21 March 2025

Principal’s Update

Dear Parents, 

You may have noticed that portable construction fencing has been erected across the Junior Oval and into the Junior play area. This is very exciting for our school because it signals the commencement of our new Junior playscape. The playscape will have an environmental theme and will include a dry creek bed, sand pit, tunnel and balance logs.  This new and long-awaited addition to our playground will cost approx. $150 000 and is due to the dedicated work of our P&C Association.  Without our united parented community school improvements such as this would not be possible therefore a huge thank you and congratulations is extended to our 2024 P&C executive team and extended association. The Year 1 and 2 students are very excited already so I can’t wait to see them enjoy the space when it is completed in around 9 weeks’ time.

During the construction time, the senior bike enclosure remains open for our upper primary students. They can continue to bring their bikes through Gate #2 on Brightwater Blvd. and wheel bikes through the main spine of the school and then around to the enclosure.

This week our P&C AGM was held. We are grateful for the work of our 2024 team. Their collective work and input in our school has been hugely beneficial for all students.

Thank you, Exec team 2024,
Anne Newland-Nell – President
Caroline Simpson-Adkins – Vice President
Joshua Camm – Treasurer
Jacinta Bartell – Secretary 

The 2025 P&C Exec team are:
Nicky Moffat – President
Caroline Simpson-Adkins – Vice President
Lisa Mitchell-Budd – Vice President
Joshua Camm – Treasurer
Jacinta Bartell – Secretary

By now you would be aware that our Term 1 Parent / Teacher interview bookings are open. This is valuable time to get an insight into how your child has settled into the new school year. If you are having trouble with the booking system, please contact the school office for assistance. 

Additionally, each family should have received an invitation to register for QParents. We will do an additional round of invitations for a requested secondary account holder in your family after the Easter break. Our focus currently is to get every family registered and then we can get sorted with using it. The office staff have included a “Frequently Asked Questions” section further down in this newsletter which may assist you with some troubleshooting.

Regards,
Robyn Taplin, Principal

Deputy Principal News

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Parent Teacher Interviews: Tuesday 25 March – Thursday 3 April

At Brightwater State School we value parent engagement. Twice per year we host scheduled parent-teacher interviews. Parent-teacher interviews are a wonderful opportunity to discuss your child’s current learning goals and the next step to progress their learning.

Our Term 1 parent-teacher interviews will be held in Weeks 9 and 10 of Term 1, 2025 (Tuesday 25 March to Thursday 3 April).

What: Term 1 Parent Teacher Interviews

When: Tuesday 25 March 2025 to Thursday 3 April 2025. (Please note: Year 6 teachers are unavailable in Week 9 due to attendance at Year 6 Camp).

Time: Each interview is 10 min in duration.

Bookings: To book an interview, simply go to https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/fjc58. Bookings opened at 3pm Wednesday 19 March. Follow the prompts on your screen to submit your booking.         

Please be aware that BOOKINGS CLOSE MONDAY 24 March 2025 AT 9AM.

Just Be Kind Week: 24 March – 28 March

In Week 9 we launch our first Just Be Kind Week for 2025. Our JBK weeks are a highlight on our school calendar when we put a spotlight on spreading kindness by being kind to others and “Paying It Forward”.  

The concept of “Pay It Forward” encourages acts of kindness without expecting anything in return, creating a ripple effect of positivity in our community. Through demonstrating how small, selfless gestures can make a big difference, we can help our students develop empathy, gratitude, and a sense of community spirit. We encourage you to discuss with your child how they can practice kindness both at school and at home.

Easter Bonnet Parade (Prep – Year 2) – Friday 4 April

Did someone say EASTER?  
Time to dust off those Bunny Ears and pop on cottontails in preparation for the annual Brightwater State School Easter Bonnet Parade.

Come and join us as your little ones celebrate Easter by parading in colourful home-made Easter Bonnets & singing Easter songs.

Who: Prep to Year 2 Students
When: Friday 4 April 2025
Time: 9.00am – 10.15am
Where: SPA (Hall)

Easter Bonnet Making: Scissors and glue at the ready! We are asking all P-2 families to support their child to make their Easter Bonnet at home. There will be a small prize for the best Easter Bonnet in each class! We will be particularly impressed by originality and creative use of recyclable materials.

Regards,
Jo Rothwell, Acting Deputy Principal

Sport News

Coastal District Sport Trials 

During Term 1 and Term 2 over 50 students have and will be trialling to make District teams and then progress onto Regional and State teams to represent Brightwater State School and the Sunshine Coast. 

Congratulations to the following students for making the following teams: 

Oscar: Rugby League 12-year-old boys Coastal District Team (attending Regional Trials).  

