MacGregor State School eNewsletter

From the Principal

Welcome back to Term 3!

I hope you all had a restful and refreshing break and are ready for another exciting term of learning, growth and achievement.

Term 3 is always a wonderful time in the school year—our students are settled into routines, friendships are strong, and there are many opportunities for fun, learning, and growth. From classroom projects to excursions, sporting events and special celebrations, there’s so much to look forward to. As always, our dedicated staff are here to support every student to succeed and feel a strong sense of belonging. I encourage families to stay involved and connected—your partnership is a vital part of our school community.

Let’s make Term 3 a positive, productive and inspiring one for all.

STAFF UPDATES

Mr Gerchow will be on leave until the end of this week. I have been filling in for him during this time and it has been wonderful seeing the school through a different perspective.

I would like to extend my thanks to the teachers who have stepped up to act in my role as Deputy Principal for Years 3 and 6 during this time.

Term 2 Week 10 – Miss Katelyn French
Term 3 Week 1 – Mr Micheal Austen
Term 3 Week 2 – Mrs Memy Chiang
Term 3 Week 3 – Mr Micheal Austen

This is a valuable development opportunity for each of these teachers and I thank them for their professionalism and dedication.

We look forward to welcoming Mr Gerchow back to school on Monday 28^th July.

Mrs Alida O’Brien will be on leave for the next couple of weeks and 5F will be taught by Miss Alaecia Snowdon during this time. We welcome Miss Snowdon back to our school.

Special thanks to Miss Hannah Campbell who has been part of our inclusion team this year. Miss Campbell leaves us this week to take on some new adventures overseas. We wish her all the best on her travels and look forward to hearing about the exciting things she will be doing.

We welcome back Ms Monique MacLeod who is joining the inclusion team on a Thursday and Friday. Ms MacLeod will be working across the Year 2 classes providing invaluable support to the team.

Mrs Kathryn Shaw has also joined the inclusion team this term and will be working with the Year 1 team, welcome Mrs Shaw.

GUIDANCE OFFICER

This week we welcomes Mrs Megan Hunt to our team as Guidance Officer working Thursday and Friday. Mrs Hunt is thrilled to be part of the MacGregor Community. Please make her feel welcome to our school.

NAPLAN REPORTS

Last week, students in Years 3 and 5 brought home their NAPLAN Student Report. These reports offer just one snapshot of your child’s learning journey, highlighting some of their strengths and areas for growth in literacy and numeracy.

We encourage you to view the results as a valuable tool to celebrate progress and guide future learning. At school, we use NAPLAN data alongside our own assessments to ensure every student receives the support and challenge they need to thrive.

Remember, while NAPLAN provides helpful information, it doesn’t capture creativity, kindness, resilience, or effort — all the wonderful qualities we see in your children every day.

"Learning is a journey filled with discovery, growth, and endless possibilities. Every step forward—no matter how small—is a sign of progress and potential. Let's celebrate curiosity, embrace challenges, and keep encouraging the students, to be the best learners they can be!"

YEAR 6 CANBERRA TRIP

Students from Year 6 will be heading off to Canberra on Sunday 27^th July. We wish them well on their travel and look forward to hearing about all the wonderful and engaging things they did whilst on tour. An email has been sent home with the most up to date itinerary and packing list. Please check this carefully. ALL students must arrive at the airport no later than 6am on Sunday 27^th July.

I would like to send a special shoutout to members of our staff who are travelling with the students and I to Canberra. Mrs Memy Chiang, Mr Dean Grady, Ms Michelle Wall, Mrs Wendy Cowan, Mr Joel Underwood, Mr Brett Hutchinson, Miss Katelyn French, Mrs Leanne Harvey, Mrs Sandi Keating, Mrs Sherryn Jones, Mrs Tracey Pahor, Mr Michael Sukkar, Mr Haddon Mossley.

P&C FUN RUN

We are incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated and supportive P&C Association at our school. Their ongoing commitment, generous contributions, and tireless efforts behind the scenes help create a positive, inclusive, and enriching learning environment for all our students. Whether it's fundraising, volunteering, or providing valuable input into school initiatives, our P&C plays a vital role in strengthening the connection between families, staff, and the wider community. We thank them sincerely for all that they do.

The next big fundraiser for our school is the ‘Fun Run’ being held on Tuesday 12^th August from 2pm – 3pm. Letters and sponsor cards have been sent home this week. Keep an eye out for how you can help the P&C with this great event. I look forward to seeing parents and friends at this event to encourage and participate alongside the students.

