Dear Parents and Carers,

It’s been such an encouraging start to 2025. As we reach the conclusion of the second week of term, the ‘vibe’ around the school has been really positive and it has been a joy to walk through the school gates in the morning. Students have settled into the routines of schoolwork and are learning really well. Our new cohort of Preps have been especially impressive. This is evident in classrooms and in the playground, and on assembly! A big shout out to all our school staff for the work they have done to make sure that 2025 has got off to a flying start. A second shout out to all parents and carers for ensuring your children are ready for school!

Feedback concerning the rescheduled assemblies has been positive, so we will continue on Friday mornings. As previously mentioned, in week 4, we will revert to Thursday afternoon as we have some very special visitors on that day. Students can wear their Lions supporter gear on that day, or other supporter gear if they so wish.

Parents and carers have the opportunity to meet their child’s teacher on Tuesday afternoon next week. Teachers will be talking about their class and what students and parents can expect. Following these presentations, I will be conducting a Principal’s presentation which will focus on the direction of the school in 2025. This presentation will be held in the Undercover Area and unfortunately, there is limited seating.

Additionally, our Strings teacher, Kathryn Payne, will be conducting two information sessions for those new to the program. We look forward to connecting next week. For more information, click here - Parent Information Sessions.

A word about Parent Teacher Interviews…

Our Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Framework states that parents should have the opportunity to discuss student progress with teachers twice each year. Progress refers to progress in the Australian Curriculum. As such, our Parent Teacher Interviews for Term 2, will be held once Term 1 assessments are completed. This then gives parents a rich opportunity to understand their child’s progress and achievement. The interviews will take place very early in Term 2. This gives teachers the time to fully complete the Term 1 programs of study and mark them.

If students have a mobile phone in their possession, they are required to be dropped in to the school office on arrival at school, and then collected at the end of the school day. This ensures safety of the phone and minimises the risk of them being used during the school day.

Before school starts, students are required to wait under C Block if they are here before 8.30am and are not enrolled in Wilston Kids Care (WKC). If students are here early, I encourage you to enrol them in WKC, which provides a safe, supervised environment for them, with lots of engaging and purposeful activities available.

Today on assembly I acknowledged the fantastic work of many students across the school.  A sample of the Year 1's handwriting is below. Great work, Year 1!

I think that’s all for now.

Take care Wilston.

Michael Sawbridge

Principal

During week 3, all Teachers will be holding Parent Information sessions in their own classrooms. This will give you the opportunity to get to know your child's teacher and hear first hand about the curriculum, routines, procedures and expectations for the class.

Tuesday 11 February, 2025

Prep: 3.30 – 4.00pm
Year 1: 4.15 – 4.45pm
Year 2: 4.15 – 4.45pm
Year 3: 5.00 – 5.30pm
Year 4: 5.00 – 5.30pm
Year 5: 3.30 – 4.00pm
Year 6: 3.30 – 4.00pm

Following the conclusion of the Parent Information sessions at 5.30pm, our school Principal, Mike Sawbridge, will address parents in the Undercover Area (5.35 – 5.50pm)

We acknowledge that a small percentage of our families have children in year levels that are on at the same time.  In this instance, if you are unable to have a family member attend a session, please let the Office know and we will be in contact with you.

Please be mindful that Wilston Kids Care is operating in the school during this time.  If your children are in attendance, please ensure they remain with you and not in common areas/playgrounds where WKC staff are running their programs.

Year 1, Term 1 Curriculum Snapshot

Year 2, Term 1 Curriculum Snapshot

Year 3, Term 1 Curriculum Snapshot

Year 4, Term 1 Curriculum Snapshot

Year 5, Term 1 Curriculum Snapshot

Year 6, Term 1 Curriculum Snapshot

Term 1 school swimming during Physical Education for Years 1-6 classes will begin Tuesday 28 January, 2025.

Prep students will begin in Week 4 and more information will be distributed to Prep families over the coming weeks.

