Term 4 Week 8 Thursday 24 November 2016 PRINCIPAL'S PAGE

P&C Meeting

Our final P&C meeting for the year is scheduled for next Monday 28th November at 6.30pm in the Administration Building. As it is our final meeting, members are asked to bring along a plate to share on the night. All interested parents are invited to attend. Also the next Outside School Hours Care meeting will be held on the same evening commencing at 5.45pm.

Prep Open Mornings

Merrimac sends a big welcome to all our new 2017 Prep students and their families. We ran two mornings where our new students had the opportunity to experience what it is like to be at school. A third Prep Experience day has been planned for Tuesday 6 December to cater for the more recent Prep enrolments. New Prep students will start school on Monday 23 January at 8.45am like all other classes and complete a full day. Class placements will be posted on bulletin boards and outside classrooms on the first morning. Religious Education Program

Thursday 1 December will be the last day of Religious Education for the year. A Religious Education Christmas Presentation will be held on this day in the Performing Arts Centre for all Cooperative and Baha’i RE children. The performance will be from 1.50pm to 2.50pm for Years 1 to 6 students. A special thank you goes to all the Religious Education teachers who visit the school each week.

Volunteers’ Afternoon Tea

An afternoon tea will be held from 2.00pm to 2.30pm next Monday 28 November in our Science Room to say thank you to our many parents and friends who assist in our classrooms, tuckshop, bookshop, discos, P&C and on various committees. Please come along and enjoy the afternoon tea. Mr Bob La Castra, our Gold Coast City Councillor, has been invited along to help celebrate this occasion and to help present certificates to the many volunteers at Merrimac.

End of Year Reporting

Report Cards for Prep to Year 6 will go home on Tuesday 6 December. If parents have any concerns regarding their child’s report, they are encouraged to arrange a meeting with their child’s teacher. Parent/Teacher interviews, if needed, can be arranged in that last week of the term.

Rockin’ Round Merrimac Christmas Parade

Come one, come all, to the amazing Active travel Christmas parade! Enter your decked out Christmas bike, scooter, skateboard or Christmas hat for walkers. There will be awesome prizes for the winner. Go crazy with tinsel or light up your ride….. Wherever, your imagination takes you will show your Active Travel Christmas pride. The categories are: P-2 3-4 5-6 There will be entry forms given to classroom teachers and will need to be attached to your item on the day. When: Thursday 1st of December Where: 8am breakfast for all active travel participants in the undercover area.

8:45am: all entrants will walk their decorated Christmas item up to the oval ready for the parade. 9am: Entrants walk through parade on the oval for whole school viewing and judging. Can’t wait to see you all there.

End of Year Class Parties

All class parties for the end of the school year have been planned for Wednesday 7 December. Individual classes will send home further details of any planned parties on that day. Parents are reminded that any food sent along for class parties need to be peanut free for those students who have such allergies. Free Dress Day

Our Free Dress Day for this term will be held on Wednesday 7 December. Students will be able to wear free dress in exchange for a gold coin. Money collected will go to support Student Council initiatives and the student school gift purchase for 2016. The Student Council children will collect the money on the day from the classrooms. Please ensure free dress clothing is sensible and sun safe. 2017 Year Four Camp – Advance Notice

Term One Week 9 GROUP ONE Dates: 20th March - 22nd March GROUP TWO Dates: 22nd March - 24th March Where: Currumbin Farm School Approximate Cost: @$200 Deposit: $100 will be required by Friday 10th February 2017 Balance: $100 will be required by Friday 3rd March 2017 To view where the camp is and find out more go to www.thebeachschool.eq.edu.au

NOTE: PAYMENT IS NOT ACCEPTED UNTIL NEXT YEAR

WHEN THE COST IS BE CONFIRMED AND INVOICES HAVE

BEEN ISSUED.

Year 6 Graduation The Year 6 Graduation Ceremony will be held on Thursday 8 December in our Performing Arts Centre (PAC) from 10.00am to 12.00pm. A Year 6 only student disco will be held on Thursday 8 December at 6.00pm – 8.00pm in the MPC. On the last day of term our Year 6 students will enjoy a special day at Wet n Wild (subject to a behaviour review).

School Uniform Donation

Parents whose children finish at Merrimac at the end of the school year may like to donate their children's old uniforms to our school reserve supply. This would greatly help our spare clothing pool for when children have accidents at school or are in need of borrowing a spare uniform. Parents, please check your uniforms at home as we are missing a few uniforms from our supply. They are numbered on the tag. Also, the Music Committee would be very appreciative of black shoes donations.

Merrimac State School

Newsletter

Student Placements 2017

If your child will not be returning to Merrimac in 2017 please fill out the slip at the end of this newsletter and return it to the school office by Friday 25 November. This will assist in the placements for next year. Please note this does not apply to Year 6 students in 2016. Staffing Leave

A number of teaching staff have leave during this term: Mr Elliott has LSL 21 to 25 November –Mrs Jan Beggs will be replacing Mr Elliott. Mrs Chilvers has LSL from 28 Nov to 9 Dec – Mr Ben Shaw will be replacing Mrs Chilvers. Mrs Chipp has LSL from 29 Nov to 7 Dec - Mrs Denise Boyd will be replacing Mrs Chipp for these 5 working days. Dr Pointing has LSL from 5 – 9 December - Mrs Hall will be acting Principal for Week 10, Mr Boff will be acting DP. Mrs Alison Ross will be replacing Mr Boff and providing teacher release in this week for the various Week Ten special events. Merrimac State School Focus of The week

Over this past week, the children at Merrimac State School have been examining how to be confident, resilient and adaptable. In their classes and on parade, the boys and girls at MSS have been asked to engage in discussions, role plays and class demonstrations on the importance of self-management. Congratulations to 2C and 3D for receiving the Ralph and Rosie Award this week. 2C received their award for keeping Ralph and Rosie’s environment clean using their new rubbish picker devices at the end of each break. 3D received their award for remaining on task to complete their Math Mentals work to the best of their ability. Parents you may be interested to know that FABIC have a variety of workshops coming up. • Parenting Tips Around Behaviour – Thursday 24th November 2016 6.30pm to 7.30pm at the Fabic office, Worongary Shopping Centre Please contact FABIC on 55 305 099 for further information.

From Ralph and Rosie

Koala Joeys - Term 4

Koala Joey’s classes will not take place this Friday 25th November. It will resume Friday 2nd December for the last session of the year. Where: MPC Time: 9.00am – 10.00am See you there.

Prep to Year 3 Breakfast and Fitness Program

For this term, we are running the Breakfast/Fitness program for Prep to Year 3 students. There are 100 places available. Students will need to commit to attending each week from 8.00am to 8.45am to be part of the program. We again will be relying on the support of staff and parents to assist with the program and we thank the P&C, Carrara Woolworths and Merrimac McDonalds for their ongoing support of this program. The final breakfast/fitness

program for the year will be Wednesday on 30 November.

Parent Fitness (Boot Camp) Program

Thanks to Tina Nenadic, from Harcourts Real Estate, we are continuing this term with the free fitness program for our parents. Simone Doyle is the fitness instructor who runs the sessions weekly. For the remainder of the term, the fitness program will be held at the play fort area in Boowaggan Park (weather permitting) each Thursday from 1.45pm to 2.45pm. It is

completely free. Any parents who wish to be involved in the fitness program can contact Tina directly on 0402984898. Simone can only cater up to 20 in the session so please register your interest with Tina as soon as possible.

Carols by Candlelight

Our Christmas Carols event is less than three weeks away! It is not long until Santa will be visiting our children and our community having another fantastic fireworks display. Carols by Candlelight is on Monday 5th December. Gates will open at 5.00pm and the first performance will begin at 6.00pm. The Carols will again be held on our oval. Entry is $5 per family or $2 per person. This cost covers Sound and Lighting and Equipment hire. For security, families are asked to only enter via the main gate or the gate near the MPC and tennis courts. This will be the only entry for the night. RAFFLES We have some amazing items to be raffled on the night which include: • BBQ – Donated by Bunnings Southport • Picnic Package consisting of a picnic rug, two camp chairs and

an esky – Donated by Bunnings Southport • Harvey Norman Package – Kambrook BlitzPro Power Blender,

Panasonic Rechargeable Men’s Shaver • Coffee Package - Capsule Coffee Machine with DiBella Coffee

Pods donated by Kylie Jennings (Coffee Sisters Broadbeach) • 4 x VIP Magic Passes to Village Roadshow Theme Parks • 4 x Family of Four Laser Skirmish Vouchers – Donated by

AMF Bowling Robina • 1 x Family Fun Pass – Donated by AMF Bowling Robina • $100 Private Singing Lessons for Term 1, 2017 at Tiffany

Wood Singing Studios • $50 Meat Tray donated by Saville’s Butcher Carrara • One complimentary 30 minute relaxation massage donated by

Chelsea Everingham from Your Health Options • Christmas hampers with a range of goodies The cost of raffle tickets are $2 for one ticket or $5 for five tickets. Raffle tickets can be purchased during the week leading up to the event or on the night of the event. Mrs McCarthy will be available every morning from Monday 28th November through to Friday 2nd December in the undercover area near the tuckshop to sell the raffle tickets from 8.30am to 8.45am. SAUSAGE SIZZLE

The student council will be organising a sausage sizzle on the night. Sausages on bread will be on sale, on the oval, so busy parents can feed their hungry hoards before the singing starts. Please support the stall as all profits will be going straight back into supporting your child’s education. DELICIOUS STALLS

The P&C will have a stall on the night selling a variety of drinks, packets of chips and glowsticks. A mobile coffee van has also been organised to provide you with a range of hot and cold drink choices. EXCITING EVENTS

Again this year, each class will be performing a Christmas Carol on the stage. Students will be able to visit Santa after their performance. We have some MSS Choir students singing two community carols and the Merrimac Drummers Drumbeat group will be playing a carol by drums. We will end the night with a fantastic fireworks display.

