20 October 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Pride

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,

Welcome back to Week 3 of Term 4. It is wonderful to see our students continuing to show excellent engagement in their learning across the school. Thank you for your support in assisting your child to “finish strong.”

School Improvement Update

As the final term progresses, we are continuing to work towards achieving our explicit improvement agenda goals for 2021, particularly those relating to student improvement in Reading, Writing and English LOA. Our Assistant Regional Director, Mrs Lesley Pecchiar, will next visit our school on Thursday, 28 October to discuss the school’s ongoing progress towards these AIP and I4S goals and to view the implementation of these in classrooms with teachers and students. I look forward to sharing her feedback with our school community in the near future.

State Education Week – 24-30 October – Week 4

This year we will again showcase and celebrate State Education Week with our community through Facebook posts sharing student work. The theme for 2021 is 'Strong Communities, Successful Students'. This theme highlights how whole school communities have come together during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that student success is always at the forefront. Look out for exciting daily Facebook sharing of student learning next week!

Loud Shirt Day – Friday, 22 October

On Friday, staff will acknowledge Loud Shirt Day – a day set aside to show support for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. We are encouraging all staff to wear ‘loud shirts’ and use this as a prompt to teach/communicate with students that we are doing this in support of students who have hearing issues.

Principal Business Day/NQR Learning Fair

On Tuesday and Wednesday this week I attended the Term 4 Principal Business Day/NQR Learning Fair. Thank you to Deputy Principals Mrs Souter, Mr Tod and Mrs Winter for taking on the Officer-in-Charge roles whilst I was working off-site. Key agenda items included 2022 Annual Implementation Planning, I4S changes, unpacking the EIB Insights Paper on Targeting resources for impact on student learning and viewing the presentations of NQR schools around successful practices.

2022 School Opinion Survey data is now available

Parent/Caregiver, Staff and Student School Opinion Survey Data has now become available for viewing. Over coming Staff Meeting/Teacher Aide Meeting, Student Council, P&C Meeting and Parent/Caregiver Newsletter weeks I will share some of the key themes, successes and areas for improvement with all key stakeholders.

FINAL APPROVED School Strategic Plan 2022-2025

The FINAL APPROVED School Strategic Plan 2022-2025 has now been signed off by the P&C President, Mrs Rachel Ratten. The only modifications from the original version were around changes to success indicator wording. Our ARD, Mrs Lesley Pecchiar, has indicated that she will sign this document at her regularly scheduled Term 4 school visit in Week 4.

This will then be shared with our parent community via the school’s website. This document will be used to drive January Student Free Day planning, the 2022 AIP priorities, budget expenditure planning and our Professional Learning Calendars for 2022.

2022 Sport and Music Captain Speeches

Students who have nominated for Sport and Music Captain roles will be participating in their selection and voting processes this week on Thursday and Friday. I wish all nominees the very best for their speeches.

2022 BYOx Program Planning Update

All BYOx Program Commitment forms for 2022 Year 4-6 classes were due by COB Friday, 8 October. This was extended for an extra week due to ongoing parent interest and is now closed. There are currently 111 students across Years 4-6 for 2022 who have committed to the program. The leadership team will now be considering next steps with BYOx class structures for 2022.

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.

DATE CLAIMER: Day for Daniel – Friday 29 October – Are you Red, Red, Ready?

Next week on Friday, 29 October is ‘Day for Daniel’ - a National Day of Action to raise awareness of Child Safety, Protection and Prevention. The theme for the 17th Annual Day for Daniel is Help-Seeking and Reporting, reinforcing the responsibility of adults to keep kids safe while encouraging kids to report abuse and seek help from an adult safety helper.

Students will hear important child safety messages so they can:-

• recognise safe and unsafe situations using safety clues
• react to keep themselves safe
• report unsafe situations, unsafe phone and online incidents

On Friday next week, students are asked to wear red. Teachers will be organising lessons using the resources from the Daniel Morcombe website and the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety School Curriculum. Parents can also access the Daniel Morcombe website and show their children the many videos and activities available at this site:

Safe School Travel for All

For the safety and wellbeing of all students in the school, please endeavour to park and collect children safely from school in accordance with all Traffic Regulations. Please also abide by the reduced speed limits at the front of the school as students walk and scooter on and across these roads.

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 2, 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, 27 October.

Warm regards,

Michelle Donn
A/Principal

General News

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Pamphlets have been given out to students in Year 2 for Strings and Year 3 for Brass, Woodwind and Percussion.

Students who wish to start instrumental music in 2022 will need to return the slip (part of the pamphlet) to the office as soon as possible.

Our instrumental teachers will then test students in Week 4 for instrument compatibility.

If you have students in other year levels (3 to 6) who would like to be considered, send them to the office for a pamphlet.

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

CONTAINERS FOR CHANGE

Defence News

HELLO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

UPDATE for Week 3. WOW! What a busy week with lots of preparation for students who are posting at the end of the year. Farewell Packs are nearly ready to go for students and I am hoping to start distributing them next week. I am starting early this year so students will have plenty of time to ask friends and staff to autograph them. Don’t forget to start looking at schools in your area if you have chosen a house. You can check out school websites now and contact the EDLO at DMFS in your posting area. Also remember to ask at the school if they have a Defence School Mentor. You should always ask to meet them to have a chat when you arrive at the 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 later this term. Please email me or give me a call if you would like to discuss further. There is an amazing online resource for ADF members and families at the link below about what to see and do, in your new location. Happy Moving.

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. 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

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.

Thursday 28th October “Preparing for Relocation During the Pandemic” at 8:00pm AEDT (9:00pmGMT) - this webinar is a presentation aimed at providing support and connection for defence families who are posting during the upcoming posting cycle of October 2021 to February 2022. With the additional uncertainty of restrictions this will provide some practical tips and strategies to navigate through this unexpected time. Check DMFS Facebook page for details on how to register.

Saturday 30th October “My Dad and Me Event”- Halloween and Creepy Critters Craft, at Geckos Family Centre - Families are welcome to attend, but you must register by 28th October. A kid’s fancy-dress parade with a prize for best costume and creepy critter craft activities. Playground will be open, so come on down and have some fun. Register NOW to attend.

Register for these events on the DMFS Townsville Eventbrite page

SAVE THE DATE: Geckos Xmas Party – Saturday November 20
Keep an eye on Geckos’ Facebook page and our November e-News for more info!

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

FAMILY IS NOT AN IMPORTANT THING, IT IS EVERYTHING!

Community Events & Notices

RIVERWAY ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND UPGRADE

POSITIVE PARTNERSHIPS