13 November 2020

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S PRIDE

Dear Parents/Carers and Community,

Every week I am continuously proud of the high performance of our school students, staff and leaders. This fortnight there have been several highlights and we can all celebrate these as a collective and united team at The Willows. Over the past fortnight we have been involved in some special events and initiatives across Prep-Year 6 at The Willows State School.

Positive Partnerships – The Willows Parents and Citizens Association

I would like to acknowledge and recognise our P and C. This year we have continued to meet online and in person and the reciprocal support and positive relationship between P and C and our school has been fantastic. While the group is a small and invested group, the support of our P and C across our parents and community is sensational. As a result of our school community’s use of services such as Tuckshop and OSHC combined with the sensational support of parents at the stalls, colour run, tea towels and other fundraisers, our P and C was able to donate to our school $130 000 this year. This annual contribution directly contributes to our school environment and teaching and learning resources. A shout out to our P and C and thank you for your ongoing support in a very unique 2020!

Positive Partnerships – Remembrance Day

The Willows State School is fortunate to have a Defence Mentor allocated to our school. Mrs Wheeler works alongside students and families from our Defence community and runs a number of programs across the year. This year, Remembrance Day was done with a difference and across our school there were many activities planned and carried out. Thank you to Mrs Wheeler for her work to commemorate Remembrance Day on the 11th November.

Positive Partnerships – Assistant Regional Director North Queensland Region

Walkthroughs and Class Visits – across our school there is many outstanding examples of highly effective teaching and learning occurring. At every opportunity I have landed myself in classrooms, observing student learning and watching to see the high synergy of coaching, co-teaching and outstanding collaboration between colleagues occurring. I am so proud of the way in which our teachers work and I am in awe of the high standards of students learning and confidence in themselves as learners as a direct result of outstanding teaching! Check out Facebook for some fantastic examples!

Mrs Lesley Pecchiar, Assistant Regional Director, visited our school last Thursday. Lesley engaged in leadership discussions and collegial classroom visits. She talked to a number of students about their learning and noticed the high level of writing improvement in quality and quantity was evident in student responses and in their discussions. She congratulated The Willows Leaders and Staff for being an exceptional school where excellence is the standard through clear expectations and team work across our school. Furthermore, she has noticed a significant shift in the high level of pride and the total positive and vibrant vibe and energy brought to every part of the school improvement journey to ensure every student succeeds! Overall a fantastic climate for student and staff learning! Excellent work Team Willows!

Across the last week we have had many official departmental visitors to our school notice the visible changes to the presentation of our school. Some of these visitors have not been at our school for a number of years and were complimentary of high standards in our school appearance, the welcoming nature of every adult and student that greeted them on their arrival and the high quality service of our school administrative staff. Fantastic work team!

Towards 2021

As we head towards the end of year, there is much organisation and work to graduate our Year 6 students, provide events/activities in different ways where possible while setting up for a great start in 2021. We do not know what school will look like in 2021 and as information comes out around the restrictions, we will inform our school community of the ways of working. There’s lots of time until the start of year and we are fully focussed on finishing this year at this point.

Student Leaders 2021

The Student Leadership processes at The Willows for 2021 are currently being undertaken. The student candidates have been exceptional and it is excellent to see many students want to take the lead of their peers in 2021. Student leaders will be announced later this year at the Leader’s Handover and the formal Investiture Ceremony will be held in 2021.

Staffing update

Each year Department of Education runs processes for transferring across Queensland in State and Secondary Schools. The following staff members have been successful and will be moving to new schools in 2021.

Mrs Nadine Outtrim – Kirwan State High School
Ms Carly Smith – Kirwan State High School
Mr Bradley Theodore – Eagleby State School – Logan
Mrs Aleisha Culloty – North Shore State School
Miss Julia McLennan – Eagleby South State School – Logan
Mrs Jessica Boucher – Bowen State School – Bowen

All will be missed and we thank these staff for their ongoing support and contributions to our school. We wish you and your families all the very best in future.

