23 May 2018

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Dear Parents

On Friday night, our school community will come together to participate in a fun filled evening of trivia. I thank the members of the P and C Association who have worked extremely hard to co-ordinate what will be an amazing fundraising event. All of the profits from this evening will support the school’s air conditioning project. With tenders about to be called for the completion of the first round of air conditioning work, this is certainly an exciting time of the year.

There is still time to join the event!

Parents who have not yet booked their table are encouraged to contact the P&C. Tickets will be available on the night for purchase at a higher price.

Priority Support Review Update

Yesterday our school hosted a meeting with Mr Alan Whitfield, our school’s Senior Review Officer from the School Improvement Unit and Mr Russell Simpson our school’s Assistant Regional Director, to present our school’s recent achievements. During this meeting Mrs Kelly Ready, Mrs Kerry White and Mrs Peta White provided a comprehensive update of our most recent improvements. Following this meeting Mr Whitfield and Mr Simpson visited classrooms to verify our accomplishments with teachers, teacher aides and students. After their classroom visits Mr Whitfield and Mr Simpson provided our school’s leadership team with feedback on their findings.

This feedback certainly acknowledged the huge gains our school has made over the past 9 months. Our students are on track to achieve a minimum twelve months of reading growth in 12 months of schooling. The school’s Wellbeing Committee has successfully implemented a number of proactive measures that has resulted in our staff morale almost doubling in satisfaction. The feedback that we received from this process will help guide our work in the future. I sincerely thank all of our staff and community members for promoting our school’s positive reputation within the broader Nerang community.

Under 8’s Day

I am pleased to again invite all of our pre-school aged siblings to join with us and celebrate Under 8’s Day. This invitation is also extended to any parent of a child under 8 years old who is not enrolled in our school or currently attending one of the local Early Childhood Centres. Our 2018 Under 8’s Day will take place on the senior oval on Friday 25 May from 9:30am. Children in Prep to Year 2 will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities including: face painting, play dough activities, an obstacle course, craft activities and a jumping castle. The day will conclude at 11:00am. I hope you will be able to join with us to celebrate all that it means to be under 8 years of age.

Dojo System

Worongary State School has implemented the online Dojo communication tool to establish more effective communication links with parents. Class Dojo is a digital classroom management tool designed to help our teachers improve pupil behaviour and communicate more effectively with parents. Each pupil gets an avatar and teachers award dojo reward points for things such as good homework, participating in class, or staying on task. Once students have accumulated a certain number of points, they receive a badge (Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum) at the school’s fortnightly assembly. This system is designed to strengthen the connection between home and the classroom.

Over the past few weeks we have needed to resolve a few communication problems that have been created by the Dojo system. I seek the support of all parents to understand the following important aspects of this system:

What Dojo should be used for from a parent’s perspective:

• Notification of any issues that have arisen e.g. a missing hat/part of uniform

What Dojo should be used for from a teacher’s perspective:

• Homework queries
• General inquiries e.g. Is any parent able to assist at next month’s excursion?
• Giving good behaviour points
• What we are working on in class. This could include a monthly summary of activities
• Giving red or negative points for not following class/school rules or the teacher’s direction.

What it is not used for:

• Replacement of absence notes or a change to morning / afternoon routines
• Inquiries about playground incidents. If an incident is serious enough then it should be dealt with via a phone call requesting an interview;
• A replacement for parent-teacher interviews.
• Complaints: once again, these should be dealt with personally via a phone call to the teacher or office.
• Early pick up requests (these still go through the office)

All staff members will be asked to set a ‘quiet hours’ on their page while they are instructing. Parents who send a message through at this time will receive a message that your child’s teacher may not read your messages. It is suggested that quiet hours are between 8:45am and 3.00pm, however teachers will have discretion to modify these hours.

I thank you for your anticipated support and trust this will help to build a strong connection between our school and your family.

Influenza (flu) season

Winter is coming, bringing cold and influenza (flu) season with it. Queensland Health’s influenza page covers the symptoms, how to protect yourself and others from getting sick and treatment.

Our school is helping to prevent the flu from spreading by:

• encouraging children, staff and visitors to cover their mouths and noses when they sneeze or cough
• making tissues readily available and ensuring used tissues are disposed of immediately
• ensuring children and staff wash their hands regularly
• cleaning our facilities and resources regularly
• strongly urging staff and children with flu-like symptoms to instead stay at home and encouraging them to seek early medical advice.

If your child catches the flu, please seek medical advice and keep them home until they are feeling well again.

Regards Landon Dare, Principal

Learning Vine Awards

Behaviour

Following Instructions First Time

Be short and specific

Children tend to hear a lot of conversational white noise when adults are speaking to them. Say exactly what needs to be said for your child to follow your directions. Trim everything else out. A soft tone is a great way to model to your children that how you say it, is very important in getting your message across.

Use ‘wait time’

After giving a set of instructions to your children, pause for 3-7 seconds to allow their brain to process and apply the information. Research shows children are more likely to follow directions if you give them “wait time” or a hearty pause.

As adults, we are used to processing information much quicker, but children…they take time.

Unless you are offering a choice, don’t ask

Sometimes your instructions are not up for negotiation. Everything in life is not always a choice. If you can’t offer a choice within a parental boundary you feel good about, give instructions as a statement, rather than a question. Just remember to use please and thank you. Offering choices is a fabulous way to help end power struggles and enjoy a happier home but it is not your only option.

Regards Kaia Clarke, Behaviour

ICAS

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.

Please look out for the permission and payment form that will be emailed. Payments are to be made by Friday 8 June.

Library

It’s that time again! Our Annual Book Fair starts NEXT WEEK! See the attached flier for information regarding open dates and times. (Wed May 30 – Thurs June 7) Students will bring home a brochure this week.

Please be aware that not every title on the brochure is available at every fair. They are a sample only.

We will also be hosting a special ‘Parent Preview’ afternoon. The Book Fair will be open for parents to come and browse, or check out your child’s wish list on your own.

There are EFTPOS and credit card facilities available, as well as cash sales.

Every purchase will receive a free book mark.

WHEN: Wednesday 30 May 3.30pm – 5.30pm
WHERE: Library

Regards Jann Connor, Librarian & Technology

Music

Term 2 Choir Rehearsal Times are:

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

Please bring lyrics to each rehearsal. New faces are always welcome!

A date for the Diary - Semester 1 Twilight Concert

Instrumental Music students in Band and Strings and the Choirs will be performing in the Semester One Twilight Concert to be held in the School Hall, Monday June 18 (Week 10) at 3:15pm. It is an expectation that students involved in these groups participate. All parents, carers, families and Worongary State School students are welcome to attend.

Worongary Has Talent Update

Congratulations to the 97 students that have auditioned for Worongary Has Talent. The standard of the performances, the effort and students’ enthusiasm has been outstanding! A very special mention to Year 6 students Destiny T and Abbey G who have assisted in the smooth running of the audition schedule. Auditions will be completed by Wednesday May 23 and the Showcase Finalists will be notified on Thursday May 24.

If there are any further queries please email kjone416@eq.edu.au.

Regards Katheryn Jones, Music & Arts

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 Read and Grow Program with your 3-5 year old children
(It is not compulsory to attend all sessions)

Regards Katie Huggard, PrepTeacher

Year 2D

2D is learning about living things and their lifecycles. We are having loads of fun growing broad beans in class. We hope Jack and the Giant do not visit Worongary.

Year 3B

Visual Art

The students in Year 3B have been exploring how found objects can communicate meaning in three dimensional artworks.

The students had fun creating their own masterpieces. They were inspired by Jeannie Baker, an author renowned for her children’s picture books and use of collage.

Parking

Any parent who currently has been granted access to park within the school grounds needs to see Admin as we are currently undertaking our annual review of boom gate access codes to the school.

Sports Draw

11 May 2018

18 May 2018

Excursions

P&C News

P&C June 2018 Meeting

The next monthly meeting will be held in the staff room on Wednesday 13 June 2018 at 4.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Volunteers

We desperately need a strong team of volunteers we can rely on to ensure our fundraising events run successfully. If you can assist in any way please send your details to pandc@worongaryss.eq.edu.au so we can add you to our volunteer register. As we need help throughout the year, we will contact you.

Trivia Night

Come along and celebrate Worongary State School’s 25th Anniversary at our annual Trivia Night, Friday 25 May 2018, doors open 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Dress up and decorate your table in your best 90’s themed attire. Come along for a fun filled evening of Trivia and games and a chance to win some amazing prizes from our Monster Raffle.

Tickets available for $20 on the night.

Colour Run 4 Fun

The prizes for the Colour Run 4 Fun have been ordered and should arrive early June 2018. These prizes would not be despatched to us until all forms were confirmed after this event had been completed.

School Banking

School Banking is going well. All certificates were handed out last week. Certificates will be coming shortly for the classes who have been banking on regular basis – so watch this space. In the last couple of weeks we have had 10 new students commence the banking program.

Facebook Page

Remember to join our Facebook page “Worongary State School P and C Association” so you can keep updated with our upcoming events.

Kind Regards P&C

Tuckshop & Uniform

Tuckshop News

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

Canteen Week

Last week we had a bit of fun celebrating Canteen Week with decorations and deals and special guests. Princess Michelle brought her disco lights and party music in on Friday, so we could end the week with a bang!

We would like to thank the students who joined in the fun and purchased something from our over the counter specials. Some of the students were super surprised to see some different faces behind the counter and the majority of them did an excellent job of showing off their good manners to our Special Guests. Well done.

We had a full house this year with appearances by Miss Jo, Mrs Sullivan, Ms Quarman, Princess Michelle, Mrs White and Mr Dare. Our thanks go out to you all for taking time out of your busy day to acknowledge Canteen Week by joining us in serving the children at over the counter sales and handing out baskets at the lunch times.

National Volunteer Week

This week is National Volunteer Week, where we make sure to celebrate our amazing, much loved volunteers. Lynette T is seen here getting us ready for the week, as she does each Monday morning. Our heartfelt thanks go out to Lynette and all the other mums and grandmothers who make an ongoing commitment to being part of our small but incredible team!

P&C Day Queensland

National Volunteer Week will culminate with Friday 25 May being P&C Day for Queensland. We are very fortunate to have a dedicated and hardworking P&C executive who volunteer an immense amount of time every week for the benefit of staff and students at Worongary State School.

We will be taking the opportunity to thank and appreciate all 5 executive members for everything they do. If you see their friendly faces around the school, please take the time to say hello and thank you to these incredible mums who give so freely of their time each and every week!

They will be spending their time this P&C Day, here at school, setting up for the Trivia Night.

Product of The Month

Thank you and well done to the students who have stepped out of their comfort zone and tried something different this month. We hope you enjoyed the Potato Wedges as much as we do.

If you haven’t yet got around to taking advantage of the special offer for May, don’t delay - there are only six school days remaining for the month. This offer is available via Online and Manual ordering and is available at both First Break & Second Break.

Next month, we have a winter warmer taking centre stage as ‘Product of the Month’ Butter Chicken

UNIFORM SHOP

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

Regards Michelle Lee, Tuckshop and Uniform Convenor

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