18 August 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Pride

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,

Welcome back to Week 6 of Term 3. We are now into our ‘mid-term’ week – how quickly this term is flying by.

Congratulations to our school Senior Rugby League team for their success in the Les Stagg Cup on Monday night. The team were victorious over Kirwan SS and have now progressed through to next week’s competition. The team’s next game in the knock-out competition will be on Monday, 23/08 at 6:30pm at Jack Manski Oval. Please come along to support our team if you are able!

This week on Friday our school Athletics team will compete at Red Track – I am sure the students will represent themselves and their school to the highest standard. Thanks to all staff who have invested time and energy into training our students in the lead up to this. A school ‘STEM’ team will also compete in the Townsville Lego Competition this week – thanks to Mr Menzies for his coordination of this and best of luck to our students. I look forward to sharing news of their achievements with our school community via next week’s newsletter and our official school Facebook page.

Welcome to National Science Week 2021!

This year’s theme is Food: Different by Design. It honours the United Nations International Year of Fruits and Vegetables and the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development. To celebrate National Science week, all classes will be participating in a range of science-based activities linked to their curriculum, with a focus on fun and discovery. Please ask your child what they learnt in their Science Week experiment – they might even be able to repeat one of the activities for you at home! We were also fortunate to have some Thuringowa SHS students conduct lunch-time science activities with our Year 3, 4 and 5 students on Tuesday – this visit was much appreciated.

DATE CLAIMER: State-wide Student Free Day – Friday, 3 September (Week 8)

As in previous years, please note there will be a Student Free Day (SFD) on Friday, 3 September (Week 8, Term 3). There will be no school for students on this day. Please ensure supervision is organised for your child.

2022 BYOx Program - Update

Our second BYOx Parent Information Session was held last Thursday evening. This was a repeat of the previous session and was once again well attended. There have been around 100 families express interest in the program to date. Two further Parent Information Sessions will be held – one in Week 9 (08/09) and one in Week 1, Term 4 (06/10). Families do not have to make a firm commitment to participate in the program until the end of Week 1, Term 4 (08/10). Once participating numbers are finalised, class BYOx structures will be determined and communicated.

Staffing Update

On Wednesday, 18/08 we farewell Mrs Kym Clay. Mrs Clay has been successful in obtaining an A/Guidance Officer role at Northern Beaches SHS for the remainder of the 2021 school year. We wish Mrs Clay all the very best in her next career endeavour. Mrs Clay has been a long-term staff member of The Willows SS, having taken on a variety of leadership roles within her 21 years at the school.

On Friday, 20/08 we will farewell Mrs Kayleigh Ginard to maternity leave. We wish Mrs Ginard and her husband all the very best as they look forward to welcoming a new addition to their household.

COVID-19 Update - Health, Safety & Wellbeing Information

The recent situations across Australia 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 the school site if unwell.

Should any emergent lock downs or school closures be required by Queensland Health these will be communicated via the usual Schoolzine, email and Facebook school communication channels. Please ensure we have your most up-to-date contact details.

School staff have been revisiting online learning procedures and e-learning platforms to ensure they would be in readiness for any learning@home situation that may arise.

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 & Community engagement opportunities

As previously mentioned, this term The Willows SS parent community is engaged 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 develop a vision for the strategic direction of the school in future years. Thank you to those parents who have already provided feedback through various face-to-face forums. An online survey is also available for your convenience as an alternative option and your support in completing this is much appreciated. Al feedback is most welcome. The online survey will open TODAY and close at 5pm on Friday, 27 August.

Australian Government e-Safety Commissioner Website

Please view the below hints and tips about keeping your child safe online. These are shared from the Australian Government e-Safety Commissioner Website.

• Know what sites and games your children are using and make sure they are age appropriate
• Game ratings are important. Games not rated for children have content children are not ready to deal with psychologically.
• Get involved. Share online time with your children as part of family life. Play games together. Talk about favourite apps, games or websites.
• Keep lines of communication open. Ask about their online experiences, who they are talking to and whether they are having any issues.
• Reassure your child they can always come to you, no matter what. Let them know you will not cut off internet access if they report feeling uncomfortable or unsafe when online ― this is a real concern that may stop your child from communicating with you openly.
• Get to know the devices you and your children use and set them up for privacy and online safety. Take advantage of parental controls to monitor and control screen time and access to content in ways appropriate to your child’s age and experience.

For more information on privacy and setting up parental controls head:

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 5 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.

We are commencing 2022 Prep Enrolment Interviews THIS WEEK.

Prospective 2022 Prep students and parents/caregivers may also like to consider attending a

Willows Warriors Pre-Prep Program session on a Wednesday to support the transition and orientation process to school. Please contact our school office to obtain further information about this free program.

Have a productive week – stay healthy and happy.

