Term 4 Week 10 2023

Dear Parents and Carers,

I can’t believe this will be our last newsletter for the 2023 school year. A huge thank you to our parents/carers, students and staff for supporting each other throughout this year. We have achieved so much. Our students continue to be the best version of themselves by demonstrating excellence, commitment, respect, team work and innovation.

In relation to improving the school’s environment, the following is planned for the Christmas break.

• Internal painting of M3 Block (Year 3 and 4) including classrooms, breakout spaces, hallways and stairwells
• Replace carpet in 8 classrooms ground floor M3 Block
• Remove and replace rubber Softfall in the Prep playground
• External repaint of P4 Block (OSHC)
• Replace Guttering and downpipes M1 Block (Year 3) and Wandani
• Refurbish Front Counter in Admin
• Install safety screens to J1 (Year 2)
• Yearly Carpet Clean (whole school)
• Yearly Pest Spray (whole school)

Last week we held our swimming carnivals. Walker house won the carnivals. All students tried their best and a fun day was had by all. Thank you to Mr Newell, Mr Lisha, Mr Hills and Ms Hodges for their organisation and hard work behind the scenes to make this possible. 

Staffing will always change in a large school from year to year. This year we farewell:

• Jade Bastian, Rebekah Orole, Emma Huston and Sam Wray who will commence maternity leave, to add to our cohort of Team Mango babies.  We can’t wait to see the baby pics!
• Christine Doyle, Chanel Capel, Billie Stanley and Sharon Malcomson, who have been with us this year. We wish them well with their new adventures.
• We farewell Hannah Waterworth and Shannon White who will be working at other schools next year.
• Malcolm James, our instrumental teacher, who has secured a curriculum role at regional office. Congratulations, Malcolm!
• Emma Hutton and Caitlyn Turnbull, leaving us after five years, for a ‘seachange’ nearby at Moreton Downs State School. We will miss you both!
• Sally O’Keefe, leaving us after five years to be closer to her home at Belmont State School.  Thank you, Sally!
• Sarah Watson and Suzie McEvoy, leaving us after 8 years.  Sarah is moving to Dakabin State School and Suzie has taken a role as Behaviour Coach at Bellmere State School.  Both Sarah and Suzie have added so much value to our Team Mango team over the years. You will be missed!
• We also farewell Kim Matthews who has taken a move out of the education sector.
• Emma Crawshaw, who joined us as a guidance officer five years ago, moving into a Deputy Principal role this year. Emma has helped hundreds of families at Team Mango!
• Ellaine Warner, who joined us as a guidance officer 10 years ago, moving into a Deputy Principal role a number of years ago. She leaves us for a Director role at Regional Office.  Congratulations, Ellaine!
• Vicki Doyle, our foundation Speech Language Therapist, who leaves us after 10 years, to service schools closer to her home.  Hundreds of early years students have benefitted from programs designed and implemented by Vicki, thank you!
• Fiona Graham, foundation teacher aide with us and Sue Baker, 9 years of service with us at Team Mango. Both have had lengthy, successful careers with the Education Department and have decided to retire.  We wish them the very best and thank them for their many years of service!

Attached to this newsletter, is an overview of the 2024 staff members. We welcome some new teachers and leaders to our school: Kate Armfield, Graceyn Turner, Hannah Ratcliffe, Candida Bellert, Danee Edens, Soraya Krosch, Chantelle Raj, Bec Wilson, Aleasha O’Brien, Josh Frisby, Beth Bulowski, Mel Bertram, Tracy Lundberg (guidance officer), Greg McCallum (deputy principal), and Mieke Munko (deputy principal). We have the following staff returning from leave: Hannah Devine, Tamara Wills, Katie Thomas, Sam Dixon (in February) and Kara Rufford. 

Some of our students and their families are also leaving the Mango Hill area. I wish moving families the very best of luck and trust your new journey will be filled with fun.

The school has worked tirelessly on formulating classes for 2024. We thank you for being respectful of the school’s position on class placement. Mango Hill teachers and leaders have valuable expertise in creating highly productive student learning groupings and environments. Many aspects are taken into consideration, including learning styles and preferences, academic ability, friendships, behaviour and needs. The teachers and leadership team have worked hard to ensure that your child is placed in the learning environment that is best for them. Staffing in state schools is not finalised until the eighth day of school and while every effort has been made in the organisation of classes for 2024, there is always a possibility that we may experience change and your child may be affected by this change.

Thank you to all the Year 5 students who applied for a formal leadership position in 2024. The Year 6 leaders were announced today at the Awards Ceremony. Congratulations to successful student leaders.

School Captains: Mila D and Jeremy J

Vice Captains: Anh N and Rocco P

Walker House Captains: Jackson M and Evie H

Walker Vice Captains: Lachlan M and Zarah H

Flynn House Captains: Emily C and Hudson P

Flynn Vice Captains: Jayda K and Riley L

Barton House Captains: Cloudia F and Leo B

Barton Vice Captains: April W and Joe L

Diversity Captains: Hannah M, Kapish C, Akshay K; Deetya K

Sustainability Captains: Alice H, Lucy W, Alex S, Anshuman G

Reconciliation Captain: Roisin P

Performing Arts Captain: Ethyn E and Violet M

Performing Arts Vice Captain: Sesini J and Darun T

As this is the last newsletter for 2023, I want to acknowledge the calibre of our staff. Their commitment to our school is often unseen in other schools. I thank them for their tireless work, passion, commitment and their ‘do whatever it takes attitude’. I’m blessed to work with such an incredible group of people. I wish them a well-earned restful break.

Today we also farewell our Year 6 students. I know their primary school experience has provided them the foundation upon which the rest of their life and education will be built. With the solid foundation from their primary school days, I am sure they will have the confidence to be successful in their transition to high school. I hope they enjoy every minute of the next part of their journey.  I look forward to hearing about your successes in secondary school and beyond.

Lastly, to our school community and students. Thank you for all that you do. We have an amazing support network in our school community. I hope you all get the time to catch up on some relaxation and get to spend valuable time with loved ones.