Freshwater State School eNewsletter

Hello Everyone,

Our school continues to work hard to ensure our students are able to participate in not only extra curricula activities, but programs of instruction suited to the needs of our students. Throughout this term, our students have and continue to participate in the QVSA Stem program, run online, as well as NAPLAN omnibus and TCN opportunities for sport. I would like to congratulate our junior choir, led by Mrs Howell, leading us in singing the National Anthem at assembly last week, demonstrating the effort that they have already put into their singing.

In order to support students in their learning, attendance is the most important aspect of school – if they are not at school we can’t teach them! EQ policy states, “every day counts” for our every one of our students! At Freshwater State School we also encourage students to promptly arrive at school and class throughout the day as “every minute counts” when we are talking about students’ learning time. The following table is another way of clearly showing why this needs to be acknowledged:

If Your Child Misses	That Equals	Which Is	From Prep to Yr 12, (i.e. 13 Years of Schooling) That is	Which Means the Best Your Child Might Perform Is
1 day per fortnight	20 days per year	4 weeks per year	Nearly 1½ years	Equal to finishing in Yr 11
1 day per week	40 days per year	8 weeks per year	Over 2½ years	Equal to finishing in Yr 10
2 days per week	80 days per year	16 weeks per year	Over 5 years	Equal to finishing in Yr 7
3 days per week	120 days per year	24 weeks per year	Nearly 8 years	Equal to finishing in Yr 4

NAPLAN

The 2025 National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will take from Friday 14th to Monday 24^th March. As in previous years all students in Yr. 3 & 5 are required to participate in these tests unless they are withdrawn by parents/carers. Where parents/carers do not wish their children to participate in the tests, they must discuss their wishes with the principal or deputy principal. It should be noted, students who are withdrawn from the tests will have no result recorded and no report will be provided. Adjustments may be permitted for students to support their access to the tests to help facilitate maximum participation. Staff will identify students who will qualify for any adjustments. If parents have any questions in regards to this we request they initially contact the class teacher and if required the principal or deputy principal. Students have already participated in practice testing to ensure they are ready and comfortable with the testing procedures.

Reading

The importance of reading in school cannot be overstated. Reading is fundamental to student success as it enhances language skills, comprehension, critical thinking, and overall academic performance. In addition to improving literacy, it opens up new worlds of knowledge, broadens perspectives, and promotes creativity. Encouraging a reading culture within the school is vital for students' cognitive development and future success. As discussed on the lower school assembly last week, to encourage reading at home, students will receive prizes for every 25 nights of reading that they read, utilising their home reading log for recording. It has been wonderful seeing a number of students receiving prizes already.

Parent Teacher Interviews

For parents who want to know how they can best support their children through school, there is no better way than through a parent-teacher interview. Interviews between parents and teachers are primarily about one aspect: the overall development of a child. At Freshwater State School, interviews are an opportunity for parents to build rapport with teachers, have all their questions answered and voice any concerns they may have about a student’s progress.

Help Teachers Understand Your Child

Parent-teacher interviews are not just about teachers telling parents about how their child is doing at school. Our teachers take an interest in every child and strive to gain a better understanding of what makes each student unique. The best way to do this is to meet with parents and let them talk about their children, their interests and any specific challenges they face so that teachers can provide them with the precise support they need to thrive.

Questions or Concerns

Interviews will be held in 15-minute intervals. If there are specific questions you would like to ask, please let the teacher know at the start of the interview or send through prior to the interview, so that the teacher has some time to prepare the response.

Safety of Students, Staff and Community

The safety of students, both within and outside of the school, is paramount. Schools must take proactive steps to ensure a safe learning environment, including implementing proper security measures, monitoring school grounds, and offering safe transportation options for students. For this reason, each term the school participates in either a planned lockdown or evacuation, ensuring all staff and students understand the process. Teachers, staff, and school administrators also foster a culture of respect, inclusion, and awareness, ensuring that students feel secure and supported at all times. Aggressive parental behaviour toward staff and in the vicinity of students and parents, is not an acceptable practice at our school or any other workplace. Please keep this in mind when speaking to staff in relation to your children. We are here to provide, to the best of our ability, support for all students and their families.

Please take a moment to read our Parent and Community Code of Conduct.

parent_and_community_code_of_conduct_poster.pdf

parent_and_community_code_of_conduct_poster _pdf 682.77 KB

Have a great fortnight.

