5 September 2018

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Over the past few days I have been speaking to many of our students about the wonderful way they celebrated Father’s Day last Sunday. I acknowledge that fathers and grandfathers play many important roles in a child’s life. No two families are the same and a positive male role model can play an important part in meeting the needs of the child. Children with involved fathers or grandfathers tend toward achieving academic success across the board, higher IQs, improved test results, and better attitudes toward school. They are less likely to drop out, fail classes, or develop behavioural concerns. Fathers can become actively involved with their child’s learning by:

• Connecting regularly with your child’s class teacher and celebrating their many achievements
• Reading bedtime stories and giving your child the time to speak about their day at school
• Planning a mutually enjoyable activity to undertake on the weekend
• Simply finding time to spend time together

I hope all of our dads and grandads had a wonderful day on Sunday!

Student Safety

Over the past few weeks members of our leadership team have been called upon to investigate or resolve situations relating to the safety of our students after school. Our school takes all matters relating to the safety of our students extremely serious. We are constantly looking for ways to maintain and enhance our safety procedures. As a result of the above mentioned situations, I met with Senior Sergeant and Officer In Charge of the Nerang Police Station Mr Peter Gordon to discuss ways we can partner together with the Gold Coast City Council to improve security in our local area - in particular Lawrence Hinde Park.

While it is important to connect with our partners to improve safety, it is also vital that parents play a role. Over the past few days I have observed a number of children finishing school and heading to play in the park while they wait for parents to collect them. Whilst I am sensitive to the financial pressures families find themselves under, I am very aware that this routine may place children at risk. I am aware that at some point a young child may be the last one to be collected and left all alone. I therefore encourage parents to change this end of day routine to include the possibility of accessing the schools before and after school hours care (Helping Hands).

I will continue to work closely with the Queensland Police Service and the Gold Coast City Council to maximise the safety of children in and around our school. In the meantime I trust all parents will reflect on the key messages of Recognise, React and Report highlighted on Day for Daniel (Daniel Morcombe) last year.

We are currently in the processes of co-ordinating this year’s Day for Daniel. This year’s event is planned for Friday 26 October. More information will follow in future editions of the Pipeline.

Priority School Review Outcome

Over the past twelve months our school has been supported by the School Improvement Unit and members of the South East Queensland Regional team to improve our collegial engagement and our students’ reading results. It gives me great pleasure to confirm that the recent evidence collected by the School Improvement Unit indicates, as a result of our school’s strong position, they no longer need to continue to support the school in its improvement agenda. Mr Alan Whitfield and Ms Jenny Maier visited a large number of classrooms last week to speak with staff and students in an attempt to review our school’s processes and practices. Both of these officers were extremely impressed by the significant improvement that has occurred in our school and were very satisfied that Worongary State School was in a position whereby the School Improvement Unit could withdraw their ongoing monitoring of our performance.

On behalf of our school community I wish to pay tribute to all of the school members who played a vital role in getting our school back on track. I sincerely thank the members of the Wellbeing Committee for helping all staff to refocus their positive enthusiasm for the very important job they do each and every day. Looking after oneself and each other has been a strong focus for us this year and I am delighted to report we are certainly witnessing the positive difference this growth mindset is having on our children and their achievements.

The previous review determined that our school needed to implement a more consistent approach to the teaching of reading in our school. I acknowledge the hard working and dedicated team of Literacy Leaders for their ongoing commitment to this priority area. A key goal for us this year is to ensure each and every child achieves a minimum of 12 months of reading growth for the 12 months of schooling. The staff has worked extremely hard to ensure we have a consistent response that supports those students who may not be on track to achieve this goal. While conducting our Learning Walks I have had the privilege to see firsthand how hard our students are working and I thank our teaching staff for supporting our students and achievements.

Finally I acknowledge and thank Mrs Kerry White, Mrs Kelly Ready, Mrs Peta White and Mrs Kaia Clarke for their constant support and commitment to our amazing school community. These school leaders have meticulously implemented their strategic plans with a high degree of sensitivity and care. It has been a privilege to work alongside these ladies through this Priority Support Review and I look forward to having the opportunity to continue this improvement well into the future.

2018 NAPLAN Performance

Late last week Worongary State School was provided the preliminary 2018 NAPLAN performance data. While on assembly earlier in the week it gave me great pleasure to acknowledge our Year 3 and Year 5 students for their outstanding performance – particularly in reading.

Our community should take away a high degree of confidence from our 2018 reading results. With 56% of our Year 3 students and 48% of our Year 5 students achieving in the top two bands in reading, we are certainly on track to exceed our 12 month reading targets. In addition to these pleasing results, this year our Year 5 students achieved the highest mean scaled score ever achieved at Worongary State School (530.7). These results provide clear evidence that Worongary State School is on track to once again be recognised as a school of academic excellence. Congratulations to all of our students and staff for your efforts and thank you to all of our parents for your ongoing support and commitment.

Individual student reports will be sent to school later in the year and will be distributed once they arrive.

NAPLAN Review

The Queensland Government is undertaking a review of NAPLAN in the Queensland context, to better understand the impacts NAPLAN is having on learning and teaching within the state.

The first stage of the Review, conducted in June 2018, focused on consultation with parents.

The second stage is now underway, with consultation extending to students, teachers, principals and other key education stakeholders across Queensland.

Queensland students in years 3 to 10 are now invited to provide feedback on their experiences with NAPLAN, via an online survey. Students wishing to participate will require the consent of a parent or carer, who can assist with completing the survey at home.

This project has received ethical clearance from both the Australian Catholic University and the Department of Education. Further information on the student survey and the Review are provided within the survey link.

Does your child require medication during school hours?

If your child requires medication while at school, please ensure you complete and sign an Administration of medication record sheet available from the school’s office.

You will also need to provide the school with the prescription-labelled medication in the original packaging with clear directions for its use. The school may request an accompanying doctor’s letter for certain medications.

Parenting is hard, but you’re not alone

The Queensland Family and Child Commission have recently launched the Talking Families campaign.

The campaign encourages parents or families who are experiencing difficulties to talk to someone and not be reluctant to ask for help.

Further information is available at the Talking Families website

Air-conditioning Project Update

Prior to last month’s meeting, a motion was passed that the school’s P&C Association donate $30,000 to the school to conduct an electrical switchboard upgrade. This upgrade was necessary to ensure all switchboards had the capacity to adequately handle the new electrical load once the air conditioning units were installed. At last month’s P&C Association meeting I outlined that the Department of Education is currently completing an open tender process to update all electrical switchboards. This special project was not released by Central Office at the time of the motion was discussed.

This tender process is almost completed and I hope to meet with a Central Office representative prior to the next holiday period to discuss the work and negotiate cost saving measures for our school community. Additional information will be tabled at the next P&C Association meeting. I invite all interested parents to come along and contribute to this discussion.

September’s Parents’ and Citizens’ Association Meeting

All parents are cordially invited to attend the September’s P&C Association meeting. This meeting will take place in the school’s staff room at 4:30pm on Wednesday 19 September. I hope you will be able to come along and support the volunteers to provide advice on how we can continue to work together to improve our school community.

Regards Landon Dare, Principal

Save the Date

Learning Vine Awards

From the Behaviour Room

Staff at Worongary State School encourage all our students to be Safe, Respectful Learners.

Mr Dare, Mrs White, Mrs Ready and staff want our students to know that school is a safe place for all. We encourage our students to respond appropriately to others in class and in the playground so our students feel

1. Safe to participate- by playing safely and following all directions from staff regarding safety.
2. As a learner our students take responsibility for their behaviour; by completing work well, co-cooperatively following all directions from staff, being organised, wearing the correct uniform and taking care of all property.
3. Respectful of themselves and others; by speaking nicely, sharing with others when needed, developing good relationships with other students and honouring their parents/caregivers and school through their thoughtful actions.

Regard Kaia Clarke Behaviour

From the Music Room

Instrumental Music 2019

Enrolment contracts for continuing students are now available and need to be returned to the Music Room or the School Office. Please also indicate if you are considering purchasing an instrument or will require hire of a school instrument in 2019. This will greatly assist us in allocating instruments to new and beginning students.

Limited places are still available for woodwind, brass and percussion instruments in 2019. Students currently in Years 3, 4 and 5 are invited to apply. Please see Ms Jones in the Music Room for further information.

Rehearsal Times for Term 3 and 4

Rehearsals will continue right up until the end of Term. Please bring all equipment and a happy face!

JUNIOR CHORAL ENSEMBLE (Years 1 – 3): Tuesday Mornings 8:10am – 8:50am.
SENIOR CHORAL ENSEMBLE (Years 4 -6): Wednesday Mornings 8:10- 8:50am.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC (BAND): Monday 7:45am – 8:50am
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC (STRINGS): Tuesday 8:00am – 8:50am
DRUMLINE: Monday First Break 11:00am – 11:40am

Yours in Music, Ms Katheryn Jones

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 Read and Grow Program with your 3-5 year old children

(It is not compulsory to attend all sessions)

Regards Katie Huggard, PrepTeacher

From the Student Council

The Worongary State School Student Council has been busy raising money over the course of the year. They have decided to spend some of the money raised on some new equipment to be used in the playground. Four bags were purchased, containing a range of items including soccer balls, basketballs and Frisbees. The equipment can be borrowed during first break by students in years 3 - 6.

From the Health Room

We are in desperate need of teeny-tiny undies for teeny-tiny bottoms. Both girls and boys.

If any families have school issued spare undies still at home please could you return them as soon as possible.

We are in very short supply of plastic bags. If you have a surplus at home we would gladly take them off your hands.

Regards Kath Welch, Health Room

Excursions

P&C News

P&C September 2018 Meeting

The next monthly meeting will be held in the Staff room on Wednesday 19 September 2018 at 4.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Chocolate Drive

This ended on 22 August 2018. There are still monies and chocolates outstanding. This is now overdue, so please drop any money into tuckshop between the hours of 8.30am and 2.00pm. If you still have chocolates, you have until Thursday 6 September 2018 to return these to the Tuckshop in above hours or you will be charged for the outstanding box. The family who sold the most boxes will be announced shortly and will receive an IPod touch 32 GB. If your family sold a box you will also receive a small gift for each box sold.

Facebook Page

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

Regards P&C

Tuckshop & Uniform

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 to 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.

Please call on the number above or stop by and speak to myself or Jasmine to find out more.

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they have the heart”

- Elizabeth Andrew

Product of The Month

As posted on the P&C Facebook page, the September Product of the Month is the Cheeseburger and is available via manual and online ordering. Available at both first and second break. Please see below for more information, including the accompanying offer.

Over Counter Sales

The Over Counter Sales menu is available at First and Second Break play time for students in Years 1-6 and can get very busy. If you are giving your children money to purchase items at this time, we ask that you please have a chat with them about the menu beforehand so they are aware of what’s on offer at this time and what they can buy with their money. This will enable us to keep the queue moving and minimise the wait time.

All items are priced at $2.20 or less so our float is accordingly minimal. Denominations larger than a $5 note will not be accepted at this time. Please also note that children are only to buy for themselves and are not permitted to buy for friends.

Items available at Over Counter Sales are marked with a green star on the everyday menu and are also on the Breakfast & Over Counter Menu. Both are attached here should you need to revisit them.

UNIFORM SHOP

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

Plastic Bags

Now that single use plastic bags are no longer available in Queensland, we ask that you please bring your own bag along to the Uniform Shop to carry your purchases home in. Thank you.

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