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. 

Q Parents Announcements  

Now we have almost all of our parents on Q Parents, our dept communication tool, as the place where you can notify of absences and get your report cards, we are going to make more use of its features.  It now has an announcement tool, so we are going to transition to this as our main push out notifications.  For example, the P&C discussed with us the other night how uncertain it can be for parents about whether choirs, bands etc are on, and when they are cancelled etc.    We will set up a system whereby the IM and Music staff can push out a notification if they are for example sick and unable to attend, so you know not to drop your children off early.   It will be helpful for changes and other important announcements.  

iPad BYOD resourcing 2026 yr 3 and yr 5

We are hosting a parent evening on Wed 29^th from 6 – 6:45 pm regarding the transition to byod iPad resourcing in 2026.  You are invited to attend to get details and specifications and to have any of your questions answered. JB HiFi are attending to assist with any questions re purchase, insurance etc.

Please look for a reply to with more information to register.  This will help us know whether to hold this session in the hall or the staffroom depending on numbers attending.

Year 3 Instrumental Program: update

I wish to thank profusely our Instrumental Music team. Mr Port was absent for the last couple of weeks last term, and then submitted withdrawal of his contractual services due to personal circumstances. We wish him all the best.

The leadership and Music team of Ascot SS are committed to ensuring that our year 3 child/ren continue their lessons this term to provide continuity of skills and engagement into yr 4 as much as possible.

Thus, our other instrumental music teachers will step in and provide lessons to year 3 students from week 2 to week 8. These lessons are designed to prepare students for the Year 4 Department of Education instrumental music program. It is a wonderful transition for the students to get to know the teachers and for the teachers to assess their skills and needs for a strong start in 2026.

2026: Yr 3 program – in development

Rather than the ‘user pays’ IM program we have had in year 3, we are working with the Dept of Education to provide qualified IM teachers to implement an innovative and more inclusive extended trial and recruitment process for all year 3 students to experience all instruments – as a kind of “taste and test” across the year.  This will enable us to better match students to instruments for long term success and most importantly to ensure all students experience an opportunity to know the value in learning the right musical instrument for them. We will stay in touch about our success in bringing this off.  Over time, we believe this will enable us to once again build up our IM program so that we have quality engagement, levels of participation and performances.

Congratulations to Emmerson Bartlett

On the weekend our Emmerson did the Brisbane to Gold Coast triathalon (Mater Brisbane to Gold Coast Cycle for Cancer 2025) in 3 hr 41 mins and raised $ 720 for charity.

What a great effort. Next time we will advertise this in the newsletter before hand in case you want to support her energy.

Respectful parking for our neighbours.

We have received another request from one of our neighbours to remind parents to please not park in their driveways. The system can work if we keep looping around until there is a park in the drop off-pick up zones.  It helps our staff greatly if you use the name signage on the car – let us know if you need another of these for your car or a 2^nd car.

Visit from CEO of BFX

BFX has been very generous in helping us both design and be able to purchase with significant discounts our I block classrooms.  They also have donated several trucks of floor stock to us, eg health room beds, year 1 desks etc.  This week the owner of the company Denis Moore visited to have a look at how the classrooms have taken shape. They are also assisting with ideas for seating in the Yr 6 legacy project area. We are very grateful to Denis and Connie for their partnership and generosity.

Gratitude - What are you grateful for? Who are you grateful to?

21^st September was World Gratitude Day, so we have taken some time these past two weeks in our social-emotional learning lessons to explore the benefits of gratitude in both attitude and practices for the individual body system, but also for the emotional climate and culture of our school.

There is much research about the benefits of Gratitude for individuals and then our collective selves – this is our focus for social-emotional learning this week.

Benefits of Gratitude for Teachers

• Improved Wellbeing & Reduced Stress
  Practicing gratitude helps teachers reframe challenges, lowering stress and burnout while increasing resilience in demanding roles.
• Stronger Relationships with Students
  Expressing appreciation toward students (for effort, respect, or kindness) strengthens trust, rapport, and classroom culture.
• Increased Job Satisfaction
  Regularly noticing small wins (student progress, teamwork, supportive colleagues) builds professional fulfilment and motivation.
• Positive Role Modelling
  When teachers show gratitude, they model empathy, kindness, and perspective-taking—qualities that students naturally mirror.

Benefits of Gratitude for Students

• Boosts Mental Health
  Gratitude practices (like reflection journals or sharing daily “thankful moments”) are linked to reduced anxiety, greater optimism, and higher self-esteem.
• Enhances Learning Engagement
  Students who feel appreciated and express gratitude are more motivated, attentive, and persistent in their learning.
• Improves Peer Relationships
  Expressing gratitude promotes kindness, cooperation, and conflict resolution, strengthening friendships and inclusivity.
• Builds Resilience
  Focusing on what’s going well, even in tough times, helps students bounce back from setbacks and approach challenges positively.

✨ Whole-School Impact

• Creates a Positive Culture
  When gratitude is embedded across staff and students, the school climate shifts to one of kindness, appreciation, and belonging.
• Supports Values-Based Education
  Gratitude aligns with social-emotional learning (SEL) frameworks, encouraging reflection, empathy, and community-mindedness

Pottery workshop – Visual Arts installation – speaking of Gratitude ... many thanks for your organisation of parent volunteers and your positive participation in the pottery workshops so far.  The students are producing impressive results under the guidance of our artist

Chrissy.  They will look fantastic when glazed and installed.

Hello Ascot families,

My name is Kristian Crisp, and I’m thrilled to be joining the Ascot State School community as your new acting Deputy Principal. From my very first day, I’ve been impressed by the pride, enthusiasm, and kindness that fills this school — it’s clear that Ascot is a place where both students and staff genuinely love learning and being part of something special.

I’m looking forward to getting to know all of our students and working alongside the incredible staff and families who make this community so strong. I’m passionate about student engagement — helping kids find joy and energy in their learning, set meaningful goals, and recognise the power of their own mindset and attitude. I believe that when students take ownership of their learning, they begin to see just how capable they truly are.

I’m excited for the term ahead and for the opportunity to meet you all — whether it’s at assembly, in classrooms, or around the school grounds.

Warm regards, Kristian Crisp

In 2026, Ascot State School will transition to a BYOD iPad Resourcing Model. Families are invited to our parent information session.

Please RSVP by Friday 24 October via the QR Code below or https://forms.office.com/r/eehZezi6du

Kristine Atkins

Head of Department - Curriculum

STEAM Week

We’re looking forward to another exciting STEAM Week in Week 4! Throughout the week, all students will have the opportunity to take part in class and lunchtime activities, competitions and incursions.

Once again, we’re delighted to welcome Street Science to work with our students. These sessions are always a highlight, sparking incredible excitement, engagement and positive feedback from students.

STEAM Week Competitions

All students are invited to take part in our schoolwide STEAM Week competitions! We’re looking forward to seeing lots of creative entries. It’s time to start showcasing your science experiments and snapping photographs that show how maths is everywhere!

Kristine Atkins

Head of Department – Curriculum

City Collective Leadership Showcase

On Tuesday, 14th October, our school leaders Ariana, Lulu, Sophia, and Riley proudly represented Ascot State School at the City Collective Leadership Showcase held at the Queensland Academy of Creative Industries. The students presented their legacy project, aimed at improving the area beneath I Block, to an audience of student leaders and educators from across the city. They did an outstanding job explaining their vision, design process, and fundraising efforts. Their confidence, teamwork, and pride in representing Ascot were truly impressive — well done, leaders!

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.

School Zone Parking

Parking in accordance with all road rules and signage is important to keep our
children and other road users safe. Unfortunately, Brisbane City Council has
received an increase in the number of reports of illegal parking around our school. As
a result, our school has been added to Council’s Safer Schools Program this term.

What does this mean?
Brisbane City Council’s Parking Compliance Officers will be actively patrolling the
streets surrounding our school over the coming term to encourage safer parking
behaviours. These patrols will be conducted on foot and in highly visible Community
Safety and Regulation vehicles that can identify alleged offences using Automatic
Number Plate Recognition and GPS software. Please be kind – they have a job to
do.

What are the common parking signs around schools?
A guide to common parking signs around school zones can be found on Council’s
website by searching the term ‘School Parking’.

We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all students and other road users

Flashing light school zone signs will be installed on Anthony and Pringle Streets in the upcoming weeks. Ascot was nominated to receive these new signs as part of a Queensland Government commitment to improve school road safety. 

You will notice that the new signs look similar to standard school zone signs with the addition of a red flashing ring around the speed limit as well as two flashing yellow lights at the top of the sign. The installation of flashing light school zone signs is proven to improve visibility of school zones, serving as an active reminder for motorists to slow down.

So in the upcoming weeks when you’re dropping off or picking up your child, keep an eye out for the new signs and make sure you stick to the signed speed limit.

The Federal Government is serious about protecting young Australians as they develop
and is introducing a social media ban for under 16s from 10 December 2025.
Jonty Bush MP – Member for Cooper, Grace Grace MP – Member for McConnel and I
would like to invite you and all parents to a social media forum specifically for parents.

eSafety Forum
When: Tuesday 21 October 2025 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Where: Kelvin Grove State College Hall
(best access: Gate 6 then Gate 2)
Address: L’Estrange Terrace, Kelvin Grove QLD 4059
RSVP: by Wednesday 15 October 2025

Link to Event Brite page:https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/esafety-forum-wmadonna-jarrett-mp-grace-gracemp-jonty-bush-mp-tickets-1741299546819?aff=oddtdtcreator
This is an opportunity to hear directly from experts in e-safety and child psychology, and to have some of your questions answered. We aim to arm parents with the knowledge and confidence to help guide them and their children through this new landscape.