Term 1 Week 8 2025
- Principal's News by Ange Padgett
- Team Mango We All Belong!
- Prep News by Mieke Munko
- Year 1 News by Evan Barrett
- Year 2 News by Jessica Burnett
- Year 3 News by Kris Olsen
- Year 4 News by Barbara Cornford
- Year 5 News by Greg McCallum
- Year 6 News by Danielle Price
- Curriculum News
- Sporting News by The PE Department
- Community News
Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent teacher interviews start soon. If you haven’t already done so, please make a time to meet with your child’s class teacher. The interviews provide parents/carers with an opportunity to partner with the school as well as hearing about all the wonderful learning your child is taking part in, their next steps and an update on their social/emotional growth. If you are having trouble with making an appointment, please reach out to your child’s class teacher.
Interview slots can be booked via https://eq.sobs.com.au/pt3/parent.php?schoolid=70371
Bookings are currently open and will be up until Friday 21 March 2024, 9.00 am.
Assessments
All classes are busy preparing for their Term One assessments. At Mango Hill State School, our teachers use ‘On the Spot’ feedback to inform students about their celebrations in learning and their next steps. Currently, classes are wrapping up their English unit of work. Students are being assessed on their speaking and listening skills and understanding. Teachers are working hard to provide students with useful feedback about what students can do to improve their spoken presentations. As Principal, I’m fortunate to take part in Learning Walks and Talks in all 66 classes each term. I get to ask students about their learning, celebrations, next steps, how they are going with their learning and where they can go to for help. I’m always incredibly pleased how engaged our students are with their learning. Some students are even providing peer feedback. That’s how awesome our students are!
New Approach to Reading
Our teachers are working tirelessly to implement the new approach to reading. Currently the focus has been on developing a whole-school approach to the explicit instructional routines for teaching reading as well as providing synthetic phonics (letter-sound correspondence) and word study (morphology – meaning components in words) to teach word reading. So what is explicit instruction? Explicit instruction is the most efficient and effective way to teach reading through the Australian Curriculum, Prep to Year 6. It includes revising daily to transfer learning to long-term memory. The learning is presented in small steps with opportunity to practise at each stage. Teachers provide models and worked examples and help guide students through practise with close supervision and specific feedback to build their confidence. Explicit instruction relies on checking for understanding and ensuring students have a high success rate to support engagement.
ANZAC DAY - School Service – Thursday 24 April – Save the date.
On Thursday 24 April we will be conducting the Mango Hill State School, ANZAC Day service in Gigum Hall. This will be a whole school event to recognise our service men and women. We welcome our wider school community, parents and carers to attend this service, particularly current or former service men and women. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their service.
Date: Thursday 24 April
Time: 9.00 am
Location: Gigum Hall.
ANZAC DAY - Friday 25 April (Term 2 Week 1)
This year Mango Hill State School will be involved in the Pine Rivers RSL Sub Branch traditional ANZAC Day march.
The Pine Rivers RSL sub branch is limiting school participation to 50 students and therefore Student Council Representatives from Yr 4 to Yr 6 will be invited to represent our school.
- Student Council Representatives are asked to assemble on ANZAC Ave (road will be closed) in front of Kallangur Fair Shopping Centre at 7:45am. Signage will be placed with our school name on the roadway. The march step off will occur at 8.15am.
- Please note Anzac Avenue will be closed between 7:00 am and 10:30 am from Old Gympie Road to Duffield Road.
- Police will be closing Storey Road, from Old Gymie Rd to School Road, from 08:30 am to 09:30 am.
- Students will need to be collected by parents/guardians at Storey Road accessible via School Road after the march. Please note Sylvan Court will not be accessible.
Once students are with their parents, they are free to move to the Memorial Garden for the main service. During the main service School Captains will be laying a wreath. The RSL would like us to remember that this is a commemoration, not a celebration and they request parents do not take photos during this time. Dignity and respect are the order of the day and if students are wearing medals to represent a family member, those medals are to be worn on the right-hand side.
P&C News
Just a reminder the AGM is on Monday 24 March 2025 at 6.00 pm at Wandani. We hope to see as many parents there as possible. A new executive committee will be elected, so come along and get involved! Everyone’s welcome!
Prep Astro Turf
The Prep astro turf ground is uneven and has divets. We are asking our community to not walk on the areas that are marked. If you can, please walk on the path rather than across the astro turf. We are working with the regional facilities team to fix this area.
Boom Gate
Just a friendly reminder that our boom gate is in action. It will be closed during the following times. 8.00 am - 9.00 am and 2.00 pm - 3.30pm each day.
School Photos Timetable
Our annual School Photos will be held on Wednesday 26, Thursday 27 and Friday 28 March. All students must wear their formal uniform. Please see below for your child's allocated day. Please look out for your photo envelopes which were sent home last week.
We are looking for parent volunteers to help out on photo day, if you can help for an hour or two please contact Petrina, polla2@eq.edu.au. You must have completed your volunteer induction prior to helping out.
Mango Hill State School Coffee Cups
Date claimers
For this week (refer to the term overview for exact dates, times and locations on our website)
Week 8
- NAPLAN
- Year 1 and Year 2 swimming
- Volunteer Induction Session
Week 9
- NAPLAN
- Year 1 and Year 2 swimming
- Parent Teacher Interviews commence
- P and C AGM and meeting
- Junior Cross Country
Week 10
Ange Padgett
Principal
apadg6@eq.edu.au
Care Class and Focus of the Week
This week in Care Class we will learn how our classroom expectations can show Care for Others and how our behaviour can positively impact our peers. Caring involves kindness, empathy, and concern, understanding others' feelings and needs, and offering help and support. Caring for others is important as it fosters strong friendships and happy communities, making others feel valued and loved, and helps us grow into thoughtful, responsible people.
Consistent predictable routines in classrooms are important to enable students to know what is expected of them which can support students’ self-regulation. Some of the consistent, predictable routines at Mango Hill State School include:
- Morning greetings
- Greeting circles
- Circle time routines
- Movement breaks
- What Went Well
Pop-up Second Hand Uniform Sale
Term 1 is nearly finished already - how time flies! There are a few upcoming activities that you may need special uniform pieces for.
School photos - formal uniform. Now is the time to check how your formal uniform is fitting. If your child is due for an upgrade, or if you need to get your first formal uniform, pop into the uniform shop before the school photo days to ensure your child is properly dressed and looking good for their annual photo. School photos are taking place 26 - 28 March.
Cross country - hats. Cross country is the first sporting event on the calendar where students will turn their reversible hats inside out and we'll get to see all the colours for their sporting day. Students are placed into a sports house for sporting days, either Walker (orange), Flynn (blue) or Barton (green). Does the inside lining of your hat match your student's house? If not, pop in to the uniform shop to purchase a hat with the correct lining for their sports house. Please make sure your hat is clearly labelled so it can be returned to your student if it gets lost on the day.
The uniform shop is open during term time:
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.
If you need to leave a message on our phone service, please leave your name and number so we can call you back. We are unable to see the number you call from, so can only return calls where a phone number has been left.
Zoe
Uniform Shop Convenor
Mango Hill State Secondary College
Cross country
On Friday 28 March we will have our Junior cross-country event. Please ensure your child has their named hat and water bottle, and sunscreen has been applied. We love to see friends and family at this event and encourage you to come along if you can. Shade is limited for spectators so please come prepared with hats etc. When taking photographs of your child during the event, we ask that you please observe the markers in place and do not enter areas that have been sectioned off. These areas are sectioned off to help students know where to be and ensure we can supervise students effectively during the event. Adults entering these areas will be politely directed out of the area.
Parent Teacher Interviews
All parents and carers are invited to book in for an interview with your class teacher. This is a valuable opportunity to hear how your child is progressing, ask questions and share any updates or information that may be helpful for your child’s teacher to be aware of. I strongly encourage you to take up this invitation as partnership between home and school is shown to have a positive impact on student achievement. It's also a great opportunity to celebrate the progress made during this first term of school.
Mieke Munko
Deputy Principal-Prep
mmunk1@eq.edu.au
Maths Problem Solving
I had the pleasure of being a part of 1I’s Maths lesson last week. Ms Franklin posed a problem to the students.
‘Mrs Padgett has asked 1I to solve a parking problem in the staff car park. She would like all of the teachers to park following a pattern. Can you complete the repeating pattern?’
Student’s then worked in pairs to solve the problem.
- Are we going to need all three colours of cars?
- What kind of repeating pattern will it be? AB, AAB, ABC, AABB?
Well done to Ollie and Anisha as well as Ram and Sharmista for working collaboratively to solve the problem.
Parent and Carer Updates
In recent weeks we have had some students navigating big emotions and they often are not able to articulate why. When we have dug a bit deeper, we have learnt that their parent or carer has gone on a trip, they have moved in with grandparents, there has been a death in the family or something else that feels weighty for them.
