Term 1 Week 5 2024
- Principal's News by Ange Padgett
- Team Mango We All Belong!
- Prep News by Mieke Munko
- Year 1 News by Melinda White
- Year 2 News by Kylie Vaughan
- Year 3 News by Kris Olsen
- Year 4 News by Danielle O'Brien
- Year 5 News by Greg McCallum
- Year 6 News by Ben Mills
- Curriculum News
- Sporting News by The PE Department
- News from our Partners
Team Mango well done to another fantastic week.
A big thank you to our parents/carers for supporting our school by having your child in full school uniform as well as encouraging them to wear a hat to and from school. We will be easing back on the morning golden tickets for hats and uniforms but rather will be surprising students with these on key days.
The P&C are aiming to hold a fundraising event or community event each term. This term, the P&C will be holding a Spelling Bee fundraiser. We need your support to make this a success. It involves students being provided with a set of words (the lists will cater for varying abilities so all students experience success) and learning these. They will raise funds along the way and can be sponsored per word or with a set monetary figure. There are lots of great prizes on offer including a class pizza party for the class that raises the most funds as well as individual prizes for money raised. More detailed information will be sent out in the next week.
Our Year 1 and 2s commenced swimming this week. Thank you to parents for organising children with swimming attire and necessary equipment. Swimming is a vital skill, especially in Queensland so we do encourage all students to attend all lessons. We know they’ll learn lots while having lots of fun.
Our Year 6 Student Leaders attended the Halogen Leader’s Conference on Monday. The key messages from this conference included messages about the importance of persistence and how we build resilience by learning from our mistakes and not giving up. There were also messages about courage and kindness. These are all traits we want every member of Team Mango to display.
The internet, mobile devices and social media provide great opportunities for people to network and socialise online. While technology can provide positive messages and interactions, it also has the potential to cause issues and pain to individuals or groups. Students will in time, at some point, have access to various social media platforms that need to be carefully monitored by an adult. I liken it to teaching a beginning driver to drive. We’re not going to throw them the keys and expect them to drive. Navigating social media requires parents to have a tight supervisory role ensuring they are regulating online activities at home. Recently we have seen a few social media issues creep into the school. These issues can be avoided. If your child has access to social media, please supervise by monitoring their use.
Please see below a calendar of upcoming events. Feel free to print this out and stick it on the fridge!
Ange Padgett
Principal
apadg6@eq.edu.au
Changes to Office Hours
Learning letters and sounds in Prep
A key element of learning to read is phonics, the sounds that different letters make. In Prep, your child will learn letter sounds and how to blend them together to read words, for example s-a-t, sat. While it is helpful for children to know letter names, it is the sound the letter makes that helps them begin to read.
Letter and sounds can be thought of as a code. As students learn the code, they also learn to crack the code or ‘decode’ to read words with known sounds. To achieve this, students are taught letter sounds in sets that can be used to make words for reading. For example in the first set of letters taught, (s, a ,t, p), many words can be made to practise blending including at, sat, pat, tap, sap, mats… As one set is learned, new letter sounds are introduced in a systematic way to build letter sound knowledge and work towards becoming a reader.
Our Prep students are doing a great job learning sounds and we are so proud of our beginning readers!
Playgroup news
Despite the rain, friends came along to playgroup on Friday morning and had fun building, playing with dinosaurs, listening to music, singing and sharing a story. Thanks Miss Livvy and Helping Hands for making sure we had a great time, whatever the weather! If you have a little one (O-4 years) and are free on Fridays from 8.45-9.45am, come along to connect and play, we’d love to see you there.
Mieke Munko
Deputy Principal-Prep
mmunk1@eq.edu.au
Swimming started in Year 1 this week!
Woohoo! We love a bus ride and a swim. Thank you so much to those parents who are attending to support their little one to engage successfully. With our little learners, we sometimes still need our mum or dad to help us to engage successfully and safely. We have such a range of diverse learners at Team Mango!
The move from two adults in the room in Prep (teacher and teacher aide) and playing just with other Preps, to navigating one adult in the room (class teacher and some additional support) and playing in the 1/2 playground is tricky for many of our little learners.
It’s a big transition. You can keep track of what’s going on in our Year 1 classrooms by reading our school newsletter each week and reading the weekly email from your class teacher. Use your class teacher’s weekly email as a launching point to chat with your child around what they are learning in the classroom.
Help your child to be organised by ensuring they have what they need for the day. We had to make loads of phone calls this morning because students didn’t bring their swimmers to their first swimming day! Oooops!
Take note of library day and homework day and PE day and Italian day and STEM day…
A school week is a busy week! Map it out on your fridge. I’m a huge fan of a handwritten table accompanied by my odd drawings. Lol! It doesn’t have to be fancy. Mapping out the week in a central location can help your child build their independence. A morning schedule on the fridge, with the list of “jobs” for them to do can help you get out the door more easily.
