Newsletter 21 February 2025

What’s Happening

Principal’s Report

Hello wonderful Southport community. We have had a very settled start to 2025. It has been inspiring seeing the students across the school from Prep to Year 6 embrace new routines and work in new teams and groupings. The promise a new school year brings is always exciting and I look forward to each and every one of our student’s demonstrating growth. I have visited every classroom and focussed on introducing myself to our new students. We really have some amazingly positive new students which I welcome to our wonderful community.

Queensland Women’s Week

Queensland Women’s Week (QWW) on 2 to 9 March, recognises the successes and achievements of women and girls across the state. It is a time to unite, celebrate, and march forward for progress in women’s equality and economic security. I’d like to recognise the many wonderful women and girls that I am privileged to work with within our school community as well as at home and in my personal life.

It’s a time for us all to stand together and recognise the incredible achievements of Queensland women while striving for a brighter, more inclusive future.

You can find event details and resources at: 

Let’s celebrate and continue to move forward, together. #QWW2025 #WomeninQLD #MarchForward #IWD2025

NAPLAN – Years 3 and 5

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national proficiency standards. NAPLAN will commence on 12 March 2025, in Term 1. Visit nap.edu.au for more information.

Road Safety Focus - 2025

As we strive to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, we kindly request your cooperation in adhering to road rules and etiquette during drop-off and pick-up times. With the hustle and bustle of the morning or afternoon rush, it's crucial that we all remain vigilant and considerate of one another to maintain a safe environment for everyone.

Please remember to observe speed limits, utilize designated drop-off zones, and avoid double parking or stopping in no-parking areas. Currently, the biggest issue is that of cars parking in the bus stop area in the afternoons and blocking access to the afternoon buses. I kindly request that this cease in the interests of safety.

Additionally, we encourage patience and courtesy towards other drivers and pedestrians to facilitate a smooth flow of traffic. Let's work together to prioritise the safety of our children and promote responsible road behaviour. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Finally, a reminder that these areas are traffic enforceable as it is not our property. Both police and The Gold Coast City Councils are responsible for issuing infringement notices.

With such a great start to the year, we are extremely excited for 2025. Thank you if you took the time to attend the Week 4 Parent Information Sessions and trust that you gained a better understanding of how your child’s classroom operates. Next time I pen a newsletter item, I am hoping to introduce our replacement Deputy Principal. Have a great fortnight everyone.

Andrew Stewart
Principal

Deputy Principal’s Report

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

At Southport State School, we promote and encourage the following values which have been identified by our school community. These values are upheld by both students and staff:

“I am a Learner, I am Respectful, I am Safe”

Each week students engage in a PBL focus lesson. These lessons promote the school values and we talk to students about the behaviours associated with them.

What are the benefits of using the PBL framework?

• PBL helps schools to be consistent in the way they support and respond to behaviour. 
• PBL enables schools to develop clear expectations and boundaries for behaviour and ensures that behaviour support is differentiated according to need.

The week 3 & 4 PBL focus value was Safe: When I am online, I will communicate respectfully and speak up and report any harmful content to make the internet a safer place.

Southport State School is committed to providing quality education for all in a safe, respectful and disciplined learning environment. We believe these values teach and promote our high standard of responsible behaviour.

NAPLAN  *Updated schedule

Students in Years 3 and 5 will sit for the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests throughout week 8 & 9, across the 9 day testing window, from Wednesday 11^th March – Monday 25^th March. Classes are scheduled on the below days to complete the writing, reading, conventions of language and numeracy tests.

Please ensure your child arrives at school before 8.55am, to set them up for a positive start to school. If, for any reason, your child arrives after 8.55am, please direct them to the administration attendance window in the administration building to collect a late slip before going to class. This process is to ensure your child is not marked absent on the class roll. When obtaining the late slip, the attendance officer will ask the reason for lateness which must be entered onto the roll system.

If you have concerns regarding your child’s attendance, please contact the office on 5531-9111 to make an appointment to speak with your child’s Deputy Principal.

