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Term 2 had a soft launch with a three day Week One this year. I trust this shorter week was a good entry for students to assist them to get into the routine of being back at school, arriving and practicing their learner behaviours everyday.In the first week of this term students participated in our school cross country carnival. A big thank you to the HPE and sport team for their organisation, as the event was rescheduled from our Term 1 rainy Week 10. A big congratulations to all students who are heading into district representation from this carnival.
Our P&C Annual General Meeting was held in late March with the election of new executive. Many thanks to our current president Cath Willis who has taken on the president job again. This year of office in this position will be her last, and early next year we will be looking for someone to take over the reins to steer the P&C. It would be remiss of me not to mention and thank Jess Pullum for her work in the secretary role of the P&C over many years as she relinquishes this position. Further, I also want to acknowledge and thank Jonathan Chappell who has been president of the IMPS (Instrumental Music Parent Support) group for his leadership over the last three years, raising tens of thousands of dollars for our music students. I encourage any parents who have the time to give to this group to get involved and join the P&C Facebook page for updates.
Last week reports were emailed home to parents and carers. Please remember whilst this is an interim report, not a final end of semester (which is a summary of greater learning evidence) it’s still important to take some time to reflect, understand the result and find the next positive steps for improvement or celebration. If your student does not understand their result, this is the prime time to encourage them to engage with their teacher and ask questions seeking to do so.
Lastly, you will notice that we have a large fenced off area in our school oval where our outdoor courts used to be. Over the next term the construction of brand new courts for sport and HPE will be built. This has been long overdue in our school and will be a great addition for all our students who are into court sports. Please watch our socials for updates, we are excited to use the new courts in Term 3.
Kind regards,
Sandra Quinn
Principal
Wynnum SHS Honours the ANZAC Spirit
On Thursday 24 April, the Wynnum State High School community gathered for our annual ANZAC Day Commemoration Ceremony—a solemn and moving tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and service of our defence personnel.
The event was opened by the Symphonic Band’s rendition of Abide With Me, setting a reflective tone. Our School Captain welcomed the official party, including guest speaker Mr Jeff Graham from the Manly-Lota RSL Sub-Branch. Mr Graham, a RAAF veteran, shared powerful insights from his 21-year career, reminding students of the personal stories behind the statistics of war.
A standout moment came from School Captain Josh, whose stirring speech invited the audience to reflect on how young people today can stay connected to the ANZAC legacy—not through shared experience, but through shared values of courage, mateship and remembrance.
The ceremony continued with The Ode, The Last Post, a minute’s silence, and the national anthems of New Zealand and Australia, performed beautifully by Kaitlin and Sophie.
The official party then proceeded to lay wreaths at the school memorial, as students Reuben and Josh performed Bottle Tree Lane.
Lest We Forget.
Wynnum SHS Shines at Community ANZAC Ceremony
On ANZAC Day, students and staff from Wynnum State High School proudly represented our school at the Manly-Lota RSL Mid-morning Service at Richard Russell Park. Despite heavy morning rain, a remarkable number of students showed their dedication by turning up in full formal uniform to march and commemorate. Fittingly, the rain cleared just in time for the ceremony—a poignant reminder of the resilience and spirit we were there to honour.
One of the highlights of the service was a heartfelt and eloquent speech delivered by School Captain Josh, who addressed a large crowd of veterans, community members, and dignitaries. His speech explored how young people today can meaningfully connect to the ANZAC legacy—not just through history, but through values like courage, mateship, and resilience. Josh reflected on the local significance of our school grounds during wartime, the living memorial of Memorial Drive, and even shared a deeply personal family story of loss and remembrance. His words were moving and well-received, drawing praise from both veterans and community members alike.
Our students’ conduct and presentation throughout the event was outstanding. From marching with pride to participating in the wreath-laying ceremony, they demonstrated the best of what it means to be part of Wynnum SHS. Staff who accompanied students commented on their respectful demeanour and strong sense of occasion.
