27 July 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 3 of Term 3 everyone! How quickly the term and our beautiful NQ ‘Winter’ is progressing.

Today I was privileged to participate in our Academic Excellence Awards Ceremony for Semester 1, 2022 to specifically recognize and celebrate with parents the achievements of our students who have excelled in academic aspects of school life in Semester 1. Achieving high standards of academic performance demonstrates a strong work ethic and ongoing dedication and commitment to the task. I look forward to seeing all students work hard in this new semester to set goals, aim for excellence and continue to challenge themselves to be their personal best. We are continuously proud of the progress and achievement that every single student demonstrates across a range of school life areas – whether academic, sporting, musical, cultural or community service.

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of teachers, teacher aides, parents and community members in continually supporting our students in their learning journeys. It takes a village to raise a child. Our positive home-school partnerships are an important key to success.

This week some of our students will also be participating in the Challenge Games on Thursday, our Prep students will celebrate 100 days of Prep and our first Parent Information Session for the 2023 BYOx Program will be held.

Defence Mosaic Art Project for TWSS 25th Anniversary

Last week we were very privileged to have Rachel Colette and Paul Scarr from the Oasis Centre attend our school to work with some of our Defence students on a special mosaic piece of art to be formally presented to our school at our 25th Anniversary Assembly. It is still a work in progress, but it is looking wonderful. We are extremely grateful to the Oasis Centre for their generous contribution of time and materials to our school.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing – Taking care when travelling to and from school

The health, safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and school community is of the highest priority.

All types of travel have inherent risks. Regardless of how any of us travel, it’s important we are mindful of the potential risks and manage them to avoid incidents and injuries.

With the increasing use of ride-ables such as electric scooters, skateboards and e-bikes, ensuring the safety of our staff, students and pedestrians is essential.

Please note that Queensland Road Rules apply to e-scooters and e-bikes.

Anyone who scoots, rides or skates to and from school should:

• Wear protective gear and a helmet, which is mandatory if riding an electric scooter or skateboard
• Give way by ringing their bell when approaching pedestrians and overtaking on the right
• Travel at the appropriate and safe speed for the environment in which they are travelling
• Be respectful to pedestrians and other path users and keep out of their way
• Adhere to road rules when riding an e-scooter
• Park responsibly to avoid becoming an obstacle or risk for others.

2022 Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC)

The PRC is a way to encourage students to develop a love of reading for life. Students are encouraged to select a range of fiction and non-fiction books suited to their reading ability and record books read during the reading period, anytime between now until 26 August.

To complete the challenge:

• Prep to Year 2 mustread or experience at least 20 books
• Years 3 and 4 must read at least 20 books
• Years 5 to 9 must read at least 15 books.

Experiencing books can include shared reading, listening to stories, or reading picture books. The aim for the 2022 challenge is to engage more students to read than ever before! For more information about the PRC, please visit: www.readingchallenge.education.qld.gov.au.

Reader record forms for interested students will be available upon request from class teachers.

Every student who completes the challenge will receive a Certificate of Achievement signed by the Premier.

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.

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.

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.

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 will be on sale – Drink Coolers ($8), Pins ($5) and personalised commemorative pavers (order forms to be sent home).

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

Please note this date in your calendar NOW. Your support with donations for Year Level Stalls and volunteering at our Fun Fair is much appreciated. Flyers with detailed information have now been sent home. All funds raised go back into facilitating the enhancement of our school facilities and resources for your child.

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

Warm regards,

Michelle Donn
A/Principal

General News

TEACHING OF READING – PARENT INFORMATION SESSION

Upcoming Events

Positive Behaviour Learning

Student Council

Defence News

HELLO and WELCOME TO ALL DEFENCE FAMILIES

Week 3 - Mondays 11th and 18th July were super fun for Year 4-6 Defence students who attended the Creative Mosaic Art Project in L Pod. Rachel and Paul were ever so helpful and all students who came spoke about how cool it was and how much fun they had. We have had our last session getting creative and now the art will be completed by Shed 3 and presented to our school at our 25th Anniversary Assembly on 12th August. It looks amazing and we all can’t wait to see the finished product. Looking forward to seeing you there.

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.

Remember, Friday 29th July will be a Defence Parents Afternoon Tea from 2-3pm with Open Arms representatives present. They will discuss support services available to all Defence members, spouses and children. Please come along for a cuppa and a chat. You can contact Open Arms on 1800 011 046 for support.

OPEN ARMS has released their timetable of programs for second half of the year. Attached is a list of all programs available. Check and if interested please contact to reserve your spot.

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.

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

Geckos Family Centre at Lavarack Barracks is excited to announce that large renovations will occur to the internal facility and 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, 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

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

DEFENCE PARENTS AFTERNOON TEA Friday, 29th August from 2-3pm in L Pod Open Arms representatives will be present to discuss services provided to members, families and children. Come along for a cuppa and a chat. RSVP on cwhee36@eq.edu.au or phone me on 4799 1333.

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

The Willows State School P&C 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. Thank you to everyone who has already donated items for our fun fair. Your support is greatly appreciated!

If your establishment is able to help in any way, we would very much like to hear from you. We can be contacted via our P&C email address pandc@thewillowsss.eq.edu.au.

All donations can be given to class teachers, dropped directly to the office or directly to the OSHC.

Glass Jars

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

Prep News