24 May 2017

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

2018 ENROLMENTS

It is hard to believe that it is time to enrol students for Prep 2018. Please phone the front office to make an appointment with me to secure your child/ren’s place in 2018. If you know someone who is new to the area please make sure that they too know to contact the school. Children who live out of the catchment area are guaranteed enrolment if they have or had a sibling enrolled at the school. Parents who do not live within catchment and do not have a sibling at Worongary State School will have to provide a written explanation of their reasons for being considered for enrolment. If places are available for out of catchment, student places are awarded on a ‘first in first served’ basis, so I do suggest making an appointment as soon as possible.

If you are not sure if you are in catchment please follow this link to ascertain which school catchment area you live in. If in doubt please do not hesitate to contact our front office to check.

SEEDLINGS PROGRAM PART 2

On Sunday we held another very successful day with around 30 adults and children from various community gardens and our school finishing off our garden beds and planting our first batch of seeds. We are now waiting for nature to do its work and for the seeds to germinate and grow.

A special thanks to Audrey Mates-Bills (pictured here) for all her hard work and enthusiasm to make sure that we have got the gardens off to such a great start.

Also a special thanks to the P&C for providing the much appreciated BBQ. This was greatly appreciated after a hard mornings work.

MAKE WORONGARY A COOL SCHOOL

Air-conditioning update. I am meeting with an air-conditioning expert on Wednesday morning and he will help us determine exactly what we need to air-condition the school to the exact standards required by Education Queensland. Once he lets us know what we need we will be able to determine how much it will cost and therefore how much money we will need to raise.

It would, therefore, be best to wait until after we have that information to hold a parent information evening to let you know what we have to raise, ask for suggestions on how to raise it, and to enlist parent support and help.

STATE OF ORIGIN COLOURS

Please support the Student Council with a gold coin donation to wear either Blue or Maroon to support their state of origin team.

This is not a free dress day, it is State of Origin colours. If students do not want to participate, normal school uniform is required.

Attendance

As we pass the middle of term 2, parents are reminded of the importance of sending children to school every day. Being at school every day counts, with one day absent each week quickly adding up to two months of missed lessons in a year.

Unless your child is ill, it is expected that your child will be at school learning every day of the school year. If your child is going to be away for more than 10 days please contact the office to submit an exemption form. This covers such events as extended holidays and serious illness.

More information on the importance of regular school attendance is available via the link below.

Students who attend school for the whole week receive a Dojo for Attendance. Students who attend school every day are definitely displaying the school expectation of ‘Be a Learner’, well done!

Dojos

Congratulations and well done to all students who have received their Bronze Dojo. A special congratulations to our first Silver Dojo recipients, you are definitely displaying great Worongary Behaviour.

Find the free parenting support that’s right for you!

The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program now has an online app to help you decide what type of free parenting support is right for you.

In just three clicks you’ll answer two simple multiple-choice questions and be matched with a positive parenting program that suits your parenting needs.

You can find the Triple P Selector via the link below.

Behaviour

This term, students will be participating in an explicit Positive Behaviour for Learning lesson as well as a social skills lesson from the Second Step program. These lessons will be held once per fortnight.

Term Two Focus:

Listening to and Following Directions
Trying Our Hardest
Showing Respect
Doing our Best

Positive Behaviour for Learning Week 6 & 7

Second Step Weeks 6 & 7

Under Eights Day

On Tuesday this week we had a visit from Little Explorers ECEC to join in some fun activities to celebrate Under 8’s week. The children joined Prep Maroon and their Year 4 Red buddies for some fun games in PE. The children then went back to the Prep Maroon where Mrs Huggard led some reading activities a part of the Read and Grow Program.

On Friday 26 May 9:30 – 10:30am(Years P – 1) and 2:10pm (Year 2), students will be participating in Under Eights Day activities designed to embrace the joy of early childhood. The theme of this year’s event is ‘Children are playing Country to Coast, Inspiring Learning in the Early Years through Play’.

Teachers have planned a variety of activities for our junior school students to enjoy and the students are looking forward to this fun event. Parents and carers are welcome to come along to enjoy the activities with the children.

Under eights Week

Life Education

The Life Education Team and Harold the Giraffe have started the lessons at Worongary State School. Students have been learning how to make smart life choices for a healthy future. As parents you can also get involved by going to the Life Education Parent Hub and downloading the parent resources. This way you can continue the conversation and learning at home. Click on the link below.

Reporting on Student Achievement

This year all report cards will once again be sent out electronically. Please ensure that your email address is current with administration. It is important as parents and guardians prepare to receive the Semester One report cards for 2017, that there is a clear understanding of how we report on your child’s academic, behavioural and effort in the key learning areas of schooling. It is also imperative that we have a common understanding about the expectation of where children should be in accordance with the Australian Curriculum. Please be aware that report cards will be emailed out on Friday 23 June.

Reporting in Prep

Reporting in Years 1 & 2

Reporting in Years 3 - 6

What Level Should Your Child Be Achieving

All teachers report to a set of standards as outlined in DET P-12 Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Framework and ACARA.

As you can see from the definitions above, the majority of students are and should be achieving at a C level. This means that they are interacting and achieving at the expected level for their age and developmental capacity.

Positive Productive Communications

Please remember that it is important that we continue to build upon the wonderful rapport that has developed between your child, the class teacher and yourself. If you have any questions, concerns or feedback, your first point of communication should always be with the classroom teacher. Most things can be addressed in this manner, and it allows teachers to have the opportunity to build upon their constructive interactions with parents. It also displays an appropriate level of respect to the classroom teacher, who is spending the majority of the day with your child. These productive and respectful communications will continue to support your child’s learning and success at school.

Upcoming Camps – Behaviour Contract

As you would already be aware, the Year 6 Tyalgum Ridge Retreat Camp is fast approaching and will be held from Tuesday 8 through to Friday 11 August. It is requested that in preparation for camp, that you discuss with your child the importance of demonstrating positive and appropriate behaviour at school and in school activities (such as Interschool Sport and Excursions) in the lead up to camp and whilst they are away participating in this activity. A requirement of attending Tyalgum Ridge Retreat Camp is to consistently demonstrate safe, compliant and respectful behaviour. As in all out of school activities a risk assessment has been completed and it is imperative that all students attending the camp demonstrate behaviour in line with the Worongary State School Responsible Behaviour Plan.

All Year 6 students will be placed on a behaviour contract in the months prior to the camp and will be offered a place at the camp if they demonstrate positive behaviour choices. If your child’s behaviour is inappropriate in the lead up to camp they will not be offered a place at the camp. In addition if your child’s behaviour is inappropriate at camp, Parent/Guardians will be contacted to collect their child from the camp venue. If you have concerns regarding your child attending the camp please see their classroom teacher.

Regards Marilyn Moballe,
Principal

Learning Vine Awards

Guidance Officer

Foodbanks

Surf City Community Support

Ph: 5592 3677
2 Monaco St, Surfers Paradise (opposite Crown Plaza)
Monday – Friday: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
Food parcels: no cost
Healthcare card required

Surfers Paradise Anglican Crisis Care

Ph: 5531 6013
St John’s Drop In Centre
36 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise
Monday – Thursday: 9.30 am – 11.00 am
Need to be there by 9.30 am.
Provide emergency relief and grocery cheques.

Set Free Care

Ph: 5500 4454
1) Crosslife Baptist Church, 170 Nerang St, Southport
Thursday: 12.00 noon – 1.00 pm
Food parcels: $17 (pantry, veges, freezer, dairy produce)
2) United City Car Warehouse, 4/22 New St, Nerang
Thursday: 2.30 pm – 4.00 pm
Food parcels: $17 (pantry, veges, freezer, dairy produce)

Salvation Army

Ph: 5591 2729
21 Bay St, Southport
Assistance with food vouchers – call to arrange an appointment.
Need Centrelink income statement and other receipts.

New Life Food Barn/Bank

Ph: 5571 6115
16 Dunkirk Close, Arundel
Tuesday – Thursday: 9.00 am – 12.00 noon
Friday : 9.00 am – 11.30 am
Family Food Parcels: $45 (meat, fruit, veg, pantry, toiletries)
Call 24 hrs before-hand for family parcels
Need Healthcare or pension card OR written letter of hardship.

