graceville state school Archives - Over The Walter Taylor Bridge

Graceville Sports Uniform Change Sparks Debate

A recent decision by Graceville State School’s Parents and Citizens’ Association (P&C) to remove early Australian explorer names and logos from sports uniforms has generated mixed reactions and ignited a community-wide debate.

The issue on the sports uniform change emerged during a P&C meeting earlier this year when the P&C approved the removal of house names like Cook, Flinders, and Kennedy from the sports uniforms.

This decision triggered a wave of backlash, leaving some locals feeling sidelined and disheartened. Concerned parents claim they were caught off guard, with their opinions seemingly brushed aside.

Some have voiced disappointment, citing concerns of erasing history and diminishing national pride. Others, however, perceive it as a step towards fostering inclusivity.

Controversies surrounding school uniforms are not uncommon in the area, with previous debates revolving around matters such as appropriate footwear and uniform styles. Many parents now feel that their views are disregarded, exacerbating the frustration over the current issue.

Adding to the dissatisfaction, parents claim they were only informed about the sports uniform change through a uniform shop newsletter, without prior notification or an opportunity to vote on the matter.

This alleged lack of transparency has fueled more resentment, adding to the perception that the decision was made behind closed doors without considering the wider community’s input.

Concerned at what was perceived to be the imminent removal of the old sports shirts, parents scrambled to secure the outdated versions before they disappeared from the shelves. Affected parents claim that the limited availability of the new house shirts compounded the urgency to act swiftly.

The current controversy has ignited broader conversations about cultural representation and historical appreciation within schools.

The Department of Education assured parents that their concerns had been heard and pledged to engage in discussions about uniform matters. Currently, there is no official directive requiring schools to eliminate house names or logos from their uniforms.

Published 25-June-2023

Graceville State School Fete Is Almost Here!

Graceville State School’s Fete is almost here. Their biggest fundraiser event is happening on 25 August from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Each year, the school aims to maximise fun for the kids whilst minimising the efforts of the parents. This fun-filled event will feature fun performances, delicious food, interesting activities, and many more!

Students will perform at the event along with other local performers. You can view the program schedule here.

Photo credit: Graceville State School Fete / Facebook

Kids will have fun at the petting zoo or riding the ponies in the adventure playground. There will also be a Geckos Wildlife demonstration in the afternoon.

Entertaining rides will also be present at the event such as the Giant Slide, Ferris Wheel, Speed Racer and many more. You can purchase your tickets here.

Don’t miss out on the grand bazaar! This is the perfect place to be if you want to some shopping. There is a wide range of products here from books, toys, and many more.

There will also be food stalls and a coffee shop. Adults can also enjoy the art show showcasing the works of Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students. Their artworks will be put on sale at the event.

A live auction and a Cent sale will definitely keep the adults preoccupied at the event. While you’re at it, you also might want to get a booze or two from the bar.

And then end the night with a magnificent display of fireworks.

Entrance to the event is FREE.

Address: 23 Acacia Avenue, Graceville

Graceville State School Joins Active School Travel Program

Graceville State School (GSS) is among the new schools to participate in the Brisbane City Council’s Active School Travel (AST) program in 2018.

The Active School Travel (AST) program encourages primary school students and their families to keep an active and healthy lifestyle by actively travelling to school.

AST is not just about letting the kids walk to school for healthier and more active students, but the program also promotes road safety and sustainable travel modes via cycling, walking, carpooling, scootering, or public transport. This will also help reduce traffic congestion on busy streets and school zones.

The program is tailored to each school with a dedicated officer, passports, rewards, active maps, and many more.

Schools under the program will have direct access to a range of free resources, tools and incursions. To help students joining the program, GSS offers an Active Travel Map that students and parents can easily see the active travel routes here.

The map provides detailed public transport routes, walking, and cycle paths. It also highlights public facilities that are useful for program participants.

It also allows parents and students to know the distance from their house to the school through the measuring scale. This is also a great way to discover nearby bikeways and walking paths for those who plan to walk around during the weekend.

The pink polygon or the “no excuses zone” on the program map shows homes that are within a ten-minute walk from the school, challenging residents of that zone to stay active and walk to school.