23 July 2025

Principal’s Pride

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,

Welcome to Week 2 of Term 3. It was an absolute pleasure last week to re-connect with staff and students. It was also pleasing to see students in Week 1 transitioning in a safe, responsible and respectful manner around the school. Thank you for your partnership in reiterating with your child school rules, routines and conduct expectations to assist us to continue to maintain a safe, calm and productive school learning environment for all throughout the term. 

Thank you for your support of our NAIDOC Week activities last week. Special thanks to our Cultural Captains (Eva and Harleim) and our staff NAIDOC Committee for their coordination of these.  There were many colourful and artistic NAIDOC shirts on display last Friday. Later in this newsletter you can see some photos of our students engaged in their NAIDOC activities last week. These were also shared with our school community via our school Facebook page. 

This week our Preps celebrated 100 days of Prep (Monday), our Inter-House Athletics Carnival Age Champions were announced (Monday), our Year 6 students will head off to Magnetic Island for their annual Year 6 Camp (Wednesday-Friday), a number of students will participate in Challenge Games (Thursday) and our Year 5 students have a visit from the Brighter Futures STEM Project Team.

Athletics Carnival

Winning House

Team Spirit Winner

Age Champions

Academic Excellence Awards – Semester 1

The Semester 1 Academic Excellence Awards will be held in WEEK 3 on Tuesday, 29 July.  Parents of student award recipients should have now received an invitation to this event. We look forward to seeing as many parents/caregivers attending as possible to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of their children.

The Academic Excellence Awards CRITERIA are as follows:

Bronze Award – 3 or 4 ‘A’ ratings
Silver Award – 5 or 6 ‘A’ ratings
Gold Award – 7 or more ‘A’ ratings
Academic Excellence Medallion – Straight ‘A’ ratings

2025 School Opinion Survey – Parents/Caregivers

The annual suite of School Opinion Surveys will be conducted in Term 3.  All families, school staff and students (Year 5 and 6 only) will be invited to participate. We encourage you to take this opportunity to have your say about what our school does well and how we can improve.

This year the Department of Education is running the state-wide School Opinion Survey process for staff, students and parents/caregivers similarly to 2024 procedures.  I have included some information about this below for your reference:

• Families with one or more enrolled children at our school will receive one invitation to complete the survey. The parent/caregiver to receive the invitation is selected based on information and email addresses in OneSchool. 
• Participation is by invitation only. There is no generic survey link that can be used by all parents. Each link is unique and can only be used once by the parent. One parent per family will receive the survey link via email.  No logins or passwords are needed.
• Parent survey invitations will be sent over a number of days in the week beginning Monday, 21 July. The survey will close on 22 August. The survey can be completed as soon as the invitation has been received.
• The survey invitation email uses the subject line: School Opinion Survey for parents/caregivers, 2025; parents should check junk email folders if it can’t be found. The email will come from the Department of Education, not the school.
• The survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete using a computer, tablet or smart phone.
• Parents/caregivers who do not have access to the internet at home are welcome to complete their survey online at school. School computers/tablets can be made available upon request if needed.
• Translations of the Parent/Caregiver Survey are available online at https://intranet.qed.qld.gov.au/ResourceCentre/Statistics/schoolopinionsurveys/Pages/forms.aspx

Queensland Government Reading Commitment being enacted at TWSS

Learning to read is life-changing, with almost everything we do in society involving reading and writing.

In Queensland state schools, we teach students the vital components of reading (word reading and language comprehension) in a sequential order. This occurs across all learning areas and year levels, through the Australian Curriculum.

In October 2023, Queensland announced a new Reading Commitment to teach reading consistently using an evidence-informed approach. This approach to reading has been shown as the most effective and efficient way to teach all students to read. Updates to the Australian Curriculum closely align with this reading research and present a unique opportunity for Queensland to refine how we teach reading.

Learning to read is a complex process. As reading is not a naturally developing skill, such as walking or talking, all students need to be taught to read words and understand the language of written texts.

It takes years of learning and practice to become a skilled reader. Texts we read also become more complex as we get older. This is why we teach reading from Prep to Year 10.

In Queensland state schools we teach reading every day, in every classroom. This occurs in English and other learning areas as students read and engage with a variety of texts.

Our evidence-informed approach to reading includes systematic synthetic phonics and word study to strengthen students’ word reading skills.

We build students’ language comprehension by reading and discussing texts, as well as teaching background knowledge, vocabulary and other important skills.

Our partnerships for reading

Before children come to school, families build oral language which is the foundation for reading.

At each stage of schooling, families and carers play an important role in supporting children to read and learn about the world around them.

As a department, we acknowledge that teaching reading is everyone’s work.

