Welcome back to the second half of the school year! We hope you had a wonderful break filled with enriching experiences and quality time with family and friends. In this message from our Deputy Principal, we look ahead to some exciting opportunities this term that will extend our students' learning beyond the classroom to develop Christian values in our students by helping those in need. Our Life team have planned some exciting fundraising events that will nurture compassion as we make a significant impact on the lives of others. We look forward to being able to raise funds to support children and adolescents through our partnering charities, Rescue Mission for Children in Thailand and Teen Challenge in Tweed Heads. Thank you for supporting these initiatives as we help our students become amazing change-makers and leaders of tomorrow.
On Saturday, 22 June, our Class of 2024 gathered at HOTA to celebrate their Year 12 Formal. The red carpet was lined with excited spectators and professional photographers who formed an eager paparazzi, awaiting the arrival of luxury vehicles as they rolled into the promenade. Our Year 12s stepped from the cars to dazzle the crowds with their glamorous dresses and suave suits, and the significance of the event brought some parents to tears. Our King's community enjoyed the momentous occasion from near and far via our live-streamed footage of the arrivals. Moving into the ballroom, the proceedings were commenced by our Principal, Mr Meyers, who officially welcomed the cohort and unveiled the significant name given to this year's group as part of a longstanding King's tradition that recognises the characteristics of the graduating year group...
"As we reflected on our 2024 Year 12 group in deciding their title, it was evident that this is a group who lead with integrity, character, and a heart after God. They have always embodied our mission statement as Christian leaders for tomorrow's generation, and exemplified this through their conduct, attitude, and willingness to serve, which is a testament to their collective character. This Year 12 group have exceptional talent in various area but what stands out is the way they use their gifts to help others. They have embraced our College motto, "diligent and faithful," and shown a consistent pursuit of excellence. Their integrity and leadership will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on King’s for many generations to come. With all this in mind, it is with great honour that we announce the class of 2024 as the ‘Year of LEGACY.’"
- Mr Russell Meyers, Campus Principal
Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed a three-course meal, fun in the photo booth and a lively awards ceremony with accolades such as ‘Miss Sunshine' and ‘Mr Manners,’ all decided by student voting. Special thanks to Mrs Meyers, Tolhurst Creative for the photos* and the collective efforts of King's staff who worked so hard to create a night to remember.
*For the full collection of high-resolution images, parents can purchase the photo package via Parent Portal.
Year 12 Enterprise Event Inspires Big Picture Thinking
17 July 2024
Year 12 students from Reedy Creek and Pimpama campuses gathered together at the start of Term 3 for our inspiring 'Enterprise Event.' The event aimed to unite senior students from both campuses, enhance their understanding of our College and its future vision, and challenge their thinking before they complete their King's learning journey. Campus Principals, Mr Meyers (Reedy Creek), Mr Vereynne (Pimpama), and Mr Oosthuizen (Logan Village) all welcomed the students and shared a presentation about the background of King’s Senior Management team. The spiritual heartbeat of the school was described by our Chairman of the Board, Mr Brendon Blakemore, King’s Executive Principal, Mr Rees Davis, and Senior Pastor of King’s Church, Ben Naitoko. Mr Blakemore spoke on Christian Leadership, emphasising the value of glorifying God by guiding others in faith and service. Mr Davis shared the story of John Newton and William Wilberforce, challenging students to think outside the box and become lifelong learners. Pastor Ben's message on ‘Destiny’ encouraged students to persevere through setbacks to achieve God's plans for them.
Years 7-10 Honours Awards | Term 3
23 July 2024
Every semester at King's, our Honours Assemblies recognise and award our High School students for success in their studies and extracurricular pursuits. Our Honours categories include Academic, Cultural and School Enhancement (Performing Arts & service) and Honours Badges are awarded at Teal, Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. During our Years 7-10 Honours assemblies this week, we presented 452 awards to our Semester One, 2024 Honours recipients. Congratulations, students, for your continued dedication to achieving excellence.
