12 February 2025

Principal’s Pride

Welcome to Week 3 of Term 1. We are looking forward to some drier weather this week and hopeful of some more usual school teaching, learning and play routines getting back into place across the school. Our Year 6 students who had to be temporarily relocated to other classrooms as a result of the wet weather event, are now back in their usual classroom locations following rectification work by QBuild. Our Year 5 students, that have been affected, will return to their classrooms when rectification works have been completed. Thank you for your support and patience with these processes as many schools in the North Queensland region seek infrastructure work to return to normal operations.

Over the coming few weeks we are very busily engaging in a range of extra and co-curricular school events. Our Year 6 Student Leaders successfully attended the GRIP Leadership Conference on Monday this week and Life Education lessons have now commenced for our students in Years 1, 3, 4 and 6. Next week we will have our 2025 Student Leadership Investiture Ceremony on Monday from 9:15am in TCBC (all caregivers welcome), NAPLAN Practice Tests for our Year 3 and Year 5 students and on Thursday our competitive swimmers who have returned permission notes will engage in the Inter-school swimming trials followed by a short Inter-House Novelty Swimming Carnival for all Year 5 and 6 students.  Please take note of all school correspondence regarding permission and payment timelines for these events to avoid disappointment and inconvenience for you and your child.

Supervision before school – USUAL routines have re-commenced this week

The main gates to the school grounds in both Sandstone Drive and Bilberry Street are unlocked each day at 8am. Any student, Prep to Year 6, who enters the school grounds from 8:00-8:15am must go to the Main CPA (directly behind the Administration Block) to wait quietly where there is adult supervision. There is no playing on school equipment prior to school. From 8:15am supervision of students is split into different areas: Prep to Year 2 are transitioned to the Junior CPA and Year 3 to 6 students are transitioned to the TCBC Hall. 

Open Classrooms - Parent Meet and Greet – NEXT WEEK DATE CLAIMER

Our annual ‘Open Classrooms Parent-Teacher Meet & Greet’ afternoon will be held in Week 4 on Tuesday, 18 February from 3:15-4:15pm. This will be a great opportunity to meet other parents, teaching and support staff and ask questions around classroom and school operations, whilst also learning more about what your child will be learning this year and how you can support your child as a learner in their new year level. We look forward to having as many of our parents as possible attend, as strong home-school partnerships are the key to student success.

Powerful Questions to get to know Learners and their Learning – based on the research of Lyn Sharratt

Five Questions Teachers can ask their students (5Q4S):

1. What are you learning? (Provides evidence that student understands the lesson Learning Intention)
2. How are you going? (Provides evidence that the student is aware of the Success Criteria on the GTMJ)
3. How do you know? (Provides evidence that the student has received and is using teacher Descriptive Feedback)
4. How can you improve? (Provides evidence that the student knows their Learning Goals)
5. Where can you go for help? (Provides evidence that the student is utilising the Learning Wall)

Parents are our learners first teachers. We recognise how hugely influential parents are in the learning for, with, and beside each student. As positive home-school partnerships contribute to successful learning outcomes for students, a set of 5 Questions for Parents has also been developed by Lyn Sharratt. You may like to reflect upon these as your child moves forward in their learning:

5Q4 Parents 

1. What is my child learning?
2. How is my child progressing/achieving?
3. How do I know?
4. How can I assist my child improve?
5. Where/Who can my child seek help from?

Why not try out these questions with your students when discussing their learning in a particular learning area at school? I look forward to hearing some feedback about your students’ responses.

Student Council

This Friday will be the first meeting of our 2025 Student Council.  Student Council comprises all the appointed Year 6 leaders and newly voted Year 4 and 5 classroom representatives.  I am looking forward to working with the ideas and enthusiasm of our new generation of student leaders under the expert guidance of Mrs Barra. 

