23 March 2020

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S PRIDE

Dear Parents and Carers,

Our school community has shown great strength and support for one another as we deal with the ever changing landscape created by Coronavirus. Our teachers and students are continuing to maintain a calm and supportive learning environment and high quality teaching and learning is being delivered to all classes.

We are aware that some students are unable to attend school at the moment and we are doing our best to support their continued learning at home. If parents/caregivers have elected to keep their children who are well at home, families will be able to access curriculum materials via the Department of Education learning@home website. The materials are from our existing Learning Place and are being made publicly available for families. Additional links to high quality public learning sites are also being made available on the Department of Education website.

Today we welcomed the decision to cancel NAPLAN testing for 2020, made by the Australian Education Ministers. This decision recognises the disruption to school routines caused by Coronavirus and it enables teachers to continue their focus on student learning and wellbeing.

Increased cleaning has also been enacted from Monday 16 March 2020. This has been a school based decision and now funded by the state government.

It is our intention to keep families updated on the school’s response to advice from the Department of Education and the Health Department. I will continue to share these updates on Facebook and Schoolzine. Letters may also be sent home with students.

Kind regards
Helen McCullough
Principal

GENERAL NEWS

VOLUNTARY FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION

General Information:

• A voluntary financial contribution operates at The Willows State School. Parents/caregivers are strongly encouraged to participate as your contribution makes a direct difference in the resources available for your child/ren. It assists us to provide them with an enhanced range of learning materials and equipment.
• The purpose of the contribution is to enhance the level of resources available so that maximum student outcomes can be achieved by providing Library and Reference Books, Home Reading Books, Art and Craft Materials, Sporting Equipment and Classroom Technologies.
• All contributions to this scheme are gratefully received and make a significant difference to the education opportunities of all students.
• Payment does not cover items such as general stationery, admission to sporting venues, excursions and transport costs.
• Payment is now due to enable us to be a great school for your child/ren and every cent will be used to support your child/ren this year at The Willows State School.
• The Willows State School has maintained the current contribution of $40.00.

Specific Conditions:

• Parents who are experiencing financial difficulties may make a Payment Plan with the Business Manager to pay the contribution via regular instalments. All discussions will be held in confidence.

How can you pay your contribution?

Payment can be made at the office every day between 8:00am and 3:30pm, using cash, debit or credit cards. You may also pay your contribution by direct deposit into the school bank account.

Details are as follows:

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.

We thank you for your support of our voluntary contribution scheme. Please read the following information about the scheme. Please don’t hesitate to contact the office if you require any further information.

Barbara Anderson - Business Manager

SCHOOL PARKING

We are aware that pick up and drop off times can be difficult due to the size of our school. We are working closely with the Queensland Police and the Townsville City Council in relation to the current parking and pick up issues. To ensure the safety of all who access our school, please note the following:-

• Do not park in no standing zones. Please see the below map
• Please use the pedestrian crossings and encourage your child/children to use the pedestrian crossings as well
• Do not walk through the traffic at the Stop, Drop and Go area
• Staff provide supervision at Stop, Drop and Go until 3:20pm every school day. These staff are responsible for ensuring the safety of your children inside our gates.
• Please be mindful of residential properties that surround our school – please do not park across their driveways
• Do not park on traffic islands or footpaths

Queensland Police have advised that they will be doing regular patrols and issuing infringement notices.

Thank you for your support in this important issue

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

P and C News

NOTICE FROM COMMBANK SCHOOL BANKING

The health, safety and wellbeing of our communities and our people is our first priority. Due to the rapidly developing situation with coronavirus, School Banking has been temporarily paused from 20 March 2020 until the start of Term 2. Please don’t bring your deposit book with your weekly banking into school and we will notify you when banking will recommence.

Defence News

We have just completed our first Kidsmart Relocation program after school. A BIG Thank You to the families who attended, we all had a great time getting to know each other, talking about where we came from and learning some strategies on coping with the new school environment. We learnt yoga, jelly belly breathing and made some awesome crafts to take home. ALWAYS REMEMBER that starting at a new school (especially for the first time) can be a HUGE adjustment. This can take time so always keep lines of COMMUNICATION OPEN, KEEP ROUTINES THE SAME and STAY POSITIVE as negativity can impact on children’s thoughts. If concerned then consult your GP or contact Open Arms for an appointment.

Some parent/s are heading away on training/courses at the moment and this may affect children at home and school. Please talk to your teacher and myself for support when a parent is away as this can affect the daily routine of a student at school. Their focus may be thinking about where that parent may be and what that parent is doing instead of focusing on school. What are your coping skills? Always remind students they are welcome to attend Kids Club in L Pod open at both breaks, Monday-Friday.

Kookaburra Kids is new to Townsville and gives defence kids a break in a fun, positive and safe environment and provides an opportunity for them to meet other kids aged 8-18 in similar families and develop new friendships. KK have organised activity days and camps for children to attend. Anyone can refer a child to the program either online or by contacting the local office during business hours, at www.kookaburrakids.org.au or Townsville Co-ordinator Louisa Calvert on 0410 896 923 (Tues & Wed 9-5 and Mon & Thurs mornings). Donations and volunteers are also welcome. Lots of fun. FREE activities.

