Browns Plains SHS - Newsletter Issue 5, 2025

Principal's Message

Welcome to Term 3 and the start of Semester 2, I trust everyone enjoyed the break with family and friends.

The Term has started strong with students diving right back into their studies and getting involved in various school events.

Week 2 we celebrated NAIDOC week with an incredible ceremony held at the school. This year’s theme, ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy’ celebrated not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.

We also welcomed students from local primary schools - Regents Park State School, Browns Plains State School and Boronia Heights State School - who joined us for a fantastic day celebrating NAIDOC Week with traditional food, crafts, dance and games.

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We couldn't be prouder of our 5 Kokoda teams for their commitment to the 48km challenge they undertook on July 19th/20th. Finishing the trek was a fantastic and massive feat for them all. Thank you to the families of our participants that gave up their weekends for training sessions as well as our wonderful and amazing support crew that fed our teams with not only great meals and refreshments but their words of encouragement.

Thank you, parents, students and staff, for engaging in our Set Plan Interviews and Student Pathway Conference in Week 2. It was wonderful to see such strong support for student learning and wellbeing.

It is critically important that we celebrate and recognise the outstanding things that our students accomplish, both inside and outside of the classroom. We celebrated and recognised Students for their Diligence, Integrity and overall Excellence (DIAmond awards) for their Semester 1 results in two Aspire to Excel Ceremonies. It was wonderful to see so many families attend to help celebrate their children’s academic achievements. These students are a great example of our school’s core values Character, Community and Culture of Excellence.

Learner Driver Program – Now Available!

We’re excited to announce that, thanks to the generous support of Motorama Hillcrest, our students now have access to the Learner Driver Program!

This is a fantastic opportunity for students to gain valuable driving experience in a safe and supportive environment.

Interested in getting behind the wheel? See Ms Jackson in Senior Schooling to find out more and secure your spot.

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.

Ben Ward, Principal 

Important Dates

Year 7 Enrolment for 2026

Enrolment is now open for Year 7, 2026. To secure your student’s place at Browns Plains State High School, please drop into our office and pick up an enrolment form or download it from our school website - https://brownsplainsshs.eq.edu.au/enrolments.

Families who already have a child studying at Browns Plains State High School must also follow the standard enrolment process i.e. completion of the white Enrolment Forms booklet, with all crucial information included, found in the Enrolment Package. Once the application process is complete, an enrolment confirmation letter and information about transition day will be sent to the address listed on the enrolment forms.

Joanne Cowell, Dean of Year 7

P&C Meeting

The P&C Association will be holding the next meeting on Tuesday 12 August, at 5:00pm in the Common Room. Our parents aim to further the welfare of all students and to enable and encourage communication between parents and the school and to create a strong sense of school community. All members of our school community are welcome to attend.

For more information on the P&C, please visit the school website - https://brownsplainsshs.eq.edu.au/our-community/pandc.    

Faculty Updates

English

Writing Competitions

We had a fantastic Term 2 for our I Heart English Program, during which we saw students embrace their creative side and enter our annual BP Poem and Rap Song Competition (Winners to be announced on Assembly in Week 5). We also had eight students from Years 7-12 submit their creative writing to the ETAQ Literary Competition which is a statewide short story competition. These students deserve to be commended on their efforts.

Book Week

Term 3 is proving to be an exciting term for I Heart English with our Book Week Celebrations occurring in Week 6. This year we are excited to expand our Book Week Dress Up Day to students in Year 10, 11, and 12. The Dress Up Day will take place on Friday Week 6 and students are encouraged to dress in recognition of this year’s theme ‘Book An Adventure’. The I Heart English Team will be running activities each day at lunchtimes (keep an eye out on the notices) and we look forward to seeing the students get involved.

Write a Book in a Day

Additionally, this term a group of fifty students from Year 7-12 have volunteered to take part in the Write A Book In A Day event. During this event students will be writing and illustrating a book that will be published and distributed to the Children’s Hospitals around Australia.

Debating Update

Our talented debaters put their skills to the test in their first short preparation debate in Week 10 of last term. With only an hour to prepare their arguments, students demonstrated impressive teamwork, critical thinking and confidence under pressure. One of our Senior and One of our Junior Teams were successful in winning their debates.

