Browns Plains SHS - Newsletter Issue 1, 2025

Principal's Message

A warm welcome to our new and returning families to the new school year.

I hope you’ve enjoyed a smooth start with the Browns Plains SHS community. To our new families, we are thrilled to have you join us, and we look forward to the year ahead.

I would like to begin by acknowledging the Class of 2024 and the fantastic results they achieved. Their hard work and dedication to their studies are truly inspiring, and we couldn’t be more proud of them. We eagerly look forward to hearing about their future accomplishments and the many ways they’ll continue to shine.

The 2025 school year is already shaping to be a year full of academic challenges and extra-curricular fun. Supporting your child through the highs and lows of the year will, at times, be a challenge, but we are here to partner with you in every step of their learning journey. We appreciate your proactive communication from home, as it helps us ensure we’re best placed to provide the support your child needs at school.

We believe that a strong partnership between home and school is a key driver of student success. One of the first steps in this process is engaging with your student in their school diary. This essential resource contains records of homework and assessment, as well as sections that explain our learning frameworks and support study skills and wellbeing.

We also encourage you to take advantage of the various web-based learning platforms we offer, such as Education Perfect and Maths Online, which will provide valuable homework support and enhance learning opportunities throughout the year.

If you ever have any questions or would like to discuss how you can support your student from home, please feel free to reach out to me at any time.

In Week 2, our incredible School Captain, Kiarna, and Vice-Captain, Charli, had the privilege of speaking at the Yugumbir State School Leadership Investiture. They shared their personal journeys as leaders, offering valuable wisdom and heartfelt encouragement to the next generation of student leaders. Their words were truly inspiring, and it was wonderful to see them representing our school with such confidence and passion. We are incredibly proud of both Kiarna and Charli for their leadership and dedication, and we look forward to seeing them continue to make a positive impact throughout the year.

Last week, our 2025 Vice Captains had the honour of MC’ing our first Whole School Assembly for the year. It was a fantastic opportunity to come together as a school community and celebrate some outstanding achievements. We were thrilled to recognise our 2025 Junior House Leaders, 2025 Year 7 & 8 House Representatives, Principal Award winners and the 2024 ATL (Attendance) Major Prize Draw.

Each of these awards represents incredible hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence. A huge congratulations to all the students who received these well-deserved accolades! Your achievements are a testament to your effort and determination, and we encourage you to keep up the great work as the year progresses.

We appreciate your unwavering support of both your children and our school. Your involvement and encouragement are invaluable, and they make a significant difference in our school community.

Here’s to a great year ahead!

Ben Ward

Student Voice

Hello families and students of the Browns Plains SHS Community,

Welcome back to 2025!

Our names are Kiarna Harrison and Osteen Kinyanjui, and we are so incredibly honoured to be given this opportunity to be your school captains for 2025. We hope that everyone has had a fantastic start to the new school year and is looking forward to the exciting opportunities 2025 has in store. A special welcome to our new Year 7 students, we hope you’re settling in, making new friends, and enjoying the start of your high school journey!

As school captains, our vision is to enhance Browns Plains State High School’s culture of excellence, character and community by fostering inclusivity, encouraging student leadership, and creating opportunities for every student to succeed and feel valued. Already, our senior and junior student leadership teams have been brainstorming new fresh ideas and opportunities to allow more students to get involved and thrive throughout the school year.

We are excited to announce that our first event for the year is Appreciation Day Brownies. This event allows students can purchase a delicious, rich, and tasty brownie for someone they appreciate, whether it’s a teacher, friend, or classmate. Brownies will be on sale for $2 each at the tuckshop area in Weeks 4, 5, and 6 everyday across both lunch breaks, and will be delivered on Wednesday Week 9, 29th of March. The student council can’t wait to see the school filled with appreciation.

Overall, the student leadership team is so excited to be working alongside students, teachers, and families to make 2025 a memorable and impactful year for our school! Students, if you have any ideas, activities or just want a chat, feel free to approach your School, Vice, or House Captains at Breakfast Club up at the Home Economics Café every morning from 8am – 8:30am. We are so excited and happy to hear from you all.

Here’s to an amazing year ahead!

Kiarna and Osteen

2025 School Captains

Leaders' Induction Ceremony

Our 2025 Student Leaders were officially inducted into their roles at our Leaders' Induction Ceremony held on Tuesday February 18th, 2025.  We were excited to invite students’ families to present them with their badges, while Councillor Tim Frazer presented the students with their certificates. The ceremony also included an incredible performance from the talented Kiarni, followed by a special Senior Badge presentation for our Class of 2025. We’re looking forward to an inspiring and memorable year with this amazing cohort. Here's to an exciting year ahead!

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 20

Next

Humanities Update

Kicking Off 2025!

Welcome back to an exciting new year in Humanities! As students settle into their classes, we encourage them to build strong learning habits early. Staying organised, actively participating, and balancing screen time with reading will set them up for success. In Humanities, students need access to both books and laptops to develop their literacy and digital literacy skills—essential for critical thinking, research, and communication.

This year, we’re excited to introduce new classroom furniture designed for collaborative learning and flexible seating. These updated spaces will enhance group discussions, teamwork, and engagement, creating dynamic learning environments that support different styles of learning. 

In Junior Humanities, Year 7 and Year 8 students are exploring the foundations and world of Economics and Business. Year 9 students are studying globalisation and interconnections, where they’ll explore how countries, cultures, and economies are interconnected in our increasingly global world. To support their learning, we’ve attached a few resources and guides that outline what’s happening in Junior Humanities, including upcoming topics, assessments, and exciting opportunities for student involvement. 

Recently, our Year 11 Geography students embarked on a field study at Toohey Forest, where they investigated local ecosystems and collected data on weed coverage. This hands-on experience allowed them to apply their classroom learning in a real-world setting by working collaboratively, deepening their understanding of sustainability and conservation efforts. 

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 10

Next

Looking ahead, our Year 10 History students will soon visit Brisbane’s Holocaust Museum. This powerful excursion will provide an opportunity to engage with survivor testimonies, examine historical artefacts, and gain a deeper understanding of the Holocaust’s impact. This experience will help students connect historical study with real-world perspectives on human rights and ethical decision-making.

With engaging excursions, dynamic classroom spaces, and exciting learning opportunities ahead, 2025 is shaping up to be a fantastic year in Humanities. We look forward to seeing students embrace inquiry and make meaningful connections with the world around them.

Sarah Oughton – Head of Department - Humanities

Devin Suddrey – Acting Head of Department - Humanities

The Arts Notices

Important Dates

School-based Youth Health Nurse

Jo is at school on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

To book an appointment:

• Send me an email:

nurse.brownsplains@health.qld.gov.au

• Ask a teacher/guidance officer/youth support coordinator
• Visit my office- Multi Purpose Shelter
• Scan QR code

Reef to Rainforest: The Ultimate Cairns Adventure!

Students in Years 10, 11, and 12 are invited to create unforgettable memories on our Reef to Rainforest excursion to Cairns. From September 19th to 24th, a group of 20 to 30 students will be flying to Cairns to explore the best that Far North Queensland has to offer - from the stunning Outer Great Barrier Reef to the lush Daintree Rainforest!

Some of the incredible activities they will be undertaking include:

🌊 Snorkel the Outer Great Barrier Reef – Swimming alongside sea turtles, vibrant coral, and tropical fish in one of the world's most breathtaking marine ecosystems.

🐊 Visit Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures – Meeting native Australian wildlife, including up close and personal feeding experiences with saltwater crocodiles!

🌿 Dreamtime Walk at Mossman Gorge – Joining Kuku Yalanji guides in a traditional smoking ceremony, as well as sharing stories, traditions, and the deep cultural significance of this ancient rainforest.

🚣 Tube Down the Mulgrave River – Drifting down the placid, crystal-clear waters of this scenic rainforest river on large rubber tubes, before plunging into the foaming rapids at the end of the ride!

This action-packed trip is the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and nature, but spots are limited, so, don’t miss out!

As student numbers are not yet finalized, the exact cost is still to be determined. However, the estimated price currently ranges between $1,500 and $1,800 per student.

To secure a position on this incredible trip, collect a permission form from Mr. Schober in the Humanities staffroom. These will need to be returned by the end of Week 5 along with a deposit of $200.

For more information, please contact Mr. Schober on kscho96@eq.edu.au

Parents' Corner

Family Information - Change of Details

If you have recently moved or have a new telephone/mobile number, please advise the School Office immediately so we have the correct information on our database. At times we may need to contact you, and it is important that we have the correct information in case of emergencies.

Student Attendance

If your child is absent or arrives late to school, please notify in advance when possible:

• Notification is to be received before 9am on the day.
• Submit absence via Compass (preferred method), QParents or the school absentee line (07) 3802 6213.

Leaving Early from School

If a student needs to leave the school, a note which is signed and dated by parents, or the legal caregiver is to be presented to a Deputy Principal BEFORE SCHOOL. The Office will issue a pass for the student to be allowed out of class. The student is to present this to the attendance officer at the time of leaving and a printed slip will be issued to the students.

Please Note: All students who sign out of school early must be collected at the office by a parent or carer.

Uniform Shop Trading Hours

Finance Matters

Cash Office Trading Hours

Monday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday 8:15am – 2:00pm

Please note that the cash room is closed on Tuesdays. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs Hitchcock on 07 3802 6222.

Michelle Hitchcock, Finance

Community News