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Celebrating 135 Years of Aspley State School
Did you know that Aspley State School was the first school established in Brisbane’s northern suburbs? Built in 1890 with funds raised by local farming families, the school’s original timber and tin building was one of the oldest surviving school buildings in the area. (Ref: Aspley News)
In 2025, we proudly celebrate 135 years of learning, growth and community connection. Over the decades, Aspley has evolved into a diverse, inclusive and forward-thinking school that continues to shape the futures of our students in an ever-changing world.
135th Anniversary Design Competition
As we approach this milestone in August, we invite students and families enrolled at Aspley SS in 2025 to submit a design that captures Aspley’s legacy and bright future.
- Design Criteria
- Must include the school’s name Aspley State School or Aspley SS.
- Recognition of 135 years.
- Our school motto, ‘We Who Learn Succeed’.
- Must fit within a rectangular format for use on our school newsletter as a header, postcards and the school website. (see link below with the template)
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- This can be represented as a graphic design, sketch or text-based design that celebrates our history, our culture or our future.
- Could incorporate maroon, forest green and white - our school’s signature colours.
- May include our school emblem.
- Creativity is encouraged!
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Submission Guidelines
- Each student may submit 1 design.
Or
- Families may collaborate to submit a single entry per household.
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- Designs will be shortlisted by nominated members of the P&C and leadership team.
- The shortlisted designs will be voted on by students in their class groups.
- Parents and caregivers wishing to vote are invited to do so at our administration building.
- Once decided the goal would be to make the winning design into a school badge to be shared with all 2025 enrolled students.
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Design Competition: Grab Your Template and Get Started
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- Templates (paper copy) are available at the front office or via the attached link for downloading and printing.
- Ensure student submissions include student details - full name and current class information
- Ensure family submissions include: All members full name and students current class information.
Timeline for Submission and Voting
- Competition opens Monday 2 June (Week 7, Term 2) until Monday 14 July (Day 1, Week 1, Term 3).
- Shortlisting to occur from Tuesday 15 July to Friday 18 July (Week 1, Term 3).
- Voting to occur from Monday 21 July (Week 2, Term 3) to Friday 1 August (Week 3, Term 3).
- Winner/s announced from Monday 4 August (Week 4, Term 3).
More Anniversary Celebrations Ahead
We are currently finalising additional initiatives to mark 135 years of Aspley State School. Once confirmed, we will share these details with our community. Stay tuned for more exciting ways to celebrate our school’s incredible history!
The details regarding this competition will be shared will all students at relevant assemblies and in classrooms with their teacher. The dates for submission and voting have been selected to cater for those attending camps in Term 3, or out of school in the coming weeks as well as offering additional time to be creative over the upcoming holiday.
Let’s make history together, Aspley!
Prep Book Look – A Special Peek into Learning!
Our Prep students are excited to invite their parents and carers to our upcoming Prep Book Look session! This is a wonderful opportunity for students to share the learning they’ve been doing so far this year. Families will get a chance to explore the classroom environment, view student work, and celebrate the achievements and growth of our youngest learners.
We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating this special milestone together!
Under 8s Day 2025 – "Unleashing Scientific Thinking Through Play"
Under 8s Day is a Queensland-based annual event that celebrates the first eight years of a child’s life and promotes learning through play.
At Aspley State School, we will be celebrating Under 8s Day on Tuesday 24 June. This year’s theme is "Unleashing Scientific Thinking Through Play".
Students in Prep to Year 2 are invited to participate and are encouraged to dress as a scientist. Costumes must be sun-safe and school-appropriate, including closed-in shoes, sleeves, and a school hat.
We look forward to a fun and engaging day of science-themed play and discovery!
Year 3 to 6 ATHLETICS CARNIVAL DATE CLAIMER
P-2 ATHLETICS CARNIVAL DATE CLAIMER
- WHEN:Thursday 26 June 2025
- WHERE:Starting at your classroom for the role.Your teachers will bring you up to the big oval.
- ATTIRE:House colour clothes (sun safe ones of course!) or your Aspley school uniform, sneakers, a hat and sunscreen.
- WHAT TO BRING: Hat, water bottle, lunch, sunscreen, a positive attitude and good sportsmanship!
Reading: The Key That Unlocks Learning
Building Language Through Dialogic Reading at Aspley State School
Learning to read is truly life-changing. From reading signs and recipes to understanding schoolwork, books, websites and beyond, reading and writing are part of almost everything we do. At Aspley State School, we are proud to support every student on their reading journey – every day, in every classroom.
