Kimberley College Newsletter - Term 4 2023

Principal's Welcome

Welcome parents, carers and students to the final term.  As 2023 continues to race towards a close, I turn my thoughts towards another busy term ahead, starting tonight with the Instrumental Music Showcase - Springtime Sounds. The student's instrumental musical talents will be on display and it is always a fun and entertaining family evening which I look forward to joining tonight. 

Last night I had the opportunity to be a 'judge' at our very own Junior MasterChef for Gubbi Gubbi (Year 5 - 6) students. It was a fantastic night with our students planning,  shopping and budgeting for their own healthy meals during the day and then taking to the KC kitchen in the evening to create their master pieces which I had the privilege to taste along with my fellow judges. For me, what really made the night special, was the level of parent and family engagement, it was wonderful to see everyone working together and cheering on our Junior MasterChefs! Special mention must also go to the Gubbi teachers Ms Chora and Mr Heffernan for all their hard work on this event, well done.  Thanks also to all of the staff that assisted.

Other events on the agenda include our annual sports award evening where we recognise those students who have participated in both team and individual endeavours throughout the year. The annual Waka Waka and Gubbi Gubbi school camps in the first half of the term, weekly swimming lessons for the primary students,  graduation evenings and the Year 12 formal make for a full term.  

This term we also welcome both our Prep class and our new Year 7 class of 2024 for orientation days and I look forward to meeting all our new students and their families. It is also the time of the year when we bid farewell to our graduating class of 2023. A time of great joy for many as they leave behind the classroom and school uniforms to embark on the next exciting chapter of their lives but also tinged  with some sadness. As a school community we look forward to celebrating and sending our graduates off in KC style. 

Before the end of year fun stuff, I would like to remind all our Year 12 students undertaking external exams in the coming weeks to ensure they find time to pause, step away from the books and exam revision for regular breaks and some relaxation, time with family and friends, proper sleep and a balanced diet. Relaxation and exercise has been proven to improve productivity, promotes concentration, improve physical and mental wellbeing, give energy doses and enhances memory. All things that are key to exam success! 

Staffing update: This term we welcomed Jeff Scott who has commenced in the role of Dean of Students in our Senior School.  Jeff comes to us with vast experience in similar roles in independent schools.  Jeff joins our Senior Leadership Team and will work with the Heads of Faculty to support the well being and pastoral care of our students in the senior school.  Please take the opportunity to welcome Jeff when you see him around the campus.

We also welcome back Tamara Turner this term from a period of parental leave.

Parent-Teacher Communication: Open communication between home and school is essential for your child's success. We encourage you to reach out to your child's teachers whenever you have questions or concerns. Our teachers are here to support your child's learning journey.

Uniform Reminder: Don't forget our school uniform policy. Details can be found on our website. Proper uniform attire helps create a positive and focused learning environment.

Stay Connected: Stay informed about school news, updates, and events by visiting our website, following us on social media, and subscribing to our newsletter.

Wishing all our students all the very best with their studies in term Four. 

Glenn Johnson 
Principal
Principal@kimberley.college

Dates for the Diary

Primary School Update

Welcome to Term Four! What an exciting term we have planned in the Primary School. We are all very excited for the action-packed time ahead.

This term in Kokomini, the students will explore the theme ‘What Lies Beneath’. They have already started their pirate adventures. Captain Blackbottom left a special gift on the first day of term, his best friend, Fishshipmate Squidlips, for them to look after. The students look forward to receiving another letter or visit from Captain Blackbottom soon.

Kokowara is looking at the theme ‘Windows to the World’ in Term Four. They will explore letter writing, measurement and shape, and history by making connections to the past through our Kokowara grandparents, to name a few.

The theme in Waka Waka this term is ‘Creatures Great and Small’. The Waka students will dive into the land of animals – from the smallest of small to the great and tall.

‘The Great Escape’ is the Gubbi Gubbi theme for Term Four. The students will cover data and statistics, political structures and natural disasters. They will also participate in a final Rich Task that will serve as a cross-curricular endeavour where students participate in challenges that require them to support their teammates, and work to capitalise on and identify each other’s strengths. The ultimate ‘Great Escape’ will come as our year six students finish up their time in Primary School and begin their next chapter in Middle School. 

From Thursday 4th and Friday 6th October: Primary School students will begin a five-week Learn-to-Swim block at the YMCA, Victoria Point. The lessons will conclude on Friday 3rd November.

We will have our final Primary School assembly for 2023 on Friday, 17th November. It will be the only assembly this term due to ongoing Friday events. The assembly starts at 8:45 am. Everybody welcome!

A number of significant events are taking place across the Primary School this term, so please add these dates to your calendar. We hope to see you all there to help celebrate what will be a wonderful term to complete a very successful 2023.

Ms Kristy Damen 
Primary School Coordinator 

Middle School Update

With senior students finishing early, it will give our year nine students an opportunity to engage with some of the subjects on offer to them next year. Once they have experienced the specialist senior subjects, the students will be able to complete their subject selection. As you may be aware, there will be some slight changes for our year nine students in 2024.  We are focusing on giving them more opportunities to experience specialist subject areas and take on leadership roles under the boat structure and more information will follow shortly.

“The Real Thing” is this term’s theme, where students will learn to question what they’ve
been told to believe and research the truth behind the lie, conspiracy theory or myth.  Our Rich Task this term is titled “The Inconvenient Museum.” This unit invites students to discuss whether 'truth' exists beyond the present moment. Then, they culminate their research into a presentation to uncover these misrepresentations and teach the public the truth. 

The students will explore forensics in science and unveil the criminal mastermind, participate
in the “X-Factor” in mathematics to develop their algebra skills and learn how to argue in
English. In HASS, the students will engage with our past to learn about the Forgotten Children 
and the Stolen Generation. 

Ms Margherite Ridgen
Middle School Coordinator

Senior School Update

Year 12 students as of Monday 16October 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 23 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 15 November (don’t forget to book your tickets), the senior formal at the Indooroopilly Golf Club on Thursday 16 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. 

Mr Chris McAlpine 
Director of Studies

Dance Auditions

From the field with KCFA

It's been an exciting year for football in Australia with the Womens World Cup inspiring our young people in many different ways. We have had the many moments to support our football students in building self-confidence and resilience, as well as learning the importance of teamwork and a positive outlook throughout competitions and training session.

To mark the final term of the year, we look forward to the following events.

• Sports Awards Evening (invitational only) - special KCFA award recipients
  Date: 9 October
  Venue: Kimberley College

• U12 Queensland Schools Futsal Cup, Boys & Girls
  Thursday, 2 & Friday, 3 November (2x gala days)
  Venue: Coomera Indoor Sports Centre

• U14 Girls Australasians Futsal
  Friday-Sunday, 10-12 November 
  Venue: Hibiscus Sports Complex, Upper Mount Gravatt

• KCFA - End of year celebration and gathering (breakfast) Year 3-12
  Friday 17 November 9:00am-10:00am
  Venue: Kimberley College 

Term 4 training session will focus on fostering enjoyment for the game, along with the core skill focus of striking the ball. 

Mr Scott Shepherd
Coach & Senior School Teacher 

Combining senior studies with a Cert III

3 Simple ways to flip your mindset

1. Have you heard of a Glimmer? Glimmers are the absolute opposite of triggers. Most people are familiar with triggers (as in a person, place, thing or a situation that can educe an unexpected emotional response such as crying, lashing out angrily or even shutting down verbally). Rather than being quite aware of our triggers, we can also become very aware of our glimmers. Glimmers are the moments (big or small) that spark opposite emotions to triggers such as joy, excitement, peace and safety. Glimmers also can be educed by specific people, songs, smells, places or things. So as opposed to triggers, a glimmer will have a positive impact on our mental health and wellbeing. This could be a good conversation to have with someone daily, where you intentionally notice and discuss the people, places and/or things that have positively impacted you. The more you do this, the easier it becomes and eventually, your focus can become more positive.
   
2. Who have you wanted to chat to lately but never got round to it? Fun times with old friends are some of the greatest remembrances that can pop up when you least expect them. When nostalgia hits hard, it’s easy to wonder how your long-lost pals are. Recent research has found that reaching out to an old friend and asking what’s happening in their life can be good for your mental health — and theirs, too. In truth, according to Peggy Liu et. Al., (2022), an unexpected phone call, text or email is appreciated more than we realise. “…people are often very surprised to be reached out to...they feel touched to be thought of and not forgotten, and…these positive feelings of surprise further amplify how appreciative they are of simply being reached out to,” Peggy Liu, PhD, lead author and associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh, told Healthline. People are fundamentally social beings and enjoy connecting with others so go on, be the initiator more often and see how this feels. 
   
   
3. When did you last raise your voice in song? Whether we can carry a tune or not, people (typically) love to sing. Several studies have shown that singing aloud can improve our immune systems, improve our mood, improve our lung functioning, enhances memory, assists with grief and help us to maintain a positive mindset. This is all based on either singing in groups, with a friend or by yourself – so where do we start? Singing in the car is always a great start to the day on your way to work or school drop off. Otherwise, try bellowing out a beat in a group choir, with your family, in the shower or on your walk. Singing is a fabulous and sometimes unintentional way of processing our emotions that can leave our minds feeling lighter and happier.
   
   Ms Klynton Kelly-Bolt
   School Counsellor