Newsletter 18th June 2025
Principal's Message
It has been very rewarding stepping into the principal role whilst Miss Jones is on Long Service Leave. A big thank you to Mrs Mehnert, Mr Griffiths Mrs Emma Williams who have been supporting Mrs Brook and I this term.
Bike Shed Sign
The new bike shed sign, generously gifted by the Class of 2024, has now been installed and looks fantastic. A big thank you to Ed McLarty, our dedicated P&C President, for your effort and coordination in bringing this project to life—it's a wonderful asset that will serve our school community for years to come. This thoughtful gesture not only marks a lasting connection between our graduating Year 6 cohort and the school but also symbolizes the strong sense of community that defines Kensington Primary. Their gift will stand as a proud reminder of their time here and their contribution to future generations.
Speaking With Confidence
The Year 6 students recently completed their Speaking with Confidence Award speeches, showcasing outstanding public speaking skills and thoughtful expression. From this talented group, seven finalists—Delphi, Jessie, Max, Ella, Rudransh, Rocko, and Jacob—were selected to present their speeches to Acting Principal Mr McNerney and classroom teachers Mr Griffiths and Mr Jennings. Congratulations to all who participated; your efforts and confidence were truly inspiring. A special round of applause goes to Jessie and Jacob, who will proudly represent Kensington Primary School at the Speaking with Confidence Awards finals later this term. We’re proud of you both and can’t wait to see you shine.
Noongar Season of Makuru
Makuru, spanning June and July, brings the coldest and wettest part of the year, shifting food sources from the water to the land, with yongar (kangaroo) valued for both meat and traditional uses like bookas (cloaks) and tools. During this season, animals prepare for breeding, and it’s common to spot pairs of wardong (ravens), Mali (black swans), and vibrant native flora such as blueberry lilies, purple flags, and the white blooms of weeping peppermint. Celebrating this seasonal change, our beautifully crafted Makuru mosaic mural—installed last year in the quadrangle named after the season—stands as a tribute to this rich cultural and environmental time.
Start of the Day
Just a reminder that students should not be at school before 8:15am unless they are attending an organised school event (e.g. running club, student council meeting) or OSHClub. We cannot provide supervision until 8:15am. Between 8:15 – 8:30am students must wait in the quadrangle. Classrooms open at 8:30am for students to prepare themselves for the day.
REMINDER - 2026 Kindy Enrolments
2026 Kindy enrolments opened on 28th April 2025 and will close on 18th July 2025. If you’re planning to enrol your child, be sure to submit your application for enrolment within this timeframe.
For more details and to complete your enrolment, please see the link below.
WA Student Assistance
Just 3 weeks left to claim! The WA Student Assistance Payment helps with school costs — don’t miss out.
$150 for each Kindergarten and primary student $250 for each secondary student
Claim now through the ServiceWA app, online or by post in a claim form.
Claims close Friday 4 July 2025.
Visit www.education.wa.edu.au/wasap for eligibility info and how to claim.
This week's Value
Foyer Display - Rm 8
To celebrate National Simultaneous Storytime, Room 8 joined millions of readers across the country to read The Truck Cat, a heartwarming story by Deborah Frenkel.
This beautifully illustrated book follows of a truck-driver named Yacoub and his beloved cat as they travel together. Through their bond, the story explores important themes such a friendship, identity, belonging and the power of memories.
As a class, we looked closely at the idea that memories shape who we are and help us stay connected to the people and places we love. We discussed how memories are especially important for Yacoub and his cat, providing comfort and continuity even when their surrounding shift.
This display showcases our reflections on the story through our own favourite moments.
What's Happening
Book Builders Challenge Update: Year 5 and 6 Students Making Big Strides
Our Year 5 and 6 students have been working hard and showing amazing creativity as they progress through the 2025 Book Builders Challenge. Since joining this exciting initiative earlier this year, they’ve already completed Block 1 and Block 2 of the program – and their journey as young authors and illustrators is well underway.
Building Stories from the Ground Up
In Block 1, students took their first steps into the world of storytelling by playing creative games and completing activities designed to spark imaginative ideas. They experimented with combining different character traits to invent brand new characters, and they planned out their narratives – whether picture books, chapter books or graphic novels – using Freytag’s Pyramid, a narrative structure used by professional authors.
They also had the incredible opportunity to learn from award-nominated middle-grade author HM Waugh, who shared expert tips on worldbuilding, and picture book author and illustrator Gabriel Evans, who offered insight into how illustrations help bring a story to life.
