TERM 4 week 2

Principals message

Hello Families

SCHOOL REVIEW: Last week our school participated in a Partnership Review. All Qld schools are reviewed every four years and our last review was in 2019. A Partnership Review is a new type of review that supports schools in complex demographics by using an appreciative enquiry approach to identify the good things happening in the school as well to inform the next steps in our strategic planning. There are 42 partnership schools across the state.

As expected, the review panel identified some great work happening in this school. In particular they highlighted our progress in the teaching of reading as well as a very rich culture that promotes learning throughout the school. I thank all of our parents, staff and community partners for your contribution and support of the school review. This support has provided valuable feedback that will inform the Review Report.

Once the report is finalised and published, the panel chair will return to the school and work with us to unpack the report and support the development of our next strategic plan. Thanks again for all the support!

BIG BREAKFAST: It was fantastic to see such a great turn-out for our Term 4 Big Breakfast last week. This was the highest Big Breakfast attendance since Covid and we are sincerely grateful for the support from families and community partners.

Congratulations to all of our prize winners and big thank you to our brave students who performed on parade.

SCHOOL OPINION SURVEY: Thank you to parents, staff and students who completed the annual School Opinion Survey last term. This week I received a copy of the survey results and it was pleasing to see great results across all aspects of our school. Cairns West scored well above regional and state averages across the majority of the survey questions in the in all three domains (staff, students and parents). These results are another validation of the great work happening in this school and the commitment and dedication of our staff.

DISCO: We look forward to our first school Disco since Covid next Wednesday 18 October, from 5:00pm – 7:00pm, in the senior hall. The disco has been organised by our year six students as part of their Business Studies project with Ms Feletar. Money raised goes toward the Year 6 end of year Business Studies celebration day on Friday 17 November.

Yours in Education, Jason Evert  -  Principal

Deputy Principal - Teaching & Learning

Hello CWSS community,

It is hard to believe it is Term 4 already! Every day counts at CWSS and there is quality teaching and learning occurring in every classroom everyday but Term 4 is exceptionally busy and exciting.
Some of the learning opportunities happening this term include, Bravehearts show (P-2), Prep 2024 transition program, Highschool transition program, Disco, Fire Fighter visits, Sport carnivals (Rugby, Netball, Soccer), Swimming program, Leadership presentations, STEAM showcase, Life Education (Years 5 & 6), Report Cards, Year 6 Graduation celebrations, Presentation Day just to name a few!!!
Please make sure you keep up to date with what’s happening for your child at school through the date claimer in the newsletter, school notices sent home with your child/ren and also on our Facebook page. Our amazing Admin team are also available to assist you with relevant notices and payment for events. 
At CWSS keeping kids safe is very important to us. This Thursday our Preps and Year 1 & 2 students will be attending a special BRAVEHEARTS: Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure show. The show is aligned to the Australian Curriculum and teaches children the principles of personal safety in an interactive and age-appropriate way. Ditto is the star of the show and is a Lion puppet who has three rules:
•    We all have the right to feel safe with people.
•    It’s ok to say NO if you feel unsafe or unsure.
•    Nothing is so yucky that you can’t tell someone about it
As part of the program, children are each given a Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Activity Booklet to take home. We encourage parents, educators and teachers to look at the booklet with the children, using the activities to help cement the personal safety messages from the show.  

Later this term our Year 5 and 6 students will have the opportunity to attend Puberty information sessions led by Life Education. In addition to this all classes from Prep- Year 6 complete ‘Healthy, strong, proud’ units of work in their class also aligned to the Australian Curriculum.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding any aspects of the curriculum taught at CWSS, please don’t hesitate to speak to your child’s teacher or a member of the Leadership team.
Thank you for being a partner in your child's learning journey.

Megan Mitchell  -  Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

Deputy Principal - Student Services

Welcome back to Term 4!   
 
This term is quick while students are busy learning, completing assessment and finishing their year.  For our year 6 students they have many events to finish the year and get ready for High School!  Wherever they are going it is crucial that families get their enrolment applications completed so they can attend the Transition day on the Tuesday 6 December.  Please contact the school and see Mrs Hughes to get the forms completed and sent to the relevant high school, so our students don’t miss out. 
 
Social and Emotional Learning is a priority at Cairns West and each and every day in classrooms you will see students engaging in either a SSiS lesson or TRP lesson.  The Resilience Project teaches our students about Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness.  You can continue to support your students in this development by using these activities at home: 

MINDFULNESS   

Did you know …  
We spend 49% of our waking hours thinking about something other than what we’re doing!  
Regular mindfulness practice can improve our:  
•    Immune system  
•    Energy levels 
•    Sleep quality 
•    Awareness 
•    Memory 
•    Productivity

Why don’t you give it a go. Find a mindfulness activity that suits you and that you enjoy, everyone is different. Below are some suggestions you can do with the family: 
•    Listening to music 
•    Exercise (eg: walking) 
•    Colouring 
•    Puzzles 
•    Meditation 
•    Yoga 
I urge you to try a couple of these activities and practice your mindfulness as a family. 
Congratulations to our Try for 5 winners from last term, they got to take home a YETI pack.  This term we have a TRAMPOLINE to give away.  Each week your child is here 5 out of 5 days they get an entry into the draw to win the trampoline.   

