Dear Parents/Carers,
Welcome to Week 7. With only three short weeks to go, there is plenty of activity in and around the classes with staff and students focussed on their end of year assessment, graduation activities and planning for 2024.
On Monday, the year 5 students presented their leadership speeches to students, staff and visitors, as part of the 2024 Senior Leaders process. The students presented well developed speeches and displayed confidence in their aim to convince the audience why they should be elected at a school leader. Congratulations to all students involved, and we look announcing our 2024 Leaders in the coming weeks.
Mareeba SS and Mareeba State High School have been working together this term to develop a Transition Plan supporting student engagement across Years 5-9. The focus is on supporting student attendance and improve learning outcomes through active engagement with teaching and learning. In addition, Regional Office, the Mareeba schools and community agencies have partnered together to develop a community approach to further support students achieve success moving into high school. On 28 November, a Community Forum will be held for staff, community members and agencies to identify the available services and access to programs to support our students, followed by a planning session with teachers to develop an action plan for 2024. This is an exciting initiative and we look forward to sharing the action plans by the end of term.
Enrolments for Prep are open with packages available at the office. Prep for Prep days continue to be held on Wednesday mornings for all kindy students and their families. Last week we had 27 young students attend the session – great to see the many excited faces engaging in the social and learning aspects of the morning. If you have yet to enrol for 2024, please drop into the main office to collect an enrolment package.
In recent weeks, incidents of fighting have occurred during lunch breaks. Many incidents have been the result of issues stemming from social media posts that take place outside of school. Unfortunately, many of our students do not display a level of maturity when making choices on how to respond appropriately to such incidents. This week's value of “I RESPECT SAFETY – follow steps, solve problems" is the key message we are discussing with students when responding to social media content or cases of cyberbullying. We ask that students report concerns to their parent/carers and if necessary, report it onto school so we can work together to address the issues. There is no place in the school or the classroom for bullying – including cyber-bullying. Firm action against students will occur if physical bullying or use of media to encourage fighting takes place. This week and as part of the transition program, Senior Constable Matt from the High School has presented information on Cyber Safety to our Year 6 students. This is proactive strategy within the classroom, yet I encourage all parents/carers to actively monitor your child's use of technology and access to social media so as to minimise the risk of cyberbullying taking place.
Can I please remind parents/carers that our Bus Zones are not for Student Drop Off/Pick or for parking. This week, we have had incidents of cars being parked in this zone which has prevented the Bus drivers stopping safely. It has also created safety concerns for students getting on and off the bus. I would appreciate your support in using the appropriate car parking areas when attending school during these times.
Have a wonderful week ahead.
Regards
Kylie