30 May 2025

What’s Happening

Principal’s Report

Good morning wonderful Southport community,

We are now into the back end of Term 2 which is hard to believe. The end of term brings many exciting events ahead which I am looking forward to! These include Junior and Senior Sports Days, Firefighters visit and NAIDOC Week activities. Precise dates can be located in the table above my section.

This term, we are continuing to place a strong emphasis on consistency in our literacy and reading processes across all year levels. Students and teachers have been busy co-constructing learning walls in their classrooms—these will serve as valuable visual tools to support and guide students throughout their learning. Ask your child how these Learning Walls are helping them with their upcoming assessments.

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements. The theme for 2025, Bridging Now to Next, urges us to look ahead and continue to push forward as past lessons guide us. It also calls for Australians to step forward together. This is a time for growth, reflection, and commitment to walking together.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the First Nations Growth Group and any of the volunteers who gave up their lunch times to provide Reconciliation activities over the week. I have provided the activity timetable below and pictures of our seniors writing messages in chalk on Monday.

National Chaplaincy Week

Week 7 marks an annual celebration of School Chaplains and the role they and their volunteers play in championing and caring for their local school community. Chaplaincy Week is all about:

• Raising the profile of school chaplaincy,
• Celebrating the amazing work our chaplains and volunteers do for the young people of Australia.

Chaplaincy Week is the perfect time to show appreciation for our Chappy Matt. Our Chappies often work quietly behind the scenes, offering a listening ear, a helping hand, and a steady source of support to our students, staff, and families. Even if they don't seek the spotlight, a simple "thank you" can mean the world. It’s a chance to acknowledge their dedication and the positive impact they have on our school community. So, whether it's a quick chat, a thoughtful note, or just a genuine smile, we'd love to encourage you to take a moment this Chaplaincy Week to express your gratitude to your Chappy.

Thank you for all that you do Chappy Matt😊

Child Safety Review

The safety, health and wellbeing of all children who attend education and care services is a priority. Now is the time to have your say on options to improve child safety in the education and care sector. Consultation is open until 11 June 2025.

Everyone is encouraged to give feedback, especially educators, staff and volunteers, as well as families, parents and carers (and their children). Click here for the parent, carer and family survey.

Visit https://content.deloitte.com.au/ChildSafetyReview for more information.

Thank you for your continued support. We’re looking forward to a fun-filled and productive remainder to Term 2!

Andrew Stewart
Principal

Deputy Principal Junior Report

Prep Vision Screening

The Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program is coming to your school on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 June. We are a Queensland Government service that offers Free Vision Screening to all children enrolled in Prep. If your child is in Prep and you would like their vision screened and did not fill out a consent form before 16^th May, please see Sonia in the Office.

The following video explains the benefits of having your Prep child’s vision screened – 

“What is Prep Vision Screening?”

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 5 & 6 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.

Gabrielle Baldwin
Deputy Principal Junior School

Deputy Principal Senior Report

Interschool Sport Update

Unfortunately, the past two weeks of Interschool Sport have been cancelled due to rain and wet grounds. We know our Year 5 and 6 students were eager to compete and appreciate their patience and understanding. We’re hopeful for clear skies when the next game day goes ahead in Week 9 – Wednesday, 18th June.

Cross Country Champions

A huge congratulations to our 2025 School Cross Country winners! We were so proud to see students giving their best and cheering each other on. Well done to the following placegetters:

2013 Girls – Lucia, Sadie and Anna
2013 Boys – Toki, Subaru and Lewis
2014 Girls – Hana, Haya and Ilaisaane
2014 Boys – Myles, Pranav and Diego
2015 Girls – Mikaela, Nami and Skyela
2015 Boys – Bay, Limu and Oliver

Year 4 Bike Safety Excursion

Our Year 4 students recently visited the local PCYC to take part in a hands-on bike safety program. Students learned about road rules, safe riding practices, and had the chance to test their skills on bikes. They showed great courage and enthusiasm — well done, Year 4!

David Capill
Deputy Principal Senior School

Head of Curriculum

Semester Reporting – DO WE HAVE YOUR CURRENT EMAIL ADDRESS?

Teachers will be completing Semester 1 Reports later this term. Student reports will be emailed out on Thursday, 26 June. No reports will be handed out prior to this date. If you are unsure about your current email address, please see the ladies in the office.

Report cards will be sent from this email: OneSchool.application@dete.qld.gov.au. We suggest you add this address to your list of safe senders to ensure report card emails aren't sent to the junk folder.

National Simultaneous Storytime

On May 21, our students joined thousands of children from around Australia in the National Simultaneous Storytime. Our students read The Truck Cat written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell. Some of our students enjoyed listening to Mr Stewart, Miss Baldwin and Mr Capill read the story.

Tania Biddulph
Head of Curriculum

News from the Office

QParents is coming in Term 3

Kylie Sztama

Guidance Officer

ESafety – Maximising Parent Controls

How to use parental controls and other tools to maximise online safety in your home.

Know your devices

All the devices that connect to the internet in your home offer lots of benefits. But you also need to understand the risks associated with these devices and how to protect yourself and your family.

Explore how to use parental controls:

• on your home wi-fi network
• built into devices, including computers, mobile devices, gaming consoles and smart TVs
• through third-party software
• in apps and programs, including streaming services, web browsers and search engines

LINK: Follow links below for more detailed information and other resources.

Marisa Anderson

Mind Matters

Intentionally talking with your child each day, even just for a few minutes, can have a big impact. The questions in this infographic are simple conversation starters to help you connect, whether you're chatting at dinner, in the car, or during bedtime. They cover a mix of fun, thoughtful, and meaningful topics to encourage your child to open up, share their feelings, and express themselves. Regular conversations like these help build trust, strengthen your relationship, and support your child’s emotional and social development in a natural, everyday way.

Kiana Bresic
School – based Psychologist

Student of the Week Award – Week 4

Student of the Week Award – Week 5