Hillsong Conference Creates Deeper Connection with God
23 July 2024
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In the recent July holidays, King’s took a group of senior students and over 80 staff members on a transformative journey to the Hillsong Conference in Sydney. From July 8 - 12, 2024, our group joined thousands of other believers at the Hillsong Convention Centre to witness the profound power of collective worship and spiritual growth. The Hillsong Conference has long been dedicated to equipping and encouraging the Body of Christ, and this year was no different. Attendees experienced a beautiful move of God that deeply impacted their lives, families, churches, and communities. The accounts from this trip were unanimous – every attendee witnessed His wonder and caught a glimpse of God's Glory in a powerful way. Through authentic worship, insightful Bible teaching, and meaningful reflection, the conference inspired everyone to take another step toward their God-given purpose.
High School Chaplain, Mr Mal Muir, shared his firsthand account of the experience:
"For someone who has never attended a Hillsong conference before, I was thrilled that King’s gave our students the opportunity to be a part of this year's conference. The highlight was the worship time, particularly for our students. The experience of going away on a tour was also invaluable for our students, and there was a lovely unity between our different year levels and between our KTTC students and high school students. Each night, we unwound at McDonald's with our Pimpama students, which also was a great opportunity to see unity and friendships kindled across our two campuses. We also had several students who were new Christians attending and I think the corporate worship was an amazing experience for them to experience. Hillsong Conference was such a positive experience that is well worth continuing!"
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This trip exemplifies King's commitment to equipping and empowering our community in their faith and connection with God. We are already filled with excitement and anticipation for next year and look forward to continuing this impactful tradition as we nurture our students to become compassionate leaders who live out their faith with passion and purpose.
Student Leadership
First Fireside Culture Forum - A gathering of Christian Schools
26 July 2024
On Thursday, 18 July 2024, Gold Coast Christian College (GCCC) hosted a Fireside Culture Forum, named ‘Over the Rainbow.’ This inspiring event brought together students from King's Christian College, St Andrews Lutheran College, Emmanuel College, and Hillcrest Christian College. It was a unique opportunity for student leaders from Years 10 - 12 to engage in prayer, worship, and discussions centred around developing a positive Christian school culture. A Gathering of Stories and Dreams
The forum’s theme was based on the song’s lyrics and the message it represents, “Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue. And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.” This set the tone for a night of meaningful interactions and hopeful aspirations. Jerry Unser, Wellbeing Coordinator, and student leaders from GCCC welcomed visiting school students and staff, and the group quickly connected with icebreakers, lawn games and burgers. As students moved to sit around the fire pit, discussions were facilitated by Jess Mobbs, College Chaplain from Emmanuel, Eliot Sanger, Head of Senior Years – Pastoral, from St Andrews, and Damien Taylor, King’s Deputy Principal. King’s Captains guided prayer and worship and facilitated discussions that encouraged everyone to share their stories. Understanding School Culture
The forum also delved into the concept of school culture, which is shaped by the interactions among students, staff, and the broader community. Culture is the invisible thread that binds us together and guides our actions, and students were encouraged to reflect on what they value most about their school’s culture. They discussed how the Christian values of humility, justice, inclusiveness, and care, are reflected in their everyday experiences. The conversations also explored how students can contribute to enhancing their school’s atmosphere and creating welcoming spaces for everyone. Building Connections for a Greater Impact
This inaugural Fireside Culture Forum was the beginning of ongoing forums aimed at fostering strong connections across schools. These interactions not only strengthen our individual school communities but also contribute to a positive culture throughout the Gold Coast, and beyond. The friendships and connections formed during the forum will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the future of our wider community. We look forward to many more such gatherings that will continue to inspire and nurture the leaders of tomorrow.
"It was an amazing experience. I learned about other schools and their endeavours to grow in Christianity. I met with many Year 12’s and made connections while learning vital tips from them for the next few years."
