15 February 2017

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL

I am pleased to say that we have now been able to settle into our new school year and school routines are being established. The new prep students look so smart in their uniforms and tell me how happy they are to be at school and that they are enjoying their learning.

Classroom Teachers

Class Changes

Due to lower than predicted enrolments we have had to create a 1/2 composite class and a 5/6 composite class. The students have displayed great patience and resilience and settled into their new classes really well. I thank the students, their parents and the teachers for making this such a smooth transition. Worongary has not been the only school in the southern part of the coast to have experienced this situation with many schools having to lose 1,2 and in some cases more classes. This is always disappointing, but cannot be avoided, I do however assure you that we will ensure that your children still continue to the quality education you have come to expect from Worongary State School.

Farewell

On Friday last week we said goodbye to Mr Rob Oakley. Mr Oakley has been a teacher at Worongary for 17 years, with a break for a few years when he taught in England. The Year 6 students organised their own farewell tribute to Rob and at a moving ceremony wished him all the best at his new school. On behalf of the Worongary community I thank Rob for all his hard work, dedication and professionalism and wish him all the best in the future. He will be missed by our students and staff alike.

Road safety

At the start of each school year it is a good time to remind students about road safety. The traffic around the school is always busier during term time and children can forget the road rules during their holidays. We also remind them to use the crossings provided and staffed by crossing ladies. When using the crossings, follow all instructions, remember manners, say thank you, good morning and good afternoon, but please avoid distracting the ladies. It is their role to keep children safe and they have to keep their attention on the traffic.

Reminder to be safe when travelling on or near buses

With another school term underway, we’d like to remind all students and parents to please be safe when travelling on or near buses.

A significant number of school students in Queensland travel on buses to attend school. All students have the right to a safe and enjoyable journey, and their safety is our number one priority.

Ensuring students safe travel on or near buses is a shared responsibility which brings together the efforts of students, their parents/carers, schools, bus drivers and bus operators. When travelling on or near a bus, there are some safety tips you should follow to ensure a safe journey —

A Code of Conduct for School Students Travelling on Buses is also available to provide students and parents/carers with information about how to travel safely on buses. To view the code and more information, visit http://translink.com.au/travel-with-us/school-travel/getting-to-and-from-school.

Reminder also to be safe when driving around schools

Drivers are reminded to adhere to the speed zones around schools. Children have a tendency to display ‘tunnel vision’ when they are in groups. They tend to focus on what they are doing and not taking so much notice of what is happening around them. It is essential therefore that drivers are the ‘eyes and ears’ of our children.

The car park at the front of the school is a Gold Coast City Council car park. It does not belong to Worongary State School and therefore council officers and the police monitor driving and parking in this area and drivers can be subjected to fines and licence point loss. Drivers are reminded that the ‘kiss and go’ area is for quick drop off and pick up only. Drivers are requested to remain with their car and stay no longer than 2 minutes.

Parents are asked to be mindful when driving in the car park, as children are small and hard to see. Parents are asked not to call their children to cross through the car par. Instead, please leave your car and walk across at the marked crossing to collect your children. Drivers are also requested to wait in line and exit the car park in a slow and orderly fashion. Please do not overtake other cars and please be patient. Your children are very important to all of us and their safety is of paramount importance. Patience and diligence will ensure that all our children will come to school and get home safely. Thank you.

Junior Playground

The much needed construction of a safe retaining wall around the junior playground has started. The picture shown is an indication of how the wall will look. Obviously our site has its own special shape and the fence across the top will be a safe pool fence to reduce the risk of children climbing over the fence.

Education Queensland has provided the funds for this construction as well as the drainage works with the cost around $400,000. We anticipate that the work will be finished by 24 March, weather permitting. After the wall is completed the play equipment will be reinstated and suitable safe soft fall will be installed. We do not have an end date for that yet, but we assure you that we will install it as soon as we can. Extra play equipment will be installed over the next couple of years, depending on funding.

Managing excessive heat in schools

Unless the Principal or Regional Director determines that the school must temporarily close due to a disaster or emergency situation, Queensland state schools remain open and students are not sent home during periods of excessive heat or heat wave conditions.

