21 August 2025

Executive Principal News

One of the greatest gifts a parent can give a child is a love of reading. In a world filled with screens and fast-paced entertainment, books remain a powerful tool to spark imagination, develop empathy, and build the strong language and thinking skills that form the foundation for future learning.

Reading to children from an early age—right from babyhood—helps them make sense of the world around them. It introduces them to new ideas, rich vocabulary, and the rhythms of language. It also lays the groundwork for strong literacy skills, which are essential for success in school and life. Research shows that children who are read to regularly develop larger vocabularies, stronger comprehension, and greater confidence in their ability to learn.

But beyond academics, reading creates an emotional bond between parent and child. Snuggling up with a story offers more than just entertainment; it’s a chance to slow down, connect, and create lasting memories. These shared moments help children associate books with love, comfort, and joy. Parents play a vital role in fostering a love of reading. By reading aloud, visiting the library, talking about stories, and modelling a love of books themselves, parents become their child’s first and most influential teacher.

One of the memories I have as my daughters were growing up was frequenting the local library and visiting as many second-hand bookshops that we could find.  Walking into musty smelling bookshops where they would happily spend hours finding the latest Nancy Drew novels, and exchanging just read books for new titles was a popular pastime in our family.  The scent of the bookshop was eked into the timber floorboards of this labyrinth of language.  It was just heaven, and occupied them for hours, particularly during holidays at the beach.

As a Mother and Grandmother, I hope that one of my enduring legacies will be to encourage a love of books.  I still manage to devour at least one novel a week, and always have a stash on my bedside table.  You entered the front door of our home, and there were bookshelves everywhere.  It was my hope that from birth, my children would know that words mattered.  We read daily.

As an English teacher, when they entered high school, I read every English text they brought home.  We navigated ‘Fahrenheit 451’, ‘The Summer of the Seventeenth Doll’, ‘Bridge to Terabithia’, ‘Macbeth’, Robert Frost poetry, Samuel Coleridge poetry and of course the all-time classic Australian novel ‘My Brother Jack’. Even when other parents were seeking to lobby and calling for a ban on ‘My Brother Jack’ because of one sexually explicit scene, I never joined that lobby.  The novel had literary merit, and its capture of wartime Australia, and its narrative voice were powerful, and I hoped it would stretch the learning of my teenage daughter.

I hope that my daughters learned with me about the importance of words, language and reading. The words and ideas of their classrooms became part of our home discussions, often devoured avidly – an integral addition to our evening meals.  Griffith University researchers Professor Beryl Exley and Dr Linda Willis write about the pneumonic:  SSOOPP, which speaks of short, sharp, often, optional, purposeful and personalised learning episodes that occur in family homes – episodes that teachers can tap into, with simple tweaks in practice. Finnish education researcher, Pasi Sahlberg believes that “statistically, family factors such as parents’ education and occupations, community socioeconomic characteristics, and students’ peer relationships account for close to 60% of the variability in students’ test scores in school” (‘Parents as partners in Education’ Blog, September 2023).

After all, “the home is the first classroom, and the parents are the first teachers” (Jane Goodall). Therein is an untapped resource waiting for activation.

So, whether it’s a classic bedtime story or a spontaneous trip to the bookshelf on a rainy afternoon, every page turned together is a step toward a lifelong love of learning. Let’s nurture that passion early—and often.

We are so fortunate at Stretton to have two amazing Librarians Kelly and Sarah, who create and nurture a love of reading in our beautiful library spaces which become like a second home to many students.

Thanks to all the Mums, Dads and Grandparents out there for your lessons in reading…. what a gift you are bequeathing your children.

Until next time,
Jan Maresca
Executive Principal

Stretton Staff Awards

Earlier this month at the Queensland School Business Managers’ Conference Awards Evening held at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, our Executive Principal, Mrs Maresca delivered a keynote address and also proudly presented our Business Manager, Shane Woodward, with the very prestigious award for Most Inspiring Business Manager in Queensland. This award recognises Shane’s exemplary leadership, his vision and unwavering commitment towards shaping our College into one of the most high performing educational communities in Queensland. It was a proud moment for Shane accompanied by his Facilities, Finance and HR team, Tahni Pitcairn, Aimee Chamberlain and Tamra Jobson. Congratulations Shane and Team Stretton.

Earlier this month, we were thrilled to celebrate one of our outstanding Gowan Primary School teachers, Lisa Fleming, who was nominated for Primary School Teacher of the Year at the 2025 Australian Education Awards! We are incredibly proud of Lisa, and it was such a special evening to share with her. It was also wonderful to see former Stretton educators—Scott Johnstone, Michael West, and Carla Pantano—among the award nominees on the night.

Illaweena Campus Principal News

The Illaweena Campus has been busy this term with many student events, including National Science Week, Bullying No Way Day, and of course rehearsals for our upcoming musical, Shrek the Musical. It has been great to see so many students engaging in these activities this term and making the most of the opportunities they have available to them. It is often these opportunities where students will create fond memories of their time at school.

