Ormeau Woods State High School eNewsletter

From the Principal's Desk

As we approach the end of another successful school year, our focus remains twofold, celebrating what has been achieved in 2025, while planning with purpose and optimism for 2026.

Our continued high performance was once again evident through the Term 3 reporting period (see the Head of School results summary). I am incredibly proud of our students’ efforts during what has been a record-breaking year in academic outcomes across A%, A–B%, and A–C% performance measures. These results reflect the hard work of our students, the dedication of our teachers, and the strong partnership with families who reinforce the importance of effort and learning every day.

In addition to these achievements, we continue to enhance our facilities to support both learning and community engagement. Recent works have included new seating and shading on the oval, part of a General Election commitment, with further upgrades scheduled for 2026. Next year’s projects include an Oval Upgrade Master Plan designed to better respond to school and community needs, as well as a flooring upgrade to our Multi-Purpose Centre (MPC).

This term also provides important opportunities to celebrate student excellence and contribution, with key events including the Principal’s Honours Breakfast (30 October), Night of Excellence (13 November) and Graduation (18 November). We also look forward to welcoming our future students during the Year 4–6 Primary Partner School Transition Program, scheduled for Week 9 (1–5 December).

Finally, I extend sincere thanks to parents and carers for their feedback through the 2025 School Opinion Survey. It is heartening to see ongoing and significant growth across all domains, including fairness and clarity of rules, safety, partnerships, school culture, and teaching and learning. Particularly affirming were the responses that highlight the strength of our teaching staff and school culture:

“Teachers at this school expect my child to do their best.” — 97%
“I can talk to my child’s teachers about my concerns.” — 95.8%

These results affirm that our community recognises and values our commitment to high expectations, strong partnerships, and a culture of approachability and care. As a school, we will continue to reflect on this feedback to strengthen what we do well and plan for continued improvement in 2026.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our students and our school.

Warm Regards,
Matt Silcock - Principal

Head of School Update

Academic Update for Parents

It’s hard to believe we’re already in Week 4 of Term 4! This time of year always brings a unique rhythm — students are wrapping up their learning for 2025 while starting to look ahead to 2026. As we settle into the term, I wanted to take a moment to share some of the great progress and achievements happening across our school.

HOW ARE WE GOING?

WHOLE SCHOOL

2025 Reporting	Term 1	Semester 1	Term 3
A%	27%	29.3%	29.8%
A-B%	63.7%	67.3%	66%
A-C%	92.9%	95.5%	94.5%

YEAR 7

2025 Reporting	Term 1	Semester 1	Term 3
A%	28.6%	28.1%	27.9%
A-B%	64.1%	68.7%	65.5%
A-C%	94.5%	97.8%	94.3%

YEAR 8

2025 Reporting	Term 1	Semester 1	Term 3
A%	25.2%	29.4%	31.2%
A-B%	59.8%	63.3%	63.3%
A-C%	90.2%	93.7%	94.5%

YEAR 9

2025 Reporting	Term 1	Semester 1	Term 3
A%	25.9%	31%	32.1%
A-B%	63%	66%	65.5%
A-C%	92.6%	93.3%	94%

YEAR 10

2025 Reporting	Term 1	Semester 1	Term 3
A%	31.3%	31.4%	32.5%
A-B%	66%	67.5%	65.1%
A-C%	93%	95.3%	92.4%

YEAR 11

2025 Reporting	Term 1 (Mid Unit 1)	Term 3 (Mid Unit 2)	Unit 2
A%	20.7%	24.9%
A-B%	59.4%	65.6%
A-C%	90.8%	95.4%

YEAR 12

2025 Reporting	Term 1	Semester 1	Term 3
A%	28.8%	25.9%	23.8
A-B%	70.5%	71.2%	73.1%
A-C%	96.8%	98.3%	99.3%

What’s Driving Our Success

Setting clear goals and high expectations for students, teachers, and families
Regularly monitoring student effort, progress, and engagement
Visiting classrooms to see learning in action and give feedback that strengthens teaching and learning
Providing individualised recognition and feedback for students striving for excellence
Reinforcing the importance of timely submissions and using feedback effectively
Offering extra classroom support to both students and teachers

Finishing the Year Strong

As we move through Term 4, we’re encouraging students to focus on what they can control — their effort and their behaviour. These two areas make the biggest difference to learning outcomes and set students up for success each and every year.

