People identified the refinement of character as a wish ... · Dreams for our Children As parents, we are all eager to see our children happy and flourishing in life. ... preparing

Issue No. 2: 15 February 2019

Dreams for our Children

As parents, we are all eager to see our children happy and flourishing in life. As we consider their

future, each of us have certain dreams and wishes we hope will be fulfilled.

The Parent Information Night held last Wednesday evening provided the parents of our Year 3 boys

the opportunity to share some of those hopes and dreams for their boys with other parents. Using

post-it notes, parents were asked to record the details so that others could read their thoughts. The

information made for some interesting reading and for the identification of common themes. I was

greatly encouraged as I perused the responses.

Developing strong relationships with peers was of leading importance. Parents want boys to feel that

they have an accepted place within a peer group. This is important for overall wellbeing and self-

confidence.

Another recurring theme was the desire for boys to develop greater independence, initiative and

responsibility. A great deal more is required of Year 3 boys in terms of their organisation. The

compulsory sports program begins in Year 3 with late after school training sessions and different

uniforms and equipment required each day. After school activity groups operate each afternoon and

many of the younger boys are enthusiastic to take up these opportunities. Therefore, it is incumbent

upon boys to undertake greater responsibility and independence to meet these additional demands.

Having their sons embrace the opportunities to expand skills and expertise in sport was another

common desire for parents. IPSHA interschool sport provides opportunities for boys to interact in a

competitive environment with boys from other schools. It allows them to develop team work,

commitment, humility and resilience. For those students who excel in certain sports, increased

pathways are offered through representative selection leading to consideration for state or national

representation, even at primary school level.

The development of self-confidence was a common wish highlighted in the sharing exercise.

Confidence is important for developing communication skills and a greater appetite for challenge and

risk-taking in new situations. By facing and conquering challenge and adversity confidence is

enhanced.

People identified the refinement of character as a wish for their son in their time at King’s this year. I

particularly connected with the following response; “To be a gentleman and to understand that

mistakes are ok.”

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father

in heaven” Matthew 5:15

Page 2 PREP NEWSLETTER ISSUE 2: 15 February 2019

Many comments were in full accord with this final quote about harnessing every opportunity

afforded at King’s; “My dream is that my boy fully embraces all that is on offer and has FUN on his

learning journey in Year 3!” Whilst these dreams and wishes were shared by the parents of Year 3, I’m

sure they would find universal agreement with parents across all year levels.

Connecting Dads within the Prep School

Monday evening provided an opportunity for dads across the Preparatory School to gather together

as a group and enjoy fellowship together. The evening coordinated by the Fathers’ Association also

included an Annual General Meeting which celebrated the 2018 achievements and outlined the plans

for 2019. New year level representatives were identified for the 2019 Fathers’ Association Committee.

The evening brought a large number of dads from across all year levels to the event. Towards the end

of the formal part of the night, the crowd broke up into year level groups to introduce themselves and

begin conversations that were continued over pizza and drinks.

I am delighted to announce the following team that will lead the Fathers’ Association in 2019.

EXECUTIVE

Head of Prep Peter Allison

Honorary President Rowly Long

Honorary Vice-President Gavin Cook

Honorary Treasurer Paul Zammit

Honorary Secretary James Myatt

Deputy Head

Greg Blackman

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

Pre-Kindergarten Daniel Groat

Pre-Kindergarten Daniel Abdallah

Kindergarten Parvez Valani

Kindergarten Sanjit Roy

Year 1 Abhishek Prakash

Year 1 Tod Anderson

Year 2 Da Zhao

Year 2 Athavan Natkunamanickam

Year 3 Kesara Jayasuriya

Year 3 Kelvin Wheat

Year 4 George Dimokas

Year 4 Gregory Dohnt

Year 5 Anthony Camilleri

Year 5 Alan McGibbon

Year 6 Neil Armstrong

Year 6 Simon Bedak

Canteen – Purchasing Coordinator Mouhamad Dib

Canteen – Banking Coordinator Michael Luu

Canteen – Roster Coordinator Peter Lusted

Canteen – Team Leaders Cem Elve, Tim Curtin, Alan McGibbon, Luke

Mercieca, Sam Hanna

King’s Fest Peter Allison & Greg Blackman


I know they’ll do wonderful work. Needless to say, there will be plenty of opportunities for ALL

parents to get involved in the life of our School! Parents can expect regular communication

throughout the year from these enthusiastic committee members.

