Weir State School Newsletter

Term 1 Week 8

Principal's Pen

Welcome to this edition - Our school has had a wonderful week with plenty going on as we head into the end of term. Our teachers have been focussing on the explicit learning areas of reading and spelling. Internal data results to date have been encouraging with our students getting the support needed for improvement. Our teaching staff are doing a great job in student improvement. Teachers have done a great job so far with class expectations and a clear plan for learning until terms end. With only a couple of weeks to go we are primed to finish our term strongly and set ourselves for a great term 2

School sport – Congratulations to all of our students for participating in interschool sport last week. Our footy boys had a great game just getting pipped at the end and our hockey and netball teams put in strong performances. Congratulations also go to our swim team for their strong showing in the interschool carnival. A great improvement on last year as we build to be a force in swimming in the Townsville Primary school sector. Well done to all of our school athletes

Parent Road Safety – Our school traffic controllers do an amazing job of keeping our students safe however some drivers are choosing to ignore the road rules around our school. Remember to only park in designated areas and follow speed limits around our school. When the lollipop ladies walk out on the crossing PLEASE STOP !! – There are kids coming !!

Student Road safety – Over the last week I have again received several complaints from community members regarding bike and student safety. Many complaints have centred around students on the way to and from school and unsafe behaviour on the road. One of the most concerning is students not wearing helmets when riding their bikes. Please have a talk to your children to ensure they are aware of their responsibility for their own safety.

Honesty – Last week one of our students lost $10 in the playground and a couple of Year 6 students found it. The easy option would have been to have said nothing and claimed it for themselves, spent the money at the tuckshop or spent the money after school. In true Weir State School spirit the girls handed the money to a teacher immediately and solved the problem for the young person who lost it. This was a true display of genuine honesty and care for another student of our school. Congratulations to these fine young ladies who did the ‘right thing’ with displaying true honesty !!.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD - There is a saying that 'It takes a village to raise a child'. In essence, this means that the development of each child is the responsibility of every community member. As children grow and learn more about their world, they will be influenced by many people, who will have an impact on their decisions and attitudes towards themselves and to the world. Teachers and parents, the peer group and the community all contribute to the progress children make in their learning.

Critical to this are the partnerships in learning between our school and the community. The emphasis is on authentic learning. Authentic learning involves the children in real life investigation and problem solving. Our students are involved in a number of projects in our community. We can only achieve this with the continued support of many community organisations including our local Church Group, Chaplaincy Services and Outside Government Support Agencies. It is important for our students to realise that they are part of an extended ‘village’ and that they have a vested interest in the health and well-being of their ‘village’. The ‘glue’ that binds communities is the degree of connectedness every community member feels, and their individual commitment to support and contribute to their community.

It is pleasing to note the extremely positive comments we receive from community members when our students are out in the community involved in their learning projects. We receive many comments on their behaviour, their use of manners and the respect and care that they show for the people and environment they are visiting. These are important values and are reinforced here at school by reminding the students that they are part of a ‘village’. As ‘village’ members they have a responsibility, not only to themselves and their friends, but also to everyone within the ‘village’ to be respectful, helpful and supportive.

THIS WEEKS PROVERB – “ A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step “

Have a wonderful week and “Go the Cowboys”

Mr B - Acting Principal

ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day is fast approaching.

Our school ceremony will be held on Wednesday 24th of April, so second day back in term 2!

Information regarding the ceremony, our schools participation in the Thuringowa March and merchandise to be sold, will also be sent out via newsletter and our social media sites.

Naplan 2019

NAPLAN 2019 – TEST DATES 14th – 16th May 2018

Parents, please be advised that Year 3 and Year 5 students will be sitting Naplan tests in May. The NAPLAN tests are designed to assess the skills of Australian students in literacy and numeracy.

The following areas of literacy are assessed:

Language conventions - spelling, grammar and punctuation

Writing - knowledge and control of written language

Reading - comprehension.

In numeracy, the content areas assessed are:

Number

Measurement, chance and data

Space

Algebra, function and pattern (formal algebra for Year 9 only).

Results from the tests will provide important information about children's progress in literacy and numeracy. Following the tests, schools and students will receive a statement of performance in relation to the national minimum standards.

The program is conducted over the 3 days from 14th – 16th May 2018.

For Years 3 and 5 there will be four (4) tests: Language conventions, Writing, Reading and Numeracy.

For the Writing test, students will be given a stimulus and asked to write a response to the task in a maximum of three pages. There will be one Writing stimulus for students in Years 3 and 5; both will be of the same genre.

