5 February 2020

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Dear Parents,

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 has created 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 all students during the 2020 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. This year will see our school build upon the work we have implemented over the past few years. The results we achieved under our school’s Priority Support Review will once again form the basis of our work. It is our clear intention that all students will be striving to achieve their individual reading goals. Students will display these goals in their Personal Learning Journals along with a self-reflection of their achievements.

The Department of Education is committed to ensuring “Every Student Succeeds”. This mantra becomes different things for different students across 13 years of schooling. However, “Every Student Succeeding” begins with Literacy for every single student!

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 worth of academic growth. Targeted intervention and extension programs will be implemented to ensure all students achieve their goals.

This strategy, when coupled with other support strategies, will support our students to achieve our school’s Semester one’s Systemic Targets. These targets are:

• Percentage of students achieving a B or above in English

• Percentage of students achieving a B or above in Math

• 90% of 2020 prep students 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 welcome back a number of familiar faces to our teaching team. We welcome back the following teachers who will be working across our school community this year.

• Lyndel Chambers (Year 2B)
• Ellen McDonald (Year 4C)
• Lara Melrose (Year 5C)
• Daniel Viccars – (Year 4B)

I also wish to welcome Ms Mandy Swan into our Year 6 teaching team. Mandy is an experienced teacher who for the last three years has taught Year 5 and Year 6 students in Far North Queensland (Port Douglas and Mossman). Mandy is a highly recommended educator who enjoys playing an active role in the school community and supporting co-curricular activities.

2020 has also brought about a few staffing changes in our Music Department. I wish to formally welcome Ms Alex Auchere (Band) and Ms Sarah Lamor (Strings) to our school. Both of these enthusiastic and passionate Instrumental Music teachers will add significant value to the enhancements Ms Jones achieved in 2019. I am really excited about the possibilities this dynamic team will bring to our school in 2020.

I trust you will join with me in welcoming all of our new staff to our school.

2020 Classes

As you may be aware, the Department of Education resources schools by the number of students who are effectively enrolled on the eighth day of the school year. Due to the Novel Coronavirus, the official “Day 8” count has been postponed until Day 13 (Thursday, 13 February 2020). Given the delay in collecting this data, a decision was made to adjust classes earlier than the scheduled Day 13. Due to enrolment numbers, a number of changes across our junior and middle school were required to be undertaken. I sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this change has caused to our school community. I am now confident that our school has the capacity to cater for any future enrolment growth during the 2020 school year.

As we move towards Day 13 (Thursday 13 February 2020), it is critical that parents contact the school as soon as possible if your child is absent from school. I thank you for your anticipated support and hope that any disruption caused by this official Day 13 process should have now passed and classes will remain consistent for the remainder of the year.

Parent Information Session

Our school will be holding its annual Parent Information Session on Wednesday afternoon, 12 February. To assist all parents to attend these sessions, class teachers will hold two identical meetings in their classrooms. These meetings will be conducted during the following times:

These sessions allow class teachers the opportunity to share with parent’s vital information such as class structure, rules and routines. Each Year level will be distributing information regarding this term’s curriculum and assessment. I strongly encourage all parents to connect with your child’s class teacher and receive one of these brochures. Please note that the intention of these meetings are not individual Parent-Teacher Interviews. I hope to see as many parents in attendance as possible next week.

Please note that formal Parent / Teacher interviews will take place on Wednesday 25 March.

Leadership Ceremony

Our 2020 Leadership ceremony will be conducted at 9:30am on Friday 21 February. This ceremony celebrates our students who will be undertaking leadership roles in 2020. In the very near future, all parents with students being acknowledged on this day will receive an invitation to this event.

Changes to Assembly

During 2019, Worongary State School trialed conducting weekly assemblies for our students. This change provided opportunities (on a weekly basis) to acknowledge our students for their achievements while also increasing the times we have available for distributing key messages. Due to the success of this trial, a decision has been made to continue this process in 2020. Senior Assemblies will once again 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. Class teachers will once again implement processes to ensure parents are notified in the event their child will receive a Learning Vine Award.

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.

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 who is unable to meet expectation 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.

Outside School Hours Care

Prior to the commencement of the 2020 school year there was a change to the Worongary State School’s Outside School Hours Care provider. This change was instigated by a legislative requirement to tender services after a 9 year period. I would like to take the opportunity to sincerely thank the fabulous staff of Helping Hands for their service over the past decade. In particular I would like to acknowledge Priscilla Mulcahy (Partnership Manager Queensland) and Kylie McLean (Regional Operations Manager) for their dedication and commitment to the Worongary State School service. Both of these officers added significant value to our service and the care that your children were receiving whilst in the care of Helping Hands. These ladies, along with Nick Jackson (Service Coordinator) and Natasha Hita-Teagle (Co-ordinator), worked incredibly hard to ensure the programs that were offered were aligned to the interests of our students. I trust you will also join with me in thanking this dedicated and committed team.

Worongary State School has now fully transitioned to the new service provider – SchoolPlus. SchoolPlus Foundation aims to be Queensland’s highest quality Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) provider. They are a boutique not for profit organisation focused on seamlessly supporting children and the community in a play-based environment which encourages children to “Laugh out loud, learn through play”. Information on how parents can register for outside school hours care can be found on both the school and SchoolPlus websites. I formally welcome the SchoolPlus team to Worongary State School and strongly encourage all parents to complete the enrolment process.

School Resource Scheme

A big thank you to all of the parents who have already returned your Participation Agreement Forms (PAF) or commenced paying the 2020 School Resource Scheme (SRS). I also wish to acknowledge and thank the many parents who have come into the school and arranged alternative payments (ie 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 Tracie Hocart). By working together, we can ensure all students are provided all of their materials.

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. Did you know that last Monday more than 50 students were absent from school? 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 activates, linked to the curriculum, in a separate classroom.

In order for us to have up to date information, a letter was recently sent home requesting confirmation of whether you want your child/ren to participate this year in Religious Instruction. Please complete the form and return this to the class teacher by Friday 7 February.

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.

Deadly Choices Healthy Lifestyles program will commence on Thursday 6 February for 8 weeks. Years 4 – 6 Indigenous students will take part in the program that 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 last year. A reminder was again sent last week.

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 during terms. Consent forms will be provided to all of our students regarding this Health Assessments. Please keep a look out for more information and return the forms by the due date.

Facilities Update

Our school’s facilities received a number of significant upgrades over the recent summer vacation. With I Block upgrades almost completed, our students in Year 5 and Year 6 are enjoying these new facilities. I was pleased to recently host Ms Meaghan Scanlon and members from the Channel 7 Gold Coast News to showcase these wonderful new facilities. In addition to this work, a number of other projects were completed over the recent summer vacation. These projects included the removal of a demountable building and the replacement of two roofs covering our junior and senior amenities blocks.

Save the Date

Learning Vine Awards

Behaviour

The Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) program was adopted at Worongary State School in 2010. It has assisted our school to create positive learning environments by developing proactive whole-school systems to define, teach, and support appropriate student behaviours. PBL was developed by leading behavioural experts to reduce problem behaviour and increase academic performance. At Worongary State School, we implement evidence-based approaches to managing student behaviour to support current issues.

With strong emphasis on data-based decision-making, the program is evaluated regularly and practices are adjusted to make sure the process is achieving effective results with positive behaviour support focussed on teaching appropriate behaviour to all students in the school.

Each edition of the school’s newsletter will contain our Term’s Behaviour Focus as well as the specific rules we will be explicitly focusing on during the next few weeks. We seek the support of all parents/carers to speak to your children about these rules and reinforce how they can positively contribute to our school’s learning environment.

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.

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 the Good Start Program activities on the oval which is taken by Michelle Dumbrell (different year levels on different days).

The library is also open before school for students wishing to complete homework or to do quite activities and reading.

Please remind your children to check for their school hat is in their bag each day ‘hat on play on’ rule. Please also remind your students that all mobile phones must be handed in to the office before students go to class.

Have a fantastic fortnight.

Thank you for your support.

Ms Kaia.
Kind Regards, Ms Kaia

HEALTH ROOM

Paperwork

If your student holds medication in the health room could you please come into theHealth Room to sign a new ‘Request to Administer Medication’ form for the 2020 year.

Asthma

Asthma Management Plans are required to be updated by your health care professional on a 12 monthly basis. If you could please provide us with an updated copy of your student’s plan it would be appreciated.

Underwear

We are always needing underpants for little people, especially with the influx of new Preps where lots of little accidents can happen. All donations would be gladly received either good quality second hand or new.

Thanks you
Health Room

Please see attached a School Bus Guide with the Surfside Buses that will service Worongary State School for 2020.

The Surfside school website has also been updated and parents can utilise this to plan their children’s journeys at the link below:

If you have any queries or concerns please contact Customer Service on (07) 555 22 700.

From the Music Room

WELCOME 2020!

As you read these words, it is great to know that every child has come to the Music Room and reengaged with Music in 2020. Choir rehearsals have already commenced and Strings and Band have had a Meet and Greet. There is nothing like a flying start to the year!

MEET & GREET

On Monday February 3, all families participating in the Instrumental Music Program were invited to the Music Room for an afternoon Meet & Greet. This year in 2020 we welcome Miss Sarah Larmor to the role of Strings Specialist and Miss Alexandra Auchere as our Band Specialist. These ladies have a wealth of experience and are very excited to grow and develop the Music Program here at Worongary.

If you are new to the School or missed out on a place in the Instrumental Programs (Strings or Band) please contact Miss Jones via Dojo. There has been some movement with Instrument offerings and we may be able to make second round offers.

