TERM ONE - ROUND UP

It has been yet another incredibly busy term, with a small ‘hiccup’ in the middle as Cyclone Alfred sent us into preparation for potential flooding, which thankfully did not eventuate. There was a massive, collective sigh of relief across our local community and indeed within the school when we returned to find only minor flash flooding and a couple of broken windows. We managed to come away relatively unscathed.

With the minor disruption to school over the week leading up to and after the cyclone (lots of moving resources to higher levels etc) we have been playing catch up with many aspects of school life. Having said that, our teachers have maintained the focus on learning and even managed to undertake NAPLAN with the year 3 & 5 students in the midst of the disruption. I have witnessed excellent work in classrooms right across the school.

It was particularly disappointing to postpone Monty’s Colour Splatacular last Friday. The weather and state of Gregory Park was just too bad to go ahead. We will have new date to announce shortly and, in the meantime, you can still access the portal and continue the fundraising effort.

Over the past fortnight it has been wonderful for our leadership team to be undertaking ‘Learning Walks’ in classrooms where we visit and speak with students focussing this term on English about what they’re learning, why, how do they know what to do to improve their work to get to the next level of learning, who or where do they go to get help and how do they know when they need the help. We meet with the teachers individually to discuss the responses.

This provides us and the class teachers with a snapshot of the teacher’s impact in the classroom and what they can celebrate and potentially address to improve the learning for the students in the weeks and months ahead.

The responses from students were very articulate, with the vast majority able to give clear and concise responses. They knew their personal goals, how to utilise the learning wall in the classroom and what the next step in their learning needed to be.

This process for the students is critical as it allows them to take responsibility for their learning and gives them that sense of independence that they can find ways to improve, before they go for adult assistance. Once they have undertaken this process, the class teacher can conference with them and address each student on an individual basis, providing feedback and direction where necessary.

SCHOOL REVIEW- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

You may remember that earlier this term we undertook a whole school review which is a part of the Department of Education four-year process to inform our next Strategic Plan 2026-2029. The review was undertaken by three principals who are seconded to the School Review Branch. They spent three days in our school, speaking with all members of the school team and many community members.

As with any organisation, there will always be great things to celebrate and then improvement strategies to help inform our next steps. We are always working towards our school motto which is ‘Creating the Future’ for our students. There will always be much to do as work towards developing ‘the whole child’.

Below is the Executive Summary which we have just received and will publish on the school website. We are very pleased with the outcome of the review. I want to thank all parents and wider community members who were contacted or approached for feedback. It will all help to inform our future planning.

PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

We have seen many parents take up the opportunity to come in to the school to speak with their child’s teacher/s over the past couple of weeks. The feedback I have had from parents has been very positive in terms of their child’s progress and the clearly positive relationship their building with their teacher.

What has been a little disappointing is that parents have made appointment times, only to forget the meeting and then have the expectation that the teacher will make another time at the parent’s convenience. The time that is allocated to undertake such meetings is precious to the teacher and indeed the parent. We can all have an emergency situation occur which is totally understandable and needs to be communicated to the teacher in a timely fashion. Some teachers waited after school until quite late in the evening for meetings where parents did not show up. 

In these situations, please do not expect that an alternative time will be made, when you as a parent have simply ‘forgotten’ to attend. Teachers have anywhere between 25-28 interviews to undertake, some even giving up a Saturday to do so.

PRINCIPAL WELLBEING SURVEY

Each year the Australian Catholic University undertakes a wellbeing survey with every principal across the country, state, private/independent and catholic. It focusses on workload and the treatment of principals by staff, students and community. I believe it is really important to highlight in every community, the results from this survey, so everyone can understand the impact being felt by principals.

This is not a bid for sympathy, merely an opportunity to determine the way forward across our country to address such issues, so we do not lose very experienced educators and leaders.

We are currently in the midst of a teacher shortage crisis and this is extending now to school leadership. We are truly struggling to fill schools from leadership through to teaching staff and the only way this can be turned around is if the wider community and parent community address these issues facing schools.

This is only going to disadvantage your children and the generations to come, when experienced leaders and teachers leave the profession and the roles either cannot be filled at all or are filled by those who are less suited or skilled, to the profession. The quality of teaching and learning will suffer significantly.

Let’s get behind our schools and show support, encouragement and respect. It is only then that we will maintain the great leaders and teachers that all children deserve. After all, as our motto states, together we are ‘Creating the Future’.

