Indooroopilly State School eNewsletter

Debbie Spanner

Principal

dspan3@eq.edu.au

Future Problem Solving

Congratulations to the Year 5 Future Problem Solving Team who have been successful in gaining the opportunity to participate at the National titles early next term in Sydney. Well done Ellie, Enadhi, Harini, Sanay and Adriana. Thank you to Tim Tunks and David Frame for their support and commitment to supporting the program this year. We wish the team every success next term and look forward to hearing how you perform.

Year 4 Camp

It was lovely to see the students excitedly departing for camp this week. Indooroopilly SS has a wonderful outdoor education program with the camps in Year 4-6. Camping programs give students unforgettable opportunities to connect with nature, build friendships, and develop essential life skills. From low ropes courses, canoeing and archery, to team challenges and nature hikes, students learn the value of teamwork, resilience, and independence—all while having fun in the great outdoors. Experiences like these go beyond the classroom, helping students grow in confidence, curiosity, and appreciation for the environment. We look forward to seeing the children return inspired, energised, and ready for new challenges!

It is the commitment and investment of staff which allows these to take place. Thank you to Mr Box, Mr Bui and Mrs Sinnott for their leadership and coordination of the camp. Thank you to Year 4 staff, including teacher aide Leanne Wemm, Shelley Clarke (Year 3 teacher), Allie Masuch (PE teacher) and Hannah Crittenden (Year 2 teacher) for their preparedness to forsake significant personal time to attend camp. Thank you also to Mr Neil Madden for his long-term participation in the Year 4 camp at Kindilan, helping ensure staff, students and families understand the value of them and feel confident in participating in school camps.

Student Free Day

An excellent day of professional learning was delivered on Friday, with all staff valuing the quality of the sessions provided. A shared lunch provided the opportunity for the staff from the many sectors of our school to connect and celebrate the many successes they are having this year.

The Crossing Cultures PD, delivered by Regional team members, was an excellent professional learning opportunity for all staff. This engaging and thought-provoking PD fostered meaningful dialogue, built cultural awareness, and empowered educators with tools to create inclusive, respectful, learning environments. We deepened the understanding of the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and the impact of this on Indigenous students. This understanding helps us not only continue to work to close the gap in performance for our students but also to teach the cross – curriculum priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait perspectives in a more informed way.

We will continue to work with parents, local elders and regional staff to progress our work with the Reconciliation Action Committee.

Week 10	Event	Location	Times
Monday – Wednesday	Year 1 Bunyaville excursion. Class schedule TBC.
Monday & Tuesday	Year 2 Make & Meld. Class schedule TBC.
Wednesday 17/09/25	Writer’s Workshop excursion	Southbank
Thursday 18/09/25	Writer’s Workshop incursion	Library
	Year 6 Australia Zoo excursion
	Prep-Prep Storytime – for children enrolled for Prep 2026. Bookings required.	Prep precinct	9:45 – 10:30am
Friday 19/09/25	Last Day of Term 3		9:00 – 3:00pm
	Litterbusters	Singleton Oval	8:00 – 8:30am
	Student Council Meeting	Library	8:15am
	Year 5 & 6 Interschool Sport
Week 1 Term 4	Event	Location	Times
Tuesday 7/10/25	First Day of Term 4

Changes to Russell Tce Pedestrian Access to School

From the first day of the Term 3 school holidays, this entrance will be closed due to demolishing of the old administration building and the building of our new music block.

From the start of Term 4, students who use Russell Tce will need to enter and exit the school through the gate below the hall, or the gate around the corner in Moggill Rd.

Returning books borrowed from school

Please ensure that all school library books and home readings books are returned to the school and not to council libraries.

Indooroopilly Outside School Hours Care 2026

Information has been published on the IOSHC website including key dates and processes. All students enrolled at ISS for 2026 are eligible to participate in the EOI process. Families intending to enrol their children at ISS for 2026 should submit their application before 8/09/2025 when the IOSHC processes commence.

