2025 TERM 2 WEEK 8
PRINCIPAL REPORT
Another busy few weeks at Amamoor State School! There is much teaching and learning happening with completion of assessment tasks a priority so they can be marked in readiness for report cards. In amongst the day-to-day activities there has been Under 8’s Day, a visit by members of the QLD Ballet, APEX Drama performance, Gympie Show and State of Origin Free Dress.
The next few weeks have some exciting events coming up too. This Friday we will be learning about Bus Safety with a visit from one of our local bus providers. On Tuesday 10th June interested students will be heading into Albert Park for a QLD Maroons Fan Day. Followed up with our Mary Valley Small Schools: Amamoor, Dagun and Kandanga SS; Mini Sports Day on Friday 13th June 2025. Our whole school will also be attending the Mary Valley Athletics Carnival at Mary Valley College in Imbil on Wednesday 18th June which is set to be a great day of sporting fun! Questacon will be visiting on Thursday 19th June for Science workshops with our students. Interested soccer players will be heading down to Kenilworth for a day of soccer fun at a gala day with other small schools. Our final week of school will see our Year 5/6 students heading into the University of Sunshine Coast Gympie campus for Explore Career Pathways Expo.
With our focus this year firmly on reading, we are upskilling our knowledge in supporting our students to read. A large part in our foundation years is using decodable texts.
What are decodable texts? When children first learn to read using systematic synthetic phonics, they are taught letter-sound correspondences in a specific order. They will learn a few at a time — not all at once — and they will practise the letters and sounds they have learned by reading and spelling. Decodable texts are used with beginning readers and are written to match children’s developing letter-sound knowledge. These texts provide an opportunity for your child to practise their reading skills in a meaningful way without having to guess words. Your child may bring home decodable texts to practise their word reading skills. The texts will contain only those letter-sound correspondences they have been taught. If your child is having difficulty decoding a word, model saying the sound represented by each letter and blending the sounds to read the word. For example: for the word ‘cat’, point to each letter and provide the sound it represents /c/ /a/ /t/, then blend the sounds to read ‘cat’. Decodable texts may also contain some high frequency words that your child has been taught. High-frequency words are words that are common in English texts (for example: said, the, of, is). These words are included in decodable texts to create meaningful sentences. They may contain some letter-sound correspondences that have not yet been taught.
How can I help? As your child reads, you may notice there are words they can read automatically, while other words will need to be ‘sounded out’. When your child comes to a word they do not automatically know, you can help them by saying: ‘Say the sounds as you point to the letters. Now, blend the sounds and read the word.’ For example: for the word ‘hen’, point to the letters and provide the sounds, /h/ /e/ /n/, then blend the sounds to read ‘hen’. If your child still has difficulty reading the word, it’s okay to tell them what the word is. Remember, they are still learning about letters and sounds and may need more practise and support. When your child is learning new letter-sound correspondences, they may read slowly, and it may look laborious. This is typical of beginning readers and is no cause for concern. Remember, practise is key to becoming a skilled reader. Encourage your child to read their decodable texts often and to other family members.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
With the cooler starts to our days many students are wearing jumpers and long pants to school. Please make sure all items are labelled so they can safely return home each day.
Please be reminded that:
- Jumpers/coats/skivvies need to be black or blue, have no logos/writing on them and definitely have NO hoods. We have jumpers available in the uniform shop.
- Long pants need to be black or blue too. NO jeans. We have tracksuit pants available in the uniform shop.
- SOCKS – to be worn at ankle height.
- HATS need to be brought to school every day (or left in the classroom) No Hat No Play
GUIDANCE OFFICER
OFFICE UPDATE
YEAR 3/4 CLASS
PLAYGROUP
Playgroup meets every Wednesday 9 - 11 am
(During school terms)
Our playgroup operates on a gold coin donation basis. Your contribution helps cover supplies and keep the fun going. Thank you for your support.
Our little ones have been busy exploring through playful activities. We especially love our outdoor play.
Thank you, parents, for your ongoing support and involvement. Together, we're making these early years magical and meaningful!
