14 April 2016

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Dear parents and friends,

Welcome back to yet another busy term of rich and varied activities. Some of the activities we are having this term include;

• Life Education
• Bus It Safe
• 3 Way Conversations
• ANZAC Day Ceremony
• School Photos
• Season 2 sport
• Education Week
• Music Gala Night
• Athletics Carnival
• NAIDOC Assembly
• Choral Workshops

Of course there are many more activities than this and your child’s class teacher will let you know of specific class based or year level activities. All of this adds to the dynamic nature of what our school offers your child. We encourage all of our students to engage with as many activities they can as we strive to offer a balanced education.

Investing for Success Funding

Our school this year received Investing for Success funding which has been of significant benefit to our students. This substantial funding is additional to the school grant and enables schools to provide programs that enhance student learning outcomes based on the needs of our school community.

As a school, we have focused the majority of this additional funding on programs for students in the early years. This strategy is backed by research which suggests that early intervention to support the development of literacy and numeracy skills provides long-term benefits for learners and for society.

The Investing for Success funding is provided by the Federal Government and was originally known as ‘Students First’ funding, which was instigated in response to the Gonski Review of School Funding. The Gonski Review was the most extensive investigation of school funding for almost 40 years. Commissioned by the Government in 2010 and chaired by businessman David Gonski, the review panel received more than 7000 submissions, visited 39 schools, and consulted 71 education groups across Australia. The Gonski report identified the need to provide all schools with a base level of funding and to provide schools with additional funding to cater for additional student needs.

The Investing for Success (previously called Great Results Guarantee) funding is a step towards such a needs-based model. For this reason, schools with greater numbers of students with high level learning needs receive significantly more funding than schools in areas with fewer such students.

Not all states in Australia have allocated this additional federal funding directly to schools. In Queensland, the Investing for Success funding has allowed schools the opportunity to initiate programs for students that were simply not possible in the past.

As a result of the programs we have implemented at The Willows State School using this funding over the past two years, we have noted a significant improvement in students’ results in reading and writing. This was also reflected in student diagnostic testing results as well as other standardised tests.

The Willows State School is utilising the 2016 Investing for Success funding ($274,285) in the following ways to enhance student learning:

• Increase Year 3 NAPLAN National Minimum Standard (NMS) results in Reading from 91.7% in 2015, to 94% in 2016
• Increase Year 3 NAPLAN Upper 2 Bands in Reading from 39.1% in 2015, to 43% in 2016
• Increase Year 3 NAPLAN NMS results in Writing from 96.8% in 2015, to 97% in 2016
• Increase Year 3 NAPLAN Upper 2 Bands in Writing from 41.4% in 2015, to 45% in 2016
• Increase staff capability in the teaching of Reading and Writing

The Investing for Success funding for this year and next year was announced in 2015. We are unsure at this point what will happen beyond 2017. Educators across the country remain hopeful that all federal political parties will identify education as a key federal election issue, and ensure that the needs-based model proposed by Gonski will be fully implemented into the future. This would ensure that schools have long-term funding certainty to continue to support learners, especially those most in need.

At the local level, long-term funding certainty would enable programs such as those above to be continued or expanded in our school community.

Yours in dynamic education
Jeff

ASSEMBLY

The next assemblies are ….

* Senior Assembly (3-6)  on Friday the 15th of April

* Whole School Assembly – Anzac Day Ceremony on Friday the 22nd of April

* Senior Assembly (3-6)  on Friday the 29th of April

* Junior Assembly (P-2) on Friday the 6th of May

CYBERSAFETY

CLASS PHOTOS

Class photos will be taken on Wednesday 27th April and Thursday 28th April. Envelopes were sent home this week. Please check with your child if they have not given an envelope to you.

Please note that payment can only be made by cash or online (for students with a pre-printed envelope). Sibling photos can only be paid by cash. Please place the correct money in the envelopes. The school is only a collection point for the envelopes and is unable to accept EFTPOS payments or give any change.

Sibling photo envelopes can be picked up from the office.

Envelopes need to be returned on or before photograph day.

Check that your child’s details are correct on the envelope and make any corrections in red.

