11 September 2025

Principal’s Report

Opti-Minds Success

Kuluin can be very proud of the way our teams represented the school at Opti-Minds. Under the ongoing guidance and encouragement of Mrs Janelle Neighbour, students have continued to embrace the spirit of the competition. The Language Literature team received a Spirit of Opti-MINDS award and First Place and are now invited to take part in the State Finals in October. As Mrs. Neighbour often reminds us, Opti-Minds is not about ‘winning’ – it is about being the best that you can be, working together as a team, and overcoming obstacles. First placings and Spirit Awards are fantastic, but being unashamedly excellent and striving to be your best is the ultimate reward.

Congratulations to all our teams for their effort, creativity, and collaboration. We extend a heartfelt thank you to the students and their families for their commitment, and to our dedicated facilitators – Mrs Janelle Neighbour, Mr Adam Russell, and Mrs Renee Bell – for their tireless support. A special thank you also to Mrs. Jan Watson who contributed her time as a judge. Together, you have all demonstrated what it means to be part of the Kuluin community.

School Review

As part of the Department of Education’s continuous improvement cycle, all Queensland state schools undergo a review every four years. Reviews are scheduled to align with the renewal of each school’s four-year strategic plan, ensuring alignment between planning, implementation, and outcomes for students.

Our school review will take place from Tuesday 14 October to Thursday 16 October (Term 4, Week 2). During this time, members of the review team will be on site and will meet with staff, students, and community members. Parents are warmly invited to provide informal feedback between 2:30pm – 3:00pm on the first two days of the review. In addition, the P&C Executive and OSHC representatives will be provided with a formal opportunity to share their perspectives.

I would like to sincerely thank the parents who attended the recent School Review Parent Session. Your insights and contributions help shape our ongoing improvement journey. I also encourage all families to engage with our P&C meetings, which are another valuable avenue for sharing feedback and ideas. The next P&C meeting will be held on Monday 20 October at 6:00pm in the Resource Centre – all are welcome.

Staffing update for term 4

I would like to thank Mr. Pete Fittler for his role as Deputy Principal Year 3-5 during the past three terms at Kuluin SS. Mr Fittler will return to his regional behaviour role next term. Thankyou Mr Fittler for your exceptional support of our students, staff and families during your time at Kuluin.

In term 4 Mr Gaske will step into the Year 4-6 Deputy Principal role and Mr Andrew Wilson, current Year 7-8 Head of Department at Maroochydore SHS, will work with us as Deputy Principal Year 3 and School Events and Operations in Term 4. Mr Wilson will work with us for Term 4 only as the school will transition back to two Deputy Principal roles in 2026. Ms. Jess Thompson will continue in her role of Deputy Principal Prep – Year 2 in Term 4.

We aim to make this a smooth transition for our students and thank you for your ongoing support of our leadership team.

Looking Ahead

As we draw Term 3 to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the entire Kuluin community – students, staff, and families. Your ongoing support, hard work, and commitment to our shared vision of excellence make a positive impact each day. Together, we are building a school culture that values connection, high expectations, and opportunities for every learner – Together We Grow is our school motto.

I wish all families a safe, restful, and enjoyable break. I look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting term of learning. School will resume for Term 4 on Tuesday 7 October.

Kind Regards,
Corrie Connors
Principal

Deputy Principal’s Report

Prep to Year 2

Celebrating Growth

As we reach the end of another successful term, I am so proud to celebrate the wonderful learning, growth and fun our students have experienced. It has been a joy to watch our youngest learners flourish—academically, socially, and emotionally.

Celebrating Learning

This term I have had the absolute pleasure of witnessing the fantastic engaging learning happening in our lower school,  joining Year 1 students as they create procedures for snacks like fairy bread and teddy bear biscuits, listening to Prep students recount events with expression and connection, or hearing persuasive pieces from our talented Year 2 writers arguing for the best excursion destinations. I really do have the best job in the world!

Prep Father’s Day Afternoon

We also celebrated the special people in our lives at the Prep Father’s Day Afternoon. It was such a pleasure to welcome our dads and loved ones to join in the fun—‘face shaving’, massages, paper airplanes, block towers and plenty of soccer goals made for a memorable afternoon together.

Parent–Teacher Interviews

A heartfelt thank you to the families who have booked in for Parent–Teacher Interviews in Week 10. These conversations are such a valuable opportunity to strengthen the partnership between home and school in supporting your child’s growth.