NAPLAN Online – Term 1 – Year 3 and Year 5 Students

Our students in Years 3 and 5 will be undertaking NAPLAN Online testing in Term 1 this year (12-24 March). We commenced moving to NAPLAN Online in 2021, and it brings many advantages including a test design that offers test items tailored to students’ knowledge and ability levels.

Years 3 and 5 online test sequence/order:

1. writing (paper for Year 3 only)
2. reading
3. conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation)
4. numeracy

NAPLAN Online numeracy, reading and conventions of language are tailored or adaptive tests. Tailored testing provides a more engaging test for students and a more precise assessment of student performance. Students at each year level start with a similar set of questions. Depending on each student’s answers, the next set of questions may be easier or more difficult, giving students greater opportunity to demonstrate what they know. Students will need to bring their headphones with them (this was listed as an item on the booklist).

It is important for all parents and carers to know that once a test is commenced, it is not possible to postpone or pause a student’s test if they are leaving for appointments. If there is an appointment scheduled during your student’s NAPLAN testing session, please let your child’s teacher know and we will do our best to put an alternative plan in place.

We will also be participating in a national practice test on 17-20 February. This is an excellent opportunity to fine tune any technical and logistical needs, as well as familiarise students and teachers with the online testing process. Student data is de-identified and will not be collected or monitored throughout the practice test.

If students are absent the day of a scheduled test, every effort will be made to assist them to complete their test in a ‘catch up’ session, run each day of the NAPLAN testing window.

Parents and caregivers of children in these NAPLAN year levels will need to be aware of important information relating to privacy, which can be found on the NAPLAN Online Queensland website’s parent information page.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to visit the NAPLAN Online Public Demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) to view models of the online testing and provide students with further opportunities to interact with the platform.

For further information regarding NAPLAN Online, including privacy statements, please visit https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment

‘Time Out’ Poster – Keeping your child and other children healthy

We love to see all of our students at school every day they are well enough to attend.  On some occasions however, your child may become unwell.  Please view the following Queensland Health ‘Time Out’ poster to see recommendations for keeping your child at home.  

REMINDER: Willows Warriors Pre-Prep Program – to re-commence in Week 5 on Wednesday, 26^th February

Children who will be eligible to attend Prep at The Willows State School in 2026 (born 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021) are very welcome to attend our FREE Pre-Prep program session on a Wednesday.  Please refer to the flyer below for more information.

WEEK 5 (Tuesday, 25/02-Thursday, 27/02) - School Song Development

In 2024 we booked Josh Arnold (from Small Town Culture) to attend our school site in 2025 to co-create a TWSS school song and accompanying video as a tool to support the ongoing development of school identity, pride, morale, spirit and wellbeing. Our students love watching school-produced videos and seeing themselves/their peers featured!  Josh Arnold has engaged in this work at a number of schools, particularly in Queensland.  I would encourage you to google his name and on youtube you will see multiple examples of his work with school songs.

A brief overview of the project is outlined below:

• Tuesday, 25/02: Writing of the song (with a core group of musically talented students in Years 3 to 6)
• Wednesday, 26/02: Recording the vocals and music for the song (with a core group of musically talented students in Years 3 to 6)
• Thursday, 27/02: Filming video footage of students engaged in various activities that showcase our school and it’s identity.

Additional information will be distributed to all students who will be featured/required in any way as additional media permission forms/consent are required to be signed. 

I am very much looking forward to seeing the end product and being able to showcase our wonderful school’s offerings with our entire school community on multiple occasions moving forward.

QParents

As part of our school’s progression towards online consent management The Willows State School is providing our parent community with the opportunity to register for QParents.  This is the first step required for parents to be able to provide online consent for a variety of school activities/events in future.

If you do not want to register, you may advise us not to send you any more invitations, and your child’s student information will not be available to anyone through QParents. Or, if you want another parent to be the QPAO, you can advise us and we will send them an invitation email or letter with their own unique invitation code.

Our friendly office staff are always available to support parents in setting up their QParents account if needed.  Identity verification evidence is required to do this. Please contact the school if you have any queries.

