22 August 2025

Principal's Report

Love of Books

Recently, our school celebrated Book Week with the annual Book Character Parades and Free Dress Day. I’m grateful that Camp Hill has a dedicated, fully qualified librarian, Mrs. San de Miguel, who brings incredible passion and energy to fostering a love of literacy. Mrs. D inspires our students to explore the magic of literacy in all its forms—from print to voice. Reading to a child is one of the greatest gifts a family can give, and as a mother and grandmother, I know firsthand how sharing book adventures creates joy for both reader and listener. In fact, I can still recall several books my little ones asked me to read over the years.

Camp Hill School Council

I am delighted to announce that Mrs Kerri Rook is our new School Council Chair. Mrs Rook will be very well supported by fellow Councillors – Gemma, Maria, Alyssa, Tania, Megan and Jacqui. Thank you to all members of Council for your commitment to our school.

I look forward to working with the Council as we approach our centenary year.

Planning

In the final weeks of term, our teachers - including class, specialist, and Inclusion Hub – come together in year levels for collaborative planning for Term 4. These planning days allow our teaching teams to develop a shared understanding of what will be taught, why, and how it will be delivered, moderated and reported. The professional energy generated during these planning days is truly exceptional.

Student Free Day (SFD) – Friday 5 September

Friday 5 September 2025 is a scheduled Student Free Day (SFD) at Camp Hill. Our staff will be actively involved in a diverse range of professional development during the day.

Letter to Families re Enrolment in 2026

Each year the school sends home a letter, and survey, to our families regarding the following school year. If you are leaving us at the end of the 2025 school year, I ask that you please complete and return the survey to the office, as it is important that we move forward with accurate student enrolment data. I appreciate your support.

Applications for Enrolment - 2026 Prep

By now ALL Applications for Enrolment for 2026 Prep should have been lodged at the office. If you are considering enrolling a younger sibling in Prep in 2026, you need to do so urgently. Ms Julie G (Enrolment Officer) can assist you if you have any queries related to the enrolment process.

Camp Hill Aerobics Program

Four Camp Hill teams qualified for, and will represent our school at, the FISAF (Federation of International Sports Aerobics and Fitness) National Championships to be held at the Gold Coast on Saturday, 30 August. Good luck and best wishes to the Rubies, Pearls, Lunars and Fireworks.

Camp Hill Dance – QUOTA Beenleigh Eisteddfod

I would like to congratulate the nine Camp Hill teams who participated in the recent QUOTA Beenleigh Eisteddfod, an exciting and enjoyable opportunity for all our Dance students. Their amazing results were:

Primary School – Year 6 & Under – Jazz
Jazz 1 (91.5) and Jazz 2 (89)

Primary School – Year 6 & Under – Contemporary or Lyrical
Contemporary 3^rd (92) and Lyrical (91.5)

Primary School – Year 6 & Under – Hip Hop
Hip Hop X 1^st (91.5) and Hip-Hop Z 2^nd (91)

Primary School - Year 6 & Under – Musical Theatre or Variety
Cheer Blue 1^st (92), Musical Theatre 2^nd (91) and Cheer Red 3^rd (90)

Unwell Students 

Thank you to all the families who have supported our community by keeping their children home when they’re unwell. Illness can develop quickly, sometimes even after a student has already arrived at school. I truly appreciate the prompt response of families who come to collect their children after being notified about their health. School is definitely not the place to be when you’re sick, and your cooperation helps keep everyone safe and healthy.

Thank you for your continued support for our school.

Take care

Deborah Driver

Date Claimers

Finance News

Hi Everyone

Please see below for upcoming payments.

Administration Processes

Early departures

Notify the school if your child will be leaving early via admin@camphillipss.eq.edu.au 

When students are leaving early, parents must first report to the administration office, on the appropriate campus for their child.

An administration officer will advise the class teacher of the parent's arrival. The student will be sent to the office to be collected. At no point are parents to go on the verandas to go to the student’s classroom.

Students are SHOULD NOT be collected during break times. 

• First break - 11:00am to 11:45am
• Second Break - 1:15pm to 1:55pm

Curriculum

Science Week 2025

The theme for Science Week 2025 was Decoding the universe: Exploring the unknown with nature’s hidden language.  During Science Week, a group of our science savvy year 5 students, accompanied by Ms Lenore, had an opportunity to attend Cavendish Road State High School’s primary school half day excursion.  They were involved in three ‘labs unlocked’ STEM sessions led by senior teachers as well as junior and senior STEM student leaders.  This is what they had to say about the experience …

On Tuesday 12 August some Year 5s went to Cav Rd for the day.  We got to do experiments in the high school science labs, and we had to wear special personal protective equipment (PPE).  During the day we were involved in three sessions.

