Kin Kora State School

Strengthening the Link Between Leadership & Literacy At Kin Kora State School, we believe that effective instructional leadership is more than just strategy—it’s about being deeply involved in teaching and learning. In this video, our Principal, Jorgen Neilson, unpacks the DIBELS Home Connect Report, a key tool in linking school and home learning. By actively engaging in data discussions and embedding evidence-based literacy practices, leaders can drive real change in student outcomes. Key Takeaways: Leadership involvement in assessment and instructional decision-making matters. DIBELS Home Connect Reports bridge the gap between data and action, empowering both teachers and families. Parent engagement is a critical factor in reinforcing literacy development beyond the classroom. Watch the video to see how we’re ensuring DIBELS isn’t just a data point—but a tool for meaningful impact. How are your school leaders engaging in data-driven literacy leadership? Let’s keep the conversation going! #LiteracyLeadership #DataToAction #BuildingReaders #InstructionalLeadership

📢 We’re Hiring! Join the Kin Kora Team in 2025 Mid-year graduate? Looking for a change? Ready to kickstart your career in a welcoming, high-impact teaching environment? Kin Kora State School is looking for passionate educators to join our team! At KKSS, we are committed to the Science of Reading, Structured Literacy, and evidence-based teaching. Whether you’re a new graduate or an experienced teacher, we provide strong professional support, high-impact instruction, and a collaborative team culture to help you thrive. 📍 Gladstone, QLD 📅 Start in 2025 ✨ Why join us? ✅ Structured induction & mentor support ✅ High-impact, research-based teaching ✅ Strong professional learning culture ✅ Relocation support available ✅ A collaborative, supportive team Apply now! Send your CV to Erin Morgan: estra31@eq.edu.au Tag a teacher who needs to see this! 💙 #NowHiring #TeachingJobs #Education #StructuredLiteracy #JoinOurTeam

📢 High-Quality, Affordable PD for Literacy Leaders! We know that literacy matters—and so does access to high-quality professional development. That’s why we’ve kept the 2025 DIBELS Workshop cost-effective at just $300 for two full days, including morning tea and lunch. This workshop isn’t just about learning—it’s about collaboration and connection with fellow literacy leaders who are passionate about data-driven instruction. 📌 What You’ll Gain: ✅ Practical strategies for detecting reading risk using DIBELS 8th Edition ✅ Insights into data trends at the grade, class, and student levels ✅ Tools to plan instruction within Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) 📅 When: 22nd & 23rd May 2025 📍 Where: Yaralla Sports Club, Gladstone, QLD 💰 Cost: Just $300pp for two days 🎤 Presenter: Dr. Sarah McDonagh, literacy expert & researcher This is not an introductory workshop—participants should be familiar with the DIBELS suite of assessments. 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/gF4psVyf Let’s come together to share knowledge, strengthen literacy practices, and make a real impact. Tag your colleagues and join the conversation—because literacy matters! #LiteracyMatters #Collaboration #DIBELS #ReadingIntervention #MTSS

Collaborating to Strengthen Literacy at Kin Kora State School 📚 We’re excited to be part of Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) Phonics Research Project in partnership with Training 24/7! With 63 schools and nearly 500 educators involved, this study is a great opportunity to learn more about how online demonstration lessons can support phonics instruction. At Kin Kora, we know that collaboration and continuous learning are key to improving student outcomes. This project allows our teachers to engage in high-quality professional learning and work alongside other schools to strengthen structured literacy practices. A big thank you to our team for their commitment to evidence-based teaching. We look forward to sharing what we learn and seeing the impact in our classrooms! #AEROPhonicsStudy #StructuredLiteracy #EvidenceBasedTeaching #ProfessionalLearning #PhonicsResearch #CollaborationInEducation

As we refine our structured literacy blocks as part of our Annual Improvement Plan (AIP), we are learning alongside other leaders who are also working to strengthen practice. With the implementation of DIBELS and the Amplify mCLASS platform, we’re seeing the power of data in action—supporting MTSS and driving data-informed success. Our involvement in an Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) research trial deepens our understanding of evidence-based practice, reinforcing the impact of consistent routines and high-quality instruction. We are also excited to be part of the Playbook Project with Bronwyn Ryrie Jones, engaging in a structured process to: ✅ Explore the big ideas behind effective instructional playbooks ✅ Curate and categorise high-impact strategies ✅ Codify and capture best practices for consistency ✅ Refine and implement playbooks to strengthen teaching and learning At the heart of all this work is collaborative instructional leadership—being present, working alongside teachers, and ensuring consistency through shared practice and moderation. We’d love to hear how others are refining their approach to structured literacy, instructional leadership, and data-driven decision-making. How is your team working together to drive improvement? #AnnualImprovementPlan #LeadersLearningTogether #PlaybookProject #StructuredLiteracy #DataDrivenSuccess #MTSS #InstructionalLeadership #Collaboration

Looking to grow our wonderful teaching team - we would love to have this shared far and wide.

We are currently seeking Expressions of Interest for an Education QLD IT Technician. This job would be perfect for an IT minded teacher aide, school leaver or a passionate IT job seeker looking to join the Education QLD department.    Please email your CV to Erin Morgan at estra31@eq.edu.au

Celebrating Legacy and Lasting Connections at Kin Kora 🌟 At Kin Kora, we believe in the power of connection and the lasting impact of education. We were honoured to welcome back Mrs Kay Kirkman, who led our school for 17 years, to present the Kay Kirkman All Rounder Award. Now Regional Director for Central Queensland, Mrs Kirkman’s legacy continues to inspire excellence in education and in our community. This award celebrates students who embody the Kin Kora spirit—excelling in academics, leadership, service, and the arts. It reflects the values we strive to instil every day: a commitment to growth, kindness, and making a difference. We are proud to reflect on the students who leave our school as better people, shaped by their experiences at Kin Kora. Pictured with Principal Mr Jorgen Neilson and Mr Andrew Shonhan, our student leaders showcased this spirit of growth and collaboration by creating and publishing this year’s school yearbook. Moments like these remind us of the impact of our Kin Kora community and the legacy of leaders like Mrs Kirkman.

A big thank you to Sarah Young from Gumdale State School for sharing her school’s literacy journey with the Literacy Leader Hub! Sarah’s focus on being goal-driven with a timely turnaround for progression monitoring gave us all practical strategies to reflect on. Her advice to “start slow to go fast” was a great reminder of the importance of building strong foundations for lasting change. Sarah also welcomed schools to visit Gumdale SS and join them in the learning pit—because collaboration and shared learning are how we all move forward. Thank you, Sarah, for your generosity and for encouraging us all to learn together! #LiteracyLeadership #EvidenceBasedPractice #Collaboration #LiteracyLeaderHub