Filter Content
- Across the Principal's Desk ...
- Enrol Now for Prep 2026
- From the Deputy Principals
- 2025 Music Extravaganza
- Swimming Carnival
- Year 3 & 4 Camping Program
- Student Executive Leadership Positions 2026- Year 5 Process
- Eloise Gannon Foundation
- Teaching and Learning
- Library News
- Ruby's Roundup
- The Sustainable Garden
- Creative Generation (CGEN) 2026 Opportunity for State School Students
- Windsor's Got Talent
- Windsor Week 3 and 4 Award Winners
- Congratulations Netballers
- 5 Keys Collector Cards- Thank You and Congratulations
- Term 4 Pastoral Care Focus- “Resilience”
- Religious Instruction
- P AND C Events- Sunset Club
- P&C School Working Bee
- Windsor Seawolves Swimming Club
- Fortitude Valley State Secondary College Orientation
- 2025- Positive Student Recognition
- Cyber Safety
- Parentline: Support and advice for all Queensland parents and carers
- Griffith University Reseach
- QParents
- Consent to Administer Medication Forms
- Community Noticeboard
- “Return-It Recycling Program”
- P&C - Crown Hotel Partnership
Dear Windsor Community, 
This morning, we were treated to a welcome coffee and a delicious breakfast! This much appreciated P&C initiative recognises our dedicated teachers leading into World Teacher’s Day, and shows a deep appreciation for all Windsor State School staff. Our cleaners, grounds staff, administration, IT team, teacher aides, visiting support staff, teachers and leadership look forward to this generous gesture each year. Working with and for children is a privilege and I am extremely proud of our team of people.
Staffing 2026
Draft class structures are now in place for our predicted 30 classrooms. This has allowed teachers to commence the detailed process of constructing classes for 2026. Thank you to those families who have communicated any intentions of leaving or enrolling at Windsor in 2026. Student enrolment numbers directly impact on staffing so timely communication regarding any movement is greatly appreciated.
Multi-age classrooms are common practice across Queensland schools. A 5/6 would see the benefit of smaller student numbers in our senior classrooms. Mrs Robertson would work across two teams and attend our Year 6 Canberra trip. The announcement of all teacher allocations will be shared in future newsletters.
Further Staffing News
Mrs Tammy Jackson, a current year 5 teacher, will take the exciting leap into teaching The Arts at Windsor in 2026. Tammy brings enthusiasm and talent to the teaching of The Arts, and along with supporting music, will teach dance, media arts, visual arts and drama across our school. I want to thank and acknowledge Ms Marita McVeigh, Mrs Sarah Mattson and Mrs Cath Kennedy who have worked as a team to teach this much valued area of the curriculum in 2025.
Mr Rory O’Rourke is planning a personally exciting year in 2026. With much of the second semester filled with wedding plans and overseas travel, he has decided to commence next year as a District Relieving Teacher. This will see Mr O’Rourke working as a relief teacher at Windsor and neighbouring schools in 2026, before returning to us in 2027.
Caring for Students
Each day at school, your child is cared for by a dedicated staff. If your child becomes unwell at school or suffers any kind of injury, families will often be contacted. Regardless of how minor, it is a requirement that families be contacted for any type of head injury. All staff at Windsor complete annual relevant first aid training but we do not employ a full-time school-based nurse. We will call an ambulance if we assess that medical attention is required more urgently and families are always contacted if this decision is made. Thank you for your support of our administration staff, who are often at the end of the phone line when your child presents as unwell. If you ever have any questions regarding our processes or staff training, please feel free to reach out to me directly. I see first-hand the daily the care and compassion shown towards all children.
Our school is well stocked with defibrillators (pool, hall, A Block and Constitution Building). A charity close to our heart and one that works to bring awareness to heart health (and putting defibrillators in all schools), is the Eloise Gannon Foundation. Please get behind our 2025 fundraising drive for the Eloise Gannon Foundation by purchasing raffle tickets, available in the office now or by joining our pink disco and wearing pink on November 13th.