Warm regards,

Michelle Donn
A/Principal

General News

3 WAY CONVERSATIONS

BOOK WEEK – 15 SEPTEMBER

Theme – Old Worlds, New World, Other Worlds

Children’s Book Week is a special annual event that offers students, the opportunity to engage with stories at a deeper level of understanding, encouraging creativity, critical thinking and text discussions. During our Book Week/Term celebrations student have visited the library and had lots of fun, participating in engaging activities, focusing on quality children’s literature.

Our Book week celebrations at TWSS will culminate with a Book Week performance and dress up parade in Week 10, on Wednesday (first session).

Prep – Year 2
9am Wednesday - 15 September (TCBC)

Years 3 – 6
10am Wednesday -15 September (TCBC)

We encourage all students to dress up and join in the fun!

STUDENT COUNCIL FUNDRAISER

WILLOWS WARRIORS

QUEENSLAND ROAD SAFETY WEEK

Upcoming Events

Year Level Parade

Prep – Mondays 8.45am in Junior CPA
Year 1 – Mondays 8.45am in Middle 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.

Positive Behaviour Learning

Defence News

HELLO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

On Thursday 12 August, we were invited to attend a Rollercoaster of Parental Absence Workshop for Primary School Students. This was the first time that this workshop had been offered to Primary School Students. Tyler, Matilda, Jaida and Blake from Years 5 & 6 attended the workshop with me at Geckos on Lavarack Barracks. 36 Defence students from Primary Schools attended the workshop which was facilitated by 12 Defence School Mentors from Primary and High Schools across Townsville. The aim of the workshop is to assist students to develop resilience skills and strategies to cope with parental absence. The program covered the role of the ADF in global operations, impact of being a defence family, emotional responses to separation, identifying support structures available, self-care during separation and supporting family members during separation. Students also had the opportunity to listen to what other students’ thoughts and emotions are like during this challenging time. This first-time workshop was developed from the High School Model. The students’ highlight of the day was making a Sand Sculpture to take home. The coloured sand represented how emotions are when your loved one goes away. A wonderful day meeting new friends with lots of laughter was had. A big thank you to the students that attended. They provided positive feedback. There is a plan to offer this program again next year.

Posting are being relayed out to members, if you know you/and your family will be moving on this year, please contact me so I am able to support each student with their transition to a new school and deliver a Farewell pack before they leave our school. Students can become very emotional leading up to their move and have lots of questions for you. All posting students look forward to receiving their FAREWELL PACK and Signature Bear to take with them. If I am not informed I cannot support or make sure they receive their Pack. Starting at a new school comes with lots of questions and worries. It will make the transition less difficult for everyone if the family can remain positive throughout this time. Parent talk should always be positive about new locations. Access this brilliant online resource below. This on-line resource is for ADF members and families to find information on their new posting location. It is packed with information about what to do and see in the city/area you are moving to. If I am aware you child/ren will be leaving at the end of the year I can discuss the moving process and emotions related to this.

REMEMBER OPEN ARMS is available to YOU and your family - Veterans and Families Counselling Former and current serving ADF personal and their families can use the service. Call 1800 011 046 for more information.

DCO is now DFMS (Defence Families and Family Support) Townsville office call on 07 4430 3879. Online you can find them at the link below, facebook @DefenceMemberFamilySupport. Defence Member and Family Helpline is 1800 624 608. Defence Social Workers are available for you to access at DFMS office. Appointment required.

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. Check availability due to exercise.

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

EVENTS TO REMEMBER

NEW DMFS Book Club EOI - After receiving a few new enquiries, and as our original after-hours book club is full, we’re considering running a second book-club during school/business hours here at the DCO Townsville office, located in Aitkenvale. To gauge a 2nd book-club’s viability, if it’s something you’d be interested in, could you please complete our Mentimeter survey online:

Geckos’ Sunset Cruise – 16th October – tickets on sale 5th August - Geckos is calling you aboard to enjoy a night of great company whilst Sealink spoils you with a private function admiring the sunset on the water, overlooking the night lights of Townsville City, The Strand & Magnetic Island. This event is for persons over the age of 18yrs only.

What is included in your $50 ticket (usually $95)?

2-hour sunset cruise: 16th of October, 5pm - 7pm
1 x welcome drink for each guest
Antipasto platters
Live entertainment

Tickets open on Thursday the 5th August via the link below (Please note this event is for persons over the age of 18yrs only.)

Geckos Mums Bumps and Bubs-Tuesday 24th August. Join us for Mums, Bumps and Bubs with a special visit from Mum2You. Krystle is a qualified and experienced child health nurse that will discuss sleep, nutrition and answer any questions you may have. Krystle will discuss how to "speak baby" and this private session will allow your individual concerns or questions to be addressed. Morning tea will be provided.

Tickets are normally $42 each, but Geckos is able to subsidise these to $5 per adult.

