TERM 1 WEEK 4

Principal's message

WELCOME TO 2024: Welcome to the first newsletter of 2024. We are well and truly back into the swing of things and children are settled into quality learning programs across the school. There is a really positive vibe for the year ahead, buoyed by a tone of calm professionalism across the school.

CLASSES 2024: There have been a few staffing changes this year including a change in specialists subjects offered. Dr Cathy Shepherd is now teaching Science as a specialist subject (Yr 1-6), we reduce to a single HPE teacher (Mr Pudovskis) and Ms Feletar continues to teach Digital Technologies.   Our classroom teachers are as follows:

Parent are encouraged to drop into your child’s class and introduce yourself to their teacher, if you haven’t done so already.

STRATEGIC PLANING: Following on the Improvement Strategies identified in our school review last year, we are currently working on building our four-year Strategic Plan and Annual Improvement Plan (AIP). These plans will be finalised by the end of this month and will be published on our school web site when complete. The key themes that have emerged from our school review include Connection to Community, Quality Teaching, Data Informed Decision Making and Quality Implementation of the Australian Curriculum V9.0. I acknowledge and thank those parents who were involved in the school review as community connectors last year as well as those parents who have joined our Community Reference Group to ensure we have parent voice supporting our school’s strategic planning.

CONGRATULATIONS (PBL Demonstration School): Cairns West has officially been recognised as a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) demonstration school. I acknowledge the hard work of our Student Services team and in particular Ms Lawton and Mr Gleave for submitting the application. PBL is a framework for behaviour management that is used by a significant number of schools across the state and being recognised as a demonstration school highlights the fidelity of implementation at our school. This significant accolade is a testament to the years of hard work and dedication of many staff over several years at Cairns West and it is a genuine honour for our school to be recognised as a leader in behaviour management in Queensland.

CHILD ORAL HEALTH STUDY: I have agreed for our school to support an Oral Health research project and have approved a partnership with The University of Queensland and Queensland Health to conduct the Queensland Child Oral Health Study (QCOHS) 2021-24. This is an opportunity for a free dental check-up at school for a random selecton of students, while helping dental care research in Queensland. Participation in the health study is completely voluntary and parents will be provided with more information around this opportunity in the coming weeks.

AWAY FOR THE DAY (Mobile Phones): Education Queensland have released a state-wide procedure relating to the use of mobile devices in schools.  At Cairns West, it is an expectation that children hand their phone into the office when they arrive at school and collect it from the office at the end of the day. Our expectations are outlined in our Student Code of Conduct and these expectations are aligned to the department’s new procedure. We have already managed incidents this year relating to inappropriate use mobile phones by students that were not handed into the office. Parent support is appreciated in ensuring children are handing their phones into the office each morning.

BLOOMFIELD RIVER STUDENTS: As communicated in a recent email to parents, we are hosting a group of students from Bloomfield River State School as the community of Wujal Wujal is rebuilt after devastating flooding last year. We are grateful to be able to provide some stability and routine for these children and families after such traumatic disruption to their lives. Please contact me if you have any queriers regarding this arrangement.

ONLINE SERVICES: The Internet is a powerful tool to support student learning and online resources are constantly evolving and changing. Education Queensland has strict guidelines and risk management strategies to ensure any online resources accessed by students are thoroughly checked and quality assured. Given the everchanging nature of online resources, it’s is an ongoing challenge for schools to ensure they have current parental consent for children to access online resources at school. In the coming weeks we will be sending home an updated list of online resources we use at Cairns West and will be seeking parental consent to use these resources with your children. Parent support around ensuring this consent is signed and returned to school is sincerely appreciated.

ROAD SAFETY: We have had a couple of reports recently of children running across busy roads, away from pedestrian crossings. We have also had a couple of close calls with children walking through the staff carparks. Parent support around reminding children of the importance of using pedestrian crossings and ensuring children are dropped off and collected at the main school pedestrian gates is also sincerely appreciated. 

Jason Evert  -  Prinicipal

Deputy Principal - Teaching & Learning

Hello CWSS community,

As this is the first newsletter for the school year, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome existing and new families to Cairns West State School for a positive and productive year of learning. Thank you to our families for their efforts and commitment in supporting Cairns West students back to school in 2024. Every day in every classroom there is important learning occurring which is why it is critical that you and your family try for 5 days attendance every week of the school year.

