Welcome to Week 4 of Term 4! As we approach the end of the school year, there are several important updates and events to share with you. Please take a moment to read through the following information.
QParents – Sign Up Today!
We are excited to announce that our school will be using QParents as an important platform for communication and administrative processes.
What is QParents?
QParents is a free online application that allows Queensland state school parents to access and view a range of their child's school data and complete school-related administrative tasks quickly and easily. The app provides 24/7 access to:
- Receiving and responding to consent requests and automated reminders
- Receiving and paying invoices
- Viewing attendance records and providing absentee notifications
- Accessing academic reporting data, timetables, and assessment planners
- Viewing limited behaviour records and schedules of upcoming events
- Receiving announcements from the school
Why use QParents?
This platform streamlines communication between parents and the school, reduces the need for paper-based processes, and ensures you have access to important information at your fingertips.
We will be using QParents for key communications, including permission notes for excursions, so we encourage all families to sign up as soon as possible.
To register, please visit the QParents website or contact our school office for assistance.
Swimming Carnival Update
Unfortunately, due to poor weather earlier this year, our Term 1 swimming carnival was cancelled. Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to secure a suitable date with the pool for the remainder of the year. Additionally, other significant school events have made rescheduling the carnival unfeasible.
As a result, we regret to inform you that the swimming carnival will not go ahead this year. We understand this may be disappointing for students and families, and we appreciate your understanding.
We are aware that there are outstanding tuckshop credits from the Term 1 carnival. To ensure these credits are used, we will be holding a special Meal Deal Day later this term. Please stay tuned for further details on using your credit for this event.
Instrumental Music – Strings Program
We are pleased to share that our Strings Program will continue, even though we do not currently have a new strings teacher. Our talented brass, woodwind, and percussion teacher, Mrs Bergin, will be working alongside one of our teacher aides, Jess Sleeman, to run the String Ensemble on Tuesday mornings, starting next week.
Additionally, Mrs Bergin is planning to run some lessons for beginner string students to help them build their musicality and skills.
A reminder to all string students:
Please bring your instrument to school every Tuesday, starting from 4th of November.
We thank Mrs Bergin and Jess Sleeman for their dedication to ensuring our Strings Program continues to thrive.
Day for Daniel – Friday 31st October
Next Friday, our school will participate in Day for Daniel, Australia's largest child safety education and awareness day. This important day raises awareness about child safety and empowers children to Recognise, React, and Report when they feel unsafe.
What's happening on the day?
- Students are invited to wear red in support of the Morcombe Foundation. The day is about awareness and education – please note that there will be no fundraising on this day.
- Students will participate in Australia's Biggest Child Safety Lesson.
Important reminders:
- Students must wear sun-safe clothing with sleeves and closed-in footwear.
- Please ensure your child's clothing is appropriate for school activities.
We look forward to seeing our school community come together to support this important cause. More information about the Australia's Biggest Child Safety Lesson will be released later today for consideration from families.
2026 Class Planning
As we begin planning for the 2026 school year, we kindly ask families to inform the school office if your child/ren will be departing at the end of this year to attend a new school.
This information is vital for our class and staffing arrangements for next year. Please contact the office as soon as possible if this applies to your family.
Parent Feedback Survey
Later today, we will be sending out a Parent Feedback Survey to gather your thoughts on the strategic direction of our school.
I believe it is essential to hear the voices of our parents and caregivers to help shape the work we do in providing the best education and opportunities for our students. Your feedback will play a critical role in informing our planning and priorities for the future.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey when it arrives in your inbox. Your input is invaluable, and we greatly appreciate your time and effort in helping us improve.
Senior Leadership Cards – Year 5 Students
Next week, Senior Leadership Yellow Cards will be handed out to eligible Year 5 students as part of our Senior Leaders Program. This process encourages students to develop leadership skills, contribute positively to the school environment, and serve as role models for their peers.
Eligibility Criteria for Senior Leaders:
To be eligible for the Senior Leaders Program, students must meet the following criteria by Term 4 in Year 5:
- Achieve a Personal Achievement Award level of GOLD
- Have limited or no recorded behaviours for Year 5
- Demonstrate our school habits and follow school rules independently
- Complete the Senior Leader Yellow Card
- Present a speech to the school community for consideration as a captain
Participation in the Senior Leaders Program is open to all Emu Park State School students who meet the criteria. Students who successfully complete the program will receive a Senior Leader Badge, which comes with certain responsibilities and opportunities.
Additional Leadership Roles:
The Senior Leader Card process is also important for students who wish to be considered for additional leadership roles, such as:
- School and Vice Captains
- Music Captains
- House Captains
- Indigenous Leaders
Year 6 students who meet the Senior Leadership criteria are welcome to apply throughout the year. We encourage all eligible students to participate in this program and take advantage of the opportunity to develop their leadership skills.
The Importance of Attendance and Finishing the Year Strong
As we move into the final weeks of the school year, we want to emphasise the importance of regular attendance and finishing the year strongly. Every school day counts, and consistent attendance is vital for students to stay engaged, maintain their learning momentum, and prepare for a smooth transition into the next year level.
Here's why attendance matters:
- Learning Continuity: Each day builds on the previous one, and missing school can disrupt a student's understanding of key concepts.
- Social Connections: Attending school daily helps students maintain friendships and feel part of the school community.
- Building Resilience: Completing the year with focus and determination sets a positive tone for future challenges.
We encourage all families to support their children in attending school every day and staying committed to their learning until the very last day of Term 4.