1 February 2017

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL

We’re back!

2017 has started extremely well. Students and staff alike have come back to school and the enthusiasm for learning is throughout the whole school. Congratulations to all students on a very successful start to the year. Welcome back to all our returning students and their families and a special welcome to our new students, especially our Prep students. It is such an exciting time in their lives as they start ‘big school’. To their parents they look so grown up and are so proud of them as they start their formal education journey. As I look at them I think how small they are and I look forward to watching them grow and learn. This is a special year for me personally as my first grandchild starts Prep at his school this year, so I am sharing this exciting journey with him and you.

Movies Under the Stars

Please support our P&C’s first fund raiser in conjunction with the Gold Coast City Council. The Jungle Book will be shown on our school oval this Saturday night starting at 5.30pm for school food and fun and the movie commencing at 7.00pm. Entry to the movie is free of charge, Bring your own chairs and blankets, bring family and friends and enjoy this annual community event. The P&C will be running a BBQ, selling drinks, lollies, chips and glow products. There will be other local vendors there selling ice cream, coffee and other foods. We are hoping to have a jumping castle for the children to play on too. I look forward to seeing you there.

Who’s New?

As many of you are aware we have a number of new staff members and I am happy to welcome them to our community on your behalf.

Ms Kate MURDOCH, Year 1,
Ms Jacqueline MCMAHON, Year 2,
Mr Claes OHLUND, Year 3,
Ms Elaine QUARMAN and Ms Reanne SIMS, Year 4,
Mr Chris JUDD, Year 5
Mrs Madonna O’SULLIVAN-RODERICK, Year 6,
Mrs Leslie WARD, Head of Curriculum.
Welcome back to Ms Sienna Willis, Years 1 and 2.

What is Day 8?

Each year schools are asked to predict their enrolments for the following year. This prediction determines the number of teachers the school will be allocated by Education Queensland.

As you can probably imagine over the holidays there are some changes in new enrolments and students leaving for a number of reasons. Friday, 27 January was Day 4 and I was required to submit our current enrolments and an explanation of why students have not returned to school yet. On Thursday, 2 February, Day 8, I have to submit our final numbers for 2017, including those students we know will be returning to school before the end of February.

Due to the changes, we need to make some adjustments to classes to ensure that classes are balanced, that is to make sure that one class in the grade doesn’t have 27 students while the class next door only has 22. We will also have to combine a couple of classes creating a Year 5/6 composite class and a Year 1/2 composite class. If your child will be required to change class, you will be contacted by e-mail to inform you of the changes. A few parents have requested a class change, although I cannot guarantee that this can occur. No changes will be enacted until Day 8 as each change has other implications and it would be best to make any changes required by the school or requested by parents at the same time. I thank you for your patience and understanding.

Year of Growth

This year we have named the ‘Year of Growth’. This is the year of encouraging and teaching our students how to have a growth mindset. We are teaching them the difference between how to think with a growth mindset as opposed to a closed mindset. A few examples of this are:

In Class, On Task and Learning

It is a requirement of Queensland law that parents and caregivers ensure that children come to school every school day unless there is an approved reason such as:

• illness
• work experience
• competing in school events, such as sport, academic competition, representing the school

If your child is absent from school it is necessary to let the school know the reason. You can do this by contacting the school via phone, email or face to face to the office.

Please avoid keeping your child home from school for non-approved reasons such as:

• birthdays
• shopping
• visiting family or friends
• slept in
• looking after other children
• minor check-ups or personal care (such as haircuts)

If possible make routine medical or other health appointments either before or after school or during the school holidays.

Establishing good routines around school can assist with regular school attendance, these include:

• having a set bed timehaving a set time to get up in the morning on school days
• have uniform and school bag ready the night before
• have a set time for starting and finishing breakfast and completing morning routines including shower, brushing teeth, making bed
• setting a time for daily homework
• setting a time for daily chores including setting the table, helping with washing up, feeding pets
• speak to your child positively about school, but don’t make promises that you cannot guarantee eg changing class
• send your child to school every school day including their birthday and the last day of term.

