8 August 2025

From Taylor Haley, Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers

As we reach the near halfway point of Term 3, it’s been wonderful to see students settling into routines, engaging deeply with their learning, and embracing the many opportunities on offer across the school. From classroom activities to co-curricular programs, our community continues to thrive through connection, curiosity, and care.

This week and as I’m writing our newsletter, we look forward to our upcoming Art Show and thank all families for your ongoing support and involvement. Whether it's through attending school events, volunteering, or encouraging your child each day, your partnership plays a vital role in creating a positive and successful school environment.

Wishing you a great fortnight ahead.

Ongoing Car and Street Safety Around Our School

As we continue through the school year, we kindly remind all families and caregivers to prioritise the safety of our students, staff, and wider community during drop-off and pick-up times.

The school zones become particularly busy at the beginning and end of the school day, and we all share the responsibility to make these areas safe. Please help us by observing the following:

• Stick to the speed limit in school zones, even a small reduction in speed can save lives.
• Use designated drop-off and pick-up areas only, avoid stopping in no-stopping zones, across driveways, or double parking.
• Encourage children to use pedestrian crossings and model safe road behaviour.
• Park legally and safely, even if it means walking a short distance to the school gate.
• Be patient and alert, watch for unexpected movement from children and be mindful of other drivers.

We understand mornings and afternoons can be a rush, but taking a few extra moments can make a big difference to the safety of our school community. Thank you for helping to keep our students safe!

Play On! Vouchers – Get $200 to Support Your Child’s Sport or Active Recreation

We’re pleased to share that Round 1 of the Queensland Government’s Play On voucher program is now open! This program helps families cover the costs of sport and active recreation so that every child can participate and stay active.

What Is It?  The Play On voucher provides up to $200 per child to assist with the cost of:

• Memberships
• Registration fees
• Participation in sport or active recreation programs

These vouchers can be used at a wide range of registered clubs and organisations across Queensland.

Who Can Apply?  Parents, carers or guardians can apply if:

• Their child is aged 5 to 17 years (inclusive),
• They live in Queensland, and
• The child or parent holds a valid Services Australia Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, or Medicare Card with the child’s name on it.

Visit the official site: qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/playon/apply

Let’s Get Kids Back into Sport!  We know how valuable team sports and physical activity are for children’s wellbeing and development. These vouchers help make participation more affordable for all Queensland families.

If you need help applying or navigating the system, feel free to contact the school or visit the Play On FAQ.

School Opinion Survey

Have Your Say – School Opinion Survey Now Open

Each year, the School Opinion Survey gives parents and caregivers the opportunity to provide valuable feedback about their child’s school experience. Your voice helps us understand what we’re doing well and where we can improve.

This year’s survey is now open and has been sent via email to all families. It only takes about 5 minutes to complete and responses are completely confidential.

We encourage all parents and caregivers to take part and share their thoughts. The survey will remain open until 22 August 2025.

Thank you for helping us continue to grow and strengthen our school community.

Understanding the Concerns Around Online Gaming

As online gaming continues to grow in popularity among children and teenagers, many parents and educators are raising concerns about its impact on students’ wellbeing, behaviour, and academic performance. While gaming can offer opportunities for social connection, creativity, and problem-solving, it's important to be aware of the potential risks when not managed appropriately.

What Are the Concerns?

1. Screen Time and Sleep: Excessive gaming can lead to increased screen time, often at the expense of sleep. Sleep is essential for children’s focus, learning, and emotional regulation. Late-night gaming can disrupt healthy sleep routines and leave students tired and disengaged at school.
2. Social Impact: While many games have online communities, some children may find themselves isolated from real-life friends and family. There is also a risk of exposure to inappropriate language or behaviour in online chats.
3. Aggression and Behavioural Changes: Some fast-paced or violent games can contribute to irritability, frustration, or aggressive behaviours. These changes can impact relationships at home and school.
4. Addiction and Escapism: The immersive nature of games can lead to compulsive use, where a child might prioritise gaming over homework, physical activity, or socialising. In some cases, gaming may be used as an escape from anxiety, stress, or challenges in real life.

How Can Parents Support Healthy Gaming Habits?

• Set Boundaries: Establish clear rules around when and for how long your child can play games. Ensure that gaming doesn’t interfere with sleep, homework, or family time.
• Know the Games: Take an interest in the games your child is playing. Check age ratings and read reviews to understand the content.
• Encourage Balance: Promote a healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity, face-to-face social time, and hobbies away from screens.
• Talk Openly: Have ongoing conversations with your child about online behaviour, digital safety, and emotional wellbeing.

At school, we are working to support digital wellbeing and responsible device use. We encourage families to partner with us in helping students develop safe and balanced online habits. If you have any concerns about your child’s gaming or technology use, please feel free to speak with a member of the wellbeing or leadership team.

This Tuesday, our local MFO is running a ‘Cyber Smart: Protecting Yourself in The Digital World’ session. I would encourage any of our 12yr olds or above and families to attend. This is being run at the Southport Library.

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.

P&C Fundraiser

Let the FUN begin with Bitesize 'FUN'raising!

We’re thrilled to introduce a new fundraising initiative at our school – Bitesize ‘FUN’raising – to help us raise much needed funds for a new kitchen air conditioner in the assembly hall.

Bitesize 'FUN'raising is powered by the team behind Australia’s most-awarded gourmet biscuits. Their FUN flavours Raspberry White Chocolate, Choc Chip & Salted Caramel biscuits are free from nuts, preservatives and additives, and are absolutely delicious – making them a perfect treat for families & teachers to enjoy with their tea or coffee.

