Gold Coast Language Speech Contest
Congratulations to our talented Year 8 and 9 students who represented King's at the Gold Coast Griffith University Speech Contest. Thirteen students dedicated weeks to practising and memorising their speeches, showing great commitment and enthusiasm.
Special congratulations to the following students for their placements and awards:
1st Place - Ruby D., achieving first place for a second year in a row.
2nd Place - Annaleise H., Scarlett VE., and Zoe T.
3rd Place - Bianca B. sec
Highly Commended awards - Jessica B., Yui S., and Semal J.
Reflecting on her experience, Ruby D. shared: "This was my second year competing, and I was determined to place first again. I practised every chance I had - before bed, in the car, and during lunch sessions. Even though I was nervous on the day, I smiled at the judges and gave it my all. I’m proud of my result and incredibly grateful to Mrs Carson for her constant support and guidance."
Aeva-Jade T. also shared her thoughts: "Participating in the Japanese contest was a unique experience. I met new people, learned more about Japanese culture, and built confidence in speaking another language. It was different from my usual sporty events, but I really enjoyed it."
Well done to all students for their hard work and courage in stepping up to this challenge. Your efforts and achievements are something to be proud of!
What a fantastic day our Year One students had on their Tiny Towns 'ISpy' excursion to the Broadwater Parklands! The weather could not have been more perfect, bright blue skies, warm sunshine, and a light breeze made for the perfect winter outing.
Linking to our HASS theme this term, we set off on a sightseeing walk along the beautiful boardwalk, recording all the natural, constructed, and managed features we could spot in the environment around us. From towering buildings and sandy beaches to rollercoasters, shady mangroves, and a sparkling public swimming pool, there was so much to see. The children were excited to use their keen observation skills, pointing out and categorising each feature as we went.
After all that exploring, our picnic lunch in the winter sunshine was very welcome. We even had some special visitors, a proud Mummy and Daddy swan with their six adorable, fluffy cygnets gliding past.
The highlight of the day for many was enjoying one of the best “managed features” we found, the incredible Broadwater Park playground! There was climbing, sliding, swinging, building, and plenty of laughter as friends played together.
By the time we boarded the bus back to school, there were some very tired but happy Year One children full of stories and wonderful memories of a great day out.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, 19th and 20th August, our Year 3 students had the exciting opportunity to visit the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium at Mt Coot-tha as part of their Integrated Studies unit on the Sun and the Moon.
Before heading into the Planetarium, the students enjoyed a short exploration of the beautiful Botanic Gardens next door. Highlights included wandering through the peaceful Japanese Gardens and discovering the lush greenery of the Fern House. The children loved taking in the sights, sounds, and natural beauty around them.
At the Planetarium, the students took part in an engaging information session where they learned some fascinating facts about our sky. They discovered how the Sun’s position changes across the year as we move closer to the Summer and Winter Solstices. They also learned that stars form patterns in the sky, known as constellations, while planets do not sparkle like stars do. Another exciting discovery was how the Moon changes shape throughout the month, moving through different phases.
It was a wonderful excursion filled with new knowledge, fun experiences, and memorable moments. A big thank you to the teachers and parent helpers who made the excursion possible!
A cat making his way through a secret lab to defeat a mutation-crazed chef. A painter who must follow a mysterious emu through a terrifying maze. And a helpfully unhelpful guinea pig who creates a connection on a flight across the Atlantic. Each of these stories was written and illustrated by small teams of students from our high school over 12 hours during Write a Book in a Day.
Mr Caleb Turner, High School Teacher, said: "Our King’s teams showed incredible dedication and team spirit, coming up with an endless supply of wacky and wonderful ideas and forming lots of new friendships. Thanks to them for participating, and we wish them the best of success in the competition!"
The students, who ranged from Year 7 to 11 and were organised into teams of 8 to 10, produced illustrated books of 4,000 to 5,000 words that will be published and distributed to kids in hospitals with cancer. The competition is also a fundraiser for the Kids’ Cancer Project.
This annual event, run by the Kid’s Cancer Project, is more than just a writing challenge – it’s a chance for students to build teamwork, creativity and resilience while contributing to an important cause.
Student, Olivia D., reflected:
“The school had planned for us to “Write a Book in a Day”, and the atmosphere was lively the entire time. Everyone was working in small groups, doing a lot of character and plot designing, which eventually came together in quite a story, particularly keeping in mind the time limit. It was a good mix of laughter, creativity, and collaboration as we added life to the story we had devised. It was a thrilling day for us, doing team building exercises and having the opportunity to think on our feet and to craft something of quality to benefit others. Reflecting on this event, I think I can speak for everyone when I say that this experience enhanced our sense of togetherness.