Swimming in Physical Education classes will continue until the end of term. If students are unable to swim due to sickness or injury, a note should accompany the student to school. Qualified Learn to Swim Instructors will be assisting in all sessions and we are very grateful to the P&C for continuing to fund this support during the Physical Education classes. 

Students are required to have the following equipment for swimming:

• swimming togs, rash/sun shirt and swim cap
• towel and swimming bag.

Class Swimming Times (1/2hr duration)

Choirs Kick Off – Years 3 -6

Does your child love to sing?  We have a fabulous choral program at Wilston SS and we welcome every student from years 3-6. All choirs will be running from next week (Week 3).

Choristers must be registered for 2025, even if they have been in choir before. Please click here for all the information and links to register your child before it closes on Wednesday 12 February.

Rehearsal Times:

• Junior Choir Years 3-4– Tuesdays 8am in the Music Room with Mrs Butler
• Wilston Wonders Years 5-6 – Fridays 8am, Monday 11am with Mrs Charters
• Chamber Choir (auditioned Year 5-6) Monday 8am with Mrs Charters

Classroom Music Years 3-6 - Recorders

Please ensure your child has brought their recorder to school, clearly named for the year ahead. Thanks to those who sent them in last week for our first music lesson. 

It has been wonderful to welcome students back to the library this term!

As we begin borrowing again, please ensure that your child has a named, waterproof library bag to take books to and from school. This is a requirement for borrowing from our school library.

Borrowing limits are as follows:

Prep and Year 1: One book

Year 2: Two books

Year 3-Year 6: Three books

Apart from their class borrowing times, students from Year 1 to Year 6 can also return and borrow books during the week at second break (1.15pm-1.35pm) on their allocated days:

Monday: Years 1, 3 and 5

Tuesday: Years 2, 4 and 6

Wednesday: Years 1 to 6

Thursday: Years 1, 3 and 5

Friday: Years 2, 4 and 6      

Scholastic Book Club

Our school participates in Scholastic Book Club. Twice a term, your child will bring home a Book Club catalogue with a different selection of books offered for all ages.  

If you choose to purchase, please use the Book Club LOOP platform www.scholastic.com.au/loop  which allows you to order online and pay by credit card. We are cashless Book Club so please do not send any money to school.

In order for our Book Club to run smoothly, we require parent volunteers to sort and package the books. Would you consider becoming part of our valued team of helpers? Just an hour, a couple of times a term, can make a difference. Please contact our Teacher Librarian, Sue Burgess smbur1@eq.edu.au to indicate your interest. Thank you.

While there is never any obligation to order, our Book Club raises funds to buy resources for our library and classrooms so we are grateful for your support.

Drop off and Pick Up Zones

The 2 Minute Passenger Loading Zones (Drop Off/ Pick Up Zones) on Primrose Street, Thomas Street and Inglis Street are for drop off or pick up. 

Brisbane City Council monitors these drop off and pick up zones.

Here are a few notes to consider for proper use of the zone.

• Use the zone like a quick moving taxi rank.
• Driver is to stay in the car when possible.
• Do not leave the vehicle. This is an offence during hours of operation.

In the afternoon:

• Delay your arrival until after release time. If you arrive early – do not park in the zone.
• Do not stay in the zone if your child has not arrived in the designated waiting area.
• Ensure your child is watching out for your arrival.
• Never call children across the road.

Please inform these procedures to any other person you have nominated to drop off/collect your child. E.g. grandparent, relative, nanny.

Leaving School Grounds

• Children are not permitted to leave the school grounds during school hours without permission. Parents/caregivers collecting children from school must collect and sign their child out at the school office. On return, your child must be signed in by a parent or guardian at the school office. Please understand that we must follow this procedure for your child’s safety so that we can account for all students at all times. 

Visitors & Volunteers to our School

• Our school is very grateful for all its volunteer helpers.  All visitors to the school are asked to sign the register in the school office. A badge is available for you to wear, indicating that you are either visiting or volunteering at our school.

