Dear Families,

Child and Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing

With the national week of action for the prevention of bullying coming to a close it is important as a community we acknowledge the importance of students, families and schools working together to create a culture of belonging, kindness and respect. At Yeronga State School we understand that all children will sit along a continuum of flourishing to being severely impacted by mental health at any point in time. The circumstances impacting upon the mental health of any young person can be an adverse event or series of adverse experiences. The following indicators for identifying if your child is possibly struggling   a useful tool for parents and teachers who spend the most time with children and young people. Whilst not developed specifically for responding to incidents of bullying, the scale is useful for considering the possible impact as a result of bullying on a child’s mental health.

If you do hold concerns for your child’s mental health or wellbeing it is important you raise your concerns with your child’s teacher immediately so that our student support processes can be actioned with the appropriate staff. More information to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people can be found at https://beyou.edu.au/ .

School Opinion Survey 2025

Thank you to all of those who have already completed the Parent/Caregiver Survey. If you have not had a chance to complete the survey yet, please note that the online surveys will remain open until Friday, 22 August 2025. This is your opportunity to provide feedback about what our school does well and how we can improve. To have your say, check your email for an invitation from the Department of Education titled School Opinion Survey for parents and caregivers, 2025. Can’t find your invitation? If your family has more than one parent/caregiver, check that they haven’t received the invitation and/or check your junk email folder.

The Teaching of Reading

Before children come to school, families build oral language which is the foundation for reading. At each stage of schooling, families and carers play an important role in supporting children to read and learn about the world around them. As a department, we acknowledge that teaching reading is everyone’s work.

We look forward to a great week of celebrating Book Week across the school please look out for information in this newsletter about all the exciting events planned.

Have a great week,

Eunice Webb

Principal

Curiosity and Powerful Learning

On Monday, a group of teachers from Yeronga State School visited Holland Park State School as part of our Curiosity and Powerful Learning (CPL) cluster. Teachers from across the network observed classrooms and heard from Philosophy Leaders about how HPSS implements a philosophy framework and lessons in their teaching. We value opportunities like this to learn from schools in our CPL network, reflect on our own practices, and continue to enhance them. At Yeronga, our inquiry stance encourages valuing questions and exploring big ideas, which naturally welcomes philosophical thinking. We lean on our Learning Assets to position our students as logical, creative, and reflective thinkers. As a school, we actively promote a positive culture of confident communication. With a focus on collaborative skills, we explicitly teach students how to listen actively, work constructively as part of a team, and respect differing points of view.

Book Week Parade Prep to Year 6

Book Week is just around the corner, and we are excited to celebrate with a (non-compulsury) dress up day and Parade for all students from Prep to Year 6. On Friday, 22 August, students are invited to come to school dressed as their favourite book character or in a costume inspired by this year’s Book Week theme - "Book and Adventure". The parade will be a wonderful opportunity to share our love of reading, celebrate creativity, and showcase the amazing characters that inspire our imaginations. Families are welcome to join us for the fun and see our students bring books to life!  

Prep 2026 Enrolments 

If you have a child starting Prep at Yeronga State School in 2026, now is the time to return your enrolment forms to secure your place in our  Pre-Prep transition program. This term and next, we have many transition opportunities designed to help children and families feel confident and connected before starting school. These sessions give future Prep students a chance to explore our classrooms, meet teachers, and build friendships, while parents can learn more about how we support a smooth and positive start to school life. Getting your enrolment forms in early ensures you won’t miss out on these valuable experiences.

Year 4 History Experience

As part of their current unit on colonial life, the Year Fours are exploring what life was like in Australia both before colonisation. Yolande brought this learning to life through a powerful session that combined imagination, storytelling, sound, and movement to help students connect with the experiences of First Nations peoples before colonisation.

It was a truly memorable and meaningful experience!

Bullying. No Way! Week

This week, our school observed National Bullying Week with a focus on educating children about the importance of kindness and respect. Teachers integrated meaningful discussions into daily classroom routines and lessons to help students understand what bullying is and why it is harmful. By embedding these conversations in familiar activities, children were able to engage openly and thoughtfully. A key part of our approach was using a clear and simple flowchart to guide students through recognizing bullying behaviours and deciding how to respond appropriately.

