1 December 2016

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Merry Christmas to The Willows community! Last night’s Christmas concert was a spectacular night of entertainment. Thank you to everyone who was involved.

As this will be the last newsletter before the end of the year, I want to thank the staff and parents for supporting all of the students in their learning journeys this year. Thank you also to the many volunteers who spend many hours helping the P & C, Tuckshop and classes. It does make a difference.

Report Cards

As we move closer to the end of the year we are still focussed on completing our units of work in all subject areas. Report cards will be issued on Monday 5th December. If you are leaving before the end of term and moving out of Townsville, please ensure the office staff are aware of a forwarding address. If you are leaving early but will be here next year you can collect report cards when you return.

Class lists

2017 class lists will be available on Monday 23rd January. They will be displayed on the administration wall near the back door, in the TCBC, main CPA near the tuckshop and the junior CPA. Please do not photograph and place on social media.

Staff movement

We will be saying goodbye to a number of staff at the end of this year. Thank you

The Lockdown

As this is the last newsletter, the only information that I can give at this stage in regards to the last lockdown (28th October) is there was an unknown person in the vicinity of the school grounds. No students were harmed and police are still investigating.

School Office will close Friday 9th December at 4pm and reopen 9:00am Monday 16th January.

Last day of term –Friday 9 December

If you are collecting your child/ren early on the last day students must be signed out at the office. Students will not be permitted to leave the school grounds early unless accompanied by an adult. The last day of term is a usual school day.

Have a safe and happy holiday, enjoy Christmas and see you next year,

Regards Chris

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SCHOOL LEADERS FOR 2017

YEAR 6 GRADUATION

Just a reminder regarding final events for our Year 6 students. There is the 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. If you have not sent your RSVP for the Graduation Ceremony please contact the school immediately and advise us of required seating.

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.

OUR GRADUATION YEAR 6 STUDENTS FOR 2016

Congratulations to all of our Year 6 students. We are very proud of every one of them and their many successes and achievements over the years. We will honour those achievements at our Graduation Ceremony and watch them cross the stage for the very last time. You have all contributed to “The Willows Family” and you will be greatly missed. We wish you all the best and know that each one of you will continue to grow, learn and achieve.

All the best graduating class of 2016 – your radiance abounds.

MEDICATION

All medication held at the school needs to be collected by 3pm Friday 9th December.

MUSIC NEWS

Thanks to all the parents and families who have supported our music program for 2016. Without you, we wouldn't have our fine young performers to entertain you. We are very proud of their achievements and congratulate all of our musicians and singers on their wonderful progress. Thanks to our combined choir who entertained a huge crowd at Willows Shoppingtown last Wednesday. Cliffo and the management of Willows Shoppingtown were very impressed with our school and especially the singing. Thanks to everyone for managing to get all our shirts back to the school.

The Christmas Carols night was great entertainment for the festive season and a celebration of another successful year being entertained by your wonderful children.

Please remember instruments will be collected after the Christmas concert to be cleaned and repaired ready for our new 2017 recruits. There will be no instrumental lessons during week 10. Please refer to the last music newsletter for details of break up parties for the bands and orchestras.

May your Christmas break be safe and full of wonderful new memories with family and friends. We look forward to working with our continuing and new families in 2017. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

EFTPOS PAYMENTS

There will be no EFTPOS/credit card payments available after Tuesday 6th December. We will only accept payments by cash – correct money please.

FREE DRESS DAY

The student council have organised a free dress day this Friday 2nd December. No donation is required. The theme is Christmas.

STUDENT BANKING

Just a reminder that there is no student banking next week. The starting date for 2017 student banking will be advised next year.

LOST PROPERTY

Any lost property will be put in front of the tuckshop next Monday. Unclaimed/unnamed lost property will be donated to a local charity.

P&C NEWS

On behalf of the P&C Committee, I would like to thank all parents, caregivers, grandparents, teachers, employees and businesses who have supported our efforts in raising funds throughout the year. We have had a very busy and active year and would like you to know where our fundraising dollars have been allocated this year.

One of our major focuses for this year has been cooling the TCBC. The small fans installed in the stage area at the beginning of the year proved to be highly successful. Six more fans will be installed in the coming weeks at a total cost of approximately $60 000. The audio upgrades and sound system totalling $15 000 has also been money well spent.

