Term 3 – Learning, Celebration and Connection

It’s been a vibrant and energising four weeks, with students and staff diving into learning. It feels almost surreal to think we’re already approaching Week 5, a milestone that brings both a short break and a week filled with celebration.

As we look ahead, here are some key reminders and highlights for Week 5:

• School Closure
  • EKKA public holiday Wednesday 13 August 2025. A reminder to families that school will be closed for the scheduled holiday.

• Bullying No Way! Week – National Week of Action
  • Commencing Monday, 11 August, this national initiative reinforces our school’s commitment to proactive strategies that value learning, respect, and inclusion.
  • Students are invited to wear purple, the new campaign colour, to show their support. Items such as socks, hats, jumpers, t-shirts, shorts, and hair ribbons may be worn with school uniform, provided they are sun-safe and appropriate for school routines.
  • We’ll be promoting this year’s theme: Be Bold. Be Kind. Speak Up.

• Book Week Assembly – Friday, 15 August:
  • A beloved tradition, our Book Week Assembly invites students , staff and parents to dress up as their favourite book characters and celebrate the joy of reading. We look forward to seeing the creativity and spirit that make this event so special. “Book An Adventure”

As we conclude this exciting week, we extend heartfelt thanks to our community and staff, especially those who supported the Canberra Trip, Year 4 Camp and helped navigate the disruptions to our regular program this week.

Your continued partnership ensures that our school remains a place of learning, celebration and connection.

Acknowledging 135 Years of Learning , Celebrations and Community

On Wednesday 6 August, we marked our school’s 135^th  birthday, a milestone that reflects generations of learning, growth and community spirit. While the stop work action on the day meant our full school and student celebrations were postponed, our pride in this achievement remains strong.

Stay tuned as we continue to honour this special occasion throughout the term. Exciting details and events are on the way!

Study Tour Update

Our upcoming study tour with sixteen students and two2 teachers from Ritsumeikan UJI Junior High School in Japan will be arriving on 23 August 2025. They will be attending our school from 25 August and departing on the 5 September. This exciting cultural exchange will provide our school community with a unique opportunity to learn about Japanese culture and strengthen our international connections.

During their stay, the Japanese students will be billeted to local host families, where they will be involved in an Australian way of life to practice their English in a real-world environment. At Aspley State School, they will take part in a range of activities and English lessons to improve their language skills. This also gives them the opportunity to experience the routines of an Australian classroom, while learning various subject areas. Our Grade 5 and 6 “Aspley Buddies” will have the opportunity to engage with the Japanese students and gain a greater appreciation for Japanese culture. This exchange promises to be a valuable experience for all involved.

As the arrival date draws closer, we are eagerly anticipating the students' visit and look forward to a memorable and enriching exchange. Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare to welcome our guests from Japan!

We extend our thanks to Ms Mina and Mrs Wakeford for their dedication, planning and preparations for the upcoming study tour and look forward to celebrating this milestone with them.

2025 School Opinion Survey (SOS)

The 2025 School Opinion Surveys were emailed in the week beginning 21 July and is titled School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2025. Each school family will receive one email invitation from the Department of Education to complete the Parent/Caregiver Survey. 

The survey is anonymous, and the results are not reported in ways that an individual’s response can be identified by the school. Parents/Caregivers are encouraged to complete the survey.

Parents/caregivers who experience difficulties accessing the survey can request a new survey from the School Opinion Survey team via email schoolopinionsurvey@qed.qld.gov.au . 

Can’t find your invitation? If your family has more than one parent/caregiver, check that they haven’t received the invitation and/or check your junk email folder.

Planning and Preparations for 2026 

There will be many operational matters to address as we prepare for 2026. Yes, it’s time to start the conversation.

2026 Enrolments and Classroom Configurations

We need your most updated details and information, to commence the 2026 planning and preparations for our school. At this stage we predict the same school model as 2025, with twenty-eight classrooms. This includes four classes in each year level.

Confirmation of the classroom teachers appointed to the year levels will be announced at the end of the Term 4, this is subject to change and based on HR and departmental staffing requirements.

Below are frequently asked questions that could assist all during this busy time.

Is your child changing schools at the end of 2025?

