Term 3 Week 8Social media with us for better and for worse in our modern world. It can be an amazing platform of communication and community but it has also been linked to lack of sleep and serious mental health issues in adults and in children. Every parent has the right to choose whether or not they encourage their child to access social media and at what age. You also decide how much you supervise and monitor your child’s use. Please be mindful of recommended age limits for specific social media platforms and encourage the use of secure passwords that both you and your child know. There are many resources and parental advice articles online that can help you in reducing the risk of cyberbullying and minimise unwanted contact.Parents are encouraged to let the school know if there are any issues with social media or cyberbullying and matters can also be referred to the Police. Thankfully we have very few issues at Willow Tree PS, but they are becoming more common in most schools and we certainly are not immune. As parents and educators, we need to be aware and informed so that we can support our children in navigating this complex IT landscape.Merydyth Raue (Principal)

PREMIER’S REGIONAL SPELLING BEE

Well done to Molly McKinley, Zac Gallagher and Miles Fuentes who travelled to Westdale Public School last Wednesday to take part in the Premier’s Regional Spelling Bee. All students had a great day, learning from the valuable experience. Thank you to parents who transported and supported their students at the spelling bee. Thank you to Westdale Public School for hosting the event.

ONLINE NAPLANAs part of our school’s transition to online NAPLAN for 2020, this week, our Year 6 students will be participating in the online VALID Science test. It is a great opportunity for our students to become familiar with online testing platforms in readiness for NAPLAN and other high school assessments next year. It will provide me with valuable information, not only about their understanding of stage 3 science concepts, but also how our students tackle online testing and their engagement in these types of opportunities. I am hoping that this will be an enjoyable and interesting activity which will provide us with excellent opportunities for further science investigations and help me best prepare our students for future external assessments. Results of the tests will be available next term. Information about each student is treated confidentially and held securely to ensure that the right to privacy of all students is

2020 KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS

We are now accepting enrolments for 2020 Kindergarten. If you have a child or know of anyone with a child ready to start Kinder in 2020 please contact the school as soon as possible. We have enrolment packages available and our Kinder Smiles orientation program starts early next term.A Kinder information morning will be held at school on Thursday October 24.

SEPTEMBER

10 Pre-school Buddies

13 Regional Athletics

26 K-1-2 Excursion to Dubbo Zoo

26 PSSA Small Schools Soccer Knockout State Finals - Sydney

27 Last Day Term 3

OCTOBER

14 Term 4 begins (Monday)

Term 3 Week 8Social media with us for better and for worse in our modern world. It can be an amazing platform of communication and community but it has also been linked to lack of sleep and serious mental health issues in adults and in children. Every parent has the right to choose whether or not they encourage their child to access social media and at what age. You also decide how much you supervise and monitor your child’s use. Please be mindful of recommended age limits for specific social media platforms and encourage the use of secure passwords that both you and your child know. There are many resources and parental advice articles online that can help you in reducing the risk of cyberbullying and minimise unwanted contact.Parents are encouraged to let the school know if there are any issues with social media or cyberbullying and matters can also be referred to the Police. Thankfully we have very few issues at Willow Tree PS, but they are becoming more common in most schools and we certainly are not immune. As parents and educators, we need to be aware and informed so that we can support our children in navigating this complex IT landscape.Merydyth Raue (Principal)

PUBLIC SPEAKING ASSEMBLY

Well done to the following students who presented their public speaking in our assembly last week.Lacey-Rose Campbell – QuailsTyler Ellis – Motor CrossSophie Blayden – Mr MonkeyAnnabelle Saunders – DanceLiam Atkins – Hawaii HolidayEmily Maunder – Goldie the PonyHolly Martin – Luna Park

Class Awards

Student of the week

Zac Gallagher – for being an encouraging student to all and displaying excellent leadership skills.

