11 December, 2019 General News

Merry Christmas

As the school year wraps up we have so many ‘thanks you’s to offer.

At last week’s Awards night, I shared my appreciation for the amazing staff at

Kin Kin. During 2019 a fantastic regional crew have supported us on our

learning journey. I have only words of high praise and admiration for

Department of Education staff. We have some of the best and brightest

professionals working for our state in education. Thank you to my entire staff

for making the difference in the lives of our kids. You truly are an inspiration. I

look forward to working with you all again next year. Next year Pam Pitt our

speech language advisor will be working in another local school. We will still

have the support of a speech language pathologist but will sincerely miss

Pam’s kind care and specialist knowledge and expertise.

I am also grateful for our P&C and wider community (volunteers, garden

helpers, Kafe’ cooks, volunteer readers, handy removalists and trusty

transporters) for the ‘ready hands’, earnest care for our school and dedication

to educational outcomes of our students and school community. It has been a

privilege working alongside each and everyone one of you in our journey to

student improvement and a happy and healthy community of learners. I am

excited by the opportunities that 2020 brings Kin Kin State School.

I have loved every minute teaching, leading and encouraging the kids at Kin

Kin. The children are the very reason that each of us are here. Our Year 6

students leave behind a wonderful legacy of kindness, warmth and

stewardship and as they journey onto the next part of their lives I wish each of

them the very best that high school and the world has to offer. Remember to

take the time to be grateful for all of the amazing privileges that come your

way…including the ups and the downs of the ‘teenage transition years’.

I am excited too, by the special faces of our new Kin Kin Preps, for these

children offer our community the next generation of learners. We can’t wait to

share our amazing school community with you in 2020.

2020 Classroom Allocations and Teaching Team

Thanks to all families who have recently returned the information about 2020

enrolments. Your information has assisted us allocate classes with accuracy.

To those families leaving us next year, we hope that the year ahead is exciting

and rewarding. Thank you for calling Kin Kin SS home over your time at the

school.

Next year we will have 3 classes. As always we await our Day 8 enrolment

numbers to finalise classes for the year, however at this stage we are

confident that these allocations will remain in place for 2020.

P-1 Ms Michelle

2/3/4 Ms Parry

5/6 Mrs Webb

DATE CLAIMERS:-

Email: admin@kinkinss.eq.edu.au

DECEMBER

Thurs 12th Break up Day at NAC

Fri 13th Last day of Term 4

UNIFORM SHOP

"Uniform Shop" will be opened near the green room the first Friday of each month commencing 6th December 8.30am - 9.30am (assembly times) where new uniforms will be available to try on & purchase.

Preloved items will be available at a donation to the P & C. More preloved uniform donations are welcome!!

2020 - Term 1 -

"Uniform Shop" opened

FRIDAY 24th JANUARY from 8.30am - 10.30am.

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Happy Birthday to !

Next year Ibu Anna will return as our Indonesian and Music specialist and Mr Tony will run the Kitchen Garden programs.

Our other specialist staff will be determined following enrolments early in the term.

If you would like any further information, please contact the office to speak with me over the next few days or the week

before school returns on 28 January 2020.

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and special Christmas and holiday season.

See you all at assembly in week 1 2020!

Louise

Claire Ethan Sienna

Taylor Tylah

Congratulations to our

STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

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Willem Kishi

Art

Bodhi

Teliah

Lachlan Sophia Zoe

William Finlay

Harvey

Sandra

It’s always a BITTERSWEET moment saying good-bye to

our Year 6 students. We are so hopeful and excited for

them as they move on, but so worried for them, too.

“Have we done enough to prepare them for the big, bad

world?” … “I should have told him/her dot, dot dot…” …

“Their next school is going to be AWFUL compared to

our little Kin Kin School; perhaps we should fail them all

and keep hold of them just a little longer???”

Well, it WAS supposed to be the last Garden class of the

year today, but a few of the students told me that if there

was no gardening next Friday, then they wouldn’t bother

coming to school!!! So there’s my Friday morning sorted!

Very sweet indeed.

We actually do do a great job getting our kids ready for

the world OUT THERE (the proof is in the pudding). The

Kitchen Garden gives them a great opportunity to get

their hands in the dirt, then wash them thoroughly to

prepare and share a community meal. Unlike so many

kids, our students know where food comes from*, the

challenges involved in getting it from seed to plate. As

well, they get an opportunity to free-range for a while,

plus understand healthy, tasty eating, They can gravitate

to the things that interest and engage THEM (whether it’s

the bugs or the chooks, the tools or the soil, or the fruit

trees, veggies or technology in the garden) And most

important, perhaps, they work in teams to solve

problems and get things done, and get exposed to a

variety of teachers and volunteers.

(*By the way, I remember talking to my city-slicker niece

when she was about 10, and she had not made the

connection that FISH – what you eat – was FISH – what

swims around in the water).

Today the Year 6 class took hold of the menu – chicken

burgers, Caesar salad and mango ice-cream – very

seasonal indeed, (unless you’re a chook of course…

NEVER the right time of year to end up in a bun). In the

heatwave we did little more than get ready for the FINAL

KAFE lunch, eg harvesting (many fresh herbs – thyme,

rosemary and basil – salad ingredients, like cucumbers,

limes etc, and flowers for the table.) I also made the

annual presentation to the graduates of a cookbook or

gardening book, and a rosemary plant.

Rosemary is the plant of remembrance and memory. Its

Latin name is Rosmarinus officinale. Whenever you see

the word “officinale” in a plant’s scientific (Latin) name,

you know it has medicinal/health benefits for us Homo

sapiens. Officinale signifies that it was a plant used by old

-time apothecaries (chemists / herbalists).

