26 June 2019

Newsletter Articles

Across the Principal's Desk...

Semester One Report Cards & Term 3 Student Conferences

In 2018, we introduced a ‘new look’ report card with a reduced number of comments at the end of the Semester 1 and Semester 2 reporting periods. It was affirming for the staff to hear many positive comments from families across the school following the successful implementation of these changes.

Moving forward, the subject sections (e.g. English, Maths, Science etc.) on the report cards will show the level of achievement and effort only. The report card will be accompanied by a Semester 1, or Semester 2, Curriculum Overview that will give information about the Curriculum content, skills and learnings from all subject areas. The Semester 1 Curriculum Overviews will be made available on our school’s website. Also available will be a fact sheet for parents/carers about ‘Assessment and Reporting’.

Overall Behaviour achievement and comment will remain unchanged; however, the General comment has been personalised by the teacher and includes affirmations and recommendations for improvement.

Early next semester, we will conduct an additional round of formal interviews, where the students will also engage in the conversations, thus making them student led conferences. During these interviews, students will discuss Learning Goals and their individual progress/feedback with the opportunity for both teachers and parents to discuss their learning. These discussions will help establish the remaining 6 months of learning is set up for success and any concerns are highlighted/plans are developed. Teachers and students will be preparing for these discussions over the next month.

Term 3 Student Led Conferences

Scheduled for:

Early next semester the interview booking process via ‘SessionKeeper’ will be opened. A link to access this booking system will be emailed out to all families early next term.

** Please note - that at ANY stage throughout the year (as is the case now), a parent, or teacher, can request a meeting to discuss their child’s academic, behaviour, social/emotional/wellbeing needs. This will not change as honest, transparent and open relationships between teachers/students and parents are paramount!

Further information about the student conferences, along with some supporting research on metacognitive strategies, will be included in next week’s edition of the newsletter.

School Review Findings

Our school recently participated in a full School Review. School Reviews are conducted every four years and are an important part of how the department monitors and supports schools. The reviews are about providing schools with quality and independent feedback, tailored to the school’s context and needs. The review was conducted by the department’s School Improvement Unit (SIU).

The school review team were very impressed with the procedures, student achievement, vision and direction of Windsor State School over the last four years. Click here to view the executive summary of the school review findings.

The Review team have identified 5 key improvement strategies to guide the work at Windsor for the next 4 years (2020-2023). These are as follows;

1. Identify school and teacher leaders who systematically use the agreed signature pedagogical practices to improve individualised student learning to provide differentiated support in coaching and mentoring teachers as identified through collegial engagement in the school.
2. Build on current collaborative processes to ensure curriculum units have a strong focus on the rigour and intent of all learning areas of the Australian Curriculum, including the cross-curriculum priorities and general capabilities with horizontal and vertical alignment.
3. Collaboratively review and refine the pedagogical framework to ensure school documentation reflects the agreed high-yield, signature practices and pedagogical beliefs enacted at the school.
4. Build an observation, coaching and feedback culture, involving all staff, to provide timely support and advice on classroom pedagogical practices in the priority areas, and in areas for individual development and consistency across the school.
5. Review the roles and responsibilities plan for all staff, to ensure clarity of strategic and operational processes, alignment to the school’s priority programs with embedded Quality Assurance (QA) practices.

The review team asked to pass on their thanks to the Windsor community for making them feel so welcome while the review was undertaken.

eSafety is Everyone’s Business

Guiding young people to positively shape their digital practices has never been more important. Through the Australian Curriculum Technologies curriculum and our BYO program at Windsor, we are implementing a variety of Digital Citizenship platforms and eSafety initiatives – through Internet Safe Education, eSafety and Common Sense Media, just to name a few.

I recently read an article in the Primary Education Matters journal by the eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, where she discussed how schools can work with parents to deal with online challenges faced by young people. You can view the article here:

Commissioner Julie also has a variety other publications and blogs online about eSafety and other parental resources.

Online Safety Course for Parents

The internet is an amazing place for children to learn, connect and play. Every child, no matter their age, needs to know they have a trusted adult they can talk to about their online experiences. You are the person who can teach them how to be safe.

To support you in this, Internet Safe Families have created a collection of courses specifically created to support parents with resources, skills and training materials to help parents build an open and supportive environment for their children at home.

Windsor State School has purchased a 12 month school license so our community can access these government certified (The Office of the Children’s eSafety Commissioner) courses.

Please click on the link below for relevant course information.

