Baringa State Primary School is committed to using communication processes and techniques that aim to build a positive social learning environment. The ability for our school community to communicate clearly using a wide range of settings and using diverse media is vital for today’s world. Community building is the responsibility of all members of our community therefore, it is essential that all members consider and incorporate the school values and protocols when communicating information.  

Currently at Baringa we utilise the following communication platforms:

• In person/ face to face meetings, phone calls, e-mails, seesaw for information sharing Facebook for general information sharing, newsletter every 3 weeks sent to parent/carer email addresses

The Department of Education has recently released guidelines for parents to follow when communicating with us at Baringa. Please see a summary of these important points below.

What you can expect when communicating with our school:

• Celebration of achievements and reporting on academic progress.
• Communication on learning, wellbeing, and serious issues.
• Alerts on same-day absences and information on consent/payment requests.
• Regular updates, event notifications, and feedback opportunities.
• Opportunities for biannual parent-teacher interviews.

What Not to Expect:

• Immediate responses to non-urgent inquiries (minimum 2+ business days).
• Staff availability outside business hours or via personal social media/accounts.
• Unscheduled meetings during school hours.
• Access to staff personal contact details.
• Entry to school grounds if aggressive or harassing behaviour occurs.

When to Contact Your School:

• To report absences or share changes in medical/family circumstances.
• If concerned about your child’s learning, wellbeing, or behaviour.
• To report safety concerns or schedule/change appointments. 

How to Contact Your School:

• Use the administration for general inquiries and follow school processes for teacher meetings.
• Request face-to-face meetings for sensitive matters and allow time for responses.

How You Can Help Your School:

• Keep contact details updated and read communications.
• Use polite language and be open to compromise.

If You Have a Complaint:

• Start with the school (via phone/appointment or email).
• Contact your child’s classroom teacher.
• Escalate unresolved issues to the deputy principal, principal or Regional Office for consideration.

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements. The theme for 2025, Bridging Now to Next, urges us to look ahead and continue to push forward as past lessons guide us. It also calls for Australians to step forward together. This is a time for growth, reflection, and commitment to walking together. As part of Reconciliation Week at Baringa SPS this year we are beginning to build and plant out a Bush Tucker garden bed near the Kitchen Classroom and selected students are also attending Aunty Betty’s walk in Caloundra at Dicky Beach.

School P&C Disco

A reminder that the P&C are coordinating a school disco in the school hall next Thursday afternoon /evening. See details below:

Prep – Yr 2 Junior Disco          4.00pm – 5.30pm        Prep parents welcome to attend

Yr 3 – Yr 6 Senior Disco           6.30pm – 8.00pm

Tickets are available to purchase on Munch Monitor via the “School Shop” tab. If you have multiple children please check that you have purchased a ticket under each child’s name for the correct disco. Please note that there will be no ticket sales at the door, and children arriving without a pre-purchased ticket won’t be allowed to enter. If you are unable to purchase via Munch Monitor tickets can be purchased from Wal’s Wardrobe (in the covered area next to the canteen) on a Monday after school until 3:15pm or before school on a Thursday from 8am. We are unable to accept cash payments. Ticket sales close on Tuesday 3rd June.

A reminder to parents that students must be dropped off and collected from the disco by a responsible adult. Children will not be allowed to leave the hall area unless they are being collected by a parent. Thanks for your support here.

Have a great week

Mick

On Thursday, May 16, our school community took part in National Walk to School Day, and what a fantastic morning it was!

We were thrilled to see so many students, families, and staff walking, scooting, or biking their way to school. The event encouraged healthy habits, reduced traffic around the school, and promoted road safety awareness—all while having fun together as a school community.

To celebrate everyone’s participation, raffle tickets were completed by students who took part. Congratulations to our lucky prize winners who received:

• Big Boing vouchers
• Event Cinemas gift cards

Lukas 6D, Abbie 6A, Riversyn 1C, Bennett 3A, Mason 1D, Parker 2A, Jack 4D, Madeleine 6C, Laura 4D, Ashton 4B, Maddison 6C, Emily 6C, Harry 4E, Kunsh 4C, Valentine PD

A big thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the morning such a positive experience. Let’s keep the momentum going by continuing to make active travel a regular part of our school routine!

