Kimberley College Newsletter - Term 4 2022

Principal's Welcome

Term four has commenced with a splash of bright colour with the running of yesterday’s Colour Run. I am pleased to report we reached our fundraising target of $20,000 with this event. This vital additional funding will go to our Parents and Friends (P&F) and will be used to fund projects to support our students and staff.

A special thanks to all our students, families and members of our extended community who made a supporter’s donation and to Tamara Mitchell, Caitlin Seary and Jess Tronc who organised this event. 

If colour isn’t your thing, don’t forget this coming Sunday, 9 October we have our annual RAW challenge. It is the perfect day for the whole family to get covered in mud together, have fun and enjoy the outdoor obstacle course. I look forward to seeing many of you there.

This term we also bid farewell to our graduating Year 12 with a series of events including graduation, the formal and the Water Fight on their last day. We wish them the very best as they leave their school years at KC behind, as they embark on the next exciting stage of life as young adults and global citizens. We hope the KC values of RESPECT, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, CREATIVITY AND HEALTH & WELLBEING will stand you in good stead and we look forward to hearing of your successes over the coming years and that you will reflect on your time at KC fondly.

For those in Year 12 undertaking external exams in the coming weeks, remain focused on your studies and future goals and remember the school is here to support you.

Enrolments for Prep to Year 8 for 2023 are full with waiting lists in most year levels. This term we will hold our final public open day for 2022 on Saturday 15 October with over 300 registrations from prospective families.  We are also planning our orientation days for our incoming 2023 classes for Prep and Year 7.

Graduation Events - Planning is well underway for our various Graduation events to commemorate and celebrate the 2022 school year.

• Senior School Graduation 
  Wednesday 16 November at Sleemans Sports Complex
• Primary School Graduation 
  Tuesday 22 November on campus
• Middle School Graduation 
  Thursday 24 November at Sleemans Sports Complex

This term is only nine weeks and will be over before we know it, so I would encourage all students to get involved with the many opportunities available and continue to apply themselves diligently to their studies, engage and collaborate with their classmates.

Glenn Johson
Principal
principal@kimberley.college

Deputy Principal's Note

Term Four provides a number of opportunities for students to become servant leaders; to be in service of others.  Building upon the momentum of our Senior to Middle Peer Mentoring Program in Term Two where Year 10 & 11 students ran a transition program with Year 7 students, our Year 8 students now have an opportunity to become Peer Mentors to serve our Gubbi Gubbi students in Term Four.    

With Year 12s in the final phase of their schooling, Year 11s step up to be the leaders of the Kimberley College student body.  We encourage and support them to become servant leaders; to live out the College Values, support students in the lower years and strive to build connections with them.

With the recent appointment of our new Student Council Executive, we are excited they will ignite a spark amongst students to become involved in the Student Council.  Being a Rep, serving your class/boat/faculty is a leadership opportunity open to all students across the College from Year 3 – 12.  Participation in the Student Council elevates student voice; it plays an integral role in building connections and strengthening school culture. 

Take time to look after yourself and look after each other.

Have a great term!

Janine Parkinson 
Deputy Principal 
Janine.parkinson@kimberley.college

Dates for the diary

Here are a few events to pop on your calendar:

• RAW challenge (9 October)
• Instrumental Music Showcase (20 October)
• Opti-minds State competition (22 – 23 October)
• Dance Auditions (1 & 2 November)
• Rememberance Day – (11 November)
• Year 12 Formal (17 November)
• Last day of school for Year 12 (18 November)
  
• Last Day of school for Year 10 -11 (25 November)
• Boat celebration day (30 November)
• Last day of school for Prep to Year 9 (1 December)

Keep your eye out for more information on the above events as they get closer. Please note this is not an exhaustive list of all events for this term. 

Primary School Update

Kokomini's theme for this term is ‘What Lies Beneath?’ and we will be immersing ourselves in ocean-themed activities. The Mini's will be going to swimming lessons and talking about water safety and exploring the ocean firsthand as they participate in Beach School. They will become ‘Fact Finders’ as they read different informative texts and explore mapping and using positional language with the help of a Pirate friend.

