5 September 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,

As we approach the final two weeks of Term 3, it’s a great time to reflect on the many achievements and events that have shaped our school this term. From classrooms buzzing with learning to the wide range of extracurricular opportunities our students have embraced, it has been a busy and rewarding time for everyone. I am incredibly proud of the hard work, effort and enthusiasm shown by our students and the support from our staff and families in helping make Term 3 such a success.

🌺 Moana – The Musical is almost here! 🌺

If last year’s production is anything to go by, this year’s performance of Moana is set to be even bigger, brighter, and more colourful! Our talented students have worked tirelessly all year – giving up mornings, afternoons, and lunch breaks – to bring you a truly spectacular show.

🎟️ Tickets are available now via the Qkr! app – don’t miss out!

Let’s show our support and celebrate the incredible dedication and creativity of our students as they take the stage in this unforgettable performance.

Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation (1 to 5 September 2025)

THIS week is Teacher Aide Appreciation Week. It is a wonderful opportunity to recognise the valuable contributions teacher aides make in supporting teaching, learning and school communities every day. On behalf of our entire school community, I would like to sincerely acknowledge how much we appreciate the important role teacher aides play at Miami SS.  We could not offer the many and varied support structures we have without you!

***REMINDER: State-wide Student Free Day – THIS Friday, 5 September***

The Term 3 Student Free Day (SFD) has been scheduled by the Department of Education for Friday, 5 September. Please note this date in your calendars – there will be no school for students on this day.

Important Changes to Blue Card Requirements - Effective 20 September, 2025

From 20 September 2025, the rules around which parent volunteers require a Blue Card are changing.

Parents volunteering in activities that their own child is participating in will generally not need a Blue Card. However, there are important exceptions. A Blue Card will be required if:

• The volunteering activity does not involve your own child.
• The volunteering is to attend overnight excursions or camps.
• The volunteering role includes close personal contact with another child.
• The parent is a restricted person.

This change may affect parents who assist with activities such as the Mother’s Day and Father’s Day stalls, Colour Run, or other school events where their child is not directly participating.

If you are a parent and plan to volunteer for activities not covered by the new exemption rules, you must hold a Blue Card linked to Miami State School by 20 September 2025.

For details on how to apply for a volunteer Blue Card, please visit the Blue Card Services website:

We encourage all families who regularly volunteer to review these changes to ensure compliance before the deadline. If you require any assistance with this process, please contact the school office on 5595 4888.

Year 1 Phonics Check

This year the Department of Education introduced a universal screening tool from the Literacy Hub (Year 1 Phonics Check) to be administered to all Year 1 students. This check will be conducted at Miami State School across Week 1 and Week 3 of Term 4. Please find some further information about this below:

What is the Year 1 Phonics Check?

• In Year 1 your child’s teacher is able to use the quick and easy Phonics Check to better understand the phonics knowledge of their students. The Check looks at how well your child can 'decode' written words. The teacher will listen to how the child sounds out the letter and letter groups and how they blend these sounds together from left to right to make words.
• The Phonics Check helps your child's teacher and the school to confirm whether your child is making their expected progress in reading. Teachers and schools can then use this information to inform their teaching program.

How does the Phonics Check work?

• Your child will sit with a teacher they know and be asked to read up to 40 words aloud.
• These words are a mix of real words and made-up words (sometimes called 'pseudo words', 'non-words' or 'nonsense words').
• Your child may have read some of the words before, while others, like the made-up words will be completely new.
• The Phonics Check normally takes just a few minutes to complete and is carefully designed not to be stressful. There is no set time limit for it and if your child is struggling, the teacher will stop.

What words are in the Phonics Check?

• The Phonics Check includes a mix of real words and non-words. The teacher will tell your child before the Phonics Check that there will be made-up words that they will not have seen before. Children might be familiar with this because many schools already use non-words when they teach phonics.
• Non-words are important to include because words such as ‘vap' or ‘jound' are new to all children. Children cannot read the pseudo words by using their memory or vocabulary; they have to use their decoding skills. This is a fair way to assess their ability to decode.

After the Phonics Check

• Your child's teacher can tell you about your child's progress in phonics and their results from the Phonics Check. If your child has found the check difficult, the teacher should also tell you what support has been put in place to help them improve. The check ensures that teachers understand which children need extra help with phonic decoding.
• Remember that all children are individuals and develop at different rates.
• You can find some great ideas for supporting your child to read through phonics in our resources to support reading at home https://www.literacyhub.edu.au/for-families/resources-to-support-reading-at-home/ 

Supporting the Phonics Check at home

• Here is a list of words https://www.literacyhub.edu.au/search/check-for-families-list-of-words/ similar to the ones used in the school Phonics Check. You can practice these words at home with your child. To help you, here is a guide https://www.literacyhub.edu.au/search/guide-to-pronunciation-for-the-phonics-check-for-families/ to how your child should pronounce the words. Make any comments or any questions you have on the pronunciation guide as your child reads the words. You can then discuss your observations with your child’s teacher.
• Let your child know that some of the words are real and some are made-up words. The made-up words are the names of the friendly monsters pictured next to the made-up words.
• Try to choose a time when your child is feeling happy and relaxed. It is important that your child feels good about their efforts in reading the words to you.
• Your child’s teacher will explain the different letter sounds and letter–sound combinations your child has been learning in class. They will be able to tell you what you can expect your child to know and how you can help them improve their knowledge of letter sound relationships and reading at home. You might like to ask how you can support your child to take the next step in reading.

Colour Run information from the P&C

🎉🌈 Get Ready for the Most Colourful Day of the Year! 🌈🎉

The Miami State School P&C's Colour Fun Run is happening on Friday, September 12, and it’s going to be a blast!

But wait… there’s more! 👇

We’ve got some epic class incentives to keep the energy high and the fundraising strong:

🏆 Top Fundraising Class Wins:

• 🎪 VIP Tent Access! Chill in your own exclusive VIP tent on the day.
• 🍿 VIP Treatment! Snacks, drinks, shade, and superstar status!

🏆 Top Fundraising Students in each class will go into the draw to:

• 💦 SLIME a TEACHER! That’s right – you could be one of the lucky students who gets to slime one of our brave teachers!

This is your chance to come together as a class, raise funds for a great cause, and have a ton of fun doing it. Whether you're in it for the slime, the glory, or the colour explosion — every dollar counts!

So grab your friends, get those sponsorships rolling, and let’s make this the most unforgettable Fun Run yet! 🏃‍♂️🌈💚

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.  Prospective 2026 Prep students and parents/caregivers may like to consider attending our Pre-Prep Transition sessions to support the transition and orientation process to school. Please book in to these sessions via our school website, using the SOBs booking system.

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@maimiss.eq.edu.au at your earliest convenience.

I am looking forward to another fantastic two weeks at Miami SS.

Warm regards,

Jemille Malouf
Principal

Deputy Principal’s Message

Welcome to week 8

The teaching and learning continues at Miami State School with only a few weeks remaining in Term 3.  It is hard to believe that we only have 2 weeks to go until our Spring holidays.  The weather has started to change for the better, which is nice, however there are still germs galore around school and the community.  Please remember to keep your kids home if they are unwell, as the best place for them is bed rest!

Daily School Routines (Absent from School)

Following on from my message last week about students at Pizzey Park before school, we have also noticed some students who are absent for the day hanging around the school fences and gates at lunchtime. If children are absent, they should not be at the school gate trying to interact with students who are in attendance - socialising can happen after school. Thank you for your support in ensuring absent students are not on school grounds during the day.

Raising Children (https://raisingchildren.net.au)

As in previous weeks, please see information from the website above regarding the sometimes difficult but always rewarding job of raising children.

Pre-teen and teenage friendships: why they’re important

Good friends and friendships are important to pre-teens and teenagers because they give them:

• a sense of belonging and being valued by people other than their family
• confidence, security and comfort
• experience in getting along with people
• a social group where they can do new things and experiment with values and ideas.

Positive friendships are an important part of the journey to adulthood. They help teenagers learn important social and emotional skills, like being sensitive to other people’s thoughts, feelings and wellbeing.

Helping pre-teens and teenagers build friendship skills

Pre-teens and teenagers might be focused on their friends, but they still need your help and support to build and maintain positive and supportive friendships.

Strong parent-child relationships tend to lead to children having positive relationships with peers. So being warm and supportive, staying connected and actively listening to your child can help them develop friendship skills. You’ll also be better able to support your child if friendship problems come up.

Being a good role model is important too. Parents who are keen to spend time with their own friends are more likely to have children with healthy friendships. It’s also important for your child to see you looking out for your friends and showing that friendship is a mutual thing.

Praising your child when you see them being fair, trusting and supportive encourages them to keep working on these positive social traits.

Getting to know your child’s friends shows your child you understand how important these friendships are. You can do this by encouraging your child to have friends over and giving them a space in your home or giving your child’s friends a lift home after social outings.

Until next fortnight

Ben Edmunds
Deputy Principal Year 4 - 6

Deputy Principal’s Message

Why Child Development Health Checks Are So Important

The early years (birth to age 5) are the most critical period for a child’s growth and learning. During this time, a child’s brain develops faster than at any other stage of life. This means that small delays, if left unnoticed, can have a big impact later on. That’s why free child development health checks offered by the Child and Family Health Service are so valuable for families.

What do health checks cover?

These free health checks track your child’s development at key ages: 0–8 weeks, 4 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 2.5 years, 3.5 years, and 4–5 years. At each appointment, health professionals monitor:

• Growth, nutrition, and feeding
• Gross and fine motor skills
• Speech and language
• Behaviour, social and emotional wellbeing
• Sleep and settling
• Parent/carer wellbeing

Appointments are run by qualified child health experts who can also provide guidance, reassurance, and referrals to specialist services if needed. These services are available at home, through telehealth, or at one of the 13 Community Child Health Clinics across the Gold Coast.

📞 To book, call (07) 5687 9183 and select option 1.

Why it matters – the research

Research is clear: early intervention works. Children who receive support as soon as a developmental concern is identified show stronger improvement and are more likely to catch up to their peers (National Early Childhood Development Strategy, 2018). A study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that children who accessed early intervention services before age 5 had significantly better academic and social outcomes compared to those who did not.

Health checks also have long-term benefits. The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) shows that children who attend all their health checks are far less likely to be developmentally vulnerable when starting school. International research echoes this: studies from Canada and the UK show that consistent participation in child health checks is linked to higher rates of school readiness, improved literacy and numeracy in primary school, and even stronger health outcomes into adolescence.

Why Queensland families should attend

Child health nurses and professionals are the experts in child development. They are trained to recognise the small signs parents may miss and can connect families with the right help early. By attending these free checks, families gain reassurance, advice, and peace of mind, while giving their children the best chance to thrive.

How we compare

In other Australian states, such as Victoria and New South Wales, child health checks are well established, and parents are strongly encouraged to attend. Internationally, countries like the UK (Health Visitor Programme) and New Zealand (Well Child/Tamariki Ora checks) have long embedded universal health and development checks as part of giving every child the best start. Queensland is now working to strengthen these services, and it is vital that families take up the opportunity so our children are not left behind.

The bottom line

Attending these free health checks is one of the simplest, most effective ways to set your child up for success. The checks ensure milestones are met, support is given when needed, and children arrive at school happy, healthy, and ready to learn.

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

🌟 Congratulations to our incredible TSP Dance Team! 🌟

Our dancers represented Miami State School beautifully at the Gold Coast Dance Eisteddfod. They placed 3rd in their lyrical routine and 4th in their hip hop performance! 

We are so proud of not only their outstanding results, but also the effort, teamwork, and wonderful behaviour they showed throughout the competition. 

Well done, team—you continue to make us proud both on and off the stage!

Congratulations!

We were so impressed with all students representing Miami State School in the Choral Sections of the Gold Coast Eisteddfod, they performed beautifully and for some it was their first time at an Eisteddfod. Thought we would share with you some lovely feedback, also like to acknowledge Chloe Britton for all her efforts with both Choirs.

The audience loved you, and you brought so much joy to everyone watching! You sang together like a real team—that’s what great performers do!

You filled the whole space with your energy and joy—well done! Well-rehearsed.

I was completely captivated from start to finish. A truly impressive performance— your engaging stage presence, stood out. Thank you for all your hard work!

Junior Choir, Silver Award, 3rd Place

Senior Choir, Silver Award, 1st Place

Showcase Musical Ensemble, Gold Award, 1st Place

Big thanks to all the parents who supported the students on the day and “The Arts” at Miami State School.

Jessica Dutton - Dance

We are off to Nationals:

Miami Mavericks headed up to Sunshine Coast on Monday 25^th August. After 8 games throughout the day Miami came out undefeated and took out the Grand Final against Varsity which was a huge achievement. The team now head into the National U12 Championships.

Now Miami takes on the best of the best from around Australia, including Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School, Djarragun College, Darwin Middle School, Waikiki Primary School, Kidman Park Primary, Howrah Primary School, Kew Primary School, Arndell Anglican College, and Holy Spirit Primary School. The reward for their hard work and determination? A chance to represent Australia in the U12 World Championships in Florida, USA, on an all-expenses-paid trip.

We wish Mr Stephens and Mr Crilly all the best in the lead up. We appreciate all the extra time you have put into the players to help them achieve such an opportunity. No matter the result we as a school communicate very proud of their achievements.

Miami Athletic Regional Trials:

Well done to our Miami SS Athletes who competed at Runaway Bay Sports Centre on Wednesday & Thursday. The standard was extremely high, and the winds were a challenge for a few on competition. It was a big achievement with most of our athletes making top 10 on the Gold Coast. We will announce our regional qualifiers once results have been published. All our athletes should be extremely proud of their efforts.

