Helping your child find their passion
Developing next gen leaders at Kelvin Grove State College
PUT DOWN THE IPAD
Tips for parenting in the digital age
Welcome to the fourth edition of THRIVE: Brisbane’s Education Guide. A publication aimed at bringing you the very best when it comes to learning, study, and further education.
In this year’s edition, we shine a spotlight on Kelvin Grove State College and their new Executive Principal, Joel Buchholz. Kelvin Grove is committed to fostering a community where students from all walks of life can learn, grow, flourish, and above all, thrive. The school is certainly leading the way in the innovation space and has developed a number of programs that connect students to not only their local communities, but the real world.
Inside, we’ve also spoken to a string of industry experts on topics such as healthy eating, managing technology use in today’s technological era, and helping your child pave a career path they’ll love. There’s also a roundup of events and happenings in Brisbane this year, as well as a reading list for all those book lovers.
We hope our latest edition informs, educates, and most importantly inspires you and your family. So on that note, grab yourself a cuppa, sit back, relax, and enjoy reading up on all things education and schooling in Brisbane!
Kelvin Grove State College is leading the way in learning and innovation
6. WHAT’S
Discover events and experiences in Brisbane.
8.
Take the pressure off packing a healthy lunchbox, with Jacqui Toumbas.
9.
Tips for parents in the digital age.
10.
We asked a year 10 student what they really want from school.
12. CRITIC’S CHOICE
Get reading! Here’s what’s on our list.
14.
How to help your little one find their passion.
ON THE COVER:
Kelvin Grove State College
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Today’s education at Kelvin Grove State College is preparing its students for tomorrow’s world.
Growing up in the small Central Queensland town of Mount Morgan, Joel Buchholz has long understood the importance of connecting young people with the wider world. As the new Executive Principal of Kelvin Grove State College, Joel finds himself leading a school community larger than the entire hometown of his childhood.
“A large school community like KGSC is much like a small town,” Joel reflects. “Its strength lies in its sense of community and in sustaining an authentic sense of belonging and an appreciation for its rich diversity. When you have a clear sense of belonging and identity within your community, you also have the confidence to raise your gaze and look beyond your local context to bigger challenges and opportunities.”
In a career that has taken him overseas and to regional and remote communities across Queensland, Joel has continued to be guided by this philosophy of balancing local connection and global impact. “In a rapidly changing and interconnected world, we need our young people ready to play an active role in their local community but also to be confident and competitive contributors in an international community and a global economy,” he says.
This focus has shaped Joel’s extensive involvement in international education and his leadership of initiatives promoting students’ skills of global citizenship. In fact, Joel is the secretary of the Council of International Schools, an accreditation agency headquartered in Europe that promotes excellence and innovation across its 2000 member schools and universities around the globe. Joel has led accreditation visits to schools across Australia and in locations as diverse as Thailand, Chile, Kazakhstan, and the UK. Joel also oversaw
the development of an award-winning Global Citizenship program at his previous school in Townsville.
Joel was drawn to his new role at Kelvin Grove State College by what he saw as the strong connection between his own professional values and the college’s just cause of ‘nurturing globally competent learners, leaders and citizens’.
“Kelvin Grove is a diverse, dynamic and forward-focussed place of learning
that has developed truly innovative programs that connect students to their local community and that also enable them to be change-makers at an international level,” he says.
Kelvin Grove’s Open Futures initiative provides a coordinated approach to the college’s extensive collaboration with industry, community, and the higher education sector. The initiative supports local research and community-based
projects including an urban vertical farm (Barrambin Farm) and an Indigenous Garden (Jagum Barrambin), as well as partnerships that engage students with emerging technology, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities across industry areas as diverse as health, engineering, and the arts.
One project Joel recently oversaw has led to the Department of Education’s development of the Queensland Global Youth Summit. “An entirely student-led event has provided the blueprint for an exciting new opportunity for young people across Queensland to work together on complex global challenges. Whether they attend school in a small town like Mount Morgan or right here in the heart of Brisbane, all of our students should be challenged and supported to become the leaders we need for tomorrow. Kelvin Grove is playing a leading role in this endeavour, and I feel very privileged to be able to help guide this important work.”