Heatwave conditions are specifically when excessively high temperatures combine with high humidity levels and are sustained over a number of days. That means, although the predicted maximum temperature for a region may be in the mid-to-high 30s, unless this coincides with high humidity and lasts for a few days, it is considered 'hot' rather than a 'heat wave'.

If the ambient temperature is between 31 and 35 degrees Celsius and the relative humidity is over 30 per cent, planned vigorous, sustained activity may be limited in intensity or duration to less than 60 minutes per session.

If the ambient temperature is over 36 degrees Celsius and the relative humidity is over 25 per cent, planned vigorous, sustained activity may be postponed to a cooler part of the day or even cancelled.

For more information please visit the EQ Managing excessive heat in schools site.

A number of parents have asked about air conditioning for the school. I understand why you would request this, but the reality is that it is a very expensive investment. Schools have very stringent requirements about the size of the units, insulation, air flow and air exchange etc. We cannot merely install a few home style units.

Air conditioning of a school is a massive task with each block costing many thousands of dollars. The cost of electricity and maintenance also have to be considered.

The P&C is currently focussed on raising funds to provide the children with quality play-ground equipment. If the school community does want air-conditioning of all buildings we would require 49 units. This does not include the hall. This would be a major fundraising drive over a number of years, unless grants can be won. The cost of electricity and maintenance, once installed, and repair and replacement, would also have to be considered. Unless there is a continued commitment from the P&C, and the fund raising committee, the school would be forced to divert expenditure from such areas as computers and other resources to fund this.

Apps from Education Queensland

Out & About By Queensland Government-Department of Education and Training

Give your child a flying start in literacy by helping them practice their sight words with this bright and fun app when you are out and about.

'Out & About' has been developed by the Department of Education and Training and is aimed at Prep to Year 2 students to help them master the first 100 sight words to which they are typically introduced.

'Out & About' has been designed for parents to give to young children to fill their time in a fun and educational way.

The words in this kit are grouped into ten word sets. Students select a word set and say the word that appears. If they cannot remember the word, they can touch the word on the screen, listen to it and then swipe to the next word on the list. Once they have mastered all the words, they can move on to the next set.

In no time, your youngster will be ready to zoom through entry-level books.

This app also contains additional games and ideas for parents to help their children recognize sight words.

Take a Stand Together By Queensland Government-Department of Education and Training

The Take a Stand Together App was developed by all Australian education authorities, working together to create safe and supportive school environments free from bullying, harassment and violence.

Take a Stand Together provides students with tips and advice which they can apply to different bullying situations.

Students can:

• Watch short animated stories about bullying and choose what to do from a range of responses.
• Create their own avatar and choose a positive anti-bullying message so they can take a stand against bullying. Students have the option to post this to social networking sites or add the avatar to a friend in their phone’s contact list.
• Read bullying facts and advice for different types of bullying situations.

Young kids love to use their parents’ phones – install it on your phone and let them investigate at their own pace.

Providing your child with tools to respond to different bullying situations helps build their capacity to deal with bullying at school and online.

The Allen Adventure By Queensland Government-Department of Education and Training

The Allen Adventure app was developed by all Australian education authorities, working together to create safe and supportive school environments free from bullying, harassment and violence.

This fun app is an interactive story about the new kid in class whose name is Allen. He's an alien from another planet, and wants to fit in and make friends... but he discovers it’s not always that easy! The app’s objective is to teach children social and emotional skills and how to identify and deal with inappropriate behaviour.

Read and sing along as Allen learns about how kids think and feel on Earth. There’s lots of fun ways for kids to interact and explore as they find out about joining in, sharing and managing their own feelings.

For young children this app is a positive experience. It encourages pro-social behavior and shows kids what to do if their classmates are mean. In this way it can empower little kids and help to prevent bullying.

The Allen Adventure is a great preparation for children in kindergarten and early school years.

It’s for children 3 to 8 years - and aliens of all ages.

SPEAK (Speaking Promotes Education and Knowledge) By Queensland Government-Department of Education, Training and Employment By Queensland Government-Department of Education and Training

The ability to communicate effectively through speaking and listening is essential for a child and builds a strong foundation for successful learning.

SPEAK provides lots of fun, free activities, ideas and information for parents, carers and educators to support and nurture language development in children from 0-6 years of age. There are multiple activities within each age group to help boost your child’s speaking and listening ability.