How We Teach Reading
In Queensland state schools, including Aspley, our approach to teaching reading is both evidence-informed and carefully structured. We focus on two key areas:
- Word reading – teaching students how to decode words through a systematic synthetic phonics program and word study.
- Language comprehension – helping students understand what they read by developing their vocabulary and background knowledge experience.
From Prep to Year 2, we use a consistent, school-wide approach to phonics. This means all students are taught to read and spell words using the same high-quality program, giving them a strong and confident start. Please see our 2024 newsletters for further information.
As students move into Years 3 to 6, they build on this foundation. They learn to read and understand more complex, multisyllabic words and rich curriculum texts across all learning areas.
A Special Focus in 2025: Shared and Dialogic Reading
This year, we have a school-wide focus on strengthening students’ language comprehension through shared and dialogic reading. This is an engaging and interactive way of reading together that turns reading into a conversation.
Rather than simply reading aloud to children, dialogic reading invites students to think deeply, make predictions, ask questions, and connect the story to their own experiences. Teachers use structured strategies to encourage rich discussions and deeper understanding.
How It Works:
- We read high-quality, age-appropriate texts aloud.
- We ask open-ended and thought-provoking questions.
- We encourage students to express their ideas, explain their thinking, and explore vocabulary in context.
This approach is especially powerful in the early years, but it benefits readers of all ages. It supports oral language development, builds critical thinking skills, and deepens students’ comprehension – which is essential for learning across all subject areas.
Working Together
Reading is a team effort – and families play a vital role. When you read with your child at home, try asking questions, talking about what’s happening in the story, and exploring new words together. Whether it's a bedtime story or a conversation about a recipe, these everyday moments make a big difference.
At Aspley, we are committed to building strong, confident, and thoughtful readers. Dialogic reading is just one of the many ways we bring the joy and power of reading to life in our classrooms.
Year 4 and Year 5 Camp – Consent Forms Due
A reminder that consent forms for the Year 4 and Year 5 camp were due today, either via QParents or by returning the paper forms to the office.
Students whose consents are received after today will be placed on a waitlist for attendance at their Term 3 camp.
Families who have provided consent will shortly receive their camp payment invoices. If you would like to set up a payment plan, please contact our Business Manager, Hannah Payne. We are here to support our families and encourage you to reach out if you need assistance.
Year 6 Canberra Trip
Thank you to the families who were able to join us on Wednesday evening for the parent information session. We hope you found it informative and helpful as you make final preparations for the upcoming Canberra trip.
The presentation from the session has been emailed to families of students attending the trip. If you did not receive this email, please contact our school administration team to request a copy.
Medication Forms
Administering Medication forms (green forms) were sent home this week with all students attending the Year 6 Canberra trip. Additional forms are available from the school office if needed.
If your child requires medication while in Canberra, please note that:
- All medications must be prescribed by a doctor or dentist.
- Each medication requires its own completed form/s.
- Medications must be handed directly to, and collected from, the school by a parent or carer—students cannot bring these in or take them home themselves.
Information regarding the dates for submitting medications to the office will be shared in upcoming newsletters.
We often hear about the negative effects of too much screen time on children's physical and mental health. Excessive use of screens can also come with online safety risks. While some families choose to go screen-free, that’s not the only option. Screens are part of daily life – they’re used in schools, for communication, at home, and for both work and personal use.
What really matters is finding a healthy balance. Creating positive screen-time habits at home can benefit children in many ways.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to screen use. What works for one age group may not suit another. That’s why it’s important to monitor your child’s screen use and set boundaries that make sense for your family. Every household is different – it’s up to you to decide what feels right. To help you get started, here are a few tips:
Screen Time Tips for School-Aged Children (5–16 years)
- Stick to guidelines: Many international experts recommend keeping recreational screen time to no more than two hours per day (not including schoolwork). Make it quality time by taking an interest in what your child is watching or playing.
- Offer alternatives: Plan other activities to break up screen time – a trip to the park, playing outside, or joining a sport or club can keep kids engaged and moving.
- Set clear boundaries: Establishing screen time schedules helps children manage their use and can reduce overuse – especially during weekends and school holidays. Depending on their age, involve your child in the decision-making. For example, they might choose whether device time happens before or after homework. Teaching them how to follow a screen-time routine can make things smoother for everyone.
