Principal’s Ponderings

Such a warm welcome …

Many thanks for such a warm welcome these past weeks – all staff, students and parents have been delightful in your acceptance of me as your leader.  I feel a sense of belonging being wrapped in the arms of Ascot already.  It is with great anticipation that I have begun our work with the staff and P&C.  Such fun!

About Ascot – getting to know your class teacher and how your child’s class works

We are once again hosting Class Information Evenings for parents on Tuesday 11^th February, and we would very much appreciate your attendance.   In our discussions about how to make these evenings most useful and meaningful for you, we have changed them up a bit this year.   We took time to explore what you might want when you come, and what you really want when you come along.  We are of the belief that while parents do want functional information about their classroom, much of this you can read, and thus in attending you ultimately come seeking:

• a sense of belonging within the school community
• trust and connection with your teacher/s
• reassurance and confidence in your teacher’s knowledge and skills (their mind) and in their heart in caring for your child as an individual.

We feel that when you have these, that this enables you to relax as a parent with us, knowing that together “we’ve got this”.  We will be using model to tune into what is important in our school, in each class and also what is important to your teacher as a person.   While we do have a new core presentation, each year level and teacher has then customised this to share with you new insights particular to their class and about them as an individual.

Ps. If you wish to do some background reading by googling Robert Dilts Neuro-logical Levels,  there are many links. This one is as good any for a simple overview.  Your teacher will send their presentation out as a pdf after the meeting, but that will be nothing like the experience of being there, so do come along if you can.

https://www.logicallevels.co.uk/pages/logical-levels-model-1

Welcome to new year, and we always look forward to sharing this important event early in the term with our Year 6 families.

Mobile phones and other communication wearables for children

If you have arranged for your child to have a mobile phone or some other type of device for you to communicate with them after school, please have a conversation with them about their responsibilities when it comes to having these devices at school.

If you are yet to complete the paperwork, we have a permission form that outlines responsible use to support this conversation. Please download this form via the link below, or ask your child to collect one from the office. When completed, please have them return it to the office.

Many thanks for your support of our processes around this.

Soaring into 2025

We’ve had wonderful start to the new school year. The atmosphere in our classrooms is filled with enthusiasm as both students and teachers collaborate to build a strong foundation for learning and growth.

As we begin 2025, students across our classes have spent the past two weeks engaged in a collective, 'Soaring to Success', inquiry. Inspired by the provocation, ‘What if we each had a superpower to make a difference?’, students have embarked on a meaningful exploration of their unique strengths, whether it’s showing kindness, being an active listener, encouraging others, or helping classmates feel included. 

By recognising these individual strengths and qualities, students are learning how to foster a sense of belonging. They are gaining an understanding of their role within the class and how they contribute to their school community. 

Students have had opportunities to demonstrate our school value of ‘curiosity’, by asking thoughtful questions, exploring new ideas, and reflecting on ways to foster a welcoming and supportive environment for all. 

At Ascot, we value being:

Please enjoy some of the work from our classes during the first two weeks of the school year. We are excited for what this year will bring!

Kristine Atkins

Head of Department - Curriculum

Have you signed up for Q Parents?

All Queensland state schools are now able to use a secure app and online platform to send consent forms (e.g., for excursions) and you can give your consent via the app.

As well as online permission forms, you can also use QParents to:

• pay for invoices
• enter absence details
• view report cards
• update your contact details

If you have not yet activated your QParents account, you will need:

• the email invitation from the school (sent previously – please contact us if you would like this resent)
• 100pts of ID
  • If you don’t have 100pts of ID you can to come to the office with additional ID so that we can approve your account.
• your child’s EQID (student number), which can be found on any invoice received from the school.

Please contact the office if you would like any assistance with getting started with QParents – admin@ascotss.eq.edu.au

Parenting tips for positive childcare and school drop-offs

Let’s face it, childcare or school goodbyes can be tough, both on our kids and us. Your child may cling to you at the gate, tugging at your legs and emotional heartstrings as you try to leave.

If this has been your experience, it is common. Some level of separation anxiety is developmentally normal in young children. It can happen when they start care or school for the first time, change centre or school, or move up a level. They could also have a more shy or nervous temperament and need extra support to separate from you.

Our latest article has some practical ideas that parents and carers can try to help children cope and settle well, keeping in mind that you know best what might make goodbyes easier.

Strategies include having a special ‘goodbye ritual’ before leaving, comforting and communicating to ease fears, as well as practical ways to maintain a positive attitude, like games and role play.

The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program can help families with raising confident kids, to find out more, visit Triple P Online. If your child is aged six and up, you can help them build resilience through Fear-Less Triple P Online. 

We have been inundated this week with children coming to the Tuckshop hungry with no food to eat for 2nd Break. With the students now participating in Swimming Lessons during the day and increased appetites following the holidays, can you please ensure that your child has enough food to last them for the day or alternatively you can order a snack for them from the Tuckshop to enjoy for 2nd Break.

CAN YOU HELP OUT IN THE TUCKSHOP?

With some of our Year 6 parents finishing up at the school last year, we’re looking for some new volunteers to join our team. This is a great (and easy) way to get involved and meet other parents from within the school community and the kids love seeing you there too!

The tuckshop volunteer roles only involve helping out one day a month for a two hour shift from 9.30 - 11.30am so if you’re interested in getting involved please contact Julie at tuckshop@ascotsspandc.org

WE'RE LOOKING FOR HOMEBAKERS TO JOIN OUR TEAM FOR 2025!

Are you wanting to help out but just don’t have the time to volunteer at school? We have the role for you – Homebaker! 

As a Home Baker, you’d be rostered once a month on a day that suits you best to drop off some baked goods for us to sell. Goods can be delivered before school to the Tuckshop anytime between 6am – 9am. Popular items include Cupcakes, Choc Chip Cookies, Anzacs, Slices etc and you don’t need to be Nigella either as packet mixes are fine.

Please email Julie - tuckshop@ascotsspandc.org

To ensure we comply with current departmental guidelines, we are considering introducing a Unisex jumper as part of the Ascot State School Uniform and would love your feedback. We would like to know if you prefer the red or the blue option.

Please note, if the Unisex jumper were to be introduced, there would be a three year phase out period whereby students could continue to wear the existing blue or red jumpers as well.

For all feedback, please email admin@ascotss.eq.edu.au

A warm welcome to new families to Ascot State School for 2025. We are looking forward to a wonderful year of discovering and delighting in the magic of reading! For those who are new to our school, we have a Birthday Book Program. To celebrate your child’s birthday, please consider donating a book of their choosing to the Ascot State School Library for all to enjoy. Each book donated through this program is personalised with a bookplate on the inside front cover with your child’s name and birthday details. Our collection of birthday donation books continues to grow each year, and the children really enjoy borrowing these special books.

Class Library Borrowing

Library borrowing has begun for 2025, with several classes visiting to borrow this week.  A special welcome to our new Prep students who have been to our library for class visits and during break times.

We have also welcomed Teaching Assistants Mr Darren Misztal and Ms Alicia Jonkers to our library. Mr Misztal will be working in the library on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, while Ms Jonkers will be there on Mondays. Ms Meredith Blythman will manage the library on Thursdays and Fridays this year.

We encourage all students to borrow every week to support their reading journeys. They can borrow during their scheduled weekly class library time, as well as before school (8.30am – 8.50am Mondays – Fridays) or during both break times.

All students are encouraged to use a waterproof bag for their library borrowing. This ensures our books are well looked after and away from items in school bags such as water bottles, lunch boxes and swimming belongings that may cause damage. Waterproof library bags are available from the Uniform Shop.

Donations of any unwanted reusable carry bags are greatly appreciated from families throughout the year. These make great spare library bags for students to use from time to time.

eBooks Digital Library

Did you know that Ascot State School students (P-6) subscribe to the eBooks Digital Library? The eBooks Digital Library is a shared collection of digital resources, managed by the Department of Education for state schools in Queensland. 

Simply access this resource by downloading the app Sora to your device https://soraapp.com. When prompted to ‘Find my School’, choose Education Queensland.  Students will need to login using their MIS ID. Please consult your child’s Class Teacher if you are unsure of your child’s MIS ID.

Meredith, Darren, and Alicia
Library Staff

Welcome to our new families and welcome back to our returning families. We hope you have had a lovely Christmas break and look forward to working with students and families in 2025.

Swimming Lessons

Swimming started this week and the focus this term is water safety and survival skills along with stroke development. Thank you to those parents who have volunteered to be spotters or are willing to hop in the water with our younger students. Swimming skills are essential for safety and enjoyment and we hope children will participate fully in this program. If however your child is sick / injured or unable to participate we would  appreciate the classroom teacher being notified. Most children arrived with all their swimming gear but we had a few students without swimming caps and unnamed bags and uniform items. Please name all items so we can easily return them to the owners. Thank you for your support.

District Swimming Carnival (Wed 12 Feb)

Congratulations to all the children who qualified and were selected in the Ascot team to swim at Lawnton this Wednesday. We wish them all the best of luck and look forward to hearing about their performances.

Born 2016 – Maggie F, Angelica D,  Lulu W, Lily Z, Bjorn F,  

Born 2015 – Alistair M,  Rupert V, Hunter F, Harry H, Charlton D, Katherine H

Born 2014 –Timmy M, Alexander S, Harriet H,  Pippa T,  Olive K, Franki W

Born 2013 - Margaret T, Chloe M, Ava G, Annabel F, Peyton G

Sport Carnival Dates/ Gala Days – Term 1

Cross Country Training

Mrs Proctor and Mrs Parer will start running training for those interested on Thursday afternoons (3:10 – 3:50). Morning trainings with Mrs Hunter/ Ms Graham will begin in week 4 (8:00 – 8:30). Children will be notified on assemblies and daily notices about which days training will be offered.

