22 August 2025

Principal’s Report

Book Week Parade

A huge thank you to all families for being part of our annual Book Week Parade. It was wonderful to see students dressed as their favourite characters and celebrating the joy of reading. Events like this help bring books to life, inspiring children to use their imagination and deepening their love for stories.

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Pupil Free Day

As part of our Term 3 schedule, we will hold a Pupil Free Day on Thursday, 5 September. Please note that the school will be closed to all students on this day. Families who require care may access Helping Hands, which will be open as usual.

My Hero and Me – Under the Big Gum Tree

We are excited to host My Hero and Me – Under the Big Gum Tree on Wednesday, 4 September at 2:00pm. This special afternoon is for our Prep to Year 2 students to spend time with a positive role model in their lives and to celebrate the important contribution of males in our children’s development.

For students who may not have a family member available, male students from North Rockhampton State High School will be joining us to ensure every child can share in this experience.

Updating Personal Details Forms

This week, students have taken home important forms for families to update personal details and provide permission for the use of various computer apps. We kindly ask that all forms be completed and returned. To encourage prompt returns, every student who hands in their form will receive a free Zooper Dooper.

Literacy & Numeracy at Home – Quick Tips

Supporting your child’s learning at home doesn’t have to be complicated — here are a few easy ways to build skills every day:

• Reading: Share a book together before bed or ask your child to retell their favourite part of a story.
• Writing: Encourage your child to write a shopping list, label drawings, or keep a short daily journal.
• Numbers: Count steps as you walk, practise times tables in the car, or ask your child to help with measuring when cooking.

These small, everyday activities make a big difference in strengthening literacy and numeracy skills.

Jeff Jepson
Principal

Deputy Principal’s Report

The Power of Reading Fluency Practice

One important part of the reading journey is developing reading fluency—the ability to read accurately, smoothly, and with expression.

Why Fluency Matters

Research shows that fluency is a bridge between simply decoding words and fully understanding what is being read. When children read with ease, their brains are freed up to focus on meaning, leading to stronger comprehension and a greater love of books (National Reading Panel, 2000; Kuhn et al., 2010).

In fact, studies highlight that regular practice in fluency helps children:

• Improve word recognition and accuracy
• Develop phrasing and expression that brings stories to life
• Build confidence and enjoyment in reading

What the Research Says

• Repeated Reading Works:

 Research by Rasinski (2012) shows that when students reread short passages, they improve not only their speed but also their understanding.

• Modeled Reading Helps:

Listening to a teacher, parent, or even an audiobook read aloud provides children with a model of fluent reading to imitate (Kuhn & Stahl, 2003).

• Small Steps, Big Gains:

Even 10–15 minutes of fluency practice a few times a week can lead to significant improvements over time.

How We Practice at School

In class, children take part in whole class and small group sessions that include:

• Choral Reading: Reading aloud together as a group
• Echo Reading: Teacher reads a line, children repeat
• Partner Reading: Students take turns reading to each other
  These strategies have been shown to boost fluency in engaging and supportive ways.

How Families Can Help at Home

You don’t need to be a teacher to support fluency at home! Here are some simple ways:

• Listen to your child read a favourite book aloud more than once. Celebrate the smoothness and expression that grows with each try.
• Take turns reading pages—your fluent reading gives them a model to follow.
• Encourage expressive reading of a very familiar book—make the characters come alive!

Thank You, North Rockhampton State High!

A big thank you to the students at North Rockhampton State High School who have kindly made a whisper phone for every child at Mount Archer. We are so grateful for their time, effort, and generosity in supporting our students.

A whisper phone is a small, curved tool that looks a little like a telephone. When children read softly into it, the sound of their voice travels straight back into their ear. This helps them hear themselves more clearly as they read, while also creating less noise in the classroom when everyone is reading aloud at the same time.

Why Whisper Phones Help

• They make it easier for children to notice if a word doesn’t sound right.
• They encourage smoother, more expressive reading.
• They help younger readers tune in to letter and sound patterns.
• They build confidence—because children can hear their own progress!
• They keep the classroom calmer and quieter during whole-class reading.

Thanks to the North Rockhampton StateHigh students, every child at Mount Archer now has their own whisper phone to use during reading time.

Beginner Strings Bootcamp

Last week, our beginner strings students attended a workshop at Frenchville State School.  The region's string teachers took them on a trip around the world and students learned songs from different countries around the world. Our students had a wonderful time learning new techniques, making new friends and performing in a concert with over 80 beginner string students.  Mrs Sarah De Sousa Roque, our strings teacher, was very proud of them as are we! Well done Mt Archer Beginner Strings!

Kim Creek
Deputy Principal

Finance- Student Credits on Accounts

We would like to inform you that any available credits on your account will be automatically applied to your upcoming invoice(s). This will reduce the total amount due accordingly.

You will receive notification via text and your invoice as usual, the credit will appear as a line item deduction.  If you do not wish for the credit to be applied to your invoice/s and require a refund you will need to contact the office to arrange.

If you have any questions or would like to review your account balance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Classroom Foyer Displays

1D

Prep A

Bookwork Superstars

Congratulations to our Week 3 Bookwork Superstars. We are seeing some amazing writing.

Week 5

3L

Positions Available

Relief Teacher Aides and Cleaners

We are currently seeking reliable and enthusiastic individuals to join our pool of relief school cleaners and teacher aides for on-call and backfill opportunities.

Roles Available:

• School Cleaners – Maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming school environment.
• Teacher Aides – Support teaching staff in delivering high-quality education and care to students.

