Term 3 - 2024 Week 4 Newsletter

Principal's Message with Mr Ionn

Parent Teacher Interviews

It was a delight to see so many families interacting with teachers discussing the celebrations and next steps for your child.  350 interviews were completed on the night. I have made mention previously that this is as close to the Wynnum speed dating experience you can get, but I believe having the interviews close to last semester’s report will be of greater benefit for teachers and parents alike. I’m looking forward to celebrating the shared strategies in greater learning outcomes in Semester 2.

School Opinion Surveys

A reminder that the suite of School Opinion Surveys is undertaken each year by the Department of Education to obtain opinions about our school from families, school staff and students in Year 5 and 6. The surveys will help identify what we are doing well and understand where we can improve.

The survey invitation has been emailed and is titled School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2024. Each school family will receive one email invitation from the Department of Education to complete the Parent/Caregiver Survey. The survey is anonymous, and the results are not reported in ways that an individual’s response can be identified by the school. Parents/Caregivers are encouraged to complete the survey.

The survey can be completed via computers, tablets or smart phones with an internet connection. Parents/caregivers who experience difficulties accessing the survey can request a new survey from the School Opinion Survey team via email schoolopinionsurvey@qed.qld.gov.au.

Bike & Scooter Safety

Our Wynnum Warriors that ride to and from school via a bike or scooter have responsibilities when moving through the school grounds. The expectation has been made clear, that on grounds, we walk or bike or scooter in order to keep everyone safe during the busy times at the beginning and end of the school day.

However, I’ve noticed an increase in the number of warriors that are not wearing any headgear protection, or their helmets are not fastened. There has been an increase in the number of reports from community members of students without helmets in near misses.

Helmets are an absolute must when on bikes and scooters. Where it is on footpaths or roads these protective accessories have many times been the difference between life and death accidents by protecting young bodies and brains.

Keeping our kids safe will always be our shared priority. I am seeking parent support to reinforce this message at home.

Save the date!

Please see below for important upcoming events. Please note there will be more dates added as we move through the term.

2025 Prep Enrolments Now Open

Library Matters with Mrs Sutton and the Library Team

What’s not to love about Book Week???!!!! 

Only 24 sleeps until Wynnum SS gets Book Week 2024 ready! Lock in… week 7, for our Book Week Dress Up Parade on Friday the 23^rd of August. 

The theme this year is…

Reading is Magic…Let’s help our students get in the Book Week spirit and immersed in the world of reading and literature.

And drum roll please…WSS will be hosting award-winning audiobook narrator, STIG WEMYSS, best known as the narrator of Andy Griffiths’ bestselling Treehouse series, on Thursday at 9:30am.  Thank you to our local Wynnum Library for securing this event for our school.

Just keep reading and tinkering with your Book Week costumes…

Mrs Sutton and the Library Team

P-2 Science and Technology with Mrs Crowe

Earth and Space Sciences are well underway! Our prep meteorologists loved using their ‘Sky Viewers’, to observe the wide variety of clouds in our sky, during weather investigations. Many different types of clouds, and other sky entities, were recognised and recorded. Each young scientist created their own cloud picture to show what they now know about clouds and the sky. Storm clouds were very popular!

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Last Friday was ‘National Tree Day’ (for schools). The display outside Junior Science Lab was full of young scientists during both play breaks.

Sensory investigations of a variety of fragrant leaves, flowers and leaves, such as ‘Lemon Myrtle’, ‘Lemon Teatree’, ‘Grevillea Venusta’ and ‘Zig Zag Wattle’ from Mrs Crowe’s Garden and ‘Banksia Serrata’ from our school garden, created much discussion about what trees they came from and what they smelt like. Look at the inspirational writing about the significance of trees for our future.

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Science Week is coming! In week six (10^th-17^th August) students will be thoroughly engaged in many investigations and displays exploring this year’s theme “Species Survival: More than just Sustainability”.

https://www.scienceweek.net.au/

Student Council News

Green & Gold Day!

On Friday, 2 August 2024, Wynnum State School students and staff are encouraged to wear Green and Gold to support our Australian Olympic Team.

Green & Gold Day’ is for everyone. The schools, the athletes, the fans, the businesses, the young, the old and everything in between. It doesn’t matter who you are, your sporting ability or your background, we believe sport has the power to unite us all.

Students are asked to bring a gold coin donation, with proceeds going to Student Council ‘Give Back Day’.

Charli, Leighton, Griffin, Isla C, Jerome, Conan

Team Australia Olympics Committee

Bullying NO WAY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL9NVUM2vzQ

Wynnum State School will be joining thousands of Australian schools for the 2024 Bullying No Way: National week of action.

Bullying No Way week is all about the important roles school, family and community play in helping young people feel accepted, respected and having a place where they belong.

The theme for 2024 is Everyone Belongs. In school, belonging is like a superpower against bullying. It’s what brings us together, makes us stronger, and helps us understand and support each other.

From 12 to 16 August, we can create positive action with students, within our school staff and our communities for Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative.

Students and staff are encouraged to wear Purple on Friday, 16 August to show our support.

