17 February 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Yours in education,

Leanne Odorico
Principal

New Students

A special welcome is extended to Celeste (JC1) 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 1 WEEK 2

Top Kurwongbah Kid – Term 1 Week 2

TERM 1 WEEK 3

Top Kurwongbah Kid – Term 1 Week 3

Date Claimers

Due Dates for Payments

Student Leaders’ Badge Presentation

Friday this week during parade, our 2021 Student Leaders will be presented with their leadership badges. Our special guest will be Moreton Bay Regional Councillor Mick Gillam and our Adopt A Cop Constable Jenny Mulholland. The students will sign their pledge and received their badge.

Our Student Leaders for 2021:

Parent Information Evenings

Thank you to both the teachers and parents who attended the Parent Information Evenings last week and who will attend this week. An insight into what will be happening within each class was / will be shared, along with ways we can continue to work together so your child can receive the best educational experience during their time at Kurwongbah State School.

NAPLAN Online

This year our year 3 and year 5 students will do the NAPLAN tests online. These tests will take place between May Tuesday 11th May and Friday 21st May. A specific timetable for our school will be published shortly. The students will not be sitting tests every day. However, the tests do need to be completed in a particular order so we will plan for ‘catch up days’ between tests to allow any students who are absent to progress through the tests in the correct order.

Free Dress Day

Each term we have a fundraiser, usually a free dress day, where we raise money for a particular purpose. For two of the four terms we raise funds to support outside school agencies and two terms we raise funds for school purchase items. Some of the things we have purchased in recent times include the lectern in the hall which is used during parade each week and our school map near the administration building.

To start our fund raising this year, we’d like to support Bully, No Way Day on 19th March. Funds raised will be used to purchase equipment which can be used at playtimes.

Please support this worthy cause by coming in free dress, ensuring you are wearing something orange, on Friday 19th March and making a gold coin donation. Please remember to wear your school hat and school shoes so you can safely participate in the school activities. Let’s remember to be sun safe too by ensuring our shirts / dresses have short sleeves to cover our shoulders.

Thanks in advance for your support with this fundraising activity.

Tangalooma EcoMarines

Tangalooma EcoMarines run a free environmental education program at Kurwongbah State School. We will be selecting four year 5 students as “EcoMarines Ambassadors” for the year. They will be responsible for:

• Leading environmental projects in our school community
• Speaking at assemblies when necessary
• Attending EcoMarines events with teachers to represent our school (optional)
  - Ambassador Training: in May, Tangalooma Island Resort
  - The Wave: end of October, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
• Attending EcoMarines weekend events with family (optional)
  - Clean Up Australia Day: Sunday 7th March, Location TBC
  - Care 4 Country (Quandamooka Festival): TBC

For more information please visit the link below under ‘Our Programs.’ They are also on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @EcoMarines.

Mr Crowe will be leading the Kurwongbah team and speaking with the year 5 students about the nomination for the Ambassador positions.

Student Code Of Conduct

Every Queensland state school is required to have a Student Code of Conduct. This is the school’s behaviour policy, with information about school rules, consequences and processes for addressing bullying and the use of technology. The Student Code of Conduct replaces previous documents: The Responsible Behaviour Plan of students; Code of Behaviour; and Statement of expectations.

The Kurwongbah SS Student Code of Conduct was developed last year, endorsed by the P & C and is published on our school website.

There are some key changes which will be highlighted in the newsletters throughout this term.

Students Arriving Late

School starts at 8.50am. If you are running late, please ensure your child comes to the office to collect a ‘Late Pass’ prior to going to their classroom.

Emergency Contacts

You need to advise the school of any changes in your emergency details. For example,

• Changed your phone number
• Moved house
• Emergency contacts have changed

If you would like to check who is on your child’s emergency contact list, please contact the office.

Absences

Absence notification process

Please do not advise us via emails in regard to absences. We may not be able to access emails until later in the day. All absences should be advised by our SMS service (preferably) on 0429 919 560. Alternatively, please phone the absence line (3481 4366). 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.

