20 November 2024

Principal News

Dear Kimberley Park State School parents and carers, 

Thank you

We have had such a wonderful year. It has been action packed, collaborative and great fun. Together we have witnessed children develop and grow. Students have performed exceptionally well in all areas in 2024. We are so proud of them and appreciate the support provided by families and the community.

2025 Composite Classes

We now have more of an idea around student numbers for 2025. The numbers are not stable for staffing however until Day 9, 2025.

At this stage we will have three composite classes: Year 1/2 (mainly Year 2), Year 3/4 (mainly Year 4) and Year 5/6 (equal numbers, learning in Year 6)

• Students that are in Year 1, Year 3 and Year 5 that are in a composite class 1/2, 3/4 & 5/6 will be able to attend both year level incursions, excursions and camps, if their families choose. This provides opportunities for students to be a part of the events of their Year Level and also the Year Level they are learning in for 2025:
  • For example, a Year 1 student that is in the 1/2 composite, can go on the Year 1 excursion and the Year 2 excursion. Families can choose what best suits their child.

Safety in Extreme Weather Events at 3pm, Student Pick Up

In the event of heavy rain students will be released from class as usual.  We will offer students covered areas to wait if they choose to do so: 

• Hall Stop Drop & Go – option of standing under the cover area at the entry at the bottom of the hall
• Administration Stop Drop & Go – option of standing under the portico on the front steps of the Administration block
• Prep Stop Drop & Go – option of standing under the undercover area outside the year 1 block near Junior Explorer 2

In the event of a severe electrical or hail storm:

• If the immediate threat is unsafe for the students to be released from classrooms, they will remain with their supervising teacher inside
• Facebook notice will be issued
• Text sent to all families ‘Weather required delay in student release at 3pm’

Once the threat has passed:

• Safe for students to be released
• Facebook notice will be issued
• Text sent to all families ‘Students are now being released’
• Regular collection of children occurs

Term 4, Week 11 Arrangements

As you are aware, and as occurs every 4 to 6 years, this school year is 41 weeks in duration as opposed to the usual 40 – with Term 4 comprising 11 weeks this year:

• Week 10 is 2^nd – 6^th December; 2025 Meet the Teacher and Graduation are the Wednesday 4^th December
• Week 11 is 9^th – 13^th December 2025
  • We are implementing a flexible approach to the final week of the school year
  • KP will remain open for students until the end of the school year. The academic programs will conclude at the end of Week 10. Semester Two student reports will be emailed on Thursday 12 December
  • During Week 11, we will implement a focus on student wellbeing activities through alternative programs

Logan City Council Kimberley Park State School Parking Guide

Facilities to be completed before school commences 2025

• Administration female toilet flooring replaced
• School Wi-Fi Switch upgrade $60,000
• Tuckshop undercover pole covers refreshed
• Classroom Blinds for Lockdown safety installed
• 2025 Year 1 classroom furniture built
• Pathways high pressure cleaned throughout the school
• All lino floors deep cleaned – school cleaning team

I would like to wish everyone a great rest of the school year and safe holidays. It will be great to see everyone again in 2025 refreshed after the summer break.  Farewell to our Year 6 students, who are ready, willing and able for the next step – High School.

Libby Jordan
Principal

Year 4 - 6 Deputy News

As the year comes to a close and I reflect on what has been a very busy and productive year at KP, I am drawn to thinking about what our students feel has been a highlight. This led me to ask them.

The best thing about camp is that I had great time and it was really fun. We all ate so much food and I’m really grateful. The activity I enjoyed the most was crate stacking. Ciahan Year 4

My favourite thing about camp was the beach. Rosie Year 4

My favourite thing about camp was laser tag. It was hard and good at the same time. Even though we didn’t win it was still good. Dylan Year 4

My favourite thing about camp was archery. It was fun sleeping in a cabin with my friends. It’s been really exciting. James Year 4

I enjoyed the food and activities. My favourite activity was laser tag. Taj Year 4

My fav thing was laser tag. Micah Year 4

My favourite thing was archery. It was a bit hard at times, but I just kept trying and giving a go. Dominik Year 4

The archery was really fun because we got to work it out for ourselves, and problem solve. Liza Year 4

The best thing about camp has been hanging out with mates in cabins and going to the beach paddleboarding. Marley Year 4

It is really good to work together as a team and help out people when they were stuck.  Ruby Year 4

When you work together as a team and collaborate and talk to each other it makes everything better and easier.  Emily B Year 4

I found that camp was very enjoyable with excitement in every activity and we had very nice camp ground keepers that fed us amazing meals not to mention we had amazing bus drivers, shout out to Matt and Bailey. Instead of giving us boring work our teachers gave us lots of interactive work and would even have comedic bickering while we were doing our work to entertain us and make us feel more energetic in order to do our work. Mason Year 6

The Year 6’s went on camp to Fraser coast and did fun activities such as going to Aussie World, exploring the amazing island of K’gari and Time Zone. At Time Zone everyone had a hour to do whatever they wanted, some went all out on the punching bag while others smashed teachers in air hockey. At K’gari we got to go on some 4WD buses and go all around the island. We got to see baby dingos and all sorts of animals. On the sand island they got to go to Eli Creek and Lake McKenzie and have an awesome time in the water. For lunch they had an all you can eat buffet.  Eli W Year 6

The tours on Fraser Island were the best because we got to look out at nature and learn about the island from the bus drivers. It was good to spend time with friends and make good memories with them. We even convinced a friend to go on a ride even though he was a bit scared. Duke Year 6

I really liked Aussie World because it was fun and I used to go all the time and I hadn’t been for a long time. It was nice to hang out with my friends and have lots of fun. Addyson Year 6

I loved hanging with my friends and chatting with them. I loved Aussie World and the waterpark. Lilly Year 6

It was really fun at camp because I was with all my friends and I felt like a superhero. Mavis Year 6

I believe our students are the best feedback we can receive. Their manners reflect the work our families put in. It helps them to understand that teachers commit many hours of planning and care in organising the very best camp experience for them.

Year 5 camp was life changing because I had to be independent, and people didn’t have to do stuff for me. I found I had to get out of my comfort zone and had to do things I’m not used to doing. Leyton Year 5

Year 5 camp helped me and my friends build teamwork skills, we went in the tunnels and had to pull everyone up, so the team finished together. The hardest part was trying to make sure everyone got through. Teamwork was the biggest part of the camp. Felix Year 5

I challenged myself by going in the rat tunnels.  I was so scared but the people around me inspired me to do it.  Alexis Year 5

I challenged myself by going through the tunnel. I learnt that people are nice and work together very well.  I enjoyed all of the teamwork but especially the mud and tunnels.  Evelyn Year 5

I enjoyed walking through the mud with my friends. Odin Year 5

I enjoyed going through the mud because it challenged everyone, and we had to work as a team.  Ella Year 5

I enjoyed the slide but did not know that was mud at the end. Something I learned was that emu’s eat apples. Tyler Year 5

I challenged myself by going in the rat tunnels because I was scared and didn’t want to go in but in the end it was really fun. Neve Year 5

I enjoyed myself.  I challenged myself by facing my fears such as rat tunnels and the wobbly bridge. Something I learned was not to be scared. Ariah Year 5

The best bit of camp was it pushed me to my limits, and it grew me as a person. Ruby GM Year 5

The best part of camp was the cheering and encouragement because it pulled everyone together and made a really good team.  Peyton Year 5

Teamwork and togetherness are the most important parts of success.  Never give up. Bailey Year 5

I am sure you will agree that the opportunities for growth that a school camp provide are so important for their development, in addition to making wonderful memories they can cherish. In my career I have attended many school camps in a wide variety of places, I have been very fortunate to be able to share these with great kids and staff.  I hope that every child that attended a camp this year has learnt something about themselves and others.  Teamwork, challenge and getting out of our comfort zone are all excellent ways to build and foster connections with others, which our children will need in today’s world.  Learning to navigate relationships and conflict, digging deep and overcoming obstacles builds resilience and contributes to overall wellbeing.

