Our school is currently in the second year of our Strategic Plan covering the years 2021-2024. This plan was prepared by our community last year. Our Strategic Plan has three core priorities that guide our school towards our vision to: Inspire and empower our community to achieve their potential and shape our world. Over the next few years, we plan on implementing the goals and strategies of our plan and continuing to improve the learning opportunities for our students.

The three priorities of our Strategic Plan are: High Impact Teaching, Engaged Leaders and Collaborative Cultures.

High Impact Teaching is teaching that makes a difference. We’re committed to teaching strategies that help students accelerate their learning towards their learning goals. Our teachers undertake a wide range of professional development each year to continue to build their skills in delivering the best possible lessons for our students. Our teachers are working to make a difference.

We focus our efforts to Engage our Learners’ in their learning. We teach interesting material that is relevant to our students and purposeful for them to study and learn. Our aim is to ensure our students are focused and motivated with their learning. We are aiming at Camira SS to embed deep learning experiences

We work as a team at Camira SS and our goal is to ensure we foster a Collaborative Culture where our people work together and learn from one another. Partnerships within our community are important and we foster genuine partnerships to help improve our learning experiences for our students.

The annual School Opinion Survey is being conducted now and will close in Mid-August 2022. All families, school staff and students in target year levels (5 and 6) will be invited to participate. We encourage you to take this opportunity to have your say about what our school does well, and how we can improve.

An invitation to complete the Parent/Caregiver Survey will be emailed to one parent/caregiver per family in the week beginning 5 July. The invitation will be sent from the Department of Education, not the school, and it will have the subject line School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2022. Check your junk email folders if you can’t find it. The survey can be completed as soon as the invitation is received and will take approximately 5 minutes using a computer, tablet or smart phone. We’re looking forward to celebrating all the good things we do as a school and looking over the survey results.

Did you know that our school has lunchtime activities for a range of students from every year level across the school? Students can choose to join into one of these lunchtime activities around the school and have fun with their friends. We have senior students helping as games rangers, bin ball games (which is very popular), Art Club, Chess club, Choir, sports equipment borrowing for the ovals and a dance activities just to name a few things. These activities are coordinated by the Engagement Committee and are run by teachers and students who give up their time each week. If your child is looking for something to do in a lunch break, encourage them to join into one of our lunchtime activities.

Every family is different, and will have their own ideas around what’s considered ‘normal’ or acceptable use of digital devices. Technology is everywhere in our homes and parents and carers play an important role in helping children to develop digital intelligence — the social, emotional and practical skills needed to successfully navigate the digital world.

Please ensure you make the time to check in with your children and ensure appropriate security settings are in place. Managing the way your children use digital devices at home is to ensure you are informed and have developed some rules of your own. Check out the following resources and information available -

Nine Digital Technology Guidelines for Parents

1. Know what the rules and expectations are at school

Our school digital device policy and guidelines make a great starting point for families. Make sure that you and your child know what the rules are at school. Importantly, support the school and keep your own expectations in line with the schools.

2. Specify hours for digital use

Set the ground rules for when your children can use their tablets and phones, and when they need to shut them off. It’s just a smart way to build a habit for the whole family so it becomes ingrained and just the way things are done in your home.

3. Consider a digital device ‘contract’

Clearly set out your digital device usage guidelines, and print them in an agreement that you and your children can both sign. If there are any disputes, then you both have the expectations in writing.

4. Lay out consequences from the start

Make the consequences clear for breaking the rules, such as taking away the device for a set period of time. But remember, the goal isn’t to punish them, but just to set clear boundaries. You can develop the guidelines together and they should be reasonable rather than excessive.

5. Talk about respectful relationships, safety and inappropriate websites

Do not let your children loose in the digital world without having several conversations about how to stay safe online, how to show respectful behaviour and be aware of inappropriate websites. Each of these topics is a separate issue on its own, but each is deeply affected by the virtual, boundary-free nature of digital technology.

6. Be prepared to learn

Be ready to learn about social media, and the different apps and games that your children might be playing.

7. Change the rules if necessary

Be prepared to keep evolving your rules based on you children’s behaviour, maturity, sleep habits, their tendency to leave homework or chores unfinished, bullying or any number of issues that will invariably crop to ensure they are clear around your expectations.

8. Keep digital devices out of the bedroom

This is one rule that you should stay firm on.

9. Have a ‘digital detox’ one day a week

The only way that this idea will work is if you join them in making one day a week a digital device-free day. They will probably not like it, and neither will you, but the point of having one day off is to prove that they can live without their digital device, and involve them in different forms of communication and entertainment. Click here to view more information: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

Glenn Forbes

On Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 August our Prep students will head off on their very first school excursion. The Nudgee Beach Education Centre allows our Prep students to investigate living things and aligns with their Science unit this term. The links to the permission note and to the ‘What to bring’ note are below. Payments are due by 1 August.

On Tuesday 2 August our Year 1 students will head off on their very first school excursion (due to COVID in 2021). The Spark Lab and Queensland Museum allows Year 1 students to investigate as scientists and aligns with their Science unit this term. The link to the permission note is below.

This week our Camira Croclings went on a tour of the school and identified all the places and buildings that they will come across when they are in Prep in 2022.

If you have a child who is starting Prep in 2022, please contact administration to enrol your child in our Croclings program.

Our Year 5 & 6 students will participate in Gala Days this term on Friday 12, 19 & 26 August with a catch up day (if required) set for Friday 9 September. Students are required to return their permission note and payment to secure their spot in the team.

Please note that the carpark next to the Fire Station does not have a ‘Drop and Go’. To ensure the safety of all students and their families, cars are required to park their cars to drop off and pick up students.

With the colder weather, it is timely to remind families of our Camira SS winter uniform expectations.

• Only navy jumpers are permitted
• No hoodies
• Navy blue pants
• If wearing blue leggings, the school skort or shorts must be worn over the top

Camira SS is now taking enrolments for Prep students who will begin school in 2023. Prep is the first year of school and provides the foundation for your child's education. It is compulsory for Queensland children to undertake Prep prior to Year 1. Children must be 5 by 30 June in the year they enrol. Students born between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2018 are eligible to enrol in Prep 2023. Please contact administration to collect an enrolment pack.

KindyLinQ is buzzing with children investigating and playing in a supported environment. Please find below the KindyLinQ newsletter from last week.

There are still spaces available for children who are 2½ - 3½ years of age. Contact administration for more information. 

Mrs Liz Taylor stepped in to Playgroup last week and she enjoyed spending time with the Playgroup families. Mrs Taylor set up many engaging activities for families and lead them through their song and dances at the end of the session.

Due to our ever-increasing numbers, families are asked to book their place each week prior to attending. Please contact Jenny Scarlett via email at jscar46@eq.edu.au to reserve your place.  

Our school has its very own Facebook page. This page is one of the ways that we are able to communicate with our school community. To keep you update, please search for us on Facebook under ‘Camira State School’ and give us a like to ensure you stay up to date with our school events.

Amber Bartels

The eSafety Commissioner (eSafety) is Australia’s independent regulator for online safety.

eSafety has a range of initiatives and resources to combat online abuse and harm including live webinars to help parents navigate the ever-changing online landscape.

The next eSafety parent webinar is about “Popular Apps”. Learn about TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube and help your children stay safe online.

This webinar is designed for parents and carers of young people aged 8 to 13.

It will cover:

• case studies, research and targeted advice
• ways of supporting the young people in your life to have safe, enjoyable online experiences.

There are three dates scheduled in August as follows:

• Monday 1 August 12:30 to 1:30 pm

• Tuesday 16 August 7:30 to 8:30 pm

• Thursday 25 August 12:30 to 1:30 pm

To register, head to: www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars

At the end of last term, the Noosa North Shore camp letter and permission forms were sent home and invoices were emailed out.

Dates to note:

Friday 12  August – a non-refundable deposit of $150 is due along with all forms

Thursday 8 September - the final balance of $149.00 to be paid

You also have the option of a payment plan which should be arranged as soon as possible. Please see the ladies in the office and they will happily assist you with this.

Chantel Collie

Here at Camira we want to ensure the best learning environment for your child therefore we are offering the opportunity for your prep child to participate in the Hear and Say Hearing Screening Program free of charge to you.

This service is conducted by specialist Hear and Say Audiometrists and or Hearing Screeners here at Camira.  As you know, our screening was postponed due to the flooding earlier in the year and is now taking  place on Wednesday August 3 and Thursday August 4.

This program is an excellent opportunity for you to have your child’s hearing screened by trained professionals in Paediatric Audiology, ensuring your child gets the most out of their educational experience. 

The Deadly Choices Program began last week and we had many of our students participating in the activities. The program focusses on giving participants the knowledge to make healthy lifestyle choices, whilst supporting participants to be positive role models and mentoring their peer group and community by leading a healthy lifestyle. If you have received a permission slip please sign and return as soon as possible so your child can take part! This will be the last week to return your permissions.

