Newsletter Term 1 Week 5

From the Principal

2025 will be an exciting year at Runcorn. As a team we set high expectations and develop an understanding of each child. I look forward to seeing all students at school every day and encourage parents/caregivers to connect with your child’s teacher so that your child can see a strong partnership between home and school. The strength in this partnership can only result in positive learning outcomes for your child.

Some simple guidelines to remember when using the parking areas around our school

• Be patient – Afternoons are the busiest periods, be patient & allow students to cross safely.
• Be courteous – Choose to be courteous and kind. We’re impressed many afternoons each week when we see courteous behaviour from one driver to another.
• Park legally – Brisbane City Council regularly patrols the parking areas around our school and from time-to-time issues parking infringements for illegally parked vehicles. Please park legally and adhere to any relevant signage respecting our neighbours and their driveways.
• Remember - the staff car park is for staff only. It should not be used for parking or for dropping off or picking up students.

Parents and Citizens Association (P&C)

I extend a warm invitation to each and every one of you to join our P&C.  At Runcorn we believe that a strong partnership between parents, carers, and the school is essential for the holistic development of our students. The P&C plays a crucial role in fostering this collaboration, and your involvement can make a significant impact on your child's educational journey and the overall school community.

By joining the P&C, you not only support your child's educational experience but also contribute to the growth and success of our school. Your unique perspectives, skills, and enthusiasm are valuable assets that can enhance the learning environment.

I look forward to attending our AGM followed by a general meeting on Monday March 10. It will be in the resource centre at 4pm. It would be great to see many more families represented as a part of our P&C during 2025.

Playtopia

If you would like to learn more about how fortunate we are to have a space such as Playtopia here at school and what students do in the space (the way they play) connect with the Playtopia Facebook page. Our passionate Playworker and teachers supervise the space during lunchtimes.

Meg McClure

From the Deputy Principal

At Runcorn State School we ensure that no child goes hungry. We have sandwiches, yoghurt, and fruit available—any child can request food if they are hungry, no questions asked.

If your family is experiencing difficulty providing food, please know we are here to help and can support any  child with food every day.

 Roberta Matlock.

From the Head of Department - Curriculum

Phonological and Phonemic Awareness (PPA) Skills in Prep at Runcorn

In Prep at Runcorn, all children are being explicitly taught Phonological and Phonemic Awareness (PPA) skills during reading groups. As a parent, it’s a great idea to become familiar with these skills and the related terminology so you can actively support your child’s learning and use the correct terms when reading together.

What is PPA?

PPA stands for Phonological and Phonemic Awareness. These are two critical skills necessary for reading success, and they form the foundation of early literacy development. Understanding PPA is key to helping children become skilled readers and writers.

Phonological Awareness:

This is the broader, more general skill that involves the ability to think about and manipulate language at various levels:

• Sentence Level: Understanding how sentences are made up of words.
• Example: Identifying how many words are in a sentence ("I like cats" has three words).
• Word Level: Recognizing and manipulating individual words within sentences.
• Example: Being able to identify and count the number of words in a sentence.
• Syllable Level: Recognizing the parts of a word (syllables).
• Example: Clapping out syllables in words (e.g., "el-e-phant" has three syllables).
• Rhyme Recognition: Recognizing which words rhyme.
• Example: Knowing that "cat" and "hat" rhyme, or that "big" and "wig" rhyme.

Phonological awareness helps children understand the structure of language and prepares them to work with the sounds that make up words.

Phonemic Awareness:

This is a more advanced level of phonological awareness that focuses specifically on individual sounds in words (called phonemes). Phonemic awareness allows children to manipulate sounds at the smallest unit of sound level, which is crucial for reading and spelling.

• Examples of Phonemic Awareness Tasks:
• Identifying the first sound in a word (e.g., the first sound in “dog” is /d/).
• Blending sounds together to make a word (e.g., blending /c/ /a/ /t/ to make "cat").
• Segmenting words into individual sounds (e.g., breaking "bat" into /b/ /a/ /t/).
• Manipulating sounds in words (e.g., changing the /c/ in "cat" to /h/ to make "hat").

How Parents Can Support PPA Development:

As a parent, you can support your child’s development of these essential skills by engaging in fun and interactive activities, such as:

• Rhyming Games: Play games where you ask your child to come up with words that rhyme with a given word (e.g., “Can you think of a word that rhymes with ‘cat’?").
• Sound Matching: Help your child identify the first sound in words. For example, “What’s the first sound in the word ‘sun’?” (Answer: /s/).
• Sound Segmentation: Ask your child to say the sounds in words. For instance, “Can you break ‘dog’ into sounds?” (/d/ /o/ /g/).

By incorporating these types of activities into your daily routine, you can help reinforce the phonological and phonemic skills your child is learning in Prep.

Jillian Chittenden

Head of Department - Inclusion

Over the recent holidays I was fortunate to read “The Resilience Project: Finding happiness through gratitude, empathy and mindfulness” by Hugh van Cuylenburg. It was certainly a thought-provoking read, as we all want to see our children grow into confident, capable individuals who can handle life’s challenges. My key take-away from this book was that the one key trait that will help children thrive is resilience – the ability to bounce back from setbacks, manage stress, and face difficult situations with a positive outlook.

But how can we nurture resilience in our young children, especially as they navigate school, friendships, and their ever-changing world?

Here are some tips to help build resilience in primary school-aged children

Encourage a Growth Mindset

Teach your child that mistakes are part of the learning process. Instead of focusing on the outcome, emphasize the effort and persistence they put into a task. Celebrate small wins and remind them that every challenge is an opportunity to grow.

Promote Problem-Solving Skills

Instead of immediately stepping in to fix problems, encourage your child to think through solutions on their own. Ask guiding questions like, “What do you think could help here?” or “How could we solve this together?” This fosters independence and teaches them that they have the power to overcome obstacles.

Model Resilience

Children learn by observing the adults around them. Show them how you cope with challenges in your own life. Whether it's dealing with a work problem or handling a stressful situation, your approach to adversity will set a powerful example for your child.

Create a Safe, Supportive Environment

Resilience flourishes when children feel safe, both physically and emotionally. Ensure they know that you are there to listen and support them. Validation, encouragement, and knowing they have someone in their corner can make all the difference in how they handle setbacks.

Build Emotional Awareness

Help your child identify and express their emotions. Understanding their feelings can give them the tools to cope with them. When they are upset or frustrated, calmly acknowledge their emotions, such as “I see you’re feeling frustrated about this. What can we do together to make it easier?” This builds emotional intelligence and empowers them to manage their feelings.

Foster Connections

Resilient children have strong social support systems. Encourage friendships and teach your child how to communicate and collaborate with others. Whether it’s a team activity, group project, or a simple playdate, social connections help children navigate challenges together.

Resilience isn’t something that’s “fixed” but something that grows over time, shaped by experiences and supported by those around them. By fostering a resilient mindset at home, you are helping your child develop the tools they need to face challenges with confidence, perseverance, and an optimistic outlook on the future.

Julie Schooth

Norman's News

The Power of Resilience

Today I thought I would share a special story with you. You might not know this about me, but there has been times when I had to dig deep and find a little something extra inside to keep going. It’s called resilience, and let me tell you, it isn’t always easy. But I have learned how strong I can be, and I want to share that journey with you.

Last year, I was called to visit a classroom. It was a chilly, grey day, and I could feel the tension in the air as I walked into the room. The students I was going to visit were going through tough times, and the energy was heavy. Normally, I’d get a smile, or a little pat on the head, but today? Today was different. The room was quiet, and no one seemed to have the energy to look at me.

I stayed calm and did what I do best: I sat down, stayed by their side, and waited. I waited for a sign, a little connection, a way to show them that I was there for them. But as the minutes ticked by, nothing changed. The silence hung in the air like a thick fog, and I started to feel a little unsure. Was I doing enough? Was I really helping?

I’ve been trained for situations like this, but that day, it felt different. I could sense their struggles, and my paws itched to do something more, to make them feel a little lighter. But sometimes, resilience isn’t about doing something huge or flashy. It’s about showing up, even when it feels like you’re not making an impact. And so, I stayed. I gave them all the space they needed and simply offered my presence. Slowly, over time, I began to feel the tiniest shift. One person gently reached out and scratched my ears. Then another gave me a soft look. I felt it. It was the smallest spark, but it was there.

Resilience, I’ve learned, is about showing up when things are tough, even when you don’t see immediate results. It’s about staying grounded and patient. And most importantly, it’s about trusting that your presence, no matter how quiet, is enough.

By the end of the visit, a few smiles appeared, and even a gentle laugh or two. It wasn’t a miracle, but it was something. I left that day feeling proud—not because I had “fixed” anything, but because I had been there, and sometimes, that’s all we really need to do.

So, when life feels a little heavy, and things aren’t going the way you expect, just remember: resilience isn’t always about big actions. Sometimes, it’s about showing up and being there for someone, even when it feels like nothing’s changing. You might not see it at first, but your strength and patience can make all the difference.

Keep wagging your tail, my friends. Even on the tough days.

Big licks and tail wags,

Norman

Music Matters

Instrumental Music- Karawatha Music Workshop

Notes for the Karawatha Music Workshop week will be going out soon. Please keep an eye out for these when they come home and return paperwork ASAP. The dates are as follows:

There will be an evening concert on Thursday 22nd which everyone will be required to attend.

Choir and IM- Formal Uniform

For all Music performances, students in Band, Strings and Choir are required to wear their Formal uniform. Band and Choir have their first performance for Anzac Day on April 24. Please ensure that students involved in these groups have the correct uniform to perform in. These are available from the uniform shop.

Eleven Benefits of Singing!

Anyone who loves to sing will probably tell you how good it makes them feel. It’s no secret that singing reduces stress, improves your mood, and generally brings more fun into your day. But there are many different physical, emotional, social, and psychological benefits associated with singing that you may not realize.

- Singing releases endorphins and oxytocin.

Endorphins are hormones that increase feelings of euphoria and pleasure. Oxytocin is also known as the “cuddle hormone” because it is released when people snuggle up. It is known to decrease stress and anxiety. Both of these hormones can make you feel better in general and decrease any pain you might be feeling.

- Singing improves cognition.

Several studies have concluded that singers and musicians typically have higher IQs than non-musicians. Singing can improve your overall brain function and help you think a little clearer.

- Singing leads to a longer life.

A joint Yale and Harvard study showed that for some people living in New Haven, Connecticut, choral singing promoted healthy minds and hearts, which increased life expectancy.

- Singing lowers your blood pressure.

There have been several case studies that have revealed that singing can decrease blood pressure due to its calming and relaxing effect. Patients have been able to calm themselves down and lower blood pressure readings when in the hospital by singing hymns.

- Singing tones up your facial muscles, your diaphragm, and your intercostal muscles.

The proper technique of singing from the diaphragm can strengthen your abdomen and back muscles. You also exercise your facial muscles in unique ways when you sing, which can make your face look more energetic and lively. Your intercostal muscles–the groups of muscles running between the ribs that help form and move the chest wall–will receive quite the workout as well as you sing.

- Singing increases empathy and understanding between cultures.

Music can help us to feel connected to all of humanity, even across cultural divides. Singing songs that originated from other cultures can give us a new appreciation for those cultures and help us empathize with others.

- Singing develops the lungs and gives you better posture.

When you sing, you naturally sit or stand up straighter to get a better sound. Singing also improves your lung capacity and helps you to breathe a little easier

- Singing brings people together and creates a sense of community.

Singing in a choir or singing in any sort of group environment with other people can be a fun, bonding activity. It gives you an opportunity to share an experience with a group of people. There have been several studies that have shown singing in a choir decreased depression in many adults

- Singing can help patients with Parkinson’s disease.

There have been numerous studies that have shown how singing can increase the health of patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. For these patients, singing can improve vocal and swallowing control in these patients. There are even some studies that suggest music can help patients to regain their balance

- Singing improves your memory.

Even if you can’t always remember all of the lyrics to your favourite songs, there is no question that singing requires you to use your memory in ways that you don’t normally. This is one excellent way to keep your brain functioning well as you age

- Singing can boost your immunity.

Because singing can lower your blood pressure, cause you to have lower cortisol levels, and decrease your stress and anxiety, it will certainly have a positive effect on your immune system.

So now you have several reasons to go join that choir you’ve always wanted to join or to just start singing in the car or in the shower. Improve your health and happiness with this incredibly fun activity.

Prep Music

The Preps have been singing and playing games in Music. They have been learning to cooperate and self-regulate all while having fun! Music is very powerful for these skills.

This week we have begun learning to use instruments by playing “Shake and Stop”.

Mrs Alison Murray
amurr51@eq.edu.au

Sports News

Welcome to Week 5

Two of our six swimmers at the Eastern Taipans District Trials, have been selected in the team to compete at the Met West trials.  Congratulations Charlie and Emily. Runcorn State School wishes you the best when you compete at this week’s trials.  If successful, Charlie and/or Emily, will then compete at the State Swimming Trials. 

No Cap No Swim  - Parents please ensure that your children have all of the required clothing.

Runcorn State High School has invited our budding touch football players to be part of their ‘Future Stars Program’.  From term 2, 28th April, primary school students (usually year 4 to year 6) will participate in a structured program that aims to improve their touch knowledge and skills.  If you are interested in your child/ren participating in this program, please email me and I’ll send you the permission form. 

