Hello Fernbrooke Community,

It was a real pleasure to see our courageous Year 6 students board the buses on Monday morning as they headed off to camp. We know that when they return, they’ll have plenty of exciting stories to share—stories that will become treasured memories for years to come.

A sincere thank you to our dedicated Year 6 teachers who are supporting students during the camp. I’d also like to acknowledge the school leadership team members who assisted in the planning and organisation of this event, with special thanks to Mr Matthew Dilger, Year 6 Year Level Coordinator, for his leadership in finalising all arrangements.

Term 4 School Events

This year, we have focused on prioritising events that support student learning and celebrate success or important milestones. With several staff members taking various forms of leave towards the end of the year, and the increasing difficulty in arranging relief staff, we have had to make careful decisions to ensure all activities are manageable by our existing team.

In light of these considerations, we will not be holding an End-of-Year Concert in 2025. This event requires extensive preparation time, which has increasingly impacted valuable teaching and learning during an already demanding time of year. I have communicated this change with the P&C, and I thank them for their understanding and support.

Looking ahead to 2026, we are aiming to design, plan, and implement learning celebrations and community events that are both meaningful and sustainable.

Important Term 4 Dates:

• 30 October – School Disco
• 31 October – Day for Daniel (non-fundraising event)
• 31 October – World Teachers’ Day
• 11 November – Remembrance Day
• 13–24 November – Book Fair
• 4 December – Year 6 Celebration Day (Goodna Pool)
• 5 December – Year 5 Leadership Day (FSS)
• 9 December – Year 6 Graduation (9:00am in the Hall)
• 10 December – Achievement Ceremonies (two sessions)
• 10 December – Semester 2 Report Cards Sent Home
• 11 December – Celebrations of Learning and Class Parties
• 12 December – Final Whole School Assembly
• 12 December – Year 6 Clap Out (2:00pm)

As each event approaches, further information will be provided. Please continue to check our fortnightly newsletters and school Facebook page to stay updated.

2025 School Opinion Survey (SOS)

We have now received the results of the 2025 School Opinion Survey. The image below highlights some key areas of celebration, as well as areas for reflection and growth. This feedback is highly valued by our leadership team and plays an important role in guiding our school improvement planning.

Thank you to all families who took the time to complete the SOS for 2025.

Have a great fortnight,

Scott

Fernbrooke State School STARS awards are handed to students by their class teacher and acknowledged at their assembly. Students are nominated by their class teacher. Each week Fernbrooke STARS recipients are shared in the newsletter. All Fernbrooke students are STARS because they are Safe, are Thinkers, Attend school, are Respectful and Successful learners.  As a community, we congratulate all these students in their efforts to Exceed Expectations.

Early Years Update – Weeks 3 & 4

Welcome to Weeks 3 and 4! Classrooms across the Early Years are full of energy and enthusiasm as students dive into their Term 4 learning. It’s a wonderful time of year when we start to see how much progress our learners have made and begin looking ahead to the next exciting chapter — moving students up to their new year levels and welcoming our next group of Preps to the Fernbrooke community.

Health and wellbeing

Last week our Queensland Health nurse completed the free Prep vision screening. This service is an important part of early childhood health care, helping identify any vision concerns that could affect learning. Early detection makes a big difference to how children see, read and engage in the classroom, so we are very grateful for this program and for the support of our families.

Special events

• Prep Grandparents’ Afternoon – This Friday, 1:30 pm in the Prep precinct. We’re looking forward to a lovely afternoon celebrating the special role grandparents play in our children’s lives.
• Grandparent events in other year levels – Keep an eye out for details coming soon.
• Spooky Disco – Thursday, 30 October.
• Prep–Year 2: 4:00–5:00 pm
  Students are encouraged to wear their favourite spooky outfit and enjoy an afternoon of music, dancing and fun with friends.
• Day for Daniel – Friday, 31 October. Students are invited to wear red to raise awareness of child safety. In classrooms, teachers will lead age-appropriate safety conversations using resources from the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, which are designed to help children understand how to stay safe in ways that are empowering and respectful.

