29 November 2019

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S PRIDE

Dear Parents/Carers and Community,

This week construction on the Multi-Purpose Area (located between library and D Block) will commence. The initial works will have minimal disruption to student learning areas and lead into the Christmas break where further work will continue through to March 2020. The area will be fully equipped for student learning and lunchtime activities and we are looking forward to this addition to our school. The concept design is below of ‘the what’ the area will look like completed.

As we head towards the end of a very busy, productive and rewarding year of teaching and learning, there is much planning and organisation that occurs to ensure that 2020 has a strong start.

STUDENT REPORT CARDS

Student learning continues up until the last day of school. This semester we will be emailing student report cards to parents and it is important that you have updated email contacts through our front office. The report cards are also available on request as hardcopy through contacting our front office. Reports are due for distribution on Monday 9th December, 2019.

I am continuously proud of the student academic excellence at The Willows State School. To celebrate their success, we are having a special Academic Excellence Parade to acknowledge those students who have consistently achieved ‘A’ standard in their subjects. This is a new initiative for our school, and one that will be continuing into the future, each semester across Prep to Year 6.

The criteria for these special Academic Excellence Awards are as follows:-

Academic Excellence Awards – Each Semester (data generated through reporting periods)

The Academic Excellence Parade will be held on 10th December, 2019 in our main hall (The Carol Buchanan Centre) at the following times:-

Prep – Year 2 9.10-10am
Year 3 – Year 5 10.20-11am

For our Year 6 students, the Academic Excellence Awards are embedded into the Year 6 Awards and Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday, 11th December, 2019.

UPCOMING SCHOOL EVENTS

Carols on the Oval

This is a fantastic night where our school community gathers and enjoys a relaxed night watching our students sing the carols that they have been learning in music lessons. Last year, the weather was unkind to us and we shifted this to TCBC which was not ideal. In the event of weather (rain) we will not be postponing the event, it will need to be cancelled as we have no other nights available due to the busy time of year (graduations etc). Let’s hope that the weather is kind!

Year 6 Graduation and Awards

End of year is always a great time for our exiting and incoming students. Our Year 6 students have been busily practicing their graduation dance and we are well on the way to planning our special ceremony for our students. Parents/Carers, please make sure that you are checking for notes with your student. There has been a number of letters sent out to our Year 6 students/parents/carers over the last week.

Please note the following dates and times:-

Year 6 Graduation Ceremony

When: Wednesday, 11th December 9-11.30am
Where: The Carol Buchanan Centre (TCBC)
Uniform: Official school uniform is to be worn – NO SENIOR SHIRTS

We invite our families to join us in seeing our Year 6 students as graduates of The Willows State School. Student plus family are invited to attend this special occasion.

Year 6 Graduation Dance

When: Wednesday, 11th December 5.30-8pm
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. Food and drinks will be provided for the students, this is included in the overall cost. Please collect students by 8pm from the 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 Kirwan Ten Pin Bowling

When: Thursday, 12th December 8.45-2.55pm
Where: Ten Pin Bowling

Transport: Students will be transported to and from the Ten Pin Bowling by bus.

What to Bring: Bag, water bottle, hat, sun safe free dress, closed in shoes and morning tea. Spending money for purchase of extra drinks if they wish.

2020 Arrangements

On the first day of 2020, student lists are available and locations of class. We are unable to provide these sooner as the staffing model and student enrolment numbers determine the first 8 days of schooling in state schools. While I appreciate, parents/students are curious and want to know these arrangements, please trust the processes that are necessary in our large school environment.

2020 Booklists

The 2020 Booklists have been developed in consultation with teachers and our P and C Committee. Access to these booklists are here:-

Kookaburra Book Packs will be available shortly. Keep your eye on our P and C Committee Facebook page for more information.

Kind regards
Helen McCullough
Principal

GENERAL NEWS

The safety of students is paramount and we are concerned in particular about students being safe in our ‘Stop, Drop, Go’ area. Staff are positioned to ensure that students are gradually released through the gate to meet their parents in vehicles. Some families choose to park in the designated car parks across from this gate. Please ensure that if you do so you use the pedestrian crossing to access the gate. It is not safe for students and families to cross this busy thoroughfare to access their vehicles and this is why there is a pedestrian crossing in place. Please support our staff who promote this message to our students.