We have also supported the school’s efforts to keep up with digital technology, with $60 000 going towards the wireless upgrade and almost

$28 000 towards the installation of an electronic sign at the front of the school. Each year we make a $30 000 contribution to the global budget to ensure resources and staffing needs continue to be of a high standard.

Other important contributions include: $4000 to musical instruments, $5000 to the Chaplaincy program, icy cups for the Fun Run, assisting students to travel to the Reader’s Cup final and representative school sport.

Without the efforts of the hardworking committee and the wider school community, these contributions would be non-existent. Regretfully, two very hardworking and longstanding members of the P&C will be leaving us at the end of this year as their children move on to high school. Tanya Eddy has devoted many hours to The Willows State School Community, both in the classroom and on the P&C. She has held positions on the Committee, organised donations from hundreds of businesses and worked tirelessly to help organise several very successful Fun Fairs. Linda Miskiewicz has also supported the P&C over many years and held positions on the Committee. I would like to congratulate and thank them for dedicating hours to our school community and wish them all the very best for their high school adventures!

Best wishes to all our graduating families and those families who are moving away from Townsville. We wish everyone a fantastic and safe Christmas and look forward to seeing some new faces at our meetings next year. Our first meeting for 2017 will be held on Wednesday 15th February at 6:30 pm in the OSHC building. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page Willows State School P&C for updates and current projects.

Kind Regards
Kylie Allison

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 the link below for more information.

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.

PE NEWS

During the last few weeks at The Willows State School we have seen some wonderful butterfly hands, hamburger grips, elephant trunk swaying and more by our Preps, 1’s and 2’s. They have been participating in a Backyard League Pilot Program coached by an NRL Development Team.

Our Year 3’s, 4’s, 5’s and 6’s have also been participating in a Rugby Union Program which has been run by the Rugby Union Development Team. Year 6 have also been involved in an on-court basketball session run by representatives from the JCU Townsville Fire this term during week 9.

These programs are being run alongside the PE teachers during PE. They are designed as an introductory pathway into Rugby League and Rugby Union.

The students have been practising and learning skills such as ball control, catching, passing, kicking and team work too.

If your child is 6 years or older and is interested in playing or getting involved in rugby, the below website is a great place to start to find out more.

Well done to all students participating in the programs from the PE department.

TUCKSHOP NEWS

The Tuckshop will be CLOSED ALL DAY Thursday 8th and Friday 9th December 2016.

We would like to send out a huge thank you to our volunteers, Michele Walker, Christine McCurley, Donna Ross, Juana Scott, Krystal Hahn and Allanah Collett. Your continual support means a lot. We hope all families have a fantastic break.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
The Tuckshop Ladies

DEFENCE AND MOBILE FAMILIES

Hello to all Defence Families

2016 is nearly at an end and I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday season. For those who are leaving Townsville, safe travels, all the best and make the most of your new home. The past year has been filled with many great moments and fun times with the defence students all of which I will cherish forever.

Students will take time to settle into a new school and make friends. Remember to be positive and answer their questions when they arise. Contact the DSTA at their new school if you need support.

We had our defence farewell party last Friday, to say good-bye with party food and cake. This year we have 41 defence students leaving our school on posting. All the students had a great time.

Please remember to access Tutoring Assistance Scheme for students when you arrive at your new school.

Wishing all Defence Families safe travels and may 2017 be the best for you all.

WELCOME TO TOWNSVILLE INFO EXPO HOSTED BY DCO

Defence families only, flyer attached

ART WORKSHOP@GECKOS on Sunday 4th December for $10 p/p flyer attached.

STAYING LOCAL CHRISTMAS LUNCH on Friday 23rd December from 1200 hrs, fully catered for $15

DSTA POSITION ADVERTISEMENT

Flyer attached

GECKOS SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR

Flyer attached

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 all defence students who are posted to a new location. 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.

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 contact me for further details.

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
Support and Mental Health Services for ADF Families
Townsville Community Mental Health- 4433 3000
Centacare-4772 9000
Relationships Australia-1300 364 277
Veterans and Veterans Families – 1800 011 046 www.dva.gov.au/vvcs (eligibly criteria applies)
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.

Merry Christmas and A Very Happy New Year to all

Correna Wheeler