Welcome Back

Welcome back to all our families to an exciting and action-packed Term 4. Staff and students have been actively engaged in the teaching and learning ensuring we continue to extend our little people to their full potential. It was great meeting with individual teachers last week to see the pre-planning and careful considerations for the next steps for learners. I am looking forward to catching up with families throughout the term and sharing the great news stories along the way.

State Principal Conference

This week I joined 1400 other State School Principals at the bi annual State School Principal conference in Brisbane. We heard the direction of State education directly from the Minister Grace Grace and key messages from Michael De’ Ath the Director General. He clearly shared the next steps will be a focus on “Equity and excellence”. He outlined three key areas that will be prioritised around the state.

1. Educational Achievement

2. Wellbeing and Engagement

3. Culture and Inclusion 

Michael discussed our school priorities also to include Starting strong, on track for success and ready for the future. An exciting time to be in Education and great improvements to make our State Education System one of the best in the world.

I reflect on how this aligns to our school and community. For the remainder of this term I am looking forward to see how this aligns to our key strategic work emerging for 2023. The two days provided lots of opportunity for collaboration with other principals and schools across the state. I was very proud to share our great work including affirmations and celebration that we are on the right track. Great to visit a big city but can I say how happy I am to live and work in our beautiful little town. A great school, wonderful students and a dedicated staff.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Next Tuesday we once again celebrate the second opportunity this year to come together as a community to celebrate the success in the learning and discuss the next steps for your child. Can I thank staff for their preparation for the rich conversations and look forward to connect with families. See you there!

Looking forward to sharing more great stories around the teaching and learning this term. Until next fortnight have a great couple of weeks.

Christien Payne
Principal

I believe in: Hard Work Honesty Transparency

Our whole school attendance currently sits at 91.74%.

Our attendance target is 93%.

Congratulations to 6G for having the highest attendance with 98.14%.

Fantastic to see so many classes having 100% attendance on one day.

Tuesday 4th- 2W/G, PL

Wednesday 5th- 1 J, 2W/G

Thursday 6th- 1J, 3/4C, 4S, 6R

Friday 7th- 1J, 3/4C, PL

Monday 10th- 6G, P/1WC

Tuesday 11th- 2WG, 6G

Wednesday 12th- 1J, 2W/G, 3/4C, P/1WC, PL

Thursday 13th- 3/4C, 6G

GOLD BADGE PARADE

There will be a special Gold Badge Parade on Friday 21st October. We will award Gold Badges to Year 5 students who have demonstrated leadership behaviours. These are our future 2023 student leaders.

PREP TRANSITION 2023

We are excited to be having our Prep enrolment interviews starting on Tuesday, 18th October in the library. Having time to share information with our new families ensures a successful transition to Prep.

Our Practising for Prep transition mornings are Tuesday 25th October, Thursday 27th October, Tuesday 1st November and Thursday 3rd November from 9am to 11am.

Karen Weekes
Deputy Principal

Wednesday 26^th October 3pm in the Music Hall

All students and parents of Year 3 students (and older students) are invited to attend an information session for 2023 new beginners for instrumental music at Bowen State School. If you cannot make it to this session but are interested in joining please contact the school office.

Amanda Mattiske
Instrumental Teacher

On Monday 10th October, students from Prep to Year 6 had the opportunity to watch a Science Questacon Show in the hall. Students were able to engage in some super cool science activites and experiments that linked to their current curriculum.

All students from Prep to Year 6 have had the opportunity to attend the Life Education session with their class. The sessions have been led by Jordan who is a trained educator. She has really engaged the students with her innovative teaching and learning approach and they loved meeting Healthy Harold who is part of the presentation.

Designed by health and education experts, the program delivers a range of health messages to all students.

You can also visit the following website for more details: https://www.lifeeducation.org.au/parents/

P/1W have been writing and writing and writing since they’ve returned from holidays. Here are some examples of their work. Year 1 students are writing procedural texts and Preps are writing retells.