14 May 2025

Principal’s Pride

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,

Welcome to Week 4 of Term 2 – I hope everyone enjoyed a beautiful Mother’s Day last week-end whether you were doing the spoiling and/or being spoilt by loved ones. Thank you to everyone for your amazing support of our P&C Mother’s Day Stall last week – it was heart-warming to see the care and thought our students put into selecting a gift for the significant female caregivers in their lives.

I would sincerely like to acknowledge the significant volunteer efforts of a number of caregivers and community members who made the organisation and running of this stall possible. Special thanks to: Vicki D, Sarah M, Susan B, Sarah M, Sonya I, Selena E, Zach E, Grant G, Candace G, Cooper E, Samantha F, Fab B, and Belinda B for all their efforts – much appreciated by staff and students. Extra special thanks to Trina E for her ongoing coordination and Susan B for her donation of her beautiful crocheted crafts. 

Next week we will  be acknowledging our students for their first 75 Star Rewards for the term – please continue to support us in encouraging your child to work hard to attain participation in their year level’s positive recognition activities twice per term.

Cooler Weather Uniform

As the cooler weather starts to creep in, students have commenced wearing jumpers and trackpants to school. Please ensure all clothing is clearly labelled with your child’s name so that any misplaced pieces can be easily returned to their owner. If you are purchasing new clothing items, our school dress code lists plain navy blue jumpers/trackpants as the preferred colour for winter clothing. Jumpers with the school name and logo are also available for purchase from The School Locker if desired.

Parentline Service Supporting Parents and Carers

 Parentline is a free, confidential counselling service available for all Queensland parents and carers.

If you need support navigating challenging situations, Parentline offers qualified counsellors who can help with expert advice, emotional support and referrals when needed.

Parentline’s services include:

• practical parenting resources on their website
• live webchat with professional counsellors
• phone support for immediate assistance (1300 30 1300)
• the option to pre-book ongoing sessions with the same counsellor
• online counsellor-facilitated parenting forums for shared support
• referrals to other family support services when additional help is needed.

Visit their website (parentline.com.au) for more information today, or give them a call on 1300 30 1300.

You can contact Parentline’s qualified counsellors any day of the week from 8 am until late.

National Excellence in Teaching Awards

The National Excellence in Teaching Awards is a community-centred awards program, started by the NEiTA Foundation in 1994 supported by Futurity, to honour exemplary teaching in Australia and New Zealand.

Community members are invited to nominate an eligible teacher, principal, or early childhood educator for a NEiTA 2025 Award via the online nomination form:
2025 National Excellence in Teaching awards. 

These awards recognise inspirational, talented and committed teachers who make a significant impact on their students, school and community.

Winners will receive a $5,000 or $10,000 professional development grant.

Nominations close 27 June.

National Walk Safely to School Day – Friday, 16 May

• Friday 16 May, 2025 – Friday, Week 4.
• Students will assemble at the Junior League Carpark from 8:00-8:15am – there will be no supervision until 8am so students cannot arrive before.
• Caregivers must drop students there.
• At 8:15am we will walk to school, using the supervised crossing then continue walking to the ‘Stop, Drop, Go’ gate and complete a lap of the oval before going to their designated duty areas.
• As they enter the gate Mrs Winter will give the students a sticker and Mrs Bala has sourced some fruit donations that they can have at the end of the walk.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

Premier’s Reading Challenge is happening again! We sent home reading logs for all students in Prep to Year 2, and we strongly encourage any interested students in Year 3 to 6 to come to the library to collect a reading log if they would like to participate. All reading logs are to be returned to the library by 23 August to be eligible for the challenge.

DATE CLAIMERS: School-led Review – opportunities for parents to provide input into the future 4-year direction of The Willows SS

In last week’s newsletter, when explaining the School-led review process, I mentioned that across the course of this term there will be a number and range of opportunities for staff, student and parent/caregiver input into our School-led Review.

Some currently planned opportunities for parent input include:

• Evening Forum - Wednesday, 21 May 5pm-6pm – prior to P&C Meeting in D Pod
• Survey: Friday, 23 May – P-2 Under 8’s Day (school afternoon session) – feedback sought informally by school staff utilising a QR Code
• Afternoon Forum - Thursday, 12 June – 3:30-4:30pm – prior to Music Gala

If you missed participating in our short five question ‘snapshot’ survey about our school at Three Way Conversations at the end of last term, your responses to the questions in the QR code below would be much appreciated. 

