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What a Week!
Due to recent extreme weather events we want to thank our families for their understanding regarding the the delay of our newsletter. We greatly appreciate our wonderful facilities team for their caretaking of our school campus over the last week.
Thriving Together in 2025 – A Strong Start to the Year!
As we reach Week 6 of Term 1, it is wonderful to reflect on the strong sense of community and partnership that continues to make our school a fantastic place for learning and growth. This year has started with energy, enthusiasm, and commitment from students, staff, and families, setting the stage for a positive and successful 2025.
Strength in Community and Positive Relationships
Our school thrives because of the incredible relationships between students, families, and staff. The high level of community involvement so far this year has been truly inspiring. Whether it has been through school events, classroom volunteering, or parent engagement, the support and connection within our school community are evident and deeply valued. When we work together, our students benefit the most. Here are a few key policies that may be of interest for families to review:
Successful Learning Conferences
Our recent learning conferences were very well attended, demonstrating the shared commitment to student success. These conversations are essential in building strong home-school partnerships, ensuring that every student is supported to reach their full potential. Thank you to all the parents and carers who took the time to engage in these valuable discussions.
Outstanding Schoolwide Behaviour Recognised
We are incredibly proud to share that our schoolwide behaviour has been recognised by the regional office as outstanding! This recognition highlights the collective effort of students, staff, and families in maintaining a respectful, safe, and supportive learning environment. Our focus on positive behaviour continues to create a culture where every student can thrive.
Looking Ahead: Thriving in 2025
With such a strong start to the year, we are excited about what lies ahead. Our focus remains on fostering a culture of excellence, engagement, and wellbeing. We will continue to celebrate student success, build strong connections, and ensure that every child feels supported in their learning journey.
A Shoutout to Our Fantastic Teaching Team
A huge thank you to our incredible teaching team! Their dedication, passion, and commitment to student learning are truly inspiring. From delivering engaging lessons to fostering a nurturing environment, their hard work makes all the difference in our school community.
As we move forward in Term 1, let’s continue to support one another, celebrate our achievements, and strive for excellence in everything we do. Together, we will make 2025 a year to remember!
Angelique
What’s on in Prep?
In Prep we are learning to share ideas about familiar stories with our friends.
What story are you reading?
What characters are in the story?
What happened?
What did you like about the story?
We know we are successful when we…
Share our ideas about a familiar story.
Talk about the characters in the story.
Talk about what happens in the story.
Tricky questions to challenge us…
Talk about what you liked or didn’t like in the story.
We use these visual prompts to help us in our classrooms
Attendance
Please make sure you have contacted the office or your child’s classroom teacher or used QParents for any absences.
Year 1 Learners
Our learners across Year 1 are sharing their opinions about familiar characters from stories they’ve been reading in class during English lessons. In order to share our opinions, our students are also learning about what makes a good speaker and a good listener.
Be sure to ask your child to share their ideas and express their opinion about one of the characters that they’ve read about in class over the last couple of weeks.
Over 22 million Aussies have stepped up over the years, pulled on their gloves and donated their time to improve the environment! This year once again, our Pumicestone students donned some gloves and helped keep our beautiful school grounds free of rubbish!
It is hard to believe that this initiative began as the inspiration of one man, Ian Kiernan, AO. An avid sailor, Ian was shocked and disgusted by the pollution and rubbish that he continually encountered in the oceans of the world. Taking matters into his own hands, Ian organised a community event with the support of a committee of friends, including co-founder Kim McKay AO.
This simple idea ignited an enthusiasm and desire among the local community to get involved and make a difference. And surely if a capital city could be mobilised into action, then so could the whole nation! And so it was that Clean Up Australia Day was born in 1990.
In 4A, we’ve been focusing on integrating Auslan (Australian Sign Language) and Braille into our lessons to promote inclusion and understanding.
Recently, students had the opportunity to write their names in Braille, giving them a hands-on experience with this tactile writing system. This year, we’ve been exploring both the Auslan and Braille alphabets, helping students learn how people with hearing and vision impairments communicate.
By incorporating these languages into our classroom, we’re encouraging empathy and appreciation for different ways of connecting with others.
Hi to all our Pumicestone Families,
Can you believe we are over half way through term 1 already!
Thank you to everyone who joined us last week at our Annual General Meeting!
Here's some key information:
Congratulations to our returning executives members Farren (President) , Lucy (Secretary) and Jonelle (Treasurer) and a huge welcome to Lauren (Vice President).
Our Sweet Tooth fundraiser is selling fast and available via QKR, please purchase your treats while stocks last, closing on the 31st of March.
Collection day for your treats will be by parent/carers only (strictly no children) on Wednesday 2nd April between 8:00am-8:25am and 2:25pm- 3:00pm at the P&C office, besides the Rocks Cafe.
If you are unable to collect during these times please email our team to make alternative arrangement.
We are very excited to announce our yearly event this year will be a family friendly Comedy for a Cause, more information to follow in the next coming weeks. Returning events include our Mothers Day and Fathers Day Stalls, Bunnings BBQs and Year 6 Graduation Bears.
Our volunteers play a vital role in ensuring our events happen. If you can spare even an hour of your time please email the school. A blue cards is a requirement, however no fees involved for volunteers.
We have our annual Mothers Day stall coming up early term 2 and we are seeking donations from our community, small business', crafters and hobbyists alike, please contact us if you would loke to contribute any donations.
