BayView State School - Term 4, Week 3

Principal, Mr David Cooke

We have had an amazing start to Term 4 and unbelievably we only have seven weeks to go until the summer holidays.  This term is extremely busy and with several incursions, excursions and of course our annual swimming block. 

In week one we announced to the community that we will be taking ownership of three miniature goats.  The noise that was generated by our students when they heard this news was incredible with staff in the opposite corner of the school from the hall saying that they could hear the reaction.  We have had many students and families ask how we are going to name the goats.  Due to a short time frame and in line with our breeder’s requirements (registering the names with the bloodlines in the USA) we had to provide names in a very short timeframe.

Despite the time constraint, we have chosen names purposefully, with each name reflecting the values and spirit of our school community. These names celebrate some of our Queensland “GOATs” who embody kindness, resilience, leadership, and connection, the same qualities we aim to nurture in our students every day, keep an eye on our Facebook site next week as we release the names to the community.

A huge thank you to the school P&C who have provided a significant amount of financial support for the fencing required to provide a safe area for the goats to reside in.

Parent Behaviour on School Grounds

Unfortunately, there have been a number of instances this term of parents approaching students other than their own child.  Under no circumstances is it okay for an adult to approach a student on school grounds to confront them.  If parents have concerns regarding the conduct of a BayView students, the appropriate process for this to be raised and dealt with is to communicate the issue with your year level Deputy who will be able to work with you to resolve any concerns. 

QParents - Consent Management

With only one-week until swimming starts could I ask all families sign and return QParents e-consent or hardcopy forms and pay for the excursion.  The $45 cost of this excursion is significantly reduced due to the fundraising efforts of the 2024 colour fun run and represents great value compared to swimming lessons you can engage with privately.  IF family are finding it difficult to pay for the excursion, please communicate with our Business Manager on admin@bayviewss.eq.edu.au.

School Opinion Survey

Recently I was able to spend some time with the school leadership reflecting on this year's School Opinion Survey.  Thank you to all parents and caregivers who completed this survey as this has provided some wonderful affirmations as well as a number of considerations for the school to improve.  It was heartening to see that over 95% of parents and student responders believe that “teachers expect students to do their best”, and “the expectations and rules of the school are clear”. 

A Big Thank You to the Lions Club

I want to extend a warm and sincere thank you to the Lions Club for their generous support of our school community.  Their donation will go directly toward helping our students start their day with a healthy breakfast — something that makes a huge difference in their ability to focus, learn, and thrive throughout the school day.  Thank you, Lions Club, for your generosity — and for all that you do to support our students and families

Reminder: Dogs and Pets on School Grounds

For the safety of all students and families, we kindly ask that:

• Dogs and other pets remain outside the school grounds at all times.
• Pets must be kept on a lead, with an owner or handler over the age of 16 present when dropping off or collecting students.
• Dogs must not be tied up and left unattended at any time.
• Please do not use the school grounds to exercise dogs before or after school hours.

Thank you for your support of the school and have an amazing weekend.

David

Deputy Principal (P-2), Mrs Shiolan Ferrer

Hi Families,

Term 4 is here and what a start it has already been!

Already in our P-2 sector we have seen an influx of enrolments for students wanting to join BayView!

We have also commenced our 'Get Ready for Prep' days.  Our final session will be held on Wednesday 29 October from 8:50am-9:50am.

We have over 100+ families who have had their Prep Interviews and are ready to enrol for Prep in 2026.

Please continue to check emails, as we keep you up to date with all things 'Prep 2026'!

Thank you to our Prep Team, Staff, P&C and school outside providers, who have worked behind the scenes to welcome and support the new families coming into our school.

It's rewarding to see, our staff and community embracing the adage that, "It takes a village to raise a child!"

Both our Early Education Centres & BayView State School has also been keeping in touch and supporting Successful Transitions, by attending to visits both by our staff and students-alike!

BayView State School is proud to be working alongside our Early Education Centres and Redlands Cluster Schools to build even stronger partnerships in the Early Years space. This week, our Kindy Connect Cluster Meeting will bring us together to plan and share ideas for 2026.

