Newsletter 19th October 2022
Principal's Message
Classroom Open Night Tonight
I hope you are all aware that tonight we have all our classrooms open for your child to show you what they have been learning and doing in class. While this is not an opportunity to have a meeting with their classroom teacher, it is a lovely way to discuss your child’s schooling with your child. We also have the Art Exhibition where all students have a piece of work displayed in the art room in the Senior Block. The art teachers, Mrs Bennett and Mrs Carpenter, are opening their doors at 4:30pm. The classroom doors will not open until 5pm and all doors will close at 6:30pm. The P&C have cool drinks and a sausage sizzle etc in the quadrangle, so you can pop down for some dinner there. Thanks to Justin from the DUCKs for organising this.
Grounds Work
You may have noticed that the planned work on the basketball court resurfacing did not go ahead. Apparently, there has been a delay in making the court “furniture” (hoops etc) so this has delayed the resurfacing. We are hopeful the cricket nets will be completed next week and the basketball courts in early November. However, if there is one thing this year has taught us in regards to grounds work, it's to not hold our breath.
Before School Drop Offs
We have noticed a rise in the number of Year 1-6 student arriving at the school before 8:15am in the morning. We do not provide supervision before 8:15am and ask that no child arrives before this time. Between 8:15am and 8:30am the Year 1-6 students are supervised by staff in the quadrangle. At 8:30am the classroom doors are opened for students to enter and set up for the day. Students should be ready to start their learning program at 8:50am.
We have also noticed some Kindy (K) and Pre-primary (P) students arriving before the classroom doors open at 8:30am. As we ask parents to deliver their children into the classroom between 8:30am – 8:50am, it is important that K/P students are not dropped off before 8:30am and left on their own as no one will be available to receive them. Parents should supervise their children, preferably in the quadrangle area, if they arrive before 8:30am. If K/P students have older, responsible siblings at the school, K/P can wait with them in the quadrangle and then the older sibling can deliver their younger sibling to their K/P class at 8:30am before heading to their own classroom. Otherwise OSHClub services are available (at a charge) in the undercover area.
Our school rule is that there is no playing on playground equipment or using sporting equipment before school. The reason for these rules is to protect students (we have a duty of care) and ensure that supervision occurs when children are on site. However, staff should not be asked to supervise students before these gazetted times as they are preparing lessons ready for the school day.
Mirror Mirror: Love and Hate
I don’t normally promote TV shows, but this show is well worth a look. Paul Litherland who, thanks to our P&C, visits our school biennially (we next have him coming on 22 June 2023 – pencil in your diary a 7pm parent session) to educate our Year 5/6 students and parents on the issues and dangers surrounding cyber safety, was featured on this show. He is an ex-policeman who decided to quit to promote cyber safety as he wanted to prevent children from becoming victims of cyber-crime and paedophiles. I recommend you take a look on Ten Play to see this documentary.
Below are a few lessons from Mirror Mirror:
- In Episode 1 (Love) of Mirror Mirror, Todd Sampson highlighted, amongst other things, the insidious nature of many apps and games used by children via the internet. Of particular note was Omegle.
- With the average Aussie spending 17 years of their life staring at their phone, Todd Sampson investigates how the internet is affecting our relationships and what impact this is having on our lives. (Ten Play)
- "The recent research has come out, it’s clear, the real problem when it comes to mental health, suicide, self-harm, bullying is the Like button that was introduced in 2009, that’s the problem." (Ten Play)
- "Kids know more than we do online. Seventy per cent of kids are hiding something from their parents online. I believe that statistic is probably higher. And if we police them, all we do is drive it underground. Removing the internet is not the solution. The solution is regulation."
- Sampson presents some alarming statistics: according to the eSafety commissioner there has been a 245% increase in the non-consensual sharing of intimate images and videos in the last three years; 70% of children have experienced hate speech online and teens who send more than three hours a day on devices are 35% more likely to be at risk of suicide. (The Guardian)
- Episode 2 (Hate) of Mirror Mirror focuses on how hate is profitable. It captures our attention, polarizes us and is used to manipulate how we think. Todd Sampson looks at how society is being affected by tech companies helping hate to be normalised. (Ten Play)
Uniform – No Caps
We have begun to notice some students wearing caps instead of broad brimmed hats. As our uniform does not permit caps, and our Sunsmart policy requires only broad brimmed hats (no hat no play), please provide your child with a broad-brimmed hat. These are available at the uniform shop. This will be especially important to protect your child from sun burn etc in the summer months next term.
