I Block

intentionally invitational classrooms – design process – and a grand re-opening date

Teachers from I block recently engaged with special guests digging into the research on 21^st C Learning spaces and beginning to plan their new classrooms. It ended on a fabulous note of excitement as they transitioned to collaborating with students.

Essentially the day was about engaging with research and experts to begin designing learning spaces where students can

• Be focussed
• Feel a sense of belonging and
• Do things that matter with voice & choice.

We were most privileged to also be educated by Mary Nicholls (OT), Chloe Price (Physio), Elise Bray (teacher-researcher QUT), as well as Connie and Nicole from BFX.

We do thank the P&C for their generous donation to enable this to really happen and sponsors who are supporting us (more details to come).  Teachers are now collaborating with students on their wishes for their classrooms design.

For now, know that I do love a celebration, and so we will be having a  re-opening ceremony on Friday 1^st August (with special guests including our local member Tim Nicholls) from 9–10am.  Book in the date.

Learning Styles student survey – building understanding and self-awareness

As part of the process of engaging students in contributing to and understanding their new flexible learning spaces, I have updated an older model (Dunn & Dunn) with recent research to form a Learning Styles student survey.  It asks students to reflect on different elements to identify how they learn best.  This will enable them to both understand the purposes of the spaces, and how to use the various furniture choices to match their learning goals of the class, as well as their individual learning style preferences.

The survey covers all of the following elements to inform excellence in learning space design.

It will also be a useful transition tool for students who will be moving from a traditional learning space to these new spaces as we move to 2026.

Hobbiton–update and wallpaper–can you help?

As part of our Hobbiton Visual Arts installation, we are busy preparing the background framing work for the students to begin their art and clay work next term to then be layered on.

We have the following things happening soon

• Flooring markings in stage 1 (near the girl’s toilets)
• Northshore men’s shed are repairing some stools and creating some actual wooden features to highlight Ms Henschke’s mural, as well as the garden frame.
• Crochet flowers are coming in..
• Lowry Group are providing some green artificial plant roofing and lights

Meanwhile we have purchased the following wallpaper (it comes in 4 strips) to put on the sports shed doors under C block (once painting is finished) to begin to bring some of Hobbiton to this end also. Does anyone out there have experience with installing wallpaper and could volunteer their skill set? If so, please email me at dcox4@eq.edu.au

You gotta love boxes  

I had been waiting for a run of sunshine to put out the impressive boxes left behind by the election for our students to play with in loose parts.  Reminds me of the days when you bought the kids an impressive present, only for them to be more impressed by the box. It was a delight to watch them work collaboratively, and creatively.

New bells  

You may have noticed that we have a new bell system, with more speakers .. and the option now of music. Julie in the office is setting up a suggestion box and process for the students to nominate different songs snippets. Today I was watching the students dancing to the end of day music. Such fun!

High Achievers Celebration Afternoon

Congratulations to the students who represented Ascot at the High Achievers program, including showcasing their exceptional work completed over the past six weeks.

It was such a privilege to visit the students to see the outcomes of their exploration and collaboration. It was apparent just how proud the students and parents were.

Yr 4-5 incredible design work comes alive

It was with awe that I listened to students from the year 4-5 class with Mr Manning explain their design and production process for their “creatures with adaptation” then printed in 3D. Such cleverness, and creativity. I will let them explain their learning and process. Please see the Year 5 section of newsletter.

Visit from Author-Peter Helliar

A visit from author, comedian, director, writer, actor, and all-round kind human being Peter Helliar was very much appreciated today by our staff and yr 3-6 students.   Courtesy of local bookstore Bright and Early Book, Peter read a chapter from his new book “Detective Galileo”. All classes had been given a book to read in advance for his visit, and students prepared questions for Peter.   Peter also read some of his “earlier” works – books he wrote as a child at school and encouraged students to write their ideas down.   He also hosted a “horse draw-off” between Hunter and Mr Manning.  Many thanks to Boyd for his fabulous introduction and to Mrs Blythman for her organisation of the event.   Fans turned out in force and Peter was very patient as students lined up to have their booked signed.  The students were literally abuzz at the first break. 

New Principal appointed to Nundah SS

I thought I would let you know that while we do not yet know of Mrs D’Netto’s plans for 2026+,  I definitely won’t be returning to Nundah SS. The region have now appointed the acting Principal Mrs Rachel Korst there permanently as I agreed to release it so Nundah could have some certainty. This means that I am available for Ascot if needed beyond 2025.

Kedron SHS INFUSE for Years 3-6 – Term 3 is Packed with Possibilities! 

Kedron State High School is thrilled to welcome local primary students to take part in our INFUSE for Primary program in Term 3 – and this time, we’re offering SIX exciting experiences across a range of subjects! 

These hands-on, after-school workshops are designed to ignite curiosity, stretch young minds, and give students a taste of high school learning in a fun and supportive environment. 

Here’s what’s coming up: 

? INFUSE STEAM (Engineering) – Back by popular demand! 

For Years 5 & 6 – over five action-packed weeks, students will take on creative challenges and solve real-world problems using science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths. 

INFUSE Creative Writing – Year 6 writers, this one’s for you! 

Students will craft their very own interactive, multimedia stories – using digital tools to bring their ideas to life in new and exciting ways. 

INFUSE History & Geography – Exploring our world! 

Through digital tools and creative exploration, Year 3 & 4 students will uncover fascinating stories from the past and investigate the world around them in this immersive program. 

INFUSE Visual Arts – Creativity in action! 

Year 5 & 6 students will be guided through the creative process from idea to masterpiece as they develop their own original artwork. 

NEW! Little SCIENTISTS – Fun with Experiments! 

For curious Year 3 & 4 minds – students will experiment like real scientists in weekly hands-on investigations across Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Earth Science. 

NEW! Kedron Coders – Where Coding Meets Creativity! 

Open to Years 5 & 6, this beginner-friendly program introduces the basics of coding using Scratch. Students will explore logic, creativity, and problem-solving while building interactive projects and games. 

Program Dates & Times: 

All programs (except Coding): Tuesdays, 3:30–4:30pm | 5th August – 2nd September 

Kedron Coders: Fridays, 3:30–4:30pm | 8th August – 5th September 

These programs are an amazing opportunity for students to learn, create, and connect — all while having lots of fun at Kedron SHS! 

The application process for Term 3 programs is open now! Please use the following link to apply for a spot in the 2025 INFUSE for Primary programme. https://app.enquirytracker.net/request-application/08689e0e02614026a2a44e2a7e8d55b8/lZDzhpFsy3PtkIBioTEp 

Please get in touch with the infuse.primary@kedronshs.eq.edu.au  email account with any questions  

What is ICAS?  

ICAS is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students’ higher order thinking and problem-solving skills. At Ascot, we offer families in Years 3-6 the opportunity to sit the competition in English, Maths and Science.

Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals.  

 Learn more about ICAS here. (https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas)  

 How to participate in ICAS 

Families can elect to have their child/ren participate and must sign up before Monday 28 July. At this point, the payment portal closes, and no further entries can be taken. The cost of each competition is $20.95.

Please note, we cannot facilitate refunds or make alterations as all money is paid directly to ICAS Assessments.

If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:  

1. Read about ICAS subjects and prices here: (com/products-icas/) 
2. Read the Privacy Collection Statement below.
3. Read the terms and conditions here: (com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-ICAS-Assessments-Schools-TsCs_S2023.V6-1.pdf) 
4. Go to the Parent Portal to sign up to chosen subject areas here: (icasassessments.com/pages/pps)  
5. Enter our school’s access code – VUI251
6. Enter your child’s details, select the tests you would like to purchase, then proceed to payment.  

Please note that the ICAS tests shown for selection are at the school’s discretion.   

After payment is made via the Parent Payment System, you will receive an order confirmation email, please keep this for your records. 

ICAS sitting dates

We sit the tests before school in the week of testing nominated by Janison. Below are the test weeks and will we confirm which day we will sit the test in the next newsletter.

We will do our best to work around our music rehearsals, however it is impossible to avoid clashes. If you wish your child to sit ICAS, and the time conflicts with their attendance at their band rehearsal, please contact the teacher and make your child’s apologies for that week.