- Jedidiah, Year 10 student attendee
Primary
Preps Celebrate 100 Days of School
23 July 2024
King’s Prep students celebrated a special milestone on Wednesday, 24 July, marking 100 DAYS IN PREP. Their journey so far has been filled with new faces, places, and experiences, and our students have embraced it all with curiosity and bravery. From meeting King’s larger-than-life lion on their first day to growing their skills in reading, writing, counting, and making new friends, these students have learned so much already. To commemorate their first 100 days, students brought back their King’s bears and enjoyed a fun-filled teddy bear picnic. Adding to the festivities, our wonderful teachers dressed up and acted like 100-year-olds. Our Head of Primary made a special visit to express her pride in how well the students have settled into King’s. The entire Prep community revelled in the celebration and cherished the shared moments as they look forward to many more learning adventures ahead.
Sport
School Holiday Sporting Highlights
26 July 2024
While the July holidays were a welcome break for many, some of our student-athletes continued working hard in their sporting commitments to achieve incredible success.
RUGBY: SYDNEY TOUR 23 - 29 June
Over the 1st week of the holidays, our U15 boys, who were runners-up at the QLD Ballymore Cup championship earlier this year, travelled down to Sydney. This was the first time in five years that we made the journey down south, and the boys were excited for their adventures in Sydney. Departing in the early morning, the team excitedly completed the 10-hour bus ride down to Sydney Central where they would stay for the week. The off-field adventures included a scavenger hunt around the city, an arcade challenge, a harbour boat tour, swimming at the Marrinawi Cove overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge, a Coogee to Bondi walk and the regular evening walks to get ice cream and bubble tea. On the field, the boys loved running in the cold air of Sydney in preparation for their big game against one of Sydney’s top GPS schools, Newington College. We were supposed to play another game prior to this, but due to a timetable clash, we had to find an alternate option, getting a training run against Trinity Grammar School. They were very accommodating, giving insight to our boys about Sydney rugby, and our team was able to learn from their coaches. Onto the Newington game, our boys started slowly, conceding an early try before levelling the scores, once finding a bit of a rhythm. It was a seesaw game, with Newington applying scoreboard pressure, however, the King’s boys came home strong, leveling the scores with little time left and with all the momentum, it was a nailbiter of a finish.
NETBALL: NEW ZEALAND TOUR 25 - 30 June
Our netball team's recent tour to New Zealand in the school holidays was an unforgettable adventure filled with competitive netball games, elite training, and memorable off-court activities. The first games were held in Auckland against Saint Kentigern, Avondale College, Howick College, and EPSOM Girls College. These schools are all within the top 6 schools in New Zealand for netball, with Avondale being the reigning NZ champions. The New Zealand style of netball certainly presented a challenge, but our teams triumphed in all matches except for our hard-fought battles against Avondale. The camaraderie extended beyond the court, with each school graciously hosting our group for Kai. Our girls engaged in friendly dance battles and shared a Waiata, fostering connections and cultural exchange. One of the tour’s highlights was training with Elite Silver Fern, Tayla Earle. Tayla put our girls through an elite training experience that parallelled her training with the Northern Mystics and Silver Ferns. This session, combined with a fantastic day with Netfit, provided valuable insights into elite game analysis and the mindset of professional netballers.
The fun continued off the court with constant dance battles, team challenges, Pak 'N' Save splurges, and an Escape Room battle. A day trip to Rotorua was a standout, featuring the exhilarating rapids of Kaituna Cascades with white water rafting, followed by an exciting evening at the Skyline Luge. Not to mention our visit to Mt Smart where they watched the Warriors triumph over the Broncos. The support from family and friends, both in NZ and those watching the livestream on the King's Instagram, added to the joy and success of the trip. Our netballers returned home victorious, not just in games but in the experiences and friendships forged. Thank you to everyone who supported and cheered them on – this constant encouragement made their journey truly unforgettable.
GCI BASKETBALL 11 - 14 July
Back out on the court for the Gold Coast Invitational, in the lead-up to the State CBSQ tournament just around the corner. Congratulations to our Open Girls on claiming the Silver Medal and the Sophomore Boys taking home the bronze.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS NETBALL GALA 17 July
Our Primary School Netballers took on the Netball Queensland Gala Day at Mallawa Sports Complex. Our championship team finished in the top 4, while our development team just missed the top 4 playoffs after a draw in the pool rounds.