A huge thank you to the families that encouraged your children to experience camp. My final thanks go to the epic team of teachers who organised the camps, taking time away from their own families and working from the moment they arrive at school on the first camp day, until the moment they arrived back.  You are appreciated and our children are better for it. We are so grateful.

Sian Haywood
Deputy Principal, Year 4 - Year 6

Prep - Year 3 Deputy News

Water Safety and Beach Safe Programs

Kimberley Park State School offers a diverse range of Extra Curriculum activities to enhance the education of students. 

One of these programs is the Water Safety Program for Prep to Year 2 students and the Beach Safe Days for students in Years 3 to 6. 

In Queensland we are blessed with beautiful weather and many water ways and pools for families to access to cool off in the warmer months. However, tragically the drowning statistics in Queensland are also very high.  As a result, Kimberley Park is proud of offering these Extra Curriculum programs to assist students being water safe and water aware. 

Water Safety Program - Prep to Year 2 Students.

This program is run by the Logan North Aquatic Centre at Springwood. Students from Prep to Year 2 will focus on water safety and the lessons are conducted in a purpose built learn-to -swim pool.  All lessons are facilitated by qualified swim teachers from Logan North Aquatic Centre and supervised by staff and parents from the school.  

Beach Safe Days – Years 3 to 6

This Program is run by Surf Life Saving Queensland and their qualified surf life saving staff.  This is a real-life program and the students learn valuable safety skills to be safe at the beach. The Year 3 students will have their Beach Safe day at South Bank Streets Beach and the Years 4 to 6 at Burleigh Beach. 

Key Safety Information from Surf Life Saving Queensland to ensure you enjoy your time at the beach.

• ALWAYS swim at beaches that have surf lifesaving patrols and only between the red and yellow flags
• Read the safety signs and understand the meaning of the flag colours which will explain the conditions
• If you are unsure about the conditions, ask a life saver or lifeguard before entering the water
• If you are unsure about how confident you feel about the water, please stay in shallow water where you feel in control
• Swim with friends
• If you find yourself in trouble, stay calm and put your hand up for help
• Always supervise young children in and around water

We acknowledge the dedication and commitment of all the Surf Life Savers and Life Guards.  Most of these dedicated people are volunteers and give up their time to help ensure out safety at local beaches and pools. 

Wishing all of our Kimberley Park families a safe and relaxing holidays and we look forward to seeing you back in 2025. 

Janelle Ireland
Deputy Principal, Prep - Year 3

Inclusion News

It Takes a Village…                               

Collaboration and working together is essential in today’s society and, of course, schools. As the African proverb says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Each child’s ‘village’ is different and can include parents, carers, grandparents, extended family, peers, friends, neighbours and, naturally, people in the school community.   

At Kimberley Park we value our community and strive to work closely with parents and families. While we give our students ‘voice’, we also create strong, collaborative relationships with our families and carers who, in turn, are active partners in our children’s education.

In addition to working closely with families, our staff are also often involved in working with outside agencies which our students are linked with. Outside agencies often include medical specialists, psychologists, counsellors, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists to name but a few. After gaining parent consent, we collaboratively share information about our students with outside agencies, often to identify a range of supports and adjustments which are beneficial across both home and school environments. When home and school are in sync, our children thrive!

Please continue to partner with us throughout your child’s educational journey at Kimberley Park. Our classrooms have an ‘open door’ policy - except of course when we are teaching. If you would like to discuss any aspect of your child’s education, feel free to firstly contact your child’s Class Teacher or Inclusion Teacher. You can email or arrange a suitable time to meet; we will endeavour to reply to your enquiry within 24 hours.

2025 Is Approaching Quickly!

As the year is quickly coming to a close, please be assured that teachers at Kimberley Park also work closely together. Your child’s current teacher will definitely share information with your child’s 2025 teacher to ensure their strengths, interests and any challenges are noted. Let’s continue to be the ‘village’ where every child thrives and is ready for the future! We are looking forward to working with you and your children next year, after you return from a well-deserved break. Make sure you do things you enjoy with the people you love.

See you in 2025!

Anne Purdy
Head of Inclusive Learning

Curriculum News

Moving Towards 2025: Building a Strong Foundation for the Future

As Term 4 draws to a close, we are already looking ahead, setting our sights firmly on 2025 and the exciting opportunities it will bring for both our students and our teaching teams.

Focused Planning for a Bright Future

Our dedicated work for 2025 has already begun. With a clear emphasis on enhancing the quality of teaching and learning, we are actively investing in the development of our programs for the year ahead. One of the key initiatives is our collaborative planning days, where our 2025 teaching teams come together for a full day of focused discussion, innovation, and refinement.

During these sessions, teachers will be working alongside their peers and mentors to plan engaging, high-impact learning experiences for Term 1 in English, Maths, Science, and HASS. These planning days are a unique opportunity to build stronger connections among staff while also ensuring that the programs we create are grounded in the best available research.

Crafting Engaging, Research-Based Learning

The units being developed for 2025 are designed with flexibility and engagement at their core. Teachers are focused on creating learning experiences that incorporate:

• Research-based teaching strategies to ensure best practices are followed.
• Flexible student groupings to meet the needs of all learners, whether they are working independently or collaboratively.
• Carefully sequenced lessons that build on prior knowledge and skills, ensuring a smooth progression throughout the year.
• Engaging content and resources that inspire curiosity and foster a love for learning across core subjects.

By combining these elements, our goal is to create a learning environment that is dynamic, student-centred, and deeply engaging.

Looking Ahead with Confidence

As we continue to refine and develop our 2025 programs, we are excited about the potential impact this will have on our students. With a forward-thinking, collaborative approach, we’re confident that our teaching and learning initiatives will not only meet the needs of each student but also inspire them to reach new heights in their academic journey.

We look forward to sharing more about these developments in the coming months and are excited to see how our collective efforts will shape a successful and inspiring 2025.

Cathy Day
Head of Curriculum

From the Mentors

Julie George
Mentor Coordinator

Dates to Remember

Term 4

Administration News

QParents

From Term 1 2025 Excursion/Incursion/Camp permission forms will only be available via the QParents App.

Copies of consent forms will no longer be emailed home for those not on QParents, with hard copies only available by prior arrangement. This is to help reduce paper wastage and improve management of student information.

If you need any help signing up, Bec in the office is more than happy to assist you – she is available during office hours, Monday through Thursday in person, via phone or email.  DON’T DELAY, SIGN UP NOW!

Medication at Kimberley Park in 2025

Next year, we are requesting all medication be provided in blister packs or bubble packs.  This packaging is known as a 'dose administration aid' (or DAA) and has the pharmacy label instructions as part of the packaging. When medication is packaged in a DAA it can make it easier for the school to safely store and administer it.  Please note: A pill case (e.g. a weekly medication organiser) filled by yourself is not a DAA and is not something the school is approved to use.

Payment Reminders:

Dance News

P&C News

 IMPORTANT UPDATE: New End of Year Tuckshop Hours
As we wind down to the end of the year, the Tuckshop will now be operating from Wednesday - Friday only on a reduced menu.
Please note: The Tuckshop will be closed for the final week of school (9-13 December) for cleaning.

Community News

Shailer Park State High School Christmas Market

Reset Dance Studio

Alichia's Dance Academy

GKR Karate

Smart Tennis Academy

Australian Defensive Tactics

Storm Futsal