The new school year is well and truly underway, and our campuses have been buzzing with energy as we welcome both new and returning students to King’s. It has been a joy to see our Prep students settle into life at the Prep Centre, our Year 7s begin their High School journey, and all students reconnect with friends, teachers, and learning spaces. We warmly welcome our new families and look forward to partnering with you as you become part of our vibrant College community.
The year has already begun at pace, with our Year 12 students launching their final year at camp, Primary and High School looking forward to making a splash at the Swimming Carnival, and classrooms coming alive as students get to know their teachers and peers. As we step into a year shaped by passionate learning, purposeful living, faithful love, and diligent leadership, we invite you to enjoy the highlights of these early weeks in the first edition of our College Newsletter.
Some of our Year 12 Food and Nutrition & Year 9 Food Technology and Textile Design (Food Course) students recently enjoyed an exciting and flavour-filled excursion to Tropical Fruit World, where learning truly came to life beyond the classroom.
Students had the opportunity to see, taste and learn about fruits from around the world that are grown right here on a family-owned Australian farm. The experience connected directly to their studies, giving students real-world insight into food production, sustainability, and where our food comes from.
The day included a guided tractor tour of the plantation, where students learned about farming practices and sustainable growing methods. A highlight for many was the live fruit tasting experience, allowing students to sample a wide variety of tropical fruits - some familiar and others completely new.
Overall, the excursion was a fantastic hands-on learning experience that reinforced classroom concepts, sparked curiosity, and created lasting memories.
Our Year 11 Sports Development Program (SDP) students officially began their two-year course last week and have already made an excellent impression through their positive attitude, strong effort, and willingness to get involved. Our current Year 12 cohort has started the year strongly, continuing where they left off last year.
The Year 11 SDP students participated in an engaging outdoor recreation canoeing session at Hinze Dam, focusing on water safety, teamwork, and foundational paddling skills. They have also completed a tennis coaching session centred on minor games, providing opportunities to practise clear instruction, activity organisation, and participant engagement.
The Year 12 SDP are now working off-site at Tallebudgera Recreation Centre on Mondays and Fridays for their Sport Diploma, and are continuing their coaching at Miami State School, coaching Year 2 students in a range of minor games.
Both year levels have made a very positive start to the year, and it has been great to see their enthusiasm, teamwork, and commitment as they begin and continue the program.
Congratulations to Gemma W who has been signed up in a Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care Traineeship with the Robina Riverwalk ELC. Gemma's employers said that Gemma is amazing and they said that KTTC are producing brilliant students.
Well done Gemma!
Congratulations to Eva A C who has been signed up in a Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care traineeship with Willow Early Learning at Mudgeeraba. Eva has a passion to work with children and is enjoying her work and studies. Well done Eva!
Zelri M. - Certificate III in Tourism
What have you enjoyed the most about your traineeship at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary so far?
I’ve loved how people-focused the traineeship is. Every day is different and I enjoy working with my colleagues to create great experiences for guests while meeting people from all over the world.
What’s something interesting you’ve learnt about the tourism industry or wildlife sanctuary operations?
I’ve learnt how interconnected the tourism industry is. So many different teams work together to care for the animals, support guests and keep the Sanctuary thriving. You don’t realise how connected everything is until you’re in the middle of it.
Is there a skill you’ve gained or improved that you’re proud of?
My problem-solving and quick-thinking skills have improved significantly. Even though the Sanctuary is well organised, unexpected situations still happen and I’ve become much more confident handling them on my own or with my team.
What does a typical shift look like for you?
I work in the Food and Beverage department. On Fridays, I start at 8am in the Sanctuary Café, helping set up and serve guests. At 9:20am I move to Wild Burgers, the main food hub, where I work with a small team serving coffee, meals and ice cream to hundreds of guests throughout the day. We close and clean at 3:30pm and I finish my shift back at the Café at 4:30pm.
Has this traineeship helped you understand more about your future career goals? If so, how?
I’m still figuring out my future path, but the traineeship has helped me recognise strengths I want to use in my career—working with people, problem solving and interacting face‑to‑face. The experience is helping me build valuable skills for whatever I choose next.
What’s one moment or experience that has really stood out to you?
A memorable moment was helping a guest choose which Sanctuary shows to attend. The interaction made me realise how skills from my previous role in Visitor Services continue to help me. It reminded me how much I’m learning and how grateful I am for this whole experience.
Welcome back King's Chess Families! We are incredibly excited to see all the primary students during their chess rotations and high school players during lunch breaks and APS chess trainings. Speaking of High school players, Micah Y. (Year 11) began his King's chess journey in Year 1 and, since then, has achieved what most will never accomplish in their lives. He is a Candidate Master and a Chess Champion! He has kindly written this week's chess article.
