Term 4 - Week 4 2022
- Principal's Message with Mr Ionn
- Habits of Mind and Loving Literature Link with Ms Connell (DP Years 1-3)
- Day for Daniel
- Science News with Mrs Crowe (Prep-3 Science Specialist)
- Library Buzz with Mrs Sutton and the Library Team
- Teaching and Learning with Ms O'Donoghue (Head of Curriculum)
- Snapshots of Year 3 Excursion
- Year 5 and 6 Handball Competition
- P & C News
- Saver Plus Program with The Smith Family
- Absentee Text Number
- School Bus Services
- Message from the Minister for Transport and Main roads
- 2022 School Term Dates
- Upcoming Prep 2023 Transition Days
- QSchools App
- Community News
Principal's Message with Mr Ionn
I would like to thank Megan Connell, as well as the amazing team of school leaders, for stepping up again in my absence as Principal, to ensure we began Term 4 the best we can. Being able to enjoy my honeymoon in such a relaxed manner was largely due to the confidence in this team and their tremendous skillset and leadership.
It is interesting to see what happens when you return after a period of time. I have been inundated by many well-wishes from students, staff and parents. One student did ask me if I had to change my name. Thankfully no, but there is now a Mrs Ionn.
Wynnum Bajara
At the last meeting, the Bajara reference group decided that for our future meetings, to better understand local community perspectives, and to better know, understand and respect the culture, language, protocols and practices of First Nations peoples, we would come together for a community breakfast before each future meeting. Therefore, next Wednesday 2 November, the Bajarra group would like to invite our First Nations families and school staff to a breakfast from 7.30am. Our Bajara meeting will then follow after the breakfast. We hope many of our First Nations families will be able to join us. We would also like to thank the PCYC for their provision of breakfast items.
World Teachers' Day
Every day, Queensland teachers make a difference educating and inspiring young people across our state. World Teachers' Day is an opportunity to acknowledge our Wynnum State School teachers and say thank you for the significant contributions they make in our classrooms and community, and for the positive impact they have on the lives of students.
Celebrated in more than 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. This year we say thank you to our teachers for ‘teaching through every moment’. We acknowledge and show appreciation for the many ways teachers provide support and inspiration to our students.
At our upcoming Whole School Assembly, we will celebrate teachers at our school for reaching significant milestones with the Department of Education.
Habits of Mind and Loving Literature Link with Ms Connell (DP Years 1-3)
Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision
This fortnight’s Habit reminds us of the power of stopping to think before we speak and making sure the words we use are carrying the message we want to share. Last fortnight we had the pleasure of Mem Fox reading her own book. This fortnight we have the author Bonnie Clark reading her book Taste Your Words aloud. Enjoy!
Day for Daniel
On the 28th of October Wynnum State School will be raising awareness for Day for Daniel. This special day is all about raising awareness and educating children and young people about how to stay safe in physical and online environments. The Student Council is showing their support by inviting everyone to wear red in respect for Daniel, his family, and his legacy to keep children safe.
Science News with Mrs Crowe (Prep-3 Science Specialist)
How do many man-made and natural entities move in a variety of ways in our school environment? Prep classes gathered data through all senses to find the answer to this inquiry question as they ventured on a ‘field investigation’ around our school grounds.
Eager observers took note of birds, bees, lizards, butterflies, ants and many more natural creatures and how they moved. Every time each class team of young physicists discovered a man-made object they determined whether it was static or mobile. How and why each mobile object moves stimulated engaging discussion of physical science concepts. On return to the Science Lab all observations were recorded in Science Journals.
How do opposite forces interact? How does gravity affect our body and influence the force we need to apply in movement with equipment? Year Twos Worked Interdependently with partners to investigate opposite forces of ‘Push and Pull’. Our Year Two physicists innovated many ways to test out scientific forces as they engaged in active investigation with balls in buckets of water (gravity, buoyancy), balls to throw and catch (gravity, momentum, contact forces) and hula hoops (torque, friction, gravity).
How is heat produced and transferred? How does heat move? Year Threes used ice cubes and body heat (from their hands) to physically feel the scientific concept of ‘Heat Transfer”. Throughout this simple and fun investigation each scientist persisted to hold the ice, gathered data through all senses and strived for accuracy to record their observations diagrammatically. Each scientist then understood and wrote the definition of Heat Transfer in their Science Journal. All were very proud of their work!
Library Buzz with Mrs Sutton and the Library Team
Iona Visits
A sincere thank you to the last cohort of Year 11 Iona students and their teacher Mr Beets for their visits to WSS this term. As part of their community service with other schools in our area, these regular Reading Buddy visits on Tuesday afternoon have provided rich interactions for our Year 1 and 2 students. The benefits for all students are immense. How lovely to see some of our Wynnum SS old boys return to us and spend time reading with our younger students.
Our book spotlight last week for our P-2 students was on the mysterious book called…Pobblebonks, written and illustrated by Gary Fleming. Such an exciting picture book that starts like this…'I hear them from my window as they call from places damp, hiding in the shadows of the dim street lamp . . .'
