From Tuesday 16th March, Danielle Priday will be on leave for the remainder of term, replaced by Michael Drake. Dale Jobling will be Deputy Principal for years 4-6 during this time. Judy Spalding will be taking 3E.

From Term 2 to the end of the year Michael Drake will be Principal at Dakabin SS. This is a wonderful opportunity for Michael and we wish him all the best. Our school has been a better place for him being a part of the Leadership Team. Students, staff and parents are certainly going to miss him, but we know that Michael will continue his wonderful leadership at Dakabin as Principal.

It is with a heavy heart that I announce that I have accepted the role of Acting Principal at Dakabin State School for the remainder of the year. This has been a tough decision as I love working at Pats Rd SS. The kids, staff and the wider community have been so good to me. It is exciting to be running my own school and I am looking forward to the challenge. There will be a full interview process to find my replacement that will be conducted in the coming weeks.

Michael Drake

Since 2017, Chappy Dave has been an integral part of the Patricks Road School Community.  Many students, parents and teachers have been gifted the pleasure of getting to know Chappy Dave and have him be part of their positive schooling experience.  

At the end of this term, Chappy Dave will be taking a full time Chaplaincy position at a local High School. We would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone to come and farewell Chappy Dave at the Chappy Breakfast on Friday 26th March.

Chappy Dave you will be greatly missed at Pats Road and you leave behind some very big shoes to fill.

On behalf of the Patricks Road School Community, we wish you every success in your future endeavours.  

State primary schools across Queensland whose leaders are members of the Queensland Association of State School Principals, are this week displaying on their school noticeboards the message: More For Some = Equity. This coordinated advocacy is part of our ongoing effort to raise awareness and understanding of our new advocacy document – "Reimagining Education in Queensland's State Primary Schools".

State primary schools embrace the responsibility to provide children with the academic and social foundations to discover and fulfil their potential. In our school communities, each child’s identity and culture are celebrated; personal responsibility is encouraged and expected; and resilience built.

Children, in their foundational school years, explore their sense of right and wrong, form independent relationships, and begin to understand themselves as contributing members of the local and wider community. In Australia, despite the critical importance of the foundation learning that primary schools deliver, the primary years, in particular Years 3 to 6 remain the lowest funded per capita of all compulsory year levels. 

We know that those who require the greatest assistance – our disadvantaged and vulnerable children are concentrated in Queensland’s state school system. These children require the highest level of funding.

When we observe schools at work, comments are often made in regard to whether students are receiving equal access to resources – both human and financial. The better question to consider is whether students are receiving equitable access to resources. 

The words "equity" and "equal" are sometimes used interchangeably. "Equal" means the same – perhaps in terms of quantity, degree or value – whereas "equity" when viewed through the lens of education is unequal treatment of some learners to ensure every learner has an equal chance for success. When operationalised within a school, this looks like different groups of students receiving different support and different resources. It is the capacity of school leaders to apply human and financial resources based upon need which enables equity of outcomes for students.

If Queensland's state primary schools are to equip our 340,000 students with the skills and mindsets to thrive in increasingly complex global workplaces, it is imperative that the resources provided enable true needs-based decisions to be made.

An important information evening will be held on Wednesday 24 March at our school for all parents of students wishing to apply for postiions in all Ferny Grove SHS extension programs (LEAF, German immersion etc). The session will start at 5:30pm in the Learning Lounge and will cover topics such as the application process, teacher references and content of the programs. Staff from the high school will be on hand to answer all your questions. I highly recommend you come along if you are thinking of putting in an application. 

Parent Teacher Interviews for Prep to Year 6 will be held on the afternoon/evening of Wednesday 31st March.  Bookings for interviews open this Sunday 14th March at 3:00pm.  Please see below for information regarding how to book an interview. 

Parents of students in Prep to Year 2 are invited to attend the Patricks Road Easter Hat Parade on Thursday 1st April, in the school hall, for a 9:15am start. Come along to see students perform an Easter song and show-off their amazing Easter hat creations.

To ensure COVID safety and social distancing measures are met, parents are asked to please wear a mask to this performance. 

Enrolments for 2022 are now open.  If you have a child attending prep next year please collect an enrolment pack from the office. 

We have noticed a few parents are not receiving school information via email as their gmail accounts are sending school emails to the junk / spam box.  If you have a gmail account can you please check these and set Patricks Road State School up as a safe sender.

Congratulations to the following children who have recently been selected in North West District Representative teams. 

Sienna O. and Ava O. (Netball)

Bryce K, Jack A, Max R, Brayden B, Milo M, and Rowan L.

(Rugby League)

Liam S and Hamish H (AFL)

We are extremely proud of all these wonderful athletes and wish them all the best at their up and coming Met North Regional Trials.