Last week, the Illaweena Campus ran its second round of parent teacher interviews. I want to sincerely thank our parent community for their engagement in this Interview round, where we had a total of 2087 interviews booked, which was an increase of 688 interviews for the same time last year. What this tells me is that our parent community is very much invested in supporting their children in their learning.

Looking at our semester 1 academic results, it has been pleasing to see some very good results for students and cohorts. It tells me that students are engaged in the classroom and are striving to achieve their best. This isn’t just about the number of A’s in any given subject area. Academic achievement can also be the progress of students, which may include maintain a result, or making improvement in results, such as moving from a C to a B.

This year on assemblies, I have been talking to students about the importance of kindness, and the importance of supporting each other. The following statement resonates with me in the way that students can support each other.

A great analogy of the power of lifting others up comes from the famous Canada geese, flying in their distinctive V-shape formation across the sky. While their appearance does serve as another reminder of the change in seasons, an examination of this behaviour can also reveal some useful lessons about leadership and the value of collaboration. Whilst the Canada geese serve as a leadership lesson, it is also a lesson in how the support of all birds achieves a common goal. When the Canada geese travel in V-formation, the lead bird’s job is not simply to guide the other birds as to which direction to fly. Rather, the lead bird’s primary role is to help reduce air drag so that the flock can fly for greater distances without expending more energy. The same approach applies to the role of leadership, where the function is not to get others to simply do your bidding, but doing whatever is in your abilities to help others succeed in reaching a shared goal.

Brad Stewart
Illaweena Campus Principal

Year 11 Deputy Principal

Pathway and Career Education

What an incredible day we’ve had on Monday 18 August completing SET Plan interviews with our Year 10 students and their families!

An incredible amount of time, effort, and preparation from staff who facilitated high-quality, future-focused conversations with our students. Students have also spent the past 10 weeks getting ready for these important meetings in their Connect Ed lessons, engaging in their Pathway and Career Education program.

Almost 300 interviews have been completed, with a small amount to be finalised in the coming week. This Year 10 cohort (our largest one yet) is truly special; they are engaged, responsive, and taking ownership of their futures. Well done to all of you — be proud!

Year 9’s are in the final stages of their Pathway and Career Education program. Week 9 will see these students engaging in small group discussions with their around their pathway and subjects leading into Year 10. In year 10, students are able to select all six subjects; one Mathematics and English, and four electives that are where they achieve their best and enjoy (but most importantly that align with their pathway).

Year 8 students are also finalising their Pathway and Career Education program, and will be taking their first steps to complete subject selections based on their interests. Students will be able to select two electives to study alongside their core subjects.

Our Year 7’s engage with their Pathway and Career Education program in Term 4 – with some exciting events and activities to commence their career exploration!

Families can start to explore together possible pathways grouped into clusters.

Rather than just talking specific careers, we can use the language of skills in “Career Clusters” to help students in their decision making and thoughts around pathways and careers.

Heather Boreland
Deputy Principal – Year 10/11

Year 9 Deputy Principal

Mobile Phones

There has been an increasing number of students not adhering to the State Government’s Mobile Phone – “Away for the Day” Policy. Several incidents of students using their phones to talk to their friends and walking around the school with their mobile phone out and visible. As a timely reminder can I please ask that Parents have these conversations to support the Policy.

What is the "Away for the Day" Policy?

The "Away for the Day" policy requires that students keep their mobile phones and wearable technology (e.g. smartwatches) switched off and out of sight throughout the entire school day, including break times. This applies from the moment students arrive at school until they leave for the day.

Staying in Touch

We understand that parents may need to contact their child during the day. In such cases, please continue to use the school office as the first point of contact. Likewise, if your child needs to contact you, they can request to use a phone at the office or speak to a staff member.

Supporting Your Child

We ask for your support in reinforcing this policy at home. Here are a few ways you can help:

• Remind your child to turn off and store their phone in their bag each morning.
• Encourage them to use break times for face-to-face conversations, play, and socialising.
• Discuss the importance of healthy digital habits and boundaries.

Junior Education Planning

Last term, students engaged in a Career Discovery Day that was one of the first intentional touch points to inspire your student’s curiosity with their future career pathway. This term, through Connect Ed, students will participate in further discovery with their Connect Ed Teachers as they move towards choosing subjects for Year 10. Please look out for notices and strategies of how you can support the conversation at home.

Semester 1 Results

Finally, a huge congratulations to all students for their work and effort during the first semester achieving very high results. When scanning the results, some 29 students achieved an A for all of their subjects and the average A-C distribution from this time last year, across the whole cohort, has improved. Some well-deserved results. Congratulations students.

Josh Holliday
Deputy Principal Year 9

Year 8 Deputy Principal News

Celebrating Commitment to Learning: Deans Commendation Breakfast

It was an absolute privilege to join a group of over 200 outstanding Illaweena students at the recent Deans Commendation Breakfast. This special event celebrated those students who achieved all As for effort and behaviour on their Semester One report cards—a remarkable accomplishment that reflects not only academic dedication but also character, resilience, and integrity.

