29 October 2024
Principal News
World Teacher’s Day
On Friday 31 October we are celebrating World Teacher’s Day. On this day we celebrate and thank our wonderful Morningside teachers for all the work they do to educate, inspire and empower our learners. Thank you teachers for all your energy, time, commitment and professionalism to all the children at Morningside.
Yr 3 – 6 Class Captain Round Table Time with The Principal and Deputy Principal
Currently, Mr Gilmore and I meet with the School Captains every Friday to discuss our school and receive feedback and ideas from the students. This term we are trialling ‘Round Table Time’ with our Years 3 – 6 Class Captains as well. The Class Captains will have an opportunity to meet with Mr Gilmore and I during their lunch break and provide us with their feedback and ideas about our school. We look forward to meeting with our Class Captains and hearing their ‘student voice’.
Congratulations past Morningside State School students
Last week I was privileged to attend the Balmoral State High School Awards Night. It was wonderful to see many of our previous students represented at the ceremony and we would like to celebrate their achievement. Congratulations to:
Year | Excellence Award | Distinction Award |
7 | Emma T. | Maksim G. |
8 | Amarleigh D. | Olive C. |
9 | Lily A. | Ethan F. |
10 | Eire H-W. | Jake D. |
11 | Jacob F. | Khushi S. |
12 | Ijsbrand B. |
Planning for 2026 classes
Later this term our school will begin the process to develop classes for 2026. Teachers and Administration are collaboratively involved in this process and will carefully consider each child’s academic, social and emotional needs when making a class placement for them. This process is extensive, and a lot of time, thought and care is taken to ensure that children are placed in the most appropriate class that best suits their needs.
From time to time, parents contact their current child’s teacher to request teachers and friends for their children to be placed with in their future class placement. However, at Morningside State School we believe that as teachers spend the entire school day with your child and have been in communication with parents during the year, they are well placed to understand the social, emotional and learning needs for each child in their class and to make the judgment about the best class placement for 2026. Class teachers will therefore make student class placements for 2026.
If, however, parents feel there is some information regarding your child’s learning, social or emotional needs that your child’s teacher or Administration have not already been made aware of during this year, and this information may impact on their class placement for 2026, please contact the office and complete an “ Additional Information To Be Considered For 2026 Class Placement” form by Thursday 6 November (week 5).
Please note, once classes have been confirmed for “Step Up Day for 2026”, changes to move children to different classes do not occur (unless there is a decrease or increase in teacher numbers at the school and a reallocation of classes is required.)
2026 School Camps
School camps are a fantastic part of our school program at Morningside State School. By attending camps students can develop skills in leadership, teamwork, communication, independence and resilience.
To help parents with planning in 2026, please see below information about our camps. The 2026 costs will be confirmed next year. We are always very happy to support all our Morningside families. Please contact our office if we can help you to set up a payment plan.
Year Level | Camp | 2025 Cost |
4 | Runaway Bay 22 – 24 July (New Venue) | Approx.. $250 |
5 | Currimundi 5 – 7 August | $261 |
6 | Cairns 4 – 7 August | $1 400 |
Mobile Phones, Smart Watches 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 and can only be switched on when the student leaves the school grounds.
Smart watches 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 on the Smart watch 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 but can only be used when the student leaves the school gate.
Every Day Counts!
Success at school starts with attendance. The table below shows the amount of learning time a child can miss if they regularly miss school. Please support your child’s learning and ensure they regularly attend school. Where possible, we encourage parents to make any medical appointments and extra holidays outside of school time. Please contact the school if your child will be absent or if you need support in getting your child to school. A text alert is sent each day to a parent if a child is absent, and the school has not been advised.
If your child misses…… | That equals….. | Which is…… | And over 13 years of schooling that is…… | Which means the best your child might perform is….. |
1 day per fortnight | 20 days per year. | 4 weeks per year. | Nearly 1.5 years. | Equal to finishing in year 11. |
1 day per week. | 40 days per year. | 8 weeks per year. | Over 2.5 years. | Equal to finishing in year 10. |
2 days per week. | 80 days per year. | 16 weeks per year. | Over 5 years. | Equal to finishing in year 7. |
3 days per week. | 120 days per year. | 24 weeks per year. | Nearly 8 years. | Equal to finishing in year 4 |
Facebook and Instagram
This term we are launching on Facebook and Instagram as an additional way to help parents and our community to stay up to date with what is happening around our school. You can now follow us on.
We will continue to use Szapp for some messages as well.
Have a great fortnight.
Sheryl Kennedy
Principal
Deputy News
Peg and Line Art Show
A big thank you to everyone involved in organising the art show and to our wonderful MSS community that showed up to support the event. It was great to see so many excited people celebrating The Arts at Morningside State School.
The night was a huge success with around $12000 raised by the P&C, which is truly outstanding.
2026 Leadership Update
On Tuesday 21 October Year 5 students who had nominated for School Captain gave their speeches to Years 4 and 5 students. Well done to all applicants, you did a great job!
The leadership process continues as outlined by the schedule below:
Date | What |
Term 4 | |
Week 2 |
|
Week 3 – Tuesday 21 October |
|
~ Week 4 – date to be confirmed | School Captain interviews with P&C representative, Principal and Deputy Principal |
Week 8 | Students advised of outcome of leadership selection process |
~ Week 9 | 2026 Leaders announced at final whole school assembly |
PBL Update
Our PBL focus for the next two weeks will be our eating spaces. As the weather warms up a few minor changes are made to where students eat to ensure we are being sun safe.
Over the past fortnight our amazing students have earned 167 postcards. Well done!
Lastly, our School Captains will be surveying all classes to pick the theme for the PBL Reward Day in Week 10. Our Leaders have decided on the following three choices:
- Longer lunch breaks for a day
- Crazy hair & sock day
- Free time or games with class
It will be exciting to see which choice is the winner.
Adam Gilmore
Deputy Principal
Dates to Remember
Administration
Student Resource Scheme, Camps and Excursion 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.
Instrumental Music News
Apply now to begin learning to play an instrument at MSS in 2026!
Recruitment is open now for next year’s beginners.
At Morningside State school we offer Brass, Woodwind and Percussion group lessons from Years 4-6. Lessons occur during the day on a rotating timetable on Mondays with Band rehearsals before school. Students perform at various school events though the year and outside events like Musicfest and music camps. Complete an expression of interest form to apply for your child and return it to the school office.
Interest forms are available from the office, Ms Neal or Mr Allen from Week 3, Term 4.
Spaces are available for Year 3s to apply to undertake Instrumental Music at Morningside SS next year when in Year 4. To be considered, forms must be returned to the office by the 8th of November. (There may be also a few places for those currently in Year 4 who missed out last year or were not at the school to apply, though places will be given first to students who are in Year 4 in 2026).
Students already in the program continue their instrument as a 2nd or 3rd year learner and do not need to reapply.
Tara Neal
Experienced senior teacher- Instrumental Music
Sports and PE
Sporting News
Congratulations to Trey in Yr 6 who competed at the Qld Schools State Athletics Championships. The event was held in Townsville and Trey competed in four events – 100m, 200m, High Jump and 4x100m relay. An amazing effort topped off with a 2nd placing in both High Jump and 200m events. This means Trey will be competing at the national championships later this term. We’re wishing Trey the best of luck!
Swimming Carnivals
2025 Senior Swimming Carnival Program
Wednesday 26 November
9.00 am - Events begin
10.45 am - Lunch as per normal
11.30 am - Events recommence
1.30 pm - 2nd break as per normal
2.10 pm - Events recommence
2.30pm - Results (if time permits)
2.50pm - Carnival concludes
Event 1 | 50m Breaststroke Girls | 10 | 50m Freestyle Boys |
2 | 50m Breaststroke Boys | 11 | 25m Freestyle Girls |
3 | 25m Breaststroke Girls | 12 | 25m Freestyle Boys |
4 | 25m Breaststroke Boys | 13 | 50m Butterfly Girls |
5 | 50m Backstroke Girls | 14 | 50m Butterfly Boys |
6 | 50m Backstroke Boys | 15 | 25m Butterfly Girls |
7 | 25m Backstroke Girls | 16 | 25m Butterfly Boys |
8 | 25m Backstroke Boys | ||
9 | 50m Freestyle Girls |
All races will go in following order - 8 years (born 2017), 9 (2016), 10 (2015), 11 (2014), 12 (2013)
Results & Ribbons
- 25m races will win points for their house (participation focus). There are no ribbons awarded for these races.
- 50m (competition focus) will win house points, ribbons, age group champion points and gain potential qualifiers for DISTRICT swimming
- 100m, 200m events will be conducted on other days and will have the same award opportunities as the 50m events.
- Winners of 50m races will be announced throughout the day and ribbons awarded once all data has been collected.
- All results (including age-group champion) will be presented on the day, if time permits.
- Students will need to enter 50m,100m and/or 200mIM for the chance to qualify for DISTRICT swimming in 2026 and be aged 10-12 in 2026. They will also need to achieve a qualifying standard. Please email Mr Nolan jlnol0@eq.edu.au for a copy of this.
Important information
- There are no set times for events, they will however, progress in the above order.
- Students are permitted to come to school wearing their swimmers under their school uniform. This will alleviate the need for all students to go into the change rooms at the beginning of the day.
- It is not compulsory to swim in any event although it is encouraged.
- Canteen will be available at school as per normal and students will have standard break/lunch times.
- Students have been given the opportunity to nominate to compete in races 50m, 100m or 200m. Students have until the end of week 6 to make decisions on nominations.
Sun protection
Please discuss sun safety with your child/ren prior to swimming carnivals. Please discuss the importance of being out of direct sunlight, wearing a shirt and hat when not competing and applying and re-applying sunscreen throughout the day. There will be sunscreen available on the day if you cannot provide any for your child. Drinking water is also very important. Students racing in the senior carnival are not required to race in a swim shirt. They will need to wear a shirt when not racing.
2025 Junior Swimming Carnival Program
Tuesday 25 November
9.00am - Prep events begin
10.45am - Lunch as per normal
11.30am - Yr 1 & 2 events begin
1.30pm - carnival conclusion
Event 1 | Prep Girls – 12m Freestyle Non-Assisted / Assisted | 8 | Year 2 Girls and Boys - 12m Freestyle |
2 | Prep Boys – 12m Freestyle Non-Assisted / Assisted | 9 | Year 1 Girls and Boys – 25m Backstroke |
3 | Prep Girls – 12m Backstroke Non-Assisted / Assisted | 10 | Year 2 Girls and Boys – 25m Backstroke |
4 | Prep Boys – 12m Backstroke Non-Assisted / Assisted | 11 | Year 1 Girls and Boys – 12m Backstroke |
5 | Year 1 Girls and Boys - 25m Freestyle | 12 | Year 2 Girls and Boys – 12m Backstroke |
6 | Year 2 Girls and Boys – 25m Freestyle | ||
7 | Year 1 Girls and Boys – 12m Freestyle |
Results & Stickers
- All swimmers of each race will score points for their house. 1st = 4, 2nd = 3, 3rd = 2, P= 1.
- There will be no place ribbons awarded. Students participate for house points only.
- House point results will be finalised after the carnival.
Important information
- There are no set times for events, they will however, progress in the above order.
- Students are permitted to come to school wearing their swimmers under their school uniform. This will alleviate the need for all students to go into the change rooms at the beginning of the day.
- Preps will only be present in the morning.
- Yr 1 and 2 students will only be present in the middle session.
Sun protection
- Please discuss sun safety with your child/ren prior to swimming carnivals. Please discuss the importance of being out of direct sunlight, wearing a shirt and hat when not competing and applying and re-applying sunscreen throughout the day. There will be sunscreen available on the day if you cannot provide any for your child. Ensure each child has their own (labelled) drink bottle.
- Students are not required to wear shirts during races but need to wearing shirts and hats while not racing.
- Students are to ensure they drink water throughout the event.
Josh Nolan
Morningside State School
PE Teacher – Sports Coordinator
Environment Club News
‘Pick of the Crop’ Program 2024-25 Wrap Up
We were very pleased to receive funding through this program from ‘Health and Wellbeing Qld’ in both 2024, and again in 2025. Pick of the Crop is a Qld Health initiative that aims to get kids to eat more fruit and vegetables. The range of initiatives that support this aim are vast, and we have participated in many of them. As this program is now finishing up, I thought it would be a good time to share what we have achieved:
- We have been able to reinvigorate and expand our school veggie gardens and have added in some beautiful fruit trees as well. Our amazing grandparent volunteer, Farmer John, spends many hours helping us grow fruit and veggies and teaching students all about this. Thank you, Farmer John!
- All Grade 5 students (in 2024 and 2025) went to Northey Street City Farm to see urban farming in action and participate in student workshops.
- Local author, artist and teacher Megan Forward provided her famous ‘Patch from Scratch’ workshops to Grade 4s in 2024, and again for the whole school as part of the book week in 2025.
- We designed our own ‘Seed Cycle’ sign that is now installed under F block near our veggie patch to help kids learn more about where their food comes from.
- We were able to support the OSHC team to start running the OzHarvest FEAST program which helps students learn about food waste and supports creative cooking. Thanks to the amazing OSHC team for their bravery in taking on this opportunity.
- We have established a bush tucker trail that shows off all our amazing bush tucker plants around the school grounds. Each plant has a sign that provides information on the plant and its uses. This has also been set up as an activity for students to do in class to further support their learning.
