11 May 2018

Newsletter Articles

Across the Principal’s Desk…

Gonski Review 2.0

There has been much in the media the past fortnight about the second report commissioned by the federal government regarding the state of education in our country and the reforms necessary to bring student learning into the 21st century, given that we really have not seen a significant shift in some methodology since the Industrial Revolution. I have included an interesting article below for you to gain an insight into the recommendations.

What I would say however, is that within our school, we work hard to remain ahead of the game with many initiatives and practices. Some aspects are beyond our control in terms of system requirements (report card template, class and year level arrangements due to staffing methodology etc.) yet where we can, we do what we believe to be in the best interest of the students and their learning. I would by no means say that education and our practices at Windsor are in crisis, or not meeting the necessary standards. Actually, far from it. In fact, in all cases, we are well above the national mean academically and in our School Opinion Surveys.

What we do benefit from, which is one of the key recommendations in this report, is increased Principal autonomy. This is something that must continue to evolve if schools are going to meet the needs of their community. We however are very fortunate in this way.

By this, I am referring to the fact that we are an Independent Public School (IPS) and have been since late in 2015. For many of you who are new to our school, you may well ask what this actually means. Being an IPS, we collectively have much greater autonomy across many aspects of school processes such as staffing, strategic planning, community engagement and various external partnerships. Whilst we operate within the broader system of the Department of Education, our ability to make many decisions and to lead the way for many other schools, both IPS and Non IPS.

There has been a fear that we have created a ‘two tier’ system within the department. However, we see it very differently, given that we have collectively as 250 schools across the state, worked hard to lead the way for all schools and continue to build strength within a great state schooling system. I read with great interest the attached article in the Courier Mail last week by Kylie Lang. I would encourage you to have a read, as there are many aspects, which sum up the successes and some challenges being faced.

Currently there is an external review being undertaken to determine if IPS will continue in Queensland. To this end, the School Advisory Council will be looking at this review and offering up feedback and input into why we believe that taking this way would be detrimental to the school and to education across Queensland. I would urge all of you, when the opportunity arises in coming weeks, to provide feedback where appropriate, to lend your support to this very important initiative. The School Council will certainly be advocating for the continuance and will provide strategies for how you can be involved in the feedback as a unified community. Thanks for your continued support in making Windsor the best it can be for your children and their learning.

Master Plan update

This term, as an element of the department's 'Inner City School's Master Plan project', our current school Master Plan is being updated to reflect our current status and also where we want to be over the next 5-10 years. As you may or may not know, a Master Plan provides a road map from the existing physical portfolio of facilities to a future educational environment that is fully aligned with Windsor's vision/moral purpose. It is a multi-layered process that will take most of the term to develop and will include development strategies which support the service delivery requirements of our school.

A very important component of the plan is to make sure that our school buildings provide us with a better environment for teaching and learning. We need to ensure that any future infrastructure funding invested in our school towards modernising and renewing our buildings, is being effectively invested to deliver excellent facilities for today and tomorrow, that we want.

Earlier this term, the staff engaged in a think tank session (facilitated by the Master Plan architects engaged by DET), where staff gave their feedback and input on a number of elements - including innovative teaching and learning spaces, play areas, specialist spaces, parking and much more! Last night was an opportunity for parents/carers/community members to give their feedback and input on the same elements. The first component was to look at the school (1.1 – 1.5) through a critical lens and identify everything that isn’t currently working or is missing. We then discussed ideas for new buildings etc (2.0). The final component was to pose possible solutions and new ideas (3.1 – 3.5) and brainstorm what the school could look like in 5-10 years time and identify what needs to be included etc.

I have attached below last night’s PowerPoint presentation for anyone who wasn’t able to attend. If you would like to provide any further feedback or input (by 13 May), please direct this to the P&C via their email: pandc@windsorsspandc.com.au.

A Present Windsor Student Connecting with the Past

Earlier this term, one of our Year 6 students, Matilda, visited some very significant sights with her family in Europe. They visited Ypres, and went to the daily Last Post service at the Menin Gate. Past Windsor student Private Arthur Victor Richards of the 42nd Battalion of the Australian Infantry, who died on 31 July 1917, is honoured on the Menin Gate. On the day before Anzac day, Matilda visited some of the French Commonwealth War Graves cemeteries where Windsor students are buried, including:

• Gunner Butterworth, Charles Edmund. Australian Field Artillery - 13 May 1917. Favreuil British Cemetry.
• Private Haddock, John William. Australian Machine Gun Corps - 9 August 1918. Fouilloy Communal Cemetry
• Private James Boyd. 26th Battalion Australian Infantry - 14 November 1916. Dartmoor Cemetery
• Corporal Edwin James Bertwistle 4th Australian Pioneers - 4 August 1916, Pozieres British Cemetery

After Belgium, they went to the Somme area of France. Late on the 24th April, Matilda and her family made their way, along with over 7,500 other people, to the Australian National Memorial outside Villers-Bretonneux for the Anzac day Dawn Service. 100 years ago, on 24 April, Australian soldiers near Villers-Bretonneux took inspiration from their fellow soldiers in Gallipoli three years earlier, and won the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux. Some of those soldiers would have fought both in Gallipoli and on the Western Front, so 25 April has significance for two different campaigns. Matilda laid a picture of the school's Honour Board amongst the wreaths, flowers, and other tributes laid at the memorial during the service. If you were listening closely to the TV coverage, you may have heard "Windsor State School" - yes, that was our Windsor State School! In the afternoon on Anzac day, they went back to the Australian National Memorial, and saw the location where another Windsor student, Private William Clarence Taylor (5 July 1916), is remembered. His grave is unknown, and his name appears on a panel near the centre of the memorial. A further 10,772 names of Australian soldiers are listed on the memorial.

Below are some of the pictures the family took around the Western Front of memorials of former Windsor students, who are acknowledged on the school's honour board. Thank you to Matilda and her family for sharing this very special piece of Windsor SS history. Lest we forget.

ANZAC Day images

Below are more images from our recent school ANZAC Day ceremony and from the Brisbane City ANZAC Day service that all Year 6 students attended. Many thanks to Ken Keefer who took these images for us.

A very big thankyou to the many families who have contributed financially through our voluntary scheme so far this year - The total to date is $10 000.

Have a great fortnight,
Grant Baker

RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR & CODE OF CONDUCT

HOW WELL DO YOU GET ALONG WITH OTHERS?

Social Responsibility means thinking that it’s important to be caring, to try hard to do your best, to be fair to others, to make sure that everyone has the freedom to say what they think and feel without fear, to be honest and tell the truth, to have integrity by making sure that you do what you say you’re going to do, to respect others and have nice manners, to act responsibly by making good choices, to sort out problems without fighting, to care about natureand other living things, and to be understanding and iclude others who are different.

Playing by the Rules means thinking that by following school rules, school will be a better place to live and learn, and that you will stay out of trouble and be more successful if you do.

Thinking First means that when someone acts badly or unfairly, before you take action, you (a) think of the alternative courses of action; (b) think of the consequences of different actions you can take; and (c) predict the impact your actions may have on the feelings of the other person.

Being Tolerant of Others means thinking that, when someone is mean to you or is different from you, he or she is not a totally bad person. It means thinking that you need to find out more about the person. It also means not wanting to “get back” at the person.

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.

Gala Days

Sport is an integral part of our school curriculum. The next three Fridays of Term 2 are Interschool Sport Gala Days. Each student in Years 4-6 must pay $12 per day, for each Gala Day, and have returned a completed permission slip to participate in Gala Days. It is crucial that the buses leave on time so that students do not miss games, so we ask that all Year 4-6 students arrive at school promptly on these mornings. Supervision will be provided at the hall from 8.30am. We will begin boarding the buses at 8.50am and the buses will be unable to wait for late arrivals.

Please remember to send sunscreen with your child to reapply throughout the day. It is important that they take responsibility for their personal sun-safety.

UNDER 8’s DAY 2018

On Thursday May 24th, the children in Prep to Year 2 will be participating in an activities morning to celebrate Under 8’s week. This day is dedicated to celebrating the early years of school and the theme this year is ' Children Exploring Language and Culture'. Parents of children in Prep-Year 2 are invited to come along and have some fun with your child while they take part in the morning. The cost of the day will be $5.00 and parents will be invoiced to cover the costs of the morning.

Some of the fun and exciting activities that will be running on the day include face painting, a jumping castle maze, fruity necklaces, a local guest author…and lots more!

This year, the children are invited to wear free dress. Due to the nature of some of the activities, it would be great if they could come dressed in clothes that they can get messy in. This year there will be a cake stall running to help raise funds for P-2 resources. After all the fun activities you are invited to share morning tea with your child at school. A Coffee Van will also be on-site throughout the morning.

As teachers are responsible for a particular activity, children will require supervision. To ensure the day’s success we need as much parent assistance as possible. If you are able to come along on the day to assist your child or a small group of children, please complete and return the form sent home by your child’s teacher. The festivities will begin at 9am and will finish at 11am (first break). We look forward to seeing everyone at the festivities.

NAPLAN

Next week, our Year 3 and 5 students will participate in the NAPLAN tests. The dates of these tests are outline below. If you are visiting school around these times, please be as quiet as possible in/around main building.

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.

ACTIVE SCHOOL TRAVEL

Walk Safely to School Day!

Friday 18th May is Walk Safely to School Day. Walk Safely to School Day is an annual, national event when all primary school children are encouraged to walk to school. It promotes road safety, health, and the environment.

To celebrate Walk Safely to School Day, our school is encouraging everyone to wear “Crazy Socks” when they walk to school! To be eligible for park and stride, children must have walked a distance of at least 500m from the school.

Being part of the Active School Travel program, we are already leading by example and encouraging our students to actively travel every week. Being part of a national day also shows our students they are part of a much bigger, international movement encouraging healthier habits and a greener environment. Active School Travel is one of the easiest ways to incorporate physical activity into everyday life for all children.

So join in the fun, be active and healthy, and walk to school with your child on Friday 18th May!

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

The classes with the most Active Travellers last fortnight are:
Week 3: 3rd 3A, 2nd 1B and 1st: 3C
Week 2: 3rd 3A, 2nd 1B and 1st 3C
Congratulations!

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!

INSTALL THE SCHOOLZINE ‘SZAPP’ ON YOUR PHONE?

Our newsletter is now available each fortnight either via email or by accessing the Schoolzine app. Details on how to download the app are available on the attached file.

Any families who are unable to access either the emails or app, please contact the school office.

QParents

Have you registered for QParents yet?

QParents is a secure app that provides parents of Queensland State School students with an easy avenue of communication with the 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.

Parents receive an invitation email and a Student ID card containing an EQ ID number to register.

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!

If you do not receive an invitation (QPAO), 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, are rehearsing 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.

You're invited to be a part of a short film!

WANTED: Children and adult extras for a market / clown scene begin filmed outside the main building.

This is a great opportunity to be featured in a film which will be entered in film festivals around the world. All volunteer extras will have their name credited in the film.

When: Saturday 19th May
Time: various sessions through the day
Contact Director Mel Poole to confirm your spot & for more info: 0411 39 951 mel@18deg.com

SOLD OUT: THE WSS P&C TRIVIA NIGHT – A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES!

The Trivia Night is back for 2018 and as anticipated it is another sell out event, with all tables sold out within 2 hours. Last year’s trivia night was a fantastic night of fun – with amazing costumes, games, dancing and of course some trivia. This year should be even better.

For those parent's lucky enough to secure a table, start brushing up on your trivia knowledge (not just movies) and most importantly thinking about your costumes and table decorations. The challenge is set this year to beat the teachers table!

Ticket info:

For anyone who has missed out on tickets but keen to attend, please register your interest on the waitlist via Try Booking. Hyperlink to

Also, don't forget to buy your drinks tickets via Try Booking.
$60 premium champagne (pre-order only)
$25 drink card – 4 beers or 1 bottle of wine/sparkling
$7 drink voucher – 1 beer or glass of wine/sparkling
**Soft drinks will be available to purchase on the night with cash.

We would like to thank our sponsors for 2018, Craig Lea McGrath Wilston returning again as our Major sponsor and The Crown Hotel Lutwyche supporting us once again as our Gold sponsor. Through the generous support of our sponsors, we will have a fun filled night of entertainment including some fantastic prizes.

For more details click here to view the Trivia Night poster. Link to:

WindsorFest

Save the Date…

Make sure you put Saturday 15th September 2018 in your calendar for a great family day out, making sure we all have fun in the year of the cooling solution!

Did you use the holidays to have a clean out?

We’re on the lookout for:

• 2ND HAND KIDS CLOTHING
• 2ND HAND KIDS TOYS
• 2ND HAND BOOKS

Please consider donating any items in good condition to the Second Hand Stall at WindsorFest.

Collection boxes have been placed at the Constitution Road entry. PLEASE donate and help make WindsorFest a fundraising success for our school!

Website

Check out our website at the link below or our facebook site at the link below for more details and information about the event.

Thank you!

The WindsorFest committee would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the school community who have eagerly volunteered for stall convenor roles, ensuring that all P&C run stalls will be well looked after. With such great community spirit already evident, WindsorFest 2018 is gearing up to be a fantastic, fun-filled event. If you are keen to be involved but are yet to find a suitable role, volunteering on one of these stalls is a great way to ensure the success of the fair. A call out for volunteers will occur in the coming months.