1 May 2019

Newsletter Articles

Across the Principal's Desk...

HOW DO WE KEEP THE BEST

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the very positive interactions I see and hear about between parents and staff across the school each day. What I know is that we are all heavily invested in making your child’s learning experiences and time at Windsor the best it can be. The only way to make this happen is to keep communication lines open and conversations respectful and reasonable. At all levels, we work hard to respond in a timely and measured manner regarding issues and concerns, which may be expressed by you as a parent or we as educators. These can be related to academic or social emotional aspects of a child’s developmental growth.

It is difficult to justify anyone being insulting, rude or demanding when we would not want our children to behave in this way. What we model is more powerful to them, than how we tell them to behave. How we speak about others in front of our children sends a clear message of disrespect or respect, especially if it is about a teacher or adult in some sort of position of responsibility in the school context.

I understand that the well-being of our own children is very personal and emotive. How you frame an email, phone conversation or a face-to-face interview will set the tone for how an issue may or may not be dealt with presently or in the future. You all know yourselves, if treated with respect, dignity and from a position that you have not deliberately gone out of your way to hurt or disrespect another person, you are likely to respond with greater care, concern and willingness. Often a lengthy email is not the best way to communicate as the intent and tone can be misread. A phone call or a pre-arranged meeting often has a more positive and timely outcome.

The staff at Windsor are all about working to do the best they can, with the time and resources they have, to educate all children. Investigating incidents, which may occur at school, often takes time. There are some 700 students, 85 staff and 500+ parents, which make up our immediate community. Layer this with departmental requirements and demands, external organisations and the like, the role of a teacher or leader becomes incredibly complex. We love what we do and take great pride and concern in addressing the needs of students as they arise. It is so very important to trust the professional, just as you would do when consulting with a doctor, lawyer or the like. Many of you are professionals in your work life, so you understand the importance of such.

What concerns me greatly are the statistics, which indicate that 50% of teachers in the first 5 years of their teaching career are resigning. Coupled with this, experienced teachers are doing the same. There are a few reasons why, however the most significant is the lack of respect and poor treatment they receive from parents, the media and wider community. This, along with an impending shortage of teachers even taking on the profession because of poor community perception and treatment, is a great cause for concern.

We cannot afford to lose outstanding teachers from our schools, only to be replaced by inferior quality. As the saying goes, ‘we will reap what we sow!’ This is also now true of school leadership teams, particularly Principals. We have a collective responsibility to embrace what our teachers can bring to the lives of young people.

There is certainly nothing wrong with having high expectations. This is something that I and our teachers have of themselves each day and in turn of their students. However, the burn out rate is increasing as expectations of teachers to educate children with every aspect of their developmental growth increases. There are many learning tasks and opportunities, which must clearly reside at home and those which belong at school. Some of these cross over both.

Teachers choose the profession because they want to make a difference in the lives and learning of our greatest future resource. Are they going to be perfect in every way possible? None of us are!

Do they deserve to be treated with respect as knowledgeable, professional educators, who have significant skills and abilities in designing the learning for 25+ students on a daily basis? Absolutely!

Having been in numerous schools over my 21 years in education, I cannot reinforce more confidently that the teachers and staff at Windsor are absolutely the best with whom I have ever worked. Thank you to the overwhelming number of parents who respect and value the complex work we do every day. This only serves to spur teachers on to do the absolute best for your children.

ANZAC DAY

… Lest We Forget

Anzac Day is one of Australia’s most important national occasions. Our commemoration service provided an opportunity for sober reflection on the service and sacrifice embodied by Australian servicemen and women, and an occasion to commemorate the lives of those who have died in the service of our nation through its military and peacekeeping operations.

As part of this year’s commemorations, Mr. Trevor Evan’s office purchased and donated a Lone Pine seedling to Windsor State School through the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

These seedlings have a long and distinguished history in Australia. In early August 1915, after a major offensive at Gallipoli, Lance Corporal Benjamin Charles Smith, 3rd Battalion AIF, collected several pine cones from the branches used to cover the Turkish trenches at Lone Pine Ridge. He sent these home to his mother, in remembrance of his brother who had died in the battle several days earlier.

From these cones Corporal Smith’s mother successfully grew two seedlings, of which one was presented to the Australian War Memorial, to be planted in its grounds in honour of all those who fell at Lone Pine.

Our seedling was planted, after the ceremony, adjacent to the Windsor State School Anzac memorial on our Anzac Terrace. Thank you to Mr. Evans and the Australian government for allowing us the privilege to plant a Lone Pine at Windsor State School.

