Dear Emu Park SS Community,
As we approach the end of the school year, I wanted to take a moment to share some important updates and express my gratitude.
1. Thank You for a Wonderful First Year
I would like to sincerely thank everyone for the warm welcome during my first year as Principal at Emu Park State School. It has been an absolute pleasure working alongside our dedicated staff, enthusiastic students, and supportive families. I look forward to continuing the great work together in 2026.
2. School Vision, Mission and Values
Over the course of the semester, I have sought feedback from students, families and staff in regards to the direction our school should take and where we should focus our attention to provide our students with the best possible opportunities for their future. Starting from 2026, we will have a new vision, mission and values statements. I am very appreciative for the feedback from families in shaping this direction for the school.
At Emu Park SS, our guiding principles shape everything we do:
- Vision:
Working together, we empower students to become engaged, confident and resilient learners with the skills to thrive in their community. - Mission:
• Foster a safe and supportive culture that promotes wellbeing and belonging for all.
• Deliver engaging learning experiences that respond to individual needs and empower every learner to thrive.
• Forge inclusive and collaborative educational partnerships that enrich learning. - Values:
- Delivering excellence in teaching and learning
- Fostering a positive learning culture
- Promoting partnerships for engagement
- Striving for continuous improvement
These statements reflect our commitment to providing the best possible education and environment for every student.
3. Staffing update
As we draw toward the end of the school year, there are a number of staff changes for the new school year.
After 41 year working in Queensland State Schools, Jo Barnes (one of our wonderful Year 2 teachers), will be retiring. Jo has been a long serving staff member at Emu Park SS, having spent close to 20 years working in our school. We will miss Jo's positivity and genuine joy for working with our younger students. We wish her all the best for her retirement and all the fun adventures that are ahead for her!
Our HPE teacher, Kate Karner, will also be taking leave in 2026. She has been a big advocate for promoting physical activity at school and has worked tirelessly to create wonderful opportunities and events for our students. Kate has a wonderful way of connecting with our students and is highly respected and appreciated by the whole community. We wish Kate all the best for 2026!
We also say farewell to Melissa Staines, who is one of our Teacher Aides who has been pivotal in supporting the running of our library. Mel is also a wonderful addition to all of the classes she supports and has helped enhance the literacy skills of so many students across the school. Mel has some fun adventures planned for 2026 and we want to thank her for her commitment to our school and students.
Sally Crocker (Year 1) and Kodie Hoppe (Year 5/6) will both be on maternity leave in 2026. It is a very exciting time for their families and we wish them all the best. We look forward to seeing them back at Emu Park SS at some stage in the future.
We also have a number of staff who will be joining us in 2026.
Firstly, our school is very excited to announce that Toni Robinson will be joining the Emu Park State School community in 2026 in the role of Deputy Principal. She has extensive teaching and leadership experience in the Rockhampton region and will be a wonderful addition to our school. Mrs Clayton will be taking some leave throughout 2026, but she will still be actively involved in coaching teachers to deliver the best learning opportunities for our students in 2026.
In addition to Mrs Robinson joining our team, we are also looking forward to welcoming the following teachers to our school for the new year:
Matthew Linsley – HPE teacher
Candice Owens- classroom teacher
Katie Battle – classroom teacher
Gabby Morris – classroom teacher
Tracey Nicklen – classroom teacher
Amy Dinsey – District Relief Teacher
6. Year 6 Graduation
On Tuesday night, we celebrated the graduation of our Year 6 students from Emu Park State School. It was a wonderful evening and special to recognise the hard work of our students as they prepare to depart from primary school. We wish all our Year 6 students all the best for their future and next stage in their learning journey.
A special mention must also go to our Year 5/6 team who have worked so hard to ensure this week has run smoothly with the different events and activities for the students. This week is a big week for the students and staff, and we appreciate all the work they have done to make this a special time for our students.
