31 January 2018
Newsletter Articles
From the Principal
Welcome back to another fantastic year at Worongary State School. We particularly welcome all of our new prep students and their families. With 81 prep students starting their learning journey with us I hope their first week of formal schooling was enjoyable and filled with fond memories. On behalf of our prep team we sincerely thank all of our prep parents for their support as their children transition into school.
I wish to welcome all of our other new families to our school. Worongary State School is a wonderful school and I am sure your children will enjoy and embrace their many challenges during the 2018 school year. At Worongary State School, we value open and respectful communication. If during the year you have any questions, queries or problems please speak to your child’s class teacher. Together we can make our school a place of learning and enjoyment for all students, staff and visitors.
Kicking Goals
Each year at Worongary State School, the leadership team establishes a theme. This year we have decided to link our school’s 2018 theme with the work that we are currently undertaking under our school’s Priority Support Review. It is our clear intention that all students will be striving to achieve their individual Reading and Numeracy goals. Students will display these goals in their Personal Learning Journals along with a self-reflection of their achievements.
This strategy when coupled with other support mechanisms will support our students to achieve our school’s systemic targets. These targets are:
- 100% of students achieving one year’s worth of reading growth
- Percentage of students achieving a B or above in English
|
Sem |
Prep |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
Year 5 |
Year 6 |
|
1 |
40% |
40% |
25% |
40% |
35% |
35% |
35% |
|
2 |
45% |
45% |
35% |
45% |
45% |
45% |
45% |
- Percentage of students achieving a B or above in Mathematics
|
Sem |
Prep |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
Year 5 |
Year 6 |
|
1 |
40% |
45% |
45% |
40% |
40% |
40% |
40% |
|
2 |
45% |
55% |
50% |
45% |
50% |
45% |
45% |
- 90% of 2019 prep students transition successfully into formal schooling.
I look forward to sharing some of our additional strategies at each month’s P and C Association meeting. I will also be highlighting our school’s progress in future editions of our school’s newsletter.
New Appointments
It gives me great pleasure to formally welcome two new leaders to our school. Late last year two selection and recruitment processes were completed to appoint the school’s vacant Business Manager and Head of Curriculum positions.
Mrs Rachel Zorbas has been appointed as the school’s substantive Business Manager. Rachel is a compassionate leader who has many years of experience in effectively leading teams at Arundel State School. Prior to this appointment, Rachel was acting in the role of Business Manager at William Duncan State School. Over the past few weeks, Rachel has been working hard to understand our school’s procedures and processes. Our school community is truly fortunate to have Rachel guiding our school’s human resources, facilities and finances.
The second selection and recruitment process appointed our 2018 Head of Curriculum position. During the Term One pupil free day program, I formally introduced and welcomed Mrs Peta White to our teaching staff. For the past three years, Peta has been the Gilston State School’s Pedagogy Leader. Mrs White commenced her teaching career in a kindergarten setting more than 27 years ago. Over the past two years, Peta has helped to shape our Nerang Alliance Early Years project into what it is today. During 2018, Peta will build upon the work achieved by the teaching team last year and supporting them to embed the Australian Curriculum consistently across the school. She will also be working with teachers to help them to achieve the best outcomes for students. Peta is committed to ensuring staff are supported to inspire every child to ‘kick their goals’.
In addition to these leaders we also welcomed the following teachers to our school:
- Amy Buttigieg - Year 2B
- Ms Kaitlyn West – Year 4C
- Hayley Cannon - Year 5B
- Hayley Thomson – Year 6C
I trust you will join with me in welcoming all of our new staff to our school.
2018 Classes
As you may be aware all Education Queensland State Schools are resourced on the number of students who are effectively enrolled during the first 8 days of the school year. At this stage, our enrolment forecast indicates that there will be some changes after Day 8. The school’s leadership team will take the time to ensure any restructure process is sensitive to the needs of our school community. The official “Day 8” count is scheduled for this Thursday (1 February 2018). As our enrolment numbers are lower than anticipated it is critical that parents contact the school as soon as possible if your child is absent from school during the next few days. I thank you for your anticipated support and again hope to limit any disruption that the official Day 8 process may cause.