King's Teams Tackle the 48km Kokoda Challenge
23 July 2024
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Since 2004, the Kokoda Challenge has been Australia’s toughest team event, sending teams out into the mountainous terrain of the Gold Coast Hinterland. The gruelling 48km hike was undertaken by three King’s teams including Anna Morichovitis, Jackie Middleton, Michael Easton, Stuart Quarterman, Jordan Vincent, Josh Sealey, Zoltan Vincze, as well as two senior students, Hamish McKenzie and Liam Davey.
The hike proved exhilarating yet challenging from the outset. Even with perfect weather, the almost-vertical, rubbly ascents made for buckets of sweat and jelly legs within the first hour. Still, our goal was clear – to conquer the rugged terrain and beat our previous year’s standing. Setting off with fortitude, we quickly found our rhythm, embracing the Kokoda spirit of determination to maintain a brisk pace along the undulating paths. The trail weaved a dogged route through dense forest with breathtaking vistas, pushing our endurance to the limit. Each member of our team took turns leading, navigating, and encouraging one another through the physically demanding course.
As the kilometres passed, we surged on, overtaking numerous teams, propelled by our shared perseverance to succeed. For the senior boys, led by Mr Vincze, running became a newfound benchmark whenever the terrain permitted. This allowed the team of three to gain steady ground, propelled by the adrenaline of the competition. However, as the trail ascended into the hinterland's steepest hills, the pace inevitably slowed. The nasty inclines demanded every ounce of our strength and forced us to adopt a more strategic approach. Despite the challenges of God’s harsh topography, our teams persevered, pushing through fatigue and maintaining a competitive mindset. All our efforts were rewarded when two of our teams crossed the finish line in under 12 hours, with our senior boys team coming in at 7 hrs 46 min, achieving third place for the 48km ‘Open’ category. A testament to our teamwork, resilience, and physical prowess.
Reflecting on our journey, we celebrated not only our achievement but also the bond forged through shared adversity. It was an experience that tested our limits and strengthened our camaraderie, leaving us with memories of a challenging yet rewarding adventure in Queensland's stunning wilderness.
- Written by Zoltan Vincze
Supporting King's Alumni at Paris Olympics
23 July 2024
As the world prepares to watch some of the greatest athletes of our time compete on a global stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics, our King's community will be watching with keen interest for two particular athletes. 400m and 800m Freestyle Swimmer, Elijah Winnington (Class of 2017) and Skateboarder, Keegan Palmer (former student) have both worked exceptionally hard to qualify for this fiercely-contested event and we look forward to watching their performances on Channel 9 from 27 July - 9 August, 2024:
7 August (Wednesday) - 8.30pm // Men's Park Prelims
8 August (Thursday) - 1.30am // Men's Park Final
Combined Athletics Camp Recap
23 July 2024
During the recent school holidays, our Pimpama campus was excited to host the first combined Athletics Day Camp. This event brought together 58 students from both Reedy Creek and Pimpama Campuses, all gearing up for their upcoming district carnivals. A highlight of the camp was the inspiring session with Sayla Donnelley, a proud Reedy Creek alumnus from the Class of 2022. Sayla shared her incredible journey in athletics, including her current experiences competing in the USA for Florida University. Her wisdom and passion for the sport were truly motivating for our young athletes. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the coaches and staff who made this event possible. Good luck to all our students. We look forward to cheering you on and celebrating your successes on the track and field!
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APS Athletics | Day 1
26 July 2024
On Wednesday, 23 July, APS athletics kicked off the High School with the hurdles, 1500m, javelin and a round of field events as our Primary School team competed in the 1500m time trial. We head back to the Somerset track next week for the rest of the track and field and events and crown the APS Athletics Champion.