Effort:

Actively participating in class
Completing learning activities
Submitting high-quality drafts and final assessments on time
Using feedback to grow and improve

Behaviour:

Arriving on time and ready to learn
Being prepared with all necessary materials
Following staff instructions respectfully
Contributing to a positive learning environment for everyone

A Collective Effort

I want to take a moment to recognise and thank everyone who has contributed to these achievements:

Students: Well done for showing ownership of your learning and making the most of every opportunity.
Parents and Guardians: Your continued encouragement and partnership with our teachers and students truly makes a difference.
Teachers and Teacher Aides: Your dedication, care, and high expectations continue to inspire our learners every day.
Leadership Team: Working together to collaboratively guide our school with such clarity and purpose. Your ability to maintain sharp and narrow focuses while supporting staff and students ensures we stay aligned and move forward together.

It really is a team effort — and when school and home work together, our students have the best possible chance to thrive.

I’m looking forward to sharing more of our progress and celebrations as the term continues.

Warm Regards,

Michelle Rivadeneyra

Celebrating Our Student Leaders at the Gold Coast Women in Business Awards

I had the privilege of attending the Gold Coast Women in Business Awards with Andrew Jenner and Adam Morrison, alongside four of our remarkable student leaders — Faith A, Tayla C, Vanessa K, and Summer R.

Personally, completing these nominations is always a privilege and reflects how deeply I value recognising the achievements of our students and staff. When our four students were shortlisted for interviews (a first for Ormeau Woods SHS), Andrew and I came in during the school holidays to help them prepare. We spent an afternoon together practising as a team and reinforcing one clear message: we support one another’s success equally, and we are building a world where women lift each other up.

These students were recognised as Awardees of Merit for the 2025 Empowering Young Women Award, earning their place at the Awards Ceremony. It was a proud moment to see Ormeau Woods SHS as the only school with four students receiving this honour — an outstanding achievement considering the other schools represented, including St Hilda’s, A.B. Paterson, Queensland Academies Health Sciences Campus, Benowa SHS, and Merrimac SHS. Collectively, our students represented 4 of the 13 Awardees of Merit across the entire Gold Coast from over 100 nominations

We are thrilled to announce that Vanessa was named a Top 4 Finalist for the Empowering Young Women Award — the first student from Ormeau Woods SHS to ever achieve this remarkable recognition.

As a Senior School team, we are deeply committed to promoting and celebrating the incredible things happening within our school community. This achievement is a fantastic milestone for our school and a true reflection of the leadership, passion, and excellence that thrive at Ormeau Woods SHS.

Key Contacts

QParents

All Parents must sign up to QParents

In 2026, QParents will be the ONLY platform for submitting all school permission forms – no more paper! To receive and complete these digital forms, you'll need to be registered with QParents as we move away from paper-based permissions.

What You Need to Get Started:

Get your unique access code (email qparents@ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au if you need it re-sent)

Just your Drivers Licence and Medicare Card to verify your account

Register easily on any device – setup is now simpler than ever! Don’t miss out on this convenient way to stay connected with your child’s education at OWSHS.

For more information about QParents and how it can save you time please visit HERE

*Please note - If you would prefer not to upload documents for identification when setting up your account, simply visit our friendly staff in the Administration Building where they can verify your documents and confirm your account without the need to upload.

2026 Student Leaders

We are so excited to announce our 2026 Student Leadership Team, featuring our new School Captains, Pillar Leaders, and for the first time, School Prefects (replacing the previous House Leader roles).

This outstanding group of students will represent our school with pride, lead by example, and continue to strengthen the culture and community we value so much at Ormeau Woods SHS.

To our new leaders, you have big shoes to fill, but we know you’ll do an incredible job and make 2026 a year to remember!

Year level leaders will be announced at our upcoming Night of Excellence on November 13.

In the Woods - from our socials

Last term, our Dungeons & Dragons crew had an awesome Mini Figure Painting Session, and it was a huge hit! Students got creative painting their own mini figures, adding colour and personality to their tabletop adventures.

A massive shoutout to Gamers Village Coomera, who came along to support our students and generously donated paints and brushes to help the group continue their activities.

Thank you to Damien and the team at Gamers Village for your ongoing support of our gamers, your contribution helps bring these creative experiences to life!

If you are interested in joining the D&D group please speak to Mr Balfe or Mr Rosemond in the R2N building for more information.

Our Year 11 Biology students spent three days exploring the incredible coastal ecosystems of North Stradbroke Island, and what an adventure they had!

From sand dune sampling at Main Beach to rocky shore investigations at Dunwich and Deadman’s Bay, students have been busy conducting real-world fieldwork, collecting data, and bringing classroom learning to life.

They also enjoyed stunning beachside sunsets, teamwork challenges, and plenty of laughs.

What an unforgettable few days of science, sunshine, and shared memories.

We had the pleasure of hosting Helensvale SHS for two competitive Football matches, and our teams did us proud!

Our Year 7/8 team kicked things off with an impressive 2–0 win, showing great teamwork and skill.

Our Year 9/10 team followed with a hard-fought 0–0 draw, displaying determination and solid defence throughout the match.

Two fantastic performances from both squads as we continue building towards a strong 2026 season.

Our school came alive as the Ormeau Woods community gathered to celebrate all things Arts!

From breathtaking musical performances and captivating drama pieces to stunning visual art displays and creative media productions. The night was a true showcase of the incredible talent, creativity, and passion of our students.

A huge thank you to our amazing Arts staff and past students for their hard work and dedication in bringing this event to life, and to our talented students for sharing their artistry and filling the evening with energy and inspiration.

We’d also like to extend a special thank you to Julian Woehrle and the team from Siebritz Real Estate, our event sponsor, for their generous support of the Arts. Your contribution helps make events like this possible and ensures our students continue to shine bright.

We are so proud of everyone who contributed to this unforgettable celebration of creativity. We can’t wait to see what our artists create next year!

We are thrilled to recognise our 2025 Ormeau Woods SHS Spirit of Dance Award recipients!

These students uphold the values of Passion, Dedication, Supportiveness and Excellence. They encompass each of these pillars plus more and exemplify our OWSHS values.

Congratulations to each of our incredible dancers:

𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

Year 9 – Lauren G

Year 10 – Isabelle V

𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 (𝗔𝗢𝗗𝗜)

Year 7 – Ebony B

Year 8 – Isabella J

Year 9 – Grace T

Year 10 – Bailey S

𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗜𝗩 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

Mia T

Our Open Mixed Touch team recently competed at the Queensland All Schools Tournament held at Runaway Bay. It is the world’s biggest touch football tournament and attracts the best teams from around Qld in addition to some international teams.

Ormeau played some entertaining touch over the three days and showed a lot of class on and off the field. We finished 2nd in our pool; losing only the one game to Kingaroy (who were eventual runners up).

The team performed exceptionally well in a tough finals format with wins against Rochedale and Bundaberg before losing to the eventual champions Southport in a drop off.

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀:
6-1 vs Livingstone
11-0 vs Pittsworth
8-0 vs Trinity Ashmore
8-1 vs Our Lady of Southern Cross
8-1 vs St Anthony’s Catholic College
4-5 vs Kingaroy

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀:
Top 16 | 9-3 vs Rochedale
Top 8 | 6-5 vs Bundaberg
Top 4 | 8-9 Drop off vs Southport (eventual winners)

Top 4 in Qld is an outstanding effort!!

Shout outs to Ivy and Chloe who refereed over 45 matches and Mrs McNamara who took some great photos.

O-Week is just around the corner, and we don’t want you to miss out on this exciting start to life at high school. (𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥).

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁: Enrolment paperwork must be submitted by November 21 to guarantee your child’s place in our O-Week Transitions Program.

O-Week is an important part of helping new students feel confident and ready for high school. It’s a week filled with fun activities, team building, and familiarisation with classrooms, teachers, and routines, so when Day 1 of Year 7 arrives, students already feel part of the Ormeau Woods family.

Enrolling now means your child’s spot is secured and you’ll receive all the key updates and information before the program begins.

𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗢𝗟 𝗡𝗢𝗪:
Download the Enrolment Pack from our website https://ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au/enrolments or
pick up a copy from our Administration Office or the offices at Norfolk Village SS, Ormeau SS, or Woongoolba SS.
(Limited copies also available at our primary feeder schools)

Get in early, get organised, and get excited. We can’t wait to welcome our newest Eagles to Ormeau Woods SHS!

Cheerleading Workshop

Cheerleading Workshop at Ormeau Woods High School with Karlee Alex, choreographer and coach of the Entourage Entertainment Dancers who perform as the Titans Cheerleaders!

• Cheer choreography

• Q&A with the cheerleaders

• How to style your hair and makeup as a cheerleader

• Pilates strength

Come train like a cheerleader and get the inside scoop on what it’s like to perform on game day with Karlee and the Entourage Dancers!

Finance News

Thank you to the many families who have finalised payment of their student’s school accounts for 2025. If your child’s account is not up to date, please ensure this is addressed as a matter of urgency.

Note: Finance Office & Window will close towards the end of Term 4, with final trading on Friday 28 November (Week 8) 2025. No further receipting or processing will occur after this time.

A reminder that school fees based on Curriculum requirements (SRS/Subject Levies) must be finalised or on a registered payment plan prior to eligibility for extra-curricular activities.

Upcoming Extra-Curricular activity:

Year 10 Soiree is happening on Thursday 27 November 2025, with arrivals from 5.30pm. Payment of $40 due by Wednesday 14 November 2025, per invitation and adhering to eligibility criteria.

Any and all outstanding invoices can be finalised using the preferred method of BPoint. Thank you.

For any finance queries, please make contact via finance@ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au

P&C News

Hi Everyone

It’s been another productive and community-spirited term so far for our P&C, with several exciting projects and initiatives underway to benefit students, families, and our school community.

Canteen

Mel and the Team continue their outstanding work and have been joined by our newest trainee Francesca. With Tuckshop Day just around the corner we’d like to say a HUGE thank you to our amazing tuckshop team. Our canteen continues to be recognised by both OWSHS families and families across the broader community for offering delicious, healthy food delivered by a warm and welcoming team — we’re so proud of their efforts! Big birthday shout outs this month to Kate, Karen and Lisa who celebrated their birthdays in October.

New Water Fountains

We’re delighted to announce that two new chilled water fountains have been installed across the school. These fountains will provide refreshing cold drinking water, helping students stay hydrated, especially through the warmer months and the feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive!

Sports Luncheon Success

Our recent Sports Luncheon at the Burleigh Bears Leagues Club was a fantastic success! The event, MC’d by Ben Hannant and featuring special guests Allan Langer, Sam Thaiday and Greg Ritchie, brought together families, local businesses, and supporters for an enjoyable afternoon. The luncheon raised much-needed funds to support our Academy of Sports Excellence programs, ensuring ongoing opportunities for our students and programs. A heartfelt thank-you to all who attended, donated, and helped make the event possible.

Improving Car Park Safety – Minka Rd

The P&C has written to the Gold Coast City Council requesting directional and safety signage for the Council-owned car park adjacent to the school off Minka Rd. This follows community feedback about confusion for motorists and pedestrians and aims to improve overall safety for students and families.

Local Infrastructure Updates

We also welcomed a presentation from the Downer Group and Dept. of Transport and Main Roads regarding the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program and upcoming Goldmine Road upgrades. The discussion provided valuable updates into these projects. If you have any questions or would like further information visit https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/ormeau-rail-facility, or alternatively please contact the P&C directly.

Final P&C Meeting for the Year

Our final P&C meeting for 2025 will be held on Monday 17 November. We warmly invite all parents and carers to attend and hope to see you there!

Warm Regards,

Afra Durance

OWSHS - P&C Secretary

Health Hub

Breakfast Club – Everyone’s Welcome!

A great day starts with a great breakfast, and at Ormeau Woods SHS, we’re proud to support our students through our Breakfast Club!

