12 June 2020

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S PRIDE

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,

As a school community we can stand proud of our students who continue to be resilient and confident each day at school and have been working alongside our staff to re-establish school work routines and engage in focussed learning of the key areas being assessed and reported on this semester. It has been fantastic to see student learning progress and celebrate the small and big wins across our learning areas. Our student reading and writing across the curriculum areas has been a highlight of the last couple of weeks.

At The Willows State School we have an extensive Student Support Services Team and we thank each and every one of our staff for ensuring that the Tier 1 Behaviour Strategies are well embedded in our classroom and playground areas. Tier 2 groupings have commenced at The Willows to support students proactively. Girls with a Purpose, Younger Smarter Stronger and Brain Tools have all been continued.

The 2020 Interrelate ‘Say No To Bullying’ Poster Competition

Recently students from our school chose to participate in the Interrelate Say No to Bullying Poster Competition. Interrelate have completed the judging process for this competition and we are excited to announce that a talented artist from Year 3, Anetta, is a finalist.

A number of students from The Willows entered this competition and the posters and messages are outstanding and are proudly displayed throughout our school. Congratulations to all of our Willows students for the amazing art work and re-inforcing the message that bullying is not ok. Thank you to our teachers for always supporting the positive messages to our students.

Our school has purchased the upgraded computers for our fixed labs. All computers in this area are now new and the older computers will be reallocated equitably into teaching blocks over the coming weeks. We have also purchased 25 Ipads that will be grouped into 5 for class borrowing. It is fantastic to see our learners accessing technology during learning and it is fantastic to see confident students who often teach us some new skills when using applications and software.

The reporting of learning in Semester One is different to any other semester reporting period that we have experienced and we thank you for your ongoing support and understanding in these unprecedented times.

At The Willows State School, Semester 1 reporting will include student achievement and progress for English, Mathematics and Science and one other learning area that was completed in Term 1, selected by the teachers of each year level. This is listed below for each year level.

Academic reports will be distributed in Term 3, 29 July. These will be sent to the email that is recorded in our OneSchool System. Please ensure that you have updated any personal details that may have changed.

I am pleased to announce that after careful consideration for health and safety our school is able to start to restore some of our school programs from next week and we stagger the re-starting of these programs to ensure that our staffing levels are maintained during this time.

For Weeks 9 and 10 the following will be re-started for the students of our school:

• Lunchtime Band/Choir practices

• Willows Warriors (current enrolled families have been contacted with the view of additional places for next term being made available.

Our music and instrumental teachers and Mrs Tropea and Mrs Eddy are very excited to be able to reconnect with their students in these programs. Thank you to all of our families for your ongoing support of these programs over the last 8 weeks where these have looked a little differently.

Over the coming weeks, we wait for any further updates to the Covid-19 response and operating guidelines for State Schools. Until otherwise advised, the current arrangements will stay in place until the end of Term 2. Further updates will be made through email to parents and we look forward to a time where we are able to restore the full programs and/or make firm decisions around excursions/camps and other school offerings. I thank you again for your ongoing patience, support and understanding as we navigate new ways of working through the coming months.

A shout out to all of our parents! Your support at the welcome and farewell points of our school has been sensational and we appreciate your positivity each and every morning and afternoon.

Kind regards,

Helen McCullough
Principal

UPCOMING EVENTS

Positive Behaviour Learning

Well Being

Connecting with our children

In today’s world, it is increasingly critical that we create, maintain and nurture a strong relationship with our children. If we think about the hours in a day and the amount of time we actually spend in the company of our children, it is essential that when they are with us, we make every second, every moment count.

Kids who feel strongly connected to their parents want to cooperate, if they can. They will still act like kids, which means their emotions will sometimes overwhelm their still-growing prefrontal cortex however when they trust us to understand, to be on their side, they are motivated to follow our lead when they can. What a privileged position that puts us in as parents, to be such an important person in our children’s lives.

Researchers remind us that we need five positive interactions to every negative interaction to keep any relationship healthy and seeing as we spend so much time guiding them by correcting, reminding, scolding, criticizing, nagging, and yelling, that it is important to make sure we spend five times as much time in positive connection.

It also needs to be acknowledged, because we are all human, that there are days when all we can do is meet our children's most basic needs. Some days it is nothing short of heroic simply to feed them, bathe them, keep an encouraging tone, and get them to sleep at a reasonable hour, so we can do it all over again tomorrow! A sometimes thankless job, however when they grow into well-adjusted, hardworking independent adults, we can sit back and admire the results of our years of effort and sometimes sacrifice.

