Student Reports and Parent Teacher Interview Night
Parent/teacher interviews are scheduled for Thursday, April 22. Interviews will be offered both in person and on the phone. Last year, we were in lockdown at the start of Term 2 due to COVID and we introduced phone interviews. This proved a useful opportunity for parents who are unable to attend campus to connect with teachers.
We look forward to welcoming parents back to campus for the interview night. All attendees must abide by our COVID-Safe guidelines.
The interview booking system will go out to parents early next week. Parents will be able to select a 10-minute block with a 5-minute crossover - creating 15 minutes between interview start times.
Interview times start at 3:15pm with the last time slot available at 7:45 pm.
Progress Reports are released to parents via Parent Lounge at the end of Term 1. Teachers indicate on the report if an interview is required. If no interview is identified on the report, parents are still welcome to make a booking.
by Mrs Fiona Stevens - Head of Secondary & Mr Mark Stevens - Head of Primary
Rain Event This Week
Thank you to our families, staff and students for working with us to keep everyone safe this past week. The rain made road conditions for travel difficult, if not impossible at times. We appreciate the understanding and flexibility shown by our TMC community.
As promised, the rain totals for the days Sunday to Tuesday on the mountain were:
Sunday 64mm
Monday 212mm
Tuesday 225mm
Total for Tamborine Mountain in March so far - 708mm!
Did you see this photo on the TMC facebook page on Tuesday?
The image shows our Lower Quad under water. This area is designed to fill with rain water to avoid any flood damage to the campus. While we had a lovely lake for two days, the area promptly receded once the rains stopped. The beautiful sunshine of the second part of this week is helping our College dry out and the grass to grow.
Cyber Safety - Concerns about Yubo App
Parents of teens and tweens may wish to check their child's phone for an app called Yubo. Yubo is a social media app that allows users to make connections with people nearby. Yubo allows for people to 'swipe' on users that they would like to connect with, much like dating apps. Yubo is targeted at teens, and though parental permissions are required for people aged 13-17, there is no way of preventing children from simply entering a fake name and date of birth. The set-up for the app is very quick and easy, and only requires a name, date of birth and phone number thus allows children to easily register. It also allows for adults to easily pose as children.
The app is available free from Google Play and the App Store, with no Identity Authentication required - putting children in contact with people who may be hiding their identity or sharing inappropriate content.
We have noticed a rise in popularity in this use of this app and so we ask parents to discuss cyber safety in regards to social media. We address cyber safety in ARC at TMC and we encourage parents to have regular conversations about staying safe online.
The safety of our children is our number one priority.
Secondary News
Captains Shine at Lions Youth of the Year
This term our school captains had the opportunity to participate in the Lions' Youth of the Year Competition. This event's former high-profile entrants include the likes of Kevin Rudd; Peter Beattie; the ABC’s Sabra Lane and Senator Simon Birmingham. By entering the program, which is now in its 55th year, students have an unequalled opportunity to compete via a friendly interview, presenting a speech, as well as answering questions on the spot for an audience. It's an excellent opportunity for students to build their confidence and leadership capabilities. Both of our captains made us proud and Cleah Sullivan took out the "Speaker of the Night" award.
Cleah Sullivan said: "The Lions YOTY challenge helped me to better my public speaking skills and interview skills, and I also made some great new friends. I am so grateful for the experience and will definitely recommend it to other students to do."
Dylan Sippel said: "The experience at the Lions speech event was a great personal development for me as I was able to experience interview-style environments. The speech allowed me to become more confident with public speaking as I was speaking in front of a room full of unfamiliar faces."
We are so very proud of our students.
Ms Emily McCredden, Year 11 & 12 Coordinator
Primary News
From the Head of Primary
It has been a great end to a strange week at school. With the rain event forcing us off campus for Monday and Tuesday, I was really impressed with the flexibility that our students, staff and families showed. The online system that was brought in nearly exactly one year ago for the COVID lockdown was used again (in a much smaller scale) and everyone battened down the hatches. It was wonderful seeing the students back on campus on Wednesday and, as we move into the final week of Term 1, everyone is nearly ready for the holidays. Between now and then, we have two final events planned:
Monday assembly - last certificates for the term and the raffle draw for the Athlete's Foot vouchers
Tuesday - 5-9 Year Old Swimming Carnival
Thursday is a student free day next week. Vacation Care is available at the ELC and taking bookings. Monday, April 19, is also a student free day for staff development. The cast of the Primary play is also using this date as a whole day rehearsal. The first official day of Term 2 is Tuesday, April 20.
