Term 2 Week 6 Newsletter

From the Principal - Mrs Walsh

National Reconciliation Week

This week, we are proud to acknowledge and participate in National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June), a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The 2025 theme, "Now More Than Ever," is a reminder that, no matter the challenges, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must continue. Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians — as individuals, families, communities, organisations and, importantly, as a nation.

At our school, we are committed to fostering a culture of respect, inclusion and understanding. During the week, students have taken part in a variety of classroom activities, discussions, and stories that celebrate First Nations cultures and promote meaningful reflection. These activities help our students understand the importance of respectful relationships and the richness of the world's oldest continuous cultures.

Reconciliation is not a single moment or event — it is a continuing journey of truth, respect, and action. We are proud to walk this journey together with our school community, embracing diversity and strengthening relationships every day.

Let us continue to reflect, learn, and take action — now more than ever.

Prep Enrolments for 2026 Now Open

We are excited to announce that Prep enrolments for 2026 are now open!

Starting school is a significant milestone in a child’s life, and at our school, we are committed to ensuring a smooth and positive transition into Prep. If your child is turning five by 30 June 2026, they are eligible to start Prep next year.

Our Prep Transition Program is designed to help children become familiar with our school environment, meet our friendly staff, and begin forming early connections with peers. These sessions play a vital role in building confidence, reducing anxiety, and helping children feel excited and ready for the start of their schooling journey.

Throughout Terms 3 and 4, we offer a range of engaging transition activities including classroom visits, play-based learning experiences, parent information sessions, and opportunities to explore our school grounds and facilities.

We strongly encourage all families enrolling for Prep in 2026 to participate in these activities to help make the start of school a successful and enjoyable experience for both children and parents.

To enrol your child or to find out more about our transition program, please contact the school office or visit our website for further information.

We look forward to welcoming our 2026 Prep students and their families into our school community!

Mrs Tamara Walsh

Principal

From the Deputy Principal - Mr Horridge

Science Sparks Curiosity at Rochedale State High School

In Week 5, Mrs Simpson and I had the pleasure of accompanying a group of enthusiastic Year 5 and 6 students to Rochedale State High School for their Science Extension Program. This exciting opportunity gave our students a taste of secondary school science, guided by specialist teachers who both challenged and inspired.

Throughout the day, students explored topics from the Year 7 and 8 science curriculum. They used a variety of microscopes to examine living and non-living specimens in detail, tested the pH levels of common household substances, and experimented with acid-base indicators using an electronic magnetic stirrer.

Our students conducted themselves with maturity and curiosity. Rochedale SHS staff were full of praise for their exemplary behaviour, engagement, and keen interest in all activities. Their enthusiasm for science was truly infectious!

And if you’re curious about how to make a paperclip float on water, just ask one of our budding scientists!

A big thank you to the parents who generously supported the day by helping with transport — your assistance made this valuable experience possible.

National Reconciliation Week

Bridging Now to Next #NRW2025

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

National Reconciliation Week started as the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation in 1993 (the International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples) and was supported by Australia’s major faith communities. In 1996, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation launched Australia’s first National Reconciliation Week.  Check out our factsheet on National Reconciliation Week

Today, National Reconciliation Week is celebrated in workplaces, schools and early learning services, community organisations and groups, and by individuals Australia-wide. There are a number of ways you and the community can get involved: https://nrw.reconciliation.org.au/posters-and-resources/

Eight Mile Plains State School learning community will celebrate Reconciliation week through various classroom activities to highlight the significance of reconciliation and build upon our understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture.

Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.

Logan District Cross Country 2025

A small but enthusiastic team of students proudly represented Eight Mile Plains State School at the Logan District Cross Country held at Redeemer Lutheran College. Well done to all students who competed on the day—your determination, energy, and commitment truly reflected the EMPSS spirit.

It was wonderful to see our students encouraging one another and showing great sportsmanship, not only towards their teammates but also to competitors from other schools. Your support and positivity made us proud.

The course itself proved to be a real challenge, with wet and muddy conditions and plenty of hills to conquer. Our students showed grit and resilience, pushing themselves beyond their comfort zones to cross the finish line.