Parent Session “Date Claimer”

Raising Your Child in a Digital World
Tuesday 10 September | 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Parents, carers and community members are warmly invited to attend our seminar by Dr Kristy Goodwin on “Raising your Child in a Digital World”.

Dr Kristy Goodwin, a digital parenting educator, author and researcher (& mum who also deals with her kids’ techno-tantrums), translates the latest research about how technology is shaping childhood into essential information for confused and concerned parents. Dr. Kristy helps parents make informed decisions about how to best manage screen-time at home (so that it doesn’t always end in ‘scream time’)... and no she won’t suggest that you ban the iPad, or unplug the TV!

Parents will understand the latest risks to kids’ online safety (including current cyber-safety threats, pornography exposure, introduction of phones and social media, as well as the health and learning implications of young kids (4-12 years) growing up in a world of screens. Dr Kristy will share her simple formula to calculate healthy screen- time limits and will arm parents with a host of strategies and ideas to prevent techno-tantrums and to help kids develop healthy technology habits. Dr Kristy will explain how technology is impacting kids’ learning, sleep, social, language, play, physical skills and their vision, hearing and posture and will arm parents with practical strategies about how to best raise kids in a digital world. Parents will learn how to get the most out of their child’s screen- time so they can finally ditch the guilt and guesswork.

Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased here.

* Please note that this two hour interactive session has been designed for adults only and is not appropriate for children.

2019 Voluntary Financial Contribution Scheme

The 2019 Voluntary Contribution is used to supplement educational resources and programmes at Windsor. Our school welcomes your contribution as it will significantly improve the equipment and material made available to all of our children at the school. Every child will benefit from the equipment provided by the Voluntary Contribution funds, which are in addition to the funds we receive from the Department of Education. Please note that this is a purely voluntary scheme, so your participation is not in any way mandatory. I have attached below the 2019 Voluntary Contribution letter that was recently endorsed by the P&C. Many thanks in anticipation.

Winter Gala Days

Congratulations to the Year 4, 5 and 6 students for demonstrating excellent behaviour and sportsmanship over the three winter gala days.

I would also like to thank the teachers and parents for helping coach the teams and officiating at the games. Without your help we would not be able to offer our students a positive sporting experience. Thank-you and well done to all involved.

Metropolitan North Girls Hockey – Congratulations!

Carissa Graham and Elke Cooper competed for Met North in the Girls Hockey 10-12 years last week in Townsville. Metropolitan North were undefeated, winning all 9 games!

Elke Cooper has also been selected for QLD at the National 10-12 Years Hockey Championship in Bendigo, Victoria this coming August.

I’m sure you will join us in wishing Elke the very best for her competition in August.

Well done Carissa and Elke!

Yoga Classes Begin Next Term

WOW! We have received such tremendous messages of support for this initiative, which is just great! Thank you to the many people and community members who offered their expertise for our Yoga classes! Greatly appreciated!

After much consideration, we have selected two qualified volunteer yoga teachers.

From Week 2 of Term 3:

Click here to view the Yoga Flyer for Semester 2.

Yoga classes will be a ‘gold coin’ donation for students/families to participate in, which in time will enable us to purchase some yoga equipment (i.e. mats etc). After we are set up with some key resources for students/parents to use, the money can be used by the Student Council to make termly donations to a variety of Nepalese charities.

Meet our new Yoga Teachers

After experiencing the many benefits of practicing yoga for almost two decades Georgie completed her yoga teacher training in 2016 at YIMI - (Yoga and Integrated Medicine Institute). Teaching seemed to be a natural step for her to take in her yoga journey, both to deepen her understanding and experience of yoga, and to direct her energy towards helping others to become healthier, stronger, and more balanced.

As a mother of three boys and a Teacher Aide Georgie believes children derive enormous benefits from yoga. She understands the need for children to practice while having fun working on increasing flexibility, strength, coordination and learning new skills to calm the body and mind.

Hello Windsor State School! Firstly let me express how excited I am to be sharing Yoga and Mindfulness with you. My name is Helen Grant and I have been practising Yoga for around 25 years. This year I have taken my practise further and obtained my Teacher Training Certificate so that I can feel confident in sharing my knowledge and skills with others. My husband, Jason and I have two sons, Liam and Oliver who we adore.

I thank you in advance for allowing me this opportunity to share my love of yoga with your children and invite all year 3 – 6 students, their family and teachers to join in this journey that is sure to be fun and rewarding. Please bring with you a water bottle and a towel (until we get mats), an open mind, a sense of fun and please remember to wear a warm jumper for our mindfulness time. Looking forward to seeing you in the school hall next term.

