6 February 2019
Newsletter Articles
From the Principal
Welcome back to what will be another fantastic year at Worongary State School. We particularly welcome all of our new Prep students and their families. I trust that the first week of their formal schooling was enjoyable and filled with fond memories. On behalf of our prep team, we sincerely thank all of our prep parents for their support and assistance. I wish to welcome all of our other new families to our school. Worongary State School is a wonderful school and I am sure your children will enjoy the many opportunities that we have planned for them during the 2019 school year.
At Worongary State School, we value open and respectful communication. I strongly encourage all parents to contact your child’s class teacher if you have any questions, queries or problems. Improving our communication will be a key aspect of our improvement agenda this year. By working together, we can make our school a place of learning and enjoyment for all students, staff and visitors.
Striving for Excellence
Each year at Worongary State School, the leadership team establishes a theme. Over the course of the next two years, we will be implementing initiatives that support all students to Strive for Excellence. The results we achieved under our school’s Priority Support Review form the basis of our next two years’ work. It is our clear intention that all students will be striving to achieve their individual Reading and Numeracy goals. Students will display these goals in their Personal Learning Journals along with a self-reflection of their achievements.
It is an expectation that all students achieve a minimum of one year’s worth of reading and numeracy growth during the next 12 months. This target is reflective of your child’s current performance. Students who are working above the expected standard of their year level will still be required to demonstrate 12 months of academic growth. Targeted intervention and extension programs will be implemented to ensure all students achieve this goal.
This strategy, when coupled with other support strategies, will support our students to achieve our school’s Semester 1 Systemic Targets. These targets are:
- Percentage of students achieving a C or above in English
|
Sem |
Prep |
Yr 1 |
Yr 2 |
Yr 3 |
Yr 4 |
Yr 5 |
Yr 6 |
|
1 |
85% |
85% |
85% |
90% |
90% |
85% |
85% |
- Percentage of students achieving a C or above in Math
|
Sem |
Prep |
Yr 1 |
Yr 2 |
Yr 3 |
Yr 4 |
Yr 5 |
Yr 6 |
|
1 |
85% |
95% |
90% |
95% |
90% |
95% |
95% |
- 90% of 2019 prep student’s transition successfully into formal schooling.
I look forward to sharing our additional strategies at each month’s P and C Association meeting.
New Appointments
It gives me great pleasure to formally welcome two new leaders to our school. Late last year two selection and recruitment processes were undertaken to appoint the school’s Head of Curriculum and Pedagogical Coach (Teaching and Learning Coach) positions.
It gives me great pleasure to formally introduce and welcome Mr David Clancy and Ms Marg Haebich to our leadership team. Both of these leaders have extensive experience leading school communities. Both David and Marg’s experience in leading both rural and metropolitan schools will add significant value to our school community.
As the school’s Head of Curriculum, David will be responsible for ensuring our teaching staff have absolute clarity on how we ensure the Australian Curriculum underpins all that we do. He will also support teacher to enact assessment plans that are strongly aligned to the Australian Curriculum. In the newly formed Pedagogical Coach position, Marg will be responsible for supporting teachers with their teaching practices. Marg’s initial focus will remain on gaining a high degree of consistency in the teaching of reading.
In addition to these leaders, we also welcome the following teachers to our school:
- Kylie Cook (Prep E)
- Ellen McDonald (Year 6C)
- Lara Melrose (Year 4B)
- Daniel Viccars – (Year P-2 Support Teacher)
I trust you will join with me in welcoming all of our new staff to our school.
2019 Classes
As you may be aware, all Education Queensland State Schools are resourced on the number of students who are effectively enrolled on the eighth day of the school year. At this stage, our enrolment forecast indicates that our current enrolments will support our class structure. The official “Day 8” count is scheduled for this Thursday 7 February 2019. It is critical that parents contact the school as soon as possible if you child is absent from school during the next few days. I thank you for your anticipated support and hope that the official Day 8 process will cause little disruption.
