13 September 2017

Newsletter Articles

Across the Principal’s Desk…

Students with additional needs at Windsor:

At Windsor, we are proud of the work we do to support students with a disability, to ensure that they are able to access education on the same or equal basis as any other student. For this reason, we are dedicated to providing inclusive education (students with disabilities working within mainstream classrooms). Inclusive education ensures that schools are supportive and engaging places for all school community members. It builds communities that value, celebrate and respond to diversity. It is underpinned by respectful relationships between learners and school community members. It is supported by collaborative relationships with parents and communities through communication, learning partnerships, participation and consultative decision-making.

All Queensland State schools are required to adhere to legislation which ensures people with disability have access to equal participation in education and society as those without disability. The Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) aims to protect and promote the rights of people with disability. The objectives of the DDA are:

• to eliminate, as far as possible, discrimination against people on the grounds of disability
• to ensure that people with disability have the same rights before the law as the rest of the community
• to promote the principle that people with disability have the same rights as the rest of the community.

Inclusive education means that every day in every classroom, every student is learning and achieving in a safe, supportive, inclusive and disciplined learning environment. In our school and community we strive to:

• provide high-quality education for all students
• respond constructively to the needs of educationally disadvantaged/marginalised students
• view difference as a resource to support learning
• ensure that all school community members feel safe and free from discrimination, bias and harassment
• promote locally negotiated responses to student, family and community needs through effective community engagement processes and cross-agency collaboration
• ensure that inclusive education practices are embedded in all state schools policies and initiatives.

So what does this really mean?

We currently support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Visual Impairment, Intellectual Disabilities, Hearing Impairment, Physical Impairment, Down Syndrome, various medical conditions and Speech- Language Impairment. All students are integrated into classrooms and their learning needs factored into learning programs. Many of our students are also supported by our Special Education teacher, Intervention teacher and teacher aides while in class. We also have students with more ‘hidden’ disabilities including anxiety, specific medical conditions and significant learning difficulties. We cater for these students by ensuring we have key people, processes and support mechanisms to support their unique needs also. Our Deputy Principal, Mrs Roxanne O’Donoghue along with Head of Special Education (HOSE), Mrs Lesley Tomkinson, Intervention teachers Mrs Vicki Munro and Mrs Donna Lipyeat, Guidance Officer Mr Michael Lynch, coordinate, manage and lead a dedicated team so our students are effectively ‘wrapped around’ (holistically supported) to ensure that they are supported academically, socially and emotionally while at school. Their hard work and liaison with other school staff, parents, external organisations and the school Leadership Team, ensures that every child is ‘visible’ and their needs are understood and met.

We work exceptionally hard to ensure that we best met the needs of all our students, utilising school funds and the availability of qualified and specialised staff. We strive hard to employ staff that understand the unique needs of our students with disabilities, support our inclusion philosophy and processes and demonstrate empathy and compassion towards our students with additional needs and their families. As a result, we have staff who are very powerful advocates for our students with disabilities, and develop strong partnerships, to ensure that all our students have access to a high quality education, on the same or equal basis as students without disabilities.

One of the myths that I do hear is that our students with ‘disabilities’ receive special privileges, are treated better or their behaviour isn’t held to the same standards as ‘mainstream students’. Inclusion is not about elevating the needs of students with additional or special needs. The needs of students with disabilities are varied and complex. A student with Autism Spectrum Disorder may intellectually be able to meet or exceed the academic demands of the classroom, but may need support to socially interact within his/ her peers. Similarly, a student with an intellectual disability may need adjustments made to the curriculum, but is able to interact positively and productively with classmates. Some students with disabilities actually require little or no adjustment to the curriculum or learning environment, and so their school experience may be no different from that of a “mainstream” student. Inclusion therefore provides the student with disabilities the opportunity to demonstrate and be appreciated for their strengths, recognises that their needs are unique (and unlike any other student who may share the same disability) provides students with the opportunity to engage in a learning context that replicates real life. For that reason, we ensure that we differentiate our approach, processes, teaching methods and expectations to meet the individual needs of all students, including those with a disability, within the confines of the resources we have available.

It must be remembered that ‘mainstream’ students (those without a diagnosed disability) can also have a number of additional or complex learning or social-emotional needs. Classrooms are now complex places that represent a large diversity and range of student needs and challenges. Students without a disability benefit enormously from having students with a disability in their classrooms. Students with a disability provide a unique gift to ‘mainstream’ students – an opportunity for those students to develop greater empathy, kindness and compassion. These lessons cannot be taught – they have to be experienced first-hand. A number of times, I have seen students demonstrate such consideration and gentleness towards a fellow student who was struggling in their learning, their self-regulation or in their navigation of the school environment. Our schools are a microcosm of the real world, so inclusion of all is the ultimate goal, and a step towards creating a gentler, kinder world.

The ultimate goal of inclusion at our school therefore is to ensure that all students feel welcome, valued and wanted at our school. We acknowledge that at any one time, a student may be struggling with a life event – e.g. death of a family member, separation or divorce or a traumatic incident, that requires us to “wrap around” a child and their family. We have students that may have such a high level of anxiety that they refuse to get dressed and come to school – we also support these students to feel wanted, and help them to enter the classroom to ensure they have a productive and happy day. We also support students that are feeling disengaged and uninterested in school, by working with families, teachers and the students to find the cause of this disengagement and resolve it. At any one time your child may have a ‘special need’ and we will work hard to work with you to address and manage. Because we believe at Windsor that, ‘Equity is who has keys to the room. Diversity is who is in the room. Inclusion is who feels welcome in the room’.

Holidays are here

As I always say, the term has flown by so fast and there have been so many outstanding events, programs and learning experiences for our children over the past 10 weeks. It is impossible to name them all, however we have celebrated our successes and learning opportunities in whole school parades and newsletters throughout this term. The students and staff have worked incredibly hard and I would struggle to find a more dedicated group of people to work alongside. You too as parents form the third aspect of this critical school community partnership in your child’s education. Thank you for your continued support.

To finish the term on a really positive note, over the past few weeks I have had numerous conversations with parents and childcare centres around our immediate area and they were very quick to tell me that amongst the parents who have children attending these centres, our school has an outstanding reputation. Personally and professionally I would expect nothing less, it is just heartening to hear this unsolicited from members of the wider Windsor community. We have a wonderful reputation as a school community which has such a positive, forward thinking and supportive culture. Thanks to all who make this a reality!

Please have a safe and much needed break if you are taking time out and we will see you when school resumes on Tuesday 3 October!

Grant Baker

Officeworks Update

As you will be aware, the School Council and P&C has successfully negotiated with DET for the return of the Officeworks site to Windsor State School. This has been a long complicated process yet through Persistence and Confidence this incredible milestone has been achieved.

As a result of these negotiations, it was determined that the site will be developed into useful school space that could include multiuse sporting facilities, increased integration with the pool and future expansion with additional classrooms.

The existing structure, due to its age and residual life, will not be suitable for long term use and is to be demolished and removed making additional usable space. The process to complete the design, obtain council approvals, request quotations and procure the contractors to construct the works is expected to take 9 months (June next year). As such, DET and the School have agreed to extend the Officeworks lease until June next year which allows the business to source alternative premises.

The process to plan and redevelop this area in coordination with DET is complicated. A committee has been created to ensure the School’s and Students’ interests are being managed to the highest level. This committee includes the Principal, members from the School Council, professional engineers, planners, architects and builders from the School Facilities Committee. This committee is fully integrated with the DET Project Management team to ensure the Schools expectations are met and that this truly rare opportunity is fully utilised to the best possible outcome.

This is a fantastic opportunity for the School and Community. This development can be integrated into the School’s Master Plan and provides an excellent strategic opportunity to manage the School’s continued growth in a controlled organic manner.

Additional ongoing updates will be provided over the duration of the development.

STEVE ALLAN
School Facilities Committee Chair
Email: Steve.Allan@fkg.com.au

from the Deputy Principal…

ENROL NOW FOR PREP 2018!

Have you got a child born between 1 July 2012 and 30/6/2013? Enrol them now for Prep!

As our school is officially at capacity, our Enrolment Management Plan must be totally enforced. We can only offer places to students in our catchment area.

Places in Prep for 2018 are limited to 100 students, unless more students live in our catchment area. We no longer provide students in the Lutwyche Gordon Park area with guaranteed enrolment. Please check that you are in our school catchment online, via the website below.

I ask all parents currently at the school with siblings due to start school in 2018 to ensure enrolment forms are completed as soon as possible.

Playground Before and After School

A reminder that children are not to play on the playgrounds before school. If in the Early Years’ area, students are to wait with their parent/carer before school until the bell rings. No students are to be on the playground at this time. If your child has a younger sibling, please be aware that our Prep and Year 1 students are working hard from the start of school and seeing younger children playing on the equipment outside the classroom windows during class time can be quite a distraction during learning time.

From 8.30am, students are supervised under Main Building (in the warmer months) and near the 5 Keys (in the cooler months). With the exception of before school programs, if your child is to be dropped off to school prior to 8.30am, she/he will need to be enrolled in before school care.

If supervised by a parent/carer, students are welcome to use the play equipment after school until 3.30pm. Helping Hands uses these spaces for their afternoon programming, so it is important that these play spaces are cleared by all students and siblings by 3.30pm.

Casual and Temporary Teacher Availability

As you are aware, the cold and flu season is certainly upon us! Across Brisbane, students and teachers alike have unfortunately picked up some nasty viruses which result in absences from school. This can be a particularly busy time to find available relief and contract teachers. If you child’s teacher is absent, we will always endeavour to provide the most consistent teacher replacement plan as possible; however, please understand that this can be particularly difficult at this time of year. At a recent regional Principals’ meeting, the 2017 availability of contract and casual teaching staff was recognised by HR and Leadership Teams as a challenge at both school and regional levels.

RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR & CODE OF CONDUCT

Baking the cake of confidence

What is confidence?

Confidence is essentially feeling good in your own skin. It’s about not being overly concerned with what others think if you make a mistake. Confidence shows itself when kids are not afraid to fail and are happy to meet someone new. Confidence involves kids having trust in themselves and believing that they will probably be successful in the end. Confident kids stand up straight, look people in the eye, and speak clearly and with a firm tone of voice.

Confidence is also a also a way of thinking that involves being optimistic, not being afraid to make mistakes, not worrying too much what others think of you when your work isn’t perfect and, most importantly, accepting yourself when you haven’t achieved what you’ve set out to learn.

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

Active School Travel

Every family has received 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

This is Windsor State School’s last week to fundraise for Jump Rope for Heart. We have already raised over $7,000 this term! Can we make it to $8,000 before the end of the week? On the last day of term, all students will participate in our ‘Jump-Off’ to celebrate the great efforts that have been made at Windsor SS to raise awareness and funds.

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 via the link below 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

Age Appropriate Pedagogies: Play-based learning

Sailing the seas

What is Play-based learning?

• opportunities for children to actively and imaginatively engage with people, objects and the environment in spontaneous, imaginative and life-like play (socio-dramatic, puppet, media, block, sand, water play)
• promotes the holistic development (physical, social, emotional, cognitive and creative) of a child
• can be teacher or child-initiated and directed
• Models, supports, initiates and generates play to include the use of (for example) miniature worlds, socio-dramatic, puppet, media, block, sand, water

What will it look like?

• children organising, constructing, manipulating, pretending, exploring, investigating, creating, interacting, imagining, negotiating and making sense of their worlds
• teachers scaffolding /guiding play/asking questions
• teachers collaborating with children to promote learning in play
• teachers adopting a role to support children’s sociodramatic
• teachers and children adding resources to the socio-dramatic play space (for example - writing materials, books, dress-ups)
• teachers using pre and post play discussions to build enthusiasm and identify narrative possibilities
• teachers modelling and introducing relevant language and vocabulary
• assisting children to document, annotate and share their play experiences

Reading:

Attached is an interesting article on how important reading aloud is to children at home and at school.

Before school Reading Intervention

All before school reading programs, except Year 1 MiniLit, have finished for Term 3. Before school MiniLit will finish on Thursday 14th September and will begin again on Tuesday 3rd October.

This week I have been collaborating with teachers and assessing all students in our before school programs and all MiniLit programs. If you wish to discuss your child’s progress, please email me to make an appointment.

Our Playgroup, the Windsoroos

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.

Chess

Last month, nine Windsor students competed in the Winter Somerville House Chess Tournament to great success. Playing in the Novice Division the team of Archie L, Henry H, Lachlan W and Jake L finished 5th out of 25 teams. Meanwhile Henry C, Sam W, Zach S, Acton A and James W played in the Beginner Division.

All the boys had a very good day but in particular Sam won 4.5 games out of 6 and finished 4th while Henry won 5 out of 6 and finished 2nd out of 59 students. Congratulations to all these boys!

Last Thursday, 10 students represented Windsor State School at the North Brisbane Inter-School Competition. The top team of Archie L, Aidan Y, Henry H & Lachlan W finished 6th in the Premier Division playing against the strongest teams in Brisbane.

In the C Division, our younger team of Zac S, Sam W, Euan B & Acton A won the day finishing 1st out of the 32 teams in their division. In particular, Euan won 6 games out of 7 and finished 2nd out of 99 players.

In the D Division, Polly L and Orlando L also did well winning 3 and 4 games respectively. Congratulations to all these students!

The Windsor Chess Club meets on Thursday afternoons for any students interested in joining in term 4.

Regards,

Martin Harmon
Windsor Chess Coach

TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR WINDSORFLIX – CINEMA UNDER THE STARS

The anticipated follow-up to our very successful trivia night, is another new event perfect for the whole family. It’s called WindsorFlix and it’s a gorgeous evening of cinema under the stars.

Enjoy an afternoon of sideshow games, food and fun, culminating in Windsor SS’s very first open-air cinema night in the school’s quadrangle.

Settle in under the stars with a gourmet BBQ dinner, soft drinks, popcorn, choc tops and other delights.

Get nice and comfy with your own blanket, bean bags or camp chairs. Our cinema will preview finalist entries of the Year 6 short film competition, as well as a new release family movie.

Ticket Info:

Purchase you tickets now via Munch Monitor.

Family up to 3 $20 4 or more $30
Sideshow Games Card $10 for six chances to play and win.

You can also buy tickets at the gate, with EFT and cash facilities available for food, drink and entertainment.

Or visit the P&C News and Events Page here.

Helping Hands

Hey Everyone

We have been having so much fun at Helping Hands Windsor! With August being Multicultural month, we have had the amazing Sonia (Azad and Sienna’s Mum) come in to share their Italian culture with us through a pizza making class. All the children thoroughly enjoyed the homemade pizza dough along with adding their own topping to make their amazingly delicious creations. Even some of our parents stayed to join in on the pizza making and eating fun! I

We also had fun during Book Week festivities by offering various booking readings, Where’s Wally Scavenger Hunt, BFG Dream Jars. The children also explored STEAM concepts with our The Hungry Caterpillar Chromatography Butterflies which has certainly been of interest to the children since the awesome STEAM workshops have been available at the school in the afternoons. Due to the new interest in STEAM, we have also been experimenting with engineering through various equipment we offer within the service. Our Before School Care Kids got to try their hands at open ended building and engineering using some of our new equipment and here’s what they created.

As the term draws to a close, we’re seeing this wonderful group of kids relax as the holidays approach. The impact that the great programs offered by the school is becoming increasingly apparent as we are seeing confident communicators emerge, keen to share ideas and knowledge with one another. Some highlights have been seeing Ruby R helping other students to interpret tricky origami instructions on Friday morning, and Bonnie H instructing younger students on the steps required to create a stellar spring paper crown.

With our holiday program, we are looking forward to offering so many different activities such as yarn bombing, butterfly gardens, hobbit houses, Japanese Tea Ceremony, cooking, onesie party, African safari scavenger hunt along with a visit to Suncorp Stadium! So, if that sounds like your kind of holidays be sure to fill in the attached booking form. We hope you all have a safe and fun holiday period and we look forward to seeing you all in term 4!

The Helping Hands Windsor Team

Jo Hodge Swim School