16 October 2019

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Welcome everyone to what will be another exciting term. I trust you and your family had a relaxing break and enjoyed not having to make school lunches for a couple of weeks. Term 4 is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for everyone. During Term 4, I will be privileged to represent Worongary State School at all of our local State High School Presentation evenings. Attending these events provides me with an opportunity to see first-hand how successful our past students have been in 2019. In the past, the large number of our students who were acknowledged at these award ceremonies has inspired me to strive for excellence and further improve our school. I look forward to congratulating our past students in future editions of the Pipeline.

First Lego League Scrimmage

On Monday, our Senior Robotics Club headed to Merrimac State High School for the First Lego League Scrimmage event. The event has helped prepare our students for the official First Lego League event. This event is scheduled to be conducted in Ballina on the first Saturday of November. I am delighted to report that our Year 5/6A team performed exceptionally well and scored over 200 points. I congratulate all of our participating students.

In addition to the Lego robots competition, our students prepared projects about Water Sensitive Urban Design and Sustainable Tiny Houses. This project was included as a separate section of this competition. I trust you will join with me in congratulating our Year 5 Team Natasha M 5E, Lenka J 5C, Nina K 5E, Schuma K 5C, Samara G 5C, Jasper M 5/6A for winning this competition. This was a tremendous accomplishment and one that all students who represented our school are extremely proud to achieve.

Congratulations to Ms Hayley Thomson and Mr Tim Mullaly for leading this exciting curriculum area. Both of these staff members supported our students at Merrimac State High School. I sincerely thank Mr Mullaly who even stepped in as one of the official judges. Well done everyone and good luck in a few weeks when competing in the First Lego League event.

NAPLAN Online- School Readiness Trial

In the first week of Term 4, participating students in Years 2, 4 & 6 undertook an opportunity to interact with the trial of the NAPLAN Online Platform. In 2020, our current Year 2 & 4 students will be undertaking NAPLAN Online as Year 3 Students and Year 5 Students. Our Year 6 Students will participate as Year 7 students in High School. These lab sessions allowed students to learn about the log on system for NAPLAN Online, how questions will be presented in the online format, and how to respond electronically whilst undertaking a test.

The sessions lasted for approximately 40 minutes and our students did very well. All students were excited to be interacting with this modern day platform. They were all reassured that this was in no way a test nor did it count toward their grades or future NAPLAN tests. It was simply an opportunity for students to see what the online program looks like. This trial also helped ensure our technological infrastructure and resources supported the 2020 NAPLAN Online platform.

I acknowledge and thank Mrs Kelly Ready, Mr David Clancy, Mrs Dani Karam and Mrs Kerrianne Sullivan for the countless hours of preparation that went into ensuing this was a smooth trial. We are truly fortunate to have such highly skilled professionals working in our school.

Curriculum Update - Reporting

At Worongary State School, we aim to provide all parents with a clear and concise understanding of each student’s academic and social / emotional achievements. This semester our teaching staff will once again report against the relevant aspects of the Australian Achievement Standard. I would strongly encourage all parents to regularly speak to your child’s class teacher regarding your child’s progress and achievement. This semester all report cards will be distributed electronically on Thursday 12 December. To ensure these reports are received, parents are reminded to ensure the school has your current email address.

Staffing Update

Last week our school was delighted to welcomed back Ms Hayley Cannon from her maternity leave. Ms Cannon has taken over from Mrs Sally Wood while she is on her long service leave. Ms Cannon will remain as the Year 5B class teacher for the remainder of the school year.

Mr Viccars has commenced backfilling Mr Werder while he is on leave. Unfortunately Mr Viccars has recently received a notification that his shoulder requires immediate surgery. While Mr Viccars is away Ms Sarah Folo will be teaching the year 4C class. Mr Viccars will return following his recovery. All efforts are being made to ensure a smooth transition is achieved for all.

School Uniforms

I seek the assistance from all parents to ensure your child’s school uniform complies with our school’s expectations. Worongary State School is a uniform school. Parents are expected to ensure that plain black (sports or formal) shoes are worn with the school’s uniform. Canvas shoes are not permitted. Commencing next week teachers will be reminding students who do not meet the school’s uniform expectations that it is a condition of enrolment that all students attend school in the correct uniform. Parents are reminded that with almost a quarter of the 2019 school year remaining, replacing shoes now may save a few dollars when we return in 2020.