Guidance Officer Message - Mrs. Manning

Bullying No Way: National week of action

The National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence, ‘Bullying No Way: National week of action’ occurs from 12th to 16th August.  This initiative aims to connect schools and communities to find workable solutions to prevent bullying and spread awareness in the community. Purple is the new hero colour representing ‘Bullying No Way: National week of action’ and it symbolizes our commitment to standing against bullying.

The theme for 2024 is 'Everyone belongs'.

When we all feel like we belong, bullying struggles to find a place. It's about embracing who we are, respecting everyone's differences and standing up together against unkindness. Belonging means we all have a role in preventing bullying. We're encouraged to speak up and create a safe place where everyone feels supported and respected, and our voices are heard and valued.

What is Bullying?

Bullying is a form of aggression and involves an imbalance of power. It happens over and over again. Bullying can be direct (face to face) or indirect (behind someone’s back) and it can also happen via the internet and social media. Bullying is a serious issue that can have long-lasting negative effects on individuals, communities, and society as a whole.

Some signs that your child may be involved as a bully:

• Your child obtains new toys, objects or money without explanation.
• They might talk to friends about other children’s shortcomings.
• The brag about having control over another student.
• They often also bully family members at home.

If you suspect that your child may be engaging in bullying behaviour, it's important to address the issue as soon as possible. Talk to your child about their behaviour and the impact it has on others. Discuss your concerns with your child and acknowledge their honesty about their behaviour. Seek guidance and support from a mental health professional or the school support team to help your child change their behaviour and develop healthier coping strategies and suggestions for management of their behaviour.

Some signs that your child might be bullied:

• Losing items without a reasonable explanation/need extra money or treats in lunch bag.
• They might have significant change in mood from normal – more angry, sad, fearful.
• They might show avoidance of certain places or activities or complain of aches and appear nervous.
• They could also have torn clothing, damaged personal belongings and/or unexplained injuries.
• Loss of friends/isolated.
• Suddenly displaying emotional outbursts or temper tantrums.

If you suspect that your child is being bullied, it's important to talk to them and offer support. Listen to their concerns and take action to address the bullying. Try to find out all the details – what happened, who was involved, where it happened and if there were any witnesses. Discuss with them what can be done and tell the school that you believe your child is being bullied, asking the school to intervene. It is not a good idea to take matters into your own hands or approach children yourself but keep in touch with the school and let them know if the problem continues. You may also want to seek support from a mental health professional or the school support team to help your child cope with the effects of bullying.

Whilst it can be difficult to face that your child is being a bully or being bullied, it is important to take action. Ignoring the problem rarely works!

 If you need help, please reach out to someone or contact one of the relevant numbers below:

• Police / Ambulance – 000
• Lifeline provides 24hr telephone counselling for people in crisis or emotional distress on 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline is a free 24hr counselling service for Australian kids and young people 1800 55 1800
• Parentline provides confidential counselling for parents, from 8am-10pm, 7 days a week 1300 301 300

Have a great fortnight.

Nathaly Manning

Guidance Officer

Tree Day in 1BC

On Tree Day, the students of 1BC learned about how trees are an important part of our everyday life, and that we need trees to keep our air clean, provide homes for wildlife and fight climate change. We ventured outside into our own beautiful backyard at school, and spent time slowing down, listening to and taking in our surroundings."

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P&C News

A few dates to remember - 

Ekka Meal Deal - Tuesday 13th Aug

General Members Meeting - Thursday 15th Aug

Parent & Community Information Session #1 - Thursday 22nd Aug

Father's Day Stall - Thursday 29th Aug

Trivia Night What a wonderful night was Saturday night as the auditorium was turned into a magical Christmas wonderland. The festivities were fabulous with many amazing costumes. Special thanks to the organising team! They did a great job pulling in people from the community with big skills and big hearts. From organising, promo design, compliance reports, decorating, trivia calling, bartending, finding prizes and sponsors, putting up tables, dragging items all over town, hanging lighting and cleaning up - soooo, many hands contributed to what was a night to remember. 
Parent & Community Information Session #1 - Adventure Play

Curious About Adventure Play? Discover More at Our Info Session!

Have you been hearing about Adventure Play or seeing intriguing items related to the Play Project? Now’s your chance to learn more! The P&C team is hosting an information session to explain what’s happening and how it will benefit our community.

Join us for an engaging evening with industry professional Angus Gorrie on 22nd August from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Admin Building. Doors open at 6:00 PM for early arrivals to collect their event booklet, receive a lucky door ticket, purchase raffle tickets, and find their seats.

Event Details:

• Date: 22nd August
• Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Event starts at 6:30 PM)
• Location: Admin Building, Wynnum State School
• Entry: Via Boxgrove Ave Gate

Link To Live Page: Adventure Play Event

Please note, the event page is set to private and can only be accessed through the provided link. We look forward to seeing you there!

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School Facebook Page

Please visit the page via this link https://www.facebook.com/WynnumStateSchool  and click Like!

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.

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.

2024 School Term Dates

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 

PCYC - Before/After School Hours Care

Community News