Term 3 Week 10
Principal Update
And just like that, term 3 is finished. It has been a busy but exciting term, and it is always the most challenging in the year. I thank all families, students and the whole community for their ongoing support to enable us to provide a high-quality education to the kids of Winton, and giving them superior opportunities regardless of their rural and remote location. We are on track for a year of significant growth and progress, and I look forward to finalising a number of plans ahead of 2025 to ensure our students receive a high-quality education.
One of our significant achievements for term 3 (and the year) is prioritising a technology upgrade for 2025. At the moment, our technology is outdated and not overly functional. Through some considerable budget efforts this year, we are in a position to be able to upgrade our technology for 2025. From next year, every student will have an individual iPad that is used as a tool to support their learning. As part of this they will have a rugged keyboard case and a stylus/crayon. We have been discussing device types across the term and have made a deliberate to invest in iPads. Our staff will also receive professional development across term 4 on integrating this new technology in their teaching and assessment. This will be a school managed technology program, with no BYO device option available. There will also be not upfront cost to families, however we will have a hire agreement process which will involve liability for damage. We have some finer details to work out around this program, and will have an information session later in term 4 to discuss logistics. This is very exciting though for our school, especially our students. We have also begun replacing projectors with interactive tv's, and will continue to do this across term 4 and early next year. These tools enhance our teaching and learning program, and give our kids access to modern technology in their daily classroom routines.
I am starting to field questions from families around 2025 staffing, especially teachers. The allocation of staff to schools is a complex one, and a fair portion of it is managed centrally through regional Human Resources team. At the moment we have a number of staff who are working in other locations in various positions, however are permanent to our school and can return. As we get more information on those positions we will be better placed to commit to some allocations for 2025. At the moment though, it is too early to be considering class teachers and timetables for next year. Importantly though, we have done some considerable work this year on curriculum planning, this will ensure that regardless of our staffing composition for next year, any teacher who comes into our school will be supported with high quality teaching programs, resources and assessment.
It is important we start term w4 with strong attendance. As we approach the end of the year, we are in a bit of a pressure cooker around teaching and assessment, while also getting reporting completed and transitions for next year. The best way to support students with all these important parts of school is for them to be at school every day, on time. The more they miss, the more they have to catch up, and the pressure to do it in less time increases.
We look forward to welcoming our newest little learners in 2025, as we start transitions for our 2025 Kindy cohort. Information will be advertised on Facebook and through Little Swaggies for this.
At the end of the holidays, we are due to have the temporary fence erected in preparation for the new ninja style playground to be built. This will be built between the Shed and toilet block. Construction of the playground is due to commence in the first week back and take approximately 4 weeks.
There is so much happening in our tiny but mighty school. I hope everyone enjoys a well-deserved holiday, and come back refreshed and ready to roll in term 4.
Take care,
Meggin
7/8 Design & Technology
The 7/8 class created their trial pizzas last week. Each group designed their pizza based on an analysis of needs, and then gave their pizza out to people to collect feedback. They’ve been working really hard to perfect their recipes and will adjust their approach based on the feedback they have received.
9/10 Design & Technology
The 9/10 class cooked the first trial of their sausage rolls. These sausage rolls have been completely designed by the students based on a needs analysis and dietary requirements. Feedback was very positive and all of the students learnt a thing or two about time management! This week they will adjust their methods and work flow plans and then complete their final cook next week.
JUTE Theatre
Our Yr 3-6s worked with the team from JUTE Theatre Company this week, learning performance skills to showcase them to an audience of parents and students. Learning to work together in small groups and as one big team, students showed their talents in script writing, creating and performing chants, songs, dance, and improvisations. The week kicked off with JUTE’s performance of ‘Back on Track’ about Eric, who dreams of being a dare-devil moto-cross champion – a theme that absolutely resonated with our kids! – and continued with workshops incorporating theatre skills with road safety messages. A sunset performance of ‘Back on Track’ was repeated on Thursday evening for the Winton community.
JUTE’s Dare to Dream program features First Nations theatre works by and about First Nations people touring to remote and regional communities in Queensland. Thank you Shay, Shahnee, and Serena for helping our kids to be more confident, try new things, and be proud of themselves - and for bringing First Nations theatre to our Winton community!
RESQ Cooking Class with Aunty Dale Chapman
The Winton State School Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 students participated in a cooking workshop with Aunty Dale Chapman, a MasterChef and her helpers on September 6 in the school kitchen. Students assisted in the preparation of a nachos dish, a barramundi dish, a chicken dish and dessert involving making special cookies. Special bush herbs and spices were used in all these dishes. Students were very enthusiastic and prepared the food with plenty of gusto
Students really enjoyed this experience and opportunity and also learnt about some of the stories behind some of the herbs and species used. The students received an apron, special bush spices and a Certificate of Participation.
After the food was cooked, all students at school were invited to taste and enjoy the “fruits of their wares” and everyone loved the food made.
Book Week
StoryFest
What a great experience for our primary school! We have learnt from some inspiring authors how to be creative and what makes a great story. We did an illustration workshop, producing some wonderful drawings. Most importantly though, we learnt how important hard work and persistence is, with all authors sharing their challenging journeys with us.
We are grateful to have been chosen for free books, and are looking forward to reading these!
Thank you to our P&C for their contributions towards this opportunity, and the staff who attended and made it possible. Well done to our students who represented themselves, their families and our school with pride.
Saver Plus
Are you curious to know more about Saver Plus? We’ve got some very quick explainer videos on our YouTube channel. #SaverPlus #Education costs
Saver Plus explainer (youtube.com)
