18 March 2020

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Dear Parents

Late last year our dedicated and committed P and C Association submitted an application under the Local Schools Community Fund to further advance our school’s Cool School Initiative. $200,000 was available for each federal electorate to advance school initiatives across the Moncrieff electorate. The Worongary State School P and C Association received $18,000 towards air-conditioning classrooms. At last week’s meeting, the Association determined that the Year 6 classes were the hottest in the school and therefore priority should be given to these rooms. Given the school’s current, classroom formations, the very generous P&C Association decided to include the Year 5/6 class in this tender process. At this stage, it is anticipated that this installation will commence during the Easter vacation.

More information regarding the Queensland Government’s air-conditioning roll out will be shared as soon as it becomes available. I wish to sincerely thank the P and C Association for their generosity.

2020 International Women's Day Award

At Worongary State School, I am truly fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside so many passionate and enthusiastic staff members. On Friday 28 February 2020 one of our most experienced teacher aides was acknowledged at the 2020 International Women's Day Award ceremony. Michelle Dumbrell was nominate for the Leadership in the Creative Arts and Entertainment Category for her tireless community work. Michelle is the founder of the Couch Outloud live talk show. This talk how highlights the culture of the Gold Coast in an entertaining and interactive way. This platform not only provides the community with a voice and insight into topics that affect them, but will lead the way for future cultural involvement.

On behalf of the entire Worongary State School community, I sincerely congratulate Michelle for being nominated for such a prestigious award. Michelle’s passion and commitment is strengthening personal connections across the Gold Coast. Well done Michelle!

COVID-19

Yesterday all parents should have received a COVID-19 Parent Update (# 3). Our response to COVID-19 is all about containment. I continue to ask all families to pay extra attention to health and hygiene measures employed at home with your children, particularly the use of soap and, if soap is not available, hand sanitiser. You can be assured we are reinforcing this message at school.

These directions are all about supporting a national effort to contain and slow the spread of COVID-19. Each one of us, and our school, plays a vital role in this effort and I ask for your continued support in this containment effort. Students must not attend school if they are unwell.

The Worongary State School’s Workplace Health and Safety Committee met on Monday morning to discuss the routines, processes and procedures that we currently have in place. At this meeting the committee members reviewed aspects relating to maximising the health and safety of all students and staff at Worongary State School.

Following the Workplace Health and Safety Committee meeting, the school’s leadership team have implemented the following recommendations:

Routines

• Assemblies will be paused up until the Easter holidays with a review prior to returning in Term 2. Teachers will continue to nominate students for Learning Vine and Dojo awards. Each week, a member of the Leadership team will visit classrooms to present these awards. Teachers will Dojo parents if their child receives an award.
• Before school routines will change as of Tuesday 17 March 2020. Upon entering the school grounds:
  - Students in Years 5 and 6 will be expected to go immediately to Senior Under Cover Area;
  - Students in Year 3 and 4 will be expected to go immediately to Central Games Area
  - Students in Years 1 and 2 will be expected to go immediately to the Junior Under Cover Area (this includes Prep students who are not with a parent)
• Parent Teacher Interviews will not take place this term. In lieu of the face to face interviews, teachers will complete a mid-term report on each child. This information will provide feedback to parents on how well each child has progressed over the duration of Term 1. There remains an opportunity for teachers and parents to request a face to face or telephone interview if more detail is required. A hard copy of the mid-term report will be distributed to all parents on Wednesday 26 March 2020.
• The Cross Country will still go ahead. Parents will not be permitted to sign siblings out to watch their brothers or sisters run.
• The RI Easter concert has been cancelled. RI lessons will continue each week up until the holidays.
• Worongary State School will not be entering teams into the 2020 Winter Interschool Sport competition. Any parent who may have already paid the levy would be entitled to a full refund. The parents should contact the office to make the appropriate arrangements.

Processes

• General hygiene is paramount. Staff have already been sent information on how to minimise the risk of transmission through good hygiene practices. They are going through these processes regularly to remind students of how to keep themselves and others safe.
• Eating and play times at both breaks has been swapped. This will enable students to wash their hands immediately before eating. New times are as follows: 11:00 – 11:10 Eating, 11:10 – 11:40 Play. 1:40 – 1:50 Eating, 1:50 – 2:10 Play.
• If a child has flu/cold-like symptoms, they will be sent to the office as usual. The child will be isolated from other students and parents called to collect them.

