Welcome back to all of our families. We have some new families to our school this year and we welcome you. It is great to be back leading our school again. It is a pleasure to move around the school and meet parents in the mornings and afternoons. Yesterday morning we had excited students either returning or commencing here at Calliope. Students quickly became engaged and settled into classroom routines. As I move through the school, I am hearing beautiful manners from our students. I am also seeing students playing together and helping each other out.

Student Free Days

Staff returned to school last week for three Student Free Days. During these days they completed mandatory training, Reviewed the Department’s new Strategic Plan – Equity and Excellence, pondered resilience and participated in the inquiry process for our Annual Implementation Plan. Together, we scanned and assessed our impact from 2022, looked at data including NAPLAN, A-E results and School Opinion Survey. From here we envisaged what it would look like at Calliope State School when we have achieved Equity and Excellence for all. Staff brainstormed actions we need to take to achieve the best for our students and some difficulties we might need to overcome. Staff also spent a significant amount of time preparing for the return of children to our classrooms, including year level planning.

Calliope State School Dress Code

Attached to the bottom of this newsletter is Calliope State School’s Dress Code. I have been impressed with the tremendous number of students who are wearing our uniform in-line with our Dress Code.  There are a few who may have forgotten some aspects.  Please take a moment to review our Dress Code.  Bike Pants can be worn with either black skorts or pleated skirt, but are not to be worn unaccompanied.  Hair that is longer than shoulder length is to be tied back and coloured hair needs to be saved for the holidays.  Below is a photo of two students, I noticed on day one who were wearing the school uniform with pride. Well done Addison and Travis. If anyone requires any assistance with purchasing a uniform, please contact the office.

New Staff

We welcome the following staff to our school –

Angie Rudd – Year 4

Katreena Doyle – Year 2

Grace Rackemann – Instrumental Music

Christopher Allen – Instrumental Music

Jade Randall – SLWT

Paula Hallinan – Prep Teacher Aide

Kind Regards,

Moira Mackenzie

Principal