The information and activities were developed by the Department of Education and Training with the help of speech pathologists, educators and health professionals.

SPEAK is for everyone who wants the best start in life for their child and provides a fun, convenient way to make chatter matter!

QParents app

QParents is a secure, online portal created by the Department of Education and Training to provide parents of Queensland state school students with twenty-four hour access to their child's information. QParents allows you to securely access information about your child and communicate directly with your child's school: anytime, anywhere.

Attendance

You may have noticed that we are using a new SMS program to inform you that your child is absent from school, this new program gives the facility to reply by SMS to the message. We have moved to this new system to make it easier and quicker for you to reply to the message and explain your child’s absence. Thank you to all those parents who have been using this facility.

Our attendance goal is 98%, as you can see we are already below this goal. Please ensure that your children come to school every day, unless they are sick. It is essential that we develop good habits in our young people and it is essential that they are ‘In Class, On Task and Learning’. If you are having difficulty getting your child to school please talk to your class teacher or a member of admin to help.

Every Day Counts.

Behaviour

Term Focus

Term 1 Week 4 and Week 5 Focus

Visit by Borobi

It was very exciting for our students when Borobi, the 2018 Commonwealth Games mascot, came to the school. The students learned a fun dance, using moves like sunrise and sunset, bounce it out, and ‘pose’. Borobi and his Mascoteers thoroughly enjoyed meeting our staff and students. We had an opportunity to get some photos with Borobi and we look forward to the next 413 days of activities and events in the lead-up to the Games

Past Student News

It is very exciting to see how many of our past students are gaining leadership roles at their high schools. At the recent Leaderships Ceremonies at our local high schools the following students were elected. Congratulations to all these talented students.

Regards Marilyn Moballe, Principal

JIMBELUNG INDIGENOUS CLUB

Our Jimbelung Indigenous club will begin again on Monday 20 February. We welcome Tre Holten Williams who will be taking our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children for breakfast and a game each Monday from 8.00am. Students meet in the courtyard outside the staffroom.

BEHAVIOUR

Our school community has developed a plan for promoting and managing behaviour based on a shared belief that all members of our school community have certain rights and responsibilities. We believe in creating an environment that respects the following rights:

• The rights of all students to learn and teachers to teach
• The right to be treated with respect
• The rights of all to be safe

Each week in term 1 we have a behaviour focus. The lesson is explicitly taught and is followed up at assembly, in the playground and in general conversations in the classroom.

Week 1 Being Safe in the Classroom

Walk in the classroom
Sit still
Use Equipment safely
Push in our chair

Week 2 Being Respectful in the Classroom

Contribute to class discussions in an appropriate manner
Work cooperatively and collaboratively
Raise our hands when we speak
Talk in turns
Allow other students to learn
Keep opinions of others to ourselves
Consider other people’s feelings

Week 3 Being a Learner in the Classroom

Participate fully and engage in all tasks
Contribute positively
Ask questions
Be responsible for our learning
Be on time and bring our equipment to school each day
Be ready to listen; be ready to learn

Week 4 Being safe in the classroom

Is about being co-operative
It also shows that you are on task and a listener
Walk inside quietly and settle ready to participate.
Whole body listening!
Look at the person speaking
Use equipment safely
When you transition from one activity to another, remember use an inside voice
Settle into your next task quickly and quietly

Week 5 Being Safe and Respectful moving around the school

Walk on concrete
Move quietly and consider others
Move to and from places using the correct path
Walk in two quiet lines
Be aware of other’s personal space
Carry all equipment safely

Please discuss these expectations with your children and the importance of responsible behaviour and positive relationships. Many of our children are making great choices that match our school rules:

I am Safe
I am Respectful
I am a Learner

If you have any questions regarding our school behaviour plan or seeking support or just a chat you are welcome to give me a call or send an email kclar45@eq.edu.au to arrange a suitable time.

Have a great week.
Regards Ms Kaia, Behaviour

HOC

I am new to Worongary and I want to introduce myself.

Who am I?

My name is Leslie Ward and I’m currently the Head of Curriculum at your beautiful school. Over the years I have worked in both private and state schools in a multitude of states, settings and contexts and I have taught all year levels from Prep – Year 6, whilst holding various leadership roles along my journey.

