1 September 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Pride

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,

Welcome back to Week 8 of Term 3 everyone! I hope everyone enjoyed the final ‘Winter’ week-end for 2021 and have embraced the start to Spring. Thank you in advance for supporting the P&C Father’s Day Stall this week and the Student Council by encouraging your children to “rock their socks” on Thursday. Don’t forget to sign up for our 3 Way Conversations being held next week.

Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week – 30 August – 3 September

This week is Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week. It is a time where we acknowledge and celebrate all our support staff for their valuable contributions to the effective and efficient running of our school. Their hard work and dedication make a significant difference to our students, teachers and the school community.

I would sincerely like to thank all The Willows State School support staff for the important work they do each and every day. We would not be able to support our students to achieve their learning and wellbeing goals without you.

THIS WEEK - State-wide Student Free Day – Friday, 3 September (Week 8)

Please note there will be a Student Free Day (SFD) THIS WEEK - Friday, 3 September. There will be no school for students on this day. Please ensure supervision is organised for your child.

Principal Business Days

On Tuesday and Wednesday this week I attended the Term 3 Principal Business Days. I look forward to sharing with the staff the learnings from these days. Key agenda items included the updated P-12 Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Framework, major updates to the State Schools Improvement Strategy 2021-2025 and the Education Improvement Branch’s presentation of ‘Classroom coaching for impact.’

Capability Development - Cluster Moderation

On Monday afternoon teaching staff from The Willows SS met with their cluster colleagues from Weir SS and Rasmussen SS to engage in Cluster Moderation of student English writing samples. This was a wonderful opportunity to engage in professional conversations with our colleagues to ensure consistency of judgments about student achievement on English summative assessment tasks against aspects of the Australian Curriculum achievement standards. We look forward to continuing this collegial work in Term 4.

Teaching and Learning

On Wednesday last week NQR Assistant Regional Director, Mrs Lesley Pecchiar, visited our school. This ARD visit coincided with our hosted Term 3 Triple Zero Community of Practice Visit. School representatives from Rasmussen SS and North Shore SS also attended our school with a focus on viewing the teaching of reading in Prep classrooms. Feedback from our visiting participants included comments relating to evidence of very strong writing samples in Prep, evidence of strong vocabulary development, learning walls encouraging clarity and clear whole class phonics instruction.

2021 NAPLAN data

Preliminary 2021 NAPLAN data is now available to all schools. QCAA timelines state that Individual Student Reports should be posted to all schools by late August-early September. We will engage in unpacking this data at different levels of analysis with both Year 3 and 5 teaching teams and all staff more broadly over the coming weeks.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Congratulations to our Under 10 Junior Rugby League team, who competed in the Blackhawks Challenge last Friday. The team won two of their games and represented their school with pride. A very big thank you to Mr Madeley for coaching our students and making their participation possible.

Congratulations to our school Senior Rugby League team for making the Grand Final of the Les Stagg Cup on Monday night. Whilst the team were not victorious over Holy Spirit, they displayed great courage and sportsmanship competing under very trying conditions. Many thanks to Mr Madeley, Ms Deuble and Mr Tod for their coaching and management of our team. A big thank you also to all the staff and parents/caregivers who came out to support our team.

Book Week Parades – Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds

Just a reminder that our Book Week Celebrations will be held in Week 10 on Wednesday, 15 September. Don’t forget to get your thinking caps on regarding your child’s costume… I am sure we are all looking forward to this year’s Book Week Performance as well -thanks to the team of actors busily working behind the scenes to create this!

Student Leaders 2022 – Selection Process Timelines

Our current Year 5 students who have displayed interest in nominating for student leadership positions in 2022 are currently busily competing their student captain passports and student leader application letters. Application letters are due by NEXT WEEK - Friday, 10

September (Week 9), ready for shortlisting in Week 10. Interviews for School Captains and School Vice-Captains will be conducted in the first week of term 4, with speech presentations by nominees for Music and Sports Captain roles occurring during Week 3 of next term.

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.

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

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 only have 12 days left in this school term and plenty of learning to still be achieved.

We have an AIP goal to achieve whole school attendance at 93% across 2021. After Term 3, Week 7 we are sitting at 91.4% 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 if possible. Should you know of friends or family looking to join our great school, please inform them that they are also most welcome to contact the school for further information and to obtain an enrolment package.

Prospective 2022 Prep students and parents/caregivers may 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.

To all our dads, father figures, grandads and fatherly friends - have a wonderful Father’s Day on Sunday. We hope you are spoilt - you deserve it.

