27 November 2020

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S PRIDE

Dear Parents, Carers and Community,

Welcome to our last edition for 2020. It has been a unique year with many challenges and lots of celebrations.

OFFICIAL VISITORS TO OUR SCHOOL – EFFECTIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING FOCUS

This fortnight the Deputy Director General, Mr Peter Kelly, Regional Director, Lyal Giles and Assistant Regional Director, Lesley Pecchiar visited our school to see a snapshot of the highly effective teaching and learning of our classrooms. The visit was approximately 1.5 hours and was part of the Regional Office Showcase of excellence in schools across our region. It was a privilege to show the immense work of our school team and visit classrooms across our school and view samples of the exceptional learning that is visible across our school. Very proud!

This work does not just happen. There is a very clear vision at our school that is collaboratively designed and implemented. Parents of our school play an important role in our school through excellent parenting, school readiness and partnering with our school throughout the year. Congratulations to all of our fantastic parents who support us each and every day in all the ways possible to make our school safe, engaging and a great place to be!

THE WILLOWS FACILITIES UPDATE – ENVIRONMENTAL

The Willows Facilities upgrades continue as we move towards the installation of solar panels. Work has commenced and will continue over the holiday break where the installation of 500 solar panels across our school rooves will occur through the Advancing Clean Energy Schools LINK below program. This investment by the Queensland Government is the largest clean energy investment to date in a state school. A great news story for our school!

YEAR 6 2020 GRADUATING STUDENTS

In the next fortnight, our Year 6 students finish Primary School through graduations and fun days. The team have worked hard within the guidelines to make 5 smaller ceremonies to allow for our parents/carers to join us. On Friday 4th December the Year 6 Rite of Passage (the final walk through our school, farewelling our peers and teachers) will be happening at 2.30pm. The destination point is the new trike track area, allowing our school community to see parts of this important tradition at our school.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

In the next fortnight we also have our Student Leadership Handover. A ceremony where our current student leaders hand over the school artefacts to the 2021 School Captains, Vice Captains, Music and House Captains. I am very excited to see our emerging student leaders ready to take the lead. The Leaders of 2020 have stepped up at all times and have done a fantastic job, leaving a legacy of positivity, pride and excellence. Our Leadership Handover will be on Monday the 30th at 9:30am and our Investiture Ceremony will be early next year.

Our 2020 outgoing school leaders are:-

Our 2021 incoming school leaders are:-

2021 ENROLMENTS AND INFORMATION

We have also conducted enrolment processes across our Prep and Years 1-6 classes for 2021. Class lists are currently being arranged and these will be published after our first intake in 2021. Currently we have 112 Prep Students ready and eager to start school and there are still spaces available in most year levels. The school booklist is available online and our preferred supplier, The School Locker, offers a generous cashback to school offer. This year, through the loyalty program our school has raised $3657 which is a joint cost centre with school and P and C going towards some upgrades and projects in the future. All uniforms, hats and school bags are available at The School Locker.

As we exit for the 2020 school year, we are uncertain of what day 1 2021 will look like in terms of access at our school. What we can be certain of, once we are able to make decisions in response to the information around Covid-19 and the guidelines, we will communicate through email and our Facebook pages.

On behalf of The Willows 2020 School Team, we wish you a safe holiday break and look forward to a fantastic 2021.

Kind regards,
Helen McCullough
Principal

UPCOMING EVENTS

GENERAL NEWS

UNIFORM GUIDE

Positive Behaviour Learning

Defence News

HELLO TO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

The term is nearly over and I am feeling a little sad and excited because I have been saying Farewell to so many students who are leaving our school. Sad because I am going to miss all the smiling faces, the many interesting chats and the lots of positive attitudes I see every day at school and in the school community and excited for everyone who is going on an amazing adventure to a new location, seeing lots of wonderful places and experience new challenges. You will have the opportunity to make lifelong friends like you have made here. REMEMBER that it is OK to feel sad and it will take time to adjust to a new school. Stay positive and it will happen. SAFE TRAVELS AND I’LL MISS YOU ALL.

Thank you to all the students who attended the Kidsmart Relocation Program over the last 2 weeks. Lots of discussion was around moving to a new school, the challenges and strategies to make new friends. This is a fun afternoon and there will be another program in 2021 term 1 for new students.

PARTY PARTY! This week we had a party for all defence students posting out/moving to a new school and a party for Year 6 defence students who are moving to high school. Pizza and cold drinks were consumed by students and lots of fun time spent together over the lunch break. Great opportunity to chill and hang out for a while to enjoy each other’s company.

Farewell Packs are being delivered and moving issues are being discussed with students over the next week. The students look forward to receiving their packs. This can be a sad and emotional time so stay positive and acknowledge emotions. Resilience is a skill we learn to make us stronger.

I am very proud to say that the defence bench is on display in the school near D pod for all students to use. This was a challenge I set myself last year and I am so proud of the result. Funded by a grant in 2019, designed by myself and sourced by a local manufacturer to have it made. The defence bench is available to all students to have the ability to sit with a friend for a chat and meet new friends when you are lonely. While sitting there you may start a conversation about a defence family member and what it feels like to be part of a defence family. I’m so excited for all students to have access to enjoy this beautiful item. I am positive it will be the envy of all schools. Hopefully next year all parents will have the opportunity to see this amazing defence bench in the school. STUDENTS ENJOY!

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

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 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 with 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. “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. It is a must see!

Deployments or going away to support Covid 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 RESILIENCE IS MY SUPERPOWER flyer attached. It is 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

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 Christmas 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 9600Contact for enquiries on 4411 7031

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

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.