Supporting the whole student in learning is at the heart of everything we do at Stretton State College. We know that success is not solely measured by grades, but by the habits, values, and work ethic that students bring to their learning every day. The students who were honoured during that morning embody those values, consistently demonstrating their Stretton SPIRIT, and a commitment to doing their best—not just when it’s easy, but especially when it’s challenging.

It is no small feat to receive all As for effort and behaviour. Those results tell the story of students who are focused, engaged, and willing to go above and beyond. I want to congratulate each of the Year 8s who were invited — your hard work has not gone unnoticed, and we are incredibly proud of your dedication to learning and personal growth. To all our commendation recipients—keep striving, keep leading by example, and know that your efforts today are building the foundation for a future filled with possibility.

I would also like to extend our sincere thanks to our Deans of Students for their organisation of this wonderful event. The care and thought that go into recognising student achievement in this way reflects their deep commitment to our school community and the well-being of every learner.

Looking Our Best, to Feel Our Best, to Learn Best

Recently we have been reinforcing to the Year 8s the importance of wearing our Stretton uniform with pride, as a representation of their respect for self and their respect for our school community. In the winter months and wet weather, students can be tempted to reach for comfort rather than the items which reflect the standard of uniform expected of them at school.

Our Stretton State College uniform fosters connectedness to school for our students, contributing to a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging, and symbolises our collective identity. Wearing our uniform with pride is another way we can espouse our SPIRIT values of Sincerity and Responsibility; working together as a community, being admirable in our behaviours, acting as role models for others, and being responsible for our own choices. When our students wear their uniform correctly, they are positively contributing our school culture and setting their day up for success. Self-care and self-confidence go hand in hand, and both can be promoted when our students choose to wear their uniform with pride, as part of a morning routine that sets a positive tone for the rest of their day.

We understand that sometimes there are circumstances that mean our students may have a point of difference in their uniform for the day – buttons can break, students grow taller, and the rain can interrupt drying. In these situations, we ask that students come with a note from home to explain their reason for a uniform infringement, which helps us to identify if any support might be necessary. You can also email our Deans of Students with any details or questions regarding uniform at any time.

Sasha McDonald
Deputy Principal – Year 8

Year 7 Deputy Principal News

Bullying – No Way!

This past week, our Year 7 students proudly participated in the national ‘Bullying. No Way!’ campaign, embracing the message of kindness, inclusion, and standing up for others. It has been inspiring to see our students and staff come together to promote a safe and supportive school environment.

Throughout the week, our year 7 classes engaged in a variety of activities designed to build empathy and strengthen positive relationships. Students created a beautiful Kindness Tree, filled with handwritten notes of encouragement and appreciation for peers and staff. Our Connect Ed classes performed powerful presentations that explored real-life scenarios and demonstrated how to respond to bullying with courage and compassion while others created safe spaces to express themselves creatively through dance.

Lunchtimes were a hive of activity, with team-building games and collaborative challenges that encouraged cooperation and respect. One of the highlights was a MasterChef-style activity, where students worked in teams to prepare delicious, themed snacks with the help of positive and negative feedback.

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I am deeply grateful to our wonderful staff for their creativity and commitment in planning such engaging experiences, and to our students for their enthusiasm, leadership, and thoughtfulness. Your support at home continues to reinforce the importance of these values, and together, we are building a culture where everyone feels safe and valued – Bullying: No Way

Year 7 Dean of Students

Our Dean of Students in the Year 7 space will see a change for the next 5 weeks. Mr Collins has welcomed his new daughter to the world recently and will be having some leave to care for his expanded family. Congratulations to Mr Collins and his family at this very exciting time! Replacing him for the next five weeks is Ms Jayne Richardson who will no doubt bring her trademark enthusiasm and warmth to the role during this time. If you need to contact Ms Richardson during this time, you can email her at jrich0@eq.edu.au

Student Success!

Congratulations to Miranda Wijaya who recently celebrated success at The Crystal Challenge figure skating competition held at Melbourne’s O’Brien Icehouse. This event attracts hundreds of skaters from across Australia and overseas. Miranda’s dedication and countless hours of training paid off this month, with her earning third place at this prestigious event. Congratulations to Miranda on this wonderful achievement.

Adam Hornagold
Deputy Principal – Year 7

A Message to Year 7 students

Staying Motivated

If you are like me, it is sometimes hard to stay motivated—especially when the homework piles up or things get tricky. It is often easy to give up, curl up in bed and watch NETFLIX. But you’ve got what it takes to stay on track and keep a positive mindset! Staying motivated isn’t about things being perfect – it means finding little ways to keep going even when you feel like giving up.

Here are 3 hot tips to help you power through your study time:

1. Break it down –Tackle one part at a time. Big tasks feel smaller when you split them into chunks and plan ahead.
2. Reward yourself – Finish your maths? Great! Treat yourself to a break or 20 minutes outdoors.
3. Change it up – Try studying in different spots. I like to use colourful notes and flashcards to help with my review. Sometimes I sit outside in the sun while reviewing my notes.

