3 August 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

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,

Welcome back to Week 4 of Term 3 everyone! How quickly the term and our beautiful NQ ‘Winter’ is progressing.

I was very fortunate last week to have the opportunity to view some exceptional examples of Prep student writing. How far our Prep students have come in just 6 months of schooling! Their knowledge of letters and sounds is well developed and it is wonderful to see their obvious pride in themselves as being readers and writers. Our Prep students celebrated their 100th Day of School last week. They dressed up as 100-year-old people, and enjoyed cake and fun activities throughout the day.

Week 3 also saw our students demonstrate excellent school representation whilst at the Challenge Games – congratulations to our Inclusion staff whose coordination of this excursion ensured a successful day for all. ‘100 Days of Prep’ was also celebrated in ‘old’ style – view the wonderful photos on our school FB page. Thank you to our parents for your spectacular efforts with costumes and our Prep teachers for their facilitation of this event.

I would also like to wish our students participating in the Garbutt Magpies AFL tournament this week all the very best. Thank you to the staff involved (particularly Mr Madeley, Mr Davies and Mr Menzies) for their commitment to training and coaching our three teams to be the best they can be. From Week 5 our Senior Rugby League team will also commence participation in the Les Stagg knock-out competition on Monday nights.

Fun Fair Free Dress Day – Wednesday, 10 August

Next Wednesday, 10 August, we are calling on all students to contribute a small donation for our Fun Fair year level stalls in return for wearing FREE DRESS to school.

Please see some donation suggestions below:

• Wrapping paper, colourful paper bags, sticky tape
• Prizes for the cent sale
• Glass jars - filled with a prize or empty (any size, clean and with the label removed if possible)
• Small items that fit in a jar. Gift cards, lollipops, stationery, jam, craft items, soft toys, ooshies, lego, games, gardening items, jewellery, cosmetics, hair clips and ribbons, pet items
• Fun size chocolates, chocolate bars, chocolate blocks, chocolate boxes.
• Bags of mixed lollies
• Pots, potting mix, clippings from plants, plant feeder, seed packets.

Staffing Update

On Friday, 5 August we will farewell both Mrs Erin Evans and Mrs Imogen Guiney to maternity leave. I wish both ladies all the very best in their new ventures into motherhood.

From Monday, 8 August, Ms Trudy Osborne will replace Mrs Guiney as the class teacher in 1E GUI and Ms Ebonie Coleman will replace Mrs Evans as the class teacher in 5/6F EVA.

2023 BYOx Program – for Year 4, 5 and 6 students in 2023

At last week’s first 2023 BYOx Parent Information Session, parents were provided with the Student/Caregiver BYOx Charter, BYOx Device Specifications and BYOx Program Commitment Forms for perusal. Some of our current BYOx teachers spoke about their experiences this year. Three further Parent Information Sessions have been scheduled for later in this term. Families are not required to make a firm commitment to participate in the program until the end of Term 3.

2022 School Opinion Survey – Parents/Caregivers – closes Friday, 12 August

The annual suite of School Opinion Surveys will be conducted in Term 3. All families, school staff and students in target year levels (5, 6) are invited to participate. We encourage you to take this opportunity to have your say about what our school does well and how we can improve. I have included some information below for your reference:

• Families with one or more enrolled children at our school will receive one invitation to complete the survey. The parent/caregiver to receive the invitation is selected based on information and email address in OneSchool.
• Participation is by invitation only. There is no generic survey link that can be used by all parents. Each link is unique and can only be used once by the parent. One parent per family will receive the survey link via email. No logins or passwords are needed.
• The survey invitation email uses the subject line: School Opinion Survey for parents/caregivers, 2022; parents should check junk email folders if it can’t be found.
• The survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete using a computer, tablet or smart phone.
• Parents/caregivers who do not have access to the internet at home are welcome to complete their survey online at school. School computers/tablets can be made available upon request if needed.

Assistant Regional Director (ARD) School Visit

Our new supervising ARD, Mrs Suzanne Currin, visited our school today. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to introduce Mrs Currin to staff and students whilst also familiarising her with our School Strategic Plan 2022-2025, 2022 explicit improvement agenda and school site.

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. Please note the date in your calendars now.

25th Anniversary Memorabilia

The P&C has organised some 25th Anniversary Memorabilia to be on sale from Friday, 12 August.

• Pins - $5 (with magnetic backs)

• Coolers - $8
• Pavers – Forms will be distributed to students (oldest in the family) this week.

1997 Time Capsule Opening

On Saturday, 13 August a short ceremony from 10am-11am will be held at school to officially ‘unveil’ the contents of the original time capsule and share the items to be placed in the new time capsule – to be opened in 2047. Everyone is most welcome to attend.

