5 March 2025

Principal News

Terms 1 & 2 Parent Teacher Interviews

In Weeks 9 and 10 of Term 1 and Weeks 1 and 2 of Term 2, we are inviting parents to come into school and meet with their child’s class teacher to discuss their child’s progress to date this year. This is an important opportunity for parents to connect with their child’s class teacher to celebrate their child’s learning and help support their child’s learning goals for the year.

Bookings for Parent Teacher Interviews will open on Monday 10 March at 9am. Please click on the link below, from Monday 10 March, to book an interview. 

Please ensure you make your child’s class teacher your first point of contact if you have any questions or concerns during the year.

Who is our Head of Department (Curriculum)? Meet Michelle Hanrahan



I’m excited to introduce myself as the HOD-C at Morningside, a role I’ve proudly held since 2020. With a passion for growth and development, I am committed to supporting both students and staff to achieve their best.

My journey in education spans 30 years, during which time I’ve had the privilege of working in a number of different schools and locations, and in a number of different roles.

As Head of Department, I work closely with teaching staff to plan for, and implement curriculum, and monitor the progress and learning of students. A key part of my role is in supporting staff to collect, analyse and use data to identify and support student learning needs. I also support teachers to utilise effective, evidence-based teaching practices and provide professional learning and development opportunities to strengthen our collective expertise. I am passionate about fostering a collaborative culture where teachers feel supported and empowered to deliver high-quality education.

While I am not local to Morningside, I spent a lot of my childhood years visiting my grandparents in Bulimba and Hawthorne and my dad is an ex-student of Morningside SS. I’m proud to be part of the Morningside community and look forward to making this a successful and rewarding year.

Balmoral State High School Investiture Ceremony

Our School Captains attended the Balmoral State High School Investiture Ceremony last week. It was lovely to see one of our past students, Micaela I. (2023) being presented with a Junior Prefect badge. Congratulations to Micaela!

Peg N Line date claimer

We are very excited to announce that our wonderful family and community event is back this year. The Peg n Line is a biennial event that celebrates the Arts and our community. Please put Friday 17 October into your social calendar.

Student disco

Thanks to our P&C, a student disco (Prep – Yr. 2 and Yr. 3 – 6) will be held on Friday 2 May. Our student leaders will help to set the theme and more details will be released soon.

Evacuation and lock down drills

As part of Workplace Health and Safety, each term schools are required to practise "Lockdown" and "Evacuation" procedures. This week our school will be having a “Lockdown” drill. Teachers will explain to children what to do during the drill and debrief after the event. Any parents or visitors who are on site during the drill are asked to please follow staff instructions. Emergency Services may also sometimes attend.

Student mobile phones and electronic devices

• If students choose to bring their phone to school, they must switch it off as soon as they get in the school gate and sign it in at the office. The phone can be collected when the student is leaving school. The phone can only be switched on when the student leaves the school grounds.
• Smartwatches and other devices can be worn, however, notifications must be switched off as soon as the student enters the school gate. This means that phone calls and messages cannot be received or sent whilst the student is at school. Notifications can be turned on again when the student leaves the school gate.
• If notifications cannot be switched off, then the watch must be signed into the office when the student arrives at school. The watch can be collected when the student leaves school and can only be used when the student leaves the school.

Have a fantastic fortnight.

Kind Regards,
Sheryl Kennedy
Principal

Deputy News

NAPLAN

The dates for NAPLAN tests at Morningside State School this year will be:

• Wednesday 12 March – Writing
• Thursday 13 March – Reading
• Friday 14 March – Conventions of Language
• Monday 17 March - Numeracy

Tests for Year 3 and Year 5 students will take place in the morning session on each scheduled day.
The parent information brochure is attached again for your information.
To remind students of the online interface the NAPLAN Public Demonstration Site may be useful: 

Adam Gilmore
Deputy Principal

Dates to Remember

Administration

Parent Liaison Officer

Parent Representatives

We are looking for parents to volunteer as the Parent Rep. for their child’s class. We have one Parent Rep. per class.
The role of the Parent Rep. is mainly to convey information to other parents in the class. This may involve information regarding school events, reminders or even organising a play in the park after school.
I will supply the Parent Rep. with a list of parent emails for the children in your class. The Parent Rep. will receive information in template form that can easily be forwarded to your parent email list.
Please contact your child’s teacher directly if you would like to express interest in volunteering for the Parent Rep. role.

