14 November 2018

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

It is with great pleasure that I dedicate this week’s Pipeline article to some of our many recent accomplishments. I wish to acknowledge and congratulate our students, staff and community volunteers for these recent achievements. As the year ends, I look forward to continuing to acknowledge individual students for their academic achievements. I trust you will join with me in congratulating the following students and teams.

Senior Choir Performance at Pacific Fair

Last Thursday evening, members of the Senior Choir represented Worongary State School at Pacific Fair in a “Sing to Win’ competition. These children also appeared on live broadcasts with Gold Coast Channel 9 News, multiple times, singing and dancing.

The largest thank-you must be awarded to the Worongary community. The parents and carers of these children made this event the success that it was. Children participating were required to attend earlier than normal before school rehearsals and even on the day, last minute changes to arrival times were accommodated by each and every family.

A very special thank-you to our wonderful Office ladies, who ensured the community was kept informed every step of the way.

We were the only primary school that featured as a finalist in this competition, competing against seven other adult choirs. The students performed professionally and seamlessly and earnt numerous cheers from the crowd. We did not take away the big prize on the night but we had so much fun!

A special thank you to Ms Jones for her dedication to our Music Department and the commitment to our student’s.

Congratulations students you were outstanding!

Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)

It is our clear intention during 2019 – 2020 to increase our student’s STEM knowledge and skills.

Last week I had the pleasure of witnessing firsthand the outcome of the STEM work being completed in Year 3D. The Year 3 students have been working through the process of design, make and appraise. I wish to acknowledge Brayden Purcell for his construction of a Candy Machine and Izabel Connelly for her construction of an Anemometer. I wish the 3D class all the best as they move onto designing a bird feeder.

Worongary State School has extended our STEM partnership with Merrimac State High School.

Last week our Worongary Robotics Club participated in the first ever Robo Coast event at Merrimac State High School. Worongary entered two teams in the event, the Space Walkers and The Wonders of the Galaxy. The event was based around the First Lego League robotics game with students solving challenges based around this year’s theme: Into Orbit. The First Lego League’s events encourage collaboration, discovery and problem solving and our 18 students worked together and alongside students from other local schools to develop their robots before competing in 3 rounds of the Into Orbit game. While our students didn’t take home any prizes it was great to see their team spirit, working collaboratively together and always cheering each other on. This weekend our students will head to Ballina with teams from Merrimac High to compete in an official First Lego League round. Sincerely thank Mr Mullaly for his dedication to our school’s STEM initiative. Mr Mullaly has worked extensively with our Year 5 and 6 students to develop their coding skills. Opportunities like these would not be possible without a passionate educator. On behalf of our entire school community, we thank Tim for all he has done to promote a culture of enquiry in our senior classes.

QLD Mountain Bike Champion

Charli Edwick recently won the QLD Mountain Bike U11 Girl’s Championship. In addition to this amazing achievement, Charli won the over-all series for 2018. It gave me great pleasure to acknowledge Charli on parade last week. Well done Charli we are all super proud of your achievements and so pleased all of your hard work has paid off.

Touch Football Winners

Last weekend our Worongary State School Mixed Touch team travelled to Redland Touch fields to compete in the Queensland Primary All Schools. With more than 160 teams competing in either Boys, Girls or the mixed divisions the competition was going to be tough. Our first game was a hard fought one. The 3-5 defeat certainly provided motivation to refocus and build a strong platform. After the first day’s competition the team finished with 2 wins and 1 loss. The second day’s competition was much more challenging. After being placed into the Cup Division, every game was a must win game to progress to the grand final. After two great wins, the students earned a place in the semi-final. This semi-final was a very tough game with our students crossing the try line on the buzzer to win 4-3.

This tight semi-final provided our team with a great level of confidence and motivation. This positive mindset certainly proved the difference in the final with our students taking out the grand final with an exciting 5-1 win.

A special thank you to Miss Smith and Mr Rogers for their leadership of this initiative. The countless hours of organisation and training has certainly provided our students with the opportunity to shine. I wish to thank all the players for trusting the coaching staff and believing in the game plan. These students not only performed exceptionally well – they represented our school community extremely well. Congratulations to all students on a successful weekend and playing as a team. Finally, I sincerely thank the parents who drove their children to Redlands both days - a big commitment for you as well to give up your weekend.

