Term 3 – Week 5 – Tuesday 12th August 2025

Principal News

Hi everyone, welcome to Week 5!

Literacy at KKSS

Some great press recently as the Department featured our Literacy Improvement Story in our State- wide news. Read about the great work happening in our classrooms, every day. We should be proud! https://qed.qld.gov.au/about-us/news-and-media/stories/how-kin-kora-state-school

School Opinion Survey

Thank you to all of those who have already completed the Parent/Caregiver Survey. If you have not had a chance to complete the survey yet, please note that the online surveys will remain open until Friday 22^nd August 2025. This is your opportunity to provide feedback about what our school does well and how we can improve. To have your say, check your email for an invitation from the Department of Education titled School Opinion Survey for Parents and Caregivers, 2025. Can’t find your invitation? If your family has more than one parent/caregiver, check that they haven’t received the invitation and/or check your junk email folder.

QParents – Get Connected Now!

Everything in one place – excursion forms, payments, medical details, absence reporting, and early access to report cards. Fast. Easy. No follow-up texts.

Not on QParents yet? Call or visit the office today – you’ll be set up in minutes!

Before School Bell Times

The official start of the day is 8:55am when classes commence.

• We are routinely seeing students arriving at school, unsupervised, before 8.00am. This is a long time to wait for the day to commence. It increases the likelihood of issues and accidents when children are here for a long period of time.  Students arriving before Duty starts should be accessing Outside School Hours Care - School is not to be viewed as a free care facility please. For details of booking into OSHC – please see https://www.helpinghandsnetwork.com.au/find-us/kin-kora-state-school/
• Parents are asked to ensure that the arrival time at school, via drop off or transit, is approximately 8.30am. Students and parents are asked to wait in the covered area at the Tuckshop at this time. 
• There are staff on Duty at the Tuckshop covered area from 8.30am.
• At 8.40am students will be released from the covered area at the Tuckshop. This will allow some time to prepare, unpack, go to the toilet, get a drink, etc.
• As soon as teachers open their doors, students are able to enter the room and prepare for the day.  Otherwise, students are asked to wait quietly at their classroom.

QParents

QParents  is a secure, online portal that has been created by the Department of Education to provide parents of Queensland State School students with 24-hour access to their child's information. The portal allows you to securely access information about your child and communicate directly with your child's school.

QParents provides secure, online access to student information such as:

• attendance details
• consent forms
• payment of invoices
• payment history
• behaviour
• report cards and assessment dates
• upcoming events
• timetables
• student photo

In addition to the information provided, it's important to note that the QParents portal only sends invoices to the parent/carer who is listed first. This means that if there are multiple parents or carers who share responsibility for payments, only one of them will receive the invoice through the portal. It is important for parents and carers to communicate and coordinate payment arrangements if they are sharing the responsibility for fees. 

The reality is that any family not connected on QParents runs the risk of not getting information as required.

We encourage you to register for QParents. To do this, simply express your interest by emailing nkenn81@eq.edu.au or by phoning (07) 4971 5111 and Mrs Kenny will email you an invitation to register (which includes your log-in code) and your child’s unique EQID number.

Goal: 90% of families signed up to QParents.

Current: 70.15% families signed up to QParents.

Current Percentages by Year Level

Jorgen Neilson
Principal

Deputy Principal (Year 3 to Year 6)

Year 7 Enrolment Packs for 2026

The 2026 Year 7 Enrolment Packs are now available to collect from the Toolooa State High School office. If you have a current Year 6 student heading to TSHS next year, please collect, complete and return your Enrolments direct to the High School.

Year 7 Transition 2026 for TSHS

Positive Behaviour for Learning

At our school we know that learning goes beyond reading, writing and maths. Equipping our students with the skills to manage friendships, resolve disagreements and communicate respectfully is just as important. That’s why this Term we have been reinforcing the High 5 Strategy as a practical way for students to handle conflict in a safe and constructive manner.

The High 5 Strategy is a simple, age-appropriate approach that encourages students to try five steps before seeking adult help (unless the situation is unsafe). The steps are:

1. Ignore – If it’s a minor issue, sometimes walking away is the best option.
2. Talk Friendly – Use a calm voice to express how you feel.
3. Talk Firmly – Be more direct and assertive if the problem continues.
4. Walk Away – Remove yourself from the situation if talking hasn’t worked.
5. Report – If the problem persists or becomes serious, tell a trusted adult.

Our staff are actively modelling and reminding students of these steps in classrooms and the playground. We have found it’s a great way to build resilience and problem-solving skills, while also reducing the number of ongoing conflicts.

You can support this learning at home by asking your child about the High 5 Strategies and encouraging them to use it when faced with everyday disagreements. It is a wonderful tool that promotes respectful communication, responsibility, and self-regulation - skills they’ll carry with them well beyond the school gates.

Thank you, as always, for partnering with us to support your child’s growth—academically, socially, and emotionally.

Andrew Shonhan
3-6 Deputy Principal

Deputy Principal (Prep to Year 2)

Hello

As we move into the second half of Term 3, I wanted to take a moment to properly introduce myself. My name is Erin Morgan and I’m currently the Deputy Principal for Prep to Year 2 here at Kin Kora.

While many of you may have seen me around the school or at events, this is my first opportunity to formally say hello in the newsletter. My background is in curriculum and literacy leadership, and I’m passionate about ensuring every student receives high-quality, evidence-based teaching. I’ve been deeply involved in our Structured Literacy approach and have loved seeing the positive impact it is having across classrooms. Over the coming weeks I’ll be continuing to support student learning, staff development, and whole-school routines. I’m also here for families – if you have any questions, ideas, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Looking forward to what the rest of the year holds.

Do you have a child starting Prep in 2026?

If your child was born between 1^st July 2020 and 30^th June 2021, they are eligible to enrol for Prep next year. 🌟 Enrol now for your chance to win! 🌟 Collect an Enrolment Pack from the office and return it before the end of Term 3 to go into the draw to win a school uniform. Feel free to share this with your family and friends to spread the word. 

Our Step into Prep transition sessions have now begun! These sessions give your child the chance to explore classrooms, meet teachers, and make new friends, helping them feel confident and excited about starting school. If you have any questions about Prep 2026, please contact our Prep Transition Officer Kahlee McCarthy, at kcoll193@eq.edu.au. As we prepare to welcome our 2026 Prep students, we are going to share some tips to help your child feel confident and ready for school. 

Erin Morgan

Guidance Gossip

Engaging Adolescents Workshops

Learn skills to help resolve difficult behaviour in teenagers provided by the Family Relationship Centre at CatholicCare.

1-2-3 Magic

Learn to manage difficult behaviour in children 2-12 years old.

Amy McDonald
Guidance Officer

Library News

Children’s Book Week – Wednesday 20^th August – Come Dressed as your favourite character

Premier’s Reading Challenge Update…

The Premier’s Reading Challenge is closing on the 22^nd August. We’ve had a huge number of reading challenge forms returned over the past couple of weeks – amazing effort everyone!

To complete the challenge:

• Prep to Year 2 must read or experience at least 20 books
• Years 3 and 4 must read at least 20 books
• Years 5 and 6 must read at least 15 books.

There’s still plenty of time to get involved and complete the challenge. Whether students are enjoying picture books, graphic novels, listening to stories, or shared reading - every book counts!

The aim for the 2025 Challenge is to encourage students to make time to read. Last year saw more than 216,000 children from around the state participate.

Every student who completes the challenge and returns their reading record sheet to Miss Nadina in the Library by Monday 25^th August will receive a certificate.

Spare forms are available from the library front counter.

Happy reading!

Nadia Winning
Librarian – Resource Centre

Welcome to the Kin Kora Arts Department

Instrumental Music 2025

All lessons for Term 3 are now displayed outside the Instrumental Music classroom. Students should also have a copy displayed in their classroom.  Attendance to our group rehearsals and lessons is important as we are gearing up for the Eisteddfod this Term. Please let your child’s tutor know when your student will NOT be able to attend.

Ms Rackemann, our Strings Instructor, will be teaching every Thursday afternoon and all-day Friday.

Junior Orchestra (for all 2025 recruits) NOW rehearse Friday morning with the Senior Orchestra at 7.45am.

Mr Chris Allen continues in 2025 for Brass, Woodwind and Percussion tuition. Mr Allen visits Kin Kora SS every Tuesday all day, and Wednesday from midday. Concert Band rehearsals are held every Tuesday morning at 7.45am.

Instrumental Eisteddfod 2025 – Week 4 Term 3

Eisteddfod Results:

Week 4 we saw our Concert Band and Woodwind Trio perform at the Gladstone Eisteddfod. We congratulate them and their conductor Mr Chris Allen for so bravely performing on stage.

Whilst not receiving a place, the Concert Band performed ‘Rhino Rock’ and a very difficult ‘Blackbeard’.

The trio performed ‘My Heart Will Go On’ and received Highly Commended. Well done everyone!

Last Wednesday, our Strings groups did not get to perform at the Gladstone Eisteddfod, however, they have been invited to perform at the NEW Toolooa Performing Arts Centre, this Wednesday 13^th August. Watch for the next newsletter for an update on this Celebration of Music. 

2025 Choir Times and Eisteddfod Update

We are nearing our VOCAL Eisteddfod. Students should have returned all necessary paperwork to the Music Room and payment of $7.50 made to the office. If you would like to watch us perform at the GECC, please mark Friday 22^nd August on your calendar. Times TBA.

Our 4D Verse Speaking Choir start off the performance week, attending the Eisteddfod in Week 6 on Tuesday 19^th September.

Parents, please ensure you drop your child off beind the GECC – Oaka Lane. 

Rehearsals

All Choirs rehearse FIRST BREAK : 11.00am – 11.40am. Students are welcome to bring their lunches to the Music Room. We are also going to have a rehearsal with our pianist, Mr Ryan Carter. Excited!

Monday: 5 6 Choir
Tuesday: 1 2 Choir
Thursday: 3 4 choir

QSO Workshops – Term 3 Week 9

Members of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra will be returning to Gladstone to hold workshops with ALL Instrumental students in the Gladstone district. These workshops will be carried out over a week:

1. Monday 8^th September – for all Beginner students in Woodwind, Brass, Percussion and Strings: 10.15am – 3.15pm.
2. Tuesday 9^th September – for all Level 2 and 3 String students: 8.00am – 3:15pm Level 3 Woodwind Brass students.
3. Friday 12^th September – all remaining Brass, Woodwind and Percussion students: 8.00am – 1.00pm (approx)

Combined Schools Musical – Mary Poppins 2026

Auditions for the Combined Schools Musical have now been completed and I’m THRILLED to announce Eva and Scarlett were successful in securing a position in the Musical.

Well done to all the other entrants. There is always 2027 for the next Musical!

Maree Maitland
Music Specialist

P&C Operations

P&C would like to thank Side by Side for their continued partnership with our daily Breakfast Club in 2025. Their support helps us in providing access for our whole school to start the day on a full stomach and ready to learn. 

Save the Dates

Tuckshop:

The Tuckshop is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for lunches. Cut off is 8:40am on the day it is ordered for. Flexischools can be used to order for both Breaks.

Please Note:

Iceblocks are no longer available on Tuesday 2nd Break.

Uniform Shop:

Uniform Shop Open TUESDAY’S 8:30am – 10:00am             Cash / Eftpos / Flexischools available

(Please allow for 1 week turn-around on all Flexischool orders).

Email  uniformshop@kinkorass.eq.edu.au with any uniform shop related queries.

Nadia Horsten
Tuckshop/Uniform Coordinator
P & C Association

Lost Property Box

The school’s big red Lost Property Box out the back of the Administration building is overflowing with un-named lost property. There are lunch boxes, plastic containers, drink bottles, hats, jackets, jumpers etc. Please ensure to come and check for your student’s missing things as soon as possible as due to the volume of items we will have to start disposing of un-named articles shortly.

School Calendar – Term 3 – 2025

Community Events & Notices

Magpie Season Information

Council urges the community to stay safe during swooping bird breeding season from July to November, with peak swooping activity taking place from August to October.

Foster Carers Needed

We know that children do best when they can remain close to their familiar schools, friends, and communities—and that’s why Anglicare Central Queensland need local carers. Just like schools are a cornerstone of our community, foster carers are vital to helping children thrive. Your support could help connect a child with a safe, nurturing home.

Tannum Sands Surf Lifesaving Club – Nippers Sign on Days

Sign on days for the new season are starting – 17^th August and 24^th August.

Registrations are now open for the Gladstone Port to Park Family Fun Run! Make sure to select Kin Kora State School when you register — every entry linked to our school helps raise valuable funds to support our students.

It’s a fantastic day of fitness, fun, and community spirit — perfect for families, friends, and supporters of Kin Kora!

🗓 Date: Sunday 24^th August 2025
🔗 Register at: https://www.eventwizards.com.au/frmRegister.aspx?SeriesID=31

Let’s get behind this great event and show our Kin Kora pride!

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