We are delighted to welcome all of our students back to King's Christian College after the school holidays. We trust you had a happy and memorable time with your family and friends over the Christmas break.
It's a pleasure to see the smiling faces of our students returning back to school after the holidays and witness their joy and enthusiasm as they reconnect with their teachers and friends.
We look forward to a year filled with learning and growth and pray that all our students and families have a blessed year in 2023.
"Welcome back to the new school year, and a particularly warm welcome to all of the "new-to-King's" families who have joined us. I trust that you had a great Christmas break and that 2023 will be all that you hope it to be. Personally, I am excited to see what a more "normal year" brings for us all at King's Pimpama. I know that there will be numerous opportunities for our students to grow academically, socially and spiritually as they develop to become effective Christian leaders who will make a positive impact on their generation."
Year 7 students led the way, as the first to return to King's Pimpama campus, offering them a valuable head start as they embark on an exciting journey filled with a wider range of subjects, new teachers and their very own lockers!
As Year 7 students make the transition from primary school to high school, students are faced with new challenges and opportunities. It can be somewhat overwhelming for students starting high school, but with the support of dedicated teachers, staff and their peers, students can thrive and realise their full potential.
We extend our warmest blessings and prayers to all Year 7 students as they begin their high school journey.
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
- Jeremiah 29:11
Student Wellbeing
Supporting Students' Wellbeing: Meet the Team
30 January 2023
The Student Wellbeing team would like to extend a warm welcome to all our new families here at King’s. We are a dynamic and fun team who exist to cultivate an environment for students that fosters a sense of belonging within the King’s community. We do this by educating and equipping students with knowledge and skills that will empower them to learn effectively, cope with day-to-day challenges and build healthy relationships.
All students will experience vulnerability at different stages of their development and their sense of wellbeing will vary from time to time. Our hope is that in establishing intervention and prevention strategies, both individually and within the King’s community at large, students will develop sustaining wellbeing skills as part of their lifelong process.
Meet our Student Wellbeing team — Lani Grieve, Zac Torti, Louise Herrera (Student Wellbeing Co-ordinator), Shane Taylor and Chelsea Harders.
This year we started running structured and fun lunchtime activities in our Primary School, including; parachute games, hula hooping, skipping, a quiet corner with reading books and puzzles, chalk drawing and some music and bubbles to add to a playful atmosphere. This coming year we will be running many wellbeing courses for students from Prep to Year 11, including Seasons for Growth, SOAR, Drum Kings, Quiet but Heard, Coffee Chats, Inside Out, Rock and Water and Strength. So keep your eyes on Compass for more information on Term 2 courses being offered. We look forward to connecting with you this year!
Mrs Louise Herrera Student Wellbeing Co-ordinator
Academic
NAPLAN 2023
30 January 2023
It is hard to imagine with the start of the school year only just underway, it is time to start turning our attention to planning and preparing for NAPLAN.
WHAT IS NAPLAN?
The National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is designed to provide regular data on student achievement in the areas of literacy and numeracy, essential skills that each child needs to succeed.
NAPLAN is a point-in-time assessment that allows you to see how your child is progressing in literacy and numeracy against the national standard; and compared with their peers throughout Australia. King’s teachers frequently use NAPLAN data to provide additional information about student progress, as well as to support the College in making informed decisions regarding differentiation and targeted teaching in the classroom, to improve future student outcomes.
NAPLAN testing for 2023 and beyond, will occur in MARCH in an online format. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in tests for reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation), and numeracy.
PARTICIPATION AND ADJUSTMENTS
At King’s we expect and encourage all students to complete the NAPLAN testing process, and we are pleased with our established tradition of high levels of participation. During the testing window in March, catch-up tests will be offered for students who are absent on test days.
Support can be arranged for students with specific learning needs, particularly if a student regularly accesses similar support for school assessment tasks. Students may also be withdrawn from NAPLAN; this is a matter for consideration by parents and carers, in consultation with the College, and would require a signed withdrawal form.
For parents of Year 3 and 5 students:
If you wish to discuss your child’s participation in NAPLAN, please email:
Please click on THIS LINK to register your intention to apply for withdrawal or adjusted conditions.
If you wish to discuss your child’s participation in NAPLAN, please email Mrs Cassie Grimes: cgrimes@kingscollege.qld.edu.au
FURTHER INFORMATION
Around mid-2023 you will receive your child’s personal NAPLAN report outlining their results and how they performed in relation to national standards. The information you receive will be valuable in helping you consider your child’s literacy and numeracy progress.
For more information about NAPLAN testing in Queensland, please click on the links below:
Mrs Cassie Grimes Deputy Head of Secondary - Administration & Organisation
Sport
Bronze Medal at 2022 Australian All Schools Track & Field Championships
30 January 2023
On 9 December, Jalyn South competed in the 2022 Australian All Schools Track and Field Championships in Javelin at SA Athletics Stadium in Adelaide. Jalyn finished with a bronze medal, placing her 3rd in Australia for her throw of 43.86 metres in the Javelin Under 14 Girls event.
We are so proud of Jalyn and wish her continued success in her future sporting endeavours. She has worked incredibly hard and shown true dedication to her sport. Congratulations on your outstanding athletic achievement, Jalyn!
Jalyn South, bronze winner of the Under 14 Years Girls Javelin at the 2022 Australian All Schools Track and Field Championships.
Performing Arts
King's Students Attend SHEP
2 February 2023
Two of our very talented primary students were successfully selected and participated in SHEP (State Honours Ensemble Program) in late November 2022, held at Griffith University. Sean Sinatra played the cello and Adhinav Itikalapati played the violin. Participating in SHEP is a high honour, and we congratulate the students on this achievement.
Here is a student's account of their experience:
"SHEP stands for State Honours Ensemble Program. SHEP is an educational program for music students that helps extend and encourage the pursuit of musical excellence. It was held in Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University at South Bank campus in South Brisbane.
SHEP Day 1
"In SHEP, you will first be assigned to a group which is represented by a colour. Mine was violet, the ensemble group. Each group has one conductor. I arrived at 7 am and we had to collect a t-shirt and a name tag and the colour of the lanyard represented the group.
"Once we were inside the rehearsal room, we unpacked our instruments (it was total chaos), then the conductor introduced himself and we started playing music.
We were assigned a stand partner or a deskie and we shared one music stand for the whole time. We practised for eight hours, with three breaks that lasted 20 minutes each to eat and go to the bathroom. It was very tiring and I was almost gave up.
SHEP Day 2
"Day two is the performance day or concert day. All participants were wearing their school uniforms. It felt a lot more formal than on day one. We rehearsed for about two hours. Then we were called onto the stage. Our group was the first group to perform in the afternoon concert block.
"Me and the violet ensemble played for 30 minutes, performing six pieces on stage. I was very nervous going up to the stage. Anything could happen, the music can be blown away, I play the wrong tune, and so on. There was a big crowd. According to my mum, the tickets were sold out and the auditorium capacity is up to 800 people.
When I was on the stage and playing the music, I had so much fun, the time flies! The music we played together sounded really nice. I think everyone had a lot of fun. At the end of our performance, we received a big applause from the audience. I learnt so much in these two days and I really enjoyed performing on the stage.
SHEP is a fun and unforgettable experience (and very tiring). If you sing or play an instrument, I recommend to participate in it."
