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Principal's Pen
WELCOME TO THIS EDITION – A month of term 4 has own by and it is hard to believe we are nearing mid-term in readiness for the ‘run’ to the end of the year. I have to ‘pinch’ myself sometimes at how our school has progressed throughout the year. One of the most pivotal reasons for the very positive and continued change in the students enthusiasm toward their learning and their willingness to immerse themselves within the culture that is ‘Weir State School. I cannot praise our students enough for modelling our high expectations with behaviour and meeting their personal academic goals. Thanks all parents and carers for your support of our school direction and values. I am positive our year will end well and I’m excited about the big things planned for our school in 2021…….well done Weir State School community.
Year 6 Senior Camp – Last week the majority of our Year 6 students ventured north to the Daradgee Environmental Education Centre to experience 4 days of engaging, teambuilding activities. The camp was fantastic and the students returned with plenty of great stories and strong friendships. A HUGE thanks must go to our Year 6 teachers, Mrs Brown, Mrs Lowe and our Chappy Tim for helping make the camp one to remember. Congratulations to our senior camp crew ……..
Book Parade – Last Friday our book parade was held and the kids showed their talents with some costumes to celebrate book week. Is was truly amazing to see our students enjoying themselves and bringing ‘to life’ their favourite book character ….there were plenty of smiles and plenty of laughing and dancing as we enjoyed where books can really take us …congratulations on a great event Weir State School!
Student Services – Although Weir State School offers support services for students our allocated resources are always stretched. We have many students with complex needs and unfortunately limited resources. We
Weir State School Newsletter
have a large caseload and unfortunately it can take time for some students to be seen. Tests for eyes, ears and learning delays will always be quicker if sourced privately and this info shared with the school to develop tailored learning for our students.
School Zones – Unfortunately we have had an alarming amount of cars speeding in school zones. Please remember that Ross River Road is zoned at 40 KPH between 8am-9am and 2:30 pm-3:30 pm on weekdays. Any faster is breaking the law and more importantly it puts students and families in danger.
Physical Fitness - At Weir State School we value the promotion of an active lifestyle. All students are encouraged to participate in activities that get the heart racing as well as getting the body moving. Recent research has outlined that children are becoming less likely to be active, and together with an inappropriate diet, this can lead to weight issues, as well as a decrease in self-esteem and con dence. As teachers, we are aware of the importance of promoting both a healthy diet as well as an active lifestyle within our curriculum. Our Physical Education program encourages students to participate in active sessions, working at their own level. Students are taught skills such as throwing, catching, kicking and are then provided with opportunities to practice and consolidate these. Skill sessions are balanced with games that promote the fun of being involved, as well as giving students a chance to put their new skills into practice. As students get older, the skills are linked to major games such as netball and cricket. Students then have the opportunity to participate in sport sessions where aspects such as team play and good sporting behaviour are promoted and enhanced.
At Weir State School we value the fact that all students are different. Not all of us will become elite
sportspeople and be able to demonstrate awless skills. Our curriculum focuses upon the ‘having a go’ nature of active living, as well as setting your own personal goals to achieve.
As parents, it is important that you encourage your child to always participate in school events. By supporting their efforts and celebrating their own personal improvements or goals, you are assisting them to seek out an active lifestyle where they can succeed at their own level.
This week’s proverb – “ BELIEF WILL MOVE MOUNTAINS ” Thanks for reading and “GO THE FIRE!”
Mr B - Principal
From the Deputies Desk
Prep 2021 Transition Program… This week we had our Prep Open Afternoon, where parents came in and met our 2021 Prep teachers and received some information around what Prep will look like for their child. The afternoon took place in the front area of our Prep Building, with Mr B, Mrs Slatter, myself and other valuable members of our Weir SS Team sharing some other information about our great school. After our chat, parents and children were welcomed through a couple of our Prep classrooms to have a look around. Thanks to all those who came along… it was great seeing you.
In the coming weeks we will welcome children and their families from our very own C&K and surrounding Early Learning Centres for our Prep Transition days. These days are also open to any children and their families who
may not attend an Early Learning Centre. We simply want to provide any potential 2021 Prep students with an experience of what ‘BIG school’ might be like.
Prep Interviews will also be nalised in the coming weeks, with our wonderful of ce ladies calling parents to arrange dates and times in Week 9. Our Prep interviews will be conducted by our 2021 Prep teachers, to begin CONNECTING with our young families. Please remember to contact our of ce if you have a child that is due to start Prep in 2021 and enquire about a Prep Interview.
Rule of the Week…
This week’s focus has centred around respecting others and being mindful of our actions…
BE RESPECTFUL
‘Respect property and personal space of others…’
Students are taken through a weekly PBL lesson by their teachers that gives them opportunities to learn about showing Positive Behaviour. This week students will learn about respecting others’ property and looking after it, as well as their own personal space… what it looks and sounds like. This learning can then be
transferred into all parts of their school life to increase the amount of positive interactions in both the classroom and the playground.
