28 February 2018

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Last Friday afternoon I met with a number of very proactive and positive parents to further advance the school’s air conditioning project. Over the past week, we have been conducting temperature monitoring in some of our classrooms. This data will be used to inform our decision making processes as we prepare to commence the formal tendering process for our air conditioning project. To support this project the school’s P&C Association has opened a building fund. Currently this fund has a balance of almost $45,000. At the meeting on Friday it was determined that the expenditure of the Stage 1 would be approximately $60,000. As we move closer to the end of the financial year, the P&C Association are reminding all families that any donation to this fund is tax deductable. Parents wishing to donate to this fund should refer to details contained in this edition of the Pipeline. At this stage, we anticipate the first install will be made over the July holiday period.

Parents wishing to have input into the air-conditioning project are encouraged to attend our monthly meeting. Meetings will take place in the school’s staff room at 2pm on the last Friday of each month.

Leadership Ceremony

On Friday 16 February our Year 3 – Year 6 students, staff and parents joined to celebrate and acknowledge our 2018 school leaders. I wish to congratulate all of the students for undertaking a leadership role in our school. I recognise that at certain periods throughout the year the spotlight will be on these students and their success of a being a leader will be measured by the way they represent our school. I also acknowledge the role that every student plays in making our school “a school of choice” across the entire Gold Coast. Leadership is more than wearing a badge. Each and every student has a role to play in strengthening our school and our school’s community’s profile.

Just as we did last week, I wish to formally acknowledge and thank the following 2018 school leaders for their dedication and commitment to our school.

School Review Achievements

As you may be aware our school is currently undertaking a Priority School Review. As I have outlined in previous editions of the Pipeline, this processes is aimed at providing additional resources to schools that may from time to time need support. Under a Priority School Review, schools are required to meet with a member from the School Improvement Unit and our school’s Assistant Regional Director each three months. The purpose of these meetings are to update both Central Office and our Regional Office on our school’s progress and assess current additional support provisions.

I am extremely pleased to report that the feedback that our school received from our review meeting on Thursday was extremely positive. Alan Whitfield (Senior Review Officer) acknowledged the pivotal role Mrs Kerry White, Mrs Kelly Ready and Mrs Peta White have played in leading teams to achieve the success criteria for each of the priority areas. These school leaders have produced extensive and very thorough plans to progress each of the improvement strategies. Parents wishing to obtain additional information regarding our school’s Priority Support Review are encouraged to visit our school’s website. I trust you will join with me in sincerely thanking these officers for their outstanding leadership. Our students and staff are truly fortunate to have such high performing leaders working to improve the quality of education every student receives at Worongary State School.

Parent / Teacher Interviews

All parents should have received a formal invitation to join with your child’s class teacher to celebrate their many wonderful achievements during term 1. Our Term 1 Parent / Teacher interviews will be conducted in the school’s hall on Wednesday 14 March. These interviews provide an opportunity for your child’s class teacher to share with you their individual literacy and numeracy goals. It also provides an opportunity for your child’s class teacher to outline the areas that your child has performed well in during term 1. Parents are encouraged to log onto the school’s website and book a time to meet with your child’s class teacher. If for any reason you are unable to find a suitable time please contact your child’s class teacher. We thank you in advance for helping us to build a stronger and more connected school community.

Early Start

The ‘Every Student Succeeding State Schools Strategy 2018–2022’ policy, identifies that students are successful when they engage in individualised learning and their achievement is closely tracked. We all know that student learning and achievement occurs when teachers know their learners and implement strategies that target areas both their areas of strength and those requiring growth or support. To achieve this our school is developing mechanisms that support regular data collections of data, processes that monitor student progress, consistent teaching practices and prompt early intervention.

Over the past few weeks, all of our prep students have completed the Early Start assessment processes. Early Start is an assessment teachers use to identify each learner’s strengths and areas for development. Implementation of Early Start across Prep indicates our intention and commitment to ensure every student succeeds from their very first day at Worongary State School.

I strongly encourage all prep parents to attend a Parent / Teacher interview and discuss your child’s performance on the Early Start. This information is the first indication of each student’s strengths and areas of the curriculum that we will be focusing on to improve. By attending an interview parents will be well informed on any future actions our teachers will be taking to ensure all prep students continue to improve.

