16 May 2025

Woree State School – Vision & Values

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to Term 2!  We have some exciting upcoming events planned, including:

• North QLD Cowboys visits – Wednesday 21st May (Week 5)
• Year 6 Camp - Wednesday 21st May – Friday 23^rd May (Week 6)
• Pink Day – Friday 13th June (Week 8)
• Athletics Year 4-6 trials – Tuesday 17^th June (Week 9)
• Athletics Carnival - Wednesday 18th (Week 9)
• Year 6 transition day - Thursday 26th June (Week 10)

Curriculum news

• All students across Prep to Year 6 will be engaging with informative texts this term. At home parents are encouraged to read and talk to their children about things around that inform them. This could include reading non-fiction books, exploring articles on topics of interest, or discussing information found in everyday contexts such as signs, brochures, or online content.
• Informative texts help students build knowledge about the world, develop critical thinking skills, and improve their ability to locate, understand, and share facts clearly. By talking about what they’re reading, children deepen their comprehension and make connections to their own experiences.
• We value the role families play in supporting learning and appreciate your ongoing involvement. If you have any questions or would like ideas for suitable texts to explore at home, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.
• Thank you for your continued support.

Behaviour Expectations Reminder

• At Woree State School, we follow ‘The Woree Way’.  Children are expected to show respect, be safe, cooperate and learn. We have been busy handing out house tickets and working towards our certificate of recognition for fabulous behaviour.
• As a class we have discussed being organised when coming to school by bringing their homework folder, lunch, hat and water bottle to school daily.

Mikala Duda
Acting Deputy Principal

Enrolment

Woree State School is currently taking enrolments.  Please contact the office or visit our website for more information.

Ph: 4054 9111    Email: info@woreess.eq.edu.au    Website: https://woreess.eq.edu.au/

Donations

Did you know we accept donations? 

We love the support we receive from our community, if you have anything you would like to donate please drop off to Miss Leisa’s office in block 8.

• Uniforms
• Book / Stationary
• Fresh Fruit
• Lunch Snacks

If you are not sure what you can donate talk to Miss Leisa today.

Staff Profile – Heidi Baranyay

My name is Heidi Baranyay, but I am known as Miss Heidi.  I am so excited to be starting my Woree adventure with all of you! 

I am an experienced senior teacher, having transferred to Woree after 11 years of service at Whitfield SS.  I hold a teaching degree from the University of New South Wales, as well as Early Childhood qualifications from FNQ TAFE.

I live for the ah-ha or light bulb moments – when a child makes that connection with new learning, that they have been working so hard to achieve - “This is easy Miss.”  These moments are what make teaching meaningful to me.

As part of my role as an inclusion teacher, I will be working with the wonderful Year 4 students and Year 4 Teaching Team.   I also host a lunchtime puzzles and games club at first break, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

When I’m not at work, I enjoy gardening, fishing and hanging out with my fur-babies- Frankie Sinatra a 4-year-old Kelpie-Collie cross, and Fred Astaire, a 13-year-old long-haired ginger cat.

I share my space with Frankie Sinatra a 4-year-old Kelpie-Collie cross, and Fred Astaire, a 13-year-old long-haired ginger cat.    I have a 9-year-old nephew   and an 11-year-old niece, both of whom live in Brisbane   with my Mum and sister.

I love having a chat and meeting new families, so please stop in and say hi.

P&C News

What does your P&C do?

The Woree State School Parents & Citizens’ Association supports your children’s development by partnering with the Woree State School to provide essential services that include the Outside School Hours Care program, the Butterfly Café (tuckshop) and the School Shop. Our mission as a community-based not for profit association is to provide valuable support through reinvestment of monies and time back into the school to provide additional resources as seen necessary by the principal and essential to the development of the school community.

We ask all families to support your children’s journey by supporting our mission and encourage all parents and carers to play an active role in their child’s development through joining the P&C community.

Being a member

Interested in becoming a part of the Woree State School P&C Association?

Being an active member does not mean having to attend every meeting. You can attend as many or as little as you want. We do however ask you to attend the annual general meeting where a new committee is elected to office for the next 12-month period and critical direction is commonly discussed.

Remember NO P&C = NO TUCKSHOP / NO OSHC / NO SCHOOL SHOP

Volunteering

Being a volunteer comes in all shapes and forms. It does not necessarily mean having to help at every fundraising event. It could simply mean helping us with the administration of our Facebook page or a couple hours at our awesome Butterfly Café making sandwiches or pouring drinks. If your time is available, you may consider helping us with one of our main fundraising events? Our fundraising calendar supports a maximum of six events per year.  Any support around this is always highly valued and happily received.

