Term 2 Week 2
Principal's Message
I extend a warm welcome to all families for Term Two, particularly the 11 students and their families who have joined the College this term.
Our Newsletter Has Changed
This is the first edition of our new e-newsletter and I hope you enjoy the new format. We are also proud to deliver our newsletter through our new Kimberley College App. The new KC App will provide you with another way to connect with us. You can use the app to access our parent calendar of events, contact the school, report absences and more features will follow. Urgent notifications such as late buses will also now be communicated through the App.
College-wide Survey
Back in 2019 we conducted a survey of our whole school community. The feedback provided by our community: staff, students and parents was used to help formulate the College’s 2019 – 2022 Strategic Plan. Your feedback also guided many of the changes (including what we didn’t change) and initiatives the College has undertaken since then. I am again seeking to hear from you about your experience of Kimberley College: both what we are doing well and areas where we can further improve. To assist with this we have again engaged the professional services of MYP Corporation to undertake a strictly private and confidential School Survey on our behalf. You will soon receive an email from me with further information. The survey will open on Monday 10 May. I encourage all families to participate in this survey.
Minor Works
Over the recent term break a new external door was installed to the Gubbi (5/6) classroom and bitumen was applied to the entrance road leading to the student carpark along with repairs to potholes in the main carpark.
Anzac Day Commemoration
Our Anzac Commemoration provides us with an opportunity to reflect on sacrifice and service. I was impressed by the respectful and sincere manner in which our student body responded during this important ceremony.
2022 Year 7 Enrolments
Due to an unusually high number of enrolment applications for Year 7 in 2022, I wish to advise any current KC families that remaining enrolment places are limited. Our Enrolment Policy offers current families enrolment priority for siblings; however, this can only be applied if we have a current application for those siblings. As such, I recommend that all 2022 applications for siblings of current KC students, be submitted by Friday 21 May to avoid possible disappointment.
Warm regards - Glenn Johnson
Deputy Principal's Message
Invictus Wellbeing
The last stanza of Henley’s Invictus poem reads:
‘I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.’
When faced with adversity, the strength of the human spirit is tested. In order to navigate challenges, and stand up for one’s own values, having courage and compassion is crucial.
The word ‘Invictus’ carries a nostalgic tone at KC. Although the name of a 2-day event, it encapsulates so much more. The Invictus ‘spirit’ – our courage and compassion – shapes our collective identity and is the glue that holds our community together and strengthens it. The Ship of Theseus, a thought experiment, captures this well. It poses the question regarding whether a ship would still remain the Ship of Theseus if it had all of its component parts replaced over time. Then, if all the original parts were reassembled, which one would be the Ship of Theseus. Is the ship’s identity more than the sum of its parts? Is Kimberley College more than the sum of its parts? In the case of the latter, emphatically so.
Invictus Wellbeing, an overarching term encompassing many facets of College life, promotes courage and compassion in the realm of student wellbeing. It is about:
- Building the capacity of students, teachers, parents/carers and wider KC community to support student wellbeing.
- Raising awareness, and develop understanding, of pertinent issues impacting on student wellbeing.
- Facilitating rich conversations to strengthen support within our KC community.
Invictus Wellbeing is about human beings connecting and supporting fellow human beings; it is about providing opportunities to develop and demonstrate courage and compassion. Our World’s Greatest Shave assembly, with 10 students shaving their hair off to raise funds for the Leukemia Foundation, is a testament to our KC spirit. Waffo, our highest KC endeavor, centres on encapsulating our Invictus spirit and being ‘for others.’
With Courage & Compassion
Janine Parkinson - Deputy Principal
Free Safety Webinars for parents/carers and families
The Office of the eSafety Commissioner hosts a range of free webinars for parents/carers and families.
Click the link to read about (and register for) upcoming webinars on the following topics:
- eSafety's guide to parental controls
- eSafety parent guide to online sexual harassment and Image Based Abuse
- eSafety parent guide to digital technologies and mental health
Curriculum News
Welcome back to term 2. After an abrupt ending to term one, it was great to see all of our students returning with smiles on their faces and ready to learn. The term commenced with team professional development day on the first Monday of the term. Staff were engaged in upskilling both their pedagogical and mathematical approaches to teaching and learning. Michael Ymer, our guest presenter for the day, kept our staff fully engaged, learning new strategies to support the engagement of our students with their learning of mathematics. Teachers now look forward to sharing these ideas with our students over the coming terms to implement what they have learned. We will be welcoming Michael back to work with our student’s in October.