Regards Kath Bellamy, Guidance Officer

Curriculum Corner

Hello Again Everyone

I hope you are continuing to enjoy reading books as a family, particularly as the weather is getting colder. It’s the perfect time to snuggle up under a blanket whilst sharing a great book, either with you modelling reading or listening to your child. It helps to foster relationships and a love of learning through texts. This week I have included some ideas to help your child when tackling their home readers. Of course your child’s classroom teacher is your first line of contact if you have any concerns or you wish to share any positive experiences around reading. They will also have many ideas to support you.

Using the Home Reader

There are three distinct learning times for you to be aware of when listening to your child read the home reader. These are –

• Before reading the book.
• During reading of the book.
• After reading the book.

Each of these areas are important for your child to become proficient and confident readers. The following is a suggested list of ideas you can use during these times. You do not need to do all of these each time they read, choose a few to focus on.

(1.) Things you can do with your child before they read.

• Look at the cover and use the pictures to predict the story. Explain/discuss with your child any concepts in the book your child may not be familiar with. Also talk to your child about experiences they have had which connects them to the text they are about to read.
• Look at the pictures on each page and discuss what is happening in them.
• Look at the print in the book. Find words they already know. Find some (not all) words they don’t know and discuss letters/sounds and meaning.
• Talk about and find in the book, conventions of print such as full stops, speech marks, question marks and capital letters. Discuss the purpose of these conventions.
• Discuss any layout features in the book. E.g. Speech bubbles, pictures and headings.
• Read the print to your child. Ask your child to quietly read the book to themselves before they read to you.
• Have your child read the print to you.
• Ask questions about the story.

Please DO NOT cover the pictures in the book, as this is a skill that your child is not ready to use.

Some books in the home reading program do not have text. Please use the pictures to construct a story with your child. This activity is extremely valuable as it helps the children construct meaning through pictures. As your child becomes more confident begin to use some of the strategies titled “ Skills to encourage ”

(2.) Things you can do with your child as they are reading.

• Use the PAUSE - PROMPT - PRAISE technique when your child is working out a word.

PAUSE for 5 seconds as this gives your child time to do something to solve the problem.
PROMPT by giving clues to help solve the problem.
PRAISE when the problem is solved partly or wholly.

Encourage your child to use the skills of sounding out by chunking/breaking words into parts, rereading and making sense.

(3.) Things you can do with your child after they have read.

• Ask your child to retell the story. Include detail.
• Ask questions directly related to the text.
• Ask questions that are inferred from the text.
• Go back to the text and-
• talk about words they had difficulty with.
• find words that start or end in the same sound.
• look at and compare the shapes of words.
• Discuss the author of the text. Talk about what the author wanted the reader to think, feel or do when they read the text.
• Talk about the characters in the text. If possible, discuss how the ending of the story would change if the character was different or had different actions.

Skills to encourage

Watch punctuation – STOP at full stops. Pause at commas. Change your voice where you see an exclamation mark!

Reread – If it doesn’t make sense, go back and read it again.

Read on. If you come to an unknown word, read the rest of the sentence and see if you can get some clues.

Picture Cues – It’s OK to look at pictures for clues.

Sounding out/Breaking Words into Parts – Look at the initial letter or letter blends (br /sh/ sw) and the final letters. Talk about the differences – boot/book, swing/sling.

Look for little words – if you can see OUT in shout or IT in visit you can work it out.

Prediction – talk about what might be going to happen.

Comprehension – Can the child retell the story or answer questions about what happened? If not encourage them to make a movie in their head of the story as they read.

Strategies - Ask your child if they are able to recall the strategies they use at school throughout their reading sessions. We have a high focus on reading at Worongary and we want all children to progress from “Learning to Read to Reading to Learn.” The length of time this takes for each student varies and can take some time, however they need to be engaged and encouraged to stay on the journey.

REMEMBER – reading is about understanding what is written not just about being able to read the words. Making sense is the most important thing!

It is good practise to encourage your child to read the book a few times. During the first read, your child is concentrating on decoding. Further rereading gives them confidence and an understanding of fluency and expression.

Whilst the above is the formal aspect of Reading, I would like to remind you of the importance of continuing to read books to your child. Being read to is an essential part of developing the desire to read. It is also a great way of encouraging the child’s enjoyment of using a library.