Our school stood out among others present—not just in numbers, but in the way our students carried themselves. It was a proud day for the Wynnum SHS community, and a strong reminder that the ANZAC spirit continues to live on through the next generation.
Lest We Forget.
Wynnum SHS Student Leaders Step Up with YLead
On Tuesday 29 April, our student leadership team and aspiring Year 7 leaders took part in an exciting leadership incursion run by YLead, a national organisation known for empowering young people to become confident, capable leaders. The incursion was an energetic and inspiring day that gave our students the chance to connect, reflect, and grow their leadership potential.
Throughout the session, students engaged in hands-on activities that focused on resilience, effective communication, teamwork, and positive influence. They explored how their values shape their leadership style and learned strategies to step up and lead with purpose in challenging situations.
A highlight of the day was the project planning session, where students identified key areas they’re passionate about improving at Wynnum SHS. From student wellbeing initiatives to building stronger school spirit, their ideas were thoughtful and focused on making a real impact across our school community.
Our student leaders walked away from the day with a renewed sense of confidence, direction, and purpose. Their energy and ideas are already beginning to take shape, and we look forward to seeing their projects come to life over the coming months.
We are proud of our leaders for representing Wynnum SHS with pride and commitment.
The future is in good hands!
School Musical
Our students are busy rehearing for the musical SPAMALOT! This musical will feature a student cast, orchestra and tech crew. At the end of last term the performers and orchestra had their first full run through of Act 1. Those in attendance to watch the rehearsal were cackling in their seats! This show is extremely funny! The students are thoroughly enjoying themselves. Tickets will be going on sale later this term.
Debating
Wynnum’s two Year 8 Debating teams competed in Round 3 of the QDU Debating Competition on Thursday 1 May. Students arrived at John Paul College at 6.30pm to receive their topic and prepare for their 8pm short-prep debates. The topic assigned was “That we should abolish student leadership roles in all schools” and both teams argued the negative side, Team 1 against Carmel College and Team 2 against Canterbury College. Both teams devised great arguments and Team 2 walked away with a win. The adjudicator of Team 1’s debate advised that the debate was on a knife edge and they were only narrowly defeated. Our Year 11 coaches Oliver, Rachel, Eve and Eujin did an incredible job preparing these teams for their debates and we thank them for their dedication to coaching our Year 8 teams this year.
Congratulations to all members of both teams for not only their hard work, but for supporting each other both in meetings and on the night. A huge thanks also goes out to our many parents who come along and support our students. We wish both teams all the best in the final round of the 2025 competition.
Mrs Kennedy
Aquatic Practices & Tourism
At the end of Term 1, our Year 12 Aquatic Practices and Tourism students experienced a day trip to Tangalooma, where they observed a local tourism industry in action and applied their snorkelling skills. Aquatic Practices students developed their snorkelling skills at the end of last year and have investigated aquatic ecosystems, species interactions and threats to these ecosystems this year. They have developed scientific sampling skills to measure the health of a variety of ecosystems, enabling them to take part in the CoralWatch citizen science program to help monitor coral health in Moreton Bay.
Year 12 Biology
Our Year 12 Biology students started Term 2 with a Moreton Bay cruise to collect data for their upcoming assessment task. Accompanied by Mr Schmidt and Ms Quinn, the students were guided in marine sampling techniques by Tim from the Moreton Bay Environmental Education Centre (MBEEC). Activities included categorising benthic habitats, identifying marine life, measuring salinity and visibility, and squishing fish for bait. The data collected will be analysed by our Biology students and presented as part of their IA2 student experiment report. It was fascinating to explore the sea floor with a remote camera and the perfect weather made for a very enjoyable morning on the bay.
Maths-Science Tutoring
Last term, our Maths and Science faculties started offering tutoring sessions on Monday afternoons. The sessions grew in popularity across the term with up to 30 students attending in the final weeks of Term 1.
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:
When are the sessions? Monday afternoons 3-4pm
Where do I go? G15 classroom
Who can come? Open to students from all year levels who want help with specific tasks.