Below is the link to the latest report:

https://theconversation.com/it-is-a-seriously-difficult-role-and-only-getting-harder-school-principals-speak-about-stress-violence-and-abuse-in-their-jobs-253327?utm_medium=article_native_share&utm_source=theconversation.com

LONG SERVICE LEAVE

Over the three days between Easter and ANZAC Day, I will be taking long service leave. During this time, Deputy Principal Kylie Dunne will be acting in my place.

I hope you all have a lovely break over this time.

Kind regards,
Paul Zernike
Principal
pzern1@eq.edu.au

High Achievers - Year 5 & 6

Each year students are invited to Kelvin Grove State College to participate in the Brisbane City Collective High Achievers Program involving over 300 students in Years 5 and 6 from our Brisbane City Collective of Schools.

The Program will run at KGSC on Wednesday afternoons 1:00pm - 2:30pm from 7 May to 11 June 2025. A celebration evening will be held immediately following the last session on 11 June 4pm - 5:30pm with parents and staff invited.

Schools nominate high achieving students from Years 5 and 6. Programs include: English, Maths, Science, Digital Technologies – DigiSpace, Drama and Visual Art.

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected for this year’s High Achievers program for year 5 and 6 students.

Beatrix C

Maximus R

Kinoli C

Quinn L

Sophia L

Elsie J

Emily G

Jaclyn L

Maggie M

Abigail Q

Magnus J

Liam E

Catherine K

Charlotte C

Alice L

Cooper C

Hazel L

Please do NOT contact the school or teacher to nominate your child or to advocate for a program. This process is complete.

Teachers nominate students, then a rigorous process of using a range of evidence is use to shortlist students. Not all students can participate who are more than capable as the numbers are limited.

If they have been involved previously, it does not exclude them, but opportunity is given to those who previously missed out and fit the criteria. They cannot repeat a program from the previous year. We wish these students a wonderful experience as they engage in these programs in a high school setting.

This term Year 5 have been learning to create a written adventure narrative. 

Here are 2 examples from 5M. Enjoy!

The Mysterious Door

By Charlotte C     5M

Annabelle enthusiastically clambered to her feet at the sound of an eerie creak coming from the ancient door. She had been sitting in the long, dusty hallway right in front of the old, creaky, wooden door waiting for something miraculous to happen. “What is it?” she muttered under her breath. She stared at the door, with a vile expression on her face. It truly was unbearable not knowing what was behind the door. Annabelle contemplated about what might be behind the mysterious door. A labyrinth? A cage? A bustling village? Annabelle was still thinking about all the possibilities that might have be behind the door when it let out a muffled sound. In result, Annabelle cringed at the awful noise. Annabelle went to the cupboard and started scrabbling through different draws, trying to find the key that would open the mysterious door. Annabelle found items that she had never seen before. Portraits, old pictures, trophies. Why had she never seen them before?

Annabelle continued looking through the dusty draw. Finally, her hands fumbled with something cold and sharp. Annabelle quickly pulled it out. It was a sharp, shiny, smooth key. The key glinted in the sunlight as Annabelle held it up. Happy with her find, Annabelle quickly ran to the creaky door. She slotted the key in the hole, and turned the key. A stream of happiness, curiosity and eagerness rushed up her spine as she found out that it was the exactly right key. She heaved the door open, and stood in the doorway, amazed by what was behind the door. It was a beautiful bustling village, overflowing with small dwarfs. They were shouting all sorts of greetings to her. “Hello! Bonjour! Ola!” Annabelle felt completely flustered that she hadn’t knew that there was such a incredibly cool place behind the mysterious door. But as the little dwarfs kept shouting out greetings, it soon became havoc because the little creatures kept stopping to say hello. Plus, the poor little dwarfs behind them had to stop too.

Through bobby pins and keys, Annabelle triumphed opening the mysterious door, but now it was a big problem because every single time she opened the door to visit the tiny dwarfs, they would always stop to say hello. She figured out that if she sneakily slid through the door like a sly snake, without the welcoming dwarfs noticing, she could avoid the problem. The bustling little village was such a nice place to be, that Annabelle would frequently visit the miniature creatures. When Annabelle visited, she discovered that the dwarfs had amazing talent through music, because every time she visited, they always seemed to be doing a music concert, or practicing their instruments. She loved the times when the played the electric guitar, because the awesome little zips felt like a mustache hair being pulled out every time.

But this time when Annabelle entered, she heard a loud, deafening wail. What is it? Annabelle wondered. Sprinting to the square, she saw an older dwarf standing in the square, eyes flooding with tears. Her other friends were trying to comfort her. “Are you alright?” Annabelle asked.