At the end of week one, our students attended an ANZAC assembly, a formal occasion led by Alexia Wicking and Sam Carlyle. Our cadets, Kasey Anderson, Johan Knott, Zane Field and Matt Stenning formed our Catafalque party superbly presented in their military uniforms. Mr Ashleigh McAlpine inspired our students and staff with an excellent presentation in which he shared some of his military experiences from his time spent in the Australian Air Force. Our Preppies brought tears to some eyes as they presented flowers and lit a candle of remembrance with Mr Johnson. Sophia Beam completed our assembly with a beautiful unaccompanied solo rendition of the Australian National Anthem.
Denise Bould - Director of Teaching and Learning
Senior School News
Last week, to mark the start of Term 2 and the cooler weather, most of year 12 received their varsity jackets and/or jerseys. Those students who did not get an early order in should see their jackets arrive in late May/June. It was a challenge to match the nicknames and other monikers on the back of the jackets and jerseys to the students who ordered them, as the manufacturer did not put the students’ actual names on the wrapping stickers. I would like to thank Savannah Neale and Oscar Blyde for their help in working through that with me in quick time. I now know who ‘Tinny’ is – it is always rewarding to learn new things at school. My thanks also to the Year 11 students of Mr Elliott’s Recreation class who helped me with the onerous task of sorting the jackets and jerseys into faculty groups in alphabetical order for distribution. I continue to be impressed by the strong sense of cooperation our students show. When asked if they could help me, they don’t question or frown, they just say yes! How can I help?
Next Wednesday night will see our Year 12 dinner return after a hiatus last year. The dinner marks the beginning of the last unit of work in their school life. The year 12 students and the majority of senior teachers will enjoy a three course meal with music and dancing. For safety sake, as detailed in the invitation to the dinner, I remind students and their families that no student is to drive to or from the event (unless in the company of their parent/carer).
While thinking about important senior school events, some date savers:
Year 10 Subject Selection Information Evening Week 3 of Term 3 Tuesday 27 July. The format of that evening will be communicated closer to the date. On that day as part of the career development program at school, the entire Year 10 cohort will have attended the Ignite Careers Expo with their teachers. Initial subject preferences for Term 4 will be due about a week later, and their will be interviews with families that follow.
A reminder that at the end of their year 12 in Week 7 of Term 4 there is the Senior School Award & Year 12 Graduation on Wednesday 17th November, then Year 12 Formal on Thursday 18th November, and the Year 12 Waterfight on their last day of school on Friday 19th November.
Year 12 effectively finish their schooling at the end of Term 3 in the new QCE system. Our school has Year 12 students attending for the first 2 weeks of Term 4 when students in General subjects are being prepared for the external tests using focussed analysis of their mock test results sat in the last two weeks of Term 3. Students of Applied subjects in those first two weeks of Term 4 will be undertaking a program preparing and helping them ensure they have a plan in place for their life after school. In week 3, Year 10 commence their QCE studies, starting the subjects the have selected for Units 1 to 4. Only General subject Year 12 students attend school for the External Testing period of Week 4, 5, 6 and Monday & Tuesday of Week 7. More information will be sent to families as that term approaches, as it is very different to the old QCE system.
Chris McAlpine - Deputy Principal Senior School
Middle School News
Welcome back Middle School. What a week we had, from scavenger hunts, capture the flag to individual exploration of mathematical ideas. A week dedicated to the introduction to this terms theme War and Peace. Immersion into the theme is paramount to the students understanding of the who, what, when, where and why of the terms learning. It is an opportunity for students and teachers to reconnect after a well-deserved break. Week one is always an action-packed week where the learning sets the tone for the term. Keep up the great effort middle school and enjoy the journey through War and Peace.
At the end of week one, our students attended an ANZAC assembly, a formal occasion led by Alexia Wicking and Sam Carlyle. Our cadets, Kasey Anderson, Johan Knott, Zane Field and Matt Stenning formed our Catafalque party superbly presented in their military uniforms. Mr Ashleigh McAlpine inspired our students and staff with an excellent presentation in which he shared some of his military experiences from his time spent in the Australian Air Force. Our Preppies brought tears to some eyes as they presented flowers and lit a candle of remembrance with Mr Johnson. Sophia Beam completed our assembly with a beautiful unaccompanied solo rendition of the Australian National Anthem.
Margherite Rigden - Middle School Co-ordinator
Primary School News
Welcome to Term Two. We trust that you all had a restful holiday with your family and friends. This term, we have a number of fun and exciting activities planned for the Primary School students to enjoy. In Kokomini, the students will be exploring the theme ‘Once Upon a Time’. Throughout the term, they will be exploring fairy tales and learning how to sing, act and dance on stage to entertain an audience. Kokowara is looking at the theme ‘Round the Twist’ where they will become weather reporters and look at weird and wacky weather phenomena from around the world. The theme in Waka Waka is ‘Tastes of Life’, where the students will explore food science and celebrations from all over the world. Finally, ‘Spoonful of Sugar’ is the Gubbi Gubbi theme for Term Two and will focus on procedure writing, chemical science and the federation of Australia.
PRIMARY EVENTS
Despite only being week two, the Primary School has been involved in a number of events. On Tuesday 20th April, Kokowara parents were invited into the classroom for a ‘Celebration of Learning’ as the students showcased the amazing work that they did throughout Term One. It was wonderful to see parents in the classroom – some of which have not been inside a KC classroom for a learning celebrations yet due to COVID.
Also during week one, the Gubbi Gubbi students travelled to Thunderbird Park at Mount Tamborine to participate in a three-day camp. Raft building, catapults, mud games, bush skills and laser skirmish were a few of the activities enjoyed by the students throughout their time on the mountain. The students had a great time, and represented the school well, with the camp staff praising our students for their wonderful behaviour and participation. Well done, Gubbi!
Finally, on Friday 30th April we had our World’s Greatest Shave event to raise funds for people living with blood cancer. In the Primary School, we Coloured for a Cure and wore blue and orange items for the day. We all looked rather impressive with our multi-coloured hair. Thank you to the Senior Student Council members who sprayed our hair at the event.
PRIMARY ASSEMBLIES
This term, we will be having our Primary assemblies on even weeks.
Assembly Schedule Term Two:
Assembly starts at 8:45am. Unfortunately, due to the restricted room in the Green Space, we are unable to invite all parents at this time. If you are notified that your child is receiving an award that week, you are able to attend the assembly for that week only.
A FEW REMINDERS
Next week, we will be hosting our Mother’s Day Morning Tea. By now you should have received both an electronic and hard copy of the invitation. Please be sure to RSVP using the trybooking link before Tuesday 4th May, 3pm. Also, in exciting news, KC will have its first ever P&F Mother’s Day Stall. This will run from 4th May – 6th May. Please refer to the email sent home from the P&F for more details.
Curriculum Overviews for each class should have been sent home via email last week. If you have not received it, please contact Miss Shepherdson at kristy.shepherdson@kimberley.college.
Kristy Shepherdson - Head of Primary School
Cross Country News
Congratulations to those who competed in our middle and senior school Cross Country Carnival on Wednesday, April 28. The top six students in each age group have been offered a spot on our district cross country team and proceed to the Districts Cross Country Carnival next Thursday, May 6 at Rivermount College.
Cross Country Placements
Open Boys 1st Finn Brett 2nd Quinn Wilkie 3rd Levi Bouchier
16 Boys 1st Jack Scott 2nd William Yeo 3rd Brayden Boylan
16 Girls 1st Isabella Hargave 2nd Leah White 3rd Sommer Sylvester
15 Boys 1st Myer Case 2nd Gabriel Dal Santo 3rd Saxon Walters
15 Girls 1st Sacha Mills 2nd Lily Norton 3rd Ella Reece
14 Boys 1st Kade Diers-Hahn 2nd Campbell Grey 3rd Riley Rodrigues
14 Girls 1st Alyssa Jurlina 2nd Lucy Prevost
13 Boys 1st Katene Frey 2nd Henry Rose 3rd Luka Furlong
13 Girls 1st (Tie) Tiah Johnson 2nd Mia Gilroy 3rd Addison Wall
12 Boys 1st Daniel De Ruysscher 2nd Jordan Tam 3rd Noah Williamson
12 Girls 1st Elizabeth Stinga 2nd Lilly Forstman 3rd Neveah Tyrrell
P&F News
Thank you to everyone participating in the Chocolate Drive!
After some unexpected delays at Cadbury’s end, our fundraising choccies have finally arrived and been distributed to the fantastic KC families and community who volunteered to take them home.
Payment can be made in the Parent Lounge on the KC website anytime up to Fri 14 May. No need to sell all your sweets first. Just pay online and then sell at your leisure.
Just a reminder that due to COVID restrictions we’re unable to accept the return of any unsold chocolates or lollies.
Mother's Day Stall starts Tuesday 4 May through to 6May
We are excited to announce KC’s first ever P&F Mother’s Day Stall!
All you need to do is send your student to school with some spending money – keep watch for the allocated times for your child’s class (with clear instructions not to spend it on tuckshop!!).
Either cash or card is fine. No items cost more than $15 each, with most under $10.
The stall will be open from 8.30am until the end of first break (11.00am) on Tuesday 4th, Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th. The teachers will take each class shopping at their allotted time and day.
If your child is away or misses their designated day, don’t worry. They’re welcome to pop in on another day to pick up something for Mum, Grandma or loving carers of any gender.
Please note: this is for all students – Primary | Middle | Senior
We won $1000 in the Freedom fundraiser!
Thank you to everyone who voted in the online Freedom fundraiser in late March. Your efforts earned us $1000! We’ll keep you informed about the installation of the snazzy new water cooler this money is helping to buy.
Visit Grill’d Victoria Point in May to support KC
For the month of May, Grill’d at Victoria Point will have a Local Matters token jar with our name on it. Make a purchase, pop your tokens in the jar and help us win up to $300.
Thank you for your continued support!
Want to keep in touch with what the P&F is up to? Email ‘subscribe’ to pandf@kimberley.college
From our Counsellor
If you typically leave things until the last minute or have a habit of not completing tasks, what is one or two things you could do today that could help you achieve what you need to do?
- Do you need to ask someone for their help?
- Do you need to timetable your life outside of work/school so as to not get lost in screen time?
- Do you need to reward yourself when you achieve something?
- Do you need to write a list of what needs doing and complete small parts of the task 1 thing at a time?
A Mental Warm Up Can Benefit Your PERFORMANCE
Physical warm ups, for athletes, can warm up the muscles and prime the body systems to serve as a dose of strength and conditioning as to avoid injury and enhance performance capabilities. Aligning with this belief, applying a mental warm up to your day, or planned task, could fulfil the brains need for preparedness prior to going to school, socialising or presenting in front of an audience. Just like a physical warm up, a mental warm up can consist of a sample of activities that support psychological readiness and therefore, performance. These activities could be goal setting imagery, relaxation and self-talk. Research has shown that these activities can enhance a person’s concentration, confidence, preparedness and overall performance. Interestingly, for the mental warm-up to work best, it is imperative that it is perceived as acceptable and beneficial by the participant.
Here is an example of a mental warm up you could use to start your day:
You have done a physical warm-up and now you are going to do a mental warm-up. Stand tall with your knees bent slightly and your feet shoulder width apart. Breathe through your nose and inhale, filling first the lower part of your lungs, then the middle part, and, finally, the upper part. Hold the breath for a few seconds and exhale slowly, relaxing your abdomen and chest. Take another deep breath through your nose and inhale, again filling first the lower part of your lungs, then the middle part, and, finally, the upper part. As before, hold the breath for a few seconds and exhale slowly, relaxing your abdomen and chest. Resume breathing normally. You can use deep breathing to calm yourself as needed.
Now take a moment to get a clear mental picture of the main thing you want to accomplish today. You can close your eyes as you think about something that is within your control. What do you see in this mental picture of what you want to accomplish? What sensations do you notice in your body? What do you feel in your muscles? What sounds do you hear? What smells and tastes do you notice? Make the mental picture as clear and vivid as you can. Repeat the breathing
Piano News
Over the holidays a number of Kimberley College piano students participated in a Music Day Camp.
The children enjoyed a range of different learning activities through rotations, group time and hands on piano playing in Mount Cotton with our piano teacher Tina Noetzel.
The Kookaburras even tried to join in!
Safe to say we all had a great day together, learning and playing music. There are still a few spots left for students to learn piano this term if they are interested. Students of any age can sign up for lessons.
