Issue 1, 3rd February 2023

From the Principal

Yura

Welcome back to all of our new and returning families.  The staff team have enjoyed welcoming all of the students and community back to school.

We have had a wonderful start to the school year and believe it is due to the work we have invested at the end of the year with transitions and also our Positive Engagement for Learning (PEL) work.  Our PEL work has meant that all staff spent a significant amount of time during the first week explicitly teaching all of our students the expectations at Hilliard State School and also class expectations.

Thank you to all of our families for respecting the school uniform and ensuring they are wearing it each day.  As usual, hats seemed to be the uniform items that go missing quickly, please ensure they are labelled so we can return them to the students.  The wearing of the uniform certainly builds a strong feeling of team.

It was great to see all of the families who attended our ‘Meet the Teacher’ afternoon.  We hope you enjoyed the opportunity to meet the class teacher, other families and students.  It was certainly a warm afternoon. A big thank you to our P&C for providing afternoon tea for all of us.

I will continue to release a weekly video to provide an update for the following week.  I hope this supports you to stay up to date with communication.  We acknowledge that we all prefer the information in a variety of ways.  So, please be sure to ‘like’ our Facebook page, watch for emails and read the newsletter every fortnight.  Class teachers will typically communicate via emails directly to families and some of our classes are trialling SeeSaw as a communication tool. 

I would like to introduce a new staff member that has joined our team.  As part of the Wellbeing Workforce announced by the Education Minister in 2020, we have received a Social Worker.  Sarah-Jane will be joining us two days a week (Monday and Wednesdays).  Please see a message from Sarah-Jane: 

"Hi! I'm Sarah-Jane Davis and I'm new to Hilliard State School. I've started in a brand new role, funded by the QLD government, as a Social Worker based in the school every Monday and Wednesday. I'll be working with children, parents and the staff to help improve the wellbeing and mental health of all the children in the school community.

 As it's a new role to Hilliard, myself, Mrs Witham and Mrs Small are working hard at fine tuning where my support is best needed.... in the meantime, feel free to come say hello!

I look forward to meeting everyone and I'm very excited about working in this amazing school community."

Finally, we are keen to continue to the amazing work our P&C completes each year so if you are able to spare 1hr, 3hrs, 1 day or more, they would love to hear from you.  At Hilliard, we are a team and know that we can achieve more when we all work together. 

Thank you

Leanne Witham

We learn, lead and succeed in a caring community.

From the Leadership Team

Year 6 Student Leaders' Badge Ceremony

On Friday 10th February Hilliard SS will be hosting a special badge ceremony for the Year 6 School Leaders. This will be a whole school parade in the hall at 2.10pm till approximately 2.45pm. During this ceremony students will take a leadership oath and receive their badges in front of special guests, the school community, family and friends.

PEL – Positive Engagement for Learning @ Hilliard

Did you see the movie on our school facebook page about how students are encouraged and rewarded for positive behaviours at school? The video helps explain when and how rewards occur, including totem points, green cards etc.

 Term 1 Wk 1 & 2 Hilliard Heroes Totem.MOV

Each week at assembly, staff, students and parents get to watch the Expectation of the Week video, which are very cleverly put together by Mrs Ng and her helpers. 

For the start of this year, our expectation is that everyone at Hilliard knows what it means to Learn, Lead and Succeed. See the poster below for some ideas of what learning, leading and succeeding looks like for students:

Special Interest Groups for Years 5 & 6

In Term 1, all Year 5 and 6 students will choose a special interest group to participate in. This will be held at 12.40 till 1.20 on a Friday afternoon beginning Week 2. 

Students choose from the following groups: art, ukulele, photography, debating, skipping, touch football, hand ball, robotics, STEM - bridge building, Japanese origami and book club. Students will choose 3 preferences and will be guaranteed one of their preferences.

This is an exciting new opportunity for our 5 & 6 students! 

 Students found out their Term 1 Special Interest Group at the beginning of Week 2. 