By guiding children to use screens in healthy, balanced ways, we support their well-being and help them develop lifelong habits.
For more ideas on creating boundaries for screen use, Triple P Online has a range of online parenting programs. For support with teens, you could try Teen Triple P Online. For parents and carers of children with disability, you might be interested in Stepping Stones Triple P Online.
For more tips and strategies for raising confident kids, visit Triple P Online.
Source: Triple P Online
Safe Air Squad - We are SAFE
Have you felt the change in the air? We have!
Now that the seasons are changing, we’ve turned off the air conditioners and opened the windows and doors to let in fresh air. This helps keep our classrooms nice and airy.
We also have the CO2 monitors in the classrooms to remind us to keep the air clean and fresh, even as the weather gets cooler. Even though it’s getting a bit chillier, our classrooms are getting the fresh air we need to make sure we are ready to learn.
Transitioning To High School
As our Year 6 students complete the first semester of their final year in primary school, it’s time to look ahead to an exciting new chapter: high school!
Transitioning to high school is a major milestone, and we’re here to support students and families every step of the way.
Enrolments for Year 7 typically open in Term 2 when your child is in Year 6. To ensure your child is ready and doesn't miss out on important transition activities or opportunities—such as applying for excellence programs—it is essential to submit enrolment applications by the deadlines set by your chosen or local high school.
We also encourage families to attend open days at your preferred schools. These visits are a great chance for you and your child to explore the school, meet staff and ask any questions. It’s a valuable way to prepare for the transition and ease any worries about the move to high school.
https://qaci.eq.edu.au/enrolments/brilliant-futures-brisbane-program
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
- Invoice 2: Due 7 Feb 2025
- Invoice 3: Due 21 March 2025
- Invoice 4: Due 2 May 2025
- Invoice 5: Due 20 June 2025
Please ensure your students account is up to date with payments for the Canberra Tour.
- 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 20 June 2025
- IM Instalment 2: Due 13 June 2025
- Term 2 GALA Days: Due 28 April 2025
- Senior Choir: Due 25 April
- Junior Choir: Due 25 April
- Yr 5 Commissariat Museum Excursion: Due 20 June $14
- 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.
Permissions
Reminder the Year 4 and Year 5 Camp permissions were due back 30 May. Please ensure to action the QParent permission or email the school a scan of the completed form tonight to avoid your student missing out.
QParent permissions for the Year 5 Commissariat Store Museum Excursion have been issued through QParents. Paper copies of the permission form are available from the front office. Permissions are due back to the school by 9 am Wednesday 4 June 2025, for invoices to be raised that afternoon. Payment of invoices will be due on Friday 20 June 2025.
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
Term 2 SRS instalment invoices were raised Tuesday 20 May and are due for payment on 20 June 2025. Late SRS invoices continue to be raised 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 and return to the office.
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.
School Photos
School photos will be held Monday 16 June and Tuesday 17 June. Closer to the date a timetable will be shared for the individual class days and time slots. Please ensure the correct formal school uniform is worn on the required photo day.
- Formal school uniform:
• Aspley formal white striped collared shirt
• Maroon skorts or shorts
• Plain white, ankle socks
• Black shoes (plain black joggers, no logos/colours)
In addition to the formal school uniform, please ensure the following school dress standards are followed:
MY CHILD HAS:
Helpful Booklets for Parents of Children with Disability
A series of easy-to-read booklets is available to help parents navigate key stages like getting a diagnosis, finding early intervention services, choosing childcare, starting school, and accessing aids or assistive technology. Each booklet also includes useful contacts and website links for both government and community support services.
Resources include:
My child has a developmental delay
My child has a physical disability
My child has autism spectrum disorder
My child has a hearing impairment
My child has down syndrome
…. and many more.
The link is here
SSS CASE MANAGERS
Our SSS Case Managers and teacher aides work closely with students who have additional needs, helping to put tailored adjustments in place to support their learning and wellbeing. They collaborate with classroom teachers to implement these adjustments effectively and also provide social and emotional support to ensure every student feels included and supported at school. Over the coming weeks, SSS staff will share some information about themselves and the work they do to support your children.
SSS Case Manager Year 3
Hello Families,
My Name is Donna Boyce, and I am excited to introduce myself as the Year 3 Inclusion Support Teacher - where every child feels valued and empowered.
My approach to working with students is building strong relationships, so they can thrive and see their personal growth.
Warm regards Donna.
