16 March 2022

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Pride

2022 School Explicit Improvement Agenda (EIA):
Every Student is a Reader and a Writer – Aim for the ‘A’
Inclusivity: Everyone Counts!
Wellbeing and Engagement for All

Welcome back to Week 6 of our 8 - week teaching and learning Term 1.

Last week we continued to be challenged by the impacts of the heatwave conditions, however this week’s weather forecast is predicting much cooler and milder conditions. We are looking forward to being able to consistently return to normal play and school routines.

As restrictions eased, it was wonderful to see so many new families and young people commence at Willows Warriors last week. Over the coming last few weeks of term we have a number of events occurring – school photos, 3 Way Conversations, March on for Soldiers, Parent Cybersafety session, and our Student Council’s first fundraiser to name but a few – please note the dates of these events in your calendars to avoid disappointment for your child.

School Photos COMING UP – 23-25 March (Wed-Friday Week 7)

Please see the School Photo Flyer within this school newsletter for details of how to order your child’s school photos. Photo order envelopes have previously been dispatched to all students. These envelopes contain comprehensive information about the packages available and instructions for ordering. The timetable for school photos is published within this newsletter so parents will be aware when classes are having their photo taken and can ensure students are dressed in full school uniform. Please note any classes having their photos taken on Wednesday, 23/03 are to wear full school uniform NOT sporting house shirts. Please also note that Year 6’s are NOT to wear their Senior shirt for photos. Advanced Life photographers advise us that school photographs will be returned 4-6 weeks after photography days.

National Day of Action (NDA) against Bullying and Violence Assemblies – Friday, 18 March

Bullying No Way! Take a Stand Together – Be an Upstander NOT a Bystander

The NDA provides our school the opportunity to stand together on this important issue and help ignite thoughtful and positive discussions about bullying and ways we can work as a school community to address it.

We teach our students to recognise the difference between being rude, being mean and bullying as these terms can be confused. Our school sends a powerful message each day that any impolite/unkind behaviour and especially bullying and violence in or outside the classroom is not okay at any time. Please visit the Bullying. No Way! website below for practical advice and information to help students, parents and teachers work together against bullying. During this week teachers are re-focusing teaching on defining bullying for our students, bullying prevention, what to do if you are being bullied, what to do if you see bullying happening, and the ways bullying can happen.

I am looking forward to hearing the class pledges about bullying prevention at our Friday assemblies.

HS&W March Focus – Occupational Violence and Aggression

Earlier this year our school adopted (through consultation with the P&C) the Department of Education Parent and Community Code of Conduct. Everyone has the right to be safe in our schools and workplaces. This document has also been uploaded to our school website. The motto is: Your child, our student. One Team

2022 NQR Towards Zero K-2 Community of Practice (CoP) Inquiry Cycle

The Willows State School is once again participating in the NQR Towards Zero CoP collaborative work in 2022. This work will be focussed on Prep and Year 1 student progress with the systematic implementation of synthetic phonics (and its impact on reading and writing achievement). I am looking forward to our school learning from and with the other ten participating Townsville state schools.

2022 Student Leader Investiture Ceremony

It was an absolute pleasure to celebrate the investiture of our 2022 student leaders with their family members and all Year 3-6 students last Friday. I am sure these young leaders will represent our school with pride across 2022. A very big thank-you to all staff who contributed to the success of this event.

Cluster Collaborative ‘Before Moderation’

On Monday, 14 March from 3:30-5:30pm our teaching staff participated in collaborative planning for the first English Unit of work for Term 2 with colleagues from Weir SS and Rasmussen SS. The requirements of the assessment tasks were unpacked and alignment in our understanding of the A-C standards obtained through the development of exemplars. Moderation work (at all stages of the cycle) is an important process used to ensure rigour and consistency of standards.

Student Council – Colours for the Kids – in support of Ronald McDonald House – Friday, 18 March

Our 2022 Student Councillors have organised their Term 1 community fundraiser. All students are invited to wear ‘colourful’, sunsafe free dress for a gold coin donation on Friday. All proceeds raised are for their chosen charity, Ronald McDonald House.

