Term 2 Week 2 2023
- Principal's News by Tracy Egan
- Team Mango We All Belong!
- Prep News by Michelle Alcorn
- Year 1 News by Melinda White
- Year 2 News by Kylie Vaughan
- Year 3 News by Ellaine Warner
- Year 4 News by Danielle O'Brien
- Year 5 News by Emma Crawshaw
- Year 6 News by Ben Mills
- Curriculum News
- Sporting News by The PE Department
- News from our Partners
- Community News
Respect on ANZAC Day
It was wonderful to see our school community come together on Monday to honour the ANZAC traditions. Special thanks to Deputy Premier Steven Miles, P & C President Amy Swalwell and Mr Jim Ling from the RSL for their support and attendance.
Yesterday, we had 50 students attend the ANZAC Day march at Kallangur on behalf of our school community. Our school leaders, Wontaa, Sohum and Holly, laid a wreath on behalf of our school community. Thank you to these students and their families for their attendance.
Uniform Expectations
We expect all students to wear their uniform with pride. This includes plain black shoes with white socks, hair tied back and the school hat.
Most students are in uniform each day however we do have a number of students not in the correct school jumper. We ask all parents to support your children to adhere to the School Dress Code. If you are in financial hardship, please make contact with the office and we can discuss options to assist, including a payment plan. If students are not in uniform, a note is expected. Thank you for supporting your child to meet our school community expectations.
Have a wonderful week
Tracy Egan
Principal
tegan4@eq.edu.au
Autism Awareness Month
April is Autism Awareness Month in Australia. For more information, search Autism Awareness Australia.
Focus of the Week
The Care Class focus that will be delivered this Friday is ‘My body and stress’. We will also be consolidating this focus throughout next week.
We are learning how our body reacts to situations that challenge us. Students will discover what their body does and how they can manage stress whilst also discovering that there are good stresses and bad stresses. Good stresses can keep you focussed and motivated to get things done and bad stresses are what you feel when you can’t stop worrying about something and you feel overwhelmed.
Upcoming Mid-Year Concert Details – Year 2 and Year 4
We are very excited to inform you about our Mid-Year Mango Hill State School Concert which will be held on Tuesday 13 June in our school’s Gigum Hall. The concert will be a celebration and showcase of the students’ performing arts skills and talents and it will be a great opportunity for all our students to be on a stage in front of a large audience!
We look forward to seeing you all on the night!
Volunteer Induction Session
We will be holding a Volunteer Induction Session on Friday 28 April at 9am in Wandani Learing Centre. If you would like to volunteer this year around the school please come along to this session.
Date Claimer
MHSS Colour Explosion will be held on Friday 2 June.
This is sure to be a very fun event that they whole school can get involved in.
Further information about the event will be distributed in the coming days.
Read with me
This term in Shared Reading we are learning to make predictions about what will happen in the story and what will likely happen next. It is always fun reading together and seeing if our predictions were right, wrong or close. Did the events in the story match our thinking? For our Prep students we love to hear about the books they have read at home with their family members. There is such excitement about picking a book in the library and making predictions about what it might be about using the picture clues to talk about the story. Reading at home every night provides our students with rich opportunities to listen and learn. It helps them see themselves as readers.
In class, our students are provided a range of reading opportunities including the following.
Modelled reading: Our students need to see us read. At home, taking some time to read with your child, even a few pages a night before bed is a great way for them to see and hear great reading in action!
Shared reading: This is when we explore texts, literature, characters, storylines and all the “big picture” reading skills. When we understand books and we enjoy books, it helps us to piece all the little bits together when we learn to read independently. Our Shared Reading tasks always focus on comprehension of longer texts, that we read and explore together.
Guided reading: Students work in small groups and this is where the real teaching of the decoding skills happens. Each group may tackle a different book and may be working on a different decoding skill. The trick is to get the right level of challenge in these groups. Students are reading books that are too hard for them to read independently but of course they have the teacher there helping them. These books are chosen to be well above their independent reading level, so that the book is hard enough for them to tackle decoding challenges.
Independent reading: As our students build their bank of words and decoding skills, they will start to be able to read more independently. You may find your child is reading signs as you drive places, or labels on things at home. Encourage this! Every little bit helps! The home readers that are starting to come home for many students are supposed to be reasonably easy, as they are to reinforce what is learned at school and to develop confidence, automaticity and fluency.
Happy reading everyone!
Have a great week
Michelle Alcorn
Deputy Principal- Prep
malco14@eq.edu.au
Writing in Year 1
We’re enjoying our writing unit this term! We are creating a new character for a story and learning to use vocabulary to entertain and paint a visual picture in the readers mind.
