MacGregor State School Newsletter 2024 - Edition 15
From the Principal
Dear Parents & Caregivers,
This week it has been great to get out and about in classrooms. Students who did not go on the Canberra Camp had a great time back at school instead, going to the movies to see ‘Inside Out 2’ and creating a city scape in their classrooms. They also enjoyed sausage sizzle, slushies and hot chips on Thursday afternoon. On Monday they welcomed their mates back to school from camp.
Prep F enjoyed a visit from their buddies in Year 5E. The Year 5’s enjoyed helping the Preps with their reading and learning to answer questions in full sentences. Thanks for being great role models 5E in preparation for possible leadership positions next year!
Thank-you volunteers!
Volunteers have supported our school in various capacities throughout the year by helping out at P&C events and fundraisers, Book club, Tuckshop and Brekky Club. Our Chaplain Mr T does a great job coordinating food donations, hampers for families experiencing hardship and running breakfast club. If you would like to support school events in a volunteer capacity, please contact the office.
Thank-you P&C!
Our wonderful P&C have contributed a total of over $170 000 in much-needed funding to our school. These funds have been used to improve outdoor learning areas and purchase additional digital devices for classrooms. The latest donation of $80 000 will be spent on the following:
- $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 student bubblers.
The next P&C fundraising committee meeting is at 9.30am at Admin on Tuesday 8th October
The next P&C Meeting is held at MOSHC at 6.30pm on Tuesday 15th October.
Please come along if you would like to contribute.
Staff shout-out
Many thanks to Chappy Boon, our wonderful GO Megan and Head of Inclusion Jess for organising and helping with the Story Dogs Ice-cream fundraiser, Breakfast Club, RU OK Day activities and Deadly Choices Cooking Adventure. Many thanks also to the staff who volunteered their time to support these activities!
Drop n Go Zone
The images above were taken at 3.15pm last Wednesday afternoon. At the time the Sunny Park Carpark was still very congested with school traffic.
The drop n go zone is by far the SAFEST place to collect your children after school and is largely empty after 3.15 each day.
Parents are reminded that school finishes at 3.00pm and they should endeavour to collect their child before 3.30pm. Please consider accessing the drop n go zone as a safe and convenient alternative to the congested and often hectic carpark.
Yours in Equity & Excellence,
Mr. Lee Gerchow
Principal
Prep and Year One
As we wrap up Term 3, I would like to thank our families for their continued support and partnership. Thank you for being an essential part of our learning community. It is truly a pleasure working with such dedicated and supportive parents.
Congratulations to all the learners and staff for their hard work and dedication, which have led to wonderful achievements this term.
Congratulations to Prep A, Prep C and 1D who were “Best Dressed Winners”! I look forward to joining Prep C for their Pizza Party on Thursday. Prep C surprised me with their visit to the office, to personally deliver a Pizza Party invitation to me. 😊
I wish everyone a safe and refreshing spring break, filled with joy, peace and relaxation. I look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday, 30 September.
Prep A celebrating "R U OK" day.
Year Two and Three
Finding Calm in a Busy Day
In our busy lives, it’s important to take a moment to be still and calm, especially when we are feeling big emotions like frustration or anger. 3G have brainstormed ways to self-regulate when our lives get hectic. Here are some simple ways to help calm your mind and manage those big feelings:
- Take Five Big Deep Breaths: When you're feeling upset, deep breathing can help you relax and think more clearly.
- Walk Outside: A change of scenery and fresh air can help you feel refreshed.
- Listen to Music: Music can change your mood and help you feel more at ease.
- Do Something Fun: Take a break and enjoy a fun activity you love.
- Picture Your Tasks Getting Done: Visualizing tasks being completed can reduce stress and make you feel more in control.
- Drink Water: Staying hydrated helps your body and mind stay balanced.
- Find a Quiet Place: Sometimes, a little peace and quiet is all you need to feel better.
- Get Some Sleep: Rest is essential for a calm and healthy mind.
- Colour or Draw: Expressing your feelings through art can be soothing.
- Drink Your Favourite Beverage: A warm or refreshing drink can bring comfort.
- Read a Book: Escaping into a good book can help you relax and unwind.
Try a few of these tips when you need to calm down, and see which ones work best for you!
Year Four and Five
Last week, Mr Davey and Mrs Keating were lucky enough to take 118 Year 6 students and 10 staff members for a week in Canberra. Day 1 we experienced very cold weather and all very glad to have our beanies, snow gloves and warm coats but as the week went on the weather got warmer.
The students experienced a variety of activities including: a tour of Parliament House and putting our HASS curriculum to work, a tour of Old Parliament House which is now the Museum of Australian Democracy, a tour of Government House where we learnt about all the different medals people can receive, a morning of playing in the snow, the National Space Centre, AIS, Questacon to name a few of the places. The food at our accommodation was plentiful and filling and everyday we were delivered hot lunch.
We hope to continue this experience for next year for our current Year 5’s so if you are interested, we are hosting an information session on Thursday of Week 1 in the Hall at 2.15pm – this is so some of our current Year 6 students can share their experience with you.
News from Mrs Keating:
As we come to the end of Term 3, I would like to wish you all a restful and fun 2 week break because Term 4 is always very busy. I will be having a week away with my family before entering the jungle that is my garden to rescue my plants ready for summer! Please stay safe and I look forward to seeing all your smiling faces in Term 4.
Please check you are aware of the following events:
Year 5: Incursion online Consent for Stop Motion Due Friday 13th September
Year 5: Camp invoices have been issued for payment
Year 5: Dietary and medical Forms link emailed and due Term 4 week 2
Year 4: Lone Pine Excursion – online consent due Thursday 3rd October (week 1)
Chess: 2024 Queensland Girls State Finals
- When: Friday 11th October
- Where: Holland Park State School
- Who: Primary and Secondary students (separate divisions)
- Time: Registration from 8.45am to 9.15am. Start at 9.30am and finish around 2.15pm (allow to 2.30pm to be safe)
- Cost: $24.00 per player
Due to the small number of players currently participating in Chess, we are asking for parents to enter your child on the email : events@gardinerchess.com.au and provide supervision for your child for the day. All entries need to be received by Wednesday 9th October.
4D worked in the Junior Adventure playground exploring their understanding on erosion for their Science Assessment with Mrs Arthur and Mrs Pahor.
4A this week have been working on some whole class problem solving activities. Whilst it didn’t always run smoothly, they learnt that they needed to listen to one another’s ideas to achieve the goal.
Year 5 Leadership Program:
I am so impressed with how the Year 5 Leadership Program is running. Whilst some of the students have encountered some hurdles, they have been resilient and approached their teachers seeking support. Just a reminder, these programs need to be complete by Friday of Term 4 Week 2.
Year Six
First of all, thank you to all of our Year 6 families for your support this term. We have had so much happening with Canberra, sport, the school musical, Fanfare…the success of these events all rely on the support of our families.
As we move into Term 4, the focus for Year 6 turns to 2024 Graduation. Our first meeting for our Year 6 Parent Committee is scheduled for Thursday 10th September from 6pm in the Conference Room.
Week 9 at MacGregor State School
Thank you to the fantastic group of students who attended school in Week 9! Mr Grady, Miss Hartley and our team of Teacher Aide’s had a great week of flexible and open-ended learning.
e-Safety Commissioner – Webinar Year 6 – Recognising Red Flags on-line
On Wednesday afternoon, some Year 6 students had the opportunity to learn about:
- understanding what red flags in online spaces look like
- identifying safe and unsafe behaviours and the difference between safe and unsafe secrets
- understanding why some people deceive others online
- how to use strategies to address harmful or dangerous situations online
- understanding the importance of empathy online.
We encourage you to continue to keep the conversation of online engagement open with your children. Over half the children participating at this session indicated they had experienced some form of unsafe behaviour online.
Term 4 Staffing Update
Next term, Miss Katelyn French will be stepping up to Acting Deputy Principal as I take Long Service Leave until Wednesday 9th October. Miss French will be working alongside our Year 6 teams – she looks forward to seeing all students return to school on Monday 30th September.
Have a wonderful break with your children!