 Please see the Special Interest Groups Below;

Hilliard State School, like all Queensland State Schools are resourced for inclusivity. This means that the support for students sits within classrooms. Our school is fully inclusive where we support all students in their learning through our strong teaching approaches and through ensuring our resources are targeted to enhance student learning within the classroom.  The Inclusion Support Teachers are an integral part of this targeted resourcing and work closely alongside our classroom teachers to support students with their learning, both academic and social/emotional.

WHO’S WHO IN INCLUSION

The Inclusion Support Team is led by Jo Small (Head of Inclusion) and includes Kim Neville (Prep), Anastasia Kakia (Year 1 and 2), Karen Tebbit (Year 3 and 5) and Tim Wolens (Year 4 and 6).  We work closely with Jenny Aderman (Guidance Officer), Elissa Smith (Inclusion Teacher – Intervention), Coach Lee, Sarah-Jane Davis (Social Worker) and Tessa Sims (Speech Pathologist – Thursdays only).  The team also has a number of exceptional teacher aides who work with the teaching team to support students in the classroom. 

WHERE CAN YOU FIND US?

The Inclusion Support Team are still based in the Student Support Centre (SSC).  While the buildings are the same there have been some changes made to the way the rooms are used.  The teaching team are now all located in the same room.  The two end rooms are open learning spaces which can be used by class teachers, specialist teachers or for small group work, some lunchtime clubs are also held in these rooms.  The ‘Decompression Room’ remains the same and is available for all students to access as necessary.  Students are welcome in the SSC before school and during both breaks. With the extreme weather that we have been experiencing, the air conditioned spaces in the SSC have been open for students to access during the breaks! The outside play area is also open to all students at Hilliard State School during these times.  Please feel free to come and have a look at the SSC, with your child and talk with one of our friendly team.

"WE ALL ENCOUNTER TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES THAT TEST OUR LIMITS FROM TIME TO TIME.  IF WE ARE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE WHEN WE ARE BECOMING LESS REGULATED, WE ARE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT TO MANAGE OUR FEELINGS AND GET OURSELVES TO A HEALTHY PLACE. THIS IS THE GOAL OF THE ZONES OF REGULATION."​
- LEAH KUYPERS, CREATOR OF THE ZONES ​OF REGULATION

Hilliard State School implements a whole school approach to emotional regulation in the form of teaching “The Zones of Regulation”.   This curriculum provides us an easy way to think and talk about how we feel on the inside and sort these feelings into four coloured Zones, all of which are expected in life.  Once we understand our feelings and zones, we can learn to use tools/strategies to manage our different Zones in order to meet goals like doing schoolwork or other tasks, managing big feelings, and healthy relationships with others. The simple, common language and visual structure of The Zones of Regulation helps make the complex skill of regulation more concrete for learners.”  Zones of Regulation skills and strategies are taught regularly in all classrooms.  We encourage you to talk with your learner about zones or their toolbox.  Watch the school newsletter for more information about Zones of Regulation, or talk with your child’s class teacher or Inclusion Support Teacher.

COMMUNITY RESOURCE UNIT (CRU) https://cru.org.au

This organisation, in partnership with the Department of Education, offers workshops and information to those supporting people with disabilities.  It is well worth a look at their website! 

From the Office

Welcome to the first newsletter of the year!  It has been a very busy and exciting start to the year.  Invoices were sent out this week for the Student Resource Scheme, if you have not received an invoice please contact the office on 3820 1666 or email admin@hilliardss.eq.edu.au and we can arrange for an invoice to be sent out.  Our ability to source items in bulk allows us to pass on savings to our families. We are very aware of the changing and challenging environment and the rising cost of living.  If you are experiencing hardship please get in touch with us, there are many ways we can offer assistance.

Have you got the Qparents App?  Qparents is an online portal that helps you keep in control of everything related to your student from attendance to finance and even report cards!  Please see the below flyer for more information.

Have a wonderful weekend and stay cool!

