Warrigal Road State School eNewsletter

Year 4 Camp

Our Year 4 students have enjoyed a truly memorable camp experience at Tallebudgera this week! From one day of 38-degree sunshine to the next filled with 19-degree rain, the weather certainly put everyone’s resilience to the test. Despite the challenging conditions, our students (and staff) embraced every moment, taking part in a variety of activities with great enthusiasm. Highlights included bodyboarding, canoeing, and the ever-popular giant swing — all contributing to an unforgettable week of adventure and fun.

A huge thanks to Lisa Geary, Peta Weilharter, Karen Green, Brett Crawford, Steve Geeves, Simone Hubbucks, Sha Hussein, Courtney Minogue, Bek Hall and Des Cox who are spending time away from their own loved ones to be with your children.

Attendance Matters

At the recent Regional Principal’s Day, one of the key focus areas was ensuring every student feels a strong sense of belonging and engagement at school. Following this, Christina Augustin (Student Wellbeing and Engagement Teacher) and I attended a regional professional development session on Belonging in Schools, facilitated by Professors Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey, two highly regarded researchers in education.

A consistent message from both sessions was the importance of school attendance. During the Belonging in Schools day, we took a close look at our school’s attendance data. Unfortunately, the number of students with chronic absenteeism (missing more than 20% of school days) has almost doubled since 2017, with many of these absences being unexplained.

When it comes to learning, every day really does count. Each day away from school means missed learning opportunities and makes it harder for students to build on what they’ve learned the next day. As a school, we are exploring ways to better support families in ensuring children attend every day. Of course, if your child is unwell, please keep them home — but otherwise, it’s essential that they are at school and ready to learn.

We’ve also noticed a growing number of students arriving after the morning bell. Arriving late means missing important routines and the start of the day’s learning. Please help your child develop good habits by ensuring they arrive at school before 8:55am each morning.

If you are experiencing challenges with your child’s attendance or punctuality, please reach out to your child’s teacher. We’re here to help and want to work together to ensure every student feels connected, supported, and ready to learn each day.

World Teachers Day

This Friday, we will be celebrating World Teachers’ Day — a special opportunity to recognise and thank our wonderful teachers for their hard work, dedication, and the incredible impact they make every single day.

To show our appreciation, the P&C have kindly funded a special breakfast for our staff. We will also acknowledge team members who are celebrating significant career milestones.

We encourage families to join us in celebrating by reminding your children to thank their teachers for the amazing work they do each and every day.

Friday Night School Disco

Our wonderful P&C are holding our school disco this Friday night. It is Halloween themed, so don your witch, ghost or goblin gear and come and join us.

Years P-2: 5:15-6:45pm

Years 3-6: 7:00-8:30pm

$5 Disco entry per child or $12 per family

Free entry for adults and younger siblings

Skip the queue and purchase your entry tickets via Flexischools before online sales close on Wednesday! Tickets also available at the door. A range of goodies including food and drink will be available to purchase. Cash and card are accepted on the night.

We can't wait to see you there for a night of frightfully good fun!

#unitythroughcommunity

Qparents notification

STUDENT ABSENCE PHONE LINE - 33405360

EMAIL: absences@warrigalroadss.eq.edu.au

Absences from school for 11 days or more require an exemption application to be submitted with supporting documentation.

What a fantastic start to Music Fest!
The bands set the bar high, and the string performances were simply amazing last week!

Now it’s over to the Senior Choir and Boys Chorus. Let’s make sure we’re confident with all our words and singing fluently, maintaining our Warrigal Road Standard of excellence. I’ll be practising plenty in the lead-up to next Friday, 31st October—let’s give our best performance. Let’s tell our stories through beautiful singing and connection with our audience.
Can’t wait—let’s make it memorable! ?

C Division: Concert Winds (Silver):

B Division: Wind Ensemble (Platinum):

A Division: SYMPHONIC BAND (Platinum):

A huge thank you to William S and Bruce Z for accompanying our String Orchestra Ensemble. Both are currently studying medicine at university but still continue to enjoy making music and found time to support us — what a wonderful example of dedication! William, a proud Warrigal Road alumnus, also played violin and sang in our choirs during his school days. It’s truly inspiring to see our past students continuing to share their talents as adults.

