2 August 2017

Newsletter Articles

Across the Principal’s Desk…

Students of Tomorrow

Wouldn't it be great if we all had a crystal ball to determine what the future will hold for us and in particular our children? We could map out our entire lives and navigate through the tough things and certainly manipulate it to such an extent as to make life pretty easy. However, whilst this is never likely to be the case, it would also make for a rather predictable and boring existence. Obviously, no one wants to have terrible events happen to them, but reality is that these things are often not in our control, just as it is not easy to predict the success or otherwise of our children as they grow up into adults.

What we can do though, is develop in our students the skills and capabilities they will require to live, work and contribute to our global society in a meaningful and fulfilling way. Through our shared school vision, we are ensuring all students achieve social, emotional and academic success in an inclusive and challenging learning environment. It is far beyond academic success that we pitch our dreams and aspirations for our students and what we want to see them ‘exit’ Windsor with at the end of their primary schooling in year six.

Over the past term and a half, I have spoken with a number of past students both in our school grounds or at some of the local high schools when attending a meeting and have been impressed to see how they have continued to grow and mature into wonderful, responsible young adolescents. It was great to hear them speak so positively and fondly of their time at Windsor, but more so what they believe they learned and took with them to their secondary schooling experience. It resonated of learning to be collaborative, critical and creative thinkers, and effective communicators with a real understanding of how to be a productive citizen in a whole new context. They valued so much of what they had learned throughout primary school and most of this was about building relationships and caring about others.

In an article I read recently (and have attached for your perusal) entitled ‘4 Predictions for Students’ Tomorrows’, the author outlines some predictions for what students will require and why we need to teach them. I think one of the greatest challenges he puts to readers is the question of what pieces of our own education we are now using as adults. The truth is that many highly successful people gain success without remembering large amounts of material they learned in school. Much of the information we were tested on has not been relevant to our lives and has been forgotten. There are some basic concepts that we do learn ’just in case’ we need them, but most of the useful learning we undertake is what is considered ’just in time’. ‘Just in time’ is about accessing information when we need it to move forward with our learning or application of a concept. In the simplest example, if you go snow skiing you undertake ‘just in time’ learning because you do it in the moment. It’s important to understand how to do something right at that point in time. It’s much like driving a car. If you learn a skill or develop a capability, it is because you need to access it right at that point. If not used, those facts or information are forgotten. To be honest, I sometimes question the concept of learning a whole heap of facts in this day and age of global knowledge which is at our fingertips? Better to learn the skills of how to critically analyse the information presented to make sense of what we need at that moment.

Whilst we focus very clearly and concisely on the teaching of literacy and numeracy at Windsor as this forms the basis of all other skills and capabilities, we are in a very exciting phase of developing inquiry focused units of work which will challenge students at their own developmental level and tap into their interests through a range and balance of teaching approaches, including project based learning. We also have our exciting program commencing in Week 6, the ‘Innovators of Tomorrow’ program (further details included in this newsletter edition). What an exciting time to be learning at Windsor!

Our Year 4 Pilot BYO iPad program begins next week!

From next week, we are commencing our Pilot BYO iPad program across all Year 4 classes! All Year 4 students have been invited to voluntarily bring an iPad to school to use as their own personal learning device. Our belief is that personal devices allow for differentiation of teaching and learning and that they are fantastic vehicles of creativity and self-expression. We will hold a BYO parent information evening for current Year 3 parents in Term 4 for 2018. We will also offer practical parent workshops across the final term.

Last Thursday evening we held a BYO iPad parent information session and it was great to see a large representation of the year 4 parent cohort in attendance. At this session, we discussed ‘learning’ and how it can be enhanced and supported through the use of technology. The presentation from last Thursday has been uploaded to the school's website ( in the BYO folder ), along with many other resources. We have also developed a very comprehensive BYO information booklet - please refer to this document for more details about the program. Finally, we also plan to develop an iTunesU course and school blog that will be continually updated and share many learning stories from our BYO program.

The strategic future rollout of the BYO iPad Program

• From Week 5 Term 3, 2017 – Year 4 Pilot iPad program commences
• 2018 – Year 4 and 5 iPad program implementation for all students
• 2019 – Year 4, 5 and 6 iPad program implementation for all students

Once again I would like to thank our School Council who have supported and endorsed our school’s directions with this initiative.

Windsor State School is fully committed to providing technology rich learning environments to ensure that students are equipped with the necessary skills to be successful citizens of the future.

How is Technology Transforming Education? Sir Ken Robinson

Parade time change

From Week 7, our weekly parade will move to a new starting time of 2pm.

This time change will ensure the morning session is able to be used as prime teaching and learning time for students and classroom teachers.

Please join us as a whole school community from 2pm to celebrate our weekly achievements and hear about the exciting things happening across Windsor.

2017 Voluntary Contribution information

Please click here to view the letter that was sent out in February this year.

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed this year. Payment can be made by direct deposit into the school bank account BSB 064 114, Account 00090145 or by EFTPOS or cash at the office.

Grant Baker

Family Education Programs – ALL FULLY BOOKED

Please find below information about Family Education Programs that are being facilitated in the school Hall during Term 3. These family sessions will take place on the following dates and will cover:

Tuesday 1 August 2017, 6:00-7:30pm – Family Education – Preparing for puberty (recommended for Year 5)
Tuesday 29 August 2017, 6:00-7:30pm – Family Education – Introduction to reproduction (recommended for Year 6)

All of these sessions are now fully booked with a current waitlist. If you have indicate that you will be attending, but will be unable to make it, please advise the office as soon as possible so that your place can be offered to a family on the waitlist.

If you have any questions please contact me at the school or contact True Relationships and Reproductive Health directly on 3250 0240 or check out their website at:

STUDENT COUNCIL DISCO

The Student Council welcomes everyone back to the final disco of the year on THURSDAY 3RD AUGUST. This Disco helps to raise money to support student council projects at the school.

The theme of this disco is: MOVIE/CARTOON CHARACTERS

Students are invited to dress up as a movie or cartoon character of their choice.

Tickets will be available in the Early Years Precinct, before 8:50am in the week leading up to the Disco ($5.00 single ticket; $10.00 family ticket- 2 or more). Pre-purchasing tickets makes it quicker and easier to get into the disco.

The Disco times are as follows:

Prep-Year 2 5:15pm-6:30pm
Year 3-6 7:00pm-8:30pm

All Prep-Year 2 students must be accompanied by their parent/guardian at all times during the Disco. Parents/Guardians, you are responsible for your own children. Teachers will supervise at the Year 3-6 Disco. Parents are not required to stay at this Disco, but must collect students promptly at 8:30pm. Food and drink will be on sale at the Disco.

National Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (the national data collection) is an annual collection that counts the number of school students receiving an adjustment due to disability and the level of reasonable adjustment they are receiving.

The national data collection counts students who have been identified by a school team as receiving an adjustment to address a disability as defined under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (the DDA).

School Opinion Survey

The annual suite of School Opinion Surveys will be conducted 31 July to 25 August 2017. All families, school staff and a random sample of students will be invited to participate. We encourage you to take this opportunity to have your say about what this school does well, and how this school can improve.

This fortnight, access details for the Parent/Caregiver Survey will be sent home with students. School computers will be available, upon request, for parents/caregivers who are unable to complete the survey at home.

Survey queries or requests for translations can be directed to admin@windsorss.eq.edu.au or (07) 3866 4333.

RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR & CODE OF CONDUCT

Resilience is key to coping with adversity. We all need the ability to bounce back and put things into perspective. As parents, we can focus not only on language and activities that promote positive development and resilience, but also create opportunities where our kids’ parents, teachers and friends can do so as well. Resilience involves behaviours, thoughts and actions that can be learned over time. When our kids experience the power of positive emotions, the community they move in has the opportunity to do so as well.

For more information and resources on positive and effective parenting, visit:

Active School Travel

This week, every family will receive a Windsor State School Active School Travel Map. This map shows different Active School Travel routes, bikeways, crossings and more! There are also suggested routes where you can park outside the 6-8 minute walk radius from the school gate and walk or ride the final part of your journey. Part way is okay! You can download a copy of the map below. This map makes it easy to for parents, students and staff to find their best walking, riding or public transport route to school. Families may also like to use the map on the weekend to re-discover the local area.

Jump Rope for Heart

Windsor State School is participating in the Heart Foundation Jump Rope for Heart program and we would love your support! The House Captains, together with the support of the Student Council, are running this exciting initiative. Heart Foundation Jump Rope for Heart is an exciting and non-competitive program which encourages children to become more active through skipping, learning new skills and raising vital funds for heart research and community health programs. We also receive 10 per cent of the funds raised to use here at school. Jump Rope for Heart is also a great way to encourage children to get involved in our community and support Australia’s leading heart health charity, the Heart Foundation.

If you choose to register your child online, a secure fundraising page will be created as soon as you register, and you can then share this link with as many people as possible. This is an easy, safe way for your child to monitor their progress, receive bonus prizes and even receive sponsorship from family and friends who are further afield. Please be mindful of Cyber Safety when setting up your child’s registration page. For example, you do not need to display full name/s or photos on your child’s sponsorship page.

As students raise money, they not only help support the Heart Foundation and the school, but they are also rewarded with exciting Thank You Prizes! These include skipping ropes, soccer balls and even trampolines and flying cars! Thank you for joining us in the fight against heart disease!

The list of Thank You Prizes can be viewed at:

Follow Windsor SS on Facebook & Twitter!

Get the most up-to-date information and school alerts by following Windsor State School on Facebook and Twitter @Windsor_SS.

You can also access important school information and alerts, including Facebook/Twitter, via the QSchools app! Download it now and keep informed of everything that is happening at our school.

QParents…please get on board!

Our school also has QParents. Parents will receive an invitation email or letter to register this week. Prep parents will also receive a Student ID card containing an EQ ID number to register.

If you do not receive an invitation (QPAO), please advise Admin ASAP. QParents is one of the ways we communicate with parents, get on board to enjoy the ease and convenience that QParents offers.

QParents is also the means by which parents access Student Reports. It is important to register now as printed reports are no longer sent home at the end of each Semester. Help us become more ‘paper-less’ by registering for QParents now!

Master Teacher’s Report

Master Teacher / STLaN Update

ADHD: Dr Russell Barkley - 30 essential ideas you should know about ADHD

Below is a very informative and interesting link.

Reading: MultiLit Literacy Intervention Program

During the first week of this term, Sue Paul and I attended a two day PD on MiniLit (Meeting Initial Needs in Literacy). This early literacy intervention program is a research initiative of Macquarie University.

What is MiniLit?

An explicit and systematic program designed to be delivered by trained teachers or teacher aides to small groups of young struggling readers (Years 1 and 2) at least four times a week.

Components of MiniLit

• Phonemic awareness
• Phonics
• Fluency
• Comprehension
• Vocabulary

Student selection

• PM Reading benchmarks
• Report card Data – below year level standard

Getting Started

• Five more teacher aides will be trained on 7th August
• Parent letters sent home on 1st August
• Program will begin on Tuesday 8th August
• Parent information session TBA

Before school Reading Intervention

Below is the timetable for the before school reading programs currently running. At the moment, we do not have any vacancies. The phonological awareness and support-a-reader programs for year one students are currently being revised.

Our Playgroup, the Windsoroos

FUN, FUN, FUN at Windsoroos

Remember, Windsoroos runs on a Friday afternoon from 1:30 -3:00pm. We start in the Helping Hands area under Constitution Building.

2017 Timetable for the Windsoroos:

For more information about our playgroup, please click on the attachment below.