Volunteers Workshop

On Friday, Mrs Kelly Ready presented the first Volunteer Workshop for 2018. I sincerely thank the many parents who braved the appalling wet weather to join with us for this workshop. Your child will sincerely appreciate your involvement in their classroom. Parents and grandparents who attended this session are now encouraged to speak to your child’s class teacher to confirm a suitable time to volunteer in their rooms. Parents are always welcome to volunteer their time in other roles across the school (eg tuckshop). Please contact the school if you would like to obtain additional information on how you can enhance the educational opportunities our students receive through volunteering.

Feedback from the session on Friday will help to inform our next session. Following feedback from our school community, we have changed the date of the second workshop. The second volunteer workshop will now be completed on Tuesday 1 May from 9:15am. The venue for this workshop will be the school’s hall.

Security

Last week a vehicle’s passenger window was smashed and a bag stolen while a parent was collecting their child from Helping Hands (after school). This vehicle was parked on Delta Cove Drive. Although this matter has been referred to the police, it does prompt a timely reminder to ensure all valuables are not left in your vehicle. This incident appears to be very opportunistic event and our thoughts are with the family who incurred significant inconvenience and additional costs. We encourage any member of the school community who is aware of any additional information regarding this crime to please contact the Queensland Police Service on 1800 333 000.

Principal Leave

I will be commencing a short period of long service leave on Friday 2 March. While I am away Mrs Kelly Ready will replacing me as the Worongary State School Principal. I will be returning to work on Monday 12 March. I wish to sincerely thank Kelly for ensuring our leadership team will remain consistent during next week.

Regards Landon Dare, Principal

Learning Vine Awards

Behaviour

Be Safe entering and Exiting our School

We would like to remind our families about the procedures for entering and exiting our school

• Always use the crossings
• Walk on the paths
• Exit by using the open gates-please do not climb over the fences or lift your child/ren over the fences

Be Safe at the Kiss and Go

We would like to remind our families about the procedures for using the Delta Cove Drive

Kiss and Go

• 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.
• Please ensure children do not enter cars that are stopped in the through lane. All cars should be parked before children enter the vehicle.

Be Safe on your Bicycle or Scooter

• Wheel your bike or scooter across the road on the crossings
• Walk your bike or scooter through the school grounds
• Always wear your helmet.

Thank you for helping to keep our WSS students safe before and after school.

Harmony Day

Our school will proudly stand united with schools across Australia on Friday 16 March to mark the eighth National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA). On this day we also recognise Harmony Day. Our diversity makes Australia a great place to live. Harmony Day is a celebration of our cultural diversity – a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home.

The NDA provides our school the opportunity to stand together on this important issue and help ignite thoughtful and positive discussions about bullying and ways we can work as a community to address it.

We are proud our school community will be sending a powerful message, along with other Australian schools, that bullying and violence in or outside the classroom are not okay. Through positive action we can make a real change.

At Worongary we are dedicated to supporting our students and families.

Please visit the Bullying. No Way! website for practical advice and information to help you and your families work together against bullying.

Our students can choose to wear something orange on 16 March to show their support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia.

Why orange?

Orange is the colour chosen to represent Harmony Day. Traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect.

Please note students are not permitted to colour their hair.

Regards Kaia Clarke, Behaviour

From the Year 3

The Year 3's are teaching the art of persuasion through looking at various forms of media including, print advertising, commercials, letters and the internet. More specifically, our main focus is developing our writing skills in persuasive text to try to convince an audience that our Point Of View (P.O.V) is the way to go.

We are ensuring that we develop at least three strong, passionate and convincing arguments that will back up our P.O.V to help sway the audience in our favour.

We are also making sure we close our case with great strong convincing vocabulary and rhetorical questions to ensure we have them hook, line and sinker!

Verbally doing our steps as a debate with family is also great practice:

P.O.V— for or against a topic?

Argument 1 - Argument 2 - Argument 3—Give clear reasons for each!

Conclusion—Sum up why your option is the way to go! Get the family to chip in with funny and interesting debate topics!

For example: - Why should you do your homework?

Read and Grow Update

Our FREE 7 week Read and Grow Program with your 3-5 year old children who are not yet attending school, has begun. If you still would like to attend there is still availability.

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
Started 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

P&C News

P&C Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) has been postponed due to parent teacher interviews and will know take place on Wednesday, 21 March 2018 at 4:00pm 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.

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 (i.e. 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

We hope you can join us!

School Banking

On Monday 5 March Ann, the Commonwealth School Banking Co-Ordinator, will be here from 8:00am for anyone who would like to sign up their child or children for Student Banking.

Entertainment Books

The new 2018 | 2019 Entertainment Books are coming soon!

A book will be sent home with each family for you to check out, on Monday 23/04/18.

If you would not like a book sent home with your child on this date please reply to the following email with your child’s name, class & school: gcschools@entertainmentbook.com.au

Order your new 2018|2019 Entertainment ™ Membership today to receive up to $260 in Early Bird Offers.

Choose from the traditional Entertainment™ Book or the NEW Entertainment™ Digital Membership, which puts the value of the Book onto your iPhone or Android smartphone!

Each membership has hundreds of 50% off and 2-for-1 offers for restaurants, cafés, attractions, hotels, shopping, groceries and travel and contains over 2,000 offers that you can use whenever you like until 1 June 2019.

PLUS Worongary State School retains 20% of the price of every Membership sold which goes towards our fundraising!

Don’t forget to share the link below with your friends and family around Australia & NZ who may be visiting the Gold Coast for Commonwealth Games. They can also purchase a book.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Neyomi (WSS P&C Vice President) on 5502 4409 or alternatively by email pandc@worongaryss.eq.edu.au

Colour Run4Fun

The School Colour Run4Fun is a major fundraiser this term so we ask for your support. The more money we raise, the more we can provide for the students. A letter in regards to the Colour Run4Fun should have made it home by now. This letter provides you with information on how to make an online profile page for your child to help with their fundraising endeavours. It’s easy!

The school Colour Run4 Fun will be held on the last day of school, Thursday 29 March 2018, and all monies raised will need to be in on or before Tuesday 27 March 2018.

Movies Under the Stars

Kind Regards P&C

Tuckshop & Uniform

Opening Hours

Monday-Friday: 8:30am-2:00pm
Closed: Entire last day of each Term

Meal Deals

At the end of the term we will be recognising and celebrating the Commonwealth Games and Easter with some Meal Deals. Watch this space in the next Pipeline for details on this ‘Double Deals’ event.

Sushi Reminder

It’s been great to see some new students ordering sushi the last two weeks. Thank you for trying something different. For those who missed the last Pipeline, sushi is currently available each Wednesday by pre-ordering on Tuesdays. Our supplier has a minimum order requirement that we have been struggling to meet so far this year, so I would like to encourage you to take advantage of this fresh and healthy lunch choice. We would like to keep sushi on the menu as it is a great way to add some mid-week variety to your child’s lunch box.

Continue reading below for details on how to order:

• ONLINE Sushi orders must be completed on Tuesdays by the normal cut-off time of 9.00am Choose Tuesday as the delivery day in order to access the Wednesday Sushi Pre-ordering menu.

(Click on the icon next to your choice of ‘1 Roll’ or ‘2 Rolls’ then Flavour for a drop down list of flavours)

• MANUAL paper bag Sushi orders must be handed in to Tuckshop or placed in the Tuckshop baskets in the classroom on Tuesdays by the normal cut-off time of 9.00am
• All Sushi orders will then be delivered to children on Wednesday at the specified break time, First Break or Second Break.

Frozen Treats

With several hot days still ahead of us, please remember that we have plenty of yummy, healthy frozen treats available like:

• Tubs of Frozen Pineapple pieces and Frozen Grapes for just $1.20 each
• Icebergs for 50c each (cubes of frozen yoghurt and fruit)
• A pack of 2 Frozen Orange Wedges for 50c

These items are all available at Second Break via online and manual ordering and can be purchased over the counter at both breaks for students in Years 1-6.

(*NB: Ice cold bottles of water can be purchased at any time for $1.50)

UNIFORM SHOP

Opening Hours

Monday: 8:00am-9:00am
Wednesday: 2:15pm-3:15pm
Friday: 8:00am-9:00am
Direct Dial number: 5502 4409

Pre-Loved Uniforms

We currently have a decent supply of pre-loved uniforms in stock. If you’re struggling to keep up with the washing and would love some extra items to get you through the week, come up and have a browse at what is available. Shorts, skorts, polos, interschool sports shorts and winter stock are all available in a variety of sizes.

Interschool Sports

Footy Socks and Interschool Sport Shorts are available to purchase from the Uniform Shop so come on up and kit your child out in the correct uniform so they can represent our school with pride this season.

Regards Michelle Lee, Tuckshop and Uniform Convenor

Community Notices

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