Report Cards… with a difference… This year, we will be distributing our report cards to the community via email. It is very important that all parents/carers ensure their most current details, including email addresses are updated and on our OneSchool contact system.
If you need to update any contact details, please come into our of ce and see the ladies. They will assist you in having all your details updated.
---SOCIALISATION
Schools provide an important opportunity for your children to practice and re ne their skills in ‘getting along with others’ while achieving their education. We are all part of the Weir State School community and we all have a vested interest in ensuring our school community is happy and healthy. We are a community of people all working towards the same goal; the education and socialisation of our children.
Research clearly indicates the importance of the development of a partnership approach between parents and schools to learning and school attendance, to ensure children achieve to their ability.
The playground environment and the classroom are areas which both provide their own socialisation challenges and it is important for parents to feel con dent in approaching the school to discuss issues of concern.
Some tips for problem solving in partnership with schools: Listen clearly to your child’s concerns.
Encourage them to think of things they can do to remedy the situation.
Make a time to see your child’s teacher to discuss the issue. If necessary, also make an appointment with the Principal.
Avoid blaming – state your concerns clearly.
Work in partnership with the teacher to decide how best to support the situation, looking at the problem from all sides, considering all options and making a time for review.
Remember, the school is a dynamic people community with thousands of social interactions occurring daily. It is only natural that there will be occasions when there are socialisation issues. Schools are about ensuring the safety and happiness of every child and at Weir, we are only too happy to work with parents to quickly resolve an issue or concern.
---Mr Coey’s Joke of the Week…
Q: Who invented the round table? A: Sir Cumference!
SWD News
We have our wonderful year 6 students who are transitioning off to high school in 2021. If you haven't already decided which high school your child will be attending next year, now is the time as our transition programs will be put into place over the coming weeks. Some of our students will need to have several supported visits to their future school.
2021 Prep enrolments: Maryann Marshall (A/HoSES) will be supporting families during the prep enrolments for next year. If you have a child/ know a family with a child who has a disability and will be enrolling in Prep at Weir SS in 2021 please let the of ce know OR write it on your enrolment form. This way you can nd out how our school will work to support your child as they begin their schooling journey.
Looking forward to a great term and wrapping up this very different year! Yours in learning the SWD Team.
Student of the Week
P-AS: Pharell P-LC: Willow-May P-RC: Jesiah P-SC: Beckham
P/1-EM: Jai 1-BD: Bryce 1-EP: Amity 1-GF: Teran
2-AT: George 2-BW: Kymette 2-CH: Taylah 2-SL: Malakai
3-JR: Caden 3-KR: Sienna 3-MJ: Scarlett 3-RG: Isabella 3-TM: Seras 4-CB: Taylar 4-RP: Hydee 4-RW: Monique 4-SB: Jacqueline
5-JE: Seu 5-LJ: Emma 5-MM: Alysha 5-MT: Jahwade
6-KH: George 6-LB: Cooper 6-PW: Ella-Maya 6-RA: Sona
SWD Junior (P-AS): Emma Senior (5-LJ): Stephen P.E Junior (2-BW): Emmett Senior (6-PW): Billy-Jane
The Arts Junior
(P-AS): Jaxson
Senior
(6-KH): Aiden
Instrumental Music Brass, Woodwind, Percussion (4-SB): Tara-Rose
Strings (5-JE): Eliza
Community Partners
Many thanks to our Community Partners - The NRL Cowboys House, Cowboys Community Foundation and Coles – Second Bite Program for the generous amount of bread they have provided to give away to our parents.
We are truly grateful to have such Community Partners to help us support our students and families. How awesome!
Townsville Sunbus
Reminder – Students going from Year 6 to Year 7 in 2021 must re-apply for a bus pass as they will be removed from the Sunbus and Department of Transport and Main Roads databases at the end of 2020. Application can be returned as follows:
Sunbus PO Box 546 Aitkenvale 4814 Handed to school bus driver
Scanned or photographed (pages 1-3 only and concession card if applicable) and emailed: [email protected]
Is your Student entitled to FREE or subsidised bus travel to and from School?
Did you know that you can apply online for the School Transport Assistance Scheme? For more information:
Visit www.qld.gov.au/schooltransportassistance
Contact [email protected] or 1300 119 289 for technical assistance with your online application.
Recycling at Weir
The bene ts of recycling are supported at school in the following manner: TONER CARTRIDGES are recycled through Planet Ark.
