Newsletter Term 4 Week 3

From the Principal

Reading - a top priority

Making reading a priority is a commitment to ensuring that every child at Runcorn State School becomes a confident, capable reader. We believe this paves the way for academic success and a lifelong passion for reading. As parents, your support is invaluable in promoting reading with your child. Here are a few ways you can help:

1. Read Together: Set aside time each day to read with your child. Modelling a love for reading is a powerful motivator.

1. Talk About Books: Engage your child in conversations about the books they're reading. Ask questions to help them comprehend and connect with the material.

1. Visit the Library: Regular trips to the library expose your child to a variety of books and reading experiences.

Together, we can further unlock the power of reading for our children and provide them with a skill that will benefit them for a lifetime.

Confirming Your Intentions for 2026

Are You Returning for 2026? You have received an email asking for your intentions for 2026. We kindly request your prompt response. If you are planning to transfer, move, or expect to return late due to overseas travel, please let us know as soon as possible. This information is invaluable in helping us make accurate staffing predictions for 2026.

State Education Week and World Teacher’s Day

Celebrate State Education Week with us between Monday 27 October and Friday 31 October. State education in Queensland provides the pathway for students to achieve what matters most to them and to create their own stories. This year we celebrate all the great stories that start right here in our school community. On World Teachers’ Day (Friday 31 October) we thank and applaud our teachers for their dedication, hard work and the positive impact they have on our students and community.

Reminder - Community carparks are now smoke and vape free

Smoking and vaping are already prohibited on school facilities and 5 metres beyond the boundary of the school. New laws extend smoke and vape-free protection to include all carparks provided for school communities, including those on council land. These laws apply to all persons at all times, including organisations using school facilities including outside of school hours.

Meg McClure

From the Deputy Principal

2026 Prep Enrolment

Do you have a child commencing Prep in 2026?  Please ensure you have completed Prep enrolment application forms so that we can conduct the Prep Interview and you child can attend our Pre Prep sessions.

 Roberta Matlock.

Safer Schools Program

Head of Department - Curriculum

Cluster Moderation Monday

On Monday, our teachers took part in Cluster Moderation, joining with colleagues from other schools in our area to review and discuss samples of student work and assessment tasks.

Moderation is an important part of the teaching and learning process. It allows teachers to compare student work across schools to ensure consistency and equity in grading, as well as develop a shared understanding of achievement standards from the Australian Curriculum.

This term, the focus was on Mathematical Modelling — exploring how students apply their mathematical understanding to solve real-world problems. Teachers shared and analysed student work to confirm consistent judgments and deepen their understanding of curriculum expectations.

Later this term, our teachers will also take part in School Moderation, where we will look closely at this term’s English tasks. These sessions help ensure that assessment across all classes is consistent and that every student’s learning is accurately represented.

By working together, teachers strengthen their professional judgment and ensure that all students are assessed against the same high standards. This collaboration supports equity, accuracy, and high-quality learning experiences for every child.

Jillian Chittenden & Rachel La Sala

Head of Department - Inclusion

October is ADHD Awareness Month

October is recognised as ADHD Awareness Month, a time to increase understanding and support for children and adults living with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

ADHD affects how people focus, manage impulses, and regulate energy levels. While it can present some challenges, individuals with ADHD also bring creativity, curiosity, and enthusiasm to their learning and interactions.

At Runcorn, we are committed to creating inclusive classrooms where every student can thrive. This month, we encourage our community to learn more about ADHD, celebrate neurodiversity, and continue building empathy and understanding for all learners.

Together, we can make a difference by recognising strengths, supporting needs, and helping every child reach their full potential.

Julie Schooth

Norman's News

This week I’ve been thinking about how good it feels to enjoy the simple things — like an afternoon in the backyard chasing bubbles! Last weekend, the sun was warm, the breeze was soft, and those shiny, floating bubbles were just too much fun to resist. Harvey and I ran, jumped, and popped as many as we could (with our noses, of course!).

Sometimes we don’t need big adventures to feel happy — just a little time to play, laugh, and be in the moment. So this week, I hope you find something small that makes you smile too — maybe drawing with chalk, reading under a tree, or blowing bubbles of your own.

Until next time,

Big licks and tail wags,

Norman

Guidance Officer News

Parent/Carer Library Now Open – Supporting You and Your Child

We are excited to share that our Parent/Carer Library is now available for families to access. This special collection of children’s books has been carefully chosen and are designed to support children in developing the skills they need to build kind, safe, and positive relationships. The books in our Parent/Carer Library explore important themes such as:

• Respect and empathy
• Managing emotions and problem-solving
• Friendship and conflict resolution
• Building confidence and resilience
• Understanding diversity and inclusion

Alongside these themes, the collection also provides stories to help children navigate challenges such as anxiety, grief, bullying, and self-confidence, offering parents and carers tools to guide meaningful conversations at home.

Reading together is a powerful way to:

• Give children the language to express their feelings.
• Open conversations in a safe and reassuring way.
• Reinforce the values of respect and kindness.
• Strengthen family connections through shared stories.

We invite you to explore the Parent/Carer Library via our fortnightly newsletter this term, where we will showcase the collection with various themes.

Week One: Getting Along

Peace Week in Miss Fox’s Class by Eileen Spinelli
In Peace Week in Miss Fox’s Class, Miss Fox challenges her students to spend an entire week being peaceful—no arguing, teasing, or fighting. At first, the children aren’t sure they can do it, but as the week goes on, they discover that being kind, helpful, and respectful makes school more fun for everyone. By the end, the students see that peace isn’t just about avoiding conflict—it’s about making positive choices that help everyone feel safe and happy.

Juice Box Bully by Bob Sornson and Maria Dismondy

The Juice Box Bully is about a new student, Pete, who begins school by making unkind choices. Instead of responding negatively, his classmates remind him of their classroom promise to treat everyone with kindness and respect. Pete learns he can change his behaviour and become part of a caring community.

If you would like to access these or any of the items, please inquire via email principal@runcornss.eq.edu.au.

Catherine Atkin
Guidance Officer

Tuckshop News

Introducing our new Canteen Supervisor, Yumiko:

Hello everyone,
My name is Yumiko, and I’m a mother of three daughters.
I’m delighted to be part of this wonderful school community.
Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any thoughts or suggestions—I’d love to hear from you.

Opening hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 

The daily order cut-off time is 8:15, 

How to order:

1. Via Flexischools , or
2. Over-the-counter purchases can only be made Wednesday to Friday with card payment.

Please note that all cold desserts and drinks must be collected from the tuckshop for students in Years 1 to 6.

All prep student’s lunchtime drinks and Afternoon Tea order will be delivered to students by staff; however, lunchtime cold dessert orders must be collected by students from the tuckshop.

Birthday orders: Don’t forget that cupcakes and ice blocks (Zooper Doopers) can be ordered via Flexischools. 

Please note that these are only available Wednesday to Friday, and all birthday orders must be placed at least two days prior.

Volunteers Needed in the Tuckshop.

You don’t need cooking or kitchen experience to help in the Tuckshop. You can help in one or more of the following ways:

• Putting sticker labels on bags
• Sorting bags into categories (Hot Food, Sandwiches etc.)
• Filling drink orders
• Preparing and heating up food
• Making toasties, hotdogs and wraps etc
• Peeling apples (and even using the slinky machine)
• Baking
• Placing hot food items (e.g. potato gems, chicken nuggets) in bags, ready to pack into orders
• Placing hot meals (e.g. lasagne, spaghetti, fried rice, pizzas) into bags, ready for sorting into delivery boxes
• Placing orders into class tuckshop delivery boxes
• Washing up

It’s an excellent way to help out in your community by providing an important service to students and staff.

 To volunteer: email tuckshop@runcornss.eq.edu.au with your preferred days and times that you can assist.

Japanese News

Year 5 & 6

On Monday week 3, Year 6 students had an opportunity to be connected via Teams call with Japanese students at Kokubunji the 10^th Elementary School in Tokyo. Japanese students presented quizzes about their school.