Remember to head on over and like our Facebook page Pumicestone SS P&C Association and email us at pandc@pumicestoness.eq.edu.au for any enquiries.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
SRS Fees
A friendly reminder that your SRS fees are now overdue. Unless you have a current Centrepay in place, please make your final payment via, BPoint, QParents, or EFTPOS.
If you have concerns or would like to discuss the SRS scheme, please send an email to our Business Manager at bsm@pumicestoness.eq.edu.au
Payment Plans via Centrelink
Did you know we accept Centerpay. Make sure your SRS fees are paid on time SET & FORGET!
Did you know once your fees are paid, your account will go into credit. You can then use this credit to pay for School Camps and Excursions.
- Sign in to your Express Plus Centrelink mobile app.
- Select More to access the full menu.
- Select Deductions.
- Select Centrepay Deductions.
Alternativly complete and return the below Centerpay deduction form to bsm@pumicestoness.eq.edu.au
Payment Plans via PumicestoneSS Payment Plan
Complete the Payment Plan form below and email it to bsm@pumicestoness.eq.edu.au
Please be mindful that we cannot allow credits to accumulate to a large amount. If your account grows into a substantial credit, we will contact you regarding stopping your payments.
Hardship
If you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact the Business Manager to discuss your situation.
Queensland Parliament is inviting students in Years 4 to 12 to jump in to Minecraft Education and build a parliamentary playground.
Join the fun and become part of the Minecraft Masters to win the prestigious Parliamentary Education Cup.
In Term 2, 2025, teams of up to five students will be chosen to expand our Minecraft Parliament by designing a unique addition to the Green Chamber. Exciting prizes, engraved awards, and more await – so get ready to bring your building skills to the next level!
It’s almost time to rise to the challenge – register your interest now.
Discover a one-stop-shop for your school uniforms, school footwear, stationery, technology, musical instruments, sports equipment and more, at School Locker North Lakes.
Online Uniform Shop
Discover a one-stop-shop for your school uniforms, school footwear, stationery, technology, musical instruments, sports equipment and more, at School Locker North Lakes.
Student Advantage Membership
In addition to 6 days a week in store shopping, your uniforms will also be available online. The new online uniform shop offers a convenient way to purchase school uniforms whenever you need them. You will have the option to enjoy home-delivery or click-and-collect your uniform purchases from the School Locker North Lakes store.
Shop for Uniforms at School Locker
4-6 Burke Crescent North Lakes
Phone 3490 1400
Monday to Friday 8:30am-5:00pm & Saturday 9:00am-3:00pm
Mobile Phones
It is assumed that any child bringing a mobile phone to school needs it for safety when travelling to and from home, but not during the school day.
Therefore:
Phones are to be turned off and submitted to the office on arrival at school where they are checked in via a register- They are to be collected and signed out at the end of the school day
- No student mobile phones are permitted to camp or on excursion as students are in the direct care of Teacher
Student Break Times
Office staff are unable to locate students during break times. Should you need to collect students during breaks, please ensure you have pre-arranged this with the office.
First Break: 10:30am - 11:05am
Second Break: 1:05pm -1:40pm
Thank you for your understanding.
Scooters & Skateboards
We kindly request that you remind your children that scooters and skateboards are not permitted on school property and not an acceptable mode of transport for school. Please ensure that your child is aware of this policy and refrains from bringing scooters or skateboards to school.
Bikes
We kindly remind those students who ride bikes to school, to bring a bike lock each day. This helps ensure the security of their bicycles while on campus. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for supporting a safe school environment.
Car Park Feedback
As our carpark falls under the management of the Moreton Bay Council, we encourage you to reach out to the council with any complaints or suggestions you may have, as they are best equipped to address and resolve such issues effectively.
Pumicestone State School has implemented the "Look Out" program to reduce congestion at the Cottrill Road Loading Zone.
Our aim is to enhance safety for all students and parents using the car park. Community cooperation is vital for the smooth operation of this initiative, ensuring hassle-free school pickups.
Program Overview
School finishes at 2:30 pm. In the afternoon, staff supervise the loading zone on Cottrill Road. They monitor and prevent unsafe practices such as:
- Children loading into double-parked cars,
- Loading from the driver's side of vehicles,
- Vehicles idling for more than 2 minutes in the zone,
- Queuing that obstructs the school crossing.
Registration and Participation
Parents will receive a registration link via email in the coming days.
Once registered, you'll receive a name tag for your sun visor which will be sent home with students.
Process at the Loading Zone
Upon arrival, staff will call for waiting children. The first three vehicles in line can load and depart before the next set of vehicles.
If your child isn't present when your vehicle reaches the front, please proceed and re-join the end of the queue, or park in the car park.
Only cars with name tag on the passenger side sun visor to use the pick-up zone.
Non-Compliance
Vehicles not adhering to rules or engaged in unsafe practices will be reported to Police Link and/or Moreton Bay Regional Council.
Parent Responsibilities
- Arrive at the loading zone during monitored times 2:30pm to 2:45pm
- Display the name tag on the passenger side sun visor for staff to identify.
- Stay in your vehicle; do not exit.
- Ensure adequate space for children inside the vehicle.
Encouragement for Children
- Arrive promptly at the loading zone as close to 2:30 pm when school finishes.
- Be seated in your house group with your family members and listen for their name to be called.
- Be prepared with school bags and belongings to quickly, yet safely, enter vehicles.
Key Actions for the Look Out Program
- Display your name tag clearly.
- Queue and remain in your vehicle.
- Move forward safely when directed.
- Load your children promptly and depart.
Please support the program as it is designed to assist all famiies to pick up their children promptly and safely.