Thank you for your support of your student’s reading proficiency journey.  Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher if you have any queries about how reading is

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 currently just under 90%. We are committed to maximising learning days for all students to ensure the best possible learning and life outcomes can be achieved. 

Having problems getting your child to school for some of these reasons?

• won’t get out of bed in the morning
• won’t go to bed at night
• can’t find their uniform, books, school bag
• slow to eat breakfast
• haven’t done their homework
• watching TV
• have a test or presentation to do, have an assignment to hand in
• it’s their birthday.

A set routine can help

• have a set time to go to bed
• have a set time to get out of bed
• have uniform and school bag ready the night before
• have a set time for starting and finishing breakfast
• set a time for daily homework activities
• speak about school positively
• be firm, send your child to school every school day including their birthday and the last day of term

Please contact the school to speak with your child’s class teacher or relevant Deputy Principal in the first instance should you require any support with school attendance.

ADVANCE NOTIFICATION: State-wide Student Free Day – Friday, 5 September (Week 8)

The Term 3 Student Free Day (SFD) has been scheduled by the Department of Education for Friday, 5 September.  Please note this date in your calendars – there will be no school for students on this day.

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 if possible, 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 and the availability of spaces.

A 2026 Prep Bulk Enrolment Session will be held on Thursday afternoon, 21 August (Week 6) for all families who have submitted completed paperwork.

2026 BYOx Expression of Interest Process

As you may be aware, The Willows State School implemented a Bring Your Own Device (BYOx) program into Year 4 to 6 from the commencement of the 2022 school year. The Willows State School will continue to build on the offering of BYOx teaching and learning programs in Year 4, 5 and 6 in 2026.

Over the next few weeks, letters will be distributed to all current students in Years 3-5 regarding arrangements for 2026. As in previous years, BYOx Parent Information Sessions will be offered in Term 3 and early Term 4 and reminders will be distributed advising interested families of these dates and times. For your advance notice, the Term 3 BYOx Parent Information Session currently scheduled to be held in the TCBC Conference Room will be held on Tuesday, 19 August at 5:00pm.

Have a wonderful week. Our next newsletter for Term 3 will be issued on Wednesday, 30 July.

Warm regards,

Michelle Donn
Principal

Upcoming Events

Year Level Parade Times

Curriculum News

General News

Reading Celebrations at The Willows

Term 3 is always an exciting time for lovers of reading at our school! We have our amazing Book Week celebrations towards the end of the term as well as the ongoing Premier’s Reading Challenge. The Reading Challenge concludes on August 22^nd, with all forms due back in to the library at this time. This means we only have 4 more weeks to go to fill up those record sheets!

Luckily, the amazing workers at SORA have created some digital reading collections for students to access and what better time to explore different collections than when you are completing a reading challenge?

Students can log in to their SORA account by following the instructions below. Happy reading!

Positive Behaviour Learning (Safe, Respectful, Responsible)

FORTNIGHTLY FOCUS

Welcome back, we hope the students had a wonderful winter break.

The Fortnightly Focus to start Term 3 ‘We know what’s cool... We follow the rules!’ delivers the message that at The Willows State School students follow the school rules to keep everyone safe and show respect for others. This makes it easier for everyone to learn and teaches students to be responsible.

Students follow instructions of adults at our school the ‘First time, every time,’ and focus on being in the right place at the right time. We use correct bathroom etiquette when visiting the toilets, walk calmly around the school using the pathways and leave school directly to the gates via the pathways safely.

NAIDOC WEEK

We celebrated the 2025 NAIDOC theme The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, and Legacy last week at TWSS.

🌟We would like to acknowledge and thank our school NAIDOC Committee for all their work in not only coordinating the NAIDOC Whole School Assembly held last Tuesday morning, but also organising the range of activities that students completed in classrooms and at break times throughout the week.

🌟Look at the smiles on all the faces of the students engaged with the activities.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 32

Next

Defence News

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

Last week was a very busy week with moving the Defence Room in L Pod to the Prep room.

Thank you for the support I received from students in helping me to unpack and set up the room. Please remind students that I have moved and they are very welcome to visit and see our new Defence Room. 

Defence Room is open first break for Prep to Year 2 and second break for Year 3 to 6. Defence students are encouraged to come along and bring a friend. Contact me with any questions or concerns.

This time is busy for Defence members and can be challenging for all families so remember to Stay Positive and don’t be afraid to reach out! Call me or email me anytime. I am here from 8am Monday to Wednesday each week, parents are also invited to call in to say Hi and have a look at our new room.

PLEASE NOTE - 2025 Adjustment to ADF Housing in 2025, following the annual review of housing contribution costs, an increase of 9 per cent will be applied to GRS contributions for service residences and rent allowance. The increase will take effect on 17 July 2025 and ADF personnel receiving a subsidy for housing costs will have their pay amended to reflect the increase on 31 July 2025 (update is from DMFS July newsletter).