It was nice to be able to share concepts and strategies, and also provide help and receive help when needed. It left me with the impression of how valuable a team can be when everyone rallies to a given cause. I also found out that as a leader, it is not always a case of being in 'command and control'. Rather, it can be better to provide gentle guidance where an appropriate nudge can help others achieve their potential. I believe the event was the chance to sharpen our leadership, along with a boost of creativity blended with an effective dose of collaboration".
Student Malachai F., said:
"We began at eight o’clock, planning the book we would write, thinking up plots and scenarios that might occur. As the day progressed, we began to write and illustrate. It was slow, but it was worth it. Our expert artists created amazing designs to match the chapters carefully written by the authors. We had lots of snacks (mostly brought by members of the team) and pizza for dinner. There were occasional breaks, during which we would rest our minds and our hands.
Write a Book in a Day raises money to help children who have cancer and to entertain kids in children’s hospitals all over Australia. The experience of Write a Book in a Day was absolutely fabulous. We had a good team, we all were joking and talking while we worked, and everyone in that room had a very, very good time. If there is anyone who wants to Write a Book in a Day, I encourage you to give it a try. And hey, you might have as much fun as I did".
The event not only sharpened leadership skills but also gave students the opportunity to create something special that will bring joy to children in hospital.
Families are warmly invited to support the cause by donating to the Kids' Cancer Project, through this link.
You can also view the students’ completed books by clicking the buttons below..
Last Tuesday, our Year 12 students came together to celebrate a significant milestone, 100 days left of school. The day began in the early hours as the cohort gathered to watch the sunrise, a meaningful and symbolic moment to reflect on how far they have come and the exciting journey ahead.
The celebrations continued with a bagel and charcuterie board lunch, giving students the chance to connect, laugh, and share stories with one another. To finish the day, they embraced some nostalgia with much-loved childhood games, including handball and tinball, bringing back memories of both their primary and secondary years. It was a day filled with joy, gratitude, and community as Year 12 looked forward to their last months together.
For our third meeting of the year, we collected food donations from our school community for Connect2Home.
With the help of the Life Team, we collected 78 items to contribute. As well as donating food, we met Belinda, one of the Gold Coast Youth Service staff helping tackle youth homelessness. She emphasised that homelessness does not always mean being without a roof; a young person might have a house but not feel safe there due to abuse or discrimination. We then watched a film about the lives of three young adults who were homeless, showing why they left home, how they survive, and how they came across Connect2Home.
This was a moment for us to reflect on our own lives and appreciate our blessings. The theme of this term's meeting focused on how to be a better leader and create a community where people feel they belong. We discussed the importance of not being a bystander, including four strategies to support this:
Be there now: If you see someone being insulted or left out, go up to them and support them in the moment or even challenge the the person making the remarks.
Be there later: If you are someone who comes up with the right response later, that’s fine. Let the situation cool down and check up on the person feeling left out, or even call out the person making the remark.
Be the Switch: If you are someone who doesn’t like interventions or doesn’t know how to tackle the situation, you can quickly divert the conversation to something more positive; this cools down the situation and diverts everyone’s attention.
Be the Champion: Report the situation to adults or anyone in authority if it has gone too far, and work with them to find a way to help the person who feels left out to feel like they belong in the community.
Using these strategies, we were able to understand how to be an upstander. This is especially important if you want to be a leader who makes everyone feel like they belong, as that is what makes a community.
This term our budding photographers have swapped the classroom for the great outdoors, sharpening their technical eye while celebrating two iconic local sites.
At picturesque Jacobs Well Pier, students explored seascape techniques—experimenting with long‐exposure blur to soften water, framing reflections beneath the timber pylons, and using leading lines to draw attention toward the horizon. The exercise built confidence in manual settings and challenged each learner to “see” composition before pressing the shutter.
The excitement continued at the Gold Coast Sport Flying Club, where vintage aircraft became living history lessons. Guided by club volunteers, students practised fast-shutter action shots as the planes taxied down the strip, then switched to detail-rich macro images of rivets, propellers, and retro cockpits. Beyond camera skills, the day fostered respectful interaction with hobby pilots and highlighted aviation’s role in Queensland heritage.
Back at school, each photographer is curating a mini-portfolio that blends pier serenity with aviation energy.
From 8–10 August, our senior volleyball program proudly represented the school at the Senior Schools Cup, one of Queensland’s biggest school volleyball tournaments. This high-energy event brings together teams from across the state, providing three days of competition, camaraderie, and an opportunity for players to test themselves against top opposition.