Session 1: “Who’s got the flu at the zoo?”

In biology, we had to find out which animal in the zoo had the flu and had been infected with CAV-virus.  We did this by looking at fake snot.  We separated each bit of snot into A and B and added water and vinegar.  If A and B were both clumpy (clouded), we knew that both animals were sick.  If A was clear and B was clumpy, we knew that the animal was infected.  If both were clear, we knew that the animal was healthy.  After this, we pretended to epidemiologists, and we had to tell the zoo how to manage the outbreak.

Session 2: Unlocking Nature’s Code: Exploring DNA

We discovered how to extract DNA from a strawberry and learned some fun facts.  One of the fun facts was that humans eat 150 thousand kilometres of DNA per day!  We mashed up some strawberries and filtered the juice.  Then we added a special chemical that separated the DNA from the strawberry.  DNA looks like bubbles, but it seemed to sticky.  We unlocked nature’s code by scientifically squishing strawberries.

Session 3: Making in the ‘Makerspace’

In the engineering session, we made race-carts.  We constructed them with plastic pieces, wooden sticks and rubber-bands.  We then had a competition to see which cart was the fastest.  It was lots of fun!

Overall, it was a fun experience.  We found out about science in high school and what a science lab looks like.  We also got a certificate and a goodies bag to take home.

By Ethan, Jordan, Louie, Zach, Greta, Emily, Maggie and Alisha

Nicole Vokes
Head of Department - Curriculum

Student Council News

The Student Council have been busily working this semester, with many projects still to come. We began the term adding new gear to the playground equipment bins which has been very well received by students on both campuses. We will meet with classes again soon to determine which games and puzzles are needed in the school games cupboard.

Our 2025 School Council Handball Competition is now up and running and has seen the Year 6 students competing fiercely. The Year 6 competition will be followed by ones for Year 5s down to Year 3s. Once we have crowned the champion of each year level, we will have an ultimate match on Parade to determine the champion of the Senior Campus. This person will win the Camp Hill Handball Championship Trophy.

In other news, the August westerly winds always bring the Ekka and Book Week!  During this special week, the Student Council Reps (SCRs) visited the Junior Campus before school each day to read to and colour with the younger students. The SCRs loved the opportunity to connect with the younger students and share their love of reading.

You Can Do It

Having conversations with children about what it means to be persistent is important, as it enables them to consolidate their growing understanding. For example, when you hear your child saying, “This is boring. I hate this”, think about replying with: “We all have different things to do that are boring. I have learnt that it is best to keep going and get it finished. This is called persistence.”

The Prep students listed things which they are persisting with:

•      Writing letters.
•      Some games that they play.
•      Doing hard puzzles.
•      Making the bed.
•      Playing soccer.
•      Getting across the monkey bars.

There are times when we cannot do something ‘yet’. The students are realising the importance of not giving up when they are not able to master something straight away. Janelle Monae reinforces this message when she sings “The Power of Yet”. 

The second verse of the song,” I’ll Be Persistent” which the children are learning, has some sound messages ……...

News Writing Course and Brisbane Show Camp

Earlier this year, eight Year 6 students completed the News Writing Course run by the Brisbane Urban Environmental Education Centre – Ziggy HM, Arabella J, Amelie LP, Matilde M, Maria M, Zoe P, Penelope R and Kate T. These students were recognised for their dedication and hard work in completing this self-directed online course investigating the elements of a news story and developing their journalistic skills.

From the many students from across the state who participated in the course, 20 were selected to attend the Brisbane Show Camp at the Ekka – a week-long journalism camp - to further enhance their news writing skills.

Two Camp Hill students were invited to attend the camp and share their experience below.

Arabella

Last week, I attended a seven-night camp at the Ekka made up of 20 year 6 students from across Queensland. We researched information, interviewed people, and took photos to write news stories about events, competitions, and exhibits at the Ekka.   

I wrote about the wood chopping and sawing events and the Aussie FMX Freestyle Firestorm. I found it incredible how fast they chopped/sawed the wood in the wood chopping and sawing events. I also thought the jumps the FMX riders did looked really fun but quite hard and scary, and they were amazing to watch. 

We also got to see lots of interesting things like animals, exhibits, competitions, and the night show at the Main Arena. We could also see the fireworks from our classroom each night. 

Another thing that we did was Junior Judging. This was a competition where we could judge cake decorating, leatherwork, and/or fish, ordering what we thought best to last. We tried to get as close as possible to the experienced judge and some of us got to speak about why we put them in the order we did. We were judged on what order we put them in, how we explained our order, and our outfit. There was first prize, second prize, and third prize, which had prize money, and highly commendable. 

