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Principal’s Patch

NAPLAN Testing for all Year Three, Five, Seven and Nine students across Australia this year will be Tuesday 15th May through to Friday 18th May. These tests are conducted annually across the nation after being introduced in 2008. At Woombye State School, we prepare our students for the tests by ensuring we provide a quality curriculum and teaching program for all the students in our school. We now include Literacy and Numeracy ‘warmup’ activities in Years 2 to 5 throughout the year. These activities are five minute exercises presented in a similar format to the way NAPLAN presents its questions and discussed with the students in a fun and enjoyable manner. This way, the students become used to the format of the questions in NAPLAN tests and feel more comfortable answering each task. If any parents have any questions about the NAPLAN tests, please don’t hesitate to contact the school. Below is the explanation for what NAPLAN tests are and their purpose. What is NAPLAN? The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual national assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 across Australia. All students in these year levels are expected to participate in tests in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. All government and non-government education authorities have contributed to the development of NAPLAN materials. Why do students do NAPLAN tests? NAPLAN is the measure through which governments, education authorities, schools, teachers and parents can determine whether or not young Australians are meeting important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy. The tests provide parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. They also provide schools, states and territories with information about how education programs are working and what areas need to be prioritised for improvement. NAPLAN tests are one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process; they do not replace the extensive ongoing assessments made by teachers about each student’s performance. What will be tested and how? NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. It is important to remember that NAPLAN is not about passing or failing, but about assessing learning progress. At the classroom level it is one of a number of important tools used by teachers to measure student progress. The content of each test is informed by the national Statements of Learning for English and mathematics, which underpin state and territory learning frameworks. Questions are multiple-choice or require a short written response. The writing task requires students to write a text in response to a prompt. To give you an idea of what the tests look like, sample questions and a sample writing task are available on the NAP website: www.nap.edu.au. NAPLAN tests are constructed to give students an opportunity to demonstrate skills they have learned over time through the school curriculum, and NAPLAN test days should be treated as just another routine event on the school calendar. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to reassure them that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program, and to urge them to simply do the best they can on the day.

The P & C meets on the second Wednesday of each month

Woombye Whispers Principal: Paul Lowik Deputy Principal: Tina Brosnan Student Absence Line: 5451 3260

Phone: 5451 3222 Fax: 5451 3200 P & C: 5451 3229 OSHC: 5442 1023 School Watch: 131 788

Website: www.woombyess.eq.edu.au Email: admin@woombyess.eq.edu.au 4th May 2018

DATES TO

REMEMBER

P&C

Meeting

9th

May

7pm

9th

May

Year 3

Music

Concerts

15,16 & 17

May

NAPLAN

Testing

22nd

May

Year 3

Planetarium

Visit

Thought

Of the week!

“To be tested is good. The

challenged life may be the best therapist.” – Gail

Sheehy

Tina’s Business

Dear parents,

Week 3 already, and what a great couple of weeks we have had.

I would like to acknowledge the wonderful work of Amanda Roberts, Miriam Hobbs, TL Schulz and Annette Scott their contribution to our ANZAC Service. Our Woombye ANZAC Service helps students to understand, connect to and remember the sacrifice and contributions made by our Servicemen and women. The Choir sang beautifully and our Student Leaders are to be commended for their contribution to the ceremony. The atmosphere was one of deep respectful as our guest speaker Marg shared her memories of Grandy.

NAPLAN

There always seems to be a big fuss about NAPLAN, which often leads to high levels of stress and anxiety for students and parents.

NAPLAN is a “point in time test”, it provides us with a snapshot of how we are going, however, as a “point in time test” there are many factors that can impact on student progress and achievement.

It is important to remember that NAPLAN is only one of the many assessments our school completes and uses to assess and monitor how our students are learning.

Things to remember to help make NAPLAN less stressful for students.

It is essential that students have a great night sleep and a very filling breakfast each day that NAPLAN occurs. A great night sleep and a full stomach from a healthy breakfast provides the ingredients to ensuring a day of focus and attention for our students whether they are participating in NAPLAN or engaged in the challenge of learning new and interesting knowledge each day.

Encourage your child/ren to give it their best shot.

