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Issue 25 – Wednesday 17 August 2016Issue 25 – Wednesday 17 August 2016

FROM THE PRINCIPALDear Parents

After a couple of weeks at Ascot State School, I have startedto get a feel for the way the school runs, how the teachersoperate, how the students perform and the big part parentsplay in supporting the things we do. As somewhat of anoutsider, it is interesting to note the differences between thisschool and others. The major point I notice is how articulatemost of the students are. Their oral language is excellent andstudents from Prep to Year 6 can all hold a strong conversationon a variety of topics. This of course, doesn’t happen byaccident. The variety of experiences the students have allowthem plenty of opportunities to develop their speaking skills.The assembly items have a big part to play in it, as do thein depth discussions teachers have with their classes everyday. Other programmes like Music, Drama, Arts, G&T, BookWeek activities and so on all feed into this as well. It is quiteremarkable. Unfortunately, there is no NAPLAN test for orallanguage. I’m sure that is one that our children would blitz.

Speaking of NAPLAN, I published some preliminary data in lastweek’s Digest that gave us some pretty raw figures on howthe school is travelling. There are many more tables and figuresto come that will provide a fuller picture of Ascot’s progress,including for example, how well our students have improvedfrom Year 3 to Year 5 - a measure referred to as “relativegain”. This is an important tool to gauge how effective theteaching has been in the period between the two tests. It isone of the major comparisons made nationally about schoolperformance and one that is front and centre on the MySchoolwebsite. From the data I’ve seen and making a few inferences,I think this year’s results will show a healthy improvement in this

measurement. I believe this information will be available to theschool upon Mrs Coleman’s return.

Regards

Mark Fisher, Acting Principal

FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPALS

SCIENCE WEEK

To celebrate Science Week, during Week 7 all students will beparticipating in a Science and Technology oriented incursion.Years 3 and 4 will participate in a half day experience workingwith Lego. Year 3 will undertake a Lego We Do session andYear 4 will experience a different session called Mindstorms.Both groups will work with Brisbane Lego and Robotics expert,Damian Kee. Prep, Years 1, 2, 5 & 6 will attend a stage show –Drones, Droids and Robots, which is put on the by the popularStreet Science team. Thank you to Ms Atkins and Mr Sayer forco-ordinating these events.

2017 PREP ENROLMENTS

Please note if you have a child who will be attending Prep in2017 we are currently holding enrolment interviews. If you havenot done so, could you please collect an enrolment pack fromthe office and make an interview time as soon as possible.

PREP FAMILIES

Please remember Prep children are not able to be leftunsupervised before school in the school grounds. All Prepstudents need to be taken to their classroom by an adult orolder responsible student and handed over to the class teacheror teacher aide. This is for the safety of all children in our

school. If you are unable to organise this please see our stafffor information on the before school programs that support ourschool community.

Simone Coogan (Acting Deputy Principal, Years 3-6),Roxanne Smith, (Deputy Principal, Prep-Year 2)

FROM THE HEADS OF CURRICULUM

CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK – WEEK 6

This week is Book Week at Ascot and the2016 theme is: Australia! Story Country.Ascot’s Book Week Dress Up Day is thisFriday 19 August. Students can dress inAustraliana attire or any favourite bookcharacter. We can’t wait to see who comes

to school on Friday!

Many students have visited the Library this week and enjoyedstory time with special guest readers. The Amazing Ascot StoryRace has also been a popular competition and winners willbe announced next week. One of the books in this year’sChildren’s Book Council of Australia 2016 Awards is PiranhasDon’t Eat Bananas, by Aaron Blabey. Ascot students love thisbook!

SCIENCE WEEK – WEEK 7

Next week we continue our “Great LearningWeeks” and celebrate National ScienceWeek. National Science Week is held from13-21 August. However, in order to ensure

our students received a fabulous opportunity to participate inStreet Science Learning or Lego We Do, our week willcommence on the 22 August.

If you would like to take advantage of a National Science Eventfor your whole family, visit QUT STEMFEST 2016 on until 4September 2016. Further information at:

NATIONAL LITERACY AND NUMERACY WEEK –WEEK 8

Ascot looks forward to celebrating National Literacy andNumeracy Week in Week 8. This important annual eventpromotes the importance of Literacy and Numeracy to futurelearning, life participation and work opportunities. To celebrate,Ascot students will enjoy a Numeracy Learning Trail around ourschool and enjoy Reading on the Oval with their Class Buddies.This year’s simultaneous reading book is My Two Blanketswritten by Irena Kobald and illustrated by Freya Blackwood.

