22 August 2025

Mitchell State School Our school purpose for 2025

To lift the WELLBEING and engagement of our school community, through inclusive practices, so that every student achieves equity and excellence.

No Excuse for Abuse

Principal News

I have thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to spend the last two weeks at Mitchell State School as A/Principal while Ms Harty has been on leave. I was warmly welcomed into the school community from my first day in Mitchell and it was evident to me very quickly that the school has a very positive culture, and all staff and students are very proud of their school community.

During my short time at the school, I have been privileged to be able to visit a variety of classes and see great teaching and learning occurring across the curriculum. Students have been keen to share what they are learning about and showcase their many talents. Last week, many teachers engaged on ongoing professional development that focused on effective teaching strategies aligned to the school’s whole school approach to teaching and learning. It is wonderful seeing highly skilled teachers committing to further learning to facilitate the best possible learning outcomes for all students.

Last week, the school acknowledged Bullying No Way week which is part of Australia's key bullying prevention initiative for schools. The theme this year is 'Be bold. Be kind. Speak up.'  This is an important message for all throughout every week of the school year. During the course of the week, students across year level creating posters that were displayed across the school. There were many fabulous posters and well done to all students who engaged in this initiative!

Have a wonderful remainder of Term 3.

Kind regards

Phil Reid
A/Principal

Deputy Principal

From the Deputy’s Desk

It is hard to believe that it is already the middle of Term 3.  Time flies when our students and teachers are actively involved in learning and working together.  Including the curriculum demands in the classroom, our students have had so many opportunities this term.  Students from P-10 have had the opportunity to attend various experiences: 100 Days of Prep, Wonders of Science, Roma and District sporting commitments, ‘Love Bites’ program (secondary), Gungarri Language Program, Bullying No Way Day and Free Dress Days – and it’s only halfway through the term! I would like to thank our dedicated staff who put so much effort into coordinating these experiences.

Thank you to all parents and caregivers who have had their say by completing the 2025 School Opinion Survey.  Your opinion really does matter, and we use your feedback to make plans for our future.  It is not too late to complete the School Opinion Survey – all parents have received a link via email.  Please check your inbox/spam/junk folders for the link.  You have until the end of Friday 22^nd August to complete the survey.

The Year 5-10 camp is fast approaching in Week 9 of this term.  Early next week, staff will be looking at behaviour and attendance records to make a final decision on participation.  Students who are eligible will then receive a ‘What to Bring’ list, including final instructions around departure and arrival times.

Paint the Town REaD is also just around the corner.  My favourite time of the year!  Our guest author, Dave Lowe, will be joining us on Wednesday 17^th September for a series of workshops with P-6 students, then PTTR will happen on Thursday 18^th.  It is our 18^th year of hosting PTTR – a big birthday for the Reading Bug.  Students are asked to dress in the theme of ‘Book an Adventure’ for our costume parade on Thursday 18^th.  Thank you to Mrs Jones and the Year 7/8 Community Project class for their huge contributions to this year’s PTTR!  Watch this space – all will be revealed!

Looking forward to a fabulous second half of Term 3!

Kind regards,
Jane

Parentline

Parentline: Support and advice for all Queensland parents and carers

Being a parent can be rewarding—but it can also be challenging. Whether you’re trying to support your child with school issues, friendship challenges, behaviour, or tough moments at home, it’s completely normal to feel unsure about what to do next.

Parentline is a free and confidential service available to all Queensland parents and carers. No problem is too big or too small—and reaching out early can make a real difference.

Parentline offers advice and support on a wide range of parenting topics, including:

• bullying and friendship issues
• parent–child relationships
• parenting strategies and behaviour management
• mental and emotional wellbeing—for both children and parents

You can speak with a trained professional by phone or webchat (6am-midnight), seven days a week.

An online bullying support forum is also available. This is a safe, moderated space to connect with others, ask questions, and share experiences.

📞 Call 1300 30 1300

💬 Visit parentline.com.au

Because parenting doesn’t come with a manual—but help is here when you need it.

PREP/1 – Miss Fisher

YEAR 1/2 - Miss Field

The Year 1/2 students at Mitchell State School have been busy learners this term!

In Mathematics, we have been working on developing our understanding of numbers. Students are practising counting forwards and backwards, recognising number patterns, and using strategies to help with addition and subtraction. We are also exploring how numbers can be grouped and represented in different ways. The children are enjoying hands-on activities, games, and problem-solving challenges to strengthen their confidence and fluency with numbers.

In English, our focus has been on opinion writing. Students are learning how to share their ideas and give reasons to support their opinions. For example, they might write about their favourite animal, the best game to play at lunchtime, or which food is the tastiest. We are practising using sentence starters, adding detail, and making sure our writing is clear for the reader. The students are showing creativity and confidence in expressing their thoughts, both in writing and through class discussions.

It has been wonderful to see the enthusiasm and effort from all students. We are proud of their progress and look forward to seeing them continue to grow as learners.