Most uniforms looked beautifully polished — well done, everyone! For future performances, please make sure your uniform is clean and neatly ironed. If you happen to have a mishap (like a fall or a mark on your white shirt), please let a teacher know before we get on the bus so we can help you sort it out.

And don’t forget your black leather school shoes — the same kind worn with most high school formal uniforms (no tap shoes either). Remember, when we perform, we’re representing Warrigal Road State School, and the way we present ourselves reflects the pride and excellence of our amazing students.

Division C: Gold Junior Strings:

Division: B: Silver Thomastik Orchestra:

Division A: Silver Corelli Orchestra:

Division A: Platinum: Chamber Orchestra:

I like to think that you’re only as good as your last performance — so look out, Music Concert, it’s going to be even better!

The Music Festival is such a valuable experience, especially as we receive written feedback that often echoes what our conductors have been saying throughout rehearsals. It’s great to hear similar advice from an independent perspective — and even better when we use that feedback to grow and improve.

It was also fantastic to watch performances from other schools and see how they interpreted the same pieces in different ways. Many of our students were interested to see the awards presented to other schools and could really relate to their sound and style.

Working with the adjudicators after performing was another highlight, giving us the chance to refine sections of our music and build new skills. Overall, it was a wonderful learning experience for everyone involved!

Thank you for all the beautiful emails of support following the performances — they truly brighten our day!

A special thank you also goes to all the parents and grandparents who make it possible: getting children to school for early morning rehearsals, ensuring uniforms are spick and span, and encouraging regular practice at home.

It really does take a village to run this program, and we are so fortunate to have such an amazing community supporting our students and helping them shine.

MUSIC FEST – Senior Choir and Boys Chorus

Venue:	IONA COLLEGE- 85 North Road Wynnum West
Date:	Week 4 Friday 31^st October 2025
Time:	Senior Choir and Boys Chorus will meet Mrs. Kelly at the WRSS tuckshop at: 8:00am BOYS CHORUS PERFORM: 9:30am SENIOR CHOIR PERFORM: 10:30am And return to WRSS at 12:35pm
Transport:	BUS TRANSPORT TO AND FROM WRSS
What to Bring:	Students must bring the following items: a small bag containing a lunch and a water bottle. Please have a substantial breakfast before meeting at the bus.
What to Wear:	Students are required to wear their performance uniform, Boys Chorus -white performance shirt, green rugger shorts/green culottes white socks and black leather shoes Senior Choir -white performance shirt, black pants, black socks, and black leather shoes. N.B. – Boys who are in both need to just wear their black pants and do not need to get changed. Hair should be neatly tied back using a black or bottle green ribbon or hair tie.
Additional Information	Parents can watch their child perform – there is an additional ticket fee and you will need to use: https://events.humanitix.com/music-fest-2025-primary-middle-school-sessions $7.70 + 69c processing fee children under the age of 12 are free for Music Fest events! Make sure you choose tickets for the correct date. Please note that students' personal equipment is not covered under the school's insurance policy. It is recommended that parents take out their own property insurance to cover any personal equipment brought onto school premises or taken on music camps and excursions.

?‍♀️ Volunteers Needed – Be Part of the Magic! - Thank you to those who have sent in their availability for the Music Concert. I will start putting a list together – after Music Fest is over and let you know so you will be able to organise yourself.

? Volunteer Time Slots & Tasks

8:30am – 10:00am → Wrapping the raffle hampers
2:00pm – 3:30pm → Setting up the hall (carpet rolls, chairs)
4:45pm – 5:30pm → Ticket check-in (Flexischools), raffle ticket sales, ushering, final ticket sales
5:45pm – 6:15pm → Getting ready for pizza distribution
6:15pm – 6:45pm → Distributing pizza and preparing drinks for interval
8:30pm – 9:30pm → Packing up the school hall

? To Volunteer:
Please email music1@warrigalroadss.eq.edu.au with:

Your name
Your child’s name (in the Instrumental and/or Choir Program)
Your available time(s)

? We truly can’t run this event without you — thank you in advance for your support and team spirit!
Let’s make it a night to remember for our amazing music students.

