MacGregor State School Newsletter 2024 Edition 1

From the Principal

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

What a great start we’ve had at MacGregor State School!  Students have settled in really well into their new classes and our staff have been busy establishing expectations, classroom routines and positive learning and well-being relationships with their new students.  In addition, we have enrolled over 130 new preppies to our school who are already showing how much they are enjoying learning, playing and having fun both in and out of the classroom.  We have also welcomed some FANTASTIC new teachers to our school who have brought a wealth of expertise from other settings to share with our learning community.

On Wednesday and Thursday, I enjoyed meeting and chatting to numerous parents both new and returning to MacGregor for 2024 at the Parent Information Evening.  I am continually impressed with how engaged and interested our parent body are in the school experiences we offer and how supportive you all are in supporting the academic, well-being and extra-curricular pursuits of your children.  In my view this is part of the continued excellent achievement of our great school.

These past weeks I’ve had the pleasure of visiting all classrooms.  I’ve prioritised time to read to our new preppies and Year Ones and also met with our school and subject-area captains to get to know them and to share our ideas on what effective leadership is.  I’m aiming to spend a great deal of time in classrooms to share in the learning and enjoyment of being at school. 

Our priorities this year remain the same:

• Wellbeing, Culture & Inclusion and
• Educational Excellence

At Macgregor we are dedicated to delivering success for every child in our care.  I aim to be highly visible and available as Principal and can usually be found in the AA courtyard before school and the Drop and Go area after 3pm if you would like to chat.  Otherwise, please don’t hesitate to contact the office for an appointment with a member of my leadership team or with me to discuss any questions or concerns you might have about your child’s progress and wellbeing at our school.

Looking forward to a FABULOUS 2024! 

Yours in Equity & Excellence,

Mr. Lee Gerchow
Principal

Healthy Lunchboxes

Children learn better at school if they are sustained by a healthy diet. When packing your child’s lunchbox please consider a selection of healthy snacks and items that your child enjoys eating.

Please limit the amount of pre-packed snacks high in sugar or sodium and please leave the lollies for treats at home that you can supervise.

Involve your child in selecting healthy options. 

Some packaged items are really difficult to open for little fingers so please check that your child can open packets and containers independently. 

Prep and Year One

I hope this message finds you well and excited about the new school year ahead. I would like to extend a warm welcome to our school community to both you and your beautiful children. A sincere thank you to all families for getting the children ready for school and ready to learn, as well as attending our Parent Information Evening on Wednesday.

It has been absolutely wonderful to see both familiar and new faces every day, some filled with excitement, some filled with questions, occasionally anxiousness, but all with courage to face the new day! Despite a few tears and a temporary relocation of two Prep classes to a different building, the majority of our little people are settling in well, making new friends and getting used to the school routines. It is also very pleasing to see the students' engagement in activities that foster positive classroom culture, relationships and routines.

At MacGregor State School, we are dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment for all our learners. We understand the importance of creating a nurturing space where children can flourish academically, socially and emotionally. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to work alongside such a committed group of educators who consistently go above and beyond to ensure that every learner reaches their full potential.

We believe in implementing Age-Appropriate Pedagogies that cater to the unique needs and developmental stages of our young learners. Our teaching approaches are carefully designed to engage their curious minds, foster critical and creative thinking skills, and ignite a love for learning. Through hands-on activities, interactive lessons and collaborative projects, we aim to create an enriching learning experience that promotes imagination and passion for knowledge.

Equally important to us is wellbeing of our learners, recognising that a child’s emotional and mental health is fundamental to their overall success. We are committed to providing support, guidance and resources to ensure that each learner is equipped with the necessary skills to navigate the challenges they may encounter. We look forward to the implementation of a social-emotional program - Second Steps - across the school to promote skill development in our learners.

As we commence this academic year, I encourage open communication between parents, carers, staff and school community. A strong partnership between home and school is essential for the overall development and success of our learners, creating a network that fosters growth, resilience and a sense of belonging.