3 Way Conversations – to be held face-to-face in classrooms in the last week of term

Information was distributed today to all students advising parents of the process to book individual meeting times with their child’s class teacher and other specialist teachers. We encourage parents to take this opportunity to meet with their child’s teacher to discuss their child’s progress during Term 1. The ‘Five Questions’ will be a framework utilised during discussion.

Powerful Questions to get to Know Learners and Learning – based on the research of Lyn Sharratt

Five Questions Teachers can ask their students:

1. What are you learning?
2. How are you doing?
3. How do you know?
4. How can you improve?
5. Where do you go for help?

Parents are our learners’ first teachers. We recognise how hugely influential parents can be in the learning for, with, and beside each student. There are also 5 questions for parents, middle leaders, leaders and system leaders as well.

Five Questions Parents can ask their children:

1. What did you learn today?
2. How did you do?
3. What did you do if you didn’t understand?
4. How can you improve on your learning?
5. What are you most proud of?

Why not try out these questions with your students when discussing their day at school? I look forward to hearing some feedback about your students’ responses.

NAPLAN Online in 2022

Our students in Years 3 and 5 will be undertaking NAPLAN testing online in May this year. Moving NAPLAN online brings many advantages including a test design that offers test items tailored to students’ knowledge and ability.

All students in Years 3 and 5 will participate in online practice tests later this term.

This is an excellent opportunity to fine tune any technical and logistical needs, as well as familiarise students and teachers with the online testing process. Please contact the school if you have any queries about NAPLAN testing at this stage.

2022 Voluntary Contributions - $40 per student and $80 per family

The costs of providing instruction, administration and facilities for the education of students enrolled at a school are met by the State Government. Voluntary financial contributions are used by the school to provide an enhanced educational service and to supplement resources available for student learning, recreation and comfort.

The Willows State School has maintained a consistent level of voluntary financial contributions for the past few years, approved by the P&C. Please see the Parent Information Sheet regarding Voluntary Financial Contributions below. If you wish to make a voluntary financial contribution to the school please pay at the school office.

Thank you in anticipation of your support.

COVID-19 Positive Cases notification to school community

Over the past week we have continued to be 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:

The Willows SS 25 Year Anniversary Celebration - 2022

This year The Willows SS will be celebrating its 25 Year Anniversary. The official opening date of The Willows SS was 13 August, 1997. The committee is currently working on a number of plans and events to celebrate this special occasion. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 19 at 5pm in the TCBC Conference Room – mark the date in your calendar NOW.

If anyone has any ‘memorabilia’ from past years at the school that could be shared for a display, it would be greatly appreciated. Any support that can be offered for the 25 Year Anniversary Planning Committee would also be much appreciated. Please contact the school or P&C to find out how you can be involved. Many hands make light work.

Have a wonderful week – our next newsletter will be issued on Wednesday, 23 March.

Warm regards,

Michelle Donn
A/Principal

General News

STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS – Colours for the Kids @rmhcnorthaustralia

To start the year off, the Student Council are participating in Colours for the Kids, which is a fundraising day for Ronald McDonald House Charities. On the 18th of March, students are invited to wear bright and colourful clothes to school (must be sun-safe) and bring a gold coin donation. We cannot wait to see the bright colours lighting up the school.

THREE WAY CONVERSATIONS

CYBERSAFETY IN QUEENSLAND STATE SCHOOLS

Cybersafety refers to online behaviour that is safe, appropriate and responsible. To help prevent cybersafety incidents, students are taught how to use technology appropriately and responsibly and behave in ways to enhance their own safety. Cybersafety is covered in our Technology and Health curriculum in Years 4, 5 and 6.

The Cybersafety and Reputation Management team plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of the department's reputation with regards to cybersafety. The team have developed programs to help primary students understand and remember what they should and shouldn't do online. They will be visiting our school soon and a letter will be sent home regarding their visit.

The team will also be holding a 1hour parent session from 3.30 to 4.30pm in TCBC Conference Room on the same day. We welcome you to attend this session as this is a great opportunity to have all your cybersafety and online questions answered by the Department’s specialised team, as well as find out more about the trending online platforms your children are using. Click on the link in the letter below to register your attendance.

