Newsletter 20th March 2024

Principal's Message

Happy Holidays

We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday period.  The last day of this term is next week, Thursday 28^th March.  Students will not be returning for Term 2 until Monday 15^th April.  Please note, that it is Monday (not Tuesday, as if often the case). Next term we will have two public holidays (ANZAC Day 25^th April, and WA Day on 3^rd June) and a School Development Day (pupil free on 6^th May).  See below, Upcoming Events, for details on an early close too. Please mark these in your diary or subscribe to our SZapp calendar to have them automatically synced to your calendar. Please also note that it is an 11-week term too.

New Teaching Staff in Term 2

Term 2 will see some changes to the staffing of the school.  Mr Clint McNerney will move to Warnbro PS for the term to take on the role of principal there.  Mrs Sophie Beasley will step into his position.  She has been working with the school in a different capacity this year and much of last year.  We welcome here on board.

Mrs Debb Dellar will be absent next term too.  Kindy 2 will be taken for the term by Mrs Annette Newman.  She too is familiar with the school, having done relief here and in K2.  

Mrs Di Filmer will continue as deputy at Victoria Park PS next term too.  However, Mr Caiden Guidi will not be continuing, so we will have a new teacher in Room 10.  Her name is Caitlin Trolio and she will be meeting the students in Room 10 next week.  

Mrs Pedley will also be on long service leave next term and so Ms Sinead Farrelly will be taking Junior Science and Maths Enrichment for the term.  The two teachers have planned together for the term.

We welcome them all.

We will notify classes of any further changes when we have further information. You will also receive information via SeeSaw.

WA Student Assistance Payment

Earlier this week, the Premier, Hon Roger Cook MLA, and the Minister for Education, Hon Dr Tony Buti MLA, announced the WA Student Assistance Payment. This State Government initiative offers a cost-of-living payment for every student in Western Australia to provide financial relief and assist families with their children’s schooling.

All Western Australian school students (Kindergarten to Year 12) currently enrolled in a public school, registered non-government school, or home-schooled, with a valid WA student number (WASN) are eligible to claim this payment from Monday 15 April 2024.

The Premier and Minister have written a letter to all parents and carers (below) outlining the intent of this payment and recognising the cost-pressures that many families are experiencing.

The WA Student Assistance Payment is available to claim within the ServiceWA app. More information about setting up the app and step-by-step instructional videos are available on wa.gov.au/servicewaapp. The ServiceWA app is the fastest and most convenient way to claim the payment; however, alternative claim methods will be available for those unable to access ServiceWA. More information is available at education.wa.edu.au/wasap/questions-and-support.

A support line has been established for parents and carers to manage any enquiries regarding eligibility and how to claim. Parents and carers can call 1800 882 345 for support between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

The school will assist parents and carers to identify a student’s WASN or provide support to submit a claim in exceptional circumstances. Please do not call or email the office as we will be letting you know what your WASN is soon.

VIP Prizes

Students are rewarded for their efforts with VIP tokens.  These go into a draw each fortnight, announced at assemblies.  The winners choose a prize from our prize box.  We would like to thank Mr Andrew Davis from Clark Rubber for donating a bag full of prizes to the school for this purpose.  We are very grateful for his generosity.

AED

We have had a defibrillator at the school office for a couple of years now.  However, we have recently purchased a cabinet that has been attached to the wall outside the front door to the office.  This cabinet will enable people to access this without having to gain access to the office.  It will require them to phone the number on the cabinet to seek the code to open the cabinet.  As the school has a fence (albeit a low fence) with locked gates, this cabinet will not be listed as a 24/7 AED; however, we know that people will be able to climb over the fence to gain access in an emergency.

Personal Mobile Devices

Recently we have been having some issues with students bringing and using personal mobile devices, such as phones and smart watches, at school.  Our Positive Behaviour Plan contains a Mobile Devices Policy (see below) that explains that students cannot use these personal devices while at school.  This includes filming others or taking calls from parents.  Any use of personal mobile devices while at school will result in the user having their device confiscated and their parents called.  If you need to contact your child while they are at school, please phone the office.