In addition, we look forward to seeing you in RED tomorrow for Day for Daniel as we participate in Australia’s largest child safety education and awareness day.
Yours in Education
Shona
Transition opportunities have already started, so if you are a current Windsor SS family, or live in catchment, please ensure your paperwork is submitted ASAP.
https://windsorss.eq.edu.au/enrolments/enrolling-at-our-school
Developing good character in our kids- Both whilst on School Camps, but also everyday
The cartoon says it all, doesn’t it…..we love our kids. Regardless of the days they drive us nuts, we’re proud of them and we want the best for them. But sometimes, kids need more than just our love. To develop strong character and make appropriate ethical decisions, kids also need a moral compass and they need practise in how to use it. We can’t always be by their side to guide them in relationships, choices or risk taking, but as their first teachers, we can role model good character and talk about our family values. If our kids know where we stand, they can work out where they do…find out more about positive actions you can take to develop good character in your children here.
Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival- 1 Day Format 2026 + Pre-Event Considerations Week 8 Term 4 2025
Please note, that this year our Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival will move to a single-day format.
The carnival day will take place on Wednesday 3rd December.
Students are invited to arrive directly to the pool from 8:15am onwards for roll marking at the entry gates. Marshalling for events will commence from 8:45am.
Within HPE Lessons this term, students who are seeking to swim in our 60m Championship Races for Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly, will have a chance to record a time with Mr Kurtz.
The fastest 12 swimmers from each age-group, as recorded in HPE lessons will compete in one of two 60m Championship Heats on the day of the swimming carnival, with the fastest time on the day taking out the win for that age group, and earning points towards Age Championship calculations.
All students, who do not swim in one of these two 60m championship heats, will be invited to swim in a 30m race for each of Freestyle, Backstroke and Breaststroke. Swimmers in these races will earn coloured tokens and points for their house tally. Everyone will enjoy a chance to swim for their house on the day.
In the lead up to the carnival (Week 8), we will be running 120m events for each of Freestyle, Breastroke, Butterfly and Backstroke during first-break lunchtimes for accomplished/highly competitive swimmers.
The results from these 120m races will also contribute towards House Championship and Age Championship calculations.
For an overview of the 2025 Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival Program, including the Week 8 lunch time schedule for 120m races, please click here.
Please note, that times of events on carnival days are subject to change and variability (if you are planning your attendance).
We thank you for your support of your child’s sporting engagement. We are looking forward to a great day of action in our pool later this term.
QParents Permission and Payments Now Accessible and ready for completion before due date
We are greatly looking forward to taking our Year 3 and Year 4 students away on their respective school camps during Term 4. These sit alongside our Year 6 Senior Trip to Canberra annually as a great way to help us provide opportunities for social connection, learning, challenge and lifelong memories.
All parents in Years 3 and Year 4 are asked to please login to their QParents accounts to complete their permissions and payments at their next opportunity, if they have not yet done so.
As the QParents Permission forms contain a number of URLs (website addresses) that are unable to be hyperlinked in that statewide platform, we have summarised the key hyperlinks that apply to your camp permission forms below.
Year 3 Camp- Warawee (North Pine)
- Hard Copy Permission Forms (parents without QParent access)
- General Camp Warawee Location Information
- Year 3 Camp What to Bring List
- Providing Consent to Administer Medication
- Additional Considerations Student Support
Year 4 Camp- Mapleton (Sunshine Coast Hinterland)
- Hard Copy Permission Forms (parents without QParents access)
- General Camp Mapleton Location Information
- Year 4 Camp What to Bring List
- Providing Consent to Administer Medication
- Additional Considerations Student Support
Our Year 5 Students have commenced their ‘Student Leadership Application Process’.
Ahead of our Year 5 Students embarking on their Student Leadership Applications in Term 4 of 2025, we discussed and focused on the following habits of mind at the Year 5 Leadership Camp held at Luther Heights Youth Camp (Coolum) in Week 9 of Term 3
These key habits of mind, and how students demonstrate them within both our school and community contexts will be important elements of student applications for leadership positions.
