Brookfield Banter 03/09/25

From the Principal - Leanne Duncan

Teacher Aide Appreciation Week!

Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week is the perfect time to celebrate the wonderful work our teacher aides do in our schools.  Classes have been busy with Thankyou's this week. Our staff provided afternoon tea to acknowledge, appreciate and recognise the positive impact our teacher aides have on the lives of students, teachers and families here at Brookfield State School.

Our students and staff could simply not do without the work that our Teacher Aides do every day!

Brookies Little Learners Playgroup!

Thank you to all those who RSVP'd and attended our very FIRST Playgroup last week!  There was certainly a buzz in the air as our session was at capacity! Each Little Learner who attended received their own Brookies Little Leaners bucket hat!  RSVP to attend this week's session! 🍃Come along and meet Brookie’s Little Learners Playgroup Facilitator, Mrs Linzi Hogg!

DETAILS:

🚗Parking is available in the visitors and family carpark through Gate 1.
🚼Toilets and baby change facilities are available onsite, however no nappy disposal service is available.

🍃Sign in at the Brookfield State School Administration Building.
A staff member will direct you to B Block and the Circle and Sail area.  On arrival at B Block, there will be a QR Code to check in with using your phone.

🍃Further Information

Brookies Little Learners (0-5 years old) is an affiliate member of Play Matters and is free to attend when registering with Play Matters!

🍃Our Aim is to provide:

🍃Provide a teacher led literacy experience
🍃Provide quality play experiences for Little Learners from 0-5 years old - Something for everyone!
🍃Build connection with our school community and families.

Father's Day or Special Person Open Classrooms, P&C Morning Tea and Stall!

Our classrooms will be open on Thursday morning from 8.40am for any dads, or special person, to have the opportunity to come into your child/ren's classroom! 

Thank you to all who have volunteered in support of Nat Schunke and the P&C with having this opportunity to acknowledge annual special events for families. 

Classrooms will be ready to welcome you on Thursday 4 September at 8.40am! 

PUPIL FREE DAY - FRIDAY 5 SEPTEMBER

This Friday, 5 September is Pupil Free Day for all state schools. Students are not required to attend. Much like the beginning of a school year, staff undertake professional learning on this day or in Twilight sessions throughout the year depending on the school.  These are mandated days by the Department of Education.

Upcoming Dates - Term 3

From the Deputy Principal - Leah Cathcart

PBL Focus of the Week – Respect  

This week, our school-wide PBL focus is on the value of Respect, and how we demonstrate this through the expectation: Keep our hands and feet to ourselves.

✋ Being respectful means:

🖐️ Keeping my hands to myself

👣 Keeping my feet to myself

↔️ Giving people personal space

🤝 Treating others the way I want to be treated

💡 Why is Respect important?

Respect helps us to feel safe and comfortable to express ourselves. When others treat us with respect, it builds trust, safety and wellbeing. Being respectful means accepting others for who they are, even when they are different to us, or we don’t always agree. Respect in our relationships creates strong connections and helps us to work and play together positively.

👀 What does Respect look like?

🛡️ We feel safe around each other

🌈 We can be ourselves without fear

👂 We listen patiently and calmly, even when we disagree

🧘 We give each other space when needed

✅ We can admit mistakes and make things right

✋⭐ We use positive strategies like the High 5 when problems arise

📚 In class discussions this week, students have been exploring:

🏞️ Why it is important to keep our hands and feet to ourselves in different settings such as the playground, classroom, lining up, walking to class, and after school

🏫 What keeping hands and feet to ourselves looks like in the classroom

❓ Why this is an important school rule

🎲 Practical ways to show respect at playtime

⚠️ What might happen if we don’t keep our hands and feet to ourselves

By focusing on Respect, we are continuing to strengthen our school culture of being Respectful, Responsible and Safe.

📌 Conversation Starters for Home

💬 Try asking your child one of these questions to spark a conversation about Respect:

🤔 “Can you tell me one way you showed respect at school today by keeping your hands and feet to yourself?”

↔️ “What does giving people personal space look like when you’re in the playground or lining up?”

🛡️ “Why do you think keeping your hands and feet to yourself helps everyone feel safe and respected at school?”

