31 October 2025

Principal’s Message

2025 School Explicit Improvement Agenda (EIA):
Curriculum – English
Multi-tiered Approach to support
Curriculum – Math V9

Dear Miami State School Community,

Thank you again for the continued positive communications I have with parents, carers and students of Miami State School. I am thoroughly enjoying being out and about in the playground, spending time in classrooms, talking to children before and after school. All of our students continue to show how respectful, friendly and engaging they are. 

Staffing Update – Deputy Principal Appointment

We would like to share an update regarding staffing within our Leadership Team. Mr Ben Edmunds has been successfully appointed as Acting Principal at Merrimac State School for the remainder of Term 4.

While Mr Edmund’s departure represents a significant loss for our Miami State School community, this appointment is a wonderful professional opportunity and a testament to his outstanding leadership. Merrimac State School are extremely fortunate to have such a capable and dedicated leader supporting them as they conclude the 2025 school year.

We know our community will join us in congratulating Mr Edmunds and wishing him every success in this new role.

For the remainder of Term 4, Mrs Kerri Fields will step into the Deputy Principal (Years 4–6) role. Mrs Fields brings a wealth of experience and deep knowledge of our students and school priorities, ensuring continuity and strong leadership across all areas.  We thank our community for their continued support as we celebrate these exciting professional achievements within our leadership team.

Moana -  Celebrating Our Musical Marvels

I am bursting with pride as I reflect on the incredible talent showcased by our students during their recent performances of ‘Moana Jnr’. Their dedication, teamwork, and passion for music, dance and drama were on full display in a spectacular show that truly blew me away. The skill and enthusiasm they brought to the stage created a performance that will be remembered for years to come. Congratulations to all involved – you’ve made our school community exceptionally proud!

Prep Enrolment Interviews

We have welcomed our 2026 Prep students into the school, having our enrolment interviews. Our kindy and family day care providers have done an outstanding job in preparing our newest students to Prep in 2026.  If you have a 2026 Prep aged child, I encourage you to contact the school office on 5595 4888 to book in an enrolment meeting and participate in our enrolment interviews.

Teacher Gifts

At the end of each school year I have witnessed generous expressions of appreciation in the form of gifts from families toward staff members. These are commonly to those who have cared closely for their children and are certainly appreciated. At the risk of appearing grinch-like, I must explain that there are some gifts unfortunately, that, due to policy, staff members cannot accept e.g. cash or items that can readily be converted to cash, items valued at $150 or more (sometimes occurs when a group of family’s pool resources to purchase a gift for someone), or, where it could be perceived to be an attempt to obtain favour. If you intend giving gifts, please be aware of the staff member’s obligations according to the Department of Education policy, as refusing a gift can evoke uncomfortable feelings for both parties.

2026 ENROLMENTS – NOW OPEN FOR ALL YEAR LEVELS 

Our school is now taking enrolments for the 2026 school year, please get your enrolment forms in early, if possible, to inform school planning. Should you know of friends or family looking to join our great school, please inform them that they are also most welcome to contact the school for further information and to obtain an enrolment package. 

Is your Prep-Year 5 student transferring to another school in 2026?

We would appreciate early notice if your child, or children, will be transferring to another school in 2026. Please inform the office by phone on 5595 4888 OR email office@miamiss.eq.edu.au at your earliest convenience.

Exemption from School

Families intending to commence Summer Holidays earlier than December 12th, and will be away from school for longer than 10 school days, need to complete an Exemption from Compulsory Schooling form. The form is available from the school’s front office. The new school year commences on Monday 26th January 2026. If your family is not back to commence the school year on day one, you will need to complete a Day Eight attendance form. This is available from the office. In order to effectively plan for classes in 2026, it is imperative that families complete the Day Eight Attendance form before the end of the 2025 school year.

Have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to another fantastic fortnight at Miami!

Warm regards,

Jemille Malouf
Principal

Deputy Principal’s Message

Learning from Mistakes – The Power of the “Just-Right” Challenge

At our school, we believe that mistakes are not setbacks — they are stepping stones to learning. Every time a child gets something wrong, it’s an opportunity to think differently, problem-solve, and grow stronger as a learner. This idea sits at the heart of how teachers design learning experiences every day.

The Zone of Proximal Development – Learning in the “Sweet Spot”

The Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky described a powerful idea called the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD).
In simple terms, the ZPD is the sweet spot for learning — the space between what a child can do easily on their own and what they can’t yet do, even with help.

When children work within this zone, learning feels challenging but achievable. They might struggle a little, make mistakes, and need some guidance — and that’s exactly where the best learning happens. Too easy, and they don’t grow; too hard, and they become frustrated. But in the middle — the just-right challenge — children build confidence, persistence, and new skills.

What This Looks Like in Classrooms

All teachers at our school use the principles of the Zone of Proximal Development in their everyday teaching.
They provide the right mix of challenge and support — known as scaffolding — to help students stretch their thinking while still feeling safe and encouraged. Teachers might ask guiding questions, model a skill, or work through an example together before gradually stepping back to let the child take over.

This approach ensures that every student is working in their personal learning zone — challenged enough to grow but supported enough to succeed.

How Parents Can Help at Home

You can support your child’s learning in the same way teachers do at school:

• Embrace mistakes – When your child makes an error, stay calm and positive. Try saying, “That’s okay — mistakes help your brain grow.”
• Ask guiding questions – Instead of giving the answer, ask, “What have you tried so far?” or “What could you do differently?”
• Celebrate effort, not just results – Praise persistence, focus, and problem-solving. This helps children see that success comes from trying, not just getting it right.
• Model learning from your own mistakes – Let children see that adults make mistakes too, and that it’s a normal part of learning.
• Encourage perseverance – Remind your child that learning takes time and that it’s okay not to understand everything straight away.

By working with your child in this way, you’re helping them develop resilience, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

In Summary

At school and at home, children learn best when they’re challenged just enough and supported with patience and encouragement. Together, we can help them see mistakes not as failures, but as essential steps in the journey toward understanding.

Julia Hoy
Deputy Principal Prep – Year 3

Office/Finance News

Communication: It is important that all communication relating to change of personal details and payments are directed to our office@miamiss.eq.edu.au email address.

DEBTOR STATEMENTS (Please see example below)

Debtor statements will be issued at the beginning of each month.  A statement will show all of your enrolled students at Miami State School on the one statement.

If you don’t receive a statement, it means that you have nothing owing on your student’s account. 

If you receive a statement and it shows a (-) negative sign in front of the $ amount, it means you are in credit on your account.  PLEASE DO NOT PAY.  When future invoices are issued, please advise the school and we can apply the credit to your invoice.  If you would like the credit on your account applied to a current invoice that is showing on your statement, you will need to notify the school for us to apply this credit.  If you have any queries, please email the office on office@miamiss.eq.edu.au or call on 5595 4888. 

Please ensure when you are making a payment, that you pay it against the original invoice NOT against a statement.

Excursions / Incursions:

Payments

Please ensure when making a deposit into the school bank account you put your students name and invoice number as a reference.  This ensures we can apply it to your invoice promptly.

No late payments will be accepted, please note direct deposits can take up to 3 business days for funds to clear.

If you are experiencing any financial difficulties, please contact our office (office@miamiss.eq.edu.au) to request a payment arrangement.

How to record a Student Absence

• Option 1 - Text our SMS line on 0427 904 333 with student’s full name, class and the reason for absence (This is our preferred method). As the SMS text automatically goes into our school system.
• Option 2 - Email absentee@miamiss.eq.edu.au, with student’s name, class and reason for absence.
• Option 3 - Contact our office on 07 5595 4888 and press 1 to leave a voicemail informing students full name, class and the reason for absence.

If you receive a text message for an unexplained absence, please reply to the text ASAP with a reason for absence to avoid us contacting you and interrupting your busy day.

Thank you 😊

Office Staff

HPE News

Miami Mavericks Share a Moment to Remember at Royal Pines

In the lead-up to the National Championships, our Miami Mavericks Flag Football team took part in a special day of activities at Royal Pines — an experience that was about far more than just sport. It was a moment for our players to connect with teams from across Australia, celebrate how far they’ve come, and reflect on the journey that brought them here. Amidst the excitement, our team took a quiet moment to step aside — to show gratitude. Together, they shared heartfelt thanks for one another, their coaches, and the unwavering support of their families who have been there every step of the way. In a touching exchange, our students presented their Supporter Shirts to their families, symbolising the strength and encouragement behind every player. In return, our proud parents had the honour of presenting their children with their official NFL game jerseys — a powerful moment of pride, connection, and shared purpose. * There may have even been a few tears shed.

It was a reminder that this team is built on more than skill and effort — it’s built on community, respect, and belief in one another. As our Mavericks step onto the field tomorrow for Nationals, they do so with full hearts and the spirit that has defined their journey from the very beginning.

“I got you, you got me, and we got us!

The coaches and players wish to convey their genuine appreciation for the unwavering support from our flag families. Nationals was an incredible experience that will leave a lasting impact on these students and all involved. Exceptional effort with a podium finish (it’s not everyday you can say that your team is the 3^rd best in the country). Mr Stephens and Mr Crilly are overjoyed with the remarkable growth and dedication these individuals have exhibited over the past 5 months.

Year 5 PE – Basketball Term

Year 5 students are diving into basketball for their PE unit. Thanks to Sporting Schools funding, we’re lucky to have support from our very own JEP/TSP basketball coach, Mr Rod, who brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the court.

Mr Rod has been assisting Year 5 classes with skill development and game play, he will also visit some of our younger grades to give them a fun preview of what the JEP Basketball Program has to offer.

Rugby League Development

Mr Crilly and Troy (Development Officer) for Burleigh Bears have begun training sessions for a group of interested Year 5 students. This was a free activity offered from our local rugby league team. These sessions are being run on Tuesdays during their lunch break for the next 3 weeks. Great to see a mixture of those who are not only brand new to the sport but also current players.

Senior Swimming Carnival – Nominations Closing Soon!

Excitement is building as we prepare for our Senior Swimming Carnival on Friday, 21st November! Over the past fortnight, Mr Crilly-Hargrave has been collecting event nominations from our senior students.

We encourage families to have a chat with their children—particularly those who swim in squads—about the events they’ve entered. This Friday will be the final day to submit nominations, so please make sure everything is in before the deadline.

Mr Crilly has met with all classes and shared reminders across our communication platforms to ensure every keen swimmer has the chance to get involved. After Friday, nominations will close as the HPE team finalises the program for timekeeping.

We can’t wait to see our students dive in and make a splash on the day!

25m Participation Races

For all other students, we’ll also be offering 25m fun races. These events are a great way for everyone to get involved, enjoy the carnival atmosphere, and earn valuable House points in a relaxed setting. We will also have novelty races in between each stroke to maximise enjoyment for the day!

Ben Crilly-Hargrave - HPE

DANZA 2025!

Our TSP Dance team had the honour of performing their beautiful lyrical piece at Merrimac State High School’s dance show, DANZA!

It was a truly wonderful experience for our students to share the stage and be inspired by the incredible talent and creativity showcased by Merrimac’s dancers. Our students were absolutely amazing, performing with such grace, emotion, and professionalism. They represented Miami with pride and captivated the audience from start to finish.

A huge thank you to Merrimac State High School for inviting us. We are so grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to continue fostering passion and talent in the arts with you.

Jessica Dutton – Dance

Pancakes

PANCAKE MORNINGS for Term 4 will be yrs Prep–3, Monday 17th November (wk.7) and yrs 4-6   Monday 24th November (wk.8). We serve from 8.15am until 8.45am.

Can you help us stock up?   We need: Pancake shake mix, Paper plates and Maple Syrup (not Golden Syrup). Donation Items can be dropped at the front office. Thank you for your generosity and support and to all those who have donated previously.                                                         

*(Chappy always has Gluten free pancakes available for students on request).

Shane Scott (Chappy)

PBL Focus Week 3

PBL Focus Week 4

Office Notice Board Week 3 – Prep S

This Term Prep S are exploring the wonderful world of Julia Donaldson. 

Prep S enjoyed a nature hunt around the school to create one of Julia Donaldson's much loved children's books, Stickman. 

Office Notice Board Week 4 – 1S

Tuckshop

Our wonderful tuckshop is always looking for an extra pair of hands to help out. If you have a little spare time, they would love for you to pop in and give them a hand.  Please contact the tuckshop via,

email:  miamisstuckshop@gmail.com

After School Programs

Please note these programs are facilitated by external providers and you are required to make any enquiries or bookings directly with the relevant provider. Please ensure you are on time to collect your student from the relevant location. Collection of students from the oval and multi-courts to be via Pizzey Road tennis courts (not through the school).

TERM 4 – 2025 AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITES

Sports X (Soccer)

• Nate Kast Ph: 0488 756 751 Monday’s Wk 2 to Wk 9 (8wks) from 3.00pm – 4.00pm

Sports X (Flag Football)

• Nate Kast Ph: 0488 756 751 Friday’s Wk 2 to Wk 9 (8wks) from 3.00pm – 4.00pm

THURSDAYS

Tae Kwon Do

• Gavin Salter - Ph: 0423 249 742 (Runs all year from 5.45pm – 7.45pm)

         Location: Miami State School Hall

ChessMates 

• Miles – Ph: 0475 431 622 (Week 2 – Week 10 (9wks) from 3.00pm – 4.00pm)

Location: Classroom I202

Miami Beach Surf Club Sign On 2025 – 2026 Season

Moana Jr the Musical 2025

The students of Miami State School truly set sail beyond the reef and delivered a show that left the whole community in awe! Both opening and closing nights were spectacular, filled with courage, heart, and the spirit of adventure that made us all feel like we were part of Moana’s journey.

Audiences were blown away by the talent, maturity, and confidence of our incredible cast. It’s hard to believe they’re only primary school students! From powerful songs to vibrant dances and heartfelt storytelling, every moment was pure magic.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this production possible — our amazing staff, cast, families, and friends who supported every step of the journey.

We’re also so grateful to Miami High School for their beautiful venue, Myles AV Gold Coast for capturing the show on film, and our very own Aaron Watts for his breathtaking photos that truly bring the island to life.

The ocean truly called, and Miami State School answered with an unforgettable performance beyond words!

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 10

Next

Mornington Island – Donation Drive

Dear Miami State School Community,

Hi, my name is Jada Tourish, and I am one of the teachers at Miami SS. In 2023 I was fortunate to participate in a program in Japan with another teacher from a very small school called Mornington Island State School, at the very top of Australia. We have remained in contact, and I have really enjoyed learning about her small school and community.  I am reaching out to enlist your support in a crucial initiative to assist the students and families of Mornington Island State School. As many may know, head lice can be a persistent issue, and we want to help ensure that every individual has access to effective products to combat this challenge. 

Recently, we had a conversation with community members from Mornington Island who expressed a strong need for head lice products. What started as a request for a few items for one class has grown into an exciting opportunity to set up a stall at their upcoming festival, allowing families to access these products as they need them. This initiative can significantly impact the community, and we invite our school and community to contribute to this worthy cause.

What We Need:

We are seeking donations of head lice products, including shampoos, sprays, and treatments. Every small contribution makes a difference. We encourage you to gather any items you can spare, knowing that your kindness will have a lasting effect.

Additionally, the local salon on Mornington Island mentioned they could use some updated magazines from the last year or two for the community to read while waiting for services, if you have any recent ones you have read, we would love for you to donate too.

How to Donate:

There will be a donation box set up in the administration office at where you can drop off your contributions. Donations will be collected and delivered to Mornington Island State School.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to support the Mornington Island community. Your generosity can empower families and make a real difference in the lives of students facing this challenge. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this initiative further, please feel free to reach out.

Please see a link to a YouTube video about this small but beautiful community.

Thank you for your support, 
Jada Tourish

E-Bikes/Scooter Rules