Yours sincerely,

Karryn Brunetto

Principal

Junior Choir: Mondays, 8am

Before School Running: Tuesdays, 8.15am

Senior Strings Ensemble: Wednesdays, 7.45am

Senior Concert Band: Thursdays, 7.45am

Senior Choir: Fridays, 8am

NAPLAN Online: Friday, 14th March until Monday, 24th March

Parent Teacher Interviews: Monday 17th March- Friday 21st March

P&C AGM and General Meeting: Monday, 17th March, 6pm

Year 5 Aquarium Visit: Thursday, 27th March

Prep to Year 2 Easter Bonnet Parade: Thursday, 3rd April

Colour Explosion: Friday, 4th April

We are officially over the halfway mark of Term 1 and as I reflect on the past fortnight of teaching and learning at Freshwater State School, I am very proud of the work the students are producing and the high quality teaching that happens across the school because of our very dedicated teaching staff.

During my visits to classrooms this past fortnight I’ve seen amazing writing, sensational reading and students engaged in hands on maths lessons using concrete materials to support their learning. For our staff, this means significant organisation and planning as we implement version 9 English and Mathematics curriculum.

In the playground I am seeing students playing together, sharing equipment and enjoying their time with friends as they enjoy this much awaited sunshine after so many wet lunches already this year. Our clubs continue to run at both breaks which are very popular as is the library with so many great things on offer under the guidance of Ms Glaspy.

Congratulations to the students who achieved their 25 nights of reading this week and visited the library to share their great news and collect a prize. I look forward to seeing more students hit the first milestone in their reading diaries over the coming weeks.

Finally, enjoy the following clip from students in Year 1 reading their retell of an orientation from the book ‘The Very Blue Thingamajig’.

Kind regards,

Louise Jappé

Deputy Principal P-3

As we move further into the term, I’m pleased to reflect on the wonderful progress we’ve been seeing in our classrooms. Our students have truly embraced the learning opportunities before them, and it’s exciting to watch them grow in both knowledge and confidence.

In the classroom, there’s a noticeable energy, with students diving deep into their subjects and showing a commitment to their learning that is inspiring. Our teachers have been busy with assessment for learning—evaluating and gathering data to ensure that each student is progressing in their understanding. These assessments are not just about measuring knowledge, but about guiding future learning, helping to pinpoint areas of strength and areas where support is needed. It’s wonderful to see how well our students are responding to this feedback, continuing to work hard and engage meaningfully with the content.

In addition to all the hard work in the classroom, the beautiful weather has made a big impact on our students' well-being. The sun has been shining and it’s been heartening to see the students enjoying their outdoor playtime to the fullest. Whether it’s running around on the oval, participating in sports or simply soaking in the sunshine, the positive energy is contagious. It’s clear that a little fresh air and sunshine are key ingredients in keeping our students happy and energized for their learning.

NAPLAN Online Assessment

NAPLAN testing is just around the corner, scheduled for weeks 7, 8, and 9. This is an important assessment and we encourage all students to approach it with confidence. We know our students will do their best and we are here to support them throughout the process.

Year 5 Aquarium Visit (Week 9)

Our Year 5 students are in for a treat! They will be heading to the Aquarium in Week 9 as part of their culminating activity for the term. It promises to be a fun and engaging trip, offering hands-on learning experiences that enhance their understanding of their science unit Survival in the Environment. We're sure it will be an exciting and memorable day! Correspondence will be sent out in the coming days.

It’s been a great fortnight, filled with a blend of hard work and well-deserved play. As we move forward, let’s continue to encourage our students to strive for excellence, embrace challenges and make the most of every opportunity that comes their way.

Finally, to our families in South East Queensland, we wish you all the best as you navigate Cyclone Alfred over the next day or two. Please stay safe and take care during this time.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to foster an environment where all students can thrive.

Have great fortnight.

Maree Harris

Deputy Principal 4-6/Inclusion

Open Times

Our office is open on school days from 8.15am and closes at 3.30pm. Prior to 8.15am our team are busy getting everything ready for the day. Our office does close at 3.30pm. If you are experiencing any difficulty collecting your child prior to 3.10pm on a regular basis, please keep in mind our OSHC does have some availability. OSHC Administration general inquiries:

OSHC Office Mobile: 0491 202 342 (9:15am - 3:15pm)

After Hours Mobile: 0400 905 502 (6am - 6pm)

Email: oshcbookingfreshwaterpandcccomm.au

Invoices

A friendly reminder to pay any outstanding invoices, our preferred payment method is BPOINTT. There are still a large number of unpaid Student Resource Scheme Fees, invoiced at the start of the year. Instrumental Music fees have also been invoiced.

