20 September 2019

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S PRIDE

Last week of Term 3. Our term has been a very quick one and there has been significant improvement, progress and achievements throughout Term 3 that we can all be very proud of. I thank each and every staff member for their positive contributions to our school, not just this week, but each and every day.

How amazing was our Grand Book Week celebrations. A huge thank you to our amazing team who have spent a great deal of time practicing with our students to put together the performance to start our book week celebrations. Thank you parents for attending and supporting our school celebrations. The student’s costumes were amazing.

Please join me in thanking Karen Taylor, one of our school cleaners who is relocating to the Sunshine Coast with her family at the end of the term. We wish you all the best Karen and thank you for everything you have done for us at The Willows.

I hope everyone stays safe these holidays and we look forward to a busy Term 4 ahead.

Kind regards
Helen McCullough
Principal

GENERAL NEWS

Please note the following external gate opening and closure times.

All external perimeter gates will be locked daily at 9:10am and reopened again at 2:30pm.

If you require access to the school grounds during these times, please present to the Administration building on to the school grounds during these times will be through the Administration building on Bilberry Street.

LIFE EDUCATION RETURNS TO THE WILLOWS

The Willows State School has chosen to partner with Life Education, a specialist health education provider. The Life Education Mobile Learning Centre will be visiting our school again this year from the 30th of October to the 7th of November to provide health curriculum modules for Year 1, 2 and 4. Letters regarding this will go out in the first week of term 4 and we ask that you complete the permission forms and return them as soon as possible.

Our classes will do the following topics:

Life Education will also be doing their “Talk about it” session with our Yr 5 students in week 2 of term 4. Permission letters and payment were due at the end of this week. We are holding a parent information session on Thursday the 10th of October at 4.30pm. This will be held in our TCBC Conference Room.

3 WAY CONVERSATION – TERM 4

In Term 4 we invite you and your child to meet with your class teacher in a ‘Three Way Conversation’ to discuss your child’s academic progress and next learning steps. We encourage our students to be ‘Active Learners” and participate in these conversations to strengthen their ownership of learning.

At the ‘Three Way Conversation’ the roles will be:

Teacher – reports back on academic progress and discusses the student’s next learning steps.
Child – shares achieved goals and future goals.
Parent – discusses ways to support continued academic improvement.

All three way conversations will be held in the TCBC on the following days:

P-2 – Wednesday 16th of October 3.15-8pm
3-6 - Thursday 17th of October 3.15-8pm

Book your interview time using our electronic booking system. Please ensure that you add your student’s name in the notes section.

If you do not have access to technology, you can make your booking using an Ipad available in the front office. All bookings must be finalised by Friday the 11th of October 9am. Once you have made your booking, you will receive a confirmation email for the bookings you have made. Please note that if a time does not suit you can contact your classroom teacher and organise an alternative time.

We look forward to seeing you and sharing information about your student’s progress.

Has your student lost their glasses?

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.

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.

NAPLAN ONLINE

NAPLAN Online – School Readiness Testing

We are really proud of our students and their effort and achievements throughout the readiness testing – Well done to our Year 2, Year 4 and Year 6 students! Our students participated in the writing task (writing in response to a stimulus about sport) and in an omnibus trial, which included elements of reading, language conventions and numeracy.

Feedback from the students in Years 2, 4 and 6 is below:

“It was so much fun!”
“I liked being able to type my writing, rather than write it on paper in a booklet”
“Doing this on the computer is a lot better than doing it in a test book”
“The questions were fun to answer and I liked that we were able to have the computer read to it us”
“I loved using the ruler on the screen to do the measuring question”

How you can support your children in improving their typing skills:

Below are some links to great games that encourage students to remember where the keys are on the keyboard. In general, most students took a lengthy amount of time looking for specific letters on the keyboard and this will become a focus for our classes when using the computer labs for curriculum work. If you could support the development of this skill at home, this will aid students in becoming quicker and allowing them more time to finish their texts.

