26 October 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 4 of Term 4! This State Education Week we have an array of special events once again – RACQ Streets Ahead for Years 3-6, Life Education commences, our Performers’ Concert (Wednesday), Speeches and Voting for our 2023 Music and Sports House Captains (Thursday), World Teacher’s Day (Friday) and Day for Daniel (Friday) to name but a few. Please view our school Facebook page to keep up-to-date with photos of our participation in a variety of school and community events as they occur.

State Education Week – Realising the potential of every student

This week we celebrate State Education Week. State Education Week, taking place from Monday, 24 October to Friday 28 October 2022, is an annual event that showcases and celebrates Queensland state schools. The theme for 2022 is 'Realising the potential of every student’. State Education Week is an opportunity to promote the great work being done in Queensland state schools to help each student fulfil their potential.

I would personally like to acknowledge the combined efforts of all staff at The Willows State School in catering to the differentiated needs of all our learners and ensuring the state education system continues to be great.

This year we will again showcase and celebrate State Education Week with our community through Facebook posts sharing student work.

World Teacher’s Day – Friday, 28 October – Teaching through every moment

Our teachers make a difference every day, educating and inspiring young Queenslanders.

World Teachers' Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and thank Queensland teachers for their important role in our communities and for the positive impact they have on the lives of students.

This year we say thank you to our teachers for ‘teaching through every moment’. We acknowledge and show appreciation for the many ways in which teachers provide support and inspiration to our students.

I feel very proud, humbled and privileged every day to work with the wonderful The Willows State School teaching team and commend them all for their ongoing passion and commitment to the learning and wellbeing of all students at our great school.

Day for Daniel – Friday, 28 October

This is a National Day of Action to raise awareness of Child Safety, Protection and Prevention. Students need to hear important child safety messages so they can –

• recognise safe and unsafe situations using safety clues
• react to keep themselves safe
• report unsafe situations, unsafe phone and online incidents.

On Friday, students and staff are asked to wear red. Teachers will utilise the resources from the Daniel Morcombe website and the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety School Curriculum. Parents can also access the Daniel Morcombe website and show their children the many videos and activities available at this site:

Commencement of new Support Staff – Mechelle Hofmann (SSO) and Rachel Taylor (Psychologist)

Last Friday, the QPS School Support Officer (SSO), Ms Mechelle Hofmann, commenced with us at The Willows State School. We are sharing Ms Hofmann within the Kirwan Cluster (Kirwan SS, Cranbrook SS and TWSS). At this stage Ms Hofmann will be at our school site each Friday but will attend additional school community events when available. The regional focus of the SSOs work is on increasing the attendance of targeted students within P-2 and working with families and community agencies to achieve this.

On Monday, Rachel Taylor (Psychologist) also commenced with us at The Willows State School as part of the DoE Student Wellbeing Package. We are also sharing Ms Taylor within the Kirwan Cluster (Kirwan SS, Cranbrook SS and TWSS). To enable Ms Taylor to achieve familiarity with our school site she will be attending TWSS every day for Weeks 4, 5 and 6. Referrals for Ms Taylor will come through Principal, DPs and Guidance Officer.

2022 Student Leader Interviews and Sport and Music Captain Speeches

Congratulations to all the students who have been shortlisted for Sport or Music Captain roles. Notes were distributed to successful students last week. Shortlisted students will be participating in their selection and voting processes this week on Thursday, 27 October. Music Captain speeches will happen at First Break in the Music room. All of the Choir and Instrumental Music students are invited to attend this. Sports Captain speeches will happen in the last session and the Year 4 and 5 students in each house group will vote after listening to the applicants.

I wish all sport and music captain nominees the very best of luck for their speeches. All successful applicants for 2023 leadership roles will be announced at the end of Week 8.

Aaron Harper MP Christmas Card Competition (P-3)

Aaron Harper MP is once again inviting students from our school, Prep to Year 3, to participate in a competition to design, draw and colour the image that will appear on the front of his greeting card for his Thuringowa constituents.

He is offering a prize for the winning design (a $100 Smiggle Voucher) and a $200 Visa to the winning family to go towards their seasonal celebrations. The activity is open to all P-3 students who attend a Primary School in the Thuringowa Electorate and reside in the Thuringowa Electorate. The competition closes 4.30pm Thursday 27th October 2022.