Just as important as study time is staying connected with the people who care about you. Who are your top 5 people you can go to when you are feeling overwhelmed? Try chatting with a parent or sibling during dinner or on the way to school—these short chats can lift your mood! Why not message a friend to check in or ask for help? Plan a catch-up with friends after school or on the weekend, even if it’s just for a walk or a quick visit at the shops. Talking, laughing, and sharing your ups and downs can keep you feeling supported, confident, and motivated to keep going. You’ve got this!

Stella Peters
Year 11 Student

Gowan Principal News

Our Engagement Team on Gowan has recently been engaging with the Happy Families resources created by Dr Justin Coulson to continue to build our understanding and repertoire of skills to support our students with their social-emotional development and wellbeing. His resources are also able to be shared with our families, so please see his recent thought-provoking article about ‘Worry Stacking’.

Worry Stacking (and how to help kids kick it!)

Have you ever seen a child or teenager lose it over something seemingly tiny?

Having to switch off their screen...
Not having the “right” pencil case...
Another child breathing in their direction… 

We’ve all been there!

In the moment, their behaviour may have seemed over the top, but their anxious response may not be as excessive as you think. This is due to the very real result of worry stacking.

Over time, anxiety from minor worries and concerns can accumulate. This compounding effect results in an overwhelming sense of anxiety or stress that is more akin to an emergency. A lost school hat can quite literally feel like life or death.

By learning how to effectively manage each worry as it arises, we can keep the stack from growing too high and maintain a sense of control over their anxiety. This is essentially like hitting the "reset" button on their nervous system.

This article by Dr Justin Coulson was originally published on the Happy Families website here (https://happyfamiliesfamilyeducation.activehosted.com/index.php?action=social&chash=033daef61ea8721921fbbeebb6f87313.6203&s=1a72f0fb6155f38416f2c6c9a0795362 ) and is republished here with permission. https://happyfamilies.com.au/answers-with-justin

Parentline: Support and advice for all Queensland parents and carers

Our Department of Education has recently launched a new support resource for parents. Being a parent can be rewarding—but it can also be challenging. Whether you’re trying to support your child with school issues, friendship challenges, behaviour, or tough moments at home, it’s completely normal to feel unsure about what to do next.

Parentline is a free and confidential service available to all Queensland parents and carers. No problem is too big or too small—and reaching out early can make a real difference.

Parentline offers advice and support on a wide range of parenting topics, including:

• bullying and friendship issues
• parent–child relationships
• parenting strategies and behaviour management
• mental and emotional wellbeing—for both children and parents

You can speak with a trained professional by phone or webchat (6am-midnight), seven days a week.

An online bullying support forum is also available. This is a safe, moderated space to connect with others, ask questions, and share experiences.

📞 Call 1300 30 1300

💬 Visit parentline.com.au

Because parenting doesn’t come with a manual—but help is here when you need it.

Judy Rose-Cooper
Gowan Campus Principal

Year 6 Deputy Principal News

2025 Canberra Tour

On Monday 28^th July, 141 of our Year 6 students set off for an exciting trip to our nation’s capital, Canberra to explore Civics and Citizenship in action. Students were provided with the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.

The adventure began with flights in and out of Sydney, giving our students the opportunity to visit some of Australia’s most iconic sights including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Taronga Zoo. A quick bus trip later and the students arrived in chilly Canberra, where a busy scheduled awaited.

Highlights of our visit to Canberra included the Museum of Australian Democracy, Australian War Memorial, Parliament House, High Court of Australia, National Museum of Australia, Questacon, National Gallery of Australia, Royal Australian Mint, National Film and Sound Archive, Mt Ainslie Lookout, Corin Forest, National Arboretum, Australian Dinosaur Museum, and the Australian Institute of Sport.

Throughout the tour, students had the opportunity to look back on Australia’s political beginnings, learning about Federation, the roles of the House of Representatives and the Senate and even debating a bill in a mock parliament session. These activities gave them a deeper understanding of how our democracy works and the events that have shaped our nation.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government contributes funding to our school in the amount of $90 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program towards those costs, which was already included in our tour pricing. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.

It was a memorable and educational experience for our Year 6 cohort and one we’re sure they’ll look back on for many years to come. A huge thank you to our dedicated teachers for giving their time, energy and care to make this trip possible. Their efforts ensured our students not only had a safe and smooth journey, but also an experience filled with learning, laughter and memories.

Emma Webber
Deputy Principal – Years 6

Year 4-5 Deputy Principal News

Year 5 Science Festival

This week, our Year 5 students had an absolute blast at Science Day, led by the incredible Illaweena Team and their brilliant Science Ambassadors. From swirling chemical reactions to testing the forces of motion, our young scientists dove headfirst into discovery. They rotated through hands-on activities like Catapult Chaos, Reaction Action, Marshmallow Towers, and the crowd-favourite Giant Bubbles. Laughter, teamwork, and plenty of “Wow!” moments filled the day as students explored the wonders of science in action. It was the perfect mix of fun and hands on learning—an experience that’s sure to spark their curiosity for weeks to come!