Source Kids Disability Expo is back for another successful year! Source Kids was developed to deliver important information to those caring for and working with children and young adults with disabilities. Aside from their publication, they will be hosting their annual Disability Expo in July this year. The Expo will see 150 disability product and service providers, a line-up of performers, a sensory zone, and loads more! The event is free to attend but tickets are essential. sourcekids.com.au
QAGOMA is bringing more immersive art to Brisbane with a fun and interactive exhibition on the cards which launched in September last year. The exhibition features four interactive projects by Australian artists; Kaylene Whiskey (Yankunytjatjara people), Tony Albert (Girramay/Yidinyji/ Kuku Yalanji peoples), Gordon Hookey (Waanyi people) and Vincent Namatjira (Western Aranda people). Together the artists have created an immersive world full of cheeky humour and courageous characters. qagoma.qld.gov.au
A once-in-a-lifetime dinosaur exhibition is coming to Brisbane and the kids are sure to love it! Discover the roarsome Dinosaurs of Patagonia featuring sixteen life-sized skeletons displayed at the Queensland Museum. You won’t want to miss this exhibition – it’s been 230 million years in the making! museum.qld.gov.au
Cinematic is back with its biggest line-up ever! Expect epic classical music, Brisbane’s best choirs, Voices of Birralee, and more. The best part? All the music is underscored from great movie moments – think Up, Titanic, Star Wars, and even Love Actually. There’s bound to be something that everyone will love. qpac.com.au
It’s no secret kids (even teenagers) who eat well are better fuelled to listen, learn, and play at school. But preparing a healthy lunchbox day in and day out can understandably get exhausting and is definitely easier said than done. The good news is, it’s a lot more achievable than you think – and no, you won’t have to spends hours slaving away in the kitchen! Brisbane-based Nutritionist Jacqui Toumbas has shared five easy steps to pack a realistic (and healthy) lunchbox.
“A healthy lunchbox is crucial for school students as it provides everything they need for performance and physical health,” Jacqui says. “A nutritious lunch improves concentration, memory, and helps create healthy eating habits.”
TIP: COOK LARGER PORTIONS OF FOOD AT ONCE TO SAVE TIME.
1. Start with a balanced base – begin with a foundation of whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa, or wholemeal bread. Then add a lean protein source, such as ham, chicken, tuna, beans, or tofu. This will provide sustained energy and keep your child feeling full throughout the day.
2. Add fruits and vegetables – aim to include a variety of colours in your lunchbox. Include fresh or sliced fruits, such as apple slices or grapes, and crunchy vegetables like baby carrots, cucumbers, or cherry tomatoes.
3. Include healthy fats – add healthy fats to your child’s lunchbox, such as avocado, nuts, or seeds. This will help keep them feeling full and focussed while providing important nutrients.
4. Limit highly processed foods – avoid overly processed foods such as chips, pre-packaged foods, soft drinks, fruit juices, and lollies. Instead, opt for healthier snack options such as popcorn, homemade trail mix, or fresh fruit.
5. Get your child involved – involve your child in planning and packing their lunchbox. This will not only teach them healthy habits but also ensure they’re more likely to eat the foods provided. Let them choose a few healthy options from each food group and help with preparations and packing.
Older kids can make these easy mini pockets with ingredients you already have in the kitchen!
TIP:
CUT UP FRUITS AND VEGGIES IN ADVANCE AND STORE THEM IN CONTAINERS. THIS WAY, YOU CAN QUICKLY ASSEMBLE THE LUNCHBOX MEALS IN THE MORNING.
Bubeleh Bakery Wholemeal Mini Pita (any mini pita pockets will work)
Tomato passata
Grated cheddar cheese
Protein: choose between ham, shredded cooked chicken, salami etc.
Spinach
Olives
Cut one edge of the pita creating an opening, gently open the pita. Place one tablespoon of passata into the pita and spread around evenly.
Fill with your choice of fillings: protein, cheese, olives, and vegetables. Place in a sandwich press and cook until the outside is crunchy and the cheese inside is melted.
How to ensure your child has a healthy relationship with technology.
Digital technology is all around us, at work, at home, and now in the classroom. In short, our children are living in a technological era, so finding a healthy balance isn’t as straightfoward as it once was. We sat down with Counsellor Tina Myrteza to learn more about kids and tech.
“We can’t remove their tool for learning and discovery, nor can we feel contempt towards it when it is being overused,” Tina says. “We can however, model and teach our children responsible usage and how to stay safe online so that their tool does not become a source of dependency.”
So, what are some helpful tips to trim down screen time at home?
The clear answer here is boundaries. Children would be familiar with a technology contract of some type as most schools make both the parents and children sign an agreement around responsible usage. Therefore, something similar should be in place at home. This might include things like time limits, usage in common areas, access to passwords, and charging devices in separate rooms etc.
Why are boundaries important?
Boundaries that are modelled by parents and are consistent and coconstructed as a family, ensure that devices can be enjoyed in moderation without the risk of usage turning into addiction.
What does too much screen time do to a child’s brain?
When we do something we enjoy, our brain releases a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is associated with reward and it makes us feel good. The only problem with dopamine is that it is also associated with addiction. If we are struggling with psychological pain, we may seek out regular dopamine hits as a way to escape from unhappiness, anxiety, or pain.
How much screen time should a child have per day (not including schoolwork)?
• Kids aged 5-17 should have no more than two hours of screen time a day
• Kids aged 2-5 should have no more than one hour of unrestrained (as in not sitting still) screen time a day – less is better. Sedentary screen time is not recommended
• Children under 2 should have no screen time.
Our children are living in a technological era.”
What is important to you when it comes to education?
When it comes to education, I think it’s very important to have an engaging curriculum and effective teaching methods. It can significantly impact learning outcomes and motivation, as well as enhance curiosity.
Is there anything you think Australian schools could be doing better?
In my school there is a very large focus on academic achievements and less on other areas of extracurricular activities. I feel this can really damage a student’s confidence for learning as not every student can achieve high results in their academics.
What do you think makes a good student?
I think two of the biggest things are motivation and organisation.
What’s your greatest strength?
My organisational skills and ability to get things done on time.
In your free time, what do you like to do?
In my free time I’ll either be playing netball or water polo, reading a book, or watching Netflix.
What would you like to do after school?
This is a very big question and one that I’m not quite sure how to answer yet. Although cinematography is what I am interested in at the moment.
Best advice a teacher has ever given you?
Some of the best advice I’ve received is to believe in myself. It’s so simple, but I often find myself doubting my abilities and needing to cast my mind back to this advice.
Who are your heroes and why?
My mum will always be my biggest hero. She has taught me countless lessons and mantras that I will take with me throughout life and because of that she will always be my number one hero.
A year 10 student from Brisbane’s inner west tells us about school life through her eyes.
There’s no better feeling than getting lost in a book! Read on for a glimpse into the pages of your next favourite read.
8-10 YRS
Fly is a beautiful story of determination and love in the face of loss. The story follows a girl named Lucy who’s good at fixing things but when she can’t fix a bird with a broken leg, she learns not everything wrong can be made right again. Along the way, Lucy discovers some pretty valuable lessons.
Nowhere Boy is a timely and sensitive book all about friendship, family, and taking charge of one’s life. It follows the story of Max and Ahmed’s friendship – the unlikely pair cross paths in Belgium and they go on to defy the odds, learning from each other what it means to be brave and how important hope can be.
Written by award-winning novelist, John Green, An Abundance of Katherines is all about trying to reinvent oneself. The main character Colin Singleton, a child prodigy, has failed to live up to his promise and has had 19 girlfriends called Katherine along the way. In an attempt to break out of his cycle of despair, he goes on a road trip hoping to have a eureka moment.
The Kite Runner is a bestselling novel and rightfully so. It’s a devastating story that takes place in Afghanistan when a friendship is born between a servant’s son and a wealthy young man. The book is filled with love, lies, and sacrifice, and makes for a great read for those aged 16 and above.
Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle.”
- Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Is your child nearing the end of their schooling years? It can be both an exciting and daunting time for them – and you! It’s difficult to know what path to take after school – some kids might want a break, others are ready to jump back into studying, while some are keen on joining the workforce. The truth is, as a parent it’s difficult to know what path will work best for them, and while we can’t make these decisions for them, we can still support and guide them through the process.
A TAFE Queensland spokesperson says one of the best ways
to do this is to start off by asking some simple questions.
“Encouraging your child to explore their passion to help them identify their strengths is essential in helping them to choose a career,” the spokesperson says. “Asking questions and connecting them with information will help them narrow down a career path that aligns with their natural abilities, interests, and aptitude.”
So, what questions should you be asking your young teens? Consider questions like what subjects or activities do they enjoy, what are some careers that interest them and why, what kind of work environment they would like to be in, and whether they’re interested in pursuing higher education or training after high school.
“Helping them to identify their passions, strengths, and interests is essential to making a career decision.”
Other ideas include reaching out to professionals in the field your child is interested in and setting up an informal chat, encouraging your child to volunteer, or visiting a career expo together. If your child is in Year 10, 11, or 12, they may be able to complete a TAFE qualification while still at school – there are a variety of certificates to choose from which can help kickstart their career.
“Career exploration is a process; exploring all options is okay before deciding. Encourage your children to explore all options and keep an open mind as they consider different career paths.”
Choosing what to do after high school can be a daunting task for most. Here’s how you can help.