Student Resource Scheme

Thank you for your support with the Student Resource Scheme in 2025.  Resources for the start of 2025 have been delivered (still waiting for a few more scissors and pencil cases, but they are coming) and we will continue to supply students with all learning items throughout the year.  Invoices have been sent to all families that are participating in the scheme and we thank you in advance for your payment.

SZApp

We use Schoolzine for our school calendar, Parent Teacher Interview Bookings and our Newsletter.  Schoolzine also has an App that we use to assist with communication at Wilston State School – SZApp.  The developers have been hard at work behind the scenes over the school holidays making SZApp better than ever.  They have fixed some bugs (Push notifications), made important stability improvements and added a couple of exciting new features.  Staff have been using it since our return to school and have given it the thumbs up. Below is a link that provides information on how to install the app and we encourage parents to install it. Once installed please select the appropriate groups (eg Year 1).  The sporting groups are largely Gala Day related.

https://www.schoolzine.com/installing-szapp/

That’s right – it’s back! The World’s Greatest Shave 2025 will take place on Friday 4 April, 9am on the final day of Term 1.

Last year, many students from Wilston State School raised awareness and significant funds for the Leukemia Foundation and this year there are more students who would like to do the same.

You can select to either shave, cut or colour your hair for this worthwhile cause.  

If your child would like to take part in the World’s Greatest Shave, click on the link below and join the Wilston State School Team.

https://www.worldsgreatestshave.com/join/wilstonstateschool

The deadline for sign ups will be: Friday 21 March, 2025.

Let’s see what our Wilston State School community can achieve this year!

We will again welcome Spencer and Billy to school on Tuesday (Therapy Dogs). 

Parents may have concerns about their child’s interaction with an animal within the school environment. These concerns may relate to your child’s fear or phobia of animals, or a health and safety concern.  We would like to assure you that all precautions are being taken to minimise risks and as a result, a risk management plan is available for your perusal should you wish to better understand our planning.  In addition, further information about commonly asked questions and concerns are attached. 

If you do not wish to consent to your child having any interactions with Spencer please ensure you discuss this decision with your child and complete the Non Consent/Withdrawal form.  This form is imperative to ensure the school is aware of your decision and will support staff to monitor your child’s proximity to the dogs.

Please do not hesitate in reaching out to our Guidance Officer, Mel Espejo, who will be able to discuss any concerns you may have.

Click here for the latest news from Wilston Kids Care.

Swim Club News

Welcome to 2025 swimming!  We hope all families enjoyed their summer break.

Firstly, we would congratulate our young Crocs, Isaac C, Oscar E, Grace L, Isla L, Scarlett, L, Oscar N, Stephanie T, Zara W and Daniel Y who competed at the Brisbane Sprint Championships over the recent long weekend. Many PB’s were swum.

A special mention goes to Daniel who placed 2^nd in Brisbane in the 11yrs 50m backstroke! 

Good luck to Isla, Zara, Oscar, Daniel and Orlando who are competing at the Queensland Sprint Championships this weekend.

Reminder, nominations for the Brisbane Junior Metropolitan Championships close Tuesday 18^th February.

We have a couple of events we would like all club members to save the date for:-

16^th March – Club Championships
29^th March – Trophy Night

Further information regarding these two events will be communicated shortly.

Swim Club AGM

Apart from our amazing swimmers, it is the volunteers who help to make our club a great success. Come and join us at the Wilston Swim Club AGM.

The AGM will be held on Monday, 10^th February 2025 from 6:30pm in B Block. All swim club members are invited  and we would encourage anyone considering volunteering on the committee or in a support role to come along and gain a better understanding of how the club operates and have their say in shaping the future of the club.  

Learn to Swim and Squads

It is great to see so many retuning and new swimmers back in the pool. We have limited spaces available in our learn to swim and squad programs for Term 1 swimming. Please email swim@wilstonpandc.org.au for bookings.

Our fitness squad for high school students has also returned Wednesday afternoons from 5:30 – 6:30pm.

See you at the pool!