Amy Howkins

Deputy Principal

Culture, Connections & Community

ahowk1@eq.edu.au

First Nations Showcase @ ISHS

We are delighted that our First Nations students will have the opportunity to showcase their flair and talent at the upcoming First Nations Showcase (6th November) at Indooroopilly State High School.

Entries from students can be anything creative – dance, art, drawing, photography, music, performance, only limited by imagination!

Entries do not have to be traditional Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander medium, just something that showcases students’ creative talent. These can be done individually or in a group with family and friends.

This is a wonderful opportunity for our first Nations families and students to connect, and to share their culture and creativity.

Please contact Emma Siepen, ISHS’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison Officer, for further information or support. Emma’s details are in the attached flyer.

Tropical Glow School Family Disco

Bookings open Monday, 15th September - don’t miss out!

Bookings close Friday, 17^th October 2025 - Unless Sold Out

https://www.trybooking.com/DFMXM

Indigo Fair Announcement

Kyle Walters

Digital Coach

kgwal10@eq.edu.au

Screen time solutions for your kids and teenagers (and you)

For younger children, medical experts have been consistent for some time now in saying that children under 18 months should have no screen time except for video calls (such as with a grandparent). Children between 2-5 years should only have a maximum of one hour a day. And ideally watching something with an adult who can talk to them about it to boost language development.

Read on at Triple P here: https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/qld-en/articles-and-news/post/six-screen-time-solutions-for-your-kids-and-teenagers-and-you/

Sascha Rogers

Deputy Principal

Pre-Prep Program

sroge95@eq.edu.au

Prep 2026 Story Time and Workshops

Our final Story Time session will be held on Thursday, 18 September. At our last gathering, students enjoyed a “bug”-themed morning which included listening to stories read by Prep teacher Chelsea McCarthy, creating their own bugs from craft materials, and becoming scientists as they explored the playground with magnifying glasses. It was a wonderful morning of fun, learning, and new friendships. If your child will be starting Prep in 2026, we’d love to see you at this final session.

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Looking ahead to Term 4, we’re excited to launch our Student Play and Parent Workshops. These sessions give children the chance to become familiar with our Prep classrooms, teachers, and spaces, while parents take part in engaging presentations on a range of topics to support transition to school and early childhood development.

Workshop dates:
• Workshop 1: Friday 17 or Saturday 18 October
• Workshop 2: Friday 31 October or Saturday 1 November
• Workshop 3: Friday 14 or Saturday 15 November

Booking details will be sent to enrolled families next week. We can’t wait to welcome our future Indooroopilly Prep 2026 friends!

How to enrol for Prep 2026

Do you live in our catchment and will your child turn 5 by 30 June 2026?

Download our Enrolment Pack to get started.

Please email admin@indooroopillyss.eq.edu.au to provide your student's details so we can anticipate their application and include them in our pre-Prep plans.

Amy Howkins

Deputy Principal

Prep

ahowk1@eq.edu.au

In Prep E we love our Role Play Area, over the last couple of weeks we created a farm role play area in our classroom. It’s great for building our oral language, social skills, knowledge of the world and it also links to our learning this term in Science as we have been looking at different materials. We investigated which type of material would be the best for a bucket to carry water around the farm.

Wendy Fender

Deputy Principal

Years 1 & 2

wfend1@eq.edu.au

In English, 1F have been learning about procedures. We have read the book What Shall I Make. It has given us ideas on how to make dough animals. The students have learnt about verbs, adverbs and time connectives and how to use them in their procedure.

This term, students in Year 2 have been investigating measurement using informal units. During practical activities, 2F have used blocks, pop-sticks and paperclips to measure the length of different objects in and around the classroom. They have ensured that their measurements were uniform by checking that there were no overlaps or gaps between their measurement tools. Students have weighed different items to calculate mass, using balance scales and informal measurement tools. They especially enjoyed visiting the sandpit to explore capacity measurement. Students learned how to measure accurately and consistently with their tools. They are curious about formal measurement and have many questions about formal measurement units!

