MacGregor State School Newsletter 2025 - Edition 8

Shopping Centre Car Park

We kindly ask all parents to park only in the designated parking spaces and avoid blocking roadways. Delivery trucks are currently unable to access their drop-off zones because vehicles are stopping in unauthorised areas and using them as unofficial drop-and-go spots.

If you do not wish to park your car, please use the designated Drop and Go zone. Your cooperation is essential to keeping our traffic flow safe and efficient for everyone.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Artwork from Under 8's Day

Our amazing learners in Prep to Year 2 created some beautiful artwork during Under 8s event. Some of the artwork has been framed to display throughout the main office for all of us to admire and enjoy.

Our Learning in Prep

With a busy term coming to an end, we are so proud of the learning that took place in our classrooms.

In Prep, we have been learning about living things. Prep A and B have grown their own lawns, learning about what plants need to grow and thrive. The children planted seeds in soil, watered the seeds every day and placed them next to the window for sunlight.

Mrs Aloizos’ Penguins

Prep A have been learning about Penguins and their habitats. Mrs Aloizos provided the learners with hands-on learning about these beautiful creatures. Children created the habitats for their penguins and shared their learning with Mrs Ghusn.

Trevena Glen Farm

A reminder that Prep C, D, E and F are going to Trevena Glen Farm on Tuesday, 17 June 2025. All families are required to complete an online consent form and pay for the excursion by the due dates. If you require support with the process or experience financial difficulties, please contact the office for assistance. We would love all children to participate in this excursion.

This is what some of the students had to say about their visit to the farm:

Maxson: ‘’I loved the chicks because they were so cute.  I learned that the air bubble in the egg must be at the bottom so that the chick has room to grow. I liked the pig named Freckles too.”

Mieka: “I liked riding on the tractor. It was really fun. We rode to the garden and saw veggie scraps that the animals eat.”

Chloe: “The guinea pigs were so soft and different colours. We got to hold them and feed them grass.  They need shelter, food, water, sunshine and air like me.”

Layla: “We got to brush a horse and learned not to walk behind it because it might step on you. I brushed her body, and it felt soft. Horses live in a stable and eat hay. I saw the stable and a saddle.”

Josiah: “My favourite animal was the pig. She ate the bread even though it went in the mud! The tail was really curly, and she used it to shoo the flies.”

Elanor: “The farm was really fun because I met cute guinea pigs. One was named Hazel.  The tractor ride was really fun too.  We sat on straw and drove around the farm. The straw felt spiky, and it made me laugh.”

Prep E have been learning all about Non-Fiction texts and writing. Over the last few weeks, the children have been learning about different farm animals. This week they have been learning about rabbits in preparation for the visit to Trevena Glen Farm next week.

The learners know that non-fictional writing needs a title, an accurate diagram of the animals and labels to show the features. They also know that they only write factual sentences.

Congratulations to our Students of the Week – Week 8 Assembly!

Well done to Year 2 students who have been noticed for their learning, their support of their peers and their growing confidence as learners at MacGregor State School. We are very proud of you!

Congratulations to 2D for winning the MacGregor-thon Pizza Party!

Very well done to 2D for their outstanding commitment to this years MacGregor-thon! You have won a class pizza party!

A very special visit from Birdy Bird!

Last week, the students in Year 2 had a visit from Birdy Bird – my sweet and very clever little cockatiel! Birdy Bird shared with students his ability to sing, mimic the phone ringing, dance and tap his beak with much enthusiasm! He did put on quite a show and as a result, some of the students were inspired to write very special messages (including some informative writing) about his visit! We hope you enjoy them.

Special School Events
Monday 9^th June – Reader’s Cup competition
Friday 13^th June – Sports Day Trials
Tuesday 10^th – Friday 13^th June Dance Assessments
Tuesday 17^th June- P&C Meeting
Monday 16^th to Friday 20^th June Arts Week
Friday 20^th June – MACFEST

Athletics and Sports Carnivals
Monday 23^rd June – Prep to Year 2 Sports Carnival
Tuesday 24^th June – Sports Day Trials
Wednesday 25^th June – Years 3 to 6 Sports Carnival

SMART MOVES DANCE
Smart Moves Dance culminating performances will be held as follows on Friday 27^th June
9.15am – Year 1
9.45am – Year 2
11.35am – Years 4 to 6

We look forward to seeing you at these performances.

WORLD CLEANER’S DAY
Monday 16^th June is a day where we recognise the amazing work that our school cleaners and grounds staff do to ensure that our school looks amazing.  These people arrive early each morning and then come back to work into the evening to ensure that our grounds and classrooms are ready for learning.

On behalf of the school community, we extend our heartfelt thanks to you all!

Canberra Trip
On Thursday 19^th June we will be holding some information sessions for the 2025 and 2026 Canberra Tour.

