27 April 2017

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Welcome back to Term 2! I trust the Easter break was time well spent with friends and family.

Cross Country

Congratulations to all the students who participated so enthusiastically in the 2017 Cross Country. A special thanks to Mrs Smith and all her helpers on an excellently organised day. Congratulations to the winning houses.

Congratulations to all the age champions

Changes to Eating and Play Time

This term we are trialling a change to the eating and play times. The PBL (Positive Behaviour for Learning) team has been reviewing eating and play times. The team contacted a number of local schools and have discovered that a number of schools have changed their breaks around and have also swapped play and eating times. To encourage children to eat all their food, and as manners dictate that we do not talk with food in our mouth, eating will be a silent time. Other schools have noticed a decrease in playground issues, all food being consumed and improved learning in classrooms after returning from breaks. We are hopeful that this will be the same at Worongary SS.

To help children maintain their concentration during the long first session of the day we are encouraging you to provide your children with some brain food for ‘munch and crunch ‘at 10.00am. This food needs to be fresh fruit or fresh vegetables. This food needs to be easy for the children to eat at their desk and it would be helpful if it was cut to a suitable size. In order to maximise student learning we are only permitting natural foods during munch and crunch. If you want to provide special treats for your children we suggest that Second Eating Time is the best time for these foods.

For this term the new bell times will be:

Canteen ordering and over the counter purchasing will obviously be affected. The changes are summarised as:

No frozen goods can be ordered online for first break, but can be ordered for second break

Seniors (Years 3-6) can purchase over the counter from 11.10 am – 11.25 am

Seniors can order frozen goods to be collected during second break (will receive bag with stamp)

Juniors (Year 1-2) can purchase over the counter from 1.40 pm – 1.55 pm, including frozen goods

Seniors can collect ordered frozen goods (ie bag with stamp) from 1.40 pm – 1.55 pm but are not able to purchase other items at this time

We shall review this during the term and will decide whether this will remain as a permanent arrangement.

Seedlings Program

A big thank you to all the people who helped at the inaugural Seedlings Project. Despite the inclement weather a large contingent turned out to help and we are pleased to say that we completed 3 of the 6 big beds. A special thanks to David from the Nerang Community Gardens, who taught us how to create wicking beds. These special beds should reduce the need to constantly water the gardens and increase the chance of the plants thriving, thus increasing the amount of food being produced. We also thank Audrey for her foresight, energy and enthusiasm to make sure that this project got off the ground (please pardon the pun).

You will be kept informed and will be invited as we finish the last 3 beds and start to plant seeds and seedlings. We are also looking forward to other informative sessions such as worm farming, composting, permaculture, bee attracting and more. Opportunities will also be offered to parents wanting to learn how to prepare and serve healthy foods, as our crops start to mature we will aim to use our own produce in these demonstrations.

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 Weeks 1 & 2

Second Step Weeks 2 & 3

Week 2

Week 3

School Photos

Queensland School Photography will be taking individual student and class photos on Wednesday 3 May and Thursday 4 May. For information regarding when your child’s photo will be taken, please see the table below. Sibling portraits are also available from 8:00am on each day for students who attend the school. If you would like to arrange a sibling portrait, please collect a Sibling Photo Envelope from the office. For class and individual photos, please note that you will need to fill out a separate envelope for each child and bring this, along with payment, on the day of the photos. Envelopes are to be handed directly to the photographers. Alternatively, you can order photos online at:

Life Education

The Life Education Team and Harold the Giraffe will be visiting Worongary State School from 12 May – 29 May 2017. Life Education motivates and empowers young people to make smart life choices for a healthy future. Students will participate the programs outlined below.

The Life Education team is happy to provide parents with any information they require about the programs and to answer any questions or concerns you may have. An information session is being offered to interested parents on Friday 12 May at 2:00pm in the van which will be located in the staff carpark next to I Block. 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.

The cost of the incursion is $9 per student. This money covers the cost of the presentation as well as an activity book that students can use both in the classroom and at home. Please note that payment is due prior to the commencement of the 2 week program. Late payments will not be accepted, even if your child is attending a session later in the scheduled time.

ANZAC Day

Worongary State School students commemorated ANZAC Day 2017 with pride and with genuine compassion for the service men and women of past wars and currently serving.

