P-12 News

This is our last full newsletter for the year and we have so much to tell you. Please take your time to read through all the news, including

• new staffing announcements,

• our new Clarencetown/Dungog bus service for 2023,

• student medications,

• changes to how we manage early leaving students in 2023,

• our 2023 swimming carnival date and more!

2023 Staffing News

Kindergarten Teachers for 2023

Congratulations to our Kindergarten teachers for 2023. We are so pleased to have Mr Brett Allen and Mrs Laura Lilley teaching our wonderful Kindergarten children next year. Mr Allen has been working at MCS this year and has a wealth of experience working and leading in the younger Primary years. Mrs Lilley is a well known and loved MCS teacher who is excited to be part of the Kindy duet for next year.

Secondary HSIE - Josh Matthews

We welcome Josh to the MCS secondary team. Josh is thrilled to be joining the MCS community and looking forward to getting to know the students, parents and staff. Josh’s undergraduate degree is in Architecture and he and his wife attend Hunter Bible Church. Josh says ‘I absolutely love teaching and it has certainly confirmed my desire to be an educator. My background in Architecture has provided me with a unique understanding of the spaces and places of the world.’ We look forward to getting to know Mr Matthews as he joins the team next year.

Mrs Cheryl Burke - Learning Support and Well Being Coordinator

It is wonderful to have Mrs Burke join the MCS team again in 2023 and provide leadership to students and staff. Cheryl was Principal of MCS from 2001 - 2009 during which time, classrooms and facilities were developed and the school grew from in the 30’s to 400. Cheryl is excited to be able to return and work at the school. Mrs Burke will provide a positive addition into the support and well being teams.

Farewell Mr Al Westbury

We are sad to say farewell to Mr Westbury and want to take this opportunity to thank him for the way he has built our sports program over his time with MCS. He goes with our blessing as he steps out on a new adventure for 2023. Congratulations on your new appointment.

Teacher Training School Student - Adam Sheen

We have a TTS student, Mr Adam Sheen, joining us at MCS next year as he continues his studies to become a teacher. Mr Sheen will be working alongside the HSIE teaching team 2 days per week as works to complete his teaching studies in an apprenticeship based model. Welcome Mr Sheen!

End of Year Celebration Presentation Day starts at 11:30am

Families are warmly invited to join us for our end of year Presentation Celebration on Tuesday, 6th December from 11:30am - 12:45pm in The Lighthouse.

MCS Bus Services for 2023

We are excited to announce our intention to commence a new Clarencetown/Dungog bus run in 2023, while continuing our current two services.

MCS has secured two additional school buses, providing a total of three school bus runs to help service our community.

If you would like to use one of our bus services in 2023 please complete the this form by Friday 2nd December. This includes both families who currently use our services and anyone wishing to use our buses in 2023. This will enable us to plan our services and routes for 2023.

Student Medications

If your child has medication administered at school could you please come to Reception to collect any remaining medication on either Wednesday, 7th or Monday, 12th December between 9:30am and 3:30pm. Any medication not collected by this date will be disposed of in a safe manner.

2023 Medication Plan - To help support our families who have children that require medication to be administered during school hours, we will have a medication drop off day on Tuesday, 17th January 2023 from 9:30am to 3pm. All Emergency Care Plans and updated Permission to Administer Medication Forms need to be updated for 2023. If you are unable to attend on this day please contact our Student Services team to organise an alternative time.

Changes to Early Leaving Students for 2023

We know it can be difficult to book medical, specialist and dental appointments outside of school hours, and sometimes families may need to pick up their child early to attend an appointment. In order to minimise disruptions to classrooms and our student’s learning, we ask that all families advise, via email, both our Office and the student’s teacher (Primary School) or Year Advisor (Secondary School) prior to 9am on the day of the appointment. This will help us to ensure your child is at the Office, ready for you to pick up at the appointed time.

We will be unable to call the classroom for last minute pick-ups unless it is a genuine family emergency.

Christmas Chapel and Markets Monday, 5th December

This year our theme for the event is 'He Made Himself Known'. Students will be spending time on this day exploring the Christmas message and how through the gift of Jesus, God made a way for a relationship with Him to be possible. As part of this event, students will also be able to participate in our Christmas Festival where they will be able to visit student created and run markets. There will be a number of items available on the day for purchase, ranging in price from $1 to $10.

2023 Year 3 - Year 12 Swimming Carnival - save the date!

It's hard to believe we are already filling up our 2023 calendars, but it's true! Our swimming carnival is booked for Wednesday, 8th February 2023, which is Week 3 of Term 1. Permission notes will be sent out via the Parent Portal by the end of Week 1.

Primary School Playground Update

Our Primary Playground is progressing nicely, much to the delight of our Primary students. The workers are completing the playground at a fast pace and each day the children are excited to see the progress and watch the workers.

School Uniforms

The Alinta Uniform Shop will be open until Friday, 16th December, on the following days and times

• Mondays from 8am - 10am (28/11, 5/12 and 12/12)

• Wednesdays 2:30pm - 4:30pm ( 30/11, 7/12 and 14/12)

• Fridays from 8am - 10am (2/12, 9/12 and 16/12)

All orders placed during the holiday break will be dispatched or available for collection from Wednesday, 18th January.

The Uniform Shop will reopen in January 2023 on the following dates and times:

• Wednesday, 18th January 8:30am - 4:30pm

• Wednesday, 25th January 8:30am - 4:30pm

• Friday, 27th January 8am - 10am

For all new students, please visit the Uniform Shop website to book a fitting time. You will need to register on the site first and then you will be able to book a fitting.