I found it very enjoyable, and it was a great experience to get to meet new people, see lots of interesting things, and write news stories.

Ziggy

From Friday 8th of August to Thursday night the following week, I slept and wrote News Articles at the Ekka. There was a total of 20 year six students, each who were hand-picked to attend the camp.

Before a News Article was ready for publishing, there were many steps that we had to go through, including interviewing, observing, writing and editing.

Wake up in my cabin was 6:30am. From there on, we organised ourselves for the day until 7:15am when it was time to walk down to breakfast. We ate in a small cafe called ‘The Railway Cafe’ just outside of the Main Arena. Some days before eating, we would venture down to the dog pavilion to see some of the puppies. Each day there were many kind owners that let us pat and learn about the dogs.

After breakfast we would clean our teeth and then be down at the classroom, on the third level of the Large Animal Pavilion, by 9:00am. All the teachers there were very helpful and welcoming. Whenever we needed to go anywhere, such as to an interview, any of the teachers were keen to take us. The days were full of fun and writing and making new friends.

At 5:00pm we would go back up to the cabins to get ready for dinner. Dinner was complementary by the owner of ‘The Railway’ and was different each night and delicious. Dessert was favoured by everyone and usually involved generous amounts of ice-cream. After that it was ‘movie time’. We would go back into the classroom and watch an exciting movie. One of the teachers, Mel, gave us a knitting kit so that we could make our own beanies (although I messed up instantly). We all had fun and enjoyed ourselves until 9:00pm when we would get ready for bed. We would play games in the cabins and relax in our beds until lights out which was 9:30.

The camp was the best experience of my life, and I was lucky enough to spend my birthday there. I got to make many new friends and got to explore a side of the Ekka I had never seen before. By the end of the camp, I had written four articles and one Exhibitor Profile.

Library News

Book Week

Our students (and parents) and teachers did an amazing job, again, with so many fabulous costumes for Book Week.  Reading really is the passport to the world. There are countless places you can go just by opening a book. Remember the Junior Library is open every morning at 8:30am if you need to borrow a book.

Thank you to the Student Council who have been reading each morning with Junior School students before school on the rubber matting. What a special Book Week treat to start our day with a great story and such happy smiling faces!! 

Premiers Reading Challenge reading period finishes this weekend. Your child has the next week to get their completed form into the Library. All entries must be submitted by 30^th August. Our prize draw for the $25 Book Voucher and other goodies will be drawn on parade after this date.

Reading Explorers Book Club also closes on Sunday 24^th August. If you have misplaced your brochure, you can order online at https://readingexplorers.com.au/.

Happy Reading,
Peta de San Miguel
Teacher Librarian

Book Week Parade

Book Week in Australia, also known as Children's Book Week, is an annual celebration of children's books, authors, and illustrators, running from August 16 to August 23, 2025, with the theme for 2025 "Book an Adventure!".

Not only did our students do an amazing job at the costume parades, our Junior school teachers, also did an incredible job supporting their students. With Year One Teachers dressed as: Wombat Stew, written by Marcia Vaughan and Year Two dressed as: Where is the Green Sheep? Written by Mem Fox. Prep Purple teachers also looked fabulous dress as: Fancy Nancy written by Jane O'Conner.

Of none of this would have happened without the hard work and dedication of our Librarian Mrs D and Principal Mrs Driver

Music

The Musical: Seussical Jr.

What a wonderful cast and crew!

Parents and carers should be getting all information about Seussical Jr. through the group email list and the Facebook group.

Please contact Philip Griffin via pjgri1@eq.edu.au if you're having problems with either of those.

The Celebration of Music

Before we know it, Term 3 will be over, but in the last week is the Celebration of Music Concert on Wednesday, 17^th September.

More information will follow, but please encourage your child to practise in the weeks leading up to the concert.  A few minutes a day, or even a few minutes a few times a week is better than the instrument only coming out of its case at lessons/rehearsals.

We'd love to put on a wonderful concert for you all!

Junior Choir

After some back and forth, we’re pleased to confirm that the Junior Choir will perform during Junior Parade in Week 7 – Wednesday, 27 August. Families are warmly invited to come along and watch their child perform.

Strings and Band

Instrumental Music Information Afternoon – Wednesday 27^th August 3.30pm

We’re excited to invite parents to an Instrumental Music Information Session next Wednesday afternoon. This session will introduce the instrumental music opportunities available to Year 3 and Year 4 students in 2026 (this year’s Year 2s and 3s).

Year 3 students in 2026 will be eligible to join the Strings Program, where they can learn a stringed instrument with our talented teacher, Rose Heratage. Rose will explain how students are selected to play the violin, viola, cello, or double bass.

