27 October 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Pride

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,

Welcome back to Week 4 of Term 4! Amongst all the focussed teaching and learning we are busily engaged in, it is also an action-packed week for special events and extra-curricular activities this week. State Education Week, World Teacher’s Day, Day for Daniel, Life Education for Years 1, 2 and 4 and our very own Performers’ Concert on Wednesday afternoon to name but a few.

State Education Week

This week we celebrate State Education Week. State Education Week, taking place from Sunday 24 October to Saturday 30 October 2021, is an annual event that showcases and celebrates Queensland state schools.

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.

In what has been an unprecedented few years, all Queensland teachers and wider school support staff have continued to show their professionalism and resilience, striving every day to do their best for Queensland students. I would personally like to acknowledge the combined efforts of all staff at The Willows State School in ensuring the state education system continues to be great.

Our classes are once again showcasing their work on Facebook across this week. Don’t forget to visit (and ‘like’) the official The Willows State School Facebook page to see all the celebrations!

World Teachers’ Day – Friday, 29 October

Show your appreciation of teachers by celebrating World Teachers’ Day!

By commemorating World Teachers’ Day across all school communities, we have the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the wonderful work of all teachers across our state.

I feel very proud and privileged to work with The Willows State School teaching team and commend them all for their ongoing commitment to the learning and wellbeing of all students at our great school.

Say No to Bullying Interrelate Poster Competition

In Semester 1, Annalee M and Anetta I were both finalists in the nationwide Say No to Bullying Interrelate Poster Competition. Although they did not win the major prize during the online ceremony, both girls were excited to see their work on the big screen.

This week on Year 4 Parade they received their prize packs from Interrelate. We would like to once again congratulate Annalee and Anetta by proudly displaying their posters around the school.

Encouragement Award – The Alliance Francaise French Comic Strip Competition

Last week, The Willows State School received an Encouragement Award from The Alliance Francaise. Earlier this semester, Year 5 and 6 students entered an annual BD (Bande Dessinée - French comic strip) competition. Whilst the students did not place, they were acknowledged for their efforts with an Encouragement Award. Marley M accepted the award on behalf of The Willows State School.

2021 School Opinion Survey Highlights Report

At the start of Term 3, the Department of Education conducted its annual online School Opinion Survey. Links to access this were communicated via the school newsletter. Staff will be engaged in unpacking the full report for each stakeholder group to determine areas for celebration and improvement. A snapshot of the highlights report is included below:

Day for Daniel – Friday 29 October

This is a National Day of Action to raise awareness of Child Safety, Protection and Prevention. Students need to 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, students and staff are asked to wear red. Teachers will utilise 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:

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 3, we are still 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, 3 November.

Warm Regards,

Michelle Donn
A/Principal

General News

RACQ STREETS AHEAD

This term, the RACQ Streets Ahead road safety program is being delivered to our Prep to Year 2 students focusing on pedestrian, passenger and riding safety. Resource Packs with age appropriate activities and videos demonstrating strategies are available here These will assist you to continue to teach road safety, implement the strategies your children have learnt and apply them to your everyday lives.

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE ANNUAL COMPETITION

Year 5 and 6 entered The Alliance Francaise annual competition. Students were asked to create a BD (Bande Dessinée) - a French comic strip. This is the first year we have participated so we were very proud of our students and their entries. This year we received an Encouragement Award. Our students are super keen to participate again next year.

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.

P and C News

KRISPY KREME FUNDRAISER

Can you help us raise some dough? The Willows State School P&C is running a Krispy Kreme Fundraiser as we work towards upgrading shade structures and playgrounds throughout the school.

Download the order form, drop the order forms and money owing off at the office before Wednesday 3 November 2021 OR you can pay online via the Flexischools app (additional fees apply).

Delivery date will be Thursday 18 November 2021.

2021 COLOUR EXPLOSION

We had another HUGE success for our 2021 Colour Explosion. Thanks for supporting our school and raising $32,796!!! All students who took part in fundraising this year received their reward prizes last week.

The class that raised the most this year was PYB RAB with an incredible total of $4346. Our highest individual fundraisers were:

1. Chelsea S from PYB RAB with a whopping $1520 raised!
2. Maya from PYB RAB $1200 raised!
3. Rubi-Joan W from 2E THO $790 raised!

Well done for being the top fundraisers at our school!

TUCKSHOP DAY - 5 November 2021

The daily efforts of our tuckshop workers have been tremendous this year. We should remember to say please and thank you every day, but on Tuckshop Day, Friday 5 November, we will say a very special thank you to this wonderful team.

We don’t take their hard work for granted. Thank you everyone.

Casual Staff Position Available at the Tuckshop

The Willows SS tuckshop team are looking for a new casual staff member!

• Between 5-9 regular hours each week during school terms – day/s to be negotiated
• Additional casual hours during catering events or to replace a staff member on leave
• Must have a sense of humour and love working in a team environment
• MUST have Qld Working with Children Blue Card (Paid) or be willing to obtain one at your cost (No Card, No Start applies)

Please email willowspandc@gmail.com indicating your interest in the 'Tuckshop casual position' – brief CV appreciated also.

REBEL SPORTS COMMUNITY GIVEBACKS

Big shout out to everyone who has supported our school through the “Rebel Community Givebacks”. We were able to purchase 13 new tennis rackets this month for our PE Department.

TIPSY DOODLE TEACHER EVENT

The Willows State School P&C recently organised a fun night for our teachers to enjoy - a Tipsy Doodle Paint & Sip where they created these cute paintings of quirky emus.

FAMILY PORTRAIT FUNDRAISER - Sunday 21 November 2021

Bookings are now open for our family portrait fundraiser. The team from North Point Photos will be visiting our school to take professional family portraits in an indoor studio setting. The cost is only $20 and this includes one 8x10 photo.

Simply visit the link below and select the Willows State School and then choose an available time slot. Limited spots are available so book early to avoid disappointment.

Positive Behaviour Learning

Defence News

HELLO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

UPDATE for Week 4 - Kids Club has been a hive of activity this week with lots of preparation for making poppies for our Remembrance Day. Students are colouring them ready to display. Our Remembrance Day Ceremony will be held on Thursday 11th November in the TCBC hall starting at 10:30am. There will be more details regarding attendance in coming newsletters. As it is coming to the end of the year, please let me know if you are posted out this year. 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 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 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

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

Open Arms call 1800 011 046

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

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

Kookaburra Kids Tvl- 1300 566 525

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

THE INFLUENCE OF A GOOD TEACHER CAN NEVER BE ERASED!

Music News (The Pitch)

Prep News

In Prep Treacy, we have been practising reading and sounding out words. The kids have fun practising reading and writing in a variety of ways. We practise sounding out words every day which is contributing to their fantastic writing!

We were lucky enough to have the iPads and read the new decodable readers on them. The kids really enjoyed this so we will be using them all the time now!

Year One News

Strong Community, Successful Learners

In Year 1 we always strive to do our very best and become successful learners in all subject areas.

ENGLISH:

We wrote a procedure on how to make an iced biscuit. We then followed our procedure to successfully make a yummy iced biscuit that we enjoyed eating.

We also followed a procedure to successfully create a craft pigeon. Aren’t they cute?

MEDIA:

In 1/2 Zonta we successfully created a soundscape using a program called Scratch Jnr.

Year Two News

This term in Mathematics, Year 2 students have been learning about transformations: slides, flips and turns. Students have been transforming shapes using grid paper, and applying their knowledge of transformations to solve problems. Not only did students follow instructions to relocate a shape through a grid, they created their own transformation instructions to match a relocated shape.

Year Three News

We had such a great end to last term. We can’t believe it is Week 4 of Term 4 already. Some highlights included the Colour Run, 75 Star Dodgeball, Book Week and our No Major wet play.

Year Four News

Grade 4 Excursion

The Grade 4 classes went on an excursion to the ‘Townsville Materials Recovery Facility’. When we got there, we were taken around by Ashlee who took us to a special room to talk to us about the 4 R’s.

Refuse – Refuse what you do not need. Don’t use items that aren’t environmentally friendly.

Reduce – Compost your food and purchase products with little or no packaging.

Reuse – Find reusable alternatives to single use items.

Recycle – you can recycle pizza boxes, aluminium, steel cans, paper/cardboard, empty glass bottles and jars, milk/juice cartons and certain plastic labelled with numbers 1-5.

Ashlee showed us what stuff goes in the bins of Townsville residences the most and the things that are being put into the bins when they shouldn’t. We were taught how to be an A+ recycler by checking for numbers on plastics or doing the scrunch test.

The most exciting part of the whole excursion was when we got to look out the windows and see all of the conveyor belts take the recycling and sort it into the correct place. They used magnets to pick up the metal and cans and digital computer system that identified the different recyclables and sent them to the correct area.

The last thing we learned was about how many times different things can be recycled. Plastic can be recycled 8 times, paper 10 times and metal an infinite amount.

Written by Kiowa.

Year Five News

In Unit 6 (Storm Boy) students are learning to write a comparison of a novel and its film adaptation and state a preference. Over the past three weeks, students in Year 5 have read the novel Storm Boy written by Colin Thiele in 1964 and watched the film version which was directed by Henri Safran in 1976. They have compared characters, events and themes, stating similarities and differences in features between both texts.

Here are Learning Walls from two classrooms.

This activity shows students comparing events, characters and themes within both texts.

Year Six News

Everything is in full swing here as Year 6 students complete their final term of primary school before heading off to high school in only three months’ time. At this time of term, learning is always our main focus. In Year 6 Maths, students are working on collecting data and learning how the data can be represented to show bias or to be purposely misleading. There was a real “Wow” moment in the computer lab, when students were shown how they can easily use Excel tools to instantly create a graph, rather than having to spend 15-20 minutes drawing one up in their book.

Whilst our learning is our focus in Year 6, students have been enjoying other activities on a Friday afternoon with a variety of options on offer. Recently, a group participating in a team building challenge were tasked with working collaboratively in a small group. They were given three sheets of newspaper and one metre of masking tape to build the tallest tower they could. The tower needed to stand for 15 seconds on its own to qualify. Amazingly, one tower achieved an overall height of 1.82m. Well done to all of those students who eagerly took on the challenge and had an opportunity to work with students from other Year 6 classrooms.

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