The leadership positions that students may wish to apply for in 2026 are as follows:
- Student Leadership Positions 2026
- School Captains (x2)
- School Vice Captains (x2)
- House Captains (4 Houses x2 Positions)
- Music Captains (x 6 Total – 2 x Band, x 2 Strings, x 2 Choir)
- Library Captains (x2)
Eligible and interested Year 5 students received their application booklets in Week 10 of Term 3 and are working on them now. They also received a nomination form that they were required to complete by the end of Week 2 Term 4, if they wished to be considered for a student leadership position in 2026.
Student application booklets are due to their classroom teachers in Week 5 Term 4.
Parents interested in supporting their student/s through the process, are able to peruse the to the 2025-2026 Student Leadership Application Booklet here.
On Thursday 13th November, the Windsor School Community will have an opportunity to show their support for a charity close to our hearts, the Eloise Gannon Foundation. For more information regarding the Foundation and their objectives you can visit; www.eloisegannonfoundation.com.au and/or may wish to donate https://www.eloisegannonfoundation.com.au/donate
Windsor SS will once again be having a WEAR PINK Day as well as the PINK Disco on Thursday night!
TEAM ELOISE merchandise will be on sale at the Early Precinct area on Thursday 13th November from 8.15am to 9am (cash and card payments accepted).
TEAM E will be giving the Windsor State School community and staff the opportunity to win one of three fabulous raffle prizes! Tickets now on sale on Wednesday 5th & Thursday 6thand Tuesday 11th & Wednesday 12th November at the administration office as well on Wear Pink Day with the Merchandise sales and at the Pink Disco (cash and card payments accepted). The winning ticket will be drawn and announced on Friday 14th November! We have some wonderful prizes and thank our supporters (below) for their generosity.
Here is a selection of the EGF Merchandise that will be on sale. Prices range from $0.50 to $10.00!
We look forward to seeing our students dressed and dancing in PINK on this very special day in our school calendar where we can support our WSS staff member, Nikki Gannon and her foundation’s work.
Read LessLisa Heard (Head of Curriculum)
Throughout the year, all year levels participate in incursions, excursions and, from Year 3, a camp. These play a crucial role in the primary school curriculum by enhancing the learning experience beyond the classroom. These activities offer hands-on, experiential learning designed by experts in the field that support the theoretical knowledge gained in school.
Incursions bring external experts or programs directly to the school, allowing students to engage with new concepts and ideas in familiar surroundings. They provide opportunities for interactive learning, often making abstract concepts more tangible and accessible. For example, science experiments, cultural performances, or guest speakers can offer deeper insights into subjects like history, science, and the arts.
Excursions take students into the broader community and natural environments, offering real-world experiences. Visits external sites help students connect classroom learning to the world around them, fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and an appreciation for diverse perspectives.
Camps are particularly valuable for building social skills, resilience, and teamwork. They offer extended, immersive experiences where students face challenges that promote independence, self-confidence, and problem-solving skills. In addition to academic benefits, camps strengthen relationships among students and teachers, creating a sense of community and shared responsibility.
Incursions, excursions and camps are an important part of our curriculum and are usually a highlight of a student’s year (regularly featuring in the end-of-year photo books as such).
Prep – Celebrating Diwali and Mathematics
Some Prep students celebrated Diwali on 21 October. They were excited to share their special celebrations, traditions, and photos with their classmates and teachers. In Prep B, students even created their own beautiful Diya lamps to mark the occasion.
In Mathematics, Preppies have been learning to compare the mass of different objects. Students loved practising “hefting”, holding two objects at the same time to feel which one is heavier or lighter. We talked about how our arms can work like seesaws, which made the learning experience even more fun and memorable.