Keeping our School Safe

During the holiday period school premises are more vulnerable than usual to vandalism and damage by intruders and can become targets for a small number of offenders. The upcoming holiday period is from Friday 29^th March – Sunday 14^th April 2024.

We would also like to let you know that there will be some works happening bike shed, visible from Fourth Ave, as well as a ceiling replaced in Room 6 and some work on the Pre-primary sandpit. 

If you are in the vicinity, please listen for unusual noises; look for suspicious vehicles parked at the school and notice if groups of children or teenagers are congregating around the school. Your involvement can really make a difference in preventing damage to our school. I urge you to report any suspicious activity immediately to:

SCHOOL WATCH – 1800 177 777 or

POLICE – 131 444

P & C Voluntary Contributions

Clarifying Confusion around P & C Voluntary Contributions

We have received many calls and emails regarding P & C Voluntary Contributions.  Although the P & C voluntary contribution was mentioned on the booklist, please note that payment for this specific contribution was not collected through the booklist so it needs to be paid directly to the school (as per the booklist notice). The decision not to collect it through the booklist was made to prevent families from inadvertently paying $60 per student instead of the intended $60 per family.

Apologies for any confusion and thank you for your support.

Kindy Families

Please be aware that because Term 1 was a 9-week term and we are heading into an 11-week term, our Kindy timetable will have a change for Term 2 only.

Usually, Kindy 1 would attend Wednesdays on the school odd weeks (1,3,5,7,8,9) and Kindy 2 would attend Wednesdays on the even school weeks (2,4,6,8,10). However, in Term 2 this will reverse, but only for Term 2.  Term 3 and 4 will revert to the usual weeks.

Please see the calendar attached.  

Honours and Values Awards

Foyer Display - Room 4

Harmony Day is a fun day when we celebrate how we all look different on the outside but are the same on the inside as kind and special friends. We learn that even though we may seem different, we all have feelings and dreams just like each other! 

What's Been Happening

Interschool Swimming Carnival Win

Thank you to Mrs Stanford for organising another terrific swimming carnival.  Mrs Stanford organised this interschool event for our school and for Victoria Park and East Victoria Park primary schools.  Thank you to our parent supports who came on the day to cheer the children on or to take on roles in helping run the carnival.  Thank you also to Mr Powers for caring for and supervising our team.  Our team did very well to take the shield and a number of students also took home champion or runner-up champion medallions.  Congratulations to everyone on their wonderful participation and sportsmanship.  Please see the sports report below for more information.

Upcoming Events

Harmony Day – Thursday 21^st March

We will be celebrating Harmony Day on Thursday 21st March. Students are encouraged to wear orange or dress in a national costume representing their heritage. There will be a parade on Thursday morning on the basketball courts at 9am. Students will be working with their buddies from another (younger/older) class later on a Harmony Day activity too.

ANZAC Ceremony

The ANZAC ceremony will be held at the school on the morning of Wednesday 24^th April (Week 2 of Term 2).  This will should at approx. 9am (time TBC).

Early Close – Wednesday 24^th April

We will be having an early close in Term 2 on Wednesday 24^th April at 12 pm (noon) in order to run our annual parent-teacher meetings a la ‘speed dating’.  This means teachers are able to meet with parents for 10-minute bookings that afternoon, along with other time slots during the week before and during that week.  Teachers will focus on providing parents with information on how their children are doing in literacy, numeracy and socially/emotionally.  The meetings on Wednesday afternoon (starting at 12:30pm) will be held in the senior block.  Parents are asked, if they are able, to collect their children at noon that day.  If you cannot do that, supervision (but not classes) will be provided at the school until 3pm. While there are no supervised crossings surrounding the school, please be aware that no crossings will be manned at noon anywhere, so students should remain at the school until 3pm if this is a concern. No phone meetings are available on Wednesday afternoon and face-to-face meetings are always the best and most preferred.  The SZapp booking system will be opened for bookings next week.  You will be notified when this has occurred.