Class Mothers for 2019

Our Class Mothers offer another avenue of support and communication across the Prep School. This

wonderful group of ladies look to communicate with mums on their year levels about special events

and activities for specific year levels. In the role of pastoral support, they also coordinate events, gifts

and cards for families for significant moments such as the celebration of the birth of a new child.

There have been instances where the class mums have actioned meal support for families undergoing

a period of significant trial.

Belinda Baxter will be coordinating the team of mothers and hosting meetings where information can

be shared and support offered for the role.

The Class Mothers for 2019 include:

PK Kim Groat, Lina Abawi, Leila

Abdallah

4R Anastasia Chemerys

KR Natalie Callus 5G Theresa Thompson, Sasha Moore

KO Parul Roy, Bernadette Dous 5P Wendy Calabro, Jacki Willard

Martin

1Y Deb Coleman, Dianne McNamara 5R Kylie Graham, Sue Zreik

1G Rebecka Foteades 5U Paige Wallace, Shirley Liew

2B Banu Banuthevan 6E Penny Harrison

2I 6M Angie Singla

3P Shivanthie Jayasuriya, Manda

Salic

6Mc Samantha Edwards

3X Margot McGibbon, Gosia Wheat 6W

4K Jodie Needham

Student Leadership

Leadership is an area of great focus at King’s. At the Prep, we look to embed learning about

leadership through our House structure and House meetings, through certain lines of inquiry within

some units of study, or as a distinct program such as the Year 5 Leadership Day and Year 6 Enterprise

Program. These experiences help to build the boys’ knowledge about leadership and assist in

preparing them to take on a future area of leadership responsibility. In Year 6, all boys are assigned a

leadership role of some description, whether it is as a Captain of a House, Patrol Leader, Monitor,

Music Monitor, Technical Assistant or a Kindergarten Buddy or Pre-Kindergarten Monitor.

To induct and pray for our Prep School Leaders at the beginning of the year, the School Chaplain, Rev

Jason Hobba led a chapel service which examined leadership. Joined by many parents from Year 6,

the lesson examined the Biblical model of servant leadership demonstrated in the life of Jesus. It was

also a time where we prayed for our leaders within the School and inducted them into their new

leadership roles.


Following on from the leadership service, at the assembly on Monday, the boys listened to the

Headmaster share about the combined responsibility that exists between leaders and the people they

serve. Mr George proceeded to award badges of office to some of the student leaders.

Celebrating The King’s School History

This week the School celebrated 187 years since the first boys walked through the doors at

‘Harrisford’ in George Street Parramatta, as the first King’s School students. The first school building

was rented as the temporary home for the School. At a Commencement Day celebration in 1880,

Headmaster George Fairfowl Macarthur shared that three young boys “wended their way towards a

commodious house in George St Parramatta. They were James Staff, Ebenezer and James Orr, all day

boys and all under 9 years of age.” He went on to say that there should have been a fourth student

that day, as he had been enrolled as the first student but he was ill and so missed the significant event.

Rev. Robert Forrest was the first Headmaster of the School and together with his wife and Staff, laid

the foundation which today we celebrate 187 years later.

Peter Allison

Head of the Preparatory School

Ordering Lunch at the Prep School As you would be aware, the School has a new catering company, Chartwells. With the introduction of

Chartwells, Prep families are now able to order lunch for their sons on a day-to-day basis. As you can

appreciate with a completely new company, new systems and procedures, we have had some minor

teething problems. However, I am very pleased to say that the feedback from the boys, our biggest

critics, has been very positive in regard to the quality of the food.

All orders should be made through the Flexischools app. Once you have registered, the process is

quite intuitive and easy to use. Orders can be made in advance and should be done by the night

before. Please note that if you require an “Excursion Lunch”, that these need to be done by a set date,

which will be indicated on the permission slip. Excursion lunches will be a set lunch with no choices.

DEPUTY HEAD

Executive: Mr Peter Allison

Mr Greg Blackman

Mrs Belinda Baxter

Mrs Sonia Weston

Rev. Stuart Tye

School Captain: James Napoli

Blaxland House Captain: Edward Selig

Harrison House Captain: James Harrison

Stiles House Captain: Luke Fleet

Thomas House Captain: Harry Chadwick


It is important that parents understand that the online ordering of lunch is run by Chartwells and

they are happy to answer any of your order queries. They can be contacted directly on 02 9683 8644.

If you need assistance with your Flexischools account please contact the Flexischools Customer

Service Team on 1300 361 769.

Queries in regard to lunches and using the Flexischools app should be made to one of these two

numbers and should not be directed to the Prep School Office.

Volunteering at the Prep School I want to thank all parents who volunteer at the School. We are blessed at King’s to have a parent

body who actively seek to be involved in their son’s education. The School requires all volunteers to

have a verified Working With Children Check (WWCC), before they are allowed to assist in the

classroom or attend excursions. As we greatly value and rely on the assistance of our volunteers, I

strongly encourage all parents intending to volunteer at some time throughout the year to gain their

WWCC as soon as possible.

I held two Induction/Information sessions on Tuesday this week and was thrilled to see a good

turnout to both sessions. If you were unable to make one of these sessions, you are still able to assist

in the classroom by undergoing an induction session with your class teacher. Please contact me at

[email protected] if you have any questions about volunteering or obtaining your WWCC.

Photos Class, Individual, House and the Captains photos were taken by Melba on Wednesday. Information

about ordering of these photos will be sent home in the near future.

Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival This year’s carnival will be held next Thursday, 21 February, commencing at approximately 8:30 am.

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend. The pool enclosure area is however, for staff and

boys only.

Fathers’ Association Year Dinners The first major social event for the Prep community, organised by the Fathers’ Association, are the

Year Dinners. The dinners will be held on Saturday, 16 March. The Fathers’ Association has booked a

restaurant for each year group and more information will be forwarded to parents in the near future.

This evening is a great night and a wonderful way to meet the parents of boys in your son’s year

group.

Year 3-6 Camps There is great excitement amongst the Year 3-6 boys at present. Their camps are occurring in Week 5

and all parents in these Year groups have/will receive a letter outlining details. Please ensure that all

contact, medical and dietary details have been updated with the School.

Year 3 – Blue Gum (Youthworks) – Springwood – Monday, 25 February to Tuesday, 26

February

Year 4 – Camp Rathane (Youthworks) – Port Hacking – Monday, 25 February to Wednesday,

27 February

Year 5 – Deer Park (Youthworks) – Port Hacking – Monday, 25 February to Wednesday, 27

February

Year 6 – Lutanda Toukley (Youthworks) – Toukley – Monday, 25 February to Wednesday, 27

February

mailto:[email protected]


Upcoming Events

Week 4 Sunday, 17 February 2019

Monday, 18 February 2019 P-6 Assembly (12:20 pm)

Housemasters, Monitors, Prep Captains Dinner - Trophy Room

(5:45 pm)

Prep Fathers' Association Committee Meeting (7:30 pm)

Tuesday, 19 February 2019 Prep School Tour

Wednesday, 20 February 2019 Year 6 Leadership Day @ Tudor House

Thursday, 21 February 2019 Prep Swimming Carnival and - Presentation of medals (8:30 am

- 3:00 pm)

Football Club Meeting - Thomas Memorial Pavilion (7:00 pm)

Friday, 22 February 2019 CIS Basketball Trials - Darren L

Gowan Brae Photo (12:40 pm)

Music Soiree 2 - Strings

ISDA Debating - away – Stella Maris

Saturday, 23 February 2019 Summer Sport Round 3

Week 5 Sunday, 24 February 2019

Monday, 25 February 2019 Year 6 Camp - Camp Toukley

Year 5 Camp - Deer Park

Year 4 Camp - Camp Rathane

Year 3 Camp - Blue Gum

CIS Tennis Trials

IPSHA Sports Convenors Meeting

Parent Masterclass - Futter Hall (7:00 pm)

