Well done to all of our year 3 & 5 students who participated in NAPLAN on-line during weeks 4 & 5. Students were well prepared for these tests and approached them with confidence and a willingness to "do their best". The tests provide students, parents, teachers and the school with important insights into each student's literacy and numeracy development. Whilst only a snapshot and just one part of a student's overall school performance, it has been great to see students approach the tests with diligence, resilience and determination. Thank you to the amazing staff who have worked tirelessly and skilfully to prepare students for this new testing style.
Mareeba SS prides itself for having high student and staff expectations across every facet of the school, focussing on 3 core expectations; I Respect Learning, I Respect Safety, I Respect Me & You. Along with our 9 focus expectations, this helps to ensure our student behaviour reinforces and promotes a safe and supportive learning environment for all. For the next 5 weeks of term 2, we will focus heavily on 'Hands Off, Feet Off' and 'Good Manners, Good Choices'. For more information on our expectations check out the 'High Expectations at MSS' article found in 'News' section and my Sizzling Spotlight on expectations, found in the 'Principal's Blog' section.
Working together with you as parents and carers to achieve the best we can for all our children is a very important part of the way we like to work at Mareeba SS. Research tells us the better we can be at working together, the better the educational outcomes will be for our students. Thank you to all of you who have come along to the workshops for families this year, helped out at Reading Cafes, attended parent teacher interviews, come along to a parade or excursion or just simply made a point of talking to your child about what is happening in their classroom and what the focus of their learning is currently. Your children will certainly appreciate your interest in their learning and achievements!
The P&C Association is a very important partnership in our school. On the 21st May Queensland schools celebrated National P&C Day. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the wonderful work of our P&C Association in our school. Ms Ivona Carusi (P&C President) and her hardworking executive lead a committed team of volunteers to support fundraising events that contribute significantly to the resources that are available to support the educational success of all our students. Coming in term 3, our P&C are hosting 
our Mareeba SS Family Country Fair on Friday 6th August. Be sure to save the date on your calendar.
I'd like to take the opportunity to finish this week's newsletter with a farewell. This Friday marks Ms Skye Clarkson's official last day at Mareeba SS. Leaving due to family reasons, Skye began her teaching career at Mareeba SS in 2018 in year 1. From the staff, students and families at MSS, we wish Skye the very best for her return to Brisbane and hope to see her return to Mareeba for visits.
- Hannah Simpson, Principal