Thank you to our school staff for their energy and enthusiasm in ensuring classrooms are prepared, students are welcomed and that every child is actively working towards achieving one year worth of learning growth each year. To ensure we reach this goal it is imperative we work together as 3-way strong partners between student, family and teacher. Please know your child’s teacher, support staff and the Leadership team are always keen to meet with you, to yarn about how we can work together to best support your child/ren.

As it is the start of the new school year here are some positive suggestions to best support your family to establish healthy school routines;

• Speak positively about school and foster a positive relationship with your child’s teacher or a staff member.
• Develop positive home routines; go to bed on time, limit technology at night, read books, play together, eat a healthy breakfast and discuss school pick up routines. Use a calendar to cross off the days of the week, show the weekend, or count down to the holidays.
• Develop a positive farewell routine; ‘kiss and hug & see you at 2:30pm’, draw a love heart on your child and your hand to keep you connected throughout the day, connect your child to a friend they are comfortable with and reassure them they will be ok.
• Be brave & brief when saying goodbye to your child. If they start to get upset, hand them over to a teacher, remind your child you will return in the afternoon and leave promptly.

Below are some great books to read with your child about going to school. Reading books about school together can help you talk with your child about their feelings.

Always remember the school is here to help support your child. If things get tough, please don’t hesitate to come and see us and so we can work together to make a positive plan forward.

NAPLAN

In week 8 of this term year 3 and 5 students will sit a National Assessment of Literacy and Numeracy skills called NAPLAN. Our students will complete this assessment online (other than Year 3 writing which will be completed on paper). Our Year 3 and 5 students are already preparing for this assessment in class and next week will sit a practise test to best prepare them for the actual assessment in week 8. Please speak to your child’s teacher or support staff if you have any questions or concerns regarding NAPLAN.

Thank you for being a partner in your child's learning journey.

Megan Mitchell  -  Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

Great books to read with your child about going to school

Deputy Principal - Student Services

Hello Cairns West Families,

It is great to see the school buzzing after the holidays.  Families back and children ready for business.

At the end of last year the school's Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) committee reviewed the whole school positive behaviour system.  The system has been streamlined so that it can be used free and frequently throughout the classroom and school grounds.   The whole purpose of the system is frequently acknowledge students who display appropriate behaviours and expectations around the school.  Students will get ticks on their classroom chart and given way to go cards at specialist lessons or in the playground.   

We will acknowledge students who reach the 10, 20, 30 and 40 mark milestones and at the end of each term any child who has achieved the 40 milestone gets to participate in their cohort celebration.  Each term cohorts are encouraged to agree on what their celebration will be.  Below is an example of the tracker displayed in all classrooms for children.

You will also start to see children bringing home happy postcards.  These are another positive reinforcement strategy to celebrate students who do stand out school work or who have stand out behaviour.  This is one way teachers can show students and families the positive work happening in classrooms each and every day!  

New year, new number?  Please make sure your contact details are up to date with the office.  We have to call parents for a multitude of reasons but when your child is unwell and we are unable to get a hold of a family member that makes the children really upset.  It is also important to update the emergency contacts as well.  Please talk to the office to update those details.

Take care of yourself and Family

Hayley Lawton -Deputy Principal Student Services

🤩Celebrating Student Achievements😍

Keep your eyes open for our new 'Happy Postcards' (one is pictured above).  These are given out by staff to students who have displayed behaviours and  great work  either in the classroom or in the playground.

These are simply a positve consequence for students to share with their families when they are doing great work at school.  Briar-Rose from 2B received one last week, she sure looks happy!!

Please make sure you prasie your child if they receive one!!

Week 2 and 3

Week 4

HPE News

TCC District Trials timetable

TRIALS are run after school, generally between 3:30-5:00pm.  Students will need to arrange their own travel arrangements to and from the venues.  If your child would like to attend any fo the TCC trials in term 1, they will need to see Mr Podovskis at least 2 weeks prior to the trials.  If we believe that your child has the potential in the district team, we will provide the necessary paperwork.  Paperwork will need to be completed and returned to HPE teachers at least 1 week prior to the trial.

