25 June 2025
Principal News
Dear Kimberley Park State School parents and carers,
Raising a thoughtful generation together
Teaching children to care for things—rather than treating items as easily replaceable—is an essential part of raising responsible, thoughtful, and environmentally aware individuals. In a world that often encourages quick fixes and disposability, children benefit deeply from learning the value of care, repair, and respect for their belongings and the world around them.
Something to think about? Teaching Children to Care, Not Just Consume
In a world where it’s easy to throw things away and replace them, it’s more important than ever to teach children how to care for the things they have. Whether it’s a toy, a book, a school bag, or even the natural world—when children learn to look after their belongings, they’re learning something much bigger: mindfulness, responsibility, and sustainability.
Children might benefit from understanding what ‘caring for things' means:
- Putting them away properly so they don’t get lost or broken.
- Repairing something instead of tossing it out.
- Being gentle and thoughtful when using shared items or someone else’s things.
- Thinking twice before asking for something new.
These small habits can build a mindset of gratitude and stewardship. Instead of always needing more, children begin to appreciate what they already have and understand that caring for things helps them last longer and reduces waste.
By guiding children together to value their things, we are also helping them to care for people, places, and our planet. It’s one of the steps toward raising kind, mindful citizens.
Wearing the School Uniform
We need your support to continue in maintaining our shared commitment to all students wearing the P&C and Kimberley Park State School approved uniform. Wearing the uniform is part of our enrolment agreement.
Sporting Teams, Work Teams and School Teams often identify that they are united, in their purpose and objective by wearing a uniform. At Kimberley Park SS we have a strong community that supports our students being a part of a proud school. How we present ourselves in our uniform, helps to illustrate our shared focus and that we are united as a community.
Jumpers and Shoes
With the colder weather, I would like to remind everyone that students are expected to wear the navy V-neck jumper or microfibre jacket. Jumpers with hoods and visible logos other than the schools, are not permitted. A kind reminder that school shoes are black.
Thank you to parents and students for supporting our community and the values that we have agreed on around how we present ourselves and identify as Kimberley Park State School.
Parents understanding their daughter’s hormonal cycle – a game changer
This video might help parents understand their daughter’s behaviour, as their hormones change throughout their menstrual cycle. Some parts capture ‘adult behaviour’ and so it is more for parent insights to support daughters, to understand what is happening for them and create environmental supports.
Libby Jordan
Principal
Prep - Year 2 Deputy News
Fair Play - Being a good loser takes practice!
As we all know, it can be difficult for some children to be resilient when it comes to turn taking and loosing gracefully. Schools are a very large social network that consist of students of various ages, abilities and they all come with a diverse range of experiences. At Kimberley Park, we explicitly teach students how to play fair and be gracious losers to ensure they can socially interact appropriately in this diverse social environment. It is essential for all children to know how to play fair and loose gracefully to be successful at play and learning.
Learning to lose is like any skill, it takes practice to get it right. From making sure everyone wins a prize to not keeping score during backyard games, we often try to protect kids from experiencing the lows of losing. But no-one can avoid losing forever, whether it's coming last in a race, not winning a board game or missing out at an awards assembly. Not everyone will be a winner, but we need to educate children on what is fair as this will help children to have better friendships in the long run. Being a good sport, whether you win or lose is something we all need to learn.
A winner is a child who is humble and not gloating around their win. It's very good to be proud and enjoy the feeling but acknowledge the contribution of the other children as well. Respect should always be given to one's opponent, as without an opponent, one would not be able to compete in the first place!
- Playing fair is about learning and using rules in games. It’s also about learning social skills.
- You’re a key role model. Children learn about fair play by watching what you say and do.
- Help children play fair by choosing appropriate games, explaining rules and using praise.
- Competition can be good for children when there are clear, fair and appropriate rules.
- If children are having trouble with playing fair, talking through feelings can help.
The below article from the Raising Children website provides some simple skills and tips to help your child play fair and loose gracefully.
Janelle Ireland
Deputy Principal, Prep - Year 2
Year 3 - 6 Deputy News
Dear Parents and Carers,
As digital technology becomes a part of everyday life—even for our youngest learners—it’s more important than ever for families to set healthy boundaries around internet use. Whether it’s schoolwork, games like Minecraft and Roblox, or apps like Snapchat and Messenger Kids, some children are navigating more online spaces than ever before.
To help you feel confident in supporting your child’s digital wellbeing, we’ve put together some practical tools and information to manage devices at home.
🔌 How to Turn Off Wi-Fi at Home
Sometimes, the simplest step is the most effective! Turning off your Wi-Fi during family time, mealtimes, or bedtime can help reduce distractions and encourage balance.
- Log in to your home router via its IP address (usually printed on the back of the device).
- Many routers offer parental controls or allow you to schedule Wi-Fi access for certain devices or times.
- Alternatively, simply unplug your modem or use your Internet Provider’s app (e.g., Telstra Home Dashboard, Optus MyAccount) to pause Wi-Fi.
🔐 Setting Up Parental Controls
On Apple Devices (iPhone/iPad):
- Go to Settings > Screen Time.
- Tap “Turn on Screen Time” and set a passcode.
- Use App Limits, Downtime, and Content & Privacy Restrictions to control what your child can access and for how long.
- You can select what age movies, TV shows, music videos and apps can be downloaded or accessed on that device.
On Android Devices:
- Download Google Family Link from the Play Store.
- Link your child’s account to yours and manage their app downloads, screen time, and set bedtimes.
- Use “Digital Wellbeing” tools to monitor usage and restrict specific content.
- There are apps that parents can download that monitor usage and show you exactly what they are accessing. We do not endorse the use of a particular app, but this website has links to some of the more popular ones available. These can offer parents more insight into their children’s online behaviour.
🚫 Blocking Websites
To block access to certain websites:
On Apple Devices:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web Content.
- Select “Limit Adult Websites” and add specific sites to the “Never Allow” list.
On Android Devices (with Family Link):
- Open Google Family Link, select your child, and go to Settings > Filters on Google Chrome.
- Set to “Try to block mature sites” and add specific URLs to block.
📱 Managing Popular Games
Roblox and Minecraft are very popular with children but come with concerns:
Roblox:
- Includes a chat feature that can expose kids to strangers or inappropriate content.
- Some user-generated games are not age-appropriate.
- What to do: Use the Roblox Parental Controls in the app settings to restrict chat, limit games to age-appropriate content, and add a PIN to prevent changes.
Minecraft:
- While educational and creative, it can be addictive.
- Some multiplayer servers have unmoderated content.
- What to do: Set up Microsoft Family Safety (for Minecraft on Windows/Xbox) to control screen time, multiplayer access, and content restrictions.
📲 Popular Social Apps: What Parents Should Know
Snapchat:
- Disappearing messages can make it harder to monitor.
- Snap Map can share your child’s location with friends.
- Tip: Children under 13 should not use Snapchat. If older, turn off Snap Map and set the account to private.
- The most significant concern with Snapchat is that children genuinely believe that the messages disappear. This can lead them to write things they would not say in person, or a usual text message and can lead to them sending photos they would not usually send. Snapchat is also a platform where significant bullying behaviours can occur. Children who access Snapchat whilst still in primary school are at risk of exposure to unwanted behaviours.
Messenger Kids (by Facebook/Meta):
- Designed for under 13s with parent controls.
- Parents can see messages and approve contacts.
- Still important to talk with your child about kind online communication and time limits.
Instagram:
- Official age requirement is 13+.
- Includes messaging, image sharing, and a wide public reach.
- If your child uses it: Ensure the account is private, disable message requests from strangers, and talk about healthy online behaviour.
👨👩 Final Tips for Families
- Have regular chats about what your child does online—stay involved.
- Use tech together where possible; it opens opportunities for learning and bonding.
- Set tech-free areas (like bedrooms at night and the dinner table).
- Be a role model with your own screen habits.
If you'd like more help, visit the eSafety Commissioner website, which offers fantastic guides and videos for families in Australia. https://www.esafety.gov.au/
We are close to the school holidays and when the children are home for two weeks it can be additional work to manage their online habits. Hopefully by utilising the information above families can feel supported to set limits for online and gaming time and reduce the ‘pester power’ impact. Please know that when your child says ‘everyone has it’, ‘everyone does not have it’. I speak to older children every day who do not have access to any/many online platforms.
Our CyberSafety week and QPS talks inform our students on appropriate ways to use games and online platforms. Let’s work together to build safe, balanced, and positive age-appropriate experiences for our children.
We wish all of our families a happy and safe winter holidays. Thank you for the support you offer our staff at KP. We really do appreciate it.
Sian Haywood
Deputy Principal, Year 3 - Year 6
Inclusion News
Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD):
What do I need to know?
The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) is a yearly count of students by all Australian schools across the country – all State, Catholic and Independent schools participate. This data collection provides the Australian Government with information about the number of students with disability in Australian schools and the type of adjustments they need in order to access and participate in education on the same basis as their peers.
At Kimberley Park State School, staff members regularly consult with parents/carers of our children with disabilities, who require ongoing adjustments at school, to ensure we understand each and every child’s unique strengths and needs. Supports and adjustments are collaboratively discussed, implemented and reviewed throughout the year. This collaborative approach ensures the most appropriate adjustments are chosen to support your child’s learning and participation at school. If your child receives ongoing supports and/or adjustments at KP, a Personal Learning Plan (PLP) is developed to document these adjustments, reviewing their effectiveness over time.
In 2025, your child will be included in the 1 August data collection census date if they have required ongoing adjustments at school, for a minimum of 10 weeks, due to a disability as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (the DDA). The DDA provides a very broad definition of disability which includes physical and intellectual disabilities, mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, Specific Learning Disorders in Reading (Dyslexia), Written Expression (Dysgraphia) and Mathematics (Dyscalculia), ADHD, ASD and so forth.
While we collate information about your child’s disability, please be assured that privacy and confidentiality of all students is treated with utmost care. Personal details such as student names and other identifying information are not provided to local or federal education authorities. Please refer to the attached departmental newsletter for further information.
If you wish to discuss your child’s disability and/or their inclusion in the 2025 NCCD process, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Anne Purdy
Head of Inclusive Learning
Curriculum News
Celebrating Students – The Kimberley Park Way!
‘Like stars are to the sky, so are children to our world. They deserve to shine!’
(Chinonye J. Chidloe)
Throughout the year our students have many occasions to shine. We offer a wide range of opportunities for students to find their fit and shine in their own classrooms, dance groups, choir, Rock Band, Robotics and STEM. Students are also publicly acknowledged and celebrated in receiving Student of the Week Awards, Golden Ticket Awards and Academic Awards. Our Year Six students also experience their special ‘shining moment’ as they graduate primary school at their very own unique ‘Year Six Graduation’ event.
Our Semester One Academic Assembly is being held on Thursday, 26th June. We have two award ceremonies, Prep – Year Three is held from 9:00am-10:00am and Year Four – Year Six is held from 10:00am-11:00am. These Assemblies are occasions where academic and cultural achievements are celebrated and students shine🌟.
During our Academic Assemblies, students from Year One – Year Six may attain the following awards:
- Academic Excellence Awards in English, Maths, Science and STEM (Year Four – Year Six students only) – the highest achieving student in their class in each of these subject areas; and
- Academic Achievement Awards – students who have achieved at least 2 x A and 1 x B grades across English, Maths, Science/STEM or HASS.
These assemblies also celebrate cultural achievements through the following awards:
- Character Award
- Citizenship Award
- Strives for Success Award
During their first year of schooling, our Prep students do not receive Academic Awards and are celebrated though Cultural Awards only. Two students from each prep class are awarded Character, Citizenship and Strives for Success Awards during our Academic Assembly.
** For further details of all the academic and cultural awards, please see the attached Awards at Kimberley Park State School Information Sheet.
Families are more than welcome to attend our upcoming Semester One Academic Assemblies. If your child is receiving an award during these assemblies, families have been notified.
We are so very proud of each of our students at Kimberley Park State School and are privileged to watch them shine on a daily basis as they engage in their learning and build on their skills in their own classrooms. We also love to celebrate their successes throughout the year and believe that each student is on their own personal learning journey and will shine when the time is just right for them!
Cathy Day
Head of Curriculum
News from our Social Worker
Our children experiencing anxiety and fear is extremely difficult for a parent to witness. Our instincts to protect and make everything ‘smooth sailing’ for our young ones can feel like a minefield of advice and internal conflict.
Here’s the thing…
Anxiety and fear are a normal part of childhood. Fear is a natural reaction to danger or threat. Anxiety is a reaction to a possible threat. New fears and anxiety are usually short-lived, not lasting more than 6 months, and show that children are learning to solve problems on their own.
Parents and caregivers can help their children learn to understand and overcome their fears and anxieties.
- The goal is not to eliminate anxiety but to help your child manage it. Protecting children from anxiety can worsen it. Teach them to face anxiety to reduce it over time.
- Show empathy without reinforcing fears, and express confidence that they can handle the uncomfortable feelings, with your support.
- Try and keep the anticipatory period short.
- Respect your child’s feelings, but don’t empower them
- Parents and caregivers can model healthy anxiety management, keep children distracted, and plan for possible fears.
Michelle Lee
Social Worker
From the Mentors
Maths is All Around Us
Maths is sometimes seen as just another school subject, with numbers and symbols that can feel far removed from the "real world." But the truth is, maths is everywhere — from the way we plan our day to the wonders of the natural world around us.
Every morning, when you set an alarm, calculate how long it takes to get to school, or compare prices at the grocery store, you're using maths. Whether it’s measuring ingredients for dinner, budgeting for a holiday, or checking the weather forecast, maths plays a quiet but essential role in our decision-making. Helping your child understand this connection can make maths more meaningful and enjoyable.
No matter what path our children take in life, maths will be a part of it. From builders and chefs to doctors, artists, and video game designers, every job uses maths in some form. Architects use geometry to design safe, beautiful buildings. Scientists and engineers rely on data and measurements to solve complex problems. Even creative careers, like fashion design or music, involve mathematical patterns, proportions, and timing.
By building strong maths skills early on, we’re giving our children the tools they’ll need to be confident, capable problem-solvers in the future.
One of the most inspiring ways to show children the magic of maths is by exploring its presence in nature. The spirals of a sunflower, the symmetry of a butterfly’s wings, the branching of trees, and the rhythm of waves — all follow mathematical patterns. Even the way honeybees build their hexagonal hives is a remarkable example of geometry at work.
Next time you’re out for a walk, ask your child to spot patterns or shapes in the natural world. It’s a wonderful way to spark curiosity and appreciation for maths beyond the classroom.
Encouraging a love for maths at home can be as simple as involving your child in cooking, playing board games, or estimating how many apples are in a bag. By showing them that maths is useful, interesting, and even beautiful, we can help our children develop confidence and joy in learning.
Robyn Slater
Math Mentor
Prep and Playgroup News
Kris Whitman
Transition Coordinator
Parent-Teacher Conversations
Dates to Remember
Term 3
Administration News
Payment Reminders:
| Activity | Payment Due Date |
| Year 6 Camp - Hervey Bay | $790 due 18/09/2025 |
| Year 5 - Ngutana-Lui Excursion | $28 due 23/07/2025 |
| Prep - Pullenvale Education Centre Excursion | $56 due 18/08/2025 (invoices will be sent soon) |
Payments can be made as follows:
- QParents App
- Selecting the payment link at the bottom of your invoice
- Direct deposit (BSB 064 401), Account 00090295, Account Name Kimberley Park State School General Account) – please note student’s full name
- Centrepay – Centrepay is a voluntary bill-paying service which is free for Service Australia customers. Use Centrepay to arrange regular deductions from your Services Australia payment. You can start or change a deduction at any time. The quickest way to do it is through your Services Australia account online. Go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/Centrepay for more information.
Arts News
Dance News
Wakakirri
Can you help with Wakakirri costumes?
- Bird costumes
- Bird wings
- Possum costume x 2
- Brown onesies or Bear suit x 2
- Brown, grey felt
- Grey tops
Instrumental Music
“Thank you to the KPSS Instrumental Music community for making a wonderful afternoon of music on Tuesday 10 June. Congratulations to all the students and their families for attending, being a great audience, and being committed to lesson and rehearsals throughout the year. It was great to hear the band and string students playing so well. Congratulations again. Keep up the good work. Thank you also to Mr Esposito for helping set up the hall with his little minions, and Mr Blyth for running the sound for our concert.” Holly Smith (Band), Rebecca Stephenson (Strings), Fotini Panagopoulos (Strings)
"We would also like to thank our brilliant instrumental music teachers who have supported, encouraged and facilitated such an excellent evening. The quality of the music our students played was outstanding. We are very grateful to the teaching team that helped this to happen." Leadership Team
Tuckshop News
Community News
Raising Healthy Minds
The Raising Healthy Minds app is a free, personalised, pocket resource to help parents and carers raise confident, resilient children. Co-designed with parents and experts and funded by the Australian Government, Raising Healthy Minds aims to support children’s social and emotional wellbeing with evidence-based information.
You’ll find information on topics like dealing with worries and making friends, as well as ideas for day-to-day life, like creating family routines, looking after yourself as a parent, and building strong relationships.
The app offers a mix of quick-read articles, videos and animations aimed at parents and carers of children aged 0-12 years. You can tailor information to the age of your child and opt-in to receive helpful tips.
Raising Healthy Minds provides simple-to-use information at your fingertips with clear actions you can start today.
Download from Google Play or the App Store or go to raisingchildren.net.au/rhm to learn more and raise a healthy mind 🧠 😊
Triforce - https://triforceelectrical.com.au/
Alichia's Dance Academy
Australian Defensive Tactics