Year 2 Writing

Year 2 Students Explore Space Through Informative Writing

This term in Science and English, Year 2 students have been learning all about space, with a focus on the Sun, Earth and Moon. As part of their learning, students are creating informative texts to share their knowledge.

Students have been working hard to:

• Write factual descriptions about the Moon
• Explain the role of the Sun
• Describe Earth and its features
• Use language features, facts and diagrams to enhance their explanations

Teachers are very impressed by the way students are using technical vocabulary, organising their ideas clearly and including interesting facts. Their writing shows a deep understanding of space and excellent growth in nonfiction writing skills.

Well done, Year 2!

Under 8’s Day Celebration – Friday 23 May

What a fantastic day we had for Under 8’s Day! Our school came alive with energy, excitement, and laughter as our youngest students enjoyed a jam-packed morning of fun, hands-on learning, and community connection.

This year’s theme, ‘Unleashing Scientific Thinking Through Play!’, set the stage for a range of science-inspired activities and experiments. Students rotated through stations that included: bubbling potions, static electricity, fizzy eruptions and hands-on exploration designed to ignite curiosity and creativity.

We were thrilled to welcome local police officers and a fire truck crew, who engaged students with their equipment, answered curious questions, and shared important safety messages. It was a real highlight seeing our little ones climb into the Police cars and speak to real-life community heroes!

The morning was filled with other engaging activities, including:

• Face Painting – a colourful favourite with lines out the door
• Cookie Making – sticky fingers and big smiles
• Rice Play – sensory fun with scooping, pouring and creating
• Pass the Football – showcasing teamwork and sportsmanship
• Holey Moly Putt Putt Challenge – testing hand-eye coordination with plenty of cheers!

And let’s not forget the delicious sausage sizzle, which gave everyone a chance to refuel and enjoy a bite together. A huge thank you to our Dan our Groundsman and the P&C volunteers who cooked, cleaned and helped make the day run smoothly.

Under 8’s Day is always a special celebration of play, learning, and community – and this year was no exception. Thank you to all the families who joined us and helped make the day so memorable. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!

Year 4 Turtle Talk

On Tuesday 20^th May, the Year 4 students listened to a talk on Marine Turtles form Leisa, who is part of the TurtleCare Sunshine Coast volunteers. They heard about how they can help with turtle conservation.

Here are some ways you can help in conserving the Marine Turtle population on the Sunshine Coast.

• Report turtle tracks, new nests and emerging hatchlings to our Turtle Care hotline or Coolum and North Shore Coast Care.
• Switch off your outside lights from 8pm as light pollution is distracting for turtles and hatchlings.
• Make sure you take your rubbish with you from the beach so the turtles have a clean environment to lay their eggs in.
• Stay on the right track and use the authorised beach access to reach the ocean to protect turtle nesting habitat.

Year 3 Australia Zoo Excursion

Please make sure you have signed the consent form for this excursion so that invoices can be generated. If you have not seen your consent form please come in to the office and ask for a paper copy as payment needs to be made well ahead of the event (18^th June).

Students are required to bring food for both first and second break, a water bottle, school hat and sunscreen in a small backpack. This will be their responsibility to keep safe and carry around the zoo grounds. No spending money or personal iPads/phones are permitted on this excursion. We encourage students to bring a small umbrella or raincoat if it looks like rain on the day.

Recognising National Sorry Day and the Start of Reconciliation Week

On Monday, 26th May, our school marked National Sorry Day, a significant moment of reflection and recognition in Australia's journey towards reconciliation. This important day was acknowledged during both our Junior and Senior Assemblies, where students and staff were reminded of the ongoing importance of acknowledging past injustices and working towards healing and unity.

National Sorry Day also marks the beginning of Reconciliation Week, a time dedicated to celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture, and achievements. As part of our school’s commitment to reconciliation, a group of Indigenous students from Years 4–6 had the opportunity to attend the Aunty Betty Memorial Reconciliation Walk at Dicky Beach. During this meaningful experience, students enjoyed cultural dance performances, listened to stories and wisdom shared by Elders, and explored native plants, learning about their traditional uses and cultural significance.

