Dear Kenmore families,

Community Connections – Parent-Teacher Conversations
Our Parent-Teacher conversations for the term concluded last night, and I would like to thank families for partnering with our teachers to discuss students' progress. These conversations are an important part of the educational process, allowing teachers to share achievements and outline the next steps for each child. I would also like to acknowledge the dedication of our teaching team, who, after a full day of teaching, continue to engage with parents with professionalism, enthusiasm, and care. Their commitment to supporting each student’s development is outstanding, and we are fortunate to have such a dedicated team at Kenmore.

Ride and Walk to School Days
The Department of Education's ‘Ride and Walk to School’ initiative has been promoted this week, promoting healthier habits and reducing traffic and parking congestion. We encourage all families to participate when possible to support both student wellbeing and a more sustainable school environment.

We also respectfully ask families driving and parking in council carparks adjacent to the school and nearby streets, to please be mindful of parking restrictions and ensure they are parked in designated areas to maintain safety and minimize congestion for all.

ANZAC Day

We will be holding an ANZAC service at the school on Wednesday, 23 April, at 9:10am to honour and remember the service and sacrifice of our armed forces. We invite families connected to Defence to contribute by sending any photos or memorabilia to principal@kenmoress.eq.edu.au  for inclusion in the service. Additionally, if any Defence families would like to be involved in the service, to also email. We look forward to coming together as a community to pay our respects.

Facilities Upgrades

The Senior Amenities and Mobility Ramp projects are well and truly underway and due for completion early Term 2, improving access and amenities for our students.

Additionally, the top of the senior quadrangle will be upgraded, with new AstroTurf and enhanced garden areas, offering an upgrade to the environment for the students.

Student Leadership
Our Student Leadership team has been actively involved in organising school activities and supporting their peers. We look forward to seeing them continue to grow as leaders and contribute to making Kenmore an even more supportive and vibrant school community.

Wrap Up of Term 1 & Upcoming Events
As we approach the end of Term 1, I’d like to say thank you for the strong sense of community we’ve built this term. Our students have shown remarkable growth, and it’s been wonderful to see them engage in all aspects of school life. Looking ahead to Week 10, we have a number of events planned, including the Cross Country, the Easter Hat Parade, the P & C Disco, and our end-of-term Celebrations of Learning. Fingers crossed the weather works in our favour…

This is our last full newsletter for the term. We will continue to share celebrations of learning via the school Facebook page. We wish our school community a safe and happy holiday and remind everyone that school resumes on Tuesday, 22 April.

Kind regards,

Ingrid

125yr Anniversary – Celebrating Games from the Past

As we look toward our 125yr Anniversary in July, next Friday our end of term ‘Celebration of Learning’ will focus on games from the past. Our Year 2 cohort have been brainstorming some games that some of you may remember (check out the list below). Our students will spend some time during the day stepping back into the past participating with friends in hopscotch, elastics, hoop rolling, and many others.

Coming up in Term 2

Our annual Life Education sessions begin in Term 2 (Week 1 – 2). These sessions have a strong focus on student health and wellbeing and are linked to the Health and Physical Education Australian Curriculum. Each class will participate in a one-hour session. Please see details below of the sessions your children will be involved in. A QParents consent form has been sent to all families for this incursion.

Prep	Year 1	Year 2
Year 3	Year 4	Year 5
Year 6

Footsteps Dance – ‘Dances through the Decades’

After the success of last year’s program. We are excited to have Footsteps Dance Program back for 2025   All students from Prep to Year 6 will participate in the program which links with our schools Arts Curriculum from Week 6 – 10 in Term 2.

The program is led by Footsteps instructors and will teach students dance skills and dance routines.  As we prepare to celebrate 125 years of education at Kenmore this year the sessions will focus on ‘Dances through the Decades’. We look forward to showcasing these at our 125yr celebration in July.

Year 2 HASS: Exploring Changes in Technology

This term in HASS, our Year 1 and 2 students explored the question: How have changes in technology over time affected our lives? Through rich discussions and hands-on activities, students investigated how daily life has evolved, from communication and transport to household items and school experiences.  They posed thoughtful questions about the past, investigated sources, and made comparisons between life then and now.

A highlight of the term was our excursion to PEEC (Pullenvale Environmental Education Centre), where students became History Hunters for the day and experienced what school and home life were like before modern technology. They sat in an old-fashioned classroom, practiced writing with slates and slate pencils, and discovered how people completed everyday tasks without modern conveniences. By exploring daily routines from the past and comparing them to today, students developed a deeper understanding of how advancements in technology have changed the way we learn, communicate, and go about our everyday lives.

This unit was especially meaningful as Kenmore State School celebrates its 125th anniversary this year! Reflecting on the school’s history allowed students to draw simple conclusions about the past, recognizing both change and continuity in education and daily life. It has been a fantastic journey of discovery, and we are so proud of the curiosity and enthusiasm our students have shown!

Building Connections and Illuminating Lives at Kenmore State School

At Kenmore State School, today’s students experienced the power of giving as they came together to create solar-powered lights for those living in energy poverty. This meaningful project not only showcased their learning but also allowed them to feel the impact of kindness, knowing their education can change the world.

Through the Buddy2Buddy program, our students learned about solar technology, including how solar cells interact with rechargeable batteries and LED lights through PCB circuits. They also gained a deeper understanding of how such lights can improve lives in areas where homes lack access to electricity.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Kenmore Rotary for their ongoing support, making it possible for our students to engage in this important program. Their generosity enables our students to explore sustainable development and form international connections with neighbouring countries.

These solar lights will soon be sent to students living in energy poverty, offering them not only light but also hope. With better lighting, these students will have the opportunity for improved health and education, empowering them to care for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Let’s continue to celebrate the impact of learning and giving!

Looking forward to holidays? I know I am!  

It's usually a busy time, sometimes it's a time to relax but usually it's a balancing act. The change in routine is welcomed but does come with new tensions as we manage work, kids and extra curriculars. I always like to dream a little about what I can do to help facilitate fun as a family. I usually aim to increase my time outside too. I often sit by the trampoline and watch the kids or the clouds. It's easy to keep our busyness during the holidays, but sometimes we just need rest. I really hope that whatever your family needs is achieved. I hope it's a restful and fun time for you all.

Holidays might not be restful and fun and that's ok! It could be chaotic, challenging and exhausting. Sometimes the intensity of our term or routine bleeds into our holidays. That’s ok too. If you find that stress follows you onto your holiday, make a note of it, try to see if there is a pattern and reach out for help if you want to change it. It took me years to realise that I was creating pressure on myself to 'relax' on holidays, it made the first few days of holidays hard and it's not an easy box to tick when it is intangible. When I realised this, I was able to come up with a strategy. I give myself some menial jobs like mowing the law to balance my mood (I love the satisfaction of a mowed lawn!). It's hard to go from full steam ahead to relaxing, so I give myself a buffer zone now. As I say to my kids 'practice makes better'. It's hilarious that I have to practice doing holidays well but it's true. Routine is a strange comfort and when you don't have one it can throw you off balance. So be kind to yourself when you have an off day!  

I'm working in the first week of holidays. If you're looking for something to do, send your kids to hang out with me!  I'll be helping on Max Life Day Camp, in Forest Lake, for grades 3-6. See the below flyer for details. 

If you don't have plans for the holidays, it's always worth checking out what local camps are running. I'll usually make an effort to mention the ones I know about here. There are a few running these holidays. Checkout https://su.org.au/qld/#camps-events for details. The Outside School Hours Care (or OSHC) team have some great days out planned too.

Have a happy and safe Easter,

Astrid