28 March 2022

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Yours in education,

Leanne Odorico
Principal

Student of the Week

TERM 1 WEEK 8

TERM 1 WEEK 9

Top Kurwongbah Staff

Top Kurwongbah Kids

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

TERM 1 WEEK 8

Top Kurwongbah Kid – Term 1 Week 8

TERM 1 WEEK 9

Top Kurwongbah Kid – Term 1 Week 9

Outstanding Students for Term 1

Each term, teachers nominate an Outstanding Student from their class. The nominee is a student who independently models our school values reflecting pride in themselves, pride in our school and displays care and concern for those around them.

There will be a special morning tea for all nominees this Friday.

We would like to acknowledge all nominated Outstanding Students for Term 1:

Term 1 2021 Outstanding Students

Date Claimers

Due Dates for Payments

Newsletter Permissions

Schoolzine is the school’s primary means of communicating to the school community in the form of the school newsletter, as well as year level, class level and whole school level messages.

Parents only receive this communication if they have provided “Schoolzine” permission for their child. Forms were recently distributed to all students who are currently without permission, including those that expired at the end of Year 2 (permission is given for the period Prep-Year 2 and Year 3-Year 6).

If we do not receive this permission by the end of this term, you will no longer receive Schoolzine communications. Complete and return the permission form as soon as possible so this access can be continued. It is a requirement of the Department of Education to regularly review permissions for access to online services.

School Photos

School photos occurred on Monday 14 March and Tuesday 15th March. Photos can still be ordered online from the link below. Access Key is 448E88QY.

Make Up Photo Day

The photographers will be returning on Thursday 31 March to take individual or sibling photos that were unable to be taken due to illness etc. Whole class photos will not be taken again though. If you were unable to attend, please make contact with the office and provide the names of your children.

Parade Presentations

Congratulations to Mr Denning and the Senior Band for the entertaining parade performance last Friday. The band played the piece “Refried Beans” and are to be commended on their performance so early in the school year.

This Friday 4C and 4D Mrs Farley and Mrs Neilson will be performing on parade.

Below is a schedule of remaining parade presentations dates for the remaining of 2022.

2023 Prep Enrolments

We are now taking names of Prep students for 2023. Children who were born between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2018 are eligible to commence Prep in 2023. Parents are invited to contact the school office (ph: 3481 4333) if they are intending to enrol their child at Kurwongbah for Prep in 2023. Enrolment forms will be sent out in Term 2 and interviews conducted early in Term 3. Please contact the school for further information.

The National Day of Action Against Bullying And Violence

Chappy Carly and Senior Students created a wall of kindness developed by classes across the school in recognition of the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence.

Harmony Day Free Dress Day – Thank You!

The Kurwongbah State School community raised a generous $678.10 on Harmony Day in support of One Mile State School and Gympie State School which were flood affected in the recent extreme weather event. Funds will go to supporting students in these communities. Thanks to all families for your generous contribution.

Kurwongbah DOJO Celebrations

During this week, the final week of Term 1, class teachers will be conducting celebratory sessions for those students who have earned their Dojo points for this term. Congratulations to the many students who achieved this target – we are proud of your behaviour choices.

NAPLAN Info

NAPLAN is scheduled for Weeks 4 and 5 of Term 2. Our Year 3 and Year 5 students will complete the assessments online this year for all components except for Year 3 Writing.

General information about the assessments:

• NAPLAN 2022 Parent Information
• NAPLAN Privacy Information
• NAPLAN Privacy Notice

Next week our Year 3 and 5 students will complete an online practice test so that they are familiar with the format and functions. This is only a practice and is not part of the formal assessment. Year 3 will complete their practice on Wednesday and Year 5 on Thursday.

The actual schedule for assessments will be provided to parents early Term 2. Some examples of the types of questions that students may be presented with next term can be found at the link below

Parent Teacher Interviews (Year 1-6)

Parent Teacher interviews for Term 2 opened Monday 28 March. Bookings are made online. If you encounter any difficulties booking, please check the booking guide attached below or make contact with your child's teacher. Teachers can make bookings on your behalf if required.

School Holidays

A reminder that the last day of Term 1 is this Friday 1st April. School will resume on Tuesday 19th April.

