Newsletter 12th March 2025
Principal's Message
Early Close – Wednesday 9th April
We will be having an early close this term on Wednesday 9th April at 12 pm (noon) in order to run our annual parent-teacher meetings a la ‘speed dating’. This means teachers are able to meet with parents for 10-minute bookings that afternoon, along with other time slots during the week before and during that week. Teachers will focus on providing parents with information on how their children are doing in literacy, numeracy and socially/emotionally. The meetings on Wednesday afternoon (starting at 12:30pm) will be held in the senior block. Parents are asked, if they are able, to collect their children at noon that day. If you cannot do that, supervision (but not classes) will be provided at the school until 3pm. While there are no supervised crossings surrounding the school, please be aware that no crossings will be manned at noon anywhere, so students should remain at the school until 3pm if this is a concern. No phone meetings are available on Wednesday afternoon and face-to-face meetings are always the best and most preferred. The SZapp booking system will be opened for bookings before the end of term. You will be notified when this has occurred.
Use of Playgrounds After School
While we are happy for parents to supervise their own children in the school playgrounds after school, we do need everyone to vacate the school site by 4pm to enable the OSHClub (who have a Deed of Licence to use the site) and our staff to carry out their roles uninterrupted. Thank you for your assistance with this.
Honours and Values Awards
Foyer Display - Room 2
Upcoming Events
As you may remember from last year, YouthCARE offers a Christian Values Education Program called Everyday Matters. It is approved by the Department of Education, just as is the Bahai program. YouthCARE has organised some volunteers to deliver this program at recess in the undercover area for those interested. Permission slips should be signed and returned to the school for your child to be able to attend this program. See the attached documents below for more on this program and to give your permission if you wish your child to participate. If you have any issues printing the slip out, please see the office. We can print a copy out for you, or you can email us your permission.
What's Been Happening
Wellbeing Dog - Kenna
Kenna, one of our wellbeing dogs, has begun work in Room 8. She is a valued member of the class. She visits once a week. We hope that later she will visit other classes.
We also hope to have a wellbeing dog in the senior block (particularly S3) soon as Mr Jennings begins to bring in Penny. Mrs Doyle (P1) hopes Holly will start in the early childhood next term.
Upcoming Events
Harmony Day Parade - 21st March
Harmony Day is known around the world as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In Australia, it is called Harmony Day. Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It is about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for all. It is an opportunity to celebrate our cultural diversity.
Harmony Week starts on Monday 17- March and culminates in Harmony Day on Friday 21st March. On this day we will be celebrating with a parade at 9am and buddy activities during the day. Students are encouraged to wear either orange (symbolic colour of Harmony Day) or their national costumes.
Ride To School Day
Friday 21st March is Ride to School Day.
At Kensington we are going to ride on Wednesday March 19th.
You can ride, walk, skate or scoot.
NAPLAN
Year 3 and Year 5 students will be participating in NAPLAN testing this term. Parents of students in those year levels should have received a brochure providing information on NAPLAN. In the last newsletter we published the timetable for the testing so parents would know when testing is to be conducted. There will also be catch-up testing for students that miss a test session. The testing period is between 12-24th March.
Sport News
Swimming Carnival
Congratulations to all our swimmers who participated in our carnival last week.
Well done to our medallion winners.
Year 4 Champions: Harper (E) and Zach (C). Runners Up: Ellis (I) and Lewis (I).
Year 5 Champions: Vivienne (I) and Toby (P). Runners Up: Mabel (P) and Ioane (E).
Year 6 Champions: Elsie (E) and Finn (C) Runners Up: Jessie (E) and Maxwell (E)
The final faction points were:
Endeavour: 667
Investigator: 515
Parmelia: 448
Cygnet: 419
Congratulations Endeavour on back-to-back-to-back wins.
Special thanks to our parent volunteers – Amy, Ed, Bronwyn, Bernadette, Martine and KPS staff who assisted with the carnival. Thanks to Mr Ellis and Ms Chatfield for organising the inside activities where the swimmers had lots of fun.
A big thanks to Mrs Stanford for all her organisation and to Ms Bernic for setting up the scoring spreadsheet.
The interschool carnival is on Thursday 27th March 11.30am – 2.30pm.
The program of events is on the sport notice board. Information will also be on consent2go this week.
Edu-Dance
The Edu-dance concerts will be on Thursday 10th April in the UCA. The classroom teacher will advise you at a later date the time each class will be performing. Teachers will direct parents and caregivers about costumes that are required.
Ride To School Day
Friday 21st March is Ride to School Day.
At Kensington we are going to ride on Wednesday March 19th.
You can ride, walk, skate or scoot.
Running Club
Running club is back! we will commence next Tuesday on the running track at 8.00am. We will only run on Tuesday until next term. All runners welcome from Kindy to Year 6. Come and have an active start to your day. Consent2Go will be sent out after your child attends their first session.
Japanese News
School Board
New School Board Members
Thank you to the following parents and staff for nominating to join the School Board. The Board looks forward to working with them.
Parents:
- Simon Keen (returning for a second term – non consecutive)
- Jessica Kerr
- Claire Stone (returning for a second term - consecutive)
- Liz Pendlebury (returning for a second term - consecutive)
- Lomuel Malicdem
Staff
- Clint McNerney (returning for a second term - consecutive)
- Delshard Mozhdehinia
We wish to thank the following members who are now leaving the Board after completing their term. Their contributions have been invaluable to the school and the community, and we acknowledge them for the gift of their time and energy.
Parents:
- Lara Parsons
- Jennifer Young
- Naomi Ivala
Staff:
- Kate Dash
P & C News
Movie Night - This Friday 14th March
It’s time to secure your tickets for our annual outdoor movie night! Always so much fun and a great fundraising opportunity for our school.
Bring a picnic rug and invite your friends.
A big thank you to the DUCKS who will be providing another fabulous BBQ dinner for sale on the night! Treats and drinks will also be on offer.
Please your book tickets today to help us plan and ensure enough food and drinks for everyone. Tickets on sale via the link.
We would like to thank the local businesses who are sponsoring this year’s movie night:
Inverse Group, F45 and Boutique Reality.
Election BBQ & Cake Stall
Thankyou to the Year 3 parents who organized and ran the election Cake Stall & BBQ last weekend to raise funds for the P&C. Thankyou to the whole KPS Community for all the wonderful donations for the cake stall. What a great event!
Containers for change bins
The new Containers for Change bins are now located inside the bike shed. Please ensure that only eligible containers are placed in these bins. Currently, the bins are accessible only from inside the bike shed until the outside art installation is completed later in the year.
Containers for Change
Community News
Como Secondary College Open Day
📅 Friday, 04 April 2025
🕒 2.00 – 4.00 pm
📍 Como Secondary College, 20 Bruce Street, Como
The event is aimed at prospective Year 5 and 6 students and families. Visitors will be able to view the college and gain information regarding the next step on the educational journey and the options available at Como.
Tours of the college are available throughout the afternoon. Families are also free to explore the college; however, if you would like to attend a presentation for one of our selective entry programs, please book a session via the link in the email you receive once registration is completed.
Registration here