Friday Flash Week 1 - 24th April, 2025
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
We’ve had a wonderful start to the term, beginning with a beautiful ANZAC service this morning. Our students made us incredibly proud with the respect they showed during this important occasion. A heartfelt thank you to our Defence Mentor, Kristina Rawlinson, for coordinating the event, and to all the staff who supported her in bringing it together. Thank you also to our special guests and the many parents and caregivers who attended—it was a truly memorable community event.
📘 Mid-Year Reporting & Curriculum Update
At the end of this term, you will receive your child’s mid-year report card. This year, our school has transitioned to Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum, which includes more rigorous expectations in some areas. In particular, there is a stronger emphasis on independent reading, which may be reflected in student results.
To ensure success, our teaching teams meet fortnightly with our Heads of Curriculum to align planning and deliver high-quality learning experiences.
💡 How you can support at home:
Encourage at least 20 minutes of reading each night.
In the early years, children bring home readers and can access Reading Eggs and Mathseeds.
Older students can choose chapter books or continue using Reading Eggs.
Upper year students also have access to Maths Online.
If you're experiencing login issues, please contact your child's teacher—most details are in the student diary.
⭐ Effort & Behaviour Reporting
Please note that this year, effort and behaviour are formally assessed and reported on in line with Department of Education expectations.
Attached to this newsletter are the updated Effort and Behaviour Matrices, aligned with our "Good, Great, and Soaring" expectations. These are revisited with students every morning during Morning Circles and reinforced through Learning Walks.
At Amberley, we are proud to set high expectations for both academic performance and behaviour. Clear and consistent communication—between school and home—helps our students thrive.
🌧️ Rain Play Continues!
We’re pleased to continue offering Rain Play during light or moderate rain, when it’s safe to do so. This optional initiative allows students to enjoy nature, build resilience, and have fun outdoors—even in wet weather. You can read more about our Rain Play policy on the school website
If your child would like to participate, please pack wet weather gear in their bag. Reef or water shoes are proving to be a practical option—they’re easier for children to manage and take up less space.
Also, please include a spare set of clothes and a plastic bag, especially if your child is the type to really get amongst it!
🎉 Upcoming Events
🚶 Walk Safely to School Day & Flash’s Birthday
Join us for a special celebration on Friday, 9 May 2025, as we walk to school together for Walk Safely to School Day and celebrate Flash’s Birthday!
📍 Meet at Stallard Park at 8:15am
🎈 Come and say hello to Flash at the school gate!
💐 Mother’s Day Stall
Our Mother’s Day Stall will be held on:
📅 Wednesday 7 May
📅 Thursday 8 May
📅 Friday 9 May
More details will be shared in the next newsletter.
Thank you for your continued support. When families and schools work together, amazing things happen for our students!
Kind Regards,
Kelli Harvey
Principal
ANZAC Service
What's On Next Week
- Monday: Choir - all grades 1st break. First Nations Dance Group - Second break.
- Tuesday: Strings Ensemble 7:50am. Yr 2 & 3 Starlab incursion. Eco Marines Day - Queens Park.
- Wednesday: Boys soccer training. Choir 1st break. Band 2nd Break. Netball training 3.10 - 4pm in hall.
- Thursday: Rugby league training 8am. Girls soccer training first/second break on oval. Little Jets 9am in Base. Lunchtime disco. EcoMarines: Tangalooma excursion. Kambu Health Checks.
- Friday: Flashtastic Friday Assembly 9am. Flashtastic Fun Time 1:50pm. Interschool Sport.
We also have Breakfast Club and Running Club every morning!
Defence Mentor
ANZAC Day Commemoration
We would like to sincerely thank all who contributed to making our ANZAC Day service a meaningful and memorable event.
A special thank you to our guest speakers, Chaplain FLTLT Christine Palmer and Mr Stephen Mackie, for their inspiring words, and to the Catafalque party from NO.23SQN (City of Brisbane), led by SQNLDR Pieter van Den Hout, for their respectful and dignified presence.
We are also incredibly grateful to FSGT Darren Evans and Mr John Weber for their moving performances on the Bagpipes and Bugle, which added such depth and solemnity to the ceremony.
To our wonderful parents and families who joined us – thank you for your ongoing support and standing with us in remembrance.
Our students represented our school with pride and respect, and we couldn’t be prouder of their conduct throughout the event.
Lest we forget.
Wellbeing and Engagement
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.
Next week students who had SOARING attendance which is 95% or above for Term 1 will receive a certificate from their class teacher!
Payments Due
Friendly Reminders
Just a reminder that our gates do not open until 8:20am when active supervision commences. If your child requires supervision before this time, we encourage you to enrol in the School Plus Outside Hours Care program.
Save the Date
📅 5 May – Labour Day Public Holiday
No school on this day. Enjoy the long weekend!
🛍️ 7 & 8 May – Mother’s Day Stall
Students can purchase a small gift from our school stalls to spoil someone special for Mother’s Day.
🎂👟 9 May – Flash’s Birthday: Walk to School Day
Help celebrate our school mascot Flash's birthday by walking from Stallard Park to ADSS. A fun and healthy start to the day!
📅 16 May – Ipswich Show Holiday
School closed for the Ipswich public holiday.
🐝 20 May – World Bee Day
A chance to learn about the importance of bees and biodiversity!
🎨 23 May – Early Years Expo
Prep to Year 2 students will enjoy a fun community day full of early learning activities.
👁️ 26–28 May – Prep Vision Screening
Queensland Health will be conducting vision tests for Prep students. Parent consent is required.
🏉 28 May – Jersey Day
Wear your favourite team jersey to show your sporting spirit!
🦁 29 May – Year 4 Excursion to Darling Downs Zoo
A wild learning adventure for our Year 4 students!
🌏 🐠 5 June – Ecomarines: World Environment Day
Celebrating sustainability and marine life with our Ecomarines.
📸 10 & 11 June – School Photos
Sibling, class, and individual photos will be taken. More information to come soon.
🎶 11 June – Music Alfresco
Students will showcase their musical talents in a relaxed outdoor setting for families to enjoy.
Sport News
Flash's Favourites
My New Gallery
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.
