19 March 2025

Principal’s Pride

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,

Welcome to Week 8! It is hard to believe how quickly time flies, with just two weeks left in the school term before the Easter vacation.

It was wonderful last week to once again experience, reflect on and celebrate the many ways that we as a staff partner together with families in good faith to collaborate and support each other to ‘find better ways’ for students at our wonderful school.

Every day there are so many examples of the Department of Education’s Strategic Plan, ‘Equity and Excellence – realising the potential of every student’ in action and I encourage each staff member and family to recognise the significant positive impact your collaborative efforts make each day.

School Song - We are The Willows!

I hope everyone enjoyed the launch of our school song (and accompanying video) either in person at school or via our official school Facebook page last Friday afternoon.  We have received a significant amount of positive community feedback and online views thus far and I know Josh Arnold is very proud of the students and the final result. If you have not yet had an opportunity to view this, I would encourage you to do so. 

Here are the YouTube and Spotify links for your information:

P&C AGM - Introducing the 2025 Executive Team - Congratulations to the following caregivers

P& President: Belinda Barattucci
Vice President: Sonya Rogers
Secretary: Selena Everingham
Treasurer:  Michelle Stevens
Assistant Treasurer: Peter O’Connell

I profusely thank in advance, and look forward to continuing to work closely with, our P&C and P&C Executive Team, as they continue to operate and manage both the Tuckshop and the Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) facilities and businesses. Future planned P&C fundraising projects for 2025 currently include Prep Tea Towels, Easter Raffle, Mother’s Day Stall, Father’s Day Stall, Colour Explosion Fun Run, Bingo Evening and Christmas Raffle. Your support as a volunteer at any of these events is much appreciated – many hands make light work!

2025 The Willows SS Annual Implementation Plan (AIP)

Our 2025 Annual Implementation Plan has now been endorsed by our School Supervisor, Tim Farrell and the P&C President, Belinda Barattucci. Our three focus areas continue to be strongly aligned with the core priorities of the DoE Equity and Excellence strategic plan:

• Educational achievement
• Wellbeing and engagement
• Culture and inclusion

In 2025, our two core improvement priorities are:

School Priority #1: Improve student reading capabilities so every student is engaged, challenged and supported

School Priority #2: Improve English and Mathematics student learning outcomes through curriculum clarity and effective pedagogical choices

The AIP transparently sets out the key strategic vision and priorities for action within a single school year, and links to TWSS School Strategic Plan 2022-2025, which was developed through stakeholder collaboration in the Quadrennial School Review of 2021.

The fully signed 2025 AIP has been uploaded to our school website front page for viewing by all in the school community and can be accessed at the below link:

Cluster School Collaborative ‘Before Moderation’

On Monday, 17th March from 3:00-5:00pm our teaching staff participated in collaborative planning for the first Australian Curriculum English Unit of work for Term 2 with colleagues from Oonoonba SS. The requirements of the assessment tasks were unpacked and alignment in our understanding of the A-C standards obtained. Moderation work (at all stages of the cycle) is an important process used by schools to ensure clarity, rigour and consistency of curriculum standards.  We look forward to engaging further with our cluster school around various stages of the moderation cycle to increase our professional knowledge and skills in Terms 2-4.

NAPLAN – continues this week for Year 3 and Year 5 students

This March, students in Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 will take part in NAPLAN testing. NAPLAN assesses the skills of all students in reading, writing, spelling, grammar, punctuation and numeracy.

NAPLAN tests help you to understand how your child is progressing in the fundamental skills of literacy and numeracy. NAPLAN is also an important tool in helping us to identify how our education programs are working and what needs to improve.

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.

Our students in Years 3 and 5 will be undertaking NAPLAN Online testing in various sessions across 12 - 24 March.

The updated NAPLAN Implementation Schedule for this week for your information: 

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.

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.

National Ride Safely to School Day – Friday, 21 March

Student safety is a priority for all. Your assistance in promoting safe travel to and from school with your child is much appreciated.  We frequently receive calls from community members concerned about students riding bikes and scooters in an unsafe manner and without protective clothing or helmets.  Whilst we engage annually with the RACQ Streets Ahead Program at our school, our students still need little reminders along the way to continually maintain safe habits.

