2025 Newsletter Term 3 Week 8

From the Principal – Darren Russell

Premier’s Reading Challenge Celebration

Reading is everywhere and it is everybody’s business! These are the catch-cries that we hear regularly around our school and this was certainly the case on Monday as our whole school came together to celebrate the reading achievements of our students. Our Premier’s Reading Challenge celebration was a big success as special guests MP John Krause and School Supervisor Hugh Goodfellow joined us in acknowledging over 100 Kruger students who achieved this year’s Premier Reading Challenge! Special congratulations to those students who achieved the challenge multiple times, based on the number of books that they have been reading this year. Students will receive the official Premier’s Reading Challenge Certificate when they are sent to schools next term.

Reading (Classroom Visits)

Our leadership team visits classrooms each week watching our students develop their reading skills with a specific focus on our PLD lessons. These lessons develop the ability of our students to decode words (knowing the letter/sound relationships) and applying this knowledge not only with reading but with their spelling and writing. We have really enjoyed these visits and it has been fantastic to see our students engaged in their learning and motivated to improve their reading skills. Working collaboratively as a team between school and home is so important if we are to maximise learning outcomes for our students. I encourage all parents to take advantage of the opportunities that the school will be presenting to families regarding our current reading agenda and how parents can support the reading development of their children.

Attendance

Last week our positive results with attendance continued, which included our overall school attendance rate starting to slowly improve, sitting at just under 82%!)

Congratulations to 3A, 4A, 6B and 6D who all exceeded our school target of 88%. Three of these classes exceeded 91% which was a fantastic effort. One of these classes achieved the highest weekly attendance rate of any class for the term (95.65%)! We will recognise our Week 7 attendance winners at next week’s Parade with a special double attendance presentation.

Teacher Aide Appreciation Week

This week schools recognise the important role that Teacher Aides (TAs) play through celebrating TA Appreciation Week. Our Kruger TAs go above and beyond to support our students and teachers through their daily work and we are so appreciative of their efforts. Our TAs often undertake the tasks that nobody else wishes to do, yet they roll up their sleeves and get the job done! I encourage our students, staff and parents to take the time to thank our TAs for all that they do with supporting all of us at Kruger SS.

HR Changes

We will be saying goodbye to a couple of staff members who have made wonderful contributions to our school community through their work at Kruger.

Melissa Henderson (Business Manager) and James McMurtrie (Schools Officer) will be leaving us and embarking on exciting career changes as they transition into Queensland Health and Youth Justice roles. We wish them all the best and thank them both for their hard work and efforts with supporting the students, staff and parents of Kruger SS.

We would also like to welcome some new team members who will be joining us in the coming weeks, Belinda Tua (Business Manager) and Kevin Dougall (Schools Officer). Both are really excited about joining Kruger SS and contributing to the great work that is occurring as we support our students and their learning journey. 

Contact Email: druss39@eq.edu.au

What's Coming Up at Kruger!

Deputy Principal Student Engagement - Peta Jackson

Every Child Every Day That’s the Kruger Way - Attendance Matters
Every day at school helps children learn, grow, and feel connected. Our whole-school attendance is currently 82%, and we’re aiming for 88% by the end of the year. Each week we celebrate the class in each year level with the best attendance by awarding the Attendance Trophy and 5-point SNAPs for every student.

If your child is away, please remember to contact the school and let us know the reason for their absence. Together, we can make every school day count!

Year 6 High School Enrolments for 2026
It’s time for our Year 6 families to complete high school enrolments for 2026. Submitting enrolments early helps high schools plan ahead and ensures a smooth transition for students. If you need help with forms or have any questions about the process, please contact our school office.

Bellbird Park State Secondary College (BPSSC) will be holding a Diversity Transition Session is on tomorrow - Friday 5 September. This session is especially helpful for students who may need extra support as they move into high school. To RSVP, please email diversity@bellbirdparkssc.eq.edu.au. See the flyer below for more details.

Kruger’s Got Sparkle!
This term we focussed on keeping our school clean and tidy by:

• Zipping up bags and placing them neatly on the racks
• Putting rubbish in the bins outside classrooms
• Keeping an extra area clean and clear

Each week, the winning class/es have earned 5-point Sparkle Snaps per person and the Sparkle Trophy for the week. In Week 10, we’ll hold a special draw for these winning classes — with the chance to win 30 minutes of extra playtime on the playground! Keep up the great work Kruger!

Safe Footwear Reminder
All students are required to wear closed-in shoes to school every day. For safety reasons, Crocs, slides, and sandals are not suitable for classroom or playground activities. Wearing the correct footwear helps keep students safe while they learn and play.