GECKOS FAMILY CENTRE IS OPEN DAILY FROM 9-4 at Lavarack Barracks, the centre provides services, support and activities to enhance family resilience in the Defence community of North Qld. Great place to meet people have a cuppa and a chat and become involved in daily programs. Follow on Facebook or call 07 4411 7031 for more details.

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. More Information go to the link below:

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.

Defence Community Hub is 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.

DATES TO REMEMBER

21 March-My Dad & Me: Ice Cream Sundae Funday

29 March-Dogs Day Out

2 April-Coffee Connections

18 April-My Dad and Me

21 April-Dr Seuss Monrign Tea TBC

7 May-Let’s Do Lunch

Coming in June-Think Pink – Ladies Wellbeing Event

OPEN ARMS- holding courses throughout the year. Check out website or Facebook for more details.

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

Café now Open from 9am-12.30pm everyday, welcome to attend for a chat and look around

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

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

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

Aim to assist to support defence students at school by developing their RESILIENCE, CARING, FRIENDSHIP AND TRUST. Students who develop these life skills will be ready for the future.

Correna Wheeler
DSM Defence School Mentor

THINK ABOUT THE THINGS YOU ARE THANKFUL FOR AND SHARE 3 THINGS.

Music News (The Pitch)

Prep News

In Prep Scuderi we have been learning AUSLAN (Australian Sign Language). We have learnt the alphabet, numbers and sight words. All the students love learning this and can’t wait to learn new signs every day with the help of our interpreter Mrs McKenzie and Ms Justine.

This term in Prep we have been very focused on building students fine motor skill and confidence when learning how to write. We have also been learning a new sound each day and are onto learning about digraphs. Check out the amazing writing that is happening in only 8 weeks of Prep.

In the lead up to Anti Bullying week we have been talking lots about being kind to everyone. We have created a whole class banner and discussed the importance of “Being a Buddy Not a Bully”.

TOWNSVILLE BULLETIN PREP PHOTOS

Year 1 News

Maths

In Maths we have been learning about Data through a Guided Inquiry Question. The question we have been exploring as a year level is “What is the best way that we can represent our class?” Students are exploring the learning process by gathering and demonstrating their data to successfully represent information about their class.

Year 2 News

Throughout this Semester, Year 2 students will explore the HASS unit ‘Present Connections to Places.’ They will be exploring the location and significant features of places and consider how people are connected to these and why they should be preserved.

Recently we have been looking at the 7 continents of the world and where they are. Students will also learn to identify and place where the lines of latitude are on the world map.

Ask your child if they can correctly label the seven continents on the map.

Year 3 News

Instead of Geography and History as separate subject areas, we are now doing HASS, which is ‘Humanities and Social Sciences’.

Over the past 8 weeks in HASS we have been learning to identify and describe aspects of the community that have changed or remained the same over time, specifically Flinders Street in Townsville.

We also looked at how and why people participate in and contribute to their communities. In our lessons we examined some information and identified the different point of views that people from the community had. We then communicated our own ideas in a ‘point of view’ using the ‘strong modality’ words learnt in our English lessons.

We are now starting to look at the importance of different celebrations and commemorations for different groups in our community, in particular ANZAC day and how certain aspects changed and remained the same over time.

Year 4 News

The Year 4 ‘Bullying NO WAY Heroes’

Bullying No Way week commences from the 20th of March until the 27th of March. In preparation for this week, students have begun activities to use their power for good by understanding the ways in which they are powerful, and to encourage individuals and groups to act so they are able to stop bullying and create the best world possible. Anti-Bullying Week highlights and focuses on bullying and encourages all children, teachers and parents to take action against bullying, not just this week but also throughout the year. In this activity, students created a ‘Bullying No Way’ chatterbox where they wrote ‘bucket filling’ messages and anti-bullying actions. These messages were then shared among peers.

Year 5 News

All Year 5 students at The Willows had the opportunity to work with the educators from RACQ last week. The sessions were highly engaging and built on the children’s experiences from Year 4. There were some timely reminders based around Being a safe: Cyclist, Passenger and Pedestrian.

In 5A KRO and 5B CRO, Felicity demonstrated some sound driving skills Mario Cart style. Despite the backseat distractions from her annoying passengers (Riley, Anjali and Marshall) she managed to stay on the road most of the time. Felicity’s increased acceleration in our simulation however, confirmed that backseat distraction, results in mistakes on the road like speeding or oversteering. Janelle our educator gave all groups some strategies to Keeping Calm in the Car and being better passengers.

Likewise, Tara illustrated what it was like to be totally absorbed in music or gaming at the expense of what is going on around us as pedestrians. Tara could tell there was ‘something’ happening near her, but found it difficult with her music up so loud to distinguish what it was. Janelle reminded us, that as pedestrians we need to turn the Sound down and Look around. This recreation together with the poignant visuals we viewed, highlighted the dangers on our roads for those not road aware.

Happily all children were able to recall the need for wearing seatbelts and helmets and we were even taught a little trick for testing whether our helmet would be tight enough to protect our head without being uncomfortable.

Check out 5CRO’s fantastic follow up work. Great job guys!

Year 6 News

Mathematics

This week, students have been working out the area of various objects. The students enjoyed measuring a large space with the trundle wheels and working out how many chairs can fit inside the TCBC.