School Bell Time Reminder

First bell at 8.50am: get ready for learning – have a drink, go to the toilet
Second bell at 8.55am: learning begins
First break bell at 10.55am: playtime followed by eating
Second break bell at 1.35pm: playtime followed by eating
Last bell at 2.55pm: end of school day

2025 Academic Awards

In Term 4, we will be hosting our annual Awards Ceremony. Students from Prep – Year 6 will be eligible to receive an award. We will hold two separate ceremonies. Prep – Year 3 and Year 4 – Year 6. The following excerpt details the awards that will be presented at the ceremony, and the criteria that will used to determine recipients.

Academic Award – Prep

This award will be presented to high achieving students in the learning areas of English and mathematics combined. Students receive points according to the set formula: A/VH=5pts, B/H= 4pts, C/S=3pts. Students who achieve 18 – 20 points (inclusive) will be presented with an Academic Award.

*New students in Semester 2 who achieve 9 - 10 points (inclusive) will be presented with an Academic Award.

Academic Award – Year 1 to Year 6

This award will be presented to high achieving students in the learning areas of English, mathematics and science combined. Students receive points according to the set formula: A/VH=5pts, B/H= 4pts, C/S=3pts. Students who achieve 27 – 30 points (inclusive) will be presented with an Academic Award.

*New students in Semester 2 who achieve 14 – 15 points (inclusive) will be presented with an Academic Award.

The Performing Arts Award – Music/Dance/Drama combined

To achieve this award, students are required to achieve an ‘A’ for each semester of study of the learning areas.

*New students that enrol in Semester 2 are required to achieve an “A” for their semester of study.

Health and Physical Education

To achieve this award, students are required to achieve an ‘A’ for the semester of study that is assessed.

Languages – Chinese

To achieve this award, students in Year 5 and Year 6 respectively are required to achieve an ‘A’ for each semester of study.

*New students that enrol in Semester 2 are required to achieve an “A” for their semester of study.

Technologies

To achieve this award, students are required to achieve an ‘A’ for each semester of study.

*New students that enrol in Semester 2 are required to achieve an “A” for their semester of study.

Humanties and Social Sciences

To achieve this award, students are required to achieve an ‘A’ for each semester of study.

*New students that enrol in Semester 2 are required to achieve an “A” for their semester of study.

Excellence in Sport

These awards will be presented to students who represented the school at a Regional, State or National competition.

Skippa Spirit Awards

This award will be presented to 1 student per class (composite classes will select 1 student from each year level) who:

• maintains persistence and effort on a daily basis both in and out of the classroom
• best exemplifies and upholds the values of our school – Learner, Respectful, Safe
• maintains a school attendance rate of at least 90% (excludes absence from significant medical conditions/ significant family trauma event)
• demonstrates a positive attitude towards learning, striving constantly to improve and achieve
• represents the school positively at school and in the community
• consistently wears the correct school uniform

Exemplary Behaviour

These awards will be presented to students who meet the below criteria:

1. NO Major behaviours recorded
2. Report card Behaviour rating is ‘Excellent’ in Semester 1 and Semester 2
3. Received 60 or more Little Roos each term

HOPL Report

Eyes and Ears

As we progress through the term and further into the year, there will be times when you find yourself in discussion with your child’s classroom teacher. Often these conversations will bear great news, however, there may also be times when the topic of discussion will be around concerns and these conversations will be geared more so around problem solving and working together to support your child. Checking students’ hearing and vision is most often the first point of call when looking into the cause behind difficulties children may be experiencing. The reason behind this is that if a student is having difficulty hearing or seeing, this will cause a ripple effect for many other aspects of their schooling lives (for example curriculum, social, communication). If you feel that your child may benefit from having their eyes and ears checked, Specsavers offer free eye tests to determine whether your child is having difficulties with vision. All you need to do is pop down to your local store and book an appointment.

