10 September 2025

Principal’s Pride

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,

Welcome to Week 9 of Term 3!  I hope everyone is enjoying our beautiful Spring weather and had a wonderful Father’s Day celebration last week-end as well. Thank you for your wonderful support of our P&C Father’s Day Stall once again. It was also fantastic to view some pre-Eisteddfod practice performances of our Choir and Instrumental Music students last Wednesday afternoon at our whole school assembly. Thank you to the parent and community members who were able to come along to support the students.

Many staff and family members also came out to enthusiastically cheer our Senior Rugby League Team in their Les Stagg Cup Semi-final game against Kirwan State School at Brother’s Oval on Monday night. The team fought a very close game, representing their school with pride and passion.  After TWSS leading in the first half, Kirwan SS came back with a few quick tries to defeat TWSS 24-16.

This week we will continue to work hard towards the completion of our Term 3 teaching and learning across all curriculum areas and students will participate in the P&C’s Major Fundraiser for the Year – The Colour Explosion Fun Run on Friday afternoon.

In the last week of term, we are looking forward to 75 Star celebrations, the Blackhawks U10 Rugby League Challenge (Friday), Year 2 and Year 5 Excursions.

NQ Athletics Team success – Congratulations Jaxon and Paul!

After competing exceptionally well at the ‘A’ Schools Athletics Carnival, four of our students were selected to participate in the North Queensland Regional Team Athletics Trials.

The trials were held last week with both Jaxon H (High Jump and Long Jump) and Paul O (200m) successful in being selected into the North Queensland Team to compete at the State Track and Field Championships (10-12 years) to be held in Townsville at the Townsville Sports Precinct from the 13-15 October.

We wish to congratulate all the students on their outstanding sporting achievements and wish Jaxon and Paul all the very best for the State Championships.

3 Way Conversations – Parent-Teacher-Student Meetings – THANK YOU

3 Way Conversation Meetings were very well attended again this term. Thank you for your positive partnership with our school staff. If you were unable to attend on this occasion, please make contact with your child’s class teacher or the school office to coordinate an alternative meeting time if required.

RSI Executive Summary – School-led Review (SLR) Validation Report

The Reviews and School Improvement Team (RSI) have now emailed through the final School-led review Validation Report and SLR Executive Summary. The Executive Summary, listing key affirmations for our school and key improvement strategies for the next four year cycle, has now been uploaded to our school website and is available for viewing at the below link:

The Validation team made very minor changes to our SLR Evaluation Report, which is a wonderful testament to the fidelity of the review work completed by our staff. 

Thank you once again for your valuable and considered input into this process. This report will now guide the development of our new School Strategic Plan 2026-2029 and 2026 AIP. The DRAFT SSP 2026-2029 will be shared with all community members for feedback during Term 4 – prior to P&C approval.

R U OK?

This year R U OK? day is Thursday, 11 September - a day to encourage connection and action, to check in on others and promote wellbeing. As educators we teach our learners to identify their emotions, what emotions look like for themselves and other people. We can support them to normalise conversations about wellbeing and encourage action.

***Students and Staff will be able to wear yellow on this day to help spread awareness if desired.***

P&C Colour Run – Reminders for Friday (12 September)

🎉🌈 Get Ready for the Most Colourful Day of the Year! 🌈🎉
The Willows State School P&C's Colour Fun Run is happening on Friday, September 12, and it’s going to be a blast!

🏆 Top Fundraising Class Wins:

• 🎪 VIP Tent Access! Chill in your own exclusive VIP tent on the day.
• 🍿 VIP Treatment! Snacks, drinks, shade, and superstar status!

🏆 Top Fundraising Students in each class will go into the draw to:

• 💦 SLIME a TEACHER! That’s right – you could be one of the lucky students who gets to slime one of our brave teachers!

Reminders before the day

• Students are not permitted to run without the designated consent form being signed.
• Students will not be permitted to run in their The Willows State School Uniform Shirt.
• A white or light-coloured shirt is recommended or any old clothes from home will be suitable.
• An old towel should be brought for students travelling on buses.
• A plastic bag to hold wet and coloured clothes should be brought to school.
• A broad brimmed or bucket hat must be worn.
• Students with light coloured hair may choose to wear a shower or swim cap to prevent the colour transferring to their hair.
• Students will receive sunglasses which must be worn.
• All students must wear appropriate closed in and secure shoes to participate. NO CROCS
• Parents are most welcome to come and spectate.