Tracey Claydon – tclay58@eq.edu.au
Parent Liaison Officer

Picking up children during break time or assembly

If you are picking up your child during break time, please advise the office or your child’s teacher beforehand. It can be difficult to locate a student while on the oval or in the play area which may lead to a delay in the student making their way to the office.

Morningside State School break times are:
First break:         10.45am - 11.30am
Second break:   1.30pm – 2.10pm

Also, if you are planning to pick up your child during assembly (Monday afternoons between 2.10pm and 2.50) please advise the office or your child’s teacher beforehand. While students are attending assembly, it may be difficult to find them or get a message through to them.

Communication from the school

We encourage all parents to download and use the QParent App and the Szapp App.

QParent App

This app is a very helpful tool with which you can easily read or download report cards, notify of absences, see outstanding invoices and pay invoices.

Our office staff will be happy to help with the registration process, should you require assistance. 

Szapp App

We are communicating through this app with families and inform about upcoming events, changes or send out reminders.

Student Resource Scheme, Camps and Excursion Payment Reminder

Payment reminder:

Payments can be made as follows:

• Selecting the payment link at the bottom of your invoice
• BPoint - the Bpoint code is 1002534
• QParents
• Direct deposit (BSB 064136, Account 00090111, Account Name Morningside State School) – please note student’s full name
• Credit card payment over phone via a secure BPoint number on 1300 631 073
• Directly at office
• Centrepay – Centrepay is a voluntary bill-paying service which is free for Service Australia customers. Use Centrepay to arrange regular deductions from your Services Australia payment.  You can start or change a deduction at any time. The quickest way to do it is through your Services Australia account online. Go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/Centrepay for more information.

Japanese News

Silby Sensei
Japanese Language Teacher (jkwal@eq.edu.au)

Harmony Week

Free Dress Day – Monday 24 March 2025.  Students are invited to wear ORANGE or INTERNATIONAL DRESS/CULTURAL costume to celebrate the rich ethnic and cultural diversity at our school. The colour ORANGE signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. 

Harmony Postcard competition – Our wonderful Arts Captains are running a Harmony Day inspired ART COMPETITION, to create our new PBL Postcards, that will run until 3pm on Friday 7 March 2025.  A special box in which to place entries is located in the office. Flyers will be placed around the school shortly!!

Entries will receive a P&C sponsored Grill’d voucher – while stocks last.

Please note: Artworks must be in portrait form. Unfortunately, landscape cannot be used to make postcards.

Sports news

Term 1 Sports Carnivals

Parents are welcome to attend, support and spectate for our events this term.

Years 3-6 Cross-Country Trials

Monday 10^th March is Morningside State School’s Cross-country carnival for students in Grades 3 - 6. This event will be run around Hawthorne Park, beginning and ending on the oval, Hawthorne Road side.

The day will run as follows:

Grades 3 and 4 - Both grades 3 and 4 will walk to the park together. Leave school at 8.45! 

1) 9.00 am – 8-year-olds born 2017                                          1km (1 lap)      

2) 9.30 am – 9-year-olds born 2016                                          2 km (2 laps)

3) 10.00 am – 10-year-olds born 2015 (Grade 4)                     2 km (2 laps)

10.45am – Return to school for first break.

Grade 5 and 6 - Both grades 5 and 6 will walk to the park together. Leave school at 11.30!

4) 11.45am – 10-year-olds born 2015 (Grade 5)                      2 km (2 laps)

5) 12.15pm – 11-year-olds born 2014                                       3 km (3 laps)

6) 12.45pm – 12-year-olds born 2013                                       3 km (3 laps)                

1.30pm – Return to school for second break.

* Race times are approximate

* Students that place 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd in the 10 -,11- and 12-year age groups (need to run to entire distance), and run to the qualifying standard, will be eligible to advance through to the Lytton District Cross Country event.

* Qualifying standards: 10yr olds <12mins, 11/12yr olds <15mins

* We are in need of volunteers. If any parents are available to assist as volunteers for either the morning or afternoon session could they please email Mr Nolan jlnol0@eq.edu.au.

