22 June 2022

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Pride and Key Messages – Michelle Donn

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 our final week of Term 2. After a very busy 10 weeks, students have now come to the end of their Semester 1 learning. Students who are well enough to be at school are requested to be in full attendance until the last day of term. School will conclude for Term 2 on Friday, 24 June and re-commence for Term 3 on Monday, 11 July. Please be advised that the Tuckshop will be closed on Friday, 24 June.

Amongst the finalisation of teaching and learning last week, we managed to include a range of extra-curricular and co-curricular events once again – Holey Moley Technology showcase, Music (The Arts) Gala and our P-6 Athletics Carnival. Once again, a very big thank-you to all staff who contributed to the organisation and successful implementation of these activities. It was wonderful to see so many parents and community members also able to come along and celebrate our students’ achievements with them. Please visit (and like) our official school Facebook page to see lots of photos and posts from these events.

This week we continue to be busy with our final Student Work at Table (SWAT) meetings for the term, the finalisation of Semester 1 Reporting, 75 Star and Silver Star Rewards, Peek at Prep and our inaugural Robotics Competition.

Athletics Carnival Overview from the Physical Education Team

Last Friday saw The Willows State School undertake its annual sports carnival – a mixture of fun and competitive events – helping us find House Champions, Age Champions and competitors for Inter-School Athletics in Term 3 (known as ‘Red Track’).

The day started off with Prep having their sprints before they moved on to their fun rotations, next up was Years 1 and 2 who competed in Sprints, Long Jump, Vortex Throw, Relays and House Spirit for cheering their peers on in the sprints. Then came the upper school (Years 3 to 6), who competed in Sprints, Shot Put, Long Jump, Vortex Throw, Relays, Ball Games, Fly and the all-important House Spirit (which was so loud it could be heard in Cairns).

The results of the Carnival were:

House Champions:

Heatwaves 4040 points
Cyclones 3923 points
Thunder 3800 points
Lightning 3642 points

Age Champions:

Congratulations to all who took part. A short whole school assembly to disseminate awards was conducted on Monday afternoon.

A huge thanks to the staff that helped run events, supervise groups, collect data and prepare in advance – without them events such as this simply cannot happen.

Go Team Willows!

Staffing Update

• Ms Jen Aplin will be finishing up at The Willows SS at the end of Semester 1, 2022. We wish Ms Aplin all the very best in her move to Brisbane and thank her for her significant contributions to The Willows SS over a number of years. Teacher replacement arrangements for Ms Aplin were communicated via letters distributed to relevant classes today.
• Mrs Rabbitt, Mrs Drovandi-Milne and Mrs Rogers will be on long service leave at the start of Term 3. Letters communicating replacement teachers will be distributed to the relevant classes via letter by the end of term.
• Ms Kayla Hawkins has been extended as A/Principal at Townsville South SS for Term 3. Mrs Melissa Dinnison will continue in the A/Head of Department – Curriculum role in Term 3.
• We will welcome Mrs Marnie Fader as the new substantive Head of Special Education Services from the start of next term. I sincerely thank Mrs Jodie Robinson for her work in acting in this role since Mrs Franklin’s retirement.

2023 BYOx Expression of Interest Process

The Willows State School is continuing to grow the successful introduction of the BYOx laptop program for students in Years 4, 5 & 6 in 2023.

Participation in the program is voluntary and we are currently seeking expressions of interest from families for students who may be interested in participating in the BYOx program at The Willows State School in 2023.

• Students who are currently in the BYOx program do not need to attend an information session and will receive a program re-commitment letter in Term 3 2022. This will give the student and family the opportunity to elect to stay in the program in 2023 or opt out for 2023.

WHAT IS BYOx?

BYOx stands for ‘Bring Your Own’ device. The BYOx program maximizes learning opportunities as students have 24-hour access to school resources through their device.

BYOx devices will have access to the same resources as school owned devices including filtered internet via the school’s wireless network and FREE software.

This device MUST BE a Windows based laptop and meet the minimum specification as outlined by the school.

Parent Information Sessions

Parent Information sessions will be held in Term 3 for interested students and families. To participate in the BYOx program, the parents and students must attend a session to receive more detailed program information.

Please complete the survey below if your child is interested in participating in the BYOx program in 2023 and indicate which information session the family will likely attend.

Please note that completing this survey does not indicate a firm commitment to moving forward into the program.

Survey Link:

Semester 1 2022 Student Reports – to be emailed from Wednesday, 22 June - TODAY

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 parents/caregivers recorded as receiving correspondence.

Report Cards may get lost in a ‘Junk’ folder. To help avoid this, you can add the address from which report cards will be generated - Application.ONESCHOOL@qed.qld.gov.au to your list of safe senders now.

Please contact the school if you have NOT received your child’s report card via email by the end of term.

2021 School Annual Report – now available for viewing

Each year by June 30, schools are required to publish a ‘School Annual Report’ listing the major school achievements for the previous year. This is to be made available for viewing from the school website and via a direct link in the school’s newsletter by the end of term. Please follow the following link to view:

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.

DATE CLAIMER: 25 Year Anniversary Celebration – Whole School Assembly

On Friday, 12 August from 9:15-10:45am a special whole school assembly will be conducted in the TCBC to celebrate the achievements of our school over the past 25 years! We would love our parent community to come along and help us celebrate this special milestone.

DATE CLAIMER: P&C Fun Fair – Friday, August 19 – Term 3, Week 6 – 5-9pm

Please note this date in your calendar NOW! Please also view the more detailed information provided by the P&C later in this newsletter regarding year level stalls and requests for donations over the coming weeks. Your support with donations and volunteering at our Fun Fair is much appreciated. Please contact the school should you be able to assist in any way. All funds raised go back into facilitating the enhancement of school facilities and resources.

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

Over this week our PBL school-wide focus continues to be on ‘Be Responsible – It’s the Willows Way.’ Staff and students will look at ways they can be responsible both at school and at home. This topic fits well with the last two weeks of the term and the responsibility that is needed from all students to finish the term strong.

Your support in discussing these values and expectations with your child is also much appreciated.

Term 1 Silver Rewards

As part of our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) Whole School Reward System, at the conclusion of every term a Silver Rewards Celebration is held to acknowledge the exemplary behaviour of students. There are clear guidelines around who is eligible to attend these events. Student are ineligible to attend if they have received a ‘Major’ behaviour incident referral during the term.

75 Star Rewards sessions are also held twice per term – at the conclusion of Weeks 5 and 10. To be eligible to attend student must have accumulated 75 Stars on their Star Chart – star stamps are provided by teachers for following school rules, expectations and routines.

Sometimes you just need someone to talk to - Parentline can help!

Parentline is a confidential phone and webchat counselling and information service. They offer FREE counselling and support for parents and carers in Queensland. If all counsellors are busy on calls, parents are given the option to leave a voice message and a counsellor will call back.

Parentline works with you to:

• Help you work through what is worrying you
• Identify and strengthen ways to increase family wellbeing
• Find other services and information to help you

Parentline is open 8am-10pm, 7 days a week. 1300 30 1300 or visit the link below:

Lost Property

Please view the lost property box located in the Main CPA if you are looking for your child’s lost items of clothing, lunchboxes or drink bottles. All unclaimed items are disposed of at the end of each term. Lost property will be displayed during break time in the Main CPA this week. Ensuring all property brought to school is clearly labelled with your child’s name greatly assists in minimising frustration around lost items for you and your family.

Keep a Watch on our School these Holidays

With the holidays fast approaching, we need you to look out for after-hours crime in our school. If you see something suspicious, please don’t attempt to personally intervene. Call School Watch on 13 17 88 and let the local Police or State Government Protective Security Service deal with the matter.

The School Watch Program is a partnership between the Department of Education and Training, the Queensland Police Service and the State Government Protective Security Service. It aims to reduce vandalism, theft and arson in Queensland schools.

Winter Vacation & Term 3 Date Claimers

I would like to wish all staff, students and our entire The Willows State School community a wonderful mid-year vacation. I am sure everyone is looking forward to some well-earned rest and relaxation. Be safe and cherish your quality time with friends and family. I look forward to seeing everyone back at school happy and healthy on Monday, 11 July for the commencement of what promises to be another action-packed term. Some upcoming events to look forward to include our NAIDOC Week celebrations in Week 1, Semester 1 Academic Excellence Awards in Week 3, Challenge Games, Garbutt Magpies Cup (AFL), 25th Anniversary Celebrations, Fun Fair and Colour Run to name a few.

Have a wonderful week. Our first newsletter for Term 3 will be issued on Wednesday, 13 July.

Warm regards,

Michelle Donn
A/Principal

General News

HOLEY MOLEY

Grade 4 hosted Holey Moley day for the rest of the school. They have worked hard all Semester in Technologies - planning, designing and building mini golf courses to use with Sphero. Students had to be critical thinkers and problem solvers to overcome many challenges to ensure their courses were functional for Sphero. All students and teachers thoroughly enjoyed this experience and commented on how amazing the mini golf courses were. All Grade 4 students should be proud of their effort.

2023 ENROLMENTS – NOW OPEN FOR ALL YEAR LEVELS

Our school is now taking enrolments for the 2023 school year. Please get your enrolment forms in early. Should you know of friends or family looking to join our great school, please inform them that they are welcome to contact the office for further information and to obtain an enrolment package.

Prospective 2023 Prep students may also like to consider attending our Willows Warriors Pre-Prep Program on a Wednesday as a great transition and orientation process. Please contact our school office for further information about this.

Prep Vision Screening at The Willows State School – 19-21 July, 2022

The Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program aims to optimise the health and wellbeing of Queensland children during their transition to primary school, with a key focus on vision screening for prep students. This program is a state-wide initiative and offers free vision screening to prep students in state, catholic and independent schools.

Registered nurses based in communities across Queensland work with the support of Children’s Health Queensland to deliver the screening service and capture important data about the health of Queensland children.

At The Willows State School the vision screening process is scheduled to take place on 19, 20 & 21 July. Consent forms will be emailed to parents/carers for completion online. If you require a printed copy of the consent form please contact our office.

Vision screening is vital in early childhood, particularly for conditions such as amblyopia, or a ‘lazy eye’ which, if not detected and treated early, can lead to blindness. Vision loss can result in children struggling at school and having poor learning outcomes and can also lead to behavioural issues and difficulty with concentration. The Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program provides the opportunity for visual abnormalities to be detected early and, in turn, minimise the impact on a child’s learning.

If visual abnormalities are found during a child’s screening tests they will be referred to an eye health professional for further assessment. The Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program will follow-up with parents/guardians to discuss the outcome of this further assessment.

Upcoming Events

Positive Behaviour Learning

Defence News

HELLO and WELCOME TO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

Week 10 and the term is nearly over - Happy Holidays everyone! Wishing you a very well-deserved break from school and enjoy the time with family. I hope you can take the opportunity to catch up with friends, relax, have a picnic, go to the movies and spend quality time together.

As some loved ones are away, this may be a little challenging but remember to take things one day at a time and talk to each other about how you are feeling. Children can find it difficult to express their feelings at times.

This week at Kids Club we are making little dinosaurs from pegs. On Tuesday it was World Music Day so we celebrated by having a disco. Lots of fun and laughter this week before the holidays start.

Many members have left for exercise/training operations and if this is affecting your family please contact me so I may support the students while at school. These times when a loved one is away can be very challenging for the whole family at home. Some days at school may be a rollercoaster of emotions and having this information can very be valuable when supporting emotional students. Thank you to those parents who have already informed me of them going away. CONTACT OPEN ARMS on 1800 011 046 to also get support.

Discharging from the defence soon? Did you know that you are required to attend a Transition Seminar. There are so many tips, hints and people to talk to about this transition to civilian life. Contact dmfs.transitions@defence.gov.au book it NOW.

Contact Defence Holidays NQ on 07 4752 3842 for loads of information on where to go and what to see around our area in the school holidays. Cairns, Mackay, Winton, Charters Towers and Port Douglas just to name a few great places to visit. Talk to them and book a holiday now!

Looking for Child Care? The Coral Sea Child Care Centre in Kirwan is part of the One Tree Defence Child Care Unit, offering priority access for Defence families in Townsville. Additional information about this service can be found by visiting One Tree Community Services website.

Emergency Support for Family Scheme (ESFS)

Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS) can provide short-term financial assistance to an ADF member’s dependants in an emergency or crisis situation. This support is given when the member is absent from home for service reasons or unable to care for their dependants for a medical reason. The emergency event must be unforeseen, sudden and be beyond the immediate coping mechanisms of your family. The ADF member, their dependants or the member’s Commanding Officer can seek emergency support under ESFS by contacting the Defence Member and Family Helpline on 1800 624 608 or our office on 4430 3879.

Defence Families of Australia are looking for your support. They are looking for several local families to participate in a photography project to highlight some of the unique benefits and realities of Defence family life in a natural and candid way. Each shoot may take around three hours and is proposed for June/July 2022. It sounds like fun for the family. There is a flyer attached with contact details.

If you just posted into Townsville this year or 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 excited to announce that large renovations will occur to the internal facility from 5 May – 30 June, 2022. The internal facility will be closed for this set period over this time. All weekly groups, school holiday activities and special events will continue (at various locations). The playground will remain open for families to utilise throughout this period. 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.

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 MemberandFamilyHelpline@defence.gov.au or follow on Facebook for updates.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Saturday 25th June 10am-1pm - The Oasis Townsville is celebrating their 1st Anniversary and are having an Open Day to celebrate. Veterans, ADF members, their families and the Townsville community are invited to attend. Come along and listen to the 1RAR band and watch the Highland Dancers.

When: Saturday 25 June, 10am-1pm
Where: The Oasis Townsville, 1 Staging Camp Avenue, Oonoonba

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

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

DMFS Office at Nathan Business Centre on Ross River Rd, call 07 4430 3879

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

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 or contact Hannah Galliner 0484 544 451/1300 566 525

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

HAPPINESS IS …… WHEN YOUR KID COMES UP TO YOU AND HUGS YOU JUST BECAUSE.

P and C News

The Willows State School Fun Fair on August 19 from 5pm-9pm

The countdown is on to The Willows State School Fun Fair happening in Term 3! Our year levels have all nominated to caretake a different stall and over the coming weeks we will be asking for small donations from our whole school community to help each year level.

Plant Stall Donations Week 9 - Week 10

From Week 9 to Week 10 we are asking for donations for the OSHC's Plant stall. All donations can be given to class teachers, dropped directly to the office or directly to OSHC. Items needed include: pots, potting mix, clippings from plants, plant feeder, seed packets.

Glass Jars

Please keep your glass jars! We will accept any size, clean and with the label removed if possible.

Music News (The Pitch)

Prep News

Prep Rabbitt has been working hard and learning a lot over the last few weeks.

The children have written planners about their favourite books and presented their retells and connection to their peers.

Our letter sound knowledge is building and this means the children are beginning to write sentences.

In HASS, we have been connecting to special events we celebrate as a family. Objects help us to remember these events and the children shared stories about their “treasures.’

We also looked at some cultural celebrations like the Queens Platinum Jubilee and The State of Origin.

Year One News

In Maths, we are learning to give and follow directions using positional language. The students in 1C ZON had lots of fun programming their bee bots to follow their directions.

We have also been working hard counting in 2’s, 5’s and 10’s to 100.

In English, we are learning how to comprehend poetry. We have done some directed drawings of a rainy day to go with our poem.

Year Two News

This term in Science, Year 2 students had to design and make a toy that would move with a push or pull. They then had to describe a change to the toy and how it affected the toy’s movement.

Students discussed the forces of push and pull and experimented with the notion of gravity and ramps, friction and different surfaces (concrete, carpet, grass), speed and moving parts.

Students had to make predictions, test their ideas and communicate their observations and findings using scientific diagrams and in written format using scientific language.

Year Three News

It has been an amazing Term 2 in Year 3. In English this term, the students wrote an imaginative narrative on a familiar theme of ‘friendship’ that develops characters. They had to sequence the events logically into an orientation, complication and resolution, and develop the characters through descriptions using a range of verb types, expanded noun groups and evaluative language.

Last term, the Year 3’s wrote letters to Mrs Donn, persuading her to take them to the Billabong Sanctuary on an excursion. Their request was granted. At the Billabong Sanctuary, 3B DAV learned about the observable features and habitats of the snake, wombat, crocodile, kangaroo and much more. It was a fantastic but exhausting day! In Week 8, the students participated in Backflips Against Bullying and PJ Day!