Volunteering And Bluecards

Just a quick reminder to 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 blue card 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.

Voluntary Contribution

Parents should have recently received information about our Voluntary Contribution scheme. The Voluntary Contribution is a vital part of the Kurwongbah P&C’s commitment and helps to fund reading books, maths & science consumables, art consumables, digital resources, sporting equipment and positive behaviour learning program resources.

You can make a financial contribution to the school by completing the attached form and forwarding with payment to the school office. The contribution equates to $1 per week for the 40 weeks of the school year.

The Fathering Project

The Fathering Project is a federally funded project designed to support fathers who are interested in finding ways to connect with other dads. The project provides support and resources for fathers to connect and enrich their capacity to connect with their school-age children. If you are interested in the project or keen to find out more please contact the school admin@kurwongbahss.eq.edu.au.

First Aid News

Collection of Medication from 2020

A reminder to parents 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

Hi All!

Welcome to the nearly mid-way point of the term and what a whirlwind start we have had! It has been fantastic to see our students settling in well, especially our little Preppies, and I have loved getting around talking to students at break times, hearing their joy and enthusiasm for being a part of such a great school.

While I do get to hear of lots of positive things going on for students, it is safe to say that there are some conversations that are not so positive, with students experiencing challenge across various areas of their lives. In the times when things are not so great for students, I am available for them to talk to when they need extra support, and I have included some information around what this looks like in the school context for your reference.

A Chappy session with me is relatively low-key and focuses on the student finding ways to resolve what is going on for them, if they are able, and I utilize a number of approaches, depending on the student. The main approach I use with primary school students is the POOCH method, which follows this pattern:

P – Problem identification.
What is happening? What would a perfect world/day look like for me if this wasn’t happening?
O – Options explored.
What are the options that I have available to me to deal with this situation? I usually encourage the student to come up with at least 3 different options to consider.
O - Outcomes of options.
What might be the outcome of each of the options? This encourages the student to “forward think” and have a more considered approach to finding a solution.
C – Choice of option.
The student is then encouraged to choose an option to activate in light of the various options and outcomes they have brainstormed.
H – What happened?
We then have a follow up appointment where the student is able to tell me what happened – whether positive or negative – and we move forward from there.

This model has served me well as a parent also and is a great way to teach children how to resolve their problems with strength and resilience. It is even a great little tool we can use for ourselves when we find ourselves stuck!

Kurwongbah Chaplaincy Service

The Kurwongbah Chaplaincy Service provides students, staff, and parents with social and emotional support, along with providing an additional adult role model within the school.

Every member of the school community can access the school Chaplain (Carly Evans) for support and conversation, either in person or via email/phone, with all conversations covered by confidentiality.

The process for students engaging with the Chaplaincy service is as follows:

1. Students can talk informally with the Chappy Carly during break times, before and after school, and during class activities.
2. Students can talk to Chappy Carly for help with minor issues that can crop up such as friendship conflicts at break time, having a bad hair day, feeling worried about an upcoming test, not winning at handball. No issue is too small for a quick chat with the Chappy!
3. Students may be referred to the Chaplain for support in a formal context – ongoing, one-on-one meetings – by parents, carers, or staff members. Students can also ask to see Chappy Carly themselves, with any ongoing meetings discussed with relevant staff and parents. Records of these conversations are kept as a legal requirement and may only be accessed for legal or safety purposes by designated authorities. Students are covered by confidentiality in their conversations with the Chaplain, however if a student discloses a safety or harm issue, mandatory reporting guidelines are strictly adhered to.
4. Students may be invited to participate in a group program that will run during class time with a social/emotional support focus.

Where formal support is required (3 and 4), a permission form is sent home to the parent/carer after an initial meeting has occurred between the student and the Chaplain or prior to the commencement of a group program.

Parents and/or carers are able to refer their young person to the Chappy either through a conversation with the student’s teacher, speaking with the Deputy Principal or Principal, or contact with Chappy Carly via email (carlye@chappy.org.au or cevan330@eq.edu.au), phone or in person.