Printer cartridges are made up of a combination of plastics, metals, foam, ink and toner. Throwing them into land ll contributes to the growing problem of electronic waste. By recycling your toner cartridges you are helping to reduce this waste. Please place them in the Planet Ark box next to the purple Battery World bin, downstairs Block 7.
Bring your BATTERIES into school so that we can dispose of them in an environmentally friendly manner. Car batteries must be delivered to Battery World on Ingham Road. The purple Battery World recycling bin is placed downstairs of Block 7.
What is Saver Plus?
Saver Plus is a 10 month nancial education and matched savings program that assists people to improve their nancial education and develop a savings habit for their own or their children’s education costs.
As part of the program, participants receive:
· one dollar in matched savings for every one dollar they save, up to $500, funded by ANZ; · free MoneyMinded nancial education; and
· personal support and guidance from a trusted community organisation.
At the end of the program participants use their matched savings to purchase an education-related goal, which can include school uniforms, textbooks, excursions and other school or sporting costs.
Bene ts of Saver Plus
By joining the program participants will:
· be motivated to save by receiving a nancial reward for their saving efforts, up to $500; · strengthen their nancial skills;
· improve their ability to save in the long-term; and · increase their nancial con dence.
How it works Participants:
· work with their Saver Plus Coordinator to identify an educational expense for which they intend to save; · open an account with their local ANZ branch and begin making deposits;
· attend MoneyMinded workshops to improve their nancial management skills;
· continue to make regular deposits into their ANZ Progress Saver account over a 10 month period.
Once participants reach their savings goal, participants savings are matched dollar for dollar, up to $500 by ANZ.
To be eligible, participants must meet all of the following criteria:
· have a current Centrelink Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card; · be at least 18 years old;
· have some regular income from work (themselves or their partner) including casual, part-time, full-time or seasonal employment;
· be in receipt of an eligible Commonwealth social security bene t, allowance or payment
· be a parent or guardian of a child at school OR be attending or returning to vocational education themselves.
How to apply
For more information contact your local Saver Plus Coordinator Debbie Mitchell on 0418 201 533 or
email [email protected] enquire online at www.saverplus.org.au, call 1300 610 355 or email [email protected].
Saver Plus is an initiative of Brotherhood of St Laurence and ANZ, delivered in partnership with The Smith Family, Berry Street and other local community agencies. The Program is funded by ANZ and the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Go to www.dss.gov.au for more information.
Learning for Life - Referral Form
Download
1. Click on the 'link' below for the colouring-in template https://townsville re.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?
u=255a4f298e147e6de89fc7593&id=a1d56f335e&e=d9585e05b4 2. Let the kids get creative!
3. Email their work of art to community@townsville re.com.au (please include full name & contact number) OR post to Townsville Stadium (PO Box 3674 Hermit Park QLD 4812 – please write full name & contact number on back of drawing)
All entries go into the draw to win a Fire Prize Pack, plus the winning entry is signed by Zitina & on display on the big screen at our rst home game!
Competition closes 2nd November. All entries will be displayed in the foyer for our rst home game LET'S GET COLOURING!
Museum of Tropical Queensland
"STAYING CONNECTED"Museum of Tropical Queensland at Home
Museum of Tropical Queensland will remain closed until early 2021 as we undergo major internal works to repair the sail roof over the Great Gallery and exhibition spaces.
During this time we will continue to expand as a virtual museum offering schools, teachers and students the opportunity to engage, learn and connect with us online.
View videos by our curators and scientists, download learning resources, and explore our online collection with more than 788,000 objects with Museum at Home.
Queensland Museum Network Learning Resources
Create a collection of resources to share with your students through Queensland Museum’s online learning platform. You can search resources according to subject and curriculum areas to access learning resources, images, collection items, and videos of our scientists and curators.
Many learning resources are interactive, so students can also save and share their answers for feedback.
LEARN MORE
Explore our collections online
Teachers and students can discover a rich diversity of cultural objects from signi cant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collections, material from the Paci c Islands and important social history, archaeology and technology in our online collections.
Explore cultural objects distinctive to our region including the Aboriginal Collection from the Wet Tropics region. This collection includes baskets, boomerangs, shields and other handmade artefacts that are unique to the rainforest peoples of North Queensland. LEARN MORE
FREE STEM Learning Activities Recommended for Year 5 -9
Evidence of past volcanoes can be seen all over the world, including Australia. In this resource 'Explore Volcanoes', students model two different volcanoes and explore how and why volcanoes affect the Earth’s surface, the environment and human populations.
Explore this and our 'Earth Shattering Science' range of teacher resources and student activities available online.
LEARN MORE
Encourage Couriosity
Students can submit their own questions for answers or read existing mysteries that have been solved by our team of experts.
Engaging Stories
Contributed to by museum researchers from a variety of scienti c elds, the Queensland Museum blog is an ideal information resource.
LEARN MORE