The survey will close at the end of this week.

HELP REQUESTED - TWSS NAIDOC Celebrations

During Week 1 of Term 3 (14-18 July), we will be celebrating NAIDOC Week with a range of activities. 

Our school NAIDOC Week Committee has commenced initial planning and is seeking the support of any parents/caregivers who have skills in playing traditional indigenous instruments, as we would be keen to share their talents with our students and school community, either through video footage or as a live performance at school during NAIDOC Week. 

If you are interested in assisting with any aspect of our NAIDOC Week celebrations, please contact the school on 47 991 333 or email admin@thewillowsss.eq.edu.au

Why Does School Attendance Matter?

Regular school attendance gives students a better chance at life. Students achieve better when they go to school all day, every school day because:

• they have increased access to learning opportunities
• they maintain friendships
• they stay connected to the curriculum progression
• they develop self-efficacy as a learner
• they have better long-term life outcomes.

Check out the Queensland Government’s ‘Every Day Counts’ website for some great books and animations with student, Jimmy, and his dog, Sam, regarding attending school!

Have a wonderful week. Our next newsletter for Term 2 will be issued on Wednesday, 21 May.

Warm regards,
Michelle Donn
Principal

Upcoming Events

Year Level Parade Times

General News

UNDER 8’S DAY – Friday 23 May

Positive Behaviour Learning (Safe, Respectful, Responsible)

FORTNIGHTLY FOCUS

We will continue with the fortnightly focus ‘Follow Instructions - First Time, Every Time’.

EXPECTATION: At TWSS students follow instructions of all staff at our school the First time, Every time. Following instructions keeps students safe and shows respect to our school and staff.

Students will reflect on ‘Following instructions - first time, every time’ and focus on the consequence that may occur when instructions are not followed.

Please talk with your children about the importance of following staff instructions and how this will help with their learning and engagement.

ICY CUPS FOR SALE WEDNESDAYS

• Icy cups will be sold on Wednesdays at 2:55pm from the TCBC kitchen for the Year 3 to 6 students and Junior CPA for the Prep to Year 2 students.
• Icy cups are 50cents each and all money raised goes to the Student Council.
• Student Council is raising funds for signage across the school to build on the school community spirit.

Defence News

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

Celebrate Families Week and join us at the Townsville Defence Carnival – Celebrating National Families Week – 16 May 2025. DMFS Townsville and Geckos Family Centre are coming together to celebrate the Defence community in North Queensland! Join us for one of the biggest and most fun events of the year, exclusively for local ADF members, their partners, and immediate families. Best of all, entry is FREE! Choose your zone: enjoy the Friday night footy action on the big screen in the adult zone, or bring the whole family for a fun-filled carnival experience in the family zone. With a variety of food options—sausage sizzle, food vans and popcorn. Let's all come together and celebrate what unites us!

On Wednesday afternoon, ADF Equip Parental Absence program was held here at school. It was a great session with 12 students attending and DMFS staff and myself facilitating the session. All students involved supported each other and shared their experiences with a Parental Absence. They discovered healthy ways to cope with unique challenges of being in a Defence family. Lots of fun, discussion and interacting with fellow students in a similar position. Thank you to all who attended.

Activities/exercises are ramping up in the Defence community. Very busy times are here with members being absent from the home for extended periods of time. The absence can cause a rollercoaster of emotions within the family dynamics and children here at school. A reminder that if a loved one is going away or will be absent from the family, please send me an email or give me a call so I can support your children here at school. They may experience challenging days and I understand how this can impact emotions and learning. My door is open for a chat anytime or email me cwhee36@eq.edu.au

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

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.

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.

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

TOWNSVILLE DEFENCE CARNIVAL – Celebrating National Families Week

When:             Friday, 16 May
Time:              5.00pm-8.00pm
Where:           Geckos Family Centre, Lavarack Barracks
Tickets:           via Eventbrite

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

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

“FAMILY IS THE HEART OF THE HOME”

The Pulse (PE News)

Season Sport

Netball
The Mixed Team North Shore and were defeated 12 points to 7.
The Senior B Girls Team played North Shore and won 18 points to nil.

