Preparation for 2026

We are currently planning our class structure for 2026. It is vital that we have predicted numbers as accurate as possible.  We aim to meet class size targets of 25 students from Prep to Year 3 and 28 students from years 4 – 7.  Last week a note came home requesting for families to let us know if they are leaving our school or if you know of any new families joining us in 2026.  Our predicted numbers currently will mean that we will have more multi-age classes in 2026.  Multi-age classes have many benefits.  One great benefit is peer learning and mentorship where older students can mentor younger peers, helping them navigate challenges and learn new concepts.  This reinforces the older students’ knowledge and fosters a sense of community. There is a 90% learning retention rate when we teach others.

Grandparents Morning

This Friday we celebrate Grandparents Day.  Grandparents Day recognises the contribution grandparents make to families, communities, and the economy.  It’s a day for Queenslanders to say ‘thank you’ to their grandparents for their grandparents for their care and support and for sharing their knowledge, experience, and traditions with younger generations.

We are looking forward to seeing as many of our learner’s Grandparents on Friday.  Please see further in the newsletter for details.

Parent Survey

Please take the time to respond to our parent survey around school hours of operation and our school swimming program. It is a quick survey.  The survey closes on 24 November.  Please know we are in the consultation period and no changes will be made until 2026.

Intentions for 2026

Please keep an eye out in your child's bag for the below form in regards to your schooling intentions for 2026 year.

RotaKids News – Dress Like a Teacher Day

Next Friday 31^st of October, we will be celebrating our amazing Calliope teachers on World Teachers Day. It is a day to recognise all their hard work. RotaKids are inviting students to ‘Dress like a Teacher’ next Friday to support this special day. You can dress like your teacher, or any teacher. Clothing needs to be sun safe and respectful. We look forward to seeing your creations.

Grandparent’s Day

This Friday morning we welcome our grandparents to the school. We will start in the hall with parade, followed by morning tea in the hall. Grandparents will then have the opportunity to visit classrooms and see the amazing work their grandchildren are doing. Grandparents are also welcome to have a picnic lunch with their family at 11am on the lawn near the hall.

Swimming lessons at Calliope SS start in Week 4. Please ensure your child has returned their signed swimming permission note to their classroom teacher.

For their swimming lessons, students will need-

• Togs and a swim shirt
• Swimming Cap (These can be purchased at Kmart, Big W, Sports Power, or our local pool)
• Towel
• Swimming bag

A couple of things to consider for swimming-

• Ensure all items of clothing (including underwear and socks) are clearly labelled with their name and class.
• If your child’s lesson is early in the day, I would recommend that students are dressed, ready for swimming PRIOR to arriving at school with their uniform worn over the top.
• Goggles are permitted but please ensure they fit correctly and are adjusted accordingly, and practice with your child putting them on.
• Practice independence with your child with dressing, undressing, and talk to them about the importance of neatly placing all their clothing items back in their bag to assist them in organising themselves and to limit lost belongings.
• If your child is anxious or not very confident in the water, talk to them about what will happen and their feelings and please let their teacher know if you think there is something we need to be aware of.

Preps

In Term 4, students will participate in swimming lessons at our school pool. The lessons will be conducted by Mrs Betts and supported by Mrs Beale and Miss Iz, who are all qualified AUSTSWIM instructors. The Prep students will spend the first weeks in the smaller wading pool working on water familiarisation. They will participate in activities such as safe pool entries and exits, flotation and underwater skills, and propelling their body through water. Depending on their swimming ability, some students may progress to a small roped off area in the shallow end of the big pool.

Year 1 and 2

In Term 4, students will participate in swimming lessons at our school pool. The lessons will be conducted by Mrs Betts and supported by Mrs Beale and Miss Iz, who are all qualified AUSTSWIM instructors.  Year 1 and 2 students will be working on the entries and exits, flotation, survival strokes such as treading water, underwater skills, and the recognised strokes of freestyle and backstroke.     

Year 3 and 4

In Term 4, students will participate in swimming lessons at our school pool. The lessons will be conducted by Mrs Betts and supported by Mrs Beale and Miss Iz, who are all qualified AUSTSWIM instructors.  Year 3 and 4 students will perform aquatic skills such as safe entries and exits, treading water, floating, submergence, survival strokes and the recognised swimming strokes of freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.  

Year 5 and 6

In Term 4, students will participate in swimming lessons at our school pool. The lessons will be conducted by Mrs Betts and supported by Mrs Beale and Miss Iz, who are all qualified AUSTSWIM instructors.  Year 5 and 6 students will perform freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and survival backstroke. They will combine lifesaving skills to complete lifesaving scenarios.

Our student leaders in Year 6 have been working on making a gem garden for our Legacy Project this year. We have been growing plants and we have been doing quite well. The plants have been thriving but unfortunately, they did start to die over the school holidays. We have been starting to replant them and they should start looking a lot better soon! We have also put in a new sandpit with fossils on the bottom and we have put in a sandstone seating area. We are very hopeful in seeing the plants thriving again soon!

