Newsletter 24th July 2024
Principal's Message
Thank You
A big thanks to Clare Brook for stepping in for me while I was on LSL. She did a fantastic job. A special thanks to Megan Mehnert and Ashley Griffiths for sharing and stepping into the deputy role. It was much appreciated and a great support for Sophie Beasley and Clare Brook.
Positive Behaviour Policy
The staff have been working on updating this policy. The proposed new policy will be finalised by staff this Thursday and it will go to the School Board for ratification.
Vision
The School Board and Student Council have been considering our current Vision statement and whether to update it or not. Currently it is to “Develop our students’ potential, enabling their positive contribution to the world”. The Student Council asked a question about this at their Student Voice forum and the staff will also be discussing this at this week’s staff meeting.
New Programs
We have started up two new support programs. We now have an English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EALD) program for students whose first/home language is not Standard Australian English and who need additional support to develop their use and understanding of this. Mrs Natasha Van Aurich is running this program.
We also have a volunteer who is bringing their dog to school to listen to students read to increase their engagement with reading. This program is run through Storybook Dogs and our dog is called Patch. He is a Groodle (Golden retriever/poodle). The student council plan on running a fundraiser for this program later this term. Thank you to Mrs Brook for her persistence in organising the return of this program.
Uniform Shop
Please see below under P&C News important information regard our uniform shop.
Honours and Values Awards
High School Programs and Scholarships
Congratulations to the following students who have received offers for specialist high school programs and scholarships in 2025.
Xavier – Specialist Cricket Program at Kent Street SHS
Freddie – Specialist Cricket Program at Kent Street SHS
Parker – Specialist Fashion and Design Program at Kent Street SHS
Chloe – Specialist Fashion and Design Program at Kent Street SHS
William – Academic Scholarship at St George’s Anglican Grammar School
Penny – Music Scholarship at St George’s Anglican Grammar School
Foyer Display - Room 7
In Room 7 we have read the novel Matilda by Roald Dahl. We have each written a book review describing a character, setting and our favourite part of the book. We loved reading this novel as a class. We hope our reviews encourage you to read it too!
What's Coming Up
Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week
The school participated in Reconciliation Week activities last term, and we have a NAIDOC event coming up next week with Gina Williams and Guy Gouse performing Noongar language songs for the students. The Reconciliation Action Plan is coming along well, and we have a draft series of actions to propose to staff at this week’s staff meeting and then take to the School Board next week. This is an important milestone for our Business Plan.
Year 4 PEAC Testing
Next week the Year 4 students will be involved in testing for PEAC (Primary Extension and Challenge). The top 2.5% of students in the region will be offered places in this program for Year 5-6.
Wellbeing & Engagement Census
Students in Year 4-6 will be involved in the Wellbeing and Engagement Census (opened on Monday 22nd July until Friday 16th August). Young people’s sense of wellbeing is an important part of how they learn at school. The purpose of the survey is to seek students’ views about their wellbeing and their engagement with school. Students in year levels 4 to 12 in WA schools will be invited to participate in the Wellbeing and Engagement Census. The information collected will help the education system and broader community to support young people’s health and wellbeing.
The survey asks students about their social and emotional wellbeing; school relationships and engagement and learning in school; and physical health and wellbeing and after school activities. Students’ answers will be kept confidential – no one (including school staff) will use the results to identify individual students. If you or your child do not want your child to participate, please contact the school as soon as possible. A letter has been sent via SeeSaw to all Year 4-6 students’ families.
What's Been Happening
Bike Shed
The Bike Shed should be ready for use next week. Some final adjustments, including installing permanent fencing panels will need to occur though. New bike racks are also on the shopping list. A big thank you to Ed McLarty for his engineering work on this project and overseeing its progress. Thanks also to Adam Goodwin for the architectural drawings and design. We are very fortunate to have two highly skilled and generous parents at the school.
Playgrounds
The P&C has funded the development of a concept plan for the naturescape and the ECE area. The school will take on that one, but the naturescape is something that the P&C will be able to use as a focus for fundraising from the next fete. Community input will be part of the process.
Sport News
Winter Carnival
On Thursday of Week 10 last term, selected Yr. 5/6 students competed in the winter carnival. We had a fun day. Our AFL and hockey teams won their competitions, basketball and netball came 2nd and soccer persevered all day but were unable to win a game.
Kensington won the overall shield for the winter carnival.
Well done Kensington for your effort on the day and for showing fantastic sportsmanship in all sports whether you won, lost or drew. Thanks to parents, staff and our Notre Dame students for their coaching at senior sport in preparation for the carnival and for their coaching at the carnival. You did an amazing job. Thank you.
Running Club
Running Club continues on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 8.00am – 8.30am. New runners always welcome.
Inter School Cross- Country
Tomorrow, we take on the schools in the Victoria Park area in the inter school cross-country.
Faction and Inter School Athletics Carnivals
The carnival is during Week 5 with interschool to follow in Week 9.
Draft program
Competitor list will be on the sport notice board in Week 4.
Library News
P & C News
Kensington P&C Uniform Shop Update
The uniform shop has officially moved off site for new uniforms. From the start of Term 3 onwards, Kensington uniforms are available through Uniform Concepts in Willetton. (Second-hand uniforms are still available on Thursday mornings from the Donga).
Uniform Concepts handle a huge number of schools, including East Vic. Park, Como Secondary & Kent St High School.
Their details are as follows:
Address: - 30 Kembla Way, Willetton
Opening Hours Monday – 9 – 5pm
Tuesday – 9 – 5pm
Wednesday – 9 – 5pm
Thursday – 9 – 6pm
Friday – 9 – 5pm
Saturday – 9 – 1pm
Sunday – Closed
You can visit the Willetton store if you wish to try on or view items – our clothes are on the racks ready to go.
Online ordering is available and can be picked up or delivered to your home. Please note that online orders will no longer be delivered to your child in class.
Uniform Concepts are in the process of refilling stock that was unavailable last term. Polos, skorts and trackpants are in stock, whilst fleece jumpers should be available from Week 4. Please call ahead to the store to check stock is in before making the drive for the next couple of weeks.
The on-site uniform shop will continue to offer second hand clothing options and will be open each Thursday in Term 3 starting this week, 25/07.
If you have an outstanding uniform shop order, please let the P&C know using the email address below or your original order details so we can arrange a refund.
If anyone has any questions, they can contact the P&C on kensingtonpandc@gmail.com.
Regards,
Ed McLarty
P&C President
Containers for Change
