17 November 2016

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

I would like to thank Mrs Souter in her role as a Deputy Principal, Amanda is taking 12 months leave, to care for the upcoming birth of her first child. Personally, I will miss Mrs Souter for her guidance and exceptional knowledge of students in the Prep – 2 years. Mrs McCoy will finish the year as the Deputy Principal. Good luck Mrs Souter you will be sorely missed.

I am looking forward to tonight’s (Wednesday 16th) Instrumental Music Recruitment Night. Queensland should be very proud that we are one of the only states in Australia to provide an Instrumental Music program in Primary Schools. I am amazed at students learning an instrument, and seeing them achieve in the ARTS. Paul Keating, former Prime Minister, once said “If Maths and Science are for the head, then the Arts are for the soul.” As a Principal it is a proud moment hearing and seeing students make music.

Congratulations to the students who are undertaking new learnings and thank you to the parents who are undertaking the many weeks of sore ears. (All the best musicians start the same way). Well done to the students who take on this opportunity.

SMS Notification

Thank you to all of the parents who have updated their contact details for the SMS Notification. It seems to be working very smoothly and a very friendly system. Our goal is to have 95% attendance at school and we would like to achieve 100% of absences explained. If you have not updated your details please visit or ring the office.

Thank you to the P & C

The P & C have approved another 6 large fans in the TCBC Hall, this will provide a cooler system in the hall over the warmer months. The fans are set to be installed on November 29-30. This is a great asset to the Hall for students at lunch time and events at the school.

Prep Open day

Tuesday and Wednesday this week, 2017 Prep students came and visited the Prep rooms. It was great to see the parents and prep students coming to the school and participating in the programs and meeting the teachers. I was in shock seeing one of the dads who I taught many years ago in Mount Isa. I started feeling very old. Thank you to the Prep teachers who opened their doors and invited the 2017 students in.

Regards

Chris

LEADERS FOR 2017

In the first week back of Term 4 on Thursday the 6th of October our year 5 students participated in our Leadership Day. On this day students did rotational activities designed to build leadership skills, teamwork, participation and communication. Teachers looked out for students who showed leadership potential and guest speakers came to talk about their roles as leaders. From this day 98 students nominated for leadership positions and 45 students were shortlisted to participate in the application writer’s workshop. Students then continued on to interviews and peer speeches and we are very pleased to announce that we have a strong leadership team for 2017. Our student leaders for 2017 will be announced at assembly on Friday the 18th of November.

TRANSITION

Over term 4 The Willows will be working very closely with our neighbouring high school to provide opportunities for transition. Students have already had visits from Kirwan High and Thuringowa State High. It is very important that at this stage you have secured enrolment at the High School of your choice. The 30th of November is the official transition day and your student will be expected to attend the high school they are enrolled at on this day. Please ensure that you contact your chosen school for more details.

YEAR 6 GRADUATION

Just a reminder to finalise payment for year 6 graduation. There will be a fun day organised for Tuesday the 6th of December, Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday the 7th of December from 9 to 11.30am and Graduation Dinner and Disco on Wednesday the 7th of December from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. The total cost is $60. If you have not finalised your payment and your student is participating please contact the office.

YEAR 6 CAMP FOR 2017

Next year our Year 6 students (currently Year 5) will be the leaders of the school and we will be preparing them for transition into High School for 2018. Part of this preparation includes highlighting important skills such as team building, social skills, problem solving and goal setting. We would like to do this with a Year 6 camp and we have chosen to go to Echo Creek.

Students will be away for 2 nights and 3 days and will participate in the following activities: low ropes and team building, laser tag, freshwater snorkelling, challenge course, under the stars movie night and damper by the fire. All of these activities are run by camp staff and our teachers will also do the team building and goal setting activities. Students will travel by bus and they will be housed in bunk style accommodation with meals included.

This camp will be in Term 1 2017. There will be two groups going.

Group 1 – Leave Monday the 6th of March and return on Wednesday the 8th of March 2017.

Group 2 – Leave Wednesday the 8th of March and return on Friday the 10th of March 2017.

The cost of the camp is $240 and we must reserve final numbers with the venue before the end of this year. To assist with payment we are offering the following payment plan method.

• An initial non-refundable deposit of $50 by the 1st of December 2016. (This will secure your child’s place)
• A second payment of $100 will be due on the 8th of February 2017.
• A final payment of $90 will be due on the 22nd of February 2017. (Full payment must be made by this date).

This initial payment due on the 1st of December must be made to secure your student’s place on the camp as we must commit to numbers at this time. This payment is also stating your commitment to the other payments prior to leaving. If you have any queries please feel free to contact the school on 47991333.

SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CONCERT

All children are preparing for the end of year Christmas concert from this week during classroom music lessons. They are all excited about dressing up in their Christmas attire and performing for everyone on stage. All year levels will perform 2 songs on Wednesday, 30th November. Everyone is invited to bring a blanket/chairs to sit on and have a picnic dinner. Drinks and the coffee van will be available from about 5pm onwards with the event starting when the sun goes down around 6.00pm. There is some food available to purchase, but you may like to bring a picnic dinner or snack food for yourselves. It is a great night of festivities and a great whole school activity where everyone can relax, dress up and enjoy a great night of entertainment. There will also be performances from our school ensembles, bands and combined choir. We hope to see many of you there.

