Fernbrooke State School STARS awards are handed to students in class by Mr Curtis and Mrs Reeves every Friday. Students are nominated by their class teacher in the categories of Behaviour, Academic Success and Attendance. At the end of the month a child is selected from each category and will be presented with an award on assembly. Parents will be notified if their child is to receive the award on assembly.

Each week Fernbrooke STARS recipiants are shared in the newsletter All Fernbrooke students are STARS because they are Safe, are Thinkers, Attend school, are Respectful and Successful learners.  As a community, we congratulate all these students in their efforts to Exceed Expectations.

Managing Screen Time

As you might know, the overuse of 'screen time’ is a growing concern for parents and educators. As our students move forward with their studies, it is very important that they maintain a healthy lifestyle and not overindulge in 'screen time’.

While the school manages a wide range of device restrictions and security measures in the interest of our students’ safety and education, we wanted to let you know that there are other device-specific features that are much more suited to a home environment which can also be customised and set on the devices.

This is in no way a requirement. Instead, we just wanted to let you know that there is a feature that is available to monitor your child’s screen time.

Monitoring Screen Time

Apple’s Screen Time feature allows users/parents to not only monitor how much time is being spent 'on screen', but also where that time is being spent e.g. '2 hours spent on the YouTube website’.

Managing Screen Time

Further, Screen Time also provides a comprehensive screen-time management feature that parents can make use of.

Using Screen Time, you can do things like:

• Set Downtime, preventing the user from using the device between certain times and on certain days e.g. between 10pm-6am on weekdays or on weekends.
• Set time-based limitations for app categories - e.g. all social networking apps - or even specific apps.
• Disable certain apps and websites e.g. YouTube
• Only allow specific websites etc.

Please note: Be careful not to impose restrictions on the device during school time.

Please see Apple’s video guide about using Screen Time in iOS. You can also use this video guide , which will help you set the 'Down Time' on the device.

Set Boundaries

Students should not be excessively using devices at home. We recommend that you specify: 

• Where in the house the device can be used.
• When it is to be used and when it is not to be used.
• Where it is to be stored when not in use.”

Taking a Break on Weekends and Holidays

School holidays present a great opportunity for us to give the students a break from their screens. There is a growing body of research that shows that it is very beneficial to provide children with sustained breaks from having screen time.

Our school is very passionate about ensuring the best experience for our students, and this of course extends to their safe and healthy use of their devices.

Prep is the first year of school and provides the foundation for your child's education. It is compulsory for Queensland children to undertake Prep prior to Year 1. Prep is a full-time program in primary schools and has a defined curriculum. Children must be 5 by 30 June in the year they enroll.

Prep enrolments are now open for children starting Prep in 2020. Children born 1July 2014 – 30 June 2015 are elegible to attend. Please come and collect your enrolment pack from Administration.

School: Fernbrooke State School – Day 1

Photo Day:  Tuesday 13^th August, 2019

School:  Fernbrooke State School – Day 2

Photo Day:  Wednesday 14^th August, 2019

The suite of School Opinion Surveys are undertaken each year by the Department of Education and Training to obtain opinion information from parents/caregivers, students and school staff. The surveys are designed to help schools identify what they do well and how they can improve. Responses are confidential.

Opinions on the school, student learning and student well-being are sought from a parent/caregiver in all families and a sample of students from each state school.

Opinions on the school as a workplace are sought from all state school staff and principals. Additional questions are included for teaching staff on their confidence to teach and improve student outcomes, while principals are also asked their confidence to lead the school, including improvements in student outcomes.

This week a selection of parents and carers, selected by the department will receive a letter and their login card to complete the survey. All surveys will need to be completed by August 23^rd.

Thank you to all of the parents/caregivers, students and school staff who take part and contribute to this year's surveys.

Head lice

This information provides guidance to principals regarding the management of head lice infestations (pediculosis) in schools.

The presence of head lice is a very common childhood occurrence in the community. The primary responsibility for the management and treatment of head lice in students belongs with parents.

In some schools, the management of head lice infestations is a recurring and challenging matter. It requires commitment from the whole school community in a concerted effort to treat outbreaks and minimise transmission. Communication and support within the school community can be conducive to minimising future infestations. Individual schools determine the level of treatment assistance offered to parents in consultation with the school community.

Whole-of-school approach

When facilitating a whole-of-school approach to the management of head lice:

• advise parents of head lice outbreaks through letters to parents of students in affected classes
• regularly inform parents, particularly during peak periods of infestation, to be vigilant in checking their child for head lice or lice eggs and to treat all infected household members
• consider providing general information regarding head lice in the school prospectus, school newsletter, or on the school website for parent reference
• ask parents to notify the school if their child is affected
• ensure students suspected of having head lice or eggs present in their hair are not excluded from class or school. However, if notified by the school, a parent may choose to remove their child from school to administer immediate treatment
• if determined necessary to check students for head lice, ensure school staff, or other authorised adults conduct a visual check (no physical contact) in a discreet and sensitive manner (authorised by the principal)
• be aware that only under exceptional circumstances and with parental approval (written or verbal), can school staff treat students' head lice using Queensland Health recommended treatments
• implement guidelines for play that minimise head-to-head contact during outbreaks of head lice and ensure care is taken regarding the provision of school hats during period of infestation (noting that head lice can only live up to one day away from the human head).

Online resources

• Public health fact sheet - head lice

Tape and Nachos Day 20^th August First session

This is a munch Monitors event. Your children will have the opportunity to tape one off the school staff members to a pole and purchase a nacho meal deal. Look for your flyer coming home this week for details. Sign up to Munch Monitors now to order. All children who order a meal automatically receive 1 piece of tape. Extra tape available to order.

Comedy Night 12th October at 8pm

Want a night out away from the kids. Come join us for a great night of laughter with a fantastic line up of Guests. This is an Adults Only event. Hurry and get your tickets now. Tickets $35 each

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/comedy-night-fundraiser-fernbrook-state-school-tickets-58523069075

Monthly P&C meeting 12^th August at 9am

The next monthly meeting is Monday the 12^th of August in the admin building. All meetings are child friendly so come along and have your input into fundraising and other events in the school.

Tea Towels (Prep)

Tea Towels are back if you haven’t collected yours yet please contact the P&C to make arrangements

We have a limited number left so if you didn’t get your order in it’s not too late.

Stay informed

Want to keep up to date with what the P&C are doing and other important school information, like us on our new Facebook page you can even message the P&C with any questions you may have.

www.facebook.com/FernbrookeSSPnC/