Why Volunteer?

• Volunteering helps you to connect to your community by strengthening your connections.
• Children whose parents are involved in their schools do better. Research has shown that children of a school volunteer make better grades and perform better on tests.
• Volunteering helps you spend more time with your kids.
• Helps you get to know teachers and other school team members.
• Makes the school a better place to learn.
• Allows us to use your strengths.
• Why NOT!

More Information

If you want to become a general member or a part of the P&C executive team, simply contact us at operations@WoreeSSPandC.com.au or come along to one of our monthly meetings.

Regards
The P&C Executive Team

School Shop

Did you Know?

The Woree State School P&C are the only authorized sellers of Woree State School uniforms.

You can place your school uniform and stationery orders anytime you like using our 24/7 Flexischools app and website www.flexischools.com.au ordering platforms. Our full catalogue is 100% online. We deliver your order the following day directly to your child’s classroom making it super easy, effortless and efficient.

If you want to pick up your online order, you can pop into the school shop, or we can drop it at the front office if it’s outside shop open hours.  

If you prefer to do things in person our school shop’s opening hours are Monday & Thursday 8:15am – 10am (except Public Holidays). Feel free to come in.

Book Pack Solutions

Every year we offer a no fuss complete book pack solution from prep to Yr6 that make starting school the following year easy and seamless.

Layby

We support our book pack solutions by offering a layby facility from September every year to help spread the cost into manageable payments. Our Layby option can be initiated through email, over the phone or in person at the school shop. (T&Cs apply)

For more information email: schoolshop@woress.eq.edu.au or call 4054 9167 during business hours on Mondays & Thursdays.

Regards
Linda Circus
School Shop Coordinator

Butterfly Café

At the Butterfly Café all food is prepared fresh daily and is constructed with the guidance of Smart Choices for Queensland Kids. We open daily for breakfast from 8:15am and for both lunch breaks. We also do affordable classroom catering for birthday parties and special occasions.

You can place your orders via the Flexischools app and their website www.flexischools.com.au or directly over the counter. Orders need to be in by 9:30am every day to be delivered to the classroom.

The Butterfly Café is open for over-the-counter sales before school and through the lunch periods.

Using Flexischools app or website to order lunch can be done at any time of the week or day, but it needs to be placed before 9:30am the day you want the meal for first break orders or in before 12pm for second break orders.

Things to remember

• Breakfast is served from 8:15am daily
• Lunch orders can be placed anytime of the week via Flexischools, but you need to make sure it’s in by 9:30am for first break or 12pm for second break on the day you want it.
• All food is made fresh daily, and we make some yummy treats for your kids.
• No over the phone lunch orders – please use the Flexischools app or website.

Please place orders by 9:30am daily, to avoid disappointment as our items are all made fresh daily.

Facts to know about the Butterfly Café:

• We are operated by the Woree State School P&C Association, so all proceeds are re-invested back in the school – supporting us supports the school and your kids learning!
• We make café-style barista coffee – so why not grab a latte when you come to the next parade
• We are always making special treats for your kids, look out for them on our red day menu or Flexischools ordering platforms.
• We can cater for your child’s birthday party in classrooms and take-home packs.

Regards
Tanya Boyce
Tuckshop Convenor

Outside School Hours Care

Events

Pink Day 2025

Pink Day is a fantastic event that promotes kindness, inclusion, and standing up to bullying. This year’s theme is “Let Kindness Grow”.  We look forward to seeing all your Pink Shirts on the 13^th June!

Prep & Year 1 Mothers Day Pamper Afternoon

Last week our Prep and Year 1 students spent the afternoon pampering the wonderful mothers and mother figures in our lives.  Our mothers were spoilt with nail paining, jewellery making, colouring and hand massages.

Mothers Day Pamper Afternoon

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Nurse Practitioner

Our Nurse Practitioner is available every Tuesday 9am-4pm, email nurseadmin@woreess.eq.edu.au  to make an appointment or book directly online 

Asthma, Eczema, Allergies? We Can Help!

Managing asthma, eczema, or allergies during the school day is important for your child’s health and learning.

NP Mel can review health plans, update medications, and provide support for teachers too!

Flu Season is Coming!

Flu season is around the corner.

Book your child in for a quick health review — a strong immune system starts with good basic health.