K/1/2Hamish Lowe – for slowing down and spending more time to improve his work

Alice Dunn – for being a kind, supportive and encouraging student

Digby Dunn – for extending his writing and applying himself to all learning areas

3/4 Joel Redgrove – for learning new mathematical concepts with confidence

Charlie Martin – for dedication towards all areas of learning

5/6Kent Fuentes – for energy and enthusiasm in sport

Blake Thompson – for energy and enthusiasm in sport

Sports AwardGlen Spinks – for being a great help in the sports shed this week

Gold CertificateCongratulations to Jake Wamsley for receiving a gold certificate

Cloth PatchWell done to Troy Johnson for receiving a cloth patch.

2019 KINDER BUDDIESOur Kinder Buddy program will commence on Tuesday 10 September. Each year the Pre-School children are invited to participate in short lessons with students from the 5-6 class. This program is particularly aimed at students who will be commencing Kindergarten in 2020 to help them to transition to ‘big school’. Thanks to Ms Fitzpatrick who will be running our first buddy session for 2019.

APPRECIATION TO OUR P&CWe would like to take this opportunity to thank our hard working P&C. Our P&C have dug deep this year and contributed a lot of funding to benefit all students at our school. Our P&C funded the travel costs for the 3/4/5/6 excursion, are funding the K/1/2 travel costs to Dubbo. They have pledged over $7000 towards new reading resources throughout the school and to build up our library resources. The P&C fund the ongoing costs of our Breakfast Club, they have purchased new sports shirts for students to wear and pledged funding for CAPERS travel expenses to name a few. This is an extremely valuable committee who work tirelessly to ensure all our students have these opportunities. We encourage all families to get involved in the P&C. As the old saying goes… many hands make light work.Thank you!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CANTEEN TEAM!

Congratulations to Karen & Jules who persisted with the new Healthy Canteen regulations which resulted in Willow Tree Public School’s canteen being signed off as a Healthy Canteen. Thank you to all parents who volunteer their time in the canteen.

K/1/2 – EXCURSIONDUBBO ZOO

Our K/1/2 students will travel to Dubbo Zoo on Thursday 26 September for their annual school excursion. There is an exciting day planned for students with giraffee feeding and a savannah safari! An information note has been sent home with students. Please complete the note indicating where your child/ren will be boarding the bus.

REGIONAL ATHLETICSGood luck to all our athletes who will be part of the Quirindi Zone team taking part at the PSSA North West Athletics carnival in Tamworth this Friday. We have 11 students representing which is an amazing number for our school. Good luck team, we know you will represent with pride. We can’t wait to hear all your fantastic results.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SCHOOL VISIT

Mr Frank Potter, Executive Director, will be visiting Willow Tree Public School on Tuesday 10 September for a short stop on his way to Newcastle. We plan on showing him our dance performance for CAPERS.

INTENSIVE SWIMMING NOTES

A reminder that the notes regarding the Term 4 intensive swimming program, are due back to school by this Friday 13 September. These notes will give staff an indication of students’ swimming abilities to allow appropriate decisions to be made and also staffing organisation for the end of the year. We thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

CANTEENWEDNESDAY 4 SEPTEMBER

Canteen: Bridget & JaniceCooking: Michelle

PERMISSION NOTESA reminder that the following permission notes have been sent home. Thank you for returning them by the due dates to ensure students do not miss out on opportunities and to assist with our organisation.

NOTES – WHO FOR – DUE DATE…

Intensive Swimming Interest – Year 2-6 studentsDue: Friday 13 September

CAPERS – All CAPERS participantsDue: Friday 20 September

Dubbo Zoo excursion with pick up / drop off points – K-2 students Due: Friday 13th September

SCHOOL UNIFORMAs the weather starts to warm up students may start to transition in to their summer uniform. We ask to please ensure girls uniforms are at an appropriate length. A reminder to families – black shoes are to be worn with school uniform. We have a ‘no hat no play’ policy. Students are reminded school hats are to be worn in the playground.