Who will help me? There are always at least 2 Maths-Science teachers present to help.
What do I bring? Maths and/or Science tasks such as homework, class work, revision sheets, assignments.
Do I need to book? No but students need to sign on when they arrive.
PBL – Term 2
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is a whole-school framework that promotes positive behaviour across a school and helps schools develop safe and supportive learning environments. Wynnum SHS is proudly a PBL school.
On Monday morning during PROUD start lessons students are explicitly taught some of our school wide expected behaviours outlined in our PROUD Behaviours Matrix, which have included:
- “I am respectful when I look after the property of others.”
- “I am determined to socialise responsibility when I engage with others and respect our differences”
- "I am unified when I wear my school uniform correctly and with pride.”
Teachers have been proactively acknowleding students for demonstrating these expected behaviours by giving PROUD stamps using our PROUD Powercards. I encourage you to ask your child to show you their Powercard to discuss how many stamps they have received and the positive behaviours they have been acknowledged for.
Students can visit the PROUD shop during second lunch every Friday to exchange their stamps for rewards. You can see some of the rewards by clicking on the below link:
If you have a business that would like to contribute to the PROUD shop rewards please contact the school via email admin@wynnumshs.eq.edu.au
The PBL focus each week is posted on our school Facebook and Instagram social media platforms. Keep an eye out for this week's focus. “I am on-task when I come to class with a fully charged laptop or ipad”.
Homework Club
Homework Club has recommenced for Term Two.
It will be held:
Every Wednesday
3.00 pm - 4.00 pm
R Block
Bookings are essential and can be made via the Trybooking website or by scanning the QR code.
https://www.trybooking.com/DAHIF
Congratulations to Ezra in Year 9 who recently competed in Perth at the Australian Junior Athletics Championships.
He did incredibly well, bringing home a bronze medal in the 100m with a personal best time of 11.37 seconds (0.4-second improvement). In the 200m, he placed 8th in the final after running another personal best of 23.86 seconds (0.33-second improvement) in his heat.
Last weekend, he travelled to Adelaide to compete in the Little Athletics Australian Championships, where he continued to impress. He placed 2nd in the 100m (photo attached), came 4th in the 200m, and won bronze medals in both the 4 x 100m relay and the sprint medley relay. He was also part of the Queensland U14 team, which took out the overall team gold.
Well done Ezra.
Our School Cross Country was held in the first week of Term 2. The conditions weren’t ideal with some scattered showers during the event, but the students who ran toughed out the conditions and put in some great performances.
2025 Age Champions
12 Years Boys – Conan C- Oxley
12 Years Girls – Alara B- Oxley
13 Years Boys – Leroy M– Mitchell
13 Years Girls – Youny H- Kennedy
14 Years Boys – Harry S- Oxley
14 Years Girls – Mabel S- Oxley
15 Years Boys – Benjamin C- Cunningham
15 Years Girls – Laiva M- Mitchell
16 Years Boys – Benjamin S- Oxley
16 Years Girls – Ella J- Kennedy
17+ Years Boys – Joseph B- Cunningham
17+ Years Girls – Eve H- Kennedy
Ben S (16 Boys) and Eve H (17+ Girls) deserve a special congratulations and these students broke the race record for their age divisions.
Students who finished in the top 3 in the 12 Years division and top 6 in all other ages gained selection in the Wynnum SHS Cross Country team. These students will have the opportunity to represent the school at the Bayside District Cross Country on Wednesday 7 May.
The carnival culminated with the announcement of the Champion House. It was a close battle, with Kennedy proving participation numbers matter as they took out the carnival.
Champion House Results
1st – Kennedy – 850 points
2nd – Cunningham – 799 points
3rd – Oxley – 646 points
4th Mitchell – 534 points
Thanks to the students who attended. There was some great house spirit on display in the races and particularly during the presentations from all houses. We’d love to see this continue at the remaining house events in 2025.
