17 August 2022

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Yours in education,

Leanne Odorico
Principal

New Students

A special welcome is extended to Wynter (Prep A), Elena (Prep D), Ash (2D) 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 3 WEEK 4

TERM 3 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 3 WEEK 4

Top Kurwongbah Kid – Term 3 Week 4

TERM 3 WEEK 5

Top Kurwongbah Kid – Term 3 Week 5

Service Award

One of our lovely Crossing Supervisors is celebrating their five year service award. Congratulations Rosemarie and thank you for the care you show our students and families, it is deeply appreciated. We are proud to share this celebration with you.

Date Claimers

Due Dates for Payments

Student Free Day

A reminder that Friday 2nd September is a Student Free Day and the school is closed on this day.

Parade Presentation

Well done to students in 1A and 1B, Mrs Rees and Mrs Jones who presented a heart warming and inclusive parade presentation “Wunya Ngulum” – “Welcome Everyone”. The students spoke and sang very well, celebrating the many cultures that make Australia the country it is today.

Last Friday on Parade, 4B and Mrs Murphy retold the journey of the First Fleet to Sydney Cove and the life a convict. Well done students and Mrs Murphy on an excellent historical recount.

Staff Update

Mrs Massie continues her leave until the 25th August. Mrs Shirley who worked at Kurwongbah in 2021 will continue as the teacher of 2B during this time.

Welcome to our new Groundsman, Mr Shaun Raedler who commenced last Tuesday. Mr Raedler will be working 2 days per week initially and supported by Mr Harry Irish for one additional day per week until the end of term.

100 Days of Prep

Prep students celebrated their first 100 days of Prep with a morning of fun, play and learning. While our teachers and teacher aides aged somewhat in the process, a great time was had by all. We are very proud of the progress of our Prep students this year.

Year 5 Goldfields Excursion

Student learning in Year 5 has been enriched through the Gold Rush excursion with students immersed in life on the Goldfields.

Stem – 6B and 6C Incursion

6B and 6C students participated in 3 90 minute sessions investigating how electrical energy can control light (circuitry as they worked in pairs to code their flashing lights using Arduino, to a piece of music. The MIE (Make, Integrate and Explore) team from the University of the Sunshine Coast guided students in the learning focused on growth mindset and perseverance as well as developing computational thinking skills and deepening understanding of STEM careers with a focus on coding. Thank you to the facilitators from USC for your time and guidance in this amazing program.

ANZAC Garden Refurbishment

Step two of the ANZAC garden refurbishment has now been completed with the installation of three flag poles last week. There is a little bit more to finish off in this space including painting and gardening. The project should be fully completed by the commencement of Term 4.

2023 Prep Enrolments

We are now taking names of Prep students for 2023. Children who are born between 1st July 2017 and 30th June 2018 are eligible to commence Prep in 2023. Parents are invited to contact the school office on 3481 4333 if they are intending to enrol their child at Kurwongbah for Prep in 2023. Information for participation in the ‘Get Set for Prep 2023’ program will be forwarded to parent in the near future. Only children who have enrolled participate in this transition program. Enrolments interviews commence this week and continue through until Week 8. Please contact the school for further information.

School Opinion Survey

Thank you to all parents who took the opportunity to provide feedback through the 2022 School Opinion Survey. Survey results will be shared with all members of the school community later this year and will be used to shape our improvement focus for 2023.

Music News – Advanced and Intermediate Instrumental Workshops

21 students recently participated in with the Intermediate or Advanced Instrumental Music workshops and performances. This was a wonderful opportunity for the students to work with a range of Instrumental teachers and guest conductors to develop their skills through this intensive program and we are extremely proud of all students for their selection and participation in these opportunities.

Well done to the following students who attended the Intermediate Primary Instrumental Music Workshop - Hayden, Hailey, Hayden, Jordan, Skye, Abigail, Amber, Grace, Ruby, Isla and Mia.

Well done to the following students who attended the Advanced Primary Instrumental Music Workshop - Asha, Chloe, Annabella, Vlad, Poppy, Nate, Charlotte, Autumn, Zeb and Zach.

District Sports Carnival Success

In the recent District Sports Carnival, 32 Kurwongbah students competed with outstanding results. The team placed first in the overall field events and the school also won overall primary school. 7 competitors have the opportunity to complete in the upcoming Net North Trials in late August. We wish them well in the next level of competition. Thank you to Mr Wood and Mr Fowler for supporting the students’ preparation for the competition.

Junior Swimming

The Junior Swimming program commences this Friday, involving our Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 Students.

RACQ Streets Ahead Road Safety Programme

The RACQ Streets Ahead program is taking place this week (Week 6). Each class will attend a 45 minutes session either individually (Prep to Year 2) or in cohort groups (Year 3 to Year 6).

The program covers age appropriate lessons on passenger, pedestrian and bicycle safety. The Education Officers will include demonstrations, interactive activities and meaningful discussions with each group. A specially designed road mat gives Prep to Year 2 students the ability to learn correct road safety behaviours and practice crossing the road safely. For Year 3 to Year 6 students, the Education Officers will demonstrate the importance of responsible behaviours and safety equipment, like helmets and seatbelts.

There are a number of content appropriate additional activities that you may like to view to support the program which can be found at

The Streets Ahead program will culminate on Friday 19th August with a proposed visit from the RACQ Care Flight helicopter which will be landing on the school oval. This visit is subject to the weather conditions on the day as well as any requirement for the aircraft to attend to a rescue mission. Please note there will be no Parade on Friday 19th August due to the RACQ helicopter visit at 9.40am.

Lost Property

We have a large of jumper and jackets in the lost property box that we would like to see reunited with their owners. If you are missing a jumper or jacket, please come and have a look in the Lost Property box located outside the First Aid room.

School Parking Patrol Program – Moreton Bay Regional Council

Moreton Bay Regional Council (MBRC) Local Laws Unit undertakes a School Parking Patrol Program where officers complete scheduled school patrols, both in the morning and afternoon, to ensure that vehicles are parked in a safe and lawful manner. The primary aim of the program is to ensure that students and family members/caregivers are able to safely move around the school area as part of dropping off or picking up students from the school.

The Moreton Bay Regional Council Local Law No.5 (Parking) 2011 and Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1999 control parking or stopping of vehicles on footpaths, bicycle paths, marked yellow lines, shared paths, dividing strips and nature strips, along with vehicles parking across residents driveways and within ‘No Stopping’, ‘No Parking’, and ‘Bus Zones’ and Pick-up / Drop -off zones. Council is legally required to enforce these areas and the School Parking Patrol Program forms part of this process. Drivers are reminded that footpaths and nature strips are in place to promote pedestrian movement in a safe manner along roadsides and that drivers and residents must not stop on a bicycle path, shared path, dividing strip or nature strip. Please also note those vehicles that are parked with two wheels up and two wheels down is not considered as a lawful parking practice.

Local Laws officers conduct enforcement through the issuance of Penalty Infringement Notices as part of each School Parking Patrol. Please be aware that Council officers may take photographic evidence of vehicles stopping or parking illegally with Penalty Infringement Notices to be issued via mail at a later date to the offending vehicle’s owner.

For further information, members of the school community are welcome to contact Moreton Bay Regional Council on 3205 0555 or visit the link below for further guidance on parking restrictions.

Swooping Birds

Spring is rapidly approaching and along with the warmer weather it also means the beginnings of the breeding season for many of our feathered friends. Some native bird species including magpies, plovers, butcherbirds and crows, are well known to swoop as a defensive behaviour to protect their young. Swooping is typically most common during the spring breeding season, but if weather conditions are favourable some species may start breeding from late winter and continue into summer.

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

Not all birds of these species swoop. In fact, it is estimated that only 9% of magpies show this aggressive behaviour. Birds usually swoop for six to eight weeks, until their eggs have hatched and their young are grown.

Native birds are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, it is therefore illegal to harm them or interfere with their nests and eggs.

If there is a swooping bird in your area:

• Take an alternative route - the best way to avoid being swooped is to avoid the bird’s territory
• Wear a hat and sunglasses or carry an umbrella to protect your face and eyes
• Dismount from your bicycle and walk through the area
• Don’t wave your arms, yell or throw objects at the bird - this will likely make the bird more aggressive
• Remain calm and walk quickly through the area, but don’t’ run - injuries often occur when people panic and run from a swooping bird

If you are concerned about a swooping bird on council land you can report it to council on (07) 3205 0555. Council may install temporary signage around the territory of a swooping bird to alert residents of its presence.

Covid Restrictions Update

Our school continues to have a range of COVID-safe measures in place, including:

• Maintaining good hygiene practices, including regular hand washing and use of hand sanitiser
• Continuing enhanced cleaning, including sick rooms and student or child service areas
• Encouraging all staff and students to stay home when sick, get tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms, and follow Queensland Health advice for positive cases and close contacts
• Providing rapid antigen tests (RATs) to students and staff who develop symptoms while at school, as well as priority access to RATs at Queensland Health testing clinics and provision of RATs for close contacts where available

Requirements for Close Contacts Unchanged

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

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.

Eco-Marines News

Over the next two weeks the Year 4 students will trial using multi-sort bins to recycle drink containers and compost their organic waste. The Eco-Marines will sit near the bins in the Year 4 lunch eating throughout the trial and assist with educating students on the appropriate bin to use. This trial should further reduce the amount of waste being produced at Kurwongbah and increase the number of drinking containers being recycled. Since the introduction of multi-sort bins in the Year 5 and 6 area of the school, more than $250 has been made from recyclable drink containers.

The Eco-Marines continue to do a great job in making Kurwongbah State School a cleaner and more environmentally friendly school.

Kurwongbah Kids Playgroup

Kurwongbah Playgroup is starting to grow in numbers as our new 2023 Prep students prepare for "big" school. We may need to implement our booking system each week to ensure your little person is not missing out on their Friday fun. There are a few ways you can indicate your attendance:

• Let the Playgroup Staff know each Friday for the following week
• Make a booking through the Kurwongbah School Office (07) 3481 4333
• Email Mrs Cross directly at mcros119@eq.edu.au

Chappy News

Hello Kurwongbah Families,

Over the years that I have worked as a Chaplain, I have most frequently supported students and young people with issues surrounding bullying and negative peer behaviour. Many times, the ability to work through the issues is made easier if it is happening in person, as the words used to respond to negative peer behaviours can be reinforced by strong physical responses, including walking away and engaging an adult to provide support. This is not the case when students are dealing with bullying and negative peer behaviours in the online environment, and this is something that I am encountering more and more often, particularly with students in the upper primary area. In fact, statistics show that 44% of Australian young people have reported having a negative experience online, including 15% who received threats or targeted abuse.

When a young person experiences negative peer behaviour or bullying in the online space, the ability to deal with it effectively is significantly reduced if they are not informed of what they can do and who they can turn to for help. Young people are also still developing cognitively and often don’t have the capacity to “switch off” their devices or shut down the screen and walk away – skills that we develop over time when we learn how to respond to negative situations. This lack (not their own fault, by any means!) places our young people in what can be potentially seriously challenging spaces and, sadly, can place them at significant risk of harm if not addressed.

This is where we, as the adults in their lives, have a great opportunity to be their cyber safety champions, educating ourselves and them, so that they have the best opportunity to engage safely and positively online. To that end, over the next few newsletters, I will be providing valuable information from the eSafety Commissioner that will support you in your journey to promoting online safety for your children and young people.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns around your child’s safety online or head to the link below for a wealth of free resources, including webinars and videos.

Chappy Carly

STEM & Enrichment Education News

Makerspace Lunchtime Timetable

Year 4 Robotics

Year 4D is participating in a series of robotics sessions this term to learn about computational thinking and problem solving. They have worked in pairs to challenge their understanding of mathematical concepts in measurement and estimation, which is linked to their upcoming assessment.

Makerspace Activities

Students have been engaging in many STEM challenges in their lunchtime break in the Makerspace. Maze challenges have been set up using EV3 robots and We-Do Lego kits have been used to create mechanical devices.

Telling Stories Writing Competition

The ‘Telling Stories’ Writing Competition is organised by Mooloolaba Rotary in partnership with the Creative Writing Program from the University of the Sunshine Coast and Voices on the Coast. This competition is on again and opens for students from Year 4-6. Students are to write their own story with the title being – ‘I wonder why?’

Entries are due on 12th September and there are great cash prizes to be won. Please see the Library for an entry form. Details of word count and prizes are below:

Grade 4: 300 – 500 words
Grade 5: 400 – 600 words
Grade 6: 600 – 800 words

Prizes sponsored by FireFly Education:

Overall winner - Professor Gary Crew Trophy and Cash Prize of $150.

Grade/Category Winners - $50 cash and medal.
2nd Place - $30 cash and medal
3rd Place - $20 cash and medal
4th & 5th - $10 cash and certificate

Premier’s 2022 Coding Challenge

The 2022 Premier’s Coding Challenge is on again! This challenge offers great prizes and an excellent opportunity for students to create some interactive and innovative coding to raise awareness of the importance of digital technologies for 21st century citizens and to predict digital skills and environments of the future.

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

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 from 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. 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

The Tuckshop has been very lucky to have a Year 12 hospitality work experience student from Bray Park High School. Brodie was a previous Kurwongbah student and we wish him all the best for the future.

Congratulations to our meal deal winners for this term:

• Theodore Prep C
• William 1D
• Jesse 2C
• Baeley 3A
• Mason 3B

We look forward to adding your meals to our Tuckshop menu soon.

Our meal deals this term are:

• Lexi’s Nugget Meal $6.90
  4 Dino Nuggets, Brownie and Drink
• Ebony’s Chicken Nugget Meal $6.90
  6 Chicken Nuggets, Honey Soy Chips and Drink
• Hayden’s Football Food $8.30
  Taco Boat, Moosie and Drink
  (Moosie needs to be collected from Tuckshop)
• Harry’s Perfect Pizza Pack $7.50
  Ham and Pineapple Pizza, Fruit Cup and Drink
• Cooper’s Cowboy Kick Off $7.70
  Hotdog, Honey Soy Chips and Drink
• Zac’s Mid Centre Meal $7.50
  Hotdog, Chocolate Mousse and Drink

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, volunteers are urgently needed.

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, blouses, winter jumpers and jackets.

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

At last our house shirts have arrived and all of the outstanding orders should have been delivered. If you have paid for a shirt and have not yet received it place call me at the Uniform Shop on 3481 4323 during opening hours. As the house shirts are now being made in Australia the cost of supplying these shirts has increased to $33.00 and will come into effect from 1st August.

Winter Uniforms

Winter uniforms are now in stock.

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

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

Pine Rivers Cricket Club – Sign on Day

Pine Rivers State High School Musical - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Food for Kids Trivia Night

Come along to a much-needed fundraiser for Food for Kids, which provides practical support to children in schools in the Moreton Bay Region. Click on the link below for further information.

The Lakes Knights Cricket Club – Open Day