Transferring into The Willows State School are the following staff members:

Mrs Jayne Rogers from Bohlevale State School
Mrs Katherine Williams from Bohlevale State School
Mrs Melissa Dinnison from Rassmussen State School
Mrs Bethany Bala from Hermit Park State School
Mrs Caroline Terz from Thursday Isalnd State School
Mr Greg Anderson- Townsville - newly appointed
Miss Erica Davies – Brisbane – newly appointed

We welcome these teachers to our team for 2021!

2021 Planning - Is your Prep-Year 5 student transferring to another school in 2021?

We have now commenced the process of organising class composition for 2021. We would appreciate early notice if your child, or children, will be transferring to another school in 2021. Please inform the office by phone on 47991333 or email admin@thewillowsss.eq.edu.au at your earliest convenience. If you are leaving, please consider donating any old uniforms to the school. Furthermore, if your child will not be present during the first week of school in 2021, but you are definitely intending to return next year, please also advise the office. Accurate enrolment records are crucial to determining future school funding and staffing decisions.

Kind regards,

Helen McCullough
Principal

UPCOMING EVENTS

Positive Behaviour Learning

Defence News

HELLO TO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

Hope everyone is well and enjoying life. We are already half way through term 4 and the days are moving very quickly. Last week our Kidsmart Relocation program started and all students who attended are having fun learning skills to assist with their move to another school. Remembrance Day was a little different to last year. We commemorated with a whole school one minute silence. Kids Club has been fun and very busy with making posters to display and craft activities for Remembrance Day. Some students have been reading books about the day and what it means to them.

I will be distributing Farewell Packs over the coming weeks to all defence students who are being posted to a new school. We will discuss emotions, feelings and how to cope with this transition. A Farewell party is being organised for students posted out and year 6 students transitioning onto high school. This is always lots of fun for all involved. Invitations will be given to the students soon.

If you are moving please inform the office, class teacher or DSM. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are concerned about your child’s transition to another school. Attached is a moving checklist which may be helpful. Remember to enquire about Education Assistance Scheme - tutoring through defence when you arrive at your new school.

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. You can ring the DCO office in your posting area to talk to the EDLO regarding schools in your area or go to the DCO website for information. Flyer with numbers attached or call Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608.

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 access tutoring up to 18 months from when you move to a new school due to a posting. Ring the Defence Family Helpline 1800 624 608, visit DCO website or collect the forms from me .More Information go to the link below:

Some parents have been sent to different locations to support borders for an unknown period of time. This can be a difficult time and if your child is experiencing some separation anxiety please inform the class teacher and myself so we can best support them. Please contact me at school or via email to discuss strategies. Conversations are an important part of a child’s learning. I have found some practical tips for starting conversations with children. Let me know how it worked for you.

Postings are starting to happen again and concerns regarding 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. “Posting Connect” is a new platform currently being developed to streamline the posting experience by guiding ADF members. Posting Connect will be available from 1 September 2020 for all full time ADF members undertaking a domestic posting that includes a relocation. Once available eligible members will be emailed on the Defence PROTECTED Network with an invitation to use the platform. There is an amazing online resource available for ADF members and families to find information regarding their posting location. Go to the link below for loads on information about your new location. Must see.

Deployments or going away to support Covid. 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. I can be contacted anytime during school hours. Don’t forget to check out the RESILIENCE IS MY SUPERPOWER flyer attached. It is a great positive reinforcement for children. Print out and stick to child’s door.

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.

EVENTS TO REMEMBER

3CSSB Carnival Day Saturday 14th November. Flyer attached.

Christmas Lunch @ The Courtyard - Thursday 3 December

Join us for lunch at The Courtyard. This will be the final catch up for 2020. Bring your Christmas cheer and come dressed in favourite Xmas outfit. It will be a chance to catch up before school ends and the whirlwind of postings, Christmas shopping and parties start.