Anzac Day Ceremony

Last Wednesday morning we held our school ANZAC Day Ceremony. The concept of such a ceremony can be a challenge for our students to fully grasp, yet their behaviour and attitude toward this important event was simply outstanding. I could not be more proud of the way in which all students conducted themselves, from the school captains who hosted the ceremony, to Jemima (our oldest Yr6 student) and Gabrielle (our youngest Prep student) who lay a wreath and the Chamber Choir and Senior choir who sang ‘The Last ANZAC’, Edward and Henry who read the poem ‘Not a Hero’ or the tribute to ANZACs from Sara, it was a truly moving experience.

Special thanks to student Joshua Whitmore from Kelvin Grove College for playing the Last Post and the Rouse on his bugle. Special thanks to Deputy Principal Matt Keong for organising the ceremony and ensuring everything ran smoothly on the day.

To Major Brian Nally (1st Division from Toombul/Clayfield RSL) for his speech to the students, many thanks. It is great to have a serving armed forces member speak at our ceremony. His speech was not just about the spirit of the ANZACs living on through the memory of those who fought and continue to serve our country, but the way we exhibit this in our everyday lives.

It was a truly wonderful ANZAC Day Ceremony. I also attended the local Windsor Historical Society ANZAC Day service last Thursday, which was a very respectful ceremony. Many thanks to the number of students and families who also attended this service. I hope that you and your family managed to attend or even watch an ANZAC ceremony at some point on ANZAC Day.

SCHOOL ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

Thank you to everyone who helped out and was involved with last week’s Day One Yr 3-6 sports day. It was a huge day of athletics and the students loved seeing the many mums and dads attending and cheering them on. Thanks also go to Craig Thompson and his army of volunteers who volunteered their time in the BBQ to serve drinks and sausages. Day Two sports day events take place this Friday at Windsor Park, commencing at 9.15am. If you are able to assist with the BBQ, please contact Craig Thompson (pandc@windsorsspandc.com.au) or assist with Track and Field events, please contact Mr Adam Goddard (agodd1@eq.edu.au).

SNOW SPORTS

Call out to all keen skiers and snowboarders!

Are you interested in competing in the inaugural WSS Snowsports team at the QLD Interschools Snowsports Event?

Tuesday 9th - Saturday 13th July 2019 at Perisher.

This is not a school trip. Travel and accommodation will be your responsibility and a parent or guardian will need to attend.

The competition is open to all ages and all skill levels.

Competitors race in divisions: Division 4 - Years 5 & 6, Division 5 - Year 4 and below. Medals are awarded on an individual and team basis.

Additional information about the competition can be found at:

Please contact Nikki Margetts on nikki_margetts@yahoo.com.au if you have any questions.

Enrol for Prep 2020!

If you have a child born between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015 please see the office to complete an Enrolment Form or you can visit:

A GREAT WAY TO START THE DAY:

Most days I try hard to greet students and adults at a front gate as they come in for a day of learning and farewell them in the same way at the end of a busy day. I find this opportunity a wonderful way to connect with everyone in the school, have some informal chats about how things are going and most importantly share in what kids have been up to, not just at school but in their busy little lives. In a purely selfish way, I get my greatest energy from this morning/afternoon ritual. It reminds me every day as to why I love getting up and coming to work and puts all of the other daily ‘administration’ tasks I must complete in total perspective.

It is such a joy to be connecting with the students and I must say to each and every one of you that they are so very respectful, courteous and positive about the coming day at school and equally so about the day they have experienced as they leave in the afternoon. Very few pass me by without a wave and greeting, many wanting to share a story or advise me on an issue.

I often reflect on what greater joy there could be than seeing a child who is so very keen to come through the gate each day, ready to learn. We all play such a vital role in valuing education and in the attitude, our children have about their learning. It is this critical partnership we develop between home and school, which will set them up for positive educational experiences.

Can I thank each of you for fostering this partnership and to the teachers and other staff in our school for instilling this in the students so they want to come through that gate each day with a positive attitude and leave each day, tired but happy with their learning. This is what makes our community of learners so very unique.

See you at the gate!

