Wynnum State School eNewsletter

Principal's Message

World Staff Day

Last week we celebrated World Staff Day here at Wynnum State School.

Every day, Queensland teachers and support staff make a difference educating and inspiring young people across our state. World Staff Day is an opportunity to acknowledge our Wynnum State School teachers and support staff, to say thanks for the significant contributions they make in our classrooms and community. In our school, all staff are seen as teachers and role models for our students.

Originally a celebration for teachers, the day was created as an international celebration, done in 100 countries world-wide, World Teachers' Day was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1994 to recognise the role of teachers in society.

World Teachers' Day is held internationally on 5 October. As the day usually falls during school holidays, Queensland celebrates on the last Friday of October each year. As our Assembly fell on a Monday, and the Ekka holiday on Friday, we celebrated our entire staff from today, culminating on Thursday.

The theme of World Teachers’ Day 2021 is “Teachers: Leading in crisis, re-imagining the future”. The United Nations (UNESCO) presented this theme for teacher’s day in respect to the determined and diligent efforts of all school staff in the crucial stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Staff members have joined together to ensure education continues across the country this year, despite major challenges. It’s reinforced the significant role teachers and support staff play in the lives of children and students, their families, and communities.

Our teachers and support staff make up a small fraction of education staff in the world. There are an estimated 264 million children and youth still out of school globally. To reach the 2030 Education Goals of Universal Primary and Secondary Education, the world needs to recruit almost 69 million new teachers. This ‘teacher gap’ is more pronounced among vulnerable populations, such as girls, children with disabilities, refugee and migrant children, or poor children living in rural or remote areas.

At our assembly, we celebrated a number of milestone awards, in different roles across the school. A BIG THANK YOU to ALL staff of Wynnum State School. Through working collectively, with the deliberate purpose of growing the intelligences of every child, our combined energies, enables our students to have high expectations of themselves, grow their intelligences with conviction, have an informed voice with a community sense of duty. Go Wynnum Warriors!

Mark Ionn
Principal

2022 Elected School Leaders with Miss Clark

It is my pleasure to congratulate the Wynnum State School Elected School Leaders for 2022. As the Leadership program has come to an end for this year, the Year 5 teaching team have been impressed by the initiative, responsibility and maturity our aspiring leaders have shown. We have observed growth, both in social and learning behaviours of these students.

We thank you for the support and understanding you have shown during this time, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for our leaders.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Habit of Mind and Loving Literature with Ms Connell

The Habits of Mind are a set of 16 thinking skills that intelligent thinkers use to solve problems in which the answer is unknown. Created by Arthur Costa and Bena Kallick, these thinking skills or habits, are present in the best decision makers. This fortnight’s Habit of Mind is Thinking Flexibly. Flexible Thinking is the ability to look at a problem or a situation in another way. Being able to change perspectives, generate alternatives and consider options.

The Loving Literature Link to bring this Habit to life is My Day is Ruined by Brian Smith. This book has been specifically written to support students to develop Flexible Thinking through four steps. 1. Take a deep breath 2. Realise some things are out of your control 3. Change your plan 4. Accept the change. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy1IThadG5Y

Literacy Update with Ms O'Donoghue

Benefits of Teaching Sight Words

All parents and teachers want their children to be good readers. With so many different approaches to reading instruction choosing strategies and activities to help them develop into strong, confident readers is challenging. Sight word instruction is one of the best uses of time to help your children learn to read. Here are some of the many wonderful benefits of teaching sight words to your children:
1. Sight words are confidence builders. The power of self-efficacy (a person’s belief in their ability to accomplish a task) in learning situations cannot be underestimated. When children believe they can learn something new, they are much more likely to actually acquire new knowledge.
2. Sight words free up a child’s energy to tackle more challenging words. Reading is tough work! As fluent readers, we often underestimate the amount of focus and energy reading takes when you don’t know most of the words on the page. When children have to decode each word that they encounter in a sentence, they not only become frustrated, they begin to lose the meaning of the text. Sight word knowledge allows them to work on the less familiar words in the text, while still retaining meaning.
3. Sight words provide clues to the meaning of a sentence. While many pieces of children’s literature use illustrations to match the words, what we really want our young readers to be able to do is to make meaning through the words that tell the story. Sight words help children make sense of what they are reading by providing clues to the overall meaning of a sentence.
4. Sight word instruction builds a foundation for reading new, more complex words. The benefits of sight word instruction extend far beyond their immediate use in helping young people learn to read. Not only do these words continue to appear in more advanced texts, the process of learning sight words builds important learning behaviours that the reader will forever use to learn new vocabulary.
5. https://www.highfrequencywords.org/hfw100fp.pdf

