24 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 to Week 7 of Term 3.

Fun Fair Thanks

I would firstly like to acknowledge the mammoth work of the P&C (particularly the Executive members and Fun Fair Committee) in coordinating all components of last Friday night’s very successful Fun Fair. I would also like to sincerely thank all parent volunteers and staff for their generous contribution of time and energy. What I most enjoyed was seeing staff, students and community members all having fun together. We have received many positive comments about the Fun Fair and it is once again a credit to our entire school community’s can-do attitude and collegial culture and spirit.

Parent Volunteer Mandatory Training Declaration Forms

If you volunteered your time to assist at a stall last Friday night, read through the Mandatory Training Volunteer Booklet and completed the Mandatory Training Declaration Form, please be advised that the bottom part of this form will be laminated for you. This can be collected from the school office for parents to use as evidence of mandatory training completion if working in any other volunteer roles this year.

Principal Business Days

On Wednesday and Thursday this week I will be attending the NQR Principal Business Days. Deputy Principal, Mrs Patricia Winter will be the Officer-in-Charge on site across both days. I look forward to sharing the learnings and insights into future directions from these days.

Book Week

Week 7 brings more whole school events with our Book Week Parades in TCBC on Friday morning. I am sure we all have our thinking caps on regarding costumes. We are all looking forward to this year’s Book Week Performance as well - thank you to the team of staff and student actors busily working behind the scenes to create this!

NQ Assistant Regional Director (Mrs Suzanne Currin) and NQ Regional Director (Mrs Kylie Smith) Visit

On Monday both Mrs Currin and Mrs Smith visited our school to view the implementation of, and progress on, our 2022 Annual Implementation Plan Explicit Improvement Agenda. They both enjoyed visiting classrooms and discussing learning walls with students through the use of the 5Q4S. Leadership team members also presented an overview of strategic agendas they are collaboratively leading. I thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity for our staff and students to showcase their wonderful work with our regional leaders and supervisors.

DATE CLAIMER: State-wide Student Free Day – Friday, 2 September (Week 8)

As in previous years, please note there will be a Student Free Day (SFD) on Friday, 2 September (Week 8, Term 3). There will be no school for students on this day. Please ensure supervision is organised for your child.

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 47 991 333, the Student Absence Line on 47 991 366 (accessible any time, day or night) or emailing office@thewillowsss.eq.edu.au. Students are encouraged to come to school every day they are well enough to attend – so much new learning occurs every day. We have 17 school days left in this term and plenty of learning to still be achieved each day.

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 if possible. Should you know of friends or family looking to join our great school, please inform them that they are also most welcome to contact the school for further information and to obtain an enrolment package.

Prospective 2023 Prep students and parents/caregivers may like to consider attending a Willows Warriors Pre-Prep Program session on a Wednesday to support the transition and orientation process to school. Please contact our school office to obtain further information about this free program.

Thanks to those families who attended our first 2023 Prep Enrolment Session last week – it was an absolute pleasure to meet new families and students who will become a part of our wonderful school community.

DATE CLAIMER: FINAL 2023 BYOx Program Parent Information Session – Tuesday, 6 September 4:45pm

This week a further 2023 BYOx Program Parent Information Session was held with parents provided with the Student/Caregiver BYOx Charter, BYOx Device Specifications and BYOx Program Commitment Forms. Only one further Parent Information Session has been scheduled for later in this term. Families are required to make a firm commitment to participate in the program by the end of Term 3. Please contact the school to request further information or to book in for a Parent Information Session if needed.

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 ‘almost end to Winter’ week – stay healthy and happy. Next week we will have the P&C Father’s Day Stall – please see the information from the P&C regarding this later in this newsletter.

Thank you for your ongoing positive partnership with us in your child’s education.

Our next newsletter for Term 3 will be issued on Wednesday, 31 August.

Warm regards,

Michelle Donn
A/Principal

General News

BOOK WEEK

Upcoming Events

Positive Behaviour Learning

PBL community news -Term 3 week 7-.pdf (Embedded)

Defence News

HELLO and WELCOME TO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

Week 7, REMINDER ADF Equip Parental Absence Program starts Thursday at school in Weeks 7&8. Please remember to let your children know to come to L Pod immediately after school on Thursday. They can be collected from L Pod at 4.45pm - access will be through the gate on Bilberry Street. Please call me at school if you have any questions. See you then.

Kids Club is busy with many students calling to play a game with friends or to make a craft piece to take home. Last week many of the students were making gold medals for the Commonwealth Games. This week we have been making tiny dinosaurs with pegs, lots of fun. Please remind students to come down to L Pod at playtime to make an activity or just play a game with friends. It’s great to see so many smiling faces.

Are you posting out? If you have any questions about what to do and new schools, please give me a call.

I am continuing to visit students in class for a chat while their loved one is way. If you are struggling at home with emotions, please contact me at school for a chat or email me and I will make contact. Life is busy and we sometimes require support to get through the rough patches.

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.

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 www.defence.gov.au/PayAndConditions/ADF/Chapter-8/Part-4/Div-2.asp

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 whatson.townsville.qld.gov.au

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 Thursday 1st September - ADF members and families in Townsville, we’d love to see you at Grandmas, North Ward for this month’s Coffee Connections. 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: Grandmas, North Ward
When: Thursday 1 September from 9:30am - 11:30am
Registration: Eventbrite - Coffee Connections

TROPICAL FRIDAY BAREFOOT BOWLS (ADULTS ONLY) Friday 2nd September - Couples and singles, mums and dads, and other adult family members are invited to join us at barefoot bowling adults-only fun night out.

Enjoy a social evening with barefoot bowls and a BBQ on us. While the name of the game is barefoot bowls, socks / thongs / completely flat soled shoes are permitted on the green. While we’d love to see your brightest tropical themed outfits, please keep in mind that the bowls club dress rules require neat casual clothing and no singlets.

Where: Cutheringa Bowls Club, West End
When: Friday 2 September from 6:30pm
Registration: Eventbrite - Barefoot Bowls

Save the Date - DMFS Townsville Annual (almost) Amazing Race

DMFS Townsville will be holding the ever-popular (Almost) Amazing Race at Jezzine Barracks on Friday 9 September. Tickets for this event will be released during August, so be sure to look out for the event on our Eventbrite page.

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

P and C News

Father's Day Stall - Monday 29 August - Thursday 1 September

Our annual Father's Day stall is happening in Week 8 just before Father's Day on Sunday 4 September. This fundraiser is an opportunity for your child to purchase a gift for their father, grandfather or other important person. We love seeing the thought that goes into each child's gift. Our affordable range of gifts are priced from 50c to $10. More information and your child's class times will be sent home in a note this week.

Don’t want to worry about sending cash to school on the right day? VOUCHERS are available to purchase on the home page of the Flexischools app for the Father’s Day stall. Vouchers can be purchased in amounts of $5, $10 and $20 until THIS Friday August 26 at 12pm.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! These stalls simply cannot run by themselves. If you have an hour to spare during the stall times, please let us know by email or visit our volunteer sign up page:

Colour Explosion School Fun Run - Wednesday 14 September

Get your white t-shirt ready! The big day is coming! We are so excited to host our Colour Explosion School Fun Run. If you have not received your Colour Run fundraising note and booklet, please email the P&C.

Next P&C Meeting

Our next meeting is Tuesday 13 September at 6pm in the TCBC. All are welcome to attend. Contact the P&C by email pandc@thewillowsss.eq.edu.au.

Community News

C&K KIRWAN