Three Way Conversations to be held face-to-face in TCBC in the last week of term

Information was distributed to all students last week advising parents of the process to book individual meeting times for ‘Three Way Conversations’ with their child’s class teacher and other specialist/support teachers (as needed).  We encourage parents to take this opportunity to meet with their child’s class teacher/s to discuss their child’s progress during Term 1.  Strong, positive home-school partnerships are the key to success and we look forward to seeing many caregivers at our school on Tuesday, 1 April and/or Wednesday, 2 April.

Following Three Way Conversations, staff will be offering parents the opportunity to answer a few short focus questions to provide valuable input into our School-led review. 

REMINDER: The Willows SS P&C Easter Raffle Donations – closing THIS WEEK

Letters regarding the seeking of donations for the P&C Easter Raffle, have previously been distributed to all students. Thank you in advance for your support of this fundraising initiative. All donations are most welcome and can be handed in to our friendly administration staff at the school office. We look forward to the P&C being able to create a number of Easter hampers to be raffled. The raffle winners will be announced at our Prep to Year 2 Easter Parades on the final day of the school term – Friday, 4 April. Winners do not need to be present and will be contacted via phone.

SCHOOL PHOTOS COMING UP – 26 to 28 March (Wednesday to Friday, Week 9)

Please see the School Photo Flyer within this school newsletter for details of how to order your child’s school photos. Photo order envelopes from Advanced Life have also been dispatched to all students. These envelopes contain comprehensive information about the packages available and instructions for ordering. The timetable for school photos is included in this newsletter so parents will be aware when classes are having their photo taken and can ensure students are dressed in full school uniform. 

***Please note any classes having their photos taken on Wednesday, 26 March are to wear full school uniform NOT sporting house shirts as is usual for a Wednesday.***

Advanced Life photographers advise us that school photographs should be returned 4-6 weeks after photography days are completed.

The Willows State School Attendance Strategy – Every Day Counts!

Students are encouraged to come to school on every day they are well enough to attend. Our current whole school attendance YTD is now 92.0%. We are committed to maximising learning days for all students to ensure the best possible learning and life outcomes can be achieved.  Please contact our school if you require any support from our student wellbeing and engagement team in providing advice and support in this area.

A range of parent resources are also available at the below link:

Every day your child is well enough to attend school we want to see them here! 

Have a wonderful week – our next newsletter will be issued on Wednesday, 26 March.

Warm regards,
Michelle Donn
Principal

Upcoming Events

Year Level Parade Times

General News

REMINDER REGARDING STAFF CARPARK

Community members are reminded that the staff carpark off Bilberry Street is for staff access and parking only during school term. OSHC parents should not be accessing the car park and are respectfully requested to support this request.

PREP to YEAR 2 EASTER PARADE

Positive Behaviour Learning (Safe, Respectful, Responsible)

FORTNIGHTLY FOCUS

We will continue with the Fortnightly Focus ‘Harmony - Is everyone’s responsibility’. It delivers the message that everyone at our school belongs and we are respectful to all students regardless of their race, diversity and differences.

When we include, value and respect others we develop a better understanding of them and create a school community based on empathy and an overall sense of wellbeing.

We use the matrix below to explicitly teach what it means to belong as a community and that we need to accept people’s differences. Please continue to talk with your children at home about how they can take responsibility in ensuring that harmony is created at school.

HARMONY DAY - Friday, 21 March

This coincides with Harmony Week (Monday 17 to Sunday 23 March, Week 8 and Harmony Day on Friday, 21 March).

Celebrating Harmony Day in the classroom and at home is an excellent opportunity for you to engage students in meaningful conversations and activities that promote understanding, empathy and a sense of community.

CULTURAL CAPTAINS

Our Cultural Captain visited half the school parades this week and will do the rest of the school next week. They spoke with the students about what it means to belong to a diverse culture in Australia. Their main message was that we are stronger when we stand together at TWSS.

Excellent work to Harleim and Eva presenting to Year 4 on Monday.

ICY CUPS FOR SALE EVERY WEDNESDAY

Icy cups will be sold on Wednesday afternoons at 2:55pm from TCBC kitchen for Year 3 to 6 and the Junior CPA for Prep to Year 2.

