2025 Newsletter Term 1 Week 8

From the Principal – Maja Bogicevic

I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.

Nelson Mandela

Mandela’s powerful words remind us about the history of many peoples around the word who fought, or continue to fight, for equal opportunity and harmony in their societies at all costs. In 21st century Australia, we have not yet achieved the ideal, but we can all do our bit to move closer to it by acknowledging the contributions of our First Nations peoples and all others who live on this beautiful land. It is up to us to teach our children to understand, respect and accept each other for who we are. During Harmony Week, we celebrate our many cultures as one Kruger family.

On Thursday 3 April, Week 10, we will celebrate Harmony Day and wear traditional cultural dress just like many of our staff did yesterday, and engage students in many learning activities about countries of the world and their customs, songs, dances and stories. We hope our parents and carers are able to join us for the morning parade.

I am delighted to inform you that NAPLAN testing in Years 3 and 5 went really well thanks to the concerted efforts of our staff. I would like to acknowledge Elena Finlay, Deputy Principal – Teaching and Learning, and Michael Ooitink, IT Assistant, for their hard work in making sure all laptops were charged and ready to use, and all students had time to prepare and practise computer skills. Students’ engagement with NAPLAN was excellent and we look forward to seeing their results later in the year. Thank you to all parents and carers for the support and ensuring students were at school ready to show their learning.

Our teachers are finalising Term 1 academic reports this week and your child’s report card will be emailed home on Wednesday 2 April 2025. Early in Term 2, parents and carers will have the opportunity to meet with their child’s teachers during parent-teacher interviews in Week 3.

As you are aware, reading is our focus and we are working very hard to improve teaching of reading in the school. Last week, a group of teachers participated in a two-day professional development, DIBELS, where they learned about the best techniques to assess students’ reading levels and plan strategies to help them improve. Kruger’s Reading Team is a team of dedicated teachers who are leading this work at Kruger and we look forward to seeing the improved outcomes. Parent feedback has been very positive so far and I am so grateful to the parents who have so willingly used the resources we send home and supported their child.

With two weeks to go, we continue to work hard to support our students to complete assessment and we look forward to celebrating the learning in Week 10 on Monday 31 March during Celebration of Learning and Pride of Kruger. We hope that you will be able to join us.

Contact Email: mbogi4@eq.edu.au

Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning - Elena Finlay

NAPLAN Success for Year 3 and Year 5 Students!

Our incredible Year 3 and 5 students have successfully completed NAPLAN for 2025. We are incredibly proud of how they calmly navigated the testing process and worked diligently to showcase their knowledge. A big thank you to all the staff who helped make this testing session run smoothly, enabling our students to shine. We also extend our gratitude to parents and carers for encouraging their children to be the best they can be. Your support and encouragement play a vital role in their success.

Contact Email: efinl9@eq.edu.au

You can play a key role in supporting your child’s reading by setting aside just 15 minutes each day to read together. This simple habit builds solid literacy skills and encourages a lifelong love of reading.
Also, don’t forget to check out the Reading Videos our wonderful Prep teachers have put together, as these will help strengthen your child’s reading abilities.
If you have any questions about your child’s progress, please don’t hesitate to contact their class teacher—we’re always here to help!
Together, let’s keep fostering a love for reading! 💙

"Today a reader, tomorrow a leader." This powerful quote by Margaret Fuller highlights the transformative impact of education, particularly reading. Strong reading skills empower our students to think critically, make informed decisions, and shape their own futures. Reading is more than just a skill—it’s a tool for personal growth and positive change in our communities.

Parents and carers play a crucial role in supporting children on their reading journey. Here’s how you can help:

• Prep: Review targeted letter-sound links daily, practice blending, and enjoy reading together with your child for pleasure.
• Years 1–6: Read the weekly dictation passage with fluency and expression, and encourage your child to explore books they love.

