16 November 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 4 – it is difficult to comprehend where the year has gone. I have had the greatest pleasure recently in seeing the ‘learning distance travelled’ by so many of our students in 2022, especially in their reading and writing development. It is when I see this incredible growth and the pride students feel in achieving their personal goals that I reflect on the success of the teaching and learning happening every day in every classroom. I wish all students a successful final few weeks of their 2022 school year.

Last week’s Remembrance Day Ceremony was beautifully led by our Student Leaders and respectfully participated in by our students – thank you once again for your support of this important tradition.

Our school was also once again very positively showcased through the Prep Open Day sessions last Thursday. I would like to congratulate the entire staff on their contribution to this – from the moment families were welcomed into the office, to the moment they departed, they encountered positive and supportive staff willing to assist and proud to share the wonderful opportunities available at TWSS. Many thanks to our P&C who provided complimentary water bottles for our new students.

Medication Management

If your child needs to take medication at school, please provide the office staff with:

• a completed and signed Consent to administer medication form ;
• the medication in its original container; and
• medical authorisation (e.g. the pharmacy label***, or a letter from the doctor, or a completed and signed health action plan).

For further information, please refer to the Information for parents/carers and health practitioners.

If you have any specific queries, please contact the school office.

***Please note over the counter medication can only be administered by school staff if it meets the above requirements. The pharmacy label must include the student’s name, doctor’s name and dosage if not included in an individual health plan.

2023 Booklists

These will be made available on the school website and school Facebook page in the next week. Booklists will also be emailed to each year level to the email addresses recorded in OneSchool for parents and caregivers.

Teaching and Learning – Report Cards

Teaching and learning will continue to be our focus right up until the end of the school year. You can assist your children to “finish strong” by ensuring they are in full attendance and complete any homework required. 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 if the school has your correct current email address, please ring/email the office to confirm.

Report Cards will be emailed in Week 10 (Tuesday) to all parent/caregivers recorded as receiving correspondence.

Year 6 Graduation Ceremony, Year 6 Pizza Party, Rite of Passage and End-of-Year Excursion

Notes have been distributed to all Year 6 students regarding arrangements for the Year 6 Graduation Ceremony to be held on Tuesday, 6 December, the Year 6 Pizza Party on Wednesday, 7 December and the Year 6 End-of-Year Excursion and Rite of Passage on Thursday, 8 December. Please contact the school office if your child has not brought home a note as yet or you have any queries about these events.

Enrolling your Year 6 child in Secondary School

On 30 November, all State Secondary Schools in Townsville will be holding an orientation and transition day for Year 6 students commencing Year 7 in 2023. It is essential that your child has been enrolled in their future high school prior to this day, or they will not have the opportunity to attend this orientation and transition activity.

Water Safety and Swimming Program – commences next week on Tuesday, 22 November

In Term 4, The Willows State School is offering a Water Safety and Swimming Program for Year 2 and 4 students as part of the Physical Education Program. Notes have now been distributed to all students who have returned their permission forms and finalised payment regarding organisational arrangements and the swimming timetable. Please contact the school office if you have any queries about this or have not received a note.

P&C Meetings 2023

At the final P&C Meeting for 2022 it was determined that meetings would be held on the third Tuesday of each month (rather than second Tuesdays) in 2023. The P&C is also actively seeking a new Treasurer now, as the current Treasurer has indicated her intention to not continue and would like to provide a handover to an incoming person ASAP. If you are interested in assisting or know of someone who may be interested in seeking more information about this role please email PandC@thewillowsss.eq.edu.au

BYOx Program Letters

All students who have committed to the BYOx Program for 2023 (currently specific students in Years 3, 4 and 5) will receive a confirmation letter advising them of the final updated device minimum specifications, intune onboarding instructions and advice about technical set-up assistance available (if needed) at the Book Drop Off session in January. Please don’t hesitate to contact the school should you have any further queries at this stage.

2023 Student Leader Announcements – letters to be distributed NEXT WEEK

Year 5 students who nominated for student leadership positions will be notified on Thursday next week whether successful or unsuccessful. The number and calibre of applicants was truly outstanding this year and it was a challenging process for the panel and class teachers. All student leader applicants will receive a letter to share with their caregivers. The school community will be more broadly officially advised of the 2023 Student Leaders at the conclusion of the Senior Academic Excellence Awards ceremony in Week 10 on Wednesday, 7 December.

White Ribbon Day – 18 November

The Queensland Government is continuing to implement strategies that support people who experience domestic and family violence (DFV) and to create a culture where DFV is not tolerated.

Visit the Queensland Government’s Domestic and Family Violence website for more information.

The department's external Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider LifeWorks by Morneau Shepell is available to staff and immediate family members wishing to access free, confidential, face-to-face or telephone counselling services for work or non-work related issues.

White Ribbon Day is an opportunity to bring people together to raise awareness and commit to action to prevent men's violence against women. This year's theme is 'Let's be the change'.

Disrespect, whether small or large, can lead to bullying, abuse, discrimination, domestic violence, family violence, sexual harassment and sexual violence. We all have a role to play in calling out disrespectful behaviour towards women and girls.

2023 ENROLMENTS – NOW OPEN FOR ALL YEAR LEVELS

Our school is still taking enrolments for the 2023 school year - please get your enrolment forms in 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.

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

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, 23 November.

Warm regards,

Michelle Donn
Principal

Upcoming Events

Swimming Lessons Timetable

Positive Behaviour Learning

Defence News

HELLO and WELCOME TO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

Week 7 - Thank you to all the students and Guest Speaker from 3rd Battalion who participated in our Remembrance Day Ceremony last Friday. The valuable support from so many students was very much appreciated. Thanks also to those parents who attended.

Today I have attached some photos from our Draw to Remember activity. All the students who were involved had lots of fun drawing on the concrete. Paul from the RSL was very impressed with the standard of drawings when he returned to school to deliver us our certificate for participating.

This week I have started visiting students and delivering Farewell Packs to those Defence students who I know are moving/leaving our school at the end of the year. This Friday 18th November will also be our “Farewell Party” for those students who are posted out.

Next Friday, 25th November will be the “Year 6 Defence Students Farewell Pizza Party.”

REMINDER, IF YOU ARE BEING POSTED and will be leaving our school at the end of the year, can you please email me or the office with this information. Postings should have been rolled out by now so most of you will know if you will be moving on. If you have already enrolled at a new school, please let me know and I will contact the DSM to arrange a visit with your new school before arriving. I will also have conversations to assist students with any questions they may have associated with the move. 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. Please contact me with any concerns or queries about this process. I have attached very helpful flyers below to assist.

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 go to 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 during hours. 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

T TIME TO DINE DINNER (PARTNERS ONLY) – Friday, 25th November

Come along to our final partner’s-only night out of 2022 where you can catch-up with new and old friends, and farewell others that may be heading off on their next adventure.

Townsville Yacht Club is located in the heart of Palmer Streets eating precinct. With waterfront views, it sure is an event not to be missed. The DMFS team have booked a table on the deck where we can soak up the sea breeze and enjoy the company of new and old friends.

This is a self-funded activity. Attendees are responsible for the cost of purchasing their own food and drinks.

Where: Townsville Yacht Club
When: Friday 25 November 7:00pm-10:00pm
Registration: Eventbrite - Time to Dine

RAAF BASE TOWNSVILE CHRISTMAS TREAT – Thursday, 1st December

The Annual RAAF Base Townsville Christmas Treat will be run this year at the Base Gym. Come and join in the fun as we bring back the celebrations of a RAAF Base Christmas Treat. There will be loads of fun to be had, with rides, face painting, sausage sizzle and drinks with of course a visit from Santa.

Tickets are $10 per child, which covers Santa's gift. Please ensure you detail each child's age & gender for gift selection.

Where: Base Gym (RAAF Base Townsville)
When: Thursday 1 December 4:00pm -6:00pm
Registration:

2023 RSL QUEENSLAND PARTNER SCHOLARSHIPS - As the partner of a current or former ADF member, you’ve been paramount to your family’s stability. Now it’s time to green light your career aspirations or have the chance to upskill with an RSL Scholarship.

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

MAY YOU HAVE MOMENTS THAT MAKE YOUR SMILE TODAY!

Permission Forms

YEAR SIX FUN DAY AND GRADUATION (7th to 8th December)

Community News

RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES

MOMENTUM GYMNASTICS HOLIDAY PROGRAM