Dear Families,

Swooping Magpie

As you may be aware we have a very protective magpie causing distress and minor injuries to several of our students this week. Please be assured the safety of our students is our utmost priority. Whilst we respect the laws that apply to protected species, it is imperative that our duty of care to our students comes first when injuries are occurring. Recently, Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner commissioned a review into the management of protected swooping birds and the requirement that state licenced experts are contacted for advice. We have submitted a request for an assessment of the bird that is swooping the area between the Library, Prep buildings, ECDP and YSS Swimming Pool to Queensland Fauna Consultancy. Certain playground areas will be out of bounds to students until the assessment takes place. We have been advised it may take a few days for this assessment to occur. In the meantime; please refer to the advice provided by the Department of Environment and Science;

Staying safe

•  Wear a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses or shelter under an umbrella to protect your face from swooping magpies (painting or sticking large ‘eyes’ on the back of your hat can also deter magpies—but this won’t work for cyclists).
•  If a magpie swoops while you are cycling, it will probably stop swooping if you get off your bike and walk.
•  Avoid ‘defence zones’ by taking alternative routes during the breeding season.
• If you must enter a ‘defence zone’, magpies will be less likely to swoop if they are watched constantly, or if people walk in a close group.
• Use signs to warn others of the location of nests and defence zones, particularly in areas used by children and the elderly.
• Waving sticks or umbrellas in the air or attaching a brightly coloured flag on a long pole to your bicycle can stop magpies from swooping.

NAPLAN Student Reports

Individual student NAPLAN reports have arrived at school and sent home in labelled envelopes to students in Year 3 and 5. Please look out for these reports in your child’s bag over the coming days.

Should you have any questions regarding the reports please direct them initially to your child’s teacher.

End of term

It is hard to believe we are at the end of Term 3. Thankyou again for your commitment and collaboration as we continue to work together for the best for every child in our school.

Have a great Spring break. School returns on Tuesday October 5, 2021.

Eunice Webb
Principal