Senior Swimming Carnival – Term 4 Nominations

Later this term, Mr Crilly will be collecting nominations over the next couple of weeks for our Senior Swimming Carnival, which will be held in Term 4.

Nominations will be for our Championship Races – 50m events – which are aimed at our competitive swimmers who are looking to secure their spot in the Miami Swim Team for 2026. These events are best suited for squad and club swimmers who regularly train and compete. Those students swimming in the championship races are asked to nominate a minimum of 3 events on the day (freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke & 200IM)

For all other students, we will also be offering 25m races. These are designed to be a fun, relaxed style race where everyone can get involved, have a go, and still earn valuable points towards their House Shield.

We encourage all students to participate at a level that suits their confidence and ability in the pool.

Ben Crilly-Hargrave - HPE

PBL Focus Week 7

PBL Focus Week 8

Office Notice Board Week 7 – 1M

Office Notice Board Week 8 – 2S

This term year 2S have been studying different animals and creating persuasives titled “Friend or Foe?”

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 3 – 2025 AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITES

MONDAYS

Sports X (Soccer)

•  Luke Kunde – Ph: 0413 242 141 (Wk 2 to Wk 9 (8wks) from 3.00pm – 4.00pm)

     Location: Oval

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

Book Week

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 10

Next

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER BASKETBALL CAMPS & FUN DAYS

• MONDAY 22^nd SEPTEMBER MINI BALL STAR FUN SKILLS BASKETBALL CAMP
  This is a great opportunity for children 7 to 10 years of age to attend a basketball camp to help develop their skills and to start learning the game of basketball. There will plenty of skills and drills, fun games and game play as well. There will be some fun competitions and a chance to improve your overall game. Plenty of prizes and giveaways for the day. C’mon get your friends and get along to this camp, you don’t have to be a star, it is for all levels.

$50 per child $45 per child family of 2 10.30 am to 2.30pm 7 to 10 year olds at Tallebudgera Rec Centre

• WEDNESDAY 24^TH SEPTEMBER BASKETBALL SHOOTING CAMP
  This is a one day only shooting camp at Tallebudgera Rec Centre for Boys & Girls ages 10 to 14. It will focus on your shooting skills & technique with plenty of shooting drills as well as other aspects of your game. There is also game play as well as competitions, shooting challenges and games. Plenty of prizes and giveaways. This is a great opportunity to improve your shooting skills and game. Don’t miss this one

$60 per child $55 per child family of 2, 9am to 3.00pm: 10 to 14 year olds at Tallebudgera Rec Centre

• THURSDAY 25^th SEPTEMBER: BUDDY BASKETBALL FUN DAY at ST KEVIN’S BENOWA: Your chance to come by yourself or grab a friend and bring them along to my Buddy Ball Fun Days. These days are full of games, competitions, some skills and lots of fun. Plenty of giveaways, prizes to be won, ice blocks, lolly bags and a whole lot more. These days are for 5 to 12 year olds.

$45 per child or $40 per child for family of 2 or more 9am to 2pm 5 to 12 year olds at ST KEVIN’S

• WEDNESDAY 1^st OCTOBER: BUDDY BASKETBALL FUN DAY at ST KEVIN’S BENOWA: Your chance to come by yourself or grab a friend and bring them along to my Buddy Ball Fun Days. These days are full of games, competitions, some skills and lots of fun. Plenty of giveaways, prizes to be won, ice blocks, lolly bags and a whole lot more. These days are for 5 to 12 year olds.
  

$45 per child or $40 per child for family of 2 or more 9am to 2pm 5 to 12 year olds at ST KEVIN’S

For all these activities you will need to bring a basketball (if you have one) morning tea, lunch, water bottle a smiling face and a willingness to learn and have fun.

Payment for all Camps and Fun Days are by cash on the day.

For more information contact Rodney on 0412180790 or email perccoxsedge21@gmail.com

To register email Rodney child’s name DOB Parents’ contact number and email address and any medical or allergies and write which activity or activities they will be attending.

School Crossing Supervisor Position

Would you like to earn money AND help your local community?

Transport and Main Roads is looking for a school crossing supervisor at Miami State School

to help get our kids safely to and from school.

• Generous casual pay-rate starting at $37.10 per hour
• Morning and afternoon shifts
• Long-service leave entitlements
• The Queensland Government superannuation scheme.
• If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, call 0419 792 030 to speak with your
• Local Road Safety Officer or email your interest to southportroadsafety@tmr.qld.gov.au
• To be deemed suitable for the role, some criteria does apply, which include requirements to:
• Pass a health assessment
• Hold a current blue card (TMR funded)
• Disclose any serious disciplinary action taken against you in public sector employment.

Child Protection Week

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