Once again, I extend a warm welcome to all the families and am very excited to embark on this educational journey with you and your children. I look forward to witnessing their growth and achievements throughout the year, and supporting you. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

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Year Two and Three

AMAZING TEAM IN YEAR 2 & 3

Our Year 2 & 3 team have been working hard over the last couple of weeks to ensure your children have had a great start to the school year.  Please let them know just how much you appreciate the work that they do.

YEAR 2 EXCURSION

Year 2 will be heading off on an excursion to the Toohey Forest Environmental Education Centre.  You will have received an email requesting that you give consent for your child to attend this excursion.  By the end of next week you will receive an invoice with payment details and a letter outlining further information about the excursion.

All activities require the consent management side completed first prior to invoicing.

Year Four and Five

Welcome back to 2024!  It has been wonderful meeting all of our new families and being in the classrooms getting to know the students and seeing them getting to know one another.  I look forward to seeing you all on Thursday night at our parent information session from 6-7pm in the classrooms.

As we know some of our classrooms received storm damage over the break and these classrooms are still waiting to have clearance to move back.  Thank you to all the staff, students and families who were impacted for your flexibility and patience whilst we move through this process.

Year 4 have an incursion coming up – 22^nd February ‘ The Twits’ which will be a part of their English unit for Term 1.  We have sent out online consent forms which you can complete in QParents.  Once the permission deadline of Tuesday 6^th February has passed, those families who have given consent will be invoiced to pay the cost. If you do not have a QParents account, we strongly encourage you to register by contacting the office to find out how. 

Year 4 and 5 will be trialling out for their chosen Inter-School sports teams so please be on the look out for notes regarding information and payment.

4A are working in their temporary space whilst their classroom is cleaned after the weather damage.

Year Six

Welcome to the 2024 learning year and what a great start to the year we have had. I am so impressed by how the new Year 6 cohort have transitioned with their new teachers – thank you parents for the part you play in having your child ready for learning.

Thank you also to the parents who took time out of their schedules to attend our Year 6 Parent Information Night last night. It was great to see so many families dedicate time to meet their child’s teacher and hear how they can continue to be part of the important relationship between home and school.

This week I have been walking through classrooms and have been really impressed by how quickly routines and expectations have been set. We are fortunate to have such dedicated, professional and committed teachers and support staff at MacGregor State School – a place where your child will be supported to be their best.

Each newsletter, I will provide updates for our Year 6 families – thank you for reading to ensure you are kept informed.

If you have any questions or feedback on any items I am sharing, please know I welcome your contact via email – jbail154@eq.edu.au

e-Safety Commissioner website – we urge all parents to familiarise themselves with the e-Safety Commissioners website to assist in keeping our children safe on-line. We all have a responsibility to support our children to make safe choices on-line. A shared commitment to educating our young people on what this means is our goal here. If you have any questions about this topic, please reach out to your teacher or to myself. The website includes a broad range of languages that enables improved access to this vital information. Who are your children talking to online?
Go to:  https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents

2024 Year 6 Graduation – Parent Committee Information Session

If you are interested in being part of the Year 6 Graduation Parent Committee please RSVP to me via email by Friday 16^th February. Once numbers are finalised, I will communicate directly with the interested parents regarding a date to meet. I anticipate this will be in Week or 6 of this term and will be a 5pm – 6pm meeting on the school site.

ASPIRE Incursion – Year 6

Friday 9^th of February will see all of our Year 6 students participating in the ASPIRE full day leadership experience. The team from Unleashing Personal Potential lead our students across the day where they will enhance their skills in learning about self and learning about others in a team environment. We hope to see all students participating in this exciting day of learning away from the classroom.

Paula Davoren Bursary

In conjunction with MacGregor State High School and the Lion’s Club of Brisbane (MacGregor), one student in Year 6 will be the recipient of the Paula Davoren Bursary. Please visit our schools website to learn more about the application process – the bursary is open to any student who will be enrolling at MacGregor State High School for Year 7 in 2025. We will share more about this opportunity in future communication including opening dates for applications.

School Captains Corner

Principal’s Morning Tea with our 2024 Student Leaders

Each newsletter, we’ll share a little bit about our student leaders starting this week with their Morning Tea with the Principal!

This was a lovely opportunity for us to get to the know the students and for them to share a little bit about themselves.