Sport News

Inter School Swimming Carnival

Last Tuesday our inter school team competed against Victoria Park and East Victoria Park. We were very successful with our swimmers competing amazingly across the pool. We have great depth in our swimming ability and placed in all events.

Congratulations to our medallion winners: 

Vivienne Yr. 4 runner up girl.

Ioane Yr. 4 runner up boy.

Jessie Yr. 5 runner up girl.

Finn Yr. 5 champion boy.

Xavier Yr. 6 champion boy.

Alfie Yr. 6 runner up boy.

The results were: 

1^st Kensington.

2^nd Victoria Park.

3^rd East Victoria Park

Thanks to our helpers Shannon, Carla, Brendan (parents), Charlie (Wesley workplace student), Mackenzie (Notre Dame student), and Val (volunteer) for helping to make the day a success.  A huge thank you to our Endeavour captains Parker and Finlay who had to step up and assist with judging at the last minute. They did an excellent job.

Summer Carnival

Tuesday 26th^h March selected Year 5/6 will compete in the Victoria Park area summer carnival. We will play tee ball, volleyball, Newcombe ball and cricket (boys’ and girls’ teams).

Sporting Schools

Thanks to sporting schools funding we have had additional coaches that have assisted – Digby and Gareth with some PE sessions – tennis and volleyball. We have purchased new tennis racquets and more volleyballs.

Running Club is Back

Running Club will commence on the first Tuesday of next term 16^th April. We will run on the track on Tuesdays and the oval on Fridays from 8.00am – 8.30am.

We are using Consent2Go as a permission for your child to attend. If a student attended running club last year, they will be sent a consent2go permission invite.  New runners once you child has attended you will be sent an invite to give permission for your child to participate. Parents of Kindy, PP and Yr. 1 students must attend with their child. Please see Mrs Stanford if you require more details.

Edu-dance Concerts

The concerts for Edu-dance will take place next Wednesday 27^th March. Parents are invited to attend. If you video the dance, please make sure it only includes your child. Not all children have photo permission. The classroom teacher has details of the requires costume. Thanks to Mrs Voysey for her hard work in preparing the children for their concert.

2.00pm Concert 1: P1, R1, R3, R4.

2.30pm Concert 2: P3, R2, R5, R6.

National Ride2school day

Friday 22^nd March is National Ride2School day. Children and parents are encouraged to ride(or walk) to school.

Hockey Clinics

Yr. 1 and 2 are participating in hockey clinics over the next week. If you would like to register for the winter season follow the link. 

Registration - Wesley South Perth Hockey Club (wasphockey.asn.au)

Japanese 日本語

Connect and Communicate with Nihon at
Kensington PS

The year of the tatsu dragon is going by quickly and we are nearly at the end of term. Some fabulous events are happening this term and this year. In 2024 to support us, Miss Asuka Nakashima is joining our classes on Fridays. She supports our lessons, maintenance of the Japanese garden and assists Whittle sensei with the taiko team and further supports our learning of Japanese language and culture. Some Kensington families are supporting our school community by hosting a Japanese student visitor arriving on this weekend for a week. The group will attend English classes in the morning and join in regular classes in the afternoon. There is a wonderful chance for all to engage with Japanese culture this coming Saturday at the Perth Japan festival on the Perth esplanade 11am- 8pm. There will be taiko, dancing, music performances, martial arts demonstrations and food stalls. Lots to engage and Connect and Communicate with Nihon (Japan).

Whittle sensei

Japanese language teacher

School Board

Next Monday the new Board members will join our continuing Board members for our twice a term meetings.  The new Board members will complete an induction first, then continue on for our meeting which will be followed by a Welcome/Farewell dinner.

On the agenda for our meeting is deciding on our roles, reviewing the deeds of licence, finalising the Annual Report, deciding on a process for revising the school vision statement and reviewing the school budget.

P & C News

Mothers Day Raffle

Raffle to be launched on 15th April and drawn on 8th May. If you buy enough raffle tix and win a prize, no need to buy a Mother’s Day gift. 

