13 December 2019

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S PRIDE

Welcome to our last newsletter for the 2019 school year. What an exceptionally quick year it has been and I congratulate all students and team members for the ongoing and positive contributions to our school.

The last fortnight has been a great one, with many fantastic events at our school.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS

Thank you to all members of our school community for supporting the Christmas Carols last Wednesday night and Trevor Schimke, Fiona Coleman and Trish Winter for organising this event for our school. Our students performances of their songs were fantastic and I thank each of our teachers for spending time to rehearse with students also.

2020 STUDENT LEADERSHIP

Our student leadership handover was a highlight and I was very proud of our current and future leaders at this special parade. This is the second year we have done this special handover in front of all of our school – it helps our younger learners aspire to the leadership roles that are available once they are in Year 5 and 6. In our school captain selection process, a number of our current leaders were identified as the role models with attributes of kindness, role-modelling safety, being respectful and being a helpful school member as the top items mentioned. This is a credit to all current and past teachers of our leaders and significantly indicates a growing culture of student role modelling at The Willows State School. I look forward to our entire school community continuing to build this in 2020.

Congratulations on a great year to our School Leaders of 2019!

Congratulations to our School Leaders for 2020!

RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES

As part of the student leadership process this year, students, staff and community voted for the local community organisation that would be the recipient of our community fundraising efforts throughout 2020. The organisation that we have voted for is Townsville Ronald McDonald House Charities, who provide up to 100 families every week with accommodation away from home during times of children’s illnesses. A partnership meeting with the executives of this charity has been scheduled in the first week of the school holiday to assist with our planning in 2020.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Congratulations to all students Prep-6 who received a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Academic Excellence Award for Semester 2, 2019. These award ceremonies were very well supported by our parents and community members and we look forward to continuing this award structure in 2020 and beyond.

As a school we have achieved significant improvement in our academic achievement in all of our subject areas and I commend all of our students and teachers for a fantastic year of learning at The Willows.

YEAR 6 GRADUATION AND AWARDS

Our Graduation was an exceptional show of the cohesive teamwork at The Willows. The Year 6 Graduation was an amazing ceremony and this would not be achieved without the background work of so many people. I would especially like to thank the following people who brought the vision to life:

• Our cleaning staff who did an amazing job of cleaning our hall, conference room and surrounds. It was sparkling and the high level of co-operation and teamwork was outstanding.
• Steve who did a fantastic job supporting us with all the set up and ensuring that everything was well positioned and ready to go. Outstanding!
• Year 6 teachers – for organising the PowerPoints, preparing our students, sorting out the award recipients (a massive and difficult job with so many students in the running) and their outstanding leadership of the Fun Day and Disco/Dance!
• Trevor and Fiona – the choir…oh my! A beautiful tribute…congratulations!
• Our Outside School Hours Team – thank you for catering the beautiful morning tea for our students and their families. Cathy and her team stepped up to the plate and did a sensational job! Thankyou!
• DJ Schimke…Year 6 Disco Party – we all had a blast!
• Supervising Teachers and Staff – Correna Wheeler, Michelle Johnston, Cate Bridson, Aaron Davies– thank you for assisting our Year 6 Teachers and Leadership Team tonight.
• Barb and Reagan…outstanding support to organise the staging, certificates, trophies, photography and programs! Thankyou!
• Leadership team – the invisible work behind the scenes and the support of co-ordinating your teams to make everything run smoothly was nothing short of sensational! Thankyou also to our Behaviour Engagement Team, Inclusive Education Team and Curriculum and Pedagogy Teams – everyone got in and contributed and we thank you for your support!
• Last but not least…Cameron – your work and overseeing of the complete Year 6 suite of fun at the end of year was exceptional and a very special thankyou to Kate for stepping in this week on behalf of Cameron.
• Our complete school team – Rite of Passage…amazing! Thank you for your participation and support of our graduating students. It was so great to see our students and teachers have the opportunity to send of our graduates.

Most importantly, I am very proud of our Willows graduating students! Congratulations to all of our students and we wish you all the very best in high school.

At the graduation ceremony, special awards are a feature. Congratulations to the following students who were award recipients:

As we finish our school year, I would like to formally farewell our staff members from The Willows and wish them well in their new state schools or careers outside of the Department of Education. We look forward to catching up with our colleagues in the future at professional learning and through school reciprocal visits and thank them for a fantastic service to our school.