Prep-Yr2 Fun Run

Tuesday 11^th March is Morningside State School’s ‘Fun Run’ carnival for students in years Prep - Yr2. The event will give the students an opportunity to run in a race, support their year level/house teams and then return to class.

The day will run as follows:

1) 9.00 am – Prep                                 1 circuit (lap)

2) 9.30 am – Year 1                              2 circuits (laps)

3) 10.00 am – Year 2                            2 circuits (laps)

The course this year is similar to last year being that, rather than run circles of the oval, our students will be following the markers to zig zagging up and down the track.

Placegetter ribbons and trophies are not handed out to our junior students however each child that participates will receive a ‘participation’ ribbon for their efforts.

District Sporting Trials

Various sporting trials have now taken place both at school and at district level. Well done to all who have participated. Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to attend the Lytton District sporting trials:

Basketball – Trey, Cameron, Jaden, Levin.

Netball – Emily, Erin, Theadora.

Australian Rules Football – Adeline, Isabelle, Gabby, Archie, Henry, Arlo, Jake, Steele.

Soccer – Hamish, Travis, Luca, Oliver.

Tennis – Zoe, Finley, Hamish.

Hockey – Lexi.

A big congratulations go to the following students who have been successful in making the district squads in their selected sports so far. We wish them the best of luck and look forward to hearing all about their efforts.

Jake, Steele, Henry, Arlo and Archie 

Josh Nolan
Morningside State School
PE Teacher – Sports Coordinator

Chappy News

Hi everyone!  
Hope you are doing well. Here are a few updates regarding Chaplaincy at our school:

Games Club

The Chappy Room (at the Club House) is open at first break on Wednesdays to anyone who would like to join our weekly Games club. We have a range of board games for children to play with and it is a great time to build friendships.

Brekky Club

As School Chaplain, with invaluable help of our volunteers, each week I am able to organise a breakfast club for our community at Morningside State School. We are able to provide an opportunity for all our students to receive a free breakfast. A healthy breakfast makes a positive contribution to students' wellbeing and learning. Breakfast club is available each Thursday morning between 8.20am - 8.35am from the side window of the tuckshop.  

Safer Internet Day

In February 2025 we recognised the Safer Internet Day. Here are some of the tips for staying safe online. 

Redlands Sports day camp

For the last few years, I had a privilege of being a part of the Redlands Sports day camp. This camp usually runs during the school holidays and this year it's planned from 7 - 9 April 2025. Please find attached the flyer for more information.  

Chappy Vlad

P&C News

Morningside Flyers Swimming Club

Cannon Hill Three Way Carnival 

Well done to our 30 Flyers that competed on Sat 22nd Feb!!  Amazing work and we loved seeing your smiling faces, including some on the podium! Also, an amazing 70 personal best times across 102 races. So inspiring! 
We are so proud of you all for representing our club and bring us in as runners up in second place! Our hosts Cannon Hill came in first and Norman Park in third. What a great day! 

Our last club night for this season is on Tuesday 18th of March. The countdown is on to our end of season Club Championships event on Sunday 23rd March followed by our end of season Presentation Celebration a week later on Sunday 30th March. Remember to nominate your swimmers in Swim Club Connect for all remaining events (they have all been opened). Club Champs nominations close on Sat 22nd March at 6pm. 

Jasmine Kelly
Morningside Flyers

Morningside Marvels Cheer Team

Training has started!

It has been great to see lots of new children trying out for cheer in 2025 as well as lots of past athletes returning for another year with the amazing Morningside Marvels.

Try outs for the 2025 team have finished, the team has been selected, and training has now commenced. You should have received an email from Mrs Fifoot confirming whether your child made it to the team. Please check your spam and contact Mrs Fifoot on jfifo1@eq.edu.au if you have not received your email.

If your child missed the tryouts but is still interested in joining the team, please contact Mrs Fifoot (see email address above) for more info. She will let you know if there are any places available at the moment and if not, your child’s name will be added to a wait list.