Over winter we have had many jumpers living in our Lost Property cupboard; many un-named. If your child has lost a jumper please pop down to our Engagement Hub (old CAFÉ) and have a look to see if yours is there!

Emma Milburn

Our school will celebrate Book Week in Week 8, 29 August – 2 September. We will enjoy our annual Book Week dress up on Wednesday 31 August.  The theme for this year is ‘Dreaming with Eyes Open’. What will be your child’s dress up for this year be?

We are also very excited to welcome award-winner writer and podcast host Nat Amoore on Thursday 1 September for our author visit. Nat Amoore is a children’s writer who is passionate about encouraging kids to read and write and explore their imagination without boundaries. She is all about big ideas, big laughs and big fun. Students are asked to bring a gold coin donation for this event.

This Semester in HASS, the Preps are learning all about their family history. They have begun to explore the nature and structure of families, identify their own personal history, particularly their own family backgrounds, as well as examine diversity within their family and others. This week, Prep E created their own family trees to share with their peers.

Shilo Tierney

Our Koedal’s Reading Club is a voluntary club where our students have the opportunity to review a prescribed book. This is open to a different year level each fortnight. Our Year 3 students read The Gingerbread man. Here is what our participants had to say: 

Charlotte - I found the chapters entertaining and the pictures were vibrant.  My favourite characters are the gingerbread man and the old lady, I found them funny.  This book had lots of exaggeration and made me want to read more, so great job.

Eva - The pictures helped me to visualise the story and the chapters were short. 

Lydia - This book appealed to me because the gingerbread man was easily tricked. The writing is good and so are the pictures. 

Kimball - I liked this book because the gingerbread man thought nobody could catch him, but a sneaky sly fox tricked him.

Dominic - I found this book funny and I liked the catch phrase “run, run as fast as you can you can’t catch me I’m the gingerbread man.  The pictures were funny and matched the story.

Aaleah - I liked the animals in this book.  The pictures were very realistic and the story line was very entertaining the language was appropriate. 

Cleo - My favourite character was the sly fox because he was cheeky and sinister.  This book I would recommend for all ages because it is funny, it also teaches you not to talk to strangers. 

Evy - This book was interesting to me because I liked it when the gingerbread man got eaten.  The pictures were colourful and bright.

Xander - I liked the fox as he was sneaky (like me) and he ate the gingerbread man. 

Lily - I liked the setting of this book it was in an old cottage on a farm.  The pictures were good they showed you what was happening and are very colourful. 

Chelsea - I liked all the characters and the story line of this book.  Although the pictures helped tell the story the last picture wasn’t to my liking. 

Charlotte St - I didn’t like this book at all, I found the book lacked suspense.  The gingerbread man was my favourite character. 

Isabelle - I liked this book because the gingerbread man got chased.  I found this book good. 

Lindy Du Plooy

Good luck to the 24 students below that will be representing Camira at the Central Comets Track and Field Trials this Thursday and Friday at the University of Queensland. We can’t wait to hear how you all go up against the best athletes in our district.

Thankyou to the families that have already returned the GSPSS Gala Day permission notes. A reminder that permission notes and payment by BPoint or QKR are due on Friday 5 August. If students require a new permission note, parents can access these forms on the email I sent to all Year 5 and 6 families last week. If the email is not in your inbox it is best to check your junk email folder. Students can also see the office staff who have spare permission notes if they are unable to print them at home.

We are underway with our team’s training sessions. Below you will see which days each sport will be having training. It is a requirement as part of a Gala Day team to participate in training sessions as it is the best way for students to prepare for the competitions starting on August 12.

• AFL: Mondays and Wednesdays at Second Break
• Boys Basketball: Tuesdays and Thursdays at Second Break
• Girls Basketball: Wednesdays at Second Break
• Boys Touch Football: Mondays and Wednesdays at Second Break
• Girls Touch Football: Wednesdays at Second Break

Year 6 families last week received an email from me regarding the opportunity for any students that are interested in trialling for the Bellbird Park SSC Rugby League Academy. They are holding a trial on Friday 29 July at Bellbird Park between 9:00am and 2:30pm. Families are required to fill out the online application form which can be accessed on the QR code below.

Matt Robins

Breakfast Club is open every morning from 8:00am to 8:30am in the Activities Hall.  Come along and enjoy some toast, cereal, yoghurt or juice.

We are always in need of volunteers: parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles are all welcome.  If you are able to help out for just one morning a week, your support would be greatly appreciated.

A big thank you to our ongoing sponsors the YMCA.

