26 June 2020

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S PRIDE

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,

Welcome to our last newsletter for Term 2. It has certainly been a term of difference and as a whole school community we can be proud of what has been achieved for our students learning.

School Cleaners’ Day – Monday, 15 June

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted even more than usual the very important role our school cleaners play. Monday, 15th June, 2020 was School Cleaners' Day, which provided a great opportunity to acknowledge the hardworking efforts of our school cleaners in keeping our education facilities looking great whilst also being healthy and hygienic. I would like to encourage all parents, students and staff to say a big “thank you” to our school cleaners this week to let them know their work is greatly appreciated. Thanks Mila Dolan, Sarah Thurlow, Visi Garcia, Jerry Godinez, Emily Vergara, Liza Watson and Hollie Brooks. We appreciate your work!

2019 School Annual Report – available for viewing now

Each year by June 30, schools are required to publish a ‘School Annual Report’ listing the major school achievements for the previous year. This is to be made available for viewing from the school website and via a direct link in the school’s newsletter by the end of term. Please follow the following link to view:

2020 School Opinion Survey - Parents

Last Friday, 12th June, State Schools Division advised that this year the department will be conducting shorter ‘pulse’ School Opinion Surveys for students, staff and parents. The surveys will comprise a short number of questions about learning arrangements in Term 2, as well as a small number of the regular SOS questions that more broadly reflect the entire year.

Parents and Caregivers were invited to participate in this year’s School Opinion Survey via email last week (one per family) and have a say about schooling during the COVID-19 lockdown. Parents were also given the opportunity to provide feedback about our school more generally.

Thank you for taking the time to complete these surveys.

NAIDOC Celebrations

The NAIDOC 2020 theme - Always Was, Always Will Be. - recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. At The Willows State School we will acknowledge NAIDOC in line with the revised dates for NAIDOC later this year. Further details will be provided in Term 3.

Assessment and Reporting Semester 1, 2020

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 on the 29th 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.

COVID-19 Updates – Term 3

The operating guidelines for schools have been released and as a result decisions regarding what is reasonable to manage at The Willows State School have commenced and will be continually reviewed moving forward into next Semester.

At the foresight of all decisions student, staff and parent safety is priority. It is essential that we continue to practice the highest standards of hygiene. For this reason the following will continue to occur at The Willows:

• Washing hands/sanitising (including the provision for this to occur and maintaining the Eat First, Play Second routines well established in Term 2)
• Additional cleaning crew for cleaning of high touch points/areas throughout the school day
• Playgrounds cleaned twice per day after usage
• If unwell – stay home and advise of absence.

From the start of Term 3 the following will occur:

Prep and Year 1 Students will be at school for the full day of learning. Pick up time will be 2.55pm for all students at The Willows.

We fully appreciate that this will have impact on the stop, drop and go area and gates and we ask for parents/carers to consider the use of the parking adjacent to Junior Rugby League to assist with the afternoon pick up time. There will be continue to be some staff supervising the gates of a morning and afternoon and we thank you for your ongoing safety and support and patience with each other during busy times on our roads around our school.

Queensland Government social distancing measures still in place for adults

I ask parents and carers to pay particular attention to the requirement for adults to maintain physical distancing of 1.5m at all times if it is absolutely necessary to enter school grounds. From Term 3, Parents will be able to access the school grounds for drop off and pick up times. Parents/Carers will not have ready access to classroom areas or to staff during these times. Parents and carers should not gather in groups around the school such as carparks, at the school gate and outside classrooms. Our school will have waiting areas for parents who wish to drop off / pick up during the school week. Please continue to make use of our stop, drop and go

area whenever possible.

