What a fantastic way to kick off the year!

Our students have enthusiastically returned to school, eager to learn, which is truly exciting.

We've begun this year with some changes, including new classroom teachers, adjusted class schedules, and even a fresh curriculum for some. Change can sometimes bring stress, so please prioritise self-care and reach out if you or your family need support.

Uniform Reminder

Now that we're in week 3, we kindly ask parents to ensure that all McKenzie Creek students are in full school uniform. If there are any concerns about purchasing uniforms, please don't hesitate to contact Treena Hogan, our student wellbeing worker, for assistance. Otherwise, feel free to speak with either Ben or Ronnie.

Absences

We understand that occasional absences due to appointments, illness, or other reasons may occur. We kindly request that you notify your program coordinator to ensure that we can follow up on absences and ensure everything is alright.

NAPLAN

As we progress through the term, NAPLAN assessments for year 7 and 9 students are approaching. This presents an opportunity for your child to challenge themselves and evaluate their learning progress. If you'd like more information or wish to discuss this further, please reach out to Dan Grner at 0473 238 253.

Parent/Teacher Interviews

We will be holding PT Interviews in Week 8 of this term. Details for this are:

Wednesday 20 March – Interviews for McKenzie Creek students – McKenzie Creek not running
Thursday 21 March - Interviews for all other programs – Programs not running (except McKenzie Creek)

More information about making bookings will be released over the next few weeks.

Lastly, a big thank you to our families for their efforts in ensuring their children attend school. If there's anything we can do to assist you, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

BLUE GROUP

Blue group are off to a positive start in 2024. Students have been engaged in their learning around Australia’s iconic ‘Big Things.’ Luckily after the fires last week the Giant Koala still stands and there may be a trip to learn more about this later in the term. Literacy skills have seen a focus on a variety of nouns. We are lucky to have once again partnered with Centre for Participation too and Danielle has worked out an amazing timetable of activities for us. So far, we have done cooking, played board games and been out to Patchwork Jungle fruit picking but it was the 6 week baby dachshunds which were the real highlight! Well done to all students on their commitment so far.

SENIOR GROUP

Extremely busy start to the year.

Many students completing PAT testing and career portfolios.

In addition some making inroads with their VPC work.

One student beginning a structured workplace learning placement and another beginning work experience.

Hot weather last week was an interruption.

MCKENZIE CREEK – First Weeks

The ‘Creekers’ have been able to make an excellent start to the new school year. We welcome our four new Year 7 students and appreciate the efforts of our Year 8 students to ensure that they feel settled and welcome to the new environment at McKenzie Creek.

Already, our students have been able to adapt to the routine and expectations very well as we commence our Math & English curriculum. This year students will also be engaged in several electives each afternoon including Home Economics, Physical Education, Art, Music & Media.

Students have been able to enjoy some of the tranquil walks out at the McKenzie Creek site including the ‘Bird Walk’ and ‘Rock Wall Walk’. Whilst walking students have been able to learn more about their peers and teaching staff, whilst keeping an eye out for birdlife and even the occasional kangaroo.

During the beginning of week 4, students commenced their Project-Based Learning (PBL) which includes them working collaboratively with their peers to clean & repair nine ‘Fat Wheel’ bikes as well as giving some much needed TLC to our dry & sad-looking garden beds.

Stay tuned for our winter harvest!

On behalf of the McKenzie Creek staff, we would like to congratulate our students for living and showing our school values of care, commitment, collaboration, and character each day.

Thanks,

Ben Murphy, Ronnie Couch & Pascall Patterson

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