Attendance matters

Learning continues right up to the end of the year, so it’s important that students attend school every day they are well, from the first bell to the last bell. If your child is absent, please respond to the text message to explain the reason or return any absence letter that comes home. You may also receive a friendly, supportive phone call from me, Theresa Parker, Deputy Principal, as we work together to maintain strong attendance. Every day counts for learning, friendship and confidence.

Staffing

A few staff members are taking well-deserved leave over the coming weeks. As always, we prioritise familiar and capable teachers to ensure our students continue to learn in a supportive and consistent environment.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. The next two weeks promise to be filled with exciting learning experiences, special events and plenty of Fernbrooke smiles.

Theresa ?

Welcome back to Term 4. I hope everyone enjoyed a relaxing and refreshing school holiday break. It’s been wonderful to see our Year 3 and 4 students return with big smiles, ready to learn and make the most of our final term together. With the term now well underway, there’s already plenty happening across our classrooms and our school community.

This week’s heatwave has certainly reminded us that summer is on its way. With temperatures soaring and a scorching 40 degrees expected tomorrow, we’ll be keeping a close eye on conditions. It’s very likely that we’ll be enacting our Hot Weather Policy, meaning play breaks will be held indoors, just as we do for wet weather days. This ensures all students can enjoy a cool, safe retreat while staying comfortable and hydrated in their classrooms. Please remind your children to wear their school hats, play in the shade whenever possible, and drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Our Year 4 students have an exciting experience to look forward to this week. On Friday, they’ll take part in a Street Science incursion, exploring the fascinating forces of flight. This hands-on learning experience promises to spark curiosity and wonder and best of all, it’s fully funded by the school, so there’s no cost to families.

Next Friday, 31 October, we’ll be recognising Day for Daniel, a national day of action dedicated to child safety education in honour of Daniel Morcombe. This day reminds us all of the importance of teaching children how to stay safe, both online and in the community, and empowers them to speak up and seek help when needed. It’s a vital part of our shared responsibility to protect and support every child.

The 31st of October is also World Teachers’ Day, a special opportunity to celebrate and thank our incredible teachers for their dedication, care, and hard work. Our teachers go above and beyond every day to inspire, guide, and nurture our students, so let’s take a moment to show our appreciation for all that they do.

And finally, our Term 4 Spooky Disco is on next Thursday evening the 30th October. This much-loved event is always a highlight for our students, giving them the chance to dress up, have a dance, and share a night of fun and laughter with their friends. We encourage families to join in the spirit as it’s sure to be a frightfully good time!

Here’s to a safe, happy, and exciting Term 4 ahead.

See you on the crossing.

Shane

2025 Year 6 Camp               

Our Year 6’s have returned from camp and the feedback has been very positive.  Lots of challenges, lots of food and most importantly lots of fun.  I’m sure you will join me in thanking the staff who attended: Mr Dilger, Mr Stevens, Miss Brett, Mrs Howell, Mr Futo and Mrs Walker, who left their own families and gave of themselves 24/7 for 3 days to make this event such a success.

Year 6 Graduation      - 8:45 Tuesday, December 9

Our Year 6 Graduation Ceremony is on the calendar for Tuesday, December 9.  Due to the size of the graduating cohort we will be continuing the practice of issuing ONLY two tickets per student. These tickets will be sent home mid-November. Should you have any specific requests in regard to the distribution of your two tickets please contact your classroom teacher. On the day, the P&C will be providing a pizza lunch at 12:00 for our graduating students.

Year 5 Leadership Day     - Permission forms due Wednesday, 26 November.

Our Year 5 leadership day will be held on Friday, 5 December 2025. While there is no cost for this activity the children do need to have returned a permission form to take part in the challenges.  Permission can be provided through Q parents. If you need a paper copy, of the permission form please contact the office Permission forms are due by Wednesday, 26 November.