Thank you to the parents and supporters who came along to cheer from the sidelines—your presence and encouragement meant a lot.
Congratulations to our runners—you represented EMPSS with pride and perseverance!

After School Pick-Up Safety Reminder

The safety of our students is our top priority—every minute of every day, including during afternoon pick-up times.

We understand the car park and STOP & GO area can become very busy between 2:30pm and 3:00pm, often with limited parking and traffic congestion. Your patience and cooperation during this time are greatly appreciated.

To help keep everyone safe and ensure traffic flows smoothly, we ask all families to follow these important guidelines:

• Do not stop in the drive-through lanes to collect your child. Students must not leave the waiting area to approach vehicles that are not in designated parking spaces or at the STOP & GO zone.
• All vehicles must either park in a marked car space or move through to the STOP & GO area
• There is NO parking in the STOP & GO area between 2.30pm & 3.00pm
• Please remain alert, drive slowly, and follow any directions from staff or signage.

Together, we can make our after-school pick-up safe and efficient for everyone. Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to our students’ wellbeing.

From Head of Curriculum - Mrs Simpson

Academic Reporting

The purpose of academic reporting is to communicate to parents/caregivers about student achievement and progress in the curriculum provided. Academic reports provide a snapshot of achievement at the end of each reporting period.

This year, report cards will be distributed in week 10 of Term 2 and Term 4. The report cards will consist of information about student’s achievement against the reporting scale in each learning area provided. In addition to this, there will be a grade for behaviour and effort and a behaviour comment. Reports will not include an overall comment.

Opportunities to discuss academic achievement and progress will be offered to parents through Parent/Teacher Interviews, Student-led conferences and other communication home throughout the year.

We would like to encourage families to continue an open line of communication with their child’s teacher/s about student academic and/or behavioural progress throughout the term.

Reading in the Upper Years

Your child in Years 3, 4, 5 or 6 will more than likely be able to read for themselves. However, it is important that you look for opportunities to continue reading aloud to your child, setting aside time for independent reading. There are many benefits to reading aloud with your child.  For example, reading aloud improves vocabulary, enabling your child to hear new words and language before they independently see them in print. It also creates a special time each day for parents or carers to connect with their child. Reading aloud also provides opportunities to improve reading comprehension and exposure to a range of reading materials.

With this in mind, here are some ideas to support your child to engage with reading at home.

• Firstly, limit distractions such as the television and other devices. Find a comfortable space: the lounge, a beanbag, the back deck - a place where you and your child feel comfortable. Make this an enjoyable time together, to read and talk about a text.
• As a parent or carer, you can take turns reading with your child. Read to your child and then listen as they read. Besides making reading fun, reading aloud is about making sense and understanding what is read. Parents can help children understand a text by making connections with what their child is reading and the experiences your child may have had or heard about.
• Ask questions about why, when, where, who and what to help your child gather important information and ideas from the text. Who are the main characters? Where is this part of the story set? Why did a character behave in a certain way?
• Good readers are always thinking ahead and predicting what might happen next. To support your child as you read together you might ask questions like:

What will happen next? I wonder what would happen if?  or Who do you think this might involve?

More information on ways you can support your child’s reading at home, are available in the parent guides on the Reading and Writing website.

https://readingwritingcentre.education.qld.gov.au/resources#partners-in-learning

News from 3A - Mrs Fisher

3A News

So much learning has been happening in 3A!

We’ve been investigating time, 3 digit numbers, addition, vocabulary knowledge, heat sources, subtraction, arrays, Kumiko and the Dragon, commemorations and celebrations, colour, number patterns, just to name a few things.

3A Make Learning Fun!

3A Learning

News from 3B - Mrs N.

3B Maths Magicians

Every Friday, 3B students participate in Maths Activities where they can consolidate their understanding of the numeracy concept taught each week using hands on materials, online learning, games and explicit teaching of small groups. 
Check out the maths magicians working on:      

• x5 multiplication
• rounding numbers to the nearest 10 and nearest 100
• using place value
• arrays
• number patterns

Maths Magicians

Year 3 and Year 5 Street Science Incursions in Term 2

Hello there fellow biologists, physicists, chemists and astronomers. Professor N here with a Street Science Incursion update.

The final payment day for the Year 3 Hardcore Heat Workshop, Year 5 See the Light Workshop and the Combined Year 3 and Year 5 Signature Show is Friday the 20th of June. 

If you haven't already done so, please make your payment and send the signed permission form back to your child's classroom teacher or the office. 

News from Year 4 - Mrs Allen & Mr Lim

News from 5A - Mr Gibson

Week 6 in 5A

This term is quickly flying by!

Science

Students have conducted many science experiments such as the camouflage experiment.  We invited two prep classes up to try and locate camouflaged animals.

Please return Street Science permission forms ASAP. 

Payment is due Friday 20th June.

Science

English

Year 5 students are beginning to research, note take and write their information reports on their chosen animal. 

Camp

For those attending camp, please return medical, consent, dietary and additional forms to me by 6 June 2025.  FINAL balance Payment is due by 27 June 2025.

Attendance

It is important for students to arrive at school on time as every day counts!

News from 5B - Miss Sipos

We have made it past the halfway mark!

Time is flying in 5B, and our busy scientists have been investigating animal adaptations. This will help them write their information reports for their English assessments. The students had a lot of fun melting chocolate last week. This helped them understand how dark colours absorb heat, and light colours reflect heat. 

With camp creeping up on us, it is important that you are returning completed permission/ medical forms and making final payments. We are very excited about camp and hope that the kids are ready to embrace some fun challenges where they can make new connections. 

The weather has not been to kind to us this term, with three Gala Days turning into two. I was lucky enough to have the girl's soccer team this season. I want to congratulate them on putting in a strong effort and stepping outside their comfort zones. All of our teams worked hard to represent our school in a positive way. 

With assessments in full swing, it is important that your child is attending school as much as possible. Please only keep your kids home for genuine reasons. Every day at school is important!

News from Mrs Harrower - 6B

News from - Chappy Sonia

Chappy News

Welcome back to Term 2. I enjoyed the break over the holidays, but I genuinely missed seeing everyone. And it’s also great to see the sunshine!

Lunchtimes

We are having lots of fun during our lunchtimes, playing ball games and now skipping. Some of our preps are getting much better at jumping with the skipping rope. I also want to thank our wonderful boys and girls who help me turn the skipping rope for the other students.  We still will be having our Calm Colouring at 2^nd break on every second Thursday. We have some very artistic young people at our school.

Breaky Club

Breakfast Club has started back again this week. A big shout out to the families who have generously donated spreads for the toast. It is gratefully received by the staff and students.  We have plenty of donated honey and vegemite.  If you are thinking of donating items, we are always in need of the Coles and Woolworths brand 1kg margarine tubs and strawberry jam. We seem to go through them a lot quicker.

Upcoming Events

“Family Connect Craft Evening”

In week 6, on Friday the 30^thof May, myself and some amazing volunteers will be hosting a “Family Connect Evening” in the library from 6:45pm until 8/8:30pm. The aim of the night is to allow parents and their children have some quality time together without the digital distractions of the TV, phone/tablets. Each parent, with up to two children with them, will choose from several simple craft activities and enjoy doing it together with their parent/caregiver. There will be limited places for the evening. I will send out a flyer with a QR code to register your place in the coming weeks.

There will be an entry fee that will include the craft supplies and a delicious supper as well.

More information to come.

Keep the date free: Friday 30^th May.

Hope to see you there. ( If your child gets “bored “with doing craft, we will also have a variety of board games you can play together. )

Subway Meal Deal

We will be running Subway meal deal on Tuesday the 3^rd of June, in week 7. More information closer to the date.    

Much thanks, Chappy Sonia.

Upcoming Events - Chappy Sonia

Rochedale State High School Year 7 Enrolment for 2026

2025 Uniform Shop Hours

Uniform shop hours are every Thursday from 8am - 9am for all of your school uniform needs.

News from Helping Hands