School Newsletter 2023, Term 1, Week 2

Acknowledgment of Country

This newsletter comes to you from Jinibara Land. In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples today. We are thankful to be able to work, learn and play on Jinibara land.

Principal's News - Belinda Nash

Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome to the 2023 school year and to our new newsletter format. I trust that you will find it easier to navigate and read. We have the capacity to embed links, forms and surveys so be on the lookout for content that is relevant to your child's year level. 

This year, our plan to achieve Equity and Excellence for every student and staff member is already on track. We have new staff joining us from a variety of backgrounds and we look forward to enjoying their contributions to our wonderful school. In the next newsletter, we will introduce all our staff, new and old, so that our new families can familiarise themselves with our team. 

Annual Improvement Plan: In the lead up to 2023, our staff and community were involved in the development of an important document that contains our plans for improvement for the 2023 school year. These plans details how we will: develop, lead and monitor an explicit improvement agenda focussed on: the effective planning and consistent implementation of the Australian Curriculum for all learners; and the development and consolidation of a school culture that drives robust student achievement and progress.

In order to track our progress towards achieving this, we have a range of embedded progress monitoring tools. Our staff are committed and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve success for your child and we are lucky to have such a dedicated team. 

It takes a team: It is important to remember that our students need a team of people behind them, all working together to make the path smooth for learning progress. Parents and carers can help their children by keeping in regular contact with the school and working with us to identify any concerns you may have for their learning. Our teachers will also contact you for support and information regarding your child. You know your child best, and most teachers only get one year with each child, so please help the teachers to help your child.

If your child is in Prep, being able to confidently perform the following list of basic life skills will help your child immensely at school:

Practise carrying their own bag; unpacking their bag; being able to zip up and unzip their lunch box and open water bottle; open containers that have their food in; use a fork and spoon to feed themselves; take off their own jumper; use the phrases “I need to go to the toilet”, “ I need help.”; recognise and practise writing their name;  using glue sticks, scissors, holding a pencil, colouring; speaking and answering in full sentences; follow simple instructions; wait for adults' attention, sharing and taking turns.

When these basic life skills are easily performed, children are able to focus more carefully on their learning of the curriculum offered. Please let your child's teacher know if you would like more information about this. 

Attendance: I am pleased to report that our current attendance rate is 94.5% It is with a high attendance rate that the first piece of our learning progress can commence. Our success with your child is initially dependent on their regular attendance and we urge you to make sure they are here every day, unless they are unwell or have an approved absence. If your child will be absent, please make sure you call the absence line on (07) 5422 3366 to let us know why they are away so that it can be recorded accurately.  Our attendance goal is 95%.

*Year 2 students currently have the best attendance rate at 97.61%

Community engagement & collaboration: I'd like to urge you to join the P&C Association if you haven't already. It is a very normal practice to be involved in your child's school environment and we would love to see you have a strong voice in your child's education. This year, we are also looking for more parent involvement in developing our Kilcoy State School Positive Behaviour for Learning framework. If you are interested in being involved in this work by providing parent feedback and suggestions, please contact me through the office on (07) 5322 3333. You can also read more about the P&C in this email.

Kind Regards, Mrs Nash, Principal. 

DP News - Mrs Lisa Webster

Welcome to 2023! It has been my pleasure to work with all staff during the student free days to get prepared for student learning in 2023, with a focus on Term 1 curriculum. The planning and delivering of learning activities that your child/children will undertake is enormous and I thank the teachers for the effort, thought and creativity that goes into these lessons. We are striving for excellence and have reminded ourselves that Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution. (Aristotle)    

Curriculum: All classes will have received their curriculum letters. If you have not received yours, please check your junk mail, the bottom of your child's school bag, or contact your classroom teacher. These letters outline the learning content that your child will be doing in term 1. Each curriculum letter also has suggested activities and ways to support your child at home. These activities are important to remind your child of the learning that has happened in class. 

Reading: Every class has visited the library and borrowed a book. If you are in the lower school, your child may have borrowed a book which they would like you to read to them. These books can be read multiple times to students and rereading books to children is important for their reading development. If your child is in the upper school, they are most likely reading their own books. Don't miss the opportunity to read to your child. Read them a chapter, talk about the characters, ask your child what they are reading. The more interest you take in your children's books and education, the more they will progress.  Around 85% of a child's time is spent outside school. A parent/guardian's guidance is invaluable. Click on the link - Somerset Storyfest: Tips for encouraging your children to read more below. 

Learning Link: 6 tips for encouraging your children to read more | Somerset Storyfest

NAPLAN: Students in years 3 and 5 will participate in NAPLAN testing starting on Wednesday 15th March. It is comprised of National Literacy and Numeracy tests for students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9. If you have a child in years 3 or 5, please let them know that NAPLAN is in Term 1. Talk to them about not being worried and being able to show their strengths. This testing style has changed since first put out many years ago and is less stressful for students. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or your child's teacher. 

Meet the teacher BBQ: I look forward to seeing you all at the 'Meet the Teacher BBQ' next Wednesday. Don't forget to bring some change to purchase soft drinks and support the P&C.  

Kind Regards, Mrs Webster, Deputy Principal.

STLaN: Support Teacher Literacy and Numeracy

Hello!  My name is Mrs Karen Burton.

I have taken over the role of Support Teacher Literacy and Numeracy and EAL/D support this year.

It has been wonderful to meet so many students and families in the first week of school. Please come and say hello and introduce yourself.

The Learning Support team this year includes several amazing teacher aides. Our team will be providing language, literacy and numeracy intervention by means of specific programmes developed for classroom use or, where appropriate, through individual or small group work with the support teacher or teacher aide. 

Mrs Steell is our Speech Aide and is working with students who are in our Speech and Language program. Mrs Thornton and Mrs Kerr are focussing on phonics and phonemic awareness, and employing the SOUNDS WRITE program to assist with student reading outcomes. Other valued staff on our team include Mrs Maratas, Mrs Ladroma who assist with students who have English as a second language or dialect.

Families of students who have been receiving support through our Speech and Language program have been sent a letter. If you have received a letter, please return it signed as soon as possible so we can continue to provide programmed support for your child in 2023.  

I am very much looking forward to a fantastic year of learning as teachers and staff work together to develop literate, numerate and curious students.

Here is my all time favourite quote by Dr. Suess.

To promote your children’s love of story reading. . . Here’s a YOUTUBE link to a Read Aloud story book for parents to watch with your child.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nak55brZ8yc

This children's book is read out loud in English, in an Australian accent and is suitable for young children right up to adults!

Kind regards, Mrs Burton.

Meet the Teachers (event)

Parents, carers and students are invited and encouraged to join us next Wednesday afternoon (8-2-23) outside the library at 3.15pm - 4.15pm for a Meet the Teacher event sponsored by our awesome P&C. The P&C have kindly offered to provide a free sausage sizzle for everyone!

*Drinks will be available for purchase. Thank you to our Yr6 students who have kindly offered their time to help sell the drinks. 

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

With the backing of our P&C and entire staff, Kilcoy State School has elected to implement the PBL framework, commencing this year. Our community will see regular references to this throughout the year, and we ask that you discuss it with your children. 

What is PBL? Positive Behaviour for Learning originally started in the USA (PBIS - Positive Behaviour Intervention Supports) and is an evidence-based system to support students to succeed socially and emotionally as well as academically. Over 50% of schools in Queensland are verified PBL schools. 

Why PBL? PBL focuses on prevention, using evidence-based practices and data-based decision making. It is for ALL students and requires positive interactions with students and an instructional approach. Just like we explicitly teach our students to read and write, PBL supports us to explicitly teach our students appropriate behaviour at school. At the centre of PBL are mutual respect, positive regard for all members of the community.   

How can parents help? Parents can help by talking to their students about what they are learning. Our week 2 and 3 focus is 'Moving safely around the school'. All students have been taught how to move around the school safely and each class will do the same. Ask your child what the PBL focus is. Follow up by asking them how they move safely around the school. Hopefully they will tell you that they walk should to shoulder and the teacher walks at the back of the line. Maybe if you see your child running at home, you could ask your child to move safely around the house?

Learning Link: Positive Behaviour for Learning (education.qld.gov.au)

-The Kilcoy State School PBL Team

Student Leadership Ceremony

On Tuesday 14th February, we will formally induct our 2023 Year 6 leaders into their roles. We will also recognise all our Yr6 students as leader of the school generally with a badge presentation ceremony. Parents are invited to join us from 8.50am onwards for a short parade in the hall, followed by the Induction Ceremony. 

In 2022, our Student Captains went through a process of application, interview, speech presentation and voting pr0cess to obtain a Captain position. Unfortunately, our Civics Captain has moved to a new area with her family and as such, has vacated her position. After consulting the points tally for all leadership students, this position has been offered to the next highest point scorer in line. We would like to congratulate Brody Whitley for his acceptance of the position of Civics Captain for 2023. Brody will now join our Arts Captain, IM Captain, House and School Captains in the Induction Ceremony on the 14/2/23. 

Parents and Citizens Association (P&C)

Welcome to 2023!
This year the P&C has many things in the works, and we cannot wait to have you all along for this crazy ride. Term 1 kicks off our fundraising with the 'Slime Run' in Week 10. Keep an eye on our socials for news leading up to this.

We would love to introduce everyone to Luc, she is our brand-new Tuckshop Convenor. Tuckshop will be open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and ordering can be done via the QKR app (preferred) or by coming up and saying hi to Luc and her helpers on a tuckshop morning. Please be patient with us while we navigate these next few weeks, big changes in the tuckshop have happened and are still happening! There is a new menu rolling out in 2 weeks so bear with us while we get prepared!

You might also notice Amy in the tuckshop, she is our new Uniform Shop Convenor! Make sure you pop in and say hi! Her opening days are as follows. 

Wednesday 8^th February 8am-9am
Wednesday 15^th February 8am-9am

The P&C are working really hard to fundraise to provide the school with equipment, resources and services that our kids want or need but we can’t do it alone.  Every little bit of manpower helps and if you can help out, it would be more than appreciated. Make sure you get in contact with our President, Dahanda (DJ as known to many) if you can help to make a difference for our school. DJ also works on our school crossing and is often around the school. You can call the school office on 54223333 to leave her a message, or email the P & C at pandc@kilcoyss.eq.edu.au

Our next meetings are noted below in red and please keep an eye on our Facebook page for any changes. We are looking for feedback regarding suitable meeting times and dates; a poll will be available to vote on soon but in the meantime please feel to message the Facebook page with your suggestions.

Special Meeting to be held on Wednesday 8^th February
General Meeting Monday 13^th February -TBC
AGM 13^th March - TBC

Administration of medications in schools

Administering medication at school
If you require staff to administer medication to your child at school, please contact the school office in the first instance to discuss your child’s requirements. 
Please note, school staff will only administer medication that: 
•    has been prescribed by a qualified health practitioner (e.g. doctor, dentist)
•    is in its original container 
•    has an attached pharmacy label. 
Office staff will ask you to complete and sign Section 1 of the Administration of medication at school record sheet.
N.B. If your child requires more than one medication, you will need to complete a form for each medication.
Requirements for students at risk of anaphylaxis
If your child is at risk of anaphylaxis, it is important for you to provide the school with your child’s emergency medication and their ASCIA Anaphylaxis Action Plan, completed by your doctor. This Anaphylaxis Action Plan provides the instructions for the school to administer your child’s medication in an emergency, which is specific to respond to their health condition.  
If you have any concerns about your child’s health condition, please contact the school office on 07 54 22 3333
Requirements for students at risk of asthma
If your child has asthma and requires assistance to administer their medication, it is important for you to provide the school with your child’s emergency medication and their Asthma Action Plan, completed by your doctor. An Asthma Action Plan provides specific instructions for the school to administer your child’s medication. 
We recognise that some students are capable of managing their asthma without adult assistance. If you are confident that your child can confidently, competently and safely self-administer their asthma medication, let the school administration know. The school will record your decision and will not require your child’s Asthma Action Plan. Please note that if your child requires assistance in an asthma emergency, staff will provide Asthma First Aid. 
If you have any concerns about your child’s asthma, please contact the school office on 5422 3333
Providing medication to the school
Before you provide the school with your child’s medication, check the expiry date to ensure it is in-date and there is enough for the agreed time period. It is also a good idea to take a note of the expiry date so that you can replace the medication before it expires.
Please note, school staff will not administer medication that you can buy over-the-counter at chemists and supermarkets (e.g. paracetamol, eye drops, cough syrup) unless it has been prescribed by your child’s qualified health practitioner. For example, the school would administer paracetamol to a student only if it has been prescribed by their dentist to be taken for a short time after dental treatment.
School staff are bound by these regulations and we hope that all parents will acknowledge and cooperate with these rules.
It is safer for all students if you can provide medication to the school in person (rather than send medication with the student). If you can’t provide the medication in person, contact the school to determine the easiest and safest approach for the school to receive the medication.
If you believe your child is capable of self-administering their own medication at school, please contact me to discuss, as this requires my approval.   
When your child’s medication is no longer required to be kept at school, please collect all unused medication.  Thank you for assisting the school in keeping our students safe and healthy.
Yours sincerely 
Belinda Nash, Principal.

Student Council news

In 2023, we welcome a new Yr6 Student Council and thank them for the role they have taken, leading our student body and representing their needs.

The Student Council meet in their own play time, to discuss their contribution to our school. Setting a great example, they have commenced the year by identifying their priorities for possible fundraising and events each term. We look forward to hearing more about their plans in the near future. In the meantime, we thank them for being such great role models for their peers. 

Sporting News

This week, Mrs Smith has been busy renewing her formal swimming qualifications so that she can continue to deliver safe, effective swimming lessons at a high standard. We appreciate Mrs Smith's commitment to ongoing professional learning.

Term 1 is very full. District Swimming and Valley Champs Swimming will be held. Mrs Smith will be contacting students who are eligible for District swimming as well as those who will be swimming at the Valley Champs.

Our Cross Country Carnival will be held this term as well as the Valley Champs T-Ball Competition. Please check for notes and information regarding these events. If you are keen to do well in the Cross Country, regular running is important.

Kilcoy SS has been successful in obtaining a grant to support students in learning how to play T-Ball. These lessons will happen during specialist PE lessons. 

We wish our competing students the best with their efforts in all events this year. It will be exciting to hear of their achievements.

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. If you have any suggestions for content, please forward them to admin@kilcoyss.eq.edu.au