Term 3 Week 2 Thursday 20 July 2017 PRINCIPAL'S PAGE

Centenary Fair Merrimac State School will be holding a fun filled Centenary School Fair this Saturday 22nd July, 2017, between 11.00am – 3.00pm. It will be an event not to be missed. It is hoped that many of our families will be in attendance as well as many community members to make it a very successful event. The P and C and Centenary team have been organising various fun and exciting attractions, so invite the whole family and all of your friends, to make it an unforgettable day. We are promoting our Fair as a Family Day and want to see lots of families enjoying the day and having a fantastic time. As it is our Centenary Fair, we are hoping to have many past Merrimac families returning to school for this special event. There will be special Centenary Displays depicting 100 years of education at Merrimac. These displays will be held at various times during the day in the Old School Building, the Library and the Science Room (at the end of the PAC). There will also be rides and stalls and lots of entertainment. There will also be plenty of food stalls as well. Affordable Rides will be there with some of their fantastic rides which include - Paratrooper Ride, Jumping Castle, Slide, Skater, Rock Wall, Mega Castle, Water Balls, Animal Farm and Laughing Clowns - which means there is something for everyone! Tickets for the rides can be pre-purchased from the bookshop for $25.00 per person or at the gate on the day of the fair for $30.00. Single passes on the day will be sold for $5 per ride. The bookshop is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 8.00am until 9.00am. Tickets can also be purchased online at flexischools.com.au. Wrist bands will be sent to your child’s class the week before the fair. All the students will be involved in various performances, activities and stalls on the day. Each Year Level will be hosting their own stall on the day of the Fair. For each year level to make the most of their stall, we would like to ask for parent support in helping to man the various stalls. Your help will be very much appreciated. Each year level has a dedicated stall.

Prep Lucky dip Year 1 Hair spray and painted nails Year 2 Pick a stick Year 3 Ball shooting game Year 4 Chocolate coin toss Year 5 Lolly bags Year 6 Dunking machine

There will be a full entertainment program including students in their year levels performing their ‘song of the decade’, as well as the choir, band and strings students all performing various musical items, and special dance performances also. I’m sure that our Fair will be a huge success with the support of our whole school community. Children do not have to wear their school uniform on the Fair day. They may choose to wear their Centenary shirt if they have one. Most staff will be wearing their Centenary shirts.

Fair Program:

11:00am Fair Opening 11:10am Senior Band 11:20am Junior Band 11:30am Intermediate Strings 12:00pm Junior Choir (Supercalifragilistic) 12:10pm Senior Choir (Blackbird) 12:20pm Prep - (1930’s - Teddy Bear Picnic) 12:30pm Year 2 - (1950’s – Rock Around The Clock) 12:40pm Year 1 –(1970’s – YMCA) 12:50pm Year 4 - (1980’s - Wake Me Up Before You Go

Go) 1:00pm Year 6 – (1990’s - Medley of Songs) 1:10pm Year 3 – (2000’s - Absolutely Everybody) 1:20pm Year 5 – (2010’s – Happy) 1:30pm Cheer and Dance Group 2:00pm Concert Finishes 3.00pm Fair Concludes (Students are to meet their year level teachers between the Library and the Year 4 and 5 modular classrooms 10 minutes before their performance times). Centenary Day Our actual school Centenary Day when we celebrate Merrimac State School being 100 years old is on Tuesday 25 July. It will be an exciting day for everyone. There will be an official Centenary Ceremony in the PAC from 9.30am to 10.30am. The program will comprise of presentations from a past student, teacher and principal. A powerpoint depicting the history of Merrimac will be shown to all in attendance. There will be the cutting of the Centenary Cake. Contents of the last time capsule from 1992 will be unveiled and also the contents for the new time capsule will be displayed. We will have many former students, parents, teachers and principals in attendance for this special ceremony as well as a number of very special community guests. Our invited guests will join the staff for morning tea and will also get to view the various historical displays. There will be the ‘turning of the sod’ for our Lone Pine tree and the unveiling of the Centenary Commemorative Seat and Plaque. On the Centenary Day, during the middle session our students will get the opportunity to take part in many ‘old time games” (P-3 from 11.30am to 12.15pm, and Years 4 to 6 from 12.15pm to 1.00pm) on the school oval. Mr Singh is organising this activity and students will get to do a number of rotational games such as three legged races, sack races, egg and spoon races, quoits and many more. Mr Singh is coordinating the Old Time Games. After lunch on the Centenary Day, the students will perform in their year levels their designated ‘song of the decade”. This will be held in the PAC and parents are more than welcome to attend. These performances will go from 1.30pm to 2.55pm. Mrs Powell is coordinating this activity. Our Old School Building is getting a transformation for the Centenary Week. We have been able to borrow from the Beenleigh Historical Society some old school desks and furniture

