Term 2 Completed in a Flash!

Enrichment Week 

One of the greatest strengths of Robertson State School is our rich multiculturalism. Throughout Semester One and over the last week, we've had various opportunities to celebrate our diverse backgrounds, fostering an inclusive and understanding environment for all. Our Languages and International Studies program, including our Bilingual Chinese classes, continues to thrive, broadening our students' horizons and preparing them to be global citizens. Enrichment Week is also an opportunity to celebrate our students’ learning from throughout the semester and engage with some deep and rich extension of learning in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). Throughout this week classes have participated in a wide range of activities exploring these concepts. Please use the link below to the Facebook page to view photos of the week - https://www.facebook.com/RobertsonStateSchool 

NAIDOC Day

Yesterday our students celebrated NAIDOC Day. The 2025 theme is “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy”. NAIDOC Week 2025 marks a powerful milestone: 50 years of NAIDOC Week, honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture and resilience. The NAIDOC committee chose this theme to celebrate “…not only the achievements of the past but also the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.”  

Importance of NAIDOC Day/Week

NAIDOC Day/Week is a very important time for all Australians. It's a week where we celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This theme reminds us of the incredible journey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, the strength they show, the vision they hold for the future, and the powerful legacy they continue to build. 

At Robertson State School, we believe in fostering a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging, respect, and pride. NAIDOC Week is a fantastic opportunity for us to deepen our understanding of Australia's First Peoples and to celebrate the richness of their cultures. 

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Support our P&C – 2025 Sponsorship Opportunities

Our new P&C Executive have updated our Robertson State School P&C 2025 Sponsorship Packages. This is a wonderful opportunity for businesses to gain exposure to our community as well as contributing to our school resources, school infrastructure and ultimately our outstanding students. Please see the link below to the 2025 Sponsorship Packages - Sponsoring Robertson State School 

Staying Connected 

Effective communication between home and school is vital. Remember that our fortnightly newsletters are sent home electronically. Please ensure your contact details are up-to-date with the office (office@robertsonss.eq.edu.au) to receive all important information. You can also find a wealth of information on our school website and through the Schoolzine platform for past newsletters. 

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Regional Final of Choral Fanfare - Cantabile Choir 

Last Monday, I was fortunate to be able to watch our Cantabile Choir compete in the Regional Final of Choral Fanfare. Even though we were not one of the two choirs chosen as most outstanding performances, I would agree that we were not far behind. The students sang beautifully and received some lovely comments from the adjudicators. Our student’s behaviour was impeccable. Thank you to the parents who came with us on the excursion. Your support is always greatly appreciated. Also, thank you to Mrs Thomas for your support on the day. I would also like to acknowledge and thank our Cantabile accompanist, Ms Anna Lu. Well done to Mrs Francis for your hard work and expertise. 

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Looking Ahead to Term 3 

As we approach the mid-year break, I encourage all students to rest, recharge, and enjoy quality time with their families. We look forward to a productive and exciting Term 3, continuing our commitment to "Creating Brighter Futures Together." 

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. 

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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

Under 8’s Day – Unleashing Scientific Thinking Through Play!

We’re excited to invite families to join us for Under 8’s Day on Friday 27 June, from 9.00 to 11.00am – a morning dedicated to celebrating early childhood through the power of play!

This year’s theme, “Unleashing Scientific Thinking Through Play”, promises a fun-filled program featuring games, hands-on activities, singing, dancing, and plenty of opportunities to explore the world like young scientists.

Children are encouraged to come in free dress or dress up as a scientist to embrace the theme and add to the fun of the day.

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BBQ & Global Sweets and Treats Stall

Our amazing P&C, along with Chappy Greg, will be running a BBQ with food available for purchase throughout the morning. There will also be a Global Sweets and Treats stall, filled with delicious desserts for children to buy, plus warm, yummy soup available for students to enjoy. Upper school students will also be able to purchase from the BBQ and stalls during first break.

This is a wonderful occasion for families of Prep to Year 2 students to come together, celebrate learning through play, and enjoy a morning full of curiosity, creativity, and community spirit.

We look forward to seeing you there – it’s always one of the highlights of our school year!

Have a Safe and Happy Mid-Year Break

As we approach the end of a busy and exciting term, I’d like to take a moment to thank all our wonderful Prep to Year 2 students and families for your support, enthusiasm, and positivity throughout the past few months.

The June/July school holidays are just around the corner, and I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to rest, relax, and enjoy some quality time together as a family. Whether you're heading away for a break or staying local, I hope the holidays are filled with warmth, laughter, and special moments.

Holidays are also a wonderful time to support your child’s learning in natural, relaxed ways. Outdoor play, spending time in nature, and simply chatting with family and friends help children develop important skills like communication, creativity, resilience, and social awareness. Whether it’s a walk in the park, helping in the garden, or imaginative play in the backyard, these experiences are not only fun – they are essential to healthy development and lifelong learning.

Please remember to stay safe and well, especially during the cooler weather, and take the time to recharge for what promises to be another great term ahead.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready to learn when school resumes on Monday 14 July.

Wishing all our families a safe, joyful, and restful holiday!

Deputy Principal

Shae Robinson

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. 

Kerin Gordon

Deputy Principal 

Due Dates for Payment and Consent:

Please note that overdue payments or consent will no longer be accepted.   

Administration Office

Robertson State School

We had a very busy Term 2 for our language students! 

2025 Chinese Online Speech Competition

Our Year 6 student, Aileen Kim, participated in the 2025 Chinese Online Speech Competition hosted by the Chinese Language Teachers’ Association of Queensland. Competing against students from state, independent, and Catholic schools across Queensland, Aileen demonstrated exceptional skill and poise. The competition was fierce, with all participants showcasing an impressively high standard. We are thrilled to announce that Aileen won first prize and received a $50 gift card — what a remarkable achievement! 

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Outstanding effort at the Chinese Bridge Competition

Last weekend, several of our Year 4 and Year 6 students took part in the 5th Chinese Bridge Competition. This event included not only a speech contest, but also a written test and cultural performance. It was our students’ first time participating in such an intensive language competition, and they embraced the challenge with enthusiasm. We are proud to share that they performed exceptionally well. 

Curtis H, Lillian C, and Audrey C were awarded 2nd Prize, while Amilia C, Leona S, and Alanna C received 3rd Prize.

Merit Awards went to Alexis H, Melissa L, Tahlia K, Geonna C, Ariah R, and Aileen K. 

Congratulations to all our winners! We look forward to seeing even more students participate in the Reading Aloud Competition and the LTQ Brisbane Speech Contest next term. 

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Year 5 Chinese Cultural Excursion

Over the past two days, our Year 5 students participated in a Chinese cultural excursion filled with hands-on experiences. 

Woodblock Printing

The first activity transported our young learners to ancient China with a captivating demonstration of traditional Chinese musical instruments. They explored the rich history behind these instruments, drawing comparisons with those they are familiar with. It was a harmonious blend of education and enjoyment. 

Woodblock printing first emerged in China during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD). It was initially used to print on textiles and later expanded to paper. This traditional technique spread across East Asia and eventually around the world. During the excursion, our students watched a demonstration of woodblock printing presented by skilled volunteers. They were then offered the opportunity to create their own 12 Zodiac woodblock prints. 

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Noodle making demonstration and Lunch

Despite the inclement weather, our students showcased exceptional behaviour, both during the activities and on their journey to and from the restaurant. While enjoying a delectable lunch, they were treated to an exciting performance of Sichuan face changing—a traditional art form that highlights the incredible skill and agility of performers—as well as an engaging interactive noodle-making demonstration. 

As the excursion drew to a close, our Year 5 students returned to school with hearts full of memories and minds enriched with newfound knowledge and cultural appreciation. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the teachers and volunteers who made this unforgettable experience possible, and we look forward to further opportunities to celebrate and explore the rich cultural diversity within our school community. 

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Yvonne Lu and Jung Wang

Bilingual Coordinator and Language Teacher

It’s that time of year again when schools are required to submit data to the Australian Government as part of the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD).

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)  

We report the number of students at our school who are receiving adjustments and also the level of adjustments these students are receiving, to access education on the same basis as their peers.  

Personal details such as student names are not provided and protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all students, is an essential part of the NCCD. 

More detail can be found in the ‘Fact sheet for parents, guardians and carers’ here.  

I have also included an infographic of our wonderful Inclusion Teachers.  We have had some minor staffing changes this term with some role changes, so please see below. 

Have a wonderful holiday! 

Amanda Slinger 

HOSES 

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From the Guidance Officer

What a privilege it has been to work with children, families and staff at Robertson State School this year. I hope you have had a great Semester 1 and I wish you all a relaxing and enjoyable Winter break.

