Term 3 - 2023 Week 5 Newsletter
- Principal's Message with Mr Ionn
- Parent-Teacher Interviews - bookings close in one week!
- Prep 2024 Enrolments!
- Save The Date!
- Teaching and Learning with Ms O'Donoghue (Head of Curriculum)
- How can I help my child improve their writing?
- Library Matters with Mrs Sutton and the Library Team
- Book Week Info
- P-2 Science and Technology with Mrs Crowe
- Solid Pathways Excursion
- Prep Farm Animal Incursion
- Wynnum Bajara
- NATIONAL SCHOOL’S TREES DAY – STUDENT COUNCIL COMPETITION
- P&C News
- School Facebook Page
- Absentee Line
- 2023 School Term Dates
- School Bus Services
- Community News
Principal's Message with Mr Ionn
Week 5 Already!
Wow, this term is really moving quickly. I know this is grammatically correct, but perhaps my idiomatic expression of time passing is most likely from my adult perspective. I’m sure we’ve all endured children asking the perennial “Are we there yet?” Time, for a six-year-old, seems to take forever.
Mid Term Three is a great time for students and staff alike when it comes to special events and putting new learning into action. Our Wellbeing Connection Afternoons for Years 4-6 are about to commence, sport representatives are busily being the best they can be and we’re looking forward to upcoming events such as Science week and Book Week. It will be a busy remainder of the term.
School Opinion Surveys
Thank you to all of those who have already completed the Parent/Caregiver Survey. If you have not had a chance to complete the survey yet, please note that the online surveys will remain open until Friday, 18 August 2023. This is your opportunity to provide feedback about what our school does well and how we can improve.
To have your say, check your email for an invitation from the Department of Education titled School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2023.
Can’t find your invitation? If your family has more than one parent/caregiver, check that they haven’t received the invitation and/or check your junk email folder.
We Support All Kids
State primary schools across Queensland whose leaders are members of the Queensland Association of State School Principals (QASSP), are this week displaying on their school signs or in newsletters: "We Support All Kids".
The purpose is to remind our community that Queensland's State Schools proudly accept all children and respond to a range of needs with compassion, care and commitment. It’s an acknowledgement that our State Schools are at the heart of our communities, large and small; we embrace and value the contribution of families from all walks of life. This creates the beautiful tapestry of culture and diversity that enriches the lives of our staff, students and families.
Australian Primary Principals' Day
Although I like to keep this day on the quiet and celebrate with others during World Teachers’ Day, I would like to thank PCYC Wynnum for celebrating Australian Primary Principals' Day, an initiative of the Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) to recognise the work primary school leaders perform across Australia in government, Catholic and independent schools.
I was treated to some yummy treats and wonderful messages (see photo). My work is fully underpinned by the exceptional leadership in my team – and how they go about their work every day to contribute positively to the lives and learning of the children in our school community.
Mobile Phones and Smartwatches
A ban on mobile phones and smartwatches will begin in Queensland schools from next year.
Students at State Schools will have to give up their devices for the entire school day, starting from Term 1 of the 2024 school year.
The ban will extend from the first bell to the last bell of the day and include break times.
A government survey showed 95 per cent of Queensland schools already have a policy banning the use of phones during class, but most of these do not extend to break times.
This is reflected in our Wynnum State School Code of Conduct, where we expect students to:
- Switch off the personal mobile and digital device (including phones, watches, iPads, and/or other devices), which are to be provided to Homeroom teachers on arrival, for safe storage and then collected at the end of the school day.
In special conditions, students may seek their teacher’s approval to use a mobile device. All emergency contacts should be made through the administration office.
Parent-Teacher Interviews - bookings close in one week!
Twice a year, Queensland State Schools offer parents/carers, the opportunity to discuss their child’s achievement, effort and behaviour at the school with their child’s teachers. At WSS, our Term 3 Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Wednesday 30 August from 3.20pm onwards in the Auditorium.
Please click the link below to make your booking/s before they close on 18 August.
Prep 2024 Enrolments!
Save The Date!
Teaching and Learning with Ms O'Donoghue (Head of Curriculum)
Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN Results have arrived
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.
It is a nationwide measure through which parents/carers, teachers, schools, education authorities, governments and the broader community can determine whether or not young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community.
NAPLAN results allow parents/carers and educators to see how students are progressing in literacy and numeracy over time – individually, as part of their school community, and against national standards.