COME AND TRY CHOIR

This year at Worongary there are two free choirs:

Junior Choir for Years 1 -2 rehearsing on Tuesday mornings from 8:00am – 8:50am in the Music Room
Senior Choir for Years 3 – 6 rehearsing on Wednesday mornings from 8:00am – 8:50am in the Music Room.

Children are invited to come along and try Choir on these mornings. Our rehearsals consist of a Warm-up (very important, don’t be late!), Music Study, Games, Part-work and Listening Activities. Many skills are learnt and great friendships are formed. Students do not need to bring anything apart from a friendly attitude and a willingness to try new things.

MUSIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAM

This year a select number of Year 5 and 6 students have nominated to attend extra Music Excellence classes each week. These classes will commence in Week 3 with students reviewing theoretical Music knowledge and beginning Keyboard studies in our Keyboard Lab. As the name implies, these students will be ‘stretched’ to ensure musical excellence!

Every child has music in them. The team at Worongary look forward to bringing out that special voice in every child this year.

Please do not hesitate to contact me via Dojo or email kjone416@eq.edu.au if you have any questions of queries.

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 1 - Tuesday 11 February until Tuesday 24 March
  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

Tuckshop & Uniform

Online Ordering Profiles Must be updated for 2020

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.

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
Closed: Entire last day of each Term

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.
• ACCOUNT SYSTEM: 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 cash payments in advance to hold on account, in preparation for those days that just won’t run smoothly, eg. child leaves their lunch at home or you miss the 9:00am online ordering cut off time. Please note that this a account is held directly with the Tuckshop and is completely separate to your ‘Schoolshop’ online ordering account. We are unable to access your Schoolshop Online account or any funds you may have in your e-wallet.
• FORGOTTEN LUNCH? Please do not call the Tuckshop directly unless you have already set up a credit account as per the previous bullet point. If for some reason you realise that your child has no lunch at school, you have the option to either bring some lunch in yourself 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.
• The Over Counter Sales Menu – Key Things to Note
  - The Over Counter Sales Menu is available for 15 minutes at each break during the play time only 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.
  - Children are not permitted to share money or buy for friends.
  - For students in Prep, frozen treats can only be purchased via the pre-ordering system, either online or manually. Due to year level zones, older siblings are unable to purchase over the counter to deliver to younger siblings.
• Please refer to the back page of the menu for additional information, such as how to order Tuckshop.

Menu Changes

Towards the end of last year, we had some issues with the supply of several frozen treat items. As we anticipate these issues to continue this year, we have made the following changes to the ‘Frozen Treats’ section of the menu, effective immediately:

Removed from the Menu

• Lemonade Bars
• The Flash
• Scooby Doo Milk Bars (all flavours)
• Splits (both flavours)

Added to the Menu

The menu has already been updated online and 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.

UNIFORM SHOP

Opening Hours

Monday: 8:00am-9:00am
Wednesday: 2:15pm-3:15pm
Friday: 8:00am-9:00am
Direct Dial number: 5502 4485

Seniors Shirts for Year 6

Thank you to our Year 6 parents and students for getting your Seniors Shirts order forms in so promptly. The cut-off date for ordering has now passed and once the classrooms are finalised (after day 8), I will be placing the order with our supplier right away to ensure we receive delivery of the shirts as soon as possible. You can expect the shirts to arrive early in Term 2.

Pre-Loved Uniforms

We currently have a decent supply of pre-loved uniforms in stock. If you’re struggling to keep up with the washing and would love some extra items to get you through the week, come up and see what’s available. Shorts, skorts, polos, house shirts and selected winter stock are all available in a variety of sizes.

Kind regards,

Michelle Lee
Tuckshop/Uniform Convenor

P&C News

P&C Monthly Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 19 February 2020 at 4.30pm in the staffroom. Previous minutes for viewing will be available from 4.15pm for those you have not received them via email. Everyone is welcome to attend.

School Banking

School Banking started back on Friday 31 January 2020. Banking day is currently every Friday. If you are wanting to open a bank account with the Commonwealth Bank, please visit their website to register your child online or visit your local branch. For every 10 deposits banked through the school for each child, they are able to select a prize. We are still awaiting the prizes from the end of last year to arrive from the Commonwealth Bank. These will be distributed to your Child's class when they arrive.

Facebook Page

Remember to join our Facebook page “Worongary State School P and C Association” so you can keep updated with our upcoming events.

Community Notices

Starting in Term 1, Soccer X will be running a 9 week After School Soccer programme at Worongary State School every Tuesday from 3 - 4pm beginning Tuesday 4 February. The programme is available to students from Prep – Yearr 6.

Children will be split into groups according to age. All sessions will be run by qualified coaches who hold blue cards. The sessions will be fully inclusive & fun based, catering for all abilities. For more information and online registrations please visit the link below:

Choose how to add this event to your calendar:

Apple Calendar iPhone, iPad, Mac - Download .ics file

Outlook Desktop Outlook - Download .ics file

Android Calendar Android devices - Download .ics file

Other Calendar Google Calendar, Yahoo, etc. - Download .ics file

Download Event