2024 Term 4 Vol. 1

Acknowledgment of Country

From the Principal's Desk

Dear Mudgeeraba Creek Community,

Welcome Back to Term 4! I hope you all had a wonderful and restful spring break, enjoying the sunshine and creating special memories with loved ones. As we return to school, I’d like to extend a warm welcome back to each and every one of you. It’s always such a joy to see our students return with smiles, enthusiasm, and a renewed energy for learning.

As we step into Term 4, I’m reminded of a quote from Finding Nemo: “Just keep swimming.” This term, which spans 11 weeks, offers us the chance to persist over a period of time, celebrate our progress, and continue moving forward towards the exciting events at the end of the year. From classroom learning to our cherished end-of-year celebrations, there is so much to look forward to as we work together to make the most of this time.

With Term 4 being full of a variety of exciting activities, I encourage you to keep an eye on the calendar, which is accessible in this newsletter platform. Staying up-to-date will ensure that you don’t miss any of the wonderful opportunities coming up, including special assemblies, performances, and other community events.

NAPLAN Success

We are excited to share our 2024 NAPLAN results, and our Mudgeeraba Creek students have much to celebrate! Our Year 3 students performed exceptionally well, exceeding both the region and state mean scale scores in every area of the assessment. Our Year 5 students also achieved strong results, surpassing the region and state in many of the tests. These achievements reflect the dedication of our staff, the strength of our teaching and learning programs, and the invaluable support you provide at home.

As we celebrate these successes, we also see these results as an opportunity for growth. The data offers valuable insights that will help us continue to improve and enhance the learning experience for all our students, ensuring they thrive in every aspect of their education.

As always, we are committed to supporting every student’s journey, ensuring they feel encouraged, engaged, and excited about their learning. Let’s make this final stretch of the school year a memorable one!

Celebrating World Teachers' Day – October 25

As we approach World Teachers' Day on October 25, it's the perfect time to pause and reflect on the incredible contributions of our dedicated teachers. Each day, our teachers work tirelessly to nurture, inspire, and guide our students, fostering a love of learning that will serve them for years to come. Their passion and commitment are truly the heart of our school.

To recognize and celebrate their outstanding work, here are a few ways you and your children can show your appreciation on World Teachers' Day:

- Write a personal note or card – A few words of thanks can make a lasting impression and show your teacher how much their efforts mean to you and your child.

- Offer a small token of appreciation – Whether it’s a handmade gift, a favourite snack, or a thoughtful gesture, these acts of kindness can brighten a teacher's day.

- Shout-out on social media – Share a message of appreciation or a photo with your child’s teacher, tagging the school or using the #WorldTeachersDay hashtag to spread the love.

- Parent and student testimonials – Share a story of how a teacher has positively impacted your child’s learning journey. This could be added to the World Teacher’s Day post which will be posted on the school socials.

Let’s make World Teachers' Day a memorable one by showing our gratitude for the amazing work our teachers do each and every day. Your support means the world to them!

Warm regards
Ben Morris
Principal

Senior School

Year 4 & 5

Our Year 4 cohort will be participating in the Life Education program this term as well as travelling to the Ashmore PCYC to participate in the Bike Safety Program.

The Year 5 cohort are off to a very busy first few weeks of the term heading off on an excursion to check out the Greenheart Proposal over at the Broadwater Parklands as well as engaging with the Life Education program.

2025 Student Leader Applications Open Soon

In the coming weeks I will be opening up the applications for any Year 5 student who would like to apply for a leadership position for 2025. There are criteria that students need to meet in order for them to apply for certain leadership positions. 

Year 6

Earlier this week I spoke with the Year 6 cohort regarding their final term of their primary schooling journey. This term is jam packed with exciting events and fun assessments and I encouraged all students to enjoy and cherish their final term together as many of them will be going in different directions for high school. The Class of 2024 will officially be the first cohort to leave behind a visual legacy item. All of the Year 6 students this week voted on a quote that resonated with them the most. The ballots were counted by our school captains and the quote will be revealed to The Creek community in the coming weeks.

Warm regards
Tim Thompson
Deputy Principal

Junior School

All of our students have come back from holidays refreshed and ready to learn. 

I have been very pleased to hear that lots of students have set new learning goals after achieving their previous learning goals last term. This term we have a lot of exciting events coming up as we work towards the finish line of the academic year. 