We know that children can quickly grow out of their shoes, and with the current financial pressures this can sometimes be challenging. If this happens, please reach out to me — we’re here to help and can find support so your child has what they need to feel safe and comfortable at school.

Thank you for supporting our attendance goals, keeping our students safe, allowing us to sparkle and helping our Year 6 students prepare for their exciting next step!

Contact Email: pmjac0@eq.edu.au.

Deputy Principal Inclusion - Regina Birchley

At Kruger State School, reading remains a key focus in supporting student learning. We understand that some parents may have concerns about the possibility of dyslexia when their child experiences difficulties with reading and writing.

To assist, please find information below about dyslexia, along with a link to the Reading and Writing Centre for further support and resources.

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a spectrum disorder with mild through to significant learning and functional impact. Dyslexia affects approximately 5-10% of the school age population in all literate countries. This is a word-level reading disability and is characterised by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition, decoding, poor spelling, and reading comprehension difficulties. The department recognises dyslexia as a disability and implements targeted supports and adjustments to enable students with dyslexia to access and participate in education.

Persistent word-level reading difficulties (dyslexia) may co-occur with other learning and developmental difficulties, for example:

• Executive functioning difficulties, such as ADHD or working memory weaknesses
• Developmental language disorder (DLD)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder.

More information is available from the Reading and Writing Centre via this link https://readingwritingcentre.education.qld.gov.au/. This service may also be accessed by telephone or email on weekdays between 8:00am and 5:00pm.

Phone: (07) 3328 6950

Email: readingandwritingdisorders@qed.qld.gov.au

Contact Email: rbirc14@eq.edu.au.

Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning - Elena Finlay

Reading Growth at Kruger

Even after the Premier's Reading Challenge wraps up, Kruger students continue to shine through daily reading practise. Across the school, students engage in repeated reading of passages to build fluency. To help them track progress, these readings are timed, allowing students to see how much faster they can read with practise.

Students are also provided with texts (Promoting Literacy Development (PLD) short texts) to take home for additional reading, which can be timed in the same way. One minute is the recommended time, and students mark how far they read each day within this limit. At the end of each week, students are encouraged to bring their home reading back to school so their achievements can be celebrated.

In the photos below, Year 1C students proudly share their reading achievements demonstrated during home reading practise.

Contact Email: efinl9@eq.edu.au.

The infographic below outlines the recommended steps for home reading. If you have any questions regarding home reading or timed repeated reading practise during home reading, please contact your child's teacher.

Kruger on the Radio

In Week 8, our Kruger State School Senior students had the exciting opportunity to read the weather report live on River94.9. While they were thrilled to take part, they spoke with confidence and clarity, representing our school with pride. Well done, Kruger!

Below are Kruger’s River 94.9 Weather Readers ~ Heather 6A, Madhvi 6A, Chloe 5A, Jane 6B.

We are looking forward to next term when more of our Senior Students will be invited to read.

Indigenous Literacy Day (ILD)

On Wednesday 3 September, we recognised Indigenous Literacy Day. Our Indigenous Community Co-ordinator, Mr Ruska, shared the text The Land Recalls You by Kirli Saunders and presented thoughtful questions for classes to reflect on after the reading.

During first break, the library also provided an opportunity for students to listen to a range of First Nations texts, further deepening their understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories and perspectives.

Celebration of Reading Success 

On Monday morning, at our Celebration of Reading Parade, the Kruger State School community proudly recognised the achievements of 109 students who completed the 2025 Premier’s Reading Challenge individually, six classes who successfully completed the challenge as a whole class, and two students who dedicated their lunchtimes to supporting others in borrowing library books to complete the challenge. This outstanding accomplishment reflects the perseverance of our students, the dedication of our staff who encouraged and guided them, and the support of families who inspired their children to keep going and not give up. 

Our special guest speaker was Mr John Krause, MP for the Scenic Rim, who attended on behalf of the Minister for Education and the Arts and the Premier. The parade was a proud occasion for Kruger State School and was warmly supported by parents and carers who joined us in celebrating the success of our readers.

New Videos: Transition to Prep Book and Home Reading

We’re excited to share two new videos that will soon be available on the Kruger State School Facebook page and our school website!

In the Transition to Prep Book video, Mrs Leo (Kruger teacher) brings our 2026 Prep Book to life, reading it in both English and Samoan.

In the Home Reading video, Mrs Leo walks families through the steps of completing home reading practice, making it simple and easy to follow.

We hope these videos support you and your child on their learning journey. If you have any questions about home reading, please reach out to your child’s teacher.

Kindy Kids Visit

On Wednesday of Week 8 the kindy kids came to visit Kruger!

We read the story Where is the Green Sheep?, made a fun craft, and even had a play on the Prep playground. Everyone had such a wonderful time exploring and making new friends.