The goal of overnight readers is to improve skills, but it is also to foster and encourage a love of reading and I would like it to be a pleasant time with your child. If it becomes too stressful, please talk to your classroom teacher.

Until next time …..

Kind Regards Leslie Ward, Head of Curriculum

ICAS

The following is a reminder for those 35 students (and families) who are participating in ICAS Science this year. May this year ICAS science will take place on Tuesday 30 May. At 9:15 am, after class rolls are marked, students will be collected and will proceed to the hall where the test will be administered under ICAS supervision instructions. Good luck to all those who are participating and if students wish to prepare further for the test please go to the following link below. Here you can download sample questions, be given hints and tips about the test and there is also an option to purchase online practice tests if families are willing to extend their child.

With a similar style to NAPLAN, the ICAS tests are multiple choice questions based on the stimulus provided. My number one test tip for multiple choice questions? Proof. Students must prove why their answer is the correct one, but also why the other three answers can’t be correct. Unpacking the stimulus by reading the vocabulary in the text carefully, scanning diagrams for specific details and organising numbers are important steps in gathering evidence. Sorting through and using this chosen evidence to inform a decision is a great skill in the process of solving problems.

Kind Regards Tom McDonald, Teaching and Learning Coordinator

Behaviour

Following Instructions the First Time

Our behaviour focus for weeks 7 and 8 is Following Instructions the First Time. This follows on from Whole Body Listening focus in weeks 5 and 6.

Following instructions is a part of everyday life. It is the child’s ability to act on requests by others. Following instructions requires the child to attend to detail in spoken language, to sequence the information in the appropriate steps and to seek clarification if they have trouble remembering or recalling the information. At home, parents ask their children to do things around the house (e.g. “Please tidy your bedroom”) and at school teachers ask their students to follow instructions within the school environment (e.g. “Please go to your bag and get your lunch”) and within academic tasks (e.g. “Please copy the spelling words on the board, then put each of them into a sentence”). When children engage with their peers, they often give each other instructions in play (e.g. “Can you kick the ball to me?”)

Why is the ability to following instructions important?

It is important for children to be able to follow instructions so that they can function effectively across different environments (e.g. home, school, when at the park or visiting a friend’s house). If a child struggles with following instructions this impacts on their ability to reach the desired ‘purpose’ or ‘outcome’ and complete tasks effectively.

What are the building blocks necessary to develop following instructions?

• Hearing
• Receptive (understanding) language: Comprehension of language, especially concepts and vocabulary.
• Attention and concentration: Sustained effort, doing activities without distraction and being able to hold that effort long enough to get the task done.
• Working memory: The ability to temporarily retain and manipulate information involved in language comprehension, reasoning, and learning new information and to update this information as change occurs.

Parents sometimes say “My child will not listen to me.”

Setting limits

Setting limits means sending a firm message about what your child can and can’t do – for example, bedtime on a school night is 8 pm. Children often try to challenge the limits that grown-ups set – this is just part of being a kid. But limits help keep children safe and are important in cutting down on uncooperative behaviour. Some of these behaviours may take a while to undo, however the best way is consistency in approach.

• When you’re setting limits, following through on your expectations will show your child that you mean what you say.
• For example, they start your bedtime routine – cleaning teeth, reading books and so on – at 7.30 pm, so that children are in bed at 8 pm. But if expectations are inconsistent, children are more likely to test or ignore limits. For example, if it’s 8 pm some nights but whenever at other times, your child might lobby for ‘whenever’ every night.

Music Corner

Band, Strings, Rosella and Lorikeet choirs are all back on track with scheduled rehearsals. Thank you to parents for your support over the past two weeks when I have been unable to take rehearsals. Please note the following events in your diaries:

1. Mid year concert for strings, band and both choirs is on Tuesday 13 June 3:30-4:40pm. Parents, friends and family are most welcome. There is no cost.
2. Lorikeet Choir party is on Thursday 15 June at first break in the Music room.
3. Rosella Choir party is on Tuesday 20 June at first break in the Music room.
4. Mid-August term 3 Eisteddfod is at the Arts Centre. The Band, Lorikeet and Rosella choir will be performing. Specific dates of the event, time and cost have yet to be confirmed. All students should be practising at least three times a week for these events. Happy practising everyone.

