20 February 2025

Principal News

Dear Kimberley Park State School parents and carers, 

Welcome to our new families.  We are thrilled to have you join the Kimberley Park State School community. Our door is always open, if you have any questions or concerns. Children and their families are our focus.

We welcome our new staff to KP, 2025

Introducing our 2025 Staffing

Leadership Team

• Libby Jordan, Principal
• Janelle Ireland, Deputy Principal, Prep to Year 2
• Sian Haywood, Deputy Principal, Year 3 – 6
• Anne Purdy, Head of Department, Special Education
• Cathy Day, Head of Department, Curriculum
• Julie George, Mentor Coordinator
• Emma Mabey, Business Manager

Office Team

• Abbey Britton, Office Manager
• Bec Lewis, Admin Officer
• Viktoria Torma, Admin Officer
• Vicki Whitaker, Admin Officer

Prep Teaching Team

• Erika Peacock, Teacher, Prep Adventure I
• Fran Hannah, Prep Adventure I, Teacher Aide
• Kym Mirabito, Teacher, Prep Adventure II
• Leanne Taggart, Prep Adventure II, Teacher Aide
• Karin Laubscher, Teacher, Prep Explorer I
• Michelle Sek, Prep Explorer I, Teacher Aide
• Megan McBrearty, Teacher, Prep Explorer II
• Donna Gay, Prep Explorer II, Teacher Aide

Year 1 Teaching Team

• Lorrin Hobbs, Teacher, Junior Explorer I
• Louise Hall, Teacher, Junior Explorer II
• Sally Turner, (Term 1) & Di Burkett, (Term 2), Junior Voyager I
• Deanna Morgan, Teacher, Junior Voyager II
• Robyn Fels, Teacher Aide

Year 2 & 1/2 Teaching Team

• Chelsea Sandham, Teacher, Junior Discovery I
• Prue Money (M-W) & Samara Nagel (Th-F), Teachers, Junior Discovery II
• Julia McDermott, Teacher, Junior Endeavour I (Year 1/2)
• Jenny O’Leary (M-W) & Alex Adams (Th-F) Teachers, Junior Endeavour II
• Angela Whitmee, Teacher Aide

Year 3 Teaching Team

• Karen Guy, Teacher, Middle Adventure I
• Ashleigh Millar, Teacher, Middle Adventure II
• Danielle Nash, Teacher, Middle Curiosity I
• Nicole Beck (M-W) & Ashley Trescott (Th-F) Teachers, Middle Curiosity II
• Stephanie Henderson, Teacher Aide

Year 4 & 3/4 Teaching Team

• Viv Beattie, Teacher, Middle Explorer I
• Selena Vickers, Teacher, Middle Explorer II (Year 3/4)
• Mel Burns, Teacher, Middle Voyager I
• Emma Rowntree (M-W) & Louise Chase-Currier (Th-F), Teachers, Middle Voyager II
• Andrea Gaudin, Teacher Aide

Year 5 Teaching Team

• Nathan Hill, Teacher, Senior Discovery II
• Sam Larsen, Teacher, Senior Ingenuity I
• Rachael Wilkinson, Teacher, Senior Ingenuity II
• Carol-Ann Dovey, Teacher Aide

Year 6 Teaching Team

• Regina Belcaid, Teacher, Senior Enterprise I
• Ryan Ford, Teacher, Senior Enterprise II
• Jamie Peacock, Teacher, Senior Endeavour I
• Bel Gustavson, Teacher, Senior Endeavour II
• Carol-Ann Dovey, Teacher Aide

Specialist Teaching Team

• Andrew Blyth, Teacher, Music
• Bridgette Bird, Teacher, STEM
• Deb Bushell, Teacher, Design Technology
• Peter Esposito, Teacher, HPE
• Natania Gent, Teacher, Dance & Drama
• Stephanie Gith, Teacher, Robotics
• Melissa Magoffin, Teacher, Japanese
• Fotini Panagopoulos & Rebecca Stephenson, Teachers, Strings
• Holly Smith, Teacher, Band
• Kathryn Way, Teacher, Visual Arts

Inclusive Education Teaching Team

• Jake Allen, Teacher
• Megan Bailey, Teacher
• Monika Basha, Teacher
• Tahnee Brown, Teacher
• Carolyn Christopher, Teacher
• Lisa Fichou, Teacher
• Marion Gilmore, Teacher
• Kim Hurren, Teacher
• Erica Imelfort, Teacher
• Stephanie Vella, Teacher
• Annette Crowe, Teacher Aide
• Sam Davies, Teacher Aide
• Kate Leonarduzzi, Teacher Aide
• Rachel Izzard, Teacher Aide
• Sally Mason, Teacher Aide
• Susan Scott, Teacher Aide
• Michelle Schwede, Teacher Aide
• Trill Singh, Teacher Aide
• Sharyn Taylor, Teacher Aide
• Bec Tierney, Teacher Aide

(Photos are included in the Teaching Teams)

Mentor Team

• Julie George, Mentor Coordinator & Reading Mentor
• Krystal Green, Mentor - Writing
• Robyn Slater, Mentor - Mathematics
• Kris Whitman, Mentor, Prep

Student Support

• Joy Ganter, Guidance Officer
• Social Worker, to be confirmed
• Taliesha-jayne Leslie, Speech Language Pathologist
• Deagan Rodgerson - Youth Worker
• Liz Black, Teacher, EALD

Technical Support

• Binu Chandrathil

Facilities

• Dave Allsopp, School Officer
• Jetsun Davies, Cleaner
• Kate Liddell, Cleaner
• Peta Merson, Cleaner
• Ramiel Padilla, Cleaner
• Steph Watson, Cleaner
• Ryan Webber, Cleaner

Teaching and Learning

Our 2025 Focus guides our Teaching and Learning direction for the school

2025 Annual Implementation Plan Focus

• Teaching and Learning Excellence progression – Explicit Teaching Model.
• Staff Wellbeing Framework facilitates the collaborative definition of wellbeing for staff, an action plan to enable this into a reality.

Kimberley Park State School is part of a very special community. We appreciate every day, the opportunity to be a part of families, that join with us, as we support every child to have a great life.

We use our school Facebook as a major communication site, along with emails, text, phone calls, QParents and meetings. My door is always open to support in anyway. Families are able to email me directly at ljord32@eq.edu.au. 

We are excited for the year ahead.

Libby Jordan
Principal

Year 3 - 6 Deputy News

Supporting Families in the Digital Age

Welcome back to 2025.  I hope you all had a fun filled and relaxing holiday. During the holidays I made time to relax (I even attempted some gardening which is very new for me), enjoyed time with my family and caught up with some tv shows I had been meaning to watch.  One of the shows was a British TV Documentary called ‘Swiped: Schools Banning Smartphones’. If you are a parent considering a smart phone for your child, I would strongly encourage you to watch it.  It sparked some important conversations about the role of mobile phones in children’s lives and the effects of having unrestricted access to the internet.  It was fascinating to see both adults and children give up their smartphone for 28 days.

One of the biggest concerns raised in Swiped is the exposure of young people to inappropriate content, online bullying, and social pressures. With unrestricted internet access, children can come across harmful material, struggle with unrealistic comparisons on social media, or feel pressure to be constantly connected. This can be overwhelming for young minds that are still developing resilience and self-esteem. 

Last year I wrote in the newsletter about a book which I am still working my way through called ‘The Anxious Generation’.  In that book the author holds the smartphone/access to the internet to account for the huge rise in children with anxiety. 

As a school, we recognise that this is a complex issue, and we want to support families as they navigate these decisions. While smartphones can provide benefits, such as keeping in touch with parents and accessing educational resources, they also bring challenges. Research highlighted in the documentary shows that excessive screen time and social media use can impact children’s mental health, concentration, and sleep. Education Queensland state schools bought in an ‘Away for the Day’ policy during the school day to help children focus on learning, develop stronger social skills, and enjoy face-to-face interactions with their peers.  This article contains some really interesting information https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-15/conversations-smartphones-social-media-toxic-for-childhood/104673052 and the data contained is really hard hitting.

As a parent, setting boundaries around smartphone use is not always easy, but it is one of the most important ways to support children’s wellbeing. I have three children and whilst two are now adults I know that restricting online time can be a really tricky topic to navigate. It is even harder when they become teenagers. Fortunately, open conversations with primary school children about online safety, screen time limits, and encouraging offline activities can help children build healthier habits. Schools and families working together can ensure that children develop a balanced and positive relationship with technology. 

Interestingly some parents have said to me ‘I wonder what would happen if all of us parents took away their access to the internet at the same time’ then it might not be so hard…that certainly made me think.  I wonder what that world could look like.

Sian Haywood
Deputy Principal, Year 3 - Year 6

Prep - Year 2 Deputy News

As the world becomes increasingly demanding and competitive, it is more important than ever for students to receive a well-rounded education.  That is why at Kimberley Park State School we embrace the global competencies of the 6 C’s to ensure our students are not only “Good at Learning” but also “Good at Life.” 

The 6 C’s are:

• Character
• Citizenship
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Critical Thinking
• Creativity

The 6 C's are essential for preparing students for the real world. After all, most jobs now require workers to be able to collaborate effectively, communicate clearly, think critically, and solve problems creatively, to be of strong character and an active citizen.

The 6 C’s creates a holistic and well-informed list of values. Not only do they help stimulate classroom learning, but they can help promote emotional intelligence and overall wellbeing.

The acquisition of the 6 C’s is done by delivering robust core academic content using activity based, real-life problem solving, higher-order thinking skills, and learning dispositions.  The acquisition of the six global competencies, describe the skills and attributes needed for learners to flourish in today’s complex world.

At Kimberley Park State School, we not only teach the 6 C’s but also celebrate this at the Golden Ticket ceremonies that we hold twice a term. 

Janelle Ireland
Deputy Principal, Prep - Year 2

Inclusion News

Inclusive Education at Kimberley Park State School        

Welcome to 2025! Classrooms are settled, teachers are buzzing and students are humming along. Behind every successful classroom lies a number of dedicated staff and a ‘Culture of Inclusion’ to ensure each and every child belongs and is striving for success to be Good at Learning and Good at Life.

Inclusion is embedded in all aspects of school life at Kimberley Park – within our classrooms, specialist lessons, playgrounds, incursions, excursions and school camps. In 2025 Kimberley Park has over 180 students with disabilities or neurodiversity, ranging from students with asthma to students with complex social emotional and/or cognitive disabilities. Naturally, our school reflects the diverse community we live in.

As you can see from the image above, ‘inclusion’ is quite different to ‘segregation’ and ‘integration’. Inclusion is achieved when all students are truly welcomed into their classrooms, with the majority of learning taking place alongside their peers when provided with reasonable adjustments.

At Kimberley Park, each year level has an Inclusion Teacher and an Inclusion Teacher Aide. Inclusion staff are an essential part of the classroom team, working closely with students with disabilities / neurodiversity and their families. As required, staff also collaborate with students’ specialists and therapists to ensure wraparound services are provided for students requiring additional support and consistency across home and school environments.

While curriculum-based teaching and learning is a school’s main focus (Good At Learning), staff also focus on students’ social emotional development (Good At Life). Having Inclusion Teachers and Teacher Aides based in every year level allows staff to proactively support and work through social situations which occur throughout the school day. Students thrive and reach their academic goals when their social emotional needs are being met and supported.

If you would like to discuss your child’s needs or diagnoses, please feel free to email your Class and Inclusion Teachers whose details were included in your class’s introductory letter; I am also happy to be included in these discussions. If you have any queries regarding our inclusive learning program, please feel free to contact me on 3451 5333 or email apurd3@eq.edu.au

Looking forward to an amazing 2025!

Anne Purdy
Head of Inclusive Learning

Curriculum News

2025 - Engaging and Exciting times await!

At Kimberley Park State School, we aim to nurture and grow student learning from the classroom and beyond!  Across the year, students will be invited to attend a number of educational experiences that include incursions (school-based experiences), excursions (events held at a range of outside venues) and camps (Year 3-Year 6).    

Once again, this year, we have included live theatre experiences within our events schedule, so that all students have the opportunity to broaden their experiences in ‘The Arts’.  We encourage students to expand their cultural experiences through the medium of performance art.  Offering a variety of experiences allows our KPSS students to view the world around them from so many different perspectives.

For 2025, students in each year level will be invited to participate in a minimum of two incursions, two excursions and for Year 3-Year 6 students, a camp experience.  Families will be given at least four weeks’ notice of all upcoming events, as quite a number incur a cost.

A range of other specialist incursions or excursions may also be offered to selected students who are involved in Choir, Wakakirri, Instrumental Band or Strings program, STEM program, Robotics, Sporting or Dance Programs.  The dates for these specialist incursions are still being confirmed and will be available through our Community Calendars published each term.

Please see below the 2025 Incursions, Excursions and Camps (if applicable) available to each year level.

Cathy Day
Head of Curriculum

From the Mentors

Teaching is a deeply rewarding profession, and one of the most powerful ways to enhance the learning experience for students is through collaboration. Over the years, we have come to realize that the most meaningful progress in the classroom doesn’t just come from individual efforts but from working closely with fellow educators to create a unified approach to teaching. The power of collaboration cannot be overstated, especially when it comes to improving outcomes for students.

At Kimberley Park State School, Mentors and teachers work together to pool resources, share ideas, and analyze student performance.  This way of working is grounded in a shared goal: to provide the best possible learning experience for students. When educators collaborate, they create an environment where different perspectives, strategies, and expertise are brought together for the collective benefit of students.

As mentors, our aim is to build a strong culture of collaboration, where teachers can learn from each other, adapt their practices, and create a more dynamic and supportive learning environment for students. Ultimately, when teachers work together, they not only improve their own professional growth but also make a lasting impact on the lives of their students.

Julie George
Mentor Coordinator

Prep and Playgroup News

Kris Whitman
Transition Coordinator

Dates to Remember

Term 1

Administration News

QParents

Just a reminder that ALL Excursion/Incursion/Camp permission forms are only available via the QParents App.

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 Friday in person, via phone or email.  DON’T DELAY, SIGN UP NOW!

Payment Reminders:

Visual Arts News

Music News

Community News

NAIDOC 2025 Art Competition - Get Creative

Back to School Road Safety

Pool Safety

Logan City Council are encouraging parents and carers to become ‘pool safety heroes’.

Be pool safety heroes and avoid a drowning with these tips for kid safe pools!  How? 

💧 Ensure your pool fence is 1.2 metres high 

💧 Move anything that is easy to climb at least 900mm away from the fence 

💧 Never leave your pool gate propped open 

💧 Have CPR signage displayed and learn how to perform CPR.

 Safe pools save little lives 🧒🧒. 

 Learn more at Logan City Council’s website 👉 lccqld.com/poolsafety2024-sm

Cricket Blast

Alichia's Dance Academy

Australian Defensive Tactics

AusBike

Clarks Logan City Bus Service

Parents of student/s that held a 2024 Clarks Logan City Bus Pass that rolled over for 2025 have until Friday, 28th February 2025 to collect their passes.  If these passes are not collected by this date you will need to reapply.  Collection times at our depot are Monday – Friday 9:00am – 4:00pm.  If you have any enquiries, please contact us at info@clarkslogancity.com.au

As a reminder if parents have not collected their student’s Bus Pass that rolled over for 2025 by Friday, 28 February, students will be required to use a Go Card or a Smart Ticketing Device eg: Visa, Mastercard & American Express contactless debit & credit cards, smartphones, smart watches, smart rings & other smart devices to board their service.

 They will not be able to use reloadable Visa prepaid, Afterpay, Spriggy Cards or Prepaid Gift Cards