Newsletter Term 1 Week 3 2025
Principal's Message
Dear Mabel Park State School Community,
Talofa Lava,
Welcome to the 2025 school year! We are delighted to see all our students back at school, ready for another exciting year of learning and growth. A special welcome to our new families joining us this year—we are thrilled to have you as part of our school community. I would like to also warmly welcome a number of new teachers who have started at Mabel Park State School.
Our current student enrolment has grown to 711, an increase from the start of last year. It is wonderful to see our school continue to thrive, and we appreciate the trust and support of our families in making Mabel Park State School a fantastic place for learning.
I would like to congratulate all students for settling into their new classes so well. It has been a calm, positive and productive start to the year, and we are looking forward to the many learning opportunities ahead.
A few reminders for parents and caregivers:
- Please ensure your child brings a hat to school each day, as part of our SunSmart policy. Please label your child’s hat in case it is misplaced.
- If your child is absent from school for any reason, please notify the school as soon as possible.
- If ordering tuckshop on the Flexi schools app, please make sure that you use your child’s new 2025 class, as this can cause issues.
This year, we are excited to introduce several new programs and initiatives, including Literacy Blocks, Teach Like a Champion, and Q Learn. These programs will enhance student learning and engagement, and we look forward to seeing their positive impact throughout the year.
Thank you for your ongoing support. Let’s make 2025 a fantastic year at Mabel Park State School!
Kind regards,
Masina Taule’alo
Principal
Junior Campus Deputy Principal
Welcome to 2024
Hello! It's been fantastic to see how smoothly our Junior Campus students have transitioned back into school life. A warm welcome to all the new Prep families—we hope your child has had a positive start to their school journey. At Mabel Park, we place great importance on fostering strong communication between home and school, and we encourage you to stay in touch with your child’s teacher. Our first round of parent-teacher interviews will take place in Week 9 (Tuesday, March 25th). Be sure to look for more details on our Facebook page. Should you need to reach out to me, please feel free to email me at abell41@eq.edu.au
Brain Food Breaks
To help sustain students throughout the morning, most of our classes have incorporated a Brain Food Break. We are encouraging children to bring a snack that is a healthy choice to keep their brains energised. Fresh fruit and vegetables are a great choice, as is popcorn, cheese and crackers or a small sandwich.
Little Mabel Jarjums
We’re excited to announce the start of the Little Mabel Jarjums playgroup next Tuesday, February 25th, from 8:45 to 10:00 am. This playgroup will run every Tuesday and is open to parents/grandparents/carers and their children - from babies up to 4 years old. This will be led by Aunty Julie and Aunty Rita. It’s a fantastic opportunity for parents and children to learn and play together. We invite all Mabel Park families to join and share their ideas about what they'd like to experience during playgroup sessions. Parents are also welcome to help with activities. We’re looking forward to seeing lots of our littlest members of the Mabel family coming along!
New Prep Students
Here are some snaps of our newest Prep students in their first few weeks of school…
Alexis Bell
Middle Campus Deputy Principal
Welcome back! It has been wonderful to see both familiar faces and new families joining our Mabel Park community. We are off to a great start to the term, with students settling in well, and lots of exciting learning already happening in classrooms.
It has been a pleasure to visit classrooms and witness the fantastic teaching and learning taking place. Our students are engaged, curious, and thriving as they dive into their lessons. The atmosphere in the middle campus is positive, and it’s clear that everyone is ready to make this a successful term.
Looking ahead, we have a couple of important events coming up:
- NAPLAN will be taking place in Week 5, and we encourage all students to approach it with confidence.
- Cross Country will be in Week 7, a great opportunity for students to participate and show their athletic skills.
We are excited for the continued growth and achievements of our students this term and look forward to seeing even more of their progress in the weeks ahead.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
Sonya Wright
Teaching and Learning at Mabel
Welcome back!
How can you support your child’s learning at home?
This is a question we frequently get asked. The first answer I always give is to have conversation with your child. Ask them questions that do not have a one-word answer. Ask them to give reasons why “they want something (“persuade me”). Talking with your children is so important to their learning.
My next response is always about reading. Have your child read to you or your read to them and then talk about what you have read. Ask each other questions about what you read together. You could be reading a social media post or watching a video. Discuss the information, discuss what it made you think about. Read signs when you are in the car. Talk about what the signs mean.
Here are some other ideas:
Maree Martin
Head of Department Curriculum
Student Services at Mabel
Week 3 & 4: PBL Focus – Showing Respect Outside the Classroom
For the first time, we will be focusing on the same Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) expectation for two weeks. Our focus is: We show RESPECT by listening and following instructions outside of the classroom.
Students will be learning about key expectations across various areas of the school, including:
✅ Transitions & Moving Around the School
✅ Assembly Expectations
✅ Eating & Break Time Behaviour
✅ Playground Expectations
✅ Toilets & Hygiene
✅ Before & After School Routines
✅ Tuckshop Routine & Expectations
✅ Respecting Shared Spaces (Library, Office, Staff Areas, etc.)
✅ Out-of-Bounds Areas
By reinforcing these expectations, we ensure our school remains a safe, respectful, and enjoyable place for all students. https://www.facebook.com/Mabelpark0356/videos/971755778300555
Please follow this link to see our PBL video:
Junior Campus Leaders – Badge Presentation 🏅
We are incredibly proud of our Junior Campus Leaders for 2025! This Tuesday, 18th of February, they will be officially presented with their badges on parade. We look forward to celebrating their leadership and commitment to our school.
🎉 Congratulations to: Royal, Mizan, Layla, Quinn, Samuel, Scarlett, Noah, Eloise, Pearl, Mimi, Jen, Priscilla, and Ainga! 🎉
Health & Well-being Reminder – No Smoking or Vaping on School Grounds
At Mabel Park State School, the health and well-being of our students is our top priority. We kindly remind all parents and visitors that smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited on school grounds, including car parks and surrounding areas.
This Queensland-wide ban applies to all smoking products, including e-cigarettes, and is in place to protect children from exposure to second-hand smoke and harmful aerosols. Smoking in these areas is against the law and may result in a fine.
Let’s work together to keep our school a safe, healthy environment for all students. Thank you for your cooperation!
Teresa Radicke, Sarah Williamson, Karen Gardyne and Hayley McGill (Acting HOD-SS)
Head of Department Student Services
Attendance Matters – Learning Starts at 8:40 AM
Regular attendance is essential for student success. If your child is absent, please notify the school on the same day. You can do this by:
📞 Calling the school at 07 3386 5333
📲 Replying to the SMS notification sent by the school
✍️ Sending a written note explaining the absence.
If we do not receive notification, a text message will be sent to you in the morning. Please ensure the school has your updated contact details (home address, mobile number, email).
Everyday Counts – Supporting Students with School Anxiety
At Mabel Park State School, we know that every day counts when it comes to your child's education. Regular attendance is essential for learning and social development, but for some children, anxiety can make attending school a challenge.
Understanding School Anxiety
Feeling anxious from time to time is a normal part of life, but when anxiety becomes persistent and prevents children from enjoying school, it can impact their well-being and learning.
Signs your child may be experiencing anxiety about school include:
🔹 Frequent worries and a strong need for reassurance
🔹 Physical symptoms before school (e.g., headaches, nausea, shortness of breath)
🔹 Crying, clinginess, or fidgeting when nervous
🔹 Difficulty sleeping, nightmares, or reluctance to sleep alone
🔹 Avoiding school-related activities or expressing fears about attending
Why Some Children Feel Anxious About School
There are many reasons a child may feel anxious about school, such as:
📌 Separation anxiety – fear of being away from parents
📌 Social challenges – difficulty making friends, bullying, or friendship conflicts
📌 Academic pressures – fear of failure, struggling with schoolwork, or feeling lost in class
📌 Fear of getting into trouble or not meeting expectations
📌 Personal or family stress – concerns about a parent’s health, family changes, or past experiences
How Parents Can Help
🗣️ Listen and validate your child’s feelings, reassuring them that their worries are understandable.
💡 Discuss scenarios and solutions – helping them prepare for different situations can reduce their fears.
😌 Model calm and confident behaviour – children learn from how we react to stress.
🎒 Keep routines consistent – a predictable morning routine can ease anxiety.
👫 Encourage friendships – arrange for them to walk in with a friend or classmate.
🏫 Work with the school – speak with teachers, guidance officers, or support staff for additional assistance.
Seeking Additional Support
If anxiety persists, professional support may be helpful. School guidance officers, youth health nurses, or external mental health professionals can provide strategies to support children in managing their worries.
For more information, visit:
🔗 Every Day Counts – QLD Government
🔗 Kids Helpline
🔗 Raising Children Network
Let’s work together to support our students and ensure every child feels confident and safe at school!
School Supervision & Pick-up Times
🚸 Morning: Please do not drop students off before 8:00 AM as there is no supervision before this time. Staff members during this time are preparing for the day and they do not officially begin their duty until 8:20 AM. Arriving too early can pose safety risks, as there are no teachers available to monitor students before this time.
🚸 Afternoon: All students must be picked up by 3:00 PM. After this time, staff have other duties and responsibilities, and we want to ensure all students are safely collected and not left unsupervised. If you are running late, please contact the school office to plan.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe before and after school!
No Hat, No Play!
Queensland has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and protecting students from harmful UV exposure is a priority at our school.
🌞 Our rule: No Hat, No Play – Students must wear a wide-brimmed hat when playing outside.
🌞 If a child does not have a hat, they will be required to stay in a shaded area to protect their skin from the sun.
🌞 Hats can be purchased from the school office if needed.
We appreciate your support in ensuring your child has a hat each day to stay safe and sun-smart!
Firebirds Meet & Greet 🏐 – An afternoon to Remember!
Excitement was in the air on Wednesday, 12th February, as our students had the incredible opportunity to meet their netball heroes—the Queensland Firebirds! 🏆💜
From the moment the Firebirds arrived, the energy was electric. Students were thrilled to shake hands, take photos, and chat with the elite athletes, gaining insight into their dedication, training, and love for the sport. The Firebirds shared inspiring stories about perseverance, teamwork, and the importance of staying active, leaving our students motivated and full of admiration.
A huge thank you to Mr. Phillips for organising this unforgettable experience. Seeing the joy and inspiration on our students' faces was truly special. Who knows? We may have some future Firebirds in our very own school! 🌟🏐🔥
