17 March 2021

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Dear Parents, Carers and Community,

As we fast approach the end of term, our students and staff are consolidating learning and completing assessment. We look forward to celebrating student academic success. We are also continuing to provide exciting, engaging learning experiences by engaging with our community.

Interschool Swimming

Congratulations to our Interschool swim team who have come home with the First Place Shield in the ‘C Schools’ Swimming Carnival! All of our students displayed exceptional sportsmanship. Thank you to Ms Deuble, Mr Madeley, Mrs Terz, Ms Anderson, Mrs Hall and all of our parents for their dedication to training.

Bullying No Way! Take a Stand Together

At The Willows we’re bright – we say Bullying’s not right! Our school will stand proudly united with schools across Australia to mark the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA). This Friday, 19 March, students are encouraged to wear bright coloured, sun-safe clothes to school to show we all stand against Bullying. No gold coin donation is required.

The NDA provides our school the opportunity to stand together on this important issue and help ignite thoughtful and positive discussions about bullying and ways we can work as a community to address it.

We teach our students to recognise the difference between being rude, being mean and bullying as these terms can be confused. Our school sends a powerful message each day that any impolite behaviour, especially bullying and violence in or outside the classroom, are not okay at any time.

Over the last week, our teachers have been re-focusing on defining bullying for our students, bullying prevention, what to do if you are being bullied, what to do if you see bullying happening, and the ways bullying can happen.

Please visit the Bullying. No Way! Website ( www.bullyingnoway.gov.au ) for practical advice and information to help students, parents and teachers work together against bullying. You can also read more about our school’s proactive strategies and response to minor and major misbehaviour by reading our Student Code of Conduct available on our school website ( www.thewillowsss.eq.edu.au ).

Full School Review

Over the next few weeks, our team will be organising the Full School Review which is taking place in Week 5 of Term 2. We are looking forward to sharing our school improvement journey and identifying the next steps for action across the 9 Domains of the National School Improvement Tool. Information for parents around the school reviews can be found by going to the following link

We are aiming for a strong finish to a very successful term 1.

Kind regards,

Helen McCullough
Principal

GENERAL NEWS

MARCH ON SCHOOL CHALLENGE

This year, our school has decided to take on the March On with Soldier On – Schools Challenge to help prevent veteran suicide and support our modern-day veterans and their families who have been impacted by their service.

Who is Soldier On?

Soldier On is a national not-for-profit organisation who directly support veterans and their families with mental health support, employment and education support and social connectedness. These vital support services help contemporary veterans and their families secure their futures.

To support Soldier On, we will be asking 96 students in our school to walk 1km in solidarity on Monday 29th March – this will be a collective total of 96km, which is the length of the Kokoda Track. To show your support, we ask you to make a donation to the following link

The money raised will allow Soldier On to provide more services to more veterans and their families in our very own community, and in communities around Australia.

Fundraising for Soldier On will be the ultimate way to honour those who have served our nation, those past, present, and more importantly, our future.

Our school thanks you for getting behind Soldier On this March.

If your child would like to participate, please ask them to see Mrs Wheeler, Defence School Mentor to register.

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 3:30pm 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 PHOTOS

WILLOWS WARRIORS

P and C News

March 2021

The role of the P&C includes:

• helping people come together
• making suggestions to/asking questions of the Principal and admin team
• getting to know other parents
• feeling that you can contribute to the school
• having fun during this precious time of your child’s life.

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.

Please email us on willowspandc@gmail.com to find out how to become a member.

Our Executive Committee

We held our Annual General Meeting on 9 March and would like to congratulate and THANK the following members of the P&C who nominated and were elected in the following positions:

Executive Committee

President: Rachel Ratten
Vice President: Darian Williamson
Secretary: Belinda Barattucci
Treasurer: Wanda Austin
Shadow Treasurer: Chris Hains

Sub Committee Coordinators

OSHC & Fundraising/Events: Rachel Ratten
Tuckshop: Wanda Austin
P&C QLD Representative & Uniforms: Kerri Gordon
Grants: Darian Williamson
School Banking: Sonya Rogers

Our Next Meeting

Normally our meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month but we adjust the day if they happen to fall on school holidays.

Upcoming meetings are:

• Tuesday 27 April at 5:30pm. We will be starting earlier to include a tour of the school with the school principal, Helen McCullough. Meeting will run from 6-8pm in the TCBC Conference Room.
• Tuesday 15 May. Meeting will run from 6-8pm in the TCBC Conference Room.

