Mapleton State School acknowledges the traditional custodians of the place we now call our school.
We pay our respects to the Elders past and present and are proud to be supporting and encouraging emerging Indigenous leaders every day.
Term 3 Week 9 2023
From the Principal
Dear parents and carers,
We are over halfway through Term 3 signalling to us all that the 2023 school year is flying by. At this stage of the year, students are well and truly clear on school rules, classroom routines and learning expectations. Teaching staff now lift expectations for student learning and behaviour. It has been an exciting month of sport with the Matildas and the Diamonds capturing our hearts with their efforts on and off the sporting field. Well done to Aidan and Cooper for representing Mapleton SS at the regional athletics.
Teachers at this time of year also begin to turn their thinking to the transition of students into the year level beyond. That is; Where is this child currently at? What learning needs to occur in order to set them up for a successful transition into their new year level? Who can assist with this process? Success for a child’s education is firmly founded upon a team effort; teachers, support staff and family. We have a wonderful, thriving school within a tight knit community and as we move into this crucial time of year for student learning, we ask that parents work with us to ensure that all students are clear on what is expected of them and set up for success daily. Please take advantage of the parent teacher interviews offered in Week 10 Monday. Parents and carers will be invited to book in online as per our normal processes.
It is also transfer and staffing time in Qld state schools. That means that school principals are looking at student enrolment predictions for the year ahead and the staffing allocation that aligns to student numbers. It is important that I gain a predicted picture as close to accurate as possible. If you know of friends or family looking to join us next year, please encourage them to contact us now so that we can include their child in our 2024 numbers. Similarly, if your family will be relocating in the new year, please make contact now to let us know that this is your plan
School Watch
We love our school and want to come back after the holidays knowing that our school is safe and ready for learning.
During this period empty schools provide an opportunity for the criminal activity, becoming targets for unlawful entry, arson, stealing graffiti and property dampage - all of which become a cost to the communtiy.
The School Watch Program is a partnership between Education Queensland, the Queensland Police Service and the State Government Protective Security Service. It aims to reduce criminal activity in Queensland schools and encourages everyone to look out for after-hours crime in our schools. If you see anything suspicious, please don’t attempt to intervene.
Call the School Watch number – 13 17 88
Let’s work together to help create safer school communities.
Communication
What is happening in the next 4 weeks at MSS?
Week 9- Wednesday 6 Sept – Kids in Action Conference Day
Week 9- Wednesday 6 Sept – 2024 Preppies visit
Week 9- Thursday 7 Sept – Free Dress Day
Week 10- Mon-Fri- Swimming
Week 10- Wednesday 13 Sept – P&C meeting
Week 10 –Thursday 14 Sept- R U OK? Day
Week 10 –Friday 15 Sept- End of Term 3
Term 4 commences - Tuesday 3 Oct
Week 2- Term 4- 11-12 Oct- Hinterland Music Camp
Week 2- Term 4- Thursday 12 Oct- Year 2 Hass excursion
Week 2- Term 4- Friday 13 Oct- Prep Interviews
Week 3- Term 4- Wednesday 18 Oct- Burnside High School Experience Day
Week 3- Term 4- Wednesday 18 Oct- 2024 Preppies visit
Week 3- Term 4- Wednesday 18 Oct- Cosmic kids
Week 3- Term 4- Thursday 19 Year 1 Duck Ponds excursion
2024 Prep Enrolments and transition opportunities
We are currently taking prep enrolments for 2024. If you have a child eligible for Prep next year, please pop into the school office to pick up an enrolment pack ASAP to ensure your child does not miss any transition opportunities. Upcoming transition activities:
- Prep open mornings 9:15-10:45, Wednesday 6 September, Wednesday 18 October
- Prep interviews will be held on Friday 13 October and Friday 27 October. Please contact the School office to book your spot at both of these important events.
Instrumental News
Congratulations to the following students who were nominated to participate in the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University 2023 State Honours Ensemble Program Mayborough 2023.
First | Instrument |
Cate | Flute |
Mark | Trombone |
Padrick | Alto Saxophone |
Samuel | Clarinet |
Tessa | Flute |
Jacob | Alto Saxophone |
Sophie | Clarinet |
Cate made the reserve list for the SHEP Primary program . Congratulations everyone.
Prep News
This term in science, we have been studying “Materials and their properties”. The Preps are now very good at determining what material/s different objects are made from. We have been building our vocabulary to describe the properties of materials with words such as: transparent, rigid, flexible.
The Preps have enjoyed conducting experiments on a variety of materials. We have tested the strength of different materials, and which are waterproof. We also enjoy dressing up like scientists too!
This week we made wind ornaments using a variety of different materials. We will test how well they last in the weather and evaluate them after a week.
Instrumental News
Sunshine Coast Instrumental Music Excellence Program (SCIMEP)
Music workshops are an intergral part of the instrumental music program across North Coast Region. These activities are organised across cluster areas to allow students access to specialist tution and a large ensemble experience. The purpose of the workshops is to provide acccess for students to expert tution from guest conductors and tutors and to link state primary and secondary schools.
Congratulations to Cate, Evie and Liam who recently auditioned for the Sunshine Coast Instrumental Music Excellence Program (SCIEMP) which was held at Venue 114, Bokarina. Liam attended the Intermediate Workshop on Tuesday 22 August and Cate & Evie attended the Advanced Workshop on Wednesday 23 - Thursday 24 August.
I am certain Cate, Evie and Liam proudly reprensented our Mapleton SS community and enjoyed this exciting musical opportunity.
Chappy Chat
Food for Thought
I have had the privilege to be working with groups of students doing drumming on Djembe drums for the last couple of terms. We have been using the rhythmic activities to explore social and emotional topics and having great fun doing so. Every one of the students I have been working with have entered the room with a smile on their face and even though they don’t always keep perfect time we definitely make that up with enthusiasm.
Drumming was something new to me and it was a bit intimidating to begin with. Learning a new skill can sometimes be a bit tricky, putting yourself out there to be a beginner when you are used to being confident in your skills is difficult. Having said this though I believe the benefits have far outweighed the uncomfortable feelings. Studies show that there are many benefits in learning something new. They include keeping your mind engaged and body active, gaining new and knowledge-based perspectives on the world around you, gaining new experiences and training your brain to handle a wide range of challenges, keeping your neural pathways active and improving your brain, concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills.
Children are learning new things all of the time but as we get a little older, we sometimes tend to stick to what we know. How about you? Have you learned something new lately? Maybe it is time to step out there and try something new.
“You can only grow if you're willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.” - Brian Tracy.
A message from your Chappy…..Vicki Eland
Book Week
A big thank you to all our students and staff for supporting book week. It was a really fun day and there were some great costumes.