Poppy Verrall
Head of Personalised Learning

Head of Curriculum

Respectful Relationships Education (RRE)

The Department’s Prep to Year 12 ‘Respect Relationships Education’ is aligned with the Australian Curriculum and supports students to develop the skills and knowledge they need to build and maintain healthy, positive relationships. Respectful relationships education in schools, and educating children and young people about healthy and respectful relationships at home, is an important strategy for helping to prevent and reduce domestic, family and sexual violence.

RRE in Prep to Year 2

Students develop the capacity to understand and self-regulate their emotions in ways that account for their feelings and the feelings of others. They also develop skills to initiate social interactions.

The content explores the people who are important to these young students and develops their capacity to initiate and maintain respectful relationships in different contexts, including at school, at home and in the classroom. Students explore their own sense of self and the factors that contribute to and influence their identities. They learn about emotions and how to enhance their interactions with others as they grow older, including seeking, giving and denying permission (consent).

RRE in Years 3 to 6

The Respect program's focus broadens to include the knowledge, understanding and skills required to support students' wellbeing and that of their family and friends. Personal and social skills take on an increasing importance as they look to family, peers and the community for role models. Students begin to explore personal and social factors that support and contribute to their identities, and assist in the management of emotional responses in a range of situations over time. Students develop knowledge, understanding and skills that help them build and maintain respectful relationships, including seeking, giving and denying permission (consent).

You can find out more about Respect on the RRE Hub and through this flyer: ‘Role of parents and carers in building respectful relationships.

Inform and Empower

This term, our students will be engaging with the Inform & Empower Cyber Safety & Digital Wellbeing program. Please find attached Term 1 parent tip sheets to help support your child at home.

Typing skills (keyboarding)

Learning keyboarding skills is vital for today’s learners and tomorrow’s earners. There are many free online websites students can use to improve their typing. Here are some students could try at home:

Typing Bee
Dance Mat Typing
Typing Club
Typing Rockets.

These websites provide a great way to build the foundational typing skills that today’s primary school curriculum requires. Students with good keyboarding skills are more able to collaborate with peers, publish projects digitally, or simply play games to learn.

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake.

NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents/carers to see how their child is progressing against national proficiency standards.

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with additional information about students’ educational progress.

Our Year 3 and 5 students have completed practice tests this week, with an aim to develop the digital skills required to complete NAPLAN. Students will complete the NAPLAN tests beginning on 12 March, 2025.

NAPLAN information for parents is available on the National Assessment Program website.

Tania Biddulph
Head of Curriculum

Music

Congratulations Yukari!

The Music Department is so proud to announce that our Year 6 student, Yukari Abe, auditioned and was accepted to play 1^st violin in the Gold Coast Youth Orchestra.

This is a major achievement for Yukari to be playing at this level amongst some of the best violinists on the Gold Coast.

Yukari began playing violin in Year 2 and from Year 3 has been a part of our string program here at school.

Yukari learns violin here at school with Ms Ferrers, who is a very dedicated strings teacher.

Yukari is also learning cello and flute in our school music programs and she is Choir Captain this year.

We wish Yukari all the very best in her new endeavour and as she is a committed music student with practice and passion, she can only keep reaching for those stars.

Julie Burnett

Guidance Officer

Free Home Internet

School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI), was established by the Australian Government to provide free home internet for unconnected families with school‑aged students.

• New families eligible for the SSBI will receive free home internet until 30 June 2028. Families who have already signed up for the initiative will have their service automatically extended until 30 June 2028 (no further eligibility checks will be required).

Families are able to self-nominate through the National Referral Centre. The National Referral Centre can also provide families assistance with nomination details and contacting and arranging a service provider if required. The contact details for the NRC are:

1800 954 610 (10am-6pm Mon-Fri AEDT)

Enquire online or Webchat and call-back options are also available via the website.

Note: The website allows the online form to be translated into another language.

Marisa Anderson

Student of the Week Award – Week 2 Term 1