Rugby League
The A Team played Cranbrook State School and won 28 points to 18.
The B Team had a bye this week so played a training/scratch match against the A team.
Well done to all players on continuing their successful start to the season.

Cross Country

Interschool Cross Country Training is going well. We are on our last week of training before the event on Tuesday next week. Students are making progress at gaining fitness for the longer distance and learning to pace themselves. A reminder trainings are on this week again - Wednesday and Friday mornings from 8.00am-8.40am. The Interschool Cross Country is on Tuesday 20 May (Week 5). Please note the Interschool Cross Country is an after school event at Bicentennial Park, Queens Road, Hermit Park and transport is provided by parents.

Pitch News

Music News – Issue 7 Term 2 Week 3 / 4

Attendance to rehearsals and lessons are much better this term. I have heard positive stories about children excelling on their instrument, progressing through their book and developing technical skills. It is so great to see how excited you all are about music. A reminder also that children are being assessed this term. Please make sure you are working on developing a smooth sound, practising your note reading and your skills for your instrument.  Practising and preparing for your assessment will assist in great results. Their dedication is great and each week is a progress from the last due to individual practice. Keep up the great work ethics. You’re an amazing team!! You can do this!  Go Willows!!

Junior Concert Band rehearsed for the first time last week. They had a great time meeting other players and making lots of sound together. All the Beginners who have been working hard and achieved the level in their books are invited to Junior Band. Please ensure your child has their instruments and book ready every Wednesday morning to meet Ms Clarke at 7.45am. I look forward to seeing you all there.

Date Claimer

G A L A    N I G H T
Thursday, 12^th June, 2025
4.30pm T C B C

All our performers are ready and invite you to an afternoon of entertainment.

It is an expectation that all members of our music program are available to perform at our outside school events. The Gala Night is a performance to showcase what your child has been learning for the first half of this year. It also allows your child to build confidence and perform in front of a large crowd in preparation for the Eisteddfod in Term 3 and share with you their learning progress. All performers are required to wear full music uniform as requested in previous newsletters. Please make sure you have all your music and instrument ready for the afternoon. We would like it to run smoothly and quickly with all children ready in the music room. All children be seated at the front of TCBC to minimise entry and exit and to get children up on stage and off as smoothly as possible. Younger children must be with their parents at all times displaying audience manners. No children are to be left unsupervised or on play equipment. The following groups will be performing:  Junior Choir, Senior Choir, Junior Strings, Senior Orchestra, Beginner Band, Percussion Ensemble and Concert Band. All are welcome to come and watch our sensational musicians performing.  

Junior & Senior Choirs  
Fiona Coleman

Both Junior and Senior Choir are travelling well and have had more consistency in rehearsals during lunch. The attendance is fabulous and they are all working very hard on learning words and syncing actions. They are looking forward to sharing their hard work at our upcoming Fanfare competition. 

C H O R A L   F A N F A R E
Friday, 6th June
Pimlico Theatre

Choral Fanfare is our first performance and all Choir children must be in attendance. Venue is Denise Glasgow Theatre at Pimlico. A draft timetable has got our Choirs performing as follows. More details are in the permission note that has gone home this week. Please return it as soon as possible.

• Senior Choir – Performs @ 10.50am
• Junior Choir – Performs @ 11.50am
• Adjudication approximately 12.15pm

Regional Festivals will take place on Friday 20^th June if selected from Heats.

Seniors are encouraged to continue their practising with the recordings on QLEARN. There are some great sounds, vocal and performance skills developing.  I’m very excited to see you perform on stage. Please keep up the hard work and your efforts will be rewarded.

Junior Choir are loving the extra rehearsals and want to sing every day!! I love it! I’m continuing the below timetable for rehearsals in preparation for Fanfare.  They are doing such a fantastic job developing their vocal skills.