Recently, our students have also participated in the Barna Jarjum Quandamooka Camp! Some of our senior First Nation students had the opportunity to engage in cultural connections, yarn with other peers with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, connect with the MMEIC Elders and also engage in First Nation story-telling, Art and Dance.

Select BVSS Barna Jarjum students will also participate in performing a Welcome Dance, during one of our upcoming P-2 parades and also when the Think Tank Team from Metro-South Region, will pay a visit to our school.

Well done to our students who have been involved in these projects.

Reminders & Updates

• 2026 Booklists: These should now have been emailed to P–2 families. If you haven’t received yours, please contact Corporate Services.

• “I Choose You” Project: Some parents may have already received a call from teachers as part of this initiative to strengthen student–teacher–family connections.

• Upcoming Events: We look forward to seeing many of you at Get Ready for Prep, Parent–Teacher Interviews, or Grandparents’ Day celebrations this Friday!

Car Park Safety Reminder

To all parents and carers using the school car park and the Kiss & Ride area, please continue to prioritise safety by following road rules at all times. We ask that you remain vigilant by driving at safe speeds, avoiding cutting off other drivers, and showing courtesy to everyone using the roads and car park.

Your cooperation is essential in keeping our students and community members safe here at Bayview State School.

Shi Ferrer

Deputy Principal (3-6), Mr Nick Akers

QParents

I’d like to personally encourage all families to join QParents.  It ensures you receive important updates about your child quickly and directly.

QParents gives you quick, secure access to:

• Student reports and attendance

• Upcoming events

• Payments and invoices

• Important school notices

By using QParents, you’ll receive updates instantly while helping us reduce paper use.

Tips for staying in the loop:

• Log in regularly to check for new updates

• Turn on notifications for reminders about events, payments, or reports

• Contact Corporate Services if you need help accessing your account or registering

Thank you for supporting us as we move to online Consent Management.

Nick Akers

Head of Curriculum, Carly Blyth

Want a chance to thank your teacher on the radio? 

ABC Kids listen radio is asking primary students to shout out their favourite teacher, as part of World Teachers’ Day (31 October) celebrations.

To get involved, students can submit an audio message about why they love their teacher.

Listen to the pop-up radio show hosted by Mr Luke between 8-9am on 27-31 October for a chance to hear your message.

For more information: https://www.abc.net.au/kidslisten/programs/kids-listen-specials/abc-teacher-shout-outs/105840842

PE News, Mr Bennett & Mr Ellis

• Ultimate Athletics has returned to Bay View SS for Term 4. Sessions began Wednesday 22^nd October and are held on our oval every Wednesday from 2:50pm – 3:50pm. Please view the flyer in our newsletter for more information, or go to the website and follow the links: https://laq.org.au/ultimate-athletics-school-program/
  
  
• Redlands Little Athletics - Sheldon College Taylor Rd, Sheldon QLD 4157, Australia - info@redlandsathletics.org.au If you would like your child to join an athletics club, you may like to consider our local club, Redlands Little Athletics. Sessions are run at Sheldon College. 
  
  
• Congratulations to our Years 5 & 6 Basketball Teams. Our playing groups performed exceptionally well with some electric performances.  The players worked hard to play with our systems and lived up to the Bay View SS culture and core values.
  
  
• Play On Vouchers - Eligible families will be able to apply for a sports voucher valued up to $200 for children aged 5 to 17, helping to cover the cost of sport and active recreation fees. Please view the following webpage for more information: https://www.sport.qld.gov.au/news/latest/2025/play-on-sports-vouchers-set-to-help-more-queensland-children-get-active            
  
  
• Learn to Swim – Our Years 1 – 6 Swim Program dives off the blocks in Week 5 and continues through to Week 8. It’s a great opportunity to develop and hone those vital water safety skills for us Baysiders.
  
  
• Cluster Swim Competition – Some of our fastest fish will be competing on Friday 24^th October at the Bayside Cluster Swimming Carnival. Students in Years 3 – 6 have the opportunity to compete in 25m events across four strokes and a relay. 
  
