Newsletter

Important Dates 2024 - Reedy Creek

Always refer to the Compass Calendar for more events and the most up-to-date event information.

Message from our Deputy Principal

Welcome back to Term 2! I reflected on some of the recent activities I was a part of that illuminate our College culture and give our students the unique opportunity to enjoy here at King's. From a meaningful Roma Mission Trip, embodying service and community, to a poignant ANZAC Service honouring our nation's heroes, and a transformative PURSUIT workshop by Billy Graham Ministries, our students have many unique opportunity to learn, grow, and lead with purpose. Let us unite in gratitude for our blessings as a Christian school community, and as a nation.

King's Anzac Ceremony 2024

Our College commemorated Anzac Day with a solemn service on Wednesday, April 24, preceding the national holiday. The event was an opportunity for King's students and staff to pause and honour the profound legacy of the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom. Our College Captains reminded us that Anzac Day is not about glorifying war but rather about solemnly reflecting on its harsh realities, while steadfastly advocating for peace.

This year, we were privileged to welcome Mrs Michaela Roberts, a retired Army Servicewoman and fourth-generation veteran, as our guest speaker. Mrs Roberts shared insights from her 11 years of service in the Navy, including six years at sea and extensive involvement in operational duties such as humanitarian aid missions. Today, she continues her service as a veteran advocate, assisting discharged veterans with their transition back to civilian life and ensuring their medical and compensation needs are met. Campus Principal, Mr Russell Meyers, paid homage to our King's alumni and current Australian Armed Forces members. Student representatives and senior staff laid flowers and wreaths at the foot of the flagpole, accompanied by a moving rendition of 'Lead Kindly Light' performed by our Concert Band. Alisha Holmes recited the Ode to the Fallen, followed by Jacob Aspinall's poignant rendition of The Last Post, leading into a moment of silence. The service concluded with Mr Zoltan Vincze, returned serviceman and King's teacher, hoisting our nation's flag while our talented student vocalists sang the Australian and New Zealand national anthems. Mr Taylor's closing remarks echoed the enduring Anzac values of courage, self-sacrifice, perseverance, and mateship, which are integral to our King's Foundational Values, urging our community to embody these virtues in our daily lives.

We will remember them. Lest we forget.

King's Captains also represented our College at our local Mudgeeraba Anzac Dawn Service and they shared their reflections below:

ANZAC Day 2024 was a day to remember. It was a day of reverence and a day of reflection. We know our connection to this day, and what it stands for, so as a school when we came together from prep through high school, there’s no denying the sense of occasion. During the service, many students were able to pay their respects by partaking in various areas of it. A pair of students from each year level were given the opportunity to represent their cohort by the laying of flowers in honour of our fallen soldiers. But the King’s community didn’t stop there, as students joined their families and jumped in on their traditions the very next morning, a group of student leaders experienced a new tradition, one King’s has been supporting for quite some time. We were able to attend the Mudgeeraba RSL dawn service on behalf of the student body and lay wreaths, remembering the sacrifice and service of the brave men and women who have lost their lives serving this country in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. It was excellent to see Pastor Bill Laver address the service as the Chaplain with a moving rendition of Amazing Grace. The heartfelt service stood as a reminder of the price of freedom and left its lasting impact on each of us, offering a sense of respect and gratitude. - Kari