KNOWLEDGE CENTRE NEWS

Scholastic Book Club/Book Fair

Michelle Wooster will continue in her role as Book club/Book Fair coordinator next year. This is an additional service provided by the school to encourage students to read widely and enjoy ownership of books that are specifically designed for their age group. Michelle is a highly valued volunteer at our school. She is very committed to building a positive reading culture at The Willows and her good work is very much appreciated. Thank you to all parents/carers who support these programs and remain committed to playing an active role in helping their children become proficient readers, so that they can achieve best possible learning outcomes.

CityLibraries’ Summer Reading Club - 2017

Register for the 2017 Summer Reading Club: Heroes and Villains starting Thursday, 1st December 2016, running to Wednesday, 25 January 2017. The program is free, self-paced, flexible and suitable for all ages. Children are rewarded for their efforts and receive great prizes. Happy Holiday Reading!

The benefits of summer reading programming for children:

• Children are motivated to read.
• Children develop positive attitudes about reading, books, and the library.
• Children maintain their reading skills during summer vacation.
• Children have access to experiences that further their sense of discovery.
• Children have access to experiences through which they can learn to work cooperatively.

Overdue Library Books

Please return all overdue library books by the end of week 8 (next week). Lost or damaged books must be paid for at the front office. Be aware that students are required to have a zip up, waterproof library bag to borrow from the library.

Kind regards,

Sarah Platt (Teacher Librarian)

WHAT TWSS MEANS TO ME

This poem was written by 3 Year 6 students in response to an activity where they were asked to reflect and write about their thoughts, feelings and more memorable moments at TWSS.

What Willows Means to me

By Lanceton, Jye and Shyanne

Children chattering, talking, saying hashtag, whad up, bro,
Classes working silently, with hard work learning grows.
Loud bells ringing, whistles screaming, children moving on,
Balls bouncing, kids loud whooping but all this will be gone.

Yummy tuckshop, delicious food, garlic bread is always mmmmm!
Fresh cut grass and soggy wet mud, school always smells like home.
Crisp new books in the library, scuffed rubber tyres burnt out,
Sweaty children after break time, we’ll miss all this no doubt

Teachers helping, supporting, working, caring that we do well,
A sea of yellow, teal and blue, tears that say farewell.
Busy lunchtimes zig zag invasion, soccer and handball fun
Peaceful children, working together till the day is done

We all belong to Willows School, it’s sad to say goodbyes,
Our last semester of primary school, how time flies
Happy, comfortable BFF’s, friendships never end
Special teachers, community, we’re gonna miss our friends.

BOOK PACKS FOR 2017

Don't forget to place your 2017 book pack orders! This year book packs are being ordered through Kookaburra Resources. We've had lots of positive feedback about the simplicity of ordering, and the amazing prices. You will be hard pressed finding cheaper. Go to:

Username is THEWI003 (only the last three are numerals)
Password is studentpack

You can opt for home delivery (5-10 days delivery, stock permitting), or for free local pickup in mid-January. The details are available online. Orders close after 11th December. Save time, money, and support your P&C.

Want to pay by cash?

A representative from Kookaburra will be visiting the school to take book pack orders if you wish to pay cash, or if you require assistance with online shopping (and pay with credit card). David from Kookaburra will be at the school on Tuesday 22nd November and Thursday 24th November from 8-9am and 2-3.30pm. He will located outside the admin building ready to take your orders! Please note that the online ordering is still available during this time also.

The voluntary contribution can only be paid through the school office. Fees for next year are $40 per student, or for 2 or more the cost is $80. Music book, RE book, Student Diary and Reading Eggs will be invoiced early in 2017.

STUDENT BANKING

The last student banking day for this year will be Tuesday 29th November.

DEFENCE AND MOBILE FAMILIES

Hello to all Defence Families

It is week 7 already. Gee how the weeks are flying by. If you are posting or just moving to a new school at the end of the year, please remember to call the office, tell the teacher and let me know before you leave.

We held our whole school Remembrance Day Ceremony last Friday. This is a special time to remember all past and present defence members who have served and are still serving our country. Thank you to the students who were part of the ceremony – you did an awesome job. Thank you also to staff, students, speakers and families who attended to share this special day with us. We also appreciated having members from 27 SQN RAAF Base being part of our ceremony.

I would also like to give a very special Thank You to all the students who assisted with the selling of the poppies during the lunch breaks at school. You all did an awesome job.

Many Thanks.

Kids Club is still on Mondays and Tuesdays at 1st break please remind students to come along and they are welcome to bring a friend.

2016 DEFENCE CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS PARTY @ GECKOS ON 26TH NOVEMBER

Bookings are required. For further information call 4411 7031. Flyer attached.

ART WORKSHOP@GECKOS

Sunday 4th December for $10 p/p flyer attached.

STAYING LOCAL CHRISTMAS LUNCH

Friday 23rd December from 1200 hrs, fully catered for $15

POSTINGS

It is important that you let me know if you are expecting to be posted out at the end of 2016. I have a Farewell Pack which includes a Signature Bear to give to all defence students who are posted to a new location. These will be given out to students in the coming weeks. Early leavers will be first. Please let teachers and office know as a soon as you know. Additionally, 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.

Your Defence Aide is 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 me a call if you would like our assistance.

CONTACTS

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 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 I am available anytime from 8:00am until 3:00pm, Monday to Friday.

Parents are very welcome to stop by L Pod or contact me via email or phone. Students can call into L Pod throughout the day.

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

Have a Great Day and see you soon.

Correna Wheeler