  
• Run Club – wrapping up our last Run Club sessions in week 4 – Monday 27^th & Wednesday 29^th All welcome to join us for our last week of run club.  Run Club is being replaced with a before school Tennis Clinic & before school Swim Training.

Ryan Bennett & Ben Ellis

Congratulations Maddison

Maddison is a dedicated basketballer who currently plays across multiple age groups — representing her U14, U16, and Youth League teams each week. Alongside her regular games, she commits to a full schedule of team trainings, individual development sessions, and representative basketball. Her hard work and passion for the game have recently earned her an incredible opportunity — she has been selected to travel to Singapore to compete in the 13th Asia Cup with Fortitude Training Academy, a four-day competition running from October 22nd to 26th.

Sport Aerobics, Mrs Sabrina Tully

If you listen closely, you will hear the pitter patter of scoop claps down the spine, jacks being practiced and the woop woop that accompanies push ups! For the 200 students who have been part of the Sport Aerobics program this year they have ended on a high!

We have wrapped up our 2025 competition season with students competing at the Future Champions Cup and also the National Championships. We are so proud of how hard all of our athletes have worked though the season, their dedication to training and continual drive to improve.

A very big congratulations to our Bayview Barbies team who are the grade 2 National Champions and BayView Bounce team who are the grade 2 National silver medallists in their section.

We are looking forward to our aerobics awards night next Wednesday night where we celebrate all of our athletes and highlight some special achievements. A very big thank you to all of our amazing coaches Mrs Heathcote, Mrs Potter, Mrs Ogden, Miss Eckert, Miss Christiansen, Mrs Potaire, Mrs Hewish, Miss Rumler, Miss Clews, Mrs Obrien, Mrs Bradley, Mrs Tesch, Miss Amelia Tully and Miss Jess Tully.

Our program wouldn’t be able to happen without the support of our volunteers who coach and attend competitions. A big thank you also to all of our aerobics community for your ongoing support!

In term 4 we will send out information about trials for 2026 and can’t wait to see what the new year will bring for our teams.

Let’s go BayView Woop Woop!

Sabrina Tully

Classroom News

Be a Secret Santa for Seniors This Christmas

You can help bring a smile to the face of an elderly person who might otherwise spend Christmas alone.

Year 6 are excited to support the ‘Secret Santa for Seniors’ appeal, run by STAR Community Services, and we’re inviting our school community to get involved!

From now until 28th November, you can help in two simple ways:

• Drop off a gift suitable for someone aged 65+ to our Corporate Services office

• Or donate online at: www.givenow.com.au/starsecretsanta

Christmas can be a lonely time for many vulnerable seniors in our community. Your gift, big or small, is a way to let them know they’re not forgotten and that someone is thinking of them.

Gift ideas include:
Tea cups, socks, coffee, pamper packs, hand cream, vouchers, fruitcake, crockery, household items, non-perishable foods — or anything that feels like a little treat!

All gifts will be turned into beautiful hampers and delivered just in time for Christmas.

Let’s come together to spread a little joy this festive season — your kindness could make someone’s Christmas.

Barb Schuster

Choir, Mrs Amy Ellis

Choir

BayView Voices and Intermediate Choir are able to take new members. Both choirs will be starting new repertoire for the end of the year and it is the perfect time to come along and give choir a go.

BayView Voices - Yr 3, 4, 5 and 6 - Rehearses Tuesday afternoon 2:45 - 3:20pm in the music room.

Intermediate Choir - Yr 2 and 3 - Rehearses Thursday afternoon 2:45 - 3:20pm in the music room. 

Instrumental Music News

We have an exciting week ahead as our Junior String Ensemble prepares to perform at the Year 2 Concert on Tuesday afternoon. This will be a wonderful opportunity for our young musicians to share what they’ve been learning and gain valuable performance experience.

A reminder that ensemble rehearsals are an essential part of the program. Each week’s rehearsal provides a full hour of focused ensemble learning — building listening skills, teamwork, and confidence as we prepare for performances.