This year's Anzac Day events were definitely a notable experience for me and my fellow executive leaders. The King’s Anzac commemoration service was once again an enlightening and memorable experience. It is always a good opportunity to be able to respect and commemorate the efforts of service men and women past and present, and to hear different stories and recounts of the tactical push attempted by the ANZAC Corp at Gallipoli. This year's service was personally memorable as me and my fellow leaders had the opportunity to direct younger grades representatives in laying flowers and paying respects personally, as well as having the opportunity to watch our College Captains Byron Tolhurst and Emily Muller, as well as year 12 representatives Matthew Sealey and Kayla Foster make an address in front of our college. King's Reedy Creek Campus Principal, Mr Russell Meyers, also made an address in honour of the ANZACs and expressed the respect they deserve. Following the King’s Anzac service, me and my fellow executive student leaders, in addition to Mrs Lucy Batt and Mrs Karley Lonsdale, all attended our local dawn service on the morning of the 25th at the Mudgeeraba memorial site. We heard riveting words from families of fallen soldiers and local pastors, then had the opportunity for each student leader pairing to lay a wreath and pay our respects personally and formally. Overall, the Anzac commemoration events were an experience to remember and a great opportunity to experience. - Will

Rayleigh Triumphs at 2024 Cross Country Carnival

King's celebrated another successful Cross Country Carnival last week, marking a historic first with the event taking place in the scenic setting of Albert Park in Broadbeach Waters. Under the backdrop of clear blue skies, our runners showcased their prowess on the new course, delivering exhilarating performances throughout the day. The morning saw our spirited primary students from Years 3 - 6, tackling the course with enthusiasm and determination. Following suit, our High School students took to the track in the afternoon, demonstrating their dedication and preparedness for the event.

Amidst the cheers and camaraderie, students from all Houses displayed King’s spirit, earning valuable House points for their participation. Parents also turned out in force, providing unwavering encouragement as students crossed the finish line. Congratulations to Rayleigh House for their outstanding efforts in being crowned our 2024 Cross Country champions in both the High School and Primary School competitions. Well done!

King's Transformative Mission Trip to Roma

In the Easter School holidays, King's embarked on a mission trip to Roma for a week-long journey of service, faith, and community engagement. Accompanied by teachers and chaplains, 22 of our Year 12 students made a meaningful impact on the Roma community, under the guidance of Ps Shane Wallis and the local team from Life Church. The mission trip proved to be an overwhelming success as students immersed themselves in various activities that enriched the local community and their own spiritual growth.

Highlights of the trip:

• Kool Kids Fun Day: Led by Yosua Hales and Zoe Taylor, King's students organised a day of joy and fun for children in the Roma community. Through games, crafts, and storytelling, they fostered a sense of community spirit and left a lasting impact on over 30 children and their parents.
• Leadership Workshop with Glenn Miles: Renowned leadership expert and King's staff member, Glenn Miles, imparted invaluable skills to students and community members, empowering them to become effective leaders in their schools and communities.
• King's Kulture Youth Gathering: Through music, competitions, and preaching, students engaged with local youth, forming genuine connections and friendships centred on faith and personal development.
• Hosting and Serving at Life Church Service: Students contributed to the spiritual enrichment of the congregation through worship, prayer, and sharing of testimonies.
• Sharing at the Church of Christ, Roma: A small team of students and staff enriched the congregation through prayer and sharing of testimonies, embodying the spirit of compassion and service.
• Refurbishing Life Church Cafe Furniture: Students enhanced the ambience of the Life Church Cafe, creating a welcoming space for fellowship and community gatherings.
• Painting and Cleaning Church Facility: By volunteering their time and energy, our students contributed to the upkeep and maintenance of the church facility.

The success of the Roma Mission Trip 2024 is a testament to the dedication and support of our teachers, chaplains, and mentors. As we reflect on this transformative experience, we look forward to future mission trips, continuing our partnership with Life Church and the Roma community, and nurturing the next generation of compassionate and purpose-driven leaders.

Students Enjoy First Glimpse of Council

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A small group of our Year 10 and 11 student leaders had the incredible opportunity to sit in the council chambers, alongside Mayor Tom Tait, to participate in the Junior Council at the Gold Coast City Council offices last month. The Junior Council team extended a warm welcome to our King's representatives and gave our students a very memorable experience. Throughout the day, they were actively involved in workshops where they had a chance to discuss current issues in our local community. Our students were able to showcase their problem-solving skills by developing initiatives to enhance our Gold Coast community. This was an enriching learning experience and a great avenue for young people to think creatively about making positive change. Our students also enjoyed the chance to interact with other schools and build long-lasting connections during the event. It was heartening to see them step out of their comfort zones and engage in meaningful dialogues with the wider community. Our students demonstrated an impressive level of maturity and professionalism during their visit and are now eager to apply what they've learned to school projects. King's staff were so proud to see our students represent our College with such grace and humility.

We look forward to our next Junior Council meeting as King's becomes more involved in this valuable initiative throughout the year.

Ms Lois Birch
High School Teacher

Prep Students Experience the Marine World

This term, our Prep students have been exploring the wonders of God's creation in a unit called "Creation - Our Marvellous World." As part of this unit, our teachers arranged a special visit from Ocean Life Education on Thursday, April 18, at the Prep Centre. During the visit, the students had the opportunity to get up close and personal with live marine animals, participate in hands-on activities, and learn about these incredible creatures in an interactive and engaging way. This exciting experience deepened the students' understanding and appreciation of God's creation while inspiring a lifelong love for marine animals and the environment.

Unforgettable NZ Trip for our First XV

At the start of the Easter school holidays, King's First XV Rugby team took a trip across the Tasman to face some fierce New Zealand teams, ahead of their Ballymore Cup and APS competitions. Over the week-long tour, the boys grew closer as a team and played some amazing rugby. They competed against St Andrews College, a Christchurch Rugby Club invitational team, and Shirley Boys High School, and their performances continued to improve after each match. Alongside the games, they also enjoyed some incredible experiences off the field, including rafting at Hamnar Springs, exploring the city of Christchurch, immersing in the atmosphere at the Crusaders vs Chiefs Super Rugby Game, and developing their skills in a session with Christchurch Rugby Club. Read our coaches’ daily reports from the trip:

We started very well; we managed to phase quite well on the attack, which is something we have worked hard on improving; however, I feel our defence was what really put them under pressure at the start, and we managed to keep them pinned in their half for the majority of the first quarter. Up front we were dominant, with our set piece starting to become a real strength for the boys as they start to gain confidence and self-belief in their ability,they are starting to provide a very solid platform for our backline. Speaking of our backline... Today they were very impressive.There is a huge amount of talent amongst them and the challenge has been trying to gel them to work together, which I believe they did today for the majority of the match, creating plenty of try-scoring opportunities and capitalising on many of them. We were dominant for the majority of the game,we were up 20 - 5 going into the last 10 mins. Our opposition had the luxury of fielding close to a new fresh team each quarter which I think took its toll on the boys in the end. To the boys' credit, they didn't give an inch and they did not use this as an excuse, we battled hard and came up a little short at the end. You should be very proud of them and their effort today, they have definitely gained the respect of the local crowd and opposition players with how hard and how clean they played. There will be some very sore bodies in the morning, so rest, recovery and hopefully some good food choices will be crucial leading into our next match which won't get any easier.

Shannon

We earned our post-match Hangi today! It was a very physical encounter, especially up front! The opposition had a good set piece and some great scrummagers who put us under a lot of pressure at scrum time, which was a great learning experience for the boys, and the lessons learned will be valuable heading into the Ballymore Cup. The game had a lot of momentum shifts between both teams, I felt the boys had the upper hand in the first half and their fitness level helped them to play up-tempo and fatigue a bigger team. We maintained that pressure throughout the second half and kept ahead on the scoreboard, however, a late try-scoring surge from them and some hard direct running saw the scores level going into the last few minutes. Both teams gave everything into the pursuit of claiming the victory, but in the end, the game concluded in a 19-all draw. Opposition coaches selected their deserved players of the day Taz for the backs and Xavier for the forwards. The last game versus Shirley Boys is up next, we'll keep working towards a win!

