31 January 2025
ADMIN NEWS
Welcome Back to School!
It’s with hearts full of joy that we welcome everyone back to school this year! The sun is shining, and smiles are wide as students return with stories of holidays spent with family and friends. It’s been wonderful to see everyone in their uniforms, proudly wearing them and checking in with each other. There’s a real sense of care and connection within our school community, and we’re reminded how lucky we are to be part of it.
A reminder that we’ll be holding our Whole School Parade on Monday 10th February, where we will induct our 2025 student leaders into their new roles. Brian and Carlene George will present the student leader badges, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you all.
A warm welcome to our new students joining the Pomona School family this year, as well as our new staff members: Mr. Neil Heymink, our Instrumental Music teacher, Mrs. Renee Organ, who is team teaching with Ms. Saunders, and Mr. Chris Powell, who will be teaching swimming on Wednesdays and Thursdays this term.
Absences
Please remember to let us know if your child will be absent from school. You can leave a message on the absence line, and we’ll ensure their attendance record is updated, so you won’t have to worry about follow-up calls from us. Please call 54 808 222 to leave a message on the absence line.
Uniform Expectations
The start of the school year is an important time to reinforce our high expectations around work, behaviour, and uniform. Uniforms are available for purchase from the tuckshop via the Qkr app. New this year are girls’ shorts (available in sizes 12, 14, and 16) that offer a different style and a shorter leg length compared to the unisex shorts.
Thank you to all our parents for their continued support in ensuring students are wearing their uniforms with pride.
Swimming Program
Swimming lessons will begin in Week 3 on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with Mr. Powell and Kirsty leading the lessons. If you're available to assist with swimming lessons for your child’s class, please contact the class teacher or visit the school office for more information. Please see Mr Powell’s article below.
2025 NAPLAN
NAPLAN testing for Year 3, 5, 7, and 9 students will begin on Wednesday, 12th March, with the writing assessment. Testing will continue until 24th March. This year, we’ve transitioned to computer-based testing, although Year 3 students will still complete the writing test on paper. The online tests provide more precise results and tailored questions that adapt to student responses. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Head of Curriculum, Leesa Vacher, at lvach1@eq.edu.au.
Toys and Special Treasures from Home
Please remind students not to bring toys or special items from home, such as Pokémon cards or Matchbox cars. These can be lost or damaged, and we prefer students to keep them at home for safekeeping.
Meet the Teacher
From Week 3 teachers will be inviting families to come into the classroom and “Meet the Teacher”. This will be a time to learn how the class will be managed, homework expectations, curriculum content and general information about the class.
Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club will run again this year on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings before school. All students are welcome to come along for toast, fruit, and Milo. Breakfast is served by our dedicated community volunteers and coordinated by Wayne, our wonderful Schools Officer. Thank you to Waves of Kindness for their generous food donations!
Year 5 & 6 Surf Awareness Program
Students in Year 5 and 6 will attend the Noosa Surf Club for our annual Surf Awareness Program. The program will run for four lessons on Fridays (14th, 21st, 28th February, and 7th March). Using qualified surf lifeguards, the aim is to help students understand surf conditions and approach the beach with confidence.
Queensland School Library Week (10 - 14 February)
From the 10th to 14th February, it is Qld School Library week and we invite you to visit our library during this week to browse through our selection of parent books. You’ll find guides on a range of topics, as well as children’s books that can help start important conversations at home. One such book is I Won’t Say Please, a fun story about a Queen Bee who learns the importance of using manners.
If you cannot make it to the library during this week, Sandy, our Library Aide is in the library from 8am in the morning and again in afternoons from 2pm. Please feel free to come in and create a borrowing account and borrow from the Parent Library.
We look forward to another wonderful year ahead and thank everyone for being part of our school community. If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Warm regards,
The Pomona School Team
WE WELCOME MR CHRIS POWELL – HPE TEACHER
My name is Chris Powell and I am the HPE teacher for Term 1.
I am very impressed with the School Culture at Pomona State School and am looking forward to working with all the students during swimming lessons this term.
I have been teaching for many years, with 25 years specialising in HPE. I’m very excited to be teaching the swimming program this term and look forward to meeting the many parent volunteers who will be able to assist with the Prep and Year 1 students.
All students will need togs and rashie shirt (long sleeve preferred), swimming cap and towel. Goggles are optional for all students. Please ensure students have sunscreen applied before arriving to school. More sunscreen will be available for students to use prior to their swimming lesson.
Swimming will commence in Week 3 on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The more volunteers we have assisting the students, the better, as this allows the students to get the maximum from each lesson. Please see your class teacher if you are able to assist in anyway during swimming lessons.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or information at: cpowe45@eq.edu.au
Yours in sport
Chris Powell
DATE CLAIMERS
FEBRUARY | |
Mon 3rd | Senior parade in the school hall at 2.10pm |
Mon 10th | Whole school parade in the school hall at 2.10pm |
Thur 13th | Scholastic book club orders due |
Fri 14th | Year 5 and 6 Surf Awareness Skills program |
Mon 17th | Junior parade in the school hall at 2.10pm |
Fri 21st | Year 5 and 6 Surf Awareness Skills program |
Mon 24th | Senior parade in the school hall at 2.10pm |
Fri 28th | Year 5 and 6 Surf Awareness Skills program |
MARCH | |
Mon 3rd | Junior parade in the school hall at 2.10pm |
Fri 7th | Year 5 and 6 Surf Awareness Skills program |
Mon 10th | Senior parade in the school hall at 2.10pm |
Mon 17th | Junior parade in the school hall at 2.10pm |
Mon 24th | Senior parade in the school hall at 2.10pm |
Mon 31st | Whole school parade in the school hall at 2.10pm |
APRIL | |
Fri 4th | Last day of Term 1 |
Tues 22nd | First day of Term 2 |
Fri 25th | ANZAC Day public holiday |
JUNE | |
Fri 27th | Last day of Term 2 |
PJM HAVE BEEN BUSY
PJM have been very busy settling into the school routine! We have been making new friends, learning their names and practising our own names. There has been lots of cutting, gluing and creating. We are all excited for the year ahead!
2JA HAD A FANTASTIC FIRST WEEK!
Welcome to the new 2JA crew. We have had a fantastic first week settling in and getting to know our new friends. We are looking forward to our adventure together where we will fly high and shine bright!
SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB
Once again, this year we will run the Scholastic Book Club. Issue 1 catalogues were sent home this week with students and the due date for orders is Thursday 13th February. The easiest way to place an order is through the Scholastic platform, LOOP. LOOP is very easy to navigate and once you have set up an account, it is set for the year. Here is the link if you wish to use LOOP - https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/Parent/Login.aspx . Alternatively, you can fill out the form on the back of the Scholastic catalogue and send your order to the school office in an envelope with a cash payment.
Scholastic Book Club is a great way to encourage your child to enjoy reading and it is a win/win as Scholastic generously donate 20% of our sales back to the school in rewards.
Should you require more information, please don’t hesitate to contact me on snich127@eq.edu.au.
Sandy Nicholson
Library Aide
COME AND TRY GIRL GUIDES
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