Our Prep students will get to embrace their inner Nemo when they travel to Mudgeeraba Pool for swimming lessons in Week 9.  Our Year 2 and 3 students will also get to participate in the Junior Swimming Carnival on the 5th November after it was postponed at the start of the year.  Year 3 will also be visiting Numinbah Valley Environmental Education Centre in Week 5 to consolidate the work they have learned in HASS lessons this semester

Warm regards
Lesley Dekker
Deputy Principal

IDEAS

The Importance of Teaching Children About Inclusion and Acceptance of People with Differences

As a school community, we take great pride in fostering an environment of acceptance, respect, and belonging.  A key part of this effort starts at home, where children first learn values that shape their interactions with others. Teaching children about inclusion and acceptance of people with differences is an essential part of raising compassionate, empathetic, and responsible individuals.  At Mudgeeraba Creek State School, we are committed to promoting inclusion every day through our work with all children in the school environment, however, the lessons learned at home are just as important, if not more so.

Why Is Teaching Inclusion So Important?

1. Fostering Empathy and Compassion
   When children are taught to embrace differences, they learn to understand and appreciate the perspectives of others. This helps them develop empathy—an essential quality that allows them to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. When children see someone who might act, look, or think differently, they are more likely to respond with kindness and curiosity rather than fear or judgment.
2. Building a More Inclusive Society
   Children who grow up in homes where inclusion is valued are more likely to contribute to a society that is welcoming and fair. When we teach children to accept and celebrate differences, we empower them to stand up against prejudice, bullying and discrimination. They learn that everyone deserves respect and that diversity enriches our lives.
3. Promoting Positive Mental Health
   Feeling accepted and valued for who they are is critical to every child’s sense of self-worth and mental well-being. When children know that differences are not just tolerated but celebrated, they are more likely to embrace their own unique qualities and feel confident in expressing themselves.
4. Encouraging Open-Mindedness and Adaptability
   In our increasingly global and interconnected world, it’s more important than ever for children to be open-minded and adaptable. Exposure to different cultures, human abilities and perspectives helps children grow into adults who can navigate and thrive in diverse environments.

How Can Families Teach Inclusion and Acceptance?

• Lead by Example: Children learn by observing the behaviours and attitudes of the adults around them. Show your child how to be kind, inclusive, and respectful to others by modelling these behaviours in your daily interactions.
• Encourage Curiosity and Questions: When your child notices differences, encourage them to ask questions. Use these opportunities to teach them about the beauty of diversity and the importance of treating everyone with respect.
• Expose Children to Diversity: Reading books, watching movies, and participating in activities that feature characters or individuals from diverse backgrounds can help your child understand and appreciate differences in a positive way.
• Teach the Value of Empathy: Talk to your child about what it means to “put yourself in someone else’s shoes.”  Help them understand that everyone has different needs, challenges, and strengths.
• Address Unkind Behaviour: If you notice your child displaying exclusionary or unkind behaviour, address it calmly and explain why it’s important to be inclusive and respectful. Help them understand how their actions can affect others.

Together, let’s continue to nurture a generation of young people who will make the world a better, more inclusive place for all.

Warm regards
Pamela Lidstone
Head of Student Services

Finance Matters

As we enter the last term of the year, we’d like to remind everyone to please finalise any outstanding invoices on your accounts.

You’ll receive a monthly statement detailing any invoices due, and if you need up-to-date account information at any time, feel free to reach out to us via phone or email at finance@mudgeerabacreekss.eq.edu.au

For your convenience, we offer QParents or BPOINT payment options. 

Thank you for your cooperation, and we’re here to help if you have any questions!

Warm regards
Finance Team

Term 4 Events - Mark Your Calendars!

Important Reminders

A friendly reminder that for the safety of all, no dogs are permitted on school premises at any time.  Thank you for your support. 

BOOK CLUB ISSUE 7 – FINAL ISSUE FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR!

Dear Parents/Carers

Issue 7 of the Scholastic Book Club catalogue will be sent home with students this week.

Should you wish to make any purchases, please visit: https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/Parent/Login.aspx or download the Scholastic Book Club App found in the iTunes Store or Google Play.

PLEASE NOTE: No payments or orders will be accepted at school. Orders must be placed online by Monday 21st October 2024.

The orders will arrive and be distributed to your child’s class approximately 2 weeks after the payment close off date.

Each order helps earn free books and teaching materials for our school; however there is never any obligation to place orders. There is no better way to encourage reading than to allow children to choose the books they want to read.

Creek Kids Playgroup Back for Term 4

Make the most of the final term of PlayGroup!  Come along and join Ms Kym and Ms Rachel each Wednesday for a fun-filled morning of activities for the kids and take the opportunity to meet some MCSS families along the way.   Hope to see you there!

Your P & C