? Raffle Hampers
A big thank you to those who have already donated items for our raffle! At the moment, our hampers are looking a little empty, so let’s add a few more goodies to make them shine.

If each family can bring just one item, we can turn them into amazing hampers and make this fundraiser a great success. All money raised goes directly to supporting our Music Program, benefiting all our wonderful students.

Let’s make it something special together! ?✨

2025 DATE CLAIMERS
	TERM 4	TIME	EVENT	PARTICIPANTS
	Week 4 Thursday 30^th October	1:30-2:00pm	Junior Choir rehearsal in preparation for Music Concert	Junior Choir
	Week 4 Thursday 30^th October	2:00-3:00pm	Boys Chorus rehearsal	Boys Chorus
	Week 4 Thursday 30^th October	3:00-4:00pm	Senior Choir rehearsal	Senior Choir
	Week 4 Thursday 30^th October	5:00pm	Meeting with 2025 new band and string recruits	Parent and student (who is entering the program as per the confirmation letter)
	Week 4 Friday 31^st October	8:30-12:00	Music Fest at IONA	Senior Choir and Boys Chorus
	Week 6 Thursday 13^th November	5:00-9:00	WRSS Annual Music Concert at Warrigal Road State School Hall	Junior Choir, Concert Winds, Thomastik Orchestra, Boys Chorus, Wind Ensemble, Corelli Orchestra, Senior Choir, Symphonic Band, Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Choir, Percussion Ensemble.
	Week 9 Thursday 4^th December	Evening TBC	TBC	Chamber Choir
	Week 10 Tuesday 9^th December	9:00am	P-1 Citizenship assembly	TBC
	Week 10 Tuesday 9^th December	10:00am	2-3 Citizenship Assembly	TBC
	Week 10 Wednesday 10^th December	9:00am	4-5 Citizenship Assembly	TBC
	Week 10 Thursday 11^th December	8:30-9:10am	Year 6 Graduation	Chamber Orchestra

All emails are to be directed to the following address.

music1@warrigalroadss.eq.edu.au

In all emails, your child’s name and class will need to be included in the subject heading

Robyn Kelly Director of Music

TERM 4: 2025 INSTRUMENTAL & CHOIR REHEARSALS
*ENSEMBLES*	*CONDUCTOR*	*REHEARSAL TIMES*
Senior Choir	Robyn Kelly, Miss Lu	Normal Rehearsal Week 5, Monday 3^rd November 7:30am arrival at the Music Block.
Chamber Choir	Robyn Kelly	Normal Rehearsal Week 5, Tuesday 4^th November 7:30am arrival at the Music Block.
Boys Chorus	Libby Courtice & Miss Lu	Normal Rehearsal Week 5, Tuesday 4^th November 8:00am arrival at Modular D.
Year 3 Singing Club	Robyn Kelly	Normal Rehearsal Week 5, Tuesday 4^th November 1^st break, at the Music Block.
Year 2 Singing Club	Libby Courtice	Normal Rehearsal Week 5, Tuesday 4^th November 1^st break, at modular D.
Wind Ensemble	Catherine Venn	Normal Rehearsal Week 5, Wednesday 5^th November 7:30am at Modular D.
Chamber Orchestra	Daniel Holloway	Normal Rehearsal Week 5, Wednesday 5^th November 7:30am at the Music Block.
Junior Choir	Robyn Kelly	Normal Rehearsal Week 5, Wednesday 5^th November 1^st break, at the Music Block.
Corelli Orchestra	Daniel Holloway	Normal Rehearsal Week 4, Thursday 30^th October 7:30am at the Music Block. Week 5, Thursday 6^th November 7:30am at the Music Block.
Symphonic Band	Catherine Venn	Normal Rehearsal Week 4, Thursday 30^th October 7:30am arrival at Modular D. Week 5, Thursday 6^th November 7:30am arrival at Modular D.
Concert Winds	Catherine Venn	Normal Rehearsal Week 4, Friday 31^st October 7:30am arrival at Modular D. Week 5, Friday 7^th November 7:30am arrival at Modular D.
Thomastik Orchestra	Daniel Holloway	Normal Rehearsal Week 4, Friday 31^st October 7:30am arrival at the Music Block. Week 5, Friday 7^th November 7:30am arrival at the Music Block.
Junior Strings	Daniel Holloway	Normal Rehearsal Week 4, Friday 31^st October arrival at the Music Block 1^st break. Week 5, Friday 7^th November arrival at the Music Block 1^st break.

