As you will see from this edition of the newsletter, there is so much happening in our amazing school. Students are in the swing of learning, Year 12’s in their final year have already completed their first block of exams and junior students are midway through the learning cycle of Term 1. 

At the start of this school year, James Nottingham, a keynote speaker in learning and teaching, visited our school to work with our staff. James is a best selling author and famed creator of the Learning Pit (learningpit.org). James was far from a model student at school, and has now come full circle, spending his time in schools building the capacity of teachers to help students learn to their potential.

Whilst James’ material is easy to track down via his website, he touched on the below themes as invaluable for students to become learners in schools.

• Developing a strong sense of self efficacy
• Engaging willingly in challenging tasks
• Boosting resilience, determination and curiosity
• Being critical, creative, caring and collaborative thinkers

In PROUD Pathways, students have explored the Learning Pit and how challenges in learning build resilience. Students have collaborated to articulate what learning looks, sounds, and feels like at different stages of the Engagement Continuum and are developing strategies to identify how their level of engagement can help them navigate the Learning Pit and grow as learners.

James will be back to visit us again later this year to continue giving opportunities for our staff to build their capacity from his research and activities. It has been exciting for me as an educator to visit classes and see our staff implement many of James’ ideals from the professional development days.

Lastly, I encourage any interested parents or carers to attend our Parents and Citizens (P&C) Annual General Meeting on Thursday 13 March, 6.00pm in the school Library. The P&C is a vital part of our school community, and your involvement helps shape the direction of our school and provides additional support for our students. The meeting time and venue will also be shared as a reminder on our school Facebook and Instagram.

All the best for a fulfilling second half of term one to our staff, students and community.

Sandra Quinn
Principal

Year 11 PE – QUT Emerging Trends Excursion

On February 24, Year 11 Physical Education students ventured to QUT – Gardens Point for a tour of campus sporting facilities. The students are currently studying a unit related to equity in sport and physical activity. Part of their task requires students to make a personalised plan to help them engage in lifelong physical activity beyond school.

There are always new emerging trends in the sporting arena. A key focus of this excursion was exploring and trialling some of these emerging trends to see how effective they may be to promote engagement in physical activity. The students gained exposure to E-sports, spin bikes and rowers with virtual screens where they can race people around the world, as well as modern fitness testing equipment. The group set a great example for our school in the Brisbane community in the way they engaged in learning on this excursion.

Railway Cafe

Did you know that our school has a Cafe this is open for breakfast Tuesday-Friday every week from 7.30 am - 8.40 am.  They are also open at first lunch Tuesdays and Thursdays for drinks only.

Students completing a Certificate II in Hospitality are rostered on to the Café to develop their competencies including customer service, reconciling takings, making a range of espresso products and other drinks, preparing food items on demand and working in a team. The café provides a great service to the school community where our students and staff enjoy a relaxed environment to catch up with each other before the day begins.

Law Courts Library Excursion

In week 6, Year 12 Legal Studies students had the opportunity to visit the Law Courts Library as part of their research for their upcoming assessment. This excursion allowed students to explore a wealth of legal resources, gain firsthand experience in legal research, and deepen their understanding of law reform and case law.  It was an enriching experience that brought their classroom learning to life!

Musical

Excitement is building here at school as rehearsals begin for the highly anticipated school musical, Spamalot. The production promises to bring heart, humour, and unforgettable performances to the stage, with students showcasing their talents in acting, singing, and dancing. Set against a captivating storyline, Spamalot follows King Arthur and his loyal knights as they embark on a hilarious and absurd quest to find the Holy Grail, encountering quirky characters like the Lady of the Lake, the Black Knight, and a host of comedic challenges along the way.  As rehearsals are underway, the entire school community is eager to watch the show come together. Stay tuned for more updates on their progress and a sneak peek of the excitement building up to the big debut! 

Year 7 Camp

Year 7 students recently returned from an unforgettable adventure at Emu Gully, where they had the opportunity to immerse themselves in a hands-on history lesson while developing crucial life skills. The core values of Emu Gully—Courage, Mateship, Sacrifice, and Perseverance—were instilled throughout the camp, with the students embodying these principles in every activity.

Drawing inspiration from ANZAC heritage, Emu Gully’s program challenges participants to push their limits and build character. From tackling obstacle courses to participating in team-based problem-solving exercises, our Year 7s didn’t back down. They got stuck into every challenge with determination and teamwork, showing incredible courage and mateship along the way.

And yes, they weren’t afraid to get dirty—very dirty! Whether crawling through mud or scaling slippery steep hillsides, the students embraced the mess, demonstrating perseverance in the face of adversity. This experience was a powerful opportunity for growth, fostering leadership and resilience that will stay with them long after the camp. A big congratulations to all Year 7 students for their commitment and enthusiasm throughout the camp!

GRIP Leadership

Our four outstanding school captains—Josh, Hannah, Claude, and Isaac—recently represented Wynnum State High School at the GRIP Leadership Conference, a prestigious event designed to empower student leaders with the skills to create meaningful change in their school communities.

