Newsletter 6 6 May 2025
From the Principal
Dear Buranda SS Community,
I would like to inform you of an important change affecting access to our school. Due to a construction project at Narbethong Special School, the Salisbury Street entrance will soon be closed. To support the safety and smooth transition for our students, staff will be supervising the oval entrance both in the morning and afternoon. We appreciate your understanding as we adapt to these necessary changes.
You’ll be pleased to know that the oval is now open for play and learning. Only a small section in the far corner remains temporarily fenced. We’ve taken this opportunity to remind students that if they’re eager to dig and explore, the sandpit remains the designated and appropriate area for this kind of play.
A reminder to all families who use the Martin Street drop-off zone: this area only functions effectively with the cooperation of all users. Please follow the procedures to ensure student safety and a smooth flow of traffic. The Brisbane City Council has installed signage to support these protocols and encourages community members to report any non-compliance in the loading zone directly to the Council on 3403 8888.
In the coming weeks, please keep an eye out for an email from your child’s teacher with details about Parent–Teacher Interviews, which will be held in Week 10, from Monday 23 to Friday 27 June. These interviews are an excellent opportunity to connect and discuss your child’s progress and goals.
Finally, I will be attending the Regional Principal’s Business Day this Friday, representing our wonderful school in discussions about future planning and leadership across the region.
Kind regards
Simon Vaseo - Principal
From the Library
The CBCA BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARDS are on again!
Each year since 1945 the Children's Book Council of Australia has brought children and books together across Australia, celebrating books and Australian children's authors and illustrators. There are five, out of the six award categories, that are age appropriate for our primary school students. They are Book of the Year: Early Childhood, Book of the Year: Younger Readers, CBCA Picture Book of the Year, CBCA Award for New Illustrator and the Eve Pownall Award for Information Books (since 1988).
For 2025, the CBCA has now selected a shortlist of six books for each category. The library is busy purchasing these high-quality books for our student's reading enjoyment while some are already in circulation! Category award winners will be announced at the beginning of this year's Children's Book Week.
Book Club - Issue 3 is here!
Hello families,
We hope you enjoyed browsing through Book Club Issue 2 and have enjoyed all those books purchased. Now it’s time for Issue 3, which should have come home with your child last Friday. We’d love to remind you of some important details if you’d like to place an order.
Final Ordering Date: Friday 9th May 2025
If you choose to order, please use the LOOP app – details on how to download and use the app can be found on the inside back page of the Book Club magazine.
Please note: No cash payments are accepted at school.
Once orders close, our school library processes all purchases in one batch. From there, it can take 1 to 2 weeks for orders to be packed and delivered from Sydney, so thank you for your patience!
Here’s a quick reminder of how Book Club orders are managed:
- Order Distribution:
Orders will be handed out to students during the week they arrive. Because it takes some time to sort through the boxes and check everything carefully, distribution happens on different days across classes. We double-check all items before handing them out to ensure everything is accurate. - Missing Items or Questions?
If something is missing from your order or you have a concern, the best and quickest way to resolve it is to contact Scholastic Book Club directly on 1800 021 233 (available 8:30am–5:00pm). They’re always happy to help.
Thank you for supporting a love of reading at home. Every Book Club purchase also helps our school earn free books and resources for the library – so it's a win-win for everyone!
Happy reading!
District Cross Country
Last Tuesday 15 of our students competed at the Mt Gravatt District Cross Country Trials. Our athletes ran between 2-3km depending upon their age, around a tough track over rough terrain including several gullies and steep hills. With our oval being out of action last term our students were unable to do any training at school prior to the event making the day even more difficult. One of our youngest athletes Georgia, competed at district level for the first time and at the 1.5km mark she was leading her race with a Somerville student hot on her tail. With lots of encouragement from the crowd she led all the way down the home straight and unfortunately fell almost on the finish line. She quickly recovered and finished in 2nd place and will compete as part of the Mt Gravatt District team later in the term.
All athletes ran to the best of their ability and represented Buranda SS well. A big thank you to the parents who transported their children to and from the events and supported our students throughout the morning.
Cross Country
From the Inclusion Teacher
More about self-esteem...
Self-Esteem and Behaviour: Finding the Right Balance
In conversations about self-esteem, it's important not to oversimplify the causes of a child’s behaviour. Queensland clinical psychologist Dr Judith Locke cautions against the tendency to attribute all inappropriate actions to low self-esteem. She highlights a more nuanced view, pointing out that some behavioural issues—particularly ongoing disrespect toward others—can lead to long-term difficulties in forming healthy relationships.
According to Dr Locke, when such behaviours go unchecked or are met with ineffective consequences, children may develop a sense of entitlement. They begin to view themselves as the centre of their environment, expecting constant attention, control, and praise. While this might resemble low self-esteem on the surface, it is often quite the opposite: these children may feel confident only when they are in charge, and they may become distressed when the focus shifts away from them.
This pattern is especially concerning as children grow older and should be gradually developing independence and self-regulation. Dr Locke warns that overcompensating through excessive praise, help, or attention can inadvertently reinforce these behaviours. Praising or indulging children when they are not acting appropriately sends a message that entitlement is acceptable—promoting unrealistic expectations and undermining the development of resilience and respect.
Supporting a child’s self-worth is essential, but so is setting clear boundaries and fostering accountability. A balanced approach—one that nurtures confidence while teaching responsibility—helps children grow into respectful, emotionally capable individuals who can thrive within their families, schools, and communities.