Mai Phillips

A tale of two halves

Shirley Boys started the game fast, attacking our edges and finding cracks through our soft defence. The first half was one to be forgotten with 5 tries placed on us, to our 1. There were a few positives to take away, with our set piece holding strong but we failed to maintain any possession and gain many attacking opportunities. We were also hamstrung by 2 yellow cards off penalty tries, leaving us down on the scoreboard 33-7 going into halftime. The battle became internal, forwards and backs struggling to see eye to eye and a comeback fading.
A regroup at halftime allowed the boys to regroup and make a tough decision, stop being individuals and fight for the team. The belief was there as everyone regrouped with a common goal - play for each other, be patient and the result will follow. As the second half began, we started winning scrum and line-out turnovers, giving us momentum. Patience was needed, to not look at the scoreboard or time, but to claw back the game, play by play. As the boys found momentum, the game broke open, scoring 4 unanswered tries, 2 of the tries in the last 5 minutes. The comeback was complete, with a final score of 35-33. The boys were overjoyed with the win, leaving our New Zealand trip on a high. Opposition coaches selected their players of the day. Kobi Nouanrasy for the backs and Spencer Mitchell for the Forwards. It has been a great tour for our 1st XV Boys and we thank everyone for their support. 

Mai Phillips

King's State Swimming Success

The QLD School State Swimming Championships was held in the last week of Term 1 and 12 students from King's qualified to compete for South Coast, with 10 athletes securing top positions and qualifying for Nationals. Congratulations to our talented students for competing in this prestigious event and achieving the following exceptional results:

• Knox Anderson clinched third place in the 200m Freestyle (qualifying for Nationals)
• Danny Baxter won Gold in the 400m Freestyle and 400m Individual Medley, Silver in the 200m Butterfly, and Bronze in the 200m Freestyle and 200m Individual Medley, (qualifying for Nationals).
• Meggie De Chhimba secured Bronze in the 100m Breaststroke (qualifying for Nationals)
• Cayden Goode led the 14 Boys Freestyle relay team to a first-place finish
• Tanyka Goode was awarded Swimmer of the Meet in the 12 years category, claiming Gold in the 400m, 200m, and 100m Freestyle events, silver in the 50m Freestyle, and leading her team to victory in both the Girls Relay and Medley Relay, (qualifying for Nationals).
• Jessica Melo won Gold in the 50m, 100m & 200m Backstroke (qualifying for Nationals)
• Makyra Melo won Gold in the 50m Breaststroke and the 200m Medley Relay, along with bronze in the 200m Freestyle Relay, qualifying for Nationals in the 50m Breaststroke and the Medley Relay. Additionally, Makyra was named South Coast Swim Captain alongside Braxtyn.
  
• Maximus Truman earned Silver medals in the 400m & 200m Freestyle and also the 200m IM relay, along with a Bronze in the 200m Backstroke, (qualifying for Nationals)
• Braxtyn Truman was named the South Coast Captain and secured Bronze in the 200m and 100m Fly events (qualifying for Nationals)
• Maya Zunker won Gold in the Freestyle Relay, setting a QLD record, and 2nd in 50m Breaststroke and 50m Freestyle, along with third place in the 100m Breaststroke and 100m Freestyle, (qualifying for Nationals)

King's Success in Easter Sport

While many of us were enjoying hot cross buns and chocolate eggs over the Easter break, a number of our talented sportsmen and women were savouring sweet success in the sporting arena. Our elite rugby, football and swimming teams competed in some of the top regional and national school tournaments of their kind, and their hard work and natural abilities shone through, to achieve exceptional results.

Ballymore Cup Rugby Tournament

The Ballymore Cup is a historical key part of Queensland Rugby, involving school teams from traditional and non-traditional rugby schools across the State. Our High School rugby teams took on the annual Ballymore Cup with a point to prove after last year’s success. This year alongside the 13, 15 & 18 boys competition, the 18 girls joined the fun in a near 10-a-side format. Across the three massive days of action, our 13’s came away as champions for the 3rd year in a row and our 18 Girls smashed the competition as the inaugural champions. Our 15 boys narrowly lost out in the Grand Final to finish Runners Up and our 18 boys finished 7th.

