Filter Content
- Principal's Message
- Upcoming Events
- Whole of School Matters
- Culture, Community and Connection
- Digital Discourse
- LOTE Cultural Enrichment
- The Resilience Project
- Curriculum News
- Physical Education & Sports News
- Prep 2026 Cohort Update
- Prep News
- Year 1 & 2 News
- Year 4 & 5 News
- Year 6 & 3 News
- Community News
 |
Debbie SpannerPrincipaldspan3@eq.edu.au |
Hello Indooroopilly Community!
It was so wonderful to return to Indooroopilly this week. Thank you to staff, parents and students who have welcomed me back so warmly. A big thank you to Mr Chris Muir for looking after things so beautifully in my absence. I am so proud of the work that staff, students and the community have progressed and achieved in my absence.
My short secondment period provided time to reflect on how things are progressing at our school, affirming many of our current practices and prompting thinking around opportunities to remove, refine or sharpen some practices too.
My holiday touring Northern Territory and WA was an active one, including both multi-day hikes and day walks, paddling and regular swimming in rock pools or creeks (avoiding crocodiles of course). 40 days on the road, in a tent allowed me to practice many of the skills we promote here at Indooroopilly, including mindfulness, resilience, critical thinking and problem solving. I have been hearing a lot recently about how, in recent times, we have created a society that is reluctant to be uncomfortable and can confuse normal life challenges with a risk to our mental health because we feel overwhelmed or afraid. If our children never take risks or are never pushed outside their comfort zone, they cannot learn how truly capable and talented they are. You may hear some things I have or will share with the children on assembly about some of my adventures. My intention in doing so is to let them know what it is like to take risks and be uncomfortable. The story they love the most is the fact that I went 9 days without a shower…I have had to educate them about the benefits of `bird bathing’ of course and have talked about how this practice highlights how much water we really do waste.
Collaborative School Inquiry
This Tuesday four school Principals and the School Supervisor will be visiting a number of classrooms across the school to observe our structured English practices and provide feedback on how well the implementation of these are progressing at ISS. This is an example of the processes we engage in as a school to ensure best practice in curriculum and pedagogy. Thank you to those teachers and students who will host our visitors.
Strategic Plan
We are at the mid stage of the whole school strategic plan meaning it is time for us to review progress and identify next steps. The school improvement team, consisting of teachers and leadership team members, will engage in strategic planning days over the few weeks, to help with this process.
| Week 6 Book Week | Event | Location | Times |
|
Monday 18/08/25 |
Prep – Year 2 Cross Country |
Start: Main Oval Finish: Singleton Oval |
9:00-10:30am |
|
|
Year 5 Budgeting incursion |
Classrooms |
|
|
Wednesday 20/08/25 |
Drop Everything & Read |
|
9:15-9:30am |
|
Wednesday & Thursday |
Year 4 Reverse Garbage Incursion |
STEAM Room |
|
| Thursday 21/08/25 | Year 5 & 6 Competitive Debating | 5:00-8:00pm | |
| Friday 22/08/25 | Litterbusters | Singleton Oval | 8:00-8:30am |
| Book Character Parade | Main Oval | 9:15am | |
| Year 5 & 6 Interschool Sport | 11:30am - 3:00pm | ||
| Week 7 | Event | Location | Times |
| Monday - Friday | Year 4 & 5 Life Ed Incursion | ||
| Monday 25/08/25 | P&C Meeting - in person and online | School Library or via TEAMS | 6:00-7:30pm |
| Year 5 & 6 Qld Rail Travelling home alone | 2:10pm | ||
| Wednesday 27/08/25 | Year 2 Incursion Make & Meld | STEAM Room | |
| Year 3 Book Battle, a parent-led initiative | Library | 4:30-5:30pm | |
| Friday 29/08/25 | Litterbusters | Singleton Oval | 8:00-8:30am |
| Student Council Meeting | Library | 8:15-8:45am | |
| Year 5 & 6 Interschool Sport | 11:30am - 3:00pm | ||
| Saturday 30/08/25 |
Trivia Night Bookings required |
School Hall | Doors open at 6:00pm |
Term 3 Date Claimers Weeks 8-10
- StoryTime for Prep 2026 children 1/09/25
- Regional Athletics competition 1 – 3/09/25
- Student Free Day Friday 5/09/2025 - SCHOOL CLOSED
- Year 5 Sneaky Scammers incursion 8/09/25
- IOSHC EOI for 2026, 8 - 14/09/25 - NEW
- Week 9 LOTE Incursions for Years 3, 4, & 5
- Year 4 Camp, Kindilan, Redland Bay 9-11/09/2025
- Silly Socks Day – a fundraiser for World Sepsis Day 12/09/25
- Year 2 Make & Meld incursions 15 & 16/09/25
- Year 1 Bunyaville excursion 15-17/09/25
- Writers Workshop 17 & 18/09/25
- StoryTime for Prep 2026 children 18/09/25
- Year 6 Australia Zoo excursion 18/09/25
Indooroopilly Outside School Hours Care 2026
Information has been published on the IOSHC website including key dates and processes.
