Filter Content
Welcome to 2025 at Wynnum SHS. A warm welcome to all new students, families and carers. To all our current students, I trust you have come back to school ready for another year of progress in learning. I often note that young people tell me they are mostly excited to return to school to continue involvement in friendships, relationships, fun school activities and extracurricular pursuits. These things are all important along with learning, but we must remember the pinnacle of the year should be the learning progress each student makes.This year, our school leadership team has some changes to our roles and responsibilities to ensure that we are able to encourage student excellence and engagement in a more student centred way. You may have noticed on our social media feeds recently that we have been sharing pictures of the support teams for each cohort. Each student at our school has a support team available to them beyond their classroom teachers. The team is comprised of Head of Departments of Student Services, Deputy Principals, our Nurse, Chaplain, School Based Police Officer, Guidance Officers and Year Co’s. This team is committed to our school vision to ensure that we are a PROUD school with a culture of high expectations and a pathway for all students.
As parents and carers at Wynnum SHS we ask for your partnership and cooperation in every way possible to ensure that your student has every opportunity to realise their potential. Please engage proactively with our school and staff. I know that when parents and carers are involved with our school, it improves your student’s engagement as well. I look forward to seeing many of you in the coming weeks and terms at school events across the year.
Kind regards,
Sandra Quinn
Principal
As Heads of Department - Students Services we are here to support students through their high school journey. We will monitor students’ individual performance and behaviour to implement support and intervention strategies where necessary. This includes communicating and working with parents and carers, staff and outside agencies to develop strategies to improve the learning outcomes, achievements and attendance of students.
In our role we work with year level Deputy Principals and are supported by Year Coordinators. We are looking forward to a great 2025!
Junior Schooling Report
Year 7 and 8
In Week 1 of 2025, we had just over 200 brand new wide-eyed Wynnum SHS Year 7 students start their high school journey. They participated in our ‘Welcome to Wynnum Week’ activities, with the aim to help students settle in to life here at Wynnum High as smoothly as possible. To start, students met in the Star Theatre for introductions before moving off with their Proud Start teachers to hand out planners and Yondr pouches. We then had our big Year 7 group photo on the front steps of A Block and finished the morning with a whole school assembly. Students were then taken through lessons about ‘The Wynnum Way’, introduced themselves to their teachers through our ‘All About Me’ activity, learnt more about themselves through the Ausidentities quiz and headed to the library with their iPads to be onboarded. What a busy first couple of days!
We continued the week with some Pat testing and an awesome session run by the support team about wellbeing at Wynnum where students were able to ask some anonymous questions of our school captains. There were some excellent questions asked and the leaders did a great job answering the Year 7’s ponderings. Mixed in, we also had some lessons where they chose their elective subject and met their core teachers.
They finished the week with a House Assembly and by writing a letter to their future selves. Mr Gaffel has kept all of the letters and will give them back to the students in Year 12. Overall, we loved meeting all of our new Year 7 students and look forward to working with them for the next six years. We can’t wait to learn more about them on next week’s camp.
Middle Schooling Report
Year 9 and 10
As the Head of Department for Student Services in the Middle Years, I am excited to support our Year 9 and 10 students through a year of personal and academic growth. The middle years are a time of transition, where students develop independence, take on new challenges, and begin making decisions about their future pathways.
For our Year 9 students, 2025 will be a significant year. They will undertake NAPLAN, an opportunity to demonstrate their progress in literacy and numeracy, helping to guide their learning moving forward. Additionally, Year 9 students will embark on camp, a highlight of the year that fosters resilience, teamwork, and personal development. As the year progresses, students will also begin to think more deeply about their pathways for Year 10 and beyond, setting the foundations for future success.
Meanwhile, Year 10 students will be focused on preparing for their transition to Senior School. Careers Day will provide them with valuable insights into different industries, study options, and career pathways, helping them to make informed choices about their future. This will lead into the development of their SET Plans (Senior Education and Training Plans), where students will reflect on their interests, strengths, and goals to make decisions about their subjects and pathways for Years 11 and 12.
Throughout the year, our Student Services team will be here to guide and support students, ensuring they feel confident and prepared for each milestone. Whether it’s academic support, well-being initiatives, or career guidance, we are committed to helping every student thrive.
I look forward to working closely with students, parents, and teachers to make 2025 a year of growth, learning, and opportunity for all in Year 9 and 10.
As a new person to the Wynnum SHS community i have been thoroughly impressed by how supportive this school is and how focused on learning our students are. What a great place to be!
Senior Schooling Report
Year 11 and 12
It was wonderful to see our Year 11 and 12 students ready for learning on Day 1.
It was extra exciting when the senior jerseys arrived in the first week of school and seeing how proud our Year 12 students are to wear them.
Year 12 exam block is in Week 5. More information about both of these events will come via email.
Year 11 students have now settled in to their new senior subjects and look determined to do their best as they pursue their chosen pathway. Year 11 students will complete an exam and assessment block in Week 9 of this term.
