Beerwah State School

In writing this newsletter I reflected on the 2022 school year so far.  Our school community has continued to work together and implemented new initiatives and developed existing programs to support our mission to help each student 'be the best they can be'.

Teachers have worked together  under Mr Deady's leadership to implement a streamlined  School Curriculum Plan that will provide an excellent foundation for the implementation of  Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum, beginning 2024.

We have implemented Prep Stay and Play events each term that give kindy families a chance to experience Prep in action.  We continue a commitment to helping children have a great start to schooling through the Kandoo Joeys Playgroup.  At Beerwah we do not use any checklists before students start Prep because we recognise that Kindy transition statements provide an excellent overview for Prep teachers to build a teaching and learning program to support students transition into full time learning. We instead focus on welcoming families to our community, not just new Prep students.  From Prep to Year 6 we provide differentiated teaching and learning which includes:  in-class literacy support and where necessary additional intervention through our School-wide Literacy Tracking.  Our teachers meet students where they are in their learning and provide the necessary adjustments or extension to help them achieve success.

As part of recognising  the importance of the Home-school partnership ( and helping to make 'school life' a little easier for families),  the school and P&C Association have implemented the use of  the QKR! App on which you can make both school and P&C payments.  The P&C Association have also held wonderful events for our wider community with the inaugural Easter Egg Hunt and Fathers' Day Boot Sale.   I encourage you to check out the P&C section of this newsletter which has some existing news about the P&C Association being registered to support volunteer opportunities for the wider community.

STAFF UPDATE

Welcome back to Ms Sedgman teaching 3B4. Unfortunately, Mrs Reimman continues to experience health challenges and will be on continued leave for October.  One of our local relief teachers Ms Laura Markwort has taken 6M1 for Tuesday and Wednesday.  Next week Mrs Melanie Bengtsen starts as relief teacher while Mrs Reimann is on leave.

From next week there will be pre-service teachers in PI1, 3/2B3, 5/4A3 and 5/4A2 for four weeks.  Some of our class and SEP teaching teams are also hosting trainee teacher aides for work placement.  

REQUESTS FOR 2023 EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS

This week parents and caregivers are able to download a form to provide feedback to assist with class planning for 2023. If students will be moving from Beerwah State School at the end of the year (other than Year 6) we ask that the school be advised via this form. There is also a section for preference for educational settings.

The placement of children in an appropriate learning environment is taken very seriously at Beerwah and there are many elements to take into consideration. One of the factors relates to parent/carer preferences for a particular educational environment. Parents have the opportunity to put in writing educational reasons for a specific learning environment. Whilst all requests will be considered it may not be possible to fill all preferences. Parent preferences are for placement in a learning environment and NOT for a specific teacher, as teachers for year levels will not be decided until all staffing at the school has been finalised. Requests must be in writing and need to be addressed to the ‘Principal’ and handed into the office. These forms are due by Friday, 28 October. No late requests will be accepted.  2023 Education Settings Form

2023 STUDENT LEADER NOMINATIONS

Last Term, Year 5 students participated in a Leadership development program with staff from Stanley River Outdoor Education Centre. Students explored the kinds of attitudes and behaviours that are part of successfully understanding and completing new tasks and challenges. This activity would not be possible without the support of the P&C Association’s annual donation to the school.

This week Mr Deady and I spoke with Year 5 students about the nomination process and handed out application forms to interested students.

Over the next few weeks, Year 5 students have the opportunity consider nominating for a 2023 Student Leadership Position. The behaviour previously demonstrated by students wishing to be considered for leadership is an important consideration in the selection process. The behaviours that have been consistently demonstrated will indicate:

• A willingness to be a Safe, Respectful, Active Learner and consistently demonstrate the ‘Fab Four’ foundation behaviours: follow instructions promptly; keep our hands and feet to ourselves; We say Yes@Beerwah and; use kind words

• They are known as a respectful student

• In their learning they show that they have sound organisational skills, have persistence, confidence and resilience

• A willingness to “Get Along” and to participate actively in the life of the school.

Janet Austen (Principal)

Check out our calendar of events throughout the year, via the school's website at

Beerwah State School

You can sync any event to your personal calendar by clicking to  open the event and click on the  'Add to Calendar' button.  

Check out our Facebook page for more Celebrations and what's happening at our School.

Beerwah State School Facebook page

READING

How do i support my child at different ages?

This question commonly comes up when we discuss reading. A lot of information that’s shared focusses on the early stages of reading and it can be hard to know what to do as a children becomes more proficient.