Uniform Policy
All parents are reminded that Worongary State School is a uniform school. Students who attend our school are expected to wear the correct uniform. I sincerely thank all of the parents who have gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure your child is attending school in the correct uniform. I would also like to acknowledge Michelle (Uniform Convenor) and Jasmine for the countless hours that they contributed to supporting our students transition into schooling in the best possible way.
Over the past week, we have noticed a number of problems relating to the types of shoes our students have been wearing. The school’s Uniform Policy states - shoes are to be kept neat and tidy. Shoes are to be made of black leather or vinyl (no canvas shoes). White ankle socks MUST be worn with shoes. For safety reasons, laced shoes must be tied tightly. Laces are to be the same colour as the shoe. All parts of the shoe must be black, including soles, eyelets and motifs. Shoes and socks MUST be worn at all times unless instructed by a teacher. Slip-on shoes are prohibited due to health and safety.
We sincerely thank all parents for ensuring your child attends school each day in the correct uniform.
Helping Hands
Our partnership with Helping Hands has continued to strengthen over the past 12 months. Students who participated in the program over the Christmas vacation period were treated with a large variety of fun and interesting activities. On behalf of the school community, I wish to acknowledge and thank the Helping Hands team for their ongoing commitment to our school. We are all very fortunate to have such dedicated and compassionate leaders caring for our students and their needs.
All parents are welcome to become a part of the Worongary State School Helping Hands family. If your child requires before and after school care or vacation care I strongly encourage you to see the team. If you need more information, please feel free to contact the friendly Helping Hands staff 5502 4473.
School Resource Scheme
A big thank you to all of the parents who have already paid your child’s 2018 School Resource Scheme (SRS). I also wish to acknowledge and thank the many parents who have come into the school and arranged alternative payments (ie Centrelink payment options). We understand life can sometimes be extremely busy and sometimes payments may get overlooked. Therefore, over the next few days class teachers will be forwarding reminder notices to parents who may have overlooked the payment of these materials. If any parent is currently under financial hardship and would like to discuss alternative payment options with the school please do not hesitate to make an appointment with our school’s Business Manager (Mrs Rachel Zorbas). By working together, we can ensure all students are provided all of their materials at a minimum cost.
Every day counts at our school
Our school encourages all parents and members of our community to support the State Government initiative to improve student attendance. The program – Every Day Counts – has four key messages:
- all children should be enrolled and attend school on every school day
- schools should monitor and create ways to improve attendance in schools
- attendance is the responsibility of everyone in the community
- children may find themselves in unsafe situations if they choose not to attend or skip school.
While most students attend school consistently, there is a small number of students who are absent from school without an acceptable reason and this may harm their education. Going shopping, visiting family, staying up late and being tired or extending school holidays are not acceptable reasons to be away from school. Research shows that if your child has a record of good attendance, they are more likely to achieve high results in the future.
Religious Instruction
The Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 requires schools to provide RI for up to one hour each week if approached by a faith group seeking to provide RI and students of that faith attend the school.
RI informs students about the beliefs and values of a particular religion. It is delivered by volunteers of a faith group using instructional materials approved by that faith group. These materials are not part of the formal school curriculum and are not endorsed by the Department of Education and Training. The aims and objectives of each program is to teach Bible centered and life related material using “Beginning With God”, “Connect” and “Big Questions” programs, and to work cooperatively together as a group of Christian churches and on behalf of each other as required.
Earlier this week parents who have not completed RI participation information should have received information regarding our 2018 Religious Instruction (RI) Program. We are again updating our religious instruction (RI) records and ask that parents please complete the appropriate section of this letter and return it to the school by this Friday, 2 February.
If you would like further information about RI or other instruction at our school, or require assistance with completing the form below, please contact us on 5502 4444. Please note that if you tick No or do not return this form, your child will not participate in Religious Instruction.
Behaviour
The Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) program was adopted at Worongary State School in 2010. It has assisted our school to create positive learning environments by developing proactive whole-school systems to define, teach, and support appropriate student behaviours. PBL was developed by leading behavioural experts to reduce problem behaviour and increase academic performance. At Worongary State School we implement evidence-based approaches to managing student behaviour to support current issues.
With strong emphasis on data-based decision-making, the program is evaluated regularly and practices are adjusted to make sure the process is achieving effective results with positive behaviour support focussed on teaching appropriate behaviour to all students in the school.
