The High School Life program is a student-led initiative and one of the practical ways King's students can serve one another and show the love of Jesus to support local and international charities. Our Term 1 High School fundraiser supported You Have a Friend - an organisation in Tweed Heads that is run entirely by volunteers who provide over 300 meals each week for homeless people and single parents fleeing domestic violence. High School's PC classes collected meals in a tin and generously contributed to our fun-filled You Have a Friend Tradie Day and lunchtime BBQ.
King’s Growing Collection of Wall Art
3 March 2023
King’s is a unique and amazing place in so many ways, and one of the things our students, staff, parents and visitors have noticed are the growing number of artworks appearing on walls around our beautiful Reedy Creek campus. We want to thank and acknowledge the amazing work of talented local artist, Andrew Payne, who has been consistently and tirelessly transforming some of our plainer spaces into bright and inspiring works of art for our community to enjoy. Mr Payne began his work at King’s around five years ago with our much-loved Noah’s Ark sculpture at the front of our Early Learning Centre, and he has grown our onsite exhibition to include detailed animals, sealife, lively characters, a full castle playground, and even a painting of King’s Executive Principal, Mr Davis. We hope you enjoy these amazing aesthetic installations as much as we do!
Student Wellbeing
Jess Dyson Speaks to Parents and Students about Body Image
28 February 2023
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King's is passionate about seeing young people thrive as we partner with College families throughout the learning journey. One of the ways we do this is by equipping our parents and students with tools to help them navigate some of life's challenges. King's free Parenting Seminars invite renowned speakers to share their research, knowledge and proven strategies, as well as answer questions from our parents. Our first Parent Seminar for 2023 took place on Tuesday, 28 February, and was hosted by Jess Dyson, an expert in mental health and wellbeing. Jess founded Redefined Coaching where her and her team provide individual coaching and group seminars. During this event, Jess shared valuable insights with parents for helping young people navigate body image, eating disorders, the impacts of social media, and practical tips on how parents can help their children increase positive self-identity. It was great to host a number of King's parents at this event and we look forward to running more seminars like this, throughout the year.
Jess also gave tailored presentations to our students in Years 5-12 throughout the week, sharing her story and providing an engaging approach to the topic of body image and identity.
Secondary
Students Apply Digital Technologies Using BBC Microbits
24 February 2023
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In our Digital Technologies classes at King's, our students gain valuable skills in critical thinking, problem-solving and creativity, while working with the latest technology in education. Our Year 7 and 8 students have been doing some exciting work this term using BBC Microbits. These pocket-sized computers are a powerful tool for teaching programming and electronics to students, and making 'wearable technologies' is a fun and engaging way to introduce them to these skills.
Our Digital Technologies teacher, Mr Elliot, began by teaching students the basics of programming and they then used the Microbit's online code editor to write and test programs. In small teams, the students built wearable projects to develop their technical skills, while improving their teamwork and communication. Once students completed their projects, they were encouraged to showcase their work to the class and create a video of their finished product. This helped them develop their presentation skills and share their creations with their peers.
These skills will be invaluable to them in their future careers. I encourage parents to their child about their experiences in Digital Technologies and to learn more about the BBC Microbits. Together, we can inspire our students to become the future innovators and leaders in the world of technology.
Mr Mal Galer Director of Digital Learning
Year 9 Practise Persuasive Speeches
2 March 2023
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In English this term, our Year 9 students have been working on their persuasive speeches. This week, the Year 9 boys' classes had a public speaking lesson in the FLS where they split into smaller groups and performed their speeches. Their aim was to convince their audience to agree with their position on a contemporary topic in the media and it was great to see them showing King's Foundational Values of courage and perseverance, as they stepped out of their comfort zones to excel in this task. Meanwhile, the Year 9 girls enjoyed an interactive lesson this week where they used Jamboard, an exciting ICT tool that allowed them to brainstorm and collaborate with their classmates on their persuasive speech ideas.
Year 10 Physical Education “Training Day”
3 March 2023
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This term, our Year 10 Physical Education students were tasked with devising a two-day recovery program to support their netball pre-season fitness session. During Week 5, they took part in an intense 'Training Day' where they completed a number of circuits and learned about recovery techniques. The training day leads into their assignment, where they will evaluate the effectiveness of their devised recovery program by focusing on two recovery methods that best reduce fatigue and optimise recovery.
Every student did an amazing job on the day. Miss Green and Mr Trengeza were very impressed with how students applied themselves, worked as a team and put a lot of thought into their recovery plan. The ice baths gave students an insight into cold therapy and a chance to cool down after working up a sweat. Well done Year 10 PE and thank you to the teachers who assisted on the day!
Supreme Court Library Excursion
23 February 2023
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On Thursday, 16 February, the Year 12 Legal Studies class visited the Queensland Supreme Court Library in Brisbane to conduct research for the current IA2 Inquiry Report task. During the excursion, the class attended a session about legal research skills specific to investigating an aspect of the law requiring legal change. The session provided students with access to highly relevant cases and books only available on-site, which were invaluable to the current assessment task. We all had an amazing time and are grateful for this opportunity to visit the Supreme Court Library.
Rebecca Webb - Year 12 student
King's Hosts Swift Student Coding Challenge Workshop
2 March 2023
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The Swift Student Coding Challenge workshop, facilitated by Mr Daniel Woo, took place at King's this week and focused on the exciting world of app development. Rather than simply teaching the group of Year 10 students about the technical aspects of coding, the workshop took a unique approach that emphasised the importance of design thinking. The Swift Student Challenge is an annual event hosted by Apple Inc. as part of their Worldwide Developer’s Conference, where they showcase the work of student developers. As an Apple Distinguished School, we had the privilege of hosting Daniel for this valuable workshop.
Through the design thinking process, students were encouraged to think creatively about their app ideas and to consider the needs and desires of their target audience. As they worked on their designs, they were asked to critique and refine their ideas, using their technical skills to bring their vision to life. Throughout the workshop, Mr Woo provided valuable insights and practical advice on the technical aspects of coding, but always within the context of the design process. For example, when discussing user interface design, he emphasized the importance of creating a seamless user experience that would make the app easy and intuitive. Similarly, when discussing coding best practices, he stressed the importance of writing clean and efficient code that would not only work well but also be easy to maintain and modify as needed.
In the coming weeks, students will have the opportunity to take the ideas they gained from the workshop and further develop them with the help of Mr Woo. During these follow-up sessions, Mr Woo will work closely with the students to help them turn their app designs into reality. He will guide them through the coding process, offering practical advice and technical support to help them overcome any challenges they may face along the way.
Primary
World Peace Game at King's
23 February 2023
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Our Deputy Head of Primary, Mr Wilson, is a trained and experienced facilitator of the World Peace Game. This hands-on political simulation game gives players the opportunity to explore the connectedness of the global community through the lens of an economic, social and environmental crisis, with the imminent threat of war. The goal is to extricate each country from dangerous circumstances and achieve global prosperity with the least amount of military intervention. Students are grouped into different nations, and during the game they gain a greater understanding of the impact of information in leading decisions.
Throughout Week 5 of Term 1, Mr Wilson ran the unique World Peace Game simulation with a group of Year 6 students. It was exciting to see our future leaders develop critical thinking skills as they analysed the information they received; effective problem-solving strategies as they worked through various scenarios, and increased collaboration and communication as they worked in teams to pitch their strategies.As one of only a few facilitators of this game in the world, Mr Wilson will be running the World Peace Game with other year levels during the year.
If you visit King's Primary Art room on any given day, you will find a contradictory mix of serene ambience amid the chaos of creative mess. From raffia twine, to wet plaster, colourful fleece, and paint in all hues of the rainbow, Mrs Wendijk has created a classroom space that inpsires imagination and quiet reflection as students focus on their creative masterpieces. Our Primary students' Term 1 artwork (described below) will be on display at our Easter Fest event, and our young artists are excited to showcase their finished creations for family and friends.
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Year 3
Year 3 students dreamed up and drafted their designs in pencil of their fish sculptures and have been working hard in art class to bring these 3D plaster gauze fish to life.
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Year 4
Year 4 students have become illustrators this term and made the missing page for “Fox” by Margaret Wild and illustrated by Ron Brooks. Students have made a textured background using tissue paper and PVA glue and now using acrylic, creating blends to represent the sky and ground. They have been studying perspective and colour. They also have been looking at sketching and the process using lines and shapes. They studied proportion and drew “dog” from the book “Fox.”
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Year 5
Year 5 students have been inspired by the Indigenous people known as the Tjanpi weavers in their art classes. They have been creating raffia and yarn birds and are now considering the enhancement colour can put on specific areas of their birds.
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Year 6
Year 6 have become traditional cloth makers and are making their own felt from fleece. They have been making organic felt bowls using the fleece to craft the coloured blends and create the form of a bowl shape. They are in the process of highlighting the impact of ghost nets on our marine life.
Performing Arts
Year 4 Instrumental Music Program Launches for 2023
28 February 2023
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Studies have shown that learning to read and play music helps students improve proficiency in mathematics, reading and cognitive development, and second-language development skills. It also helps increase self-confidence as students perform for an audience, as well as other benefits that come from using the creative brain. That is why at King's, all Year 4 students receive a school instrument and have weekly music lessons as part of our enriched curriculum. The cohort have begun the year learning new skills on their orchestral instruments. Each week, they enjoy a small group lesson before getting together in the larger instrument-based ensemble groups, called ‘Sectionals.’ Instrument groups include Upper Strings (Violin and Viola), Lower Strings (Cello and Double Bass), Flute, Woodwind (Clarinet and Saxophone), Brass (Trumpet, Trombone and French Horn) and Percussion. In Term 2, these groups will come together to form two large ensembles of Strings and Band and at the end of the year they will perform to a large audience of parents and friends for a celebration concert.
Sport
King's KM Club Promotes Fitness Fun
28 February 2023
This week we launched the inaugural King's 'KM Club Challenge'. It was wonderful to see so much enthusiasm and energy with over 120 students running and walking around the oval to improve their fitness and gain House points. Our KM Club will continue each Tuesday and Thursday during First Break, this term until Week 9. All students in Year 3 - 6 are encouraged to join in the fitness fun. Parents can sign up their child using this KM Challenge Registration Form.
Careers
Introducing our 2023 Pathways Team
2 March 2023
King's is excited to introduce our 2023 Pathways Team. This dedicated group of professional staff are passionate about helping High School students navigate their academic journey and plan for their career aspirations. Together, the new Pathways Team provides substantial resources and support to our students to propel them into their future endeavours. Students are encouraged to make an appointment with the relevant staff member for the following advice:
The Careers Team
Ms Venessa Lean - Dean of Academic Development - manages all subject changes and guides students through selecting the courses that align with their interests and career goals.
Mr Mathew Ruben - Academic Performance Advisor - helps ensure students are reaching their full academic potential. He works with students to identify areas where they can improve and supports them to excel in their studies.
Mrs Kerry Bull - Careers & Pathways Advisor - helps students with decisions about their future pathway to university, into traineeships, apprenticeships or jobs. She provides guidance and advice on the various options available so they can make an informed decision about their next step.
Miss Tanya Gillies - VET Coordinator - oversees VET program pathways and supports students in applying for traineeships, certificates and/or diplomas, providing end-to-end support.
Contacting the Careers Team
Students can make an appointment with any of these staff members, by speaking to King's Administration team at the High School office.
Easter Fest 2023 is an incredible event for our College community and will be the perfect chance for King's families and friends to celebrate our student's musical and artistic talents while enjoying festivities for all ages. This year's event is themed Ransom and Rescue andwe look forward to this special community celebration on Tuesday, 28 March from 5pm - 7.30pm.
Easter Fest Highlights will Include:
Student musical performances
An Easter scavenger hunt
Food trucks with a range of cuisines
An art activity, hosted by special guests from HOTA
Art exhibitions
King's Student Film Festival
Fun for the whole family!
We look forward to welcoming you to King's for Easter Fest 2023, as we come together as a community, to reflect on the Easter message. More information will be shared via Compass in the coming weeks.
Easter Fest Short Film & Animation Competition
1 March 2023
King's is excited to invite all budding student filmmakers in Years 6-12 to enter our Easter Fest Short Film & Animation competition. With great prizes up for grabs and the chance to have your entry aired to a large audience at our Easter Fest event on March 28, this is a great opportunity to get behind the camera and put your videography skills into practice. Students may work individually or in groups and all completed entries must be in by Friday, 17 March. Find out more about how to enter, or view a finalist from last year, via the links below:
The National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will take place in March this year and is designed to provide regular data on student achievement in the areas of literacy and numeracy - essential skills that each child needs to succeed. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in NAPLAN tests for reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation), and numeracy.
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 inform decisions about differentiation and targeted teaching in the classroom to improve future student outcomes.
PARTICIPATION & 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.
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
Headphones
Keyboard for iPads (Years 5 & 7)
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 for withdrawal or adjusted conditions. If you wish to discuss your child’s participation in NAPLAN, please email:
High School NAPLAN testing will take place in the morning sessions on the following dates:
Writing: Wednesday, 15 March
Reading: Thursday, 16 March
Catch-up session: Friday, 17 March
Conventions of Language: Monday, 20 March
Numeracy: Tuesday, 21 March
Catch-up session: Wednesday, 22 March
FURTHER INFORMATION
Later in the year, you will receive your child’s personal NAPLAN report describing their particular skills 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:
Our Year 12 students had the opportunity to hear from Queensland Universities at our University Showcase held in the auditorium during Week 6. The valuable event welcomed representatives from 10 universities who shared more information about various aspects of university such as accommodation options and fees. King's parents will have a similar opportunity to ask questions of Universities at our King’s College Career Festival happening on Wednesday, 24 May. More details will be communicated via Compass in the coming weeks.
Traineeships Available
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 are encouraged to source their own traineeship employer if there is nothing on the list that appeals to them.
Students in Years 10 and 11 can apply for external study options to enhance their career options. Students need to ensure they have good time management skills to cope with the workload.
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 our High School and Primary School Art Departments have Instagram accounts showcasing the many beautiful artworks created by our talented students? Please feel free to follow @kingscollegeart and @kingscollegeprimaryart to support our students and enjoy the visual stories from King's young artists. You may also like to share these with your family, friends and age-appropriate children!