At this stage of Senior School, schools are bound by the guidelines set by the QCAA (Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority) with regards to learning and assessment. If a student is absent on the day of an exam, they are required to provide a medical certificate and complete an AARA application. There are no extensions provided for assessment, including exams, for a pre-planned absence such as a holiday.
The PROUD Support Program (PSP) has commenced for Year 12 students and will start for Year 11 students on 25 February. This program is held on Tuesday during period 4 and is an opportunity for students in the senior school to obtain further assistance with their subjects. Students may be referred to PSP by a teacher who is concerned about their progress in a subject or vocational education course. PSP will then appear on the student’s timetable until they are no longer required to attend. If PSP appears on a student’s timetable, attendance is compulsory as per a normal timetabled class. Any other students who are wishing to obtain further support are able to come to A23 (or F07 for certificate courses) each Tuesday in period 4.
I look forward to a great year supporting the Year 11 and 12 students through their senior schooling journey.
Another exciting opportunity for students is the Junior and Senior Dance Troupe. Auditions have taken place and teams have now been finalised. Congratulations to all students who secured a place -the competition was fierce. It is wonderful to see the Dance Troupe Program continue to flourish and expand.
Wynnum SHS Bands are up and running, with lessons starting in Week 3. This year, there are four bands – Symphonic, Concert, Big, and Stage – comprising a total of 120 students. We’re looking forward for another successful year of Instrumental Music. Our Music teachers have also been busy preparing and planning for the Music Program of Excellence that has also commenced. This year, 45 students will be taking part in this new and fantastic program. We are excited to watch the students develop their skills and flourish in this enriching experience.
Year 12 Visual Arts in Practice students have begun an assessment task where they will design and create a school mural. They are currently working on a design proposal, aiming to develop a mural that reflects the school’s environment, culture, and community. It’s an exciting and meaningful project, and we can't wait to see what they produce.
Media students are also preparing for an exhilarating year of filmmaking, storytelling, and industry experiences. This year, students from Years 7 to 12 will explore photography, video editing, animation, and production while working on new creative projects. The WSHS Film Festival will return, showcasing student work and featuring a special industry guest. The Certificate III in Screen and Media will continue, providing real-world experience in film, television, and digital media. In addition, the WSHS Media Club is expanding, offering students opportunities to produce school content and cover live events.
With so many opportunities ahead, students can look forward to an inspiring and action-packed year, filled with creative expression and collaboration. The Creative Arts Department is committed to providing an environment where students can continue to develop their skills and passion for The arts.
Tim Cooper
Head of Department - Creative Arts
On Friday 7 February, students gathered at the Manly Pool for our annual Swimming Carnival, an event filled with energy, enthusiasm, and friendly competition. The day was a fantastic celebration of house spirit, with students proudly cheering on their teammates and giving their best in the pool.
Participation was at an all-time high, with large numbers of students taking part in the competitive, participation and novelty events. Whether it was serious racing or just some fun in the water, everyone played a part in making the carnival a great success.
For the third year in a row, Kennedy House emerged victorious followed by Oxley, Cunningham and then Mitchell.
Congratulations to the below Age Champions and all students who took part. Thank you to the staff and organizers for making the event such a memorable one. We look forward to another exciting carnival next year!
Age Champions
| 12 Years Boys | Otis B |
| 12 Years Girls | Mei A |
| 13 Years Boys | Benjamin F |
| 13 Years Girls | Yoony H |
| 14 Years Boys | Mitchell A |
| 14 Years Girls | Ciena W |
| 15 Years Boys | Finn J |
| 15 Years Girls | Zoe D |
| 16 Years Boys | Theo F |
| 16 Years Girls | Ella J |
| Open Boys | Reuben N |
| Open Girls | Roberta W |
Kiara chosen as Bunya to the Bay River Ambassador
We congratulate Year 11 student, Kiara T, on her recent selection as a Bunya to the Bay River Ambassador, which adds to her many achievements while at high school.
Bunya to the Bay is an initiative for First Nations students to undertake a journey and form a deep connection to the cultural, spiritual, and environmental history of this country. For countless generations, First Nations people have travelled along the paths of this land— from the Bunya Mountains to the sea—sharing knowledge, understanding, and respect for the environment, each other, and ancestors.
Throughout Kiara’s journey, she will have the chance to connect with the land in a way that few others do. She will learn from the Elders, and others, about the deep knowledge held by this country. As she walks, cycles, and canoes along the river, she will reflect on her place in the world and her responsibility to the land and its future.
This is an opportunity for Kiara to not only learn about Aboriginal culture and heritage but to become part of it, to contribute to the ongoing journey of ambassadorship for this land and its waterways.
Kiara’s selection as a River Ambassador is the latest in a wide range of awards and achievements attained over her time at Wynnum High. We look forward to updates on Kiara’s new ambassador venture and wish her well as she embarks on her final Senior years of school. Go Kiara!