School Banking Program

School Banking day is Wednesday. Each week you need to take your banking book and deposit to the tuckshop (through your class tuckshop box). Do NOT send your bank book and deposit to the office, as it cannot be accepted by the office, only the tuckshop. If this is your first time, send in your account number.

If you would like to know more about School Banking, please visit commbank.com.au/schoolbanking

Crazy Colour Day SAVE THE DATE!

We have booked our School Fun Run Crazy Colour Day for the last week of Term 3 in September. Stay tuned to find out more as the date gets closer.

Mothers Day Stall

Our Mothers Day Stall will run from 4-7 May. A note with details of when your child’s class will be visiting the stall will be coming home soon.

Our Mothers Day Stall will include items for all types of parents and carers. There will be gifts for Mums, Dads and Grandparents available.

We have lots of opportunities for volunteers to come and help us run the stall, set up the stall and pack up the stall. If you have a couple of hours spare (or days!) please let us know by emailing us at willowspandc@gmail.com.

Uniform Report

Bags: The Willows State School bags are now available from School Locker.

Sports Polos: We have been advised that the sports polos in our sporting house colours are currently unavailable from School Locker. Please contact them to put your name down on their waiting list and they will contact you when they come back in stock.

Senior Polos: The polos for our Year 6 students are not yet available from School Locker. We will advise as soon as we know that they are in stock.

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

UPCOMING EVENTS

Year Level Parades

Prep – Mondays 8.45am in Junior CPA
Year 1 – Mondays 8.45am in Junior CPA
Year 2 – Tuesdays 8.45am in Junior CPA
Year 3 – Tuesdays 2.40pm in Multi-Purpose Learning Centre
Year 4 – Mondays 2.40pm in Main CPA
Year 5 – Mondays 2.40am in Multi-Purpose Learning Centre
Year 6 – Tuesdays 8.45pm in Multi-Purpose Learning Centre

Parents/Guardians are most welcome to attend.

Positive Behaviour Learning

Defence News

HELLO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

REMINDER TO ALL PARENTS, PLEASE INFORM STUDENTS TO REGISTER NOW for our March on with Soldier On. If your child/ren would like to be 1 of the 96 students marching 1km with me at school, you can email me or the students can see me or come to L pod to put their name down. The march will take place at school on the morning of Monday 29th March (week 10). We will be forming up from 8am on the oval to start our march at 8:15am. Those coming on the bus can go straight over to the oval. Our school has decided to take on the March On with Soldier On – Schools Challenge to help prevent veteran suicide and support our modern-day veterans and their families who have been impacted by their service. To show your support for a worthy cause, we ask you to donate to the following link. Your support is much appreciated.

Many students this week have been planting seed pots with me. We have been watching the many little seedlings sprout. Over the coming weeks we will be replanting them into larger pots. We have many flowers and vegetables seedlings already 4-5cm high. Some Poppy seedlings coming up also.

Tutoring is available for students under the EAS who have moved to a new school due to a posting. Extra support may be all that is required to support students to achieve the results they desire. If you wish to apply please refer to (PACMAN Chapter 8, Part 4, Division 1), contact the Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608 or contact me for a copy of the paperwork. Upcoming events for families are in the Dates to Remember below, always register if you are interested in attending.

REMEMBER OPEN ARMS is available to YOU and your family - Veterans and Families Counselling provides 24 hr support and confidential counselling, group programs and suicide prevention training. Former and current serving ADF personal and their families can use the service. Call 1800 011 046 for more information.

Geckos Family Centre at Lavarack Barracks is a tri-service facility providing services, support and activities to enhance family resilience in the North Queensland Defence Community. Geckos offers a range of formal and informal activities catering to Defence members, partners and families such as playgroups, parent groups, boot camps, yoga, and sewing group. Check out their Facebook page to keep up to date with the activities and events held throughout the year.

Geckos School Holiday Activities-register NOW to secure a place.

Geckos has some great activities organised for the upcoming school holidays!

Check out the fun events planned for the Easter break.

Please note, tickets are essential via the below links:

Kingpin – Tuesday 6th April – https://www.trybooking.com/BOQCF
Inflatable Kingdom - Friday 9th April - https://www.trybooking.com/BOPZQ
Ninja Parc – Tuesday 13th April – https://www.trybooking.com/BOQAU
Reading Cinema - Friday 16th April - https://www.trybooking.com/BOQDC

Australian Military Wives Choir Townsville

The AMW Choir welcomes wives, partners, girlfriends, mothers, daughters, sisters and female ADF members. If you love to sing, we’d love you to join us. No auditions or experience required.