If you are planning to move from Aspley State School at the end of 2025, please share this information with our administration team and your child’s classroom teacher/s.  Send an email with your child’s name, year level as well as their intended departure date and reason for leaving to the admin@aspleyss.eq.edu.au  and 2025 classroom teacher/s email.

Alternatively, please give us a call on 3863 9111 our office is open 8:00 am – 3:30 pm to take your message.

Do you wish to enrol a student in a Prep – Year 6 class for 2026?

Our 2026 Prep enrolment process is well underway, with 2026 Prep meetings occurring in Term 3 and in Term 4 our Pre-Prep Transition Program will commence.

Contact our administration team now, if you wish to be considered for an enrolment opportunity in 2026. Space is limited.

Is your family planning a late return to school in 2026?

From time to time, families will extend their overseas trip or holiday adventures, returning to school in week two or week three of Term 1. It is important that we have your best contact details and information about your intended late start in 2026. 

Our school resources and funding are based on Term 1 confirmed enrolment numbers. If we have correspondence from you indicating a delayed start, we can assure your child is allocated to a class.

Contact our administration team at your earliest convenience, to share the details for your possible late return to school next year.

Do I need to contact the school if my child is in Year 6 and going to high school?

You are not required to contact us about 2026. If your Year 6 student is enrolled into a state high school, we will be provided these details via our OneSchool system and will ensure their records are updated before the end of the year.

If your child is attending a high school within the private sector, we appreciate knowing where they will be attending school in 2026.  We can assist with transitions.

Can I share information about my child for consideration in their 2026 classroom placement?

Yes, we will accept written correspondence from parents/caregivers who wish to share information, for consideration, for their child’s 2026 classroom placement. This information will be considered, private and confidential and should be sent via email to your child’s 2025 classroom teacher.

The 2026 classes will be constructed by our teachers, who know your child, their learning, engagement and adjustment needs. They will consider your requests, which are not guaranteed.  With approximately 700 students to consider, we spend up to three weeks investing in this process, looking for the best fit for everyone.

Contact your child’s 2025 classroom teacher via email at your earliest convenience.  We will be working on student placement in their 2026 classes from week 1, Term 4. All relevant information must be emailed to the 2025 classroom teacher by Friday 19 September 2025, for review and consideration.

If you feel the information you wish to share about your child is more considered or private, you can email the sector Deputy Principal or Principal. Prep to Year 3, Ms Jenny Gross or Year 3-6 Ms Robyn Bassa can hold these details for you to assist with class placements.

Thank you to everyone who has secured enrolments for 2026.

 

Open Mornings Success and 2026 Prep Enrolment Information       

                           photos to come on Wednesday

Our recent Open Mornings were a great success, with many families taking the opportunity to visit Aspley State School and learn more about what makes our school a special place to learn and grow. Visitors explored our vibrant Prep classrooms and school facilities and were warmly welcomed by our School Captains and Leaders, who proudly led tours and shared their personal insights into life at Aspley. Their pride in our school was evident and greatly appreciated by all who attended.

We look forward to welcoming these families back in Term 3 for our Prep enrolment meetings as we continue preparations for the 2026 school year.

 Prep 2026 Enrolment Process

• Enrolment Paperwork: Families can submit enrolment paperwork now.
• Prep Enrolment Meeting: Throughout Term 3, the school will conduct meetings for 2026 Prep enrolments.
• Transition Program: In Term 4, Pre-Prep students will be invited to participate in our age-appropriate Prep Transition Program to support a smooth and confident start to school life.

We encourage families to submit paperwork early and look forward to welcoming new students and families to our Aspley community.

North District Cross-Country Success                         

The North District Cross-Country Trial, held on Wednesday 7 May in perfect weather, was both an enjoyable and highly successful event for Aspley State School. Congratulations to all of our runners who gave their best and demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship throughout the day.

 We’re proud to announce that four Aspley students, including Toby M, Sophia L, Narlu I and Marli T, have been selected to represent the North District at the Metropolitan North Regional Trials on 27 May.

 Thank you to all the parents and carers who came along to cheer on our students—it was a great day of competitive spirit and community support.

 Gala Sport         

  photos to come on Friday

Congratulations to our Aspley State School students for their enthusiastic participation in today’s Gala Sports! These special days offer more than just sporting competition—they also help build strong connections within our school and across the wider community. A big thank you to the many parents and carers who came along to support our teams. Well done, Aspley!