The Schedule for the afternoon is as below:

Important Changes to Blue Card Requirements – Effective 20 September, 2025

From 20 September 2025, the rules around which parent volunteers require a Blue Card are changing.

Parents volunteering in activities that their own child is participating in will generally not need a Blue Card. However, there are important exceptions. A Blue Card will be required if:

• The volunteering activity does not involve your own child.
• The volunteering is to attend overnight excursions or camps.
• The volunteering role includes close personal contact with another child.
• The parent is a restricted person.

This change may affect parents who assist with activities such as the Mother’s Day and Father’s Day stalls, Colour Run, Gardening, or other school events where their child is not directly participating.

If you are a parent and plan to volunteer for activities not covered by the new exemption rules, you must hold a Blue Card linked to The Willows State School by 20 September 2025.

For details on how to apply for a volunteer Blue Card, please visit the Blue Card Services website:
https://www.qld.gov.au/law/laws-regulated-industries-and-accountability/queensland-laws-and-regulations/regulated-industries-and-licensing/blue-card-services            

We encourage all families who regularly volunteer to review these changes to ensure compliance before the deadline.

If you require any assistance with this process, please contact Barbara Anderson, Business Manager on 4799 1333.

REMINDER: Year 1 Phonics Check

This year the Department of Education introduced a universal screening tool from the Literacy Hub (Year 1 Phonics Check) to be administered to all Year 1 students.  This check will be conducted at The Willows State School across Week 9 and Week 10 of this term. Please find some further information about this below:

What is the Year 1 Phonics Check?

In Year 1 your child’s teacher is able to use the quick and easy Phonics Check to better understand the phonics knowledge of their students. The Check looks at how well your child can 'decode' written words. The teacher will listen to how the child sounds out the letter and letter groups and how they blend these sounds together from left to right to make words.

The Phonics Check helps your child's teacher and the school to confirm whether your child is making their expected progress in reading. Teachers and schools can then use this information to inform their teaching program.

How does the Phonics Check work?

• Your child will sit with a teacher they know and be asked to read up to 40 words aloud.
• These words are a mix of real words and made-up words (sometimes called 'pseudo words', 'non-words' or 'nonsense words').
• Your child may have read some of the words before, while others, like the made-up words will be completely new.
• The Phonics Check normally takes just a few minutes to complete and is carefully designed not to be stressful. There is no set time limit for it and if your child is struggling, the teacher will stop.

What words are in the Phonics Check?

The Phonics Check includes a mix of real words and non-words. The teacher will tell your child before the Phonics Check that there will be made-up words that they will not have seen before. Children might be familiar with this because many schools already use non-words when they teach phonics.

Non-words are important to include because words such as ‘vap' or ‘jound' are new to all children. Children cannot read the pseudo words by using their memory or vocabulary; they have to use their decoding skills. This is a fair way to assess their ability to decode.

After the Phonics Check

Your child's teacher can tell you about your child's progress in phonics and their results from the Phonics Check. If your child has found the check difficult, the teacher should also tell you what support has been put in place to help them improve. The check ensures that teachers understand which children need extra help with phonic decoding.

Remember that all children are individuals and develop at different rates.

You can find some great ideas for supporting your child to read through phonics in our resources to support reading at home.

Supporting the Phonics Check at home

Here is a list of words similar to the ones used in the school Phonics Check. You can practice these words at home with your child. To help you, here is a guide to how your child should pronounce the words. Make any comments or any questions you have on the pronunciation guide as your child reads the words. You can then discuss your observations with your child’s teacher.

Let your child know that some of the words are real and some are made-up words. The made-up words are the names of the friendly monsters pictured next to the made-up words.

Try to choose a time when your child is feeling happy and relaxed. It is important that your child feels good about their efforts in reading the words to you.

Your child’s teacher will explain the different letter sounds and letter–sound combinations your child has been learning in class. They will be able to tell you what you can expect your child to know and how you can help them improve their knowledge of letter sound relationships and reading at home. You might like to ask how you can support your child to take the next step in reading.

