Term 2 Week 6
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
Last week I had the opportunity to visit our Middle School students during their Anzac themed Emu Gully Adventure Camp. In an outdoor education environment such as the Middle School camp, students are faced with various challenges. Some students may find a particular activity stressful, whilst others find just being away from home is hard. I am conscious that lifelong memories are made on school camps, often of the kind that contribute to a child’s self-image. Being in an unfamiliar environment together helps connect children with others, interacting with people outside their normal friendship groups. A positive attitude to challenges can go a long way to improve resilience, and they can also have a lot of fun on the way.
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from stress, challenge, trauma or adversity. Beyond Blue advise that improving children’s resilience helps them to deal with the adversities they experience. Resilient children are more courageous, more adaptable and more curious, and they do not let mistakes hold them back. Rather, they acknowledge them and learn what to do differently next time. Also, they are more empathetic and compassionate and less concerned by what others think of them meaning they are less likely to succumb to peer pressure. Wellbeing is correlated with resilience, providing children with the capacity to cope with day-to day stress and challenges. Thank you to the Middle School Staff who accompanied, cajoled, encouraged, supported and got neck deep in mud with the students.
Congratulations to our Year 12 Diploma of Business class of 2021.
Last week we celebrated on assembly the achievements of 24 Year 12 students who have completed the Diploma of Business. This diploma is recognised nationally and internationally as part of the Australian Qualifications Framework. Kimberley College offers the Diploma of Business on campus through its partnership with Prestige Training.
Student Council Leaders visit Parliament House
This week members of our Student Council Leadership visited Parliament House with Mr McAlpine at the invitation of the State Member of Parliament for Springwood, Mick De Brenni.
Schoolwide Survey
Thank you to those parents who completed our Parent Survey. Our staff have also completed their survey and now it is the student’s turn. Please encourage your child to have their say in the future of their school. I will share the results of our schoolwide survey in future newsletters.
Arts Assembly
Recently we held a full school assembly celebrating all aspects of our Arts Program at Kimberley College. We enjoyed performances by the primary school right up to the senior school. It was a lovely opportunity to admire some of the genuine talent we have at the college. Our senior rock band kicked off the entertainment and got everyone rocking in their seats. The Gubbi Gubbi classes performed a musical piece, and a big congratulations to one of our middle school students Kane Brindley who held the floor solo to sing a beautiful melody. On display were the artistic skills of art students, drama students, and film and TV students. The Yunupingu teachers put their drawing skills to the test with a game show sketch competition that got the crowd going wild. We were also fortunate enough to see the senior dance performance team perform one of their award-winning jazz routines. It was wonderful to see the students having such fun and expressing themselves doing activities they are so passionate about. If your child is interested in joining any of our arts programs at the College, please contact us for more information.
Senior School News
Congratulations !!!
Last Thursday the entire senior school assembled to celebrate the graduation and certification of the year 12 Diploma of Business class of 2021. A diploma is a serious adult level qualification recognised nationally and internationally as part of the Australian Qualifications Framework. It comprises much of, if not all, of the first university year content and skills of the bachelor degree it is related to. A diploma attracts twice (eight) the QCE credits of a school subject (four) and the maximum allowed VET contribution to the QCE.
Successful completion of a diploma establishes an ATAR of 87 for ATAR eligible students placing them in the top 13% of ATAR eligible students at many universities including QUT and Griffith university and meets several university degree prerequisite requirements. Holding a diploma also provides automatic entry to many degrees at number of universities across Australia.
Studying a diploma as part of senior school is not easy, but is immensely rewarding, not just in terms of the academic levels it provides, but also in terms of the skill set a student learns through completion of highly contextualised, real-world scenarios. Successful completion requires commitment and dedication to study following a stringent timeline of completing the mandatory continual assessments.
I congratulate the group of students below for having done just that;
Sean Adermann, , Kai Bartz-Jennings, Tayah Battaglene-Sharpe, Angelique Boyland, William Bray, Finn Brett, Jade Brown, Sam Carlyle, Matthew Cogill, Eli Collins, Piper Dovey, Dylan Forsyth, Nicholas Gilchrist, Jesika Gill, Max Johnson, Savannah Neale, Michael O'Brien, Lucas Palelei, Millie Parker, Rebecca Santana, Harrison Still, Kieri Timmins, Harry Wadas, and Isabella Wadas are all to be congratulated on a job well done.
Sixteen months ago, they committed to each other, that they would work together and encourage each other to finish together and on time and they kept to that commitment, even finishing early.