Procedures

• Please be assured that soap and water is available in all toilets and in classrooms with access to water. In classrooms where no access to water is available, hand sanitiser is supplied. Cleaners, grounds officers and teachers are monitoring these regularly to ensure a constant supply. We currently have plenty of supplies and more have been ordered.
• Please remind your child to not put their mouth on the bubblers when drinking. Students are encouraged to fill drinking bottles rather than drink directly from bubblers where possible.
• If your child is unwell, please do not send them to school. Please seek medical advice if you are concerned about their health. Contact the Student Absences line on 5502 4444 option 1.
• Please see below information from the World Health Organisation regarding the symptoms of COVID-19 compared to Flu and Common Cold symptoms for your information.

As we have already seen across the world, this situation is likely to continue for some time. This situation is evolving incredibly quickly. As such, as a school and as a community, we must all prepare over the short, medium and long term. As the COVID-19 situation evolves, our school continues to prepare for continuity of learning and teaching.

The Department of Education has many resources available and should the virus affect our school, our teachers will seek to minimise any disruption to student learning. Rest assured we are doing all we can to ensure your child’s safety and wellbeing. You can assist our school to provide the best possible care for all of our students by:

• Notifying the school office if your family intends on travelling overseas
• Ensuring our school has your most up to date contact details
• Contacting us immediately if your child becomes unwell
• Contacting us if a member of your extended family becomes unwell and has been given advice to self –quarantine.
• Regularly checking messages from our school. These messages will be delivered through Facebook, email and Dojo.

Whilst we are operating in uncertain times, as per the information obtained from Queensland Health’s Chief Medical Officer, it important to note that the impact of COVID-19 on otherwise healthy children has been minimal to date. At this time, on the advice of Queensland Health, schools remain open. We will continue to monitor the situation by working closely with Senior Officers within the Department of Education and Queensland Health. Please do not hesitate to contact the school office if you require additional information regarding COVID-19.

Curriculum Spotlight

This week’s Curriculum Spotlight outlines our school’s Pedagogical Framework.

As we move through our year of Striving for Excellence and Academic Growth it is important that all members of our community understand key aspects of the Worongary State School Pedagogical Framework. In this edition of our school Pipeline Newsletter we will be focusing on Growth Mindset.

What is Growth Mindset?

Dr Carol Dweck’s research proved that when faced even with the smallest of setbacks in their learning, some students rebounded quite easily while other students seemed devastated. After studying the behaviour of thousands of children, Dr. Dweck designed the terms Fixed Mindset and Growth Mindset to describe the underlying beliefs people have about learning and intelligence. When students believe they can get smarter, they understand that effort makes them stronger. Therefore they put in extra time and effort, and that leads to higher achievement.

Developing Growth Mindset

Developing your child’s growth mindset is directly linked to them achieving success. When children believe that they can be successful learners they are much more likely to demonstrate perseverance and adherence to the agreed and established classroom learning and behavioural expectations. Developing a growth mindset takes a conscious effort over a period of time to change the way we think about learning. As a school we are committed to all students building a growth mindset philosophy of “The Power of Yet” and “I Can and Will Try”. You can help your child develop a Growth Mindset by framing your questions a little bit differently. Below is an example of some things you might try.

Regards Landon Dare, Principal

Save the Date

Learning Vine Awards

Behaviour

Our school will proudly stand united with schools across Australia on Friday 20 March to mark the tenth National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA). On this day we also recognise Harmony Day. Our diversity makes Australia a great place to live. Harmony Day is a celebration of our cultural diversity – a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home.

The NDA provides our school the opportunity to stand together on this important issue and help ignite thoughtful and positive discussions about bullying and ways we can work as a community to address it.

We are proud our school community will be sending a powerful message, along with other Australian schools, that bullying and violence in or outside the classroom, are not okay. Through positive action we can make a real change.

At Worongary we are dedicated to supporting our students and families.

Please visit the Bullying. No Way! Website for practical advice and information to help you and your families work together against bullying.

Our students can choose to wear something ORANGE on 20 March to show their support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia.

Why orange?

Orange is the colour chosen to represent Harmony Day. Traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect.

Please note students are not permitted to colour their hair.

Kind Regards, Ms Kaia

From the Music Room

UKULELE CLUBS ARE UP AND RUNNING

How fantastic it is to see so many students giving up one play break each week to learn a new instrument! This week groups have been learning the names of the strings and the C Major Chord. There are still some places available in Thursday’s Year 5/6 group.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PERMISSION FORMS

A reminder that permission forms for the upcoming workshops and Smart Music Subscriptions are due back now. If you have misplaced any forms please Dojo Miss Jones.

THE MUSIC BUS JUNIOR SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP

Last week the Music Bus visited our school.

This year, the Music Bus in conjunction with our Principal Mr Dare, is offering one student in the Junior School (P – 2) a full year’s scholarship (tuition costs paid for one year) in the discipline of their choice. Interested students should write a short letter to Mr Dare (or record a short speech) outlining what instrument they would like to learn, why they would like to learn it and what learning skills they think they have that will help them to be successful. Please send either the written submission or recording to office@worongaryss.eq.edu.au Submissions have been extended until March 22 2020.

UPCOMING EVENTS

ADVANCED STRINGS WORKSHOP DAY – OXENFORD STATE SCHOOL – Friday April 3 8:30am – 2:30pm at Oxenford State School

REHEARSALS IN THE MUSIC BLOCK

STRING ENSEMBLE (Year 4, 5 & 6) – Monday mornings 7:50am – 8:50am (by 8:00am seated and ready to play)
JUNIOR CHOIR (Year 1 & 2) – Tuesday mornings 8:00am – 8:50am
SENIOR CHOIR (Year 3 – 6) – Wednesday mornings 8:00am – 8:50am
BAND (no beginners Term1) – Thursday mornings 8:00am – 8:50am

CLUBS IN THE MUSIC BLOCK

Ukulele Year 1/ 2 - Monday second break
Ukulele Year 3/ 4 - Tuesday second break
Ukulele Year 5/ 6 – Thursday second break

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

Kokoda Challenge

A first for Worongary State School, competing in the Kokoda Challenge! This year we have 20 very keen and motivated students that are ready for the challenge. Students will tackle Australia's toughest team endurance event trekking over 15kms. Kokoda demonstrates that when we work together, look out for each other and show commitment to a task things that at first seem impossible, suddenly become achievable.

Students will learn the following four values:

COURAGE- To step outside your comfort zone and stand up for what's important.
ENDURANCE- To stay the journey and never give up.
MATESHIP- To act with integrity, embrace diversity and have each other’s back.
SACRIFICE- To serve a cause greater than self.

As part of this event students need to raise money to cover costs of entry and fundraise to help Kokoda Youth Foundation. Our main fundraiser for this event will be on the 28 March, where some of our very dedicated students and staff will be running a BBQ on the local Election Day. We would love to see you from 10am here at Worongary State School.

If you or someone you know is able to support our teams please contact Miss Thomson at hthom342@eq.edu

We will also soon have a link to our school Kokoda Challenge fundraising page where you can help us to raise funds towards our challenge.

Thank you from the Kokoda Challenge Students and Teachers.

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)

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

Containers for Change – Update from Environmental Club Students

So far this year our container for change systems (orange bags) has been very successful. We have raised around $300. Our goal for this term is to raise $500. We would like to thank the families and the community who have contributed to this program. Just keep in mind that our collection days are every fortnight on Fridays. EVERY CONTAINER COUNTS SO BE A HERO AND RECYCLE A CONTAINER TODAY!!!! If you or your friends need more orange bags, they can be collected from outside of the office.

We have exciting news!! A couple of weeks ago we saw that companies were collecting lids and bread clips to turn them into prosthetic limbs. We thought this would be another great way we can help people and the environment. A clearly labelled box has been place outside the office were students can drop off plastic bottle tops and bread tags they have collected. Please ensure that these are clean and dry before placing them in the box.

We can all make a difference. If you see some litter on the ground pick it up and place it in the bin. SO BE A HERO AND RECYCLE TODAY!!!!!!!

