25 May 2022

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Yours in education,
Leanne Odorico
Principal

New Students

A special welcome is extended to Harper (Prep C) 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

TERM 2 WEEK 4

TERM 2 WEEK 5

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 2 WEEK 4

Top Kurwongbah Kid – Term 2 Week 4

TERM 2 WEEK 5

Top Kurwongbah Kid – Term 2 Week 5

Date Claimers

Due Dates for Payments

Parade Presentations

Last Friday 3E performed on parade sharing useful ways that we can be kind and be a good friend. The students spoke very confidently. Thank you, Mrs Coker and 3E.

Thank you as well to 2A, 2B Mrs Skelson, Mrs Bartlett and Mrs Massie for an entertaining retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Well done students and teachers.

Absences

State schools are required to notify parents on the same day any student is absent from school without explanation. Rolls are marked at 8:50am and 2:10pm 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 8:50am 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 is not sufficient information and 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 – Definite dates need to be advised

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.

Early Departures

If your child has an appointment and you need to collect them early, please ensure their classroom teacher is aware OR advise the office earlier in the day so a message can be given to the class teacher at an appropriate time. This way we can ensure your child is available for early pick up. We do ask that you allow plenty of time for collection.

Parents are reminded of the bell times. If you are planning to collect your child during the break times, please ensure you contact the office to advise, so we can have your child waiting at the office. We can’t otherwise guarantee to locate your child until they transition back to their classroom.

Lost Property

We have large amount of lost glasses, glasses cases, wallets, purses and toys. If you are missing any items, please visit the office prior to the end of the month.

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 this term and interviews conducted early in Term 3. Please contact the school for further information.

NAPLAN Online

Congratulations to our Year 3 and 5 students who completed NAPLAN Online over the last two weeks. The students felt they were well prepared, took their time and did their best with the tests. Well done students and teachers! Results from NAPLAN tests will be distributed to parents in Term 3.

Assessment Moderation and Reporting

Teachers will be completing their assessment for Semester One by the end of Week 9. They will moderate the assessment pieces with their year level colleagues. Semester 1 reports will be completed and emailed to parents on Wednesday 13th July.

Academic Awards for students from Year 3 to 6 will be finalised and they will be presented on Parade on Friday 22nd July. A copy of Academic Awards Criteria for Semester One is below.

School Attendance

We are well and truly half way through Term 2 and the weeks are flying by. Remember that every day counts and consistent daily attendance improves student learning outcomes significantly. Please support us by ensuring your child is at school everyday unless they are unwell. Your attention to this important matter is appreciated.

Under 8’s Day

Last Friday our Preps to Year 2 students came together for an Under 8’s mini festival. There were bubbles to be blown, paper planes to be flown, obstacle courses to run, leaves to rub, rocks to paint, construction to build, towers to make and of course children to be crowned as we built ‘the world’s longest paper chain’. And we did all this in 45 minutes. Oh to be under 8 again!

Under 8’s is a yearly celebration of early childhood, education, and learning through play. Ultimately for Kurwongbah State School, it was an opportunity to get outside (but not in the sunshine – but that didn’t stop us) and have our staff celebrate with their children, and see them flourish in a different context. From myself, wandering around, I heard rich conversations filled with extended language, I saw negotiation and social skills and stories of imagination and wonder that are gems for us as educators.

Our children’s families are first educators, the oral language that our children experience and interact with lay the foundation for all other literacy skills that school and life work at to build. Without great language, vocabulary, experience of life and books shared, we don’t have the prior knowledge to make it easier to learn how to read, and then to write.

Last Friday morning was evidence of the success of our families as first educators, as we wander around and saw children navigate social interaction, choice making, problem solving and rich, age appropriate conversations. Great job Team Kurwongbah!!!!

Cameron Brown
Head of Special Education

Covid Restrictions Update

As you may be aware, Queensland Health has updated the requirements for anyone who is deemed a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19. Please note, when determining whether someone is a close contact, schools and early childhood services are not considered a household, or household-like accommodation or care facility.

New Requirement for Close Contacts

From 6pm on Thursday 28 April 2022, close contacts that do not have COVID-19 symptoms are no longer required to quarantine.

Students who are close contacts must notify their school that they are a close contact. For 7 days after becoming a close contact, students over the age of 12 must wear a face mask while outside of their home, including at school, and when outdoors if unable to physically distance. Queensland Health also recommends that children under the age of 12 wear a face mask when it is safe to do so.

It is recommended that students undertake a rapid antigen test (RAT) on the first day they leave home, and every second day (e.g. days 2, 4, and 6) until they are no longer a close contact. Close contacts that develop COVID-19 symptoms must not attend school and should isolate until their symptoms resolve.

Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs)

Schools are now providing RATs to staff or students who are close contacts. Please contact the First Aid should you require a RAT.

If You or Your Child Tests Positive to COVID-19

Queensland Health requirements for people who test positive to COVID-19 remain unchanged. You must follow the Queensland Health guidelines outlined in the first steps to take if you have COVID-19.

Face Masks

As a gentle reminder, masks continue to be required in certain settings for anyone aged 12 years or older, such as when travelling on public transport. They are also recommended whenever you can't physically distance. Anyone who chooses to wear a mask at school will be supported to do so.

We will continue to keep you informed of any changes to our response to COVID-19.

Kurwongbah Fete – Sunday 19th June 2022

The next fete meeting is scheduled for tonight, Wednesday 25th May, 6.30pm in the Staffroom.

Thank you to our amazing families for bringing in donations. Everyone’s contribution will ensure we have another outstanding fete. Make sure you child gets their passport signed by their class teacher to win a prize when their passport is completed.

Thank you to Noah (4D) and McIntyre Finance for this wonderful and significant donation of chocolates to our school fete.

Fete Container

The fete container will be open Sunday 5th June between 8.00am and 11.00am should anyone have items for the Trash and Treasure stall that they wish to drop off.

Sponsors

Who can become a Kurwongbah Fete Sponsor?

Anyone who would like to assist us with either a product or cash donation is 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 balls, pencils, pens, rules, etc), hats, small toys, fast food vouchers, food samples (Nestles, Sakata etc). This is where the corporate world can help us out with their promotional items.

Art Union

Our Art Union tickets were sent home to every family last week and we need your help to sell the tickets to your family and friends. Tick are $2.00 each and puts you in the draw to win one of five great prizes. All tickets sold or unsold must be returned to the school administration by Friday 10th June. More tickets are available if needed, please feel free to ask for more tickets to sell.

Tickets will be for sale at the Fete, just look for the Art Union Stall. Ticket sales close at 2.00pm on Fete day and will be drawn at 2.30pm.

Lucky Jars

Our Lucky Jars are very popular and we need your help to make some more. We need lots more trinkets and items such as lollies, small toys, stationery, bubbles and novelty items to fill them. We also need a mixture of jars (nothing over 400ml) and if you can help us out by cleaning the jars before donating and removing the label.

Sweet Stall Donations

We are still in need of the following items to be donated for the Sweet Stall – brown sugar, cocoa, plain biscuits, cooking chocolate, unsalted peanuts and marshmallows. We are also needing small clean jars (up to 200ml) with metal lids for bottling ice cream toppings and boiled lollies.

Fabric Donations

Our Jam and Lucky Jars Convenors are looking for donations of fabric that they can use to cover the lids of the jars. If you can help, please send your donation to your child’s classroom where our volunteers will collect it.

Facebook Page

Follow our Facebook page, from the link below

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

Eco-Marines News

This week Year 6 students have started to use multi-sort bins to sort their waste. A number of students, working as Eco-Marine support crew, have been rostered on to help students dispose of their waste in the correct bin. Already there has been an increase in organic waste going to compost and drinking containers being recycled. In the past 6 weeks, Year 5 students who were initially trialling the multi-sort bins have alone raised close to $60 from recyclable containers.

In the last newsletter, it was mentioned that the Eco-Marines had been on an excursion to Tangalooma for a training day. Tangalooma Island resort has offered a 15% discount for Eco-Marine teachers, students and school families. Members of our school community are welcome to click on the link below to access the discount if they are interested.

Kurwongbah Kids Playgroup

Guidance Officer (GO) Greetings

Greetings Kurwongbah families!

This week I have been hearing a lot about friendships – this is an important part of school life for our students, so I am sharing some ideas for developing skills in this area (adapted from another ‘Kidsmatter’ resource).

Helping Kids with the Ups and Downs of Friendships

It is not always easy for children to know how to manage friendships. Problems with friends can affect how children feel about themselves and their enthusiasm for activities that involve others. Parents and carers can help children learn the kinds of friendship skills they will need as they grow and develop.

Learning how to make and keep friends involves a number of skills. Children learn more and more complex social skills from those around them as they develop. Home life has an effect on the development of social skills. A child who has an adoring little sister is likely to have more skills of leadership. A child who is the little sister may be more use to fitting in with what others want to do. These children are likely to react differently when they come to school and meet other children with different life experiences and different social skills.

Friendship Skills for Children Include:

Cooperation

• How to share, how to take turns, how to work together towards a common goal

Communication

• Using words to explain what you want and listening to others respectfully
• Paying attention to body language (for example, making eye contact, smiling and being able to read others’ nonverbal reactions)

Understanding and Managing Feelings

• Being able to express feelings in ways that help others understand you
• Recognising and responding to others’ feelings

Accepting and Including Others

• Recognising others’ needs for respect and friendship.

Try a Problem Solving Approach

When problems arise in friendships it is important not to blame children but to show them how to find a solution. A problem solving approach is often helpful.

1. Encourage the child to describe what has happened
2. Ask about how they felt
3. Ask them how they think the other person might see it and how they might be feeling
4. Get them to think of ways they could do things differently next time
5. Encourage them to try the new approach – get them to practise with you so they feel more confident
6. Check back with your child to see how things turned out.

Olivia Devereux
Guidance Officer

STEM & Enrichment Education News

Makerspace Lunchtime Timetable

Kurwongbah State School - RoboRave Australia 2022 Competition

This year five teams of students from Year 5-6 will be competing in the 2022 RoboRave Australia tournament at the University of the Sunshine Coast at Sippy Downs on Sunday 17th July 2022. Teams will compete in two categories of Elementary and Middle School in the SumoBot Lego challenge in teams of 2-4. SumoBot Lego is a battle between two Lego robots, programmed to battle in an arena to push their opponent out of the ring first.

This is an exciting opportunity for Kurwongbah to compete in this event again, as last year students won the trophy for the spirit of RoboRave for great sportsmanship and teamwork.

Kurwongbah is seeking any donations from the community to help the students purchase team shirts for RoboRave, assist in registration fees and purchase LEGO robotic components.

Please contact the Kurwongbah school office or Rebecca Rowley (Ph 34814333 or rrowl3@eq.edu.au ) if you can assist.

Best wishes to the students entering the competition!

Design Technology – Year 5 Reminder

Year 5 students are creating a service for an edible plant as part of their Design Technology unit and assessment. Students will need to bring in a container or repurpose an item that they would like to plant their plant into for the assessment. Items can be brought to the Makerspace for collection. Milk containers, tubs, tins and plastic bottles are just a few ideas for this project.

Solid Pathways – Year 5 Shape it Up

The Year 5 unit investigates various shapes that influence an object and its ability to fly. Students explore the forces of flight and how shapes can impact these forces through the engineering design process. Jacob has been experimenting with straws and pipe cleaners to create many forms of shapes in his Solid Pathways lessons.

Year 4 - Coding Basics

In this unit students are introduced to algorithmic thinking and learn how to write code. They use problem-solving, logical thinking, cause and effect, and computational thinking to solve problems using a program called, ‘Scratch.’

Year 6 – Balancing Agriculture and Biodiversity

Agricultural sustainability (and food security) is one of the grand challenges facing global communities. It encompasses a range of ideas that enhance preservation of resources and negate adverse effects on the environment. Students investigate how the growth and survival of living things are affected by physical conditions of their environment to develop understanding of the threats to biodiversity in typical agricultural practices, and conduct a fair test investigation to answer the question, “How can agriculture be balanced with conservation of biodiversity?”

Music News

Mid-Year Night of Music

It is time for us to finally be able to show off all the hard work your children have been doing at our ‘Mid-Year Night of Music’. A note with all the details was sent home last week (please check your child’s school bag). The following groups will be performing:

• Junior Singers, Middle Singers, Senior Singers, Performance Group, Kurwongbah Blokes
• Senior Percussion Ensemble (Year 5 & 6)
• Junior String Ensemble and Senior String Orchestra
• Junior Concert Band and Senior Concert Band

Details of the evening are as follows:

• Tuesday, 7 June performances commencing at 6.00pm
• Doors open at 5.30pm
• Gold coin donation for entry
• Music Support Group will be serving food from 4.45pm. There will be no interval during the concert however the canteen will stay open until 7.00pm
• Cash sales only – there are NO eftpos facilities available
• Full Performance uniform is required (including black school shoes)

We are after some lucky door and raffle prizes to be donated for this night. It doesn’t have to be a huge prize – all donations big and small will be accepted with gratitude.

Choir News from Mrs C

Junior Singers, Middle Singers, Senior Singers & Kurwongbah Blokes will all be performing one song at parade on Friday 3rd June. Students will be in school uniform for this presentation. A note is going home this week with further details so please keep an eye out for it.

Junior Concert Band News from Mrs Porter

Junior Band rehearsals are Monday 2nd break on 30th May, 6th June and 13th June. Students need to remember their instruments on these days. This also includes students who are in the Junior Concert Band but learn from Mr Denning.

Percussion News from Mr Hamlin

Monday saw the beginning of our Regional Fanfare Heats held at North Lakes State College, so lessons and ensemble rehearsal will be postponed until next week.

With our Mid-Year Night of Music Concert only 2 weeks away, I will be running 2 lessons and rehearsals on Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th June. Percussion parents will be emailed the exact times for that Tuesday, because room allocation has to be considered in the music block.

This will help after losing quite a few Mondays in a row for our students.

Book Club News

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. 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 http://scholastic.com.au/LOOP or using the LOOP app, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

Cash orders can be handed into the library. 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

Tuckshop News

We have a new competition running in Term 2, every time you order a meal deal you receive an instant entry. Thanks also to our Student Leaders who have created new Meal Deals for this term.

Term 2 Meal Deals

• Poppy's Happy Meal $7.70
  4 Dino Nuggets, Chocolate Mousse and Drink
• Vlad's Popping Pearlescent Pizza Pack $7.50
  Ham and Cheese Pizza, Fruit Cup and Drink
• Autumn's Anzac Meal $7.00
  Meat Pie, Anzac Slice and Drink
• Annabelle's Scrumptious Spaghetti $7.50
  Pasta Bolognaise, Garlic Bread, Brownie and Drink
• Amelia's Toastie Pack $7.00
  Ham and Cheese Toastie, Chocolate Mousse and Drink
• Blayz's Hotdog Meal $6.50
  Hotdog, Brownie and Drink
• Ivy’s Mighty Pizza Box $7.00
  Supreme Pizza, Brownie and Drink

There is an extra charge of 50c to upgrade to a flavoured milk and 40c for sauce.

Wednesday Special

• Cheese Pizza $5.00
• Ham and Pineapple Pizza $5.00
• Mega Meat Pizza $5.50

Thursday Special

• Roast Chicken, Vegetables, Gravy and Garlic Bread $6.00

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 welcome to the Uniform Shop during opening hours with no appointment necessary. If you have an hour to spare and would like to volunteer in the Uniform Shop please email or call me.

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 a large range of second-hand uniforms in most sizes available including check shirts and blouses.

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.

House Shirts

Due to delivery issues with our current supplier, we have made the decision to move to our Australian made supplier and will advise further once the delivery of the house shirts has been made. To the parents that are waiting for house shirts, we apologise for the delay.

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.
3. Qkr! Online Orders
   Download the Qkr! App, or use the web-based version of Qkr at https://qkr-store.qkrschool.com/store

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

Chess Mates Program

Redsticks Hockey Program

Young Engineers – Kurwongbah Program

Children construct a range of engineering-based projects to test and develop. Book now for Tuesday or Friday after school classes held in the Kurwongbah State School hall. Click on the link below for further information.

Bray Park State High School Open Day

Bray Park State High School has a new sate for their Open Day after the first one was postponed due to the weather. The new date is Tuesday 7th June 2022. Click on the link below for further information.

Saver Plus

Saver Plus is delivered by The Smith Family in your local area and is currently looking for new participants. It is a free community program to help parents’ budget and save for education costs. Build financial skills, develop long-term savings habits, and earn up to $500 in matched savings.

Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month 2022

South Pine Community Kindergarten Open Day

South Pine Community Kindergarten Open Day is being held on Saturday 18th June 2022 from 9.00am to 11.30am. Our Open Day is an opportunity for our local community to explore what South Pine Kindy has to offer.

BBX Lego Fan Expo

The BBX Lego Fan Expo, Queensland premier Lego fan expo is being held at the RNA Exhibition Building 10th – 11th September 2022. Online tickets only, no door sales. Please visit bbx2022.com further information.