School Attendance – Let’s aim for 95%

Did you know that children who attend school every day are more likely to succeed in both their academic learning and personal development? We aim for every child to have at least 95% attendance throughout the school year.  Primary school is a crucial time for building the foundations of literacy, numeracy, and social skills. Each day introduces new ideas and opportunities to practise what’s already been learned. When children miss school — even just a day or two — they miss out on important lessons that are often hard to catch up on.

Regular attendance also supports important routines, friendships, and social development. Being part of the school community each day helps children feel connected, secure, and supported. These relationships are key to building resilience and a love of learning.  Let’s make every day count — because every lesson matters, and so does your child’s future.

Lauren Highman
Deputy Principal- Year 4/5

Year 2-3 Deputy Principal News

In English this term, our Year 3 students are exploring imaginative texts, as part of their learning they are engaging with the novel ‘Kumiko and the Dragon’.  They will construct their own multimodal text featuring a character who travels to a new place. Our Year 2 students have been exploring poetic devices such as rhyme, rhythm and onomatopoeia within poems, picture books and texts. They have been exploring how different texts appeal to readers and expressing their opinions about texts they have examined. I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to students share their understanding of how authors craft their texts to engage readers.

Year 2 Beenleigh Historical Village Excursion

Recently, our Year 2 classes travelled back in time during an excursion to Beenleigh Historical Village. Guided by volunteers at the village, they participated in a range of activities to explore what life was like in the past. These activities included the one teacher school, milking shed, washing apparatus, printing press and fire truck. They were then able to explore the rest of the village to see firsthand the differences between what life was like then and what life is like now. They had a wonderful day being transported to the past and exploring changes in technologies which they are studying in their Humanities and Social Sciences unit this semester.

Father’s Day Stall

Our P&C will be holding their annual Father’s Day stall on our Gowan Campus on Wednesday 3 (Prep to Year 3) and Thursday 4 (Year 4-6) September. Gifts will be priced at $3, $5 or $10 and will be available to purchase during a set time for each class on their allocated day. Should you wish for your child to make a purchase, please send them along with their money and a carry bag on their allocated day. Please see the flyer below for further details.

Colour Explosion Fun Run

Monty and the Colour Explosion Fun Run are returning to Gowan in 2025! Please support our P&C in their biggest fundraising event of the year and help to raise money for our school. All Prep to Year 6 students will have the opportunity to participate in the Fun Run on Tuesday 9 September. Students will run through obstacles and be showered in coloured powder. On the day, students can wear a white shirt to school with their sports uniform shorts. After their event, students have the option to change into their sports shirt, so please ensure this is packed. Students will wear their school hat and should bring along a water bottle for the event. Please check QParents to provide consent and create your child’s profile at www.myprofilepage.com.au to start fundraising. There are some exciting prizes including a pizza party for the 2 classes who raise the most money – 1 class from Prep – 3 and 1 class from Year 4-6.

Bec Solomon
Deputy Principal – Years 2 and 3

Prep/Year 1 Deputy Principal News

Prep/1 News

‘Leikkia’ is a Finnish word that means to play or pretend in a manner that a child has fun. 

International researchers from Scotland, Finland and America send strong messages which reflect the importance of intentional and deep play.  Children aged between 2-7 years old need to develop a positive disposition of self as learners.  Research shows us that this builds social and emotional intelligence to support resilience, grit and growth mindset.  Through child led play and inquiry, we support children who love and enjoy learning.  In our busy lives, how often do we make opportunities for authentic play?  Do we allow the time and space for active play?  Pasi Sahlberg challenges parents and caregivers to do these five things weekly:

• Sleep more every night
• Play hard every day
• Spend less time watching screens
• Read more books
• Write a letter to someone every week

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT – Prep D

Prep D students are learning to be Scientists!  Students recorded in blue writing their observations during the science experiment. Green writing demonstrates their understanding and reflections following the experiment. Isn’t it amazing what students already know when we give them the opportunity to be hands on, ask the right questions, and give them time to think and make connections.

The students have also been very curious with the construction on the Top oval. They asked questions about movement in our community – this included watching and observing, drawing, asking questions with peers.

UPCOMING EVENTS

STRETTON SPROUTS – TALK and TOUR 2026

Save the date!  Mrs Rodgers and Mrs Peters will host a Talk and Tour for Prep 2026 with our first round of Stretton Sprouts families. This will include important messages about transition to school and what the first 5 weeks of Prep 2026 will look like.

When:  Tuesday, August 26^th 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Who:  Mums and Dads from round 1 of our Stretton Sprouts Pre-Prep Program
Where: Meet us at the front gate – Gowan Campus

Terra-Lee Peters
Deputy Principal – Prep & Year 1

Year 7 ConnectEd Classes

Last week, our Year 7 ConnectEd classes proudly joined schools across Australia in marking “Bullying. No Way!” Week, a national initiative that promotes safe, respectful and inclusive learning environments.

Across all 14 classes, students teamed up to create projects spreading messages of acceptance, kindness, and zero tolerance for bullying. Each group took a different approach—some produced posters and armband campaigns, while others ran lunch competitions, wrote positive messages, or designed interactive activities for their peers.

