2024 Term 4 Vol. 4

Acknowledgment of Country

From the Principal's Desk

This year at Mudgeeraba Creek has been one of outstanding success and growth, and I genuinely believe Mudgee Creek is a truly unique and special place. Our dedicated staff go above and beyond to provide endless opportunities for our students, fostering an environment where they can thrive. Their unwavering commitment positively impacts our students, encouraging them to embrace and enjoy every aspect of school life to its fullest.

This dedication also extends to the amazing members of our P&C Committee, who generously give their time to lead the fundraising activities and events we’ve enjoyed throughout the year. Their efforts play a vital role in enriching our school community.

As we approach the end of the academic year, I would like to take the opportunity to gather further feedback from our community. Our School Opinion Survey data indicates that there is a perception that there is room for improvement in how we seek and value parent input. I encourage you to engage with the opportunities available. During our recent Community Connect sessions, we asked several questions to collect perspectives that will guide our school planning. Please use the links below to share your thoughts. We will carefully review the feedback gathered through both the digital platform and face-to-face sessions. While this isn't a wish list or a quick fix, it serves as a valuable tool for identifying common themes within our community to help shape our future direction.

https://forms.office.com/r/R8LVZT5UQ1

As we close out the year, it has been a truly busy and rewarding term filled with memorable events. From the Year 6 graduation activities and "Look at Me Now" presentations to the Prep Christmas Concert, class parties, Meet the Teacher sessions, Mudgee’s Got Talent and FAR Awards, there has been no shortage of moments to celebrate. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible staff for their hard work and dedication in bringing these events to life. A huge shout out to our parent volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes toward our Year 6 disco and Tea Towel keepsake. Jo and her merry band of legends were instrumental in curating a memorable night for our departing students.

To our graduating class of 2024, Carpe Diem. Seize the day. Congratulations on reaching this significant milestone. We wish you every success as you step into the next chapter of your education journey. To our departing families, thank you for your contributions to our school community over the years. You have enriched our school, and we will miss you.

We also bid farewell to some valued staff members. Margaret Wagner, who has been with us for an incredible 20 years, will be transferring to Norfolk Village State School. Matt Miles will be moving on to take up an exciting STEM role at Highland Reserve State School. Best wishes to Kyannah Stevens for her move to Forest Lake State School.  We also say farewell and thank you to Brooke Edwards and Saarah Cox who are both shifting the focus of their career to another sector. Congratulations to Di Bowerman and Wendy Thomas who are preparing for a well-earned retirement. We are grateful for the impact each of these professionals have had on Mudgeeraba Creek, and we wish them all the best in their new endeavours.

As we say goodbye to some, we also welcome new faces to our team. Ben O’Day will be joining us as our new Technologies Teacher. Mr. O’Day brings extensive experience from Norfolk Village State School, where he established a highly respected STEM program. We also welcome Kerryn Gray, our new Music and Drama teacher, who comes to us from Arundel State School. Ms. Gray’s passion for fostering choirs and her dedication to the performing arts will undoubtedly enhance our school community in 2025. We also welcome Miss Megan Davis who is joining us from New Zealand and will be at the helm of 5/6D. And last, but certainly not least, we welcome Ms Ashley Piron from Edens Landing State School to our Prep P post.  We know Ms Piron's energetic approach to teaching will be a perfect match for our incoming Prep P students.

To our wonderful community, my best wishes to you and your families for a Christmas break that is full of joy, love, and laughter. I thank you for working with us in what has been another spectacular school year. Thank you for your continued support and helping Mudgeeraba Creek and its students achieve amazing things in 2024.

As we head into the holiday season, I wish everyone a safe and joyful Christmas period. Take this time to relax, recharge, and cherish moments with your loved ones. For those who may find the festive season challenging, I encourage you to reach out for support rather than dealing with it on your own. Assistance is available through the following services:

- Lifeline: 13 11 14 

- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 

- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 

- Headspace: Visit headspace.org.au for resources and support.

The 2025 school year begins on Tuesday 28 January. We will communicate with you closer to this date with back-to-school reminders and important information. Finally, please keep an eye on our social media channels for updates and reminders as we prepare for the start of the new school year. We look forward to seeing everyone refreshed and ready for another fantastic year at Mudgeeraba Creek in 2025!

Kind Regards

Ben

Ben Morris - Principal

Senior School

As we approach the end of the school year, we are incredibly proud of our senior students' dedication and focus in these final weeks. They have worked diligently across all learning areas, and we trust their report cards will reflect their efforts and growth. A special farewell goes to our Year 6 cohort as they prepare for the exciting transition to high school. We wish them all the best and are confident they will continue to thrive in their next chapter.

Our Year 6 students have enjoyed a memorable series of end-of-year events, celebrating their time at primary school. The formal graduation ceremony was a special morning to acknowledge their achievements, while the Bounce excursion provided a fun-filled afternoon of activity, flips and laughter. The night-time disco, expertly organised by our parent helpers, was a highlight for many, with the ice-cream truck and slushie machine being particularly popular!

This year’s senior swimming carnival was a splash-tastic success, filled with excitement. Students cheered each other on with enthusiasm, showcasing the incredible sportsmanship that makes our school community so special. Whether competing for ribbons or simply diving in for fun, everyone gave their all in the pool as they just kept swimming to gain those house points.

A massive congratulations to all our talented performers who participated in Mudgee's Got Talent! We were thrilled to see 28 incredible acts from Year 4 to 6 audition, showcasing the amazing talent within our school. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this event—it was truly a celebration of creativity and courage.

Last week, students successfully participated in the Meet the Teacher morning, spending time with their 2025 teacher and classmates. It was inspiring to see the resilience and positivity of our students as they worked alongside new friendship groups and began forming connections that will carry them into the new year.

Finally, we wish all our families a safe and restful holiday season. Thank you for your ongoing support throughout the year. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another fantastic year of learning on Tuesday, 28th January.

Warm regards
Kym Young
Acting Deputy Principal 

Junior School

Our Prep students took to the stage for their Christmas concert in Week 9. 

This event is always a highlight on our Prep calendar and a wonderful opportunity for families to join our celebrations. 

The students enjoyed entertaining us all on the stage and were very excited to have a special visit from Santa. 

Thank you to all the families that were able to join us on the day.

We were all treated to a number of wonderful performances from our Junior school students at the annual Mudgee’s got Talent.  A special shout out to Bailey, Zara, Billie, Henry, Jade, Aliyah, Amber, Piper,  Ethan, Elijah, Mason, Obi and Savannah for doing such a great job representing the junior school and sharing your wonderful talents with us all.   

Thank you to all of our families for your support throughout the year.  Our students have grown taller, smarter, kinder and more resilient as the year has progressed.  As Roald Dahl wrote in Matilda “Children are not so serious as grown-ups and they love to laugh” and I have found that to be true of our fantastic students in the Junior School who find joy and wonder in every day.  Thank you to all of them for sharing a smile and laugh with me this year - you should all be proud of your achievements and success throughout 2024.  I hope you have a wonderful break over summer and I look forward to seeing you all in 2025.

Warm regards
Lesley Dekker
Deputy Principal

IDEAS

The Importance of Play and Rest During School Holidays

As the school holidays approach, it’s a wonderful opportunity to pause and reflect on the importance of play and rest in our children’s lives. These essential elements are not just about having fun and taking a break—they play a vital role in your child’s growth and development.

The Role of Play

Play is often referred to as the “work” of childhood, and for good reason. Through play, children explore their world, develop critical thinking skills, and learn to solve problems. It encourages creativity, fosters imagination and helps build social skills as children interact with friends and family.

Unstructured, free play—where children can let their imaginations run wild—is particularly beneficial. It allows kids to make their own decisions, take risks, and experience the joy of discovery. Whether it’s building a fort, playing games, or simply exploring nature, these activities contribute to emotional well-being and resilience.

The Power of Rest

Equally important as play is rest. After a busy school year, children need time to recharge. Rest allows their minds and bodies to recover, which is essential for physical health and emotional stability. Sleep, in particular, plays a crucial role in memory consolidation, learning and overall brain development.

Quiet moments during the day are also beneficial. Encourage your child to take breaks from screens and active play by providing time for naps, reading or daydreaming.  These restful periods help reduce stress and create a balance that supports mental clarity and emotional regulation.

A Balanced Approach

While it’s tempting to fill the holidays with activities and outings, try to strike a balance. Overscheduling can lead to exhaustion and limit the opportunities for spontaneous play and relaxation. Instead, create a flexible schedule that includes time for:

• Free play: Let your child lead the way in choosing what they want to do.
• Physical activity: Encourage outdoor play or family walks to stay active.
• Creative pursuits: Provide materials for drawing, crafting, or building.
• Quality rest: Prioritise regular bedtimes and moments of calm during the day.

Long-Term Benefits

Children who engage in a healthy mix of play and rest are more likely to return to school feeling refreshed, motivated, and ready to learn. This balance supports their cognitive development, strengthens emotional resilience and lays the groundwork for lifelong healthy habits.

As we head into the holidays, let’s cherish this time to connect, recharge and allow our children the freedom to recharge their minds and bodies.  After all, the magic of childhood lies in the blend of joyful play and free time to rest.

Wishing you and your family a restful and playful holiday season!

Warm regards
Pamela Lidstone
Head of Student Services

The Sporting Scoop

Mudgeeraba Creek held its annual Year 4-6 Swimming Carnival at All Saints School at the end of November. The venue was terrific and we had a high level of participation from our students. With both competition and novelty events, students tried their very best and displayed a high level of House spirit. I would like to thank Mrs Young for all her work in organising the event.

I would like to congratulate the following students who were age champions at the carnival:-

Also, a huge congratulations to Jasmine who broke the 9 years girls 50m Breastroke Record. The previous record was 1.00.49 sec. Jasmine swam a time of 58.85 sec.

Kind regards
Kurt Gislingham
HPE Teacher

We Want You! 2025 Strings Program

Finance Matters

2025 Student Resource Scheme Fees

Invoices for the 2025 Student Resource Scheme (SRS) fees will be sent to current and future families shortly. The SRS fee for 2025 will remain at $245 per student, which has been the established rate since 2020.

Please note that payment is due in full by 7th March 2025. Payments can be made via the BPOINT link provided on the invoice or through the QParents app.

If you require assistance with a payment plan, kindly reach out to us via email at admin@mudgeerabacreekss.eq.edu.au.

For a detailed breakdown of what is included in the 2025 SRS, please refer to the 2025 SRS Inclusion List below. 

QParent invitations for families starting in 2025 will be sent shortly.  Information on how to register for  QParents  is below for your reference. 

Kind regards
Finance Team

Important Reminders

Does Your Child Require Medication at School in 2025?

All student medication required for use at school must have the necessary consents and medical authorisation in place prior to administration.

Paperwork Requirements

A consent form (Section A only) must be completed by the parent - one form per medication please. (see Consent form below)

Depending on the type of medication, a medication order may also be required to be completed by your child's doctor (see Medication Order - Parent/Practitioner Information Sheet form below)

Returning Medication in 2025

If you are returning the exact same medication (including same dose) as was collected at the end of the year, you are not required to complete a new consent form. Medication is still required to meet the following medication requirements, to be accepted:- 

All medication is required to be:

• Prescribed by a doctor
• Pharmacy-labelled with student name, doctor name, medication name and clear dose instructions eg. 1 tablet at noon daily.  'As needed/directed' instructions require a medication order - see below. 
• In its original packing - (the exception is daily tablet medications which we kindly request be provided in a webster/blister pack - your pharmacist can assist with this)
• In date 
• Submitted/collected by a parent/carer - for safety reasons, students are not permitted to submit medication.
  

End of Year Medication Collection

All student medication is required to be collected by a parent/carer on the student's last day of school for the year.  Please note, for safety reasons, EpiPens will only be released as student's leave school on their last day.

Does My Child Need an Action Plan?

All students who have a medical condition which requires specific management at school ie. Asthma, Epilepsy, Anaphylaxis etc must provide a doctor signed and stamped Action Plan.  For currency, plans are required to be updated annually, and administration instructions (including any dosages) must match the pharmacy labelling on the medication. If you are unsure if your child needs a plan, please contact us at admin@mudgeerabacreekss.eq.edu.au 

How will I know when my child's medication expires and/or action plans are due for renewal?

Parents are asked to make a note of when their child's medication expires and/or when their action plan is due for renewal and are responsible for providing updated medication and plans prior to their expiry.

Whilst the school also monitors these dates, it is the parent's responsibility to ensure their child's medications and plans are up to date.   Expired medication cannot be administered to students.

For any medication queries, please contact us anytime at admin@mudgeerabacreekss.eq.edu or phone the Administration Office 07 5565 0333

2025 - Changes to School Bus Departure Times 

School Locker Uniform Shop - 2025 Price List