19 September 2025

From the Executive Principal’s desk

Dear Parents and Caregivers

“Some people want it to happen; some wish it would happen. Others make it happen.” ~Michael Jordan

At Mansfield, our theme for 2025 has been Belong, BeYou, Belonging at Mansfield. As the terms roll on, I’ve come to realise this isn’t just a saying, but a lived reality at our school. It comes alive in classrooms, on the stage, in competition and in the everyday lives of our students. In recent weeks, I have seen countless examples of how belonging is not something we simply talk about:  it is something we practise, something we celebrate. It is, quite simply, Belonging in action.

One of the most magical demonstrations of this was our recent school musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Over three unforgettable nights, our students dazzled audiences with their talent, energy and joy. I watched it every night and every night I thought my heart would burst with pride! The music was superb, the acting delightful and the entire production filled each audience with delight. What made it truly special, however, was the incredible collaboration that sat behind it. Costumes were sewn by our P&C Executive, props were built by our ITD Head of Department and painted by our Art Department, Wonka biscuits were baked by teachers in the Food Department, and every detail was infused with love, creativity and commitment. This wasn’t just a performance. This was Mansfield at its best: students, staff and parents working side by side to create something extraordinary.

Our Student Leadership Camp at Mapleton Education Centre was another fantastic moment where belonging came to life. Over two days in early August, our Year 11 students were challenged to think deeply about courage, vision, relationships and trust. They stepped away from the familiar and into an environment that asked them to lead authentically, to believe in themselves and to build one another up. I shared with them a few of my favourite leadership reflections, including the reminder that “leaders never stop learning” and that we should each “be the leader we would follow”. What I saw in return was a group of students ready to grow into the next generation of Mansfield leaders: grounded in belonging and ready to lead with courage.

Then, just last week, came a moment of history for Mansfield State High School when our Senior Debating Team competed in the Grand Final of the Queensland Debating Union competition. We became the first state school, and the first non-GPS school, ever to reach this stage! Our third speaker and the opposing Brisbane Grammar third speaker are both part of the Australian Debating Team: what an incredible reflection of the calibre of our young people. While we didn’t take home the win, my heart was full of love and pride: our students were simply outstanding (and I am starting to believe, smarter than the rest of us mere mortals).  And what struck me just as much as the debate itself was the sea of Mansfield support. Students from across year levels, perfectly dressed in their uniforms, alongside staff and parents, were all there to cheer on their peers. The sense of community was unbelievable, and just another reminder of why our culture of belonging is the envy of so many schools! Whilst the win would have been nice, the final result doesn’t matter: I could not be prouder of our team and the history they have made.

Earlier this month we had Fathers’ Day, a time to  celebrate the role of dads and father figures in our community. Their roles are dynamic, their love endless and their support steeped in care and enthusiasm. From cheering on the sidelines, to modelling kindness and teaching all the dad ‘things’, our fathers are so important. To all our dads, we thank you for the difference you make each day, and hope you had a very Happy Fathers’ Day. To our students, remember this day is an opportunity to appreciate your dad, but everyday is a time to tell your dad that you love them!

‘A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.’ Billy Graham.

All of these precious moments - the musical, leadership camp, debating and the everyday love of families - remind us that belonging at Mansfield is alive and well. It is seen in creativity, in courage, in community and in care. Belonging is powerful, but it only transforms into something truly extraordinary when it is lived…. And at Mansfield State High School, we are proud to live it every lesson, every day. We Are Mansfield!

Mrs Karen Tanks
Executive Principal

School notices

2025 Awards Program

Thank you for those parents and students who followed the process for checking the Award categories of Cultural, Service and Sports awards. Further information on the Year level ceremonies will be provided at the start of Term 4. The dates of these events are included below.

Year 12 Graduation

The first round of ticket sales is now live on Ticketek. Families purchasing tickets in the first round are limited to four (4) tickets. On Friday 17 October, all remaining seats will be released for sale without any purchase limits. At this time, families may purchase additional seats for extended family and friends who wish to attend.