I encourage you to please communicate with your child’s class teacher any changes to your family’s situation or routine. Sometimes even something small can affect your child’s day. We value the home-school partnership and are here to support you and your family in any capacity.
Have a wonderful week everyone,
Evan Barrett
Deputy Principal –Year 1
ebmcf0@eq.edu.au
Maths – Preparing for Assessment
In Maths, students have been practising how to follow directions to move positions on a grid and locate key features. To support your child’s learning at home, we encourage you to use directional language in everyday situations (e.g. up, down, left, right, between, behind, next to, on top of, in front of). This reinforcement will help strengthen their understanding and confidence as we prepare for assessment.
Parent Teacher Interviews
Bookings for Parent Teacher Interviews are now open. These meetings are a valuable opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and celebrate their achievements. When strong, positive partnerships between home and school are in place, children are better supported to reach their full potential. We look forward to seeing you there.
Year 2 Swimming
Please note there was an error in our previous communication regarding the rescheduled swimming lessons following the recent weather event. The catch-up sessions will take place in Week 2 of Term 2. We apologise for any confusion and appreciate your understanding. Please make a note of this updated information in your calendars.
Week 9 and 10
Miss Kelly Ihde will be Acting Deputy Principal for Year 2 during Weeks 9 and 10 while I am on leave. Should you have any questions or concerns in my absence, please don’t hesitate to contact Miss Ihde via email at kihde0@eq.edu.au.
Have a great week, everyone!
Jessica Burnett
Deputy Principal- Year 2
jburn289@eq.edu.au
Changes to Year 3 Play areasIn light of the recent weather event, we've made temporary adjustments to our play areas to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. Due to damage to the senior playground and senior soccer field, our Year 3 students will be using more of the Middle Years play spaces for their outdoor activities.
We are pleased to inform you that the popular Piazza play area remains open, offering a space for handball, reading, and other quiet undercover activities. Additionally, the new temporary play areas include the Middle Years undercover area for handball and the Middle Years playground, where students can enjoy climbing and swinging during their breaks.
NAPLAN and Term One Assessments
We are well into our NAPLAN testing, with only one final test remaining tomorrow for many students. I have been truly impressed by the resilience and positive attitude our students have shown throughout the testing process. The results will be available in the second half of the year and will be sent home to families.
As we transition from NAPLAN back to our core units of learning, it's essential that we maintain our focus and attention. At home, you can support your child by encouraging healthy habits such as ensuring they have balanced meals before bedtime and in the morning before school, helping them get enough rest and sleep, and limiting screen time in favour of active, outdoor “green space” time.
We are incredibly proud of our students' commitment to their learning, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements together once the results are in.
Deputy Principal
English
Students in Year 4 have been working on their skills for the presentation of their Short Film review. This week they are sharpening their focus in readiness for the final assessable presentation. The big focus for this English unit is: To share and extend ideas, opinions and information about a short film for an audience.
Going around each of the classes, I am repeatedly treated to presentation rehearsals and I have certainly been impressed with the engaging way students have used language to capture my interest. The students have been working hard to use language features such as descriptive noun groups and literary devices such as similes, metaphors and rhetorical questions as well as the structural features of film reviews such as an engaging introduction, expressing their opinion, to an audience. So as you can see, there is a lot students are being asked to demonstrate, but as a result of great explicit teaching they are really developing in their ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of all of these concepts.
Because the focus of this unit is Speaking and Listening, students have been learning the skills required for presenting an engaging review for their audience, such as using a clear voice, appropriate volume, varying pitch, pace and pausing, expression and emphasis. Students have also started to consider props or costumes they could use to further engage their audience. Students are welcome to bring small props in from home to help make their presentation engaging.
Here are photos of students from 4I working in pairs. One student presents and the other student listens to the presentation. The student listening gives feedback on the elements of the presentation, then they swap roles and repeat the process.
Maths
Students have been exploring what makes a good survey and learning how and why we conduct statistical investigations. Students have been developing their technology skills by creating and displaying and communicating their findings in different data displays in the Numbers app.
Throughout the term Students have continued to develop their knowledge and understanding of tenths and are becoming confident using various representations to show their understanding including fractions, decimal numbers and number lines.
Educational Achievement
NAPLAN
A big thank you to all parents and carers for helping students maintain a positive attitude towards NAPLAN over the past week. It has been great to see students applying themselves and doing their best. NAPLAN is a great tool to measure the areas we are doing well in and also helping us identify the areas that we can focus on in the future. I am sure students and teachers are looking forward to their last test on Thursday!
