Browns Plains SHS - Newsletter Issue 4, 2025

Principal's Message

As we approach the end of Semester 1, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our students for their dedication to both their learning and the broader school community. It has been a busy and productive Term, and I’m incredibly proud of the energy and enthusiasm demonstrated by our students throughout.

Term 2 has been filled with meaningful events and opportunities for engagement, and it has been wonderful to see so many students actively participating. Some key highlights this Term include:

• ANZAC Ceremony
• Multicultural Festival
• Aspire to Excel Ceremonies
• Instrumental Music Camp
• Tourism Camp
• Year 7 Camp

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We are set to finish the Semester on a high note with our much-anticipated Athletics Carnival in Week 10 – an event that always brings a strong sense of school spirit.

Earlier in the Term, we proudly recognised the outstanding achievements of our senior students during the Senior Aspire to Excel Ceremony. Thank you to the families who joined us to celebrate these successes, your support plays a vital role in motivating and inspiring our students.

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We’re thrilled to announce that the Browns Plains SHS Learner Driver Program is launching soon!

Thanks to the generous support of the amazing team at Motorama Hillcrest Hub, eligible students will soon have the opportunity to use our Motorama Loan Car to log supervised driving hours towards their provisional licence.

This is a fantastic initiative aimed at supporting our students in gaining real-world skills and independence.

More details will be shared with students and families very soon!

Semester 1 Reports

Semester 1 reports will be available on QParents on Friday June 27th. It is very important that parents discuss academic, effort and behaviour results with their child to support them in understanding:

• The overall merit of the results and whether they match their capability
• Which grades improved or declined since their last report and why
• Whether there are any teachers that need to be contacted to discuss issues
• There are any subject changes required (particularly important for our Year 11 students)
• What modifications to study habits need to be made to promote further success.

Through this discussion it is critical that successes are acknowledged, and goals are developed for the next Semester. For Year 10 students, it is also particularly valuable to reflect on how these results contribute to their SET Plan and their preferred post school pathways.

I understand that these conversations are challenging and require careful planning, however I can attest that in my professional experience, the rewards are great and often result in a more focussed, motivated young person with better post schooling outcomes.

Thank you once again for your ongoing support of your children and our school. Your involvement plays a vital role in the success and wellbeing of our students.

Wishing all families a safe and enjoyable winter break, we look forward to welcoming you all back to more great learning for Term 3 on Monday the 14th of July.

Ben Ward

Student Voice

As we soar through Term 3, we would like to state some upcoming and some past events that are significantly related to sports.

Sport is a crucial part of life providing students with a chance to maintain healthy habits with the combination of fun, collaboration, and teamwork. Quite recently, our Year 9 and 10 Volleyball team achieved second overall in the state division!

Furthermore, with the leading focus of Gala Day around the corner we hope that students prepare and strive for better goals to win but also accomplish improvement in oneself. Additionally, a future event that is going to take place at our school this Term is the Athletics Carnival, where students participate optionally in various sports such as: javelin, discuss, high jump, long jump etc. This always sparks our peers with house spirit and friendly competition allowing students to cheer along with their teammates and take a break from all the assignments and exams.

We look forward to the upcoming Athletics Carnival on Friday June 27th to finish the Term on a high and contribute to the wonderful atmosphere that assists in different ways in becoming a better person, whether you cheer on your teammate or volunteer in those events your contributions go a long way at Browns Plain State High School and good luck to all students participating.

Junior School Captains

Maneet Khurana and Leanca Boshoff

The Arts Update

Music in May

Throughout May the Arts Department celebrated all things, Music! Music is an important aspect of everyone’s lives for both brain development and general wellbeing. During the month we provided students with a variety of opportunities to get involved in musical experiences such as: 

• Drumbeats Incursions for all Year 7 & 8 students and our Instrumental Music students
• Themed bell songs
• Karaoke House Challenge
• Assembly performances
• Lunch performances from our Stage Band and our Year 10 and 11 Music students
• Performances from Stage Band and Senior Music students on Aspire to Excel Ceremonies
• Lunchtime performance from past student Braxton

Some positive outcomes from Music education:

• “Music training is a rich, multimodal experience that has been found to modify the brain in many positive ways.”
• “Musical practice has a favourable impact on tasks that involve attentional processes, executive functions and memory.”
• “Augmented sound processing in the rain makes young musicians' better learners, which can generalise to benchmarks such as standardised tests and grades that society values in education.”

