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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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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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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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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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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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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!!