Newsletter 2022 Term 4 Week 10
News from the Principal's Desk
Welcome to our final newsletter for the year and what was an incredibly busy time at Amamoor State School! First of all, I would like to thank our wonderful staff...each has worked tirelessly and without complaint, to ensure that every activity and event ran smoothly. Congratulations to our Preppies, having completed their first year of primary school! And sadly, we say goodbye to a lovely cohort of Year 6 students, who now head off to high school. Good luck to each of you!
Our year ended at Noosa Main Beach, where we enjoyed our last day having a picnic at the Lions Park, followed by completing our last 'surf skills' lesson with Noosa's Surf Life Savers. Our Year 6 students took the opportunity to make a dash in their uniforms into the surf at the end, to symbolise their last day of primary school (photos later).
Our school concert, on Wednesday night, was very well attended, with many performances on show. As well as class routines, other performances this year included our Year 6 students, the drumming group, a Japanese cultural performance and for the first time, our instrumental music students. Thank you again to all involved in helping to put on this show. Staff were also surprised to receive a special gift each from parents...a very touching gesture and truly appreciated by all. Thank you to all the parents involved in secretly organising this!
It is with some sadness that we also needed to farewell two specialist teachers from Amamoor, both reassigned to other circuit schools due to staffing requirements in the region. Firstly, Mrs Lisa Rose, our Music teacher and secondly, Mr Luke Coonan, our Instrumental Music teacher. We wish them both well in their new placements and thank them again for their work at Amamoor. We welcome Mrs Sharon Valimis, who will be commencing at Amamoor next year as our Music, Dance and Drama teacher. Mr Coonan's replacement will be announced at the commencement of Term 1 next year, as will our new Chaplain.
Our Year 6 students held their senior's 'Big Day Out' at Sunshine Plaza yesterday, paying for the day themselves from money they had raised throughout the year. They enjoyed Timezone, went to the cinema, had fun on the paddle boats, had gelato and a yummy meal! I believe Chappy Caitlin also made a surprise visit! Thanks Ms Broome and Ms Howard for assisting with the day.
While the Year 6 students were away, our junior students didn't miss out! Firstly, the Year 3 students joined in with the Year 4/5 students for their first taste of Japanese language and culture with Sensei. After this, all the students then participated in their PBL rewards afternoon, with a sausage sizzle and a treat as well!
As you may have noticed, our new school sign has been installed, with power connected today. Over the holidays, our groundsmen will be busy putting new mulch on all the gardens, while extra art work is also due to be installed, hopefully ready for the new year.
Our junior students held a fantastic 'Pop-Up' Cafe' recently that was incredibly well attended. Following their recent excursion and new skills learned, our younger students were very keen to wait on guests and demonstrate just how clever they are! Well done to Mrs Hughes, Mrs Meredith, Mrs Story and George for your efforts in putting this together.
We also also recently had the chance to send all of our students on the Mary Valley Rattler! With only very short notice, staff organised the excursion, with students having morning tea at school, then walking down to the station to meet the train. Incredibly, for many students, it was the first time they had ever been on a train! To have this experience from Amamoor was lovely. One of our Year 6 students has written a recount of her journey and published it later in this newsletter.
Our Year 6 Graduation was also held earlier this week at the Kandanga Country Club. It was a lovely evening, with students dressing up for the big event. Ms Broome ran a polished evening, with students receiving their graduation 'teddies' and 'leavers' books. Thank you to the P&C for your ongoing support for our graduating students.
Next year we will be welcoming 14 new Prep students to Amamoor, with possibly another one or two still to confirm. Mrs Meredith and Mrs Story have already begun planning for next year and are looking forward to all of the excited new faces starting their first day of school! For all of the students due to leave us at the end of the year, we wish you every success!
A reminder that the school office and uniform shop will be open on Thursday 19 Jan and Friday 20 January next year. Students commence back at school on Monday, 23 January, with Thursday 26 January a public holiday. Please remember to keep an eye on the school grounds during the next few weeks and if you see anything suspicious, please call School Watch on 131788.
I would like to take this opportunity to again thank everyone for supporting Amamoor State School this year. It has been a very positive year at Amamoor, with students accessing a vast array of experiences, while enjoying a rich curriculum and improving their learning outcomes. I wish you all a merry Christmas and a safe and rewarding summer holiday season. I look forward to seeing you all in 2023.
