Term 4 Week 6 2024
- Principal's News by Ange Padgett
- Team Mango We All Belong!
- Prep News by Mieke Munko
- Year 1 News by Barbara Cornford
- Year 2 News by Kylie Vaughan
- Year 3 News by Kris Olsen
- Year 4 News by Danielle Price
- Year 5 News by Greg McCallum
- Year 6 News by Evan Barrett
- Curriculum News
- Sporting News by The PE Department
- Community News
This week our Year 3 and Prep students complete their block of learn to swim. Thank you to parents and teachers for your assistance with getting our students ready to take part each week.
As we approach the busy end of the year, we are getting organised to hold many events showcasing our students’ hard work and talent. Keep an eye on the Term Overview to ensure you stay updated and not miss out on any of the fun.
Let’s face it, we can all become tired at this time of the year. There are times when some students can begin to feel overwhelmed at this time of the year, with end of year events and with assessments. Routines may also look different and this may lead to increased anxiety. Teachers are reviewing their engagement and well-being strategies to further implement proactive strategies to allow students to complete the year with success. If you know your child struggles a little more at this time of the year, some ideas on how you can also assist at home include the following.
- Talking to your child about how to recognise their body cues when they begin to feel anxious, frustrated or angry
- Discussing appropriate ways your child may react when they recognise these cues (take a break, get a drink, have a movement break)
- Talking your child ‘through’ an end of year event to avoid them being triggered by some of our whole school events
- Sharing the term overview with your child to discuss what events are occurring and what these may involve
- Creating a visual timetable.
If you require further support, reach out to your child’s class teacher of their Deputy Principal to assist in setting your child up for success.
Remembrance Day
Our school will once again honour the courage and sacrifice of those who have served in the armed forces by observing Remembrance Day.
On Monday 11 November 2025, we will hold a minute of silence at 10:00 am (adjusted from the traditional 11:00 am due to school break times) to reflect on the sacrifices made by countless individuals in times of conflict.
Why We Observe Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day marks the end of World War I on 11 November 1918, and has since become a day to honour all military personnel who have given their lives in service to their country. The moment of silence, traditionally held at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, symbolizes the signing of the armistice that brought peace to a war-torn world. It is a time for us to pause, reflect, and express our gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy today.
We invite all students and staff to join us in this moment of reflection, and to carry the spirit of remembrance throughout the day.
Lest we forget.
Whole School Transitions
The Inclusive Learning Team have created a document (link is below) that captures the great work we do when transitioning students from year to year. The aim of this document is to inform parents of the whole school processes and the various forms of transition supports we have at Mango. Teachers are commencing their planning for students requiring focused or intensive transition support
RRE- Respectful disagreement
As our students are currently engaging in the Respect Program, our Year 4 students are moving into Topic 2, Respectful interactions. A key focus area is on challenging stereotypes through respectful disagreement.
This learning encourages students to use 'I' statements in a calm tone of voice to help communicate their concerns, feelings, needs and wants in a respectful manner. This also emphasis’s the discouragement of you statements that signal blame on the other person. An ‘I’ statement pattern could include your personal feelings, what the feeling is about, and reason.
Fox example
How I feeling: I feel angry
What my feeling is about: about the claim girls can’t play soccer
Why I feel: I feel this worry because it is not true
What I would like to hear said: I would like to hear you say people can play soccer regardless of gender.
Invitation to our Respect Program Parent Information Session
We are excited to invite families to our second Parent Information Session about the Respect program. Next Monday afternoon will provide insights into the importance of the program, an overview of what students learn in class, and useful resources for families to support these lessons at home.
Event Details:
- Date: Monday, 11 November 2024
- Time: 4:30 pm
- Location: Wandani Hall
This session is open to all families. We look forward to seeing you there!
P&C Meeting
Our last P&C meeting for the year is on Monday 11 December at 6.30pm in Wandani. We hope to see you there.
Prep 2025
Wondering if your child is due to start Prep next year? Try this easy-to-use online calculator to find out. If the answer is yes, please get your enrolment application in as soon as possible so we can be ready for your child in 2025.
https://earlychildhood.qld.gov.au/kindy/age-requirements-and-enrolment
Fundraiser
Check out our school fundraiser. Great gift ideas. Orders close Monday 11 November. Order on QKR. Limited numbers.
Ange Padgett
Principal
apadg6@eq.edu.au
Focus of the Week
This week in Care Class we are learning to Care for Others by embracing the diversity in our community. By celebrating and discussing various cultures, we can better understand and respect the differences around us.
