WILSONTON STATE SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER Friday 24th July, 2020 Term 3, Issue 1
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
Hello Wilsonton community,
Welcome back for semester two. We have a busy term ahead with lots
of exciting activities. It has been wonderful to see students back into a
school routine with curriculum offering being back to normal. We are
still being cautious moving ahead with activities that are planned for
this term. We will continue to monitor the risks associated with out of
school activities, as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve. We will
also continue with the same guidelines that have been in place from
25th May, 2020. All pick up and drop off procedures will remain from
Term 2, with parents and caregiver not being able to enter classrooms,
entry into the school should be limited and social distancing adhered to
at all times. Due to these restrictions we will continue with our on-line
parades and face to face parades will be cancelled indefinitely.
Interschool sport has been cancelled for year 5 and 6 students this
term. As an alternative Mr Edwards and our teachers have created our
own Friday afternoon sporting competitions. Students will compete
against each other in Oz Tag, Volleyball, Netball and Cricket. Students
have also been offered the opportunity to be involved in an ICT or
gardening club as an alternative to sport. We hope this goes some way
to making up for the cancellation for interschool sport. I know our older
students look forward to Friday sport and I believe it is an essential part
of learning at Wilsonton State School. However, I do remind parents
that due to COVID-19 restrictions, no parents will be permitted to enter
the school grounds to watch their children participate.
Thank you to everyone for your support last term as we navigated our
way through what was a very difficult time. I am very optimistic for a
wonderful term 3.
Regards,
Josh Seaniger
Principal
School Contacts
Principal
Josh Seaniger
Deputy Principals Matt Gurr
Melita Patti
Head of Special Education Lisa Meiklejohn
Business Manager Karen Thomas
Administration Officers Kirsty Prouten
Cynthia Thomas
Phone 46371222
Absence Line 46371260
Email [email protected]
School Motto Always our Best
School Values Be Safe
Be Respectful Be a Learner
From the Deputy Principal: Teaching and Learning
Year 5 Emu Gully Camp – IMPORTANT UPDATE COVID-19 Response Camps and excursions are now permitted in keeping with the COVID-19 Operating Guidelines for Queensland State Schools released by the Director General Department of Education on Friday 19th June 2020. The camp or excursion can occur where the location or business has an approved COVID Safe Industry Plan. Emu Gully has an approved COVID Safe Industry Plan and you can access it here – https://www.emugully.com.au/health-management-plan
Year 5 Camp will go ahead as planned!
This year our Year 5 students have the opportunity to participate in a three-day camp at Emu Gully (Helidon Campus). The activities at Emu Gully are purpose built for developing teamwork and leadership qualities.
WHEN: Monday the 7th to Wednesday the 9th of September COST: $282 per student, this includes bus transport, accommodation, all meals, equipment and activities.
Numbers are strictly limited to 55 students, so it is important to note that it is essential to pay the deposit as soon as possible. Periodic payments can be made at any time; however the full payment of $282 must be made by Friday the 21st of August. Please note the date for final payment has been extended.
Only 18 places remain available! Should you have any concerns regarding the 2020 Emu Gully Camp, please do not hesitate to contact myself or your child’s teacher.
Wilsonton State School Facebook Page Did you see our Prep Skill-A-Thon video posted during the last week of Term 2? Our Preps had a fabulous time. Thank you to the WSS Prep Team for their work to hold such a fun and important event. Thank you also to our wonderful community for sponsoring our students to help them fundraise for some new equipment.
2021 Wilsonton State High School Enrolment
Did you see Mr Jones’ Story Time story on our Facebook page in Week 10? All parents and carers are encouraged to check Catchment Boundaries using the following link. https://www.qgso.qld.gov.au/maps/edmap/ Once you have identified your school catchment area, please note the following information for consideration of enrolment at Wilsonton State High School. In-Catchment Enrolments - For planning purposes WSHS requires all Enrolment Applications submitted by September 4. Out-of-Catchment Enrolments - Enrolment Application Forms can be submitted for consideration between the 24th August – 4th September 2020.
WSHS School Tours Tours will be conducted on the 24th of July, 7th of August, 28th of August and 30th of October at 9am. Secure a place by contacting the WSHS office prior to the day. Transition Days Transition Days will be held on:
Friday 31st July – Year 6 students intending on going to WSHS in 2021 new activity
Wednesday 16th September – enrolled in catchment students only
Tuesday 8th December – all enrolled students only Transition Days are a full day 8.45am – 2.55pm. Parent Information Evening WSHS invites all prospective parents to join them for a parent information evening on the 11th of August at 6pm in the School Auditorium. Scholarships Students may apply for a Scholarship as part of the Academic, Cultural and Sporting Programs in Junior Secondary. For a Scholarship Package, please contact Nadonna Schouten [email protected]. Scholarships close September 18. Enrolment Interviews WSHS interviews will be begin on the 26th of October.
Meet Book Man!! We would like to thank Mrs Beryl Russell, our Library Teacher Aide, and her family for their work to construct a special installation for our library. ‘Book Man’ as we know him has been created using books that can’t be repaired and are no longer in use. At the moment he is proudly wearing Queensland supporters gear which our Year 6 students thought was pretty awesome. If you are visiting the library, make sure you check out Book Man on your way in.
Let’s Talk!! Speaking and listening are important literacy skills – not just in the classroom, but also in everyday conversations with other children and with adults. To help your child master the social 'rules' of face-to-face conversation:
make sure your child knows how to say hello, look at the people they are talking with, and listen
carefully
teach what words to use when beginning, interrupting and ending conversations, including hello,
excuse me, I'm sorry and goodbye
teach what behaviours might be interpreted as rude, such as interrupting or saying goodbye without
giving the other person a chance to reply
talk about any different rules in your language or culture
include your child in conversations with others, and make sure they hear plenty of adult
conversations, so they can learn from your modelling.
Phone communication is different from face-to-face conversation, so your child needs to practice this too. In particular:
have clear family rules about when your child can answer the phone
teach what they should say (and what they shouldn't say!) when they answer
teach them what to say when they make a phone call – eg saying hello, who they are, and asking
how the other person is
teach them how to end a phone conversation before hanging up
give them opportunities to make calls to family and friends, and to answer the phone
when appropriate, make calls when your child is around, so they can hear and learn from your
modelling.
If you like to send emails or texts to friends and family, you might also invite your child to contribute a sentence or two. It's good practice, and they’ll love it!
Enrol with us for Prep in 2021 If you have a child who was born between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016, they will be eligible to enrol in Prep for 2021. We are currently taking enrolments for Prep next year and would love to meet you and your child for an enrolment interview. Please contact the school office and speak with Kirsty or Cynthia to make an appointment. Later this term we will be sharing a very special video with our community to introduce our Prep program to you. This video will replace our Prep Information Session this year to enable us to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines. We look forward to sharing this video with you. In addition, we will be having four transition activities for Pre-Prep students in Term 4 – 15 October, 20 November, 27 November and 4 December. We will share more details about these activities early next term. Melita Patti Deputy Principal
P & C Update – July 2020
Canteen Convenor
We would like to warmly welcome our new canteen convenor, Lee-Ann Fisher to our school
community. Lee-Ann brings extensive experience working in school canteens and has spent
much of her time volunteering across schooling communities within Toowoomba. If you see
Lee-Ann around the canteen or school over the next few weeks feel free to introduce
yourself to her and give her a wonderful Wilsonton welcome!
Tuckshop News
We anticipate the tuckshop should open in Week 5, keep an eye on Facebook and the next newsletter for further updates.
Due to COVID-19, we will ensure the opening meets current health recommendations, as the safety of our students is our
priority. The tuckshop will run a pizza meal deal in Week 4 prior to the re-opening of the tuckshop.
Volunteers Needed
For the Tuckshop to get back to its full capacity we need volunteers! If you are interested volunteering in the tuckshop,
please see Kirsty in the main office to register your availability and interest. Please note, that due to COVID-19 we are
restricted to one volunteer assisting our new Tuckshop convenor.
P & C Meeting
The next P & C Meeting will be held in Term 3, Wednesday 12th August, 2020 at 4:30pm. The Vice-President position is
currently vacant if anyone is interested in nominating. Please keep an eye out for meeting details closer to meeting.
I look forward to working with you all throughout 2020,
Kirstie Knudsen
Wilsonton State School P & C President
Tuckshop
Can you volunteer a few hours of your time?
Helpers needed Thursday and Friday, commencing
Week 5.
Please speak to Kirsty in the front office, Lee-Ann in
the tuckshop or call the front office on 46371222.
Pizza Meal Deal
Date: Friday 7th August, Week 4
1st Break: Year 4-6 2nd Break: MZE, Prep-Year 3
Return exact money and order form in a named
envelope to the office by Friday 31st July, Week 3
Cost: $6.00 CASH ONLY
PLEASE NOTE – NO EFTPOS AVAILABLE & PLEASE
SEND CORRECT MONEY (NO CHANGE AVAILABLE)
NO LATE ORDERS ACCEPTED