1. Dance Mat Typing (a fun way to learn touch typing and where they keys are on a keyboard)

2.Keyman (a more challenging game requiring quick knowledge of the location of keys to direct the game)

3.Alpha Munchies (a quick typing game)

4.Type Type Revolution (this is a great game for older children encouraging touch typing skills in time to music)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Positive Behaviour Learning

We are pleased to see so many of our students using the Fortnightly focus to help them throughout the school. Our focus for the fortnight has been ‘Keep our hands, feet and objects to ourselves’. There has been a high level of engagement, with students are telling us other ways to calm themselves when they become angry, upset or frustrated. Great posters, designed and created by our students are being seen around the school to communicate the PBL messages. Thank you to everyone in our community for supporting our learners to be Safe, Respectful and Responsible.

Look at how our Preps have been learning about being Safe

The Prep classes have been making posters and modelling how to be safe by keeping hands and feet in our own squares.

Acknowledging great student behaviour

The end of Term 3 is already here and our students have been participating in a range of activities to acknowledge their respectful and responsible behaviour throughout the Term. The 75 Star reward and Term 3 No Major rewards were held over the last week. It is always a great time for the teachers and students to engage in fun activities together.

There have been ball games, teddy bear fun times, dancing, art and a variety of board games. Some classes have had a great time playing party games, icing biscuits and doing craft. It is a pleasure to see so many students participating fully in these rewards, due to their consistent high standard of behaviour and learning.

We look forward to seeing everyone after the holidays for a successful Term 4.

Well Being

CONNECTING WITH YOUR SCHOOL AGED CHILD

Family relationships are still the biggest influence on your school-age child’s development. Fitting in with friends and finding role models are also important, and you can help your child with these parts of her social and emotional development.

Understanding school-age children: the basics

At school, your child is busy learning and making friends. This includes trying to understand the rules of life, learning about manners, values and what’s right and wrong, and finding role models like teachers and other trusted grown-ups.

At the same time, your child’s brain is developing rapidly, bringing increased emotional maturity, social skills and thinking abilities.

Even with all these new influences, your home life and family relationships are still the biggest influence on your child’s development. Your relationship might change a little bit because you’re spending less time together – your child might even prefer a wave to a public kiss goodbye – but your job as a parent is just as important as ever.

Developing your child’s social skills

When children start school, they’re entering the wider social world. Your child will be thinking about finding their own place, fitting in with friends and feeling part of a larger social group.

Although you’re not there when your child is at school, there’s still a lot you can do to help them develop their social skills:

• Help your child make friends by encouraging her to play with other children outside school hours, have sleepovers, and join clubs and groups.
• Help your child develop conversation skills like asking questions and listening to other children. You can be a role model for these skills in conversations with your child.
• Help your child understand the kinds of comments that might upset others, lead to teasing and get in the way of making friends – for example, ‘Your hair is always messy’.
• Help your child develop empathy and understand different points of view by getting them to describe their own feelings and by talking about other people’s feelings.
• Suggest how your child could handle different situations at school and with friends – for example, ‘Maybe if you shared your new toy it might help’, or ‘Smiling makes people feel happier. It helps if you smile when you first meet people’.

Finding role models

At 5-8 years, school-age children gain a sense of self by finding people they want to be like – or role models.

Children look to older relatives, family friends, teachers and peers – usually of the same gender – to see what it’s like to be a man or a woman in society. These role models can help children work out what sort of people they want to be.

Your child’s teacher

At school, the most important role model in your child’s life is their teacher. When you consider that your child learns from watching, listening and interacting with others, you can see why teachers have a huge influence on your child’s thinking, attitudes, behaviour and views about school.

Understanding rules

During the first few years of primary school, children can get quite preoccupied with learning rules.

Games and sports with rules become important. Through them, children learn that rules apply differently in different situations. They also start understanding what’s ‘right’ and ‘wrong’. For example, some rules or behaviour that are all right at home might not be OK when visiting friends.

At this age, children come to understand and accept that there are rules in the family and in society. They might feel guilty when they do the wrong thing.

