25 August 2017

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Dear Parents/Carers and Community

The Willows Science and Technology Expo was an exciting event for our school community and showcased significant learning in Prep-Year 6 along with learning options as students enter Year 7 at our local high schools. Many of the displays were interactive, fun and enjoyed by people of all ages. I would particularly like to thank Mrs Patricia Winter (Deputy Principal) for organising this event and congratulate all staff and students on their showcases of teaching and learning.

In the past fortnight we have received our NAPLAN 2018 data. We have much to celebrate as a school community in the learning achievement of our students.

Celebrations

• Upper 2 Bands Reading Year 3 – 47.4% of students
• Upper 2 Bands Spelling Year 3 – 43% of students
• Upper 2 Bands Grammar and Punctuation – 60.7% of students
• Upper 2 Bands Reading Year 5 – 33.6% of students
• Upper 2 Bands Grammar and Punctuation 27.8% of students
• Upper trend line Upper 2 Bands in Spelling and Grammar and Punctuation
• All areas in Upper 2 Bands Similar to or Above National Relative Gain (bar Year 5 Numeracy)
• National Minimum Standards - All areas of Year 3 and 5 similar to or above Nation (89-99.3% range across aspects of Literacy and Numeracy) / 99.3% Year 3 Reading

920/1007 students received C or better for English Semester One 92%
947/1007 students received C or better for Mathematics Semester One 94%
950/1007 students received C or better for Science Semester One 95%

Congratulations to all of our students and our staff for the work you do each and every day in our classrooms! I look forward to continuing our learning journey throughout many more semesters to come.

Kind regards
Helen McCullough
Principal

LIBRARY NEWS

The Willows State School Children’s Book Week/ Month Celebrations - 2017

Children’s Book Week is the longest running children's festival. The theme is ‘Escape to Everywhere’. TWSS book week/month celebrations commenced on Friday, 18 August and will finish on Friday, 15 September.

Book Month Celebrations in the library this week …

1. Students are reading some very special award winning books by Australian authors and nominating their favourites. The winners of each of category are on display in the library.
2. The Children’s Book Week theme is Escape to Everywhere … Students were asked to think about what the theme ‘Escape to Everywhere’ means to them …

The Children’s Book Week theme is Escape to Everywhere … It makes me think of a time, perhaps after I’ve been working hard or doing something boring, when I get the chance to escape into a book. I usually find a comfortable place, open my book, and I’m instantly in a different world. I have adventures, escape from the baddies, save people’s lives, laugh out loud, and completely forget about what I was doing earlier. Through books, I can escape to all sorts of places. I’ve been to Hogwarts, Outer Suburbia, Where the Wild Things Are, outer space and the bottom of the sea. When I’m reading, it feels like I actually AM someplace else - I can hear the hoot of an owl, smell gunpowder or feel the thunder of hooves approaching. I can escape to real worlds too, and learn about everything from creating code to decorating cupcakes. What does ‘Escape to Everywhere’ mean to you?

Happy Reading!
Mrs Platt (Teacher Librarian)

PREP ENROLMENTS 2018

Prep enrolment interviews will be starting on Monday 28th August 2017. Enrolment packages are available from the office for Prep aged children for 2018. Eligible children must be turning 5 before 30th June 2018. Please bring the child’s Birth Certificate and Lease/Rates Notice when you pick up your package.

WOOLWORTHS EARN AND LEARN

The Willows State School is again participating in the Woolworths Earn and Learn program. The program started on Wednesday 26th July and anyone who shops at Woolworths from the school community - staff, parents, grandparents, neighbours and friends - can collect stickers for the school. The school has a box located at each of The Avenues and Willows Shoppingtown Woolworths stores and we also have a box located in the office. The school has benefited immensely from this program in past years and we have received great resources for the school for free! It would be great if you could spread the word and get all your family and friends involved to help us out!!

RELAY FOR LIFE

Relay for Life is a fun and moving overnight experience that raises vital funds for Cancer Council’s research, prevention and support services. This year we are proud to participate in Mini-Relay for school children. This is a scaled down version of Relay for Life to allow children to participate and be part of a valuable community event while thinking about little things we can do to help others. Mini-Relay is on the 16th of September from 2pm to 5pm. If your child would like to participate please pop in and grab a permission form from the office. These can also be returned to the office. Hope to see you there!

CHAPPY CHAT

Operation Christmas Child

Hello to you all!

It is definitely the time of year again where we start collecting for Operation Christmas Child.

Information about the process this year will be coming out in a letter to parents soon but please have a look at the list below as to what we would like to fill the boxes.

To ensure an even amount of items and full shoeboxes, we will aim for the following guidelines:

• Prep – Socks or T-shirt or other small item of foldable clothing
• Year One – Small teddy or soft doll
• Year Two – Exercise book and pencils
• Year Three – Something small to play with – tennis ball, toy cars, skipping rope, marbles etc
• Year Four – Bar of soap/face washers/toothbrush
• Year Five – Brush/Comb/Hair Clips/Scrunchies
• Year Six – Something extra – small bag, notebook, stickers etc.

Please don’t bring in anything that can leak food, second-hand goods, breakable items, or toys related to war, violence or gambling. These are due to customs regulations.

