Friday Flash Term 4, Week 1 -10th October, 2025
From the Principal
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Welcome back!
I hope you all had a wonderful break and found time to relax and make special memories together.
As we begin the final term of the school year, it’s a good time to revisit the importance of reading. Learning to read—and developing fluency—is truly a team effort. Children need regular practice to become confident and capable readers.
With busy schedules and many after-school activities, finding time to read with your child can sometimes be a challenge. However, this small daily habit has a big impact.
Strong reading skills are closely linked to many positive outcomes in adolescence and adulthood, including:
• Academic success
• Strong self-esteem
• Resilience
• A strong sense of connectedness
• Problem-focused coping
Research also shows that when children struggle to master reading, it can have long-term effects on many areas of life, including:
- Educational achievement
- Mental health
- Employment opportunities
- Stable housing
- Safety and wellbeing
- Contact with the justice system
- Even life expectancy
At Amberley District State School, we encourage all students to read for 20 minutes each day. Please take a moment to record your child’s reading in their diary each day—it makes a real difference.
Leisa Cave
Acting Principal
Wellbeing and Engagement
🌟 PBL Focus: We are RESPECTFUL when we use the PAUSE process so we are calm and ready to learn
This week’s PBL focus reminds students that being respectful means taking care of our own emotions and actions — and that starts with using the PAUSE process.
At Amberley, we teach children that it’s okay to have big feelings — what matters is how we respond. The PAUSE process helps everyone calm their brain and body before making choices that show respect for themselves and others.
🧠 The PAUSE Process:
1️⃣ Shake the mind jar – notice your feelings swirling around
2️⃣ Take four deep breaths
3️⃣ Have a drink of water
4️⃣ Name the feeling
5️⃣ Go to the calm-down area
6️⃣ Go for a walk if needed
Using this process helps children regain control, make good choices, and be ready to learn.
We encourage families to practise the PAUSE process at home too — especially during tricky moments! Taking time to pause and breathe helps children (and adults!) respond calmly, show respect, and strengthen emotional regulation skills both at home and at school.
School Attendance
Our School attendance rate is currently 89.6%. Our goal is 95%.
🌞 Tips for Getting Kids to School on Time — All Day, Every Day!
Being at school on time every day helps children settle into routines, build friendships, and make the most of learning time. Here are some practical tips to make mornings smoother:
⏰ 1. Establish a Morning Routine
Set a regular wake-up time (even on weekends) to keep body clocks steady.
Lay out uniforms, pack lunches, and check bags the night before.
Create a simple checklist (get dressed ✅ eat breakfast ✅ brush teeth ✅ grab bag ✅).
💤 2. Prioritise a Good Night’s Sleep
Aim for 9–11 hours of sleep depending on your child’s age.
No screens in bedrooms — reading before bed helps calm busy minds.
Try to keep bedtime consistent, even during busy weeks.
🥣 3. Prep for Success
Keep quick breakfast options ready — think fruit, yoghurt, or toast.
Pack lunches and fill drink bottles the night before.
Place shoes and school bags by the door, ready to go.
🚗 4. Allow Extra Time
Aim to leave home 10–15 minutes earlier than you think you need to.
Have a “no last-minute TV or games” rule until everyone’s ready.
Use music or a morning playlist to keep the mood upbeat.
👩🏫 5. Talk About Why Attendance Matters
Explain that every day counts — each lesson builds on the last.
Celebrate streaks of great attendance (stickers, high-fives, or special breakfast).
Reinforce that being on time shows respect for teachers and classmates.
🤝 6. Ask for Support if Needed
If mornings are tricky, talk to your child’s teacher or the school.
We’re here to help with routines, wellbeing, or attendance challenges.
Unexplained absence letters are deployed twice a term. Soaring Attendance Certificates are given out at the end of term for children who achieve attendance of 95% or above! You can update attendance through the QParents app.
A Note from our SLP
Dyslexia and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) are often hidden disorders that affect language, reading, writing and spelling development. In every classroom, 5-10% of students will have Dyslexia, and 1 in 14 students will have DLD. Early identification and the right supports make a real difference to these students’ long term academic and social-emotional outcomes. In October, watch new videos on the Reading and Writing Disorders website to learn more and raise awareness to help kids find their voice. https://readingwritingcentre.education.qld.gov.au/
“You can’t see DLD” is the theme for Developmental Language Disorder Day on Friday 17th October.
Dyslexia awareness week is Monday 6 to Sunday 12 October 2025.
Miss Miranda Yau
Payments Due
Save the Date
📅 Term 3 Key Dates
14 Oct – 🚂 Year 2 QLD Railway Museum Excursion
15 Oct – 👥 Interview Panel – 2026 Student Leadership Positions
17 Oct – 🏉 Interschool Sport
22 Oct – 🎶 Spooky Concert & 🎺 Year 3 Instrumental Music Recruitment
24 Oct – 👵👴 Grandparents Afternoon| 🏉 Interschool Sport
27 – 31 Oct – 🗳️ 2026 Student Leadership Voting
31 Oct – 🍎 World Teachers’ Day
6 Nov – 🏠 House Voting – 2026 Student Leadership
7 Nov – 🌿 Outdoor Classroom Day
11 Nov – 🌺 Remembrance Day – 1 Minute Silence
18 Nov – 🏊 Swimming (Years 4–6) Ipswich Swim Factory
20 Nov – 🏊 Swimming (Years 4–6) Ipswich Swim Factory
25 Nov – 🏊 Swimming (Years 4–6) Ipswich Swim Factory
27 Nov – 🏊 Swimming (Years 4–6) Ipswich Swim Factory | 🖤💛❤️ Deadly Awards
28 Nov – 🏊 Swimming (Years 4–6) Ipswich Swim Factory
4 Dec – 🚍 Year 4 Walloon Excursion | 🎉 School Disco
5 Dec – 🎓 High School Transition Day | 🤝 Transition Afternoon
8 Dec – 🏊 Swimming (Years 4–6)
9 Dec – 🎉 Year 6 Big Day Out | 🎄 Junior Christmas Concert
10 Dec – 🏆 Awards Presentations
11 Dec – 🎓 Year 6 Graduation | 🎊 Break Up Day
12 Dec – ✨ Last Day of Term 4
📌 Please note: Dates are subject to change. Keep an eye on school updates!
Tuckshop News
Library News
Flash's Favourites
♻️ Support Our EcoMarines & Gumbuya Garden! 🌱
We encourage all Amberley families to get involved with Containers for Change. Every eligible container donated supports our student-led EcoMarines projects and helps grow our beautiful Gumbuya Garden.
It’s a small act that makes a big difference for our school and the environment! 🌏
Use the barcode below when returning your containers to support Amberley District State School:
📲 Scan this barcode at any Containers for Change drop-off point:
Thank you for making a difference!
Funky Feet Friday Fun!
Friendly Reminders
Community News
Bremer State High School Enrolments for 2026
Enrolments for 2026 at Bremer State High School are now open. Online applications are preferred, but paper copies are available if needed.
📅 Orientation Day: Friday, 5 December 2025
📝 You must be enrolled by Friday, 28 November 2025 to attend Orientation Day.
For more information, visit Bremer SHS Enrolments: https://bremershs.eq.edu.au/enrolments or contact the school office on 3810 9333.
