Newsletter Edition: Term 1, Week 4
Calendar of Events
Student Leadership Excursion Wednesday 24 February Year 7 Immunisations Wednesday 3 March QMEA/CQU Visit Thursday 1 April Last day of Term 1 Thursday 1 April First day of Term 2 Monday 19 April School Photos Tuesday 20 July
R
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s
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Principal’s Pen2021 School Priority
Student and
Staff Wellbeing
Week 4
Schoolwide
Expectation
“I act safely in the
school environment”
Student Leadership: Yesterday our student leaders and student council
representatives received an invitation to participate in a leadership excursion on Wednesday, 24 February at Columboola Environmental Education Centre. Our leaders will be involved in numerous activities to enhance their team building and leadership skills in preparation for their 2021 student leadership roles. Ms Rosie Cranstoun, Mrs Mandy Hay and Chappy -Mrs Vicki Groves-Pearce will accompany the group on this excursion.
AUSLAN: All schools are required to deliver a language as one of the eight
Australian Curriculum areas. Taroom State School has adopted Australian Sign Language (AUSLAN), as the language subject of the curriculum. AUSLAN is easy to learn, fun to use as a visual form of communication and inclusive for a range of people with varying degrees of hearing and speech impairments. Currently AUSLAN is being delivered across the primary school, and to Year 8 students in Semester 1, and Year 7 students in Semester 2. If students are accessing an AULSAN app or resource outside of school, it is important they are accessing Australian Sign Language (northern dialect) and not American or British versions as hand movements and signs vary. A great resource is the AUSLAN Signbank located at the following URL https://www.auslan.org.au/ . The students are thoroughly enjoying this new subject so please get involved by asking them to teach you what they have learned. Happy signing!
Important Partnerships: Queensland Minerals & Energy Academy (QMEA)
and Central Queensland University (CQU) continue to be valued partners in providing additional opportunities for our students. On the last day of the school term Thursday 1 April, Year 9 and 10 students will participate in a Beakers, Bots and Builds workshop run by QMEA. These STEM activities have a Science, Digital and Design focus. Also on the same day, Years 7 and 8 students will participate in career sessions delivered by staff from Central Queensland University (CQU).
Sport: School sport is in full swing with M&D Trials for both Swimming and
Cricket held in Miles this week. Yesterday six of the thirteen students who attended the swimming trials were selected in the M&D team to compete at the South West Swimming Trials in Chinchilla on Monday 1 March 2021. Congratulations to all competitors! Angela Heslin – Principal
Week 3 Schoolwide Expectation
“I show self-respect, courtesy and pride”
Students of the Week
Jack, Isabel, Emily, Caitlin, Cody, Cleo, Heidi, Hugo
Mac, Ben, Ryder, Dakota, Tommy, Owen
Gotcha
Gracie, Daisy, Cleo Indianna, Mac, Addyson
Attendance/absence procedure
As per department same day absence policy, parents/carers must be contacted if a student is absent from school without explanation. Therefore, we ask parents to contact the office prior to 9:30am if their child will not be attending school, as it is Taroom State School policy to phone parents/carers from 9:30am to establish a reason for the absence. Please contact the school office via phone or email absences@taroomss.eq.edu.au
Who is the School Chaplain?
Our School Chaplain is Vicki Groves-Pearce. Vicki graduated from Central Queensland University with Bachelor of Psychological Science and is in her second year of chaplaincy.
Vicki is employed by Scripture Union QLD which is an interdenominational Christian organisation, officially endorsed by Education Queensland as an accredited employing authority for school chaplains.
What does a Chappy do?
The role of a school chaplain is to provide social, emotional and spiritual support to students, parents and staff, taking into account the specific needs of the school.
Chaplains provide support for a range of day-to-day matters affecting the school community and communicate effectively with a diverse group of people.
A school chaplain is a safe person for children to connect with at school, providing a listening ear and a caring presence. They care for students struggling with a wide range of issues including: family problems, confusing relationships, friendship issues, peer pressure, self-esteem issues, bullying and depression.
Chaplains run positive, fun activities for children and foster a supportive, caring school community. This service is for ALL students, staff and families of Taroom State School and Vicki is on campus Monday-Thursday each week.
Where can you find Chappy?
Mrs G-P can be found in the Reset Room (located at the bottom of the admin stairs) or out and about on the school grounds. Students can also write a letter and pop it in the mailbox outside the Reset Room.
If you, or your child would like to access the School Chaplain please contact the Office on 46289333 or email Vicki
vickig@chappy.org.au
What is the “Reset Room”?
A quiet room to have private conversations with the Guidance Officer, School Chaplain and other specialty staff.
A peaceful space where students can go to if they need to have some time out to calm down and manage their own behaviour.
A place where social-emotional learning takes place. A safe environment that can be accessed by ALL students!
A place where snacks are available if students have not had breakfast or have forgotten their lunch
Why do we need The Reset Room?
