School Newsletter 2023, Term 4, Week 4

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.

Kilcoy State School Vision & Values

Our school vision:

"We believe that all members of the Kilcoy State School community have the right to work, learn and play in a safe and inclusive environment."

Our STAR values are:

SAFETY - Taking Responsibility - Active Learning - Respect

Principal's News: Belinda Nash

Dear Parents and Carers

This term, our major focus for improving student behaviour is on developing all aspects of demonstrating RESPECT. This means respect for themselves, respect for others and respect for property and places. Please engage your child in talk about what this means, and how they will need to show the 'right' respect for which ever place they are in at the moment. Even if demonstrating 'Respect' is different at home, we all have the capacity to learn more about how to behave in any environment we find ourselves in. At school, we call this 'Code Switching'. Students need to understand and accept that there may be different 'codes of behaviour' to follow, depending on where they are. We are excited to see the positive behaviour changes currently occurring across our school, and thank all parents for working with us to support their children. 

T4 End of Year Events: This year, we will be celebrating our end of year with the following events:

• Tue  5/12/23   9.30am: Year 3-6 Academic Awards
• Tue  5/12/23   1.45pm: Yr6 Clap Out Ceremony
• Tue  5/12/23   6pm: Yr6 Graduation @ The Stanley Hotel Event Space
  
• Wed 6/12/23   Pool Parties - Year levels to be confirmed
  
• Thu 7/12/23    More Pool Parties! - Year levels to be confirmed
• Thu 7/12/23   9.30am   YrPrep -Yr2 Red & Green Day Performance
  

Attendance: Our current attendance rate is 89.5% however our goal is 95%. 

The negative impact on student learning and confidence is significant when students are absent and return, attempting to catch up to their classmates. Please support your child to be as confident as possible by making sure they attend school as required. Attendance at a school after age 6 1/2 years of age is compulsory in Queensland. 

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.  

Community engagement & collaboration: 

During the next week, our Preppies will enjoy a Yowie Park local area excursion, exploring special places, discussing why these places are special to them and exploring how to care for special places. This is important History and Social Sciences (HASS) learning. 

On 1/11, our next 2024 Pre Prep transition session will occur again from 9-10am. On this day, we will also conduct the next set of Enrolment Interviews. As classes are beginning to be structured, please enrol your 2024 Prep now if you haven't already done so. 

2/11 will be the last day of swimming lessons for our Year 3-6 Students. Look out for the upcoming Swimming Carnivals in the next few weeks.

• Junior Swimming Carnival date claimer: Thu 16/11/23
• Senior Swimming Carnival date claimer: Fri 17/11/23

In Week 5, the Tough Teeth program will commence their round 2 sessions on 2/11/23. There is no need for permission forms, they have already been collected for the previous round. 

On Saturday 9/11 - Our School Captains (Sophie Kunde and Charlee Stanton) will accompany Mrs Nash to the 2024 Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Kilcoy Returned Services League Club. Our captains will represent our school community by laying a wreath on behalf of Kilcoy State School. 

On Friday 3/11, the P&C are hosting an amazing Halloween disco! Please see the flyer below for details and come out to enjoy the night. There will be prizes for the best Halloween Costume and money raised will be put towards lowering the cost for families with students attending our Year 6 Graduation event. Tickets must be pre-purchased through the QKr App and the price of entry includes:

• Entry, music, decorations, games
• A delicious sausage on bread with sauce
• A lolly bag
  

Drinks and Glow Products will also be available for purchase on the night. 

Kind regards, Mrs Nash.

Deputy Principal's News: Lisa Webster

Curriculum

At Kilcoy State School we are focussing on 'opening up the A thinking' in classrooms. This means that we are challenging students to stretch for greater achievement in class.  Conversations about learning with your child are important in their development. Your child also understands the value you place on learning. Rich conversations and reading with children enhance their development. In essence, time spent with children, without distractions is beneficial to their academic development. It can be as simple as turning off the television during meal times and making sure there are no devices at the dinner table. If you aren't sure what your child is learning at school, please refer to the curriculum newsletter or contact you child's teacher. 

Kilcoy Wellbeing Festival - Recently the Somerset Regional Council held a drawing competition for the Kilcoy Wellbeing Festival. Students were asked to draw what makes them happy. Two students from Kilcoy State School were winners in their categories - Mavis Preston (4 - 6  year old) and Charlie Rose Freeman (8 - 10 year olds). Please see their drawings below. 

Mrs Webster - Deputy Principal. 

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)

This term, out staff and students have been working together to unpack what we all understand RESPECT to mean. This information guides our students to understand why it is important to be respectful, what it provides to others and what it gives to yourself. Following on from our Wear Red for Respect Day of Friday, our term will continue to focus on developing a clear understanding of, and commitment to, respect for self and respect for others. Each week, we unpack a different aspect of respect, guided by our Positive Behaviour Matrix. 

-The Kilcoy State School PBL Team

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STLaN Update

This week, our ‘Tree of Acknowledgement’ features the work of Prep A and Prep B students. 
Prep students have been learning about language, literature and literacy by engaging with the book ‘Edward the Emu’ by Sheena Knowles. Their task was to use their imagination and create a new event for the character in the story. When they finished their work, the Preps visited the library, shared their imaginative ideas and proudly pinned up their drawing and writing on the ‘Tree of Acknowledgement’ for all to view. 
Please come to the library and acknowledge your child’s hard work and be part of our parent recognition of learning. 

From Mrs Karen Burton

Inclusion Support

Did you know that October is ADHD Awareness Month? It's a time dedicated to increasing understanding and support for children, families and communities affected by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Some of us associate ADHD as a “struggle that makes life difficult” (Harriet McCarron). I would like to highlight that the disorder also provides us with unique strengths, talents, and a different way of thinking. We have students and adults in our school community that are affected by this disorder therefore I thought it would be relevant to offer tips for supporting children, and encourage a compassionate and inclusive environment for all.

ADHD can manifest in various ways, including difficulties with focus, impulse control, and hyperactivity. However, it's important to remember that people with ADHD are not defined by their challenges. They have an array of remarkable qualities, such as creativity, energy, and a unique perspective on the world.

Here are some tips on how to support your children and our students affected with ADHD.

• Open Communication: Talk openly with your child about ADHD. Encourage them to express their feelings and challenges. Ensure they understand that ADHD doesn't make them any less valuable or capable.
• Establish Routines: Consistent routines help children with ADHD better manage their time and tasks. Set up daily schedules and clear expectations to reduce stress and improve organization.
• Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate your child's successes, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement helps boost self-esteem and motivation.
• Break tasks into Manageable Steps: For schoolwork and chores, break tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. This approach can make daunting projects seem more achievable.
• Explore Interests and Passions: ADHD often comes with intense interests and passions. Encourage your child to explore and cultivate these hobbies as they can lead to great strengths and future career paths.
• Support at School: Collaborate with your child's teachers and myself to address their specific needs and provide accommodations in the classroom.
• Encourage Physical Activity: Regular exercise can help channel excess energy and improve focus. Encourage your child to engage in sports, dance, or other physical activities they enjoy
• Promote Healthy Eating and Sleep: A balanced diet and sufficient sleep play a significant role in managing ADHD symptoms. Consider consulting with a healthcare professional for dietary guidance

ADHD Awareness Month is an opportunity to celebrate and support the unique qualities of children with ADHD. By understanding the disorder, fostering open communication, and promoting an inclusive environment, we can help all children reach their full potential

For more information and resources please see: https://adhdfoundation.org.au/

Harriet McCarron, Inclusion Support Teacher

P& C Association

Our next meeting will be the 8th November @ 4pm in the KSS library. All are welcome.

Items on the agenda include:

1. Uniforms
2. Swimming carnival
3. Christmas Carnival stall

Kilcoy State High School Year 6 Transition

Somerset Council to trial Saturday opening hours at Kilcoy library.

If you are looking for somewhere cool and free to take your children on the weekend don’t forget the library!

Kilcoy library is now open on a Saturday morning from 9am to 11.30am and will continue through to March 2024.

Please check out the website for library information and events or call 07 5424 4000

https://www.somerset.qld.gov.au/our-services/library

Up to 90% of a child's brain development happens in the first 5 years.

An initiative of the State Library of Queensland, First 5 Forever is a universal family literacy program aimed at supporting stronger language and literacy environments for young children from 0–5 years and their families.

First 5 Forever will directly support parents and primary caregivers to be confident as the child’s first and most important teacher, and will provide parents with increased access to resources they need through public libraries.

At Somerset Libraries, we provide families access to two regular First 5 Forever programs: Storytime and Toddler Tuesday.

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.