Gemma: Sunshine Coast School Sport Regional Swimming team listed to attend the Queensland Representative School Sport state championship. 

Mason and Carter: Rugby League 11-year-old boys Coastal District Team (attending Regional Trials).  

Swimming Program  

The Year 3 and 5 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. Year 3 and 5 students will participate in the Water Safety program in Week 10 from Monday 31 March to Friday 4 April. Lessons are held at Mountain Creek Aquatic Centre run by qualified swimming instructors from Alite Edvantage supervised by your Childs’ 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 3 and 5 students will participate in 5 x 40-minute lessons.  

Cross Country

Our Brightwater State School Cross Country Event will be held on Thursday 27 March which is Week 9 of Term 1. 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 HPE teachers during lessons. 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.   

Cross Country Distances    

Prep course – 450 m         
Year 1 - 700 m         
Year 2 - 900m 
Year 3-6 – 1km 

Championship Run Distances 

Students Born 2015 – 2km
Students Born 2014 and 2013 – 3km 

Please see the timetable below which is only an estimate of times that races will run: 

9:00am Course Briefing
9:10am Championship run Students Born 2013 & 2014 
9:30am Year 6 Girls   
9:45am Year 6 Boys  
10:00am Year 5 Girls 
10:15am Year 5 Boys  
10:30am -11:15am First break - Main Oval closed.   
11:15am Championship run Students Born 2015 
11:30am Year 4 Girls  
11:45am Year 4 Boys 
12:15pm Year 3 Girls  
12:30pm Year 3 Boys 
12:45pm – 1:15pm Second break - main oval closed.  
1:00pm Year 2 Girls  
1:15pm Year 2 Boys 
1:30pm Year 1 Girls  
1:45pm Year 1 Boys 
2:00pm Prep Girls 
2:10pm Prep Boys 
2:30pm Presentation of Shield and Age Champions  

Community Fitness 

Community fitness was back on this week. It was so great to see many students from across different year levels of the school along with families coming out to join us on the oval to improve our health and fitness outcomes. 

Sessions start promptly at 07:50am 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 9 Tuesday 25 March  
Week 10 Tuesday 1 April 

Where: 07:50am 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/socks to change into after the session 
Contact: Miss Pettifer bspet0@eq.edu.au  

Buntie Pettifer and Jade Harvie
HPE Teachers

School Messages

QParents Frequently Asked Questions from Brightwater families

• Why do I have to verify my identity with documentation – doesn’t the school already know who I am?

For security reasons, it is essential that the identity of the person who registers as the QParents Account Owner (QPAO) for a student (and therefore has the right to access and manage student information in QParents) is verified for online access.  The Department of Education (DoE) considers student information to be confidential (it is classified as PROTECTED by DoE) and should only be accessible online by someone who proves that they are the person who the school invited. The identity verification process enables us to ensure that your student’s personal information is kept safe.

• I want another person to access QParents

There are two options:

1. Delegated Viewer: As a QPAO, you can invite another person to view your student's information in QParents. For each invited Delegated Viewer, the QPAO will be required to nominate which information (e.g. report cards, absences) can be viewed. These can be changed at any time by the QPAO, including removing all access.
   
   Note: A Delegated Viewer will only have view access and cannot update any student information or provide digital consent in QParents. If you are a parent who needs to be able to manage your child's information, it is recommended you are a QPAO rather than a Delegated Viewer.
   
   
2. Registered QPAO: Please send the school an email to office@brightwaterss.eq.edu.au advising the name of the parent you would like to be nominated as an additional QPAO for your student and their email address. These requests will be processed early in Term 2. 

• I entered my child’s details some time ago and they are still PENDING. When will I get access to my child’s information in QParents?

The school has to review and approve your request to register as a QPAO.  If the student is still “pending” it is likely that the process of confirming and approving QPAOs is still underway. 

• I cannot verify 100 points of ID online
  

If you are unable to verify 100 points of ID online at the time of registration, you can still register for QParents. During the registration process, select the ‘not enough ID’ option. You will receive an email confirming your registration when completed. Please email a copy of this to the office (office@brightwaterss.eq.edu.au) or print and then visit the school with a combination of 100 points of the following documents and the additional identity documents as shown in the Fact Sheet below. 

• Where do I find my child’s EQ ID?

Your child's EQID consists of 10 numbers and one letter and can be found on your child's report cards or school invoices, among other documents. 

Dental Van

The Dental van is still on site at Brightwater State School, with the older grades seen last year. We are still in the process of examining Grades 1 and 2. Consent forms are being issued for Prep students.

The school dental service is a free service to Brightwater students that hold a current Medicare card.

Please complete the oral health consent form on both sides and return to the school office as soon as possible.

School Dental Van Staff – PH: 0418 708 141

P&C News

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