O-News 1 August 2025

From the Principal's Desk

I’d like to extend a warm welcome to all our existing and new families as we begin Term 3.

Firstly, we extend our best wishes to Principal Dan Murtas as he takes up the Executive Principal position at Marsden State High School. Dan’s depth of experience and relational leadership will no doubt support Marsden’s continued school improvement journey.

I have the pleasure of stepping into the Principal role, one I previously held in 2019. In 2025, I feel more experienced and better equipped to lead our school community and I am genuinely looking forward to the term ahead.

This term places a strong focus on career and pathway planning. Our aim is to work closely with students and families to support informed subject selections that lead to meaningful pathways in further education, training, and employment. Additionally, we engaged with families at this week’s Parent-Teacher evening, another opportunity to work in partnership and provide feedback on student progress.

A key priority for us this year is improving the quality and impact of feedback provided to students. When teachers offer clear, timely, and actionable feedback, students are better equipped to make meaningful adjustments and improve their outcomes.

To support this, I’ll be reinforcing to students the importance of submitting assessment drafts so they can receive the feedback they need to succeed. Please support our teachers by encouraging your child to use their time at home to reflect on and respond to this feedback to enhance their performance.

On the topic of feedback, I would also like to share a summary of student achievement data from Semester 1, compared to Term 1, 2025, both across the school and by year level.

As the table above shows, we have achieved consistent progress year on year. In fact, we are reportedly the only State High School in Queensland to demonstrate four consecutive years of growth.

An outstanding performance across all year levels, with clear progress from Term 1 to Semester 1 reporting. I look forward to sharing our Year 11 progress once reporting is finalised later this term.

Thank you for your continued support in working alongside our teachers to help your child achieve their best.

Kind Regards

Matt Silcock

Principal

Key Contacts

In the Woods - from our socials

𝗖𝗚𝗘𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱!

A huge congratulations to all of our students who performed in the Creative Generation 2025 production held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre last week. You all performed with passion and professionalism!

A huge thank you to Mrs Reilly for coordinating our school’s involvement this year, and to the various parents who volunteered their time to supervise students throughout the rehearsal period and during show week. Our Academy of Dance Industries classes were thrilled to attend the Friday show to support their peers!

Students involved: Amarnii C, Ivy O, Clancy A, Shayla C, Lucia D, Ellie F, Grace T, Teya D, Hayley M, Evee M, Layla P, Lily R and Madeleine C

𝗲𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 

The Ormeau Woods SHS Eagles esports team had an incredible day at the Minecraft Capture the Flag tournament at Villanova College in Brisbane! Competing against 11 teams, we may have only taken home one win, but we showed outstanding sportsmanship, effort, and resilience every step of the way.

We are so proud of our players for representing our school with heart and integrity, the real victory is in how we play the game as a team!

𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟴 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻!

Year 8 Science students are currently completing a physics unit focussed on how energy transfers into objects and transforms into other energy types. As part of this unit, students investigated how the gravitational potential energy changes depending on the mass of objects and height the object is dropped from. Students enjoyed investigating this relationship by measuring the depth of craters in sand when the different masses were dropped.

Great work, Year 8!

𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗛𝗢𝗣 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦!

Last week our Grade 7/8 Academy of Dance Industries students took part in a full day Hip Hop workshop with Lily from Bloom Suite. The students were immersed in a world of Hip Hop as they learnt their assessment piece for their performance task this term. Giving our students the opportunity to both engage with professional artists and learn under industry standards, which is exactly what helps to set these students up for their senior studies in Cert. Best of luck to each of them with their performance assessment this term.

Japan International Football Tour

𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿 – 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

We’re excited to invite families to an Information Evening for our proposed upcoming Japan 2026 International Football Tour.

Tuesday 5th August 5.30pm – 6.30pm

 Ormeau Woods SHS – Lecture Theatre (Level 2, Lecture Block)

School map - https://ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au/our.../maps-and-transport

Join us to hear from:

Josh Sheldon – Academy of Football Excellence Head Coach

Billy Lumley – Founder of Pro-Player & International Tour Manager

Tanya Capra – Academy of Excellence Manager

They will be providing key information, answering questions, and confirming interest for the tour.

Please park in the staff car park overlooking the oval or along the road (if full). Josh Sheldon will be there to greet you and direct you upstairs to the lecture room.

This is a fantastic opportunity for our Football Academy families—don’t miss it!

Finance News

The annual $250 (Year 7-10) and $200 (Year 11-12) for 2025 Student Resource Scheme is now overdue - if this invoice is still outstanding on your account, settlement of this would be appreciated as soon as possible.

