13 October 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Pride

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,

Welcome back to Week 2 of Term 4. It is certainly warming up now. Please ensure children are attending school with a water bottle every day so they can keep well hydrated.

This term will be very busy and I encourage you to read our newsletter each week to stay informed about timelines for all school programs and events. This week across the state we acknowledge Queensland Mental Health Week.

Queensland Mental Health Week (QMHW) – 9-17 October

Queensland Mental Health Week (QMHW) encourages all of us to think about our mental health and wellbeing, regardless of whether we may have a lived experience of mental illness or not, and encourages help-seeking behaviours, when needed.

QMHW aims to promote awareness of mental health and encourages us to take action to improve our mood, build resilience and prioritise our mental health and wellbeing.

This year’s theme is ‘Take Time for Mental Health’ with six steps – get healthy, keep learning, show kindness, connect, take notice and embrace nature.

Research shows there are six simple actions* we can take to improve our moods, build resilience, and boost our mental wellbeing:

• Take time to get healthy— being active and eating well is good for your mind and body
• Take time to keep learning — learning new things can be fun and boost confidence
• Take time to show kindness — practising small acts of kindness, volunteering time, or simply helping a friend in need can help you feel more satisfied with life
• Take time to connect — spending time with other people is important to everyone’s mental wellbeing and can be done while carefully observing social distancing
• Take time to take notice — paying more attention to the present and the world around you can help you relieve stress and enjoy the moment
• Take time to embrace nature — connecting with the outdoors and taking care of the planet is the best recipe for world wellbeing.

*These actions are from the Queensland Government’s Dear Mind initiative

School Strategic Plan 2022-2025 UPDATE

Thank you to all staff, students and community members who presented the collaborative review findings of the sub-committee teams and various stakeholders at our QSR Verification Meeting last Thursday. Our Assistant Regional Director, Mrs Lesley Pecchiar, provided very positive feedback on the review process, consultation methodology and collation of findings into ‘big picture’ strategies in the draft School Strategic Plan 2022-2025. The FINAL School Strategic Plan 2022-2025 was presented to the P&C on Tuesday evening for viewing and signing.

2022 Student Captain Interviews

Interviews with all Year 5 students shortlisted for 2022 Student Captain roles occurred last Wednesday and Thursday. There were many wonderful young potential leaders. It was an absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to interact with, and get a deeper insight into the personalities of such a talented group of young people. Their interpersonal skills and admiration for their teachers, parents and fellow students was expressed many times. Thank you to Mrs Carter for her coordination of this selection process. Students who have nominated for Sport and Music Captain roles will receive letters this week advising them of the processes regarding their speeches in Week 3.

BYOx Program Update

Our final BYOx Parent Information session was held last Wednesday evening and was very well attended. All BYOx Commitment forms for 2022 Year 4-6 classes were due by COB Friday, 8 October. Commitment forms will still be accepted this week. The school leadership team will be considering next steps with BYOx class structures and teaching arrangements for 2022 on the basis of committed student numbers across coming weeks.

World Sight Day – 14th October

World Sight Day is an annual day of awareness held on the second Thursday of October, to focus global attention on vision impairment, including blindness. This year, World Sight Day has the theme: Love Your Eyes. To access fact sheets about vision impairment and blindness refer to the World Health Organisation website:

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.

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.

DATE CLAIMER: Day for Daniel – Friday 29 October

The Willows State School will be participating in Day for Daniel on 29 October. On this day students and staff can wear red shirts to school to raise awareness about child safety.

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 4, Week 1, we are sitting at 91.3% YTD.

Is your Prep-Year 5 student transferring to another school in 2022?

We will shortly be starting the process of organising class composition for 2022. We would appreciate early notice if your child, or children, will be transferring to another school in 2022. Please inform the office by phone on 47 991 333 or email admin@thewillowsss.eq.edu.au at your earliest convenience.

Requests for specific factors to be taken into consideration for your child when organising class composition for 2022 are also able to be emailed to admin@thewillowsss.eq.edu.au.

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 week. Our next newsletter for Term 4 will be issued on Wednesday, 20 October.

Warm regards,

Michelle Donn
A/Principal

General News

LIFE EDUCATION

The Willows State School has chosen to partner with Life Education, a specialist health education provider. The Life Education Mobile Learning Centre will be visiting our school for Year 1,2 and 4 from Wednesday the 27th of October to Wednesday the 3rd of November. They will be presenting some exciting and memorable learning experiences, which are aligned with the Australian Health and Physical Education Curriculum.

