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Welcome to Term 2! I hope you all had a great Easter break.
2025 SCHOOL CALENDAR
ANZAC DAY COMMUNITY PARADE AND SERVICE
ANZAC Day is an important part of our school and community calendar.
We encourage students to represent the school with pride and commemorate ANZAC Day by participating in the Thuringowa Parade and Service.
Time:
- 8:30am – Assemble at Weir State School.
- 9:00am – March to Riverway Cenotaph.
- 9:30am – Service commences.
- Approximately 10:15am – Service concludes.
All students are required to be in full and correct school uniform including a school hat and are encouraged to bring a water bottle.
Please ensure that all students have their name marked off by a staff member at the event.
TERM 1 REPORTING
Student report cards for Term 1 will be available on QParents by 4:00pm Thursday 24 April.
STUDENT DRESS CODE
Please find here a link to our Junior Secondary Dress Code and Senior Secondary Dress Code.
I would also like to take this opportunity to remind students and parents/carers that school shoes must be plain black in colour. Please find here a link to our Shoe Guide.
Kirwan State High School does not issue ‘Uniform Passes’. All students must be in full and correct school uniform each and every day.
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
Please find here a link to our Student Code of Conduct.
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)
Kirwan State High School is a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) school. PBL is a research and evidence based approach to creating a positive teaching and learning culture.
Agreed Behaviour Expectations
In collaboration with staff, students and the wider school community, the school has developed Agreed Behaviour Expectations.
These Agreed Behaviour Expectations are further detailed in a PBL Matrix outlined on page 4 of our Student Code of Conduct. These expectations will be explicitly taught in House Group lessons each week
Acknowledgement Systems
Students demonstrating our PBL Behaviour Expectations may be awarded a PBL Postcards by
members of staff. Each time a student receives ten postcards in a calendar year, they will receive a
Tuckshop Voucher to spend and a Skip the Line Tuckshop Voucher.
PBL Top Student
At the end of each academic reporting period, the school recognises the Top Students achieving students for attendance, behaviour and effort students in each year level. Students will receive a Tuckshop Voucher to spend and a Skip the Line Tuckshop Voucher.
PBL 10 Most Improved
At the end of each academic reporting period, the school recognises the Ten Most Improved students
for attendance, behaviour and effort in each year level. Students will receive a Tuckshop Voucher
to spend and a Skip the Line Tuckshop Voucher.
PBL Celebrations
Students that achieve a Green Level of Engagement are invited to participate in a Colour Run at the end of Term 2 and Splashfest at the end of Term 4.
PBL House Cup
House Cup is designed to promote positive house and school spirit by acknowledging the achievement,
attendance, behaviour and engagement of students in the school community.
A House Cup is awarded in Junior Secondary (Years 7 to 9) and Senior Secondary (Years 10 to 12).
At the end of each term, the winning house is celebrated with a BBQ lunch.
Behaviour and Effort Reporting Matrix
To ensure that our reporting of student behaviour and effort is aligned to PBL, we have reviewed the Behaviour and Effort Matrix. Teachers will utilise this matrix to provide parents/carers feedback on their child’s behaviour and effort each term.
From the commencement of 2025, students will received a Behaviour and Effort result for their morning House Group,
This Matrix is further detailed on page 6 of our Student Code of Conduct.
Level of Engagement
Levels of Engagement acknowledges students who consistently contribute positively to the school culture by demonstrating the school’s expectations.
Level of Engagement will not reset at the start of each year. However, students have the ability to appeal their level of engagement. This Levels of Engagement are further detailed on page 7 of our Student Code of Conduct.
THREE WAY CONVERSATIONS
Three Way Conversations are scheduled for Tuesday 6 May from 3:00pm to 6:00pm
This is a great opportunity to build positive relationships with teachers, celebrate your child’s achievement, discuss strategies for improvement and address any concerns.
