26 July 2019

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S PRIDE

Welcome to Term 3!

It has been a positive start to our term, and I would like to thank our school community for your support in settling our students back into school routine. The high level of engagement in learning is already in full swing and it is outstanding to see the growth in student confidence and in their skills across the learning areas. Students have returned well rested and enthusiastic about being at school and their learning. This is fantastic and indicates a very healthy culture promoting learning. Well done team!

I would like to welcome to our school all new families and staff. I know that The Willows School Team will make you all feel very welcome. This Semester we welcome to our team:

• Miss Imogen Guiney (Year 2 GUI – formerly 2PAL)
• Miss Ellie Pritchard (Year 3PRI – formerly 3CLA)
• Mr Timothy Menzies (Year 4MEN – formerly 4CHR)
• Miss Erin Edmonds (Year 6EDM – formerly 6AND)
• Mrs Aleisha Culloty (Local Relief Teacher – The Willows SS)

We also welcome Siohban Moule who will be working with us for the semester on delivering intervention alongside our Teaching and Learning and Inclusive Education Team.

Congratulations to Mrs West and Mrs Ginard on your respective weddings over the holidays! Both of you looked stunning!

STUDENT SUCCESS – LEARNING AND BEHAVIOUR

Our Semester 1 Reports have been issued and we are continuously proud of the high expectations and achievements of our students in their learning, and in behaviour. Parents interested in seeking additional information about their child’s progress are invited to contact their child’s class teacher directly to arrange an interview time. In some cases, teachers will indicate on the student report that an interview is recommended.

I am really proud to share with you all the overall learning, behaviour and attendance results of Semester One. At The Willows we pride ourselves on excellent and high standards and as a direct result our students have achieved as follows:

Celebrate the learning and achievement team, Semester 1, 2019 was an absolute credit to the high quality teaching, learning and support of our entire school team!

NCCD INFORMATION

The nationally consistent approach to data collection provides all Australian schools, education authorities and the community with a clear picture of the number of students receiving adjustments because of disability in schools, and the adjustments they are provided to enable them to participate in education on the same basis as other students.

From 2018, the Commonwealth’s student with disability funding loading for schools is based on NCCD data. Any questions parents/carers or schools have about the completion of the 2019 national data collection may be directed to the relevant education authority contact listed at the link below.

A copy of the NCCD Guidelines for 2019 is available for viewing at:

An information brochure is also included later in this newsletter.

Inclusive Education Workshop – Setting the direction for success – Friday, 2 August – 9:30-12:30

The Community Resource Unit (CRU) is offering a workshop for parents of students with disability in state schools to learn about:

• What an inclusive education looks like
• How to develop a positive vision to set goals for school and school life
• Inclusive Education Policies and other supports that help make inclusion possible
• Communication tips and how to work with your school

Additional Information is included in the flyer at the end of this newsletter

• The venue is Sports House, 3-9 Redpath Street, North Ward, Townsville
• Please register and book your tickets by Thursday, 25 July through the link below.
• Registrations closed on Thursday 25th July 2019.

Please continue to work in partnership with our school staff and keep abreast of the upcoming events and initiatives at our school. Our school is a great state school with outstanding work towards excellence in education each and every day!

Kind regards
Helen McCullough
Principal

GENERAL NEWS

Reports for Semester 2 and Instrumental Students

All of our families have received their reports for Semester 1. If you have a student in the instrumental program please note that a report on their progress has not been included in this semesters report. This is because our instrumental teachers are following a union directive to work to rule which includes not providing A to E reporting for this reporting cycle. Our school and instrumental teachers do however value the importance of feedback to our parents and students. There will be no formal or informal report regarding academic progress but our instrumental teachers will deliver some feedback regarding behaviour and effort. As a school we also wish to ensure that our instrumental students are acknowledged for their participation in ensembles and bands by including these as an extracurricular activity that will be mentioned at the bottom of the report. If you have any questions regarding this please contact your instrumental teacher.

RACQ

RACQ will be visiting our school in week 5 to educate our students in ‘The Streets Ahead Program. Further information to come in the following weeks.