By making reading a daily habit and showing that Reading is Everyone’s Business, you’re helping your child build a lifelong love of reading—one that leads to confidence, success, and leadership.

If you have any questions regarding how best to support your child with their reading development, please reach out to your child’s teacher.

Deputy Principal Student Engagement - Peta Jackson

From time to time we all need a safe place to recharge and reconnect before we are ready to learn.  This term has seen the birth of the “Croc Sanctuary” at Kruger State School.  If you’ve visited school you may have seen students with a pass pictured below.

Our lovely Youth Worker Team are on duty in the Croc Sanctuary and they work through a routine with students to help them feel calm, settled and ready to return to class for learning.  First stop in the Croc Sanctuary is the Movement Room, here students release extra energy.  Next, in the Sensory Room, students relax to regulate their heart rate and emotions.  Finally, students move through into the Zen Den area to complete a reward activity or do some quiet work.  The goal is for students to leave the Croc Sanctuary ready to engage in their learning with a clear mind and renewed focus.

Contact Email: pmjac0@eq.edu.au

Head of Special Education Services - Regina Birchley

Welcome to Week 8!

Prep Hearing Screening

Kruger State School is proud to be a part of the Hearing Pathways initiative – a whole school approach to hearing. Hearing Pathways is a partnership between the Department of Education and Children’s Health Queensland. We will have a follow up hearing clinic scheduled on 1 May 2025. This follow up clinic is for current Year 1 students who did not pass or missed their 2024 Prep Hearing Screen.

At Kruger State School, all Preps are screened at school. Earlier this year we had the Hear and Say Centre visit and screen Prep students whose parents provided consent. Students who are identified as being at risk, attend a school hearing clinic at a later date. If further testing is required, students are referred to an audiologist for investigation. If your prep student missed this screening session, we can provide hearing screening at school.

Prep Vision Screening

Prep vision screening is scheduled for Tuesday 6 and Thursday 8 May 2025. Recently, QR codes were emailed out or posted outside Prep classrooms. Good vision is essential for a child’s learning and development and early detection and treatment can lead to better outcomes. Consent via the link or QR code will close on Wednesday 30 April 2025.

Contact Email: rbirc14@eq.edu.au

https://visionscreening.health.qld.gov.au/ParentalConsent/2008RxFE

Guidance Officer - Allen Weynberg

Cyclone Alfred and associated rain blew through over a week ago now.  We had some flooding at school but things are now physically back to normal.  The aftereffects can often linger a little longer in people’s minds.  I had a look at the “Emerging Minds” website and they have some excellent advice about natural disasters and the associated trauma that they can cause. Below is a snip from a factsheet they put out. Please feel free to reach out if you need support in the aftermath of Cyclone Alfred and the disruption he caused.

Business Manager - Melissa Henderson

Thank you for taking the time to read the key messages below and keeping informed.

KEY MESSAGES FOR FAMILIES

Aftermath of Cyclone Alfred

Thankfully, the damage suffered at the school from this significant weather event wasn’t too bad.

There were some disruptions to classrooms, Tuckshop and Office operations however, due to the volume of water that penetrated some buildings.

• Tuckshop
  Tuckshop had to be closed last week for the Department to complete restoration works caused by the water inundation. The area then had to be cleaned, stock had to be checked and much of it thrown out, and new stock had to be ordered. 
  The Tuckshop was able to re-open on Tuesday thanks to the incredible efforts and teamwork of your amazing P&C president and vice president, tuckshop staff and school office staff. 
  Regrettably, the notification to families about the Tuckshop closure on Thursday was last minute and some families had already placed orders for the students.  Thankfully, the P&C president and vice president stepped in to help Theresa to ensure that all students had lunch that day.

• Office Relocation

The Office was also inundated and the school was forced to relocate staff to Block 2. 
Thank you for your patience and understanding during that time. 

• Middle Amenities Project Update
  Notwithstanding the recent weather events, the slab has been poured on the new Amenities Building.
  Block layers will commence on Monday.

*NEW* Student Services Office – Block 2

The sick bay was going to be relocated to the middle room of Block 2 this Term because the old Sick Bay in the Admin Building was too small.  The forced relocation of the Office brought the timeline of the move forward. 

This has been a positive change, and the school will now be trialling an expanded “Student Services” from that location. 

All students will go directly to Block 2, not the Admin Building.  Parents, please go to Block 2 for late slips or to collect students early from school.

To locate Student Services, please follow the green line painted on the concrete from the Main Office to Student Services.

The Office in the Admin Building will continue to be staffed for all non-student enquiries.

The diagrams below provide further information as to the operations / functions of both Offices.

Contact Email: admin@krugerss.eq.edu.au

Flexi Space - Jenni Atkinson

FlexiSpace  –  what the students think…

FlexiSpace is kind, respectful and the teachers are helpful. T

FlexiSpace is a place for me because I have everything I need when I want to me calm. Z

FlexiSpace is a place for everyone, where I feel calm. A

FlexiSpace is great because I like using the laptops. J

Celebrating the Power of Bilingual Reading! 📚

At Kruger State School, we embrace our diverse cultural community, and we’re thrilled to celebrate the incredible skill of reading in two languages. Two Year 6 students, Zantino and Myles (6C), recently shared a reading in Māori, showcasing how wonderful it is to be able to read in more than one language. This moment reminded us of the positive impact bilingualism has in our school, fostering a deeper appreciation for different cultures and languages!

Our Preps and Their Thrilling Reading Adventure! 📖

Our Prep students are making fantastic progress as they continue to master new sounds! They’ve already learned the following: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, r, h, e, d, c. Over the next two weeks, they’ll be adding f, l, g, o, u, b to their growing list.
A strong focus in our literacy sessions remains on blending sounds—this important skill will give them the confidence to start reading words on their own.

English Across Kruger

At the Weeks 5 and 6 Monday Parades, students have been sharing what they are learning in English.

Hyrum S (3B) shared that the Year 3s are working on retells and sharing their opinion regarding cultural texts.   The text that Hyrum shared with the audience was Anansi, the Spider.  Anansi the Spider is a popular folktale character from West African mythology, known for his cleverness and trickery.

Armani (1B) shared the text, Room on the Broom and discussed the story in terms of its beginning, middle and end.  She also outlined the characters in the text.

Melody and Olivia (5E) discussed how they are learning different types of figurative language in English to make their writing more interesting.  They shared what similes and metaphors are and provided examples of their use.

Kamila, Arisha, Ellie and Leaogamalie (4E) confidently discussed the films they had been analysing in English in terms of text structure and language features.

Students across all year levels will be sharing a presentation with their peers at the end of this term.  We encourage you to check in with your child about their presentation and see if they'd like to practice it with you at home.

If you have you questions, please reach out to their teacher—we're here to help!

Celebrating Learning in English

At Monday’s Week 8 Parade, Kairo (2C), Shaison, Maaola, and Jermaine (6D) shared insights into their English learning journey.

Kairo spoke about Home for Bilby by Joan Crawford, the book his class has been reading, highlighting their focus on key events and character development. Meanwhile, Shaison, Maaola, and Jermaine (6D) discussed their exploration of My Place by Nadia Wheatley, examining its text structure and language features.

Across Kruger State School, all students are developing their presentation skills as they prepare to share their learning with their classmates. You can support your child by asking about the text they are studying in English, discussing their insights, and encouraging them to practise sharing their knowledge at home. This will help build their confidence and prepare them for presenting in class to their peers.

Teaching and Learning

Prep

Exploring Story Structure in Prep! 📖 

Our Prep students are not only learning to read but also discovering how stories are structured with a beginning, middle, and end. Recently, Miss Sophie, Kruger student teacher, shared The Three Little Pigs with Prep D, helping them identify key parts of the story. The students had a fantastic time, sequencing jigsaw pieces to show their understanding—what a fun way to learn!  Well done, Prep D!  Thank you, Miss Sophie! 