The response formats for questions on all other test papers will be either multiple choice (shade a bubble to indicate the answer) or constructed response (write the answer in a box or on a line).

Eligibility to sit the tests

All eligible students in Years 3, 5, 7 or Year 9 enrolled at State, Catholic or Independent schools must sit the tests unless they are exempt or withdrawn by parents/carers. For further information regarding exemption, withdrawal, or application for adjustments, please contact your child’s teacher or the Principal.

Information about the tests for parents and schools is available on the NAPLAN website - http://www.nap.edu.au/

Student of the Week

Prep	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5	Year 6
PB: David	1B: Zander	2B: Dawson	3B: Declan	4B: Eliza	5B: Aiden	6B: Emily
PR: Maxwell	1R: Emmett	2R: Kai	3R: Ishy	4R: Stephen	5R: Hunni	6R: Matthew
PG: Lillie-Anne	1G: Maia	2G: Nathio	3G: Vyrene	4G: Luke	5G: Eruweti	6Y: Malakai
PY: Teran	1Y: Eli	2Y: Charlee	3Y: Nate	4Y: TK	5Y: Phoenix	5/6M: Edan
		2S: Noah	3S: Hayden

Junior

2S: Isabella

Senior

4R: Kymani

The Arts

Junior

2B: Mia

Senior

3S: Thomas

Instrumental Music

Strings

4G: Amelia-May

Brass, Woodwind, Percussion

4B: Monique

Weir Wonder

Prep	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5
Prep B: Joseph	1B: Bianca	2B: Savannah	3B: Joceleeena	4B: Kairua	5B: Sydney
	1R: Bella-Maree	2R: Bronson	3Y: Cleo	4R: Niley	5G: Ava
	1G: Tyler, Peter	2G: Alexys	3S: Destiny	4G: Ryder
	1Y: Cooper	2Y: Mackenzie
		2S: Adam

News from the Arts Room

2019 Wakakirri National Dance Story Information For Families

On Monday 1st April (week 10) at 1.30pm in the hall, students in Years 4 – 6 will be auditioning to gain a spot in this year’s Wakakirri Dance Story. The Team will travel to Mackay on Friday, August 16th. This year’s dance story is titled, “Disney Through The Years!”. Classroom teachers will provide me with the names of the students who want to audition for cast or crew, or be considered for both.

Selection of successful students is based on:

* Dancing/acting ability for the 50 cast (observed in Arts Lessons and on audition day)

* Behaviour at school and in the classroom

* School Attendance

The 9 crew students must show an ability to stay on task, focus and follow directions. The crew are normally Year 5/6 students being that bit older, taller and stronger to move the large turning sets.

Teachers and Admin will also be guiding our decisions.

All decisions are FINAL.

They must be reliable and responsible at all times as we don't not have the time to be stopping during rehearsals to speak to people. It is a TEAM effort and students MUST get on with everybody. All roles in the story are considered important not just the main characters. Roles may change during the rehearsal phase if the teacher thinks this needs to happen.

The successful students will be notified when the team list is posted on Mrs Wilson’s classroom door and in the newsletter on Wednesday 24th April which is the first week back at school in Term 2. Last year we had over 230 students audition. I would love to take everybody, but that is impossible. Sometimes it is difficult to receive the news you have not been chosen, but please remember that it is a very difficult task to decide on the cast and crew. A lot of thought and time goes into this decision.

Children must be able to commit to 2 practices per week. Term 2 - Thursdays from 11.30am to 1.00pm (during school) and Tuesday afternoons (after school) from 2.45pm to 5.00pm.

The students cannot attend other activities during rehearsal time.

They cannot participate in Interschool sports as this will clash on the Thursday.

Parents and siblings cannot attend rehearsals. We cannot supervise any cast/crews siblings during rehearsals.

Children must have media clearance as their will be photos/videos taken.

Students must attend all practices.

A note from Parents/Guardians must be given to Mrs Wilson if students miss a rehearsal due to illness/family emergency.

The Wakakirri fee this year has been reduced to $50. This fee must be paid by the last week in Term 3. It may also be paid off. These funds cover the many expenses incurred to participate in this extra-curricular activity.

We have many expenses such as Bus costs, Truck Hire, Costuming, Props and Set building/painting, Hair and make-up products, Wakakirri Polo, Wakakirri School Fee, Dinner, Drinks and Snacks on performance day in Mackay and other expenses.

I would like to thank Mr Burgess, who through school funding has greatly reduced the fees for our students this year.

If Parents/Guardians have any questions please email Mrs Wilson at jwils230@eq.edu.au or ring the school.

