Term 2 Week 5 Thursday 23 May 2019 PRINCIPAL'S PAGE

Successful Under 8’s Day This morning, we celebrated Under 8s day at Merrimac State School on a beautiful sunny day. Mrs Lamburd coordinated the team of Junior School staff in preparing a range of developmentally appropriate activities for all Prep to Year 2 children to enjoy. Parent feedback reinforced that the event was a wonderful way to celebrate early childhood. A big thank you goes to Mr Stephen Lamburd from Robina High School, for bringing some of his senior students to ‘drag race’ the different designed cars. It was a big hit with the students. Thanks to everyone, staff and parents, who helped on the day to make it such a successful event. The weather was kind to us and all the students engaged in the activities with enthusiasm which was reflected by all the wonderful smiles on the children’s faces. Thanks to Mr Maggs our Schools Facilities Officer who worked behind the scenes organising equipment for the day. Most of all, thank you to all of the lovely families who spent their time helping to manoeuvre children around to all the activities allowing them to spend time with their children during the morning session. In addition our Prep to Year 2 children got to watch a free performance in the PAC. A great day was had by all. Thank you from Chappy Thank you everyone who supported my Under 8’s day BBQ. Thank you to Mrs Kirk-Lamburd for allowing me to run a BBQ at the U8’s day and also to the P&C who kindly donated the sausages and bread. The success of the BBQ on the day was solely down to my dedicated helpers who cooked and served. A special thank you also goes to our Facilities Officer, Colin Maggs, for all his help. Our Chaplaincy program is a very valuable asset to our school community and I am eternally grateful to the whole school community for their ongoing support in keeping the program running at Merrimac SS. School Facilities and Enrolment Capacity Last week, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported the Enrolment Capacity of a number of Gold Coast schools. Our school’s capacity was incorrect. Merrimac State School has an official enrolment capacity of 830 students. We currently have an enrolment of 790 students. This means that we are at 95.2% capacity. Currently for the majority of our year levels, we can only take new enrolments from within our school’s official school’s catchment area. School Disco Come to the Merrimac Student Council’s ‘Pyjama Party’ disco on Wednesday 29th May. Choose your favourite pyjamas and comfortable shoes and come dance the night away. Entry is just $2. Junior disco is from 6pm to 7pm. Senior disco is from 7pm to 8pm. Year 3 can go to either disco but not both. Glow bands, face painting, sausages, other food and drinks will be sold there. Come and have a dreamy time!

NAPLAN Online Year 5 Writing Test Re-sit Over the past two weeks our Years 3 and 5 students have been participating in Naplan Online. Regrettably there were some connectivity issues across the country that may have disrupted some of our children’s experiences during testing on Tuesday 14 May. We reported the connectivity issues experienced at Merrimac State School to the national and state education testing authorities responsible for NAPLAN Online. We have now been informed by these authorities that affected students in schools that experienced significant disruption will have the opportunity to re-sit the online writing test on Tuesday 28 May. Whilst many students at Merrimac State School experienced slight disruption, a small number of students have been identified as experiencing significant disruption and are therefore eligible to re-sit the writing test on Tuesday 28th May at 9:00am. Approximately 25% of our Year 5 students are eligible to re-sit the writing test and were sent notification letters. Re-sitting the NAPLAN test is entirely optional for the identified children and parents had the final say as to whether their child would re-sit the writing test. Arrangements for these students have been made to schedule the testing next Tuesday around school photos and the robotics competition involving selected Year 4 and 5 students. P&C Day in Schools This Friday, 24 May, is the designated ‘P&C Day’ in schools. This day, is recognised each year, for the great work done by the many volunteers within our P&C and Sub Committees. Our school has a very hard working P&C who have contributed significantly to the success of our school. Merrimac State School is a very well-resourced school with many excellent facilities. The funds raised by our P&C over the years have been a major factor in our school’s resourcing. I would like to take this opportunity of publicly thanking and congratulating all the parents and carers who give up their time to make a difference for the students at our school. It is important that our school continues to maintain its high standards. For this to happen, a combined effort from school staff and parents is always needed.

What’s on Weekly at Merrimac What’s On When Where

Brekkie Fitness

Wednesdays 8am – 8.45am (Years 3-6)

Oval and PAC

Student Banking Wednesdays 8.00am – 9.30am

Finance window

Active School Travel

Thursdays 8.00am -8.45am

UCA

Parent Fitness Thursdays 1.45pm-2.45pm

MPC/Tennis Court

Koala Joeys

Fridays 9.00am-10.00am

PAC

Merrimac State School

Newsletter

Premier’s Reading Challenge The Premier is challenging all students from Prep to Year 6 to read/experience an allocated number of books at their level between 13th May and 23rd August. Enquiries to Mrs Boff in P3. For further information visit www.education.qld.gov.au/schools/readingchallenge Prep Hearing Screening Merrimac School is funding screening for all Preps for their hearing on Tuesday 28 May and Wednesday 29 May by the Paediatric Hearing Service, ‘Hear and Say’. Undetected hearing loss can adversely affect student learning and speech progress. The screening will take no more than 15 minutes per child. Student Weather Reporter - Congratulations to Zali Each week the ABC Radio station have a guest student journalist who delivers the weather report. Last Friday morning Zali from Year 6 did a great job representing Merrimac in this role. Well done Zali. Children Leaving School at the end of Term Two If your child/children will not be returning to Merrimac for Term Three please notify the school office as soon as possible. We have a number of new enrolments for the start of next term and early notification of students leaving our school will assist with class placement of new students. School Website and QSchools Smartphone App The QSchools app is available to the school community as a free download via the Apple iTunes store and Google Play. Ensure you update regularly to access the latest features. New date for Year 3 Excursion – Mudgeeraba Light Horse Museum The Year 3’s will now visit the Mudgeeraba Light Horse Museum early next term on 23 July 2019. Year 5 Lightning Carnival The Year 5 Lightning Carnival will be held on Thursday 6 June. These carnivals provide the opportunity for our children to visit our local high schools (Merrimac SHS and Miami SHS) for a fun day of sports. This is a traditional event for our Mid Coast Community of Schools giving our girls and boys a chance to mix with other neighbouring primary schools and to experience the high school culture. The high schools have informed us that the lightning carnivals are a student only carnival and parents are unable to attend.

School Uniform It is very pleasing to see almost all children dressed smartly in their school uniforms. Now that the weather is getting cooler, more children are wearing jumpers to school. As per our School Dress Code children are required to wear jumpers/tracksuits in the correct school colours. It is not necessary to have the school jumpers with the school logo

although this is encouraged. All children should be wearing hats in school colours. These are needed for all outside play at school. Children are also reminded that they should not be wearing fluoro coloured shoes or shoe laces. It is hoped that all children will continue to follow the school’s dress code. Children at School after 3.15pm Children are supervised in the main parent car park till 3.15pm. Any children who have not been collected by this time are asked to wait in front of the school near the Administration Building (between the large car park gum tree and the main small gate entrance to the school). This allows Admin to monitor that students are all eventually collected by their parents. Please do not ask your child to meet you anywhere else if you will be collecting them after 3.15pm as this practice is unsafe. Children are not permitted to walk to Boowaggan Park and wait or play unless accompanied by their parent.

Woolworths Earn and Learn Continues until Tuesday 25 June 2019, so when you shop at Woolworths collect Earn & Learn Stickers from the checkout operator or through an online order and place them on a Woolworths Earn & Learn Sticker Sheet.

School Photos Tuesday 28 May Have your envelopes ready to bring in on Tuesday - Please read and follow instructions carefully to avoid disappointment. Remember, no change given and no change available from the finance window. DO NOT SEND ENVELOPES IN BEFORE PHOTO DAY PLEASE.

Every Day Counts – this week’s target and rates School and Regional Target: 95% Weekly attendance Rate: 93.1% (up to 22/5) Attendance year to date: 93.8% Attendance Matters – Every Day Counts

Upcoming Staff Leave Staff Dates Replacement

Mrs Sloss (Support Teacher – Literacy and Numeracy)

20 -29 May (6 days – Mon to Wed))

Mrs O’Mullane to replace Mrs Sloss, Mrs Denise Boyd will be teaching Year 3D for

this time

Mrs Johns 3 – 28 June Mrs Trish McGuane

Miss Coleman 12 -28 June Mrs Denise Boyd

Year 5 Camp Dates The Year 5 camp will be held at the Runaway Bay Sports and Recreation Centre from the 17 to 19 June. Final payment is due by Friday 29 May.

Prep Enrolments for 2020 Enrolments for Prep for next year can be made at the school’s office. Parents of Prep students for next year are encouraged to start enrolling their children. Early enrolment allows the school to be better prepared for the 2020 school year. Now that our school has an official enrolment boundary, all families, especially those residing outside our catchment area, are encouraged to get their Prep enrolments in as early as possible. All enrolments must include the enrolling students’ Birth Certificate.

Merrimac State School Focus of The week From the desk of Ralph and Rosie The School focus for this week is to use our taps and toilets in a respectful and appropriate manner. When we use these areas in the right way, we are keeping them clean and safe for others to use. It’s important to remember that toilets and tap areas are not play areas. They are there to be used only when we need them. They are to always be left in a clean and tidy manner. When we go to the toilet, we leave our food outside, do our business, flush, wash our hands and then leave. When we get a drink from the bubblers, we wait patiently if we have to; have our drink, then move away. Remember to always use our toilets respectfully and always leave them in a clean and tidy manner. Congratulations to all the boys and girls for remembering to be Safe, Respectful Learners. Thank you

Ralph and Rosie

FINANCE NEWS

We are currently collecting money for the following: If you do not wish to wait in line at the finance window we encourage you to pay online.

Participants Event Cost Payment due date

Year 5 Camp $220 31 May

Year 5 Lightning Carnival $10 31 May

P-6 Arts Council – A Slice of Vaudeville

$5 7 June

Selected 5&6 Japan Instalment $500 14 June

Selected 5&6 Japan Instalment $500 19 July

THE FINANCE WINDOW IS OPEN MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS FROM 8AM – 9.30AM

STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

Congratulations to the following students of the week: Harlow C P1, Harry L P1, Luci G P2, Thaison M P2, Amy W P3, Oser R P3, Kayden N P4, Arcadia Q P4, Jaxon H P5, Mia V P5, Lola T 1A, Jayden G 1A, Sienna R 1B, Holly G 1B, Alex B 1C, Ivy B 1C, Beau G 1D, Georgia P 1D, Eleanor F 12M, Oliver J 12M, Aki Y 2A, Kayden M 2A, Zakariya G 2B, Bath-Sheba B 2B, Zoe E 2C, Sonnie O 2C, Aysha B 2D, Jai E 2D, Molly B 3A, Rubi M 3B, Kobi M 3C, Marshella W 3D, Isabelle H 3E, Milla L 45M, Marcus R 4A, Ava P 4B, Ella H 4C, Hiyori T 4D, Clancey H 5A, Akyrah A 5B, Riley C 5C, Riley D 5D, Jaxon F 6A, Eva L 6B, Evan W 6C, Chloe D 6D.

PE NEWS

Sports Days : Monday 27 May Senior (Yrs 4-6) 800M and Field Events Wednesday 29 May Senior (Yrs 4-6) Track and Rotation Day Thursday 30 May Junior Sports Day (P-3) We are looking forward to 3 action packed Sports Days next week. Please refer to the Timetable of Events attachments. Students are to wear their House Colours, a hat, sunscreen and bring plenty of food and water. We will be holding a sausage sizzle stall on Wednesday and Thursday where you can also buy cold drinks and iceblocks. Hope to see you there, please bring a chair and/or rug for your comfort.

INTERSCHOOL SPORTS DRAW FRIDAY 24 MAY

Soccer at Robina Common Fields, Ron Penhaligon Way 6A Boys v Worongary on RC3A @ 12.35pm 6B Boys v Worongary on RC3A @ 1.30pm 6A Girls v Worongary on RC3B @ 12.35pm Boys Soccer at Merrimac Primary (note venue and special time) 5B Boys (White) v 5B Boys (Blue) @ 12 noon Girls Oztag at Mallawa Sports Complex, Palm Beach (note venue) 5A v Marymount on Field 1 @ 1.35pm 5B v Elanora 2 on Field 2 @ 12.45pm 6B V Caningeraba on Field 12 @ 12.45pm Netball at Firth Park, Mudgeeraba 6B v Robina on Court 10 @ 1.30pm Rugby League at Marymount College, Reedy Creek 5A v Currumbin on FP12 @ 12.45pm 6B v St Vincent’s on FP1 @ 1.30pm

2019 TERM TWO UPCOMING EVENTS

Thurs 23 May Under 8’s Day

Mon 27 May Senior Athletics - 800m and Field Events

Tues 28 May Hearing Screening for Prep students

Tues 28 May Main School Photo Day

Wed 29 May Senior Athletics – Track and Field

Wed 29 May Hearing Screening for Prep students

Wed 29 May School Disco (Week 6)

Thurs 30 May Junior Athletics

Tues 4 June Sibling, Individual Catch Up, Current Sports team and School Leader photos

Thurs 6 June Year 5 Lightning Carnival at Miami SHS and Merrimac SHS

Mon 10 June School Performances of ‘A Slice of Vaudeville’ 10.00am P-2, 11.30am Yrs 3-6

Mon 10 June 9.30am Merrimac Outside School Hours Care meeting

Mon 10 June 5.00pm Merrimac IEC Meeting (Katsuragi Visit)

Mon 10 June 6.30pm P&C Meeting

Mon 17 June to Wed 19 June

Year 5 School Camp

Mon 24 June to Thurs27 June

Regional Music Camp (selected students)

Tues 25 June Report Cards to be emailed home

Fri 28 June Last school day for term

Mon 15 July School Resumes for Term Three

P&C NEWS

Next P&C Meeting Our next scheduled P&C meeting is Monday 10 June. We are looking for a Minutes Secretary to be part of our P&C executive. If you are interested in this role, please come along to our next meeting.

BOOKSHOP and UNIFORM SHOP HOURS

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 8.00am – 9.00am

For information from previous newsletters go to our website at www.merrimacss.eq.edu.au and under Publications – Newsletter – go to archive

TUCKSHOP NEWS

We wish to extend a big thank you to all of our

wonderful Volunteers. This week marks 30

Years of National Volunteer Week. A reminder

that Pizza Friday will start on the 31st and will

be the only food available at Second Break.

Note: Interschool sports children will not be able to order Pizza.

We will have a large slice of Domino’s Pizza for $3.00. Choose

from Meatlovers, Hawaiian or Cheese.

UNDER 8’S DAY

ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB TIP

COMMUNITY NEWS

Thursday Meal Deal 30th May Hot Dog

Packet of Chips Zooper Dooper

Water Cost: $6.50

SCHOOL PHOTOS TUESDAY 28 MAY