FROM THE HEAD OF PRIMARY

It is wonderful to welcome parents and students back for Term 3 after a well-earned break.  Except for a few rainy days, I hope you were able to take advantage of the amazing weather on the Sunshine Coast, and for those who travelled, I hope you had a chance to make memories.

All families should have been able to access report cards from the last day of term.  If you have had difficulty with this, please let your child’s Class Teacher know or the relevant Dean - Mrs Brutnell P-2 or Mr Anderson 3-6.  If you have any immediate questions for the Class Teacher, please make an appointment. Later in the term, you will receive an invitation to Parent Teacher Interviews, to meet with teachers to discuss your child’s development.

On Tuesday, we were fortunate to have Susan McLean speak with Year 5 and 6 students and parents. Susan sent a very strong message about the importance of online safety.  One very important message that she shared with students was that under laws in Australia, students under 13 should not be signed up to a social media account, and that if students have signed up, then they have not been honest in accepting the terms and conditions. She also spoke candidly about the fact that many students have “friends online” whom they have never met in person, and as such, there is no guarantee that this “friend” is who they claim to be. Many students were not aware of the potential dangers associated with online activities, nor the need to protect their personal information. There was certainly a message there for all of us who were fortunate to hear Susan speak. Thank you to those parents who attended; please spread the message to others who may not have had the opportunity to attend.

Our Primary URSTRONG Program assists our commitment to building a culture of kindness and equipping our students with the skills they need to develop healthy, feel-good friendships.  Our Primary Friendship Week and Assembly in Week 3 provide a wonderful promotion of this program within the school community.  Mrs Brutnell and Mr Anderson have sent communication to our families through the Primary Parent GECO Page this week. Parents are invited to explore the range of resources to understand the messages and strategies we develop for our students.

We have been quite pleased with the appearance of Primary Students and their uniforms in the first half of the year.  It is important that students continue to do their best to present themselves correctly, wearing the appropriate uniform to school each day.  It is valuable to start off Term 3 with a focus on supporting students to wear and take pride in their uniform, and we thank parents for their support.  The Student Journal and Family Handbook provides details for families if there are any questions regarding uniforms.

An important day for student presentation is on School Photo Day, which will be held on Wednesday, 20 August for the Primary School.  Information will be distributed soon.

Term 3 always provides many activities and events for both students and families, and we look forward to partnering with you at this very exciting and productive time.

Year 5 Camp

Best wishes to the students and staff attending the Year 5 Camp next week. Camps are a very important element of the school year; they offer unique educational opportunities outside the traditional classroom setting and provide students with the chance to engage in hands-on learning experiences that are not possible within school walls.

Camps also foster personal growth and development. They encourage students to step out of their comfort zones, build resilience and develop independence; simply being away from home can significantly boost self-confidence and adaptability.

Camp experiences strengthen social bonds among students and between students and teachers.  These bonds often extend back to the school environment, enhancing classroom dynamics and creating a more supportive and inclusive community.

Most importantly, if I am to believe the recollections of the Lifelong Learners on Foundation Day, camps create memories that students cherish for years to come.  Such memories not only enrich their school life but also contribute to their overall happiness and wellbeing.

Thank you to the staff and parents for your support of this important program.

Have a wonderful Term 3.

Craig Angel
Head of Primary School