1 May 2019

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

The Anzac Day Commemorations once again provided us all with a sombre reminder of those Australian and New Zealand personnel who sacrificed so much to provide us with the freedoms we enjoy today. I wish to thank the many parents who spoke to me after the ceremonies to acknowledge the way our students participated and supported these extremely important events. I sincerely thank Mrs Ready and Mrs White for co-ordinating our school services last week and particularly acknowledge the work of Mrs Jones and our amazing choir. The performance of our choir was made even more special considering we had only just returned from two weeks of school holidays.

I wish to recognise the many students who participated in the Nerang RSL ANZAC Day March. As in previous years, our students formed a column and carried a Divisional banner of our World War 1 Veterans. As there are no WW1 veterans left, this was a real honour for the students. Both veterans and community members paid tribute to how well our students represented our school and their families. Well done to all of our participating students and a huge thank you to all of the parents who supported our school on the day.

International Sport Karate Association Success

For the past 12 months, Vincent A (1C) and his sister Alyssa T (6D) have been travelling across Queensland to participate in International Sport Karate Association’s 2018 Tournament. Over the recent holiday period both of these students were acknowledged for their outstanding achievements at the Association’s Annual Presentation evening. I too wish to join with the Association and congratulate these students on their following achievements:

Well done Vincent and Alyssa.

Athletics Carnivals

Last week saw over 300 students take to the track for our annual athletics carnival. Regrettably our first day was washed out however once we did manage to get underway on Wednesday, all students performed very well. I cordially invite all parents to join with our senior school students on Thursday 2 May to complete the Field Events component of this carnival.

Unfortunately, our Junior Sports Carnival has been postponed today due to wet weather. Please keep an eye out for a new date in the near future.

Under 8s Day

We wish to extend an invitation to all of our families and educational partners to come along and help us celebrate what it means to be under 8. The invitation to join us for our Under 8’S Day 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 our local Early Childhood Centres. Our 2019 Under 8’s Day will once again take place on the senior oval on Friday 24 May. This event will commence at 9:30am and conclude by 11:00am. 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. Under 8’s Day updates will be posted on the school’s Facebook page. Parents wishing to obtain additional information are encouraged to speak to your child’s class teacher or Mrs White our Deputy Principal (Junior School).

NAPLAN

It is that time of the year again when we turn our attention to preparation for the 2019 National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy. All students in Years 3 and 5 are expected to participate in NAPLAN tests. NAPLAN tests give all parents information on how well their child is progressing against national standards. This information allows for additional intervention if necessary to ensure all students can fully participate in all aspects of the Australian Curriculum. NAPLAN does not replace, but rather complements, assessments conducted by our classroom teachers throughout the year.

Adjustments can be provided for students with disability to enable them to access the tests on an equivalent basis as students without disability. The definition of a disability is aligned to the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Parents are encouraged to speak with either your child’s class teacher or their Differentiation Mentor (Mrs Jackson – Year 5 and Ms Karam – Year 3) for more information on these individual adjustments.

Students may be withdrawn from the testing program by their parent/carer. This is a matter for consideration by individual parents/carers in consultation with their child’s class teacher and Mrs Ready (Deputy Principal - Senior School). Withdrawals are intended to address issues such as religious beliefs and philosophical objections to testing. A formal notification to withdraw from the assessment schedule must be received by the Principal prior to the commencement of the tests.

Wherever possible, we will organise for individual students who are absent at the time of testing to complete missed tests at another time during testing period.

The 2019 NAPLAN testing program is as follows:

Parents wishing to obtain any additional information are encouraged to contact your child’s class teacher.

2020 Prep Transition

During Term 2 we will commence implementing the 2020 Prep Transition Program. This program significantly enhances our pre prep students’ to transition successfully into formal schooling. Parents and students are cordially invited to attend the following events:

Parents wishing to enrol their child in the above mentioned prep transition program activities are strongly encouraged to contact the school office and arrange for an information package to be sent home. Once the enrolment forms have been completed and submitted, further information will be provided regarding the above mentioned programs, and in particular the much loved and highly successful Get Set for Prep Program.

Buddy Benches

To continue to foster a positive school climate, Worongary State School, in conjunction with our school’s P and C Association have over the holiday period installed two new Buddy Benches in the Junior and Senior playgrounds. These Buddy Benches are a simple idea to foster friendships on the playground. They are a designated place where students can meet friends and make friends. All students were provided a basic guideline for using the Buddy Benches during this week’s assembly. These guidelines included:

1. If you choose to sit on the buddy bench, you must say yes to the first friend who invites you to play, talk or walk.
2. If you see a friend when you are sitting on the buddy bench, you can invite him/her to play, talk or walk.
3. Two friends sitting on the buddy bench can turn to each other and invite each other to play, talk or walk.

When a child is asked off the bench to come play, the hope is that they’ll have the confidence to go play with their new friends again the next day. Parents wishing to provide feedback on this initiative are encouraged to email me (ldare1@eq.edu.au). A third Buddy Bench will be installed in the Prep playground in the very near future.

Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) Installation

Currently the school is having a number of technicians working to install CCTV capability. The purpose of the CCTV system at Worongary State School is to provide staff, student, and visitors with a safe environment in which they can work and learn.

The provision and use of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) supports the maintenance of this secure environment by ensuring an appropriate level of surveillance of staff, students, and visitors to the buildings. It also provides enhanced capability to protect Worongary State School’s assets against vandalism and theft. The visual presence of CCTV cameras provides a strong deterrence against inappropriate behaviour and will often serve to reassure students that they are protected whilst within the school.

In general, installation of CCTV cameras in Worongary State School will be limited to places such as the entrances to the school, general thoroughfares and high risk general learning areas such as playgrounds and computer labs. Cameras are directed at areas rather than at individuals, but may be focused on individuals where there is suspicious behaviour. In accordance with applicable legislation, cameras will not be used to capture or view private activities unless clear and obvious signage is placed within the area in which the activities take place. Cameras will not be installed in private areas such as toilets, change rooms, staff rooms or to monitor student or staff performance. Hidden or covert cameras are also prohibited.

The planning and design has endeavoured to ensure that the scheme will give maximum effectiveness and efficiency, but it is not possible to guarantee that the system will cover or detect every single incident taking place in the areas of coverage.

Once fully installed, our school, in conjunction with the P and C Association, will be required to draft a CCTV policy document. This policy will provide details for the way in which the CCTV system will operate, whilst ensuring that the privacy of individuals is protected in accordance with relevant Information Privacy Principles set out in the Information Privacy Act 2009. More information will be shared in the near future.

Regards Landon Dare, Principal

Save the Date

Learning Vine Awards

From the Music Room

CONGRATULATIONS SENIOR CHOIR

Congratulations to all members of the Senior Choir who performed at both the Junior and Senior Anzac School Services on the first days of Term 2. Your storytelling was outstanding!

CONGRATULATIONS SAMARA G

Last term students were invited to apply for a Principal’s Scholarship, receiving one year of free tuition with The Music Bus here at our school. There were many exceptional applications that clearly addressed the criteria given. After much deliberation, Samara G was awarded this fantastic opportunity. Congratulations Samara!

UPCOMING ASSEMBLY PERFORMANCES BAND and SENIOR STRINGS

This term, our Band and Senior String students will be performing at both Week 4 Assemblies. We hope you can join us to celebrate the progress of our young musicians.

MUSIC INCURSIONS – Years 2 & 3 and Years 4, 5, 6

A reminder that invoices have now been issued for all students in Years 2 and 3 for WYNISS and for all students in Years 4, 5, 6 for The Air that I Breathe. These Musica Viva performances support and enhance curriculum learning and will take place in our School Hall in Weeks 6 and 7 respectively. Payment can be made online or at the payment window. Please return permission forms to classroom teachers.

SENIOR CHOIR REHEARSALS WEEKS 1 – 4

This term our Senior Choir is undertaking some challenging repertoire in preparation for Choral Fanfare, a choral competition within our region. To support this part-work, the Senior Choir has agreed to meet on Wednesday (Melody group) or Thursday mornings (Harmony group) from 8am during the initial stage of score learning. Students are welcome to attend both sessions if they desire. Thank you to all parents for your support with this change. Information regarding Choral Fanfare will be distributed shortly.

Yours in Music
Ms Katheryn Jones
kjone416@eq.edu.au

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: TERM 2 - Tuesday 30 April until Tuesday 11 June 9am to 9.45am
Where: Prep A Classroom Worongary State School
Who: Parents and their children (3-5years)
Theme: All about families.

Siblings welcome

Come along and meet other parents and children – all welcome even if not attending Worongary State School

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

The program was put together by a speech language pathologist and early childhood teachers. Each week we will read a story and develop language skills through reading, songs, play and craft - practicing the skills we know are important for school readiness such as:

• Focusing on key words and concepts
• asking and answering questions
• noticing the print and the written word in the story or title

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

Regards Katie Huggard, PrepTeacher

Excursions

P&C News

P&C Meeting

The next P and C meeting will be held on Wednesday 8 May 2019 at 4.30 pm in the staff room. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Trivia Night Donations

If you are able to assist with a donation for our Trivia Night, to be held on Friday 31 May 2019, please contact us via our email below for a donation letter. For any enquiries in regards to our Trivia Night please contact the P and C via our email ourpandc1993@gmail.com

We will have further details on our Trivia Night shortly.

Mother’s Day Stall

The Mother’s Day Stall will be held on 9 and 10 May. Gifts range from $1 to $10. We also have gifts for Grandmother’s. Children will be able to purchase up to 4 gifts. We recommend you send a shopping bag with your Child/Children to assist getting these home. Classes have been scheduled to attend the stall on Thursday 9 May.

Election Day BBQ

We are looking for volunteers to assist us with a BBQ outside the school hall on Saturday 18 May 2019 between 10am and 2pm. If you are able to assist, please email us with the time period you are able to help us. Email us at 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

Stock

You may have noticed that some food items have been unavailable at times this term. This is due to a freezer breakdown resulting in loss of stock and less storage space while we await repairs. We are doing our best to replenish the items affected and anticipate everything to be available once more by Monday. In the meantime, please accept our apologies for any disappointment caused.

UNIFORM SHOP

Opening Hours

Monday: 8:00am-9:00am
Wednesday: 2:15pm-3:15pm
Friday: 8:00am-9:00am (Closed this Friday 5 April)
Direct Dial number: 5502 4409

Seniors Shirts

I am pleased to advise that we have received our shipment of Seniors Shirts on time and the majority of these have been delivered to students already. If your child has not yet received their pre-ordered shirt/s please send them up to see us. For your convenience the shirts can be collected from the tuckshop during open hours. Looking good Year 6’s!

Winter Stock

All orders of winter stock have now been received and are available for purchase both online and in store. Please note that there is limited stock for some items.

Kind regards, Michelle Lee, Tuckshop/Uniform Convenor

Community Notices

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