14 September 2022

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Yours in education,

Leanne Odorico
Principal

New Students

A special welcome is extended to Mackenzie (2B) 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 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 3 WEEK 9

Top Kurwongbah Kid – Term 3 Week 9

Date Claimers

Due Dates for Payments

Staff Update

Mrs Butler is on Long Service Leave until 7th October, replaced by Mrs Shield. Mrs Coker is on Long Service Leave this week replaced by Mrs Shesgreen.

Gold Coin Free Dress Day

This Thursday the 15th September the school will be holding a gold coin free dress day. To show our gratitude all money raised goes to RACQ Life Flight who recently visited our school as part of the RACQ Streets Ahead Programme. The theme is to wear your favourite colours from the Life Flight Chopper – yellow, white, blue or orange. Clothes must be sun safe and students should wear their school hat and regular school shoes.

Olympics Unleashed

Last Monday, as part of the Olympics Unleashed Program, Jessica Borg visited our Year 4 to 6 students sharing her story and messages of perseverance, commitment to her dreams and goal setting. No matter how big the challenges she kept her eye on her goals. An amazing Olympian!

School Holidays

A reminder that the last day of Term 3 is this Friday 16th September. We wish all our students and families a safe and enjoyable holiday. School will resume on Tuesday 4th October.

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 13 17 88. We take pride in our school facilities and trust you will work with us to prevent any damage occurring during the holiday period. We need to reduce vandalism, theft and arson within Queensland Schools.

Year 5 Camp – Mapleton

A reminder that the 3 day Year 5 camp at Mapleton begins on Wednesday 5th October in Week 1 of Term 4.

Children Leaving Kurwongbah

We are staring the process of forming classes for 2023. Parents whose child or children (other than Year 6 students) will be leaving Kurwongbah at the end of the year are asked to inform the school office.

2023 Parent Class Requests

2023 class formation processes are commencing. This is a thoughtful process which takes into consideration many factors. Our underlining consideration is always providing the best learning environment for each student.

If there are specific learning needs for your child which you would like us to take into consideration, please write these needs, along with your child’s name and year level they will be in next year, and hand this in to the office by Friday, 14 October. This is not a teacher selection process so please don’t request a particular teacher.

Parents are advised that, whilst consideration will be given to requests, final class formation decisions will be made by the school administration in consultation with teaching staff.

Junior Swimming

Junior Swimming Block 2 (Prep Classes) commenced on Monday 5th September at Genesis Pool with lessons concluding this Friday

Block 3 Swimming for Year 1 commences on Monday 10th October after the school holidays. Final payment for Block 3 swimming must be paid by Friday 16th September. No late payments can be accepted.

2023 Prep Enrolments

We are continuing to take Prep enrolments 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.

Pre-Prep Program 2022 for 2023

We will be holding our Pre-Prep Program on the dates listed below. Please contact the office either by phoning 3481 4333 (Admin) or emailing lthom273@eq.edu.au to book you preferred program dates.

Parents/Carers are required to remain with their child for the time they are on school grounds. During these times you will have access to key personnel within the school to assist you in your child’s transition to Kurwongbah State School.

Please ensure your child has a small bag with the following items:

• Some fruit and something small for lunch – please note some children attending may have food allergies and we ask you to consider this when selecting food to bring
• Hat
• Water Bottle

The uniform shop will be open between 10.30am and 1.00pm on these dates. Please note that an appointment is necessary with our uniform shop convenor Kay Mitchell. We look forward to meeting you on our Pre-Prep says and welcoming your family to our school community in 2023.

Please let us know if you will not be attending so we can allocate this time other student.

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.

Covid Current Guidelines

As per the updated national and Queensland Health Guidelines, from Friday 9 September 2022 the mandatory isolation period for COVID-19 will be reduced from 7 to 5 days, when a person tests positive for COVID-19 and does not have symptoms.

As a result, any staff or students who test positive for COVID-19 from Friday 9th September can return to their school (or other Department workplace) after completing 5 days of isolation, if no symptoms are present.

Eco-Marines News

We have come to the end of a very busy term. Due to Friday interschool sport and the RACQ helicopter visit many of the senior classes were unable to attend Parade. Therefore, the Eco-Marines didn’t get to promote all the environmental issues they were hoping to. Next term, the Eco-Marines are keen to resurrect ‘Waste Free Wednesdays’ and recognise students on Parade who try to reduce their waste. They would also like to educate staff and students on to how to reduce their use of electricity in the classroom and the importance of conserving water.

These holidays the Eco-Marines would like to challenge the school community to change one habit to reduce the amount of waste thrown away at home. Good luck and enjoy the break.

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

Inclusion News

We Set the Weather

A week of forecast rain, then it rained on Friday and the sun came out. Life is definitely not predictable, other than that we can predict that there will be change. No matter what compartment of our lives, there is change. We move house, have babies, join teams, leave teams, make friends, leave friends, return to friends, with some things in our control and many of them not in our control.

Change is only change until it becomes the norm. I am not taking anything away from the worry and concern that people experience because of change, but truly, if it didn’t become the normal, then we wouldn’t survive ‘growing up’. I wonder if we are more resilient than we know!

Whilst 2022 is nowhere near finished, planning and thought is being put into 2023. There will be a transition to a new class, new teacher, new room. What an exciting opportunity. We are a result of all of our experiences and one of the great things about schooling and sports are that we move on from teacher to teacher, and coach to coach to learn new things, in new ways, to take advantage of the differing gifts that people have to add to our life.

Change will create a level of concern, it is the unknown and we tend to have a fear of the unknown. When we introduce new curriculum concepts, when we implement a new routine, it is new and not known. We see a spike in behaviour, sensory, social, emotional and communication requirements for our young people. We have the ability to influence and ‘set the weather’ for how that looks.

Our students still have a term of learning with their current teachers. We want to be really present in that time. We don’t want to transition too early, and close off a chapter before knowing how it ends! We can plant some seeds, listen and look out for clues as to how our children are feeling.

Talk about the success of this year. Reflect back on feelings from the beginning of this year, end of last year, and the strength that came from there and the positives of the change.

Talk about the opportunities of next year. A new teacher to get to know, a new adult-friend to add to our toolkit.

New classrooms, play, eating areas, a chance to explore, especially where we are transitioning across a sector.

Reassure children that there will be a great deal of familiarity and familiar faces to support the transition. Walk a different way when you leave or enter the school, to see a different part of the environment. Point out things remembered fondly from the past, say hello to familiar people from the past, meet new people and say hello, point out the play areas, eating areas.

Talk about the positive peer connections that will be moving up the school with the children.

Reassure children that they will have time and opportunity to meet staff.

Let’s set the weather of a sunny optimistic future!

Cameron Brown
Head of Special Education Services

STEM & Enrichment Education News

Makerspace Lunchtime Timetable

Electrical Safety Week

The Year 6 enrichment students will be presenting their activities to promote Electrical Safety Week to Year 1 classes on Thursday. Students have created a science show about how electricity works and made games and power points for students to engage in. Year 1 students will watch a film about broken and frayed electrical cords and how to spot dangerous electrical situations. Well done students on your great efforts in preparing this expo for Junior students.

Highly Commended – Kurwongbah Year 6 Science Team

Congratulations to the Year 6 Science Team who received a highly commended for their entry in the Hermitage Plant Competition on Native Foods. Students received a medallion for the school and a certificate each for their entry. Certificates will be presented to all students on parade. Congratulations!

Year 6 Digital Technology

Students have been learning about digital systems and their components and how digital systems connect together to form a network. They have used been programming robots using the ultrasonic sensor as an input device to make their robot detect an object. Next term students will be learning how to create algorithms in code using branching and repetition to create a sumo robot program and then participate in a class challenge for the culminating activity.

Robotics Sumo Wrestling Competition Term 4

Selected Year 5/6 students will be running a Robotics Sumo Wrestling Competition early next term for Year 4 -6 to compete in. Students will learn how to program and design their robot to compete in a round robin competition whilst being mentored by the Year 5/6 teams who attended the Sunshine Coast RoboRave competition last term.

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.

Music News

Save the Dates for Term 4

Tuesday 8th November is the date planned for our End of Year Night of Music and Awards. All students in the Choral and Instrumental Program will be performing at the is concert. It will commence at 6.00pm. Further details will be sent home early Term 4.

Prep/One Singers

Interested Students in Year 1 and Prep were given a note this week about joining the Prep/One Singers. They will start rehearsals next term with Mrs C and Ms Waltisbuhl, rehearsing every Thursday at second break for weeks 1 to 6. The Prep/One Singers will perform on Parade with all the other Choirs on Friday 11th November. This group will not perform at the End of Year Night of Music. All the details about this group are on the note. If you wish for your child to be a member of this group, please complete and return the slip to the office or music room by the first rehearsal in Week 1, Thursday 6th October. Extra notes are available at the office or music room.

Tuckshop News

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

Some End of Term Reminders

Tuckshop will be opened today 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 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.

2023 Prep Uniform Fitting Appointments

We are now taking Prep appointments during the October 2022 Pre Prep Program.

The uniform shop will be open between 10.30am and 1.00pm on these dates. Please note that an appointment is necessary with our uniform shop convenor Kay Mitchell. Appointments may be arranged by phoning 3481 4323 on Mondays or Thursdays between 8.30am and 10.00am or by emailing uniformshop@ksspca.qld.edu.au.

We look forward to meeting all our new 2023 Preps.

Second-hand Uniforms

We have a very good range of second-hand uniforms, all in excellent condition currently available in the Uniform Shop. If 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 always have parents waiting for second-hand uniforms.

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

Chess Mates – Spring Holiday Program

Lemonade Kids