Newsletter 1st November 2023
Principal's Message
Kensington PS Community Culture Survey
We would love to get your feedback on our school.
Below is a link to a school survey that is an opportunity to understand how we are progressing in developing an effective school culture.
Your responses will help us understand areas where we are performing well and areas for further development. There are two types of responses you are able to provide: rating scale and open text comment.
The survey is completely confidential. You do not need to provide your name and we will not be able to identify you individually.
https://www.schoolsurvey.edu.au/s/Kensingtonparents2023
Please complete this survey by 1st December 2023.
Welcome to New School Officers
At the start of the term, we welcomed Mercedes Mallard to the school office. She is now joined by Samantha Marchant. We are so pleased to have them join our team. Please make them welcome.
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.
Thank You
Thank you to P&C
A big thank you to Drew Dunn (Vice President) for reapplying some decals to the junior toilets. They look great.
Also, a big thanks to Ed McLarty (President) and his team of dads who have added a deck area to the kindy playground. If you have any nautical paraphernalia to add to the playground, please let the P&C know.
Thank you to the Shepherd Family
The Shepherd family came to school last weekend and repainted the keyboard outside the music room. Much appreciated. It looks great now.
Honours and Values Awards
Creativity
Discovering the power of imagination! Encouraging original thought, curiosity and daring to see things in new ways. Identifying your own special strengths.
Mathematics Awards
This year the Maths Enrichment students participated in mathematics challenges run by APSMO (Australian Problem-Solving Maths Olympiads). The Year 2, 3 and 4 Maths Enrichment students participated in the Maths Explorer challenges while the Year 5 Maths Enrichment students, plus a group of selected Year 6 students, competed in the Maths Olympiad. The contest required students to complete four challenges during Terms 2 and 3. The results were tallied throughout the contests and, at this week’s assembly, the following awards were presented:
Maths Olympiad
1st – Allie from S3 (top 10% in Australia)
2nd – Hugo from S4 (top 25% in Australia)
3rd – Joe from S4 (top 25 % in Australia)
4th – Thomas from S3 (top 25% in Australia)
Special Encouragement Award:
Year 5 – Isabel from S3
Maths Explorer
1st – Catherine from Room 8
2nd – Leo from Room 8
3rd – Jessie from S1
Special Encouragement Awards:
Year 2 – Xavier from Room 4
Year 3 – Edith from Room 8
Year 4 – Aadi from S1
Congratulations to all award winners and to every student who participated in the APSMO contests. All students readily embraced the challenges with much determination and perseverance shown. Well done to everybody on their magnificent efforts.
Elise Pedley – Maths Enrichment teacher
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 Friday 10th November. Wear your silly socks and bring a gold coin donation.
What's Been Going On
Classroom Open Night
Thank you to everyone who attended our Open Night. There was a lovely atmosphere and the children’s hard work (along with their teachers’) was wonderful to see. Thank you to the Justin and his team of past students for running the sausage sizzle. The aim was not to raise money, but to add to the wonderful ‘vibe’ of the evening. They were delicious too, I believe.
World Teachers Day
Thank you to everyone who helped make this day a special one. Your generosity and kind words were heart-warming.
Year 6 Camp
In Week 1 this term, the Year 6s embarked on a three-day camp out at the Swan Valley Adventure Centre. The students had a lot of opportunities to get out of their comfort zone by tackling activities such as abseiling, high ropes, raft building, archery, escape rooms and a flying fox. These activities challenged the students by helping them to grow in their perseverance and courage, as well as providing a lot of fun. This was a great way to start their last ever term at Kensington, creating lasting memories with their friends before they all head off to different high schools next year.
My New Gallery
Foyer Display - Room 10
Room 10 have been learning about composting and recycling. We have also been designing efficient compost bins and looking after the school environment by tending the kitchen and cottage gardens as part of our environmental inquiry projects.
Sports News
Running Club
Running club commenced yesterday. We will continue with Tuesday mornings on the running track on the basketball courts. The final session will be in Week 8. Come run with us from 8.00am – 8.30am.
Basketball
The Yr. 4- 6 have completed basketball sessions with a coach from the Perth Redbacks in their PE lessons. These were funded by our Sporting Schools grant. Year 1 and 2 students have also been practising their basketball skills in PE lessons.
Cricket
Our girls and boys cricket teams will be competing in the regional finals next Thursday at Tompkins Park. We wish them all the best and know that they will represent our school with pride.
Music News
WA Primary Schools Massed Choir Festival
On the last Friday evening of Term 3, our Senior Choir performed at the Perth Concert Hall as part of a 500-voice massed choir. The children performed the 12 songs brilliantly. They were on stage for the entire concert. In the photo below we are seated on the far right. Zara performed as a soloist and Hugo was one of the two comperes who were MCs for the entire concert. Both students gave outstanding performances, as did our choristers.
Junior Choir
The Junior Choir made up of students in Years 3 and 4 is busy preparing for this year’s Christmas Musical “Beneath a Shining Star.” They will be performing at the Christmas Assembly on Wednesday November 29th. The children will do a second performance at the concert in the evening commencing at 7.00pm. Parents and friends are invited to attend. The school band will also perform at both of these concerts.
Senior Choir Music Uniforms
Students in Years 5 & 6 are now required to return their hired music uniforms. The trousers and the girls’ long skirts and ribbons must be returned by the end of November. Items need to be washed and ironed and returned with a name clearly attached. Students should keep their shirts for next year or for younger siblings. If the shirts are no longer required, they may be donated to the school. Please return music uniforms to the Music Room and not to the Uniform Shop.
P & C News
Hi Everyone!
🍿HOYTS Discount Movie Ticket fundraiser is back!!
It's a short sale period to have orders filled in time for some school holiday fun, so get in quick! Orders close 17/11/23.
Tickets make great gifts, there's no limit to how many packs you can purchase and they are valid for 3years! T&C's attached.
How to order:
📝 Preferably bank transfer funds to P&C account and send a photo of the completed order form to us at kensingtonpsfundraising@gmail.com OR if paying by cash, drop completed forms to p&c box in school office.
🤩Thanks again for supporting KPS P&C! Enjoy the savings while munching on the salty goodness of movie popcorn🍿, immersed in that full cinematic experience that you just can't get watching Netflix! And there's some great movies being released this year- something for everyone! 🎞️ 🍿 🍫
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
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.
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.