After three wonderful terms of learning, the Preps are now getting ready for the final few weeks before the school holidays. To help them finish the year strong, we’ve been learning about ways to build our resilience. Together, we explored strategies such as talking to a grown-up, doing something fun, and taking deep breaths to help us stay calm when things feel tricky. The students even created special bookmarks to remind
themselves of their own resilience.
Year 6 Odes - Celebrating the Everyday
In Term 3, our Year 6 students explored the art of poetry through odes — expressive poems that celebrate people, places, and everyday objects in creative and meaningful ways. After analysing famous examples and experimenting with figurative language, students crafted their own odes filled with vivid imagery, humour, and heartfelt emotion. From odes to shopping, pets, pizza and books, their writing showcased not only their growing mastery of poetic techniques but also their unique personalities and sense of wonder. The results were thoughtful, entertaining, and a joy to read! Please enjoy those attached.
Overdue Books
Don’t forget to return any overdue books as soon as possible. Your child would have brought home any outstanding loans this week. They can be returned to the Library from 8:30am each morning.
Book Fair and Book Donations – Thank You!
Thank You to everyone who supported the Book Fair this year. We really appreciated the books that were purchased and donated to the Library from several families including:
- The Lee Family donating Gross Factopia
- The Pamenter family donating Art is Everywhere
- The McKenzie family donating Japanese Yokai
These will become well loved and popular resources within the Library.
We have raised a substantial amount (this is still being tallied as orders only closed on Friday) which translates to new and exciting books for the Library.
A special shout out to Katy Bell who went along to a book signing by Craig Silvey recently. She has kindly donated a signed copy of the RUNT sequel – RUNT and the Diabolical Dognapping. We can’t wait to read this one, thank you Katy and the Bell family!
Hi Everyone, Term 4 is off to a flying start and I have been very busy. Unfortunately, my Mum’s iPad has stopped working and she had some good photos of my last fortnight on there, so we are saving those for next time. Don’t worry they are not lost, and she is getting a new iPad this week. So below she is sharing the benefits of having a school therapy dog and a great photo of me doing what I do best. Just loving pats from everyone.
Did you know? ...
Students have been busy creating our first trial signs for the school garden. These signs will help everyone understand the different zones and the jobs needed to care for each area during garden club. We have five zones in total:
- Zone 1: Flower bed and passionfruit vine
- Zone 2: Eggplant and leek beds, tomato patch and bean teepee
- Zone 3: Strawberry, tomato and marigold beds
- Zone 4: Sweet potato patch and fruit trees
- Zone 5: Potato and garlic beds and our compost bays
Each sign lists the regular jobs required to keep that zone healthy and flourishing. This project is helping students take responsibility and care for our sustainable garden in an organised and meaningful way.
Did you know? ...
To grow new plants the sustainable way, students have been learning how to propagate mulberries and rosemary. Instead of buying new plants, we take healthy cuttings from existing ones. Mulberry branches are trimmed, placed in soil or water and left to grow roots. Rosemary is even easier, just cut a small stem, remove lower leaves and plant it straight into moist soil. With care, both develop into strong new plants. This simple process teaches students how to reuse natural resources, reduce waste and grow more food-producing plants for our garden.
Have a Great 5Rs Week!
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Calling all movers and groovers in Years 4-6!
In 2026, Windsor State School is excited to be participating in Creative Generation—State Schools Onstage (CGEN). CGEN gives students, teachers and school communities the opportunity to be involved in a professionally produced, award-winning arena spectacular.
We will be nominating a group of Years 4-6 students to participate in the Junior Massed Dance category, performing beginner–intermediate level choreography in multiple items, including the grand finale. Families interested in learning more are invited to an Information Evening on Thursday, 13 November at 6:00pm in the STEM Room, where we will outline key dates, rehearsal commitments, and nomination details.
Attention…. Years 3-6 Students:
Do you have a desire to have fun with your friends and entertain the school?
Be sure to enter Windsor’s Got Talent 2025!
START REHEARSING!