Student Financial Accounts

Please check the below list of issued and upcoming invoice that might be relevant for your Student/s (Italic text invoices have not yet been raised):

• Year 6 Canberra Tour
  • Deposit invoice: Due 6 Dec 2024
  • Invoice 2: Due 7 Feb 2025
  • Invoice 3: Due 21 March 2025
  • Invoice 4: Due 2 May 2025
  • Invoice 5: Due 20 June 2025
• Year 1 & 2 Swimming: Due 25 Jan 2025
• Instrumental Music Fee: Due 6 Dec 2024
• Instrument Hire: Due 6 Dec 2024
• SRS Fee: Due 21 March 2025

Term 2:

• SRS Fee Instalment 2: Due 13 June 2025
• IM Instalment 2: Due 13 June 2025
• Term 2 GALA Days: Due 28 April 2025 ($48)
• Senior Choir: Due 25 April ($20)
• Junior Choir: Due 25 April ($10)

Term 3:

• SingFest 2025: TBC ($24)
• IM Instalment 3: Due 5 Sept 2025
• Year 4 Camp: $399
• Year 5 Camp: $389

Please ensure to use QParents or the BPOINT link on invoices to make payments to the school. If payments are received directly to the bank account you must use your students EQ ID number as the reference, without this the payment will not be able to be matched to the student or applied to an invoice.
If you have made a payment directly into the school bank account this year, please contact the front office with the details (date, amount and account name) to check if an unknown payment is yours.

If you have a credit on your student/s account, please contact the office requesting it be applied to an invoice/s on your student/s account. Credits on student accounts are unable to automatically be applied to invoices by the school.

Year 4 Online Consent

Tuesday 1 April 2025, paper consent forms for the year 4 – 6 online services were sent home. Wednesday 2 April the consent was also activated through QParents. If you have a year 4 student please ensure to complete the QParents consent or if you do not have a QParents account please complete the paper form and return to the front office as soon as possible.

QParents

In 2024 the School successfully commenced using QParents for consent for various activities. This method of parents providing consent via QParents will continue in 2025 onwards.

If you have not yet created a QParents account and linked your student, one can easily be created. This will not only allow you to provide digital consent to various activities, you are also able to notify the school of Past, current or future absence. In QParents you can also review and make payment on invoices for your student.

A registration Process Guide for Parents can be located on our website.

You require your Students EQ ID number; this can be found on school issued report cards or invoices.
Should you not have the require points of ID, please come past the office with your ID for the team to confirm your account.  

Did you know you can use the BPOINT link on School invoices to make multiple payments? Simply click the link on your invoice and enter the nominated amount you wish to pay in that transaction. You can repeat this process until the invoice has been paid in full. This can be useful when paying for larger expenses like school camps. If you happen to lose track of the remaining balance just reach out to the front office and they will be able to provide the outstanding amount for you. You can also check for outstanding amounts through QParents.

Student Resource Scheme

SRS invoices have been issued for those who have returned the payment agreement form for 2025. If you are yet to complete and return this form please ensure to do so as soon as possible. New invoices for student returning late payment agreement forms were raised on Thursday 1 May 2025. Invoices for future late forms being returned will be raised on a fortnightly basis. 

Access to the online resources will be provided to students once their invoice has been paid in full. 

The Payment Agreement Forms can located on the school website. Please ensure the Payment Agreement Forms are complete in blue or black pen, not digitally signed as we are unable to accept digital signatures per Departmental Policy.

General Updates and Reminders

Aspley State School Hall will be used as a polling location for the upcoming election on Saturday 3 May 2025. Our P&C will be hosting a sausage sizzle outside the hall on election day.

School Photos will be occuring Monday 16 June and Tuesday 17 June. Please ensure the correct school formal uniform is worn on these days. 

Closer to the date a timetable will be provided to confirm the photo day for each class. 

Consulting with Teachers

Education providers must make adjustments (see reasonable adjustments below) to help students with disability to join in. I encourage you to contact your child’s teacher or case manager to discus your child’s difficulties/differences and ways that we can support your child’s success. It is important that we work together!