On Monday, at school, we held two ceremonies, students made and presented wreaths to commemorate ANZAC Day.

Students were respectful and led by the choirs sang an indigenous welcome song, the New Zealand national anthem as well as the Australian national anthem.

On Tuesday 25 April a large number of students and their parents joined the Nerang RSL annual March. Their behaviour and respect for the sombre occasion was exemplary.

Being Safe at the Kiss and Go

• We would like to remind all parents and children about the procedures for using the Kiss and Go on Delta Cove Drive.
• Parents are reminded that this is a pick up and drop off area only. Please remain with your vehicle at all times.
• If you are picking up at the Kiss and Go, please encourage your child/ren to make their way to the area as soon as possible after the bell to help keep the traffic moving.
• Children are not permitted on the retaining walls. These are quite high and parents should not encourage children to climb on them.

Following these procedures will help keep our children safe before and after school.

Change to Junior Assembly Term 2 Week 3

Due to the public holidays at the beginning of this term, we will be holding our Week 3 Junior Assembly on Tuesday 2 May at 2:15pm in the hall.

Solid Pathways University Experience Day

At the end of Term 1, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are involved in the Solid Pathways online learning program were invited to attend a fun and engaging day of action learning, demonstrations and displays from a wide range of faculties at the University of Queensland. Isaiah M from 4 Green and Ms Fedorczyk, who works with our students during the Solid Pathways lessons, attended the day.

Students were able to enjoy activities from the following UQ faculties:

• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Architecture
• Education
• Engineering
• Molecular Biology
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Qld Brain Institute

and many more.

They had an excellent day and look forward to the possibility of more experiences like this.

Curriculum Corner

Hello Everyone

Wow didn’t last term fly by. I can hardly believe that I have been here at Worongary for 11 weeks.

Let’s continue our Reading journey:-How Can I Improve My Child's Reading?

The following advice for parents details what they can do to help beginning readers become readers, and help school-age children improve their reading skills.

Research shows parents are more concerned about their child's progress in reading than in any other subject taught in school, and rightfully so.

In order for students to achieve in Mathematics, Science, English, History, Geography, and other subjects, in the long term reading skills must be developed to the point that most of them are automatic. As students progress into the higher year levels in school, if they are struggling with word recognition when they should be reading quickly for comprehension of a text, it can inhibit a child’s learning.

Since reading is so important to success in school, parents can and should play a role in helping their children to become interested in reading and in encouraging their growth in reading skills.

What can I do for my school-age child who doesn't like to read?

In the early years, from PREP to Year 2, children continue learning how to read. It is a complex process, difficult for some and easy for others. Care must be taken during these early years not to overemphasize the learning-to-read process, as it can effect a child’s progress and enthusiasm.

Reading for pleasure and information develops reading interests and offers children the opportunity to practice their reading skills in meaningful ways. Parents of middle and upper primary children should provide reading materials in the home that arouse curiosity or extend their child's natural interest in the world around them.

By encouraging and modelling leisure-time reading in the home, parents take the most important step in fostering their child's reading development.

How can reading research information be useful to me, as a parent?

Current research in reading reveals three important considerations for parents and teachers:

• Children who read, and read widely, become better readers.
• Reading and writing are complementary skills.
• Parents are important to children both as role models and as supporters of their efforts.

What does research say about ways parents can help their children with reading?

The following suggestions have been beneficial to many parents:

• Provide a good role model — read yourself and read often to your child.
• Provide varied reading material — some for reading enjoyment and some with information about hobbies and interests.
• Encourage activities that require reading — for example, cooking (reading a recipe), constructing a kite (reading directions), or identifying an interesting bird's nest or a shell collected at the beach (using a reference book).
• Establish a reading time, even if it is only ten minutes a day.
• Write notes to your school-age child; encourage written responses.
• Ask your child to bring a library book home to read to a younger sibling.
• Establish one evening a week for reading (instead of television viewing).
• Encourage your child in all reading efforts.
• I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone in the school community a safe, enjoyable and relaxing break. I am looking forward to seeing you all in term 2 as we begin our next stage in our learning journeys.

References

Loveday, E. and Simmons, K. (1988). "Reading At Home: Does It Matter What Parents Do?" Reading, 22 (2), 84-88. EJ 376 103.

