Term 1 Week 3 2025

The Annual Implementation Plan has a focus on implementing the Australian Curriculum version 9 (ACV9) with informed adjustments and effective pedagogy for learning and engagement. We will do this by driving the three priority areas as follows.

• Educational Achievement – Implementing ACV9 in English, Maths and HPE
• Engagement and Well-being – Strengthen and refine school-wide universals to support engagement and well-being
• Culture and Inclusion – Provide an inclusive learning environment that champions access, engagement and improvement for all.

P&C

On Monday, the first P&C meeting of the year occurred. Thank you to who attended.  The AGM will be held on Monday 10 March at 6.30pm. We hope to see you there. 

Staffing

We farewell Ms Hannah Ratcliffe at the end of this week as she commences maternity leave. On behalf of the school, we wish Hannah all the best and thank her for her hard work.

We welcome Ms Alli Hopkinson and Mr Michael Hams to Mango Hill. Ms Hopkinson will teach two days per week on two senior primary classes and Mr Hams will take on the role of STEM teacher, three days per week.

Boom Gate

The new boom gate will be operational within the next few weeks. The boom gate will limit access to the bus lane and the kindergarten drop off and pick up areas. Those that need access will have access to these areas. The boom gate will be down from 8.00am - 9.00am and 2.00 – 3.30pm. If you require access, please contact avirg3@eq.edu.au

We are excited to announce a new initiative as part of our SOLE Acknowledgement System – the Brain Freeze Hang Out! This initiative is designed to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our students in demonstrating the 4 CARES: Caring for Self, Others, Learning and the Environment.

What is the Brain Freeze Hang Out?
The Brain Freeze Hang Out is a fun and rewarding way for students to celebrate their successes with Mrs Padgett. Here’s how it works.

• Golden Ticket Draw: Every week, students who receive a Golden Ticket for demonstrating the 4 CARES will enter the Golden Ticket Draw.
• Recognition: The first student drawn from each year level will be invited to join Mrs Padgett for a Brain Freeze Hang Out.
• Celebration: During the Brain Freeze Hang Out, students will enjoy an ice block and a popper while having the opportunity to chat with Mrs Padgett about their achievements.
• Consent: Consent forms have been sent out via Q Parents today.  If you child has allergies that affect them from receiving an ice block or popper, alternative options will be made available.

We look forward to seeing many students enjoying their Brain Freeze Hang Out soon!

Yarn and Eats 

We’re thrilled to invite our families to join us for Yarn and Eats, an afternoon filled with community connection, culture and fun!

? When: Thursday 6 March
⏰ Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM
? Where: The Piazza

Enjoy a delicious sausage sizzle and drink while participating in activities, games, and painting. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect, celebrate culture, and strengthen our school community.

Don’t forget to RSVP to polla2@eq.edu.au. We look forward to seeing you there!

Date claimers

A reminder we are holding our first Welcome Afternoon this afternoon. Next Wednesday we hold our second Welcome Afternoon. Refer to last week’s newsletter for further details.

• Volunteers’ Induction this afternoon – 4.45pm Wandani
• Student Leader Badge Ceremony – Friday 14 February
• Years 4 – 6 Water Safety Program commences Week 4
• NAPLAN parent information session – Friday 21 February 8.30am

In Maths, students have been exploring number by partitioning into hundreds, tens and ones. Their enthusiasm for tackling new challenges has been inspiring! Ask your child about what they’ve learned this week—we’re sure they’ll have plenty to share.

Year 2 Swimming Starts Soon!

The countdown is on! Year 2 swimming lessons begin in Week 5, and we’re all looking forward to seeing our students develop confidence and water safety skills.

To ensure a smooth experience, please:
✅ Complete the online permission form and make payment via QParents. (Paper copies are available at the school office if needed.)
✅ Pack a swimming bag with:

• Swimmers (no light blue swimwear for safety reasons)
• Towel
• Flip-flop shoes
• Goggles (optional)

✅ Clearly label all belongings to avoid mix-ups.

A copy of the swimming timetable is below for your reference.

Reminder: No Ball Games in the Piazza

As part of our schoolwide expectations, we kindly remind families that ball games are not permitted in the piazza before or after school. If you’re waiting in this area with your child, please encourage them to remain seated and wait calmly with you. We appreciate your support in keeping this space safe and orderly for everyone.

Attendance Matters!

Establishing strong school attendance habits early is essential for your child’s success in Year 2. We understand that sometimes absences are unavoidable due to illness or appointments. If your child will be absent, please notify us via:
? Email: studentabsence@mangohillss.eq.edu.au
? Phone: (07) 3482 8166

Thank you for your ongoing support—we appreciate everything you do to help your child thrive at school.

Have a fantastic week!

