Term 4 - Week 10 2022

Principal's Message with Mr Ionn

End of Year  Message - 2022

Welcome to the last newsletter for 2022.  As always, the last part of the term is a very busy time, especially in relation to report cards going out, swimming carnivals, Year 6 Farewell, Step Up Days and Celebration Ceremony, just to mention a few.

The end of the year is a time to reflect on our achievements and celebrate ‘getting through’ another year of CoVid-19 and a mix of natural disasters.  Our Improvement focus for 2022 centred on clarity, knowledge and student engagement. As a couple of highlights, we achieved progression of Professional Learning Teams and the opportunity to work around the notion of semi-autonomous decision making within a whole school approach, the creation of Wynnum Bajara, as well as achieving a significant 3-5% lift in our semester one reporting data.

All of what we achieve could not happen without the support of leaders, staff members, P&C, student leaders and school community. But most of all, it requires strategic leadership – this is a collaborative business – I am so fortunate to be supported by a strong and collegial leadership team.

In 2023, we will continue to build our professional expertise on gaining academic excellence, wellbeing and engagement, and culture and inclusion as pillars of our commitment to equity and excellence. 

In order to Achieve this, in Academic Excellence:

• Embedding Professional Learning Teams
• Continue to implement Academic Case Management
• Implementing an evidence-based approach to reading and writing (P- 2 Sounds Write)

This is a large piece of work to ensure our warriors have a great start at school and involves the implementation of a proven systematic synthetic phonics approach based on the science of reading and designed by teachers, for teachers. 

In regards to wellbeing and engagement:

• Implementing enhanced staff and student wellbeing support
• Raising awareness of an evidence-based approach to schoolwide behaviour support (PBL - Positive Behaviour for Learning)
• New forms of communication – Qparents, Facebook – the continuation of parent forums, active feedback and co-constructed work on key issues.

In terms of equity:

• Embedding a culturally safe and inclusive ecology to realise student potential
• Embedding Wynnum Bajarra

I would also like to take this opportunity to pay a tribute to our teaching and support staff at WSS.  To our teachers, the impact you have on the lives of young people is immeasurable and powerful.  Our support staff, in their numerous and varying roles, support this on a daily basis. Thanks go to our P&C for the dedication and ongoing support throughout the year to enable students to have the resources they need to excel and the connection to community to thrive.

At our Celebration Ceremony this week, all participants witnessed a great celebration of learning and success, including a tremdous send off for Year 6 off by our Maori/Pacifica community (think this is the beginning of a tradition!). I thought the students did a remarkable job of bringing their best audience manners to this event: a long time for young people to sit – a long time even for us adults, and all in the heat – thank goodness for those fans!  A big congratulations to all award recipients. 

Staffing

Teachers have been preparing for 2023 in Term 4 planning days and also ready to re-engage in student free days for what promises to be a great year.

With new beginnings comes some farewells and acknowledgement of service to this school. 

I would like to acknowledge the following staff who will be leaving our school at the end of the year:

• Stephanie Bennet – transferred to Manly West State School
• Larissa Billsborough – transferred to Eight Mile Plains State School
• Anne Paris – transferred to Wellers Hill State School
• Karen Gordon – transferred to Norman Park State School
• Meagan O’Farrell – relieving at level Berrinba East State School

We farewell:

• Rebecca Dassler
• Caterina Shefford
• Amanda Kelleher

And wish Jill Eadie all the best in retirement. 

They have all contributed a wealth of talent, knowledge and dedication to Wynnum State School. While they will be incredibly missed here, they will definitely add value to their future communities. We wish them all the very best.