Term 2 notable dates:
Week 1 - Tuesday, April 20 - First Day
Week 1 - Thursday, April 22 - Parent / Teacher Interviews Evening (booking form shared next week)
Sunday, April 25 - ANZAC Day march (Primary leaders and SRC)
Monday, April 26 - ANZAC Day Public Holiday
Week 2 - Wednesday, April 28 - TMC Cross Country Carnival
Monday, May 3 - Labour Day Public Holiday
Saturday, May 15 - TMC Open Day
There are other events and excursions being planned. The P&F will be running their Mother's Day stall and they are planning a special Mother's Day luncheon, similar to the one that was so successfully held in 2019.
With the announcement of a new local case of COVID-19 in Brisbane today, it is a good reminder for us all to play our role in the community and educate our children about washing hands etc. Please do not send your child to school if they are unwell and get tested if you are sick.
I hope you and your family have a great last week of Term 1 and have an enjoyable holiday break.
Mr Mark Stevens
Earth Hour Schools
TMC Primary acknowledged Earth Hour Schools today From 10-11am the teachers switched off all electrical devices to focus the students' awareness on creating a sustainable future. For families, Earth Hour is acknowledged this Saturday night at 8:30pm.
In Year 3, the students wrote some sentences about what they are going to do to contribute to Earth Hour and why the Earth is so important to us. They then wrote some sentences about why they love the planet Earth and why it is so precious.
Early Learning News
From the Director of the ELC
Early Learning Centre News - 26/03/21
Harmony week at the ELC was a colourful time, the children had opportunities to participate in a variety of orange experiences and participated in discussion reflecting:
Where do some of our families come from?
What makes us different and unique?
This has been a great way to finish the term's focus “All About Me.’
Thank you to Odin’s Dad, Jason, for spending some time with us on Wednesday. The children loved watching and listening to you playing your guitar and singing.
In OSCH Miss Phair’s 21st birthday was celebrated with a small group on Thursday last week. Mrs Ballie decorated the room with an array of pink decorations, Miss Phair's favourite colour. Many of the children participated in card making as well as icing cakes and biscuits in readiness of Mis Phair's arrival delightfully surprising her. This community is a close one and in the days prior the children could be heard planning the party happy that they could be part of something special.
We have several children that attend OSCH on a daily basis, feedback is asked for by the educators on any improvements to the program or environment. Over the last two weeks it was decided that the students' bathroom could do with some revamping to brighten its appearance. Over several days it started to bloom into a vibrant floral space of decorations and flowers. I am sure you will agree with me it is an inviting space and more welcoming. Well done OSCH team!
Reminders
Student Free Days at the College are Thursday 1/04/21 and Monday 19/04/21. Pre Prep Vic and Val still attend class however we will be running vacation care for anyone at the College that needs care.
Please we need ongoing support from you to not to drop off or pick up your children from the kerb side on Beacon Rd. It is unsafe and is causing large sections of Council grass to be ripped up. Thank you.
Storypark, please don't hesitate to share family moments through this platform, comment and contribute to learning stories. You can share and add family members to your own child's profile. This way no matter where they are in the world they can see first hand photos and information shared about your child.
College Open Day 15 May 2021. The ELC will be open for visiting families to participate in activities including: Baby animals, face painting, craft and more.
Thank you for your support over the past week as we have all been dealing with this weather event, everyone’s safety is important to us.
Mrs Rachael Fernandez - Acting Director/Teacher
Parent Tip
Insufficient sleep impacts a child’s physical development, as well as their ability to regulate their emotions and behaviour, and to focus on tasks. It is important for children to develop good sleep habits for their lifelong health, development and wellbeing.Children who sleep well are better able to learn new skills, show interest in the world, interact well with others and better deal with challenges and conflict.
Sports News
Equestrian
On the 13th and 14th of March members of our Equestrian Team competed at The Glennie School in Toowoomba. On the Saturday, Caitlin Ward, Sienna White and Summer Jacob all competed in dressage and did very well. Results included:
On the Sunday, Summer Jacob competed in Show Jumping and was Reserve Champion (2nd place) in the 90 cm class. She has completed her 90 cm qualifiers for States and will now move up to the 100cm class.
Last weekend, Talia Criss ventured to Gympie for Victory Colleges Showjumping competition. She placed 3rd in the 80 cm Showjumping class, receiving her last qualifier for the States Championship.
Parent Tip 