Inclusion Team Update
Deadly choices culmination activity: Fish in a fire!
This week saw the culmination of the Deadly Choices program ‘Healthy Eating Unit’. Students gathered to learn about campfire safety and how indigenous peoples cooked on the open fire. As a group we prepared a snapper with butter and lemon and wrapped it in alfoil to cook on the coals. All students participated very well and maintained great safety skills when watching the cooking process. We then indulged in some woodfired bread and butter with fish for morning tea. Thank you to Mr Kumar, Mrs Dekker, Mr Thei, Ms Tianyuan and Ms Sekine for all your support to execute ‘Fish in a fire!’. Deadly Choices is now finished for 2024 and will resume again in Term 2, 2025.
FAREWELL AND GOOD LUCK MRS SANTOS
We wish Mrs Karen Santos our Year 2/3 Inclusion teacher farewell and the best of luck with the birth of her little one in October. Thank you for all your dedication and hard work at Macgregor State School.
INTRODUCING MR LACHLAN PURDIE
MSS would like to welcome Mr Lachlan Purdie, who will be joining us for Term 4 in the 2/3 Inclusion position, whilst Mrs Santos is off enjoying her maternity leave.
Hi Everyone, I am very excited to be joining Macgregor State School in Term 4. I have been working in inclusion for a number of years and I am dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive. I enjoy spending time with my family and taking my two-year-old daughter, Lizzie to the park. On the weekend you will find me playing golf and supporting the Brisbane Lions.
Sports Updates
Congratulations to Ankush in 6A has been selected by MSW to play in the Queensland Junior Cricket (QJC) carnival in December this year.
Finance
We have implemented QParents for payment and consent for SRS, excursions, incursions, camps and extra-curricular activities.
- A consent will be loaded to Parent QParents account with a specific due date. If you do not have QParents, it is parent responsibility to contact administration to obtain a paper copy and complete/return.
- Parent will be notified of the SRS/excursion/incursion/camp/extra-curricular activity via email.
- On the consent due date, an invoice will be generated to Parent who has completed the consent, this will be sent via email.
Payment amount will also be loaded to QParents. If a consent is not received by due date, children will not be able to participate in the SRS/excursion/incursion/camp/extra-curricular activity and will not be invoiced.
- Payment will be due by a specific date which will be specified again on the invoice.
- If payment is not received by the due date, despite signing a consent, children will not be able to participate in the SRS/excursion/incursion/camp/extra-curricular activity.
- As a courtesy, generic reminders will be emailed to Parent prior to the due date.
If you are experiencing financial difficulty, please do not hesitate to contact the Finance office.
Message from our Guidance Officer
Mental Health Awareness Week
Date: Monday 7th October – Friday 11th October 2024
Community Event – SAVE THE DATE
On Friday 11th October, we will be hosting a special community event. Children are encouraged to wear a purple T-shirt to show their support.
What’s Happening:
In Week 1 of Term 4, we will share more information about the exciting events planned throughout the week.
The theme for Queensland Mental Health Week 2024 is "Connect for Mental Health", emphasising the importance of taking proactive steps to nurture and support positive mental health and wellbeing in ourselves and our communities.
Hello from our Chappy Mr T.
Dear MacG family
We've reached the last week of Term 3 and the holidays are upon us. Hope you will have a fun and enjoyable time with the family either travelling or staying home.
During the holidays if you are in need of support services like housing ,food, counselling etc
https://askizzy.org.au/ to search in your local area for the support services.
Happy holidays and stay safe. See you in Term 4.
Uniform Shop
Reminders - we sell second-hand uniform including Performing Arts (boys) and Hats. Come and take a look at our rail, if you’re size isn’t there, just ask, we may have some in the storeroom.
We have a small selection of stationery items for sale all year round. Price list can be found on the School & MOSHC websites.
Volunteers - we are still looking for a regular volunteer/s to help in the Shop on a Monday between 8:00-9:00am. If you are able to assist, please email uniformshop@msspcorg.au.
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/
Student Achievements
Mia recently competed in the Asian Open Figure Skating Competition in Hong Kong and came first for the advanced novice women's division.