If you are experiencing difficulty getting your child to come to school please contact the relevant Deputy Principal, Mrs Kerry White Years Prep – 2 and Mrs Kelly Ready Years 3 – 7, or Mrs Kaia Clarke the Behaviour and Engagement Teacher or Mrs Kathy Bellamy the Guidance Officer for advice and support.

For more information visit the Every Day Counts page on the Department of Education and Training website.

What’s happened? What’s going to happen?

Worongary State School keeps in contact with parents in a number of ways, please ensure that you avail yourself of any (or all) of these ways to keep in touch with what is happening around the school and how your child is progressing

• parent information afternoon/evening (10 February)
• assemblies and ceremonies
• newsletter – Pipeline – sent out by email and posted on the website
• Worongary State School website -

• Worongary State School Facebook page -

• QSchools App – available for Apple and Android phones and devices -

• Push notifications directly to your device, including notifications of upcoming events and emergency alerts and important updates. To receive push notifications, download the QSchools mobile app or ensure the app is up to date if you already have it.

• QParents Download the free QParents app from the iTunes or Google Play
• Class Dojo
• email
• face-to-face – please make an appointment
• phone call
• student reports
• notification notes
• interviews

Student Resource Scheme (SRS)

We have had an excellent positive response to our student resource scheme, with nearly 100% of students in all classes participating. All students whose parents are undertaking the scheme have received their resources for the school year, as well as access to Mathletics and Reading Eggs. If you are not participating in this scheme, please remember that it is the individual parents responsibility to ensure that the books on the student list are purchased as well as accounts for the programes listed above which are utilised in class and homework activities. If you are yet to sign up for the SRS and wish to do so please contact Mrs Charmaine Johnson our school’s Business Services Manager to set up an appointment.

Parent Information Session

Our school will be holding its annual Parent Information Session on Wednesday afternoon, 8 February. Teachers will hold two identical sessions in their classrooms so parents are able to attend more than one year level.

Session 1: 3.10pm – 3.40 pm
Session 2: 3.40 pm – 4.10 pm

These sessions allows year level groups and class teachers the opportunity to share with parents information such as class structure, rules and routines. Each year level will be providing a team brochure to assist in communication between teachers and our parents. Please note that these meetings are not meant as Parent-Teacher Interviews, focusing on individual students. These interviews will take place on Wednesday 22 March.

Student Services

Please be aware that each year teachers refer students that they believe need intervention or extension to Student Support Services committee. The Student Support Services committee oversees all referrals for students regarding academic, emotional, wellbeing and behaviour. As support is assigned within a school year, students must be referred each year by their classroom teacher. The committee meets each Thursday morning to evaluate the needs of individual students who have been referred and appropriate support services are assigned. If you have any concerns or questions regarding your individual child please consult the classroom teacher.

PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY DEVICES

The following policy took effect in February in 2015.

Procedures

Bringing personal technology devices to school is not encouraged by the school. However, if they are brought to school, they must be turned off and handed into the office prior to 8:45am. These will be stored for the day and may be collected from the office when the student is leaving school for the day. Students will not be allowed access to the devices during the school day. These procedures include mobile phones. Parents are welcome to call the school if there is an emergency. Students are also permitted access to a school phone if they need to contact parents urgently.

Confiscation

Personal technology devices used contrary to this policy on school premises will be confiscated by school staff. They will be made available for collection from the office at the end of the school day unless required to be kept for purposes of disciplinary investigation, when it will only be returned in the presence of a parent.

Behaviour

Term Focus

Term 1 Week 2 and Week 3 Focus

Safety After School

Our start to the year has been very calm and orderly when it comes to children leaving the school grounds at the end of the day. Parents will notice that the first gate on Delta Cove Drive has been closed off. Parents and students can enter the school through the gate near the crossing and driveway and through the main gate at the end of the parking area. The trial last year demonstrated that these two exits on Delta Cove Drive were the safest, delivering our students directly to the crossings.

A reminder to parents collecting students after school to follow the rules of the Kiss and Go. If you are waiting in the drop off zone, please do not leave your car at any time. Drivers are encouraged to move up as a space becomes available.

Please also ensure that both parents and students are using the pathways provided and do not try to enter the school through the boom gate.