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

Please note this date in your calendar NOW! The Fun Fair is the P&C’s major fundraising event for 2022. Your support with donations for Year Level Stalls and volunteering at our Fun Fair is much appreciated. All funds raised go back into facilitating the enhancement of our school facilities and resources for your child.

• Fun Fair Flyers have now been distributed. The flyers provide advice about the process for pre-purchasing online unlimited ride bands.
• A second note for parents promoting signing up to volunteer on your child’s Year Level Stall and promoting donations for Year Level Stalls has also been distributed. You can sign up to volunteer here: https://signup.zone/X3FJxZ5yquckRyjzu

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).

Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:

• year of schooling
• category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional
• level of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive.

This information assists schools to:

• formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in schools
• consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools
• develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve educational outcomes for students with disability.

The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. The school will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified – the privacy and confidentiality of all students is ensured.

Further information about the NCCD can be found on the NCCD Portal (https://www.nccd.edu.au) .

If you do not wish your child to be included in the NCCD data collection or have any questions about NCCD, please contact the school. Data submission in Queensland state schools is required to be finalised by 5 August.

Supervision Prior to School

Parents are reminded that staff supervision commences at 8:00am. Learning commences at 8:50am. Before school care is available through The Willows SS Outside School Hours Care service should care be required prior to 8am. This service is operated by the P&C. Please contact the OSHC Service on 47 23 7748 or email willowscare@bigpond.com if you are interested in seeking further information about the availability of this now or into the future.

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.
• 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.

Have a wonderful week. Our next newsletter for Term 3 will be issued on Wednesday, 10 August.

Warm regards,

Michelle Donn
A/Principal

General News

STUDENT LEADERS FOR 2023

This semester, our Year 5 students will be completing the selection process for student leader positions for 2023. Interested Year 5 students have collected student leader passports to complete and submit for selection. These passports include several pages regarding their school commitments to be completed by students and verified by staff.

Students are asked to have these pages completed and then submitted with an application letter on Monday the 12th of September. Students are then shortlisted for interviews and leadership positions for 2023 are announced later in Term 4.

Our student leaders need to demonstrate excellent personal conduct, leadership qualities, good citizenship and show evidence of a long-term commitment to their role. Some discussion at home may support your child to decide which of their daily or weekly activities and commitments will help them to complete the passport and best demonstrate their commitment, community spirit and leadership skills.

It is important to understand that only students who have completed the booklet, written a letter of application and submitted these on time, are eligible for selection as a School, Music or Sports Captain for 2023. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact your child’s class teacher.

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.

Upcoming Events

Positive Behaviour Learning

Defence News

HELLO and WELCOME TO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

Week 4 - Parents I am asking for an Expression of Interest for defence students to participate in a new program called ADF Equip Parental Absence. This is a newly developed program to replace Kidsmart program specifically for Defence students. It will be held later this term after school over 2 sessions in L Pod. First session on Thursday 25th August and 2nd session on Thursday 1st September from 3.15-4.45. It is designed to provide Defence students with support and strategies whose parents are away from home at numerous times. There are limited spaces available, so please contact me for more information if you are interested.

Special Thanks to those parents who joined me last Friday at our Afternoon Tea. It was also great to meet and chat with Sarah again from Open Arms. Sarah discussed all the programs that are on offer to access in person or online through the Open Arms. OPEN ARMS have released their timetable of programs for the second half of the year. Attached is a list of all programs available. CONTACT OPEN ARMS on 1800 011 046 for support and to reserve your spot.

POSTINGS should be out now, so if you have been informed that you are leaving this year, can you please contact either myself or the office. This is important so I can talk with the students about their move to a new school. If you have any questions about what to do and where to go, please give me a call.

Busy as always at Kids Club with many students coming along at break times last week to make a paper clock, other crafts and play board games. Special thanks to Harry in Year 3 who has been a great helper by assisting younger students with their craft activities.

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 still under renovations. The internal facility will be closed until further notice. 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

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

DATES TO REMEMBER

COFFEE CONNECTIONS CAFÉ BAMBINI FAIRFIELD THURSDAY 4TH AUGUST- ADF members and families in Townsville, we’d love to see you at Café Bambini - Fairfield for Coffee Connections in August. Whether you’ve been in Townville for a while now, or have just arrived, everyone’s welcome. This is a self-funded activity. Attendees are responsible for the cost of purchasing/providing their own food and drinks. Children are welcome under parent/guardian supervision.

Where: Café Bambini – Fairfield
When: Thursday 4 August, at 9:30am-11:30am.
Registration: Eventbrite - Coffee Connections

IMPORTANT - Contacts

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

MAY YOU HAVE MOMENTS THAT MAKE YOU SMILE TODAY!

