Friday Flash Week 9 - 28th March, 2025
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
🌧️ Rain Play – A Wonderful Success!
Our first trial of Rain Play was a huge success – the children absolutely loved it! I do apologise for the short notice. I had originally planned to commence this in Week 10, but due to a change in my schedule, we were able to begin early.
If your child would like to participate next week, I encourage you to pop some wet weather gear into their bag, along with a plastic bag for wet clothes. Please don’t feel you need to purchase anything expensive – ponchos from Bunnings work brilliantly and are a very cost-effective option!
💪 Olympics Unleashed with Deborah Acason
This week, we were thrilled to welcome Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Deborah Acason to our school as part of the Olympics Unleashed program! 🏋️♀️🇦🇺
Deborah shared her inspiring journey as an Olympic weightlifter and spoke with our students about setting goals, staying focused, and building resilience. The children were captivated by her story and asked fantastic questions. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance, hard work, and dreaming big.
🏃♀️🌈 Cross Country and Colour Run – Rain, Hail or Shine!
Our Cross Country and Colour Run events are scheduled for Tuesday, and some rain is predicted. These events will go ahead regardless of the weather. Representative cross country is run in all conditions, so we want our students to be prepared and resilient.
If you prefer your child not participate in wet weather, please notify your child’s teacher via email. We recommend children bring a towel and a change of clothes for the journey home. For the Colour Run, wet weather actually helps the colour powder stick better – so we’re expecting lots of colourful, messy fun!
🎉 Congratulations F1-11 – ACE Ticket House Winners!
A big congratulations to our F1-11 students, who earned the most ACE tickets this term and are our winning house! To celebrate, all F1-11 students are invited to wear their house colours on Wednesday, 2nd April.
As promised, I’ll be joining in and wearing the winning house colour too!
🐣 Easter Dress Up Day & Celebration of Learning
We’re excited to end the term with some Easter cheer! On Friday, 4th April, students are welcome to come dressed in an Easter-themed outfit.
From 12:00pm to 1:00pm, we invite all parents and carers to join us for our Celebration of Learning open classroom session. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see the amazing work your children have been doing throughout the term.
💻 ThinkUKnow Presentation – Supporting Online Safety
📅 When: Monday, 31st March at 5:00pm
📍 Where: School Library
We warmly invite all parents and carers to attend our ThinkUKnow presentation – a valuable session focused on keeping children safe online. Delivered by expert presenters, this session offers current advice on online safety, social media, and how to support children in navigating the digital world confidently and safely.
In today’s digital age, understanding online risks and empowering our children to make safe choices is more important than ever. We hope you can join us for this informative event.
Kind Regards,
Kelli Harvey
Principal
Rain Play
🌧️ Rain Play at Amberley District State School 🌿
Optional and Weather Dependent
Today we held our first trial of Rain Play—and as you can see from the photos below, it was an absolute joy! The children embraced the experience with curiosity, laughter and a true sense of adventure.
As part of our ongoing journey to introduce more Nature Play into our school, we’re excited to offer students the opportunity to explore the outdoors—even when it’s lightly raining.
What is Rain Play?
Rain Play is outdoor play during light or moderate rain when the weather is considered safe. It allows students to experience the outdoors in different weather conditions and to build confidence, independence and resilience.
Students who are dressed appropriately in wet weather gear will be permitted to play outside, with staff supervision and clear guidance on rain-safe behaviour and play areas.
Where can students go during Rain Play?
The following areas will be open for Rain Play:
Oval
Courts
BASE (our outdoor learning space)
Urimbirra (our yarning circle and nature space)
🚫 Please note: Playgrounds will be closed during Rain Play as they pose a slip hazard when wet.
Rain Play is Completely Optional
Students who choose not to participate will still enjoy their break time in dry undercover play areas. No student will be required to remain in the classroom during breaks.
What Your Child Needs for Rain Play
To participate comfortably and safely, students will need:
A raincoat or spray jacket with a hood, or a rain hat
Gumboots or reef shoes (not crocs or thongs as we have ant and yabbies that love the rain)
A spare change of clothes (handy for younger or adventurous students)
No umbrellas – they can be a safety risk in the playground
If the weather is too cold, windy or stormy, we will revert to our regular wet weather procedures.
Why Rain Play?
We believe Rain Play offers students a wide range of benefits, including:
Rich sensory experiences through sounds, sights and touch
Supporting holistic child development
Building skills to assess and manage risk safely
Fostering a love of nature and curiosity about the environment (like spotting frogs after rain!)
We expect a few small teething issues as students adjust to this new opportunity, but we’re confident Rain Play will become a much-loved part of our school’s culture.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Rain Play
What's On Next Week
- Monday: Choir - all grades 1st break. First Nations Dance Group - Second break. Swimming Yr 2-3 @McMahon's. ThinkUKnow presentation - parents.
- Tuesday: Strings Ensemble 7:50am (Yrs 4-6). Swimming Yr 2-3 @McMahon's. Yr 3-6 Cross Country @ADSS 9-10.50am. Colour Run 2-3pm.
- Wednesday: Boys soccer training. Choir 1st break. Band 2nd Break. Netball training 3.10 - 4pm in hall. Swimming Yr 2-3 @McMahon's. ThinkUKnow presentation - students. F1-11 House Colour Dress Up Day
- Thursday: Rugby league training 8am. Girls soccer training first/second break on oval. Little Jets 9am in Base. Lunchtime disco. Swimming Yr 2-3 @McMahon's.
- Friday: Flashtastic Friday Assembly 9am. Flashtastic Fun Time 1:50pm. Interschool Sport. Swimming Yr 2-3 @McMahon's. Open Classrooms 12-1pm. Easter Dress Up Day.
We also have Breakfast Club and Running Club every morning!
Wellbeing and Engagement
PBL Focus: We Are Learners When We Give Soaring Effort & Show Grit 💪
This week at Amberley, we're focusing on what it means to be a true learner – giving soaring effort 🦅 and showing grit 💥! We're encouraging students to try their best, keep going when things get tricky, and never give up.
💬 Chat at home about times your child has shown grit – maybe learning something new, solving a problem, or sticking with a challenge. Every effort counts! 🙌
Together, let's cheer on our resilient learners! 🎉
School Attendance
Our School attendance rate is currently 93.1%. Our goal is 95%.
Students who have 95% or above attendance each term will receive a SOARING attendance certificate.
Please contact your year level Deputy Principal, if you need support with attendance at school. Unexplained absence letters are deployed twice a term. You can update attendance through the QParents app.
Congratulations to 4A who won the Good Egg Award this week! The decided to give the award a make over and dress it up like the Easter Bunny!
Payments Due
Friendly Reminders
Save the Date
🎓 31 March ThinkUKnow parent, carer and educator Presentation
Online safety advice for parents, carers and educators delivered by QPS.
31 March to 4 April - Swimming - Year 2-3
McMahon Swim Factory
🏃 1 April – Years 3 – 6 Cross Country
Get ready to race! Students in Years 3 – 6 will compete in our annual Cross-Country event.
🌈 1 April – Colour Run
A vibrant and exciting event—be ready to get colourful!
📅 2 April – ThinkUKnow Student Presentation
Online safety advice for students delivered by QPS.
🐰 4 April – Easter Dress-Up Day & Celebration of Learning
Students can dress up for Easter fun! 🎭
📖 4 April - Open Classrooms: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
We look forward to seeing our school community at these wonderful events!
Tuckshop and Uniform Shop
Sport News
Monty’s Colour Fun Run – 1st April
Remember to create a profile page at www.myprofilepage.au and share your profile to family & friends to receive online donations.
Mix and Match prizes or send the donations to one of the causes available – The Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Carbon Neutral, OzHarvest, The Smith Family and Dolly’s Dream.
Become a Fundraising Monstar and receive a Monty Handball by completing all your online virtual badges! Can you receive them all?
Fundraising closes on the last day of Term 1 - Friday 4th of April, 2025.
Music News
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Flash's Favourites
Harmony Day
Friendly Reminders
Don't forget to download the Schoolzine App to so you can access all school communications in a centralised location. Please click here to find instructions on SZapp app installation. After you select Amberley District State School enter PassCode 7242. There is also a link to the left to download.