2025 Newsletter Term 3 Week 10

From the Principal – Darren Russell

We have reached the finish line of the term and how quickly this has come around! The term has been a very successful one and I’ve included below a number of very pleasing outcomes that our school has achieved this term:

Term 3 Academic Results – Parents will have received Interim Reports on Wednesday afternoon via email. Our school improvement focus this year is ‘reading’ and we are particularly looking at how our students are progressing in subject ‘English’. I’m excited to announce that our students have again continued to progress with all ‘Year level’ results improving (some significantly) from the great achievements of last term! Specific information regarding this will be shared at the beginning of next term as a special celebration to commence Term 4.  

Pride of Kruger Awards – The number of students receiving academic awards continues to grow. With our focus on attendance for the first time we are recognising students who are achieving outstanding results in this space.

Kruger’s Got Sparkle – The sparkle is returning to Kruger! Our school grounds are looking much tidier as a result of students and staff taking ownership of respecting our environment. Our first Containers for Change collection resulted in $306.20 being raised for the P&C.

Attendance – Some great progress in student attendance results have occurred which include: Whole school improvement of 1%, 60 students achieved 100% and 49% of students achieved our school target of 88%!

Reading – Supporting our focus on reading we had our usual whole school events which were very popular and well-supported including: Book Fair, Premier’s Reading Challenge Celebration and Book Week Parade.

PBL Rewards Program – Our students really worked hard with meeting behaviour expectations this term as reflected through the recognition of Snaps distributed by staff. The number of students receiving PBL Rewards this term increased significantly: Term 2 – 559   Term 3 – 800).

NAIDOC Day Celebrations / Gala Days / Choir Performances at Parade / 100 Days of Prep – whole school events that were well supported by our students, parents and coordinated by staff.  

Father’s Day Celebrations – Special events that were coordinated by our P&C and staff that were again well supported and received from our school community: (Father’s Day Stall and Prep Father’s Day Event).

Schools Awareness Raising Events – Bullying No Way, Pyjama Foundation and R U Ok Day) – our students really enjoyed participating in the activities and events that were delivered by staff to raise awareness about these very important issues.

Facilities Upgrade – (Amenities Block, Tuckshop, Flexi-Space and Multi-Sports Court Refurbishments, Digi-tech room air conditioner replacement – to commence in the holiday period. Library and staff car park – future refurbishments.)

The last 10 weeks have flown by with so many things happening at school to keep us busy. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our staff and support from our parents, our students have achieved so many great things this term!

Special farewell to our Business Manager Mrs Henderson and our Guidance Officer Mrs Taverne who are leaving us. We thank them for the great support that they have provided our school during their time with us, and they will certainly be missed!

I would like to thank our students, staff and parents for making my time at Kruger such an enjoyable one this term. It has been a privilege to be your Principal and I have enjoyed each and every day coming to Kruger SS. No doubt Mrs Bogicevic will be very excited to return after the holidays and hear about the great things that we have achieved this term.

I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday break and look forward to hearing about the continued success of our “Kruger kids” in the future! 

Contact Email: druss39@eq.edu.au.

What's Coming Up at Kruger!

Business Manager - Melissa Henderson

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

KEY MESSAGES FOR FAMILIES

Farewell Kruger SS

This is my last week at Kruger State School.  I would like to thank the students, staff and whole school community here at Kruger SS for giving me the opportunity to be a part of your team.  I have learned so much, met some truly wonderful people, made many friends and enjoyed a rich cultural and kind community. 

Thank you especially to the small but dedicated P&C members who volunteer their time to keep the Tuckshop and Uniform Shop running and work hard for all students at Kruger.  It’s been a pleasure to get to know you and to help you get the P&C back up and running. 

I would like to give a special mention to our superstar volunteer – Theresa.  You are the most reliable and dedicated volunteer, and you’ve done an incredible job in Kiren’s absence.  I am sure I speak on behalf of the whole school when I say that your contribution to the school is greatly appreciated.

Facilities Updates

Quite a bit is happening over the upcoming holidays:

• Asbestos Removal – Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 April

Asbestos in the Tuckshop is being removed in the first week of the school holidays. 

School staff, dental van staff and members of the community are NOT permitted on school grounds when asbestos is being removed.

• Flexispace

Work is commencing on the Flexispace project.  There will be some internal renovations done and a large outdoor learning area built at the back of the room on Block 6.  The Flexispace and Tuckshop Projects are being completed by the same contractor.

• Tuckshop Refurbishment Project

Temporary fencing will be delivered and erected on Friday for the commencement of this project over the holidays.  The industrial bins have been moved to another part of the carpark to make way for the site office for the project.  Unfortunately, we are losing the use of the cul-de-sac part of the carpark as well as some carparks for contractors.  We are hopeful that we will still be able to accommodate the kindy buses of an afternoon, but that will need to be carefully looked at once the fencing is erected.

• Uniform Shop

Will be operating from the Main Office while the tuckshop refurbishment works are completed.  The P&C will provide more information as to days and times.

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

Deputy Principal Student Engagement - Peta Jackson

Every Child Every Day That’s the Kruger Way

📈 Attendance Matters – Every Day Counts

As Term 3 wraps up, we’re celebrating the commitment many families have shown to regular attendance. Being at school every day helps students stay connected, build friendships, and keep up with their learning. At the Pride of Kruger Awards students who had 100% attendance for Week 1-Week 8 were recognised at the award ceremony. Please continue letting the office know if your child is away and aim for strong attendance from the very beginning of Term 4. The first day back at school for Term 4 is Tuesday 7 October 2025.

🌟 Kruger’s Got Sparkle – End of Term 3

Thank you to all our students and classes for showing their Sparkle this term! Our focus on bags zipped up and neatly on the racks and keeping areas outside classrooms tidy has really lifted the look and feel of our school. This week we held the big draw for the classes that kept their Sparkle shining and 1C, 4D and 5D were the winners who will enjoy extra playground time. Let’s finish the term strong and keep those areas sparkling!

👟 Safe Footwear Reminder

Students must wear closed-in shoes to school each day—Crocs, slides, and sandals aren’t suitable for school activities. The holidays are a great time to check and replace runners or sandshoes, so everyone is ready for a safe Term 4.

🎓 Year 6 High School Enrolments for 2026

Families of our Year 6 students are reminded to finalise high school enrolments for 2026. Early submission of enrolment forms allows high schools to plan effectively and supports a smooth transition for your child. If you require assistance with forms or have any questions about the process, please contact our school office.

🎓 Year 6 Graduation & End-of-Year Celebrations – Date Claimers

Families of our Year 6 students, please save these important dates:

• Special Awards Ceremony: Monday 8 December
• Year 6 Graduation: Wednesday 10 December
• Wet’n’Wild Celebration Trip: Thursday 11 December

Further details about each event will be shared early next term.

🌸 Holiday Wishes and Staffing Update

I would like to wish all families a safe, restful, and enjoyable holiday break. Take the time to relax and recharge, ready for an exciting Term 4. Thanks for helping us shine—through attendance, safety, Sparkle, and preparing Year 6 for what’s ahead!

I will be on leave for the first two weeks of Term 4, and Regina Birchley will be working in the Student Engagement area in my absence. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to her if you need support during this time.

Contact Email: pmjac0@eq.edu.au.

Deputy Principal Inclusion - Regina Birchley

Transitions

All individuals change from one activity to another and from one setting to another throughout the day. Whether at home, school, or in the workplace, transitions naturally occur frequently and require individuals to stop an activity, move from one location to another, and begin something new. Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and/or other social emotional needs may have greater difficulty in shifting attention from one task to another or in changes of routine. This may be due to a greater need for predictability, challenges in understanding what activity will be coming next, or difficulty when a pattern of behaviour is disrupted.

What are transition strategies?

Transition strategies are techniques used to support individuals with ASD during changes in, or disruptions to activities, settings, or routines. The techniques can be used before a transition occurs, during a transition, and/or after a transition, and can be presented verbally, auditorily, or visually. The strategies attempt to increase predictability for individuals on the autism spectrum and to create positive routines around transitions.

Looking Ahead to the 2026 School Year

Some students may find changes in routine or environment challenging and may benefit from additional structure, predictability, and support. Without the right strategies in place, these challenges can impact independence and learning outcomes.

To help all students start the 2026 school year with confidence, students can be offered additional support and transition strategies where needed. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact their class teacher or the school office.

Have a safe and restful school break.

Contact Email: rbirc14@eq.edu.au.

Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning - Elena Finlay

English Units – Term 4

Next term, students will be engaging with the following mentor texts in their English units as they work on writing their own narrative texts:

• Prep: Texts about pets (various authors)
• Year 1: How the Birds Got Their Colours retold by Mary Albert, and other First Nations picture books
• Year 2: Tashi by Anna Fienberg and Barbara Fienberg, illustrated by Kim Gamble
• Year 3: Kumiko and the Dragon by Briony Stewart
• Year 4: Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda
• Year 5: Boy Overboard by Morris Gleitzman
• Year 6: Holes by Louis Sachar

If you have any questions about these texts or would like ideas on how to engage your child in discussions about them at home, please contact your child’s teacher or book an interview during the Parent Teacher Interview Session in Week 3 next term.

Report Cards

On Wednesday, student reports were emailed home, along with a link to book a Parent–Teacher Interview scheduled for Wednesday in Week 3 of next term. These interviews are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your child’s progress, ask questions, and work together on strategies to ensure a strong finish to the year.

Curriculum overviews were also emailed on Wednesday, giving parents and carers insight into the learning areas covered this term and supporting meaningful conversations about your child’s learning journey as you review their report card.

Celebration of Learning

On Monday afternoon, 130 certificates were presented at this term’s Pride of Kruger Celebration Assembly. These certificates recognised Academic Excellence and students demonstrating Kruger State School’s Values—what an amazing achievement!

The assembly also showcased the musical talents of our Year 1, 2, and 4 singers, alongside performances from our Cultural groups, creating a memorable celebration of learning and highlighting the rich cultural connections within our school community.

Reading Before School

The school library is open from 8:00am to 8:20 am for Before School Reading. If you would like support in selecting books for home reading with your child, please contact Mrs Elena Finlay (Deputy Principal – Teaching and Learning) at efinl9@eq.edu.au.

Prep Reading

On Assembly in Week 9, Liam (Prep B) shared his amazing reading with the audience. During his reading, Liam demonstrated how to sound out and blend unfamiliar words.

A video of Liam’s reading has been uploaded to Facebook to showcase strategies that can be used when reading unfamiliar words. Well done, Liam!

Liam (pictured below with his Mum) engages in regular home reading with his family.

Prep Enrolments

If you have a child born between 01/07/2020 to 30/06/2021 they are eligible to start Prep in 2026. Please contact the Office to collect a Prep enrolment pack. At the enrolment interview, you will receive access to the Kruger Prep Reading Channel, designed to support our 2026 Preps as they transition into school. This week, new readings by Mrs Bernard and Ms Diak have been added to the channel. Transition activities are scheduled for next term.

Contact Email: efinl9@eq.edu.au.

Head of Department Student Engagement - Mathilda Holt

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) at Kruger

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is a whole-school approach that teaches, models, and rewards positive behaviour to create a safe, supportive, and successful learning environment for all students. What does this mean for your child? At Kruger State School, students earn SNAPS for displaying our school expectations and can cash them in at the SNAP Shop for exciting prizes.

In Term 3, our students redeemed an incredible 800 prizes – a 43% increase from Term 2! This shows how hard our students are working to meet expectations and how motivated they are to be part of our positive school culture. Alongside prizes, students also enjoyed experiences such as Teacher vs Students sports, a glow-stick disco, tech time/Mario Kart, face painting, boom whackers, and even morning tea with the principal. The PBL and Student Engagement Team are so excited for the rewards and opportunities that Term 4 will bring!

At Kruger State School we are: Learners, Respectful, Safe and Honest! Families can help keep this momentum going by encouraging these values at home and over the holidays. For example:

• Learners – reading, trying new activities, helping with cooking or chores.
• Respectful – using manners, listening to others, helping siblings.
• Safe – playing carefully, wearing helmets, following family rules.
• Honest – admitting mistakes, telling the truth, returning belongings.

Parents are also encouraged to think about how students can be incentivised to show these behaviours at home – perhaps through extra family time, choosing a fun activity, or celebrating positive choices with praise.

Together, we can continue to build momentum and celebrate the amazing achievements of our Kruger kids!

Contact email: mxhol8@eq.edu.au.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 10

Next

Guidance Officer - Ellen Taverne

Hi Kruger State School Community,

As we come to the end of the term, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Kruger State School community for warmly welcoming me during my time here. It has been a real pleasure getting to know our wonderful students, dedicated staff, and supportive families.

I have thoroughly enjoyed building connections and being part of the caring and inclusive environment that makes Kruger such a special place. It is always inspiring to see how students are supported both at school and at home to grow, learn, and thrive.

As we head into the school holidays, I encourage everyone to take some time to rest, recharge, and spend quality moments with family and friends. Please remember to stay safe, look after one another, and return ready for another exciting term of learning and growth.

Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable holiday!

Contact Email: egibb34@eq.edu.au.

Teaching and Learning

Prep

As Term 3 comes to an end, the Preps are reaping the rewards of all their hard work. This has included Pride of Kruger awards and redeeming their Snap points for prizes such as the disco, and SNAP shop. The Preps have been sharing their excitement on being able to recognise and read more words in books as well as writing longer sentences due to their literacy learning. Over the past few weeks, they have been learning the digraphs qu, wh and ck, the words we find them in and have enjoyed making the associated craft.

Year 1

Year 1 has had a wonderful term of learning and growth. In English, students shared oral presentations about their favourite Indigenous games, while in Mathematics they explored measurement and practised division through equal sharing. HASS and Science lessons saw them discovering the differences between managed, constructed, and natural environments. Next term will be our final one together in Year 1, and it’s amazing to see just how much everyone has accomplished—they’ll soon be ready for the adventure of Year 2! As we head into the warmer months, please encourage your child to be sun safe by wearing a hat each day, and remember to clearly label it, as missing hats are all too common at this time of year.

Year 2

In Science this term, Year 2 students have been exploring how objects move when a push or pull is applied. To bring their learning to life, the students designed and created their very own moving toys. Using simple materials, they experimented to see how different types of forces made their toys move.

The classroom was filled with excitement as students proudly tested and shared their creations, from cars that zoomed forward to moving puppets. This hands-on project helped students understand scientific concepts while sparking creativity and problem-solving skills.

Year 2 had a wonderful time making science fun and practical!

Year 3

WOW – what a term it has been! It’s hard to believe there is only one term left in the year. Our Year 3 students have achieved so much, and we are incredibly proud of the learning, growth, and resilience they have shown.

This term has been filled with amazing moments both within our cohort and across the wider school community. From engaging lessons and creative projects, to special events and celebrations, our students have embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm and curiosity.

On behalf of all the Year 3 teachers, we would like to thank families for their ongoing support throughout the term. We wish you a safe and happy holiday break, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back for our final, exciting term together.

Year 4

This term, our Year 4 students have been combining their learning in English and HASS with a focus on sustainability by writing and presenting speeches about how Kruger State School can better manage waste.

Students were challenged to create a persuasive presentation that was between one to two minutes in length. Their task was not only to write strong and convincing arguments but also to deliver their speeches to the class using important features of voice, including pitch, volume, tone, and pace, to keep their audience engaged.

From recycling bins and compost systems to new initiatives such as a "Kruger Green Team," our students came up with creative and practical ideas to help make our school more environmentally friendly. The presentations showed just how thoughtful and passionate our students are about protecting the planet.

It was wonderful to see every student confidently sharing their ideas, using their voices to persuade and inspire others. Their efforts demonstrated not only their developing skills as writers and speakers but also their growing understanding of the importance of sustainable practices.

We are very proud of the Year 4 students for the effort, creativity, and confidence they displayed during this project. They are proving to be responsible young leaders who are ready to make a positive difference at Kruger State School.

Year 5

WOW – Term 3 has gone by so quickly, and what a busy term it has been!

In English, we wrapped up our assessments by delivering persuasive speeches on why we should save endangered animals around the world. Students spoke with passion, built their confidence, and learnt skills about how to persuade an audience.

In Maths, we explored perimeter and area by putting our addition and multiplication knowledge into action. Towards the end of the term, we became angle experts – learning about degrees and practising how to measure with a protractor.

Of course, we also kept up with our weekly PLD lessons and dictations, building our spelling and language skills step by step.

To celebrate all of our hard work, we kicked off Week 10 with Pride of Kruger – a wonderful way to recognise and share our achievements.

Well done Year 5 on an amazing Term 3!

Year 6

Year Six students have now completed their final assessment tasks for the term. It has been a fun but challenging ten weeks. We are all looking forward to a well deserved break and will come back refreshed for the final term of 2025. 

Flexi Space - Jenni Atkinson

A few weeks ago in Flexi we had the Umbrella charity come and talk to us about the hardships that people sleeping rough face every day. The class listened and created solar powered solutions. Each student gave a persuasive speech having chosen whether they wanted to promote their solution to a charity, manufacturer or the government. Their inventions from temperature controlled blankets to solar BBQ plates were thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of people sleeping rough based on class research and the talk with Jo and Lynn from Umbrella. This week Jo and Lynn came back and each student had the chance to explain their innovation solution and share their persuasive text. They were so impressed with the class’s work and posted on their social media page.