Each edition of the school’s newsletter will contain our Term’s Behaviour Focus as well as the specific rules we will be explicitly focusing on during the next few weeks. We seek the support of all parents to speak to your children about these rules and reinforce how they can positively contribute to our school’s learning environment. Parents wishing to obtain more information on our school’s PBL processes are encouraged to contact the office and speak with our Deputy Principal Mrs Kerry White.
Term Focus
|
I can Follow the School Rules |
What are our school rules? Exploring school-wide expectations and consequences. Setting up Classroom rules and expectations. |
Term 1 Week 2 and Week 3 Focus
|
Week 2 Being Respectful in the Classroom |
We will:
|
|
Week 3 Being a Learner in the Classroom |
We will:
|
Parent Information Session
Our school will be holding its annual Parent Information Session on Wednesday afternoon, 7 February. Teachers will hold two identical sessions in their classrooms so parents are able to attend more than one year level.
Session 1: 3.10pm – 3.40
pm
Session 2: 3.40 pm – 4.10 pm
These sessions allows year level groups and class teachers the opportunity to share with parents information such as class structure, rules and routines. Each year level will be providing a team brochure to assist in communication between teachers and our parents. Please note that these meetings are not meant as Parent-Teacher Interviews, focusing on individual students. Parent Teacher interviews will take place on Wednesday 21 March.
Leadership Ceremony
Our 2018 Leadership ceremony will be held Friday 16 February at 9.30am. This ceremony celebrates our students who will be undertaking leadership roles in 2018. All parents with students being acknowledged on this day will receive an invitation to this event shortly.
Upcoming Year 6 Camp – Behaviour Contract
As you would already be aware the Year 6 Lake Ainsworth Camp is fast approaching, and will be held from Monday 5 March through to Wednesday 7 March. 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 the Lake Ainsworth Camp is to consistently demonstrate safe, compliant and respectful behaviour. As with 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 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.
Regards Landon Dare, Principal
Behaviour
Welcome to our 2018 families. It is fabulous to see that many of our students are wearing the Worongary State School uniform with pride. Last week there were a number of students who did not have a hat on when they were playing outside so could you please encourage them to double check that their school hats are in their bags.
Our students have settled well into the routine of school and have approached their new school year with enthusiasm. Generally, behaviour and good choice making has been outstanding and we appreciate your support in working with us to making 2018 at Worongary State School a positive and productive school year.
Our major behaviour focus for Term 1 is to encourage our students to be respectful, safe and on task learners. This is encouraged through discussion and activities explicitly taught in the classrooms.
If you have any concerns or would like to discuss any behaviour related issues with me please send me an email kclar45@eq.edu.au and I will endeavour to be in touch with you as soon as possible. Have a wonderful Term 1.
Regards Kaia Clarke, Behaviour
Read and Grow Update
You’re invited to attend our FREE 7 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.
You’re Invited to attend our FREE 7 week Read and Grow Program with your 3-5 year old children
(it is not compulsory to attend all sessions)
When: Tuesday 9am to
9.45am
- Starting
Week 4 (13 February, 2018)
Where: Prep A Classroom (Worongary State
School)
Who: Parents and their children (3-5years)
- (smaller
siblings are also welcome)
Regards Katie Huggard, PrepTeacher
Excursions
|
EVENT |
DATE OF EVENT |
AMOUNT |
DUE DATE |
|
SRS 2018 |
Various amounts depending on year level |
Paying in full Overdue Instalments: $100 Overdue $50 due 2 February 2018 Final amount 27 March 2018 |
|
|
Year 6 Camp 2018 |
Monday 5 March – Wednesday 7 March |
$293.00 |
Internet Payment – Final Date
for Payment – Friday 23 February 2018 |
P&C News
Welcome everyone to a brand new year. We trust that you all had a fun and safe holiday. Our first P&C Meeting for 2018 will be 4:30pm Wednesday 7 February. This meeting will be held in our staffroom and we would love to see some new faces there in addition to the return of existing members. Fresh perspectives and fresh ideas are always welcome.
Our P&C is a group of interested people that works to bring the school and its community into close cooperation and supports the quality of education for our children.
Parent volunteers are elected to act as an Executive Committee; however the real strength of the P&C comes from the ideas, effort and energy of all the parents, caregivers, grandparents and teachers who make up the members of Worongary’s P&C Association.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend our meetings. They are friendly and a great way to find out what is happening in the school.
P&C meetings are a great way to:
- Get the inside story on what’s really happening in the school (not the gossip).