Extra-Curricular Activities – Eisteddfod – Week 9 and 10

Over Week 9 and 10 a large number of our students will be participating in Eisteddfod performances.  I wish all of our participating musicians and singers the very best and look forward to sharing news of their achievements in future newsletters. I know they will represent our school with pride. Thanks to our Music Specialist Teacher, Mrs Fiona Coleman, and our Instrumental Music Teachers, for their passion, energy and commitment to helping develop our young musicians and singers to be the very best they can be. Please ensure all school communication regarding rehearsals and permissions for these events are noted to avoid disappointment for your child.

Term 3, Week 10 - 75 Star Rewards

75 Star Rewards sessions are held twice per term – at the conclusion of Week 5 and Week 10. To be eligible to participate, students must have accumulated 75 Stars on their Star Chart – star stamps are provided to students by staff for following school rules, expectations and routines.

I am looking forward to seeing a significant number of students next week being successful in attaining participation in this PBL positive acknowedgement activity for their efforts in Term 3.

2026 ENROLMENTS – NOW OPEN FOR ALL YEAR LEVELS 

Our school is now taking enrolments for the 2026 school year, please get your enrolment forms in early, to inform school planning. Should you know of friends or family looking to join our great school, please inform them that they are also most welcome to contact the school for further information and to obtain an enrolment package.

Prospective 2026 Prep students and parents/caregivers may like to consider attending a Willows Warriors Pre-Prep Program session on a Wednesday to support the transition and orientation process to school. Please contact our school office to obtain further information about this free program.

Is your Prep to Year 5 student transferring to another school in 2026?

We would appreciate early notice if your child, or children, will be transferring to another school in 2026. Please inform the office by phone on 47 991 333 OR email admin@thewillowsss.eq.edu.au at your earliest convenience.

The Willows State School Attendance Strategy – Every Day Counts!

School attendance is compulsory under the Education Act.  If children are going to be absent from school for any reason parents are requested to inform the school by phoning 47 991 333 or emailing admin@thewillowsss.eq.edu.au.  Students are encouraged to come to school every day they are well enough to attend – so much new learning occurs every day.  We have 7 school days left in this term and plenty of learning and school events to participate in each day.  Our whole school attendance % currently sits at 89.7% YTD, striving for 90%+.

SPRING HOLIDAYS FORWARD NOTIFICATION

Just a reminder that school will conclude for Term 3 on Friday, 19 September. We will look forward to seeing everyone back at school happy and healthy on Tuesday, 7 October for the commencement of an action-packed Term 4.

This year, the Queensland King’s Birthday public holiday will be Monday, 6 October (first day of Week 1 of Term 4.)

***ADVANCE REMINDER:  The school tuckshop will be closed on Friday, 19 September for cleaning and will re-open on Tuesday, 7 October.***

Have another wonderful NQ Spring week – stay healthy and happy. 

Thank you for your ongoing strong positive partnership with us in your child’s education.

Our final newsletter for Term 3 will be issued on Wednesday, 17 September.

Warm regards,

Michelle Donn
Principal

Upcoming Events

Year Level Parade Times

Permission Forms

Whole School Colour Run – Friday, 12 September

Year 2 Riverway Excursion – Monday, 15 September

Year 5 Beach and Water Safety Excursion – Thursday, 18 September

Positive Behaviour Learning (Safe, Respectful, Responsible)

Fortnightly Focus

The new fortnightly focus is ‘Find a Solution. Talk it Out. Meet in the Middle.’ The expectation at TWSS is when there’s a conflict, we talk it out calmly and respectfully, work together to find a solution, and meet in the middle by making fair compromises.

When conflict arises, finding a solution is important. It is important to try and understand each person’s point of view by talking it out honestly and calmly. This helps people to understand and decide what they can do to fix it. Instead of ignoring the issue or getting angry, people communicate to understand each other and work through the problem. Finally, compromise or agree to something halfway between both sides.

When two people want different things, they both give up a little and agree on something that’s fair for both.

We are encouraging students to follow these three steps when solving conflicts:

1. Find a solution to the problem.
2. Talk it out to understand each other.
3. Meet in the middle if you both want different things.

R U OK DAY – Thursday, 11 September

R U OK day is this Thursday 11 September. This is a day to encourage connection and action, to check in on others and promote wellbeing. As educators we can teach our learners to identify their emotions, what emotions look like for themselves and other people.

On Thursday, there will be activities in S POD for students to engage with.