2020 Student Resource Scheme

I sincerely thank Mrs Tracie Hocart (our school’s Business Manager) for all of the work she has done in preparation for the introduction of the 2020 SRS. From the outset, I am committed to providing value for money for hard working parents while at the same time standardising the scheme across the school. Over the past few weeks, I have been thoroughly reviewing how we have managed this year’s SRS resources. Next year all students, regardless of their year level, will once again pay the same SRS amount. Although the 2020 SRS has not yet been finalised, I anticipate it will be very close to the amount that was endorsed by the P and C Association for this year.

More information will be circulated once the P and C Association have endorsed the scheme.

Get Set for Prep

Over the past few weeks Mrs White and I have enjoyed the privilege of continuing our prep transition program by meeting more than 50 of our 2020 prep children. While we will continue to conduct theses interviews throughout the remainder of the term, we now must turn our attention to the 2020 Get Set for Prep initiative. Get Set for Prep starts tomorrow, Thursday 17 October. The aim of this program is to support our youngest students to successfully transition into Worongary State School. We officially welcome our newest students to our Worongary State School family and trust they enjoy the wonderful program that has been planned.

Three Get Set for Prep sessions will run throughout the day with Mrs Huggard (Prep A) and Mrs Davies. Mrs Hatton will be replacing Mrs Huggard for the Thursdays during Get Set for Prep. All parents should have received information regarding which of the three sessions their child has been enrolled into. Feedback from our 2018 prep transition program indicated that those students who participated in this program, transitioned considerably better than those who did not. Parents requiring additional information about the Get Set for Prep Program are encouraged to contact the school’s office on 5502 4444.

Places in Worongary State School’s 2020 Prep program are filling fast. If you, or someone you know, has a child ready to start Prep in 2020 and have not yet enrolled, please make sure enrolment papers have been handed in at the office and an interview scheduled.

Year 6 Leaving Ceremony – Parent Committee

This year the Year 6 Leaving Ceremony will be held on Tuesday 10 December. As is the tradition at Worongary State School, we will be once again be asking for Year 6 parent volunteers to become part of the committee that helps with the decoration of the School Hall, Foyer and celebration cakes for our Year 6 students Leaving Ceremony. Our first meeting will be held Friday 18 October at 2:15pm in the school staffroom. If you are interested in joining in please email your details to Senior School Deputy Principal Kelly Ready at kread5@eq.edu.au

Upcoming Excursion - Year 6 Big Day Out

Our end of year celebration for Year 6 students, Big Day Out, will be held on Wednesday 12 December. Big Day Out is an exciting day where Year 6 students spend the day at Wet & Wild with their teachers and support staff. All parents of Year 6 students recently received information regarding my expectations in the lead up for this event. I seek your assistance in discussing these expectations with your child and in particular the importance of demonstrating positive and appropriate behaviour at school and while representing the school (Interschool Sport and excursions). I wish to acknowledge and congratulate the vast majority of our students who consistently display exemplary behaviour both within and beyond our school’s boundaries. All Year 6 students will be placed on a behaviour contract in the weeks prior to Big Day Out. The opportunity to attend the 2019 Big Day Out will be reliant upon each individual demonstrating positive behaviour choices. Parents wishing to obtain additional information are encouraged to speak with their child’s class teacher.

2020 Class Parent Requests

I invite parents to provide me with information regarding your child’s attendance at Worongary State School for 2020. Our staff are currently working hard to implement a plan that will support all students to enjoy a smooth and efficient transition into the 2020 school year. To support this plan, I seek your assistance to notify the school office if:

• Your child is not going to be attending our school in 2020
• You know other children who will be attending our school in 2020
• You have not enrolled your child in prep for 2020.

This information is vital as it may save our school having to re-structure classes and teachers at the beginning of the 2020 school year. In addition, I am now seeking feedback from you regarding whom your child works well with and those they do not. I invite parents to write a letter to me outlining any concerns that you may wish us to consider in the decision making process for 2020 classes. I sincerely thank all of the parents who wrote to me at the end of last year providing me with feedback.

All parental requests must be received by the school by no later than Friday 22 November. To ensure confidentiality all correspondence of this nature should be addressed to the Principal and forwarded to the office in a sealed envelope marked ‘Private and Confidential’.

Pupil Free Day

Monday 21 October (next Monday) is a state-wide pupil free day. School will resume for our students and families as per usual on Tuesday 22 October.

Container Recycling

Fortnightly collection on Fridays from 8.30 to 9am in front of school (near flag poles)

NO LIDS PLEASE - see photo for ineligible drink containers attached (no glass)

Donations welcome at any Containers for Change depot for glass, etc. please use our Scheme ID: C101791198

Please help us raise money for air conditioning and do our bit for the environment.

Friday 18th October is our first fortnightly container collection this term.