In Kokowara we are inquiring into all thing’s plants in our Green Fingers unit where we explore and plan a garden, plant seeds and seedlings, observe how plants grow and what plants need in order to grow big and strong. As our plants grow, we will observe our plants and record the details through the use of measurement and data collection in Nifty Numbers.

We know that plants need water to survive, just like the Kokowara’s are doing from Week 1 to 5 when we attend our swimming lessons! We will focus on water confidence and a range of stroke and safety skills during this time. In English, we will be exploring both fiction and non-fiction texts and applying our creative writing skills to combine with our plant knowledge learnt along the way.

In Waka Waka, this term our theme is ‘A Little Bit of Showbiz’! We will be looking at all things performing arts and entertainment. The students will be working either independently, in partners or a small group to create an act for our end-of-term talent show. We will also be looking at the different ways we can express our creativity through the different arts. Some of our activities will be: comedy skits, circus skills and movements, puppetry, singing, plus so much more!!

In English, the students will be looking at different types of poetry. They will be writing their own poems each week and focusing on drafting, editing and revising before publishing. Reading groups will continue this term and we are encouraging reading stamina during silent reading.

We are beginning to focus more on cursive writing this term and will be practising how to join our letters correctly.

In Maths, students will engage in basic operation activities to improve their mental maths. They will also focus on division and how these relate to multiplication. Students will then explore fractions and how these can be used in their everyday life. They will be extended into equivalent fractions and decimals that relate to these.

Term 4 sees Gubbi Gubbi engaging in the theme, "Same, Same but Different," as our Year 6 children look to finalise their primary school journeys and our Year 5s look ahead to becoming the leaders of the primary school. Another busy but fun term is ahead of us, with one of our main priorities being strengthening and maintaining friendships. Commencing in Week 3, all children will be engaging in a peer support, social emotional learning program led by the Year 8s. These weekly sessions will provide students with a supportive, fun, and engaging environment where young people can develop understanding, skills, attitudes, and strategies to improve their well-being. 

• Swimming lessons – every Thursday and Friday from Week 1 to Week 5, Term 4
• Waka Waka Camp – Thursday 13 and Friday 14 October, Week 2
• Swimming Carnival – Thursday 24 November, Week 8
• Primary School Graduation – Tuesday 22 November, Week 8
• Primary School Christmas Carols – Thursday 1 December, Week 9

Emma Percasky 
Acting Primary School Coordinator

Student Art Exhibition - 18 October 2022

Art exhibitions allow our students to showcase their artworks to the public. It is a great opportunity to communicate their feelings, emotions and personal stories outside the classroom. Art exhibitions can also educate the audience about art, society and cultures. 2022, has been a very productive, artistic and creative year for our Art students and it is important for us to acknowledge and appreciate their hard work and self-expression. We are having an Art Exhibition on Tuesday October 18th, to celebrate all different approaches, thoughts, opinions, techniques and media which represents students' minds and art making processes. A selection of artworks by Middle School students who participated in our 'Artists of the Year' competition will also be on display.

The exhibition is free of charge to the public and we can't wait to see you there. Please come along to celebrate Art! 

Middle School Update

When we reminisce, we often look back in fondness on “the good old days”. But were they really that great? Term Four will see our Middle School exploring the “Good Old Days”. As they reflect on the days of old and times gone by, they will discuss whether they really were ‘the good old days’ or whether it is simply someone’s point of view. 

Playing Beatie Bow will feature as our novel study this term. Using the book as a guide, students will follow Abigail Kirk as she returns to 1873 to discover many lessons about life and love that she brings back with her to the present.

Chemistry is our focus this term in science and the students will explore different chemical reactions and interactions through hands-on experiments.

Mathematics uses data and statistics to “Flash Back” to the 1950s to evaluate how much has changed over the past 70 years. The students will learn how to collect, measure, interpret and display different forms of data.

The American Diner is an iconic representation of the 1950s. Throughout our theme study sessions, students will learn the Jive, explore the 1950s and host a Parent Dine and Jive evening to showcase all they have learnt throughout the term.

All work and no play is not a fun way to finish the term, so we have some great events and activities for the students to get involved in. We have a RAW challenge, Awards ceremonies, OPTI-Minds State competitions, year nine farewells and end-of-year celebrations to look forward to; it will be a term to remember.

Margherite Rigden
Middle School Coordinator

Sports Update

Our inaugural Kimberley College Sports Awards evening will be held on Monday 10 October at Redland Bay Golf Club. This night will highlight our students who have shown excellence in sport throughout 2022. Tickets for this event are available via https://www.trybooking.com/CCTKZ 

From the pitch with KCFA

Competitions  
This term we see ourselves competing in the Summer State Futsal Titles (details to be confirmed) scheduled to be in Week 4. 

Our U12 and U13 girls' futsal teams will be competing in the Australasian Champion of Champions Futsal competition from the 28th-30th October. School teams from all over Australia will be competing in this competition.

We then finish off the year with a Brisbane South Primary Futsal Cup held in Week 7, 15th of November. 

If you are interested for your child to have this valuable experience in sport, please contact football@kimberley.college

Head of Football
Scott Shepherd

Senior School Update

Year 12 students as of Monday 17October will enter the external assessment (EA) phase in Term 4. That week, Week 3, is independent study at home for those students in General subjects who will have EA’s commencing on Monday 24 October. All Year 12 students are only required to attend school if they have an EA. The students will then sit up to eleven EA’s in a three week and two day period with the mathematics and science subject assessments contributing 50% to the student’s exit scores and the other subjects 25%. Some would wish the students luck with their tests, but I know luck is only a necessity for the unprepared. Stay diligent Year 12 General subject students. Continue to prepare and practice. There are no short cuts to success. Eat well, enjoy some exercise, and get lots of sleep. I will be sending an email out to you at the start of next week reminding you of the EA schedule and the equipment you must bring with you. I will also remind you that those students who are yet to show me their QTAC applications should do so in the next few weeks.

The Year 12 students who are not sitting the EA’s should be using their time in those weeks to be applying for places at TAFE, other higher learning institutions or employment, setting yourselves up for next year.

After the EA’s are completed in Week 7, the final week for Year 12 consists of the Senior Awards night & graduation ceremony of Wednesday 16 November (parent’s and carers - don’t forget to book your tickets), the senior formal at the Indooroopilly Golf Club on Thursday 17 November and a final day lunch and humiliating defeat in the annual Year 12 v teachers water fight on Friday.

Year 11 have already commenced their Unit 3 studies across all subjects. Not only does Unit 3 & 4 contribute to their QCE but Exit scores on senior statements are based purely on the Unit 3 & 4 results as are ATARs. NOW is the time to get serious about showing what you are capable of and about building options for yourself beyond school, whether that is university, a prime apprenticeship or that dream job. As I advised you in the auditorium recently, regret is a terrible thing, looking back over your shoulder at what might have been means you often miss what is right in front of you. You may not always be able to control outcomes, but you always have control over effort. Put in your best effort, and most likely the best possible outcomes follow.

The same applies to Year 10 who will be given their Unit 1 timetables next week and will commence their QCE studies as of Week 3. The work you do from that point on, your industry, attitude and commitment all count towards your QCE. It’s not hard, it just requires doing a little bit often, showing maturity, being organised and paying attention. The graph below shows the breakdown of a school day if you complete ½ hour of study for the 4 subjects you have had at school that day.

It assumes 10 hours sleep and 2 hours travel and, keep in mind, you do not have 4 subjects every day. It shows that you have twice as much free time (‘other’) than you will have spent studying.

Year 10, you are now beginning the journey that Year 12 is finishing. What options would you like to have on offer to you in two years’ time?

Chris McAlpine
Head of Senior School

Making a stir...with year 12

Recently 25 students from Grade 12 had the opportunity to undertake Barista, Food Safety and Responsible Service of Alcohol training with Axial Training. Students gained essential skills necessary to work within the hospitality industry in this enjoyable and practical short course. During the course, our students learnt to prepare and serve espresso coffee, use hygienic practices for food safety, provide responsible service of alcohol and safe food handling practices. Students particularly enjoyed the practical component that was undertaken at the Axial Headquarters located at Kangaroo Point which includes a fully functional kitchen and restaurant facility. 

Students are also able to gain 2 points towards their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). 

Terry Elliot
Head of the Namatjira Faculty
terry.elliot@kimberley.college

Dance Auditions

Tuesday 1 November and Wednesday 2 November

It’s an exciting time of year for our Kimberley College Dance Program. 2023 auditions are scheduled for Tuesday 1 November for Years 7-11 and Wednesday 2 November for Years 1-9.

For further information download the attached 2023 audition pack or email dance@kimberley.college 

Springtime Sounds: Instrumental Music Showcase 2022

Our 2022 Instrumental Music Showcase ‘Springtime Sounds’ will be held on Thursday 20 October from 5:30pm. This event is a celebration of instrumental music learning that has been conducted throughout the year. We look forward to sharing the experience of live music performances with our students and their families. Tickets for this event are available at https://www.trybooking.com/CCXRV

Calling for volunteers

Providing nutritious food in our canteen is a vital step in helping kids set up healthy routines and habits for life. Our canteen is run with the help of a network of volunteers from our school community working together. If you can spare any time to join our network and help prepare and serve food at our canteen, we would very much appreciate a hand.

It’s easy and fun work with on-the-job training and you can dedicate as much or as little time as you like.  All volunteer’s efforts are rewarded with a healthy lunch and plenty of tea or coffee, not to mention we offer lunch for you kids as well.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via phone or email, or drop in to the canteen for a chat, many thanks.
Tilly White 
07 - 3209 0300
tilly.white@kimberley.college

P.A.C.E - making children feel safe

PACE is an acronym that helps us to remember ways of thinking, feeling, communicating and behaving with our children that makes them feel safe. It is based on connection and promotes healthy exploration as our children grow. The parts of PACE allow our children to self-reflect, connect with their feelings and emotions and ultimately build trusting relationships with family and friends.  

P = PLAYFULLNESS

Playfulness is about creating an atmosphere of light-heartedness and interest when we communicate. It requires us to use a calm and light tone of voice rather than an irritated and assertive tone. Play is about having fun and sharing a sense of joy. Playful moments reassure each other that there is no judgement or conflict and that moments of separation are temporary. Playfulness is not about being funny all of the time but more about helping children and teens become open to positive experiences such as enjoyment and fun. Fun and enjoyable moments can promote safe closeness without an aspect of fear or suspicion. Incorporating elements of fun in day-to-day life can help parents and children become less defensive with their responses particularly when applied to minor behaviours to keep reactions and situations in perspective. 

A = ACCEPTANCE

Being accepted unconditionally is the fundamental element of promoting a sense of safety.  Acceptance requires us to actively communicate with each other where we accept the feelings, thoughts, actions and intentions that lie beneath our behaviours. This means we need to model accepting each other without judgement because no one experience or behaviour is right or wrong. This does not mean accepting harmful behaviours – but it does mean setting boundaries and understanding the motives of the behaviours we see. Becoming curious (not furious) is at the core of acceptance thus, making sense of how the child learnt to behave and investigating that learning.

C = CURIOSITY

Curiosity (without judgement) is how we promote a person’s inner sense of self and their chosen behaviours by wondering about the meaning behind behavioural choices. Taking a curious point of view conveys to the child that we want to understand them and their behaviour rather than lecture them. Being curious, using a soft and accepting tone, assists in communication with a child in a way that anger cannot. Curious conversations can assist children in understanding that their behaviour does not reflect ‘being bad’ but rather the behaviour came from a stressful thought and/or feeling associated with an event/experience.     

E = EMPATHY

An empathetic adult actively shows the child that an adult can be with them in their distress and hard times. Therefore, the sad or stressed child has an adult who feels sad and/or stressed with them. Empathy allows children to feel compassion from an adult and consequently, this modeling of compassion tells the child they are not alone nor will be abandoned during this emotional experience. Showing empathy to a child demonstrates strength, love and commitment and that sharing the distress is a team effort.