Earlier in the week, at school, a group of students joined Mrs Donohue in preparing the soil in our Bush Tucker Garden—a special area near the Learning Kitchen. Students helped get the garden ready for planting and witnessed the first stage of this exciting project.

As we move through the remainder of 2025, we look forward to developing the Bush Tucker Garden further. This space will continue to grow as a place of learning and respect for Indigenous knowledge and culture, becoming a vibrant and meaningful addition to our school grounds.

Level 1 Rewards Days for Term 2

Year 3 Level 1 Rewards Day will take place in the school hall on Friday 27^th June during middle session. Students will participate in a disco and will be given a treat to eat. This activity was the most popular, chosen through a survey by students.

Year 4 Level 1 Rewards Day will take place on Wednesday 25^th June. A timetable will be sent out prior to this date. Students will participate in a Nerf Archery Activity which was the most popular activity chosen through a survey by students.

Sally Donohue

3/4 Deputy Principal

The Dangers of Too Much Screen Time

Video gaming can be fun and engaging however spending too much time in front of a screen has been linked to a lack of sleep, speech delays and poor social skills. Research has found that the bigger issue "is whether screen use causes problems in other areas of life or has become an all-consuming activity," When this happens, it's considered screen addiction in kids.

Here are some red flags to watch for that suggest your child might be spending too much time in front of the screen.

•        Behaviour change when asked to stop
•        It preoccupies their thoughts
•        Withdrawal from regular activities to access online platforms rather than social interactions
•        Increased irritability when asked to pause or stop gaming or screen time
•        Sleep difficulties or even neglecting regular sleep or eating patterns to stay online
•        Frequent family fights about internet use

For more information, please refer to:

What Does Too Much Screen Time Do to Children’s Brains?

https://healthmatters.nyp.org/what-does-too-much-screen-time-do-to-childrens-brains/

Let's Talk About Gaming with Dr. Kim Le

https://lifeed.org.au/resources/parents/lets-talk-about-gaming-with-dr-kim-le/

9 signs of screen addiction in kids

https://www.todaysparent.com/family/family-health/screen-addiction-in-kids/

Gaming Tip Sheet for Parents

https://lifeed.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Gaming-podcast-tip-sheets-for-parents.pdf

Hello families! 

A message from the OSHC

We’re excited to remind you that the school disco is happening next Thursday, June 5th!

If your child is planning to attend, we will gladly drop them off at the hall. Just a friendly reminder, though—parents will need to pick up their child/ren at the end of the disco at the hall.

To make sure everything goes smoothly, please fill out an extracurricular form provided and hand it to one of our staff members. The forms are available at the OSHC, or you can request one to be sent to you by email.

We have some exciting updates to share about our team here at the OSHC! We've updated our staff information board, and our wonderful new team members will share a little bit about themselves. This way, everyone can get to know each other better! Plus, we’ll have staff taking turns in the sign-in and sign-out area so that we can become more familiar with our families, and you can get to know our staff too. We're looking forward to building those connections together! 

We have enjoyed being involved in the school Mother’s Day breakfast and the under 8’s day where we set up a couple of activities.

Bookings are now open for the June/July holidays, and we are excited to share that the program will be available to families two weeks prior to the holidays. We welcome your inspiring program ideas to enrich our holiday program. You can send your ideas by email or write it in our program ideas

Just a quick note that we'll be closed for the Maleny Show Day on Friday, 30th May, since it's a public holiday. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Parentline service supporting parents and carers 

Parentline is a free, confidential counselling service available for all Queensland parents and carers.

 If you need support navigating challenging situations, Parentline offers qualified counsellors who can help with expert advice, emotional support and referrals when needed. 

Parentline’s services include:

• practical parenting resources on their website

• live webchat with professional counsellors

• phone support for immediate assistance (1300 30 1300)

• the option to pre-book ongoing sessions with the same counsellor

• online counsellor-facilitated parenting forums for shared support

• referrals to other family support services when additional help is needed. 

Visit their website (parentline.com.au) for more information today, or give them a call on 1300 30 1300.