Merrimac State School

Newsletter

and such things as slates, ink wells and abacuses for the entire week. This will allow classes to go through the Old School Building at some stage during the Centenary Week to have a look at what a classroom looked like in the old school days. We thank the Beenleigh Historical Society for their support of our school’s Centenary and to Mrs Collinge for organising the delivery of the old time furniture. On the day of the actual Centenary, all students will receive a piece of Centenary Cake and also be given a Centenary Pencil as a special memory of our school’s Centenary. Children on the Centenary day may wear either their normal school shirt, their Centenary shirt if they have one or their performance costume. Centenary Bush Dance Our Centenary Bush Dance is to be held on Friday 28 July in the school’s PAC from 6.30pm to 9.00pm.Doors will be open from 6.00pm. It will be a fun filled family night and culminate in a spectacular fireworks display at 9.00pm. There will be a live band - Bushland Boogie, playing all evening. The students learnt a bush dance as part of their Footsteps Program in Term Two. I’m sure that they will enjoy performing it on the night. The band will walk through and talk through all the various bush dances so that everyone can participate. It should be lots of fun for both children and the adults. There will be a Spit Roast on the evening catered by Gold Coast Spit Roast. Attached separately to this newsletter email is the Centenary Bush Dance order form. Please return order form and payment to the Bookshop no later than Monday 24 July 2017. Orders can also be placed online at flexischools.com.au and tickets then collected from the Bookshop. Please note all food orders must be prepaid and cannot be purchased on the night. Centenary Memorabilia To help celebrate and remember our school’s Centenary we have several souvenirs available to purchase. Souvenirs are available from the Bookshop. Orders can also be placed through flexischools.com.au All orders must be collected from the Bookshop. Centenary Memorabilia Items include: KEYRING $ 2.00 STYLUS PEN $ 3.00 DRINK BOTTLE $ 4.00 STUBBIE COOLER $ 4.00 TRAVEL MUG $ 4.00 WINE GLASS $ 5.00 STEMLESS GLASS $10.00 PREMIUM TAWNY PORT $25.00

These are available from the Bookshop Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 8.00am to 9.00am.

Centenary Books – Coming Soon Our Centenary Books are currently at the printers and will be at school either today or tomorrow (before the Centenary Fair). Mrs Hall and her band of workers have done a great job with the books. They are very professionally done and will be a valuable memory of our school’s rich history. The Centenary books will be on sale at the Centenary Fair, and on the actual Centenary Day as well. Oder forms will also soon be sent home to all families. The cost of the Centenary Booklet will be $15 which is certainly value for money as the school has subsidised the actual cost of the booklet. It is a must to have as a souvenir of our school’s Centenary. All current 2017 class photos have been included in the Centenary Books. No Parades in Week Three Because of all the Centenary Celebrations happening next week there will be no lower and upper school parades in Week Three

Centenary Shirts The Centenary shirts arrived towards the end of last term and look very smart indeed. Students can wear these shirts as part of their school uniform. This was the decision made earlier in the year regarding the Centenary shirts. Currently there are limited numbers in stock but another order has been placed and will be arriving at the Bookshop shortly.

Staffing News Our Speech Language Pathologist, Mrs Angela Brown commences her Maternity Leave at the end of this week. We wish he all the very best and she will have her hands full with twins on the way. Mrs Leigh Sainsbury will be replacing Mrs Brown for the remainder of the school year. We welcome Mrs Sainsbury to our school. We also welcome Mr Nathan Rutherford to Merrimac. Mr Rutherford is replacing Mrs Amy McDonald for the remainder of this term in SEP. Upcoming Staff Leave The following staff have leave in the first part of Term Three: • Mrs Amy McDonald Leave 10 through to 27 October – Mr

Nathan Rutherford to replace • Mrs Chrystene Conder LSL 3 to 11 August - Ms Julie Poole to

replace • Mrs Sophie Stringer LSL 25 to 28 July – Mr Ben Shaw to

replace • Mrs Sarah Zarew LSL 1 to 4 August – Mr Ben Shaw to replace • Mrs Kimberley Chipp LSL 7&8 August – Mrs Denise Boyd to

replace. Class Newsletters Class newsletters will be emailed home tomorrow Friday, 21st July. Class newsletters are an important form of communication between school and home. They outline curriculum content for the term, reminders about class rules, behaviour management, homework expectations and teacher expectations. Special events and activities will also be highlighted in the class newsletters. Premiers Reading Challenge The Premier’s Reading Challenge continues until Friday 11 September. Keep up your reading.

