Wynnum State School eNewsletter

Principal's Message with Mr Ionn

We have now reached the “business” end of Term 3 and as such we have seen some great events engaging and immersing students in learning at Wynnum SS over the past weeks, with a few more still to come! The sports carnival was amazing – Mr Blair has once again organised a superb carnival, all played out on a perfect day for the event.

This week I attended the WAMM Instrumental Music Camp at Wynnum State High School. I was so proud to see these warriors do so well over the days on camp, finally playing as part of a larger ensemble, and playing pieces of music previously unseen. A big thank you to Mr Cosic, Ms Thomas and Ms Barnes for their continued efforts in supporting instrumental music and our students across the cluster.

It was a treat to see our Year 4 students eager and keen to engage in this year’s camp, and I’m looking forward to the P&C Disco next week.

Teacher Aide Appreciation Week

Although we celebrate our Teacher Aides and Teachers together in the upcoming world Teachers’ Day in October, I would like to recognise and celebrate the effort and professional expertise teacher aides bring to their role. Teacher aides in Queensland state schooling not only support student learning, they contribute to safe, inclusive and fun school environments. Wynnum SS love our paraprofessionals!

Parent Teacher Interviews

Last week we undertook our Parent Teacher Interviews for Term 3. Over 400 interviews occurred over the evening, making it an important feature in the ongoing communication that occur between home and school. These conversations hold a significant place in creating a positive support system that fosters the individual development of each student. Your insights and perspectives are invaluable to us, and these interviews offer a wonderful opportunity for dialogue based on the next step for your child. Thank you to many valued volunteers from our P&C to undertake a meet and greet at the auditorium – a new initiative this year to encourage a strong connection to the Association and the great work in supporting the school.

Road Safety - Travelling Safely to and from School

The health, safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and school community is of the highest priority. We remind families to be vigilant when parking around the school, in the drop off and pick up zone and when driving within the community.

We acknowledge that all types of travel have inherent risks. We are mindful of these risks and manage them by sharing explicit messages with our students about being safe when crossing the road, walking home and when they use scooters and bikes. School leaders are on duty every afternoon at the Boxgrove Avenue gate to ensure we all take care, however the policing of car park behaviours, including parking illegally or dangerously can be reported to the council.

Phone: 07 3403 8888

Website: https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Happy Holidays

This is the last newsletter for Term 3. I would like to thank everyone for a great term and wish everyone a safe and happy end of term break.

Prep 2024 Enrolments!

Additionally, please make contact with the office if you know your child will not be returning in 2024 (excluding year 6 students).

Save The Date!

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

The Young People’s Summer Writing Challenge is organised by the ALEA Meanjin Local Council. It is open to young people of school age and comprises three categories:

Foundation to Year 2
Year 3 to Year 6

The winner of each category will receive a book pack to the value of $100 and highly commended entries will receive a $50 book pack.

Entrants should address the theme – “Your next chapter awaits…with possibility aplenty” using one of the four suggested text types:

Poem (up to 500 words)
Imaginative Story (up to 250 words, no pictures required)
Short Story (up to 1000 words)
Graphic Story/Visual narrative (Maximum 4 A$ pages)

LITTLE PEOPLE'S LITERACY LEARNING

ALEA has developed a series of modules to support parents and carers with activities that can be shared with children. The activities have been designed with an emphasis on learning through collaborative play and shared discovery.

Click on the link below to access these resources.

https://www.alea.edu.au/public-resources/little-peoples-literacy-learning/

P-2 Science and Technology with Mrs Crowe

Prep meteorologists absolutely loved planning their ‘Weather Reports’ last week. Each scientist wrote their weather word, drew an exact diagram of its symbol and represented what they would wear or do during that weather. Every Prep Strived for Accuracy as they carefully completed their plan. They also created their own ‘weather hat’ to wear home.

Many of our Year One boys have been displaying excellent recording and presentation in their science journals recently, while investigating changes in our world. Look at how proud they are of their detailed and precise work.

Did you know it is ‘Electricity Safety Week’! During the last two weeks of term all P-6 classes will engage in interactive learning, to be reminded about the properties of electricity, it’s purpose and the extreme need for safety when using it. They will investigate electrical circuits, use interactive learning resources, and follow up their learning with posters promoting discussion and reflection tasks.

