Term 2, Week 4
News from the Principal
Dear Parents and Carer/s,
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers and mother figures in the community, I hope you were all spoilt by the people in your lives on the special day.
Thank you to all the parents and guardians who attended the Parent Teacher evening held last Tuesday, we value your support in your child’s education, and we look forward to working with you to support your children in their pathway for the remainder of the term. For parents who were unable to attend, know you can contact your class teacher in the first instance with questions or concerns about your child’s progress. I also wish to thank parents for their patience this week as we experienced a Telstra outage all day on Tuesday meaning our external communication and internet systems were down. We are back up and running but acknowledge that this caused some confusion for students and families on the day.
In more positive news, the students at Malanda always blow me away with what they achieve. As written about in previous newsletter articles, we are undertaking a review of our school awards and rewards programs. One change to these awards has been a revision of the Principal Awards, and students who have the highest academic achievement for their cohort will be acknowledged with these awards over the next two weeks, both with certificates and an invitation to families to be part of this. Information will come directly to those students and families soon.
As usual this fortnight we have had several students achieve well in the sporting arena. In sport we congratulate Miles, Khy, Caden, Shin, Nash, Thomas, Luka, Tiarnan, Jeremiah, Silas, Ashton, Noah, Neo, Erika, Indi, Loretta, Abbie, Ella, Olivia, Shonae, Rylie, Kirby, Jacinta, Carly, Caitlin and Zoe for representing the school as part of the recent Tablelands Cross Country team. I would also like acknowledge Joel, Shintaro and Cruz for making the Peninsula Golf team, congratulations boys!
In terms of events this fortnight, I was proud to witness our senior captains and Ms Shana Backshall participate in the ‘Ice Bucket’ challenge, an event created to raise awareness about mental health and supports that are available. All students need to know it is OK to not be OK, and that they can reach out for support at school.
Aside from this, we have also had the opportunity to commence our year 6 into 7 transition program which has been revamped this year. Our program sees Malanda, Butchers Creek, Millaa Millaa and Yungaburra State School students join us at various times this term as agreed to with the individual schools. We value our transition program so primary students experience our school routines, programs and structures prior to us hosting information evenings in early term three for their parents and final transition activities for students who will join our school and are enrolled in term four. I thank Mr Adam Catalano and Mr Cian Cochran for the organisation of these programs, as well as the staff supporting the students when on site – Mr Dave Kilpatrick, Mr Kevin Mallyon, Ms Zoe Reitsma-McKenna, Mrs Kim Dunell, Ms Joe Fallon and Ms Faan Jaemsaidee.
I would also like to advise that next week I will be in Brisbane undertaking the final stage of professional development for Principals that I have been part of for the last 2 years and Mr Adam Catalano will be in charge in my absence. To finish out this fortnight, a reminder our school’s P and C meeting is held on the third Tuesday of the month, being next Tuesday 20 May. I highly encourage any parents who wish to contribute to attend O Block at 5:30pm on this day.
Wishing everyone an excellent fortnight ahead.
Yours in learning,
Natasha Lyndon
Principal
QPARENTS
We will be moving to electronic consent very soon! Sign up to QParents now! Email bsm@malandashs.eq.edu.au
P&C News
Gallery 101
Next Wednesday, May 21, our Visual Art students will be showcasing their work in a Gallery 101, Student Art Exhibition held in the Cultural Quadrangle. Throughout the day, students will have the opportunity to exhibit their works, view the exhibition, enjoy light snacks, and participate in the People’s Choice Awards by voting for their favourite artworks. This event celebrates the creativity and effort our students have invested in their Visual Arts practice.
News from the Science Department
🧪🐘 Our Year 10 Science students had a blast experimenting with Elephant’s Toothpaste this week!
Big foam, big reactions, and even bigger learning! 🔬
Sport News
Year 8 HPE
Year 8HPE continue with focus on movement as practical focus. This week we had an interesting and informative guest speak, Leeanne Stathooles, who discussed a range of martial arts techniques involving movement and rhythm. Students performed some basic movements, as well as a range of self-defence techniques.
