23 May 2025

From the Executive Principal

After a rewarding experience acting as Executive Principal at Indooroopilly SHS, I am genuinely thrilled to return to our vibrant school community here at Bellbird Park SSC. This school holds a special place in my heart, and I am excited to continue the important work we have started together – supporting every student to succeed, strengthening our culture, and driving improvement in all areas of school life. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Mr Timothy Barraud for his leadership in my absence, and I look forward to reconnecting with students, staff, and families as we move confidently into the next chapter of 2025.

AUSTRALIAN EDUCATION AWARDS 2025

We are proud to announce that Bellbird Park State Secondary College has been recognised as Excellence Awardees for three awards at this year’s Australian Education Awards:

1. Best First Nations Education Program
2. Best Co-Curricular Program
3. Secondary School of the Year (Government)

The Australian Education Awards, now in their eighth year, recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the country’s top performing schools and teachers. The overall winners will be announced at a Gala event in Sydney in August. Further information about the awards can be found at: https://educatorawards.com/

Parent/Carer – Teacher Interviews

Thank you to everyone who attended our Parent – Teacher Interviews in Week 3. These conversations play a vital role in strengthening the connection between home and school. They provide a valuable opportunity for students to receive individualised feedback, and for families and teachers to come together to support student growth. It's been wonderful to see the genuine learning partnerships that are forming. Our teachers value these opportunities to deepen their understanding of each learner, share progress, and exchange insights that ultimately contribute to student success.

Bellbird Park State Secondary College Open Afternoon – Wednesday 4 June

We warmly invite prospective families to join us on Wednesday 4 June for our College Open Afternoon, a fantastic opportunity to explore the vibrant heart of Bellbird Park State Secondary College. Guided by our exceptional students, visitors will tour our impressive campus and state-of-the-art facilities, gaining a firsthand look at the dynamic learning environment that defines our college. Our passionate staff will be available throughout the afternoon to provide information on our diverse curriculum offerings, enriching extracurricular programs, and the enrolment process for 2026. Please share this invitation with any families considering joining our thriving school community.

Mr Michael West
Executive Principal

Deputies Corner

It’s been a fantastic start to Term 2, with our Year 7 students now well-settled into high school life. The Year 7 precinct is a hive of activity during break times, with students making the most of social opportunities and connecting with peers. Over the coming weeks, our junior learners will have the chance to demonstrate their learning and growth through a range of classroom and assessment activities. We look forward to celebrating their progress.

We are also proud to share that Bellbird Park State Secondary College has been nominated for the Reconciliation Australia RAP Award—our first time as a school with a current, published Reconciliation Action Plan. This is a testament to the strong partnerships, cultural programs, and student-led initiatives that are shaping our commitment to truth-telling, cultural understanding, and reconciliation. We will also mark this commitment with an upcoming whole-school Reconciliation Acknowledgment event later this term.

Behind the scenes, our Student Support Team continues to work closely with students, families, and staff to maximise wellbeing and engagement. Through targeted programs, 1:1 support, and tailored interventions, we are ensuring that all students are supported to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.

Together, we’re creating a school culture where every student is known, valued, and supported.

Ms Melissa Fields
Deputy Principal Year 7 - Inclusion

Parent Teacher Afternoon and Upcoming Reports

We were pleased to host a successful Parent-Teacher Afternoon at the end of Week 3 this term. Thank you to all the families who were able to attend and engage in valuable conversations about student progress.

For any parents or guardians who were unable to attend, you're encouraged to contact the College if you would like to speak with your child’s teachers regarding their academic development.

Semester 1 reports for Year 11 and 12 students will be released at the end of this term. Reports for students in Years 7–10 will be available at the beginning of Week 2, Term 3.

A second opportunity for Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held on Thursday, 31 July (Week 3, Term 3). We encourage all families to take advantage of this time to connect with staff and support student learning.

Best Advice

Whether I’m speaking with my own three children or chatting with students at Bellbird I often find myself sharing the same message: don’t let laziness hold you back - just do it (the classic Nike Rule). Embrace challenges, step outside your comfort zone, and get involved in extracurricular activities both at school and in the wider community.