Requirements:

• A current PAID Blue Card
• Willingness to consent to a criminal history check
• Flexibility and availability at short notice
• A genuine interest in working in a school environment

Ideal Candidates Will Be:

• Punctual and dependable
• Able to work independently or as part of a team
• Respectful and professional in a school setting

If you’re passionate about supporting students and school communities, we’d love to hear from you!

To apply or express interest, please send your CV and a brief cover letter to:

The Business Manager
Mount Archer State School
242 Thozet Road
Koongal QLD 4701

For further information please contact the Business Manager on 49 235 222

Parent and Community Code of Conduct

Supporting our school’s Parent and Community Code of Conduct

Parents and visitors help keep everyone safe by communicating and behaving appropriately at school and during school events.

In support of this, we have adopted a Parent and Community Code of Conduct so that all visitors to our school can understand what is expected of them.

The Parent and Community Code of Conduct sits alongside our Student Code of Conduct and the Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service which applies to all staff.  

A copy of the new Code can be found below.

Online Consent and QParents

Mount Archer State School is moving towards an online consent system for all school-related permissions and communications. This transition will not only streamline processes for our staff but also make it more convenient for you as parents.

To ensure a smooth experience, we highly encourage all parents to sign up for QParents. QParents will be your one-stop shop for all student-related information and permissions, making it easier than ever to stay connected with your child's school activities, view and update important details, and submit consents quickly and securely from the comfort of your home.

Why QParents?

Simplified access: No more paper forms. You can give consent for excursions, events, and other activities with just a few clicks.

Real-time updates: Stay informed with up-to-date information on your child's attendance, reports, behaviour and progress.

Convenience: Access everything you need in one place, 24/7, using your smartphone or computer.

We believe QParents will significantly improve communication and make managing your child's school-related matters much easier.

If you need any assistance with signing up for QParents or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office. We are more than happy to help!

Thank you for your cooperation as we make this transition to a more efficient and convenient way of managing school consent.

Read more about QParents at https://qparents.qld.edu.au/#/about

WHAT IS QPARENTS?

QParents is an online portal that is free for Queensland state schools to use and allows parents at your school to:

• view attendance details, behaviour information, report cards, timetables, invoices and a history of payments
• provide digital consent, reasons for unexplained absences and to notify the school of future absences
• view and pay school invoices online
• update student details including residential and postal address as well as medical conditions.

Read more about QParents at https://qparents.qld.edu.au/#/about

Help and more information

Further help with registering for QParents can be found on the QParents Help page at https://qparents.qld.edu.au/#/help

If you have any other questions or require some assistance with the registration process, please contact the Service Centre on 13QGOV (137468).

Tuckshop

Normal Operating Hours

Operating hours: 8:20am to 1:10pm Opening Days: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Tuckshop Menu

Tuckshop orders and payments can be handed daily into the tuckshop directly by students in a brown paper bag.  Online ordering is also available through the QKR App.

School Dental Clinic

The School Dental Clinic will be based at Mount Archer State School commencing on July 15 2025, offering full dental treatment for students enrolled here. Parents can scan the QR code below for access to an electronic permission form.

Every Day Counts

We continue to emphasise the importance of regular school attendance. Being at school each day helps students stay connected, keep up with their learning, and develop the skills and relationships that support long-term success.

We appreciate your ongoing support in making sure your child attends school every day and arrives on time—unless they are genuinely unwell.

If your child is facing any challenges that make attendance difficult—whether they are medical, emotional, or practical—please reach out to us. Our staff are here to help and can work with your family to find solutions and provide the support needed to help your child attend regularly and thrive.

Upcoming Events

Contact Details & Absences

Contact details

• There are times when we may need to contact parents and carers. Do we have your most up to date contact details? If not, please contact the school office on 07 49235222 or alternatively email - admin@mtarcherss.eq.edu.au and complete the attached form, so we can update our records. These details include parent/carers’ name, address, phone numbers, email address and emergency contact details. Please contact the school if any of these details change.

Absence notification process

• Please call the school on 07 49235222 or send an email to admin@mtarcherss.eq.edu.au early in the morning if your child is going to be away or late for school so your child’s absence can be recorded correctly.

Same day notification

• Our school will contact parents as soon as practicable on the day if a student is not at school and we don’t know why. If you are advised by the school that your child is away without a reason, please contact us as soon as possible by replying to the Absentee SMS or on 07 49235222 to let us know where your child is. We will follow-up with parents if no response is received.

School zone parking and pick-up

• School zone times have been standardised in Queensland to help motorists remember when to slow down. The standard operating times for most school zones in Queensland are 7:30–9amand 2–4pm.
• School zones are areas around schools where, during certain times, reduced speed limits apply. Speed limits and drop-off, pick-up and parking rules exist to keep children, parents and carers safe and to minimise speed and traffic jams around schools.

Community, Sporting and Cultural Events

Toledo Basketball Come and Try Day

CQU Health Clinics

Our Health Clinics deliver a range of health services to staff and students, as well as the general public. With state-of-the art health facilities, the Health Clinics provide practical learning environments for students under clinical supervision by registered health professionals.

Person-centred care is embedded into CQU Health Clinics and throughout all of the Standards developed by the Commission, including the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards and the Primary and Community Healthcare Standards, reflecting its importance to the safety and quality of health care.

Person-centred care is widely recognised as a foundation to safe, high-quality health care. It is care that respects and responds to the preferences, needs and values of patients and consumers.

https://www.cqu.edu.au/engage/health-clinics  

No referral is required.

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