- Influence school policies.
- Meet other parents.
- Discuss what activities and support the P&C can and will provide for the school.
Worongary P&C oversees the running of our Tuckshop and Uniform shop and we spend a lot of the year organising fundraising events for our school.
Some of our events throughout the year include:
- Mother’s and Father’s Day Stalls
- Chocolate Drive
- School Discos
All money raised by the P&C must be used for the benefit of the school.
In order for the Worongary P&C to be successful we count on parent volunteers. There are many ways parents and caregivers can help to support our school and you don’t have to be a P&C member:
You may:
- Be able to spare sometime to help organise or run an event (even if it is just an hour on the BBQ)
- Volunteer for School Banking
- Volunteer in our Tuckshop
- Have some good ideas to share
You will find participating at Worongary State School to be rewarding and fun. It’s great to be able to express support for your child’s education by being actively involved and actually seeing some results for your efforts.
If you have any questions or would like to contact the P&C. Please do so by emailing us at pandc@worongaryss.eq.edu.au
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on Wednesday, 14 March 2018 at 4:30pm in the School Staff Room. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Please note that all P&C roles are declared vacant at the AGM and any parent is welcome and encouraged to express interest in taking on one of these P&C roles. The 2018 P&C Executive Committee members are elected at this meeting.
P&C AGM
The AGM is a great way to find out what is happening at our school, so we hope you can attend. The AGM will be followed directly after by the March 2018 P&C meeting.
P&C President Role
- Is responsible for the successful functioning of the P&C Association
- Chairs the meetings & acts as spokesperson in the public arena
- Sets out & supports the P&C’s objectives & ensures the adherence to the constitution
- Supports & encourages volunteers and welcomes all new members
- Communicates with the Principal
P&C Vice President Role
- Is the back-up person for the President (ie chairperson, spokesperson etc)
- Assists all office-bearers in their individual roles & at events throughout the school year
- Is a point of contact for the school community and the Principal if the President is unavailable
P&C Secretary Role
- Responsible for a range of administrative tasks
- In consultation with the President, prepares & distributes all meeting agendas
- Documents & distributes the minutes of the meetings and the action register
- Maintains official records
- Prepares papers for AGM
P&C Treasurer Role
- Responsible for the P&C’s compliance with financial accountability requirements
- Receives & deposits monies, retains records, draws cheques and presents accounts
For detailed information on any of these roles please visit the link below
http://www.pandcsqld.com.au/pc-resources/executive-roles/
We hope you can join us!
Senior Playground
Have you seen our new senior playground?
It looks fantastic and we are so glad to see it completed for our senior students to use. We have loved seeing the students enjoying their new space over the last few weeks. Their smiles say it all!
Students Recycle Soft Plastics into Buddy Bench for their School
Worongary State School students are on a mission to collect 12,500 pieces of soft plastic rubbish including chip packets and muesli bar wrappers to earn a Buddy Bench for their school.
Year 6 Technology students have been measuring the volume of soft plastics they collect at the end of each week and logging the results for a Data Collection unit since August 2017.
After measuring their collections, the scrunchable plastic is taken to Coles so it can be picked up by REDcycle and transported to Replas in Victoria where over 200 products including outdoor furniture are made from recycled plastics. Replas delivered the buddy bench to the school recently so students could see what their soft plastic rubbish can be made into.
When students examined their lunch boxes and the waste leftover at the end of the day they found scrunchable plastics, including cling wrap and zip lock bags that could be recycled.
Year 6 Teacher Tim Mullaly said by focusing on the collection of soft plastics students have been able to see the value in the data they are collecting and the real world impact of a recycling program.
“One of the key focusses of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education is to bring student knowledge from a range of subject areas together and let students apply this knowledge to real world problems,” said Mr Mullaly.
“In 2018, I would like to see the students take further leadership of the school's waste management, examining other ways we can reduce, reuse and recycle at our school. Hopefully as our Year 6 students begin to share their research and findings with the broader school community, it will inspire our younger students to do their part to recycle waste and reduce their environmental impact.”
For soft plastic recycling information visit the links below:
http://www.redcycle.net.au/
http://www.replas.com.au/
For media information contact: Chelsea McLean 0413792908 mail@chelseamclean.com ~ soft plastics recycling program parent volunteer coordinator at Worongary State School
Student Banking
Just a quick reminder that Student Banking is back on again, 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 Worongary State School student. Your account will then be opened with your deposit book and further information provided on the spot (our banking days are Wednesday and your student number will be allocated to you upon first deposit).
