Mr Justin Kuskie  Principal

Welcome, or welcome back for 2025. It is fantastic to be able to reflect on how much has already occurred in such a short space of time. The year began with our staff coming together the week before students to organise, plan and be prepared for our school year.

In 2025 as a school our 3 priority areas of focus will be:

• Collaborative Leadership, Partnerships & Informed Practice
• Wellbeing & Inclusion
• Pedagogy & Curriculum

Put simply this year we will collectively work together to enhance our purpose of providing all students with quality learning in a supportive environment. This will be strengthened by delivering equitable high-quality learning, teaching, curriculum, and assessment. In 2025, consistent engagement will be the key.

In the first three student weeks of the year, it has been magnificent to see the level of co-operation and buy-in from our students in all aspects of schooling. Since the arrival of our students every day there has been a mix of regular learning and extra-curricular activities. Throw into the pot a public holiday, brilliant swimming carnival and highly successful local show and we are busy.

Thank you to everyone for working with us to ensure your children are prepared to make the most out of the opportunities which are on offer. If it any stage, and for any reason help is required please be comfortable in contacting the school and we will direct you to the most appropriate person, or area for support.

This Wednesday 19 February we will again hold our annual ‘Meet & Greet Evening’, at the concrete tiered seating area outside of K Block. The evening will run from at 5:30pm – 7:00pm with a brief welcome and introductions at 5:45pm, following by a sausage sizzle and sweets at 6:00pm. This is a very informal way to connect with teachers and key support staff.

Thank you for a very positive start to 2025.

Justin

Mrs Chandell Pole

Deputy Principal - Senior School

Welcome back and I hope everyone was able to spend some quality time with their friends and loved ones over the break. 

Congratulations to the Staff, House Captains and all our students for cooperating and engaging to make our Swimming Carnival such a success. Our next major whole school event is the Investiture of our Senior Leaders, taking place on Tuesday 25 February at 9:30am. We look forward to seeing the leaders take to the stage and receive their official badges and certificates. 

New Staff updates 

We are very excited to welcome the following experienced and beginning teachers to our teaching staff.  

• Ashleigh Freeman – Science, Humanities and Wellbeing
• James Howley – Technology and Science
• Chonty Vandermolen – District Relief Teacher
• Stephanie Oppermann – Health and Physical Education

We also have some changes within the Leadership Team with Chris Smith as HOD Year 11, Arts and Wellbeing, Lydia Barker as HOD Agriculture/PE and Linda Perret as HOD Humanities and Year 7.

Assessment and timetable information for the Senior School 

Students must complete all assessment on the scheduled date unless they have a valid medical reason for non-attendance. Documentary evidence which must include a medical certificate or medical report which must be provided to the school as soon as possible. If your student is unable to attend an examination, please advise the school before the exam. 

Year 11 and Year 12 Exam block will occur this term in Week 7 (10 - 14 March). 

Mr Daniel Ward

Deputy Principal - Junior School

Dear Parents & Carers

Welcome back to school for the 2025 school year. It is especially wonderful to see our new year seven students arrive at high school for the first time and settle in to learning as quickly as they have. They will attend their Year 7 camp in Week 5, which will be a great opportunity for them to establish friendships as they settle into high school.

This year at Stanthorpe State High School, we will be continuing to build a “positive learning culture”. Students will be given clear expectations about what is expected of them at school, which will help create a positive learning environment. Our REP expectations of Respect, Engaged & Prepared will continue to be a focus across the school. The REP expectations have been incorporated into our positive reward system for all students. This reward system involves all students having a REP card, which is used by staff to reinforce positive behaviour. Students will receive REP stamps on their cards for displaying expected behaviours and competed cards are then used to redeem rewards.

Once again, welcome back to school for 2025, wishing everyone a great start to the new school year.