3 September 2025

Principal News

Thank You Teacher Aides

Monday 1 September to Friday 5 September is Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week. This week we would like to celebrate and thank all the fantastic Teacher Aides at Morningside State School. We are very fortunate to have great Teacher Aides who work alongside our teachers in the classroom, playground, library, pool and office to support and extend our students in their learning, social and emotional skills. Thank you, Teacher Aides, for everything you do.

Persuasive Year 2 students

Our Year 2 students have been crafting the most amazing persuasive writing to convince me to allow them to go on an excursion to Lone Pine. Writing with a purpose is a powerful way to engage and motivate students. This week I had the privilege of visiting classes and sharing the good news that they had persuaded me, and the excursion can go ahead next term.

Lone Pine Wildlife Information Centre

Dear Mrs Kennedy,

Do you want to be the best principal? Please let us go to the sensational, amazing and wonderful Lone Pine. I am going to give you three fantastic reasons why 21JE should definitely go to the terrific Lone Pine Centre.

Firstly, it would be the ultimate educational experience because we could learn about all sorts of fantastic Australian animals. We could see all sorts of shows like the amazing flight raptor show and the terrific sheep dog show. There are also lots of wombats, platypuses, a dingo talk, petting zoo, koala feeding and reptile viewing. All of these are VERY VERY educational. You want us to be smart, right?

Secondly, it is very close and very cheap, especially with how educational it is! It is only a short 25-minute bus ride and if we go as a big group, it’s only a $20 entry fee.  We would make it back to school by 3pm easily! You love a cheap and close excursion, right?

Lastly it would be an ultimate and sensational Friendship Friday location because it would give us lots of time to bond with our classmates and create everlasting memories. We could play games together and be in groups with new friends. You want us to have fun, don’t you? It would be amazing to go there and do all the fun, fantastic and terrific activities with our friends. Pretty please can we go to the ultimate Lone Pine Centre. Don’t you think it would be amazing?

In conclusion these are the sensational reasons why we should definitely go; we won’t stop smiling if you say yes!

By Nili 21JE

Fantastic Amazing Lovely Lone Pine

Dear fabulous Mrs Kennedy,

Why do you think kids don’t want to go to school because I know. We have never ever had an excursion to Lone Pine so we must go.

Firstly, just imagine seeing crocodiles, koalas, dingoes, birds, snakes, sheep dogs and so much more cute furry animals up close! No one wants to miss out on an opportunity to see that. No one would pretend to be sick when they could go to Lone Pine. Everybody needs a chance to see fabulous wildlife.

Secondly, Lone Pine could be definitely soooooooo full of fun and excitement that we haven’t experienced like feeding colourful birds but we can’t do that in the smelly, old and boring classroom.

Finally, there is peaceful nature but at school there is a noisy , breakable playground where it is not calm because people get hurt and it is far too noisy! We could have a lovely, peaceful day away from all the noise.

In conclusion I think Lone Pine will be an amazing excursion and we will make interesting memories.

By Elsie-Grace 2KB

The most perfect excursion to Lone Pine

Good morning Mrs Kennedy,

Did you know that Lone Pine is an amazing place for an excursion? Let me tell you why we must go there.

Firstly, it is extremely fun. We can watch an exciting sheep dog show, cuddle very cute koalas and we definitely must see the free flight bird show. We have been working really hard all year so we definitely need a fun break.

Secondly, we must definitely go there because it is very educational. We can learn how to care for our amazing wildlife, learn about our Australian animals habitat, diet and behaviour and learn from the experts. I think learning outside with the animals is much better than on an iPad. Don’t you agree?

Finally, we can get there quickly because it is only a short 20-30 minute bus journey. We will be able to bond with our classmates and share great memories at the end of the day. We promise to be on our fabulous RISE behaviour and be back in time for the bell.

In conclusion, you must let us go because it is fun, educational and really easy to get to. Please let us go! Don’t delay and book those tickets today.

Sienna 2KH

Lone Pine

We absolutely must go to Lone Pine because we know that it is a great place for an excursion. Let me explain why we must go to this sensational place.

Firstly, I know that we must go to Lone Pine because it is a sensational place. Also, it has so many educational opportunities, you can’t say no to that! For example, there are so many fantastic native animals, beautiful birds of prey. What’s great is that we can learn about their habitat and diet. Also, we can learn how to care for animals like Koalas.

Secondly Lone Pine is so close, it is approximately 23 minutes from school. Lone Pine is located at Fig Tree Pocket which is so close. Don’t you agree that you must let us go to Lone Pine?

Lastly, no one wants to sit on the cold, hard and uncomfortable chairs all day in the classroom, we want to walk in the fresh air of the b beautiful native out-back! It would be like walking in an outdoor classroom. You can’t say no to that terrific opportunity!

In conclusion I absolutely think that we need to go to Lone Pine because one there are so many learning opportunities, two its close and three we can be in the great outdoors. So when can we go? Even the teachers want us to go. Everyone is so excited. Please let us go to Lone Pine.

Sienna 2CS

Parent / Teacher Interviews

In Weeks 9 and 10 of this term, and Weeks 1 and 2 of Term 4, 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 for the rest of the year.

Bookings for Parent Teacher Interviews are now open. Please click on the link below, to book an interview.

Pupil Free Day reminder

Parents and students are reminded that Friday 5 September is a Pupil Free Day and students do not come to school.

Have a great fortnight!

Sheryl Kennedy
Principal

Deputy News

Peg and Line Art Show

The biennial Peg and Line Art Show is on again in 2025. This year it will be held on Friday 17 October from 6:00pm – 8.30pm.

The Peg and Line Art Show is a great way for the local community to experience what The Arts curriculum looks like at Morningside State School.

The Peg and Line will again feature the student art gallery, auctions of collaborative art works, food, drinks and entertainment.

Here is a taste of some of the whole class collaborative art works that will be available to purchase at the auction.

Please note, children will get the opportunity to view the artwork in the afternoon before they go home. Children can attend the nighttime event but must be under the supervision of their parents.

2026 Leadership Process

The 2026 leadership process has begun.

Mrs Kennedy and I had the pleasure of speaking recently with the Year 5 cohort about leadership, their aspirations and the Morningside Leadership process for 2026.

All students are eligible to apply, and the application process has been explained to all students.

The timeline for the 2026 leadership process is outlined below

I wish all the aspiring leaders in Year 5 every success in their application.

PBL Update

On Monday 25 August MSS wore purple to show kindness to each other as part of Bullying No Way: National Week of Action. During their weekly PBL lessons students looked at kindness and being kind to each other at Morningside. This coming week students will be looking at their before school routines as part of our whole school PBL weekly focus.

Over the last two weeks our amazing Morningside students have received 169 postcards. Well done!

Adam Gilmore
Deputy Principal

Dates to Remember

Administration

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.

Sports and PE

Swimming in Term 4

Please note that swimming begins in Week 1 of Term 4 (for all year levels and classes) and will continue for the remainder of the term.

Students will require for each lesson: Togs/swimmers, rash vest or shirt, swimming cap, goggles, towel and a swimming bag. Students that do not bring these may not be able to swim and may be given an alternative task.

All students are expected to swim. Please email Mr Nolan at jlnol0@eq.edu.au if your child cannot swim. A handwritten note is also sufficient. Students of all levels and abilities are catered for.

School Representative Sport

Congratulations to Archie A (Australian Rules Football) and Savannah S (Football) who have recently competed at their school sporting competitions.

Archie successfully made the QLD U12 Boys team that played at the Sunshine Coast early this term. The team achieved a 3^rd place which was the highest placing in many years for a QLD team. Archie was a key member of the team playing in a variety of positions. Well done Archie and you should be very proud of your efforts!

My QLD AFL experience

By Archie A.

Last year I made the Metropolitan East team on a four-day trip to the sunshine coast as part of the State Representative School Sport competition.

During this competition, I played mostly forward, but also going back a bit, I had one great game where I kicked an amazing snap and kicked another goal against the Darling Downs. Although I didn’t make the Queensland team, I was still proud of myself making Metropolitan East/Brisbane.

This year, I tried out for the Lytton AFL team where I played in the midfield and forward and kicked a few goals. After a one-day carnival at Coorparoo, I was picked again for the Metropolitan East team. At the four-day carnival I didn’t kick any goals but still had some massive moments like a rundown tackle in the grand final. Even though we lost we still came second, and I got picked for the Queensland team for Nationals.

Three days before the carnival, we had a huge two-day training camp where we got to know our teammates and saw how they played. On August 3^rd the carnival started, and we played a massive game against South Australia, and we won. It was a huge game for us because it was not only our first game, but we beat South Australia, one of the hardest teams in the competition.

After that we had a recovery day down at the beach and the water was freezing but it was also great fun. The next day we played the Victoria, the hardest team who’s won the past 10 years in a row, so they were going to be a tough team, we lost but outscored them in 3 quarters and lost by 40. For our recovery day we went on a scavenger hunt trying to find things and my team came 6^th and in the middle of it I lost my team but eventually we found them and it was another fun day.

On August 5^th I played my best game yet, kicking one goal and really attacking the footy and getting best on ground, and with that we won by 100 against ACT. And again, after the match we had a recovery at the freezing cold beach. The next day we played against Western Australia where I kicked a great check side/goal. We still lost by five points and it was a thrilling match to watch according to my parents.

On August 7^th, we played Northern Territory and at the end of the game the scoreboard was 100-0 to Queensland. After the game we were singing our team song a team member jumped and landed on my infected toe with their studs. It really hurt for about a week afterwards. But the great news is that Queensland finished third, and we haven’t been on the podium since 2018. I feel great. This experience has made me much more confident in my game. I’m really pleased with the outcome and I’m looking forward to seeing some of my teammates if I make the Queensland U14 team in the next couple of years.