Warm regards,

Michelle Donn
Acting 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

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

Week 8 Update - WISHING ALL FATHERS A VERY HAPPY DAD’S DAY THIS SUNDAY, have a great day and enjoy the quality time together with your family. Hope everyone who attended the Lavarack Barracks Open Day on Saturday had a great time. There was so much there to see and do. What a great time. Thank you to all the parents who have contacted me in regards to posting/moving to another city. This means some students will be leaving our school at the end of the year in preparation for their transition to their new school. I appreciate you passing this information on as it ensures that we are able to support and assist these students with their transition to another school. We can have chats about feelings and what emotions they may be going through before they leave The Willows State School and talk about what it might be like at their new school. Please email me or give me a call if you would like to discuss this further. An amazing online resource for ADF members and families is available below, a must see about what to see and do, great research of schools in your new location. Enjoy your new posting. Open Arms is also available if you are dealing with issues and want to reach out for support, give them a call anytime on 1800 011 046. Don’t forget to register for the Coffee Connections this Thursday and for Thursday 7th October.

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 and access this brilliant online resource below. This is an amazing on-line resource to ADF members and families to find information on their new posting location. 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. They will also receive a Farewell Pack to keep.

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 via 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

Thursday 2nd September MWDU Info Sessions at Geckos Lavarack Barracks - DMFS and 3Bde will be holding 2 info sessions for TVL ADF members and their partners posting, or considering posting unaccompanied. Partners are strongly encouraged to attend.

Thursday 2nd September Coffee Connections Thuringowa RSL 10:30am-1:00pm - monthly informal coffee and catch-up, this is a self-funded event.

Wednesday 8th September Woman’s Wellness Day at Lachlan Wilson Centre, Lavarack Barracks from 9:00am-2:00pm - part of Women’s Health Week, ADF female members, spouses and adult family members are invited to our FREE Wellness Day. Child minding is available at Geckos for participants-spaces are limited.

Tuesday 14th September at Museum of Tropical Qld from 10:15am-1:00pm - ADF families join us for a free guided tour of the Museum, then stay for a chat over lunch at the Gallery Café. This event is at your own expense.

Thursday 7th October, Coffee Connections at Fat Dogz Hammett Street, 9:30am-11:30am - monthly informal coffee and catch-up, this is self-funded event.

Register for these events on the DMFS Townsville Eventbrite page

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

Follow on Facebook or call 07 4411 7031.

DON’T FORGET to Register for DMFS mailing list NOW at dmfs.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 WO2 Nicole Lickorish 07 4446 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

HAPPY Father’s Day you will always be a Superhero!

Music News (The Pitch)

Prep News

This term, students have been learning to create a rhyme and present it to their peers. Students have worked really hard to write their rhyme. We have been practising adding adjectives to make our rhymes more interesting. The next thing we are working towards is reciting our rhyme to our peers. We are working on making engaging for our peers by showing confidence and adding expression and actions!

Year One News

In English, the year ones have been retelling traditional and cultural stories which they will the present to their class. They have been writing the beginning, middle and end using interesting vocabulary to create vivid sentences. The year ones have been working hard on checking their writing for capital letters, full stops and making sure their spelling looks right. They are getting very good at making sure their page has a margin and a date before they begin.

Year Two News

In year 2 we have been looking at three-digit numbers in maths. Students have had to create the clues for their peers to decode and find out what their three-digit number is. They have had lots of fun creating their different clues and watching their friends try to find the answers.

Year Three News

In Maths this term, the year 3’s have been busy telling time to the nearest minute and solving problems involving time. Students practised converting from analog to digital time and using a time table to answer problem-solving questions.

This week we had a visit from RACQ to talk to the upper school about road safety and what this looks and sounds like. Our students learned about proper safety wear while riding scooters and bikes.

Just a reminder that Week 8 of Term 3 from Monday through to Wednesday (30 August - 1 September) we have the Father’s Day stall.

Year Four News

The students in year 4 are exploring quest novels and explaining how authors portray characters within these novels. We have enjoyed reading the novel ‘Rowan of Rin’ learning about the language features and vocabulary used by Emily Rodda and how she represents Rowan. We have used diagrams, small group and large classroom discussions to explore these concepts and understand what is required to be successful.

Year Five News

This week the Year 5 students attended a RACQ Road Safety Education program called ‘Streets Ahead’. They learned how to be safe pedestrians, passengers and biker riders. Penny did a great job teaching the children and each component was interactive and fun.

Some important messages were:

Wear a helmet correctly to protect your head

Think of activities to do in the car that prevent the driver from being distracted

Be aware of your surroundings, especially near roads?

Year Six News

What a fun filled term in year 6 we have been having, with lots more to come. We have started our new English unit in which we are preparing a panel discussion, where we will be engaging in analysing and evaluating the style of an individual author.

In Science, we are continuing our learning about natural disasters involving some fun investigations where we got to make our own anemometers to measure wind speed.

In Design Technology, students are having a lot of fun designing a solution to an environment’s security need and making an electrical device that is part of the solution.

We are continuing our fortnightly activities when we can and students are engaging in their choice of activities including cooking, craft, orienteering, drama games and sport. Students are really enjoying trying new things, it has been great to see!

Year 6 High School Enrolment (2022)

Community Events & Notices

C & K Kirwan