So, what are Pobblebonks? What do they look like? What do they sound like, I hear you ask? Well Pobblebonks (isn’t that just the best name) are simply frogs. Also known as the Banjo frog, because the male’s call is a series of plonks sounding like a banjo string. When a group of males sing together they sound like the word pobblebonk! The students have enjoyed listening to their very distinctive call. With the heavy rains we have been having across much our state and with the breeding season lasting from August to April, there is every chance you may hear their familiar call in the dead of night. Let us know it you do! Have a listen to these pobblebonks! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYJE4KMV1uw
Remember students, you are responsible for all the books you borrow from our school library. Parents please encourage your child to put their books in their school bags on their library days so they don’t miss out of these last few weeks of borrowing.
Just keep reading Wynnum Warriors…
Mrs Sutton and the Library Team
Teaching and Learning with Ms O'Donoghue (Head of Curriculum)
Cyber Safety – a guide for parents
At Wynnum we teach units of work that allow students to recognise their responsibility for being safe online. This is certainly relevant to everyone and we have found a website that may interest parents. https://ysafe.onlinesafetyhub.com.au/
It has parent advice, app and game reviews and some red flags for online sharing of information. This site is for parents to look through and begin discussions at home. Some information may not be relevant for Primary School children but is worth saving to favourites as your child/children get older and begin to use online apps that are popular.
This site is more relevant to students of a Primary School age.
https://www.esafety.gov.au/kids/be-an-esafe-kid
Snapshots of Year 3 Excursion
On 17th and 20th October, Year 3 undertook a geographical inquiry through MBEEC to investigate the interactions between shorebirds and people in Moreton Bay as part of their HASS program.
The aim of the excursion was to prompt students to consider their responsibilities to protect other forms of life that share their environment. Students became ornithologists, exploring migratory and residential shorebirds of Moreton Bay and the challenges they face. They visited MBEEC, the Wynnum Foreshore and the Port of Brisbane Bird Roost.
It was a fantastic two days of taking learning out of the school gates and exploring becoming the best Eco-Warriors they can be!
Year 5 and 6 Handball Competition
The annual Year 5 and 6 Handball Competition is starting this week. Students have been busy creating teams to compete in friendly handball matches. The entry fee is only 50c per team which goes towards purchasing brand new handballs for the winning team. Matches will be occurring during first break the next two weeks. The 32 teams are very excited to play and compete against each other. May the best team win.
E&E Golf
Honing our golf skills, look out PGA!
Golf Stars of the Future
P & C News
Next P&C meeting - 7pm Wednesday 2 November 2022 in the Outside School Hours Care building. P&C Members will have received an invite with the meeting link and agenda. All are welcome to attend.
This is in-lieu of the meeting that was scheduled for 20 October.
Colour Run – The colour run will be held on the main oval at 1:15pm on Monday 7 November 2022. All children will run together and this year the run will include coloured powder and slime. It is $5 to participate with all funds raised going towards buying new reading books for our students.
Saver Plus Program with The Smith Family
Hi, this is David from the Saver Plus Program with The Smith Family.
As you know, the increased cost of living in recent times has impacted many families, particularly in relation to essential school items.
The Smith Family continues to run its matched savings program for families to help with school related expenses. Saver Plus supports eligible families to save for education related expenses by providing up to $500 for school costs via our free budgeting and matched savings program. We have now had over 55,000 families complete the program, and the program is now delivered virtually.
You can find more information about the program on our website or our Facebook page.
Here is a short video about the program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpR1l-UnooI&t=68s
Families can use this initiative to pay for items such as:
- Laptops, computers, or tablets
- School uniforms
- School books and stationery
- Textbooks
- Music classes or instruments
- Sporting classes or equipment
- Excursions and camps
Absentee Text Number
To notify the school of your child's absence please text your child's name and the reason for the absence to 0429 467 361.
School Bus Services
Just a reminder that we have a bus service that runs from Wynnum State School. Below is a link to both services.
https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/timetables/bus/T/815
https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/timetables/bus/t/819/outbound/2022-05-31
A Go Card will need to be purchased to be able to utilise this Translink bus service. The following link lists retail outlets of where to purchase a Go card https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/go-card/locations
Message from the Minister for Transport and Main roads
School children are among our most vulnerable road users. In a world first road safety initiative, new speed camera technology will soon target speeding drivers at selected school zones. This will involve speed cameras deployed in flashing school zone signs. This speed camera will act as a deterrent to drivers, with fines and demerit points to be issued to those who fail to slow down. It is imperative drivers reduce their speed to the signed 40km/h speed limit and be aware of activity by young children on or near the road.
2022 School Term Dates
Term 4: Tuesday 4 October to Friday 9 December
Upcoming Prep 2023 Transition Days
Additonal Uniform Shop Opening hours
The uniform shop will still be open for normal trading of Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoons until the end of Term 4. Please see below additional opening times
Prep Transition Sessions
Tuesday 22 November, morning session: 8:00am – 9:30am
Tuesday 22 November, afternoon session: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Thursday 24 November, morning session: 8:00am – 9:15am
Thursday 24 November, afternoon: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
January 2023
Tuesday 17: 9:00am to 12:30pm
Wednesday 18: 8:30am to 12:30pm
Thursday 19: 1:00pm to 5:30pm
Monday 23: 8:00am to 9:30am
Tuesday 24: 8:30am to 9:30am
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.
Community News
