MacGregor State School Newsletter 2024 - Edition 19
From the Principal
Dear parents and caregivers,
This week we have celebrated our student’s sporting and performing arts achievements with awards ceremonies on Wednesday and Thursday.
As always at this time of year there have been numerous ‘proud principal moments’ in seeing the incredible visual of so many of our students up on stage being celebrated for remarkable successes – many of them in several multi-disciplinary areas.
Next Thursday I very much look forward to welcoming the parents of Year 4/5/6 students as we recognise academic achievements at the awards ceremony which commences at 9.30am in the hall. Doubtless there will be many proud mums and dads in attendance!
Yours in Equity & Excellence,
Mr. Lee Gerchow
Principal
Week 11
As you are aware, this school year is 41 weeks in duration with 11 weeks in Term 4.
We have been aware of this for quite some time and have already made plans for events and activities that occur in the final week, just as we would normally do in any other year.
The department’s instruction about the final week of school has been consistent throughout the year:
Every school will remain open for students until the end of the school year, including week 41. In the final week of school, schools may wish to take this opportunity to implement an enhanced focus on student engagement, cultural and wellbeing activities through alternative programs.
This is the approach being taken at MacGregor State School.
We understand that many families will have opted to go on holidays or travel overseas before week 11. To allow for informed planning for supervision and student activities would you please confirm ASAP with your child’s teacher if they will be attending school in week 11 or will be absent.
Prep and Year One
Thank you to 1G (with Mrs Morton), 1H (with Miss Dawson) and 1J (with Ms Kim) for putting together a wonderful display of their learning in the Tuckshop area. Please take the time to check it out and celebrate the learning with your children.
2025 Prep Orientation
On 22 November, during out Prep Orientation morning, we welcomed our 2025 cohort of Prep learners to MacGregor State School. It was absolutely wonderful to see so many excited and enthusiastic little people in our school. We are excited to share the ongoing success of our Transition program, a vital initiative designed to create strong partnerships between home and school. This program continues to thrive, fostering relationships that enhance children’s readiness for formal schooling. Through collaborative information sessions, regular communication and engaging Step into Prep activities, our Transition program helps little learners settle into their new learning environment with confidence and enthusiasm.
Year Two and Three
Attendance: Every day counts, every minute counts
I’ve noticed we have a large number of students who are consistently arriving late to school.
Does arriving late for school impact on your child’s education?
If he/she is only missing… | That equals … | Which is … | Over 13 years of schooling that’s … |
10 minutes per day | 50 minutes per week | Nearly 1 ½ weeks per year | Nearly ½ year. |
20 minutes per day | 1 hour 40 min per week | Over 2 ½ weeks per year | Nearly 1 year. |
30 minutes per day | Half a day a week | 4 weeks per year | Nearly 1½ year. |
1 hour per day | 1 day per week | 8 weeks per year | Over 2½ years. |
It’s important that your child/ren arrive on time to school, so they are ready to start the day and are engaging in the morning routines. Even moving into the last few weeks of school this is important as key assessment tasks need to be completed prior to the commencement of reporting.
Warmer Weather
The temperature is certainly rising as we get closer to the end of year. There are a large number of students still arriving at school wearing tracksuit pants and jumpers. Please chat to your child about this. As the days heat up, some students are reluctant to remove jumpers and tack suit pants as they advise that their parent said they should keep it on all day.
I ask for your assistance in ensuring that your child wears layers so that jumpers etc can be removed during the day.
End of Year
This time of year, is always a very rewarding one, as it is the time where we recognise student success on many levels. Over the next couple of weeks, we celebrate students our performing arts program in our annual Gala performances. These evenings are always an amazing celebration of the rich talent and diversity we have at our school. These events will then be followed by our awards assemblies, Sport, Performing Arts and our Years 4/5/6 Academic Awards Assembly. Students in the Junior School will have their success celebrated in classrooms with their teachers this year, as outlined in previous newsletters.
As I reflect upon student achievement, I am also incredibly proud of the students across all year levels who continue to show growth in their schooling. Education is all about learning, and we know that it is not a one size fits all model. Learning sometimes takes significant perseverance to achieve growth, and success comes in many shapes and sizes.