Tips for Parents: Encouraging Accountability and Self-Awareness
It’s natural for parents to want to protect their children—but when protection turns into excuse-making or constant intervention, it can unintentionally hinder a child's growth. This can be particularly challenging when a child is experiencing social difficulties or conflict with peers. It's important to consider the full context—including the possibility that your child may be contributing to the issue.
- Pause Before Defending
When your child shares a negative experience, avoid immediately assuming they are the victim. Ask questions to understand all sides of the story. Encouraging reflection with prompts like “What part did you play?” or “Is there something you could do differently next time?” helps children develop empathy and self-awareness.
- Support, Don’t Shield
Constantly stepping in to “fix” situations—especially in peer conflicts—teaches children that someone else will manage consequences for them. This may reinforce a belief that they are always right or unfairly targeted. Instead, guide your child in learning how to navigate challenges, take responsibility, and repair relationships when needed.
What About Neurodivergent Students?
While students with neurodiverse profiles may need tailored support and adjustments in how expectations are taught or communicated, the end goal remains the same: learning respectful behaviour, self-regulation, and accountability. Being neurodivergent does not excuse poor behaviour—just as being neurotypical does not guarantee good behaviour. All children benefit from clear boundaries, consistent consequences, and compassionate support as they learn how to behave appropriately in a community.
“Children become confident and resilient not because they are shielded from all hardship, but because they are taught how to face challenges and own their actions.”
— Dr Judith Locke
With thanks,
Katherine Austin
Inclusion Teacher
From the Garden
Well, Term Two has now arrived and with it, Buranda State School’s Environmental Education program for 2025. My name is Andrew Bryant and I’ve had the great honour and pleasure of leading this program for the past 11 years. It’s lovely to be back. A warm welcome to all the new families to the school and a big hello again to everyone else.
I’d like to begin by paying my deep respects to the First Nations peoples of the country that Buranda State School now sits on, an ancient meeting place, steeped in history, culture and lore.
The year has kicked off very well in all aspects. There are a few small changes this year, that will improve the course and I’ll let you know about these shortly. One new direction, to improve the program and the beauty and safety of the school in general, is the rebirth of an old group. For now, I’m going to call it Friends of the Garden.
Basically, every Friday afternoon, I’m going to stay behind after school for an hour or so, to simply weed and mulch the school garden. Anyone can come and join in, but parental supervision is essential. You can bring your own food or beverages and once a month Mr Alex and I are going to charge up the pizza oven and supply pizza bases for any willing workers. You will, however, need to bring your own toppings, to add to whatever we can supply from the garden. At this time of year, it is beautiful up there, so come along as you are, if you would like to. No tools or experience needed, only gloves if you want.
I’m really looking forward to this year and to continuing the great efforts of many years of fun and good work, caring for country. Many thanks.
Mr. Bryant
Environmental Education Teacher
From the P & C
P&C Meeting
Reminder that our next P&C Meeting is on tomorrow, Wednesday 7 May 2025, in the school library, starting at 6.15pm.
If you can't make the meeting in person, please join us via this Microsoft Teams link
Winter Solstice
The planning for the annual Winter Solstice is underway which is exciting! It will be held on Saturday 21 June 2025, starting with a working bee at 2pm then the solstice from 4pm. The solstice is a great annual event and lots of fun for the kids and whole family.
So far, we have volunteers for the Overall Co-ordinator, Food and Marketing/Sponsors coordinator roles.
We still need to find volunteers to coordinate health & safety, finance, beverages and the entertainment.
These roles each have specific tasks intended to be manageable for busy parents:
- The Health & Safety Coordinator organises power supply and lighting for the oval and undercover area as well as the safety fencing and set up for bonfire. Co-ordinates volunteers for set up/pack up, roaming and general supervision of power etc.
- The Finance Coordinator organises the floats, Square setup, pricing signage etc.
- The Entertainment Coordinator books and liaises with the band and teachers about student performances, as well as coordinating the run sheet for performances and the speakers/music system.
- The Beverage Coordinator organises donations or purchase of alcohol and soft drinks, hot chocolate and mulled wine, plus the set up on the day.
If you can help in any of these roles, email me or chat to me at school and I can explain what’s involved.
Winter Solstice poster competition
We are running the Winter Solstice poster competition again this year (more information coming in the class WhatsApp groups). Students need to submit their entries by Friday 23rd May, posters are to be bought to the office.
Tuckshop
This week for tuckshop we have Beef & Parmesan Ravioli or Spinach & Ricotta Agnolotti. Garlic bread is also available.
Orders close on Qkr! at 8pm each Wednesday for tuckshop on Friday.
Uniform Shop & Ice blocks
Apologies to parents and carers waiting on size S school polo shirts, our supplier will be back in stock end of June.
The uniform shop would appreciate donations, especially small sizes in winter zip-ups and tracksuits/leggings. Please donate only uniforms in good condition (no tears, broken zips/elastics, no paint/glue). You can drop a bag on opening hours or put it sealed in the lost property uniforms basket. Thank you.
Please contact Ludivine uniforms@burandasspandc.org.au for any queries about uniforms or ice blocks.
Warm regards,
Adam Purdy - P&C President
E: president@burandasspandc.org.au
P&C website: https://www.burandasspandc.org.au/
P&C on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BurandaPandC