BUS IT SAFE

A reminder that the Bus it Safe program will be at our school Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week. This is a free program designed to teach key safety objectives:

• How to wait safely for a bus
• How to board a bus safely
• How to behave safely on the bus
• How the consequences of unsafe behaviour impacts on both the driver and other passengers
• Brief overview of the Code Of Conduct for students travelling on school buses developed by DTMR & DETE
• The dangers of blindspots for both students and the driver
• How to get off the bus safely

The lesson is conducted in the bus with the driver present creating an interactive realistic learning environment for the students. This year the program will be delivered to Prep, Year 1, Year 3 and Year 5.

CHAPPY CHAT

I hope you had a wonderful time over the Easter break.

Thank you for your support with the Chappy Sausage Sizzle at the end of term one. It was truly humbling to see so much support. We raised over $1000 to go toward the Chaplaincy program. Thank you!

We also celebrated Harmony Day where I was able to tell and show many of our students just what it means to be harmonious and to go about our days showing love and kindness to everyone we meet, not just those who are familiar to us.

We have Chappy Week coming up in Week 6. Last year was a great celebration of the role of the Chaplain and I hope this year continues to do that and more. Stay tuned for details!

At the end of term one I was able to participate in some amazing professional development that I believe will help to continue to flesh out my role and purpose in this school.

I will be running a Triple P Group program starting April 28th here at school. There are limited spots available. Triple P stands for Positive Parenting Program and it is a great resource to add to your parenting toolkit. It will be a free program held after school time one day a week for a number of weeks. If this format doesn’t work for you, contact me at the school. Head to this website for more info and some useful tips - http://www.triplep.net/glo-en/home/

Hoping you all have a wonderful Term 2.

And now a little encouraging quote, celebrating the release of the new Batman movie –

“It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.”
– Batman from Batman Begins

Chappy Libbie

ICAS

About International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS)

International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) are independent skills-based assessments with a competition element. The assessments include English, Science and Maths tests.

ICAS provides an opportunity for all students in Years 2 to 12 to gain a measure of their own achievement in an external testing situation.

All students receive a certificate and an individual student report indicating which questions they answered correctly.

Your child is invited to participate in ICAS in 2016.

The closing date for permission slip return and entry fee is 22 April 2016.

For more information contact our HOC, Mrs Meikle.

The entry fee per student and dates of the tests are as follows:

• Science – 31 May 2016 ($8.00)
• English – 2 August 2016 ($8.00)
• Mathematics – 16 August 2016 ($8.00)

If you would like your child to participate in the ICAS please complete the attached permission slip and return it to the office with payment.

2016 ICAS.docx

IT’S COOL TO BE AT SCHOOL!!

If your child came home in the last week of term one with a blue and pink wristband, then he/she has reached our school Attendance Goal (95 – 100%)!! Hope it wasn’t lost over the hols….Please encourage them to wear the wristband each day at school this term.

Every day counts, whether your child is in Prep or Year 6! To promote increased attendance and acknowledge those students who attend 95 – 100% each term, a colourful ‘Cool to be at School’ wristband will be given to students. At the end of Week 10, those students with 95 – 100% attendance for Term 2 will receive the next colourful band (yellow…?).

Who will be the Attendance Class of the Term??? (the class with the most wristbands) In Term 1 it was 4EVA, but with your child’s help it could be his or her class this term!

FUN RUN

A huge THANK YOU to everyone for helping with the Fun Run and making it such a successful carnival. We again battled through the heat and humid conditions with lots of ice, cool water and ice blocks consumed and through all this students were again well behaved and had a wonderful time participating in their events.

 Once again our ‘Dynamic’ team of teachers and support staff helped make it such a wonderful day and the carnival ran like clockwork.  The carnival had a fantastic atmosphere and it was good to see so many parents and our school community come together. Having some parents run with the younger students was great to see.

LOST PROPERTY

All lost property will be displayed outside the tuckshop next Tuesday 19th April. Any unclaimed unnamed items will be given to charity.

PREP PHOTOS

The Prep class photos will be printed in a booklet inserted into the Townsville Bulletin on Friday 22nd April.

DEFENCE AND MOBILE FAMILIES

Welcome to All Families,

Welcome back to Term 2

ANZAC MERCHANDISE

Over the next two weeks Year 6 students will be selling ANZAC badges, stickers and wristbands ranging from 50c-$5. Stock is limited so get in early.