If you would like to set up a payment plan, contact our office on 4058 9222 or send an email to principalfreshwatersss.eqeduu.au

Have a fantastic fortnight.

Kind Regards

Admin Team

Abby, Lexie, Natasha and Sam

Reading Everyday Matters

It is important to set aside some time each day, devoted purely to reading for enjoyment. This may be at bedtime, where we can relax and read a story together, discussing the ideas and images presented. Or first thing in the morning, quietly reading on our own. By adding just 10 minutes of reading to our day, we increase our word exposure by an extra 600 000 words each year! Thus, increasing our reading ability, fluency and understanding of the world around us.

Reading Passports Next Term

For the duration of Term 2, students are invited to join the adventure! Each student will receive their very own Reading Passport.

On completion of each book, parents/carers are asked to sign a square within the Passport. Students then return the book to the Library and ask for their ‘thumbs up’ stamp.

Prep-3 students are encouraged to explore as many books as possible. With support and assistance granted where needed, emphasis is placed on participation and enjoyment. On completion of 5 books, students receive a super scented sensational bookmark and for those who make it to an outstanding 10 books, a star- studded certificate.

Year 4-6 students will be in a race around the literary world, collecting ‘clues’ from the Library on where to travel next. The first two students from each year level (4-6) will receive a coveted book prize.

“You’re never too old,

to wacky,

too wild,

to pick up a book

and read to a child.”

-Dr Seuss-

Yours in literary adventures,

Amanda Glaspy

Library Officer

Students in year 3-6 are invited to participate in the Premier’s Coding Challenge. Students will need to create a game, app or website that drives positive change in the world by addressing one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). These goals centre around climate action, sustainability, equity, health and well-being.

Students may work individually or with a partner to create their digital solution that teaches, educates and informs their audience about their selected UNSDG. The competition is now open and closes on 12^th September 2025. Students must also submit video explaining their digital solution.

Students participating will be able to access the computer lab and support during first break on Mondays.

Students with an interest in these topics and/or interest in coding are encouraged to apply. Please see Mrs Lazzaroni in the computer room on Tuesday 11^th March for information and to place your name down.

Further information about the challenge can be found here:

https://education.qld.gov.au/about-us/events-awards/awards-competitions/premiers-coding-challenge

Narrative_Creative_Writing_Skills_English_Presentation_in_Charcoal_Colourful_Fun_Style_1_.jpg

The talented students of 4MW are excited to be immersing themselves in narrative writing this term. In this English unit, they will be writing a new chapter for The Twits, inspired by Roald Dahl's iconic style, quirky language, and hilarious themes. It is already clear that these students have a flair for storytelling!

A huge well done to 4MW – your work is both imaginative and inspiring! Keep up the amazing effort.

Last week we had a lot of fun in Japanese Club making paper snakes.

Please see below our creations.

The Students in 5KT have begun their science assessment - to create and describe creatures with structural and behavioral adaptations that respond to certain environmental data. They have worked hard this term learning all about different biological adaptations in Science, as well as the multimodal skills required in their weekly Digital Literacy lessons.

Orange_and_Blue_Doodle_Science_Project_Presentation.jpg

As I am on leave, Mr Craig will be coordinating all the handing out of TCN forms and information to interested students. Students born in 2013, 2014 and 2015 who are interesting in trailing for the TCN teams will need to go to Mr Craig’s classroom to receive the forms and information.

Thank you very much for helping out Mr Craig!.

Thank you,

Kristen Knight

Specialist Teacher - P.E.

Annual General Meeting

Please see details on our upcoming P&C Annual General Meeting.

Please see below link to nominate candidates for positions:

https://forms.office.com/r/cbmNsBVFGN

For more information and for an application please visit our website on the below link:

https://freshwaterss.eq.edu.au/our-community/pandc

So, you've decided to nominate for your school's P&C executive, but you're just not sure where to find the information you need to decide what role to take on! P&Cs Qld has some insightful role descriptions to help you understand what it is the President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary do on a P&C.