11 March 2025

Principal’s Update

Dear Parents, 

The usual release of our fortnightly school Newsletter was delayed last week due to Cyclone Alfred causing some chaos with school life.  We are well and truly back up and running and very fortunate to have sustained only minor damage around the school. I hope that you and your extended families did not sustain any damage to your properties either.

Our Junior playscape project was due to begin however as you can appreciate has been delayed due to the soggy ground conditions. I will keep you posted regarding the new start date when it comes through.

We have a number of events coming up over the next fortnight which will keep our community busy.

These include:

• Yr 3 & Yr 5 NAPLAN assessments from Wednesday 12 March until Friday 21 March
  Parents of Yr 3 and 5 students can assist your children by ensuring they get a good night’s rest and that they are at school on time each day. The testing is done in the morning and middle sessions of the day with afternoon sessions being used for students who may have been absent.

• Yr 2 & Yr 4 Swimming from Monday 17 March - Friday 21 March
  
  
• Yr 6 Camp to Maranatha from Monday 24 March – Wednesday 26 March
  
  
• Whole School Harmony Day on Friday 21 March – Student Council are asking students to dress in the colours or costume that represent your origin.

2025 P&C Association: 

For every state school the Parents & Citizens Association is a valuable group of people within our school community that assists the school with creating the best possible learning experience for students.  Principals will connect with the P&C group for feedback, ideas, volunteers and assistance with school programs.

Being a member of the P&C Association provides you with a valuable connection and insight into current and future plans that affect all of our students.  Whilst you may not be able to attend every meeting throughout the year, being a member entitles you to receive meeting minutes and also provides you with forum and opportunity through which you can provide input and opinion regarding your child’s school.

Our 2025 P&C AGM will be held on Wednesday 19 March at 6:00pm in our Performing Arts room.

The purpose of the AGM is:

• President’s report is presented highlighting activities of the previous year and a vision for the coming year.
• Sign on our new P&C Association members and
• Elect the 2025 Executive Team

At each AGM, members must elect:

• a president
• at least one vice-president
• a secretary
• a treasurer
• additional officers as may be determined by the Association
• subcommittees can be established or confirmed as continuing.

We would love to see as many of you there as possible and would love you to be members of this valuable group within our school community.

Regards,
Robyn Taplin, Principal

Deputy Principal News

Hello Parents and Caregivers, 

In the coming weeks, our students will focus on key areas of positive behaviour for learning in their classrooms, aligned with our school’s STAR matrix. These foci aim to encourage students to make positive behaviour choices both at school and at home.

Our Whole School STAR Value Lesson Focus:

In Week 7 the PBL classroom focus lesson is: I am an Active Learner.

• I use my strengths as a learner to participate.

In Week 8 and 9 the PBL classroom focus lesson is: I am Thoughtful.

• I am kind. This focus coincides with Just Be Kind Week in week 9.

To support this at home, we encourage you to reinforce these positive behaviours by discussing with your child/children and celebrating their efforts to make thoughtful and respectful choices.

What’s happening at Brightwater State School?

As we approach the final weeks of a fast-moving term, there are many exciting events ahead for our students. Please take note of the following important dates and add them to your calendars.

Week 8
Monday 17 – Friday 21 March - Year 2-4 Swimming

Friday 21 March - Ride 2 School Day
Ride2School is an annual celebration of active travel to school, organised by the Sunshine Coast Council. It encourages students to get physically active and ride or scoot to school. More details soon!

Friday 21 March - Harmony Day
Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. In the spirit of Harmony Day, the Student Council are asking students to bring a gold coin donation on Friday 21 March, to raise money for The Story Dogs, a reading support program that we access at our school. The dress code for the day will be to dress in traditional clothing or colours of a country's flag. Please ensure all clothing is sun safe and school appropriate.

Week 9 
Monday 24 - Friday 28 March - Just Be Kind Week
Our JBK celebration is happening in Week 9. This is a termly event where students focus on the act of kindness and understand the impact this simple act can have on others. More details to follow.

Kindness matters!

Regards,
Jo Rothwell, Acting Deputy Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

What a week it was with the weather. Natural phenomena always unpredictable and we are glad that our Brightwater community was calm and safe throughout this interesting time. We would have hoped to have sent the newsletter out earlier however it was not meant to be.

Couple of quick notes:

• Yr 3 & 5 NAPLAN begins on Wednesday. Your child requires a headset for NAPLAN and they use it during other learning times as well. Handy to have if you haven't already got a set.
  
  
• Yr 6 Camp - the countdown is on and it is only 2 weeks away, reminder payment and permission required. We are also asking families to begin the task of providing the medical needs for your child whilst away at camp. Please see our wonderful First Aid officers in the office for paperwork.
  
  
• SeeSaw - staff are using SeeSaw as another platform for communication, if you haven't got it or need to know more please talk with your child's teacher.
  
  
• Swimming coming up for Yr 2,4, 3 and 5 - reminder permission and payment required.

Have a great fortnight everyone.