5. Appreciation for Our P&C
A big shout-out to our hardworking P&C team! Your efforts in running fundraising activities and collaborating with school leadership have provided incredible opportunities for our students. Recently, the P&C was successful in securing a $5,000 sporting goods grant, which will help enhance our sports days and provide new post pads and equipment to ensure our students have the best resources available.
6. Final Day Sausage Sizzle
On the last day of school, the P&C has kindly offered to host a free sausage sizzle for all students. Please still pack some lunch for your child, but they will also enjoy a sausage on bread as part of this celebration. Please note that the tuckshop will be closed on Friday.
7. Report Cards
End-of-year report cards will be emailed to families on Friday 12th December.
8. Class Allocations for 2026
Families will receive an email with their child's class allocation for 2026 on Friday 12th December. On Friday 23rd January between 1:30-3:30pm, families are welcome to bring their child and resources into the school and drop books off in their new classrooms for 2026. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the teacher and save some of the stress of the first day back at school.
9. School Office Hours – January 2026
The school office will reopen on Monday, 19 January. Please note it will be closed on Thursday 22nd January for staff training, but open all other days from 8:00 am – 3:30 pm.
10. Facilities update
One of our school buildings (P block) is being removed over the school break (due to asbestos concerns). To ensure the safety of all members of the community, the school grounds will be shut down between 10-17th January.
11. Car Parking and Student Safety
Please take extra care in the car park areas, ensuring students enter and exit vehicles safely and avoid walking onto the road. We've had some concerns raised about cars being parked in by others and vehicles left in the Stop, Drop & Go zone. I understand parking is limited, and I have begun discussions with Livingstone Shire Council to explore improvements.
12. Swimming Lessons 2026
Swimming is an essential life skill, and we are committed to providing high-quality lessons. Due to an increased requirement from the Education Department in regards to safety requirements and instructor qualifications, the school will need to employ additional qualified instructors to run swimming in 2026.
In 2026, lessons will run intensively for one week per year level (daily lessons for 5 days), rather than one lesson per week over five weeks. The schedule will be shared early in the new year.
The cost of swimming in 2026 will be approximately $60 per child (includes bus transport, pool entry, and lessons). To try keep swimming as affordable as possible, the school will also contributing additional funding to reduce costs for families.
13. Back to School Boost – Government Funding
From the start of 2026, the government's Back to School Boost will provide a $100 credit for every primary school student (Prep–Year 6). This credit will appear on your child's account and can be used for school-related expenses such excursions (including swimming), camps, or extra-curricular activities. Families can determine how they would like to use this payment, but please note that this credit cannot be used for external purchases or as a cash payment.
14. Wishing You a Wonderful Break
I wish everyone a safe and relaxing holiday. Take time to enjoy moments with loved ones, and we look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday, 27 January.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in making Emu Park SS a fantastic place for learning.
Community Programs
Social Prescribing Program – Livingstone Shire Council
The Livingstone Shire Council has commenced a social prescribing program for families, which is a holistic, early-intervention approach that helps families address the social factors that impact wellbeing, including stress, isolation, mental health challenges, parenting pressures, housing issues and limited community connection.
In this program, families work closely with social workers at LSC to understand what is happening behind the scenes and support them to reduce social isolation and loneliness by connecting them with community opportunities that strengthen mental health and overall wellbeing. I also help families develop practical, tailored support plans based on their needs and interests, and connect them with appropriate services, groups and activities. Where cost is a barrier, brokerage can be used to support participation. Throughout the process, LSC team aim to build confidence, skills and independence so families feel empowered to continue engaging with their community once they exit the program.
Many families experience reduced stress, improved wellbeing and stronger community connections through social prescribing, and these positive changes often support better school engagement and attendance.
This program is run by the Livingstone Shire Council and will not be held in council facilities. If you are interested in participating in this program, please complete the referral form on the website: https://www.livingstone.qld.gov.au/Places-and-Spaces/Community-Facilities/The-Community-Centre/Social-Prescribing-Trial