Various subjects in Years 9 to 12 have Subject Levy costs to cover subject-specific resources - if still outstanding, settlement of these invoices would be appreciated as soon as possible.

SMS messages will be sent out today or early next week to families with outstanding accounts, for quick and easy access to payment options for curriculum invoices.

Extra-Curricular Activities Due Dates:

Want to keep up to date with your student’s school financial account? Join up to QParents!!   If you haven’t already, I strongly encourage families to sign up, to be well informed of invoices, credits, due dates and more.

For any further queries regarding your account, please don’t hesitate to email the Finance Office on finance@ormeauwoodsshs.eq.edu.au

With all invoice payments, preferred method is BPOINT, using the individual Invoice Number and Parent CRN Number – www.bpoint.com.au/payments/dete.  For easy access, you can click on the link at the bottom left of all Invoices and Statements.

P&C News

Welcome to Term 3!

The P&C is on task and on budget. At our recent meeting held on Monday 21 July, we discussed many things, including the planned installation of new water fountains to provide students with cold water station options and the Sports Luncheon Fundraiser. This fundraiser is intended to support the OWSHS sporting excellence programs, with tickets released via Try Booking Monday 21 July.  

We are also keen to grow our P&C committee membership and plan to be present at more OWSHS events, some of you may have spotted us at Wednesday’s Parent-Teacher interviews. If you see us at any events, come up and say hi and have a chat to learn more about what we do. I’d also like to invite you to consider joining us at one of our meetings (the third Monday of the month) with our next meeting being at 5:30pm Monday 19 August.

Primary School Connections

The School Leadership and the P&C Leadership are working to connect better with our local primary schools - Norfolk SS, Ormeau SS, Woongoolba SS and Pimpama SS. We will be reaching out to each P&C to help support each other.  If you have friends and family at these schools, please let them know about connecting to our P&C ahead of their children attending Ormeau Woods SHS.

Canteen news

A big shout out to Mel and the Canteen Team for another successful term of awesome service in Term 2. The end of last term marked Mel’s second year as our Canteen Manager! Mel always strives for excellence and delivers it alongside creative ideas, a positive attitude and a warm and friendly environment for both students, staff and families. We are so lucky to have Mel and her team as part of our school community. Thank you!

The Canteen reports the new payment option for students to pay via Flexischool with their student ID card has been a great success, with the process easy for both students and Canteen staff. This has meant students are being served – and fed – faster!

Please reach out if you have questions about Canteen payment methods.

2025 Kokoda Challenge

The OWSHS Kokoda program continues to grow with a total of about 60 students across 13 teams participating in this year’s event. The heavy rain that fell the night before made for both muddy and sticky conditions testing each team's courage, teamwork and perseverance. Teams said at times feeling like it was literally one step forward two steps back, particularly uphill! The OWSHS spirit was strong with families new to the event expressing awe at what our students achieve, and appreciation for the amazing support offered to all. This program is an incredible example of leadership opportunities OWSHS provides, alongside building a sense of belonging and community across the school, with students from year 7 through to 12 participating. A big shout out to the amazing families, teachers, school leadership and in particular Mr Dyer who make participation in this program and event possible.

Watch the Kokoda Space - a Kokoda Challenge Committee is forming to work more closely with Mr Dyer and the School to help make "Kokoda Challenge something that Ormeau Wood's does".  

Finally, a thank you the P&C Exec Team who work hard to support our 'Why'.

OWSHS - P&C Secretary

Health Hub

Hi all,

My name is Radison, I am a School-Based Youth Health Nurse at Ormeau Woods SHS.

I can support students with well being issues, such as Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol, Sexual Health, Growth and Development, and Relationships to name a few.

If you are student, you can refer yourself or if you are a parent you can refer your child to me via my email: nurseOrmeauwoodsshs@health.qld.gov.au

Otherwise, pop into the Health Hub on Mondays or Fridays and I can speak with you.

I am also happy to help support you with resources and education.

This term, we have a mental health focus for the students and will celebrate R U OK day later in the term.

Attached is a digital leaflet for related to mental health resources that can be downloaded.

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:

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

QParents

𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗨𝗽 𝗡𝗼𝘄!

QParents is a game changer when it comes to staying on top of your student’s school life, from accessing report cards and attendance to invoices and more, all in one place, anytime, anywhere!

QParents will soon be the 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.

Early pick up Process

If you know you will be collecting your student/s up 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' pass.

(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

From the Community