25 July 2025

Principal’s Update

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

A very warm welcome to the first school newsletter of Semester 2. I am incredibly honoured to be joining the Brightwater State School community while Robyn is on leave for the remainder of this term. It is a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated and talented team of staff, and I’m grateful for the warm welcome I have received from students, families, and colleagues over the past week.

With the support of our staff, parents, and wider community, I look forward to continuing the important work of our school—ensuring a learning community where every student is valued, engaged, supported, and inspired in their learning journey.

Thank you to our parents and carers for preparing our learners so well for the start of the term. Your support has helped ensure a smooth and settled return to school life and learning.

I am committed to maintaining a smooth transition and building upon the strong foundations that already exist at Brightwater. Together, we will continue to foster a positive, inclusive environment where every child feels valued and empowered to thrive—and where a lifelong love of learning is nurtured.

Year 5 Camp

Our Year 5 students will be attending school camp at Currimundi Outdoor Education centre from Monday 28 July to Wednesday 30 July. A number of staff will be supporting our students to make this wonderful camp opportunity available for our students. I would like to acknowledge and thank the Year 5 team for the time and effort that has gone into planning and preparing for the camp and accompanying our children. I wish everyone a most enjoyable camp experience!

School Opinion Survey

The suite of School Opinion Surveys is undertaken each year by the Department of Education to obtain opinions about our school from families, school staff and students in target year levels (5 and 6). The surveys will help identify what we are doing well and understand where we can improve.

Each school family will receive one email invitation from the Department of Education to complete the Parent/Caregiver Survey.  The survey is anonymous, and the results are not reported in ways that an individual’s response can be identified by the school.

Parents/Caregivers are encouraged to complete the survey. The survey can be completed via computers, tablets, or smart phones with internet connection.

For Parents/Caregivers who do not have access to the internet school computers/tablets will be available. Parents/caregivers who experience difficulties accessing the survey can request a new survey from the School Opinion Survey team via email schoolopinionsurvey@qed.qld.gov.au.

It’s important that as many parents/caregivers as possible complete the survey, so we would appreciate if members of this community would raise awareness of this survey with other parents/caregivers.

The survey invitation should be emailed in the week beginning 28 July and it is titled School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2025. 

Can’t find your invitation?  If your family has more than one parent/caregiver, check that they haven’t received the invitation and/or check your junk email folder.

National Consistent Collection of Data

The Australian Education Regulation 2013 requires all schools, nationally and in all sectors, to accurately report the Nationally consistent collection of data on school students with disability (NCCD) to the Australian Government on an annual basis in accordance with national NCCD Guidelines. 

The NCCD collects data about the adjustments schools have made for students with disability as defined by the DDA. It captures the work already being undertaken by schools to identify students with disability who require reasonable adjustments due to the functional impact of their disability to access and participate in education. The NCCD supports schools to engage in professional conversations and build shared understandings. The data collection is currently being undertaken by staff and will be finalised by Friday 1 August.

Regards,
Bec Hutton, Acting Principal

Deputy Principal News

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome back! We sincerely hope that the mid-year holidays were joyful, fun and safe for all our Brightwater families.

The last two weeks have seen a smooth transition into Term 3, with classes revisiting school routines and expectations aligned with our STAR values.

New Year 1 and 2 Playground Opened!

On our first day of term, the Year 1 and 2 cohorts gathered in our new playscape for an opening ceremony. Past and present P&C Executive Team members were present and cut the ribbon to officially open this new playground. They also showed their sense of fun by testing out the dual slide. Our Year 1 and 2 learners then had a fabulous time exploring the space.

We would like to express our deep gratitude to our P&C for their extraordinary fundraising efforts in making this playground a reality. We are so very grateful!

Our existing Year 1 and 2 playgrounds also had a revamp over the holidays – it’s amazing what a lick of paint can do!

Year 1 Excursion

In Week 1 our delightful Year 1 learners were overjoyed to participate in their rescheduled excursion to the Mooloolah River. This excursion was such a wonderful opportunity for our learners to look closely at the incredible natural environments that we have on our doorstep here at Brightwater.

Our Year 1’s enjoyed their guided tour of the wetlands with the rangers where they investigated natural and human features of the environment as well as animal habitats. Upon returning to class, our Year 1 learners recounted their experiences and created dioramas of the wetlands environment. Thank you to our Year 1 teaching team and Ms Murphy for their efforts in organising such an engaging excursion.