What is my Role?

My primary responsibility is assisting in leading and coordinating the maintenance, review and implementation of curriculum frameworks, pedagogy, programs assessment and reporting. I will be working closely with teachers on what and how to implement the Australian Curriculum. As a team we work on our professional development to enhance our skills, as we continually strive towards the success of all students’ learning.

What is my philosophy of learning?

I have a strong belief that differentiation, through frequent evidenced based data is the key to moving students forward as an effective strategy. This coupled with goal setting and feedback is very powerful and it’s truly exciting when students choose to take responsibility for their own learning. It still gives me a buzz after all these years.

I am passionate about Reading and the effective explicit teaching that surrounds it and believe reading gives you power. I have been spreading this message around the school as I have been visiting classes. It’s particularly exciting when a student’s reading ability begins to shift from learning to read to reading to learn.

I believe being a parent is one of the most demanding and difficult jobs, nevertheless it is also one of the most important! I believe teaching is the 2nd most important, as we work together with you to guide our student’s futures.

If you have any queries or questions please do not hesitate to contact me via the office. We can then arrange a mutually convenient time to meet. I am excited to be here and be a part of your team.

Regards
Regards Leslie Ward, Head of Curriculum

EXCURSIONS

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

LEARNING VINE AWARDS

P&C

Movie Night

On behalf of the P&C we would like to thank all our families and the community who came and supported us on the night. The turnout was amazing. We would also like to say a big thank you to our amazing Volunteers/Vendors and the Gold Coast City Council for making it a successful night.

P&C Meeting

Our first P&C meeting will be held on Wednesday 15 February – starting at 5:30pm in our school staffroom. Come along and see what your school P&C is about. We are always open to new suggestions and ideas.

If you have any queries for the P&C, please feel free to email us at pandc@worongaryss.eq.edu.au

Tuckshop & Uniform Shop

ONLINE ORDERING PROFILES MUST BE UPDATED FOR 2017

As we’ve had some movement with classes in the last couple of weeks, I’d once more like to remind you that online ordering profiles need to be updated manually by parents. 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

Tuckshop Basket Competition

To encourage respect of the Tuckshop baskets and subsequent hygiene for food ordered, we are currently running a Tuckshop Basket Competition. Classes get points for bringing their baskets up to the Tuckshop on time in the morning and extra points for keeping them in a clean and tidy state. In the last week of the term, we will present the classes with the highest points in both Junior and Senior school with a Frozen Treat Medley as a reward for their efforts.

We would very much appreciate it if you would discuss this with your child/ren so they can understand the importance of a clean Tuckshop basket and get excited about earning a delicious treat for their class.

New Menu

Thanks to those who have been adventurous enough to try our new Chicken Wedges packs (with carrot sticks or sweet corn) and our Potato Wedges topped with chicken, corn and cheese. These changes were necessary to keep in line with the new ‘Smart Choices’ guidelines and we look forward to more children enjoying these healthier options.

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

Seniors Shirts for Year 6

Thank you to everyone who has now handed in their order forms for Seniors Shirts. There are still a few children who have not yet come up for sizing so, due to the importance of ensuring a correct fit, we will contact classes this week to send those children up during Uniform shop hours.

Once that exercise is completed and new classes confirmed, we will eagerly move forward with placing these orders with our supplier to begin production. At this stage, delivery is expected in Term 2 with shirts to be distributed during class time.

Polo Shirts

Following the back to school rush, we have recently sold out of size 8 polo shirts however we still have plenty of size 10 polos that aren’t too much of a jump in size.

Interschool Sports

Orders have already been placed to top up our current stock of Footy socks and Interschool Sport shorts (maroon with no pockets). So, good luck with trials and you could be wearing these items with pride very soon!

Regards Michelle Lee, Tuckshop and Uniform Convenor

COMMUNITY NOTICES

Would you like to learn how to develop your child’s language skills and give them a great start at school?

Do you have a child going into Year 7 in 2018 and are interested in Benowa State High School?

Free Programs for Parents term 1 2017

Please read the latest Helping Hands Newsletter

Are you interested in your child playing netball? Please see attached for Nerang RSL sign on day.

Let’s play Chess

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