Hello, my name is Micah, I'm a chess player, and during the Christmas holidays, I went to Europe to play chess.
Chess has been part of my life since the ripe age of 6, where I was first introduced to it by none other than Steven Cooke and that big trophy that kid won for being the best player in the school (that being the King's campus in Pimpama). Thanks to my natural ability in the game and the small, growing campus, I quickly climbed the ranks, and I was the best player there by Year 3. In Term 4 Year 4, I decided to move to the Reedy Creek Campus, which features a much stronger chess environment where I could hone my skills even further.
From there, my chess journey continued, overtaking even some of the strongest high school players. Along the way, I picked up QLD titles of U8, U12, U14, and the U18 title in 2023. I had tried to get national titles but hadn't prevailed thus far. But, with the help of my coaches (and mum!), we decided that it would be an amazing experience to play overseas, so off we went to Europe.
There were many reasons we went to Spain (like meeting a friend there, improving my Spanish, and it's a nice country!), but I'll long-story short for you. I played in two tournaments there, one in Benidorm and one in Barcelona. They were very strong tournaments, and I was seeded 141st and 146th (out of 200+ people) respectively, yet I scored 5/9 and 5.5/10 getting 82nd and 81st respectively. I gained a whopping 135 rating points for my international rating, which stood at 2019.
Then, my mum and I decided that since we were in Europe already, why not go somewhere else and play another tournament? So, after thorough analysis, we chose Germany. I was ranked 44th out of 95 and I scored 6/9, gaining almost 100 rating points, winning the Under 2100s prize, and landed on 10th. Overall, an amazing outcome for me.
I got back home, and after much contemplation, I decided I would also play the Australian Junior Chess Championships in Canberra in two weeks' time. I played in the U16 division (since they count your age from January 1, and I'm born on the 13th), and I ended crushing it, scoring 8.5/9 and scoring my first Australian title (with a few bonus rating points of course)!
All in all, I had an exhausting Christmas holidays, packed with chess tournaments, travelling and sight-seeing, but I couldn't be more grateful. I give all the glory to God with what he helped me achieve. May God bless you too!
Micah Y.
If you are interested in joining the King's chess team, please contact scooke@kingscollege.qld.edu.au or CLICK HERE to enrol in after-school lessons.
God Bless
Mr. Cooke and Mr. Curtis
King's Chess Coordinator and Coaches
Last year was a smashing success in the LIFE Program, with students raising an incredible $64,000 across seven major events and many smaller initiatives. In Term 4, both Primary and High School students supported Beautiful Crazy and King’s Community Care. Students helped run a Festival Lunch, and instead of the usual donuts, families donated Christmas‑themed treats for the chance to win a voucher. Thanks to this generosity, the LIFE Team raised over $12,000 for these two charities.
Across the school, students also packed 211 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child - an estimated $6,000 worth of gifts sent across the globe to children who may not otherwise have the chance to hear the gospel or celebrate Christmas.
The High School LIFE Team also saw the impact of their fundraising firsthand when they packed ICU bags for Beautiful Crazy, a charity providing essential‑item bags to critical care units across Australia. With the funds raised, students packed 230 bags in total - 150 for children and 80 for adults.
This year, LIFE students have already hit the ground running. Meetings began on the first day of term, bringing together Years 4-12 to plan this term’s fundraisers: the You Have a Friend Tradie Day and PC Competition in High School, and the Rescue Mission Thailand Sports Day in Noah’s Ark and Primary.
Primary Rescue Mission Thailand Sports Day - Friday 27 February
Primary students can wear their favourite sports jersey and enjoy a lunchtime barbeque. Sausages, Krispy Kreme donuts and poppers will be available for purchase on the day or through Parent Portal. Last year, Primary families helped raise just over $8,000 for Rescue Mission Thailand, supporting teacher wages and providing refuge for vulnerable children. Each September, a small group of King’s high schoolers visit the mission and return encouraged by the impact they witness.
High School - PC Competition for You Have a Friend
From Week 3 to Week 6, PCs will compete to bring in the most canned food and toiletries. All donations support You Have a Friend, which provides over 300 meals each week to people in need. Last year, King’s contributed over 2,200 items plus nearly $4,000 raised at Tradie Day.
High School Tradie Day - Wednesday 4 March
Students are encouraged to dress in tradie shirts and join the break‑time volleyball competition. A barbeque will offer sausage sizzles, Krispy Kreme donuts and soft drinks, with all proceeds supporting You Have a Friend.
