20 April 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 what promises to be an action-packed Term 2 at The Willows SS! It is wonderful to see so many happy, relaxed faces ready to embark upon a new round of learning. We also have a number of special events occurring this term. School ANZAC Day Parade 22 April, Thuringowa ANZAC Day March on 25 April, P&C Mother’s Day Stall 3 – 6 May, Under 8’s Day 20 May, Creative Generations FANFARE 21 May, Year 6 Camp 30 May – 1 June and Inter-House Athletics Carnival 17 June, to name but a few. We are looking forward to many students, parents and community members taking up these opportunities to be involved in the life of our school.

On an academic level, we are continuing this term to work towards achieving our explicit improvement agenda goals relating to student improvement in Reading, Writing and English LOA success. Our previous Assistant Regional Director (ARD), Mrs Lesley Pecchiar, has now retired. We look forward to working with our new ARD, Mr Phil Sweeney, around this focussed work.

Year 3 and Year 5 students will be engaged in NAPLAN ONLINE testing during specific days in Weeks 4 and 5 and Semester 1 report cards will be issued for all students in the final week of term.

School ANZAC Day Ceremony and Thuringowa ANZAC Day Parade

Our school ANZAC Day Ceremony will be held in the School Hall on Friday, 22 April from 9:30am. All parents and community members are most welcome to attend. I would sincerely like to thank in advance our Defence School Mentor, Mrs Correna Wheeler, for her coordination of our ceremony, our school leaders for their facilitation of the ceremony and Squadron Leader Peter O’Connell, from 452 Squadron RAAF Base Townsville who will speak on behalf of the Australian Defence Force.

Students from each class will also respectfully acknowledge the ANZACs by participating in wreath-laying during the ceremony. ANZAC badges, wrist bands and pins will be on sale at school this week during lunch breaks – items are $1, $2 and $5.

This year The Willows SS will be once again participating in the Thuringowa ANZAC Day Parade and Ceremony on Monday, 25 April. For students interested in participating, permission notes are available from Mrs Wheeler in L Pod. Please return permission notes ASAP if your child/ren are interested in participating. Parents are also most welcome and encouraged to walk with students within our school group. Staff and students will meet at the Weir State School carpark and form up from there. Staff will be there at 8:30am for students to be signed in. Students will need to be dressed in full school uniform (not House uniform) with a hat and water bottle. Umbrellas, ponchos and raincoats are also encouraged if the weather is wet. Further information regarding the March route and program can be viewed on the Townsville City Council website from the link below. Please see more detailed information regarding ANZAC arrangements in the Defence Mentor section later in this newsletter.

HR Update

This week we welcome back Mrs Siobhan Moule from maternity leave as a Local Relief Teacher for 3 days per week, Bronte Fisara-Fitzpatrick who will be joining the TWSS Office team in a backfill capacity for Ms Murray whilst she is on maternity leave and Ms Emmaleen Korosec who is the new Year 1 / 2 class teacher. Ms Hawkins has accepted an offer of A/Principal, Townsville South State School for Term 2. We are currently engaged in a recruitment and selection process for a temporary Head of Department-Curriculum for Term 2. The recruitment and selection process for the temporary role of Head of Department – Student Services for Terms 2-4 has now been finalised. Congratulations to Mrs Nosworthy who will be taking on the HoD-Student Services leadership role for the remainder of the year. We thank Mrs Carter for her previous work in this role.

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 link below

Face masks - A staff member or student displaying COVID-19 symptoms while at a school camp must always wear a face mask until they have been picked up from the camp, excursion or school. For 7 days after ending isolation or quarantine, staff and students who return to school after having COVID-19 or were close contacts are required to wear a face mask. When returning from isolation or quarantine, face masks must be worn anywhere indoors or when travelling in shared transport other than their family car. Face masks must also be worn outdoors if physical distancing cannot be maintained. Further information is available in the Public Health Face Masks Requirements Direction (No. 5).

**Please note the information links above also state that children under 12 are exempt from mask wearing unless unwell with COVID-19 symptoms.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) Week 1 & 2 Rule Focus: Show You’re Strong - Get Along

Over the first two weeks of Term 2 our PBL school focus will be on promoting respect and acceptance for all both within the classroom and playground. Respect for each student and compliance with the requests of all staff at school is an important skill for students to demonstrate. Staff will also be reinforcing and revisiting general school rules, routines and expectations. Your support in enforcing these expectations with your child is also much appreciated.