We formally welcome:

• Sophie Love – Redland Bay State School
• Jasmine Barnes – Wishart State School
• Breanna Cox – Berrinba East State School
• Laura Stevens – relieve at level from Marsden State School
• Kylie Johnson – transferred from Eight Mile Plains State School
• Sh’von Skennar – transferred from Morningside State School
• Nathaly Manning - Guidance Officer from Fernbrooke State School 

And welcoming staff known to our school:

• Lyn Watts
• Shane Lacey
• Nerina Seeto

A new feature in 2023 is the employment of a part-time Social Worker (Student Wellbeing).  We welcome:

• Sharon Seccombe

Farewell to Year 6 Students

It was an absolute privilege (and pleasure) to address our departing students and share the pride of all those present at the farewell, as we were all witness to the self-confidence, optimism, and commitment to personal excellence of our Year 6 cohort.  Farewell to the Year 6’s: you certainly have made the most of 2022 and the opportunities that have been afforded you. I’m sure you’ll look back at your days at Wynnum State School with fond memories. Enjoy your new challenges at high school next year and continue to take every opportunity you can to Believe, Achieve and Succeed!

Holiday Message

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank the school community for placing your trust in the very important work of preparing young people in this phase of their whole of life journey. 

I am extremely proud to be leading such a wonderful school and community. The finish line is now in sight and I am sure all in our community are looking forward to a well-deserved break.

Have a safe, relaxing break and remember school will start for all students on Monday, the 23rd January. I look forward to continuing our learning journey next year.

Have a safe and happy holiday and an enjoyable festive season.

Mark Ionn
Principal

Semester 2 School Report Cards

Semester 2 Report Cards were emailed to families on Wednesday afternoon. If you did not receive your child's report card, could you please - 

Firstly check your junk folder. If you haven't already, we suggest adding  Application.ONESCHOOL@qed.qld.gov.au to your list of safe senders to ensure future report card emails aren’t sent to the Junk folder.

Secondly, the Report Card is sent to the email address the school has on file, so you may need to call and check we have the correct/latest address. 

We hope families take the Semester Report Card as an opportunity to celebrate all of the hard work, growth and success over the past year. 

Merry Christmas from Therapy Dog Darcy

Science News with Mrs Crowe (Prep-3 Science Specialist)

Every year of our lives seems to feel faster and shorter. Did this year disappear very fast?  I cannot believe that we have now had our final weekly Science lessons for 2022!

The good news is that “clock” time isn’t actually moving faster as you get older. Instead, it’s all to do with the “mind time” of an adult and the processing power of your brain. As we get older, we are unable to process as many mental images per second as we could when we were children – something which has already been proven in previous scientific studies. This means that our days seem shorter, compared to children, who will feel as though they have long amounts of time as their young brain is able to process many more mental images.

To end our scientific investigations P-3 Science classes thoroughly enjoyed a ‘hands-on’ coding STEM challenge using our OSMO coding kits with the mini I-pads. This coding challenge required Questioning and Problem Solving, Persistence and Working Interdependently to be successful together.

2022 has been a scientifically awesome year complete with a ‘Dinosaur Dig’, ‘World Bee Day’, ‘Street Science’ incursion for Science Week and excellent effort from all scientists in their weekly investigations. Check out a couple of happy flashback photos full of Wonderment and Awe below.

In 2023 there will be new Science and Technology investigations throughout the year. Term One will see World Science Festival Brisbane and a new Science Lab school event for eager environmentalists “World Frog Day”!

Have a fantastic holiday everyone! Get out and about together and take time to notice the small and natural things that surround us in our world. The little creatures and natural entities are what truly sustain our lives!

Library Buzz with Mrs Sutton and the Library Team

Library Buzz Week 10

Well, it certainly has been a week of processing thousands of books and resources returning to our Library space for stocktaking, cleaning and repairing.  For those of you who asked me how many books there are in our whole school, I can tell you exactly after Ms Sellars crunched the numbers.   

     30 013!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, rather impressive I think, but as you know these last two weeks have been all about returning overdue books.  Unfortunately, we still have 135 books outstanding as of the 7th December.  We ask families to look high, low and behind the bed, as these books will be sitting at home somewhere.  Invoices will be emailed before the end of the week to all families with outstanding books.

So, it is now time for our Library to have a rest and finish the final stocktaking of those 30 000 plus books.  Ms Sellars and Mrs Lakeman what an effort.  Thank you.

Keep reading over the summer break.  Remember if you need a holiday read, the Wynnum Library is the place to visit to stock up.  Reading is Habit forming!

I simply must also thank over 80 Play Pals who promoted positive playtime during these last two terms.  Our Play Pals are students from Years 3-6 who volunteer their time during breaks to ensure our younger students have a happy time in the playground.  They play games, encourage positive interactions and be on alert for students who may need someone to talk to.  You are so appreciated.

And finally, to the Wynnum Warriors in our Library/Science Hub, Ms Sellars, Mrs Lakeman, Science Gurus…Mrs Crowe, Mr Legge and IT techs, Mr Saker and Mr Stewart, thank you for ensuring the facilities, equipment, our book collections and learning spaces are exciting, vibrant and running smoothly. A wonderful team to work with everyday.

Happy holidays everyone and just keep reading Wynnum Warriors, for six glorious weeks.

Mrs Sutton and the Library Team.

Teaching and Learning with Ms O'Donoghue (Head of Curriculum)

Student Learning on the Holidays

Well done to our students who have completed another year of learning.  Each year level has engaged in a range of activities for each learning area.  They have worked hard this year to produce their best work.

Cognitive rest plays a vital role in optimizing brain functionality.  Please let your child rest…they will need to do this so they can be their best for the following year of learning.

Even while we are sleeping our brain is working, it is sifting through the day’s information.  On holidays, it will sift through our daily experiences, what we see, what we hear and what we read.

Learning continues to be part of every day.  We ask parents to provide opportunity for your children to read regularly.  This will ensure their skills are practised.  They can calculate the number of kilometers you travel (on foot, in the car).  How much the grocery bill will be?  Play board games, outside games, interact with adults and children.  All of these activities engage your child in learning.

We wish you all the best for the break and look forward to seeing you next year.

Lynda O’Donoghue

Head of Department - Curriculum

Sports Report with Mr Blair (PE Teacher)

Sports Report with Mr. Blair

The senior school swimming carnival was on the 28^th November and we celebrated our swimmers as a school. The top 6 fastest qualifying swimmers, who were timed in class swimming lessons, competed for age champions. The following table displays our age champions for 2022.

The Overall champions were selected based on points they scored for winning races. A Wynnum Wow moment happened with the overall boy’s award with Finn J (50 points) giving his award to Mitchell A who was a very close second on 48 points as he felt Mitchell was more deserving. Finn J’s mother also spoke with me about Finn’s decision. What maturity from one of our school captains! There was a tie with Violet L and Mei A for the girls overall champion. Congratulations to all students selected!

The junior swimming carnival was on Monday the 5^th of December and had students in grades 1, 2 and 3 compete throughout the day. There were many smiles and ribbons handed out to students and it was great to have our current and next year captains helping out on the day. We are going to have great help next year with our students. Thank you to all the parents who came along and supported our students on the day. The pool complex was full to the brim and was alive with enthusiasm and cheers.

Again, I’d like to say it has been a very enjoyable year as the new Physical Education teacher and I’d like to thank the Wynnum community for welcoming me into the school.

Snapshots from Senoir Swimming Carnival

P & C News

P&C News – Thank you and Uniform Shop

The P&C would like to say a big thank you to our Tuckshop and Uniform Shop employees. Thank you for all that you do.

A big thank you to all the volunteers that have assisted in the Tuckshop and with fundraising events throughout the year.

We would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday!

And finally, a reminder that the Uniform Shop will be open in January 2023:

Tuesday 17 January 2023 - 9am – 12:30pm

Wednesday 18 January 2023 – 8:30am – 12:30pm

Thursday 19 January 2023 – 1pm – 5:30pm

Monday 23 January 2023 – 8am until required.

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 

2023 School Term Dates

First day of Term 1: Monday 23 January 

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