18 March 2025

Date Claimers

Principal’s Report

Our School Priorities are:

• Teaching Reading - Through the Australian Curriculum V9
• Teaching Maths - Developing Effective Pedagogies when Implementing the Australian Curriculum V9 Mathematics

This week we are “celebrating minds of all kinds” at Maleny State School.

Our school community will take time to recognise the incredible achievements that come from thinking and perceiving the world differently. By valuing the strengths and talents of neurodivergent individuals, we can begin the shift of changing the way they are perceived and supported. Together, we can change the narrative and create a more inclusive world that understands and champions neurodiversity in all its forms.

Throughout the week, classes will participate in activities and discussions celebrating diversity. Wednesday’s assembly coincides with Harmony Day and there will be a special presentation focussing on everyone belonging. The Enrichment Centre is hosting a morning tea on Thursday. All are welcome.

Thank you to our 2024 P&C and Executive Team

I would like to thank the 2024 Maleny P&C members and Executive led by both Zoltan Bourne to commence the year and Merrick Ilett for taking over as President as the year progressed.

Some or many highlights: 

• OSHC has established sustainable enrolments, effective staffing levels have been achieved, along with engaging programs and being recognized for providing inclusive practices and is now operating producing a profit.
• The Tuckshop is now stable and running smoothly with a new convenor and new menu in place.
• Numerous events were held including Welcome Back to School, Country Fair, Online Raffle, Comedy for a Cause, Disco, school concert, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
• Working bee conducted around OSHC and rainforest area.
• OSHC staff stabilised with an increase in enrolments, especially before school care.
• Stability and effective systems in place in all business units (Uniform Shop, Tuckshop, OSHC).
• Local business successfully engaged to sponsor and support P&C fundraising activities.
• We are very grateful for the donation to the school of $10 000.

I am very much appreciative of the time and hard work of the Executive and our Parent and Community body. While the executive was only made up of 3 parents, they have done an amazing job in consolidating our business units and planning, coordinating and participating as workers in all the above events.        

I would also like to sincerely thank all active P&C members, OSHC co-ordinator (Cathy) and her staff for their support and wonderful service throughout 2024. A special thank you needs to be given to our President, Merrick Ilett, who has taken on this roll mid-year. You are all very much appreciated and your commitment to improving outcomes for our students is valued by myself and Maleny SS staff and parents.

Thank you to all members for your valued time and support of our P&C throughout 2024. I hope you continue to support our school and P&C in 2025. It was wonderful to see some new faces at our AGM and we especially thank Nick Bishop who is new to our P&C and has volunteered to take on the role of Vice President.

Congratulations to our new P&C 2025 Executive

President – Merrick Ilett
Vice President – Nick Bishop
Treasurer – Yvette Pollock
Secretary – Erin Porter

Thank You Maleny APEX

A huge thank you must go to our local APEX Club who had donated $2500 towards transport costs for a second bus to transport our Year 6 students to Tallebudgera Camp this week. This donation is greatly appreciated and saves parents over $40 each. Please support any APEX activities you come across as a thank you for their continued support to our school.

Recently we installed a new set of soccer goals on the Years 1-3 playground which saw a doubling of students playing soccer in one lunchtime. These goal posts along with another set for Years 4-6 were purchased through funds donated by APEX and our Student Council last year. We are very grateful for the continued support of our local APEX Club.

Have a Magic Week in Maleny.  
John 

Contact Details – Do we have your most up to date contact details?

There are times when we may need to contact parents and carers. Do we have your most up to date contact details?  If not, please contact the school on 5499 8333 so we can update our records. These details include parent/carers’ name, address, phone numbers, email address and emergency contact details. Please remember to contact the school if any of these details change.

Students of the Week

Year 2A & 2B

Exciting Start to Year 2!

What an exciting and fast-paced first term it's been! Our Year 2 students have been working hard in English, crafting speeches of opinion about a familiar character from the book Fox by Margaret Wild. It has been a pleasure to witness their creativity as they explore different character traits and actions.

In Mathematics, we've been engaging in some fantastic data collection and representation, allowing students to connect with real-world information in a meaningful way.

In Science, students have been exploring the use and properties of different materials. They have applied this knowledge in creating lunchboxes, which look absolutely fantastic! It’s been a wonderful opportunity for them to investigate how materials can be used effectively in real-life applications.

We’re looking forward to an exciting finish to Term 1. Keep up the excellent work, Year 2!

Sasha Anthony & Shalisa Dennis (2A) & Olivia Cox (2B)

Innovation Centre News

RoboClub has finally started

After last week's false start, thanks to Cyclone Alfred, RoboClub (otherwise known as Lego Robotics Club) started with students from Years 4, 5 & 6. Year 4 students were invited for the first time. There were some excited participants this week starting to build their very first working robot.   The first major challenge this year is to build a self-controlled Sumo robot that will seek out and try to push another robot out of a battle ring.  

Teams of students worked well, learning about the Lego Spike kits, and the motors, sensors and parts contained within. They even started their first build of a base robot that will eventually be built upon to make a huge and hulking Sumo robot for competitions against each other.   

RoboClub runs after school each Thursday during the term. It is run by Mr Greig and Mr Sanderson (our resident robotics expert). 

Adobe Express for K-12 Education 

Last week we had the pleasure of hosting the amazing Dr Tim Kitchen (Senior Education Specialist, APAC, Adobe) who took some groups of Year 5 & 6 students through the newly available Adobe Express for K-12 Education edition. This edition is specifically designed for student use with a huge amount of available media and tools to make any student project across any area of the curriculum. There are a range of safeguards in place e.g. millions of student friendly stock photos and videos that can be used.   

The students had their first go at these new online tools (available at school or home on computers or even mobile devices). They took to it like a duck to water. He said... "I was very impressed with how quickly they picked up the video and animation features to create short stories."  

After the workshop Mr Greig asked kids how it went as they were walking out of the computer lab. Two responses really highlighted how the session went. "That software is awesome! I want to do more! It was so easy to use." & "That was brilliant!"  

It was great to see kids being so eager and enthusiastic to engage with some creative tasks that can also be used across the curriculum. We are excited to see what creative projects they come up with using this new free tool.  

Please note Parental Consent is required to use this software. If you are in Years 4-6 and have not returned your consent note yet, please do so ASAP and return to your child's class teacher. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact Mr Greig about it. 

Adrian Greig- Innovation Teacher 

PBL (Positive Behaviour Learning)

Be Rule – Be Responsible
Buzz Phrase – “Big Effort, Big Results”

In Weeks 7 and 8 we are focussing on a Be Responsible rule that encourages students to try their best and give things a go. “Big Effort, Big Results” is a great lesson on perseverance:

• I stay with a task and never give up.
• I show commitment, pride and a positive attitude in completing tasks.
• I am patient and willing to work hard.
• I set goals and stay focused.
• I always do my best; I strive for excellence.
• I am willing to risk failure for a worthy goal.
• I am self-disciplined.
• I make sure to learn from my mistakes and failures.

Thanks also to our amazing teachers that model this positive behaviour each and every day! 

The PBL Team

P & C News

Next P&C Meeting Friday 9 May 2025

Mewar Café (Tuckshop)

Opening Hours

Mewar Café will be open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday:

• 8:30am to 12:00pm (first meal break only)

My School Connect

Orders can be made on the online ordering system My School Connect.

• Online orders close at 8:30am each morning.
• Snacks, drinks and frozen items can be purchased over the counter.

When ordering, please ensure that you see the GREEN THUMB screen and receive an order confirmation email.  This notes that your order has been successfully submitted and will be sent to our service.

Several times each week, we still have upset children turning up at the final bell for 1st Break looking for their 'missing' orders.  We need all of the preparation time from 8:30am to 11:00am (when the first bell for 1st Break rings) to have every order ready for collection.  It is not possible to prepare fresh or cooked meals during 1^st Break.

Please ensure there are sufficient credits in your child's account so that they can purchase items from our Counter Menu in the event that their online order was not successfully completed or that they have forgotten to bring their lunch to school.  We don't want to see any child go hungry!

Our current menu is available on the P&C website. 

Thank you for your support and any casual or recurrent volunteering will make a big difference to our committed Team!

Volunteers - If you can help please contact Mewar Café

For instructions, support and to learn more, visit Mewar Café.

Feedback is welcome to improve our service and menu items.  You are welcome to visit the Mewar Café to talk to one of our team or send an email to:  tuckshop@malenyss.eq.edu.au

OSHC

Qualified Educators Wanted

Maleny OSHC Easter Vacation Care

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop's regular hours are Friday mornings between 8.30am and 9.00am. Payment options are EFTPOS or cash at the uniform shop only. Alternatively, orders can be placed online via the link below by 5pm Wednesday for Friday pickup or class delivery.

If you have one hour per month that you may be able to help us out in the Uniform Shop please contact the office on 5499 8333.  Open from 8:30-9:00am on Fridays, bring along a friend and be part of our happy team J

Chappy News

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

It is now Neurodiversity Week.  We love our celebrations at school and this one is close to my heart.  For those who do not already know I am married to someone who is neurodiverse and have two neurodiverse children.  Fifteen years ago, if you would have asked me something about Autism or ADHD, I could have told you something I have learnt at university or perhaps think of the movie “Rain Man”.  Wow, was I naive about it all and possibly a little judgemental.  Then I met and married my hubby and my whole view grew and changed. 

One of the main things I learnt was “one person with Autism is one person with Autism”, that is, as with the general population we are all unique.  My son hates strong tastes, but my daughter loves chilli, garlic and the like.  My husband hates the feel of t-shirts, but my son dislikes the feel of collars on his neck.  My daughter is outspoken, passionate, artistic, sympathetic, and empathic whereas the men in my family are quiet, great at maths, putting things together and being loyal to the ones they love.  Of course, there are many similarities in the way they think and act.  Sensory sensitivities, executive functioning challenges, social misunderstandings, and some difficulties in seeing things from another's perspective are all common experiences for them.  A great deal of the time, our community is not set up for their preferences.

Another learning has been to love, accept and try and understand their experience, perspective, and journey.  I haven’t always been perfect at this, but every day I wake up anew and aim to broaden my perspective and understand new ways to support my family members.  To them, I am the odd one out and I am sure my way of thinking and doing must be frustrating for them at times.  But we make it work by accepting, challenging, laughing, and having discussions often.

Our school is amazing at providing education, acceptance, and support for our diverse student population.  I was so happy that I was able to send my Daniel to this school for a couple of years, it prepared him so well for starting high school.  So, whether you are neurodiverse yourself or are a carer for someone who is know that you are always welcome here.  I am always available for a chat around these issues, I am not an expert but have now got lots of lived experience.  Remember the chaplaincy service is available for carers as well.  I can be contacted by the school office. 

Chappy’s quote for the week “The world needs all types of minds” Dr Temple Grandin

Chappy Chris

School Photos – To be held on Thursday 1 May 2025

Please see ordering details below

Cash Order Envelopes will be coming home soon.

From the Office

Casual Relief Cleaner Position

We are looking for a casual relief cleaner, this will require either a morning or afternoon shift or both depending on leave taken. Hours are 5am to 8am and 3pm to 6pm. This position requires a paid blue card. If interested, please give the office a call 5499 8333.

Payments

Payments can be made by any of the following methods.

1. Directly into our bank account noting the invoice number, initial and surname of the student for whom you are paying. Our Bank account details are:
   BSB: 064-462    Account Number: 10080359
2. Credit card using the bPoint reference number that is located on the bottom left hand side of your invoice. Credit card payments can also be made in person at the office.
3. Cash and cheque can be made by placing the cheque/correct change in a payment envelope and depositing it into the drop-safe in the office. Please ensure that the envelope is sealed so the cash does not fall out.  Please write the student’s name, class, amount enclosed and what the payment is for, clearly on the envelope. 

Office hours are 8:00am to 4:00pm on Monday - Friday.

Community News

Please see the link below to the Maleny Sports and Rec Maleny Events Calendar

You can keep updated with Maleny Community News and the Maleny Local Shopper at the  NEW link: 

P&C’s Qld - Click through to view their most recent editions of Parent Talk -