Newsletter - 8 May 2025

Principal's Report

A warm welcome to Term 2! We have been very busy in the last few weeks (even though there have been some long weekends) in, and out of, the classrooms. Our students have attended many sporting events already and we have many more to come as we head into athletics season. One of our big events will be the Central Downs Gala Days on 16 & 30 May for our Year 3-6 students. Please keep an eye out for the pre-order tuckshop forms being emailed home. The P&C would also love volunteers in the tuckshop on these days, please!

In Week 1, our school community gathered to commemorate ANZAC Day.  This service was a beautiful way to remember the events of the day as well as thank those service men and women who continue to serve.  Our students and staff also represented the school at the town march held on ANZAC Day. Thank you to those students and families who participated in this event; you did our school proud!

After 23 years of dedication, patience and unwavering support of the students, families and staff, last Wednesday was Cathy Chandler’s last day at Allora State School. I know you all join me in thanking her for the years of service to the Department and the school community as a teacher aide. The sound of her rapidly approaching footsteps along the verandah will be sorely missed by all. Enjoy the retirement chapter of your life with your family and friends, Cathy.

Parent teacher interviews will be held in the hall on Monday 12 May. Thank you to the parents who have booked their parent teacher interviews for this day. I would also like to thank the staff for the efforts they have put into sharing student information and academic progress with families.  Our staff are always willing to meet with families and I encourage you to make a time to meet your child’s teacher if you are unable to attend the offered date. Please call the office and we will organise these meetings. Semester 1 report cards will be sent home in Week 10 of this term.

Life Education will be at the school this week. Life Ed (and Harrold) have been an important part of growing up for more than 1.5 million Queensland children – empowering them with knowledge and skills for a healthy, safe life since 1987. Each module provides core knowledge and skills in a fun, interactive and age-appropriate manner. Our primary students will be attending programs focusing on:

• Nutrition, healthy eating and the importance of physical activity
• Personal safety
• Respectful relationships and emotional well-being
• Cybersafety and strategies to combat cyber-bullying
• Safety with medicines
• The effects of smoking and alcohol on the body
• Legal and illegal drugs.

P&C AGM

Tonight, Thursday 8 May, the P&C will be having the AGM meeting and general meeting in the staffroom at 5pm. All executive positions will be declared vacant at this meeting. The P&C provides support for our school and students in many ways. The most important service they provide is the running of our tuckshop. If there is no P&C executive, a decision will must be made regarding the operation of the tuckshop. Further into this newsletter, are the role descriptions for P&C Executive positions. 

Kind regards,
Megan

P&C AGM

Tonight, Thursday 8 May, the P&C will be having the AGM meeting and general meeting in the staffroom at 5pm. See the Principal's Report for further information. 

MATES Bystander Program & Hannah's Story Evening

On Thursday 15 May, our Year 6 & 7 students will participate in the MATES Bystander Program sponsored by the SCOPE Club of Allora. 

The MATE Bystander Program aims to empower bystanders to actively intervene in situations involving violence or coercion, promoting equality and respect. It focuses on raising awareness of risky behaviours, empowering individuals to take positive action, and fostering cultures of respect and healthy relationships. It focuses on raising awareness of risky behaviours, empowering individuals to take positive action, and fostering cultures of respect and healthy relationships.

This will be followed by an evening presentation of Hannah's Story in the school hall commencing at 7pm. All community members are welcome to attend. See details in poster below including RSVP information.

School Leader Ceremony

Congratulations to our 2025 Student Leaders who were presented with their leadership badges on Friday 21 March. Leadership is not just about wearing a badge or holding a title, it is about responsibility, service and making a positive impact. Thank you to our families who were able to attend and we wish all of our leaders the very best for the remainder of 2025.

Events Calendar

Disco - Friday Afternoon!

A Note from the Library

Welcome back to another school term.  Borrowing will continue as normal and if there are any changes to your student’s library day you will be notified.

May is the month that we encourage families to read together on a regular basis to create strong reading habits.  Most of us know how important reading together is and its long-term value to our children’s success in school and in life.  However, we also know it is not always that easy to put into practice with our busy schedules and increasing competition with screen time. 

By holding a Book Fair in May, we are encouraging kids to read more with their families. The exciting news is that Book Fair will be held in the school library and will be open before school, second break and after school until 3:45pm. 

Book Fair days are as follows: Thursday 15, Friday 16, Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 May .

Please come along and support our fair.

Have a great week.

LEA-ANN WEIER

Southern Downs Regional Youth Council

A new generation of inspiring young leaders have stepped up to advocate for youth issues in the Southern Downs, with twenty-one Year 10 students from nine schools across the region putting their hands up to join the 2025 Southern Downs Youth Council.

The new cohort were officially inducted into the Southern Downs Regional Council program recently at Warwick Town Hall, where they received their badges from Councillors. This ceremony marked the beginning of their journey in community leadership, empowering them to engage in initiatives that positively impact the region.

Throughout their term, Youth Council members will be invited to participate in a variety of community events including ANZAC Day, Australia Day, Citizenship Ceremonies, NAIDOC Week, Youth Week, the Domestic & Family Violence Peace Walk and Carols in the Park. These events offer valuable opportunities for members to connect with the community and make a tangible impact.

The 2025 Southern Downs Youth Council includes representatives from Allora P-10 State School, Assumption College Warwick, Killarney P-10 State School, School of Total Education, SCOTS PGC College, St Joseph’s School, Stanthorpe State High School, Warwick Christian College and Warwick State High School.

Visit www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/living-here/youth for more information on the Southern Downs Youth Council.

Head Lice in Schools

Head lice can be a problem in schools from time to time. This is a reminder for you to be alert and if you find head lice, start treatment immediately and be sure to complete the process of treatment. This will help prevent head lice from spreading.

Remember to keep checking your family member’s heads every 2 days until there are no head lice found for 10 consecutive days.

For further information regarding treating head lice, refer to the Department of Health’s Head Lice fact sheet at the following link https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/infections-and-parasites/parasites/head-lice. Your local pharmacist can provide advice regarding head lice treatment options and head lice combs.

Because head lice need close head-to-head contact to spread from one person to another, teachers discourage students from activities which may involve head-to-head contact.

To reduce your child’s risk of getting head lice, make sure that long hair is tied up and discourage children from sharing their brushes and combs and having head-to-head contact with others.

Remember - anyone can get head lice – they have no preferences for cleanliness, hair colour, hair type, ethnicity or age.

If for any reason you are having difficulties treating the head lice on your child effectively, please contact your pharmacist.

Prep Parent Information Evening for 2026 Enrolments

Secondary Assessment Calendar

Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Visit

Allora P-10 State School were fortunate to host the RFDS simulator during the last week of March. All classes visited the full-scale model plane to learn about this life saving service. Students enjoyed dressing up in doctor, pilot, critical care nurse, engineer and patient props while practising flight, medical, tracking and triage skills. Thank you to Kym and John Warner for visiting our school.

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Sports Report

Congratulations to Aydan and Will who, last term, were selected in the Southern Downs Rugby League team to attend the Darling Downs trials in Highfields on Tuesday 29 April. Both boys participated well and enjoyed the trials.

Southern Downs Touch Trials will be held after school in Warwick on 15 May. The following students will be participating – Ellie, Will, Ruby, Bailey, Blake and Tyson. Best wishes students.

The secondary Broncos Rugby League and Netball Competition will be held in Goondiwindi on Wednesday 21 May and Thursday 29 May in Warwick. Information letters will be sent out this week.

The Central Downs Cross Country was held in Pilton last Wednesday, 30 April. Congratulations to the following students who gained selection in the Central Downs Team to participate in the Southern Downs Carnival at Scots PGC on Friday 9 May – Chelsea, Graysen, Bailey and Ruby.

The Clifton Benchrest Shooting Competition will be held on Friday 16 May. Students attending will receive information letters this week.

Our Interhouse Athletics Carnival will be held in Week 9, on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 June. Information letters and permission notes will be sent home next week. Some events require permission to participate and forms must be signed and returned for this to occur.

Central Downs Gala Days will be held on Friday 16 and Friday 30 May, here at Allora State School. Students in Years 3-6 will be participating in their chosen sport of Netball, Rugby League or Soccer.

ROY NOTT

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