The tests support monitoring and evaluating of the performance of schools and school systems in these fundamental capabilities. They also provide schools, states and territories with information about how education approaches are working, areas to be prioritised for improvement, and those schools requiring support in the teaching and learning of literacy and numeracy.
The results can assist teachers by providing additional information to support their professional judgement about students’ levels of literacy and numeracy attainment and progress.
NAPLAN tests are one aspect of each school’s assessment and reporting process and do not replace the extensive, ongoing assessments made by teachers about each student’s performance. Each teacher will have the best insight into their students’ educational progress.
How can I help my child improve their writing?
- Make a shopping list together
- Write your activities on a calendar
- Buy an exercise book and make a diary
- Write a letter to a family member or friend
- Design an invention and label the pieces
- Use a picture or photograph to write about
- Read a story and change the ending or change a character
- Write some jokes
How much help should I provide with writing?
- This depends on your child, if they are reluctant writers, help them as much as you can.
- Let them have a go first and then support them with spelling or ‘better’ sentences.
- Offer ideas for story lines, get excited about what they could write about.
- Make it funny – “How the cow was udderly disgusted with the dodgy dachshund”
Library Matters with Mrs Sutton and the Library Team
Book Week Info
Book Week Parade
How are those costumes going? I know our teachers are tinkering away at their costumes and remain very tight lipped about what they are making. Imagination is the key. Choose a book, a theme and take a look at what you already have at home and start modifying!!
WSS Book Swap
Time to start thinking about what pre-loved book you are happy to donate to your Homeroom teacher in readiness for our WSS Book Swap in Week 7. Of course, any donations will also be appreciated. Book swapping will take place during normal library borrowing times from the 21st August in the library. (PS maybe find your swapped book from last year!!)
Scholastic Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair will run from Thursday, 17th August, Friday 18th and finish on Monday the 21s. each afternoon in MEGA Central from 2.45-3.15pm. Staff will be available to help you purchase some beautiful books for right now (or maybe for gifts later on!).
Eftpos will be available and cash purchases are also welcome!
So, the key points to remember for Book Week are…
- Bring a book for book swap and give to your teacher
- Bring some money ($5 for 1 ticket or $10 for 3 tickets) to buy a raffle ticket from our Student Council members who will be highly visible from Monday morning along the pathway leading to Mega
- Keep tinkering away with your Book Week Costumes…
Just keep reading…
Mrs Sutton and the Library Team
P-2 Science and Technology with Mrs Crowe
It has been a very busy fortnight full of scientific investigations and events. National Tree Day was a fantastic celebration of sustainability, with the planting of trees by the Student Council and competition winners, and learning about the significance of trees for our future. The display outside the Science Lab was eagerly visited by Wynnum Warriors from all year levels.
Prep meteorologists loved using their ‘Sky Viewers’ to observe the wide variety of clouds in our sky. They recorded their observations by creating their own clouds. Supervising Scientist (and part time meteorologist AKA Mrs Crowe 😊), was extremely impressed with the way the Preps strived for accuracy by using the proper scientific names for their clouds!
In Design Technology, Year Twos have started the design process to fulfill their brief ‘Create a sustainable raft (model)’. Recordings of ideas on how to make their raft sustainable, and a first draft diagrammatic plan of their raft, produced many innovative designs.
National Science Week is here next week! (12th August – 19th August). The theme for 2023 is ‘Innovation: Powering Future Industries’. The Science Lab will have interactive displays and investigative equipment to engage with throughout Science Week.
https://www.scienceweek.net.au/
One of our special events will be engaging with the CSIRO online event “Dancing with a Digital Human”! This event will showcase how innovative technology is being applied to sport science to help athletes perform at their best.
Solid Pathways Excursion
On Monday 31st July, the students who participate in the Solid Pathways program attended the University of Queensland for a STEM university experience day. The day offered a variety of hands-on activities, workshops, and interactive demonstrations, which gave students a glimpse into university life.
As part of the green group, our day involved visiting a lab in the brand-new School of Chemical Engineering to conduct a mining cookie challenge. We then attended a sketching session in the School of Architecture and finished off the day in a bio-chemistry lab looking at a range of micro-organisms under microscopes. What an incredible day!