Worlds Greatest Shave
Semi Formal
Break out your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie because its time, yet again, for the senior semi-formal.
Join us May 23rd (Friday week 5) from 6 to 9pm at the MSHS Hall for a night of dancing, music, and fun with friends.
This year's theme is Hollywood, so come in your best red carpet strutting attire (or any semi-formal outfit you're comfortable in).
You must be a MSHS student in years 10, 11 or 12 and be on entry level or above to attend.
Tickets are $10 each and will go on sale from Monday of week 3 to Tuesday week 5. They can be purchased at the payments window at the office with either cash or card (be kind to our amazing office staff). Tickets must be pre-purchased; no tickets will be for sale on the night.
Food and drinks will be available for purchase on the night, catering provided by the Greek Food Van.
Email Macey or come find your school captains around the school to get your favourite songs added to the playlist before the night.
See you all there dancing queens 💃🕺
School Drama Club
Introducing our new School Drama Club!
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new Drama Club, held every Friday during first lunch in the Drama Room. And yes… you can bring your lunch along!
Open to all students, the Drama Club is a space to explore creativity, build confidence, meet new people and have fun! Whether you're passionate about acting, singing, choreography, directing, set design, lighting or music, there’s a role for everyone. This student-led initiative is designed to nurture talents across all areas of theatre and production, and I will be there to help guide and support the students.
We’ll begin with interactive drama games to build skills and teamwork, eventually working towards short one-act play. Our ultimate goal? A whole-school musical production in 2026! Students will also have the opportunity to develop leadership skills and help drive the club forward, including organising fundraising efforts to support performances and licensing fees.
No experience is necessary, just bring your enthusiasm and imagination. Come along, get involved and discover the magic of theatre!
Mrs Day 😊
News from the Support Staff
Are your Year 10 students starting to think about their senior school subject selections and uni options? Join us on Thursday 29 May as we Unmask the ATAR System and provide you with up-to-date information regarding the university entry process.
Hosted by JCU and QTAC, this one-hour interactive webinar will provide you with a greater understanding of:
- The role of the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) in calculating and awarding students Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) and making uni offers.
- How different subjects are graded, which subjects cannot be studied together and how subject scaling can assist in the ATAR calculation process.
- The importance of subject selection going into Year 11 such as prerequisites for certain university courses.
- How students can access their ATAR, and what a QTAC application looks like.
JCU Future Student Advisors will also be available throughout the webinar to answer any questions you may have.
School staff, students and their families are all invited to attend, and are encouraged to send through any questions they may have during the live webinar.
Webinar Details
Date: Thursday 29 May 2025Time: 7 pm - 8 pm (AEST)Join via: Zoom.
Watch the webinar via phone, tablet, or other computing device (no webcam needed).
https://www.facebook.com/share/1HwcytKX11/
May is Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention Month. This year’s theme is ‘Take positive action today to build a safer Queensland’. Our school is taking positive action by helping students learn about safe and respectful relationships, and assisting students and families impacted by DFV to access support. Visit the Queensland Government’s DFV prevention month web page to learn more about:
- DFV
- the support available
- how to help someone experiencing DFV
- the DFV prevention month activities taking place in our community.
Parents/Guardians/Staff/Student additional information
This year, we have three business classes involved in the annual Business Expo. Our Year 10 Business Studies students will be presenting a hypothetical Business Plan in the categories, food, entertainment, services, retail and tourism. Our Year 11 Business Studies students have been working tirelessly to develop a Business and Marketing Plan for an innovative business or product and our Year 12 Business Studies students will be presenting a Business Plan for an innovative sustainable idea or a new emerging energy technology idea.
Community Notices
DENTAL VAN WILL BE LEAVING
MALANDA HIGH ON 28TH MAY!
LAST CHANCE TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENTS
