Post on 28-Jun-2020
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D A T E C L A I M E R S :
From the Principal’s Desk
WWW. WoodLinks Wednesday Weekly 12 February 2020
Only Our Best,
Everyone,
Everyday
STATE SCHOOL
WOODLINKS
Only Our Best, Everyone, Everyday
Breakfast Club 8:15am
every day
Reading Club 8.30am every
Mon in the library
Assembly in the hall
Yr 3—6 2.20pm every Mon
Prep—Yr 2 9.05am every Fri
Mon 17th Feb
Student Leader induction
Parade 2.20pm Hall
Thur 20th Feb
Prep photos for QT
2020 Uniform Shop Hours
Mondays 8.15—9am
Wednesdays 3pm—3.45pm
Welcome to 2020! I know that we’ve been going for a few weeks now, but this is
the first time that I have had the opportunity to officially welcome you back in our
newsletter.
I hope that you had an enriching and rewarding break with your family and friends
and that it exceeded your expectations. If some challenging things happened, I hope
that they have sorted themselves out and that you can get some distance from them
quickly.
Our classes and programs have all hit the ground running with amazing speed and as
always, I am proud of the way that our school community rolls up its sleeves and gets
on with the job.
School Focus Areas
Our school focus areas for this year continue on from those of last year: Reading – reading is the key to everything. It unlocks so many opportunities and
is at the heart of the work that students do in every subject. As adults, we
rely on it to complete so many tasks, for enjoyment etc. Our school has had
reading as a focus for a number of years.
Writing – we spent a good deal of time last year on sharpening our work in the
teaching of writing last year and will polish this work this year.
Community Partnerships – there are many ways that our students can
engage with community partnerships. This will enhance their understanding
of what it means to contribute to the community. Plus, the exceptional work
that we do to connect with our Prep students, their families and the kindies
will continue, enhancing the way that the children transition into our school
community. I am also energised by the opportunity to work with our P&C,
School Council and community groups and organisations.
Arrangements Before School
To ensure the safety of our students before school and to allow us to prepare for
the day, the following steps are in place: Students and families at school before 8:15 wait outside the school gates.
At 8:15, the gates are opened and people then assemble in the Central Covered
Area (CCA - near the Tuck Shop).
At 8:35 a bell sounds. Students are to remain in the CCA, or they can go onto
the oval, weather permitting. The exception currently is for Prep students,
who may assemble outside classrooms.
The next bell sounds at 8:50 and students move to class.
Last week there were a large number of students outside the junior school
classrooms. I understand that sometimes a family may have an appointment with a
teacher at this time, but being in this area should be the exception rather than the
rule. This is because there are no staff members rostered on to supervise this area.
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S c h o o l B a n k i n g
WWW.WoodLinks Wednesday Weekly 24 January 2018
Greg Noble
Acting Principal
Only Our Best, Everyday, Everyone
Nevaeh Marsh
This year we have welcomed a new student, Nevaeh to WoodLinks. Some children and families will have already
met Nevaeh and know her story, for those of you who haven't Nevaeh and her family would like to share some
information with you all.
Nevaeh has a medical condition known as Cystic Fibrosis. C F is a genetic disorder that affects the lungs,
pancreas, and other organs. The disorder make Nevaeh susceptible to infections and illness. It is therefore even
more important that you follow the school policy of keeping your child/ren home if they are unwell.
Nevaeh’s teacher will also have sent out a letter to all families in her class explaining the condition.
If you would like to know more about Cystic Fibrosis please follow the following link to the Cystic Fibrosis
website.
https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.au/about-cf/what-is-cf
Life Often we can find ourselves running around, reacting to things that happen. Being proactive and anticipating
issues before they occur, is the opposite to this mindset. This week I came across the work of Michael Mogill,
whose mantra is “Be proactive in your own becoming.” In short, this is a mix of hustle and problem-solving. He
has broken his thinking down into eight key points. Some of them are based on words of wisdom from his
mentors and some of them are based on his own experiences. The first of these follows:
It’s all about you - no one else is going to get you where you want to go – it’s up to you. Your family and
friends are a support system, but that is all they are supposed to be for you. They cannot succeed for
you. Only you can do that. Take ownership of your problems and realize that nobody else is going to
solve them for you.