This is a self-funded activity with attendees responsible for purchasing their own food and drinks.

Geckos Christmas Party: Saturday 5 December

Join us at Geckos for a fun filled Christmas event on 5th of December from 5-8pm! We will have a jumping castle, BBQ dinner, lucky door prizes, a visit from Santa, live entertainment, along with MANY exciting activities from Amusements Plus for the kids! All food and drinks included, plus a gift for each child. Please note this is a COVID safe event and will adhere to all Queensland Government Guidelines. Subsequently, all those attending will require a ticket.

Geckos Christmas Sunset Cruise-28th November

Set sail on a 2hr sunset cruise and enjoy a different view of Townsville and Magnetic Island. You will receive a welcome drink on boarding plus an individual grazing box from Absolute Cravings. There will be live entertainment.

TO CHECK WHATS ON IN TOWNSVILLE OVER THE HOLIDAYS CHECK

GECKOS FAMILY CENTRE IS OPEN 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.

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

Correna Wheeler
Defence School Mentor

STAY SAFE AND HAPPY

NOT ALL LEARNING CAN BE SHOWN BY PUTTING PEN TO PAPER

Music News (The Pitch)

Prep News

English

In English Prep students are listening to and choosing their favourite story. They have been learning to write and innovate on a familiar imaginative story to create a new story for a favourite character. They have continued writing in red and blue lines and worked very hard on writing using correct letter formation.

Mathematics

In Mathematics Prep students are learning to connect number names, numerals and quantities up to 10 and count to and from 20. We have been making teen number posters and doing many activities where we write missing numbers, counting forwards and backwards from 20 and beyond. We have also been playing many counting games, buzz and number knock out are just a few.

Science

In Science Prep students are learning to describe the properties and behaviour of familiar objects. Preps have had lots of fun playing with different objects and talking about how they move and why they move.

Book Parade

We had fun dressing up for the Book Parade and showing everyone our fantastic costumes.

75 Star rewards activity

To celebrate getting 75 stars, Preps had an outside play activity session. There were dress ups, blocks, chalk drawing, hoops, balls, dinosaurs and many more things to play with. Everyone had lots of fun.

Year 1 News

In Year One we are learning to identify one half of objects. We have been discussing that half means 2 equal parts. Therefore, when we split groups in half we need to end up having two equal groups. We also discovered that the bigger the whole, the bigger the half is. The smaller the whole, the smaller the half is.

In HASS we have been drawing maps and discussing how to take care of our new bike track.

Mr Rose waters the grass and gardens so the plants and grass don’t die. This helps our school to look nice and welcoming. It is also safe for us to play there.

Year 2 News

Last week, our Year 2 students were lucky enough to receive a visit from Life Education and Healthy Harrold. We discussed all things health related, including healthy choices for lunch boxes and the importance of drinking water. Students loved helping Harold plan a birthday party for his Grandma, and were able to demonstrate strategies to help calm Harold down when things didn’t go his way. Students have been examining health messages to determine which foods are best to fuel their brain and their bodies.

Year 3 News

This term in Science, year 3’s are learning to investigate matter. Students learnt that everything is made of matter and that matter can be a solid, liquid or a gas. Our first experiment showed the viscosity (a measure of the ease of flow) that some liquids travel. We found that water has a low viscosity and will move very quickly, however hand wash has a high viscosity and seems to resist movement.

We then learnt that liquids and solids change state when heat is added or taken away. If you heat some solids, they can melt and become liquids.

One of our investigations involved using heat energy from our hands to change the state of chocolate. We started with chocolate as a solid. After the heat from our hands transferred to the chocolate, we noticed the chocolate melting.

After our chocolate investigation, we wanted to know whether all solids will melt if heat is applied. We placed a pencil and an ice cube in the sun and found that solids do not all melt as easily as others.

Another investigation showed us that if you chill some liquids, they can become solids. We learnt that water and chocolate can change between liquids and solids when they are placed in the fridge or freezer.