MRS DONNA BOYCE
The Year 3 students are currently learning about manipulation of numbers using real life materials and visual graphic organisers to assist students with understand concepts, tasks and physically demonstrating their understanding with adjusted learning styles.
Chaplaincy News
1st – 8th June 2025
SU Qld State School Chaplaincy Services have been operating for 30 years, helping children and young people navigate the complex and sometimes difficult school environment.
Chaplains run programs to assist students in building resilience, and dealing with such issues as bullying, family breakdown, and grief and loss. As well as running programs, a chaplain’s time is spent interacting withs students in a range of ways, from holding one on one conversations to aiding in the classroom to further productivity and learning.
Join your Local Chaplaincy Committee
Be a part of a service that brings hope to young people and supports the school community. The chaplaincy support team is an opportunity to help with strategic planning, finances, communication, running activities, events, and fundraising. Your valuable skills would bring value to the team and there are many diverse areas you could choose to help with.
Play is the Way
Last week Prep and Year 1 students were introduced to a new game Gift Ball.
This game requires players to call out to each other, make eye contact, respond politely, and to effectively pass a ball. Children who master this game are communicating effectively, establishing relationships and managing impulsive behaviour.
Students in the upper grades revisited some earlier games and endeavoured to master Timeball to the highest level. This game requires the class to play as one team with success largely dependent upon everyone making decisions for the good of the whole team.
Effective communication, self-regulation, strategic and quick thinking, concentration and persistence are a must for success in this game.
Learning and Innovation Centre News
The Learning and Innovation Centre is open every second break. All children from year 1-6 can come into the LIC to read, play quiet games, complete puzzles, colour, and draw. Our year 6 student leaders come in and support the other children and help reshelve books. Please see the timetable below.
Book Fair
Thank You for an Incredible Scholastic Book Fair!
We are thrilled to share that, thanks to your amazing support and enthusiasm, we exceeded our goal and sold a total of $5,118.63 at this year’s Scholastic Book Fair!
Because of your generosity, our school earned $1,535.50 in Scholastic rewards—funds that will go directly toward enriching our classrooms and library with new books and resources for our students.
This success wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our volunteers, the support of our families, and the excitement of our students. Thank you for making this event such a wonderful celebration of reading!
Borrowing News
Your child has weekly borrowing time at the LIC. (Please see timetable below. Their classroom teacher will bring them each week to borrow but they MUST have a library bag. If they have missed borrowing time, then they can come down at second break with their library bag and books to return and reborrow.
How many books can my child borrow?
Prep – 3 books
Years 1-6 – 4 books
Responsible Reader Awards
Congratulations to these classes over the last two weeks who have no overdue books. You have worked as a team to support each other.
Outstanding Fees
If you have outstanding fees for lost books from last year, could you please pay these as soon as possible. Your child is unable to borrow until this matter is resolved. If your classroom teacher or child lets you know about a over due book and you are unsure on the matter please feel free to email me and we can try and work out a solution.
Ms Naomi Harvey
npear34@eq.edu.au
ASPLEY MUSIC DEPARTMENT
SEMESTER ONE MUSIC EVENING
The Aspley State School Music Department will hold its Semester One Music Evening at the Aspley State School Hall on Wednesday 18 June commencing at 6.30pm. The following ensembles – Junior Concert Band, Senior Concert Band, Junior String Ensemble, Senior String Ensemble, Junior Choir AND Senior Choir will be performing. All students in the ensembles listed above are required to attend and perform throughout the evening (please note – Beginner String students are not required to perform at this event).
The Semester One Music Performance Evening is a free school event, but to help us ensure all families have the opportunity to attend, we kindly ask that you reserve your seats in advance using the Humanitix Link provided within the parent/carer information letter. Bookings close Monday 16th June at 11pm.
We also welcome and greatly appreciate parent volunteers to assist with preparations and tasks during the day and evening. If you're available to help, please indicate your availability and return necessary paperwork to the school office by this coming Monday, 2 June 2025.
The Aspley Music Performance Uniform is required to be worn by all performing Choralists and Instrumental Music Students - Long Black Dress Pants, Long Sleeved White Dress Shirt, Black Socks and Black Shoes. For the finer details of this exciting evening of performances, please refer to the parent/carer information letter.
Our talented Instrumental Music Students and choristers have had a fabulous semester of music making and we are all very excited to share our achievements with the Aspley Community.
