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Thank you all for your support during my term at Sunshine Beach State School. As communicated, Mr Steve Taylor will step into the Acting Principal role next term whilst the permanent recruitment process for the long-term school principal is finalised. It has been a privilege to work alongside the talented Sunshine Beach State School staff this term and interact in a school with such confident and respectful students.
In other staffing news, Gayle Howlett will be taking leave for the remainder of this year. Gayle has been a teacher at Sunshine Beach State School for 16 years and through her teaching skill and caring heart, she has positively impacted the lives of thousands of students. Thank you, Gayle, for your steadfast and joyful commitment to Sunshine Beach State School.
Another long-term staff member, Mr Greg Brennan officially retired this week. Greg had also been on staff at Sunshine Beach for 16 years. We wish Greg all the best as he steps into his retirement and acknowledge with thanks and gratitude, Greg's contributions to our students’ lives and to our school.
P&C Association – we need your help!!!
We have amazing parent volunteers for our class reps and to help with classroom roles as required. However, it has been difficult to fill the executive roles on the P&C.
Last Wednesday night, we had our school’s P&C meeting and Annual General Meeting. Our long-term president Steve Hunter was not renominating for president as he has graciously served in this role for 5 years and his youngest children are now at high school.
Unfortunately, it was a very small turn out for the meeting and of the four executive positions, we only solidly have a Treasurer. Thank you, Sally for continuing your outstanding service in this role. Steve has agreed to stay on as president for Term 2 however is not able to commit beyond that. If we are unable to form a functioning executive team for the P&C – the P&C will go into caretaker mode. Caretaker mode means that P&C operations shut down and the school takes on some of the operations of the P&C.
What this means right now:
- We are actively encouraging nominations for the positions of President, Vice-President and Secretary.
- Term 2 fundraising and P&C organised events – e.g., Mother’s Day stall cannot go ahead at this stage.
What this means long term if we are unable to fill these positions:
- P&C goes into caretaker mode.
- Tuckshop service will be impacted – lessened service delivery (P&C operates the tuckshop)
- The fundraising capacity of the Tuckshop would be compromised as the school would need to utilise some of the tuckshop profit to employ an Admin Officer to complete the administrative jobs currently done by P&C exec team related to wage payment, payments to suppliers etc.
- P&C fundraising activities such as Jogathon, Father’s Day stall, International Food Fair are unable to go ahead.
- The major fundraising input that the P&C provides for student resources would be adversely impacted. P&C fundraising (mainly derived through tuckshop sales) over the last couple of years has been directed to the junior playground refurb, student lap tops, permaculture garden teacher, netball uniforms and digital resources.
I understand these roles can sound daunting on paper, however we have templates and processes in place to support. The school leadership team and previous P&C executive members will ensure that we are by your side to transition into a P&C executive role and assist with any required tasks.
If you are interested, please let me know so that I can follow up with a chat to outline the roles within the P&C exec team and how we can support you with this role. There are only two P&C meetings per term to attend. P&C members and executive team officers can also be grandparents or community members who are supporters of our school. This is currently our most pressing priority as a school community- let’s work together to keep our P&C services and events running.
Thank you to the 2024 Executive team
The P&C plays a vital role to coordinate parent input which informs the school's strategic direction in a way that achieves the best learning outcomes for the school's students. Our school community is extremely grateful for the time and effort the 2024 P&C executive team have given to support our Sunshine Beach State School community events, as well as enabling our students to have access to additional resources, learning experiences and fun activities that add to the magic of primary schooling. Thank you to our wonderful 2024 P&C executive team:
Steve Hunter (President)
Lauren Rovers (Secretary)
Sally Imber (Treasurer)
And a grateful thank you to other 2024 executive members - Liz Boyd and Lauren Doherty.
Project funding wishlist for 2025
Thank you to all parents who completed the recent digital survey to consider the direction of 2025 P&C fundraising. The results are below:
- Enhancement to permaculture garden – 54%
- Playground expansion – 21%
- Netball / basketball design – 20%
- Tiered seating and mural – 5%
Several parents indicated their willingness to contribute to project teams, as per below:
- Student focused activities – 10 parents
- Environmental awareness & sustainability – 7 parents
- Fundraising, grants, and funding – 3 parents
- School grounds and infrastructure – 3 parents
- Community liaison & philanthropy – 2 parents
Based on this information, if our school community can establish a P&C executive, the next steps would then be to invite the interested parents from the environmental awareness and sustainability group to meet early in Term 2 and work with school team to outline an enhancement plan for the permaculture garden and propose this as focus of fundraising for the P&C. Thank you to all parents who nominated in these focus groups, we will call on your input as projects arise in the school related to these focus areas.
