Whole School News
T4, Week 5
The Parent Portal
Hopefully your family has received an email invitation to our Parent Portal. We have received confirmation that the App is now available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for downloading, search for (CEM Parent Portal) or follow the links on the MCS HUB Home Page.
Once you have logged into the Portal once via the weblink in your email you will then have a username and password to login to the App for easy access on your phones.
We believe this new addition will help to enhance communication and the delivery of timely information for our whole community. Of course the MCS HUB continues to be updated in regards to our community calendar and relevant Primary and Secondary pages with new Term Overviews and the 2027 Year 12 Assessment Schedules now included.
Upgrading Student Devices over the Christmas Break?
As the school year draws to a close, we know many families consider updating or purchasing new devices for their children over the Christmas holidays.
To help ensure any new technology is fully supported in the classroom next year, please take a moment to review our Student Technology Requirements document before buying.
A few key reminders when considering a device:
iPads (Primary K-6): Must be able to run the latest operating system (iPadOS) and feature a USB-C connection. Please note that iPad Minis are not supported due to NAPLAN testing compatibility.
MacBooks (Secondary): Must meet minimum specification requirements, including an M2 processor (M3 recommended) with at least 8GB RAM and 256GB storage.
Headphones: Primary students require wired headphones with a USB-C adapter (if needed) to remain at school for classroom use and NAPLAN testing.
You can view the complete specifications, model compatibility, and software setup guides in our full document here: Student Device Requirements Document.
Thank you for partnering with us to keep our learning environments running smoothly.
Defence Families Paint and Cake Afternoon
Last Friday afternoon our defence families enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of Paint and Eat Cake. The students were given the opportunity to paint beautiful poppies on canvas ready to display for Remembrance Day. This was a great time of connection and fun together as our families celebrated the masterpieces being created by our students. The paintings are now available for your viewing in the school office. Thank you to Mrs Pegg for facilitating the experience and to Mrs Hartwig for organising the event.
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Remembrance Day 2026
On Wednesday, 11th November MCS stopped to remember and honour the men and women who have sacrificed their lives to serve Australia in areas of conflict so that we can live in a peaceful country. Our Student Leaders represented the school at the Medowie Community Remembrance Day Service while the rest of the school met at the MCS flag pole to honour the fallen at 11am. Thank you to all the students involved in both services. You were excellent ambassadors of MCS.
Remembrance Day at Medowie Social
On the 11th day of the 11th month, our Primary and Secondary Student Leaders took a short trip down to the Medowie Social on the bus to the Medowie Community Remembrance Day service.
The Remembrance Day service was a time when the local members of our community came together to remember the men and women who gave up their lives for our freedom in World War I.
Our school participated in a poem reading and a wreath-laying. It was a meaningful opportunity for the community to come together, pay their respects and remember the people who helped shape the country we live in today.
This ceremony has touched our hearts, the future generation, and we have learnt that a community can only be in harmony when it is able to recognise the cost of its peace and happiness.
As a school community, we are reminded of the importance of remembering the past and showing gratitude of the sacrifices made by others.
Lest we forget.
- Letty and Ruby
On Wednesday, the 11th of November, the MCS Leadership Team visited the Medowie Social to pause and reflect on the significance of Remembrance Day, honouring the men and women who have served and sacrificed for our country.
It was a beautiful, sunny day and the service was a deeply meaningful reminder that behind the history we learn about are real people, families and stories of courage, loss and sacrifice. It is easy to take the freedom and opportunities we have today for granted, without fully recognising the sacrifices that have made them possible.
As we move forward in our day-to-day life, we must continue to recognise the
significance of this day and pass its meaning on to future generations.
Lest we forget.
- Lydia
The memorial service held at the Medowie Social on Wednesday was a time of deep significance, as the Student Leadership Team took time to reflect and listened to those who shared about the sacrifices that were made so that we can enjoy the freedom that we have today.
We reflected on the lives that were lost during The Great War as they fought for not only their nation, but for peace.
We continue to be grateful to the soldiers who continue to serve our country and uphold the legacy of the ANZAC’s. As well as their families, who remain strong as they support their loved ones who serve our nation.
Lest we forget.
- Jessie
Alinta Uniform Shop Notice
2027 Student Bus Passes - Travel Information
The following message is from the NSW Government, for parents and students who use public transport to and from school:
Applications are now open for 2027 SSTS travel Applications are now open for 2027 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel. Students must re-apply or update their details as soon as possible if they:
are changing schools or campus location
are changing home address
are repeating a year
have received an expiry notification for their school travel entitlement.
If a student has lost their School Opal card, they will need to apply for a replacement card. Note: a new card will not be issued if an existing School Opal card is updated online – you must submit a replacement application if a School Opal card is lost.
School Opal cards
Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their card at their nominated postal address from mid-January 2027.
In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.
Terms of Use
Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use. Not tapping can result in penalties or losing access to free travel. Tap on and tap off data also helps Transport for NSW and operators understand how many students use each service. If students don’t tap, services may appear underused, which can lead to cuts or cancellations.
School Opal cards allow travel between school and home, within the approved times of 6.30am to 7.00pm, Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times.
All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.
Stroud Bicentenary Bush Dance
The Stroud 200 & Stroud Lions warmly invite you to the Stroud Bicentenary Bush Dance. This is a non-profit community event, and organisers are hoping to welcome as many families as possible to this once-in-a-lifetime celebration.