Parent Information Session
Our school will be holding its annual Parent Information Session on Wednesday afternoon 13 February. Teachers will hold two identical sessions in their classrooms so parents are able to attend more than one year level.
Session 1: 3.15pm –
3.45pm
Session 2: 3.50 pm – 4.20 pm
These sessions allows year level groups and class teachers the opportunity to share with parent’s information such as class structure, rules and routines. Each year level will be providing a team brochure to assist in communication between teachers and our parents. Please note that these meetings are not meant as individual Parent Teacher Interviews. Formal Parent Teacher interviews will take place on Wednesday 20 March. I hope to see as many parents in attendance as possible next week.
The Music Department will be holding a parent information session after these sessions at 4.15pm. Please read the article under the Music Department.
Leadership Ceremony
Our 2019 Leadership ceremony will be conducted at 9.30am Friday 22 February. This ceremony celebrates our students who will be undertaking leadership roles in 2019. All parents with students being acknowledged on this day will receive an invitation to this event shortly.
Changes to Assembly
During 2019, our school will move to conducting weekly assemblies for our students. This change will provide opportunities for our school to acknowledge our students for their achievements on a weekly basis while also increasing the times we have available for distributing key messages. This year our Senior Assemblies will take place each Monday afternoon and our Junior Assemblies will occur each Tuesday afternoon. These events will commence at 2:30pm and conclude by 3:00pm. Parents are always welcome to attend. This year I have requested that all class teachers implement processes to ensure, in the event that your child receives a Learning Vine Award, that you will be notified prior to the assembly.
Uniform Policy
All parents are reminded that Worongary State School is a uniform school. Students who attend our school are expected to wear the correct uniform. Given the problems we experienced with receiving our school uniforms from the manufacture, I sincerely thank all of the parents who have gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure your child is attending school in the correct uniform. I would also like to acknowledge Michelle (Uniform Convenor), Jasmine and our school’s Parents’ and Citizens’ Association Executive members for the countless hours that they contributed to overcoming what was a very difficult situation.
It is an expectation that shoes are to be made of leather or vinyl (no canvas shoes). White ankle socks MUST be worn with shoes. For safety reasons, laced shoes must be tied tightly. Laces are to be the same colour as the shoe. All parts of the shoe must be black, including soles, eyelets and motifs. Shoes and socks MUST be worn at all times unless instructed by a teacher. Slip-on shoes are prohibited due to health and safety. Any family experiencing financial stress and is unable to meet these expectations is encouraged to contact the school and speak with one of the school’s Deputy Principals. We sincerely thank all parents for ensuring your child attends school each day in the correct uniform.
Helping Hands Out of School Hours Care
Our partnership with Helping Hands has continued to strengthen over the past 12 months. Students who participated in the program over the Christmas vacation period were treated with a large variety of fun and interesting activities. On behalf of the school community, I wish to acknowledge and thank the Helping Hands team for their ongoing commitment to our school. We are all very fortunate to have such dedicated and compassionate leaders caring for our students and their needs.
All parents are welcome to become a part of the Worongary State School Helping Hands family. If your child requires before and/or after school care or vacation care I strongly encourage you to see the team. If you need more information, please feel free to contact the friendly Helping Hands staff 07 5502 4473 or 0459 156 955.
School Resource Scheme
A big thank you to all of the parents who have already paid your child’s 2019 School Resource Scheme (SRS). I also wish to acknowledge and thank the many parents who have come into the school and arranged alternative payments (i.e. Centrelink payment options). We understand life can sometimes be extremely busy and sometimes payments may get overlooked. Therefore, over the next few days class teachers will be forwarding reminder notices to parents who may have overlooked the payment of these materials. If any parent is currently under financial hardship and would like to discuss alternative payment options with the school please do not hesitate to make an appointment with our school’s Business Manager (Mrs Rachel Zorbas). By working together, we can ensure all students are provided all of their materials at a minimum cost.