Year 1

In 1B, students have been reading “Room on the broom” and have enjoyed looking at the characters, setting and retelling the story. Students enjoyed making their own broom and adding the characters from the story. It has been great to see students using them to present their oral retells. Amazing job students!

Year 2

In Year 2, students have been working on their character presentation using the story ‘A Home for Bilby.’ Students are practising reading their work in front of the class and using a loud, clear voice.

2E are learning about showing pride in ourselves and belongings. We can show pride in our space by keeping tidy trays organised and our bag racks tidy. Well done Almeda who got an award for the tidiest tray last week!

Year 3

3B started making posters about Maui and the Sun. All of Year 3 are busily working on posters for our English assessments for the term. We are creating multimodal presentations about different stories we have studied. It has been really exciting studying stories from different cultures around the world! We have studied the stories ‘Anansi the Spider’, ‘White Sunday’ and ‘Maui and the Sun’ so far and next week we will look at the Dreamtime story ‘Mad Magpie’. 3B have started practising creating a poster and presenting it. Every presentation will include a retell, an opinion and a recommendation and students will have the option of a live speech or recording their presentation.

Year 4

Each week the Year 4 students have 30 minutes to engage in organised activities such as art, music, rugby, soccer, basketball and netball. These activities provide the opportunity for students to interact with other students across the Year 4 cohort but also build skills in their relevant activity. This week, the rugby group were practising their tackling skills. The students were thoroughly engaged and were demonstrating the technique with confidence.

As we transition from learning about symmetry to exploring position, location and direction, students have been introduced to this concept using the game Battleships. Students are interpreting simple grid references and learning that location on these informal maps can be represented by alphanumeric location points. During the game, students develop an understanding that grid references are often a combination of letters and numbers for example, (C,2) and always remembering to identify the point along the x-axis before it intersects with the y-axis.

Year 5

Year 5s have been very busy over the past couple of weeks with NAPLAN testing and our end of term assessments. In Maths we have been collecting data and presenting data in different display formats such as tally tables, picture graphs, column graphs and line graphs. You see some of our data displays pictured below:

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We have also been learning about how to use digital tools to display data. 5E were excited to discover that when you enter data into an excel spreadsheet, you can use the program to automatically convert the information into a bar graph.

This week is Harmony week which is a celebration of cultural diversity. The Year 5 classes have been focusing on countries within Oceania. We are preparing classroom displays and performances in readiness for our Harmony Day Assembly and Celebration of Learning in Week 10.

Year 6

In English, year six students have begun drafting their response to My Place. They will be sharing their ideas in group discussions in the style of a book club.

In Maths, students have also commenced assessment. They have been demonstrating their knowledge in the field of data by critiquing an advertisement containing a graph and by calculating the mode and range of several data sets.

HPE - Lachlan Bowser and Daniel Bryson

Last week, our Kruger Crocs Senior A Boys Rugby League Team competed in the Ipswich State High School – Year 5 & Year 6 Gala Day. They were undefeated all day and ended up getting the win against Woodlinks SS in the epic grand final! The team showed incredible sportsmanship throughout the day. Whether it be congratulating each other after a try was scored or checking on an opposition player after a big tackle. We are so incredibly proud of our Kruger Crocs and hope they can continue getting the W’s all season!

Mr Bowser & Mr Bryson

LOTE - Roberta Mango

Year 5 Languages (German)

Year Five students have been learning about the significance of their names and how to introduce themselves in German.
They have been learning:
Mein Vorname ist … (My given name is ...)
Mein Spitzname ist … (My nickname is …)
Mein Mittlename ist … (My middle name is …)
Mein Nachname ist …. (My surname is …)
or
Ich habe keinen Mittlename (I have no middle name).