We were thrilled to have two teams compete — the Year 11 Division 2 Girls and the Year 12 Division 2 Boys.
The Year 11 Girls team started with some tough matches that demanded quick adjustments. As the tournament went on, their defensive structures tightened, communication sharpened, and they began turning long rallies into points. By finals day, the girls were playing with confidence, working seamlessly as a unit, and competing with determination in every set. Their 6th-place overall finish reflected their resilience and growth over the weekend.
Team List:
Karah G.
Shiana ZT.
Kate D.
Sienna C.
Charlie M.
Kirra M.
Tilla W.
The Year 12 Boys team faced a busy schedule of six round robin games. Remarkably, the majority of the team were Year 9 and 10 students, stepping up to a senior level and matching older opponents point for point. The boys played with energy and focus, showing strong passing under pressure, quick defensive recoveries, and the ability to close out tight sets. Their efforts were rewarded with an impressive 5th-place overall finish.
Team List:
Karan D.
Navjot D.
Roman K.
Matthew D.
Steven X.
Arman G.
Eli K.
Amir E.
Dominic K.
Across the three days, both teams displayed a style of play built on trust, hard work, and a willingness to keep fighting for every point. They adapted to different opponents, made in-game adjustments, and never allowed early setbacks to dictate their performances.
Our King’s Basketball teams recently competed in the CBSQ Shield Tournament, showcasing strong determination, skill, and sportsmanship throughout the competition.
The CBSQ Shield serves as a qualifying event for the major CBSQ tournament, with only the top four teams advancing. We proudly fielded two teams: the Sophomore Girls, coached by Jordan Lum Kon, and the Junior Secondary Boys led by Coach Daniel Chen.
While we narrowly missed progressing to the major tournament, both teams delivered impressive performances and secured some solid wins.
Junior Secondary Boys
The Junior Secondary boys battled hard throughout the tournament. Bronson G. showed remarkable consistency, providing a steady presence on the court. Memphis W. demonstrated excellent leadership, guiding the team with poise. Jaquan D. played with heart and determination in every game. Unfortunately, Arik M. was sidelined after a collision resulted in an eye injury, causing him to miss the final two games. Despite this setback, Elias F. brought much-needed energy and spark to the team. Meanwhile, Harlem K. and Lee J.W. dominated the rebounds and controlled the paint with strong performances.
We look forward to building on this experience and coming back stronger next year.
Go King’s!
We are so excited to celebrate four King’s volleyballers, Eli K., Steven X., Arman G and Noah S., who have received an invitation to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Men’s National Talent Identification Camp in Canberra this October.
This camp is one of the most prestigious opportunities available to young athletes in Australia and is offered by invitation only. To be selected, athletes must demonstrate not just talent, but also consistency, resilience, and the ability to perform at the highest level. These athletes have caught the attention of selectors through their impressive efforts at the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup in 2024, as well as their standout performances at both the Intermediate Schools Cup and Senior Schools Cup this year.
The camp will run from 1–4 October 2025 and will bring together some of the best young volleyball players from across the country. Over the four days, athletes will train under elite coaches, take part in technical and tactical development sessions, and undergo performance testing. It’s also a pathway toward possible selection in the National Performance Program, which could see them progressing toward future national representation.
For those of us who have had the privilege of watching their journeys so far, this recognition is no surprise. They have shown incredible commitment to training, a willingness to learn, and a love for the game. From school competitions to representing King’s on the big stage, their determination and passion have shone through every step of the way.
Congratulations. We know you’ll take this opportunity with humility, courage, and excitement. The whole King’s community is behind you!
For Parents and Guardians
External study options are only available for Year 11 and 12 students. If you wish your child (Year 9–10) to undertake an external option or course, this should be done outside normal school hours. Please see the policy.
Homework help for parents
Free guide to work experience
Study in the US' virtual information session
The session will cover the application process as well as the higher education system in the USA. The free presentation is best suited for students and their families in Years 9, 10, and 11.
When: Wednesday 27 August at 6pm AEST
Further information and registration can be found here.
Careers Newsletters – Options Bulletin
The Options newsletter provides monthly updates to help families plan for post-school options.
Save the link: Options Bulletin
Events and Open Days
Open days are slowly winding down for this year, and it is highly recommended that students in Year 10 – 12 visit campuses to gather information about courses and campus life so that they can make informed decisions post-school about the best option for them.
Open Days
View Open Day Guide
Trade Centre Open Day and Careers Expo 29 August
This fully inclusive community event will welcome students, families, and educators to explore a wide range of pathways, training opportunities, and career options. Our aim is to provide the tools and information to help students make informed decisions as they prepare for 2026 and beyond.
Event Details:
Date: Friday, 29 August 2025
Time: 10 am - 1 pm
Location: 41-45 Mary Street, Kingston
The Open Day will feature:
Please find below flyer for more information.
Traineeships (SATs) on offer for Year 11 students
Vacancies are listed here. These vacancies are updated on a regular basis as new vacancies are offered. If a student is interested in a school-based trainee/apprenticeship and there is not one listed in the vacancies, they can source an employer on their own who would be happy to take them on as a School-based Apprentice/Trainee.
School policy about alternative study options and reduced academic load for seniors (Year 11 and 12).
Rocky Point Rural Fire Service Pilot Program
Rocky Point Rural Fire Brigade introduced a pilot program exclusively to King's and LORDS students, seeking young adults interested in pursuing a career in emergency services or other paramilitary organisations, to join the volunteer services. Volunteer students' involvement will be limited to scheduled training exercises and planned hazard reduction burns.
This pilot presents an exciting opportunity not only for the Rural Fire Service but also for the schools involved, offering students a meaningful path into public service and emergency management. Characteristics they are looking for are critical thinkers who can remain calm and rational under pressure & students who may thrive in high-stakes, team-oriented environments.
On Thursday, 14 August, Rocky Point RFS ran an information experience for six students who elected to attend the 3-hour session. Feedback from students was positive.
Emily C. (Year 11) commented that:
"I had the opportunity to attend the RFS experience, where I learned about the application process, what opportunities are available, and the benefits of being involved. The presenters were really engaging, welcoming, and open to answering any questions, which made the experience very enjoyable. I found the session inspiring, and it gave me a clearer understanding of how I could contribute and the opportunities this pathway could open after school."
Lily R. (Year 12) expressed her enjoyment of the day:
“I really enjoyed the visit from the Rocky Rural Fire Service. I liked that we got to try using the fire hose, which was a fun hands-on experience, and I also learnt how to spell my name using the phonetic alphabet. It was interesting to see what their job involves and how important their work is in keeping our community safe”.
It is hoped that Rocky Point RFS and King’s Christian College can establish a lasting partnership where students who have a passion for emergency services can develop skills needed in the field by volunteering and serving the community while building networks.
Career-related stories
Recently, 20 students and three staff members from the Life Team had an incredible opportunity to volunteer with Connect2Home, a vital event for community members facing challenges due to the cost-of-living and housing crisis.
The Life Team aimed to give back by embodying one of our core values: serving outside the school environment. Connect2Home provided essential pathways and resources to families striving for stability, offering free clothing, food, animal services, medical care, and personal hygiene items. At the event, volunteers from Connect2Home organised us into three groups.
The first group focused on creating sweet treats like popcorn and fairy floss for attendees. Group Two engaged with the community through hair braiding, making bracelets, and face painting, fostering connections with those in need. My group, the greeters, stood at the entrance, welcoming guests and assigning wristbands to help organisers count attendees. It was eye-opening to meet individuals in need. Often, those we presumed to be doing well were the ones struggling the most. It was heartwarming to witness first-timers feeling the support and love from our Gold Coast community. I chatted with Jackie, a 70-year-old volunteer with a lively spirit. With 50 years of volunteering experience, she dedicated her time to bringing joy and smiles to others, often dressing up to entertain residents in nursing homes with her grandchildren. She wanted to lift the stress that families are facing and just have at least one moment of joy.
This experience reminded me that volunteering is not just about personal gain or enhancing our resumes for jobs or universities; it’s about helping others rediscover their joy. I am immensely grateful for this chance, and I hope to inspire others to appreciate the potential of volunteering.
If you're interested in making a moment, go joy, feel free to join us at a Life Team meeting every Thursday during Second Break in the Gallery!
The King’s Ball 2025 – A Million Dreams Await
Join us at the iconic Imperial Hotel for a night of magic, spectacle, and celebration. Dress to impress in black tie or embrace the theme with dazzling circus flair. Enjoy a decadent 3-course meal, a flowing 3-hour beverage package, and breathtaking live entertainment.
It’s set to be an unforgettable evening—where the lights shine brighter, the performances amaze, and every moment feels extraordinary. Don’t miss the show!
What's Included:
Date: Saturday 25 October 2025
Time: 5.30 pm - 11.30 pm
Location: The Imperial Hotel
Tickets: $150 per person
It’s set to be an unforgettable evening, where the lights shine brighter, the performances amaze, and every moment feels extraordinary.
You can be involved by:
