11 days to go until our Winter Holidays!

As we move towards the end of Term 2, it's wonderful to reflect on the vibrant learning and diverse activities that have enriched our school community over the past month. The dedication of our students, the commitment of our staff, and the invaluable support of our families continue to make Robertson State School a truly exceptional place. 

Our school motto, "Achievement Through Effort", continues to be a guiding principle for all that we do. We have seen this in action across all year levels, from our youngest Prep students bravely tackling new concepts to our Year 6 leaders demonstrating responsibility and initiative. It's inspiring to witness the perseverance and growth of our students as they embrace challenges and celebrate their successes, big and small. 

To support the holistic development of our students, over the last two weeks we have witnessed and celebrated two outstanding events, our Music Winter Showcase Concerts and our Senior Sports Days. 

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Music Winter Showcase Concerts

What an exceptional two nights of music we enjoyed, celebrating our Winter Showcase Concerts. Over 250 Robertson SS Band, Choir and String students from Years 3 to 6, lit up the stage and showcased their amazing talents. I would like to congratulate our incredible students on a job well done and our exceptional Music Staff, Mrs Francis, Mrs Gray and Mrs Thomas. I would also like to acknowledge our amazing Robertson Staff volunteers, who made themselves available to assist on each night and who worked tirelessly in front of, as well as behind the scenes, to make sure everything ran smoothly. I would also like to acknowledge and thank our Poco Voci accompanist - parent volunteer – Mrs Joy Skennar and our Cantabile accompanist, Ms Anna Lu. A great night was had by all. I hope you enjoy the photo collage below. 

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Choral Fanfare Finalists Announced

I am so proud to be able to announce that our incredible Cantabile Choir have been selected for the regional Choral Fanfare finals on Monday June 23rd at the Redlands Performing Arts Complex – Congratulations Mrs Francis and students - Just awesome! 

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Senior Sports Days

What a fantastic couple of days learning in the great outdoors with beautiful weather. Thank-you to all staff and out supportive parents that helped make it a magic couple of days. This event could not happen without your support. Well done to all students for doing your best and having a go. Congratulations to all students who received a ribbon in an event and/or medalled as age champions. I would like to wish our talented athletes well, who have now qualified for our Athletics Team, to represent our school at the Eastern Taipans District Championships – Good Luck! Maybe a few Olympians on the way :) A special mention to Sunnybank High School and their students for their support in assisting with the successful running of our sports days, thank you! Finally, a massive thank you to Mr Rostron and Miss Montgomery for organising and running such a fun and professional event. Please enjoy the photos below. 

Our Sensational RSS P&C – We need your Support! 

Thank you to all parents who attended our last P&C meeting. Your active involvement is crucial to the success of our school and we encourage all families to participate. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 12 August at 6:30pm in our Music Room – all welcome.  

Our P&C does an incredible job running our tuckshop and uniform shop, and they are always looking for volunteers. I would like to acknowledge and thank the following parents who have volunteered in our tuckshop over the last week while our wonderful tuckshop convenor Ella, has been away - Satomi, Mona, Susan, Theresa, Darina, Ellen, Judy, Pinky, Elaine, Ying, Carina, Helen and Ngaire – thank you.  

If you have some spare time, please consider lending a hand. Your children love to see you involved! Parents feature as a key contributor to our school and we value the extensive expertise that they bring to the community of education.  Along with our expert teaching team, we prepare our students through ‘creating brighter futures together’. 

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Prioritising Safety Around Our School 

I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone about the critical importance of road safety around our school. The well-being of our students is our highest priority, and a collective effort from every member of our community is essential to ensure safe arrivals and departures each day. 

Robertson State School is a vibrant and growing community, and with that comes increased activity on our surrounding roads. While we appreciate your patience and cooperation, it's vital that we all adhere to the established traffic rules and school procedures designed to protect our children. 

Here's how we can all contribute to a safer school environment: 

1. Observe School Zone Speed Limits and road rules: Our school zone is a 40km/h zone during designated times. Please remember to slow down and be extra vigilant. These limits are in place for a reason – to give drivers more time to react to unexpected movements from children. Please also be aware of illegal U-turns within our streets.  
2. Utilise Our Designated Drop-Off and Pick-Up Zones (Kiss 'n' Go): These areas are designed for quick and efficient student transfer. Please remember the 2-minute maximum stop time. If your child is not ready, please loop around to avoid congestion. We also kindly ask that you remain in your vehicle, and do not leave your car unattended in these zones. Your cooperation here keeps traffic flowing smoothly and safely. 
3. Park Legally and Considerately: Please only park in designated parking bays. Avoid parking on yellow lines, across driveways, or in "no stopping" zones. Illegal parking obstructs visibility for other drivers and pedestrians and can create dangerous situations. Let's be considerate of our neighbours and ensure clear access for all. 
4. Reinforce Pedestrian Safety with Your Children: We regularly educate our students on the "Stop, Look, Listen, Think" safe crossing message. Please reinforce this at home and model safe pedestrian behaviour when walking with your children. Always use supervised crossings and designated pedestrian paths. 
5. Active School Travel: We continue to encourage families to consider active travel options where possible. Walking, cycling, or scootering to school (and walking bikes/scooters once on school grounds) not only promotes health but also helps to reduce traffic congestion around the school gates. 
6. Respect Our School Staff and Crossing Supervisors: Our dedicated crossing supervisors and school staff play a vital role in keeping our children safe. Please follow their instructions at all times. They are there to manage the flow of traffic and ensure safe passage for our students.
7. Patience and Courtesy: The start and end of the school day can be busy. A little patience and courtesy goes a long way in ensuring a calm and safe environment for everyone. Please be mindful of other drivers, pedestrians, and our local residents.

We understand that mornings and afternoons can be rushed, but sacrificing a few extra moments for safety is always worth it. By working together, we can ensure that Robertson State School remains a safe and welcoming environment for all our students and families. 

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to keeping our school community safe. 

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Upcoming Excursions and Incursions

Our students have been busy with various educational excursions and incursions, enriching their learning experiences beyond the classroom. Please ensure you stay informed about permission slips and details for any upcoming events relevant to your child. child's year level. 

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Winter Uniforms  

As the weather cools, please ensure your child is wearing the correct winter uniform. Your cooperation in maintaining our high standards of uniform presentation is greatly appreciated. Please make sure all clothing is labelled. 

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2025 National Excellence in Teaching Awards 

Nominate an outstanding educator for the 2025 National Excellence in Teaching awards. These awards recognise inspirational, talented and committed teachers who make a significant impact on their students, school and community. Winners will receive a $5,000 or $10,000 professional development grant. Nominations close 27 June. 

Tyrone Bruce

Principal

Deputy Principal

Shae Robinson

QParents

QParents is a free online application that enables Queensland state school parents to conveniently access and view a range of their child's school data.

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Benefits of using QParents

QParents provides parents with 24/7 online access to:

• receiving and responding to consent requests and automated reminders
• receiving and paying invoices
• viewing attendance records and providing absentee notifications
• academic reporting data
• schedules of upcoming events.

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Getting started with QParents

To complete the process, you will need an invitation code. This has already been sent to every parent as an email at the beginning of this year. Please check your junk or spam folder if you cannot locate the email. If you need assistance, please contact our office staff for help.

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Semester 1 Reporting

It’s nearly reporting time for our first reporting period of 2025. As always, parents can expect to see report cards in their email inbox week 10. Make sure your email address is current – if you need to update your email address with the school, please contact the front office. The report cards for 2025 will look and feel the same as in previous years while incorporating updated comments.

At this juncture, we expect that reports will be released in the following way:

• Early release on Qparents on the afternoon of Thursday 26 June.
• Release via email on the afternoon of Friday 27 June.

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Parents registered with Qparents receive early access to report cards.

Kerin Gordon

Deputy Principal 

• Leave a message any day any time (07) 3452 4166  
• Send an email to office@robertsonss.eq.edu.au
• Let us know using the QParents App

Include student full name, student class, reason for absence, duration of absence. 

