Term 3 – Welcome back, Robertson State School families! 

A warm welcome back to all of our Robertson State School families as we embark on Term 3! I hope you had a restful and enjoyable break, and that your children are feeling refreshed and ready for another exciting term of learning and growth. 

The school holidays provided a wonderful opportunity to recharge. It's fantastic to see the vibrant energy already filling our classrooms and playgrounds. Our dedicated teachers and staff have been busy preparing engaging lessons and activities, and we're all looking forward to continuing to nurture your children's academic, social, and emotional development.

Term 3 is always a busy and rewarding time, with many exciting events and learning opportunities planned across all year levels. We encourage you to keep an eye on our school newsletter, the Qparents app, and our school website and Facebook page for important dates, upcoming events, and updates throughout the term. Your continued engagement and support are invaluable to your child's success. 

As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or simply want to share a positive experience, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or the school office. Open communication between home and school is vital, and we are always here to support you and your children. 

Here's to a productive, positive, and memorable Term 3 at Robertson State School! 

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Creative Generation 2025 (CGEN) 

Last Friday, Ms Robinson and I had the privilege to attend Creative Generation 2025, which is a series of programs and events celebrating the artistic talents of Queensland State School students. It's a significant initiative by the Queensland Department of Education. We had five of our talented students participating in this year’s event and a number of past Robertson State School students. Well done to our current students Eliza, Lex, Gemma, Sargunpreet and Miheli. We also had two of our amazing teachers involved Ms Gray and Ms Francis. The production will be televised on Channel Nine later this year. Congratulations students! I have added a link to a short extract of this year’s performance:

In essence, Creative Generation 2025 encompasses a diverse range of artistic programs designed to foster and showcase the talents of young Queensland students in performing arts, visual arts, and music. 

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Enhancing learning for every child: Our commitment to Pedagogical Excellence  

At Robertson State School, we are continually striving to provide the best possible learning environment for every student. A key aspect of achieving this is our ongoing commitment to improving our pedagogical practices – that is, the art and science of teaching. 

Pedagogy encompasses the methods and strategies our teachers use to deliver the curriculum, engage students, and foster deep understanding. It's about far more than simply delivering information; it's about creating dynamic, effective, and inclusive learning experiences that cater to the diverse needs of all our students. 

What does "Improving Pedagogy" look like at Robertson State School? 

Our focus on pedagogical improvement is multi-faceted and aims to ensure our teaching remains at the forefront of educational best practice. Here are some of the key areas we are focusing on: 

• Evidence-Based Practices: We are committed to utilising teaching strategies that are supported by educational research and have a proven track record of positively impacting student learning. This includes exploring approaches like Explicit Instruction, Quality Differentiation and CLIL (Content & Language Integrated Learning).
  

• Targeted Professional Development: Our teachers regularly participate in professional development workshops and training sessions. These opportunities are carefully selected to enhance their skills in areas such as literacy and numeracy instruction, digital technologies in the classroom, and supporting student well-being. 

• Collaborative Learning Teams: Our teachers work together in professional learning communities (PLCs) to share best practices, analyse student data, and collaboratively plan engaging lessons. This collaborative approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement and ensures consistency across year levels. 

• Utilising Technology Effectively: We are exploring innovative ways to integrate technology into our teaching to enhance engagement, provide personalised learning opportunities, and develop essential 21st-century skills in our students.

• Differentiation and Personalised Learning: We are refining our approaches to ensure that every student, regardless of their starting point, is challenged and supported appropriately. This means tailoring instruction to meet individual learning styles, strengths, and areas for growth. 

• Assessment for Learning: Our teachers are increasingly using monitoring tasks to gather ongoing feedback on student understanding. This allows them to adjust their teaching in real-time to address misconceptions and ensure all students are progressing. 

Why is this important for your child? 

Strong pedagogical practices directly translate into better learning outcomes for your child. By continuously refining our teaching, we aim to: 

• Increase Student Engagement: More effective teaching leads to more engaging lessons, making learning more enjoyable and meaningful for your child. 
• Deepen Understanding: Students will develop a richer and more profound understanding of concepts, rather than just memorising facts. 
• Foster Critical Thinking Skills: Our teachers employ strategies that encourage students to think critically, solve problems, and apply their knowledge in new situations. 
• Support Individual Needs: Every child learns differently. Improved pedagogy allows us to better cater to these individual differences, ensuring all students can thrive. 
• Prepare for the Future: By equipping students with a strong foundation and adaptable learning skills, we are better preparing them for success in an ever-changing world. 