Wishing you all a safe and relaxing upcoming holiday break.
Lisa Cutter (Acting Principal)
School ANZAC DAY ceremony
Our ANZAC ceremony will be held on Thursday 24 April at 11:30am in the school’s hall. Parents and carers are welcome to attend. Please enter and exit the hall through the back door on the oval side. The ceremony should conclude by approximately 12.15.
Friday 25 April ANZAC service at Tewantin (public holiday)
This year’s community march starts at 9:30am in Tewantin. Please meet staff members in the Woolworths carpark in Poinciana Ave Tewantin at 9:00am. We would like as many Sunshine Beach students as possible to march as a school. As part of their 2025 roles, student leaders and student council representatives are asked to attend. If your child is attending, they need to wear full school uniform (Sunshine Senior shirts okay), including hat. Please also bring along a water bottle.
If it looks like light rain, a rain jacket is advisable. In the event of severe weather, the march may be cancelled.
Student will march down Poinciana Ave, past the cenotaph and loop around the block to be picked up in Memorial Ave. Parents and carers need to collect their child in Memorial Ave near the cenotaph at the end of the march.
Please ensure your child/ren either know your mobile number or has it written on a piece of paper in their pocket so that a staff member can contact you quickly if need be.
Please be aware, like last year, once the students reach the end of the march, they are to be collected immediately by their parents as there will not be seating available for school children. This way they will be able to see the service with their parents.
As a safety measure, parents must come to a staff member to collect their child. Please do not ask your child to find you in the crowd.
Performing Arts
And that's a wrap! We've had a fantastic first term working with drama and the effort from all our learners has been amazing!
Next term, we’ll dive into Music. Years 1 and 2 will focus on a singing unit, while the Years 2 and 3 will explore, create and play unconventional instruments. Years 5-6 will discover and explore music and percussion instruments from around the world. It’s sure to be another exciting term filled with learning in Performing Arts!
Sunshine Singers
Please continue practicing the lyrics for our upcoming Choral Fanfare during the holidays.
Here’s a quick link, but some lyrics have been adjusted to better suit our learners' age group.
Winter uniform
Please use the school holiday period to have the school jumper and blue track pants ready for when the cold weather hits in Term 2. Students will be asked to place hoodies, beanies and non-uniform clothing in their bags once they enter the school.
If you are finding it difficult in sourcing the winter uniform, as a courtesy, please make contact with your child’s class teacher so they are aware of the short-term reason for your child being out of uniform.
Behaviour and Choice Theory
As the school holidays approach, it's a great time for children to revisit and reinforce the idea of safe people in their lives. Safe people are trusted adults or older children who provide support, care and protection. These individuals can be family members, teachers, coaches, or even family friends—anyone the child feels comfortable with and can turn to in times of need. Knowing who their five safe people are helps children build confidence and a sense of security, knowing they have a reliable network for assistance, guidance, or just someone to talk to. It's important to talk with children about who these safe people are and to encourage open communication so they feel empowered and protected throughout the holidays.
New afternoon playgroup – a perfect start for Prep 2026
Our goal is to give every child the best start to school life and our new afternoon playgroup is here to help! We listened to local families who shared how tricky it can be to find activities in the afternoon, when little ones are restless between nap and dinner time.Part of our Prep Transition Program, this playgroup is a fun and engaging way for children to build confidence, make friends and get familiar with our school before they start Prep.
Come along and see how we’re making the transition to Prep 2026 as smooth as possible!
Photo Day!
Queensland School Photography will be on campus in Week 3 next term for our annual school photos. To order, please follow these steps:
SBSS Cross Country
Unfortunately the weather hasn't been kind and we've had to postpone our Cross Country events. We will make a decision in the first week of next term as to when we will reschedule. Last week saw our representative cross country trials- a strong team has been assembled to take on the Noosa District Cross Country event early next term.