“No!” she wailed, “My golden necklace is gone!”

“What does it look like?” Annabelle questioned.

“It was a family heirloom!” she sobbed, “It was gold, with a diamond in the middle.”

Annabelle sprinted to a nearby stack of golden treasures. It has to be here somewhere! She thought to herself. As she scrabbled through the precious piles of golden treasures, a chilling feeling crept up her spine. If the poor old lady had lost the necklace and she couldn’t remember where she had put it, a thief could have slipped the ancient necklace right of the back of the poor dwarf’s neck!

Annabelle crept down a desolate alleyway, making her way towards the box of treasures. The mission of the missing golden necklace was definitely a perilous journey for Annabelle. Could she complete it and return the necklace to the poor, old lady? The crates of treasure were stacked high above the ground, it looked impossible to find one specific necklace! Annabelle started climbing to the top of the treasures, but after a few minutes, her foot slipped. Annabelle flailed her arms, desperately trying to cling onto something. She continued falling, until she reached a small platform. Bam! Annabelle felt her ribs crushed against the hard material. Suddenly, rushing pain began in her rib cage. Surely there are at least a few ribs that are broken! she thought to herself. Annabelle slowly clambered down the pile of shining treasures. She hobbled to the nearest bench and lay still on the bench, waiting for a doctor to come.

“Annabelle Chase? Annabelle Chase?” a voice called. Finally! Annabelle thought. The doctor had finally come! He rushed over, bandaging her ribs with a tight plastic seal. “You should be fine now!” the doctor said, voice sounding triumphant. Annabelle sprinted back over to the treasure, desperate to return the necklace to the old dwarf. “Annabelle! Annabelle!” a mysterious voice called. Annabelle whipped her head around to where she had heard the voice. The alleyway was completely deserted. No one was there at the end of the passageway. “Weird.” Annabelle muttered. The desolate alleyway was deserted. She continued scrabbling through the precious piles of treasures. Annabelle knew that she had to be tenacious, no matter what or who got in her way! Meanwhile, a dark silhouette was lurking in the shadows, watching Annabelle’s every move.

By Pippi B

She fumbled with the labyrinth key then clambered into the desolate entrance. The door banged shut behind her, she began to contemplate her decision for the place felt eerie, a chilling feeling crept up her body and filled her lungs. It was different, not like the other times she had been there. Although she was tenacious to finish the job.

Bella had been working this job for two months now, she knew it was perilous but she needed the money! Every day just clean and leave. It was an easy job but she had dreaded the deafening silence every day, the dry air and the faint ‘stomp, stomp.’ That seemed to get closer every day.

“Ow!” She cried. The keys slipped in her grasp and she immediately fell to the ground and began to look for them but they were nowhere in sight. There was a six hundred dollar fine if you lose them! Finally, she spotted them a Millimetre away from her hand and picked them up, stuffing them into her pocket.

The girl began to stumble forward stupidly, mop in hand but as soon as the turned the corner a vile sight met her eyes. “A giant...” she muttered under her breath. She tried to lurk in the corner but too late! The giant greedily picked her up by her hair and roared in triumph. The girl cringed in pain, it was utter havoc. Her wail was muffled. It was almost unbearable, she had to think fast, she had to get away!  ‘Crash!’ she hit the floor, her stomach churned as she lay there flustered, with a still ominous feel about the place.

As soon as she could she began to run towards the exit but as soon as she ran through the intersection a horrid sight met her eyes. A towering man was standing in front of her, drooling uncontrollably. He had dry blood in his sticky beard and eyes like a snake’s. She screamed but no one could hear her, the man was scurrying towards her showing chipped black teeth and a bloodstained mouth. Bella began to back away but the man was gaining on her. “Hello little girl” he sneered. “Leave me alone!” She cried, Bella started to run backwards for she was too scared to look away from the man.

At last, this was the end, the man was barely a metre away from her. She felt a knob behind her and immediately twisted it. Bella fell back onto the grass, the door slamming behind her. She definitely wasn’t going in there again.

Kind Regards 
Anita Heinrich
Deputy Principal
ahein8@eq.edu.au

https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/literacy-and-numeracy/resources-for-parents-and-carers/helping-your-child-with-literacy-and-numeracy-at-home#Booklet0

READING

Recently we had a Pre-Parents reading information night, it was great to see so many parents attend. Thank you.  I came across these great resources & thought those on the lower school would find it helpful.