SCHOOL PHOTOS – HOW TO ORDER

SCHOOL PHOTOS – SCHEDULE

INTERSCHOOL SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Go Team Willows!

Congratulations to our Interschool Swimming Team. This year we competed in the “B” Schools Interschool swimming carnival placing 7th after winning “C” schools in 2020. We competed against seven schools (Belgian Gardens SS, Hermit Park SS, Calvary Christian College, Annandale SS, St Anthony’s, St Clare’s and Annandale Christian). This was a fantastic achievement considering that our team was depleted somewhat on the day due to illness.

The team spirit was amazing and the manners and behaviour impeccable. The squad teachers were extremely proud and impressed by The Willows Team’s enthusiasm and conduct.

Thank-you to all the parents for supporting us by bringing your child/children to trainings, returning your notes and paying in a timely manner. This is greatly appreciated. Your commitment to training sessions was evident at the carnival as the students were better prepared and this resulted in a smooth-running carnival.

2022 NAPLAN ONLINE – YEARS 3 AND 5

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Our students in Years 3 and 5 will be undertaking NAPLAN testing online in May this year. We commenced moving to NAPLAN online in 2021, and it brings many advantages including a test design that offers test items tailored to students’ knowledge and ability.

Years 3 and 5 online test sequence

1. writing (paper for Year 3 only)
2. reading
3. conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation)
4. numeracy

• Year 5 students must complete the writing test within the first two days of the test window.
• Each student must complete the reading test before they sit the conventions of language test.

NAPLAN Online numeracy, reading and conventions of language are tailored or adaptive tests. Tailored testing provides a more engaging test for students and a more precise assessment of student performance. Students at each year level start with a similar set of questions. Depending on each student’s answers, the next set of questions may be easier or more difficult, giving students greater opportunity to demonstrate what they know.

We will also be participating in a national practice test on 24th, 25th and 28th March. This is an excellent opportunity to fine tune any technical and logistical needs, as well as familiarise students and teachers with the online testing process. Students will need to bring their headphones with them (this was listed as an item on the booklist). Student data is de-identified and will not be collected or monitored throughout the practice test.

Parents and caregivers of children in these NAPLAN year levels will need to be aware of important information relating to privacy, which can be found on the NAPLAN Online Queensland website’s parent information page .

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to visit the NAPLAN Online Public Demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) to view models of the online testing and provide students with opportunities to interact with the platform.

For further information regarding NAPLAN Online, including privacy statements, please visit

THE WILLOWS WARRIORS PRE-PREP PLAYGROUP

Upcoming Events

Positive Behaviour Learning

Defence News

HELLO and WELCOME TO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

It’s Week 6, the term is nearly over and there is still a lot happening. Always keep well and healthy. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who supported our March On for Soldier On this week at school. It was awesome to see 96+ students, staff and parents participate by walking 1km around the oval and give their support to Soldier On, you are all AMAZING! The March On for Soldier On venture is to honour the courage and sacrifice of our veterans, both past and present.

Please make donations to Soldier On at the link below:

We appreciate your support for this worthy organisation.

We held our Term 1 Afternoon Tea for Defence Parents on Thursday and it was well received by all who attended. There were lots of conversations about moving, defence life stories and what to do in and around Townsville. Thank you to everyone for attending. If you missed this one you can attend the next one in Term 2.

New Defence Students will soon be receiving invites to their Welcome Party to be held at school on the 23rd March at 2nd break in L Pod. If a loved defence member has been sent on flood assist for a period of time, can you please let me know? During this time, when a loved one is away, it can be very emotional and challenging for the children. I can offer support and assist the children at school. Please call for a chat or email me.

Geckos family Centre-North Queensland has some school holiday fun lined up for the upcoming school holidays. Tickets are heavily subsidised and limited. Activities include Tenpin Bowling, Chipmunks, Go-Karting and Reading Cinemas. Check their website or Facebook for links to book but be quick!