LOTE - Roberta Mango

Year 1 and 2 students have been loving the playground and dancing during breaktimes, while Prep students have been busy exploring and showing curiosity about the world around them – even finding mystery eggs on the grass!

For a fun holiday activity, try making a letter-and-sound domino game with older siblings or cousins.

Wishing everyone a happy, safe, and curious holiday!

HPE - Lachlan Bowser

This Term, our Kruger Crocs Touch Football students competed against other schools in the annual Greater Springfield Primary School Sports – Touch Football Tournament. Both our Boys and Girls teams played exceptionally well with some of the girls playing their first ever games of Touch Football! They had some amazing wins, and some losses but overall, a fantastic competition shared with the team! We are very proud of the way the girls played and supported each other and are excited to continue building our Kruger Crocs program at Kruger State School!

The Year 5 and Year 6 boys’ teams played two epic grand finals with the Year 5’s facing up against Redbank Plains State School and the Year 6’s against Springfield Lakes State School. These were very intense matches with the scores being close. Fortunately, both teams walked away victorious, and we couldn’t be happier with their effort, determination and overall sportsmanship!

A special congratulations goes out to both our Year 5 and Year 6 boys’ teams who walked away undefeated all year in both Rugby League and Touch Football competitions! We are so tremendously proud of our Kruger Crocs teams and are excited to keep the energy rolling into next year!

HPE - Orhan Memedovski

Student Achievement – Faatino Penetito Ioane

A huge congratulations to 6C student Faatino Penetito Ioane, who has been selected for both the Met West Softball Team and the Queensland Schoolgirls U14 Softball Team! Faatino will travel to Sydney in November to compete with the QLD U14 Flames Squad and is also set to play in Melbourne in January. She is thrilled to represent Queensland in the sport she loves.

We wish Faatino the very best of luck — we are confident she will represent herself, her family, and Kruger with pride, showcasing her talent, determination, and sportsmanship on every field.

Crocs Basketball Wrap-Up

Girls Crocs

The Girls Crocs had a standout season, showing how hard work at electives training translated into strong performances on the court. Their focus on building skills, learning the game, and enjoying basketball as a team created plenty of exciting moments throughout the Galas.

In the final Gala round, the girls fought hard in a series of close games, including some that came down to just a single basket. Their resilience and growth as a team was clear, and they should feel proud of how far they have come this season.

Boys Crocs

The Boys Crocs also had an excellent season, representing Kruger with toughness and spirit. Entering the top division (Senior A) was a challenge, but their commitment in electives training carried over to the court, where they competed against the best schools in the region.

From a narrow 2-point loss to Redbank Plains (who went on to make the grand final) to a series of gritty wins, the boys showed determination, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout. Their 5th-place finish out of more than 10 schools is a reflection of their consistent effort and belief in each other.

By The Numbers

• 19 – Kruger students who represented the Crocs basketball teams this season
• 20 – Total games played across both teams at the Galas
• 18 – Highest points scored in a single game by the Croc Boys
• 3 – Close games the Girls Crocs lost by a single basket
• 1 – School community proud of every Croc who gave their all!

MonSTARS vs Tune Squad – Staff vs Students Showdown!

On Wednesday 10 September, the Kruger staff faced off against the PBL Year 5/6 basketball stars in a showdown for the ages. The teams – MonSTARS (Staff) vs Tune Squad (Students).

From the tip-off, it was clear this game had it all. There were some legendary lay-ups, impressive dribbling moves, and defence that had jaws dropping. Sure, a few fouls snuck in here and there, but the older, wiser staff weren’t just holding their own; they jumped to an early 6–0 lead, showing they’ve still got game!

The hall was buzzing, packed with cheering students, and it erupted when the students scored their first points. The excitement never let up, the game was fast, funny, and full of heart.

In the end, the MonSTARS took the win 20–12, but everyone was a winner. Special shout-outs to Chloe Parson and Jairus Tupuse, who earned Player of the Match awards for their incredible sportsmanship and skill.

A huge thank you to the amazing students who played so hard and had so much fun, and to all the students and staff who came to cheer. Your energy made the hall roar and made it a game to remember!

P and C

The Community Hub - Kym Alexander

Community Information