15 March 2023

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Yours in education,

Leanne Odorico
Principal

Student of the Week

TERM 1 WEEK 6

TERM 1 WEEK 7

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 6

Top Kurwongbah Kid – Term 1 Week 6

TERM 1 WEEK 7

Top Kurwongbah Kid – Term 1 Week 7

Date Claimers

Due Dates for Payments

Clean Up School Day

A big thank you to Mr Crowe, the EcoMarines and our students for a very thorough clean up of problem area I the school on Friday 3rd March. All students involved did a tremendous job to help keep our school environment clean.

School Photos

School photos for 2023 have been scheduled for Tuesday 28th March and Wednesday 29th March. (Week 10).

If you have received a Consent Form for School Photos (issued only to certain students), could you please ensure this form is return to the office ASAP. This form is to clarify information in regards to school photos.

All orders are to be done online using our unique school access key RK5TZSHM. Parents who wish to order family photos are also to use the unique school access key. Please see the attached flyer for more information in regards to ordering your photos online.

Family photo orders must be completed by 4:30pm Monday 27th March. Any family photos that have not been ordered prior to the cut off time will not be taken, there will be no exceptions.

All students will have an individual photo taken on photo day regardless if you are ordering or not. Individual student ordering will stay open after photo day. Any orders placed after the printing of the bulk of photos orders, will be sent directly to parents and will incur a postage charge per order.

Harmony Day – Friday 24th March

Harmony Week is a nationwide, weeklong celebration of cultural diversity in our society celebrated this month, from Monday the 20th to Sunday the 26th of March. We are blessed to have so many cultures and traditions enriching our social structure. From NAIDOC celebrations, Chinese New Year, Diwali and so many celebrations that we get to experience. We share in the experiences, food, traditions that are encompassed in our families, friendship groups, and school community, Moreton Bay Region, State and Nation. The closer our connection, the more aware we are. What a great opportunity for us as a school to acknowledge and value the diversity of our community.

On Friday the 24th of March, our Student Council will hold our School Harmony Day celebration, with the theme, that is our motto – ‘Individuals Together’. In an inclusive manner, we all bring parts of our culture to our school community. We invite students to wear something orange to school such as ribbons, socks, shorts, bandana, top etc, with a view to valuing the diversity we have in our school community.

The Student Council is asking for a gold coin donation with all money raised donated to the Marsden Road Neighbourhood Centre – Encircle. We have a number of families in our area from non-English speaking backgrounds and Encircle run a program with around 30 English tutors supporting 30 families in learning English. The Neighbourhood Centre runs sessions for families at Warner and North Lakes as well. Please find below contact details for this great community resource that provides so many support services in our local area:

Encirlce Kallangur
Phone: 3465 3200
Email: kallangur@encircle.org.au

For more information on Harmony Day, please visit the link below.

Bell Times

Parents are reminded of the bell times. If you are planning to collect your child near a break time, collecting either just prior to the commencement of the break or at the end of the break is the best arrangement. It is very difficult to track down children who are out at play. This is especially important if parents have an appointment they are trying to get to. By letting the class teacher or school office know of the collection time prior to the start of school we can assist in having your child at the Office ready and waiting.

Contact Details

It is important that the school have the correct contact details. This is especially important in emergency situations or if your child presents as unwell during the school day. If you have changed your mobile phone number, address or email address, complete the attached form and forward to the office. Please be also aware if you have a change in emergency contacts. If parents are registered through QParents they are able to update details through this app.

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

Please remember to contact the school early in the morning if your child is going to be away or late for school so your child’s absence can be recorded correctly. The preferred method of reporting an absence is via the SMS number 0429 919 560. Otherwise, you can contact the school absence line on 3481 4366 or the main school admin line on 3481 4333.

