Week 8, Term 3 2024

Principal Pen

Wadda Mooli, Habari, Bonjour. 

Welcome to week 8 of Term 3.

On Friday the 23^rd of August Aitkenvale State School was invited to attend the Multicultural Affairs Awards Queensland. I am proud to say we were successful in being awarded the Diversity and Inclusion Champion Organisation award.

The award celebrates the exceptional efforts of Aitkenvale SS staff past and present, championing diversity and inclusion in our community. As we celebrate let us remember that our journey toward greater inclusivity and understanding is ongoing. Let the recognition inspire us to continue striving for excellence and to make a difference every day. 

Thank you all for your remarkable contributions. Your dedication has not only earned us this award but has also enriched countless lives. I am honoured and grateful to work alongside such exceptional people who make Aitkenvale SS a better place for all. 

BOOK WEEK

Another amazing Book Week is behind us. I really liked this year’s theme – Reading is Magic! It’s about celebrating reading stories and their amazing power to transport minds. At Aitkenvale we are encouraging kids to be curious about the wonders in our world. Reading is a connection. Talking about the stories you read with others connects you with other readers. Unfortunately, I was not in attendance for Book Week due to being at the Award Ceremony in Brisbane, but I did see lots of amazing photos of a wide range of costumes. Thank you to everyone that got involved. It is one of my favourite days of the year. 

STUDENT FREE DAY

Reminder: Friday 30^th August is a Student Free Day, please make alternate arrangements for your child on this day.

SWIMMING

Term 4 Swimming Lessons for P-6 will occur during regular PE lessons. More information will be sent out prior to the commencement of these lessons. At Aitkenvale SS we are lucky to have the pool in our school grounds. This means all students can participate.

PREP ENROLMENTS

We are now taking all Prep enrolments for 2025. Children born 01 July 2019 – 30 June 2020 are eligible to attend Prep next year. Make sure you get your enrolment forms completed and handed into the office as soon as possible.

PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Next week we have Parent Teacher interviews. This is a great opportunity to talk to your child's teacher and find out how they are travelling. Please contact the office if you are unable ot make a booking. Hope to see you all there sharing in your child’s education.  

LATE ARRIVALS

Students arriving after 8:45am must report to the office to receive a late slip. Prior to 8.45am students are asked to go directly to their class to begin learning.

ATTENDANCE

Our Goal for 2024 was set at 85% attendance for the whole school as of week 8 Term 3 we currently sit at 86%. This is an increase of nearly 5% for the year. Let’s see if we can increase the % even further throughout Term 4.

School attendance is compulsory under the Education Act, however if children are unwell, we know it is best for them and the school community for them to stay home. If your child is going to be absent from school for any reason, parents are requested to inform the school. If your child is absent from school on any given day and we are unaware of the reason for the absence, an SMS message will be generated asking you to contact the school regarding your child’s absence. Students are encouraged to be At School, On Time, Every Day, unless they are unwell.

Our school has two focus areas for 2024, which drive the work happening at Aitkenvale SS. The following are our priorities as outlined in the Annual Implementation Plan 2024.

School Priority 1

Maximise student engagement and wellbeing across all settings through a reduction in reported behaviour incidences 

School Priority 2

Improve Level of Achievement in English for all students (Prep - Year 6) through a focus on lesson planning and delivery

I hope you all have a great week and look forward to seeing you in the school as partners in your child’s learning.  

Lee Braney

Principal (Acting)

From The Administration Team

Office Hours 8:00AM - 3:30PM

Supervision on gates begins at 8:00am

Gates Close at 2:50pm - all remaining students will then be escorted to the office to await collection.

We would like to bring to your attention that we have noticed a pattern of late pick-ups recently. We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise.

To maintain a safe and secure environment for all children, we kindly request your cooperation in picking up your child/children on time. Our school hours are 8:30am - 2:30pm.

If you anticipate being late, please notify us as soon as possible.

​​Important Dates

• Prep Infromation session- followed by bulk enrolments - 29th August
• Multicultural Month Celebration - 4:00pm - 8:00pm - 30th August
• Student Free Day - 30th August
• P&C Meeting - 3:00pm - 4:00pm - 3rd August
• Parent Teacher Meetings - 4th September 
• School Holidays - 14th September - 29th September

All late slips and early pick-up requests for students are now handled at the student counter.

Please follow the signs to the window at the back of the Administration Building.

2024 Student Resource Scheme - Due Now

Statements have been sent home for the 2024 student resource scheme.  Payments via cash or EFTPOS can be made at the front office.  BPoint and Centrepay payments accepted via the invoice.

