25 July 2025

From Taylor Haley, Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Welcome back to what promises to be a busy and exciting Term 3 at Surfers Paradise State School. I hope the holidays provided an opportunity for rest, family time, and recharging ahead of the new term.

I spent much of the break with my family, enjoying some quality downtime together. I also took part in the Gold Coast Marathon, a big personal goal that both my wife and I had been preparing for. After committing to a 12-week training program and setting some lofty targets, I was initially disappointed to fall short of my time goal on the day. However, after some reflection, I was able to put it into perspective. Just like in learning (and life), sometimes our biggest growth comes from the goals we don’t quite reach. The experience reminded me of the importance of resilience, reflection, and the ability to reset and refocus, qualities we want to foster in every student. It’s not always the outcome that matters most, but the mindset and commitment we build along the way.

Already, the energy around the school is high. From the moment our students returned, classrooms have been buzzing with curiosity and collaboration. I’ve been proud to see students settling back into routines so positively, ready to give their best and embrace new learning challenges.

This term brings with it a wide range of opportunities, from academic focus areas and sporting events to cultural celebrations and leadership experiences. It’s a term where many of our students shine in different ways, and we look forward to highlighting their growth and achievements along the way.

We’re currently in the middle of our Learning Conferences, which provide a valuable opportunity to strengthen the partnership between school and home. These conversations play a critical role in sharing student progress, setting goals, and aligning our support. Thank you to all families who have made the time to attend, your engagement sends a strong message to your child that their learning matters. Thank you for your continued support and partnership. When home and school work together, our students benefit in every way.

Here’s to a successful and rewarding Term 3 for all!

Prioritising Student Safety and Wellbeing

In light of the tragic news stories that have recently emerged and shaken communities across the country, I want to take a moment to reaffirm our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of every child in our care.

Student protection is, and always will be at the heart of everything we do at Surfers Paradise State School. Every staff member undergoes regular training to ensure we remain vigilant, responsive, and proactive in keeping children safe. Our school follows clear protocols and policies designed to protect students, and we maintain strong partnerships with support services, families, and community agencies.

We also understand that events in the media can affect children in different ways. If your child is feeling anxious or unsettled, please reach out to their teacher or a member of our leadership team.

Now more than ever, it's essential that we continue working together to create a safe, caring, and connected school environment where every child feels seen, valued, and protected.

If you have any concerns regarding student protection, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office. Your voice is vital in ensuring the safety of all children.

School Opinion Survey

The suite of School Opinion Surveys is undertaken each year by the Department of Education to obtain opinions about our school from families, school staff and students in target year levels (5, 6, 8 and 11). The surveys will help identify what we are doing well, and understand where we can improve.

The survey invitation will be emailed in the week beginning 21 July and is titled School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2025. Each school family will receive one email invitation from the Department of Education to complete the Parent/Caregiver Survey. The survey is anonymous, and the results are not reported in ways that an individual’s response can be identified by the school.

Parents/Caregivers are encouraged to complete the survey. The survey can be completed via computers, tablets or smart phones with an internet connection. For Parents/Caregivers who do not have access to the internet school computers/tablets will be available. Parents/caregivers who experience difficulties accessing the survey can request a new survey from the School Opinion Survey team via email schoolopinionsurvey@qed.qld.gov.au. It’s important that as many parents/caregivers as possible complete the survey.

Premier’s Coding Challenge

Is your child in Years 3 to10? Encourage them to enter the Premier’s Coding Challenge. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase their creativity and coding skills by designing an app, game or website that addresses one or more United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Winners share $15,000 in tech prizes, and every participant receives a certificate of achievement from the Premier. Entries close 5 pm, Friday 12 September 2025. Visit the challenge website for details!

Kind regards, Taylor Haley

Calendar 2025 Term 3

This calendar is for reference only and is subject to change. Please check with your child’s class newsletter for any changes to times and dates. If you are unsure, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or the school office during business hours.

Parent Overviews for Term 3

Parent Overviews for Term 3 provide insight into what your child is learning in class, along with important dates for your calendar.

Follow the link below to access the overviews.

Helping Children Name Their Feelings: A Step Toward Connection

After big emotions settle, there’s a chance to build something deeper: connection. When a child feels safe enough to talk about what they’re feeling—and we respond with warmth and curiosity—we’re not just helping them manage emotions. We’re strengthening our relationship with them.

Connection is the foundation for emotional growth. According to Cook et al. (2020), children who feel emotionally connected to caregivers are more likely to develop strong self-regulation skills, even in the face of stress. Naming feelings together builds emotional awareness and reinforces the message: “You’re not alone in this.”

In fact, when children learn to name emotions, it reduces reactivity in the amygdala (the brain’s alarm system) and increases activity in the prefrontal cortex—the area responsible for thinking and self-control (Denham et al., 2021).

Try this at home:

• Use everyday moments to practise: “You seem a bit off today—are you feeling sad, tired, or something else?”
• Create a feelings chart together. Draw faces or use photos and add words your child understands.
• When reading a book or watching a show, pause to ask: “How do you think they’re feeling right now?”
• Celebrate progress: “You told me you felt frustrated instead of yelling—that’s amazing.”

Reflect:  What words does your child already use to describe how they feel? What’s one small way you could build their emotional vocabulary this week?

Regards, Georgia Blackwell Psychologist

Student Council Fundraiser - Jeans for Genes Day

Absent Students and SMS Text

When a student is absent during morning roll marking in class, we send a text message to advise parents/carers of the absence. 

We ask that parents please always respond and reply directly to the message with an explanation and duration of the absence.

If you know that your child is or should be at school, please immediately telephone our school office on 55820333 so that we can investigate. 

Should your child arrive late to school, please ensure they visit our school office before going to class to process a ‘late arrival’ in the roll marking system.  If they do not collect a late slip, they are marked absent.

The following methods can be used to report an absence:

• A note prepared by parent/carer provided to the teacher or the office
• Telephoning the student absence line on 07 55820 360 and recording a message
• Texting the mobile number student absence number 0429 078 565 and advising details
• Emailing studentabsences@surfersparadisess.eq.edu.au
• QParents app – attendance – notify an absence

Year 1 incursion Street Science

Assembly timetable

Athletics – Senior field events

Due to recent wet weather, senior athletics field events will be run during student’s PE lessons.

Art Show

The theme for our 2025 Art Show is ‘Art is an Adventure’.  Please check with your child’s teacher for their class project.

Eisteddfod Music Timetable

Please refer to details below for the Eisteddfod timetable.  Permission notes have been issued by our music teachers and need to be returned as soon as possible.  If you have queries, please contact your child’s music teacher.

Tuckshop – Volunteers Needed

We are in need of volunteers in our tuckshop on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 11.45am.

Please email admin@surfersparadisess.eq.edu.au or contact our office if you are able to assist.  It's fun and rewarding and your kids will love seeing you behind the counter! 

Bastille Day Celebrations

Last week on Wednesday 16/7/2025, our school celebrated Bastille Day.  Our students and staff were invited to dress up in French style.

Results as follows:

My New Gallery

Keebra Park State High School

𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗦 𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗢𝗢𝗡

Interested in the world of competitive gaming, strategy, and digital collaboration?

Join us on 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟴 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 2025 for our Esports Excellence Open Afternoon at Keebra Park State High School!

Come along to explore the program, meet our team, check out the facilities, and see what makes Esports at Keebra a next-level opportunity for students.

To help us prepare, please RSVP via the short survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/R9TWKQX

Level up your learning - we can’t wait to see you there!

Community Notice Board

The school is happy to advertise some local events and business ventures. However, we do not necessarily endorse them to you. It is the responsibility of individual parents/caregivers to ensure that they themselves are satisfied with all services offered before they involve their children.