The question is: Wie ist dein Vorname? (What’s your given Name?)

Students have also been learning a song about clocks of different sizes, called
‘Grosse Uhren machen Tick Tack’ (Grandfather clocks go Tick Tock)

Große Uhren machen tick tack, tick tack. (Grandfather clocks go tick, tack, tick, tack)

Kleine Uhren machen ticke ­tacke, ticke ­tacke. (Small clocks go ticke-tacke, ticke-tacke)

Und die kleinen Taschenuhren

ticke tacke, ticke tacke, ticke tacke, tick. (And pocket watches go ticke tacke, ticke tacke, ticke tacke, tick).

Kirchturmuhren machen bim bam, bim bam. (Church clocks go bim bam, bim bam)

Kuckucksuhren machen kuckuck, kuckuck. (Cuckoo clocks go kuckuck, kuckuck)

Sanduhren machen sch-sch-sch, sch-sch-sch (Sandtimers go sh-sh-sh, sh-sh-sh)

und der Wecker macht­ brrrrrrrrrrrr (And the alarm goes riiiiing!)

It’s a good opportunity to discuss the meaning of names in your communities!
Tschüss! (Bye!)
Frau Mango und die Deutschstudenten (Ms Mango and the German students)

Celebrating Our Teachers

My name is Fiona Cramer and I am excited to get to know the students, staff and families of Kruger State School. I am curious about the world and how it works and love to laugh and learn with the people around me.

When I’m not studying and working, I enjoy spending time with my family. I love to cook and craft and pretend that I am good at gardening.

If you want some basic biography facts:

I am 51.

I have a husband, two children who are taller than me, and a half-blind cat.

Teaching has been my goal for the last 8 or so years as I have studied teaching while working as a TA.

I sing badly, but enthusiastically.

I love to learn, read and crochet. 

Hello, Nǐ hǎo 你好! My name is Chen. I am excited to join the Kruger community as a new Year 3 Classroom Teacher. I can speak in Shanghainese, Mandarin, English, and Cantonese. I bring with me extensive knowledge of Asian countries. In particular, I am delighted to share my cultural background from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong with the school community. My primary focus will be on language intervention, where I aim to use my linguistic knowledge to support students, particularly those in the EAL/D (English as an Additional Language or Dialect) program, helping them overcome language barriers and succeed academically. I look forward to contributing to the diverse and vibrant environment here at the school.

Hi! I’m Taleah Herden, and this year I am teaching 3A.

I am currently working with ‘Permission to Teach’ and have one semester left of university study. I have previously worked as a teacher aide for the past three years, and loved it. My previous experience as a teacher aide has allowed me to develop key skills in education such as communication, differentiation, inclusion, classroom management and more.

In my classroom I aim to foster a learning environment in which all students feel they are cared for, welcomed and accepted. In my first five weeks here at Kruger, I have learnt a lot about our wonderful students, staff and community. I have felt at home here, enjoying my experience so far immensely.

When I’m not teaching or studying, I enjoy sports and exercise, time with family and friends and coaching children in competitive cheerleading.

I cannot wait to continue to grow as an educator and get to know the community here at Kruger State School 😊

ALL ABOUT ME - MR. MEMEDOVSKI

I join the Kruger community after five years at an independent co-educational school in Brisbane, following a decade of teaching in Canberra. With a deep passion for coaching and sports, I strive to create opportunities that enrich students' lives both on and off the court. My basketball journey spans playing and coaching at various levels, supported by credentials earned in Australia and Canada. I am committed to fostering a growth mindset in my students, motivating them to embrace challenges and do their very best. I am also committed to promoting wellbeing and fostering a love for lifelong learning.