5pm – 2026 Tour (Current Year 5 families)
A reminder that the deposit for the 2026 tour is due by Tuesday 15^th July

6pm – 2025 Tour (Current Year 6 families)

Students and parents are welcome to attend these sessions.

READER’S CUP COMPETITION

Students from MacG are competed in the Reader’s Cup Competition on Monday 9^th June at Jiboomba.

19 teams competing from 15 schools, our students got to chat with author Annaleise Byrd.

Our students we truly amazing with some of the students reading 5 of the focus books two or three times.  They also got to meet author Annaleise Byrd who posted the following comment on Facebook:

It was wonderful to meet these avid young readers! I hope they had a fantastic day. Keep on reading!!

Year 3 Excursion

Year 3 students will be attending a performance of The Gruffalo as part of the 2025 Out of the Box (OOTB) Children’s Festival.

Date: Thursday 19^th June
Meet at school by 7.45am
Bus Departs at 8am
Students will need to wear their formal uniform to attend this excursion.

Students will also be participating in a workshop called ‘Let’s Dance’, after they have seen the performance of the Gruffalo.

As students are unable to take bags and drink bottles in for this excursion, we ask that morning tea, lunch and a drink are packed in disposable packaging on this day.  Teacher will have access to large bags to carry the student’s morning tea and lunch in.

Enrichment @ MAC G

Australian Maths Trust (AMT) – Australian Maths Competition (AMC)
It has been pleasing to see over 400 students from Years 3 to 6 sign up to participate in this competition.  Registrations have now closed and test papers have been ordered.  Test sitting dates will be as follows:

Tuesday 5^th August – Years 3 & 4
Wednesday 6^th August – Years 5 & 6

Students will need to be at school by 7.30am on these days and meet in the Hall to register and sit the test commencing at 7.45am.  Testing should be completed by 8.30am.

ICAS Competitions
A number of ICAS competitions are being offered to students in Years 3 to 6.

English
Writing
Science
Maths

Dates will be confirmed once registrations are completed.

Registrations are now open, and parents need to complete the sign up, registration and payment through ICAS directly.  Links and further information are listed below.

To register for these competitions, you will need to click on the link below and use the school access code.

Parent Code: FJQ505

Parent Page Link: https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/parent-payment/FJQ505

Payment is made online directly with ICAS.  The school does not accept payments for these competitions. ICAS will not refund or adjust payments once made.

Online registrations close on Monday 29^th July.

Youth Parliament

We have been successful in gaining some spots for students from our school to attend Parliament House in Brisbane and participate in a Youth Parliament forum.

This is a wonderful opportunity to students to sit in parliament, fill key roles and debate current issues with students from other primary schools.

The Brisbane South Youth Parliament will be held on Friday 8 August 2025 in the Legislative Assembly Chamber, Parliament House, Brisbane. 

This hands-on parliamentary experience is an exciting opportunity for Year 5 and 6 students to learn more about how Queensland Parliament works. 

Students allocated a speaking role will either:

• debate a motion, or
• speak in an adjournment debate or provide a private members' statement about any issue falling within the jurisdiction of the Queensland Parliament.

Some students will be allocated a non-speaking or scripted role.

This will take place on Friday 8^th August.  Further information has been shared with Year 6 students and an email will be sent by the end of this week advising them about what they will need to do to be selected.

MSP will be onsite on Wednesday 16^th and Thursday 17^th July to take performing arts group photos.  It is important that students have the correct uniform for these photos.  Please ensure you have purchased the required items, otherwise the student will not be able to be included in the photos.

Teacher and Directors will advise if there is any change to this.

Senior Shirts

A limited number of Senior Shirts are available at the uniform shop for anyone who may have missed out or would like to purchase an additional one. See image below for further information.

Positive Mindset

As we near the end of the term, it is easy to feel a bit overwhelmed with everything that is going on.  Trying to keep a positive mindset can be challenging not just for the children but also for the adults.  This is a gentle reminder to everyone to realise just what an awesome job you are doing each and every day.

Report Cards

Teachers are currently working on the Semester One report cards.  This is an important time each year and allows parents to see how their child is tracking.  We have attached some infographics that may help you understand the levels for each year level.  Please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions.  You will also have an opportunity to meet with the teachers early in Term 3 for parent teacher conferences.

Inclusion Team’s Vision

This week our Inclusion Teachers have been upskilling themselves again by participating in a professional development run by Edith Cieslar our Advisory Visiting Teacher for Vision Impairment.  Vision Impairment affects a percentage of students in our school and it is extremely important to learn about the best ways to make adjustments in order for them to access learning in the school environment.  The Inclusion team was also enlightened through utilising simulation goggles to see what it feels like to have a Vision Impairment.  Walking in someone else’s shoes can assist greatly to educate others on how it feels to experience what they are experiencing.

It is great meeting the buses each Friday afternoon as the students return from their inter-school sport competitions.  The excitement and joy on their faces is inspiring as they share how they went.