Parents/carers can make appointments with their child’s teachers from Friday 25 April using the following link https://eq.sobs.com.au/pt3/parent.php?schoolid=70083
YEAR LEVEL CERTIFICATES
In 2025, we are introducing a Year Level Certificate for students in Year 7 to 10. This Certificate recognises that each year level is a critical stage of education for students.
The Year Level Certificate will:
- Provide incentive for students to improve academic achievement and celebrate student success.
- Encourage students to take greater ownership and responsibility for their learning.
- Ensure students are prepared for a pathway that will assist them in achieving high academic outcomes.
- Support students to set goals and identify personal strengths and areas for improvement through ongoing tracking of success.
- Enable staff to effectively monitor and track student achievement and inform support and intervention strategies.
For further information head here: https://tinyurl.com/3m7b3t2v
YEAR 6 INTO YEAR 7 2026 TRANSITION
ADMINISTRATION CAR PARK
The Administration car park at the front of the school is not a drop off and pick up zone. Please refrain from using this area for these purposes.
The volume of vehicles currently accessing this area is creating safety concerns for students and staff.
If this continues, we will close the gate every morning and afternoon to prohibit access.
ILLEGAL STOPPING AND PARKING – BUS ZONE AND NO STANDING ZONES
An increasing number of vehicles are parking/stopping illegally in ‘bus’ and ‘no standing’ zones around the school. This is creating significant safety concerns for students, particularly during morning drop off and afternoon pick up.
The Queensland Police Service have been patrolling the area and fining drivers for this behaviour.
Please ensure that you follow the road rules for the safety of students.
2025 P&C MEETINGS
Our P&C meets on the second Tuesday of every month in the Futures Centre of Neptune Road at 6:00pm.
The meetings for 2025 are scheduled as follows.
- Term 2 Week 4 – Tuesday 13 May
- Term 2 Week 8 – Tuesday 10 June
- Term 3 Week 5 – Tuesday 12 August
- Term 3 Week 9 – Tuesday 9 September
- Term 4 Week 2 – Tuesday 12 October
- Term 4 Week 6 – Tuesday 11 November
SUBJECT CHANGES
Subject changes for individual students should be minimal and must take into account the following imperatives:
- Year 7 and 8 – No subject changes required. Subjects are programmed by the school for the two-year cycle to meet the requirements of the Australian Curriculum.
- Year 9 and 10 – No subject changes required. Elective subjects run for one semester and students are to remain in the subject for the duration.
- Year 11 – Subject changes can only occur in Week 1 of Term 1 or at the end of Unit 1 or 2 for General and Applied subjects or by the end of Week 4 for VET subjects. In exceptional circumstances, students who are changing from a General or Applied subject to a VET subject may be able to change prior to the completion of the unit. Students must make an appointment with a Guidance Officer or Year 11 Deputy Principal.
- Year 12 - Subject changes are only permitted in exceptional circumstances. Students must make an appointment with a Guidance Officer or the Year 12 Deputy Principal.
CAR WASHES
STUDENT SERVICES
MULLETS FOR MENTAL HEALTH
Mullets for Mental Health is an initiative from the Back Dog Institute to raise awareness and promote conversations about mental health.
On Monday 28 April, we will be holding our annual Mullets for Mental Health Parade.
YEAR 7 CAMP
Year 7 Camp will be held in Week 7 of Term 2. Students on a Green Level of Engagement have the opportunity to attend a 3-day Camp on Magnetic Island.
The camp allows students to take part in curriculum-related activities outside of their normal school routine. It provides practical experiences that extend learning whilst fostering confidence and igniting creativity and problem solving. Students will be provided with elements of adventure that encourage social interaction and team building as well as developing independence.
Students that do not attend the camp will attend normal curriculum lessons at school.
CREATIVE ARTS ACADEMY
CREATIVE ARTS ACADEMY SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS
Our P&C facilitates two subgroups to support the Creative Arts Academy and Sports Academy.
The Creative Arts Academy Support Group meet on the second Monday of every month in the Music Block at 5:00pm.
The meetings for 2025 are scheduled as follows.
