Dear Queenscliff Parents and Carers,
What an amazing Term 3 we have had! It has been filled with exciting learning experiences and new opportunities for our students. As we head towards the Term 3 Spring holiday break, it is always a beautiful time to reflect on the key highlights and successes of our school community. This term we have;
Parents and carers meeting with teachers for Parent Teacher Interviews
District Lightning Premiership for Basketball and Athletics
Exciting excursions including Biolab, Kaboom percussion excursion and Mad Science show
Year 3/4 Sovereign Hill Camp - a special experience for many students who had their first night away from home
Prep to Year 2 Wonder Schools Showcase and rehearsals for our Shrek Jnr. Musical
STEM Day and Book Week celebrations
Maths Olympiad contests and plenty more…
I continue to be impressed by our students' enthusiasm for learning and for giving all new opportunities a go, from Camp to representing our school in sporting events. It has been amazing to see our students continuing to show persistence, and learning to view ‘mistakes’ as opportunities to learn and grow, and not as failures. Term 3 has truly been magical!
Father’s Day Morning
On Friday 5 September, our school hosted a special Father’s Day coffee van and photobooth with support from our new OSHC provider, TheirCare. It was wonderful to see so many dad’s, grandfathers, uncles and special people join our students for the morning. Also, families and students had the opportunity to meet and greet TheirCare staff. Thank you to TheirCare for providing coffees and hot drinks to our families on this special occasion. Photos from the Father’s Day photobooth are on display in our school office for students, parents and carers to view. If parents wish to have an electronic copy of their child’s photo from our Father's Day morning, they can email our school office at queenscliff.ps@education.vic.gov.au and a copy will be emailed to you.
Wonder Schools Showcase
This week, our Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 classes proudly represented Queenscliff Primary School at the Wonder Schools Showcase held at the Geelong Arts Centre. This exciting event brought together schools across the region to celebrate creativity, performance, and student voice. Our students shone on stage, showcasing their talents, teamwork, and confidence in front of a large audience. It was wonderful to see our students perform choreography and characterisation on stage, from toy story characters to minions and ghost busters. It was truly spectacular. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and the way they represented our school community with such enthusiasm and pride. When students came off stage, they were buzzing with excitement and confidence. A huge thank you to our Performing Arts extraordinaire, Mrs. Hannah Petrie, for leading and organising this spectacular event for our students.
2026 Book Packs and Parent Payment Information
Information regarding book packs and parent payments will be available to parents and carers this week via Compass and our school website. At our recent School Council meeting, it was decided by the School Council to bring forward the information regarding book packs and parent payments in the school year, so that families have the opportunity to plan for the costs. This is due to the high level of expenses families experience over the Christmas and holiday period. In addition to this, teachers have undertaken an audit of the stationery and book supplies ordered from 2025 and have altered the requirements and lists for 2026 to ensure that it is appropriate to meet the needs of teaching and learning activities.
Parents and carers will be sent a copy of the Parent Payment information for 2026 via Compass. This includes details for stationery and book packs. Parents and carers will be able to access the WINC portal to order their child’s book packs and make parent payments early in Term 4.
WINC are offering free delivery to families’ home addresses if your order is over $60 and completed through the WINC portal by 5 December 2025. All orders after this date will be required to pay a delivery fee of $12.95.
If your book pack order is placed prior to 19 December 2025, WINC guarantee delivery prior to the start of Term 1, 2026. Orders placed after 19 December cannot be guaranteed delivery prior to the start of school.
Students are required to bring their stationery book pack supplies to school on their first day, Thursday 29 January. Students are encouraged to label their books ONLY with their name. Please do not label individual stationery items, including pencils, sharpeners, whiteboard markers and rubbers.
There will be Curriculum Days (student free days) on Tuesday 27 January and Wednesday 28 January 2026.
Shrek The Musical Jr. Tickets
Over the past two weeks, students have commenced undergoing complete ‘run throughs’ of our Shrek Jr. production, with students having the opportunity to try on their costumes.
Ticket sales have commenced. This year, we are selling tickets in three rounds to ensure all families have the opportunity to see their child on stage. Please see below for details regarding ticket sales:
Grade 3–6 families: Tuesday 16 September, 5pm ON SALE NOW.