This is a Student Council fundraiser and the money raised goes towards the equipment that is purchased for lunchtime activities for all students to use.

Defence News

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

How good is our new school song! Hope you have all had a chance to watch it. The kids have all enjoyed singing it and doing the dance moves. 

A reminder that if you are going away soon for training, please send me an email so I can support your children here at school as they may experience challenging days and I understand how this time can impact their emotions and learning.

Anzac Day is approaching and to commemorate this event Veteran and Family Hubs: 2025 National Colouring Competition is being offered. Please see the attached flyer for details. A copy of the colouring in page is to be completed, along with entry form and submit them both to The Oasis Centre here in Townsville or bring to me at school. There are some great prizes this year! Your entry will first go to your local Veteran and Family Hub, and if you are the winner, they will submit your entry into the National competition, which will be announced on 25th April. Good Luck and have fun.

The Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP) is again available to partners to claim reimbursement up to $1500 per financial year for a variety of employment services. More details and how to register are on the Defence Website or you can ask me for a flyer. 

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

For what’s coming up in Townsville for Defence Families see attached flyer or register to receive their newsletter and updates dmfs.townsville@defence.gov.au or follow on Facebook.

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

Did you know that you can walk into DMFS office (Private and Confidential) at Nathan Business Centre Corner Ross River Road and Nathan Street during business hours to speak to a Social Worker/Councillor 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.

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 

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

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

“THE GREATEST WEAPON AGAINST STRESS IS TO CHOOSE ONE THOUGHT OVER ANOTHER” William James

Pitch News

Music News – Issue 3 Term 1 Wk 8/9 

A short letter this fortnight with some reminders from the last one.  All children will receive a laminated card this week to put on their desk to write their lesson time in whiteboard marker. We are hoping this will reduce phone call interruptions to classrooms and build responsibility for turning up to lessons on time. Please help ensure your child is organised for lessons on their day. Most have a practice journal to fill out also.

Congratulations to our Junior String Ensemble who performed for the Year 4 parade last Monday morning. A very entertaining performance that was enjoyed by all. We look forward to the next one!!

Band and Orchestra rehearsals are before school. Children need to be at school by 7.40am to help set up and be seated by 7.50am to get a good forty minutes practise. School starts at 8.45am so children need to be packed up and ready to head to class by 8.40am.   

It is an expectation that, if you are part of an Ensemble, an apology or absence letter is required.

Date Claimer

Junior & Senior Choirs  
Fiona Coleman

Choral Fanfare is creeping up on us. Weather is still impacting some rehearsals – however we are trying to get around this and rehearse at alternative times.

Commitment for Choir notes were sent home last week. Please return these as soon as possible to the office. All Choir students are preparing to participate in this statewide competition so it’s essential they are attending rehearsals. Notes will be sent home with more information in Term 2. Regional Festival for Northern Region will happen on Friday, 6^th June at Pimlico Theatre. Please claim this date!

Music Shirts, Folders/Music, School Instruments/Fees

All children who are part of the Music Program are required to pay a compulsory $60 music program levy. This will assist in maintaining and upgrading music uniforms, maintaining the music library, photocopying, music scores, competition entry fees, upgrading accessories, equipment and instruments and Eisteddfod bus. Please check with the office to set up payment plan if needed. 

Reminder for music uniform - it is a requirement that all children in the Music Program wear with their shirts, navy blue skirts, skorts or shorts, white ankle CREW socks (above the shoe) and black closed in shoes for performances as indicated on the note.

Musically Yours,
Fiona Coleman

Music is the heart of Life.  ~ Franz Liszt

Prep News

In English, we have been working really hard on retelling our stories. PYC have been drawing pictures and using the iPads to retell our stories.

In Maths, we have been looking at matching numbers with the correct quantity and putting numbers in order.

In Science, we have been looking at how the weather affects ourselves and animals. PYC have used the iPads to dress a person, draw a weather background and record why we are wearing certain clothes. 

Year One News

In Year One, we have been sharing ideas about characters from books we are reading. We have been talking about — What they look like and do? How they feel? We have also been giving opinions about these characters.

