The Bee's Knees, Term 3, Week 10 2025

What's On

Student of The Week Awards

From The Junior School Principal

As we bring this term to a close, it’s a wonderful opportunity to pause and reflect. Schools are busy places, full of energy, learning, and constant movement — and it is only by taking a breath that we can truly appreciate how much has been achieved together.

At Kelvin Grove, we are reminded daily that wellbeing is at the heart of learning. When our students feel safe, supported, and valued, they are free to thrive both in and beyond the classroom. This term, I have been inspired by the small, everyday acts of kindness I’ve seen across the Junior School — classmates helping one another, staff going the extra mile, and parents quietly volunteering time to support our community. These moments matter. They shape not only the culture of our college, but also the character of our young people.

I would like to express my appreciation to our staff for their professionalism, care, and unwavering commitment to our students. To our parents and carers, thank you for your trust and partnership. It makes all the difference to our students who are the reason we do what we do.

Research consistently highlights the benefits of quality family time, and with spring now upon us, there is no better season to reconnect. Strong connections with loved ones foster emotional security, improve mental health, and build resilience in young people, while shared activities strengthen children’s wellbeing and contribute to improved educational outcomes (Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2021). Evidence also shows that time spent in nature reduces stress, lifts mood, and restores attention — all of which are vital for both adults and children. Whether through family walks, outdoor play, or simply enjoying the sunshine, these experiences help children return to school with greater focus, improved relationships, and a stronger readiness to learn. The gift of time together, especially outdoors, is not only restorative — it is a powerful foundation for academic success in the term ahead.

Importantly, research by Professor John Hattie reminds us that positive connections between home and school have a high effect size (0.51) on student achievement. This means that strong, supportive relationships between parents and teachers significantly boost student outcomes. As we head into the final term — traditionally one of the busiest times of the year — refreshing these relationships ensures our students are surrounded by consistent encouragement and high expectations both at home and at school. With this united effort, our young people are best placed to achieve their personal best.

As we enter the holiday period, I encourage everyone to power down to power up: rest well, enjoy time with family and friends, and take care of yourselves. In doing so, we return refreshed and ready for the next chapter of our learning journey together.

On a personal note, I will be taking a short break with my family at the beach during the first week of Term 4 to enjoy some time outdoors, recharge, and perhaps even get a little sand between my toes. During this time, Mr Allan Tharenou will serve as Acting Junior School Principal. I know the Junior School will be in excellent hands under Allan’s leadership, and I look forward to returning in Week 2 renewed, sun-kissed, and ready for the busy and exciting term ahead.

Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable break.

Warm regards,
Jordan Burke
Junior School Principal

From The Deputy Principal Prep - 2

Our Learning

Year 2 Geography Incursion: Our Year 2 students were lucky enough to welcome visitors from the Brisbane Urban Environmental Education Centre for the ‘It’s a Small World’ incursion in Week 7. Within their classrooms, students deepened their understanding of connections to places in Australia and around the world through  mapping, graphing and writing about their connections to a special place. We are so proud of our Year 2 learners and how they enthusiastically engaged with our visitors.

Literacy Spotlight:

Our Year 1’s have been incredibly busy book worms this term within their English units where all classes read and understood the narrative structure to some of their (and all of our) favourite books including The Very Cranky Bear, Possum Magic, Koala Lou and Peggy. From their reading and understanding, they have demonstrated their learning through the written recount genre where they identify characters, settings and events in narrative texts all while experimenting with ranging sentence types.

Events

Book Week Celebrations: Kelvin Grove came alive on Friday of Week 6 where students and staff transformed into characters from some of their favourite books. We are so grateful for the parents who were able to join the festivities for our assembly in the morning and hope your students came home to share the literature fun that was had throughout the day. We were so appreciative of the sunshine we were given, shining as bright as our wonderful Librarian (turned tooth fairy) Ms Parslow who works tirelessly in making Book Week so special.

11 and 12 Drama in Practice Year 2 Performance: Our Year 2 Students had the pleasure of being courteous and engaged stage production spectators for our KG Senior Students who performed “The Gruffalo” and “Emily and the Dragon” in our Junior School Hall in Week 6. Students giggled and gasped while watching familiar stories come to life and shared utmost gratitude towards the senior performers, a true reflection of the routines and practices the Year 2 teachers instil in their learners.