Prep–2 families: Tuesday 7 October, 5pm
General public: Tuesday 14 October, 5pm
Lightning Premiership Basketball
On Thursday 11 September, our Year 5/6 students represented our school at the Lightning Premiership Basketball competition held at the Bellarine Aquatic Sports Centre. Both teams displayed fantastic sportsmanship, teamwork and determination throughout the day. Our boys team will be progressing through to Division, after 4 wins for the day. The girls team finished 3rd overall, with some very close matches, and even an exciting draw right on the buzzer. We are so proud of the way all students represented QPS both on and off the court. Congratulations!
Division Athletics
On Tuesday 9 September, we had a group of students attend the Division Athletics competition at Landy Field in Geelong whereby they had the opportunity to compete against students from the Geelong region. Congratulations to all of our athletes who competed on the day, representing QPS with determination and pride.
| Girls 9-10 100m | Macy Murphy - 7th |
| Girls 9-10 Triple Jump | Alice High 5th - Distance 6.58m |
| Boys 9-10 Triple Jump | Tommy Macmillan - 10th Distance 6.48m |
| Girls 4 x 100m Relay | Macy Murphy, Harriet Jones, Georgia Ward, Alice High |
| Girls 11 Discus | Olivia Warring 11th - Distance 10.73m |
| Boys 11 800m | Xavier Grainger 3rd - 2min 40.92s |
| Boys 12-13 800m | Charlie High 7th |
| Girls 9-10 High Jump | Alice High equal 7th - Height 1.00m |
| Girls 9-10 Shot Put | Nienke Martino 10th - Distance 4.25m |
| Girls 9-10 Long Jump | Macy Murphy 7th - Distance 3.18m |
| Harriet Jones 12th - Distance 2.77m | |
| Girls 9-10 1500m | Georgia Ward 7th |
| Boys 11 1500m | Xavier Grainger 2nd - 5 minutes 16.34s |
| Marcel Sayegh 7th - 6 minutes 3.92s |
Xavier Grainger has qualified for the Western Metropolitan Regional Championships for the 1500 metre event held at Keilor Park Athletics Track on Tuesday 21 October 2025. Congratulations Xavier! We wish you all the best!
Prep Restaurant
On Friday, our Prep put on a special restaurant for staff and school volunteers as part of their assessment for their Integrated Studies topic this term, where they have been learning all about where food comes from. With the support of Mrs. Morris and an amazing group of parent volunteers, students made bread, butter, lemon cake and pasta. It was spectacular to hear and see students demonstrating their understanding and knowledge about food and the importance of farming. Prep students were taking orders, delivering food to staff and volunteers, and sharing their understanding of where food comes from. It was great to see students show agency, enthusiasm and teamwork as part of this learning experience. I would like to express my gratitude to all of our parent volunteers who assisted with the preparation and cooking, as well as clean up and supporting our students and staff with this special experience. I was personally so impressed by the how our Prep students displayed such tremendous hospitality skills in taking orders, providing service with a smile and helping out in the preparation and serving of food. Well done Mrs. Morris and our Prep superstars!
Winter Additions to School Uniform
Recently our School Council met and decided to make two new additions to the QPS School Uniform. This came about after gaining feedback from a range of parents and carers in our community. We now have a navy puffer vest with the QPS emblem embroidered onto the front. The navy puffer costs $54.95.
Also, we have a navy, white and blue checked tunic added to the school uniform that is paired with a navy skivvy and navy tights. This addition has been added to provide options for students during Winter. The Tunic is priced at $78.90, navy skivvy - $17.50 and navy cotton tights at $19.00. In lieu of this addition, the form checked kilt will be no longer available for purchase. Students who currently wear the checked kilt can continue to do so.
Parents and carers can visit the Noone Uniform website to purchase the new additions online.
Term 3 School Council Community Event
Thank you to our School Council for organising the parents, carers and staff community event last Friday 12 September. The event was held at the Royal Hotel and was a wonderful opportunity for our families and staff to connect, fostering an inclusive school community.
Year 5/6 Natural Disasters Expo
On Monday 15 September, our Year 5/6 students showcased their learning and understandings from their Integrated Studies unit on natural disasters. Over the past few weeks, students have been writing a newspaper article on a specific natural disaster event of their choice, and created amazing diorama’s representing the features and characteristics of common natural disasters. Students presented their diorama’s and newspaper articles at the Expo as part of this term's Integrated Studies assessment. Teachers were highly impressed by the level of knowledge students demonstrated about their chosen natural disaster and the creativity reflected in the diorama’s that were showcased. Congratulations to our Year 5/6 students and staff!