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/set-up-centrepay-deductions?context=22366

https://aitkenvaless.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/26/bpoint_parent_instructions.pdf

UNIFORM DONATIONS

LOADING ZONE

We would like to remind everyone of the rules for drop-off and pick-up of children at our school and to adhere to the rules associated with these times.  

During the hours of 7:00am and 4:00pm the Loading Zone is only a 2-minute standing zone for vehicles. Getting out of your vehicle while in the loading zone between these hours is not allowed.  Please refrain from parking in the administration carpark driveway to drop off your children

UPDATING STUDENT DETAILS

It is extremely important that students' personal details such as contact telephone numbers, email addresses and emergency contacts are correct and up to date so you can be contacted if your child is unwell or needing medical attention. It is also very important that we are aware of all medical conditions. 

Please email admin@aitkenvaless.eq.edu.au or contact the office to update your child’s details.

https://aitkenvaless.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/251/update_your_details.pdf

CAMPUS SAFETY

A friendly reminder to parents: please refrain from bringing dogs onto the school campus.  This can be a source of anxiety for some students, and we want to create a safe and comfortable learning environment for everyone.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES

All electronic devices including smart phones, smart watches, iPod and tablets are to be signed in at the office on arrival to school.  These items are kept locked in the office throughout the day.  Students are required to collect their phones from 2:30pm.  Students are not to be using devices whilst on the school grounds.

PARENT /VISITOR ACCESS TO SCHOOL GROUNDS

Parents and visitors are reminded to sign in and out at the Office, when entering the school grounds during school hours. 

NAB CARPARK

It has been brought to our attention that some parents and students have been using the NAB carpark to cut through in the mornings and afternoon.  For safety reasons, we kindly request that you avoid walking through this area.

QParents

Student of the week - Week 6

Congratulations to all students that received awards and PBL Prize packs on parade.

Book Week

Last week, we celebrated Book Week with the enchanting theme "Reading is Magic." The children had a blast dressing up as their favourite book characters, and it was wonderful to see some teachers and parents joining in the fun as well.

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Winners - Diversity and Inclusion Champion Organisation

It's with immense pride we announce that Aitkenvale State School has been awarded the winner for ‘Diversity and Inclusion Champion Organisation’ as part of Multicultural Queensland Awards. The award celebrates the exceptional efforts of Aitkenvale SS staff past and present, championing diversity and inclusion in our community. As we celebrate let us remember that our journey toward greater inclusivity and understanding is ongoing. Let the recognition inspire us to continue striving for excellence and to make a difference every day.

Strings workshop

Last week, 7 of our advanced string students attended a workshop at Heatley Secondary College. They joined with students from both Heatley Secondary and Primary to make a big orchestra! Our Aitkenvale students worked so hard, played beautifully and had a great time!

Breakfast Club Donations

Breakfast Club is held in the Kids Club room on Monday - Friday from 8:00am. This program could not be possible without donations from Fuel for School and Food Relief. Also, we would like to thank our wonderful community volunteers and the staff that also help with this program.

Homework Club

Pupil Free Day - 30th August

Multicultural Queensland Month Celebration - 30th August

P&C Meeting

Parent Teacher Interviews

Online bookings for the parent teacher interview are now open. To make an online booking go to: https://eq.sobs.com.au/pt3/parent.php?schoolid=70983   Alternatively, you can make a booking by calling the school’s administration on 4421 2333 or seeing one of our friendly office staff.

Celebrating our wonderful Crossing Supervisors

Speech Pathology Week

It’s Speech Pathology Week! (25–31 August 2024) Departmental speech language pathologists empower students to communicate through a range of strategies. Our SLPs assist our school teams to enable students with communication disability to communicate and learn at school so they can reach their potential. Learn more at the https://communicationhub.com.au/ #CommunicateYourWay #SPWeek24

Tea Towel Fundraiser

This term, the P & C committee hosted a fundraiser where students and staff created self-portraits that were printed on tea towels. We have distributed most of the orders, but a few tea towels are still available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one for $15 (cash only), please stop by the office.

Play 2 Learn Playgroup

2025 Prep Enrolment

Does my child start kindy or school in 2025?

Every Day Counts

Townsville Cricket

Lost Property

Centrepay

Student Counter

Uniform Donations

School Watch

The School Watch Program is a partnership between Education Queensland, the Queensland Police Service and the State Government Protective Security Service.  It aims to reduce criminal activity in Queensland schools and encourages everyone to look out for after-hours crime in our schools.  If you see anything suspicious, please don’t attempt to intervene. 

Look, Listen, Report. Call School Watch on 13 17 88.

If you see a crime in progress, call Triple Zero (000).

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