Welcome to our new and returning families this term. Families will soon be receiving an email invitation to participate in the annual School Opinion Survey. This survey assists our staff to celebrate the great work we do and to reflect on parent, staff and student feedback to improve areas of further development. More information about the School Opinion Survey can be found in my Sizzling Spotlight here.
Over the holidays we had a number of students participate in a variety of sporting events from Rep soccer in Brisbane to the cowboys and cowgirls competing at the Mareeba rodeo and everything in between. Well done to each of our students on their sporting endeavours – keep up the great work!
Over the holidays we received news that our school was successful in yet another accolade for Inclusive Practices, particularly for our Deaf / HoH students. Firstly, Mareeba SS won the Inclusive Education Regional showcase. We then won the Queensland College of Teachers 2021 Photography competition 
for our entry of Ayden Mann video-linking into his Auslan lesson with Toowong SS, showcasing the high standards of teaching in our school. Thirdly, Alexander Athornkit's artwork was selected as one of the 15 winning entries in the ICED 2021 Children's Art Competition and will be on display at the International Congress on the Education of the Deaf. Well done and congratulations to both students. A big shout out to our wonderful teachers and Educational Interpreters for their continued support for our students.
The start to term 3 has been successful with students settling into routine and engaging in teaching and learning. To kick off their English task, the year 3 students held a Japanese cultural morning which was a great way to 'hook' students into the unit of work by engaging and exiting their inquisitive minds. This was similar for our Prep students who celebrated 100 days of school on Monday, celebrating with 'olden days' activities as part of their HASS unit of work.
Congratulations to the 349 students who attended school 95%+ in term 2 and enjoyed the Attendance movie and popcorn party on Thursday of last week. Attendance is important and every day counts. I encourage students to attend school 95% or better this term to be eligible for the attendance party held early in term 4.
This term, our expectations remain steadfast with students reminded to be ready for learning (before school sharpen pencils, etc) and to get a drink and go to the toilet before school and during lunch breaks (so they don't miss important learning). Our year 3-6 students will also continue to line up in either the hall or CPA after each lunch break to assist students to transition quickly back to the classroom and learning. Students are reminded of the many and varied lunch time activities on offer this term with new activities, such as basketball, in the hall throughout the week. The oval also boasts a range of different activities including futsal and cricket.
The countdown is on until our Mareeba State School Country Fair on Friday 6th August, 5:30-8:30pm. Our dedicated P&C have been working hard behind the scenes to organise what will be a wonderful night of student talent with our students performing in the Talent Quest and our band & Auslan choir performing from 6pm. Our wonderful teachers are preparing a range of stalls from the delicious cake, fairy floss & popcorn stalls to a number of 'side-show alley games' with loads of prizes up for grabs. We will also have lots of showbags and delicious food available on the night. Families are asked to donate pasta ingredients (excluding mince), cakes for the cake stall (to be delivered to the school on the day of the fair) and supplies for the bottle stall. See our Facebook posts for more information, and please let your child's teacher know if you are available beforehand or on the night to help out.
Finally, I finish this week's newsletter with a farewell. Last Thursday marked the last official day for Ms Georgia Moxham. Georgia has been successful in her relocation to Ingham for family reasons. We wish Ms Moxham all the very best and welcome as her replacement Ms Karla Cazalet who will teach 3M for the remainder of 2021.