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Thank you for my first week at Calliope State School. As I communicated last week, I (Mr Damien Hoare) will be replacing Ms Mackenzie as Principal until a suitable replacement has been recruited to the position. It is anticipated I will be at Calliope State School for three weeks.
I am currently the Principal at Gladstone West State School, but I also have a connection to Calliope State School as I have previously been a teacher and relieved in the Deputy and Principal roles at Calliope.
I am a strong believer that behaviour needs to be correct, before learning can occur in the classroom. I also agree that we need to teach students how to behave just like how we teach them to read, write and calculate operations.
I look forward in meeting and working with you over these next three weeks.
Reading
In 2021 we are continuing our School Improvement agenda of Reading here at Calliope. We want Calliope Students to be the BEST reader they can be. Reading: with a focus on Improved Teaching Practices of Reading. I found the below image the other day. How is your child going are they doing some type of reading every day?
Positive Conversations with Students
Over the last week at Calliope State School I have had some conversations with students and parents regarding leading questions and thinking positively towards school. When a child jumps into a car or is met by a parent or career, they are normally approached by three types of questions. The first type is a very typical question: What did you do today? and like most parents I am sure you get “ Nothing, Don’t Know”. I find myself as a parent being very frustrated with this reply.
The second question is the one that goes negative, What happened today? and the student responds with “not good, I got into trouble, etc” and at this point in time we can either make this conversation negative or positive. We as parents turn what was meant to be a positive conversation into a negative with leading questions- Who did that? Did such and such a teacher do that? This leads to negative thought and with children being at school for a large percentage of their week, we want them to have positive interactions with school.
The third one is my favourite and is the most positive reaction and engagement, and below I have listed a few that nay help guide this conversation.
What was the funniest thing that happened today?
Did anyone do anything super nice for you?
When did you feel most proud of yourself today?
What challenged you today?
What would you rate your day on a scale of 1 to 10? Why?
What was the nicest thing you did for someone else?
We’re off to a flying start in Prep B!
All the students have settled into the daily routine and are showing amazing progress in all areas. Each week we are focusing on a new letter and sound.
We enjoy exploring a range of activities like apple printing, making our own toast, and paper pizzas. We are also reading many books; discussing favourite character and event from the stories.
In Science, we are exploring living and non-living things. The children are sharing their knowledge during our investigations and explorations and thoroughly enjoying hunting through the Prep playground with magnifying glasses.
It’s been such a busy start and I can’t wait to see everyone grow and learn throughout the year.






This week we went around the school and asked the hard question,
“What is your favourite subject, and why?”
P.E. was by far the most favourite subject at Calliope State School. The students enjoy being out of the classroom and playing games and running around learning new physical skills. Students also loved the enthusiasm of Mrs Betts.
There were no other distinctive areas that stood out, students liked a range of other subjects for varying reasons. Science because of the experiments, Math because of the operations and problems, English because of the interesting reading and writing, and of course Art because of the creativity and expression.
Looks like Calliope is a winner where academics are concerned!




Wellbeing is a state in which every individual realises his or her potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.
– World Health Organisation, 2014
Calliope State School offers a range of programs and services to suppor tthe wellbeing of students in our school. We encourage parents and students to speak with their class teacher or one of the Student Welling team if they would like individual advice about accessing particular services.
Learning and wellbeing are inextricably linked - students learn best when their wellbeing is optimised, and they develop a strong sense of wellbeing when they experience success in learning. Our Student Learning and Wellbeing Framework supports state schools with creating positive school cultures and embedding student wellbing in all aspects of school like through connecting the learning environment, curriculum and pedagogy, policies, procedures and partnerships for learning and life.






Congratulations to 4C who had an amazing attendance rate for Week 4. Their attendance rate was 99% for the week! Also congratulations to the 11 classes which were at or above our school attendance target of 94% for Week 4. Remember, every day you are away is a learning day lost.
Happy Week 5 Calliope community. We have attached our P&C Calendar. Please mark these dates in your diaries.
Information and order forms were sent home last week. Details are also on Facebook and QKR!
ALL ORDERS TO BE SUBMITTED ON QKR BY MONDAY 1ST MARCH. NO LATE ORDERS CAN BE ACCEPTED SORRY.











These gift packs and more are available to order on the QKR! App. There will also be a store closer to Mother’s Day for students to purchase individual items.
Tuckshop News
Tuckshop operates at both first and second breaks from Tuesday to Friday. Ordering is only through the QKR! App. We cannot accept cash sales at this time, sorry. Please ensure you have jumped onto the App to update your childs’ Year Level and Class so that their lunch is taken to the correct place. We still have kids listed in the wrong class and we cannot change this from our end, sorry.
Do you have a day that you could help in our Tuckshop?
- Contact Lisa at our tuckshop from Tuesday – Friday or via email at pandc@calliopess.eq.edu.au
- Helpers needed Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
- Any time you can contribute would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Uniform Shop
UNIFORM SHOP OPENING TIME: Fridays 8:30am - 9am (Uniform Shop is located at the Hall near the entrance closest to the Oval)
Our uniforms can also be purchased through QKR! Thank you to those who attended our Open Days over the last week. If you have any questions or queries, please email uniformshop.calliopess@gmail.com .
All hats and school shirts are now back in stock. These will be distributed to students at school.
What does our P&C do? Our purpose is to support our kids’ education and school life; be involved in an active way and have a say about what happens within our school community. Come on board to help us continue to achieve our goal!
AGM & General Meeting of 2021 – Tuesday 9th of March at 6pm in the Office Conference room. This is where we elect our Executive Positions for 2021. President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary will be vacant and need to be filled.
President – Responsible for the operations of the P&C and its actions
Vice President – Supports the president and other executive members
Treasurer – Manages the P&C’s finances
Secretary – Sends correspondence to P&C members and organises incoming and outgoing mail.
In 2021 we would love to see lots of parents and community members be a part of our P&C committee. To see some new faces would bring us so much delight!
If you have any queries, feedback, or ideas for our team, please email pandc@calliopess.eq.edu.au We are always happy to answer questions or help our where we can.
WE ARE HIRING Our P&C are looking for a Casual Tuckshop Assistant to help our Convenor, Lisa with our busy tuckshop responsibilities. Applications to be made to the President at president.calliopess@gamil.com with a cover letter and current resume, no later than Friday 26th of February. |
Have a spectacular week everyone,
Your P&C Team
Tenielle, Sian, Bec & Kate