School Opinion Survey
Don’t miss your chance to provide feedback in the School Opinion Survey before it closes on 22 August. Parents and carers have been emailed a link to participate. Your responses are highly valued and will help to shape better learning environments.
Find out more on the School Opinion Survey webpage.
Trivia Night
Did you know this entertaining evening event for ISS parents and carers is organised by parent volunteers for the Year 6 Graduation Committee? We'd love more parents to be involved to help the evening run smoothly and be a successful fundraiser. There are a few tables left if you'd like to join in the fun!
Join us for the ISS P&C Trivia Night – Year 6 Graduation Fundraiser
Saturday 30th August from 6pm
Dress up as your Childhood Favourite - book character, toy, music … get creative!
There are only 6 tables left so book your table now: https://www.trybooking.com/DCRCM
Thank you to the wider community for their support of the event with donations of over $2500 in raffle prizes.
- A huge THANK YOU to Tyler Bean and The Bean Team at Plum Property for their generosity and willingness to be our trivia night Event Sponsor.
- We’re ever so grateful to the generous businesses and MPs - Cr. Penny Wolff, Elizabeth Watson-Brown and Michael Berkman, who have come on board to support our Year 6 Graduation Fundraiser.
Follow the Indooroopilly State School P&C Facebook for prize previews & updates.
 |
Amy HowkinsDeputy Principal,Culture, Connections & Communityahowk1@eq.edu.au |
School Connections
Thank you to all families who took the opportunity to meet with their child/ren’s teacher/s at our recent parent teacher interviews. We appreciate the partnership we have with our families to help ensure that our students, your children, can be their best at school each day.
Staying connected with your child’s learning, development and progress is vitally important to their overall success at school, from P-6 and beyond. Strong parent-school relationships lead to better academic outcomes, improved behaviour, and enhanced social skills for children. It allows for open communication, shared understanding, and collaborative problem-solving, ultimately benefiting the child's well-being and success. Parents have a unique insight to their child’s needs and sharing this knowledge with the school helps teachers better understand and support them. When parents and schools work together, they can identify and address challenges more effectively, leading to better outcomes for students. A strong connection between home and school creates a more positive and welcoming learning environment, making children feel more comfortable and motivated to learn.
Book Week 2025 – Book An Adventure 
Staff and students are excited to be celebrating Book Week next week (Monday 18 – Friday 22 August) with a range of fun activities planned. Throughout the week, there will be author visits, lunch time guest readers and other exciting activities to bring the magic of books to life. The culminating event will be our Book Character Parade on Friday morning, where students, staff, parents and friends can dress up as their favourite book character. The Character Parade will be held on the main oval from 9:15am, we would love to see you there to join in the fun and celebrate the joy of reading!