Correna Wheeler
Defence School Mentor

STAY SAFE AND HAPPY

VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY HOLIDAYS SEE YOU IN 2021

Music News (The Pitch)

P and C News

November 2020

Thank you to all of the parents and staff who have supported The Willows State School P&C in 2020. They are a small group that achieve a great deal for the benefit of the whole school. Even with the challenging year that we have had the P&C have raised a substantial amount in 2020 and will be contributing $130,000 to the school for facility upgrades in 2021. Stay tuned to hear what that money will be spent on.

Colour Explosion

Everyone’s Colour Explosion prizes have been sent home. Congratulations to all the students who contributed and earned some fantastic prizes.

We would like to make a special mention to our highest fundraiser and highest fundraising classes. Well done and thank you for all of your support!

Highest Fundraiser: Jago from PYA SCU with an incredible $1000.46 raised!
Highest Fundraising Class: PYA SCU with a whopping $3,315 raised!
Second Highest Fundraising Class: 3C DAV with an amazing $1956.80 raised!
Third Highest Fundraising Class: 1D MCD with an awesome $1922 raised!

Sport Shirts

Sports shirts will be sold in the tuckshop up until the end of week 8. You can view available sizes and purchase on Flexischools. After week 8 and in 2021 they will only be available from The School Locker and will no longer be sold through the tuckshop.

2020 Tuckshop Closing Date

The last day of tuckshop will be Friday 4 December which is the end of week 9. TUCKSHOP WILL BE CLOSED FOR WEEK 10.

2021 Tuckshop Opening Date

Tuckshop will be reopened on Thursday 28 January.

School Hats

School hats can be purchased from the tuckshop from Wednesday 27 January if needed. School hats are also available from The School Locker all year round.

Book Lists

Book lists are now available for 2021 at The School Locker and Officeworks. We will not be organising book packs this year. To support the Willows State School P&C please purchase your book lists through The School Locker as they give us a rebate on every purchase. Don’t forget to tell them which school you are from.

Join the P&C in 2021

The more members we have actively participating in the P&C association the better we can achieve our objectives. Please consider coming along to a P&C meeting and getting involved – it’s a great way to meet new people and really contribute to your child’s school experience. We welcome all new members whether you want to be an active participant or simply come along to hear what is happening.

The P&C meets on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 6pm-8pm.

Our first P&C meeting in 2021 will be 9 February 2021.

Contact us!

Like us on Facebook to keep up to date with school and P&C events. (Search for The Willows State School P&C.) Alternatively, you can contact us via email at willowspandc@gmail.com

Prep News

This week we had our wonderful Gold Star Reward. We had so many preps make the reward of watching The Lion King with popcorn!

We are so proud of Jago from Prep Scuderi who raised the most money out of the whole school for the Colour Run Fundraiser. Congratulations to all the students who read 20 or more books a part of the Premier’s Reading Challenge.

Year 1 News

Year one have been working on their literacy capabilities, making sure they have the correct spelling, punctuation, finger spaces and checking if their work makes sense. Now we are working on ensuring that these literacy capabilities extend to other subjects areas.

Year 2 News

In Maths, Year 2 have been engaging in inquiry-based learning. We have been investigating the question, “What maths is used to decorate the classroom?” The students have been drawing bird’s eye view maps of their classrooms to arrange the classroom for their parties. They have been estimating and using informal units of measurement to measure the classroom for decorations. The students have had to use addition and subtraction strategies to ensure they have the correct amount of decorations and furniture to cater for everyone in the class. They are excited to use their plans to decorate the classroom in the coming weeks.

Year 3 News

For HASS this semester, the year 3 students have been learning about how and why places are similar and different.

We were able to complete lots of interesting activities involving:

• describing the diverse characteristics of different places at the local scale,
• interpreting data to identify and describe simple distributions,
• drawing simple conclusions,
• recording and representing data in different formats,
• describing the importance of making decisions democratically, and
• communicating our ideas, findings and conclusions in a variety of ways.

Here is an activity we completed where we had to show the importance of making decisions democratically. We came up with a question – Should we be allowed to bring toys to school?

This group of students discussed the topic and gave their opinions. Then all the students got to have a vote. The votes were counted and the outcome was announced. The results were that toys should not be brought to school.

Here are some photos of how students voted.

Year 5 News

Health

Unit 4 called ‘Growing up’

In Term 4, the students explored developmental changes and transitions that occur as they grow older. They investigated strategies available to assist them with these transitions. At the conclusion of the unit the students designed board games (in small groups) using the information they learned about puberty. They really enjoyed this activity and playing all of the games that were created.

Maths

Mathematical Guided Inquiry

In Term 4, students completed a Mathematical Guided Inquiry to answer the following question:

What would be the best course for a charity run?

The students used appropriate mathematical strategies to design a course, describing it using appropriate directions. They used measurement and mapping skills to collect information and explain the conclusions gathered. These photos show students using a variety of equipment: trundle wheels and tape measures, to check their courses are the correct length of one kilometre.

Year 6 News

What a busy time for year 6! With graduation just around the corner and preparation starting for the transition to high school next year. Year 6 students have been busy responding to, choreographing and performing dance that uses symmetry as a stimulus to communicate a theme.

Students have also been enthusiastically working on a draft, combining text and images to transform an informative text into a narrative text on an issue of sustainability for a younger audience.

Community Events & Notices

THE SMITH FAMILY SAVER PLUS

THE ONLINE DEBATING CLUB