19 October 2018

Newsletter Articles

DATE CLAIMER

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Dear Parents/Carers and Community Members

As I welcome you back to school for Term 4, it is important that we reflect on our last week of Term 3 – a sensational week (as always at The Willows)…

Congratulations to all of our students, staff, parents and community that attended the Book Parade on our last day of Term 3. We have very talented students and staff (and parents - every costume looked fantastic – well done!). I would like to thank our Book Week Committee, Mrs Platt, Mrs Milne, Mr Lynn, Mrs Carter and Mr Schimke and student performers for an entertaining, informative and fun celebration of Reading.

I would like to thank each of you for your contribution and support of our school. It was excellent to see the high level of interest and engagement at Three Way Conversations this week. It was fantastic to see students talking with their teachers and parents and proud of their accomplishments and progress to date. The academic report (written) will be issued to parents/carers later this term outlining the semester of learning.

Term 4 is always a very busy time in schools. As we finish the year strong, our teachers and students are finalising the year of learning, teachers are reporting and there are many celebrations that are on our calendar. Please check into our Facebook page regularly as the term progresses and information around these celebrations is released. We look forward to a positive and productive term and your ongoing support of our school.

Just a reminder that Monday the 22nd of October is a student free day.

Kind regards,

Amanda Souter
Acting Principal

2019 ENROLMENTS

If you are leaving our school at the end of 2018, please contact our school office. Our school has strict guidelines around catchment through the Enrolment Management Plan. Currently we have a waiting list which will be referred to should our numbers allow for this. School numbers determine our staffing numbers so we thank you in advance for helping us get this as accurate as possible.

If you know families wishing to enrol at The Willows State School, please encourage them to contact the office and be placed on the waiting list for consideration in 2019.

PARENT REQUESTS 2019

Parents are able to make a time to discuss with Deputy Principal items for us to consider for class placement in 2019. Requests for specific teachers will not be taken – all of our teachers are equally qualified and excellent.

BEFORE SCHOOL PROCEDURES

All students are seated and supervised in the Main CPA from 8am.

At 8:15 am

Yr 3 – 6 students move to TCBC
Prep – Yr 2 students move to Junior CPA
Please remember your hat every day.

Students will have a quiet activity and the opportunity to have some outside movement time prior to learning.

At 8:45 am All students move to classrooms to commence learning.

To help our students we ask that parents and family members model the following behaviours at our school

• Sit quietly
• Listen to the speakers
• Follow instructions
• Keep noise to a minimum

We appreciate you being a part of our Respectful community and modelling our expectations.

The Outside School Hours Care facility is an option for families to book/use and parents/carers who have early starts and late finishing times are encouraged to access this facility.

ATTENDANCE

Every student in our school is important to us and we are committed to providing personalised education suited to their needs. The very first step in that is maximising learning time and we believe that if students attend every day and every learning minute of the day we are improving their opportunities for academic success.

Students can come to school from 8am. If they arrive at 8am they go to the Main CPA. At 8.15am year 3, 4, 5, and 6 students are escorted by at teacher to TCBC. Students are expected to be at school in the classroom ready to start work at 8.45am. Students who are late to school are encouraged to complete any work missed in their own time. Please note that lateness and early departure have an impact on student learning.

THE WILLOWS WAY IS 100% ATTENDANCE.

Just a little bit late doesn’t seem much but did you know…….

Arriving late and leaving early can take up a lot of learning time

Reminder that students arriving after 9am need to come through the office.

YEAR LEVEL PARADES

This year our students will have year level parades weekly and full school parades as scheduled on our school calendar.

Note the time and place for all year levels.

Prep – Monday 8.45 am in Junior CPA
Year 1 – Monday 12.50pm in Junior CPA
Year 2 – Tuesday 8.50am in Junior CPA
Year 3 – Monday 2pm in TCBC Conference Room
Year 4 – Tuesday 2.30pm in TCBC Conference Room
Year 5 – Mondays 11.40am in TCBC Conference Room.
Year 6 – Mondays 2.30pm in TCBC Conference Room.

Parents/Guardians are most welcome to attend.

APPOINTMENTS WITH STAFF

Throughout the course of any day and week, the administrative and teaching staff of The Willows have significant commitments to the Teaching and Learning of our students. If you are needing to see one of the staff, please help us by arranging an appointment time at a mutually beneficial time. This can be done by contacting our office, email or by talking with us.