Regards Bonnie Hapi, Music & Arts

Student Council

Event: State of Origin Dress Day - come wearing maroon or blue and show support for your team.
Date: Wednesday 31 May
Cost: Gold coin donation (money raised to go towards the Senior Playground)

Sports Draw

12 May

19 May Rained out

Excursions

P&C News

Mother’s Day Stall

What an amazing response there was to our Mother’s Day Stall this year – WOW!! Volunteers and children alike were all very excited with the impressive range and quality of gifts and we believe a lot of you ended up with quite the bargain. More importantly those last minute donations ensured that we ended up with enough for each child to get a special gift for their Mum’s, Grandmother’s and Carers.

We couldn’t have done it without your support and donations so thank you. One more very special thankyou goes out to the ladies who volunteered an incredible portion of their time to wrap and sell gifts for our Mother’s Day Stall. Your support and dedication to our school is commendable and truly appreciated.

We hope all the special Mums, Grandmother’s and Carers out there had an AMAZING weekend.

Entertainment books

Flyers for Entertainment books have gone home. If you wish to take a book home, please fill out the permission form and return it to the Tuckshop. Books can also be purchased online and can be bought for any State in Australia. Monies raised will go towards air conditioning our school.

School Banking

Our School banking day is changing. Usually, all school banking is done on a Friday unless it is the last week of term. However, with the majority of our school banking volunteers having more availability on a Wednesday, we have decided to change banking from a Friday to a Wednesday, starting on Wednesday 31 May.

Colour Run

All prizes were finalised last week. Prizes should start arriving in the next few weeks and will be distributed to the students as they come in.

Trivia Night

Please join us for our first major fundraising event towards Air Conditioning Worongary State School.

This promises to be a fun evening hosted by FAME trivia- There will be raffles/ coin toss and games so please bring your loose change. A cash bar will be open on the night and you are welcome to BYO food for your table.

Tables are booking quickly, so please email Heather deWatteville Doe on hdewa5@eq.edu.au (payment through the P&C account or cash via the Tuckshop once booked).

You don't need to have an entire table of 8 to join the fun- There will be heaps of room for everyone and tables to join.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Regards P&C

Tuckshop & Uniform

Tuckshop News

National Volunteer Week

Monday 8 May – Friday 12 May was National Volunteer Week, where we made sure to celebrate our amazing, much loved volunteers. Lizzy M and Narelle R are seen here still smiling after a hectic Friday morning in the Tuckshop. Our heartfelt thanks go out to these ladies and our other mums and grandmothers who make an ongoing commitment to being part of our small but incredible team.

P&C Day Queensland

National Volunteer Week culminated with Friday 12 May being P&C Day for Queensland. We are very fortunate to have a dedicated and hardworking P&C executive who volunteer an immense amount of time every week for the benefit of staff and students at Worongary State School. We took the opportunity to thank all five executive members for everything they do. If you see their friendly faces around the school, please take the time to say hello and thank you to these incredible mums who give so freely of their time each and every week.

P&C Treasurer, Tatiana P; President, Ann-Marie M and Vice-President, Neyomi M accepting a small token of gratitude. Secretary, Jess R and Vice-Treasurer, Michelle H managed to escape this photo as they dashed away to finish Student Banking.

Canteen Week

Canteen Week came and went in a Flash so we have extended the Over Counter Meal Deals until the end of the month to allow more students the opportunity to try the new Scooby Milk Bar flavours (caramel and banana) and Flash ice-block. If they prove popular, we will add them to the everyday menu. Please see flyer for details.

Our thanks go out once more to our P&C Executive for acknowledging Canteen Week by spoiling Jasmine and I with a special afternoon tea and gifts of appreciation last Friday. We very much appreciate you making us feel valued.

We would also like to thank Miss Jo from admin for joining in the celebrations by stopping by to help us serve the children at Over the Counter Sales time. Thanks Miss Jo!!

Uniform Shop News

Polo Shirt Shortage

Please note that polo shirts remain out of stock in size 6 and size 8, with delivery of our next shipment expected to be early in Term 3. We thank you in advance for your patience while we await the delivery.

At this time we also invite parents to bring in any unwanted second hand polos in these sizes. This will replenish our stock of pre-loved items and will help out other families (especially those who are new to the school) who require these items.

Community Notices

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