Please find all Term 4 dates below:

Friday 18th October
Friday 1st November
Friday 15th November
Friday 29th November
Friday 13th December

Thanks so much to Hayley Thomson and Tim Mullaly and everyone who helped with last term's collection results:

24th July = 3,250 containers approximately (estimates only)
7th August = 2,100
23rd August = 2,100
6th September = 2,250
20th September = 3,000

Speaking Out Competition

Teachers and students alike were delighted by well written and rehearsed Speaking Out speeches in class and at the finals in the hall. Our judges had a hard task to award the best speech for each year level. Public Speaking is an incredible skill and we are always in awe of the courage children show and the range of topics presented each year. Well done to all of those involved!

Junior School finalists:

Congratulations to the winners for the Junior school:

Sophie L – Prep B
Layla B – 1C
Kate H – 2C

Senior School finalists:

Congratulations to the winners for the Senior school who will now represent Worongary State School at Nerang High in the Nerang Alliance 2019 “Speaking Out” competition on Wednesday 16 October:

Ellie B – 3E
Sienna D – 4C
Samara G – 5C
Ava H – 6D

Save the Date

Learning Vine Awards

3C Investigates Multiplication.

Multiplication can be very overwhelming for students! There are so many different ways to teach children how to solve multiplication problems. In 3C we have looked at multiplication problems, finger tricks, arrays, repeated addition and ‘groups of’ as strategies to assist with the student’s understanding of times tables.

Behaviour

On Friday 25 October our school will participate in the Australia wide Day for Daniel Memorial Service. Our school captains presented a PowerPoint at Assembly to our senior students on Monday 14/10 and to our junior students on Tuesday next week in addition, they will be presenting at the Day for Daniel whole school assembly held on the oval of Friday 25 October.

Working with our staff, our students also have participated in a variety of child safe activities to encourage awareness of ‘The Right to Be Safe’.

We please ask that on Friday October 25, our students wear red as a symbol of unity

The Curriculum is based around three key messages:

Recognise, React and Report

• The Recognise message encourages students to be aware of their surroundings and to recognise warning clues.
• The React message helps students to consider choices that may keep them safe or help make them safe again as quickly as possible.
• The Report message encourages students to report unsafe incidents to an adult.

Developmentally appropriate scenarios are also being used to explore and discuss safety situations that children and young people may encounter in the home, at school or in their environment. Students are encouraged to share the resources they complete in class with their families to help keep parents informed about the content being discussed and to promote discussion about safety in the home

Parent/ Carer Guides for each of the phases are available online at

The guide outlines what students will learn in the safety lessons in school. It also provides advice to parents about how safety messages can be reinforced at home and suggests some suitable resources to use with children.

Thank you to all our families who have placed orders for our fundraising sausage sizzle on Thursday 24/10.

We thank you for your support.

Warm Regards
Kaia Clarke

From the Music Room

WANT TO LEARN AN INSTRUMENT IN 2020?

This week, students in Years 2, 3 and 4 were invited to special concerts to meet the Instrumental Music Teachers who visit our school each week. The Year 2 children listened to a range of instruments from the String family. Students going into Year 3 in 2020 can choose to learn the violin, cello or double bass. The Year 3 and 4 children listened to a range of instruments from the Woodwind, Brass and Percussion families. Students going into Year 4,5 and 6 in 2020 can choose to learn the flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, euphonium, trombone or study a range of percussion instrument.

CONTINUING INSTRUMENTAL STUDENTS

A form was sent home last week for students already in the Instrumental Music program regarding their participation in 2020.

We would like to encourage students who have already completed one or more years in the Instrumental Music Program to consider purchasing their own instrument. This action allows younger beginning students the opportunity to participate.

UPCOMING SENIOR CHOIR PERFORMANCES

The Senior Choir is eagerly learning a number of new pieces. It is vital that members attend all rehearsals prior to performances. Our upcoming performances include:

Day for Daniel – Friday 25th October School Oval (time to be advised)
Nerang Library Community Performance – Saturday 26th October 11:15am – 12:15pm.

PACIFIC FAIR SING TO WIN COMPETITION

Our Senior and Junior Choirs are busily rehearsing Christmas Carols for a Competition at Pacific Fair. The students will be filmed during rehearsal and this footage will be uploaded to the Pacific Fair Competition Facebook Page. If successful, our groups may be chosen to perform at the Competition Finals at Pacific Fair in November. Choir members need to ensure they return the Media Release Form promptly or they cannot be filmed.