As at 29/10/2025

IMPORTANT DATES

31 October – 2 November	Primary All Schools Touch Football Competition (Selected students)
17 November	Gala MVP Awards Assembly (9am)
8 December	Sports/Music Awards Assembly

GALA DYA RESULTS

Touch Football B Teams

This term saw our Junior and Senior Touch Football B teams compete over three full days of interschool sport.

The Year 5 team played an incredible tournament, finishing the three days as undefeated premiers. They had a few close games but always dug deep and played admirably. While some other teams relied on one or two standout players, our Junior team showcased true teamwork in defence and ball movement, making for a far more entertaining spectacle. All members of this team should be very proud of their development and performance — congratulations on winning the pennant, boys!

The Senior team did it tough. Often down on numbers, they showed real resilience and played with plenty of heart. Despite not getting the results they hoped for, they never gave up and demonstrated excellent sportsmanship each week. Their teamwork, effort, and positive attitude made us proud. Well done to all players for representing our school with determination and spirit!

Anthony Gallaher, Coach

Senior A and Junior A Girls Touch Football

Gala Day 3 delivered warm conditions and plenty of exciting competition, but our A Touch girls rose to the challenge with determination, teamwork, and pride.

The Senior A team displayed consistency and resilience throughout the day, recording one loss, two hard-fought draws, and finishing with a convincing win. Their efforts earned them an impressive 3rd place overall.

The Junior A girls also demonstrated exceptional skill and spirit, securing two strong victories alongside two closely contested matches, finishing the competition in 4th place overall. Their enthusiasm, teamwork, and sportsmanship were evident from the first whistle to the last.

A special highlight of the day was the chance to see the NRL Premiership Trophy, which was visiting Runcorn SHS. An exciting moment for players and supporters alike.

Congratulations to both teams on their outstanding performances and positive representation of our school. We look forward to seeing these talented players continue to develop their passion for touch football in the years ahead.

Maccas Awards:

Senior A: Anna, Darya, and Sina
Junior A: Lily, Helava, and Carter-Rose

Coach – Miss Sarah Currie

Absences from school for 11 days or more require an exemption application to be submitted with supporting documentation prior to day of departure.

Parents often apply for exemption from school to take an overseas holidays and avoid the high costs of plane flights during holiday periods. This means that some children, in addition to the twelve weeks of annual school holidays already available to students in Queensland, may have as much as four months or more away from school. This has an enormous impact on their learning and, so, taking more time by having school time used for holidays, is to be discouraged.

I appreciate the importance of family in the lives of our children, but we cannot be responsible for a child’s education if he/she is not actually at school. Education policy states:

Pursuant to s.176(1) of the Education General Provisions Act 2006 (Qld), each parent of a child who is of compulsory school age must ensure that the child is enrolled and attends school on every school day for the educational program in which the child is enrolled unless the parent has a reasonable excuse.

Pursuant to s.239(1) of the Education General Provisions Act 2006 (Qld), a parent of a young person in the compulsory participation phase must ensure the young person is participating full-time in an eligible option, unless the parent has a reasonable excuse.

If you are going to take holidays during school time, please do not disregard the impact of that on student learning. The curriculum is a prep to year 6 continuum – gaps in learning may create bigger problems as the years roll on.

A reasonable explanation must be given if a holiday exemption is requested and evidence must be supplied. If you have relevant evidence for the need to travel at that particular time, this can be submitted to the office without an interview. If you have no evidence of the reason for travel, an interview is required. Applications for holiday exemptions must be submitted prior to travel. Holiday exemptions are counted in the absence rates of each student.

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CRICKET BLAST

Cricket Blast are coming to Warrigal in Term 4. For just $35, you will receive four Cricket Blast Sessions and a participant pack! Open to all ages, Prep to Year 6. Sign up now, so you don't miss out! For more details, contact Josh Creevey - josh.creevey@qldcricket.com.au