Arthur Conlon Visit

We are fortunate to have Arthur Conlon visiting our school this year from the 14th-17th May. He will be working with students to help them to develop their further knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal Art and Culture.

I have been very fortunate to have known and worked with Arthur for over 16 years, and have been amazed at his ability as an artist but also his ability to connect with students.

Arthur is an aboriginal artist from the Wakka Wakka / Kullilla people of Cherbourg, he has a worked as a Teacher Aide, in the Army and as an Artist. Arthur started painting from the age of 9 under the guidance of his uncles.

During his time at Woombye State School, Arthur will work with all classes to complete an indigenous drawing and he will work with the upper school to create a mural or two for our school.

School ANZAC Day Service:- Last Tuesday morning, Woombye State School conducted a moving ANZAC Day Service that included historical reflections presented by our school leaders, beautiful singing by our school choir, wonderful floral tributes from the students and a very engaging presentation by Mrs Willersdorf. Visitors in the audience were moved by the quality and presentation of the service and were very generous with their praise. A huge congratulations to everyone involved!!

ANZAC Day March Thanks:- A huge thankyou to the families who joined together to represent Woombye State School at last week’s ANZAC Day March in Nambour. Over forty of our students proudly represented our school in the parade and at the service in Quota Park. The students looked great as their bright yellow uniforms contrasted with the surrounding colours in the parade. Well done, everyone.

Support your child’s learning — at home!

You want to help your child develop their literacy and numeracy skills, but working out how can be

tricky. How do you find activities that reinforce and build on the concepts and skills your child will

encounter in the classroom?

The answer: this website. Everything here supports the Australian Curriculum for primary school, and is

child (and parent) friendly.

Browse by your child’s year level, or search for a topic, and the website will suggest ideas, activities,

games and videos you can use to support your child’s learning.

http://www.learningpotential.edu.au/

Dogs on School Grounds:- At the moment, we have an issue of dogs being walked on the school grounds and the owners not cleaning up after them. This lack of courtesy creates a serious health issue for our staff and students, particularly when the dog messes are left on our school tennis court and play oval spaces. Please pass the word around that if dogs are walked on the school grounds, they must be cleaned up after.

SCHOOL VISION:- “At Woombye State School diversity is accepted and respected. We aim to

engage all students in our care in a supportive and inclusive learning community that recognises individual needs and potential, empowering them

to become lifelong learners”.

Sports Day dates:-

This year, Woombye State School is changing its Interhouse Sports days to

Wednesday 27th June and Thursday 28th June. This is in the last week of Term Two. Previously, we have always held our big sports day on the Friday but have now moved it to the Thursday to assist with organisation of the day. Please mark these dates in your diary. Towards the end of the term, a timetable of events will be circulated.

Library News:- After a disrupted start to the year while we worked around the construction of the extension, the library has fully re-opened. The new area is great and has allowed us more room in the main library. Students now have plenty of space to spread out as they read or play games in their free time. To make the most of the space, different activities will be on offer during lunch breaks. By the time you read this, we’ll have had some fun with Star Wars activities leading up to May the fourth. Next week, students will be able to make a card for someone special, just in time for Mother’s Day. We have a few more changes to make as we move over to a new online library system. We still have one more week of testing, then students will be able to log in to search for books, make a reservation, or check what they have on loan. We’ll also be able to email reminders and overdue notices once it is up and running. More information will be available shortly. In order to complete our checks, all books that have been on loan need to be returned. If your child still has a book out from before the holidays, please return it as it is now overdue. Student borrowing limits are the same and they still need a library bag to borrow. You may have noticed some information on two upcoming activities on the back of the current Bookclub catalogue. On the 23rd of May, readers throughout the nation are planning to read the same book at the same time as part of National Simultaneous Storytime. Our event will start at 10:30, as we gather for a special reading of Hickory Dickory Dash. Please feel free to join us. Scholastic is also challenging every family to read for 10 minutes every day in May, during the Read more in May promotion. Although prizes are available for the selected winners, the aim is to encourage families to set aside some time each day to read together. Registration opens on May 1. The recording sheet can be downloaded from http://scholastic.com.au/schools/bookclub/competitions/assets/pdfs/nfrm18_readinglog.pdf .