Bookmark Design Competition
All students are invited to participate in the whole school bookmark design competition. Get creative and design a bookmark based on the 2025 book week theme – Book an Adventure. Students can leave their bookmark design in the competition entry box located in the school library. Enter for your chance to win one of the shortlisted books from the CBCA 2025 Book of the Year Awards.
 |
Kyle WaltersDigital Coachkgwal10@eq.edu.au |
Earlier this term, ISS hosted a ThinkUKnow session led by the Queensland Police. The event drew an impressive crowd of more than 50 attendees. On the night, officers shared valuable tips and advice to help parents support their children’s cyber safety. Below are some of their key messages. You can find out more at thinkuknow.org.au/find-advice.
Have open conversations, often. The most important tip we can give you is to start talking to your child regularly about their online activities and interactions.
Supervision is essential. This means knowing what your child is doing online, who they are interacting with and what platforms, apps or games they are using.
Be approachable if your child needs help. Coming forward isn’t always easy and your child may feel reluctant to tell you about online issues if they believe they will be punished or have their devices taken away. This also makes children more secretive about device use and at greater risk of exploitation.
Check privacy settings. We recommended that you research and understand app settings, including privacy settings. This could include turning off location settings, setting profiles to private, or turning off chat functions.
Our Year 6 students have experienced a fabulous day of Chinese cultural activities organised by our dedicated LOTE teacher Mrs Zhang. The most amazing LOTE lesson ever included Tai-Chi, Chinese calligraphy, a guided tour of a Buddhist temple and yum cha banquet.
Here are some of their impressions of the excursion:
The size of the Buddhist temple was so big, and I felt like I was in China when I was outside the Temple. - Krisha
I was surprised that the temple looked so modern, yet it is 30 years old. - Caitlyn
I think it is important to learn about different cultures so you know what you should and shouldn’t do to be respectful. - Chloe
I thought Tai Chi was fun because the stretching was relaxing my mind. - Karina
The meditation music and the meditation towel made me happy. - Arthur
My mind felt relaxed when closing my eyes to meditate. - Karina
The Tai Chi was new and interesting because I have never done anything like that. - Diva
I liked calligraphy because it was fun to use the calligraphy pens and see who could write the best. - Ashlyn
I liked striking the bell because it was my first time seeing a bell so big, and the history was interesting. - Caitlyn
I tried chopsticks for the first time and at first it was hard, but then it was easy and fun. - Diva
I learned to show respect, always eat with manners, and show kindness to staff. - Ashlyn
The yum cha lunch was different from my normal lunch because there were a lot of varieties. - Diva
My favourite plate of food was the sweet and sour pork as it paired well with the fried rice, making a good combination. - Karina
I tried bean sprouts for the first time, and I also tried sweet and sour pork for the first time. I enjoyed everything about the Yum Cha lunch because all the food was really good. - Victoria
Coming up in Week 9 are a Chinese cultural incursion for Year 5 students and a Chinese mid-Autumn Festival lunch for Years 3 & 4.
Building Resilience in 3B
This term, our class has been exploring resilience through the Resilience Project. Recently, students worked together to complete a hand-on challenge – fixing Baby Bear’s chair from Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Working collaboratively in groups, they problem-solved, adapted ideas and kept trying until they found a solution. It was wonderful to see persistence, creativity and teamwork in action. 3B thoroughly enjoyed this inquiry task.
|
|
|
2025 Writer’s Workshop
This year’s Writer’s Workshop will be run by the Queensland Writers’ Centre, offering an exciting opportunity for our budding authors to extend their skills and creativity.
Workshop Topics Include:
- First Lines – Starting Your Stories Well
- Characters
- Short Stories
- 3 Act Structure and Plot
- Turning Ideas into Stories
Dates: Wednesday 17th & Thursday 18th September 2025
Thirty students from Years 4 and 5 will attend a two day workshop, presented by the Queensland Writers’ Centre. Participants will take part in focused writing sessions using the Pomodoro method, as well as fun and engaging writing games.
