End of Year Newsletter 2024
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
That’s a wrap for the 2024 school year! We’ve ended the year on a high note, embedding sustainable practices across the school. The children demonstrated their learning assets of collaboration and inquiry as they completed the Gumbuya Garden and its new mural, which will be proudly displayed in the new year. A special thank you to School Plus for your generous donation of mulch and garden tools!
Staffing Updates
We have had some last-minute staffing changes to announce.
Congratulations to Deidre Anderson, who has been appointed as the permanent Principal of Churchill State School. Deidre’s hard work, passion, and dedication to the students and families of Amberley District State School will be greatly missed. As a community, we will provide an opportunity for the students to farewell her in the new year.
The 2025 Executive Leadership Team is as follows:
- Principal and Year 3: Kelli Harvey
- Deputy Principal Early Years (P–2): Barb Christie
- Deputy Principal Upper Years: Leisa Cave
- Head of Student Services: Alan O’Neill
Back-to-School Reminders
In 2025, we are excited to commence the PAUSE program. One of the activities in the first week will involve students creating a mind jar. Each student is asked to bring an empty 300mL plastic bottle during the first week of school.
Student Code of Conduct
We have updated our Student Code of Conduct to align with the PAUSE program. You can access the parent handbook here. These updates are in response to feedback from our school review and the School Opinion Survey.
Key updates include:
- Clearer Expectations: We will be tightening expectations for student behaviour while providing additional social and emotional supports.
- Celebrations of Learning: End-of-term celebrations will transition to Open Classrooms. Parents and caregivers will be invited to visit classrooms and see firsthand what students have been learning.
- Friday Flashtastic Time: Each Friday afternoon, students with outstanding engagement in learning will participate in fun activities like sport, art, and craft. Parents with specific interests are welcome to join! More information will be shared early next year.
- Behaviour Support: Students who do not meet expectations will receive support to create a behaviour plan, helping them participate the following week.
Thank you for an amazing year. On behalf of all the staff at Amberley District State School, I wish you a safe and joyful Christmas.
We will send an email out early next year when our office is open!
We look forward to welcoming you back when school starts on Tuesday, 28 January!
Warm regards,
Kelli Harvey
Principal
2025 Class Teachers
We have a fantastic teaching team lined up for 2025.
Last-Minute Update: There has been a change in Year 1D, with Amanda Donnelly moving to a school closer to home.
Farewells:
We extend our heartfelt thanks and best wishes to the following staff members who won't be with us next year:
- Sarah Dull
- Jacinta Reberger
- Alice Anderson
- Stephanie Pfizer-Watson
Thank you for all you have contributed to our school community.
Leadership Team
Heads of Curriculum:
- Gill Goodward
- Sarah Duce
Learning Leaders:
- Cas Whitley
- Nikki Smith
- Larissa Madden
- Rick Conway
- Karen Amedee
Prep to Year 6 Classroom Teachers
Prep
- Prep A: Racheal Zygmunt
- Prep B: Debbie Coombs
- Prep C: Fiona Harris
- Prep D: Tarissa Flesser
Year 1
- Year 1A: Sarah Jones
- Year 1B: Jacqueline Henry
- Year 1C: Karla Nuffer
- Year 1D: Kristie Pashke (Monday–Thursday), Courtney Simpson (Friday)
Year 2
- Year 2A: Tasmin Gough
- Year 2B: Mykayla Scotney
- Year 2C: Stephanie Powell
- Year 2D: Chloe Eveans
Year 3
- Year 3A: Narelle Ziebarth
- Year 3B: Kayleigh Miller
- Year 3C: Eujenia Outuszewski
- Year 3D: Jamie-Lee Bromby
Year 4
- Year 4A: Bronte Kubler
- Year 4B: Leila Balfe
- Year 4C: Sarah Morton
Year 5
- Year 5A: Trudie Pickering
- Year 5B: Sally Avern
- Year 5C: Isabelle Wright
- Year 5D: Ian Molloy
Year 6
- Year 6A: Michael Springall
- Year 6B: Jo Crowe
- Year 6C: Ash Cooper
- Year 6D: Chris McMillan
Specialist Teachers
- French: Abdirizak Sid Ahmed
- Arts: Tim Searle
- STEAM: Andrea Hensman
- PE: Ange Wilson
- Relief: Carol Campbell
4o
2025 Curriculum Overviews
We have an exciting curriculum planned for 2025 with the roll out of version 9 of the Australian Curriculum. There will be lots of opportunities for students to enrich their learning and build their learning assets throughout the year.
Book Drop Off Day
Friday, 24 January, is our Book Drop-Off Day. Parents and caregivers are invited to visit the school between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm to drop off their child's school supplies in the classroom and meet their child's teacher. Medication can be dropped off during this time as well at the school office.
2025 Calendar of School Events
Please find attached a copy of our School Calendar of Events for 2025. These are subject to change so keep an eye out in the school newsletter and QParents.
Also attached is a copy of the Department of Education Calendar.
Payments Due
Uniform Shop
All students do require a school hat as a part of our school dress code. This hat needs to be brought to school daily for play and during PE lessons.
Flash's Favourites
Week 11