Please also remind students to complete their weekly homework to keep their progress steady. Regular practice at home supports everything we do in lessons and ensemble time.

All groups are now working towards our End of Year Concert in Week 9, and it’s been lovely to see the pieces taking shape. Thank you for continuing to encourage your child’s daily practice and participation — their effort truly shows in their playing!

Mrs  Taggart

Bayview Strings Program – 2026

Learn. Play. Perform. Join the Bayview Strings Program for Year 3 students in 2026!

Students can explore violin, viola, cello, or double bass in a fun, supportive environment. No experience needed — just curiosity and a love of music.

👉 Expressions of Interest are now open! https://forms.office.com/r/8N1zM3WC1A

 Bayview Band Program – 2026

 Make music. Make friends. Join the Bayview Band Program for Year 4 students in 2026!

Students can learn flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, or percussion. Beginners are welcome!

👉 Expressions of Interest are now open! https://forms.office.com/r/2rKXiujvnq

Puggles Playgroup

Student Health & Wellness

Medication at School

Does your child need medication during school hours?

If your child requires medication at school, please provide the office staff with the following:

• A completed and signed Consent to administer medication form 

• The medication in its original container with intact packaging

• Medical authorisation including:

  • The pharmacy label on the medication

  • A letter from your child’s doctor

  • A completed and signed health plan.

If your child requires medication at a routine time (e.g. 11am every day), the pharmacy label attached to the medication provides the school with the instructions from the doctor needed to safely administer the medication. Examples of routine medication include Ritalin, antibiotics, eye/ear drops and ointments.  No other written information from the prescribing health practitioner is required.

If you have any questions, contact Corporate Services for support.

What Should I Tell the Doctor?

When visiting your child’s doctor or health practitioner, you can provide them with a copy of the Consent to Administer Medication form. It outlines what information the school requires to administer your child's medication safely.

Where you will need additional written information from your practitioner

As well as using the pharmacy label instructions, the school will need additional written information from the prescribing health practitioner if your child requires medication as an emergency response. Depending on your child’s health condition, your doctor will need to complete:

*  an Asthma Action Plan and/or
*  an Anaphylaxis Action Plan and/or
*  written instructions if your child has more complex health needs.

If your child needs their dosage changed from that on the pharmacy label. Your health practitioner will need to write a letter for the school explaining the changes. To assist the school in safely administering the medication to your child, you are encouraged to have your pharmacist update the pharmacy label attached to the medication with the new dosage as soon as possible.

Easy Medication Packaging

If your child takes tablets or capsules each day, you can ask the pharmacist to pack them individually in sachets, blister packs or bubble packs.  This packaging is known as a ‘dose administration aid’ (or DAA) and has the pharmacy label instructions as part of the packaging.  These aids come with clear pharmacy instructions and are easy for school staff to manage.

Medication Safety Tips

To help us keep your child safe:

✅   Only provide medically authorised medication
✅   Ensure medication is not expired
✅   Use pharmacy packaging
✅   Hand-deliver medication to the school
✅   Collect unused medication in person
✅   Provide a pill cutter if needed, or ask the pharmacist to prepare DAAs

Sun Smart Policy

Our school is committed to being a Sun Smart School.  We aim to provide effective education on sun safety and implement preventive measures, including:

• Maximising the use of available shade during outdoor activities

• Undertaking shade tree planting and care programs

• Considering sun protection when designing or reviewing school uniforms

• Requiring the wearing of protective clothing, including appropriate hats, while outdoors during the school day

• Encouraging the use of SPF 30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin areas such as the face and backs of hands

• Incorporating sun safety into P&C projects and activities

• Promoting the role of parents, teachers, staff and volunteers as role models in practicing sun protection strategies

Important: Students are asked to wear a hat every day when travelling to and from school and during lunch breaks. Students who forget their hats must stay in shaded areas during play breaks.

Thank you for helping us keep our students safe in the sun.

Health and Attendance

For the well-being of all children, please do not send your child to school if they are unwell.  If your child becomes ill during the school day, we will contact you to arrange for their collection. It is essential that we can reach you promptly in these situations.