TAIWANESE EDUCATORS VISIT

This week we welcomed twenty-one educators from the Taiwanese Education System to our school. This group was made up of teachers from both primary and secondary campuses in Taiwan who have come for a study tour to see the great things that are happening in Australian Schools.

They visited a range of classrooms and also had the opportunity to watch some of our dance classes. We were joined in the afternoon session by students from the CAD program at MacGregor High School, showcasing the work they are currently doing in their drama and performing arts program.

YEAR 5 COMBINED SCHOOLS BAND WORKSHOP

This week we welcomed over 150 students from local primary schools, who joined with our Year 5 students in the band program. They participated in a range of workshops, master classes and rehearsals, culminating in a performance for their parents and friends.

Special thanks to the staff from our music department for co-ordinating this great event.

AFTER SCHOOL SAFETY REMINDER

We all lead very busy lives, managing drop off and pick up can be one of the most challenging aspects of the school day for parents and carers. Our school is located in a busy precinct close to shopping centres and entertainment areas. It is important that we focus on the safety and wellbeing of our students.

To help keep everyone safe after school:

Students should go straight home or to their designated pick-up area.
Remind children never to leave school grounds with anyone unless pre-arranged.
Use pedestrian crossings and follow traffic signals.
Supervise younger children closely during pick-up times.
Please be patient and follow school parking and traffic rules.

To help keep all our students safe during busy drop-off and pick-up times, please remember the following when using the Drop and Go zone:

Stay in your car – This zone is for quick goodbyes. If you need to walk your child in, please park in designated areas.
Move forward – Drive to the front of the zone to keep traffic flowing.
Be quick and ready – Ensure bags are accessible so your child can exit swiftly and safely.
Never park and exit your car – It’s unsafe and can block visibility for others.
Watch for pedestrians – Always be alert and drive slowly.
Never call children out into the road – this is dangerous and is putting your child’s safety at risk
Follow staff instructions – please be mindful of the amazing team we have working in the drop and go zone each afternoon, we appreciate your respect.

Thank you for helping us keep our students safe!

SCHOOL UNIFORM
As the weather is cooler, it is important that students check their uniform carefully to ensure it is being worn properly. As a school we have a great reputation for how well our students present when in uniform. We are highly visible, everyone knows our MacGregor tartan and we constantly receive praise for the standard of presentation of our students. This is something to be very proud of and celebrated.

Wearing a school uniform correctly in important for several reasons:

1.Promotes Equality
Wearing the uniform properly ensures all students are on an equal footing, reducing peer pressure and competition related to clothing and fashion. It helps shift the focus from appearance to learning.

2.Builds School Pride and Identity
Correct uniform wear shows pride in the school. It helps students feel part of a team or community and fosters a sense of belonging and responsibility.

3.Encourages Discipline and Respect
Taking the time to wear the uniform properly reinforces values like self-respect, responsibility, and respect for rules. It contributes to a more focused and orderly learning environment.

4.Enhances Safety and Security
Uniforms make it easier to identify students within the school grounds and on excursions, helping staff ensure that only authorised individuals are present.

5.Prepares Students for the Workplace
Many workplaces have dress codes or uniforms. Learning to dress appropriately from a young age helps prepare students for professional expectations in the future.

Wearing the school uniform correctly is not just about rules—it's about respect, unity, and readiness for future success. Thank you for your continued support in ensuring each of our students wears their uniform with pride.

AUSTRALIAN TEACHER AIDE OF THE YEAR

I received a lovely email this week to advise that one of Teacher Aides Mrs Shu-Ming Tsai has been nominated for the Australian Teacher Aide of the year. This is wonderful recognition for Mrs Tsai and highlights the important work that she does with the students and staff. On behalf of the MacGregor community we congratulate you on your nomination.

PARENTLINE SERVICE SUPPORTING PARENTS AND CARERS

Parentline is a free, confidential counselling service available for all Queensland parents and carers.

If you need support navigating challenging situations, Parentline offers qualified counsellors who can help with expert advice, emotional support and referrals when needed.

Parentline’s services include:

practical parenting resources on their website
live webchat with professional counsellors
phone support for immediate assistance (1300 30 1300)
the option to pre-book ongoing sessions with the same counsellor
online counsellor-facilitated parenting forums for shared support
referrals to other family support services when additional help is needed.

Visit their website (parentline.com.au) for more information today, or give them a call on 1300 30 1300.

PREMIER’S CODING CHALLENGE

Is your child in Years 3–10? Encourage them to enter the Premier’s Coding Challenge. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase their creativity and coding skills by designing an app, game or website that addresses one or more United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Winners share $15,000 in tech prizes, and every participant receives a certificate of achievement from the Premier. Entries close 5 pm, 12 September 2025. Visit the challenge website for details!

Prep to Year Two

Welcome to Week 2!

Welcome back, everyone. It is wonderful to see our students return to school after the break, recharged and excited about the learning ahead.

Year 1s started the term with an exciting excursion to the Brisbane Botanical Gardens and Sir Thomas Planetarium. The learners explored the Temperate Garden Lagoon and its surrounds. They engaged in activities to identify and explore the natural, managed and constructed features of this place. Students also attended a show in the Cosmic Skydome to explore the night sky, our Solar System, Galaxy and beyond. Thank you to all the families for supporting this wonderful excursion.

A reminder to our existing families to put an enrolment application in as soon as possible if you have a child who is eligible to commence Prep in 2026. This will assist us with planning (staffing and classes) in preparation for the 2026 intake.

For further information about the enrolment process, please visit our website or contact Ms Marcia Crichton, our Enrolments Officer, mcric14@eq.edu.au

Year Two Deputy Principal

A great start to Term 3

It has been lovely greeting our students back to school after the winter break. I continue to thank our very supportive parents for ensuring students are organised, adhering to our uniform code and have healthy lunches packed. Year 2 has some exciting learning experiences planned for this semester so please ensure you keep up to date via our fortnightly newsletter.

Sun Safe at MacGregor State School

We continue to ensure that all students are wearing hats when eating and playing during breaks. A gentle reminder that hats are required at minimum when:

PE is outdoors and/ or on the oval
Eating time
Playtime

To ensure your child participates in PE and has choice of area to play during breaks, please make sure they have their hat every day (with their name on it!). If you find your child has misplaced their hat (and it can’t be found in Lost Property), you can always purchase a replacement from our uniform shop open each Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Reading in the early years – Prep to Year 2

‘Being able to read and write is profoundly transformative, both for individuals and for population-health and wellbeing more widely’

Snow, P 2021, ‘The Science of Language and Reading’, Child Language Teaching and Therapy, vol. 37, no. 3, pp. 222–233

Our students continue to benefit from opportunities at home to be read to, engage in regular conversations about topics of interest, incidental writing (for example, helping with a shopping list or writing a thank you note) and having access to age-appropriate reading material. In this weeks newsletter, we share more specific information about shared reading at home as provided by the Queensland Department of Education:

Shared Reading at Home

‘In the early years of reading instruction, children engage with different books for different purposes. They need to read decodable texts to develop their word reading skills and they need to read and hear authentic texts to develop strong oral language skills. Authentic texts include picture books, storybooks, information texts and any reading material the child enjoys.

When children are first learning to read, the books they will read independently are designed to improve their ability to decode (decodable texts). For most children, the language used in these books will be far simpler than the language they already understand and use.

Virtually all children’s books are appropriate for shared reading, but the best books will have rich, detailed pictures, and are interesting to the child. Remember, the purpose of shared reading is to stimulate rich talk between the adult and child, not for the child to be able to read the text themselves’

We can not emphasise enough the importance of both school and home influencing reading dispositions for our young learners. We encourage you to use some of the ideas and strategies shared with you this week.

Incursions and Excursion for Year 2 in Semester 2!

As shared in the last newsletter, we have been unable to secure suitable dates for Toohey Forest. Parents who have paid for this excursion will receive a credit on their child’s account while we finalise the cost of the Term 4 excursion to Wolston House – from Thursday 16^th October through to Friday 31^st October (classes and dates will be communicated closer to the date). This excursion ties in beautifully with our HASS and English units as students experience an authentic step-back-in-time day at this historical venue right here in Brisbane.

Dr Cameron Stelzer – booked in for an adventure!

This term, all students in Year 2 are invited to participate in our Author’s Visit Incursion. On Thursday 4^th of September we have booked in an adventure with Dr. Cameron Stelzer – author and illustrator of many children’s books.

“Exciting, enthusiastic, engaging, energetic and really tall!” is how students often describe Dr Cameron.

Yes, Dr Cameron Stelzer is a real Doctor, not a made up one like Dr Seuss! However, with a Doctorate of Visual Arts, you won't find him hanging around a doctor's surgery.

Cameron has been a full-time author since 2004. He has written and illustrated thirty-six books for children and has worked with over eight hundred schools and libraries. His books have won eighteen international book awards. He has been a guest blogger for the Summer Reading Club and the Reading Adventure Club. We hope to see all Year 2 students participate in this session – all consent and information is currently accessible via your QParents app.

Year Three to Six

Book Week Activities

Book Week this year is occurring in Week 6 -The theme is Book an adventure! We are running some activities that we would love for the students to complete and hand in prior to week 6.

Book in Jar: Students are to create a scene to represent a story of their choice. We would like the students to create props from materials rather than bought props to add to the level of creativity and place inside a plastic clear container (honey, peanut butter type container). There is an example made in the library that we will put in the next newsletter.

Photo of reading: Students are to have their photo taken reading a book of their choice in an unusual place. Please send photos to Mrs Keating: skeat33@eq.edu.au

In the Term 3 Language program, students are exploring the Chinese Food unit. In addition to learning how to order food at a Chinese food stall set in an Australian context, they also explore aspects of Chinese food culture, including common dishes, street food, and dining customs. Year 5 students are learning about proper chopstick etiquette in Chinese culture.

Year 4 Waste Management Excursion

Achsah: At the Brisbane City Council Landfill excursion, I learnt that what things need to be put in the red bin, yellow bin and green bin.

Inclusion Team Update

NAIDOC WEEK 2025

This year was the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC week celebrating the theme 'The next generation: strength, vision & legacy'.

MacGregor State School kicked off our celebrations in week 10, Term 2 with the Inclusion Team visiting the ‘Dandiiri Schools and Community Library’ to borrow resources to imbed indigenous perspectives into term 3 units of work.

On Friday the 11^th of July I was privileged to join the MOSHC staff and students to attend the Musgrave Park NAIDOC community celebrations fair. It was amazing to see so many support networks on display for the indigenous community at this event and for the students to be involved in raising awareness of indigenous culture

Then on Tuesday the 15^th of July four of our staff members attended a cultural workshop at MOSHC led by Aunty Merle. Staff gave amazing feedback saying all felt it was a powerful and thoughtful session exploring truth-telling, deep listening, and connection to Country. Thank you to Amanda Lowe for extending the invitation to MSS staff members for this cultural professional development opportunity.

Thank you to everyone who assisted to make our culminating NAIDOC celebration event for 2025 a great success on Thursday the 17^th of July, 2025. The students appeared to have a wonderful time being immersed in indigenous culture by participating in Indigenous storytelling with Brenda (Aboriginal woman) and Alexis from the Dandiiri Schools and Community Library, bead bracelet making, fingerprint art, rock painting, gardening, chatterboxes and indigenous games.

NAIDOC ART COMPETITION ENTRIES WILL BE JUDGED IN WEEK 2, TERM 3 2025 AND AWARDS PRESENTED AT A FUTURE ASSEMBLY.

Inclusion and Belonging at the Local School: The Parent Advocacy Toolkit

Wednesday 10^th September, 9.15am to 2.30pm
North Ipswich Reserve Corporate Centre, North Ipswich
43 The Terrace, North Ipswich 4

For more information and to register for this fully-funded (free to families) workshop, please click here

To view and share on FB, please click here.

This workshop is designed to give parents/carers of children with disability the information they need to feel informed about inclusive education for their child. It aims to equip family members with confidence to have conversations with their child’s current or prospective school, about the supports and adjustments their child needs for school inclusion.

Supported Attendance
Please note that financial support is available to enable regional attendees to travel to our face-to-face workshops. This includes travel support (petrol/airfares) and accommodation. To apply families should contact educationproject@cru.org.au

Hello from our Chappy Mr T.!

Welcome back to Semester 2 to all MacG family. Hope you all had a good holiday and glad for the kids to be back at school 🙂

Just a simple reminder Breakfast Club is on every Thursday 8.15-8.45am. Come early as the cheese toasties in winter are very popular.

When the toasties are finished, we also have toast, jam and vegemite; corn flake cereal; apples and bananas.

Most importantly its FREE.

Sports Updates

Finance

P&C Update

🎉 Thank You for an Incredible Semester 1! 🙌

A huge thank you to all the families, staff, and community members who supported our fundraisers throughout Semester 1. Together, we’ve raised an amazing $42,000 towards our 2025 fundraising goal!

We’re now halfway to our target of $80,000, which will go towards purchasing much-needed ICT equipment for our classrooms — and we couldn’t have done it without you!

As we head into Semester 2, we’re excited for more events and opportunities to get involved. With your continued support, we know we can reach (or even exceed!) our goal.

📅 Save the Dates Below & Keep reading to Get Involved!

Let’s keep the momentum going and make the rest of the year even more impactful!

Thank you again for being part of something special!

🤝 Join Our Fundraising Committee Meeting!

We’re inviting all families to come along to our next Fundraising Committee Meeting on Tuesday, 29th July from 9:00am – 10:00am.

Come and find out how you can get involved in exciting upcoming events like the Fun Run, Father’s Day Stalls, and Mac Fair 2025!

Whether you have a little time or a lot, your help makes a big difference — and we’d love to have you on board!

💻 Can’t make it? No worries!
Email us at operations@msspc.org.au or sign up to help via our volunteer platforms.

Let’s work together to make these events a huge success!

MacGregor Fun Run – Our First P&C Fundraiser for Term 3!

Get ready to run, dress up, and have some fun! Our annual Fun Run is happening on Tuesday, 12th August 2025 from 2:00pm – 3:00pm, and it’s the first P&C fundraiser for Term 3!

🌟 Don’t forget to return your sponsorship cards by Monday, 11th August so your laps can be counted on the day. Every lap helps us get closer to our 2025 fundraising goal: new ICT equipment for classrooms!

🎁 Prizes & Perks:
🍕 Pizza Party for the Junior and Senior classes with the highest participation
🎭 Prize for the class with the best costume or theme
🍧 Every student who participates will receive a refreshing ice block after the run!

Let’s make this a fun-filled afternoon and rally together to support our students’ learning with upgraded ICT resources!

🎟️ Tickets On Sale Now – Mac Fair 2025 Is Coming! 🎉

Have you heard the news? Mac Fair 2025 is happening on Saturday, September 6th, and it’s going to be a fantastic day filled with fun, community, food, and entertainment!

🎡 Ride Passes are now live – grab yours today and get ready for a full afternoon of unlimited rides from 12pm to 5pm Buy here: https://events.humanitix.com/2025-mac-fair-macgregor-state-school-p-and-c-association

📅 Mark your calendars, round up your family and friends, and get ready to celebrate with us at MacGregor State School!

👉 Don’t miss out – tickets are selling fast!

💙 Join the Fun – Volunteer at Mac Fair 2025! 🎉

Mac Fair 2025 is shaping up to be a fantastic day of fun, food, and community spirit — and we need your help to make it happen!

We’re calling on parents, carers, and community members to lend a hand by signing up for a volunteer shift. Whether it's helping on a stall, assisting with set-up, or keeping things running smoothly — every bit of help makes a big difference.

✅ Simply choose a time slot that suits you and sign up here: https://volunteersignup.org/FBW33

⏰ If the listed times don’t work for you but you’d still like to help, please email us at operations@msspc.org.au — we’d love to hear from you!

Thank you for being part of what makes Mac Fair such a special event!

Mac Shack News

Uniform Shop

News form the Uniform Shop - Winter Uniform Delivery – Now in Stock!

We’re pleased to let families know that a new delivery of winter uniform items has arrived this week. We now have fleecy jumpers, jackets, and microfibre jackets in stock, available in sizes up to 3XL (Size 30).

Uniform Shop Operating Hours:
🕗 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 8:00am – 9:00am (over-the-counter sales)

You can also place your order online via My Student Account, and items will be delivered directly to your child’s classroom on the next operational day.

For any queries, please contact Kathryn at: uniformshop@msspc.org.au

Student Achievements

Congratulations to Scarlett on her achievements in rhythmic gymnastics.

After 3 tough selection events including the state championships, Scarlett has been officially selected to represent Queensland as part of the Queensland state team in the 2025 Australian Gymnastics Championships held on the Gold Coast.

A huge achievement that reflects her hard work, consistency and determination.

Scarlett will be competing in rhythmic gymnastics in both individual (ball, hoop, clubs and freehand) and group (5 balls).

This prestigious event brings together the top gymnasts across the country, competing in Artistic, Trampoline, Rhythmic, Aerobic and Acrobatic disciplines for the title of 2025 National Champion.

MacGregor State School Newsletter 2025 - Edition 11