YEAR 3/4 - Mrs Ok

YEAR 5 – Mrs Tracy

YEAR 6 – Mrs Hamilton

Mrs Jones

Father’s Day –P&C

Japanese

This semester year 5 students are learning to give information about their families. They will also be learning to share what they like and to talk about their pets. You might have heard your students saying ‘Okaasan’- Mum and ‘Oto-san’- Dad.

Year 6 students have been exploring the features of Japanese houses. So far, they have been busy drawing house plans and will start learning language to describe their dream houses.

7/8 Students have been loving learning about Japanese foods. One of their favourite lessons has been learning about Japanese table etiquette and learning to use chopsticks.

Mrs Chandler

Food Tech / Hospitality

Food Specialisations

Year 8 students are busy completing sensory analysis of various international foods. Making “cheat’s” sausage rolls was a highlight so far this term.

Year 9/10 students are continuing to look at preparing and serving simple dishes, including a focus on food safety and presentation. This term, students are cooking a variety of foods while looking at safe ways to defrost and reheat dishes.

Maths

This term, 7/8s have been doing statistics and probability. They have been analysing data and for the rest of the term, students will be focused on calculating the probability of various events. Pr(school camp at Noosa in Wk 9)=100%.

9/10 students have just started a unit of Pythagorus’ Theorem and Trigonometry.

CATTLE DRIVE

Jump Rope for Heart

Sports News

We have had some students representing Mitchell State School over the last few weeks at different sports. We are very proud of their achievements.

Jed and Chance at Mt Isa playing South West Rugby League.

Lola and Quinn for South West Soccer.

Quinn at Roma for South West Touch.

Wellbeing

Last term, MS Crump and Mrs Hamilton ran a number of focus groups with staff, students, parents and community. The wellbeing team has started unpacking what was said and are using the information to rewrite the school’s wellbeing framework and to make our school the best it can be. A big thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy days to be part of these focus groups. Your insights have been invaluable.

150-year planning meeting

Monday 27^th October @ 5pm.

School Based Nurse

I would like to introduce myself to those of you who are not familiar with the School Based Youth Health Nurse service or myself. I’m Emma (this is also what I ask the students to call me) and I have been a SBYHN for the two years, albeit a lot of my time has involved me being deployed with the Roma Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. The SBYHN service is available to all secondary students in state schools and supports social and emotional wellbeing. The SBYHN is a Registered Nurse employed by Queensland Health and provides whole of school health promotion, classroom education and individual student consultations that are confidential and voluntary within school hours. Students can self-refer, be referred by peers, school staff and parents. I can also provide resources and education to parents as requested. I have a Post Graduate Certificate in Paediatric, Child and Youth Health and am very passionate about encouraging adolescents and young adults within our communities to live happy, healthy lives. A new inclusion to the SBYHN service this year is the introduction of a virtual clinic. The process for referrals remains the same, but it gives students and staff greater access to the service and negates the challenges of travel. For more information about the virtual clinic, or any questions about the SBYHN service please contact SBYHN_Roma@health.qld.gov.au or ask school staff. If you have concerns or feel there is an issue within schools that requires attention, please let school staff or myself know.

Mitchell P& C

P & C News

Uniform Shop hours are only on ** Friday 8.30am-9am **

We would love to see new parents at our next meeting – to stay up to date or contact the P&C please follow us on our Facebook page.

MSS P&C Uniform Shop and Events

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Please advise the school if you would like to receive your newsletter via email! Let’s save paper

Pick up & drop off

Update your contact details.

Does the office have your most current contact details? Please update your contact details with the admin staff, we’d hate to not be able to contact you in an emergency or to give you a call to tell you how wonderful your child is.

Signing in at the office.

Please ensure that if you are visiting our school that you have signed in at the office.

Please make sure if you are dropping lunch off for your child/children that this is done through the front office.

No entry to school before 8am

Please ensure NO students are on the grounds before 8 am. Children are encouraged to attend reading in the library from 8am however, accompanied or not, children are not to be in on school grounds before 8am.

Play equipment out of bounds before and after school.

Parents please do not linger around or on the play equipment before, after and during school as this is a Workplace Health and Safety concern.

If you have any concerns about this please contact our Principal, Cass Ahern.

PARKING/KINDY GATE

When entering the school grounds please ensure the gates from Kindy to the school are SHUT. It is very important these stay shut at all times.

School Uniforms

Students must be in uniform – school shirt and Royal BLUE shorts everyday – Please come to the office if you are unable to provide the correct uniform for your child.

School uniforms!
Please check that your child's uniforms, especially hats, are named!
Also, please check if your child's uniforms say M.S.S please give them back to the school as these are spares.

Uniform Shop

The uniform shop has now moved to the old tuckshop building/playgroup room under B Block.

From now on you can ONLY buy uniforms on Friday 8:30 – 9am.

UNIFORMS WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE AT THE SCHOOOL OFFICE OR OUTSIDE OF THESE HOURS.

Thanks For Using DIRECT DEBIT to PAY For Uniforms.  

P and C Direct Debit Information
Account Name:  Mss p and c Association
BSB:  084 822
Account Number:  508856555
Include your SURNAME as the reference.

P&Cs Qld:  http://www.pandcsqld.com.au/

2025 Calendar of Events

Communication