Kimberley College Newsletter - Term 3 2023

Principal's Welcome

I welcome all families and students back to Term Three at Kimberley College. I trust that you all had an enjoyable mid-year break. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to the 11 new students who started with us this term and wish them well with their studies and finding their  place within their 'tribe' at KC. 

Term Three commenced with our whole of school assembly this week, where we were fortunate to host the Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal Dance Company as part of NAIDOC 2023 week celebrations. It was a vibrant and very special start to this term, one which I hope provided our students with the time to reflect on the culture and history of one of the oldest, continuing living cultures. 

After the festivities of last term's Awe and Wonder Fair, this term is very much focused on the business of learning growth with parent / teacher conferences, subject selection for Years 9 and 10 and Future Career evenings for students from 9 -12 designed to inspire and to explore the vast array of opportunities now available. I would very much encourage all parents and carers to attend these important events to assist with facilitating your young person's pathway choices.

I wish our senior students participating in Yunupingu's Art trip to Melbourne and the annual College Snow Trip all the very best and I look forward to hearing about their adventures on their return. This term also marks the final Year 12 assembly for this year. 

The term our students gear up for the annual Optiminds Sustainability Challenge. The challenge provides students with the opportunity to develop their interpersonal skills. Students are encouraged to use creative thinking and problem-solving strategies, and are rewarded for innovation and imagination. Finally, the challenge requires students to work to a rigorous schedule, which helps to establish time-management skills and effective collaboration.

I would also like to bring to your attention that the College operates within a framework of approved policies and procedures with a number of these key policies published on our new website.  Included amongst the list of policies published on our website is our Child Protection Policy, our Privacy Policy, our Enrolment Policy, Parent Code of Conduct and our Complaints Policy.

With our College motto of Courage and Compassion, I wish all our students a positive Term Three in which they continue to shine and demonstrate their ongoing commmitment to the KC values. 

Glenn Johnson
Principal
principal@kimberley.college

From the Deputy Principal

Action-packed with events, activities and opportunities, Term Three is an exciting prospect for our students.

Future Readiness

Supporting our Year 9 – 12 students to be ‘future ready’ is a key focus.  We have our subject selection evening (in Week Two) for our Year 9 and 10 students to support them with their subject selections, a career expo and a number of Futures events (across Weeks 4 & 5). 

Our Futures events aim to ignite sparks of curiosity and excitement about the future to assist students to see the far-reaching future opportunities ‘out there’ and how the faculty teams can support each respective journey.  During Futures events, students and parents/carers will hear from experts (including our alumni members) across different fields, enjoy opportunities to connect with others and ask questions to our expert panel.  The Futures events are open to all students across Year 9 – 12 and their parents/carers and families.  We encourage you to book tickets through the Try Bookings links and get involved.

Our Year 10 students are working through a Growth Reflection and SET planning process throughout this term during their SEL lessons.  This will culminate in students presenting to their parents/carers and pastoral care teachers in Week 7 in their student-led conferences prior to making their final subject selection choices.  The rigour in the process will facilitate students choosing subjects and a pathway that aligns with their strengths, interests and provides adequate challenge; setting them up for success at school and beyond.

Part of this involves daily preparation

‘The future depends on what you do today’ (Gandhi)

What we do today matters.  Whilst setting future goals is important, students are encouraged to consider what they can do differently each day to work towards their goals.  To look to make small incremental changes each day as they can lead to significant improvements over time.  This is required to embed good practices that can then become habitual.

We challenge students to reflect upon (and make positive changes in) all areas of their lives.  This includes: uniform and grooming, attendance and punctuality, attitude and motivation as well as moral character.

And what you choose to be part of

There is a vast array of opportunity for students to step out of their comfort zone and try something new.  We can see this on display throughout Term Three with Optiminds, KC Goes Wrong, Core Sports, Eisteddfods, Dance Showcase, Peer Mentoring, and RU OK Day to name a few.

Get involved, look to make positive changes today and strive to be the best version of yourselves.