The way to keep a strong bond with our children is to build daily habits of connection. As we all know, by repeating daily habits our new behaviours become automatic and less intentional. Below are some suggestions that will, if repeated frequently, create long lasting positive connections with our children.

1. Hugs. Need I say anymore? As Olaf, from Frozen says, “Hi everyone, I’m Olaf and I like warm hugs!”
2. Play. What a great way to show children valuable social skills like being a good winner/looser, turn taking, following the rules and using manners just to name a few.
3. Turn off technology when interacting with your child. Have you ever spoken to a colleague and they have stared at a computer screen while you are talking to them? It is actually quite a devaluing experience.
4. Connect before transitions. Children find it hard to transition between desired activities to less desired activities. Try prompting a transition by giving a time warning for change, make eyes contact and try to make the transition fun.
5. Make time for one on one time. Who doesn’t like being the centre of someone’s attention?
6. Welcome emotion. Talk about the emotion. Is it a big emotion? Does the emotion fit the circumstance?
7. Slow down and savour the moment. Don’t forget, as adults, our baskets will never be empty however our children will not be children forever.
8. Bed time snuggle and chat. Such a great time to connect.

Adapted from: 10 Habits to strengthen a parent-Child relationship: Psychology today.

Narelle Thomas
Guidance Officer

Defence News

HELLO TO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

What an awesome start back to school and what beautiful weather we are having now. All students have settled in well and enjoying being back with their friends and learning. Unfortunately Kids Club is still closed. Instead I am visiting students in class and at lunch times. Please let me know if you are having any concerns with your child/ren so I can make sure I check in with them during the day.

Rules are being relaxed and we are able to head out and visit our wider community. School holidays are coming up soon so take this opportunity to visit new places with your family. Queensland is a big place with many wonderful places to visit.

I have been having conversations with some parents about postings coming out soon and concerns regarding moving and transferring to new schools. Please be aware there is a New Posting App coming out soon. “Posting Connect” is a new platform currently being developed to streamline the posting experience by guiding ADF members. “Posting Connect” is being released later this year.

Education Liaison Officers are part of Defence Community Organisation’s education advisory service, designed to inform, prepare and empower Defence families when they are relocating and changing schools. They are located in each state and territory and have extensive knowledge about the local schools and education systems as well as the unique needs of Defence children.

To contact your nearest Education Liaison Officer, call the Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608.

Deployments are gearing up again and this can be a very challenging time for all involved. The transition for children can pose many questions throughout this period. While your partner is deployed and you are at home with the children, there may be times when you feel like a single parent. Though the situation is temporary, there are financial, emotional and day to day adjustments you will need to make as you adapt to this deployment. I have information I can give to you to assist at this time. If you inform me before the deployment starts, I can support and check in with your child at school during this emotional rollercoaster. I can talk to the child 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. Check DCO website for more details.

If you have any questions, please give me a call at school or email me any day of the week with any questions regarding postings and deployments. I am available anytime during school hours. Don’t forget to check out RESILIENCE IS MY SUPERPOWER flyer attached. It is a great positive reinforcement for children. You can print the flyer out and stick it to your child’s door.

Here is a list of 9 Mental Health Activities to do with your Children. It is worth a look.

Useful sites

DCO are offering some activities so please check the DCO Townsville Updates Page for more details. Please remember to sign up to the mailing list for what’s happening for defence families at dco.townsville@defence.gov.au

Call Defence Family Helpline 1800 624 608 or Open Arms 1800 011 046 with any questions.

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. For more Information go to the link below.

EVENTS TO REMEMBER

COFFEE AND CONVERSATION - Please RSVP and include your name, the number of adults and children you would like to register and a mobile phone number. As part of our COVID Safe Plan, we will need to take address details on the day.

Where: Grand Central Café, Little Fletcher St, Townsville City. We will be seated in the spacious, undercover outdoor area to observe social distancing requirements.

When: Tuesday 14 July @ 10.00am

RSL Employment Program - The RSL Employment Program can work with partners of current and former serving ADF members to support their search for a fulfilling new career. This may include:

• Career counselling
• Training and development (including scholarships for tertiary or vocational education)
• Help translating your skills for the job market
• Help interpreting selection criteria, writing CVs and application letters and social media profiles
• Interview skills
• Connections to employers.

Follow Defence Community Organisation on Facebook so you will be the first to know when the event is posted. Another option is to register for notifications on our Eventbrite page so you will never miss a DCO Townsville event

GECKOS FAMILY CENTRE IS CLOSED at Lavarack Barracks. Follow on Facebook or call 07 4411 7031.

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

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 and/or 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.