In the coming weeks information will come out about parent teacher interviews. Make sure you take that opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher about how your Year 1 learner is travelling, what their next steps are and how we can work together to support them.
Have a lovely week.
Melinda White
Deputy Principal- Year 1
mwhit37@eq.edu.au
Exploring Data in Year 2
The students in Year 2 have been engaging in a unit all about data in Maths. The children are forming questions and are surveying their classmates to collect data. They are representing the information they gather in simple tables and graphs. The students are learning how to interpret the data and make inferences about the information they collect.
Last week the students in 2F investigated which colour M&M was the most common in a snack bag. Each student got their own snack bag to open and then tallied how many M&Ms of various colours were found inside. The children then represented this data in a graph and shared their findings with their classmates. The lesson was made all the better when each student got to eat their M&Ms as a reward for a job well done.
Swimming
Today, the first of our Year 2 classes started swimming lessons at Grace Lutheran College. In Week 1 the instructors work with individual students to find out what they can do in the water. This helps them to ability group the students for the remaining lessons. From now until the end of the term, instructors will work with each group to develop the skills needed to help each child move more confidently in the water.
Lessons in 2024 will be extended from 30 to 45 minutes to include the teaching of water safety skills along with swimming.
Kylie Vaughan
Deputy Principal- Year 2
kvaug3@eq.edu.au
NAPLAN Practice
We are looking forward to our practice NAPLAN next Wednesday 28 February. This will provide an opportunity for students to become familiar with the platform, question types and online testing experience. This Friday 23 February Mrs Rivett and Miss O’Brien are hosting a NAPLAN information session from 8:30am in Wandani Hall. We would love to see you there to help answer any questions.
Playtimes in Year 3
We have many wonderful activities happening at break times in Year 3. Each class has been identifying ways that we can enjoy our play best by using proactive and high resilient strategies if problems arise outside the classroom. We continue to use the High 5 and our learnings from circle times to choose strategies that resolve problems in a positive way. In classes last week I have seen students creating a list of ways to take turns and following rules to play safely and fairly. How many positive problem-solving strategies can your child name?
Deputy Principal Year 3
Science Fun in Year 4!
It was great to see students in 4O working with hands-on experiences to gain further understanding and knowledge around how water flows/runs off the land. Through research and trial and error students are deepening their understanding on how land formations help the water from rivers and creeks flow out to the oceans. Their next step is to add water to their experiments and investigate the water flow, to make changes or modifications. Students researched local rivers and waterways to help them plan their designs.
See some great photos below!
Danielle O'Brien
Deputy Principal- Year 4
dxobr0@eq.edu.au
Educational Achievement
This week Year 5 students have been working hard at developing their narrative writing skills, to entertain the reader, and their persuasive text using high modality.
Narratives
When writing narratives students have been focussing how
they can entertain the reader. This includes ensuring they have a sizzling start, interesting characters, a problem which includes rising tension and a resolution that links to the start but includes a surprise or a twist.
Persuasive Text
When writing persuasive texts students have been working hard to use high modality to influence the opinion of the reader.
Ask your Year 5 child which of the below sentences is more likely to persuade the reader:
“I think the planet could be getting hotter because it was kind of hot today and it could be a good idea to fix it soon”
or
“International studies conducted by world leading environmental scientist have proven beyond doubt that rising global temperatures are destroying polar ice caps at an unprecedented rate. We must act now!”
Personal and Social Capability
Students with well-developed social and emotional skills find it easier to manage themselves, relate to others, develop resilience and a sense of self-worth, resolve conflict, engage in teamwork and feel positive about themselves and the world around them. The development of personal and social capability is a foundation for learning and for citizenship.
In the Australian Curriculum, students develop personal and social capabilities as they learn to understand themselves and others, and manage their relationships, lives, and learning more effectively.
Key ideas
The key ideas for Personal and Social Capability are organised into four interrelated elements: Self-awareness, Self-management, Social-awareness and Social-
management.
If students are experiencing difficulty with their ‘Personal and Social Capability’ it is important for us to be able to identify their strengths and weaknesses and look for the opportunities to explicitly teach skills to develop these areas.
For more information: https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/general-capabilities/personal-and-social-capability/
Greg McCallum
Deputy Principal- Year 5
gmcca24@eq.edu.au
Learning in Year 6
Over the past week, I have enjoyed visiting Year 6 classrooms as they have been working on their English unit on short stories that include a twist. In some classes, I have seen them ready and discussing the text together, then finding clues about the character and setting to answer questions related to this. In 6R, I saw a special lesson with Ms Holm who was teaching the students how to find the author’s main message. It was amazing to hear the clever thinking from the students in 6R as they shared their responses.
