2025 Kingaroy Highlights #7

Principal's Message

Hello everyone, David Thomson, the very proud Principal of Kingaroy State High School.

We're just going to do a quick little sneak preview of our new canteen. It's almost complete, so we're just at the stage where we're doing an inspection of our canteen. It is magnificent!

We were very fortunate a number of years ago, 2020, to receive a bequeathment from Des Rowe, and Des bequeathed some money to the school to help our building fund. This is one of the fantastic facilities that is now available - our new canteen.

So, our new canteen is over double in size, with a very modern format - kitchen, serving area - and then, additional to that, a coffee shop area as well.

We are just so excited to take possession of this. It’ll be ready in a week or two.

In my coming Kingaroy Highlights, you will see a completed canteen that we'll be so very proud of.

And that is another Kingaroy Highlight.

Senior Schooling

Year 11 Block Exams
The Block Exams for the end of Unit 1 run from Wednesday 21-Friday 23 May. Letters have gone home to parents and caregivers, outlining the relevant information. Students have had the exam timetable emailed to them, as well as receiving a hard copy of their individual exam timetable.

Reminder: If students want to change subjects for Unit 2, it is best to change before the exam block, so they are ready to start Unit 2 on Monday 26 May. The latest date to change subjects for Unit 2 is Friday 6 June.

RYDA
Last week, all Year 11s attended the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness program. They explored factors that contribute to road safety including mindset, using peripheral vision, maintaining vehicles, and being assertive in the face of peer pressure.  They heard firsthand stories from crash survivors and experienced a live emergency stopping demonstration from the Qld Police Service.  We give our thanks to the Kingaroy Rotary Club, QPS and all the volunteers who gave their time to facilitate this not only for KSHS students, but all Year 11 students in the South Burnett.

Year 12
Year 12 students are very busy working towards their Unit 4 assessment.

We’re fortunate to welcome representatives from Stanwell to the school soon. They’ll be speaking with students about potential apprenticeship opportunities at the power station, as well as sharing valuable tips on writing cover letters, preparing résumés, and getting ready for interviews.

From this point forward, the school will be regularly sharing important information with students about apprenticeship opportunities, QTAC updates, and general employment pathways.

This information will be emailed directly to students, so please encourage them to check their school emails regularly to stay informed.

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 driver's licence - a new freedom!  This new freedom has to be managed to ensure students are still focussed on their schoolwork 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.

Mr Andrew Maddern
A/Deputy Principal, Educational Achievement - Senior Secondary

Wellbeing and Engagement

School Refusal
School refusal is when children get extremely upset at the idea of going to school and miss some or all of the school day.

School refusal can mean that children have trouble going to school or trouble leaving home, so they might not go to school at all. They usually spend the day at home with their parents’ knowledge, even though their parents try hard to get them to go.

There are things parents can do about school refusal:

• Try to understand the issue from their child’s point of view.
• Work with teachers on getting their child back to school.
• Praise their child for brave behaviour, like getting ready for school.
• Stay calm and manage their own frustration or worries.

When children go to school, it keeps them connected with learning. It also builds their confidence and resilience, and it’s important for social development. It’s often easier for children to return to school if they haven’t been away too long.

PBL – Rewarding Positive Behaviour
Kingaroy Merit Points will continue at Kingaroy SHS, with rewards to be determined by the Student Council and student surveys. This initiative has been very well embraced by the school community. The current focus is on Responsibility.

The Student Engagement Centre (SEC)
The Student Engagement Centre has been revamped to follow a case management model. SEC is an in-school flexispace initiative designed to provide targeted support for students showing early signs of disengagement from learning. It delivers Tier 2 targeted support and Tier 3 intensive case management, helping students stay on track and equipping them for future success.

Current Programs for Term 2- ​

• Form Class- Check in process. ​
• Back on Track- Michael Stevens​
• GRIT- Jackson Mackay ​
• SHINE- Amy Stevens​
• Woman VS World- Chelsea Woodard​
• Task force- Terry ​Forbes
• Movement and Mindset- Nic Eckart

Kingaroy State High School is committed to providing increased support and intervention for your children.

Steve Perrett
Deputy Principal, Wellbeing and Engagement

FLAIR 2025

Ahoy, Mates!

2025’s spectacular voyage is set to make waves, with an exciting day show during Period 3 and 4 for students, and a special evening show at 7pm for parents and community members to embark on.

Leave your TravaCalm at home as we expect smooth sailing and plenty of talent. FLAIR is guaranteed to be oceans of fun. So, pack a life jacket (just in case the performances blow you away), and join us for a night that’s shore to be unforgettable.



STEM

Last week, we hosted a group from the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) at the University of Queensland for a visit to our Year 10 STEM class.
The purpose of the visit was to synthesise polymer nanoparticles, which will be analysed at the Centre for Advanced Imaging during the upcoming STEM camp from the 4th to the 6th of June.

These nanoparticles are part of ongoing research into polymeric nanomedicines. They are used to improve the delivery of chemotherapy drugs and to enhance imaging techniques for locating tumours in the body.

The Year 10 class successfully produced their nanoparticles, which are now ready for analysis at UQ. The data collected during the three-day STEM camp will contribute to their end-of-semester science reports.

Mr Jamie Shirlaw
A/HOD Science and Agriculture

Settling In Strong: Year 7 Shine in the Classroom and Beyond

Our Year 7 students have made an excellent start to their Term 2 journey, showing impressive focus, enthusiasm, and maturity both in and out of the classroom.

In lessons, students are fully engaged and demonstrating great behaviour for learning. Classrooms are calm, purposeful spaces where students are well-prepared, focused, and ready to learn. Teachers have been particularly impressed with the way students are using their resources effectively and contributing thoughtfully to class discussions.

Outside of lessons, Year 7 have thrown themselves into school life with high levels of participation in extracurricular activities. From sports clubs and drama to coding, music, agriculture and creative arts, it's been fantastic to see so many students trying new things and getting involved in the wider school community.

This positive start sets a strong foundation for the term ahead, and we’re incredibly proud of our Year 7 students. Their energy, commitment, and enthusiasm are a real credit to them—and a sign of great things to come.

Mrs Amy Stevens
A/Head of Department, Year 7 Student Engagement

Clontarf News

Congratulations to Year 9 student Paipi, who was recently presented with a pair of Clontarf shorts after completing an impressive 100 Clontarf training runs since Year 7 - rain, hail or shine!

Clontarf training not only builds fitness, but also fosters teamwork, resilience, and decision-making under pressure.

Well done, Paipi!

Michael Brown
Director, Kingaroy Clontarf Academy

Transition - Year 6-7 School Tour

We were delighted to kick off our Year 6-7 transition program with a fantastic turnout at our first school tour! It was wonderful to welcome so many families through our doors, all eager to learn more about what our school has to offer.

The tour provided an opportunity for prospective Year 7 students and their families to explore the school grounds, meet staff, and get a sense of the vibrant learning environment we pride ourselves on. From state-of-the-art classrooms and specialist subject areas to our well-equipped sports facilities and calm outdoor spaces, visitors got a first-hand look at the spaces where students grow, learn, and thrive.

Along the way, our guests heard about the wide range of subjects and enrichment activities available, our supportive student services system, and the many opportunities students have to discover their passions and reach their full potential.

Feedback from the tour has been incredibly positive, and we’re looking forward to welcoming even more families at our upcoming transition tour in June. It's a pleasure to share our school community and to begin building the strong, supportive relationships that will help each child make a confident and happy start to secondary school life.

From the School Nurse

E-Cigarettes aka Vaping

E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, are battery-operated devices that deliver an aerosol by heating a liquid that users breathe in.

Most e-cigarettes in Australia contain nicotine – even when the packaging says it doesn’t. Nicotine is a highly addictive and toxic drug that can harm brain development in young people and impact attention, learning, memory and changes in mood.

All e-cigarettes, even those that don’t contain nicotine, can contain dangerous substances in the liquids and the aerosol. These can include a number of known cancer-causing agents, such as:

• formaldehyde (used in industrial glues and for preserving corpses in hospitals and funeral homes)
• acetone (generally found in nail polish remover)
• acetaldehyde (used in chemicals, perfumes, and plastics)
• acrolein (commonly found in weedkiller)
• heavy metals like nickel, tin, and lead.

Health risks associated with vaping include:

• irritation of the mouth and airways
• persistent coughing
• nausea and vomiting
• poisoning and seizures from inhaling too much nicotine or ingestion of e-liquid
• burns or injury caused by an e-cigarette overheating or exploding
• nicotine dependence
• respiratory problems and permanent lung damage
• harm to the developing adolescent brain.
• Lung and heart disease
• Cancer

The nicotine in vapes is highly addictive and may also affect your mental health.

Evidence shows a strong association between vaping and future smoking behaviours. Research indicates that young people who vape, but have never smoked, are more likely to take up tobacco smoking compared to young people who have never vaped. As with smoking, being around people who vape means you can also breathe in second-hand aerosols from vapes.

Research also shows that many e-cigarette users appear to be continuing to use conventional tobacco products at the same time (dual users). Dual users may be exposing themselves to even higher levels of toxic chemicals compared to people who solely use conventional tobacco products.

If you are wondering whether e-cigarettes can help you quit smoking, your first step is to speak with your doctor – they can provide advice about suitable options to help you quit smoking.

While some people may have successfully quit smoking using an e-cigarette, the overall evidence of the effectiveness of these products as a smoking cessation aid remains limited. E-cigarette products are not ‘first line’ treatments for smoking cessation, and there are many other products available to quit smoking that are known to be safe and effective.

For more info: 

www.health.gov.au/topics/smoking-vaping-and-tobacco/about-vaping

www.aihw.gov.au/reports/smoking/young-peoples-vapes-e-cigarettes

www.quit.org.au

Selena Stevens
School Based Youth Health Nurse

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