2024 Term 4 Vol. 3 (Week 7)

Acknowledgment of Country

From the Principal's Desk

Dear Mudgeeraba Creek Community

At Mudgeeraba Creek State School, we firmly believe that the strength of our school lies in the partnerships we build with our community. By connecting with parents, caregivers, and community members, we gain valuable perspectives that help us shape the future direction of our school. Your insights and ideas are essential to ensuring our plans reflect the needs and aspirations of our students and families. Together, we can build on our successes and create opportunities for continuous growth and improvement.

Community Connect Session -You're Invited! 

We are excited to invite parents and members of our school community to a Community Connect Session on Wednesday, 27 November, at 4:30pm. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together, gather your perspectives, and work collaboratively to shape the future of our school.

The purpose of this session is to gather valuable insights from our community to inform our planning for 2025 and to develop our Annual Implementation Plan. Your thoughts, experiences, and suggestions are crucial as we strive to create the best possible learning environment for our students.

Whether you’re passionate about curriculum, student well-being, school culture, or any other area, we welcome your input and encourage you to join us for this important discussion.

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at this session as we work together to set a clear and inspiring direction for the year ahead. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in shaping the future of our school.

Details:
📅 Date: Wednesday, 27 November
⏰ Time: 4:30pm
📍 Location: Technologies Room beside our library.

We hope to see you there!

Storyfest Author Visit

On Thursday, 31st October 2024, 80 students from Years 4 to 6 enjoyed a special author visit incursion with Louise Park in our school library. This event, generously sponsored by the Storyfest Development Fund and supported by Councillor Pauline Young, brought a unique opportunity for our students to engage with a celebrated author. 

Louise Park, renowned for her extensive work of over 400 titles, writes under her name as well as pseudonyms like H.I. Larry, Mac Park, and Poppy Rose. Her well-loved series, including Bella Dancerella and Star Girl, have captivated readers of all ages. This visit coincided with the launch of her latest book, Prank Wars: Game On. 

Louise's presentation was both entertaining and insightful, as she shared the inspiration and creative process behind her diverse body of work. In line with the prank-themed narrative of her new book, she regaled students with personal stories of pranks and invited them to share their own experiences, filling the room with laughter at some truly wild tales. 

The session also featured interactive elements, such as students using an app to electronically modify their voices—just like the voice-swap prank in her book. The audience was in stitches listening to the altered voices of a number of students. Louise also invited students to take part in the timeless prank of sitting on a whoopee cushion, sparking even more laughter. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a good fart joke? 

The visit was a memorable and engaging experience for all involved, leaving students inspired and thoroughly entertained.

Week 11, Term 4

The following information is important to all families, especially for all those families organising international travel and other domestic vacations at the end of the school year.

Every 6-7 years, our school academic calendar requires a recalibration and in doing so we have an extra week added to the school year. Normally there are 40 weeks in the academic school year. This year we have 41 weeks. This is being resolved in 2024 by making Term 4 in Queensland, an 11-week term.

This year there is one more gazetted week in Term 4 that our gates will be open. This is what is being called “Week 41”. This will be a week of supervision of alternative and flexible activities. Therefore, all formal learning, school programs and specialised events will be completed by Friday 6 December (the end of Week 40).

That will mean, by Friday 6 December 2024 (the end of Week 40) we will have completed:

• All learning necessary for the year
• Report Cards – which will be emailed home by the end of Week 10
• All ceremonies (eg: Graduation, Awards Assemblies, Christmas Concerts)
• All high school transition days
• Allocation of 2025 classes and meet the teacher
• Class Parties

We understand that some of our families have already scheduled their annual holidays for a 40 week school year, and this is okay.

What Will Week 41 Look Like?

Week 41 will commence on Monday 9 December. Students attending school will be supervised in alternative activities. It should be noted:

• Students may not necessarily be supervised by their regular teacher
• Students will be combined into diverse groups of varying ages depending on the students who are in attendance
• There will be no new formal learning against the Australian Curriculum, rather we will be running an alternate program of engagement and learning
• Activities will comprise of tasks that a multitude of age groups can participate in
• Groups of teachers will be taken off-line to work on planning and preparations for 2025, in line with the Australian Curriculum and the implementation of Version 9 of this curriculum
• Uniform is still expected to be worn each day
• We have not yet drafted the plan for this final week, as this will be done in consultation with our teaching staff

Our OSHC service through the Camp Australia will operate as normal before and after school.

Preparing for Warm Weather and Storm Season

As we embrace the warmer months, it’s important to keep in mind the impact of rising temperatures and the storm season ahead on our daily routines. At school, we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students during this time, and we encourage families to take steps to prepare as well. 

Stay Sun Safe
The sun is strong, and we need to be stronger! Ensure your child has a wide-brimmed hat every day! Sunscreen is another must, so apply it before school as part of your morning routine. After all, “Adventure is out there!” but we need to stay sun-smart to enjoy it.

Staying Hydrated

The heat can take a toll on energy levels, so it’s vital for students to stay hydrated. Please pack a refillable water bottle for your child and encourage them to drink water regularly throughout the day. 

Storm Safety Awareness 

As we enter storm season, sudden weather changes can occur during school hours. Our staff are trained to follow emergency protocols to keep students safe in the event of severe weather. If storms are forecasted, we remind families to monitor communication channels for updates regarding school operations or changes to pick-up procedures. 

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure a safe and enjoyable season for all. By working together, we can help our students remain happy, healthy, and prepared as we navigate the warm weather and storm season. 

Are you using our carpark in the correct manner?

Our school has implemented measures, such as staggering start and finish times for various year levels, to help reduce traffic during drop-off and pick-up times. However, we still need your support to ensure these busy periods remain as smooth, stress-free, and most importantly, as safe as possible.

We kindly remind all members of our community to use the school carpark respectfully and safely so it functions effectively for everyone. Please keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Use the Kiss and Go areas correctly: Stop briefly to drop off or pick up children. These areas are not for parking or waiting for extended periods.
• Avoid queuing in the driving lanes: Do not block other parked vehicles. If necessary, loop around rather than forming queues in the thoroughfare.
• Stay mindful of others: Drive slowly, watch for pedestrians, and show patience during busy times.

If the school carpark is full, remember there is additional parking available on Hardy's Road, just a short walk from the school.

Thank you for working together to create a safe and efficient environment for our school community!

Kind Regards

Ben

Ben Morris - Principal

Senior School

Year 6

The count-down is on! Our Year 6 cohort are in the middle of sitting their final assessments for the year. One of the highlights that students have been super excited about is their HASS assessment where they are creating their own shoe. Students will also have to give a marketing speech around their creation and why people should buy their shoe. As we draw closer to the end of the year, please ensure you have saved the dates of our up-and-coming key events. It is not long now before our Year 6 students will be walking across the stage at graduation and embarking on their secondary educational journeys.

Year 4 & 5

What a busy few weeks for our year 4 & 5 students. Firstly, a huge congratulations to all of the Year 5 students who applied for a student leadership position for 2025. Students went through a vigorous process where they had to complete a leadership passport, which had to be endorsed by numerous staff members and delivered a speech in front of their peers. It takes great courage to stand and speech in front of a large audience. Well done to all students involved. This week and next students will be completing their final assessments for 2024. It is always a timely reminder to make sure students are sleeping and eating well. Keeping our wellbeing on track is so important in times where it is busy and sometimes stressful. Goodluck to everyone with their up-and-coming assessments!

2025 Leadership Positions

All Year 5 students who applied for a 2025 leadership position will be informed if they have been successful or unsuccessful on Monday 18^th November.

Warm regards
Tim Thompson
Deputy Principal

Junior School

Prep Year

Our Preppies have been hard at work in the Prep playground helping our wonderful Grounds Officer Mr Richard spread out mulch and look after the garden beds.  As Mary Poppins said “in every job that must be done, there is an element of fun!”.  Our Prep students have certainly had fun helping Mr Richard with his jobs. 

Our Prep students have also been working hard on developing their writing skills ready to make the leap into Year One.  They have made amazing progress throughout the year and are very proud of what they have achieved.  If you would like to help your child continue to develop their writing skills at home perhaps get them involved with writing lists, cards, notes and letters.  You may be surprised by their skills!

Year 1

In Year One students have been consolidating their reading and spelling skills by identifying which parts of a word make it tricky to read or spell.  They are gaining confidence in their own skills each day and are very capable of breaking words into their individual sounds and blending the sounds back together.  They have made great gains in their reading skills and are enjoying tackling longer and more complex books when reading. 

Year 2

Year Two have been learning about properties of different materials during their science lessons.  They have explored how materials can be used for different purposes while designing and constructing sculptures.  We look forward to seeing the finished sculptures and visiting our own mini Swell festival in Year Two. 

Warm regards
Lesley Dekker
Deputy Principal

IDEAS

Supporting Smooth Transitions in Your Child’s Education

As children journey through school, they experience numerous transitions: from home to school, from one grade to the next, and eventually to high school. Each of these steps brings exciting opportunities but can also feel daunting for young minds. Your support as parents plays a critical role in ensuring these transitions are as smooth as possible.

Why Are Transitions Important?

Transitions are pivotal moments in a child’s educational journey. Each shift involves new expectations, social circles, routines, and environments. How a child adjusts to these changes can significantly influence their academic success, social development and emotional wellbeing. Positive experiences during transitions help build resilience and adaptability - qualities children will carry with them throughout their lives.

