Newsletter 23rd August 2023
Principal's Message
Education Assistant Appreciation Week
(otherwise known as Teacher Aide Appreciation Week)
Next week, apart from being our athletics carnival week, is Education Assistant Appreciation Week (28 August – 1 September). We would like to acknowledge the amazing work of our education assistants in assisting teachers and providing support to students at Kensington PS. Happy Australian Teacher Aide/ Education Assistant Appreciation Week!
Flagpole
A couple of weeks ago, I received a letter from a student asking the school to fly the Torres Strait Islander flag. As the flag protocols require that we always fly the national flag if we are going to fly any flags, we must use the second flagpole for any other flags. At KPS we fly the Aboriginal flag as our second flag. As we are on Noongar land (an Aboriginal nation's land) we feel it important to fly the Aboriginal flag as our second flag. However, we have now ordered a third flagpole in order to be able to fly a Torres Strait Islander flag too.
Before School Supervision
Please remember that the school does not provide supervision for students before 8:15am. Between 8:15 – 8:30am, any student on the school grounds (except at organised events such as running club) students should be seated in the quadrangle. At 8:30am, the classroom doors are opened for students to prepare for the day. If you must drop your child at school before 8:15am, then please use the OSHClub. Their details are below. There is a cost involved in using the OSHClub but the school does not provide free supervision before 8:15am. You will be contacted by the school if your child arrives before 8:15am on a regular basis.
Any students not collected by parents by 3:15pm each day will need to be collected at the office. Please let the school know if you are going to be late. The office is not able to supervise your child if you are going to be over half an hour late. Again, OSHClub is available after school. You can register for this for free so that you can use this in an emergency.
Honours and Values awards
Respect
An attitude of treating ourselves, others and all living things with dignity and courtesy. Treating others as we want to be treated.
Upcoming Events
Book Week
Read, Grow, Inspire!
It's Book Week and time to 'Read, Grow, Inspire'! Children's Book Week dates back to 1913 when Franklin K. Matthiews, the librarian of the Boy Scouts of America, began touring the country to promote higher standards in kids' books. He believed literacy was life-changing and proposed a special week each year to celebrate.
This year the Childrens' Books Week theme is "Read, Grow, Inspire". Our annual dress-up as your favourite book character (or to match the theme) Book Week parade is on tomorrow morning on the courts outside the undercover area (weather permitting). As Mrs Rankin-Hume is away, we won't be having our much-loved staff play, but we have arranged visits by authors yesterday (Year 4-6) and Thursday (K-3). Thanks to Mrs Brook for organising these visits.
- HM Waugh was on Tuesday 22nd August for Year 4-6 students
- Isobel Bevisto on Thursday 24th August for K-3 students in the library at 11:30-12:30am
Below is the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s announcement of this year’s award-winning books. I encourage everyone to check out these marvellous books available through the KPS library, public libraries and booksellers.
Athletics Carnival
Next week is packed full of athletics events. The big day is on Friday 1st September. This day has a real carnival atmosphere. The P&C are offering sausage sizzle for lunches (regular lunch orders are suspended) as well as running a cake stall (please send your donations through on Friday morning or the afternoon before). We will also have the coffee van on site (50% of profits go to the P&C). Please note that students cannot purchase cakes or have them delivered to their bays except during special break times. A short break will be held after the running events have been finished. However, cakes can be delivered immediately after the students arrive in their bays (first thing in the morning) but they cannot purchase them for themselves at this time. Student can also visit the cake stall at lunch time.
Massed Choir Festival
This very exciting event (a highlight of my annual calendar) will be held at the Perth Concert Hall on Friday 22nd September (last day of term). We had a sneak preview of two of the items when S3 students performed at the assembly in Week 4. From my experience, students find the opportunity to perform in such a large choir (our choir is large by most standards, but this massed choir is exceptional) at the concert hall in front of a large audience is exhilarating.
What's Been Going On At KPS
Paul Litherland - Surf Online Safely Resources
As a follow on from the successful Surf Online Safely Workshop held on the 8th of August, Paul Litherland has provided us with some fantastic resources to assist in our online parenting journey.
Paper Recycling
We recently held a competition between classes to decorate their paper recycling boxes. Congratulations to PP2 (junior winners) and S2 (senior winners) for winning this competition. We will be organising a picnic in the garden for each class as a prize. Thank you to Mrs Dash and Room 2 for organising this.
Former KPS Student
An enormous congratulations to former KPS student, Ellie Galvin, who has recently accepted a professional position in the Wiener Staatsoper Ballet (Vienna State Opera Ballet) in Austria.
Ellie graduated from Kensington in 2018 and has been in a full-time ballet program for the last three years. She was also offered professional places in Belgium, Canada and the United States, which is a testament to her hard work and talent. Amazing work, Ellie; we wish you all the best on your new adventure in Vienna and your future career in ballet!
Foyer Display - Room 6
Room 6's Book Reviews
This semester, the students in Room 6 have been learning about different types of non-fiction texts. So, in celebration of Book Week 2023, the class has written reviews on their favourite books. Not only that, we have also redesigned the original book covers and they look fantastic! Please have a read of our opinions as it might help you choose your next adventure.
Sports News
Faction Athletics Carnival
The faction carnival is next week, weather permitting. Times are approximate. A full program is included below in the newsletter.
On Friday there will be an allocated time after the running events where students can access the cake stall. Parents are requested not to come across the track into the faction bays during the running events.
Competitors from Yr. 1 -6 will be chosen from the carnival to represent Kensington at the inter school carnival in Week 9.
Running Club
Running Club is on each Tuesday (running Track) and Friday (oval) mornings from 8.00am – 8.30am. New runners are always welcome. Parents of Kindy and Pre-primary parents must attend with their child. Active kids learn better! There will be no running club on Friday 1st September, the faction carnival day.
Summer Sport
Registrations are now open for summer sports. We have many great clubs in our area. There are details on the sport notice board for Tee ball or go to the web sites of the club for sign up details.
School Board
School Board Meeting
The Board will meet on Monday 11th September in the staffroom at 5:30pm. The agenda will be advertised in the next newsletter.
P & C News
Faction Carnival DUCKs BBQ
Don't forget faction carnival lunch orders are due back to the office this Friday 25/8/23.
Helpers wanted for the Faction Carnival DUCKs BBQ on 1st September. Lend a hand for an hour to cook some snags - you’ll be able to come and go so you won’t miss any races.
Please register availability using the link below and I’ll be in touch a few days before. Justin
DUCKs Dads and Kids Campout 10 November 2023
DUCKs Campout - 10 November 2023 - Please save the date for our annual Dads and Kids Campout and Silent Disco on the school oval. Please mark it in to your calendars.
For any questions, please contact:
The Fathering Project
We encourage Fathers and Father-figures to sign-up to The Fathering Project and take time to view their videos and podcasts about how to make the best of your fathering in the relationship with your kids.
https://thefatheringproject.org/fathering-channel/
All the best,
Conrad Slee - DUCKs
Dads United for the Children of Kensington (primary)
Uniforms
Follow the QR code for a direct link to the uniform shop to order online. Include your child’s name and classroom and we will deliver the following Thursday. Easy As. Happen to have ordered the wrong size? No problem we are happy to exchange, just leave the tags on. Wondering what to do with uniforms you’ve outgrown? Leave them in the red donation bin.
Containers for Change
The winners of the latest P&C containers for change competition are Harlem H (PP1) and Isabel Y (S3). They collected 126 and 148 containers respectively! Well done kids.
Community News