I have also introduced a “Borrow A Bear” program. In the morning, Defence students are welcome to stop by my room to sign out a bear for the day. This was commenced in Term 2 and was very popular with those students who had a loved one away. The bear stays with them in class for support and cuddles and is returned to me at second break or at the end of the day. It’s been a huge hit for all ages.

ADF FAMILY HEALTH PROGRAM – Free Card. 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) www.dsng.org.au or call 1800 037 674. 

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   

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     https://whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au

IMPORTANT EVENTS/DATES TO REMEMBER

Free Activity Day – Kookaburra Kids

Where:            Kingpin Townsville

When:             Saturday, 26 July, 2025

Time:               9.00am to 3.00pm

Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 Community Day

Grab the family and enjoy a day full of entertainment and fun at the Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 Community Day on Saturday 2 August from 10am – 4pm at Riverway.

Check out the military vehicles on display including armoured vehicles from Australian Defence Force and international partners whilst enjoying performances by the 1RAR Band & 3RAR Pipes and Drums.

Stroll through the exhibitors and stalls, featuring capability displays, mascots, camouflage face painting, and more, or grab a delicious bite to eat from our local food trucks.

For more information on the event, visit Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 Community Day | What's On Townsville

            Where:            Riverway Precinct, Kirwan

            When:             Saturday, 2August, 2025

            Time:               10.00am to 4.00pm

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!

Correna Wheeler
Defence School Mentor

Pitch News

Music News – Issue 11 Term 3 Week 1 / 2

Welcome back to another very busy Term 3! It’s amazing to think we’re already halfway through the year. It’s been wonderful to see students return with such energy and excitement for lessons and rehearsals as they prepare for the Townsville Annual Eisteddfod. Instrumental students have shown great dedication, working hard to improve their skills and that’s something to celebrate.

A big thank-you to all the parents for your ongoing support in ensuring your children remember their lessons, arrive on time for rehearsals, and are ready to go. By the end of Week 5, Eisteddfod notes should start making their way home, including details about buses and timetables. I’ll post the full information as soon as bus arrangements are confirmed. Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, 9th September through Monday, 15th September.

Please check that the Music Levy, which covers bus transport, has been paid. Students who haven't paid will be unable to attend. Attendance at all rehearsals is expected for everyone in the Instrumental and Choral programs. If your child must miss a rehearsal, please inform the ensemble teacher by email, phone, or note. Students with excessive absences may not receive an invitation to the Eisteddfod, and it’s always disappointing when someone can’t participate so let’s make sure they’re present, prepared, and ready.

Now's the time to keep practising and attending lessons — your efforts will truly shine on stage.

Remember to make sure your child is in the correct school music uniform for the event: navy-blue skorts, skirts, or shorts (for boys); white crew socks; black closed-in shoes; and hair accessories in teal, navy, or yellow/gold.

Any queries, please contact me to ask. Thanks again for your teamwork and enthusiasm this term. With this level of commitment, I’m sure we’ll shine at the Eisteddfod!

INSTRUMENTAL RECRUITING 2026

We're excited to announce that Instrumental Recruitment will begin a term earlier this year! If your child is interested in joining our Instrumental Music Program in 2026, applications were sent home last week.

• Year 2 students are eligible to apply for Strings only.
• Students in Year 3, 4 and 5 can apply for our Brass, Woodwind and Percussion programs.

Further information about the application process and the program itself will be provided in week 8 this term at our information session. Please mark your calendars and keep an eye out for important dates and updates

Date Claimer

Junior & Senior Choirs  

We’re excited to welcome several new children who joined both Junior and Senior Choir this week! As we begin preparing for upcoming events at the Eisteddfod, I’m delighted to see all students arriving punctually and with enthusiasm—especially after receiving wonderful feedback following their Gala Night and Fanfare performances last term.

This term we’ll be working on harmonies and pronunciations, while also introducing new repertoire, so attendance at rehearsals is vital. Senior Choir is also creating a fun novelty performance and will incorporate some fun actions while dressing up. I will keep you informed of what that will be and look like once we have more input from the Choral students.   

Music Shirts, Folders/Music, School Instruments/Fees

Please return your music shirt if you took it home after the Gala Night. Some are still outstanding! We need these back as soon as possible.

Musically Yours,
Fiona Coleman

Prep News

English

In English, Preps are learning to create a short, spoken text to retell and experience

Mathematics

In Mathematics, Preps are learning to name, create and sort shapes, giving reasons. Identify and compare the attributes of objects and events, including length, capacity, mass and duration, using direct comparisons.

