19 August 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Yours in education,

Leanne Odorico
Principal

New Students

A special welcome is extended to Jade (SA1), Kurtis (MF1), Mick (JD1) and George (SA2) who joined the Kurwongbah School community recently. We hope you enjoy your time at Kurwongbah and we look forward to parent support with P&C and class activities.

Student of the Week

Top Kurwongbah Kids

Congratulations to the following students who have recently received Top Kurwongbah Kids Awards by showing our School Values:

TERM 3 WEEK 4

Top Kurwongbah Kid – Term 3 Week 4

TERM 3 WEEK 5

Top Kurwongbah Kid – Term 3 Week 6

Date Claimers

Due Dates for Payments

Payments

Payments are now being accepted for all excursions. Please note, all BPOINT payments are to be made by the due date. No late BPOINT payments will be accepted.

Kurwongbah State School is Cashless

The safety, wellbeing and hygiene of students, parents and staff is a top priority at Kurwongbah State School. Kurwongbah School prefers cashless transactions.

This measure will minimise the risk of contamination by transmission when paying with cash.

There are various ways to pay for excursions / activities for your child.

Acceptable methods of payment include:

• BPOINT (preferred method)
• QParents
• EFTPOS

Please contact the School Office if you require any assistance with payments.

2021 Prep Enrolment

We are now taking names of Prep students for 2021. Children who were born between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016 are eligible to commence prep in 2021. Parents are invited to contact the school office (ph: 3481 4333) if they are intending to enrol their child at Kurwongbah for Prep in 2021. Interviews will be conducted early in Term 3. Please contact the school for further information.

Prep 2021 Open Morning

Kurwongbah will be hosting an Open Morning for students considering joining Prep at Kurwongbah in 2021 on Friday 4th September, 9:00 – 10:30am.

Student Free Day

Swooping Birds

Some native birds, including magpies, plovers, butcherbirds and crows, swoop as a defensive behaviour to protect their young. Swooping is most common during the spring breeding season, but if weather conditions are favourable some species may start breeding from late winter and continue into summer.

Students may encounter swooping birds on their way to and from school, or while inside school grounds. While being swooped on can be unpleasant, there are simple steps that can be taken to reduce safety risks to individuals and the community.

First Aid News

You are reminded that children who are unwell must not attend school. In accordance with Queensland Health Directions, parents or carers of any child showing signs of illness will be asked to collect them immediately from the school.

First Aid Room
firstaid@kurwongbahss.eq.edu.au

Chappy News

Hi All,

We have had a fantastic couple of weeks at Kurwongbah with so much going on! I have really loved seeing the students in Years 3-6 participating with such enthusiasm in their sports events and I can’t wait to see our junior year levels having a go as well. I especially loved seeing all the encouragement the students gave each other as well as the resilience and good sportsmanship when things didn’t quite go as planned. Well done Kurwongbah!

One of the things I love about being a Chaplain is the opportunities I have to learn from the children and young people I work with. It is amazing how many times I find myself thinking about a young person overcoming something or bouncing back or processing their stuff well when I am facing challenges myself. It is a great encouragement to know that our young people are more than able to achieve great things if we give them the space and the opportunity to work themselves out, with our support.

This week, our tips flow on from that and may give you some new ideas when it comes to encouraging your young person to be the best that they can be.

6. Give them HEALTHY SPACE
Just as adults like to have their own space to process and work things out, so too do children. It can be beneficial for children to have space from parents’ attention and best intentions to give them a chance to solve problems in their own way and to develop their own resourcefulness. Having a healthy space barrier allows children and young people to come to you when they are ready to ask for your input and can help facilitate better relationships into the teenage years. Give it a try the next time you see your young person wrestling with something.

7. Invite them to work WITH you
I know how hard it can be to enlist children and young people in helping around the house, especially having raised a bunch of boys! I have found that inviting them to work with me makes a key difference as to how they view the task at hand. Using encouraging language – I know how great you are with attention to detail; I have seen the way you follow a list of instructions; I love how enthusiastic you are when you have a challenge – can make all the difference.

8. Let them TEACH you something new
My little lads love nothing better than teaching me how to play a game on their screens- especially if it is Minecraft and especially if I cannot figure out what I am doing! They think it is more than funny when Mum can’t grasp it and I don’t mind ‘not understanding’ because it helps them develop their communication skills without them even knowing it!

When was the last time you asked your child to teach you how to do something? Kids who see themselves as strugglers can get a boost in confidence when they teach their parents how to do something that they are good at.

9.Encourage DIVERSITY
The years before adolescence have traditionally been seen as a period when children explore various activities and develop a variety of interests. Whilst I can appreciate the high cost involved in trying a variety of activities, I have found that encouraging kids to try different things can help build a broad set of competencies and help them in their teenage and young adult years.

10. Problem solve TOGETHER
While kids need a chance to resolve some of their everyday problems – such as managing pesky siblings, dealing with strict teachers and sharing a workspace at school with peers they don’t like- by themselves, they can also benefit from sitting down with a parent and working their way through problems together. A great acronym to try, that I use with students, is POOCH (What is the Problem, what are the Options, what are the possible Outcomes, what Choice will you make, what Happened as a result). Helping kids work through their problems in this way not only inspires creativity but supports them through the process in a way that builds relationship between you.

Enjoy the warmer days as we start moving towards spring, continue to stay safe and healthy and socially distant, and don’t forget to buy your P&C Raffle tickets!!

Chappy Carly

STEM & Enrichment Education News

Kurwongbah’s Makerspace Lunchtime Timetable – Term 3

National Science Week

National Science Week runs from 15th - 23rd August. It aims to encourage an interest in science and STEM among the general public, and this year, it aims to encourage younger people to become fascinated by our planet’s oceans, which cover two-thirds of its surface and help control weather systems and the make-up of the atmosphere. ‘Deep Blue: innovation for the future of our oceans’ is the school theme for National Science Week in 2020.

Come to the Makerspace this week at first and second break for great interactive Science Activities and shows celebrating Science Week!

Premier’s 2020 Coding Challenge

The 2020 Premier’s Coding Challenge is on again! This challenge offers great prizes and an excellent opportunity for students to create some interactive and innovative coding to raise awareness of cyber safety and help Queenslanders by providing tips to improve their cybersecurity. Entrants from Year 3- 6 can develop an app, game or animation, and they must submit a short video showcase with their entry. For more information visit the website below,

Telling Stories Writing Competition

The ‘Telling Stories’ Writing Competition is organised by Mooloolaba Rotary in partnership with the Creative Writing Program from the University of the Sunshine Coast and Voices on the Coast. This competition is on again and open for students from Year 3-6. Students are to write their own story with the title being – ‘I should have been more careful.’

Entries are due on 24th August and there are great cash prizes to be won. Please see the Library for an entry form.

School Banking News

Term 2 Recognition Rewards have arrived!

To acknowledge that students were unable to make deposits in the usual way throughout Term 2, therefore missing out on receiving reward points, CommBank has issued a random reward to any student who made a deposit in Term 1 of 2020.

These rewards arrived this week and will be distributed to all eligible students. A parent/guardian letter will also be sent home to explain why the child has received the reward.

Please note the KSS banking team have no control over which rewards our school are provided by CommBank so requests cannot be accommodated.

Current rewards available:

For any child who achieves 10 or more reward points, the following rewards are now available for ordering:

• Terry Denton’s Activity Book
• Mini Soccer Ball (size 2)
• Treetop Stationary Set
• Treetop Handball
• Tomato Seed Kit
• Magic Mist Drink Bottle

YMCA OSHC

What a busy fortnight we have had! The educators have been implementing some fabulous activities and experiences for the children including ball games, obstacle courses, beading, origami, painting and cooking. The group also continues to explore their senses with scent guessing games, play dough, jelly, cinnamon ornaments and making snow. The majority of our program is play based and built upon the children’s needs, ideas and interests. In creating their own program the children gain a sense of ownership, independence and belonging. We also love to add parent input into our program and encourage our families to see us with suggestions and ideas. In the coming fortnight we will be planning for the September holidays and we can’t wait to see what the children and families come up with!

Vicki has joined the already amazing YMCA OSHC team and is enjoying getting to know the children, families and school community. Feel free to say hello or contact her on the details below.

Have a fantastic fortnight!

The YMCA Kurwongbah Team
Phone: 0448 244 066
Email: akb@ymcabrisbane.org

P&C News

Next P&C Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday August 19th, 2020 at 6:30pm.

This month the P&C have been busy finalising OSHC accounts and the majority of accounts have now been settled. If you believe you’re still owed money, please contact treasurer@ksspca.qld.edu.au.

We have also been working with the school admin team to develop a cash plan for the school tuckshop and this will be discussed further at the next meeting.

The P&C were finally approved for the cash flow boost from the ATO which was welcome news after months of back and forth. This has provided relief to our cash flow now that OSHC business has been finalised.

As a matter of concern, we contacted Mick Gillam in regard to line markings on Macquarie Drive and Eucumbene Drive as they were incorrectly marked when road works were completed. This was rectified very quickly and we thank Mick for his rapid response.

We’re also very excited to see school banking back at school!

The P&C would also like to thank and acknowledge our previous hall convener and wish her well moving forward.

Fundraising News

P&C Raffle - Thermomix or Bunnings

Would you choose the Thermomix or the Bunnings Vouchers?

One lucky winner of the P&C Raffle will get to choose which prize they want; either a new TM6 Thermomix and accessories, or $2,300 of Bunnings Gift Cards. Tickets are $10 each, 3 for $25, 5 for $35 or 7 for $45. Tickets available online at the link below.

Tickets can also be purchased with cash by placing the correct money into a sealed envelope, and writing your name, email address and phone number on the front as well as how many tickets you would like, and have your student drop the order to the P&C office Monday through Thursday. Prep orders will be collected from the classroom.

Closing August 31st and drawn at 9:30am on Monday August 31st.

Tuckshop News

The tuckshop is very excited to bring back ice blocks to our everyday menu. You will be able to order these items online or over the phone for children to collect during play time.

Pizza is available every Wednesday and Pikelets every Thursday.

Ordering

Tuckshop remains cashless and is currently only accepting Eftpos and Credit Card payments. There will be no over the counter ordering, unless purchases are made prior online.

Phone Orders

Parents can place a phone order, by phoning the tuckshop directly on 3481 4337 and paying by credit card. Cut off for phone orders is 9:00am.

Online Ordering

Parents can order via our online ordering system. Cut off for online ordering is 8:00am. Please ensure you have your child’s correct class so your child’s meal is prepared and ready in the correct collection place. Please use the instruction box to pass on any information regarding your child’s order.

Allergies

If your child has allergies, please contact the tuckshop regarding a list of safe products for your child. We currently cater for egg and nut free, gluten and dairy free along with strict fodmap diets. Please use the heath warning section online to note any allergy information.

Tuckshop Hours

Monday - Tuesday - CLOSED
Wednesday - Friday - 8:15 - 2:10 pm

Sandra and Carol
Tuckshop Convenors
tuckshop@ksspca.qld.edu.au

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop is currently accepting phone orders or email orders. Phone orders can be made Monday – Thursday from 9am – 12pm

If you are unsure of the sizing, we can have your child come to the office on either a Monday or Thursday morning. We will organise this with their Teacher.

Deliveries will occur on Mondays and Thursdays only.

You can send your emails through any time and they will be processed on these days. We can send 2nd hand items home for you to accept but if you do not want them they must be returned next day with your child.

We are not currently accepting cash.

Ordering Through Uniform Shop   

The following options are available:

1. Email your order through to uniformshop@ksspca.qld.edu.au. This will be processed next time the Uniform Shop is open.
2. You can phone the Uniform Shop during open hours and pay by Credit Card.

Uniform Shop Hours

Thank you
Kay Mitchell & Carol Woodhouse
uniformshop@ksspca.qld.edu.au

Containers for Change

Community Notices

Lemonade Kids

Lemonade Kids facilitates a wonderful girls wellness program called Standing Strong.

Standing Strong is a holistic well-being program designed to help educate, motivate and inspire girls aged 6 to 16 years to really live to their true potential!

Each session or workshop is based around three core components to provide a holistic approach to health and well-being. These include Strong Body (Movement), Strong Mind (Mindset) and Strong Heart (Mindfulness).

Through our programs and workshops girls learn how to improve their confidence and self-esteem, build inner-strength and self-belief, grow friendships, improve their health and body-image, manage stress and gain the tools essential for living happy, healthy and inspired lives.

For further information you are welcome to visit my website at the link below:

Please see below summary:

• Sunday 23rd August (6 to 10 years)
• Sunday 30th August (11 to 16 years)
  - 10am to 3pm
  - Kruger Hall, Kallangur
  - Cost is $89 for the full day workshop

For further details, please contact Rebecca Idiens (bec@lemonadekids.com.au) on 0423 697 432.

Queensland Road Safety Week 24-28 August

When we’re behind the wheel, driving safely should be our number one priority. You might be surprised to know that dangerous habits like tailgating, not giving way, and running red lights, contributed to half of all serious crashes in Queensland.

The Fatal 5 (speeding, mobile phone distraction, drink driving, fatigue and not wearing a seatbelt) also contributed to over one third of serious crashes where people were seriously injured or lost their life, from 2014 to 2018.

What can you do? Qld Road Safety week is around the corner! Show your support by kicking those bad driving habits and make our roads a safer place for everyone. Check out the StreetSmarts website for a range of activities and resources

Strathpine Little Athletics Sign-On

Sign on days for Strathpine Spitfires Little Athletics (based at John Oxley Reserve, Murrumba Downs) are coming up and online registrations are now open.

We are a family friendly club catering for Under 6 to Under 17 age groups, with a focus on fun and fitness and encouraging athletes of all abilities to be involved.