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Academic Achievement
Over the past few weeks, the leadership and teaching team have been looking at a range of student achievement data, to inform not only teaching and learning in classrooms, but also as an indicator of how our school is performing. The first priority area for our school this year, is to improve the number of students achieving an A or B in English and Mathematics. Data from the Semester 1 reporting period and preliminary NAPLAN data, indicates that our school continues on an upward trajectory in this area which is cause for celebration. Data sets are also being analysed by the teaching and leadership team, as we begin to plan for our improvement priority areas for 2026. Feedback will also be gathered from our parent body, through the P&C, to support the development of our Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) for 2026. If you are interested in being a part of the decision making process at the school, I encourage you to reach out to our wonderful P&C and attend meetings if you are able.
Book Week
We had a fantastic time celebrating Book Week on Friday, 22nd of August! It was full of creativity, laughter, and fun—and we are so grateful to all the parents who went above and beyond with costumes and outfits, especially our Year 6 families who were expecting to be playing sport for the day! We know it takes time and effort, but any opportunity to inspire a love of reading in our children is well worth it.
In a world full of technology, devices and Artificial Intelligence, reading remains essential. Reading often supports cognitive skills such as critical thinking, concentration and language skills. Through reading stories, children can explore emotions, develop empathy, gain insight into perspectives beyond their own and support them to learn what to expect in certain situations, such as visiting the dentist.
Sharing books with your child is one of the simplest and most meaningful ways to support their growth and help them learn about the world around them. Reading together is more than just enjoying a story—it’s an opportunity to spend one-on-one time with your child, sharing in an activity that is relaxing and enjoyable. Even a few minutes each day can strengthen your child’s connection to language, encourage critical thinking, and create cherished moments together.
SCIMEP Instrumental Music Workshops
Last week, instrumental students from schools within our region participated in a series of one day workshops, culminating in a performance each afternoon. I had the privilege of being at the performance on Thursday 28 August. I was incredibly impressed with the high level of skill all of the students displayed, both the strings ensemble and the concert band. Each group performed 3 pieces exceptionally well after only one day of workshops. This is such an incredible opportunity for our talented students and another example of the exceptional opportunities in The Arts our students have access to. Well done to all the students who participated, along with our Strings and Band teachers, Cath Gilmore and Luke Coonan. More information below!
Elise Maguire (Principal)
Student Led Conferencing – Term 3, Week 10
This is a valuable opportunity for you to meet with your child/ren as they lead the conversation, sharing their learning, progress, challenges, goals and work so far this year. Together with their teacher, you’ll be able to celebrate these achievements and gain insight into their growth.
- Duration: Each conference lasts approximately 20 minutes, with around five families per session.
- Booking: Please use our online system SOBS, to select your preferred date and time.
- Families are asked to attend without siblings. If this is unavoidable, they need to be actively supervised by you.
- Families are welcome to connect with one another before or after their child’s conference outside the classroom.
We warmly encourage all families to participate—we can’t wait for you to experience your child’s growth and celebrate their successes together.
Jogathon
Our ‘Sunshiners’ will run 200-metre laps (not the full oval) and enjoy some fun activities in between. Families are warmly invited to cheer them on as this outdoor event is a great chance for everyone to get involved.
Students have received their sponsorship cards and can seek support from close family, friends or known neighbours. Sponsorships can be per lap (up to 20 laps) or a set donation—whatever works best for your family. For 2024, 10% of all funds raised will go to the McGrath Foundation, supporting their mission to provide breast care nurses across Australia.
For convenience, donations can be made via Munch Monitor—just log in and head to the SCHOOL SHOP as detailed in the welcome message. We ask that all money be deposited by the end of the day on 16 September. Don’t forget that cards need to be bought in on the day!
Students are encouraged to wear pink – remember to be sun safe.
Remember, no donation is needed for participation—everyone will take part and have a fantastic day! Timetable is below.
Instrumental Music (IM) News
Sunshine Coast Instrumental Music Excellence Program (SCIMEP)
Our students played through five songs that they’d never seen before and ended up performing three or four of them for parents, families and principals at the end of each workshop. The teachers involved, and many of the families who attended, commented on the outstanding level of musicianship displayed by the students! We also had many parents and carers comment that they couldn’t believe that the students had only had the one or two days to learn all that music and perform it to such a high standard.
Congratulations to Alice, Bodhi, Korah, Leilani, Aurora, Gene, Jack, Romy, Victoria, Baylee, Harvey, Madeleine, Olivier, Oscar, Raemi and Samuel for their hard work and fantastic participation in the workshops.
Cath Gilmore and Luke Coonan
Annual Italian Speech Contest
Recently 18 of our students joined 69 competitors from 9 Sunshine Coast schools at the annual Italian Speech Contest held at UniSC. Our students spoke with confidence and enthusiasm, bravely stepping out of their comfort zones to deliver their speeches in Italian. They shone brightly and represented our school with pride.
Our results were outstanding: 4 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze and 6 highly commended awards.
Junior Open (own written speech)
- Year 3 – Tiago (Gold)
- Year 4 – Lavinia (Gold)
Set Speeches
- Year 3 – Mini (Silver)
- Year 4 – Amanda (Gold), Franco (Silver), Willamina (Bronze), Matteo, Tom, Claudia, Hamish, Maggie, Jupiter (Highly Commended)
- Year 5 – Koa (Gold, second year in a row), Emilie (Silver)
Thank you to:
- Maree, for her constant support of the Italian program.
- Samanta and family, for helping with registration and practice all day while also cheering on her three children.
- Sally, for assisting at the registration desk.
- Sofia, our Italian Assistant, for judging the high school division.
- Our wonderful families, for giving up their Sunday to support the students until the very last medal was awarded.
A fantastic day of achievement and celebration for our young Italian speakers! Watch out for amazing photos in our next newsletter!
Still collecting textiles for Kids in Action
Our Kids in Action (KIA) group is continuing to collect old t-shirts, tea towels, and hand towels – they don’t need to be perfect! Rather than sending them to landfill, these fabrics will be repurposed into dog toys and bags. At the upcoming KIA conference, our students will also show others how to create them.
With this year’s theme, Walking Country – Where Will Our Footprints Lead?, we’re working to shrink our textile waste footprint. Donations can be left in the box at the school office – thank you for helping us tread lightly!
Last call out for these unnamed lost property
If you see something that belongs to your child, please send them to collect it from outside of the office or email Kirstyn who will get it to your child. These items will be donated at the end of this term.
Upcoming holidays
| Friday 5 September | Student free day |
| Friday 12 September | Noosa Show Day (public holiday) |
| Friday 19 September | Last day Term 3 |
| Monday 6 October | King's Birthday (public holiday) |
| Tuesday 7 October | First day Term 4 |
Recruiting for 2026 Instrumental Music Program
Recruiting for the 2026 Instrumental Music Program is starting. Currently over 130 students are involved in this fantastic program.
The String Program is taught by Cath Gilmore and students in Years 3 – 6 in 2026 can participate. Instruments taught are the violin, viola, cello and double bass.
The Concert Band Program is taught by Luke Coonan and students in Years 4 – 6 in 2026 can participate. Instruments taught are the flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, french horn, euphonium and percussion.
Parents/carers of learners in Years 2 and 3 should have received an email from Maree about the IM Program. Learners in Years 4 and 5 are also welcome to nominate for the program.
Information about the program and how to nominate for next year can be found on our website.
Sunshine Coast Region Schools Track and Field carnival
Well done to our talented athletes who represented Noosa District at last week’s regional track and field carnival. Thanks Aurora, Hugo, Leo, Ava, Olivia and Oliver for being great representatives of both Noosa District and Sunshine Beach State School. Highlight was Leo winning the discus competition and progressing to state championships.
Equestrian
Lexi of Year 4 and her horse Cadbury Kisses had an amazing time representing SBSS at the Fraser Coast Interschool Equestrian Competition last week.
160 students competed from 33 schools, with over 1,000 classes run across the week at Maryborough Showgrounds.
Lexi competed in all events with awesome results.
Results:
2nd - Dressage
2nd - Showing, Pony Hacking
4th - Showing, Rider Class
1st- Western Dressage
2nd - Extreme Trail
3rd - Dry Work
3rd - Mechanical Cow
Representative School Sport
Aquathlon and Triathlon
A suitable event for our athletes who are both good swimmers and distance runners.
In 2026, the Queensland Representative School Aquathlon and Triathlon State Championship will be held in Hervey Bay.
The upcoming All Schools Triathlon and Aquathlon will be used to pick Sunshine Coast Regional teams. This event is happening at Lake Kawana, Sportsman Parade, Bokarina on Saturday 11 October and Sunday 12 October 2025.
Visit our website for further information and registration details.
Year 6 Sport Term 3
Well done to our Year 6 students who have been participating in interschool sport this term.
SBSS participated in interschool competitions in Netball, Oztag, Basketball, Cricket and Rugby League. There has been some challenges with weather, however a huge thanks for everyone’s support. We are hoping to be able to do an extra oztag session in the last week of term with a game against St Thomas More.
Last Friday saw both a boys and girls cricket team take part in the schools cricket challenge at Cooroy. The day was a great success with both teams finishing as runners up. The players impressed with both great skills and exceptional ambassadorship on the day.
Schools Skateboard Competition
Buddina State School will be hosting their annual skateboard competition 14/11/2025 (TBC). In the past we have had several students enter this event. We have been advised that registrations will be open via “LIVEHEATS” within the next few weeks. In addition to doing the registration process could families also email Mr. Porter that they are participating.
HPE - Oztag
As part of our Oztag unit in Physical Education, we welcomed a visit from Coolum Oztag. Their Development Officers ran clinics where students learnt the basics of the game—everything from evasive moves like twisting and spinning to mastering the perfect tag. For more information, visit their website For more info be sure to check out their website.
Cam Porter (HPE teacher)
Read LessInternational News
Kanade has been part of our Sunshine family for four years now — visiting in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025! Each time, her friends (including Alex, who first met her in 2022) are right there to welcome her back. It’s proof that the friendships made here last long after the school bell rings.
Prep Family afternoon
Our Prep Family Afternoon was a wonderful success! Parents, grandparents and carers joined our little Sunshiners for hands-on activities, games and learning. Thank you to everyone who came along and made it such a memorable afternoon — the children absolutely loved sharing their world with you.
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