But the impact doesn’t stop there. Every biscuit sold also helps support a truly inspiring Australian charity – Supertee.

Supertee was founded by Jason Sotiris, a tradie and devoted dad whose daughter bravely fought a rare form of cancer. During her treatment, Jason and his family had to cut up old t-shirts to make room for medical tubes – garments that were uncomfortable and temporary. From this hardship, the idea for Supertee was born: a superhero-inspired medical garment that makes hospital life easier and more empowering for seriously ill children.

Supertees aren’t sold – they’re gifted to kids in hospitals across Australia, helping them feel stronger, braver, and ready to face the day like a true superhero. And here’s where Bitesize 'FUN'raising comes in: a portion of every box sold helps donate more Supertees to children in need, through the Bitesize Kids Appeal.

We’re proud to be part of this double-impact fundraiser – raising money for our school while supporting a wonderful cause that’s changing lives.

Info & Tips for Bitesize ‘FUN’raising

• Each carry-box contains 15 Gourmet Bites packs. Each Gourmet Bites pack sells for $5 each or $75 for the entire carry-box.
• Take your carry-box out with you to social gatherings and sell to family members, friends or neighbours.
• Spread the word through Facebook and social media platforms.

From Naming to Navigating: Helping Children Express Big Feelings Safely

Once children can recognise and name their feelings, the next step is helping them figure out what to do with those emotions. This is where the real learning happens—not about avoiding feelings, but learning how to express them in ways that are safe, respectful, and understood.

Many children don’t know what to do with emotions like anger, disappointment, or anxiety. So they yell, throw things, shut down, or run away. It’s not about being “naughty”—it’s about not yet having the tools.

Emotion regulation is a learned skill, not something children are born with. According to recent research by Compas et al. (2021), children develop these skills through co-regulation with trusted adults who model calm responses, teach coping strategies, and provide emotional coaching in everyday moments.

Connection matters here, too. Children are more likely to take on those tools when they feel safe, supported, and seen. In other words: children don’t need perfection from adults—they need presence.

Try this at home:

• When your child feels overwhelmed, offer choices: “Would you like to take a break, get a drink, or draw it out?”
• Teach a calming strategy together: slow breathing, squeezing a pillow, or stretching.
• Model it: “I’m feeling tense, so I’m going to take a few deep breaths.”

Reflect:

• Think about the last time your child had a strong emotion.
  • What did they do?
  • What did you do?
  • Is there a small strategy you could try or model next time?

Regards, Georgia Blackwell, Psychologist

Lost property

Please ensure you label your child’s jackets and hats with their name.  We have a lot of lost property, especially jackets during this cool weather time!

Absent Students and SMS Text

When a student is absent without explanation for morning roll marking in class, we send a text message by 9.30am to advise parents/carers of the absence. 

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

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

Should your child arrive late (school starts at 8.55am), 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 phone absence number 0429 078 565 and advising details
• Emailing studentabsences@surfersparadisess.eq.edu.au
• QParents app – attendance – notify an absence

Book Week

Book Club

Orders for issue 5 will CLOSE on Monday 11 August 2025.  

Year 1 incursion Street Science

Assembly timetable

Enrolments for Prep 2026

If you have a child starting Prep in 2026 and they already have a sibling attending our school, we encourage you to submit their enrolment forms as soon as possible.

Should you have questions regarding the enrolment process, please feel free to contact us via email enrolments@surfersparadisess.eq.edu.au or visit our school office.

Eisteddfod Music Timetable

Permission notes have been issued by our music teachers and need to be returned as soon as possible.  If there is an invoice associated with transport for your child to the venue, please ensure payment by the due date.

If you have queries, please contact your child’s music teacher.

Tuckshop – Volunteers Needed

We are in need of volunteers in our tuckshop 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! 

Birthday Club Book Club

“Many happy returns” to the following students who have donated a ‘Birthday Book’ for our school library:  

Mobile Dental Van

All Queensland school children in Grade 10 and below are eligible for free public dental care.

Children do not need to be eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) to access our service.

Multiple locations including fixed clinics and mobile dental vans that travel to schools across the Gold Coast.

Please telephone 1300 300 850 to book your child’s appointment.

Parentline service supporting parents and carers

Parentline is a free, confidential counselling service available for all Queensland parents and carers.

If you need support navigating challenging situations, Parentline offers qualified counsellors who can help with expert advice, emotional support and referrals when needed.

Parentline’s services include:

• practical parenting resources on their website
• live webchat with professional counsellors
• phone support for immediate assistance (1300 30 1300)
• the option to pre-book ongoing sessions with the same counsellor
• online counsellor-facilitated parenting forums for shared support
• referrals to other family support services when additional help is needed.

Visit their website (parentline.com.au) for more information today, or give them a call on 1300 30 1300.

Northcliffe Nipper Sign On

BMD Northcliffe Nipper Sign on Days for 2025-26

- 8:00-10:00am Sunday 31st August at Damien Gulliver Swim School, Isle of Capri.

- 8:00-10:00am Sunday 14th September at Damien Gulliver Swim School, Isle of Capri.

All nippers must bring their togs and goggles to complete a pool swim. All membership forms will be available on the day.

Early bird membership prices from $30-50 - price goes up after 31^st August!

First day of our Nipper program is Sunday 28th September, and the season runs until March 2025

Please visit www.northcliffesurfclub.com.au/nippers or 

contact nippers@northcliffesurfclub.com.au for more information

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.