Issue 20 6 December 2023

From the Principal's Desk

This is the final newsletter of 2023. I would like to congratulate all our students for their hard work and achievement across the year. We continue to see pleasing improvement in student achievement across all year levels, and in Reading. Next year will be an exciting time at Kingaroy, as we introduce new initiatives focussing on Literacy and student, staff and parental wellbeing.

We are introducing PLD next year to support our students’ literacy development.  PLD provides an Australian, evidence-based approach to Structured Synthetic Phonics (SSP) for primary schools. Aligned with the Science of Reading, PLD’s SSP approach extends from the junior primary years through to upper primary years and thereby facilitates a whole school approach.

We are also introducing a new school-wide Wellbeing framework, The Resilience Project. Through presentations, student curriculum, teacher resources and digital content, The Resilience Project’s Education Programs support mental health in the classroom, staffroom and family home. Further information about this program will be sent out over the course of Term 1 next year.

I would like to warmly farewell our graduating Year 6 students. It has been great teaching you, and watching you learn new knowledge and skills. We wish you all the best in High School. A warm farewell also to any families who are leaving the South Burnett over the break. All the best with your future endeavours.

Report Cards

This semester we are trialling emailing parents their child’s report cards. This aligns us with Kingaroy State High School and many other Queensland Primary schools. You will receive your child’s report card  today. If you experience any issues accessing this report card please contact the office at 4160 4333 or by email at admin@kingaroyss.eq.edu.au .

Breakfast Club 2023

This year Kingaroy State School has been very fortunate to have some amazing helpers assist with Breakfast Club. We started the year serving breakfast 3 days a week and since the start of Term 4 we have been offering breakfast to all of our students 5 days a week.

On Mondays Mrs Fairbairn serves fruit, milk, sultana bran, weetbix and honey. On Tuesdays Ray and Pat serve cereal, fruit and toast. Wednesday has been a new addition in Term 4 with smoothies created by Miss Trish, Mrs Evans and Ms Hails. Thursday and Friday remain our most popular days with ham and cheese toasties usually cooked by Miss Alex, being the crowd favourite. We would also like to mention that Mr Vince and Mr Heit do a great job making our vegemite and honey toast and Ilsa and Anna always make sure that there is banana milk or milo milk on offer.

We would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to these helpers who turn up each week and make sure that we start our day with some yummy food, a cheery smile and a chat. Without them Breakfast Club would not be possible.

We would also like to acknowledge the Rotary Club of Kingaroy, who supply many of our volunteers, and our bread, Woolworths who donate fresh fruit each week and South Burnett Dental Group, who also assist with funding. Without these generous donations, the school would not be able to offer this valuable service to our students.

Many of our helpers are keen to continue in 2024 and are looking forward to continuing this valuable service.

News from the Arts/Gifted and Talented

Enrichment Sessions

Unfortunately, our scheduled Archaeology/Museum Curation sessions had to be postponed as our visiting presenter was unable to come due to illness.

Mathematics is Fun with Mr Brett Jones from Kingaroy State High School

On Monday, November 27^th, Mr Jones came over to conduct a geometry workshop for our high performing students in Years 2-6.  Students learnt how to measure the angle of an object using a slope inclinometer.  Using the rule for finding the tangent of a right-angled triangle, they were able find the correct height of the object.  Thank you for sharing your joy for all things mathematics with our students, Mr Jones.

All Things Science with Mr Jamie Shirlaw from Kingaroy State High School

On Friday, December 1^st, our last enrichment session for 2024 was presented by Mr Shirlaw.  In teams, students hypothesised and conducted experiments to find out what household products are considered an acid and what is a base. Mr Shirlaw showed students how- by using the water from boiled red cabbage, you can test if it is a base or acid by noting the change in colour. Students really enjoyed getting to wear the safety goggles and using the specialised equipment from the high school.  A huge thank you to Mr Shirlaw for taking the time to come over to the KSS campus at this busy time of the year.

QTU Peace and Equity Awards Art Competition Winners

Every year, the Queensland Teacher’s Union, hosts an annual State-wide Peace and Equity Art competition to promote the work of the United Nations. This year’s theme was “Let's put peace at the heart of our words and our actions” and was influenced by the United Nations Secretary General’s 2023 New Year’s Message.  Last year, we won in the Years 4-6 category. 

This year, we have done extremely well with 2 winners taking out 1^st prize in their respective categories.

Special Education junior (P- Year 4)                           Special Education middle (Years 5-9)

    - Ethan (Year 4)                                                           – Hunter (Year 6)

Each student was rewarded a certificate and a $100 gift card for their efforts. Congratulations Ethan and Hunter!        

2023 Lunch time Clubs

Thank you to all the students who have participated in Junior Choir, Show Team, Senior Choir and Dance Crew this year. I have really enjoyed our lunchtimes together creating and performing for ourselves, our school and wider community.  I look forward to hearing about your successes in 2024, as I head to Bedourie State School as Acting Principal for Term 1, 2024.

       Mrs Danielle Carige

         The Arts Teacher/Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator

Dates to Remember

Community News