The tricky part is that we aren’t writing an actual story, rather we are adding to an existing one. So our new character has to “fit”. This is called cohesion. We can’t have an alien character in a story set in the jungle, with all the other existing characters being animals.
The part we are really loving though, is that our new character can be likeable OR unlikeable. How fabulous! Writing a villain for a story is a bit exciting.
When we read together, we are focusing on the character traits. That’s something you can do at home to help us with both reading and writing this term. Ask us questions about the characters in our picture books. How does this character make you feel? Which character in this story is your favourite and why? Do you think this character is likeable? Unlikeable? How do you know? Are there any words in the text that show the character is likeable?
In our house, we’re in a Harry Potter rabbit hole and listening to the first Harry Potter together (thank you Audible!). Chapter books and longer picture books that have more “meat” to them than the early readers are brilliant for this kind of character work. Characters in longer, more complex books can be easier to chat about and discuss, because there’s a bit more to them. In our house, we’re talking about our favourite teacher in HP and why, is the principal of the school fair (Dumbledore) and which character would you want to be and why. It’s really interesting to see what the children choose and their reasons for that choice.
Have a great week
Melinda White
Deputy Principal- Year 1
mwhit37@eq.edu.au
Exploring Stereotypes in Year 2
This term the students in Year 2 will explore how authors use stereotypes in stories. They will read and view a range of versions of ‘The Three Little Pigs’ and ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ and unpack how the characters in these stories can be labelled as either good or bad based on the choices the author makes around the language and also how the illustrator portrays them through the types of drawings used.
The students will then springboard from their reading into writing unlocking their imaginations by writing from the perspective of one of these characters. They will write to recount the day in the life of a fairy tale character that doesn’t follow a traditional stereotype.
- What if the Big Bad Wolf wasn’t really bad? What would his day be like if he was trying to be good?
- What if the three little pigs weren’t all that hard working? What if they decided to down tools and be lazy for a day?
- What if Little Red Riding Hood wasn’t very sweet and kind? What mischief might she get up to on her way to Grandma’s house?
This is challenging work however our teacher do a wonderful job supporting the students to unlock their imaginations and understand the power of language. In 2W, the students are using stick puppets to imagine how characters might act differently to their traditional stereotype. In 2C, the children are using the Step Inside thinking routine to ‘step inside’ the mind of a character to explore how they might think differently in a non-traditional tale.
In 2M, the children have explored what a good example of this type of writing looks like. They’ve identified the language features that make this writing work.
We are only at the beginning of the term and there is still lots of time to learn and practice. We can’t wait to read those recounts at the end of Term 2!
Have a wonderful week
Thank you
to parents who joined us this week for the ANZAC Day parade on Monday. Particular thanks to all our Year 3 families who contributed to our students' learning that day, our families with a family member in the Defence Services and families who gave us flowers for our wreath. We are grateful for you.
Learning in Year 3
This term, students are writing diary entries to share their thought and feelings about other characters and events that happened in the day. Students are writing their diary entries as a character or in the shoes of someone other than themselves. The photos show some of the students’ thinking you can see in classrooms. If you visit your child’s classroom, be sure to check out the evolution of the class “Bump it up” wall.
Playing in Year 3
Students really have excelled themselves this term, demonstrating their growing skills in regulating and managing their feelings, seeing things from other’s perspectives and negotiating with others to solve play issues with friends as they arise. We have quite a few friends in casts or moonboots at the moment and peers are being caring and supportive of them as they make their way around the school.
Date Claimers
Our excursion for this term is next week! Three classes go on each of the excursion days, namely:
Tuesday 2 May – 3C, 3M, 3T
Wednesday 3 May – 3B, 3J, 3K
Thursday 4 May – 3L, 3S, 3W.
If you have any questions or concerns, please check in with your child’s class teacher. For those parents volunteering on their excursion day who have NOT attended a Volunteer Induction this year (you will have an arrangement with the class teacher if that is you), we are offering a Parent Volunteer Induction session this Friday.
Details are as follows.
Friday 28 April 2023
9am in the Wandani Learning Centre.
Take care and have a wonderful week
Ellaine Warner
Deputy Principal-Year 3
ewarn23@eq.edu.au
Care for Learning in Year 4
Year 4 students are well underway with developing their skills as writers this term. Students are investigating the ways in which the author creates interesting characters in Rowan of Rin to make the story more exciting, moving and absorbing. It was great seeing students taking on the role of Rowan in their classrooms to really develop an understanding of feelings before they wrote diary entries from Rowan's perspective. Classes have been busy collaborating with their peers, reflecting on their scales and using their Bump It Up Walls to help them be successful and improve their work.