Australian Athletics Championships

The stage was set in Adelaide for the 101st Australian Athletics Championships in April this year. The championships witnessed some extraordinary performances, with athletes surpassing expectations and shattering records. King's Athletics team were excited to head to South Australia to compete and our talented athletes achieved exceptional results in this year's event.

Thursday, 11 April

• 16 Kyah u20 5000m Final 7th / 16 17.16.10
• 16.25 Joseph u20 5000m Final 18th / 45 15.14.99

Monday, 15 April

• 12 Nylah u18 Hammer Final SILVER 53.79
• 14.1 Alyssa u16 100m Heat 9th / 23rd overall 12.77
• 14.1 Charlee u16 100m Heat 9th / 27th overall 15.96
• 18.16 Kebe u16 400m Heat 4th/12th overall 59.14

Tuesday, 16 April

• 9 Alyssa u16 Long Jump Final 5th 5.41
• 17.15 Chelseau 16 Javelin Final Bronze 43.76

Wednesday, 17 April

• 10.3 Nylah u16 Hammer Final GOLD 53.9
• 11.45 Alyssa u17 100mh Heat 1st 14.56
• 14.37 Alyssa u17 100mh Final BRONZE 14.22
• 15.15 Joseph u18 2km Steeple Final 11th 6.28.22

Thursday, 18 April

• 11.3 Nylah u16 Shot Put Final GOLD 13.26
• 14.05 Joseph u18 3000m Final 11th 6.28.22

Friday, 19 April

• 11.17 Joseph u18 1500m Final 23rd 4.13.38

Australian Schools Swimming Championships

A wave of excitement swept over the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre during the 2024 Easter school holidays as the Australian Swimming Championships unfolded, setting the stage for an exhilarating display of talent and determination. Swimmers from across the nation converged to compete in a showcase of athletic prowess as every race exemplified the relentless pursuit of excellence. With each dive, turn, and stroke, records were shattered, and champions were crowned, leaving spectators in awe of the athleticism on display. Congratulations to all of our competitors who achieved phenomenal results: 

Maya Zunker

• 2nd 50m Freestyle
• 2nd State Freestyle Relay
• 3rd 50m Breaststroke
• 7th 100m Breaststroke
• 8th 100m Freestyle
• 11th 200 Breaststroke

Jessica Melo

• 8th: 200m Back
• 10th: 50m Back
• 11th: 100m Back (ranked 5th in terms of time)
• 12th: 100 Free
• 18th: 50m Free

Layla Wyper

• 6th 800m freestyle
• 12th 400m freestyle

Danny Baxter

• 200 fly 11th (10th Aust)
• 800 free 12th (10th Aust)
• 400 free 14 th (13th Aust)
• 200 IM 15th (14th Aust)

Elijah Winnington (King's Alumnus) > Event is lead up to Olympic trial in June

• GOLD 800m Free, 7:43.08
• GOLD 400m Free, 3:41.41
• SILVER 200m Free, 1:46.56

TSS Football Tournament

King's Open Boys football team headed to TSS for their annual Easter Tournament, just before the break. Despite facing formidable opponents, they battled their way to the Grand Final against TSS. The intense match concluded with a 1-1 draw at full time, leading to a nail-biting penalty shootout. Although the boys exhibited remarkable skill and determination, they narrowly lost 6-7. Undeterred by this setback, they are now gearing up for their UHL Cup season. This upcoming season will feature matches against a number of schools from SEQ, commencing later this term. Stay tuned for more updates on their exciting journey.

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Thank you to our dedicated King's coaches, parents and support crews who gave their time and energy throughout the Easter holiday break to prepare, encourage and transport our players for these important tournaments.