Date: Wednesday 19 November 2025
Time: Doors open at 6.00pm for a 7.00pm start
Location: Nissan Arena, Nathan

Uniform prices

Due to increases in manufacturing costs, there will be a small increase to the cost of some uniform items.  The 2026 price list is effective from Monday 6 October 2025 and can viewed on the school website.

Achievement

Non-school sport acknowledgement

As an addition to our traditional school sports awards, in 2025 we are offering students the opportunity to have their highest sporting achievement recognised in a non-school sport publication. This is a way of recognising achievements which are not eligible for a school sports award. This may include sports which are not school sports, or achievements that were made through club sport.

To be included, the achievement must:

1. be a state, national or international level in sports other than school sports
2. have taken place between 14 September 2024 and 6 October 2025
3. be self nominated via the online form
4. be supported with evidence which is emailed to info@mansfieldshs.eq.edu.au

All nominations must be received by Friday 17 October 2025 to allow time for the information to be verified and included for publication. Late submissions cannot be accepted.

Learning

Professional visits

Mansfield was privileged to welcome two professional visits recently, each enriching our learning environment in unique ways.

A delegation of teachers from Taiwan joined us as part of their action research project, observing classroom practice and learning about our school culture. The collegial discussions forged genuine connections, reaffirming the value of global professional learning networks. The Chief Secretary attended on multiple days, and the delegation was incredibly impressed with our culture of ‘Belonging’.

Shortly after, we had the joy of hosting a group of students from Amagasaki High School in Japan, who immersed themselves in the daily life of an Australian school. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and warmth created a wonderful cultural exchange. They quickly built friendships with our students, sharing experiences inside and outside the classroom that will be remembered for years to come.

Both visits highlighted the power of education to connect people across cultures. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our Taiwanese colleagues and Japanese students for their openness, generosity, and energy. The friendships formed will continue to strengthen ties well into the future.

Year 11 Visual Art Excursion 

On August 15, our Year 11 Visual Art students embarked on a full-day excursion designed to spark ideas and provide stimulus for their upcoming IA1 task, where they will develop an individual inquiry question.  

The day began at Nudgee Beach, hosted by staff at the Environmental Centre, where students engaged their five senses — noticing patterns in the sand and mangroves, feeling textures underfoot, and absorbing the sounds and atmosphere of the coastal landscape. Next, in the CBD, the Brisbane Crime Tour uncovered hidden stories and dramatic spaces. A standout moment was spotting the bullet hole still visible in the ornate interior of the old Regent Theatre. In the afternoon, students experienced the city from a new perspective aboard the City Cat, before finishing at Eat Street, where colour, light, sound, and energy created a vibrant sensory finale. 

These diverse environments provided rich impressions and inspiration, giving students plenty to draw on as they develop their individual bodies of work.  

Extracurricular events

House Cup

Term 3 has been a busy one for House Cup events. Some of the highlights of this term include:

• Senior Futsal - congratulations to Hammarskjold who won 3-2 to Gandhi in the final, and U Thant who defeated Schweitzer in the bronze medal match.
• Junior Futsal – congratulations to Schweitzer who won 4-3 to Gandhi in the final, with a goal in the last 20 seconds to win the game. U Thant defeated Hammarskjold in the bronze medal match.
• Senior Touch Football was held before Year 12 Mock exams - Gandhi scored in the final minute to take the lead 4-3 against Hammarskjold, and Schweitzer defeated U Thant.
• Junior Touch was rained out and is being played in Week 10.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 10

Next

Year 11 Leadership Camp

In Week 4 our Year 11 aspiring student leaders attended Leadership Camp. They didn't let the wet weather dampen their enthusiasm and embraced the opportunity to challenge themselves, learn about leadership and create stronger bonds with their peers.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 10

Next

School events

School Musical

In August, the hardwork of school staff, students and volunteers cumulated with four amazing performances of Charlie and the Chocalate Factory. Congratulations to everyone involved in this musical – and to those behind the scenes who helped our students shine on stage – thank you!

