11 October 2017

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

It is with much excitement that I pen my first edition of the school’s Pipeline. In the final few weeks of term 3 Ms Marilyn Moballe contacted our Regional Office and extended her leave until the end of the 2017 school year. Our thoughts are with Ms Moballe and on behalf of our school community we trust she takes this time to rest and recuperate. Ms Moballe’s decision to extend her leave created a wonderful opportunity for me to come across from William Duncan State School and see firsthand how our teachers are supporting our students to achieve their many amazing accomplishments.

My extensive experience as a principal has provided me the opportunity to work in a number of school communities across Queensland. Many of these communities have been located in remote and rural settings. In every school that I have led I have welcomed feedback from the school community. My leadership style is one well founded on collaboration and respectful interactions. Therefore, if over the next 10 weeks you would like to speak to me about any aspect of the school’s operations I would encourage you to contact the office and make an appointment. If your enquiry is regarding a staff member I would appreciate it if you could please speak to the staff member before making an appointment. By contacting this staff member I anticipate that they will help to address your concerns quickly and effectively.

I sincerely thank our school’s parents, staff members and students for the way that you have welcomed me into the Worongary State School community. The Worongary State School community has much to be extremely proud. I look forward to seeking opportunities to add value to the amazing work that has already been started.

School Review

During early September the School Improvement Unit (SIU) co-ordinated for Worongary State School to undertake a Full School Review. This review was undertaken by three independent officers appointed by the SIU. The school has now received a School Review Report and an Executive Summary. It is an expectation of the SIU that the school’s Executive Summary report be placed on the school’s website. Parents who are interested in reading the Executive Summary are encouraged to visit the school’s website and download a copy.

The outcome from this Full School Review has resulted in our school being recommended to participate in a Priority Support Review. Priority support reviews are for schools identified as needing additional support to further improve student outcomes. The School Improvement Unit (SIU) designates all schools for the different types of reviews by first considering their performance data and then consulting with the school’s regional office. Priority support reviews are about ensuring schools that would benefit from extra assistance from the department receive it as a priority.

Over the next week I will be working closely with all members of our staff to commence developing an action plan that will support the implement of our school’s reading framework in a consistent and effective way for all students. At this week’s P and C Association meeting I will be outlining the feedback from our recent review and seeking feedback on our school’s action plan. Any parent wishing to obtain additional information regarding this process is encouraged to contact the office and make an appointment to meet with me.

Every Day Counts at School

One of my core responsibilities is supporting students and their families to manage student absences and enforcing parents’ obligations to ensure children are enrolled and attend school on every school day or participate full time in their eligible option. Having looked at our historic data I believe there is room for improvement for some of our students. I understand that this can be a complex issue for some of our families and therefore believe a team response may benefit some families to meet their legislative responsibility. Over the next week I will be working with other school leaders to identify these students who may benefit from additional support and contacting these families.

In the meantime the adventures of Jimmy and Sam the Dog series developed by the Department of Education and Training supports this team effort to improve our students’ school attendance. This team message is the central theme in the next animation and comic book. Once again NRL star Sam Thaiday plays Sam the Dog, with a cameo appearance by Johnathan Thurston, plus former Queensland Firebird Beryl Friday and two Solid Pathways students.

Research shows that school attendance leads to positive student outcomes, and can help children build social and emotional skills. Head to the Every day counts website for more information.

Get Set for Prep

If you, or someone you know, has a child ready to start Prep in 2018 and have not yet enrolled, please make sure enrolment papers have been handed in at the office and an interview scheduled. Places in Worongary State School’s Prep program are filling fast. Get Set for Prep starts week 3, Thursday 19 October. Three sessions will run throughout the day with Mrs Huggard and Mrs McIntyre. Mrs Buttigieg will be replacing Mrs Huggard, and Mrs Smith will be replacing Mrs McIntyre, for the Thursdays during Get Set for Prep.

Junior Assembly Week 3

Due to a Pupil Free Day on Monday 16 October, Junior Assembly will be held in the hall on Tuesday 17 October at 2:15pm. All parents are welcome.

Behaviour

Term Four Focus: Being a Good Friend

Respecting other people’s feelings
Respecting other people’s property
Play fairly

Positive Behaviour for Learning Weeks 2 and 3

Second Step Weeks 2 and 3

Reporting on Student Achievement

This semester 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 two report cards for 2017, that there is a clear understanding of how we report on your child’s academic, behaviour 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 Thursday 7 December.

