WELCOME TO THIS ADDITION – Another week has passed us by as our school moves into the final month of term. The students have been pushing themselves to the limit to finish assessment and keep up with ever increasing expectations on learning. With smart minds and strong hearts they have shown great results and have made all of the staff proud with a real focus on coming to school and being achievers. Keep up the great work kids and thank-you parents for helping your children reach our school’s high expectations.
THE ‘GABUL’ GROUNDING – A HUGE thanks to all of our parents who showed for the GABUL grounding event on Monday morning. Our HUGE school artefact on the front of our hall was grounded by the Wulgurukaba traditional owners and will serve as a beacon of Weir State School to the rest of the community. The artefact will foster a strong traditional connection with the school, the students and the wider community and connect our Weir Strong Youth Engagement Program tightly. The Weir Strong Youth Engagement Program has been outlined as one of the key actionable priorities of the Townsville Stronger Communities Action Plan highlighted in Brigadier Stuart Smith’s report. Key point 6 highlights the requirement for programs like Clontarf, STARS and Stronger Smarter ( In the form of the North Queensland Youth Engagement Program) to be actioned at ALL Townsville Secondary and Primary School settings to increase student attendance, school engagement and classroom learning…. Weir State School – STRONG - SMART - CONNECTED ………!!!!
LATE ARRIVALS – Coming to school on time is of the utmost importance. There is a school expectation that ALL students come to school each day and arrive on time. Lately, many students have been arriving well after the bell which impacts on their learning. Please remember school learning begins at 8:30 and there is an expectation that ALL students arrive on time for class. Even 15 minutes after the bell each day adds up to 2 weeks of school missed throughout the year. REMEMBER - EVERY MINUTE COUNTS!!
BEHAVIOUR EXPECTATIONS – There have been a few disappointing moments with student behaviour over the last week with students not following school expectations and choosing to break our very clear school rules; being physical and swearing. Students can clearly articulate our school rules and the consequence of being sent home if they make poor behaviour choices. Sending student’s home is something I don’t like doing however the safety, security and opportunity for student learning can only be achieved when students are clear on boundaries and follow the rules. All of our students are clear with our high expectations – Hit or Swear and you go home …get help from an adult …..it’s not dobbing!!!
AFTER SCHOOL PICK-UP - Since the beginning of term I have noticed a substantial increase in students not being picked up after school, with some pick-ups over an hour late ……. Repeatedly! We are happy to oblige for 30 minutes after the bell, however could I please ask that if you’re going to be late to pick up children, please call the school to inform of your late arrival. If parents / carers are having difficulty with picking up please access our Outside Hours School Care service. There are plenty of spaces and this gives every parent the opportunity to collect their children between the hours of 3 - 6 pm. Thanks for your support of student safety after school.
THE FOUR R’s OF EDUCATION - Traditionally there have been three R’s in education; reading, writing and ‘rithmetic. While I am sure that many people would agree these are extremely important, in fact essential to a great education, there is one R that is equally important and yet often not referred to; relationships.
School is about preparing children for an enriching and active life. This life comes from being part of and contributing to a community; whether that is the classroom community, school community or the wider community. Relationships are the ‘glue’ that bond us together, give us a sense of identity and provide us support and encouragement. While for many students forming friendships (relationships) comes naturally, for others it is equally as difficult. If children feel good about themselves and have positive relationships, research shows that it increases their ‘school connectedness’ and makes them feel better and more engaged at school. This can then result in better learning outcomes. Relationships can have a powerful effect on student happiness, well-being and learning outcomes.
Another related ‘R’ word often mentioned these days is resilience; how people can cope with or bounce back from difficult life events or circumstances. Research suggests that for young people, this ‘R’ also depends on relationships, because an ongoing, strong relationship with school, friends and significant adults can increase resilience.
Teaching about relationships is a valid part of the curriculum, and honing skills in such an area, are an important determinant of success in life. Weir State School offers the following programs, expectations and values to assist our young people in their individual success:
- Peer support
- Chaplaincy programs that build self-esteem and connectedness
- Clear and defined behaviour expectations and consequences
- School specialists in the form of guidance, relationship and learning support
- Committed and nurturing teachers that understand and assist in building the emotional and academic requirements of the students
- Administration that strongly believes open communication and parent relationships and paramount to student success in both academic and social areas
This week’ s proverb – “ Every stick has two ends “
Thanks for reading and GO THE COWBOYS
Mr B - Acting Principal
