14 July 2016

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Welcome back to Term 3. I would like to introduce myself. My name is Chris Anderson and I have been appointed as Acting Principal at ‘The Willows’ for Semester 2. I have been a Principal since 2001, serving at Julia Creek SS, Barkly Highway SS, and Mount Isa Central SS, and for the last 9 years at Bluewater SS. Prior to being a Principal I was a classroom teacher in Mount Isa for 7 years.

My wife, Michelle is the Deputy Principal at Belgian Gardens State School and our children Charlotte and Will, like all parents, are our world. We have made Townsville our home.

I am looking forward to the challenge of working at The Willows. I believe that it is important that learning happens when you challenge yourself in new environments. Although Bluewater has 430 students, the size of The Willows will be an exciting challenge.

I want to thank Mr Jones, Mrs Winter and Mrs Souter for welcoming me to the school. I am sure that I will learn a great deal from them as they will from me. I want to also welcome Mr Cameron Tod to the role of Deputy Principal.

As a Principal I believe that all people staff, parents and students have a fundamental right to be accountable for their own actions. Hopefully these actions, are for the betterment of learning, and the betterment of the community, self and others. I hope that we can ensure students leave The Willows or any school, as enthusiastic and intrinsically motivated lifelong learners. For this to happen, students need to be willing participants in their own learning process and the support people (teachers and parents), need to be encouraging them in every possible way. As the Principal I want to ensure that this happens.

I will be out and about so please feel free to stop and have a chat, or alternatively make an appointment at the office, especially if you wish to discuss any matters that are important to you or your child.

Regards
Chris

QPARENTS

Late last term QParents was made available for parents and carers of Year 5 students. 20% of Year 5 parents are now active users of this facility!

QParents will continue to be rolled out across our school, one year level at a time. Look out for information sheets that will be sent home with your children when it’s your turn!

NATIONAL COLLECTION OF DATA ON SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY

Collecting data on school students with disability helps teachers, principals and education authorities support the participation of students with disability in schooling on the same basis as students without disability.

All Australian Governments have agreed to work together on the annual collection of data on school students with disability.

All Australian schools participate in this annual data collection.

The data provided to the Australian Government is aggregated data only. Please be reassured that the Department will not provide on to another organisation any data that can identify an individual student. The only data being collected at the school level to be reported nationally is the:

• number of students in the school who are provided with an adjustment to address a disability;
• level of adjustments we provide for those students; and
• broad category of disability.

Consultation with parents is important not only for the data collection but also to ensure you are aware of the adjustments being provided to support your child. We will therefore continue to consult with you.

While only data that cannot identify your child will be submitted outside of the Department, if you do not wish for your child’s details to be included, please let me know.

Information and fact sheets are available to help you make a decision from the:

Alternatively, if you have any queries about the collection or use of this data I encourage you to contact me directly.

Claire Franklin
Head of Special Education Services

ASSEMBLY

The next assemblies are ….

• Senior Assembly (3-6) on Friday the 15th of July.
• Junior Assembly (P-2) on Friday the 22nd of July.
• Senior Assembly (3-6) on Friday the 29th of July.
• Junior Assembly (P-2) on Friday the 5th of August.

YEAR 6 CAMP

Our camp numbers have now been finalised and our year 6 students are leaving for camp next week. All students have received an information slip regarding drop off and pick up details. If students are required to take medication on the trip there is a form and details also included. Students who are not attending camp will be spread among the other year 6 classes remaining at school.

Please note that students may bring a snack for morning tea for the journey to Echo Creek. They will receive lunch on their arrival and they will be given a lunch to take with them on their departure. Students are asked not to bring lollies or electronic devices. If they would like to take photos they can but it must be using a camera, not a phone. Disposable cameras are usually a big hit. If you have any queries please contact Mrs Winter in the office.

LIFE EDUCATION

This year we are again offering students the option of engaging with Life Education”Talk About it” program regarding puberty. The school recognises that you are the primary educator of your child on issues surrounding their sexuality, however we believe we can work together to help children stay safe by encouraging healthy attitudes. The TALK ABOUT IT program by Life Education includes information on puberty incorporating physical growth and emotional changes, relationships and the concept of self. It is designed to help students understand and cope with this important phase of development. The lesson being conducted will focus on the physical, social and emotional changes experienced during puberty, and helping students understand and cope with this important phase of development.

This program will be run the week beginning the 1st of August i.e. week 4 of Term 3. The lessons will be taught by an experienced educator from Life Education. The classroom teacher will accompany their class and will also be present to assist. All students will initially be together and then boys and girls will be split to discuss more specific issues relating to the management of puberty. The cost of this program is $6 per student. Life Education has also offered to run a free Parent Workshop. The Parent Workshop will be held on Thursday the 28th of July at 5pm in TCBC Conference Room.

Permission forms have gone out to students and payment and details are due back on Monday the 25th of July.

SCHOOL DISCO

Our next school disco will be on Thursday the 4th of August in TCBC. Juniors (P-3) will be from 5 to 6.15pm and Seniors (4 to 6) will be from 6.30pm to 8pm. Food and drinks will be available for purchase on the night. The theme will be “Colours” and all money raised goes to Relay for Life. Get a group of friends together and dress in the same colour.

LOST PROPERTY

Lost property will be displayed outside the tuckshop on Tuesday 19th July. Any unclaimed lost property will be given to a charity.

2017 PREP ENROLMENTS

Prep Enrolment Packages will be available for collection from the office commencing Monday 11th July. For siblings of existing students, only a Birth Certificate is required to be presented. For all new families to the school, a Rates Notice or Lease Agreement (in the parent's name) is required AND a Birth Certificate for the enrolling student. NO ENROLMENT PACKAGES WILL BE GIVEN OUT WITHOUT THE AFOREMENTIONED DOCUMENTATION.

P&C NEWS

Hi all welcome back to term 3,

During the school holidays we had a fundraising sausage sizzle at the school on Election Day. It was a very successful day. We made a profit of $817.05. A big thank you goes out to Jason and Lauren Curtis for the successful organization of this. Well done guys, top effort.

This Term we will be very busy with the Father's Day stall and Fun Fair. Volunteers are always welcome.

We welcome our new school principal Chris Anderson. The P&C look forward to working with you.

The July P & C meeting is on next Wednesday 20th July at 6.30pm at OSHC building. Please take notice of the new time. New faces are encouraged to come along and get involved.

Remember to like us on Facebook and keep up to date with what's going on.

P & C Committee

HOUSE SHIRTS

The P&C will be ordering house shirts again this term. An order form will be going home this week. The cost of the shirt will be $30 and will only be available for purchase by placing an order with the school. Payment and orders are due no later than Friday 29th July. No late orders will be accepted.

TUCKSHOP NEWS

Term 3 will see a few changes to the tuckshop menu as we are getting ready for the changes that need to be made next year.

Hot Dogs will NO longer be available on a Tuesday and Fingerbuns will NO longer be available on a Monday.

Taco Tuesday is here to stay, so don't forget to order!

We will be trying other fun foods for the kids to try.

If you have spare time on your hands why not become a volunteer in the tuckshop. We welcome all new mums, dads, and grandparents (blue card needed).

Cheers The Tuckshop Ladies

SCHOOL OPINION SURVEY

The annual School Opinion Survey will be conducted 11th July to 29th July 2016. All families, school staff and a random sample of students will be invited to participate. We encourage you to take this opportunity to have your say about what this school does well, and how this school can improve. More information about how to complete the survey will be sent home this week.