- Term 2 Week 4 – Monday 12 May
- Term 2 Week 8 – Monday 9 June
- Term 3 Week 5 – Monday 11 August
- Term 3 Week 9 – Monday 8 September
- Term 4 Week 2 – Monday 11 October
- Term 4 Week 6 – Monday 10 November
SCHOOL MUSICAL - PIRATES OF PENZANCE
Tickets for the school musical are now available for purchase from the Townsville Ticketshop here: https://tinyurl.com/yc4n6d7p.
A limited supply is also available from the Kirwan High Administration Office to purchase.
SPORTS ACADEMY
SPORTS ACADEMY SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS
Our P&C facilitates two subgroups to support the Creative Arts Academy and Sports Academy.
The Sports Academy Support Group meet on the second Monday of every month in the Futures Centre of Neptune at 6:00pm.
The meetings for 2025 are scheduled as follows.
- Term 2 Week 4 – Monday 12 May
- Term 2 Week 8 – Monday 9 June
- Term 3 Week 5 – Monday 11 August
- Term 3 Week 9 – Monday 8 September
- Term 4 Week 2 – Monday 11 October
- Term 4 Week 6 – Monday 10 November
CROSS COUNTRY
Our Cross Country will be held Thursday 1 May. This is a compulsory event for all Sports Academy students. Students who are not part of the Sports Academy can participate by collecting and returning a permission from to Lyn Jackson on the HPE/Sport staffroom.
On the day, students will meet at the Excelsior Centre at 11:15am to have a small lunch before walking to Riverway Stadium for commencement.
Students must wear their Sports Academy uniform and a school hat and are encouraged to bring a water bottle.
FINANCE
STUDENT RESOURCE SCHEME
The Student Resource Scheme has many benefits for both students and parents/caregivers. Families who choose to become members of the Student Resource Scheme (SRS) will have access to textbooks and some consumables within Technologies and The Arts subjects from the beginning of the school year. Students will also have access to a wide range of supplementary resources not possible without the Student Resource Scheme.
The school operates a Student Resource Scheme under Education Queensland guidelines. The scheme aims to provide all students with the necessary basic textbooks and associated learning materials at considerable savings to parents.
Participants will be required to pay $300 per annum. See all payment options below.
The Student Resource Scheme is a co-operative fund generated by the funds received from parents/caregivers. A Government Textbook Resource Allowance (TRA) is received by the school.
For Year 7-10 students $160 and for Year 11 – 12 students $348. The SRS and subject fees have been offset by the TRA.
ACADEMY FEES - CREATIVE ARTS, SPORTS AND STEM
Payment of Academy fees is required upon submission of an Expression of Interest, a Subject Selection form or subject change request. For those students wishing to continue in the Academies for the following year, a pre-payment is required prior to 31st October of the current year to secure your child’s place in the Academy.
SUBJECT FEES
For some elective subjects, fees will apply. All subjects attracting a fee are listed on the Subject Selection forms and in Subject books. Subject fees are not included in the SRS.
FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY
If you are experiencing financial difficulty, please contact the school to arrange an appointment to discuss options and apply for a payment plan. Any information that you provide will be confidential. Our Accounts Administrator can be contacted on 47738107 or email accounts@kirwanshs.eq.edu.au.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
BPoint is the school preferred payment method. The link is shown on your invoice, or you can type https://www.BPOINT.com.au/ payments/dete into your web browser. The web link will open up a new secure window. Enter the payment information into the fields, CRN, invoice number, student name and amount. This information can be found on the invoice/statement provided to you by the school.
Qkr! By MasterCard, the secure and easy way to pay for school items from your phone at a time and place that suits you. Download Qkr! Register and find Kirwan State High School, add a profile then make payment.
Direct Deposit - To perform a direct deposit into the school account please contact the school for our Bank Account Details on 47 738 107.
In Person - Payment by cash or EFTPOS (includes Visa or MasterCard) at the office from 8:00am until 4:00pm.
Centrepay Deductions - Payments by Centrepay deductions can be arranged through the school office from 8:00am until 4:00pm.
Heather Murry
Executive Principal