Anzac Day is fast approaching and I have a special request. Would there be a Defence parent, serving or ex serving who would be interested in being a Guest Speaker for our Anzac Day Ceremony on Friday 22nd April? It would be special to have a school family member involved in the event. If you are interested in participating, please let me know so I can complete the appropriate Defence paperwork to make this happen. Thank you in advance.

Kookaburra Kids is a worthy organisation for children aged 8-18 years, who have a parent serving and ex serving members of the ADF with a mental illness as a result of their military service. They provide fun activity days, camps and mental health education. Go to their website at the link below to read more or call Hannah in Townsville on 0484 544 451 to register. It is a wonderful way to meet new friends and have fun.

If you just posted into Townsville this year/in the last 18 months, your children may be eligible for Education Assistance. This is available for students who move to a new school due to a posting. You have 18 months to apply and use the Education Assistance. If you have posted in this year and would like your children to benefit from some extra tutoring, you can do so NOW. Just contact the Defence Member and Family Helpline 1800 624 608 or email education.supportprograms@defence.gov.au for the form. I have copies of the Education Assistance form at school that I can have the teacher sign and return home with student upon request. One hour of tutoring per subject (Maths and English) for up to 14 weeks can be accessed. Reports are no longer required to access this service. Please contact me if you have any further questions about the form. This is a valuable resource to assist students with their learning and therefore assist with their transition into a new school. This builds self-confidence and resilience in children. I am always available to answer any questions about your student’s transition into their new school. You can ring the Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608, visit DMFS website or collect the forms from me. For more information go to the link below:

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, Mums and Bubs, 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 or phone them on 07 4411 7031 for more details.

City of Townsville, Work Skills Traineeship Intake is currently recruiting their next Work Skills Intake. There is a flyer attached for more information.

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

The DMFS Townsville office would like to welcome their newest staff members to the team:

Education Liaison Officer - Jessica Stark
Family Liaison Officer (part-time) – Kim Lazarevic
Defence Social Worker – Jacqui Belsak
Defence Social Worker – Mary Pearson
Military Support Officer (Army) – MAJ David Long &
Military Support Officer (RAAF) – SQNLDR Lisa Power

DATES TO REMEMBER

Virtual Trivia - Friday 18 March 7:30-9:00pm - are you ready to put your thinking caps on?

Join DMFS Townsville for a Virtual Trivia Night on Friday 18 March. Test your general knowledge and have some fun with other ADF families. Participants require access to a personal device and internet connection. Zoom link will be sent out via email on the day of the event.

Where: The comfort of your own home!
When: Friday 18 March 7:30pm-9:00pm
Registration:

1,2,3, Magic and Emotional Coaching is happening again and starts Wednesday 16th March. See the attached flyer for more details.

Welcome Party for New Defence Students is on Wednesday 23rd March at 2nd break

All new students will receive an invitation to attend. Please let me know if there are any special dietary requirements I need to be aware of.

Geckos Family Centre - Easter Bun-Anza is on Saturday 9th April from 5-7.30pm. Tickets are heavily subsidised and available via a link. Amusements, Australian Army Band, 2 course meal, face painting and lots more. Check Facebook for more details. Weekly activities include Parents, Bubs and Bumps, Sewing and Craft and CAM Kids. Tickets are free but essential for these activities.

IMPORTANT

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

Open Arms support former and current serving ADF personnel and their family members can use the service also call 1800 011 046 www.openarms.gov.au

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.

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

Dirty Books Café – 1 Staging Camp Avenue, Oonoonba – 07 4759 8777

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

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

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

www.beyondblue.org.au www.australia.gov.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 www.kookaburrakids.org.au

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

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

Correna Wheeler
Defence School Mentor

CHALLENGE: WHEN A NEGATIVE THOUGHT ENTERS YOUR MIND, THINK THREE POSITIVE ONES. TRAIN YOURSELF TO FLIP THE SCRIPT.

Music News (The Pitch)

Prep News

Lots of learning is going on in Prep. The children are becoming more confident in sounding out the letters s, a, t, p, i, n. They are also starting to write more about the books that we are reading together.

In Maths we are learning to sort and to compare the sizes of objects and describe them.

Science is so much fun. The children have been looking after animals in the Vets surgery. We have looked at how to care for the needs of our pets and animals in the wild.