Term Three Class Captains Congratulations to the following students who will take on the role of Class Captain for this term. Certificates and badges were presented on this week’s upper school parade.

CLASS BOY GIRL

3A Jake G Rylee Mc

3B Deacon B Hyacinth O

3C Miller F Charli M

3D Seth S Emily P

3E Mana T Hope H

4A Anderson H Scarlett B

4B Harrison M Arielle C

4C Corey F Saera K

4D Leif V Ella B

5A Louis R Yasmin B

5B Riley Mc Sawa K

5C Kaiden M Jazz Capel

5D Jackson R Carrin E

5E Will A Keira F

6A Naz W Ashlee S

6B Bryce P Alicia T

6C Brendan L Alyssa S

6D Dawson B Lakeisha Mc

Student Council Representatives The Class Captains from Year 5 and 6 will join our four school captains and comprise our Student Council for Term 3. Koala Joeys The Koala Joeys Family Program is a transition to school program and has been specifically created to deliver in all primary schools for families with children under school age. It focuses on empowering parents and carers to use nursery rhymes, songs, dance, movement and stories as a tool to form secure attachments. Early literacy and early numeracy information is shared during the program in a fun, interactive and supportive environment. Koala Joeys at Merrimac will recommence this Friday 21 July: Where: PAC Conference Room When: 9.00am – 10.00am Ages: Bump to big school Cost: Free

See you there Prep Enrolments for 2018 This year we currently have 115 Prep students. This is a very good intake of new students. Prep is an extremely important part of our school. We are already getting inquiries regarding Prep for 2018. In October each year our school holds a morning and evening orientation session for our new families. In November we also hold Prep experience days for our future Prep students. 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 2018 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 student’s Birth Certificate. Breakfast and Fitness Program This term we are continuing with the Breakfast/Fitness Program on a Wednesday morning for interested Years 4 to 6 students.

The fitness component starts at 8.00am and goes through till 8.25am when the children then line up for a well-earned breakfast. Interested students need to commit to the program each week from 8.00am to 8.45am. Usually the program is held on the oval but on wet days will take place in the PAC. A big thank you to our Chappy Steve for running the program and also thanks to the many staff and parent helpers who assist each week. We certainly appreciate the support from Coles Worongary, Tina Nenadic, from Harcourts Real Estate and the Genesis Church who support Breakfast/Fitness Program which allows us to buy the various breakfast requirements. Parent Fitness (Boot Camp) Program – free for Merrimac Parents Thanks to Tina Nenadic from Harcourts Real Estate, for sponsoring the weekly free fitness program each Thursday for our parents. The Parent Fitness Program will continue at school in Term Three. Simone Doyle, a fitness instructor, runs the sessions in the MPC/Tennis Court area on Thursdays from 1.45pm to 2.45pm. It is completely free. Parents wishing to participate can contact Tina direct on 0402984898. Simone can only cater up to 20 in the session so please register your interest with Tina to avoid disappointment. National Collection of Data on Students with Disability Our school will once again be involved in the national collection of data this year. The collection will conclude on the 4th August. Please be reassured that the Department will not provide any other organisation data that can identify an individual student. The only data being collected at the school level to be reported nationally is: • the broad category of disability; • the number of students in the school who are provided

with an adjustment to address a disability and • the level of adjustments we provide for those students Consultation with parents is important not only for the data collection but also to ensure that you are aware of the adjustments being provided to support your child. While only data that cannot identify your child will be submitted outside of the Department, if you do not wish for your child’s details to be included in the collection count, please contact the school office.

Information and fact sheets are available to help you make a decision from the Department’s website: http://education.gov.au/nationally-consistent-collection-data-school-students-disability

FINANCE NEWS

Important Information on Invoicing When the payment date for an excursion closes and we cancel unpaid invoices if you did not pay for this excursion you will receive an adjustment notice email, this is not an invoice, please open and read. This email only goes to those not participating and can be ignored. Please ensure that all payments to the finance window have your student’s full name and class marked on the permission form/envelope. Payments made online should also have the student’s surname, initial first and then a description of excursion if possible. Permission, medical or order forms should then be handed in at the finance window Thank you We are currently collecting money for:

Participants Event Cost Payment due date

Selected Students

Gymnastics Sem 2 $162 $81 - 12 July $81 – 23 Aug

Selected JapanTrip $500 14 July

Students (final instalment)

