Gazza’s Still a class act after 125 Years!

from Cairns Local News February 3 2023

A football genius

THIS year, Mossman State School is celebrating its 125th Birthday after originally opening as Mossman River State School, way back on January 31, 1898.

I popped along to see the official morning tea celebrations last Tuesday, which included many community members, past and present students, together with previous and current staff.

The predecessors of our community with the vision and passion to create this outstanding educational facility would be extremely proud to see its success over the years. This has been clearly represented by the fact that four generations of local families have since trusted their children’s future in the school, as well as the numerous teachers who were originally students at the school themselves.

Mossman State School has a fitting motto of ‘Forever Onwards’ and now attracts students from areas including Julatten, Mossman, Port Douglas, together with Cooya, Newell and Wonga Beaches.

As the 1800s was about to roll over into a new century, the focus of this new school would have certainly been to provide an exemplary classroom education and thus build a stronger future for the Douglas Shire. In the succeeding years and particularly more recently, the importance of extra-curricular activities has also become a key objective as part of the weekly timetable. These include a before school reading club, instrumental music, gifted and talented programs, health and physical education, sporting activities, music and foundational learning programs. Through- out the year, students also participate in events showcasing their talents, as well as being a central part of the Douglas Shire community.

Embracing leadership is an integral part of the core business at Mossman State School. They do this in a number of ways, including the selection of school captains and house captains who attend a cluster leadership camp at Tinaroo Dam as part of the development program. They use the system leadership theory as the template for shared leadership roles across the school’s staff. These specific roles include Head of Curriculum, Literacy Lead Coach, Guidance Officer, Social Worker, Senior Teachers and Advanced Senior Teachers.

All up, Mossman State School has come a long way over the last 125 years. I was certainly very impressed by the enthusiasm and energy of both pupils and staff who, with the assistance of their strong Parents and Citizens Association, will no doubt ensure that this local school will continue to flourish in the coming years.

Further celebrations are planned with a Dinner Dance in the Mossman Shire Hall on June 23 and a Fete at the School the following day, plus the burial of a time capsule. Further information will be available nearer the time.