The Streets Ahead program

The Streets Ahead program includes four age-appropriate presentations covering road safety themes like passenger, pedestrian and bicycle safety.

All of our Education Officers are qualified teachers who will enthuse and educate your students through a variety of teaching methods including demonstrations, interactive activities and meaningful discussions.

Our specially designed road mat gives students the ability to learn correct road safety behaviours, and practice crossing the road safely. For older groups, our education officers will demonstrate the importance of responsible behaviours and safety equipment, like helmets and seatbelts, through engaging lessons.

Our Education Officers can also help teachers incorporate road safety education into their classrooms by providing activities for teachers to complement our programs. All Streets Ahead program features content appropriate for students from Prep to Year 6

Lost Property

We have a number of prescription glasses that have been handed in at the office. Please check with the office if your student has lost their glasses.

We have a large collection of jumpers, drink bottles, hats and other miscellaneous items. Please check the lost property boxes located in the Main CPA. Any items remaining after the end of Week Three will be donated to charity.

Willows Warriors

Willows Warriors Teddy Bears Picnic

If you went into the playground on Wednesday 26th June, you were in for a big surprise, because the Willows Warriors were having a very exciting Teddy Bears Picnic with all our friends and favourite teddy bears. We had fun activities to do, running races with our teddies, and we even rescued BIG TED off the playground. It was GREAT!

REMINDER —Willows Warriors has commenced for the term. We look forward to seeing all our friends again.

When: Wednesday from 9:00—11:15 and 12:30—2:45

Global Tropics Future

SCHOOL WATCH

We need everyone to look out for after-hours crime in our school. If you see anything suspicious, please don't attempt to intervene.

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

The following document outlines the curriculum for Term 3 for all year levels

We hope that you have enjoyed the many articles from all of our year levels showing you our curriculum, teaching and learning in the classroom.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Positive Behaviour Learning

Willows Proud!

Thank you again for supporting your students with their learning and behaviour. Don’t forget to check in at home with your students about each fortnightly focus. This fortnight it is ‘Every day Counts’ and well done to those students who have been at school for the whole term. The class with the highest attendance at the end of the term, will be rewarded with a class attendance celebration. Last term 3PRO won the attendance reward and enjoyed celebrating. We encourage everyone to be at school on time because ‘Every day Counts’.

Positive Behaviour for Learning - End of Term 2 Acknowledgements

Students celebrated their amazing behaviour with a range of activities that our teachers organised. Everyone had a great time.

Check out the fun that was had in the last few days of Term 2.

Strand Ephemera 2019

During Art in a Suitcase at The Willows, the students created amazing artworks which will soon be on display along the Strand. The Strand Ephemera takes place from the 26th of July to the 4th of August. If you would like further information about this, follow the below link. On the Council website there are activities in the ‘For Teachers’ section and there is also information on the artists and the program of the event.

Interrelate Poster Competition Finalist

We are proud to announce that Jesica Palmer was a finalist in the Interrelate poster competition. She travelled with her mother to Government House in Sydney recently. Although she was not selected as the winner, Jesica enjoyed the experience and received an award and a prize pack of Faber-Castell art equipment. Well done Jesica, you have done The Willows proud!

Well Being

Parents - Tips for regular stress-free reading

ANGELA BUETI - Creator and Writer - WOW books 4 boys

At the end of a long day it can sometimes be hard to get our young ones motivated to read. They are often tired and so are we. Here are some tips to keep everyone happy and sane - and reading regularly! 1. Read together as soon as you get home from school with the incentive of your child being able to then have free time. If kids plonk themselves in front of the TV, or go out to play, it can be harder to reign them in. 2. Prepare a yummy, healthy snack to tempt them to sit with you to read. 3. If you are rushing to sport and other commitments after school, ask your child to read aloud in the car, or they can read with you while waiting for their swimming lesson. 4. If your child becomes frustrated, angry or upset it's better to stop reading. Ask them to choose their favourite book and you can read to them instead. A battle to get them to read is counterproductive - reading should be fun and enjoyable. 5. Read alternate pages to take the pressure off your child having to do all the reading. This is particularly helpful if the text is a little difficult or if they are tired. 6. It's not always necessary to finish a whole book each night. Allocate a set amount of time if that works better - 20 minutes is adequate. Reading can be a challenging process for some kids and concentration can wane if you read for too long. 7. If the reader selected from school doesn't interest your child, make it as fun as your imagination allows - use silly voices, look for funny things in the illustrations, make up a different ending, imagine they were the author and could change any of the characters. A seemingly bland book can be made a little more exciting if we inject some excitement.

