2025 Term 1 - Week 4

From the Principal's Desk

A Fantastic Start to 2025!

The year is off to an incredible start at Mudgeeraba Creek! Our dedicated teachers and staff have worked tirelessly with students to ensure they understand, embrace, and uphold our school values and expectations. As a result, there is a wonderful sense of calm across the school, with students engaged, focused and supported to be their best in both learning and personal growth.

Building Resilience at Mudgeeraba Creek

We are excited to share the success of our first lessons with The Resilience Project at Mudgeeraba Creek State School! This initiative is already making a positive impact, with students eagerly engaging in activities that promote gratitude, empathy and mindfulness (GEM)—key pillars in building resilience and emotional well-being.

Across our classrooms, students have embraced these lessons with enthusiasm, sharing moments of gratitude, practicing mindfulness techniques, and exploring ways to show empathy in their daily lives. It’s inspiring to see our students developing the skills to navigate challenges with confidence and kindness.

A big thank you to our dedicated staff for delivering these lessons with such passion and to our students for their openness to learning and growth. We look forward to continuing this journey together and seeing the lasting benefits for our school community! Building resilience is a worthy skill which our students will continue to draw upon long after their time at Mudgeeraba Creek State School. Afterall as Alfred said to Batman, ‘Why do we fall, Sir? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up.’

Traffic and Carpark Safety

To ensure the safety of all students and families during drop-off and pick-up times, we kindly remind you of the following parking guidelines:

🚍 Bus Zone
Please do not park in the designated bus zone. This area is essential for the safe arrival and departure of school buses.

🚗 Stop, Drop, and Go Lane
This lane is for quick drop-offs and pick-ups only.  To keep traffic moving smoothly, please do not leave your vehicle unattended in this lane and do not queue for this zone. You may have to do a loop of the carpark before a space is available for you. People queuing block access to and from other parking spaces.

🔒 Boom Gates
Our boom gates control access to the staff carpark and will be closed from 7:30 am to 3:45 pm. Only those with explicit permission, a disability parking permit, or those picking up a student with mobility or health concerns may enter during school hours. All other visitors must use the front carpark and access the school via the front stairs. If picking up from Camp Australia, only family-sized vehicles are permitted in the staff carpark for safety reasons.

🚦 Obey Traffic Rules
Please adhere to all traffic rules, including speed limits, pedestrian crossings and parking restrictions, to keep our school community safe.

📸 Parking Inspectors
Gold Coast City Council parking inspectors regularly patrol school areas. More recently, the council has introduced a traffic violation vehicle equipped with advanced technology to capture parking infringements, which may result in fines.

🚨 Carpark Ownership & Reporting Concerns
Please note that our school carpark is Gold Coast City Council property. Any concerns regarding parking enforcement or carpark use should be directed to the council. Click here to report illegal parking near the school or call GCCC on 07 5667 5989.

Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring the safety and efficiency of our school’s drop-off and pick-up procedures. Together, we can create a safer environment for our students, families, and staff.

For more information on school zone road safety, please refer to the brochure below.

Leadership Badge Ceremony

After a false start last week due to the weather, our Student Leadership Induction Ceremony will now take place in the hall on Wednesday, 5 March, at 9:00 am. We look forward to celebrating and officially acknowledging our Captains, Monitors, and Student Councillors as they step into their leadership roles for the year.

Day 8 Census

Student enrolment numbers on the eighth day of the school year determine the level of resourcing we receive for the year. As of this date, our enrolment stands at 630 students, which is 29 fewer than at the start of 2024. Based on this census, staffing and budgets will be finalised to ensure we continue working towards our annual goals.

Unfortunately, due to the decline in enrolments, we have had to disperse a class. Earlier this week, students from 5/6D were reassigned across other Year 5 and Year 6 classes. While this adjustment was not ideal, I sincerely appreciate the understanding and support shown by students and families throughout the process.

Staying Connected

Our newsletter will continue to be published in Weeks 1, 4, 7, and 10 each term. For more frequent updates and celebrations, be sure to follow our social media channels.