The Department of Education’s Reading and Writing Centre has published a series of one-page factsheets (one for each year level). These give a good, practical overview of ways that parents can support with children’s reading development – including games and activities that help to build children’s understanding of language.

RUBIK’S CUBE CLUB

Our Student Council are very excited about starting up a ‘Rubik’s Cube Club’ this term. The club will run on different days in the Library at second break. It will be Weeks 2-7 and will be open to all from ‘beginner’ to ‘expert’ – all children will need is a Rubik’s cube!

We will have the club on Mondays and Fridays.

In Week 8, we will hold a Rubik’s Cube competition with three categories ‘beginner’, ‘intermediate’ and ‘expert’. Entering the competition is optional, children can come along to the club and join in without competing.

Matt Deady (HODC)

"Everyone is a reader, some just haven't found their favourite book yet"

Welcome back everyone! Borrowing commences our first week back in Term 4, from October 4. Throughout the year, the Library holds events and competitions to celebrate reading and develop a love of books. Further details about these events and competitions will be made available on our website, in the newsletter, and on the Skoolbag app.

Encourage your child to read each day and borrow a book to take home to read and share with you. Please check the Library timetable for your borrowing day and bring in your red Library bag.

The Library is open Monday mornings from 8:30-9:00am, and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30am. Students can borrow on their class borrowing day, at lunchtime and before school on these days. They must bring their red Library Bag. Library bags are available through the Uniform Shop for $13.00.

The last borrowing for the year will be in Week 7.

LIBRARY TIMETABLE

WEEKLY CLASS AWARD

Each week, we acknowledge a class from the lower school and upper school by presenting an award for reflecting our school values of being Kandoo Active Learners, Kandoo Safe, and Kandoo Respectful. Watch this space to see which classes win this award each week.

Mrs Rachel and Ms Merwood

P&C MEETINGS

The first P&C meeting of term 4 will be held on Monday, 17 October at 6.00pm in our Resource Centre Library. Please come along and meet our small and caring team. If you can’t join in person, you can always zoom in, just email P&C to get the link: pandc@beerwahss.eq.edu.au.

VOLUNTEERING

Did you know, volunteering allows you to spend more time with your child. Our children spend ALOT of time at school. Becoming a school volunteer gives you the opportunity to share in school-related experiences. It gives you more in common. It also allows you to be a fly on the wall and see your children in a different environment. It’s rewarding to watch them as they put all the skills you’ve taught them into action.

The P&C Association are an approved volunteer organization with Centrelink (Services Australia). If you need to complete volunteering hours, the school is a great option. Contact us by email and we can arrange to work out how we can help each other.

Specific volunteer needs:

-          Tuckshop assistance – Tuesday 10-11am (or earlier if possible)

-          Working Bee – see info below

FACEBOOK PAGE

If you haven’t already jumped onto our Facebook page, you should. It’s a great place to see what’s coming up, what volunteers are needed & helpful reminders in case you missed the notification.

This is also the easiest place to get in touch with the P&C. Just find our page and like us to start following. BSS P&C Facebook page

EVENTS & FUNDRAISING

As we were so busy in Term 3 with fundraising, we’ll slow things down for Term 4. We will have the annual Christmas raffle, a Parents, Pancakes & Parade morning, and a colour & slime run towards the end of term. So, keep an eye in the newsletter & our Facebook page for further information & dates.

WORKING BEE

On Saturday, 15 October, at the end of Week 2, we will have another working bee to tidy the school grounds and assist our lovely caretaker Rob to start preparing for the summer months. We have some native plants to put in the grounds so come along and give a hand for an hour or whatever time you can spare.

We will meet in the teacher’s car park at 9.00am with a list of simple tasks. Bring yourselves, your family, any hand tools, rakes or gloves you may have (not essential) and lend a hand. The children especially enjoy the morning, and they get a great sense of accomplishment when they see what they have planted when back at school.

We’ll end the morning before midday with a sausage sizzle for those who wish to join us to say thanks for helping. Keep an eye out on Skoolbag & Facebook for details.

RECYCLING PROGRAM

P&C have registered with Terracycle as a collection/drop-off point for various things that normally don’t get recycled. Currently there is a box in the Library for the collection of old pens and stationery that no longer work (not pencils). Take a look to see what can be included.

We also have a box for old dental products to get recycled. Sponsored by Colgate, please recycle your old toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, dental floss packets, and electric toothbrush heads.

Visit www.terracycle.com.au to find out more. Over time we’ll add more boxes to recycle other products. Items can be dropped off anytime the Library is open.  Boxes are beside the windows.

It’s a wonderful initiative to reduce our landfill and look after our environment.

Carolyn Brewer (P&C President)

TUCKSHOP

The Tuckshop will be open on Tuesday for the full menu each week, and every second Friday we will offer a meal deal. This is dependent on volunteers, so if we need to change times or days, we will announce it on Skoolbag & Facebook.

We will gradually develop a schedule for meal deals, if parents or children have ideas, please email them to pandc@beerwahss.eq.edu.au. This is also who to contact if you need to change a menu item for your child, as there is no opportunity to add comments in Qkr!

Click here to download our Tuckshop Menu

Click here to order online or download the Qkr! app on your mobile device.

UNIFORM SHOP

The Uniform Shop will open each Wednesday afternoon 2.30-3.00pm, or at other times by appointment.

The best way to order uniforms is ONLINE via Qkr! It’s quick & easy & there are no transaction fees. Alternatively, an order form can be collected from the Office. Items will then be sent home with the student or can be collected from the Office.

To ensure orders are processed quickly, once you have placed an online order, please send your details to pandc@beerwahss.eq.edu.au

Click here to order Uniforms Online or download the Qkr! app on your mobile device.

Click here to download the Uniform Shop Order Form

Welcome back everyone to a new Term of fun and learning through play!

Our first day back is Wednesday, 5 October. Kandoo Joeys is holding an Open Day on 12 October where everyone is welcome to join in the fun for a free play session and meet the staff and other families.

Each month we have a new theme and October is Imaginative Play, so the sky’s the limit as we provide an environment rich with play-based learning opportunities.

Kandoo Joeys is open to all families with before-school-aged children and runs every Wednesday from 9.00am-11.00am in J Block, next to the Admin Block.

Come and join in the fun and social connections as your children learn through play at Kandoo Joeys Playgroup. For more information contact Linda Merwood at playgroup@beerwahss.eq.edu.au

Given the ongoing COVID issues/ implications and other stressors on families, it seems timely to share this helpful website from Beyond Blue: https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/age-6-12/mental-health-conditions-in-children/anxiety/strategies-to-support-anxious-children

The 10 practical ideas are aimed at children aged 6 to 12 years. Please consider the 9th strategy which involves an interactive, online program for the prevention and treatment of childhood and adolescent anxiety. This free program which was developed at the University of Queensland, has programs for a range of ages and parents: https://brave4you.psy.uq.edu.au/

Andrew Graham (Guidance Officer)

Helping Hands provides quality before and after school care. This service forms strong, collaborative ties with the school, children, families, and the local community; to ensure the needs and interests of every child and family are supported. We provide an environment in which children feel safe and have fun. Afternoon tea is included.

We are located in D Block which is next to the Senior oval. For the children’s safety it is a requirement that you park in the allocated staff car park and use the footpaths to walk to and from the Centre. The car park will be open in the morning 6:30 to 7:30 and afternoon 5:00 to 6:00. Outside of these times, you will need to use the normal school carpark located on Old Gympie Rd. Children must be supervised at all times by an adult.

If you have any questions please phone Helping Hands Co-ordinator Sharon on: 0448 083 043, or click on the link below.

Concerns regarding young children with difficult and defiant behaviours? The Management of Young Children Program (MYCP) is available to support you.

The MYCP is supported by Beerwah and Landsborough State Schools (therefore no cost for these families) and is a practical and individualised behaviour support program for parents and carers of young children aged 2½ to 7 years and their families. It is a well-established and evidence based early intervention program targeting children who display defiant or oppositional behaviour with the aim of reducing such problematic behaviours in primary school and beyond.

For more information or interest in participating in the program, please see the school website link or contact the Landsborough State School office 5436 2777.

Our School has our own Skoolbag iPhone and Android App to help us communicate more effectively with our school Parent/Student community. Download the Skoolbag App to receive short messages, reminders and alerts. Parents will also be able to use eForms for absentee notes and change of details.

Click here to visit Skoolbag website

Take advantage of the QParents payments function to pay your invoices by simply logging in and paying online at any time.

If you have not registered for QParents yet, please email admin@beerwahss.eq.edu.au or call into the school office to collect the registration information. Over time, QParents will become an integral part of how we communicate with parents. Get on board now to enjoy the ease and convenience that QParents offers. More features will become available in the future.