Term 4 Week 6 2022
- Principal's News by Tracy Egan
- Team Mango We All Belong!
- Prep News by Melinda White
- Year 1 News by Kylie Vaughan
- Year 2 News by Ellaine Warner
- Year 3 News by Michelle Alcorn
- Year 4 News by Ben Mills
- Year 5 and Year 6 News by Martin Winney
- Curriculum News by Suzette Holm, Jessica Rivett and Danielle O'Brien
- Sporting News by The PE Department
- News from our Partners
- Community News
Clarity to drive student improvement
Over the past few weeks I have been visiting classrooms and listening to students speak with clarity about how to be successful. They have been able to describe the tasks they are working on, how they are going and what they need to do to be successful. The use of Bump it up Walls with clear links to the scale is really helping students develop the clarity so they can continually improve.
I would like to thank all our teachers for their ongoing work strengthening student clarity and the positive impact this is having on learning. Our school recently won the State Showcase Award for Excellence in Early and Primary Years for our collaboration with 6 other local primary schools focussed on providing clarity.
Click on the link below to check out the clip below which was shown at the recent awards ceremony!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_EaZK5nyeQ&list=PLgjv5epyrnQBIjsdH7F80Vtmy6DZ0ZvJI&index=12
Preparing for 2023
It is that time of the year when we are working hard to ensure a strong finish to the year and also plan thoroughly for 2023.
We are currently planning our end of year events including the awards ceremonies, farewell parade, graduation dinner and break up party day. Further information will be provided about these events in the coming weeks. Please ensure you read the newsletter each week so you know what is happening. The dates are all listed on the Term overview sent at the start of this term.
At this stage we anticipate our enrolments will be stable with approximately 1550 students in 63 classes. Despite being a very large school, we want to maintain the feel of a small school and I know our Deputy Principals work hard to get to know all the students in their year level. We are excited to announce a 7th Deputy Principal for 2023 to ensure every year level has oversight by a leader. Congratulations Danielle O’Brien (currently Head of Department) who was successful in the recruitment of this position. The Deputies track the learning, attendance and wellbeing of each and every student in their year level and meet with me regularly to share successes and ways we can continually improve and support student and their families.
Our Deputy Principals for 2023 are as follows.
Prep- Michelle Alcorn malco14@eq.edu.au
Year 1 – Melinda White mwhit37@eq.edu.au
Year 2 – Kylie Vaughan kvaug3@eq.edu.au
Year 3 – Ellaine Warner ewarn23@eq.edu.au
Year 4 – Danielle O’Brien dxobr0@eq.edu.au
Year 5 – Martin Winney mwinn7@eq.edu.au
Year 6 – Ben Mills bxmil3@eq.edu.au
As you may notice, a number of the DPs in the early years are ‘rolling up’ their current students. We hope this will support strong partnerships with students and their families and ensure we can build on the great work done this year.
Thank you to all Volunteers
We are so very fortunate to have wonderful people in our school community who volunteer their time to assist us. To thank these wonderful parents and community members, we will host a volunteer afternoon tea on Monday 21 November from 1.45pm in the Wandani Centre. If you have assisted in anyway this year in the classroom, on excursions, at P & C events, in the canteen, in the office, Hub or in any other way, please come along so we can thank you and celebrate a wonderful 2022 together.
Swimming review
Our prep, year 2 and 3 students finish swimming this week after 6 lessons at Grace Swimming School at Rothwell. We are currently planning the swimming program for 2023 and welcome any feedback. Please come along to next week’s P & C Meeting if you would like to contribute or email me tegan4@eq.edu.au by next Monday if you have any positive feedback or suggestions for improvement for 2023.
Special thanks to the staff from Grace Swimming, our staff and parents who assisted to make the swimming program successful for students.
P & C Meeting Monday
I invite all parents and carers to attend the P & C Meeting next Monday evening from 6.30-8pm in the Wandani centre. We will be discussing the swimming program and also sharing plans and special events for 2023. I hope to see you there!
Promoting Good Mental Health
Mental health is the way children think and feel about themselves and the world around them. Good mental health helps children build positive social, emotional, behaviour, thinking and communication skills. Some ways you could support your child’s mental health include the following.
- Make time every day to talk and listen to your child.
- Enjoy time with your child doing activities they like.
- Encourage your child to connect with others in our community – for example, waving and chatting to neighbours or attending local events.
- Talk about emotions with your child, and encourage them to recognise and label their emotions. For example, ‘It looks like you’re really frustrated that your toy won’t work’.
- Role-model a positive outlook for your child – for example, ‘Running all the way around the oval looks hard, but I think I can do it if I take it slow and steady’.