Having a positive mindset and being willing to try - even if it means getting things wrong - is essential. Mistakes are a natural part of learning, and they help us grow. By taking these small but powerful steps, students can build resilience, develop confidence, and ultimately improve their overall wellbeing.

Research shows that Students with high wellbeing gain higher grades and lower rates of absence (Suldo, Thalji, & Ferron, 2011), as well as higher self-control and lower procrastination (Howell, 2009) and enjoy more creative, open-minded thinking (Fredrickson & Branigan, 2005)

I read an article on the weekend that had a lot to do with wellbeing advice. It is also quite timely, as our Year 10’s will start to get a lot of advice about possible future pathways as they head towards the compulsory student/parent SET (Senior Education & Training) Planning days in Term 3. The article was “The best advice you’ve ever received”. Some of the advice offered was:-

“Regretting things is my only regret.”
 “Things don’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.”
“Take a breath when getting stressed or in a difficult situation.”
“You can’t control other peoples actions, but you can control your reaction to them.”
“Just be a gentleman.”
“The greatest gift you can give to your children is your own emotional well- being.”
“If there was right way to raise a child, everyone would do it.”
And lastly – my favourite
“You don’t always have to have the last word with your children.”

What’s the best advice you have been given?

Mr Gavin Grant
Deputy Principal Year 8

Have you ever wondered what goes on during a typical school day in your student’s classroom? At BPSSC one way we stay connected to student learning is through something called classroom walkthroughs—and they’re making a big difference in how we support student engagement and success.

What Are Classroom Walkthroughs?

Walkthroughs are short visits made by our college leadership team to observe teaching and learning in real time. These visits typically last just a few minutes and focus on seeing how students are participating in and engaging in their learning throughout lessons. As educators we look at what activities they’re doing, how students can connect what they are learning to what they need to do to be successful and why it is important to know what they are learning.

Why Do We Do Them?

The main purpose of walkthroughs is to stay closely connected to what’s happening in classrooms. It allows us to support teachers, celebrate great instruction, and most importantly—keep students actively engaged in their learning. We identify teaching strategies that truly engage students—such as group discussions, hands-on projects, or the use of technology—and share those successes with other teachers. When students see school leaders in classrooms, it sends the message that learning matters—and that we’re all in this together. By observing many classrooms, we can better understand school-wide strengths and areas for growth. This helps us choose the right professional development and teaching tools to promote student engagement and increase learning outcomes.

Mrs Carla Pantano
Associate Principal Year 10

Hi everyone! I’m thrilled to be joining the team and look forward to getting to know you all. I come most recently from Loganlea SHS but actually grew up three doors down the road so am very excited to be back home in the Ipswich community. I pride myself on being approachable, energetic, and always ready to lend a hand. My door is always open, and I'm here to support staff and students alike—whether it’s collaborating on a project, problem-solving, or just having a chat. I look forward to working with you all to support every student achieve growth and success in 2025. 

Ms Katie Jansons
Deputy Principal Year 11 & 12

Administration Matters

 STATE OF ORIGIN DONUTS - Wednesday, 28 May. 

QLD and NSW Donuts are available for order via Munch Monitor. Purchases can also be made over the counter on the day - While Stocks Last!

Order online at www.munchmonitor.com

Need to set up an account?  Click on the below link for further information

From the Head of Department

Teaching and Learning – Head of Department

The importance of understanding Learning Goals and Success Criteria

Every lesson at BPSSC begins with a ‘Learning Goal’ and a set of ‘Success Criteria’ which outline what students should be able to produce at different stages as the learning progresses. One of our big focuses in Teaching and Learning is on how we can encourage our students to take responsibility for driving their learning forward.

The first step in driving their learning is when students take note of their goal for each lesson, and the steps they’re going to take to achieve it. This provides the hooks on which the student can hang new information they encounter throughout the lesson, and allows them to better integrate new knowledge with what they have previously learned to understand how chunks fit together.

There are 3 questions you can ask your child to help develop the patterns of thinking that self-driven learners use:

1. What is/was your goal for that lesson?
2. What steps did/do you need to take to achieve it?
3. Why does this learning matter?

These questions, which derive from Dr Lyn Sharratt’s work on Clarity in teaching and learning, are powerful activators of the thinking processes behind deep and sustained learning.