• 9am-11.00am:  Years 3-6

                  12 Years Boys (2009)                                        3000 M

                  12 Years Girls (2009)                                         3000 M

                  11 Years Boys (2010)                                        3000 M

                  11 Years Girls (2010)                                         3000 M

                  10 Years Boys (2011)                                         2000 M

                  10 Years Girls (2011)                                         2000 M

                         9 Years Boys (2012)                                         1000 M

                         9 Years Girls (2012)                                          1000 M

                   8 Years Boys (2013)                                         1000 M

                         8 Years Girls (2013)                                          1000 M

• 11.50pm-1.15pm      Prep A, B, ½ E Boys                     run 300 metres (1Lap)

         Prep C, D ½ E Boys                     run 300 metres (1Lap)

         Prep A, B, ½ E   Girls                  run 300 metres (1 Lap)

         Prep C, D, ½ E Girls                    run 300 metres (1 Lap)

                                       Year 2A, 2B Boys                         run 900 metres (3 Laps)

                                       Year 2C, 2D Boys                         run 900 metres (3 Laps)

                                        Year 2A, 2B Girls                         run 900 metres (3 Laps)

                                       Year 2C, 2D Girls                          run 900 metres (3 Laps)

                                        Year 1A and 1B Boys                    run 600 metres (2 Laps)

                                       Year 1C and 1D Boys                   run 600 metres (2 Laps)

                                        Year 1A and 1B Girls                    run 600 metres (2 Laps)

                                       Year 1C and 1D Girls                    run 600 metres (2 Laps)

Due to large numbers of children in PREP we will divide Prep E,

      Boys & Girls and will run separately and will not race together.                                                

Please note:

All Ribbons for Year 1 –Year 2 will be presented at the conclusion of each race and place getters photographed.  We aim to present the Age Champion medals and  Winning House Shield at the conclusion of both the junior and senior of the carnival, if time permits.  If we run out of time, these will be presented at the next Senior Assembly.

You are invited to join our school community for our first pancake breakfast for 2021.

When?  Friday, March 26 .......from 7am

Where?  In the Hall Forecourt.  Seating will be spread out over the hall, the hall forecourt and the tennis courts.

What?  Pancakes and bacon.  Coffee Cart will be there.

Who?  The whole school community is welcome

Be sustainable!  Please bring your own cutlery and plates. 

To ensure COVID safety measures are met, please wear a mask when lining up to order and when being served.  When seated to eat and drink, masks can be removed.

Pricing:

Pancakes - 1 serve is 2 pancakes $3

Bacon - 1 serve is 2 pieces $1

Cup of juice or milk - $1

We would love some volunteers to help out at the Chappy Breakfast.  If you have some spare time on Friday 26 March between 6am -9:30am, please check out our volunteers link below to help out.  Any help will be greatly appreciated.

http://volunteersignup.org/E3B3J

The Patricks Road SS P&C Association Annual General Meeting is happening this coming Monday 15 March 2021, 7pm in the staff room.

Membership of the Association is renewable each year at the AGM.  Please find attached the Application for Membership for you to complete and submit to secretary@prss.com.au either prior to or at the AGM.  The AGM is the only time of the year that you do not need to be present at the meeting to have your application considered.  Applications for membership throughout the year must be made in person at a General Meeting.

Come along with your bag of lollies / cheese and biscuits / selected beverage and your membership form, and strap yourself in for a wonderful night celebrating the achievements of 2020.  Oh, and of course we will be electing the new incoming Executive Team for 2021!  All positions will be declared vacant.  Go on …. Put your hand up for a position!  You know you’ll be supported by a fabulous team on the ground!!

All enquiries regarding Executive Positions can be directed to President Sally at president@prss.com.au or visit Cathy in the P&C Office (behind the Uniform Shop) during school hours.

Looking forward to seeing you there on Monday night.  Be part of making our school the best it can be for the benefit of all Pats Road kids.

Please come along and join to have your vote counted.

Remember:

• All P&C memberships lapse at the AGM.  Parents need to annually re-apply for membership.
• Membership forms can be downloaded from the school's website, from this newsletter or you can pick one up from the P&C office (behind the Uniform Shop).
• All P&C Executive positions will be declared vacant at the AGM and nominations are now open for 2021.  To nominate for an Executive position, simply indicate as required on your 2021 membership form.
• Parents considering an active role within the P&C Association in 2021, please refer to the information on the P&C QLD website – www.pandcsqld.com.au

The Tuckshop is now calling for students who have turned 10 who are interested in joining the Tucky Team and being part of the student volunteer roster.  Student volunteers will be required to work in the Tuckshop one shift per fortnight during 1^st or 2^nd break only.  Duties, responsibilities and skills gained include customer service, cash handling, restocking, communication skills, team work and leadership. 

If your child is interested, please download and complete the permission form, or collect a permission form from the Tuckshop and return it to us by the end of Term 1.  Student volunteer shifts will start from the beginning of Term 2. 

P&Cs Qld is the peak body supporting and representing more than 576,000* state school parents and wider school communities throughout Queensland. They support the achievement of quality educational outcomes for students through fostering parental and community engagement in a thriving and successful education system. Through their state-wide network of over 1200 P&C Associations and School Councils, they have the localised presence and voice to lead and enact change.

(*A conservative estimate based on one parent per student.)

Click through to view our most recent editions of Parent Talk - ttps://pandcsqld.com.au/members/publications/parent-talk/