On Wednesday 17th September, Cody Hargreaves will lead the workshop at the State Library. Cody runs youth and adult programs at the Queensland Writers’ Centre and recently secured his first traditional publishing deal at the age of 21. His sessions are energetic, engaging, and packed with writing wisdom. Learn more about Cody at www.codyhargreaves.com.
On Thursday 18th September, award-winning author Geneve Flynn will visit our school to run her workshop. Geneve’s expertise and passion for storytelling promise to inspire and challenge our young writers. You can read more about her work at www.geneveflynn.com.au.
Student Selection Process
This year’s Writing Workshop Program will follow a slightly different selection process. We will not be holding student try-outs. Instead, Year 4 and 5 teachers will nominate approximately 30 students, based on:
- A–E English achievement
- Effort ratings
- NAPLAN Writing results (where available)
- Behaviour
Teachers will consider students who show strong potential and creativity in writing or demonstrate high engagement and effort in literacy tasks. Selected students will be notified in advance so families can make the necessary arrangements.
 Lorenzo Guglielmino |
Cecylia Garcia |
Allie Masuch |
HPE team email- pestaff@indooroopillyss.eq.edu.au
Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students will be participating in the Junior Cross Country on Monday 18th August from 9:00am to 10:30am (Week 6). The course begins on the Bottom Oval and finishes on Singleton Oval. Please see the course map below. We encourage all students to wear a T shirt in their house colour. Houses have been shared with the classroom teachers.
Cook – Green
Flinders – Yellow
Oxley – Red
The order of events are shown in the table below. Please note that all times are approximate.
|
CLASS |
MEET ON SANDSTONE STEPS |
RACE BEGINS (Girls then Boys) |
RETURN TO CLASS |
|
YEAR 2 |
|
|
|
|
2A, 2B, 2C, 2D |
9.05am |
9.15am |
9.30am |
|
2E, 2F, 2G |
9.15am |
9.25am |
9.40am |
|
YEAR 1 |
|
|
|
|
1A, 1B, 1C |
9.25am |
9.35am |
9.50am |
|
1D, 1E, 1F |
9.35am |
9.45am |
10.00am |
|
PREP |
|
|
|
|
PA, PB, PC |
9.45am |
9.55am |
10.10am |
|
PD, PE, PF |
9.55am |
10.05am |
10.20am |
Courses – Tracks
Parent Support Areas
Family members are welcome to attend. Please see the map below to understand the areas where spectators must be standing during this event.
Photos & Filming policy: Parents, please be aware that the school has a strict policy for students’ privacy protection. We kindly ask you to be respectful with our request that parents do not film and/or take photos where other children are identifiable. Thank you.
Regional Track & Field Trials
Congratulations to our 12 Indooroopilly SS students who have been selected this year to compete at the Metropolitan West Regional Track and Field Trials on Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd September.
The following students will be representing the Met West Team in their disciplines in a couple of weeks:
- Isabella E (4D) – Girls 10 800m and 1500m Run
- Farrah MC (5F) – Girls 10 100m Run
- Aaron M (5B) – Boys 10 100m and 200m Run, and Long Jump
- Cassidy M (5C) – Girls 10 100m, 200m and 800m Run, High Jump, and Long Jump
- Madeleine W (5F) – Girls 10 Long Jump
- Chinyere Aimee I (5D) – Girls 11 100m Run and High Jump
- Chikadibia O (5E) – Boys 11 100m Run and High Jump
- Annabelle P (6I) – Girls 11 200m Run
- Leo H (6I) – Boys 12 High Jump
- Millie S (6D) – Girls 12 High Jump
- Conor WG (5F) – Boys 10 Discus Throw
- Tony WG (6E) – Boys 12 Discus Throw
Good luck to all of them in the coming regional trials – GO INDRO!!
Interschool Sport – Term 3
Sports for Years 5 and 6 students kicks off this Friday 15th August for a duration of 4 weeks (Weeks 5, 6, 7, and 9).
Sport allocations have already been made. If your child is unable to participate in this season due to injury or medical condition, please inform our PE team as soon as possible, as invoices to parents have already been released.
The interschool sports this term are:
- Basketball (Boys) – UQ Basketball Courts.
- Netball (mixed) – WDNA.
- Dodgeball (mixed) – Toowong SS and Corinda SS.
- Flippaball (mixed) – Graceville, Ironside and Sherwood Pools
- Touch Football (Girls) – Graceville Junior Rugby League Club.
- Tennis Participation (mixed) – ISS Tennis Courts.
- Table Tennis (mixed) – ISS Hall.
- School Based Sport (mixed) – Moore Park.
2025 Aquathlon & Triathlon Regional Trials for 2026 Team (Met West School Sport)
Please see below the Regional Trial notice for the Aquathlon and Triathlon Trials. If any students are interested in this trial, parents will have to register their own children through the Triathlon Queensland Website (see below).
|
|
Sascha RogersDeputy PrincipalPre-Prep Programsroge95@eq.edu.au |
It has been such a joy meeting so many delightful children and families who are joining our Prep 2026 community. Our Story Time sessions are in full swing, with visitors coming to school to share in the fun, listen to a story, and tackle the obstacle course. Last time, we were lucky enough to enjoy the much-loved book Rosie’s Walk - such a fantastic experience!
If you would like to join us for one of our two remaining Story Time sessions this term, please register via the link below.
Are you yet to enrol for Prep 2026?
We are still accepting in-catchment enrolments. Contact us today!
- admin@indooroopillyss.eq.edu.au
- phone 3327 2333, 8:00am - 3:30pm
Download our Enrolment Pack to get started.
Families interested in Outside School Hours Care should enrol before the EOI for 2026 places opens on 8/09/2025.
 |
Amy HowkinsDeputy PrincipalPrepahowk1@eq.edu.au |
Sequencing Stories
The Prep children have been retelling experiences as part of their English Unit. They have been learning how to logically sequence events and use time connectives such as First, Next and Last. As part of this, they participated in a Rosie’s Walk and Bear Hunt outdoor learning obstacle course where they were able to have their own sensory and role play experiences. It has been a fantastic and fun opportunity for the children to assist with their re-telling skills.
Teddy Bear’s Picnic – Week 8
Please keep an eye on your child’s blue bag for a letter about this event. This letter needs to be signed and sent back to school in order to give permission for your child to attend.
Prep Vision Screening
The Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program is coming to our school.
They are a Queensland Government service that offers Free Vision Screening to all children enrolled in Prep.
If your child is in Prep and you would like their vision screened, please complete a consent form using the below link or QR code – you must register by 21st August. Prep teachers will also have a copy of this QR code at the parent teacher interviews and displayed outside their classrooms.
There are several resources available on the Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program website - including a video demonstrating the vision screening process, translated parent resources and further information for school staff. Please click on the following link to access their website.
https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/our-work/prep-vision-screening
The following video explains the benefits of having your child’s vision screened.
“What is Prep Vision Screening?”
Screening commences on Monday, 20th October.
If parents or caregivers require any further assistance, they can contact the Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program on 1800 687 372.
 |
Wendy FenderDeputy PrincipalYears 1 & 2wfend1@eq.edu.au |
Year 1 Shape Sleuths
This week the Year 1 students have been working on 2 and 3-dimensional shapes and objects. We have been identifying features of shapes in particular the number of straight or curved sides and the number of vertices. With the 3-dimensional objects we have been identifying the number of faces, edges, vertices and curved surfaces. The children have enjoyed being Shape Sleuths finding objects in the classroom and around the school that are the same as the 3-dimensional objects we have been studying.
2B’s Going Back in Time!