Benjamin Turnour
Head of Teaching and Learning 

Diverse Learners – Head of Department

NDIS and Community Connections

What are community connections?

The NDIS can support all people with disability, even if you aren’t an NDIS participant. If you’re between 9 and 64, we can connect you to information and supports in your community, and also support you to apply for the NDIS. We call this community connections.

Community connections are optional. You don’t need to be eligible for the NDIS to receive community connections. And you don’t need to have received community connections to apply to the NDIS. Information gathered from community connections may help if you decide later to apply for the NDIS.

Community connections can support you to:

• find practical information about your disability or condition
• access the support you need through mainstream and community services
• connect with people with similar experiences
• apply to the NDIS. This includes helping you to submit your access request.

We understand it can be difficult to know who to talk with to understand what supports are available in your local community and how to access these supports. Connecting with a local area coordinator (LAC) is a good first step. They will help you understand the different ways we can support you to make community connections. You might only want one type of support, or a combination of these. It’s up to you.

Community connections are generally delivered by LAC’s. They have strong connections in their local community and can help support you to make connections. If you live in an area that doesn’t have a LAC, you can contact the NDIS and we’ll support you.

Community connections aren’t funded NDIS supports but they can help you take part in your community and do the things that are important to you. Depending on your situation, this might be all the support you need.

Our Local Area Co-ordinator is:
Sally Maugeri
(She/Her)
Local Area Coordinator
NDIS LAC PITC Program
Carers Queensland
Level 3, 28-30 Thorn St, Ipswich Qld 4305

National Disability Insurance Scheme Partner delivering Local Area Coordination services

P 07 3454 0500                  E Sally.Maugeri@ndis.gov.au

If you would like to meet with your child’s case manager to discuss planning for post school and what support the NDIS can offer, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are keen to start conversations as early as Grade 7 to make sure you are as well informed and prepared as possible for that next step.

Please email us with your name and your child’s name directly at diversity@bellbirdparkssc.eq.edu.au and your child’s case manager will contact you directly to organise a time to meet.

Louise Burston – Senior Diversity Coordinator &
 Phoebe Parish – Head of Diverse Learners

Head of Year Report

Mr Bishop – Year 7

Onwards and Upwards in Year 7!

It’s been a busy and rewarding few weeks for our Year 7 students.

I had the pleasure of joining our junior Rugby League team at Coombabah recently. While the results on the field weren’t in our favour, I was incredibly proud of the boys’ dedication, sportsmanship, and commitment to their team. They represented Bellbird Park with pride and resilience.         

We’ve also seen a fantastic number of Integrity Award winners across Year 7 this term. It’s been wonderful to see so many students consistently demonstrating our RISE values – Responsibility, Integrity, Support, and Effort – both in and out of the classroom. Thank you to families for continuing to support these positive behaviours at home as well.

Our Wellbeing lessons have also been a highlight this term. At Bellbird Park, we place a strong emphasis on developing the whole child, not just academically but socially and emotionally as well. A recent visit from Livin, a mental health organisation, brought an engaging and powerful presentation that encouraged students to speak up, support one another, and take care of their mental health. It was a great opportunity to open up important conversations around wellbeing.

Mr Carreon – Year 8

Year 8s Continue to Impress

Our Year 8 students continue to impress with their positive attitude and strong sense of community. Their attentiveness in class, eagerness to support one another, and growing involvement in school activities have not gone unnoticed.

We’ve seen fantastic participation in a range of events recently – from competitive (but fun!) handball tournaments to enthusiastic learning of medieval dances as part of their HASS studies. It’s been great to see students embracing both physical activity and historical learning in such an engaging way.

A special highlight for our rugby league program was a visit from a Queensland and Brisbane Broncos legend, who shared some valuable advice and motivation with our aspiring athletes. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and setting goals. 

In addition, our Boxing Beyond Barriers program has kicked off, giving selected students an exciting opportunity to build confidence, resilience, and fitness in a supportive environment.

We’re also thrilled to see strong interest in our E-Sports program, which has provided students with a new way to build teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking skills in a competitive yet inclusive setting. It’s a great outlet for those with a passion for gaming and digital engagement, and students have represented our school with pride.