- We have supplied the school office with some healthy choices fruit and vegetable snack options to have on hand for when students have forgotten lunches or are extra hungry.
- Our teaching staff who support the Environmental program were supported to have a morning off class in Term 1 each year to plan out our activities for the year.
Phew, yes it has been a busy couple of years with Pick of the Crop, and we are very grateful to have had this opportunity. Here are a few photos of this wonderful work!
Sharon Wetzig
MSS Sustainability Partner
Chappy News
Chappy Vlad
P&C News
Morningside Flyers Swimming Club
Our season is well underway, and all our swimmers are having a fantastic time!
Some important reminders about club nights for our members:
We start our Tuesday club nights at 5.45PM sharp (this is a change from last season he which started a little later; to help ensure we can finish the night and get everyone home by a reasonable time). Please ensure everyone is at the pool and ready to go for both volunteering and swimming! Our rostered Senior swimmer and Committee families only, arrive slightly earlier at 5.30PM.
Upcoming Carnivals:
Southside Carnival (hosted by Morningside Flyers with other local swim clubs joining us) is on Sunday 9 November! Nominations are open and event schedule live in Swim Club Connect App. Gates will open at 8AM, warm up at 8.30AM and racing commencing at 9AM. We hope to have as many of our Flyers as possible in attendance at this carnival!
Lexi Wilmington Carnival @Holland Park SS
More information coming for members soon but please save the date, Saturday 22 November from 3PM!
It’s not too late to join us!
You can easily still do it online. We are happy to welcome new members at any stage in the season.
Just go to the Registration page on our website and follow the instructions there:
If you need any assistance or more information, please email us at information@morningsideflyers.org.au
OSHC News
Spring Vacation Care was full of exciting activities, incursions and excursions! Over the two weeks, children participated in a range of activities including art, sport, imaginative play, sensory play, construction play and cooking. During the first week, we ventured to Play On Stage to watch a show and learn all about performing. Our Paint ‘n’ Pop day had kids creating some incredible art whilst jamming out to music. They also learned all about our solar system with visitors from StarLab Education bringing along a projector dome for kids to be fully immersed in the magic of our universe. In Week 2, we learned how to perform CPR and had a special visit from real local ambulance drivers. On our Laser & Archery day, we learned how to use a bow and arrow and challenged teams in a laser skirmish. We also had a spooktacular time with creepy dress-ups, jumped on the Scooby-Doo mystery machine jumping castle, and solved mysteries with Velma and Scooby as part of an awesome incursion from BrizKids!
Bookings for Christmas Vacation Care open on Monday 17 November (Week 7) and can be made via the KT app!
Morningside State School - Outside School Hours Care
oshc@msspandc.com.au
0403 631 230
Tuckshop
🍴 Tuckshop Update – Term 4 News! 🍴
We’re excited to welcome everyone back for Term 4 with a brand-new menu full of fresh and tasty options for students to enjoy!
We're also thrilled to introduce Danielle, our new Tuckshop Convenor! Danielle brings great energy and ideas, and we’re so glad to have her on board. Be sure to say hello when you stop by!
We can’t wait to serve you!
Thank you for your continued support – here’s to a delicious Term 4!
Please make sure that you have updated your students' class on QKR.
Community News
Shake N Stir
Hampton Swim School
It feels like Summer is around the corner. A beautiful 'prompt' to start planning ahead with more time spent in and around water, and more families getting back in our pools for swimming lessons.
Spring into Summer, pick your preferred day and time, and secure your spot today!
Contact us at enrol@hamptonswimschool.com.au / 07 3399 2004 to discuss more options or book online www.hamptonswimschool.com.au
Balmoral State High School
We’re excited to invite parents and carers from your community to an upcoming Community Session hosted by Balmoral State High School on Thursday, 30 October at 6:00pm-7:00pm.
Please note this is the rescheduled session from earlier in the month.
We’ll be joined by Nicole Dorrington from PsychInMind for an engaging and practical session titled:
The Friendship Shift: Helping Your Child Navigate Changing Friendships and Social Pressures from Prep to Teens.
Friendships play a powerful role in a child’s confidence, wellbeing, and sense of belonging — yet they change dramatically as children grow. Nicole will explore practical strategies and insights, including:
- How friendships evolve from early years through adolescence
- Why our “caveman brain” makes belonging so powerful
- What children seek from friends at different ages and stages
- How to support healthy conflict and guide your child toward positive friendships
- The impact of social media on identity and belonging
- How to scaffold (not solve) friendship challenges so kids keep coming to you
Brisbane School Handball Competition
ArtCEE
Office of Di Farmer MP
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