The Australian Government Department of Education has released new resources for students with disability and their parents and caregivers. The resources provide practical information about the rights of students with disability and the obligations of education providers under the Disability Standards for Education 2005. The resources were co-designed by people with disability, with help from Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA).

Find out more at: www.education.gov.au/students-with-disability-resources

 Reasonable Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments are actions that support students with disability to take part in education in a similar way to their peers. They can be:

• People (e.g., support staff)
• Materials (e.g., screen reader)
• Changes in how things are done (e.g., rest breaks)

The Disability Standards for Education 2005 (DSE) explain the rights of students with disability and what education providers must do to support students with disability. Reasonable adjustments are a key part of making sure students get these rights. For example, a reasonable adjustment could be a student who is sensitive to sound uses a pair of ear protectors in class to focus on an activity.

Reasonable adjustments are recorded in Personalised Learning Plans. Personalised Learning Plans are documents developed by teachers to identify learning goals, strategies and support needs.

ASPLEY MUSIC DEPARTMENT

UPCOMING MUSICAL EVENTS – TERM THREE:

The Aspley Music Team

Curriculum News 

Australian Curriculum – Refined – Version 9

The Australian Curriculum sets the learning goals for all students as they progress through their school life – wherever they live in Australia and whichever school they attend, and when parents/carers are actively involved in their children’s education, children achieve better results.

The goal for the Australian Curriculum is to develop successful learners, confident and creative individuals, and active and informed young people who are ready to take their place in society. To achieve this goal, the Australian Curriculum includes 3 parts:

• 8 learning areas which are sometimes referred to as subjects, 
• 7 general capabilities which as sometimes known as the 21st century skills 
• 3 cross-curriculum priorities

From 2025 our teachers and students will be operating in Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum, in subject English and Mathematics, with other subject areas to roll out over the coming years.  This gradual release schedule allows schools to make adjustments, changes and refinements to our curriculum delivery at a reasonable and steady pace.  

What do English and Mathematics look like in Version 9.

Over the coming newsletter instalments, I will be giving you a brief tour of what is expected in subjects English and Mathematics across difference sectors of primary schooling.

Years 1 and 2

In Years 1 and 2, priority is given to the important areas of literacy and numeracy development. English and Mathematics are the core subjects for this, but literacy and numeracy are found in all subjects. By the end of Year 2, students have a much stronger understanding of themselves and have begun to connect with the wider community.

English

Students develop literacy using texts that entertain, inform and persuade, such as picture books,
non-fiction books and films. Students grow into more independent readers, learn to create a range of different texts and become more confident when they communicate.

Students learn to:

• listen to and discuss information books, stories, films and digital texts
• independently read simple books and discuss what they have read
• discuss the characters and events in texts written by First Nations Australian and wide-ranging Australian and world authors
• decode words
• write to express thoughts and ideas
• tell a story or talk about topics they have learnt in class
• use simple punctuation, such as capital letters and full stops
• spell common words and write in sentences  
• create texts using digital tools
• give short oral presentations on topics of interest
• develop legible handwriting.

 Mathematics

Students develop number sense as they build their understanding of place value. They are introduced to mathematical symbols and learn different ways to represent numbers. They begin to use mathematical language to communicate and explain mathematical ideas, pose basic mathematical questions, and develop simple strategies to investigate and solve practical problems.

Students learn to:

• describe number sequences and locate numbers on a number line
• begin to use number sentences with mathematical symbols to represent simple additive situations
• represent simple fractions using pictures, words, objects and events
• describe and draw shapes and objects
• use informal units to measure length, capacity and mass
• tell the time from both analog and digital clocks
• use a calendar to determine the date
• position and locate objects using directions and pathways
• investigate data collected through surveys, observations and experiments.

Classroom News 

Prep A 

Prep A has had a busy 3 day start to Term 2. We spent a lot of time exploring ANZAC Day. We read stories, drew Anzac Ted, made poppies and even gobbled up an Anzac biscuit. We also began work on our new science unit - materials. We looked at what a variety of classroom items were made of and sorted them according to their material: wood, metal, fabric, paper, cardboard and plastic.

