Term 1 Week 9 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
I cannot believe how close we are to the end of Term One. Our students have done an incredible job with displaying the four cares (care for self, care for others, care for learning, care for environment). The school has had a one third reduction in daily behaviour incidents, in comparison to the same time last year. Our students should feel really proud of this. We have also seen a dramatic improvement with whole school attendance, meaning students are coming to school more often, having less days off. As a school we have also significantly reduced the number of students with high absenteeism. Results like this are not possible without parent/carer support. Collaboration fosters academic success, emotional growth, and positive behaviour. Uptake for our latest round of parent teacher interviews is one example of how partnerships are continuing to thrive. Thank you for your continued and ongoing support.
April is a time we observe Autism Awareness Month, also known as Autism Acceptance Month. Autism can affect behaviour, social skills and communication. The movement aims to raise awareness and promote a strengths-based approach. As a school we provide reasonable adjustments to ensure all children can access and participate in learning on the same basis as their peers. Mango Hill State School commits to fostering an environment of inclusion, not just this month but all year round, for all our learners.
Congratulations Piper!
Piper Williams, a Year 3 student at Mango Hill State School, recently featured in an episode of a new ABC Kids Early Education series, Allies and Friends. Piper is in the episode titled Diversity. We are extremely proud of Piper and love that the episode she features in aligns perfectly with our Mango Hill school values. Well done Piper. The episodes can be accessed via the link (https://www.abc.net.au/abckids/early-education/allies-and-friends-toolkit/diversity-episode/104849806).
Boom Gate
As we have now implemented the boom gate, reducing access to the bus lane, there will no longer be a crossing person on the crossing closest to the school administration building. The school felt this crossing person would be better placed in the lane, on the far side, as this crossing is busy with traffic entering the car park and the drop and go zones. Please be mindful of your speed and follow all signed directions.
2 Min Drop Off
If you are just wanting to drop your child to school, please use our 2min drop off zone. Although the line might look long, it is the fastest way to get in and out of our school.
Staffing
We welcome Ms Lizzy Hartmann back to Mango Hill State School. Ms Lizzy taught Year 4 in 2024 and is a wonderful teacher.
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
This week we held the P&C AGM. Thank you to all parents/carers who attended. The 2025 P&C executive consists of
- President - Belinda Todman
- Vice President - Melissa Travers
- Secretary - Krystle Angel
- Treasurer - Radhika Reddy
Thank you to the committee of 2024! It’s been great working with you.
We’d also like to say a special thank you to Amy, who has been President for the past three years and in the executive committee for four. Your dedication during this time is appreciated and we wish you well in your future endeavours.
We look forward to working alongside you. The P&C assists in building school community as well as fundraising for the school. Please reach out if you are able to assist in anyway president@mhsspandc.com.au
Cross Country
We are holding our junior cross country this Friday and our senior cross country on Monday, week 10. Parents are more than welcome to join us and cheer along. There will be limited shade available so please come equipped with sunscreen, umbrellas, a chair and water. Please stay behind fenced off areas or areas marked by cones. If you are taking photos of the event, please ensure you don't take photos of any other students.
Bike Racks
We strongly encourage students to lock their bikes/scooters daily to minimise the likelihood of these being stolen. Late last year, some scooters were stolen, even with the bike cage locked. Individual locks are highly recommended.
QKR Outage
QParents will undergo a planned outage from 6.00pm Friday 4 April - Tuesday 15 April. Sorry for any inconvenience.
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.
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 9
- Parent Teacher Interviews
- Year 1 and Year 2 swimming
- School Tour
- School photos
- Junior Cross Country
- Year 6 Italian incursion
Week 10
- Senior Cross Country
- Year 1 and Year 2 swimming
- Parent Teacher Interviews
- Easter Bonnet Parade Prep - Year 2
Easter Bonnet Parade
Student’s will be given the opportunity to make their Easter Bonnets in their classroom.
Ange Padgett
Principal
apadg6@eq.edu.au
Care Class and Focus of the Week
This week in Care Class we are Caring for Environment. When we care for our environment, we are thinking about the small actions we can all take to look after the environments we are all a part of.
At Mango Hill State School, we are lucky to have such a wonderful environment to learn and play. Some of the ways that we care for our school environment is to ensure we use equipment respectfully and safely, recycling our juice containers in the yellow bins and taking part in Sustainability and Gardening Clubs at break times.
It is important that we are all caring for our environment to find ways to reduce rubbish, reuse items when we can and to recycle. When we all work together and make small changes, we can have a significant positive impact on the environment. It is wonderful to hear of students participating in events such as Clean up Australia Day earlier this term. What could your small change be?
Pop-up Second Hand Uniform Sale
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 March 26-28.
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
Saver Plus
Mango Hill State Secondary College
Learning in Prep
This term in Maths we have been exploring repeating patters. This includes copying and continuing patterns using a range of objects and patterns we can make using sound and movement with our bodies, for example clap, stomp, clap, stomp. Here are Prep H who had lots of fun exploring simple and complex patterns using objects from their room. They did a great job talking about their patterns with each other. Well done Prep H!
Cross Country
As mentioned last week, our cross country event is on Friday 28 March and you are all welcome to come along. Teachers have prepared our Preppies for this event not just by practising the course but also by talking about change to routine. Your child may find it useful for you to talk about what Friday will look like if you are coming along, as they are used to the routine of being dropped to class and saying goodbye to you there. It can be helpful for your child to know that it will be different and what the plan will be. For example, “I will watch you run then say goodbye at the end” or “I will watch the run then walk with you as far as the office and say bye before you go to play”. As always, for anyone finding the change a bit tricky, we will be there to assist. We look forward to seeing you there.
Mieke Munko
Deputy Principal-Prep
mmunk1@eq.edu.au
Term 1 Assessments
All of our Year 1 friends should be commended on the effort and enthusiasm they have put into their Term 1 Speaking and Listening assessment. I have had the pleasure of hearing many of the students deliver their presentation, while sharing ideas and expressing their opinion about Phoebe or Zelda from the text Feathers for Phoebe. I encourage you to ask your child what their opinion is about Phoebe or Zelda and why?
This afternoon our Year 1 teachers will moderate these assessment tasks. Moderation ensures consistency and comparability of teacher judgements and accurate, valid and reliable academic reporting. Further details about your child’s celebrations and next steps will be shared in the parent teacher interviews.
Cross Country
On Friday 28 March we will be hosting the 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.
Have a wonderful week everyone,
Evan Barrett
Deputy Principal –Year 1
ebmcf0@eq.edu.au
Speaking and Listening
This week, students are demonstrating their skills and understanding of their Speaking and Listening learning from this term. They are sharing their opinion about a story character, the Big Bad Wolf, focussing on their character traits and using the best examples from the book to support their choice. Students are also working hard on using appropriate pace, volume, and varying their tone when speaking. It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm and confidence with speaking grow this term! Look at these students from 2I who are doing a fantastic job!
Art
This term in Art, students have been exploring various artistic elements, including mosaic art, and learning how to create different tints, tones and shades in their artworks. Take a look at the work of the 2G students, who have applied these concepts in their paintings!
Year 2 Swimming
Next week, students will have their final swimming lesson of the term. A reminder that there will be a catch-up lesson in Term 2, Week 2, to make up for the missed lesson earlier this term.
Jessica Burnett
Deputy Principal- Year 2
jburn289@eq.edu.au
Last week in our care class, we focused on the importance of resolving conflicts in a positive and respectful manner. Students gained a clear understanding of what conflict resolution means and had the opportunity to practise these skills through relatable scenarios. They then shared their insights on what respectful conflict resolution looks like, sounds like, and feels like in real-life situations. This hands-on approach not only enhanced their understanding but also provided practical tools for addressing conflicts both inside and outside the classroom. It's an excellent way to equip students with the skills they need to handle school-based challenges in a constructive and respectful way.
Playtime expectations
A big thank you to all the students for transitioning smoothly to the different play areas following Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Students have been following our lunchtime rules, including playing handball on the designated courts and using the playgrounds safely. We anticipate that it won’t be long before we can return to our original Year 3 play areas, along with more green space to enjoy and run around in.
Deputy Principal
Welcome to Week 9 of our first term. Your child/ren have now been at school for 8 weeks which roughly equates to 37 days of instruction given Australia Day and Cyclone Alfred. To me, 8 weeks sounds like we’ve been at school a longer time than 37 days does. When I consider what teaching and learning has been accomplished in nearly 40 days, I am astounded!
In this time your child has learnt:
- About a film review and it’s structure
- How to write a film review and use language features such as noun and verb groups, complex sentences, literary devices such as metaphors, similes, puns, rhetorical questions
- How to present a review that is engaging both the chosen words as well as vocal skills such as fluency, expression, pace and volume
- They have studied 3 units of work in maths– Representing tenths as a fraction and decimal, identifying symmetry and using grid references, using surveys to conduct statistical investigations
- They have explored the roles of organisms in a habitat. They have researched different types of decomposers and their importance on their habitat and created food chains and webs.
- AFL and Cross Country preparation
As you can see every day counts! In fact every minute counts as well! Have a look at the infographic below. Please do not hesitate to touch base with either your child’s class teacher or myself if you have concerns about attendance. I have also included a poster with ideas about helping make connections between home and school. Our Parent Teacher interviews are a great way of making that connection. Please make contact with your child’s class teacher to organise a time to meet if you haven’t already done so.
Educational Achievement
Students continue to enhance their skills in planning and conducting statistical investigations. They have been actively collecting, representing, and interpreting data using digital tools. Through analysing line graphs, making inferences, and drawing conclusions, students are developing critical thinking skills. Hands-on activities have also allowed them to explore various types of data, including nominal, ordinal, and numerical, and determine the best ways to present their findings.
Engagement and Wellbeing
This term, we have been supporting students in recognising and managing their emotions by practising self-regulation strategies. As we approach the end of the term, challenges such as fatigue and academic pressure can arise. To help navigate these, we have established a set of regulation strategies in our classrooms that students can use independently or with guidance, depending on the situation. Regular practice of these strategies in a calm state ensures they can be effectively applied during moments of difficulty. These approaches can also be useful in the home environment to promote emotional well-being.
Greg McCallum
Deputy Principal- Year 5
gmcca24@eq.edu.au
Learning in PE
This term, our Year 6 students have been learning and developing specialised movement skills in order to implement in games of T-Ball. Working on teamwork, fair play and ethical play have been key discussions and learning points for our students.
It was great to watch 6D and 6H working together to play T-Ball, coordinating the different roles of fielding, batting and the teamwork required to score runs and get players out.
Danielle Price
Deputy Principal- Year 6
dxobr0@eq.edu.au
Speaking and Listening
Our Speaking and Listening assessments are now well underway for all students from Prep to Year 6. It has been wonderful to see students actively engaging with a range of texts—whether listening to stories, reading independently, or viewing short films. As they reflect on events, form opinions, and articulate their thoughts, their growing confidence is evident. It’s especially exciting to hear them using expressive voice features to share insights with their classmates and teachers. Each child’s confidence in expressing their ideas has continued to grow over the term, and we have loved seeing their enthusiasm for rich discussions.
Reading with your child
As Term 1 comes to a close, many of us are looking forward to the holidays and the special family moments they bring. Whether you’re camping, traveling abroad, or simply unwinding at home, we encourage you to make reading a part of your holiday routine. Sharing books with your child is a wonderful way to build their love of reading and create lasting memories. The following website:
https://fivefromfive.com.au/parent-resources/reading-with-children/finding-the-right-books/
offers great tips for choosing books that will engage and inspire young readers. There’s still plenty of time to borrow from the school library, but a visit to your local library over the break could be a fantastic family outing.
Library News
The library needs your help!
If you have an hour to spare on Monday the 31st of March, anytime between 8:30am-12:30pm, please drop in and help us cover some new books and student resources. Thank you for your support!
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