What's Been Going On At KPS
Resources Challenge
Last Thursday, the Year 5 students went to Kent Street Senior High School to take part in the Kent Street Resources Challenge. The students participated in activities and challenges related to the mining industry and learnt about the mining processes. They all had a fantastic time and enjoyed hearing about potential future opportunities for them in the mining and resource industry.
Upcoming Events
Crazy Hair Day for the Ukraine
The student council are fundraising to support the people of the Ukraine through the work of the Red Cross. We are asking for students to wear crazy hair on Tuesday 25th October and bring a gold coin for donation to the Ukraine Red Cross appeal.
Foyer Display
Room 6
During Term 3, Room 6’s writing focus was Poetry. The children learned to use a variety of literary devices in their writing. They used alliteration, onomatopoeia and descriptive language based around their senses and wrote different styles of poems. The children have written some beautiful, honest, picturesque and heart felt poems.
Honours and Values awards
Perseverance
Committing to goals and overcoming obstacles no matter what it takes. Choosing your committments wisely, and then don't give up!
Sports News
Running Club
Running club will recommence Week 4, Tuesday 1st November. We will continue on Tuesday and Friday mornings on the oval. There will no running club on Friday 18th November.
The last session for the term will be on Tuesday 29th November when we will celebrate the year with a breakfast.
Bike Education
The Year 3 students will participate in 6 weeks of bike education in their PE session. The lessons will commence Week 3. This program is funded by our Sporting Schools grant.
Rugby Success
Joe (Year 3) and Jack (Year 2) both took part in the Albany 7s Tournament in the last weekend of school holidays, after a great season of rugby.
This is the first time Bayswater U9 Rugby team have attended and they won the U9 Shield competition, which was so fantastic.
School Board
The School Board is meeting next Monday to look at progress on our Business Plan, the biennial community survey and plans for 2023.
P & C News
Waste Free Wednesdays
The P&C would like to challenge our community to help our environment by introducing Waste Free Wednesdays. This is where children try to bring their food to school on Wednesdays (or all days) in reusable containers rather than plastic bags, paper or foil that goes into the bin. More information to follow.
2022 DUCK’s DADS AND KIDS CAMP – Friday 11 November
Now in its seventh year, the DUCKs Camp Out & Silent DISCO is back again, get your ticket now!
Friday 11 November from 4.30pm on the KPS oval
Pitch a tent or swag with your kids. Show us your moves at the Silent Disco! Famous BBQ dinner and breakfast included.
The kids always love this event, so lock it in the diary and we’ll see you there!!
$40 per family (regardless of how many children). This includes dinner and breakfast, morning coffee for dads, marshmallow toasting, and the silent disco.
We’ll be wrapped up by 8am Saturday morning, so the oval can be used for cricket and the kids can get off to weekend sport etc.
Whilst DUCKs activities are aimed at encouraging Dads to get active in their kids' lives, we understand that there’s not always a father figure available. As always DUCKs activities are also open to mums who would like to attend.
Note Education Department requires children to attend with their own parent. Vegetarian and GF will be catered for. If camping really isn’t your thing, you can come for dinner and breakfast.
Please use the link below to book:
https://www.trybooking.com/965038
Justin Nicholls
Keep an eye on your WhatsApp class group messages, the school newsletter and elsewhere for the next DUCKs event. PLEASE get in touch with Justin or Conrad if you have future event ideas or wish to organise an event yourself - we will provide all the help and guidance you need. DUCKS.KPS@gmail.com
Containers for Change
We have a wheely bin and/or a wool bale in the quadrangle where you can deposit containers, help the environment and fundraise for the school all at once. We hope, with sufficient support from everyone, to expand this program.
Community News
Primary School Reunion
Joanne Woolnough and Wendy Bungate are hoping to have a school reunion on the 8th February 2023 at the Little Banksia Cafe - particularly for those who attended Kensington Primary School during 1960 - 1962. For further details please contact Joanne at joannestewart50@hotmail.com