ANZAC DAY CEREMONY

This year our annual ANZAC Ceremony will be held in The Carol Buchanan Centre, Friday 22nd April from 2pm. Families and guests are invited to attend our special event. The students involved have been working very hard to make this a very professionally run ceremony. We hope to see you there.

The March will return to Thuringowa this year and we would love to see all our students, especially our student leaders attend for what is a fabulous morning.

The March will begin from The Willows Shopping Centre carpark on Thuringowa Drive from 10am, Monday 25th April. Students will be expected to wear full school uniform and hat. Please ensure that your student has a full water bottle with them.. The march will proceed down Thuringowa Drive to the Cenotaph outside the council building. A short ceremony will take place with the event finishing around 11.30am. If you would like further information please contact your Defence Aides.

TUTORING

Education Allowance Scheme – Remember it’s never too early to begin tutoring. You have 18 months from your posting date to take advantage of the Education Assistance. Don’t leave it until it’s too late. Tutoring can begin at any time of the year for students so be sure to take advantage of this scheme before your 18 months ends.

Well done to all those students who have got straight into tutoring. We know you will be well rewarded for all your hard work. Remember to get tutoring started soon so you do not miss out on entitlements. This assistance is very valuable for your children. Most children find it builds confidence and they enjoy it very much. This scheme is aimed at minimising the disruption to a child’s schooling, caused as a result of a defence posting. Reimbursement can be provided for tuition for primary and secondary students within the first 18 months of enrolment at the new school. The entitlement is 14 weeks at 1 hour per week per subject. Forms are available online or from the DSTA here at school. There is a list of teachers available for tutoring before and after school. Please ask your teacher or email your DSTA for further details

SPOUSE PASS FOR LAVARACK BARRACKS

Please find attached forms to obtain a spouse pass to enable entry to Lavarack Barracks. This will allow spouses to attend functions, activities and services on base. Simply download and fill in the attached application form and follow these instructions:

1. Contact pass office to make a booking 4411 8812
2. Contact Geckos on 4411 1741 to arrange for them to greet you at the gate.

Alternatively, see Louise or Correna in L Pod for assistance and forms.

DCO INFORMATION

Sign up for the DCO mailing list to ensure you receive a Calendar of Events, the Gone Troppo magazine (a must have) and any relevant DCO information for our Defence Families. It is essential to be on the mailing list as information cannot be forwarded due to the privacy regulations. Find attached the mailing list authority form.

AUTISM QUEENSLAND WORKSHOPS

A presentation for families supporting individuals with ASD

Additional information for other family programs from Northern Connect Centacare

KIDS CLUB

Kids Club is held every Monday and Tuesday during FIRST break on the verandah of the Outside School Care building. Kids Club is filled with exciting activities ranging from colouring in, board and card games, trucks and cars, and various craft activities each week.

Kids Club is a great way for children to get to know each other in a friendly, supervised environment. Please encourage them to come along and have some fun. They are welcome to bring a friend with them.

DEPLOYMENTS AND ABSENCES

Please make sure you let your Teacher, the Office and DSTA know if you have a member away. We like to ensure all students are supported during what can be a challenging time and allow them the chance to share their experiences with other students going through similar events. Additionally, if you are having difficulties or would like a chat, come in and see us or contact us via phone or email.

Your Defence Aides are located in L Pod behind the Outside School Building and families are most welcome to drop by any time for a chat. The lovely ladies at the office can direct you or give us a call if you would like our assistance. Again, please make contact as we are here to help in any way we can.

CONTACTS

Defence Community Organisation is available to all Defence members and their families. Contact can be made on 1800 624 608 24 hours.

Veterans and Veterans Families – 1800 011 046 www.dva.gov.au/vvcs

DFA Defence Families of Australia – 1800 100 509 www.dfa.org.au

National Delegate for Northern Queensland - nth.qld@dfa.org.au

Remember Louise and Correna are available morning and afternoon. Parents and students are very welcome to stop by L Pod or contact us via email or phone as listed below.

The Office on 47 991 333 ext 323 via e-mail - Louise on   lwhit325@eq.edu.au or Correna Wheeler cwhee36@eq.edu.au

Kind Regards,
Louise White and Correna Wheeler