27 February 2023

Newsletter Articles

MESSAGES FROM THE ADMINISTRATION TEAM

Welcome

Congratulations to our newly appointed Year 6 school leaders!

As school leaders, you will have the opportunity to make a positive impact on our school community by setting an example for your peers, representing your class in school meetings, organising and leading school events, and contributing to the well-being of your school community.

We are confident that you will take your responsibilities seriously and carry out your duties with integrity, enthusiasm, and respect for others. Your willingness to take on this leadership role shows that you are capable of making a positive difference in the lives of those around you.

Thank you to Brian and Carlene George from George Real Estate who presented our school leaders with their badges. We appreciate your contribution and continued support of our school.

We look forward to seeing all the great things our school leaders will achieve in their new role as school captains and sports captains, and we wish you all the best in your endeavours. Congratulations once again on this well-deserved achievement!

Brian and Carlene George with our 2023 school leaders.
Back row from L to R: Emily, Tyson, Billie and Edward
Front row from L to R: Anna, Finn, Lola and Will

School Captains

Finn J
Lola Y

Sports Captains

Kendall House

Billie M
Edward B

Lawson House

Emily A
Tyson S

Paterson House

Will G
Anna H

School Review

Every Queensland state school is reviewed by the School and Region Reviews (SRR) branch at least once every 4 years. The reviews play an important part in how the department supports school improvement. They provide schools with independent feedback, tailored to their context and needs. Principals use the review findings to work with their school community and assistant regional director or principal supervisor to develop clear actions to move the school forward.

Feedback from parents and the community is an important part of our review, with everyone encouraged to have their say.

Our school review will be conducted between the 13th and 15th March.

Absences

Don’t forget to get in touch with us to let us know if your child will be away from school for any reason. Leave us a message on the absence line and we will ensure your child’s attendance record is updated without having to call you to check in to ensure all is well.

Uniform Expectations

As we all welcome our students to an exciting new school year, these first few weeks are also critical for ensuring that our high expectations in work, behaviour and uniform are conveyed to all students consistently. Uniforms are available for purchase from the tuckshop via the Qrk app. A new addition to the uniform is girls’ shorts, available in sizes 12, 14 & 16. These are shorter in the leg length and offer a different shape/style to the unisex shorts.

A big thank you to all of our parents for your wonderful support in this area.

School Resource Scheme

Students will have received a School Resource Scheme (SRS) letter. Please complete this letter and return to the office or your child’s class teacher. Invoices have been issued via email. In 2023 the SRS is $80, this can be paid in one payment or spilt over 3 payments.

2023 NAPLAN

NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake.

NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national standards and over time.

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It doesn’t replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with additional information about students’ educational progress.

Our school has transitioned from paper-based to computer-based assessments. However all Year 3 students will continue to complete the writing assessment on paper.

Online NAPLAN tests provide more precise results and are more engaging for students. One of the main benefits is tailored (or adaptive) testing, where the test presents questions which may be more or less difficult depending on a student’s responses.

Tailored testing allows a wider range of student abilities to be assessed and measures student achievement more precisely. A student’s overall NAPLAN result is based on both the number and complexity of questions they answer correctly. Your child should not be concerned if they find questions challenging; they may be taking a more complex test pathway.

NAPLAN testing will begin on Wednesday the 15th March with the written assessment. Testing will continue until the 22nd March.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our Head of Curriculum – Leesa Vacher via phone or email lvach1@eq.edu.au

Chappy Chat

As the school chaplain, I wanted to address a topic that has become increasingly prevalent in our children's lives - cyberbullying. In today's digital age, social media and gaming have become a significant part of our children's social lives, and unfortunately, they have also become platforms for cyberbullying.

According to safety.gov.au, cyberbullying is defined as "the use of technology to harass, humiliate, or intimidate someone." It can take many forms, including sending hurtful messages, spreading rumours, sharing embarrassing photos or videos, and even exclusion from online groups or activities. Cyberbullying can have serious consequences on a child's mental health and well-being and can even lead to long-term effects.

As parents, it is essential to be aware of the signs of cyberbullying. Some signs include changes in behaviour, such as being withdrawn or avoiding social situations, changes in mood, such as being anxious or depressed, a decline in academic performance, and physical symptoms like headaches or stomach aches. If you notice any of these signs, it is crucial to have an open and honest conversation with your child to find out what is going on and how you can support them.

In addition to being vigilant of signs of cyberbullying, it is important to take steps to prevent it from happening in the first place. Encourage your child to use social media and gaming platforms responsibly, teach them to be kind and respectful to others online, and remind them of the importance of speaking up if they witness cyberbullying happening to someone else.

It's important to note that parents and guardians can also play a role in preventing cyberbullying by modelling positive online behaviour and supervising their child's online activity. Keeping communication lines open and encouraging your child to come to you if they ever feel uncomfortable or threatened online is crucial.

In conclusion, cyberbullying is a serious issue that requires our attention as parents, guardians, and educators. By being aware of the signs and taking steps to prevent it, we can work together to ensure our children's online experiences are positive, safe, and respectful.

