20 April 2016

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL

Investing For Success – I4S

This year Worongary State School received $285,430 (this will be confirmed in May and adjusted to reflect 2016 enrolment figures). Our goals this year are to improve student NAPLAN results in Years 3 and 5 in the domains of Reading, Writing and Numeracy. The full plan of how this money will be spent and the goals we have set are on the schools website and can be found on the Homepage in the Quicklinks section. Please click the link below if you would like to read the approved Investing for Success 2016 Plan.

NAPLAN 2016

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests were first implemented in May 2008 when national tests were held in literacy and numeracy for all students in Australia in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

What is the purpose of the tests?

The NAPLAN tests are designed to assess the skills of students in literacy and numeracy. The specific purposes are:

• To collect data from the population of Years 3, 5 ,7 and 9 students for reporting to parents/carers and schools for systematic reporting
• To accommodate the assessment of students against national minimum standards.

What is tested?

A series of tests will assess areas of literacy and numeracy.

The following areas of literacy are assessed:

• Language conventions – spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Writing – knowledge and control of written language
• Reading – comprehension

The following areas of numeracy are assessed:

• Number
• Measurement, chanced and data
• Space
• Algebra, function and pattern

Who is eligible to sit the tests?

All students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 enrolled at a State, Catholic or Independent school are eligible to sit the tests

Who does not have to sit the tests?

Parents have the right to withdraw their child from some or all of the NAPLAN tests. If you are considering this please contact the school to complete the necessary paper work. Students are still expected to attend school on test dates, they will be provided suitable work to complete during the tests.

Some students are exempt from sitting some or all of the NAPLAN tests, and some students are eligible for support during some or all of the NAPLAN tests. You will be contacted by the school if your child is eligible, if you require more information please do not hesitate to contact the school.

How can students prepare for the tests?

Information about the NAPLAN attests is available from the NAPLAN website.

Sets of test preparations questions for literacy and numeracy are available on this website for each year level.

When are the NAPLAN tests in 2016?

What does NAPLAN look like?

Following are some examples of test questions from the NAPLAN website.

Year 3 Language Conventions:

Year 3 Numeracy

Year 5 Language Conventions

Free Microsoft Office 2016 for students

All Queensland state school students can now download multiple free copies of the latest Microsoft Office to their personal home computers and mobile devices.

Students will need to use their school email address to sign in. Students who don’t have a school login, school email account and password should contact their school's Managed Internet Service (MIS) administrator or class teacher. The administrator will help students activate their school login.

Your Office subscription lasts for as long as you’re a Queensland state school student, or employed by the department.

Disco

On Tuesday 26 April the Student Council will hold its first fundraising disco.

Junior School disco Prep – year 2 runs from 4:30pm - 5:45pm
Senior Disco year 3 – year 6 from 6:00pm - 7:45pm.

The theme for the disco is ‘Around the World’. The children are invited to dress up in costume to complement our theme.

Tickets can be purchased by sending the money in a clearly named envelope handed to the class teacher on either Thursday 21 April or Friday 22 April. Money cannot be accepted on any other day.

The cost for a prepaid ticket will be $3:00 entry or $6:00 for a meal deal (sausage in bread and a drink).

Tickets purchased on the night are $4:00 entrance, $2:00 for a sausage in bread and $1:50 for drinks.

‘Glo’ products, lollies and drinks are available for purchase at the disco. On Tuesday 26 April the children who have prepaid will receive a wrist band. For enjoyment of the evening please note that children can only attend their appropriate year level disco. Only Worongary State School students are permitted to attend.

Parents are required to enter the hall via the back hall steps to collect their children after the disco. We are not able to let students leave on their own to meet you in the car park or to walk home alone.

Thank you for your support

P&C

This year’s AGM was very well attended and I am pleased to congratulate and welcome

Kerri Sullivan – President
Charlotte Edwards - Secretary
Tatiana Paki – Treasurer
Ann-Marie Maclachlan – Vice President

A special welcome to all new P&C members and welcome back to a number of long term members.

I would like to extend this opportunity to wish the new P&C all the very best in the ventures this year and invite as many of you as possible to either join the P&C and to support the P&C as they endeavour to make Worongary an even better school for your children.

I would also like to invite you to consider becoming a Class Parent Representative, Heather deWattevillve-Doe is coordinating this important role in our school.