Please be sure you indicate the following when reporting the absence:

• Name of child (especially if there is more than one child in your family)
• Absence reason – Please indicate if your child is sick or at an appointment etc. Indicating that your child is not coming to school, does not give a true reason for the absence
• Late Arrival – If your child will be late due to an appointment, please indicate an approximate time of arrival
• Dates of absences, if longer than 1 day

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.

QParents

QParents is a simple and easy way to access information relating to your child. You can update information, access report cards and update attendance, absence information through this app. Future functionality may also include parental permissions for excursions and online permissions. These functionalities are currently in the development stage by the Department of Education. Please find attached information on QParents and how to register. If you have any queries or would like further information, please contact the office.

NAPLAN 2023

NAPLAN testing of Year 3 and Year 5 students commenced today and continues until next week.

NAPLAN is used by governments, education authorities and schools to determine whether young Australians are meeting important goals in literacy and numeracy.

Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are expected to sit the NAPLAN tests, which are held in Term 1 each year.

NAPLAN gives a snapshot of how children are performing in reading, writing, spelling, punctuation, grammar, and numeracy. It complements other effective classroom assessment and reporting practices.

Year 3 Students will be involved in a NAPLAN practice test on Monday 20th February and Year 5 on Wednesday 22nd February to ensure they are familiar with the online NAPLAN platform.

Please find attached a copy of the NAPLAN Parent Information Brochure as well as the NAPLAN Testing Timetable which begins on Wednesday 15th March.

Parade Presentations 2023

Whole school parades are held each Friday morning from 8.55am in our school hall. Parents are most welcome to attend. During the year each class or year level will present a presentation on parade. Below is the 2023 parade presentation schedule:

Eco-Marines News

The EcoMarines played a significant role in organising Clean-Up Australia Day at Kurwongbah and would like to thank all the students who gave up their playtimes to help. An extra special thank-you goes to all the senior students in Year 5 and 6 who supported the junior students in cleaning up. Students were issued with gloves, bags and hand sanitiser to assist with the clean-up and did a fantastic job.

The next project for the EcoMarines is educating Year 4 in the use of multi-sort bins to dispose of their lunchtime waste. The Year 4 Students will now be able to recycle their drinking containers and compost food items.

Kurwongbah Kids Playgroup

Inclusion News

Resilience

I think, sometimes we presume resilience is a lack of tears. I feel that the person or child who, in spite of feeling hurt, in pain, worried, anxious to point of being in tears, but they keep coming back, potentially is a sign of great strength and resilience.

I’ve written about discomfort before, and the importance of balance. We find that where our strength is tested and we don’t make an attempt, we believe we are not strong enough and it feeds into our concern moving forward. With a supportive team and knowing that we are not going to fall too far, we make an attempt; we learn actually how strong we are.

Many social-emotional researchers would say that resilience is the ability to bounce back, in the face of adversity. When you combine resilience with persistence, they would say that you get Grit. A person’s ability to bounce back and have another go.

Again, I call on the concept of a team and the support and strength that gives. With support, I am confident enough to give it another attempt, and I keep learning and overcoming the adversity. My example here is in learning to drive. I found this a really difficult thing to achieve, I wasn’t very good at it and many may say, I am still not! However, I was motivated, supported and given multiple lessons and opportunities and I got my license, built confidence and became an autonomous driver.

So, when you see me struggling, please don’t presume it’s weakness, especially when I keep showing up. Just reassure me, let me know you’re on my team, and you’ll help me through. That way I’ll know what I’m able to achieve.

A Thought on Reading

In our lower school, we have begun implementing a PLD, a Synthetic Phonics program, tied up in the Science of Reading research. A hugely important skill in becoming a reader is segmenting and blending. This is about being able to break a word down into all of the sounds in it, and vice verser, of identifying the sounds and building the word up.

For Example –

This is with a focus on the sounds in the words, not the letter names. In our reading work, we refer toe vowels as V and Consonants as C, and in terms of our development, we first learn VC words, where there is a vowel and a consonant (in, on, at), and then we move onto CVC words (consonant, vowel, consonant – big, not, sat, mat), and then onto CCVC and CVCC words, and onward and upward from there.

What this allows me to do is decode and encode words. It helps me read words in books, and it helps me write words in spelling and writing. And of course, we need to be able to do things verbally, out loud first, before being fluent and being able to do them ‘in our head’ and then be able to spell and apply them.

Our reason for sharing this thought, is for our children in Prep through to Year 2, where our homework, or even better, where we just come across words to read and spell, where we can model or encourage this segmenting and blending, we are providing one or the strong foundations for reading success. Please encourage children in their spelling to work through their list, even out loud, to segment there spelling word and then write the letters to match the sounds.

And of course, I am biased, read beautiful, fun, colourful, beautiful picture books with your children at every available opportunity.

Cameron Brown
Head of Special Education Services

Guidance Officer (GO) Greetings

Greetings Kurwongbah families!

Part of my GO role is to connect students and families to relevant services in the community. This week, I am sharing information about Family and Child Connect (FACC) – this is a FREE service for families who are going through tough times.

Helping families through life’s ups and downs

Family and Child Connect is a free, confidential service that can connect families to the practical support they need to bounce back in tough times. Family and Child Connect can connect you to local services that help with:

• managing your child’s behaviour
• building better family relationships
• stopping violence at home
• budgeting and managing money
• alcohol, drug or gambling problems
• accessing housing, health care or other community or government services

Family and Child Connect services are provided by trusted, local organisations who are experienced in working with families.

To find out more about Family and Child Connect, call 13 FAMILY (13 32 64) or visit familychildconnect.org.au . Access to interpreters is available.

Olivia Devereux
Guidance Officer

STEM & Enrichment Education News

Makerspace Lunchtime Timetable

Hermitage Science Competition

Year 6 enrichment students are participating in the Hermitage Plant Compeititon 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.

In 2023 they are putting the microscope on bees to help students realise the impact of the recent Varroa Mite outbreak in NSW on the apiary industry and to discover the crucial role bees play in the viability of agricultural and horticultural industries and in supporting our very survival on this planet!

Students have chosen to grow zucchinis and investigate the impact of companion planting on pollination. They will produce a scientific report on their findings and a scientific poster along with a journal with sketches and data recordings.

Best wishes to the team in their investigation!

Ozobot Robots

Junior Students are enjoying creating courses for the Ozobot robot with codes to make them perform a variety of movements. There are challenges for students to test their skills on and playgrounds to use for their robot to move on. Ozobots are small robots with wheels underneath and sensors to detect various colours.

Come to the Makerspace and join in the fun!

Music News

Thank you to everyone who has returned the Student Resource Scheme (SRS) forms. All parents have now been invoiced via email for their child's involvement in the Music Program for 2023.

Performance Uniforms:

Students are currently being fitted for a Performance Uniform. This is a long process due to the number of students involved in the program. All students except for Year 3 Beginner Strings are required to have a performance uniform. If your child has not been fitted yet please be assured he/she will be within the next few weeks. Once your child has been fitted and 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 an email, Facebook post or note. Students are to wear white ankle socks with plain black school shoes (the socks need to be visible - no low cut socks please).

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

P&C News

Thank you to everyone who makes our P&C a success. Volunteers make an amazing difference at our school by donating their time, ideas, and resources. We are proud to be supported by you in the community, giving generously to our student’s wellbeing and education.

We say thank you to our departing President, Melinda Crowhurst, who has tirelessly led our association in supporting this wonderful school. With a wonderful team of volunteers, Mel has driven fundraising events to provide resources like the classroom and hall air-conditioning, hall floor restoration, music program funding, Prep care packages (tea & tissues), and the Year 6 Graduation event.

We also say thank you to Greg Thomas who has been instrumental in leading our Building Fund Sub-Committee as Chairperson. With the support of the P&C community, Greg made our dream of an air-conditioned hall a reality. The Kurwongbah students are truly enjoying the difference, completed right on time for summer.

Following our AGM on the 8th March, and we are proud the announce our elected members for 2023 as follows:

Executive

President: Amy Walters
Vice-President: Claire Drewery
Treasurer: Nick Ellis
Secretary: Liz Giles

Fundraising Sub-Committee

Chairperson: Geoff Burke
Treasurer: Nick Ellis
Secretary: Liz Giles

2024 School Fete

The 2024 Fete has been approved and we look forward to providing this wonderful event for our Kurwongbah families and the wider community.

2023 Membership

Our P&C association is a friendly group and the meetings are a good way of finding out what is happening at our school. The association is more than just a group of people who attend a monthly meeting. Each year members work together to engender community spirit and work towards the benefit of all children at the school. Members may choose to volunteer in the classroom, library, tuckshop, uniform shop, at sporting events and organised activities/working bees. To become a member of the P&C please fill in the form attached below and return to the school office.

Fundraising News

Easter Raffle

The P&C Easter Raffle is now open and there are 20 prize hampers to be won:

1st $200 hamper
2nd $150 hamper
3rd $100 hamper
4th and 5th $50 hampers
6th to 20th $20 hampers

Tickets cost:
$2.00 – 1 ticket
$5.00 – 3 tickets
$10.00 – 8 tickets
$20.00 – 20 tickets

Entries close on the 30th March and the raffle will be drawn at 8.00am on the 31st March with winners announced on our whole school Parade.

Click the following link to purchase tickets

YMCA OSHC News

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

Tuckshop News

When ordering on QKR, please make sure your child’s class for 2023 is updated. This ensures your child’s tuckshop will be in the appropriate place at break time.

Our meal deals this term are:

• Liv’s Hot Diggity Dog Meal $7.20
  Hot Dog, Pikletes and Drink
• Emerson’s Flavourful Feast $6.00
  Fried Rice, Blueberry Muffin and Quelch Stick
• Billie’s Bites Meal $8.00
  Hotdog, Moosie and Drink
• Rogue’s Pizza Hut Meal
  Cheese Pizza, Garlic Bread and Drink
• Chappy’s Party Pack $8.50
  Beef Pie, Chocolate Mousse and Drink
• Yahirah’s Magnificent Mac and Chases $8.30
  Mac and Cheese, Moosie and Drink
• Hayden’s Nugget Meal $9.70
  6 Nuggets, Honey Soy Chips and Drink

All meals come with a popper however this can be upgraded to a flavoured milk for an additional $0.55. Sauce can also be added for an additional $0.40.

End of Term Reminders

Last day for Tuckshop this term is Thursday 30th March. Please be aware that we are running down our stock to ensure minimal stock onsite over the holidays and there will be a limited menu.

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

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.

Don’t forget to wash your Kooringa shirts with light colour and to wash the Jade polos and other house shirts inside out. This will help retain the colour.

School Photos

If you are needing a formal uniform for the upcoming school photos, we have a range of sizes available to purchase.

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.

Second-hand Uniforms

If you have uniforms that you no longer require, please bring them into the Uniform Shop. We urgently need all sizes.

You can either sell them through the shop or donate them. If you can’t get into the Uniform Shop to drop off your second-hand uniforms you can leave them at the Office with Uniform Shop written on the bag.

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

Saver Plus

HIPPY Program – Free Play Based Program Caboolture

Chess Mates – Easter Holiday Program

Triple P Online Free Online Program

You might have seen or heard information about the program on TV, radio or social media. The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care has now made it simple and easy for all parents and carers of children under 12 to access our FREE evidence-based, online positive parenting program. Families in Queensland can continue to access other Triple P programs, including Teen Triple P Online and face-to-face services, thanks to funding from the Queensland Government. Please visit the link below for more information.