Junior Choir 
Monday - Whole Choir (First Break Play/Eating)
Tuesday - Part 1 (First Break Play only)
Tuesday - Part 2 (Second Break Play only)
Wednesday - Whole Choir (Second Break Play/Eating)

Senior Choir - as per timetable
Thursday and Friday – (First Break Play/Eating)

Music Shirts, Folders/Music, School Instruments/Fees

Shirts will start to be allocated for our upcoming events. Please ensure you have organised your music uniform with navy skorts, skirts, shorts, white (CREW) ankle socks, black closed in shoes and matching school coloured hair ties if needed. No makeup.

There are still some outstanding SRS & Commitment forms. Please contact office to set up payment plan or get a new note to confirm placement in the program.

Musically Yours,
Fiona Coleman

“We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.” ~ Anon

Prep News

This term in Maths, Preps have been using subitising and counting strategies to quantify collections.

In English, students are learning to create a short, written information text. PYD have enjoyed learning about dinosaurs.

The students have also been busy, learning new sounds and applying them in their writing.

In Science, the Preps are learning about the needs of living things and how an environment can affect them.

Year One News

It seems our term is speeding by. Even with a few short weeks, we have been working hard in 1/2F. Our English focus has been on being able to identify features of informative texts and using different comprehension strategies to answer questions about what we read. Soon we will start researching some different topics so we can create informative texts of our own.

We have been working hard on Number during our Maths learning. We've investigated how we can partition 2- and 3-digit numbers in standard and non-standard partitioning using our strong understanding of place value.

Our class also had our first visit to the computer labs. It was a challenge having to use a keyboard to type in usernames as well as a computer mouse to navigate to different programs. We were all successful and have been very keen Computer Lab visitors since.

Year Two News

Year 2 students have gotten themselves straight back into some interesting and hands on learning during the start of Term 2. Students have been exploring lifecycles of both plants and animals in Science in order to describe and compare the stages of different organisms.

Students are working hard on writing their English Informative reports. Classes have chosen topics that interest them and range from space to jungle animals and even the great white shark! In Math students are engaging in partitioning numbers up to 1000 this term as well as learning how to add and subtract two and three digit numbers.

Year Three News

Welcome back to an exciting new term in Year 3! I hope you all had a wonderful break and are ready to jump into a term filled with learning, discovery, and fun. We are thrilled to see everyone again and are looking forward to all the adventures we have planned.

This term we have an exciting excursion happening in Week 6, where we are heading to the fabulous Billabong Sanctuary. As we approach this day, Year 3 will be investigating different text types to find important factual information about different Australian animals. We will be reading and viewing a variety of sources. Incorporating Qlearn as part of this task has been engaging and fun. Students will write an information report about an Australian animal using the facts they have researched. 

Billabong Sanctuary Excursion Permission Form

Year Four News

Hello Parents and Carers, can you believe we are almost halfway through Term 2! Just a quick reminder to return permission slips for the recycling facility excursion in Week 5. This links to our HASS unit. The task is - To conduct an inquiry to answer the following question: How can people use environments more sustainably?

Material Recovery Facility Permission Form

This week in 4/3F, Mrs Donn visited the class to speak about the 25th Anniversary of The Willows State School opening. The students were so engaged in what Mrs Donn was talking about and had some great questions to ask her. 4/3F have a slightly different task which is - To explore the role of rules and making democratic decisions in the school community. To investigate a commemoration significant in the community.

Don’t forget to remind your students about 75 Star Rewards coming up in Week 5, there is still time to make it!

Thank you, from the Grade 4 teachers!

Year Five News

Last week we had a Bunnings incursion where Year 5 students learned about what gardens need, how to design a successful garden and sustainability choices. They then participated in an activity around designing a garden bed and what plants grow well together (companion planting).  Lots of fun was had by all!

Learning in all areas is moving full steam ahead with all the public holidays out of the way now. We look forward to a busy yet fun filled Term 2!

Year Six News

Term 2 signalled the commencement of Season Sport for Year 6. We have teams competing in both Netball and Rugby League. We have so for been undefeated against Weir and Cranbrook!!!!

Here’s hoping our teams continue their great show of teamwork for future rounds!

Community News

INCLUSION AND BELONGING IN THE LOCAL SCHOOL

Supported Attendance 

Please note that financial support is available to enable regional attendees to travel to our face-to-face workshops. This includes travel support (petrol/airfares) and accommodation. To apply families should contact educationproject@cru.org.au

COLES WINTER CARNIVAL