Bigger Better Brains.

Fanfare Success

On Monday May 26th our incredible vocal group travelled to Forest Lake to take part in Choral Fanfare 2025 marking BPSHS’s very first time competing in this event!

After three months of hard work and dedication, the group performed three stunning songs, showcasing amazing stage presence, perfect blending, spot-on accuracy, and heartfelt expression.

A huge well done to all the students you made us so proud!

The Scene Project

On Wednesday May 28th our Drama FYP group attended an incursion workshop with Queensland Theatre to help prepare students for a future performance at The Kingston Butter factory. Students learnt to work together as an ensemble through the skills of collaboration, movement and improvisation.

This experience allows for students to be creative through script work, and we are excited to be preparing for this opportunity for the production group to perform on stage with their peers and connecting with other schools in the area. 

Year 12 Music - Song Writing Workshop

 Our Year 12 Music class spent their Pyjama Day, Thursday June 5^th, in a song writing workshop with John Babbage from Topology. Students started the day leaving their ego at the door, creating a short song with random words picked for them in small groups. Then they moved on to create their very own graduation song. The class worked collaboratively to find a theme, write lyrics and create a chord progression. They will continue to work together to complete and polish for a performance later in the year and use the skills they’ve learnt to develop their own songs for assessment. 

Set Plan Information

Year 10 into 11 Subject Selection Preparation

All Year 10 students through their Access classes have started their SET Plan process. This is a Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan. The plan will help all students to:

• Structure their learning in Year's 11 and 12 around their abilities, interests and ambitions
• Think about their education, training and career options after Year 12
• Set and achieve their learning goals in Year's 11 and 12, and beyond
• Include flexible and coordinated pathway options in their course of senior study
• Communicate with parents/carers or teachers/careers counsellors about their post-school plans.

To assist with the SET Plan process it is important that students review their Semester achievements in terms of their future career and study ambitions. For students to be successful in their senior phase of learning it is important that students select subjects that they will have the skills, ability and work ethic to be successful in. The following table lists subjects offered in 2026 that have specific minimum prerequisite achievement levels required for students to enrol. To view the subjects available for 2026 please go to the school website. https://brownsplainsshs.eq.edu.au/curriculum/senior-school  

Students that have not achieved the prerequisite achievement level at the end of Semester 1 2025, they will not be able to select the subjects during the subject selection process in Term 3. They will be able to apply for consideration at the end of 2025, after receiving their end of year report, if they can demonstrate the required levels and if there is space in the desired class. Students who have not achieved the required levels are encouraged to seek support from their teachers to improve their grades. Students enrolling in the listed subjects must maintain the required levels throughout the year, to maintain their subject selections.

It is important students select senior subjects carefully as their decisions may affect the types of occupations available in the future, their success at school and their attitude towards education.

The following websites are a great starting point in determining future career and study ambitions.

• Australian Government Job Outlook https://www.joboutlook.gov.au/
• QTAC courses and institutes https://www.qtac.edu.au/courses-institutions
• Queensland TAFE Handbook: https://tafeqld.edu.au/
• Australian Government Job Jump Start: employment.gov.au/
• QCAA – A quick guide to the QCE system: https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/senior/certificates-and-qualifications/qce/qce-resources-school-communities/quick-guide-qce-system
• QCAA – Your QCE pathway: https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/your-qce-pathway

Information on how to make an appointment for the SET Plan will be released at the end of the Semester with students report cards.

