4 April 2025

Principal’s Update

Dear Parents, 

This newsletter will wrap up the first term of the year. Thank you for assisting class teachers and support teachers to settle children into their new classes and learning for 2025. 

These last few weeks of Term 1 have been very busy for our staff but they have continued to work very hard to ensure students are feeling happy, supported and learning each day.

Our leadership team has also been very busy due to both of our Deputy Principals being absent at this time. Ms Hill – P-3 D.P has headed to an Acting Principal Position at Pacific Paradise SS and Mr Theofanes – Yr 4-6 D.P has had to take unplanned leave due to ill-health. Mrs Rothwell our HoD-Student Services has been doing a wonderful job of supporting me to cover school management and operations whilst we work through backfilling arrangements. Thank you to our school community for your understanding and support throughout the term.

We have much to celebrate regarding achievements throughout the school this term.

Our extra-curricular clubs and activities are underway with students able to select from sporting, gardening, choir, art and wellbeing options during break time. Our before school community fitness club being led by Ms Pettifer has also been a big hit.  Keep a look out for our new round of clubs for Term 2. These will be communicated to all families in Week 2.

Other achievements this term include:

• Yr 6 Leadership Conference
• QParents launch
• Swimming lessons for Yr 2-5
• NAPLAN for Yr 3 & 5
• Yr 6 Camp
• Starlab Incursion
• Harmony Day
• Whole school Cross Country
• Parent/teacher interviews
• P&C Association AGM
• Easter Bonnet Parade

Of course, all of this is in addition to our students settling in to their new classes and engaging in their Term 1 units of work. We are proud of how far our young learners have come so far and very proud of the work our staff do every day to provide Brightwater kids with a great education.

The junior playground work has begun and we are hoping for some clear weather so that construction can remain on track.  I have provided a picture of the playscape below to give you an idea of how the finished work will look.  Play elements include a sandpit, a double slide, climbing hill, a tunnel, balance logs and sling swing. This will provide our younger students with lots of inspiration for their playtime games. Thanks again to our P&C Association for their work towards this school improvement.

In staffing news, it is with great respect that I announce, our foundation Deputy Principal Mr Paul Taylor is retiring.  Mr Taylor was appointed to Brightwater State School in our school’s opening year of 2012 and he has been a much loved, valued and respected staff member every day since then.  His knowledge, leadership and genuine care for student learning and wellbeing has been appreciated and he will be sorely missed. In a career spanning 40 years, Mr Taylor has taught in a variety of locations across the state including rural and western mining communities, Gympie, North Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. He has made a significant contribution and positive impact on our school, his colleagues and to the lives of many Brightwater students. On behalf of our school community, I bid Mr Taylor a fond farewell and wish him the very best for his retirement adventures. Fingers crossed we can twist his arm to come back to do some relief teaching with us.  Thank you, Mr Taylor, you are a legend!

Have a wonderful Easter break with your families and we will see you all back on Tuesday 22 April.

Regards,
Robyn Taplin, Principal

Deputy Principal News

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Harmony Day

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Harmony Day celebrations. It was wonderful to see so many students dressed in colours that reflected their heritage or national pride, showcasing the rich diversity of our school community. The day was a huge success with our Student Council collecting the generous gold coin donations which have been passed on to The Story Dogs. We love having the Story Dogs join us weekly at Brightwater.

Ride 2 School Day

Wow! Our bike sheds were full to the brim on Ride 2 School Day. It was fantastic to see so many students taking part and riding or scootering to school. We had a total of 166 bikes and 84 scooters parked up in the bike sheds! Every student who participated received a special Ride 2 School STAR token which have been collected, ready to go into a prize draw.  We will be announcing our lucky prize winners in Term 2.

An Eggstravagant Easter Parade

We would like to extend a huge congratulations to all the Prep – Year 2 students and families for an incredible Easter Bonnet Parade! The time and creativity put into each magnificent bonnet was truly remarkable. It was heart-warming to see the children’s faces light up with joy as they proudly showcased their creations. Thank you to everyone who made the event so memorable – what a wonderful way to celebrate together. We wish everyone a happy and safe Easter and look forward to seeing you in Term 2.

ANZAC Day Assembly – Thursday 24 April at 9am

Please join us for an ANZAC Assembly in the hall at 9am.

If you have a family member who has or is currently serving in the Australian Defence Force and you would like them to be included in our school ANZAC Day service, we invite you to send in the following:

1. A photograph of the person
2. Their rank and/or regiment
3. Name and year level of the student/s

Email to: admin@brightwaterss.eq.edu.au
Subject: ANZAC service
Due in by: Tuesday 22 April by 9am
Please note: If you have submitted in previous years, you will need to resubmit for this year.

ANZAC Day Service – Friday 25 April

We are proud to be a part of ANZAC Day service at Kawana RSL. If you would like to participate, we ask for all students to meet staff on the grassed area at 10am, dressed in their school uniforms.

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:

Beau H, Elijah M and Joshua S making the Coastal District team for Football (Soccer) Boys 10-12 years to attend Regional Trials.

Gemma C making the Sunshine Coast School Sport Regional Swimming team and attending the Queensland Representative School Sport state championships last week. Gemma was ranked 33^rd for her age and stroke and achieved 19^th place with a big 2.5 second improvement on her personal best. What an amazing achievement and experience for her.

Cross Country 2025

On Thursday 27 March students born in 2013, 2014 and 2015 ran in our competitive Cross-Country races. Their resilience and determination were shown in less than favourable weather conditions. Students all deserve congratulations for the effort they showed during the races.

The following students were age champions:

2013 Girls Kenzie W
2013 Boys Joshua S
2014 Girls Sofia M
2014 Boys Charlie K
2015 Girls Gemma C
2015 Boys Finlay DB

A huge congratulations to all students that took part in this event. Your enthusiasm and determination were admirable from staff, students and the Brightwater Community who attended to watch.

Thank you also to our Ground staff and all other staff members involved for their help with the set up and running of this event.

Those students that have made district qualification will be informed and offered a chance to represent the school at District level at Maroochydore Multisport Complex in Term 2 with Miss Pettifer.

Community Fitness

Thank you to all the students and families that attended our community fitness sessions this term. It was great to see so many people coming out to exercise in preparation for the cross-country event that managed to go ahead in trying weather!

Stay tuned for morning fitness options for Term 2.

Holiday Clinics

School Messages

Bella Grace Early Learning Centre

Please refrain from parking in the Bella Grace Brightwater school Kindergarten carpark there are very few parks and they are for current Kindy families.

Thankyou in advance for your support.

P&C News

Greetings all Brightwater School parents, grandparents, guardians and carers,

The Brightwater parent community appointed the 2025 Parents and Citizens Association leadership team on 19 March. A big thank you to everyone who attended to show their support, elect the new team, and share your ideas. Special thanks to outgoing president Anne for her outstanding leadership.

The 2025 Executive is excited to connect parents and the wider community with our school. We’re a diverse group who enjoys supporting Brightwater SS through initiatives like the second-hand uniform shop and school cafe.

A Big Thank You to Our Community!

Thank you to all the families and volunteers who helped raise an incredible $100,000 over the past two years! These funds will be used for key school improvements, including the new playscape already in progress.

Support for Year 6 Polo Shirts

We’re proud to announce the P&C funded the Year 6 polo shirts with a contribution of $4,530. Huge thanks to OZTJ Sports for providing these shirts. We look forward to seeing our Year 6 students wear them with pride in their final school year.

Volunteer Opportunities

We’d love your help with a few upcoming events:

• Spare a few hours to help at our Mother’s Day stalls on May 8-9? Register here
• Give 30 minutes to the Uniform Shop once a week or fortnight? We would love to open every day in Term 2 and all that’s needed is a few extra parents. Please email Caroline VicePresident@bwsspandc.org.au 
• Join the School Disco organising team? Date TBC. Please email Lisa VPFundraising@bwsspandc.org.au  

We hope everyone enjoys the break and returns in Term 2 feeling refreshed and ready for more school fun.

If you have any questions or ideas, feel free to get in touch. If you are not yet a member or are yet to renew for 2025, please pick up a 2025 application form from the front office or find attached.

Nicky, Jacinta, Josh, Caroline, and Lisa

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