Yours in gratitude,
Phil Theofanes, Deputy Principal

Sport News

Coastal District Team Trials

Coastal District Swimming

Last week we had the Coastal District Swimming Trials. Congratulations to all Brightwater State School students who represented our school at this event. Every student gave 100% in all the races they competed in. Congratulations to the following student who placed in their race:

• Lucia – 1^st in 100m freestyle 12-year-old girls

Congratulations also to Lucy, Gemma and Alyse for their selection in the Coastal District Sport Swim Team.

Coastal District Sport Trials

Due to the arrival of cyclone Alfred, some of the Coastal District trials have been postponed, so some of the results will hopefully be in our next newsletter.

Swimming Program

The Year 2 and 4 Water safety notes went out via email in Week 4. This program is designed to develop and improve the water safety of students at Brightwater. Students in Year 2 and 4 will be attending the water safety program in Week 8, 17 to 21 of March. Students will attend Mountain Creek Aquatic Centre with lessons run by qualified swimming instructors from Alite Edvantage supervised by your child’s classroom teacher.

This program focuses on students being safe in and around the water including swimming, floating, treading water and safe water entry in line with the Queensland Government Water Safety and Swimming Education Program. All Year 2 and 4 students will participate in 5 x 40-minute lessons. Activity Consents and payment for this program were due back to the school on Monday March 10.

Cross Country

Our Brightwater State School Cross Country Carnival will be held on Thursday 27 March which is Week 9 of Term 1. In the coming weeks, students will begin training for the Cross Country in HPE lessons and with their classroom teachers. Students are encouraged to train in the lead up for this event with endurance/distance running which are great skills for all sporting codes, overall fitness and bonding time with family.

The emphasis for the day is on participation, student enjoyment and House Spirit. Students born in 2015, 2014 or 2013 who would like to compete for age champion and district selection are invited to run in the Championship Run. This is a competitive distance for students who have been training. Nominations for this event will be taken by class teachers in the lead up to the event. This year, the Cross Country and Championship course for all year levels will be in the school grounds with some year levels completing laps of the course. Parent/Carer information including timetable for the event will be sent out on March 13.

Cross Country Distances                        Championship Run Distances
Prep course – 400 metres                      Students Born 2015- 2 kilometres
Year 1 and 2 course – 700 metres          Students Born 2014 and 2013 – 3 kilometres
Year 3 to 6 course - 1 kilometre

Morning Fitness

Our morning fitness began on Monday 3 March. Sessions start promptly at 07:30am in the Central Covered Area (C.C.A) next to the café.

If you would like to join for the remainder of the sessions for the term, please obtain a permission form from the office and bring along to Miss Pettifer at the session.

Remaining Session Dates

Week 7            Tuesday 11 March (Postponed) 
Week 8            Tuesday 18 March
Week 9            Tuesday 25 March
Week 10          Tuesday 1 April

Where: 07:30am in the Central Covered Area (C.C.A) next to the café

What to bring:  Wear Brightwater P.E Kit, a towel, a water bottle and School uniform and shoes to change into after the session

Contact: Miss Pettifer bspet0@eq.edu.au

Kawana Waters State College - Junior football Program - Year 5 and 6

Kawana Waters State College junior football program is again offering their junior program in Term 2 and 3 of 2025.  This program is designed to provide school-based football development opportunities for talented and motivated junior footballers.  Junior Football Program participants can apply from any primary school and will participate in a range of football and futsal skill development sessions with other students of similar ability.

The aim of the Junior Football Program is to provide footballers with targeted training to improve their technical ability.  These sessions will be focused on skill acquisition in the four core skills; first touch, running with the ball, striking the ball and 1 v 1.  These sessions focus on ball mastery and promote good football habits in students.  Throughout the sessions, students will be challenged and extended in their personal football development.

When:             Monday – Term 2 & Term 3 2025
                         7:00am to 8:00am

Where:            Kawana Waters State College
                         Secondary Ovals
                         Sportsmans Pde, Bokarina, 4575

Cost:                 $100 (includes training shirt)

Contact:          Adam Walker
                         P: 5436 9363
                         E: awalk139@eq.edu.au

Applications are due by Friday 14 March 2025.
For further details or application forms please visit:

Buntie Pettifer and Steve Smith
HPE Teachers

Student Services Messages

Protocol for Managing Assessment/Questionnaire Requests and Requests from External Service Providers

Our school receives a significant number of requests for assessments, questionnaires and NDIS provider access from parents/carers and external providers.

To ensure requests are addressed appropriately and within a timely manner, all requests regarding assessments, questionnaires or NDIS access requests from parents/carers and/or external providers are required to be submitted to the Brightwater State School Student Services email box address:

To: BSSStudentServices@brightwaterss.eq.edu.au 
Subject line: Student Full Name – Date of Birth – Year Level

At Brightwater State School, it is not appropriate for class teachers to be contacted directly regarding these requests – if this occurs class teachers will direct parents or external providers to the information above.

P&C

Contacting the P&C Association

Email: pandc@brightwaterss.eq.edu.au  
Facebook: search Brightwater SS P&C Association or visit the link below.  

Date Claimers

School Information