Fire Education Visit

A big thank you to the amazing Maroochydore Fire Station team who visited our Year 1 students this term. They provided engaging fire education sessions, teaching our students important safety skills and knowledge in a fun and interactive way. The visit was a highlight for our young learners and an invaluable opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world safety.

As we look ahead, I wish all our families a safe and wonderful holiday break. I can’t wait to see the learning, creativity and achievements that Term 4 will bring.

Kind Regards,
Jess Thompson
Deputy Principal P-2

Year 3 to 5

Mentoring Through Sports

This term, a group of our Year 5 students participated in the Mentoring Through Sports program, working closely with members of the Brisbane Broncos. The students worked together to build skills in emotional regulation, goal setting and determination.

This opportunity has seen some of our participants truly strive and shine — both academically and socially.

Music Under the Moon

Congratulations to the instrumental music students who performed under the moon on Thursday of Week 8. Their performance reflected the dedication of both students and teachers — absolutely polished!

Our students demonstrated some real talent to watch out for in the future.

Thanks for the Memories

It has been an absolute privilege to be part of the Kuluin community. I want to say a big thank you to all the staff and students for making my time here so memorable. I’ll miss you all, but I’m excited to see what amazing things lie ahead for the school.

I will be returning to my position at the Regional Office, and Mr Andrew Wilson from Maroochydore SHS will be taking over for the remainder of 2025.

Kind Regards,
Pete Fittler
Deputy Principal 3-5

Year 6

Celebrating Success Term 3 has been buzzing with energy, learning, and achievement. Our students, teachers, and parents continue to make The Kuluin School a positive and supportive community. Let’s finish the term strong by keeping up our high standards of behaviour and learning.

Excellence Parade Our recent Excellence Parade celebrated outstanding achievements across sport, Opti-Minds, Writing Excellence, and more. We also announced our 2025 Student Leaders. Congratulations to all students for their hard work and dedication—GULA brought the energy and excitement!

Parent-Teacher Interviews Parent-Teacher Interviews are a key opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, strengths, and goals. Attending helps strengthen the partnership between home and school, supports your child’s learning, and ensures everyone is focused on achieving their best.

Arrival & Departure Please ensure students arrive on time via designated drop-off points and have after-school pick-up arrangements ready. Planning ahead keeps students safe and school operations running smoothly for everyone.

Final Note Let’s finish Term 3 on a high note! By celebrating achievements, maintaining positive behaviour, and supporting each other, we continue to make The Kuluin School a fantastic place to learn and grow.

Kind Regards,
Benjamin Gaske
Deputy Principal 6

Curriculum News

Author Visit – Gregg Dreise

In Week 10, Kuluin State School students will be fortunate enough to have a special visit from children’s author Gregg Dreise.  

Gregg Dreise is the author and illustrator of Silly Birds, Kookoo Kookaburra and Mad Magpie. These stories are about teaching morals. Silly Birds is based on the saying, “It’s hard to soar like an eagle when you are surrounded by turkeys”. Kookoo Kookaburra is based on the saying, “Kindness is like a boomerang - if you throw it often, it comes back often. If you never take the chance to throw it, it never comes back”. Mad Magpie is based on the words of wisdom, “Stay calm like the surface of the water, yet strong like its current. And know that there is a song out there for you.”

A selected group of students will also be offered to opportunity to participate in writing excellence workshops led by Gregg Dreise.

Those selected students will be presented with their excellence badge and certificate at the excellence parades this term.

• Prep - Year 2 in week 8
• Year 3 – Year 6 in week 9

Sports News

Mark West Cup

After winning the U12 district rugby league carnival earlier this term, Kuluin qualified to attend the regional carnival known as the Mark West Cup. The 6 district champions within the Sunshine Coast all played against each other to find the school that would represent the Sunshine Coast in the State finals. We narrowly lost to St Eugene (Redcliffe District) 12-8 in our first game. We then beat Moreton Downs SS (Caboolture District) 16-0 in our second game. We qualified for the semi-finals and were beaten 12-4 by Buddina SS (Coastal District). Coolum SS (Noosa District) won the event beating Buddina in the grand final. This has been an amazing achievement for our school. 13 of the 17 players in our squad did not play rugby league in a team prior to training at school. Well done everyone!

Grades 5 and 6 Interschool Sport

This Friday is the final round of interschool sport for our Grade 5 and 6 students. It has been so great to see so many students taking part in this program. The social, emotional and physical benefits of organised sport are well publicised. If your child has enjoyed taking part in this program, I highly recommend signing them up to join a local club or team.