Throughout the day, they engaged in interactive workshops, dynamic discussions, and inspiring keynote sessions, all focused on fostering a school culture where every student feels a sense of belonging and connection. They explored strategies to amplify student voice, ensuring that all Wynnum students have opportunities to contribute ideas and shape their school experience.

One of their key takeaways was the importance of celebrating the achievements of our students—big and small. Whether it's academic success, sporting triumphs, creative excellence, or community contributions, our captains are determined to recognise and showcase the incredible talents within our school.

Moving forward, Josh, Hannah, Claude, and Isaac are excited to implement new initiatives that will strengthen student engagement and unity. They are eager to hear from their peers and work together to create a school environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

Stay tuned for more updates as our student leaders turn their vision into action!

Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders Conference

Our Junior Secondary Leaders—Isobel, Charlotte, and Oscar—recently attended the Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders conference at QUT, an exciting event designed to develop the leadership skills of young student leaders.

During the day, they had the opportunity to tour the impressive QUT Library, listen to inspiring guest speakers, and participate in hands-on workshops that helped them explore their personal leadership styles. The sessions motivated them to strengthen student voice at Wynnum State High School and find new ways to make a positive impact on our school community.

A key takeaway for Isobel, Charlotte, and Oscar was the importance of connection and belonging within the school. They are now eager to implement a project that brings students together and fosters a stronger sense of community. They are also passionate about promoting all the fantastic opportunities, achievements, and experiences that make Wynnum SHS a great place to learn and grow.

With fresh ideas and enthusiasm, our Junior Secondary Leaders are ready to take action and make a difference. We look forward to seeing their leadership in action and the positive changes they will bring to our school!

Griffith University Business Ambassadors Programme

Year 11 Business students were fortunate to immerse themselves in Griffith University life this week.  The day kicked off with a dynamic 'Discover Uni' session, where Griffith Business School's own student leaders took to the stage to share their firsthand experiences, offering a real-life glimpse into the highs and lows of studying business and navigating university life. Students got to experience lectures and workshops centring on the real-world applications of Business degrees and the topics of Careers in Commerce, The Exciting Future of Work, Consumer Attention and Careers in Tourism, Hotel and Sport Management. The day gave students many things to think about in pursuing business careers.

Japanese Buddies 

On February 11 and 12, we were visited by 40 students from Saitama Uruwa Japanese Middle School. Our Japanese languages students were assigned buddies and they engaged in fun activities throughout the two days including welcoming and closing ceremonies, traditional Australian food tasting, integration into WSHS classes and Japanese cultural presentations ran by the Saitama Uruwa students. Everyone had an amazing time and we cannot wait to welcome them again! 

Bayside District Swimming Carnival

On Thursday, 20 February, a number of our students competed at the Bayside District Swimming Carnival at Chandler, showcasing their dedication and competitive spirit. Each swimmer represented our school with pride, demonstrating outstanding effort and sportsmanship in every race. A special congratulations to Mitchell A, Zoe D, and Ella J, who have qualified for the Metropolitan East Swimming Carnival. Well done to all students involved—we are proud of your achievements!

Our Interschool Sport season is well underway with students in Years 7 - 10 competing against students from Brisbane Bayside SC, Capalaba SC, Cleveland District SHS, Redlands College, Victoria Point SHS and Wellington Point SHS every Tuesday and Thursday. 

P&C Annual General Meeting

Join us at for our P&C Annual General Meeting next Thursday, 13 March at 6.00pm in the Library. This will then be followed a General Meeting.

The P&C is for everyone that is a part of our Wynnum High community - mums, dads, grandparents & staff.

This is a wonderful opportunity to be part of a vibrant community dedicated to fostering a culture of high expectations and creating pathways for all our students to thrive.

Your voice and participation are invaluable, and together, we can continue to build a warm, inclusive, and respectful environment for our children. Whether you're a long-time member or new to our community, we warmly welcome you to come and share your ideas.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Homework Club

https://www.trybooking.com/CYZAS

                                                                                    

Maths/Science Tutorials

Maths/Science Tutourials are held every Monday from 3.00 pm - 4.00 pm in G16.

Any students in Years 7-12 who would like assistance with Maths and/or Science class work or assessment are welcome to attend. You do not need to pre-book.

Career Exploration

Career exploration during high school can improve employment and study opportunities.

Career Exploration can help students identify their interests and recognise their core skills, so they make better informed decisions about their future.  It allows them to explore different career paths, gain real-world experience, and set gaols.    

A great way to explore careers, is to;

• Participate in career exploration activities in school
• Research different jobs and industries
• Volunteer or Work Experience with organisation that align with your potential career
• Use self-assessment tools to identify your skills, interests, and values
• Use websites such as; MyFuture and Job Jumpstart

By starting early, students can better align their education with their aspirations, increasing their chances for long time success.