Breakfast Club is open to all students and runs:
🥣 Tuesdays and Thursdays – in the Performing Arts Complex (PAC)
🍞 Fridays – outside the Multi-Purpose Centre (MPC)

It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to grab a healthy breakfast, connect with friends, and start their morning on a positive note.

We also understand that some families may be experiencing financial challenges. If your family is in need of additional support, such as food or petrol vouchers, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our School Guidance Officer or Chaplain. All conversations are confidential, and we’re here to help wherever we can.

Together, we can ensure that every student at Ormeau Woods starts their day feeling supported, nourished, and ready to learn.

If you feel that your child is struggling at school with social, emotional or behavioural issues, and could benefit from participating in a group program, or you would like to access individual support for them, please contact the school and ask for the Guidance officer - Phillippa Proctor (Years 8, 10, 12) or Ruby Farley (Years 7, 9, 11).

Community services that can help:

IT Department Update

iPad Accessories Reminder

Please take a moment to check your child’s iPad to ensure the case and screen protector are still in good condition.

If a replacement is needed, the costs are as follows:

Case: $45
Screen Protector: $20 for 9th Gen $25 for 10th Gen

We will remove the old screen protector and fit a new one (provided the iPad screen itself is not damaged)

For replacements, please contact our Finance Department finance@ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au

Every Day Counts

Please take a moment to review our Attendance Policy within the Student Code of Conduct and follow the correct procedures at all times, including when arriving late to school.

If a student will be absent or late for any reason, a parent or guardian must notify the school using one of the following methods:

📞 Call the Absence Line: (07) 5540 9266
📲 Send a Text Message: 0427 248 087
📧 Email: absences@ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au

If a student is absent without prior notification, a text message will be sent to parents/guardians. If you receive this message, please respond directly with the student’s name, and reason for the absence.

Your cooperation helps us maintain accurate attendance records.

https://ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au/our-school/policies

Early pick up Process

If you know you will be collecting your student/s early, please arrange a Leave Request, or phone ahead to advise you are on your way to collect a student. This saves on waiting times and interruptions on class learning.

Leave Requests can be arranged at the office by both students and parents. Information needed is; the reason for the early pickup, and the time the student/s is/are needed at the office for collection.

We can then issue a 'Leave Request'.

(Note: if parents call or email, please remind your child to come to the Student Window to collect their Leave Request).

Students can then show their teacher the Leave Request, and at the nominated time come and wait at the office for your arrival.

Parents MUST still come to the office (Student Counter/Window at the back of Administration) and sign students out before they leave school grounds.

Please call (07) 5540 9222 or email info@ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au if you have any questions

Tutorials

iPad Purchase Program

https://ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au/curriculum/bring-your-own-device

Second Hand Uniform Donation

Do you have old uniforms that are just collecting dust? We're on the lookout for generous donations of uniforms to assist families and also to stock up our school's uniform room. Your support can make a significant impact!

Whether your children have outgrown their uniform, or perhaps finished their schooling journey, we'd be immensely grateful for your contribution.

We simply ask that you drop off any donations to the main Administration Office.

Let's come together as a community and ensure every student has access to the uniforms they need. Thank you for making a difference!

Ormeau Links - Community Business Alliance

If you are a business owner seeking opportunities to grow your brand, engage with local families, and build meaningful connections within the Ormeau community, we invite you to explore a partnership with us.

Together, we can create a mutually beneficial sponsorship arrangement that supports your business goals while enhancing educational outcomes for students at Ormeau Woods State High School.

Our Sponsorship Invitation outlines the impactful role our school plays in the community, our standout excellence programs, and how sponsors can integrate their brand with ours. This is an opportunity to grow your business and make a lasting connection with our students, their families, and the wider community.

For sponsorship enquiries please email ormeaulinks@ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au to arrange a meeting.

2025 School Calendar

2026 School Calendar

Get ready for 2026 with all the important holiday dates, public holidays and student free days!

From the Community

The Brisbane Bullets have an exciting offer for our school community. They have two games this season on the Gold Coast at the Sports & Leisure Centre which is very exciting! And they are offering us a special deal where if you buy a ticket you can receive 1 FREE CHILD TICKET with a PAYING ADULT.

Tickets can be purchased here > https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=BULIGN26.

O-News 27 October 2025