Weir State School Newsletter

WELCOME TO WEEK 2  - We are well and truly into the term and the students have begun in great spirits. The students have started putting their best foot forward with great manners and school pride on show each day. The past week at Weir State School I have seen some wonderful things happening and see the potential for great things to continue this term as many school events happen. Thank you to the students, staff and wider community for making every effort to get to school and focus on learning. Remember every day counts and it’s cool to be at school

ANZAC MARCH AND SERVICE -  I would like to personally thank every parent who took the time to arrange for their children to attend the ANZAC march at Thuringowa and represent Weir State School.  As Principal these special events make me very proud when we come together to represent our school and community values. Well done to all of our students also for paying their respects on Wednesday morning at our ANZAC service at our school cenotaph. You did us all proud kids !!!

NEW PBL SYSTEM – This week our school has begin our journey with our new Positive Behaviour and Learning  framework. (PBL) The new system will replace the old  system and build student accountability and understanding around the schools BIG 3 of being SAFE, RESPONSIBLE and RESPECTFUL.  Teachers will provide clear focus and acknowledgement for each target behaviour for the week and students will be acknowledged on parade and rewarded should they be chosen for our new ‘GOTCHA’ activities room on Friday afternoons. There are new signs all around our school promoting our system and school expectations.  A HUGE thanks must go to Mr Coey and Mrs Brown for leading the charge with this very important step in our school improvement journey

JEWELLERY – Over the past week I have noticed a few students wearing earrings, necklaces and bangles to school. Please remember Weir State School has a clear student jewellery policy and some of the jewellery worn does not meet the guidelines within the policy. Students are permitted to wear stud or sleeper earrings. Bangles, necklaces or dangling earrings are not permitted at school. This policy is to comply with dress standards however it is more importantly tied to student safety.

SCHOOL PARKING – We have had a safe start to the term however I have noticed some parents picking up and dropping off in the school bus zones and loading zones. Could I please ask for the safety of all students that parents do not continue parking in these zones. Thanks for your support regarding student safety

MOBILE PHONES - At Weir State School we understand that mobile phones fill a need for some families, especially in relation to the occasional issues that arise with before or after school safety and communication. There are a number of issues associated with mobile phones at school. These include security, interruptions to class programs, inappropriate use or overuse. Due to these issues, we prefer that students do not bring mobile phones to school.

If, however, you do require your child / children to have a mobile phone at school the following procedures apply:

We appreciate the support parents have given on our stance regarding mobile phone use within our school

UNEXPLAINED ABSENCE - I am concerned with the number of ‘days absent’ some of our students have had this year. The vast majority of students have very good attendance and this occurs because most of our parents realise the importance of regular school attendance and do not allow students to be absent for minor reasons. However, there are still a number of children who have unexplained absences for an unacceptable number of days across the year. The major problem is the amount of time children are having off with what is termed ‘parent-condoned-absences.’ Things such as: a day off because of your birthday, aunty is visiting, thought we’d take the kids shopping, can’t be bothered having an argument to get them to school etc. are all unacceptable.

If children constantly miss a day here, a couple of days there, over a period of time they begin to feel disconnected from their class and their school work. One way to explain this is to imagine a jigsaw puzzle with a whole lot of pieces missing from it. Children who constantly miss ‘pieces’ of the ‘big picture’ are then forced to try and function back at school- something that is difficult for them to do, and it often becomes a pattern that sets children up for failure at school and affects their social relationships as well.

At school we understand that children do become ill and need time to recover or that occasionally there are situations where there is no alternative but to have time off school.  Our motto is: “Be at school: that’s the rule.”  The important message here for parents is that every time your child is absent from school without a legitimate reason, it is costing him or her a learning experience.

SUN SAFETY – Please remember that caps are not permitted at school. Bucket hats or wide brimmed hats are sun safe and offer protection to young skin and are the preferred option at Weir.

THIS WEEKS PROVERB – “ Failing to plan is planning to fail”

Thanks for reading and go the COWBOYS

Mr B  -  Acting Principal

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/

Last week our Senior Choir also had the opportunity to perform at our annual Anzac Day Ceremony.

They did a terrific job and sounded lovely using the new choir microphones. We also had the pleasure this year to have Ms Kelly Clarke-Flesser, our Brass and Woodwind teacher play her trumpet at our ceremony.

This week our 2019 Wakakirri Team starts rehearsing. This year they will travel to Mackay on Friday August 16th. At the end of this term we will also be holding our Music Showcase. This will be held in our hall on Tuesday 25th June starting at 3.30pm. This is held for the families of our Choir and Instrumental Music students. It is a lovely afternoon to come and listen to the pieces that these students have been working on all Semester. We will also be running the Arties Music competition at this showcase. The Instrumental Music teachers will speak to their students about this competition.

Choral Camp for our Year 5 and 6 students is also coming up later this term.  Mrs Wilson will be looking for keen Senior Choir students to attend this magnificent 3 day camp. Carlyle Gardens RSL also sponsor 3 of our students to attend this event.

Northern Hockey Trials – Tuesday, 30 April.  Jackson and Hunni represented our school at these trials.  Jackson was selected in the 10 – 12 Years Northern Boys Hockey Team and Hunni was named shadow for the girls team.  Congratulations!!

The Townsville Cross Country is on 7th May, 2019 at Bicentennial Park in Hermit Park.  This event starts at 3:30 p.m. 

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

The final two games of this season will be played on the 2nd and 9th May. (Week 2 and 3).  Please ensure any outstanding bus payments have been paid to the office.

Competition starts in Week 8 this term.  Trials for these sports will start in Week 4.

Weir Athletics Carnival - Thursday, 9 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.  Age champion medallions will be given to students who gain the most points in the 10, 11 and 12 year old events.

• 9:00 am – Junior Sprints – C & K, Preps, 6, 7 and 8 years.

9:00 am  - Senior Field Events – 9, 10, 11 and 12 years. (Long jump, high jump, ballgames and relays)
9:45 am – Prep Ballgames.
11:00 am – Lunch Break
11:30 am – Senior Sprints - 9, 10, 11 and 12 years.
11:30 am – Junior Ball Games and Novelty Events - 6, 7 and 8 years.
1:00 pm – Lunch Break
1:30 pm – 800M and Parent/Teacher versus Student Relay.
2:15 pm – March Past, House and Age Champion Presentations.

There are many ways to "Volunteer at Weir" Whether it be Tuckshop, or 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"

Our P&C Mother's Day Stall will be open Wednesday afternoon 2:00pm-3:00pm; Friday afternoon 1:30pm- 3:00pm; and next week Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 8:00am-8.30am and 1:30pm- 3:00pm.  Gift packs are available for $2, $5 & $15, and an Ultimate Pack for $30.  There will also be a Lucky Dip for $3.