Investing in our teachers and their pedagogical expertise, we are investing directly in your child's future.  

We look forward to sharing more updates on our progress in future newsletters and welcome your continued partnership in your child's educational journey. 

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Robertson State School enhances infrastructure over the last 24 months and beyond! 

Robertson State School is thrilled to announce a series of significant infrastructure improvements planned for our campus, with some of the work already completed. These projects are designed to enhance our learning environments, improve safety, and ensure our facilities continue to meet the evolving needs of our growing school community. 

We are committed to providing the best possible learning environment for our students, and these strategic investments are a testament to that dedication. While specific details of all projects will be shared as they are finalised, we can confirm that the focus will be on modernising existing spaces, improving accessibility, and optimising our outdoor areas for both learning and play. 

Our dedicated facilities team, along with external contractors, have been working diligently during school breaks to minimise disruption to student learning.

Key projects, which include: 

• Classroom Revitalisation: Updates to select classrooms to create more dynamic and collaborative learning spaces. This involves fresh paint, updated furnishings, and technological enhancements - Modular 1 and 2 have been refurbished and Hall PA system upgrade completed. 
• Outdoor Learning and Play Areas: Improvements to our playgrounds and outdoor learning zones to promote physical activity and engagement with nature. This includes new play equipment, shade structures, or rejuvenated garden beds - Prep Playground completed and Prep Sandpit cover nearly completed. 
• Essential Maintenance and Upgrades: Routine but crucial maintenance work, alongside upgrades to essential services such to ensure the smooth operation of our school for students, staff and community safety - Electric Gate installed in staff carpark, new Robertson State School lectern for school hall, walkway from staff carpark to school office completed with lighting for walkway also installed.
• Looking Beyond: The school’s long-term vision includes facilities that support our innovative curriculum and diverse student population, such as:
  • Construction of a Community Multi-Purpose Sports Hall near the tennis courts
  • Installation of a cold water fountain near the hall oval
  • Window tinting in the upstairs hall
  • New line markings for activities and games on concreted areas
  • Establishment of indigenous signage and school branding murals

Future plans will encompass: 

• Technological Infrastructure: Continued enhancement to support our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program and STEM initiatives, including:
  • Establishment of a STEM classroom in the lower level of the hall
  • Replacement of digital electronic signs
  • Upgrade of digital infrastructure (optic fibre, bandwidth, wireless access points)
  • New interactive teaching boards across classrooms
• Accessibility Improvements: Ensuring our school is inclusive and accessible, with potential upgrades such as:
  • Shade sail for Teaching Block 1
  • Insulated roof covering Teaching Block 3 outdoor learning space
  • New Prep equipment shed
• Sustainable Practices: Exploring environmentally friendly solutions in our infrastructure development, such as water conservation initiatives or energy-efficient lighting. We have already installed 270 solar panels, gutter clean whole school yearly, Netball courts clean, service air conditions 6 monthly, repair walkway Teaching Block 1 to Teaching Block 3, replace gutters to tuckshop undercover, replace damaged oval boundary fencing and oval embankment improvement with new vegetation and possible terracing. 

Community Involvement and Funding 

These vital infrastructure improvements are often made possible through a combination of government funding, school-generated resources, and the invaluable support of our RSS Parents and Citizens (P&C) Association. Our P&C plays a crucial role in advocating for our school's needs and contributing to various projects that directly benefit our students. We encourage all parents and community members to consider getting involved with the P&C to help shape the future of our school. We look forward to sharing updates on our progress and the positive impact these improvements will have on our school community. 

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2025 Safer Schools Program

We have some good news: Robertson State School has been selected for the 2025 Safer Schools Program, which encourages safe parking practices and assists traffic control. The following is a message from Brisbane City Council:

School Zone Parking

Parking in accordance with all road rules and signage is important to keep our children and other road users safe. Unfortunately, Brisbane City Council has received an increase in the number of reports of illegal parking around our school. As a result, our school has been added to Council’s Safer Schools Program this term.

What does this mean?

Brisbane City Council’s Parking Compliance Officers will be actively patrolling the streets surrounding our school over the coming term to encourage safer parking behaviours. These patrols will be conducted on foot and in highly visible Community Safety and Regulation vehicles that can identify alleged offences using Automatic Number Plate Recognition and GPS software. Please be kind – they have a job to do.

What are the common parking signs around schools?

A guide to common parking signs around school zones can be found on Council’s website by searching the term ‘School Parking’.

Tyrone Bruce

Principal

Have Your Say in the 2025 School Opinion Survey 

Each year, the Department of Education conducts the School Opinion Survey to gather valuable feedback from families, school staff and students in Years 5 and 6. This is a great opportunity for parents and caregivers to share their thoughts on what Robertson State School is doing well and where we can improve. 

The 2025 School Opinion Survey will run from Monday 28 July to Friday 22 August.

However, you don’t need to wait until the 28th—you can complete the survey as soon as you receive your invitation email, which will be sent out this week. 

Each school family will receive one invitation email from the Department of Education titled "School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2025". The survey is anonymous, and results are reported in a way that does not identify individuals. 

The survey can be completed on a computer, tablet or smartphone with an internet connection. If you’re having trouble accessing the survey or didn’t receive the invitation, please contact the School Opinion Survey team at schoolopinionsurvey@qed.qld.gov.au to request a new link. 

Can’t find your invitation?

If there is more than one parent or caregiver in your family, please check with them to see if they received the email. Also, don’t forget to check your junk or spam folder just in case. 

We strongly encourage all families to take a few moments to complete the survey. Your feedback is important and helps shape the future direction of our school. 

Thank you for your continued support! 

Deputy Principal

Shae Robinson

NAPLAN Results

The QCAA prints individual student reports (ISRs) for students who participate in NAPLAN tests. These reports are sent directly to schools for distribution and have been sent home with students. The ISRs report student results using proficiency standards. Further information on proficiency standards, including the proficiency level descriptions, are available on the National Assessment Program (NAP) website. 

School reports are not yet available and we look forward to their release by the QCAA.

All the best to Year 5 at Mapleton!

All the best to Year 5 next week on camp at Mapleton. Year 5 students will attend camp from 30 July - 01 August and will participate in a range of leadership activities and team building events. We wish them all the best and look forward to the many photos, many of which will be posted daily to our school Facebook page. 

Extra-curricular Photo Day - Monday 28 July 2025

Order forms will be distributed AFTER photo day. Please follow order instructions and place your order online.

If you don't receive an order form, you can still order online at www.msp.com.au. You will need a shootkey, which can be obtained by calling 38483946.

Please direct any questions regarding ordering photos to MSP photography (www.msp.com.au, phone: 3848 3946). Thank you.

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Uniform

• Formal Uniform
• Please wear your badges
• If you are in music, please wear your music socks

Update to Invoicing

We’d like to let you know about an important update to our invoicing process.

Previously, all families were invoiced for activities and events regardless of whether consent had been provided.

Moving forward, invoices will only be issued after the consent period has closed, and only for those students who have been given consent to participate.

To help us stay organised and ensure your child doesn’t miss out, please complete the relevant consent forms by the due date. If you don’t have access to QParents, you’re welcome to collect a paper copy of the consent form from the school office.

Swimming Lessons (Prep, Year 1, Year 2 & Year 3)

Swimming is compulsory in Australia to ensure students develop essential swimming and water safety skills. Lessons align with the Australian HPE Curriculum and the National Swimming and Water Safety Framework, promoting safe water practices.

Consent forms have been sent via QParents. If you don’t have access to QParents, please visit the office to collect a paper copy.

Consent due - 8 August
Invoicing - Parents will be invoiced on 8 August for students who are participating.

Each year level will take part in a week of swimming during September or October:

• Prep: Term 4 Week 3 (20–24 October)
• Year 1: Term 4 Week 2 (13–17 October)
• Year 2: Term 3 Week 10 (15–19 September)
• Year 3: Term 3 Week 9 (7–12 September)

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Due Dates for Payment and Consent:

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.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Administration Office

Robertson State School

Does your child have a passion for pawns or a craving for checkmates? Students who are interested in learning and playing chess are invited to join the Robertson Chess Club.

