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Hello Parents and Carers,
We had an incredible day at our fantastic school yesterday. It was amazing to come together as a community to celebrate our local AFL Team, the Brisbane Lions. The students really made the day buzz with pride and celebration. We were so thrilled to hold the AFL Premiership Cup, and we’ll have lots of fun photos to remember this day. Thank you to our Student Council for organising the Gold Coin Donation which went to the Lions Legacy. What wonderful memories for all of us and a big shoutout to Mrs O’Hara for organising this event!
After that, on Thursday evening, our P&C association hosted its Annual General Meeting (AGM). We had 68 attendees, either online or in person. That’s a lot for an AGM, and it shows how much our community loves our school. At the AGM, the following members were elected to the 2025 Executive Committee:
Ray Robertson - President
Sonya Hutchines - Vice President
Max Lambourne - Vice President
Jonathan Levey - Vice President
Alissa Gordon - Secretary
Kylie Ryan - Treasurer
Thanks to Ray, Sonya, Max, Jonathan, Alissa and Kylie for taking on these important positions. I’m looking forward to working with the new Executive and the P&C Association in 2025. They have some exciting fundraising events planned. I also want to thank the outgoing 2024 Executive members for their hard work and dedication to our school and the students. Special mention goes to Ian Dorey for his many years of service as president. He’s left a great legacy.
In the classroom, we’ve been super busy collecting our first round of Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) reading assessments. These assessments give teachers lots of info about how well students can decode text and understand what they’re reading. We use this to make sure our instruction is tailored to each student’s needs in reading. If you want to learn more about DIBELS, check out https://dibels.uoregon.edu/. In a few weeks, the Year 3 and 5 students will take the 2025 NAPLAN tests. These tests give the school and teachers more info about how students are doing in Numeracy and Literacy. You can find more info about NAPLAN here https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan.
Congrats to all our swimmers who participated in the District Competition recently! Wilston has a strong swimming culture, so it’s no surprise that our students do so well in these events.
Overall, the first 4 weeks of Term 1 have been super successful at school. Our preps have settled in really well, and the students as a whole have got into routines of learning and school. Thanks to all our community, parents, and carers for your ongoing support of our school.
On a personal note, you might have noticed I wasn’t around much in Week 4. I hurt my ankle, so I had to take some time off. I’m expected to be back for the whole week in Week 5.
That’s all for now. I might leave you with a message we received this morning from the great Jamie Charman (Lions 2001 – 2011). Take care, Wilston.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sfxbkz1JJik
Michael Sawbridge
Principal
Our students in Years 3 and 5 will complete NAPLAN testing online between 12 – 24 March this term. NAPLAN assesses essential skills for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. It is important to remember that NAPLAN is not a pass or fail test but a measure of students’ learning progress.
The online assessment platform provides several benefits, including a tailored test design that adjusts test items based on students’ knowledge and ability.
We encourage all parents to visit the NAPLAN Public Demonstration Site.
Please find additional NAPLAN information below:
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!
Wilston Wonders and Chamber Choir
We have had a fantastic start to the year with our choirs. It’s great to see so many students arriving early, with their folders and ready to start singing at 8am! We will be uploading rehearsal tracks onto QLearn very soon so our choristers can practice at home. Stay tuned……
If your child cannot attend a rehearsal, please email Miranda Charters (mchar11@eq.edu.au).
Junior Choir
We have had a great start to Junior Choir this term. It's wonderful to see so many enthusiastic faces on a Tuesday morning!
A reminder that rehearsal begins at 8am (a slight change from last year). Students are welcome to make their way up the stairs to the music room at 7.55am.
Mrs Simone Butler
Instrumental Music
Instrumental music lessons and rehearsals are now in full swing for the year. Please make sure that your child is on time for their rehearsal with all necessary equipment.
Rehearsals start at 7.45am. Please see the timetable below:
Wednesday – Senior Concert Band
Thursday – Vivace Strings
Friday – Dolce Strings.
Selected students will have the opportunity to audition for the Honours Music Workshop at the end of this term. Audition music will be sent home shortly.
World Book Online
Thank you to our P&C for providing a World Book Online subscription for our school community! World Book Online is a useful and safe site for our students to read and research at school. It is also available to access at home for all the little enquirers in your family! Have a browse through the articles together and enjoy some educational games and activities using the login details provided on the flyer.
Scholastic Book Club
Our school runs a 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 only, so please do not send any money to school.
Issue 1 book orders have arrived at school and are currently being sorted by our wonderful parent volunteers. When complete, the books will be delivered to your child’s class.
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.
Starting next week, Mr Bell will be running Cross Country Training sessions before school for interested students (Years 3 – 6 only) in the lead up to the Interhouse Cross Country. As we have limited space on the oval, two sessions will be offered:
Year 5 and 6 students – Wednesday 8.00 to 8.40am (February 26, March 5, 12, 19 and 26)
Year 3 and 4 students – Thursday 8.00 to 8.40am (February 27, March 6, 13, 20 and 27)
Due to the construction on the oval we are seeking parent support for students to attend only on the allocated day for their year level.
Students need to ensure that they have a water bottle and appropriate shoes to run in. Students that have preventative medications (ie Asthma) need to ensure that they bring their medications to the sessions.
Parents that have students at Wilston Kids Care on those mornings and wish to attend the training sessions, need to make arrangements with Wilston Kids Care to attend.
More information about the Interhouse Cross Country will be sent out in the next fortnight with all the details including race times and course map.
Drop off and Pick Up Zones
Drop off and pick up is always busy, but particularly busy at the beginning of the school year. For a successful drop-off/pick-up experience, we ask for your patience and courtesy in the process, following the directions of our traffic wardens when they are on duty and being aware of our neighbours who need to get in and out of their driveways.
