Dear Grammar Families,

Welcome back to another exciting school year. I trust you had a restful and enjoyable holiday season, whether here on the Sunshine Coast or further afield.

Celebrating 2024 Achievements
As we embark on 2025, it’s fitting to reflect on the exceptional achievements of 2024. Sunshine Coast Grammar School students have once again excelled, with our graduates attaining some of the highest results in Queensland. Special congratulations to our top-performing student, James Luu, and the six students who achieved an ATAR of 99 or above, placing them in the top 1% of the state.

These results reflect the dedication of our students and the expertise of our staff. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this success.

Campus Updates and Developments
Over the break, our campus has been a hive of activity. Stage 1 of our Primary Precinct, designed for Years 1-3, is now complete and ready for the new school year. The thoughtfully designed spaces reflect our commitment to providing vibrant and engaging learning environments.

Stage 2 of the Primary Precinct, catering to Years 4-6, is underway and set for completion in early 2026. We appreciate your patience as we navigate temporary disruptions during this transformative time.

As part of our development, we’ve implemented important bushfire safety measures, including creating a fire trail along Grammar School Way. While some vegetation has had to be cleared, we’re committed to minimising environmental impacts. Initiatives include repurposing trees as mulch, extensive reforestation, and planting $80,000 worth of new trees near the training oval. 

Take a look at what's been happening on campus during the break.

Orientation and Parent Information Sessions
We’re excited to welcome families to our 2025 Orientation Day on Thursday, 23 January. This is open to all new and returning students and will include opportunities to meet teachers, drop off book packs, and learn more about the year ahead. Please register your attendance here.

• Primary Session: 8:45 am – 10:30 am
• Secondary Session: 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

Holiday Highlights
Grammar students have been busy over the holiday break, seizing every moment to accomplish incredible achievements and embracing opportunities.  

Swimming - 2024 Queensland Championships – 14-20 December 2024, Brisbane Aquatic Centre

It was another exceptional performance by the Grammar Swimming Club with 76 swimmers, including 41 Grammar students competing at the Championships. The team finished in 7^th place in the points, the highest of all Sunshine Coast clubs, taking home 5 Gold, 12 Silver and 13 Bronze.

Tennis QLD Primary Schools Cup – January 2025

Two Grammar teams consisting of 14 students qualified for the State Final of the Tennis Queensland Primary Schools Cup with the Red Ball team finishing in first place and crowned the Queensland State Champions. The Orange Ball team finished as runner-up in the State Final.

UK Tour - For three action-packed weeks, over 60 students from Years 9-12 travelled to the UK and France, competing against top schools in netball and rugby.

Beyond the competition, they explored iconic destinations, including London, Edinburgh and Paris, visiting landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre. The tour was an amazing opportunity for growth, teamwork and unforgettable experiences.

Robotics - National Robotics Championships

The school’s senior robotics team, the Iron Lions (#24089), delivered an outstanding performance at the FIRST Tech Challenge in Sydney, earning second place overall and the coveted Innovate Award.

The secondary team, MantaRangers placed 5^th overall and earned the Rising Star Award, while the Primary Hydrogen Lions placed 8^th overall at the FIRST LEGO League National Championships in Gladstone.

2025 Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships – Sydney

Our pool lifesaving athletes have been making waves at their debut Australian Pool Lifesaving Championships in Sydney! Stand-out performances from Luke Y, Owen B and Tom B have seen the team claim numerous medals and finish on the podium.

Primary students Ari W, Jetsun and Zara S have also posted numerous PBs. The team competed across five events, showcasing their skills in 100m Obstacles, 10m Rope Throw Rescue, 100m Manikin Carry, 50m Manikin Tow and 50m Manikin Carry.

Join us for our newly designed 2025 School Orientation and Information Session on Thursday, 23 January. The program includes opportunities to:

• Learn about our school programs and access school services.
• Meet key staff, including Heads of Year and Classroom Teachers.
• Finalise important preparations such as book pack drop-offs (Primary) and BYOD onboarding (Secondary)
• Connect with other families in our school community.

All Sessions will start in Grammar Hall except for Prep families who will need to Head to the Prep Building for an 8:30 am start. 