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.

Interschool Sport – Contract

In order to participate in Interschool Sport, all parents and students were required to sign a contract in order to participate. It is important that all students and parents are reminded that if a participating student receives two RTC’s within the sporting season (between the dates of trials to the last game) they will miss a week of sport. If a participating student receives a third RTC they will be removed from the Interschool Sport Team. No refund will be given for behaviour exclusion.

Upcoming Year 5 Camp – Behaviour Contract

As you would already be aware the year 5 Tyalgum trip to Camp Goodenough is fast approaching, and will be held from Monday 6 through to Wednesday 8 November. 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 Camp Goodenough 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 5 students will be placed on a behaviour contract in the weeks prior to the camp and their opportunity to attend this activity will be reliant upon them demonstrating 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.

Year 6 Leaving Ceremony – Parent Committee

This year the Year 6 Leaving Ceremony will be held on Tuesday 5 December. As is the tradition at Worongary State School, we will be once again be asking for parent volunteers to become part of the committee that helps with the decoration of the school hall, foyer and celebration cakes for our Year 6 students Leaving Ceremony. Our first meeting will be held on Wednesday 18 October at 2:15pm. If you are interested in joining in please email your details to office@worongaryss.eq.edu.au

Upcoming Excursion - Year 6 Big Day Out

Our end of year celebration for year 6 students, Big Day Out will be held on Wednesday 6 December. Big Day Out is an exciting day where year 6 students spend the day at Wet & Wild with their teachers and Support Staff. It is requested that in preparation and in the lead up for this event, 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). All year 6 students will be placed on a behaviour contract in the weeks prior to Big Day Out and their opportunity to attend this activity will be reliant upon them demonstrating positive behaviour choices.

Regards Landon Dare, Principal

Learning Vine Awards

From The Guidance Officer

This week from October 8 – 14 is Mental Health week.

Mental Health is a positive state of wellbeing used to describe emotional and social wellness. It involves feeling positive about ourselves, the people and events in our lives, and being able to live life to our fullest capacity.

Mental health is an essential part of our overall health and affects our physical health as does our physical health affect our mental health. So, it’s worthwhile to put in the effort and work to be mentally healthy.

Our mental health influences everything we do:

• How we think, feel and behave
• The way we relate to other people
• The way we respond to the challenges of everyday life; and
• How we cope with events such as changing jobs, having a baby, raising a child, relationship difficulties, retirement, loss and physical illness.

Things to do to improve your mental health

• Exercise – e.g. walking for at least 30 mins every couple of days
• Eat healthy foods – avoid drinking too much coffee, eating too much fat and sugars
• Visit your doctor regularly to ensure good health
• Build a community around yourself – having people to talk to makes life happier and more enjoyable
• Keep busy and involved – in family, school, work, leisure
• Have adequate sleep – restful sleep. If you snore or have sleep apnea see your doctor

• Seek help if you are feeling down, don’t let the blues take over you
• Be kind to yourself – do things that you enjoy eg. a relaxing bath, take a movie, go to dinner
• Do things for other people – not only will they benefit but it is a boost for you as well
• Practise thinking good thoughts, avoid bad thoughts
• Watch comedy shows, seek out humour, laugh loudly

You can also visit the QLD Mental Health Week website for some further ideas.

Adapted from: Austn Network for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health

If you would like further information or to find out what services are available please don’t hesitate to contact me at the school.

Regards Kath Bellamy, Guidance Officer

Finance

NEW PAYMENT METHOD

Education Queensland schools will no longer be able to accept Credit Card payments over the phone or take card details for processing on the next payment day as this is not Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard compliant.

To make credit card payments for school invoices, please use either QParents or BPoint.

If you have not already joined QParents, please accept the invitation that has been emailed to you. The turnaround time for approval is approx. 24 hours, after which time you will be able to view information pertaining to your child including invoices awaiting payment and details about invoices previously paid.

The option to pay invoices over the phone using BPoint IVR (Interactive Voice Response) is also available, however invoice details will be required. Parents call 1300 631 073 and enter their CRN (Customer Reference Number), amount and credit card details to complete payment. At the end of the call you will be provided with a unique payment receipt number.

