Welcome to 2024 at Tewantin State School!
On Monday 22nd January we are looking forward to seeing our existing families return, and extend a warm welcome to our new families, we are excited to have you join our Tewantin SS community.
Welcome to the 2024 school year at Tewantin State School. We especially welcome the new families and new staff and around 90 new students to our school. Welcome back as well to all our continuing families, staff and students.
In 2024, we commence our 149th year as a school with just over 580 students expected to walk through the doors.
Tewantin State School aims to Inspire our Community of Learners. We have two Main Priorities for 2024:
Priority 1 - Wellbeing and Engagement – In this priority we aim to:
- Maximise the smiles on faces at school every day
- Review and refine our approach to wellbeing to create the conditions for learning, so that school is the best part of every learners day.
Priority 2 – Education Systems – In this priority we aim to:
- Align and streamline school planning processes
- Familiarise the content of Australian Curriculum Version 9.
I look forward to continuing working with you throughout this year as we realise the potential of every student.
There is some important information prior to the commencement of school on Monday that all families need to be aware of. This Information Sheet will assist you to make a smooth start to the year. Please don't hesitate to see the office if you have any further questions – parent information is also available online at www.tewantinss.eq.edu.au
FIRST DAY – MONDAY, JANUARY 22
All students from Prep to Year 6 commence school next Monday, January 22 at 8.55am.
Students in Prep to Year 6 should move directly to their classrooms and meet their teacher in that space. Parents should ensure their child is comfortable and then leave as soon as possible but definitely by 8.55am. In Prep, parents are invited to take their child to the room and help them settle. Prep parents will be asked to leave the area by 9.10am. Staff will be around for anyone needing tissues 😊.
The school Leadership Team will be out and about to welcome and direct students and parents to the correct area. A school Map will be available outside the office.
All students are expected to be wearing the correct school uniform on the first day. School Hats are required.
Car Parking and Drop Off
There is no parent parking within the school grounds. Please observe the parking signs on our surrounding streets. Our school is monitored by parking rangers from time to time ensuring the safety of our students. Parents are asked to be very careful around the roads of our school and always show courtesy and respect to fellow drivers and our neighbours. Please do not park across our neighbours driveways and in 'No Standing / Parking' areas.
Parents are encouraged to remind children about crossing the road safely, always using the crossings and listening to our Crossing Supervisors instructions. Please be sure to say 'Thank you' to our Crossing Supervisors too, they do a tremendous job keeping our kids safe.
Playground Equipment
Our Adventure Playgrounds are not supervised after school. Children and younger siblings are not permitted to use the playground at these times – even with parent supervision. We ask parents to keep children safe by keeping them away from this area before and after school.
When children arrive at school they are asked to go straight to the main oval where there is teacher supervision from 8.15am. Students should not be arriving before this time. In the event of wet weather students are to remain under cover.
Uniform
We are a uniform school and we ask that parents support us by sending children in their correct uniform every day. This policy is strongly supported by parents and staff and it adds greatly to the pride the community have in our school. Our students look so great in their uniforms – please ensure your child wears the uniform correctly, including black shoes, blue or grey shorts or blue skorts and a school shirt. All children need a TSS broad brimmed school hat to participate in outdoor activities.
For safety reasons, all jewellery except for a watch and sleeper/stud earrings must be left at home.
Please remember to clearly name all items.
Parents are asked to ensure that their child is appropriately groomed and always wearing the correct school uniform.
The Uniform Shop is open each Wednesday 8am – 9am AND is open each day of the first week (8.00am - 9.00am).
Buses
Please talk to your children about safe and appropriate behaviour on the buses. All children are expected to stay on the bus until it stops at their destination. All children must follow the Code of Behaviour governing behaviour on buses. Families need to be aware that bus companies reserve the right to refuse children travel.
MOBILE PHONES AND SMART WATCHES
Many parents would be aware that the State Government has introduced new legislation regarding the use of phones and smart watches at school. Basically, student access to phones and smart watches during the school day is not permitted, unless a medical exemption is in place (usually only for diabetics).
If a phone is brought to school, it must be turned off and handed in to Administration. Students in Prep to Year 6 should not bring phones to school. Access to phones is not permitted inside the school grounds, including before school and while waiting to be collected or for a bus after school. Phones are also not permitted on excursions, camps or other school events.
This legislation brings Queensland in line with all other states. Research has shown that not accessing phones during the school day leads to greater student engagement in learning and fewer cases of online behavioural issues. Parents are asked to fully support the school in ensuring that their children understand and obey the new regulations.
Assembly
Assembly is held on Friday Mornings from 9.00am in the school hall. Classes take turns in presenting an item throughout the year. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Our School Leaders assist in the running of Assembly. Assembly will commence from Week Two.
Contact with Teachers
Our Teachers are always happy to meet with parents as a close relationship helps them better cater for your child in the classroom. If you have any concerns or questions, please make an appointment with your child's teacher directly with them.
A reminder not to approach or ring your child's teacher at the start of the school day, e.g. after 8.35am. It is difficult for teachers to give you their full attention when they have their students waiting for them to start the day.