Art Mentoring Experience

For the past two Tuesday lunchtimes, Year 8 student, Jackson, and Year 10 student, Grace, have been in the Art Room. Jackson loves animation and Grace has a lot of experience with it, so she has been mentoring him. It’s been great to see this learning scenario play out and see Grace work so well in the role of mentor. Jackson has appreciated Grace’s time and expertise and has benefitted from the time spent together. The Art Room is open for Art students on Tuesdays and it's always great when they come in and spend extra time on their work. Don't forget to follow @kingscollegeart on Instagram. Your support of our page is so greatly appreciated!

Our Libraries are Thriving

Our libraries at Reedy Creek campus are thriving. We have been doing several renovations in the Senior library over the recent school holiday breaks and have more planned. We love sharing our new books and resources to enable our students to discover the love of reading and help them in their studies. We are pleased to announce our incredible statistics from Term 1:

Our library team endeavour to consistently engage our students in reading and library activities. This week, our Years 4-12 students took part in a school 'Where's Wally' search. Students were encouraged to find 'Where's Wally' pictures that were hidden across the primary and high school. The response was very high and we would like to congratulate our winners Felani Fa'avale and Ethan McCullough.

King's Trainee of the Week

King's Careers Festival is nearly here

Our High School and Trade Centre Careers Pathways Team have designed an exciting Careers Festival for Years 9-12 students and their parents. This valuable event will help our students consider a range of career pathways by showcasing 65 exhibitors from a range of universities and training organisations. Make the most of this unique opportunity to speak to university representatives, future employers, RTOs, job agencies, industry representatives, apprenticeship support networks, emergency and defence services and careers advisors, all in one place.

King's Teaching and Learning staff will present two senior subject information sessions at 6pm and 6:45pm in the Summit room (upstairs above KTTC). High School Parent Teacher Conferences will also be happening in person on the same evening, from 3:30pm - 6:30pm, and bookings are now open in Parent Portal. View the flyer to see the full list of exhibitors.

Resilience Webinar with Dr Coulson

Mark your diaries for Tuesday, 14 May, when Dr Justin Coulson will be holding an online event to answer one of schools and parents' most frequently asked questions: how do we help make kids more resilient? This 60-minute online session is aimed at parents as well as educators. Schools can register for this session on behalf of their parent and educator community.

What will the session cover?

In this session, parents and educators will learn the psychological secrets that build children's sense of identity, strengths, and growth mindset in order to perform better, be happier, and build resilience. Based on Dr Justin Coulson’s best-selling book 9 Ways to a Resilient Child, this session shows parents and educators how to help their children and students cope powerfully and positively with the challenges that life throws at them. Justin explains the factors that help and hinder resilience, why common advice such as "toughen up Princess" just doesn't work, and how competition and praise may undermine resilience.

What are the event details?

Date: Tuesday, 14 May 2024 | Time: 7pm AEDT
About the Presenter: Dr Justin Coulson is Australia’s most trusted parenting expert and author. He is the co-host of Channel Nine’s Parental Guidance and his Happy Families podcast is the #1 podcast in Australia for parenting and family issues. Justin holds a PhD in Psychology and has six daughters with his wife, Kylie.
Cost: This paid event is available free of charge to King's families as part of our school membership.

JOIN HERE | Password: happykcc

Primary School Mother's Day Celebrations

We are very excited to invite our Noah's Ark and Primary School mums to a special Mother's Day celebration at King's on Friday, 10 May.

• Prep - Year 3: 8.40am - 9.20am
• Combined Guest Presenter session:* 9.30am - 10.10am
  
• Years 4 - 6: 10.20am - 11am
• Noah's Ark: 2pm - 3pm

These activities will take place in your child's classroom, with the guest presenter session happening in the Auditorium. To help with car park congestion, we have overflow carparking available at Reedy Creek Baptist Church (RCBC) on Gemvale Road. You can walk from the Church or take the shuttle bus - view the timetable below: