31 October 2018

Newsletter Articles

Across the Principal's Desk...

World Teachers’ Day

Last Friday (26 October), we celebrated World Teacher’s Day. This was a day for our entire school community to publicly thank our teachers for the great work they do with our children. I cannot express to each of you, the fact that we have an incredibly dedicated, professional and highly skilled teaching team at Windsor, second to none with whom I have had the pleasure to work alongside and lead. Each year the P&C and Leadership Team nominate three staff members for the very generous P&C Bursary of $1000, and two bursaries of $300, which is to recognise their outstanding contributions to Windsor. This year we awarded this honour to…

$1000 BURSARY – CHERYL HICKEY – Year 6 Teacher

What our children see, hear and engage with in the classrooms is certainly just the tip of the iceberg in the teaching profession. Planning, preparation, extra-curricular activities and marking are only some of these tasks that we don’t necessarily see in the day-to-day. The teacher receiving the major bursary today, not only demonstrates exceptional skill within the classroom, but contributes to the school community in a variety of ways, often behind the scenes. This has included, but is certainly not limited to, working backstage at the musical, running an afterschool STEM club, assisting in the planning and running of Windsor’s Got Talent over the years and co-ordinating our Student Council of over thirty students. Congratulations Cheryl Hickey!

$300 BURSARY – ANDREW SELLICK – Year 2 Teacher

This teacher commenced at our school at an unexpected time, taking change and challenge in his stride and instantly building positive and productive partnerships with students, staff and parents. This year, he has stepped further out of his comfort zone and shown that giants can indeed be gentle. Beyond his hard work in the classroom, he also supports the school community in a range of ways, from assisting with social club events, building drones with our children after school, to building a pirate ship from scratch. Your positivity and commitment is very much appreciated. Congratulations Andrew Sellick!

$300 BURSARY – ROBYN McMILLEN – Support Staff Teacher Aide - Special Education Program (SEP)

Today, we recognise not only our teaching staff, but our incredible support staff of teacher-aides, administration officers, groundsman and cleaners. Our school community most certainly would not be the place it is without the hard work, commitment and passion of these people. Today, one of our bursaries will be awarded to one of our support staff. This person goes above and beyond every day. Her seemingly endless energy and commitment has been welcomed and highly appreciated across our school for over 15 years. She has worked with a variety of staff and students within this time and helped build the inclusive and supportive environment that we call Windsor State School. Congratulations Robyn McMillen!

2019 Prep Transitions begin

Last week, we had over 70 of the 2019 Prep students participate in the first (of 4) transition mornings. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to experience our Prep classrooms and see what life is like at Windsor. I am looking forward to welcoming our 2019 students to Windsor each week during these transition events. The students were so excited, some even wearing their uniforms ready for next year!! Many thanks to the staff involved in preparing for these events and most recently Mr Craig Thompson - P&C President, Mrs Georgia Limmer – who spoke about the Tuckshop, Mrs Megan Angliss who spoke about our Uniform Shop and finally Erin from Windsor’s Helping Hands speaking about our Outside School Hours Care. Next week we welcome the staff from Hear and Say and Mr Pat Gerry from The Eyeman to talk about the ‘Prep Screening Program’ for 2019.

2019 Year 4 BYO Information Evening

I would like to extend a warm invitation to all current Year 3 families to our '2019 Year 4 BYO iPad Information Evening' on Wednesday 14th November from 6.30 - 7.30pm in the school hall.

In the meantime, please feel free to peruse the BYO documents that are available on the school's website. These resources are currently being updated for next year’s program, with the new versions being uploaded in the coming weeks.

To ensure we cover what you need to learn about and answer any questions you may have, please ensure you complete the following RSVP, by clicking here. The presentation will also be emailed out afterwards if you are unable to attend the evening. We are looking forward to seeing you there.

2019 Enrolment / Children Leaving

For the past four weeks, the teaching staff and Leadership Team have commenced planning for the 2019 school year. The initial stages involve identifying approximate student enrolment numbers for 2019. It is the student enrolment that determines our overall staffing allocation for the year. At this stage we have a predicted enrolment of approximately 701 students. This would allow for 28 classes. The class composition at this stage could be as follows:

Class compositions for 2019 may change as the total enrolment changes throughout the term. We still need to hear from those who are leaving Windsor in 2019. If you are leaving, please complete this webform as soon as possible (Year 6 students do not need to complete this form).

If you are planning an extended holiday over the Christmas break and will not be back for the start of the school year, especially by 7 February 2019 which is our Day 8 census, then please indicate the date of your return in writing to the Principal (admin@windsorss.eq.edu.au).

The 2 Minute Zone & Parking Compliance

As previously communicated, The Brisbane City Council has selected Windsor State School as a priority school for parking and two minute zone use compliance inspections throughout Term Four.

Council officers will be undertaking proactive patrols throughout the term to ensure drivers are adhering to the local parking conditions. If you are unsure of Brisbane City Council’s expectations, I strongly encourage you to visit the Council's website at the link below and search parking rules to learn more about parking in Brisbane.

Appropriate parking behaviours will ensure the safety of students and ensure a smooth flow of traffic for all concerned.

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 $28,714.

Have a wonderful fortnight,
Grant Baker
Principal

Deputy Principal’s Report

DATE CHANGE: Prep - Year 2 Swimming Carnival

The Prep - Year 2 Swimming Carnival will now be on Friday 7th of December 9.00am-11.00am. This had previously been scheduled for Tuesday 4th of December. Thank you for your understanding.

Gala Day

The weather is looking on track to have our Year 4-6 Gala Day this coming Friday. 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 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. All students must also bring their own full water bottle and hat.

If a Gala Day is cancelled due to weather, parents will be notified via email and Facebook as soon as possible.

The sports are:

• AFL (played at O’Callaghan Park, Zillmere)
• Girls Touch (played at Shaw Park, Wooloowin)
• Boys Touch (played at Gibson Park, Stafford)
• Cricket (played at Shaw Park, Wooloowin)
• Baseball (played at Hendra All Stars)
• Flipperball (played at various locations)

In order to attend, the online Permission/Medical Form must be completed.

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! Students in Years 3-6 can start to think about entering the event and what performance they may like to prepare. Nomination forms will be emailed and available in hardcopy shortly.

RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR & CODE OF CONDUCT

Encouraging Kids to Take the Perspective of Others

Most children are not renowned for empathy. When it comes to seeing another child’s perspective or understanding their feelings, a very young child’s ability to empathise is yet to develop. Coming to understand that others have thoughts, perceptions and feelings that are separate from their own, along with the ability to explicitly infer these mental states in others, are important developmental milestones for kids.

Researchers at the University of Western Australia undertook a study to see if parenting practices contributed to a child’s ability to empathise. The study investigated whether more empathic mothers are more likely to encourage their child to take the perspective of others and whether this would be associated with increased child empathy and prosocial behaviour.

Key findings:

• The development of children’s cognitive empathy skills is influenced by parenting practices.
• Mothers who more regularly take the cognitive (thinking) perspective of others are more likely to encourage their child to do the same, and this facilitates a child’s ability to take the cognitive perspective of others.
• The development of cognitive empathy skills enables children to become more responsive to cues about the thoughts and feelings of others, and this heightened sensitivity facilitates sympathy, which motivates prosocial behaviour.
• In the interests of their kids’ prosocial behaviour, parents should encourage their children to take others’ perspectives as well as practising warm/sensitive/responsive parenting, particularly in infancy.

Things you can do:

• Discuss book or media stories as opportunities for kids to practise recognising the perspective of others – what do the characters in the story think, believe, want or feel?
• Play games where you the parent pull a face or act in a certain way so that kids can identify and empathise with the emotion or body language being displayed. Then give the kids a turn and you do the guessing.
• Role model tolerance and acceptance of diversity.
• Talk about how beliefs, thoughts, desires, and emotions can motivate behaviour.
• Be selective with terminology when assessing inappropriate behaviour of others.
• Initiate discussions about other kids living with disadvantage and disability.
• Help your kids to understand that the world doesn’t revolve around them – encourage chores and helping around the house.
• Encourage talk around the ‘how would you feel’ theme by helping kids discover what they have in common with other people. Encourage them to tell you how they would feel if they were that person being victimised, bullied, or ignored.
• Raise awareness of ways that kids can help other kids – simple acts of sharing, caring, helping, co-operating.
• Help kids develop an A-Z of feeling words.

Source: Farrant, et al., Infant and Child Development 21 : 175-188 (2012).

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

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.

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.

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

The classes with the most Active Travellers last fortnight are:
Week 3:
1C, 3E and 3B!

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!

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!

Enrichment News

TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR SUNSET CLUB

Book now for our last parent event of the year!

Come along to Sunset Club for a night of music, dancing, food and friends and celebrate the great year we’ve had. Sunset Club is a new version of the Soiree. A fusion of amazing instrumental music and entertainment and a unique concert experience with outstanding music to suit all tastes. Friends and family also welcome, adults only.

What is happening on the night?

Sunset concert

On arrival, take in the great atmosphere and enjoy sunset drinks and nibbles on the lawn. Then take your seats and be entertained by extraordinary singers, Spanish and Latin guitarists and a host of other surprises. This is a world class concert, featuring an accomplished parent and teaching body from Windsor State School.

Our concert artists include Aria Winner Karin Schaupp (parent), Alicia Cush (parent), Kim Fanning (teacher), Jillian Vincent (teacher), Paul Kucharski (teacher), Giac Giacomantonio (parent) and more.

Dinner

Asian street noodles served to all guests as part of your ticket price.

Live band karaoke experience

After dinner, we let our hair down with Australia’s premier live band karaoke experience, Rockaoke Australia. Channel your inner rock star and rock out with the band up on stage. This will be a whole lot of fun, and a chance to kick up your heels with the bar open till late.

Ticket Info:

Purchase you tickets now via TryBooking. Create a link to the unique TryBooking URL provided below.

Ticket prices

Pre-order only, no door sales. Include concert admission, dinner and live band karaoke experience.

Drinks

This amazing night is brought to you by the P&C Music Supporters Subcommittee and funds raised from this event will support the Windsor State School Music Department.

If you are a business owner or wanting to contribute to this event by way of sponsorship, please email the P&C Music Supporters Subcommittee music@windsorsspandc.com.au.

Christmas Card Design Competition

Trevor Evans MP, Federal Member for Brisbane, is once again running his Christmas Card Design competition for junior primary school students.

This year’s theme is “Australian Animals at Christmas”. Students should draw their design in the space provided on the attached entry form.

The winners will each have their artwork featured on Trevor’s Christmas card which is sent to the entire Brisbane electorate, as well as each receiving a family pass movie pack to enjoy.

As well as an overall winner, there will be additional winners for each of the categories of Prep/Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 students.

Please make sure entries are scanned in colour, and returned to the Office of Trevor Evans MP by Friday 2 November 2018 (either by email to trevor.evans.mp@aph.gov.au or mailed to PO Box 143, Albion DC, Qld 4010).