Science

In Science, Preps are selecting materials to make a wind ornament suited to hanging outside. They hang the ornament outside for a period of time and then observe the suitability of the materials they chose. They share and reflect on their observations and other familiar outdoor objects.

HASS

In Hass this Semester, Preps are learning to identify, represent and describe the features of familiar places, and suggest ways to care for a special familiar place.

Sports Carnival / NAIDOC Week

Year One News

Welcome back to Year 1 for Term 3. We have had a very busy start to our term and a whole range of different out of class activities as well as starting our new units of learning.

In 1/2F, we've been busy understanding the purpose of procedures, how many different types of procedures we already know about and have started thinking about how we can explain the steps in different outside games we like. This will help us with our upcoming talks.

For Maths, we have started to investigate that measurement can be shown as length, mass and capacity. We spent a little bit of time so far looking just at length and how we can use blocks, paper clips and even string to determine which objects are longer or shorter than others.

Science this term will have us looking outside our classroom and into the environment around us. We have started describing the differences we see when looking outside during the daytime as opposed to nighttime. We realised it is so much easier to see lots of things in the day than we get to see at night! 

This week we also had the chance to join in with some fun NAIDOC activities being held around our school and we participated in our 2025 Athletics Carnival on Thursday.

Year Two News

In Year 2 English, we’ve begun exploring persuasive texts. Students are learning how to form opinions and use persuasive language to share their point of view. It’s been great to see their enthusiasm and creativity as we unpack what makes a piece of writing persuasive.

In Maths, we’ve started looking at shapes and measurement, and we’re also beginning to explore the concept of multiplication. The students are engaging well and enjoying the hands-on learning.

In Science, our focus is on push and pull forces. Students are particularly excited about building their own toy car as part of our project! Toward the end of the unit, we would love any donations of milk bottle tops, small boxes (cardboard or otherwise), and other similar craft materials to support the building process. If you're able to send any in, please bring them to the classroom.

Last week was a wonderful celebration of NAIDOC Week. We’ve been learning together in our classrooms, participated in special lunchtime activities, and enjoyed a fantastic NAIDOC parade.

We also held our Athletics Carnival last week. It was a great day full of fun, energy, and team spirit.

Year Three News

Welcome back! We hope you had a restful and fun-filled holiday break. We’re excited to jump into Term 3 with lots of great learning ahead.

This term in Maths, we’ll be focussing on key topics including multiplication and division, angles, fractions, 3D shapes, and measurement. This past week, we have been exploring the relationship between multiplication and division by creating ‘fact family’ triangles with related number sentences. Students had to create a community of ‘fact family’ houses.

Year Four News

This term in Year 4, we are learning to persuade an audience with a spoken text about an action to help protect renewable or non-renewable resources. Some of the Year 4 classes have started off this unit by needing to persuade their teacher to give their chairs back as the chairs quit! 

Dear Chairs,

I am so sorry about the way we have been treating you. I hope you will forgive us after this text. Reasons why you should come back is that we are super sorry, we promise we won’t do it again and if we do it again you don’t have to come to us.

Firstly, we need you to come back because without you none of us can do our work. Have you ever thought about why Jhon Green created you? He created you so that we could use you to help us learn. I know that with us on you we are heavy but that is what makes you special.

Secondly, you should come back because what would we do without you. Like you said, 2 legs can’t hold us for the whole six hours. Our legs are too short to hold our body for that long.

Lastly, it will be so unhygienic sitting on the rough, dirty carpet all day long, it will wreck our posture, and we will have poor backs when we are older. Without you we will get a carpet burn.

Surely you understand that we really need you back. Can you please come back. We won’t survive without you. Also, it will be unfair because all the rest of grade four get their chairs, but we don’t.

From Sophie

Year Five News

In Year 5, we are working full steam ahead across all learning areas as the term begins. Students are loving persuading their teachers in many different topics in English, gaining expert persuasive writing skills. These skills will assist them in their English task this term in which they have to convince an audience that their school community needs a new facility, service or activity.

In Maths, students are working hard with fractions while exploring the transfer of light in Science. Students are super excited about developing leadership skills with Buddies in Blue starting and are loving helping out with the younger students. We are excited for a fun filled Term 3 with lots of learning.

Year Six News

During Term 3, Year 6 will be exploring Fractions by designing a board game to include ‘Fraction Challenges’. This inquiry task draws on knowledge of percentages, chance and probability, as well as Mathematical Thinking.

To begin this unit, classes were exposed to several game designs and asked to evaluate them in terms of challenge and engagement. Many students were able to see the importance of having enough ‘short cut’, ‘challenge’ and ‘free spaces’ in their game devices.

Community News

Townsville Picnic Bay SLSC Sign On