Dear mums, dads, carers and colleagues

The past fortnight has been packed with so many activities and opportunities for our school and students.  It is a result of the wonderful commitment to Highlights have included:

• Year 4 camp
• P&C conference
• Cultural art groups
• Inter-school sport
• Gold Coast Eisteddfod 
• Final preparations for Wakakirri
• Science Week
• Free dress day to promote kindness
• Public speaking club - and more.

Cultural artworks are taking shape

We have been very fortunate to have Uncle Anthony from Birin Cultural Group visiting us weekly over the past few weeks. Our First Nations students have been collaborating with Uncle Anthony to create some cultural artworks to display on the poles in our Yarning Circle area. Uncle Anthony has also been yarning with our students, sharing some Kombumerri traditional stories. We look forward to seeing the finished result at the end of the term.

Free dress day

National day of action against bullying and violence

We came in ORANGE today to show our stance against bullying.  There have been many lessons across the school this week about what it is to be a friend and a team player, what it is to be kind, and how to stand against bullying.  The week concluded with our Pass the Heart activity where, as a school, we passed 7 hearts to each student in a very long line around the school.  This was to represent our focus on caring for others.  And at the end of the line was me.  And we even had an air-show fly over at the very same time! 

Unfortunately, bullying and nastiness can and do happen everywhere in our world - including our school.  What we do is try at school is create a kind and caring climate to minimise the likelihood of bullying happening.  Surprisingly to some, lots of behaviours that can be unkind are not bullying.  Click here to read more about this.  This doesn't make them acceptable at all but it highlights the fact that we all - parents, teachers and community - need to focus on kindness and care for others if we are to teach our children well.  Kindness is the opposite of bullying.  Kindness is about putting others first, not self.  Kindness is about acceptance and celebrating differences and this is central to strong character.

One of the kindness posters that we have around our school

Student achievements

Working as a team to earn awards or recognition is very satisfying, and it takes a lot of practice and commitment.  A great team of players is far superior to a team of great players - and our school teams this week epitomised this, both on the field and on the stage.  I am so proud of how our children worked together and practised a 'team first' mindset.  It resulted in terrific successes for which they can feel genuine pride. 

At Gold Coast Eisteddfod, our four groups earned one first place, two third places and a gold ribbon.

At inter-school sport, we won Division 1 in each of the sports we played - Rugby League, Netball, Basketball and Touch football.   

School achievement

Congratulations to our P&C and OSHC Service on being awarded 'Runners Up' in the P&C Queensland Annual Awards (OSHC category).  They work so hard each and every day to provide a wonderful service to our community and it is very fulfilling to see them recognised at a state level.  Well done team.  

And next week...

Chinese speaking competition (Sunday)

The Chinese speaking competition is being held this Sunday at Griffith University

Good luck to the following students who have been rehearsing hard.

Year 5

• Willow and Hugh

Year 6

• Eleanor, Sofia

Background speakers

• Ellie and Maya

Regional chess tournament (Monday)

Good luck to our chess teams when they play at the regional tournament next Monday.  We will be sending along six teams for the event.

Parent-teacher interviews (Monday)

Interviews are planned for Monday afternoon & evening.  Thank you to families who have accessed this opportunity.

Wakakirri (Wednesday)

Chookas to our Wakakirri troupe when they present the school performance at the 2023 Wakakirri competition.  Wakakirri is similar to a Rock Eisteddfod except the music and silent acting adds a storyline.  Send your best vibes for our troupe next Wednesday evening at 7:00pm when we take on other schools at the Logan Entertainment Centre.

Rugby League and Touch Football (Thursady / Friday)

These carnivals are planned for next week.  Good luck to our players and coaching staff.

Have a lovely weekend

Vic