🟣 Fun Facts

📍 Where are you from originally? I was born in Toronto, Canada and moved to Australia in 2009.
🎨 Do you have any hobbies or special interests? I enjoy coaching, watching and playing basketball. I like to cook, read and travel with my family.
🤔 What’s a fun fact people might not know about you? I grew up in northern Canada, where the average winter temperatures ranged from - 35-50 degrees below zero. There was once a black bear in our backyard, I played ice hockey under the northern lights, and I speak multiple languages.
💬 Do you have a favourite quote or motto you live by? “Everything happens for a reason”. “If you only walk on sunny days, you'll never reach your destination”. "I've never lost a game, I just ran out of time."

🐾 If you were an animal, what would you be and why? A lion so I can roar all day and chill in the grass, or a Polar Bear.
🎵 What’s your favourite genres in music? Country and R&B

Hello Kruger community.  I have been teaching music for over 35 years, interstate, overseas and in Queensland, as well as managing technology and developing digital and STEM capabilities in my schools. I am loving my new role as the music specialist teacher at Kruger, spending lots of time with students who love to sing and sound amazing! Your children are inspiring and super keen to develop their love of music. I am thrilled to be able to put my broad range of song writing, arranging, choral directing, technology and multi-instrumental skills to use every day. New choirs and groups are being established, and whole-school singing is well underway during our weekly assemblies.   I can see that singing and learning instruments from family and friends is a focus for so many families and I hope to make music with you all at future events.

What's coming up at Kruger!

The Community Hub - Kym Alexander

Playgroup at the Kruger State School Community Hub is filled with fun activities for the children, a safe environment for mothers and a positive, inviting energy where everyone is welcome to enjoy the Hub. During African Nations Week, the children were involved in African themed colouring-ins and other activities while the parents got to learn more about African history.

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We welcome Mapensi, our new sewing teacher! He originated from Congo and has just become an Australian citizen. Congratulations, Mapensi! The Hub was filled with the team of seven keen sewers who have been excited to learn new skills over the last four weeks. In conjunction with sewing class, we had Faiza teach us how to cook some amazing Sudanese food which we all got to enjoy. While having a full Hub of mothers we also had a large group of children who were looked after by Kym and Ashlee, allowing the mothers to enjoy their time together.

Community Information

These April school holidays Netball Queensland are hosting six exciting clinics at Nissan Arena across three days — 7, 8, 9 April — running from 9.00am to 3.00pm each day. These include three Woolworths NetSetGo Clinics for ages 5–10 and three Jump to Juniors Clinics for ages 9–12. Designed to be fun, social, and active, these clinics provide a safe environment where kids can develop their skills and confidence in netball.

Plus, they have some special guests! A few Queensland Firebirds players will be making an appearance during the clinics, giving participants an incredible chance to meet their netball idols. There will be signing sessions and Q&A opportunities, making this an unforgettable experience for young netballers!

About the Clinics:

• Woolworths NetSetGo is the perfect introduction to netball for 5–10-year-olds, catering to all abilities—no prior experience required! Kids will develop fundamental skills in a fun and inclusive setting.
• Jump to Juniors is ideal for 9–12-year-olds who are ready to transition to competitive rules, however no experience is needed! Led by trained coaches, sessions include skill-based activities, minor games, and modified match play.

Clinic Info & Registration Links:

📍 Nissan Arena, 590 Mains Road, Nathan Qld 4111

Netball QLD Clinics | Woolworths NetSetGo (Ages 5-10) – April 7 | Nissan Arena, QLD 

Netball QLD Clinics | Jump to Juniors (Ages 9-12) – April 7 | Nissan Arena, QLD 

Netball QLD Clinics | Woolworths NetSetGo (Ages 5-10) – April 8 | Nissan Arena, QLD 

Netball QLD Clinics | Jump to Juniors (Ages 9-12) – April 8 | Nissan Arena, QLD 

Netball QLD Clinics | Woolworths NetSetGo (Ages 5-10) – April 9 | Nissan Arena, QLD 

Netball QLD Clinics | Jump to Juniors (Ages 9-12) – April 9 | Nissan Arena, QLD