Our students have also started investigating different materials to identify their properties, in their Science lessons. They are building their vocabulary to explain how objects and materials can be used based on their observable properties. There are many more investigations to come throughout this term - how exciting!
Have a wonderful week
Danielle O'Brien
Deputy Principal- Year 4
dxobr0@eq.edu.au
Care for Learning in Year 5
Our Year 5 students have delved further into the writing unit this week and all classes have unpacked the ‘big purpose’ of the unit. They understand why they are learning to include certain features and structures in their writing- to engage and inform their peers.
We were very excited to have our brand new ‘Penny Pollard’s Diary’ books arrive. I wonder how many parents remember reading the same book when they went to school? It is one that has stood the test of time and our Year 5 students are enjoying the entries so far.
In 5P it was so nice to see students brainstorming ideas for their writing and working collaboratively on their learning tasks.
Have a super week
Emma Crawshaw
Acting Deputy Principal – Year 5
ewils209@eq.edu.au
Learning in Year 6
This week I have spent time in classrooms listening to the learning happening in English. This term, the students have been tasked with reading the book “Blueback” together and then writing a response to each chapter that persuades others about the author’s key message. I have enjoyed listening to the way students analyse the text and include evidence to justify their thinking.
In each of the rooms I have visited, I have spoken with a couple of students about what they are learning in this English unit and why they are learning. It’s been impressive to hear students articulate their answers to these questions, demonstrating a strong understanding of the purpose of their work in English this term. One of the best responses I heard was, “Today we are learning about how the author uses language features to position a reader. We are learning to do this so that we can understand the author’s message and persuade others about the message”.
Year 6 Role Models
During the week, I visited all of our Year 6 classrooms to talk with them about the influence they have on the school community as leaders of the school. We talked about ways they can demonstrate this leadership and actions that they can take. I’ve been so impressed with how the cohort have responded to this message and have taken seriously their position and influence within the school. Many students have actively sought opportunities to serve the MHSS community and be positive role models to their peers, by offering to help other staff and students. Some of the actions I have seen our Year 6 students take over the past week include helping our office staff to prepare Golden Tickets, caring for the school environment by picking up litter and showing kindness to others by checking in on others.
Uniform
As the cooler weather creeps in, particularly of a morning, we encourage students to bring their jumpers or jackets to school. Throughout the day as it warms up, these are often removed and can be misplaced, so it is really important that names are clearly labelled.
Again, our Year 6’s are setting a great example by wearing jackets and jumpers aligned to the school uniform policy. This includes MHSS jackets and jumpers with the school logo on the front, or plain black or navy jackets or jumpers.
Ben Mills
Deputy Principal –Year 6
bxmil3@eq.edu.au
Accelerated Reader
Well done to all of those who have started the term strong by setting some new AR goals. The beginning of the term is such a great time to think about what you would like to achieve next. Are you reaching for a particular goal? How many quizzes might you be able to complete this term? How many words might you be able to read?
Hyunsung from Year 3 will have to set himself some new goals after his great achievement last week. He has now read 1 million words this year! We are very proud of his achievements and have displayed his photo on our special Millionaire Readers’ display in the Hub.
Pop on down to have a look at the display and ask for help if you’d also like to reach 1 million words this year.
Anzac Day
We are very honoured to have a special display in the Hub at the moment to commemorate Anzac Day. Thank you to Isaac R’s dad who provided the Hub with so many interesting artefacts. The display will be here for the rest of the week so be sure to pay us a visit.
The Hub is open every day from 8.15am until 3pm.
Scholastic Book Club
The Scholastic Book Club brochures have now gone home and there are only a few more days to make your orders. This is a great opportunity to purchase some lovely new books and also support our school. A percentage of all sales is returned to the school to purchase books for our Hub collection, so your support of this program is always appreciated. We only accept online orders (see the details at the bottom of the brochure) and all orders are due by Thursday 27 April. It will not be possible to accept orders after this date.
Once the books arrive we will be looking for volunteers to help us sort and distribute all of the books. Email Suzette if you are interested in helping out and we will be in contact once the books arrive. Shol0@eq.edu.au
Have a fantastic week
Suzette Holm, Jessica Rivett
shol0@eq.edu.au
Term 2 PE
Well this term is all about Sports Day (Prep-2) and the Athletics Carnival (Yr3-6). All students in PE from Prep-Year 6 will focus on preparing for these big events which are held at the end of Term 2.