Junior School Grandparent’s Day

🌟 Prep–Year 2 Families – Save the Date! 🌟

Junior School Grandparents’ Day

📅 Friday 12 September 2025

⏰ 9:00–11:00am

👵👴 Grandparents of Prep–Year 2 students

Morning Program:

🏫 Classroom visits

🎶 Performances in the Hall:

• Junior Choir
• Junior Strings Ensemble
• Junior Band
• Prep–Year 2 Students

☕🍪 Light refreshments for grandparents

💛 A highlight of our school year – celebrating the love, wisdom & support of grandparents.

Triple P: Positive Parenting Programs

5 Friendship Skills Every Child Needs

Imagine your child comes to you and says, “No one will play with me”. Your heart sinks. It’s perfectly natural to want to jump in and fix it – but what’s the best way to teach kids about friendship?

Positive parenting offers a calm, positive approach, empowering kids through everyday conversations and connection. By listening first and gently guiding them to solve problems, you can help them navigate friendship challenges with confidence. In fact, Triple P research shows children with healthy friendships have parents who coach them through challenges, help them connect with friends and who have a warm and close relationship.

Read Triple P’s latest article for:

 Click here➡️ 5 practical friendship skills to help children of all ages.

Friendship skill 1: Help your child be a good friend

Friendship skill 2: Taking turns

Friendship skill 3: Listening

Friendship skill 4: Understanding other people’s perspectives

Friendship skill 5: Resolving conflicts

For more strategies to help you raise confident, capable kids, check out their free online:

Click here➡️ programs.

From the Deputy Principal - Katie Lewis

Maths Tournament - CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to the Year 5 and 6 students who represented Brookfield at the recent Maths Tournament at Fig Tree Pocket. Thank you to Mr Williams for organising and accompanying our students to this event (and running our Maths Extension Groups each week also).

Students engaged in teams to complete Maths challenges and problem solving opportunities. What a great experience for our young Mathematicians!

Instrumental Music Information Night - REMINDER TO REGISTER

Parents of current Year 2 and Year 3 students who are interested in their child joining our Instrumental Music Program in 2026, are invited to come along to our Instrumental Music Parent Information Evening to hear more about our program offerings and enrolment processes.

Students in Year 3 in 2026 are eligible to join our Strings Program.

Students in Year 4 in 2026 are eligible to join our Band Program.

Our Instrumental Music Parent Information Evening will be held on Tuesday 09 September at 6:00pm in E Block. Yes! This is the same night as Parent Teacher Interviews and the P&C Meeting, we are hoping this supports parents to make as many appointments happen on the one evening.

To assist our planning, please register your attendance: https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/78zmr

Gala Day - Wednesday 10 September

Our Year 5 and 6 students will participate in Gala Sports Day #3 on Wednesday 10 September.  Sports on offer this term are BASKETBALL and TOUCH FOOTBALL. Further information for each sport is outlined below. Please ensure you check times and requirements related to your child’s chosen sport – thanks.

BASKETBALL

When:               Wednesday 10 September 2025

Where:             Basketball – Ambiwerra Sporting Complex (Corinda)

Transport:       All participating students are to travel to and from the venue by bus. 

Time:                 PLEASE ARRIVE at SCHOOL BY 7.45am for 8.00am departure.

What else:      Bring lunch and water bottle. Wear FULL school uniform (Interschool Sports (Friday) Shirt) including hats. Apply sunscreen before leaving home.

TOUCH FOOTBALL

When:               Wednesday 10 September 2025

Where:             Touch Football – Akuna Oval (Kenmore)

Transport:       All participating students are to travel to and from the venue by bus. 

Time:                 PLEASE ARRIVE at SCHOOL BY 8.00am for 8.15am departure.

What else:      Bring lunch and water bottle. Wear FULL school uniform (Interschool Sports (Friday) Shirt) including hats. Moulded tags are able to be worn. Apply sunscreen before leaving home.

As always, we have reminded students of the importance of being ‘good sports’ when they are representing our school at Gala Days.  We have referred to our Code of Behaviour which you will have had sent home for discussion with your child – thank you for your support with this.

Parents are welcome to come along to the Gala Days, and we ask your assistance in setting up slightly away from the school tent areas to ensure students can remain focused as part of their team and be ready for instruction from teachers and ready for their games on the day.

