9 November 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

To get the most out of a good education, children need to go to school every day. School attendance has a major influence on educational outcomes. Students who attend school regularly are more likely to achieve better results at school and are more likely to complete their schooling. Parents can make it easier for their child to attend school by having a positive attitude to learning and education. Poor school attendance patterns can start as early as Prep. It is important that from the first day of school parents set an expectation that their children will be at school every day. Missing an average of ten days of school a term adds up to missing two full years of schooling by the end of Year 10.

Over the next few weeks, students will be completing assessment in order for Teachers to finalise Semester 2 Reports. Please remember that compulsory school attendance continues until the end of Week 10, Friday 9th December. Teaching, Learning and Assessment carry on until the last day of school. At present, all teachers are engaged in curriculum planning for Semester 1, 2017 and moderation of assessment tasks completed to date. It is essential that students are at school each day to avoid missing explicit teaching of important content and concepts. There is a misconception that school “winds down” in the last few weeks of the year. Certainly, there are organisational tasks that need to be completed before the holidays begin; however, students are engaged in learning every day including when end of year activities commence. Even one day off can disadvantage your child and create gaps in their learning.

We are fast approaching the end of 2016 and the weather is heating up. These last five weeks of school are often the hottest of the year so it is important to remember our sun safety policy. Please make sure that children are covered in high protection sunscreen each day, wear the school wide-brimmed hat appropriately and have water bottles clearly named so that they can refill regularly. It’s swimming season, so being sun safe is even more important!

Over the last few weeks, we received notification of transfers for the 2017 school year. Sadly, some of our great teachers have been either transferred to other schools or are leaving Windsor State School.

• Mrs. Miranda Daunt to Griffin State School, North Coast Region.
• Ms. Anna Prokop to Happy Valley State School, North Qld Region.
• Ms. Nikki Roos to Brighton State School, Metropolitan Region.
• Ms. Alice Lethbridge to St Marks Anglican Community School in Hillarys, Perth.
• Ms. Georgie Mewburn to pursue further study and a career change.

This week, I also add Miss Kelsie McCullough to the list of those teachers transferring. Kelsie has only been with us for one year; however, has done an incredible job with our bands in that time. Kelsie has been transferred to a brand new school, Bellbird Park State Secondary College, in the Metropolitan Region. I wish her all the very best and hope that she enjoys this new challenge. Ms. Lela Sing is also leaving Windsor State School to prepare for the birth of her first child. We wish her, and partner Matthew, all the very best on their upcoming new arrival. We hope to see Lela back at Windsor after her Maternity Leave.

Many would be aware that Jo McCormack has been on Long Service Leave since the beginning of Term 3. Some of you would be aware that, during this time, Jo and her husband Brian made a life changing decision and moved to the Sunshine Coast for a sea change. Jo is currently seeking a transfer to a school on the Sunshine Coast; however, will remain on staff at Windsor until she has secured a position. Her position at Windsor will continue to be contracted whilst she is on leave. Windsor State School owes a debt of gratitude to Jo. She has been at our school for 16 years; a hard-working Curriculum Leader throughout this time. Most of our Curriculum programs at Windsor SS are built on Jo’s many years of hard work. I am extremely sad to lose Jo, she is a loyal and dedicated teacher and friend. We will still see Jo around the school until she has found a position in the north; however, it is not her intention to return to full-time work at Windsor SS at this stage. We wish her and Brian well on their new adventure. We also thank Mrs. Kathryn Collins for teaching 5B this semester. Kathryn is returning to teach in Louisiana, USA after two years in Australia; we wish her well for the future.

I would also like to make mention of, and pay tribute to, our STLaN Fran Lowings. Fran has decided to retire at the end of 2016 and will be sadly missed at Windsor State School. Fran has been supporting students at Windsor since 2002 and I know her decision to retire has been a difficult one. I sincerely thank her for the many years of service she has committed to DET and the Windsor SS community.

Again, I would personally like to thank each of these teachers for their efforts and commitment to the children of Windsor State School during their time here. I wish them all the best and look forward to hearing of their adventures and achievements in the future.

Paulo Coelho wrote “if you’re brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello” and new hellos are aplenty at Windsor State School in 2017. We welcome in:

• Mrs. Donna Lipyeat from Forest Lake State College, Metropolitan Region.
• Mrs. Zara Marshall from Goondiwindi State School, Darling Downs South West Region.
• Mrs. Lisa Heard from Banksia Beach State School, North Coast Region.
• Mr. Nick Fenton from Moranbah State School, Central Qld Region.
• Ms. Elise Chemello on contract.
• Mr. Luke Vearing on contract.
• Ms. Jacqui Milner on contract.
• Ms. Rhona Chapman on contract.
• Mrs. Janelle Skinner on contract (Music).

I look forward to officially welcoming our newest staff members to Windsor State School on the Student Free Days, 18-20 January 2017, and know that the entire Windsor community will make them feel part of the community.

To say thank you to our dedicated and supportive community, the staff has decided to reinstate Movie Night. We would like to invite all parents to bring your kids along to watch two PG movies, “Finding Dory” and “The BFG”, whilst we adults gather to enjoy some ‘quiet’ drinks on the Hall Terrace. Please note, if your child attends Movie Night, they must be accompanied by a parent/guardian and remain in the Hall, supervised by teachers, until collected. Movie Night is Thursday 24th November from 5:00pm-8:30pm, to avoid clashing with Sea Wolves Swim Club on Friday nights this term. We have made Movie Night an early night to enable everyone to be fully prepared for the 10th annual Summer Soiree on Saturday 26th November, from 6pm, in the Hall. Tickets for the Soiree can be purchased via Munch Monitor or at Admin. As always, the Summer Soiree will be a great event featuring outstanding entertainment. I look forward to seeing everyone at these events to celebrate a great year.

Matt Keong
Principal

Windsor State School has a new app!

SZapp is a great way to keep up to date with all of our latest news and information. Using SZapp will give you easy access to information such as:

• Newsletters on the go
• Latest News & Reminders
• Calendar
• Forms and Documents
• Event Bookings
• Ordering and Contact Forms

SZapp

Learn how to install the app

Apple Devices:

1. On your device, open the App Store.
2. Search the App Store for SZapp.
3. Download and install SZapp.

Android Devices:

1. On your device, open the Play Store.
2. Search the Play Store for SZapp.
3. Download and install SZapp.

Find your School

Select your school's region.

Search for and select your school.

Register a User

Before you can add your school, you will need to register.

Enter your email and name.

Create your password.

Confirming your Email Address

Once registered you will be sent an email to confirm your email address. Open your mail program and click/tap the URL to confirm.

Upon completion, you will then be shown a confirmation screen.

Allowing Permissions

Upon installation of the update, you will be asked to allow access to storage on your device. This is required to ensure that SZapp can access the necessary files to store crucial data on your device.

Please click the affirmative options on each pop-up.

Note: The pop-up message you see may differ depending on your device.

Managing Notifications

Choose which group/s you would like to receive notifications from.

Groups with arrows indicate that there are sub-groups which you can join.

Home

The Home tab displays the most recent news item and links to important school information and tools.

Feed

The Feed tab shows a summary view of all news items which you have subscribed to.

Manage

The Manage tab allows you to customise what information shows in your news feed and what push notifications you will receive.

For more information please view our FAQs

Click here to download a printable Installation Guide

Click here to view SZapp FAQs

School Council Update

In 2015, our school became an Independent Public School and our School Council began operating in February this year.

The role of the School Council is to monitor and inform the school’s strategic direction in order to achieve the best learning outcomes for students. The School Council does not have any input into day-to-day management or teaching practices at the school, nor does it regulate finances.

The Council is made up of the Principal, the President of the P&C Association, two elected staff representatives and two elected parent representatives.

The activities of the School Council this year have been to:

• Establish the constitution and protocols for the newly formed School Council and elect a chairperson (Scott Lawrence) and secretary (Angela Moore).
• Endorse the School’s Strategic Plan and 2016 Annual Improvement Plan. A copy of these documents can be found on the school’s website. The major areas of focus this year have been the future implementation of the Windsor SS Masterplan (with the return of the Officeworks site confirmed for July 2017), improved student outcomes in writing and the school’s Information Communications and Technology e-learning plan.

Planning for the return of the Officeworks site is on-going and has been conducted in conjunction with the P&C Facilities subcommittee. A copy of the draft masterplan can be found at via the link below. To date, an engineer’s report has been commissioned to establish the condition of the existing Officeworks building and communications with DET are ongoing about the future use of this site. We are also investigating options for the provision of flexible learning spaces including technology, science and art facilities as well as possible sources of funding (e.g. upcoming grants). Additional temporary classrooms are planned to accommodate our growing school numbers in 2017 while we await DET funding for permanent classroom construction towards 2020.

Much discussion at School Council has centred on the school’s ICT capacity. In the first instance, the Council endorsed the School’s collection and expenditure of funds from the 2016 parent voluntary contribution scheme towards new classroom projectors (to replace defunct interactive white boards) and to purchase a limited number of iPads. In addition, a more detailed e-learning plan has been developed which covers all areas of ICT. This plan will be presented at the November P&C meeting for discussion. A range of issues have been considered including:

• the best and most cost-effective type of equipment to buy.
• engagement of students and improved learning outcomes.
• teacher professional development and mentoring.
• maximising the use of these resources in the delivery of the curriculum.
• on-going maintenance and technical support.
• healthy and safe use of electronic devices in the classroom.
• funding sources.
• appropriate timing for the purchase/ introduction of various ICT options.
• equitable use of resources.

The draft e-learning plan is scheduled to roll out in Term 1 of 2017 and will be sufficiently flexible to accommodate emerging technologies.

Now that the School Council is fully up and running, we plan to regularly update you on the work of the School Council via the school newsletter. In the meantime, we look forward to presenting the draft e-learning plan at our final P&C meeting for 2016, on Monday 21st November 7:30pm in the Library. We thank the P&C executive, subcommittees and all supporters who work tirelessly to ensure Windsor State School earns its reputation as one of the most active school communities in Brisbane.

Windsor SS School Council
Scott Lawrence (Chair), Angela Moore (Secretary), Matt Keong, Russ Napier, Lee Davis and Katrina Smith.

White Ribbon Day Challenge!

Take a Stand against Domestic Violence!

Last year, a challenge was sent out to all fathers in our school to stand up and show their support for White Ribbon Day by doing the ‘school run’ on November 25. This year, I again challenge all the men in our community, determined to stop violence towards women or children, to come to Windsor State School on Friday 25 November to drop off the kids and purchase a white ribbon for $2.00.

White Ribbon is the world’s largest movement of men and boys working to end men’s violence against women and girls, promote gender equality, healthy relationships and a new vision of masculinity. A nation that respects women, in which every woman lives in safety, free from all forms of men’s abuse.

On Friday November 25, I ask all men to take a stand to show their children, their wives or partners that we want to work towards stopping violence against women so that all women and children can live in safety, free from violence and abuse. On this day I ask all fathers to bring their children to school and walk them through the gates. Our male staff will be there to greet you and give you a white ribbon, the symbol of Australia’s only national, male led campaign to end men’s violence against women. You can join us for a coffee at the hall, or just wear your ribbon to work and spread the message: Real men do not harm women and children.

QT Mutual Bank’s Graduate to Greatness program

QT Mutual Bank is proud to deliver the Graduate to Greatness program to Queensland primary school students. The program will be delivered to Year 6 at Windsor State School in the coming weeks and is designed for these students as they transition to secondary school, helping them navigate the challenges the change brings.

This program is delivered by Eric Bailey and addresses issues such as self-esteem, bullying, motivation and coping with change in a manner that’s both engaging and understandable for preteens. Eric is a motivational speaker who draws on his difficult upbringing in South Central Los Angeles and how it led to his successful career in professional sports delivering powerful and inspiring keynotes that inspire children. QT Mutual Bank hope students will feel inspired by their time with Eric and take away key messages from the Graduate to Greatness program.

Respectful School Communication

Over the last few years, communication between the school, teachers and community has become much easier with improved technologies, such as email and social media. As a society, we are now inundated with information and communication, all the time, which is positive but can also impact people’s well-being. As a school, we endeavour to keep parents informed about teaching, learning and special events as much as is humanly possible. However, as imperfect human beings, we also have limitations and sometimes errors are made. We thank you for understanding that there may be times when a breakdown in communication occurs unintentionally due to the complexity of our school environment.

As our school values are all about RESPECT, please be mindful that teachers/school staff are not available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week and have a right to their personal time. Communication outside of school hours and on weekends may go unanswered until appropriate times. Emails that arrive immediately before school, or during valuable teaching/learning time may not be even seen until 3pm. It is not unreasonable to allow 48 hours for an email reply to arrive from teachers/staff during the school term.

If there is an emergency, or you need to contact staff urgently, please phone Admin on 3866 4333 during school hours.

Prep 2017 Enrolments

Our planning for 2017 is well underway and it is very exciting to see so many new enrolments for 2017. Windsor State School is approaching 100 new Preps, in-catchment, rapidly. We are now planning for Transition Day that will take place on Friday 18th November from 9am-11am. Invitations will be sent out to all in-catchment enrolments who have now had interviews. If you have a child starting Prep in 2017, live in-catchment, and have not submitted your enrolment forms to the office, I ask that you do this ASAP to ensure you don’t miss Transition Day.

Currently, we have an out-of-catchment zone waiting list of over 40. Regrettably, I am now certain that Windsor SS cannot take any enrolments from outside our catchment boundaries.

If you know of people who live in our catchment and intend to enrol at Windsor SS in 2017, please ask them to contact Admin on 3866 4333 to arrange an interview asap.

Planning Classes for 2017

We are well underway with our planning for the 2017 school year. I urge all families to ensure they have returned their enrolment intention form as soon as possible. Early in the new term, we will begin our individual class plans for 2017. Our teachers use their knowledge of students, their educational and developmental needs in planning fair and equitable classes for the new school year.

Parents who believe they have information that needs to be shared about their child’s development may email me at Matthew.Keong@eq.edu.au with this information. Please ensure the subject line of the email is: Classes 2017.

Requests for individual teachers and the need to be with friends are not required nor considered.

OSHC Helping Hands Network

Helping Hands Network is the supplier of Out of School Hours Care at Windsor State School. Parents should be aware that, each term, Helping Hands Network provide a significant financial contribution directly back to the school, dependent on the number of families who utilise the service. This financial contribution directly supports student learning outcomes.

The service operates as a community partnership with the School, Parents and Children to provide all Out Of School Hours Care needs (i.e. Before School, After School and Vacation Care). Helping Hands actively cooperate with government agencies, schools and parents to make the use of the service and payment of fees convenient and affordable while providing exceptional value to our school community.

OSHC & Playgrounds Before & After School

It is great to see students and families enjoy the wonderful facilities and playgrounds straight after school however I need all of the community to please support this practice in the following ways.

If students are to use the playground after school parents must be actively supervising from right next to the playground. Playgrounds are also only available for use after school until 3:30pm, this is 30 minutes after school is finished. From 3:30pm all playgrounds are required for our after school care program and as such must be vacated. Please remember that all playgrounds are ‘off-limits’ before school. I appreciate everyone’s support with this.

Cyber Safety: what are your children doing on-line?

Throughout the year, it has regularly been brought to our attention that students are using Instagram, and other forms of social media, as a form of communication outside school hours. We understand that, for kids and teens, social media is an important part of their lives, much the way telephones were important to us at their age. We do; however, want to bring to your attention that social issues, problems and conflict that arise ‘outside’ school have been resurfacing ‘inside’ school, creating and exacerbating conflict between students and social groups. The amount of time that class teachers are spending resolving problems that arise from social media is becoming more and more concerning and impacts on time for teaching and learning. Whilst on-line, children may also be exposed to concepts, themes, subjects and even images that are developmentally inappropriate and damaging to their emotional wellbeing.

The minimum age to open an account on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Music.ly, Pinterest, Tumblr, Kik and Snapchat is 13 which excludes almost all students at Windsor State School. YouTube requires account holders to be 18, but a 13-year-old can sign up with a parent's permission. Check out Instagram tips for parents at

Parents, we respectfully ask that you monitor your child’s Instagram and other internet accounts to ensure that they are being used appropriately. It has also been reported to us that students are using forms of communication, like Instagram, late into the night. Perhaps parents/caregivers are unaware of this; however, it may be a good idea to collect your child/children’s electronic devices and store them in a central area before bed time. Restricting access to social media and the internet will inevitably reduce the social difficulties these children then experience at school the following day.

Sleep is a vital need, essential to a child’s health and growth. Sleep promotes alertness, memory and performance. Children who get enough sleep are more likely to function better and are less prone to behavioural problems and moodiness. That is why it is important for parents to start early and help their children develop good sleep habits. Many health professionals recommend that school children aged 5-12 years should be getting approximately 10-11 hours of sleep per night.

WindsorFest Gallery

Check out these amazing images of WindsorFest. Thank you again to all who contributed to making WindsorFest such a special community event. Follow the link below:

Sea Wolves Swim Club

Congratulations to the Sea Wolves who won their 10th consecutive Marsden McAllen Shield last weekend at the Stafford SS pool. A great effort by all Windsor SS students who displayed “The Windsor Way” all the way to victory. Thanks to everyone involved.

Deputy Principal’s Report

Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies

This semester, we have been implementing the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies in Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 at Windsor SS. Next year, this new subject will also be implemented in Years 3 and 4, with Years 5 and 6 following in 2018.

Digital Technologies is a new subject in the Australian Curriculum. It has not been a subject in previous Queensland curriculums. In the past, we have taught and assessed ‘Technology’ as a subject, which may involve digital technologies, but is primarily focused on the design, make and appraise process. These understandings and skills will continue to be covered under the Australian Curriculum: Design Technologies.

The information below is the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies rationale. This rationale, along with further details on the Digital Technologies curriculum is available at the Australian Curriculum website.

Rationale

In a world that is increasingly digitised and automated, it is critical to the wellbeing and sustainability of the economy, the environment and society, that the benefits of information systems are exploited ethically. This requires deep knowledge and understanding of digital systems (a component of an information system) and how to manage risks. Ubiquitous digital systems such as mobile and desktop devices and networks are transforming learning, recreational activities, home life and work. Digital systems support new ways of collaborating and communicating, and require new skills such as computational and systems thinking. These technologies are an essential problem-solving toolset in our knowledge-based society.

The Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies empowers students to shape change by influencing how contemporary and emerging information systems and practices are applied to meet current and future needs. A deep knowledge and understanding of information systems enables students to be creative and discerning decision-makers when they select, use and manage data, information, processes and digital systems to meet needs and shape preferred futures.

Digital Technologies provides students with practical opportunities to use design thinking and to be innovative developers of digital solutions and knowledge. The subject helps students to become innovative creators of digital solutions, effective users of digital systems and critical consumers of information conveyed by digital systems.

Digital Technologies provides students with authentic learning challenges that foster curiosity, confidence, persistence, innovation, creativity, respect and cooperation. These are all necessary when using and developing information systems to make sense of complex ideas and relationships in all areas of learning. Digital Technologies helps students to be regional and global citizens capable of actively and ethically communicating and collaborating.

Roxanne O’Donoghue
Deputy Principal

Pastoral Care Focus

Is Authoritative Parenting Always the Optimum Style?

Research has indicated that an authoritative (warm and responsive) parenting style is associated with healthy developmental outcomes for children. Two researchers set out to establish which parenting style is associated with optimum youth outcomes among adolescents of Spanish families.

They surveyed a sample of 1,416 teenagers from 12–17 years of age and asked them to report on their parent’s child-rearing practices. The teens’ parents were classified into one of four groups - authoritative, authoritarian, indulgent or neglectful. The adolescents were then contrasted on four different outcomes – self-esteem (academic, social, emotional, family and physical), psychosocial maladjustment (hostility/aggression, negative self-esteem and self-adequacy, emotional irresponsiveness and instability and negative worldview), personal competence (social competence, grade point average, and number of failing grades) and problem behaviours (school misconduct, delinquency and drug use).

Results showed that both the indulgent and authoritative parenting styles were associated with better outcomes than authoritarian and neglectful parenting.

Overall, results supported the idea that in Spain the optimum style of parenting is the indulgent one, as adolescents' scores in the four sets of youth outcomes were equal or better than the authoritative style of parenting.