Completed entries will be collected from the school office, by his electorate staff on Friday 28th October.

Entry forms are available from S Pod for interested students.

2023 ENROLMENTS – NOW OPEN FOR ALL YEAR LEVELS

Our school is now taking enrolments for the 2023 school year - please get your enrolment forms as soon as possible. Should you know of friends or family within our enrolment catchment zone 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 best support their transition and orientation to school. Please contact our school office to obtain further information about this free program. Our current Pre-Preps have recently received their complimentary ‘Willows Warriors’ school polo shirts and are really looking like they are ready for school next year! All new attendees over the next few weeks will also be eligible to receive a free school polo shirt. Our 2023 Prep Open Day will be held on Thursday, 10 November and our Willows Warriors sessions will conclude for the year on Wednesday, 30 November.

Is your Prep-Year 5 student transferring to another school in 2023?

We will shortly be starting the process of organising class composition for 2023. We would appreciate early notice if your child, or children, will be transferring to another school in 2023. Please inform the office by phone on 47 991 333, complete the online survey distributed through Schoolzine or email admin@thewillowsss.eq.edu.au at your earliest convenience.

Requests for specific factors to be taken into consideration for your child when organising class composition for 2023 are also able to be emailed to admin@thewillowsss.eq.edu.au.

REMINDER: 25th Anniversary Memorabilia – now available until sold out from the school office (cash or EFTPOS)

• Magnetic Pins - $5
• Coolers - $8
• Personalised Pavers – varying prices depending on size selected – see front office if you require a form.

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 or emailing admin@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. After Term 4 Week 1, we are sitting at 87.6% YTD and aiming to be over 90%.

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

Have a wonderful week. Our next newsletter for Term 4 will be issued on Wednesday, 2 November.

Warm regards,

Michelle Donn
Principal

General News

RACQ STREETS AHEAD

This term, the RACQ Streets Ahead road safety program is being delivered to our Prep to Year 6 students focusing on pedestrian, passenger and riding safety. Resource Packs with age appropriate activities and videos demonstrating strategies are available from the link below. These will assist you to continue to teach road safety, implement the strategies your children have learnt and apply them to your everyday lives.

Upcoming Events

Positive Behaviour Learning

Defence News

HELLO and WELCOME TO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

Reminder, if you are being posted and will be leaving our school at the end of the year, can you please email me and/or the office so that I can prepare farewell activities and packs for the students. Postings should have been rolled out by now so most of you will know if you will be moving on. If you have enrolled at a new school, please let me know and I can contact the DSM so students can have contact with their new school before arriving. I will have conversations to assist students with any questions they may have associated with the move. Our office will also have to be made aware of which students will not be returning next year. The time leading up to the transition out of one school to another can be challenging and emotional for most students and this may require some time for them to process. They may have lots of questions for you about the move. Please contact me with any concerns or queries about this process. I have attached very helpful flyers below to assist.

Brooke Ocampo is the DSM on a Friday in my absence. Brooke will be available to support Defence students and families on this day. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your children or defence matters, please contact the office with details and they will pass on the message to Brooke. Brooke is only at our school on a Friday, please let all students know that Defence Room/Kids Club will only be OPEN on Fridays both breaks.

OPEN ARMS has 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. Open Arms is only a phone call away and available to support children and families.

Reminder to Defence Parents - did you know your child may be eligible for the Education Assistance Support Program? If you have posted into our location in the last 18 months and after your 3-way conversation with the teacher you have found that your student requires tutoring, call the Helpline for details on 1800 624 608, more information below.

Education Assistance 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 students 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 visit the link below.

Geckos Family Centre at Lavarack Barracks is OPEN FOR BUSINESS. Weekly groups, school holiday activities and special events are back on again. The playground is also open for families to utilise throughout the week. Check out their Facebook page to keep up to date with the activities and events held throughout the week or phone them on 07 4411 7031 for more details. Don’t forget to check out their upcoming program for the school holidays.

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

Check DMFS newsletters or Facebook for details of Coffee Connections and upcoming activities.

