9 March 2017

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Dear Parents/Carers and Community

I would like to thank Mrs Winter, Mrs McCoy and Mr Tod for leading our school last week while I attended the mandatory biannual Principal’s Conference. The conference was a great learning opportunity and affirmed to me that the work that we are doing at The Willows State School is in the right direction.

Our expectations of high quality teaching and learning, high standards of student attendance and behaviour are critically important to ensure each of our students succeed every day. The Department of Education and Training has launched the updated Strategic School Plan and P-12 Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Framework. These documents govern the work of every State School in Queensland and can be found by clicking on the following links:

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT UNIT – FULL SCHOOL REVIEW

Next week three reviewers (Principals and an external member to Education) will be conducting our full school review. They will be here from Monday-Thursday. Members of our P and C will be discussing our school, along with students, teachers, support staff and administration. Quite possibly, reviewers will be out and about in our school and may approach parents/carers as students are dropped off or picked up from school. This is normal practice and I trust that you will be open to talking with them.

This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate all of the positive work we do as a school and identify any possible areas for improvement. We thank you in advance for being part of this process.

SCHOOL BEHAVIOUR

The Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students clearly outlines what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour at not just our school, but State Schools. Please do not request information about other student’s consequences when talking with staff. It is not within our procedures to discuss any other student with any member of the parent group. We will however discuss your child with you. It also is not acceptable for parents to discuss with each other, other children. Please ask yourself if you would accept this if it was your child? Please contact the Deputy Principal in your child’s section if you require further clarification about this.

STUDENT ATTENDANCE AND EXPLAINED/UNEXPLAINED ABSENCES

Student attendance at our school remains above 95%. This is outstanding and I congratulate and commend every parent/carer for your support of your child’s education. At times, due to sickness or compassionate family circumstances students may need to be absent from school. Please contact our school office to let us know of these situations and ensure that the absence is explained. Unexplained absences will be followed up on through telephone calls and a letter home. Our goal is to have 100% of absences explained so we thank you in advance for assisting us with this.

TEACHING AND LEARNING – OUT AND ABOUT IN OUR SCHOOL

Last week we held our first moderation process as a full staff. We looked at work samples across Prep-6 in Mathematics. I would like to congratulate our teachers and our students on the excellent demonstrations of learning that I saw in Unit 1 Maths. This week we will be looking at our English from Unit 1. I am looking forward to reading and viewing a range of writing from across our school.

We have been inundated with our Prep-2 students eagerly showing us their writing and coming and reading with us. It has been a highlight of our fortnight to see students proud and willing to share not only what they have learned, but also what the next steps are for them to improve in their learning. Parents/Carers, if students say they have come to the office – it’s likely for good reasons!

BEFORE SCHOOL AND AFTER SCHOOL

We are noticing a number of students arriving well before 8.15am. Our school does not provide supervision of students prior to this time. It is very important that parents understand that while we have a duty of care, parents have a responsibility to ensure their child/ren are arriving after this time. Our Outside Hours Care facility is available to parents/carers who need to be at work before school opens. Additionally, the Outside Hours Care is available for parents/carers who need their child/ren to be cared for after school finishes. Students are not permitted to stay at school as there is no supervision for them.

Parents are also asked to use the two areas that are designated for students of a morning: Prep-2 (Covered Play Area near tuckshop) and 3-6 TCBC.

Before school our staff are preparing for the day. After school teachers have a number of meetings and commitments they are required to attend. For this reason, we ask that you arrange a time to meet with our staff that is mutually agreeable. We want to afford you the time you deserve and thank you for co-operating with this process.

FUN RUN EVENT

The Annual Fun Run is fast approaching and we are looking forward to everyone participating in this event. The Fun Run is organised by our HPE Specialists, Ms Deuble and Miss Williams and the fundraising component is organised through our P and C. Our P and C have some excellent prizes up for grabs and I know that parents/carers and community will get behind each student to encourage them in this event. Running is not for everyone – students may elect to walk! What a greater cause than fundraising for our very own school. We also look forward to seeing as many parents/carers on the day. If you would like to volunteer your time, please contact the front office.

Have a great fortnight ahead!

Kind regards
Helen McCullough
Principal

SCHOOL FEES AND PAYMENTS

Our school relies on parents/carers paying for extra-curricula activities. These activities are not required, but much enjoyed by students. Please ensure that all payments and permissions are handed in by due date to avoid your child/ren’s disappointment. At no time are students permitted to leave the school grounds without written permission from parents. Thankyou for assisting with this. Please contact our BSM Chris Shan for further information on payment plans.

DATE CLAIMER

YEAR 6 CAMP

Our year 6 students are off to camp at Echo Creek. There were lots of smiling faces as they boarded the bus for a long drive to Tully. Teachers on camp have been sending us messages saying that the weather is beautiful and our students are having a great time. Our year 5 students will be given information for camp 2018 in term 4.

ASSESSMENT AND ACCESS TO COMPUTERS

Many of our students are completing assessment at the moment to complete assessment for term 1. The Library Computer Lab will be available for students to access from 8am to 8.40 every morning until the end of the term. If your students need a little more computer time to complete work or need assistance with assessment please encourage them to attend. This is available for all year 3 to 6 students.