As always, thanks to the staff for supporting the event. Without the support of staff, full school carnivals would not be possible. Thanks also goes to the HPE team, Larry, Peter and Chappy Greg for their extra help in setting up the event. Mr Perske was our carnival convenor this year and he did a great job with the overall organisation.
From the Guidance Officers
BlackDog Institute
Teen Mental Health Matters: For Parents and Carers
Join us for an insightful and empowering webinar focused on providing strategies and resources to help you in supporting your teen.
Delivered by a Clinical Psychologist facilitator, and Black Dog Institute lived experience presenter, we will explore:
- How to make sense of adolescence
- Identify signs of mental health struggles.
- Understand how to support your teen.
- Know where you and your teen can get support.
This webinar is free and open to all parents, caregivers, and anyone interested in supporting the mental health of teens in their care. Reserve your spot today and embark on a journey towards greater well-being for you and your family!
Screen Time and Teen Mental Health
Join Kate Maston, Senior Program Manager at the Black Dog Institute, as she delves into the impact of screen use on adolescent well-being. Discover key findings from the comprehensive Future Proofing Study and gain valuable tips on navigating the digital world with your teens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJgUzSmNe_Q
eSafety
For more information and to register click here: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars
Upcoming university and career exploration events
Brisbane Careers & Employment Expo – June 12 to 14th Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Queensland’s largest Careers & Employment Event will host over 160 organisations and employers with career opportunities for all ages. Entry is FREE!
The event is for school students, parents, teachers, graduates, job seekers, people looking for courses and workers seeking new training options.
The Expo is packed with Free advice, you can…
- Talk with over 160 Training Organisations & Employers
- Gain Free Career Advice
- Discover Jobs of the Future
- Experience the Free Career Seminars
- Enjoy the WorldSkills National Championships and Try’a Skill Zones
- Find your Ideal Role at the ADF Careers Expo
If you are looking for a job, career change, courses or you are a school student looking for a career path, you can’t afford to miss this event.
Thursday June 12, 2025 - 9am to 4pm
Friday June 13, 2025 - 9am to 4pm
Saturday June 14, 2025 - 9am to 4pm
More information and registration here: https://careersemploymentexpo.com.au/Brisbane.html
Griffith University (South Bank) – Creative Arts Open Day Sunday 18th May
Explore a world of creative expression and innovation, as we showcase our vibrant community of artists, designers, performers, filmmakers and more.
Immerse yourself in interactive workshops, exhibitions, tours and demonstrations across a spectrum of disciplines—from visual arts and design, to music, performance, film and screen.
This is your chance to connect with passionate faculty, explore our cutting-edge facilities and meet some of our current students. You’ll discover how studying at Griffith can unlock your potential and find a rewarding career path that nurtures your skills and creative vision.
More information here: https://www.griffith.edu.au/creative-arts-open-day
Bond University (Gold Coast) - Psychology Experience Day Thursday May 22nd
Explore the fascinating world of psychology and discover what it’s like to study in one of Australia’s leading psychology programs.
Engage in hands-on activities that delve into human behaviour, social interactions, and the connection between psychology and technology. Connect with expert academics who are leading psychologists, learn about Bond’s APAC-accredited programs, and explore pathways to further study, including guaranteed entry into fourth-year psychology at the Bond University School of Psychology.
This free event is open to Year 10, 11, and 12 students, plus one parent per student. Spots are limited—register now to secure your place!
*GPA criteria applies. See program entry requirements for details.
More information here: https://bond.edu.au/event/9215/psychology-experience-day-2025
Motov8ing Boys – Tuesday 13th May 7pm Brisbane State High School
Motov8ing Boys' is an event for Boys aged 11-17 and their parents; the goal is to help them to understand the power of a positive attitude, how to develop competence & confidence, how to change destructive behaviour, how to identify personal potential & understand the importance of self-respect & respecting others, especially their parents.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/motov8ing-boys-brisbane-tickets-1247855111229?aff=ebdssbdestsearch