Hello Everyone

What an amazing school we have.  Our staff, students and community make our days the best they can be – it clarifies for me, the ‘why’ behind why I do my job.

Curriculum News

Our staff work continuously to ensure that our students have access to the Australian Curriculum with an engaging curriculum.  Next week our staff will be taken off class to work with our Head of Curriculum to plan for term 3.  We are completing this planning early so as to seamlessly facilitate the transition from our previous reading program, Reading to Learn, to the Science of Reading which looks at reading across and within all areas of the curriculum, providing increased clarity for the teaching of reading for our staff.  The Science of Reading aligns with the Department of Education’s Equity and Excellence Strategic Plan and was an area highlighted by our recent school review.  I look forward to sharing our progress as we implement this pedagogical practise across 2025.

QASSP Conference

At the start of this week, I was able to attend the annual QASSP Conference, Queensland Associate of State School Principal’s.  As a professional development, it is one of the best a school leader can attend.  I would like to share a couple of highlights, these are ideas, that we have known, however it is always affirming to hear them:

• Each individual student has their own ‘superpower’ – as leaders in curriculum and pedagogy, students are our core business. Knowing our students’ superpowers will enable their potential to be reached.
• Wellbeing = Energy – wellbeing is not a luxury that we should ‘wait’ to have. Such as, I will be happy at the end of the term when I have time off – the time to be happy is now.  Energy is the barometer of how people feel.  Use your energy levels to gauge the progress of your day, week, month and year.

National Volunteer Week 19-25^th May

Next week we celebrate the power of volunteering to bring people together with the theme ‘Connecting Communities’.

We would like to acknowledge the spirit of connection and the incredible impact volunteers have in building inclusive and thriving communities.

Please join us in thanking all members of our P&C and volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes, to assist in providing a safe and caring environment for high quality learning to occur.

Yours in Learning,

It’s been another busy fortnight in the lower school with students engaged in their learning and demonstrating our school values both in and out of the classroom with being a safe, respectful learner.

A huge thank you to our wonderful Prep team for organising a lovely Mother’s Day morning tea last Friday. It was great to catch up with so many families who were able to attend and spend some quality time with your child in Prep. The gift bags were very special with some lovely handwritten gifts from our students. 

Our clubs are running most days as the weather improves and more and more younger students and joining in with hula hoop and skipping club, improving on their gross motor skills when using this equipment whilst coordinating their body to use it effectively. 

Congratulations to all our students in Prep to Year 3 who are hitting new home reading milestones each and every day and collecting your prize and certificate from the library. We have some students who have now read more than 75 nights already which is an incredible achievement so early in Term 2, keep up the tremendous effort!

 As Dr. Seuss wisely penned, ‘The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.’  Reading for pleasure is a skill that will safely carry your child to success well into their adult life, broadening their horizons and opportunities.

Click the link to find out more about “The Importance of 10 Minutes a Day”

I’ve enjoyed visiting the Prep rooms where students are practicing their fine motor skills with pencil grip and letter formation and using scissors and glue to successfully complete tasks. In Year 1, students are working with 2-digit numbers to partition using concrete materials and represent amounts using numerals and concrete objects and MAB blocks. Year 2 students have been learning about life cycles and unpacking some interesting vocabulary in science and learning how to successfully spell these scientific words. In Year 3, students are learning to summarize from a piece of text and take notes so they can eventually write a report independently. Finally, our Year 3 students will attend an exciting live performance of David Walliams ‘Ratburger’ at CPAC today, we do hope our students enjoy the performance. Thank you to Mrs Nobbs and the Year 3 team for organising a wonderful opportunity for our students to attend this show.

Finally, students in 1HB have worked on a small presentation to showcase their amazing diagrams on frogs and share some facts. Click on the link to see this awesome video of students in 1HB.

Have a great weekend,

Dear Families

What an exciting and energetic term it has been so far at our school! There is a real buzz around the playground and classrooms, and I’m thrilled to share a few highlights with you.

New Sports Equipment – Thank You, P&C!

We are incredibly grateful to our amazing P&C for their generous donation of brand-new sports equipment for use during lunch breaks. The new gear has transformed our lunchtime activities – from soccer balls to skipping ropes there’s something for everyone to enjoy. It’s wonderful to see students across all year levels engaged in active play, building friendships and staying healthy. Thank you to the P&C for supporting our students’ wellbeing and encouraging a love of sport and physical activity.

Choral Fanfare – A Joyous Celebration of Song

Today, our Year 1 to Year 6 choir students will be performing at the Choral Fanfare held at Edge Hill State School Performing Arts Centre . The large ensemble has been rehearsing diligently and will no doubt showcase their vocal talents, teamwork, and enthusiasm for music. We know they will make us proud as they take the stage and fill the venue with beautiful harmonies. A huge thank you in advance to Mrs Howell for her hard work and to our students for their commitment and passion. We can’t wait to hear how they go!

Friday Athletics – Building Momentum

Every Friday, our students will participate in athletics trials as we prepare for the end-of-term Athletics Carnival. These sessions will provide a wonderful opportunity for students to engage in the events that will culminate with our carnival. Thanks to Mrs Knight and our staff for ensuring these sessions are valuable and run smoothly.

Thank you to all staff, parents and volunteers who continue to support these enriching activities. It’s a joy to see our students learning and growing – in the classroom, on the stage and on the field.

Kind regards,

The first meeting of the Freshwater State School New Multi-purpose Hall Internal Consultative Group was held on Wednesday 23 April 2025 at our school.

The Department of Education has published a community update on the project webpage outlining what was discussed at the meeting, along with a summary of outcomes from a survey the consultative group undertook.

The volunteer consultative group includes parents and carers, P&C members and current school staff who are working closely with the department's infrastructure team as it continues to plan for the delivery of the new multi-purpose hall.

Questions about this project can be sent to BuildingFutureSchools@qed.qld.gov.au.

Updates about the project can be found on the Building Education website.

Thank you to everyone for their commitment to the betterment of our school.

Finance

There are a small number of families with overdue invoices, including annual Student Resource Scheme (SRS) fees, who have been sent reminder notices in the last week. If you have signed an SRS agreement (this is offered to all students at enrolment) and/or excursion consent form, then the school is of the expectation that you will pay the corresponding invoice, and students will participate.

If you are experiencing financial hardship, or have had a change in circumstances, please contact the school office to discuss options, including payment plans.

Enrolments

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.

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

Kind regards,

Abby, Lexie, Natasha and Sam

Administration Team 

We value open and respectful parent/carer communication, to support your child’s learning and engagement. Guidelines are now available to help parents/carers understand the types of information they can expect to receive from state schools and appropriate contact channels.

Find out more about these guidelines in Queensland state schools: https://education.qld.gov.au/parents-and-carers/positive-school-culture

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 shortly.

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

Kind regards,

Nikki Lazzaroni
Specialist Teacher- Digital Literacy

Choral Fanfare 

The Freshwater State School Junior and Senior Choirs will be performing in the Choral Fanfare at Edge Hill State School today.  

Cairns and District Junior Eisteddfod Performances in Week 10

The Freshwater State School Senior Choir, Concert Band and Strings Ensemble will be competing in this year’s Cairns and District Junior Eisteddfod at the Cairns Performing Arts Centre.  Please save the following dates in your calendar:

Monday 23^rd June – Afternoon Session M13 – Instrumental Performances

Wednesday 25^th June -  Morning Session M18 – Choral Performances

Tickets can be purchased for this event ahead of time through www.ticketLINK.com.au or at the venue on the day.  More communication about this excursion will be coming out soon.

Uniform requirements for the Eisteddfod are as follows;

• School music polo shirt
• Black dress trousers or black full length skirt
• Black socks if wearing black pants or opaque black stockings if wearing the skirt.
• Black dress shoes (not sneakers)
• Any hair accessories (bows, ribbons, headbands etc.) to be colour matched to the uniform (green). All long hair to be pulled back from the face.

We are looking forward to the experience of performing on a community stage!! 

Yours in music,

Congratulations

Amazing Congratulations to George W (6NL), Claire W (5/6NT), Oliver D (5KT), Nina W(5GC), Evangeline S (5KA) for all being selected in the Peninsula 10-19 years Cross Country team. They will now represent the region at the Queensland Representative School Sport State Cross Country Championships in Brisbane in July. Riley B (6GH) has also been selected as a shadow for the team. Well done to you all.

Kristen Knight

Specialist Teacher - P.E

Reading Passports

Congratulations to these students who have already completed their Passport!  Please continue to encourage your child to visit the Freshwater State School Library to borrow, read and return. Below; Isabelle 3SS and Sienna 2NJ, have already successfully completed multiple Reading Passports. Well done!

National Simultaneous Storytime – May 21^st    

On Wednesday 21st, classes will be able to watch the live reading of The Truck Cat at 12noon or view the recording during the week at class borrowing time. Multiple copies of The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel are available for both teacher and student to read in the Library. If you would like more information about this national event, please go to ALIA.

Reminder Notices via email

Tuesday of each week, an automated overdue email is sent out. These emails are to help busy families stay on track with their borrowing. If you are unable to find an overdue Library book, please email aglas28@eq.edu.au

Sora eBooks and Audio Books

The Sora Digital Library contains over 60,000 eBooks and audiobooks. These include fiction and non-fiction reading material, available 24/7 on PC, laptop or mobile device.

For those students who have joined us this year, follow the 4 easy steps outlined in this image.

Remember your school is Education Queensland (step 2).

And if your child is unsure of their MIS ID (step 3) try the term User Name instead.  It is the same User Name they access Information Technologies with at school.  If you are unsure of anything, please feel free to contact me in the Library.

Yours in literary adventures,

Amanda Glaspy

Library officer

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:  26^th May
Time: 4pm 

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

Donut Day 

National Donut Day will be celebrated at the tuckshop on Tuesday, 3rd June.  

Mel, Gail, Tomo and Kat

Tuckshop Team

As we are now moving into the cooler time of the year, it will start to get a bit chilly!  Come and see Kyla in the Uniform Shop to purchase a School Jacket!.

Our high demand size 10 and 12 uniforms are also back in stock!

Come and say Hi at the Uniform Shop on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30am-9:00am! Cant wait to see you there.

Don’t have time to make it into the shop? That’s ok you can also make a purchase through the school24 app, with the choice of a delivery to your child’s classroom.

Kind regards,