1A

Students in 1A have had a wonderful start to Term 2! In English, students began exploring differences between information and fiction texts. We created an information text on emus and read the story ‘Edward the Emu’. Check out our fabulous emu artwork! In mathematics, students are developing their place value skills by building numbers using bundles of paddle-pop sticks. We also reflected on the meaning of Anzac Day and created a poppy and wristband to proudly wear to the Anzac Day Ceremony.

2A

This term in English, Year 2 students are learning to write Information Reports.  In week 1, 2A students learnt and wrote about the Night Parrot.  This bird is unique to Western Queensland.  We watched a video and read a Non-Fiction Text to learn facts.  We learnt the night parrot was thought to be extinct for 100 years.  Scientists recently sighted it in Western Queensland in 2019. In the last month, additional Night Parrots were found in Western Australia. This unique and special parrot is nocturnal.  Read our Information report to learn more!

3A

In English this term, Year 3 will be focussing on creating a multimodal informative text. We will be concentrating on using the correct format for an information report including paragraphs that begin with a topic sentence and ideas and details drawn from sources. The students will be using language features such as sentences with adjectives in noun groups, compound sentences and topic specific vocabulary and visual features.

4A

Last term, students in 4A had fun exploring visual art conventions including colour. They learned how artists use colour to share their ideas and feelings. For example, bright colours can show joy while cool colours can create calmness. Students discovered that colours can evoke specific emotions: red might mean passion or anger, while blue often feels tranquil. They also learned how artists use colour contrasts to create depth or highlight important parts of their work.  This helped them understand how artists communicate through colour and appreciate its importance in art.

This term we will continue exploring colour, shape and space as we learn more about visual art conventions, techniques and processes to make our own expressive drawings and artworks.

5A

ANZAC Day Reflections in Year 5A

This week, our class had a special opportunity to learn more about the significance of ANZAC Day in a truly memorable way.

We were fortunate to have a student’s parent visit our classroom to share his experiences from serving in the military. He spoke to us about the meaning of ANZAC Day and why it is such an important day for all Australians and New Zealanders. He also showed us some fascinating items from his time in service, including his uniforms, webbing bag, tools, and medals.

The students were incredibly engaged and curious, asking thoughtful questions and listening carefully. Seeing real military items and hearing personal stories helped bring history to life in a way that books and videos can’t always do.

To honour what we learned, the students also created beautiful poppy-themed art and craft projects. These artworks are now proudly displayed in our classroom as a reminder of the bravery, service, and sacrifice that ANZAC Day represents.

This experience helped us all gain a deeper appreciation for the day and the people it honours.

Lest we forget.

SCHOOL STUDY TOUR 2025 - SEEKING HOST FAMILIES

Aspley State School has a long-standing tradition of hosting study tours, providing both our students and international visitors with enriching opportunities for cultural exchange. After a pause during the pandemic, we are excited to once again welcome students from Japan (Ritsumeikan Uji Junior High School) for this year’s study tour. These tours not only allow our students to learn firsthand about different cultures, but also provide a valuable chance for our international guests to immerse themselves in the Australian way of life.

Cultural immersion is a powerful tool for fostering understanding, empathy, and lifelong friendships. For our students, it enhances their Japanese language skills, broadens global perspectives, and strengthens connections with peers from across the world. For our Japanese students, staying with local families offers an authentic experience that deepens their connection with Australian culture, helping them practice English in a welcoming, real-world setting.

We are currently seeking host families who are willing to provide a homestay for our visiting Japanese students. By opening your home, you can play an essential role in this unique exchange, supporting the development of lasting international friendships and enriching both the Japanese and Australian students' lives. Information regarding homestay follows this message. We hope you can help us continue this exciting tradition at Aspley State School! Thank you.

Play is the Way

During Term 2, students will be discussing a new key concept - Be brave – participate to progress.

We will explore:

• Some fears that people experience which prevent them from getting the most out of school.
• Why it is sometimes scary to try something new in front of people.
• The many ways people behave to hide their fears.
• Making mistakes and failing may make us feel bad. It takes courage to overcome these feelings and to keep trying.

Students were introduced to a new game Snake.  This game requires students to work together in pairs to wind their way through a slalom course of hula hoops.  It takes considerable social and emotional skills to work cohesively as a unit to become a ‘snake’ that eventually glides its way through the course with speed and control.

Art Classes