17 November 2017

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Dear Parents/Carers and Community

What an amazing fortnight it has been. Our Remembrance Day Ceremony, was a significant and moving part of our week. Our student leaders spoke with eloquence, our special guest Warrant Officer Class 2 Louie Lak, Joint Operation Support Staff at Lavarack Barracks, reinforced the important messages of the importance of Remembrance Day and our musical talents in the choir, band and solo First Post were all an absolute honour to watch and be part of. I would like to congratulate and thank Mrs Wheeler (Defence Support Teacher Aide) and Mrs Winter (Deputy Principal) along with all team members who supported this special occasion.

This year we have had a number of students from Years 2-6 involved in Stories Galore with Mrs Quin. This has resulted in three books being published of our very own stories across the year levels by students. I have much enjoyed reading the publications so far and I am looking forward to the next one. These are available in our school library for borrowing. It is always great to read our own author’s stories! Thankyou Mrs Quin and our Deputies for organising this in 2017.

Our School Opinion Surveys data has come in. I am proud to say that there is significant satisfaction across all aspects of our school by our Students and Parents. Our school is truly a great state school and each and every day we can be very proud! Thankyou to all members of our school community who responded (84 parents/families) and 174 students. From this data we now can be positively assured that we are on track with where we are going and where we want to be. The data analysis forms part of our Annual Implementation Plan for 2018 where our top priorities for the school year ahead are stated. This will be made available early in 2018.

Over the course of the 2017 school year, there has been many things happening behind the scenes at our school. I am pleased to announce the following items that will come to fruition in the new year ready for student learning:

• 2 x mobile labs for student learning
• Bee Bots to compliment early coding and mathematics/science units – purchased through EARN and LEARN – THANKYOU EVERYONE!
• Wireless
• Maker Space – a space for design and digital technologies currently being scoped adjacent to the current computer labs to compliment technology (design) and promote before/lunch and after school clubs etc.
• Yarning area to be installed and painted by local Nicky Bidju (in the old library courtyard)
• $400 000 commitment for Shade through state government – announced in Townsville Bulletin
• Upgrades to N Pod

2018 is shaping up to be a fantastic year at our school, but we must first finish strong in 2017. There are many fantastic things happening in each and every classroom and the level of student engagement in their learning is an absolute delight to watch daily! We also have a number of extra-curricula events currently being planned and we look forward to celebrating with all of our school community at the end of year carols, graduations, fun days etc. Thankyou for being a positive part of our school.

Kind regards

Helen McCullough (Principal)

DATE CLAIMER

CHRISTMAS CAROLS

YEAR 5 STUDENTS PREPARING FOR LEADERSHIP

Congratulations to all of our students who have worked through the leadership selection process. Our school is blessed to have so many very capable students and there were lots of very difficult decisions that needed to be made. We started with 94 students applying and we now have 30 students with formal leadership positions. These will be announced at the assembly this Friday. We are very pleased with our leadership team and we think they will do an excellent job of leading our students next year. Early next year 4, 5 and 6 classes will select their class representatives for student council and that will finalise our leadership team.

YEAR 6 END OF YEAR EVENTS

Reminder to our year 6 families re the following events. All permission forms and payment was due last week. If you have not completed this process please contact Patricia Winter in the office.

Year 6 Graduation Ceremony

When: Wednesday the 6th of December 9.00am – 11.30am
Where: The Carol Buchanan Centre (TCBC)

We invite our families to join us in seeing our year 6 students as graduates of The Willows State School. Academic awards and the leadership handover will occur along with speeches and the sharing of lots of memories. Students will be given a yearbook and gift as they cross the stage one last time. Students MUST wear correct school uniform, shoes and appropriate jewellery and hair accessories. Students plus family are invited to attend this special occasion. Morning tea and cutting of the cakes will occur at the end of the ceremony. Photos will be taken of the students receiving their certificates and copies will be available for purchase that evening from the library. Students may leave with their parents after morning tea to prepare for their Graduation Dance. An invitation for families will be sent out later in the term.

Year 6 Graduation Dance

When: Wednesday the 6th of December 5.30pm – 8pm
Where: The Carol Buchanan Centre (TCBC)

Students will dance for their parents and attending staff of The Willows State School. At the end of the formal dancing, parents will leave and the disco celebrations will commence. Finger food and drinks will be provided for the students and this is included in the overall cost. Please collect students by 8.00pm from TCBC. Please note that the dress for this event is smart casual and it is not an expectation that families spend a fortune on attire.

Year 6 Fun Day at the Barra Farm

When: Thursday the 7th of December 8.45am - 3pm
Where: The Barra Farm
Transport: Students will be transported to and from the Barra Farm by bus.
What to bring: Bag, water bottle, hat, sunsafe free dress, towel, togs +swim shirt for swimming, morning tea, spending money for purchase of extra drinks if they wish, closed in shoes and thongs.

Students will have a fun day together as a cohort and celebrate at the Barra Farm. The Barra Farm has barra fishing, an inflatable aqua park including jumping pillows, climbing walls, swings, hamster wheels, bumper crafts and a giant water slide. They will need to bring their own morning tea and water bottle but they will be provided a pizza lunch & drink. The cost for this activity includes the entry, bus trip and lunch.

LIFE EDUCATION

The Willows State School has chosen to partner with Life Education, a specialist health education provider. The Life Education Mobile Learning Centre is at our school from the 16th to the 21st of November delivering life education lessons to our year 2 and year 4 students. These lessons align to our Health Education Curriculum. Year 4 students will be doing the BCYBERWISE unit and year 2 students are doing the GROWING GOOD FRIENDS unit.

WEAR A BEAR

Let’s help The Townsville Hospital Foundation raise money for sick people in North Queensland by buying a pair of Bandi Ears for $4 and wearing them with pride.

Last year The Willows raised over $2000 which is a fantastic effort by our community and all proceeds go directly to the Foundation!

Bandi Ears have been on sale for the past 2 weeks. If you haven’t got your bear ears yet they are still on sale.

YEAR 5 STUDENTS CHOOSE THEIR SENIOR SHIRTS FOR NEXT YEAR

Our year 5 students have been voting on their choice of shirt design for their senior shirt next year. Information re purchasing the shirts for next year will be coming out soon. The order will be put in before the end of the year so they arrive at the start of next year. Students will then get a full years wear out of them. Please be very careful when choosing sizes as we are unable to make changes once the orders are in.

PARENT NEWSLETTER FROM THE GUIDANCE OFFICER

The Importance of Spending More Quality Time with Your Kids

Families are busy these days. With work, school, extra-curricular activities, meetings, housework and the other inevitable realities of life, there isn't a lot of time leftover for quality time to spend with your children.

By spending quality time with your kids, they receive many benefits. Here are a few of them, why they are important, and how to make quality time.

Feeling Loved and Important - This is important for any person at any age. Feeling loved, valued and important builds self-esteem and self-worth, which is necessary for a fulfilling life.

Model Good Behavior – Children often mirror their behavior after that of the people they spend the most time with. If they aren't spending time with you and learning good behavior, habits and morals from you, who are they learning it from?

Learn Children’s Strengths– When you spend quality time with your children, you can start to identify their strengths, as well as begin to identify areas for improvement. Through this, you can help them grow as a person by building on their strengths and helping them reach their full potential.

Voice Thoughts and Feelings – Think back on the time when you were growing up. There are many things that happen throughout your child’s and teenager’s lives that they need to talk about. By spending quality time with your children, you are giving them the comfort level and time to share these things with you.

Develop Stronger Relationship – One of the best, and most obvious things about spending quality time with your children is developing stronger relationships with them. Be sure that both parents are spending individual time with each child. This will help not only build memories, but also build trust.

All of these weave together and are an integral part of having a healthy family dynamic and happy children. The benefits are endless, so set aside one-on-one, quality time with your kids.

Quality Time Ideas- What Does It Look Like?

1. Cook or bake together.
2. Work on homework.
3. Play sports.
4. Try their hobbies.
5. Attend a concert, show or movie together.
6. Shopping trip.
7. Have a movie or game night.
8. Go on a bike ride or walk together.
9. Read a book together – this works great for younger children.
10. Make a craft or start a project together.

(Courtesy of CNT)

Enjoy your week and your children
Narelle Thomas
Guidance Officer

Chappy Chat

I hope you are all looking forward to the Christmas Concert on Wednesday November 29th.

The Music team and P and C have generously allowed chaplaincy to run the BBQ dinner on the night.

The TCBC Kitchen will be open from 5pm and close approximately at 8.30pm or until sold out.

If you would like to help the kitchen team on the night please talk to Chappy Libbie.

Christmas Concert Menu and Prices

Bottled water will be available on the night however I would like to encourage you to bring reusable water bottles for your family, there will be water jugs available.

Sausage on Bread $2.50 - Onion optional (no extra cost)
Beef Pattie on Burger $5 - Onion Optional (no extra charge)
Coleslaw $1 extra
Softdrinks $2
Water Bottle $2

Again I hope to see many of you there to wish you a Merry Christmas.

Chappy Libbie

DEFENCE NEWS

Hello all Defence Families.

I would like to extend a HUGE Thank you to all who were involved in making our Remembrance Day ceremony on Friday so wonderful. Also send great appreciation to our Year 5 & 6 students who were such an integral part of the service. Charlie S, Jack V, Madison L, Cory P, Bailey M, Lily F and Ollie P and Poppy Sellers, your support was outstanding and made our service have special meaning. It is also wonderful to see so many families attending. Special mention must go to Alyssa C for playing the bugle for us.

It is also the end of the term and some families will be leaving soon. Please make sure the teacher/office /DSTA know if a student is leaving. All students will be receiving a Farewell Pack before they leave and I would hate for someone to miss out so let me know if you are leaving before the end of term. A Farewell Party has also been arranged for Friday of week 8 for all defence students who are posting out. Invitations will be delivered to students soon.

If you are finding lifes challenges overwhelming my door is always open. Don’t forget you are Welcome to come to L pod for a chat/cuppa, any day from 8:00am until 3:00pm. The office can phone ahead to make sure I am in my room or you can email me to arrange a time. Talking with others can help to put things in perspective. See you soon.

ARE YOU MOVING SCHOOLS? IF YOU ARE POSTING OUT OR MOVING SCHOOLS THIS YEAR 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 too. This information is much appreciated by myself so I have time to give a Farewell Pack to the student. The school also appreciates this vital information for further planning. Look forward to hearing from you.

Deployments are a part of the Defence Force family lifestyle. PLEASE LET THE SCHOOL KNOW IF A LOVED ONE IS GOING AWAY. 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.

EDUCATION ASSISTANCE is important for all students. The EAS Education Assistance SCHEME - is where 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?

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.

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 AND ACTIVITIES TO REMEMBER

Are you looking for a Job? Come and join Employment Pathways Workshops.

GECKOS CHRISTMAS PARTY AND CAROLS ON 25TH NOV 16:30-20:30, $10/child includes food, drink, gift, lolly bag and activities. Bookings essential-

VVCS NQ GROUP PROGRAMS AVAILABLE NOW FOR VETERANS, PARENTS, PARTNERS AND FAMILIES TO ATTEND, CALL 1800 011 046 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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.

Defence Family Helpline operates 24-7 on 1800 624 608 or e-mail defencefamilyhelpline@defence.gov.au

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 applies)

Defence Special Needs Support Group- 1800 037 674 for local delegate details

DFA Defence Families of Australia – 1800 100 509

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

Have a great week and remember
Correna Wheeler