Year 4 students in 2026 will have the opportunity to join the Brass, Woodwind and Percussion (BWP) Program. Our new BWP teacher, Sam Sleep, will guide parents through the selection process and answer any questions.

If you are interested in your child joining the Instrumental Music Program, please join us in the Senior Campus Music Room (E Block) at 3:30pm on Wednesday, August 27.

Important dates for 2025

Please mark the following dates in your calendars:

• Instrumental Music Information Session – Wednesday 27^th August, 3.30pm
• SingFest – Monday 1^st September (for Senior Choir)
• Southside Senior Music Camp – Tuesday 9^th - Thursday 11^th September (Selected Year 6 String and Year 5-6 Band students)
• Celebration of Music Concert – Wednesday 17^th September (all performance groups)
• Choral Honours Camp – Tuesday 21^st - Thursday 23^rd October (for selected Year 6 choir students)
• The Musical – Seussical Jr. - Thursday 13^th November (6.30pm), Saturday 15^th November (1.30 Matinee & 6.30pm) and Sunday, 16^th November (6.30pm)
• Chaplaincy Carols Night – Tuesday 2^nd December (all choirs) – NOTE date change from December 9^th
• Qld Symphony Orchestra Mentorship – (date to be confirmed) String Orchestra and Concert Band

P & C News

Upcoming Father’s Day Stalls 

The annual school Father’s Day stall will again be open to allow students the chance to select and purchase gifts for a special person in their lives whether it be Dad or Pop or Uncle Bob or maybe Mum or a family friend. Gifts are all priced at either $5 or $10. Cards will be available for $1. Shoppers are welcome to purchase several gifts for either one or several people.

This is a great opportunity to allow independence in selecting an item and an opportunity to practise skills of purchasing (like at the real shops) and provide families the convenience of shopping for a special item without a trip to the crowded shopping centre all while raising money for the school.

Classes will be timetabled to visit the stall on either Tuesday 2nd or Wednesday 3rd September - watch for details from the class teacher. If students are away or forget their money when their class visits, they will have the chance to shop on Thursday 4th September.

What Do I Do?

Please send along cash in a sealed envelope or zip lock bag with:

• Child's name and class
• List of who they are buying for (e.g. Dad $15, Papa $5, Grand-Dad $5)

We will also send a reminder via the CPR’s and teachers leading into that week.

Movies on the Oval – Paddington 3

Our long-awaited rescheduled Movies on the Oval is coming up.  

Keep September 13th free….  Pizza van is booked, and we are delighted to bring this evening to you free of charge thanks to the wonderful sponsorship of MyAgent Aus.

Register that you are attending for your chance to win a wonderful Hamper kindly donated by Cr Fiona Cunningham

Tuckshop

End Of Term Meal Deal

Ordering for the End of Term Pizza/Sushi meal deal is now open. Ordering closes Monday 15th September at 9.00am.  Get in now so you don't forget.  No late orders accepted.

Sharyn – Tuckshop Convenor
Tel: 07 3900 9429      Email: tuckshop@camphillpandc.com.au

Uniforms

Can our school community help each other?   

Do you have School Logo Winter Uniform Items (School Official Jacket or Pants) sitting in your cupboards and wardrobes that are in great condition but no longer fit your little people??

We have families looking for these items in these colder months so please drop them in to the Uniform Shop (with your details) and we can sell them on your behalf. 

Please email or pop in to see me if you have any questions.

Kerri – Uniform Shop Convenor
http://www.schoolshoponline.net.au/camphillipss 

NORMAL UNIFORM SHOP TRADING HOURS
Tuesday and Thursday:  8:15 – 9:30 am

OSHC

• Student Free Day: We have a Student Free Day coming up on the 5^th of September. Camp Hill OSHC will be open that day, providing vacation care style care. Booking forms have been emailed to families today. Please reach out if you did not receive these forms.
  
• Vacation Care: Vacation Care forms will be released next Monday 25^th August. Vacation Care will commence from the 22^nd of September and run through to the 3^rd of October.
• 2026 Enrolment: 2026 enrolment forms will be released on Monday the 3^rd of November. More correspondence will be sent out in the coming weeks so please keep an eye out for these emails for more detailed information

Your team at OSHC

Crocs Swim Club

Registrations for the Crocs Swim Club will be opening later this term so keep a lookout for details coming soon.

We are still looking for Club members to fill the following positions – without these roles filled our Season (and Registrations) cannot commence.

• Secretary
• Vice Chair
• Raffles Convenor
• Nominator and Back End Data – to assist Mark

For further information on these roles please contact swimclubsecretary@camphillpandc.com.au

Date Disclaimer – 13 September will be our Working Bee at the pool from 8am. 

Sign up details will be sent soon.

Community News

Tennis for Kids

Gardiner Chess Program