30 July 2025
Principal’s Message
Messages from Mrs Newlands Deputy Principal – Yrs 3-6
What a wonderful place MDSS is to connect, grow, and learn. Last week was very special being able to celebrate the amazing success of students at the Awards Ceremony. This event was focused on academics and effort (look out for the Sports Awards later this year), and the pride students showed for both themselves and their peers was heart-warming. Congratulations to all the students who received an award.
Community Picnic
Our community picnic is on next Thursday 7th August. Permission notes have been sent home. Please note that due to feedback, we have decided to not have an option for students to join another family. Thank you for understanding that the safety of our students is our priority.
It’s Flu Season
We have had increasing rate of the Flu both across the community and at school. Please talk with their child about good hygiene – washing hands or sanitising before eating, limiting touching other students and covering the cough. We will continue to be vigilant at school to upholding these hygiene practices.
Premier’s Reading Challenge
We are almost at the end!! Students who participate in the PRC will be receiving a certificate and there is a prize for the student who reads the most books in each year level. If your child has lost their recording sheet, they can ask their teacher for another one.
Book Week – Friday 22nd August
Every year it seems like Book Week is far away, then it is here in a flash and there is a crazy rush for costumes. Early planning is the key! We will be having the Book Week Parade on Friday at 9:15am in the Hall.
Yr 3
Students are becoming amazing at persuading – look out parents!! They have been reading fiction books and using the ideas in the picture books to share their opinions. There is an important speaking component in this unit. Ask your child persuasive questions like ‘what type of holiday do you think is best’ and helping them share their opinions would be helpful.
Planetarium Excursion – depending on numbers, we will be inviting parents to join us on the excursion. Class teachers will reach out to you if they feel they need your support to attend.
Yr 4
The year 4 students are learning all about sustainability. This is such a great topic to be talking about at home. From how you recycle, to not wasting food, and ‘doing the right thing-put it in the bin’ students can be connected to this topic in a variety of ways.
Yr 3/4 are collecting bottle caps for an art project connected to their sustainability project. I am sure they would appreciate any donations.
Camp is coming up on September 1st. If you need financial support, please contact the office and they will be able to discuss a range of options. Save the date - Camp Parent Meeting on Thursday 21st at 3:10pm in the library. I will send around the PowerPoint from the meeting if you can’t make it.
Yr 5
Knowing Australia’s history is extremely important. From the ways the First Nations Peoples lived, to how we became a multicultural country who values diversity, Australia’s history is a rich one. Yr 5 students are learning about some key historical events in the 1800s and will be sharing their opinions about this. It was great to hear students talking about events such as the Murry River System this week.
Yr 6
Wow, what a highlight camp was. Students were respectful, safe learners and showed resilience and a ‘have a go’ attitude. As part of their dinner and Dance and Graduation at end of year, we will be sharing more photos.
In class, students went back to school and created a persuasive advertisement aimed at the Year 5 students with the purpose of convincing them how great camp was. They are learning all about advertisements and the power of persuasion this term and I am sure they will start convincing you it’s time for a holiday 😊. An important component is speaking in front of the class. This is such an important skill, but one that causes some anxiousness, which is normal. Please encourage your child to have a go and lean into the uncomfortable – the place where learning happens!
Graduation Dinner and Dance is getting close, and we are really starting to plan out the evening. Save the Date – Thursday 18th September. At the parent meeting on Wednesday, we are going to finalise details and then invitations will be sent out.
Messages from Ms Melissa Jones (A/Deputy Principal)– Yrs Prep-2
Newsletter Prep – Year 2 Deputy Principal
It has been a wonderful start to the term for our youngest learners at Moreton Downs as they settle into Term 3.
Our prep students have celebrated 100 days of learning with a day of fun, activities and a great dress up theme where we saw an influx of little elderly people running around the Prep playground with their walking sticks and cardigans. Congratulations to our Prep cohort, their teachers, teacher aides and families for reaching this important milestone in their learning.
Our Year 1 and 2 students have settled straight back into their learning and classroom environments with ease. I’d like to welcome Mrs Rashmi Virk to the Year 2 team this term. 2B have welcomed Mrs Virk into their classroom and have settled into their new routines.
I’d like to congratulate our award recipients who were celebrated at our ceremony last week. Well done to all our learners who achieved excellent academic and effort results in Semester 1.
Term 3 is set to be a busy and exciting term for our students with events such a Book Week, Community Picnics and some exciting incursions all on the calendar.
Messages from Mrs Rita Troughton (Head of Special Education)
Last term we farewelled Mrs Emily Watson from the HIVE Team in Year 2 who is now a Guidance Officer in Rockhampton. We now welcome back Mrs Annabel Nelson. Annabel worked at Moreton Downs State School at the beginning of 2024 and was part of the HIVE team who was part of the establishment of the BeeHIVE support space for Prep to Year 2. Annabel returns to the Inclusion Teacher role in Year 2 already knowing the students. She brings with her a wealth of experiences from working as an Autism advisor for the region working with schools and an Advisor Visiting Teacher for students to speak English as an additional language. Along with other rich work experiences, we are very lucky to have Annabel back on the HIVE team, working with staff and students to support access to the learning and induvial goals. You may hear from Annabel to discuss support of your child or come and have a chat at the BeeHIVE, located in the Prep B Block.
GP Clinic at the HIVE
A new clinic is being set up in the HIVE for Tuesdays.
Bulk Billed GP with 40-minute appointments to for a thorough check up, discuss concerns, refer on to specialists, order further tests and scripts.
Younger siblings may access the service.
For bookings: GP@moretondownsss.eq.edu.au or phone the Office.
All appointments enter via the Office. Arrive 15 mins early to fill in paperwork. Medicare card necessary.
Messages from Mrs Kerry Born (Head of Department/Curriculum)
Term 3 is shaping up to be a very engaging and interesting term with lots of new learning and time to consolidate previous concepts. Please click on the Term 3 Curriculum overviews. The overviews provide a snapshot of what your child will be learning in each of the learning areas (subjects) and suggested ways in which you can help. Please contact your child's teacher if you have any questions
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