More information will come out later in the term but at this stage our confirmed dates are as follows.
- Week 10 Monday 19 June – Junior Sports Day (all Year Prep, 1 and 2 students compete)
- Week 10 Tuesday 20 June – Senior Athletics Carnival – Discus, 200m/800m Finals (Some Yr 3-6 students compete)
- Week 10 Wednesday 21 June - Senior Athletics Carnival – 8 & 9 Year Old students (Year 3’s and some Year 4’s compete)
- Week 10 Thursday 22 June - Senior Athletics Carnival – 10,11 & 12 Year Old students (Some Year 4’s, all Year 5’s & 6’s compete)
Due to large student numbers at Mango Hill SS, we have a split Senior Athletics Carnival. This is to ensure students get the maximum opportunity to participate, students have enough space to compete safely and we have enough room for all spectators who attend. It will be a busy end to the term but we are thoroughly looking forward to it!
Interschool Sport (Year 5-6)
A reminder that all Year 5 and 6 students will get the chance to participate in the Pine Rivers Interschool Sports Competition. Students compete against teams from other schools in a variety of sports. The confirmed dates for Pine Rivers Interschool Sport in Term 2 are as follows.
- Friday 12 May (Term 2 Week 4)
- Friday 26 May (Term 2 Week 6)
- Friday 9 June (Term 2 Week 8)
Pine Rivers District Sporting Trials (10-12yr Old’s)
Pine Rivers District School Sport offers 10-12 year old students the opportunity to try and make the Pine Rivers District team for a variety of sports. If successful, they compete at Metropolitan North trials and carnivals, with the possibility of selection into teams competing at State events. Students must be nominated by their school in order to attend a district trial or carnival.
District trials are held at various venues within the Pine Rivers District (e.g. Les Hughes Sports Complex) and are not attended by MHSS staff. A Pine Rivers District Coach and Manager will facilitate the trial.
Students who express an interest to trial can collect forms from our PE office. They will be given the Pine Rivers District forms and the relevant trial information. Completed district forms are to be returned to the PE office by the due date. Once the forms are collated, students will be nominated for the trial. Forms are then handed back to students and must then be taken to the coach/manager at the District Trials. Students will NOT be allowed to trial if district forms are not handed in completed. Unless specifically organised by the school, it is the parents’ responsibility to transport students to and from district trials.
Most Pine Rivers District trials are limited to students turning 11 or 12 years of age and who are considered at a high level in the sport e.g. Div. 1 or A Grade. Cross Country, Athletics and Swimming trials however are open for students turning 10, 11 and 12 years of age. Sports that students are able to trial for include the following.
- AFL
- Basketball
- Cricket
- Football (Soccer)
- Golf
- Hockey
- Netball
- Rugby League
- Rugby Union
- Softball
- Squash
- Tennis
- Touch
- Triathlon
Mango Hill can normally nominate up to three students for each district sport trial. If more than three students wish to be nominated Mango Hill will select the three best candidates for the trial. The selection of these students may be either based on past performances/current club form or through a selection trial at school.
If you are interested in your child trialling for Pine Rivers District more information can be obtained from the Mango Hill State School newsletter, with regular trial updates listed. You can also contact Mr Nick Hills - nhill96@eq.edu.au (MHSS PE Teacher) so he is aware of your intention to attend the trial.
PRD Cross Country
Best of luck to the 30 students from MHSS competing at the Pine Rivers District Cross Country next Tuesday at Pine Rivers Park, Strathpine. These students, who were selected based on their performance at the MHSS Cross Country event, will compete against other students from the Pine Rivers District area in 2km and 3km races. Good Luck!
Mr Hills & Mr Newell, Miss Richards and Mr Lisha
Physical Education Teachers
Uniform Shop Updates
Our regular uniform shop hours during the term are as follows.
Monday - 8:00am-10:30am
Wednesday 1:30pm-4:00pm
Thursday 1:30pm-4:00pm
Friday 8:00am-10:30am
As the weather starts to turn a little cooler, we have all your winter wear needs in stock at the uniform shop. Students can wear a zip up jacket, matching tracksuit pants, a poly-cotton jumper, or a long sleeve polo for the warmer winter days.
We will be closed next Monday on the public holiday May 1 and reopen at our usual Wednesday time.
We also offer online orders. Orders can be placed through our website any time at www.wearitto.com.au/schools/mango-hill-state-school
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Mango Hill State School - Schools - Wearitto Wearitto delivers high quality uniforms in a way that makes things easy for schools and parents. We create clothing for school, work and play. |
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.
Zoe and Rochelle
Uniform Shop Convenors
