MacGregor State School Newsletter 2024 - Edition 14
From the Principal
Thank-you to our wonderful P&C!
At our last P&C meeting on Wednesday 28th meeting our wonderful P&C voted to donate $80 000 to our school!
These funds will be directed towards:
$30 000 for new interactive screens in 5 classrooms.
$10 000 for Year 6 graduation to be held at Nissan Arena
$20 000 for top-dressing the oval
$10 000 for equipment for students with disabilities
$10 000 towards refrigerated water coolers to replace some existing bubblers.
This is a marvellous outcome for our school and we thank our P&C and fundraising committee for their hard work in raising these funds to support our students.
Please consider whether you are able to contribute as a volunteer to our P&C. This does not mean you have to commit to being at every meeting or every event – you may simply choose to volunteer at one occasion or make a donation to support the important work the P&C do. For more information email secretary@msspc.org.au and like their Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/macgregorstateschool to keep informed about P&C activities and fundraisers!
Some parents have also made inquiries about making cash donations or becoming a corporate sponsor to the school. These donations and sponsorship arrangements are also most welcomed. Please contact the school office for more details.
Yours in Equity & Excellence,
Mr. Lee Gerchow
Principal
Prep and Year One
Welcome to Week 8!
Congratulations to all the learners who have received awards at our last assembly. We are very proud of your achievements and progress!
This week, also at the assembly, we celebrated the learning in Prep C and 1C.
Learners in Prep C, with Mrs Reid and Mrs Orfanos, were exploring and comparing the lengths of items in the classroom and making comparisons between individual pieces of string to determine which one was longer or shorter.
1C, with Mrs Davidson, shared their joy around the Book Week Celebrations and Grandparents’ Day. They enjoyed dressing up and spending time with special people in their lives in the classroom.
It was wonderful to see so many grandparents and special people attend on the day. Sincere thank you to all the families for your support during this event.
We managed to celebrate not one but three events in one day – The Book Week, Grandparents’ Day and our Fun Run, in hope to create positive and lasting memories for our beautiful learners.
Thank you to Prep E and Prep F for putting together a display of learning that is happening in their classrooms. Please take the time to stop by the tuckshop area to admire the efforts of our Prep learners.
The Gardening Club
Last week in Gardening Club, coordinated by Mrs Morton and Miss Dawson, some students harvested a cabbage. This week, 1G made coleslaw and wrote a very simple recipe. What a wonderful opportunity for children to learn through real-life situations!
A reminder to all families who reside in the catchment area or already have children at MacGregor State School, to submit enrolment applications for eligible children to commence Prep in 2025. Your prompt response will assist the school with staffing and class planning for 2025. If you have questions about the enrolment process, please do not hesitate to contact Marcia Crichton (mcric14@eq.edu.au).
Year Four and Five
Last week we held our annual Book Week and Grandparents Day, which was a big success for the students. Sadly, I was unwell most of the week and missed most of the events, but with any event at MacGregor, these events have a large group of teachers and teacher’s aides who work behind the scenes to organise all the activities so a big thank you to them.
We also had our School Musical last week – Madagascar, which I was lucky to be an audience member one night and supported with various roles on the other 2 nights. Again, the tireless work behind the scenes from another large group of staff to support these students to shine is commendable.
Year 4
Waste Management Resource Centre Excursion: This week our students went on their excursion to learn first hand all about sustainability and zero waste. Whilst the excursion is only short, there is a lot packed into the time frame and the students come back exploding with new knowledge.
Raegan: You can reuse many things so that we can stop having more rubbish going to landfill. The landfill centre used plastic planks for our bag racks.
Damien: The less rubbish we sent to the dump the better, so we should help our families to put the right rubbish in the right bin.
Clyde: 65% of the rubbish in the landfill should actually be somewhere else, like compost or recycling places,
Year 5
Year 5 Camp: Consent is due by Friday for those students online. If you child is not going, can you please decline the consent so we can remove them from the list and we won’t send you reminders. Again, if there is financial difficulty, please make contact with me, as there may be ways we can support you so your child is able to attend.