We can’t wait to welcome the kindy kids back for Prep transitions in Term 4!

Head of Department Student Engagement - Ahmed Jalloh

Harnessing Extrinsic Motivation to Boost Positive Behaviour 

Whether it’s athletes chasing medals or teams battling for championship titles, external rewards often fuel extraordinary effort. The cheers from the crowd, the spotlight moments, these are all forms of extrinsic motivation that drive individuals to perform at their best. 

In schools, we see similar dynamics. At Kruger State School, the launch of our PBL SNAP shop has sparked excitement across all year levels. Students from Prep to Year 6 are cueing up for a chance to exchange their SNAP points for prizes, reinforcing the idea that positive behaviour leads to meaningful rewards and outcomes. 

Extrinsic motivation isn’t just about prizes, it’s about recognition, celebration, and creating visible value for effort. Even adults are driven by it; after all, we work to earn a salary, a tangible reward for our contributions to our environment. 

 Tips for using extrinsic rewards effectively: 

• Be consistent: Reinforce positive behaviour regularly. 

• Make rewards meaningful: Choose items or experiences students genuinely value. 

• Celebrate publicly: Recognition in front of peers boosts motivation. 

• Pair with intrinsic goals: Use rewards to build habits that eventually become self-driven. 

Used wisely, extrinsic motivation can be a powerful tool to shape behaviour and build a thriving learning culture. 

To help our students celebrate publicly, you are invited to our next assembly in week 9. 

Assembly Schedule: 

• Senior Assembly (Year 3 to Year 6): Monday at 9:00am 

• Junior Assembly (Prep to Year 2): Monday at 10:00am
  

We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating our students' successes together!

For any inquiries, feel free to reach out via email at asjalo@eq.edu.au.

Guidance Officer - Ellen Taverne

Hello, Kruger State School community.

As your school's Guidance Officer, my role is to support your children's emotional well-being and help them develop the social skills they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom. A strong partnership between home and school is essential in fostering a Sense of Belonging.

We All Belong: Fostering Community

One of the most important things we can teach our children is the feeling that they belong. This is about more than just being in a group; it’s about feeling safe, valued, and understood for who you are. When children feel like they belong, they are more confident, resilient, and ready to learn.

What We're Doing at School

• Building Connections: In classrooms, teachers facilitate activities that help students understand each other better and appreciate their unique differences. Students are encouraged to find common interests and celebrate what makes them special.
• Emphasising Kindness and Empathy: We have regular conversations about what it means to be a good friend and an ally. Students are taught to notice when others might feel left out and to take simple, kind actions to include them.
• Creating Safe Spaces: Our school has designated safe spaces and check-in times where students can talk to an adult if they are feeling lonely, anxious, or just need a moment to regulate their emotions. These spaces are a reminder that help is always available.
  

How You Can Help at Home

The feeling of belonging starts at home. Here are a few simple ways you can reinforce this message:

• Listen Actively: When your child talks about their day, listen without judgement. Ask open-ended questions like, "What was the most fun thing you did today?" or "Was there anyone you played with who you hadn't before?" This shows them their experiences matter.
• Highlight Family Belonging: Talk about what makes your family a team. Whether it’s sharing a meal, doing chores together, or just spending quality time, these moments strengthen your child's sense of belonging within their primary group.
• Encourage Inclusive Friendships: Talk to your child about the importance of being a welcoming friend. You can ask, "Is there someone in your class who seems shy? Maybe you could invite them to play." This teaches them to be a positive force in their social circle.

A sense of belonging is a powerful foundation for a happy, healthy childhood. By working together, we can ensure every child at our school knows they are a valued and important part of our community.

Contact Email: egibb34@eq.edu.au.

Business Manager - Melissa Henderson

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

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding efforts of all of our teacher aides.

Thank you for all that you do every day to support the students, staff and whole school community. 

You are all truly appreciated!

Tuckshop Closed from Week 10

The tuckshop will only be open for 3 more days – Monday, Thursday and Friday of next week (Week 9).

It will be closed from the beginning of week 10 in preparation of the upcoming refurbishment – see Facilities update.

The uniform shop will operate out of the Main Office – further details to come.

2026 Student Resource Scheme (SRS)

Reminder: The 2026 SRS fees will be presented to the school’s P&C Association at a general meeting to be held on Thursday 18 September 2025.  All parents and caregivers are invited to attend the meeting.

Facilities Updates

Holiday Projects – Flexispace / Tuckshop / Multipurpose Courts / DigiTech Room

• Airconditioning will be installed in the DigiTech learning space in the Hall over the holidays.
• Work will commence on the Tuckshop Refurbishment and is likely to continue into the Christmas school holidays.
• Flexispace internal works should be completed over the holidays, with the outdoor learning space continuing into Term 4.
• The multipurpose courts will be getting a facelift – re-surface and new boards. This work is expected to be done over the holidays.

Administration Refurbishment Project Cancelled

• Funding for the planned Administration block refurbishment has been cut.

Teaching and Learning

Prep

Prep A have been visiting the school library each week. We love choosing a special book and reading it together in class. Before we return our books, we enjoy spending time looking at the pictures, reading the words, and sharing stories with our friends.

Look at us enjoying our reading time!

Year 1

The Year 1 Team are currently working through end of term assessments. Students are engaging with partner-reading led by Mrs Finlay to support their reading growth. Students have also engaged with the Indigenous Literacy Day through a story read by Mr Ruska and completing some Indigenous artwork.

Year 2

Year 3

Year 3 students have been busy in maths, exploring measurement through hands-on activities. They are developing skills in measuring length, weight, capacity and angles while preparing to show what they’ve learned.

In English, students have created persuasive texts about a chosen country and are now practicing reading them aloud, building confidence and presentation skills. It has been wonderful to see their creativity, ideas, and thinking come to life in both writing and speaking.

As we move toward the end of term, students are finalising their work, including oral presentations where they will present their chosen country and justify their reasons. We are proud of the effort and enthusiasm they have shown across all areas of learning.

Thank you to all the parents who attended the Reading Challenge assembly. It was great to see so many students actively involved in reading alongside their families. Reading is everybody’s business.

Year 5

Last week our students were lucky to enjoy a visit from children’s author Zanni Louise. She shared what it means to be an author, spoke about the writing process, and guided students in creating their own characters and stories. The session sparked lots of creativity, with many students continuing to develop their stories back in the classroom. It was a wonderful opportunity to be inspired by a published author and explore the joy of storytelling.

Year 6

Year 6 are in the final stages of completing their Maths and Science assessment. Students have developed their understanding of fractions, decimals and percentages and have enjoyed studying energy and electricity, this term.

Flexi Space - Jenni Atkinson

In Flexi we used patience and resilience when constructing our solar fans. They were a little bit tricky so we had to make sure that we read the instructions carefully. As a class we all said a big thank you to Jaxson as he helped many others complete their fan and was able to problem solve to fix the fans that were initially not working.

We have been working hard to complete our assessments, to find creative ways to make PowerPoints and express our thoughts in persuasive texts.

Music - Jane Plumridge

Music in Year 3 – Composing Our Own Music!

In Year 3, students are beginning their journey as young composers! This term, they are learning the steps involved in creating their own original music.

Drafting the rhythm – Students start by clapping and writing rhythms using stick notation (without note heads). This helps them focus on the beat and patterns of sound and silence.

Drafting the melody – Next, they choose pitches they are familiar with (note names such as E, G, A, and B) to match their rhythm, turning it into a melody.

Final piece – Finally, students write their music on the treble clef staff, producing a finished composition that can be played and shared.

This process encourages creativity while reinforcing important music skills such as beat, pitch, and notation. We look forward to hearing the wonderful pieces our Year 3 composers create!

LOTE - Roberta Mango

German

The Year 6s created a Bilingual story with a German character or written note about change, whether it was a change in emotion, moving school or flying to another planet.
Afterward, the students participated in a Papierkette (paper chain challenge) and measures the chains to see who could make the longest chain from one single A4 piece of paper.

Design Technology

The Year 4s created characters in class using paper and pencils. These figures are able to stand up on their own.

Reading Champion

The Year 4s are working on their letter links and vowel sounds to improve reading fluency and spelling. I am working on creating resources where students can identify and spell words they find in a picture. This picture has many words with ‘oa’ and ‘ow’ in it. How many can you find?

Library - Alison Sauer

P and C

The Community Hub - Kym Alexander

Community Information

Parentline: Support and advice for all Queensland parents and carers

Being a parent can be rewarding—but it can also be challenging. Whether you’re trying to support your child with school issues, friendship challenges, behaviour, or tough moments at home, it’s completely normal to feel unsure about what to do next.

Parentline is a free and confidential service available to all Queensland parents and carers. No problem is too big or too small—and reaching out early can make a real difference.

Parentline offers advice and support on a wide range of parenting topics, including:

• bullying and friendship issues

• parent–child relationships

• parenting strategies and behaviour management

• mental and emotional wellbeing—for both children and parents

You can speak with a trained professional by phone or webchat (6am-midnight), seven days a week.

An online bullying support forum is also available. This is a safe, moderated space to connect with others, ask questions, and share experiences.

📞 Call 1300 30 1300

💬 Visit www.parentline.com.au

Because parenting doesn’t come with a manual—but help is here when you need it.