Lightning Cup

The original Lightning Cup date was postponed due to weather. The new date scheduled for this carnival is Friday 24th October (Term 4, Week 3). We have 3 netball teams entered into this event. Please contact the school if the date change impacts your child’s participation in the excursion.

Term 4 Swimming Lessons

Swimming lessons will take place next term for those cohorts that did not swim during Term 1. Prep, Grade 1, Grade 3 and Grade 5 students will participate in swimming lessons at The Flying Fish Swim School during Term 4. Each class will undertake 6 lessons focusing on water safety and stroke development. Further information will be sent home regarding swimming next week.

Grade 6 Surf Skills

After doing swimming lessons from Prep - Grade 5, our Grade 6 students take part in our surf skills program as they finish off their primary school journey. This program involves beach safety, lifesaving skills, body boarding and learning how to surf. This program will take place next term on 14/11, 21/11, 28/11 and 5/12. Further information regarding surf skills will be sent home next week.

Kind Regards,
Mitch Woods
HPE Teacher

Blue Card Changes

Blue card changes are coming from 20 September.

These changes include:

• parent volunteers will require blue cards if:
• services or activities do not include their own child
• they attend overnight excursions or camps
• close personal contact may occur with another child (such as assisting with toileting, bathing or dressing).
• external businesses providing services in schools or to children will need a blue card.

For more information about the upcoming changes, visit the Queensland Government website:  https://www.qld.gov.au/law/laws-regulated-industries-and-accountability/queensland-laws-and-regulations/regulated-industries-and-licensing/blue-card-system-changes  

Chappy Chatter

Please support the team running Bridge to Brisbane to help keep a Chappy at Kuluin.

Government funding only covers a Chappy for one day a week in a school. All additional funds need to be raised through ventures like this or generous donations by businesses or individuals.

If you are able to help, please reach out or if you just want to support our Bridge to Brisbane team please follow the link below.

https://bridgetobrisbane.gofundraise.com.au/page/TeamKuluin

Tuckshop News

Tuckshop will be closed on Friday 19th September due to stocktake.  Please ensure that you pack lunch for both breaks on this Friday.  As it is week 10, the last week of school for Term 3, the normal menu will be available but as the week goes by this may be limited.

Tuckshop will reopen on Wednesday 8th October.  Please ensure you have a packed lunch for both breaks on the first day of Term 4 - Tuesday 7th October. 

Have a great school break and see you all Term 4.  

Tuckshop menu

Uniform Price List for 2025 - The School Locker Maroochydore

Kuluin State School uniforms are available from The School Locker Maroochydore, located in the Maroochydore Homemaker Centre at 11-55 Maroochy Blvd, Maroochydore. Uniforms can be purchased instore or online for collection or delivery. 

Road Safety

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Compliance Team will be visiting schools in the area over the coming weeks to address safety concerns around school zones, particularly focusing on parking. These visits are part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of students, parents, and staff during school drop-off and pick-up times.

Child Protection Week

C&K Kuluin

Bus Passes

Parents/Carers will not need to apply for a school bus pass if their students are already bus pass holders and are (a) staying at the same school and (b) residing at the same address.  Parents/Carers can apply for STAS online here www.qld.gov.au/schooltransportassistance
- One Form
- Up to Five Children
- Any Device

Please note if your student is not eligible for a school bus pass, you will need to obtain a Go Card online or from your closest retailer. For more information please visit https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/go-card

Please visit our website below for school bus service information.
CDC Sunshine Coast https://cdcqueensland.com.au/bus-services/sunshine-coast-schools/
Phone: (07) 54766622

Email: info.sunshinecoast@cdcbus.com.au

Regular School Attendance

Reminder school commences 8.50am

Time Out / Illness

Why do I need to keep my child at home? This is a common question many families ask us. Please see attached Time Out brochure and poster that provide information for parents about infectious diseases and exclusion periods in Queensland schools.

Cybersafety

The Department of Education & Training (DET) Cybersafety Team have created an eSafety Guide to provide important information on how to protect your information and report inappropriate content when using the latest games, apps and social media.

Click here to visit The eSafety Guide:

Dates to Remember

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Integer fermentum sagittis felis eu ullamcorper. Integer lobortis et leo ac molestie. Nunc malesuada tellus eu est commodo semper. Sed tempus placerat dapibus. Curabitur rhoncus convallis nisi, non ultrices mi sodales quis. Aliquam consectetur lectus at rhoncus iaculis.