9 February 2022

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Pride

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,

Welcome to the 2022 school year

It is with great pleasure that I welcome everyone to the 2022 school year at The Willows State School. I trust that the unexpected extended summer vacation has provided an opportunity to relax and refresh whilst spending quality time with family and friends. A very special welcome to our new students and families – thank you for choosing The Willows State School – we will continue to strive to provide a quality education in a supportive school environment where Excellence is the Standard.

It was wonderful to see the large number of families who took the opportunity to deliver school booklist items to classrooms last Thursday and Friday afternoons and participate in BYOx laptop onboarding – it certainly made the first day of school a little smoother for everyone.

2022 Staffing Update

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome new and/or returning staff to The Willows State School in 2022:

Miss Katherine Marano (Year 6 Classroom Teacher)
Mrs Jessica Valentine (Prep Classroom Teacher)
Mrs Lenna Smith (Year 6 Classroom Teacher)
Mrs Emma Slatter (Year 4 Classroom Teacher)
Mrs Kacey McArthur (LRT)

Student Leader Positions – 2022

Congratulations once again to our Student Leaders for 2022. Students will be formally inducted into their leadership positions at an Investiture Ceremony to now be held later in the term.

School Captains: Lewis, Kasey
School Vice-Captains: Thomas, Molly, Elouise
Music Captains: Emily, Stella
Thunder Captains: Faith, Bella
Cyclone Captains: Georgia, Jack
Lightning Captains: Taimona, Charli
Heatwave Captains: Evie, Abby

Changes to Pick-Up Arrangements for Prep and Year 1 – WEEK 1 ONLY

This week Prep and Year 1 students have been able to be collected from 2:45pm, instead of our usual finishing time of 2:55pm. From next week all Prep and Year 1 students will revert to usual pick-up times. Year 1 students requiring collection by parents next week will need to be collected from their classroom rather than the Junior CPA.

COVID-19 Update – Staying safe

Thank you for your continued patience as we adapt to the ongoing changes and challenges of COVID-19.

The new normal now applies to all Queensland residents and comprises the recommended COVD-safe practices we are now very familiar with:

• maintaining physical distance of 1.5m
• wearing a mask
• maintaining good hand hygiene
• staying home when sick.

Thank you for all you have done in supporting your students, each other and our school community as we begin the school year. Thank you also for supporting us as we endeavour to abide by the most recent restrictions enforced through the Premier’s Back to School Plan from 7 February-4 March. I will continue to issue updates as required via email (Schoolzine) and our official school Facebook page.

COVID-19 Positive Cases

Over the past few weeks we have been notified of positive test results for COVID-19 in our school community.

May I remind you to continue to:

• Monitor yourself and your family for COVID-19 symptoms that can include fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, headache, fatigue, diarrhoea, vomiting or nausea, loss of smell and/or taste.
• Stay home if displaying any symptoms, or feeling unwell. You should attend your local Queensland Health testing clinics where students are prioritised to get a free rapid antigen test (RAT).
• Continue to follow all Queensland Health advice.

If students become symptomatic while at school, you will be contacted to collect them. You will also be provided with a free rapid antigen test (RAT) to administer at home.

If your child tests positive to COVID-19, please follow Queensland Health guidelines for reporting the test result, isolation and quarantine.

More COVID-19 related information is available from:

Curriculum, Teaching & Learning in 2022

This year our school’s explicit improvement agenda will continue to focus on enhancing reading and writing standards for all of our students whilst delivering quality education in the eight learning areas of the Australian Curriculum – English, Maths, Science, Technologies, The Arts, Health and Physical Education, HASS and Languages (French for Year 5 and 6).

The first two weeks at The Willows SS is a key time for teachers to build relationships and establish classroom and school rules, PBL routines and expectations with students. It is vitally important that students return for the new school year as soon as possible and remain in full and regular attendance if well enough to do so.

Our annual ‘Parent-Teacher Meet & Greet’ will now be held later in the term. This will be a great opportunity to meet other parents and staff whilst also learning more about what your child will be learning. Please note that Term 1 Curriculum Overviews for all year levels will be distributed through the school newsletter this week.

Administration of Medication in Schools

Any children attending school requiring the administration of medication by staff at school will need their parent/caregiver to deliver their medication and any associated Health Plans to the school office and complete an Administration of Medication at School Form prior to any medication being able to be administered.

2022 AIP – Annual Implementation Plan

Our DRAFT 2022 Annual Implementation Plan was showcased and discussed at the P&C Meeting on Tuesday evening. Our Assistant Regional Director has previously approved the explicit improvement agenda outlined within the document. The P&C have also indicated their support. This document will now be submitted to our Regional office for final approval. Once obtained, the AIP will be uploaded to the school website. The three focus areas for 2022 are:

Every Student is a Reader and a Writer – Aim for the ‘A’
Inclusivity: Everyone Counts!
Wellbeing and Engagement for All

Class Arrangements – Pre-Day 8

As of today, we have 906 students effectively enrolled and distributed across 37 P-6 classes. School funding and staffing arrangements will be definitively finalised after the Day 8 Enrolment Census now delayed until Wednesday, 16 February. Parents are reminded that all class arrangements are considered temporary until that time. Any class changes necessitated by Day 8 processes will be communicated to parents in writing and occur as soon as is practicable after the census date.

School Facilities Update

We have had some facilities maintenance and enhancements occurring over the summer vacation. This has included:

• Refreshed concrete paintings in the Junior School area with a checkerboard grid also completed for upper school students behind I pod
• Covered walkway finalised between A pod and K pod
• Annual alarm panel testing
• Annual whole school carpet cleaning
• Annual pest control
• Annual check/preventative maintenance on locks
• Gutter replacements and cleaning

Home-School Communication

Our school newsletter, Willows Pride, is issued weekly each Wednesday of the school term. The newsletter is emailed, uploaded to the official school Facebook page and uploaded to the school website below. It is vitally important that the newsletter is engaged with as it is our primary source of communicating key school messages.

P&C

The first P&C Meeting for 2022 was held on Tuesday, 8 February. Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm in the TCBC Conference Room. All parents are most welcome to attend. Your support is vital to ensure fundraising initiatives can occur. The P&C is also a forum in which you can contribute ideas to the enhancement of the school. All executive positions will be declared vacant at the P&C AGM to be held on Tuesday, 8 March.

This year The Willows SS will be celebrating its 25 Year Anniversary. Any support that can be offered for the 25 Year Anniversary Planning Committee would be much appreciated. Please contact the school or P&C to find out how you can be involved. The next 25 Year Anniversary Planning Committee Meeting will be held at 5pm on Tuesday, 8 March immediately before the P&C AGM.

Transition statements for 2022 Prep students – school transition email address

All parents of 2022 Prep students are requested to share their child’s Kindergarten Transition Statement with the school should they not already have done so through organising permission with their kindergarten to share. Transition statements provide very useful information about children’s progress and support needs and assist teachers in planning to cater to their students. Kindergarten Transition Statements can be emailed to: transitions@thewillowsss.eq.edu.au

Student Absences – 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 4799 1333, emailing or sending a message. If your child is absent from school on any given day and we are unaware of the reason for the absence, an SMS will be generated asking you to contact the school regarding your child’s absence.

The Willows State School 2021-2023 Student Code of Conduct

The Student Code of Conduct clearly sets out the student behavioural expectations of the school, support mechanisms available to assist students to develop appropriate behaviours and guidance on the application, where required, of disciplinary consequences. This document is available on our school website (under Quick Links) and provided to newly enrolled students and their parents.

Parent and Community Code of Conduct - We wish to advise that TWSS will also be adopting the Parent and Community Code of Conduct as set out by the Department of Education. The Parent and Community Code of Conduct aims to support schools to clearly communicate the conduct expected of parents, carers and visitors while they’re on state school grounds, at school activities, and interacting with others in the school community. This document has been endorsed by the P&C and can be viewed on our school website.

TWSS Sun Safety Policy – updated 2022

TWSS has updated its Sun Safety Policy in line with changes to the DoE Sun Safety in State Schools Procedure. Key updates involve the ability for children to play in the shade if they have no hat (previously no hat, no play) and where desired and practical, students are able to wear close-fitting, wrap-around sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard AS1067 as an optional piece of sun protection attire. This document has been endorsed by the P&C and can be viewed on our school website.

Have a wonderful week – our next newsletter will be issued on Wednesday, 16 February.

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 Year1, Year 3 and Year 6 from the 24th of February to the 2nd of March. They will be engaging with all of our students over the year in 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. 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 –

Year 3 –

Year 6 –

Students attending the program pay $7.00. Permission letters will be sent home on the 7th of February. Please return them as soon as possible. Payment of $7.00 will be invoiced to you and full payment must be made by the 21st of February.

Upcoming Events

Defence News

HELLO and WELCOME TO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

Tutoring Assistance - Education Assistance Scheme is available for families to access tutoring for students who have posted into a new school. You can access tutoring up to 18 months from when you move to a new school due to a posting. Ring the Defence Family Helpline 1800 624 608, visit DMFS website or collect the forms from me.

Conversations are an important part of a child’s learning. I have found some practical tips for starting conversations with children. Let me know how it worked for you.

WELCOME TO YOUR NEW LOCATION - There is an amazing online resource available for ADF members and families to find information regarding where to go, what to do and see in your new posting location. Go to the link below for loads of information.

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: Geckos Family Centre

TO BE UP TO DATE WITH WHATS ON IN TOWNSVILLE CHECK whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au, follow on Facebook or call 07 4411 7031.

DON’T FORGET to Register for DMFS mailing list NOW at MemberandFamilyHelpline@defence.gov.au or follow on Facebook for updates.

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

Defence Family Helpline 24/7 - 1800 624 608 - Need Help give them a call

Open Arms - 1800 011 046

Mates4Mates – Townsville FRC 4771 9600 townsville@mates4mates.org

Café now Open from 9am-12.30pm every day, you are welcome to attend for a chat and to have a look around.

DFA (Defence Families of Australia) nth.qld@dfa.org.au

DSNG Defence Special Needs Group - 1800 037 674 http://www.dsng.org.au/

Geckos Family Centre Nth Qld Lavarack Barracks - Contact for enquiries on 07 4446 1238 or follow on Facebook.

Kookaburra Kids Charity Organisation Mental Health Service - 1300 566 525

Defence Holidays NQ at Lavarack Barracks (opp the Gym) - 07 4725 3842 admin@defenceholidaysnq.com.au

The Oasis Townsville for Ex-ADF Community in Townsville hello@theoasistownsville.org.au

My hours are Monday to Friday 8:00am-3:30pm. Please phone me anytime for a chat on 4799 1333 ext 323, or e-mail me cwhee36@eq.edu.au. I look forward to meeting you.

Remember - Staying positive about school assists with developing RESILIENCE SKILLS AND FRIENDSHIPS.

Correna Wheeler
Defence School Mentor

EVERY MORNING WE ARE BORN AGAIN, WHAT WE DO TODAY IS WHAT MATTERS MOST. BUDDHA.

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