28 March 2018

Newsletter Articles

Across the Principal’s Desk…

Colour Explosion a HUGE success!

Well done to our PE teacher Mr Adam Goddard and our AMAZING P&C for a very colourful event last week with our inaugural Colour Explosion event. What fantastic fun it was with everyone getting into the action and spraying us with colour at their stations. Special thanks go to Tony Luscombe for building the A Frame obstacles and to Michael O’Brien who donated the tyres.

Proceeds from the funds raised at this event will now go towards the ‘cooling the school’ initiative. Thank you to all families and students who participated so eagerly and contributed to this event. The prizes for students will be ordered this week and should arrive sometime in early Term 2.

Little Athletics Champion

Congratulation to Ethan from Year 3 who recently finished in 4th place (U9 700m Walk) and jumped 105cm (U9 High Jump) at the Little Athletics Queensland State Championships last week. We acknowledged and celebrated Ethan’s achievement on assembly on Monday but I wanted to include a variety of images from his recent events. Well done Ethan!

2018 Voluntary Financial Contribution Scheme

This week you will receive a letter outlining our school’s 2018 Voluntary Financial Contribution Scheme.

I have also included it in this edition of the newsletter for your reference.

Thank you for your consideration, as these funds go towards assisting us in providing additional opportunities for your child at school.

School Advisory Council

At the last P&C meeting (19 March) a component of the evening was voting on a new Parent Representative to join the School Advisory Council for the next 2 years.

Congratulations to Mr Steven Allan who was elected for this position.

Congratulations also go to Mrs Jeanette Baigent who was elected to represent the non-teaching staff for the next 2 years.

The School Advisory Council has been in existence since we became an Independent Public School in 2016. The group which is made up of the School Advisory Chair, P&C President, a parent representative, Principal and two staff representatives (one from teaching staff and one from non-teaching staff), meets for an hour and a half before each monthly P&C meeting. It has an advisory function, in terms of assisting with strategic planning for the school overall, based on the direction indicated by the school leadership team, the staff and the school community. It is not a decision making body, rather it offers advice to the leadership team and staff regarding ‘big picture’ strategic plans and many other areas the Principal would like to consult on.

I would like to thank the outgoing School Advisory Chair, Mrs Katrina Smith for her professionalism, dedication and commitment to the school and School Council and I look forward to working with a new School Advisory Council over the next two years.

Term 2 Student Free Day

Just a reminder to all that school resumes on Tuesday 17 April as the Monday has been declared a Student Free Day due to the Commonwealth Games. Our teachers will be working this day, focussing on professional learning in the area of Inclusion and Differentiation.

Happy Easter
Grant Baker

RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR & CODE OF CONDUCT

Social Emotional Learning

YCDI is a program that teaches children a number of different skills that they need to be successful and happy, not only at school but during their years in primary, secondary school and beyond. “Successful” means every child doing the best they can. “Happy” suggests children who like themselves and have a good self-esteem, have friends, work hard in learning activities at school, challenge themselves, help others in need, and make school and home a safe and organised place to live and learn. As part of our Pastoral Care program, YCDI aims to establish an environment where children will not spend a lot of time feeling extremely sad, worried or angry and will not want to fight with others or spend a lot of time alone and withdrawn from play or work activities.

There are 5 Foundations (5 Keys) that young people need to develop in order to be successful and happy. These are:

CONFIDENCE
PERSISTENCE
ORGANISATION
GETTING ALONG
EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE

Although these words may seem “very grown up”, especially for Early Childhood, the YCDI program will introduce each Foundation (Key) with a character: Connie Confidence; Pete Persistence; Oscar Organisation; Gabby Get Along and Ricky Resilience. The Foundations (Keys) will also be emphasised in Social Emotional focussed teaching and Pastoral Care, through children’s stories, in creative lessons and activities and in songs. These different components will give your child time to learn about and practise each Foundation (Key) thoroughly. It is important that parents talk to children about the 5 keys and use the language of You Can Do It at home also!!

GO FOR GOLD!

Bronze…Silver and Gold!

Our Whole School Responsible Behaviour Plan has been developed around students’ behaviour choices and their commitment to our school rules, beliefs and values (Respect for Self; Respect for Others; Respect for the School). Bronze (C- Satisfactory), Silver (B- often very good), and Gold (A- consistently excellent) levels are achieved when students achieve specific criteria. These criteria are related to the school beliefs and values about RESPECT and the development of the 5 keys to success and happiness, CONFIDENCE; PERSISTENCE; ORGANISATION; GETTING ALONG; RESILIENCE. All students (except Prep who work through the Early Years program) begin on Bronze at the beginning of the year and may apply for Silver (after 4 weeks on Bronze) and Gold (after 6 weeks on Silver) as the year progresses.

Students may progress up, or down, these levels as a result of the choices they make. Again, being a Silver or Gold student reflects an awareness and understanding of our schools’ values and beliefs about Respect and the development of the five foundations. It is the responsibility of each student to follow the process when applying to become a Gold/Silver student. This process includes completing an application, demonstrating that they meet the criteria of behaviours, negotiating with classroom teachers and acquiring the necessary signatures to confirm that they demonstrate each of the criteria. Students in Years 1-6 may begin their applications for Silver in Term 1, Week 5 beginning Monday 19th February 2018. Class Teachers will present them with the criteria sheets.

The school acknowledges positive role models of behaviour in many ways throughout the year (merit badges; public acknowledgements; ACE awards). This year, we will celebrate students’ efforts and achievements in class and at special parades throughout the year.

CROSS COUNTRY

This year, the annual Cross was held on Wednesday the 21st of March and Monday the 26th of March. Despite the weather, our students gave the run a ‘red hot go’, cheered on by many parents and students. This year, 2018 Cross Country Carnival shield was presented to the winning house, Maynard. Congratulations to all students who participated. On parade this week, we also recognised the 2018 Cross Country Age champions who are as follows:

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

This term, you have received a copy of the 2018 Religious Instruction update letter and permission slip to inform you about the religious instruction (RI) arrangements in 2018. This document can also be opened by clicking the link at the end of this article. Religious Instruction for 2018 commenced on Tuesday 6th February and will begin for Term 2 on Tuesday afternoon of Week 2.

A reminder that this week is the last week of Religious Instruction for Year 3 students until Term 4. Also, Religious Instruction will commence for Year 1 students in Week 2 of Term 2. Parents of Year 1 children, if you are yet to return the consent form (green form) to your child’s class teacher or the office, can you please ensure that this is done as soon as possible so we can update our records.

The current arrangement is for 5A, 5C and 5D to continue Religious Instruction in Term 2 with Religious Instruction then offered for students in 5A, 5B and 5C in Semester 2 2018.

Please find a link below to our Religious Instruction Letter and Permission Slip which includes further details.

NAPLAN

In Term 2, our Year 3 and Year 5 students will sit the NAPLAN tests. The dates of these tests are outline below:

The 2018 NAPLAN Information for Parents and Carers brochure is available to download below and further information about the NAPLAN tests is also available on the NAPLAN website.

NAPLAN is important, but also a very small part of two hundred days in a school year. Some children may feel anxious or worried about the tests due to the hype surrounding them.

Much has been said and written about NAPLAN. In our experience, if parents or teachers over emphasise the importance of NAPLAN to children, there is great potential for children to become excessively stressed and likely not complete the tests to the best of their ability. Our students complete tests/assessments very regularly, so why treat these tests differently? Please help us reassure the children about the testing, build their confidence and trust in their ability to do well.

Like ACARA, we certainly do not recommend the use of any commercial products, such as booklets and practice tests, to help your child prepare for NAPLAN tests. None of the commercial products currently on the market are endorsed by ACARA and the use of these or services by coaching providers are not recommended by Windsor SS nor ACARA. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to reassure them that the tests are just one part of their school program and to encourage them to simply do the best they can on the day.

Some students may feel anxious about NAPLAN, but it’s up to the adults in children’s lives to help keep NAPLAN in context. It’s a test that is only taken four times in a child’s schooling life – over three days, there are four tests that take around one hour each. NAPLAN tests what students should already know from their everyday learning, and there are no prizes or repercussions for doing well or not so well in the tests. NAPLAN doesn’t test everything that happens in a classroom – it isn’t intended to – but it does look at the critically important areas of literacy and numeracy – skills that your child will take with them to their adult life. (Robert Randall, ACARA CEO, 2017)

ACTIVE SCHOOL TRAVEL

National Ride to School Day – Windsor SS celebrates!

Recently, we celebrated National Ride to School Day by ‘blinging’ our bikes…helmets and scooters. National Ride2School Day aims to show school communities that riding to school is an easy and fun activity. Thank you to Natasha Heard and her wonderful group of volunteers who organised fruit and iced water for all students and parents who rode, walked, carpooled or used public transport to get to school on the day. The Bike Cage was completely full and all active travellers had the opportunity to win prizes that were kindly donated by 99 Bike Windsor store. All active travellers received an extra stamp in their Active Travel Passport. Congratulations to everyone who participated!

Walking Wheeling Wednesday EVERY Wednesday! Let’s get active Windsor!!

The classes with the most Active Travellers last fortnight are 3A (Week 8) and PD (Week 9). Congratulations!

Classes that deserve to be highly commended are 4A, 5A, 1A and 3C!

Children can claim their AST prizes by presenting their AST passports at the office after checking by their class teacher. Don’t forget to choose an active way to travel to school that keeps the cars off the road!

MAYGAR STREET PROJECT SUCCESS

Earlier this year, Brisbane City Council contacted residents via letterbox drop about proposed traffic improvements in the Windsor area. Maygar Street at Anderson Street in Windsor was identified as a location in the local road network to undertake works to improve motorist safety.

Following the feedback received, the Brisbane City Council has advised the school that the following works will proceed to construction:

• installing a pedestrian crossing facility and kerb build outs on Maygar Street, east of Crowther Street
• installing a splitter island on Reid Street at the intersection with Maygar Street
• installing kerb build outs on the corner of Reid Street and Maygar Street
• upgrading kerb ramps and sections of footpath
• installing line marking
• turfing

Some yellow no stopping lines will also be installed to improve visibility for motorists and pedestrians as well as formalise the existing no parking areas.

In order to achieve adequate sightlines and safety for pedestrians crossing at the intersection of Reid Street and Maygar Street, four trees may need to be removed. These four trees are located within Council’s road reserve and will be offset in accordance with Council’s offset planting policy. These improvements are expected to increase pedestrian and motorist safety in the area by providing a safe crossing facility for pedestrians and promoting clearer driving paths through the intersection of Maygar Street and Anderson Street.

If you have any questions about the project, please contact the project team on 1800 669 416 or email cityprojects@brisbane.qld.gov.au. For information outside of business hours please contact Council’s 24-hour Contact Centre on 3403 8888.

Congratulations to Nerida Thomas and the Active School Travel committee for working to secure a successful outcome for the Windsor State School community.

EASTER HAT PARADE…this Thursday 29th March!

On Thursday 29th March, we will be celebrating the end of term with some fun at the annual P-2 Easter Hat Parade. At this parade, it will be time for a special bunny to visit the school.

This year, the children from Prep to Year 2 are invited to participate in the parade on this morning. The Easter Hat Parade will begin at 9:15am, will be held in the Hall, and will be finished by approximately 10:15am. Parents, family and friends are welcome to attend. The coffee van will be on site. The “Windsor Wigglers” dance troupe will also be performing at the Easter Hat Parade this year as a special treat!

The parade will feature songs as well as a procession of fabulous bonnet creations.

The bonnets are to be made at home. Parents are asked to help their child make these bonnets at home. Parents who intend to take children home after this parade, to get away early for holidays, must ensure that children are signed out with their class teachers before leaving the school grounds.

We look forward to seeing you all there to help us celebrate the end of a fantastic term.

QParents

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!

Have you registered for QParents yet?

QParents is a secure app that provides parents of Queensland State School students with a new and exciting avenue of communication with your school. Join the thousands of parents who have already registered to gain 24 hour direct access to your child’s information and communicate with school easily and efficiently.

Don’t have time to go in to school and pay an invoice? Have a family holiday coming up and need to let the school know you’ll be away? Want to have access to your child’s report cards quickly and easily? With the QParents portal, you have access to everything via a single, clear student dashboard.

You can also request updates or changes to student details such as providing reasons for past unexplained absences, advising the school of future absences, notifying the school of changes to student address and medical conditions and viewing and paying outstanding invoices.

Please contact the office on 3866 4333 if you require any further information or assistance.

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.

Musical 2018! Peter Pan Jr.

Students who successfully achieved a part in the 2018 School Musical, Peter Pan Jr, have started rehearsals each week leading up to the event.

Rehearsal take place in the Hall on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 3pm-4:15pm.

Only students participating in the musical are permitted to attend rehearsals. Alternative care arrangements for supervision of siblings must be made. Any student present at after school Musical rehearsals, who is not a cast member, will be sent to the office and parents contacted to collect.

SEAWOLVES

Seawolves held their annual Club Championships this Saturday. They have had a great season, retaining the Marsden McAllen Shield and winning the annual 3 way carnival against Ithaca and Oakleigh. There have also been a number of club records broken this season. Following the championships, the AGM is held and the Age and Points Champions per age group, Overall Club Points Champion, Club Spirit Awards, Medley Award and Butterfly Award are presented. Congratulations to the 2017/18 season award recipients:

Master Teacher / STLaN Update

Age Appropriate Pedagogy (AAP):

Research states that young children learn best in active, engaged, constructive and interactive environments where learning is meaningful to them. As a continuing part of my Master Teacher role for 2018, I am leading our Prep and Year 1 Teaching Team in this area. In our year level meetings, we are currently looking at the latest research and ensuring that we have a balanced program, to include pedagogies that respond to the learners and attend to holistic and curriculum goals.

This term I have been coaching and modelling lessons for the Prep teachers during their reading sessions. I would love to share some photos of our Preps being active and engaged during their reading times.

