"There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
- John 15:13
Our College held a commemorative Anzac ceremony on Friday, 22 April, ahead of Anzac Day this year. The solemn service encouraged King's students and staff to reflect on the great legacy we have received by the incredible sacrifice of the courageous men and women who gave their lives in battle for our freedom. During the Call to Commemoration, we reiterated that Anzac Day is not for celebrating war but for remembering its awfulness and devastation, as we continue to pursue peace and oppose war. We were honoured to have Retired Army Serviceman, Mr Doug McDonald, as our guest speaker this year. Mr McDonald served actively in the Australian Army for 37 years as part of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps and is currently serving as the Protocol Officer at the Mudgeeraba-Robina RSL.
Mr Russell Meyers, our Campus Principal, read the honour roll and acknowledged our King's alumni and all of the Australian men and women who are currently serving in the armed forces. As flowers and wreaths were laid at the base of the flagpole by our student leaders, our talented Concert Band played Abide with Me. College Captain, Sebastian Field, read the Ode to the Fallen and Tristan Smith perfectly played The Last Post, before a minute's silence was taken. Cayden Carrick raised our national flag, before the Australian and New Zealand national anthems were sung, ably led by our talented student vocalists. Mr Oosthuizen concluded the services by urging our community to live out the Anzac values of courage, self-sacrifice, perseverance and mateship - the character traits reflected in our King's Foundational Values.
We will remember them. Lest we forget.
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."
- The Ode | Fourth Stanza from the poem 'For the Fallen,' by World War One poet Laurence Binyon
Sport
Years 3 - 12 Cross Country Carnival
28 April 2022
King's Cross Country Carnival set it's own record this year for the number of times the event had to be postponed due to rain and flooding, and it was certainly a case of 'third time lucky!' In Week 2 of Term 2, our students from Years 3 - 12 converged on Pizzy Park to enjoy the venue's picturesque running track. Primary students persevered through a morning of showery weather and continued to give their best in each race. High School attended later in the day and enjoyed sunny conditions and a great afternoon of racing. Once again, our community gave an amazing display of House spirit throughout the day, as all students cheered on their peers and collected House points for their participation. It was also great to have so many King's parents attend and to hear their passionate encouragement, as they spurred our runners along the final 100 metres of track.
Well done to all of our Cross Country Age Champions, Record breakers, and to our athletes who have now qualified for King's APS Cross Country team! Congratulations to our House champions TYNDALE who took won both Carnivals this year!
While many of us were enjoying hot cross buns and chocolate eggs over the Easter break, a number of our talented sportsmen and women were savouring their sweet success in the sporting arena. Our elite rugby, football and volleyball teams competed in some of the top regional and national school tournaments of their kind, and their hard work and natural abilities shone through, to achieve exceptional results.
Australian Beach Volleyball Schools' Cup
The Australian Beach Volleyball Schools’ Cup (ABVSC) is delivered by Volleyball Australia and invites high-performing volleyball teams from schools across Australia and internationally to the Gold Coast for a three-day competition. King's had three teams attend this prestigious competition and our Year 9/10 Boys 4s placed First overall to be crowned Australian champions! Our Year 8 Boys 4s also had a very successful tournament, placing Second overall, while our Open Boys Pairs worked hard and finished in 8th position. Congratulations to our teams, and special mention to Byron Tolhurst who was named the Tournament's MVP!
Ballymore Cup Rugby Tournament
The Ballymore Cup is a historical key part of Queensland Rugby, involving school teams from traditional and non-traditional rugby schools across the State. In 2022, a record number of players participated, with 38 teams battling it out in the Under 13s, 15s and 18s divisions, over three action-packed days. King's sent three teams to this tournament and our Under 13s were undefeated to place First overall, scoring 48-0 in the Grand Final and winning their division. Congratulations Judah Marsden who was named MVP of the Tournament. Our Under 15s and First XV teams also had a sterling tournament, both placing Third overall. Jat White and Miracle Tangata (from our First XV team) were named in the U18 QLD Merit Team, following the tournament. Go King's!
TSS Football Tournament
Every year, TSS hosts a Football Tournament for local GPS Schools and other Grammar schools from Melbourne and Sydney. King's had two teams compete this year and our Under 18 team did exceptionally well to place Second overall against some very strong competition, while our Under 13s placed Third and finished a successful tournament for King's. Well done!
Thank you to our dedicated King's coaches, parents and support crews who gave their time and energy throughout the Easter holiday break to prepare, encourage and transport our players for these important tournaments.
Primary
Prep's Exciting Seaworld Excursion
28 April 2022
The Prep classes were so excited to visit Sea World on Tuesday, as part of their Living Things Science unit. As they dodged the rain, students explored a variety of marine animals in their habitats, including penguins, jellyfish, seals, turtles and Mishka, the polar bear, who was a definite favourite for many! They explored life beneath the ocean’s surface in the world’s largest man-made lagoon system for sharks at Shark Bay, watching Black Tip and White Tip sharks glide by, as well as majestic manta rays and lots of fish. Another highlight was the Dolphin Show, where the Prep students asked thoughtful questions and listened intently, while seeing some dolphins up close. This wonderful day out was definitely an engaging and memorable experience for all students.
A big thank you to our amazing parent volunteers who accompanied us on our excursion. These special outings would not be possible without your generous support!
Student Wellbeing
Dr Coulson Inspires Change for Good
29 April 2022
+4
We were honoured to host renowned speaker, author and television personality, Dr Justin Coulson, as a guest presenter at King's on the first day of Term 2. Dr Coulson held some engaging sessions with our Years 5 - 10 students throughout the day on a range of age-specific topics, based on his thorough research and experience in coaching young people and parents. Dr Coulson hosted a live session with our parent community from across all three King's campuses, and it was exciting to have a good turnout of parents and to see everyone engaging with questions and discussion throughout the evening. In his session, Dr Coulson shared some strategies to reduce perfectionistic tendencies in our children - and in ourselves - and offered some effective ways to encourage children to take risks, make mistakes, and become more resilient and adaptive in the face of academic, social, physical, and psychological challenges.
We recorded the session for those who were unable to make it and we encourage parents to watch this valuable presentation (available online until 21 May 2022):
Academic
NAPLAN 2024 | Important Information
5 February 2024
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 to provide additional information about student progress and information decisions about differentiation and targeted teaching in the classroom to improve future student outcomes. NAPLAN testing will take place in March this year. 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 participate in NAPLAN testing, 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 disabilities, particularly if the student regularly accesses similar support for school assessment tasks. Students may also be withdrawn from NAPLAN by their parent or carer. This is a matter of consideration by parents and carers in consultation with the school, and would require a signed withdrawal form.
If you wish to discuss your Year 7 or 9 child’s participation in NAPLAN, please contact Mrs Stephanie Kozina on skozina@kingscollege.qld.edu.au.
EQUIPMENT
Headphones
Keyboard for ipads (Year 5 & 7)
High School NAPLAN testing will take place between in the morning sessions on the following dates:
Writing: Wednesday, 13 March
Reading: Thursday, 14 March
Conventions of Language: Friday, 15 March
Numeracy: Monday, 18 March
Catch up session: Tuesday, 21 March
Catch up session: Wednesday, 22 March
For more information about NAPLAN testing in Queensland, please click on the links below:
Kai Prideaux's exceptional character and academic rigour led to Kai receiving a strong ATAR result of 91.25 and being awarded a full Hansen Scholarship to study at the University of Melbourne this year. Earning this scholarship was one of Kai's most proud achievements, along with gaining First in Legal Studies in Year 12.
"What was your favourite King's subject and why?"
- Legal Studies!! The content was so well taught by the teachers and it was an incredible subject that was interesting and relevant to our daily lives. There were so many skills that I acquired through Legal Studies that I applied to other subjects eg. referencing and essay writing skills.
"How did you manage your time and avoid distractions or procrastination?"
- My time management and organisation is probably the single thing that allowed me to achieve the results I did. I had a fastidious system in organising my study timetable, my assessments and what I needed to get done – this was so important.
"What advice would you give to the current Year 12 students?"
- My two biggest things would be to 1. Ask your teachers questions, don’t be afraid to ask for elaboration on a topic or to clarify understanding, it is what they are there for and, for the most part, all of them are happy to help – it is so, so valuable! 2. Get a good system of organising yourself. From a study timetable and assessment calendar down to a concise note taking system and revision method. It is so important that this is clear for yourself, right from the get-go.
"What was your most academically challenging time in Year 12, and what skills or practices or habits did you rely on to help you through?"
- Exams are definitely not my niche assessment – so that alone put me in a not so great headspace leading up to it. However, having a solid plan, and maintaining organisation were core to ensuring that I could complete external exams with confidence.
"What is your chosen career path and how do you think King’s has helped to prepare you for this?"
- I endeavour to become a corporate solicitor (possibly barrister). At King’s, certain teachers specifically, have taught me so much of why I wish to be a part of the legal profession, as well as providing me with a rudimentary knowledge of the law and its purpose – which has been so invaluable in determining that this is a direction I wish to go in.
There are a number of traineeships available and these vacancies are listed on King's Careers site. These change on a weekly basis as new positions become available. Students who cannot find anything that appeals to them will need to source their own employer.
YEAR 12 PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT Thursday, 28 July, 5.30pm | Southern Cross Gold Coast Campus
Southern Cross University is hosting an information night for parents to answer any questions you have about your child starting university next year. They will cover the application process, QTAC, scholarships, university costs, accommodation, and more. Canapes and refreshments included.
Throughout Bond's Open Day, guests will enjoy abundant opportunities to get to know more about the university, hear keynote presentations, take a campus tour, have one-on-one chats with experts, and much more.
UPCOMING INFORMATION SESSION Monday, 25 July | 6pm - 8pm
If you are interested in learning more about the wide range of roles available in the Navy, Army and Air Force, register for this upcoming information session and speak with current serving members to see which Australian Defence Force career is best suited to you. This will be held at their Brisbane Defence Office.
The 'Where to Next' Hub is available on CareersEvent.com, and provides an informative Careers Hub for senior students and their parents. Visit the hub for access to tertiary webinars, upcoming events and the latest news on careers and courses.
Read More From King's Careers
For a full list of events or to register for the King's Careers Newsletter, visit King’s College Careers.
Did you know that King's Reedy Creek has a dedicated Instagram account that showcases the many exciting aspects of our school life? We also have pages for our art and sports departments and our central College page: @kings_christian_college. We'd love you to follow us to support our students and see what's happening behind the scenes at King's Reedy Creek @Kings_reedycreek