Also, we remind parents and caregivers that student bags should not be in the boot of the car. It is our policy, due to the significant risk of students walking between moving vehicles, that students place their bags in the back seat of the car instead.
Visitors & Volunteers to our School
- Our school is very grateful for all its volunteer helpers. Please note that grandparents volunteering at the school are required to have a current Working With Children check - Blue Card. Staff at the office will ask to sight the Blue Card on arrival.
Communication
An email was recently sent regarding methods of communication in 2025. This will include:
- Email communication
- Newsletter
- SZApp
- Closed Facebook Groups
- QParents
If you would like further information, please contact the office - office@wilstonss.eq.edu.au.
Meet Simone Butler - Music
My name is Mrs Simone Butler. I will be teaching classroom music on Tuesdays to Prep A, D, E and all Year 1 classes as well as leading the Junior Choir. I am so excited to be working at Wilston this year and work alongside the wonderful Mrs Charters.
I have just returned to Brisbane after living in Sydney for 11 years where I also taught primary music. I love singing and musicals with one of my favourites being Wicked (even before the movie came out)! When I’m not teaching or singing, you’ll find me spending time with my husband and two children! I look forward to being part of this lovely community and sharing the gift of music with you all!
Meet Callum Crocker - Head of Inclusion
I am a proud Welshman who has made Australia home. My wife and I moved in search of new adventure and experiences and had a plan to leave after 2 years. 6 years later, we are still here and now official Australian Citizens!
I have a strong passion for education, I have dedicated my career to making a positive impact in the lives of students. Starting out as a classroom teacher in the UK 15 years ago to working in special education, taking on the role of Head of Curriculum within this field and now serving as the Head of Inclusion at Wilston State School, where I continue to champion inclusive education and support the unique needs of every child.
Outside of my professional life, I am a husband and father to a mischievous two-year-old boy who keeps me on my toes. I have a love for rugby union and my loyalty to the Welsh Team runs deep...I remain ever-optimistic, even during these current dark days.
The Game Plan
Our new EcoMarines Ambassadors have hit the ground running this term, launching their plans for environmental action at Wilston. This week, they completed their online Ambassador training, where they met the Tangalooma EcoMarines team and brainstormed exciting initiatives for the year ahead.
For the rest of the term, they will continue developing their ideas and working towards the opportunity to visit Tangalooma in March. If we don’t make it then, we’ll aim to get there in September. Either way, our Ambassadors are committed to making a real difference!
Official Handover
At our next senior assembly, the 2024 EcoMarines Ambassadors will officially pass the torch to our 2025 team. We’re excited to introduce our new leaders and celebrate the hard work of our outgoing Ambassadors!
Clean Up Australia Day – 2nd March
"We are encouraging everyone to get involved in Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday, 2nd March 2025, and help us make this the BIGGEST ever, as we celebrate 35 years of improving and conserving our environment, one piece of litter at a time!" – Clean Up Australia Day
Our school will be joining the movement by holding a special clean-up event on Friday, 28th February. This is a great opportunity for students to take action and show their commitment to keeping our environment clean and green. We encourage everyone to get involved and make a difference!
Viva Las Trivia
Wilston State School P&C invites you to roll the dice and go ALL IN for our Annual Trivia Night on Saturday, May 17, 2025! This year’s theme? VIVA LAS VEGAS!
As they say in Never Been Kissed, “The theme is everything, darling!”—so dust off your sequins, channel your inner high roller, and get ready for a night of dazzling fun, fierce competition, and fabulous prizes!
Whether you’re feeling lucky or ready to test your knowledge, this is your chance to take a gamble on a great night out. Secure your table, bring your A-game, and let’s make this a jackpot of an evening!
Tickets & details coming soon!
WSSTriviaNight@gmail.com
Follow us: @WSS_Trivia_Night | #VivaLasTrivia
Place your bets—this will be a night to remember!
Queensland Sprint Championships
Congratulations to Daniel, Orlando, Oscar, Isla and Zara who competed at the Queensland Sprint Championships last weekend. This is a great achievement, and we are very proud of all swimmers involved.
A special shout out to this Wilston Croc who placed 2nd in Queensland in the 11 years boys 50m backstroke. All that hard work in the pool is certainly paying off!
Ascot Cup
Good luck to all our swimmers participating in the Ascot Cup on Saturday. The Ascot Cup is a 3-way carnival with Ascot and Eagle Junction Swim Clubs. It is a fun afternoon of racing, and we wish our team the best. Go Crocs!
Swim Club
We are approaching the end of Friday night swim club for the 2024 – 25 season. The last club night will be on the 7th March. This night also sees the very popular year 6 swimmers v parents’ relay! Parents – now is the time to jump in the pool and start training or at least check that your swimmers fit!
Swim Cub Championships will be held on Saturday 16th March from 2pm. In the case of weather cancelling this event (lightning), we have a back up date of the 23rd March at 2pm.
Swim Club Trophy night will be held on Saturday 29th March.
Keep an eye out for further information on these events in the near future. We would love all club members to be involved.
AGM
Last week the swim club held their annual AGM. Thank you to all who attended.
The following positions were filled on the evening –
| Chair/President | Christina Theodoropoulos |
| Vice-President | Sophie Robertson |
| Treasurer | Carla Lowe |
| Secretary | Laura Eyles |
| Canteen Convenors | Clare Stretton and Richard Leeson |
| Swim Club Connect App Operator | Sophie Robertson |
Thank you to everyone who also put up their hands to be general members of the committee. It is great to see so much support for the swim club in the community.
See you at the pool!
NOTICEBOARD