Keep watching this space for more information on AAP.

Reading: Years 1 and 2 before School Reading – MiniLit Literacy Intervention

Before school MiniLit will finish on Thursday 29th March and recommence on Tuesday 17th April. All other MiniLit Intervention will finish on Wednesday 28th March and recommence on Tuesday 17th April. Presently, I am in the process of reassessing the students on the MiniLit program. There will be changes to some MiniLit groups next term, as a few students will be completing the program and others will be starting.

Windsoroos has finished for Term 1, but everyone is invited to our Easter Bonnet Parade on Thursday 29th March starting at 9:30am. Last Friday, a couple of our older Windsoroos enjoyed participating in the school’s Colour Fun afternoon.

The Playgroup will recommence on Friday, 27th April, 2018, and will continue to operate in alignment with the school terms. . Below are some photos of the exciting activities that we have been doing this term.

2018 Timetable for the Windsoroos:

As the Early Years precinct will be a learning and teaching environment every Friday afternoon, we ask that all parents, carers and children respect the students, teachers and the young Windsoroos and stay away from the Early Years Playground. Please wait under the buildings or the meeting place until the 3pm.

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.

Hot Cross Buns Easter Bonnet Parade

Hot Cross Buns will be available at the Prep-2 Easter Bonnet Parade for $1.00 each – instead of a cake stall this year. Everyone wins! Saves parents from baking and working on the stall, and we all get to enjoy Hot Cross Buns while we watch our children at the parade.

Look out for our friendly Tuckshop staff in the assembly hall kitchen.

Let’s make it a huge success!!

Individual Hot Cross Buns will also be available first break on Munch Monitor by pre-order because it is the last day of school term. Put your order in early so you don’t miss out!

CELEBRATE MOTHERS DAY WITH HIGH TEA

The Windsor State School Mother’s Day Celebration High Tea is about to kick off ticket sales. Have you saved the date? For the first time the event will be held on Saturday! We want to appreciate all our Windsor mums, including those who work through the week.

When: Saturday 12 May 1:00 pm
Where: Clovely Estate, 210 Musgrave Road Red Hill

Come join us for an indulgent afternoon away from it all at the beautiful Clovely Estate. Enjoy a champagne on arrival, and be treated to a 9-piece high tea. Best of all, relax in the company of our fantastic Windsor Mums, meet new friends or catch up with old ones. Such a lovely way to celebrate our beautiful school and the wonderful mums that help make it so special.

This is always such a lovely event, with a fantastic guest speaker, and the opportunity to win amazing raffle prizes sourced by our dedicated P&C volunteers.

Ticket Info:

Event tickets are $50 per person. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10

All tickets are on sale from April 2 via Try Booking.

For more details and updates as they come to hand, visit the P&C News and Events Page here.

WindsorFest

It’s only 5 ½ months until WindsorFest 2018!

Please help us to create a fantastic day and ensure that this significant fund-raising event is a success for our terrific school.

Check out our website or our facebook site at: https://www.facebook.com/windsorfestfestival/ – pretty snazzy!

Not involved yet? We’d love your help – here’s 4 ideas for how to become involved:

1. If you have a local business or know a local business then please consider becoming a sponsor – it’s a great PR opportunity. Check out our great website for more details: http://www.windsorfest.com.au/sponsorship/
2. If sponsorship isn’t right for you then what about having a stall? We’ve got a great line up already but we’re keen to support local business and business from school parents.
3. If you want to donate some awesome prizes for our raffle or silent auction that would also be great and is a brilliant way to support the school.
4. Last but not least – we need people to help out with some of the stalls. If you want to get busy on the day then let us know! We’d love your help.

If any of this is for you then please contact windsorfest@windsorsspandc.com.au

Watch out for more great information on WindsorFest 2018. With you on board, we know we can make it a brilliant day.

Helping Hands

Hello Windsor Parents

Well, we have passed the halfway mark for term one, and are now rapidly heading towards Vacation Care! We have our program out, and are taking booking up to Thursday 29th of March. Kids can look forward to Go Karting, heading out to Redcliffe Beach and a carnival day with other Helping Hands Services! We have a cooking day, and a recycle day where kids can come away with upcycled creations (if you have any interesting old/damaged equipment that could be pulled apart and repurposed, please think of donating it!).

We are open on the Pupil Free Day (16th April), and holding a Mini Inventors day. We’ll have craft and experiments to suit any mind! If you need care that day, please find booking details in our Vacation Care Brochure (see the link below).

A few photos from the last week; Tom shared his cricket shirts with some of the boys for cricket training, making scones for afternoon tea, and enjoying playing with bubbles before a storm!

Thanks,
The Helping Hands Windsor Team