Key findings:

• Adolescents from indulgent families scored more positively on the four sets of outcomes than did those from authoritarian and neglectful families.
• Surprisingly, adolescents from authoritative families performed worse than those from indulgent families on several outcomes associated with emotional adjustment and academic achievement. Adolescents from indulgent families compared with those from authoritative families were less emotionally responsive (i.e., more emotionally insulated from others), held a more negative worldview (i.e., an overall evaluation of life as more insecure, threatening, hostile or uncertain), scored lower on emotional self-esteem (i.e., positive feelings and self-appraisal about one's emotional state and control over Stressors), and scored worse on the number of failing grades.

Things you can do:

• Communicate and be open to compromise. Open communication is a given, and there will be times when we need to meet our kids half way to achieve a positive outcome.
• Admit mistakes. If you’ve made a mistake, say so. Kids respect honesty, not double standards.
• Kids need to know where they stand. Clear rules and realistic expectations work every time.
• Consequences work. Effective consequences are task-specific, time-specific and related to the behaviour you want to see change.
• Don’t argue or debate. If boundaries and consequences are set, there’s little point in arguing the toss. Consequences can be changed, provided they’re still task and time-specific and attainable.
• Be willing to listen. Kids often have a valid point to make or a reason for not sticking to boundaries. Listening helps to give us insight into what’s going on in their heads.
• Create down time. Yes, parents need downtime, but so do kids. Family down time can be as simple as playing an app together.
• Keep praise in context. Cleaning teeth is not praiseworthy, it’s expected. Only push the praise button when appropriate.
• Get to know your kids’ peer groups. Socialisation is a significant aspect of healthy development. Get to know your kids’ friends, invite them over to play or hang out together.

Source: F. Garcia, E. Gracia, Is always authoritative the optimum parenting style? Evidence from Spanish families, Adolescence, Vol. 44, No 173, Spring 2009. Libra Publishers Inc.

Follow this link to YCDI Parents for more information and/or to subscribe to the ParentingWorks Newsletter

Photo Book Project

Parent and Professional Photographer Amanda Keane will be creating photo books for each class in Prep to Year 5 and one book with all of the Year 6 students. Each book will have a photo of each child in that class with some questions answered by the children. Amanda has been doing these books for the last couple of years for the classes her own children have been in and they have always been a big hit with the teachers and parents alike. The books can be used to form part of a thank you gift for teachers and will also be available to purchase as a wonderful keepsake from your child’s year at Windsor SS.

The books are a 5x7 inch soft cover and will be available for purchase by any parents. The books will cost $25 and 20% of all profits will come back to the P&C.

Photos will be taken this week. Permission forms have been sent home and need to be returned to class teachers as soon as possible. This permission is required for your child’s photo to be included in the photo book, along with their first name. Order forms will be sent home at a later date. Thank you for supporting this wonderful fundraising project!

Windsor’s Got Talent!

Have you got a talent that you want to showcase? Preparations will soon be underway for the annual Windsor’s Got Talent! Nominations have now closed and auditions will be held in Week 8, with the final performance on Wednesday 7th December (Week 10) from 11.40am. Parents are welcome to come and watch the show!

The Breathe Project

Just Breathe…These simple words have been flying around our school this week along with one simple breathing technique. This technique aims to enhance mindfulness and wellbeing and reduce stress and anxiety.

The Breathe Project is an independent health promotion initiative empowering youth, schools and communities with one simple breathing technique. The project teaches students and teachers how to practically use this technique and integrate it into the classroom.

This term, Breathe Project Founders Kat & Bodhi dropped in to educate Windsor SS students and teachers on how to breathe correctly and they also encourage parents to join the project. More information is available at

QParents

Our school now has QParents. Parents should have received an invitation email or letter by now and it’s great to see that so many parents have registered already.

If you have not received an invitation, please advise us immediately. QParents will soon become an integral part of how we communicate with parents. Get on board to enjoy the ease and convenience that QParents offers.

Help us become more ‘paper-less’ by registering for QParents now!

School Stuff

There are three simple methods for filling orders through Schoolstuff:

• ONLINE: Go to the Schoolstuff website at any time to place your order. You can either have your order despatched to your chosen address or it can be collected from our warehouse. Orders are despatched on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays.
• PHONE: Call us on 33917000 and we will place the order for you.
• RETAIL STORE: Visit our store at 81A Caswell St East Brisbane for an instant service. Our staff will pick and pack your order for you while you wait. The store is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays 9am -4pm throughout the year, including school holidays.

