pierce R – Rugby League

Also, congratulations to Boston S who made the composite team for AFL.

Semester 1 Lytton District Sport Trials

Our school is 1 of 29 schools in the Lytton District school sport cluster. Students turning 10-12yrs old in 2024 (Born 2012, 2013 and 2014) have the opportunity to nominate in Lytton district sport trials, which is the first stage of representative school sport. If successful, students then compete in the Met East regional trial. If students are selected in a Met East team, they play in the QLD state carnival.

Trials can be during or after school hours. Please note that these are not participation-based opportunities and children at these trials would need to have a high level of ability and/or experience to be involved. Schools are usually limited to 4 nominations for each district sport trial.

Below are the considerations when nominating:

- Is the correct age to trial (Born 2012, 2013 or 2014).
- Usually children turning 12yrs old, would get priority over younger students.
- Has prior playing experience and skills in the interested sport.
- Their physical skill level and ability to trial in a representative opportunity.
- Safety suitability. Some children turning 12yrs old have developed physical size. Children under 12yrs old (Born 2013 and 2014) would need to demonstrate the ability to compete with older children at a representative trial.

Semester 1 sport trials on offer are:

* Squash is a Met East trial. Children that qualify, automatically are in the Lytton district team.

* Cross Country nominations are dependent on our school carnival results.

Please see Mr Bourke ASAP before the trial date, for more information or to be nominated.

Who is the Chaplain?

Malcolm Brown (Chappy Mal) has been the chaplain at CHSIPS since 2011. He is a musician who is passionate about the creative arts including LEGO. He has a Diploma in Youth Work and has worked with children and youth for over 25 years. He is available for children, parents and staff in the school community. He works at school 4 days a week. You can make contact with Chappy Mal through the school office or via email camphillchaplaincy@hotmail.com

What does a school chaplain do?

Student and Staff Pastoral Care

One of the key elements of Chaplaincy is to provide pastoral care and emotional support to school communities. Chaplains are in the prevention and support business: helping students find a better way to deal with issues ranging from family breakdown, loneliness, friendship issues and grief and loss. They provide a listening ear and a caring presence for children and young people in crisis. They also provide support for staff and parents in school communities.

Mentoring

Chaplains act as role models for students, assisting them to develop positive and supportive relationships. Chaplains may also implement mentoring programs utilising resources and training from local community organizations.

Educational Support

Chaplains support the learning environment through classroom activities (under the direction of the teacher) and other structured programs in order to provide further social, emotional or spiritual support, particularly with students at risk of disengagement.

Community Development

Chaplains help to build strong links between the school and the wider community. They network with school-based support staff, community based organizations, churches and other networks to mobilize the resources of the community to support student needs.

Chaplaincy Mentoring, Social and Emotional Programs at CHSIPS

Drumbeat (Grade 5 and 6)
LEGO Legends (Grade 1)
Legendary LEGO League (Grade 3-6)
Seasons for Growth – Evidence based grief and loss program.
Focused LEGO Group – (Year 4)

Food Hamper

Chappy Mal has a food hamper to provide healthy food options for school lunches for students that for whatever reason don’t have lunch at school. You can help by adding an extra item to your grocery list and dropping it off at Chappy Mal’s Office on the senior campus.

Suggested Food Ideas
Muesli Bars (no nuts please), Fruit Cups, Popcorn, Crackers/biscuits

Local Chaplaincy Committee

We are holding our first LCC meeting for the term on Monday 11th March in Chappy Mal’s Office on the Senior Campus.

If you have any questions about Chaplaincy, please contact us at camphillchaplaincy@hotmail.com

DATE CLAIMERS

Friday 28th March – Chaplaincy Meal Deal

Dear Parents and Caregivers, 

It’s hard to believe that Term 1 is almost over. The Easter break is almost here. Our Prep students have had a busy and exciting first term.

The students will participate in a hat parade to be held in the school hall on Thursday, 28 March at 2:15pm. Parents and caregivers are welcome to attend.

Students will be designing and making their hats at school. This activity is a culmination of the Science unit for this term ‘Materials’. Students will be able to demonstrate their creativity and design skills using the materials provided.

Seating is available for parents, caregivers and toddlers. In the interest of student and staff well-being, if you are not feeling well, please refrain from attending. Please note, if required by Qld Government health advice, the event will be cancelled for parents and caregivers.

Photos may be taken of your child. Please be respectful of others and do not share photos on social media platforms of children other than your own. Prep teachers will take lots of photos that they will willingly share with you.

Kind Regards
Prep Teachers

Pick the Hit Bingo Night – Pick the Hit Bingo Night

Last chance to have some fun at our Music Bingo Night. Online ticket sales have closed, but you are welcome to come last minute and purchase your seat at the door.
Doors open: 6.30pm, for a 7:00pm start.

BYO platter and nibblies welcomed. The bar will be open and if you need a table, we can add you on with some other fanatical music bingo enthusiasts.

P&C Meeting & Upcoming AGM

Tuesday 19^th March @ 7pm – Annual General Meeting

Followed by the P&C meeting
Where: the OSHC hall on Wiles St
Click here for your 2023 online P&C Membership Form.

March AGM

We need you!

We have a great team of Executives. All positions are considered “Open”, even though some of our team are extending. We need more!