Savannah was successful in making the Met East Regional Girls Football team and demonstrated versatility by playing back right and left wing after usually playing in different positions. Well done, Savannah and keep up the great work!

Term 3 Gala Day Sports

All students in Yr 4-6 are looking forward to our Gala Day event tomorrow. We have been training well and preparing for our events on Tuesday afternoons.

Students will nominate to compete of the following three sports: Netball, Soccer and Australian Rules Football (AFL). Students compete in a fun and friendly format against students from other nearby schools. The focus is on enjoyment and participation. There are no awards, such as medals and trophies, given out at Gala Day. The three sports are held at various locations of which details are posted on consent forms.

Students will not be able to make late changes to their sporting selections due to administration and other reasons. 

If parents wish to take the children home from the venue, instead of returning to school, they will need to sign them out with a school staff member at that event. 

Students are to wear school uniform and need to make sure they are on time in the morning so as not to miss the bus. Departure times are included in consent forms.

Environment Club News

Coming up… ‘Save the Koala Month’

Save the Koala Month happens every September in Australia. During this month, people learn about the threats koalas face, such as losing their homes, getting sick, and climate change, and work together to protect them.

Some of the ways we are getting involved at MSS include:

• Learning more about Koalas and how we can help – with a special assembly presentation by Mr John Knights (Koala Rescue Brisbane South) on 1 Sep AND an amazing wildlife show from Geckoes Wildlife for our Year 1s and Environment Captains on 3 Sep.
• Throughout the month, classes will have an opportunity to learn more about koalas and other threatened species through learning activities and creative projects.
• Raising funds to support Koala rescue. For the month of September, ALL the money we raise through our 10c container collections will be donated to Koala Rescue Brisbane South. This is a great way for families to contribute – bag up your 10c containers and bring them to the collection bins under A block or beside the pool gate on Pashen St.

10cContainers2024.png

Sharon Wetzig

MSS Sustainability Partner

Chappy News

Chappy Vlad

P&C News

Morningside Flyers Swimming Club

Our 2025-2026 season is almost here, and we can’t wait! Registrations are now open, and our celebratory sign on night (including summer themed free dress day for the whole school) is scheduled Week 10, on Tuesday 16 September. You can join us anytime but sign on night is a great event for members to get together for a free swim, sausage sizzle and get into the spirit for the season proper, which starts in Term 4 Week 2 (October 14).

Flyers Highlights

• Our season starts in the second week of Term 4 and runs until late March 2026.
• We are a club that embraces volunteering! We create a roster across the season for parents to support the smooth running of club nights - timekeeping, marshalling, BBQ and canteen duties - All for our happy swimmers!
• Pay only $140 for the full season with significant family discounts for each additional child.
• Club nights start at 5.45pm on a Tuesday night at our very own Morningside State School pool.
• We offer all strokes from 12.5m (half pool) up to 100m for our more senior swimmers
• All levels and abilities are welcome. We welcome the most junior swimmers through to early teens
• Younger siblings can join in with 12.5m noodle races (flotation assisted).
• If your child is heading off to high school next year, you can join just for Term 4 and then see if you want to rejoin for Term 1 in the new year. Some of our past senior swimmers have enjoyed returning to Flyers after starting high school, whether it be to keep in touch with some of their Flyers friends or to enjoy the familiarity of their Morningside School community after the changes that the new high school environment brings
• All swimmers are welcome to join the Flyers – so invite your friends! We always have members from our local community who attend other local schools.

Come and join the Morningside Flyers – hang out with friends and make some new ones! We are also keen to expand our committee - so if you’d like to help us out, please contact us on the E-Mail address below or chat to us at sign-on night!

Register now!

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 bookings open 25/08/25 and close on 08/09/25, check out our super fun plans and make sure your child is booked in on the KT Connect app to secure their days!

Morningside State School - Outside School Hours Care
oshc@msspandc.com.au
0403 631 230

Tuckshop

Please make sure that you have updated your child’s class on QKR.

June Burfoot
Convenor

Community News

Shake N Stir

Hampton Swim School

Can you believe there is only 4 weeks until the school break. Let us help you with your September holiday planning. You can now book your swimmer(s) in for the two weeks we offer our beloved holiday program, whilst preparing your swimmer(s) for next term's school and club swimming! Full days, from 9am to 3pm, with specific days for specific strokes and a lot of FUN.

Keep your kids healthy and happy with our School Holiday Swim Clinics.

For a full program overview and more information on pricing, visit our Clinics website page.

Morningside Scouts

Di Farmer

Brisbane Softball Events

Exciting Free Event for Families and Students: "Brisbane 100: One City Together" at City Hall

Bunnings Warehouse