I can be contacted on 3381 4810 or cpres18@eq.edu.au

Cheryl Prescott                                                                                                                                                               Breakfast Club Coordinator

Proudly supported by:

P&C Cookie Dough Drive

We’re just over a week into our Cookie Dough Fundraiser, and the P&C are amazed to tell you that we’ve already hit over our 500 tub goal! Currently, orders are sitting at:

Tubs ordered:  558

Total orders:  260

Profit to date:  $2232

This is a fantastic achievement for our school, and we can’t thank you enough for supporting this fundraiser.

There is still 2 ½ weeks left to order, so if you have not yet placed an order please go to cookiedough.com.au and register your student(s) – once you have registered you are ready to order!

With the large volume of tubs ordered we will need a team of volunteers to assist with sorting and packing on delivery day. If you are interested in helping out please contact the P&C at pandc@camirass.eq.edu.au.

Loose Change Challenge

The Student Council Loose Change Challenge has now started! Each class has received a tin for students to bring in their loose change from home. The class that has made the most money at the end of the term will be rewarded with a pizza party organised by the P&C.

This is a simple and effective way for the Student Council to fundraise, with their goal to give the school a parting gift at the end of the year before transitioning to high school.

Fathers Day Stall

The P&C will be holding a Fathers Day Stall in Week 8 – more information on this fundraiser will be released soon!

Comedy for a Cause – Friday 9 September

The P&C will be hosting our first community event since 2019 - a comedy night in collaboration with Comedy for a Cause! This event is targeted to our parents and outside community members, and will be a night of entertainment, laughter, food and drink, raffles and silent auctions, and most of all – supporting the P&Cs fundraising efforts to support the students of our school.

Tickets for this event will be sold online for $35 each, and can be purchased via www.comedyforacause.net/CAMIRA. Please note that this event is strictly 18+ only.

More information on this event, including show line up, will be released closer to the event.

The P&C would like to thank the following businesses for supporting this fundraiser through sponsorships and donations:

GOLD SPONSORS

Big Papa’s Pizza

Camira Pharmacy

Charis Mullen MP – State Member for Jordan

Hutchinson Builders

BRONZE SPONSORS/IN KIND DONATIONS

Milton Dick MP – Federal Member for Oxley

QPAC

North Star Holiday Resort – Hastings Point

Darling Downs Zoo

Sit Down Comedy Club

Deep Grey Photography

Jindalee Jungle

Neurum Creek Bush Retreat

Inflatable World Darra

Australia Zoo

YMCA Camira OSHC

Lastly, we are always in need of volunteers to assist with events such as this. The P&C will be putting together a list of roles and tasks that will aid in successfully running this fundraiser. If you would like to be part of the Comedy night organising team please contact us at pandc@camirass.eq.edu.au.

The next General Meeting will be held on Monday 15 August at 7pm via Teams.  

For regular updates on all our events and fundraising meetings please join our P & C Facebook page via the link below. We also have a volunteers page for any parents who wish to be involved with the planning of upcoming events – to join this page please follow the link on the P & C Facebook page and answer the questions provided, to be added to the group. 

Sheree Haines 

P & C President 

Camira State School 

Email: pandc@camirass.eq.edu.au  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CamiraSS.PandC/  

Volunteers Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2098716073688147/ 

Please be advised that starting from Monday 25 July there will be some temporary changes to our Tuckshop’s trading hours. Until further notice, Tuckshop services on Mondays and Tuesdays will now only be available for MUNCH/CRUNCH & FIRST BREAK ONLY.  Tuckshop services for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will still be available for both breaks as normal.

There are a number of reasons that have lead to the P&C making this decision. As most families are aware cost of living has increased dramatically, and currently our Tuckshop is struggling to remain a viable service for our school.

The P&C are working hard in collaboration with our Tuckshop staff to review our costing and pricing, wages and operations, so that we can deliver a service to our school that will not only provide healthy and delicious meals to our students, but also one that it is able to remain financially compliant.

The P&C are planning to start a Tuckshop Drive from Week 4, in which families will have the opportunity to provide in-kind support to our Tuckshop by way of dry-good donations. A list of items will be emailed home to families soon.

We also cannot stress more the importance of volunteer assistance in the Tuckshop. Unfortunately with the ongoing issue of limited volunteers, the P&C have had no option but to increase paid staffing hours. This has impacted our service in a significant way, as any surplus funds that normally would be contributed back to the school are having to be used to accommodate wages.

If you are able to help out in our Tuckshop, we desperately need you!

Once again we are hoping for this only to be a temporary arrangement and the P&C thank you for your understanding and support during this time. If you have any questions regarding these changes please don’t hesitate to email the P&C at pandc@camirass.eq.edu.au.