Invictus Games

Last week a number of our students were extremely fortunate to participate in a special Invictus Games presentation. Mr Dean Knobel visited our school on Wednesday 7 November and spoke to all of the students about what it was like to win a Gold Medal at last month’s Invictus Games. Dean visited Prep C and presented to our Year 5 and 6 students on motivation and persistence. At the conclusion of Dean’s visit he presented our school with an ANZAC commemorative Bear (Captain John Murray).

Our bear, Captain John Murray is one of only 5000 “Australia in the Great War Wounded Bears” released to remember the untold numbers of Australians physically and mentally scarred during the Great World War 1914-1918. Worongary State School is the only school on the Gold Coast to be presented with a Great War Wounded Bear. We sincerely thank Dean for considering our school students and the future learning opportunities this bear will bring to our classrooms.

On behalf of our Worongary State School community, we sincerely thank Dean for his generous donation of the time and presenting us with Captain John Murray. I also wish to acknowledge Ms Gemma Williamson for co-ordinating this visit from Dean. Our students are truly fortunate to have such dedicated teachers working with them each and every day.

Parents’ and Citizens’ Association

Last week our local State Member Ms Meaghan Scanlon (Assistant Minister for Tourism Industry Development) singled out our school’s P and C Association in an address before the Queensland Parliament. Ms Scanlon acknowledged our P and C Association for the fantastic work these volunteers are doing on a daily basis to improve our school community. On behalf of all of the students, attending Worongary State School I too wish to acknowledge our P and C Association’s President Mrs Rhiannon Henson and her dedicated team of volunteers for all they do for our school. Our staff members appreciate your constant guidance and support.

Merrimac State High School Awards

Last week I had the pleasure of representing our community at the Merrimac State High School Annual Awards evening. This evening provides the staff and students of Merrimac State High the opportunity to showcase their achievements during the past 12 months. I particularly wish to acknowledge the following past students for receiving awards at last week’s ceremony.

On behalf of our school community, I congratulate all of the students who were acknowledged at this ceremony. I look forward to Mr Chris Tobin (Merrimac State High School Principal) presenting the 2019 Merrimac State High School Scholarships at our Year 6 Leaving Ceremony.

Front Gate

As you would be aware at the end of the school day, many of our students transition across the staff car park to meet parents. To improve the safety of our students the front gate will be locked until 3:10pm. It is anticipated that this decision will have little impact on many of our families. I apologise in advance to those families who have been approved to park in our school’s onsite disability car park for any inconvenience this may cause.

Student Resource Scheme (SRS)

All parents should have received details regarding the 2019 Student Resource Scheme last week. Parents will notice that for the first time the scheme is the same amount regardless of the year level. It is anticipated that parents will also appreciate the significant reduction in 2019 fees. This reduction has been possible due to a number of contributing factors. Firstly, in 2019 the school will move to use excess stock that has been accumulating in the storeroom for a number of years. Secondly, the school has not included items such as a pencil case or USB. Taking the pencil case and USB items off the SRS was a common sense approach as many parents already supply a pencil case and USB.

Parents not wishing to participate in the scheme are welcome to contact the school office and receive a book pack. It is an expectation that parents wishing to purchase these items do so prior to school commencing and bring them in on the first day of the 2019 school year. In addition to these items there is an technology component to the SRS. Parents who choose to purchase their child’s 2019 school materials will receive an invoice from the school for these items. Parents wishing to receive additional information about the 2019 SRS are encouraged to contact the school.

Behaviour

Regards Landon Dare, Principal

Save the Date

Learning Vine Awards

From the Finance Department

The Finance window will be closed from Friday 30 November for the rest of the year.

Payments still can be made via internet Payment, QParents and BPoint.

We will reopen in 2019 on Thursday 24 January and Friday 24 January from 8.00am – 11.00am.

From the Music Room

Senior Choir Performance at Pacific Fair

Please refer to Mr Dare article.

Twilight Instrumental Music: Strings, Band and Choir Concert

On Monday November 19 (Week 7), our End of Year Concert featuring all Instrumental Music students and both Junior and Senior Choirs will be held in the School Hall commencing at 3:15pm and concluding at approximately 4:00pm. We look forward to seeing all our Worongary families at this event.