Additional Offerings will re-commence and be aligned to the covid safe plan:

• Willows Warriors – Mrs Tropea will confirm groupings and times and Expressions of Interest to join the program are always welcome
• Prep Open Days – these days will be structured to ensure that we are meeting social distancing regulations
• Prep 2021 Enrolment Procedures – these will be structured to ensure that we are meeting social distancing regulations
• Robotics Club and participation in Lego Storm League – Mr. Menzies will be providing information about this to eligible age groups
• Before School Reading Program – Mrs Ginard will be providing information about this to eligible age groups
• Assemblies
• Year Level Parades
• Library borrowing resumes
• Home reading resumes

Extra-Curricula Offerings will re-commence and be aligned to the covid safe plan:

• Choirs, Bands and Instrumental Music Program – in readiness for the Performers Concert in Term 4
• School Sport for Years 5 and 6 Students – a program for our students is currently being finalised to happen within school to support participation and to ensure that no child is disadvantaged through cost or loss of learning time. The program will occur Friday afternoons supervised The Willows teachers
• Lunch-time Clubs and Offerings including Defence Kids Club.

We are currently working with the APEX group for the Year 6 Camp. Camps are only able to go ahead if the organisation has a Covid-19 Safe Plan and once we have reviewed this information a final decision for the Year 6 Camp will be made. Tentatively, the camp date has been rescheduled to Term 4 and the costings remain in place. Further information will be provided to Year 6 parents early in Term 3.

If parents wish to speak to their child’s class teacher or staff members appointments are necessary. Please ring the office and make a phone appointment time. A number of our staff will continue to work differently within line with the vulnerable worker agreements so some meetings will be online or via telephone. Please be advised that all school gates will remain locked during the school day from 9am. Gates B and C will be opened at 2:45pm, Stop Drop & Go (Gate A) will be opened at 2.55pm. All access to our school during the day is to be done via appointment or by telephoning front office (to collect unwell students). Please see attached map detailing pick up points.

ARD Visit

On Tuesday, 16th June, our NQR Assistant Regional Director, Mrs Lesley Pecchiar, conducted one of her twice per term visits to our school. Mrs Pecchiar works with each of her schools to ensure progress towards AIP and I4S goals is continually being monitored. On this visit she was particularly focussed on the re-establishment of curriculum and assessment expectations following the disruption to the first half of the term and commended The Willows Leadership and Staff for their exceptional work of Term 2.

As we finish of Term 2, 2020, it is great to see our students with crazy hair and silly socks – a bit of fun to celebrate a truly amazing team at The Willows.

See you in Term 3!

Helen McCullough
Principal

UPCOMING EVENTS

General News

CONGRATULATIONS BAXTER - 1ST PLACE

Baxter entered an Adventure Writing competition that was organised through the Defence Community Organisation Townsville. With the assistance from Mrs Wheeler, our Defence School Mentor, Baxter wrote a story titled ‘Toby’s Family Moved to Townsville’. His story is about his Defence family’s experience moving to another town. Baxter wrote this story in his lunch breaks. Yesterday Baxter was presented with his prize pack as he has won 1st place in his age group (5-7 years). Congratulations Baxter! We are very proud of you!

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.

Positive Behaviour Learning

Well Being

The Importance of Family Time

School holidays are such a wonderful time to reconnect with our children and rebalance as a family. It is a time where many of us can take our foot off the accelerator and appreciate the journey rather than continuing to race towards that never-ending destination. It is a time that we can pause and appreciate each other as individuals and as a unique bonded group. It is a time for fun, laughter, appreciation, movie nights, sleep-ins, outdoor adventures, a few extra treats and an opportunity to wean our children off electronic media and connect with them on a deeper level.

Children need time and attention from their parents. The impact of positive personal interaction cannot be underestimated. The importance of family time has a bearing on the social and emotional maturity of children and establishes deep understanding among family members. Spending quality time with our children and the family unit can be the first step to raising happy children who will make a positive contribution to society.

The ultimate goal for family time is to create opportunities for all members to love and understand each other and in the process growing happy, well-adjusted children.

The following benefits further reinforce the importance of family time.

