Innisfail State School students have forged ahead in 2023

STORY AND PHOTO BY MARIA GIRGENTI

IN 2023, Innisfail State School has 19 Preps, five classes, and students follow the four core expectations of being safe, respectful, responsible and engaged learners.

Tania Kaitara, who has been the Principal at ISS for 14 years, was appointed Principal of Goondi State School in Term 2.

This year the school community welcomed back a senior teacher who returned to the Prep/Year 1 classroom.

Reading, writing and inclusive practices are the core focus areas in 2023, and ISS staff have completed training on new methodologies and research with the science of reading and writing rope, as well as the latest research with spelling instruction.

2023 leaders

Mary (school captain)

Romeo and Justin (vice-captains)

Caroline (Cassowary sports house captain)

Shelly and Darius (Crocodiles sports house captains)

ISS has one laptop per child in the upper three classes, whilst the lower two classes have access to i-Pads.

Students can access a computer lab and participate in the Indigenous STEM Solid Pathways program.

Upper-class students participate in North Queensland Readers Cup and Maths competitions online.

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ISS is a Positive Behaviour for Learning School (PBL), and students strive to follow the four expectations of acting responsibly and safely, being a learner and showing respect.

Breakfast Club runs Monday to Friday with toast from 8.00 - 8.30 am

‘Chappy Jacqui,’ affectionately known by staff and students, provides additional support through emotional checkins/activities supporting social skill development and emotional regulation on Mondays and Tuesdays.

ISS has an initiative-taking P&C Association that meets monthly and is always looking for new members.

These resolute volunteers organise fun events and fundraisers throughout the year, including movie nights, school discos, raffles and a cent sale.

Since mid-February, ISS has run a free Robotics Club for students from Years 4 - 6, run by Katrina Carpenter, on Wednesdays 3.30 pm - 4.30 pm in the library.

Students learned how to design, build, and write their own computer code each week.

Students have access to a full EV3 robotics kit and computers to program.

During Terms 1 and 2, students have participated in the school’s annual interhouse sports day and cross country, netball carnival, rugby league gala day, free dress days, movie night, National Simultaneous Storytime, Mother’s Day stall, ANZAC Day, school disco, NAPLAN and Innisfail Young Performers competition.

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