From Runcorn State School, these four students volunteered to create quizzes based on all Year 6 students’ quiz ideas. We met every week over a term to prepare for this Teams call. I would like to congratulate them on their dedication to make this event successful.

Junko Nagashima

Japanese Teacher

Health Happenings

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

Music Matters

Save the date:

Week 3 Friday 24^th October – IM Band and Strings Excursion to Qld Symphony Orchestra

Week 6 TuesdaSy 11^th November – Remembrance Day Service

Week 8 Monday 24^th November – Yr 6 Band Students performing on parade

Week 8 Tuesday 25^th November - Music and Academic Awards

Week 8 Tuesday 25^th November – Strings family afternoon

Week 9 Wednesday 3^rd December – End of Year Concert (whole school) at Sunnybank State High School

Week 10 Tuesday 9^th December - Year 6 Graduation

ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCES THIS TERM

Remembrance Day ceremony – Week 6 Tuesday November 11 (Senior Choir)

Music and Academic Awards- Week 8 Tuesday November 25 (Senior Band, Senior Strings, Senior Choir)

Strings family afternoon concert - Week 8 Tuesday November 25 (Beginner and Junior Strings)

Mrs Alison Murray

(amurr51@eq.edu.au)

Sports News

Swimming lessons are well underway and groupings for each class have been finalised.  .  Students are constantly assessed and moved according to their ability with the concepts being taught.  The focus is on backstroke and breaststroke in year 4 to 6 classes as most students are already competent with freestyle.  For those students who aren’t, they have been placed in a like strength ability group where a focus will be freestyle.

A junior swimming carnival will be Friday, December 5^th in Week 9.  

The following is the time schedule for the day.

• Prep Students will be swimming form 9.00am to 9.30am
• Year 1 will swim from 9.30am to 10.00am
• Year 2 will swim form 10.00 am to 11.00am

More details will be provided closer to the date of the carnival.

Below is play for swimming lesson safety requirements. 

Last Monday 13 students participated at the Brisbane International Primary Schools Tennis Cup held at the Queensland Tennis Centre.  This was a massive learning curve for those involved as, for most, this was the first time they participated in match play, let alone a competitive match.  Our students rose to the challenge and continued to try their best and should be recommended for the persistence they showed.  Runcorn is extremely proud of all 13 players who went.  

As always, any questions please email me. 

Have a great fortnight.

Mr Brady
lbrad101@eq.edu.au 

National Bandanna Day & Day for Daniel

From the Administration Office

Absences

Parents and caregivers must send children to school every school day under Queensland law unless there is an acceptable reason such as:

• illness
• doing work experience
• competing in school sporting events

Letting us know your child will be away - each day

If your child is going to be absent from school, you must let the school know and if possible, it is best to advise the school beforehand by:

Emailing office@runcornss.eq.edu.au 

Calling our absentee line (07) 3323 8777 and press option 1 or send a text only to 0429 928 611.

Avoid keeping your child away from school for reasons such as:

• birthdays
• shopping
• visiting family and friends
• if they sleep in
• looking after other children
• minor check-ups or care, such as haircuts, dentists or other routine medical or other health appointments as these should be made either before or after school or during the school holidays.

Establishing good routines around school can assist with regular school attendance.

These include:

• having a set time to go to bed
• having a set time to get out of bed
• have their uniform and school bag ready the night before
• have a set time for starting and finishing breakfast
• set a time for daily homework activities
• speak about school positively
• send your child to school every school day including their birthday and the last day of term right from Prep age

If you are experiencing difficulty in sending your child to school, contact the school principal for advice and support.

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

Uniform Shop

Prep uniform fittings are on at the moment. 

Uniform Shop

Online ordering here

-Swimming bags are back in stock. 
-New colours of library bags are in stock. 

Upcoming Events for Term 3

- Mango Drive - Order via Flexischool $30/box - Orders close Friday 24^th October
- Community Day - 7^th November 
- Sausage Sizzle - Purchase on the day
- Handball games - Order tickets via Flexischool - $5 
- Pop up Loose Parts Playspace - Gold coin donation

- End of the Year Concert
- P&C General Meeting - Monday 17/11/25 6:00pm

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.