How Parents Can Help

1. Communicate Positively: Share your own excitement about the changes ahead. When children see their parents confident and optimistic, they’re more likely to feel the same way. Emphasise the new friendships, exciting subjects or growth opportunities that come with each new stage.
2. Prepare for New Routines: Helping your child practice the new daily routines they’ll be expected to follow—such as organising supplies, understanding a new timetable or packing a lunch—can help them feel ready and reduce anxiety on their first day.
3. Encourage Independence: Transitions are an excellent opportunity for children to practice responsibility. Encourage them to set out their clothes, pack their own bags, and prepare for their school day. Gradual responsibility fosters confidence and self-reliance.
4. Talk Through Worries: Ask open-ended questions to understand what, if anything, may be concerning your child about their next stage. Sometimes, children may have fears that we wouldn’t expect, like getting lost walking to a new building or not knowing anyone in a new class. Reassure them with practical solutions like familiarising them with the new environment and how to get there or connecting them with peers who can support them.
5. Celebrate Their Progress: Recognise and celebrate the transition itself, whether it’s moving from one grade to another or starting high school. When children feel a sense of accomplishment, it reinforces that change can be a positive and fulfilling experience.
6. Be a Role Model of Adaptability: Children look up to their parents as role models. Show them how you handle change by sharing your own strategies, and reassure them that it’s natural to feel uncertain at first but that they’ll soon adjust and enjoy their new experiences.

Transitions at our School

At Mudgeeraba Creek State School, we understand the importance of creating a welcoming environment especially during times of transition. We strive to support our students during key transition times and we emphasise with students that change is a natural part of growing up.  With your support, we can help our students navigate these changes with confidence and enthusiasm. Together, we can make every step in their journey a positive one!

Warm regards
Pamela Lidstone
Head of Student Services

A Note From The Maestros

Our Musical Showcase on Thursday, 8th November, was a night to remember, as the Strings and Band ensembles wowed the audience with a diverse and thrilling concert.

The Strings groups kicked things off with some serious drama, not just through their music, but with costumes that transported us to another world. Meanwhile, the Senior Band brought the house down with a unique spotlight performance—a narrated script that took the audience on a wild ride. And in a plot twist no one saw coming, none other than Mr. Morris himself took centre stage, transforming into "Bruce" for a hilarious and suspense-filled interpretation of "Shark Attack." The crowd was on the edge of their seats—and at one point, they even became part of the action!

It was a night full of musical mastery, laughter, and surprises, with the perfect blend of talent, creativity, and a little bit of theatrical flair.

Warm regards
Heath Florey & Kylie Krick
Instrumental Teachers

Active School Travel

What a fantastic turnout for our final Active School Travel event of the year! A huge thank you to the City of Gold Coast, our incredible teachers, parents, and students for their unwavering support. A special shout-out to our event coordinator, the amazing Abbey Row, whose dedication and hard work always make this event one to remember. We couldn't have done it without you all!

Important Reminders

Term 4  - Family Calendar of Events 

*Calendar is correct at time of publishing and may be subject to changes.   

Term 4 Calendar

Your P & C

On Friday 1^st November we celebrated National Tuckshop Day. We came together as a school community to acknowledge and thank our amazing Tuckshop Convenor and her fabulous volunteers on our weekly assembly.

Our tuckshop provides an outstanding service that helps out families who have to juggle many different tasks at the start of each day and some good food helps the students study and play through the day.

We don’t take their hard work for granted and it is great to see parents putting up their hands and getting involved with our school.

School Tuckshop Closed on Thursday 12^th and Friday 13^th December

Please note that the Creek Café’s last day of service for the year will be Wednesday 10^th December, 2022. It will be closed on the last 2 days of term due to cleaning and stocktake requirements.

Student Council Fundraisers

Day For Daniel

Another successful year raising awareness for students and families around child safety with a whopping $629.85 raised by students!

A huge shout out to Mrs Towers-Florey for her efforts behind the scenes for this very worthwhile cause.

Thank you to all the families, staff and students who participated to make this such a success.

SuperHero Day Raises a Super $375.40

SuperHero Day was an absolute blast, packed with jaw-dropping costumes and a whole lot of fun – all while making a real difference! From capes to masks, and everything in between, students and teachers alike showed up in their finest superhero gear, ready to channel their inner heroes. But the best part? It wasn’t just about looking cool – we were raising money for something truly awesome! All the funds raised are going towards our Student Council's Environmental Projects, so every dollar brought in is helping us create a greener, cleaner future. Talk about saving the world, one costume at a time! Not only did we get to see some wild creativity on display, but everyone pitched in for a cause that's close to our hearts. Who knew being a superhero could feel so good? We can't wait to see how far our efforts go in making a positive impact on the planet – because every hero knows, it’s not just about the costume, it’s about the change you create. Thank you to the fantastic team effort of Mrs. Fog, Student Council members and our participating students and staff for making this fundraiser a superhit!