- Help your child learn to manage small worries so they don’t become big problems. Gently encourage your child to do things they’re anxious about instead of avoiding scary situations.
- Help your child to set realistic goals for their age and abilities. Praise your child’s efforts to achieve the goal, rather than the goal itself.
- Help your child learn how to solve problems so that they develop the skills to do this for themselves when they’re older. For example, help your child work out what the problem is, brainstorm possible solutions, and choose a solution to put into action.
- Support your child to try new things, take age-appropriate risks, and learn from their mistakes.
- Promote good physical health - offer healthy food and encourage healthy eating habits in your family. Encourage your child to try plenty of different physical activities and sports, and ensure they get enough sleep.
Adapted from: https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age
Focus of the Week
The Care Class focus that will be delivered this Friday is ‘Curiosity and Wonder’. We will be consolidating this focus throughout next week.
Throughout Week 7, teachers will be helping students how to use their sense of curiosity and wonder to explore every day and new environments. Students will learn to appreciate the good and beauty in friends, family and their environment. The will also explore the environment and discover things that bring them enjoyment. They will ask questions and investigate topics and activities of interest.
Here is a great video to watch with your children around Curiosity and Wonder.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5jt-e0BKIA
“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and trying new things, because we are curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” – Walt Disney
“Curiosity is natural to the soul of man and interesting objects have a powerful influence on our affections.” – Daniel Boone
Carols by Candlelight
We are looking forward to coming together as a school community for our very first Carols By Candlelight. This event will take place on Tuesday 6 December.
Families are invited to bring some snacks, sit on their picnic blanket and join in with the singing of carols led by year level groups. Our P & C will be selling chips and drinks on the night from a stall on the oval. You may also like to make dinner easy by picking up pizza on your way down to the oval. Pizzas can be pre-purchased through the QKR app and can be picked up from the Canteen between 5.00 – 5:30pm. Orders close for pizzas on Monday 28 November at 12.00pm and we are unable to accept late orders. Please note all pizzas will need to be pre-purchased. There will be no pizzas avaliable for sale on the night.
BYOxLink - Company Portal: Parent drop-in sessions
Don’t wait until it stops working. Get your child’s iPad connected now!
To support the continued roll-out of the Company Portal app across the school, our IT officer, Mr Laurie, and Head of eLearning, Mr Mills, will be available every Tuesday afternoon in the Wandani Centre (in the Piazza, opposite the tuckshop) between 2.30 and 4.30pm, from Weeks 4 to 7, to support parents and carers who are having difficulties connecting with the app.
Bring your child’s iPad, school username and password along and we will help you get onboard!
Think U Know Cybersafety presentation for parents
Save the date in your calendars! On Wednesday 30 November, we will be hosting a cybersafety presentation for parents, presented by the team at ThinkUKnow. For more information about what they will sharing with us as well as access to resources, checkout their website: http://www.thinkuknow.org.au/
Removal M5 and J6 Buildings
We would like to inform our neighbouring families that on Saturday, 19 November Block M5 will be removed and Block J6 will be removed on Saturday, 26 November. Both Buildings will be lifted by crane onto trucks and driven out via Mallard Street.
Assessment Time
We’re knee and shoulder deep in assessment land right now. We’re all a bit weary! But we are learning about perseverance and resilience and try, try, trying again to do our very best.
“Being our best selves” looks a little different for each of us. For some of us, writing one sentence and using some sounds, is our very best work. For others, our best work is writing whole pages of text. Many of us find it tricky to regulate our emotions when we’re tired and fatigued. Being our best selves means accepting our teachers help and trying to “turn it around” with assistance.
We are going to work hard to “be our best selves” as we finish our first year of school. We’d love your help, parents and carers! We’d love your support and understanding for all of our Prep friends (not just your own!) as they strive to be their best over the remainder of the term.
We’ve got this, Prep Team!
Deputy Principal - Prep
mwhit37@eq.edu.au
Specialist Lessons in Year 1
We are so fortunate to have such wonderful specialist teachers who provide our students with a rich range of learning experiences.
Here are some of the highlights from specialists lessons in Year 1.
Physical Education
This term the students are developing their movement skills while using scooters and scooter boards. They have been practising manoeuvring along different pathways and through a range of obstacles. The students have also been working with a partner to solve some team-based scooter board challenges.
STEM
In STEM this term, the students have been undertaking a range of investigations to explore light and sound. They have been using their senses to observe and have created their own sound/light producing object.
Italian
In Italian, the children have been learning about places we go and how we travel there. They have started playing board games to practise the new Italian words.
Dance
The Year 1 students have been having lots of fun in Dance this term. They have been learning a dance to the Flintstones song. They are looking forward to sharing a video of their dance with their families in Showbie later in the term.
