19 September 2025

Date Claimers

Principal’s Report

Farewell from the Principal

Thank you everyone for the some of the most enjoyable years of my career. It has been very difficult to finalise this decision as we have a school with amazing students and staff that put the best interests of students and parents first every day. Our leadership team and P&C is second to none anywhere, and the collective staff efficacy, academic results and school wide systems we have in place with our continuous improvement mantra is the envy of many a school.

After 13 deeply rewarding years as Principal, the time has come for me to bid farewell to our extraordinary school community. It has been the greatest privilege of my professional career to lead a community based school where high expectations are not just encouraged—they are embraced. Together, we have nurtured a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity is celebrated and every child is empowered to grow not only academically, but as kind, capable individuals.

What has made this journey truly special is the unwavering sense of belonging that defines our school. From the classroom to the playground, from assemblies to community events, I have witnessed the power of connection and care. Maleny is a place where students feel seen, staff feel supported, and families feel welcome and have a voice—and that is something I will carry with me always.

I am grateful for the trust and support parents and community have shown me over the years. Your partnership has been the cornerstone of our success, and your commitment to your children’s education has truly inspired me. As I step into retirement, I do so with immense pride in what we have achieved together and deep confidence in the future of our school.

Thank you for allowing me to be part of your children’s lives. I leave with lasting memories and comfort in knowing that our school will continue to produce confident, creative and connected learners in the future.

I am confident that Mr Chris Hay Maleny SS’s next principal has the knowledge, passion and enthusiasm to take our school even greater heights. Please give him the support you have afforded me over so many years.

I look forward to following the successful journey of our students and school in the future.

Thank you, Maleny, you have given me so much, I look forward to catching up in the future and showing my appreciation.

School Led Review

Our final school led review will be shared with our staff and published on our website next term. This will guide us in determining our strategic direction for the next four years.

There will be a Regional Workshop Day early next Term where we will send members of our leadership team to unpack our review and commence planning our schools next 4 year Strategic Plan. Coming out of this plan will be our Annual Improvement Plan (AIP). 

Trivia Night – Saturday  22  November

Set the date aside now for our first school run over 18’s Trivia Night. Make this your contribution to our school by attending and inviting your friends. It will be an enjoyable night with plenty of laughs, drinks, food and a silent auction.

Interhouse Spelling Competition

Our whole of school interhouse spelling competition will be held on Friday 17 October, (Term 4 Week 2). The aim of this event is to promote the value of spelling and encourage participation. It is run as a non-threatening games style event with spelling words differentiated for individual students. Students compete in table groups in their allotted Sports House with individual, partner and group challenges. A huge thank you to Mr Brent Heiniger out Literacy/Numeracy Coach for running this event.

Bequeathment from Roslyn Bourne – Many thanks

We have purchased new decodable texts to support our reading program this year with the generous bequeathment from Roslyn Bourne, grandmother of Alex and Xavier Bourne. Roz was a tremendous supporter of both her grandchildren and our school in many ways that people would never have seen. Roz helped to spread school communication into our wider community using her established networks, often assisting in the background in many ways including laundering clothing items and coming up with creative ideas to assist fundraising with the reintroducing our Hinterland number plates for sale. Our school is extremely grateful to Roz and her family for this kind gesture, one that will keep on giving into the future. 

Father’s Day Stall

Thank you Kate Stassen for your co-ordination of this very successful stall once again. A record profit of approximately $1400. We are very pleased that one of our parents Sarah Haegens has volunteered to coordinate this stall in 2026.

2026 Class Preference Form

Please ensure you have completed a class preference form in writing by 1 November 2025 if you would like us to consider any educational reasons about the placement of your children in 2026. I remind parents that we are a relatively small school, and most year levels will have two full class cohorts, this does not allow for a great deal of flexibility around which class or teacher some requests may ask for.  All requests on time are considered but ultimately decisions are made by the school to benefit all students rather than specific individuals.  We aim for balanced classes and an incredible amount of time is put into making classes up by teachers who consider numerous factors including: academic, behaviour, social-friends, emotional, students with special needs, disabilities, physical class room space, legitimate on time parent requests (as one student change means restarting the process from scratch).  Sorry late requests from parents will not be able to be considered.  For requests to be considered they must be lodged on time on the correct form.  Any request previously submitted in a past year must be resubmitted again this year if you wish the same circumstances to be considered.  Once classes are formulated changes will not be made.  Our staffing formula is based on day 8 2026 enrolment numbers hence it is crucial that 2026 Prep students enrol now to assist us with our class structure organisation.  It is also crucial that if families are leaving next year, they alert us now.

