Principal's Update
Welcome back to Term 3. Special mention to our new families joining Mareeba SS this term. Warm welcome to Ms Annabelle Johnson and Ms Paula Saunders who have joined our staff this term. The start to Term 3 has been a wonderful start for our amazing Auslan Choir who participated in another year of Creative Generations On-Stage Performance in Brisbane. From all accounts the choir performed amazing throughout the week and the students had a ball exploring the sights of Brisbane in between shows. Special mention to Mrs Wendy Tilse, Ms Susi and Ms Lisa for supporting this opportunity for our students.
For our learners back at school the start to term 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 and our Year 2 students already attending their first excursion this week to the Mareeba Heritage Centre. This is similar for our Prep students who will celebrate 100 days of school this week, celebrating with 'olden days' activities as part of the HASS unit.
Soon our families will receive 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, click here.
Congratulations to the 279 students who attended the '95%+ Attendance Party' for Semester 1, enjoying the ice cream and some free time on the oval. Attendance is important and every day counts. I look forward to encouraging students to attend school 95% or better this term to be eligible for the attendance party held for Semester 2.
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 did miss important learning). We have started the Term off with a focus on
'Hands Off, Feet Off', encouraging students to seek assistance from a staff member to help solve a problem. Students are also reminded of the many and varied lunch time activities on offer this term with new activities, such as basketball, on offer in the hall throughout the week as well as Fustal. The oval also boasts a range of different activities including touch football with Mr Trezman.
A new disability resourcing model for state schools was recently announced which will be phased in over 2023 and 2024. Benefits of the new model include:
· Dedicated support for an extra 30,000 students with disability
· A focus on Prep students to give them a great start
· A new Extensive Plus resourcing category for students with the most intensive needs
· An easier, streamlined, single process for families without the need for additional medical or specialist reports
· Formal recognition of more disabilities including dyslexia, ADHD, foetal alcohol syndrome, Tourette Syndrome, and mental health conditions
It's a big shift for schools, so it will be phased in over the next two years. This is great news for schools such as Mareeba SS and we look forward to implementing this as it rolls out.
This financial year we have been lucky enough to secure funding for a number of facility upgrades such as the M Block toilet refurbishment which is projected to be finished towards the end of August. Our Admin block refurbishment is due to begin any day now and starting soon is the works to Brady Park to make it useable and part of Mareeba SS. We have also been advised that we were successful in our submission to get the school fully fenced (this includes Brady Park) as well as additional funding to install further security alarms across the school. This is great news for our school but will see building sites set-up around the school and some changes to our current processes. As always, student, staff and family safety will remain a priority.
The countdown is on until our Mareeba State School Fancy Dress Ball on Friday 12th August, 6.00-8:00pm. Our dedicated P&C have been working hard behind the scenes to organise what will be a wonderful night of dancing, raffles and food stall. Best dressed prizes for individuals and families are up for grabs and raffle tickets will be on sale. Families are asked to donate any prizes they can to go towards the monster raffle or best dressed prizes and are asked to let the office know if you are available beforehand or on the night to help out. Be sure to start working on your costumes now!