Library Buzz with Mrs Sutton and the Library Team

The Scholastic Book Fair is making a return to the library at the end of this month, from Tuesday 23 November. Wynnum SS families will have the opportunity to purchase from Book Fair, which will be packed with a multitude of genres, including fantasy, classics, reference, award-winners, humour, nonfiction and mystery. The library team will be making the book fair open before and after school from 23/11. Through the sale of books during the year, and particularly during the Book Fair, Scholastic gives our school money through the Rewards program to help our school obtain additional literacy resources for the library for which we are very grateful.

Chess Lessons

A shout out to our Chess coaches who visit our school each week, conducting chess lessons on Wednesday afternoons after school and Thursday mornings before school. There are many studies that have shown that students playing chess have increased problem solving skills. Improving cognitive skills is just one of the many benefits of students learning to play chess!

Iona Buddies

Our strong relationship with the Iona community continues each Tuesday afternoon with 25 Ionians from Year 11 arriving for Buddy reading with our Year 2 students. The paired reading allows the Year 2 students bring a text to share with the older students who monitor and support students as they read. Our buddies then get to read a picture book to the students while sharing in dialogue and connections along the way.

And finally…. drum roll please…………….! I can announce that two special guests, Craig Thomas (CEO) from the Wynnum Manly Leagues Club along with Katie Laws, WMLC Marketing Manager have been invited to attend our whole school assembly on the 8 November. We shall be acknowledging our guests with a big thank you to show our appreciation and gratitude for the gift of money to buy reading books for our P-2 students. We look forward to this occasion.

Just keep reading…

Mrs Sutton and the Library Team

Science News with Mrs Crowe

There is growing understanding and recognition of the power of children’s early thinking and learning. Science is a particularly important domain in early childhood (0-8 years), serving not only to build a basis for future scientific understanding but also to build important skills and attitudes for continued learning in all subject areas and daily life.

Scientific investigations build strong connections to, and foster a life-long love of, our world. Science learning establishes a positive approach to learning. It encourages development of communication skills, collaborative skills, team working and perseverance, as well as analytical, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Science learning develops and consolidates the Habits of Mind in children’s approach to life.

Our Prep to Year 3 Wynnum Warriors have Science as a weekly specialist learning subject and an excellent Science Lab space to work in. Our Wynnum Warriors from Year 4-6 have time each week in their own classrooms engaged in excellent Science investigations to continue building their knowledge and love of Science!

Preps have been testing hands-on objects in the Science Lab Working Interdependently in small groups. Each team of young physicists designed ramps at a variety of heights and compared the movement of different objects such as cars, marbles, balls and pencils. Much Persistence and Questioning and Problem Solving about the ramps and changes in movement was evident.

Year 1 investigated how sound is an energy caused by vibrations which travel through all three states of matter: solid, liquid and gas. Exploration used triangles, paper cup and string telephones, tuning forks and balloons enabling our young scientists to feel the ‘Good Vibrations’. Exclamations of Wonderment and Awe were expressed as classes observed sound waves from a tuning fork move water (some even were splashed!) and rice grains bounced on a ‘cling wrap’ eardrum from loud sounds made with household equipment. Each scientist also strummed a guitar to feel the vibrations made by high and low sounds.

The Science Lab has been alive with many sounds and lots of movement over the last fortnight! See the looks on faces in photos below!

Sounds in Spring - Thursday 4 November at 6:00pm

A reminder to all Choir and Band students to arrive at 5:40pm on Thursday 4 November and meet your teacher at MEGA Central. Wynnum State School parents, family and friends are welcome to attend and are asked to check in upon arrival using the QR App. We are looking forward to sharing a fabulous evening with you all.

Instrumental Music

There will be no music lessons in Week 6 as outlined in the Term 4 Timetable, as Year 3 Recruitment Testing will be taking place. Please still bring your instrument as Junior & Senior Band will still be on at usual times. All Year 3 Students who returned an EOI form to join the Instrumental Music Program for 2022 will be given a time to meet with the instrumental music teachers. Please make sure that you attend on time so everyone is able to be seen.

Year 2 Sleepover - Thursday 21 October

Last Thursday 21October, Year 2 arrived at school excited for the annual sleepover. The auditorium was buzzing at 4.30pm as the students arrived with their bags and sleeping gear in hand and begun setting up their beds. A few tears were shed as kids said goodbye to mums and dads, understandably as for some it was their very first sleepover. We headed up to MEGA for our weekly dance lesson, followed by a delicious pizza dinner and disco. We busted out some serious moves as the sun went down before heading back to the auditorium to watch a movie.

Although we managed to have our first ever sleepover without a storm, we were not so lucky on Friday as the heavy rain and hail came down. This meant that our raft races had to be postponed but it didn’t dampen the Wynnum Warrior spirit as we had so much yummy food that we had prepared earlier in the week to satisfy our hunger.

After some much needed sleep over the weekend, the Year 2 students headed to the pool on Tuesday with some very ‘creative’ rafts. Some fell apart before they hit the water, others made it to the other end of the pool in record time. Smiles and cheers were abundant. Another Year 2 sleepover success!

Cupcake Day with the Student Council

The Student Council will be hosting their annual fundraiser on Wednesday the 24 November. This year the students have decided to run a CUPCAKE DAY. We are very excited to be selling these yummy, delicious treats for all students to purchase. The Student Council will be in Mega Central from 8:30am till 8:45am each morning in both Week 6 and 7 for students to pre-order with payment for their cupcakes. The price will be $4.00 per cupcake. Monies raised is going towards the end of year legacy gift to the school from the 2021 Student council. We look forward to this awesome day!

Year 1 Minibeasts Excursion

Last Wednesday and Thursday, all Year 1 classes visited MBEEC for our Minibeast excursion. We worked together to catch, observe, classify and tally our Minibeasts. It was very surprising how many different types we caught. At the end we got to view some Minibeasts through microscopes. Students also observed the natural, managed and constructed features of the MBEEC grounds. We all had a great time.

Mrs Clarke
Year 1 Teacher

Year 3 HASS Excursion

Last week, students in Year 3 participated in the Moreton Bay Environmental Centre program Birds and Beaches, Dogs and Leashes. This program is based around a geographical enquiry into the flight paths of migratory shore birds that visit Moreton Bay. Students identified potential threats to the birds and described how they could be champions for the bay by educating others about these birds and their phenomenal journey. The day involved gathering data, presenting their data, drawing mud maps, identifying birds and their behaviours, looking for potential threats and making a list of their own responsibilities in protecting these birds.

Alison Chapman
Year 3 Teacher

Quandamooka Jarjums Camp

Last Wednesday Brandon and I were fortunate enough to attend Quandamooka Jarjums Camp on Stradbroke Island along with Ms Romeril. We spent two nights and three days camping on the beach. We were immersed in the Indigenous Culture and were able to form long lasting friendships with other Quandmooka students from other primary schools.

We swam at the beach every day, learnt cultural dances and enjoyed watching the mentors prepare and cook a Kup Murri – which is meat and vegetables cooked under the ground. We totally agreed that our Kup Murri dinner was well worth the wait. On the last day we went for a walk around the island and found a massive sand dune which we had lots of fun running up and down. We had the best time on camp.

Rueben B and Brandon S
Year 6 Students

Day for Daniel

On Thursday 28 October Wynnum State School participated in the annual Day for Daniel. This special event is dedicated to Daniel Morcombe and our Wynnum Warriors definitely showed their support. Everywhere we looked there was a sea of red students and staff, and it was great to see many classes access the ‘Child Safety’ themed online resources. Thank you to all those who supported this special foundation.

Mrs Bennet
Year 6 Teacher

Years 5 & 6 Handball Competition with The Student Council

The Student Council will be hosting a Handball Competition for Year 5 and 6 students in Week 6. Teams can be in groups of two, three or four and it will cost each team 50 cents to enter. This entry fee is to go towards the grand prize of the winning team being presented with new handballs. 16 teams are needed. The first rounds will begin on Wednesday, November 10, at first break and will run through the end of Week 6 into Week 7. The Student Council look forward to this exciting event. May the best team win!

Recycling with Mrs Hope

The 10c Recycling Bin

New Recycling Bins! Last week, students were shown the new types of coloured recycling bins which have been placed in the eating areas. This continues the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle programme introduced earlier in the year. Please remember that this is a recycle bin only – not a rubbish bin. Everyone needs to check for the 10^csymbol near the barcode on your recyclable item (see image below).

Other reminders include:

Leave containers intact
No squashing needed
Barcodes need to be read
No plastic wrap
No plastic sandwich bags
No alfoil
No yoghurt containers
No plain milk containers
No coffee cups
Remove lids and straws
Empty out any excess liquid

If you would like to donate your 10^c containers to the Wynnum State School P&C please use this code to use for the bag drop: C10062108

Download and Open the Containers for Change App.
Scheme ID is one of the icons at the bottom of the screen.
Add the number C10062108 Scheme ID for Wynnum State School.
Visit the Tingalpa TOMRA Centre. Go to the Bag drop Area.
Enter the Scheme ID into the tablet. Stickers will be printed.
Your donation will be processed. Thank you.

2022 Resource Kit (Book List) order - Due 26 November

2022 Resource kit lists were sent home to all students last week. Year level lists are also available for download on the school website. Orders need to be returned by 26 November 2021 to SOS or the school office.

QSchools App

Don't forget to download the QSchools App to your Iphone or Android device. The QSchools App is another great way for Wynnum State School families to receive and read our fortnightly school newsletter and also receive important notifications regarding school events. Simply download to your phone and 'star' Wynnum State School as your 'favourite' school.

P&C News - School Disco, Uniform and Tuckshop Update

Save the Date – School Disco

The P&C, along with the Student Council, would like to invite Wynnum State School Families to our School Disco on Thursday, 25 November. More information will be provided over the coming weeks.

Wynnum Wahoos Swim Club

Our Wynnum Wahoos Swim Club is in full swing! With everyone competing against themselves, we are seeing many smiling faces coming out of the water with PBs (personal bests) as well as PRs (pool records) on the board.

The Wynnum Wahoos Swim Club is a great opportunity for our Wynnum Warriors to practice their swimming, racing against their own time and catching up with their mates. It is not too late to join, so go to https://my.swimlynx.com.au and either login (for returning users) or signup (for new users).

For any questions, please contact: Paul Sheather (wynnumwahoos@gmail.com)

Tuckshop & Uniform Shop updates

Don’t forget our Tuckshop “Loyalty Card” for our amazing volunteers. Volunteering on a Monday, Thursday or Friday morning at our Tuckshop will earn you a ‘star’. For three (3) ‘stars’ earned, you / your child will receive a $5 credit from the Tuckshop. Please see our lovely ladies at the Tuckshop if you like to help out.

If you have any pre-loved uniforms, especially polo shirts, which are still in good condition, please consider donating them to our uniform shop, so that someone else can enjoy them. Thank you!

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Term 4 Week 5 - 4 November 2021