Christmas Community Choir and Instrumental Music Tour

On Friday November 30 (Week 8), the Senior Choir and selected instrumental music students will be travelling to Retirement Centres and Early Childhood facilities in the local area to perform a repertoire of festive music. There will be no Junior Choir Rehearsal in Week 8, as there will be an additional Senior Choir Rehearsal on Tuesday Morning to ensure we are well prepared for this special event.

‘Kids Only’ End of Year Celebration Concerts

On Thursday December 6 (Week 9) all Senior School students will be participating in a ‘kids-only’ Celebration of Music Concert in the school hall. The Junior School will be conducting their Celebration of Music Concert the following day, Friday December 7 (Week 9). The purpose of these concerts is to share skills learnt with peers in a fun, informal and safe environment.

Instrumental Music 2019

Please be aware that the Compulsory Music Levy ($60) which covers tuition for the entire year is due on November 16. If there are any questions regarding the levy, please contact Jo Hoger or Jo Wales in the School Office.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any inquiries.

Yours in Music, Ms Katheryn Jones

Resource Centre News

Book Club

Final Book Club Issue order forms went out this week. Please return orders to the Library by NEXT Thursday 22 November.

No late orders can be accepted as they would not be returned before end of the year.

Library Books

Please check that your children have returned ALL their school resources – Library books and Home readers, as we near the end of the school year.

Regards Jann Connor, Librarian and Technology

Read and Grow Update

Read and Grow is a fun interactive story sharing program for parents and 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)

For more information or to ask any questions, please contact Katie Huggard via email: khugg2@eq.edu.au.

Reading on Rugs

Did you know that if you read a book to your child every day from the day they are born, by the time they are 5 they would have seen 1825 books! How far behind are you?

Each morning before school, please come along and sit with your child quietly to read a story. Books and rugs supplied. Outside Prep A, every day (weather permitting).

Regards Katie Huggard, PrepTeacher

From 3B

3B has been busy writing poems with a rhyming pattern. They have skilfully used a painting programme to create a beach scene using the computer.

Throughout this English unit, the children have had opportunities to develop high-order thinking skills. They have been encouraged to develop skills in reflecting, inquiring, analysing and evaluating.....all lifelong learning skills.

Regards Donna Ermer, 3B Teacher

Excursions

P&C News

Thank you Disco Volunteers

We would like to thank all our volunteers who assisted at the Disco last Friday. It was great to see some volunteers return and also some new volunteers help out.

Chocolate Drive Chocolates

We would like to acknowledge a few families who are continuing to sell the remaining boxes left over from our chocolate drive – Randall, Braithwaite-Bon, Henson and Roberts. The Robert’s family have sold over 20 boxes since the Chocolate Drive finished. There are still over 50 families that still owe money for chocolate.

Facebook Page

Remember to join our Facebook page “Worongary State School P and 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
Direct Dial number: 5502 4426

World Tuckshop Day

Last Friday was World Tuckshop Day and all Tuckshop staff were rather spoilt. Jasmine and I would like to thank the students, parents, staff members and P&C executives who acknowledged us and our dedicated volunteers on this day. We received many kind words and gifts, including a beautiful handmade card and big bunch of flowers from Susan Paterson and the students from 4A. Thank you all so much! We very much appreciate being appreciated.

Menu Changes Are Coming

With the launch of the 10c refund recycling scheme this November, we have had some price increases passed on to us from our suppliers for items that qualify for the 10c refund. eg. Bottled Juice and Flavoured Milk. These increases, along with previous ones that the Tuckshop has absorbed over the course of the year mean that we will unfortunately have to review our menu and increase the prices of some items next year. If anyone has suggestions about new additions to the menu, please feel free to pass them on to us either by stopping by the Tuckshop or by emailing the P&C at pandc@worongaryss.eq.edu.au

UNIFORM SHOP

Opening Hours

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

UNIFORM SHOP CLOSED this Friday

Please note that the Uniform Shop will be closed this Friday 16 November. However, online ordering will still be available and any online orders received before 7:30am that day will be processed as normal. Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Kind regards, Michelle Lee
Tuckshop/Uniform Convenor

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