Ms Janinie Parkinson
Deputy Principal

Dates for the Term 3 Diary

Parents & Friends Update

The Father’s Day stall will be back this year on Thursday 31 August! We are very excited for the prezzies we have found and are ready to help your little shoppers spoil you on your special day.  Be sure to look out for more information and possibly a sneak peak at the prezzies via our Facebook page.  We are always happy to have an extra pair of helping hands on the day – if you’re interested, please send us an email at pandf@kimberley.college 

We also wish to share a huge THANK YOU to everyone who supported us at our annual Trivia Night, Mother’s Day stall or bought showbags and raffle tickets from our stall at the Awe and Wonder fair.  We couldn’t do what we do without the KC communities support.  

https://www.facebook.com/KCParentsandFriends

Christine Roberts
P & F President 
pandf@kimberley.college

Alumni Stories

Have you watched some of our amazing alumni stories mini videos available on our website? Hear from past KC students Kody, Jarrad, Keely and Alana as they reflect on their time at Kimberley College and their individual journeys since graduating year 12. 

We love to share a good news story here at KC so follow the link for some inspiring stories.  https://www.kimberley.college/community/alumni-connection

If you know a former graduate who would be great for an alumni video, please get in touch at email: alumni@kimberley.college 

Futures Evenings in August

At Kimberley College, the senior school (Years 10 - 12) sees our students allocated to one of the four faculties based on subjects chosen and study pathway. Grouping students and teachers with similar interests and ambitions together makes sense and gives a sense of purpose and place similar to our middle school philosophy but with an eye looking into the future beyond life as a secondary school student. The four faculties are named in honour of respected indigenous individuals. 

This year we are excited to be hosting a series of events for students and their families (Years 9 - 12) designed to explore and inspire. Our Future evenings will see faculty staff, Kimberley College alumni and special guest speakers present on their own career journeys in their respective fields and show you where studying in each of faculties can take you in the future. Each event will also have a Q&A session! 

**Students and families are welcome to register for one evening or as many as they like to assist with understanding potential career / future opportunities**

To REGISTER click on the following link: 

Tuesday 1 August: Namatjira Futures evening - https://www.trybooking.com/CIOCA  
Are you looking for some straight talk and to train for the future in a practical and hands on way, with a vocational (VET), apprenticeship or traineeship?

Thursday 3 August: Unaipon Futures evening - https://www.trybooking.com/CIOCI 
Do numbers intrigue you? Are you mathematical and curious about the physical universe? Do you long to explore the world of sciences...

Tuesday 8 August: Mabo Futures evening - https://www.trybooking.com/CIOCN 
Are you seriously interested in the humanities or social sciences? Are you a strong reader and writer of research-based argument?

Thursday 10 August: Yunupingu Futures evening - https://www.trybooking.com/CIOCQ  
Would you like to unleash your creative side and let your imagination soar? Are you interested in the Arts and using your talents?   

Primary School Update

Welcome to Term Three in the Primary School.  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, ‘Sweet Success’ is the Gubbi Gubbi theme for Term Three and will focus on procedure writing, biological science and preparing to be master chiefs.  All in all, it is shaping up to be an action-packed term.  We can’t wait to share all our learning with you!     

PRIMARY ASSEMBLIES

This term, we will be having our Primary assemblies on even weeks.  
Assembly Schedule Term Three: 

Assembly starts at 9:00am and is held in the Koko green area.  Parents are more than welcome to attend.

A FEW REMINDERS 
Parent Teacher Interviews will take place in Week Three. If you require a meeting, please visit Parent Lounge to secure a booking time.

We will be hosting our Father’s Day Event on Thursday 31^st August. You will receive your invitation later in the term.    

Ms Kristy Shepherdson 
Primary School Coordinator

Middle School Update

This term, we are focusing on the theme of 'Eureka'. As the amazing Archemedies said, while running naked down the street, “Eureka – I’ve got it”. This term is about finding creative solutions to challenging scenarios.  

With that in mind, we welcome back OPTI-Minds. For those of you who are familiar with the OPTI-Minds Challenge, you know that this is an amazing opportunity for students to choose a challenge that sparks their passion, work on their collaboration skills and create a unique performance. Those students who want to take on an extra challenge can take their performance on the road and compete at the University of Queensland against other schools in the region. It is an awesome opportunity for students to build a variety of social and personal skills.  

We have a couple of staff changes this term as we welcome back Hannah Fiveash from maternity leave and Amy Cameron to the Middle School Family.  I would also like to take the opportunity to say thank you to Ms Bridget Bunker for stepping into the role of Acting Head of Boat for Lama Lama, and congratulate Mr Lucas Venter, who will now take on the role moving forward.

Term Three Reminders - Keep an eye out for more information from your classroom teachers.

• Parent/Teacher conferences Week 3 – 24^th July to 28^th July
• Team photos (Opti-Minds, Dance, Kokoda etc) - 2^nd August
• Year 9 subject selection due – 21^st August
• OPTIMinds Regional Competition – 27^th August (Sunday)
• Pupil Free day - 1^st September
• Write a Book in a Day - 7^th September

Ms Margherite Rigden
Middle School Coordinator

Senior School Update

Term Three is now well underway, with Year 10 completing their preparatory work for the start of their QCE studies at the beginning of Term 4; Year 11 is completing Unit 2 and are about to commence their first summative work in Unit 3 in Term 4; and Year 12 is completing Unit 4 in readiness for the QCAA external testing block in Term 4 and their exit from school. For Year 11 & 12, classes finish this term at the end of Week 8, with the last two weeks of term dedicated to testing.

Year 11 & 12 will participate in an exam block for General Subjects in week 9 &10 of this term. The timetable for these exams has been emailed to students and parents/carers. The exams are sat in Mabo with a study hall in Namatjira. All General subjects will have an exam during this period. For some Year 11 subjects, such as 11 General Maths, these will be exams are formal assessment that contribute to reported grades. For other Year 11 subjects, such as 11 Physical Education the exams are a practice for the External Assessments at the end of Year 12. For all Year 12 General subjects, the exams are a practice for the External Assessment (EA) block in Term 4 using past EA papers,for which the student responses will provide important feedback as to how individual students can improve their performance. There are no exams for Applied subjects, except for Essential English which will have a practice exam for the Common Internal Assessment (CIA) – the QCAA’s external assessment of Applied Essential subjects.

If year 11 &12 students do not have an exam, they are not required to attend school as there are no timetabled subjects operating and certificate programs are on hold. A supervised independent study room will be available for those students who must attend school due to their own unique circumstances. Students who leave school after an exam must go directly home by vehicle. If they then go out afterwards, they must not be in uniform.

For Year 11, the exams will concentrate on Unit 2 and may count towards reported grades which will be issued just after the break. The exam block provides experience beyond the assessments themselves with how to handle an exam block; the first practice for the main event in Term 4 Year 12. Year 12 will be sitting mock exams designed by the QCAA to mimic the tests they will taking part
in during the exam block. Teachers in the senior school will be marking a significant amount of student work over the September break as all maths & science subjects alone consist of two mock papers each. Feedback and analysis of mock exam data will be provided to Year 12 General subject students in the first two weeks of term 3.

Week 3 Term 4 will then be student free for Year 12 as students prepare individually at home for the external testing. At this time, Year 10 will commence Unit 1 of their QCE subjects.

Our General subject students need to be studying calmly now at full tempo. It is now that you build success. Designate set times for set subjects on set days of the week and begin revision. For maths and science students in Year 12 that goes back to the beginning of term 4 last year, for the other subjects just Unit 4. Your diligence will bring you reward. And as with NSW and Victoria, September
can no longer be considered as a holiday period for you. You should ensure you rest, but you should also study.

Year 10 is in the final term of their studies before commencing their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) studies in term 4. Reports for Year 10, Term 2 progress were issued during the break.

As part of the Senior Education & Training Plan (SETPlan) process for selection of Year 11 & 12 subjects, Year 10 will be attending the Ignite Career Expo with their teachers, run annually by the Logan CityCouncil. There is no cost to families and the students will be at the Expo from about 9am to midday on Tuesday 18 July (Week 2). That evening we will be running the Subject Selection Information Evening & Subject Market at school to commence the formal subject selection process for Year 10 into Year 11, and to begin the transition process for Year 9 into Year 10. Please see the email sent to families for details.

Week 7 - Year 10 will have selected their subjects for their QCE studies and presented their SETPlans to their parents/carers, and Year 9 will have selected their elective subjects for next year.

Mr Chris McAlpine
Director of Studies 

From the Sports Field

The AGCC competition will begin in Week Two of Term Three for Girls Basketball, Boys Futsal, Mixed Netball, Girls Oztag and Boys Touch Football. Teams will compete each Thursday at a variety of venues across South Brisbane and Northern Gold Coast. We wish our teams and coaches all the best for a successful season. Stay posted for team updates and weekly results! 

Pacific District Athletics trials will be held at QSAC on August 1st. Team information will be sent out next week. We would like to wish all our athletes the best of luck for their events on the day.

The Kimberley College Football Academy is an inclusive program which aims to provide any student the opportunity to develop their football abilities within a school environment. Any families who would like to have their child participate in the program can email: scott.shepherd@kimberley.college for further details. 
School website link: Kimberley College Football Academy (KCFA) | Kimberley College

KCFA events for Term 3

• 24^th July (Week 3) - U14 girls, Southeast Queensland Champion of Champions (futsal). 
• TBC Date - U14 Girls ISSA Cup Quarter Finals vs Kings Christian College (football). Website link: Fixture for ISSA Cup Girls 2023 - GameDay (mygameday.app)
  

Belated acknowledgements (Term 2)

• The U14 ISSA cup Boys team campaign ends as were unable to qualify for the Quarter finals. 
• The U15 Girls Bill Turner Trophy team were unable to qualify into the next round after the Gala Day earlier in Term 2. 

Both teams produced great moments of football and learning. We look forward to progressing this group of players further as they adapt and overcome the challenges ahead. 

Ms Caitlin Seary
Head of Sports

Arts Update

This term is another busy time for our dancers with competitions and performances. All our performance teams will be dancing as part of Quota eisteddfod in week 4. 

Instrumental music lessons continue this term. Students will be working hard at developing pieces for our annual music showcase that will be held early next term. All music fees are due this week. Please check parent portal if you have not paid. If your child is interested in participating in instrumental music lessons, please email music@kimberley.college.  

Year 11 and 12 students in the senior Yunupingu faculty will be travelling to Melbourne from the 25^th July to 29^th July for a culturally immersing arts trip. Students will have the opportunity to attend the theatre, tour universities, visit art galleries, tour the Arts Center, visit Melbourne Theatre Company and much much more. This event helps to equip students with knowledge about career opportunities in the arts. It also allows students to experience firsthand what the arts industry has to offer.   

Ms Liz Wagenknecht
Head of Arts

From the Counsellor's Desk

Being in the role of a parent rather than a friend or house mate

The role of parenting can be emotionally exhausting, particularly after working all day in our other roles away from our children. Sometimes when our children come home from school and lose control of their emotional regulation abilities and consequently, express overwhelmingly intense emotional outbursts, we can (unintentionally) mimic (or mirror) the exact emotional response right back at them, more intensely. These emotional outbursts are not only exhausting, but consistently, they can be quite damaging to both us and our children’s sense of security. Have you ever noticed yourself doing this? (Me too…)   

What I have learnt though is, the parenting role (who we need to be when we parent our children) is built on emotions, such as love, affection and esteem as well as, function, such as feeding, proving clothing, shelter, reasonable expectations and routines. Importantly, both the emotional and functional supports we aim to provide for our children, needs to be predictable more so than unpredictable. This means that our household is set up with ways of working that suit the ages and stage of our children’s development to assist them in their mental and physical growth. When our children are brought up in predictable environments, they develop a sense of security within their own identity and those around them. Additionally, predictable households encourage our children to learn the skills to emotionally self-regulate. Children who can regulate their own emotions, including choosing the appropriate emotional responses to match experiences, tend to have better friendships and overall, stronger social connections and better learning abilities. Considering this…I decided to engage in the Circle of Security Parenting Program, firstly as a parent and then as a qualified facilitator of this parenting program. Importantly, I learn how to ‘Be With’ my children. While this program was designed for early intervention with young children, it is encouraged and effective for parents with children of all ages. If you are interested in learning more about the Circle of Security parenting program, please feel free to connect with me at school in the Student Hub or, via email: klynton.kelly-bolt@kimberley.college        

Alternatively, you can check it out on these links: Circle of Security International – Early Intervention Program for Parents and Children

NEXT SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 
Remember that Logan KRANK School Holiday Program provides reduced cost activities to engage our children in a range of activities.   Dive, jump and dance into the September school holidays with KRANK! Entertain your kids with over 100 free and low-cost activities. From outdoor sports to performing arts - there's something for everyone aged 5 to 17. Bookings usually open around late August early September. LINK: KRANK School Holiday Program – Logan City Council

Ms Klynton Kelly-Bolt
School Counsellor