Julia Fifoot
Cheer school contact

OSHC News

Kate Mohr
MSS OSHC Assistant Director 0403-631 230

Tuckshop

The Snack Shack welcomes everyone back for 2025. We are looking for volunteers for various roles and times, did you know even grandparents, aunts and uncles can also help too but you are required to have a volunteer blue card. If you think you could help out in any way, please email june.burfoot@msspandc.com.au.

Please make sure that you have updated your students' class on QKR.

Menu for term 1

June Burfoot
Convenor

Community News

Shake N'Stir

Hampton Swim School

We are so proud to be supporting with Morningside State School’s School Swimming and it’s great to see so many enthusiastic and exited swimmers!

If your child would like to boost their confidence and water safety ready for school swimming, we offer additional learn to swim lessons from the pool at Morningside State School, and at a venue in Cannon Hill. We pride ourselves on a gentle and nurturing approach to learning with our fun, friendly and much-loved teachers, who are trained in our unique Hampton teaching philosophies and methods.

We are delighted to offer 50% off your first month for new families joining us (excludes the registration fee). To find out more, please give our friendly team a call on (07) 3399 2004 or email enrol@hamptonswimschool.com.au.
To find out more about our swim program and swim levels, please visit hamptonswimschool.com.au

AFL Academy

Handball competition

Tennis for kids

EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY TENNIS COACHING CLINICS

Enrolments are now open for the Easter School Holiday Tennis Clinics as well as special discounted holiday private coaching sessions. 

Positions are available for all school students between the ages of 4-15 years but please note timings will differ depending upon your child's age and experience.  Children from all schools are invited to attend any clinic.

For further details or to enrol, please click this link https://tennisforkids.com.au/holiday-programs/programs/

Scouts Queensland

Bulimba Community Kindy

Netball Queensland School Holiday Clinics at Nissan Arena!

These April school holidays we’re hosting six exciting clinics at Nissan Arena across three days — April 7^th, 8^th, and 9^th — running from 9 AM to 3 PM each day. These include three Woolworths NetSetGo Clinics for ages 5–10 and three Jump to Juniors Clinics for ages 9–12. Designed to be fun, social, and active, these clinics provide a safe environment where kids can develop their skills and confidence in netball.

Plus, we have some special guests! A few Queensland Firebirds players will be making an appearance during the clinics, giving participants an incredible chance to meet their netball idols. There will be signing sessions and Q&A opportunities, making this an unforgettable experience for young netballers!

About the Clinics:

• Woolworths NetSetGo is the perfect introduction to netball for 5–10-year-olds, catering to all abilities—no prior experience required! Kids will develop fundamental skills in a fun and inclusive setting.
• Jump to Juniors is ideal for 9–12-year-olds who are ready to transition to competitive rules, however no experience is needed! Led by trained coaches, sessions include skill-based activities, minor games, and modified match play.

Clinic Info & Registration Links:

📍 Nissan Arena, QLD

Netball QLD Clinics | Woolworths NetSetGo (Ages 5-10) – April 7 | Nissan Arena, QLD 

https://events.humanitix.com/woolworths-netsetgo-7-apr-nissan-arena-ages-5-10

Netball QLD Clinics | Jump to Juniors (Ages 9-12) – April 7 | Nissan Arena, QLD 

https://events.humanitix.com/jump-to-juniors-clinic-7-apr-nissan-arena-ages-9-12

Netball QLD Clinics | Woolworths NetSetGo (Ages 5-10) – April 8 | Nissan Arena, QLD 

https://events.humanitix.com/woolworths-netsetgo-8-apr-nissan-arena-ages-5-10

Netball QLD Clinics | Jump to Juniors (Ages 9-12) – April 8 | Nissan Arena, QLD 

https://events.humanitix.com/jump-to-juniors-clinic-8-apr-nissan-arena-ages-9-12

Netball QLD Clinics | Woolworths NetSetGo (Ages 5-10) – April 9 | Nissan Arena, QLD 

https://events.humanitix.com/woolworths-netsetgo-9-apr-nissan-arena-ages-5-10

Netball QLD Clinics | Jump to Juniors (Ages 9-12) – April 9 | Nissan Arena, QLD 

https://events.humanitix.com/jump-to-juniors-clinic-9-apr-nissan-arena-ages-9-12

Bulimba Community Centre