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

SOMEHOW, I ALWAYS SEEM TO FORGET THE MOST POWERFUL TOOL I HAVE IN MY PARENTING ARSENAL: MYSELF, MY PRESENCE.

Music News (The Pitch)

Willows Warriors News

KINDERGARTEN TRANSITION STATEMENTS

Prep News

In Prep, we are all working so hard and are so close to finishing the year!

In English, we have enjoyed reading Pig the Pug and writing about the beginning, middle and end of the story. We have also started brainstorming different events that could be added to the story that would change the ending. We definitely have some creative Preps!

In PYD TRE, we also had a visit from Mrs Tropea and her wonderful Warriors. The Preps were able to share their enjoyment of reading Pig the Pug with the Warriors and then they created their very own puppet of Pig! It was great to see the Preps helping out the Warriors.

In Science, we are learning about how objects move. This week, we explored different objects that can roll. In partners, students built their ramps and tested out their different objects.

LIFE EDUCATION – 28th October to 4th November

Year One News

This term in English, Year 1’s have been learning about how to write a procedure. We have practiced writing how to make fairy bread, ice-cream, lasagne and pizza. Students are currently reading the book ‘The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch’ and writing a procedure on ‘How to make a disgusting sandwich’. As this is a multi-model task, the students have also been learning how to use PowerPoint on the computers. All the students have been successful in adding text and pictures to present their work.

Year Two News

This term, Year 2 are exploring a variety of stories in picture books to discover how stories use plot and characterisation to engage and entertain an audience.

We will learn how to write a new event to be added to a familiar narrative, Toy Boat. Students will create digital images to match the text.

Throughout the term, we will learn how to use evaluative language, expanded noun groups, as well as using a variety of sentence types, e.g., simple and compound sentences.

Toy boats pencil is drooping down in the water and its sail’s soaked.

Toy boats pencil was bending and its sails were drooping. Its hull was overflowing and it was soaking wet!

Just then a big shadow came closer and closer towards toy boat and it was frightened.

Its pencil was drooping. Its hull near full.
Toy boats sails were soaked and the hull is full. It was sobbing and lonely.

 

 

State Education Week – Year 2

 

Realising the Potential of Every Student

What does “realising the potential of every student” mean to us?

We asked each Year 2 student to tell us what they wanted to be when they grew up. Here are their answers class by class.

2A MIL

2B GRI

2C ROG

2D MAH

2E UNI

1/2F KOR

SWIMMING – 22nd to 29th November

LIFE EDUCATION – 28th October to 4th November

Year Three News

This month is World Sight Month.

Year 3 celebrated World Sight Day on the 13th October in super sunglasses style.

Year Four News

In English this term, the Year 4’s are learning to identify the language features and visual elements of a cereal package. They are learning to understand that marketers include special features on a packet to persuade the audience to buy. The students have started creating their own packages, making sure they include all of the necessary features required to make their package appealing.

SWIMMING – 22nd to 29th November

LIFE EDUCATION – 28th October to 4th November

Year Five News

Design for Nature:

The Year 5 students have been putting their D.I.Y. skills to use this week. For our technology unit this semester, our students had to identify an organisation that helps to support a wildlife. They were enthusiastic to learn about the Cairns Frog Hop-ital and all the amazing work they are doing for these creatures.

They took this inspiration to choose a wildlife in our school that could use some extra support. They then had to create a product that would help their chosen animal. As you can see in the images below, there are a range of great products our students built.

TALK ABOUT IT – 1st to 3rd November

HEALTH UNIT – Growing Up

Year Six News

In Year 6, students are currently learning how to compare observed and expected frequencies and write probabilities using simple fractions, decimals and percentages. This has been a fun unit which involved lots of games, hypothesising about and recording relative frequencies, and comparing them to expected frequencies.

We are looking forward to moving onto our next topic around investigating and interpreting secondary data to answer the Mathematical Guided Inquiry Question: ‘What is the favourite type of music for Australian Year 6 students?’

Reminder: Please remember to return permissions for the end of year fun days as soon as possible.

Fun Day and Graduation

Community News

QUEENSLAND VIRTUAL STEM ACADEMY (NQ)