2025 Term 2 - Week 10

From the Principal's Desk

As Term 2 draws to a close, there’s so much to celebrate at Mudgeeraba Creek. Across classrooms, playgrounds, excursions and events, our students have lived out our values of Friendship, Achievement and Respect in so many inspiring ways.

We kicked off the term with energy and heart – from the determination of our young runners in the Junior Cross Country, to the pride and reverence shown during our Anzac Assembly. Our Year 6 Maths Academy students extended their learning in exciting ways, while our Gala Days and GRIP Student Leadership sessions encouraged teamwork, growth and confidence.

Curiosity was alive and well with our Year 3 Heritage Museum excursion and Year 2 Starlab incursion, sparking connections to history and science. It’s been wonderful to see the return of The Creek Kids Playgroup, providing connection for our littlest learners, and our Parent Home Reading and Resilience Project sessions were another powerful way we’ve partnered with families to support our children.

This term, we also celebrated our students’ character through our Principal’s Morning Tea – recognising those who go above and beyond to show kindness, empathy and respect in their everyday actions. It's always a heart-warming reminder of the goodness and leadership growing across our school.

We’ve also enjoyed the colour and fun of Silly Sock Day, the meaningful conversations of Reconciliation Week, and the buzz of our Active School Travel Walk to School event. Our first-ever Interhouse Multiplication Challenge brought maths to life in a fun, competitive way, while Parent-Teacher Meetings, the Senior Athletics Carnival, and the cultural richness of the Barna Jarjum Excursion rounded out a truly dynamic term.

Behind the scenes, we’ve made exciting improvements to our school facilities. C Block now features fresh paint and new carpet, and we are proud to unveil our new Yarning Circle and Bush Tucker Garden – a beautiful, culturally rich learning space made possible through a sustainability grant.

Amidst all the action, it's important to pause and recognise the incredible day-to-day teaching and learning that happens in every classroom. Our staff continue to deliver engaging, supportive and high-quality education that helps every child thrive.

Looking ahead to Term 3, there’s so much to be excited about:

• Year 5 and 6 Camps
• P&C Colour Run – our biggest fundraiser and only held every two years! Keep an eye on socials for fundraising details and ways to be involved
• Junior Athletics Carnival
• Year 4 Bike Safety
• STEM Expo
• Book Fair and Book Character Parade
• Eisteddfods, School Photos, Prep Vision Screening, and more!

And we’re absolutely thrilled to announce:

Kids Tribe LIVE is back for 2025!

Parenting isn’t a solo sport — it’s a team effort. Kids Tribe was born from that very idea: a community of support, a place of connection, and a shared journey in raising happy, healthy, resilient kids.
This year, we’re excited to welcome back one of Australia’s leading parenting experts, Dr Justin Coulson, for another powerful and practical session:
Topic: Resilience – Developing Strength, Calm and Kindness in our Kids
Date: Tuesday 26 August
Time: 5:30pm start
Location: Auditorium, Robina Community Centre
Cost: Absolutely FREE!
Whether you’ve heard Justin speak before or this is your first time, this is a not-to-be-missed event for any parent or carer wanting to build stronger, more connected relationships with their children.

Ticket details coming soon!

As we head into the winter break, I want to sincerely thank our amazing students, staff and families for another wonderful term. Have a safe, restful holiday, and please keep an eye on our school during the break.

If you see anything suspicious, contact School Watch on 13 17 88 — your call can help keep our school safe and ready for a great start to Term 3.

Warm regards,
Ben Morris
Principal

Senior School

Interhouse Multiplication Mania Challenge

Last week we witnessed our house finalists compete in the multiplication challenge. Well done finalists and to all our Year 3-6 students who participated in this competition. Our winners were acknowledged at the assembly last week. A huge thank you to all of the staff especially, Mrs Young & Mrs Neville who led this fun house project for the students.

Mr Thompson's DIS Moment

Last week I was invited to attend 5N’s High Tea Literacy Circle event. Students in 5N explained to me that in small groups they had read a chosen novel and complete a range of activities. They explained literature circles provided them a way to engage in critical thinking and reflection as they read, discuss, and respond to books. Collaboration was at the heart of this approach. Students reshape and add onto their understanding as they construct meaning with other readers. I was blown away by the engagement and excitement of the 5N students. Each group shared their novel findings and the process that they went through every week with such pride. It was the highlight of my week. Thank you 5N and Mrs Neville for the invitation.

Active School Travel- Walk to School event

It was a very chilly start to our first AST event for the year but, this did not stop our senior school students from showing up. It was awesome to see our seniors assisting with the younger Prep students and leading by example with the bike riding group. Well done seniors!

Warm regards
Tim Thompson
Deputy Principal

Junior School

There is much to celebrate in the Junior school as we finish Semester One.  Settling into new classes, making new friends and establishing positive learning behaviours are just some of the goals that have been achieved by students.  Many of our students have also put the skills they have learned through The Resilience Project into action overcoming challenges and demonstrating empathy and gratitude here at school.  If you would like to encourage your child to keep reading at home over the holidays please visit the Gold Coast City Council libraries at Nerang or Robina.  They have a wide variety of decodable readers and picture books available to borrow. 