Without volunteers school banking would not be possible. If you are available and can volunteer your time between 9-11ish on Wednesday, please fill out the attached form or come and see us in the staff room. Your help would be much appreciated.
Kind Regards P&C
Tuckshop & Uniform
The school holidays certainly flew by and 2018 is well and truly upon us now. Welcome back to returning students, volunteers, staff and families and a big welcome to new students and families! I hope you had a fantastic break and wish you a great year of schooling in 2018.
Online Ordering Profiles Must be Updated for 2018
Just a reminder that online ordering profiles need to be updated manually by parents each year. Now that you know your child’s new class, please remember to update their online ordering profiles to ensure that orders are sent to the correct place. Please note that Tuckshop and Uniform Shop online ordering profiles must be updated separately.
|
If you haven’t already used online ordering and would like to give it a try, you can register an account with Schoolshop Online by following the links on the school website or by inputting Worongary in the search box via the link below: https://schoolshoponline.net.au/default.aspx |
Key things to note about online ordering are:
- Online ordering is great for busy parents. Orders can be placed online at your convenience.
- The cut off time for Tuckshop Online Ordering each day is 9.00am so if your mornings are busy try ordering in advance the night or even the week or month before.
- Any Uniform orders placed online will be processed on the next Uniform Shop day (Monday/Wednesday/Friday). A yellow note will be sent to your child’s classroom via the Tuckshop basket to advise when it is ready for collection from the Tuckshop. Please let your child know to keep an eye out for the yellow note. Also, please be aware that due to the Uniform Shop hours being in the afternoon on Wednesdays, orders processed on this day can be expected to reach your children on the following Thursday.
Tuckshop News
Opening Hours
Monday-Friday:
8:30am-2:00pm
Closed: Entire last day of each Term
Volunteering
For any Mums, Dads, Grandparents and Carers interested in becoming a Tuckshop volunteer on a weekly, fortnightly or even monthly basis, we encourage you to come visit us and find out more. There is always something to be done in the Tuckshop and if you love a fast paced and fun environment, this could be for you.
We currently have availability Thursday mornings. Please call on the number above, or stop by and speak to myself or Jasmine if interested.
“Volunteers do not necessarily
have the time; they have the heart”
- Elizabeth Andrew
Helpful Hints and Reminders
- There are no EFTPOS facilities in the Tuckshop. We accept cash only via the Tuckshop Basket system and over the counter. Online ordering is available as the alternative to cash.
- NO CREDIT: As per P&C QLD regulations, we are unable to provide credit to anyone and thank you in advance for not asking, as refusal may offend. We are however able to accept payments in advance, to hold on account, in preparation for those days that just won’t run smoothly!
- The Over Counter Sales menu is available at First and Second Break play time for students in Years 1-6. All items are priced at $2.20 or less so our float is accordingly minimal. Denominations larger than a $5.00 note will not be accepted at this time. Please note that children are not permitted to buy for friends.
- FORGOTTEN LUNCH? Please do not call the Tuckshop directly. If for some reason you realise that your child has no lunch at school, you have the option to either bring your child some lunch or arrange for a family member to do so. If neither of these options are feasible, your child will be sent to the school administration office who will contact you to arrange for a basic emergency lunch to be provided to your child.
- Please refer to the back page of the menu for additional information.
Menus
Last year, laminated copies of the menu were sent home with the eldest child of each family that attended the school. If you have misplaced your copy or are new to the school and would like a laminated copy, please feel to stop by the Tuckshop to collect one. Please note that if your eldest child is in Prep this year, they should have received a copy to bring home already.
UNIFORM SHOP
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
Year 6 Seniors Shirts for 2018 are currently available for ordering. This shirt is included as part of the everyday uniform for Year 6 students only. A hard copy order form with full details was sent home with students last year – if you have missed it or misplaced it, you can also find a copy attached here, or at the Uniform Shop.
The final date for ordering and paying for these special shirts is Monday 5 February, 2018. Please remember that these shirts are made to order and additional shirts will not be available to purchase throughout the year.
Regards Michelle Lee, Tuckshop and Uniform Convenor