Killarney eNewsletter Term 4 - Week 9 | 2024

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Githabul people as the  Traditional Owners of the sky,  waterways and land on which we learn and play. 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.

We thank Githabul artist Nathan Charles for allowing us to publish his artwork. 

Date Claimers

From the Principal

As the final days of the school year unfold, it is time to pause and reflect on a remarkable year.  2024 has been a year of learning, achievement and community for students, staff and our wider community.

The most wonderful highlight of 2024 was commemorating our school’s 150th anniversary. The sesquicentennial celebrations were a heartfelt tribute to Killarney’s proud legacy of education and community.

Last week we held our final birthday event at school with students and staff enjoying a day of old-fashioned games, decorating the front fence, picnic lunch, time capsule and colour run. Each class also planted an ornamental pear tree at the front of the school to complete our front fence project.

At this week’s P&C meeting, President Glen Lamb shared that our October celebration has been nominated in the Southern Downs Regional Council 2025 Australia Day Community Event of the Year Award category. Recipients will be announced at the SDRC Australia Day event at Dalveen on Australia Day.  Congratulations to the 150 Years Committee for leading an event worthy of nomination.

This year also brought great academic growth, particularly in literacy. Our dedicated focus on Developing Literate Learners has yielded excellent results. Our Prep, Years 1 and Year 2s have definitely started strong with great progress in reading decoding and NAPLAN achievement in Years 3 and 9 was especially strong. This progress reflects the dedication and commitment of our teachers and the hard work of our students.

As previously shared, the school will remain open for students until Friday, 13 December. In the final week of school, there will not be formal classes as per the usual timetable. Students will engage in an alternate program focussing on student engagement, sports, culture and wellbeing. There will be no formal lessons and students will be in mixed class groupings and class teachers will not necessarily supervise their usual classes. As per usual processes, any student absences during that week will need to be explained.

As we bid farewell to 2024, I wish all our families a restful and joyous holiday season. Thank you for your ongoing support, which underpins the community of Killarney P-10. I look forward to welcoming our students back in 2025, ready to embrace new opportunities and build upon this year’s successes.

Kind Regards

Ros Hibberd

From the Head of Department

Booklists - have been distributed to students.  If you require a copy please call in to the school or they will be available on our website by the end of the school year.

Report cards - Prep to Year 9 report cards will be posted home to families at the start of Week 11.

Year 9 Work experience - best wishes to the Year 9 students attending work experience in Week 11. 

Thank you to the following businesses for supporting our school and students:  

Kingsford Farms Family Trust

STAG Machinery Toowoomba

Full Forced Fabrication

Killarney Memorial Aged Care

Top Two Motorcycles

Wickham Freight Lines

Warwick East State School

Warwick Physioworks

Schulz Mechanical Services

Week 11 focus - our staff will be busy preparing our curriculum and resources for the start of 2025.

PBL - we hope you have enjoyed the Kanga Koey this year.  This will continue next year with some new and existing items to 'buy'.  Thank you to all students for returning their Kanga Thanks so they can be recycled and renewed for 2025.

Kind Regards

Traecy Bartz

School News

Awards Night

The Annual Awards Ceremony in November was a terrific night, acknowledging and celebrating our values, learning, respect and community and the work and commitment of students. The night highlighted the richness of our school community. The applause and pride that filled the room were a fitting conclusion to a year of hard work and dedication. Thank you to the many parents and community members who attended.

Year 10 Last Day 

Last week the whole school came together to share our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes as we said goodbye to our Year 10s. There were smiles, hugs, laughter and tears as Will, Ebony, Jaydan, Oscar, Cameron, Joshua, Josie and Jasminia walked out the gate for the last time as students of our great school.  Remember, you will always be Killarney strong and you are always welcome to visit. 

2025 Leaders

Following Emu Gully Leadership camp in week 7, Year 9 students applied for student leadership positions on 2025. Students submitted a written expression of interest, had an interview with Ms Hibberd and Mrs Bartz and presented a speech to Year 5 to 10 students. The 2025 Student Leaders were announced at the Awards Ceremony. Congratulations to: 

School Captains: Angus Brown and Emalee Sakrewski

Chauvel House Captain: Dacia Costello

Madsen House Captain: Sophia Rowling

Our 2024 student leaders symbolically handed over their leadership as they entered the whole school guard of honour.

Farewell

Brian Bartz, Schools Officer (Grounds and Facilities) has announced his retirement! Brian loved mowing and keeping the grounds well-maintained, especially the oval and took great pride in having the cricket pitch and t-ball diamond ready for our students to play interschool sport.  He has a great knowledge of how things run, especially under buildings, underground, in sheds and behind the scenes of events, and has contributed greatly to the school’s smooth running over many years. Brian will retire at the beginning of January. Thank you, Brian. We all wish you well in your retirement and hope you enjoy your overseas travels next year.

We also farewell Susie Frost and Stew Henderson from our permanent teaching team.

Stew joined us as a graduate in November 2020. Stew is an incredible advocate for student success and his ability to connect with students and parents alike is invaluable. Stew takes on a new role as Year 6 teacher at Jandowae P-10 State School.

Susie joined the team in July 2022. This year Susie has shown great versatility and flexibility as a District Relieving Teacher. Susie, your contributions here and in neighbouring schools have been greatly appreciated. Susie will be working closer to her home and family at Redbank Plains State School. 

Sarah Tucker's time with us has been brief, starting a temporary position in Term 2 this year, but her passion for science has left a lasting impression. Sarah's energy has sparked curiosity among students and pride in their learning. Sarah is returning to her permanent position at Warwick State High School.

Thank you, Stew, Susie, and Sarah, for your dedication and contributions. We wish you the all the best.

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 9:00am roll marking, they are to enter 
the school via the office to record their late arrival and reason. 

3. Before 8.50am, 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.” 

2025 School Calendar - Queensland State Schools

https://education.qld.gov.au/about/Documents/2025-school-calendar.pdf  

P&C News

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. 

PARENTING TIPS

Quick Lunch and Snack Ideas

Community News

Killarney Soccer Club Meet

Killarney Soccer Club meet on Monday afternoon at 3:30 at the Rec Club. Children from the ages of 5 - 15 years are welcome to join in.

Contact: Julia Beck - 0431631668