Newsletter 18th October 2023
Principal's Message
Classroom Open Night Tonight
I hope you are all aware that tonight we have all our classrooms open for your child(ren) 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 a sausage sizzle in the quadrangle, so you can pop down for some dinner there. Thanks to Justin from the DUCKs for organising this.
International Cleaners Day Today!
Celebrating our cleaners for their incredible work in keeping us safe. International Cleaners Day is today. It out special opportunity to recognise the remarkable efforts of our cleaners who help make our environment safe, tidy and hygienic. Thanks to Peter, Mary, Mebrat and Genet.
World Teachers Day
Let’s celebrate Australia’s teachers for their skilled work in educating, inspiring and supporting our students.
Hats off to teachers on World Teachers’ Day!
Share your ‘hats off’ selfie to celebrate teachers and tell everyone what they mean to you. This is your chance to join Australia in celebrating teachers.
On Friday 27th October, we will be celebrating World Teachers’ Day. The Bahai community are generously providing lunch for the staff earlier in the week. You can show your appreciation by posting a “hats off” selfie on social media either on your own or with family or friends. Grab a hat – beret, beanie, bucket, bowler – and remember to tag #WorldTeachersDay @ aitsl
NB AITSL is the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership.
Message from eSafety Commissioner
Recent world events have led to some concerns regarding distressing online content finding its way onto student screens and devices.
It’s normal for staff, parents and carers to be concerned about what our children may see, so during this time we recognise that keeping families free from harm on the internet is very important.
The eSafety Commissioner provides some important guidelines and resources to help ensure that online spaces stay safe for everyone.
Telethon
Joshua G is actively participating in the upcoming Telethon event (21-22nd October). He has been invited to share his story as a sibling of a child with a disability and life-limiting condition and he is very proud to be part of this. He is a beautiful young carer and already a big advocate for anyone with a disability. Josh’s classmates have helped him out with the event by making crazy hats as part of the segment involving Josh.
Class Placement 2024
We are currently working on classes for 2024. Parents who wish to raise particular student needs are invited to write to the principal expressing their request. It should be noted that this expression must focus on legitimate educational reasons and that there are no guarantees that requests will be met. It does, however, allow for consideration of parent views regarding class placement. Parents are asked to present written requests no later than Friday 24 November 2023 (Week 7, Term 4). If requests are not in writing, they will not be taken into account when placing students.
Responsibility for the placement of students rests with the principal.
Class Structures:
While some schools have made it school policy to have all classes as split classes (for educational and philosophical reasons) this is not the case at Kensington PS. The reasoning behind the split classes here is due to student numbers and the need for the school to work within industrial and financial constraints.
Research, the experience of teachers and school administrators as well as data about student performance suggests that there is no significant difference when it comes to analysing the outcomes of student learning between being placed in a ‘straight’ class or a multi-aged class. Whichever way a school is organised, the most important factor in ensuring successful learning is a focus on identifying and addressing the individual needs of each student.
Studies here and overseas show that children in split classes are often more confident, cooperate better, work better in team situations, are assertive, show more initiative, are more independent learners and better problem solvers. They tend to more easily make friends outside their peer group.
The school must cater for any student, within the school boundaries, who wishes to enrol. While the school numbers and cohort sizes vary from year to year, class structures will vary from year to year, to meet those needs. The school will do its best for all students, while working within the realities of population variance, finances and industrial agreements.
Some years we have very few split classes, other years, we have more. Some years we even have to have more than one split class with the same grades (e.g., two Year 1/2 classes) in order to ensure a reasonable number of students in each grade within the class.
Class Placements:
Creating equitable classes, where students requiring specialised academic, social, emotional and / or behavioural plans are distributed fairly amongst all staff members, is a priority as it enables staff to best cater for individual student needs in the most manageable and effective manner.