R U OK? - Thursday 11 September

Our National Day of Action, R U OK?Day, is the second Thursday in September each year but we know that life happens every day which is why we encourage everyone to Ask R U OK? Any Day.

R U OK? releases new and updated resources including posters, conversation resources, presentation decks, digital assets and activity templates. All of these are free to download from www.ruok.org.au.

We will acknowledge RU OK? Day on Thursday 11 September here at Brookfield State School.

Science Fair - Wednesday 17 September

We are looking forward to a great day of all things Science on Wednesday 17 September when our Year 5 and 6 students present their investigations in the Hall. Parents are welcome to come along and enjoy the experience as well.

Leadership Lounge - Year 5 Students

Year 5 students interested in being a Student Captain in 2026 are being offered the opportunity to take part in a Leadership Lounge Lunchtime Program starting in Week 1 of Term 4.

We have organised a focus and guest speaker for each week to lead sessions that directly relate to each of our School Values. We have also built in an opportunity for our current leaders to share their experiences and open up for some questions from our Year 5 students about what each role entails. The introductory session will provide the prospective leaders with the expectations of the course as well as the purpose while our culminating session will allow students to apply their learnings from the guest speakers and work on their applications for leadership in 2026.

Each session will be 30 minutes in duration (11:10am – 11:40am). This will be made up of a 15 minute presentation or interactive workshop from the guest speaker, followed by a 5 minute Question & Answer Session.  After this, students will have 10 minutes to fill in their leadership diary, reflecting on how they could apply their learnings in their own future leadership journey.

Attendance at these sessions will be viewed favourably when students are applying for leadership roles.  Students are encouraged to see their class teacher if they have any questions.

From the Head of Curriculum - Lisa McKay

DIBELS - Dynamic Indicator of Basic Early Literacy Skills

Teachers are currently undertaking the DIBELS reading assessment with students (other than Year 1, due to the Phonics Check) to provide a clear picture of their early reading development. DIBELS is an evidence-based, norm-referenced assessment that enables teachers to identify any emerging reading difficulties at an early stage, allowing for timely and targeted support. The data collected helps to identify students who may benefit from intervention programs such as MiniLit or MacqLit. These decisions are always considered alongside teacher professional judgment, classroom performance, and student grades to ensure that support is accurately matched to individual learning needs. Teachers will communicate individual results and next steps with parents as appropriate.

Mathematics Tournament

On Monday 1^st of September 19, Year 5 and 6 students visited Fig Tree Pocket State School to compete in the annual Maths Tournament. We had 4 of the overall 27 teams competing on the day. Our students had been preparing and practising through our Maths Olympiad sessions during the year. The 4 teams came 10th, 12th, 20th, and 25^th overall. 

There were 2 events, the team event and relay event. All students competed and engaged really well and should be congratulated on their efforts and how they represented Brookfield. We came up against some very tough teams!

A special thanks to Mr Tim Ryan for volunteering his time and helping with supervision during the event. Thank you to Mr Williams for organising and managing this event. A great experience for all, well done Brookie students! 

Building Strong Partnerships: Upcoming Parent–Teacher Interviews

At our school, we believe that strong partnerships between families and teachers are essential to student success. Parent–teacher interviews are an important opportunity to share insights, celebrate progress, and work together on the next steps in your child’s learning journey.

We warmly invite all parents and carers to attend the upcoming interviews. If the scheduled times do not suit, please contact us so we can arrange an alternative time that works for you. Every family should feel welcome and included in these conversations, and we are committed to making them accessible for all.

Beyond interviews, there are many ways families can engage in our school community. Attending assemblies, volunteering at sports days and excursions, or joining in special events are wonderful ways to connect. Our P&C Association also plays a vital role in supporting learning, and we encourage families to become involved, share ideas, and contribute their unique skills and experiences.

We value the diversity of our community and recognise the strengths each family brings. Whether it’s through helping in the classroom, joining P&C meetings, supporting homework at home, or attending parent information sessions, your involvement makes a difference. Together, we create a supportive environment where students can thrive.

We look forward to seeing you at the parent–teacher interviews and thank you for the role you play in helping our school continue to grow as a welcoming and inclusive place for all.

From the Social Worker - Mrs D

During the term we’ve had some exciting events at school, giving us great opportunities to see our young people embracing change and pushing themselves to try new things and cope when things are different or don’t go as they had hoped. These opportunities are important to help children develop the grit and confidence they need to work through hard things and push themselves out of their comfort zones.

We can help our children develop grit and determination by giving them the skills to problem-solve and face challenges. Whether the challenges they face are as small as forgetting their jumper or hat, or dropping their lunch box to bigger issues such as asking for help in the class or working through friendship dramas, at times we are all going to have to push ourselves to do hard things.

Michelle Mitchell reminds us that “when we constantly fill in all the gaps, our children don’t need to stretch themselves by asking for help, solving problems, or taking risks.”

The article below is a wonderful reminder for all of us to step back, allow our children to take educated risks, and support them as they face everyday challenge

https://michellemitchell.org/trybeingfiveminuteslate-everydayresilience/

Instrumental Music News

Instrumental Program 2026

All Year 2 and 3 families should by now have received an email with information about submitting an expression of interest for their child to join our Instrumental Program in 2026. We are holding a Parent Information session about the program in conjunction with the Parent Teacher interviews next Tuesday, 9 September, starting at 6:00pm in E Bock (the old preschool building beside the library.) Interested parents are invited to come along to hear how the program works, ask any questions they may have and to meet our Music staff. Parents can register using either the link below or QR code. We look forward to seeing many of you there.

Library News

Finding Good Fit Books:  Follow the genres you love and explore others!

Which fiction genre does your child like to read? If Year 3-6 students can explicitly identify their favoured genres, it helps them select new series/titles to maintain a reading flow from one series to the next. Genre knowledge also offers them more choice of new genres to try. Most of our series in the library have their genre stickers on the spine. All fiction series are listed with their shelf locations in the BSS Genre Map and are available to Yr 3-6 students in borrowing time. Below are some of the reading genres we use in our library.

The sections in the library from which students can select reading- for-pleasure books are: 

• Non-Fiction Chapter Books (blue spot)
• Senior Fiction (chocolate colour)
• Kids Classics (red spot)
• Graphic Novel section (pink square)
• Junior Chapter Books (yellow spot) 
• Non-Fiction
• Fiction
• Junior Fiction
• Junior non-fiction

P&C News

It has been wonderful to be out and about at recent school events and activities and seeing our wonderful community in action. We have a few key dates and events coming up including: 

• 4 September: Father's and Special Friend's Day Morning Tea and Stall
• 13 September: School Community Music Bingo Event (Grade 6 Fundraiser) 
• 18 September: Crazy Hair Day (Grade 6 Fundraiser) 
• 24 October: Exciting new joint BSS and P&C Oktoberfest event. 

Father's and Special Friends Day This Thursday!

A reminder we are holding the Father's and Special Friend's Day stall and morning tea this Thursday 4 September. 

Dad's and special friends can attend your child's classroom from 8:40am on Thursday before heading to the Library verandah for morning tea between 9-10am. You can order delicious bacon and egg rolls and mini muffins via Flexischools. 

Thanks to those who signed up to support our stall, we have 3 final spots that need filling to support the Morning Tea, so if you can spare some time, please sign up here: https://volunteersignup.org/PRTLW

All students will have an opportunity to visit the stall during class time, so please send your child with money in a zip lock bag. Prices range from $1-$10. 

School Community Survey Reopening 

Thank you to everyone who completed the survey. We had over 60 responses which is a good result but is only a relatively small proportion of the school community, so we will be re-opening the survey. 

It is a really important opportunity to shape the P&C priorities and thinking, so please take 5 minutes to fill it in here: https://s.surveyplanet.com/oi388gd5

Teacher Aide Appreciation Week

🎉This week is Teacher Aide Appreciation Week 🎉 A huge thank you to all the incredible Teacher Aides who help support our students and create a welcoming environment for all students to learn! 

Oktoberfest 2025

Tickets are NOW OPEN for this fabulous upcoming event presented by the P&C in partnership with BSS. 

📍 School Hall | 🗓️ Friday 24 Oct | 🕔 5–8:30pm

Join us for a night of festive fun with traditional German food & drinks, live music, games, raffle prizes and more! Dress up in your best lederhosen or dirndls – kids too!

🎟️ Tickets: Eventbrite Link or via QR code on the poster.

🍻 Prost to good times & community spirit!

Thank You Corner

A huge thank you to several parents who have raised great ideas and suggestions with the P&C recently. We love hearing your thoughts and we are now in discussion with the school and our team to bring your ideas to life! 

P&C Meetings

We are working to make P&C meetings more accessible, shorter and fun!  At our recent P&C meeting we: 

• Approved expenditure to support the school to purchase new decodable readers for classrooms in line with the latest evidence about reading approaches. Literacy resourcing was ranked a high priority in the recent school community survey, so we can't wait to see all the new readers! 
• Agreed to extend the school community survey to encourage greater participation, as well as adding student voice as part of the survey
• Discussed upcoming events and the P&C calendar for Term 4
• Discussed the purchase of new equipment for the Tuckshop
• Acknowledged the amazing work of P&C members including Trish (Sustainability) and Amanda (Vice President) with recent events and initiatives
• Discussed ways to encourage more school community members involvement in P&C events and activities 

The next P&C meeting will be held on Tuesday 9 September at 7pm in B Block so please join us virtually or in person! 

Stay Connected and Get Involved

📣 Follow the Brookfield State School P&C page for all the latest updates:
👉 https://www.facebook.com/BrookfieldSSPandC

Have questions or ideas for the P&C? Have a special skill or some time and keen to contribute? We’d love to hear from you!

📧 pandc@brookfieldss.eq.edu.au

Thank you for your continued support! 

Tess, Amanda, Jill, David and Danette (P&C Executive Committee, Brookfield State School)

Helping Hands News

Extra-Curricular Calendar - Term 3

New Blue Card Laws for Schools

Volunteer parent exemption

From 20 September 2025, parents volunteering for an activity their child participates in generally will not need a blue card. This exemption will be standardised across all child-related employment activities. It allows parents to continue to participate in activities with their children.

It will not apply to parents volunteering for activities not involving their own child; overnight excursions or camps; if their volunteering includes close personal contact with another child; or if the parent is a restricted person.

If you are a parent and have been relying on the volunteer parent exemption for any activities not covered by the new exemption rules, you must obtain a blue card that is linked to your organisation by 20 September 2025. If you do not, you will need to stop immediately and cannot resume until you do.

CLICK HERE to apply for a Volunteer Blue Card.

Office News

QParent Announcements

2026 Enrolment Data Collection

In order to commence planning for 2026 staffing and classes, we are requesting that families notify our administration team if they are planning on leaving Brookfield State School in 2025/2026. If you are aware that your child/ren will not be returning, please complete the Student Exit form below and return to the office. A forms link titled ‘2026 Enrolment Data Collection’ has been sent out to families this week.

We kindly ask that families complete this form if you are:

• Returning to Brookfield State School in the new year but AFTER Thursday 5/02/2026 – this data is for our Day 8 numbers
• NOT returning to Brookfield State School
• Have a year 6 student - this data is used to exit students at the end of the year.

Please complete the 2026 Enrolment Data Collection form below by Friday 19/09/2025 

Please DO NOT complete this form if you child/ren will be returning to Brookfield State School on Tuesday 27/01/2026 or BEFORE Thursday 5/02/2026.

Thank you for your assistance.

Office Hours

• Monday, 8:00am - 3:30pm
• Tuesday to Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at admin@brookfieldss.eq.edu.au

Permissions and Payments

Below is a list of past and upcoming excursions and incursions for 2025. We have noticed a number of outstanding invoices. If your child has participated in any of the activities listed and you are unsure whether payment has been made, you can:

• Log in to your QParents account (if you are the financial account holder) to check
• Contact the office on (07) 3374 7333 to confirm your account balance
• Email the office requesting an account statement
• Visit the office in person to make payment

Please note, in line with Education Queensland guidelines, payments cannot be processed over the phone. Account statements are emailed fortnightly to the financial account holder.

Payments Methods

The following are the payment methods available to you for your child/ren's invoices.

• BPoint
• EFTPOS
• Cash
• QParents
• Qkr

The link below will direct you to the BPoint payment system. This can also be found at the bottom of any invoice and statement. If you use the link provided below you will need to enter your details manually.

