FROM THE PRINCIPAL - Creature Keepers Holiday ...

From the Principal                                       From the Library
     Book Awards                                              School Participation Officers
     From the Office                                          School Banking
     From the Tuckshop                                        Dates to Remember
     Uniform Shop                                             Community Notices

                                                                                     30 March 2021
                                FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents

This is the second time I have written this final newsletter for Term 1. I wrote the first one on Friday
last week, but with Covid 19 still around, conditions can change in a matter of hours and they did
over the weekend as we all know. I had originally said we’d finish off a full term with our cross
country, parent-teacher interviews and Easter Hat Parade. Unfortunately, the cross country and hat
parade are gone. Our teachers are using this week to reschedule interviews with parents over the
phone. You should hear from your class teacher via email about new times for these.

With the lockdown in force today, we have only 36 students here. I thank all parents for the effort
they have made to follow the lockdown rules this week. I’d like to think that with the wearing of
masks, the continued social distancing and the shutting down of a lot of activities, that we may
control this latest infection spike in a relatively short time. However, the disease has been
unpredictable so what Term 2 will look like, is anybody’s guess. We are planning as if it will go ahead
as usual, but we are subject to all the rules and restrictions that the broader community is, so it will
be wait and see. Enough of the depressing news, let me talk about a few things, a bit more positive.

The Assembly Hall
Last week I wrote we were hopeful that our assembly hall roof would soon be fixed. Finally, after five
years of slow leaks, the work has been done. The contractors removed all of the translucent sheets
that comprised the skylights in the roof and replaced them with plain metal sheeting. The hall is
somewhat darker inside but this will be beneficial when we use the projector on assemblies in the
morning. It should make viewing better for our audience. Whether or not the leaks are fixed will be a
question answered the next time we have some heavy rain.

Interschool Sport
Speaking of the heavy rain, it took its toll on local sports fields and we had to cancel the final week of
interschool sport for this term. That means we actually missed three of the six rounds. We are
currently exploring the option of using the first two weeks of Term 2 as catch up rounds for our
summer season. That would mean our Touch and Newcomb players will only miss one round. That
also gives us a month after that before the winter season begins, so it theoretically all fits together
very neatly. I will update parents on the outcome of our discussions in the first newsletter of Term 2.

STEM Excursion
We had our first STEM excursion of the year on Thursday. Our Year 5s went into South Bank to see
a show about Light and the Solar System, and then spent time investigating the Queensland
Museum. They all enjoyed the experience and learnt a lot from it. This is all part of our school plan to
have students exposed to quality science activities so they become more engaged, investigate the
subject further, and perhaps think of a career in science, technology, engineering or maths in the
future. This has been a good start.

Have a Safe Break
Lastly, can I wish everyone a safe and happy Easter. We are once again under threat from the
pandemic, but this time we are much more knowledgeable about how to combat it. Good hygiene,
good social distancing, mask wearing and common sense can go a long way to hastening its defeat.
I hope that we will be back at school on Monday 19 April, but time will tell.

Mark Fisher
Principal

BOOK AWARDS

Congratulations to the following students who received awards for their bookwork on Friday 26th March
2021

       1H       - Zienna
       1N       - Kailan
       1T       - Kaylee
       2C       - Sareyah and Gabriel
       2H       - Hugo
       2J       - Vy
       3B       - Kenzie
       3K       - Ashley
       3M       - Karmanpreet
       4R       - Neveah
       4T       - Noor
       5G       - Deandra
       5K       - Gabindamar
       5WI      - Lera
       6C       - Jaida
       6N       - Jessica

                                  FROM THE OFFICE
                                ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL

If your child is absent from school due to ill health or other reasons, please phone the Absence
Line on 3632 9866, or alternatively, send an email to admin@taigumss.eq.edu.au or a note to
your child’s class teacher.

For auditing purposes all student absences must be explained.
                             PERSONAL DETAILS UPDATE
If you have recently changed your address, contact phone number or emergency contacts,
please complete a form at the office to update your details.

                              FROM THE TUCKSHOP
                          WINNERS – LUCKY NUMBERS BOARD
Thank you to all who have supported our fund raising efforts this term. Our 'Lucky Numbers
Board' entries were drawn on Thursday 25 March, and winners have been notified. They were:

       Mia (5G)

       Ethan (1N)

       Dani (community member)

       Gabrielle (3K)

       Levi (1N)

UNIFORM SHOP
                             UNIFORM SHOP TIMES
                  Monday to Thursday mornings: 8.00am to 8:45am

                             CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE
The Uniform Shop will be closed for maintenance on Thursday 1 April and Monday 19 April
2021.

                               FROM THE LIBRARY

                “I used to walk to school with my nose buried in a book.” Coolio

                  SCHOOL PARTICIPATION OFFICERS
                                  EVERY DAY COUNTS

Student Attendance – Every Day Counts
School absenteeism can impact significantly on students’ learning and wellbeing.
Research shows that higher student attendance is associated with higher student achievement.
Additionally, attending school every day helps children to build social and emotional skills such
as communication, teamwork and resilience.
Schools monitor attendance of students and follow up with parents and caregivers any
unexplained absences.

               Children do better when they go to school all day, every day
                                    They learn better
                                   They make friends
                                    They are happier
                               They have a brighter future
                        Together let’s make Every Day Count

                                SCHOOL BANKING
Friday is School Banking day and students should bring in their weekly deposit to the office
before school.
The rewards available during 2021are:
       Terry Denton’s Activity Book
       Mini Soccer Ball (size 2)
       Treetop Stationery Set
       Treetop Handball
       Emoji Wallet
       Snakes & Ladders Game
       Scented Stackable Highlighters
       Icicle Slapband Ruler
       Snowy Origami Set
       Water Skimming Bounce Ball
       Polar Pencils & Pencil Toppers
       Scratch Art Cards

DATES TO REMEMBER

              MARCH / APRIL 2021
MARCH
 30th   School Closure
 31st   School Closure
APRIL
  1st   School Closure
 2nd    Good Friday – PUBLIC HOLIDAY

        COMMUNITY NOTICES
 JABIRU PARK PLAY – WEDNESDAY 7 APRIL

GOJU KAI KARATE

Wishing our students and families a safe and
           Happy Easter holiday.
We look forward to seeing you all next term.