From The Environmental heroes,
Nina, Natasha, Samara and Lenka.

School Plus

The School Plus Worongary Service Philosophy has been created with input from all stakeholders and is available to view at the service. “Words on leaves” provided by families was reflected in the Philosophy and added to our service “Belonging Tree”

We are implementing sustainable practices at School Plus with the service purchasing recycling bins. These have been discussed with the children who have been busy recycling paper & plastics as well as collecting scraps for Jennifer’s chooks and our Gardening Club Worm Farm.

“Homework Club” has commenced this week on Tuesdays & Thursdays. We are fortunate to have access to the school Computer Lab, so children can access homework tasks electronically. “Homework Club” will hopefully encourage children to complete homework whilst at the service, to enable them to have more quality family time at home.

The service has been discussing & implementing emergency drills with the children, with both Lock Down & Fire Drills completed in February. The children have responded well, understanding the process and their role if an emergency presents.

With numbers growing, resulting in busier arrival & sign in time at 3pm, we remind families that if children will be absent from the service, that they contact and inform the service directly. Even if the school has been notified, as a separate entity and by law we request the service be notified either by myFamilyLounge App or email. If we are not notified of absent children and cannot make contact with the account holder within a thirty (30) minute period we are required to inform the Police.

Maria Bamford
School Plus Worongary Coordinator

Tuckshop & Uniform

Opening Hours

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

Meal Deals

We have several Meal Deals coming your way to round off the term. Continue reading for details…

Easter Meal Deals

Easter Meal Deals kick off this coming Monday. Please see the attached flyer for details and note that the deals will be available:

Monday 23 March – Thursday 02 April

• at both First Break and Second Break
• via manual or online ordering

Online orders can be placed at any time, so why wait? Hop, skip and jump right into the fun.

Sushi for Sports Day (by Pre-Order only)

Cross Country is taking place on Thursday 2 April and to celebrate WSS’s first sporting event of 2020 we have a sushi day planned. Sushi is a fantastic option for a fresh and healthy lunch on a hot sports day. This is available for staff, parents and students by pre-order only so please read the attached flyer carefully for instructions.

Subway Day – Friday 3 April

As the Tuckshop is closed on the last day of the term, we have planned a Subway Day as an alternative way to order lunch. Please see the Subway Information Flyer for details and attached Order Form. Note that orders can be made manually via the tuckshop baskets and online from now until the cut-off date/time: 9am Wednesday 01 April. Don’t wait – you may miss the date!

UNIFORM SHOP

Opening Hours

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

Winter Stock

Winter stock has been ordered and is expected to arrive by the end of the month. We already have some items in stock, so feel free to pop in or order online now if you would like to get organised early. Pre-ordering and layby options are also available.

We will have the following items available for purchase both online and in store:

Interschool Sports

Interschool sports kicks off for the year next term and the Uniform Shop has Footy Socks and Interschool Sport Shorts available to purchase. We have some stock on hand already and are awaiting delivery of more. Pre-orders are welcome. Be sure to kit your child out in the correct uniform so they can represent our school with pride this season. Online ordering also available.

Kind regards,

Michelle Lee
Tuckshop/Uniform Convenor

P&C News

P&C Monthly Meeting

Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 1 April 2020 at 4.30pm in the staffroom. Previous minutes for viewing will be available from 4.15pm for those you have not received a copy via email. Everyone is welcome to attend.

P & C AGM

This year’s AGM will be held on Wednesday 18 March 2020 at 4.30pm in the staffroom. All executive positions will lapse and nominations, and voting for the following positions will take place: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Vice Treasurer. For information and role descriptions, please either head to our Facebook Page or to P&C Qld. New members are welcome and membership forms will be available for completion at the AGM. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Easter Raffle

We have 3 fantastic Easter prizes to raffle this holiday season. The oldest child should have received a raffle booklet with 20 tickets. The tickets are $1.00 each. Further booklets are available once the ticket stubs and money have been returned to the tuckshop. Please return monies and unsold tickets no later than 27 March 2020 to the tuckshop. The raffle will be drawn on Wednesday 1 April 2020. If you are not wanting to participate, please return the booklet of tickets to the tuckshop as soon as possible so they can be given to another family to sell.

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

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