Newsletter Term 1 Week 3
Principal's Pen
Newsletter – Term 1 Week 3 2025 – Principal’s Pen
As the 2025 school year begins, we extend a very warm welcome to all our families and students. The year has begun smoothly, and our students have quickly adjusted back to school routines. It is obvious from strong enrolment numbers that Bellevue Park SS maintains its proud reputation as a leading school of choice on the Gold Coast. Our official enrolment numbers on Day 8 were 734 students, an increase from 722 last year. We maintain a total of 30 classes across all seven-year levels.
Year of Kindness at Bellevue Park SS
We are excited to announce that 2025 has been declared the Year of Kindness at Bellevue Park SS! Throughout the year, we will be focusing on fostering kindness and compassion within our school community. To kick things off, ‘Kindness’ was our PBL focus of the week this week and we launched a number of schoolwide activities, including Class Kindness Pledges, student leadership greetings each morning, and Kindness Bingo challenges. These activities aim to encourage students to reflect on the importance of kindness and make it a part of their everyday interactions. We look forward to seeing how our students will embrace and celebrate this theme throughout the year!
Early arrivals to school
We are seeing an increasing number of students on school grounds prior to 8am. Students should not be arriving to school before 8am under any circumstance. Due to other morning commitments, our staff are not on supervision duties until 8:30am. Any students arriving to school between 8am and 8:30am MUST be seated in the upper undercover area near the tuckshop. They are not to be loitering or gathering in any other area of the school. They will be dismissed from here to go and play when supervision begins at 8:30am.
The ideal time to arrive with your child is between 8:30am and 8:45am, so they have the opportunity to have a play before school under full supervision.
Student absences during term time
We understand that sometimes is it necessary and unavoidable for students to be absent during the term. For all these absences, it is essential that you communicate the reason to both the school office and your child’s classroom teacher. This allows the classroom teacher to provide information regarding any school work they may be missing, as well as saves our office staff time following up daily absences.
Daily absences can be reported to our Absentee Hotline: (07) 5504 8266, or by emailing 1925_absences@eq.edu.au .
If your child is sick for an extended period of time (over 3 days), we encourage you to obtain a medical certificate and drop it into the office to explain your child’s absences.
If you are taking a holiday, particularly if you will be absent for 11 or more school days, please contact the office to complete an ‘exemption form’. This form will then be approved by myself (Principal), and means your child’s absence will not have a negative impact on their attendance rate.
Attendance rates will continue to be monitored this year and families will be contacted if we have concerns regarding your child’s absences, or if your students’ attendance rate falls below 85%. Our school expectation is that your child maintains an attendance rate above 92%. Our staff are always here to assist you if you need support with your child’s attendance.
Deputy Principal Prep to Year 2 News
Our Utterly Perfect Preps!
Our fabulous teachers have provided a flying start for our Prep students. Their confidence, resilience and team spirit are really shining through! Thank you so much for doing such an incredible job at drop off, the quick confident goodbyes, really helps the Preps to transition smoothly into school for the day.
We encourage our Prep students to wear their hats on the red side, so we are able to spot them when they are moving around the school and offer support when required. We think they look amazing!
Year 2 Take Inspiration from: Willy the Wimp by Anthony Browne!
This week in Year 2, students explored exemplars of their English recount writing and embarked on an exciting adventure to the 3/4 playground, inspired by Willy the Wimp, as he grows big and strong. In Science, they participated in a ‘water walk’ around the school to learn more about where water comes from.
Kindness Week in Action!
This week, 2B kicked off Kindness Week with an exciting Show and Share. Meet Marley, an inspiring young lady and super swimmer. This February, Marley has decided to participate in the Starlight Super Swim Fundraiser. She will be swimming 10km to raise money in support of the wonderful Starlight Children’s Foundation who spread joy to thousands of sick children that are admitted to hospital each day across Australia. Marley has already raised over $1000 for this fantastic foundation and is well on her way to achieving the 10km. Keep spreading kindness, Marley!
https://www.facebook.com/donate/617603787453984/?fundraiser_source=external_url
Religious Instruction
Now our timetable has been finalised we will be welcoming our trusted Religious Instructors back into the school. The Thursday sessions will start up again next week. We really appreciate our instructors and the service they provide to those students enrolled.
Story Dogs to Return!
Last year some lucky students were able to read with our two valued canine members of staff, Ruby and Murphy. These two gorgeous dogs are excited to return again this year to read with even more students in Years 2 and 3. These dogs are well loved and are now a fixture in our library!
Deputy Principal Years 3 to 6 News
Student Leaders for 2025
Last week, we were delighted to hold our first Year 3-6 assembly of the year, where our Prep students walked our Year 6 cohort into the assembly hall for their first last assembly in Primary school. Joining us at our assembly were special guests from our local High School: Kylie Oxenford (Keebra Park State High School), Anthony Larkin (Benowa State High School), Jason Hassard (Southport State High School along with our P&C President Mark Sala and past School Captain Kaya Sato. The students were individually congratulated by our special guests as they came to the school stage. The highlight of the assembly for our incoming Captains was when each new Student Captain received their badge from their proud parents, marking the beginning of their leadership journey at our school. It was a memorable occasion filled with pride and excitement for both the students and their families.
Congratulations to the following students on their leadership position for 2025:
School Captains – Chise T, Aria SH, Ilah M, Sebastien L
Performing Arts Captains – Eleanor T, Elizabeth T, Olivia L, Elora M
Sports Captains –
ARCHER –Kimia S and Walker R
GUNSYND –Eden J and Oliver C
PHARLAP – Evyah T and Jack S
STEM Captains –Kianna I and Jett B
Student Council Captains –Chelsea D and Ivey B
Environment Captains –Delilah T and Emma C
Cultural Captain – Senna T
Japanese Representative Captain – Ashanti C
Year of Kindness
This year at BPSS, we are embracing the theme of kindness, and we are excited to see how it will shape our school community. To kick off the year, our PBL (Positive Behaviour for Learning) focus invited each class to write their own kindness pledge, committing to spreading kindness throughout the school. Students also participated in a fun and interactive kindness bingo game, where they completed tasks that promoted positive actions and attitudes. Our school captains have been leading the way, setting the tone of kindness by warmly welcoming students at the front gate each morning, inspiring kindness through uplifting songs, and sharing encouraging notes, all in the spirit of making our school a kinder place for everyone. Take a look at the message they delivered to students as part of the launch of our kindness theme.
PBL News
Students achieving through Positive Behaviour for Learning
At Bellevue Park State School we are proud to be a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) school. We also encourage and invite family involvement and feedback on our implementation of PBL.
Backed by 40 years of research, PBL is an evidence-informed framework that promotes positive behaviour across a school and helps develop safe and supportive learning environments.
The PBL approach to behaviour and learning means we have clear and consistent expectations for behaviour which are agreed and shared with the whole school community. We explicitly teach our expectations and then reteach if students do not get it right the first time, just like we would reteach English or Maths if a student needed further understanding or practice.
Teachers also build positive classroom environments and take a proactive approach when students need additional or intensive support to reach their learning outcomes and engage successfully at school.
One of the benefits of using PBL is that it provides universal support to all students across the whole school. We then identify the students who may need additional support such as mentoring or learning modifications, and the smaller number of students who will need intensive support. Importantly, since PBL is a framework, we can add other programs or access services to provide the right support for our students.
As a school, we are supported by regional PBL advisors and have the opportunity to work with other PBL implementing schools to share best practice. Regular professional learning and building staff capability are critical in maintaining our PBL verification every year, which gives you the confidence that we are implementing PBL in the best way.
You can listen to the 12-minute podcast Students achieving through Positive Behaviour for Learning to hear what PBL means for parents and students. You can also visit the Department of Education’s Behaviour website.
If you have any concerns around student behaviour or learning, please see you child’s teacher in the first instance. If you would like to know more or get involved with PBL, please contact Shiree Salazar (Deputy Principal) or Bree Eve (Student Engagement Teacher).
Over the past few weeks student have explicitly learnt our BPSS school expectations
- We are safe
- We are respectful
- We are learners
They have also learnt the High 5 strategy which assists in developing problem-solving strategies for students:
- Ignore
- Talk Friendly
- Walk Away
- Talk Firmly
- Report
Spotlight on Learning
During the first week of the school year, families received an email from class teachers sharing an overview of the topics and concepts that students will be focussing on this term.
This edition of the newsletter focusses on English – writing and shares with families three questions to build into conversations with your child around what they are learning about in this area:
- What are you learning in writing?
- How are you going?
- What is your writing goal?
Is your child in Year 6? Time to start preparing for High School
We are thrilled to announce that Keebra Park State High School’s Girls’ Sports Academy (GSA) will be hosting two exclusive GSA Experience sessions for current Year 6 girls ahead of their upcoming GSA trial on Friday, 21 March 2025.
These sessions will focus on skill development in Rugby League, Rugby Sevens, Touch Football, and Strength and Conditioning training, offering aspiring young athletes an invaluable opportunity to showcase and refine their talents.
If you are interested, please reach out to Keebra State High School and also let our BPSS PE teachers Mr Brad Marsden (bmars267@eq.edu.au ) or Mr Pete Hall (phall6@eq.edu.au) that your child will be attending
NAPLAN 2025
NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake. All NAPLAN Tests Australia-wide have moved to the Online platform, except for Year 3 Writing, which continues in paper format.
From this year, the NAPLAN testing period will occur in March each year. Our Year 3 and 5 students have been engaged in activities to become familiar with the online platform in readiness for the tests, commencing from Wednesday 12th –Friday 21st March. This allows for all tests – Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy – as well as Catch-up sessions for students who may be absent on a test day, to be scheduled for both Year 3 and 5 students. A timetable outlining the specific days each test will be completed here at BPSS will be forwarded out to Year 3 & 5 families and also shared here in our next newsletter update.
Parents can assist in setting their child up for success over this testing period with the following:
- Ensuring your child gets a good night’s sleep - with reduced screen time at night and in bed on time
- A good breakfast each morning to set the up with the energy to focus on the tests
- Year 5 students need to have their iPads fully charged overnight. Whilst the school does have some iPads available, which can be swapped with the student device without losing any of their responses should there be any technical issues during the tests, having their iPad fully charged will alleviate any unnecessary stress during each test.
- Arriving at school ahead of the first bell each morning – the music plays at 8.50am with classes commencing at 8.55am.
If you have any concerns in relation to your child’s participation in NAPLAN please connect with your child’s classroom teacher.
Further information about NAPLAN 2025 can be accessed via the following link.
(link: https://www.nap.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/naplan-information-brochure-for-parents-and-carers.pdf)
Extra Curricular
Students at BPSS have the opportunity to participate in a range of extra curricula activities offered by staff. Please see the timetable below which outlines when various activities occur and the staff coordinator who can be contacted for further information.
Introducing our 2025 Classes & Year Level Totems
Finance News
Guidance Officer News
Specialist Teachers News
MEET THE SPECIALIST TEACHERS
Performing Arts News
2025 Prep – Year 2 Easter Celebrations
Sports News
Environmental Club News
P & C News
BPSS Breakfast Club
On Friday mornings 8:15am – 8:45am we will be hosting Breakfast Club at the hall. All students Prep to Year 6 are welcome to attend. Join your friends for free delicious fresh toast and a variety of fruit. Come along for the first Breakfast Club in week 3 and meet the lovely teachers and Year 6 students who volunteer their Friday mornings to run this community initiative. Thank you to Ashmore Woolworths supermarket for donating the food and the P&C for their support.
TERM 1, BPSS P&C DISCO
SAVE THE DATE: FRIDAY 14 MARCH
Ticket sales close: Wednesday 12th of March 3:00pm.
Only Bellevue Park SS students are permitted entry. Students please wear appropriate enclosed shoes.
Location: BPSS Hall
Dress in your best superhero costumes! Get creative! Prizes for best dressed!
Prep – Y2 Disco: 4:00pm – 4:45pm.
Y3 – 6 Disco: 5:15pm – 6:15pm.
‘Cash Only Canteen’ will be open for students to buy drinks and snacks.
The P&C will also once again be running a Sausage Sizzle at the disco to fill those hungry tummies.
(Cash or card options available)
Tickets are available to purchase at a cost of $5.00 via QKR.
Terms & Conditions:
*Tickets are non-refundable.
*Students supervised by BPSS staff and P&C volunteers.
*Only BPSS students are permitted entry. Students please wear appropriate enclosed shoes.
Community News
School Photos for 2025
School Photos will be taking place on Tuesday 25th February and Wednesday 26th February! The class teachers will provide you with your child's photo day.
Two easy ways to purchase your photos:
- Online visit: www.advancedlife.com.au and enter online order code: 2PB VJC EXN- Visa, MasterCard or PayPal
- Cash – complete the envelope which can be collected from the office and return it to our photographer on photo day
School Photography information:
- Sibling Photos will be taken in the library from 8.00am to 8.30am both days, there will be a strict cut off of 8.30am so students do not miss their class role.
- Sibling Photos - Don’t forget to pre-order your sibling photos online up to 24 hours before photo day. We provide your school with a list of sibling orders right up to the day of photography, so no one misses out. If you miss the online order deadline, you can submit a completed sibling order envelope first thing in the morning of the day of photography, so your school is aware you want the photo taken and can bring your children together in time for it. Sibling photographs only apply to children enrolled at your school. Please note not all schools offer sibling photos.
- Late fees - a late fee will be applied to each package purchased after photo day due to the additional cost of producing these packages separately
- Package delivery - School photographs will be returned approximately 6 weeks after the day of photography. Please note this delivery timeframe is dependent on proofing and additional photography days at your school.
- Previous Years’ photos - Past years’ photographs including sports, co-curricular and representative groups are also available to order under the “previous years or group photo” tabs at your school’s advancedorder site when you click on the “Order School Photos Here” button above. You can also order past packages, portrait images and gifts from your child’s unique, individual and secure advancedyou image archive site using the unique 9 digit image code found on packages you have ordered in the past
advancedlife would like to express our appreciation to Bellevue Park State School for placing your trust in us. Please remember we offer a 100% money back guarantee on our products to ensure your peace of mind. We would also love to receive your feedback or resolve any issues you may experience as fast as possible, to ensure your satisfaction. If you have any questions, comments or feedback relating to your advancedlife experience please contact us at: www.advancedlife.com.au/contact