Last week was a gas, too, out in the garden. We had the

annual Careers in the Garden for the 4-5-6ers on

Thursday afternoon. So many wonderful adult helpers came

along. Each took a handful of our students and gave them

practical insights into their jobs. Sandra Dee’s mother Bec

Manson (farmer) brought baby goats, chickens, ducks and

turkeys for the kids to get up close and personal with. Bodhi’s

stepdad Trent brought tools and wood, and his group made a

complete picnic table and bench. Mechanic Phil Gee and his

group looked at a pole saw I had run over with my car and

worked out possible damage and repairs. Danni took a group

for Mindfulness and Health – giving our children the much-

needed personal tools to look after themselves. Margaret

Moon showed kids the joys of Eco-dying –the process of

taking imprints of plant parts to create wonderful designs and

patterns on paper. Peta Hood (professional photographer,

Can’t Stop Staring) worked with the girls who’ve been

photographing scenes in the garden for our prep-1s ABC

learning book. Lis Higgs (Lab technician, USC) brought along

her stuffed and preserved animals (possums, insects, snakes

etc) and described the process of making roadkill into

museum pieces. All said they loved our school, our students,

and the opportunity to get involved. And they want to do more

next year. (One of the volunteers – a qualified teacher - told

me she’d sent her kids to one of the “finest private schools in

Australia” but wished she’d sent him somewhere like Kin Kin

School. ) I certainly learned a lot from this bunch of talented

and sharing women and men, and I’m sure our kids did also.

THANK YOU TO THE PROFESSIONALS, AND ALL THE

HELPERS IN THE GARDEN, ESPECIALLY MY GARDEN

ANGELS (AKA CHARLIE’S ANGELS) LISA, ROBYN & ANNE,

who show up without fail -to keep our kids ‘off the streets’,

and our teaching staff in enough ‘downtime’ on a Friday to

catch up on some coffee and paperwork!

Go well Year 6ers. Grow well. Eat well. And know we’re

always here for you. Cheers, Keith

P.S. Stop crying Anita…you’re embarrassing your kids. Love

you too

Keith asked Natalia to produce 3 garden statues for

our garden angels (Charlie's angels only better).

Thanks Robyn Anne and Lisa, and thanks Natalia. xxx

GARDEN NEWS

FINAL FOR 2019—BITTERSWEET

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Year 6’s—Goodbye speeches

I have been here for all of my Primary School years

and I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. I have

really liked it here and am going to be very sad

when I leave.

I have liked all of the students here as they have

been very nice to me and all of the teachers for

helping me for the past seven years.

Overall I have loved this school very much and I

wish I could stay longer.

Throughout my seven years in Kin Kin State School,

I have had one of the best times of my life because

of all the amazing teachers and students guiding

me through all seven years.

So I’m going to be really sad leaving this school

and I hope I can visit again soon.

Throughout my last year at Kin Kin, I have had an

amazing time. I have met some wonderful people.

I would not be the same person today without

them.

They have really enlightened my time here along

with the teachers and other staff. I really can’t

imagine spending my Year 6 anywhere else.

Thank you Kin Kin!

Thank you Kin Kin State School. I had a great

seven years and I will miss the school and the

teachers. It has been the best years of my life and I

love everything about the school.

Thank you to Kin Kin. I have been at this school for

seven years and it has been the best years of my

life. I love everything about this school especially

the Kitchen Garden program. Another amazing

thing about this school is how friendly the teachers

and students are.

I would like to say a bit thank you to all the

teachers but especially to Mrs Webb for teaching

me for the last couple of years. I’m going to miss

this school but I’m also excited for High School.

I have loved all my years at Kin Kin and I will be

sad leaving after 6/7 years here although I am

ready to go to High School. It is a big change

from such a small school to a much bigger one.

Thank you Kin Kin State School. I will miss you all

when I go. I had great times with you all

cooking, gardening, working and helping. I had

so much fun. I will miss everyone, especially Mrs

Webb.

Wow, I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say.

But I know some words I can use to describe Kin

Kin. Prep to Year 6 here has been the best time of

my life. I learnt so much and earned so many

friends, some that I will stay friends with forever.

I had experience with the war cry, I ran for

leaderships and for years my family has been

going to this school, for example, my Nanny

worked here, my Dad went to this school and got

School Captain, my brothers went to this school

and I can’t wait to spend my last days here. I will

miss you Kin Kin State School and everyone here

dearly.

Even though I haven’t been here very long, this

was one of the best schools I’ve been to. I am

going to miss this school very much. I am sad I

have to leave this school so soon. I’ve only been

here for about a term and I already have to move

schools again!

I wish all of the Kin Kin school the best for the

future.

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Year 6’s—Goodbye speeches

Dear Kin Kin School,

I have really loved and appreciated these past two

years. I’ve learnt great life skills from the Kitchen

Garden program. Thank you Mrs Webb for your

amazing efforts and all the other teachers and

staff. I hope everyone who comes to this school

realise how lucky they are. Love

I have enjoyed my time at Kin Kin very much. I

started here in Grade 1 and the rest of the years

after that have been great. I had a great time in

Canberra in the snow. I will miss the Year 5’s. I will

miss Mrs Webb, Kearin, Ms Asheley, Mr Tony and

Mr Shaw. I hope to see everyone again from the

school.

I loved the Kitchen Garden program and also

loved playing handball in the big area downstairs.

I have made many good friends and hope to see

you all again. I would like to thank Mrs Webb

and all the staff at Kin Kin School. I will miss

everyone.

I had a great time at this school. Thank you to all

the teachers for helping me. I will miss this

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