As always, any questions, please ask.

Mr Brady
lbrad101@eq.edu.au 

Health Happenings

Our parade awards focus this fortnight is the Getting Along Key and the Collaborator Learning Asset.

Getting Along at Runcorn State School looks like:

• Students working cooperatively with each other in and out of the classroom
• Students solving/resolving problems in a calm and friendly manner
• Students making responsible choices
• Students being friendly and patient to those around them
• Students listening while others are speaking
• Students helping those in need

Effective Collaborators at Runcorn State School are:

• Empathic
• Compassionate
• Reliable

Staff across Runcorn State School will be actively looking for students displaying skills of getting along and collaboration. Congratulations to all students who have been acknowledged so far! Getting along and collaboration makes Runcorn State School a better place to learn and grow.

Sheridan Stirling
sstir16@eq.edu.au

School Social Wellbeing News

Our lunchtimes at Runcorn State School are full of activity with our year 5 and 6 students are invited to join in our INSPIRE 25, Vision Board Making sessions run in the Blue Room on a Wednesday, lunch session, run by our wellbeing social worker Ms Sheena.

In the sessions students are encouraged to identify 3 goals, dream ideas and their own personal strengths to help work towards their set goals in 2025. Using colours, paint and images, the final product will be a large size collage to assist students to refocus on three goals they set for themselves at the beginning of the year. The students who attended today are keen to put an artistic spin on their own Vision Boards. All creative art items are available for use in the sessions.

Paint and create sessions are also held by our social worker on Mondays in the first break. Here students are provided with the creative materials to relax and reset, ready to return to class.

Additionally, to assist students or families gain access to the school social work services, Ms Sheena Cranwell is available for drop-in meetings on Monday Mornings from 8:00 – 8:40 and pre-arranged times on a Monday afternoon after 3:00 pm.

Shena Cranwell
scran79@eq.edu.au 

From the Administration Office

Outstanding Permission Forms

If you have any of the below outstanding forms can you please return to the office as a matter of urgency

- Year 4 Online Services Consent Form
- Student Resource Scheme

An invitation to QParents has been sent to all new families this week.  Please check your emails for your invitation code. A letter has also been sent home advising of you child's EQ ID.   If you require any assistance with setting up your QParent account, please contact the office. 

Student Resource Scheme

We would like to thank all of our families for supporting our Student Resource Scheme.  The monies raised helps purchase learning materials used in each of our classrooms and specialist lessons.  Your assistance enhances our student's learning outcomes.

Attendance

Runcorn State School's Admin team are available between 8.00am and 3.30pm each school day. You can contact us on 3323 8777 if you have any queries.   Student absence texts can be sent to 0429 928 611 or a voice message can be left on 3323 8777 and press option 1.

If students arrive to school from 9.00 am onwards they are to present to the office to collect a late slip.  This ensures that our rolls are marked correctly and prevents parents from receiving incorrect absence texts. 

First Aid Processes

If children are injured or become ill at school they will receive treatment within the classroom or in the Health Room. Parents/Carers will be contacted if necessary. Please note that staff must give Parents and Carers a courtesy contact home for all head related injuries (no matter how minor).   

When a student is considered too unwell to remain at school, parents will be contacted to collect their student in a timely manner.  If a student's condition deteriorates while waiting to be collected an ambulance may be called if deemed necessary. 

If a student presents to the health room with a suspected allergic reaction, parents/carers will be contacted.  As per Education Queensland policy, if a student requires an EpiPen to be administered parents will be notified.  An ambulance must be called and the student will be transported to hospital for further treatment.   Children with known allergies will have their own school based EpiPen.  We also hold a school EpiPen for any unforseen emergencies. 

Medication must be prescribed by a doctor or dentist and may only be administered to students by school staff. The medication must be taken to the school office in its prescription container and administered according to the doctor’s instructions.

Non prescribed oral medication such as Panadol and cough mixtures can only be administered by school staff with a pharmacy label and medical authorisation. Education Queensland prohibits students from carrying their own medication to school and requires Parents/Carers to deliver the prescribed medication to the office and collect after school or before weekends as needed. A school register of all medicines administered is kept.

Incursion/Excursion/Camp Payments

Runcorn State School is now a cashless school.  Thank you for continuing to pay for your children's incursions/excursions/camp payments via our preferred methods:-  BPoint and EFTPOS.  If you require any assistance paying via BPoint, please contact the school office.  Unfortunately we are unable to accept payments over the phone.