Thank you and Good Luck to all who are auditioning!

PE News

Interschool Swimming Carnival – Tuesday, 19th March.

Congratulations to all our swimmers!

Winners of the Most Improved Trophy!

Results: Points Place

Annandale Christian 250 1st

Magnetic Island 219 2nd

Oonoonba 218 3rd

Weir 205.5 4th

Central 205

Kirwan 191.5

Currajong 126

Cranbrook 88

“C” Schools Swimming Race Results

First place

Maleek , Isabella, Thomas, Chace, Norman-Samuel, Clarvarn, Kai, Henry

Junior Boys Relay: Thomas, Michael, Clarvarn, Jahdarl

Second place

Weisha, Daiken and Temperence

Third place

Michael, Gabriel, Ella and Jackson

Season 1 Interschool Sport – Hockey, Rugby League and Netball. Cost $40.

Competition started on Thursday 7th March.

This year, we have reduced the cost from $55 to $40. The school will subsidize the cost of the bus. All money is to be paid to the office as soon as possible.

Rugby League and Hockey players will be required to wear a mouth guard for training and games. All players are required to attend training sessions with their coaches.

Our new netball uniforms!

Cross Country Trials – Friday, 22 March - 10, 11 and 12 Year olds. (Born 2009, 2008, 2007)

Cross Country Trials are on this Friday at 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on the school oval. Permission notes have been given to interested students. Students do need to have a reasonable level of fitness to run in this event. 10 year olds will run approximately 1.5 km and 11 and 12 year olds will run approximately 2.5 km.

The purpose of this event is to select an Interschool Cross Country Team to train and compete at the Townsville Schools Cross Country event on 7th May.

Weir Athletics Carnival – Sports Day – Friday, 10 May.

This year, our Sport Day is in Term 2, Week 3. On this day, students will participate in running races, field events and novelty events. On Thursday before the carnival, we will run the high jump and 200m events for 9, 10, 11 and 12 year olds. Age champion medallions will be given to students who gain the most points in the 10, 11 and 12 year old events.

Student Council Presents ......

Bright Rainbow Theme Dress-Up Day!!

When: Friday 22nd March - Gold Coin Donation

Wear your brightest rainbow colours to help raise money for our school gardens!!

P&C Annual General Meeting

Weir state school P&C is holding its AGM on the 25th March 2019 at 6pm in the outside school care building. We would love to see some new faces - Everyone is welcome!

Weir State School Presents......

"The Hollywood Movies Disco"

Whole School - Prep to Year 6

Where: The School Hall

When: Wednesday 3rd April

Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm

Cost: $3.00 per student

Our Canteen will also be operating on the night..

Volunteers Needed

Hey, we just met you,

and this is crazy,

but you’re a parent,

please volunteer maybe?

There are many ways to "Volunteer at Weir" Whether it be Tuckshop, our many Stalls throughout the year.

Have a say, provide us with your ideas, whether it be fundraising or the multiple other events that often occur at our school or maybe come and be part of our great school P&C?

We need it all!!!

Our school Tuckshop has been a great success due to the wonderful response from families who volunteer to assist in the day to day running of the Tuckshop.

We wish to provide your children with good food at reasonable prices and at the same time, raise funds which are needed for the school. Our continued success is because of the wonderful people who give up part of their day to volunteer at Weir.

Volunteering is a great way to be part of our Weir community, have a few laughs and make some new connections and great friends!

We realise that many parents/grandparents/carers are busy, but we would appreciate any time, you could share with us.

If you require further information please contact our office on 4726 1333

Many Thanks

"VOLUNTEERS ARE OUR V.I.P’s"

Constable Koala Naming Competition

Good Afternoon Everyone,

We are very excited to announce the arrival of a new Constable to the Townsville Policing District. Unfortunately she doesn’t have a name as yet and that is why we are asking for your assistance.

Can you please help us name our newest Koala Constable.

We kindly ask that Entries be collated by each school and your top 5 “Names” sent through to DCPC.Townsville@police.qld.gov.au. Closing date for Entries is Friday May 10th.

And YES, there will be a prize for the winning School!!!!

Senior Sergeant Janelle Poole, APM

Officer in Charge - Media & Crime Prevention Unit Coordinator

District Media & Crime Prevention Unit | Capability & Development

Townsville District | Northern Region | Queensland Police Service

T: 4726 8656 I M: 0417 070 532 I E: Poole.JanelleM@Police.qld.gov.au

Townsville District Police online: www.myPolice.qld.gov.au/Townsville

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