Dance: The students will complete their in-class dance assessments this week and have been busy practising their moves. Just a reminder, that all Smart Moves Dance payments are now due as they perform in Week 10.
MATHS NIGHT WITH MATHNASIUM
Over 120 families attended the Maths activity night hosted by Mathnasium. There were a variety of game-based activities to work using various maths skills and strategies. The spin the wheel was very popular with concepts from mental maths to money. Students and parents worked together to complete their activity passport so they could collect their free water bottle and enter the raffle draw. A big congratulation to Sophia in 4F for winning the drone.
Inclusion Team Update
SAND PILE FUN AT MSS!
We are very excited this week to add a new element to the Senior Play options list with the addition of our Sand Pile! The new lot of sand was delivered on Wednesday this week and can be found under the bottle brush tree behind the Music modular block near the pool. Many of our students are already having fun exploring this new play option and reaping the benefits of sand play as listed below:
- Confidence building through challenge
- Development of co-ordination and strength
- Problem solving and critical thinking skills
- Social interaction
- Connection with nature
- Open ended, creative and imaginative thinking and play
Please encourage our students to join in and have a go digging during playtimes.
Sports Updates
QLD Swimming – Congratulations to Louis who represented QLD and MacGregor with total distinction. Louis won 4 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze and QLD 10-12 years male swimmer of the meet. Totally amazing performance.
Met East Cross Country – Zoe took part at State Cross Country trials representing Met East and did an amazing job.
Met East Softball – Jontae is about to travel and represent Met East at the State Softball championships. We will update you on his results when he returns.
AFLQ Statewide Cup – The girls team progressed to the second round of the State Wide Cup. They will be competing on the 21st August and we look forward to hearing how they go.
Mt Gravatt District Track and Field – 50 students represented the school at the Mt Gravatt Track and Field trials. All students did an amazing job with some great results had over the two days. Well done to Zoe, Boaz, Marcus, Annabelle, D’Rose and Sierra who will represent Mt Gravatt at the Met East Trials. We will update you on their results.
Touch Football Training camp – The students in the touch football excellence program took part in a 1 day training camp. We had some of the Worlds best coaches and players come to assist with teaching the students some important parts of the game. The focus for the students was on defence and specific line attack. We look forward to seeing their growth as they are about to take part in their first event.
Runcorn Blues Cup – Students in the Touch Football program will be playing in the Blues Cup at the end of week 9. This is a great development event for our students as they build towards the QLD All Schools event in November.
Finance
Message from our Guidance Officer
Dear Parents and Carers,
As part of our ongoing commitment to promoting mental health and wellbeing within our school community, we will be recognising R U OK? Day on Thursday, 12th September 2024. This day is an important opportunity for us to come together, raise awareness, and encourage meaningful conversations about mental health.
To show our support, we invite all students and staff to wear a yellow T-shirt on the day, symbolising the importance of staying connected and looking out for one another.
What’s Happening at MacGregor State School?
To start the day, Mr T will be leading a special event from 8:00 am to 8:40 am. This gathering will focus on the significance of asking “R U OK?” and will help to highlight the impact of checking in with those around us.
Ask R U OK? Any Day
A lot can happen in a year, a month, or even a week. Whether it’s your friend, family member, colleague, partner, or teammate, the people you care about experience life’s ups and downs every day. By having regular, meaningful conversations, you build trust and normalise talking about what’s really going on. This way, when someone in your world is struggling, they know you’re someone they can turn to.
While R U OK? Day on Thursday, 12th September is our National Day of Action, we encourage you to ask “R U OK?” any day of the year because a conversation could change a life.
What is R U OK?
R U OK? is a public health promotion charity that encourages people to stay connected and engage in conversations that can support others during challenging times. By simply asking, “Are you OK?” we can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life, offering them the understanding and support they may need.
Hello from our Chappy Mr T.
Bullying No Way Week
Last Friday 16 August was a day to bring awareness against bullying during Bullying No Way Week. The theme is Everyone Belongs. When we all feel like we belong, bullying struggles to find a place. It's about embracing who we are, respecting everyone's differences and standing up together against unkindness.