Academic
New Australian Curriculum Brings Whole School Approach to Learning
25 July 2024
The Australian Curriculum has been updated to 'Version 9.0' and designed to prepare students for the future world in which they will live. It is a three dimensional curriculum for Prep – Year 10 which encompasses:
8 Learning Areas - English, Mathematics, Science, Health and Physical Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, The Arts, Technologies and Languages.
7 General Capabilities - include critical thinking, digital literacy, ethical understanding, intercultural understanding, literacy, numeracy and personal and social capability. These aim to equip our students with the knowledge, skills, behaviours and dispositions to live and work successfully.
3 Cross-Curriculum Priorities – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander's Histories and Cultures, Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia and Sustainability.
At the start of Term 3, Teaching and Learning leaders from Primary and High School across our King's campuses gathered for a professional development day focused on understanding the revised Australian Curriculum for each learning area. They examined how this curriculum would build upon skills from Prep to Year 10 and discussed changes needed to current resources and practice as we adapt subjects for the requirements of the new curriculum.
The Curriculum Day gave our staff a valuable opportunity to build relationships across primary and high school, and across campuses. This is an exciting collaboration in the curriculum space which will ensure the best outcome for our students as they progress through King’s.
Performing Arts
Community
King's Golf Day Huge Success
27 June 2024
The King's Golf Day has been growing in strength and numbers since its inception four years ago. Sold out before the closing date, the event this year didn't disappoint with the wonderful JB HiFi sponsorship from the Education Business and their suppliers, Targus, Logitech and STM.
Hosted by The Club at Parkwood in Arundel, the course was lovely and green and golfers from all three of our campuses enjoyed the day. With over $8000 in prizes and giveaways, we would like to thank the following additional sponsors for their prizes. They include King's P&F, The Avenue Restaurant in Surfers Paradise, Chris McFarlane Security Specialists, Christian Heritage College, Custom Gear, Midford Uniforms, Kiss Photography and Bendigo Bank and The Club at Parkwood.
The winners from the 2024 King's Golf Day:
Longest Drive on the 18th hole: Zak Patel Nearest the Pin on 2nd hole: Brett Miller Nearest the Pin on 11th hole: Eugene Brayshaw Nearest the Pin on the 16th hole: Andrew Fabor
The Best Dressed Team, or should we say the funniest, went to the Tubbies for dressing up like bananas.
The winning teams were:
1st place: The Shankers (Father and Son team: Vernon and Morgan Carter, Anil and Zak Patel) 2nd place: Team Francis (Jaxon, Lincoln, David and Mathew) 3rd place: Bank of Queensland Bombers 4th place: Team Breaking 99 (Oliver and Jimmy Zhang, Joel Snowden and James Temme) 5th place: Team Chopper 6th place: Team Handicapped 7th place: Team Slice and Dice 8th place: Team Fore Vee's (King's Pimpama Principal Rob Verreynne, his dad Alan who is visiting from South Africa and sons, Ruben and Jayden Verreynne) 9th place: Team Love Medical Group 10th place: Team Bendigo Bank Bruisers 11th place: Team Ageless and Evergreen 12th place: Team SAF-AUS 13th place: Team Birdilicious 14th place: Team Rough Around the Edges
If you would like to be a part of the event in 2025, by sponsoring a hole, prizes or put together a team, please be in contact with our marketing team, via email ambrown@kingscollege.qld.edu.au.
Careers
King's Trainee of the Week
23 July 2024
Important Notices
King's Ball Tickets are selling fast
2 September 2024
King's P&F are pleased to invite our community of parents and friends to a night of glamour at the Oscars-inspired 2024 King's Ball on Saturday, 12 October. View the flyer for more information and purchase your tickets via the button below... tickets are selling fast so don't miss out on this exciting event!
Did you know that King's Reedy Creek has a dedicated Instagram account that showcases the many exciting aspects of our school life? We also have pages for our art and sports departments and our central College page: @kings_christian_college. We'd love you to follow us to support our students and see what's happening behind the scenes at King's Reedy Creek @Kings_reedycreek