When: Fridays - Second Break (1:30pm – 2:00pm)

Where: Library

Whether they’re a beginner or a seasoned player, everyone is welcome. Throughout the term, students will have the opportunity to build their skills, challenge their peers, and enjoy the game.

Each term, a Robertson Chess Team will be selected to compete in an Inter-school Chess Competition at a partnering school.

Selection is based on:

• Attendance at Chess Club
• Previous competition experience
• Chess ability
• Behaviour and sportsmanship

Come along, make your move, and join in the fun — we’re always looking for the next rookie of the year!

♟️

Mr Potts

Year 5 Classroom Teacher

Chinese Handwriting Competition – 19 June 2025

We are excited to share the success of Annual Queensland Taiwan Centre Chinese Handwriting Competition held on Thursday 19 June, in the school music room. The event brought together students from different year levels, showcasing their skills in traditional Chinese Hanzi (Characters) handwriting. 

What Happened on the Day?

The atmosphere was full of focus as our nominated students carefully crafted their Chinese characters with pride. Participants were judged on neatness, character structure and overall presentation. Teachers and our guest judges from Queensland Taiwan Centre were impressed by the high standard of work and the evident effort students had put in. 

Celebrating Our Talent

This year, we were delighted to see strong participation from both Heritage Background and Non-Heritage students. Everyone who took part should be proud of their dedication and engagement with the Chinese language. 

A Big Thank You!

We sincerely thank all the Robertson Chinese Language teachers for nominating students, preparing materials, and helping supervise the event. Your support made the day run smoothly and meaningfully. Special thanks to the Queensland Taiwan Centre and the QTeachers judging team for supporting the event and promoting Chinese language learning at our school. 

The winners will be announced in September. 

Jung Wang

Languages Teacher

 Instrumental Music Recruitment information for 2026 

The Instrumental music program at Robertson, administered by Education Queensland, is a high-quality program, which is not replicated in any other state or territory in Australia - it is a world class program. Robertson has an excellent instrumental music program and competition is high for students to gain a place. The instrumental teachers have a limited time at each of their schools, so there is a limit to the number of students who can be recruited, and sometimes interested students miss out on a place, sometimes due to parent(s) / caregiver(s) not following the enrolment procedure. Please read all of the information in this and following newsletters, as all of the guidelines and procedures will be there. It is important that you understand the process for selection. 

• Students are only allowed to participate in either Strings (beginning in Year Three) OR Band – brass, woodwind and percussion (beginning in Year Four). 
• Once selected on an instrument, students are not allowed to move from one program to another, or change instruments within the same program (unless recommended by the teacher). Students and families need to consider their child’s instrument choice carefully. If your child is interested in learning a band instrument they need to wait until the band recruitment time in Year Three.
• The instrumental program consists of a group lesson during school time, and an ensemble rehearsal, usually before school, on a specific day each week. Ensemble attendance is mandatory for students in the program.
• Students are expected to commit and continue in the program throughout at least their primary school years.

The process for applying for entry to the instrumental music program for 2025 starts in classroom music during term 3 and is as follows:

• students in Year Two will be shown the available string instruments in the instrumental string program. 
• students in Year Three will be shown the available band instruments in the instrumental band program 
• all students in Year Two and Three will be given a music aptitude test – a listening test to determine their music aural (listening) skills. The scores on this test directly impact a child’s selection for the program. 

Classroom Music, choir and especially the development of accurate in tune singing - is very advantageous to student’s music listening skills. The classroom Music activities and choir program can directly influence your child’s music listening aptitude. In 2026 – all Year 3 students joining strings, and Year 4 students joining band will be required to be a member of Poco Voci (Year 3) or Cantabile (Year 4) choir for at least their first year. 

There will be further information at the Instrumental Music Parent Information meeting on Monday 11 August at 6.30pm in the Hall. Attendance at this meeting is mandatory for parents wanting to enrol their child in the program for 2026. 

Thank you for your interest in the Instrumental Music Program at Robertson. 

Heather Francis, Robyn Gray and Vivienne Thomas 

Music Team 

Claire Ennis

Teacher Librarian & Technology Coordinator

Welcome back from what has hopefully been a wonderful, relaxing Winter break.  It has been so lovely to see everyone back in rooms, working away.

I would like to thank Morgan Johnson, our school’s Speech Language Pathologist who has been at our school for almost 2 years.  Morgan has taken a position in Metro North, meaning Robertson will no longer be in her rotation of schools.  Our students and staff have benefitted greatly from her knowledge, experience, expertise, initiative and all-round cheery spirit with everything SLP related.  We wish her all the very best in her new role.

We welcome to our school Ms Joanne Stephen, who comes to us with a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise.  Ms Stephen has kindly provided us with a quick introduction with a little information about herself. I’m sure you will see her around our school, so please say hello. Welcome Ms Stephen!

Amanda Slinger

Head of Special Education - Inclusion

Only 6 Weeks to Go Until Spring Fest!

The countdown is ON! Spring Fest is just 6 weeks away and we couldn’t be more excited! Get ready for an unforgettable afternoon of rides, food trucks, games, entertainment, market stalls, fireworks and so much more. It’s shaping up to be our biggest and brightest event yet—so mark your calendars for Thursday 4th September, 3:15–8:00pm.

We’re still on the lookout for sponsors, raffle prizes, and entertainment acts—a great way to support our school and showcase your business or talent!

Unlimited ride armbands are now available for pre-purchase on Flexischools —just $35! ($40 if purchased on the night).

Let’s come together to celebrate our amazing school community. Stay tuned for more details—and don’t forget to check your emails for our Spring Fest newsletter (issued every alternate fortnight, previous issue emailed 18^th July) and how you can get involved! Sign up here https://volunteersignup.org/DLD3B

Free Dress Days – Join the Fun!

Get ready for two exciting Free Dress Days, with prizes and donations to support Spring Fest!

Tuesday 5 August – RAINBOW Theme

Wear as many colours as you can!

Prize: Free ice block for the most colourful outfit in each class.

Bring: 1L bottle of soft drink to the Mud Room

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Tuesday 12 August – DENIM Theme

Dress in head-to-toe denim, on the day before Ekka holiday!

Prize: Free ice block for the most denim worn in each class.

Bring: A block of chocolate (no bars).

Teachers will choose a winner from each class. Staff and parents encouraged to join in!
Parent Reps – please help collect donations to the Mud Room. Thank you!

Father’s Day Stall – Creative Contributors Wanted!

Are you crafty or creative? We’re looking for individuals to create gifts or contribute to our Father’s Day stall, just like our successful Mother’s Day event. Please submit a photo and description of your item to the P&C Association by Friday 8^th August for approval. Looking forward to seeing the exciting gift options for Dad or Grandad!  Email: pcrobertsonss@gmail.com

Tuckshop Helpers Needed!

Our Tuckshop simply can't run without the help of amazing volunteers – and we’re always looking for more! Come and lend a hand to help feed our hungry kids and keep this much-loved service going strong.

Parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles – everyone’s welcome! It’s a great way to meet new people, or perhaps grab some friends for a fun morning? Your kids will LOVE seeing you ‘working’ at school. Plus, each volunteer (and their child) receives a free ice block or hot chocolate as a thank you.

Sign up here: https://volunteersignup.org/HCTXT

Tennis Courts Available for Hire!

Looking to improve your game, enjoy a social hit with friends, or just get active outdoors? Our school tennis courts are available for public hire outside of school hours. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, it's a great local option to get moving and have fun.

Booking is quick and easy—just head to www.tennisvenues.com.au to check availability and secure your spot. Grab your racquet and enjoy the convenience of playing close to home!

Sponsorship Opportunities

We're currently seeking business sponsors from within our community to support upcoming events and programs at the school. Gain meaningful exposure to our community as well as contribute to enhancing our school’s infrastructure and resources.

If you, or someone you know, owns a business that would like to get involved, please check out our Sponsorship Package at Robertson State School website (Follow to ‘Our Community’, then ‘P&C’) Sponsoring Robertson State School , or contact pcrobertsonss@gmail.com

Stay Connected with Us on Facebook!

We’d love for you to join our new Robertson State School P&C Association Facebook page! It’s the best place to stay updated on school events, P&C news and volunteer opportunities. Be part of our amazing community! Follow us: https://facebook.com/pcrobertsonss

Parents & Citizens Association

Robertson State School