Wavell Heights State School Archives

YMCA Wavell Heights Opens Enrolment for Care Programs

YMCA Wavell Heights has announced that enrollments are now open for their comprehensive childcare programs at Wavell Heights State School.

Read: 97% of QLD Classes Meet Targets: Wavell Heights State School Among Few Making Minor Adjustments

Situated within the school grounds, YMCA Wavell Heights offers a comprehensive care program designed to support working families while enriching children’s development. The service provides before and after school care, along with vacation care programs, all featuring inclusive meals and snacks to fuel young learners throughout their day.

Children attending the facility benefit from purpose-designed spaces that cater to diverse activities and interests. The service boasts dedicated indoor and outdoor areas, complemented by access to the school oval for physical activities. This thoughtful setup ensures children have ample space to explore, learn, and play in a safe, supervised environment.

YMCA Wavell Heights — Photo credit: YMCA Brisbane Outside School Hours Care/Facebook

What sets the Wavell Heights Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) apart is their commitment to holistic education that aligns seamlessly with the school’s values and vision. The service philosophy emphasises community connection and belonging, creating an environment where every child feels valued and supported.

The service deliberately creates opportunities for children of different ages to interact and learn from each other, fostering social skills and building confidence through natural play experiences.

The program’s strength lies in its balance of structure and spontaneity. While offering planned activities, the service also encourages organic play and learning moments. Their team of educators brings diverse skill sets to the program, enriching children’s experiences through activities ranging from cooking and sports to music, art, and dance.

For busy parents juggling work commitments and appointments, the service provides a practical solution to before and after school care. As part of YMCA Brisbane’s network of over 40 OSHC services across South East Queensland, the Wavell Heights facility maintains the organisation’s high standards of quality care and safety.

Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, YMCA Brisbane brings more than a century and a half of experience in supporting Australian families and children. Their approach focuses on helping children develop in body, mind, and spirit – a philosophy that underpins every aspect of their care programs.

Currently accepting enrollments, YMCA Wavell Heights offers:

– Before School Care with breakfast included

– After School Care with afternoon tea provided

– Vacation Care featuring breakfast, morning tea, and afternoon tea

Read: Our Lady of the Angels’ School Secures Top-3 Finish at Opti-Minds State Final

Families interested in enrolling their children or learning more about the service are encouraged to contact YMCA Wavell Heights directly through their website.

Published 25-November-2024

97% of QLD Classes Meet Targets: Wavell Heights State School Among Few Making Minor Adjustments

Wavell Heights State School has been identified as one of the few Brisbane schools exceeding recommended class sizes set by Queensland’s Department of Education.

Read: Wavell Heights Tops Brisbane Suburbs With Strongest Million-Dollar Home Growth in 10 Years

Education Queensland sets class-size targets of 25 students for Prep to Year 3. Wavell Heights State School reportedly has 26 students in these classes, just one over the recommended limit.

An Education Queensland spokeswoman addressed the issue, stating that most classes above target were only over by one or two students.

The spokeswoman clarified that while principals use class-size targets as guidelines when forming classes, these targets are not strict limits that must be enforced. She emphasised that the targets are meant to be flexible rather than absolute maximums.

On an encouraging note, Education Queensland reported that the vast majority of classes across the state are meeting or falling below the recommended targets, with an impressive 97 percent of classes at or under the prescribed size limits.

While Wavell Heights State School slightly exceeded the target, it’s not alone, as Salisbury State School and Mackenzie State Primary School also reported higher-than-recommended class sizes for Prep to Year 3, with average class sizes of 27 and 26 students respectively.

Interestingly, Wavell Heights State School’s Years 4 to 6 classes are within the target range, with 26 students per class against a target of 28.

Although some experts would say that smaller isn’t always better for class sizes, the Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU) maintains that smaller classes lead to more individual attention and improved student outcomes.

QTU emphasizes the importance of class size targets on its website, highlighting that these guidelines contribute to improved teacher-student interactions and outcomes, help manage teacher workload, and promote better health and safety conditions for both educators and students.

Read: Wavell State High School Teacher Wins Excellence in Teaching Award

As schools navigate these challenges, the impact on student learning and teacher workload remains a topic of ongoing discussion.

Published 6-July-2024

Gone Too Soon: Remembering Former QRL Player Jerome Joel Leedy

The Wavell Heights community mourns the passing of former rugby league prodigy Jerome Joel Leedy. Leedy, who attended both Wavell Heights State School and Wavell State High School, was widely recognised as one of the best young talents in the sport.

On 13 April 2023, former rugby league phenom Jerome Joel Leedy passed away, plunging the Brisbane rugby league community into sadness. Family and friends of Leedy, paid heartfelt tributes to him, remembering him fondly as one of Brisbane’s top young talents.

Raised in the northern suburbs of Brisbane, Leedy’s educational journey began at Wavell Heights State School and later at Wavell State High School, where his passion for rugby league took root. He excelled as a player, earning the privilege of representing both Queensland and Australia.

He also had the chance to compete on the pitch in 2010 against the renowned James Tedesco. Throughout his career, he was a member of several clubs, such as Norths Devils, Aspley, Natives, the Stingers, and Brothers. He also had a stint with the Brisbane Broncos, where he played for their under-20s team.

Leedy was remembered by his niece, Ceferina Leedy-Villarin, as “the life of the party” and “a loving father, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and mate” who loved unconditionally. He was also a devoted father to his four children, Kanara-Lee, Nakkiyra, Taneisha, and Jermaine.

“I remember one game some years ago when Jerome was playing for Brisbane Natives (who took the field with only 11 players) vs Valley’s,” a post from Simo’s Rugby League Brisbane Wrap Up reads.

“Natives were getting a touch-up by the younger full-strength Diehards side; however, two players kept rallying their troops in captain Ricky Bird and Jerome. Natives were bruised and battered, but they never gave up.

“By the end of the game, Jerome was limping off the ground with not an inch of energy left, but he didn’t complain once.

“His loyalty to his teammates and his fun-loving outlook on life made him one of the more popular players in the local competition.

“But however you may remember Jerome, nothing can ever take away the invaluable service he gave to the greatest game of all. Rest in peace brother….🙏🏻❤️”

Leedy’s former coach, Tony Lopez, said that “Jerome was one most damaging runners and could whack as well.”

“Was lucky to have coached him over the past 5plus years,” he said.

The Brisbane rugby league community, as well as Leedy’s family and friends, are very saddened by his passing. He will be remembered as a talented athlete and a lovely person with a positive outlook on life.

Published 28-April-2023