Tartan Times McDowall State School An Independent Public School since 2013

Achieving better outcomes for all students

School Administration (Office)

Open Mon to Fri, 8.00am – 4.00pm

Payment days: Wed & Fri: 8am – 11am

Recess Times

Prep – Year 2: 10.30am – 11.10am

12.45pm – 1.25pm

Years 3 – 6: 11.00am – 11.40am

1.15pm – 1.55pm

School Assemblies

Mon: 8:55 – 9:30am (Years 3–6)

Wed: 8.30 – 9:00am (Prep–Yr 2)

Tartan Tuckerbox (Tuckshop)

Monday: 1st break only

Open Tuesday to Friday

Flexischools orders avail. Mon-Fri

To volunteer: click here

Uniform Shop

Open Mon & Thu, 7.45am to 9.30am

Standard Uniform (Mon – Thu)

Tartan or red polo shirt

Bottle green pants shorts / skorts

Bottle green socks & black shoes (Tartan)

White socks (with red and bottle green stripes) & black shoes (red polo shirt)

Red bucket (for Prep Year) or Bottle green reversible broad-brimmed hat

Winter: bottle green jacket, jumper and track pants

Friday (Sports)

House shirt or red polo shirt if playing inter-school sports

Bottle green pants shorts / skorts

White socks (with red and bottle green stripes)

School hat

EDITION: 8th August 2018

N E

W S

L E

T T

E R

Office 3872 5333

Absence 3872 5366

OSH 3353 5755

Tuckshop 3872 5304

Fax 3872 5300

Email admin@mcdowallss.eq.edu.au

Website www.mcdowallss.eq.edu.au

2 Principal’s Post

5 Administration News

6 Music News

7 Sport News

7 Library News

8 Dance News

8 P&C Association News

What’s Happening

Mon 13 Aug

Tues 14 Aug

Wed 15 Aug

Thur 16 Aug

Fri 17 Aug

Power Into Prep Evening 5.30pm

Prep Active Learning Day

RNA Show Holiday (School Closed)

Yr 6 Maths Olympiad

Grandparents Morning 8.30-10.30am

Mon 3 Sep

Tues 4 Sep

Wed 5 Sep

Thur 6 Sep

Fri 7 Sep

Yrs 5-6 District Maths

Tournament

Chamber Music Concert 6.30pm

Yr 3 Ngutana Lui Excursion 3F2, 3F3, 3F4

Mon 20 Aug

Tues 21 Aug

Wed 22 Aug

Thur 23 Aug

Fri 24 Aug

Book Week

Yrs 3-6 Book Week Assembly

School Council Meeting 7pm

Yrs 3-5 Battle of the Bands

P-2 Book Week Assembly

Yr 2 Music Recruitment Concert Music Parent Info Night 6.30pm

Book Fair Yrs P-2 Library Author Visit

Yrs 4-6 Cyber Safety

Incursion

Book Fair Yrs 5-6 School Tennis Tournament School Opinion Survey Closure

Yr 6 Boys SEQ Championships

Mon 27 Aug

Tues 28 Aug

Wed 29 Aug

Thur 30 Aug

Fri 31 Aug

Book Fair Singfest Choral Festival Old Museum P&C Association Fathers Day Stall

Yr 5 Father’s Day Breakfast 8am-8.30am

Yrs 3-6 Merrille O’Neill Assembly P&C Association General Meeting 7pm

Yrs 3-6 Regional Athletics Carnival Poem In Your Pocket Day

P-2 Merrille O’Neill Assembly Bedtime Book Fair 5pm-7pm

Yr 3 Ngutana Lui Excursion 3F1, 3N1, 3N2

Year 6 Red Team Soccer

Heading to the South East QLD Soccer Finals

After completing the North District Gala Days undefeated, McDowall SS Year 6 Boys played Hilder Road SS at the Gap Football Club in a playoff. McDowall SS was off to a great start scoring early in the first half from a superb build up and a powerful finish from Daniel M. After half time Hilder Road SS struck back with two quick goals snatching the lead.

Strong running through the centre of the field, Aaron J set up plenty of promising scoring opportunities. With minutes left and the pressure building, Sam P bamboozled countless defenders before scorching down the sideline with pace to burn.

All set to score the equaliser, Sam P was brought down in a rough tackle, resulting in a penalty. Super Striker Jamie W, as cool as ice, stepped up and smashed the ball into the back of the net not giving the keeper a chance. All tied up at full time, the game went into extra time and after 20 more minutes and no more scores, a penalty shoot-out would decide the outcome.

After seven shots per team a Hilder Road SS player pushed his kick wide missing the goal posts. One kick, one goal and the victory would belong to McDowall SS. Daniel M kicked truly and the crowd erupted with cheers for the boys. Zade B was spectacular in goals throughout the game. It was a hard fought and highly entertaining game delivered by both teams.

Congratulations to this squad of boys. It was a huge team effort. A big thank you to our supportive parents and grandparents who cheered and urged the boys on throughout the game. The journey is far from over; next stop Ipswich and the South East Queensland finals on Friday the 24th of August, 2018.

Tartan Times 8 August – 2018 Page 2

Principal’s Post

Grandparents’ Morning

Grandparents’ Morning will be held on Friday

17th August, 2018 from 8.30am-10.30am.

Grandparents are special family within the

lives of children. In our modern society with

many parents working, grandparents assume

an increasing role in the upbringing, care and

welfare of children. It is therefore appropriate

that the McDowall State School invites

grandparents to join with their grandchildren

to celebrate their daily educational experience.

Grandparents Morning is annually well

supported and many grandparents

travel considerable distances to attend.

Grandparents are invited to sit with

their grandchildren before school, then

accompany them to class to experience

the morning session. Teachers

welcome grandparents into their classroom. Students display

extreme delight in sharing their school experience.

Grandparents may sit beside their grandchild, work with small

groups of students, hear students read or perhaps, even be

invited to share their knowledge and experiences with the

class. Should grandchildren be located in more than one

class, grandparents are welcome to move between classes

during the morning session. Should a grandparent not be

available to attend, parents are welcome to send along

another suitable adult member of the family.

The P&C Association will share a morning tea for

grandparents in K Block (OSH) from 10.30am-11.00am.

School Council

The McDowall SS School

Council meets five times

annually. The School

Council has ten members.

The Principal and P&C

Association President are

automatic members of

the School Council. Remaining members are elected for a two

year term of membership by either staff or parents.

The School Council is separate from and has a distinct

function to that of the P&C Association. It guides and

monitors the strategic direction of the school, approves and

monitors the implementation plans and policies of a strategic

nature; and advises the Principal on strategic matters. The

School Council performs its functions in a way that achieves

the best learning outcomes for students.

Essentially, School Council members are regularly kept

informed about school operations, issues and achievement by

the Principal. Being elected by staff and parents, these

members oversee the drafting of the School Plan 2018-2021

(an aspirational but realistic vision or perspective of what the

McDowall State School student experience, opportunities,

facilities and achievement standards should be like in four

years time). Additionally, members identify key steps, targets

or benchmarks that should be annually attained if the drafted

vision is to be realised. Changing influences and

circumstances mean that School Council annually monitor

school progress and amend the vision statement as required.

School Council business is outlined within the School Council

Charter 2018-2021. Both documents are available from the

McDowall State School website www.mcdowallss.eq.edu.au .

The School Council is not permitted to interfere with the

Principal’s management of the school, including it’s

curriculum, teaching style or resourcing. The School Council

must comply with law such as the Education Act and

Regulations. It does not control funds, own or manage

resources nor can members be sued. It is an ‘advisory body’

established to work in partnership with the Principal and P&C

Association President, according to its constitution, outlining a

preferred direction that should result in the best possible

outcomes for all enrolled students. School and P&C

Association (in partnership) then annually do what is

necessary, to transfix the vision into real experience for our

students.

Next SCHOOL COUNCIL Meeting: Monday 20 th August,

2018 from 7pm – 8pm (School Administration).

RNA Show Holiday

The McDowall State School will close on Wednesday 15th

August, 2018 for the RNA Show Holiday.

School Signage

McDowall State School receives core operational grants from

the Queensland Government. These grants are a mix of both

State and Commonwealth funds. Over the past five years,

State funds have remained generally static and continued to

be invested within essential core school programmes and

accountabilities while received additional Commonwealth

funds have been invested to deliver improved educational

service delivery to McDowall State School students. For

example:

As an Independent Public School we annually receive an

additional $50,000 of Commonwealth funds to cover costs

associated with meeting the objectives of this

programme. McDowall SS has used these funds to build

additional infrastructure. Eg. Kiss-and-Ride Facility

Covered Area, Year 2 Covered Area, Performing Arts

Classroom, wider pathways and classroom

refurbishments.

A Master Teacher (teacher coach) has supported and

assisted McDowall SS teachers to develop and refine

teaching practices aligning better with published

neuroscience and our action research initiatives. This

salary was fully funded by Commonwealth funds.

A Master Teacher support grant of $25,000 pa (over 5yrs)

has been used to ensure best quality professional training

for McDowall SS staff (a) Academic presenters (b)

University links (c) Co-teachers; and (d) Minimal

disruption to class programmes. This grant was fully

funded by Commonwealth funds.

Tartan Times 8 August – 2018 Page 3

The Great Results Guarantee (now called) Investing for

Success annual static grant of $298,366 is also fully

funded by the Commonwealth. Each year, a programme

overview and a programme outcomes page is placed on

the school website for parent information. These funds

currently purchase:

A Speech Language Pathologist across P-2 for three

days weekly.

A full-time teacher-aide assigned to each of P-4 Year

Levels (5 staff).

A Communications Officer (24hrs/wk) to oversee

Tartan Times, school website and facilities hire.

IT technology support for Years 5-6 teachers

overseeing BYOD programmes.

Since 2014, the Queensland Government has been one of only

a few jurisdictions to have significantly passed Commonwealth

funds directly to State Schools. This needs-based funding has

allowed Principals and School Councils, to allocate additional

resources where they are most required, particularly to support

and extend the learning of all students. McDowall State School,

Our Great State School, has blossomed under this financial

investment due to the ability to use funds in addressing local

priorities and student learning need.

There are two significant issues of which parents need to be

aware at present. Neither are underpinned by politics nor

political leaning but both will indeed impact on McDowall State

School’s future capability in delivering the ‘Best Learning

Outcomes For All Students’. Therefore, both issues should be

of interest to staff and parents.

No matter the political persuasion, Australia’s State

Schools must be properly and adequately funded. It is the

nation’s obligation to ensure that schools can meet /

appropriately respond to the needs of every enrolled

student, with each student having the opportunity to

realise their potential. All, not some, schools should be

properly and equitably resourced. “Fair Funding Now”

signage has been placed on the school fence-line. This is a

school community message directed at both State and

Commonwealth Governments.

The Queensland Government has advised that (i) The

Independent Public Schools initiative is under review; and

(ii) The Master Teacher initiative and associated Master

Teacher grant will be discontinued from 2018. This will

equate to a potential Commonwealth funds loss to the

McDowall SS Budget 2019 of $204,906. The Queensland

Government has every right to redirect State and

Commonwealth funds as they see fit. Principals also need

long-term school funding (staffing) certainty. Presently, it

is unsure whether ‘Investing for Success’ funding will

continue to be received by State Schools beyond 2019.

Potentially, this will equate to a further Commonwealth

funds loss to the McDowall State School Budget 2020 of

$298,366 with all associated student support services

being discontinued from that time. A ‘Direct Funding To

Our School Matters’ notice has been placed on the

McDowall State School Electronic Sign.

This information is provided to parents based on that which is

currently known, so that they may engage in inquiry, better

informing their knowledge and understanding, so that they

more productively contribute toward the current educational

debate affecting future State School service delivery standards.

Parent Opinion Surveys

Each year, the Department of Education undertakes a survey of

all parents, all staff and Years 5 and 6 students to gauge their

opinion with important aspects of schooling. Each family,

through their eldest child, received a Cover Letter from the

Principal and a Blue On-Line Access Letter enabling a single

opportunity to complete the Parent Survey for 2018. Parental

responses assist the school community to further achieve ‘Best

Learning Outcomes For All Students’ in making the

McDowall State School a better learning experience for your

child. Confidential responses afford feedback to the school

community (staff, parents & students) on what we do well and

in identifying ways we may collectively improve in creating an

even better learning place for students.

The Parent Opinion Survey will close on Friday 24th August,

2018.

Year 6 Boys Soccer

The Year 6 Boys Soccer Team has been selected to represent

the Metropolitan North Region at the South East Queensland

Football Championship to be held on Friday 24th August at

Western Pride Football Club, Ipswich. Mr Heath McDonald 5D2,

recently becoming a father, will cancel his paternity leave to

keenly accompany the team. McDowall State School will play

within this high level competition against a Sunshine Coast and

a Darling Downs School, needing to win both games, in order to

assume the SE Queensland Title. Congratulations on your

achievement to date and best wishes for these games.

Colds & Flu

Flu, colds and other viral infections are moving through

Brisbane. You may take precautions but such infections are a

part of modern urban life. Flu vaccinations may not prevent all

strains but may minimise effect and longevity of infection. Good

personal hygiene and social practice is critical in minimising

spread and severity of illness.

McDowall State School students have been instructed:

To tell their parents when they feel sick and not to attend

school until they feel better. This may require a

medical clearance. Sick children must not be sent to school

with likelihood that they will spread the virus to other

students and to staff. Sick children need regular care, rest,

fluids and regular access to toilets. McDowall SS neither

has the facility nor staff to care for sick children. Parents

will be called to collect and make other arrangements for

child care.

To carry either a handkerchief or tissues so that they may

cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze. Tissues are

available from within classrooms. All used tissues must be

immediately placed in bins.

To cough or sneeze into their elbow, not their hand should

they not have a handkerchief or tissue.

To wash their hands regularly. Foam soap is available from

within toilets.

To eat healthy food, including a good breakfast and lunch.

Drink a lot of water.

To go to bed early and experience at least 8 hours sleep

nightly.

To tell their teacher as soon as they feel ill. To promptly

depart the classroom (even without requesting permission)

if they feel that they may vomit.

Tartan Times 8 August – 2018 Page 4

Principal’s Gallery

Administration News

Term 3 Overviews for all Year Levels are available on our

website. Please click here for more information.

Year 5 News

In Term 2, Year 5 students

studied the art of persuasive

writing. Many students from

5G4 have become strong

advocates for the

environment.

Please see attachments for

some samples of their

impassioned pleas to join the

War on Waste.

CONTACT: Ms Arlene Smethurst, Master Teacher

Nicol Jackson Art Competition

Each year, McDowall State School holds an Art Competition

across P-6. We are constantly amazed at the artistic and

creative talents of our students and 2018 is no exception! At

special Art Assemblies on Monday 25th June, our School Hall

was transformed into an art gallery as we displayed and

announced the Year Level winners. Year 6 student, Alice T,

was also presented with the Nicol Jackson Art Award. This

annual award is presented to a Year 6 student who has

demonstrated outstanding achievement, attitude, effort and

participation in the subject area.

Year Level winners for 2018 were:

Prep

Sophia C - PC2

Ayla M - PA1

Emma A - PA1

Jason N - PB2

Aiden J - PA2

Year 1

Daisy P - 1J6

Katherine M - 1J4

Isabella S - 1J2

Nicola W - 1J2

Sienna G - 1J6

Year 2

Savinu G - 2Q2

Eliza - 2O2

Misha A - 2O2

Sophie A - 2J8

Eve R - 2Q2

Alice T - 6D4, Nicol Jackson Art Award Winner

w/c 6th Aug 4E1 Please enjoy a snapshot of art-

work featured from 4G1 & 1J3

w/c 13th Aug 4E2 w/c 20th Aug 2Q1 w/c 27th Aug 5D2

Tartan Times 8 August – 2018 Page 5

CONTACT: Ms Vanessa Crowhurst, Head of Curriculum

Music News

Celebration Concert

Congratulations to our many

talented students who

performed within the McDowall

State School Celebration

Concert held on Thursday, 21st

June, 2018. It was a great

evening with our music

students showing off their skill

and talent. Our music teachers

all work so hard to get their

students ready for these types

of performances and they are

congratulated on the high standard that was presented. It was

such a joy to see so many McDowall State School students

involved in making music.

Events like these can’t happen

without many volunteers, so a huge

“Thank You” to the staff and

parents who contributed their time

and endeavour ensuring the concert

went off with a bang!

The next School Concert is the Chamber Music Night, due to be

held on Tuesday 4th September, 2018. This Concert is of a

more intimate style, comprising of small instrumental and

dance ensembles and solo instrumental performances. We hope

to see you there!

Key Performing Arts Dates for Term 3

Presto Strings Impress at Fanfare Finals

On Monday morning, 25th June, 2018 a very

excited group of musicians travelled by bus to

the Old Museum Building, Bowen Hills, to

perform in the 2018 Fanfare Regional Finals. Presto Strings

performed beautifully and certainly showed why they were

selected for the finals. Although they did not place in the top

three, our Presto Strings really impressed.

Hearty congratulations to all of the students in Presto Strings

who have worked so hard this year. A big thank you to Mrs

Payne for her dedication and hard work in preparing the

students for this competition. Also thank you to Ms Woodruff for

her piano accompaniment during the Presto String’s

performance. To all the Mums and Dads, a big thank you for

supporting your child’s musical development – it is very much

appreciated.

CONTACT: Ms Vanessa Crowhurst, Head of Curriculum

Tartan Times 8 August – 2018 Page 6

Sport News

Hockey

From 14th—17th June, 2018, Meribelle R,

Trinity W and Lily P represented Met North

Region at the recent Queensland School

Sport, for 10-12years Hockey State

Championships in Cairns.

Met North Region won all ten of the games

and became this year championship

winners for 2018.

Congratulations to Lily P Yr.4 who earned a place on the

Met North Region Under 12 softball team. A tremendous

achievement for such a young student.

Congratulations to the following students who have

earned a place on the Yr. 4 red ball tennis team. They

will represent McDowall State School in the B.I. Schools

Challenge. [Sara B , Jayden J , Isaac C , Mitchell E, Lily

P, Nick D, Lucas W, Max F.]

District Athletics - Congratulations to all students who

competed in the North District Athletics Carnival. Our

school was once again successful in earning two District

Trophies. We won the A Division Schools Trophy and the

Overall Points Trophy. Many McDowall SS students will

now compete at the Met North Regional Carnival at UQ

in a couple of weeks. A special mention to these

students who competed in the multi event at the District

Athletics - Isaac & Trinity 1st place, Thomas H & Lily P

2nd place, Erin H 3rd place, Kip R 4th place. This is a

tough event involving four disciplines.

Please return Athletic singlets to the Sports Room.

Yr. 5 / Yr. 6 School Tennis Tournament - The school

tennis tournament will be held on Friday 24th August,

2018. It is open to Yrs. 5-6 students only. It is a knock-

out tournament. Matches run through-out the day.

Preparatory Year PE - I had the pleasure this week to

teach Prep classes for two PE lessons. We learnt over-

arm and under-arm throwing skills. Students were

enthusiastic and were excellent at following instructions.

Prep classes will receive two PE lessons per week this

term.

School Jerseys - Please return any school equipment or

your jersey to your coach or PE teacher.

Rebel Sport Mitchelton - Please mention our school when

purchasing. We are part of the community kick-back

program.

Fitness Awards - Congratulations to 35 students who

received a Gold Level Certificate for their fitness awards

in Semester One. To achieve a Gold Certificate students

needed to get a gold level for all seven fitness tests.

Congratulations to the following classes who were

judged to be the fittest class for their year level. 3F4 ,

4G2 , 5D3 , 6C4 & 6D4 (tie).

Fitness Awards Semester 2 - These begin shortly. All

students start from zero.