Unique Student Identifier (USI) Number

Since 1 January 2015, legislation dictates that all students undertaking nationally recognised training delivered by an RTO need to have a USI.

A USI is a reference number made up of ten numbers and letters that is created for a student who has enrolled in a nationally recognised training program for the first time. The USI gives students access to their online USI account, which contains all nationally recognised training results since 2015.

For VET results to be reported and recorded in the national VET Registry, school RTOs need to report the students’ results and USIs to the QCAA.

As students will be provided opportunities to undertake VET qualifications during their senior years it is a QCAA requirement that students provide a USI number.

How to create a USI number?

• Have appropriate forms of identification ready (e.g. Medicare card, birth certificate, passport)

IMPORTANT: when you create your child’s USI, enter your child’s details exactly as they appear on their form of ID.

• Go to usi.gov.au
• Select “Create USI” under the “Student” heading
• Read the detail and then press “Create a USI”
• Read and agree to the terms and conditions
• Fill in your child’s evidence of identity and personal details
• Fill in your child’s contact details. Do not use your child’s school email address as this will expire at the end of year 12.
• Confirm your child’s identity – check all details are correct before proceeding
• Set your child’s USI password and check questions
• Final Page:
  1. Write down or take a photo of your child’s USI number
  2. Print your child’s USI number and put it in a safe place.

Once you have created a USI number, your child will need to provide their USI number to the school office or Senior Schooling (AR04). The USI number will also be required for their subject selection form.

Important Dates

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, they must supply a note which is signed and dated by parents, or the legal caregiver. This 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.

Athletics Carnival Information | Friday, June 27th – All day event.

• Students meet in the MPS at the start of the day.
• Sport/House uniform is permitted all day | Bradman Fraser Laver Strickland
• BBQ available – Please note, the canteen will be closed.
• Zinc and coloured accessories are allowed – with a few important rules, stick to your house colour only (no colour mixing), accessories must be removable so students can arrive and leave in normal school uniform.
• Parents are welcome to spectate. You will need to sign in and out via our Administration Office. Please note, if any school-aged children are attending, prior approval from the principal is required.

Homework Club Notice

Term 3, starting from Week 2, Tuesdays & Thursdays.

Time: 2:50PM – 4:15PM

Locations: iCentre

Looking for a quiet space to get your homework done? Come join us for Homework Club! Whether it's your regular homework, EP tasks, or any tricky maths problems, we’re here to help.

What's on offer: A supportive environment to work on your school tasks. Snacks supplied to keep you fuelled.

Come along and get your work done with extra support! See you there!

Parentline is funded by the Qld government to offer free and confidential, one-off or ongoing telephone counselling and support for parents and others who care for young people. 

We know that families are complex and that anything can affect the functioning of a family. We are available from 8am - 10pm, 7 days per week. Every day of the year. Parents and carers have the option to call or use our web chat. Regardless, you are always speaking with a degree qualified counsellor who is able to offer support, guidance, and therapeutic care.

Whether you concerns feel big or small, we are here to support Qld families. Phone 1300 30 1300 or visit www.parentline.com.au 

Community News

Position Available – Uniform Shop Assistant

We are currently seeking a friendly and reliable person to join our Uniform Shop team! This position is for two mornings per week: Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 7:30am to 12:00pm.

Holding a current Blue Card is preferred, but not essential — we can assist with the application process upon hiring.

If you're interested or would like more information, please contact us. We'd love to hear from you!

Email P&C: tuckshopbpshs@gmail.com

Community Partnership| Support Browns Plains SHS with your Next Ride!

Looking for a new car or know someone who is? Browns Plains SHS P&C is thrilled to be part of a Community Program with Motorama Toyota Browns Plains, one of our amazing school Gold Sponsors!

When you purchase a vehicle and present the referral voucher, Browns Plains SHS P&C receives $300 after the sale is completed!

For more details, reach out to us at brownsplainsshspandc@gmail.com. Your support helps drive our school forward!