Hello Everyone

Welcome back to our wonderful Freshwater Community. I trust that you had a relaxing holiday and that the students are ready to tackle the new term. We are proud of our staff and the hard work they do every day for every student in our school. Our teachers work collaboratively to develop and implement a high yield Australian Curriculum. We look forward to sharing our teaching and learning with you throughout the term.

As we begin this new chapter, I want to highlight three values that define our school community and drive everything we do: collaboration, teamwork, and success. Our greatest achievements come not from working alone, but from lifting one another up, learning from each other, and moving forward together. Whether in the classroom, on the field, in the arts, or through everyday interactions, your contributions make a difference.

This term, let’s challenge ourselves to communicate openly, support one another, and celebrate both individual and collective progress. Every voice matters. Every effort counts. And when we work as a team, there is no limit to what we can achieve.

A perfect example of collaboration was demonstrated during the internal consultative group meeting held on the 23^rd April in relation to our new multipurpose hall.  As our school principal, I appreciated the diverse members of the group, each bringing a different perspective and insight into the discussion held.  An excellent understanding of the work that has already been done, as well as the thought provoking and respectful questioning by members of the group enabled a good foundation for future discussions.  I look forward to sharing more information from each of the meetings in the future. 

Prep Enrolments 2026

Children born 1 July 2020 – 30 June 2021 are eligible for Prep 2026. If you have or know of a child born between these dates, please complete the enrolment forms available from our office or our website. We have already had significant interest for Prep 2026, so we encourage our families and community members to enrol their children as soon as possible.

Celebrating Guidance Officer Week - Support, Inspire, Guide

This Guidance Officer Week (Monday, 28 April to Friday, 9 May), we celebrate 77 years of guidance support in Queensland state school communities. Guidance Officers (GOs) provide counselling and advice on educational, career, personal, mental health and wellbeing issues for students. This week is an opportunity to highlight the great support our GOs provide in schools.

I am grateful to have Maryann Berlin as our Guidance Officer at Freshwater State School to work with not only our internal student support personnel, but a range of external inter-agency connections to provide quality ongoing support for our students and their families. Thank you, Maryann – we very much appreciate everything you do.

Parents as Partners in Learning

"Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher.
Investing uninterrupted time in your child AND partnering with your child’s school
are two of the most important things you can do"

Do You Give Your Children 8 Minutes of Attention per day?

Small emotional investments like one-on-one, quality time now will help ensure your kids grow up feeling safe, valued and listened to. Time is precious…but not as precious as your children. That’s why it’s so important to set aside at least 8 minutes every day of distraction-free time to engage with each of your kids, one on one, without interruptions. Put down your phone, iPad or laptop and take the time to really BE with them - exchanging stories, asking and answering questions, sharing a laugh…whatever works best! Your child will feel more listened to, valued, safer and happier. Studies show that kids who receive this kind of attention do better at school, with greater language skills and higher self-confidence. With benefits like these, there’s no better way to spend 8 minutes a day!”

Don’t ask ‘How was school today?’

Are you tired of getting the same old shrug, when you ask the same old question? Get the conversations going in your house again! With slight wording modifications, these questions can work with children of all ages:

• What was challenging about your day?
• What do you like about your day?
• Tell me about a moment today when you felt excited about what you were learning.
• Tell me about a moment in class when you felt confused.
• Were there any moments today when you felt proud of yourself?
• Tell me about a conversation you had with a classmate or friend that you enjoyed.
• Think about what you learned and did in school today. What’s something you’d like to know more about?
• What’s a question you have that came from your learning today?
• What did you learn about yourself today?
• Is there anything that you’d like to talk about that I might be able to help you figure out?
• Is there anything you’re worried about?
• What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

(Tips from Steve Francis- Happy Schools website)

 Yours in Learning,

Welcome back to Term 2! We’re excited to see our students return refreshed and ready for another great term of learning. We started the term with a very short week with only three school days, yet managed to pack so much into the shorter week including a beautiful ANZAC day assembly and our march at Stratford on ANZAC day.