TERM 4 REHEARSALS

BAND – Monday 7:45am start
DRUMLINE – Monday 11:00- 11:30am
ADVANCED STRINGS – Tuesday 8:00am (with Ms Futo) and Friday 8:00am (with Miss Jones)
JUNIOR CHOIR – Tuesday 8:00am – please bring music each week.
SENIOR CHOIR – WEDNESDAY 8:00am and THURSDAY 8:00am – please bring music to rehearsals.

Yours in Music, 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)

When: TERM 4 - Tuesday 15 October until Tuesday 3 December 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, Prep Teacher

Excursions

P&C News

P&C Meeting

The next P and C meeting is on Wednesday 16 October 2019 at 4.30 pm in the staff room. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Budget Meeting

The P and C will be holding its annual Budget Meeting on Friday 8 November at 2pm in the Staff room. This is to sort the P and C Budget for 2020.

Colour Fun Run

Your child should have received their participation certificate if they fundraised in this year’s event. Our top fundraiser has also received a trophy and small gift in this week’s assembly.

Change for Change

From 14 October until 25 October we are running our Change for Change fundraiser. Please give any loose change to your child/children to bring to put into their class money tin. There will be a prize for the junior and senior class that raises the most money.

Disco

We will be holding a junior and senior disco on Friday 1 November. Further details will be on our Facebook page and around the school.

Family Portraits

At the end of last term we handed out information about Family Portraits to be held on Sunday 3 November. If you have not received this information please see our Facebook Page or contact us via our email pandc@worongaryss.eq.edu.au

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 AND UNIFORM SHOP

Tuckshop News

Opening Hours

Monday-Friday: 8:30am-2:00pm
Closed: Entire last day of each Term

Volunteers

Jasmine and I would like to extend a warm welcome to Pip C who joined our Tuckshop Crew at the end of last term. We thank you for giving up your valuable time to assist in the Tuckshop and look forward to working with you again soon.

Halloween Meal Deals

We are once more recognising Halloween with some themed Meal Deals. The deals will be available at both First and Second Break for four days from Monday 28 October - Thursday 31 October. Please see flyer for details…Trick or Treeeaaat!!

Warm Days

As the weather heats up, remember that we have plenty of yummy, healthy frozen treats available, like:

• Frozen Grapes
• Icebergs (cubes of frozen yoghurt/custard with fruit)
• Frozen Orange Wedges

These items are all available from both online and manual ordering and may also be purchased over the counter by students in grades 1-6, during playtime, with a denomination of $5.00 or less.

UNIFORM SHOP

Opening Hours

Monday: 8:00am-9:00am
Wednesday: 2:15pm-3:15pm
Friday: 8:00am-9:00am
Closed: Entire last day of each Term
Direct Dial number: 5502 4409

Seniors Shirts for Year 6

Year 6 Seniors Shirts for 2020 are now available for ordering. This shirt is included as part of the everyday uniform for Year 6 students only. A hard copy of the order form has been sent home with current Grade 5 students this week and a copy is also attached here. This form contains all the information you need but should you have any questions please feel free to contact us on the number listed above.

Uniform Ordering for Prep 2020

It’s not too early to think about pre-ordering uniforms for Prep 2019. Please read below for information on how to do so -

Option 1: Purchase/Order at the Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop is located upstairs from Central games in Modular F. Uniforms can be purchased here during the opening hours listed above. We recommend bringing your child along for sizing.

Please note that for your convenience, the Uniform Shop will be open at the following times on the last Get Set For Prep day, Thursday 14 November:

For those attending the 9:15-10:15 session: 8:45am – 9:15am
For those attending the 10:30-11:30 session: 11:30am – 12:00pm
For those attending the 11:45-12:45 session: 12:45pm – 1:15pm

These times are either before or after the Get Set For Prep sessions, to allow you to bring your child along for sizing.

Option 2: Purchase Online

Online purchasing is available for future Preps. Go to the school website and follow the link on the home page (located on the bottom right side) for Uniforms Online where you can set up an account. If you choose to purchase online, the following collection options are available:

• Order online and have the uniforms collected by a sibling already at the school.
  The nominated sibling will receive a note in their class Tuckshop basket to advise when the order is ready for collection.
• Order online and collect from the administration office at your convenience.
  We will call you when the order has been processed and is ready for collection.
• Order online and collect at the Get Set for Prep programme.
• We will call you when the order has been processed and is ready for collection.

Please add a note in the comments section to let us know your preference.

Please note: we will be unable to supply all items this year. Some items will need to be pre-ordered and collected next year once we receive delivery of the stock. Our back to school open hours will be advertised here towards the end of the year.

If you have any queries please call the Uniform Shop during the opening hours outlined above.

Kind regards,

Michelle Lee
Tuckshop/Uniform Convenor

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