Half way through the term – can you believe it! Whilst this term is quickly disappearing, our weeks have been action-packed with a range of opportunities for our students to experience. Last week saw our 2021 School Captains (Lachlan, Allegra, Harlem and Rheanna) attend the three day 
Leadership Camp at the Tinaroo Environmental Education Centre. The camp organisers and other school principals gave special mention to our student leaders for their strong leadership skills as well as their maturity and commitment to their school. Well done leaders!
And if that wasn't enough, on Friday 26th February our Year 6 cohort piled into two buses to travel to Cairns to learn more about the Great Barrier Reef at the Cairns Aquarium. This activity provided students with the opportunity to have a 'hands on' experience of the reef, a topic directly related to their English and Science units. On their return, I was bombarded with compliments about how well the students had behaved whilst on the excursion and how well-mannered and considerate they were despite the large group sizes. I have it on good authority that the sea snake was impressive, some students found Nemo and Dory and the crown of thorns starfish was an intriguing creature!
Again this year the Mareeba State School Auslan Signing Choir has been accepted to present at the 2021 Creative-Generation – State Schools Onstage performance in July. This is an extraordinary occasion for our students and families and something our entire school family is very proud to offer and participate in. Our students have already begun preparations for the performance and are working under the guidance of Mrs Bartlett, Mrs Tilse, Mrs Carroll and Miss Susi to begin fundraising, rehearsals and booking flights and accommodation. We even have some Mareeba SHS students joining us again this year.
Our teachers have been busy after school learning about our new online maths program Matific which helps support our students in Years 3 & 5 transition to NAPLAN online this year. Many students have been eagerly accessing the program both at home and school with 2N and 4L identified as the Matific class of the week for the most students using the program.
This week sees some changes to the location of our Student Welfare & Wellbeing HUB and Special Education Program. Our Special Education Program is now located in U block, beside our Family class near the year 2 playground. This location provides easy access for families via the Sutherland St entrance and will be available for all the regular programs and activities like it was when located in J block. Very soon we will see our tall school fencing extend along Sutherland St, just past the kindy down towards the oval. The HUB is now located in J block and is a location for all students to access emergency lunches, uniforms and stationery supplies, learning intervention and extension, lunchtime activities as well as Positive Behaviour for Learning.
When families and schools work collaboratively to support children's education, research shows that children are more successful and perform better at school. This year we are again seeking parents and carers who would like to be members of the school P & C Association. The P & C is not only an important fund-raising body for our school, it is also a crucial way for families to know about school plans and activities and to contribute to these. Our first P & C Meeting for this year will be on Tuesday 17 March at 5:30pm in the staffroom. Everyone is most welcome.
Lastly, don't forget to check out my weekly SIZZLING SPOTLIGHT found in the 'Principal's Blog' under the 'Calendar and News' section of the website. It provides some additional information about the great opportunities available for our students. Click here to check it out!