Every Day Counts at our School
Our school encourages all parents and members of our community to support the State Government initiative to improve student attendance. The program – Every Day Counts – has four key messages:
- all children should be enrolled and attend school on every school day
- schools should monitor and create ways to improve attendance in schools
- attendance is the responsibility of everyone in the community
- children may find themselves in unsafe situations if they choose not to attend or skip school.
While most students attend school consistently, there is a small number of students who are absent from school without an acceptable reason and this may harm their education. Going shopping, visiting family, staying up late and being tired or extending school holidays are not acceptable reasons to be away from school. Research shows that if your child has a record of good attendance, they are more likely to achieve high results in the future.
Religious Instruction
Religious Instruction will begin for students in Years 1 – 6 in week 4. Half hour lessons will take place for those students who have permission to attend. Students not attending Religious Instruction will be provided activities, linked to the curriculum, in a separate classroom.
In order for us to have up to date information we request any parents wishing to change their child’s RI preferences to notify the school in writing. If the school does not receive updated information we will continue with the wishes of parents from last year. If we have not received any notification of your wishes, your child will not participate.
Indigenous Health Programs
Kalwun and Deadly Choices will be supporting our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through 2 initiatives. Consent forms were sent home earlier this week with students.
Deadly Choices Healthy Lifestyles program will run from Week 3 until the end of the term. Years 3 – 6 Indigenous students will take part in the program which aims to support the children to be positive role models and mentors for their family, peers and community by leading a healthy lifestyle. Lessons will consist of some classroom-based activities and outside games. Parents of Indigenous students are encouraged to complete the first page of the Kalwun permission form sent home with your child this week and return it to the office by Monday 11 February 2019.
The Health Assessment is offered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island students and is conducted by staff from Kalwun Health Service. These assessments will take place at the school on 4 April. We seek the support of all parents to ensure these consent forms are returned to the school by no later than Friday 29 March.
Facilities Update
Our school’s facilities received a number of significant upgrades over the recent summer vacation. All of the school’s electrical switchboards were upgraded and now have safety switches installed on both power point circuits and light fittings. These upgrades were managed in conjunction with Phase One of the school’s air-conditioning project.
I am delighted to report that air-conditioning is now operational in 11 classrooms, the library and music rooms. This project strictly adheres to education Queensland’s Schools Standard Air-Conditioning Specification (Version 2) policy. These specifications ensure the highest standards of safety are maintained for our students and staff. Parents wishing to become involved in the planning Phase 2 of the air-conditioning rollout are encouraged to make contact with a member of the school’s P&C Association Executive.
A number of interactive white boards were replaced over the holiday break. These boards are now essential tools for very classroom. These new boards provide all students with the opportunity to engage in 21st century learning. With the introduction of our STEM initiative our school will see a record amount of funding being directed towards technology over next two years.
Volunteer Training
Code of Conduct and Student Protection training will take place for any parents and community members who wish to volunteer in classrooms on Friday 18 February commencing at 9.15am in our school hall.
If you wish to attend the Volunteer Training please contact the office on 5502 4444 to RSVP.
If you are unable to attend this session, please contact the school for alternative training options.
Regards Landon Dare, Principal
Behaviour
Welcome back to all our families for 2019.
Despite the glorious sunshine, we strongly urge our students to attend school every day. The link below has some fantastic resources you can view with your child about the importance of coming to school each day.
https://everydaycounts.eq.edu.au/
From 8.30am each week day the Central Games area is supervised by staff. Our students are requested to sit quietly. There is an opportunity for our students to attend organised activities on the oval which is taken by Michelle Dumbrell (different year levels on different days). A numbers of students can also go to the library from 8.30am.
Our first bell goes at 8.50am allows our students to be engaged in learning by 9am.
Please remind your children to check that their school hat is in their bag each day. Don’t forget our ‘hat on play on’ rule. Please also remind your children that all mobile phones must be handed in to the office before students go to class.
Our students have settled very well into their new classrooms. Our Preps are just terrific. They are making new friends, exploring new concepts and enjoying a vast range of activities.