Kind regards,
Tony Benzie
Prep-3 Pop-Up Cafe'
4/5/6 Class
What a busy final week for the Years 4-6 class! Starting off with Monday evening and the Year 6 Graduation at the Kandanga Country Club. All our graduands looked amazing and enjoyed an evening of celebration of the closure of their primary school years, with speeches, photos, a formal dinner and cake. They took home some very special memories in the form of beautiful, published yearbooks (created by Debbie Alford and Rachael Howard), a memento pen and a signature bear.The next day was the Years 4-6 Class Breakup party, a little earlier than usual to ensure all classmates could participate. They shared food, played funny games and finished the day off with some enthusiastic dancing.Thursday saw the Year 6s off on the Leavers Excursion to Sunshine Plaza. This special day out included a movie, arcade games, paddleboats and burgers for lunch and gelato. Their behaviour was excellent, and they loved peddling around on the river and feeding the obviously well-trained fish who swam beside the boats.Congratulations to all our students on a successful 2022, and we look forward to welcoming many of you back next year. Those going on to high school do so with our very best wishes.
Library News
Interschool Sport
Notes from the P&C
Wow, the year has flown and the end is here already. Looking back at the year and the amazing opportunities that the kids have had is nothing short of mind-blowing.
This week we have said some sad Goodbyes and Congratulations as our Year 6 Graduates leave us to continue their next adventure in life by moving forward into high school. To the Graduates – Good Luck and you will be missed.
Throughout the year the P&C have been able to either fully pay for activities, Prep – Year 3 day out, or pay in conjunction with the school, RAWart and buses to activities, or a mixture of P&C, school and/or parents, Surf skills and multi day camps like North Keppel Island.
Being able to give these opportunities to the students wouldn’t be possible without the help of our volunteers throughout the year. Thank you to our volunteers that have put there hand up for multiple fundraising events this year – Teshian, Anna, Brydie, Miyuki, Alex, Daryl, Caitlin, Christina, Wayne, Sarah, Claire, Neil, Tony, Bec and Kathy. Thank you to those volunteers that were able to help out with one fundraising event this year – Lisa, Debbie, Kate, Elisa, Amie, John, Mandalaine, Amanda, Cheryle, Hanna and James. Remember every little bit helps: whether that be a few hours at a sausage sizzle or full day, the opportunities that these students get wouldn’t be possible if we weren’t able to raise the funds. Next year might be the year where you could help with one or more events.
A huge Thank you has to go to our fantastic Teachers, Teacher Aides and other staff members for organizing the amazing opportunities for the students. The Teachers and Teacher aides use their endless enthusiasm and creativity to provide inspiring teachings for the children. Amamoor State School is lucky to have them.
The next meeting for P&C will be on Friday 10 Feb, 2023, which will also be our AGM but more about that next year.
Being the last newsletter for the year I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday and I look forward to seeing you back in 2023.
Rachael Howard
P&C President
Mary Valley RSL
Thank you for your support again this year, for our Anzac Day and Remembrance Day events. The involvement of students and staff from Amamoor State School in these community events, as well as your own in-house memorial ceremonies, has helped to keep this area supportive of the legacy of those who have served in the defence forces. Thank you.
Mary Valley Rattler Excursion!
Our excitement grew as we left Amamoor station on the Mary Valley Rattler. We left Amamoor and headed toward Dagun station. On the way to Dagun we went over Amamoor creek and saw some beautiful scenery on the way. The Dagun State School students got off here, but we stayed on, to continue our journey to Gympie.
The bumpy train ride came to a loud screech as we stopped at Lagoon Pocket, where the conductor had to ask for permission to keep going. Everyone looked out the window as the train stopped. We had to wait for two little lambs and a ewe to cross the tracks before we could head off again. Once underway, we continued through the Mary Valley, on our way to Monkland. Over the bridge we looked down on the Mary River, as the whistle blasted to announce our presence.
Journeying past homes and businesses, we steamed through Gympie and came to an end at the station. Whistle blasts and steam told everyone we had arrived. It was so much fun travelling on the train from Amamoor. I can only imagine what it would have been like in years gone by.
By Calypso Jones.
Year 6
End of Year Concert
Surf Skills at Noosa
Our final day of the year was spent at Noosa Main Beach. We had a fantastic time and we also sent off our Year 6 students at the end of the day in a very special way! Have a look at the photos to share the experience!
