2023 KINGAROY HIGHLIGHTS #8
Principal's Message
Senior Schooling News
Year 12 students
Year 12 students are very busy working towards their Unit 4 assessment.
The school is also very fortunate to have representatives from Stanwell visiting next week. They will be discussing the possible apprenticeship opportunities at the power station but also general skills around cover letters, resumes and preparing for interviews.
From now on there is lots of information the school passes onto students regarding apprenticeship opportunities, QTAC information and general employment opportunities. All of this information is emailed directly to students so please encourage students to check their emails regularly.
Uniform
As you are aware the school does not allow metal facial piercings, particularly rings and bars. The school would like to thank those students who have complied with this policy. I would strongly encourage all students to comply so there is no risk of impact on end of year celebratory functions and events.
Homework and Time Management
Many students now have their drivers licence - a new freedom! This new freedom has to be managed to ensure students are still focussed on their school work and not spending enormous hours on the road, essentially socialising. School is still their number one job priority and to ensure success, time must be put in.
Year 11
Most Year 11 students started Unit 2 this week.
Unit 1 reports will be issued, via email, to parents/caregivers email addresses on Friday 2 June. Please take the time to sit down with your student to go through the results of the report.
Subject changes from Unit 1 to 2 can occur up until Friday 2 June -these changes can be made by meeting with either Mrs Krosch or myself.
Senior Schooling Team
Members of the team include:
Mark Freeman - Deputy Principal Senior Schooling
Leanne Krosch - Head of Department Senior Schooling
Kristy Connelly - Head of Department Health and Physical Education
Bec Zischke - Guidance Officer
Robyn Hourn - Administration
Renee Feather - Link and Launch coordinator
Please feel free to contact any member of the team if you have any concerns or questions regarding Senior Schooling.
Mark Freeman
Deputy Principal, Educational Achievement - Senior Secondary
From the Ag Department
It’s harvest time! The Year 9 students have been busy harvesting our Brassica’s which included broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. They have begun planting new crops like lettuce and silverbeet. Year 9 students are designing growing environments this term, so getting out in the garden is allowing them to apply what they have learnt in the classroom, to our outside classroom. Next week we will begin making mini-hydroponic environments.
The Cattle Show Team had another successful show, this time at home in Kingaroy! All students gave Handlers and Junior Judging competitions a red-hot crack. Congratulations to all students that competed at the show, regardless of whether they received a ribbon. Students are dedicated to our show cattle, early mornings and late nights. I’d like to remind our students that it’s not always about winning, it’s about being resilient, and making a commitment to being better than you were yesterday!
Ms Pfeiffer
Agriculture Teacher
History News
History is very much in the present for KSHS students as we ramp up for a celebration of all things old and mouldy. Year 9 students recently examined First World War artefacts, including a German bayonet and mortar shells (which had been converted into vases). Our young historians imagined themselves into the past as they asked questions about how these objects were used and who might have owned them. These imagination skills will be further deployed in Week 8 as we celebrate History Week at KSHS. Daily time-bending activities are planned, including an historical scavenger hunt and history celebrity head. Students are also encouraged to speak with history teachers during the week about the benefits of studying Senior Ancient and / or Modern History. We’re looking forward to stepping back into the past as we stride towards the future!
Michael Stevens
History Teacher
Digitrek Roadshow
On 25 May 2023, our senior students attended the Digitrek Regional Roadshow at Kingaroy TAFE.
Senior students from across the South Burnett were invited to explore advancements in technology and highlight their real world application.
Year 12 Agriculture student, Jack Thompson said he learnt more about technology in agriculture. “It was great to see the military and agricultural applications of cutting-edge technologies, and how it is progressing the industry.”
Students attended three sessions:
- Session 1: 3D AgTech Innovations Challenge. Students brainstormed ways to colonise Mars through the use of 3D printers to help build sustainable agricultural solutions.
- Session 2: Drone Racing. The Army Drone Racing Team demonstrated a series of drones that are used in combat and for fun including: the Wasp surveillance drone; 3D-printed and trick drones used for fun; and the Black Hornet 3 drone used to assist troops on the ground.
- Session 3: Drones and Machine Vision. Students learnt how cameras can be used as colour and object sensors, and potentially be used in agricultural settings to detect weeds and plants in need of watering.
“I really enjoyed the drone session because it was the most entertaining of the three,” said Year 11 Digital Solutions student, Hayden Slade.
The purpose of the roadshow was to highlight how advancing technology means that digital skills are becoming a greater part of our daily lives. There are plenty of digital technologies pathways that students may pursue and multiple real-world applications.
“I didn’t realise that we could use so much technology in agriculture. It was really interesting,” said Year 11 Digital Technologies student, Ashton Smith.
A big thank you to TAFE Queensland for organising the event and hosting our students, and to Mrs Atherton, Mr Jones and Mr Webster for chaperoning.
Senior Hospitality Excursion
This week, the four Senior Hospitality classes travelled to Brisbane to explore various aspects of the hospitality industry. It was an early morning to be down in Brisbane for a 9am start at Wolff Roasters, where the students met Ed and James, both passionate about coffee. Ed led the students in an experience of ‘cupping’ coffee and identifying flavours from two coffees, while James, the Head Roaster, explained the roasting process to the group.
Our next stop was the Hilton Brisbane Hotel. Students were split into four groups led by experienced managers from HR, Rooms and Food and Beverage areas and spent an hour touring the hotel, both back of house and front of house. The tours included the restaurant kitchen, laundry, executive lounge, hotel rooms and function spaces.
A quick stop in at T2 showed students the variety of teas available before our last tour of the day at the XXXX Brewery. Students experienced the unique smells of a working brewery, including the various hops used in the brewing process while walking around the factory and learning about the history of beer, XXXX and observing the full brewing and bottling process.
The students were fortunate enough to encounter staff in all venues who were passionate and proud of their chosen occupation and venue.
Lisa Hutton
Hospitality Teacher
Tea & Talk
The Wellbeing Team held their first Tea & Talk on Tuesday, with about thirty-five students and a couple of staff popping in for a cuppa.
Tea & Talk will run every Tuesday at first break in Keith Middleton Court. Students and staff are encouraged to come and have a cup of tea (teas supplied) and have a chat with the staff there. This may include a conversation about uni, work, subjects, wellbeing or just taking the opportunity to meet the team.
Clontarf
The Kingaroy Lions hosted local MP Deb Frecklington and Mayor Brett Otto in the Clontarf room last week. A friendly challenge of pool and table tennis took place between the officials and the boys, which created a fun atmosphere. Senior Indigenous Leader, Rowan Gordon showed both Deb and Brett around the Clontarf room and the school. We appreciate the great support from two of our local Government officials.
Michael Brown
Director, Kingaroy Clontarf
Employment Opportunities
Position Vacant – Barambah Environmental Education Centre
Barambah EEC has a vacancy for a cleaner for approx. 35 hours per week. The position is temporary for now with possibility of becoming permanent. Barambah EEC is about 30 minutes from Goomeri.
Our centre is in a beautiful forested location and we facilitate a dynamic program of outdoor learning activities for school groups who attend for both day and camp programs. Our cleaner is only required to do a single shift of cleaning each day.
For more information about the position at Barambah EEC please contact the Business Manager, Danny Welman on (07) 4168 8190 or dwelm1@eq.edu.au .
The position is available for an immediate start once required pre-employment checks are completed.
Community News