FIRST 2025 P&C Meeting – NEXT WEEK

The first P&C Meeting for 2025 will be held NEXT WEEK on Wednesday, 19 February.  Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:00pm. All parents are most welcome and encouraged to attend.  Your support is vital to ensure fundraising initiatives can occur. The P&C is also a forum in which you can contribute ideas to the enhancement of the school. 

All executive positions will be declared vacant at the P&C AGM to be held on Wednesday, 12 March at 5pm.  The AGM will be followed by a regular meeting at 6pm. During Term 1 all meetings will be held in D Pod (next to OSHC).

Have a wonderful week – our next newsletter will be issued on Wednesday, 19 February.

Warm regards,
Michelle Donn
Principal

Upcoming Events

Year Level Parade Times

General News

SCHOOL PHOTOS – 26 to 28 March

Curriculum News

Prep – Term 1 2025

Year 1 – Term 1 2025

Year 1 of 1/2F – Term 1 2025

Year 2 of 1/2F - Term 1 2025

Year 2 – Term 1 2025

Year 3 – Term 1 2025

Year 3 of 4/3F – Term 1 2025

Year 4 of 4/3F – Term 1 2025

Year 4 – Term 1 2025

Year 5 – Term 1 2025

Year 6 – Term 1 2025

Positive Behaviour Learning (Safe, Respectful, Responsible)

FORTNIGHTLY FOCUS

The new PBL fortnightly focus is ‘Use Devices Safely’.

This focus coincides with the National Safer Internet Day 2025 which falls on February 11. Students will be engaged in various activities including webinars by the eSafety Commissioner which support teaching digital safety. Throughout the 2 weeks students will develop an increased awareness of what safe online environment looks like and feels like. They then follow a set of actions to report unsafe situations to adults.

Please take this opportunity to discuss with your student what they have learnt about safety online and continue to support and promote appropriate ways to interact with digital devices at home. This is vital for creating a safe successful digital environment in the classroom and home setting.

Stay smart, stay safe – keep your data private. Together we can build a better and safer internet.

Expectation: At The Willows State School we Use Devices Safely.

Further information can be found in the parent section of the esafety website.
https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/resources

GRIP STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

On Monday of this week, our Senior student leadership team participated in the Grip Leadership Conference. This conference provided our leaders with a day of activities and events which were aimed to support and prepare them for their roles and responsibilities for the year ahead. In next week’s newsletter we will have a report from the students about what they have learned.

MORNING DUTY ROSTER

This week we went back to normal morning routines, thanks for your help supporting this transition.

Defence News

Hello and welcome to all Defence families/caregivers and students,

I trust everyone is settled and coping with the ever-changing weather conditions. Below is an introduction letter for you to read. Please reach out to me via email or contact the office if you would like to meet for a chat regarding school or Defence related concerns. I look forward to meeting you soon. Apologies as the Defence Students Welcome Party and Defence Parents Morning Tea are on hold until further notice. I will advise the new date as soon as possible. So far my school days have been spent meeting and checking in with new and existing students to see how they are coping and settling in to school life.

Education Assistance Scheme is available to access for tutoring within 18months of posting to a new school. This is available for all primary and high school aged children who may require support in Maths and English. Contact the DMFS Helpline on 1800 624 608 for all details on how to apply. Just complete the form online at ADF Pay and Conditions Manual and send an email to the teacher. With approval your child can have access to 14 hrs of tutoring for both Maths and English through a private tutor. Contact me with any questions. Flyer below with details.

ADF FAMILY HEALTH PROGRAM - Did you know that ADF families can access funds to maintain a healthy lifestyle? The ADF Family Health Program provides reimbursement for physiotherapy, dental, specialist appointments and more of up to $800 a year per dependent! Get one now! For more information on how to register, visit Home - ADF Family Health Program

Families with Special Needs you can access support through the Defence Special Needs Support Group (DSNSG) or call 1800 037 674.  For more information on assistance measures go to the website or email specialneeds.families@defence.gov.au

Like to speak to a Social Worker or Counsellor? Did you know that you can walk into DMFS office (Private and Confidential) currently at RAAF Base Townsville during business hours or you can phone Open Arms on 1800 011 046 to make an appointment to discuss your concerns further? Remember it is OK TO ASK FOR HELP. We all a need support at one time.