Health is all about keeping ourselves healthy.

Year One News

English

In English we are learning to comprehend and respond to imaginative texts. We have been writing opinions on the text and justifying them. 1 Zon have been having fun retelling the story using puppets we made.

HASS

In HASS we are learning about milestones, important events in our lives and why these are significant to ourselves and our family.

Year Two News

This term in English, Year 2 are exploring narratives. We are writing a new imaginative narrative about a familiar animal character, Lucy Goosey. Over the term we have explored different animal narratives and discovered they have a specific structure. We have learned about different language features of narratives, such as expanded noun groups and evaluative language.

Year Three News

In Year 3, we have had an amazing and fun term of learning in Science. We have been learning about the characteristics of living things and how they can be distinguished from non-living things. We have also been learning about grouping living things based on their observable features. In 3C SWE, we have made some observations about how special echidnas are, as they are a mammal that lays an egg and also have a pouch. After some research from one of the students, we have learned that echidnas are a special mammal called a monotreme.

During our lessons on observable features of animals, we have been fortunate to obtain a kit from the Queensland Museum Network, which provided the students a range of opportunities to feel the skins of various animals in order to add to their observations.

Year Four News

This Semester, Year 4 students are focussing on 3 key learnings:

• Australia before, during and after European settlement
• Rules and Laws – Federal, State and local laws; facts and opinions
• My identity – Interview a friend to write a friend profile

In this unit, students:

• Draw conclusions about how the identities and sense of belonging for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples in the past and present were and continue to be affected by British colonisation and the enactment of terra nullius;
• Analyse the experiences of contact between Australia’s First Peoples and others, and the effects these interactions had on people and the environment;
• Make connections between world history events between the 1400s and the 1800s, and the history of Australia, including the reasons for the colonisation of Australia;
• Investigate the experiences of European explorers, convicts, settlers and Australia’s First Peoples, and the impact colonisation had on the lives of different groups of people;
• Examine the purpose of laws and distinguish between rules and laws;
• Explore the diversity of different groups in their local community;
• Consider how personal identity is shaped by aspects of culture, and by the groups to which they belong.

4C SLA, 4E PRO, 4D BAL, 4B CRO have been focussing on Rules and Laws. The students have enjoyed working in groups to discuss …. What is a fact and what is an opinion about rules and laws? We also discussed …. Is it a rule? Is it a law? Who makes rules/laws? Who do they apply to? Who enforces them? Who makes judgments and gives penalties? Who can change them?

4A FAU has begun the term looking at Australia before, during and after European settlement. Students have looked at the route of explorer Captain James Cook.

YEAR 4 INCURSION – INDIGENOUS ART & CULTURE WORKSHOP

Year Five News

On Thursday and Friday last week, Year 5 had two rangers come to each class for the Hands on Wildlife incursion. They brought in six animals including a bearded dragon, a frill-necked lizard, a knobbed-tailed gecko (all desert environment animals), a squirrel glider, a leafed tailed gecko (rainforest habitat animals) and a very small saltwater crocodile.

The rangers had some interesting facts about the abilities and adaptations of these animals. Did you know that when a squirrel glider is chased by a predator, it looks for a close tree and spreads its stretchy skin out to glide to another tree to move away to safety? It uses its sharp claws to grip on to the tree.

By James Smith, 5E TER

Year Six News

For English, the Year 6’s have been working on creating their own short story.

They have been exploring a range of short stories and investigating language features authors use to create effective stories for their readers.

Students are using their knowledge of plot structure, figurative and evaluative language, sentence variation and language patterns to create an imaginative narrative that involves a character dealing with an internal or external conflict.

Students are at the planning and drafting stage of their narrative. In 6E SMI, students have been using Microsoft Teams to type their draft. This allows their teachers to give feedback online.

In Science, we are continuing our Unit about reversible and irreversible changes. In our recent experiment, we found that salt and sugar are soluble, but sand is not.

We then explored how the process of dissolving can be reversed. By placing salty water in the sun on a black piece of cardboard, we discovered how the process of evaporation leaves behind the salt that had been dissolved in water.

Community Events & Notices