Oval Renovations Update:-. We are now into our sixth week of Oval Renovations with major works taking place. Terracing of bank between the Yr 1/2 oval and Yr 3/4 oval is currently taking place as well as new stairs and large drain pipes being installed. It is very exciting watching this project come together and we thank everyone for their patience while any inconveniences are experienced during construction.

District Sports Trial Dates:- All ten, eleven and twelve year old students are invited to attend the following Nambour District Sports Trials if they have experience and talent in these disciplines. All students attending must see Mr David Ford first to confirm dates of trials and eligibility. Aquathlon/Triathlon

11-12 yrs P Nominate direct to Triathlon Qld All Schools event - see website: sunshinesport.eq.edu.au

Aust Football 10-12 yrs G P Wednesday 6-Jun-18

Cricket 10-12 yrs B P Wednesday 15-Aug-18 Nambour Cricket Club

Cricket 10-12 yrs G P Nominate direct to regional trials - see website: sunshinesport.eq.edu.au

Cross Country 10-19 yrs S/P Friday 11-May-18 Bli Bli SS

Golf 10-18 yrs* S/P Nominate direct to regional trials - see website: sunshinesport.eq.edu.au

Rugby League 11-12 yrs G P Monday 14-May-18 Nambour Crushers

Rugby Union 11-12 yrs B P Friday 11-May-18 Bli Bli SS

Softball 10-12 yrs B P Monday 14-May-18 Bli Bli SS

Tennis 10-12 yrs B P Wednesday 9-May-18 Nambour Tennis Club

Tennis 10-12 yrs G P Wednesday 9-May-18 Nambour Tennis Club

Touch 10-12 yrs B P Friday 4-May-18 Crushers/Bli Bli

Touch 10-12 yrs G P Friday 4-May-18 Crushers/Bli Bli

Track & Field 10-12 yrs P Tuesday 7-Aug-18 Sunshine Coast Uni

P&C Meeting:- Our next P&C Meeting will be next Wednesday evening, 9th May at 7:00pm. The venue will either be the School Staffroom or the new Library extension. All welcome.

STEM NEWS

USC STEM Students visit Woombye:- Students from the Sunshine Coast University (USC) visited Woombye School last week to work with the Year 6 students. The Uni students were here to encourage people to think about the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) in our everyday lives and particularly in relation to structural engineering. The visitors then set our Woombye scholars the challenge of building a bridge using spaghetti, paper, rubber bands and sticky tape. The bridge also had to support the weight of a small tory car. Woombye students enjoyed the experience and each group rose to the challenge with a wide range of different designs. The Uni students will be back this week to set the same challenge to the Year 5 students.

GARDENERS Needed!! Woombye School Kitchen Garden Club:- Our new wicking gardens are finally underway!!! We already have an enthusiastic group of Woombye School students are keen to start planting and growing organic vegetables now the weather is cooler. We need several parents or grandparents who could come in during a lunch break once a week (just half an hour) to help students in the garden. Rewards: Smiles and excitement from budding gardeners who want to dig, plant and nurture their vegetables and learn where REAL FOOD comes from. Appreciation from the tuckshop for salad supplies! A big thankyou to Nick for all his hard work designing and building the above ground wicking gardens, Luke Vilkas for co-ordinating the garden project and the Maroochy Shire Council for the donation of garden soil.

Please contact Luke on 0418 974048…… or write your name on the garden list in the school office

Term Two Date Claimers:-

9 May Year 3 Music Concert 15, 16, 17 May NAPLAN Testing for Years 3 and 5

22 May Year 3 Excursion “Planetarium Visit” 24,25 May Science Factory Expo

30 May Proposed Year 4 Music Concert 6 June Year 3 Excursion, “Under the Canopy” Year 2 Excursion “Caboolture Historical Village” 7 June Year 4 Excursion “St Helena Island” Year 1 Excursion “Bilai Environmental Centre Visit”

14 June Prep Excursion “Maroochy Botanical Gardens” 25 June Report Cards distributed to students

27,28 June Interhouse Athletics

.

Woombye and Palmwoods Students to Visit Tatebayashi:- Last year, we had our first visit by students from Tatebayashi, Japan.