I’ll share the remaining points in coming weeks.
2020 is packed full of promise. I am energized by the possibilities that are present, as we build on the work
of previous years. I look forward to travelling beside you and your family on this journey.
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S c h o o l B a n k i n g
NEWS FROM OUR YEAR 3 COHORT
WWW.WoodLinks Wednesday Weekly 12 February 2020
Year 3s are busy as can be! The Year 3 teachers are so impressed at how the students have settled in to
their new classrooms and routines so far. Check out our classroom window displays for our weekly
timetables. These will also be sent home too for your reference. Put them up on the fridge and encourage
your student to check each day to see what is coming up for them.
English
This term we have introduced a brand new text type; Persuasive Texts. Year 3 have been eagerly learning how
to write persuasive letters, aiming to convince others to agree with their point of view. We have learnt all
about persuasive devices including modality and emotive language, rhetorical questions, exaggeration and
factual sentences. All of this new knowledge will be put together to assist us in our assessment, where we
will write a letter to the local council attempting to convince them to install the promised air-conditioning in
our classrooms!
Maths
We have been busy this week learning and revising a range of addition and subtraction strategies. Students
have been busy working to find the best way to solve problems using an appropriate strategy. Ask your child
to solve a 2-digit problem using their favourite strategy!
Science
It’s alive! This term in Science, we will be learning about grouping living things based on observable features
and that living things can be distinguished from non-living things. Students will justify sorting living things into
common animal and plant groups based on observable features. They will also explore grouping familiar
things into living, non-living, and once living things and products of living things.
Parent Info Afternoon
We are excited to host you in the 3D classroom on Thursday 13 February from 3:30pm for our Year 3 Meet
the Teacher sessions. We will be sharing information about PBL processes, classroom routines, homework,
curriculum and the year ahead. If you are unable to attend, not to worry, the PowerPoint slides from the
session will be emailed or sent home.
Office Foyer Display
Come and check out some of the wonderful work our Year 3 classes have been completing so far this year in
the office foyer all this week!
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S c h o o l B a n k i n g
WWW.WoodLinks Wednesday Weekly 12 February 2020
Hello everyone,
Please let me take the time to introduce myself. My name is Hunter and I am a 2 year old, Old English Sheepdog. I am
fortunate to be able to work at WoodLinks State School in the role as a “Reading Dog!” When my Dad, Stuart Crichton,
who is the Head of Mentoring at WoodLinks, told me he wanted to train me to be a Reading Dog I was very excited. For
those new to the school I have been working at the school for two years. I started coming to school when I was 16 weeks
old and I get really excited when I think I am going to work with my Dad. If my Dad, dare touches my school back-pack, I
‘scream,’ run to the door and beat my dad to the car. I even spin around in circles behind the car waiting for him to catch
up. I am pretty well behaved in the car as we drive to work. I have a special doona I have to sit on in the car so we are all
safe. Would you believe I recognise a number of visual milestones on the way to work, and I get ever increasingly excited
as we get closer to school? When I spot the school oval I bark really loudly – I bark all the way through the school
carpark until we have reversed the car into the carpark. This drives my dad nuts – but I keep doing it every time!
When I go to school there are special rules I have to abide by. I have to be respectful, a learner and I have to be safe. All
of the staff know me and know of the special rules I have to have in place. I am always on a lead and I am always around a
teacher. The only time I may not be with a teacher is when one of my Year 5 or 6 ‘Pooch Pals’ is called to take me from
one class to another. I have been told I weave magic. I know all teachers weave magic, but I am able to do it on a different
level. Here is a list of some of my achievements.
I have received messages from a number of “Speechies” who have told me that the children they work with have
commenced speaking in full sentences. In fact one boy was so excited to have me in his room, he blurted out all his
words like an expert adult speaker.
I’m sometimes taken to visit certain classrooms because a student may be having a bad day and just needs a furry
distraction.
I have had students who had reading difficulties, practice reading to a stuffed toy version of me. When the teacher
thinks they are ready, I go to that child’s room and the child gets to read me a book.
If I am aware of any child who is having a tough day, an anxious moment or who just needs a pick-me-up I am close
at hand.
I even help some parents if they are having a rough moment.
I’m not sure but I am training to become an Australian Champion. My Dad puts me in the show ring sometimes.
Sometimes we win – and sometimes we questions the judge’s decision (LOL). I have won a number of ribbons and
plan to win some more.
Some of you may want to know if I am looked after at school. The answer to that is yes I am taken very good care of. I am
always in the presence of a teacher and I receive lots of cuddles. I have a special blanket that is set out in each room I visit.
When I am tired I go to the blanket to have a nap. This is usually when the teacher sends students over to read to me. I
have water and on hot days, I visit the rooms that are air conditioned or have cool cross breezes, and there are a few of
them. My dad just has to look at me and he knows if I am hot.
The students know that their learning is a priority and that I am not to be a distraction. I usually walk around while the
students work, and the students are allowed to give me a sneaky pat. Some students are very clever because that can
‘sneaky-pat’ me and work at the same time. This makes my heart warm.
A very special moment for me was when I was very tired, because being 2yo can be tiring. It was close to 2:50pm. Mrs
Walsh’s class let me have a sleep in the middle of the room. All of the students quietly encircled me and sang a beautiful
lullaby. I was tired and I fell asleep quickly. I opened one eye at one stage and I saw my dad standing at the door. He was
here to collect me from school. I was a little confused, I wanted to stay with the kids and listen to their beautiful song, but
at the same time I wanted to go home. I stayed and listened to the students then I walked to the door. I don’t know what it
means, but my day said it was moving and he had tingles.
So if you see me, come up for a cuddle, but
please be a good role model and if you are
meeting me for the first time, it is manners
to ask for a pat. Because, I want to help
children to do this for all dogs they may
want to pat. If you see me around please
come and say hello and give me a pat,
because deep down I am a big softie cuddle
-monster!
Yours Hunter
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S c h o o l B a n k i n g
Day & Date Time Meeting Place
Year 1 Wednesday 12 February 3:15pm-3:45pm Year 1D classroom
Year 3 Thursday 13 February 3:15 pm-3:45pm Year 3D classroom
Year 4/5 Thursday 13 February 3:15 pm-3:45pm Year 4/5 Classroom
Year 5 Friday 14 February 3:15 pm-3:45pm Year 5A Classroom
Meet the Teacher’s afternoon Please come along to find out about expectations for learning.
STEPHANIE ALEXANDER KITCHEN GARDEN NEWS
WWW.WoodLinks Wednesday Weekly 12 February 2020
Hello and welcome to everyone, my name is Lynda Tucker, I have been
at WoodLinks for 8 years. I am a teacher aide in the ILC and I run
the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Programme (SAKG), which I
took over in July last year.
We had a great experience last year with the senior year levels in cooking and gardening. Years
4, 5 and 6 get to try this programme. Each term we have 5 new recipes to learn to cook. I will
add one of the recipes in each newsletter for everyone to try at home also.
We have tomatoes, corn, capsicums, cabbage and mini courgette
plants growing in our garden. We use these vegetables in our
cooking lessons. I will be planting other plants in the next
week. I also have Loofa plants growing in the gardens. If the loofas do all the
right things I am hoping to sell loofas. Money from sales will go back into buying
ingredients for cooking.
We have a worm farm just outside the kitchen. I sell worm juice during the year- it is great fertiliser for the
garden.
To run this programme we need 5 volunteers for each class per cooking lesson.
If we don't get volunteers we are not able to do a cooking lesson. If the volunteers are not a parent of a
student at WoodLinks they require a Blue Card. Our school office have the forms and there is no cost in
applying for the card. As a volunteer you supervise a group of 4 or 5 students in the kitchen pod with the
recipe they are cooking, no cooking skills are
needed. Happy Gardening and Cooking
Lynda Tucker
SAKG Teacher Aide
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S c h o o l B a n k i n g
WWW.WoodLinks Wednesday Weekly 12 February 2020
WoodLinks Playgroup is back on!
Days- Tuesday and Thursday Time- 9.00am to 10.30am
Location- The Community Hub
Bring morning tea, a water bottle and hat. Everyone welcome!!