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 4799 1333 or emailing admin@thewillowsss.eq.edu.au . If your child is absent from school on any given day and we are unaware of the reason for the absence an SMS message will be generated asking you to contact the school regarding your child’s absence. Students are encouraged to come to school on every day they are well enough to attend. Have a wonderful first week back at school and enjoyable long week-end. school returns on Tuesday, 26 April and our next newsletter for Term 2 will be issued on Wednesday, 27 April.

Warm regards,

Michelle Donn
A/Principal

General News

KIRWAN HIGH OPEN DAY – YEAR 6

JUNIOR AND DISABLED ARTIST SECTION

The Townsville Pastoral Agricultural and Industrial Association has invited us to participate in the Fine Arts Competition for the 2022 Townsville Show.

This is a section that sees local artists from around Townsville and surrounding areas submit their artwork for judging and placed on exhibit for thousands of people throughout the duration of our annual event.

If you are interested in putting a piece in for the competition please visit the following website for details.

If you would like to put in a school entry please see Mrs Winter in the office.

Upcoming Events

P and C News

Thank you to all of the parents and staff who have supported The Willows State School P&C. They are a small group that achieve a great deal for the benefit of the whole school.

2022 Executive Team

We recently held our AGM and would like to congratulate and introduce our executive team for 2022.

President: Sonya Rogers
Vice President: Rachel Ratten
Secretary: Belinda Barattucci
Treasurer: Jackie Vaggs
Assistant Treasurer: Wanda Austin

Mother’s Day Stall (Tuesday 3 May - Friday 6 May)

Our popular Mother's Day Stall is happening again this year. For our new families to the school, we offer the opportunity for each class to attend our stall and purchase gifts for Mums and Grandmothers.

Prices are very competitive, and all profits go towards school fundraising projects which include playgrounds, shade structures and resources. A note with the day your child's class will visit the stall will be sent home. Example gifts will be posted over the next few days on Facebook.

This year payment can either be made with cash or vouchers purchased through your child's tuckshop account on Flexischools.

We still need volunteers to help with the stall. Tasks are simply helping our students select gifts, checking they aren't going beyond their budget, and generally helping keep the tables stocked.

If you're keen and able to help, we have a variety of time slots available throughout the week. If you can help for only a couple of hours, or even a couple of days, we'd love to hear from you. It's good fun, and you'll meet other parents from our school. Please email us or visit our sign up page and enter your name in the time slots provided:

School Jumpers

The weather is getting cooler. Check out The Willows State School jackets available now at The School Locker. Our school receives a rebate from all purchases made at The School Locker - please advise your association with The Willows State School when making a purchase.

Next Meeting

The P&C's next meeting will be Tuesday 10 May 2021 from 6pm - 8pm in the TCBC Conference Room. We welcome new members at all of our meetings so come along and see what it's all about.

Positive Behaviour Learning

Defence News

HELLO and WELCOME TO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

Welcome back to Term 2. I hope everyone had a well deserved break and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Our ANZAC Day Ceremony will be held in the TCBC on Friday, 22 April from 9:30am. Everyone is welcome to attend.

REMINDER - Thuringowa ANZAC Day March will be held on the public holiday, Monday 25th April (Term 2 Week 2). The school meets up from the carpark at the Weir State School and we march to the Riverway Cenotaph. If any students are interested in marching to represent the school, please ask them to see Mrs Wheeler in L pod to collect a permission form. The permission form has all the details and must be signed and returned to school before the march. Parents are also welcome to march with their children on the day. Our school Anzac Day Ceremony will be held at school on Friday 22nd April starting at 9:30am (Term 2 Week 1). We will be selling badges, wristbands and silk ribbons for Anzac Day when we return to school in Term 2.

Please send me an email if a loved one is away. It can be an emotional time and challenging for some children. I can offer support and assist them at school. Please call for a chat or email me.

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.

Correna Wheeler
Defence School Mentor

Community Events & Notices