Special thanks to Ms Christine Gane and Mrs Neubecker for coordinating the event and to Sarah Weiss for speaking at assembly and sharing some insights into what it would have been like, all those years ago. Special mention to Ms Jen Fengler who led the Freshwater band and choir at the assembly. Our school leaders did an outstanding job of leading the assembly in such a professional manner and our students’ laying wreaths represented their own classes so very well. The following day it was lovely to see so many students and families attend the Stratford March along Magazine Street and take part in the ANZAC day ceremony.

This term brings new opportunities to build on the progress made in Term 1, with engaging lessons, growing friendships, and plenty of discoveries along the way. We will celebrate many events this term in the lower school so make sure to read the newsletter and Facebook page for date claimers for these upcoming events.

Term 2 is also an important reporting period, and families will receive a semester one report card that reflects each child’s achievements and growth. We value the strong partnership between home and school, and we look forward to working together to support every student’s success.

As always, our school community remains committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and encouraging environment where every child feels valued and inspired to do their very best and take healthy risks. Let’s make Term 2 a memorable and rewarding experience for all!

Please enjoy a video from Prep AM this week sharing their writing from the Easter holidays.

Have a great weekend,

Welcome back!

I hope you all had a lovely break with your families and that the Easter Bilby paid a visit with some treats on Easter Sunday! It’s always nice to start the term with a short week to ease back into routines, and it seems like everyone has settled in well.

We’ve got a busy and exciting term ahead. Last week, we held our ANZAC Day commemoration and it was a meaningful and respectful event. Our student leaders did a fantastic job guiding the ceremony and our students showed great maturity throughout. A special thankyou to Mrs Gane and Ms Neubecker for organising the event and supporting our leaders behind the scenes.

Over the past two weeks, I’ve had the chance to visit our classrooms every day and see some wonderful learning in action. It’s an important time in the term as we begin new units and I’ve been especially impressed by the way students talk about their learning. They’ve been able to explain not only what they’re working on but why it matters and how they plan to keep improving. In English, students are focusing on writing information reports on a wide range of topics — everything from early settlers to cassowaries! It’s great to see their enthusiasm for researching and sharing factual information.

This Friday is the TCN Cross Country with quite a few of our students participating. We know they’ll represent our school with pride and give it their best effort. Families are very welcome to come along and cheer them on — we’d love to see you there!

Be sure to check the events calendar below so you don’t miss any of the great activities coming up over the next few weeks.

Wishing you a great week ahead, and I hope to see you around the school soon! 

Kind regards,

Invoices

A friendly reminder to pay any outstanding invoices, our preferred payment method is BPOINT. There are still a large number of unpaid Student Resource Scheme Fees, invoiced at the start of the year, including Instrumental Music fees. A statement will be sent out to all families this month, please contact us if you have any queries on these. 

If you would like to set up a payment plan, contact our office on 4058 9222 or send an email to principal@freshwaterss.eq.edu.au

Student of the Week (2)

Kind regards,

Abby, Lexie, Natasha and Sam

Administration Team 

Our enrolments are now open for 2026. If you have a child starting next year, pop into the office for our forms, or click here to download them.

Our Year 6 Teachers are busy organising the Year 6 Camp. This year it will take place in Term 3, Week 3 from Tuesday 29th July until Friday 1st August.

Further information and invoices will be sent out in the coming week for this.

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 wellbeing.

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 teacher 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 Lazz to get more information and or 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

Nikki Lazzaroni

Specialist Teacher - Digital Literacy

Choral Fanfare

Freshwater State School is participating in the Creative Generation Choral Fanfare for the first time in 2025 on Friday 16^th May (Week 4).  Choral Fanfare is the biennial choral festival for Queensland state schools which promotes and celebrates school-based choral music programs. It showcases the outstanding vocal talents in Queensland's state schools through performance.

Choral Fanfare aims to:

• offers students, as well as conductors, the experience of expert adjudication and feedback
• provides students with the opportunity to perform alongside choirs from other state schools
• highlights school-based choirs
• promotes excellence in choral performance.