For our assessment, we are investigating the question ‘Do chocolate and ice melt in the same way?’ We will be making a prediction, recording observations and suggesting reasons for what we find.

The year 3’s have been enjoying being Scientists and are looking forward to finding out if their predictions are correct!

Year 4 News

Year 4 – Money

This term in year 4, students are learning to solve simple purchasing problems, including the calculation of change. In this activity, students enjoyed using their classroom ‘grocery store’ to figure out how much money they would need to purchase the item they wanted, and how much change they would receive.

Year 5 News

In 5E THE we have been learning about chance and probability. We have been looking at bullseye targets and the relationship between points on the target and the chance of hitting them. We created some of our own target boards and threw some markers at them so we could see what part of the bullseye we would hit the most. It definitely showed us that the bigger the area, the higher chance we had of hitting it (unless of course we were EXTREMELY good shots or lucky).

We have also been creating our products that encourage animals and wildlife to co-exist. Students have chosen to create birdhouses, birdbaths, worm farms, possum boxes, frog ponds and other creations. Sone of us have just finished our products and in some cases, they were much different to our design sketches. Next, we will put our products in the school and hope they bring wildlife to the area.

Year 6 News

Life on Earth

In this term’s Science unit we have been exploring the environmental conditions that affect the growth and survival of living things. We have been learning to plan and conduct fair tests and analyse the results of these tests. We have posed questions, planned and conducted investigations into the environmental factors that affect the growth of living things. We are currently planning, conducting and evaluating an investigation to identify the best environment to store bread and minimise mould growth.

These are the different environments that we are storing our bread so we can determine the best place to keep bread in North Queensland to prevent the growth of mould. We will record the data over one week and test our hypothesis before making our recommendation.

Community Events & Notices

THE SMITH FAMILY SAVER PLUS

What is Saver Plus?

Saver Plus is a 10 month financial education and matched savings program that assists people to improve their financial education and develop a savings habit for their own or their children’s education costs.

As part of the program, participants receive:

• one dollar in matched savings for every one dollar they save, up to $500, funded by ANZ;
• free MoneyMinded financial education; and
• personal support and guidance from a trusted community organisation.

At the end of the program participants use their matched savings to purchase an education-related goal, which can include school uniforms, textbooks, excursions and other school or sporting costs.

Benefits of Saver Plus

By joining the program participants will:

• be motivated to save by receiving a financial reward for their saving efforts, up to $500;
• strengthen their financial skills;
• improve their ability to save in the long-term; and
• increase their financial confidence.

How it works

Participants:

• work with their Saver Plus Coordinator to identify an educational expense for which they intend to save;
• open an account with their local ANZ branch and begin making deposits;
• attend MoneyMinded workshops to improve their financial management skills;
• continue to make regular deposits into their ANZ Progress Saver account over a 10 month period.

Once participants reach their savings goal, participants savings are matched dollar for dollar, up to $500 by ANZ.

To be eligible, participants must meet all of the following criteria:

• have a current Centrelink Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card;
• be at least 18 years old;
• have some regular income from work (themselves or their partner) including casual, part-time, full-time or seasonal employment;
• be in receipt of an eligible Commonwealth social security benefit, allowance or payment
• be a parent or guardian of a child at school OR be attending or returning to vocational education themselves.

How to apply

For more information contact your local Saver Plus Coordinator Debbie Mitchell on 0418 201 533 or email debbie.mitchell@thesmithfamily.com.au enquire online at www.saverplus.org.au , call 1300 610 355 or email saverplus@bsl.org.au .

Saver Plus is an initiative of Brotherhood of St Laurence and ANZ, delivered in partnership with The Smith Family, Berry Street and other local community agencies. The Program is funded by ANZ and the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Go to www.dss.gov.au for more information.

WORLD DIABETES DAY

World Diabetes Day is 14th November and this is the ideal time to use these resources as the impact is greatest when the community see the same message in multiple platforms at the same time.