Please ensure the school always has your up-to-date contact details, including home and work phone numbers, as well as the contact information of one or two trusted friends or relatives who can be reached if we are unable to contact you directly.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school community healthy and safe.

Corporate Services News

Late Arrival and Early Departure Procedures

At BayView State School, we strive to minimise interruptions to valuable learning time. While we understand that occasionally students may arrive late or need to leave early, we have procedures in place to ensure their safety and to maintain a smooth school day.

• Late Arrival:   Any student arriving after 8:30 am is considered late.
  
  

• Reporting to the Office:   If your child arrives late or needs to leave early, please report to the school office.
  
  

• Early/Late Slip:   Office staff will issue an Early/Late slip, which the student must take to their class or present when leaving the school.

We ask for your support in ensuring that these procedures are followed so that all students can arrive safely and on time to their classrooms.

Advising the School of an absence

If your child is absent and you haven't notified the school, you will receive an SMS asking for an explanation of their absence. Please respond on the same day that you receive the SMS.

There are several ways to advise the school of an absence:

• Use QParents

• Call the student absence line: 3206 5266

• Email: absence@bayviewss.eq.edu.au

Please do not send SMS messages unless you are replying to our absence message.

If your child will be leaving early

Every Day Counts

Children are legally required to attend school for the full duration of the school day. We understand that, on occasion, early departures may be necessary—for example, to attend a specialist appointment.

If your child needs to leave early, we kindly ask that parents/carers notify the class teacher in advance whenever possible.

On the day of early departure, parents must first report to Corporate Services, where they will be issued an Early Departure Slip. This slip must then be presented to the class teacher before your child can be released.

Please allow enough time to complete this process and locate your child, so that disruptions to learning are minimised.

Finance

If you have any finance questions, please contact our Business Manager, Kristin Hill khill313@eq.edu.au or Cara Dyer cdyer44@eq.edu.au.  We are happy to help with any queries regarding invoices, payment plans, financial hardship or general student account questions.

Phones Away for the Day

To support students' focus and minimize distractions, all students are asked to sign in their phones at Corporate Services during school hours. This ensures that they can fully engage in learning, build friendships, and remain present throughout the school day.   No responsibility will be taken for any mobile phone not handed in to the office.

Voluntary Contributions

We invite all parents to participate in our Voluntary Resource Contribution Scheme of $100 per student per year. These valuable contributions directly support the cost of providing a wide range of Literacy, Numeracy, ICT, and Creative Arts resources for our students. Your contribution is greatly appreciated!

QParents Reminder:  Digital Consent Management

BayView State School are now using a digital consent management system for all excursions and camps. 

Important Reminder:

• The digital consent management system will be available starting Term 2.

• Families who do not have a QParents account will need to come to the school to collect hard copy consent forms, as these will not be available for students to take home.

Kristin Hill, Kerry Brown, Vicki O'Sullivan & Cara Dyer 

Safety Reminder – Modelling Safe Behaviour for Our Students

We would like to remind all parents and carers about the importance of modelling safe behaviours during school drop-off and pick-up times. Our students look to adults for guidance, and we ask for your support in reinforcing the messages we give them at school.

🔸 Cycling and Walking Through Bushland Areas
Please do not ride bikes or e-bikes along the main spine or down to the back car park and avoid walking through bush areas as a shortcut. These paths are not designated for access, and using them sets a poor example for students, who are being explicitly told not to do so.

🔸 Electric Scooters and E-Bikes
For safety reasons, electric scooters and electric bikes should not be brought to school by either students or parents.

🔸 Bicycle Use Near Vintage Drive
At the end of the day, students must not ride their bikes down the pathway toward Vintage Drive. 

We appreciate your cooperation in helping to keep all students and families safe — and in modelling the safe, respectful behaviours we expect from our students.  

To ensure you and your child stay safe when using e-scooters or e-skateboards, please remember:

• Only those aged 16+ can ride e-scooters and e-skateboards unsupervised.