Prep Farm Animal Incursion
On Wednesday the 8th of August, Prep students got the opportunity to interact with a variety of farm animals on our school grounds. This incursion is part of the Preps English, HASS and Technology units for Term 3.
Wynnum Bajara
Wynnum Bajara Meeting will be held on Thursday 31st of August at 3:00pm in the Auditorium.
Bajara is a Wynnum State School and wider school community-based group looking at improving the outcomes of our First Nations children, embedding First Nations perspective into our school education and whole community. We are always welcoming new members to our group.
If you are interested in attending, our next meeting will be on Thursday from 3:00pm - which is just after the school sports carnival. If you would like further information please email Nina Gibbs ngibb26@eq.edu.au
NATIONAL SCHOOL’S TREES DAY – STUDENT COUNCIL COMPETITION
On Friday 28 July the winners from our ‘National Tree Day’ colouring competition gathered excitedly to plant their native tree with our Student Council leaders. Students were shown how to plant the trees and covered them with mulch provided by our wonderful groundsman Mr Eric. Each tree was labelled with the winning name and current class as a reminder of the day the tree was planted. Students will have the opportunity to give their tree a drink from their water bottle over the years as they watch it grow. The trees, donated by Greenstock Nurseries, courtesy of Brisbane City Council are called Buckinghamia celsissima and commonly called the Ivory Curl Tree. It's a native of North Eastern Queensland, and for years was widely planted as a street tree around Brisbane for it’s prolific creamy white brush like flowers. When in flower, it's stunning and a great plant for most gardens.
P&C News
Exciting News and Events from the P&C Association!
The Wynnum State School P&C Family has been hard at work, and we are thrilled to share some wonderful news and upcoming events with you.
Grants Application Success!
We are excited to announce that our grants application to the Wynnum Manly Leagues Club has been successful! The allocated funds will be devoted to enhancing our school's physical education sessions across all grades (Prep to grade 6) through the acquisition and upgrading of sporting and recreational equipment. These valuable resources, including Foam Javelins, coaching tennis balls, training balance beams, Stick O Hop, and swimming caps for students representing the school in swim carnivals, will undoubtedly enrich the school experience for every student.
Mark Your Calendars for these Exciting Fundraising Events!
Save the date for these fantastic upcoming events:
- Disco: Thursday, 14th September
- Colour Fun Run: Wednesday, 18th October
We welcome your involvement and ideas! If you would like to contribute or share suggestions, please email us at wynnumss.pandc@gmail.com. Let us know if you are keen to be part of the planning team or if you'd like to lend a hand on the event day.
No-Fuss Un-Fundraiser - Your Donation Counts!
Did your child come home with a No-Fuss Un-Fundraiser flyer? Here's all you need to know:
- It's a voluntary contribution, and 100% of your donation goes towards the P&C fundraising goal.
- Your generous support directly benefits school-wide events, decodable readers, excursions, well-being journals, and more.
Join the Tuckshop Team - No Experience Needed!
Our tuckshop is seeking regular volunteers, and you get to choose your preferred days and hours. Even if you have no experience, your help is invaluable. Volunteers starting from 8:30 am are greatly appreciated. They will receive a complimentary lunch and ice poles for their children on the day they volunteer. Sign up online at https://signup.com/go/OtwEZch or have a chat with our friendly Convenor, Vanessa Managrave.
A Big Thank You for Trivia Night Success!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful team that made our Trivia Night a resounding success. Together, we raised approximately $4000, which will significantly benefit our school community.
Save the Date - Committee Meeting!
Mark your calendars for our next Committee Meeting on Thursday, 17th August. Both in-person and online options will be available for your convenience.
We look forward to your participation and support in making these events and initiatives truly special for our school community. Together, we can achieve remarkable things!
School Facebook Page
Please visit the page via this link https://www.facebook.com/WynnumStateSchool and click Like!
Absentee Line
To notify the school of your child's absence, please text your child's name and reason for absence to 0429 467 361.
2023 School Term Dates
| QLD school term 2023 | QLD school term dates |
|---|---|
| Term 1 QLD | Monday 23 January 2023 - Friday 31 March 2023 |
| Term 2 QLD | Monday 17 April 2023 - Friday 23 June 2023 |
| Term 3 QLD | Monday 10 July 2023 - Friday 15 September 2023 |
| Term 4 QLD | Tuesday 3 October 2023 - Friday 8 December 2023 |
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
Community News