Moore, S. A. and Moore, D.W. (1990). "Emergent Literacy: Children, Parents, and Teachers Together (Professional Resources)." Reading Teacher, 43 (4), 330-31. EJ 403 669.

Resh, C.A. and Wilson, M.J. (1990). "The Teacher-Parent Partnership: Helping Children Become Good Readers." Reading Horizons, 30 (2), 51-56. EJ 402 262.

Scott, J.A., et al. (1988). From Present to Future: Beyond "Becoming a Nation of Readers." Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Center for the Study of Reading. ED 302 823.

Teale, W.H. and Martinez, M.G. (1988). "Getting on the Right Road to Reading: Bringing Books and Young Children Together in the Classroom." Young Children, 44 (1), 10-15. EJ 380 635.

Kind Regards, Leslie Ward, Head of Curriculum

NAPLAN: Term 2 Week 4

NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. The tests should be treated as just another routine event on the school calendar and are constructed to give students an opportunity to demonstrate skills they have learned over time through the school curriculum. It is important to remember that NAPLAN tests are not pass/fail tests. They are designed to illustrate the range of student performances across the class, year level, school and country. At the classroom level it is one of a number of important tools used by teachers to measure student progress.

NAPLAN dates this year are 9th, 10th and 11th of May. Please reassure children that NAPLAN tests are just part of the school program, and urge them to simply do the best they can!

As Teaching and Learning Coordinator at Worongary, one of my roles has been running intervention groups in years three and five around strategies that will assist students not just with the NAPLAN test but with life-long problem solving skills.

During numeracy groups, students have been learning Polya’s problem solving model of SEE, PLAN, DO and CHECK. See the important information and what the question is asking. Plan a series of steps to answer the question. Do the operations needed in the sequence planned. Check the working and operations to verify that no mistakes have been made.

During reading groups students have been working at understanding and unpacking complex texts. The first step is a pre-read, where students scan the texts features, activate prior knowledge and think about what these features could mean and the implications they have. The second step is a slow and methodical read of the text. This is where we read the text carefully identifying facts and details that build an understanding of the main idea and the author’s purpose for writing the text. Another important part of this step is the identification of complex vocabulary and having a bank of strategies of how to understand these words that may be foreign to the reader. These two steps will give students a very deep understanding of the text they are reading and lead them towards analysing, interpreting, inferring and responding to texts.

Regards
Tom McDonald, Teaching and Learning Coordinator

READ AND GROW

You’re invited to attend our FREE 6 week Read and Grow Program with your 3-5 year old children who are not yet attending school

Read and Grow is a fun interactive story sharing program for parents and children. Throughout the program we will learn to listen, sing songs, share books and play together. This is a great way to develop your child’s oral language skills and help prepare them for school.

When: Tuesday 9am to 9.45am
  -  Starting Week 3 (2 May, 2017)
Where: Prep Maroon Classroom (Worongary State School)
Who: Parents and their children (3-5years who are not yet attending Prep)

Please see our flyer at the end of the newsletter for further details.

Regards
Mrs Katie Huggard
Prep Maroon Classroom Teacher

Year 3 News

The Year 3's have been working hard at writing settings for their narratives. Take a read of some examples of amazing introductions.

Music Korner

Welcome to Term two musicians, students, staff and parents!

Please note that Strings and Band Lessons are the same as Term one unless Ms Futo and Ms Ashton have advised students otherwise.

Please note the following dates in your diary:

Mid-Year Concert

The concert for Band, Strings, Lorikeet and Rosella choirs is to be held in Week 9 of this term. The exact date is yet to be confirmed.

Fanfare

Creative Voice Generation (Fanfare) – both choirs were tentatively scheduled to perform in this event at William Duncan for this term on a Friday, however, with our eating changes at school and school sport on Friday afternoons there has been a drastic drop in rehearsal attendance. Therefore I have decided that Worongary will not be participating in this event and instead we will focus on our Mid year concert in June.

Eisteddfod

To be held in Term 3 for strings, band and both choirs. More details coming soon.

End of Year Concert

To be held in Term 4 and will involve Band, Strings and choir. More details coming soon.

From the Sports Shed

Congratulations!

To Luka S for making South Coast School’s Regional representative team for the U11’s in rugby league.

