Killarney eNewsletter Term 1 - Week 5 | 2024

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands, seas, skies and waterways. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present. We acknowledge the knowledge, memories, traditions and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and commit to fostering a culture of learning in the spirit of togetherness.

Date Claimers

From the Principal

Dear All

Welcome to the first edition of our new look newsletter. We have moved to an online enewsletter so we can bring a richer, more accessible newsletter to all readers. Please be assured that this new platform, Schoolzine, aligns with government standards and meets the Australian Government Web Accessiblity Standards and General Data Protection Regulation guidelines. 

As you will see from our first edition, we are able to include higher quality photos of students engagement in learning, sport and celebrations, as well as the Facebook page feed of recent news and reminders. The platform is mobile friendly, so accessing school information from your phone will be easier than previously. The newsletter will be published in week 1, week 5 and week 9 each term. 

Our Facebook page is an important means of communicating with families and it will continue to provide reminders and updates in a timely manner, as well as news of celebrations. Each Friday community news will be shared on the Facebook page as well as in the newsletter. Please like and follow our Facebook page so notifications come into your feed.  

Tomorrow is of course the annual Killarney Show. Our students have created some outstanding work in recognition of the school's 150th year anniversary, all focussing on literacy, one of our school's explicit improvement priorities. My thanks to the Show Society for supporting the 150th year anniversary and promoting it through this year's show program. 

The P&C has sent home with students information and roster requests asking for your support at the Border District Trail Bike Ride. Many hands make light work so please consider how you can help. 

As always, if you have any concerns or wish to share feedback please make an appointment to come in for a chat. 

 Kind Regards 

Ros Hibberd

From the Head of Department

Swimming

The next 2 swimming days for Primary students are Friday 01 March 2024 and Friday, 08 March 2024.

JS Take home laptops

There are still some students who have not received their take home devices due to a part of the process not being ticked off.  If you require another copy of the paperwork or the email please do not hesitate to make the request.

Hats

The hats are here and they have been distributed.  Thank you to the P&C for assisting with the funding of this project.

Kind Regards

Traecy Bartz

Condamine Café

Thank you for your support – we are busy planning our next event.

From the Support Teacher

School Improvement Agenda

Following the School Improvement Unit School Review in 2023, I look forward to sharing details of the  2024-2027 Strategic Plan in the next few weeks.  

The school's three priorities for the next four years are: 

1. Accountable implementation of the Australian Curriculum

2. Improving literacy

3. Every student engaged and supported

Improving Literacy

Reading has the power to change lives. It plays an essential role in learning, securing a job and being an active and engaged member of society. Reading provides us with information, knowledge, and makes us aware of people and places beyond our immediate circles. Learning foundational reading skills supports wellbeing and can translate to a love of reading and literature. As much of our world rapidly changes around us, learning to read remains one of the more essential outcomes of schooling.

We are committed to every student realising their reading potential and will do this though teaching reading across all learning areas and subjects from Prep to Year 10 using an evidence informed approach.

Below is some information about learning to read in the early years.

When children first learn to read using systematic synthetic phonics, they are taught letter-sound correspondences in a specific order. They will learn a few at a time — not all at once — and they will practise the letters and sounds they have learned by reading and spelling.

Decodable texts are used with beginning readers and are written to match children’s developing letter-sound knowledge. These texts provide an opportunity for your child to practise their reading skills in a meaningful way without having to guess words.

Your child may bring home decodable texts to practise their word reading skills. The texts will contain only those letter-sound correspondences they have been taught. If your child is having difficulty decoding a word, model saying the sound represented by each letter and blending the sounds to read the word. For example: for the word ‘cat’, point to each letter and provide the sound it represents /c/ /a/ /t/, then blend the sounds to read ‘cat’.

Decodable texts may also contain some high-frequency words that your child has been taught. High-frequency words are words that are common in English texts (for example: said, the, of, is). These words are included in decodable texts to create meaningful sentences. They may contain some letter-sound correspondences that have not yet been taught.

How can I help?

• As your child reads, you may notice there are words they can read automatically, while other words will need to be ‘sounded out’. When your child comes to a word they do not automatically know, you can help them by saying: ‘Say the sounds as you point to the letters. Now, blend the sounds and read the word.’ For example: for the word ‘hen’, point to the letters and provide the sounds, /h/ /e/ /n/, then blend the sounds to read ‘hen’.
• If your child still has difficulty reading the word, it’s okay to tell them what the word is. Remember, they are still learning about letters and sounds and may need more practise and support.
• Encourage your children to follow the sounds and say the word.
• We don't teach students to look at the pictures, re-read the sentence, read to the end of the sentence or ask them what the think the word might be. When we ask children to do this, we are asking them to guess the word when we want them to have the skills to read the word. 
• When your child is learning new letter-sound correspondences, they may read slowly, and it may look laborious. This is typical of beginning readers and is no cause for concern.
• Remember, practise is key to becoming a skilled reader. Encourage your child to read their decodable texts often and to other family members.
  

Sports News

Jim Steven's & Steph Hancock Cup

The Jim Stevens/Stephanie Hancock Rugby League Gala Day is being held in Warwick; Monday, 11 March 2024. Any students interested in attending should see Mr. Bell.

WHEN: Monday 11 March; 8:30am - 3:00pm

WHERE: Jackie Howe Drive, Warwick QLD

School News

Prep News

The Prep students are busy learning about living things and their habitats.

Attendance Recognition

Our attendance target is 95%. This means that on  average each child has less than 1 day away per month.  
Students, if you aren’t at school, chances are you are not keeping up with your class work. Be at school and Ready to Learn. 
Effective school attendance has been linked to effective workplace attendance – set your child up for success.                                                              

Remember: Ready to Learn Every Day  

What you can do to help:

1. You can assist your child to be at school on time and ready 
to learn every day.  The first bell is at 8.50am.

2. If your child arrives after 9 am roll marking, they are to enter 
the school via the office to record their late arrival and reason. 

3. Before 9 am, provide notification and a reason for                      
your child’s absence;  
 • via the office phone on 4664 6333,  
• text the absence phone via 0428 196 801, 
• via email absences@killarness.eq.edu.au,  
• via a note to your child’s class teacher or  
• in person to the class teacher 

4. Respond to the text message you receive for a student who is away by confirming the absence and providing a reason. 

Keep your contact details up-to-date with our office.  
Being Ready to Learn Every Day really does make a difference! Is your child at school every day ready to learn?  

“Be on time; be at school; that’s the rule.” 

Study Tips

Set specific goals

Decide what’s most important, then take the steps to help achieve it. Put some thought into what is really wanted; create a list, then break each goal down into short term actions. Just doing this simple task could help students stay on track and achieve specific aims without spending so much time on struggle street.

Become a time management master

Always show up for school and make sure to be there on time. Avoid distractions between classes – catch up with mates later or during designated breaks, organise in advance, and grab everything required before class to avoid return trips to your bag. Make a study plan and stick to it. Put all important dates for homework, assignments, and exams into a calendar and set reminders.

Balance your life

It is important students allow enough time to study. Leave enough time for activities and hobbies, as well as catching up with friends and relaxing. Don’t commit to a course load that is going to be overwhelming.

Participate more

Being engaged in the classroom can help students learn and remember information more effectively.  It may help show teachers that they are listening and trying their best. Outside of the classroom, participating in events, extracurricular activities, and life in general could improve perspective, increase  skill set, and increase general happiness

FROM: https://studyworkgrow.com.au/2024/01/02/9-tips-to-make-life-at-school-easier

P&C News

Border Ranges Trail Ride

Hosted by Killarney P-10 State School P&C, The Border Ranges Trail Ride rallies the support and hospitality of the whole town to provide an unforgettable weekend. This is a non-competitive trail ride open to all classes of motorbike, both registered and unregistered, excluding quads.

For more information visit: Killarney Trail Ride

Tuckshop Convenor

The P&C is looking for a parent or member of our community who would be interested in volunteering to be our Tuckshop Convenor. The opening times/day would be the choice of the new Convenor. The menu would also be the Tuckshop Convenor's choice, in negotiation with the school to comply with  Healthy Choices guidelines. Please contact the P&C for further information or to express your interest by emailing: pandc@killarness.eq.edu.au.

How to order School Uniforms

New stocks of polo shirts have arrived so we now have all sizes available. Parents may now place a uniform order via email and pay by direct deposit!  We hope this will make purchasing uniforms easier. Students can come and see Mrs Diete during break times to try on uniforms if they are unsure of sizes. 

Community News

2024 Killarney Show

Killarney Amateur Swimming Club Championships Town Relay

Killarney Disco Lights Dance Party

School Student Broadband Initiative

To boost education opportunities and narrow the digital divide, the Australian Government is providing up to 30,000 eligible families with no internet at home a free National Broadband Network (NBN) service. Originally a 12 month commitment, the initiative has been extended meaning:

• The period in which a family can nominate to receive a free service is up to 31 December 2024.
• The duration of free services will continue until 31 December 2025 for all existing and new families.

For more information visit:  School Student Broadband Initiative

MacIntyre Wind Farm Small Grants Program 2024

ACCIONA Energía Small Grants Program is open for submissions from 1 February to 2 April 2024. Community groups and organisations who are passionate about education, healthcare, cultural development, renewable energy, and sustainability to apply.

For more information visit: Small Grants Program 2024