Friday Fitness Club - Beep Test sessions will be held in

the Sports Centre every Friday morning from 8.05am

and 8.20am. These sessions are open to students in Yrs

3-6. Please wait at the Sports Centre door for a teacher

to arrive.

CONTACT: Mr Paul Henderson, PE Teacher.

Library News

Busy Term for Children’s Book Week

Book Week Term has arrived! Though

Book Week itself isn’t until Week 6,

preparations for our celebrations at

McDowall State School have already

started. Students are currently finalising

their entries for the Merrille O’Neill Poetry

Competition. The English teaching staff at

Craigslea State High School will judge

these soon and winners will be

announced later this term.

During Book Week month we will be

having a Book Fair with a Bedtime Book

Fair on 29th August, 2018. Our special

guest author, Rebecca Johnson, will be

visiting McDowall SS during Book Week.

A highlight of Book Week is of course the

books. The Australian Children’s Book

Council have named the finalists for this year’s competition.

Please view the list at: https://www.cbca.org.au/short-list-

2018 . From this list, the winners will be decided and

announced just prior to Book Week.

TOTAL NUMBER OF

WORDS READ BY YEAR

FOUR & FIVE STUDENTS!

28,652,333

Tartan Times 8 August – 2018 Page 7

Our Library Garden

It is lovely to be outdoors at this

time of the year and students are

certainly enjoying the School

Library garden. It is two years old

now and while some plants have

come and gone, generally the

garden is looking quite

established. Our rosemary, for

example, is doing very well. So if

you are roasting some lamb for an

evening wintery meal, you are

welcome to come and grab some fresh rosemary from the

garden!

CONTACT: Mrs Jan Saunders, Teacher

Dance News

Dance Student Of The Week

This term in Dance, I have started a school wide reward

system to congratulate and commend a boy and girl in each

Year Level who follow the school rules at all times during the

lesson and also demonstrate outstanding work in Dance.

Week 1 saw students progress straight into new exciting units

of work. Years 5-6 also began their weekly 30min dance

lesson designed to extend their presentation skills.

Congratulations to the following students for their enthusiasm

and hard work.

Week 1

Prep- Emilie S & Brodie F

Year 2- Tanish K & Narnia B

Year 3- Jake T & Jiya P

Year 4- Blake H & Rianna J

Year 5- Micah H & Mia B

Year 6- Miles P & Charlie C

CONTACT: Miss Ashlee Murphy, Human Movement Teacher

P & C Association News

Uniform Shop The uniform shop is seeking a volunteer for Thursday mornings, once a month. If you can help out, please contact Karen – uniformshop@mcdowallss.com

Fundraising at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre McDowall State School came 3rd in the Indooroopilly Shopping

Centre’s Funds for Local Schools Fundraising Initiative. Our

school receives $500 for 3rd place.

Our thanks to Indooroopilly Shopping Centre and the FUNds

for Local Schools Fundraising Initiative.

Advertising on the Electronic Sign

Do you run or know of a local business

which would benefit from advertising

on our school electronic sign on Rode

Rd?

If you would like to advertise your

business, please contact the P&C

Association Operations Manager, Manie, for more information,

or please share Manie's contact details with local businesses.

Tartan Tuckerbox

Have you had your say about the Tartan Tuckerbox? Please

spend a couple of minutes completing our survey so we can

provide the best possible service to our school community.

School Banking Congratulations to PB1 for being very consistent savers last

term and winning the Zooper Doopers.

The following prizes are all on offer for kids to redeem (while

stocks last). For images, you can google them on CBA.com

There are plenty of Colour change markers, Epic Earphones,

Glow Light, Heat Reactor Pencils, Mighty Boom Handballs,

Pencil Tech Case, Smiley Emoji Keyring, Sparkle Glitter Pens,

Tablet Case, Twister Handballs and Volt Handball.

It normally takes two weeks for the school to receive the rewards that each child is redeeming. At this stage, the CBA are not having any more Scratch pads, (Sorry). If you ever have any concerns, feel free to email us at banking@mcdowallss.com or put a note in the banking book.

CONTACT: Mrs Anna Lagos, P&C Association