21 March 2025

What’s Happening

Principal’s Report

Hello wonderful Southport community,

Since our last newsletter, a lot of our students, and some parents, would have experienced their first cyclone. It certainly had some scary moments and I shudder to think what a Category 5 Cyclone must be like!

It was great to return to school on Tuesday after last week’s natural disaster. Our thoughts go out to those families whose properties sustained damage during the cyclone along with those who endured extremely long periods without power.

Thank you to our teaching and support staff who returned to work, under difficult circumstances. Our cleaners and Joel worked tirelessly to ensure that our school was safe for the return of our students.

We were one of the fortunate schools. Unfortunately, we lost 6 large trees but fortunately they fell the right way away from infrastructure or were compromised and dealt with promptly. Apart from this, we had some minor leaks and some shade sail damage on our Junior Playground.

Primary Schools Captain Summit – Runaway Bay Sport and Leadership Excellence Centre

On Tuesday afternoon of this week, I had the privilege to visit and support our School Captains present their legacy speech in front of 17 school principals and even our Regional Director Mr John Norfolk. I was extremely proud of the way that Erika, Zoe and David presented their idea of creating a positivity wall and how they linked this concept to our Annual Implementation focus areas of wellbeing and inclusion. I look forward to supporting our captains throughout this innovative legacy project.

Please see below for a short summary of the 2-day leadership camp from our captains’ perspectives.

Erika:
Leadership camp was a great experience that I will never forget. It gave me the opportunity to develop my leadership skills, challenge myself, and bond with students from other schools. I enjoyed the team-building activities and the workshops that focused on effective communication. The camp also took me to step out of my comfort zone, and that helped me to grow. Overall, it was an inspiring and empowering experience that taught me valuable life lessons.

P&C Annual General Meeting 2025

Last week, the P&C met for our Annual General Meeting followed by the General Meeting. Our call to arms was somewhat successful as we had a strong turnout and may need to relocate in future to fit us all. Thank you to all of those who attended. By joining the P&C, you not only support your child's educational experience but also contribute to the growth and success of our school. Your unique perspectives, skills, and enthusiasm are valuable assets that can enhance the learning environment.

A special mention goes out to the below community volunteers who filled the Executive Positions:

President - Donna McGee
Vice President - Matt Anderson
Treasurer - Abby Howard
Secretary - Melissa Anderson
Secretary - Marcia Farrell

Partnerships of Learning Week 9

If you are reading this as soon as it is published, and you have not made a 15-minute booking for next week, you now only have 2 or so hours to action as bookings close today at 3.00pm.

A range of interview times with your child's teacher will be available to book in SOBS until 21^st March at 3.00pm.

Your child would love to share a piece of work that they are particularly proud of as well as you being able to discuss some current goals your child is working on. By attending these short sessions, you are demonstrating to your child that you value their educational efforts and are willing to work in a partnership to support their outcomes.

The partnership of learning teacher, student, and parent model has been extremely successful over the past few years and we would love for every family to make a booking.

Have a wonderful final fortnight of Term 1 – what a ride! Your child is nearing completion on one quarter of their school year already!

Andrew Stewart
Principal

Deputy Principal Junior 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 8 & 9 PBL focus value is RESPECTFUL.

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.

Why Is Sleep Important?

Sleep is essential for growth, immunity, learning and memory and is important for helping a child heal and recover. Healthy sleep means a good quantity and quality of sleep, with regular sleep routines.

What Happens If Your Child Does Not Get Enough Sleep

A child who does not get enough healthy sleep may experience difficulties with concentration, memory, regulating their emotions, organising tasks and creative thinking. These children may be easily distracted, irritable, disruptive or generally hyperactive and restless. A lack of healthy sleep has been linked to mental health problems, poor growth, excessive weight gain, and reduced school performance.

How Much Sleep Should Your Child Get?

For more information and tips on “GOOD SLEEP HABITS” go to

Attendance

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.

Gabrielle Baldwin
Deputy Principal Junior School

HOPL Report

Impacts of Screen Time

We have all heard the warnings, but realistically, what are the impacts of screen time? I came across a piece that shared the below impacts of screen time;

1. Screen time disrupts sleep and desynchronizes the body clock. Children may therefore be tired during the day and unable to sleep at night.
2. Screen time desensitizes the brain’s reward system. Children may be less able to; focus, feel well, feel motivated and experience pleasure or joy.
3. Screen time produces “light-at-night.” Studies have proven this can link to depression and in some cases suicide.
4. Screen time induces stress reactions. This can increase irritability and mood regulation.
5. Screen time overloads the sensory system, fractures attention, and depletes mental reserves. Poor focus can at times be a factor behind explosive behaviour.
6. Screen-time reduces physical activity levels and exposure to “green time.” Physical activity and outdoor play can reduce aggression, restore attention and decrease stress levels.

To see the full blog written by Victoria L. Dunckley M.D., click the link below;

Poppy Verrall
Head of Personalised Learning

Guidance Officer

The Gold Coast City Council provides many opportunities for parents to keep their kids entertained with the Active and Healthy holiday program.

All activities are free or low cost with something different on offer each holiday. The autumn holiday program is released approximately two weeks before the end of term. To get an email delivered direct to your inbox subscribe on their website.

Happy Holidays!

Marisa Anderson

Student of the Week Award – Week 4 Term 1

Student of the Week Award – Week 5 Term 1

Student of the Week Award – Week 6 Term 1