1. Fosters communication.

Being together as a family creates opportunities to have important family discussions. Your children are more likely to open up to you if you’re spending quality time together away from your normal routines. Maybe they have questions they want answered or are having troubles and seek your advice. Spending time together could be all the encouragement they need to ask you a tough question they have been pondering on or open up about an issue that is troubling them.

2. Helps build confidence and self-esteem

Spending quality time together provides an opportunity for parents to discover what their children’s strengths and weaknesses are. It also opens the door to sharing new experiences together, which can help build confidence and improve self-esteem. The more opportunities a child has to experience and excel at various activities, the greater the self-confidence will be.

3. Provides opportunities to role model

Parents are a child’s greatest and most influential teacher. Spending time as a family, provides parents with the opportunity to role model the behaviour that they expect of their children. It’s important for children to see how their parents cope with risks, problems and social interactions. We all grow into versions of our own parents at some point!

4. Teaches children vital social skills

Good social skills are essential in adolescence. It can be challenging for teenagers to understand appropriate social behaviour and navigate sticky social situations. Spending quality time as a family allows the opportunity for children to practice social skills at home in a natural context. Playing board games together can help children to resolve conflict and come to a mutual understanding, for example.

5. Provides bonding opportunities

There is no doubt that creating shared memories together goes a long way toward strengthening family ties and bonds. Trying new experiences, supporting one another and communicating are positive steps toward building healthy relationships.

6. Improves mental health

When spending time together, children can voice their thoughts and feelings and seek advice about issues that have been troubling them. Participating in happy, shared experiences can also have a profound effect on mental wellbeing. Experiencing the great outdoors and enjoying positive social interactions are known to reduce stress hormones and help the body become calm.

7. Helps a child feel loved

If a child has your undivided attention, it signals that they are loved and important to you. This can be further nurtured by experiencing joyful activities together, as it demonstrates that you want to spend time with your children over and above all of the daily demands.

Until next term, have a safe, fun and loving holiday with you and yours.

Source: Esperance Anglian Community School

Narelle Thomas
Guidance Officer

Defence News

HELLO TO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

Congratulations to Baxter Stretton in 1MCD for winning 1st PLACE in “Choose your own Adventure” Writing Competition in Category 5-7 years. The competition was open to defence students. They were asked to write a story about moving, changing schools and all the challenges involved, especially for children. Entries were judged by DCO Townsville. Students completed their entries at lunch times with assistance from me. Well done to all students who submitted an entry.

Hooray! The holidays are here so make the most of the beautiful weather and get out and explore what’s in our backyard. There are many wonderful places to visit for the day or stay for a couple that are so close- Magnetic Island, Charters Towers, Ravenswood, Burdekin Falls Dam, Bowen, Cardwell, Ingham, Cairns just to name a few. Take the family and visit the many unique places we have. Wishing you a relaxing, fun holidays with the family and see you back in Term 3.

Parents have been talking to me about postings coming out soon and concerns regards to moving and new schools for children. Please let me know as soon as you receive confirmation that you will be posting out, as there is information that I can pass onto you to assist with this transition to a new school. 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. Posting Connect will provide a single location from which users can manage posting tasks and access the information they need relative to their posting requirements. For monthly updates, and to learn about opportunities to be involved in improving the PostingConnect platform prior to its planned release later this year, sign up for the online PostingConnect Newsletter at the link below:

I have also attached a useful flyer ‘Moving School Checklist for Parent’s’ tips for moving.

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 or check the DCO website for more details.

Deployments are gearing up again and this can be a very challenging time for all involved. 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 adjust with 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. 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. Contact me anytime during school hours. Don’t forget to check out the RESILIENCE IS MY SUPERPOWER flyer attached. It is great positive reinforcement for children. Print it out and stick it to your child’s door.

Here is a list of 9 Mental Health Activities to do with your Children. 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 .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, City. We will be seated in the spacious, undercover outdoor area to observe social distancing requirements.

