Principal Ponderings …

Learning Spaces renewal - I block renovations…

I block classrooms (yr 6 and yr 3) will be undergoing renovations and repairs from mid-May to mid-July.  This does mean that the 6 classrooms will be needing to move temporarily to other learning spaces.  Your classroom teachers will send more information. The work being done is funded in part by the DoE and in part by our school.  We are seeking P&C support for a contribution towards some of the furniture to transform our classrooms into intentionally inviting learning spaces that enable flexible learning options and a deep sense of connection and belonging – to the spaces, the learning and one another.  We have some experts coming to workshop design considerations and processes with our teachers.  Work includes:

• repairs to the roof and drainage (which brought on the need for the internal repairs).
• remove fixed furniture and operable walls, replace with fixed walls and acoustic tiling for large learning walls.
• install interactive screens on portable wheels and portable whiteboard
• new ceiling tiles, paint and flooring
• touch up to external paintwork at entry and on decks
• greening of decks.

Designs and photos to come over time.

Introducing our Prep-Puppies…

As part of our prep-transition process – 'Acing Ascot- prep for Prep'– we have created 20 puppy scenes (featuring Winston) which highlight some key independence and priming skills which set up students for success at school.  Here are just some of them for your enjoyment.  We will be creating a placemat for our incoming preppies and share and use them with our prep students to notice their growth.

Communicating with us..

The Dept of Education have created the following document for schools to share with families.  It matches pretty much what we do here at Ascot, but I find it is always helpful to see the big picture of the system so I share it with you.

Mothers Day .. stall a success

Many thanks to the volunteers who arranged and assisted with the stall.  The students take great pride in selecting a gift for all of our Mothers and significant others.  I trust you all had a great day.

Musical update….

Clearly the musical practice is progessing well and with some fun!

Calling all knitters and crocheters….

As part of our rejuvenation of the undercroft of our toilet areas in the Hobbiton theme, we will be creating a crochet flower garden.  This will go alongside some pottery and wooden ones and we would LOVE to have your assistance to either come help teach crochet to our students, or stay at home during the cooler months making lots of different crochet flowers for us .. or leaves and vines.     Please let Mrs Anke Lawes know if you can help or help make some to “flower bomb” the fence near the girl’s toilet with care and inspiration at @LAWES, Anke (axlaw7) or call and leave a message with your details at the school office.  

Watch the video here on our bigger project for inspiration.  

https://youtu.be/plML8wHeyko

National Reconciliation Week Assembly

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

What is National Reconciliation Week?

From: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/ 

The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.

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All members of our community are warmly invited to join us for our whole school assembly to recognise Reconciliation Week.

• Monday 2 June
• 9:15am
• Covered Games Court
  

Have you signed up to QParents?

As many of you who are already signed up know,  we are moving to QParents as our main means of School Business communication (we will be keeping SchoolZine for sharing- newsletter and notices)

QParents offers a convenient, safe and private app to help parents & caregivers manage important details of your children's journey. 

Below are all of the things you can do in QParents.  From Sem 1 2025 all school student academic reports will ONLY be available through the QParents app (they will not be emailed out), so now is your time to get signed in and set up your account.  Additionally,  we are using QParents now for all excursion and camps consents and payments.

You will need your school invitation code and your student’s ID number.  Please contact Sondra by email if you require any information – smcar17@eq.edu.au

https://qparents.qld.edu.au/#/landing

Prep enrolments are open for 2026.  Collect your enrolment pack at the office and book your interview for Term 3.

We have been most fortunate in securing additional funding for the painting of one of our dear old buildings (they all need some love but it’s a good start).  This has all happened rather quickly so I write to let you know that next Monday, 19^th May 2025 painting works will commence on the external façade and undercroft areas of C Block (prep building-staffroom-art room).

These works will take approximately six weeks to complete, weather permitting and we share with you here a rough timeline but certainly the agreed process:

• From Monday 19th (week 5): Painting of undercroft of C Block
• Approximately Wednesday 21st to Friday 23rd: Erection of scaffold in phase one area (From Office through Loose Parts Area to car space)/potentially painting.
• Week 6: Painting of C Block in phase 1 area 
• Week 7: Scaffolding moved to phase 2 area (From car space around into Anthony Street playground) and painting of phase 2 area
• Week 8: Painting of phase 2 area
• Week 9: Scaffolding moved to phase 3 area (sculpture garden side of building)/painting of phase 3 area
• Week 10: Scaffolding moved to phase 4 area (bottom of sculpture garden outside staff room)/painting of phase 4 area. 

I am sure you know that the safety of your children, our staff and community is paramount to us. The DoE has clear guidelines as does the company awarded the contract.

The following key, but not exhaustive, precautions/safety measures are being put in place:

• Temporary security fencing will be installed to close off access to work areas
• Playgrounds will be closed while works are in those areas
• Junior Boys toilets will be closed during certain stages of works- students will have access to Senior Boys and hall toilets
• Senior Boys toilets should remain open throughout works with fencing directing students safely to access points
• Work will occur on weekends where possible to help limit disruption
• Paint and work supplies will be locked away securely with only access permitted to contractors
• The paint on the building will not be sanded back, but treated with approved product to soften it for removal, negating the impact of paint flakes and dust particles. 

We will ensure that we keep the community updated on the progress of the works as they evolve. Please remain connected to FaceBook and SchoolZine for further updates.

We thank you for your support and understanding while these exciting improvements take place. We are excited about the old gal looking glorious.

Congratulations to these students who are mastering our school expectations and earnt a Boarding Pass that put them into our weekly draw at Assembly. With thanks to the P & C for their support, our winners receive an ice block or home bake from the Tuckshop.

Sport Carnival Dates/ Gala Days -Term 2, 2025

City District Cross Country Results

Thank you to Mrs Hunter and Mrs Proctor who supported our cross country team at the recent City District trial at the Grammar fields. Ascot placed third out of the A schools and, more impressively, placed 4^th out of the 34 schools, based on points per school population. This could not have been achieved without all of the students running to the best of their ability in very competitive races of up to 90 students. The following three students have been selected in the City District team after their performance at the trial. Congratulations to Ava G (1^st), Katherine H (3rd) and Finn T (8^th) and we wish them all the best at the Metropolitan North trial.

We also had some of our 9 year old students perform really well in their first City District trial. Our 9 year old students do not progress to Met North level but some outstanding performances include: Sofia G (1^st) , Lulu W (3^rd), Bernie B (4^th) and Gus G (14^th). We look forward to seeing what these students do in 2026. Thank you to the whole team for your outstanding efforts.

City District Sporting Representatives

Along with our cross country representatives we have some other students who have been selected in recent sporting trials and we would like to congratulate the following students: Halle O , Evie C, Taylah V (shadow) and Timmy M who have all been selected in the City District touch teams.

Schedule of Athletic Events Prior to Yr 3 – 6 Athletics Carnival

Due to time constraints at athletics carnival, some events are run prior to carnival day. Children will nominate for these events in P.E. lessons and these events will be run this term as follows on Thursday afternoons (2:15 – 3 pm), weather permitting. Congratulations to all the 800m runners who ran last week and to our placegetters.

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.