CONGRATULATIONS – SENIOR CONCERT BAND
Congratulations to our talented Senior Concert Band members and their conductor Ms Jabs for their fantastic assembly performance on Monday 2 June. Upcoming assembly performances include Junior and Senior Choirs in coming weeks (see details below).
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM – 2026 RECRUITMENT COMING SOON!
Aspley State School is proud to offer a well-established and thriving Instrumental Music Program, and preparations for the 2026 intake are about to begin!
This exciting opportunity is open to current Year 2 and Year 3 students who are interested in learning a woodwind, brass, percussion, or string instrument. The program is led by our experienced music team – Ms Christine Jabs (Woodwind/Brass/Percussion), Mrs Julianna Kim (Strings), and Mrs McIntyre (Specialist Classroom Music Teacher).
Families of Year 2 and 3 students will receive an Expression of Interest form with full details about the program on Friday 20 June 2025. This will be sent home in hard copy and also emailed to parents/carers.
To be considered for a place in the 2026 Instrumental Music Program, completed forms must be returned by Friday 25 July 2025. Late submissions cannot be accepted, so we encourage all interested families to return their forms on time.
Learning an instrument is a rewarding experience that helps students build confidence, develop focus, strengthen academic learning, and enjoy the fun of making music – both individually and as part of a group. We look forward to welcoming a new group of young musicians into our vibrant program in 2026!
For any questions, please contact Mrs McIntyre through the school office.
UPCOMING MUSICAL EVENTS – TERM TWO:
|
DATE |
MUSIC EVENT |
|
Monday 2 June (Week 7) |
Senior Choir Assembly Performance |
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Monday 9 June (Week 8) |
Junior Choir Assembly Performance |
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Wednesday 18 June (Week 9) |
Semester One Music Performance Evening - Aspley State School Hall 6.30pm Junior/Senior Choir; Junior/Senior Concert Band; Junior/Senior String Ensemble
|
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Tuesday 24 June -Thursday 26 June (Week 10) |
Northside Honours Music Workshop (successful IM student auditionees only) Wavell State High School |
The Aspley Music Team
(Mrs Macca, Ms Jabs and Mrs Kim)
SEMESTER ONE REPORT CARDS
INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES
Updates to Report Card Layout and Reporting Scales in 2025
Each semester, academic report cards provide point in time information about your child’s achievement at the end of each reporting period.
At the end of each semester, teachers make an ‘on-balance’ judgement about students’ overall levels of achievement, against the aspects of the achievement standards being assessed in the different learning areas. This judgement is based on evidence of student learning demonstrated during summative assessment tasks and takes into consideration the most recent evidence.
This year your child’s report will include:
- a new streamlined view of each learning area provided in the semester
- your child’s achievement against the appropriate reporting scale in each learning area
- an effort rating for each learning area
- an overall behaviour rating for this semester
- An overall comment of your child’s learning habits and engagement with English and
- Mathematics.
For the 2025 reporting period, the Department of Education has provided schools with updated, age-appropriate reporting scales. Please refer to the tables below to understand the five-point achievement scale that Aspley State School will use to communicate your child’s progress against the relevant learning area achievement standards. These descriptions will also be included on your child’s emailed academic report card for your convenience.
|
Prep – Year 2 |
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The following five-point scale is used to report student achievement in Prep to Year 2. |
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Applying |
The student is demonstrating deep and broad knowledge, understanding and skills from the achievement standard. |
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Connecting |
The student is demonstrating deep knowledge, understanding and skills from the achievement standard. |
|
Working with |
The student is demonstrating the expected knowledge, understanding and skills from the achievement standard. |
|
Exploring |
The student is demonstrating partial knowledge, understanding and skills from the achievement standard. |
|
Beginning |
The student is beginning to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skills from the achievement standard. |
|
N |
An ‘N’ is used in exceptional circumstances, when there is insufficient summative assessment evidence to make a judgement about a student’s level of achievement. |
|
Year 3–Year 10 |
|
|
Use the following five-point scale to report student achievement in Years 3–10. |
|
|
A |
The student is demonstrating deep and broad knowledge, understanding and skills from the achievement standard. |
|
B |
The student is demonstrating deep knowledge, understanding and skills from the achievement standard. |
|
C |
The student is demonstrating the expected knowledge, understanding and skills from the achievement standard |
|
D |
The student is demonstrating partial knowledge, understanding and skills from the achievement standard. |
|
E |
The student is beginning to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skills from the achievement standard. |
|
N |
An ‘N’ is used in exceptional circumstances, when there is insufficient summative assessment evidence to make a judgement about a student’s level of achievement. |
Aspley State School teachers participate in cyclic, evidenced based moderation processes to ensure that our judgements are consistent across each year level.Our Termly Overviews are available on our school website and contains information regarding the learning areas and curriculum content your child has experienced this Semester.