But their dedication alone was not enough to ensure their success. They also needed a dedicated trainer, a teacher, to teach them new ideas, to hold them to account and to inspire them. I would like to thank Ms. March Natrop from Prestige Training for her highly prodessional teaching and, at times, her patience. March as the diploma of business trainer and teacher, understands Waffo and her teaching is a perfect fit in our senior school leading our friends to their success.
Mabo News
The first half of term 2 has been filled with opportunities for the Mabo students. Despite missing Mondays and enjoying 3-day weekends, students returned to fully-loaded weeks of learning and collaborating.
Our KC Senior Mooting teams have seen early success this year, competing in the University of Southern Queensland high school mooting competition. Team KC1 successfully argued their case for the Respondent against Hillbrook Anglican School, while KC2 was successful against Beaudesert State High School, representing the Appellant. This is an enormous achievement from the school’s young talented lawyers. Our Counsel along with instructing solicitors will be attending the USQ moot court next on 1 June.
In other news… The year 11 Ancient History class started their aged investigation of who murdered Hatshepsut. Their first analysis concluded that the murder took place over 3000 years ago which limited their pool of suspects to either Mr. McAlpine, Mr. Johnson or Mr. Wright. Further DNA testing remains inconclusive.
Literature students have played their role in either overthrowing the Catholic Church or weeding out the witches living in Salem. Their creativity will be on show, as they complete their creative writing work for the end of the term.
All Mabo seniors took a moment to acknowledge that they have now received their final internal assessment item for English and Humanities subjects, and graduation is looming closer and closer.
Keep up the hard work,
Mr Smith
Student Council
Student Council representatives Louisa Cafer, Kasey Anderson, Sam Carlyle and Tiana Stally were invited to Queensland Parliament on tursday by Mick de Brenni MP, member for Springwood. Our students and student leaders from three other local schools had the opportunity to meet members of parliament to observe Question Time in action, to role play in a debate on the floor of the Upper House Chamber and to have a guided tour. Following they enjoyed a BBQ lunch where they had the opportunity to chat with Mick de Brenni. The students enjoyed the day, especially when question time fired up and a member was ejected by the Speaker for one hour
Chris McAlpine
Middle School News
Well, cliche we know, but we came… we saw… and we CONQUERED! (like true Kimberley College kids do!)
The Emu Gully Adventure Camp was one of the most challenging camps we have been on as a school. We cannot say how proud we are of our students who grit their teeth, dealt with obstacles and truly surprised themselves with the depth of their courage and energy!
While students may have arrived home with a few grumbles and groans about their camp experience - probably featuring a comment on the showers! - while they were on camp, they just coped! Learning to get on with the activities despite hurdles and issues was the whole purpose of the camp.
The weather was cold at night but stunning during the day, the challenges were CHALLENGING and incredibly muddy and the students supported each other to get through tough moments. We pulled cannons through mud pits, carried stretchers through rainy trenches, worked together to run to safety through an obstacle course and tore through a bush track on buggies! Throughout all activities, students cheered each other on, helped each other cook, supported friends who were feeling homesick and always lent a helping hand to stop a fellow team member from sliding down a hill or into a pool of mud! The Middle School kids truly were AWESOME!
The message is that sometimes life is not comfortable. Sometimes life is challenging and you have to rely on yourself, and the support of those around you, to get the job done and survive. We think it is a perfect experience for our students. They are stronger, wiser and braver for having participated.
Thank you to all students for the adaptability, grit, determination, inclusivity, courage and compassion you displayed on camp away from your families and warm beds. You are all amazing and made it a camp experience none of us are likely to forget!
Primary School News
Magnificent Music
This term we have had the opportunity to showcase some of our very talented musicians at Kimberley College.
Mother’s Day
Waka Waka and Gubbi Gubbi had the opportunity to perform together for our Mother’s Day Celebration giving our audience of mums a very energetic cup percussion performance of ‘You Can Count on Me’ by Bruno Mars. The Kokominis did what they do best and made our hearts full with a beautiful performance of ‘Mum Song’ by Megan Trainor.
Creative Arts Assembly
Gubbi Gubbi had another chance to show the whole school their talents with another polished cup percussion performance! Kane Brindley, one of my very talented vocal students, sang his heart out with a beautiful rendition of ‘Let It Rain’ by Delta Goodrem.
It takes a lot of courage to get up on stage and perform in front of our families and friends, I am extremely proud of the effort the students put into these performances!
In class, the Kokomini crew are busy learning a number of fairytale songs and being introduced to instrumental families; Strings, Woodwind, Percussion and Brass. Kokowara are looking at the rhythm of words and learning some weather themed songs. Waka Waka are exploring music from around the world and Gubbi Gubbi are analysing film music and creating sound effects.
Musically yours,
Miss Tassan 😊
Year Six Shirts
Last Monday, 17th May was a beautiful start to the week, with our Year 6 students receiving their senior shirts! The students were super excited to be receiving their shirts, and looked very lovely in them. It was also beautiful to see so many of our parents and friends turn up for the event. Thank you for your support.
Life Education Visit
This week in the Primary School, we had a very special visit from the Life Education van and Harold the Giraffe. The topics covered during this visit aligned with our Health and Physical Education units. The themes of the sessions included, Harold's Friendships, Safety Rules, All Systems a Go, and the KC Value of Respect.
Primary Assemblies
We wish to congratulate the following students who received a KC Attitude Award at our assembly on Monday 17th May. Well done, Ameer Sabawi, Samuel Lawler, Arnya Wolpert, Tom Ellis, Emily Antonie, Isaac Thackray, Roni Musgrave, Ryland Prout, Evanna Pasfield, Ayla Salih, Georgia Alderton, Liam Perry, Molly Dunn, Carly Port and Lilia Theunissen.
We also wish to congratulate the following students who received an award at our assembly on Friday 28th May. Congratulations, Summer McElroy, Amahlia Stevenson, Jett Bridges, Jimi Pascoe, Matilda Hurling, Keenan Bear, Sebastian Mooyman, Esad Kara, Thea Blums, Chaise Lucas, Isaac Santana, Charlotte Giarratano and Hayden Vlieg.
Finally, well done to the Kokomini Class for their entertaining performance of the poem "Peas Make Me Sneeze"
Kristy Shepherdson - Head of Primary School
Hospitality News
On Tuesday I had the opportunity to take five year 11 Hospitality students to a Come 'n' Try Day at the Southbank TAFE campus.This event was organised by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council to showcase the many opportunities available in the industry.The students had a tour of the Emporium Hotel, participated in a mixology class and cookery class, networked with industry workers and visited a career hub.I was very proud to see two of our students place first and second in a cake decorating competition in the cookery class. Quinn Wilkie placed first and was interviewed by Channel 7 news after his win. Emily Sandler placed second.
It was a busy day and the students learned a lot about the industry they are hoping to be a part of in their future careers.
Kim Cooper
Dance Eisteddfods
The Ipswich Dance Eisteddfod and BPAC Eisteddfod will take place in Week 9 with teams from our primary, middle, and senior schools competing. If your child is partaking in these eisteddfods, please remember to access the Parent Portal to accept the excursion as soon as possible. Parents and guardians are more than welcome to attend these events. Any further queries, please contact dance@kimberley.college.
Library News
Overdue Books
There are currently 80 unreturned books that were borrowed in Term 1. Reminders for the return of these books have been read out in class and emails have been sent to families. The next step in the process is a final reminder email outlining the cost of replacement which will be added to school accounts if books aren't returned by 11 June 2021. These emails will be sent out this week. Many of the missing books are part of series' therefore non-return means other students are unable to continue their reading if they are enjoying that series too. Please contact us in the Library at library@kimberley.college if you have any queries.
National Simultaneous Storytime
On Wednesday 19th May we joined schools all across Australia for an intergalactic experience with the NSS 2021 book being read by the astronaut Dr Shannon Walker from the International Space Station. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. This year’s National Simultaneous Storytime book was Give Me Some Space by Phillip Bunting. The Kokominis and Kokowaras joined us in the auditorium for a special viewing, followed by space activities and craft.
Athletics Carnival
The annual middle and senior school Kimberley College Athletics Carnival will be held next Wednesday June 2, 2021 at the Gold Coast Performance Centre. Parents and guardians are more than welcome to attend the event to show support for our students.
Buses will be departing from the school at 8:45am, with the event running from 9:30am to approximately 2:00pm. Please remember to access the parent portal to accept the excursion as soon as possible.
South Coast Cross Country
All the best to our 6 qualifying students who will compete in the South Coast Cross Country Carnival on Tuesday June 1, 2021 at the Runaway Bay Sports Complex. Competitors were based on the student’s performance at the Pacific District selection event. We wish them well and look forward to hearing of their successes.
Early Collection of Students
It is imperative that all students sign out when they are leaving early. In the event of an emergency evacuation the roll needs to be 100% accurate or we could be looking for students who are not present. Thank you