We trust that this will become an annual event for Palmwoods and Woombye State Schools. More exciting is that we have just

started planning a return trip for our students to visit Tatebayashi, Japan. At a recent meeting, Councillor Jenny McKay met with Mr

Allan Petts (Palmwoods Deputy Principal) and me to discuss sending twenty-four (24) Woombye and Palmwoods State School

students to Japan in 2019. We are offering this opportunity to our current Year 5

students and possibly our current Year 4 students. We are anticipating that the trip will

be the first week of the Easter Break, 8th April 2019 to 15th April 2019. It will be a ‘Home

Stay’ situation where students will be staying with families in Tatebayashi and attending

school as well as sightseeing around the area. It is anticipated that the costs will be no

more than $1500 per student ($1000 for airfares, $200 for Home Stay costs, and $300

incidentals such as spending money). If you have a student in Year 5 and would like

them to be considered for this opportunity, please let us know. At this stage, it will be an

‘Expression of Interest’ only and if there is enough interest, we will move forward with

more formal planning including fundraising ideas.

Woombye State School’s preferred method of payment is BPoint.

BPOINT is an internet web link you can use as a method of paying school invoices securely from your own computer.

Internet Payment (single payment) via Web Link www.bpoint.com.au/payments/dete

This link can be found on the school webpage under NEWS and also in the Quick Links.

ABSENCES Is your child running late for school?

• Ring the absence hotline 5451 3260.

• Ring the direct line 5451 3222.

• Send a note in with your child.

Is your child absent from school today?

• Ring the absence hotline 5451 3260.

• Email absences@woombyess.eq.edu.au.

• Send a note in the SAME day with a sibling.

THE OFFICE NEEDS TO BE ADVISED OF

EVERY ABSENCE YOUR CHILD HAS.

IF YOU KNOW YOUR CHILD HAS SOME UNEXPLAINED ABSENCES

PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE ASAP TO CLEAR THEM.

Absence

hotline

5451 3260

Student of the Week

Year 20 April Awarded For 27 April

Awarded For

If you have any queries in relation to this

procedure please contact Tania Mundt or

Heather MacMillan, our Administration

Officers on 5451 3222.

Other methods of payment are:

Student of the Week

PA Dylan Allen Following the rules & being kind to fellow preppers. Lakyn Maden

For welcoming his baby brother ‘Duke” to the family

PB Maria West For taking meticulous care with her written work and colouring. Jack Simpson

For showing an amazing ability to stay focussed during the ANZAC service

PC Ezekiel O”Shea

Working hard to complete all his work to the very best of his ability. Well done Ezekiel!

Tahnee Evans For having confidence to share and try new things.

1A Logan Forbes For greater focus and effort in all work areas, particularly handwriting. Nazira Black

For her focus and determination with her daily tasks, especially in number areas, where she is a quick thinker.

1B Oscar Mackie For being a good learner and achieving pleasing results in all areas. Vida Green

For being an organised and confident learner who works well to complete tasks.

1C Harley Yurko For becoming a much more organised learner. Aylah Melnacis

For being very well organised with her talks this week.

2A Isabel Pettet For a great start to persuasive writing this week. Sienna Elliott

For being a focused learner and trying her best this week.

2B Molly Montgomerie

For always putting her best effort into all areas of her learning and for being a helpful student in 2B. Keep up the great work, Molly

Elsie Watherston

For attending to all learning tasks with great focus and effort and for being a beautiful calming influence in 2B. Thank you Elsie. Keep up the great work.

2C Frederick Coulson For an enthusiastic start to Term 2. Keep up the great work Fred! Dexter Russell

For a big improvement in his focus with all tasks. Well done Dexter!

18 April Awarded For 24 April Awarded For

3A Not Awarded Not Awarded – ANZAC ceremony

3B Not Awarded Not Awarded – ANZAC ceremony

3C Not Awarded Not Awarded – ANZAC ceremony

4A Not Awarded Not Awarded – ANZAC ceremony

4B Not Awarded Not Awarded – ANZAC ceremony

4C Not Awarded Not Awarded – ANZAC ceremony

5A Not Awarded Not Awarded – ANZAC ceremony

5B Not Awarded Not Awarded – ANZAC ceremony

5/6D Not Awarded Not Awarded – ANZAC ceremony

6A Not Awarded Not Awarded – ANZAC ceremony

6B Not Awarded Not Awarded – ANZAC ceremony