The very success of our fundraising, Camp Hill OSHC, Tuckshop and Uniform Shop is predicated around us being P&C operated and we are directly able to meet the needs and desires of the community from within. If you think you may be able to help, please drop us a line and we can provide more information.

Click here for our AGM Nomination Form

2024 Easter Raffle

33 fabulous fun hamper boxes to be won. Imagine winning one of these wonderful hamper boxes just in time for the holidays!

Classes, remember to make your donated to your allocated theme.

What could you win, just in time for the holidays. Tickets are on sale now and flyers have been sent home with your child. The convenience of ordering tickets online here or by scanning the QR code.

Camp Hill Fair “The Festival”

Mark your calendars and get ready…

The CHSIPS BOQ Coorparoo Camp Hill Fair is set to take over the oval on
Saturday, 15 June 2024! From foodies, to shopaholics, to thrill-seekers – This ALL-AGES event promises something for everyone!

But there’s still a lot of work to do…

As the excitement builds for the Fair, we want to express our sincere gratitude to all the parents who have graciously stepped up as convenors for this year’s festivities. Your dedication and enthusiasm are truly appreciated!

If you haven’t had the chance to volunteer your time, we kindly ask you to consider joining our fantastic team. Your contribution, big or small, plays a crucial role in creating a special day for our community.

Please reach out to us at Fair@camphillpandc.com.au to see how you can help.

Every little bit counts!

- The CHSIPS Camp Hill Fair Committee

With so much information to come, we will be emailing a “Festival Update” via the school, every fortnight. (Off week to the School Newsletter)
Stay posted for the most up to date information.

Reminder for all Volunteers

We are in for a busy year, and we will not be able to do it without our volunteers. Every year, as a volunteer you are required to complete the Mandatory Training for Volunteers. This is if you are helping in the tuckshop, uniform shop or any of our events that we have during the year. Just click the link to register here.

Don't forget Tuckshop is closed on Thursday 28th March, last day of the Term.

Parents, if your child is not coming to school and you have placed a tuckshop order you can cancel it yourself using the Flexischools before 8am.

With only 2 weeks left before the Easter break there is still time to click the link and sign on to help in the Tuckshop. Please consider coming and giving us a hand.

Tuckshop Volunteer Register

Regards
Sharyn - Tuckshop Convenor
Tel: 07 3900 9429     Email: tuckshop@camphillpandc.com.au 

Uniform Shop

Winter Uniforms

As the term finishes, families begin to think about winter or warmer items to add the school uniform.

The school uniform includes a jacket and track pants and a polar fleece vest all with the Camp Hill branding.

However, any item (other track pants/jackets/long sleeve tshirt/leggings etc) can be worn with the school uniform but MUST be navy blue in color only.

These can be sourced from other retailers.

Winter stock from the uniform shop is available in new or second hand.

Second hand stock is very popular so please bring to the uniform shop any jackets/pants/vests that your family has outgrown for resale for store credit.
Items must be in good condition.

If you have not sold through the uniform shop before, please ask and I can explain how the system helps all Camp Hill families.

New stock of jackets/pants is currently under production and will be in stock in early May.

Vests are available in both new and second hand now.

As always, if you have any questions, please let me know via email and will help as best I can.

www.schoolshoponline.net.au/camphillipss

NORMAL UNIFORM SHOP TRADING HOURS
Tuesday and Thursday:  8:15 – 9:30 am
(under D Block, Senior Campus)

Kerri Rook - Uniform Shop Convenor
Tel: 07 3900 9328
Email: uniforms@camphillpandc.com.au 

Congratulations to Evie F who broke the Female 7 Years 25m Butterfly Pool Record (previously set in 2004) at the 3 Way Carnival 2 weeks ago! ️

We are nearing the end of the Crocs Swimming Season. Please find below a reminder of important dates.

• Tonight, Friday 15 March - normal Club Night (Gates and Car Park open from 6pm).

• Tomorrow, Saturday 16 March - Election BBQ and Bake Stall. Come along and grab a democracy sausage or home bake!

• Friday 22 March - IM Night

• Qualification information can be found on our web page - swimmers must have completed 1 x IM Event this Season to compete.

• Saturday 23 March - Age Stroke Championship

• Qualification information can be found on our web page, swimmers must have attended 8 (or 4 if half season membership) club nights in order to compete.

• Wednesday 27 March - Presentation Night.

• Pizza Meal Deal forms are now available at the Pool Canteen.

• Can every family please bring a plate to share for our Dessert Buffet.

• The Pool Canteen will be open.

• Thursday 2 May - AGM and Committee Meeting

• Please come along and join our committee. We’d welcome new ideas and energy as many Committee Positions will become vacant.

Don’t forget to sign up to help at any of the above events, your kids will love seeing you help out!

Thank you to all our Volunteers this Season. We can’t run these events without your help.

We would like to thank all our sponsors over the Season with a special shout out to Bakers Delight and The Butcher Shoppe who supply our delicious burgers, sausages and bread every club night.

Looking forward to seeing returning and new members in Term 4 when we commence the next season.

Swim with the Crocs!

Image: election.jpg

Swim with the Crocs!

To all our families, please remember if you haven’t already done so, get your Vacation Care forms into us for the upcoming April holidays. Days are already at capacity so please make sure to get these in as soon as possible. We have a feeling it is going to be a fun but very busy holiday period!

Another reminder too, that families should have received a confirmation of bookings for Vacation Care confirming your days of care. If you have not received this email, please contact us as soon as possible.