20 October 2016

Newsletter Articles

2017 PREP INTERVIEWS

Last week saw the beginning of our enrolment interviews for students beginning Prep in 2017. It has been wonderful to meet some of our new students and their families and see them enjoying a walk around our school.

The interviews continue until the end of next week. It is not too late – if you have a prep age student (born between 1st July 2011 and 30th June 2012) make contact with our office now to begin the enrolment process.

SCHOOL BEHAVIOUR REPORT

The school is in the process of reviewing The Responsible Behaviour Plan with a committee of members from local schools. The current Responsible Behaviour Plan states, “The Willows State School is committed to providing a safe, respectful and disciplined learning environment for students and staff, where students have opportunities to engage in quality learning experiences and acquire values supportive of their lifelong wellbeing.”

Our Learning and Wellbeing team has been actively engaged in creating a consistent approach for a whole school to provide a safe, respectful and disciplined learning environment. The team is currently reviewing The Willows Way rules and identifying empowering strategies for our students to implement when conflict arises.

QPARENTS - YEAR 1

Invitations have been sent to parents of year 1 students who have expressed an interest in registering for QParents. Please contact the office if you requested an invitation and have not yet received it.

QPARENTS - YEAR 2 AND YEAR 4

Letters and QParents information will be sent home this week to students in years 2 and 4. If you are interested in registering to use QParents, please return the form to the office by Friday 28th October.

PE NEWS

Swimming Term 4

Just a friendly reminder to return the completed permission slip together with payment of $60 to school office by Friday the 28th of October 2016. Swimming lessons begin week 6 of this term.

LAST STUDENT BOOK CLUB FOR 2016– ISSUE 7

Book club brochures were handed out last week. If you have not received your brochures please check with your child’s teacher.

Scholastic now offer 2 easy ways to place your book club orders.

1. Order and pay for your purchases online before the due date for free delivery to your child’s classroom.

Any orders received online after the due date will be charged a delivery fee and delivered direct to your home address.

2. Complete the order form attached to the book club brochure and return to the school as below:

• place all orders in a sealed envelope clearly labeled Book Club.
• write your child’s name and class on the envelope and on the order form.
• place envelope in the money slot in the front office before the due date.
• Payment can be made by cash (correct money please), cheques made payable to the school or by credit card via phone payment.

Book Club orders close this Friday 21st October.

No late orders will be accepted.

Thank you
Michelle
Book Club Coordinator

MUSIC NEWS

Notes for prospective instrumentalists have been sent home this week. Please refer to the attached music newsletter for details of testing.

2017 BOOKLISTS

The P&C are excited to bring to you this year, online ordering for your 2017 booklist needs through Kookaburra. Kookaburra have provided extremely competitive prices on quality products, with most items being well under the recommended retail price. At the same time, you can support your P&C with all proceeds going back into your school.

Your child would have already received their 2017 booklists, with instructions attached of how to order online. Please see the school office if you have not received this.

To order, it is super easy. Go to the link below, log-in with the username THEWI003 (only the last three digits are numeric) and the password is studentpack (all lowercase). Select your student’s year level/s and place your order. You can order complete packs, or select individual products. There is a free local pick-up option, as well as home delivery (for a fee), and several different payment options.

You can place and pay for your order anytime from now until 11th December, and if you opt for home delivery, you should have your order in the next 5 to 10 days (stock levels permitting).

For any queries, phone Kookaburra on 1300 766 997 or email customer.service@kookaburra.com.au. Other queries can be directed to the “Willows State School P&C” Facebook page and we will help out as best as we can.

Please note that there are additional compulsory workbooks (such as for music and RE), and student diaries that can only be purchased through the school office. These will be invoiced early in the new school year.

TUCKSHOP NEWS

Thank you to our volunteers, Donna, Allanah, Michele, Krystal and Juana, your help is very much appreciated.

If there is any time you could give, please contact the Tuckshop 47991346.

Menu Changes

Please note that hotdogs are only available on a Thursday, and fingerbuns on a Wednesday.

Taco Tuesday is back this term, along with mini sweet chili wraps (on Tuesday for $3.00).

Cheers
The Tuckshop Ladies

DEFENCE AND MOBILE FAMILIES

Hello to all Defence Families,

What a GREAT WEEKEND at the Airshow, the fireworks on Saturday and the RAAF Open Day on Sunday. It was fantastic to see all the planes, big and small, doing their stuff. It was just amazing, what a lot of fun. Can’t believe it has been 7 years since the last one. Well done to those people who were involved. Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Week 3 is already here and things at school have been very busy, with some students talking about leaving and their new posting. Year 6 students are getting excited as they are nearly at the end of their primary school time.

I would also like you to join me in welcoming Shane, who is assisting me on Tuesday morning with Kids Club from 9:00 - 12:00. He has been very helpful with the students and is going to be organising some outdoor activities for students to participate in. Some students will recognise him from Outside School Care.

RESULTS FOR ADF FAMILIES SURVEY - are available now at the link below:

POSTINGS

Please advise student’s teacher, the office and myself as soon as you can if you are being posted at the end of 2016. Also, if you require any information regarding a new posting locale or simply a chat please call in and see me.

Term 4 will see individual and personalised farewells for students along with a fun group Farewell Party get together to farewell all our friends.

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. The entitlement is 14 weeks at 1 hour per week per subject. Forms are available online or from me here at school. There is a list of teachers available for tutoring before and after school. Please ask your teacher or phone me for further details.

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.

CONTACTS

Remember I am available anytime from 8:00am until 3:00pm, Monday to Friday and located in L Pod behind the Outside School Building. Any family members (parent or student) are most welcome to drop by any time for a chat. The ladies at the office can direct you or give me a call if you would like assistance.

School Office on 47 991 333 or via e-mail - Correna Wheeler on cwhee36@eq.edu.au

Defence Community Organisation is available to all Defence members and their families.

Contact Defence Family Helpline operates 24-7 on 1800 624 608.
Mates4Mates (Family Recovery Centre) 40 Anne Street – 4771 9600

Veterans and Veterans Families – 1800 011 046

DFA Defence Families of Australia – 1800 100 509

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

Have a Great Day and see you soon.

Correna Wheeler