PARENTS AS PARTNERS INFORMATIONSESSION: #YESUCAN LITERACY ANDNUMERACY WEEKMONDAY 29 AUGUST 9.30-10.30AM(STAFF ROOM)

Join us for another “Parents as Partners” Information Sessionon Monday from 9.30-10.30am in the staffroom. This sessionis #YesUCan: The Language of Success and Motivation forLiteracy and Numeracy.

Join Deanne Clark for new and great research based tools thatcan help you and your children own learning and progress tobe the best they can be. You will receive great handouts aswell as the chance to share and participate with a coffee and adiscussion. Deanne looks forward to welcoming you.

Deanne Clark & Rochelle Burton, HoCs

BOUQUETSTo the parents who give so generously oftheir love and time at home and at school toensure their children are ready for learningeach and every day. The teachers thank yousincerely.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Date Events

15/8/16-19/8/16 Book Week at Ascot StateSchool

Wednesday 17/8/16 7.30pm: P&C Meeting (StaffRoom)

Thursday 18/8/16 8.15am: Uniform Shop

2B & 2E Newstead HouseExcursion

Friday 19/8/16 Book Week Dress Up Day

City District Cricket

5.00-6.00pm: Prep Disco(Hall)

Monday 22/8/16-Friday26/8/16

Science Week at Ascot StateSchool

Monday 22/8/16 - Sunday 28/8/16

Queensland Road SafetyWeek

Monday 22/8/16 8.15am: Uniform Shop

9.00am: Years 3-6 Assembly

10.30am: P-2 Assembly

Years 3 & 4 “Lego We Do”

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Date Events

Tuesday 23/8/16 Prep-2 & Years 5-6 StreetScience

Years 3 & 4 “Lego We Do”

Met North Track & Field

Wednesday 24/8/16 8.15am: Uniform Shop

9.00am: Student Banking

Years 3 & 4 “Lego We Do”

Met North Track & Field

ASSEMBLY AWARDS

On Monday 22 August the following students will receive anaward for Being a Persistent Learner. Ascot students stepbravely into the unknown and accept learning challenges. Weknow that neurons grow when we are challenged and persistin learning. Learning success comes to those who persist andpersist and persist and persist. Well done girls and boys for yourdetermination. You hold the keys to learning success.

PA Susie R, Sean McR 3A Gemma N, LachlanR

PB Zahli C, Kai M 3B Isabelle M, Renz R

PC Vittorio G, Wadaan M 3C Destiny T, Edward E

PD Elton L, Joshua L 3D Tom C, Sophie S

PE Kobe W, Thanusphong S 3E Zoe R, Zara W

1A Matilda R, Ned C 4A Arabella A, Lily J

1B Lennox E, Jet S, CopperE

4B Remy R, Lachlan J

1C Ryder D, Sophia M 4C Mishca B, Isla R

1D Claudia S, Fenton S 4D Isabella C, Alastair J

1E Aria P, Ben A 4E Olivia G, Fergus P

2A Ellyssa H, Amelie B 5A Josephine F, AmiraA

2B Eloise D, Noah K 5B Greta C, Harriet M

2C Chloe W, Poppy B 5C Imogen C, ChristianP

2D Jonny S, Matthew McR 6/5

Isabella L, Bridget T

2E Sebastien M-C, SamanthaP

6A Lara E, Georgia P

6B Jack G, BrooklynH-W

6C Dexta B, Adiva A

STUDENT LEARNING – STUDENT VOICE

MINI FESTIVALS

Several of our Year 4 students and one Year 3 student recentlyattended the City Cluster Mini Festivals.

The Mini Scientists’ Festival is a challenging one and a half dayprogram and is also known as the City Science Investigators(CSI). Students from each school in the City Cluster wereselected to participate. Students selected an area of focusand undertook an investigation in this area and prepared theirfindings for presentation. Our students, Thomas S, Pascal K,Madison V and Zara D, participated with enthusiasm and werevery keen to share their findings upon returning to school.