Being successful, or achieving success is not always about the result, or the grades on an assessment or report card. Success can be many things, such as the feeling of personal accomplishment (achieving a goal) or just simply doing one’s best. Success is also the realisation that when starting any endeavour, failure is just part of the process; and that failure is a means to an end of greater success.
Below is an interesting quote from well know author Carol Dweck on the concept of growth. It highlights that all of us have the potential to be successful in our own right. The challenge is being able to position ourselves where we are ready to learn, ready to accept our failures, and ready to learn from our mistakes.
Famous NBA basketballer Stephen Curry states: “Success is not an accident; success is a choice.” I wish all the students participating in our Gala performances, receiving an award over the coming weeks, or also performing at one of our assemblies, all the best. Our school is very proud of everything that you have achieved this year.
YEAR 2 & 3 AWARDS
This year we are not holding an academic awards assembly in the Junior School. Teachers are busy finalising assessment and then preparing end of year report cards. They will also be identifying an aspect of your child’s engagement throughout the year and this will be recognised for each student. We will still be able to present an academic award to students who have excelled and will also be able to acknowledge those students who try their very best each and every day whether that is in their academic pursuits, behaviour or being a caring friend.
I look forward to seeing this list from each class and sharing in these celebrations.
2024 World Teachers’ Day
This term we celebrated World Teachers’ Day. It goes without saying how important our profession is and that it is one that you cannot do without passion, drive and a deep sense of optimism for the future. Thank you to our teaching team for being the individuals and team that you are. Not a day goes by that I am not grateful to work alongside and with you!
I would especially like to thank the teachers on years 2 and 3 and the staff from Visual Arts and Music departments who have worked alongside me for the past ten years.
The Year 2 & 3 team truly are an inspiring, passionate and dedicated group and I will miss the collegiality we have shared. As I move up to Year 6 next year, I look forward to seeing great things from the Year 2 and 3 team but also look forward to the challenges of going up to work with the Year 6 team.
Year 3 Team
Year 2 Team
ARE YOU RETURNING TO MACGREGOR IN 2025
With the end of the 2024 school year coming to an end in 5 school weeks, we have now started our planning for 2025. If you are not returning to MacGregor in 2025, could you please let the office know as a matter of urgency, this will help us in our planning and preparation.
SWIMMING CARNIVAL
The swimming carnival for Years 2 and 3 will be held on Wednesday 4th December from 9am – 11am. Parents are welcome to attend, please bring a chair to sit on along the grassy slope as the students will only just fit into the grandstand seating.
P&C will also be running a canteen on this day for students and parents to be able to purchase food and drink. This will be sold from MacGregor Place.
SHUFFLE UP DAY
This year we will be holding a session where the children will get to meet their new teacher for 2025 and be able to spend some time working with them. This will take place during Week 10. Each child will be given a letter to bring home advising who their teacher will be and where their new classroom will be located.
YEAR BOOK
Each year a team of very dedicated staff work on producing our annual year book. These books contain treasured memories of your child’s time at our school and they are a sought after momento. In fact they are one of the most viewed books in the school library.
The 2024 year books should arrive at the end of week 10 and will be distributed to those students who have ordered one after that.
Cooking Tips and Hints
Gluten Free Cheesy, corn and capsicum muffins
Ingredients (11)
- 500ml (2 cups) milk
- 170g (1 cup) instant polenta
- 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 red capsicum, deseeded, finely chopped
- 130g (1 cup) gluten-free self-raising flour
- 2 tsp gluten-free baking powder
- 2 tsp gluten-free smoky seasoning
- 2 eggs, lightly whisked
- 300g can corn kernels, drained
- 120g cheddar, coarsely grated
- 2 green shallots, thinly sliced, plus extra to serve
Method
- Pre-heat the oven to 200C. Line 12 80ml (1/3 cup) muffin tins with muffin cases
- Place 375ml (1 1/2 cups) of the milkin a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the polenta and stir for 1 minute. Set aside, stirring occasionally, to cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, heat oilin a small frying pan over medium heat. Add capsicum and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until softened. Transfer to a bowl. Add corn and shallot and toss until well combined.
- Whisk flour, baking powderand seasoning in a large bowl. Make a well in the middle. Add eggs, polenta mixture and remaining milk. Season and stir to combine. Stir through half the capsicum, corn, cheese and green shallot.
- Divide mixture among prepared holes. Scatter with remaining capsicum mixture. Bake for 17 minutes or until golden and set. Allow to cool and sprinkle with extra shallots before serving.
YEAR 6 IN 2025
Canberra Trip
So far we have had a great response from the students wanting to attend. We still have some spots available, so if you are keen for your child to attend, please shoot me an email. We would require a $200.00 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot.
Travel dates are Sunday 27th to Thursday 31st July. We have a confirmed itinerary and are currently working with Virgin Airlines to secure the flights down and back to Canberra. Final payment will be due at the end of Term 1 in 2025, once we have the final costing.
SPECIAL THANK YOU
I would like to take the opportunity to extend my personal thanks to all members of our school community for your support and co-operation throughout 2024. We are very fortunate to work and learn at this amazing school. The opportunities we can provide to the students are outstanding and not available at many other schools. You passion and dedication to ensuring that your students are ready for learning each day should be commended. Thank you for allowing us to share in the journey with you and your child.
Year Four and Five
Last week I had a big learning experience by attending another school and participating in their school review. This school was extremely small and I kept waiting for the wave of students that I am used to at MacGregor. Whilst the school was very different to MacGregor, one thing we had in common was our positive approaches to Social and Emotional Learning. It was reassuring that no matter how big or small your school is, forming positive relationships with your students creates a safe and happy learning environment.
Year 5 have been very busy as we finalise the school leadership roles for 2025. I am very proud of how the students have handled the disappointment if they haven’t been successful and supported their peers who were. At the academic awards next week, we will be announcing most of the positions.
Screaming Pickle Challenge
Mrs Cowan has challenged 4A to a Screaming Pickle Challenge. The students have each received a small plastic pickle and need to complete a grid of challenges.
Library: BOOK FAIR
On Tuesday 26th November until Monday 2nd December the Library will host the annual Book Fair. Students can bring along money and during their class borrowing time go and view what is available and purchase. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Monday the library will be open at 8.30am for parents to go along with your children.
Book Fair Competition: Create a piece of art work for the theme ‘Robot Summer’ and submit to Mrs Peleyni at the Library by Monday 25th November. The prize is a $20 voucher to spend at Book Fair.
Year Six
This week, Mrs Ghusn led the 2025 Prep Orientation Day for our excited little Preppies starting school next year! It is such an interesting time in schools at this time of the year as we get closer to welcoming our new little friends whilst at the same time, prepare to farewell our departing Year 6’s.
I’d like to open my messages by sending a big thank you on behalf of our team to Mrs Ghusn who, despite our inclement weather, led our 2025 Prep students and their families through their Orientation seamlessly. From setting up a great activity for the current Preps in the Hall (and didn’t that drumming catch everyone’s attention!) to ensuring that all new enrolments had the chance to visit a prep classroom, this is a big job and for that we are all very grateful.
Moving onto our captains, rain, hail or shine, they turn up to support our school with a smile on their face and a commitment to helping others. This notion of service is incredbly important and something that we should instill in all of our young people. So, thank you to our captains who came into school early this morning, dressed in their formal uniforms especially to meet and greet our new (and existing) families. And thank you to our parents – without you, we don’t have our captains here bright and early, ready to go!
Our captains did themselves proud this morning – thank you for supporting Mrs Ghusn and the early years team.
Paula Daveron Bursary 2025
The selection panel from MacGregor State High School have named Lucy from Year 6 as the 2025 recipient for the Paula Davoren Bursary. Attending a dinner with the Lions on Wednesday evening with Lucy and her mum, we heard the President talk about the importance of service to others. Congratulations to Lucy – we have no doubt that she will do her school proud as she transitions to MacGregor State High School. Here she is pictured with the President of the MacGregor Lions Club, Mr Gibbons
Graduation 2024 – Ticket Sales Open Soon!
Date Claimer! Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Year 6 2024 Graduation!
Parents and carers of our 2024 Graduating students have been emailed a thorough Q+A to prepare them for this every exciting event. Please keep an eye out for an email from Ms Bailey confirming the green light to buy tickets!
Our next Parent Committee Meeting is on Tuesday 26th October from 5.30pm in the Administration Conference Room. Please note this day change to align with the next P&C Meeting (avoiding excessive meetings across different days).
Year 6 Guard of Honour – Prep to Year 5 School Farewell for our departing Year 6 students
Following on from the success of last year’s whole school Guard of Honour, we will be farewelling our Year 6 students on Thursday 5th December from 2pm with a whole school guard of honour with students from Prep to Year 5 participating in this lovely farewell gesture. Year 6 parents are welcome so make sure you keep up to date with emails and newsletters so you don’t miss out on important details.
Wet + Wild Reminder and Seeking Volunteers!
Thank you so much to the families that have finalised their child’s participation with Wet + Wild. We encourage you to refer to the QParents details to ensure everything is packed on Thursday night ready for Friday departure. Please note, payment has been extended to Tuesday 26th November – don’t miss out!
Seeking Volunteers: If you are parent wishing to support us on the day to ensure all students have a safe and enjoyable time, please let me know via return email (jbail154@eq.edu.au)
We will be holding a Volunteers Information Session on Wednesday 27th November from 3.30pm for any parents who are available to support this day.
Inclusion Team Update
Queensland School Sports – Multiclass pathways for students with disability
The Queensland Representative School Sport program offers students with disability the opportunity to participate in an inclusive environment with their peers at a regional, state and national level.
In the representative school sport program, multi-class events are currently provided in aquathlon, cross country, swimming and track and field.
It is important that students with disability are included in the school sport programs It is equally important that the pathways are clearly identified for participation at the school, district and regional level.
Classification
All students with an eligible impairment type must be classified if they wish to participate in representative school sport multi-class events.
Not all students with a disability will meet the minimum disability criteria for a specific sport. If a student does not meet the criteria, they will not be eligible to compete in multi-class events.
All athletes in multi-class events must be classified according to the international standard before competing at state and national levels.
Providing multiclass opportunities at a school level is a rewarding experience not only for students, peers but for families as well. If you are interested in investigating multiclass pathways further, please click on the link above.
Performing Arts Update
MUSIC CAMP 2025
Our annual Music Camp will take place from Sunday to Wednesday. Students invited to attend should have received an email to give consent for participation. This closes on Friday 7 November. After this date you will receive an invoice outlining how to pay for this camp.
This is a great way to spend four days together as a team working on repertoire for the upcoming year. It is always a highlight in the school calendar and thoroughly enjoyed by both students and staff.
MUSIC, CHORAL, DANCE AND SPEECH GALA PERFORMANCES
Last week we held the final gala performance for the year. This was a great opportunity to showcase our talented students and recognise the work they have been putting in with their directors throughout the year.
This year we paid for a professional photographer from MSP to take photos throughout these evenings. Please find the QR codes below that you can scan to view and download images. These codes are unique to our school and are designed to limit who has access to these images.
Music and Chorla Gala - Thursday 7th November
Speech and Dance Gala - Thursday 14th November
MEX PERFORMING AT SUNNYBANK PLAZA
MacGregor State School, in partnership with the Sunnybank Plaza Shopping Centre, are providing our talented Music Excellence students a fantastic opportunity to perform within our local community.
Friday 22nd November the students will be performing at the centre to showcase their talents. Parents are welcome to attend to support the students. The concert will start at 11.30am.
END OF YEAR JAM BAND CONCERT
Add this to you calendars and come along and listen to some great music from our students. It is also an opportunity to hear our Stage Band perform and we are excited to again welcome back several of our alumni to perform with our Stage Band.
This will be a concert not to miss!
Sports Updates
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
Spicy Words, Big Behaviour … Why Do They Do That?!
As parents, it’s important to remember that children, like adults, can only handle so much before their emotions take over. When they feel overwhelmed, their ability to think clearly, manage frustration, or respond calmly often disappears. In those moments, their feelings may come out as outbursts, demands or challenging behaviours.
What’s Really Happening?
Emotion is energy in motion (e-motion), and sometimes that energy looks like disrespect or feels as urgent as a meteor crashing down. From their perspective, they’re overwhelmed by the force of what they’re feeling and struggling to manage it.
When children can’t fully understand or explain what’s happening for them, they show you instead. This might come across as:
- Anger: “I hate you!”
- Frustration: Slamming doors or refusing to cooperate.
- Sadness: Tearfulness or shutting down.
- Stress: Meltdowns or seemingly irrational demands.
Their words and actions, while messy and unpolished, are clues to what’s underneath—angry, sad, frustrated, or stressed feelings.
“I Hate You!”: Understanding the Words Behind the Feeling
Sometimes, finding the right words is hard for children. When their words are angry and hurtful, it’s a reflection of how they feel inside—out of control, overwhelmed, or unheard.
Over time, we want to help them learn to express their feelings with words that don’t hurt others. This skill takes practice, modelling, and patience.
Here’s how you can respond:
1. In the heat of the moment – Use minimal words. Help your child regulate.
2. When they’re calm
“It’s okay to feel angry, and it’s okay to dislike my decision. But it’s not okay to speak to talk like this.”
...
“I wonder if when you say, ‘I hate you,’ what you really mean is that you hate my decision. It’s okay to feel angry with me and to tell me so. But it’s not okay to say hurtful things.”
Modelling Emotional Regulation
Children learn emotional regulation through experience—especially from us. How we behave when we’re stressed matters.
- Do we shout and get demanding?
- Or do we stay calm and use respectful words?
The most powerful lesson you can teach is how you handle your own big feelings.
Key Takeaways:
- Boundaries first, lessons later:
When their stress tanks are full, they can’t hear or process a teaching moment. Hold firm boundaries and validate their feelings until they’re calm. - Modelling matters:
The way we act when we’re stressed teaches them more than words ever will. - Validate and grow them:
Acknowledge their feelings and help them find better ways to express themselves when they’re ready.
By focusing on calm, connection, and consistent modelling, we can help our children grow into people who feel their feelings deeply and express them respectfully.
You’ve got this ❤️
Hello from our Chappy Mr T.
Hello MacG family.
The year is closing on us fast and our Yr 6 student's primary school journey is ending soon and a new journey into high school will soon begin. Some students will be excited and some will be nervous or anxious.
There's a good number of Yr 6 students who are heading to MacGregor State High next year. I'm also the school chaplain at Macgregor State High for 3 days. Having a familiar face will help them to ease into a new school environment and settle in. I've met some students here going to Mac High and I look forward to seeing their faces in 2025.
Uniform Shop
2nd Hand Hats
We have a selection of second-hand hats for sale at just $5.00 each (all items have been laundered before putting out to sell).
Online Ordering
Just a reminder that uniform can be ordered online and will be delivered to the student's classroom during shop opening hours.
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 Four Menu 2024
There is a new menu for term 4 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/
P&C News
We are excited to announce that the MacGregor Outside School Hours Care (MOSHC) Vacation Care Program for the upcoming December/January holiday period is now available! CLICK HERE TO VIEW
Our Vacation Care program will run for three weeks over the holidays, on the dates listed in the program. Please be aware that MOSHC will be closed for its annual holiday break from 23rd December to 10th January, and will resume operations on 13th January.
During the holiday period, our Vacation Care program fee will include full-service food, including Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, and Afternoon Tea, with healthy and delicious food made on site fresh daily. Eligible families will pay the advertised fee minus any Child Care Benefit they are entitled to.
We encourage all families to book in early to avoid disappointment, as places can fill up quickly during the holiday season. CLICK HERE TO BOOK
If you have any queries please email the team at macgregoroshc@gmail.com. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to providing your children with an enjoyable and enriching holiday program!
Student Achievements
This year, Sarah and Isabella has represented Australia and Taiwan respectively in Artistic Roller Skating World Skate Oceania Championships which was held in New Zealand.
Isabella was awarded bronze medal and Sarah came 6th.
Sarah and Isabella also represented Queensland in Australian National Championships which was held in Sydney. Isabella awarded bronze medal again.
Their dedication and hard work have earned themselves a full sponsorship for training trip in Italy in 2025.
Congratulations to Shaan and Shreyas who competed in the Age Level Inter School Chess competition on Thursday. Shaan was award a merit award in the 9-year-old category and Shreyas was awarded a merit award in the 10-year-old category.