Year 5 Leadership process

The teachers in Year 5 have started to talk to their students about considering applying for leadership positions.  During the next few weeks please consider checking in with your child to see if they are considering applying.  Nominations for leadership positions will close on November 17.  The leadership positions that will be available next year are:

2026 Year 6 Camp     

The current Year 5 students were invited to participate in the Year 6 camp in 2026 at the Sunshine Coast Recreation Centre in Currimundi. Camp dates are set for Monday 9 February 2026 to Wednesday 11 February 2026.  After extending the deposit period we have reached the minimum number of students required and have decided to move forward with this camp.  Families who have paid the $50 deposit will receive a note with further details and will be sent an invoice for the balance of the cost via email shortly. 

NOW is the time to enrol in Year 7

Currently we have approximately 65 families who have completed their high school enrolment paperwork.  NOW is the time to enrol in Year 7 to ensure that your child can attend any transition days in Term 4. 

High schools, like primary schools are often enrolment managed and you need to live in the catchment to be eligible to attend.  If you are unsure which secondary school your child should attend, you can use this website: EdMap to check the catchment maps.

We have been notified of the following transition days:

• Ipswich State High School: Parents will receive a letter inviting them to a Transition Program on Monday, 8 December – 8:55am – 2:55pm
• Bellbird Park State Secondary College: Parents will receive an invitation to attend an Enrolment Information Session – Tuesday, 2 December
• Bremer State High School: Friday, 5 December

Enrolment forms:

• Enrolment paperwork for Redbank Plains State High can be found here:

https://redbankplainsshs.eq.edu.au/enrolments/enrolling-at-our-school

• Enrolment paperwork for Collingwood Park Secondary College can be found here:

https://collingwoodparkssc.eq.edu.au/enrolments

               From their website: 

• Enrolment paperwork for Bellbird Park Secondary College can be found here:

https://bellbirdparkssc.eq.edu.au/enrolments

• Enrolment paperwork for Ripley Valley State Secondary College can be found here:

https://app.enquirytracker.net/requestapplication/27960d815b6645b6a73aee7354b926a9/6omVwRFPTpLxZnslFSCb

• Enrolment paperwork for Ipswich State High School can be found here:

https://ipswichshs.eq.edu.au/enrolments/enrolling-at-our-school

• Enrolment paperwork for Bremer State High School can be found here:

https://bremershs.eq.edu.au/enrolments/enrolling-at-our-school

BANDTASTIC WORKSHOP 2025

Our Instrumental Music Concert Band students had an amazing opportunity to attend and experience a two-day Bandtastic workshop in Week 10 of Term 3. Our students learnt five songs alongside various conductors and joined an impressive 80-student ensemble made up of local Ipswich East primary schools.

A very special thankyou goes to Mrs Hogeveen for the wonderful support and leadership throughout the event. Congratulations to all students involved!

GOODNA JACARANDA FESTIVAL

Come one come all to the Goodna Jacaranda Festival this Saturday, October 25, to support our Fernbrooke State School Concert Band who will be competing on the main stage at 12.15pm! It is sure to be a fantastic day with the school band and choir competition, rides, food trucks and so much more. Bring the whole family and friends for a day our celebrating the blooming jacaranda trees and cultural diversity of our region at Evan Marginson Park, Woogaroo Street Goodna.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC 2026
(CURRENT YEAR 3 – 6 STUDENTS ONLY)

Expression of interest for our 2026 Instrumental Music Program at Fernbrooke State School is now open! The Band Program is offered to students who will be in Year 4 in 2026 (currently Year 3 in 2025) where they will be tested for instrument suitability and selected for the program. The instruments we have on offer for 2026 include:  Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, Bass Guitar and Percussion.

If your student is interested in being part of our wonderful program, follow the link (https://forms.office.com/r/ytyKh3J8Rj) or scan the QR Code below to express their interest! Applications close in Week 5 on Friday, November 7.