These resources have been created for parents, carers and families of children in the early years of school. The activities support the important learning that happens at home. They are designed for you to have fun with your child and to help them have a great start to their education.

SELF-REGULATION FOR CHILDREN

Self-regulation in children refers to their ability to understand and manage their own behaviour and reactions. It helps them learn, behave well, get along with others, and become independent.

Self-regulation strategies for children and teenagers

Here are practical ways you can help your child learn and practise self-regulation.

Cognitive self-regulation strategies

• Show your child how to plan. For example, ‘I’d better stop gardening now, so I can get you to soccer on time’.
• Help your child set goals and work towards them. For example, help your child plan how to complete a school assignment.
• Involve pre-teens and teenagers in problem-solving. For example, ‘I’m working all weekend, and I know it’ll be boring for you. Let’s work out how you can make the most of the time’.

Behavioural self-regulation strategies

• Plan for challenging situations that might make it hard for your child to behave in positive ways. For example, ‘The shop we’re going to has a lot of things that can break. It’s OK to look, but please don’t touch’. Give your child a gentle reminder as you enter the shop, as well as something to do with their hands.
• Play games like musical statues or duck, duck, goose, which can help your child learn to control their impulses.
• Encourage your child to save money for something they want.

Emotional self-regulation strategies

• Work on your child’s skills for understanding and managing emotions.
• Use calming down strategies for toddlers, calming down steps for preschoolers and school-age children and calming down steps for pre-teens and teenagers.
• Label your emotions. For example, ‘I’m feeling frustrated so I’m going to stop this job now. I’ll come back to it in a few minutes when I’m feeling calmer’.

If you’d like some more info :-

https://raisingchildren.net.au/

Thank you, 
Kylie Dunne
Deputy Principal
kdunn34@eq.edu.au

Reading through the Australian Curriculum

Did you know there are Department of Education resources to support how your child is reading at home?

Click on the following link to watch a Twilight Reading Session for Parents and Carers:

https://mediasite.eq.edu.au/mediasite/Play/d5a99b04712b44758dc85854bde46a3c1d

Supporting your beginning reader poster:

https://det-school.eq.edu.au/assets/reading/documents/twilight-reading-session-fridge-poster.pdf

Australian Curriculum: English

In the English Reading and Viewing aspect of the Australian Curriculum Achievement Standard, students are required to independently read age-appropriate texts. Independent reading requires both the ability to decode (word reading) and make meaning from printed text (comprehension).

Students are not required to independently read texts for the Speaking and listening and/or Writing and creating aspects of the Australian Curriculum English Achievement Standard. For these assessment tasks, the text may be read to the student.

Kind Regards,
Danni McNeill
Head of Teaching and Learning
dmcne31@eq.edu.au

Congratulations to Our Guess the Easter Egg Winner!

A big congratulations to Milan M. from Classroom 3B for winning our Guess the Easter Egg competition! Milan correctly guessed the amount of 387 chocolate eggs. Our Student Council Chairperson, Olivia B., delivered the jar to an excited Milan. 

Thank you to everyone who participated—your support helped raise $369.50 for the Australian Wildlife Warriors, supporting wildlife conservation efforts across Australia.

Well done, Milan, and thanks to our school community for your generosity!

Queensland State Swimming Titles

Last week Edwina S and Alex E of Year 6 swum for Met North School Sport and represented Milton SS at the Queensland State Swimming Titles at the State Swimming Centre against the best swimmers in their age group across Queensland. Congratulations to Eddie and Alex for their performances and reaching this level of competition. It is the very highest level of swimming in the state and a massive achievement. Edwina and Alex both swam in relays on Sunday before individual events on Monday and Tuesday with PB’s and fantastic results.

See below for their times and overall places in all of Queensland!!!!

Edwina S – 2025 Met North Swimming Team

11yo Girls // Born 2014

Freestyle Relay (Met North Team) - 6th Overall

Medley Relay (Met North Team) - 8th Overall

100m Freestyle – 27th overall (1:17.32 seconds and a PB!)

50m Freestyle – 27th overall (34.10 seconds and another PB!)

Alex E – 2025 Met North Swimming Team

12yo Boys // Born 2013

Medley Relay *Backstroke lead off - 9th Overall (39.15)

50m Backstroke – 38th overall (39.44 seconds)

From the entire Milton SS community, well done to both of you. We are all so very proud of your efforts Edwina and Alex. It has been wonderful seeing your performances improve over the years and your hard work pay off. Be proud of your efforts and take the time to reflect on your incredible results.

NRL Magic Round Tag League Gala Day (Prep – Year 2)

Excitingly, for all of our Prep – Year 2 students, the NRL will again be coming to Milton SS next term in week two on Wednesday 30th April, 11:30am – 1:00pm, for a mini gala day of Tag League Rugby League.

This coincides with the NRL’s Magic Round. The NRL and their staff will be running tag league games for all of our classes and kids from Prep – Year 2 after coaching the kids in the first few weeks of PE lessons the skills and how to play. With giveaways and possible player visits in the pipeline as well, it is an exciting event we are looking forward to. More details to come in term two.

Thank you
Lachlan Sayer
HPE Teacher 
lsaye12@eq.edu.au

This term Year 2 and Year 6 have had the opportunity to experiment and play with visual conventions, visual arts processes and materials while also exploring topics identified in other subject areas. On Monday and Tuesday, the students were able to share and view the art works created this term in their Visual Arts lessons. They should be very proud of the wonderful work they have produced.

Thank you
shannon Ravenscroft
Year 2 and Visual Arts Teacher

scrav0@eq.edu.au

AGM wrap up

The P&C AGM was held Tuesday 18 March in the Hive. Thank you to those who came along and also joined online via Teams. 

The P&C Executive 2024 thank all volunteers who played a part in events, fundraising & involvement across the last year, which enabled a successful year financially. A full treasurer's report is available to be shared on request.

At the AGM, the Executive Committee was dissolved and a new committee appointed for 2025 as follows:

• Thomas Rice, President (continuing from previous year)
• Leah Beadman, Vice President (continuing from previous year)
• Emma Watt, Vice President (new in 2025)
• Sarah Bassett, Treasurer (continuing from previous year)
• Ian Connor, Secretary (continuing from previous year)

We look forward to continuing momentum in 2025!

All are welcome to meetings, and to become members. Please reach out to pandc@miltonss.eq.edu.au with questions.

Keep your eyes out for an updated P&C section on the MSS school website in Term 2 also.

Next meeting - Tuesday 20 May

The meeting will be held at 7pm in The Hive, and will also be available online on Teams - a link will be shared closer to the date. Drinks & nibbles provided, and an opportunity to keep up to date with what's happening and input into future planning. All welcome! Please reach out to pandc@miltonss.eq.edu.au with questions.

The Paddington Pantry

The Paddington Pantry have generously offered to donate 10% of sales by school families to the P&C. Use code Milton10 in the notes when you're purchasing jams, sauces, gift packs & more.

Mother’s & Special Person's day stall - Thursday 8 May

Our annual stall is just around the corner! On Thursday 8th May, students will have the opportunity to purchase a thoughtful, affordable gift ($5 or $10) for their mum, grandma or special person!  With lots of goodies to choose from, it's the perfect way for kids to show how much they care. Best of all, every purchase helps support our school, so everyone wins! 

Donations of chocolates, new bath or body products, books in excellent condition or other thoughtful items are welcome. Please drop gifts to the school office. Thank you for your support!  

Milton Ladies Day - Saturday 10 May

Save the date for a fabulous afternoon. Tickets will be on sale in Term 2!

Fair on the Green  -  Saturday 18 October 

Preparation is underway! If you would like to be involved and join the committee, or have any suggestions - please reach out to Leah at faironthegreen@gmail.com

Thank you and have a wonderful Easter.

Thanks for your support, 
P&C Executive committee

Thomas, Leah, Emma, Sarah & Ian
pandc@miltonss.eq.edu.au

We are excited to announce that the award winning ‘Koor refillable bottles’ are now available from the Uniform Shop!

Ideal for school lunch boxes & perfect for families on the go! Koor is a revolutionary refillable bottle designed by Milton State School dad, Jean – Francois Roiron, to replace single-use plastic waste like the yoghurts pouches and promote sustainability.

To learn more visit https://koor.life

All Sports Team/House items are back in stock after the delay caused by TC Alfred, your patience has been greatly appreciated. 

Purchases can be made in store or via the Qkr app,

The Uniform Shop is open each Tuesday & Friday morning, 8.30am – 9.30am during school terms.

If you cannot make it into the store please place your orders online Via the Qkr App. 

Your order is then delivered directly to your Child’s classroom, no pickup is required.

*** Pre-loved items cannot be ordered online, please visit the store to see what’s currently available.***

Wishing you all a safe & Happy Easter Break,

Thank you,
Julie Rowlinson
Uniform Shop Convenor
Uniforms@miltonss.eq.edu.au