3 February 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Yours in education,

Leanne Odorico
Principal

Welcome to Kurwongbah

Individuals Together

We wish to extend a warm welcome to all new families who have joined our school community this year. We hope that our new students will settle in easily, make new friends and enjoy their learning experiences at Kurwongbah.

The school administration team for 2021 consists of Leanne Odorico (Principal), Ailsa Bernard (Deputy Principal), Craig Waldron (Deputy Principal), Steve Wood (Deputy Principal), Lucinda Barker (Business Manager) and Cameron Brown (Acting Head of Special Education Services).

We are looking forward to a successful year of learning and achievements for all Kurwongbah students.

New Staff

Welcome to the following new staff joining us this year:

• Mr Cameron Brown – Acting Head of Special Education Services
• Ms Kira Camilleri – SD2 Teacher
• Ms Kira Niesler – ME1 Teacher
• Ms Natalie Porter – Instrumental Woodwind Teacher
• Mrs Leigh Taylor – First Aid Officer
• Mr Henry Manley – Prep Teacher Aide in JB

Welcome Back

Welcome to the following staff who are returning to Kurwongbah:

• Ms Sarah Bartlett – JF1 teacher with Mrs Skelson
• Ms Kira Camilleri – SD2 teacher
• Mrs Renee Hodgson – ME2 teacher

Positive Behaviour For Learning – Class Dojos

Why?

All students should have an opportunity to receive daily positive feedback regarding choices they make in class. All classes will use Class Dojo to reinforce school values. Each class will also have a variety of other approaches to reinforce positive choices made by students.

How?

Teachers will set aside time each day to reflect on student behaviour. Each student will have the opportunity to receive a maximum of 5 points/ day. Throughout the school classes will have different focus skills to direct points toward. These focus skills are selected by classroom teachers and may change during the year. Students will accumulate points during the term and will work their way towards an end of term target. Only students who reach the target will be eligible to participate in an end of term celebration. Celebrations will vary from term to term.

Connecting Home & School

Parents/ Carers have the option of connecting online to get progress reports regarding their child/ren. This is completely optional. To connect, Parents/ Carers will need an individual code for each child. This will be provided by the class teacher. In order to connect, Parents will need to provide information to Class Dojo. Parents are encouraged to check the following prior to making a decision regarding creating an account.

Privacy

We have taken a series of steps to protect the identity of Kurwongbah students. These include:

• Not using full names of individual students
• Not including any photographs
• Creating a class name different to roll class

While the functions of Class/ School/ Student Story and instant private messaging exist within Class Dojo we do not intend to use them at our school.

Date Claimers

Due Dates for Payments

Third Party Consent Forms

Last year all Kurwongbah families were asked to consider giving consent on some Third Party forms. The forms were distributed either online or paper forms sent out. A series of forms have been sent out again recently to some families in our school.

Why are they needed?

At Kurwongbah we use a variety of iPad apps or websites that require the collection of student information (in almost all instances they request student names to be registered). Before we can use these apps or websites and register student details we need to provide parents with details about the apps, their privacy policies and terms and conditions. This information is listed on the forms that we send home to you.

What do we do with the forms you send back?

We record whether you do/ do not provide consent in our school data recording system (OneSchool). This information is then used to inform teachers so that students are not accessing these sites/ apps or student details are not registered when consent has not been provided.

Why am I completing these forms again?

If you are new to our school we need to gather this information as part of our enrolment process. As students’ progress through the school they use different websites or apps. We need to obtain consent before students use them. If the privacy policy or terms/ conditions of the companies change significantly we also need to give you this information and ask whether you give your consent for their use.

Many Year 3 students also need to renew their Third Party Consent for the apps, as the original permissions were only for Prep to Year 2.

What are the most commonly used websites/ apps in our school?

Schoolzine and Class Dojo are used from Prep – Year 6. For parents to receive the fortnightly eNewsletter we need to enter parent emails and student names into the Schoolzine server. We need your consent to do this. To use your child’s name as part of their class account in Class Dojo we also need your consent. It is entirely your choice whether you give consent for any of the websites and apps we use at Kurwongbah. There are alternative ways to get information about our school or your child other than Schoolzine Newsletters or Class Dojo. If you would like to know about these alternative options then please contact the school office. If you have any other general questions about Third Party consent then please contact the office.

Parent Information Afternoons

In week 3 and 4 we will be holding Parent Information Afternoons where teachers will provide important information about how their class will function throughout the year. These meetings will be in held in the classrooms. Please find below a timetable for these evenings.

School Leaders

On Friday 19th February Mr Shane King MP & Mr Mick Gillam (our local councillor) have been invited to attend our parade to present our student leaders with their badges. This is a very special time when we recognise the formal student leadership positions. Collecting Students for Appointments

Please be aware these are the lunch break times for your children:

• 1st Break : 10.50am - 11.30am
• 2nd Break: 1.30pm - 2.10pm

If you need to collect your child for an appointment, please inform either the office or your teacher as to your approximate arrival time and if necessary we will attempt to have your children waiting for you at the office. We do not have a system where we can contact children or teachers during break times.

Students are only permitted to be collected by those listed as an emergency contact. The person collecting the student during school hours will need to show ID. Please remember to bring this with you to the office.

Absences

State schools are required to notify parents on the same day any student is absent from school without explanation. We use the system ID Attend (an electronic roll marking system). Rolls are marked at 8:55am and 1:55pm each day. An SMS message will be sent to any parent of a student with an unexplained absence by 11am. Students who are not in their class at 8:55am will be marked absent and MUST collect a late slip from the office. Parents collecting their children early must sign them from the office before collecting from the classroom.

Absence notification process

When reporting absences, please use our SMS service (preferably) on 0429 919 560. Your other means of letting us know is via our absence line (3481 4366), by QParents or by the main phone line. Please be sure you indicate the following when reporting the absence:

• Name of child (especially if there is more than one child in your family)
• Absence reason – Please indicate if your child is sick or at an appointment etc. Indicating that your child is not coming to school, does not give a true reason for the absence
• Late Arrival – If your child will be late due to an appointment, please indicate an approximate time of arrival
• Dates of absences, if longer than 1 day

When using our absence line (3481 4366), please speak very clearly.

Same day notification

Our school will contact parents as soon as practicable on the day if a student is not at school and we don’t know why. If you are advised by the school that your child is away without a reason, please contact us as soon as possible by reply text to let us know where your child is. We will follow-up with parents if no response is received. We will follow-up with parents if no response is received.

Staff Meetings

This year teachers are required to attend a staff meeting each Wednesday afternoon commencing at 3.15pm. This means that teachers will not be available to meet with parents after school on that day. It is also preferable that parents contact their child’s teacher in advance should they require a meeting at other times. This will ensure that the teacher is able to give your queries full attention. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Welcome To New Prep Students

Last week 100 brand new Prep students began their school journey at Kurwongbah. The students have settled into their school lives very well and are enjoying making new friends and participating in the many activities that their teachers have planned for them. The Prep students will attend their very first school assembly this Friday.

Volunteering And Bluecards

As we start to reintroduce volunteers into our school (e.g. tuckshop), we need to remind the school community of both school and Education Queensland requirements.

It is a requirement for all volunteers to adhere to the Student Protection and Workplace Health and Safety Guidelines as part of Mandatory training. There are no exceptions to this expectation.

All volunteers must:

1. Have a valid blue card (if not a parent) and link blue card to Kurwongbah SS. You can NOT start volunteering until your bluecard has been approved.

Parents do not require a blue card.

Grandparents and other relatives / friends are required to have a valid blue card before commencing volunteering in the school. Please provide a copy of your blue card to the Office when you sign in. To apply for a blue card, please visit the Blue Card Services website.

Blue cards are required to be linked to the school. Please complete section 3 of the attached blue card form and submit to the Office.

2. Sign in at the Office. You will be provided with a volunteer lanyard.
3. Read & signed off that you have read the “Mandatory All-Staff Training Program - Key Messages Guide for contractors, volunteers and visitors 2021” document.

Student Safety Issues

The safety of students and staff is very important. Members of the school community are asked to observe the following:

• Students are required to have their Kurwongbah school hats at school EVERY day and students must wear hats during both play breaks regardless of where they are playing.
• Students who bring scooters to school must secure them in the bike area. Scooters are NOT to be stored in class areas.

• Parents and carers are also asked to use the school crossings (Eacham Street and Eucumbene Drive) when bringing their children to and from school. This teaches our children the correct road safety rules. Thank you for your support with these safety precautions.
• Parents and carers are permitted to photograph their own child at school events and activities but are requested to refrain from taking photos of other children or posting school material online (including Facebook).

School Drop Off & Collection

Before School Routine

• Prep parents drop off at the classroom. Parents must respect social distancing during this time. Drop off is between 8.30-8.50am with prompt parent departure by 8.50am.
• Students in Years 1-6 assemble in designated covered areas:
  - Years 1 and 2 (Junior covered area)
  - Years 3-6 (Tuckshop covered area)

After School Routine

All children will now finish at 3:00pm.

