Term 1, Week 2 - 2nd February, 2024

Principal Message

Welcome back to all students and families to the 2024 school year.  We have had a great start to the year in the first fortnight, with students involved in so great learning.  I congratulate all students for a successful transition back to the school routine after a long break, and especially to our new Kindy kids who are starting at school for the first time.  We are so lucky to have you in our school. 

We have started the year with our new day structure and lunch breaks.  Students have been great at lunch breaks, demonstrating great behaviour and kindness.  Tuckshop Wednesday  started in week 2 and will be a weekly option for families.  Forms will be sent home each Friday with students and need to be returned by Tuesday morning of each week. We have also had a great start to breakfast club and thank the staff who faciliate this each day, and students who come and start the morning with us.

On our student free days we did some work as a staff on the multi-tiered systems of support, which is essentially focused on ensuring every student has the support they need.  It is my priority to ensure that every student feels safe and comfortable when at school.  If you ever have concerns about your students enjoyment at school, please contact either myself or Pammy.  Happy students will be our best learners.  Our staff also did their first aid training and planned collaboratively to ensure great teaching and learning is happening in every classroom.

We welcome all families to attend a BBQ on Tuesday afternoon, from 3-4pm.  This will be an opportunity for you to meet our staff and visit classrooms.  We hope to see you there.  We also invite parents to attend parade every Friday morning at 8:50am in the shared area.  

This year we welcomed a number of a new staff to the Winton State School community, including myself and my family.  I am very grateful to the whole community for being so welcoming to us all who are new to Winton.  We welcome to the Winton State School community in 2024 Tania Bradley, Darcy Clarke, Danielle Taylor and Aaron Bahr.

This term we have NAPLAN for all students in grade 3,5,7 & 9.  There will be information provided regularly over the coming weeks about this event.  Term 1 is also very busy for sport, commencing with swimming on Monday of week 3.  There are a lot of opportunities over the term for students to get involved in Central West sport, keep an eye out for notes to come home about this.

This year among other areas we will have a focus on reading, this is a statewide priority and so very important for our kids.  We will continue to communicate what we are doing in regards to reading and suggest opportunities for you to support your students develop their reading.  We are also building our health and wellbeing program, ensuring we are developing our students into resilient and confident individuals.  In week 1 students set learning goals in their subjects, and a team of pastoral care leaders will be working with your students and teachers to monitor how they are progressing towards their goals and support with attaining these.

A reminder that the it is expected students wear a plain school coloured bottom with their school polo shirt to complete their uniform (blue, black or maroon). If wearing a bucket hat any hat can be worn, if wearing a cap the Winton SS hat must be worn and is available from Searles. Please ensure enclosed shoes are worn every day, this is a workplace health and safety requirement.

We are using a new format for our newsletter this year, in the hope that is more accessible to our community.  Thank you for your support and patience while we navigate this new system in the early days.

Once again, I thank you so much for your welcome and support to start the school year.  We have had a smooth and enjoyable start and appreciate family and community support in making this happen.  Please reach out anytime if we can be of support. 

Take care,

Meggin Bahr

Calendar dates in the next fortnight

Monday 5th February - Central West swimming trials in Barcy

Tuesday 6th February - BBQ meet and greet in the shared area 

Friday 9th February - Parade @ 8:50am

Friday 9th February - Central West Netball trials (13-19 years) in Longreach

Thursday 15th February - Student council visits council chambers

Friday 16th February - Parade @ 8:50am

Kindy & Early Years with a strong start

Well done to our early years students and families for a great start to 2024.  The first two weeks have been spent settling in to our new learning environment, meeting new friends, getting to know our teachers and establishing new routines.  We are so excited for more fun with you all over the rest of the year.

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Year 3,4,5 - Welcome Ms Bradley

We have had a busy first week back in Year 3, 4, and 5.  We have been practising handwriting, reading, spelling and even sharing laptops and using them to help in our learning.  

Facetime with Ms Christopher

Our year 6 students are learning about portraits with Ms Christopher and produced some amazing first results showing they could draw in proportion using measurement. Well done to all students who tried hard during this new activity.

Year 7/8 English - Narrative Writing

In 7/8 English, students have been practicing using imagery in their narrative writing. For this particular activity, students were shown a picture of a rollercoaster ride (from the perspective of a ride-goer). Students imagined what they would be able to see, hear, or feel if they were on the rollercoaster, and write it down as if it were part of a story.

The 7s and 8s approached this task with a positive attitude and produced some awesome examples of imagery!

The tension in the air was heavy as I looked down. My heart was racing in my chest, knowing I would descend any moment. I could see over the tall trees. My stomach turned with fear. I could hear people behind me laughing and some screaming with fear. I felt a jolt of shock as the cart got released down in the pitch darkness of the tunnel. Air rushed past my face.

• Marleah Toby

I was sitting in the front row on the rollercoaster as I felt my strap loosened. I latched on to the poor lady sitting next to me. Suddenly the rollercoaster stopped. We were stuck upside down. We started screaming. Our straps were both loosening.

• Ruby Willis

I can see the great drop ahead of me. I can feel the chills going down my spine. I can feel a dryness in my mouth. There are rivers of tears flowing over my face.

• Kaelen Ogden

Secondary school Maths and Science

Year 7/8 Science

The Year 7/8 Science class began work on the Biology unit of work in Science. Students were instructed on the importance of laboratory safety. A short exam is planned for Week 5.  Behaviour and the work attitude was excellent.

Year 7/8 Maths

During Week 1 and 2, the Year 7/8 Maths class began work for 2024 on the Numbers unit of work. An assignment involving financial maths is planned for mid Term 1. Behaviour and the work attitude continued to be excellent.

Year 9/10 Maths

The Year 9 and 10 Maths class focussed during Week 1 and 2 on a review of financial maths related concepts and an assignment related to how some finances can grow is scheduled for Week 5. Behaviour and the work attitude has been very good.

Year 9/10 Science

The Year 9/10 Science class commenced work on the Space Science unit of work which concentrated on the Universe. A timeline-type assignment is planned to commence in Week 5. Behaviour and the work attitude has been very good.

Year 11 General Maths

Students commenced 2024 on Unit 3 in General Maths which consists of Bivariate Data, Sequences and Change and Earth Geometry. A Problem-Solving Modelling Task (PSMT) - Assessment IA1 is scheduled to commence during Week 5 and an exam - Assessment IA2 related to Unit 3 is planned for late in Term 1 or early in Term 2. Student’s willingness to learn and behaviour and effort has been excellent.

Year 11 Biology

Year 12 Biology students commenced Unit 3 which relates to Biodiversity and the interconnectedness of life. Students have shown a keen enthusiasm in the subject matter and excellent work ethic and behaviour.  A Data Test (exam) worth 10% of the students grade is scheduled for Week 5- Assessment IA1 and the Practical component of the student’s assessment - Assessment IA2 is  scheduled to commence during Week 8 and to be completed early in Term 2.

Phil Carrello fxcar2@eq.edu.au

(07) 4657 2333

Hospitality

Senior hospitality have begun the year with coffees and baked goods. As they are learning the fine art of cafes this semester they have been experimenting with baked goods. This week we were given some pavlova shells so we made good use of them and created some delicious treats for the 3-12 students and staff.

Breakfast Club

Come on down!! Breakfast club is open every day with a cold or hot milo, fresh icy cold juice, cereals and hot toast with your choice of delicious spreads.. see you at 8:00 -8:30. 

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Mandy Smith - Citizen of the Year

Congratulations to Mandy Smith, who was awarded Citizen of the Year at the recent Australia Day celebrations. 

Mandy is appreciated at our school by students and staff alike for her commitment to not only the seniors learning and future success, however the daily operation of the entire school to ensure we are providing the best opportunities for our kids and community.

In the wider community she holds positions on various committees and contributes to many aspects of what makes Winton a great place.

We thank Mandy for her dedication and service to our school and wider community.

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

Our test dates are:

• 13 March - Wednesday – Writing
• 14 March – Thursday – Reading followed by Conventions of Language
• 15 March – Friday – Numeracy
• 18 March – Monday – Catch up test session

Tests will start at 9am and will take between 40-65 minutes depending on grade level.

If your child is absent, they can be expected to take test/s during our morning catch-up sessions held on Monday the 18^th. The writing test will take priority for the students that are absent on Wednesday.

Students may be withdrawn from the testing program by their parent/carer. This is a matter for consideration by individual parents/carers in consultation with their child’s school. School staff must not influence parents/carers to withdraw their child. Withdrawals are intended to address issues such as religious beliefs and philosophical objections to testing. Please speak to the school if this is something you wish to pursue.

We hope to see all eligible students sitting the NAPLAN tests and giving it their best go!

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