Speaking and Listening
This week in English students have continued to develop their skills in generating ideas to share an opinion about a literacy text. Students have been working on developing a range of simple, compound and complex sentences (including showing concession - although, even though, while, whereas). Students have also been developing their knowledge and skills to apply a broad range of literary devices including figurative language.
I am looking forward to listening to the student's ideas over the coming weeks where they will purposely use volume, pace, tone and pitch to engage the audience.
Keep up the great work Year 5!
Engagement and Wellbeing
Thank you for your continued efforts in encouraging positive attendance. If you are having difficulties in supporting your child to have positive attendance, please reach out to the class teacher or feel welcome to contact me on gmcca24@eq.edu.au .
Greg McCallum
Deputy Principal- Year 5
gmcca24@eq.edu.au
Learning in Year 6
This week, I have been very impressed seeing students across Year 6 organising their presentations for their Speaking and Listening assessment. In 6B I had the pleasure of listening to some students rehearse their presentations using palm cards, scripts, graphic organisers and dot points. It was great to hear students using clear pace and volume to engage the audience.
Cyber Safety
Many of our students are regularly engaging online with peers and others through games, messages and social media. We highly recommend parents to continue to monitor their children's use of their devices and how they interact with them.
With students accessing iPads at school, gaming at home and a variety of mobile devices it is vital students know how to use communication devices appropriately, know the risks and how to ask for help when experiencing problems.
The ESafety website has accurate information and current resources to help families and children to safely navigate the online world. For more information, please follow the link. https://www.esafety.gov.au/
We will continue education in the classroom about engaging safely and responsibly online.
Some tabs for children include:
Danielle Price
Deputy Principal- Year 6
dxobr0@eq.edu.au
Proficiency in Mathematics
Mathematics develops students' proficiency by building knowledge, fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. It enables them to solve problems efficiently, make informed decisions, and evaluate solutions in context.
Understanding
Mathematics helps students develop a strong understanding of concepts and procedures, enabling them to connect ideas, reason adaptively, and transfer knowledge to new contexts. They build fluency by representing concepts in different ways, recognizing patterns, and articulating their thinking mathematically. They develop an understanding of the relationship between the “why” and the “how” of mathematics.
Fluency
Mathematics enables students to develop, practise, and apply skills accurately and efficiently. Fluency involves connecting concepts to strategies, selecting appropriate methods, using definitions and theorems, and manipulating mathematical expressions to solve problems effectively.
Reasoning
Mathematics emphasises mathematical reasoning as central to thinking and working mathematically and as a critical component of proficiency in mathematics. It guides students in developing an increasingly sophisticated capacity for logical thought and actions, such as analysing, proving, experimenting, modelling, evaluating, explaining, inferring, justifying and generalising. Students are reasoning mathematically when they explain their thinking, deduce and justify strategies used and conclusions reached, adapt the known to the unknown, transfer learning from one context to another, and prove that something is true or false.
Problem-solving
Mathematics provides opportunities for students to solve problems in both mathematical and real-world contexts. They engage in problem-solving by planning, applying strategies, and analysing solutions. Whether routine or non-routine, problem-solving involves drawing on prior knowledge, reasoning mathematically, and justifying approaches while interpreting and communicating solutions.
At Mango Hill State School, we structure lessons to incorporate a range of rich routines. These rich tasks, provide students with the opportunity to work Mathematically across all proficiencies.
Year 3 and 5
NAPLAN Key Dates:
- Conventions of Language- Wednesday 19 March
- Numeracy -Thursday 20 March
- Catch up – Friday 21 March and Monday 24 March
Library News
The library needs your help!
If you have an hour to spare on Monday 24 March, between 8:30am-12:30pm, please drop in and help us cover some new books and student resources. Thank you for your support!
AR Millionaire
A huge congratulations to Reyansh, our newest AR Millionaire! Reyansh reached this incredible milestone on Monday of Week 8! He has proudly joined our AR millionaires’ wall of fame in the Hub.
Physical Education News
MHSS Cross Country (Year 3 - 6)
Please note –The Senior Cross Country course has slightly changed to avoid out of bounds areas after Cyclone Alfred. Refer to attached map for updated course
On Monday 31 March 2025 (Term 1, Week 10) 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).
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:
Therefore, each student that participates in an event will receive at least one 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 2015 - they will run in the morning and if your son/daughter is born in 2016 – 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 2015-2013) 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 (Prep - Year 2)
On Friday 28 March (Term 1, Week 9) 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).
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, Mr Lisha and Miss Wilson
Physical Education Teachers