• Prep parents collect children at 3.00pm from the classroom. Parents are not to wait on the school site prior to 2.50pm. Children accessing OSHC services will be collected from their Prep classroom by OSHC staff.
• Children in Years 1-6 will be dismissed from their classrooms at 3pm to meet parents/carers. Parents may wait for their child on the school site from 2.50pm respecting social distancing.
• Mondays students in years 3-6 will be dismissed from the Hall at the end of their PBL parade.
• Please organise your meeting location with your child before school Monday so there is no confusion.
• External OSHC services will continue to meet all students in Years 1-6 at the tuckshop covered area.

Please ensure you discuss with your children a “Plan B’ if you are unable to collect your children as normal. This will save a phone call to the school office and asking for a message to be given to your child during class time. Sometimes it is not possible for office staff to get in touch with classes during the afternoon session due to the volume of calls received.

P&C Meeting

The first P&C Meeting for 2021 will be held on Wednesday 10th February commencing at 6:30pm. This is an important parent forum and I encourage all parents and interested persons to attend.

The Annual General Meeting of the P&C will be held on Wednesday 10th March. A new Executive Committee will be elected at this meeting. Nominations for these positions will be called at the AGM.

Insurance Cover For Students Undertaking Physical Activities

Physical activities and physical education, particularly contact sports, carry inherent risks of injury. Parents are advised that the Department of Education Training and the Arts does not have Personal Accident insurance cover for students. Education Queensland has public liability cover for all approved school activities and provides compensation for students injured at school only when the Department is negligent. If this is not the case, then all costs associated with the injury are the responsibility of the parents or caregiver. It is a personal decision for parents as to the type and level of private insurance they arrange to cover students for any accidental injury they may incur.

Mobile Phones

If your child has a mobile phone, it is requested that this is kept in the office during the school day. Your child needs to register the phone with the office and at the end of the day, your child needs to come to the office to collect it. There should be no mobile phones kept in school bags.

Contact Details

It is important that the school have the correct contact details. If you have changed your mobile phone number, address or email address, could you please complete the attached form and forward to the office. Please be also aware if you have a change in emergency contacts.

Storm Warnings

If the weather forecast is indicating storms or we have heavy rain at 3pm, your child will be kept in class until your arrival at the classroom. Please do not panic when collecting your child as this can distress other students.

Did You Know?

Did you know that you can enrol your child in YMCA OSHC for free. This is a good stand-by in case you ever need to use them in an emergency situation. You will only be charged for any hours your child is actually attending for either the morning or after school.

Headlice

Numerous cases of head lice have been reported recently.

It is extremely important for you to check your child’s head for head lice TODAY.

If you do find head lice, commence treatment immediately and be sure to complete the process of treatment. This will help prevent head lice from spreading.

Remember to keep checking your family member’s heads every 2 days until there are no head lice found for 10 consecutive days.

Your local pharmacist can provide advice regarding head lice treatment options and head lice combs.

Because head lice need close head-to-head contact to spread from one person to another, to reduce the spread of head lice, teachers will discourage students from activities which may involve head to head contact.

To reduce your child’s risk of getting head lice, make sure that long hair is tied up and discourage children from sharing their brushes and combs and having head to head contact with others.

Remember - Anyone can get head lice – they have no preferences for cleanliness, hair colour, hair type, ethnicity or age.

First Aid News

Collection of Medication from 2020

Parents are reminded to collect any medication stored at the First Aid room from 2020. If you wish for the medication to remain in First Aid, new paperwork will be required before we are able to administer the medication (see requirements below).

Medication

The First Aid room is able to administer medication as described by the Education Queensland Regulations: -

1. Must have a permission to administer medication form (see below).
2. ALL MEDICATION MUST be in the original container from the pharmacy with both the child’s and Doctor’s name, clear WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS on the container, and must be lodged with the School First Aid Room for security purposes. WE CANNOT ACCEPT INDIVIDUAL CAPSULES OR TABLETS.
3. Must be prescribed by a GP/Specialist. Non-prescribed medications (eg aspirin, panadol, cough medicine etc) should NOT be brought to school and WILL NOT be administered by school staff unless it is prescribed by medical practitioners.
4. Any students with a medical condition, also require official documentation from the child’s Doctor/Specialist indicating the condition and any emergency plans.

Students are not permitted to have any medication on their person or in their bags while they are at school.

Requirements for Medication

For general medication, please be aware of the guidelines from the Department of Education. ALL medication no matter what it is, is required to be prescribed by a qualified health practitioner (eg: doctor, dentist), in its original container/box and have a pharmacy label attached. Failing to adhere to these guidelines, means that we are unable to administer the medication to your student and you will be called to either collect the student or come and administer the medication yourself.

If your child has had an Action Plan (of any sort), these need to be updated every 12 months. It is preferable this occurs at the beginning of each year.

Leigh Taylor, Anne O’Brien & Marika Lankheet
First Aid Admin Officer
3481 4335
firstaid@kurwongbahss.eq.edu.au

Chappy News

Welcome to a new school year!

