19 May 2021

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Thank you for another fantastic week at The Willows. This week, we have paused for reflection as we absorb the affirmations and identified improvement strategies of the recent full school review. The Executive Summary and the report will be distributed to me in the next fortnight and the commencement of the School Strategic Plan (2022-2025) will be formulated. On 24 June, the Deputy Principals will join me for a refresher with the Education Improvement Branch “Responding to the School Review”. 

A key message for us is … stay the course. We continue with our Explicit Improvement Agenda which was highlighted as a united and universal affirmation across our school. The work of Every Student is a Reader and a Writer – Aim for the A is a key and significant part of this work and it is excellent to hear the collaborations each week and see the improvement and achievement of our students. In week 7, our leadership team is collaborating with Bowen State School in a leaders digital learning fair. This provides our team with the opportunity to see how other schools have taken the concept and contextualised this and also allows for us to reflect on how the Aim for A has evolved over the last 15 weeks of implementation at our school.

Kind regards,

Helen McCullough
Principal

GENERAL NEWS

UNDER 8’S DAY

CYBERSAFETY IN QLD STATE SCHOOLS – YEARS 4, 5 AND 6

CHECK IN QLD APP

We’re using the new Check In Qld app to help keep you COVID safe the next time you attend an event at our school.

All you need to do is:

• download the app ?? www.covid19.qld.gov.au/check-in-qld
• enter your details once
• open the app when you next visit us
• select ‘Check in Now’ and hover your smartphone over our QR code

Done!

Using this digital check-in means your details are stored securely by the Queensland Government for fast COVID-19 contact tracing if needed. #CheckInQld

AUSTRALIAN EARLY DEVELOPMENT CENSUS

Australian Early Development Census
Playing our part to build a national picture of child health

In early 2021, our school, along with thousands of others across the country will begin preparations for the fifth Australian Early Development Census (AEDC).

The AEDC gives us a national picture of the development, health and wellbeing of children in their first year of full-time school. Since 2009, the census results have helped communities, schools and governments plan services and develop better policies to target support for children and families.

Children don’t miss any class time, and parents/carers don’t need to supply schools with any new information for the census. The AEDC gives us data at a school and community level - it isn’t an assessment of individual children.

Some teachers have also noticed that completing the assessments made them more aware of the needs of individual children and the class as a whole and that the census results are useful in planning for transitions to Year 1 and developing class programs.

Participation in the AEDC is voluntary. Parents/carers don’t need to take any action unless they choose not to include their children in the census.

To find out more about the census and how communities are using the data to help children and families visit the AEDC website:

If you have any questions, you can contact Deputy Principal Amanda Souter through our office.

WILLOWS WARRIORS

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.

GATE SUPERVISION

Gate C (Sandstone Drive) is locked at 3.15pm. Any students remaining at 3.15pm will be escorted to Gate A (Stop, Drop, Go) where supervision is provided until 3.30pm.

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.

Defence News

HELLO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

WOW! Week 5 is over and we are halfway through the term. Just loving the change in weather at the moment, aren’t the mornings beautiful? At Kids Club this week all the students have been creating from our “Junk for Funk” activity. From paper boxes of all sizes, cardboard, aluminium foil, string and craft items students have been using their imagination to create items like night vision goggles and much more. Everyone has something different they want to make that they can take home. Being creative and inventing is a great way to use your imagination and expand your mind with lots of different creations and great fun for all. Students have also been painting this week and playing lots of board games including Chess which is very popular with students. Please remind defence students that they are welcome to bring a friend and come to Kids Club. It is OPEN EVERY BREAK EVERYDAY, unless I am away. A Morning Tea for parents will be happening this term, date to be confirmed. I look forward to seeing you there.

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.

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 and will be on exercise soon for a period of time. This can be a difficult time and if your child is experiencing some separation anxiety please inform their classroom teacher and myself so we can best support them. Conversations about emotions and how you are feeling 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.

http://www.defencecommunityhub/

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

Thursday 3rd June Coffee Connections at Woodlands Café - an all ADF families event.
Register early to secure your spot at Evenrbrite.com.au

Saturday 29th May “My Dad and Me” event at Geckos Centre - ADF kids join Dad’s at the centre. This month will be hands on science experiments. Keep an eye out for more science events happening at Geckos. Morning tea and all materials provided. See Eventbrite for details and to get your ticket.

TO BE UP TO DATE WITH WHATS ON IN TOWNSVILLE CHECK THE LINK BELOW:

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

www.defence.gov.au/dco

Open Arms call 1800 011 046

Mates4Mates – Email: townsville@mates4mates.org or call the Townsville FRC on 4771 9600

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 full of learning and FUN for all students when they stay positive. They also develop RESILIENCE SKILLS AND FRIENDSHIPS.

Correna Wheeler
Defence School Mentor

I HEAR I FORGET, I SEE I UNDERSTAND, I DO AND I REMEMBER.

Community Events & Notices

THE SMITH FAMILY – SAVER PLUS

Ease the pressure of school camp costs with Saver Plus and get $500 in matched savings to help out.

What is SaverPlus?

Saver Plus is a free ten month savings program that provides financial education and matches your savings up to $500 for educational expenses.

Can you join?

To be eligible to join Saver Plus you must:

• be 18 years or over;
• be a parent or guardian of a student attending school, or be attending vocational education yourself;
• have a current Health Care card or Pensioner Concession card;
• be receiving a Centrelink benefit, allowance or payment;
• have some form of regular income from work (you or your partner) OR receive child support;
• not have completed SaverPlus before.

Who do I contact to join?

Debbie Mitchell
Townsville Saver Plus Coordinator
Phone 0418 201 533

Email debra.mitchell@thesmithfamily.com.au

Find out more information at the link below

GRANDPARENTS CONNECT

POSITION VACANT – TEMPORARY CASUAL CLEANER

20 hours per week until June 2021 with the possibility of extension

10am to 2pm Monday to Friday

Working with Children Blue Card essential and must be obtained prior to commencement.

Prospective employees must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or hold a permanent residence visa.

To apply, contact Barbara Anderson – Email: bsm@thewillowsss.eq.edu.au Phone : (07) 4799 1333