Swimming Term 4

Swimming commences on Monday 3 November (Week 5) and concludes in Week 9. All students will participate in Swim and Survive Lessons (Swim and Survive is a national swimming and water safety program to teach children essential foundation skills in swimming, water safety, personal survival and basic rescue)

Future Sports Dates

Interschool AFL YRS 5-6
31^st October and 7^th November

Yr 3-6 Swimming Carnival
Friday 5^th December

Yr 6 Beach Safety Day
Wednesday 10^th December

Bullying No Way Week 11^th-15^th August

A Special assembly was held to highlight Bullying No Way Day.

Performances from our Choir and Preppies along with short videos and explanations from our Student Council and myself assisted to get our messaging across of what bullying is and what is not bullying. In addition focusing on themes of kindness, inclusion, everyone is different, being an upstander (bystander that takes positive action to prevent or de escalate bullying behaviours when they occur)  and creating a culture of belonging.

Book week door

Thank you to all parents that assisted children to dress up for Book Week.

It was a lot of fun with staff joining in and decorating their classroom doors with students as part of our Design a Door Competition.

Congratulations the winners of the Design a Door Competition:

General Classes Winner:   2/3C

Highly Commended: 4B and 6B

Admin winner:  Desley (with the help of Deb and Corinne)

Specialists winner:  Learning Support Team

Leaving our School or have a 2026 Prep student enrolling

Our staffing formula is based on student day 8 2026 enrolment numbers and as such it is crucial that all 2026 students including Prep students enrol now to assist us with our class structure organisation. It is also crucial that if families are leaving next year that they alert us now to ensure our prediction of our class structure is accurate.

Successful Disco

Thank you to all parents that assisted in the tuckshop and on the BBQ at our recent school disco. The healthy number of volunteers was wonderful to see. Well done Erin on communication and marketing to allow parents to volunteer easily using an online system.

Instrumental Music School Resource Scheme

Cost Per Student

Each year at Maleny State School, students who are involved with the Instrumental Music Program are required to pay an instrumental music fee.

All students - $40 – This contributes towards photocopying, supplementary music, extension pieces, ensemble pieces and music equipment such as music stands.

All students who are loaning a school instrument for the year will also be required to pay a further $100 – This contributes towards the servicing and maintenance of the instrument at the end of the year when it has been handed back to the school.

Eg. Students who are using a school instrument - $40 + $100 = $140 for the year

Students who are using their own instrument or playing a percussion instrument will only be required to pay $40.

Voluntary Contribution 2026

The school uses the voluntary contribution from parents to provide students with access to resources that support and enrich students schooling experiences. At our last P&C meeting members voted to encourage parents to contribute between $50 and $100 or more if you are in the financial position to do so rather than the minimum of $50 that has not increased for 13 years. 

Have a Wonderful Break.
John 

Students of the Week

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 (07) 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.

PBL (Positive Behaviour Learning)

Be Rule:                  Be Responsible

Buzz Phrase:         STOP! Think. Do.

This week we filled the rocket and will be getting 20mins free play!  If the rocket is filled again then students can earn ANOTHER 20mins!

Our latest buzz phrase is a SMART GOAL created using our most recent PBL data. “Stop! Think. Do” is a wonderful buzz phrase that incorporates many different 4Be focusses that our students are already familiar with.

This buzz phrase encourages our students to:

• Notice the signals in their body & minds
• Think about their choices before reacting
• Use the High 5 to solve problems
• Take responsibility for their behaviour.

STOP – take 3 deep breaths, what are you feeling?

THINK – think of a solution and your choices.

DO – choose the best solution and do it.

Some familiar strategies our students can use for this are:

• Bounce back (Be a Learner)
• Keep hands and feet to yourself (Be Respectful)
• Play fair (Be Responsible)
• Make good choices (Be Responsible)
• Choose to defuse (Be safe)
• Keep your cool (Be Safe & Be Respectful)
• Be FUN (Flexible, Understanding, Negotiate)
• THINK before you speak (Is it True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, or Kind?

PBL Team

Year 4A & 4B

A Fantastic Time at Camp

The Year 4’s all enjoyed their first school camp at Currimundi Recreation Centre at the Sunshine Coast.  There were many new activities to try, and everyone enjoyed eating together in the dining room and sleeping in the fancy cabins.  The Maleny staff and teachers were very impressed with how well-mannered and positive the students were.  Gwobbie also enjoyed his first camp at the beach and tried a few activities too.

This week we are finishing off and practising our speeches for our English assessment and will be presenting these to our peers over the next few days.  On Monday we worked together in small groups to present a panel discussion, and each member of the group delivered a different part of a speech on the topic we chose for our assessment.

The topics for the persuasive speech included Composting, Using Nude Food Lunch Boxes, Being Water Wise and Using the Bins Correctly.  We are focusing on reading fluently and using expression and taking note of punctuation.

In Science we have completed an investigation on the smudge resistance of ochre when mixed with different binders (water, pva glue, egg yolk and oil). We found that when ochre is mixed with pva glue it is the most smudge resistant.  

Last week we tried out a new recipe for our FEAST program called Mock Fish which is made from grated potatoes.  Each of us grated our own potato and then we added spinach, chard, rosemary and thyme from our garden and then chia seeds, cheese and eggs and some flour to bind all the ingredients.  We cooked the fritters in the frypan and watched as they turned golden brown.  It was delicious and perfect for a cold windy day.

4B completed some beautiful artwork of our Bunya tree in our junior playground for our wonderful Dads.  We sat out on the bank of the oval and sketched the tree and looked closely at the rough trunk of the tree and the branches.  We also completed some writing to tell our fathers how much they meant to us.  On Monday we shared how much our Dads loved their heartfelt writing and artwork.

Kind Regards

Lou Walsh & Trish Mackay (4B) and Caroline Hartley

War on Waste

Mulch Donated to the School Garden Club

Over the last two weeks we have been spreading mulch in our pollinating garden which was kindly donated by Matt from Tallowwood Contractors.

We have been creating our new scarecrow for the Pick of the Crop competition which will take place on Monday 14October. 

We voted on a name and ended up carrying out a secret ballot to end up with the name ‘Jimmy’ to represent the Jolly Swagman from Waltzing Matilda.  He will stand and keep our garden beds safe!

We have been busy focusing on weeding our garden beds as the weather has changed bringing lots of new growth and some of our veggies are hidden amongst the weeds.

Kind Regards
Lou Walsh

Chappy News

End of an era

Well, by the time you read this, we will be saying goodbye to our endeared Principal Mr John Byrne.  I have been turning words over in my mind for the last few weeks, wondering what to write here about him, only because there is so many good things to say.   As School Chaplain, I have considered myself honoured to work alongside John.  He has shown amazing support for the chaplaincy service here at Maleny, past and present.  His door has always been open when I have needed a chat, some feedback and/or practical advice.   He has always kept a cool head. Thoughtful responses seem to just easily come from him even in stressful situations. He has brought a level of consistency in my life when there has been a lot of uncertainty. I know that might sound weird or maybe a little over the top, but it is true, I really admire and respect him as a human being and principal and wish him the best as he starts the new leg of his journey.

It is great isn’t it to have the blessing of working alongside of or sharing life with those who are true leaders. Those who take the lead with a servant heart.  Those who truly listen, are willing to be flexible, step up when needed and lead by example.  For me a true leader is about strength of character rather than a list of achievements.  Who are the leaders in your life?  I encourage you to take the time to thank them for the impact they have had on your life. 

Chappy’s quote for the week: “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others.  He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent” - Douglas McArthur

Chappy Chris

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

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.

From the Office

Payments

Payments can be made by any of the following methods.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

https://malenysportandrec.org.au/events-calendar/

You can keep updated with Maleny Community News and the Maleny Local Shopper at the  NEW link: https://issuu.com/Maleny-Grapevine-Community-News

P&C’s Qld - Click through to view their most recent editions of Parent Talk - https://pandcsqld.com.au/members/publications/parent-talk/