School Events
Book Week 2025
Australia marked the 80th ever Book Week in Australia in August. The slogan for this year was “Book an Adventure”. In accordance with this national observance, our library ran a number of events throughout the week: a colouring competition, story time in the library, a treasure hunt, the annual costume parade, and a special event: a book launch.
The most anticipated event of Book Week is the annual costume parade. We raised the stakes this year by making the Book Week costume parade the final event of the 2025 House Cup. It is always a hotly-contested event with students from all year levels and every house participating, representing literature from every walk of fiction. A special mention goes this year to the large number of manga characters represented. Finally, we had the classics of Western Literature: Romeo and Juliet, and The Wizard of Oz on parade.
A special event was the "Fave Teachers read their Fave Books". Mr Gaffel, Mr Barnes, Ms Mellor, Ms Hirunchai, Mr Cranitch and Ms Redsell all held captive audiences reading their favourite excerpts from books as wide-ranging as the high-literature: Terra Nullius by Claire G Coleman to the Dr Seuss classic: Oh the Places You’ll Go, and JK Rowling – master of the opening chapter: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
House Cup event: Book Week Costume Parade
The effort made by students and staff each year is always a PROUD moment. In including this event as the final event to score points toward the House Cup, the effort this year was a little bit extra!
The parade was ably judged by Chappie Greg, our librarian Ms Maddison, Peter and Larry. Congratulations go to Oxley House for winning the competition on the day.
Here’s the full list of winners:
Best Senior Costume:
1st place: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory paraded by Willow, Malae, Fin, Reuben & Erin.
2nd place: The Rainbow Fish paraded by Chloe & Harper
3rd place: Hamilton paraded by Alexia, Kaitlin & Peppa
Best Junior Costume
1st place: Uzui Tengen from Demon Slayer manga paraded by Charlie
2nd place: Gangsta Granny paraded by Emily
3rd place: Bluey paraded by Kourtney
Best Staff Costume:
1st place: Jadis, Queen White witch of Narnia paraded by Ms Trubuhovich
2nd place: Oliver Twist paraded by Ms Sabri
3rd place: 101 Dalmations paraded by Inclusion team
Best heads of house team:
Oxley House – who schooled everyone with their One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish ensemble.
Congratulations to all!
Book launch for novel: Never Truly Gone by Annabel Jackson
Book Week concluded with a rare event: a book launch for a Wynnum SHS student who has published a novel. An amazing achievement, Annabel Jackson last month released her debut novel: Never Truly Gone. This apocalyptic tale is set not far in the future and relates the story of teenage twins Linch and Arla, who look for safety and sanity – and each other - amid a meteor shower that will have long-term impacts for Earth.
A small book launch was held where Annabel, and cover designer Mars Bailey were interviewed about the project before Annabel read an excerpt. A huge congratulations Annabel for this wonderful achievement! The novel is published by Amazon and copies can be purchased here. A book signing is to be held before the end of term. https://www.amazon.com/Never-Truly-Gone-AZ-Jackson/dp/B0FKT546DX?ref_=ast_author_mpb
Book Week 2025 was a wonderful celebration of literary adventures!
Cate Wilson
Head of Department - English
Visit from Iwatsuki High School
Wynnum High once again, warmly welcomed seventeen Iwatsuki High students for three days in September. Our Japanese language students engaged in a number of enriching activities with our guests. The Year 7 Japanese students enjoyed rotational cultural activities such as wearing yukata, playing with traditional toys like Kendama, spin top, paper ball game and calligraphy and later conversation time, which was guided by the Iwatsuki students.
The Year 8 Japanese students opened their classroom doors to welcome the students in to play various language based activities.
Aussie snacks and slang was guided by the Year 9 Japanese students who tried their language skills in describing snacks such as Vegemite, Shapes and Caramello Koalas.
Some of the senior Japanese students volunteered as a ‘buddy’ and had the opportunity to develop firm friendships with their time together.
It’s always a pleasure to witness the enjoyment of all of our Wynnum students as they interact with our foreign guests during their stay.
Leanne Kruysmulder
Japanese Teacher