All our students have been discussing our school rules.
The Worongary State School, rules are:
I am Safe
I am Respectful
I am a Learner
Have a fantastic fortnight.
Thank you for your support.
2019 Term 1 PBL Lesson Schedule
|
TERM ONE |
||
|
Topic |
Focus Behaviours |
Resources |
|
I can Follow the School Rules |
What are our school rules? Exploring school-wide expectations and consequences. Setting up Classroom rules and expectations. |
School-wide Expectations Teaching Matrix Lesson ideas on SharePoint Behaviour |
|
Week 1 Being Safe in the Classroom |
We will:
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Week 2 Being Respectful in the Classroom |
We will:
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Week 3 Being a Learner in the Classroom |
We will:
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Week 4 Being Safe Entering and Exiting the Classroom |
We will:
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Week 5 Being Safe and Respectful moving around the School |
We will:
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Week 6 Being Safe in the Playground |
We will:
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Week 7 Being a Learner by Being on Time |
We will:
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Week 8 Being Safe and Respectful in the Toilets |
We will:
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Week 9 Being Respectful of the Environment |
We will:
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Week 10 Finish Strong |
We will:
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Regards, Kaia Clarke, Behaviour
From the Music Room
Welcome back to returning families and a very warm welcome to new families!
CLASSROOM MUSIC
In 2019, Miss Katheryn Jones will deliver specialist Music lessons to all students. Our first instrument, the voice, will be extensively utilised via the Kodaly methodology to develop musicianship skills.
COME AND TRY CHOIR
For the month of February 13 all students are encouraged to come and try Choir.
The Junior Choir is open to all students in Years 1 and 2. Rehearsals will be held on Tuesday mornings starting at 8:00 am and concluding at 8:45 am – commencing Week 2.
The Senior Choir is open to all students from Year 3 – 6. Rehearsals will be held on Wednesday mornings starting at 8:00am and concluding at 8:45am – commencing Week 2.
At the end of February Choral Contracts will be distributed to all students wishing to participate for the duration of 2019.
This year, performance opportunities for the Senior Choir include, but are not limited to: attending Choral Fanfare in June, the Gold Coast Eisteddfod in August and tours of the local community.
PIANIST WANTED TO ACCOMPANY SOME CHORAL WORK
We are seeking a pianist to accompany some Choral items and special performances throughout the year. Please contact Miss Jones if this is something that interests you.
SPECIAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCES
To develop our children’s musical education, quality live performances will be offered to different cohorts of students throughout the year. Please keep an eye out for these events!
COMPULSORY INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PARENT INFORMATION SESSION
On Wednesday February 13 at 4:15 pm (straight after Class Information Sessions) a compulsory information session for all parents of Instrumental Music students will be held in the Music Room. If you are unable to be present at this session please contact Miss Jones to arrange an alternative time. Please be aware instruments will not be distributed to students until this information has been disseminated to parents/ caregivers.
Yours in Music
kjone416@eq.edu.au
Yours in Music, Ms 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 FREE Read and Grow Program with your 3-5 year old children
(It is not compulsory to attend all sessions)
|
When: |
Tuesday 12 February 2019 |
|
9am to 9.45am |
|
|
Where: Prep A Classroom Worongary State School |
|
|
Who: |
Parents and their children (3-5years) |
|
(Smaller siblings are also welcome.) |
For more information or to ask any questions, please contact Katie Huggard via email: khugg2@eq.edu.au
Regards Katie Huggard, PrepTeacher
Excursions
|
EVENT |
DATE OF EVENT |
AMOUNT |
DUE DATE |
|
SRS 2019 |
$165.00 |
$65.00 Overdue $50.00 8 February 2019 $26 March $50.00 |
P&C News
P&C Meeting
The next monthly meeting will be held in the next few weeks. When the date has been decided we will advise via our Facebook page.