Life Education is a health promotion charity and the largest non-government provider of health and drug education to children. They work in partnership with schools to enhance and reinforce children’s learning about nutrition, the benefits of physical activity, staying safe online, the health impacts of smoking and alcohol and strategies to cope with peer and social pressures.

Life Education is about prevention through education – providing your child with important knowledge, skills, confidence and self-esteem to help them live a healthy, safe life. The mobile classrooms make the program accessible, exciting and memorable. They use up-to-date technology and teaching methods, and engage the students through interactive games and activities. Healthy Harold the giraffe, their much loved mascot, helps to deliver their message to primary school children.

What your child will learn…..

Year 1 – Harold and his friends have gone camping, but when someone gets injured on a hiking expedition, how will they look after each other and make it back to camp? This module helps children to problem solve and focuses on:-

• Recognising safe and unsafe environments
• How to care for others
• Behaviours that maintain friendships
• Places and people who we can go to for help.

Year 2 – Harold battles to figure out what to give his grandma for her birthday, until his friends, Boots and Red step in and offer some good ideas. This animated story takes us to familiar surroundings where students can:

• Explore what health messages mean
• Identify safety signs
• Recognise how physical activity and nutrition contribute to a healthy lifestyle
• Explore how positive relationships benefit our health and wellbeing.

Year 4 – This module focuses on cybersafety, cyber ethics and building positive relationships with friends online and offline. The students explore a range of issues such as password security, risks of sharing personal information, how to communicate respectfully both online and offline, and strategies to handle bullying including cyberbullying:

• Responsible and respectful behaviour when using communication technology7
• Skills for building positive relationships with friends
• Keeping personal information safe online
• Strategies to deal with bullying and cyberbullying
• Exploring the role of bystanders.

Students attending the program pay $7.00. Permission letters have been sent home. Please return them as soon as possible. Payment of $7.00 will be invoiced to you and full payment must be made by the 20th of October.

ORAL HEALTH TIP

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

WELCOME BACK TO TERM 4- UPDATE for Week 2.

The week has started very busy with Kids Club OPEN and students wanting to share with me what they did with their families in the holidays. Students are excited to be back at school with their friends.

Thank you to all the parents who have contacted me in regards to posting/moving to another city. This means some students will be starting to think about leaving their school and friends at the end of the year. In preparation for students to transition to their new school I will be conducting a Relocation Program here at school for students to attend. If you think your child would benefit from this program, please let me know so they can participate. It will be held at school in the afternoon session of Week 7 & 8 with other Defence students. We will discuss feelings, emotions, what moving looks like and transition strategies around leaving this school and moving to a new school. There is also a farewell party planned for students posted out, a party for Year 6 Defence leavers and an afternoon tea for Parents this term.

These will be held later in the term. Please email me or give me a call if you would like to discuss further. Check out this amazing online resource for ADF members and families about what to see and do, in your new location. Happy Moving.

Also, a Big Thank you to Nicole Mason for supporting students in Week 1, much appreciated.

Posting 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.

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

Married with Dependents (Unacccompanied) - MWD(U) Information session – face-to-face - Wednesday October 20

If you are considering going MWD(U) or have already made the decision, we highly recommend coming along to our free MWD(U) information sessions on Wednesday 20th October from either 1.30pm to 2.30pm or 5.30pm-6.30pm. Learn more about the benefits, challenges, opportunities and strategies to manage MWD(U) plus understand the supports available.

Hear real-life stories and examples from people who have gone through it. Register at Eventbrite.

Friday 22nd October The (almost) Amazing Race at Norman Park, Jezzine Barracks from 4:30pm-6:00pm

ADF members, ADF veterans and families of Townsville are invited to enter. Grab some mates and register a team for our (almost) Amazing Race. Townsville ADF members, singles, couples, and families are invited to team up in this year’s (almost) Amazing Race! Solve riddles, deduce clues and complete challenges as you navigate your way around Norman Park beside Jezzine Barracks on The Strand. Jog, walk or even sprint your way through a series of checkpoints and challenges in a race against the clock. Stay tuned for more information. There are prizes up for grabs including one for Best Dressed Team, so have fun and dress up for the occasion! Join us for a free sausage sizzle afterwards, or bring your own picnic lunch.

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

MILITARY CHILDREN WILL SAY GOOD-BYE TO MORE SIGNIFICANT PEOPLE BY THE AGE OF 18 THAN THE AVERAGE PERSON WILL IN THEIR LIFETIME!

Music News (The Pitch)

Prep News

Prep October Newsletter

English

In English, Prep students are learning to listen to and innovate on a familiar imaginative story to create a new story for a favourite character. Students will recall one or two events from texts with familiar topics and understand that their texts can reflect their own experiences.