This year’s choral fanfare will take place at Edge Hill State School’s Performing Arts Centre.

Our Junior Choir is scheduled to perform at 12:00pm and Senior Choir to perform at 12:45pm.  No tickets are required but parents are urged to come early.  Access will be available on Pease St to the Edge Hill Performing Arts Centre.  Please note the school car-park and stop drop go zone will not be open to members of the public so parking will need to be sourced in surrounding streets near the school.

If your child is participating in this event, please ensure all consent forms are completed and invoices paid by Friday 9^th May.  Students will wear their music performance uniform.  Some communication has been sent home regarding additional rehearsals leading up to this performance.  Please check your emails or contact Mrs Howell at school if you have any further queries about this event.

Kind regards,

Reading Passports

The journey has begun!

For the duration of Term 2, students are invited to join the adventure.

On completion of each Library 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, reading from a variety of genres or collecting ‘clues’ from the Library on where to travel next. The first student from each class (grades 4-6) will receive a coveted book prize.

Reading Passports may be collected from the Library, during class borrowing time or first and second break.

Well done to Sienna 2NJ and Isabelle 3SS for being the first students to complete their passport. Both have the goal to complete 6 passports this term!

Creative Helper Needed

Calling any parent/s with a creative hand! I need your help with our display for the Term 3 Book Week celebrations. Email aglas28@eq.edu.au or drop into the Library and we can chat about artwork for next term.

‘A library is infinity under a roof’

-Gail Carson Levine, writer-

Yours in literary adventures,

Amanda Glaspy

Library Officer

TCN

Congratulations to Zak 4TP for being selected in the TCN 10-11 years Rugby League team. He will now represent the district at the upcoming Peninsula 10-11 years trials. Well done Zak.

Congratulations to Lucy 6GH and Tessa 6NL for being selected in the TCN 10-12 Years Hockey team. They will now represent the district at the Peninsula 10-12 Years Hockey trials. Good luck girls.

Congratulations to the following students for being selected in Peninsula School Sport 10-12 years teams.

Tessa 6NL – Hockey

Ned 5KT – Basketball

Victoria 5KT– Australian Football

They will now represent the region at the Queensland Representative School Sport State Championships later this term.

Before School Running

Kristen Knight

Specialist Teacher - P.E

Freshwater OSHC Enrolments Now Open

Looking for a safe, fun, and nurturing space for your child before and after school? Freshwater OSHC is still taking enrolments for 2025. Our inclusive and thoughtful program is the perfect place for your child to learn, grow, and thrive outside school hours.

Complete your enrolment here:
https://prodadmin.myxplor.com/enrollment_v2/centre/gALTsRytI7EQx5Rt2l3mIQ

Please see below our updated enrolment checklist.

Important Enrolment Information

Avoid common mistakes and speed up your enrolment:

✅ Upload a copy of your child's birth certificate

✅ Upload a copy of your child's immunisation history statement

❌ Enrolments cannot be finalised without these documents

Need help? Trouble uploading or your child isn’t immunised?
Email us at: oshcbookings@freshwaterpandc.com.au

Parent Information Session

Join us to learn more about the program, Understand Bookings etc, and ask questions.

Date: 9^th May 2025 & 26^th May
Time: 4pm for both sessions

Location: Freshwater State School Conference Room next to the Library. 

Whether you're a new family or returning, we can't wait to meet you and share what makes Freshwater OSHC such a special place to be.

Warm regards,

Taylah Maynard
OSHC Coordinator
Freshwater State School P&C Association

Thank you

It has been a busy start to the term at the tuckshop.

We would like to thank our new and existing volunteers who have given up their valuable time to assist us. We welcome new volunteers to visit the tuckshop if interested in helping, even for a short period, all help is very much appreciated.

Sushi Time

We will hold a Sushi Day on Tuesday 13th May. Please see below for details. 

Mel, Gail, Tomo and Kat

Tuckshop Team