Dental Van Leaving Merrimac

The dental van will be leaving the school before the end of the year! Phone 1300 300 850 to book an appointment before they leave.

Student Banking

Final day for school banking this year is Monday 28 November. First day for school banking in 2017 is Monday 30 January. There will be an open morning for anyone wishing to start up a Commonwealth Student Banking Account for their child on Monday 13 February from 8am outside the P1/P2 classrooms .

PE NEWS

Prep to Year 2 Term Four Swimming

The swimming program for all students in Prep to Year 2 has commenced and will continue until Friday 2nd December. Timetable as follows:

Week Day Class Depart School Lesson Time

Thursday 1E 10.45 11.00

Thursday P2 11.15 11.30

Thursday P3 11.45 12.00

Thursday 2E 12.15 12.30

Thursday 2D 12.45 1.00

Thursday P4 1.15 1.30

Thursday P1 1.45 2.00

Friday P5 10.15 10.30

Friday 1A 10.45 11.00

Friday 1B 11.15 11.30

Friday 1C 11.45 12.00

Friday 1D 12.15 12.30

Friday 2A 12.45 1.00

Friday 2B 1.15 1.30

Friday 2C 1.45 2.00

Interschool Sport

Last Friday was our final Interschool Sport Day. We had a wonderful season - with no washouts. Interschool Sport is a chance for the students to play against other schools, learn and practise being a team member, display sportsmanship, maybe learning a new sport and skills and having fun. If you win it's great but you also learn to lose and realise sometimes things don't go your way. Many thanks to Mr Epiha, Miss Parker, Mrs Lees, Ms Riis, Miss Jacobs, Miss Farrar, Mrs Stringer, Thomas, and Mr Elliott. Without these dedicated teachers, aides and Community Members there would be no Interschool Sport. They give up many hours of time, training and organising their teams and probably don't get the recognition that they deserve. Thank you so much. The following teams won their Grand Finals : 4A Boys OzTag, T-Ball B team, 6A Girls Touch.

PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL UNIFORMS ARE RETURNED THOROUGHLY WASHED AND CLEANED TO YOUR COACH BY

THE END OF NEXT WEEK. THANK YOU

BOOKSHOP and UNIFORM SHOP HOURS

During the school term the bookshop opens Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8am – 9am 2017 Booklists

Booklists for all students in Years P-5 have been sent home. Orders can be placed online at www.flexischools.com.au. Pay online and you can then pick up your order from the bookshop (your collection date will be on the invoice). Orders can also be placed at the bookshop. Opening hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 8.00am – 9.00am.

TUCKSHOP NEWS

Roster for week commencing 28 November:

Date Volunteers

thank you

NO MEAL DEAL 1 DEC

USUAL MENU APPLIES

END OF YEAR STOCK

SELLOUT

Mon 28 Nov Yoko, Jodie

Tue 29 Nov Jenny, Yoko

Wed 30 Nov Mel, Help Please

Thu 1 Dec Maria S, Yoko

Fri 2 Dec Marina, Yoko

Many thanks to all our volunteers for your help in the tuckshop and around our school. Your time is appreciated. Just two weeks left before we begin the school holidays. Please note the following: • Flexischools and lunch orders cease Tuesday 6 December • Classroom parties Wednesday 7 December. We will be selling

any excess stock for students during lunch breaks • Tuckshop shutdown commences Thursday 8 December – no

orders taken, over the counter sales only during lunch breaks • TUCKSHOP IS CLOSED FRIDAY 9 DECEMBER FOR END OF

YEAR MAINTENANCE – PLEASE ENSURE YOUR CHILD HAS FOOD FROM HOME ON THIS DAY

Have a great week everyone! ~ Denise ~

Tuckshop Convenor

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thurs 24 Nov Year 1 SeaWorld Excursion

Mon 28 Nov 6.30pm P& C meeting

Mon 28 Nov 5.45pm Merrimac Outside School Hours Care meeting

Wed 30 Nov Band Recruitment meeting

Thurs 1 Dec Merrimac SHS Year 6 to 7 Transition Day

Thurs 1 Dec RE Christmas Presentation

Mon 5 Dec Carols By Candlelight

Tues 6 Dec Additional Prep Experience Day

Tues 6 Dec Report Cards to go home

Thurs 8 Dec 10.00am to 12.00pm Year 6 Graduation Ceremony

Thurs 8 Dec Year 6 Graduation Disco

Fri 9 Dec Year 6 excursion day to Wet and Wild

Fri 9 Dec Last day of Term Four

STUDENT NON PLACEMENT FOR 2017 My child/children will not be attending Merrimac Primary next

year. The new school is: …………………………………………..…………

Signature: ……………………..…………..Parent/Guardian Student/s Name Class ____________________ ________ _________________________ __________ _________________________ __________

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