Although there is still work to be done with our Attendance and reaching our goal of 90%, we are proud of how Year 8s are continuing to grow as learners and leaders within our school community. Thank you to parents and carers for your ongoing support – it truly makes a difference.

Ms West – Year 9

Leading with RISE

Term 2 has been filled with energy, growth and strong leadership from our Year 9 students. A standout moment was the Year 9 RISE Induction, which was proudly led by our Year 9 College and House Captains. Their enthusiasm and commitment to the values of Respect, Integrity, Support and Effort (RISE) set a powerful example for their peers and junior students. The event highlighted the importance of inclusive leadership and student voice in shaping our school culture.

A special thank you goes to our talented Year 7, 8, and 9 dancers, whose performances added excitement and celebration to the induction event. We truly appreciate Mrs Kersnovski for her guidance and support of the dancers. We also acknowledge the Cultural Hub Team for clearly explaining the supports and activities they offer to students, helping them feel connected, valued and engaged within the school community.

Later this year, in Term 3, our Year 9 College Captains will represent their peers and share their leadership vision at the 2025 Queensland Secondary Principals Association Conference. Their focus is on ensuring that every student feels seen, included and involved in school life—an inspiring message that reflects the heart of RISE.

Year 9 RISE Representatives are already demonstrating this through their planning of activities across the school and into the wider community. Their leadership is helping to strengthen a culture of belonging and positive participation.

This term, all Year 9 students set personal goals and reflected on their achievements and challenges from Term 1. These reflections are an important part of their growth journey. We thank our Wellbeing teachers for supporting students with their Term 2 academic and personal goals. We encourage families to discuss these goals with their children to support their progress as they move toward Semester 2.

Student wellbeing remains a key focus. Year 9 students completed the Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing Survey this term which provided valuable insight into their mental health and engagement. This data is helping us shape relevant programs and supports to meet student needs. In Term 3, students will have the opportunity to hear from a high-profile Australian sportsperson who will speak about building mental fitness, resilience and healthy routines.

This will be supported by a presentation from the Pat Cronin Foundation which aims to educate students and prevent social violence. The presentation delivers a powerful message about the dangers of one-punch violence and the importance of making respectful, safe choices. It reinforces our shared commitment to student safety and community responsibility.

Week 8 is Great is just around the corner and we encourage all students to get involved and make the most of the fun and engaging activities planned throughout the week. It is a fantastic opportunity to build connections with peers and staff, try something new and contribute to our inclusive and vibrant school culture. With a variety of events on offer—from lunchtime activities to wellbeing challenges—there truly is something for everyone to enjoy. We look forward to seeing students embrace the spirit of the week with energy, enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved.

We thank the families who attended Parent-Teacher Interviews and encourage you to contact your child’s teacher to develop further connections and support.

As the weather cools, please ensure your child is prepared with the correct winter uniform. The Uniform Shop is open during the following times:

Uniform Shop Opening Hours:

Monday: 8am to 11am

Wednesday: 2pm to 4.30pm

Thursday: 8am to 10.30am

Friday: 8am to 11am

It has been an exciting and productive term and we are proud of the leadership, reflection and participation shown by our Year 9 cohort.

Ms Menjivar – Year 10

As we near the halfway point of the school year, it’s been fantastic to see our Year 10 students settling into senior schooling so well and making strong progress across all areas.
Many students are already on track with their career planning through our Pathways program, showing great focus in preparation for their upcoming SET Plan meetings. These conversations are an important part of setting up for future success, and it’s clear that students are beginning to take ownership of their next steps.

One of the standout achievements for Term 1 has been a 75% reduction in behaviour incidents – a huge credit to the cohort. This shows a clear commitment to personal responsibility and being positive role models for peers and younger year levels.

Year 10s have also been immersing themselves in exciting learning experiences. Students interested in trades are beginning to explore real-world opportunities, while others have engaged in Scholars projects, hands-on hospitality lessons, and even a tasty excursion to Eat Street to discover how the industry works behind the scenes.

In weeks 9 and 10, students will participate in their first ever exam block. The schedule and expectations of this exam block will be communicated in the coming weeks, including an exam timetable for every student.

Finally, I’d like to give a huge shout out to the boys and girls rugby league teams. The year 9/10 girls team has been undefeated all year. This is a huge testament to the level of talent in the group and the dedication and effort each player puts in each week. Meanwhile, the boys have been engaging in sessions with Dion Teaupa, a Development Officer from Ipswich Jets and a Tongan international representative. These sessions have focused on developing core game skills, particularly catching and passing, and applying these techniques in different attacking formations and scenarios.

It’s great to see so many of our students engrossed in their learning, showing curiosity, initiative, and pride in their work and extra-curricular activities.

Applied Technology - Hospitality

Yr 12 Hospitality – Final Event

The Year 12 Hospitality classes have been trialling entrées and mains to come up with a delicious menu for our three course Showcase Dinner. We are about to start trialling the desserts to be able to finalise a menu. The Showcase Dinner is an alternate drop menu with two options for each course placed alternatively for our invited guests. The menu will be finalised and tickets will be going on sale later this term on QKR! 

Phoenix Café – Menu

The Year 11 Hospitality students have started in the Phoenix Café this term and are rotated through all the different stations as a part of their assessment. The Phoenix Café is open to Year 10, 11 and 12 students as well as staff. The menu for the rest of the term is 

Ruth Jonsson
Food studies teacher & Hospitality Coordinator

Eat Street Excursion

Friday of Week 3, Year 10, 11, and 12 Hospitality students with 6 staff, had the opportunity to travel to Eat Street at Northshore. This excursion has given the Hospitality students an opportunity to see working street food venues. How they set-up, display, prepare and serve their dishes to customers – making links to current food, drink and service trends. Year 10 travelled on bus 1 and were treated to a tour of the facilities at Eat Street – this will help them prepare for their own event in Week 8, the Pheonix Feast!

The Year 11 and 12 Certificate II in Hospitality students, were able to see industry professionals in action, to bring back to their assessment events – in particular the Year 12 Showcase Dinner, and the Pheonix Café where students complete shifts as part of Hospitality Skills module.

The students did an excellent job representing Bellbird Park State Secondary College and we hope to continue to make industry connections with our students.

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Ms Megan Sharman
Hospitality Teacher

The Arts

Where Creativity Comes Alive!

This term, the Arts have been thriving at Bellbird Park, showcasing the power of creative learning across Music, Dance, and Media.

Music Matters

Our talented Concert Band and School Choir set the tone for the Senior ANZAC Parade this week, adding depth and emotion to this important commemoration. Music isn't just performance—it fosters creativity, confidence, collaboration, and wellbeing.
Keen to get involved?

• Choir rehearsals: Lunchtimes, Monday & Wednesday
• Instrumental Music: After school, Monday & Wednesday
  Reach out to our music teachers and join the program today!

Dance with Purpose

In celebration of International Dance Day 2025, our Year 8 and 9 dancers have been exploring more than just choreography. From Irish dance to group performance, students are building skills in teamwork, resilience, cultural understanding, and confidence. Dance at Bellbird is about movement with meaning—developing abilities that students carry far beyond the studio.

Lights, Camera, Learning!

In Media, students are becoming creators, not just consumers.

• Year 8 students are learning the art of content creation while building digital safety and storytelling skills.
• Year 10 students are analysing suspense in Hitchcock’s films, exploring sound, angles, and motifs to understand how to grip an audience.
• Year 12 Media Arts in Practice students are designing video game trailer storyboards, using storytelling and direction to express their creative vision.

Across all Arts subjects, students are gaining vital 21st-century skills in communication, critical thinking, and collaboration—proving that creative classrooms are future-ready classrooms.

Check out highlights from our ANZAC Ceremony on our Facebook page! 

Melodrama Mayhem!

 Year 8 Drama students have been busy planning their melodrama scenes—and the creativity is off the charts! 🤩

From casting heroes and villains to dreaming up costumes and dramatic twists, there's been no shortage of laughter, energy, and over-the-top fun. 😈🦸‍♀️🎩

🎬 Expect big expressions, bold characters, and a whole lot of drama (the fun kind)!

Colourful Creations!

Our creative Year 7 students have been diving into the colour wheel, learning all about primary and secondary colours — and how to mix, blend, and shade like pros! 🔴🟡🔵 ➡️ 🟠🟢🟣

From bold brushstrokes to subtle shading, they’re building a strong foundation in colour theory while bringing their artworks to life. 🎨✨

It’s all about exploring, experimenting, and expressing through colour!

