Hinterland Kids Open day a great success
By Sandy Johnson The Glasshouse Christian College open day was a huge success and the college wants to thank everyone who attended. There were young families visiting for the first time, locals wanting to learn more about the school and current families supporting their children in various performances. The new sports complex and music centre were very popular, with most parents seeing them for the first time on the day. It was exciting to have so many of the GCC music and instrumental groups perform in these rooms and enjoy the specialised acoustics. The animal nursery and jumping castle were a huge hit with the little ones and the food trucks were a big drawcard for secondary students and their families. Many diets were broken that day. There were lots of healthy options but with the smell of freshly cooked donuts and the sound of sizzling sausages and loaded burgers, difficult choices had to be made. Another popular exhibit was the DeLorean car. The car was brought in to highlight the year 10 DeLorean project, which has students working in groups to solve real world problems using innovation. The strings group ready to Tours ran perform in the hospitality throughout courtyard the day with principal Mike Curtis leading three and two special tours took a bus out to the agricultural science farm in Peachester. Visitors loved cuddling the chickens, patting the sheep, seeing the prize-winning sunflowers and learning about drone technology in modern farming. Student performances ran all day and at different venues across the campus and included junior and senior choirs, drama, French Club dances and songs, instrumental groups, jazz band and the very popular dance performances. Each classroom displayed student work with interactive activities. Teachers enjoyed chatting about learning innovations and how technology is carefully balanced with core skills such as reading and writing.
The hip hop dance troupe performed brilliantly 22
Butter tasted better
Contributed by Deborah Lawrence Beerwah State School year one students recently enjoyed an excursion to Bankfoot House where they learnt all about artefacts from a bygone era and life for children in the late 1800s.
Examining how an old camera works
It was a wonderful day and the children had an amazing time engaging in the hands-on experiences at this fascinating local historical site. They all agreed that the butter they churned themselves was the best butter they had ever tasted!
Tahlia Robinson taste-testing Listening to music on the the best butter ever pianola
Students celebrate reading
Contributed by Nina Brand, teacher librarian As part of Read More in May, the students at Glass House Mountains State School took part in National Simultaneous Storytime last Wednesday. They joined children from all over Australia and New Zealand who listened to a reading of the book ‘Alpacas with Maracas’ by Matt Cosgrove. After experiencing a few technical difficulties, they students enjoyed a digital reading of the book with someone also signing the story in Auslan. Sophie, Reiden, Abby and Emma enjoy reading It was great for the students to come together as ‘Alpacas with Maracas’ a school and celebrate reading.
Eco approach to NAPLAN
Contributed by Kate Burnett For the first time, Peachester State School has completed NAPLAN tests online rather than doing the paper-based tests used previously, reducing the environmental impact of the process.
Erin and Angus with the P&C’s re-usable cups
Principal Kim Fillery said the students were at ease on their new laptops - there was no stress at all. “The students had the option of the computer program reading some of the questions to them, which allowed them to really understand what was being asked without the worry of reading the questions correctly,” she said. The testing was a very smooth process for the school with no technical difficulties or delays. To ensure all children were ready for the tests, breakfasts were lovingly prepared by members of the P&C, who continued with the theme of sustainability by providing re-usable cups to eliminate waste while keeping busy minds hydrated. The cups were purchased by the P&C late last year and have been a fantastic way to reduce waste.
Learning with fun
Have you ever wondered if improving your balance could improve how you read? Do you think you could say all the sounds in ‘crab’ while moving like one? Students from prep to year 2 at Landsborough State School can! A collection of activities prove to be some of the most fun you can have while learning at the school. The activities come together to form a perceptual motor program (PMP). A PMP is generally run by physical education and classroom teachers and teacher aides two to three times a week. The aim is to improve the children's fitness, balance, hand-eye coordination, gross motor
skills and self-confidence. Principal Benjamin Gaske said the students really engaged with PMP. “I particularly enjoy observing the student group leaders support the learning and participation of their peers,” he said.
Glasshouse Country & Maleny News
