General News
23 March, 2026
Getting ready to mark 110th
SOUTH Johnstone State School has surged into 2026 with strong enrolments and a renewed sense of pride, led by two eager prep students, as the community prepares to celebrate 110 years of quality primary education.
This year the school community welcomed new SWD teacher Meg Symes and teacher aide Allison (surname withheld) to the team. Chaplain Sharon Marks is returning for another year to support the students’ pastoral care and wellbeing.
Acting principal Sarah Maley said this year was extra special, as preparations were well underway for the school’s 110th anniversary, with a special celebration and cent sale on Saturday 6 June from 10am.
To mark the milestone, commemorative coffee mugs for $15 and stubby coolers for $8 are on sale at the school office or at the Lions markets in Innisfail over the next couple of months.
The school opened on 5 June 1916 in the town’s ‘O.K. Picture Hall,’ with an enrolment of 43 students.
These were eventful and chaotic times as the hall was the town’s picture theatre. By the end of 1916, the school had 73 students.
South Johnstone is a small but mighty school and is more than just a place of learning as it prides itself on a close-knit community where every student is known, every family valued and every staff member contributes to a culture of care, big expectations and opportunity.
During physical education, supported by Sporting Schools funding, students have developed their movement skills through specialised programs.
Teacher Jenny Murray has taught skipping, as well as helped students improve coordination, balance and fundamental movement skills. Members of the Cairns Basketball Association visited the school and students learned basketball skills to strengthen fine and gross motor development.
Every day, students demonstrate the school’s motto of, ‘Effort equals outcomes’ in multi-age classes where along with the support of dedicated staff, student learning is personalised.
Staff have a wide range of expertise and experience to help students thrive in a nurturing environment where they feel safe to take risks and grow.
Breakfast club runs daily from 8-8.30am with a variety of fruit, toast and cereals on offer, while tuckshop operates on a Friday at first break. The school has a playgroup which runs on Mondays from 9-10.30am.
Student leaders strive to uphold the school’s Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) expectations of ‘be safe, be respectful, be responsible, be a learner and be resilient’.
Keep an eye on the school’s Facebook page for upcoming events, updates and information.
Read More: Far North