When: Grand Central Cafe Tuesday 14 July @ 10.00 am

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/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.

Have a great HOLIDAYS, see you back in Term3.

Correna Wheeler
Defence School Mentor

NOT ALL LEARNING CAN BE SHOWN BY PUTTING PEN TO PAPER.

Prep News

Prep

In PYASCU this term we have been very busy learning how to write sentences. We have been using stimulus pictures to help us write detailed sentences every day. We have also been discussing what a ‘superstar’ sentence needs. This includes full stops, capital letters, sight words, finger spaces, stretching out the sounds but most importantly to try your best. Have a look at some of the AMAZING writing that our Preps have been doing. We have also been focusing on our handwriting as well to ensure our letters are formed correctly.

In Science we have been learning about living things and their needs. We had the opportunity to walk around the school environment to see what living things we can see. We found spiders, trees, flowers, ants, birds and butterflies. We have also been practicing our drawing skills by completing guided drawing lessons online.

Year 1 News

Wow! We made it through Term 2.

Thank you for all your support throughout this very unusual term. You have worked beside us and assisted us through some interesting times and for that we thank you.

In the last few weeks the children have been off to the computer lab, learning about the Paint and Power point programs. Here are a few of the things we have made while in the lab.

We have also been learning about shapes and their features in maths. Over the last couple of weeks we have made interesting shape monsters, shape shakers and used 3D shape to create pictures.

Year 2 News

Currently in Year 2, we have been looking at two fairy tales with a particular focus on their illustrations.

Students need to write a persuasive text informing the reader which story they think has the better images and why. Ask your child about The Wishing Fish and Cinderella stories and hear from them which one they think is better. Below are some examples of students beginning to create their persuasive text.

Year 3 News

Students in year 3 have been busy goal setting and showing pride in being back to school. In 3DAV, students constantly work towards their literacy goal to improve their writing.

All students have come back to school showing pride in the Willows. We are wearing the school uniform, keeping our desk and classroom tidy and acknowledging everybody in the school.

Well done to all of those students who attended the no majors party on Thursday and who will be attending the 75 stars day on Friday. You have all done a fantastic job!

Have a great time over the holidays and we will see you in term 3.

Year 4 News

Year 4 - English

During the last 5 weeks, Year 4 have been reading Indigenous Dreamtime stories. We have learned to write summaries, examined the moral and message in these stories and compared the stories with each other. We have also had to select different language features (nouns, verbs, adverbs, prepositional phrases, time connectives) and discuss how they have helped the story.

“Tiddalick, the Frog Who Caused a Flood’ was the story we used for our assessment. After writing our information, we created a presentation using PowerPoint Software. We learnt to insert pictures, transitions and animations. This week we are going to orally present our slides to our classes.

These are some photos of 4MIL and 4NOS working on our PowerPoint presentations in the computer labs. We had lots of fun learning how to use this digital tool.

Year 5 News

Year 5

Currently in Year 5, we are learning to create a digital multimodal short story that focuses on the behaviour of two main characters when they are faced with an ethical dilemma. We know that we need to include concise and informal language, narrative text structures and multimodal elements. 5D are having a lot of fun creating our stories and using new platforms (iMovie on the iPad) to bring these stories to life. We cannot wait to share these with some other classes in the school.

Year 6 News

This term, the Year 6 cohort have been extremely busy with many hands-on activities! In maths, students needed to create the biggest pyramid using only an A3 piece of paper. Students showed their understanding of this task by designing their own nets or utilising origami methods that they researched to create their pyramid. For Visual Art, the task was to create a sculpture influenced by a social issue. Some of the topics that the students chose for their sculpture included; pollution, COVID-19, bullying, social media, racism and many more. Well done Year 6 for all your hard work this term!

On behalf of the Year 6 teachers, we hope you have a wonderful and well-deserved break and we cannot wait to see you all in term 3! Stay safe!

Community Events & Notices