CHRISTMAS AND RED FOOD

The Christmas spirit is fast coming to The Willows and we are seeing a lot of ‘Red Food’ items. Please be mindful that our school promotes healthy eating. Smart choices apply to all situations where food and drink are supplied in a school environment. . ‘Red Food’ are for occasional consumption only as they lack adequate nutrition and are high in saturated fats and sugars.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

We welcome all of our Willows families to participate in our Christmas Concert on Wednesday the 4th of December on Oval 2. The evening will start at 5pm with the Townsville Brass Youth Band and the High School Rock Band and the main show will be at 6.30pm. This will include festive songs from the Concert Bands, Combined Strings, Rock Band, Warriors, Prep and year levels 1 to 6. Bring your own picnic rug or seating, dinner and drinks. We will also have a sausage sizzle, coffee van and ice-cream van if you would like to purchase something to eat. Please note that entry will only be from the Sandstone Drive gate or Stop, Drop and Go gate. It is one of our most popular events and this year we are set for all to join in and sing with the words on display. As it rains often at this time of year please keep up to date on our facebook messages as the event may be cancelled if the weather conditions change.

ICAS Assessment

Students from The Willows State School achieved outstanding results in this year’s ICAS Assessments. Our school had 78 students participate in the Maths Assessment with 9 students receiving a Credit and 1 student receiving a Distinction (Top 10% of Australian participants). In the English Assessment, 73 students participated with 6 students receiving a Merit, 11 receiving a Credit and 4 receiving a Distinction (top 10% of Australian participants).

Developed for students in primary and secondary school years, ICAS assesses the higher order thinking and problem-solving skills needed for success in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling and Digital Technologies. Every year thousands of schools participate in ICAS in over 20 countries, providing participating schools with a robust international benchmark of student achievement. ICAS is developed by UNSW Global Pty Limited* and has had more than 9 million students participate since 2002.

“ICAS independently evaluates students’ skills and knowledge in core learning areas and provides insight into students’ understanding. The skills tested are important indicators of success in school and beyond,” said Kerry Tremaine, Senior Manager Test Development at UNSW Global.

“We congratulate students on this fantastic result”.

Notes and payments

Please encourage your student to return their permission forms and notes directly to the office at the student windows. All payments should be paid direct at the office and not to the class teacher. This ensures that all money is receipted and families are issued with receipts immediately.

Payments can be made at the office every day between 8:00am and 3:30pm, using cash, debit or credit cards.

Direct deposits can be made using the following details:-

The Willows State School
BSB: 064 823
Account: 1022 1460
Reference: (Student's surname and Roll Class) e.g. Brown 2BOU

Important: If you use the direct deposit option, please ensure you USE A CLEAR REFERENCE. We will be unable to receipt your account if we don’t know who the deposit belongs to.

Update of Student Records

It is important that we have the most up to date student records for your child/ren. This includes addresses, contact phone numbers for parents and emergency contacts, and media consents. We are currently updating our student records and all students have received forms to take home for completion.

• Update of Student Records
• State School Consent Form (Media Consent)
• Third Party Website consent forms

Please complete and return all forms to the office ASAP.

Any queries can be directed to the office 4799 1333 or office@thewillowsss.eq.edu.au

Planning for 2020

Is your student returning to The Willows State School in 2020? Forms were sent home last week regarding this. Please return the form, or contact the office via phone or email to let us know if your student is intending on continuing at The Willows State School in 2020.

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.

Job Vacancies

UPCOMING EVENTS

Positive Behaviour Learning

The high standard of behaviour expected of our students is reinforced in class and at whole school and year level parades. Our focus this fortnight, of ‘Show Respect to all’, has been explicitly taught in a variety of ways. Students discussed how to show respect in various situations and how to be respectful to our environment and belongings. Students were engaged in brainstorming what respect looks like, designing posters, modelling the expected behaviour to others and discussing ways to show respect to property as well as people. The Willows high standards of behaviour encourages all to be Safe, Respectful and Responsible.

Our Year 4 students have been proud to show their art and creative work that sends the message to Show Respect to all.

Term 4 – 75 Star and No Major Reward Time

At the end of the Term our students will be celebrating the final 75 Star Reward for the year and also be rewarded with activities for students who have had excellent behaviour throughout the term. There are a wide range of activities and all students will be catered for at these times. The teachers are excited to be involved in more fun activities with their classes.

Defence News

HELLO TO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

Nearly at the end of another awesome school year. Happy Holidays to all! This week we held our Farewell party for all defence students who are leaving us this year and moving on to other towns and schools. We had party food, lots of laughs and took photos with our friends. I also enjoyed spending time with these amazing students who I am going to miss immensely. Wishing you all the best at your new home and school. Special Thanks also to Evie and Sophia for being my helper for the party. Parents if you have enrolled your child at their new school I can make contact with their new DSM, so when they arrive they will know someone there. This can assist children with the transition to a new school.

Farewell Party for Year 6 defence students will be held on Monday 2nd December. Invitations for students will be delivered to students. Farewell packs will start to be distributed in the coming weeks. Remember to let the school know if you are posting/leaving this year.

Please remember to sign up to the DCO mailing list for what’s happening for defence families at dco.townsville@defence.gov.au If you have any questions please give me a call at school/email or stop by my room in L Pod any day of the week for a cuppa and chat. Any questions regarding postings and deployments please contact me anytime during school hours.

