2025 Term 2 Week 4

1. Welcome to Week 4

Principal's Message

Welcome to the Week 4 newsletter for Term 2! As staff and students begin to work towards their end of semester reporting period, everyone has been busy working to academic excellence in our classrooms. Over the past two weeks, I have had the luxury of stepping into the classrooms and teaching some PE and PLD. It has been great to see the teacher’s instruction routines working faultlessly as the students led me through their learning. It is clear that great teaching and learning is happening at our school.

As we are about to bridge the halfway mark of the term, our whole-school attendance rate for the year is currently sitting at 83.8%. By the end of 2025, we want to see that attendance rate reach 90% across the school. To make this possible, students need to be attending every day unless they are unwell. As we head into the winter months, sickness seems to increase, so please ensure we are practising good hygiene and stay warm.

Just a reminder to all students and parents that before school supervisions only begins at 8:00am when the Teacher Aides begin their duty. Please don’t be at school before 8:00am as no one will be supervising your child/ren.

On Thursday last week, we were finally able to open our new K-2 playground. This playground has been a long time coming for the students of Wallumbilla and it has been great to see all the K-2 students enjoying their play time on the new playground.

Unfortunately, over the past two weeks, there have been a number of students that have been involved in physical misconduct. As per our Student Code of Conduct, physical misconduct is not tolerated at Wallumbilla State School as every student at Wallumbilla deserves to come to school and feel safe.

This week’s wellbeing focus is Looking after Yourself. This focus dives into the importance of getting enough sleep at night. One of the activities the students completed this week is collecting data on the number of hours sleep they had each week.

Ben Meiklejohn - Acting Principal

2. Curriculum Corner

Primary Snapshot

Early Years

Year 1 and 2 students have started the term with many hands-on activities in maths. Year 2 students have been learning to read, write and make times to the o'clock, quarter past, half past and quarter to. Year 1 students have been partitioning numbers using a range of materials like unifex cubes, cups and paddle pops sticks.

Year 5/6 Mathematics

Students have been exploring mathematical modelling by applying their knowledge to real-world problems and scenarios. Through collaborative problem-solving, they are learning how to use mathematics to make predictions and informed decisions. 

3. Health & Wellbeing Matters

Weekly Wellbeing Focus

Using the Berry Street Education Model as our guide, we have as a whole school this term been exploring relationships - developing positive, respectful relationships with peers, teachers, and the wider school community. By focusing on strategies to build trust, empathy, and effective communication, we aim to strengthen students' social-emotional skills and enhance their ability to collaborate and thrive in a supportive learning environment. 

If you would like further information, school diaries outline the schedule of topics and activities that will be completed throughout the year.

SBYH Nurse News

Welcome back from school holidays to all the students, school staff and parents! I trust you all had a wonderful break and are looking forward to Term 2. The School Based Youth Health Nurse (SBYHN) service will be onsite odd week Wednesdays for this term providing classroom lessons for all secondary school students.

Slip Slop Slapping in South West Queensland

While school is returning with a cool change, it’s still important to make sure that all of our students, staff and school community members are properly protected from the sun. Sun protection is important as nearly all skin cancers are preventable and we know that spending extended time in the sun and getting sunburnt, especially in the first 15 years of life, increases the risk of developing skin cancer. To reduce the risk of skin damage and skin cancer, Cancer Council Queensland reminds us that it’s important to think UV, not heat. This is especially important in autumn and winter as we feel cooler, but the sun is still exposing us to UV rays.

When the UV is 3 and above remember to:

• SLIP – on clothing that covers as much skin as possible – longer sleeves, higher necklines and longer style shorts and skirts.
• SLOP – on SPF30+ or SPF50+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen. Apply sunscreen generously (at least half a teaspoon for face, neck and ears and a full teaspoon for arms, legs, back and front of body) 20 minutes before going out in the sun and reapply every 2 hours. Remember that sunscreen doesn’t work as well when it’s past it’s use by date!
• SLAP – on a hat – one that shades your face, neck and ears. Broad-brimmed and bucket hats are best.
• SEEK – shade and where possible, play and have breaks in the shade.
• SLIDE – on some sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard 1067 (written on the side).

There are many apps that can be downloaded to your phone or smartwatch that allow you to easily check the UV at any time of the day. The standard weather app on your phone will also display the UV index.

Skin Checks

Nearly all skin cancers can be successfully treated if found and treated early. But without treatment, skin cancer can be deadly. Remember to check your skin regularly. See your doctor if you notice a freckle, mole or lump that is NEW or CHANGING in size, shape or colour, or a sore that does not heal over 4-6 weeks. Use a mirror to check hard to see spots like your back and scalp, or get a family member, partner, or friend to check for you.

For more information or help on skin cancer prevention visit Cancer Council Queensland’s website: Being Sunsmart - Cancer Council QLD (cancerqld.org.au)

4. Weekly Awards

Students of the Week in Week 3

Week 3 Reading Awards

Students of the Week in Week 4

Week 4 Reading Awards

5. Out and about...

Certificates of Recognition

Thanks to the Clean Up Australia Day team of workers.

Year 3/4 Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM)

This week, our Year 3/4 class had the exciting opportunity to take part in a STEM Day hosted by the Coolumboola Environmental Education Centre. Throughout the day, we built and programmed two different robots: a car robot designed to complete various movement challenges, and a dancing robot that we programmed to respond to music and colours.

Thanks to the Coolumboola Environmental Education Centre for visiting our school. https://columboolaeec.eq.edu.au/about-us 

6. Student Council Notices

Do It For Dolly Day: Thursday 8 May

Do It For Dolly Day is an annual day of awareness and action dedicated to spreading kindness and taking a stand against bullying. Usually on 9 May (Roma Show Holiday this year), the Student Council called on the Wallumbilla School Community to go BLUE on Thursday 8 May. By wearing blue, we hoped to help support young people, their families, and the wider community in navigating bullying, online safety, and mental health challenges.

School Disco: Wear what makes you happy on Thursday 15 May 

7. Arts & Cultural Activity

Instrumental Music

Instrumental Music

Congratulations Mr Cahill on the birth of your second child! We're looking forward to hearing all about your new family member when you're back in Week 5 for usual lessons on Wednesday 21-May, and then on Mondays for the two weeks after that.  

Book Fair: 26-30 May in the school library!

There's not long to go now until Book Fair! Days and times for viewing/purchasing will be announced next week.

Visit https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-fairs/ 

8. Sports Report

Congratulations

Congratulations to the following students for competing and being selected in representative school sport recently:

• Congratulations to Lachie B, Carter P, Ryon B, Lauren H and Jorja T for making it into the R&D Cross Country team competing at the upcoming SW trials in Chinchilla.
• Carter P for being selected in the R&D soccer team.
• Libby M and Lydia G for representing WSS at the SW Touch Trials in Chinchilla.

Well done to these students!

Dates to remember

Important upcoming trials and events:

• R&D 10-12 Cricket Trials – Wednesday 14/05
• R&D 12-14 Girls Rugby League trials – Wednesday 21/05

If you have not yet received information about these upcoming trials, please see Mr Macpherson or Ms Warren at school.

9. Parents & Citizens News

Tuckshop Helpers needed

The P&C is also in need of helpers on a Thursday. Without a helper it's not possible to offer the full menu - so please, if you have the time, come along and give Petrina a hand. 

10. Community Noticeboard