Planning for 2024 Survey - Final Call
It's that time of year again when we start to look at how many students we will have in 2024 and to plan to staff the school to meet those needs. We have created a Microsoft Form to enable you to inform us about whether or not your child is returning in 2024 (current PP – Year 5 students only). You may complete one form (see the link below) for your family. However, if you have differing plans for each of your children currently attending our school (excluding the Year 6s), please complete separate forms for each.
If you haven't done so already, please complete your forms ASAP. The link for this survey is at https://forms.office.com/r/rhZPpSKLvT
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!
Upcoming Events
Silly Socks for Ukraine
The Student Council will be running a fundraising event for Ukraine. It is our fun Silly Socks Day on Wednesday 8th November. Wear your silly socks and bring a gold coin donation.
P&C Art Award & Exhibition
The annual Art Exhibition runs all this week. Don't forget to pop in and see this, either when you are at the Open Classrooms Night or throughout the rest of the week. The Open Classrooms Night runs from 5pm - 6:30pm (the Art Exhibition opens at 4:30pm that day).
Foyer Display - S2
S2 have created a timeline of their school year. Take a look at what they have been doing.
Sports News
Running Club
Running club will recommence Week 4, Tuesday 31st October. We will continue on Tuesdays only, until Week 8. We will run on the running track.
Bike Education
The Year 3 students will participate in six weeks of bike education in their PE session. The lessons will commence on Friday of Week 2. This program is funded by our Sporting Schools grant.
Social Dance
The Year 5/6 students will commence their social dance program this Friday. This will continue all term and culminate at the social after graduation in Week 10.
Sporting Success
Soren represented WA at the Australian Youth Wrestling Championships. He was awarded the Runner Up medal. Congratulations Soren!
Joe and Jack played for the U10s Bayswater Numbats at the Albany 7s rugby tournament recently. Joe was co-captain and Jack was the team kicker. The boys played well in extremely hard conditions - playing five games in total across the weekend. The team were Runners Up in the Plate Finals - Well done boys!
School Board
The Board will be meeting next Monday 23rd October. We will be looking at our vision statement and the student costs for 2024. We will also look at how the school has been travelling in regards to our targets.
P & C News
Heads up!
It's almost Christmas! But before the silly season we have a busy rest of the school year to get through! See our upcoming dates below (including our parent mixer disco!)
There will be lots of opportunities for you to volunteer or support our last few events of the year.
Link below to get in early - sign up now to volunteer your time as it's the first weekend back at school!
We're also looking for donations of nautical items for the kindy playground upgrade. The new decking (funded by the P&C) is looking fabulous thanks to Ed and the team of parents that helped out so far. Please reach out if you have anything!
Thanks for your ongoing support and don't forget to mark your calendars.
Cheers,
Ducks and the P&C.
2023 DUCKs DADS AND KIDS CAMP – Friday 10 November
Tickets ON SALE NOW for the famous DUCKs Camp Out & Silent Disco
Pitch a tent or swag with your kids. Show us your moves at the Silent Disco! Famous BBQ dinner, breakfast and Little Banksia Coffee included.
Established in 2015 by the wonderful, late David Mundy, founder of KPS DUCKs, this event is a highlight of the KPS year. Book now, 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, party games and the silent disco.
We’ll be wrapped up by 8am Saturday morning, so the kids can get off to sport etc.
Helpers will be required for this event – please get in touch via the booking form or contact below.
Whilst DUCKs activities encourage 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 kids to attend with their own parent. Vegetarian and GF will be catered for. If camping isn’t your thing, you can come for dinner and breakfast.
Please use the link below to book:
https://www.trybooking.com/1119520
Justin Nicholls
0436 461 666
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 located next to Room 7.
Reminder - the uniform shop has moved to the donga with the bright mural next to the staff car park.
Containers for Change
Community News
Kidsport Funding
Financial assistance is available for eligible children, aged 5 to 18 years, to use for sporting club fees. Parents and guardians can now apply for $300 per financial year to help their children take part in community sports and recreation.