This year, there will be both a Senior (Yr 5/6) and Junior (Yr3/4) category. Within these categories you can choose your performance – variety, dancing, singing, instrumental, lip sync. You may perform with a group or solo. There will be an overall winner and runner-up in each category plus one contestant will take out the coveted prize of the overall best WGT performance.
IMPORTANT DATES
Week 5 – Friday 7th November – WGT 2025 entries are due.
Week 7 – 17th-21st November – Auditions to be held in the music room
Week 8 – Tuesday 25th November – Finalists announced – List will be put outside the music room
Week 9 - two practice sessions will be offered for finalists on the stage in the hall
Week 10 – Mon 8th Nov – run through in the hall
Week 10 – Tues 9th Nov – 9:20-12:40 approx - WGT 2025 performance
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Thank You Parents & Carers for Sharing Smiles & Student Success
Thank you to parents and carers who continually send through images of some big smiles on little faces after students have successfully worked towards achieving one of their 5 Keys Collector Cards. Please note, that you are welcome to share any photos that you wish to share with our community in order to both acknowledge and promote other students to aim high, to 5_Keys_Collector_Card_Celebrations@windsorss.eq.edu.au
During Term 4, each Thursday afternoon, our teachers will be conducting Pastoral Care lessons with students that focus on ‘Relationships’. Particularly, we will be looking at the social-emotional key to success of ‘Resilience”.
Parents and carers can support this focus at home by taking opportunities to discuss and teach students about the importance of:
- Being independent
- Having an ‘I can do it!’ attitude
- Giving effort
- Working tough
- Having a growth mindset
Thank you to those parents and carers who help promote ‘The Windsor Way’ with their students.
Enjoy the magic of classical and cabaret music under the night sky.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of classical and cabaret music under the stars. Following dinner, get ready for an unforgettable night with Rockaoke — Australia’s premier live band karaoke, led by Windsor State School parent, Ian Smith. Sing your heart out on stage with a live band backing you!
TICKETS ON SALE NOW via QKR
Join us for this incredible evening for just $75 per person. Your ticket includes concert, dinner and a dynamic live band after-party
Choose from flexible seating options:
- Reserved tables for 2, 3, 4, or 6 people
- Single tickets with non-reserved seating
By attending, you’re not only treating yourself to a fantastic night of entertainment but also supporting the Performing Arts program at Windsor State School.
Volunteers Needed!
We’d love a few extra hands to help make the night run smoothly — please click here to sign up and get involved.
Thank You to Our Working Bee Crew!
The P&C Executive would like to extend a big thank you to our amazing working bee crew for braving the heat and giving up their Sunday morning to help with pressure hosing and gardening. Your hard work and community spirit have made such a difference to our school grounds — we truly appreciate your time and effort!
Seawolves
Seawolves swim club have had a great start to the swimming season! We are 3 meets into the season and have already seen great improvements in swimming and club records broken.
Important dates to note:
Seawolves registrations for term 4 will close on 31 October. If you would like to join after this time, registrations will re-open in term 1 2026.
Seawolves meet is cancelled on Friday 31 October to accommodate halloween events reducing swimmer and volunteer numbers.
Our first club carnival is planned for Sunday 16 November at Windsor State School pool. Information to follow via email.
The Windsor Way & the revised Student Code of Conduct
The 2025-2028 Student Code of Conduct is available on our school website, here.
We would love to share some images of families celebrating students bringing home a card during the year by making a photo collage of celebrations, however they may look in your household. If you would ever like to share an image of either one-card coming home, or a completed set, we would love to see them shared via the below email address!