It was a fun day with a sausage sizzle, activities and games. We had teacher and student volunteers to make a great morning for everyone at school.
Mac Shack News
Volunteers Needed
The Mac Snack Shack needs your help to keep our tuckshop running smoothly and efficiently. We are looking for volunteers who can spare a few hours a week to assist in the tuckshop. No experience necessary, just a friendly smile and a willingness to learn. Please follow this link to sign up – https://msspc.org.au/tuck-shop/
Online Ordering
Flexischools continues to be the fastest and easiest way to place orders. You can sign up online at https://flexischools.com.au/parents or download the Flexischools app. Orders must be placed before 8.30am for same day orders. Alternatively, you can order up to a month in advance.
Term Three Menu 2024
There is a new menu for term 3 2024. The tuckshop will continue to make our most popular daily specials. New daily specials are available, as well as new items added to our regular menu. Take a look at the new menu here https://msspc.org.au/tuck-shop/
Uniform Shop
Interschool Sports is underway - don't forget the Uniform Shop sells Football/Soccer Socks - sizes 9-2 (S), 2-7 (M) & 7-11 (L), $14 per pair. We also sell the White Mesh Sports Cap for $18.
Golden Jubilee Merchandise still for sale - Umbrellas ($30), Tea Towels ($10), International Cookbook ($15), Pin Badge ($12) and MSS Lion Mascot Keychain ($15).
Our second-hand rail still has lots of Winter uniform for sale. Donations are always accepted and much appreciated.
Volunteers - if you would like to help out in the Uniform Shop, we would appreciate the help on a Monday between 8:00-9:00am (your child/ren can sit in the shop until school time), also volunteers to be on standby for Wednesdays & Fridays in case of sickness would be much appreciated. If you are able to assist, please email the Uniform Shop on uniformshop@msspc.org.au.
Thankyou.
Student Achievements
Congratulations to Candice in 4B who participated in the solo section in Dancers Connect. She won 1st place in Lyrical and 1st place in Jazz.
MacGregor State School chess teams recently competed at the Brisbane Primary Logan Term 3 Inter-School Chess tournament. Our Team 1 Austin, Emma, Martin and Queena won 3rd place in the Premier Division and got qualified for the State Finals. Emma won the best board for Board 2 with 6.5 out of 7. Our P-2 Team 1 with Eason, Daniel, Austin and Vincent won the 2nd place in Division E.
Congratulations to all the teams.
Congratulations to Jayden in 3D who was a finalist in the Wild At Art 2024 Competition.
Do you know that Helmeted Honeyeater is the emblem of Victoria Australia? They are critically endangered with 200 in the wild and only within swamp forest in Yarra Valley Melbourne. The name of Helmeted Honeyeaster in my artwork is called Yellow.
She lost her family and friends in the biggest bushfire Ash Wednesday (1983), and now standing on the burning branch searching for food and water. The branch used to have bugs but now only traces are left. She curled up to prevent body temperature and moisture loss. Zoos Victoria's Healesville Sanctuary has led captive breeding program since 1989 to boost wild helmeted honeyeater populations through annual releases. Yellow hopes to find new friends and mates through human help. Her eyes are filled with hope not to be at risk of becoming extinct in the wild.
I hope Yellow can bring public awareness, and hope one day we are lucky to see Yellow and her friends in the wild!
P&C News
MOSHC VACATION CARE - OUT NOW!
We’re excited to announce that the September school holiday vacation care program is now available!
Our program is jam-packed with fun and engaging activities, thoughtfully designed based on your children’s current interests and requests. From exciting excursions to creative activities, we’ve planned something for everyone!
Highlights of the Program:
- Full-Service Food Menu: Enjoy healthy and delicious meals baked fresh on site daily.
- Exciting Excursions: Please note that excursion spots are capped and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure your child gets to participate in their preferred activities, we encourage you to secure your dates as soon as possible.
To view the full program and make your bookings, please use the link below:
PROGRAM HERE
Thank you for your continued support of our OSHC program, a proud initiative of the MacGregor State School P&C. If you have any questions or need further clarification, don’t hesitate to email us. We’re here to help! Macgregoroshc@gmail.com
Community News