Discuss flu shots, vitamins, and simple ways to stay well this winter with NP Mel.

📅 Appointments via school office or book online.

School Psychologist

School Refusal, what is it?

School Refusal is different from truancy, school withdrawal or school exclusion.  We can all sometimes feel unmotivated or not want to go to work. Young people and children can also experience this and these experiences are normal.

With school refusal the child does not try to hide their school absences from their parents and, parents make attempts to get their child to school.  Sometimes though, the idea of going to school can be cause for severe emotional distress for a child and can result in a reluctance to go to school and an increase in nonattendance. High levels of emotional distress and a reluctance to go to school is known as school refusal.

School refusal can manifest in many ways, some early signs to look out for:

• Emotional distress and anxiety about going to school.
• Frequent lateness to school due to reluctance to get ready or leave the house.
• Frequent lateness or tardiness to class.
• Avoiding school events or activities, including when there is a test, sports or assessment on.
• Refusal to enter the classroom from time to time.
• Frequent complaints of physical illness before or during school, including feeling nauseous, headache, tiredness, aches and pains, frequent visits to the sick bay and requests to go home.
• Morning misbehaviours to avoid class, and or poor teacher/student relationships.
• Parents making sincere efforts to have student attend but without success.
• Tearfulness, clinginess before school, sometime resulting in conflict with family.
• Difficulty attending school after weekends or holidays.

There are some practical things you can do at home to support your child and encourage them to go to school:

• Validate your child’s emotions and feelings, show them that you understand. For example, you could say, ‘I can see you’re worried about going to school. I know it’s hard, but it’s good for you to go. Your teacher and I will help you’.
• Explore different ways your young person can try to manage their worries. Focus on their strengths and ways to positively engage in day-to-day activities.
• Learn and practice relaxation techniques together to reduce stress and anxiety, such as breathing exercises, meditation, or grounding techniques.
• Use clear, calm statements that let your child know you expect them to go to school. Say ‘when’ rather than ‘if’. For example, you can say, ‘When you’re at school tomorrow ...’ instead of ‘If you make it to school tomorrow ...’.
• Show that you believe your child can go to school by saying positive and encouraging things. For example, ‘You’re showing how brave you are by going to school’. This helps build self-confidence.
• Use direct statements that don’t give your child the chance to say ‘No!’ For example, ‘It’s time to get out of bed’ or ‘Jo, please get up and into the shower’.

When you’re at home with your child:

• Stay calm. If your child sees that you’re worried, stressed or frustrated, it can make your child’s anxiety worse, think about the non-verbal message that you are sending to your child.
• Plan for a calm start to the day, have morning and evening routines. For example, get uniforms, lunches and school bags ready the night before, get your child to have a shower or bath in the evening, and get your child to bed at a regular time.
• Praise your child when they show brave behaviour, like getting ready for school. For example, you could say, ‘I know this is hard for you, but I think it’s great that you’re giving it a go. Well done’.
• Make your home ‘boring’ during school hours so that you don’t accidentally reward your child for not going to school. This means little or no TV or video games and so on. You could think about not letting your child use their phone during school hours.
• Get your child to do work provided by the school while at home. This will help to make sure your child doesn’t fall behind.

Getting to school:

• Consider getting someone else to drop your child at school, if you can. Children often cope better with separation at home rather than at the school gate.
• Praise your child when they actually go to school. You could also consider rewarding them. For example, if your child goes regularly, they could earn bonus technology time, a special outing with a parent to their favourite park, or their favourite meal for dinner.

Effects of school refusal:

• School refusal can negatively impact a child’s learning and development. It can affect friendships as well as social standing due to missed opportunities to connect with friends and other students. The longer the issue persists, the more difficult it can be for your child to get back into the routine of going to school, so it’s important to respond early.  School refusal can also have an impact on the family, it can be hard to handle and can cause a lot of worry. 

Seeking help:

• If you have concerns about school refusal you could speak with your child’s teacher to see what they might be able to suggest. If your concerns continue, schools can have a range of trained staff members to provide support, such as the Guidance Officers, Social Workers, Psychologists, Chaplain’s and Youth Support Workers.  Contact your school to see what support options are available for your child.
• References:
• Associate Professor Lisa McKay-Brown (2022) “Tiered Responses to School Attendance Problems”, EdLink webinar presentation.
• Headspace: https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/supporting-a-young-person/school-refusal/
• Raising Children Network: https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/school-learning/school-refusal/school-refusal

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