Your child’s reported card will be available in the QParents App and will also be emailed to you on the afternoon of Thursday 26th June, from 3:00pm.
To ensure you receive these reports on time please ensure you;
- contact our administration as soon as possible to update your contact and email address details if they have changed.
- contact our administration team if you do not have an email address and require a paper copy of the report.
- add ONESCHOOL@qed.qld.gov.au to your list of safe senders to ensure report card emails are not directed to your Junk folder by default.
PC
Prep C have been busy bees this term! In English, we have been reading and comparing imaginative and informative texts. We have written short, informative sentences about familiar animals that we have read about. In Maths, we’ve been recognising and counting numbers to 20, as well as adding and subtracting small collections. We have enjoyed sharing memory box items from home in HASS, making connections to special events or celebrations. In Science last week, we did an experiment to find out which material would be best suited as a waterproof umbrella for some classroom animals! The classroom was buzzing with excitement as we made our predictions and tested with water!
1C
In the Living Adventure unit for Science, 1C have looked at how the needs of living things are met in a variety of habitats. They compared differences between healthy and unhealthy habitats. They enjoyed making a triarama of different habitats. In HASS students have been exploring how their family and daily life has changed over time. They learned that children in the past sometimes had to make their own toys for entertainment. 1C have enjoyed making their own fidget spinner toy.
2C
Our focus for science in 2C has been investigating forces. We have explored the forces that are used to create movement in the toys we play with and in the playground equipment we use. Then we experimented with changing the strength of our pushes and pulls by bouncing balls and pulling a ball in a hoop. Recently, the students of 2C, explored the concept of air resistance. After which, we built parachutes for highlighters and watched them fall to the ground slowly because of increased air resistance. Our scientific investigations of force will soon help us to design, build and modify a moving toy.
3C
Students in Year 3 have begun a daily Morphological routine. Each morning, we engage in word studies, practising how words are built with a focus on a particular sound. For example, recently we have been learning about how the suffix ‘es’ is added to nouns to make them plural and the rules for changing letters which apply. Each day, students engage in verbal and written practise - reading, writing and building words, writing dictated sentences and forming their own sentences on their whiteboards. Students are enjoying this daily repetition which is solidifying their knowledge and skills.
4C
Over the semester, Year 4 have been exploring the theme "Tiny Worlds" in visual art. We have practiced some of the Elements of Art, including line, shape, colour and space. Pictured are artworks from 4C students. We explored warm and cool colours through our Colour Trees; positive and negative space through graffiti art; organic and geometric shapes through Matisse inspired collages; line through Stella inspired abstract art; and depth through photography using puppets.
5C
5C have found common ground in Science and English this term learning all about our Solar System. Students made individual Solar Systems to a scale to help understand where our planets are in space. After adding their scaled planets, they are now researching about a chosen planet to write an informative text.
6C
It’s been a busy and exciting start to the term in 6C, with students diving into a range of fascinating topics across the curriculum.
In Science, we’ve been exploring electricity and how it powers our world. Students have been working hard to build their understanding of circuits and energy sources. They’ve enjoyed experimenting with different circuit components and learning about both renewable and non-renewable sources of energy, including how electricity is produced. Their curiosity and hands-on approach have sparked some fantastic scientific thinking.
During our English lessons, we’ve been focusing on biographies. Each student has chosen a famous Australian who has made a significant impact in Australia or around the world. They’ve been learning how to structure and write engaging biographical texts while also deepening their understanding of their chosen person. This work connects closely with our Media Arts project, where students are creating documentaries based on their biography subjects. It’s been a lot of fun sharing my passion for film with the class and I look forward to seeing their creativity come to life in their documentaries.
In HASS, we’ve been engaged in meaningful discussions about human rights and how they have evolved in Australia since Federation in 1901. Students have explored the changing rights of First Nations people, women, migrants, and children throughout history. It has been incredibly rewarding to see them develop their own ideas, express thoughtful opinions, and share their unique perspectives on these important issues.
I’m proud of all the hard work and enthusiasm 6C has shown this term.
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.
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Brisbane State High School