For more info, or to register your interest, contact Michelle at coordinator.townsville@amwchoir.com

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. 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.

WELCOME TO YOUR NEW LOCATION 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 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 you 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.

Defence Social Workers are available for you to access at DCO office. Appointment required.

Please remember to sign up to the mailing list for what’s happening for defence families at dco.townsville@defence.gov.au or to register collect a sheet from me.

EVENTS TO REMEMBER

March 26th ‘Tropical Fridays’ – Adults Only Dinner Night Out

Fancy an adults-only night out? Then meet us for dinner on the deck at the Townsville Yacht Club! Our Tropical Friday themed dinner is sure to be lots of fun so get in the spirit by wearing your tropical-Friday threads – the brighter the better!!Tickets are essential and are limited to two per registration.

Tuesday 30th March Coffee Connection– EASTER!

Wednesday 31st March-Easter Party

Join the crew at Geckos for an evening of fun at the Geckos Easter Party!

There will be a catered dinner, a visit from the Easter Bunny, amusements galore, and a treat for all of the little ones.

Tickets are limited and essential via the link below:

TO BE UP TO DATE WITH WHATS ON IN TOWNSVILLE CHECK

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 www.openarms.gov.au

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) 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

My hours are Monday to Friday 8:00am-3:30pm, phone me anytime for a chat on 4799 1333 ext 323, or e-mail me cwhee36@eq.edu.au

School is FUN for all students by staying positive and developing RESILIENCE SKILLS AND FRIENDSHIPS.

Correna Wheeler
Defence School Mentor

*DON’T LET ANYONE DULL YOUR SPARKLE*

Music News (The Pitch)

Prep News

There is some great learning happening in Prep and we are all excited about the achievements that we have seen in the children’s writing already. Everyone is working towards their learning goals and using the learning walls to help them.

Here are some things that the Preps have been doing over the last few weeks.

Connecting to some books and writing a series of retells and opinions to present to their class mates.

We have been sorting objects in maths, but we have also been exploring patterns and looking at comparing sizes of objects. Here are some of our tallest Lego towers.

In Science we have been looking at how the weather affects us and animals. This has involved us looking at suitable clothes and also building some good shelters for dogs and other animals.

Our PBL focus has been on keeping our hands, feet and objects to ourselves. These are our monsters that follow the rules with us.

We have also been working on making video clips and a class wreath to use on Bullying No Way day on the 19th March.

Year 1 News

In year one maths, students have been classifying outcomes of chance events.

We have learned that most chance outcomes are either WILL HAPPEN, MIGHT HAPPEN or WON’T HAPPEN events. It has been great fun working out these and explaining our thinking.

We have also discovered that many games involve chance and we have been identifying possible outcomes based on different game boards (as well as making sure we play them to test our theories!)

What chance is there of landing on a snake?
What chance is there of landing on a cat?

Year 2 News

In English this term, Year 2 have become Poets. We have innovated a known poem, by changing rhyming words, characters and even learned how to use alliteration to make our new poems entertaining and amusing for our audiences. After creating our poems, we presented them to a familiar audience. We had lots of fun.

Year 3 News

Learning Intention: You are learning to investigate and group living things based on observable features while also distinguishing them from non-living things.

During our Unit on Science we have been looking at the Living and Non-Living animals. We have also been learning to classify animals and plants by their observable features and explain and justify how we have chosen to group them.

Year 4 News

This term in HASS, Year 4 students have been investigating the experiences of European explorers, convicts, settlers and Australia's First Peoples, and the impact colonisation had on the lives of different groups of people.

Students have enjoyed researching The First Fleet and investigating what life was like for convicts on the ships.

Students have also enjoyed the discussions around how the identities and sense of belonging for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the past and present were and continue to be affected by British colonisation and the enactment of terra nullius.

Year 5 News

Year 5 have been working over the last six weeks on their Digital Technologies Unit. They have been investigating the functions and interactions of components of a computer network. 5E have enjoyed identifying the parts of an old desktop computer and breaking it down. Our next project is to design a digital maze game using a visual programming language – a challenging but exciting collaborative task.

5E Breakdown a desktop computer

Year 6 News

We have been very busy in year 6, with lots of hands on fun!

In Maths we are investigating our guided inquiry question by using simple strategies to reason and solve a measurement inquiry question (how many chairs ‘best fit’ into the TCBC for a concert).

Bullying. No Way! National Day of Action is Friday 19th March. Students have been eagerly creating resources to showcase across the school.