This project is part of our ConnectEd program, where students explore wellbeing, community, and thriving in school life. “Bullying. No Way!” Week gave them the chance to put their learning into action, reinforcing the importance of building positive habits and values that shape our school culture.

Teachers were proud of the enthusiasm and creativity students displayed as they worked together, showing a genuine commitment to building a strong “Stretton Spirit” community. The finished projects were displayed across the school, sparking valuable conversations about respect and responsibility.

We are proud of the way our Year 7s embraced this opportunity to lead by example. Their efforts highlight that kindness, acceptance, and respect are at the heart of our Stretton State College community.

Jayne Richardson
Acting Dean of Students – Year 7

International

Yuteh Study Tour

On Tuesday July 15^th the Gowan Campus hosted 20 students and 2 escorts from Yuteh Private International School. The group visited Stretton for 1 week during which time they were integrated into our Year 6 classrooms giving them a first had experience of Australian School life.

During their time at Stretton the visiting students attended specialised English lessons and enjoyed a taste testing sessions where the Yuteh students had the chance to sample a variety of Australian treats. Surprisingly the most popular food was eucalyptus drops and the least popular was lamingtons.

The warm reception extended by the Stretton students made the Yuteh students feel right at home ensuring the success of the tour.

Homestay

Stretton State College is always looking for welcoming homestay families for our international students from around the world. 

Homestay families come in all shapes and sizes, they can be married couples with or without children, singles, singles with children and grandparents too. Becoming a host family will give you the opportunity to share part of your life, home and culture with an International high school student.

As a host family you need to be able to provide a safe and secure family environment with a bedroom, study area and three meals a day plus snacks.

If you are interested in participating in our International Program as a homestay family, please contact international@strettonsc.eq.edu.au for more information.

Kind regards,
Carolyn Zalewski
International Student Coordinator

Christmas in July – Act for Kids Christmas appeal

Christmas in July Week – Act for Kids Christmas Appeal

Last week, our school was filled with festive cheer as we celebrated Christmas in July to support the Act for Kids Christmas Appeal, proudly hosted by our Student Council. The week featured a range of exciting activities that brought students together while raising funds and collecting donations for children in need.

Each day brought something new — from steaming hot chocolates on Monday and silly snaps in the Christmas photobooth, to the legendary Pie a Teacher or Student challenge (twice in one week!), delicious pancakes, and a cosy Oodie/Hoodie Day. Add in live Christmas performances and plenty of laughs, and it was a week to remember! Thanks to everyone’s enthusiasm and generosity, we not only had a fantastic time but also helped make a difference for children in need.

Rebecca Roberts
Student Council Coordinator

Library

Book Week 2025

What a fantastic Book Week! A huge thank you to all the families for your incredible support and participation in Stretton’s Book Week Costume Parade this year. It was truly inspiring to see the creativity and imagination that went into the costumes worn by both students and staff. The joy and excitement throughout the day made our Book Week celebrations extra special.

Congratulations to our Book Week Parade winners:

2025 Book Week Winners

P/1/6 Best Book Week Theme-Boy: Ollie, Prep E- Up
P/1/6 Best Book Week Theme- Girl: Eva, Prep B- Do Not Open This Book
2/3 Best Book Week Theme-Boy: Chris, 2B- Treasure Island
2/3 Best Book Week Theme- Girl: Chloe 2H- You Choose

4/5 Best Book Week Theme-Boy: Ryan, 5B- Oh the Places You’ll Go
4/5 Best Book Week Theme- Girl: Grace, 5K- Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Best Costume Prep Boy: Ivan, Prep B- Two Naughty Pirates
Best Costume Prep Girl: Jacinta, Prep E- The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Best Costume Yr 1 Boy: Louie, 1A- Too Cool
Best Costume Yr 1 Girl: Sonya, 1D- Elmer

Best Costume Yr 2 Boy: Liam, 2E- Phantom Toll Booth
Best Costume Yr 2 Girl: Evellyn, 2D- Amelia Earhart

Best Costume Yr 3 Boy: Roger, 3A- The BFG
Best Costume Yr 3 Girl: Salote, 3C- Rainbow Bear

Best Costume Yr 4 Boy: Ilan, 4E- Stick Man
Best Costume Yr 4 Girl: Chloe, 4E- There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Mozzie

Best Costume Yr 5 Boy: Eli, 5E- The Jolly Postman
Best Costume Yr 5 Girl: Audrey, 5G- Gravity Falls

Best Costume Yr 6 Boy: Nathaniel, 6F- Wild Robot
Best Costume Yr 6 Girl: Aubree, 6E- Cheshire Cat

Best Staff Cohort Prep/1/6: Year 1- Pig the Tourist
Best Staff Cohort 2/3: Year 3- Are We There Yet?