A special thanks to the exiting P&C executive of 2015

Grace Bouchaud – President
Courtney Hutchison – Vice President
Jess Ratcliffe – Treasurer
Trish Bryden – Vice Treasurer
Robin Curry – Secretary

Their long standing and tireless hard work have seen a number of improvements around our school, well after their own children had left our school. I wish them all the best in their future endeavours and thank them on your behalf for all their dedication to Worongary State School.

Behaviour

Term Focus

Week 2 and 3 Focus

Dojo Badges

Students have an opportunity each day to earn Dojo points from their classroom and from all areas of the school. These Dojo points will be tracked, with students receiving awards when they reach milestones.

The points are cumulative throughout the year. When students reach 100 Dojo points, they will receive a Bronze Dojo badge which can be worn on the uniform. At 250 points, they can add a Silver Dojo badge and at 450 points, they can then add a Gold Dojo badge. All badges can be worn together. If a student reaches 700 points over the year, they will receive a special Platinum Award.

We are currently waiting for the Dojo badges to arrive from the supplier. As soon as they do, students who have already reached 100 points will receive their badge on the following assembly.

Life Education

The Life Education Van will be visiting the school from Friday 13 May until Monday 30 May. Each class will visit the van to participate in a module to motivate and empower them to make smart life choices for a healthy future. There is a free parent information session at 2pm on Friday 13 May in the van. Participation for students costs $9 and payments are due:

Internet Payment – Final Date for Payment 3 May 2016

Credit Card Payment – Final Date for Payment 6 May 2016 prior to 10:00am

Payment Office – Final Date for Payment 6 May 2016 between 8:00am and 10:00am

Supporting our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students

We welcome Joshua Fauids to our Indigenous Education Team. Joshua is a proud Torres Strait Islander and will work with our Indigenous students each Thursday. Joshua will be holding a club from 8am each Thursday morning where our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will be involved in activities to learn about and share their culture.

School Photographs

School Photo Days are scheduled for Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 April. Payment envelopes went home with students before the Easter break. Envelopes with payment is due on the day of the photographs. Students are to hand these to the photographers. Please see below for the date of your child’s photo shoot.

Times may vary due to unforeseen circumstances

If you have any questions, please phone Queensland School Photography on 3216 6777.

Triple P Parenting

Worongary State School will be hosting a FREE Triple P, Positive Parenting seminar in the school hall on Tuesday 3 May, 5:30pm – 7:00pm. The “Power of Positive Parenting” will include an overview of the Triple P program and provide strategies for parents to manage children’s behaviour and help raise happy, confident children.

To book a place at the seminar, please visit the website at the link below and follow the links to the Seminar/Group Registration and locate the date and venue. This is a Level 2 Seminar.

ANZAC Day

We will be commemorating ANZAC Day at the school with two ceremonies on Friday 22 April. Prep – Year 2 students will attend a ceremony at 9:15am in the hall, followed by students from Years 3 – 6 at 10:00am. Parents are welcome to attend.

This year, we would again like to send a contingent of students to march at Nerang RSL on the Monday. We will have a number of staff able to supervise the students for the march. The students are requested to meet at 9:20am at the corner of Lavelle and Nerang Streets,

Nerang. They are to wear full school uniform, including broad-brimmed hat and carry water bottle. The march will start at 9:40am and finish at the Nerang RSL.

Regards Marilyn Moballe, Principal

GUIDANCE OFFICER

Centacare is running the Children First program at our school this term. We are in the process of gathering names for participation in the program. The program will run with 6 - 10 students of similar ages and will be coordinated by trained facilitators from Centacare.

Children First is an educative peer support group for children who are adjusting to family life after past and/or recent parental separation.

Children First provides young people with an opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings in a safe, fun, and confidential small group environment. It also assists children to learn and develop new ways of coping with feelings associated with their parent's separation.

If you would like your child to participate in the program please forward your child's name and age to office@worongaryss.eq.edu.au by Wednesday April 27.

Program grouping will depend upon the ages of the students nominated. The Guidance Officer will contact the parents of students chosen to participate in the program.

For enquiries please phone Kathy Bellamy (Wed - Fri) on 5502 4444 or Centacare on 5527 7211.

Regards, Kathy Bellamy, Guidance Officer

CURRICULUM AND PEDAGOGY COACHES

Seven Steps Writing Tips for Parents.

The tension scene comes just before the big climax ending.

In movies this is the scene of the soccer final, the exciting car chase or the heroine fighting for her life in a raging river.

We all know Little Red Riding Hood's classic tension scene. Red RH arrives at the cottage and the wolf is in bed in granny's clothes. Red RH, (who obviously needs glasses!) says:

'Oh, grandmother, what big ears you have!'
'All the better to hear you with.'
'Oh, grandmother, what big eyes you have!'
'All the better to see you with.'
'Oh, grandmother, what big hands you have!'
'All the better to hold you with!'
'Oh, grandmother, what big teeth you have!'
'All the better to eat you with!'

See how the scene slowly builds up to be more and more dangerous – and thus frightening? We don't start with the teeth, we start with the ears – and the wolf trying to coax Red RH to come nearer and nearer.

TOP TIP:

Emotion always takes time to build up. So in tension scenes, show kids how to start small and 'escalate' to a powerful climax.

ACTION ACTIVITY:

Read picture books with your kids and look for the tension scenes.

Picture books are short, so it's easy to find where the all-important tension builds before the ending.

Regards Donna Ermer & Megan Taylor Curriculum and Pedagogy Coaches

Author Gallery

Resource Centre

Bookclub

Dates to look out for coming events at the Resource Centre:

April 22 Issue 3 Bookclub order forms sent home
May 24 National Simultaneous Storytime
May 31 to June 10 Worongary State School Annual Book Fair.

Commonwealth Games Afternoon Tea

All around the Gold Coast, schools were invited to attend the 2016 Commonwealth Games Schools Connect Program, held at the Gold Coast Art Centre. Schools were invited to bring along two student representatives accompanied by a teacher. The organisers prepared an afternoon tea and then had a presentation hosted by former Olympian, Andrew Baildon.

Andrew Baildon was a world champion swimmer. He was ranked in the top 20 swimmers in the world for over a decade, and was the world number one in 100m butterfly short course in 1990.

There was another special guest of honour, Rowan. He shared a story of how he watched the 2008 Paralympics and knew that was where he should be heading. By 13 he made the Australian team.

Another highlight of the afternoon was listening to the Yugambeh choir performing the Australian national anthem in their native language followed by the English version.

In conclusion, we found the afternoon was a great experience and opportunity to learn about our connection with the 2018 Commonwealth Games. We look forward to representing our school at the next Schools Connect event.

School Captains
Zoe S and Cambel H

ABSENTEES

If your student is absent from school could you please notify the Administration Office as soon as possible. You can do this by:

• emailing the absence details to absences@worongaryss.eq.edu.au , in the email please add the student name, class and reason for the absence.

OR BY

• phoning the absence number which is 5502 4472, if this call goes to voice mail please leave student name, class and reason for the absence.

We are striving for between 95%-100% attendance for all students during 2016 therefore it is important that your child has no unexplained absences on their rolls.

We appreciate your assistance in this matter

EXCURSIONS

PLEASE NOTE ALL EXCURSION NOTES ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE

NO LATE PAYMENTS WILL BE RECEIVED.

P&C COMMITTEE

Our first P & C meeting for this term was held last Tuesday and it was great. There was a lot of discussion around fundraising ideas for future development of the school.

We are proud to inform the school community that we are now fundraising for a senior playground. YAY!!!!

Over the coming months we will be getting quotes and ideas of designs for the playground. We will then put it to the community to choose which one they would like to see built.

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 10 May at 5.30pm in the staffroom. We would like to invite everyone to attend. P & C meetings are a great place to meet the staff and other community members. It is also a good opportunity for you to express any concerns or ideas you may have.

MOTHER'S DAY STALL

With Mother's Day fast approaching we are relying on the generosity of our school community for gifts for our stalls please. Notes have been sent home and buckets have been placed in each classroom for the donations. We would like to say THANK YOU in advance for your support.

The Mother's Day stalls will be held in the school hall from 9.00am on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 May. Gifts will range in price from $1.00 to $10.00.

If anyone is available to help with the stalls or to help with wrapping of the gifts please email the your P & C pandc@worongaryss.eq.edu.au

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS

Last week the eldest child from each family was given an order form to bring home in regards to the entertainment books. These books are amazing and are filled with discount vouchers that can save you lots of money.

To purchase the books simply follow the instructions on the order form then collect your book from the uniform shop. There are sample books for you to view in the hall and in the office.

For any further enquiries please contact your P & C pandc@worongaryss.eq.edu.au

CPL (Class Parent Liason)

2016 is the year of making a difference at our school. We have a new executive at the helm of your P & C with fresh ideas for fundraising, community involvement and school support. We are keen to have more parent/care giver involvement in the P & C initiatives and as such have reinstated the CPL.

This is a great way to meet other parents/care givers, support various stalls and events and to be an active member of the WSS community.

We are asking that one or two parents/care givers from EACH class will volunteer. If you are keen to join the CPL please email Heather Doe hdewa5@eq.edu.au for more information. Being a CPL is exciting and fun, not only for you but for your children also.

SCHOOL BANKING

School Banking is a program run in conjunction with the Commonwealth Bank. At our school the banking day is Friday. All you need to do is have a CBA account, then bring your money with your deposit book to school each Friday.

Banking is a fun and rewarding experience. Not only do the children learn the benefits of regular deposits as they watch their account balance grow, they are also rewarded with prizes and certificates for every 10 deposits made.

If you can spare an hour or 2 on Friday mornings to assist with banking please email your P & C pandc@worongaryss.eq.edu.au

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are always welcome to help with any activity your P & C is involved with. From tuckshop, to banking, Mother's Day stalls, wrapping of gifts to helping at discos etc, every little bit of contribution is welcomed and appreciated.

This week we would like to thank the following people for their time in the Tuckshop, school banking and for helping with Mother's Day.

THANK YOU Jackie, Lizzy, Karen, Monique and Lynette.

Here’s to an amazing year with a focus on parent/care giver and community involvement.

Your 2016 P & C Executive Team

UNIFORM SHOP

Welcome back everyone to the start of another successful term. I hope you all enjoyed a relaxing break!

Staffing Update

You may notice some changes in the Tuckshop and Uniform Shop as we have had a staffing shuffle in order to best meet the needs of the P&C and the school community. Jasmine Smith and I are both pleased to be taking on new roles at this time. I have taken on the role of Tuckshop Convenor/Uniform Convenor/P&C Admin Assistant and Jasmine has taken on the role of Tuckshop Assistant/Uniform Assistant so don’t be surprised if you see a different face to usual in each of these areas. Please bear with us as we adjust to these roles alongside our new P&C. We thank you in advance for your patience as both staff and P&C adjust to our new roles and we look forward to a positive year ahead.

At this time we sadly farewell Tanya Stevens who has been a member of the Tuckshop Staff for over eight years. Tanya has been a valuable staff member and will be sorely missed. I would like to say a big THANK YOU to Tanya for her dedication, reliability, incredible work ethic and her friendship. We wish you the best in your new ventures!!!

Tuckshop News

Here are some simple reminders (especially for any new families joining us) to get you back into the swing of things:

*ONLINE ORDERING MUST BE COMPLETED BY 9AM*

This is to allow for any payment processing delays. Online orders can be ` completed days in advance so please take advantage of this option to at least order the night before, for your convenience.

FOR STUDENTS TAKING PART IN INTERSCHOOL SPORTS

If your child is having Tuckshop for Big Lunch on a day when their team is required to travel to another venue, please be aware that they will need to leave around 12pm and will not be at school when Big Lunch is normally served at 1.30pm.

We are more than happy to make those particular lunches ahead of time ready for your child to take with them around 12pm so please either include a note on your order or come and see us at Tuckshop on these days. Your co-operation and advance notice will be most appreciated.

• With these Interschool Sports matches and several hot days still ahead of us, please remember that we have plenty of yummy, healthy frozen treats available like :

- Tubs of Frozen Pineapple pieces and Frozen Grapes for just $1 each
- Icebergs for 50c each (cubes of frozen yoghurt and fruit)
- Frozen Orange Wedges for 20c each

These items are all available from both online and manual ordering and may also be purchased over the counter during Big Lunch by students from Years 2-6.

[*NB: Ice cold bottles of water can be purchased at any time for $1.50]

• All frozen items ordered (eg frozen fruit juice cups, lemonade bars) are to be collected from the tuckshop by your child bringing back their prepaid bag at either Little or Big Lunch time
• Substitute items may be given if not enough money is supplied or stock is unavailable

*** IF YOUR CHILD HAS AN ALLERGY: please ensure that your account profile and/or manual order is highlighted accordingly. You are also more than welcome to also come up to confirm your requirements directly with your Tuckshop Convenors, Michelle and Jasmine ***

SUSHI:

• ONLINE Sushi orders must be completed on Tuesdays by the new cut-off time of 9.00am (Choose Tuesday as the delivery day in order to access the Wednesday Sushi Pre-ordering menu)
  (Click on the arrow icon next to your choice of ‘1 Roll’ or ‘2 Rolls’ then the down arrow for a drop down list of flavours)
• MANUAL paper bag Sushi orders must be handed in to Tuckshop on Tuesdays by the new cut-off time of 9.00am (a list of all flavours can be picked up from Tuckshop)
• All Sushi orders will be delivered to your child/ren the next day, Wednesday, at the specified break time (Little or Big lunch)

Please contact Tuckshop should you require any further clarification or assistance with pre-ordering your Sushi.

VOLUNTEERS:

A big, warm welcome back goes out to our fabulous volunteers as we enjoy catching up on each others’ Easter antics! We are always busy with ‘Over Counter Sales’ for Years 2-6 so we welcome anyone to stop in any day to help serve our eager students between 1.30pm-1.55pm

Regards,
Michelle Lee, Tuckshop Convenor

UNIFORM SHOP

**Important Changes**

Remember that the Uniform Shop is now open on the following days/times:

Monday 8:00am-9:00am
Wednesday 2:15pm-3:15pm
Friday 8:00am-9:00am
Direct Dial number: 5502 4409

Uniform News

Interschool Sports

If your child is taking part in interschool sports this season they will need a pair of pocketless maroon shorts and if playing soccer, league or AFL they will also need a pair of maroon footy socks. These items are now in stock in the Uniform Shop. Prices are:

Maroon Shorts: $21.00
Footy Socks: $10.00

Seniors Shirts

The production of the Seniors Shirts is well under way and students can expect to receive these next week!

Polo Shirts

Please note that due to a higher than usual demand this year we are currently out of stock in polos in sizes 2, 4, 8, 12 and 14. A new order is under production with delivery estimated to be early June. My apologies for any inconvenience this may cause and Jasmine and myself thank you in advance for your patience while we await delivery of the new shipment. Remember that we do have a selection of pre-loved uniforms available which changes from day to day so feel free to pop in and check that out.

Old Style Uniforms

We have reached the end of our two year uniform changeover period and old style uniforms are no longer acceptable to wear. Any old uniforms you’d like to clear out can be dropped off at the Uniform Shop. Once we finish collecting them all, they will be donated to a needy overseas school.

House Shirts

Remember that we now have House Shirts available for purchase! They look amazing!! The shirts have the school logo on the front and house birds on the back. They are of course available in all house colours: Narairee - black, Karee - white, Nyunga - yellow and Pilleen – red. The cost is $17.00 each.

Online ordering

If you haven’t already used online ordering and would like to give it a try you can register an account with schoolshop online by following the links on the school website.

Key things to note about online ordering are:

• Online ordering is great for busy parents. Orders can be placed online at your convenience.
• Any orders placed online will be processed on the next uniform shop day (Monday/Thursday) and a note will be sent to your child’s classroom so they know when they will be able to collect it from the canteen. Please let them know to keep an eye out for the note. Please note that due to Uniform Shop hours being in the afternoon on Thursdays in 2016, orders processed on Thursdays may not reach your children until Friday.
• Please ensure that you include your child’s details as well as your own on the form ie. name and current class.
• Please be sure to update your child/children’s class for each new school year.

Pre-loved uniforms

We will buy back the following items in good condition to add to our supply of pre-loved uniforms: new style polos, new style shorts, skorts, pullovers, trackpants and zip-up cardigans.

Kind regards,
Michelle Lee, Tuckshop and Uniform Convenor

MERRIMAC STATE HIGH SCHOOL

Gold Coast Health Oral Health (Dental) Services

Gold Coast Oral Health Services are offering free dental check-ups to children in year 2, 3 and 4. Other year levels to follow.

This service will be provided offsite at William Duncan State School by Mobile Dental Clinic 148. Parking off Alexander Drive, outside school gate.

Hours of operation for this clinic are Tuesday to Friday 8am to 4pm.

To arrange an appointment for your child telephone:

The Oral Health Client Service Centre
1300 300 850
Monday – Friday 8.00 am – 4.30 pm
Excluding Public Holidays

Child Dental Benefit Schedule Vouchers are accepted. When your child’s $1000 cap is reached, there will be no out-of-pocket expenses provided your child meets *eligibility criteria.

* Eligibility – All Queensland resident children aged four years or older who have not completed year 10 of secondary school.

Further information on public funded oral health services can be accessed via the URL below.

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