15 May 2019

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Dear Parents

I am extremely pleased to pen this Pipeline article and celebrate many of the many wonderful achievements our school community recently achieved. Schools are dynamic environments that are always changing, evolving and improving. Over the past few weeks, it has been a pleasure to witness firsthand how the contributions of individuals have positively influenced the quality of education at Worongary State School. I trust you will not only join with me in acknowledging the efforts of these individuals, you will also support them to continue their great work in our school community. Did you know that 100% of students, parents and teachers surveyed last year reported:

• My English and Maths skills are being developed at my school (Student)
• My teachers encourage me to do my best (Student)
• My child is getting a good education at this school (Parent)
• My child’s (Literacy) English and (Numeracy) Mathematics skills are being developed at this school (Parent)
• I feel confident using student assessment data to improve student achievement at this/my school (Teacher)
• I feel that students receive a good education at my school (Teacher)
• Students are encouraged to do their best at this school (Teacher)

This is an outstanding endorsement for the work our school community is collectively achieving. On behalf of every member of our school staff I thank you very much for your continued support and encouragement.

Mother’s Day

I trust all of our students pampered all of our mums on Sunday. I hope Sunday was relaxing and enjoyable for everyone. Last week I had the privilege of visiting our Prep classrooms during their Mother’s Day celebrations. A big thank you to Ms Jones and the choir for their beautiful performance and all of the staff for making this event the success that it was. Without the support of our mums our school would certainly not be in the strong position it is today. Thank you for all you do.

Semester 1 Reporting

The P–12 curriculum, assessment and reporting framework specifies the curriculum, assessment and reporting requirements for all Queensland state school students. At Worongary State School our staff align all of our curriculum processes to this framework. The P–12 curriculum, assessment and reporting framework (PDF, 1.8MB) is complemented by a series of supporting documents that provide additional detail to deliver a world-class education and improve the progress and academic achievement of every student in Prep to Year 12.

The P–12 curriculum, assessment and reporting framework reflects Every student succeeding - State schools strategy and is part of a commitment to provide a world-class education for all students. It is based on the assumption that every student can learn and that responding to the diverse learning needs of all students is central to teaching.

This year’s teaching staff have been working to strengthen the alignment between the Australian Curriculum’s Achievement Standards and our reporting comments. We have also invested heavily to ensure consistent judgements and expectations have been implemented across each class within a year level. As a result of this work, parents will see a few slight changes to our Semester One report cards. As the majority of the students in a year level have been taught and assessed in accordance with their relevant ACARA Achievement Standards, their report card comments will be the same. The achievement (A-E) will then outline for parents the degree in which the student has achieved this standard. There has been no changes to the way in which teachers award the Effort achievement.

These changes will strengthen our school’s curriculum alignment processes. Similar to the Learning Area comments, teachers have collaboratively developed a semester comment for Behaviour. Again, parents will be provided information that outlines the degree in which students have performed according to their mark.

The final aspect of the reporting process is the overall general comment. In speaking to many parents, this is the most highly valued component of the semester’s report. Under this new approach, teachers will craft a very personalised and informative description of your child’s approach to their learning. It will highlight their personal attributes and provide guidance on their next steps in their learning.

All reports will be issued via email on 26 June 2019. Parents wishing to obtain additional information on these changes are encouraged to contact me through the office or via email (ldare1@eq.edu.au).

NAPLAN 2019

As mentioned in the last edition of the Pipeline, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. Students in Years 3 and 5 commenced their participation in the annual NAPLAN tests in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy on Tuesday. These assessments provide parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. NAPLAN tests are just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process; they do not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance.

Since the beginning of the school year our Year 3 and 5 students have been engaged in an intensive extension program. This extension program was carefully planned and implemented to ensure the needs of each individual student were met. The staff have been working through comprehensive pre and post assessments and systems for regular feedback have been embedded. I have been once again been impressed by the progress our students have made since the beginning of the school year and I look forward to supporting them to demonstrate their skills during the remainder of the National Testing program.

I want to thank to our Year 3 and 5 teachers and their Differentiation Mentors for their efforts and dedication in supporting our students achieve this success. I also sincerely thank the hardest working group of teacher aides (Katherine Welch, Lyndsey Tabing, Hayley Lyons, Natalie Young and Sam Swift), who have strived to make every second count in their time with the students. Finally a big thank you to our school’s Senior Deputy Principal Mrs Kelly Ready for her outstanding leadership of this initiative. The measureable improvements that our students have made since January is reflective of your commitment to our school. Well done and thank you all.

Nintendo Labo STEM workshop

On Wednesday May 8th some of our Year 4 students participated in a special Nintendo Labo STEM workshop as part of their Technologies studies. Nintendo Labo combines a Nintendo Switch games console with cardboard constructions to create amazing interactive toys and games. Our students created their own RC cars that they could control via the touch screen on the Switch console. Their inputs on the console made the controllers vibrate which moved their cars. Students also had a chance to try fishing, motorbike, house and piano constructions and the associated software. This was an excellent opportunity for students to see some creative cardboard creations and gain inspiration for the cardboard pinball machines they are building in class. In the final part of the session students used Nintendo’s drag and drop programming language to write their own code to control their cars and some students even made guitars out of rubber bands and a Switch console!