Steve Box

Deputy Principal

Years 4 & 5

sbox6@eq.edu.au

Year 4 Kindilan Camp

To see what happened at Year 4 Camp have a look on the Indooroopilly State School Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/indooroopillystateschool/

Year 5 LOTE Incursion

The Chinese drumming made me feel interested as the loud beats and sounds made me feel like it was alive, as if a real dragon was dancing there. Kateri

I liked the Chinese drumming as I felt like I was in China doing the drumming. I felt the beat and the culture through the music. Harini

It was fascinating to hear cultural music and even better to get to play with cultural instruments. Noemie

The Chinese drumming was very loud and powerful. It made me feel brave and courageous. Samarth

I like martial arts because the poses were fun and it teaches about respect, trying hard, and focus. Garam

In martial arts, a lot of focus is needed, and it was very cool learning. I have respect for it. Luna

Chinese martial arts are different from other Australian sports I do because they focus on discipline and respect, not just winning. Amaya

I like the lion dance because you could dance while other classmates made music sounds. The mouth, ears, and eyes could move as if it were alive. Manlin

I like the lion dance because it was fun to operate and dance around in it. Emma

I like the lion dance because although I have seen the lion dance, I have never participated in it before. I learned what the lion is made of and how it works. Anthony

The lion dance shows cooperation and trust because the person in the front has to lead the person in the back. Daizy

I enjoyed the interesting flavours that I don’t usually find in the food I usually eat. Samarth

Learning Chinese culture helps us show respect to people from different backgrounds because once we learn that each country has different cultures, social status, and rules, we learn to respect other cultures. Bella

I would share with my family that China has a bright and colourful culture with a fascinating lion dance, and I have loved participating in and seeing it today. Noemie

Attention Current Year 5 Families

Year 6 2026 Senior Polo Pre-Order is now available!

Current Year 5 students are welcome to pre-order their Year 6 2026 Senior Polo shirts. The shirt may be worn as an alternative to the standard uniform on any school day and makes an ideal memento as a signature shirt for the students to keep in the future. The shirts distinguish Year 6 students as senior members of the school whom the other students can easily identify and approach for assistance.

The shirts are optional, but the students take great pride in wearing them in their final year of primary school.

Order Cut Off Date:

4pm, Friday 31/10/2025 (Online Order via Flexischools) OR
9:15am, Thursday 30/10/2025 (with Order Form and payment at the uniform Shop)

Estimated Delivery Date: March, 2026

Note:

Shirts are for Pre-Order ONLY, so NO EXTRAS will be available in 2026.
Payment is required with the order.
No Refund / Exchange of sizes after the cut-off date.

Size:

The shirt follows a similar sizing to the standard polo shirt.
Please come by the shop if unsure of sizes.

Please refer to the pre-order form for more details, or contact Hong via uniform.manager@isspandc.org.au for any questions.

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Julie Bliss

Deputy Principal

Year 3 & 6

jmbli0@eq.edu.au

Year 3- Solar Oven Construction

In Science, Year 3 have been using their knowledge of heat transfer to design a solar oven (in groups) to test to see if they can heat up a pikelet. 3A were very engaged during the construction of their solar oven.

Year 6- Shape Robots

Working with their Prep E buddies, 6E helped construct robots. Inspired by the art of Eric Carle, the Preps selected various shapes to create collages of shape-based robots. Some designed families, others ensured their robots were properly attired, and one was just sleepy. 6E thoroughly enjoyed the experience, especially the opportunity to collaborate in such a creative way.

Lorenzo

Guglielmino

Cecylia

Garcia

Allie

Masuch

HPE team email- pestaff@indooroopillyss.eq.edu.au

Swimming Lessons – Term 4

Swimming classes for Term 4 will begin on Monday 13th October (Week 2) for all students. Our program will continue to follow the Education Queensland Water Safety and Swimming Education Program, enhanced by an updated assessment system and an emphasis on water safety fundamental skills.