We would also like to thank all of our students and families for a fantastic school year and we look forward to seeing everyone on the 28th January, 2020.

Kind regards
Helen McCullough
Principal

GENERAL NEWS

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.

First Day 2020 Procedures

On the first school day of 2020 (Tuesday 28 January), class lists will be displayed in the Junior CPA and Main CPA. School staff will be available to assist you to find your child’s class placement for 2020 and point you in the right direction to get there. All class lists are Pre-Day 8, which means that they are subject to change pending our finalised numbers and staffing in 2020.

Enrolling at The Willows State School for 2020

If you would like to enrol your child at The Willows State School for 2020, please contact our office. The office will re-open after the holiday period on Monday 20 January 2020. In order to receive an enrolment pack you will need to provide proof of your address and you child’s birth certificate. Once your enrolment paperwork has been returned you will be offered a place in one of our Information and Bulk Enrolment sessions prior to the beginning of the school year on:

• Wednesday 22 January 2020 3:30pm – 5pm
• Thursday 23 January 2020 4:00pm – 5:30pm

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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Positive Behaviour Learning

The most recent Fortnightly Focus has been ‘Finish the year well’. This has been explicitly taught in a variety of ways in class, at whole school and year level parades. This focus supported our students in striving to have an excellent end to the 2019 school year. We have had a number of school activities in past fortnight, Christmas Carols, Gold Star Reward days, Year 6 Graduation, the Leadership Handover and Academic Assemblies. At all of these community events students had an opportunity to follow the focus and always display Safe, Respectful and Responsible behaviour. This is The Willows Way!

Younger, Smarter Stronger

The Term 4 YSS students attended their graduating ceremony on Monday afternoon at the yarning circle and were presented with their shirts. Well done to all students who participated in this course.

Gold Star Reward

Over the last week, we have celebrated the Gold Star reward days at the movies. Children who had shown exemplary behaviour all year were rewarded and celebrated with their peers. Excitement was in the air as they hopped on the buses to go to Reading Cinemas. A big shout out to the staff at the cinemas who had all the popcorn and drinks ready for us when we arrived.

A BIG THANK YOU to our school community for their support in 2019

Thank you to our parents and the entire school community for the strong support you have given your children, the teachers and the staff at The Willows State School this year. As a school we are proud of the excellent behaviour displayed each and every day as well as at our many school events. We look forward to 2020 and know it will be another fantastic year of learning.

Defence News

HELLO TO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

Merry Christmas and a Very Happy Holidays to all families. Make the most of your time together and make many special memories. To all those families who are moving on to other places, safe travels and all the best in your new adventure. Remember to take these opportunities to grow and learn about our great nation. Farewell to all Year 6 students, it was a very emotional ceremony when they were all farewelled from the school. I wish them lots of happiness and positive thoughts for their future. I have also enjoyed spending time with these amazing students over the years and I am going to miss them all immensely. Remember parents if you have enrolled your child at their new school to make contact with their new DSM on arrival. They can be supported with the transition into their new school. If you are a new family starting in 2020-WELCOME, please email me before school starts and we can organise to meet before the first day of school. A school tour can be arranged and any concerns discussed. We have just completed another Kidsmart Relocation program and it was a huge success with 11 students attending. I will be holding another in 2020 Term 1 so look out for details next year. See you back at school in 2020.

We were fortunate to receive a grant from DHA this year to purchase new board games, lego and bean bags to use for Kids Club. It has been 3 years since these items had been replaced and they were looking worn. Also purchased are some defence bears for the students to use in their classrooms. The students are very excited and looking forward to playing with them next year. Thank you DHA this is very much appreciated by all students at The Willows SS.

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.

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

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 Christmas

Correna Wheeler
DSM

Defence School Mentor

Prep News

Celebrating our last week in Prep!

This week we have been celebrating our last week in Prep together. The students have been working on writing letters to Santa and cards for their families. They also wrote about what they would do if Santa was stuck in the chimney. Some of the responses included “If Santa was stuck in the chimney I would call 000 and say help Santa is stuck” and “If Santa was stuck in the chimney I would tell my mum and dad to put the ladder up to go and get him”. The students have also been getting creative in producing a variety of art pieces. The Prep students are very excited to be in Year 1 next year and can’t wait to continue learning new things.

Year 1 News

Well we have come to the end of another year and it is time to say good bye to all our year one students. They have all grown so much both physically and as learners. They are always ready to lend a hand, with a big smile on their face. We look forward to seeing them next year as they continue their learning journey as year 2’s.