Kind regards

The Student Council

Hi Calliope Families! Below are a few reminders from the P&C.

Tuckshop Orders - Important Reminders 

• When using QKR to order, ensure you select your child's correct class, as lunches are delivered to the class listed on QKR
• Orders for the tuckshop close at 9 AM every day
• If your child is unwell, you can cancel their order on QKR App before 9 AM

Uniform Shop 

The uniform shop operates on Fridays before the parade. Orders placed via the QKR app can be collected during this time. For any inquiries regarding the uniform shop, please email uniformshop.calliopess@gmail.com. 

*Please Note:* EFTPOS is currently unavailable, so orders must be placed via the QKR app.

PBL Lesson this week

This Week’s PBL Focus:

PBL Focus – Before School Procedures – Breakfast Club

This week, our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) focus is on Before School Procedures and Breakfast Club. Students are learning the importance of starting the day in a calm, organised, and respectful way. We are reminding everyone to arrive on time, walk calmly through school grounds, place bags in the correct area, and enjoy Breakfast Club in a safe and friendly manner. By following these routines, students show respect for themselves, others, and the school environment, helping everyone begin their day ready to learn.

GEM Focus

G.E.M. Focus – Mindfulness: Be Kind to Yourself

This week in The Resilience Project (G.E.M.), students are exploring ways to be kind to themselves. They are encouraged to do something they love — whether it’s reading, playing outside, listening to music, or simply taking time to rest. Students are also writing down their chosen activity as a reminder to prioritise self-care and balance. By practising mindfulness and kindness towards themselves, students are learning that looking after their wellbeing helps them feel happier, calmer, and more focused for learning.

Whole Class Stamp Chart Update

As we start our count again this term, the challenge is on — can we reach another 20 completed Whole Class Stamp Charts before the end of the school year?

With the end of Term 3 and the first two weeks of Term 4 combined, we already have eight classes who have completed their charts — a fantastic start toward our next whole-school celebration! ?

Congratulations to all classes that have already completed their whole class stamp chart, leading the way and showing what it means to be Safe, Respectful, and Responsible. Keep up the amazing effort, everyone — let’s see how many more classes can join them as our celebration fish continues to grow! 

Watch this space for our growing tally.

The Biggest Catch

 At Calliope State School, our Whole Class Stamp Charts are a fun way to celebrate positive behaviour and teamwork. Each time a class fills a chart, it represents a part of our growing school fish — the more completed charts, the bigger our fish becomes!

This term, six classes have already completed their stamp charts, helping our school fish grow beautifully. Congratulations to Prep C, 2C, 3A, 3C, 4A, and 5/6C for leading the way and showing what it means to be Safe, Respectful, and Responsible.

The challenge is on — how big can our fish grow by the end of the year? Remember, at Calliope State School, we all swim together! ???

Positive Behaviour Data Update

Our students are off to a fantastic start this term, showing great commitment to being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible. By Week 2, Term 4, 2025, we have already recorded 131 positive behaviour acknowledgements — an impressive start that sets us on track for another strong term of positive behaviour!

So far, 35 awards have been presented (including Teacher Aide Certificates, Cool Kid Awards, Classroom Cool Kid, and the Principal’s Award), with four students recognised with a Good Newsletter and one positive contact home already made.

It’s wonderful to see students continuing to uphold our school values and celebrating positive choices every day. Keep up the great work, Calliope! ?

• Why is this great for your little learner?
•  Helps ease the transition into “big school”
• Builds confidence and independence early
• Gives children a chance to make new friends and become familiar with school routines
• Supported by caring, qualified educators who make learning FUN through play, creativity, and exploration!
• Gives parents peace of mind knowing their child is happy, safe, and settling in

QParents  is a secure, online portal that is free for all Queensland state schools to use and provides parents with quick, easy access to their student information including:

• student and parent contact details
• attendance details
• report cards – all report cards (past & present) are available to view and upload
• assessment planners – uploaded each semester
• timetables
• invoices and payment history
• Online consent management

The student information displayed in QParents is surfacing information that is already recorded and managed in OneSchool. The benefits of using QParents for schools and parents include:

• a faster, more efficient way to communicate with parents regarding student information
• a secure, convenient and automated process for parents to pay school invoices
• significant time and effort savings for both your school and parent community
• an innovative online communication tool that’s free of charge for both schools and parents to use.

How do I register for QParents?

You will be sent an email inviting you to register for QParents. You will then be able to register via the secure QParents website: qparents.qld.edu.au using the unique invitation code contained in the email. You will require each child’s unique EQ ID and you must verify your identity by providing 100 points of identification. If you cannot verify your identity online, you should contact your child’s school for assistance. The school will review your registration and approve your account. You will then be able to access the QParents app.

Please note: if you have not received the Qparents invitation email, please send correspondence through to admin@calliopess.eq.edu.au with your full name, student/s full name & DOB to request your Qparents invitation.