Welcome to Week Four.  I am excited to join your community while Ms Mackenzie is away.  A little about me – I grew up in Gladstone before moving to the United States in my early twenties.  My husband is from New Orleans and we lived in Louisiana for several years.  My older son Nate was born there.  We moved back to Gladstone where my younger son Benny was born.  Nate is now at uni in Brisbane and Benny is in Year 10 at Toolooa State High School.  We have two Labradors who we adore – Olly and Sunny (Olly is in the photo).

Whilst I am here for four weeks, I look forward to getting to know the Calliope SS community. I have already met some students and staff who have all been very welcoming. Ms Mackenzie told me how wonderful this school is with a supportive P&C, dedicated staff team and fantastic students so I am excited to spend time here leading your school.

Student Code of Conduct

Each week, we will focus on an aspect of Calliope’s Student Code of Conduct.  This week the focus is School Policies that support a safe and supportive learning environment, specifically the temporary whole of student property.

The removal of any property in a student’s possession may be necessary to promote the caring, safe and supportive learning environment of the school, to maintain and foster mutual respect between all state school staff and students.  The Temporary removal of student property by school staff procedure outlines the processes, conditions and responsibilities for state school principals and school staff when temporarily removing student property.

In determining what constitutes a reasonable time to retain student property, the principal or state school staff will consider:

• the condition, nature or value of the property;
• the circumstances in which the property was removed;
• the safety of the student from whom the property was removed, other students or staff members;
• good management, administration and control of the school.

The principal or state school staff determine when the temporarily removed student property can be returned, unless the property has been handed to the Queensland Police Service.

The following items are explicitly prohibited at Calliope State School and will be removed if found in a student’s possession:

• illegal items or weapons (e.g. guns, knives*, throwing stars, brass knuckles, chains);
• imitation guns or weapons;
• potentially dangerous items (e.g. blades, rope);
• drugs** (including tobacco);
• alcohol;
• aerosol deodorants or cans (including spray paint);
• explosives (e.g. fireworks, flares, sparklers);
• flammable solids or liquids (e.g. fire starters, mothballs, lighters);
• poisons (e.g. weed killer, insecticides);
• inappropriate or offensive material (e.g. racist literature, pornography, extremist propaganda).

* No knives of any type are allowed at school, including flick knives, ballistic knives, sheath knives, push daggers, trench knives, butterfly knives, star knives, butter knives, fruit knives or craft knives, or any item that can be used as a weapon, for example a chisel.  Knives needed for school activities will be provided by the school, and the use of them will be supervised by school staff.

** The administration of medications to students by school staff is only considered when a prescribing health practitioner has determined that it is necessary or when there is no other alternative in relation to the treatment of a specific health need.  Schools require medical authorisation to administer any medication to students (including over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol or alternative medicines).

School Opinion Survey

Our School Opinion Survey is open now, but will close on the 18 August 2023. Thank you to those families who have completed this survey.  Could I please encourage you to do so if you have not – your feedback is invaluable as we work hard to make Calliope State School the very best it can be.

The survey will take approximately 5 minutes using a computer, tablet or smart phone. 

Parents/caregivers who do not have access to the internet at home are welcome to complete their survey online at the school. School computers/tablets will be available. Please contact our administration team to organise this.

Leaving School Grounds Before School

Students are not allowed to go to the shops after their arrival at school in the mornings, including after bus drop off.  This poses a safety risk.  Please remind your children of this rule so that we ensure all our students stay safe.

Some reminders of upcoming events from the calendar include –

Week 4

1 August – P-3 Pie Collection

4 August – strings performing on assembly

Week 5 – Eisteddfod – Instrumental - Good luck, musicians!

8 August – Yrs 4-6 Pie Collection

8 August – P&C Meeting

9 August – ICAS Tech and Writing.