2024 Kingaroy Highlights #9
Principal's Message
Hello everyone, I'm David Thomson, principal of Kingaroy State High School. Currently, I'm in the back rooms of the library as we're preparing for the release of our new device options for families.
At the moment, we have three device options available. The first is the 'Bring Your Own Device' option, where families can purchase a device and have it provisioned for use with our school's Wi-Fi.
The second option is one we introduced last year, and we now have over 400 devices leased from the school. This program allows devices to be leased with full protections, warranties, and backup services available from the school for $300 per year. This program has proven to be very popular and has significantly broadened device availability for our school. We have a suite of iPads and other devices that we're investing in to ensure equitable delivery.
Our newest program is the 'Daily Hire' program. Students will be able to go to our library and borrow a computer like a book for $2 a day. For example, a family might pay $20 and receive 10 school days where the device can be used at home during high-need times for assignments. These devices are fully mobile, provisioned with all the protections of a school-based computer and can be taken home when a computer is really needed.
We are starting this program soon, so watch this space in the newsletter and other communications for details on how families can access it. Essentially, students will come to the library, borrow a device like a book for $2 a day, and then have it available for their use. This is another exciting initiative that we have at Kingaroy State High School.
Senior School
Firstly, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Mr Maddern and I have been appointed Acting Deputy Principal, Educational Achievement - Senior Secondary. Most people will know me from being Head of Department, Technology - Design and Digital at KSHS and I am excited to be in this role and to be working with students and parents around all things senior schooling.
I would also like to pass on my thanks to Mrs Krosch and Mrs Kempson for their work as Deputy Principal, Senior Secondary and Head of Department, Senor Schooling and both will remain very active in their roles as part of the Senior Schooling Team at Kingaroy State High School
Year 12
Year 12 students are busy completing their assessments, including the final internal assessments for their General subjects and the first piece for Unit 4 for their Applied subjects and all students received a schedule of assessment for Unit 4 via email this week.
A few reminders:
- ‘A due date is a due date is a due date.’ (Mr Freeman 2018)
- Submission of a draft is vitally important.
- Failure to submit a final piece without a draft could result in an 'N' result for the assessment piece and an 'N' result overall for the subject.
- All work submitted must be the student's own work, other than that which is referenced in the task. All work submitted will be checked by your teachers for plagiarism and AI generation as part of the Academic Integrity process.
All students were emailed the External Exam timetable last week. More information about Mock Exams in Term 3 will be sent out soon.
Next week, Elevate Education will present a session to students on Success in your Exams. These sessions have been very well received in the past and often students can gain one or two very simple ideas that can have a big impact on their academic success.
Year 11
Year 11 students should have completed their subject changes by now and be well on their way in Unit 2.
The school is concerned that many Year 11 students are underachieving for a number of reasons including:
- Not enough time studying at home.
- Non-submission of drafts and/or not responding to the feedback on the draft.
- Students spending too much time on Xbox/PlayStation/Netflix/YouTube etc. This must be managed and controlled.
- Too many hours working in their part time job. This should be no more than 12 hours per week during term time - this is legislated in Queensland.
As the course chosen by the student is the student’s course, the school expects reasonable success. Without this success, students may be expected to begin Year 11 again in 2025. While this has proven to be a very successful strategy, it is the school’s preference this does not occur.
Year 11 students will also be participating in an Elevate Education session next week on study skills. This has been very well received historically and I am sure a number of students will pick up some simple and helpful hints.
Mr Andrew Maddern
A/Deputy Principal, Educational Achievement - Senior Secondary
Year 10 Subject Talks and SET Plan
The Year 10 students have been participating in Subject Selection Talks led by our Heads of Departments in preparation for selecting their subjects for 2025. Please discuss with your student their options for next year. Additionally, an Information Night will be held in the near future to provide parents with details about Year 11 subject selections.
Senior Education and Training (SET) Planning will commence in Semester 2. This plan is developed by the end of Year 10 to assist students in structuring their learning around their abilities, interests, and ambitions. Parents/caregivers play an important role in this process and will be invited to the school for an interview with a member of the Senior Schooling Committee.
Mr Steve Perrett
Deputy Principal, Wellbeing and Engagement
Year 10 Only - TAFE Taster Programs 2024
Athletics Carnival - June 20 & 21
Spectators are welcome to come along - please refer to the timetables below for an indication of when events will be run.
QParents
If you would like one of our Administrative staff to assist you in setting up your QParents account, please contact the school on 4160 0666 or enquiries@kingaroyshs.eq.edu.au to make a time to come in and complete the process. You will need to bring your identity documents and your mobile phone with you to complete the sign up.
Clontarf News
Pictured right is Year 12 KSHS Clontarf student, Rowan. Rowan travelled down to Sydney to play in the annual NSW v QLD Clontarf State Of Origin, played at Accor Stadium.
Rowan and his team played exceptionally well, with the QLD side coming away with a well earned win and Rowan scoring a well deserved try.
Michael Brown
Director, Kingaroy Clontarf Academy
Health News
Periods, Pain and Endometriosis (PPEP) Talk
Periods, Pain and Endometriosis (PPEP) Talk will be coming to Kingaroy State High School to give a 60 minute presentation to some of the Year 10 students on 11 June 2024.
PPEP Talk® is a fun, medically accurate and age-appropriate information session incorporating the modern neuroscience of pain, of benefit to all students, particularly the 1 in 4 girls and people assigned female at birth with severe period pain.
Approximately half of these girls and people assigned female at birth will develop endometriosis during their teens and twenties. PPEP Talk® provides early intervention and supports girls, families, teachers, and schools at a time when pain is more easily managed, and the life effects of pain and missed school can be most efficiently minimised.
Students who do not have pain will be better prepared for pain conditions that they may develop in the future as well as learn how best to support the people in their life with pain.
Sustainability of messaging is of importance to the Program. With this in mind, the Online PPEP Talk® Next Steps provides information to Parents and Caregivers of students who may identify with the information learned in PPEP Talk® and are wanting to learn and ask more questions in regards to this.
Selena Stevens
School Based Youth Health Nurse
Upcoming Events
Community News
EMERGENCY RELIEF - LOCAL MEAL / FOOD SERVICES
Group To Offer Free Soup
South Burnett Peace Of Mind – the group behind the annual White
Dove Ball in Kingaroy for the homeless – is ramping up its volunteer
services for winter.
Founder Rhonda Trivett told southburnett.com.au the group would
be offering hot soup and bread nightly from 6:30pm-7:30pm in
Kingaroy’s Memorial Park.
The free soup would be available Monday-to-Sunday during June,
July and August, except on the last Thursday night of each month.
On this night, the soup would be available at the Kingaroy Town
Hall Supper Room.
Rhonda said donations of warm clothes, shoes etc were also
welcome, and would be given away to the homeless. Peace of Mind
have backpack beds available for people living outdoors.
This year’s White Dove Ball is scheduled to be held on Nov 2.
For more information, contact Rhonda on 0488-110-955.