School Calendar

Sport

DISTRICT SPORT TRIALS
10-12yrs Boys and Girls Bayside District trials for team sports are fast approaching. Please ensure you child's name is listed with Mrs Mills for any District team sport trial your child is interested in. School trials/selections for the sports listed below will be held shortly. Students must display a high level of skill in the sport to be eligible to trial.
Basketball, Australian Football, Touch, Netball, Golf, Rugby League, Hockey, Rugby Union, Football (Soccer), Softball and Tennis

For up-to-date information on Bayside District School Sport, please access the link below.

Bayside District School Sport https://www.facebook.com/Bayside-District-School-Sport-111228100234264

From the P&C

Yura Hilliard families

We hope you all enjoyed an amazing break before getting into what has been a wonderful start to 2023 for our students, existing and new. This week P&C were happy to support the school’s ‘Meet the Teacher’ day, where we were able to catch up with old friends and meet some new faces for the first time. These opportunities are a good way to get to know more about our kids school lives, to see them with their peers and teachers, as well as get to know the parent community a little more. These connections are an important way to stay involved despite the business of life during these important years, and we thank the school for putting these events on.

Speaking of connections, we have also seen an amazing boost of support with new members joining these last couple of weeks and we look forward to getting to know you all. Joining P&C is a great way to get to know the school community better, while supporting our kids in their education journeys to make it as fun, memorable, and as comfortable for them as possible, and we welcome your thoughts and your support.  

There are some amazing things to look forward to and get behind this year, so please, get your calendars out for the following:

IMPORTANT P&C DATES

We thought we would provide parents with a rough idea of some important P&C dates for 2023.  Of course, these are subject to change, and we will let you know as soon as we can of any changes.  Keep an eye on the school’s Facebook page and/or the appropriate year level Facebook pages.

UNIFORM SHOP NEWS

The Uniform Shop is available for ordering through QKR! Just log on as normal and select Uniform Shop. Whilst you can place your Uniform Orders any time of day, any day of the week, currently deliveries to students classrooms will only take place each Thursday.

If an item is showing as “Unavailable” this means it is currently OUT OF STOCK.

SECOND HAND UNIFORMS

Search and join the FACEBOOK group: “Hilliard SS 2^nd Hand Uniform Sale”  where you will be able to interact with parents of all grades selling and looking for second hand uniforms.

Please note that whilst we do our best to have all stock on hand at all times, sometimes due to circumstances beyond our control, some items/sizes may be unavailable. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

All enquiries please email hilliarduniformshop@gmail.com

Thankyou

Courtney

- Uniform Shop Convenor

Containers For Change Our P&C Coordinates a Containers for Change Queensland recycling scheme to raise additional funds for our school community.

There are orange bins placed around the school to collect any containers students might have at

break times, or alternatively you can donate containers directly at any depot and use:

Hilliard State School Scheme Id #C10161576

This can be used across Queensland, so any family members further afield can contribute too. For more information on what containers are eligible, see www.containersforchange.com.au

The Tucker Box  

Welcome to 2023 from The Hilliard Tuckerbox! 

We kicked this year off with a bang by hosting our families at the Tuckshop for Hilliard P and C Welcome Barbeque following on from the Meet The Teacher evening. We loved meeting all of you new Families and catching up with familiar faces after the Christmas Break and are looking forward to another great year with you all.  

We have been easing back into the year so far but have a lot of fun days and Daily Specials on the agenda for the term so keep an eye on our Facebook posts to see what dishes are available when and what event days are coming up. The best way to keep abreast of everything going on in the Tuckshop is by joining our Facebook Page The Hilliard Tuckerbox so you get all the info you need as soon as we post it 😊 

The first event day we have on the Agenda this year is National Pancake Day! After much discussion and internet searching with varying results we have decided to celebrate NPD on Wednesday March the 1st. More information to come but we will be celebrating with delicious toppings, flavours and fun. So keep your eyes banana peeled for more info coming up. 

We would like to take this opportunity again to say a big Thank You to all of our Volunteers that continue to support us with their time helping in the Tuckshop, without whom we would simply be lost. If you would like to volunteer in the tuckshop, its as simple as turning up! We would love to welcome you with a smile and a free barista quality coffee from our coffee machine 😊 

 Love and Smiles 

Mrs Kat and Ms Courtney 

The Tucker Box

Welcome to 2023 from The Hilliard Tuckerbox!