It’s also been wonderful to see all of the fantastic short stories being written by our students that include some very unexpected twists. Be sure to ask your children to share their story with you (most will be on the iPad). See if you can pick what the twist might be. I found it a challenge!
Student Leader Badge Ceremony and Halogen Conference
Last week, we presented our student leaders for 2024 with their captain badges. It was a wonderful celebration for this year’s Student Council. I know that each and every one of them will do an excellent job at representing Team Mango this year.
Their leadership journey for 2024 began this week with a trip to the Halogen Conference in South Bank. This annual expedition for the Year 6 captains is always a great opportunity to help them understand the qualities of a good leader. I known that they will have plenty of takeaways to apply to their leadership journey this year
Upcoming events in Year 6
On Wednesday 28 February, Year 6 will be visited by a member of the QLD police, who will present an information session on cybersafety. Consent forms for this session were sent out via the QParents app during the week. The session is free of charge.
On Friday 1 March, we have the senior cross country. The 11 year boys and girls will start just after 9am and the 12 year old boys and girls will start just before 10am. Parents are welcome to come along and support!
On Monday 11, Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 March our Year 6 classes will each visit Parliament House on their HASS excursion. Consent forms will be sent out shortly for this excursion via the QParents app.
Please let your child’s teacher know if you have any concerns regarding these events.
Ben Mills
Deputy Principal –Year 6
bxmil3@eq.edu.au
Hub display
For the next two weeks we have a special display in the Hub celebrating bush tucker. We have on loan a range of items from the Queensland museum, including some examples of food gathered by First Nations people on Minjeribah! There are so many interesting artefacts so pop on down to have a look. Can you recognise some things that you would be able to use for food? How does the food of the traditional people of Minjeribah differ from the food of today’s inhabitants?
Throughout the year all of our students from Prep to Year 6 engage with content which recognises the experiences and knowledge of our First Nations peoples. Their understandings and knowledge can help to enhance our understandings of the country upon which we are lucky to live, work and learn.
The Hub is open every morning from 8.15am until 3pm each afternoon. Visitors are welcome to view the display, borrow a book or just pop in for a chat! We look forward to seeing you soon!
Accelerated Reader (AR)
For those students on AR, this program is a great chance to set some goals. For some this means reaching a specific level or passing a number of quizzes. For some students their goal is to finish AR. This means reaching AR 9.0.
This week we have had the first student finish AR in 2024. Congratulations to Liam who has now completed all of the levels of AR! This is an extraordinary achievement and we are very proud of his efforts! Liam will of course continue to read and quiz, but now he doesn’t need to worry about progressing up through the levels. He indicated that he is keen to go back and read a series or two of his favourite books!
If your child would like help to find a book for AR or would like support to complete an AR quiz, please ask. Our library staff are always willing and able to support our AR readers. Don’t forget that setting and monitoring a goal is a great way to keep our reading going! As students progress up through the AR levels, some times the books and the quizzes are challenging… but of course this is the way we learn… doing hard things is the way in which we continue to learn!
Have a fantastic week
Suzette Holm, Jessica Rivett
shol0@eq.edu.au
MHSS Senior Cross Country (Year 3-6)
On Friday 1 March 2024 (Term 1, Week 6) the Mango Hill State School Years 3-6 Senior Cross Country will be run. Attached is the timetable (please note there are 2 pages) and map for the day. Students will be instructed during PE lessons of their course and will also complete a walk through prior to the day.
All students from Year 3 to Year 6 will be running their cross country course. Students have different distances for their races (see below). The course is colour coded with markers, so depending on their race distance, students follow different marker colours (this is also on the map attached).
|
Age |
Track Distance |
|
Born 2016 & 2015 |
1.5km |
|
Born 2014 |
2km |
|
Born 2013 & 2012 |
3km |
Students who place in the top 3 for their race will receive ribbons on the podiums straight after their race. For each event students accrue house points that go towards the Cross Country House Championship. Each event has the following points:
|
Place |
Points |
|
1st |
10 |
|
2nd |
8 |
|
3rd |
6 |
|
4th |
4 |
|
5th |
2 |
|
All Other |
1 |
Therefore, each student that participates in an event will receive at least 1 point for their house. We strongly encourage all students to participate in the cross country, however if your child cannot complete the course due to injury or illness can you please inform their class teacher.
On the day students will still assemble in class as per normal at 8.30am. They will then come to the oval with their class (at their designated time as per the attachment). Some frequently asked questions have been answered below.
