19 May 2025

Principal’s Messages

From the Principal’s Pen

We’re thrilled to see our students diving into Term 2 with such enthusiasm and resilience! The classrooms are buzzing with curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning. It’s been heart-warming to watch our young learners support one another, try new things, and give their best each day.

Staff movements:

Becc Slater stepped into the Head of Department – Inclusion at the end of last term. Rebecca brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for supporting every learner to thrive. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding your student with diverse needs, please do not hesitate to contact your class teacher or Becc for support.

Melissa Nolan is acting Head of Department – Curriculum. Melissa is a longstanding staff member of Burnside and is dedicated to enriching our teaching and learning programs and supporting our staff in delivering engaging, high-quality education for all students.

We’re thrilled to have them on board and look forward to the energy, expertise, and care they bring to our school community.

Play time changes: The HUB

We’re so pleased that the Zen Zone has become a popular space for students accessing the HUB. It’s been wonderful to see so many children seeking out calm, quiet moments during their day.

However, due to the growing number of students using this small space, we’ve noticed that it has occasionally led to some upsets and challenges in maintaining the peaceful environment it was designed for. Our goal is always to support wellbeing in a way that is fair, respectful, and sustainable for everyone. To ensure all students continue to feel supported and safe, we’ve made the decision to pause the operation of the Zen Zone. But don’t worry! If your child uses the HUB, they can still enjoy all the other fun and relaxing lunchtime activities we have available. There are still plenty of great options to choose from!

Religious Instructions:

A reminder that Religious Instruction (RI) will commence this Friday. Emails with details were sent out earlier this week. You only need to respond if you would like to change your current preference for your child to attend. If your child already has consent for RI, you will receive a separate email to confirm.

Thank you to our wonderful teachers, staff, and families for helping make this a positive and productive start to the term. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Together, we’re making every day a great day to learn. 🌈📚

Yours in Education,

Deputy News

On Friday 23^rd of May we will be hosting our Under 8’s celebrations.  It will be held in the Junior covered (Year 1/2) area and surrounds (map below).     

All children beginning prep in 2026 are invited to attend, inclusive of our Playgroup, and our ECDP students.  We have planned lots of super fun activities to go with the theme “Unleashing Scientific Thinking Through Play,” (refer to activity list). 

8.50am - Students will assemble in this area for a brief explanation of expectations and activities.
9am -10.30am Activities will run from
10.30 am Pack up
10.45 Bell rings for 1^st break

Supervision before / after school

Students should NOT be arriving at school prior to 8.15am.  Supervision is provided by school staff in the covered areas only.  Students are required to stay in those areas until the bell goes.  Students are allowed to sit with their parent’s supervision and wait however should not be running around in front of classrooms.  Students not picked up from school (by 3pm) on time are required to move to the office to ensure their safety.   

Sports News

Athletics Carnival

Our 3-6 Athletics carnival will be held on Wednesday 18^th June 2025 (week 9).  This is an all day event  - please see below for the schedule of events.  The timing indicated on the side of the table is a GUIDE ONLY, it is subject to change without notice.   Students are encouraged to wear their house colours and cheer for their team.  Parents are welcome to attend and requested to keep a respectful distance to not interfere in the running of events (as we have multiple events all happening at once).  Please ensure that your child has adequate food, water sun cream and a hat for the day.  We encourage all students to participate in all activities to earn points for their house (Blaxland – Blue, Windsor – Red and Carter – Yellow).   Please note the ovals will be closed for use at break times – if parents are in attendance students will be permitted to remain with their parents supervision however they will not be allowed to play on the ovals or equipment during this time.   Please refer to school streams and Facebook posts to stay up to date with any changes. 

Playgroup News

Miss Amanda and our very experienced ECDP teacher Miss Heather help run an amazing Playgroup program in the ECDP, inclusive of some wonderful Music and Movement time, arts and crafts and outside play. We welcome and encourage you all to come along every Wednesday from 8:45 – 10:45. Bring a snack, water bottle and hat.

Chappy Chat

Hey Awesome Burnsiders

What a crazy first half of term it’s been… so much rain and all the public holidays, but hopefully things are going to start to level out and we’ll see a bit more normalcy.

This week I had the privilege of being a part of our annual chaplaincy fundraising dinner. This year our guest speaker was Kerrod Walters of Brisbane Broncos fame. We were doubly blessed to have his older brother and former Canberra Raider, Steve Walters join us as well. It was a great night hearing their stories of growing up together, with the same passions for rugby league, the struggles and adversities they had to overcome to make it to the top of their game… They are the only NRL family to have had 3 brothers playing at the highest level at the same time – Steve, Kevin & Kerrod. It reminded me how, if we really want to make it to our dreams, WE had to do something proactive about… it doesn’t just drop in our laps. We have to work hard and at times ask for the help needed, or the additional training required to reach those goals.

In talking with our principal, I am really excited to be starting a new lunchtime club on Thursday first break – Green Thumb Thursday, where we will start to do a bit of gardening, for those that are interested. So keep your ear out for that in the coming weeks.

It is a real priviliege to be the Chappy at Burnside State School and I truly value the amazing connections and engagements I have with students, families and staff alike, as well as the great opportunity for networking with other community organisations like Everyday Foundation for Breakky Club, Urban Angels for our Meal Bank and the The Shack to help out the vulnerable in our community.

What’s On At Burnside – Term 2

Community News from the P&C

Hi Burnside community, 

We are excited we have a new Executive team this year! We want to welcome Bobby-Lee Wells our new Treasurer and Renee Erskine-Shaw our new secretary who joined our Team alongside Letisha Wynn-Vice President and Jess Hosking- President. It's been a busy start to the year, we have been planning some upcoming events so mark your calendars. 

School Disco- Friday 20th June 
Prep -3 4:30pm - 5:45pm 
Year 4 -6 6pm - 7:30pm 
Tickets will be available via school shop on munch monitor 

Turning the Screws
This Saturday 19th July 
7am until 12pm
P&C will be hosting a sausage sizzle and bake sale. Volunteers needed! 

Come and turn the screws on crime and have your one-way number plate screws fitted by our local Neighbourhood Watch Volunteers and Queensland Police Service. 

Many thanks, 
Jess Hosking 
P&C President 

Tuckshop News

We've had some great sellers since our last newsletter. Jelly & Custard was a big hit along with our Easter Special.

We are working on some new meal deals for this term.... did someone say Doughnuts?
Keep an eye out next week for more news about us celebrating National Doughnut Day.

Sharing from Queensland Association of School Tuckshops (QAST) 

Meet Bill from Maryborough. He volunteers in his local school tuckshop, two days a week. He takes care of the odd jobs that usually take time away from the convenor who is busily preparing food… like restocking the drinks fridges, cleaning and tidying, and filling the hot boxes. 💪

Bill, who will turn 83 in July this year, says that “age is no barrier” and that volunteering keeps him fit and healthy. He is blown away by the volume of work that happens in a school tuckshop, and says that convenors do an incredible job, often by themselves. 🧡

We take our hats off to volunteers like Bill… we wish there were more like him. 👏

If you'd like to be like Bill and volunteer please reach out to us. 

If you can help us to stay open, please see our Convenor Trish at the Tuckshop or email us at burnsidesspandc@outlook.com

Please also remember our cut off time for ordering tuckshop is strictly 8.45am. This is to ensure all orders are made on time for our kids to receive their lunch

LOVED ONES STALL

A special thank you to all the amazing volunteers that helped out at the Loved One's Stall yesterday.

We hope all the Mum's, Aunts, Grandma's and Carers had a lovely day celebrating on Sunday and are enjoying all their gifts from their special little people.

A BIG thank you to S&D Soy Candle Creations ( https://www.facebook.com/share/12JsR8yPWtH/ ) for donating the most beautiful candles - we are sure the lucky recipients will have a gorgeous smelling home.

School Age Care

Rise Then Shine 6:30am-8:45am Breakfast provided
Stay and Play 2:45pm-6pm Afternoon Tea provided
Holiday Program 6:30am – 6pm (Breakfast, Morning tea and Afternoon tea provided)

Feel Free to stop in and chat with our friendly staff. Give us a call on 0474 462 948 or Email us on burnsideqld@helpinghandsnetwork.com.au

Thank Stacy Jacobs (Coordinator)

Sunshine Coast Police Blog