Best Staff Cohort 4/5: Year 5- Alice in Wonderland
Best Staff Costume Prep/1/6: Miss Lawrence- Luna Lovegood
Best Staff Costume 2/3: Mrs Conlon- Wave Rock

Best Staff Costume 4/5:  Mrs Campbell- Mario Kart

Decorate your Door

Prep: Prep E & F- There’s No Place Like Prep
Year 1: 1B- Oh the Places You’ll Go
Year 2: 2D- Here Come the Aliens
Year 3: 3K- Our Reading Adventure

Year 4: 4E- Rowan of Rin
Year 5: 5D- Book an Adventure
Year 6: 6B- Alice in Wonderland
Specialists/Support/EALD/HOD:  Student Support Hub- We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

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Stretton Great Book Swap

In Term 4, Grades 6-12 will be participating in the annual Stretton Great Book Swap to raise money for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. We are currently collecting book donations- these can be dropped off at Illaweena or Gowan library. Please see below for more information:

Book Club

Scholastic Book Club catalogues for students in Prep- Grade 6 have been sent home. Additional catalogues can be collected from Illaweena or Gowan Library. You can place your order online via the Scholastic Loop website: 

Orders are due by 7^th September

Happy Reading,

Sara Effron
Teacher Librarian

Year 7A Lighthouse Humanities Excursion

Exploration to Ancient Egypt!

Last Wednesday, July 30, 27 very excited and engaged Egyptologists set off on an adventure to explore and investigate Ancient Egypt! They were transported back in time, to ancient worlds, as they explored the mysteries of the Abbey Museum. Students marvelled at primary sources that were thousands of years old, imagining the hands that had crafted and utilised these ancient artefacts.

Students also enjoyed an interactive lesson on mummification where the secrets of Ancient Egyptian burial practices were revealed. The students were extremely enthusiastic and participated with great revelry as they mummified Pharaoh Anahita!

Perhaps the highlight of the day however was when the students donned their archaeological hats and excavated a site to reveal the wonders of Ancient Egypt. Our young archaeologists were immersed in their dig, learning correct procedures in excavation while participating in some meaningful discussion around the ethics of archaeology.

Our intrepid detectives had a great day, learning more about the ancient world and how it impacts our lives in contemporary society.

Sue Bailey
Humanities/History Teacher

Gowan Music

CHOIR REHEARSALS – REHEARSAL DAYS

Year 2 Choir

The Year 2 Choir has now started rehearsing, on Mondays at first break in the music block (not the current Year 2 Music room). All Year 2 students are welcome to join the choir. If your child would like to join the choir, please read and return the expression of interest form that was emailed home in June, or contact Mrs Hornagold. The choir will have their first performance at the end of this term, on the Prep-Year 3 assembly. More information will be emailed to families closer to the time.

Year 3 Choir

The Year 3 Choir have been learning some new songs and have even helped make suggestions for lyrics for one of their songs! They are practising hard and looking forward to performing later in the year. It is great to see so many students still enthusiastic about choir, and to have such high numbers in the Year 3 Choir – this is the highest we have ever had in the Year 3 Choir at Stretton!

Year 4 Choir

On Tuesday 2 September, the Year 4 Choir will be participating in a massed choral event, called Singfest. This event sees 200-300 students from various schools come together to participate in singing workshops during the day, and then perform as a massed choir in the afternoon concert. Consent has now closed, and a friendly reminder that payment is due by Tuesday 26 August. If you have any questions, please contact Miss Tia Sandilands.

Senior Choir

The Senior Choir are continuing to prepare for their next main performance at Night of Stars. Selected Year 4 students have joined the choir for this performance. Rehearsals will continue each week even when school camps are on. If your child knows in advance that they cannot make a rehearsal, they can email Mrs Hornagold to let her know.

If you have any questions about choir, please contact the relevant choir teacher via email – chorn63@eq.edu.au for Mrs Claire Hornagold, and tsand162@eq.edu.au for Miss Tia Sandilands.

Yours in music,

Mrs Claire Hornagold and Miss Tia Sandilands

2026 Enrolments

Enrolling at our school 

Families wishing to enrol at Stretton State College are required to complete the enrolment application. Families can download, print and complete an enrolment application (PDF) then email back to enrolments@strettonsc.eq.edu.au.

Please note, we only accept in catchment enrolments. Our catchment map is located on the following link: https://strettonsc.eq.edu.au/enrolments/catchment-area Siblings who now reside outside of our catchment area will be placed on a waiting list depending on capacity.

We do not accept any shared living applications.

Kelly Mooney
Enrolment Officer

Kokoda Challenge 2025 – Gold Coast 48Km

Over the weekend of the 19th-20th July, Stretton had three teams take on and conquer the 48km Kokoda Challenge at the Gold Coast. The teams consisted of year 12 students and staff members who were all mentally and physically prepared and successfully completed the event. Thank you to our Team Leaders, Brad Steel, Jonathan Jones and Mitchell Clement for giving up their time to train and guide the students through the enduring 48km’s. The pride and joy shown by the students, parents and teachers as they overcame one of Australia’s toughest team events made it all worthwhile.