There was an Old Santa who swallowed a ...

Year 2 News

As the culminating activity for our Semester 2 Design Technology unit – Grow, Grow, Grow the students in 2BOU had to follow sequenced steps and demonstrate safe use of tools and equipment when making a food item. Each student had to plan and then create a Fun Fruit Face. They all worked extremely hard designing and then creating their Fun Fruit Face. The best part of this activity was at the end when we all got to eat our delicious creations.

Year 3 News

WHAT A YEAR!

We have had a very busy year in Year 3, full of learning and fun. However, even though the school year is ending, the learning continues.

In Year 3, we are revising, reviewing and most importantly preparing to move onto Year 4. In 3BEL, many students have ‘burning’ questions about what they will be learning next year. We are reading some of the novels that they will be exploring in Year 4 such as ‘Rowan of Rin’ and ‘The Twits’.

Over the year, we have learned many new skills and expanded our knowledge. We also had a little fun along the way!

We congratulate every student in Year 3 for their hard work and positive approach to their learning in 2019!

Year 4 News

In English this term, Grade 4 students have been learning about persuasive techniques designers use when advertising their product. Students examined the visual elements and language features designers use to persuade the target audience. Students planned, designed and constructed their own cereal boxes that included visual elements and language features to persuade the target audience.

Year 5 News

In Year 5 we have been exploring the properties of solids, liquids and gasses in Science. We decided that on these last few days we could do an experiment where we use our knowledge of all three of these states of matter, which was putting Mentos in bottles of soft drink. In one bottle of diet coke, we put in one Mentos lolly. In another bottle of diet coke, we put in five Mentos lollies. True to our prediction, the coke bottle with more Mentos lollies had more of a reaction than the one with less. This reaction told us that there was more gas created in the coke bottle that had more Mentos.

Year 6 News

With much excitement and anticipation, the year six students have had an opportunity to experience their high school for 2020 in a special high school Transition Day. Upon returning to grade six classes, each student had something special to share about their experience.

‘On the 4th of December, I went to Kirwan State High School. It was a bit nerve racking, but I had a lot of fun. During the first period we were welcomed to the school. We were sorted into our houses and I was put in purple, my least favourite colour. We went through some of the school rules and had a school tour. We did a treasure hunt around the school and Just Dance. We did something different each period and went home at the end of period 4.’ Maja Ten Hompel.

‘One thing that is very different about high school is that you have to take your bag everywhere and you have 7 different teachers.’ Kasey Deveney

‘During the orientation day at Ryan, we first met our homeroom teachers and class. We went on scavenger hunt in groups. We had a sausage sizzle for lunch and I made three new friends. I also got to hang out with my friends from The Willows State School.’ Dakota Partridge

‘I will miss my friends from The Willows State School, but I’m looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends. On my transition day I did Science, PE, Drama and Art classes. I then did Just Dance in the afternoon. In Science, we made oobleck, which is a substance between liquid and solid. We then put it into a balloon to make a stress ball. I enjoyed my transition day as St Patricks College. Although I am excited, I am going to miss The Willows State School.’ Darcee Renton

‘Transition day was, well, awesome. I loved it. All the high schoolers were so nice and I made new friends. I participated in multiple games and had a Humanities lesson about Ancient Egypt. I am excited to go there next year and start a new life as a high schooler.’ Bailey Robinson

‘High School will definitely be a giant leap for me. I honestly don’t know what I’ll do without my mates. On my Orientation day, which was last Monday, I started to feel a bit more comfortable. I found out which house I was in and I got to see classrooms and my homeroom. Most importantly, I made new friends. One good thing though is that some of my mates are coming with me to Ignatius Park. I knew I needed to make friends to prepare for the loss of other friends. Even though I have to leave new friends and leave my second home, that I have spent my life in for six years, I am prepared to enter a new tunnel leading to my life as a young man’ Cooper Lloyd

Community Events & Notices

Community Award – Anetta

Congratulations to Anetta in Year 2! Anetta carefully designed a festive flag, celebrating cultural diversity and showcasing one of our topical north animals, the cassowary. Anetta’s festive flag was chosen to be displayed around Townsville City over the holiday season. She was presented with her award by Mayor Jenny Hill and we are very proud of her achievement!

My Time

The Smith Family Saver Plus Program