Representative School Sport Program
- Congratulations on selection in Noosa District teams Soccer – Zarli, Harry, Riley and Maddison
- Well done to Roman on his selection in Sunshine Coast regional basketball team to take part in the Qld state Schools championships next term.
Track and Field – Championship field events 2025
Championship field event finals for 10-12 years age groups are held throughout Term 2.
A timetable of events will be placed in classrooms soon and will also be available at school website. Students will qualify for finals via performances at lunchtime practice sessions. The first two placegetters in finals are invited to District Athletics Carnival.
Learn to Surf
Thanks for the support of our Wednesday morning Learn to Surf sessions. Huge thanks to Tamara for coordinating this and to Surfdancer surf school for the amazing sessions.
Representative School Sport Program - Tennis
Thanks to our players and families for support of the tennis sessions.
Huge thanks to Matheus, Jake and Noosa Tennis Centre.
Lunchtime Rugby League program
Thanks for the support of our Year 5 and 6 Rugby League program – we hoping to get a Year 3 and 4 program happening soon.
Basketball
Check out the community events section of this newsletter for info about some after school basketball clinics happening during Term 2.
Term 1 Programs
Thank you for support of our Term 1 sports program.
Highlights included:
• Participation in Noosa District Representative team sport trials in 16 Sports.
• Students selected in Noosa District Representative teams.
• Harry attending Qld State Schools Swimming Championships.
• SBSS winning both the aggregate and enrolment average trophy at district swim carnival.
• Netball thriving.
• Years 5/6 lunchtime rugby league program.
• Learn to surf program.
• Cross country practice sessions.
• Paralympics visit.
• Year 6 Surf Ed program.
• Tennis practice and trial sessions before school and lunchtime.
• Swimming program for years 1, 2 and 4
Cam Porter (HPE teacher)
Read Less
Prep Science: How rain falls
PKB explored how rain forms in clouds with a fun science experiment! They filled a jar with water, added a shaving cream cloud and dropped in blue food colouring to watch the rainfall. A hands-on way to learn about the weather!
Sunshiners Ride2School!
Paralympics Australia bring the Imagine Program to SBSS
Last week our students had the incredible opportunity to take part in Paralympics Australia’s Imagine Program. They were inspired by a visit from Paralympians Grace Brimlow and Ella Sabljak who shared their personal journey in sport, the dedication it takes to reach the Paralympic stage and insights into their classification and disability.
Through engaging discussions, students explored how we can create a more inclusive society and break down stigmas surrounding disability from an early age. The visit sparked curiosity, encouraged important conversations, and reinforced the values of inclusion, diversity and the Paralympic Movement.
A big thank you to Paralympics Australia and the Queensland Government for bringing this powerful program to our school—helping our students imagine a world where everyone has the opportunity to be thrive and be included!
Microgreens for a cause!
Last week our 4KB students proudly took their learning beyond the classroom, selling the microgreens they grew in our permaculture garden at IGA Peregian Beach —all in support of Smart Pups!
With two families rostered every 15 minutes, the students were full of enthusiasm, chatting with customers and sharing their knowledge about the benefits of microgreens. They had so much fun, many didn’t want to leave! In the end they sold all with some happy customers even sending in photos of their delicious creations.
This community project was made possible by the incredible support of:
- Pick of the Crop – funding and support for labels, soil and cups
- Sunshine Social – supplier of coffee cups
- Slow Food Snail Kids (Di Seels) – funding and support
- White’s IGA Peregian Beach – hosting the sales event
A special thank you to Sara Dengate - nutrition consultant, for coordinating this initiative. This event's success highlights the impact of hands-on learning, strong community support and our students' commitment to making a difference!
International students
Our international students from Japan joined classes across the school—from Prep to Year 5 during Term 1. Sara came back after joining us in October 2024!
They’re having a fantastic time learning English, experiencing school life and making new friends! We loved having them and wish them all well in the future.
Year 3 Sunshiners learn about mushrooms with Eastwell Farms
Year 3 Sunshiners had a fungi-tastic time learning all about mushrooms with Alex Thompson-Welcon from Eastwell Farms, thanks to Slow Food Noosa! From how they grow to why they’re so important, it was a hands-on lesson in all things fungi. A big thank you to Alex for sharing his knowledge!
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