5_Keys_Collector_Card_Celebrations@windsorss.eq.edu.au
Continued Awareness- Repetition of Key Messages…
In our internet safety presentations so far this year, we have focused on some key messages for students, which we strongly encourage all parents to remind their students of at home:
- The internet is PUBLIC and PERMANENT
- I protect my personal details online
- People I only know on the internet are strangers
- We all have rules on the internet and computers
- I talk to a trusted person if I have an online problem
The 5 Key Principles that we have previously mentioned that enable parents to establish clear expectations regarding their student’s use of the internet at home:
- Set clear rules and boundaries
- You make the final decisions
- Use management controls
- Stay up to date with student’s usage
- Communicate with your kids regularly
Some of the key resources that the Education Queensland Cyber Safety Team would like to share with parents and our school community can be accessed at the hyperlinks below:
Being a parent can be rewarding—but it can also be challenging. Whether you’re trying to support your child with school issues, friendship challenges, behaviour, or tough moments at home, it’s completely normal to feel unsure about what to do next.
Parentline is a free and confidential service available to all Queensland parents and carers. No problem is too big or too small—and reaching out early can make a real difference.
Parentline offers advice and support on a wide range of parenting topics, including:
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bullying and friendship issues
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parent–child relationships
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parenting strategies and behaviour management
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mental and emotional wellbeing—for both children and parents
You can speak with a trained professional by phone or webchat (6am-midnight), seven days a week.
An online bullying support forum is also available. This is a safe, moderated space to connect with others, ask questions, and share experiences.
Call 1300 30 1300
Visit parentline.com.au
Because parenting doesn’t come with a manual—but help is here when you need it.
Support for parents and carers
Worried about bullying or your child’s wellbeing? Parentline offers free, confidential support from trained counsellors on the phone or via webchat.
1300 30 1300 | www.parentline.com.au
#ParentSupport #Parentline #QLDFamilies
Bullying: hear from the experts
In this webinar specially designed for parents, carers and teachers, Parentline and Kids Helpline share their expertise on how to support a child or young person who is being bullied.
Parentline provides free, confidential counselling and support for parents and carers, helping them navigate complex issues such as bullying and support their child’s wellbeing.
Kids Helpline provides free counselling and support for children and young people for any reason (including bullying).
Watch the webinar now: https://parentline.com.au/issues/bullying-school#video
This webinar is packed with insights to help you support the young people in your life.
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QParents- Your “One Stop Shop” for Permissions/ Consent; Payments
& Information About Events
Thank you to the vast majority of parents and carers who have successfully engaged with the QParents Platform. This platform provides you with a “One Stop Shop” for accessing permission forms, payments and also checking back in on events that you have provided permission for your children to attend by opening them and viewing all of the key information related to any given event.
If it is not already part of your weekly routine, it could be beneficial to move to check in on QParents weekly to view any outstanding permissions or payments and to look in the “Consent Requests” section in order to view the key details of any upcoming events.
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Please note, that if your child requires to have school staff administer medication for them whilst they are at school, you will be required to follow the processes embedded within the below hyperlink for each child and for each medication that requires administration:
An easy way for parents/carers & families to support our sustainable garden project
The new drive-through pick-up-zone on the old Officeworks site is in close proximity to the purple ‘Return It Container’ situated under the fig trees.
With this container now so accessible, we would love for parents and carers to support our developing sustainable garden project by donating any acceptable containers for change to our school.
If you are placing a bag inside the container, or wish to credit your returns to Windsor State School, you can simply add the Windsor State School code to the bag, and the recyclables within the bag will be credited to our P&C.
The Windsor State School Code is: C10158718
If you would like to learn more about the types of containers that can be recycled, please visit the following website: https://www.returnit.com.au/
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Support the school whilst having a meal at The Crown
The partnership for 2025 has been extended with The Crown Hotel for another year, which means the Windsor State School community can continue to wine and dine and support the school.
How does it work?
Simply order your food and drinks via the App, and ensure you have entered the code: WSS in the backend.
The app can be used at all Aus Venue Co locations and WSS will continue to earn money as part of the agreement. Other venues include Port Office Hotel, The Regatta, The Boundary Hotel, Everton Park Hotel, just to name a few...
App Rewards & Benefits
> $10 Welcome credit for all new members
> 10% off at The Crown Hotel
> Earn 10 points for every $1 spent on the app
> Earn 2000 points and convert for $20 credit
The best part is - every dollar you spend helps to support Windsor State School!
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