2026 Prep Transition

At Brightwater we’ve started looking ahead to 2026 and have begun our transition program for our 2026 Prep learners.

This week we held our first Prep Parent Information Session where we shared details about our beautiful school, discussed important information about enrolment, explored uniforms, bags and lunchboxes, and pointed out some hot tips for a smooth transition. If you have or know of a potential 2026 Brightwater learner, please share the flyer attached so that these families can join us as we progress through our transition program.

Regards,
Jessica Lewis, Acting Deputy Principal

Term 3 STAR Behaviour Focus - Belonging at Brightwater: Every Word Counts. Every Action Matters

This term our whole school Positive Behaviour for Learning focuses on building a culture of belonging at Brightwater by embedding STAR values through explicit teaching and modelling of inclusive words and actions. Students will explore how what they say and do impacts others, and how each of us can help others feel safe, valued and included in our school community. This fortnight teachers are asking students to reflect on two questions:

• What does “belonging" at Brightwater mean to you?
• How did you help someone feel like they belong this week?

At home start a family conversation to explore what belonging means and how our words and actions can impact others, both positively and negatively.

Bully Zero - Sign up for a free Parent workshop

A valuable opportunity is being provided to parents/carers of our schools within the region, to participate in a free face-to-face 1.5-hour workshop facilitated by Bully Zero, a leading bully prevention organisation. The workshop Bully Zero, is designed to proactively support parents to understand what bullying is and what parents can do to support their children to be safe both online and when face to face with their peers.

The attached flyer provides information regarding locations, inclusive of the online option and how to register for the workshops. Participants must register for the workshops.

Regards,
Jo Rothwell, Acting Deputy Principal

Book Fair

Sport News

Interschool Sports

This term, students in Year 5 and 6 have the exciting opportunity to participate in a three-week interschool sports event. They will engage in friendly competitions, including Soccer, Netball, Rugby League, Cricket, AFL or Touch Football, against other schools in our area. This program not only allows students to actively participate in sports but also provides a platform for them to meet and interact with students from different schools in a non-competitive setting. The first day of the event took place on Friday 18 and even in the rain the students had a great day packed with sport. The final two days will be on Friday 1 August and Friday 8th August.

Coastal District athletics

On Thursday 24th and Friday 25th July, selected students from Year 4 to 6 visited the University of Sunshine Coast Stadium Athletics Track to participate in Athletics track and field events. They competed against schools from the Coastal District and have the possibility of representing our district at Regional and State level upon qualification in a range of Athletic events.

Lightning Cup

Training is underway for the Netball Lightning Cup teams. As the competition enters its second year, our carefully selected Netball teams will have the exciting opportunity to compete against other schools from across the Sunshine Coast region. Our teams will be participating in three divisions: Lightning Cup, Thunder Cup, and Boys Storm Cup. We are excited to see the teams' dedicated efforts in developing their skills and teamwork as they prepare for the upcoming competition. Due to overwhelming numbers of students especially girls wanting to participate, Miss Pettifer and Mrs Trapnell will be taking three teams of Year 6 students to the event which will be held at Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex on Fisherman’s Road on Thursday 21 and Friday 22 August.

AFL Competition (Australian Football League)

This term students in Year 5 & 6 will be taking part in an AFL competition against local schools. This is the second year we have offered to take students to an AFL competition. Due to the numbers, this year we will only take one boys’ team . The competition will take place on August 13 with more details regarding training and team selection to follow.

Semester 2 HPE Curriculum

Prep HPE is learning to identify and describe emotions people feel. Students will engage in movement games, activities, and challenges to explore how to be respectful in their relationships and how their own and other’s strengths contribute to positive outcomes. Students will continue to develop their fundamental movement skills through a weekly rotation of fundamental movements.

Year 1 HPE is learning to identify ways to be active, healthy, and safe. Through a range of activities, they will investigate their body’s response and learn strategies to stay safe, get help with a task, problem or situation. Students will complete a weekly rotation to strengthen a range of fundamental movements.

Year 2 HPE is learning to explore a range of emotions and how they can impact activities and interactions with others around them. They will also be exploring elements of movement including effort, space, timing, and balance creating a simple movement sequence.