We kicked this year off with a bang by hosting our families at the Tuckshop for Hilliard P and C Welcome Barbeque following on from the Meet-The-Teacher evening. We loved meeting all of you new Families and catching up with familiar faces after the Christmas Break and are looking forward to another great year with you all.

We have been easing back into the year so far but have a lot of fun days and Daily Specials on the agenda for the term so keep an eye on our Facebook posts to see what dishes are available when and what event days are coming up. The best way to keep abreast of everything going on in the Tuckshop is by joining our Facebook Page “The Hilliard Tuckerbox” so you get all the info you need as soon as we post it 😊

The first event day we have on the agenda this year is National Pancake Day! After much discussion we have decided to stick with tradition and celebrate NPD on Tuesday February the 21st. More information to come but we will be celebrating with delicious toppings, flavours and fun. So keep your eyes banana peeled for more info coming up.

We would like to take this opportunity again to say a big Thank You to all our Volunteers that continue to support us with their time helping in the Tuckshop, without whom we would simply be lost. If you would like to volunteer in the tuckshop, it’s as simple as turning up! We would love to welcome you with a smile and a free barista quality coffee from our coffee machine 😊

 Love and Smiles

Mrs Kat and Ms Courtney

Scholastic Book Club!

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

Welcome to 2023 Scholastic Book Club! There will be 8 issues of Book Club brochures sent home with your students this year – two per term. Your student will be bringing home their Issue One Brochure this week.

If you would like to order from the Book Club, please register your student and their 2023 class in the LOOP app or LOOP website for parent/caregiver credit card payments. If you would like to order and pay by cash, please complete the order form from your brochure, then place your order in a sealed envelope in the letterbox in the school office. Your orders will be sent to your school for free delivery/postage and distributed to your student.

All your orders from Scholastic Book Club earn Rewards for our school to purchase resources for classrooms and our library for free.

Scholastic is offering Free Books for qualifying orders in Issue One. Issue One orders are due by Wednesday 8th February.

School zone safety – advice for motorists

With school back, it's a timely reminder to drivers to slow down in school zones and pay attention at children’s crossings.

Coming back after holidays it can be easy to forget what to look out for. School zone signs are displayed as you approach the school and shows both the speed limit and the times you need to reduce your speed around the school. Childrens crossing are identified by children crossing flags, which are displayed near crossings before and after school hours.

When the crossing is supervised, you as a motorist must:

• wait until all pedestrians, bicycle or personal mobility device riders have crossed the road and the crossing supervisor has returned to the footpath
• abide by the direction given by the School Crossing Supervisor.

 If the crossing is unsupervised, you as a motorist must:

• give way to pedestrians, bicycle or personal mobility device riders on or entering a children’s, pedestrian or marked foot crossings
• give way to pedestrians, bicycle or personal mobility device riders on or entering a road you’re turning into
• give way to pedestrians, bicycle or personal mobility device riders on a slip lane
• give way to pedestrians in a share zone
• travel at a speed allowing you to stop safely at a crossing if needed

As a driver, it's important to make sure you give way to all pedestrians, bicycle or personal mobility device riders such as skateboards, e-scooters.  You must also give way to pedestrians using a motorised mobility device such as a motorised wheelchair or a mobility scooter.

Some of our most vulnerable road users are children getting to and from school, so it’s important to slow down and abide by the crossing rules, as it won’t make much difference to the trip time, but it could very well save lives. 

Visit the Street Smarts website to find more information about what to do at pedestrian and children crossings.

Crime Prevention Corner

Crime Prevention Corner

Mooroondu Football Club

Foster Care - Anglican Logan

Chessmates

Capalaba Physie

The Benevolent Society Early Childhood Playgroups and Free Family Information

Parenting & Enjoying Teenagers

LTK Speech and Drama

Quest Academy