We encourage parents to explore the flowchart and engage with a brief parent research snapshot provided on the Bullying. No Way! Website to further support conversations at home. Understanding the definition of bullying and its impact is essential for both children and adults, helping to create a safe and supportive environment for everyone. Together, with consistent communication and shared strategies, we can empower our children to stand up against bullying and foster kindness in our school community.

2026 Instrumental Music Information Evening- Year 2 and Year 3 families

The Instrumental Music Information Evening for families with students who are interested in joining the school’s Strings or Band program in 2026 will be held on Thursday September 4 at 6:30pm in the school hall. Current Year 2 students are eligible to apply for the 2026 Strings program and current Year 3 students can apply for the Band program. Current Year 3 students who are already participating in the Strings program are not eligible to join the Band program next year. If a student wishes to be considered for selection in the 2026 Instrumental Music program, it is highly recommended that the student and one caregiver attend the information evening. This will ensure all families have a comprehensive understanding of the program and are aware of the commitment and costs involved.

Parents will be able to register their interest in their child participating in the program at the information evening. If you are unable to attend, you will need to email the strings teacher Tamsyn Eastgate at teast42@eq.edu.au or the band teacher Alex Grodecki at agrod3@eq.edu.au prior to the information evening to ensure that we know that your child would like to apply for the program.

Participation in Instrumental Music at Yeronga is in high demand and there are limited places available. The selection process involves aural testing of all year 2 and 3 students in classroom music lessons, consultations with classroom and specialist teachers, and physical testing on the string or band instruments that allow students the opportunity to try out different instruments and determine their physical capability for an instrument.

Southside Senior Music Workshop

The Southside Senior Music Workshop for selected year 6 strings and band students is coming up on September 9 to 11 at Chandler Theatre. Over the three days students will learn three challenging ensemble pieces and two choral works and then perform them at a showcase concert in the magnificent 1500 seat Chandler Theatre. Parents are requested to make sure they have completed the QParents permission form and payment for this event. 

Primary State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP)

Yeronga State School has 13 students who have been made a first-round offer for the Primary Schools State Honours Ensemble Program at the Queensland Conservatorium in November! Under the guidance of some of Queensland's top conductors, students will rehearse and perform with other advanced primary school musicians from state and private schools throughout Brisbane. Congratulations to Harrison (Trumpet), Veronica (Clarinet), Ellie (Tuba), Harry (Trumpet), Morry (Clarinet), Paraw (Violin), Rayna (Violin), Amira (Flute), Claire (Violin), Anna (Viola), Amelie (Trombone), Edith (Bass Clarinet) and Richard (Violin). 

Book Week Activities – Book an Adventure!

Book Week Is Coming from 18 August! All year levels are welcome to dress up on the Friday parade day and participate in the fun.  

Please help us celebrate in style.  

Throughout the week Mrs Webb, Ms Triggell and Mrs O’Sullivan will make surprise visits to classes to read books. Every lunch time book activities in the library with guest readers and things to make.

• Monday – Kick off book week with hot chocolate in the library before school from 8:00am bring your family for a read and a drink before school.
• Tuesday – Read a book in a different place. Head outdoors and read somewhere unusual. 
• Wednesday and Thursday before school our Rap team will put out rugs where students can bring a book and take a book. They will need to bring a gold coin donation to give to the Read out of Poverty fundraiser for providing book for remote indigenous children. 
• Friday – Dress up parade for Prep to Year 6 – feel free to bring your class to watch. 
• Wednesday 27 August Author visit Jonathan Bentley author of the “bad Bunny” series as well as “My marvellous mum” and My Fantastic Dad” for all year levels.  Bring a gold coin donation. See his website for more https://www.jonathanbentleybooks.com/books

Family ideas

Celebrating Book Week   with the theme "Book an Adventure" is a fantastic opportunity for families to dive into stories, explore new worlds, and create lasting memories together. Here are some fun and meaningful ideas:

Adventure-Themed Activities for Families

1. Create a Story Adventure Map

- Draw a map of imaginary lands inspired by favourite books.

- Include places like “Dragon’s Peak,” “Mystery Marsh,” or “Wizard’s Hollow.”

- Let your child add their own story elements and characters.

2. Dress-Up and Role Play

- Choose a book and dress up as characters.

- Act out scenes or create new adventures for the characters.

- Great for books like *Harry Potter*, *Percy Jackson*, or *The Magic Faraway Tree*.

