2024, T3Wk0, Kilcoy State School Newsletter
08.07.2024
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.
KSS Vision & Values
"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
NAIDOC WEEK - 2024
From the 7/7/24 to 14/7/24, Australia celebrates NAIDOC Week. Held across our country, NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This year’s theme chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee, is:
Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud
The theme honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture – with fire a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
You can learn more about NAIDOC Week here: https://www.naidoc.org.au/about/naidoc-week.
Principal's welcome
Dear Parents and Carers
Today, we welcomed all students back to school for Term 3. It was so lovely to see that they had remembered the way we work at school, with all students settled and happy first thing in the morning. Their smiling faces as they reconnect with friends is always a delight to observe. I think it could be easy to underestimate the social value that school provides. This term, we complement that value with a strong focus on being an Active Learner - our Positive Behaviour for Learning focus. I spoke with the children at morning messages about their job while they are here at school.
At Kilcoy State School, our core business is to teach and assist, and the core business of our students is to learn. Students are not the passive recipients of knowledge; they need to be actively seeking to understand. To support this, we explicitly teach lessons about how to positively interact with others at school, and how to be an active learner. Please reinforce the behaviour expectations (seen below in our Behaviour Expectations Matrix) required of all students while at school so that our teachers can do their job effectively, supporting all students to have success. Parents have made it very clear that they wish for learning time to be maximised and when children are meeting the expectations, this is possible. We appreciate your support in this matter.
Our next P&C Meeting is this week, on Wed 10/7 at 4.15pm in the Resource Centre. We encourage all parents to attend, particularly if you haven't ever before. The P&C represents your voice in the direction and support of our school and we urgently need more parents to participate. We can share the load by having more parents join in.
Notes and Reminders:
- Mrs McConnel has taken leave for the remainder of the year. We thank her for her support during Semester 1.
- Interviews for our new Youth Worker are expected to take place in the near future, providing an additional layer of support for our students.
- We will hold our first regular fortnightly parade on Thursday 18/7 at 2.20pm. Please join us if you are able to.
- Some of our own amazing teachers will be hosting student teachers from USQ this term, starting in Week 3. We thank our teachers for their contribution to the next generation of teachers.
EXPLORE PREP
Our second EXPLORE PREP session will be held on Wednesday 24/7/24 from 9.45 to 10.45am for all Prep students starting in 2025. If you haven't already, please enrol now to secure your child's place.
100 Days Brighter
On Thursday, our Prep students will have their 100 Days Brighter event - a chance to look back and celebrate their first 100 days of learning at school. Our Prep teachers have asked that all Prep students (and the Year 1 students in Prep/1) to wear colourful clothing to school that day and enjoy participating in a series of engaging activities together. Please be aware they may get messy! :)
-Mrs Nash.
Spotlight on Attendance
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 goal is for every child to be in attendance, every day.
Deputy Principal: Mrs Webster
‘How was school today?’ is a question often asked by parents/carers of their children at the end of a school day. Most of the time this question doesn’t draw the answers parents want. What should we ask our students so we know what is happening in the classroom?
It is always a pleasure to welcome students back to school after the holidays and today was no exception. A new term, particularly of a new semester, is a fresh start for learning. It provides students with an opportunity to reflect on their learning and growth in Semester 1 and set new goals for Semester 2.
To support students with new goals and a fresh start, every student in years 1 – 6 has been provided with a new English exercise book. Prep students were provided with English books in Semester 1. In these books, students will complete their written work for their English unit. Teachers will provide students with written feedback on a regular basis aligned to the content and expectations in their English unit.
Instead of asking your child, ‘How was your day today?’, maybe ask them about their new English book and what the expectations are. You could also ask them, ‘What feedback did your teacher give you?’ At Kilcoy State School, we are encouraging students to take ownership in their learning. The questions you ask your child at home can support them with this.
We wish all students in Term 3, a successful term. Please contact the school if you require information regarding your child’s progress.
-Mrs Webster
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)
Our Term 3 focus is: Active Learning
Active learners are characterised by their engagement and willingness to take responsibility for their own learning. They actively participate in the learning process and think critically about the material they are studying. Active learning also involves higher-order processing and critical thinking skills, which help students expand their knowledge and develop cognitive and social-emotional skills.
Active learners are curious and have the ability to identify gaps in their knowledge, actively seeking out missing information. They are also inclined to explore and ask questions, demonstrating a desire to learn and improve their understanding.
Active learners are motivated, engaged, and take an active role in their own learning process, leading to a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
In the third column below, you can see what our school-wide positive behaviour expectations are for students, in order for them to be Active Learners.
Tough Teeth Program
On Thursday 11/7/24, students who have returned their permission forms will be able to access the free Tough Teeth Fluoride Varnish program at school, at no cost. This free program is a Queensland Government initiative designed to provide proactive access to dental services for our community.
Term 2 Highlights
Athletics Carnival
On Wednesday & Thursday of Week 10 last term, we enjoyed a very successful Athletics Carnival for 2024. Thank you to Mrs Smith for running a great carnival and thank you to all the staff and helpers who make a huge day like this possible. It was great to see so many students having a go to win a point for their house. War cries were screamed, cheers were heard and it was a beautiful day overall. Congratulations to Mackenzie House for the overall win! It was also great to see that Kilcoy House spirit doesn't end when you leave school - our parent Tug-O-War was again hotly contested.
Under 8s Day
Last term, we celebrated Under 8s Day with all children from the Kilcoy Community. Mount Kilcoy State School students joined with us, as well as Kindy, NCC Early Learners and playgroup. It was an amazing day with so many activities to enjoy. Highlights of the day were the Emergency Services staff and vehicles, the petting zoo, the international flag making station and the obvious favourite: face painting!
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
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