Q+A With Mr Gerchow

All captains came prepared with questions to ask Mr Gerchow so that they could get to know him better and didn’t they have some great questions!

What are some of you goals for this year?

A. ‘My first goal is everybody’s wellbeing – I want to see kids happy at school, kids wanting to be in their classrooms and first thing in the morning being excited to come to school and I’d like to see all of our staff really happy to be coming work’

If you could change one thing about our school, what would it be?

‘I’d like it if we weren't on that super busy road! Since I have been Principal, I have helped fix some of the facilities here as it is quite a big job and that is an ongoing project’

Student Leader Profiles

This week, we’ll learn more about Emily and Isara

My name is Emily

My school leader position is School Captain

I have been at MacGregor since 2018 (Prep)

My friends call me Emily or Em

My favourite sport is basketball and touch

In Year 6 I am most looking forward to meeting new people and creating the best year ever before having to go to high school

My name is Isara

My school leader position is School Captain

I have been at MacGregor since 2018 (Prep)

My favourite sport is cricket

In Year 6 I am most looking forward to being a School Captain

We can make this world a better place by filling the world with love instead of wars and violence which can lead to many deaths.

We can make our school a better place by sharing positivity through our words, actions and ideas.

My favourite move is Chicken Run

H.O.D. Update

Learning Engagement Team Update

NDIS PROVIDERS ONSITE AT MACGREGOR STATE SCHOOL

Each year we have to initiate (for new students) or update (for current students) our NDIS Access Agreements for any NDIS service providers that are wanting to access our school site to provide therapy sessions for students. 

In order for an NDIS Service Provider to access the school grounds to conduct therapy sessions please be aware that we require the following documents and the NDIS Access Agreement signed by all parties before the NDIS Service provider can come on school site.  If the correct paperwork is not provided they will not be granted access to Macgregor State School to conduct therapy sessions between the school hours of 9:00am and 3:00pm.

• Confirmation in writing or by email, of the names of NDIS provider staff who will be providing the NDIS support at school, during school time
• For each staff member certified copies of their:

- Working with Children (Blue Card) clearance details

- Photo identification, such as a valid Driver Licence or Proof of age card

• Certified copies of certificates of currency for the following insurances:

- Workers compensation insurance (or personal injury insurance in the case of sole traders undertaking the work themselves)

- Professional indemnity insurance for not less than $2 million per claim

- Public liability insurance for not less than $20 million per claim

• Details of the nature and type of NDIS supports to be provided at the school, during school time (9:00am to 3:00pm)
• Details of any proposed use of school equipment or materials
• NDIS provider must provide the school with documents confirming that the staff delivering the support at the school, during school time have completed the Mandatory All-Staff Training (attached) and completed First Aid, CPR, or Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy anaphylaxis training (Current certificates)

Authority to enter Macgregor State School is at the discretion of the Principal and if relevant documents are not provided access will not be granted.

If your child would like to access NDIS Providers onsite at Macgregor State School please email all relevant documents for NDIS Access for 2024 to Jessica Kanowski HOSES at Macgregor State School, jkano6@eq.edu.au

Sports Update

Welcome to the 2024 School Sport year. As is always the case we have hit the ground running and look forward to creating a range of sporting opportunities for the students at MacGregor State School

School Swimming Team

• In the first two weeks we have been busy sorting out students who can represent the school at the Mt Gravatt District Swimming Trials. The successful students will be attending the District trials on Thursday 8^th February at Hibiscus Swimming Complex. We wish them the best of luck.

Inter and Intra Sport

• Inter and Intra sport programs run together on Friday afternoons, beginning 23^rd February. All students in year 4-6 will be involved in either Inter or Intra sport
• Inter school sport involves being selected in school teams and representing the school against other schools
• Intra school sport involved being placed into groups at school and doing a game/sport/activity with other students from MacGregor.
• Students in year 4-6 have begun the process for selection in Inter School Sporting teams. Sports available to students this semester include Girls Touch Football, Rugby League, Netball and Soccer.
• Students initially expressed interested through a quick survey in class.
• Following this students will attend trials for the sports during lunch times (normally Tuesday and Thursday, however coaches can vary this to complete the process)
• Once selected students will be informed and permission from parents will be sort through the QParents App.
• Following the trials for sports teams will train during lunch times in the lead up to the beginning of sport.