Please make use of the links here if you wish to engage in ‘Electricity and Safety’ learning at home. Many informative videos for you to discuss at home together, and fun explorative learning activities to enjoy. The ‘Social Stories’ link is particularly useful to assist children with special needs on how to be very safe around electricity, in an understandable way.

https://apps.ergon.com.au/safetyheroes/

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmFBRWYceWTzMWO1KkdlFkgg10C2hZPbR

https://www.ergon.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/759732/Safety-Heroes-Social-Stories-Booklet.pdf

Looking forward to Term Four Physical Sciences. Have a great school holiday everyone!

Year 4 Luther Heights Camp

Monday morning saw our eager campers ready to embark on the annual year 4 trip to Luther Heights camp at Coolum beach.

Day 1 was filled with exciting activities such as the koala climb, where the students had to work as a team to help their friends climb an extremely tall pine tree. Also the crate climb, we had to build a tall tower of milk crates and see how high we could go.

The end of the day was dampened by an exciting storm, but the fun didn’t stop there. We were lucky enough to be entertained indoors by the experienced camp leaders until dinner.

Day 2 was packed full of the activities we missed out due to inclement weather. We all faced our fears with the zip line. As well as building our own catapults out of poly pipe and try and hit our targets. The bus ride home saw most of us very quiet, as it’s safe to say, everyone was exhausted from having an EPIC time.

Year 4 camp highlights from our campers

◦ You can sleep well and the rooms are air-conditioned Ella 4GS

◦ The zip line was just amazing and a bit scary, but once you go, you won’t regret it. Gordon 4GS

◦ Camp is so fun as it has so many amazing activities. Frankie 4GS & Briella 4KS

◦ Camp is exciting and fun! Indi 4HP

◦ I wish I could stay for longer! Bershka 4HP

◦ The food was yummy and the epic zip line ! Sienna 4HP

◦ They storm and rain was fun at camp. Qylan! 4GS

◦ The food and accommodation was 5 stars Arjun 4GS

◦ Camp was fun, the flying Fox was amazing. Archer K 4AW

◦ Camp is great and should be one of those places that kids can come and have fun. Ally 4KS

Wellbeing Connection Afternoon Update

Over the last five weeks we have had the pleasure of hosting our Wellbeing Connection Afternoons. It has been an amazing opportunity for our students and staff to end the week with their chosen activities where they are learning new skills, interacting positively with their peers, challenging themselves and purely focussing on their wellbeing. We have seen incredible volleyball, golf and touch football performances that could feature in upcoming Olympic Games. The tastiest treats being created in the kitchen that Manu would be impressed with. Movie making skills that could be nominated for an Oscar. Artistic skills where we may have in fact located the next Picasso. Our Bounce and Jungle students smiling ear to ear from their active afternoons. Guitar players that could tour with Cold Play and fill stadiums with their new talent. Plants that are growing so well they could feature on an episode of Better Homes and Gardens. Finally, the calmest of students learning and building knowledge on how to look after themselves. We are so proud of everyone and cannot wait for next year!

MKR Wellbeing Connection Update

Wellbeing Connection is an amazing program that involves thinking and working interdependently, taking responsible risks and remaining open to continuous learning. These are just some of the habits of mind that we have used while participating in MKR – Kids in the Kitchen.

We have had the privilege to work with Mrs Corten and Ms Skennar. This experience has enabled us to learn the skills to cook healthy, low-cost snacks and meals. So far we have cooked mini pizzas, sushi, scrolls and burritos. We have learnt about their different food groups and played some fun food related activities. We have also learnt how to clean up after ourselves. We are now experts in washing and drying dishes!

Wellbeing Connection for Grades 4-6 are a great opportunity for us to extend our knowledge in a variety of ways.