Please remember that late payments will not be accepted. Invoices not paid by 10am on the due date will be deleted and not available for payment.

STUDENT RESOURCE SCHEME 2017

The due date for SRS payments this year was Friday 16 June. Thank you to those families who have paid the SRS in full for their children. We have a number of parents who have not adhered to their commitment as per the signed SRS Participation Agreement. For the remainder of this year any student with outstanding SRS fees will not be eligible to attend excursions, camps and payable school activities including Inter-School Sport.

On Monday 14 August students with unpaid SRS fees will have their access to the scheme suspended until full payment has been made as per Section 29 of the Participation Agreement.

Students will be ineligible for SRS 2018 if there are any outstanding fees for 2017.

Regards, Charmaine Johnson, Business Manager

Curriculum Corner

Welcome back to term 4! I can hardly believe that I have been at Worongary for 3 terms already,. The time has flown by and I am continuing to enjoy being part of our wonderful school. As I reflect upon the school year thus far, I have been truly privileged to be here.

Throughout term 1 and 2, I focussed on Reading and term 3 on Numeracy. I have decided to continue on our Reading journey for the remainder of the year. I stated in my first newsletter article: - “I am particularly passionate about Reading and the effective explicit teaching that surrounds it. It’s particularly exciting when a student’s reading ability begins to shift from learning to Read to Reading to learn.” Learning to read gives us so much power, as we are able to use these skills to tackle any direction we choose to embark upon. Being lost within the pages of a book can be an exciting and fun way to enhance our world.

Spending time reading just right books during independent reading time with your child/ren will help them become stronger at reading. Your child/ren needs to understand and enjoy the books for reading success. Reading is about gaining meaning, so students should be reading manageable texts and understanding what they read.

A just right book is a book the student finds interesting and can confidently read and understand with a small amount of support. These books also make your child/ren stretch a little bit so that they have opportunities to apply the strategies they have been learning and to experience new vocabulary and different genres.

A great starting point is looking at the cover, flipping through the pages, and scanning the illustrations.

So, how do you choose the right text for your child’s reading level?

“Just-right" books help your child find the right reading levels and make reading more fun. Do you remember the five-finger test? Have your child/ren try the "five-finger test" to select a book at their reading level:

• Have your child choose a book s/he would like to read.
• Then have your child look at a page in the middle.
• Follow the steps on the right under the title ‘Five Finger test’.
• If s/he has five fingers down, s/he will need to try a different reading level.
• Your child may want to read a book that is "too hard" based on this test. That's okay. Just make it a book that you read aloud to him/her, or that you read together (perhaps alternating pages or chapters; or s/he reads, you sit alongside to answer questions or help him/her with challenging words). This will help your child climb to more advanced reading levels!

Another way to help students choose an appropriate book is to teach them about the “Goldilocks” strategy (Routman, 2003). This strategy has three categories: Too Hard, Just Right, and Too Easy. Your child answers several questions for each category. If the answers are “yes,” the book probably fits into that category. Modeling this strategy for your child will help them understand before they have to apply it independently.

“When reading for pleasure children naturally require enjoyment and understanding. This is critical in the development of reading skill and the formation of lifelong reading habits” (Cullinan, 2000).

Choosing books that are just right for your child/ren and teaching them how to choose for themselves is also an essential piece of a successful reading program. Our teachers at Worongary organise this on a daily basis. Struggling readers as well as successful readers need to have the opportunity to practice what they have learned. Teachers have the opportunity to make this happen in their classrooms. Choosing books that are appropriate for students involves many various considerations. Student interest, reading purpose, and reading level are just a few of those considerations. Independent reading combined with read-alouds, shared reading, and guided reading provide students with a variety of experiences. Please help us support your children by providing as many opportunities as possible for your child/ren to read. Seek out your child’s classroom teacher if you have any questions or are looking for ways to support your child’s learning.

As I have previously stated in an earlier newsletter……. “I know with our busy lives, it is difficult to try and fit everything into our day, as there is so much on all of our plates. Reading books with our children has so many benefits! Give it a go!”

Until next time……

Try to find some time to share a book or books with your child/ren this week!

Happy Reading

Kind Regards Leslie Ward, Head of Curriculum

Behaviour

On Friday 27 October our school will participate in the Australia wide Day for Daniel Memorial Service. Working with our staff our students also have a variety of child safe activities and work sheets to encourage awareness of ‘The Right to Be Safe’.

