28 March 2018

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Dear Parents,

With Term 1 all but completed, I would like to acknowledge the hard work that our teaching staff have put into supporting your child to achieve excellence. Our school’s annual vision of “Kicking Goals” is observable and evident in each and every classroom. Teachers have worked extremely hard to enhance and establish strong lines of communications with the parents of the students in their classes. Our teaching team was energised by the large percentage of parents who attended our Term 1 Parent / Teacher interviews. I am confident that the outcomes from these meetings will support all of our students to achieve their personal learning goals in term 2. I trust you will join with me in acknowledging and thanking our dedicated teaching staff members for their efforts during Term 1.

Principal’s Position

Late last week Mr Russell Simpson (our Assistant Regional Director) advised me that due to Ms Mobale remaining unwell, my position as your principal has been extended until the end of Semester 1. I wish to acknowledge and sincerely thank many of our community for sharing your support of this decision on the school’s Facebook page. Mr Simpson’s decision to allow me to continue in this role will ensure our school remains focused on improving our connections with our community whilst increasing the percentage of students who achieve a minimum of one year’s worth of reading growth for one year’s worth of schooling.

Dojo Badges

A critical component of our school’s responsible behaviour plan is to reinforce and celebrate positive behaviour choices by awarding Dojo points. This system allows parents the opportunity to receive live feedback from the class teacher about the amazing work students are achieving in their classes each day. Dojos are an online rewards program that can help track student behaviour and provide free and frequent positive reinforcement for all students. Students earn Dojos from staff for doing the right thing in the classroom, at specialist lessons and in the school playground. Students are rewarded for positive behaviour based on our 3 school rules:

• I am Safe
• I am Respectful
• I am a Learner

Once students have met certain Dojo milestones they are provided a badge on assembly. Students are provided badges for their efforts once they have achieved:

• Bronze: 100
• Silver: 250
• Gold: 450
• Platinum: 700

Last year Mrs White and I became increasingly concerned that the quality of badges that we received were not lasting the full school year. We therefore sourced higher quality and more expensive badges from a different supplier. I am pleased to report that these badges have recently arrived and are now being presented to our students who have already exceeded 100 points. I trust that once you have had the opportunity to see the quality of the current badge you will appreciate the difference and understand how important it is to us that we recognise our students’ achievements with a quality product (even if it did take an extra few weeks).

P and C Association AGM

Last Wednesday our school’s Parents’ and Citizens’ Association conducted our 2018 Annual General Meeting. At this meeting it gave me great pleasure to acknowledge and pay tribute to the 2017 Executive for their leadership and support. In 2017 this association provided valuable guidance to our leadership team and much appreciated resources to the students. On behalf of our school community I wish to extend a sincere thank you for their tireless efforts in meeting the needs of our students and wider community. It was an absolute pleasure to work with these outstanding volunteers during Term 4 and the beginning of this year. I wish to also thank the many volunteers who have worked alongside Michelle and Jasmine in the school’s tuckshop. Without these dedicated men and women this service would not be available to all of our students.

I am delighted to announce to the school community our 2018 Executive members. I trust you will join with me in acknowledging and thanking our Worongary State School 2018 Executive:

• Mrs Rhiannon Henson – President
• Mrs Katie Herviou - Vice President
• Mrs Tatiana Paki– Treasurer
• Mrs Neyomi Miller- Vice Treasurer
• Mrs Diana Stent - Secretary

I sincerely thank these dedicated parents for their commitment to our school and look forward to working with them during 2018 to implement initiatives that will improve our wonderful school community.

Progressive Achievement Testing

In previous editions of the school’s Pipeline I outlined our school’s approach to ensuring all students’ literacy and numeracy levels were being closely monitored. I am extremely pleased that since penning my Pipeline all students in Years 2 through to 6 have completed the online numeracy and reading assessments. Many staff members have already accessed this data and modified their classroom teaching accordingly. Due to many students achieving well above their benchmarks, a number of students will be required to resit their online assessments. Students will be sitting these assessments prior to Term 2 commencing.

Read and Grow Celebration

Yesterday I had the pleasure to attend this year’s Read and Grow Easter celebration. Mrs Huggard led a fun filled morning of Easter celebrations and singing. I sincerely thank Mrs Huggard for her dedication and commitment to our Read and Grow program and trust all of the participating families have enjoyed the activities over the past seven weeks.

Parents wishing to enrol in Term Two’s Read and Grow Program are strongly encouraged to contact the school and book a place. The Read and Grow Program will commence in the second week of Term 2. It is a free 7-week program for 3-5 year old children and their parents. The program 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.

Year 4 Design and Technology

Last Friday I was delighted to visit the year 4B classroom to witness firsthand how they transformed their classroom into a pinball arcade. During Term 1, Year 4 students were challenged to design, construct and appraise an “old school” pinball machine. Using very similar materials (eg a box that could fit on their desks, a ball, paddle pop sticks) the Year 4 students brought considerable imagination and design techniques into their constructions. I acknowledge and congratulate all of our 4B students for their amazingly creative designs. I also appreciated their accurate reflections of the material properties that they used and their descriptions of the forces that influenced this project. Well done to all of our students.

Keep a Watch on our School these Holidays

With the holidays fast approaching, we need you to look out for after-hours crime in our school. If you see anything suspicious, please call School Watch on 131 788.

The School Watch program is a partnership between the Department of Education, Training and Employment, the Queensland Police Service and the State Government Protective Security Service. It aims to reduce vandalism, theft and arson in Queensland schools.

If you do see something suspicious, please don’t attempt to intervene. Call the School Watch number and let the local police or State Government Protective Security Service deal with the matter. Keep the number handy—131 788—and let’s work together to help create a safer school community.

2019 Prep Transition

As we move into Term 2, we begin to turn our attention to implementing the 2019 Prep Transition Program. Last week I lead a joint prep transition initiative with other principals across the Nerang Alliance to start communicating with all parents about how they can support their child to transition successfully into school. This was a very well supported initiative and one that we will continue to build upon in 2019.

Parents can support children to transition into Prep in 2019 by participating in the following events.

ANZAC Day RSL March

The Anzac Day Commemoration is approaching and our school has been invited to participate in our RSL community march on Anzac Day. As per previous years, our students will form a column that carries the 13 divisional banners of our World War 1 veterans. As there are no WW1 veterans left, this will be a real honour for the students.

Worongary State School will form up in a column on the left hand side of Nerang Street next to Bischof Pioneer Park. This allows the students to arrive safely and gather in the park prior to the march. Please note that the Queensland Police will barricade Nerang Street entry from Ferry Road at 9:00am. Also, Lavelle Street entry from Price Street and Nerang Street entry from White Street will be closed at 9:00am.

Although more information will be circulated after the Easter break, we would appreciate it if you could please mark this very important date in your calendars.

Easter Break

Finally, on behalf of our entire school staff I wish you and your family a very happy and relaxing Easter break. It has been an absolute honour to witness firsthand the improvements our students have made during Term 1. If you are travelling during the vacation period we wish you a safe and happy journey. We thank you for supporting our school during term 1. We look forward to continuing supporting your child to achieve excellence when we commence term 2 on Tuesday 17 April.

Regards Landon Dare, Principal

Commonwealth Games Free Dress

A huge thank you to all our students, families and staff that participated in the Commonwealth Games Free Dress Day. The student coucil organised this free dress day to help pay for the postage of our next phase of donated books to Kingstown Preparatory School. We raised an amazing $678 which will help greatly towards getting our donations to S Vincent and the Grenadines. Our last donation cost over $800 to send.

Please remember we are asking for donations of books to help increase the size of the Kingstown Preparatory School in St Vincent and the Grenadines Library. Books can be new or good quality second hand ones, suitable for primary school aged children. Please send any donations to 4B (ModularH)

Learning Vine Awards

Behaviour

Congratulations to our many students who have worked well and had an enjoyable first term. A big thank you to our parents and carers who ensure our students arrive on time each day prepared for learning. Many of your children’s positive moments have been shared and celebrated through personal acknowledgment, Learning Vine Awards, high attendance and our badge ceremony at assembly.

With our first term drawing to a close, if you are looking for activities to spend time with your families, here are some ideas. Please remember to call and book prior to the events.

Wishing your families a safe and Happy Easter Break.

Discover something new at your library, with an exciting offering of free programs and events available all year round. Our programs cater to all interests and ages - there is something for everyone. Nerang Library Corner White and Price Streets Nerang QLD 4211 Phone: 07 5581 7180

Active & Healthy holiday program

Discover the great outdoors these school holidays so that your kids reap the benefits of unstructured playing, learning and being physically active in our many parks, beaches and natural playgrounds. There are hundreds of activities on offer these holidays for kids aged four to 18 years. This program includes activities from our NaturallyGC program and events at the Broadwater Parklands.

School's out - Game on

Kids, grab your running shoes, grab a friend and get your game on. For all the fun, fitness and sports you can handle, check out the Game On kids holiday program.

Aquasplash

Where: Broadwater Parklands

Aquasplash is a giant inflatable obstacle course on the Broadwater featuring trampolines, slides, swings, bouncing pillows, log roll spinners and much more.

Egg-cellent Family Fun at Chevron Renaissance

29 Mar 2018 10:00am

Chevron Renaissance Shopping Centre
3240 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217, Australia
075592 5188 | https://www.facebook.com/events/1553392888072228/

The Easter Bunny will make a very special appearance this year at Chevron Renaissance with his special guest, Alice in Wonderland!

The Easter Bunny and Alice will be taking happy snaps and handing out choccie eggs from 10am - 2pm on Thursday, March 29, Saturday, March 31, Sunday, April 1 and Monday, April 2.

Regards Kaia Clarke, Behaviour

Read and Grow Update

Read and Grow is a fun interactive story sharing program for parents and children 3-5 year old children who are not yet attending school

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 2 (24 April, 2018)
Where: Prep A Classroom (Worongary State School)
Who: Parents and their children (3-5years)
(Smaller siblings are also welcome)

“Read and Grow Round Up – Term 1”

We’ve had fantastic term learning about all things transport. We’ve painted with toy cars, made teddy’s driving chocolate cars, searched for vehicles in rice and played with boats floating and sinking on the water. We’ve listened for rhyming words, words that start with the same sound and practised counting backwards from ten as we flew into space in a rocket! We’ve also made lots of new friends this term (including the kids, mums and nanas!).

Next term we will be reading stories that relate to food. All welcome to attend. Hope to see you there!!

Regards Katie Huggard, PrepTeacher

From the Year 3

Bust a Bully-Bully. No Way!

On Friday 16 March Worongary State School participated in Anti Bullying Day. The children in 3B blew up orange balloons and drew a face on them to symbolise a bully. On the count of 5 all the children burst their balloons to signify that we do not tolerate bullies and to represent eradicating them from our lives. We stand for a safe and supportive environment and respectful relationships.

Excursions

P&C News

New P&C Executive

Congratulations to our new P&C Executive for 2018.

President – Rhiannon Henson
Vice President – Katie Herviou
Secretary- Diana Stent
Treasurer- Tatiana Paki
Vice Treasurer- Neyomi Miller

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 the link below or 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 Fridays 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’s, please come and visit us in the P&C Room/ Uniform Shop. Your help would be much appreciated.

Movie Night

We had so much fun at the Movie Night! Thank you to everyone that came it was great to see so many of you there enjoying the entertainment, the yummy food and of course the Cars 3 Movie. We hope you enjoyed it just as much as we did and we hope to have another one in the near future. A special mention to Signature Tyres and More Robina for their generous donation of $300.00 and for supplying the fantastic face painter on the night.

Colour Run4Fun will be held on Thursday 29 March. (last day of school)

Thank you to everyone who participated in raising money for the run4fun. All prizes are currently being ordered and if all goes to plan should start arriving in Week 2, Term 2.

A reminder that fundraising monies are due now. Please bring them in ASAP so your prize/prizes can be ordered.

Make sure you have fun tomorrow!

Entertainment Books

If you do not wish to receive an Entertainment Book please return the form by the 17 April 2018 otherwise Entertainment Books will be sent home for you to have a look at on the 23 April 2018 with the youngest sibling.

Trivia Night

Lock in the date for our Trivia Night, 25 May 2018!

Our monster raffle is a huge part of the night and this is where we raise a lot of our funds. If you or you know anyone that may be able to help with donations for the night. Please get in contact with our P&C on pandc@worongaryss.eq.edu.au or on 07 5502 4409

Kind Regards P&C

Tuckshop & Uniform

Opening Hours

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

Tuckshop will be
CLOSED ALL DAY tomorrow, Thursday 29 March
for cleaning and stock take
We will re-open Tuesday 17 April, 2018

Volunteers

As we round up another term, thanks must once more go out to our wonderful volunteers. This term we feel very fortunate to have had many new parents join our band of amazing volunteers. Your help is very much appreciated. Thank you for your generosity in giving your time to help our school - we look forward to working with you again next term.

Meal Deals

Today was the last day of our ‘Double Meal Deals’ event. We hope you enjoyed the meal deals and look forward to running more again next term.

From Jasmine and myself, best wishes to you all for a safe and happy Easter break. See you again next term.

Images/Easter Bunny and Eggs

Kind regards,
Regards Michelle Lee, Tuckshop and Uniform Convenor

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