3. Book Treasure Hunt

- Hide books around the house or yard with clues leading to each one.

- Each clue can be a riddle or a quote from a book.

- End with a small prize or a new book to read together. 

4. Adventure Reading Nook

- Build a cozy reading fort with blankets and pillows.

- Decorate it with fairy lights and adventure-themed posters.

- Spend time reading together in your “book cave.”

     5. Create Your Own Adventure Book

- Write and illustrate a short “choose your own adventure” story.

- Let each family member contribute a page or a decision point.

- Bind it together and read it aloud.

6. Outdoor Story Quest

- Go on a nature walk and invent a story as you go.

- Use surroundings as inspiration: “The tree is a giant’s home,” “The stream is a magical river.”

- Take photos and turn it into a picture storybook later.

7. Adventure Movie Night

- Watch a movie based on a book (e.g., “The Chronicles of Narnia”, “The Hobbit”, “Bridge to Terabithia”).

- Discuss differences between the book and the movie.

8. Book Week Passport

- Create a “reading passport” where each book read earns a stamp or sticker.

- Include “countries” or “worlds” visited through stories.

9. Library or Bookstore Adventure

- Visit a local library or bookstore and let each person pick a book that feels adventurous.

- Ask staff for recommendations based on the theme.

10. Adventure Snack & Story Time

- Make themed snacks (e.g., “dragon eggs” = chocolate truffles, “pirate gold” = popcorn).

- Pair with a story reading session.

 

Here’s a list of adventure-themed books for different age groups that families can enjoy together during Book Week with the theme “Book an Adventure”:

✨ Young Children (Ages 3–7)

• "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" by Michael Rosen
  A rhythmic, adventurous journey through different landscapes.
• "The Gruffalo" by Julia Donaldson
  A clever mouse outwits predators in the deep dark wood.
• "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak
  A boy sails to an island of wild creatures and becomes their king.
• "Rosie’s Walk" by Pat Hutchins
  A simple farmyard walk turns into a hilarious adventure.
• "The Snail and the Whale" by Julia Donaldson
  A tiny snail goes on a global journey with a friendly whale.

✨ Middle Primary (Ages 7–10)

• "The Magic Faraway Tree" series by Enid Blyton
  Classic magical adventures in a tree with ever-changing lands.
• "The 13-Storey Treehouse" series by Andy Griffiths
  Wild and imaginative adventures in a treehouse full of surprises.
• "Charlotte’s Web" by E.B. White
  A heartwarming farm adventure with friendship and bravery.
• "The BFG" by Roald Dahl
  A girl teams up with a Big Friendly Giant to save the world.
• "Pippi Longstocking" by Astrid Lindgren
  A quirky girl with super strength and endless adventures.

✨ Upper Primary (Ages 10–12)

• "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" by Rick Riordan
  Mythology meets modern-day adventure in this fast-paced series.
• "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
  Magical adventures at Hogwarts and beyond.
• "The Explorer" by Katherine Rundell
  A survival adventure in the Amazon rainforest.
• "Holes" by Louis Sachar
  A mysterious desert camp with buried secrets.
• "The Mapmaker Chronicles" by A.L. Tait
  A thrilling quest to map the world.

✨ Family Read-Alouds (All Ages)

• "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien
  A classic quest with dragons, dwarves, and treasure.
• "Peter Pan" by J.M. Barrie
  Fly to Neverland for swashbuckling fun and imagination.
• "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis
  A magical world through a wardrobe door.
• "Swallows and Amazons" by Arthur Ransome
  Sailing, camping, and childhood adventure in the English Lake District.

ROOP Book Drive - Bring your old books!

Book Sale Wednesday & Thursday

SEQ Cup Football (Soccer)

Last Thursday the Junior Girls, Junior Boys and Senior Boys Football (Soccer) teams participated in the Met West finals. All three teams had won the Gala Day premierships, then had to play Graceville State School to claim the Eastern Taipans District Championships before heading to the Met West Finals. It was another amazing display of skill, determination and teamwork that saw all three teams make the finals on the day. The Junior Boys went down narrowly in a hard-fought game against Moggill State School. The Senior Boys had a great 3 – 0 win over Stretton State College in their final. The Junior Girls capped off an outstanding day by winning their final 5-1 against Chapel Hill State School. Both the Senior Boys and Junior Girls teams will now play in the SEQ Cup final day on September 1^st at Aspley against the other regional winners of South East Qld. We wish both teams the best of luck. Finally, a huge thank you to all the supporters and volunteer drivers that have been assisting the teams to get to and from the games.