Write using familiar words and phrases and images to convey ideas. Write showing evidence of letter and sound knowledge, beginning writing behaviours and experimentation with capital letters and full stops. Write using correctly formed known uppercase and lowercase letters.

Mathematics

In Mathematics Prep students are learning to connect number names, numerals and quantities up to 10 and count to and from 20.

Science

In Science Preps are investigating movement to describe the properties and behaviour of familiar objects. Students will share and reflect on observations and ask questions about familiar objects.

End of Term 3 Celebrations

75 Stars

Preps celebrated receiving 75 stars with a technology afternoon playing with Bee Bots and Spyros.

No Majors

Preps had lots of fun decorating and eating biscuits.

Colour Fun Run

TEA TOWEL FUNDRAISER

Year One News

During our first week back from our holiday, our classes have been exploring our new learning units for Term 4. We have begun investigating procedural texts, different strategies to represent addition and subtraction, how sound is made, and how to stay safe in the car and on the road. We have also continued to show pride in our school by remembering to line up safely before and after transitions, all while looking fantastic in our correct school uniforms.

Year Two News

In Year 2, this term, the students will be working on a narrative text in English lessons. As we are only in the early stages of our unit, we have been looking at the structure of a narrative:

1. Introduction (beginning) – introduces characters and setting
2. Complication (middle) – where the problem occurs through a series of events
3. Resolution (end) – the problem is solved

The book we are using as our stimulus is called “Toy Boat”.

We have taken the main ideas of the story and sequenced them to match the book. Some of us have made toy boats and some of us have tried some directed drawing to create an image of toy boat.

The students have to add another event to the complication of this story. Over the next few weeks, they will be involved in drafting their new event. They then have to go to the computer labs and present their work in a digital format. Students also have to draw the images, to support their text, using the computer.

It is a very big unit of work with many layers and the students have already shown a high level of engagement and are excited to be publishing their work in a totally digital format.

Year Three News

Year 3 English this term will engage our learners with poems. During this unit, we will be looking at poetic language devices such as, line length, rhyme scheme and structure and the way poets use descriptive language, alliteration, onomatopoeia and similes language in poems to create mood and assist the audience to visualise images from their poems.

We will culminate this unit of work by adapting and presenting our own poem about an environment of our choice.

Year Four News

Welcome back to Term 4!!!

The Year 4 students have had a fantastic first few weeks getting right back into learning showing great progress already in week 1. This week 4PRO have been having a fantastic time during maths learning about connecting fractions and decimals.

4PRO had a fantastic time using number tiles to make decimal numbers. Students were given clues to try to work out the decimal number. They are also learning the place value of decimals and how these can be placed on a number line.

Year Five News

Can you believe it’s Term 4? What an exciting term we have ahead of us in Year 5. The masks are now off for the time being and all classes are well underway with their current units of work. Outlined below is an overview of learning for Year 5 the term. Remember to ask your children the 5 questions; What are you learning? How well are you doing? How do you know? What can you do to improve? Where can you go to for help? Your children should be able to discuss what their learning intentions are and express how they will find success in their learning.

Curriculum Overview

Year Six News

Welcome to Term 4 four of 2021! We can’t actually believe that we are here already, but never fear, there is plenty for us to do in such a short period of time. As we look forward to Graduation and all of the emotions that brings, we have a very full term to keep us busy.

In English, we are learning to argue a point of view about the effectiveness of literary and informative texts in conveying their message. We are busily analysing text structures, language features and visual features of two text types which convey the same message, to determine which one better communicates this message. We are learning a lot about moon bears and the effect that bear farming has on these defenceless creatures.

In Mathematics, we have three assessment tasks to do. We are starting with learning how to compare observed and expected frequencies and write probabilities using simple fractions, decimals and percentages. This year we have looked a lot at fractions and how they can be represented as decimals and percentages. The students are enjoying the fun games that we are playing to determine observed and expected frequencies to ultimately determine if a game is fair.

In Science, we are learning to develop an investigable question and design an investigation into simple cause-and-effect relationships including identifying variables to be changed and measured and potential safety risks. We will be collecting, organising and interpreting data to identify environmental factors that contribute to mould growth in bread and explain how scientific knowledge helps to solve problems. At the moment we are enjoying doing investigations into how light and salinity effects plant growth.

Please keep your eye on the newsletter for all news regarding Graduation and Fun Day celebrations for the end of this term.

We look forward to the final transition from primary school to high school with your children. Please feel free to contact class teachers at any time for anything that you need clarity around.

Happy Term 4!

iAchieve Sports Academy

Year 6 High School Enrolment (2022)

Community Events & Notices

POSITION VACANT – TEMPORARY CASUAL CLEANER