We would like to acknowledge our sponsors, Ray White Mt Gravatt for their generous contribution to this school production. We hope those lucky enough to find a ‘golden ticket’ enjoyed the surprise.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 15

Next

Meet a Scientist

Our last visiting scientist, Professor Bruno Van Swinderen, from the Queensland Brain Institute, gave our students an interesting view on brain and dreams. He is proposing that dream sleep may have evolved in the first animal brains as a mechanism for optimising prediction in self-moving creatures confronted with constantly changing environments. This view has some interesting implications on whether many animals might also be conscious, even simple animals such as the one he studies in his lab: fruit flies. Students took the opportunity to ask many curious questions they had about the brain and dreams.

Our next scientist, coming in early October, is Associate Professor Taylor Dick from the School of Biomedical Sciences (University of Queensland). She is an expert in biomechanics and muscle physiology and research how bio-robotic assistive devices can help during perturbations as diseases

Key dates

P&C Association

The P&C is thrilled to announce the approval of a significant co-contribution of approximately $270,000 at our August meeting. This amount will be matched by the Queensland Department of Education, bringing the total investment to over $500,000 for the development of a beautiful new outdoor learning area near the F Block terraces.

This exciting new space will provide students, teachers, and our wider school community with a vibrant and functional area for learning and connection for many years to come.

The P&C will also be making a donation of $250,000 toward the redevelopment of the Parade Ground, located between the Administration Building and F Block. The redevelopment aims to modernise the space, provide additional seating and outdoor areas for students, while also helping to alleviate congestion in this frequently used section of the school.

We’re pleased to invest reserved funds that have grown over many years thanks to the financial management of past and present P&Cs, generous donations from Club Southside, and sensible P&C business management.

Other Contributions in 2025

In addition to this major project, your P&C has proudly supported many initiatives throughout the year, including:

• the school musical
• Chaplaincy
• Graduation
• sporting equipment
• and many others.

We’d love for you to get involved! Come along to our next P&C meeting on Tuesday 28 October at the Assembly Hall or reach out via info@mshspc.com.au if you’d like to know more. If you would like to become a P&C member, just fill in the online 2025 Membership Application form.

Any enquiries about the P&C can be emailed to  info@mshspc.com.au.

Student services

Student Services team

QTAC update

QTAC applications opened on Tuesday 5 August 2025.  Students are encouraged to have their applications completed before Tuesday 30 September 2025 to take advantage of the $70 application fee.  After this date the fee will be $150 please visit QTAC for further details https://www.qtac.edu.au/ .

The Guidance Team will be checking students QTAC application early in Term 4.  We are encouraging students to have these completed by the end of the September school holidays.

Career information

Career Options newsletters are available on student Sharepoint Guidance Page. Students and parents can also download the Options Career information app and use the code Mansfield for access.   This is a great resource providing general information on a range of relevant topics monthly. This newsletter includes information on Open days for TAFE, Universities and Defence along with opportunities in a variety of industries. 

Students will be kept informed of events and other relevant information via student Sharepoint (Guidance page), notices, weekly year level news sheets and emails sent to individual school accounts.

Cyber safety

There is a wealth of information available to parents on the think u know website https://thinkuknow.org.au/  and  the esafety commissioner website https://www.esafety.gov.au/ that can help parents support a safer and more positive experience on line. These sites also provide information to report abuse and provide general information or range of topics (issues and advice, parent controls, cyberbullying).  Parent webinars are also held regularly and available for you to sign up to and attend online. They are 45 min sessions https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars

Webinars

• AI-Assisted image-based abuse: Navigating the deepfake threat (12.00pm Tuesday 21 October)
• The changing face of cyberbullying: Protecting your child in 2025 (12.30pm Wednesday 29 October)

Happy Families

Mansfield parents and caregivers are able to access the Happy Families website free of charge. If you have not already accessed this wonderful parent resource which has a wide range of parent resources including podcasts, books and articles, we highly recommend you take a look.

The process to access the site has been updated. Using the link below, please click through to the site and down to the form which will allow you to create a new Happy Families account to access your school membership. The code for Mansfield will automatically load if using the link below.

Mansfield Happy Families school account access: Click here

There is no charge to access this parent resource.

Community notices