24 November 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Pride

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,

Welcome back to Week 8 of Term 4! We are getting closer and closer to finalising this year’s teaching and learning with 12 school days left in the year. The next few weeks will continue to be busy with a range of special events such as our 75 Stars Reward sessions, No Majors Celebrations, Year 6 Graduation, Year 6 Rite of Passage and Academic Excellence Awards to name but a few.

Last week students worked hard across the school to earn green WOWs by doing random acts of kindness for others (in line with our fortnightly PBL focus). It was great to see their enthusiasm for this initiative. All green WOWs become an entry form for holiday prize packs. These will be drawn on Wednesday of Week 9. I look forward to children continuing to finish the year strong.

Reminder: School finishes for the 2021 school year on Friday, 10 December. The school office will re-open on Monday, 17 January, 2022. The first day of school for students in 2022 is Monday, 24 January.

Families are most welcome to come into school on Thursday, 20 January, 2022 between 2:00pm to 3:30pm to locate their child’s 2022 teacher and classroom (lists will be displayed), meet the teacher and drop stationery packs off. This is a great way to remove some of the ‘busy-ness’ and anxiety often associated with the first day of a new school year. It would be appreciated, if possible, that families take advantage of the opening of school classrooms on Thursday, 20 January 2022.

Please remember however, as with every year, no class grouping is definitively able to be finalised until after Day 8 when classes may change due to varying enrolment numbers and subsequent staffing allocation adjustments by the Department of Education.

Academic Excellence Awards – Semester 2

The Semester 2 Academic Excellence Awards will be held in Week 10 on Wednesday, 8 December. Parents of student award recipients will receive an invitation to this event. We look forward to seeing as many parents/caregivers attending as possible to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of their children with us.

The Academic Excellence Awards CRITERIA are as follows:

Bronze Award – 4 or 5 A’s
Silver Award – 6 or 7 A’s
Gold Award – 8 or more A’s
Academic Excellence Medallion – Straight A’s

REMINDER: Please collect your child’s medication from school before the end of year

Remember to collect your child’s medication from school before the holidays begin. Advice about storage of medications such as asthma inhalers and adrenaline auto-injectors (for example, EpiPens) is available at the NPS Medicinewise website. Please also check expiry dates before bringing medications back to school after the holidays.

2022 Student Leader Announcements

Last Thursday afternoon, leadership team members and myself met with all 2021 Year 5 students who had applied for a student leadership role for 2022. I explained to the students that it had been an incredibly challenging task due to the depth of leadership potential within the applicant pool. All successful and unsuccessful student leader applicants received a letter congratulating them on their efforts. In 2022, there will be a slight variation - three school vice-captains as the final scoring for the candidates was equal. 2022 Student Leaders will be formally announced to the student body and school community in a handover ceremony at the conclusion of the upper school Academic Excellence Awards on Wednesday, 8 December. They will then be officially inducted into their roles during the Investiture Ceremony early in Term 1, 2022. I look forward to working with the entire student leadership team and Student Council in 2022.

The 2022 Student Leaders are:

Thunder Captains: Faith Cheslett, Bella Murphy
Cyclone Captains: Georgia Burney, Jack Craven
Lightning Captains: Taimona Caspani, Charli Jensen
Heatwave Captains: Evie Cavanagh, Abby Crosby
Music Captains: Emily Godwin, Stella Munro
School Vice-Captains: Thomas Hodgkison, Molly Barattucci, Elouise Faherty
School Captains: Kasey Austin, Lewis Robinson

ARD Visit – Thursday, 25 November – 10:30am-2:00pm

On Thursday our NQR Assistant Regional Director, Mrs Lesley Pecchiar, will be discussing the school’s progress towards its 2021 Annual Implementation Plan and Investing for Success goals as well as conducting walkthroughs in classrooms across the school. I look forward to showcasing the wonderful work of TWSS staff and students yet again.