In Year 2, we have been exploring how technology has changed over time. First we looked at how means of communicating have evolved, from smoke signals and telegrams to texting and Facetime! More recently we’ve been looking at toys from the past and comparing them to the toys of today. At first we thought the “olden day” toys wouldn’t be that fun to play with, but after we got to actually play with them, we changed our minds. Toys are fun no matter what era they’re from!
 |
Steve BoxDeputy PrincipalYears 4 & 5sbox6@eq.edu.au |
From Dr. Seuss to the Silver Screen
Our Year 5 students have been diving into the colourful world of The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, exploring how stories change when they move from page to screen. In class, students have been analysing the way Dr. Seuss uses literary devices, such as rhyme, repetition, and vivid imagery to paint a picture in the reader’s mind. They’ve then compared this to the film adaptation, investigating how the director uses elements like colour, music, and sound effects to build atmosphere and create suspense.
This comparison has sparked thoughtful discussion about how different storytelling tools can shape the way we experience a story. Students are developing critical thinking skills, expanding their vocabulary, and gaining a deeper appreciation for both literature and film.
Year 4 Mathematics: Area and Perimeter
In Year 4, we have been exploring the concepts of Area and Perimeter. Students have had the opportunity to explore different contexts in which they can apply their learning, from calculating the area of rectangles, creating their dream house layout to discovering the size of our school handball & basketball courts! Building curious learners and allowing them to make connections with these concepts has been an exciting start to Semester 2.
 |
Julie BlissDeputy PrincipalYear 3 & 6jmbli0@eq.edu.au |
Turning Up the Heat in Year 3!
This week, Year 3 students were thrilled to take part in an exciting Street Science incursion all about heat energy. Linking to our current Science unit, students explored how heat is generated, transferred, and used in our everyday lives.
Through hands-on experiments, they observed how different materials respond to heat, discovered the difference between conductors and insulators, measuring temperatures and recording their findings along the way. All the while keeping safe with the equipment and components of their tests.
Students were encouraged to ask questions, make predictions, and explain their observations, deepening their understanding of heat energy in a fun and interactive way. The session not only reinforced classroom learning but also inspired many budding scientists.
Year 3 Book Battle (Who’s smarter? Students vs adults)
We’re looking forward to a fun afternoon for this parent-led initiative.
Year 3 families registered for the Book Battle are encouraged to continue their reading together ready for the quiz event next week.
What is the activity?
Book Battle is a shared reading activity for Year 3 students and their caregivers. The battle begins when we choose two books that students and their adult will read together at home. After reading, we’ll meet on the battle field (the school library) for a fun, student-versus-adult, book trivia quiz.
When: Sign up in Week 2, Term 3
Reading at home between Week 3 – Week 7
Book Battle 27th August 4:30 - 5:30pm
Where: Book Battle to be held at ISS library
Why?: This initiative aims to encourage adults to model reading to children at home. In a recent report by Australia Reads, 83% of children model their reading behaviour from their trusted adult. If you are passionate about improving childhood literacy, you enjoy reading, talking about books and supporting the ISS community, then this book club might be for you.
For more information, contact Marianna at mariannashek@gmail.com
Into the Unknown – Year 6 Science Adventures
This term in Science, Year 6 are exploring the exciting topic of Earth and Space. We are investigating how sudden geological changes, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and extreme weather events, like cyclones, can shape our planet’s surface. Students are learning how scientists use tools, data and technology to study these phenomena, and how this knowledge can help communities prepare for and respond to natural disasters. They are also developing their skills in asking scientific questions, making predictions, and thinking like geologists and meteorologists as they explore how the Earth’s systems work together.
As part of National Science Week, we took part in an interactive Street Science incursion called Into the Unknown. This high-energy, hands-on show featured mind-blowing demonstrations, fascinating experiments and surprising discoveries that connected directly to our learning. It was an exciting opportunity for students to see science in action and be inspired by real-world applications of what we are studying in class.
Queensland Road Safety Week
- Is it leaving 5 minutes early to beat the school rush?
- Is it walking the extra distance to use the school crossing?
- Is it demonstrating courteous driving by giving a wave when someone lets you merge in front of them?
Winter Feast – Invitation from local MP Elizabeth Watson Brown
TMT Scouts Fundraiser
Toowong Harriers Little Athletics
QACI