Influenza at Windsor

Recently we’ve had numerous confirmed case of Influenza B from across the school.

Earlier in the year, this letter from the Metro North Public Health Unit was sent to parents with further information and recommendations in regards to Influenza. As with the cases earlier in the year, please be vigilant to avoid the spread of Influenza. The information in this letter will assist you in ensuring you are taking every precaution.

As per the Health Guidelines, all children and adults should stay away from school and crowded areas or public gatherings if they develop influenza-like symptoms, such as: fever, cough and sore throat, until symptoms have resolved, which is normally 5-7 days.

If you have any questions please contact 13 HEALTH or your Doctor.

Electronic Report Cards

Report cards will be emailed directly to all parents in Week 1 of Term 3. If you have recently changed your email address, please ensure you have updated your details at the office. Please add Application.ONESCHOOL@dete.qld.gov.au to your list of safe senders to ensure report card emails aren’t sent to your ‘junk’ mail folder.

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 the link below.

Safe Holidays!

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for yet another wonderful term at Windsor. I genuinely value your ongoing support and interest in your child’s education, as we work in partnership to offer the best we can for all students at Windsor.

I am always heartened by the level of engagement and the fact that you honour the work undertaken by the teachers as professionals, taking their advice and guidance on where to next for your child’s learning.

To me, the parents at Windsor approach their child’s education with great respect for the work teachers do every day! So thank you for your ongoing support and advocacy.

Have a great last week and I look forward to seeing you once again on Monday July 15 for Term 3.

Grant Baker
Principal

From the Deputy Principals’ Desks…

Things to do on the Holidays…

Check out these great websites, “Brisbane Kids” and “Families Magazine”, both of which have oodles of great ideas and things to do to keep the kids engaged and learning over the holidays!

Have a happy holiday everyone and we look forward to seeing you back at school, safe and sound, on Monday 15th July!

P-2 Athletics Carnival

Well Done MAYNARD – Champions 2019!

Well done to all of those students in PREP, Year 1 and Year 2 for a fantastic effort at the Junior Sports Carnival last Tuesday. It was great to see every student have a go and try their best at every event. All students showed wonderful persistence throughout the day as they sprinted, hurdled, rolled balls, ran three-legged races just to name a few.

Thank you to Mr Ross for organising such a wonderful event where every student was engaged for the most of the day. A huge thank you to those parents who came along and supported our little athletes. Another thanks goes to those who volunteered to help, whether it was cooking the sausages, setting up or packing away. Your help is always appreciated. More photos are available from the day on the school Facebook page.

Disco

Thank you to everyone who came and supported the Disco last Thursday. The Hall was filled with an abundance of students donning a variety of masks from Venetian style to Panda Bears.

Thanks to the staff and parents who gave up their time to help on the night. Your help made it a truly wonderful evening.

Integrating Technology into the Classroom

Technology is an integral part of teaching and learning. It is especially important when thinking about how to cater for different learning styles in the classroom. As teachers collaboratively plan, they carefully consider these learning styles and discuss ways in which they can ensure every student has every chance to be successful. They provide a wide range of learning opportunities for students to learn, no matter what their learning style. They implement a ‘blended learning’ style where there is a healthy balance of technology and traditional methods.

Here is another wonderful example of the healthy balance of the use of iPad’s and pencil and paper to achieve outcomes. These students have been learning about angles, in particular the rules associated with angles. Not only have they had the opportunity to measure angles using a protractor, they have worked in their books to solve missing angles based on learnt rules. They also have had the chance to apply this new knowledge in activities via a variety of apps on their iPad’s such as Targeting Maths, Mathletics and Study Ladder.

Bronze…Silver…Gold!

Well done to all students on a successful Semester 1!

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 in Semester 1) 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.

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.

Congratulations to all students who have achieved Bronze, Silver and Gold this semester. We finished Semester 1 with 75% of students reaching Silver and 41% reaching Gold. What an achievement!

What if your Family went Screen-Free for a Week? Here’s How, and What It Could Do

by Melissa Benaroya and posted by Karen Young

What would happen if your family committed to just one week of going screen-free? Would you or your child experience panic, anxiety, unease, resentment?

Most parents and teens spend about nine hours a day in front of screens and agree that limiting their screen time to just school or work would be a major challenge. Eighty-three percent of the nine hours in front of screens typically has nothing to do with work or school and is spent texting, listening to music, watching shows and movies, playing video games, browsing websites, and using social media.

Why try a Screen-Free Week?