***Students and Staff will be able to wear a sun safe yellow t-shirt on this day to help spread awareness and promote conversation. NO GOLD DONATION REQUIRED***

75 Star Rewards – Week 10

Next week we will be celebrating the students who have been frequently caught being Safe, Respectful and Responsible. Below is a proposed timetable for Week 10. Changes may occur next week if needed.

No Icy Cups for Sale on Wednesdays Week 9 and 10

Icy cups will not be sold in Week 9 and 10 due to the 3 Way Conversations and the Colour Run. They will be sold again in Week 2, Term 4. Thanks for your support this term.

Deadly Choices

Our Term 3 groups for Deadly Choices have been completed.

We want to give a big thanks to Codee from TAIHS who runs the Deadly Choices program, our Year 5 students loved it this term.

P and C News

Tuckshop – Rainbow Red Food Day (12 September)

Defence News

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

I will be on leave in week 10, so have a wonderful holiday and I’ll see you in Term 4.

We have had an action packed week here at school and I have been visiting with students for a chat and discussing what moving to a new school looks like. There are lots of great ways to introduce students to the positive effects of moving to a new location. It is important to remember to be POSITIVE when you talk about moving. Meeting new friends, going to new places to play and eat and maybe being closer to family and old friends. When you have secured a house or close to, reach out to the Education Liaison Officer in the state. Search schools in the area then contact the school for enrolment forms and reach out to the DSM at the school. Contact the DSM before you arrive. Please reach out to me if you would like more details or guidance.

The attached flyer provides information that can support you and your family with the transition into a new school. Details include how to contact the Education Liaison Officer at DMFS which are an advisory service designed to inform Defence families on relocation and schools.

This week in Defence Room the challenge was, “What can I make with one cup of Lego?”. Very creative minds and lots of fun. Everyone is having fun in the Defence Room, so please remind students to call in and say Hello! OPEN - MONDAY, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAYS First Break for Prep to Year 2 and Second Break Year 3 to 6. Games, craft, Lego and lots of fun and laughs.

Check out the DMFS Newsletter for what’s happening in the holidays.

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. 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.

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 Townsville, is a fun organisation that 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 the website www.kookaburrakids.org.au   

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

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. See Facebook or phone 4411 7031.

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

IMPORTANT EVENTS/DATES TO REMEMBER

Child of the ADF Medallion Ceremony

Come join us for a special medallion ceremony to honour the children of our ADF members. This in-person event will take place at the Wirraway Club at RAAF Base Townsville. This event is a small but important way of recognising the children who go through the emotional, and at times, difficult experience of having a loved one serve in the ADF. Participation in the Child of the ADF Medallion program is open to all recognised dependents of full time ADF members aged up to 18 years of age. Children are only eligible to obtain the medallion once, so if they have already received a Child of the ADF Medallion here in Townsville, or any other location, please do not register them again.

When:             Friday, 19 September

Time:               5.30pm – 7.00pm

Where:            Wirraway Club, RAAF Base Townsville

Tickets:           Eventbrite – Child of the ADF Medallion Ceremony

***This event fills quickly so register now***

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 or walk in  

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

Dirty Boots 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

DFA (Defence Families of Australia) NQ Delegate Eden Santos 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 Wednesday or email me cwhee36@eq.edu.au

Have an awesome week!

WISHING YOU A WONDERFUL DAD’S DAY!!!

Correna Wheeler
Defence School Mentor

Community News

Dancenorth School Holiday Workshop

During the upcoming school holidays, Dancenorth will be offering a day of workshops to primary and secondary students with an interest in movement and dance making.

Exploring relationship to place, the now and their future selves. Join the Dancenorth Community Experience team and performance maker, Andy Dexterity for these vibrantly creative school holiday workshops.

Fuelled by your own imagination, you will be encouraged to explore dance-making with a sense of courage, wonder and individuality. Be gently guided through the making process in a safe, judgement-free environment as you create a dance performance to share with family and friends, if you choose.

Participants will be encouraged to dream big, let go of limitations and share their ideas through the magic of movement.

Workshop schedule:

Date:               Saturday 4 October 2025
Time:              Primary students 9.00am – 11.30pm

Secondary students 12.30pm – 3.00pm

***Both workshops include a 30-minute break***

Location:       Dancenorth Theatre, Corner of Stanley & Walker St, Townsville City
Cost:               $0 - $20
Register:        Registration link:https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1456501