Monday afternoons are designated Staff or Team meeting times from 3.00 – 4.00pm. Teachers will not be available during this time.
Cool Lunches and Heat Management
It is a good idea to include a frozen block or frozen drink in your child's lunch box. This helps to keep food cool and fresh. A water bottle for their desk / classroom is also advised.
Photos of students in the media
Our students participate in so many great activities and receive outstanding awards. We love to celebrate this success and this can include photos and articles in local media, newspapers, our website and our school Facebook site.
We also use student work on our website and in other public arenas.
State School Consent forms (Media Permission) are completed at the time of enrolment. If your situation has changed or if you are unsure of your media permissions, please contact the office as soon as possible.
Parents are responsible for notifying us of any changes.
Newsletter
Our school newsletter is published online through Schoolzine. Parents are notified through a Distribution List. Please remember to let us know as soon as possible if your email address has changed.
QuickCliq – Online Ordering
Online ordering (Tuckshop and Uniform Shop) is available via QuickCliq - https://www.quickcliq.com.au/
Existing parents are reminded that they will need to update their Childs' 2024 class and teacher.
Volunteers
We love our volunteers. If you have some time to spare, please see your child's teacher to discuss where you can help. Alternatively, you may like to help out in the Tuckshop.
All volunteers are asked to sign in and out at the front office. This is a WHS requirement and helps us keep track of everyone on site in case of an emergency.
Blue Cards
Parents' and Carers' are not required to have a Blue Card to be on-site or volunteer within the classroom.
All other visitors to the school must have a current Blue Card (on their person) and sign in via the office.
P&C
We have an active P&C who raise much needed funds as well as run the Tuckshop, Uniform Shop and OSHC facility. Meetings are held twice a term, with dates and times released closer to the time. New members are always welcome.
QParents
QParents is now up and running at Tewantin State School. We saw a strong uptake at the end of 2023 and are keen to continue this growth in to 2024.
The QParents web and mobile application provides a more convenient, easier way for parents and legal guardians of Queensland state school students to interact with their child's school. Parents will have secure, online access to
their child's student information, anytime, anywhere, through a smartphone, tablet or computer.
QParents allows parents to connect instantly with their child's school to access and manage their child's student information, including:
- Attendance and absence details, as well as the ability to notify the school of an absence
- Academic report cards
- Viewing unpaid invoice details, payment history, and making payments online
- Viewing and updating personal student details, including medical conditions and address
- Enrolment details
- Consent management for upcoming events, excursions and incursions
- Upcoming events list showing school events, exam and assessment dates, and excursions.
All existing parents have received their invitation email with unique registration code. If you would like this resent, please let us know. New families will receive this soon, if not already.
Remember, Registration can only be completed on a laptop or desktop, not a phone or ipad. We can help! If you have any issues, please give us a call.
Payments
Please ensure all payments are made on before the due date. Students are unable to participate in activities or attend excursions if payment (or payment plan) and permission has not been provided by the due date.
Payments can be made online easily using QParents or by following the Bpoint link on your childs invoice (bottom left hand corner).
We are also able to accept card and cash payments in the front office.
Please note we are no longer able to accept payment via Bpay.
Messages for Students
Parents are reminded to make arrangements with students prior to leaving home in the morning with regards to their afternoon expectations for getting home.
'Change of plan' messages can disrupt classes a number of times a day.
Last minute messages in the afternoon are difficult to get to students - especially when classes are not in their rooms.
Please be mindful of these points when calling messages through.
Punctuality and After School Arrangements
It is important that children are at school on time each morning. Classes start promptly at 8.55am.
When students are late they can miss important instructions for the day, and late students in to class can be disruptive.
Please ensure your child knows how they are getting home before they leave for school in the morning.
They need to know if you are picking them up, if they are to go with someone else, get the bus or get themselves home.
Medication
Only medications prescribed by a Dr can be administered to students. Parents will need to bring the medication in its original packaging, with the Dr's instructions, to the front office and complete a Medical Authorisation Form.
Medical Authorisation forms are completed annually. Please see the office staff to update your child's 2024 medications.
Staff cannot administer over the counter medications including Panadol and cough medicine.
Students are not to keep medications in their bags.
Family situations
We know that some families experience difficulties from time to time. To ensure we are following parent's wishes regarding custody, etc. please ensure the school office has the most recent custody papers that families may have. This is necessary for monitoring children's safety and well-being. Please check with the school office to ensure your paper work is up to date.
School Office Hours
The school office is open from 8.00am to 3.30pm.
The answering machine will be on at all other times and left messages will be returned as soon as possible.
Absent from School?
We are required to monitor student absences. If your child is away from school for any reason, please notify the school office via QParents, the Absence Line (5335 8866) or email the office directly. Please discuss any lengthy absences of 5 days or more with the office staff and your child's teacher. Remember – every school day makes a difference to your child's learning.
Change of Details
To keep our school records current, if you have had a change of address, phone number or situation could you please inform us by completing a Change of Details Form. This is available through the following link https://tewantinss.schoolzineplus.com/form/6
Have a great start to the year,
Rob Jennings
Principal
Tewantin State School