You may like to make a whole box from your family. Please see Chappy Libbie for info on how to do this or visit the link below for info.

Thankyou for your generosity,
Chappy Libbie

P&C NEWS

Fun Fair

Our Fun Fair is here! Come along for a great night of entertainment! There will be plenty of great food, rides, jumping castles, displays and our bar.

If you didn’t pre-order your unlimited ride wristband, you can buy these at the Fun Fair ($30 each), or purchase ride tickets individually.

Our Fun Fair relies heavily on your support and donations – so a massive THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed. It also takes months to plan, organise and a big effort to setup and pack up. Thanks to Tanya and the team for all of their work!

See you at the Fun Fair!

Father’s Day Stall

Hot on the tail of our Fun Fair, is our Father’s Day Stall, which will run from Tuesday to Friday next week (29th August to 1st September).

Years Prep to 5 will have allocated class times to visit the stall (but they are welcome to visit in breaks with siblings or if they want more time to browse). Year 6 will not have class times, but will be given priority in break time.

An early Happy Father’s Day to our Dads!

Next P&C Meeting

P&C Meetings are the second Tuesday of the month, so the next meeting is 12th September, 6pm in the TCBC.

See you around!

TUCKSHOP NEWS

Hi Everyone

It’s been a busy time in the tuckshop the last few days cooking lots of yummy food for our Fun Fair! I hope everyone has a great night!!

A huge thank you to our valued volunteers this fortnight Michele, Robyn, Krystal, Allanah, Lesley, Juana, Kristine, Rosine, Emily and Cassie. We appreciate your help and your time.

Thanks and have a great week.

The tuckshop girls
Gaynor, Anita and Megan

DEFENCE NEWS

Welcome all Defence Families.

Week 7 is upon us with only 3 more weeks of school before holidays. Just wanted to say how great it was at the Community Fair at Jezzine Barracks Parade Grounds. There were so many people and lots of activities. It was also good to see defence families from our school there.

Last Thursday I was fortunate to be invited to Jezzine House for Morning Tea by Brig Chris Field and Ms Sarah Kendall. It was in appreciation for the support and assistance provided to defence families In Townsville by the Defence School Transition program. There were many aides and mentors who attended from schools all over Townsville. Thank you Brigadier.

POSTING ARE OUT so if you are moving schools please make sure you contact the office/classroom teacher and DSTA to inform of students last day of school and where you will be moving to. This information is much appreciated by the school for further planning.

Next Wednesday 30th August the Year 6 Defence students are invited to attend a Special Screening of Kokoda..the spirit lives documentary by Patrick Lindsay on the Kokoda campaign. To be held at RSL Charters Towers Road. Permission notes have been sent home; if you did not receive one please let me know. They must be returned to me ASAP. This is a special screening held at RSL with No Charge involved. Hope all Year 6 defence students can attend as it should be a brilliant screening.

Geckos have released their School holiday program for September school holidays. Please book early so you don’t miss out on a spot. Flyer Attached.

VVCS North Queensland Group Program for July-December are out. There are many courses for veterans, parents, partners and families to attend. Phone 1800 011 046 for eligibility to register for programs. Flyer attached.

If you want to know about upcoming DCO programs, events, and activities or information about events and services in the wider North Queensland community you need to be on the mailing list. You can e-mail DCO office in Townsville dco.townsville@defence.gov.au and leave details, name, member name, address, email, mob/home number, children’s names or collect a form from me. I have attached a copy of the form below.

It is that time of the year again. Deployments are a part of the Defence Force family lifestyle and the impact of a parent’s absence due to a deployment can have a huge impact on the whole family, especially children. Sometimes, children lack the language to communicate or understand their feelings and can often express themselves with behaviour that is inappropriate or out of character. At TWSS we aim to support students during parental absence due to a deployment by; engaging the children in a variety of activities that allow them to identify the emotions they may feel during a parental absence; share their experiences with other defence children who may also have a parent away; read books especially written to help children cope with deployments; and create craft items at Kids Club to help the child communicate with the absent parent. Make sure you let your child’s teacher and DSTA know if you or a partner will be away for an extended period of time. Having this knowledge will go towards supporting the student at school.

IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS: 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. You have 18 months from starting at a new school to access and complete the tutoring. This scheme is very beneficial for students’. Please see me if you would like assistance to complete the form. 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

Join DCO to celebrate Father’s Day with families at Townsville Tenpin and Fun Centre - flyer attached

Discounted Pricse on First Aid Courses are available now read attached flyer for more details.

Centacare is offering a program for sibling with Special Needs

Townsville first program for 8-12 years who have a sibling with a disability. Build skills and resilience and talk to other peers. Please contact Centacare for further enquiries 1300 672 273 flyer attached.

The Lavarack Barrack Open Day and Trail Run - will be held on Saturday 2nd September. Gates to open at 8am, gold coin donation on entry. Run for legacy 10km/21.2km, 5kmshort course and obstacle course. Registration closes 1st September at trybooking.com

Yoga Classes @ Geckos on Mondays 18.30-19.30 cost $5/session

Bootcamp Tuesdays and Thursdays @Geckos 18.00-19.00 cost $10/session.

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

Have a great week
Correna Wheeler