Mareeba State High School Newsletter - Week 10, Term 1.

Principal Update

Dear Mareeba State High School Community,

Chris Keating

Principal

Deputy Principal Senior Pathways Update

Happy end of term 1, 

I would like to acknowledge the wonderful work of our teachers and students this term.  Report cards will be issued at the end of week 10 and it is pleasing to see the excellent academic, effort, and behaviour results.

Over the holidays I want to encourage all year 10 students to consider their work experience options. In week 5 of next term all Year 10 students will be released for the week of school to attend work experience.  Ms Doeblien has issued all year 10’s with their work experience packs which contain information for parents, students and employers.

Congratulations to the Year 12 leaders and Year 12 cohort who have led the student body this term for 2 successful whole school events, the Swimming Carnival and the Cross country.  Our year 12’s have been committed to making lunch times fun and meaningful with the dodgeball, interhouse quizzes, world's greatest shave and other activities. 

Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to wish our staff, students, and families a wonderful holiday and happy Easter.

Lesa Moro

Deputy Principal Senior Pathways 

Deputy Principal Junior Pathways Update

Good afternoon MSHS Community, 

As the school term comes to an end, it’s an excellent time to reflect on the journey that our students in Grade 7-9 have taken here at Mareeba State High School. We have seen students’ growth, creativity, and resilience within the schooling community daily.

This term, for grade 7 students has marked the beginning of a new chapter in their educational journey. Students have successfully transitioned from primary school to high school, and they have done so with enthusiasm and curiosity. There have been new friendships formed, new subjects and new surroundings, and they have embraced every challenge so far thrown at them.

This term, the grade 8 and 9 students have successfully begun the school year. They have continued to embrace the core values of respect, organisation, learning and safety. Even through some adversity this term, the students have pushed through and ended the term strongly.

It has been exciting to watch the students engaging within their classes and the growth of students within curriculum areas and the social, emotional areas of their lives.

For students to continue to improve and experience success, we need to ensure students are attending class every day and every lesson. This gives every child the best opportunity to learn and thrive while at school. Our target for attendance is 78% or higher. Ideally, I would love to see 90% attendance across the board.  This can only happen with the continued support from all families and guardians encouraging and reminding students to attend school daily.

In Term 2, all students will be participating in the 2025 Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing Survey.  We know that wellbeing and engagement are important parts of your child’s life at school. The QEW Survey is designed to measure how students view their wellbeing and engagement across different topics. The information we get from the survey helps us better understand and support our students. The students will be participating in the survey for 1 lesson during a Wellbeing and Mindfulness lesson during weeks 2 – 4. An information letter will be sent out to parents and carers closer to the time. If you have any questions, please contact the school.

It was awesome to see so many junior students participating in the cross country on Thursday in Week 10. I would like to thank Mr Hodges (HPE HOD), HPE Team, staff, house captain and house master's for helping run such a great event. All staff pulled together, and the students had a great time even if rain came earlier than predicted. I must commend the exceptional behaviour from students on the day.

I look forward to continuing to see the amazing students at Mareeba State High School succeeding in all that they do in Term 2.

“Non Nobis Solum” - “Not for Ourselves Alone”

Daniel Roos 

Deputy Principal Junior Pathways 

Deputy Principal Educational Support Services

Hi MSHS families, carers and community members,

Term 1 at Mareeba has been inspiring with so many events occurring and feeling privileged with meeting our student’s families and carers. My most recent highlight was the School Tour on the 31^st March, 2025 with fifty families in attendance. Many of the future students were very keen to ask questions in the different faculties and overall, it was a night enjoyed by everyone.

In the Education Support Services unit, we have been working with a number of students supporting both in and out of class. The Staff have been involved in a range of professional development sessions using and installing Soundfield systems, regular PBL updates, and a presentation from the Educational Interpreters. We have been fortunate to have both the Occupational Therapist and Speech Pathologist with two visits this term in helping to upskill MSHS Education Support Services staff and completing an audit on our Soundfield systems. In Term 2, the systems will be in 13 classrooms for the hearing-impaired students and supporting the ASD and ADHD students as well.

For Staff wellbeing the ESS unit has a Random Acts of Kindness Tree, and we have all been able to see how supportive our Staff are of each other and our students. We had a shared Staff lunch to celebrate the term.

Our new Life Skills for Life class have been involved in a range of learning activities learning about living and non-living things, maths and there has been a focus on their phonological awareness and reading and afternoons drama, art and yoga sessions.

Parents have provided some positive comments about their children:-

Tanith

J. has matured and is more social and his language and vocabulary has improved immensely. He enjoys coming to school which has been a huge transition from primary school to high school due to being fast paced, changing classrooms and so many kids. By the end of the day J. is very tired.

Cynthia

Maiya has had a really good term and seems settled. She has been happier and seems so much more calmer at home.

Quan

Joanica has been able to recognise her responsibilities, and she is able to recognise her teachers and call them by name. Joanica remembers to collect her Rollstars and she is starting to use the schools values of Respect, Organisation, Learning and Safety.

Overall, we have experienced a rewarding term one and look forward to welcoming our students back in Term 2.

Thank-you to all the families for their on-going support and please have a safe and enjoyable break.

Yours kindly,

Ann Maree Fewtrell

Deputy Principal Educational Support 

Cross Country Carnival 2025

Cross Country Carnival Results 

            House Results                              

1. Gregory - 316 points 🤩

                                 2. McKinlay - 255 points

                                         3. Leichhardt - 254 points 

                                    4. Kennedy - 253 points

Age Champignons 

Leonard Hodges

HPE Head of Department

Report Cards

Report cards for Term 1 have been emailed out today. Please check your junk/spam folder if you do not receive your students report card.

Parent teacher interviews will be held on Tuesday, 29 April from 3:30pm and bookings can be made online.  Please see your emails regarding Parent Teacher Interview, detailing the online booking service through our website.

If you need assistance with making bookings or further questions, please feel free to contact the school office during school hours on 07 4086 2777.

Meet our Year 7 Leaders by Year 7 Coordinator, Ms Smith.

Upcoming Events - Save the Date

MSHS Anzac Day Service 

The Mareeba State High School ANZAC Day Dawn Service will be held at

9:00am Thursday, 24 April 2025 at the school hall. 

ANZAC Day Dawn Services, 

Mareeba State High School students are invited to attend the below Anzac Day Dawn Services on Friday, 25 April 2025.

Mareeba Dawn Service, from 4:30am.

Mareeba Anzac Day Parade, from 9:50am. 

                                                              Dimbulah Dawn Service, from 5:45am 

                                                              Mount Molloy Dawn Service, from 6:15am 

Letters detailing ANZAC Day Service information, along with Excursion Consent Forms to be returned to the school have been emailed to parents and printed copies can be collected from Q Block Office.

Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing (QEW) Survey

In Term 2, students in Years 7 to 12 will be asked to take part in the Queensland Engagement and Wellbeing (QEW) Survey. We know that wellbeing and engagement are important parts of your child’s life at school.

The QEW Survey is designed to measure how students view their wellbeing and engagement across different topics. The information we get from the survey helps us better understand and support our students. An information letter will be sent out to parents and carers closer to the time. If you have any questions, please contact the school.

More information, including FAQs, can be found on the Education website

School News

Page Turners Book Club: A Speed Dating Success!

Article written by student Finnlay

Our latest book club event was a huge hit, and we can't wait to share the excitement with you. In our "Speed Dating Book Club Edition," students had just 2 minutes to convince their partner that they should read a specific book. The result? A room full of enthusiastic readers eager for more.

The concept was simple: each student would spend two minutes discussing why they loved (or hated) a particular book and then move on to the next person. It was like speed dating, but with books! Our students had an absolute blast chatting about their favourite novels, discovering new titles, and making recommendations that might just change your reading list.

We were blown away by the passion and knowledge our students shared during these short conversations. From classic literature to contemporary bestsellers, every book was discussed with energy and enthusiasm. It's clear that our Page Turners Book Club is more than just a group of readers – it's a community of book lovers united in their love for stories.

If you're interested in joining the fun, be sure to attend our next meeting to experience the speed dating book club for yourself. Who knows? You might discover your new favourite author or find a reading buddy who shares your passions!

Regards,

Finnlay

Year 8 Media Arts Class

The year 8 media arts class have been investigating how food media can connect audiences to the stories, traditions, and experiences behind the dishes.

They have researched the history and traditions behind dishes and have styled the food before taking photos which they will use to create a recipe page for that dish for two different audiences. Using software such as Adobe Photoshop, they will refine these images and incorporate other digital design elements to create their final project.

Students demonstrated great teamwork in the photoshoot to support each other with lighting, props and backgrounds to be able to take some excellent photos ready for the next stage of the project. It will be exciting to see how their recipe pages turn out next term.

Year 8 Media Arts Photos

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Year 7 and 10 Tablelands Immunisation Program

Please return completed forms to Q Block by Tuesday, 22 April 2025. The program will visit the school on the below dates: 

Visit 1:    Monday 12/05/2025 vaccinating: Year 10 Female and Male students - Meningococcal ACWY & Meningococcal B dose 1

Visit 2:    Monday 28/07/2025 vaccinating: Year 7 Female and Male students – HPV (9v) dose 1 & dTpa dose 5. Catch –up for students new to the school or who missed the first-round vaccinations.

