On Wednesday 28 July our Prep students enjoyed their very first excursion, to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary - and what an incredible day it was!
All of the students explored with wonder, some seeing new animals for the very first time. They watched an engaging bird show, another show called ‘Tails and Scales’, fed kangaroos and even took a ride on the park’s mini-train around the whole sanctuary.
“This is the best day ever”, “I want to learn here every day”, “Show me everything” were some of the students' reactions to their experience. It was a very successful day for our youngest students who will be eagerly anticipating their next excursion.
Every day thousands of chemistry teachers across the world take the leap of faith and introduce their students to the Bunsen burner.
This year was no exception for our Year 9 Science students who have been studying chemistry this term. They had the opportunity to test how different elements react when applied to the flame of a Bunsen Burner. Students experimented with barium (Ba), sodium (Na), copper (Cu), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca), recording the changes that occurred. Students were most impressed with the colour change of copper, as it created an amazing green illumination.
And now for the science fun fact of the day:
The Bunsen burner is still “one of the most valuable inventions ever made” as claimed by an obituary of its inventor, Robert Bunsen, in 1899. Modern gas stovetops and barbecues operate on the same general principle as Bunsen’s 19th-century burner: a flammable gas is mixed with variable amounts of air to produce a controllable flame for heating.
At Somerset College on 28 July, two of our Junior A teams battled it out for a place in the semi-finals. After a hard-fought battle on the moot that ‘Performing Arts should be compulsory in schools’ a victor emerged and a semi-final berth was booked.
The triumphant team was: Emily White (1), Nisa Ahsani Iravani (2), Naomi Sweeney (3), Amy-Lee Smal (Timekeeper and Chair), Grace Browning (Reserve).
The team remains unbeaten and hopes to compete in the semi-final competition at Somerset College on 11 August, unless lockdown postpones the event. Should they win this stage, they will be in the Grand Final at Bond University.
Photo (left to right): Jamie Nicholson, Nisa Ahsani Iravani, Naomi Sweeney, Emily White, Amy-Lee Smal, Jacob Millar, Emmanuel Mina-Montalvo Wu.
King's Pimpama students Mason and Sienna Mower were invited to attend Swimming Gold Coast's Award ceremony in June.
We are pleased to congratulate Mason Mower, Year 6, for his 3rd Place Age Champion award from Swimming Gold Coast. For his age, he is the third-best swimmer in our city.
"I had a great time at the award ceremony event and got to chat with other award winners, like Chelsea Hodges!" said Mason.
His Mum is very pleased that his training is paying off and that Mason is cutting in on the highly competitive swimmers in the Gold Coast region!
With the Brisbane Olympics 2032 only 11 years away, King's may have another budding Olympian in the family.
Last term, Year 7 student, Rebecca Iman, won the Under 23 Mt Warren Tenpin Bowling Championships in the individual competition. Rebecca also came second in the doubles with her brother, Morgan (Year 3), while her league team won third place at the tournament.
Rebecca scored 1,335 for the whole six games in the Masters Championship, while Morgan scored 1385 for the six games in King/Queen of the Mountain and came third in the tournament.
It seems that bowling is in their blood. Almost three years ago when Rebecca first joined King's Pimpama, she wanted to find an activity to give her something in common with her Dad. Since he bowled professionally for the Mt Warren Lanes, she chose bowling and has not looked back since. In November 2020 she started playing professionally for the club and plays in two leagues - one socially with her brother, the other professionally with the club.
Rebecca and Morgan are trained by their dad and coach Jordan Gardner, who challenge the siblings to improve their bowling technique, get strikes and win games.
"The secret to winning games is to increase your spares," says Rebecca. "Your stance and how you prepare at the lead up of releasing the bowling ball are all very important in getting a good score. My Dad challenges me all the time and this has improved my game."
Rebecca admits that it's tough not to be able to go and practice during lockdown. However, her family is thriving at home and has come up with a creative way to maintain their skills:
"Before lockdown, Mum bought two hallway runners and we line the passage with cushions for protection and then we bowl down the passage. The pins don't stand a chance!" she said. "I love the game as it helps me reset my mind during challenging times and is good for my mental health."
Rebecca's school friends were surprised to find that she bowls professionally and how good she is at the sport. "I love to take them bowling - but just for some fun!"
Her dream is to have a bowling alley in her home, like the Hemsworths, and then no lockdown would affect their game!
"I get knocked down, but I get up again! You ain't never gonna keep me down...I get knocked down..."
(Admit it, you sang the punchline!)
On Day 5 of the Olympic Games, our campus glowed in green and gold as King's staff and students brought their brightest Australian spirit to school to support our Olympic athletes during our Olympic Games Celebration Day. The atmosphere buzzed with palpable excitement as a number of Day 5 Finals featured Australian competitors on the big screen. It was an unforgettable experience as our college community came together to celebrate the inspirational dedication of all athletes. Their unwavering pursuit of excellence earned them the great honour of representing their country in this year’s Olympic Games and we congratulate them all.
King's Pimpama showcased the Olympic celebrations throughout the two-week Games, airing continuous live event footage for students to enjoy during their breaks.
King's Deputy Head of Primary, Mr Bristow-Wilson, has created the 'King's Catch Up' podcast series to connect parents, students and staff across our College. His insightful, short interviews offer a lighthearted look into the lives of different members of our community. Listeners will be entertained and enlightened as they discover things they may not know about King's and some of our amazing people.
Episodes are available on iTunes, Spotify, Anchor, Breaker and Radio Public, with new episodes added weekly. Use the link to your favourite podcast platform to follow 'King's Catch Up' and spread the news with members of our King's family.