Grant Baker
Principal

From the Deputy Principals’ Desks…

A NOTE FROM MISS CANESTRINI…

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I’m Miss Amber Canestrini and I will be replacing Mrs O’Donoghue as the Yrs 3-6 Deputy Principal role while she is on maternity leave. Week 1 was exciting for me as I was able to meet the wonderful staff and students of Windsor State School and speak with them about the great things that are happening both in and outside the classroom. I was lucky enough to be a part of the ANZAC assembly, and also play a role in the Yrs. 3 – 6 track and field last Friday, which meant that I had a chance to meet some parents and carers. It’s great to see so many at these events supporting our students. Thank you very much to all those who came up to introduce themselves. I look forward to being a part of this wonderful community and getting to know more of you as the year progresses.

Problem Solving Challenge

On Monday 28th of April, 8 students from years 5 and 6 represented Windsor State School in the Problem Solving Challenge at Wavell State High School. The students worked in two teams of four to solve problems in the areas of mathematics, science and technology. Our students displayed outstanding teamwork and problem solving skills and walked away with some excellent scores. Well done to those clever students.

YEARS 3-6 TRACK & FIELD CARNIVAL

This year, our school Year 3-6 Track and Field Carnival days are earlier due to a change in national and state carnival timelines.

Our Years 3-6 Track Carnival was held last Friday 26th April (Week 1) and Field Events will be held this Friday 3rd May (Week 2) at Windsor Park. As the students leave the school grounds, permission was required for them to attend and participate in the carnival, this has already been completed.

At the end of last Friday, Maynard was in the lead with 990 points, followed by Wilson 969 and Lutwyche 933. It is important that all children participate and contribute to the overall success of their teams!

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

We would like to inform you about the religious instruction (RI) arrangements in 2019. If you wish to make any changes to your current preferences regarding your child’s participation in RI or other instruction, please complete this online form. A hardcopy version form is also available for download on the school website. If there are no changes to be made, there is no need to return a form to the school.

Queensland state schools embrace a multitude of cultural, religious and non-religious beliefs. Under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006, schools are to provide RI each week if approached by a faith group seeking to provide RI and students of that faith attend the school.

RI informs students about the beliefs and values of a particular religion. It is delivered by volunteers of a faith group using instructional materials approved by that faith group. These materials are not part of the formal school curriculum and are not endorsed by the Department of Education.

All RI instructors must hold a blue card and participate in compulsory Student Protection and Code of Conduct training. RI instructors are only entitled to deliver the RI program outlined below. A school staff member will be present during the delivery of RI.

Participation in RI is not compulsory. Any student (except Prep students) may participate in RI if a parent has given consent and indicated a religion on the Application for Student Enrolment Form or in other written advice to the principal. A parent, regardless of their own faith (if any), may choose to give consent for their child to participate in one of the RI programs listed below.

Any child not participating in RI, or whose nominated religion is not represented within the RI program at the school, will receive other instruction by a qualified member of school staff in a separate location during the time RI is held. Other instruction will relate to subject areas that have already been covered in class.

At any time, parents may provide written instruction to the principal to change their preference for their child to participate in or be withdrawn from RI. If a parent does not update their consent by completing and returning this form, their previous written instructions to the school will continue to apply.

The faith groups that provide religious instructors to deliver the program at our school are listed below, including links to the website for materials to be used in RI at our school. Please note that at this stage, Christian RI is the only RI program on offer at Windsor SS.

The aims and objectives of the co-operative Christian RI program is to inform students about the basic beliefs of the Christian faith. Lesson aims and overviews for each of the RI programs to be used in this agreement are available via the links in the table above.

Further details about our school’s RI program and other instruction are available on the school’s website and in the school’s parent handbook. You may also wish to access the Department’s RI policy statement available via the link below for further information.

In 2019, there is no cost for the activity book that participating students will use in RI. Each year, parents/carers will be notified if there is a cost for the purchasing of student workbooks and the associated payment options.

You will also be notified of any changes to RI or other instruction.

Our school’s Christian RI Coordinator Mrs Karen Grenning is available to answer any questions you may have about the program. You can contact Mrs Grenning at grenning@bigpond.net.au or you may make an appointment to meet with her in the school office. Copies of the RI Teacher’s Manuals and Student Workbooks are also available now in the school office for parents to peruse.

If you would like further information about RI or other instruction at our school, or require assistance with completing the online or hardcopy form, please contact us at admin@windsorss.eq.edu.au.

NAPLAN

In Week 4 of this term, our Year 3 and Year 5 students will sit the NAPLAN tests. The dates of these tests are outline below:

The 2019 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)

UNDER 8’s DAY 2019

On Thursday May 23th, 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 'Celebrating Diversity of languages within home, culture and community'. 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.

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.

RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR PLAN 2019-2022

In 2018, our School Culture committee reviewed the Responsible Behaviour Plan for 2019-2022. The final document will be endorsed by the School Council and P&C at their first meetings of the year. The updated plan is embedded below for all parents/caregivers to read and will be uploaded with all attachments to the school website post endorsement. Please take your time to read the embedded document carefully and have conversations with your children at home. Thanks for your support!

Pastoral Care: Social Emotional Learning @ Windsor SS

Universal Support for Students

Through our Whole School Pastoral Care program, we teach and assist children in developing the 12 Positive Attitudes (previously known as Habits of the Mind) and 5 Social-Emotional skills (Getting Along, Organisation, Persistence, Confidence and Resilience) they need to reach the top of the triangle. The ultimate goals (see above) are for all children to achieve to the best of their ability, develop positive relationships and behaviour and experience the highest levels of wellbeing.

For all young people to reach the Goals at the top of the triangle, they need to also have moral Character; that is, possess Values/Strengths, positive attitudes as well as social and emotional learning skills. Values generally indicate the degree of importance of some thing or action, with the aim of determining what actions are best to do or what way is best to live, or to describe the significance of different actions. The 6 Strengths are what positive psychologists refer to as ‘Virtues’; categories consisting of different character strengths (see http://www.viacharacter.org/). There are 24-character strengths (virtues) that are incorporated under the six categories:

1. Wisdom and Knowledge: creativity, curiosity, judgment, love of learning, perspective
2. Courage: bravery, perseverance, honesty, zest
3. Humanity: love, kindness, social intelligence
4. Justice: teamwork, fairness, leadership
5. Temperance: forgiveness, humility, prudence, self-regulation
6. Transcendence: appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, hope, humour, spirituality

Environment is extremely important; therefore, the efforts of family, school and community are recognised as important in helping young children to attain positive outcomes. The unique contribution of this YCDI! Education is in strengthening the mindset and social-emotional strengths all children need to realise their full potential.

Connie Confident; Oscar Organisation; Pete Persistent; Gabby Get Along; Ricky Resilient help students understand the positive attitudes they need to be successful

The You Can Do It! Education Social and Emotional Learning frameworks (see “The Windsor Way” below) address aspects of the psychological functioning of young people that lead to poor learning, behaviour and social and emotional outcomes. Negative Attitudes and under-developed Character (values and strengths) create negative Social-Emotional Blockers (Anger, Worry, Feeling Down, Procrastination, Not Paying Attention).

Symmetrically, the frameworks also represent the corresponding Positive Attitudes and Character (values, strengths) that support five essential Social-Emotional Skills all contributing to positive Social-Emotional Skills (Getting Along, Organisation, Persistence, Confidence, Resilience). It is important for students to fully understand both sides of the framework to be able to counteract the blockers and develop the positive attitudes and skills (see below).

“The Windsor Way”- based on YCDI Education! Social & Emotional Framework

Code of Conduct @ Windsor SS

Behavioural Expectations

Behaviour at Windsor State School is NOT simply related to compliant/obedient children, our goal is to fully develop all positive attitudes and social emotional skills. Behaviour results on end of semester report cards are directly linked to each student’s ability to achieve a particular Behaviour Level (A = Gold; B = Silver; C = Bronze). Students are encouraged/coached to use the Code of Conduct criteria sheet to strive for positive growth and excellence.

The behavioural expectations criteria (see WSS Code of Conduct below) are used by teachers to teach, encourage, reinforce and coach students to improve and become happy and successful. Teachers use these criteria to directly assess and assign a Behaviour rating at the end of each semester. (see our new Code of Conduct & Positive Behaviour poster below)

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

ACTIVE SCHOOL TRAVEL!

Walk Safely to School Day!

Friday 17th 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!

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 17th May!

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

CHESS CLUB

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!

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.

SEAWOLVES Award Winners

Congratulations to all students who received awards at the culmination of 2018/19 season. Recipients were as follows:

Enrichment News

Term 2, Week 2 Update

Instrumental

Helping Hands

Uniform Shop

Uniform Shop is open during the School term on Mondays 2:30pm – 3:30pm and Wednesdays 8:30am – 9:30am. Uniform Shop orders can be placed online using the online ordering system, Munch Monitor. Online orders can be picked up from the Uniform Shop or delivered to your child’s class for them to bring home.

Signing up is very simple; a Munch Monitor fact sheet is available here. As an external supplier with a dedicated account management team they are able to assist with your account enquiries via help@munchmonitor.com.

Please provide any feedback regarding uniforms to the retail sub-committee at retail@windsorsspandc.eq.edu.au