20 March 2020

Newsletter Articles

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Coronavirus Update

At MHSS you are fortunate to have a very well organised, dedicated and experienced Leadership Team, as well as a very devoted staff. We have worked hard to ensure that we have a plan in place for whatever may happen with respect to the Coronavirus. We have also worked hard to ensure that your children are engaged in their learning throughout this challenging time.

We have carefully documented a MHSS Coronavirus Response Plan, which has been shared with our staff at a face-to-face staff meeting. Our whole MHSS team feel ready for whatever may happen in the future with respect to the virus.

How can you help? I urge you to do the following as proactive steps to support the school:

1. Ensure that we have your current contact details including your current email address. This will be the main platform used to keep you updated. It will also be the platform to which teachers send schoolwork for your child/ren in the case of school closure.
2. Monitor your emails and Q School notifications.
3. Do not send your children to school if they are sick. Please ensure you seek medical advice if they have any symptoms of the virus.
4. Ensure that you are supporting our effective hygiene practices at home.
5. Be kind and supportive to the MHSS staff. We are working hard each and every day to ensure that your child is safe AND engaged in their learning.

In line with new state laws, if anyone in your household returns from an overseas destination, children must stay away from school and self-isolate for 14 days from their date of arrival back home. Further advice and information about the coronavirus is available on the Queensland Health website at the link below.

In my 29 years of education, this year has certainly been one of the more challenging and different starts to a school year. I would like to thank everyone within our community for their support in navigating through this ever changing landscape. As always, the health and well-being of your children, and our staff, remain our number one priority. You can be assured that we have been preparing for many different scenarios and stand ready to act should the need arise. Thank you one and all.

Annual General Meeting for P&C

The P&C AGM was held last Thursday 12th March. Our 2020 P&C Executive Team is as follows-:

President-: Melissa Holland
Vice-President-: Rachele White
Secretary-: Alison McNamara
Treasurer-: Sally Grassick

I thank them all in advance for volunteering their time to be a part of our P & C.

Cancelation of Events and Activities

As stated in an email sent out to all families last Sunday evening, a number of events and activities have been placed on hold or cancelled. Please understand this is only a precautionary measure I am implementing at Musgrave Hill and I will continue to operate under the advice I receive from the Education Department and Queensland Health. Schooling at Musgrave will continue as per normal and our school is still open for learning.

The events and activities postponed or cancelled until further notice-:

• Meet and Greet (everyday)
• All School Assemblies (every week)
• All Excursions
• Swimming Program for Year 5 and 6 (week 10)
• Playgroup
• Religious Instruction Concert
• P-2 Easter Concert (week 10)
• School Cross Country (week 9)
• Spell Off
• Chinese Trivia Day
• TSS Sports Agility
• Breakfast Club
• Homework Club

Julie-Anne McGuinness - Principal

ASSEMBLY AWARDS

TUCKSHOP NEWS

Thank you to everyone that supported our Sushi Day, we are hoping to have at least one of these a Month so keep an eye out. In regards to the latest information with Covid-19 I would just like to reassure everyone that myself and Rach are following a very strict cleaning schedule and are making sure that all benches are cleaned correctly after each service. If you do have any concerns please come and see us.

As I’m sure you are all aware that shopping centres are struggling to keep items on the shelves which can make it quite difficult to make lunches. I am a mum of four school age children and so is Rach and we often talk about lunch ideas with each other. Here are some handy hints that we both use to get us through the week:

1. Long Life Custard and Canned Peaches/Apples - not too badly priced with 1 litre of custard costing around $1.50 and the canned fruit costing around $2.50. You can usually get around 5 lunch snacks for two kids for this.
2. Frozen Pastry Pinwheels – You can change up the flavours by using vegemite & cheese, cheese & ham, pizza sauce & cheese, frozen spinach & feta. Simply lay out your pastry sheets, cover them with your choice of spread and top with toppings. Roll lengthways and then cut into pinwheels. Bake in the oven at 180 degrees for around 15-20 minutes. They can be served cold as well, just make sure to keep them in the fridge once cooked. These will usually cost you around $6 per week if you use what you have in your pantry already. 1 frozen pastry sheet will make 6-8 pinwheels, I usually pack 2 per child (sometimes 3 for the older kids) so for a family of four kids your looking at making at least 6 sheets for the week.
3. Visit your local fruit shop and grab some carrots, cucumber, celery or capsicum. It’s a nice easy lunch time snack and not too badly priced. Because you are buying in bulk you’re looking at around $2 per item. I do this myself and have found that it costs around $8 as I buy some apples as well and this will last all four girls for the entire week.
4. Another easy snack is mini muffins with fruit – You can use the canned peaches/apples as well which will save some more money. Try using the no name brand cake mixes you can usually pick these up for under $1, so with eggs, milk, butter and fruit you can get 20 mini muffins for around $4 with four kids they will last the full week of school.

Recipe of the Week

Vegetarian Taco Pasta Bake

Ingredients:

• Red onion diced
• Can of Tomatoes
• 1 Packet Taco Seasoning
• Garlic
• Frozen Spinach
• Cream
• Pasta Spirals

Method:

1. Boil pasta and set aside.
2. Fry off onion and garlic with taco seasoning in a fry pan over medium heat for 5 minutes.
3. Add in the can of tomatoes and the frozen spinach (approx 5 cubes). Cook for another 5 minutes until spinach has broken down.
4. Pour in cream and turn down to low, simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Add in the cooked pasta.
6. Once heated through place in an oven proof dish and top with cheese bake for 20 mins at 180 degrees.

Uniform News

We have started to receive our shipments and are trying to get all backorders filled. If you have any concerns please come up and see either myself or Rach. In regards to online ordering, as soon as we have counted and entered all stock into our system we will make the items available on Qkr! Thank you for your patience.

Sally and Rach – Tuckshop/Uniform Convenors

P&C News

Leukaemia Foundation Fundraider

I would like to thank everyone that donated to our Crazy Hair Day. We raised over $600 with our two young men in Year 6 raising over $800 that makes our total over $1400 and we are still receiving donations. This is an amazing cause that we support each and every year.

Sally McWilliams - P&C Treasurer

CLASSROOM CAPERS – 2 RED AND 2 MAUVE

A WORD FROM OUR GUIDANCE OFFICER

As you know this is an anxiety provoking time for many due to the uncertainties, the rapidly changing information and the hype the media generates. It is important we all remain calm, and informed at this time.

Below are some sites that provide information for parents and families that may be of use. These recommendations have been suggested by the CYMHS/Ed-LinQ Coordinator.

SBS: what to tell your kids about Coronavirus at the link below.

• How to cope with COVID-19 Anxiety https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/coronavirus-how-to-cope-with-covid-19-anxiety-1.4202396
• Department of Education has a coronavirus factsheet https://education.qld.gov.au/students/student-health-safety-wellbeing/student-health .
• Reach Out Schools - https://schools.au.reachout.com/natural-disasters/dealing-with-bad-world-news
• Emerging Minds - https://emergingminds.com.au/ - If you scroll down about half way there is a video to upskill them in how to talk to your child about the pandemic.
• Headspace - https://headspace.org.au/young-people/how-to-cope-with-stress-related-to-covid-19/
• Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY)
  o How to talk to your children about coronavirus – ABC
  • Cora's mum Denise said her daughter cried for about four or five days because she had been discussing it with her classmates and was anxious about her grandparents as well as her own health.
  o Worried about your child getting coronavirus? Here’s what you need to know – The Conversation
  • The best way to avoid COVID-19 infection (and infection with any other respiratory virus) is by washing your hands with soap and water, using a tissue or the crook of your elbow to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and by avoiding close contact with others who are unwell.

A WORD FROM OUR CHAPLAIN

To the MHSS community

I've included a Chappy Update for Term One.

In light of all that is happening in our community and the world there can be opportunity for unrest and concern.

Please know that if you or your family are in need of a chat or a form of support that we as a school community can help with, please don't hesitate to contact me.

I'm available this term on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday or you can email me at rjour3@eq.edu.au