14 October 2022

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Welcome back! I hope all students and their families had a lovely September break and enjoyed quality time together.

Again, term 4 will not disappoint with many events and activities in the school.

P&C Disco

We have our second disco for the year on Thursday 27 October, please keep a look out for information on the schools Facebook page and ClassDojo for updates.

Congratulations! Community Impact Award 2022

Congratulations to Mrs Pikunic, our STEM teacher, for winning the 2022 Community Impact Award at the Women in Technology 2022 WiT Awards.

We are so proud to have such a positive representative of Women in Technology a teacher in our school.

Passionate, motivating, innovative, and enthusiastic are words often used to describe Michele Pikunic, a STEM Teacher and STEM advocate at Worongary State School on the Gold Coast. From butterflies to esports, from rockets to robotics, Michele has introduced many highly engaging and innovative programs which have increased student engagement and participation in STEM. Michele is passionate about technology and being able to equip her students with skills necessary to live and work successfully in the twenty-first century and beyond. For the past 8 years, Michele has been introducing her primary school children to the world of robotics. She started with 4 children in the class and now has 20 children participating in her robotics classes.

Her activities have also spilled over to the parents of these children, leading to the development of an innovation hub. Her robotics education activities are supported by several industry partners, including CSIRO STEM professionals. Michele is also currently working in partnership with the Queensland Museum and their Learning Officer to empower students to participate in Project DIG and undertake scientific enquiry to explore megafauna from Queensland’s past. As part of the initiative, students have been able to access Queensland Museum Network’s world-class collections and participate in digital engagement sessions with renowned Palaeontologist Dr Scott Hucknall. Students will also host their own STEM event and through the use of technologies such as iPads, augmented reality (AR) and 3D printing be able to communicate their findings to the school community and beyond.

Facility updates

Over the holidays, brand new furniture was delivered to many classes from Prep to Year 4. These upgrades have been much needed to support the students and staff in their teaching and learning. Student desks and chairs, student group tables, and teacher easels were among the $95,000 worth of furniture purchased.

6 classrooms also had their carpets replaced which has freshened up their rooms.

State Principal Conference

It has been 3.5years since the last State Principals Conference. We heard from our Minister of Education and Director General who shared the vision for State Education into the future – one that is focused on Equity and Excellence. It is truly exciting. Principals and regional office leaders had the opportunity to give feedback on the draft plan to truly give schools a voice in its design.

For our school, much of this we are doing currently. Focusing on excellence and equity for students in our school. I am looking forward to fleshing this out further with staff, parents and students as we prepare our strategic plan in 2023.

Looking forward to finishing the year strong continuing to focus on writing improvement with our students.

Classes 2023

Teachers and administration will be preparing for classes shortly. Classes are decided on many factors to support the learning of all students at Worongary State School. If you have a 2023 class request based on your child’s educational needs, please send an email directly to principal@worongaryss.eq.edu.au with your request by Friday 28 October. Please note that not all requests may be possible and all decisions will be made on a needs basis.

Student Not returning 2023

If your student/s is not returning to Worongary State School in 2023 could you please complete the attached form and return to the office ASAP.

Have a great week ahead!
Mr Adam Brandt
Principal

PREP 2023

One of the aspects of Worongary State School that we are praised for within the wider community are the values and positive behaviours that we develop in our students. This includes instilling a sense of pride in our school. One simple example of this is the correct wearing of our school uniform. We would like to take this opportunity to once again thank our school community for your commitment to the school uniform policy that maintains our students’ positive sense of belonging. We would like to remind everyone that our uniform option for the cooler months is the wearing of the Worongary State School jacket or pullover (alternative is a plain maroon pullover). School Uniform items are available for purchase from the school uniform shop on a Thursday 8am – 9:30am or through the QKR app.

Worongary State School Dress Code

Kind Regards,
Shiree Salazar
Deputy Principal

Save the Date

FROM THE MUSIC ROOM

MERRIMAC STRINGS & BAND WORKSHOP – YEAR 5 & 6 STUDENTS

On Monday October 17, our Year 5 & 6 Band and Strings students have been invited to participate in a cluster workshop held at Merrimac State High School 8:30am – 6:15pm. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to play in a super-powered orchestra/band. The day will culminate with a concert for family and friends. Miss Jones will be in attendance, as such, strings lessons will not be running for Year 3 & 4 students.

NERANG HIGH FUTURE BAND PROGRAM

Year 6 Band students are also invited to attend a series of band workshops and culminating concert with Nerang High School Band Master Ms Buchanan. These workshops are held on Tuesday afternoons and commence on October 25. So many great opportunities for our Senior Students!

ENROLMENT CONTRACTS – INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC 2023

Contracts have now been handed to selected students for 2023. All students participating in Instrumental Music must complete and return the contracts before November 11 2022. This secures their place in the program and also outlines the expectations of each student. Please complete these forms asap and return to the Office or Music Room.

END OF YEAR CONCERT

The end of year music concert involving all choirs, strings and band will be held on Thursday November 10 in the school hall commencing at 3:15pm. Please save this date in your diaries.

ASSESSMENT TERM 4

This term is traditionally very busy. There are many demands on students. Instrumental Music students have elected to take on additional work by learning a musical instrument and this can become overwhelming if they do not have a plan in place to achieve their goals. Make daily practise (10 minutes is sufficient) a habit to form now, so that students are not ‘stressed out’ in Week 8 or 9! Also keep up to date with resources and message posted on Dojo – they can be life savers!

IN THE EVENT OF SICKNESS…

Please Dojo Miss Jones if your child is unwell and unable to attend a before/after school rehearsal. We do take rolls and have a responsibility or ‘duty of care’ to know where your child is.

TERM 4 ENSEMBLES TIMETABLE - MUSIC @ WORONGARY

• Worongary Voices (Singers Years 3 – 6) Wednesday mornings 7:45am - 8:45am, Band Room
• Worongary Piccolos (Singers Years 1 – 2) Tuesday mornings 7:45am – 8:45am, Music Room
• YR 5 & 6 Band Ensemble Thursday mornings 7:45am – 8:45am Band Room
• YR 4 Beginner Band Thursday afternoons 3:00 – 3:45pm Band Room
• YR 4,5 & 6 String Ensemble Monday mornings 7:45am – 8:45am Band Room
• YR 3 Beginner STRINGS Monday afternoons 3:00 – 3:45pm Band Room

Ms Katheryn Jones
Instrumental Music Teacher Strings and Classroom Music Teacher

DISCO

EXCURSIONS

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