• Helmets must be worn with the straps properly fastened (bicycle or motorcycle helmets) and bells fitted for devices with handlebars.

• No passengers/doubling – only one person riding an e-scooter.

• Speed limit of 12km/h on footpaths and shared paths.

• Serious fines may apply to riders, and parents, if caught breaking the rules.

StreetSmartsQld features educational videos and other helpful safety tips for riding e-scooters and e-skateboards.

P&C News

Join Our Parents and Citizens’ Association – Your Voice Matters

The Parents and Citizens’ (P&C) Association plays a vital and valued role in our school community. It is actively involved in many areas, from providing input into school policies to supporting initiatives that enhance the educational experience for all students. The P&C works closely with the Principal and staff to help shape a positive, inclusive, and successful learning environment. This is achieved through regular fundraising, volunteering efforts, and meaningful participation in school decisions and events.

By joining the P&C, parents and carers have the opportunity to contribute directly to the future direction of the school. Whether you’re interested in lending a hand at events, offering feedback on school matters, or simply staying informed about what’s happening, your involvement makes a real difference. Every idea, suggestion, and helping hand is truly appreciated and helps us build a stronger school community together.

Meetings are held in the Corporate Services Staff Room on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm. Any changes to these dates or times will be communicated in advance. Meetings are friendly, informative, and open to all – no prior experience is needed, just a willingness to be involved.

We warmly invite all parents, carers, and community members to come along, get involved, and be part of a supportive network that works for the benefit of our students. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, can have a lasting impact.

Together, we can make a difference – we hope to see you there!

School Values

Here are a few simple ways families can help reinforce our values beyond the school gate:

Be Inclusive – Embrace and celebrate diversity, encourage friendships with different people, and ensure everyone feels welcome and valued.

Be Respectful – Model polite language, active listening, and thoughtful behaviour—whether at home, in public, or online.

Be Responsible – Encourage children to take ownership of their actions and belongings, help with tasks at home, and develop independence in daily routines.

Be Your Best Self – Support children to set personal goals, try their hardest, learn from mistakes, and be proud of their efforts.

Thank you for continuing to support our students in living these values both at school and beyond. Together, we’re helping them grow into kind, capable, and confident individuals.

Cafe News

Exciting Updates!

We Doubled the Giveaway!

Last week’s Supa Pop giveaway was a huge success! We originally planned to give away 5, but after receiving an incredible number of entries, we decided to double the prize — and awarded 10 lucky winners with a Supa Pop each. Thank you to everyone who entered and helped make it such a fun event!

New Items Now Available at the Café:

Come and try something new – we’ve added a few exciting options to our menu:

🥤 Chill J Drinks – Available in four refreshing flavours: Raspberry, Coola, Blueberry, and Grape. Just $2 each.

🍭 Supa Pops – Blue Illusion – A fun and flavourful treat for only $2.

🧁 Savoury Muffins – A tasty snack for only $1, available to order via Flexischools.

Don’t miss out – visit the Café and give these new items a try!

Uniform Shop

Please note our Uniform Shop is open every Tuesday and Friday morning between 8.00am and 9.00am. 

Swimming caps in house colours and goggles are available to purchase from the Uniform Shop.

BayView State School Dress Code Reminder

All students are expected to wear the full school uniform daily as a condition of enrolment. Uniforms must be clean, in good condition, and clearly named. Interim uniforms are available if needed. As an inclusive school, BayView works with families to support cultural and religious dress variations.

Uniform (All Year Levels):

• School-designed polo shirt (available at school)

• School-approved navy shorts or skorts (no cargo or pocketed shorts)

Please make sure all items of clothing are clearly labelled with your child's name.

What's On

Reminder to all Bayview State School community members! 

If you haven’t already, make sure to join our official Facebook page, 'Bayview State School'. It’s the best way to stay updated on school news, events, and important announcements. Don’t miss out on any updates!

Community News

• DVConnect Womensline:   1800 811 811
• DVConnect Mensline:   1800 600 636
• 1800 RESPECT:   1800 737 732
• 13YARN:   13 92 76