- My son/daughter is in Year 4. Do they run in the Morning or Middle session? For sporting events students compete according to their ‘Year of Birth’ not their grade level. Therefore, if your son/daughter is born in 2014 - they will run in the morning and if your son/daughter is born in 2015 – they will run in the middle session.
- What do students wear? – Hats must be worn to the oval but students are allowed to complete the course without their hats on (sunscreen is provided and all students must put their hat back on immediately following the race). Normal sports uniform shirt is to be worn (no house coloured shirts). Normal sports uniform shorts can be worn and students are permitted to wear running shorts/skins during the race.
- Do students have to wear shoes? – Yes, closed in footwear must be worn. Students are permitted to wear running shoes (no spikes) during the race but must change back into normal school footwear post-race.
- What do students need to take to the oval? – Students must take their hat, water bottle and brain break (if running in the morning session) to the oval. In addition, they will need any medication including Epipens and asthma puffers etc.
- Can students qualify for Districts? – Yes. Students aged 10 - 12 years (Born 2014-2012) are also eligible to be selected in the Mango Hill Cross Country Team to compete at the Pine Rivers District Cross Country Trials which will be held in Term 2. If a student places in the top 5 for their race and they complete the course in a suitable time, they will be selected in the Mango Hill State School Cross Country Team. They will receive further information about this closer to the event date.
All family and friends are welcome to come and support students who are running. Spectators are encouraged to wear house colours to show support for Barton, Flynn and Walker houses. A reminder to parents and carers that plan on attending, please make sure you remain in the designated spectator area.
MHSS Junior Cross Country (Year P-2)
On Thursday 29th February (Term 1, Week 6) the Mango Hill State School Junior Cross Country will be run. Attached is the timetable for the day and a map of the course. Students will be instructed during PE lessons of their course and will also complete a walk through.
All students from Prep to Year 2 will be running their cross-country course and will have different lengths for their races (see below). The course is colour coded with markers so depending on their race distance, students follow different markers (this will also be on the map).
|
Year Level |
Track Distance |
|
Prep |
500m |
|
Year 1 |
750m |
|
Year 2 |
1000m |
At Mango Hill State School, in the early years of schooling, we believe sporting opportunities need to be available without the pressure of competition. We want children to have a go and enjoy the experience without feeling like they have to win. Participation and enjoyment are the primary focus in Prep to Year 2 classes. For this reason, we do not award place getters on sports day or cross country. We believe in positive reinforcement for effort and there will be plenty of time later for students with special talents to be acknowledged and awarded. From Year 3, students have the opportunity to be acknowledged for excellence in various sporting pursuits.
We strongly encourage all students to participate in the cross country; however, if your child cannot complete the course due to injury or illness can you please inform their class teacher. On the day students will assemble in class as normal at 8.15am. They will then come to the oval with their class. Some frequently asked questions have been answered below.
- What do students wear? – Hats must be worn to the oval but students are allowed to complete the course without their hats on (sunscreen is provided and all students must put their hat back on immediately following the race). Normal sports uniform shirt is to be worn (no house coloured shirts). Normal sports uniform shorts can be worn and students are permitted to wear running shorts/skins during the race.
- Do students have to wear shoes? – Yes, closed in footwear must be worn. Students are permitted to wear running shoes during the race but must change back into normal school footwear post-race.
- What do students need to take to the oval? – Students must take their hat, water bottle and brain break to the oval. In addition, they will need any medication including Epipens and asthma puffers etc.
All family and friends are welcome to come and support students who are running. Spectators are encouraged to wear house colours to show support for Barton, Flynn and Walker houses. A reminder to parents and carers that plan on attending, please make sure you remain in the designated spectator area.
Mr Hills & Mr Newell, Mrs Fuller and Mr Lisha
Physical Education Teachers
Uniform Shop
Monday - 8:00am-10:30am
Wednesday - 1:30pm-4:00pm
Thursday - 1:30pm-4:00pm
Friday - 8:00am-10:30am
As we settle into the new term and get used to our new routines, it may be time to consider updating your uniforms. If they are fitting a little tighter or have a few marks on them, pop on in to see us to freshen up your wardrobe.
Cross Country is coming up! Do you have your hat? The coloured inside lining of your hat should match the house you are in, Barton - green, Walker - orange, Flynn - blue. This is because on sports event days, like Cross Country, your student's reversible hat will be turned inside out so they will match all their sports housemates on the day. The uniform shop is fully stocked with all colours should you need a hat for cross country.
We also offer online orders. Orders can be placed through our website any time at www.wearitto.com.au/schools/mango-hill-state-school
|
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.
If you need uniforms over the holiday break, you can also purchase them from our retail store Wearitto, located at 41 Kirby Road Aspley.
Zoe and Rochelle
Uniform Shop Convenors