If you have notified your teacher ahead of the absence, please ensure you include office@robertsonss.eq.edu.au in your email.

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Excursions

Consent may be completed using the QParents app. Alternatively, you may collect a form from the office.

Due Dates for Payment and Consent:

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Parents are kindly encouraged to refer to the information provided above, as well as on consent forms and invoices, to ensure their child’s participation. While courtesy reminders may be sent via email, they may not be issued for every excursion.

Please note that, unfortunately, late payments or consent cannot be accepted. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Administration Office

Robertson State School

And the winner is Angus house! Congratulations to the students of Angus house for winning the intraschool Senior Athletics Carnival in one of the closest finishes for a number of years. We had two amazing winter days for our carnival and the children competed to their best. Well done to all students for the way that you raced, jumped and threw. Check out photos of the event at the Robertson State School Facebook page. Thank-you to the parents that were able to come across the two days and cheer the children on. This carnival would not be possible without the help of all parts of our wonderful school. This year we also had help on the day from Sunnybank High School staff and students, thank-you.  

In other news, a super big congratulations for Mya K who was awarded the best and fairest for the Metwest Netball team that competed at the recent Queensland School Sport State Titles for netball. Mya will also be competing at the National School Girls titles later this year in Victoria where she will be representing a First Nations team know as the Budgies. What an amazing effort and recognition of skill.  

Chris Rostron 

Health and Physical Education Teacher

Senior Athletics Day

The Senior Athletics Day was a resounding success, with students participating in a variety of field and track events over the course of two days. The atmosphere was vibrant, with enthusiastic involvement from all students, who contributed to their respective house points. Angus House emerged victorious.

Congratulations to all age champions what a great effort you put in. Sincere thanks to all house captains for their efforts in encouraging student enthusiasm throughout the carnival. Thank-you to all of the parents for your wonderful support and encouragement. Special thanks to Chris Rostron for organizing such a wonderful and successful event; we eagerly anticipate next year’s senior athletics events.

Well done Robertson!

Well Done, Year 6 Girls Basketball Team!

Congratulations to our Year 6 girls basketball team for winning the Gala Day’s competition! Over the course of two Gala Days this semester, the team played numerous games and finished with the highest overall points. Their success is a reflection of their hard work, impressive skills, talent and strong teamwork. The girls represented the school with respect and great sportsmanship. Well done girls!

Renee Montgomery

Health and Physical Education Teacher

Pre Prep Storytelling begins Term 3! 

Our Storytelling program for our littlest students resumes in Term 3. All younger siblings of current students, plus children enrolled to begin Prep in 2026 are invited to join us in the library each Monday afternoon from 2.00-3.00pm. Each session is themed around a different topic and includes stories, music, activities and crafts. 

We can't wait to see our youngest readers!  

Please note that a parent or carer must stay throughout each session.  

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ICAS Academic Competition 

ICAS is an online academic competition that gives students the opportunity to challenge their higher order thinking and problem-solving skills. This year we are participating in English and Mathematics. 

To learn more about this year’s ICAS competition, visit: icasassessments.com/products-icas 

How to participate in ICAS  

If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please go to the Parent Portal to sign up to your chosen subject areas using the link and code below. All registrations and payments must be done online via the Parent Portal. 

Registration for all subject areas will close on Monday 28 July at 11:59pm. 

Parent Code: JFJ389 

Parent Page Link: ICAS Registration Link 

English dates: 12 & 14 August $20.95 

Mathematics dates: 26 & 28 August $20.95 

Tests will be run at 7.30am in the music room. 

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Overdue Library Books 

Please look out for overdue notices coming home! All library books should be returned before the school holidays. There will be no borrowing in Week 10 due to our Library Technology Activities for Enrichment Week.

Claire Ennis

Teacher Librarian

Speech Language News

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Nurturing a Love for Books and Stories in Children

Reading goes beyond the classroom; it’s a crucial skill that equips children for lifelong success. When kids find joy in reading, they build essential skills in language, critical thinking, and creativity that benefit them at school and in life. Books not only expand vocabulary and introduce new ideas, but they are also invaluable for bilingual (EALD) students, helping improve both English and their home language.

Ways to Make Reading Fun and Interactive:

Parents can make reading time special by bringing stories to life. Here are some engaging ideas to inspire young readers:

Talk About the Story: Ask questions like, “Why do you think the character did that?” This promotes critical thinking and helps children express their ideas.

Make Predictions Together: Pause during suspenseful parts and ask, “What do you think will happen next?” This builds excitement and understanding.

Act Out Scenes: Re-enacting parts of the story together makes reading fun, improves memory, and deepens understanding of characters.

Book Recommendations for Prep to Year Six:

Here are some age-appropriate titles to explore with your child:

Prep to Year 2:

	“Where is the Green Sheep?” by Mem Fox This book is perfect for younger children just starting to explore reading. It’s simple, repetitive language helps emerging readers build confidence with familiar words and phrases.
	“The Very Cranky Bear” by Nick Bland With relatable characters and a simple storyline, “The Very Cranky Bear” captures young readers' attention while teaching valuable lessons about empathy and friendship. Its rhyming text is enjoyable to read aloud, and it helps children improve their phonemic awareness, a key skill at this stage.

Year 3 to Year 4:

	“Matilda” by Roald Dahl “Matilda” introduces slightly more complex themes around independence, resilience, and kindness, which are appealing for children as they start to understand relationships outside their family and develop a stronger sense of justice. The book’s humour and imaginative storylines also keep young readers engaged.
	“Diary of a Wombat” by Jackie French This book presents an amusing look at life from a wombat’s perspective, introducing children to narrative structures through diary-style entries. It’s great for building early comprehension skills, as kids can follow the simple, daily events and understand the humorous relationship between the wombat and the humans.

Year 5 to Year 6:

	“Wonder” by R.J. Palacio “Wonder” deals with themes of acceptance, kindness, and overcoming challenges, ideas that resonate strongly with children in their later primary years, who are beginning to navigate complex social dynamics. This is a great book to foster discussions about diversity, resilience, and the importance of kindness.
	“Percy Jackson and the Olympians” by Rick Riordan. This series is especially popular with older primary students who are ready for a more involved storyline. It combines adventure, mythology, and humour, which captivates readers who are becoming more independent and able to follow intricate plots and character development.

Making Reading a Family Tradition:

Set a Family Reading Time: Dedicate 15 to 30 minutes daily for reading together. Each family member can share a favourite book or part of a story.

Read in Both Languages: For bilingual families, reading in both languages reinforces language skills and celebrates cultural heritage.

Visit the Local Library: Introduce your child to the world of books by visiting the school or local library. It’s a great way to find books they’ll love.

Accessing Free Books in the Community: Families in Robertson can find free books at local Street Libraries. These small, community-run book exchanges allow families to borrow and donate books freely. Visit Street Library Australia’s website to locate nearby Street Libraries in Brisbane.

Reading with your child, discussing stories, and exploring books in multiple languages are wonderful ways to nurture literacy and foster a love of learning, a gift that grows with them.

Happy reading and until next time,

Morgan Johnson

Speech-Language Pathologist

Robertson State School (Mondays & Tuesdays)

This week’s lesson is:

Zones of Regulation – Be responsible and be honest at all times

Unfortunately, during Book Week, we had a few incidents where Book Attachments were removed from books without them being paid for, so we decided that a reminder about honesty was needed.

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What is Honesty?

• Being honest means, you do and say things that are truthful
• Being truthful means saying or showing what happened in the real world, based on facts, not imagination

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Ways to be honest

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Why is honesty important?

We all need honesty to live together in a society

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What happens when you are dishonest?

A reminder to students that when they are dishonest with someone and do not tell the truth - they will lose that person’s trust. It takes a very long time and is incredibly hard to get somebody to trust them again. Remember it is always best to tell the truth even if they are in the wrong. They may still get in ‘trouble’ or receive a consequence, however they will be a trustworthy person.

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Congratulations to the students who are the May Student of the month!

 

Janine Muller

Classroom Teacher and PBL Communicator

Janine Muller 

Classroom Teacher and PBL Communicator