To Izayah P for making the Gold Coast U11 Rugby League team.

Well done boys on your continued efforts on the field.

ROUND 1 RESULTS

SOCCER

Year 6 Boys’ Soccer

On Friday the 21st of April the Year 6A and 6B boys played their first matches for 2017 with both sides facing off against Robina. The 6A boys put in a solid effort despite having their term 1 training interrupted by the rainy weather. However Robina played a fantastic game and defeated Worongary 9-1.

Our 6B boys played good team football with everyone playing a role in a 2-1 win over Robina B. Whether they were attacking the goal, playing defence or getting the ball up field all team members did their part.

6A Boys – LOSS
Robina 9 – WSS 1. Player of the match Jayden D

6B Boys – WIN
Worongary 2 - Robina 1. Player of the match - Benjamin B

Girls’ Soccer

Year 4 Purple – WIN 3-0. Player of the Match – Elise W
Year 4 White – WIN 9-0. Player of the Match – Bubba C
Year 5 – LOSS 0-4. Player of the Match – Tara T
Year 6 WIN 1-0. Player of the Match – Mollirose M

AFL

Juniors – LOSS “Mercy 58”. Player of the Match – Gavin Mc
Seniors – LOSS 56 – 8. Player of the Match – Jack R

NETBALL

4A DRAW 0-0. Player of the Match – Tayla H
6B WIN 11-1. Player of the Match Zahlee T
6A LOSS 0-5. Player of the Match Emily Mc

RUGBY LEAGUE

Year 4 – WIN 40-4. Player of the Match - Manaia R
Year 5A WIN 32-8. Player of the Match – Rayzah N.
Year 6A WIN 40-14. Player of the Match – Tavarna P.

Student Council

Dress in your brightest clothes for this term’s school disco hosted by our very own Student Councillors!

Date: Friday 5th May
Times: Juniors 4.00pm - 5.30pm
  -  Seniors 5.45pm - 7.15pm
Theme: Fluro - dress in your brightest clothes!
Cost: Ticket only $4, Ticket & meal deal (sausage sizzle and drink) $7

Glow products will be on sale (prices ranging from $1 to $5 along with a range of drinks and snacks.

Finance

We have two unidentified payments on our internet banking report.

1. Received from NAB for $20.00 into our account 8/3/17 with the reference SRS and
2. Received from NAB $30.00 into our account 22/3/17 with the reference Fees SRS.

If you believe this may be your payment please contact the admin office on 5502 4440.

Health Room

Recall of Epipens

Important information for students with Epipens

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has advised that four batches of EpiPen 300 microgram adrenaline injection syringe auto-injectors are being recalled.

If your child’s EpiPen is from batch 5FA665, 5FA6651, 5FA6652 or 5FA6653 (all of which expire in April 2017), return it to your pharmacy for a free replacement or refund.

It has been identified that Epipens from the four affected batches may contain a defective part that could result in the auto-injector failing to activate or a need to apply more force than normal to activate.

It is important to keep the current auto-injector until you get the replacement, and use it if required (being mindful that you may need to apply more force than normal to activate it).

For further information see the TGA Recall Alert at the link below. If you have further questions or concerns, talk to your health professional.

P&C

Mothers’ Day Stall – Thursday 11 May & Friday 12 May

Our annual Mothers’ Day Stall will be held Thursday 11 May and Friday 12 May. The stall runs successfully on gift donations and they can be brought in and placed in the gift box in your child’s classroom by Wednesday 10 May. (please wrap in clear cellophane)

Gift prices will range from $1.00 to $10.00

We thank you in advance for all of your donations and have listed some

suggestions below:

• Hair care products _ Books / Book marks
• Pot plants _ Coffee mugs
• Gardening utensils _ Picture frames
• Candles / Incense _ Garden ornaments
• Cooking utensils _ Soaps / Bath salts
• Gloves / Scarf _ Jewellery
• Chocolates _ Lotions / Fragrances

Excursions

Tuckshop

Changes to Lunchtimes

As you are all aware, there have been some changes to lunchtimes this Term, as the school trials having playtimes before eating times. This has had an impact on how we operate in the Tuckshop and we have had to implement quite a few changes, in order to fit in with the different times. Please note the following changes that parents and students need to be aware of:

• We no longer refer to the breaks as Little Lunch and Big Lunch. Instead, we now call the breaks ‘First Break’ and ‘Second Break’. Please use these terms on your Tuckshop orders to avoid confusion about which break you are ordering for.
• Over the Counter Sales are still available. At this stage, we are offering Over the Counter Sales for Senior students at the ’First Break’ and for Juniors (Grades 1 and 2) at ‘Second Break’.
• Pre-Ordering of Frozen items at ‘Second Break’ only. Frozen items are to be eaten in play time, not the eating time. In order for this to happen, frozen items must be ordered on the ‘First Break’ bags. Students will receive the bag at the first break eating time and can hold on to it (fold it up and put it in the zip pocket of their shorts/skorts) during the middle learning session and they can collect the item/s at the second break play time.

Summary for Parents of JUNIOR Students

Lunches are now called First Break and Second Break

Juniors (Prep – 2) can pre-order frozen items on First Break bag to eat at Second Break playtime

Over the Counter Sales for Juniors (grade 1 and 2 only) is at Second Break

Summary for Parents of SENIOR Students

Lunches are now called First Break and Second Break

Seniors can pre-order frozen items on First Break bag to eat at Second Break playtime

Over the Counter Sales for Seniors is at First Break

Interschool Sports – Tuckshop at First Break Only

Traditionally, students ordering Tuckshop on interschool sports day have been able to collect their ‘Second Break’ orders early, on their way to the sport bus. However, due to the changes to the lunch breaks mentioned above, this is no longer feasible (ie students will have only just finished eating at First Break when catching their bus). Please note that you can still order enough tuckshop food to cover their needs for the day, but all orders will need to be prepared for and served at First Break. Hot items can be eaten at the first breaks and snack items can be taken on the bus to sport to be eaten later. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Tuckshop Basket Competition

Last term we ran a Tuckshop Basket Competition to encourage respect of the Tuckshop, the Tuckshop baskets and subsequent hygiene for food ordered. Classes received 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.

The winners of our Term 1 Tuckshop Basket Competition were:

Junior School Winning Classes: Prep Red & Prep Green
Senior School Winning Class: 4 Green

On the last Thursday of Term 1, these classes were meant to be presented with a Frozen Treat Medley as a reward for their top effort. However, Cyclone Debbie interrupted those plans, so these classes will instead receive their reward in the next couple of weeks.

We would like to say thank you and congratulations to both the teachers and students in these classes. We appreciate the effort you have put into caring for Tuckshop property this term.

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

I am pleased to say that we received our shipment of Seniors Shirts on the first day of this Term. The majority of these were delivered to students that very day. Notes were sent to the classes of students who were absent from school the first day back and their shirts are being held in the Tuckshop, waiting to be collected.

Interschool Sports

Interschool sports has now begun. Footy socks and Interschool Sport shorts are still available in all sizes, so come on up and kit your child out in the correct uniform so they can represent our school with pride this season.

Winter Stock

Our shipment of Winter stock has arrived. I am happy to let you know that prices remain the same as last year, despite an increase in cost to the P&C. Limited stock available for pullovers and zip-ups.

We will have the following items available for purchase:

• Unisex Zip-Up Cardigans : $37.00
• Unisex V-Neck Pullovers: $28.00
• Unisex Trackpants : $23.00
• Girls Tights: $ 7.00

Polo Shirts

Please note that polo shirts are currently out of stock in size 6 and size 8. All other sizes are still available. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we await our next shipment. We are currently in touch with our supplier to determine an expected delivery date. Watch this space for an update in the next Pipeline.

Kind regards,

Michelle Lee
Kind regards, Michelle Lee Tuckshop/Uniform Convenor

Community Notices

Nerang Girl Guides are looking for new members to come and join our fantastic units.

We are at 40 Ferry Street Nerang and meet on different days throughout the week.

Brownies 5 to 10 year olds Saturday morning 9am to 11am
Guides 10 to 14 year olds Wednesday night 6pm to 8pm
Rangers 14 to 18 year olds Thursday night 6.30pm to 8.30pm

We provide activities such as canoeing, camping, craft, community service, bush walk, life skills,

cooking indoor and outdoor, and much more. If you are interested please contact Kerry Patrick at kezandscott@bigpond.com

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