In Block 2, the focus shifted to refining their stories. Students took on the role of beta readers, giving and receiving feedback on their first drafts. With the guidance of award-nominated middle-grade author Ash Harrier, they began the editing process, strengthening their plots and polishing their prose.
They also unleashed their creativity through illustration games and workshops with Kylie Howarth, an award-winning graphic novelist, who helped them explore visual storytelling techniques.
What’s Next?
With many students now having written several pages of their stories, the final push is underway. Over the next two weeks, they’ll be completing their first drafts and submitting them to the Book Builders Challenge with the support of their classroom teachers.
Once submitted, over 400 entries from students across Collier, East Victoria Park, Kensington, and Manning Primary Schools will be read by a panel of esteemed judges including Nat Amoore, RJ Timmis, James Foley and Fremantle Press.
Meanwhile, students will begin transforming their drafts into finished books that will be showcased at a community book launch in September. This much-anticipated event at the local library will be a celebration of creativity, featuring speeches, displays, hands-on activities – and, of course, the traditional Book Builders Challenge cookie!
Stay tuned as we continue to follow our students’ inspiring journey from idea to publication. We can’t wait to see their final creations on display and celebrate all they’ve achieved!
Thank you to local author Kristy Nita Brown for her vision and dedication in delivering the Book Builders Challenge, made possible through funding from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC).
We are also grateful for the strong community support received from local businesses and members of parliament, including Hannah Beazley MLA, Geoff Baker MLA, Officeworks Victoria Park, The Literature Centre, Crow Books, Fremantle Press and Acton Belle, whose contributions have helped make this program such a valuable and enriching experience for our students.
Stay tuned as we continue to follow our students’ inspiring journey from idea to publication!
Upcoming Events
School Dental Service
Every year, the Dental Health Service (DHS) offers parents and carers the chance to register their kids for free dental care at the school Dental Service (SDS). The offer is open to every student from the year they turn 5 until their 17th birthday and includes check-ups, fillings and simple extractions.
If you would like further information on the DHS services and the SDS, please visit our website:
Sport News
Running Club
We run Tuesday and Friday mornings from 8.00 – 8.30am. Tuesday we run on the track on the basketball courts and Friday on the oval. A consent2go will be emailed to you when you child attends their first session. New runners are welcome.
P & C News
Bike Shed Sign
Some of you may have noticed a new addition to the bike shed. Signage has finally been added, improving the appearance along Fourth Ave. The sign was gifted to the school by the Year 6 class of 2024 as their school gift. Thanks to Kimberley Skinner for her efforts in designing and procuring the sign, as well as Luke Farmer and Nathan Ross for their help with the installation. Next up - the containers for change artwork!
Uniforms
We're aware that parents have encountered some difficulties in ordering uniforms from Uniform Concepts. We've met with Uniform Concepts to raise these concerns, and make sure they are addressed going forward.
It appears the online ordering forms do not reflect the current stock levels. We have received confirmation from Uniform Concepts that Factions Polos, School Polos, Jackets, Trackpants, Fleeces and hats are all in stock, regardless of what the website suggests. In the next few weeks whilst the IT side is addressed, we recommend emailing through any uniform requests so they can be promptly attended to.
If you encounter any issues, please let one of the P&C members know so it can be followed up.
Thanks for your patience and understanding whilst this is resolved.
DUCKs Dads & Kids Lego Masters fun
Thank you to all of the amazing KPS Dads and Kids who joined in the Lego Masters event at South Perth Library on the 7th of June. We had a great turnout and the exceptional effort by the kids and their dads building together was great to see. We also had some visiting dads and kids from the community drop in to join the fun. The dads and kids were given the them of Home to come up with what that means for them, and to use the bricks and pieces to make a wide range of fabulous creations, from blue homes, multi-colour creations, gardens with flowers, kitchens and spaces. We went around and each child was given the opportunity to talk about their build and why and what was significant about it for them, and then prizes handed out for getting involved. Thank you once again for all the dads and kids who were involved and we appreciated the kind support of the South Perth Library for our event.
Save the Date:
Sunday 3 August 2025: Dads and Kids - Paper Planes and Pizza (~midday, TBC)
Thursday 7 August 2025: Dads only catch-up, 6pm - 8pm, location TBA in DUCKs chat group
New dads wanting to join DUCKs, please email:
DUCKS.KPS@gmail.com
Thanks guys,
Conrad Slee
DUCKs - Dads United for the Children of Kensington (primary school)
Containers for Change
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.
Community News
Know an Australian child in 𝐘𝐫 𝟔? Help us understand how kids manage the move to high school. Scan the QR code or click on this link below to 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭. Kids get a 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 as a thank you. Participation can be 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 and is open 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚.