Our PBL focus for this fortnight is ‘Be Responsible - It’s The Willows Way’. Students in 3A NIE have shared some beautiful drawings.

Year Four News

What a busy and exciting Term 2!

Year 4 teachers have enjoyed exploring many concepts across the curriculum, especially Science, where students can take a hands-on approach to learning.

During Science in Term 2 we have explored forces. This included looking at contact and non-contact forces. During the investigations, students created their own games and used their knowledge of contact and non-contact forces to explain how these forces moved their item for their game. Many students were able to create their own game, test, play their game and use formal and informal forms of communication.

The below samples are excellent labelled diagrams explaining how the contact and non-contact forces have moved their object.

Students added to their exploration of forces, exploring and investigating the force that magnets create. This was enjoyed as magnetic forces have an attraction or repulsion between electrically charged particles. Students explored with materials that attracted and repelled to the magnets. The images show the hands on approach to magnetic forces adding to the knowledge and understanding of forces in Science.

Towards the end of the term, Year 4 teachers have given students a sneak peak of next terms Science, looking at weathering and erosion. The photo shows a hands on approach of how weathering can move landforms of rock and soil.

Next term will be exciting and enjoyable continuing to explore weathering and erosion with Science.

Year 4 teachers hope you enjoy the break, keeping healthy and safe. We all look forward to seeing everyone back for an awesome Term 3.

Year Five News

The students in Year 5 have started to engage in their next English task. They are creating comic strips that contain two characters and one of them must face an ethical dilemma. This is a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two courses of actions. As you can see in the comic below there is a character who is facing an ethical dilemma.

Year Six News

Well what a fun and full Term 2 we have had in 6/5B TYE! The Year 6’s loved Year 6 Camp and everyone is relieved to be finished assessment. We are all looking forward to our much-needed holiday in order to recharge for an exciting Term 3! After finishing off our assessments, we are now enjoying some fun playing chance and probability games in Maths, learning all about observed and expected frequencies for our next Maths unit.

In English, we have started reading the book “45 and 47 Stella Street”, getting ready to participate in a panel discussion to analyse and evaluate Elizabeth Honey’s writing style in Term 3. We are enjoying doing some character profiles of the main characters in Stella St.

Community News

Variety Kids Sport Camp

The Variety Kids Sports Camp is a two and a half-day camp to provide children with a physical disability, aged 6 to 15 years old, the opportunity to come and try out a variety of different sports to determine which ones they enjoy and have the capacity to play. A major component of the camp is also about building resilience and receiving mentorship from older persons with disabilities who have succeeded in life despite their challenges. This is the camp’s third year in Queensland, and we are excited to finally bring the camp to Far North Queensland in 2022!

Date: 1st - 3rd of July 2022
Location: NRL Cowboys House

Super Saver

Brisbane Heat Cricket School Holiday Program

Sports Holiday Program

FQ Academy & MiniRoos Holiday Clinics

Football Queensland is hosting clinics for thousands of young footballers aged 6-14yrs across the state during the Winter holidays.

The FQ Academy & MiniRoos Holiday Clinics will be held throughout Queensland, providing opportunities for junior players to learn new skills, make friends and have fun. The clinics will be delivered side-by-side at the same time and venue, providing an engaging and fun holiday outing for the whole family!

To find out more please visit the link below:

Townsville

Date: 4 – 6 July 2022
Time: 9am – 12pm
Location: 1300SMILES Active Park
Cost: $70 early bird fee

Burdekin

Date: 4 – 5 July 2022
Time: 9am – 12pm
Location: Burdekin FC
Cost: $60 early bird fee (two-day clinic)

Ingham

Date: 6 – 7 July 2022
Time: 9am – 12pm
Location: Ingham FC
Cost: $60 early bird fee (two-day clinic)

Little Athletics Queensland

Little Athletics Qld is hosting the annual LAQ Winter Carnival on the 25th and 26th June at the TSP – Townsville Sports Precinct and extending an invitation to children of all abilities aged between 6-16 to nominate for track and field events. Don’t miss out on your chance to nominate for this fun event. For more information and the nomination form, click on this link.

Certificate III in Hospitality