Further information will be spread through what’s app groups, as we seek donations from local businesses or your spare gifts cupboard.  Keep your eye out for a qr code for online raffle ticket sales coming home in week 1 term 2. 

Save the date: Saturday April 19th

Kindy / PrePrimary playground busy bee - more info to come.

Fundraising Update 

The class reps met up last week to plan out the events calendar for the year. Each year group has been allocated an event, please support your class reps to help deliver these fun events for our kids and help raise funds for our school. Every bit helps!

Next P&C Meeting 22nd April

DUCKs Dads kick-off night, Wed. 13 March 2024

We had a DUCKs Kick-off night on 13 March 2024 with about 16 dads attending, a mixture of mostly newer dads and some well established DUCKs.  It was a great opportunity for introductions and new connections to what our dads group is all about and how to be involved at school. We also heard from some longer standing members such as Jason Parsons and Ed McClarty about the value to themselves and their children of getting involved and connecting with other dads. Overall it was a great opportunity to meet new dads, share activity ideas that we want to plan for 2024 and think about how we can best support our children at school.

DUCKs WhatsApp and Email groups

Reminder that we have a private DUCKs WhatsApp group and email list for dads, If you wish to be added, please contact us at DUCKS.KPS@gmail.com or ask one of the dads in the group to join.

The Fathering Project - channel

I encourage you all to check out some great short videos, audio clips, hints and tips on how to be the best dad you can be at the link below:

https://thefatheringproject.org/fathering-channel/

How Other Dads Dad - podcasts

Keen to take the best of the hard earned wisdom from other dads? Try listening to these highly recommended and excellent interview podcasts by well loved funny man Hamish Blake as he talks with other dads about what they've learned during their time as fathers. Settle-in for an hour long listen, while working on a project perhaps.

https://howotherdadsdad.com/

Thanks DUCKs dads. Keep doing great work.

Conrad Slee

Dads United for the Children of Kensington - DUCKs

UNIFORM SHOP AT VISTA STREET KINDY

Uniform shop is closed for the rest of Term 1. Online order will be processed and delivered to classrooms. 

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.

Containers for Change

Community News

The City of South Perth will be running a variety of fun activities and events during the April School Holidays.

These include:

• Constable Care First Aid Heros Puppet Show
• Teddy Bear’s Picnic Story time at South Perth Old Mill
• Craft Days at Manning & South Perth Library
• Master LEGO Builds
• Neon Festival
• Frost! - Puzzle Quest
• LEGO Days at Manning & South Perth Library
• Writing workshop with Norman Jorgensen
• Noongar Language Storytime with Dylan Collard
• Tree Festival Papercraft Workshop
• Time for Stories at the Ferry Tram
• Children’s Arts & Craft Workshop
• Basketball Clinics
• Soccer Clinics
• Let’s Talk Dogs Workshops
• Robot Rumble Coding program
• Noongar Storytime
• Children’s Literature Champions Workshop

Term 1 Dates: March 12, 19, 26 ($90)​

Term 2 Dates: Apr 23, 30; May 7, 14, 21, 28; Jun 4, 11, 18, 25 ($300)​

Age Group: Year 1-6

Rego Link >> https://app.iclasspro.com/portal/yeperth

Join ABC presenters and Perth’s leading advocates of urban biodiversity at the inaugural River Guardians Festival held on the banks of Derbarl Yerrigan, South Perth.
Featuring the ABC Radio Perth Breakfast Show hosted LIVE by Amber Cunningham, and Gardening Australia’s Josh Byrne talking on ‘Riverwise gardening’, this FREE event will provide the information needed to help support the health of Perth’s iconic Swan Canning Riverpark.
Stall holders will host citizen science and kids river ranger activities, including interactions with reptiles and marsupials, crafts with the Dolphin Watch and Water Faeries crew, as well workshops on habitat creation and wildlife photography.
This educational and family fun biodiversity event is not to be missed.