Newsletter Term 3 Week 3

From the Principal

Newsletter Week 3

Term 3 has well and truly begun. Our school has always prided itself on its inclusiveness, strong values, and commitment to providing an exceptional education. Our dedicated teaching staff have been working hard to create stimulating and engaging learning opportunities both in and out of the classroom. It was wonderful to see so many families come along to the 100 Days of Prep event and connect. The Preps did such a wonderful job of their songs, and it was lovely to see so many of them dressed up.

Mobile Phones

If students have mobile phones at school, they must be handed in to the office when students arrive. Should students wear smart watches, they MUST be set to school mode. Remember that calls/messages should not be sent during school time and the taking of photographs with personal devices is not permitted.

Parent and Community Code of Conduct

The Department of Education is committed to supporting learning, wellbeing and safety in every Queensland state school. Their Parent and Community Code of Conduct is in place to ensure that Parents and other visitors to schools, support safety by ensuring their communications and conduct at the school and school activities is respectful. The Code of Conduct has been added to the newsletter for your reference. Thank you for working with us to ensure that school staff can continue to support the learning and wellbeing of every student in a safe work environment.

School Opinion Survey

Thank you to all of those who have already completed the Parent/Caregiver Survey. If you have not had a chance to complete the survey yet, please note that the online surveys will remain open until Friday, 22 August 2025. This is your opportunity to provide feedback about what our school does well and how we can improve. To have your say, check your email for an invitation from the Department of Education titled School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2025.

Can’t find your invitation? If your family has more than one parent/caregiver, check that they haven’t received the invitation and/or check your junk email folder.

Meg McClure

From the Deputy Principal

3 Way meetings will be held in Term 3 Week 4

This is a valuable opportunity for Parents and Students to meet with Class Teachers to discuss student goals. Each meeting is 15 minutes. Each Class teacher has different times on offer and bookings are essential.

Bookings open 3.00pm Friday 25 July 2025

Bookings close 3.00pm Friday 1 August 2025

Parents can follow how to book sessions: https://www.schoolzine.com/sk-booking-guide/

Parents can book sessions here: https://runcornss.schoolzineplus.com/3WayRep2025T3

If you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact the office on 3323 8777 or reach out to your class teacher.

School finishing time - 3.00pm

Parents and Caregivers please be reminded that school finishes promptly at 3.00pm and students are to be picked up at that time. If families require After School Hours' care please reach out to Jabiru.

https://jabiru.org.au/outside-school-hours-care/locations/jabiru-runcorn/ 

School staff are unable to provide care for students after 3.00pm.

 Roberta Matlock.

From the Head of Department - Curriculum

Book Week 2025

Children’s Book Week turns 80 in 2025. For 8 decades, CBCA (Children’s Book Council of Australia) has been dedicated to inspiring young minds to journey through the countless worlds that books offer. This year’s theme is Book an Adventure!

Celebrating Book Week is always a highlight of the Runcorn State School calendar. This year we will once again be holding a dress as your favourite book character day on Tuesday 19 August at 9.00am. We welcome families to join us as we parade our amazing costumes and share our love of inspiring literary characters. We would love to see Mums, Dads, Grandparents and siblings also dressed up on the day.

Keep an eye on the newsletter to see the other wonderful ways we will celebrate Book Week here at Runcorn. 

Many ways to read a book

Did you know there are many ways you can read and appreciate a book? Exploring different ways to engage in books and reading can help to build confidence and enjoyment. Have you tried….

Retelling the story: revisiting what has happened in order can help build sequencing and comprehension skills. It’s also a great way to relive and discuss your favourite bits. 

Listening to the story: Reading aloud to each other or even listening to an audio book is a great way to share a book with others in your family. You may want to draw some pictures of people and places the author has described in the story. 

Reading the pictures/images: Especially for beginning readers, reading the pictures can help us to make connection and predictions about what is happening in the story.

Reading different kinds of books: Visit our school library or your local council library to explore the vast array of books on offer. Usually a novel lover? Try a graphic novel. Take a wonder through the non-fiction section and find a subject you would like to learn more about. 

Whichever way you choose, we hope you discover some spectacular books this week.

Jillian Chittenden & Rachel La Sala

Head of Department - Inclusion

Supporting Students Experiencing School Refusal

School can be a joyful and safe place for many students—but for some, attending school can be a significant emotional challenge. School refusal, also known as school avoidance, is when a child experiences severe emotional distress at the thought of going to school. This is not simply truancy or misbehaviour—it’s often linked to anxiety, separation difficulties, or underlying mental health needs.

At Runcorn, we’re committed to working closely with families, staff, and students to understand the reasons behind school refusal and provide individualised, compassionate support. Strategies may include flexible transitions, targeted wellbeing support, and close collaboration with allied health professionals.

If your child is experiencing difficulty attending school, please reach out to your classroom teacher or the inclusion team—we are here to help.

For more information and resources, you may find these helpful:

• Raising Children Network: https://raisingchildren.net.au – Search "school refusal"
• Beyond Blue: https://www.beyondblue.org.au – Support for anxiety and mental health
• ReachOut Australia: https://parents.au.reachout.com – Parent strategies for school refusal
• The Brave Program: https://brave4you.psy.uq.edu.au – An online program for parents and children to work through together to tackle children’s worries

Together, we can support every child to feel safe, connected, and confident in their learning journey.

Julie Schooth

Norman's News

This week I would like to bark out a big THANK YOU!

Each day I trot through the school gates with a wagging tail and a happy heart because of the amazing students, carers and siblings who show me kindness in the most thoughtful ways. Whether it’s a student who gently rolls me a ball to chase, someone who pats me behind the ears, Paws Only Grooming who manage my mane, or those wonderful friends who write me letters or draw me pictures—you fill my doggy days with joy.

I keep every letter in my special box (yes, even the slobbery ones I might have accidentally sat on). I’ve read them all, alongside Mrs Schooth, and they make me feel so loved and welcome. Some of you even share your squeaky dog balls, and while I do love a treat, your kind words and wag-worthy friendship are what really fill my heart.

Gratitude is a powerful thing—it’s all about noticing the good around us and saying thank you. So, here’s my big, slobbery THANK YOU to all the students who go out of their way to share, care, and include me in your day.

Until next time,

Big licks and tail wags,

Norman

Music Matters

Save the date:

Term 3 Week 5 - Thursday August 14 - Instrumental Music Information Evening at Runcorn Heights SS

Term 3 Week 7 - Wednesday August 27 - Music Showcase Concert Sunnybank SHS (Band, Strings, Choirs)

Term 3 Week 8 - Wednesday September 3 – Singfest at Acacia Ridge SS Auditorium (Senior Choir)

Instrumental Music Information Evening

Families of current Year 2 and 3 students are invited to attend an Instrumental Music Information Evening at Runcorn Heights SS at 6.00pm on Thursday 14 August (Week 5) to discover what the programs are about and to express your interest in your child participating in 2026. Year 2 students will be eligible to apply for the Strings program, while Year 3 students will be eligible to apply for Band program. The evening will consist of a presentation, allowing time for questions at the end, and there will also be a selection of instruments available to learn on display.

Studies have shown that children learning an instrument under the age of 14 demonstrate improved self-esteem, social and academic skills, mental health, cognitive and physical abilities, relief from stress, better organisational skills, memory, attention span, and emotional regulation and a lifelong appreciation for music.

If your child is interested in participating in one of the programs in 2026 but you are unable to attend the information session, please email Music Coordinator Alison Murray amurr51@eq.edu.au to express your interest. We look forward to seeing you there!

Instrumental Music and Choir rehearsals

Please ensure your child is on time and in attendance at all rehearsals this term. Our Music Showcase concert is in Week 8 of this term and all ensembles and choirs will be performing. It is also very important that Choir students attend each week so that you are very familiar with all the Singfest repertoire for Week 8.

Music Showcase Concert

Our Music Showcase Concert will be held at Sunnybank State High School in Week 7, Wednesday 27 August at 6.30pm. Performing at this event will be all Band students, all Strings students, Senior Choir and Year 3 Choir (all Year 3 students). More information will be provided closer to the date for all students.

Singfest - Senior Choir

Singfest is coming up for Senior Choir members in Week 8. If you returned an expression of interest form in Term 1 (or Mrs Murray has contacted you about a waitlist opportunity), please check your notifications - the invoice for your Singfest ticket will be coming out very soon!

Classroom Music - Technology

Year 6 and 5/6M are creating compositions on GarageBand for iPad. Students are using technology to create music that communicates an idea (their idea can be based on an image, story or quote) by manipulating the musical elements within the GarageBand program.

Year 5/6M getting started on their GarageBand compositions.

Mrs Alison Murray

(amurr51@eq.edu.au)

Sports News

Welcome to our second newsletter for Term 3.

I hope you and your family have been staying warm and dry during the past fortnight. 

We were very fortunate to have 16 students attend the recent Eastern Taipans Track and Field Carnival. The students all showed great determination and resilience at the carnival. The school is proud of the way the students conducted themselves over the course of those 2 days. They demonstrated a supportive nature to our athletes and other school’s athletes as well. Even though results are important, displaying this empathy and support to others demonstrates how lucky we are to be surrounded by these future leaders. 

Below are some standout achievements form our athletics.

As always, any questions please email me. 

Have a great fortnight.

Mr Brady
lbrad101@eq.edu.au 

Resource Centre News

Book Club

Book Club is back this term. Look out for Issue number 5 in your students' bags/folders soon. Please have your online orders in by 31/07/2025.

Health Happenings

Assembly Awards

Our assembly awards focus this fortnight are 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

Japanese News

•  Year 4

Students started learning Japanese related to family topic. They learnt family members and how to count people in Japanese so far.

• Year 5

Students did quick research on Japanese food in a group and delivered a two-minutes presentation. Some example topics were ramen, sashimi, takoyaki and sweets. It was a great start of the restaurant unit.

Junko Nagashima

Japanese Teacher

From the Administration Office

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. 

We are committed to providing our children with the highest quality education possible, ensuring a strong foundation before high school that empowers them to succeed and build the brightest futures possible.

We need your help to make this happen.

Every day counts in a child’s education. Consistent attendance gives them the best opportunity for a successful future—whether it’s a great career or becoming one of tomorrow’s leaders.

QParents

Runcorn State School would like to remind you that we are a cashless school and as such, the best way to help us help you, is to sign up for the QParents App.

QParents is a secure online portal created by the Department of Education for parents of Queensland state school students, providing 24-hour access to their child's information. It allows parents to access various student data and administrative functions, such as enrolment history, report cards and you can even advise us if your child is sick without having to make a call.

Having QParents means you can also pay invoices or check up on any outstanding fees directly ensuring excursions or incursions are paid in time for your child to attend.

We strongly encourage you to start using QParents and you can download the app or visit the QParents website.

There are so many uses for QParents so please take a look and download the app today.

https://qparents.qld.edu.au/#/registration/account-owner/invitation/

P & C Association

Important dates for Term 3

• P&C General Meeting – Monday 25 August 3.15pm (Week 7)

School’s 125 year celebrations – save the date!

Our school community is celebrating our 125^th year on Friday 24 July 2026. Come along to our meetings as we plan for this major event and let us know if you would like to play an active role!

Uniform Shop

Online ordering here

Second-hand uniforms

Are your children outgrowing their uniforms? Any good condition pre-loved uniforms can be dropped at the uniform shop during opening hours. These uniforms provide an affordable option to some families, and help generate revenue for our P&C, which goes back to funding resources for our school.

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.