 In Maths, we have been collecting data and answering questions related to the data collected.

 Celebration!! In Hass, we have been discussing celebrations and commemorations our families take part in.

Year Two News

In the past week, students in Year 2 have been learning how to form an opinion of their favourite character from the books we’ve been learning about this year in English. They have been learning to describe their chosen characters traits using expanded noun groups while discussing their likes and dislikes about their character using examples from the books. Students have then been putting their learning into creating a plan for writing their presentations for the assessment. In the coming weeks, students will be practising and presenting their character opinions to the class.

In Math, we have been learning how to locate items on a map and use positional and directional language to describe the location of items on a map. Students have been enjoying using the iPads to engage with this learning. They have been following instructions by drawing pathways on a grid map and also recording giving directions to move from one object on a grid map to another.  

In Science this week, Year 2 have been learning about combining materials to make a lunchbox that is strong and water resistant. Students made lunchboxes using recycled materials and they carried out experiments to test the strength of their lunchboxes by carrying a pretend sandwich and orange across the room. Students then explained if their experiment worked and discussed how they could improve their lunchboxes. 

Year Three News

This term in Science, Year 3 have been investigating the cause of everyday observations on Earth, including night and day, sunrise and sunset and shadows. We have been learning the importance of conducting fair tests to investigate these natural phenomena due to the movement of Earth. Students have also been practising drawing and labelling scientific diagrams. Our inquisitive learners will be then creating an engaging presentation to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of these concepts. We cannot wait – we are sure they will be out of this world!

3E Students: Creating long and short shadows

Year Four News

This term in Year 4 Health, we having been learning about eSafety and Netiquette (being safe and respectful online). As part of our unit, students had the opportunity to visit Healthy Harold which they all loved and learned so much. Rounding out our unit students have been able to complete their assessment digitally. If you are in need of any online safety tips or need to know how to create a secure password, the Year 4 students are the people to ask!

Year Five News

Week 6 Science was an unforgettable experience for our students as we had the opportunity to engage with Hands on Wildlife. This interactive session allowed students to get up close with some incredible rainforest and desert animals, deepening their understanding of how these creatures have adapted to their unique environments.

Ranger Jackie guided us through the ways animals survive in their habitats. We learned about camouflage, specialised body features, and behavioural adaptations that help these creatures thrive in the wild. This engaging incursion sparked curiosity, encouraged thoughtful discussions, and reinforced key concepts for our Science unit. A huge thank you to Hands on Wildlife and Ranger Jackie for an amazing session—our students are now more inspired than ever to appreciate and protect Australia’s unique wildlife!

In English, we had an exciting surprise when a 5B (Miss Kane’s class) student took the initiative to contact the author of the book Yoshi and the Ocean. To our delight, author Lindsey Moore responded. Lindsey expressed how much it meant to her that our Year 5 students are sharing Yoshi’s story all the way, across the world in Australia.

Year Six News

In English, students have been sharing their ideas about a chosen literary text. We have been exploring a range of books and how the author develops the theme and builds meaning for effect.

In Peasant Prince, students have explored the theme of following your dreams and persevering.

In Desert Lake, students have been exploring the theme on the connection between animals and the environment and the harsh conditions that environments go through.

In Science, students have been investigating changes that can be made to materials and how these changes are classified as reversible or irreversible. We explored how sugar and salt are soluble materials, meaning they dissolve in water. We then explored whether that change can be reversed. The changes that the salt went through were very different to the changes that the sugar went through.

Community News

SAVER PLUS

We know that cost of living pressures are continuing to put extra stress on households, with families in particular feeling the effects. Could you use an extra $500 to assist with education costs?

What is Saver Plus?

Saver Plus is a program for people on lower incomes. It’s about bolstering their financial skills, so they can develop (and keep) good savings habits.  Since 2003, Saver Plus has supported more than 62,000 people to start saving.

It’s helped overcome the barriers around education expenses. And it’s set them up for a brighter future.

What are the eligible savings goals?

Eligible savings goals are education related products or services that:​

• Assist a primary or secondary school student’s education;

NETABILITY

CITYLIBRARIES – Auslan Storytime