The teams couldn’t have achieved such amazing results without the support crew including Ms Johnson, Mr & Mrs Laguesma, Mr Wilhelmsen, Mrs Noorudheen and Ms Cubilla. Thank you also to Mrs Watson, Mrs Brown, Mrs Thompson and Mrs Hastings-Ison for arranging the food and supplements and Mrs Lau and the administrative and finance staff for their assistance. Finally, thank you to everyone who contributed to the fundraising efforts and encouraged our students. They represented both the Stretton and the Kokoda Spirit in the way they dedicated themselves to their goals.

Mr Lloyd Swift

Sports News – Football Academy

National Titles Success

Academy Captain Jayden Hansen proudly represented Queensland at the recent National Titles. Jayden was honoured to lead the state side as QLD Captain, showcasing exceptional leadership and skill throughout the tournament.

The Queensland team had a strong campaign, making it all the way to the Final, where they narrowly lost 1-0 to New South Wales in a hard-fought match. Jayden’s performances across the week earned him the title of Queensland’s Best Player of the tournament.

In a historic achievement for Stretton, Jayden was also selected in the prestigious Australian Schoolboys Team — marking the first-ever national team selection for a Stretton player.

Congratulations, Jayden, on this outstanding accomplishment!

Met West Under 12 boys

Two Gowan Academy members, Luca Amaya and Hugo Ichino, recently represented Met West at the Under 12 Boys State Titles. Both players had an outstanding tournament, playing key roles in their team’s success.

The Met West team advanced all the way to the final, finishing as runners-up and securing second place overall in the competition.

Congratulations to Luca and Hugo on their fantastic achievement and for proudly representing both Gowan and Met West

Met West U12 Girls

Megan Chong, from the Illaweena Football Academy, proudly represented the Met West Under 12 Girls team at the recent State Titles. The team had a fantastic tournament, making it all the way to the final and finishing as runners-up.

Congratulations to Megan on an outstanding achievement

Douglas Neill
Head Coach – Football

Sports News – Volleyball Academy

Volleyball Academy Achievements

It has been an extremely busy time for our Volleyball Academy over the past couple of months. We held our Year 7,8,11, and 12 Academy Camp at the end of Term 2, which was a great success in building the skills and team culture of our groups.

The Beach Schools cup event was held early this Term, and we entered 10 teams into this Queensland wide competition. Our players did a wonderful job in adapting to the sand surface our Year 10 boys pairing of Devansh Kumar and Adrian Li finished 4^th place with our Year 7 Girls fours team of Mia Cusack, Sehaj Sunner, Milica Kovacevic, Sue Lee and Shiane Fan finishing with Bronze.

Next up came our Qld Senior Schools Cup with Stretton entering four teams in honours and Div 1 competitions. Our Yr 12 Girls Honours finished an impressive 5^th Place.

Our Primary teams played in their Qld Primary Schools Cup qualifiers with all our teams making it through to the finals, which will be played this week.

On top of all this, we have had our Volleyball interschool Gala days and our Academy trials for all teams have started in earnest. We are also eagerly awaiting the opening of our new Sports Excellence Centre, which is very close and will provide our students with a world class facility for training and games. There is lots to look forward to and the future is bright for Stretton Volleyball Academy.

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Domnic Aguiar
Head Coach – Volleyball Academy

Sports News – Rugby Academy

Illaweena Rugby League Teams

A massive congratulations to our Illaweena Rugby League teams on completing their inaugural Langer Trophy and Langer Reserves campaigns! Both teams proudly finished 8th in their respective competitions. This season has been a significant stepping stone for our program, marking the beginning of an exciting new era in top-tier schoolboy rugby league. The experience gained this year sets a strong foundation for future success!

National Schoolgirls Trophy – Open Girls

Our Open Girls team wrapped up a fantastic first season in the National Schoolgirls Trophy, finishing 6th overall. In a highly competitive competition, the girls showed incredible growth and determination, securing two impressive wins and only narrowly missing the finals in a hard-fought match against Ipswich State High School. A brilliant debut season that promises even more in the years ahead!

Year 10 Boys – De Vere Shield Semi Finalists

The Year 10 Boys had an outstanding season, finishing as semi-finalists in the De Vere Shield. In their final match, they staged a thrilling comeback from 12-0 down to level the scores 12-12, before eventually going down to St Mary’s College Toowoomba 30-16. Their resilience and team spirit were on full display and will no doubt fuel their preparations as they now begin pre-season training ahead of the 2026 Langer Trophy campaign.

Year 7 Boys – Strong Finish

Our Year 7 Boys closed out their season with an exciting 34-18 win over Ipswich SHS. In what was a closely contested season, the boys were competitive in every match losing four games by less than 12 points, demonstrating tremendous potential. With plenty of positives to build on, we’re excited to see what this talented group will bring to the 2026 season!

Year 8 & 9 Boys – Semi Finals

Our Year 8 & 9 boys are continuing their dominance in the Struddys Cup with convincing wins over Coombabah (yr 8) & Bellbird Park (yr 9) in the first week of the finals. Our year 8 boys have no earnt a weeks rest before their Semi Final match. Our year 9 boys will take on St Mary’s College next week for a spot in the Semi Finals. 

Sports News – Paid Job School Crossing Supervisor Stretton State College

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