William Fratter - Pomona State School Chaplain

MURAL INFORMATION

DATE CLAIMERS

CONTRATULATIONS TO OUR STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

WELLBEING – BODY TO BRAIN LEARNING

Wellbeing is a state which every individual realises their potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, works productively and fruitfully and contribute to their community. (World Health organisation 2014)

Education Queensland’s Student Learning and Wellbeing Framework takes an approach that recognises social cognitive, psychological, physical and personal aspects of the child as contributing to the wellbeing of the student as a whole. Body to Brain Learning brings all of these together by using natural developmental movement as the platform to set the stage for better “whole” person learning.

At Pomona State School this year we have been fortunate to be in serviced as a staff in ‘Body to Brain Learning’. This approach uses neurodevelopmental principles that begin early in life and provides a fresh perspective and approach. Everything the brain learns it learns through the body and its interactions with the world. The body trains the brain and grows our mind preparing and supporting us in lifelong learning. The 'Body to Brain Learning' approach is about how that happens and how we can use that information to help others improve their learning journey.

In class the students will participate in a daily exercise program incorporating purposeful and sequential movement that replicates natural development so that children feel more in control of their body and learning and this facilitates their wellbeing at school. These exercises are designed to help integrate brain function and create positive body-brain connections. What we do with our body affects our minds. Creating better body and brain connections that increase confidence, resilience, problem solving and building lifelong learning skills. Better bodies, better brains, better students, better teachers.

If you have any questions please contact your classroom teacher or Shirley Savage (Support Teacher)

NOOSA DISTRICT SWIM TRIALS

On Wednesday the 15th of February, 12 Pomona students attended the Noosa District Swimming Trials held at the Noosa Aquatic Centre. These students were selected from our own school swimming carnival held in term 4, 2022 and they did a fantastic job at representing Pomona State School!

10yrs – Alba B, Bodhi H, Joseph H, Oliver J, Tate G.
11yrs - Zahlia B, Billie M, Tayte B, Liam M,
12yrs – Mason G, Ciaron H, Finn J

All of our students tried extremely hard in the hope of finishing in the top 3 so that they could represent Noosa District at the regional trials. (Pending qualifying times).

By the end of the day, we had 1 of our talented students on the winner’s podium multiple times. Alba B finished with 1st place in the 200m IM, 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke, 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle and 2nd in the 50m Butterfly and 50m Breaststroke. Well done to Alba and all the Pomona students for their behavior, sportsmanship and participation on the day. Alba also broke District Records in the 200IM, 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle and 50m Backstroke. Quite an achievement! She will represent Noosa District at the Regional trials next month.

Special thanks to Teacher Aide Shantelle for helping in managing the team and all parents who provided transport and support for the students on the day.

Ben Byrne
H.P.E

TUCKSHOP MENU

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATIONS

LANDCARE

Roving Restorers Program - Noosa Chapter - Friday 3rd March

When: 8:30 AM, 03 Mar 2023 Friday
Where: Boreen Point

Join the Roving Restorers Noosa Chapter, removing and treating Cat's Claw Creeper Vine at a property at Boreen Point and help contribute to the biodiversity of the property and improve important linkages through the surrounding landscape.

Please contact Noosa Landcare Project Officer – Tamara - tamara.kubica@noosalandcare.org for further details.

Participants will be notified the day before the event of the exact location of the works.

Please arrive for an 8:30am start.

All tools will be provided.

Bring gloves, water, boots, sunscreen and insect repellent. Long-sleeved shirt, trousers and hat are essential (Workplace Health and Safety Regulations).

WHAT’S ON AT THE COMMUNITY HOUSE

Hello

I am writing to introduce myself to your school community in my role as a social worker at Pomona & District Community House.

I am a long time local in this area, growing up and raising my children here. I have a passion for family support and with a background in early childhood education I am a believer in a holistic system view that recognises supporting parents and families and building connected communities benefits our children and gives them every chance at success.

Here is some up to date information on what is available through Pomona Community House (PCH) and from myself for your families.

• Ongoing groups and one-off events. These groups may provide avenues for connection you would like to recommend for families. People can subscribe to our newsletter via the link below for information or we have hard copy versions at the PCH.

• Computers and document support for photocopying or printing.
• Centrelink kiosk, and specialist outreach support fortnightly for complex Centrelink issues.
• Limited emergency relief including frozen meals and pantry items, toiletries, and IGA vouchers, or fuel vouchers through appointments with me or contact with our co-ordinators (people in need generally come into the house and we assist if we can).
• Shower facilities.
• Sunny Street Medical here fortnightly

• Kin Kin Nurture and Nourish program beginning 1st of March for mums to be, and mums with little people 3 and under - run in conjunction with Kin Kin Community House.
• Youth Collabs Tuesdays for 12-17yr olds

If people need one on one support, I can see people by appointment. I work Monday’s, Tuesdays, and Fridays in various locations across the hinterland. I am available in Kin Kin on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month, Cooroy Library as a drop-in service between 9-2pm fortnightly on Tuesdays, and PCH Fridays – as we attempt to provide accessibility across the hinterland. The best way to get in touch is to call the PCH on 54852427

I can provide, case work, advocacy, counselling, or referral support, or simply chat and have a cuppa.

Miatta Wighton
Social Worker BLM MSW(Q)
Work days: Monday, Tuesday, Friday
P: 07 5485 2427
E: miatta@pomonacommunityhouse.com.au
www.pomonacommunityhouse.com.au