The holidays are a fantastic time to tackle Science projects ready for our Science competition in Term 3.  If your child is still thinking of an idea for their project encourage them to investigate one of their own “I wonder why….?” Or “what would happen if ……?” questions. Our students are naturally curious and the Science competition is the perfect opportunity to utilise this curiosity.  Exploring your backyard, the beach or one of our local parks provides a rich environment in which to source a classified collection or the basis of an environment action project.  Hints and tips for the science project can be found on the school website or via the email sent by Mr O’Day earlier this term. 

I am looking forward to meeting new families at our Prep Information session on Wednesday 16^th July at 10am and repeated at 5pm.  At this session we will discuss what to expect in Prep at Mudgeeraba Creek State School and offer the opportunity for families to ask any questions they have about starting Prep.  If you have any friends with children who are starting school next year please encourage them to come along.

I hope that all of our families have a chance to rest and relax over the winter holiday break.  I look forward to seeing you all refreshed and ready to learn in Term Three. 

Warm regards
Lesley Dekker
Deputy Principal

Science Competition Is Here!

🚀 Calling All Young Scientists & Future Innovators! 🔬

 It’s time to ignite your curiosity and show us what you’ve got for the Science Competition 2025! Mudgee Creek has a prestigious history in this competition, and we know this year will be no exception!

Interested students are encouraged to create a Science Project based on their own interests, in one of the chosen categories listed below: 

• Scientific Investigations
• Engineering & Technology
• Classified Collections
• Communicating Science
• Environmental Action 

🧪 All students are welcome to participate. All ideas celebrated!
🧭Project Drop Off Time:   Any morning before school in Week 1, Term 3 (14-18 July 2025)
📩 Project Drop Off Point:  Community Room 1 (near Year 6 classrooms)  
⚡ Deadline:  Friday 18 July 2025 (Week 1, Term 3) 

For more details on the competition, see flyers or scan the QR code below.  Further queries? Email Mr O'Day  bcoda0@eq.edu.au or drop into the STEM classroom. 

Save The Date - STEM Expo Coming Soon

Step into a world of discovery and innovation at our STEM Expo on Tuesday, 5 August from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM! Expect an electrifying display of science, technology, engineering, and maths brought to life — with something exciting for every curious mind!

📍 Where: MCSS Performance Centre
🗓 When: 5 August | 2:30 – 4:30 PM
🎯 Who: All students welcome! 

**Please note as this event extends beyond school hours, parents/guardians are required to be in attendance. 

Warm Regards,
Ben O'Day
STEM/DigiTech Teacher

Every Day At School Counts!

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 obligations for reporting a student absence

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.

HOW TO REPORT 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. 

Finance Matters

QPARENTS: Now even EASIER to register with just a Driver's Licence and Medicare Card!

QParents identification requirements have been updated and registration is now easier than ever! You can now sign up using just your driver’s licence and Medicare card.

Check out the flyer below for full details on the updated identification points system.

Identification Requirements - Low Doc Approvals

For those without 100 points of identification, you are still able to register for QParents using the low document option (where only 60-90 points are required), however, you will need to attend the school for a further check to finalise your registration. 

Please contact us to discuss what documentation will be needed to finalise your registration. 

Your P & C

📣 Join Our P&C Executive – Secretary Needed!

Are you organised, community-minded, and ready to make a difference? We’re looking for a Secretary to join our P&C Executive team!

This volunteer role is vital in keeping our committee running smoothly. You’ll help with:

• Taking and distributing meeting minutes
• Managing correspondence
• Maintaining records and supporting communication between the P&C and the school

No prior experience is necessary — just a willingness to contribute and be part of a great team supporting our students and school community.

If you’re interested or would like to know more, please contact the P&C Executive at pandcexecutive@mudgeerabacreekss.eq.edu.au.

We’d love to have you on board!

Colour Run Fun - Join the Volunteer Team!

We’re looking for a team of fun, energetic and organised volunteers to help us plan, prep and bring the magic to life in the lead-up to the big day — and during the event itself! 

To register your interest in joining the team, email our P & C pandcexecutive@mudgeerabacreekss.eq.edu.au

Further details of the event below.  

Warm Regards,
P & C Committee

What's On @ The Creek

Click HERE to register for Sports X in Term 3

School Watch: Look - Listen - Report

The School Watch program encourages everyone to look out for and report any after-hours crime in our schools. 

Empty schools can become targets for unlawful entry, arson, stealing, graffiti and property damage, especially during school holiday periods.  This comes at a cost to the whole community and not just the financial cost of repairs.

The School Watch program is a partnership between the Department of Education and Protective Services Group, Queensland Police Service, providing a way for members of the community to report anything they see that is suspicious, even if it seems minor. 

On average, over 700 calls are made to School Watch every year, helping to keep our schools safe.

Look, Listen, Report.  Call School Watch on 13 17 88

If you see a crime in progress, call Triple Zero (000)