City District Sports Trial Process (Representative Pathway)

• Trials for selection into City District teams for various sports for students turning 11 and 12 in 2025 will be held in term 1 and 2 (exceptional 10 year olds may be able to nominate).
• The standard at these trials is very high with children coming from over 20 schools (including 12 year olds from high school) in the City District.
• Students must express interest in attending a trial a week before the school nomination date (highlighted below). Dates are on display in classrooms and students will be reminded as trials come up.
• Children selected to attend each sport from Ascot (numbers are usually restricted to 5) will be given a trial notice and need to complete QR code details and pay trial fee online.
• From QR code data parents will be emailed a student information pack which will need to be completed and emailed back to designated convenor by due date.
• Trials will normally be in school time and private transport to venues will be required.
• Sometimes trials are postponed (weather) or the date changes and children will be notified as quickly as possible. Term one trials are listed below.
• Trialists have nominated for the first 3 trials and we are now seeking nominations for league. Children must play at club level to be considered for the rugby league trial.

Any concerns/ queries about P.E./ sport with Yr 3 – 6 students please direct to Mrs Hunter (Wednesday – Friday) bphun0@eq.edu.au and for students in Prep – Yr 2 to Ms Graham (Monday – Thursday) agrah27@eq.edu.au. Thanks for your support and we look forward to a great, active year.

Music Welcome- Instrumental Music and the 2025 Musical

Welcome to 2025 Music! Thank you for your patience while we get all our schedules finalised. Please find information regarding the instrumental music program below. There is also information regarding Finding Nemo, our musical for 2025.

Email

Please add musicadmin@ascotss.eq.edu.au to your address book. Some email domains put my emails into junk/trash/promotions email folders and you may miss correspondence from me. This is the designated email for all instrumental and choral correspondence.

Timetables

Thank you for your patience with our timetables. They are still being finalised and will updated will be sent as soon as possible. For now, please refer to the timetable that was emailed/hard copy, or as otherwise emailed.

SRS and EQ11 forms

Thank you to families who have returned their SRS form for the music levy ($75/year). On Friday, a hard copy was given to students who have not yet returned this. This is for all students in the instrumental music program.

If your child is hiring an instrument through us, we require an EQ11 form. On Friday, a hard copy was given to students who have not yet returned this.

Withdrawal from program

It is expected that all students commit to the instrumental program for the duration of their time as Ascot State School. If your child does withdraw from the program, parents must email musicadmin@ascotss.eq.edu.au to inform the teaching team. A meeting with their instrumental teacher may be requested.

Rehearsal schedules

Rehearsal schedule for instrumental music and choir is attached.

BAND

Junior Band

Junior Red Band               Monday 7.45am               Hall        from TERM 2
Junior Blue Band              Tuesday 7.45am               MR1       from TERM 2

commences in Term 2 and will be either on a Monday or Tuesday, as there is Blue Junior Band and Red Junior Band. You will be informed of which group your child is in throughout the term. If you have clashes with before-school activities on one of those days, please email me to let me know as soon as possible. Participation in Junior Band is compulsory. For band students in their first year of learning.

Intermediate Band          Wednesday 7.45am        MR1

all Woodwind/Brass/Percussion/Bass Guitar students in their 2^nd year of learning.

Percussion Ensemble     Thursday 7.45am              MR1

all percussion students in their 2^nd year of learning and up (year 4-6)

Senior Band                        Monday 7.45am               MR1

All year 5 and 6 students learning a band instrument must attend, unless this is their first year of learning.

STRINGS

Junior Strings

Thursday school hours- commencement date TBA

commences later in the year and will be during school hours. Ms Sheppard will communicate this to parents.

Senior Strings                    Thursday 7.50am              Instrumental Music Room (under hall)

all String students in their 2^nd year of learning and up. (Miss Sheppard may split senior strings into different groups, but she will communicate this.) Senior Strings is now commencing in week 4. The rehearsal schedule has been updated to show this.

Finding Nemo Kids

Audition Timetable Attached

It has been wonderful to see so many enthusiastic students sign up for our musical this year. As we have more numbers than expected-over 100 students for 50 roles-there will be an audition process. We encourage all students in Year 4-6 who have already signed up to still audition. We have had to limit this number due to student safety, as our stage does not have the capacity for large ensembles.

Priority for all roles, including primary storytellers, featured roles, and chorus, will be for students who:

-score highly in the audition criteria of vocal technique, acting technique, characterisation and stage presence

-have shown a continued commitment to the arts program at Ascot State School (choir and instrumental music)

-are in Year 5 and 6

Students who do not get selected for a role will still be able to contribute to the production through assisting with prop and set design, costuming, ushers, programs, flyers, and more! We hope this experience encourages students to be proud of putting in their best effort and grow as artists. This will prepare our year 4s for the musical in 2027. Students learn life skills such as resilience, perseverance, and confidence through the audition experience, regardless of the outcome.

We look forward to showcasing Finding Nemo Kids in August 2025.

These students impressed their teachers with their approach to learning in a variety of ways over the past week. Congratulations!

These students impressed their teachers with their approach to learning in a variety of ways over the past week. Congratulations!

This newsletter section provides a great opportunity for local businesses to engage with our parent community. If you would like your business to be a part of this or for more information, please email us at comms@ascotsspandc.org.