My Aim is to assist and support defence students at school by developing their RESILIENCE, CARING, FRIENDSHIP AND TRUST.

Have a great week.

Correna Wheeler
DSM Defence School Mentor

IT TAKES A BIG HEART TO HELP SHAPE LITTLE MINDS

Music News (The Pitch)

Prep News

In English we are learning to retell a story. This week, we have been practising writing our retells. We are learning to use a time word at the beginning of our sentence and choosing an event from the story.

In Science, we are learning about living things and their needs. This week we have been looking at the needs of plants. We searched around the school for plants in their environments and discussed how the environment provides the needs for plants. Then we created a flower and labelled its needs.

Year 1 News

This term in visual art, the students are exploring a different range of emotions in order to express themselves by creating self-portraits. Students are creating a variety of artworks using different material such as crayons, paint and collage. In 1MOU and 1TOM, the students have used crayon to draw a portrait of themselves to express an emotion and added a colour to demonstrate that emotion. While doing this, students are learning about happy colours (yellow and pink), sad colours (blue), angry colours (red and black) and excited colours (orange). They are also learning how different lines are used to express themselves through art. The students are enjoying the opportunity to be creative.

Year 2 News

Currently in Year 2 Maths we have been looking at money. Students have been learning the value of money, using strategies to count a collection of money, efficiently making money amounts with notes and coins and using the correct conventions when writing money amounts.

Many students have enjoyed using the play money manipulatives to count amounts. We have even linked our money learning with our Digital Technologies unit, where we have directed Bee Bots to ‘collect’ coins and notes, then totalled how much money was collected.

Some classes have also started class shops, where students are given class ‘money’ to buy some prizes.

Year 3 News

Since returning to school, the year 3 students have really enjoyed learning Science unit 1. As part of the Science unit students have been learning about day and night, sunrise, sunset, and shadows. The students have been investigating how the Earth orbits around the sun to cause this natural phenomenon.

Students will be successful when they can:

• Explain how the relative position of Earth impacts daily life thinking about:
  o Night and day
  o Sunrise and sunset
  o Shadows
• Explain how people’s lives are affected by:
  o The movement of the Earth
• Communicate your ideas, thinking about:
  o Using annotated and labelled diagrams
  o Using scientific language and representations
  o How you will present your knowledge and understanding (multimodal)

This week the students have actively understood how the Earth rotates. They made their own Earth and sun and can write and verbally explain how day and night occur.

Year 4 News

Year 5 News

Year 5 are back in full swing now and there has been some great learning taking place. After some quick revision of lines of symmetry and the transformation of 2 dimensional shapes, we explored the properties of 3 dimensional objects, linking them to their 2d representations. We found it tricky to remember the correct classification names…so many Greek and Latin roots!

The classes are now focussed on angles. Our learning intention is to measure and construct angles of given sizes and apply what we know about angles to everyday objects. We discovered there is 360° of turn- a full revolution, in a clock face. That means between each of the larger numbers on the face of the clock the degree of turn is 30°. Awesome! Some classes made benchmark measurements out of paper to construct angles and this has been helpful in our classification of angles.

English is getting exciting too. We have examined comic books and cartoon strips to identify the text features and language structures of these types of texts. We compared written texts to clay animation and computer generated animation to decide which features were common. Our learning intention for this unit is to create a digital multimodal short story that focusses on the behaviours of two main characters when faced with an ethical dilemma. We have located the narrative structure of comic strips and cartoons in order to draw story profiles from which we can pinpoint the most exciting part of the narrative. Our character’s ethical dilemmas usually occur at this point.

As a shared task, we constructed comic strips together and this gave us the opportunity to discuss the use of character expression, visual angles, colour usage and the placement of images in the lead up to creating our own animated stories. We each received valuable feedback from our teachers and peers. Here is some of the work by our classes so far…

Our next step is to explore the various platforms we can use to create our own digital multimodal stories.

Year 6 News

What an amazing cohort of year 6 students. Many have returned to school after weeks of learning at home and have transitioned back to school and learning without missing a beat. The remainder of this term is full of some great learning opportunities.

The classrooms have been buzzing with excitement in maths as we continue with our maths investigation on who can make the biggest pyramid. Students have been exploring constructing prisms and pyramids using nets and skeletal models.

Our focus in Science is on energy and electricity. Students have worked collaboratively in the classroom to put together an electrical circuit. They have demonstrated some great problem solving skills as they helped each other to determine why a globe would not light up and then rectifying the issues together. There was a lot of excitement in the room, as they constructed a switch from cardboard, split pins and aluminium foil.

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