4 April 2025

From the Principal

Ministerial Visit to Kenmore SHS

The honourable John-Paul Langbroek MP, Minister for Education and the Arts and Dr Christian Rowan MP, Member for Moggill, Leader of the House and Assistant Minister the Premier, visited our school on Tuesday, 25th March.

I’m extremely appreciative of the time that both the Minister and our state member, Dr Rowan, provided to us to view our facilities, to see the impact that recent flooding caused by cyclone Alfred had on our outdoor sports facilities and oval, and to listen to our school’s infrastructure needs after an era of lack of infrastructure spending.

The Minister was able to see first hand how our infrastructure has not kept pace with our enrolment growth over time. Dr Rowan, P&C President Mrs Kerry Schreiber and I were able to advocate a need to keep or maintain current fit-for-purpose buildings, with a view to re-purposing end-of-life building sites or footprints to enable our facilities to be brought up to standards commensurate with our student numbers, curriculum needs, neighbouring schools and positioning learning environments for preparing our students for the future workforce. Of note was an ex-Kenmore SHS alumni who happened to be an advisor to the Minister, who also acknowledged that the facilities were the same as when he attended the school many years prior.

I’m keen that further infrastructure decisions future-proof Kenmore SHS and other school sites to best encompass “the now” and “the future” and fiscally account for public money expenditure.

I’ve advocated for:

1. Stage 2: The proposed, and DoE budgeted new futsal-sized Sports Centre to be positioned across the under-sized library and Mabb Street carpark.

2. Stage 1: The outdated open-area J Block to be demolished and a new 3-storey building, consisting of:

• Level 1: Library and the proposed DoE budgeted Specialist STEM/entrepreneurial classrooms.
• Level 2: One-stop student support services hub and office to service both parents and students (off Mabb Street).
• Level 3: Administrative services.

3. Stage 3: Re-purposing the existing Admin building into specialist/general classrooms.

4. Stage 4: The existing under-sized sports centre to be kept and repurposed into a Performing Arts     

I acknowledge our new government’s position in future-proofing Queensland.

“We can’t just build for a few weeks (of competition), we’ve got to build for decades to come. We need a plan… and it’s time to deliver.” Rupert McCall, ‘Delivering 2032 and beyond’ - 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Delivery Plan: Premier Crisafulli

I want to acknowledge our 2024 student leaders, Anastasia Ho, Parmida Darouei and Annelise Whitbread who returned to escort the Minister around our facilities and discuss how “Your Future Matters” to them at Kenmore SHS. Also, to current school Captains, Yuna Kim and Liezel-Marie Roux, who spoke to him about their current student leadership endeavours. As well as Ms Johnston, Ms Byron and the Year 11 German Immersion class who the Minister visited.

As we near the end of term, I’d like to thank all of our families and students for a great start to this year.

Even though we were interrupted by cyclone Alfred and continue to have our HPE curriculum and sports program impacted, I’m proud of the efforts of my school leaders, teachers and staff to make adjustments and amendments to minimize the impact on our student’s curriculum and studies. Success in the academic arena is built off the back of great application and engagement within classrooms and complemented by a dedicated and balanced study program, orchestrated at home. Only when the activities that motivate us and bring us joy in our lives are scheduled so that they occur, along with intentional attention to stay on top of content retention and application of skills required for success at school, will we be able to create the building blocks for success in each student’s life at school and reach beyond school. Setting up these habits of prioritising joyful experiences with scheduled study patterns are crucial to each student’s success at school. And the support of our parents and carers are critical in helping their young person to be successful, not only at school, but also in life through creating a pattern of prioritising balance in work and life…educating our students for life.

As the holidays approach, I wish you all the best for a great opportunity to re-engage as a family and trust you’ll find the time to undertake activities that bring you joy and fill your cup.

Mr Paul Robertson
Your proud Executive Principal

Languages Update

Amazing 2024 Results

We are incredibly proud of our 2024 results, with great results in Japanese, German and German Extension.

We even had 3 of our German students getting full marks on the external exam and one student achieving 100% for German, as well as 5 students in German Extension with full marks on their external exam and 2 students with 100% overall.

Student Scholarship

Amelia in year 11 has been awarded a 3 week full PASCH scholarship to Germany in July. Amelia will be part of a German language camp in the north of Germany. The scholarship includes an intensive language course, flights, accommodation, food cultural and sporting activities and a whole lot of fun. In Germany, Amelia will meet German language students from around the world. Her dedication, achievement and passion for German throughout her time in the German Immersion Program is commendable. We are super proud of Amelia. Congratulations and well done! This will be a second trip to Germany in less than a year for Amelia. We have no doubt that Amelia will excel at this enriching experience and do KSHS proud. Thank you to the Goethe Institut, all teachers and to the German Immersion team for making this possible for Amelia.

Year 9 German Immersion Camp

Year 9 German Immersion students travelled to Tallebudgera on the Gold Coast on 28th February. The German Immersion camp for grade 9 was an amazing experience. It was so fun, as we bonded with all our classmates and built great teamwork. Our classmates and all the teachers and instructors were nice and great at encouraging us to push our limits and step outside our comfort zones. Although we all had different limits, everyone was really understanding about it and made us all feel supported. Everyone hung out after the activities, playing basketball, handball, boardgames and more. Our favourite activities were the boogie boarding (thanks Alfie for the huge waves!), the giant swing – where we got an amazing view of the beach where the show, h2o was filmed! We also did high ropes, archery, trivia and games. The cabins were spacious, and the whole environment was amazing to be in. Thank you to Herr de Jong, Frau Flatscher, Frau More, parent helpers (and all the other German staff involved ) for making this possible.

Gabi, Keira and Nienke

Minster for Education Visit

After meeting the honourable Minister for Education, Mr Langbroek at the German Language Round Table meeting on 18th March, we were excited to welcome him into a year 11 German classroom in week 9. He was able to observe students having conversations about friendship in German and even challenged himself to see how much he could understand.

Upcoming Meetings

Thursday 1st May

German Immersion Information Evening for primary school families interested in enrolling their children in German Immersion

Wednesday 7th May:

• 5 – 6pm Inbound Meeting
• 6 – 7pm Outbound Meeting
• 7 – 8pm GIESG Meeting

Sarah Johnston
Shadow Head of Department - Languages

The Arts Update

Musical Production

We are thrilled to announce our 2025 Musical Production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid!

May 14^th-17^th in the Activities Centre

With over 150 talented students from Years 8–12, along with a dedicated team of teachers, our incredible cast, crew, dancers, and musicians have been working tirelessly since the start of the year to bring this magical story to life. 

Tickets on sale from April 25th via TryBooking https://www.trybooking.com/CZQUK

Seats will sell fast - don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable journey under the sea!

Music

As part of Kindness Week, students from our Music Extension & Senior Music program took to the stage, performing in a live band, bringing the school community together through music.

Their set showcased not only their talent and hard work but also the way music can connect people from all backgrounds.

Students in our Instrumental Music Junior Jazz Band and Flute Ensemble also entertained students with a lunchtime concert.

A big thank you to our student musicians for putting on a great show and contributing to the spirit of Kindness Week!

Instrumental Music

Excitement is building as our choirs prepare for the upcoming biennial Choral Fanfare competition at the end of Semester 1!

On Saturday, 1st March, nearly 200 students from our three choirs took part in an intensive choral workshop with their conductors and special guest, renowned chorister Dr Robert Stewart.

The day was filled with music, learning, and collaboration, culminating in a short concert where students showcased the repertoire, they have been refining over the past five weeks.

It was a fantastic opportunity for friends and family to experience their progress and passion for choral singing!

Jo Willett
Head of Department – The Arts

Science Update

Year 8 Science

Year 8 science is our Teacher Collaboration Time (TCT) focus group for 2025. Under the leadership of the Science Shadow HOD Keryn Harris, the teaching team meets frequently each term to integrate “Visible Learning” strategies into the learning progression. We are currently building in frequent “Checks for Understanding” throughout the learning progression that aim to build the students’ understanding of the criteria they will be assessed on, reflect on how they are going with their learning and how they can try and improve their responses to the criteria. So far we have seen that the students are much clearer with articulating how they are going and how they can improve their results. I’m eagerly awaiting the Term 1 reporting data!

QUT visit – Dr Pat Hayman

Our Year 9 Science students had a hands-on lesson in deep time with Pat Hayman, Senior Lecturer from QUT’s School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. They explored key geological events—from the age of the Earth and the first evidence of life to human evolution—by mapping them to scale on a rolled out timeline. This creative activity helped students grasp just how vast Earth’s 4.6-billion-year history is and how recent humans are in the timeline.

Adding to the experience, Mr. Hayman brought real rock samples formed during major events in Earth’s past. Students placed them on the timeline, making connections between geological processes and the planet’s history.

It was an engaging and eye-opening session that left students with a deeper understanding and a new appreciation for Earth’s dynamic story!

Thank you to Carly Nzvimbo, our year 9 science coordinator for making this happen!

National Youth Science Forum

Calling all passionate STEM enthusiasts in year 11! Applications for the National Youth Science Forum have now open. You can attend NSYF in Canberra or Brisbane and it takes place at the beginning of 2026! Scholarships and sponsorship through our local rotary clubs is available as well. Our Kenmore SHS NSYF alumni include Rosie Ingram and Annelise Whitebread who remark on NSYF being such an incredible experience that opened their eyes to so many other STEM pathways they never knew existed. It’s one not to miss!

For more information on how to apply, go to https://www.nysf.edu.au/what-we-do/how-to-apply/

Is it XX or XY?

Year 10 Biology students in Mrs Scott's class have been applying their knowledge of genetics this week - creating baby Reebops!

These are imaginary creatures that come from heterozygous parents. The students randomly select alleles from the mother and father to determine the babies genotype. This then corresponds to phenotypes and the students built the next generation of Reebop babies!

Look at how different the babies look with their different traits!

Leisha Richardson
Head of Department - Science

Queensland Youth Week

The School Based Youth Health Nurse talks about Queensland Youth Week: 6th - 12th April 2025.
Queensland Youth Week celebrates the talents, achievements, and contributions of young Queenslanders

During the week, there will be events and activities across the state for young people to connect with others, promote their physical and mental wellbeing, and engage with opportunities to help shape their futures!

For more information and to find events in your area visit:

👉 Events | Queensland Youth Week | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
To make an appointment to see the nurse for health and wellbeing support, students can:
👉 Email: nurse.kenmore@health.qld.gov.au
👉 Visit your School Based Youth Health Nurse office on Mondays in A07
👉 For more information, visit https://bit.ly/chqSBYHN

Aggie
School Based Youth Health Nurse

Finance

Statements

Statements will be emailed to parents at the end of Week 10, Term 1.  Payment is due now for invoices shown on your statement, and may be made using one of the methods below.  Please do not make payment on any negative amount (e.g. -$20.00) this is a credit on the account that may be used for any future excursions, sport, or fees.

Parents/Carers experiencing financial difficulties can contact finance to discuss payment options on (07) 3327 1503 or at finance@kenmoreshs.eq.edu.au

Upcoming Excursions - Payment is required 1 week prior to all excursions.   

• Year 7 Starlab Planetarium - $15.00 payment due by 4 April 2025
• Tasmania Music Study Tour - $1955.00 payment due by 4 April 2025
• Toxic – Mashed Theatre Drama performance - $9.00 payment due 22 April 2025
• Year 8 History Abbey Museum incursion - $14.00 payment due 24 April 2025
• Year 11 Science in Practice Sustainable House, Toohey Forest - $60.00 due 29 April 2025

Methods of payment are:

• BPoint (click link in BPOINT box to make payment for individual invoice) *Preferred Method*
• QParent
• Qkr! App
• EFT - using Student ID as reference.  If payment is made via the internet, please ensure relevant forms are sent in to the school office, via email to finance@kenmoreshs.eq.edu.au.  The school bank details are as follows:

BSB:                      064-152
Account No:       00090103
Account Name: Kenmore SHS
Reference:         Student EQ ID             

• In person at the office using EFTPOS from 8.00am to 1.50pm
• Phone payment using credit/debit card via BPOINT 1300 631 073.  Please quote CRN and invoice number from the BPOINT box on the left of the statement.
• Please contact the school if interested in starting a payment plan

Please contact the finance team if you have any queries regarding these matters on 3327 1503, or via email to finance@kenmoreshs.eq.edu.au

Julie Taylor
Business Manager

From the P&C Association

The P&C AGM was held on 18^th March, and we are pleased to welcome Tracy Butterworth and Astrid Whitbread to the committee which is now as follows:

President – Kerry Schreiber
Vice President – Nadine McGrath
Vice President – Astrid Whitbread
Treasurer – Warren Lloyd
Secretary – Tracy Butterworth

We would like to particularly thank outgoing secretary Stacey Vale for her great work and dedication since 2021.

We also welcome the new members that signed up to the P&C this year.   New memberships are welcome throughout the year.  If you return a form your membership can now be accepted at the next meeting whether you attend or not.  Membership forms are available on the school website.

The next P&C meeting will be Tuesday 20^th May.  There will be no April meeting as it falls in the school holidays.

Sue Abbott
Community Liaison and Operations Officer
Building a stronger school community through parental involvement

Community Events

Family Fun Day