Visit 3:    Monday 20/10/2025 vaccinating: Year 10 Female and Male students- Meningococcal B dose 2. Catch –up for students new to the school or who missed previous vaccinations.

Update from School Based Youth Health Nurse

Meningococcal ACWY & B Immunisations – Monday 12^th May 2025

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Mareeba State High School will be holding the first round of Meningococcal ACWY and Meningococcal B immunisations on Monday, 12^th May 2025, for year 10 students as part of the Queensland School Immunisation Program.

Mareeba State High School will be holding our first round of Meningococcal ACWY and Meningococcal B immunisations of the year. This will occur on Monday, 12^th May 2025, as a part of the Queensland School Immunisation Program run by Queensland Health Immunisation Registered Nurses.

The team will return later in the year for dose two of the Meningococcal vaccine.

About Meningococcal Disease:

There are several strains of meningococcal bacteria, with A, B, C, W, and Y being the most common worldwide.

Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious bacterial infection that can develop rapidly and cause severe complications. The bacteria are carried in the nose and throat of about 10% of healthy people and spread through close, prolonged contact. Meningococcal disease can occur at any age. Children under 5 years of age, and adolescents aged 15-19 years are most at risk. Vaccination is an effective way to reduce the risk.

The Vaccines:

• Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine: Protects against four strains (A, C, W, and Y) of the meningococcal bacteria.
• Meningococcal B Vaccine (first dose): Protects against the B strain, which is the most common cause of meningococcal disease in Australia. A second dose will be required no less than 8 weeks after the first dose.

Consent & Further Information:

To participate, students must return a signed consent form before immunisation day. Consent packs have already been handed to students, if you need another consent pack please see the staff in Q block. We kindly ask that all consent packs be returned to the school, if you do not wish for your child to have the vaccination please complete the ‘No to vaccination’ section.

Year 12 students: Please note that the free meningococcal vaccine for all Queensland young people aged 15-19 years began early 2024, this means that our current year 12 students did not receive a Meningococcal B vaccine through the school immunisation program. Young people remain eligible for this free vaccine until 19 years of age, if this is a vaccination you are interested in for your child please contact either your GP or attend the free immunisation clinic run at Mareeba Hospital every Wednesday (located towards back of the Hospital near Community Health), to book an appointment please phone 4092 9100.

For any questions or concerns, please speak with your GP or healthcare provider. More information can be found at https://www.knowmeningococcal.com.au/ and in the attached information sourced from Queensland Health.

Samantha Hales 

School Based Youth Health Nurse

News from Chappy Bec

News from the P&C Association

P&C meetings are held every second Wednesday of the month, during school terms.

The next meeting will be held at 5:30pm Wednesday, 14 May 2025, in the Q Block Common Room.

We hope to see you there.

School Information

Photos! Good News and Our Achievements

On Friday 28 March, three of our Grade 10 students were excited to participate in the Round 1 Brain Bee competition that is hosted by the Queensland Brain Institute on the UQ campus in Brisbane.

Students are competing for the chance to attend Round 2 on campus in Term 3 and are looking forward to representing FNQ at this national competition and have been  working hard throughout Term 1.

2025 Science Ambassadors with Mr Richardson 

Dodgeball - organised by McKinlay House Captains

Congratulations Jarred

Jarred has commenced a School Based Apprenticeship with HEH Civil

Community News

2025 Next Step Year 12 Completers Survey

All Year 12 completers from last year will soon receive an invitation to participate in the Next Step survey. This is their chance to help our school to understand the different pathways of the 2024 Year 12 students and to improve our senior programs and supports for future students. The survey only takes five minutes and asks graduates about their study and work activities since finishing school.

As a thank you for participating, Year 12 completers who complete the survey will be entered into a draw to win a MacBook Air.

We ask parents, siblings and friends to encourage our graduates to complete the survey. If their contact details have changed, please assist survey interviewers by providing their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate. Graduates may receive an invitation by mail, email or phone. The survey can be completed online or by phone.

For more information about Next Step, including previous results, visit http://www.qld.gov.au/nextstep.

Legal Aid Queensland offers a free disaster legal help service for anyone affected by natural disasters like floods or cyclones. The service can assist with legal issues such as insurance claims, housing, financial hardship, family law and more.

If you or someone you know needs support, call 1300 527 700.

Free resources are also available on the Legal Aid Queensland website: www.legalaid.qld.gov.au.