6 October 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Pride

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,

Welcome back to the final term of the 2021 school year! I trust everyone has had a wonderful Spring vacation. I am very much looking forward to continuing to work with the entire Willows school community again during Term 4 and feel very privileged to have the opportunity to extend.

COVID-19 Update - Health, Safety & Wellbeing

As announced by the Premier last Thursday, Townsville and Palm Island LGAs have entered Stage 2 Restrictions in accordance with the Queensland COVID Safe Future Roadmap.

To abide by the restrictions, all staff will be wearing face masks indoors at all times and outdoors, when unable to physically distance, for the next two weeks. We will request all visitors to abide by the restrictions, including any children who may enter the school grounds between the ages of 12 – 18 years of age.

If you would like to know further information about how COVID is managed within State Schools of Queensland, please refer to the DoE COVID 19 Website. The website contains frequently asked questions and support for parents, carers and students.

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. School staff have actively been preparing for an emergent response if required.

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

Staffing Update

• Mrs Natalie Schifilliti will join TWSS as A/Business Manager from Week 2 of this term whilst Miss Barbara Anderson moves to a role in our Regional Office in Term 4. We wish Miss Anderson all the very best in her new career adventure. Miss Anderson’s last day will be Friday, 8 October.
• Mrs Paula Williams has joined TWSS in a Local Relief Teacher role for Term 4.
• Mrs Keryn Munro has joined TWSS in a Local Relief Teacher role (Wednesday-Friday) for Term 4.
• Mrs Amanda Lester is on long service leave for the first 2 weeks of Term 4. Mrs Lester will be replaced by Ms Carrie Kiernan.
• Mr Aaron Davies is on paternity leave for 2 weeks from Wednesday of the first week of Term 4. Ms Kaycee Fairbrother will replace Mr Davies during this time.

Quadrennial School Review – UPDATE

As previously advised, the quadrennial school review process will culminate in a formal QSR Verification Meeting with our Assistant Regional Director, Mrs Lesley Pecchiar, on Thursday, 7 October. I look forward to presenting the verified, signed version of the new School Strategic Plan 2022-2025 to the entire school community following this meeting. The SSP will be uploaded to the school website and also available for viewing in the school foyer later in Term 4.

Translink’s School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS) – for your information

TransLink’s School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS) network planning team is proposing to commence a review of government contracted school services in and along the Hervey Range Road corridor area during the week starting Monday, 18th October 2021.

During this period officers from TransLink will be conducting tasks such as travelling on school bus services, following bus services, counting students getting on and off buses (at schools, bus stop and interchange locations) and meeting with the bus operators, parents as required and schools as necessary. Officers involved in these tasks will be wearing, or be able to produce photographic identification issued by the department.

2022 BYOx Program

One final Parent Information Session will be held – Wednesday, 5pm - 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, 2022 class BYOx structures will be able to be determined and communicated. Please contact the school if you have not attended a Parent Information session and wish to register for the final one or obtain an information package.

Student Leaders 2022 – Selection Process Timelines

Year 5 students shortlisted for 2022 Student Captain roles received letters advising them of this achievement and the next steps in the selection process at the end of last term.

Interviews for School Captains and School Vice-Captains will be conducted in the first week of Term 4 on Wednesday and Thursday, with speech presentations by nominees for Music and Sports Captain roles occurring during Week 3. I look forward to being involved in the selection of our next group of student leaders – it is certainly going to be a difficult task.

Thuringowa Xmas Card Competition

Aaron Harper MP, State Member for Thuringowa, is once again inviting Prep-Year 3 students from primary schools within his Thuringowa electorate to participate in a competition to design, draw and colour the image that will appear on the front of his Xmas greeting card.

The prize for the winning design is a $100 Smiggle Voucher and a $200 Visa to the winning family.

An entry form in a format that will enable the designs to fit on the front of the card is available for collection from S Pod if needed.

The competition closes Friday, 15th October (Term 4, Week 2). Completed entries will be collected from the school office.

If you have any questions about this competition please contact Aaron Harper’s office on 07 4766 3100 or email thuringowa@parliament.qld.gov.au.

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, we are sitting at 91.3% 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 during Term 4 to support the transition and orientation process to school. Please contact our school office to obtain further information about this free program.

Have a wonderful first week back at school. Our next newsletter for Term 4 will be issued on Wednesday, 13 October.

Warm Regards,

Michelle Donn
A/Principal

General News

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.

Community Events & Notices

POSITION VACANT – TEMPORARY CASUAL CLEANER