School Banking
School banking has been changed to Friday's this year. The first banking will be on Friday 8 February 2019. You can open a bank account for your child/children at Commonwealth Bank. Any enquiries you can contact the P and C via our email ourpandc1993@gmail.com
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
The school holidays certainly flew by and 2019 is well and truly upon us now. Welcome back to returning students, volunteers, staff and families and a big welcome to new students and families. I hope you had a fantastic break and wish you a great year of schooling in 2019!
Online Ordering Profiles Must be Updated for 2019
Just a reminder that online ordering profiles need to be updated manually by parents each year. Now that you know your child’s new class, please remember to update their online ordering profiles to ensure that orders are sent to the correct place. Please note that Tuckshop and Uniform Shop online ordering profiles must be updated separately.
|
If you haven’t already used online ordering and would like to give it a try, you can register an account with Schoolshop Online by following the links on the school website or by inputting Worongary in the search box via the link below. https://schoolshoponline.net.au/default.aspx |
Key things to note about online ordering are:
- Online ordering is great for busy parents. Orders can be placed online at your convenience.
- The cut off time for Tuckshop Online Ordering each day is 9am so if your mornings are busy try ordering in advance the night or even the week or month before!
- Any Uniform orders placed online will be processed on the next Uniform Shop day (Monday/Wednesday/Friday). A yellow note will be sent to your child’s classroom via the Tuckshop basket to advise when it is ready for collection from the Tuckshop. Please let your child know to keep an eye out for the yellow note. Also, please be aware that due to the Uniform Shop hours being in the afternoon on Wednesdays, orders processed on this day can be expected to reach your children on the following Thursday.
Tuckshop News
Opening Hours
Monday-Friday:
8:30am-2:00pm
Telephone Number: 5502 4426
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 and 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.
We currently have availability Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Please call on the number above, or stop by and speak to myself or Jasmine if interested.
“Volunteers do not necessarily
have the time; they have the heart”
- Elizabeth Andrew
Helpful Hints and Reminders
- There are no EFTPOS facilities in the Tuckshop. We accept cash only via the Tuckshop Basket system and over the counter. Online ordering is available as the alternative to cash.
- NO CREDIT: As per P&C QLD regulations, we are unable to provide credit to anyone and thank you in advance for not asking, as refusal may offend. We are however able to accept payments in advance to hold on account, in preparation for those days that just won’t run smoothly!
- The Over Counter Sales menu is available at First and Second Break play time for students in Years 1-6. All items are priced at $3.00 or less so our float is accordingly minimal. Denominations larger than a $5 note will not be accepted at this time. Please note that children are not permitted to buy for friends.
- FORGOTTEN LUNCH? Please do not call the Tuckshop directly. If for some reason you realise that your child has no lunch at school, you have the option to either bring your child some lunch or arrange for a family member to do so. If neither of these options are feasible, your child will be sent to the school administration office who will contact you to arrange for a basic emergency lunch to be provided to your child.
- Please refer to the back page of the menu for additional information.
New Menu
As mentioned last year, we have revisited the Tuckshop menu and have made some changes to it. Some items have been removed, some new ones have been added and due to price increases from suppliers, there have been changes to prices for some items. We have been working on getting laminated copies of the menu sent home with the youngest child of each family. Until you receive your copy, please refer to the email sent out last week by admin or refer to the P&C Facebook page.
Farewell
Jasmine and I would like to make a special mention of a long-standing volunteer, Lynette T who is moving on to new ventures. Lynette has grandchildren attending the school and has been regularly volunteering in the Tuckshop for the past seven years. We would like to formally acknowledge Lynette for this incredible donation of time and wish her well for the future. You will be missed Lynette.
UNIFORM SHOP
Opening Hours
Monday:
8:00am-9:00am
Wednesday: 2:15pm-3:15pm
Friday: 8:00am-9:00am
Direct Dial number: 5502 4409
Uniform Delay
I would like to once more thank all our families for their patience while we awaited delivery of our back to school orders. We did our best to minimise the inconvenience and processed all back orders last week.
Kind regards, Michelle Lee, Tuckshop/Uniform Convenor
Community Notices