Have a fantastic week!
Chappy Carly :)

STEM & Enrichment Education News

Makerspace Lunchtime Timetable – Term 1

Premier’s 2021 Coding Challenge

The 2021 Premier’s Coding Challenge is on again! This challenge offers great prizes of coding and robotics kits and an excellent opportunity for students to create some interactive and innovative coding to raise awareness of digital wellbeing.

This can include themes such as:

• work and study life balance
• postural considerations of using technology
• personal security and safety online
• adhering to social media ethics and protocols.

Entrants from Year 3 -6 can develop an app, game, animation or website, and they must submit a short video showcase with their entry.

For more information see the teachers in the library or visit the link below for more details.

Entries close on the 17th September 2021.

Thank you, Farr Family!

A big thank you to the Farr Family for donating three Mancala marble games to the Library for Kurwongbah students to enjoy during their lunch breaks. This game is enjoyed by many senior students and now there are more to share! Thank you once again Isabella and Elaina.

Coding and Robotics

Junior students are enjoying using their coding and problem-solving skills to program the robotic mouse to reach the cheese. They set the course using the green square templates and use the robotic mouse to move along the path. Will your mouse reach the cheese? Come and join in the fun at the Makerspace and test your skills!

Lego Creations

Junior students are having great fun designing and creating with Lego constructing vehicles and other devices in the Makerspace. Student can enhance their design by adding motors and sensors using the We-Do 2 kits with block coding to make their device interactive.

Physical Education & Sports News

Gala Day Term 1

We have had a very good response from students for our Term 1 Gala Day. Sport preferences are summarised on the Sport notice board for students to check. Students who have paid are also indicated on this summary. The due date for payments is 26th February. Payments made after this date will not be accepted as we need to finalise our team selection and nomination. Training for all sports will be scheduled from early March. Details will be shared with students and parents once the final teams are all determined. Confirmed training dates for Rugby League are 3.15 – 4.15pm 4th, 11th and 18th March. Students must have mouthguard for these training sessions.

Sporting Schools

Our Friday morning gymnastics sessions and Tuesday morning Football (Year 1-2) are now fully booked. There are still some vacancies for the Thursday morning sessions aimed at Year 3-4 students.

Book Club News

Hi Parents, Just a reminder that Book club is due this Wednesday, 17th February.

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

School Banking deposits are processed every Thursday morning from the office. 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.

School Banking Rewards for 2021

The following rewards are now available for children to choose from once they have reached 10 deposits:

• Scented Stackable Highlighters
• Icicle Slapband Ruler
• Snowy Origami Set
• Scratch Art Cards
• Water Skimming Bounce Ball
• Polar Penciles & Pencil Toppers
• Terry Denton’s Activity Book
• Treetop Stationery Kit
• Tomato Seed Kit
• Emoji Wallet
• Mini Soccer Ball
• Treetop Handball
• Snakes & Ladders Game

Redemption slips are not yet available, however you can order by writing your child’s preferred reward on a piece of paper until the slips arrive.

New to School Banking?

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:

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

YMCA OSHC

What a busy but positive start to the term we have had! All of our children, new and returning, are settling in well and gaining a sense of belonging to the OSHC.

We have had a few changes to our routines here at OSHC, particularly for After School Care. If your child is in Prep, they will be collected from class and walked to the service building. Our Year 1 children need to make their own way to this building. All of our Year 2 to Year 6 children walk themselves to the sports hall each afternoon. All children are signed into the service by an educator as we have afternoon tea and then move to activities and areas.

If you are adding a casual after school care booking it is a great idea to contact your child’s class teacher to let them know, especially if the child is in the junior years or if they were not expecting to go to OSHC. This aids in a smooth transition and less confusion.

We have had a couple of requests from families to support children with homework. At our homework club we are more than happy to encourage your child to complete their homework, including reading. Please see an educator to discuss this.

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

Many thanks,

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

P&C News

AGM Meeting

The P&C AGM is set to be held on Wednesday March 10th at 6:30pm. At this meeting, all positions on the P&C Executive Team, Fundraising Sub Committee and Building Fund Sub Committee are elected. As some parents in these positions have now graduated from Kurwongbah, we are looking for some new parents with fresh ideas to join the team.

Our greatest role of importance to fill is the P&C Treasurer. If you have accounting or bookkeeping skills, approximately 2 hours per week available, and want to engage with your child’s school, then please make contact with the P&C President Mel Crowhurst to discuss the role – president@ksspca.qld.edu.au. This role is supported by the P&C Admin Officer, and is critical to having a functioning P&C.

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

Check out this guide for more details on the Treasurer’s role 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.

Fundraising News

Fete Update

Kurwongbah is well known for its biennial Fete with the next Fete due to be held in June 2021.

After due consideration for the amount of work our volunteers put into organising a fete, the amount of community support we request and need, and the impact that Covid-19 could still have on our event, the Fete Committee with the support of the P&C and School have decided to postpone the event.

We will revisit the decision in September to decide when to proceed.

The P&C Fundraising Committee will continue to organise events, raffles, and stalls throughout 2021 in lieu of the Fete, and we look forward to welcoming new families and volunteers to our Kurwongbah Family.

Skate Night Fundraisers

Join us for our first social event on the calendar at a family friendly skate night at Skateaway Albany Creek. Parents and siblings are welcome to join in the fun.

Limited to 300 people per night, so don’t be late.

The canteen will be open for hot and cold snacks, and there will be games and prizes, music, videos and the old time favourite “Guess the number of lollies in the jar” competition at 50c a guess.

Easter Raffle

The Kurwongbah P&C Association are running an Easter Raffle this year and we are asking each of our 500+ families to donate just one ‘Easter’ item to put in our Easter prize hampers.

The items we are after include any sort of Easter food (especially Easter Eggs) and Easter novelties (colouring books, pencils, rabbit ears, fluffy rabbits and chickens, stickers, toys etc…). Donations of some baskets or nice Easter boxes would also be greatly appreciated.

Any hamper donations should be dropped off to the collection basket in the School Office by Friday February 26th.

Raffle tickets will be available to purchase online from Monday 8th March and will be drawn on Friday 26th March.

Tuckshop News

Welcome to week 4. We are so excited to advise that with COVID restrictions relaxing, tuckshop will once again be taking cash sales for over the counter items in break times.

Specials

Pizza Wednesday

• Ham & Pineapple $5.00
• Margarita $5.00
• Mega Meat $5.50

Sushi Thursday

• Chicken & Cucumber $3.50
• Tuna & Cucumber $3.50
• Vegetarian $3.50

Meal deals

We are looking forward to introducing 3 more meal deals in week 5.

Current Meal Deals

• 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

Donations

Thank you to the Dunn family for the donation of MasterChef knives.

The tuckshop accepts donations of any unopened pantry staples e.g. flour, rice, zip lock bags, pasta and sugar.

Volunteers

We are very excited to be able to welcome volunteers back into out tuckshop. If you are interested in helping, please contact tuckshop staff. 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.

Cash

Tuckshop is once again accepting cash sales via the bag system and for over the counter items in break times.

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
3481 4337
tuckshop@ksspca.qld.edu.au

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop is currently accepting phone orders Monday to Thursday 8.30am – 10.00am or email orders. Please include your phone number with your email order. The orders will be packed and delivered Mondays and Thursdays. Parents are welcome to the uniform shop however appointments are preferred.

Payment methods accepted Eftpos, credit card, direct deposit and cash.

We are currently out of size 8,10 and 12 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.

Uniform Shop Hours

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

Containers for Change

Community Notices

Soccer X 2021 Term 1

Soccer X will be returning to Kurwongbah in Term 1.

Richards Football Academy

North Pine Orienteering

Details and more information at