If you need support getting your child to school please contact the school to speak to myself, Mrs Hughes or Mr Gleave.  We are here to support you and your child get the best education. 

Take care 

Hayley Lawton - Deputy Principal Student Services

HPE NEWS -Swimming - term 4 all classes

IMPORTANT SWIMMING INFORMATION:

COST: $50 payable to the office before the program commences.  
(BPOINT or EFTPOS is the preferred method of payment.  If you have any queries, please see the office.) This year, the cost of the swimming wasn’t included in the Student Resource Scheme.
•    It is strongly encouraged that all students attend this important educational opportunity, unless the student has a medical condition supported by a doctor’s note
•    The PERMISSION form must be completed and returned to your child’s class teacher before your child can participate in the swimming program  
•    I confirm that my child’s medical details held at CWSS on file are up to date
The swimming program will be based on Water Safety and Learn to Swim.  It will be administered by qualified Aust swim instructors at Woree Aquatic Centre.
Students are required to wear their full school uniform on swimming days and to bring the following;
•    swimmers
•    swim shirt
•    towel
•    bag for wet clothing
•    cap and goggles (if you choose)
•    closed shoes

Mr Paul Pudovskis  -  HPE teacher

Cairns Safer Street Activities - Term 4

BIG BREAKFAST - TERM 4

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STUDENT OF THE WEEK  -  TERM 4 week 1 & 2

Week 1

Week 2

WINNER OF THE YETI PACKAGE

The two randomly selected students who have achieved 100% attendance  on one or more occasion for Term 3 are –                                                                                                      1.      Louange Assumani – 5C                2.       Thomas Nguyen – 6D

Attendance Awards and Lucky Door prize winners

Term 4 - week 1 students

Best Attending Classes – Trophies 
Best Junior, Middle and Senior attending classes for Term 3 will be announced and awarded with the class trophy and class set of prizes. See below for winning classes 

Cowboys TRYFOR5! is an inter-school challenge, designed to address short and long term impacts of students missing foundation learning in their primary years through poor school attendance.

TRYFOR5! motivates and rewards individual classes and schools for their attendance record during the challenge period, and engages students and families using the club’s profile and ambassadors.

Cairns West State School is very excited about being a part of this initiative.     

                                          Whole School attendance TRYFOR5!  GOAL  = 75.60% 

Try For 5 Winners – Each fortnight 1 class from the Junior school (P-3) and 1 class from the senior school (4-6) class with the Best/Most Improved (alternate fortnight) attendance will be rewarded with a class set of Try For 5! Prizes. The classes will be announced on parade and prizes delivered to classes.
 
Weeks 1 and  2– Best Class Attendance (announced in week 3)
Weeks 3 and 4 – Most Improved Attendance  (announced in week 5)
Weeks 5 and 6 – Best Class Attendance (announced in week 7)
Weeks 7 and 8 – Most Improved Attendance (announced in week 9)
Term 4 – Best Junior, Middle and Senior attendance for Term 4 (announced in week 10)

Next week the junior and senior classes with the best class attendance will be announced and rewarded. 

End of Term Grand Prize– Trampoline 

There are 257 names in the draw so far! 

VISUAL ART DEPARTMENT

2023 theme: “Let's put peace at the heart of our words and our actions”

In 2023, our awards theme is influenced by the United Nations Secretary General’s New Year’s Message 2023

Enthusiastic students have been coming into the art room during breaks to work on their entry in this years Peace and Equity ART competition. Any students wishing to be in the competition need to complete an artwork based on the theme “Let’s put peace at the heart of our words and our actions”. All art work needs to be at the art room by the closing date and will be returned. Entries close next Friday 20^th October. Good luck to everyone who is working hard on their entry.

The winner of each category will receive a $100 gift card. The runner up with receive a $50 gift card.  Winners will be notified by the end of November.....https://www.qtu.asn.au/peaceawards

Mrs Kathy Laurila  -  Visual Art Teacher

Bravehearts visit - Prep to Year 2 students

What your child will learn;
The show is underpinned by the following six principles of personal safety:
•    Differentiating safe and unsafe feelings
•    Recognising the bodies ‘warning signs’
•    Identifying ‘private parts’ and ‘privacy’
•    Helping children identify language and feelings associated with secrets
•    Reinforcing that there is no secret that children cannot tell someone
•    Knowing what to do if you feel unsafe or unsure

Ditto’s 3 Rules for keeping safe!
1.    We all have the right to feel safe with people
2.    It’s ok to say NO if you feel unsafe or unsure
3.    Nothing is so yucky that you can’t tell someone about it

As part of the program, children are each given a Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Activity Booklet to take home. We encourage you to look at the booklet with your child, using the activities to help cement the personal safety messages from the show.

How you can learn more:
Bravehearts is extremely proud of Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure program and believes by empowering children with personal safety skills and knowledge we are providing them with the tools to stay safe. However, just as teaching children road rules cannot guarantee our children’s safety on the roads, no program can ‘abuse-proof’ our children. Parents, grandparents, care-givers, teachers, and all adults must be vigilant and informed.