When: Tuesday 24th August
Time: 10am-12pm
Where: Geckos Family Centre, Lavarack Barracks
Register: Geckos Mum2You-TryBooking

Lavarack Barracks Legacy OPEN DAY-Saturday 28th August. 3rd Brigade will be hosting their annual Lavarack Barracks Legacy Open Day on Saturday 28th August from 10:00am – 2:00pm.

This is a fundraising event with all proceeds from the day going directly to Legacy.

Your attendance and support will be greatly appreciated

TO BE UP TO DATE WITH WHATS ON IN TOWNSVILLE CHECK whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au

Follow on Facebook or call 07 4411 7031.

DON’T FORGET to Register for DCO mailing list NOW at dco.townsville@defence.gov.au

DMFS Townsville Office: 07 4430 3879

Need to find them online? New home is www.defence.gov.au/members-families

Defence Family Helpline 24/7 call 1800 624 608 memberandfamilyhelpline@defence.gov.au

Open Arms call 1800 011 046 www.openarms.gov.au

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

DFA (Defence Families of Australia) nth.qld@dfa.org.au Larissa Ostermann 0418 796 561

Beyondblue.org.au www.australia.gov.au

Geckos Family Centre-Nth Qld Lavarack Barracks, contact WO2Nicole Lickorish 07 44446 1238

Kookaburra Kids Tvl- 1300 566 525 www.kookaburrakids.org.au

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

Music News (The Pitch)

Prep News

75 Stars

Last week the Preps celebrated reaching 75 stars. They enjoyed a fun glow in the dark disco. All the Preps were up dancing and having a great time together. We are all excited to reach our next 75 star rewards day which will be all about Technologies.

English

In English this term we have been learning about creating and reciting a rhyme. The students in PYA SCU have been writing a range of rhyming poems focusing on letter sound knowledge, poem structure, identifying rhyming words and making their poems exciting and interesting for their audience. We are very proud of all the students. Have a look at some AMAZING poems that students have created.

Year One News

English

This term we have been busy creating a character and participating in an interview to describe the character. Our characters have been very creative and the students have worked hard to put some facial expressions and gestures into their interview. They have also been working hard on actively listening as an interviewer.

In Science we have been making a collage of our day sky to answer questions about the changes in the day and night sky and landscape.

The Year 1 students had a great time playing on the Year 4/5 playground for our 75 star reward. We all felt very special being able to play on a playground we are not normally allowed to!!

Year Two News

This term, Year 2 are having lots of fun investigating numbers. We have investigated different ways to count large numbers and discovered the most efficient and easy method to count containers of pasta.

Year Three News

During our HASS unit in Term 3 called ‘Exploring Places Near and Far’ we are learning to represent data about places and compare places. We are specifically looking at the States of Australia, locating Australia’s neighbours (New Zealand, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea) and the direction they are from us.

We will also be comparing the natural and built characteristics of different communities, learning to explain their connection to people, and looking at identifying and describing their similarities and differences.

Year Four News

The year 4 students of 4PRO have been having a great time in Health learning about advertisements and how they can influence people to buy different products.

We have been looking at many different strategies that companies and TV advertiser use to influence people to buy their product. The students have been on a mission to decide whether buying and eating the ‘Super Sporty Bar’ is health choice or not.

The students of 4PRO also planned and created their own advertisements to influence people to buy their burger.

Year Five News

Students in Year 5 recently travelled to Charters Towers to learn more about the gold rush. Some students even struck it lucky while panning for gold. Students also visited the Zara Clarke Museum and Venus Battery.

Year Six News

On the 4th of August, Australia celebrated National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day. As a result, the students at The Willows State School had the opportunity to compete in the Garbutt Magpies AFL Carnival hosted by community elders and the Garbutt Magpies Football Club.

Over he past few weeks, nineteen Year 6 students committed to training weekly, to becoming a strong part of an established team, to following school values and expressing these to one another while developing skills in Aussie Rules Football. The students spent their lunch times developing skills and set-plays that led them to find success on the day.

The Willows State School team played with respect and dignity and managed to make their way to the Grand Final on the day of the Carnival. Each game was concluded with a heartfelt handshake and smiles from all team members and opponents. The boys represent the community spirt of the day brilliantly and their coach, Mr Davies couldn’t have been prouder of their efforts.

Walking away from the day as Runners Up, many of the boys stated that a sport they were previously unfamiliar with was a fun way to become part of a team, develop skills for other codes of football and connect with culture and community. Well done Willows and we thank all parents and supporting staff for organising and being a part of a wonderful day of student sport!

YEAR 6 CAMP OVERPAYMENT

YEAR 6 HIGH SCHOOL ENROLMENT (2022)

Community Events & Notices

SAVER PLUS

BROTHERS TSV FC

TOWNSVILLE CRICKET TERM 4

SPRING CARTOONING SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMS