Newsletter

Important Dates - Pimpama

Welcome to the 2021 School Year

King's staff were excited to have students back at school at the start of Term 1. Our eager Prep students looked very grown up with their big school bags and fresh new uniforms, as they began their exciting Primary School learning journey. We were also honoured to have a large number of new Year 7 students choose to join King's for their High School education. We look forward to watching you all discover and use your God-given gifts as you flourish at King's. Our College also welcomed many families across all year levels and we pray that every new student will have an incredible start to the year, as they form firm friendships and know how valued they are in Christ.

We have definitely hit the year running with a swimming carnival, lively chapels, many exciting before and after school activities, sports training sessions, and an abundance of learning in our classrooms. Year 7 and 8 students will head off on their camps in the next 2 weeks and we pray they all enjoy an amazing time of connection with God and one another. We also pray that the exciting Camp program we have planned will continue uninterrupted throughout 2021!

King's New & Improved App

Reminder: Compass is the College's information hub for parents and provides quick access to school communication, important services and student learning. The new and improved Compass app makes it even easier to find the information you need about school-related notices and activities from your phone. It features some exciting new functions, such as student absence notifications and online services, all designed with King's parents in mind. Each of our learning communities now has its own information hub so you can find the information relevant to your child’s year level. 

DOWNLOAD OUR USEFUL APP GUIDE

Download the App

• App name: King’s Christian College
• Log in with your Compass username: Firstname.Surname (e.g. Jenny.Briars)

Noah's Ark Kicks Off Year Building Relationships

Our first weeks at Noah's Ark have been filled with fun, friends, a few challenges and some anticipation, but overall, our Noah's Ark children of 2021 have had a really successful and settled start to the year.

There will be much to learn during this year, but for the moment our educators are focussing on building relationships with the children and families and supporting friendships as they evolve.

We appreciate your ongoing support of our team, as we work together toward the best possible outcome for your child.

Claire Hadfield
Early Learning Coordinator, Pimpama Campus

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Great Start to Prep

What a fantastic start to Prep we have had this year! The students were so excited when they came in on Wednesday morning, many telling parents they could go, after only a few minutes in. I did notice we had a few more sad and emotional parents this year, not wanting to leave. The day went by so fast with so many new and exciting activities to cram into one day. It was wonderful not having the rest of the school present on the same day, as this meant we were able to go for a tour around the school showing the students where they will be going for specialist lessons as well as where to play and reiterating the playground rules. 

We had our traditional first day of school photos taking outside at the lion. This is a wonderful momento that families can treasure for years to come. We are so excited for the year ahead and looking forward to observing the growth that will take place this year. Here’s to a wonderful, action-packed 2021. 

Please remember if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child and their first year of school, do not hesitate to contact the class teacher on their school email.

Mrs Maire Bruneau
Prep Lead Teacher

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Introducing Prep Education Assistants for 2021

This year King's Pimpama Prep team is blessed to have five Education Assistants to support the students and teachers. Welcome to Tabetha Whyte in PPK (Mrs Gurren), Rebecca Buckle in PPC (Miss Beveridge), Michelle Saad in PPV (Miss Van Rooyen), Giselle Correia in PPG (Mrs Glass) and Maddi Fife (absent in photo) in PPB (Mrs Bruneau).

The Education Assistants all enjoy working in Prep. They enjoy the cuddles they get from the students. A highlight is being able to nurture and share the love of Christ at the start of their learning journey. The Educational Assistants are thrilled to see the love of learning spark in each child, from the "aha" moments to seeing them overcome a challenge - they are so proud to be in each child's life at the start of the school journey.

Learning Connections Program in Prep

This term Mrs Sue Toomey will be adding the Learning Connections Program to our Prep classroom routines on a Monday and Wednesday each week.

 The Learning Connections Program is beneficial to all children. Many bright and intelligent children enter school without the full range of developmental skills they need to learn effectively. Being ready for Prep does not always mean a child is ready for all the demands of the curriculum. Whilst developmental immaturities may not necessarily be causing obvious problems with learning or behaviour, they may be preventing the child from reaching their full potential.

 All children are unique and develop at different rates and in different ways. They may have aptitudes for and excel in some areas of learning, yet struggle in others. These differences in development may present in a variety of ways and include:

 Attention problems, impulsivity, auditory processing difficulties

• Difficulty with manual dexterity, pencil grip, handwriting
• Sound understanding in Maths but poor in English
• Social difficulties, difficulties making friends, variations in performance and behaviour
• Difficulty listening and sitting focused in groups, yet can concentrate well when engaging in screen activities or Lego
• Little interest in colouring-in and drawing (despite being able)
• Poor motor skills e.g. clumsiness and poor coordination/ball skills
• Immature speech development or reading and spelling difficulties

Early movement patterns together with experiences develop brain wiring. These early movements lay foundations for later learning. The Learning Connections School Program contains activities that assist the brain in processing incoming information and adapt or change in response to the demands of the child’s learning environment.  As well as being beneficial to all children by helping optimise their concentration and learning, these activities can greatly improve behaviour and mood.

Feedback from teachers who have used this program includes:

• Children enjoy participating in the program;
• A noted improvement in children’s settled behaviour once the Learning Connections Program commenced;
• Marked advancement in school readiness;
• Improvement in the teachers’ daily teaching experience as the whole class became calmer and more focussed for learning.

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Year 4 Excited to Learn About Money

Year Four is buzzing with excitement! The Money Game has been a great hit and seen numerous businesses pop up all over the grade. Students are learning to save, spend, sell, borrow, calculate, look after, share, loan and invest amongst many other money skills. They are avoiding fines and some are even subcontracting their businesses in order to maximise their profits. Our spelling and maths streamed classes are helping tailor the needs of each student and they have been learning about 'excellence' during Christian Living.

It has been so nice seeing relationships blossom between students, their friends, and their teachers.

Mr Peter Spink
Year 4 Lead Teacher

Agency! Communication! Collaboration!

It has been an active start to Year 5 at King's Pimpama. As a group, all students have been learning what it means to be a skilful communicator, working together to achieve a common goal.

The first challenge that Year 5 faced was to collaborate as a team to be rescued off a deserted island after their ship sank. Students planned and thought outside the box as well as initiating creative ways to help and support team members. The rooms were buzzing with design thinking and excited minds scheming grand solutions to real-life scenarios.

If the first week is anything to go by, 2021 will be the year of Engagement and Growth for our Year 5 team. We are excited to see the rest of the semester unfold as we blast off into our PBL Astronaut unit. So buckle up, everyone! It is going to be out of this world!

Elize Strachan
Year 5 Lead Teacher
John Maxwell Certified Teacher

Year 6 Project Develops Leaders

Year 6 students commenced their first Integrated Studies Project for the year and are exploring Servant Leadership. The aim of the project is to equip and set students up as leaders of our Primary School for 2021. 

The Driving Question for the project is 'How can we build community as servant leaders?' To begin answering this question and start with building community in their own year level, they held an 'All About Me' Expo as our entry event. 

Students each brought in five items that represented themselves and their strengths, interests and passions. The students had so much fun and enjoyed getting to know each other better and getting to know the new students and staff members. The cohort has such a variety of interests, from talented musicians, artists and sportspersons to wakeboarding, hair styling and Mrs Sanson's collection of fun erasers! 

Mrs Rachel Blatch
Year 6 Lead Teacher

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Primary Art Competition

Term 1 Cultural Values Art Competition

This term we are focusing on Learn Passionately (excellence, curiosity and perseverance). 

Create an artwork that reflects this value using any medium of your choice. All entries will be displayed in a 'pop-up' gallery. Entries will be judged by an independent local artist. There will be a first, second and third place and three highly commenced entries chosen.

Entries open on Monday, 8 February (Week 3) and close on Monday, 1 March (Week 6).

Register with Ms Dornseiff to enter.

A New Start for High School in 2021

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It was with much anticipation that almost 240 high school students walked into their new High School home in Week 1. Over the last two years, our students often heard about the new facilities that were either being discussed and planned, then they saw architects drawings of the building and then they watched as the building itself began. First, the groundwork, then the cement slab was poured and then each day the walls got higher, then roof went on, the windows were installed, workmen scurried around tending to internal fit-out while machines continued to ready the space around the building and then finally, the students were allowed into their new learning space. What a lovely two days it was meeting our Year 7 and new students for the first time and then welcoming back our Year 8 and 9 students the following day.

I am pleased to report that the start to 2021 has been remarkably settled. As always, it has taken a while for everyone to get used to where lockers are, how to use the combination locks, where all of the rooms are in the new building, the new high school timetable and where we need to be and when. But I must applaud our students who have persisted and shown a determination to make the best start to this new year. The dedication to classwork over the past few weeks has been wonderful and I encourage everyone to continue with this mindset as we push on into the term.

There is much to look forward to this year under the guidance of our new Principal, Mr Rob Verreynne. Our theme for 2021 is “Growing the Family”. With this in mind, we are looking forward to opening up leadership and service opportunities again to our students within the Pimpama campus and making links with both the Reedy Creek and Logan Village campuses. We also hope to embark on new opportunities within our local community. I cannot wait to see the wonderful achievements of our students as the year goes on.

Pepeita Hamilton
High School Coordinator

Newton - King of the Pool!

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Congratulations to Newton who were declared the overall House Champion at the inaugural High School Swimming Carnival, held at the Gold Coast Performance Centre.

The morning began with each house declaring their ‘winning’ intentions via their war cries. Enthusiasm abounded but Rayleigh dominated this first event to claim the prize. Being the very first long course swimming carnival, all first-place winners also set the Foundation Record.

The All-Age Relay was an exciting event to conclude the day. College staff set the benchmark by winning the event convincingly, with Newton taking the honours for the students.

Results

First Place Winners:

Final House Points:

Congratulations to 2021 House Champions: Newton

Queensland is Looking for the Next Generation of Divers

On the back of a very successful Commonwealth Games, Diving Queensland is excited to launch a new Diving Talent program on the Gold Coast.  We are very lucky to have such world-renown facilities on our doorstep.

A free "Come and Try" day is being held at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre in Southport on the weekend 13 and 14 March.  This is open to all children, aged eight and above.

Two of Diving Queensland's Coaches, Joey Zuber, head coach for Paradise Diving Club and Cliff Diving Expert, and Matt Barnard, AIS Athlete and Commonwealth Games Diver 2018, will be taking the lead and working in conjunction with Diving Queensland Coaches to find our "Next Generation of Divers".

Could you be one of Queensland’s next world-class divers as Australia sets its sights on a potential home Olympic Games in 2032?

Keen to get on board (and dive off it)? Contact Toni Toohey on 0437 432 435  or email admin@divingqld.org.au for all the details.

Introducing the 2021 P&F Committee

What an exciting year we have planned for the Kings P&F committee! We are looking forward to serving together with the leadership team, parents, students, and church of Kings Pimpama. Our goal is to help build our community among King’s families and support the mission of the school as our campus continues to grow.

The P&F will be focusing on making a significant investment and a strong commitment to giving back to the families and students of Kings. Some of our plans include special event lunch orders, sausage sizzles, Mother’s and Father’s Day gift-giving and support to Kings families in need.

We would be delighted to have volunteers to help with different events throughout the year, this is such a great way to play an active part of college life! We will post these opportunities in Compass. There are many ways that you can be involved with the P&F and we look forward to meeting you.

The P&F team for 2021, from left to right: Ammie Owens (Vice President), Michell Saad (Secretary), Katinka Niemeijer (Treasurer), Grant Patching (President) and Dana St John (Vice President).

We thank you for the opportunity to be a dynamic part of Kings Pimpama and we look forward to supporting our amazing families in 2021!

Grant Patching
King's Pimpama President 2021

Happy Families // Free Advice for King's Parents

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Late last year, King's had the pleasure of hosting Dr Justin Coulson for a series of engaging presentations for both students and parents. As a faith-filled father of six, and having earned his PhD in Positive Psychology, Dr Coulson is a credible source of parenting advice. Dr Coulson's work in this space has led him to author a number of top-selling books and become a sought-after speaker. His sessions with our Years 5-10 students at Reedy Creek and Pimpama in November, followed by his engaging webinar for our parents on 5 Ways to Wellbeing for our Kids, provided simple yet effective advice that inspired so much positive feedback from our College community. If you missed it last year:

• Watch the Video (run time approximately 80 minutes)

To complement these sessions and help our parents foster more positive family relationships, Mr Davis and our Board generously purchased premium memberships for all King’s families for 2021. These memberships provide access to Dr Coulson’s online library of parenting resources at HappyFamilies.com.au  and it has been encouraging to see 426 King's families register for these resources. If you are new to King's this year, or have not yet registered and would like to, please follow the link below to log in and enjoy Dr Coulson's parenting wisdom.

• Join Happy Families