The swimming timetable is still being finalised and will be published at the beginning of next term.

All students in Prep to Year 6 are expected to take part in the swimming program as part of the HPE curriculum. Swimming is a key component of the HPE curriculum and contributes to student assessment on report cards. If your child is unable to participate in swimming, please email the PE team or classroom teacher with a brief explanation.

If your child has any medical conditions the PE staff should be aware of – especially those related to hearing loss – please notify our PE team as soon as possible so we can make appropriate adjustments.

Consent for swimming

If your child has not previously participated in school swimming lessons, please ensure you provide permission for them to take part in the first lesson (Week 2).

Prep students and new students (from Term 2) in Years 1 to 6:

Parents, if you have the QParents app, please log into your account and provide permission (consent) for your child to attend swimming lessons in term 4 at school if you have not done this yet.

Parents without QParents app, please check your email for the consent form or contact admin@indooroopillyss.eq.edu.au

What to bring

Please ensure your child brings their swimmers, a swim shirt, a swimming cap, and a towel in a swim bag for each lesson. Goggles are recommended.

All items should be clearly named, including your child’s class. Two classes at time use the change rooms so it is important that students are organised with their belongings. Naming all items assists us if there is a mix-up or to return found items.

Parent Helpers for Prep, Year 1, and Year 2 Swimming Lessons

We are seeking adult helpers to assist with Prep to Year 2 swimming classes. Parents who can swim and help students in the water are preferred. If you are available to assist, please inform your child’s classroom teacher.

Interschool Sport update

A reminder that due to the wet weather cancellation in week 6, we will be having interschool sport activities in week 10.

Celebrating success in sport – Representative Sport

Well done to our 12 Indro athletes who participated at the Metropolitan West Regional Track and Field Trials held last Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd September at QSAC.

Special congratulations to Isabella E (4D), Aaron M (5B) and Cassidy M (5C) who qualified for the 10-12yrs Girls & Boys Track & Field State Championship at Townsville on Monday 13th and Wednesday 15th October. Students will be representing the Met West Team in their respective disciplines.

Isabella results:

Girls 10yrs 1500m - 1st (5:52.08)

Girls 10yrs 800m - 4th (2:54.13)

Aaron results:

Boys 10yrs 100m - 1st (14.24)

Boys 10yrs 200m - 1st (28.62)

Boys 10yrs Long jump – 1st (3.99m)

Cassidy results:

Girls 10yrs 200m - 2nd (29.73)

Girls 10yrs 100m - 5th (15.04)

Girls 10yrs Long jump - 3rd (3.65m)

These are extraordinary results from our Indro athletes, who archived personal bests (PB’s) in all their running events. Being chosen at these levels is a significant accomplishment, reflecting both outstanding ability and commitment. This is a remarkable honour that highlights their exceptional talent, dedication, and passion for their sport. We look forward to watching these students excel on a larger stage.

Netball connection between Indro SHS and Indro SS

During week 10, we are excited to welcome students from Indooroopilly State High School, who will be running netball sessions with the support of the Indro Aspire Netball program coaches to conclude our ball-games unit in PE this term. This is a fantastic opportunity for students at both schools to engage and learn together. We look forward to continuing this partnership to provide more successful clinics and programs for our students in the future.

We sincerely thank ISHS and Indro Aspire Netball for their valuable contribution to this initiative. Their support makes a big difference to our students’ learning and helps build a great sense of community through sports.

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).

Hillsdon Kindergarten Fete

Kenmore West Kindergarten Open Day

St Lucia Serenades

St Lucia Serenades is a free all-ages music event taking place at The University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus on Saturday 20 September as part of Brisbane Festival.