Learning in Year 2
This week, our students are finalising their narrative writing and moving into writing to persuade their readers. Of course, many elements of great writing transfer from one type of writing to another, and we are looking forward to reading your children’s arguments as much as you!
Over the next few weeks, students will complete assessment tasks in different learning areas. Where possible, please ensure your child attends school each day. Once assessment is completed, students continue learning and teachers maintain class routines and expectations as close as possible to “business as usual”. Of course, there will be special events and lots of fun at the close of the term too.
Final swimming lesson tomorrow
Our Year 2 students have their final swimming lesson tomorrow. We hope they all enjoy a fun Week 6 lesson. Thank you to parents who graciously gave some time to support their child and classmates. Your support is always valued.
Morning drop off
A gentle reminder that there is no staff supervision in the morning prior to 8:00 am and therefore 8:00 am is the earliest time possible for Year 2 students to arrive on the school grounds unless in their parents’ care or the care of PCYC.
Take care and have a wonderful week
Ellaine Warner
Deputy Principal- Year 2
ewarn23@eq.edu.au
Science in Action
This week students across Year 3 have been investigating the transfer of heat energy, how and why objects change temperature due to the transfer of heat. Through a range of investigations and designs of experiments students have made predictions, observations and drawn conclusions based on their findings. They have had to use their scientific knowledge to explain and justify their thinking along with being sure they have taken into consideration all the safety measures needed to conduct the experiment. It was wonderful seeing 3E in action this week as they headed outside to test their experiment.
Care for Learning
I am super proud of the Care for learning our Year 3 students have been demonstrating this week. It is wonderful visiting classrooms and seeing students brainstorming their ideas for their poem and beginning to draft their final piece of writing. I can see them reflecting on their scales and using the Bump It Up wall to help them grow. Thank you to all those students who continue to share their great work with me. I am very proud of you all and can’t wait to see your published poems in the upcoming week!
Have a great week
Michelle Alcorn
Deputy Principal- Year 3
malco14@eq.edu.au
Improving our writing in Year 4
This week has been all about ‘bumping up’ our writing in Year 4. At MHSS, teachers give feedback and set learning goals for students using the proficiency (star) scales with students. Teachers will highlight in green what students have achieved and mark in blue their next steps. Throughout the week, I have seen students referencing their scales carefully to note what they can already do well and what is their next step to improve their writing. Such fantastic growth mindsets on display!
Year 4 Mathemagicians!
Our students have been engaging with lots of Maths problems as a part of their new unit on multiplication and division. It has been encouraging to hear comments such as “division isn’t actually that hard” from students as they learn a range of strategies to solve multiplication and division problems involving larger numbers. It’s been great to see classes starting their morning with multiplication and division challenges as a warm-up for the day.
Feeling the force!
This term’s science unit has involved students learning about different types of forces that we experience in everyday life such as push, pull, friction and air resistance. This week, students have been conducting investigations to measure the effects of greater levels of pull on distance travelled of an object, as well as the impact of different levels of friction created by different surfaces.
What busy week of learning!
Have a super week
Ben Mills
Deputy Principal – Year 4
bxmil3@eq.edu.au
Care for Learning in Years 5 and 6
It is hard to believe that we are well into week 6 of Term 4! Thank you for to all of the classes that have invited me into their rooms over the last week to share in their learning. I had the pleasure of visiting 5L who participated in a Rally Coach collaborative structure to teach their peers how to answer word problems within their budget and finance unit. I also loved visiting 5I and 5K as student participated in a Rate the Response collaborative activity. Students examined two writing samples against the scale as well as their individual next step to develop clarity of success. Students collaboratively bumped up their work following their learnings. Finally a big shout out to 5D who demonstrated their Science learnings for the term and their understanding of reflection and refraction. Great job Year 5 and 6!
Student Leadership
Congratulations to all of the Year 5 students who successfully completed their Student Leader Passports. It takes significant commitment and initiative to persevere in getting all of the signatures and references from teachers and the community. All of the students that successfully complete the passport are leaders. A special mention to all of our Year 5 students who have put up their hand to be considered for a leadership position in 2023. This takes great courage! On Friday of this week Ms Egan and I will be interviewing all of the students that nominated themselves to be considered for a position. All Year 5 students will also have a preliminary vote on who they think should be shortlisted to present a speech to the school community.
Martin Winney
Deputy Principal –Year 5 & 6
mwinn7@eq.edu.au
Accelerated Reader
This time of the year is a great time to give ‘one last push’ to reach our AR goals. Congratulations to all those who have reached a specific level or successfully quizzed on a number of books this term. For some students, the race to 1 million words is almost there! Keep going if you are close – there is still plenty of time!
Congratulations to Oliver and Liam who late last week both reached 1 million words. They have been working hard all year to reach this milestone and we are very proud of them.
Congratulations also to Leah, Roisin and Charlie who all reached 1 million words this week! As you can see from their smiles, the are very proud of their efforts with reading and quizzing – such super news!
Pop on down to the Hub to have a look at all of our 2022 AR Millionaires, including Liam, Oliver, Leah, Charlie and Roisin. We are very proud of all of them!
Returning all books
At this time of the year we are keen to sort and organise all of the Hub resources in anticipation of a new year. This means we need to return all resources to the Hub from next week. This week will be the last week for Class borrowing, and next week will be the last week for AR borrowing. Of course if you are working towards 1 million or 2 million words, please let us know and I’m sure we can extend the deadlines.
For most people, this means that from next week we need to see all books returned to the Hub. For lost and/or damaged books, our policy is to ask the student and/or family to replace the book. For AR books, the replacement needs to be the exact title and author as these books are often difficult for us to source. Before replacing any books though, don’t forget to have a really good look in classrooms, bedrooms and school bags – often a skinny book can be hiding in between some other treasures. We look forward to seeing all of our books return to the Hub as soon as possible. Thank you for your help with this task.
Scholastic Orders
Unfortunately there has been a delay with our Scholastic book orders, but we are very hopeful that they will be delivered this week. Once we have received the boxes, we will sort and deliver these to the students. Thank you for your patience and your ongoing support of the Hub.
Have a fantastic week
Suzette Holm, Jessica Rivett and Danielle O'Brien
shol0@eq.edu.au
A reminder of our big dates this term in PE.
Big PE Dates in Term 4
- 1 December (Thursday, Wk 9) – MHSS Swimming Carnival (8-9yrs)
- 2 December (Friday, Wk 9) – MHSS Swimming Carnival (10-12yrs)
MHSS Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival
Later this term our MHSS Swimming Carnival for all Year 3-6 students will be held. Our goal is to ensure all students can participate in a variety of swimming races and have an enjoyable day with their peers.
Students in Years 3-6 who are turning 8 and 9 years old in 2022 (Born 2013 and 2014) will compete on the first day, which will be Thursday 1 December (week 9). Students in Years 3-6 turning 10, 11 and 12 years old in 2022 (Born 2010, 2011 and 2012) will compete on a second day, which will be Friday 2 December (week 9).
Students compete at sporting events, including at representative levels, in age groups, not in year levels. Therefore, our carnival days run to align with this process.
Below is the initial parent information for both days. Students will receive or have received more information at school. This will include a permission and race nomination form, which will need to be returned for your son/daughter to attend. There is no cost for parents associated with the swimming carnival days.
Mr Hills & Mr Newell, Miss Richards and Mr Lisha
Physical Education Teachers
Uniform Shop News
Uniform Shop hours during the term are.
Monday - 8:00am-10:30am
Wednesday 1:30pm-4:00pm
Thursday 1:30pm-4:00pm
Friday 8:00am-10:30am
Are you starting to think about new uniforms for next year? You are welcome to come and see us during our regular opening hours for the rest of the term. Alternatively we are running appointments again from Jan 10-13, which will save you from long queues in the hot weather.
Bookings can be made at Wearitto Mango Hill SS | Scheduling and Booking Website (simplybook.me)
Online orders - can be placed through our website any time at www.wearitto.com.au/schools/mango-hill-state-school
Orders are packed through the uniform shop during our opening hours and an email is sent to let you know when your order is ready to be picked up, or, if you'd like your student to bring the uniforms home with them, email us at mangohill@wearitto.com.au with your student's name and class name and we can get it to them.
Canteen News
Happy Week 6! Time is flying by.
We have a weekly special currently on the flexischool menu which is Chicken Enchilada that is served hot with salsa and sour cream.
After a great success with the Italian week meal deal we have decided to put the spaghetti bolognese as a permanent item.
As the weeks count down till the end of term you may notice that the menu may reduce in size. This will be due to the upcoming summer break.
Please don't despair. We will try to keep the key items on the menu.
Volunteers in the canteen!
If you have any spare time after school drop off we would love some help. Please either just pop into the canteen and see us or email Louise at mhsspccanteen@gmail.com
Pantry Drive
We are looking for donations towards our pantry drive.
We would love donations of the following.
Butter/Margarine
Vegemite
Jam (any flavour)
Dried Pasta and rice
Sour cream
Cheese slices
Grated cheese
Jatz crackers
Plain / self raising flour
cooking chocolate
Any donations received will get a ticket in the raffle. The winner will be chosen by Ms Egan and will recieve a prize.