Absences

Reporting an absence

Parents can report their student's absence via the following options:

• QParents 
• Email - absences@brookfieldss.eq.edu.au
• Phone - 07 3374 7333 option 1

Any absence that is more than 10 consecutive school days must be requested via an exemption form to be approved by the principal prior to the absence. Please see the link below for more information about why an exemption is required from compulsory schooling 

Unexplained Absences

To avoid having unexplained absences listed on your child/rens school report, please ensure any unexplained absences are corrected by informing office staff on the day of absence. These can also be updated via the QParents app.

Late Arrival and Early Pick Up

We ask that all parents please bring their student/s via the office if arriving after 8:55am to ensure they are signed in, which will update their absence on the roll. Please note that even if you have emailed Admin advising your student/s will be late it is still mandatory that they are brought to the office to sign in.

If you need to collect your child/ren early (before 2:55pm) please ensure that you email both your class teacher and Admin.

Please note ALL STUDENTS must come to the main office to be collected prior to 2:55pm, unless confirmed otherwise by Admin.

Ensuring your student/s sign in and out of school correctly is for their safety. We thank you for your understanding.

2025 Term Dates

• Term 1: Tuesday 28 January to Friday 4 April—10 weeks.
• Term 2: Tuesday 22 April to Friday 27 June—10 weeks.
• Term 3: Monday 14 July to Friday 19 September—10 weeks.
• Term 4: Tuesday 7 October to Friday 12 December—10 weeks

2026 Term Dates

• Term 1: Tuesday 27 January to Thursday 2 April—10 weeks
• Term 2: Monday 20 April to Friday 26 June—10 weeks
• Term 3: Monday 13 July to Friday 18 September—10 weeks
• Term 4: Tuesday 6 October to Friday 11 December—10 weeks

Community News

Brookfield Tennis Centre

SEPTEMBER HOLIDAY CLINIC

During the first week of the SEPTEMBER school holidays coach Bruno will be hosting another fun Holiday Clinic. 

WHEN:

• Monday 22 September to Friday 26th September
• RED BALL 8am - 11am
• ORANGE BALL 8am - 11am 
• GREEN BALL / YELLOW BALL 2pm-5pm

WHO CAN ENROL:

• Registrations are open to current students of the Brookfield Tennis Centre first.  
• Given that numbers are limited, the registrations will be handled on a first come first serve basis via the online link.

Cost per child is $280.

Register Here

RHEE TAE KWON-DO BROOKFIELD BRANCH

THE FAMILY MARTIAL ART THAT HELPS FUTURE-PROOF YOUR FAMILY!

Would your family like to spend more time together, get fitter, develop important life & self-defence skills all whilst having fun? Well now you have more opportunity to do so.

Rhee Tae Kwon-Do is pleased to advise our new Branch will be conducting classes at Kenmore Brookfield Anglican Church Hall, across the road from Brookfield State School, from 5.30-6.30pm on Tuesday & Friday nights starting Tuesday August 5.

We would like to invite students of Brookfield State School to come & join us for an UNLIMITED FREE TRIAL.

Founded in 1970 by World Master Chong Chul Rhee, Rhee Tae Kwon-Do is Australia’s first, largest, and most respected Martial Arts Academy.

Rhee Tae Kwon-Do is a traditional & non-competitive martial art that anyone can learn, irrespective of age, level of fitness or experience. Our underlying message is to promote a Sound Body & a Sound Mind through practice, discipline & physical Activity.

Some of the benefits of training in Rhee Tae Kwon-Do are:

✅ Promoting a Sound Body & a Sound Mind – Through practice, discipline & physical activity.
✅ Confidence & Self-Belief – Empowering students to achieve their best
✅ Respect & Discipline – Helping students to build a strong character and leadership skills.
✅ Fitness & Self-Defence – Stay active while learning practical techniques
✅ Positive Community & Role Models – Surrounding students with supportive friends & Instructors.
✅ Focus & Perseverance – Aiding students to Excel in school, work, or in their daily life.
✅Indomitable Spirit – A never give up attitude.

If you are looking to take the first step in the journey to change your life, you can find details about the Brookfield Branch or any of our other local branches (Chapel Hill, Fig Tree Pocket, Kenmore South & Moggill) at www.rhee.com.au.