Newsletter Term 3 Issue 2 2025
Principal's Report
Dear Families and Friends,
Being mid Term 3, we reflect on a season filled with exploration, imagination, and joyful learning. Our students have embraced every opportunity to grow, connect, and celebrate their unique strengths. Two standout events this term, so far, have been Science Week and Book Week, which brought our school community together in vibrant and meaningful ways.
This year’s Science Week theme, “Innovation for the Future”, inspired students to think big and explore the world around them. Across all classrooms, students engaged in hands-on experiments, sensory science activities, and interactive demonstrations. With the highlight been the chickens. The interest built once the eggs hatched and the chirping began. The joy on our students’ faces was truly heartwarming.
Book Week was a celebration of storytelling, imagination, and literacy. This year’s theme, “Reading is Our Superpower”, encouraged students to explore the magic of books and the heroes within them. The imagination and creativity displayed at the Book Week Parade was incredible, with staff and students dressed as their favourite characters.
As we continue to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our students, we kindly remind all families and community members to observe road safety rules and speed limits when driving near Burbridge School. Please remember:
• Slow down to the posted speed limit in school zones – especially during drop-off and pick-up times.
• Stay alert for children crossing the road or walking near the school.
• Avoid distractions such as mobile phones while driving.
• Use designated parking areas and avoid stopping in no-parking zones or blocking driveways.
Your cooperation helps create a safer environment for everyone. Let’s work together to ensure our students arrive and leave school safely every day.
Warm regards,
Joanne Gordon
Call for nominations for the School Board
Burbridge School is currently seeking new parent and community members to join our School Board for a two or three-year tenure. All are welcome to attend the School Board Annual General Meeting (AGM).
As an Independent Public School (IPS), our board plays a vital role in shaping the direction of our school, contributing to school reviews and policy development.
🗓 Meetings: Week 5 each term, Fridays from 9:00–10:00 AM
🗓 AGM: Friday, 12th September 2025, at 9:00 AM
📍 Location: Burbridge School
If you're passionate about supporting your child’s education and want to make a difference, please nominate yourself using the attached form and return it to Principal Joanne Gordon by Monday, 8th September 2025 via your child’s communication book or in person at reception.
We value your voice and look forward to welcoming new members!
Diana Atkinson - School Board Chair
Area A
In Area A, students are enjoying their swimming lessons, having fun in the pool while building confidence, practicing water safety, and developing their swimming skills
In Science, we have started learning about living things and what they need to survive. A highlight from Week 4 was a visit to the library, where students got to observe chickens up close. They watched them run around, eat, and drink. Joshua read a story to the chickens, and Harlow sang a song—it was a fun and engaging way to connect with our topic.
This week, we are celebrating book week with the theme “Book an Adventure.” Each day during shared reading, we read a new story that ties in with the theme.
Kamini Arora - Area A Teacher
Area B
We kicked off Science Week with the exciting arrival of eggs and some fascinating equipment in the Library. Over the past two weeks, Area B students visited the Library and watched as the once quiet eggs transformed into lively, cheeping chickens.
We are incredibly proud of how our Area B students observed and interacted with the chickens. Using all their senses, some students preferred to listen to the gentle cheeping, others chose to watch from a distance, and many bravely pushed their boundaries to reach out and touch the fluffy newcomers.
Our students used their unique communication methods to share their thoughts and experiences, even naming one of the chickens “Stm.” It was a truly special and memorable experience for everyone involved.
Sarah Sansom - Area B Teacher
Area D
Term 3 has been full of energy and excitement as students embraced a variety of hands-on activities that kept them engaged throughout the day. From MOVE sessions—where students participated using walking and standing frames—to sensory play and bowling, every moment was filled with fun and learning.
We’re proud of the progress students are making across all learning areas. A big thank you to our dedicated staff and wonderful students for making this term so successful!
Veronica Mumharu - Area D Teacher
Area E
We are officially halfway through another term, and the students have been busy both in and out of the classroom. The beginning of week 5 began with the annual chicken hatching eggs arriving and watching new chicks being born. It is a wonderful sight to observe the lifecycle of chickens and watch them hatch and then grow into cute and fluffy little chicks. Some were even brave enough to try touch them. In Mathematics we are learning about simple patterns and the students are enjoying using switches and counters to copy colour patterns. Being back in the swimming pool is a highlight for most of the students and it’s so delightful seeing the students splash around and having fun. Communication is still key in the classroom, and the students show progress and more interest every day in using their devices and/or PODD books.
Denae Thysse - Area E Teacher
Area F
In preparation for life after school, Area F have spent time recently looking at the sort of jobs there are at Burbridge School. We looked at what a job is, why we might have a job, and the sorts of job roles there are such as a teacher and a nurse.
Area F students used the HelpKidzLearn application on the interactive whiteboard to explore what teachers and nurses do in their job roles.
Post school options, fun to think about! 😊
Alfena Westrup - Area F Teacher
Book Week 2025
Finance
IF YOU HAVENT ALREADY, NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO PAY YOUR 2025 CONTRIBUTIONS AND CHARGES
SCHOOL CONTRIBUTION
Each year, families and carers in K – Yr 10 are invited to pay a voluntary contribution that assists our school acquire additional classroom resources. Your contribution is important: the higher the number of contributions received the more effectively can the acquisition program benefit all students. For ease of payment, EFT is available by speaking to our office personnel.
CHARGES
For Students in Yr 11 and 12 there are compulsory charges. In 2025 these are $330. These are aligned to the senior school program in the areas of general program (ASDAN, Work Skills, Micro Enterprise), Recreation and Leisure, Independent Living and Health/Personal grooming. If charges are not paid it may result in programs not being available to your child.
For ease of payment for School contributions or charges, the Burbridge School bank details are supplied below.
ANZ Bank: Burbridge School
BSB: 016 353
Account: 3408 2300 3
Please state the student's name when transferring funds direct to the school bank account.
A reminder for those parents that haven't signed up to the SZapp yet. The instructions can be found below. We post reminders, newsletter links and other things to keep you in the loop. The passcode to register is 3675. If you require any help to install, please come into the office and we can help you get started.