Do you have a friend or family member who is keen to join the Vultures?Registrations are now open for new and returning players. To secure your spot for 2024 head to the following links to register.

Auskick

https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/5df688

Junior/Youth

https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/5efa7e

Youth teams training has commenced and Junior teams training will begin early March.For more information please contact our Junior/Youth Registrar, mtgafc.registrar@gmail.comWe look forward to you joining us for our 60th Birthday year and a great season of footy.

Message from The Guidance Officer

Dear Parents and Carers,

Firstly, I’d like to say welcome to our new families and welcome back to those returning. I have been so excited for our students to return to school.

My name is Megan, and I am the School Guidance Officer. I take care of student social and emotional wellbeing, employing both a proactive approach (whole school framework) and a reactive approach when children are in need. Through our school referral process, I work directly with students, in addition to collaborating with a student's teachers, school support personnel, family, other specialists, or external support providers. Support offered by myself includes providing advice and adjustments on educational, behavioural, personal, social, family, and mental health and wellbeing issues.

A few quick tips to support a smooth transition to school:

1. Routine is key

• Bedtime and wake up routine.

1. Morning checklist to reduce meltdowns

• A simple checklist from waking up to leaving the house. Create this WITH your child, fostering a sense of ownership. That way, your child knows what they need to do and what to expect.

These are especially important for children who get upset when separating from loved ones. Talk about what drop-off will look like. If your child has trouble with separating, practice the goodbye ritual at home, in their safe environment.

Example:

 "When the teacher opens the door, we will kiss and cuddle. I will say, ‘Have a great day; I will be back to pick you up at 2:55 pm. I love you.’ Then leave."

When rehearsing, also include that your child might cry or want to hold onto your leg. Empathise and validate their feelings.

Example:

"When we get to the classroom, we will kiss, cuddle and say goodbye. Then you will join your class, and I will go to work. You may cry, and that’s okay! It’s hard to say goodbye. I trust that you are safe. [Mum/Dad/Grandma, etc.] will come back. I will still say goodbye, leave and you will join your classroom teacher."

Each morning, do EXACTLY what you have practiced. When your child is upset, follow through, say goodbye, and school staff will help settle your child. I know it can be challenging to see our little ones upset, but trust me, the quicker parents are out, the quicker children calm down and feel safe.

I look forward to the term ahead and working closely with our school community.

Have a lovely week,

Megan Brodie.

Finance

THIRD PARTY CONSENT FORM

You would have also been emailed overnight with the ‘Third Party Website Consent Form’.  This is an important document as it lists a range of website and Apps that teacher may use within their classrooms to help support students learning.  When you open the email you will see a list of websites, each one requiring you to give individual consent.

Please read through this document carefully.  Our school also has strong filters to protect the privacy of our students whilst using these websites and Apps.

Hello from our Chappy Mr T.

Happy New Year and welcome back to 2024.  I hope you all had a great holiday and your kids are ready for another good year at school.

Breakfast Club restarted on Thursday just gone. We had new student volunteers putting up their hands to serve the school community. It was the first time helping out in the kitchen for most of them and they did a really good job.

For those new to the school, Breakfast Club happens every Thursday morning 8-8.45am. We serve cheese toasties, raisin toast, plain toast with jam or Vegemite, cup of cool fresh milk and bananas and yoghurt if available.

It's a good way for students to connect with each other and make new friends whilst eating breakfast. Also for parents to make new friends too.

Reach out if you are in the food business and able to donate food for the breakfast club. 

Our new school social worker Sylvie Shen also helped out. Feel free to say hi if you see her around school.

Hope to see you next Thursday at Breakfast Club. 

Performing Arts

Welcome to our new Strings Teacher Miss You-Jin Hong.  Miss Hong was able to meet the students in the Strings program and issue them with timetables.  Lessons commence in Week 3 and Ensemble rehearsals commence in Week 4.  Miss Hong is also looking forward to the upcoming music camp.

P&C News

Mac Shack News

Uniform Shop

Extracurricular Activities