School Watch

We are asking our community to report any suspicious activity in our school grounds during the holidays to the School Watch Team on ph: 13 17 88. We take pride in our school facilities and trust you will work with us to prevent any damage occurring during the vacation period. We need to reduce vandalism, theft and arson in Queensland schools.

Parking in and around the school site

Parking is often at a premium in and around the school at key times of the day. Parents/Carers are reminded parking must adhere to road rules and promote the safety of our students when travelling to and from school. Parents are not to stop in yellow lined zones to drop off children nor are they to complete uturns in Eacham Street at the crossing. This impacts on the safety of our children.

A request that when you are collecting or dropping off your children at school that you consider our neighbouring houses and ensure that your vehicles are not blocking driveway access for these residents. Parking and walking a short distance from the school especially if you have older children helps promote road safety around our school.

Covid Restrictions Update

Parents will be advised if there are any changes to restrictions prior to the return of school for the commencement of Term 2.

Schools have returned to business as usual since Monday 7th March, with the following restrictions lifted: mask wearing in schools and limited access to school sites.

Parades, incursions, excursions and access to the school site for all parents and carers has resumed since Monday 7th March.

Volunteers are also a welcome to return to our classrooms however all volunteers must provide evidence of full vaccination at sign in at the school office. COVID safe practices including hand washing and classroom ventilation practices will continue.

Students who are unwell are to remain home and students who present as unwell during the school day are expected to be collected promptly from school. RAT tests will be sent home with parents if the child presents with COVID-like symptoms.

Parents will continue to be notified of positive COVID cases within classes via a letter emailed home to class members.

Close contact quarantine requirements remain in place.

Useful Covid Links

• Queensland Government Covid-19 website:-

• I have Covid:-

• Home Quarantine General Information:-

• Close contact information:-

• After Covid:-

Voluntary Contribution

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. If parents would like to pay a larger or smaller contribution towards their child’s education they are welcome to do so.

Kurwongbah Fete – Sunday 19th June 2022

Next Fete Meeting

The next fete meeting is scheduled for tonight, Wednesday 30th March 2022, 6:30pm in Staffroom.

Fete Collections

Keep those fete donations coming in. Make sure your child gets their passport signed by their class teacher to win a prize when their passport is completed.

Collection Week - 28-Mar to 1-Apr (Grocery Items & Soft Drinks)

The Grocery Gamble stall is seeking in-date grocery items. This can include tinned goods, chips, lollies, biscuits, packaged goods, pantry staples, soup, noodles, pasta, sauce, cake mix, rice, jam.

We need cans of soft drink, any brand, any flavour for prizes on our side show gam, the Hoopla stall. A table of cans is setup and patrons try to throw a small hoop over a can – if you are successful you take home the softdrink you hooped.

Collection Week - 18-Apr to 22-Apr (Sample Bags & Lucky Jars)

We are seeking new fun boy or girl items to make up to 1000 sample bags. Possible items include toys, stationary (pens, pencils, rules, erasers), books, merchandise, hats, balls. We also accept sealed toys (McDonalds, Hungry Jacks, Red Roster etc) that your children don’t want are very useful. Any amount from 1 to infinity is most welcome!

Children are asked to bring in anything small to put in the jars – mini playdough, yo-yos, mini toy cars, stickers, lollies, small toys, stationery, bubbles, novelty items.

Sponsors

Who can become a Kurwongbah Fete Sponsor?

Anyone who would like to assist us with either a product or cash donation are welcome to become a Fete Sponsor for 2022. Listed below are some of the stalls that need assistance and ideas of how you can help. If you own a business and can assist us or if you could approach your employer that would be wonderful. If you are a loyal and regular customer ask the owner – you never know until you ask.

Pick a Box

Past prizes have included: theme park vouchers, magazine subscriptions, fast food vouchers, jewellery, garden equipment, games, cameras. This is where small businesses can help, products or services from the following make great prizes: florists, fast food outlets, hairdressers, gift shops, nurseries, restaurants – the list is endless.

Sample Bags

This stall is aimed at the children and we would appreciate fun novelty items (stress bals, pencils, pens, rules, etc), hats, small toys, fast food vouchers, food samples (Nestles, Sakata etc). This is where ethe corporate world can help us out with their promotional items.

Stall Convenors

Have you considered running a stall at the Fete? Why not team up with some other parents.

The current stalls requiring convenors are

Facebook Page

Follow our Facebook page, Kurwongbah State School Fete .

Alana Krogh (0431 945 952) & Kirsty Cherry (0409 768 545)
Fete Convenors
kssfeteconvenor@gmail.com

Eco-Marines News

The KSS Community Waste Reduction Project has commenced. This week the Year 5 cohort have started to trial the newly purchased multi-sort bins. At the start of the week, all the Year 5 students viewed the educational video made by the Eco-Marines on how to use the bins and sort their rubbish. So far, the trial has been a success with students quickly learning how to dispose of their rubbish. Each eating break the Eco-Marines sit near the bins to answer questions and if required assist their peers to sort their rubbish. At the end of second eating break, the Eco-Marines have also been responsible for collecting the recyclable containers and putting the organic waste into the compost bins. If the trial continues to be a success, another cohort of students will be invited to use the bins early in term two, further reducing the amount of waste being sent to landfill.

Kurwongbah Kids Playgroup

Chappy News

Hello Kurwongbah families,

We made it! Week Ten has arrived and I commend you all on getting through what has been one of the most challenging starts to a school year in my living memory. It feels strange to be at holiday time already, especially after the number of days away from school that we have had, but I appreciate that there is an opportunity to stop and hit the “reset” button with the Easter break ahead of us. I know that I am looking forward to the chance to slow down the pace a little, have some breathing room, and get out and about with my little lads while the weather is behaving!

With those thoughts in mind, I have spent some time putting together some ideas for how you might spend your Easter break. From overnight camps to library activities, I hope that this list might spark some ideas for you and that there may be the opportunity to try something new and different as a family.

Day Camps/Activities

There are several overnight and day camps being conducted these school holidays, with the Moreton Bay Super Sports Camp the one closest to our school community. Please see attached flyer for more details.

School holiday workshops for children who want to run away and join the circus! It is a bit of a drive (Hamilton or Redlands) but a great opportunity for children to learn new skills and meet new friends.

Supervised programs running between 9 am – 3pm, for those kids who just want to bring out their inner ninja! Located at Hendra, this day camp activity will wear your kids out in no time! There are a variety of options available in the Holiday and Workshop tab.

Held at YMCA Camp Warrawee (Joyner), the Adventure Day Camp program includes canoeing, High/Low ropes, stand up paddle boarding and many other great activities. Running from 8am – 5 pm, this is a great option for working families.

Calling all Lego fanatics…here is a great opportunity to get your imagination fired up and immerse yourself in either the world of Minecraft (North Lakes location) or find yourself in a galaxy far, far away (Star Wars – Murrumba Downs). Fun for kids of all ages, these one day workshops are a great opportunity to get the creative minds flowing.

Family Activity Ideas

A great exhibition for children and adults alike. Held at the State Library of Queensland, this free event runs through until April 18. Make a day of it and enjoy Sparklab and the Queensland Museum or head to Southbank for some great family memory- making.

An opportunity to get out in the fresh air and learn some basic fishing skills whilst you are at it! There are a variety of dates and locations available and all equipment and bait is supplied – oh, and it is free! Check out the events page and have yourself a peaceful few hours, throwing a rod in.

For those with an interest in stepping back in time, head up to the Caboolture library to discover what it was like to be a medieval knight. Don’t just stop there – head on over to the Abbey Museum and immerse yourself in the delights of history.

If you are looking for a day out, Bribie Island is a wonderful destination close to us and has some great attractions including the Butterfly House. Only open on Sunday’s and Wednesdays but well worth the drive and the opportunity to get up close with these beautiful little creatures. While you are at Bribie, I can highly recommend Saviges Seafood for a great fish n chip treat at Bongaree.

With plenty of shows available over the school holidays, a trip to the Sir Thomas Planetarium is a great way to pass some time. After visiting the Planetarium, why not take yourselves up to the Mt Coot-tha lookout and take in the amazing view of our beautiful city, go for a bushwalk, or just stop and enjoy a picnic at the JC Slaughter Falls.

While we still have some warmer weather, why not take a quick trip to the Redcliffe Peninsula and get your kids expending their energy at AquaSplash. Sessions run for an hour minimum with all participants fitted out with a life-jacket and supervised by full-time lifeguards.

Activities for Home

Here are a few ideas to “boredom bust” on those days when going out isn’t on the agenda…

• Virtual Museum Tours – with over 500 museums and galleries providing virtual tours, the opportunity to check out some of the most well-known exhibits and explore our world is literally at the click of your fingers. Simply Google “virtual museum tours” and immerse yourself in the world of art, history and science.

• For other virtual tour options, check this link out below

• Pitch a tent in the backyard and let the kids have a sleepout – it is safe, close to the bathroom (!) and might give you some quiet time for yourself at the end of a long day!

• Get the kids into Joe Wicks and have them moving their bodies to his energetic workouts. They won’t be bored for long!

• Create a backyard obstacle course or a neighbour scavenger hunt.

• Learn a new skill – magic, art, cooking, photography, coding – the ideas are endless and can be a great way to keep your young person’s mind engaged.

Whatever you choose to do over this upcoming Easter break, my hope for all of you is that there will be an opportunity to relax, refresh and put the past ten weeks behind. For our family, we especially look forward to the celebration of Easter and the reminder that there is always hope, no matter how dark the days have been.

Stay safe,
Chappy Carly

Guidance Officer (GO) Greetings

Greetings Kurwongbah families!

I am excited to join the team here at Kurwongbah as your new Guidance Officer for 2022. My name is Olivia Devereux (but your children might know me as Mrs D. which is much easier to remember!)

My role as Guidance Officer (GO) is varied and includes providing advice and counselling on educational, behavioural, personal, social, family, and mental health and wellbeing issues. Guidance Officers may work directly with students (with parent permission), in addition to working with teachers, families and other specialists. If you feel your child may need Guidance Officer support, the first step would be to discuss your concerns with your child’s teacher.

I look forward to getting to know the families, staff and students at Kurwongbah.

Olivia Devereux
Guidance Officer

STEM & Enrichment Education News

Makerspace Lunchtime Timetable

Year 6 Techgirls’ Academy Workshop

This week selected Year 6 students will be engaging in the upcoming Techgirls’ workshop in the Makerspace for a whole day session. The Academy for Enterprising Girls is a fun and exciting entrepreneurship program, available FREE to young women in Australia aged 10 – 18, funded under the Australian Government’s Women’s Leadership and Development Program. The Academy is designed to cultivate young women’s skills in design thinking and entrepreneurial and business skills. Students work to identify issues that are important to their community and determine how technology can be used to help solve their important issue. Students learn skills for developing an App and pitching their idea to classmates. This workshop is valuable preparation for developing an entry into the 2022 Techgirls Competition.

Hermitage Science Competition

Year 6 enrichment students are participating in the Hermitage Plant Competition where the aim is to stimulate an interest in science and agriculture in young people and to promote science and agriculture as a rewarding and exciting career choice. This year students will complete a range of activities that will help them discover the role of agricultural science research and also of traditional, native foods and food production systems in sustaining people today and for the past 60,000 years. Best wishes to the team in their investigation!

Create a Makerspace in the home - Holiday Fun!

Makerspaces inspire creativity, problem solving, collaboration and critical thinking. Creating a simple version of a Makerspace at home is easy with some basic items you might already have.

Here are just some ideas to start the process – provide building sets like Lego, Duplo or K’Nex, play dough, boxes, cartons, paper towel rolls and any other craft items, a variety of paper types, fabrics, threads and ribbons, timber dowels, straws, alfoil, felt pens, tape, scissors and crayons. Add in technology like a tablet or iPad, robotics or a Makey, Makey and students can make their own movies, commercials or gadgets.

Premier’s 2022 Coding Challenge

The 2022 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. The theme for 2022 is #digitalfuturesqld. Technologies is an ever-growing industry that will impact the future world of work.

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

Entry portal opens 1st April and close on the 17th September 2022.

Music News

Thank you to everyone who has returned the Student Resource Scheme (SRS) forms. All parents have now been invoiced for their child's involvement in the Music program for 2022. Payment is due by 29 April 2022.

Performance Uniforms

Almost all students have been fitted for a Performance Uniform. If your child has been away, he/she, will be fitted this week. Once full payment has been received and processed by the office, your child will be able to take the uniform home. Please get your child to try it on to ensure it is a good fit. If there are any problems, please send a message to Mrs. C and return the uniform to the music room and it can be changed over. Please keep it in the bag for safe keeping. When the students are required to wear it, a message will be sent home via email or dojo. Students are to wear white ankle socks with plain black school shoes (the socks need to be visible - no low cut socks please).

First Aid News

Students may require medication while they are attending school or during school related activities to manage ongoing health disorders or conditions, short-term illnesses or in response to a medical emergency.

The administration of medications to students is only to occur when there is either medical authorisation for its administration or it is required as an emergency first aid response.

Administering Medication – New Procedure / Forms

From the start of Term 2 2022, an updated “Administration of medications in schools procedure” is to be implemented. This includes new forms.

If you have any concerns, please contact First Aid for clarification.

Leigh Taylor, Marika Lankheet, Leona Tate
First Aid Officers
3481 4335 or FirstAid@kurwongbahss.eq.edu.au

P&C News

Next P&C Meeting

Our next P&C Meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday 11th May at 6:30pm in the Staffroom.

Tuckshop News

Congratulations to all of our Term 1 Meal Deal creators. Your meals have been a massive success to our tuckshop menu.

We are very excited to introduce new Meal Deals in Term 2 from our competition winners and student leaders. Meal Deals will be advised in early Term 2.

Some End of Term Reminders

Tuckshop will be opened Wednesday and Thursday, but please be aware that we are running down our stock and there will be a limited menu.

Tuckshop will only accept over the counter sales on Friday. Tuckshop staff will be busy performing end of term cleaning and stocktake.

Have a happy and safe holiday!

Ordering

The preferred method of ordering is online via the QKR app, as all details of in stock items are available. 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 the online QKR app. 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.

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

Parents are currently welcome on site to the Uniform Shop during open hours. No appointment is currently required.

Second-hand Uniforms    

We have a large range of check shirts and blouses, some as low as $5 in very good condition. We also have a large range of uniforms in most sizes, except for the larger.

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.

School Backpacks

School backpacks are available for $50. These backpacks are chiropractic approved and have a guarantee for the full time your child is at school.

Ordering Through Uniform Shop   

The following options are available:

• Email Orders
  Email your order through to uniformshop@ksspca.qld.edu.au This will be processed next time the Uniform Shop is open.

• Phone Orders
  You can phone the Uniform Shop during open hours and pay by Credit Card.

• Qkr! Online Orders
  Download the Qkr! App, or use the web-based version of Qkr at the link below

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

Uniform Shop Hours

Delivery days are Monday and Thursday.

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

Containers for Change

Community Notices

Soccer-X

Soccer X program will be running an 8 week program on the school oval on a Wednesday afternoon during Term 2, commencing Wednesday 4 May. For more information and online registrations, please visit the link below

Join Voices of Birralee for their Harmony Week Celebrations – 23 - 31 March 2022

Queensland’s Voices of Birralee is celebrating Harmony Week with a series of Open Rehearsals for their choirs. Harmony Week is about spreading the message that ‘everyone belongs’ and everyone should feel safe. At our open rehearsals we will sing music about our land and our people and explore songs from other parts of the world.

We know that singing with others boosts overall mental and physical wellbeing, increases self-esteem, provides a sense of belonging and feeds the soul.

Voices of Birralee will cater for all interested singers from age 5 to 35 across our Harmony Week rehearsals. They are free to attend and people can pre-register by visiting www.birralee.org. For more information call 3367 1001.

Lemonade Kids – Kallangur Easter Holiday Workshop

Lemonade Kids delivers Standing Strong® positive well-being program for children and tweens aged 7 to 12 years.

Moreton Bay Regional Council’s Active Holidays Program

Moreton Bay Region students have access to over 90 FREE and low-cost activities and workshops during the school holidays as part of Council’s Active Holidays program.

Active Holidays brings children and young people aged 3 to 17 years together during the school holidays to play and be active, develop skills and make new friends in a fun, inclusive and safe environment.

All activities provided by qualified and professional instructors in local parks and venues.

Bookings are now open. To view the full program and book your place visit the link below

Chess Mates Holiday Program