• English – Tuesday 12 August - 7:15am for a 7:30 start
• Science - Wednesday 20 August - 7:15am for a 7:30 start
• Mathematics – Monday 25 August  - 7:15am for a 7:30 start

ICAS Results and Certificates 

We will notify you when your child’s ICAS results are ready. Once we have received your child’s ICAS certificate, we will send it home with your child.

The back of the certificate shows ICAS results and the login details, “TAP ID and Pin”, that you and your child need to enter the Results Portal orti.icasassessments.com/ortiStudent  

 Read the terms and conditions here: (icasassessments.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-ICAS-Assessments-Schools-TsCs_S2023.V6-1.pdf). 

Privacy collection statement  
The following information is a privacy notification about how your child’s data is kept private and secure.

ICAS Assessment is owned by Janison Solutions Pty Ltd (We, Us, Our).

To deliver assessment products, Janison will require your child’s School to obtain your consent to provide Janison with certain personal information of students. Janison will collect, store, use, disclose and otherwise deal with such personal information in accordance with its privacy policy (below). We are aware of our responsibility to protect personal information related to children and students from being disclosed when we deliver an ICAS Assessments product. Unless you, as the child’s legal guardian consents, we will not:

• collect any personal information or data of children other than the information we need for the successful completion of an assessment, test, or exam.
• transfer any personal information we obtain from a child in the delivery of assessments and tests to any jurisdiction outside of Australia.
• share any personal information relating to children with any third parties (except for those third parties necessary for us to carry out our Services or provide our Products e.g., medal engraving).
• use any personal information or data relating to children for marketing purposes.

You can view our full privacy policy at https://www.janison.com/privacy-policy/.

We may retain personal information and data relevant to a child for their future purposes or for research purposes by Janison for the duration of the school life cycle of the child. However, if you or your child at any time wish to have their personal information or data removed from our systems, they or you may opt out by simply contacting our Privacy Officer at privacy@janison.com or by contacting icasassessments@janison.com.

This term we have been consulting with the  Fred Street – Landscape Architects to design a Landscape management plan. 

Part of this process involves hearing the voices of those who use and belong in the spaces.

It is also an exercise in visioning and imagining what students might like to see in our outdoor environment.

Next week each year level P-6 will participate in an activity that captures their thoughts and ideas of our current spaces and then an opportunity to wonder and imagine what could be. 

We will be extending this opportunity to the P&C, School Council and broader community on 20 August 6-7pm before the P&C meeting.

Sport Carnival Dates/ Gala Days -Term 2, 2025

Yr 5 – 6 Gala Sport Days

Over the past three weeks, our Year 5 and 6 students have proudly represented our school at the Gala Days for Soccer, Netball, and Tag League. It has been fantastic to see their teamwork, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm on full display as they competed against other schools in the district.

A huge thank you to our dedicated teachers for their hard work, support, and organisation throughout the Gala Day rounds – these opportunities would not be possible without them!

We look forward to another exciting round of Gala Sport in Semester 2.

Sport Representatives

Congratulations to Halle and Evie on being selected in the City District rugby league team. This is the third City District selection for Halle and the second team for Evie – great work girls and good luck at the Met North carnival. Halle has also been selected in the Met North touch team to play at states – another great achievement. 

Sports Day Programs

2025 ATHLETICS CARNIVAL PROGRAMS

Year 3 – 6 Athletics Timetable of Events – Thursday June 19

Students need to arrive at classrooms at 8:30 am in sports attire with house shirt, hat and water bottle.

We hope parents will come along to cheer on the students from the oval surrounds. All students need to be in their house shirts and  sport shoes and bring hats, sunscreen and water bottles on their carnival days. Yr 3 – 6 students need to arrive at classrooms at 8:30 on Thursday to be marked off on class rolls and receive their age group colour wristband. Thank you to any parents who have offered their help on sport carnival days and to our Friends of Sport Committee for your support. Fingers crossed now for the beautiful weather to continue.

Alayne Graham (Mon – Thurs) agrah27@eq.edu.au

Brogan Hunter (Wed –  Fri) bphun0@eq.edu.au  

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

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.

3D Printing, Coding and Creature Creations in 4/5

This term, our Year 4/5 students have been immersed in a dynamic and creative learning journey that combined Science and Design Technologies. As part of our science unit, we explored the fascinating world of animal adaptations, examining the structural, behavioural and physiological traits that help animals survive in different environments. We conducted experiments, analysed real-world examples and borrowed engaging resources from the Queensland Museum to deepen our understanding.