Nintendo as kindly lent our school 2 consoles as part of their program and our Year 4 students will get further opportunities to work with this software over the next 6 weeks. There will be workshop sessions for those Year 4 students who did not attend Wednesday’s session later in Term 2. This will connect students with their Semester 2 studies in Digital Technologies.

I would like to acknowledge the dedication and enthusiasm Mr Tim Mullaly has shown with introducing the workshops and technologies studies to our students.

Staffing Update

Last week we were very pleased to welcome Mrs Sue Ford back to our school. Sue needed to take leave from the school while she recovered from an injury. Mrs Ford has returned to her Year 4B teaching role. I wish to sincerely thank Ms Lara Melrose for all she did for our Year 4 students. Her bright and committed personality has enabled our Year 4B class to start the 2019 school year off the best way possible. Lara’s commitment extended far beyond the classroom walls and we will all miss her enthusiasm and dedication.

Our school’s Business Manager Ms Rachel Zorba has decided to take a period of unpaid leave. Rachel commenced at Worongary State School last year and has been heavily involved in assisting our school to align our resources to improve the quality of learning all students enjoy. In addition, Rachel’s outstanding leadership resulted in the school receiving a very positive Internal Audit Report. Parents who recently attended the P and C Association meeting were provided an opportunity to review Rachel’s extensive achievements throughout this report. I trust you will join with me in thanking Rachel for her amazing service to our school community.

I am pleased to announce that following a selection and recruitment process Mrs Tracie Holcart has been appointed as the school’s Business Manager for the remainder of the school year. Tracie has demonstrated exceptional leadership while employed with the Queensland Police Service. I look forward to formally welcoming Tracie into our school community when she commences her duties on Monday 10 June 2019.

Regards Landon Dare, Principal

Save the Date

Learning Vine Awards

From the Music Room

Music
Newsletter Submission 2
Term 2

PREP MOTHERS DAY PERFORMANCE

Last Thursday, members of the Junior and Senior Choir came together to open the Prep Mother’s Day Afternoon festivities. For some members this was their first time performing in front of an audience that exceed 190 people! A big thank-you to the Prep team for having us at your event, the parents and families that attended, Mrs McMahon debuting on her yukele and of course the students who performed and were audience members.

BAND AND STRINGS ASSEMBLY PERFORMANCES

Congratulations to Miss Ryan and the Band who performed on stage at this week’s Senior Assembly. Parents and Carers, Teachers and Senior students were also treated to live music provided by the Senior Strings as they entered and exited the hall. The Junior School was also entertained by the Senior Strings at their Assembly. Thank you to the Instrumental Music teachers, Miss Ryan and Ms Futo for preparing our students for this performance.

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

A reminder that payment is now due for the upcoming Musica Viva incursions. Please return permission forms to Administration Office.

CHORAL FANFARE – Thursday May 30

Our Senior Choir has been busy rehearsing two very beautiful pieces for the upcoming Choral Fanfare event. A very big thank-you to the Nerang PCYC who have kindly offered their bus driver and bus to transport our students back to school after this event. Thank you to all parents and Senior Choir members, who are ‘going the extra mile’ learning their parts and rehearsing diligently. This will be a very exciting event to be part of.

ABSENCES AND ASSESSMENT IN THE MUSIC CLASSROOM

“Every day counts, every lesson counts, every minute counts” are phrases often heard at our school. These phrases become particularly pertinent in specialist classes, such as Music, with students attending a 30 minute lesson once a week.

Music performance assessment for students in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be submitted electronically this term. Each student will be issued with a detailed task sheet and a due date. Devices will be made available for students to record and submit their work. Alternatively, students may choose to use a home device. If your child is unclear about the task, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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 is on Wednesday 12 June 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. Any enquiries in regards to our Trivia Night you can contact the P and C via our email pandc@worongaryss.eq.edu.au

Election Day BBQ

We are looking for volunteers to assist us with an Election BBQ outside the school hall on Saturday 18 May 2019 between 8am and 2pm. If you are able to assist please email us with the time period you are able to help us out with. Email us on pandc@worongaryss.eq.edu.au

School Banking

There will be no School Banking on Friday 24 May 2019.

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

Tuckshop News

Interschool Sports – Tuckshop at First Break Only

If students are participating in Interschool Sports this season, please be aware that it is still possible to order enough Tuckshop to cover their needs for the day. All you need to do is order all items for these students for the First Break. Hot items can then be eaten at the First Break and snack items can be taken on the bus to sport to be eaten later. Thank you to those who remembered this from last season.

Friendly Reminders

Occasionally we like to remind you all of a few other important things:

• There are no EFTPOS facilities in the Tuckshop. We accept cash only over the counter. Online ordering is available as an alternative to cash. Cut off time is 9am each day.
• We start the day with a small float so please try to avoid using large notes as they are not always able to be changed.
• 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.
• No lunch: If for some reason you realise that your child has no lunch at school e.g. forgotten to order online/child left lunch at home, then you can 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 do not call the Tuckshop directly.

Kind regards,
Michelle Lee
Tuckshop/Uniform Convenor

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