Helping your school-age child understand rules and values

• Explain why things are considered right and wrong, and why some behaviour isn’t tolerated at all in society – for example, teasing and stealing.
• Encourage a sense of compassion and empathy by saying things like ‘Imagine if you were that person right now’.
• Play games with rules that include elements of both chance and skill. Let your child win some of the time, but remember that losing is also important. It helps your child learn to deal with disappointment.
• Discuss the idea of values with your child. Share your own personal and family values with him. You can also talk about broader community and Australian values.

Taken from:

Narelle Thomas
Guidance Officer

Defence News

HELLO TO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE, whatever you are doing in the 2 weeks break have a great time and safe travels. I know the children are looking forward to the break from school. Great opportunity to go to the movies, out for lunch, check out the library or a picnic at Pallarenda or Jezzine Barracks. While at Jezzine maybe check out the Army Museum it is filled with lots of things to see and do for all ages. Relax and enjoy your time together. Also check Geckos Facebook page for what is happening in the holidays.

POSTINGS should be through to members and families by now. If you know you are going to be leaving the school at the end of the year, please complete the form sent home and return to school. You can contact me with the details so I can support the student with the transition to a new school and make sure they receive their Farewell pack before they leave. Any questions about schools please contact me.

If you have a partner who has or will be Deployed and your child is not coping with the change please send me an email or call me to discuss your concerns. This time can be very traumatic for a child who is missing this special person. I can talk to them and we can put some ideas and strategies in place to assist with coping at school and home. It is important to recognise their concerns and to acknowledge to them that you are there for them anytime. Emotions run high, with parents away and on deployment. This can be an emotional rollercoaster for many children. Stay positive and always keep the lines of communication open and give a cuddle to your child when they are emotional. Always talk to each other and try to keep the daily routine the same. School is a safe and friendly place to come. Also talk to the teacher.

Our last Deployment program was a huge success, 18 students attended. So I am holding another Kidsmart Deployment program in Term 4 WK 4&5, Tues 29th Oct and Tues 5th Nov (2 sessions ONLY after school) please give a call or email me. I will also be holding a Kidsmart Relocation Program later in Term 4 WK 8&9 Wed 27th Nov and Wed 4th Dec (2 sessions ONLY after school). If you are being posted and worried about how this will affect your children please register your interest NOW. This program touches on strategies and coping skills with moving to a new school and making new friends. PLEASE REGISTER BY CALLING OR EMAILING ME NOW.

Kookaburra Kids gives kids a break in a fun, positive and safe environment and provides an opportunity for them to meet other kids in similar families and develop new friendships. Anyone can refer a child to the program either online or by contacting the local office during business hours, at the link below or Townsville Co-ordinator Louisa Calvert on 0410 896 923 (Tues & Wed 9-5 and Mon & Thurs mornings). Will keep you posted with activity dates and camps. Donations and volunteers are also welcome. Lots of fun. FREE activities.

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 and present location

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, visit DCO website or collect the forms from me. Also paperwork is required in the form of reports from leaving and gaining schools. More Information go to

DATES TO REMEMBER

Geckos has a jam packed program of activities for everyone from single members to families. If you haven’t visited the Centre lately, head down and check out the great work happening there. From Boot Camps to Date Nights, there are some fantastic events planned. So you don’t miss out on any of their upcoming events, like “Geckos Family Centre – North Queensland” on Facebook. There are lots of activities happening through DCO and Geckos this month, so keep an eye out.

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.

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

Kookaburra Kids Tvl-Louisa Calvert 1300 566 525/0410 896 923

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 who develop these life skills will be ready for the future.

Happy Holidays
Correna Wheeler
DSM Defence School Mentor

Defence School Mentor

“SMILING is a universal sign of HAPPINESS”

P and C News

Prep News

Science

In Science this term, we have been exploring materials and their properties. Students have chosen different materials that they believe will be suitable to stay on their wind ornament. Students began by testing the materials, and then moved onto designing their wind ornament and finally creating and testing their wind ornaments.

Maths

In Maths this term, we have been learning about collecting information and gathering data. Students had to ask their peers a question and then go onto analysing their data. Students learnt about making predictions and inferencing in order for them to make sense of their data.

Writing

Students in prep are continuing to develop their writing skills. We write every day in prep and students enjoy sharing their writing with the class to access feedback from their peers. Here is an example writing samples from when the students were asked to write about what they did for Father’s Day.

Year 1 News

Throughout the term the Year 1 students have been learning about things in the past and how technology has changed them into what they are today.

Students in 1 West have been exploring how students in the past would use slate boards and slate pencils at school. 1 West have been using their imagination to pretend that their whiteboard markers are ink pens and the lid was the ink well.

The students have been very interested to see how technology has changed for many day to day objects they use. Take out some photos from when you were a younger person and tell the children how much things have changed.

Year 2 News

Year 2 News

For Maths the year 2 students have been learning to measure, compare and order shapes and objects using uniform informal units. We have been busy measuring the length (how long) of some shapes and objects in the classroom to find out which is the longest. We also have been comparing the length of three objects we have measured to say how much longer it is. Some informal units we have used are unifix blocks, MAB one blocks, counters, paperclips, paddlepop sticks and matchsticks. We have to remember not to leave any gaps or overlap the informal units to get an accurate answer. We are also excited to be measuring the volume of some objects to find out which container holds more and the area of objects to find out which one has the largest base area. To be successful we have to measure accurately and be able to explain why objects are longer, larger in area or hold more. Here are some photos of some of 2DAV’s students measuring some objects with unifix blocks or MAB one blocks.

Year 3 News

Year 3 have had an amazing time creating an activity for a multiplication fair! Together we have been learning how there are different ways to represent a multiplication fact – rather than just using an equation. This helped students develop a deeper understanding of what multiplication actually is.

3FAH were lucky enough to visit 3EVA and 3PRO’s multiplication fairs before creating their own.

To be successful, students needed to:

Everyone involved used their knowledge, understanding and creativity to develop an engaging activity for the fair.

Year 4 News

Throughout the term, Grade 4 students have been learning about Fractions. As part of the learning, they had to locate fractions on a number line. In our class, students have enjoyed hands on learning where they collaboratively constructed their own number line and participated in a craft activity locating fractions (mixed, improper and proper) on a number line.

Year 5 News

In Year 5, we have been learning to create a digital multimodal transformation of a narrative poem.

YEAR 5 LEADERSHIP DAY

In Term 4 we are starting the selection process for our school leaders for 2020. All current year 5 students will be considered leaders and role models of the school as they become our school seniors in 2020. We do, however, have some students in leadership positions who represent our school.

All students will participate in our leadership day on Wednesday the 16th of October (2nd week of Term 4). Our theme this year is “Oh…the places you will go” focussing on setting goals, challenging yourself and being resilient. On this day students will reflect on what it is to be a leader and will participate in several activities designed to enhance their leadership capabilities, group work skills and team building strategies. It will be an opportunity for us to identify leadership potential and we will provide students with an opportunity to reflect and set goals for their last year of primary school. At the end of the day students will be invited to nominate themselves for student leadership positions for 2020. From this list of students we will shortlist and then successful students will be invited to participate in a workshop for leadership application writing. From the applications students will be shortlisted and invited to attend an interview and then selected students will present a speech to their peers. Successful student leaders will be announced at Assembly on the 6th of December 2019.

This is a very important process in our school year and we look forward to developing the leadership skills in all of our students and selecting student leadership positions for 2020.

Year 6 News

Grade 6 Design and Technologies

Harvesting Good Health

Year 6 LAN students have been challenging themselves in Design and Technologies to design a service that provides an edible plant that can be used to create a healthy food product.

Students were investigating design ideas looking at delivery method, sustainability and plant type. They have been generating design ideas around packaging, developing information fact sheets, creating the packaging solutions and evaluating their design solutions against criteria.

Through the design process, students were able to work in design teams to assist with investigating and generating of ideas.

Community Events & Notices

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

Kids and Influenza

My Time

Indigenous Carers Needed