Jessica Burnett
Deputy Principal- Year 2
jburn289@eq.edu.au

Culture and Inclusion in Year 5

We have had another great week of learning for our Year 5 students at Mango Hill State School.

This week teachers were released to spend time working in teams to help identify students’ individual needs and how we can best support them across the term and the year.  This has included doing a deep dive into academic achievement, social emotional needs and attendance.  Please make contact with your child’s teacher if you have information that would help identify specific learning needs and learning styles.

Educational Achievement

In English, students have continued their work on creating persuasive texts.

At home, see if your child can identify three persuasive arguments for a familiar topic.

• Who is the intended audience? How can your child make deliberate decisions as an author to persuade their intended audience?
• What are the three strongest arguments they can identify?
• Can your child use ‘high modality’ to increase the strength of an argument?

Modality refers to the level of certainty in the language choices of a text. Modality is a range from high (for example, ‘definitely will’) to low (for example, ‘might’). Using language with high modality impacts the audience's response to an argument.

AFLQ Schools Cup Trials (Year 4-6)

The AFLQ Schools Cup is a statewide AFL competition amongst primary schools, with Mango Hill competing initially in the Brisbane North Regional playoffs.  AFL QLD coordinates the competition with all matches played under the laws of the game promulgated by the AFL.

In 2025, Mango Hill State School will again be entering a Primary Boys and Primary Girls team in the AFLQ Schools Cup competition.  These teams are open for all students from Year 4-6.  The Brisbane North Regional Playoff date will be in Term 2.

Trials

Trials for these two teams will be conducted via lunchtime AFL Clubs on Friday 2^nd break (Girls) and Friday 1^st break (Boys) on the MHSS Oval.  There will also be an afterschool trial at 3.00pm-4.00pm on Tuesday 25 February (wk. 5).  Attendance at either the AFL Club or afternoon trial will help your child gain selection in our initial training squad.  A final team to attend the AFLQ Schools Cup day will be selected early in Term 2.

Students interested in trialing can add their name to the signup sheet which is located on the PE notice board in M Block (in front of PE office). 

Equipment/Uniform

If selected, a Mango Hill State School AFL jersey, shorts and socks will be provided for competition days at no cost.  Students will need to provide their own protective equipment (mouthguard) and will require football boots (no metal tags). 

Training

If selected in the team, there is an expectation that students commit to attending AFL training, which will be held Thursday afternoon 3.00pm-4.00pm and during AFL Club lunch breaks. 

Costs:

There are no initial costs associated with the competition.  If teams progress further in the competition travel and playing costs may apply.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact team manager Nick Hills (nhill96@eq.edu.au).

Pine Rivers District Sporting Trials (10-12yr Old’s

Pine Rivers District School Sport (PRDSS) offers 10-12 Year old students the opportunity to 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.

Most PRD 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) and have several years’ experience. Cross Country, Athletics and Swimming trials however are open for students turning 10, 11 and 12 years of age and nominations are based on results from our MHSS school carnivals. PRD trials are not for students who are learning to play or are inexperienced. Sports that students are able to trial for include;

• AFL
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cricket
• Football (Soccer)
• Golf
• Hockey
• Netball
• Rugby League
• Rugby Union
• Softball
• Squash
• Tennis
• Touch
• Triathlon

2025 District Trial Nomination Process

• Step 1 - Trial Information will be placed in the MHSS newsletter. Parents can email Mr Nick Hills (nhill96@eq.edu.au) to express interest in their son/daughter attending.

• Step 2 – If necessary, MHSS will host a MHSS trial to select appropriate students for the district trials (normally completed if more than 5 students want to attend).

• Step 3 – Schools distribute the Trial Nomination and Information Form (with A QR Scan code) to their selected students.  Families/students complete the scan code to nominate for a trial before the closing date – no students will be able to access this nomination Scan code after the closing date.

• Step 4 – Pine Rivers District School Sport collates scan code information and emails parents/students with the District Trial Notice & Trial Package.

• Step 5 – Families/Students returns completed forms electronically to the Pine Rivers District Coach/Manager. 

Mango Hill can normally nominate up to five students for each district sport trial (more popular sports the limit may be 3).  If more than five students wish to be nominated Mango Hill will select the five 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.

MHSS Cross Country  (Prep - Year 6)

All students from Prep to Year 6 will be competing in the 2025 MHSS Cross Country Race. This is completed in the morning or middle session of school with students competing in a long-distance race with their age group peers.  More information regarding the Cross Country will be available later in the term. Dates are as follows.

• Prep - Year 2: Friday Week 9 – 28 March
• Years 3 - 6: Monday Week 10 – 31 March

Sporting Lunch Clubs (Years 4-6)

At MHSS we provide opportunities for students to participate in lunch time clubs, which includes clubs directly related to sporting teams. The following clubs are offered in Term 1 with all students in Years 4-6 able to attend.