Well done on displaying a great team spirit.

Students and staff from our performing arts program, recently competed in the Regional FANFARE Competition.

I am pleased to advise of the following results:

Vocal Harmony with Miss Eadie - Silver Award
Vocal Melody with Mrs Richard-Preston - Platinum Award
Chamber Choir with Miss Eadie - Platinum Award
MacGregor Voices with Miss McIntyre - Platinum Award

Students in each choral group represented our school in an exemplary way.  Please take the time to congratulate the students and their teachers on these amazing results.

On Monday we received advice that the students from Chamber Choir and their Conductor Miss Jane Eadie have made it through to the Regional Finals being held at the Redlands Performing Arts Centre on Monday 23^rd June.

Congratulations to all the students who performance and we wish the students in Chamber Choir all the best in the Regional Final.

ARTS WEEK
Arts Week is being held from Monday 16th June to Friday 20th June.  A range of lunchtime and assembly performances will take place throughout the week.

MACFEST
Macfest is our culminating event where many groups from our performing arts program will be performing either in the Hall or at the outdoor stage in the AA quadrangle.

Below is the schedule for this special event:

All students performing (except for Dance groups) will need to be dressed in their full Performing Arts Uniform. Dancers will be given costumes on arrival.

Raffle Donations

Students in a group performing are asked to bring a household grocery item (chips, chocolate, drinks etc) to make a hamper raffle for the event. Please bring to this item to Miss McIntyre’s Music Room before Friday 13th June.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding MACFEST performances, please don’t hesitate to contact emmci0@eq.edu.au

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

We’re looking for helpers for our Sports Day Canteen on Wednesday 25th June (Week 10) in Mac Place!

If you can spare some time to help serve up hot chips and smiles, we’d love to have you on board!

Sign up here: CLICK HERE

Or email us at: secretary@msspc.org.au for more info

Or scan the QR code in the flyer below!

Every bit of help makes a big difference – thank you for supporting our school community!

🌞 Macgregor OSHC – July Vacation Care Program 🌈

Our July Vacation Care Program is just around the corner and we’re excited to share a fun-filled lineup of activities for the school holidays!

We’ve been inundated with bookings, so if you’re planning to enrol your child, we strongly encourage you to secure your spot as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Places are filling fast! CLICK HERE TO BOOK

See below the full program, and if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the OSHC team directly - macgregoroshc@gmail.com 

We look forward to another fantastic holiday with your children!

— The Macgregor OSHC Team

📣 Join Us – P&C Meeting This Tuesday!

Our next P&C Meeting is happening on Tuesday, 17th June at 6:30pm, held in the Macgregor OSHC (MOSHC) building.

This is a great opportunity to stay informed, share your ideas, and connect with our school community. All parents and carers are welcome — we’d love to see some new faces!

Come along and be part of the conversation that helps shape our school.

— Macgregor P&C Executive Committee 2025

💛 Fundraising Update – Thank You, Macgregor Community!

Check out our Fundraising Snapshot  below to see how far we’ve come!

A big thank you to our wonderful school community for getting behind our fundraising events this term, including the Mother’s Day Stall and the MacGregorthon. Your support makes a huge difference!

At Monday’s Prep–Year 2 assembly, we were excited to announce the winners of the pizza class parties. Congratulations to Prep H, 1B, and 2D — enjoy your well-earned celebration!

The fun isn’t over yet — at this coming Monday’s Year 3–Year 6 assembly, we’ll announce the remaining pizza party winners and also draw the winner of the iPad giveaway!

A huge thank you to our community partner, Seriously Addictive Mathematics, for their generous support of this initiative.

Let’s keep the momentum going — together we make a big impact!

A message from our Community Partner - Seriously Addictive Maths Tutor and Enrichment - Upper Mount Gravatt

🧠✨ At Seriously Addictive Mathematics, We Believe Real Learning Starts Beyond the Screen ✨🧠

In today's digital world, screens are everywhere—even in early education. But are they helping, or hurting?

Research shows that screen time at a young age can lead to:

🧠 Decreased attention span

💬 Weakened communication skills

💤 Disrupted sleep patterns

🎨 Less creativity and imagination

😟 Increased anxiety and emotional disconnect

That's why at Seriously Addictive Mathematics (S.A.M.) and Seriously Addictive English (S.A.E), we take a different approach.

Our proven, hands-on program is designed to engage young minds without the use of screens—focusing instead on what truly matters in early development.

✅ Strong foundational math and English understanding

✅ Logical thinking and problem-solving

✅ Focus, confidence, and independence

✅ Interactive learning in a fun, social environment

💡 Because the best kind of learning doesn't come from a screen—it comes from real experiences, guided instruction, and active engagement.

📚 Ready to give your child a screen-free head start in math and English —and life?

👉 Discover the S.A.M. difference today CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE