11 August 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Pride

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,

Welcome back to Week 5 of Term 3. We are now into our ‘mid-term’ week – how quickly this term is flying by. This week our Year 5 students have enjoyed an excursion to Charters Towers and our Year 3 and 4 students will be offered opportunities to commence participating in a range of lunch-time activities - Rugby League, Hockey, AFL and Cricket – thanks to Sporting Schools sponsorship.

Student Council Leadership

Last Friday I had the pleasure of meeting with our active and very committed group of Student Councillors. It was wonderful to engage with them around some focussed questions – their responses about how to make our great school even better were both insightful and interesting. This information will feed into the overall Quadrennial School Review processes and ‘blue sky’ 2022-2025 thinking our school is currently pursuing.

Extra-curricular activities

Congratulations to our Garbutt Magpies AFL Team who put in an outstanding effort last week. The team were the ‘Runners-Up’ in the Grand Final and displayed both great pride in representing their school and excellent sportsmanship. I would also like to acknowledge the commitment of our musically talented students who showcased their skills at a community event on Saturday. A very big thank-you to all staff involved in ensuring our students are able to access such a wide range of extra-curricular options and for their ongoing commitment to training and coaching our students to be the best they can be.

Staffing Update

At the end of this week we will farewell Ms Ellie Pritchard to maternity leave. We wish Ellie and her partner all the very best as they embark upon welcoming a new addition into the family. Ms Kate Haines, an experienced educator, will take over the teaching of 4C from the commencement of Week 6.

At the end of this week we will also farewell Mrs Claire Franklin for the remainder of the term. Mrs Sarah Platt will take over the role of A/Head of Special Education Services and Mrs Kerryn Munro will work in the Inclusion Teacher role behind Mrs Platt.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) – 75 Star Celebrations

Later this week we celebrate our students who have achieved 75 Stars – congratulations to all who have been successful in attaining this positive acknowedgement of their efforts. These recognition processes occur at the end of Week 5 and Week 10 each term and are a great goal for our students to strive for.

Over the next fortnight of Term 3 our PBL school focus will be on ‘Playing by the Rules’ – whether that be in the playground, during transitions or the classroom. Teachers will explicitly reinforce these concepts with their students through direct teaching. Your support in reiterating these messages with your child and encouraging their compliance is also much appreciated.

Powerful Questions to get to Know Learners and Learning – based on the research of Dr Lyn Sharratt

Five Questions Teachers and Leaders can ask their students:

1. What are you learning?
2. How are you doing?
3. How do you know?
4. How can you improve?
5. Where do you go for help?

Parents are our learners’ first teachers. We recognise how hugely influential parents can be in the learning for, with, and beside each student. Dr Sharratt also promotes 5 questions for parents.

Five Questions Parents can ask their children:

1. What did you learn today?
2. How did you do?
3. What did you do if you didn’t understand?
4. How can you improve on your learning?
5. What are you most proud of?

Why not try out these questions with your students when discussing their day at school? I look forward to hearing some feedback about their responses.

2022 BYOx Program – for Year 4, 5 and 6 students in 2022 – Parent Information Session

Our second BYOx Parent Information Session will be held on Thursday evening, 12/08 from 5pm. This is a repeat of the previous session. Parents will be provided with the Student/Caregiver BYOx Charter, BYOx Device Specifications and BYOx Program Commitment Forms for perusal. Families are not required to make a firm commitment to participate in the program until the end of Week 1, Term 4. An additional two Parent Information Sessions have also been scheduled. If you have been unable to attend either of the BYOx Parent Information Sessions offered to date but still wish to attend one, you can register for upcoming sessions via the survey link below:

COVID-19 Update - Health, Safety & Wellbeing Information

The recent situations in South-East QLD and now Cairns have continued to remind us all about reinforcing and maintaining all ‘COVID-Normal’ conditions – hand sanitisation, adult social distancing, reinforcing coughing/sneezing into elbow/tissues and not attending school if unwell.

Should any additional changes be required to school operations by Queensland Health these will be communicated via the usual Schoolzine, email and Facebook school communication channels.

Queensland Health continues to be the authoritative advice for all COVID-19 related health inquiries and can be contacted on 13 42 68.

Quadrennial School Review (QSR) – Parent Forum opportunities

As previously mentioned, this term The Willows SS school community will engage in a Quadrennial School Review process to develop a new School Strategic Plan 2022-2025. This process involves extensive consultation with parents, community members, staff and students in order to review the progress made on the current School Strategic Plan over the past four years and look ahead to develop a vision for the strategic direction of the school in future years. I will be hosting two ‘Parent Forums’ during Term 3 and all parents and community members are cordially invited to attend. If you missed today’s forum there will be another opportunity on Tuesday, 17 August (Week 6): 9:00 – 10:00am.

Interested parents are requested to contact the school office on 47991 333 to register their attendance.

The Willows State School Attendance Strategy – Every Day Counts!

School attendance is compulsory under the Education Act. If children are going to be absent from school for any reason parents are requested to inform the school by phoning 47 991 333 or emailing admin@thewillowsss.eq.edu.au. Students are encouraged to come to school every day they are well enough to attend – so much new learning occurs every day.

We have an AIP goal to achieve whole school attendance at 93% across 2021. After Term 3, Week 4 we are sitting at 91.5% YTD.

2022 ENROLMENTS – NOW OPEN FOR ALL YEAR LEVELS

Our school is now taking enrolments for the 2022 school year, please get your enrolment forms in early. Should you know of friends or family looking to join our great school, please inform them that they are welcome to contact the school for further information and to obtain an enrolment package.

Prospective 2022 Prep students may also like to consider attending our Willows Warriors Pre-Prep Program on a Wednesday as a great transition and orientation process. Please contact our school office for further information about this.

Have a wonderful week – stay healthy and happy.

Warm regards,

Michelle Donn
A/Principal

General News

STUDENT COUNCIL FUNDRAISER

WILLOWS WARRIORS

Upcoming Events

Year Level Parade

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 – Tuesdays 8.45am in Multi-Purpose Learning Centre
Year 5 – Mondays 2.40pm in Multi-Purpose Learning Centre
Year 6 – Tuesdays 8.45am in TCBC Conference Room

Parents/Guardians are most welcome to attend.

P and C News

Community Events & Notices

SAVER PLUS