For what’s coming up in Townsville for Defence Families-Register NOW to receive newsletter and updates at dmfs.townsville@defence.gov.au   or follow them on Facebook.

Kookaburra Kids is in Townsville, this organisation supports defence kids living in families that are affected by mental illness.  For more details on activities contact Hannah Galliner on 0484 544 451 or check out the website www.kookaburrakids.org.au   

Geckos Family Centre-North Queensland is at Lavarack Barracks and is open for parents and families to drop in. Organised daily activities on offer. Follow them on Facebook or phone them on 07 4411 7031 for more details.

TO BE UP TO DATE WITH “WHATS ON IN TOWNSVILLE” CHECK     whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au

UPCOMING EVENTS/DATES TO REMEMBER 

2025 DEFENCE WELCOME & INFORMATION EXPO
When:             Saturday, 1^st March
Time:              9.30am -12.00pm
Where:           Townsville Stadium, Murray Lyons Crescent, Annandale
Register:         Eventbrite – 2025 Welcome & Information Expo

BARRA FUN PARK

When:             Saturday, 22^nd March
Time:              4.00pm – 7.00pm
Where:           Townsville Barra Fun Park
Tickets:           Tickets will be available soon via Eventbrite

COFFEE CONNECTIONS

When:             Thursday, 13^th February
Time:              9.30am – 11.00am
Where:           Twin City Hotel Café, 14 Hervey Range Road, Thuringowa Central
Register:         DMFS Coffee Connections – 13^th February - Eventbrite

IMPORTANT CONTACT DETAILS

Defence Family Helpline 24/7 - 1800 624 608 - Need Help give them a call    

DMFS Office at Nathan Business Centre on Ross River Rd, call 07 4430 3879  

Open Arms support former and current serving ADF personnel and their family members can use the service – office is at the Nathan Business Centre or call 1800 011 046 www.openarms.gov.au

Mates4Mates – Townsville FRC 4771 9600 townsville@mates4mates.org

Café now Open from 9am-12.30pm every day, you are welcome to attend for a chat and to have a look around.

The Oasis Townsville for Ex-ADF Community in Townsville  hello@theoasistownsville.org.au

Dirty Books Café – 1 Staging Camp Avenue, Oonoonba – 07 4759 8777 is currently under renovation

DFA (Defence Families of Australia) – NQ Delegate Larissa Ostermann 0418 796 561 nth.qld@dfa.org.au

DSNG Defence Special Needs Group - 1800 037 674  www.dsng.org.au

Beyondblue.org.au www.australia.gov.au

Geckos Family Centre Nth Qld Lavarack Barracks - Contact for enquiries on 07 4446 1238 or follow on Facebook

Kookaburra Kids Charity Organisation Mental Health Service - 1300 566 525   www.kookaburrakids.org.au or contact Hannah Galliner 0484 544 451/1300 566 525

Defence Holidays NQ at Lavarack Barracks (opp the Gym) - 07 4725 3842 admin@defenceholidaysnq.com.au

Please phone any time for a chat on 4799 1333 ext 323, Monday to Thursday 8.00am – 3.30pm Monday to Thursday or email me cwhee36@eq.edu.au  

My office is open for a private conversation and cuppa anytime or alternatively phone me any time on 4799 1333 ext 323, Monday to Thursday 8.00am – 3.30pm Monday to Thursday or email me cwhee36@eq.edu.au

Have an awesome week!

Correna Wheeler
Defence School Mentor

ALL OUR DREAMS CAN COME TRUE, IF WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO PURSUE THEM. Walt Disney