We’re also proud to announce that two of our junior teams have made it through to the semi-finals, which will take place in Week 4. Congratulations to all students who participated—they represented the school with excellence. We wish our semi-finalists the best of luck as they prepare for the next round!

Danielle Alympic and Leticia Dwyer, Heads of Communications

Humanities

Welcome Back!

We hope all students and families had a restful and refreshing break. Term 3 is already off to a great start, with students diving into exciting new topics across our Humanities classes. It’s been a joy to see students engaged in their learning and taking part in enriching extra-curricular experiences.

What Are Students Learning?

Our Junior HASS curriculum this term offers rich and meaningful learning experiences for all year levels:

• Year 7 students are exploring Deep Time History, uncovering ancient civilisations, early human migration, and the long-standing presence of Australia's First Peoples.
• Year 8 students are immersing themselves in the Renaissance, discovering how art, science, and new ideas transformed Europe and laid the foundations for modern society.
• Year 9 students are examining the Making of the Modern World, including the Industrial Revolution, colonisation, and movements for change that continue to shape the global landscape.

Our senior students are also hard at work in a variety of Humanities subjects, including Modern History, Legal Studies, Business, Geography, Tourism and Social & Community Studies.

• Year 12 students are deep in revision and preparation for their upcoming External Assessments in Term 4. Teachers are supporting students with targeted practice, exam techniques, and revision resources to ensure they feel confident and ready.
• In Year 11, students are continuing their studies while building skills in critical thinking, analysis, argument construction, and source evaluation, skills essential for both academic success and active citizenship.

Across all senior subjects, students are encouraged to engage in current events, debates, and real-world applications of their learning to develop a deeper understanding of the complex world around them.

Extra-Curricular Highlights

Our students have already had the opportunity to extend their learning beyond the classroom this term:

• Year 7 Uncle Boomerang Incursion: In Week 2, Year 7 students participated in an engaging cultural incursion with Uncle Boomerang, where they explored Indigenous histories and perspectives through storytelling, artefacts and hands-on activities. This experience enriched their understanding of Australia's Deep Time history and fostered a deeper appreciation of First Nations cultures.

• Business ECOMAN Excursion – Brisbane City: Selected students travelled into Brisbane City to take part in the ECOMAN (Economic Management) program. Over the course of the day, students tackled real-world business challenges, applied critical thinking and teamwork skills, and gained valuable insights into the world of finance and economics.

We’re proud of how our students have embraced these learning opportunities and are looking forward to more exciting moments throughout the term.

Mia McKenzie and Sarah Oughton, Heads of Humanities

The Arts

Save the Date – Arts Festival 2025!

Mark your calendars for Wednesday 15 October 2025 as we celebrate creativity and talent at our annual Arts Festival!

Our dedicated Arts students have been working tirelessly throughout the term to prepare an exciting showcase of Drama, Media, and Music performances. It’s set to be an evening full of entertainment, expression and school spirit.

There will also be food and drinks available for purchase, so bring your family and friends and enjoy a great night out while supporting our talented students.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Keryn Clark, Head of The Arts

Sports Update

Our students have been busy representing BPSHS with pride and enthusiasm!

We recently sent 12 teams to compete in GALA Day against other schools in the district. Our teams performed exceptionally well, with several making it through to the finals. A special congratulations to our Year 9–10 Girls Netball team, who have progressed to the next stage and will be facing new schools in the coming weeks – good luck!

In Athletics, 51 students competed at the District Carnival, with 8 outstanding athletes qualifying for Regionals – an amazing achievement by Luka B, Tia D, Penitoa F, Indie M, Gergely V, Evie W, Hunter W and Katelyn W.

Looking ahead, our annual in-school Volleyball Compeition is coming up at the end of this term. Stay tuned for more details!

Chris Papadimitriou, Sports Coordinator 

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 from learning 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.

Uniform Shop Trading Hours 

Finance Office

Please be aware that our Finance Office trading hours have changed. They are now open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:15am – 2:00pm.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs Hitchcock on 07 3802 6222.

Homework Centre Reminder 

Homework Club is running on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 2:50pm – 4:15pm in the 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!

Community Connections

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

Looking for a New Kia, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Chery or Pre Owned Car or know someone who is? Browns Plains SHS P&C is thrilled to be part of a Community Program with Motorama Hillcrest, 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!