1 September 2021

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

Newsletter

Book Week 2021

Well, what a fun day we had last week! Thank you to all the parents, carers, grandparents, friends etc who helped with their children’s costumes. They were amazing!

I was very proud to speak about our school on ABC Gold Coast breakfast radio, with our school captain, about Worongary’s involvement in Book week celebrations in 2021. Click the image below to hear the interview.

Again, there was a huge participation from students and staff to be involved. The fun had by all was apparent on the student's (and staff) faces wherever you looked. Well done students, staff and parents on your creativity in meeting this year’s theme, old worlds, new worlds and other worlds.

Mrs Pikunic, our STEM teacher, was very busy creating a code for our borrowed Pepper the semi humanoid robot, to read a story book, 'Aliens Love Underpants, (from one 'alien' to another). Many students came over to the Library on Tuesday and Wednesday to listen to and interact with Pepper.

Thank you, Ms Connor, our librarian, for all your efforts making this year another success. She has uploaded Class photos and student’s art work into a video to the class story section on ClassDojo. For those students who were here on the day, Ms Connor has also organised a photo wallet so students can remember the day and share with their families.

Thank you to all students who participated in the colouring competitions. Congratulations must go to:

Thank you from all at Worongary State School for joining in our (limited) Book Week celebrations. Thank you, Ms Connor, for organising Book week in very uncertain times. Until next year!

Proud to be your principal

During the past 15 months while Mr Landon Dare has been the Principal of Arundel State School, I have been acting as your Principal. I wish to acknowledge Mr Dare for his outstanding leadership of our school community during his time at Worongary. Last week, Mr Dare was officially appointed as the permanent principal of Arundel State School. Congratulations Mr Dare!

Through this appointment, it gives me great pleasure to formally announce that following a review of my eligibility, I have been appointed as the permanent Principal of Worongary State School.

I am very much looking forward to continuing the fantastic work done by staff in the school and continue to lead the school into the future. I am extremely proud to support our dedicated and committed staff members to ensure every student can learn and every student can achieve through the school motto of strength through wisdom.

I acknowledge and sincerely thank the Parents and Citizens Association Executive and members for their continued support. I am extremely proud of the work that our school’s Parents and Citizens Association has achieved during these challenging times and I look forward to continuing to work closely with these members.

I look forward to serving the Worongary State School community and most importantly, our students now and into the future.

Regards,
Adam Brandt
(Proud Principal)

Save the Date

Positive Behaviour for Learning

The Prep Classes recently attended our very first excursion to the Currumbin Farm School. For many of us, it was our first excursion, first trip on a bus and first trip to a farm. We all had a fabulous time and, as expected, the behaviour of our students was exemplary! During our excursion, the children had the opportunity to get dirty in the mud kitchen, get wet in the creek, get sandy while on the climbing tree and build with loose parts using their amazingly creative imagination.

They built shelters out of trees, fed chickens and did some gardening. The best part of the day was allowing the children to have flexibility to make choices, solve problems and get messy.

The conversations were fascinating to listen to and an unbelievable amount of learning took place while the children had fun (without an electronic device in sight)!

Hello Everyone

Do you have any unwanted toys at home? Is it time for a clean and de-clutter?

The Year 1 and 2 students would greatly benefit from any donations (Lego, dolls and clothes, blocks, cars, Duplo, games, puzzles, skipping ropes, ANYTHING!). We have a very successful break time, social skill play program in place and would appreciate adding to our activity resources. Play is very important at any age and through this program many junior friendships have been developed and built, resulting in lasting positive relationships. It has also been a great way to encourage and include students who have difficulty making friends, or joining into a group.

Some of the potential benefits of play are:

• taking more responsibility for certain behaviours
• developing coping strategies and creative problem-solving skills
• self-respect
• empathy and respect for others
• alleviation of anxiety
• learning to fully experience and express feelings
• stronger social skills

Play can also encourage the use of language or improve fine and gross motor skills.

Any donations accepted. Can you help?

Thank you

Kerrianne Sullivan
Inclusion Support P-2 /Senior Experienced Special Education Teacher

From Read and Grow Update

You’re invited to attend our FREE Read and Grow Program with your 3-5-year-old children

Starting: Term 3 Week 2 (20 July to 14 Sept)

Theme is “Food Glorious Food”

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

During the session, we read stories, sing songs and complete activities learning about pre-reading skills in readiness for starting school.

Due to COVID restrictions, you MUST book prior to attending as we have a maximum number of 10 participants we are allowed. Please email to book your place NOW!

Katie Huggard: khugg2@eq.edu.au

Regards Katie Huggard, Prep Teacher

Please save the date

Worongary State School will be hosting our biannual concert showcasing our talented students. We will be having two performances each for the Junior and the Senior school.