It is so wonderful to be back at school after a restful and refreshing break. It is my hope that you all were able to enjoy some great down time over the Christmas and New Year period and that the year ahead looks positive and filled with good things.

As it is the start of a new school year and we have a number of new families who have joined us, I thought I would take this opportunity to introduce myself and share a little about what Chaplaincy looks like at Kurwongbah.

I have been working with children and families for nearly two decades in various capacities and this is now my seventh year working as a school Chaplain. I work full time across two schools – Kurwongbah on Wednesdays and Fridays and Dakabin State High School Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. I am also back at uni studying Arts/Law so life is busy – to say the least!

In my spare time (!) I am a mum to five gorgeous boys (four of my own and a bonus son, as I like to call him), ranging in age from 9 to 26. My youngest lads are in Years 5 & 6 here and it is such a joy to see their faces when I am here. I also have a strong involvement in the broader community in various areas and will also be directing a SU QLD Sports Camp to run over the Easter holidays.

My role at Kurwongbah is diverse and can range from offering a listening ear to a student, staff member or parent, helping a student in the classroom, running break time activities…to playing handball and showing the students that 80’s rules are still the best rules! Friday mornings will always see my sharing in the weekly assembly and issuing a Chappy Challenge to our school community. Chappy Challenges give students the opportunity to actively demonstrate how they are implementing the school values in their daily lives and can be a great opportunity for families to reinforce the values at home.

Ultimately school Chaplaincy is about supporting the whole school community across the social and emotional. While the focus is primarily on proactive, preventative measures, Chaplains are available to provide extra emotional support through the challenges of life as well as bringing a friendly face and helping hands to everyone within the school.

Chaplaincy at Kurwongbah values the support and input of the parent community. The Local Chaplaincy Committee is one way that you can contribute to the overall vision of the service and also provides you with a great opportunity to support the broader school community. Please feel free to drop me a line at carlye@chappy.org.au or by calling me on 07 3482 4333 if you would like to know more about Chaplaincy and how you can support this valuable service in the school.

I look forward to getting to know our Kurwongbah families this year.

Chappy Carly

STEM & Enrichment Education News

Kurwongbah’s Makerspace

What is a Makerspace? It is a learning environment rich with possibilities. Makerspaces serve as gathering points where communities of new and experienced makers connect to work on real and personally meaningful projects, informed by helpful mentors and expertise, using new technologies and traditional tools.

The library is home to the Makerspace where students can come in and create using robotics, learn coding, design, build and test prototypes using engineering principles or perform science experiments. These are just a few activities are on offer so far. Students and Teachers will have the opportunity to engage in various programs throughout the year as a class in the Makerspace as well.

Makerspace Lunchtime Timetable – Term 1

Lots of Junior students have been engaged in creating with Lego this week. The Seniors have been keen to battle with the Sumo Robots and are busy preparing an upcoming tournament. Join a team or come in to watch the fun in the Makerspace!

2021 ‘Grow it…Taste it…Don’t Waste it!’ DAF Hermitage Schools Plant Science Competition

Year 6 enrichment students will participate in the 2021 Research Facility Schools Hermitage Plant Science Competition called ‘Grow it… Taste it … Don’t Waste it!’ Students will have fun learning about plant growth and discovering just how important plant production is in sustaining life on Earth. This will focus on Fruit and Veggies in celebration of the International Year of Fruit and Vegetables. They will perform an experimental investigation of their choice and submit a scientific report and science journal detailing their research and findings. Best wishes for your inquiry.

Music News

Welcome back all returning students and their families to the Kurwongbah Music Program and a big welcome to new members. The music teachers will endeavour to keep you up to date with information and events via the school newsletter. The staff, days at Kurwongbah and contact details for each teacher are as follows:

Your child would have received a Student Resource Scheme (SRS) form either this year for new members or last year for continuing students. The Student Resource Scheme provides parents with a convenient and cost-effective way to obtain/access educational resources that their child needs for school. The resources include the hiring of the performance uniform, purchase of music/ license fees and the hiring of an instrument (some students). If you choose ‘No’ it is your responsibility to source and supply the all the resources mentioned. By ticking 'Yes' you are agreeing to participate in the SRS which is convenient and cost effective. You will also need to choose a payment option within the ‘Yes’ box (some forms have been sent back home because the payment option was not specified). If you have any enquiries about this, please contact the teacher concerned. All notes are to be returned to the office or music room please. Students hiring an instrument from the school will not be able to take their instrument home until both the SRS and Loan Agreement form are returned.

Rehearsal Times

Due to COVID 19 there are still restrictions placed on instrumental and choir rehearsals. These are under review at the moment however, until we are advised by the QLD Health Department we are still required to follow the same rules and procedures from last year. The teacher for each instrumental and choir group will advise students and families of rehearsal details once we have definite numbers and considered the restrictions. A timetable of all rehearsals will be published once all ensembles have been finalised and restrictions considered.

Message from Music Teachers

Strings News - Leanne Rashada

Welcome back, string students! I hope everyone had a super holiday and is ready to jump into 2021 music. I will again be at Kurwongbah SS on Thursdays and Fridays this year. Thursdays will be lessons and (and, in time) rehearsals for year 4, 5 & 6 students. Lessons will begin in Week 2. Class teachers have been given copies of the timetables to display in their rooms. Thursday lessons use a rotating timetable, meaning lessons are at different times each week, so students don't always miss the same class learning. I will as always, phone for students who may have lost track of the time. Junior String Ensemble (for year 4) will begin in a few weeks’ time, I will advise when rehearsals are due to begin. JSE rehearsals will be held at First Break on Thursdays. Senior String Ensemble (for years 5 & 6) will be held 7.30-8.30am on Thursdays. Again, I will advise when rehearsals are due to begin.

Friday lessons are for beginner students (year 3). Timetables have been given to class teachers and lessons will begin in Week 2. Students, please bring all of the equipment as itemised in the equipment list sent home last year.

Students, please bring your Essential Elements book next week to lessons. Any SRS forms and blue ensemble folders from last year should also be returned to me please. If your child needs an SRS form (this advises the school of how you wish to be billed for Instrumental Music), please let me know and I'll gladly give them one. SRS and instrument loan (EQ11) forms must be returned before school instruments can be taken home.

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions you have regarding the Kurwongbah Instrumental Strings program. I look forward to working with your children this year.

Percussion News – Bruce Hamlin

Welcome back to the musician families. Really looking forward to an exciting and productive year in “music making”.

The Percussion lessons and Percussion Ensemble rehearsals begin in week 3 (Monday 8th Feb).

Only the students in year 6 will participate in the Percussion Ensemble this term, until adequate music can be arranged to engage all of the year 5 students as well.

This year our Percussion Ensemble will rehearse in the 1st break (10.50am – 11.30am) instead of 7.30am.

Hopefully all the year 4 beginners have had success in acquiring their necessary resources for lessons by the time we begin.

Looking forward to seeing all of the students then.

Brass, Woodwind and Senior Concert Band – Sam Denning

Woodwind and Brass lessons start week 2!!

Beginners

All beginners are required to have the necessary equipment before their first lesson. Please refer to your equipment list. If you need a new equipment list, please email sdenn71@eq.edu.au. NB. Reeds for Clarinet and Saxophone are imperative.

This year we welcome Ms Natalie Porter to Kurwongbah's Instrumental Music Program. Ms Porter is a woodwind specialist and will teach all year 4 woodwind students. Ms Porter will be at Kurwongbah Wednesday mornings.

Mr Denning will teach on Tuesday. All year 4 beginner Brass, year 5/6 Woodwind and Brass will learn from Mr Denning.

If you are unsure of your child's teacher, please refer to the timetable or email Mr Denning.

Senior Band will start in week 3. Due to COVID Guidelines, year 6 members will rehearse odd weeks, year 5 members will rehearse even weeks. All year 5 and 6 students are required to attend band. Band starts week 3, Tuesday 7:45am in the Music Room (year 6). Students start arriving from 7:30am, to ensure a prompt beginning.

We look forward to another great year of learning through music.

Singing Groups – Rosa Curcuruto (Mrs. C)

Welcome back everyone! I am so excited to be kicking off another year of singing at Kurwongbah.

Notes have been distributed to interested students to join the different singing groups for 2021.

This year the structure of the groups will change and details are below:

• Junior Singers – Year 2 students
• Middle Singers – Year 3 and 4 students
• Senior Singers – Year 5 and 6 students
• Performance Group – auditioned group from the Senior Singers

Rehearsal times are yet to be determined and will depend on numbers enrolled and COVID restrictions. Could you please ensure that all pages are completed before returning the form. One page is the permission slip to join the group and the other page is the double- sided departmental Student Resource Scheme form mentioned above. Please ensure all sections of both sides of this page are completed before it is returned.

Junior Singers, Middle Singers and Junior Singers will all start rehearsals in week 3 (times TBA). It is very important that your child is punctual. The first part of the rehearsal is a vocal warm-up which is essential for an early morning rehearsal to ensure vocal health. Vocal cords are delicate and need to be treated with care. We need to stretch and relax the muscles before we sing, just as we would warm up before exercising. Warming up loosens those muscles, helps us sing better and most importantly reduces the risk of injury.

The Performance Group is a small, auditioned extension choir for students in years 5 and 6 who are in the Senior Singers. This will be mainly for year 5 students as the year 6 students are continuing from last year (there will be limited positions available for year 6 students). I will speak to the Senior Singers about this at the first rehearsal and start auditions the following week. This group rehearses two times per week. One rehearsal is a sectional rehearsal (soprano or alto) and the other is a combined rehearsal.

I look forward to a great year of singing and hopefully restrictions will ease and we will be able to perform for the wider school community.

The only thing better than singing is more singing - Ella Fitzgerald

Physical Education & Sports News

Term 1 Teachers

During Term 1 our students will have 2 teachers delivering the Physical Education curriculum. Caitlin Murphy (Tuesdays and Thursdays) and Clare Marks (Wednesday and Friday). Both teachers are very familiar with our school and students, so we welcome them to the role in Term 1. Mr. Fowler is still on Long Service Leave and will return at the beginning of Term 2.

Gala Day

This year our students will participate in a sport Gala Day in Term 1 and 3. A change this year is the inclusion of Year 4 students along with our Year 5/6 students. Gala Days are not mandatory but recommended as an additional opportunity for students and a chance to play some new sports. Students are asked to list their 1st and 2nd preference for a sport and then parents are invoiced for the travel costs associated. Payments close Friday 26th February and then team nominations are made based on the confirmed number of participants. We are firm with this close of payment date. The sports available for Term 1 include:

District Sport Trials

There are a series of representative sport trials that are scheduled in Term 1. An overview of these is attached. We will assign different staff members to the different sports so that selection can take place and nominations made. Students that take part in trials need to have a parental consent form completed and also a registration fee paid online. The first 2 selection trials will be Basketball and Swimming. Mr. Wood will be involved with these sports. The parents of students eligible for the Pine Rivers Swimming trials were emailed Friday 29th January with details. Nominations for this event are based on times for the specific events. If your child is new to Kurwongbah and you think he/she should be considered for nomination or you did not receive an email then make contact with Mr. Wood.

Sporting Schools

Each term we submit an application for the Federally funded ‘Sporting Schools’ Program. We were successful with our Term 1 application and will conduct a series of before school sessions for Football and Gymnastics in a few weeks. Details about how to be involved will be provided in the next fortnight. These are free, fun activities scheduled before school but our numbers for groups are restricted.

Communication and Information

We will share information about sport via in the following ways:

• Messages at Monday Meetings
• Sport Noticeboard (near senior amenities block)
• Fortnightly newsletter
• Facebook posts

Term 1 Sport Calendar

Attached to this newsletter is an overview of the sport options at Kurwongbah for Term 1. As we get closer to each individual event, we will share more specific information.

Book Club News

Welcome back to a new school year. My name is Julie Collins and I am your Book Club Coordinator for 2021.

The first Book Club catalogue has been delivered via your child’s classroom. If you haven’t received a catalogue, spare copies are available at the office and at the library. The catalogue is also available online via the link:

How Book Club Helps Your Child’s School

Every time you place a Scholastic order, your School is being rewarded! For example, for every Book Club order you place, Scholastic receives 20% of your total order spend to your school as Scholastic Rewards. This allows the school to purchase books and resources for your child’s classroom and the library, helping students reach their highest potential.

How To Order

The Book Club LOOP platform for parents allows you to pay by credit card. Loop orders are due by Wednesday 17th of February. Your child’s order is submitted directly to school and the books will be delivered to your child’s class. You can place your child’s order at the link below or using the LOOP app, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play..

Cash orders can be handed into the library by Wednesday 17th February also. Simply fill out the order form on the back of the catalogue, place the form and the exact cash amount into an envelope or clip seal bag and drop off to the LIBRARY ONLY!

Julie Collins
Book Club Coordinator

School Banking News

The School Banking program is back for 2021!

School Banking deposits are processed every Thursday morning from the office, commencing Thursday 4th February. Students can drop their books into the tub inside the door OR give them to their teachers to put in the class banking bag. Please ensure you have your current class written on the front of your bank book.

What is School Banking?

School Banking is a fun, interactive and engaging way for young Australians to learn about money and develop good savings habits. Children who deposit money into their Youthsaver account through School Banking will earn an exciting reward every time they reach 10 deposits. It’s also a great fundraiser for the school as we receive a $5 contribution for every 10 deposits processed per student, plus an annual contribution based on the number of students who made at least one School Banking deposit in the prior year.

The theme and rewards for 2021 have not yet been released so this information will be shared in a future newsletter.

Getting involved in School Banking is easy!

All you need to get involved in the School Banking program is a Commonwealth Bank Youthsaver account. If your child has an existing Youthsaver account they can start banking straight away by bringing their deposit in every Thursday in their Dollarmites deposit wallet (new ones can be provided if needed – please ask your child to come and see us on a Thursday morning or send them in with a note).

Alternatively, you can open an account for your child in one of two ways:

1. Online: Visit commbank.com.au/schoolbanking and click on the link to open a Youthsaver account.
2. In branch: Visit a Commonwealth Bank branch with identification for yourself and your child, like a driver’s licence and birth certificate.

Completing your deposit slip for School Banking day

Please ensure your child’s deposit slip is correctly filled out before banking with School Banking. The below example indicates the fields that are required to be completed. Students new to banking will be provided with their Student ID after making their first deposit.

Our School Banking program is made possible because of volunteers. Thank you to all those volunteers who donate their time to help run School Banking for our students.

If you would like to know more about School Banking, visit

YMCA OSHC

Hello families!

Here we are in 2021 and already we are heading towards February! We would like to welcome all of our new families to our program and thank our retuning families for their continued service. We look forward to building relationships with all of you and making 2021 a fabulous year!

This year we will begin our Storypark journey, with email invitations to current families being sent over the next two weeks. We have begun loading photos, learning stories and community information on the platform and we will continue to build as we move forward. You will be able to comment and message on Storypark and we look forward to your feedback. We appreciate your patience as we grow this area of our service.

Can we please remind all families to ensure their child has a hat and water bottle every day, particularly in this hot weather.

If you have any questions, concerns or feedback please phone or email on the below contacts.

The YMCA Kurwongbah Team
Phone: 0448 244 060
Email: akb@ymcabrisbane.org

P&C News

The first P&C Meeting for 2021 will be held on Wednesday 10th February commencing at 6:30 pm. This is an important parent forum and I encourage all parents and interested persons to attend.

The Annual General Meeting of the P&C will be held on Wednesday 10th March. A new Executive Committee will be elected at this meeting. Nominations for these positions will be called at the AGM.

February General Meeting

The first P&C meeting for 2021 will be held on Wednesday 10th February at 6.30pm in the school staffroom. We encourage all parents, staff and interested community members to attend these meetings and have their say. Membership forms are available on the night.

AGM Meeting

The annual general meeting for the P&C will be held Wednesday 10th March at 6.30pm. A new executive committee will be elected at this meeting. If you are interested in nominating for a committee position, including sub-committee positions, these will be called at the AGM.

More information about these roles is available on the P&Cs Queensland website at

2021 Membership

New membership forms are available below. We encourage all parents, staff and interested community members to become members of the P&C. Membership not only provides you with the opportunity to raise issues and concerns at meetings, it also provides insurance cover when you volunteer at the school.

P&C Business Contact Details

The P&C runs a number of businesses that you may need to contact. Details for each business are below.

The P&C Executive team can also be contacted via email to secretary@ksspca.qld.edu.au.

P&C Qld - Parent Talk Publication

P&Cs Qld is the peak body supporting and representing more than 576,000 state school parents and wider school communities throughout Queensland. They support the achievement of quality educational outcomes for students through fostering parental and community engagement in a thriving and successful education system. Through their state-wide network of over 1200 P&C Associations and School Councils, they have the localised presence and voice to lead and enact change.

Their Parent Talk magazine is a parent focused publication and published on a quarterly basis. It is circulated throughout Queensland state schools and P&Cs as a resource to provide parents and school communities with regular news and information on a wide range of topics relevant to parenting and education. Research confirms that where parents and community are engaged in their children’s education the outcomes vastly increase. Help us ensure Every Child has Every Chance to a successful education. All editions of Parent Talk can be viewed here - P&Cs Qld Parent Talk Publication.

Tuckshop News

Welcome back to another amazing year of Tuckshop. In 2021 we have some very exciting plans and can’t wait to share them all with you.

Meal Deals

For the first time, we have some fantastic meal deals created by staff and students which include the following:

• Chappy’s Meal Deal $6.50
  Fish Sub, Chocolate Mousse and Quelch stick
• Mr Waldron’s Lunch Pack $6.00
  Chicken lettuce mayo wrap, Banana Muffin and Popper
• Cruize’s Soccer Pack (created by Aroona house captain) $7.00
  Sausage roll, Orange slices and popper
• Niamh’s Dance Pack (created by Kooringa house captain) $7.00
  Ham and Cheese toasted Sandwich, watermelon cup and popper
• Keira’s Cheer Power Pack (Created by Student council leader) $6.50
  Pasta Bolognaise, Brownie and popper

Please keep a close eye on this space as we will be changing meal deals regularly.

Weekly Specials

In Term 1 we will be offering the weekly special of Sushi on Thursdays for $3.50, with 3 options: chicken, tuna or vegetarian.

Tuckshop Collection

A reminder that Prep to Year 2 classes use the esky system – and the tuckshop monitor from each class will collect the esky and bring back to the eating area. Year 3 to Year 6 students are to collect their order directly from the tuckshop.

Ice Blocks

Ice blocks are available for orders online. Please ensure your child is aware that you have ordered this and that they will need to collect the ice block from the tuckshop counter during play time. For our prep students, we will deliver the ice blocks to your child’s classroom teacher.

Volunteers

We are very excited to be able to welcome volunteers back into out tuckshop. If you wish to help, please contact tuckshop staff to arrange. All volunteers must sign in at office prior to volunteering.

Ordering

The preferred method of ordering is online at QuickCliq.com.au, as all details of in stock items are available. We will be introducing QKR within the next couple of weeks and will be running both ordering platforms for a change over period. Please ensure you update your child’s profile with their correct class information for 2021.

We also accept over the phone orders and cash orders over the counter through the bag system with the correct amount of money.

Cash

The tuckshop is accepting cash in bag system before school only. This is a COVID safe plan to ensure no cash is handled while food is been served.

Correct cash must be placed into a bag with child’s name class and order, this includes ice blocks. We do not accept cash during breaks.

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

We currently cater for many students with allergies. If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact our team and we will be able to give you up to date information regarding our products.

Tuckshop Hours

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

Uniform Shop

Welcome to all our parents I hope everyone had a wonderful break. It has been a very busy January 2021.

We are currently out of size 10 Jade shirts and size 6 skorts. These are currently on order and will be here late February.

Ordering Through Uniform Shop

The following options are available:

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

The preferred payment options are by Eftpos either by email order or over the phone by credit card or direct deposit.

Second-hand Uniforms

Don’t forget that you can sell your second-hand uniforms through the Uniform Shop with 50% from the sale going to the P&C, which is spent providing better facilities for your children.  We have parents waiting for second-hand uniforms.   

Term 1 2021 Uniform Shop Hours (Until Further Notice)

Thank you
Kay Mitchell & Kristi Milligan
3481 4323
uniformshop@ksspca.qld.edu.au

Containers for Change

Community Notices

Moreton Bay Raiders Rugby League

Get Creative at the Caboolture Hub – 6 February

Local creatives, community members and visitors of all ages are invited to GET CREATIVE at the Summer Family Fun Day in Caboolture!

This FREE event held at the Caboolture Hub from 9am – 5pm on Saturday 6th February has a program jam packed of creative activities, workshops, exhibitions, live music and artists talks:

• 9am – 11am Sacred Geometry Chalk Drawing
• 10-10.30 Storytime
• 10am – 11.30am Sing for Joy
• 10am – 12pm Stick Together weaving workshop
• 10am – 12pm Now is the Time: art activities reflecting on climate change and the environment
• 11:30am - 12pm Guided exhibition tour by local artist Janice Peacock
• 11.30am – 1.30pm Young Mic: open mic for young musicians
• 2pm – 3.30pm Moreton Bay Big Band
• 3.30pm – 5pm Arts, Culture and Wellbeing panel discussion
• All Day Exhibitions at the Caboolture Regional Gallery

Local Scouts

Scouts provides fun youth development activities, building resilient and confident boys and girls aged 5 to 25 in the Joey Scout, Cub Scout, Scout, Venturer Scout and Rover Scout Sections. We also welcome adult volunteer Scout Leaders. Scouts has opportunities for the whole family to be involved. Everyone is welcome, and we value the diversity of our members.

• Joey Scouts – Ages 5-7 years old
• Cub Scouts – Ages 7-11 years old
• Scouts – Ages 11-14 years old
• Venturer Scouts – Ages 15-17 years old
• Rover Scouts – Ages 18-25 years old

Lawnton Scouts Group

Lawnton Scouts Group meet at Barclay Park on Nightingale Drive (Near Todds Road), Lawnton.

Contact Richard Clarkson at lawntonscoutgroup@gmail.com or 0409 477 686.

Kallangur Scouts Group

Kallangur Scouts Group meet at 4 Ogg Rd, Murrumba Downs. Contact Kerry at gl@kallangur.scoutsqld.com.au.

Soccer X 2021 Term 1

Soccer X will be returning to Kurwongbah in Term 1.

Professional Tennis Coaching

Before school Program at Kurwongbah State School with Tennis Australia accredited coach Lorrae Thompson beginning Week Two of Term 1. Hot Shots Tennis Program available for Prep to Year 6 from 8.00am-8.45am Monday -Tuesday-Friday.

Free Junior Tennis racquet for new player enrolments.

For further info regarding enrolments and pricing please contact Lorrae on 0402110508 or lorrae-guse-bell@hotmail.com

Richards Football Academy