Narelle Thomas
Guidance Officer

Defence News

HELLO TO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

Welcome back to the start of Term 3. Hope everyone had a fantastic break. If your children are being affected by the defence members’ absence please register them for the Kidsmart program happening in week 7 and 8. After school in L pod for 1 afternoon over the 2 weeks. Strategies and coping when feeling stressed will be discussed. Contact me for more details. Coffee Connections is on again on 1st August, a great time to chill and chat with other defence partners.

Kidsmart Deployment program is on after school this term, starting on Tuesday 27th August and Tuesday 3rd September (goes for 2 sessions). Program covers issues relating to children who find it challenging and emotional when parent is on deployment/absent from the family. The program is held over 2 weeks and issues around emotions and resilience are discussed in a group environment. Fun program for all ages. If you would like your child/ren to attend please contact me to reserve a spot. Flyer attached.

There are lots of activities happening through DCO and Geckos this month, so keep an eye out

LOVED ONE AWAY ON DEPLOYMENT/COURSE. If you know that you/member will be away for a period of time please contact me so I can support the student here at school. This information is important to the extra support that we can offer here at school and to assist in the positive learning and emotional wellbeing of the child at school. This can be an emotional rollercoaster for most students when a loved one goes away. It is important that they know they have a support person at school that they can turn to when they are feeling sad/upset. We can work together to make this transition as smooth as possible. Please contact me through the school office 47 991 333 or email cwhee36@eq.edu.au. My door is always open for a chat.

POSTINGS are starting to come through to members and families. If you know you are going to be leaving the school throughout/end of the year. Please contact me and the school with the details. I can support the student with the transition to a new school.

Tutoring Assistance- There are changes to the EAS forms for families to access tutoring for students who have posted in to a new school. You can ring the Defence Family Helpline 1800 624 608 or you can collect the forms from me. Also extra paperwork is required in the form of reports from leaving and gaining schools. Refer to PACAMAN Chapter 8, Part 4, Division 2

Still trying to find clubs, groups, and activities for children, what to see and do, you must look at the link below this is an amazing on-line resource for defence member and families to find information on their new location.

DATES TO REMEMBER

8 August Dinner with a Difference – Games night @ The Courtyard (This will be a child free event) Registrations opening soon

RSL Queensland Employment Program for Partners. RSL Queensland has launched a new Employment Program to help the partners of current and former Defence members find meaningful employment. Are you a Defence partner and looking for work?

The nature of Defence service can present employment challenges for the partners and spouses of current and former service personnel. Families move extensively while Defence personnel are serving. As a result, partners’ careers are often interrupted, making it difficult for them to find meaningful employment. Tailored to your specific needs, the Partner program will help you open the next chapter in your career.

ADF Member and Family Transition Seminars – North Queensland

Refreshed, family-friendly ADF Member and Family Transition Seminars are now available nationwide and are open to members and their families at any point throughout their military career. To better meet the needs of transitioning members and their families the format of the now one-day event has been changed, with members able to “pick their own adventure” and select the sessions they are most interested in learning more about.

Members keen to attend an upcoming seminar are asked to register via Campus.

DON’T FORGET to Register for DCO mailing list NOW for all the upcoming events in your local area.

GECKOS AT LAVARACK BARRACKS is a place for defence members, partners and families to build friendships, socialise and access information to assist with the challenges of the defence lifestyle. Open most days with lots of events organised. A great place to meet other defence spouses and the younger ones can play together. Host of events and activities are organised.

Defence Family Helpline 24/7 1800 624 608

Open Arms call 1800 011 046 DFA (Defence Families of Australia) Chandelle Derham 0418 796 561 nth.qld@dfa.org.au

Geckos Family Centre-Nth Qld Lavarack Barracks Contact for enquiries on 4411 7031

Defence Holidays NQ 07 4725 3842 at Lavarack Barracks opp Gym admin@defenceholidaysnq.com.au

If there are any changes with the home dynamics, please be sure to contact the class teacher/or myself so we can best support the student at school. I am available to talk anytime at school. My hours are Monday to Friday 8:00am-3:30pm, phone me on 4799 1333 ext 323, or e-mail me cwhee36@eq.edu.au anytime.

My aim is to assist to empower students at school by developing RESILIENCE, CARING AND TRUST. Students with these life skills will be ready for the future.

Have a great week

Correna Wheeler
DSM

Music News (The Pitch)

P and C News

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We are super excited about our upcoming Fun Fair, and we hope that it will be an even bigger and better event with the presence of the food trucks, market stalls, rides, activities and entertainment - something for all the family!

A reminder that our Fun Fair is one of our biggest fundraisers and all funds raised will go back into the school for much needed resources. Only last year, the P&C provided much needed funds for our music students, the purchase of added technology, and most recently, new playgrounds.

We need your assistance at this time. Our organisers are after some much needed resources to support the many activities on the night including:

• Tombola fillers such as stationery items, chocolates (Freddo frogs, other varieties), USB sticks or small electronic goodies, chalk, novelty games, hair ties, costume jewellery, puzzles, basically anything that will fit in a glass jar. Any foodstuffs will need to remain inside their packaging. (No more glass jars are required)
• Chocolates (boxed, bars, family blocks, big or small, even lolly bars) for our Chocolate Toss stall
• Prizes (both kids and adults) for our Lucky Numbers stall
• Bottles of softdrink (coke, ginger ale and lemonade)
• Kids second hand books (kids only please)
• Baked goods for our Cake Stall delivered on the day of the event to tuckshop (a separate note has gone home about this. If you need more info, please email willowspandc@gmail.com)

If you have any of the items above, please deliver them to the office or OSHC.

We hope that you can assist us and provide us with these much needed items and we look forward to seeing all of our families at the FUN FAIR on Friday the 16th of August.

Yours Sincerely

The Willows State School P&C

Prep News

English

In English, we are going to be creating and reciting our poem to our class. We have been working on matching up rhyming words and playing with sentences to make a poem that can be silly, but still makes sense.

This term we are beginning to write more in the Year One blue and red lines. It takes a lot of concentration, but we are doing a fantastic job.

Science

Science this term involves us making a wind ornament that is durable enough to stay outside. Our first steps in our learning journey are to identify materials and their properties. We have been looking at our playground equipment and have been investigating our toys in class. We have even watched a video of Lego and Duplo being made. It can last for years as it is hard, strong and shiny.

PBL AWARDS

At the end of last term all Preps that achieved 75 stars had an arts and crafts reward session. PYRAB all made masks of our favourite Aussie cartoon Bluey. For no majors they had a disco and decorated iced biscuits. The end of term went off with bang with us participating in our first school Colour Run.

Year 1 News

At the end of Term 2, Year 1 students participated in the ’75 Stars Rewards’ session where students were able to create their own puppets using a variety of different materials. The students had a wonderful time making their own puppets and were very creative!

Students earn the 75 Stars by consistently following The Willows Way (by being Responsible, Respectful and Safe learners) and our fortnightly school-wide PBL focus.

This fortnight the key PBL message is ‘Every day counts’ with the focus being on the importance of students being at school as every day counts. Students are earning stars if they are showing us the fortnightly focus and following the Willows Way. Parents are encouraged to check in with their child regarding their star progress throughout the term.

Year 2 News

In year 2 this week students have been working on creating an ‘imaginary’ or ‘real’ place for their visual arts portfolio. This week students were able to explore this idea through reflection painting. The students thoroughly enjoyed this activity and were very creative in the construction of their ‘real or ‘imaginary’ place.

Year 3 News

Welcome to the first week back of term 3! The year 3’s have been straight back to work this week learning about many maths topics. Within the maths unit for term 3, there are six topics that the student’s will be learning about. The learning intentions for each topic are as follows.

Topic 1 (money): to represent money values in various ways and correctly count change from financial transactions.

Topic 2 (representing multiplication): to represent multiplication and solve multiplication problems using a range of strategies.

Topic 3 (measuring length, mass and capacity using metric units): to use metric units to compare length, mass and capacity.

Topic 4 (patterning and connecting addition and subtraction): to classify numbers as odd or even, continue number patterns, recall addition facts and recognise the connection between addition and subtraction.

Topic 5 (relationship between units of time): to use simple strategies to reason and solve a measurement inquiry.

Topic 6 (telling time to the nearest minute): to tell time to the nearest minute and solve problems using time.

This week 3PRO have been focusing on topic 3 measuring length, mass and capacity. Students have been using tape measures, rulers and trundle wheels to measure different object’s in the classroom and understanding what would be the best unit of measurement to use to measure certain things e.g. the length of the classroom we would use metres compared to a water bottle where we would use centimetres. Students have also been investigating the difference between capacity and mass. Estimating and then measuring liquid in different containers, understanding what container holds the most amount of water and why, using metric units millilitres and litres. 3PRO have also been estimating and then weighing different objects using scales and understanding the metric units of mass grams and kilograms. This has been a great opportunity for inquiry based learning for the students and it sure has been fun!

Year 4 News

At the end of last term, Year 4 celebrated their ‘No Major’ Behaviours by playing games on the oval followed by an ice-cold poppa to cool down. Fun was had by students and their teachers, running relay races and playing ‘Rob the Nest’. The ‘No Majors’ celebration for Year 4 this term will be held during week 10. Please check in with your child to ensure they stay on track with their behaviour so that they can participate in these celebrations. The Year 4 teachers would like to welcome everyone back this term and look forward to the learning ahead.

Year 5 News

Learning about Light!

In Year 5 we have been learning about light and how it works with the world around us! We now know that light travels in straight lines and there must be a light source to reflect off an object, which then lets us see these straight lines, which lets us make sense of the world. We have been doing some experiments around this. In the picture above, we experiment with light and with the more light we have to reflect on an object, the better we are able to see that object. I wonder what is in the boxes?

Year 6 News

Design and Technology- Hands off

In Term 2, Year 6 students investigated how forces or electrical energy control movement, sound or light in a designed product or system. They produced a prototype electrical security device to protect the garden area near the Outside School Hours Care. Students applied processes and production skills including:

• investigating by:
  - analysing technologies applied in security systems
  - testing circuits and devices that control movement, sound or light
• generating and documenting design ideas for security devices using technical terms and graphical representation techniques
• producing a functional prototype by safely using materials, components, tools and techniques
• evaluating design ideas, processes and solutions against negotiated criteria for success including sustainability
• collaborating as well as working individually throughout the process
• Have a look at some of our amazing work!

The Garden with the Unnatural Barricade

The Investigation Stage

Communicating our Design

Making our Prototype

Community Events & Notices

Anindiya Lunetta (Anetta) Iskandar – Class 2 FAU

Won the Art Competition at the Townsville Show 2019
1st Prize/Champion for the Open Theme
1st Prize/Champion for the School Fine Art – Family Holiday

Photo with a judge for the Art Competition

The Smith Family
Saver Plus Program

Experiences of Parenting

Are You A Parent of a Child Aged 2 to 12?

The Parenting and Family Support Centre at the University of Queensland is conducting research into parents’ opinions about parenting and parenting programs. If you have a child between 2 and 12 years, we would love to hear your views on parenting and the services that are available to you as a parent. You will need to complete a short survey. To find out more or to participate please visit the link below.

Hosting Opportunity

After School Tackers