SCHOOL DISCO

Our first school Disco is on Wednesday the 22nd of March. Please note that the last newsletter indicated that the disco was on the Thursday. Unfortunately we have had to change it to Wednesday. The junior disco will be for students in Prep, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3. This will go from 5 to 6.15pm. The senior disco will be for students in Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6. This will go from 6.30pm to 8pm. Our disco will be in the TCBC. Entry is $3 and food and drinks will be available at the TCBC kitchen. Our theme is the 80s with a splash of orange as orange is the colour for Harmony Day. It is always a popular event so please ensure you have the correct change for a speedy entry.

EXTRA CARPARKS PROVIDED FOR PARENTS

The Council has provided extra carpark spaces for our parents along the side of the Junior Rugby League grounds. The entrance is on Kern Brothers Drive with a path that leads to our Crossing Supervisor on Bilberry Street. If you are finding the stress of Bilberry Street too much this could be an option you could try with your children.

STUDENT WORK SAMPLES

It is exciting to see our Prep children writing already! Students are making personal connections to characters and events in books.

CHAPPY CHAT

I hope the term is going well for you! I’ve been busy getting ready for the year ahead and thinking through lots of fun activities and programs.

Triple P – Positive parenting program

Please contact Chappy Libbie if you would like some more information on participating in an 8-week group program about ways to parent positively. I have lots of brochures and information on this great, evidence-based program.

Crafternoon

Once a month on a Saturday afternoon I run a ladies craft/project afternoon. If you have a free afternoon sometimes on a Saturday I would love to see you there. It is free, you can bring along whatever project you are currently working on or just don’t have the time to do at home and keep working on it in a relaxed, friendly and air-conned environment. There is even a project there to do so you don’t have to bring anything! The next Crafternoon is on March 11 at 1pm at the church hall at Willows Presbyterian on Carthew St. This is a great way to meet new people and get a bit more done on that project that’s sitting at the back of the drawer!

Please come and see me anytime, I would love to chat.

Chappy Libbie

WELCOME TO OUR FIRST ISSUE OF BOOK CLUB FOR 2017

Book club brochures were handed out this 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 labelled 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 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 Monday 13th March.

No late orders will be accepted.

Thank you
Michelle
Book Club Coordinator

P&C NEWS

The new digital led sign is up and functioning. This sign was purchased by the P&C through fundraising.

Our AGM is next Wednesday 15/03/17, followed by the monthly committee meeting.

All executive positions are open as well as subcommittee positions. Come along and be involved. New faces are encouraged and welcomed.

Fun run fundraising information was sent home with children last week. The fun run is on Wednesday the 22/03/17.

If you haven't yet popped down to the office to pay your voluntary contribution, please find time to do this. This contribution remains in the school and is allocated to a number of projects that make a difference to our school.

Remember to like our Facebook page to keep up to date with information.

Cheers
P&C committee

DEFENCE NEWS

Hello to all Defence Families

Week 7 is upon us already. All new students to school appear to be settling in and if you still have any concerns please contact me immediately to discuss. I have also received some calls from parents who will be deploying in the coming months. If you are being deployed please contact me with the information so that the teachers and I are better informed to assist the student through this difficult time. I also have many resources that I know have been very beneficial to students. I also prefer to keep in contact with those students on a regular basis to monitor how they are going with a parent being away.

We started holding cricket games in the nets on the oval over the last 2 weeks. It has been great to see so many students wanting to join in and having fun. Thank you to Elijah and Callum for speaking at assembly. The cricket nets are open on Thursday and Friday at first break. Look forward to seeing more students attend.

Happy camping to all year 6 students who are attending Echo Creek this coming week. I am sure they will have heaps of fun.

EDUCATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME

All defence families can access financial assistance for education costs incurred as a result of postings. Students may be entitled to up to 14 weeks of tutoring in any subject that has been identified by the school as representing a gap in learning. We may reimburse fees for tutoring required to fill any gaps in understanding or curriculum caused by changing schools. Please see me if you would like a copy or you can ring the Helpline for updates 1800 624 608

Are you on the DCO mailing List?

Join DCO Townsville mailing LIST NOW if you want to receive all updates from DCO.

Contact them directly at dco.townsville@defence.gov.au or phone 07 4753 6539.

If you have any enquiries or require assistance, the Defence Family Helpline will continue operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be contacted on 1800 624 608 or email defencefamilyhelpline@defence.gov.au

Townsville Gone Troppo Newsletter

DCO Townsville's Gone Troppo Newsletter is available to view on the DCO website and click on the latest edition to download.

DATES TO REMEMBER

VVCS BEATING THE BLUES PROGRAM for depression management. Designed to develop strategies to manage depression. A 2 day workshop, for more information call 1800 011 036.

THE LOST DIGGERS OF VIGNACOURT EXHIBITION will be on display at The Pinnacles Gallery from 24th February-30th April.

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 (eligibly criteria applies)

DFA Defence Families of Australia – 1800 100 509 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

Look forward to meeting you

Correna Wheeler