I’d like to draw your attention to a flyer in the community section of the newsletter which advertises an excellent parent education course – 1,2,3 Magic and Emotion Coaching. I have completed the course myself to become a facilitator and have used the strategies taught with my own children and grandchildren. We are always learning as parents/carers!

Here’s a little more information about the course:

Donna Riches

Guidance Officer

School Holiday Fun with Words!

The school holidays are here! While it's the perfect time to relax and recharge, it's also a golden opportunity to sneak in some playful learning that supports your child’s language, literacy, and reading skills and guess what… it doesn’t have to feel like homework!

Here are some easy and enjoyable ideas to sprinkle some language magic into your holiday adventures:

1. Story Safari

What you need: Imagination, a notebook, and a pencil
How it works: Go on a “story safari” around your neighbourhood or local park. Pretend you're explorers discovering new lands! Encourage your child to describe what they see, hear, and smell. When you get home, help them write or draw a short story about their adventure.

? Language Boost: Descriptive vocabulary, sequencing, storytelling
✍️ Literacy Boost: Writing, spelling, sentence structure

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2. Recipe Readers

What you need: A simple recipe (bonus if it’s a family favourite)!
How it works: Cook or bake together! Let your child read the recipe aloud, help measure ingredients, and follow the steps. Talk about what you're doing and why.

? Language Boost: Following directions, vocabulary
? Literacy Boost: Reading comprehension, functional literacy

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3. Board Game Banter

What you need: Classic board games like Guess Who, Scrabble Junior, or even Uno
How it works: Play games that encourage talking, describing, and turn-taking. Add a twist by asking your child to explain their moves or describe the characters.

? Language Boost: Questioning, describing, social language
? Literacy Boost: Word recognition, spelling, strategy

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4. Bring Books Everywhere

Books don’t just belong at bedtime! Pop a book in your beach bag, glovebox or picnic basket. Read aloud together or take turns reading. Try silly voices, predict what might happen next, or talk about the pictures.

? Try this: Let your child “read” a story to you from memory or by describing the pictures, great for storytelling skills.

? Language Boost: Retelling, predicting, inferencing
? Literacy Boost: Fluency, comprehension, vocabulary

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5. Holiday Postcards

What you need: Blank postcards or paper, markers
How it works: Whether you're traveling or staying home, have your child write postcards to friends or family. They can describe what they’ve been doing, draw a picture, and even mail it!

? Language Boost: Recounting events, sentence formation
✍️ Literacy Boost: Writing, punctuation, audience awareness

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A Final Word…

Your child learns and grows through play, conversation and shared moments. By making language part of your holiday fun, you’re giving them a strong foundation for the term ahead and creating memories along the way.

Wishing you a joyful, word-filled holiday!

With warm regards, and until next time, 

Morgan Johnson  

Speech-Language Pathologist  

Robertson State School (Wednesdays & Thursdays) 

A Fantastic Term of Sport at Robertson! 

Chris Rostron and Renee Montgomery

PE Teachers

Zones of Regulation  

Identify Zones within yourself. It is natural to experience all the zones depending on different situations and external factors.

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Understanding different perspectives: 

Everyone has feelings and thoughts about others’ expected behaviours and unexpected behaviours in specific situations.  

Have you ever considered how someone’s behaviour in a Zone can impact the way others think and feel about that person? 

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Expected behaviours:	Unexpected behaviours:
When one or more students do expected behaviours in a specific situation it usually leads observers of the behaviour to have positive (happy) emotions and positive (happy) thoughts about the students’ behaviour.	When one or more students do unexpected behaviours in a specific situation it usually leads observers of the behaviour to have negative (uncomfortable) emotions and negative (uncomfortable) thoughts about the students’ behaviour.

The Social Emotional Chain Reaction

The Social Emotional Chain Reaction shows how our feelings, reactions and responses to each other are influenced by expected and unexpected behaviours.

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In summary 

We all experience all of the Zones and in some Zones and situations, it is easier to do the expected behaviours for that situation than it is in others. This is something people continue to work on even as adults. Being aware of the Zone we are in and noticing our own feelings can help us respond more frequently with expected behaviour for the situation. However, this isn’t always easy and it takes time and practice. 

Janine Muller 

Classroom Teacher and PBL Communicator 

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. 

Claire Ennis

Teacher Librarian