Prep - Grade 3 Athletics Day
On Tuesday 16 September, our Prep–Grade 3 students enjoyed a fun-filled Athletics Day, taking part in high jump, vortex throw, bean bag toss, egg and spoon races and more! Thank you to our House Captains and Grade 5/6 student helpers for running each event with such enthusiasm, and to our wonderful parents who joined in for the parent/staff events. A big thank you also to Mrs Fitzgerald for organising the event. What a fantastic day of sport, teamwork and community spirit!
Mountain Bike Riding Achievements
On the weekend of the 6-7th of September, George and Oli Kent completed the sixth and seventh rounds of the AusCycling Victoria Mountain Bike Schools Series - its XC MTB. Over the series, George and Oli have competed at a range of mountain bike riding courses, including Dromana, Lysterfield, Gippsland, Geelong, Ballarat, Castlemaine and Bendigo.
Upon the completion of the series, George finished second for the entire series for the Under 11 Boys division. Oli consistently placed in the top five placings in the Under 13 Boys division throughout the series, placing fifth overall. Oli and George have competed against strong riders within their divisions, from students from across the state. Congratulations to Oli and George for this outstanding achievement. We are so proud of you both!
Footy Day - Friday 19 September
On Friday 19 September, our school will be hosting a Footy Day to celebrate the final day of Term 3. Students are encouraged to come to school dressed up in their footy colours or their favourite sporting team colours. In the afternoon, students will participate in footy related drills and games in their Houses and there will be a Student vs Staff Football game held at lunchtime. Parents and carers are welcome to join for the afternoon of games and drills.
School Council Sausage Sizzle and Pie Lunch
The School Council will be hosting a Sausage Sizzle and Pie Lunch on the final day of Term 3 in conjunction with our Footy Day celebrations. Order forms will be sent out to families in the coming weeks. All order forms and payments must be returned to the School Office by Tuesday 16 September. The School Council are seeking parent volunteers on the day to assist with preparing and cooking the sausages and pies. If you are interested in volunteering, please register using the link below.
Footy Day Sausage Sizzle Parent Volunteer Registration
Chess Club for Term 4
Chess Club will be running in Term 4 on Thursday afternoons from 3pm-4pm in the 3/4T classroom. Chess Club will be organised and delivered by Chess for Schools and will commence on Thursday 16 October (Week 2) and conclude Thursday 11 December (Week 10) Please see below details regarding registration through the Chess for Schools website. Last week, students had the opportunity to participate in a Chess for Schools incursion at lunchtime.
Queenscliff Market Parent Volunteer Roster
The Queenscliff Community Market season will commence on Sunday 28 September 2025. The Queenscliff Community Market is held once a month from September 2025 to May 2026. The Market is a key fundraiser for our school, with 75% of the profits from stallholder applications being donated to our school. From the 2024/2025 Market Season, we had over $15,000 donated to the school. These funds go towards specialist programs, learning and wellbeing resources and grounds and gardens projects.
This year, we have Fred Rhoads and Richard Fewster leading the Queenscliff Community Market organisation with the support of Lisa Golightly. Thank you to Fred, Richard and Lisa for your leadership and commitment to supporting our school and the market's success.
Richard, Fred and Lisa will be organising a working bee in the coming weeks to assist in preparing Princes Park for the new Market season. The Market Committee will send out correspondence via Compass in the coming weeks. Preparations include whipper snipping certain areas of the park for stall holders and painting bricks with numbers to mark stallholder locations. We would be grateful for any parent volunteers who may be able to assist.
At each Market we require parents and carers to volunteer their time for 2 hours over the period of the Market season. Parent Volunteers play a pivotal role in supporting stallholders on the day and to ensure the market runs smoothly. We require every family to volunteer once throughout the Market season for 2 hours. The volunteer times include the following:
- 7am-9am
- 9am-11am
- 11-1pm
- 1-3pm
Click here: Queenscliff Market Parent Volunteer Roster
Each family has been allocated a date and time on the attached roster. This ensures that we spread the load with families so that each family only needs to volunteer 2 hours of their time over the Market Season. Please see below for the Market Roster. Families have been listed on the Market Roster using surnames.
In the event that a family is unable to volunteer on their assigned day, we ask that you connect with another family to arrange a swap. Once confirmed, please email the school at queenscliff.ps@education.vic.gov.au or phone 03 5258 1696, so that we can keep the roster up to date and ensure the Market runs smoothly. If families wish to volunteer more than they have been rostered, they are welcome to contact the school via email or phone. When Parent Volunteers arrive at the Market for their allocated time, we ask that you check-in with the parent volunteers who have been rostered on prior to you.