Year 4 Gold Coast Suns Shine Program

$10 16 August

Selected Students

Junior Choir Eisteddfod

$10

MONEY IS ACCEPTED IN PERSON AT THE FINANCE WINDOW MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS FROM

8AM – 9.30AM – DIRECT DEPOSITS CAN BE MADE ON RECEIPT OF INVOICE (VIA EMAIL)

STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

Congratulations to the following students of the week:

Coco B 1A, Leon O 1A, Jessika K 1B, Nicholas D 1B, Amy Wall 1C, Jett M 1C, Ruby H 1D, Thomas D 1D, Logan O 1E, Scarlett J 1E, Avril B 2A, Mitchell G 2A, Xavier F-P 2B, Jack B 2B, Isla J 2C, Joshua S 2C, Krysta R 2D, Lilly-May M 2D, Jayden W 2E, Nathan G 2E, Eli D 3A, Nathan O 3B, RJ C 3C, Semih Y 3D, Malcolm R-M 3E, Lara B 4A, Mia P 4B, Curran G 4C, Chloe D 4D, Amelia M 5A, Jardan A 5B, Kylie O 5C, Sienna C 5D, Minseo K 5E, Matilda G 6A, Jack B 6B, Lily H 6C, Scarlett N 6D, Indianna B P1, Evelyn P P1, Laikyn M P1M, Max B P1M, Roman E P2, Havana G P2, Peach H P3, Oliver J P3, Jemma M P4, Jonas B P4. STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

Congratulations to the following students of the month: Len H 1A, Tori Mc 1B, Ashley G 1C, Corey R 1D, Amy Griffin 1E, Kahu S 2A, Allegra L 2B, Charlotte C 2C, Annabelle S 2D, Jaydin A 2E, Peyton M 3A, Tristan P 3B, Kaden M 3C, Aaliyah G 3D, Fallon H 3E, Samuel R 4A, Nicola M 4B, Jaxon F 4C, Jaylen R-M 4D, Jenaya G 5A, Blaze K 5B, Jazz C 5C, Carrin E 5D, Riley-Jaye P 5E, Miku O 6A, Jack T 6B, John Leaman 6C, Jada G 6D, Luna H P1, Ellie G P1M, Alana D P2, Miina F P3, Rahni P P4.

MUSIC NEWS

SENIOR CHOIR This term is very busy with Centenary Celebrations and Eisteddfod Performances so there will be Rehearsals on Mondays and Tuesdays at 8.00am INSTRUMENTAL AND CHOIR GROUPS have the following Performances: SCHOOL CENTENARY FAIR ON SATURDAY 22ND JULY

SENIOR BAND 11.10am

JUNIOR BAND 11.20am

INTERMEDIATE STRINGS 11.30am

JUNIOR CHOIR 12.00pm

SENIOR CHOIR 12.10pm

Senior Choir are to wear their Hippy Outfit – denim

jeans/colourful shirt or t-shirt/colourful scarf on head.

OFFICIAL CENTENARY DAY ON TUESDAY 25TH JULY

Official Ceremony at 9.30am

SENIOR CHOIR & SENIOR BAND

Students are to wear the formal Music Uniform – music polo

shirt/black pants/black socks & shoes.

Official morning tea at 11.00am

SENIOR & CHAMBER STRINGS

Centenery Concert at 1.30pm

JUNIOR CHOIR

MERRIMAC STATE SCHOOL EISTEDDFOD PERFORMANCES

Group Date Time Comp No

CHAMBER STRINGS Monday 14th August

10.30am 5 of 6

SENIOR STRINGS Monday 14th August

1.00pm 4 of 8

INTERMEDIATE STRINGS

Tuesday 15th August

9.00am 2 of 11

BEGINNER STRINGS Wednesday 16th August

9.00am 8 of 11

INSTRUMENT ENSEMBLE

Monday 21st August

9.00am 6 of 7

BEGINNER BAND Monday 21st August

10.30am 8 of 12

SENIOR BAND Tuesday 22nd August

4.00pm 7 of 8

JUNIOR CHOIR Tuesday 29th August

12.30pm 6 of 10

SENIOR CHOIR Tuesday 29th August

6.00pm 8 of 11

PE NEWS

District Athletics The District Athletics this year will be held over two days – 10 and 11 August. Children representing Merrimac will soon receive further information from Mr Singh.

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. Update regularly to access the latest features.

P&C NEWS

Next P&C Meeting The next P&C meeting will be held on Monday 14 August at 6.30pm in the Staffroom. We currently have a vacant Treasurer’s position. If interested in taking on this role please come along to the next meeting.

TERM THREE UPCOMING EVENTS

Sat 22 July 11.00am to 3.00pm Centenary Fair

Tues 25 July School Centenary

Fri 28 July Centenary Bush Dance

Tues 1 Aug Australian English Competition

Mon 7 – Fri 18 Aug

Scholastic Book Fair

Wed 9 Aug School Disco (Week 5)

10 and 11 Aug District Athletics for selected students

Mon 14 Aug 8.00am School Council meeting

Mon 14 Aug 10.30am Chamber Strings at GCCC Eisteddfod

Mon 14 Aug 1.00pm Senior Strings at GCCC Eisteddfod

Mon 14 Aug 6.30pm P&C Meeting

Mon 14 Aug 5.45pm MOSHC Meeting

Mon 14 Aug 5.30pm IEC Parent Meeting

Tues 15 Aug Australian Maths Competition

Tues 15 Aug 9.00am Intermediate Strings at GCCC Eisteddfod

Wed 16 Aug 9.00am Beginner Strings at GCCC Eisteddfod

Mon 21 Aug 9.00am Instrument Ensemble at GCCC Eisteddfod

Mon 21 Aug 10.30am Beginner Band at GCCC Eisteddfod

Tues 22 Aug 4.00pm Senior Band at GCCC Eisteddfod

Fri 25 Aug Closing date for the Premier’s Reading Challenge

Tues 29 Aug 12.30pm Junior Choir to GCCC Eisteddfod

Tues 29 Aug 6.00pm Senior Choir at GCCC Eisteddfod

Wed 30 Aug 2.00pm Active School Travel meeting

Thurs 31 Aug Science Competition Awards Night

Fri 1 Sept Gold Coast Show Holiday

5-15 Sept Life Education Van at school

Wed 6 Sept 3.30pm to 7.30pm Parent/Teacher Interviews

Fri 8 Sept Interschool Sport to commence Years 4 to 6

9-17 Sept Japan Trip

11-14 Sept Year 4 Bike Education

Mon 11 Sept 6.30pm P&C Meeting

Mon 11 Sept 5.45pm MOSHC Meeting

Mon 11 Sept 3.30pm to 5.30pm Miami SHS Spelling Bee Final for participating schools

Wed 13 Sept 6.00pm to 8.00pm Active School Travel Concert

Fri 15 Sept Last Day for Term Three

TUCKSHOP NEWS

Tuckshop Roster for week commencing 24 July 2017:

Date Volunteers-Thank you MEAL DEAL Thursday 27 July $6* • Ham & Cheese

Toastie • Gingerbread Biscuit • Zooper Dooper • Bottled Water

Mon 24/7 Mayumi – Help Please

Tue 25/7 Yoko / Mayumi

Wed 26/7 Selena – Help Please

Thu 27/7 Maria / Mayumi

Fri 28/7 Mayumi

* add extra 50c to upgrade to flavoured milk or small playwater * add extra $1.00 for large playwater

Many thanks to our volunteers this week. We are excited to be providing a special menu on Tuesday – taking it back to the old school tuckshop but remaining within our Healthy Choices range. These are the ONLY ordered foods available ion this day and most other snack foods can be purchased over the counter during lunch break.

~Denise~

Scholastic Book Club Book Club brochures have been given to students in class. The closing date for Issue 5 is tomorrow - Friday, 21 July. Please use the guide down the side of pages to select age

appropriate books, as the same brochure is given to students in all year levels. If you wish to make a purchase, please follow these instructions:- Cash Orders - - Complete the order form on the back of the

brochure. At the top fill in the student’s name, class and phone number

- Clearly label an envelope with “Book Club Order”, the student’s name and class

- Into this envelope, place the order form together with correct money or cheque payable to Scholastic

- Place the envelope in the box inside the finance window at school tomorrow morning

Credit Card Orders – Our school is registered to use the LOOP Ordering System for Book Club credit card payments. Instructions on the brochure order form and Scholastic website will assist you to complete your credit card order.

BOOK CLUB ORDERS CLOSE - 9.00AM

TOMORROW

COMMUNITY NEWS

Lost from Year 5 School Camp Back Pack containing rashie shirt, shorts, t shirt and hairbrush – please contact the school office (55691555) if you can help in locating this lost property.

New start date for Term 2, 2018 In 2018, state school students will now commence Term 2 on Tuesday 17 April. The date has changed from the previously gazetted date of Monday 16 April as many of the state’s school buses will be required for the Commonwealth Games, including the closing ceremony on Sunday 15 April. The date change will ensure buses have time to travel back to regional areas safely and students can catch their normal school bus services on Tuesday 17 April. Monday 16 April will become a flexible staff professional development day (student free day).