HR Update

Last week, Teacher Aide Vicki Simpson, advised of her retirement. Vicki has expressed that she thinks back very fondly on her years working at The Willows SS (being one of the foundation staff members almost 25 years ago) and would like to wish everyone who has been a part of her 33-year career all the very best and thank them for their support of her. We wish Vicki all the best in retirement.

2022 Booklists

All 2022 Booklists have now been made available on the school website, school Facebook page and emailed to each year level to the email addresses recorded in OneSchool for parents and caregivers. Please contact the school office if you have any queries regarding these.

Teaching and Learning – Report Cards

Teaching and learning will continue to be our focus right up until the end of the school year. You can assist your children to “finish strong” by ensuring they are in full attendance. The Willows State School will be emailing Report Cards again this semester. To ensure all parents and caregivers receive their child/children’s Report Cards, it is important that the school has your current email address recorded in OneSchool. If you are unsure that the school has your correct current email address, please ring/email the office to confirm.

Report Cards will be emailed to all parent/caregivers recorded as receiving correspondence.

Year 6 Graduation Ceremony, Year 6 Pizza Party, Rite of Passage and End-of-Year Excursion

Notes have been distributed to all Year 6 students regarding arrangements for the Year 6 Graduation Ceremonies to be held on Tuesday, 7 December, the Year 6 Pizza Party on Wednesday, 8 December and the Year 6 End-of-Year Excursion and Rite of Passage on Thursday, 9 December. Please contact the school office if your child has not brought home a note as yet or you have any queries about these events.

P&Cs Qld Parent Talk Publication

P&Cs Qld is the peak body supporting and representing more than 576,000 state school parents and wider school communities throughout Queensland. They support the achievement of quality educational outcomes for students through fostering parental and community engagement in the state education system.

Their Parent Talk magazine is a parent focused publication published on a quarterly basis. It is circulated throughout Queensland state school P&Cs as a resource to provide parents and school communities with regular news and information on a wide range of topics relevant to parenting and education. Research confirms that where parents and community are engaged in their children’s education the outcomes vastly increase. All editions of Parent Talk can be viewed here - P&Cs Qld Parent Talk Publication.

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. We have an AIP goal to achieve whole school attendance at 93% across 2021. After Term 4, Week 7, we are now sitting at 91.2% YTD.

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

We are in the process of organising class composition for 2022. We would appreciate 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 before the conclusion of the 2021 school year.

2022 NEW STUDENT ENROLMENTS – NOW OPEN FOR ALL YEAR LEVELS – ONE FINAL SESSION THIS YEAR

Our school is still taking new enrolments for the 2022 school year. Please get your enrolment forms in as soon as 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.

Our final P-6 Enrolment Session for 2021 will be held THIS WEEK on Thursday, 25 November 3:30-5:00pm – please contact the office ASAP to request an appointment time if needed. Our next P-6 Enrolment Session after that will be held on Wednesday, January 19 2022.

Positive Behaviour for Learning – The Willows Way – Safe, Respectful, Responsible

In keeping with our continuing PBL focus ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ ….

Have a wonderful week. Our next newsletter for Term 4 will be issued on Wednesday, 1 December.

Warm regards,

Michelle Donn
A/Principal

General News

WILLOWS WARRIORS

The Wonderful Willows Warriors

Today our 2021 Willows Warriors have GRADUATED! They are ready and keen to go to Prep next year. We celebrated our learning journey and growth by having a little graduation ceremony.

Throughout the year it has been our great pleasure to see the Warriors become confident learners who can navigate throughout the school grounds with ease.

The Willows Warriors give a big SHOUT OUT to Mr Schimke, who has taught us to sing like birds and play instruments like a professional. Also, to Mr Madeley who has given us the skills to become Olympians.

Thank you to Mrs Eddy for your help and big smiles every Wednesday.

SWIMMING LESSONS TIMETABLE – Year 2 and 4

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

LOCAL MATTERS AT THE GRILL’D WILLOWS

HOW IT WORKS

1. You probably know the drill. Order up and you'll get a token to vote in-restaurant or online. Use your token to vote for The Willows State School P&C.
2. Every burger equals a vote. You’ll get a token to vote with in-restaurant or when you order online.
3. Place your vote. At the end of the month the jar with the most tokens receives $300, the 2nd and 3rd are given $100 each.

Positive Behaviour Learning

Defence News

HELLO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

UPDATE for Week 8 - Farewell packs have been delivered to all students over the last two weeks and last Friday afternoon we held our Farewell Party for all those students posting/leaving our school this year. It was a great time for all with party food and lots of chatting amongst friends. Mrs Winter also stopped by to wish all students fun on their new adventure. Please take the time to have a look through all the information in the student packs as there are some helpful tips on moving and preparing for a new school.

Now is a good time to contact the new school and ask for an enrolment pack to be sent to you. You can also ask to speak to the DSM at your new school and discuss any concerns your child/ren may have. Remember to ask for a tour of the school with the DSM at your enrolment interview. Talking with the DSM before school starts is an informative way for children to get a feel for the new school before their first day. I have also spoken to students to ask their new teacher to allocate a Buddy for their first day of school as this also assists with the settling in period.

I have attached a checklist regarding moving schools.

Relocation sessions with students have been held to discuss feelings, why you are moving and strategies on what to do to make the transition smoother. This included a booklet and making a worry box for students to take home. Lots of discussions were had in these sessions.

A Pizza Party for Year 6 Defence Leavers will be held on Friday 26th November at second break. Invites will be sent out to students soon.

An Afternoon Tea for Parents will be held on Friday 3rd December. Please email me or give me a call if you would like to talk further.

Defence Holidays NQ is a great place to help with planning a holiday with your family, give them a call. They offer great deals for Defence families to access.

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. Happy moving.

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

Saturday 27th November 8am-3pm – THE OASIS CENTRE - TOWNSVILLE’S COOLEST BOOK FAIR - Come down and enjoy Townsville’s Coolest Book Fair at 1 Staging Camp Ave, enjoy a sausage sizzle and book signing by local authors Dr Jo Lukins and Benjamin J Ryan. Have a look around the centre while you are there.

Thursday 2nd December - LIVE VIRTUAL ADF MEMBER AND FAMILY TRANSITION SEMINAR - Thinking about transitioning from the ADF? Get all the information you need or speak one on one with representatives about your circumstances all in the one place. For more information and register visit

Saturday 12th February - ADF FAMILIES WELCOME TO TOWNSVILLE EVENT HELD AT TOWNSVILLE STADIUM - All recently posted to Townsville and looking for what the region has to offer are welcome to attend. There’ll be a huge range of activities for kids of all ages and information about a range of local government services and community groups. If you are recently posted to Townsville this is a great opportunity to see what Townsville has to offer. Look forward to seeing you there. Register at

Friday 3rd December 2-3pm - DEFENCE PARENTS AFTERNOON IN L POD FROM - You are invited to attend for a cuppa and chat while we celebrate the past year and talk about all the plans for the holidays and 2022. Please contact me if you are attending and have any food allergies. Look forward to seeing you then.

TO BE UP TO DATE WITH WHATS ON IN TOWNSVILLE CHECK the link below, 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

The Oasis Townsville - 1 Staging Camp Ave, The Village, Oonoonba, Townsville hello@theoasistownsville.org.au 07 4759 8777 and Facebook

DFA (Defence Families of Australia) nth.qld@dfa.org.au Larissa Ostermann 0418 796 561

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

A NEGATIVE MIND WILL FIND FAULT IN EVERYTHING AND A POSITIVE MIND WILL FIND OPPORTUNITY IN EVERYTHING

Music News (The Pitch)

Prep News

We have been very busy in Prep Scuderi this term. In Science, we have been learning about how objects move. The students have been building ramps to compare the movement of familiar objects. They have also had the opportunity to be creative and build something that moves out of boxes.

We are getting to the end of Prep now and it is AMAZING to see the change and growth of our little learners from the beginning of the year. All the students in Prep Scuderi have worked so hard with their writing and enjoy writing in all learning areas. They especially love writing on the mini whiteboards and the classroom desks.

Year One News

During the last two weeks, our classes have been finishing up our last learning units for the year. We have been investigating number facts by asking the question “How could I get better at recalling my number facts?” Each student has enjoyed taking leadership in their learning by choosing their own strategies to help improve their recall skills. We have also been working hard on our computer skills to complete our ‘Family Portraits’ for Media Arts. Our ability to manipulate and edit media artworks has greatly improved over the last two weeks and we have had lots of fun creating our hilarious artworks!

Year Two News

This term, Year 2 have been exploring how photographic portraits represent moments in time and how technology can manipulate reality in media artworks. We looked at photographic portraits from the past and how elements like props and colour can be used to show moments in time. Using props, colour, effects and sound, we manipulated our portraits to create our own Media Artwork about the future.

Year Three News

Lately, we have been celebrating the wonderful achievement of reaching 75 Stars! The Year 3 students have been able to choose how they celebrate their amazing efforts – colourful craft, chilled out tunes with iPad games, or energetic outdoor games! Others were also able to participate in some calming yoga and instructional drawing classes. We have had a blast celebrating with our brilliant learners!

Our school-wide focus for the next fortnight is ‘Random Acts of Kindness’. Our learners are busying themselves with helping those around them and the school community as a whole to spread the joy of KINDNESS, while recognising the intrinsic reward for being kind and helping others wherever and whenever possible! The Year 3’s are absolutely loving this and are spreading their kindness far and wide – delivering kind notes, tidying the grounds, helping others and being great mates! Afterall, IT’S COOL TO BE KIND!

Year Four News

This week the Year 4 students began their swimming lessons. Students have had a fantastic time swimming and learning water safety at the Kirwan Aquatic Centre. All teachers are very proud of all students following the Willows Way representing our school.

Swimming lesson will run through till Friday next week with the last day being Tuesday 30th November. Great way to cool down and have fun in Townsville’s heat.

Year Five News

The end of our analysis comparing Colin Thiele’s novel Storm Boy (1964) and Storm Boy the film (1976), signals the last of our major English units for 2021 and shifts our focus to movie reviews and panel discussions. The re-release of Storm Boy in 2019, provides the perfect opportunity to extend our learning and examine the Australian classic from another perspective. To this end, the classes have been engaged in viewing, discussing, debating and presenting reviews based on the current version of the much-loved tale. What is fantastic is the critical thinking and confident conversations from our Year 5’s around their preferences and opinions when investigating this current interpretation.

Ask your child about their preference…

Year Six News

As the Year 6 students spend their last few weeks at school farewelling friends, finishing assessments and enjoying time at The Willows, many have also taken the opportunity to investigate some of the fantastic people that make up our school community.

As part of the Year 6 media assessment, students were required to create a documentary on a person within their school community. The purpose of this video was agreed upon by each class. In 6E DAV, we agreed that these videos would serve as an interactive way to inform the coming Year 6’s of 2022 just who is in the school, what their role is within the community and how they can utilise the many networks of support The Willows State School has to offer.

Students were responsible for interviewing their chosen subject. Filming their scenes and taking their photographs and compiling it all using ICT to produce a final masterpiece that can be accessed by all. Members of 6E DAV chose a variety of support staff including Chappy Brooke, Guidance Officer Courtney Chisnell, Ms Cathy from OSHC and Mrs Ashby from Admin.

Overall, the Year 6s of 2021 have had a blast experimenting with ICTs and leaving something behind at The Willows for those to come. Many students said they were happy to give something to other students to get help at school so they can feel as safe as they do.

GRADUATION AND RITE OF PASSAGE INFORMATION – Year 6