These really are amazing results, a testament to the quality teaching and learning environments provided at Wondall and we look forward to continuing to improve these further in 2024.

2024 School Priorities

Each year, schools identify priority areas that will shape the direction of the teaching and learning in the school. Our two key priorities for 2024, are listed below and will be unpacked as we progress through the school year.

Technology is a way of the future for our students and we recognise this. To support this in 2024, we are increasing our fleet of devices to provide the following FREE OF CHARGE to our students.

Preps and Year 1s: Access to iPad pods (free for use at school)

Years 2-Years 4: iPads provided 1:1 (free for use at school)

Years 5&6: laptops provided 1:1 (free for use at school)

These devices in Years 2-6 will be set up for individual students to support their learning in classes. We will also continue to have dedicated technology labs and teachers to further equip our students with the skills needed to successfully engage with these.

Curriculum

Week 1, the theme in classrooms was ‘Connection’. This focussed on students and staff reviewing our whole school PBL expectations, setting up their class routines and team building activities.

In 2024 we will have the following specialist offerings:

• Years 2-6: Languages- Japanese (weekly lessons). Years 2&3 is focussed on ‘cultural engagement and exposure’ with formalised assessment from Year 4.
• Prep-Year 6: Technology (Design and Digital, weekly lessons)
• Weekly PE lessons
• Weekly Arts lessons with specialist teacher (Music, Dance and Drama)

Class Information Sessions

Your child’s class teacher looks forward to welcoming you to the Parent-Teacher information sessions to be held on Wednesday 7 February. In these sessions, your child’s teacher will present information about their class routines and also the broader school. The 30 minute sessions will be delivered twice for families with multiple children at 3:20-3:50pm & 4:00-4:30pm.

Get Involved

There is nothing greater than having family members engaged and supporting students in our school. If you are able to help out in your child’s class, please chat with their teacher around your availability. All helpers are required to sign in via the office and complete the Key Messages for volunteers. Family members, not direct guardians are also welcome, however may require a blue card. Chat with our office staff about these requirements.

We are fortunate to have an incredibly supportive and generous P&C who run our tuckshop, uniform shop, WOSHC and fundraise for our students, your children. They are always looking for helpers with their different events. Reach out to the P&C via PandC@wondallheightsss.eq.edu.au

The first meeting for 2024 will be held in the WOSHC building at 6pm, Tuesday 6 February.

Facility Works

Over the holiday we have had a number of facility enhancement works completed:

• Covering the Prep Playground- thanks to our amazing P&C who funded this!
• External painting of:
  • The Library
  • B Block walls
  • The Administration Block

School Access

For student safety during school hours, all gates to our school are locked. The Wondall Road pedestrian gate - closest to the Administration Block remains unlocked as a point of entry. Please ensure that you latch it closed again after opening.

School Attendance

A new year brings new opportunities and learning experiences for your children. It is so important that your child is at school every day unless they are sick or there is some other significant reason. We want to ensure all of our students have the best education and regular attendance can support this.

If your child is away please do the following:

• phone the office absence line 3906 6460
• email the class teacher or office (admin@wondallheightsss.eq.edu.au)

Where possible, limit appointments within school hours and schedule holidays for the school breaks.

If you ever need help with supporting your child’s attendance at school, please call the office and we can assist.

Uniform Policy

We take pride in our appearance at Wondall Heights State School and therefore we have our endorsed school uniform policy.

We are a Sun Smart school and require students to wear a Wondall Heights wide brimmed hat when outside. Caps are not permitted. We have a No Hat – No Play rule. Jewellery, except for a watch and sleepers or stud earrings, is not permitted.

Students are expected to wear their sky-blue striped shirt or school dress and all black shoes when not a PE day.

The sports uniform should only be worn on days when they have a scheduled Physical Education lesson, to interschool sports and other school sporting events.

Students are encouraged to wear their house colour on sports carnival days.

Swimming

This weather is making our pool look even more enticing, with lessons for Years 1-6 commencing next week. Swimming will occur on your child’s normal PE day, with some adjustments around excursions and other events. All students are expected to participate in swimming lessons as it is part of the school curriculum. If your child has a medical condition preventing them swimming, please ensure a note is sent along. Parents will be notified if your child doesn’t swim. Students will need to bring the following for swimming-ensure it is all named: bathers, rash shirt, swimming cap, towel (optional: googles). During swimming sessions, we will provide for them a bright coloured cap to put over their own swimming cap to assist with easy identification in the pool.

To help facilitate our swimming lessons, we urgently need parent helpers to act as ‘supervisors’ on the pool deck and in the pool. Without volunteers, swimming lessons may need to be adjusted for safety reasons, so please help if you can! Supervision will be covered in 3 sessions a day and we would appreciate your help. Due to the requirement to be actively moving and scanning the pool, we ask that no younger children attend with helpers. All helpers will be required to complete the Mandatory Training Key Messages document and also review the risk assessment.

If you can help (please!), there is a session sign-up sheet in the front office foyer, or call/email the office (3906 6444 or admin@wondallheightsss.eq.edu.au) or Mrs Butterworth (ybutt1@eq.edu.au). For more information about swimming, see further information in the PE section.

Sharing of Food

There are a number of reasons why Wondall Heights State School does not promote the sharing of food, this includes for birthdays/celebrations.  

• Food Allergies – there are an increasing amount of students who are presenting with complex food allergies. It is up to the individual parents/caregivers as to what they choose for their child to eat in a day – school staff will not be responsible for distributing food to students.
• ‘Smart Choices’ – schools have an important role in promoting healthy eating to students and providing an environment that supports a healthy lifestyle. Please refer to ‘Smart Choices Strategy’.Eg: Whilst Zooper Doopers fall into the Amber category, again it is a parent/caregiver’s choice as to how often and when they choose for their child to consume these types of foods.
• We will not use food as rewards at school.

With all these factors in mind, the following school-based decision has been made:  Wondall Heights State School does not promote the sharing of food, this includes for birthdays/celebrations. Staff will not distribute food to students. We ask that you do not send food products for sharing at school.

When food is to be used as part of the curriculum, teachers will inform families prior so you are aware.

If parents wish to arrange celebrations for their child, we encourage this being done outside of school hours. Non-food alternatives (stickers, bubbles etc) may also be considered. Individual teachers still work to recognise these celebrations for children in their class.

Community Parking

We ask that all members of the Wondall community take care and respect the local neighbourhood when dropping off and picking up children. Please do not park across driveways or obstruct the clear viewing! This is about the safety of all members of the community. We know schools are busy places particularly at drop off/pick up times so be extra cautious. The Stop, Drop and Go is staffed until 3:30pm, so delay by 5 to help avoid the peak!

We ask the same courtesy is extended by ensuring your child isn’t walking in gardens/ entering private property whilst walking. 

NAPLAN – Year 3 and 5 Students

The NAPLAN test window starts on Wednesday 13 March and finishes on Monday 25 March 2024. Schools are advised to schedule the tests as soon as possible within the testing window, prioritising the first week. As a school, we will complete all assessments within the first five days of the test window. A test schedule will be published in the coming weeks.

If you wish to withdraw your child from NAPLAN please contact Pamela Kondys on 3906 6444 to complete the relevant paperwork.

For further information, please follow the links below:

NAPLAN Information for Parents and Carers - 2024

NAPLAN Privacy Notice

NAPLAN Public Demonstration Site

We are excited for a great year of learning at Wondall Heights State School and look forward to working with the Wondall community to achieve positive outcomes for all of our students.