We please ask that on Friday October 27 that our students wear red as a symbol of unity and make a gold coin donation which will be collected at school and sent to the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.

Kaia Clarke is taking leave for three weeks, she’s on safari in Africa and will return Monday of Week 4. I wish her a safe trip and while away I will be the acting Behaviour and Engagement Teacher. A quick thank you to Michelle, Josh, Sam and Jamal (Teacher Aides) for making me feel welcome in the new role! I’m located in the behaviour room, next to the music room, so please feel free to pop in or call anytime.

Our behaviour focus to start term 4 is keeping our hands and feet to ourselves. Using hands and feet in an attempt to solve a problem will only further escalate that situation and we must remind students to use their words, through respectful communication with one another, to successfully solve problems they encounter.

Kind Regards Tom McDonald, Behaviour

SPORTS RESULTS 7 October 2016

Year 3 Update

This term, the year 3 students will be engaging with Poetry. It is an exciting unit and the students will be coming home with describing language devices such as alliteration and onomatopoeia.

Watch this space for some year 3 poetry creations.

Excursions

P&C News

Student Banking

Student banking is on every Wednesday and it’s never too late for your child to join up with our school banking program.

Parents can simply visit their local CBA branch with their driver’s licence and ask to open a new account for a Worongary State School student. Your account will then be opened with your deposit book and further info provided on the spot (our banking days are Wednesday and your student number will be allocated to you upon first deposit.)

This is a fantastic way to support our school while helping yourselves and children to reach financial goals and earn some prizes along the way.

Without volunteer’s school banking would not be possible. If you are available and can volunteer your time between 9-11ish on Wednesday mornings, please come and see us in the P&C room. Your help would be much appreciated.

Movie Night

Preparations for this terms “Mum’s Movie Night” are underway. The chosen movie is “Bad Mom’s Christmas” and we are all looking forward to having a Mum’s Night out with friends. Monies raised from this event will be going towards air-conditioning the school. More details of the event will be available towards the end of the week.

Regards P&C

Tuckshop & Uniform

Welcome back to Term 4 students, families, staff and volunteers. We hope you all had an enjoyable break from routine.

Interschool Sports – Tuckshop at First Break Only

If your child is participating in Interschool Sports this season, 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 be eaten later. Thank you to those students and parents who remembered this from last season.

Halloween Meal Deals

We are once more recognising Halloween with some themed Meal Deals. The deals will be available at both First and Second Break for the five school days from Wednesday 25 October - Tuesday 31 October. Keep an ‘eyeball’ on your email as the flyer with full details will follow…Trick or Treat!

Warm Days

As the weather heats up, please remember that we have plenty of yummy, healthy frozen treats available, like:

• Frozen Pineapple pieces and Frozen Grapes
• Icebergs (cubes of frozen yoghurt and fruit)
• Frozen Orange Wedges

These items are all available from both online and manual ordering and may also be purchased over the counter by students in years 1-6, during playtime.

Uniform Shop News

Seniors Shirts for Year 6

Year 6 Seniors Shirts for 2018 are now available for ordering. This shirt is included as part of the everyday uniform for year 6 students only. Please see the attached order form for details and note that a hard copy of the form will be sent home with current year 5 students in the next week.

The final date for ordering and paying for these special shirts is Monday 5 February 2017.

How to Order Uniforms for Prep 2018

Option 1: Purchase at the Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop is located upstairs from Central games in Modular F. Uniforms can be purchased here during opening hours listed above.

We recommend bringing your child along for sizing.

Option 2: Purchase Online

Online purchasing is available for future Preps. Go to the school website and follow the link to Uniforms Online where you can set up an account. If you choose to purchase online, the following collection options are available:

• Order online and have the uniforms collected by a sibling already at the school. The nominated sibling will receive a note in their class Tuckshop basket to advise when the order is ready for collection.
• Order online and collect from the admin office at your convenience.We will call you when the order has been processed and is ready for collection.
• Order online and collect at the Get Set for Prep programme. We will call you when the order has been processed and is ready for collection.

Please add a note in the comments section to let us know your preference.

If you have any queries please call the Uniform Shop during the opening hours outlined above.

Regards Michelle Lee, Canteen and Uniform Convenor

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