Newsletter - 20 March 2024

Principal's Report

Welcome to the conclusion of Term 1! The weeks have flown by and we are about to have a well-deserved two-week break. School events and learning will continue right to the last day of term and as always, student attendance at school is very important.  

This Friday we will have our 2024 Interhouse Cross Country. Students are invited to dress in their house colours and participate to ensure their house gets the points! Approximate times for events are below:

Parents and families are welcome to cheer the students on and stay for the medal presentations in the School Hall, immediately following the event, approximately 12:30 to 1:00pm.

On Monday 25 March, the Year 6 and 7 cohorts will be participating in the Mates Bystander program, generously sponsored by Allora SCOPE Club. This excellent program, which we run annually, aims to empower everyone to prevent various forms of discrimination and violence, including sexism, racism, harassment, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, and bullying. Originating in the gender-based violence arena, MATE has grown into a globally recognised, award-winning initiative, grounded in evidence and trauma-informed practices from Griffith University’s Disrupting Violence Beacon.

A friendly reminder that our Year 10 Immunisations will be held on Tuesday 26 March. Please ensure that all consent forms have been returned. If you require another form, please contact the school office.

QParents: Last week all families received an email invitation to begin the sign-up process for QParents. This is a secure online portal that has been created by the Department of Education to provide parents of Queensland state school students with 24-hour access to their child's information. The portal allows you to securely access information about your child and communicate directly with your child's school. QParents provides secure online access to student information such as:

• attendance details
• consent forms (no more paper forms will be required!)
• payment of invoices
• payment history
• behaviour
• report cards and assessment dates (including previous years)
• upcoming events
• timetables
• student photo

We encourage you to register for QParents. For more help with your registration, please email admin@allorass.eq.edu.au or call the school office.

It has been a very busy term and I would like to thank:

* Our parents for the support they give to their children and our staff, and for the many and varied ways they add to the quality of our great school.

* Our staff for the commitment to excellence they show in allowing all of our students to access appropriate curriculum; and most importantly

* Our students whose hard work is paying off as they learn and play.

Have a safe and happy Easter with your families and friends,

Megan

Introducing Chappy Bernard

Chappy Bernard is working on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Allora State School. The role of a Chaplain is to support students' social and emotional needs and to promote positive behaviour and constructive social relationships. Welcome, Chappy Bernard.

Calendar of Events

Student of the Week

Students were awarded certificates on assembly for demonstrating our school motto, “Always our Best”. Also, each week teachers nominate a student who has displayed our school values to go in the draw for a $5 tuckshop voucher (the golden ticket). Congratulations students!

Student Leader Ceremony

On Thursday 7 March, the 2024 Year 10 School Leaders received their badges at a special parade, with their parents and families present. After a Welcome to Country by Shakoba, Mrs Rauchle addressed the audience, acknowledging those who had come before her as Principal and thanking them for their contribution to all the ways we do things now at our school.

Former school captains, Tristan and Claire, presented the new leaders with a certificate and a leadership badge. Parents were then invited to attach the badges. Following the signing of the School Leader Record Book as the 60^th Secondary School Captains, there was shared cake to celebrate.

Mrs Rauchle extended her gratitude to all the family members, supporters, and well-wishers who have guided and nurtured our students to be the young adults we see before us today. We are proud of you all and look forward to seeing your individual journeys throughout the year as you strive to demonstrate how we will be Always our Best.

School Photos

As previously advised, all school photos have been postponed until Monday 22 April (Week 2 of Term 2). All online orders and envelopes will remain valid until this date. If you have not done so, you are still able to order online at www.qldschoolphotography.com.au using access code VC8MFFJ2.

P&C Annual General Meeting

Sports Report

Southern Downs Sporting Trials - Netball – Congratulations to Ella, Olivia and Chelsea on gaining selection in the Southern Downs Netball team. They attended trials in Toowoomba on Monday 11 March. Unfortunately, none of these girls gained selection.  Soccer – Congratulations to Lochlan and Graysen who gained selection in their respective Southern Downs Soccer teams. They will attend trials in Dalby on May 27 and 28. Rugby League - Congratulations to Will, Jackson and Adam who gained selection in the Southern Downs Rugby League team. They will attend trials in Dalby on Monday 27 April.

Interhouse Cross Country will be held at Allora Golf Course on Friday morning. For further information see the Principal's Report.

Futsal Tournament

On 14 March, a group of Allora State School students ventured to Toowoomba to compete in the annual Futsal Tournament for the second year running. The team played in the U16 division, and included the following students: Karleigh, Chaylah, Alex, Will, Cash, Isaac, Brandon and Anthony.

Last year, our results included a Game 1 loss (15ish - nil), Game 2 loss (7ish - nil) and a Game 3 loss (4 – 1). This year, we aimed for perhaps a few more goals for, and a few less against.

Wondering what actually happened? Game 1: 7 - nil. A solid start, much better than last year. Game 2: 4 - nil. A really close game, with two late goals against. Defence was working really well and the Goalie, Isaac, stopped 17 shots at goal – at least! Game 3: 7 – 2. Victory! Okay, well not so much a victory but we scored! If you have ever heard the sound at the stadium when QLD scores against the Blues in Brisbane, you know it is deafening … Well, when Will weaved his way through their defence and slotted home our first goal, it was that loud. No joke! There were three full teams, several other families and Futsal fans watching our game and cheering on the students, chanting out their names and numbers, riding the chances and screaming in excitement for each one of Isaac’s 32 saves in the last game (again, no joke). Everyone in the area went wild. It was magical! Soon after, Isaac scored from a kick-off. Our second goal and a massive cheer again went with it! Not bad for a team that was, on average, 2ft more grounded than the opposition!

Finally, the following quote was sent to me by one of our player’s parents who had a friend at the stadium on the day - “They played with such great enthusiasm. Never once dropped their heads. They should be so proud of themselves.”

Brad Johnson

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