26 April 2018

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

I commence this edition of the school’s Pipeline by honouring the sacrifice and service contributed by our original ANZACs, and the many Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women who have defended and continue to defend our values and freedom in wars, conflicts and peace operations throughout a century of service. I sincerely thank all of the parents who joined our services on Tuesday and acknowledge the many parents and students who represented our school at yesterday’s Nerang RSL ANZAC service. This day was recognised for its historical significance and the part it played in shaping a new nation.

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. Students in Years 3 and 5 will participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The tests (commencing Tuesday 15 May) provide parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. NAPLAN tests are just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process; they do not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance.

NAPLAN tests also provide our school with information about how well our education programs are working and whether our students are meeting important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy. Students with disabilities may qualify for adjustments that reflect the support normally provided for classroom assessments. A formal exemption may be granted for a student with significant intellectual disability and/or significant coexisting conditions, or for a student who has recently arrived in Australia and has a non-English speaking background.

The 2018 NAPLAN testing program will be as follows:

Teaching staff will attempt to provide opportunities for any student who is away for a scheduled assessment to complete the missed assessment throughout the remainder of the week. Parents wishing to obtain any additional information are encouraged to contact your child’s class teacher.

Under 8’s Day

This year our school has chosen to conduct our Under 8’s Day celebration slightly differently from previous years. Worongary State School proudly invites our school community to join with us on our school oval to celebrate all that it means to be under 8 years of age. I cordially invite all of our pre-school aged siblings to join with us and celebrate Under 8’s Day. We will also be inviting our local Early Childhood Educational Centres to come along and enjoy the festivities. Children will participate in a variety of activities including face painting, play dough activities, an obstacle course, craft activities and a jumping castle.

I extend an invitation to any organisation or parent who may like to support the event by conducting a stall / activity on the day. If you are available or have any suggestions on how we can make this event a memorable day for our students please feel free to email me at ldare1@eq.edu.au. More information regarding our 2018 Under 8’s Day will follow in future editions of the Pipeline.

School Appearance

I trust everyone noticed the changes we are currently making to the front of the school. Over the Easter break we commenced tidying up the vegetation around the school. We also had a number of signs and surface painting completed. These signs help remind our students of our school’s expectations and provide a guide where to stop while moving throughout the school. It is my clear intent to maximise student safety by improving visibility around our school.

Early next week we will be improving access to our school by opening the gate below the oval. A bollard will be installed to ensure students exit the school through this gate in a safe way. Although I will be on duty in this area for a few weeks, it is critical that all parents remind their children that they are not to run out of any school gate at the end of the school day.

Finally, over the next few weeks a contractor has been engaged to tidy up the vegetation between the front gate and below the hall (behind the bus stop). All efforts have been made to minimise any disruption to traffic and student learning. I trust you will join with me in appreciating the difference this will make to the appearance of our school.

Junior Playground

I am extremely pleased to report that our Junior Playground was opened Tuesday and students were finally enjoying this newly refurbished facility. Class teachers took the opportunity to expose their students to this facility and talk to them about how to safely play and move about this area. Due to work place and safety concerns, the temporary fencing will remain until our permanent fencing is installed. I acknowledge the community’s frustration regarding the length of time this facility has taken to upgrade and trust our junior students will enjoy this amazing new facility.

P and C Update

Unfortunately, due to the wet weather at the end of Term 1 our school’s Colour Run was postponed. This event is now scheduled to occur this Thursday 26 April at 2:00pm. Students are encouraged to wear free dress on this day. Funds raised by the event should by now have been finalised and submitted to the P and C Association.

Parents wishing to get involved in the school’s P and C Association are invited to attend the monthly Air-conditioning subcommittee meeting on Friday afternoon. This meeting will commence at 2:00pm. In addition to this meeting, the P and C Association will host a fundraising meeting on Monday 30 April at 2:00pm and their monthly meeting for April on Wednesday 2 May at 4:30pm. All of these meetings will be convened in the school’s staff room. I hope to see you there!

Seedling Program

Worongary State School, in conjunction with the Gold Coast City Council, extends an invitation to all families and community members to attend a new initiative for our school. Each Wednesday morning commencing 2 May we will be hosting a Seedling Program. This program is certainly not limited to seedlings and gardening.

The program will occur in the school hall each Wednesday from 9:30am. More information regarding the program is contained in this edition of the Pipeline. I wish to acknowledge and sincerely thank the dedication and commitment of Mrs Audrey Mates-Bills for co-ordinating this exciting and innovative initiative.

Learning Vine Awards

Due to changes in our regular assembly times (Pupil Free Day and ANZAC Day) Learning Vine Award recipients will be acknowledged in our next edition of the Pipeline.

Behaviour

Time to Listen

Listening and attention skills are vital in a child's development.

When developing these skills, it is important that your child becomes an active listener, which means that they use what they hear from you and others as part of their communication process.

By setting a good example and working with your child to develop these skills, you can give them academic and social advantages in the future.

Children retain information through their interactions with others and this includes language skills. The more your child listens to what others have to say, the better their vocabulary and communication become. Overall, listening and learning go hand in hand. Be consistent and always follow through (barring unforeseen circumstances). If you tell your child that they can earn a privilege for completing certain tasks or meeting certain expectations, stick to what you said (e.g., first homework, then TV).

While it is human nature to get upset, do your best to keep a calm tone when enforcing your rules with your child. Enforcing rules without yelling teaches your child that it is possible to stay calm and still get things accomplished even when you are frustrated or things aren’t going your way. This is a great example to set for your child.

Have a great week,
Kind Regards,
Regards Kaia Clarke, Behaviour

Head of Curriculum

In Term 3, Worongary State School will participate in the annual ICAS Assessment, developed by University of NSW.

“ICAS is an independent, skills-based assessment program which recognises and rewards student achievement. ICAS is unique, being the most comprehensive generally available suite of academic assessments for primary and secondary school students.”

“Over one million student entries are accepted from over 6,300 schools in Australia and New Zealand annually. In addition, students from over 20 countries including Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and the USA participate in ICAS each year.”

Participation certificates will be awarded and the possibility of further awards and recognition given for exceptional results. Those interested can participate in the English and / or Mathematics Assessment for a small cost of $9.90 per test.

Keep an eye out in the next Pipeline for further information as well as the permission and payment form.

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)

Regards Katie Huggard, PrepTeacher

Business Manager

Boom Gate Update/Parking access

Please note that Parents/Carers are not permitted to park within the school grounds at any time unless you have written permission from the Principal. If you require access to parking on school grounds you need to put your request in writing indicating the reason why and clearly specify the duration of time with a start and finish date.

Regards Rachel Zorbas
Business Manager

Library

Save the Date – May 30 to June 9
Our annual school Book Fair

More infomation to follow in coming weeks

Happy reading
Jann Connor

Music

CHORAL ENSEMBLE REHEARSALS HAVE CHANGED!

Congratulations to the Choral Ensemble for a mesmerising performance at both the Junior and Senior School ANZAC Services. A special thank-you to Year 6A student Tamika Hine who enthusiastically volunteered to co-conduct at these services.

In recent weeks the Choral Ensemble has continued to grow and logistically it has become too large to accommodate all students within the rehearsal space. Additionally numerous students have expressed a desire to join but are unable to access before school rehearsals.

Therefore the Choral Ensemble structure and rehearsal times will change as of next week with two smaller groups forming and rehearsals taking place in first break play periods. Students who wish to join these new Choral groups are encouraged to come to the Music Room and join the rehearsals. (see below for days)

• The Worongary Chorus (Yrs 4 – 6) will rehearse on Wednesdays at First Break.
• Little Voices (Yrs 1 – 3) will rehearse on Tuesdays at First Break.

Friday morning rehearsals before school have ceased.

If there are any queries regarding this please email me kjone416@eq.edu.au

Yours in Music Katheryn Jones

Excursions

P&C News

P&C May 2018 Meeting

The next monthly meeting will be held in the Staff room on Wednesday 2 May at 4.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Colour Run4Fun

The School Colour Run4Fun has now a new date of Thursday 26 April. Please remember to send your child in a light coloured t-shirt (white has the best result). Starts at 2:10pm, so you may want to send spare set of clothes for travel home.

Mother’s Day Stall

This year the Mother’s Day stall will be held on Tuesday 8 May and the morning of Wednesday 9 May in the P&C room. The donation baskets have been placed in classrooms. Any donations are greatly appreciated.

Officeworks Sausage Sizzle

We are holding a BBQ on Saturday 12 May between 10.00am and 4.30pm at Officeworks Highland Park. Money raised will go towards for the Air Conditioning. If you are able to assist with helping on the day please contact the P&C on pandc@worongaryss.eq.edu.au

If you are unable to assist with volunteering on this day please feel free to pop down and support us by purchasing a sausage or two.

Trivia Night

This year’s Trivia Night will be held in the school hall on Friday 25 May starting at 7pm. Start organising your teams of eight at $120 per table. The dress up theme is 90’s. Raffle bags will be available on the night. There will be a bar operational during the break times.

Facebook Page

We have created a Facebook page “Worongary State School P and C Association” to keep everyone updated with upcoming events. Please join us so you can keep up to date with what’s going on.

Kind Regards P&C

Tuckshop & Uniform

Tuckshop News

Opening Hours

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

Product of The Month

This term we are launching a new initiative called simply, Product of the Month, where we will put the spotlight on a different Tuckshop item each month. We’ll include a photo of the item in each Pipeline, along with a special offer as an incentive for students to get out of their comfort zone and try something new.

All items to be showcased are on our everyday menu, are available to order both online and manually, and are available at both First Break and Second Break.

Interschool Sports – Tuckshop at First Break Only

If students are participating in Interschool Sports this season, please be aware that it is still possible to order enough Tuckshop to cover their needs for the day. All you need to do is order all items for these students for the First Break. Hot items can then be eaten at the First Break and snack items can be taken on the bus to sport to be eaten later.

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

I am pleased to say that we received our shipment of Seniors Shirts on schedule and the majority of these were delivered to students on the first day of this Term. You’re looking very smart Year 6’s.

Winter Stock

Winter stock is now available for purchase. Please note that limited stock is available, especially for pullovers and zip-ups.

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

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. Online ordering also available.

• Interschool Sports Shorts $21.00
• Football Socks $10.00

Kind regards,

Regards Michelle Lee, Tuckshop and Uniform Convenor

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