If you have any questions regarding the Queenscliff Market season for 2025/2026 or the Parent Volunteer Roster, please do not hesitate to email queenscliff.ps@education.vic.gov.au or phone the school on 03 5258 1696.
Thank you for your support for the Queenscliff Community Market. It is a key fundraiser for our school to support our students' learning and wellbeing, and we are grateful for your contribution as a volunteer.
GAWS - Student Leadership Fundraiser
Our Student Leaders have selected GAWS - Geelong Animal Welfare Society, as their chosen charity to support this year. Over the past few weeks during Student Leadership meetings, students have been busy planning ideas to organise a fundraiser. The following ideas and events have been
GAWS Pet Drive - Student Leaders will be seeking physical donations of pet supplies to contribute to GAWS. These items can be brought into the school office from the beginning of Term 4. Student Leaders will be distributing posters and flyers outlining what items GAWS are in need of to support the good work they do for animals.
We invite families to contribute 1 item to donate to GAWS. Please bring donations to the school office whereby we have a collection tub.
Items GAWS accept
New or in good condition towels and blankets
Enrichment items for the shelter animals – kongs, large tug toys, small scratching posts and treats eg: pigs ears, dental chews, schmackos
Dog and cat food (wet & dry). Please consider brands that provide meat as its first ingredient, any low quality food may upset tummies.
Small cat beds & igloos
Items GAWS CANNOT accept
Fitted bed sheets (with elastic) and pillowcases
Doonas, quilts and underlays
Pillows or cushions
Electrical items
Recycled meat trays
Kennels
Pawsome Photography Competition - Students will be invited to submit photo entries of their pets for the Pawsome Photography Competition. There will be four categories that students can submit photos into:
Cutest Photo (Pet Only)
Funniest Photo (Pet Only)
Most Creative Photo (Pet Only)
Most Look-A-Like Photo (Student and Pet)
Students who wish to enter will be required to complete a Submission Form outlining the category that they wish to enter. All submissions require a $2.00 donation per photo. Submissions of the photos are due in Week 1 of Term 4 on Tuesday 7 October. All photo submissions must be submitted at the School Office along with the $2.00 donation. The Pawsome Photography Competition will be judged by the student leaders and certificates will be awarded to the top 3 photos in each category. All funds raised from the competition will go towards GAWS. Entry forms for the photo competition can be collected from the School Office.
Pet Dress Up Day - On Friday 10 October, students will be invited to come to school dressed up in a pet or animal related outfit or costume. Students will be encouraged to contribute a gold coin donation to support GAWS. We look forward to seeing the creative costumes students come to school dressed up in. The Student Leaders will organise a special ‘catwalk’ parade on the day and animal related games at lunchtime.
OSHC - TheirCare in Term 4
TheirCare will commence OSHC service at our school in Term 4 from Monday 6 October. See details and documents below.
Assembly
Our next assembly will be held on the final day of Term 3, Friday 19 September in Week 9. Parents, carers and community members are invited to join us for this special celebration whereby we will have 5/6C, Year 2, PE and Performing Arts Specialist showcasing their learning. Our first assembly for Term 4 will be held on Friday 24 October (Week 3).
School Council
On Monday 8 September, our School Council met to discuss school operations, strategic vision, financial planning.
Key topics that were discussed include:
Costs of Excursions and Camps
Parent Payments for 2026
Stationery and Book Packs
School Events (Nippers, Musical, Wonder Schools, Footy Day)
School Uniform Additions
Nature Play Space Designs
Our next School Council meeting is scheduled for Monday 20 October 2025.
If you have correspondence or feedback you would like to provide to the School Council, parents and carers are invited to email our School Council President, Daniela Sayegh at daniela.sayegh@education.vic.gov.au .
As we come to the end of a busy and rewarding term, we would like to wish all our students, parents, and carers a restful and rejuvenating spring holiday break. This is a wonderful time to pause, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends.
We also want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our dedicated teachers and education support staff for their incredible commitment, hard work, and care for our students throughout the term. Their efforts make a real difference every day, and we are so grateful for the positive impact they have on our school community.
We look forward to welcoming everyone back, refreshed and ready for an exciting Term 4 on Monday 6 October.
Nyatne baa Gobata
(Thank you and take care)
Mat McRae
Principal