Master Teacher’s Report

Master Teacher Update

Reading

Before school Reading Intervention

Just a reminder that the following programs will finish at the end of week 7.

Spelling

Often we are confused by terminology used. What is the difference between phonological awareness, phonemic awareness and phonics?

The following information is taken from, “Sound Waves”, 2016, the basis of our spelling program.

Understanding phonological awareness, phonemic awareness and phonics

Updates to the Australian Curriculum are shining a spotlight on teaching phonological awareness (in particular, phonemic awareness) and phonics. Whilst they are closely related, phonological awareness, phonemic awareness and phonics do not mean the same thing. Because they all begin with the Greek root phon meaning sound, it is often thought that they are synonymous.

Phonological awareness is a broad concept that relates to the structure of spoken language. It requires understanding of sounds, words, rhyme, syllables, and onset and rime.

Phonemic awareness is a subset of phonological awareness. It relates specifically to the individual phonemes for the words of Australian English. It incorporates the ability to segment words into their component sounds.

As all phonological awareness skills (including phonemic awareness) are sound based, students participating in purely phonological awareness activities would not be expected to write anything down.

Phonics is the understanding that there is a systematic connection between the phonemes heard in oral language and the graphemes (letters and letter combinations) used in writing.

Phonics is also used to describe the teaching of reading and spelling by focusing on sound–letter correspondences.

Unlike phonological awareness, phonics activities integrate sound and print. Students participating in phonics activities are required to write!



Games to play with your children for phonological awareness (including phonemic awareness) and phonics proficiency:

1. Rhyming Clue - answer the clue with an appropriate rhyming word.
   Examples: ‘I rhyme with ten and you can write with me.’ (pen)
   ‘I rhyme with red and you can sleep in me.’ (bed)
   ‘I rhyme with get and I mean not dry.’ (wet)
2. Whose Name? Explore the sounds in one another’s names.
   Examples: ‘Whose name starts with /b/?’
   ‘Whose name has three sounds?’
   ‘Whose name ends with /t/?’
3. Build a Word from a given grapheme -
   Nominate a grapheme, e.g. ee.
4. Students write the grapheme several times in a vertical list.
5. Ask students to create words from the grapheme, e.g. ‘Turn the grapheme into green.’
6. Students write letters before and after the grapheme to make the word.
7. Repeat this for other words, e.g. sleep, street, cheese, sheep.

Writing

Writing Highlights

This week, we are showcasing students from year 5.

Our Playgroup, the Windsoroos

Last Friday Kirsten Leech, from Playgroup Queensland, joined in the fun. She was very impressed with our community spirit and our school ownership of playgroup.

Just a reminder that Windsoroos finishes on Friday 2nd December 2016

Donations for the Windsoroos

We would like to thank the families who have kindly contributed their old microwaves.

We are still looking for:

• previously loved metal cooking utensils: (for the sandpit)

• An old non-working microwave to put near the sandpit to cook our sand cakes
• Dress-ups for the home corner (shoes, bags, hats, costumes…)

Thank you for recycling!
Jan Moore

ENRICHMENT UPDATE

As part of our wonderful partnership with Queensland Academies, we are able to access and participate in their new Bright Minds Program for highly capable students in Years 3 and 4.

Bright Minds Program

Years 3-4

Queensland Academies’ Young Scholars, as a leading strategy for nurturing gifted and highly capable children, is expanding and re-energising to offer a new program for students in Years 3 – 4: Bright Minds. This program is designed to support highly capable students as they commence their journey as learners influenced by the International Baccalaureate.

The program also supports those who are seeking entry into our formalised selective entry pathway from Year 5: Brilliant Futures

Program Details

Bright Minds students will be invited to participate in a range of transdisciplinary inquiry-based workshops held at the Queensland Academies campuses on Saturdays and week days after school.

Workshops will be delivered by Queensland Academies staff and feature a high level of peer mentoring by our Academy students who are best placed to model the challenging education that takes place in our unique learning environment.

If you would like to know more about this please email me ekemp14@eq.edu.au.

Warm Regards
Emma Kemph