P and C News

This year's fun fair promises to be HUGE! We have Rides and Slides joining the party providing the following rides:

Dodgem Cars, Mega Twister, Inflatable Playground, Chair o Plane, Cups N Saucers, Willy the Worm, Gladiator, Mechanical Bull, Cars Slide, Bungee Run, Bouncy Boxing, Giant Slide, Rock Wall, Rocking Ship, Inflatable Slide, 33mt Obstacle Course, 2 x Jumping Castles, Animal Farm and Timmy the Train.

Plus the novelty items – Laughing Clowns, Fairy Floss, Crave Frozen Yogurt.

Purchase an armband for unlimited rides for only $35 presold and $40 on the night. (Single ride tickets will be $6 each for smaller rides and $8 for the big rides. We will also have a Ticket deal of 10 tickets for $50 for those people that would like to share amongst 2 or 3 children.)

Our classes are all running stalls including plant stall, disco, lucky dip, tombola, chocolate toss, bake stall, knock'ems plus the biggest cent sale we have had yet.

Enter into our Weber BBQ raffle which has been kindly donated by Aaron Harper MP.

Townsville Food Trucks will be there so come down for dinner with the family.

We also have a market stall featuring local businesses including Thermomix, Body Shop, Pimpin Pooches, Love Louise and Stomping Elephants.

Open to the public.

Trybooking link to purchase ride passes:

25 Year Anniversary Memorabilia

To commemorate the school’s 25 Year Anniversary we have the following memorabilia for sale:

Personalised Commemorative Pavers - Prices start from $38 for a single paver with 3 lines of text. $95 for a double paver with 6 lines of text. $129 for triple pavers with 9 lines of text. Order forms will be sent home.

Next P&C Meeting

Our next meeting is Tuesday 9 August at 6pm in the TCBC. All are welcome to attend.

Music News (The Pitch)

Willows Warriors

Willows Warriors News
What’s been happening at
Willows Warriors?

We made capes like Dan the Flying Man.

We made different ways to get around.

We made our names and numbers in playdough.

Prep News

This week we celebrated 100 days of Prep! The students have been at school for 100 days and have celebrated how much they have learned! We dressed up as if we were “100 years old” and had many laughs and games throughout the day. We ended the day with a parade to show off our costumes and had a disco with some cake.

In English, we are learning to write a rhyming story. Students have been practising writing different rhymes. At the end of the unit, we will practise our rhyme and present it to our class.

Year One News

In Science we are learning about the changes in the day and night sky and landscape. 1C Zon have been having fun making up day and night pictures using Scratch.

In Maths we have been looking at time – telling time to the hour and half hour and how long things take.

In English we are learning how to recite a poem. We have been practising with our partners.

Year Two News

In Math this week, Year 2 students have been learning to use simple strategies to reason and solve number inquiry questions. Students have been using their knowledge of numbers to group, partition and rearrange large collections of pasta pieces. We have been explaining strategies used to count our collections of pasta as well as explaining conclusions reached. Students have demonstrated their number skills successfully with their pasta containers and have had lots of fun throughout the process!

Year Three News

Maths

During this term we are learning to represent money values in various ways and correctly count change from financial transactions.

Year Four News

Year 4 Visit to the Townsville City Council Recycling Plant

In Week 2 of this term our Year 4 students were lucky to visit the local recycling plant to learn about one of our local council responsibilities in connection to our current HASS unit. They listened to information and saw the ways that we can have more sustainable behaviours, through reducing, recycling and reusing items.

The students were treated to a tour where they saw the machinery in action, and how rubbish is sorted. They learned about the large quantity of items that go in the wrong bin and then are not recycled appropriately. They were surprised by the huge amount of plastic and aluminium items and wondered how much they would earn at 10c a can. It was a great learning experience.

Year Five News

Calculating Measurements in Maths

This term we are learning about length, area, volume, capacity and mass. The children are calculating perimeter and area of rectangles. They are using equipment and correct units to solve every day problems. Here are some work samples to demonstrate the language used in this topic and formula children have been taught to calculate area of shapes: (A = L x W)

Year Six News

This Week in Year 6…

In Year 6 we are learning to participate in a panel discussion to analyse and evaluate the style of an individual author. We have been busily reading Elizabeth Honey’s ‘DON’T pat the wombat!’ and ‘45 + 47 Stella Street and everything that happened.’ Students have chosen their text of preference and are now in the process of brainstorming evaluative language, verbs and a range of adverb groups, and modality used to present a point of view around the text and main characters.

Digital Technologies used to enhance learning outcomes.

6A students working collaboratively.

Community News

Ready-Set-Connect