Curriculum News

In 2019, we will be moving to Version 8 of the Australian Curriculum in most subject areas. This means we are on target to be delivering the Full Suite of Version 8 Australian Curriculum by the end of 2020, as outlined in the P-12 Curriculum and Reporting Framework. Our teachers have been working together to prepare for this transition and to ensure that we are delivering a quality curriculum so that every student, in every classroom has access to the education that they are entitled to. Attached is a snapshot of the units that our students will be working on this term.

Student Leadership for 2019

It is that time of the year where we are starting the selection process for our school leaders for 2019. All current year 5 students will be considered leaders and role models of the school as they become our school seniors in 2019. We do, however, have some students in leadership positions i.e. School, Music & Sports Captains, Student Council Captains, Publicity Officers, Environmental Officers and School Services representatives.

All students participated in our leadership day on Wednesday the 10th October. On this day students reflected on what it is to be a leader and participated in several activities designed to enhance their leadership capabilities, group work skills and team building strategies.

Our theme this year was ‘Find Your Motivation’. Students defined motivation as something that drives us to make things happen. Staying motivated isn’t always easy. It is about goal setting, making our goals public, plotting our progress and rewarding ourselves along the way.

A huge thank you to Kirwan State High School and Thuringowa State High School for their assistance with some activities and thank you to David Lynn (one of our very popular teachers) who presented an excellent speech on ‘finding your motivation’ based on his life experiences.

After the leadership day activities, students were invited to nominate themselves for student leadership positions for 2019. From this list of students we shortlist and invited selected students to participate in the writer’s workshop on Friday the 19th of October. Students will then submit an application and will be invited to continue with the selection process including interviews, and speech to their peers. Successful student leaders will be announced at Assembly on the 7th of December. A handover ceremony will be conducted at the Graduation Awards morning on Wednesday the 12th December and a badge pinning ceremony will be conducted in the New Year (2019).

Life Education Term 4 – Year levels 1,2,4

The Willows State School has chosen to partner with Life Education, a specialist health education provider. The Life Education Mobile Learning Centre will be at our school visiting our year 1,2 and 4 students from the 14th to the 22nd of November. Information and permission forms have gone out and payment is due on Wednesday the 7th of November.

Life Education is a health promotion charity, and the largest non-government provider of health and drug education to children. They work in partnership with schools to enhance and reinforce children’s learning about nutrition, the benefits of physical activity, staying safe online, the health impacts of smoking and alcohol, and strategies to cope with peer and social pressures. Life Education is about prevention through education – providing children with important knowledge, skills, confidence and self-esteem to help them live a healthy, safe life. Life Education is well known by its mascot ‘Healthy Harold” the giraffe.

The following programs will be offered.

Year 6 News

What’s coming up at The Willows State School

WEAR RED FOR DANIEL FREE DRESS DAY.

On Friday the 26th of October we will have a free dress day and students are asked to wear red and give a gold coin donation to go to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation. On this day all of our classes will be reflecting on the importance of personal safety. As parents supporting our learners please take the time to look at the Daniel Morcombe Foundation website:

It has some excellent resources that you can share with your student regarding child safety.

YEAR 6 PHOTO AND YEARBOOK.

Last year the year 6 yearbook was a hit so we are going to do it again this year. Our Year 6 students will have their cohort photo taken on Tuesday the 23rd of October. Any new students in year 6 that arrived after our school photos will also have their photo taken. All year 6 students who have permission to be involved in the yearbook will receive a copy at the end of the year. Please ensure that your student is dressed in full school uniform. Note that this is not the senior shirt. It is the yellow official school uniform. Students may bring a fun item for the mock photo.

YEAR 6 END OF YEAR EVENTS

Information regarding end of year events with Year 6 has been sent out. Keep these dates and times handy.

Year 6 Graduation Ceremony – Wednesday the 12th of December 9.00 to 11.30am
Year 6 Graduation Dance – Wednesday the 12th of December 5.30 to 8pm
Year 6 Fun Day – Thursday the 13th of December 8.45 to 3.00pm.

Defence News

Hello Defence Families.

Welcome back everyone to Term 4, hope the 2 weeks holiday break was fantastic. It is difficult to believe it is the last term of the year and only 8 weeks to go. Remember if you are leaving at the end of the year please inform the office. Also please send me an e-mail/call so I can make sure all defence students who are leaving receive their Farewell Pack and Signature Bear. Defence students are very excited and can’t wait to receive their bear for all their friends and teachers to sign. It is a great keepsake from their time at The Willows SS. Farewell packs are distributed at least 1-2 weeks before students leave the school.

The beautiful REMEMBER sign was on The Strand for 4 days before school started. Hope you were able to see it, if not here is a picture. Our school made 1075 poppies that were in the letters. What a great achievement.

Geckos is holding the final Kids Medallion Presentation on the 7th November at Geckos Community Centre. Please note RSVP is by the 31st October and if interested you will need to email HQ3BDE.familynq@defence.gov.au.

IF YOU ARE READING THIS BEFORE WEDNESDAY 24TH OCTOBER THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR THE KIDSMART RELOCATION PROGRAM. IF YOU ARE POSTING PLEASE REGISTER FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO ATTEND THE 4 SESSIONS BEING HELD AFTER SCHOOL THIS TERM. THIS IS A WONDERFUL PROGRM FOR DEFENCE STUDENTS TO RECEIVE STRATEGIES TO COPE WITH THE MANY CHANGES THAT OCCUR WHEN YOU ARE POSTED AND MOVE TO A NEW SCHOOL. Cope with feelings, tips on handling emotions and learning great relaxation techniques. Starts on Wednesday 24th OCTOBER FROM 3pm-4:45pm. Parents are welcome to attend. PLEASE CALL ME TO REGISTER YOUR CHILD NOW.

This year marks the Centenary of Armistice and as a commemoration to all those who have lost their lives and served our country I have organised a school project. At the moment we are painting 100 plastic poppies made from water bottles. These will be fixed to a stake that will be placed in the school grounds leading up to Remembrance Day. Please encourage your children to join me at 1st and 2nd breaks on a Tuesday and Wednesday to be part of this wonderful task. This should look awesome.

This year we will be commemorating Remembrance Day with a service here at school on Friday 9th November. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Most of the postings are out, so if you are moving please contact me and the office ASAP. Information regarding students last day of school and where you will be moving to is important to the school. This information is much appreciated by myself so I have time to visit and talk about the transition to another school and also give a Farewell Pack to the student. If your children have the defence passport please bring them in to me to be stamped before you leave. Look forward to hearing from you.

IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS; EDUCATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME - all defence families can access financial assistance for education costs incurred as a result of postings. Students maybe 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. You can ring the Helpline for updates 1800 624 608.

Are you a member of the FREE ADF Family Health Program? If you said No you should be. Just read the fact sheet below and register now to access the FREE health benefits available to all defence families.

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 include your contact details - member name, address, email, mobile/home number, childrens’ names or collect a form from me. The form is also attached below.

If you are finding life’s 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.

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.

Are you on the DCO mailing List?

Join DCO Townsville mailing LIST NOW if you want to receive updates from DCO. Contact them directly at dco.townsville@defence.gov.au or phone 07 4753 6539.

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

26th October The (Almost) Amazing Race

ADF families in Townsville are invited to jog, walk or even sprint their way through a series of checkpoints and challenges in a race against the clock

This event is for everyone, including families with prams, teens, couples and single members. We’ll be looking for the best dressed team with the most original name on the day, so put together your team and have some fun!

Teams of 2-5 people can be entered. Why not team up with your work mates?

Refuel after the race with a tasty sausage sizzle

Where: Jezzine Barracks When: Friday 26 October from 4.30 – 6.00pm

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

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)

• DFA Defence Families of Australia – 1800 100 509

• National Delegate for Northern Queensland – Chandell Derham at nth.qld@dfa.org.au

Remember I am available anytime from 8:00am until 3:30pm, 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 Monday –Friday on 47 991 333 or e-mail on cwhee36@eq.edu.au

Correna Wheeler
Your DSM - Defence School Mentor

National Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Survey

What's your health story?

Tell us by taking part in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (NATSIHS). Interviewers from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) are now knocking on doors in your area, so make your story heard!

The NATSIHS collects information about the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We will ask you a range of questions face-to-face about your health and lifestyle, such as:

• visits to doctors, nurses or Aboriginal health workers
• health conditions
• medications
• smoking
• exercise
• what you eat and drink

You will have the opportunity to take part in a voluntary hearing test and have some physical measurements taken, if you agree (height, weight, waist and blood pressure). For general enquiries, visit the ABS website at