POSTING 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. Remember the 3 “R”’s RULES, RITUALS AND ROUTINES. Also talk to the teacher.

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.

Go to the link below for an amazing on-line resource with loads of information for defence members and their families if you are trying to find clubs, groups, activities for children, and what to see and do on their new and present location. A MUST DO.

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 at Lavarack Barracks 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 every month, so keep an eye out. Follow geckos Facebook so you never miss an event.

DON’T FORGET to Register for DCO mailing list NOW at dco.townsville@defence.gov.au

Defence Family Helpline 24/7 1800 624 608

Open Arms call 1800 011 046

Mates4Mates – Email: townsville@mates4mates.org or call the Townsville FRC on 4771 9600

Current or ex-serving members of the Army, Air Force or Navy who have experienced a physical injury or mental health issue. As a direct result of their service can access services from Mates4Mates to assist with recovery. Immediate family members can also access a wide range of support services. The services we provide are:

• Physical Rehabilitation,
• Psychological Services,
• Social Connection Activities,
• (RAC) Rehabilitation Adventure Challenges, and,
• Employment and Education Support Services.

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 at the link below.

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.

Have a great week

Correna Wheeler
DSM

“CHILDREN ARE NOT BORN WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE RULES OF ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR-THEY HAVE TO LEARN THEM, AND NEED ADULTS HELP TO DO THIS”

UNKNOWN

Music News (The Pitch)

Prep News

Science

In Science this term, we have been exploring objects and how they move. Students began by testing objects to understand how they move and why they move that way. Students had to explore the properties of each object and explain why those properties affected the way the object moved. Students constructed ramps to help them observe how their objects will move.

Math

In math this term, we have been looking at the different areas of measurement. We have been learning about width, length, height and capacity! Students have enjoyed learning about directly and non-directly comparing lengths as well as exploring the different capacities of containers in the classroom. Students then had to use their learning to create a house for one of their favourite toys. Making sure it is wide enough and long enough to fit their toy comfortably inside.

History:

In history this term, we have been identifying and discussing special family events that our class celebrates. Students have loved sharing information about their special celebrations including what they do, who was there, when it was and why it is special to them. Students had the opportunity to create different artefacts that represented each of their special events. Christmas, Birthdays, Halloween and Easter were a few of the celebrations that the students enjoyed writing about.

Year 1 News

On Wednesday, the Year One’s hopped on the big bus and took their first trip to the swimming pool. When we got to the pool, the students were put into groups where they went through different activities with their swim teacher. This even included jumping in the deep end!

Year 2 News

Year 2
Writing an Imaginative Narrative

This term the year 2 students have been working on creating an imaginative narrative based on a familiar story. In their narrative, they needed to include accurate spelling, clear noun groups, simple and compound sentences and select vocabulary that would engage the reader. All students should be very proud of themselves because they did an exceptional job!

This is two samples of writing from some of our amazing year 2 students!

Year 3 News

Visual Art this term for Year 3 has seen many of our students investigating the how found objects can be used to create meaning in art. Throughout the unit the students in 3DAV have used a variety of objects from recyclable, disposable, reusable and natural to create wonderful pieces that they may enjoy together. Year 3 classrooms have been using Age Appropriate Pedagogies to increase student engagement, enjoyment and understanding. Students engage collaboratively and creatively to ensure they are able to become active citizens within the school. Throughout this unit students have also been taking the opportunity to find and collect litter, making our school a brighter and happier place to learn.

Students from 3DAV engaged in an active approach to develop ephemeral pieces of art created from found objects. Students gained an understanding of the meaning and messages these artworks can portray. An example that some students have discovered is that “nature needs to be protected because litter makes it hard for animals to survive”.

Year 4 News

Throughout Term 4, we have been investigating forces in both Science and Technology. We have played a variety of games, ‘Sixty Second Slam’, and created a pinball machine. Students have had fun designing, creating and evaluating their pinball machines. These pinball machines were made by reusing materials. Hopefully, they were able to bring their masterpieces home for the whole family to enjoy.

Year 5 News

In year 5, students have been investigating developmental changes and transitions associated with growing up, to create ‘The development game’. The purpose of the game is to understand some of the developmental changes experienced by girls and boys as they transition to adolescence. Health information was synthesised into questions and then the students worked in groups and designed their game. This week the students were able to play each other’s games and give their peers feedback on how successful it was. The students now have a better understanding of the Physical, social, emotional and intellectual changes they will go through during puberty.

Year 6 News

Year 6 News

With the end of the year fast approaching many of our year 6 students are getting very excited about their upcoming graduation. They have been asking many questions regarding the events in their last week of primary school. Students should have received two notes with some very important information about all the exciting activities to come. All the year 6 classes have been busily practising the three dances that they will perform for their parents before they boogie down at their disco.

Community Events & Notices

My Time

The Smith Family Saver Plus Program