23 June 2021

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Dear Parents, Carers and Community,

Welcome to our last school newsletter for Semester One. It has been a fantastic 6 months of learning at our school and currently the semester report cards are being finalised ready for email distribution in week 2 of Term 3. Please make sure that if you have had any change to your email address that you have contacted our school administration at admin@thewillowsss.eq.edu.au

The last fortnight has been significantly busy and productive, with amazing learning journeys captured in our classrooms through learning walls and student assessment pieces. Congratulations to all of our teacher and learners for your ongoing commitment, effort and partnership at our school. Please take the time to see our year level contributions in this edition of our newsletter.

Last week our Athletics Carnival was well attended and we were proud of the high level of participation, sportsmanship and athleticism demonstrated on the day. Congratulations to all of our sports captains and teachers for a very well organised and enjoyable carnival. Well done to Heatwaves who took out first place for the day. Second place went to Cyclones, followed by Lightning, and then Thunder.

It was excellent to see our Music Gala Night well supported by our parents and community. Our Performing Arts Department and visiting Instrumental Music Teachers did a sensational job and we are continuously proud of the outstanding performance and effort of our ensembles, bands and choirs. Congratulations!

Peek at Prep saw many new families and 2022 learners come to see our Prep classes two terms into schooling. This was a fantastic afternoon and a great opportunity for connections to be made. Enrolments for our 2022 Prep classes are open and information can be obtained by emailing admin@thewillowsss.eq.edu.au

This week we farewell Stephanie Clifford (nee Clarke) who is taking maternity leave and relocating to New South Wales. Mrs Clifford has been a fantastic teacher at our school for the past 3 years and we wish her all the best in the future. Mrs Clifford will be replaced by Mrs Adrianna Rule for the remainder of the school year and I am sure you will all make Mrs Rule feel welcome at our school.

As we draw to the end of semester, we have also welcomed Acting Principal, Mrs Michelle Donn to our school. Mrs Donn will be in the Acting Principal role while I take up the Acting Assistant Regional Director, State School Performance role for North Queensland Region. Mrs Donn and our school leadership team will be working in collaboration with our school staff and parents to formulate the School Strategic Plan (2022-2025) based on the Full School Review report and Executive Summary. I know that our team will be well supported in this process to continue our school improvement journey. I look forward to hearing the wonderful work continue at The Willows during this time and look forward to seeing our students thrive in their semester two learning.

Please stay safe these holidays and take time to rest, rejuvenate and relax.

Kind regards,

Helen McCullough
Principal

GENERAL NEWS

ACADEMIC REPORTING

We are excited as our academic reporting period is drawing to a close, and teachers have been busily inputting the results of our students into their report cards. We are excited to see the growth and the impact from our explicit improvement agendas in our level of achievement data across the school and across year levels.

Reports will be distributed after the holidays, in Week 2 of Term 3. There will be opportunities later in the school term for another round of 3 Way Conversations to occur, which was a fabulous success for our school community earlier this year. Please know that you are able to contact your child’s teacher through the school office to further discuss their academic achievements if you wish to.

Academic Excellence Awards will be a wonderful celebration of academic achievement in Semester 1, which will be held early next term. More information will be distributed for this event closer to the date.

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

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.

P and C News

Uniform News

Feeling the winter chill yet? School Jackets - high quality, embroidered, zippered jackets and zippered pockets - are now available from the School Locker for $38 each.

Senior Polos are available for $35 each. School backpacks are available for $45 each.

A percentage of all purchases made at the School Locker go back to The Willows State School so don't forget to mention which school you are from when you pay.

Next P&C Meeting

The meeting will be postponed due to the school holidays to Tuesday 20 July at 6pm in the TCBC conference room.

If you love to make a real difference and get involved in our upcoming fundraisers please come along to our next P&C meeting. All are welcome.

The Willows State School P&C Association
c/- The Willows State School
5 Bilberry Street, Kirwan Qld 4817
PO Box 563 Thuringowa Central Qld 4817
E: 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 2.40pm in Multi-Purpose Learning Centre
Year 6 – Tuesdays 8.45am in Multi-Purpose Learning Centre

Parents/Guardians are most welcome to attend.

Positive Behaviour Learning

Defence News

To all my amazing defence families your support and donations were most appreciated at the Biggest Morning Tea last Monday. Hope you enjoyed the treats and conversations. My door is always open for you to have a coffee and a chat. Please call me during school time to make an appointment. Wishing all families, a Happy Holidays and stay safe. Enjoy the break if you are having one. Get out and explore our great state, there is so much to see and do.

As of Monday 21st June I am on LSL (exploring the Great Outback) for all of week 10, and returning to school start of Term 3. While I am away, Nicole Mason will be in the role of DSM for week 10. If you wish to make contact concerning your children please email Nicole on nmaso49@eq.edu.au or contact the school office.

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.

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.

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

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

Prep News

This term in English, Prep Rowe have been learning about Retells. The children have written about and presented their favourite story.

The students have been busy learning about numbers, by matching them to their number name and picture.

In Science, the children have also enjoyed learning about living things and how we care for them.

Year 1 News

English

This term we have been getting ready to present a poem using facial expressions, gestures and changing the volume and pace of our voice. It has been a bit scary for some children, but everyone has done a fantastic job of standing up in front of their peers and presenting!

We have been working hard to make sure that we have neat, presentable bookwork with a margin, date and letters written neatly in the correct lines.

The year 1’s loved their fire education visit last Wednesday. We learnt all about what to do if there is a fire, and the difference between good and bad fires. We even got to have a go at spraying the fire hose!

Year 2 News

This term in English, we have been exploring character traits and comparing characters in two versions of the same stories. Students have been reading Cinderella, a fairytale and Cinders Rox to choose a preference for a character and write comparative statements. Students have also had to retell these stories ensuring they sequence events in the correct order. Ask your child which character is their favourite and why!

Year 3 News

Year 3 – Mathematics

Over the last week, students in year 3 have been exploring measurement in mathematics. Students have learnt about the units of length, weight and capacity. Here, students are enjoying this inquiry activity where they had to predict the weight of an object and then measure it on the scales to see if their prediction was accurate!

During Week 2 of Term 3, our Year 3 classes will be attending Billabong Sanctuary, to align with work we have been undertaking in English, Science and The Arts. Please return signed consent and medical forms, and make payment of $25 by Thursday 15th July 2021 (Week 1 of Term 3). Please contact the office if you have lost/not received a note, or download the note below.

Year 4 News

This Term, Year 4 students have been exploring natural processes and human activity that cause weathering and erosion of Earth’s surface.

Students have enjoyed relating this to our local area, making observations and predicting consequences of future occurrences and human activity.

We have conducted a number of investigations throughout the term to show examples of how weathering and erosion can occur through wind, water, ice or human activity.

Students also recently completed an assessment task where they had to show an example of the impacts of erosion on Earth’s surface.

Year 5 News

With Term 2 racing to an end, year 5 have been trying their hand at animation. All classes have read, viewed and interpreted a range of multimodal texts, focussing mostly on cartoons and animation. There has been much discussion around speech bubbles, thought bubbles, concise vocabulary and captions, as our budding Spielberg’s aim to portray how two characters respond when faced with an ethical dilemma. The children have been engrossed in planning elements using plot profiles and storyboards to prepare their drafts, and buzz words like onomatopoeia are now part of the year 5 vernacular.

As we add the final touches, the classrooms and labs are buzzing with activity as SFX and vocals are added to enhance the finished products.

Year 6 News

English: To evaluate the use of language in a news report (interview transcript) that influences the audience to accept a particular point of view about a topic. Students have been pulling apart news articles identifying various language features such as modality, objective and subjective language, nouns and verbs.

Art: To explore artworks that inspire the making of a mixed media sculpture that expresses a personal view about a social issue and communicates meaning through display. Students have been creating different sculptures on a social issue such as deforestation, coral bleaching and pollution. Their artwork has been absolutely amazing! Amazing work Year 6!

Community Events & Notices

SURF LIFE SAVING QUEENSLAND – LITTLE LIFESAVERS PROGRAM

NEW SEASON SIGN ON – TOWNSVILLE TIGER SHARKS SWIMMING CLUB

MINI STICKS PROGRAM TERM 3

HEAT SCHOOL HOLIDAY CRICKET PROGRAMS

GIRL GUIDES

PARENTLINE - CYBERSAFETY

THE SMITH FAMILY – SAVER PLUS

GRANDPARENTS CONNECT