After gaining a deeper understanding of animal adaptations, we extended our exploration into a technology rich design project. Students used TinkerCAD, a computer-aided design program, to learn 3D modelling skills. After experimenting with small projects like keychains, bag tags and miniature characters, students confidently moved on to design their own adapted creature, a unique animal with features suited to a chosen environment.

Once the designs were complete, students exported their models as STL files, which were then processed through slicing software to add structural supports and convert them into printable G CODE files. These were transferred to the 3D printer, and after some patient waiting, students had the thrill of holding their own imagined creatures brought to life.

The creativity didn’t stop there. Using CoSpacesEDU, students designed virtual environments to match their creature’s habitat, whether it be a forest, arctic tundra or deep ocean. Many incorporated coding to animate their creatures and added sound effects for greater immersion. The final step was loading these digital worlds into VR goggles, allowing students to step into their own designed environments and experience their learning in a whole new dimension.

This integrated project was a rich, hands-on learning experience that blended curiosity, design thinking, and digital skills. Our students were highly engaged, and their final creations were both imaginative and impressive.

Following the wet weekend, we are excited to announce that the Ascot Long Lunch will now be held on Saturday 26th July!

You don’t need to do anything as your tickets will automatically be valid for the new event date, so lock it in and get your babysitters booked.

For those of you who have friends that can now make it and would like to join your table or sit with you, just have them book their tickets via the link below and mention your name in the booking comments.

https://events.humanitix.com/ascot-long-lunch-2025

We’re looking forward to seeing you there and for all other FAQs please see below:

FAQs

• Are my tickets still valid or do I need to rebook for the new date?

Yes, your tickets are still valid and automatically rolled over to the new date, so you don’t need to do anything.

• I’ve got friends that can now make it, can they still get tickets and sit with me?

Yes, additional tickets have been released so your friends can book via the link above. Just ensure they mention your name in the comments section in the booking and we’ll ensure you’re seated together.

• I can now make it to Long Lunch, is it still possible to pre-order champagne?

Yes, you can pre-order champagne via the link above.

• I can’t make it on the new date for the Long Lunch. Is it possible to get a refund?

Unfortunately tickets are non-refundable, however if you are unable to make it you’re welcome to on-sell your tickets to family or friends who can take your place. If this is the case, please email comms@ascotsspandc.org to inform us of the new names for your booking so they can be updated on the seating chart. 

• I’m now unable to make it to the Long Lunch but already pre-ordered champagne. What happens now?

No problems, please email comms@ascotsspandc.org and we can arrange for you to collect it.

SUPPORT ASCOT STATE SCHOOL AT GRILL’D THIS JUNE!

We’re taking part in the Grill’d Racecourse Rd Local Matters Program for the month of June.

There’s never been a better time to give yourself the night off cooking dinner so head down to Grill’d to feed the family and pop your tokens in the Ascot SS jar to help our school bring home the win.

Ascot State School, with the support of the P&C, would like to offer you a unique opportunity to recognise your family's time at our wonderful school with a special Commemorative Plaque. The plaques include your choice of inspirational quote or family motto, family name and years of attendance or association with Ascot. They are cast from bronze and will inspire future generations of Ascot students, teachers and families. This will be displayed near the entrance to the Administration Building and will last the test of time.

All funds raised from the Commemorative Plaques contribute to Ascot's Building Fund and are tax deductible. Your kind donation will be used to enhance and maintain Ascot's quality education and learning facilities for years to come.

To secure your plaque at Ascot State School please click on the link below to complete the order form:

https://forms.gle/unVHKys3788EsxDU9

The FOS (Friends of Sport) working group would love some volunteers to help with setting up and packing down the tents and assisting with the different activities at the Athletics Carnivals. Also, we would love help to serve sausage sizzles at the Athletics Carnival Meal Deal BBQ that will be located on the Undercover Games Court.

If you can spare an hour or so it would be greatly appreciated so please sign up on the link below. Please note, even if you're signed up you’ll still be able to take a quick break to go and watch your child's race so you don't miss it.

https://volunteersignup.org/QCLCX

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.