Find out by reading more of Melissa Benaroya’s article, posted by Karen Young, at the following the link below:

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 the link below). 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!

An important reminder for students, teachers and parents about how to safely cross the road. The AST Crew’s four steps to safely cross the road are:

STOP – at least one metre from the kerb
LOOK – right, left and right again
LISTEN – for the sound of close traffic
THINK – is it safe to cross and am I holding and adult’s hand?

Parents, please practise these steps with your children EVERYTIME you cross the road.

As adults, we lead by example so it’s essential that we do the right thing when we cross the road. This year, everyone will have more opportunities to practise their road crossing skills when they leave the car at home and actively travel to and from school.

Remember: Driveways can be dangerous places. Make sure your children stop, look, listen and think before crossing a driveway.

So be active and healthy, and actively travel to school!

Don’t Forget Walking Wheeling Wednesday!

Wednesday is the day of the week that we ask everyone to really think about how they travel to school; however, over the school holidays you could be actively travelling everyday as you explore Brisbane with your kids!

We know that everyone is different, so there are lots of ways you can actively travel over the school holidays. You could…

Walk

Leave the car at home and walk somewhere. If you live too far away, drive part of the way and walk the rest. “Park and Stride” is not just for during the term.

Cycle or Scooter

Ride with your children, there are safe bike paths all over Brisbane. It’s legal to ride on the footpath and remember to always have your helmet secured.

Public Transport

Public transport is easy once you know how. For bus, train and ferry timetables, visit the link below or phone 13 12 30.

Half Day Train Trips – free on the weekend!

• Caboolture Line
• Shorncliffe Line
• Ferny Grove Line
• City Stations
• Beenleigh Line
• Ipswich Line
• Gold Coast Line

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

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.

Enrichment News

ICAS

This year ICAS has changed how they are implementing the ICAS assessments. They are all online (except writing) and registrations and payment is made directly to ICAS through a parent portal.

In the past parents have made the decision to nominate their child. As mentioned on the ICAS website ‘ICAS Assessments are online assessments, designed to recognise and reward academic excellence. The assessments are based on the curricula for the relevant year. Students are asked to demonstrate a deeper, integrated, and thorough level of learning.’

We ask that you consider this before nominating your child for the ICAS assessment. If you are unsure if this test is suitable for child, please ask your child’s teacher.

Payment and Permission Information

1. Online parent payment:

ICAS fees will now be paid online. Visit the new online Parent Payment System to make a direct payment to UNSW Global. Online payment will close on 31 July 2019.

Visit Instructions for parents.

You can access this service by typing unsw.global/parentpay into a browser. You will require a unique access code to purchase assessments that were registered by our school.

Your school's unique access code is: 52c852fb48

That’s all for now. As always, if you have any expertise that could help our lunchtime activities please let me know ekemp14@eq.edu.au.

Warm Regards,

Emma Kemph

2019 Premier’s Reading Challenge

Windsor State School is delighted to invite all of our students to join in the 2019 Premier’s Reading Challenge. Reading plays such an important part in students’ lives during their school years and beyond, allowing them to actively engage their imagination.

Last year, an outstanding 181,000 students from 1012 schools took part in the challenge reading a total of 2.46 million books.

The reading period for the 2019 Premier's Reading Challenge has commenced and closes Friday 23 August. The aim this year is to engage more students reading more books than ever before. The Premier has challenged students to experience at least the following (through shared or independent reading or listening):

• Prep to Year 4: – 20 books
• Years 5 to 6: – 15 books

Suggested book lists by year level are on the notice boards in the Resource Centre/Library (or at the link below) but students should not limit themselves to just these suggestions.

The Premier's Reading Challenge is also a great opportunity to explore the books shortlisted by the Children's Book Council of Australia in their annual awards. There is a CBCA display in the Library and you can obtain more information at the link below CBCA will announce their winners on 16 August (just in time for book week).

Students wishing to take part in this year’s challenge can obtain a copy of the reading record sheet from their teacher, the Office or in the Library. Once completed, the reading record sheets should be signed by a parent/guardian or teacher before being handed in at the Office so it can be placed in Mrs Anderson's pigeon hole.

Every student who completes the challenge will receive a Certificate of Achievement signed by the Premier. Students who participate but don’t complete the challenge will receive a Certificate of Participation from the school. Special recognition will also be given to the student(s) from each year level who experience the greatest number of books (and perhaps even greater recognition for the student who reads the most books as part of the challenge).

We look forward to seeing as many of our students as possible embrace the 2019 Premier’s Reading Challenge.

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