Additional Information:

• Primary Book Pack Drop-Off: Book packs can also be dropped off in classrooms from Monday, 20 January 2025.
• Entry and Parking: The Grammar School Way entry will be closed on Thursday 23 January. Please enter via Mons Road or Gardenia Place. Additional parking will be available on the top training oval.
• Laptop Onboarding:
  • Year 8–12 students: Individual onboarding is available during Orientation Day.
  • Year 5–7 students: Cohort onboarding will occur in Week 1 of Term

Session Outline
Each session will begin in Grammar Hall (Prep families will meet in the Prep building). Activities include:

1. Welcome Address: By the Principal and Heads of School.
   
2. Introduction to Class Teachers/Heads of Year: At designated locations.
3. Morning Tea: Served at the Rainforest Cafeteria.
4. Explore Grammar Gateways: Support and information on navigating Grammar.

We look forward to welcoming you to Orientation Day and supporting a positive start to the school year.

Uniform Shop Hours
The Uniform Shop will open daily from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm this week. Regular term time trading hours will resume in Week 1.

• Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 7:45 am – 11:00 am
• Tuesday and Thursday: 7:45 am – 4:00 pm

Traffic & Parking
Campus access measures have been updated to ensure student safety. Please adhere to speed limits and traffic directions.

Key enhancements include:

1. A new drop-and-go area at the Aquatic Centre.
2. Right turn access opposite Industrial Tech for looping back to pick-up areas.
3. Parent parking moved to face Grammar Hall for safer pathway access.
4. Chapel plant boxes were removed to improve student visibility.

Parking areas are now marked (applicable for school hours/events only):

• Gold: Parent parking
• Green: Student parking
• Blue: Staff parking

Please use your designated parking area to assist Grammar students and staff in arriving to class on time. Using the Chapel drop-off, Kiss&Go and Secondary Drop&Go areas remain the fastest drop-off process for families.

Please note that the Tear Drop (outside of the main Administration building) remains for PREP drop-off only. Please help us keep our youngest students safe while they learn to exit and enter cars at drop-off and pick-up times.

Please see the below map for further details. We thank you for your continued patience and support as we navigate these changes together.

Kelly Somerville
Director of Operations

We are excited to welcome all new and returning students to the 2025 school year at Orientation this Thursday.

We strongly encourage new families to attend these sessions to learn more about expectations, routines, and opportunities to meet Heads of Year and key staff members. Please note that new students in Years 8-12 are encouraged to bring along their laptops for onboarding at Orientation All Year 7 students will be onboarded together during Week 1, so they are not required to bring their laptops to Orientation.

Day 1 of School Information

• Modified Program: Day 1 of school will follow a modified program. Students don't need to bring all their books and stationery on the first day.
• Uniform: Students are expected to wear their formal summer uniform on Day 1, not the sports uniform.
• Specific information regarding Day 1 arrangements will be provided in communication from the Dean of Students later in the week.

We look forward to working with you to ensure a smooth and successful start to the year for all our Secondary students.

Mr Darren MacLeod-Paterson
Head of Secondary

A special welcome to all our new families, it is wonderful to have you join us. The following communication is aimed at assisting Primary parents with the commencement of schooling on 28 January. 

Following the departure of Mr Vant, Mr Paul Anderson will be the Acting Head of Primary 3-6 for Semester One. Mr Anderson will work closely with students, teachers and parents in Years 3-6 to support students wellbeing and operations in the Primary School. Mr Paul Somerville will be replacing Mr Anderson in 5PA.

Arrival Times Week One

The beginning of the school year is traditionally a very busy time when students return to school and with the current building works your assistance is required to assist in making our morning and afternoons as efficient as possible by following the directions of our Ground Staff.

To allow for late arrivals in this first week, Primary student attendance rolls will not be finalised until 9:00 am.

From Week 2, we will return to regular roll marking processes. 

Pick Up Times

This year, all students in Years 1 to 6 will leave the classroom at 3:05 pm. Students will be walked down to the Kiss and Go and bus areas unless they are met at the classrooms by their parents. Please consider which point of entry into the school you need to utilise when picking up students. Please ensure your child knows the location that you intend to collect them from; this will ensure that they are waiting at the correct area. The Kiss and Go area will continue to operate, as will the drop-off and pick-up option at the front of the Chapel. The Tear Drop traffic zone is only available for Prep pick-up and drop-off. Please see the traffic map above for more details on which entrance you need to enter for the different drop-off and pick-up areas.

Book Pack Drop Off

Families are invited to bring their student/s book packs to school before the first day to avoid doing so on busy school mornings. Book packs can be placed on the bag racks or lockers outside your child’s classroom.  They should be sealed and labelled.

I look forward to seeing new and returning families at the School Orientation and Information Session on Thursday at 8:45 am.

Craig Angel
Head of Primary School