The Mini Writers Festival is held over three sessions and is aunique opportunity for students who display talent in writing.Students from each school in the City Cluster were selected toparticipate and work with an author. The author shared somefunny and interesting stories that have inspired her stories. Shealso shared the process that she undertakes when writing shortstories and novels. Our students who participated were CarysDe J, Gabe G, Milana D, Samuel G-A and Stephanie C.

Some of our Year 4 students, Ellouise O’T, Kara N, Libby T,Mishca B, Sophia S and one Year 3 student Millie C, recentlyparticipated in the City Cluster Mini Thinkers’ Festival. Our MiniThinkers attended a one day workshop at Newmarket StateSchool. They were given creative thinking challenges and wereencouraged to work as a team to create solutions. Our studentscollaborated to recreate a story. Students wrote and performeda play and created props. Our Mini Thinkers enjoyed thechallenge and their enthusiasm upon returning to school waswonderful to see.

Students, parents and school community members wereinvited to celebrate the students’, learning and completed tasksfrom the Festival at the Celebration Morning which occurred onWednesday 3 August at Windsor State School.

Mini Thinkers hard at workMini Thinkers hard at work Mini Scientists hard at workMini Scientists hard at work

Cassie Mathewson, Co-Facilitator of Mini Thinkers

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CLASS 6/5 CLASS MATHS LEARNING

Last week Class 6/5 class consolidated their learning aboutCartesian co-ordinates, ordered pairs and plotting points alongan x and y axis that includes positive and negative integers. Weused our 100 bead strings to help in our plotting of points withour partners.

Monique Russell, 6/5 Teacher

YEAR 6 CANBERRA CAMP

On 1 August our Year 6 students met at the Brisbane DomesticAirport and boarded early flights to our nation’s capital. Thestudents and teachers enjoyed four fun filled nights and fiveexciting days of an itinerary that included all the best thatCanberra has to offer.

Many thanks to the teachers and parents who accompaniedthe students, Ms Coupler, Ms Miller, Mr Sayer, Mrs Russell, MrsClark, Mrs Petko, Mrs Shepherd, Mrs Lago and Mrs Moody.

The weather was cold, the experiences were hot, theadventures were on-going and the smiles were constant! Whata wonderful and very special Year 6 experience that is offeredat Ascot State School.

Adiva A: Questacon was incredible. I loved it! The Free Fall Slidewas really high and fun. Lots of people had a turn, even thosewho were a little nervous.

Kathryn M: I particularly enjoyed The Australian War Memorial.It was such a nice place to visit. It was very respectful of thesoldiers that gave their lives so that we could be a free country.

Jessica T: Canberra was a great experience. At the AIS welearned about different sports and saw athletes training. It was agreat time to visit the AIS with the Olympics Games just starting.

Lachlan R: At Questacon I conquered my fear of heights andspiders! I had a go at the Free Fall Slide by thinking aboutsomething else while I was hanging. And I learned a lot aboutspiders. Now I know not all of them are deadly.

Charlie T: On Wednesday we went to the snow and visitedPerisher. It was the first time for me to see and play in the snow.I couldn’t stop playing with the snow. It was irresistible not tohold it in your hands. The snow tube was fast and awesome.

Charlie B: I enjoyed the Australian War Memorial. It was reallyinteresting to see the artefacts and hear the stories with ourguide. We heard about Lachlan’s relative and we saw the bulletholes on the side of the boats that landed at Gallipoli.

Ben B: Telstra Tower was cold and windy, but it was great to beup there at night with my friends and see the lights of Canberra.You could see the Lake and the design of Canberra.

Liam M: I really enjoyed the hands on activities at Questaconand the AIS. I enjoyed the time to move freely from one activityto another. I would highly recommend when you visit Canberra

that you visit these places. I learned a lot of interesting facts atall the places we visited including the High Court of Australia.

Talia D: I loved playing in the snow and the feel of the snow. Iloved Questacon and going down the Free Fall Slide. The AISwas fun and also bowling was too. It was great to have all theyear 6s together as friends. I highly recommend for all studentsto go on the year 6 Canberra trip.

Deanne Clark, HOC Personalised Learning

MUSIC NEWSAll Woodwind and Brass beginner students should now beattending Junior Band on Friday mornings in the Music Room at7.45am. Please encourage your young musicians to be promptas setting up, tuning, etc., takes time. Mrs Dykes and MissHoward are co-ordinating and conducting the band rehearsals.

The Boys Don’t Sing Choir rehearsal is CANCELLED this Friday19 August. It will continue as usual the following Friday.

Please mark the end of year performances in your calendar ifyou haven’t done so already:

Brass Ensemble Tour Wednesday 14 September

Music Fest (Senior Band) Monday 24 October

St Augustine’s Fete (Choirs) Saturday 15 October

Choral Music Evening Thursday 3 November

Instrumental Music Evening Wednesday 9 November

Racecourse Road Christmas Carols Friday 25 November

Margaret Howard, mhowa12@eq.edu.au , DebbieDaley, ddale3@eq.edu.au .

P.E. NEWS

RIO OLYMPICS

As of Monday, Australia was sitting in 9th position with 6 goldmedals, 7 silver medals and 9 bronze medals for a total of22 medals. Hopefully they will add further to this but if theydon’t 5A, 4A or 2E could be close to the mark with their medalpredictions. I wonder which class will win a games session?

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There is also a poster competition. Children can design a posterto advertise the Ascot Olympics on an A4 sized sheet. Theposter can include a logo and/or mascot designed by the childto represent Ascot State School’s Olympics. The six postersthat show the most effort and creativity will win those studentsthe special role of “torch bearer” at the Ascot Olympics OpeningCeremony on Thursday, 1 September.

This week children will receive an information/permission formthat will need to be completed and returned to the class teacheralong with a $5.00 fee for participation as payment to theorganisation, Be Skilled Be Fit, who will be co-ordinating theday. We hope all students will take the opportunity toparticipate on this special day.

SPORTING SCHOOLS

This week our Year 4 students started a four week sportsdevelopment program on Tuesday morning 9.00-10.00am. Thegirls will participate in a four week netball program with qualifiedcoaches from Netball Qld. The boys will participate in twoweeks of cricket and two weeks of baseball, also with qualifiedcoaches. This is a great opportunity for students to developtheir skills leading into the Term 4 Gala Days.

GOOD LUCK

We wish the boys attending the Cricket trial on Friday and alsothe students competing at the Met North Athletics Carnival atUQ next week the best of luck.

Alayne Graham, Prep-Year 2, Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs,agrah27@eq.edu.au .Paul Harris, Years 3-6, Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri,pharr17@eq.edu.au .

FROM YOUR P&CWe are half way through Term 3. With 5weeks to go, we have lots of activities topack in!

I think one of my favourite events (certainlyone of the cutest) is the Prep Disco thisFriday in the hall. A big thank you to Nathalieand the FoM helpers. A special mention to the Prep teacherswho attend and make this such a special event for ourPreppies. Also, don’t forget we have the Year 2 Disco on 26August and the Years 4/5 Disco is on the 2 September.

Swim Club: Registration is now open on Flexischools. Thereis a cap of 140 families so make sure you register today. Thefirst meet is 7 October. Remember it is a two-step processon Flexischools, so once you have accepted the declaration,you then need to “add” the application form. Thanks to Hamishand Anthony for once again putting up their hands to run SwimClub.

Our FoVAD Art Evening event has had a date change! Therewas a clash with a few events that involved Ascot children anda couple of logistical issues. So we have solved that by nowhaving a beautiful Spring Saturday Art Show on Saturday 10thSeptember 3.00–6.00pm (rather than the original Friday night).Again, tickets can be purchased on Flexischools. Thanks to

Katrina for overseeing what is a very large event. I know thatmany parents will step up to help make this a fantastic event.

Uniform Shop is looking for volunteers for next year for onemorning a month. It is an easy, fun way to help the school.Email Karen if you are interested atuniformshop@ascottss.eq.edu.au . I would also like toacknowledge and thank Kelly M for all her hard work this yearat Co-Convenor. Kelly is unable to continue in the role and hasjust stepped down this week. Thank you for all your hard workthis year Kelly.

We also have the Father’s Day Stall on the 2 September andI would like to thank Karen G-T for her work in overseeing thestall again this year.

Finally, our Year 6 parents are invited to the final Year LevelLunch at Ruggers on the 16 September. The invitation isattached.

So as you can see, there are many P&C events and they allwork because of the time and dedication of parents who giveso generously of their time. THANK YOU!

Sarah Comiskey, P&C President,pandcpresident@ascotss.eq.edu.au .

IMPORTANT NOTICE: ART SHOW DATECHANGE

The Art Show (formerly evening of Friday 9 September6.00-9.00pm) will now be held on Saturday afternoon 10September 2016 from 3.00-6.00pm.

REMINDER: P&C MEETING TONIGHTWEDNESDAY 17 AUGUST AT 7.30PM

(STAFF ROOM - C BLOCK)

PREP DISCO: FRIDAY 19 AUGUSTDoors open: 4.45pmDisco starts: 5.00pmDisco finishes: 6.00pmVenue: Ascot State School HallAdmission: $12.00 on entry.

FRIENDS OF VISUAL ARTS & DESIGN(FoVAD)

ASCOT STATE SCHOOL ART SHOW 2016:SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 3.00-6.00PM

Our 2016 Art Event has had a date change and will now be onSaturday afternoon 10 September 3.00-6.00pm.

If you are a new parent, this is an event that all parents, familymembers and students attend, so please book your ticketstoday! Every $10.00 Flexischools ticket purchased prior to theArt Show gets one entry in the huge FoVAD Teddy Bear prize

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draw! Teddy is bigger than a Prep child! The FoVAD Big Teddywill be on display around the school and at assemblies in thenext couple of weeks, so if your child would like to win FoVADBig Teddy, get your Flexischools ticket now! Tickets are $10.00per adult and a child's ticket is free. Drinks, hot snacks andnibbles will be available for purchase.

One collaborative art piece from each class will be auctionedin the hall at the Art Show. We will publish a timetable for theauctions for each class closer to the event. Proceeds from theauction go towards funding our lovely art teacher in 2017.

FoVAD needs more parent helpers to produce this wonderfulevent! Please email FOVAD@ascotss.eq.edu.au if you wouldlike to be involved. Thank you to everyone who has emailed usalready – we are very grateful. Friends/parent couples canwork on a table/bar/food area together.

We also need parents to help with event set-up on Friday 9September in the afternoon and on Saturday 10 September inthe morning.

Thank you to our kind Art sponsors for 2016, Ray White Ascot.

Katrina M, FoVAD Convenor

TUCKSHOP ROSTERS

Tuckshop - Group 3 Home Bake - Group 3

Monday

22/8/16

KarenG-T,MargotB

Monday

22/8/16

Deborah P,Michelle F, Kylie L

Tuesday

23/8/16

ReneeB, JulieR

Tuesday

23/8/16

Michelle McL,Karen G-T, BrielleK

Wednesday

24/8/16

JemmaC

Wednesday

24/8/16

Nicole A, Jemma C

Thursday

25/8/16

Miranda,Olivia G

Thursday

25/8/16

Brigid T, Hilary L,Madeleine L,Lorelle C

Friday

26/8/16

NatashaJ, TonyaF

Friday

26/8/16

Natalie MacG,Brooke G, Vicki D,Kimberley S

UNIFORM SHOP ROSTER

Group 2

Monday 22/8/16 Rachel L

Wednesday

24/8/16

Karen K

Thursday

25/8/16

Shelley W

SWIM CLUB NEWSWe have had great interest in Swim Club membership overthe past week and expect to kick off the season with a fullhouse. If you have not already registered please do so via theFlexischools website. Memberships are limited and going fast!$125.00 for the season beginning Friday 7 October 2016.

Any questions please email swimclub@ascotss.eq.edu.au .

FROM THE COMMONWEALTH BANK

Rewarding Regular Savers with SpectacularPrizes

Click the link below for competition details and how to enter orcollect a Flyer from the Office.

COMMUNITY NOTICESKids Vacation Programs at RQYS in Manly: Sail & Play -fun, vacation care program for kids 6–12 years and TackersLearn-to-Sail Courses - structured courses for children ages7–13 years. Contact Rebecca on (07) 3396 8666 and readmore/sign up at http://www.rqys.com.au/sailing-academy/kids-courses/tackers/ .

C&K Ascot Kindergarten Open Day: We are having an openday on 7 September 2016, 2.15–4.15pm. We would love toshow you our lovely natural kindergarten where children are freeto explore, create and mould their own environment. Wherethe confidence and independence they need for school isdeveloped in a peaceful, natural, environmentally friendlyenvironment. We have places available for 2017 and maintaina waiting list for future years. To put your child’s name on ourlist go to www.candk.asn.au/ascot and complete the onlineregistration. We hope to meet you soon.

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