Deputy Principal

Term 1 is at a close and we are looking forward to a restorative holiday break. There have been so many highlights this term, and as a school community we love the diverse interests and challenges that students and staff face every day.

Our Performance and Pathways team have hosted information evenings and assemblies, sent important updates for assessment policies, performed badge ceremonies, and survived NAPLAN testing for students in Years 7 and 9. If you have attended any sessions, you will know the effort and rigour that underpins these events.

Our excellence programs are off to a strong start in 2025; the Elite Volleyball Program battled the weather last weekend at the Australian Beach Schools Cup at Coolangatta Beach.  Our teams performed valiantly despite the cyclonic winds and lashing rain. Congratulations to all athletes and coaches for your dedication to the sport.

Uniform and appearance – Term 2

Thank you to all parents and carers who support their students to follow our school’s uniform and appearance policy. We remind families to check over the holidays for things like school jumpers, leather shoes (black), and appropriate items for winter uniform wear.

Parent Teacher Interviews and DayMap

Term 2 is the first opportunity to meet your child’s teachers at Parent Teacher Interviews. This year we will be using Daymap for parents and carers to manage bookings. In preparation for this, parents will be required to have finalised setting up their Daymap account. We will send further information via email about Parent-Teacher Interviews, and how to book interview slots closer to the time.

Parents and carers will have received full details in an email, however here is a quick reminder:

For those who do not have access to Daymap yet, please complete the following steps:

1. Go to https://thegapshs.eq.daymap.net/daymapConnect/

2. Click ‘Forgot your password’

3. Enter the email address you have listed with the school

4. Go to your email account to reset your password

Please note: This does not automatically give you access to see your child’s details within Daymap. Parents are still required to have an active QParents account before they will be able to view student information within the Daymap platform. If you wish to have your own QParents account, please contact enrolments@thegapshs.eq.edu.au to start the process.

For families that have the same email address listed against both parents, you will be unable to finalise your Daymap account. We will send these families another email with instructions on how to do this.

If you have trouble accessing your Daymap account, please contact daymapsupport@thegapshs.eq.edu.au for assistance.

Adair Donaldson – guest speaker

We are excited to welcome Adair Donaldson to speak with our students in Years 8–12 across Terms 2 and 3. With a wealth of experience in law and education, and student advocacy, Adair brings powerful, age-appropriate presentations that challenge students to think critically about their choices and responsibilities.

We’ve tailored the sessions to best support our students’ development. In Semester 1, Year 8 students will explore the important topics of Bullying and harassment, reinforcing the importance of respectful relationships, with Year 7 students engaging in the same session in Semester 2. This allows our youngest students some time to grow and adjust to high school before tackling these sensitive subjects.

Year 11 students will attend a focused, one-hour session on Consent, a critical and timely conversation to support their understanding and responsibility in relationships.

For our Year 12 cohort, Adair will deliver his highly regarded Career Killers presentation, which covers real-world expectations in the workplace, personal responsibility, and the long-term consequences of decision-making—all shared in an age-appropriate and engaging way.

Adair is also very keen to connect with EVP parents during his visit, recognising the vital role families play in these conversations and we look forward to offering this valuable session to strengthen our school–community partnership.

A big thank you to our P&C for generously funding this important initiative.

Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing Survey

During Weeks 1-4, Term 2, students in Years 7-12 will be asked to take part in the Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing (QEW) Survey.

We know that wellbeing and engagement are important parts of your child’s life at school. The QEW Survey is designed to measure how students view their wellbeing and engagement across different topics. The information we get from the survey helps us better understand and support our students.

An information letter will be sent out to parents and carers closer to the time. If you have any questions, please contact the school. More information, including FAQs, can be found on the Education website: (https://qed.qld.gov.au/publications/reports/statistics/schooling/students/queensland-engagement-wellbeing-survey).

School-led Review (SLR)

As part of our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, our school has been engaging in a School-Led Review (SLR). This process allows us to reflect on our current practices, gather feedback across all areas of school life, and evaluate how we are tracking in delivering high-quality teaching and learning, wellbeing, and support for all students.

To identify our strengths and recognise opportunities for growth, staff, students and leaders have been consulted across Term 1. This has been a collaborative process. Once our data is collated, we will share the findings and prepare to address opportunities. We are excited to build our capability and respond to identified needs across the school.

ANZAC Day Commemoration Services

This year’s ANZAC Day assembly will be held on Thursday 24th April, and provide an opportunity for the school community to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australians and New Zealanders who have served in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. We encourage our students to also participate in community services, including local dawn services and marches. Our school quad is the marshalling point for the local RSL Sub Branch ANZAC Day march; students and families are invited to assemble by 8:30am.The march proceeds down Waterworks Road for the service in Walton Bridge Memorial Park at 9:30am.