Learning about diversity is important because it:
- Fosters Empathy
- Encourages Acceptance
- Enhances Social Skills
- Builds Confidence
- Promotes Curiosity.
Tough Teeth Program - A message from the team
The Tough Teeth Program is a free dental health screening program that comes to your child’s school. Parents do not need to be present.
- We will take a very quick look in your child’s mouth for obvious signs of decay or other problems.
- We will apply a varnish which releases fluoride over time and protects teeth from decay.
- We provide your child with dental health education and toothbrushing instruction. They will receive a free toothbrush.
- This does not replace the need for children to have a full check up.
We will let you know what we find - we contact you via email/phone/SMS regarding urgent treatment needs.
- We can provide dental treatment for your child at our nearest clinic or dental van with no out-of-pocket costs if they are eligible. Otherwise, you can follow up with your regular dental practice.
- You may need to bring your child/children to dental appointments if further treatment is required.
Parents' consent forms will be sent out to complete via QR Code (preferable) or paper forms for you to complete and return by COB 30/10/24. If you use a QR code, we will receive it directly. If you complete the paper form, please return it to the school office to be picked up.
If your child is currently experiencing a toothache or you have a concern that you would like addressed sooner, please call 1300 300 850 for eligibility and to make an appointment.
Fluoride_Varnish_Registration_Form_QR_code_and_paper_version.docx
Calling all parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and community members. We are urgently looking for more Crossing Supervisors to help our students and families get across the road before and after school safely.
This is a paid casual job and hours of paid work would be 7:45 am - 8:45 am and 2:30 pm - 3:15 pm. Days are flexible.
If you are interested in joining our team please email BSM@mangohillss.eq.edu.au
Please note that you must have or be willing to obtain a Blue Card, complete a Criminal History check, and pass a medical clearance.
Uniform Shop
Our regular uniform shop hours during the term are
Mon 8am-10:30am
Wed 1:30pm-4pm
Thu 1:30pm-4pm
Fri 8am-10:30am
We also have a retail store located at 41 Kirby Road, Aspley. They operate regular retail hours and can be reached on 3263-5566.
We 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.
Current Year 5 students - we are expecting senior shirts for Year 6 next year to arrive later in the term, we will let you know when all sizes are available to purchase.
Zoe and Rochelle
Uniform Shop Convenors
Mango Hill State Secondary College - Year 7 2025
Reading
Our Prep learners are doing so well on their journey to becoming readers. They have experienced learning small groups of letter sounds throughout the year and are now exploring reading using books.
Your child's DRA QRcode and password gives you access to a wide range of fiction and non-fiction readers. There are also videos you can watch with your child and then go on a sound hunt! This resource replaces home readers that you may have had previously with older siblings and it provides an interactive and engaging homework experience. If you haven’t made use of this yet and would like any more information, please let you teacher know so they can help you.
See pictures below showing the main menu to select from, the Level One main menu as an example, and the video page that goes with Level One. Your child can select from the levels that are unlocked.
Happy reading!
Mieke Munko
Deputy Principal-Prep
mmunk1@eq.edu.au
Year 1 English - Writing
This term our Year 1s writing assessment focus is to write a new event that is descriptive to engage the audience.
There are many elements to teaching the elements of writing an imaginative story.
For example:
- The structure of a story – beginning (orientation), middle (complication) and end (conclusion)
- Planning
- Character development – what they look like, what they say, how they feel, what they do
- Re-reading, proof reading and editing throughout the process and following teacher feedback.
The students are guided by their teacher with regular feedback which can be given on the spot when teacher and student are working together, or on the Scales with the elements achieved highlighted in green and ‘what’s next’ also highlighted and discussed with the student.
These photographs show some of the teaching and learning elements.
We call this display our Bump It Up Wall. Every class has a Bump it Up Wall. This is developed throughout the unit as lessons are taught. They provide students with words they can check on for spelling, words they can use in their story as well as other reminders and prompts to assist with the writing process.
Attendance Every Day Counts
Coming to school every day is very important. Please read the four points shown above.
We all want to give our young people the best opportunity to learn and grow socially and the way to do that is come to school every day. If you have concerns regarding your child and attendance, please make a time to talk about these with your child’s class teacher. The sooner concerns are able to be addressed the less stressful it is for everyone (school, parents and carers and students).
Even though we are now in the second half of Term 4, specific teaching and learning is occurring every day and this will continue until the very last day of the term. It is important that everyone attends to the very end of the year.
If your child is unwell please keep them at home as this allows them to rest and recover and it protects the school community as well. But it is important for the school to be told. It is Education Queensland’s policy that every absence must be explained.
There are three ways you can let us know if your child is unwell and unable to come to school.
- Contact the school via QParents
- Email to Student Absence: studentabsencemangohillss@eq.edu.au
- Call Absence Line: 3482 8166
If you are unsure about the correct time to stay away from school or actions to take, please look up the Time Out information for Medical conditions in Appendix 1 of our Parent Information Booklet or call the School Office.
I will provide our school’s Website pathway for this information in next week’s newsletter.
Deputy Principal- Year 1
Barbara Cornford
bcorn3@eq.edu.au
Getting Ready for NAPLAN Reading
The Year 2s have been working with their teachers to get ready for NAPLAN reading in Term 1 of 2025. They have been exploring practice tests from previous years and investigating a whole range of different text types. Students begin reading by identifying the purpose of the text and the audience. From there, they work with their teacher to develop strategies to answer multiple choice questions.
One of the strategies the students have been practising is The Destroyer. For this strategy, students read the question. They then highlight the key words in the question that will help them find the answers in the text. After that they are encouraged to read all the possible answers. Then comes the fun part… the students destroy the incorrect answers by crossing them out. From there, the children use key words and clues from the text to choose the best answer.
It’s tricky work but the children are getting in lots of practice. Check out these superstars from 2R who have been using The Destroyer strategy to answer questions during their reading rotations.
Celebrating Diversity in Year 2
Last Friday we celebrated Diversity Day with a whole school parade. Back in the classroom, students were invited to share their traditional dress and what was special about their culture with their classmates. In 2I, they even shared special foods that came from their cultures.
Kylie Vaughan
Deputy Principal- Year 2
kvaug3@eq.edu.au
Dance in Year 3
In Year 3 Dance, students have explored various movements, facial expressions, dynamics and spacing in a Dr Seuss themed dance. During lessons they are now creating their own choreography to be performed to their peers. This process develops the strengths of team work, self-control and zest and empowers students to work outside of their comfort zone building confidence in performance.
Playtime using the high 5
Our students have been thriving during play breaks, enjoying a range of clubs, activities, and calm spaces designed to make lunch time a fun, inclusive experience for everyone. Sometimes, as part of growing up, children encounter disagreements or misunderstandings with their peers. At Mango Hill State School, we view these moments as opportunities for growth, where students can learn and practice valuable conflict-resolution skills.
To support them, we actively encourage the use of the High 5 strategy, a structured approach that guides students to manage conflicts safely and respectfully. The steps are simple yet effective:
- Talk Friendly
- Talk Firmly
- Ignore
- Walk Away
- Report.
This framework empowers students to navigate minor incidents independently, while also ensuring that they know when it’s appropriate to seek support from an adult. Our staff are always available to assist whenever immediate reporting is necessary.
One essential aspect of the High 5 is learning how to respond when a peer talks friendly or talks firmly. While many students are confident in using the strategy, some may feel uncertain about how to receive these interactions. Role-playing at home can be a helpful way for families to reinforce these social skills, allowing children to practise recognising social cues and understanding others’ perspectives. Developing these skills is a key step in their social growth and contributes to a positive, respectful school environment for everyone.
Morning Meetings in Year 4
Each of our classes start their day with a morning meeting. This is an opportunity for our students and teachers to connect, discuss the day ahead, share exciting announcements and revisit expectations.
Our classes are focussing on the value of Respect and how we can show respect to others and ourselves.
It has been wonderful to see 4C start each day with a positive primer and team building challenge. They have been discussing the teamwork skills needed and what specific ways they displayed respect during the challenge. It was also great to hear 4A talking about choices they can make to start the day when reflecting on their positive primers. Some students spoke about eating a healthy breakfast, making sure they remember their fruit for fruit break, getting to bed early, and taking a break from their iPad for some time and getting outside.
Check out some of the photos below!
Danielle Price
Deputy Principal- Year 4
dxobr0@eq.edu.au
2025 Student Leadership
We are thrilled to inform you that we received an overwhelming number of high-quality student leader applications at the end of last week! It is inspiring to see so many of our Year 5 students eager to take on leadership roles within our school community. The enthusiasm and dedication demonstrated in these applications reflect the great potential of our future leaders.
As there is only a limited number of official captaincy roles, the reality is most students will miss out on a formal position. It is important that we celebrate all applicants and that the students demonstrated leadership by putting themselves forward. We will inform students that there will be ongoing leadership opportunities available throughout 2025 including Mango Mentor positions.
The next step in the process will be inviting students to participate in the shortlisting process. We look forward to discovering more about the outstanding leadership potential in our Year 5 cohort.
Week 6 / 7: Shortlisting Process commences
Group Interviews / Identifying Leadership Qualities
Students informed of shortlisting
Short listed students to write 2-minute speeches (time will be given to practise at school).
Week 8: Speeches and Voting
Shortlisted students conduct 2-minute speeches to Yr. 4 and Yr. 5 cohort
Student voting conducted after speeches.
Week 10: Notification
Successful candidates are notified during the Year 5 Awards Assembly (Friday 6 December). Parents will be informed if their attendance is required at the Award Assembly (specifics will not be shared).
Four Cares
To help us continue to foster a positive and respectful school environment, we kindly ask that you remind your children to follow our school-wide Four Cares.
- Care for Self
- Care for Others
- Care for Learning
- Care for the Environment
These values help guide our students to be responsible, considerate, and engaged members of our school community.
We also ask for your support in encouraging your children to use technology appropriately at school. It is important that students:
- Abide by the e-pal agreement
- Do not use messaging apps on school grounds
- Only access apps through the school-approved Company Portal app to ensure safety and a focus on learning
- Follow staff instructions.
Thank you for your ongoing support in reinforcing these important expectations.
Greg McCallum
Deputy Principal- Year 5
gmcca24@eq.edu.au
Year 6 Graduation
Invitations and further details were emailed to all Year 6 families this week. We are looking forward to celebrating with you on Wednesday 4 December. Please arrive by 5.00pm so the ceremony can start at 5.30pm.
If you have missed this email or would prefer hard copies, please email Mrs Evan Barrett ebmcf0@eq.edu.au
Social Media
Over the past few weeks, there have been numerous social media issues reported to me. If your child has a phone and access to social media, it is always beneficial to check in on what they are accessing and who they are chatting to. Below is some helpful information from the eSafety commissioner.
Reporting when something goes wrong online
If your child experiences something harmful online such as cyberbullying, image-based abuse or illegal and restricted content, you can report it directly to the social media service, game, app or website where the incident occurred.
Often young people will need the support of an adult to report. The eSafety Commissioner (eSafety.gov.au) advises taking the following steps.
- Collect evidence before reporting to the platform or taking other action. If the issue is ongoing, make sure you collect screenshots showing what has been happening and for how long.
- Report to the platform where it happened. Use The eSafety Guide to help you. After you report, the service may remove the content straight away. They may also block those responsible or delete their account. If the post involves something illegal like grooming, they may refer it to law enforcement or another agency to take further action.
- If the platform does not take action, you or your child can report it to eSafety. eSafety will ask you to complete an online reporting form and include evidence.
Evan Barrett
Deputy Principal –Year 6
ebmcf0@eq.edu.au
Scholastic Book Club
Thank you to all of those families who purchased books from our recent Scholastic Book Club. The orders have now been delivered and we look forward to purchasing some more books with the special Scholastic points we have acquired.
Last week for borrowing
This week is the last week for Class Borrowing, which means that we will all need to start returning our library books. AR will continue for another couple of weeks, but next week we look forward to many of our resources coming home to the Hub. Of course this might be a tricky task, so don’t forget to have a good look in desks, tidy trays and even under beds – you never know where you will find a book or two!
For those students who have misplaced, lost or damaged their books, we ask families to replace the book. For AR books, this needs to be the exact book as these are sometimes hard to source.
The Hub is open every morning from 8.15am until 3pm each afternoon.
Reporting in English
As we pass the half way point of the term, many of our students are busy finalising their writing and reading tasks. This term teachers will gather data on students’ writing and independent reading abilities. These marks, along with information from the Term 3 Speaking tasks will be used to make an on-balanced decision about English. All of our students will receive a mark for English, combining their understandings and skills related to reading, writing and speaking. We look forward to sharing information about each students’ achievements in English as part of our end of year report card.
Have a fantastic week
Suzette Holm, Jessica Rivett
shol0@eq.edu.au
jxqui5@eq.edu.au
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.
Day 1: Students turning 10, 11 and 12 years old in 2024 (Born 2012, 2013 and 2014) will compete on the first day, which will be Thursday 28 November (week 9).
Day 2: Students in Years 3-4 who are turning 8 and 9 years old in 2024 (Born 2015 and 2016) compete on the second day, which will be Friday 29 November (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 more information at school in the coming weeks. 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. This was funded by our wonderful P&C.
Mr Hills, Mr Newell, Mrs Fuller and Mr Lisha
Physical Education Teachers