DID YOU KNOW?..... that using BPoint is a convenient and secure way to pay for your child's school invoices. BPoint is a user-friendly online payment platform that enables you to pay your school invoices quickly and easily, without having to worry about sending cash or cheques through the mail or visiting the school in person. It can also be done by phoning the school on 3323 8777, choosing Option 2 which will redirect you to the BPoint payment platform.

By using BPoint, you can make payments from the comfort of your home or office at any time, day or night. You can also track your payment history and receive email receipts for each transaction, making it easier to keep track of your expenses.

BPoint offers a secure and reliable payment system, ensuring that your personal and financial information is protected. It also helps reduce administrative costs for the school, which ultimately benefits the entire school community.

We strongly recommend giving BPoint a try for your next school invoice payment. It's an efficient and hassle-free way to pay your school fees.

We have also included some easy to follow instructions. If you still require further assistance with the process please contact our friendly Admin team!

Newsletters

Don't forget that you can always collect a hard copy of the current newsletter from the office.  You can also view/download it from our website: https://runcornss.schoolzineplus.com/enews?nid=23  You can also download the Schoolzine App from your App Store.  Once downloaded, search for Runcorn State School and use password 4109, when prompted.  Happy reading.

P & C Association

Pantry Drive – Help Us Stock Up.

Hey school fam! It’s time for a Pantry Drive, and we need your help to keep our tuckshop stocked and running smoothly. From 24th February to 7th March, we’re collecting essential pantry and kitchen supplies, and every little bit counts.

What We Need:

Pantry staples – Dry lasagne sheets, Spiral pasta, Pasta sauce (Passata, Dolmio etc), Tomato paste, Pizza sauce, Canned diced tomatoes, Canned corn kernels, Canned beetroot, Canned pineapple pieces, Tomato sauce, BBQ sauce, Butter chicken sauce jars, S&B Golden Curry mild sauce mix, Taco seasoning, Jasmine rice, Olive oil.

Sweet treats – brownie & cake mixes

Hydration – Up & Go, 600ml water, Zooper Doopers

Cleaning essentials – sponges, spray & wipe, paper towels

If you can spare an item (or a few), simply drop it into the donation basket at the admin office. Every donation helps our tuckshop team continue serving up delicious meals and snacks for our kids!

Thank you for your generosity—let’s fill that basket.

What an amazing start to our Pantry Drive.

A massive THANK YOU to the generous team at S.A.M (Seriously Addictive Mathematics) for their incredible donation to kick things off. Your support means the world to us, and we’re beyond grateful for your kindness. 

With donations like these, we’re able to keep our tuckshop stocked and running smoothly, ensuring we can continue providing for our school community. Every item donated makes a difference, and S.A.M has certainly set the bar high.

Let’s keep the momentum going. If you’d like to contribute, our Pantry Drive runs from 24th Feb to 7th March, with a donation basket in the admin office. Every little bit helps.

Thank you again, S.A.M—your generosity is truly appreciated. 

Lastly don’t forget our Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on the Monday 10^th  March 4pm in our Resource Centre (Library).

All staff, parents and citizens of Runcorn community are invited to attend.

Runcorn State School P&C focus is to support the school, staff and students by providing funding for improvements to the facilities of the school. Our mission is to give ‘every child every chance’ in education and life.

At the AGM there will be:

• A call for membership for this year 2026
• The adoption of the Constitution (if updated)
• The endorsement of the 2024 Auditor’s Report
• The endorsement of the 2025 Student Protection Risk Management Strategy
• The adoption of the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan and Budget
• Nominations and election of the 2025 Executive Committee. Positions available:
• President
• Vice President
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Other potential positions, to be discussed and decided at the AGM may included
• Grants Officer
• Fundraising/Events Coordinator Team
• Communications/Social Media Officer
• Sponsorship/Marketing Officer
• Archivist for the 125 Celebration in 2026

There is no expectation that everyone who attends the AGM will then join as a member. If you are interested in observing what happens at a P&C meeting, please come along.

With many hands we can achieve anything.

Our Uniform Shop is open:

Tuesday mornings from 9.00am to 10.00am
Thursday afternoons from 3.00pm to 3.30pm

You can order uniforms in person or through our online ordering platform.

rssuniform@outlook.com 

Community News

Jabiru offers before and after school care and vacation care at Runcorn State School. Our team includes a range of friendly people who are into craft, sport and outdoor exploration, so there’s something for everyone at Jabiru Runcorn.