Year 3 HPE students will participate in a scooter riding unit, Scoot Scoot, where they will gain an understanding of basic safety, while improving each student's scooter-riding skills. This unit provides opportunities for students to refine fundamental movement skills, apply movement concepts and strategies, solve movement challenges and to learn safe scooter-riding techniques. Students will also explore emotions and personal identities and understand how these contribute to being a good friend to others.

Year 4 HPE will be refining fundamental movement skills and apply movement concepts and strategies in a variety of physical activities and to solve movement challenges. Students apply strategies for working cooperatively and apply rules fairly. Students will aim to interpret health messages and discuss the influences on healthy and safe choices. Students will aim to identify local resources to support their health, wellbeing, safety and physical activity.

Year 5 HPE will be exploring movement to rhythm. They will look at a range of movement sequences to music and students will then choose their own specialised PE area and create and perform a sequence of these skills to music.

Year 6 HPE will be researching and implementing a game from another culture for a group of students. They will examine how physical activity, celebrating diversity and connecting to the environment supports community wellbeing and cultural understanding.

Y6 Soccer Program Trials for High School

Please see attached information and links to Football and Touch programs available at Chancellor State College and Kawana State College.

Chancellor State College:

Kawana Waters State College:

Thank you.

Buntie Pettifer and Kate Bailey
HPE Teachers

Office Message

2025 Student Resource Scheme (SRS)

A friendly reminder the 2025 SRS should now be paid in full.  You are able to check via your QParents app if payment is still owing. 

 Payment is to be finalised no later than Friday 8 August 2025.  After this date we will be reviewing invoices still outstanding and we may withdraw participation in the SRS, including access to online learning platforms.

 If you wish to discuss a payment plan please contact the school office. 

 We are more than happy to work with you on a payment plan which suits your needs to ensure your child has access to items which fall under the SRS.

 Thank you.

P&C News

CRAZY CAMEL ART FUNDRAISER - COMING SOON! Each student is currently creating a beautiful piece of artwork in class for our Crazy Camel fundraiser — be sure to ask them about it! Their artwork will soon be available to order on a range of fun and practical items such as calendars, pillowcases, tea towels, diaries, and notebooks. You’ll receive all the details closer to the date to access and purchase your child’s artwork.

Big event in November! Motiv8 Sports’ Gr8 Race

On Friday, 7 November 2025, Brightwater State School will host the GR8Race! The oval will be turned into a sports dreamworld comprising of multiple 'countries'. Each country is a unique, incredible activity or challenge, there will be lifesavers in Australia (slip and slide), a colour run in Cuba and Island hopping in Fiji - just to name a few!

And it's also a fundraiser! The more your child raises, the more tickets they'll earn for our amazing prize draws!

We’re seeking company sponsors and prize donations. If you or someone in our community owns a business or works for a company that might want to support this fantastic event, we’d love to hear from you.

Please get in touch and help to make this the best 'FUN'draiser of the year! pandc@brightwaterss.eq.edu.au

Jacket callout! The uniform shop needs donations

The school's uniform shop is open Mondays and Tuesdays 8.15am-8.45. It is located next to the cafe in the Central Covered Area. Donations of pre-loved uniforms would be gratefully accepted and can be made at the front office if outside of shop hours.

Secretary position available

Our current P&C secretary Jacinta will be stepping down in Term 3 and is keen to train up anyone who is willing to give the role a go. You’ll be part of an inclusive, energetic team who value the role hugely. The main tasks of the BWSS P&C secretary at present are around managing meeting agendas and minutes and keeping a register of our members. More information on the role is on P&Cs Queensland’s website here. For more information, please get in touch with us via email: pandc@brightwaterss.eq.edu.au and one of the Exec team will give you a ring.

How to join the P&C

Being part of the P&C is a great way to give back to the school and be part of its diverse and skilled community. With a busy schedule of events in 2025, it’s busy and social, and if you don’t want to volunteer but like to keep in the loop by being a member and receiving email updates, we welcome you, too!

If you are not yet a member or are yet to renew for 2025, please email pandc@brightwaterss.eq.edu.au.

Nicky, Caroline, Lisa, Jacinta and Josh
BWSS Parents & Citizens Association Executive
President@bwsspandc.org.au

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