We look forward to another fantastic year of learning, growth, and community collaboration in 2025!

Kind Regards
Ben
Ben Morris - Principal

Junior School

NAPLAN 2025

The National Assessment Program- Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year.  Assessments take place in the classroom with the regular classroom teacher.  The NAPLAN test window starts on Wednesday 12 March 2025 and finishes on Monday 24 March 2025.  Click HERE for more information about NAPLAN assessments. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s teacher or Lesley Dekker (ldekk4@eq.edu.au) 

PREP

Our Prep students have transitioned into big school wonderfully.  They have enjoyed exploring the Prep playground and making new friends.  All of our Prep classrooms are filled with enthusiastic learners eager to show what they know and can do.

Year One

Year One have been putting their rhyming skills into practise as they adapt and change familiar nursery rhymes.  There have been some very creative new adventures for Humpty Dumpty and other familiar characters.

Year Two

Year Two are continuing to enjoy playing with the playground equipment that was generously donated by the P&C last year.  Handball is becoming very popular! Perhaps parents can challenge their children to a game at home to practise those skills ready for lunchtime. 

Year Three

In Year Three this term, students have been applying additive strategies to model and solve problems involving two- and three-digit numbers. Students are becoming very skilled at using strategies such as jump strategy and split strategy to solve mathematical problems.

Warm regards
Lesley Dekker
Deputy Principal 

Senior School

Years 5 and 6

Online Safety Visit

Our Year 5 and 6 students were very fortunate to have had a visit from RSHS’s school-based Constable, Joe Dunlop, who spoke to them about online safety, reinforcing the importance of responsible digital citizenship. All the students were highly engaged and asked lots of important questions.

For parent information regarding online safety and how you as a parent can be more knowledgeable in this online world, see the link below:

https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/resources-tab/parents-and-carers

Leadership Assembly

On the 5^th of March we will be inducting our wonderful senior student leadership team to our whole school community. The process of being successful in one of these positions was very rigorous and all our successful applicants should be very proud of their achievement. I would also like to acknowledge all 48 students in Year 6 who applied for a position but unfortunately, were not successful. It was fantastic to see so many students step outside of their comfort zone when applying.

Transition to High School Opportunities

At MCSS we are very fortunate to have a close working relationship with our feeder state high school Robina. We encourage all of our senior students to take advantage of experiencing and visiting Robina SHS. The more students experience being in a high school setting, the more comfortable they will be in transitioning into secondary schooling.

Please see below for some up and coming key events for students and parents of Years 4, 5 & 6.

Warm regards
Tim Thompson
Deputy Principal 

IDEAS

Understanding the Role of the Guidance Officer, School Psychologist and the School Chaplain

At Mudgeeraba Creek State School, we are committed to ensuring that every student feels supported, valued, and included.  Our Guidance Officer (Deb Terranova), School Psychologist (Lauren Ross), and new School Chaplain (Adrian Young) play vital roles in fostering student well-being and success. While their roles are all different, they each provide essential support to help students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. 

Deb, Lauren and Adrian all work part-time at our school and we are exceptionally fortunate to have access to these experienced professionals as part of our school’s support team.    

The Role of the Guidance Officer

Our Guidance Officer provides professional support to students, helping them navigate academic challenges, social relationships, and emotional well-being. The Guidance Officer’s key responsibilities include:

• Assessing and supporting learning needs – Conducting assessments to identify learning challenges and recommending strategies to support student success.

• Counselling for personal and social development – Helping students build self-esteem, confidence, and problem-solving skills.
• Conflict resolution and peer mediation – Supporting students in managing friendships and resolving conflicts in a positive way.
• Collaboration with teachers and families – Working with staff and parents to ensure students receive the right support for their individual needs.

The Role of the School Psychologist

Our School Psychologist is a trained professional who specialises in understanding how children learn, think, and feel. They work closely with teachers, parents, and students to create a positive and supportive learning environment. The School Psychologist’s key responsibilities include:

• Working with students – Individual sessions and small group work focused on social-emotional skill development.
• Providing emotional and behavioural support – Assisting students with anxiety, resilience, emotional regulation, and social skills.
• Working with teachers and families – Collaborating with staff and parents to provide advice in relation to individual student needs.
• Promoting mental health and well-being – Implementing programs and initiatives that foster positive mental health and coping strategies for students.

The Role of the School Chaplain

Our School Chaplain provides social, emotional, and spiritual support in a way that is inclusive and respectful of all beliefs. The Chaplain works alongside staff and families to create a caring and connected school community. The Chaplain’s key responsibilities include:

• Offering a listening ear – Providing a safe space for students to talk about worries, friendships, or personal challenges.
• Facilitating well-being programs – Running activities that promote resilience, kindness, and a sense of belonging.
• Supporting students in times of need – Helping students cope with grief, change, or difficult situations.
• Encouraging a positive school culture – Promoting values such as respect, empathy, and community spirit.

Supporting our Inclusive School Culture

The Guidance Officer, School Psychologist and School Chaplain contribute significantly to our inclusive school culture. They ensure that every student, regardless of background, learning ability or personal circumstances has access to support.  By working with school staff, they help foster an inclusive environment where all students feel safe, understood, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Please be aware that referrals to the Guidance Officer, School Psychologist and the School Chaplain occur through our Student Services Team and children are referred by Teachers and/or the Leadership Team.   The Student Services Team considers the needs of the student and examines the available resources to determine a course of action.  At times, there will be a waiting list for services as our Guidance Officer, School Psychologist and School Chaplain all work part-time.

If your child is referred to one of our expert professionals then as a parent you can support this process by completing consent forms in a timely manner.  Thank you!

Warm regards
Pamela Lidstone
Head of Student Services

Every Day Counts - Notifying Absences

Attendance remains a constant priority of the school and the Department of Education. Please visit the Every Day Counts website for more information regarding attendance. Attendance data is monitored and tracked regularly at our school across all year levels. Regular attendance ensures a smooth academic learning pathway.

Past and future attendance can also be tracked via QParents for registered users.

Attendance – Parent obligation for reporting a student

As part of Education Queensland’s same day absence notification process, the school needs to ensure all students are safe and accounted for every day.

REPORTING AN ABSENCE

Please report student absence prior to 9am in one of the following ways:

QParents:

1. Log into QParents
2. Select ‘Notify Absences’ from the ‘Absences’ section in the home page
3. Complete all relevant details and submit once completed
4. Successfully lodged absences will receive a QParents confirmation email

Telephone or email:

• Phone the Absence line – 5565 0333 and select option 1
• Email the attendance officer attendance@mudgeerabacreekss.eq.edu.au If you normally email the teacher, please include the attendance officer in this email correspondence.

The attendance officer is responsible for managing student absence and ensuring all students are accounted for each day.

Please ensure you state:

1. Student name
2. Class
3. Your name and relationship to the student
4. Reason for their absence and expected duration.

Please note: Early release absences should not be logged through QParents, as we are unable to facilitate these entries.

Teachers should be notified directly via email and please include the attendance officer attendance@mudgeerabacreekss.eq.edu.au

LATE ARRIVALS

Please be reminded that schools are efficient organisations that need to run on time. 

Student lateness causes unnecessary interruptions and compromises the school’s capacity to operate effectively.  Unnecessary lateness is therefore unwelcome.

Late Arrival to School Process

If you have an unavoidable reason that your child will be late to school (i.e. medical appointment, car issues etc) please notify the attendance officer prior to 9am in one of the following ways;

• Phone Contact via the Absence line – 5565 0333 and select option 1
• Email the Attendance Officer attendance@mudgeerabacreekss.eq.edu.au

Upon Arrival

Please ensure your student proceeds directly to the Administration Office or Library Student Window to ‘check in’ and obtain a late slip before proceeding to their classroom.

UNEXPLAINED ABSENCES

If the school does not receive a notification of your student’s absence or expected late arrival to school prior to 9:00am, a text message will be sent to the parent.

Please reply to the text message as soon as possible with a reason and expected duration of absence.

If you believe you have received a text message from the school in error (i.e. your child was dropped off to school), please contact the school immediately so we are able to confirm their attendance.

ABSENCE REASONS

Students are required to be at school every day unless there is a valid reason such as illness.

Absences such as birthdays, shopping, visiting relatives (unless under exceptional circumstances) are not considered valid reasons for not being at school, and will be recorded as unacceptable on your student’s record.

We thank you for your support and cooperation in making every day count. 

Let's Be On Time for all Excursions!

To help everything run smoothly and ensure accurate payment and participant numbers for our vendors, we kindly remind families to return consents and finalise payment for their child's excursion by the due date. Unfortunately, if payment is not received by the due date, students will not be able to attend the excursion.

To support our busy families, we'll send helpful reminders as the due date gets closer.

Here are some other simple ways to remember:

• Set phone reminders – Use your phone’s alarm or calendar to notify you.
• Flag important emails – Mark emails as "important" or "flagged" to stand out.
• Write it on your calendar – Keep a physical or digital calendar to track deadlines.
• Create sticky notes – Post them on your computer, desk, or fridge as a visual reminder.
• Use a task manager app – Apps like Todoist or Google Keep can help you organise reminders.
  
• Ask someone to remind you – Share the due date with someone who can help keep you on track.

Please allow up to 48 hours for BPOINT payments to process.

After the due date, invoices will be cancelled, and payments will no longer be accepted.

Thanks so much for your understanding and cooperation!

Join the RAD Creek Run Club

Get ready for a whole new adventure! 🎉 This year, our Creek Run Club is teaming up with RAD Run Club to bring you the RAD Creek Run Club – and trust us, there's going to be some epic distances run! 🚀

The RAD Creek Run Club is a FREE, FLEXIBLE, and FUN challenge designed to boost your child’s physical AND mental wellbeing. It's all about helping Aussie kids level up in life while having a blast! Here’s what RAD stands for:

✨ R is for Resilience: Your child will transform into a super-adaptable, challenge-crushing champion. No challenge is too big! ✨ A is for Attitude: We’re all about those good vibes! Watch your child glow with positivity and sparkle like the sun! It’s all about keeping our minds filled with happy thoughts. 🌟 ✨ D is for Determination: Your child will become a goal-setting powerhouse, chasing their dreams with superhero energy and focus! 💪

Our RAD Creek Run Club is ready to roll on the MCSS oval every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 8am for kids in Years 2-6! 🎽 Whether you’re ready to sign up or just want to join in on the fun, we’d love to have your child be part of this amazing journey.

Ready to get your child running with the RAD Crew? Just follow the steps below to register. 🚀 And hey, even if you don’t want to register, we’re still pumped to see your little runner at RAD Creek Run Club! Let’s make this year unforgettable! 

Finance Matters

A final reminder that Student Resource Scheme (SRS) Fees are due in full by Friday 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.

To sign up to QParents, please register via the invitation sent to you* today.  

*Only the parent/carer listed as financially responsible will receive an automatic invite.  If you are not the financially responsible parent/carer and would like to have QParent access, please request in writing to finance@mudgeerabacreekss.eq.edu.au

Kind regards
Finance Team

Your P & C

P&C General Meeting

Please note that the second P&C Meeting for the year will take place at 9am on Thursday 20^th March, in the administration building. All welcome to attend.

P&C Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Please note that the AGM for 2025 will be held on Thursday 20^th March, in the administration building, directly after the general meeting. All welcome to attend

All executive positions will be opened up, for people to nominate for these positions. Please see below link for full description positions:

https://www.pandcsqld.com.au/the-info-place/role-of-the-pc-president-treasurer-secretary/

Warm Regards
P&C Committee

Reminders