Get Ready for a Delicious Fundraiser! 

A quick reminder that today, Friday 15 August, is the last day to return your Cookie Drive opt-out form. Forms can be handed to your child’s classroom teacher or emailed to vicepresidentmajorevents@yerongasspandc.org.au.

If we don’t receive an opt-out form today, your child will be allocated one box of cookies next week.

Next Week’s Plan

• Thursday 21 August – Cookie boxes will be delivered to the school.
• Friday 22 August – Boxes will be sent home with students.
  • If you ordered more than one box, please allow time to come to school to help your child carry them.
  • If you don’t want your allocated box, please return it to your child’s teacher as soon as possible so it can be redistributed.
• Inside each box will be:
  • 15 tubs of delicious cookie bags ($5 each)
  • An instruction letter with all the details for payment and returns
• Payment is preferred via Flexischools (cash as a backup).
• You’ll have three weeks to sell your cookies, and there are prizes for the top sellers!

A Few Tips for Selling

• Friends, family, neighbours, and workmates are great customers!
• Tubs freeze well - perfect for buying in bulk.

This is a fun, low-pressure way to raise funds for the school. If every student sells just one box, we’ll reach our $10,000 goal to support school programs and resources. Thanks for supporting the P&C and our wonderful school community!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are we required to sell the cookies?
 Not at all. This is a low-pressure fundraiser. If you’d prefer not to participate, that’s absolutely okay – just return the opt-out form. If you’re up for it, selling even one box makes a big difference.

Q: What if I forgot to return the opt-out form or we’re away?
 No worries! If you don’t wish to participate and didn’t return the form, you can simply send the box back to school. We understand things get missed sometimes. However, please do your best to return the form or send us an email at vicepresidentmajorevents@yerongasspandc.org.au.

Q: Can we get a sample before selling?
 Yes! Each class will receive samples to share. Teachers will distribute them only to students without allergies. If your child has dietary needs, please ensure the teacher is aware.

Q: Why didn’t the samples come home in bags like usual?
 To keep all students safe – especially those with allergies – we’ve opted not to send food home in school bags. Instead, samples are handled directly by teachers in a safe and supervised way.

Q: What’s in the cookies?
 An ingredients list is attached to this email.

Q: How do we pay for our cookie box?
 The easiest way is through Flexischools. We’ll provide clear instructions as the fundraiser draws to a close on this process. If you’re unable to use Flexischools, we will also accept cash payments as a backup.

Q: What if we don’t sell the whole box?
 That’s completely fine! You can:

• Pay for only the tubs you’ve sold and return the rest, or
• Choose to keep the remaining tubs for your own use and pay the full amount.

Q: We don’t want a box but still want to help – what can we do?
 Thank you! You’re welcome to make a $29 donation via Flexischools – this covers the profit the school would have made from your box. Every contribution helps and is appreciated!

Q: Can we sell to family, neighbours or workmates?
 Absolutely! This is a great opportunity to get your extended network involved with a delicious and easy-to-love product. You might need an extra box or three!

Q: Who do I talk to for more information?
 Please email Ali at vicepresidentmajorevents@yerongasspandc.org.au.

We’re really excited to see how this fundraiser goes – it’s designed to be a fun, flexible way to raise funds for our school without putting families under pressure.

Thanks for keeping your groups informed and helping make this a success!

✨ Father’s Day Stall – Let’s Make It Magical! ✨

Our much-loved Father’s Day Stall is happening next Thursday, 4 September, and we still need your help to make it a joyful day filled with smiles, surprises, and sweet moments for our kids!

For those new to Yeronga SS, the Father’s Day Stall is a treasured tradition where students visit a special pop-up stall during class time to choose a gift for someone special — dad, grandpa, uncle, stepdad or another loved one. It’s all about thoughtful giving, independence, and that wonderful buzz of excitement!

How You Can Help This Week

Donate a gift!
 We’re looking for fun, thoughtful, quirky or heartfelt gifts (valued at $5 or under). Great ideas include:

• Socks, mugs, keyrings
• Chocolates or snacks
• Tools, car wash gear, BBQ items
• Novelty items or “dad jokes” books
• Coffee sachets or mini pamper products

Next time you’re at the shops, why not pop an extra little gift in your trolley for the stall? Every bit helps!