All information on these sessions and Enrolment Meetings come direct from our Junior School Enrolment Officer, contactable at:  jsenrolments@kelvingrovesc.eq.edu.au

Year 1 Spark Lab Excursion: Parents and carers of Year 1 students are reminded to provide approval for their students participation in next terms exciting, immersive science excursion at the QLD Museum Spark Lab taking place on the 14^th of October. Permission is required through Qparents, with invoicing and further information to come once approval has been provided. If you have any questions on the logistics of the day or gaining approval for your student to attend please don’t hesitate to notify your students classroom teacher.

This term the Year 1s have been working on a collage unit in Visual Art with Ms Kingston. They have done some stunning representations of flowers using their clever fine motor skills to cut, glue and design these vibrant results. Well done Year 1!

Artwork by Yoona 1G, Eelin 1G, Harriette 1R, Quyen 1R, Charlie 1F, Bella 1LS and Aleena 1R

This will be my final Bee’s Knee’s article as I head off on Maternity Leave early Term 4 with my soon to be born little boy. I want to extend my utmost gratitude to all the families and students I have had the pleasure of working with during my time in the Junior School over term 2 and 3. This period of my career has truly shown me the love students have for learning, how adaptive, resilient and enthusiastic they are and how that the pride they have in being Kelvin Grove students is contagious. Your very own little learners have taught me so much about myself, my professional career but most importantly, to lead with zest for life and fun! The Junior School is an incredible place, filled with staff members who make magic happen daily; it has been an honour to be part of the magic.

Sasha Hemsworth
Deputy Principal 

From the Deputy Principal Year 3-5

Term 3 has been full of amazing student achievements and wonderful events that all make Kelvin Grove Junior School such a unique education institution.

The Year 3, 4 and 5 students and teachers participated in a variety of events:

• Book Week
• Father’s Day Stall
• Year 12 Buddy Program
• Year 6 Transitions
• Gala Music Concert
• Brisbane Active Roar Football
• Chess Club and more

Thank you to everyone who makes these events happen and thank you to the dedicated staff in Years 3, 4 and 5 who along with our Specialist Teachers and Teacher Aides do such a fantastic job each day inspiring our students to learn.

Staff Farewells

Goodbye to Mrs Dougall as she takes time off to have her baby and start her own family.

Arrivederci to Prof Scatizzi who is moving interstate to be with her family. Your commitment to Italian at our school has been inspiring.

You will both be missed.

Looking Ahead to Term 4 

Exciting activities planned for next term include:

• Year 4s begin their formal school captain application process
• Year 5s competing in the Primary Schools Cup Volleyball Competition
• Year 3s participating in their first school swimming carnival
  

I hope you all enjoy the 2 weeks away from school, stay safe and I look forward to seeing you all in Term 4.

Allan Tharenou
Deputy Principal 

From the HOD of Inclusion

Building Strong Foundations: Prep Students Exploring Reading & Writing through Phonics

As part of our tiered response to intervention, Prep students have been engaged in a rich and targeted literacy program focused on building strong foundations in reading and writing.

A key focus this term has been on phonics, helping students develop an understanding of the relationship between letters and their sounds. This is a vital step in supporting our youngest learners to become confident and capable readers and writers.

Using hands-on materials such as magnetic letters, sand trays, chalk, and letter tiles, students have explored these concepts through engaging, multi-sensory experiences that help make abstract ideas more concrete and memorable.

All activities are tailored to individual needs, ensuring every child receives the right level of support or challenge to grow in their ability to decode (read) and encode (write) words.

We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm, progress, and resilience our Prep learners have demonstrated in their learning this term. With every sound they learn and every word they write, students are building the essential foundations for future literacy success.

Jodie Beaton
HOD of Inclusion in the Junior School 

From the P & C Association

No More U-Turns at Edge Early Learning Driveway

Effective: Term 4, 2025

Starting from the beginning of Term 4, drivers will no longer be able to make U-turns through the Edge Early Learning driveway on L'Estrange Terrace because bollards are being put in place over the next two weeks.

This change is being made to help keep children, families, and staff safe, and to help traffic move smoothly around the college.

We kindly ask all families to plan their drop-offs and pick-ups accordingly and to use the roundabouts when turning around.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us keep our community safe.

Activities