Written by:

Year 5 & 6 MKR – Kids in the Kitchen participants

Wynnum State School recently had their Sports Carnival on the 31^st August. Students from Prep all the way through to year 6 competed in their events throughout the day, earning points for their houses: Mirrigimpa, Kanni and Booagun. It was amazing to see the school alive with colours of orange, teal and blue and plenty of laughter and cheers on the oval. The house captains: Lachlan R, Joyce I, Lacey A, Kavi R, Rory M, Pepper S, Elysse F and Archie B roused war cries and cheered on friends. These students also arrived early to help set up on the day, which we are very grateful for. Thank you to all the parents, grandparents, special friends and family members for joining the celebrations on the day and of course to our amazing teachers who coordinated and ran the activities. Thank you also to the year 6 students who came down on the morning of the junior sports carnival and helped out.

One of the final races of the senior carnival was the House Captains vs teacher race and this year the teachers just edged out the students. I’m sure the year 5s of this year will be hungry to beat the teachers at the next carnival. Congratulations to our Wynnum Warriors for a fun day out.

Thank you to everyone for supporting 2023 Book Week Celebrations. The Book Swap saw hundreds of loved books off on new adventures. The Story Dog Raffle raised almost $500 to support the visits from Boss. The Scholastic Book Fair raised $300 to purchase new books for the library.

And last but not least, how Wynnum Wow did we all look in our Book Week costumes!?!

Students, staff and families and community members have all contributed to infecting each other in the best way possible – with a love of books and reading!

Dear Parents,

I’d like to raise some awareness around an important and often overlooked topic: eating disorder in children and adolescents. It is essential to equip ourselves with knowledge about the signs, prevention, and supportive measures concerning eating disorders.

Understanding Eating Disorders:

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. Early recognition and intervention can make a significant difference in the recovery process.

Recognizing the Signs:

Being attuned to potential warning signs is crucial. Some signs that might indicate a developing eating disorder include:

Drastic Weight Changes: Sudden and extreme weight loss or gain.
Obsession with Body Image: Constant preoccupation with appearance, weight, and body shape.
Unusual Eating Habits: Strict dieting, frequent skipping of meals, or eating large amounts of food in a short time.
Social Withdrawal: Avoiding social situations that involve food or body exposure.
Mood Fluctuations: Noticeable changes in mood, self-esteem, and self-worth.

Prevention and Supportive Measures:

As parents, fostering a healthy relationship between your child and food can contribute to preventing eating disorders. Here's how:

Promote Open Dialogue: Create a safe space for open conversations about body image, self-esteem, and mental health. Encourage your child to share their feelings and concerns without judgment.
Lead by Example: Demonstrate a balanced attitude towards food and exercise. Avoid using negative language about your own body or engaging in extreme diets.
Encourage Healthy Habits: Focus on the importance of a well-rounded diet, regular exercise, and self-care. Highlight how these choices contribute to overall well-being rather than just appearance.
Monitor Social Media: Discuss the impact of unrealistic beauty standards on social media. Teach your child to critically evaluate what they see online.
Professional Help: If you suspect your child might be struggling with an eating disorder, seek professional help promptly. Early intervention greatly improves the chances of recovery.

As parents, your influence on your child's relationship with their body and food cannot be underestimated. By promoting body positivity, self-acceptance, and open communication, you are laying the foundation for a healthy and resilient future. Let's work together to raise a generation that embraces diversity, understands the value of mental health, and thrives in their own unique selves. Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Reach out to healthcare professionals, therapists, and support groups for guidance and assistance.

The Butterfly Foundation is an organisation that provide support and treatment for people with eating disorders and body image issues (or at risk) and their loved ones. They also run programs to raise awareness about eating disorders and how to seek help.

For more information and resources please visit their website: https://butterfly.org.au/

You can email them on support@butterfly.org.au or call their National Helpline on 1800 33 4673.

Have a great week 10 and a wonderful school break.

Take care,

Nathaly

Qparents

Have you downloaded the Qparents app?

QParents is a secure, online portal that has been created to provide parents/carers of Queensland state school students with 24-hour access to their child's information.

Qparents allows you to securely access information about your child and communicate directly with your child's school.

Features of Qparents:

attendance details
report cards
invoices
payment history
excursion permissions

Currently we have roughly 80 percent of parents/carers on Qparents. If you haven’t already made an account with Qparents, new invitation codes have just been emailed home.

Any further questions please contact the school office.

P&C News

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

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Term 3 - 2023 Week 9 Newsletter