Important Sports Dates to remember in Term 1:

• Friday 16 February 8:30am-10:30am - Vicki Wilson Netball Clinic (Radars players)
•  Wednesday 20 March 8:30am-10:30am - CWSS Cross Country (prep-yr6)
• Tuesday 26 March - all day - Rugby League Gala Day   

If you require further information about any of the above, please contact Mr Podovski                                                                                              

CAIRNS SAFER STREETS - Term 1 program

😁FREE dental check-ups for children - call 1300 300 850 to make an appointment

Our school Tuckshop operates daily from 7:30am  -  and closes at 1:00pm.  The best way to get your childs lunch/morning tea is to use the Flexischool App - orders must be in before 9:00am.  School uniforms are also sold at our Tuckshop (cash and eftpos only)

• School shirts  -  $35.00                        Sports shirts  -  $35.00                     Senior shirts  -  $40
• Shorts  -  $30.00                                      Sun Smart Hats  -  $15.00

😍What an AMAZING achievement

 The following information is from an article written for Cairns Local News Paper-publised 02 February 2024 

"A Torres Strait Islander woman passionate about improving the outcomes for children is the 2024 Cairns Citizen of the year.

Jacquie Backhouse was given the honour yesterday in recognition of more that 30 years of helping at-risk children.  At a time when most people are enjoying retirement, Mrs Backhouse has continued to commit her time and efforts to suppoeting students and their familes, primarily through her role as a teacher aide.

Engaged in the role at several schools in Cairns for the past 30 years, she guides and mentors troubled and high-risk children, including some who display anti-social behaviours and struggle with long-term issues at home and at school."

Cairns West school staff, students and community would like to acknowledge and thank Mrs Backhouse for her years of dedication to the program "Talk Sense to Yourself".  

"Happy New Year Cairns West Family!"

If you're new to our school community, let me introduce myself. My name is Esther and I'm the School Chaplain of the West! My role is to provide social, emotional and pastoral support for our students, families and staff. It's a role that I don't take lightly and I'm very blessed to be able to serve here in our school. You can find me at school from Tuesday - Thursdays every week if you want to say "hi" or have a yarn.  My room is located under B block at the front of the school.

I look forward to what this term holds for our school and how we can make it a memorable one, with new learnings, friendships and a postive school experience for all. 

Until next time, Chappy Esther

TRYFOR5!

100% Attendance Reward Winner - ATTENDANCE STAR!  -  Each week 1 student from each year level who has achieved 100% attendance for the week will receive a TRYFOR5! prize.  Students will be announced at parade and given their certificate and prize.

TRYFOR5! WINNERS - Each fortnight 1 class from the Junior school (P-3) and 1 class from the Senior school (4-6) with the Best/Most Improved (alternate fortnight) attendance will be rewarded with a class set of TRYFOR5! prizes.  The classes will be announced on parade and prozes delivered to classes.

This week year 5 classes will be awarded with Attendance Trophies for the Best year level attendance for weeks 2 and 3

Congratulations to 6B for achieving the Most Improved attendance in weeks 2 and 3 with an improvement of 7%.  The class will be awarded with a class set of TRYFOR5! prizes at parade.

The prize for this term is a Voucher to the Cairns Aquarium valued at $150.  There are 762  names in the draw so far.  

Community Food Garden

Challenges abound for our Community Food Garden when school breaks for holidays.  The weather ramps up with hotter and more humid days and monsoon rains are always hovering.  Ideal conditions for some food plants but ideal for every seasonal weed.
Having said that some collective conversations and some prior planning has helped keep the garden in pretty good shape.
We planted out the communal bed with sweet potato, pumpkin and watermelon all of which have scrambled over the beds keeping weeds down.  Unfortunately, the watermelon had lots of flowers but no fruit and the pumpkin barely survived.  Hopefully the couple of varieties of sweet potato will be successful.
One of our gardeners planted out legumes which are great nitrogen fixing plants and give the soil time to rest and recover before the better growing season comes.  I was very curious about one plant as it was a first for me.  Turns out it is mung beans, a personal favourite in my home cooking but I had never seen it growing before.
As gardeners we are always working on our soil.  After long periods of heavy rainfall our soils can be left depleted.  Our compost bins have been brewing away with all the scraps from the tuckshop and the garden waste and will be ready to use in a month or so.  
Composting is a great way to dispose of kitchen waste, our soils love it and it reduces landfill and the production of methane.  A win win all round.
If you are interested in having a look around the garden or are curious about being part of our growing community, please drop in.  Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are the best days.

Annie - Community Liaison 

Nikki Kidd - Welcome to Cairns West

My name is Nikki, I am the new Social Worker at Cairns West State School.

I have been working with children and families for over 15 years and am very grateful to be able to now be a member of the Cairns West team.

I look forward to building connections with students, families and the wider community. 

Nikki Kidd - Social Worker