We look forward to having fun and growing with you and your child/children at the Windsoroos Playgroup.

Innovators of Tomorrow Program…

We are getting very close to launching our Innovators of Tomorrow Program workshops. This program is a direct outcome of our community and staff STEAM ‘think tank’ sessions that we held last term. The Innovators of Tomorrow program is an exciting after school initiative that aims to engage Windsor students in a variety of STEAM Clubs and inspire our students to create legacies that redefine our world.

Week 6 will see Wednesday and Thursday afternoon hustling and bustling with busy teachers, parent/community volunteers and students engaged in Science, Coding, Design Thinking and a kids Entrepreneurial program just to name a few. Whilst we are still finalising a few minor details, we wanted to give you a quick overview of what is in stall.

Please refer to the Innovators of Tomorrow infographic for more information about the clubs that will be on offer this term.

HOW TO REGISTER

With regard to how to register for the workshops, registrations will be via Eventbrite. This link will be available on Tuesday 7 August at 8am. You will have the option to enrol your child in one of the offered workshops – this is to ensure many students can become involved in this program. These workshops (and potentially different ones) will also be offered in term 4. The school will issue an invoice for $25 in week 7. Please note, the Club Kidprenuer workshop is $50 as it is a ten week course and will continue next term.

The year levels described is a guide only, if you feel another program is suitable and manageable for your child, please contact me before Friday.

Finally, if you would like to volunteer your time or expertise or even if you just want to learn more about any of these workshops please let me know which program you are interested in ekemp14@eq.edu.au.

Windsor dad Michael Powell, father of Jaime in grade 6 and Oliver in grade 3 is planning to swim the English Channel. He will do this as a soloist.

My time is getting closer. I will be swimming at the end of August 2017. My tide window opens 27th August which means I could go straight away or spend some time waiting for the right conditions. Worst case I might not even get a swim but so far the Channel weather has been looking good this summer.

I will be leaving on the 17th August to spend a few days before hand getting acclimatised.

I have been training for this specific event since March 2016 and have clocked up just on 2,000km in the pool and open water.

In order to give some broader meaning to my swim I am raising funds for Foodbank Qld and in particular their School Breakfast Program which provides over 200,000 breakfasts the last year to ensure kids from unfortunate backgrounds have a meal to start the day and help them with their ability to learn.

Foodbank have organised a fundraising event for the Thursday 10th August from 6 – 9 pm at the Newstead Brewery Milton. See attached poster or below. Organise a party to come along it should be fun with beer and wine tasting and comfort food on offer. There will also be raffles and auction.

I’d love it if you felt you could support the cause and come along for the event or simply support at everydayhero.com.au - Michael swims to fight hunger

On the day you can track my swim at:

My boat is called Masterpeace and you can track its movement and therefore me for the whole time it will take. Pack sandwiches for the day because it could take anything between 15 – 20 hours.

Thanks for your support.

Yours in the corner

Michael

Helping Hands

Hello from the Helping Hands Windsor team!
A quick wrap up of our first few weeks of term 3!

As we head into August, the children are excitedly talking about the school disco, and the upcoming People’s Holiday. The mornings have been super chilly, but that hasn’t stopped a large group from heading out to play each day. Xavier M’s interest in running and football has inspired other kids, who often join him in his sporting efforts each morning. We’ve had some great team games of touch football, as well as a fantastic tug of war game, that lasted for most of the morning!

Sammy led a scientific enquiry the other morning, exploring the impact of lemon juice on the storage of bananas for our afternoon tea. This involved big discussions around hypothesising, documenting, and how to set up a control! In the end, we found that lemon juice is not as helpful with bananas as it is with storing apples!

Friday afternoon saw our afternoon tea area turned into a restaurant! The children set the table with some donated party supplies, and set out the leftover afternoon tea. Many children and parents sat down and enjoyed being served water and fresh fruit by Ava and her team, and it ended our week in such a lovely way.

From the Helping Hands Windsor Team.