Donate funds via Flexischools
 Too busy to shop? You can donate directly through Flexischools and we’ll purchase gifts on your behalf.

Volunteer your time
 We still need helpers to wrap gifts, sort donations, and run the stall on the day. Even an hour or two is a huge help!
 Sign up here:

Volunteer here

 Important:

Students will need to bring $3 cash on stall day to purchase a gift.

Year 6 Families:
 As Year 6 will be at camp on the day, please ensure $3 is given to teachers by Thursday 28 August. They’ll receive a lucky Father’s Day gift when they return from camp.

Let’s make this year’s stall unforgettable for the kids — thanks so much for your donations, time, and support.

Fete Brainstorming Session

Yeronga Fete Brainstorming – Let’s Bring It Back!
 Friday 22 August, 3:15 PM in the Library

We’re excited to be bringing the Yeronga State School Fete back in September 2026, and now’s the time to get the ball rolling!

Join us for a casual brainstorming session on Friday 22 August at 3:15 PM (right after school). We’ll throw around ideas, gather interest, and start to shape what this incredible community event could look like.

• Location – Libary
• Kids welcome — they can play while we plan!

After the amazing success of our recent Trivia Night, we know what this community can do when we work together — and the fete could be even bigger (and even more fun!). Whether you’ve got time, ideas, skills, or just want to be part of something exciting, we’d love you there.

Can’t make it? We’ll share a follow-up form so you can still have your say and get involved.

Let’s make the Yeronga Fete 2026 something truly unforgettable.

End of Term Celebration!

 We’re wrapping up Term 3 with a fun, relaxed family night out — and you’re all invited!

✨Friday 19 September 3:30pm to 7pm
✨The Moorooka Clubhouse

Bring the whole family for a casual evening of connection, community, and celebration. Skip cooking and support the school by enjoying a BBQ dinner on-site. The bar will be open too - so grab a drink and support the amazing team at The Moorooka Clubhouse while you're at it!

A call out for master volunteers to help on the BBQ and serve wonderful customers will be coming shortly.

Sign up to help here: https://signup.com/go/wVJTkDr

Text your WhatsApp groups, round up your crew, and pop it in the calendar now - it’s going to be a great way to kick off the school holidays.

More details to come, but for now... save the date! 

LINK FIXED! - YSS Volunteering - Join the Crew!

We’re building something special at Yeronga – and we’d love you to be part of it.

Our YSS Volunteer Register is now open! This is how we match up amazing people in our school community with small and big opportunities to help — whether that’s wrapping gifts, running a stall, flipping snags, or supporting behind the scenes.

• Have 5 minutes or 5 hours?
• A talent for spreadsheets, baking, fixing, planning or promoting?
• Just happy to lend a hand now and then?

There’s a place for you.

Why join?

• Be the first to hear about upcoming events and how to help
• Get matched to jobs that suit your time and skills (no pressure)
• Meet great people and show your kids what community spirit looks like

Got a skill, trade or small business?

If you or a family member is a tradie, creative, organiser, or local business owner — let us know!
 Sometimes we need quotes, help with grant applications, or support to deliver funded projects.
 Being on our radar helps us plan better and support local where we can.

Time short? That’s okay too.

If life’s too busy to volunteer right now but you’d still love to support what we do, there’s also an option to make a donation via the form.

Click here to join the register:
 https://form.jotform.com/251958744726875

It only takes 2 minutes and makes a huge difference.

Thanks for helping us build an even stronger Yeronga!

Upcoming Events

August 2 – Sample Cookie’s go home.

Friday 22 August at 3pm - Fete Brainstorming Session

Thursday 4 September - Father’s Day Stall

Friday 19 September - End of Term Celebration at the Moorooka Clubhouse

Saturday 1 November - Movie Under the Stars at Yeronga State School

Stay Connected with Your P&C!

Want to keep up with all things fundraising, events, volunteer opportunities and fun at Yeronga SS?

Follow the Yeronga SS P&C Facebook page!
facebook.com/YerongaSSPandC

It’s the best way to stay in the loop, see behind-the-scenes updates, and get reminders about what’s coming up.
 Give us a follow and stay connected with our amazing school community!

RISE Yeronga

Chessmates @YSS