Visit by Borobi

We are excited to inform you of a special visit to our school on Wednesday 8 February. Borobi, the 2018 Commonwealth Games mascot will be visiting the school to teach our students a special dance. This will take place in the hall in two sessions, Prep – Year 2 and Year 3 – Year 6. The presentations will each last for 15 minutes.

There is no cost to the school or students.

Regards Marilyn Moballe, Principal

BEHAVIOUR

Welcome back to 2017. The children have settled well into the routine of school. We can continue to encourage our children to be more self-reliant when it comes to their school preparation. To foster this positive start to the year, please remind and discuss with your children our school rules

I am Safe
I am Respectful
I am a Learner

Are they managing with:

1. Morning Routines- Successfully navigating morning routines in their class by demonstrating those skills with minimal prompting
2. Transitions- Before school waiting in the correct area, on the 8.50 bell putting their bag away, lining up quietly. When entering their classroom, choosing appropriate behaviour while sitting on the mat or at a desk.
3. Managing distractions and conflict- Managing distractions and disruptions with little to no prompting.
4. Care for self- Maintaining healthy eating
5. Asking and responding to questions- Being able to ask and respond to questions both individually and in group situations.
6. Social Skills- Appropriately, with support, manage conflict situations.
7. Break time behaviour- Independently showing appropriate behaviours during break times
8. Making Friends-Engaging in social skill activities in pairs and group situations.

If you have any concerns or would like to discuss support for your child/ren in settling into school please drop in the Behaviour room located in M Block (Year 3) or call or email kclar45@eq.edu.au

Regards Kaia Clarke, Behaviour

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

Music Corner

Welcome back everyone and welcome to 2017 and the exciting music program we have for this year.

STRINGS

Lessons commence 30 January Week 2 every Monday morning. Our string teacher will be at school from 8:00-11:30am Mondays only. There will be no ensemble at this stage. If you have any inquiries please contact Ms Donna Futo dfuto2@eq.edu.au

BAND

Welcome to Instrumental Music for 2017. We are excited about what will be happening this year for the band students and we would like to let you know Miss Ashton will be our teacher again. Lessons will commence on Wednesday in week 3 and band will commence in week 4 at 7.45am. All students who played in band last year will start in band this year in week 4. New students will commence in Semester 2. Also students interested in playing the clarinet, trumpet or trombone please see Ms Ashton this Wednesday in the Music Room before school or first or second break.

Any general inquiries please contact Ms Ashton casht28@eq.edu.au

CHOIR

Lorikeet choir will now be on Monday morning commencing in Week 3 at 8:00-8:50am for all Year 1 and Year 2 students and also on the same day at second break. Rosella choir will be on Tuesday morning commencing in Week 3 at 8:00am-8:50am and also on the same day at second break.

Regards Bonnie Hapi, Cindy Ashton and Donna Futo, Music

EXCURSIONS

PLEASE NOTE ALL EXCURSION NOTES ARE AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE
NO LATE PAYMENTS WILL BE RECEIVED.

LEARNING VINE AWARDS

P&C

Welcome back to Worongary State School and a shout out to all our new families across the year levels. It is lovely to see all our new Preps in their shiny new uniforms with fresh, eager faces. There are some fresh faces on the staff too and we wish you all a fantastic and successful 2017.

Our first meeting for this year will be Tuesday 14th February in the staffroom and commences at 5.30pm. Come along and see what we do. There is no obligation to do anything, just sit and listen and have your input if you wish. We would love to see you there.

Any queries for the P&C, feel free to email us pandc@worongaryss.eq.edu.au

Tuckshop & Uniform Shop

TUCKSHOP AND UNIFORM SHOP

The school holidays certainly flew by and 2017 is well and truly upon us now. Welcome back to returning students, volunteers, staff and families and an especially big welcome to those new to our school! I hope you had a fantastic break and wish you a great year of schooling in 2017.

ONLINE ORDERING PROFILES MUST BE UPDATED FOR 2017

Please remember that online ordering profiles need to be updated manually by parents each year. Now that you know your child’s new class, please update their online ordering profiles to ensure that orders are sent to the correct class. Note that Tuckshop and Uniform Shop online ordering profiles must be updated separately.

Tuckshop News

Opening Hours

Monday-Friday: 8:30am-2:00pm
Closed: Entire last day of each Term

Changes to the Tuckshop Menu for 2017

Last year the Queensland Government made changes to the Smart Choices Strategy that will affect some items on our menu. The updated guidelines are expected to be made mandatory in Queensland state schools sometime this year. To prepare for this, we have decided to implement some of the changes now so that we can allow for a smoother transition with our menu.

The changes have been put in place to ensure that Queensland State Schools work towards having a healthier, ‘smarter choice’ menu. There is a shift away from thinking of Tuckshop as treat food to Tuckshop food modelling positive nutrition messages. While we expect some initial disappointment from our students as they lose a few tried and true favourites, we believe that this disappointment is far outweighed by the long term benefits to the health and wellbeing of our students.

We understand that change can be difficult to adjust to, especially for children, and would like to thank you in advance for your understanding and continued support of our school Tuckshop.

How ‘Smart Choices’ Works

The Smart Choices Strategy classifies foods and drinks into 3 categories, Green, Amber and Red:

GREEN: ‘Have Plenty’ Green foods are to be encouraged and promoted as they are ‘Smart Choices.’

AMBER: ‘Select Carefully’ Amber foods must be portion controlled and not dominate the menu.

RED: ‘Have Occasionally’ Red foods can only be served a maximum of twice per term (eg. School discos), therefore must not be on a tuckshop menu.

How our menu will be affected

The following items will be classified as RED and will no longer be able to be served. As part of our transition, we have removed some items from our menu now:

• Up and Go (remain on our main menu for now but removed from the Over Counter Sales)
• Chips (remain on our main menu for now but removed from the Over Counter Sales)
• Snowflake Popcorn (now removed from our menu - fresh plain popcorn still available)
• Choc Chip Muffins (now removed from our menu - blueberry muffins added as replacement)
• Choc Chip Cookies (now removed from our menu - ANZAC biscuits still available)

In addition…

All crumbed chicken products will need to be served with salad/vegetables or be removed from the menu entirely. At this time, we have kept the ever popular chicken wedges on the menu and have also created a couple of “Chicken Wedges Meal Deals”. Once the changes become mandatory, the meal deals will remain while the chicken wedges on their own will be removed.

also…

Potato wedges need to be served with lean meat and salad/vegetables or be removed from the menu entirely. In response to this, we have amended the potato wedges on our menu. They are no longer served on their own – instead, we have “Potato Wedges topped with chicken, corn kernels and cheese”. Yum!

Please see the link below for a copy of our updated menu which takes effect from Week 3 of this Term (Monday 6 February). Printed copies are available from the Tuckshop as well as the Office for your convenience.

Menu Suggestions

We welcome fresh ideas so please feel free to stop by or call the Tuckshop if you have any menu suggestions. We will endeavour to add new items to the menu wherever feasible.

Once more, we thank you in advance for your support as we embrace the necessary changes.

Uniform Shop News

Opening Hours

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

Back to School Uniform Shop Days

Our back to school Uniform Shop opening days were, as expected, super busy. Overall, we were happy with the way these days ran, with the implementation of a numbering system making the process smoother. Unfortunately, while we were prepped and ready for the onslaught, Telstra was having issues in the area which resulted in the EFTPOS not working for a short time when we first opened on the Thursday. Chaos ensued for a time and although this was out of our hands, we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. We would also like to thank those who acknowledged the difficulties this created and commended us on dealing with it. Your patience and understanding were very much appreciated.

Seniors Shirts for Year 6

Final date for ordering and paying for Seniors Shirts is Friday 3 February, 2017

This shirt is included as part of the everyday uniform for Year 6 students only. A hard copy order form with full details was sent home with students last year – if you have missed it or misplaced it, you can also find a copy attached here. Cost is $35.00 for the first shirt, $40.00 for additional shirts.

Please remember that the Seniors Shirts are available by pre-order only as they are made to order. Additional shirts will not be available to purchase throughout the year.

Regards Michelle Lee, Tuckshop and Uniform Convenor

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