Term 4 Week 8 Friday 27 November 2020 FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK
It was really exciting to welcome our families and parents back
into school grounds earlier this week. For a school community who
builds its’ reputation on strong partnerships and connection, the
past 8 months has certainly presented challenges. Although we are
still a fair way off removing all restrictions, I would like to
thank you for your support and patience through these unprecedented
times. The amazing messages of support and gratitude sent on your
behalf have definitely provided the Merrimac staff a source of
inspiration to continue providing the highest level of care and
guidance through a difficult year.
Student Placements 2020 To help the school navigate class
placements and staffing, we would kindly ask any families who are
not returning to Merrimac State School in 2021 to notify our office
by returning the attached slip or e-mailing
[email protected]
End of Year Events Staff are extremely busy working behind the
scenes on various events ensuring our students are provided with as
many annual end of year experiences as possible. Last week our
Music team persevered through restrictions and presented an event
showcasing all areas of our Music department. This event was my
first official Merrimac performance and also doubled as the very
first attempt for Merrimac State School to live stream. I’d like to
thank all staff who were involved in this production for allowing
our students to shine. Over the past six weeks, many staff have
been involved in Prep Orientation, Prep experiences and generally
welcoming our new families for 2021. Again under challenging
restrictions, I’d like to thank the team of staff and volunteers
who supported our families and new students through this process.
Today our senior school are heading off to Merrimac State High
School to participate in our 2020 swimming carnival. It was also
great to see our parent spectator restrictions removed so that the
carnival can be implemented as per normal. Finally, our Year 6
graduation team are busy making adjustments so that our upcoming
ceremony accommodates for a restricted audience. It was really
pleasing to see that our decision to hold off locking in plans for
graduation, has allowed us to include our parents for this
experience.
Andrew Schumacher – Principal
KATSURAGI SISTER SCHOOL This year we were disappointed that the
planned visit by our Japanese Sister School, Katsuragi Elementary
School, had to be cancelled due to Covid-19. Our schools have found
other ways to celebrate and promote the friendships between the two
communities during this time. Recently many of our classes have
written and exchanged pen pal letters with the Katsuragi students.
Last week some of our Year 6 students conducted an online meeting
with a selection of Year 6 students from Katsuragi. The Merrimac
students introduced themselves and shared information about
themselves in Japanese and the sister school students introduced
themselves in English. Mr Schumacher and Mr Okada were also able to
introduce themselves during the Teams meeting as Principals of
their respective schools. Another online meeting between the two
schools will take place next week.
MLTAQ QLD ON-LINE SPEECH COMPETITION 2020 With over 2000 entries
this year throughout Queensland, receiving a First place/Elite
Award in grade 4 category is an amazing achievement!
Congratulations to Amelia S! Very proud. Congratulations also to
the following participants for their amazing efforts in the
competition this year: Zara W, Ruby H, Matthew R, Kate W, Kassandra
M, Jasmine A, Georgia-Lee G, Ezekiel W, Danielle S, Carlos T and
Annabelle K.
Sensei Marshall & Sensei Mason
Merrimac State School Newsletter
MUSIC NEWS Congratulations to all of our music students for a
wonderful performance at our live stream, Magic of Music event last
week. It was lovely to see you enjoying your music and wonderful
for you to have an opportunity to show us what you have been
learning this year. To access the recording please click on the
link that was sent for the live stream and type, ‘magic of music’,
in the search bar that is under the Merrimac Heading. Junior and
Senior Choir rehearsals have finished for the year. All band
rehearsals and lessons have finished for the year. If you have not
yet returned your instrument please do so as soon as possible.
String students will have their last lesson and rehearsal this week
(week 8). Mrs Losada will collect school instruments and music at
this time. Thank you, students and parents, for your commitment to
our music program. We hope to see you making music again next year.
SCHOOL UNIFORMS If you have spare uniforms at home we would
appreciate them at the office for use as spares, thanks. STUDENTS
OF THE WEEK Congratulations to the following Students of the Week:
Asher O P1, Tyler H P1, Abi B P2, Avesta B P2, Jaxson E P3, Diamond
S P3, Harry W P4, Angus M P4, Richelle N 12M, Corey L 12M, Flynn C
1A, Amy W 1A, Isabella M 1B, Tyler C 1B, Anna Y 1C, Maya M 1C,
Julena E 1D, Lex B 1D, Jayce G 2A, Miroslav Y 2A, Ruby R 2B, Jayden
G 2B, Grace C 2C, Edmond C 2C, Hannah H 2D, Ronan M 2D, Jake G 34M,
Jack S 3A, Anna G 3B, Miharu M 3C, Elara P 3D, Scarlet S 4A,
Bree-Anna H 4B, Travis C 4C, Chloe N 4D, Rylee M 56M, Maddison H
5A, Leilah D 5B, Sage C 5C, Pierce v 5D, Tyreice E 6A, Emily P 6C,
Tyler J 6D. STUDENTS OF THE MONTH - NOVEMBER Congratulations to the
following Students of the Month: Ciera W P1, Kat H P2, Zara M P3,
Mylarnia E P4, Isabella D 12M, Jordan Q 1B, Ava S 1C, Emma T 1D,
Zara W 2A, Haluku S 2B, Isla O 2C, Kaisey D 2D, Brock H 34M, Jai C
3A, Aiden H 3B, Thomas B 3C, Ethan H 3D, Tier C 4A, Coco B 4B,
Izaac D 4C, Dusty A 4D, Aaron K 56M, Ryan V 5A, Logan T 5B, Lucy J
5C, Riley P 5D, Riley D 6A, Solitaire F 6C, Max B 6D.
BOOKSHOP/UNIFORM SHOP HOURS Due to COVID-19 restrictions online
orders only via Flexischools. To place your order, go to
flexischools.com.au or download the app.
Due to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, bookpack collection
will now be directly from the bookshop Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays from 8am-10am up until Wednesday 9 December (last school
day for 2020) As we aren't able to try uniforms on, a uniform
sizing guide is on the back of the booklist and also available on
the school's website. If you are unable to collect your order,
please contact Nic by email at [email protected] to make
alternative arrangements. The bookshop will be open in the week
prior to school starting in 2021 on 20th , 21st and 22nd January
2021
from 8.00am until 12.30pm UPCOMING EVENTS Date Event Wed 2 Dec
Final Prep Experience Day Tue 8 Dec Report Cards emailed Tue 8 Dec
Year 6 Graduation – ticketed event Tue 8 Dec Year 6 only disco Wed
9 Dec Year 6 to Wet n Wild Wed 9 Dec Final school day for 2020 Wed
27 Jan First school day for 2021 MERRIMAC YMCA OSHC YMCA is the
provider for Outside School Hours Care at Merrimac SS. YMCA is a
child safe organisation that prides itself on high quality
relationships with the community, Families and children. Permanent
placements can be completed via my family lounge through the link:
http://www.ymcachildcare.com.au/services/outside-school-hours-care.html
. For any enquiries please email us at [email protected] or call
us on 0438 367 390.
YMCA Merrimac OSHC is pleased to announce that the Summer
Holiday Vacation Care Program is available for bookings via the My
Family Lounge App. Please contact us on [email protected] to
obtain a program activity overview, as well as enrolment
information if you are new to our service.