Term 2 Week 8 2023

From the Principal

School Review

Our recent school review was exceptionally positive. With feedback from students, staff, families and community groups, the review panel were able to form a very comprehensive picture of what is happening at Mapleton. I would like to thank our wonderful Mapleton staff for the great work they do supporting our students; this was clearly evident to the review panel. In particular, the work our HOD-C Tia Paige and our Business Manager Lois Staier have done to support the leadership of our school, was acknowledged by the review panel.

The review recommendations and final report are currently being finalised. We hope this might be completed and available before the end of the term. Once the Executive Summary is available, it will be published on the school’s website.

The next piece of work from the review, will be the development of our four-year strategic plan.

ICT upgrade in the library

Bandwidth Update- Great news! The final configuration to increase our school’s bandwidth has now been completed. We should now be experiencing a faster internet connection as a result of the upgrade with an increase in bandwidth from 20 Mbps to 400 Mbps as a result of the new supporting infrastructure.

We have commenced our ICT Lab upgrade with the purchase of six new desktop computers. These will come online next term. As part of the development of our new four-year strategic plan and to align our school curriculum priorities with the departments new Equity and Excellence strategic plan, we will be reviewing how digital technology is used across the school to inform our future decisions on the purchase of digital technology.

Building upgrade

B Block (Years 1 and 2) was recently repainted. While there are some further repairs that need to be undertaken, the feedback has been positive.

Lion’s Club thank you

The Blackall Range Lions recently visited our school as part of their free vision screen program for schools. Around 60 students were screened during the day. We are grateful for the support of the Range Lions groups and look forward to working with them on other projects.

Before school supervision change

We continue to have a large number of students arriving at school before our supervision time begins at 8:30am. With the reduction of teacher aide hours this year, supervision in the library before 8:30am falls on our Administration staff. The morning is a key time as we prepare for the day, and depending on what is happening, our reception can be a busy place. From Monday in Week 9, we will trial having students who arrive at school before 8:30am, gather in the undercover space next to our Administration Building. This will be reviewed throughout the last two weeks, before any final decision of our before school supervision for Term 3 is made.

We would like to remind parents that we do have Kidz Mob running an excellent before and after school care program for families that need to drop students off at school before 8:30am.

Junior Landcare Grant

Mapleton has received a $1000 grant to help with the purchase of gardening equipment and some work on our bush tucker garden. With spring only three months away, the timing couldn’t be better.

Parent Information session

In Week 9, we are offering a parent information session focussing on strategies and ideas regarding protective behaviours. These sessions will be run by the school-based Guidance Officer (Ngaire Wood) and Regional Senior Guidance Officer (Andrea Appelman). The session aims to provide parents with general information and ideas that will assist their education and conversation with their children and will align with the new Respectful Relationships curriculum

Please confirm your attendance with the Office.

What: Protective Behaviours Parent information session

Who: Parents

When: Week 9, Tuesday 13th of June, 3.30pm

Where: Mapleton State School- School Library

Cosmic Kids Wednesday the 21^st of June

Our next Cosmic Kids is Wednesday the 21st of June starting at 5:45pm. What better way to spend a Wednesday night! See the stars at Mapleton and then home to see the stars in State of Origin Game 2. With an early start to Cosmic Kids, you will be home before kick-off. Interested families are asked to contact our Office to book in for the evening. We ask for a gold coin donation for each person attending. 

Thank you and good bye

At the end of the term, I will be saying goodbye to Mapleton State School. While I am looking forward to spending time with my family, I do feel sad to be leaving such a wonderful school. There are many positive things that happen at Mapleton each day that support our students, staff and school community. I am glad to have played a part in the Mapleton journey and will leave with many fond memories. Thank you for your support during my time at Mapleton State School. I wish the school every success as it plans for the future.

New Principal

Dear Mapleton Community,

I am honoured and excited to join the Mapleton State School community and to work alongside such a dedicated and talented team of teachers, support staff and students.  I am aware of the outstanding work our staff and parents do to ensure we provide the optimal learning environment for every one of our students. As a new face, I look forward to embracing the pride and community spirit that your school is renowned for.

As acting Principal, I am committed to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment where all students can succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. I believe that education is a collaborative effort, and I look forward to working with each of you to continue to build a strong and supportive community of learners at Mapleton SS.

Professionally, I have been very fortunate to work across a diverse range of leadership roles all over Queensland.  Over the last 8 years, I have had the privilege to work as Deputy Principal at Talara Primary College. This is a role that I have enjoyed immensely. Prior to this role, I have been a Deputy Principal, Head of Support and teacher across Queensland including in Bamaga, Thursday Island, Emerald, Tieri, Stanthorpe, Rockhampton and multiple schools across the Sunshine Coast area. In these roles I learnt a great deal around the challenges of providing quality education across a diverse range of communities.

Personally, I enjoy spending time with my family. I have a beautiful wife, Shelley and two kids, Kane and Molly. As a family we enjoy  snow skiing and I have just started running again!!!

My hobbies include surfing and I follow the mighty Broncos.

Finally, I feel honoured to be given the opportunity to lead such a vibrant and dynamic learning community.

I look forward to working with you all to continue to foster this strong culture in our school.

Kind regards,

Scott Butcher

Prep News

Map Attack:

Last Wednesday, the Preps participated in an incursion to Baxter's Creek. First, we met Flora the frogmouth bird and went exploring through the creek to find a suitable habitat for Flora. We went searching for insects to see if this could sustain Flora's diet as well. We learnt how to look at a bird's eye map of the school and Baxter's Creek. Then made our own map using materials from the land.  The kids were super awesome and had a fabulous day. Many thanks to the team and helpers. 

Year 5/6 News

BIRD HIDES

Half way through Term one after looking at design processes and concept drawing, we started to build our Bird -Hides. The criteria was that students in their groups would create a “Bird-Hide” at Baxter’s Creek. The Bird-Hide had to fit at least two adults. The idea was that these would be camouflaged and that when sitting in them, you could see the birds. We all started with several lengths of bamboo then the students used dead materials from the creek floor, some students brought in tarps, rope, ties etc. From what we started with to the finished Bird-Hides is impressive. The students all worked well together and learnt a lot about the area at Baxter’s Creek. As well as making their Bird-Hides, some fantastic ideas were seen. Well done to all the Year 4/5 and 5/6 Students.

Understanding Report Cards

School Dental Care

Outside School Care Hours -OSCH

Vaction Care Program

Notices