It’s a great way for the Indooroopilly SS community to enjoy a free concert starring local First Nations performers in beautiful surrounds. There will be plenty of space for the kids to run around, and food trucks will be on site for when hunger strikes!

Ironside Bushcare Bike Trails Working Bee

The following information is about an upcoming working bee at Ironside Park, St Lucia on the bike tracks.

Date: First Monday of the Sept School Holidays – Sept 22^nd

Time: 8am until 11am

Venue: Ironside Park https://maps.app.goo.gl/iVRZnzXZHemY4An76

What: Working bee to improve the bike tracks within the park, outlining riding boundaries, installing rocks around edges, plant grasses, track naming competition, education on bushcare and respecting the park and riding boundaries.

Cold drinks will be provided on the day.

Bring: Hat, gardening gloves if you have them

Who: Habitat Brisbane staff, Ironside Bushcare volunteers, Cr Penny Wolff, bike riders and parents/carers, Julia from Mt Coot-tha bike trails.

Netball Queensland

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These school holidays we’re hosting six exciting clinics at Nissan Arena across three days – Sep 29, Sep 30 and Oct 1, from 9 AM to 3 PM each day. We’ll be running:

Three Woolworths NetSetGo Clinics (Ages 5-10), and
Three Jump to Juniors Clinics (Ages 9-12)

These sessions are designed to be fun, social, and active – offering a safe environment for kids to build skills and confidence in netball. And there’s more! All participants will receive a Queensland Firebirds branded giveaway pack as part of their registration.

About the Clinics:

Woolworths NetSetGo is the perfect introduction to netball for 5–10-year-olds, catering to all abilities – no prior experience required! Kids will develop fundamental skills in a fun and inclusive setting.
Jump to Juniors is ideal for 9–12-year-olds who are ready to transition to competitive netball, however no experience is needed! Led by trained coaches, sessions include skill-based activities, minor games, and modified match play.

Clinic Registration Links – Nissan Arena:

September 29

September 30

October 1

Sharks Volleyball

Sharks Camp 2025 - September/October. GET IN QUICK LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE!! Sharks Camp is a four-day volleyball camp designed to cater to athletes of all skill levels. With elite development opportunities available and pathways into club and state-level volleyball, this camp has something for everyone!

The Dates:

30th September | 1st October | 2nd October | 3rd October

We usually hit capacity pretty quickly, so if you're interested sign up today to secure your spot!!

YEAHHHH SHARKS!!

Visit our website for more information https://sharksvolleyball.com/sharks-camp.

GOMA Wonderstruck

Are you looking for opportunities to switch off from your devices and connect with your family? We invite you to join us on Saturday 4 October for a Phone Free Viewing for the final weekend of the ‘Wonderstruck’ exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art, in Southbank. This event is free and designed for all ages, with a free mindful drawing workshop happening every 15 minutes inside the exhibition. BOOK HERE

ART EXHIBITION
‘Wonderstruck’

28 Jun – 6 Oct 2025
Gallery of Modern Art | Free

'Wonderstruck' explores the wonder that can be found in the ordinary and the extraordinary. Presented throughout the ground floor of the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), the exhibition invites visitors on a journey from spectacular large-scale artworks to captivating small treasures and immersive experiences.

Wonderstruck: Phone Free Viewing

8.30 – 10.00 am, Sat 4 Oct 2025 | GOMA | Free

Reduce your screen time, disconnect from devices and be present with art.

Free yourself from digital devices and immerse yourself in awe-inspiring artwork during this phone free viewing of the ‘Wonderstruck’ exhibition.

Audiences are encouraged to leave their phones and digital devices at the free cloak room before attending this viewing.

Workshop: Playful Eye

8.45am, 9.00am, 9.15am, 9.30am & 9.45am, Sat 4 Oct | GOMA | Free

Join Dr Michael Garbutt to experience art as you’ve never experienced it before, through mindful looking and drawing techniques.

No experience required. Designed for all ages and skill levels.