September 15th Senior matinee performance at 1pm, Junior evening performance at 6pm

September 16th Junior Matinee performance at 1pm, Senior evening performance at 6pm

Our theme is gratitude and happiness to celebrate the resilience of students/ parents and teachers during the pandemic. It is a fabulous opportunity for parents to enjoy an afternoon or evening performance showcasing their children.

We have chosen to have our performances free of cost to attend, however we are requesting a gold coin donation towards the Nerang Neighbourhood Centre which has helped and continues to support many individuals and families in our school community.

Children have already started rehearsing and no doubt singing songs and practicing their routines at home.

We are looking forward to celebrating our performance with you and finishing off Term 3 on a terrific note.

From Music Room

RECRUITING YEAR 2 & 3 STUDENTS - INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC 2022

There are so many excellent reasons why every child should learn a musical instrument! The opportunity is now here for all students in Year 2, Year 3 and above.

Save the dates:

Stringed Instrument Information Presentation - Monday September 6 School Hall 1:00 - 1:40pm

Band Instruments Information Presentation – Tuesday September 7 School Hall 1:00 – 1:40pm

Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Each child, in Years 2 and 3 will receive an ‘Expression of Interest’ form with the view to learning a musical instrument in 2022. Current students in the programs will perform for the students and introduce the various orchestral instruments taught by Specialist Music Teachers here at Worongary.

Learning a musical instrument is proven to increase cognition, improve mathematics and language skills, improve auditory discrimination, co-ordination and a sense of wellbeing. It does require commitment (one year minimum) and considerable effort but is very rewarding. Please carefully consider this amazing opportunity with your child.

END OF TERM PIZZA PARTIES

Life is meant to be celebrated! The hard work all of our amazing students put into their extra-curricula music studies is definitely something to celebrate!

In Week 9, Monday September 6 all students in the Junior Choir, Senior Choir, Strings and Band Program are invited to attend a Pizza Party in second break. Keep an eye out for the information coming home this week and let’s celebrate!

ENSEMBLES / LESSONS ARE BACK!

All musical groups are now back rehearsing. We are always looking for new members particularly in our Choirs. If your child is interested in joining one of our groups, please Dojo Miss Jones

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

Monday – Friday 8.00 am – 4.30 pm
Excluding Public Holidays

For children to be eligible for free public oral health services they must:

• Be Queensland residents or attend a Queensland school; and,
• Be eligible for Medicare*; and,
• Meet at least one of the following criteria:
  - be aged four years or older and have not completed Year 10, or
  - be eligible for the Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule, or
  - be referred by Community Child Health Nurse (Lift the Lip Program), or
  - hold, or be listed as a dependent on, a valid Centrelink concession card, or
  - Children in Out of Home care

*Eligibility for Medicare includes holders of green or blue Medicare cards but excludes yellow Medicare cards which are issued to visitors from countries with reciprocal health card agreements.

Further information on public funded oral health services can be accessed via URL:

National Book Week 21-27th August 2021 The Theme for National Book Week 2021 is Old Worlds New Worlds Other Worlds. At School Plus Worongary we have been working on our Fantasy World Display. Worongary State School has an annual book Week display in the hall, with each class creating a display. This year School Plus was invited to join in. After discussions with children in group time, it was decided we would create scenes around ‘Fantasy World’. With the children using their fantastic imaginations and creativity we have enjoyed creating a castle with princesses, fairies, unicorns, rainbows and butterflies. As we move around the display it begins to change and we see more forest, dragons, trolls and other fantasy world surprises. This has been a fantastic whole group effort.

School Plus Clubs continue to grow this term. Boomerang Club is still popular with many avid Boomerang throwers and with more children learning and giving catching a go. Safety is the number one priority when throwing Boomerangs as we understand that these are not toys but weapons that need to be respected. Last week Jayce caught his first Boomerang, while Lincoln & Tristan showed how fearless they are as they continue to attempt catching each week. Others that have had the glory of catching are Mitchell, Taj & Lenny.

Many of the older experienced throwers are also guiding and mentoring younger children in how to hold the boomerang correctly and the best techniques in ensuring their boomerang comes back.

Gardening Club is also growing. The children have been planting corn and Cherry tomatoes and have harvested a number of delicious strawberries.

School Plus children are really enjoying our weekly ‘Our Community’ dramatic Play experiences. The service used our Kmart Voucher from the NAPCAN poster competition to purchase additional dramatic play items.

A reminder that School Plus will be open on the Student Free Day 3rd September 21. We will be open all day and our theme is to Celebrate Everyone’s Birthday! There will be Party Food, Games and prizes!

Maria, Laura and the School Plus Worongary team

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