Let’s continue to celebrate and support the Arts at Bellbird Park! 💛

Ms Sophie Kersnovski
Arts Coordinator - Dance and Media ArtsTeacher

Science Update

Year 9 students have been demonstrating excellent practical skills in science at BPSSC while exploring concepts of light energy and heat energy. Using light boxes, they investigated how light behaves when it passes through different materials, measuring refraction angles to understand the bending of light. They also conducted experiments to examine the relationship between mass and temperature change in various substances, showing a high level of engagement and understanding of key energy concepts.

Ms Amber Jaremenko
Science Teacher

English Update

StoryFest Excursion

Late last term, the Year 8 and 9 Heiss classes had a brilliant time attending the Somerset Storyfest – a festival for young people that celebrates storytelling and imagination. The Bellbird Park SSC students were sponsored by the Storyfest committee to attend the event, so we thank them for their amazing generosity! Thanks also to Ms Divya, Ms Fraser, and Mrs Magoffin who accompanied the students on the day and who are following up all the new and exciting ideas back at school.

Here are some thoughts from the students about what they learned on the day:

8 Heiss Student Reflections on StoryFest

StoryFest was such a great experience for us to learn so much about the authors and learn about their books. The first session we had was with the amazing Amy Doak (author of the Eleanor Jones series), where we got the chance to use our mystery-solving skills to solve a murder scene. We learned all about the sub-genres in stories, like crime fiction and noir crime. The most enjoyable part of her session was when different students got up and acted out a murder scene. It was fun to watch because our friend, Sol, was an entertaining victim in a murder mystery.

The second session we had with two marvellous authors, Mel Saward and Brooke Blurton, was really cool because these authors have used their own reflections in life to build up the main character in their book, A Good Kind of Trouble. The part where they were introducing themselves was something we enjoyed the most because they were telling us all about their life as strong First Nations women. Another great moment at Somerset Storyfest was meeting and taking photos with Batman and Green Lantern because why not!

Miss Divya (our teacher) asked us how these sessions and authors impacted our writing and we thought about it… Our class will be doing imaginative writing later in the year and we would love to write crime stories like Amy, and use our own reflections in life to create a character like Mel and Brooke did. Most importantly, we would love to go on more excursions like this. We would have loved to go on all three days of the Somerset StoryFest, because we had the best time. We also wish for the authors to come to our school and present about their books. However, what we REALLY want is for the StoryFest to occur at our school. Imagine… "Bellbird StoryFest", it has ring to it! We would literally, and voluntarily, write a whole persuasive speech to bring an event like StoryFest to BPSSC. 

By Rosa, Eva, and Taj from Year 8 Heiss

9 Heiss Student Reflections on StoryFest

“Some positives I took away from the seminar were, how to write a good crime novel and how to break down a mystery to find the culprit. I am an avid reader and love writing my own stories, so this was especially enjoyable for me. Overall, this excursion was a most enjoyable experience that provided me with helpful information to go away and continue writing my own stories.” - By Emilie

“The two seminars were both enjoyable and entertaining. The first seminar was interesting and informative … focused on the art of writing a mystery story and the history of mystery books. It was fun learning about mystery books and what goes into writing them.” – By Elijah

“My initial expectations were that it would be a grand, large festival, and I was not disappointed. Out of the two seminars we attended, my overall favourite was the first one … because it was engaging and [there were] discussions and even a little puzzle including people from the audience.” – By Kemi

Year 9 English

Year 9 English students have been developing a speculative short story narrative that responds to a ‘What if’ scenario. This week students have been fleshing out their settings and creating setting descriptions as settings shape the tone, influences the plot, and reveals aspects of character. We then tested our setting descriptions on Sora, an AI image generator by inputting our setting descriptions and critiquing it by comparing and contrasting our own perspectives/visions with that generated by the AI. This was a fun way to share ideas and support knowledge and skill development in creative writing. This activity was further differentiated for our lower achievers with fill in the blanks, sentence starters and additional prompt scaffolds provided by the teacher. Students were excited to refine, edit and polish their descriptions!

See below, setting image description/prompt and SORA output image – Example from Hamish of 9C English