Tuesday, 26 February 2019 Year 6 Camp - Camp Toukley



Year 3 Camp - Blue Gum

Year Two Excursion to the Nicholson Museum

IPSHA Gifted & Talented Umbrella Group Meeting

Tennis Club Meeting - Harrisford Room (7:30 pm)

Wednesday, 27 February 2019 Year 6 Camp - Camp Toukley



Thursday, 28 February 2019

Friday, 1 March 2019 Knox Invitational Swimming Carnival

ISDA Debating - Home

Saturday, 2 March 2019 Summer Sport Round 4


I am so thrilled with the way in which our boys have settled back into the new school year. For our

newbies it is a time of great transition, with much change in terms of uniform expectations, richer

daily routines, and a much larger space to embrace. I am happy to report that every boy is giving it

his best. Warm congrats all round.

We are proud of our uniform and expect all boys and families to be so too. In our Diaries for

Years 2- 6 and in a slightly different form for our P-2 boys we celebrate this commitment and refer to

our Uniform Pledge.

UNIFORM PLEDGE

I agree to honour The King’s School by wearing the uniform with excellence.

I will wear the full and appropriate uniform to and from school, to special events, and in

public.

I will have a short back and sides hair cut with a minimum number 2 clip, no tinting, and no

cut in designs.

I will not wear jewellery apart from a watch or medic alert.

I will do up my blazer/jacket buttons.

I will have my sleeves folded to the elbows at home ready for ½ blues.

I will bring/wear my full PE and Sport uniform when needed, including mainly white sport

shoes.

I will wear my broad brim hat at recess and lunchtime.

I will polish my shoes when they are scuffed.

I will wear my garters to keep my socks up.

I will wear regulation velcro black shoes in Kindergarten unless I can tie my laces quickly.

I will have mainly white sport shoes with velcro until I am quick at tying laces (K-2)

I will wear regulation laced black shoes in Year 1 and know how to tie my laces

independently.

I will wear my K cap for before school play and at KIP (K-2).

DIRECTOR OF STUDENTS


KINGSBRIDGE UNIFORM PLEDGE

I agree to honour The King’s School by wearing the uniform with excellence.

I will look after my uniform.

I will wear the full, appropriate uniform to and from school, to special events, and at the

shops after school.

I will wear my red polo shirt with only the top button undone.

I will wear my red polo shirt untucked, for comfort.

I will wear my jersey on cold days.

I will wear my tracksuit jacket over my jersey on extra cold days.

If I need an undergarment for warmth, it will be hidden.

I will wear my tracksuit pants over my shorts on cold days.

I will wear clean velcro black sport shoes.

I will have a short back and sides hair cut with a minimum number 2 cut, no tinting and no

cut in line or pattern.

I will wear my red hat with the crest at the front when playing and working outdoors.

I will not wear jewellery apart from a watch or medic alert.

Families might like to have this on display somewhere in the home as a reminder of the wonderful

heritage that is our uniform and the importance of wearing it with excellence.

NATIONAL CHILD RESTRAINT LAWS

As we supervise boys in and out of cars we become aware of families not meeting legal requirements

regarding the National Child Restraint Laws. So I share them for your information.

Children up to the age of six months must be secured in an approved rearward facing

restraint

Children aged from six months old but under four years old must be secured in either a rear

or forward facing approved child restraint with an inbuilt harness

Children under four years old cannot travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more

rows

Children aged from four years old but under seven years old must be secured in a forward

facing approved child restraint with an inbuilt harness or an approved booster seat


Children aged from four years old but under seven years old cannot travel in the front seat of

a vehicle with two or more rows, unless all other back seats are occupied by children younger

than seven years in an approved child restraint or booster seat

Children aged from seven years old but under 16 years old who are too small to be restrained

by a seatbelt properly adjusted and fastened are strongly recommended to use an approved

booster seat

Children in booster seats must be restrained by a suitable lap and sash type approved seatbelt

that is properly adjusted and fastened, or by a suitable approved child safety harness that is

properly adjusted and fastened.

I do hope this clarifies any questions on this. The safety of our boys is of high importance.

Belinda Baxter

[email protected]


Teaching Children to Read – How do we do it?

Emerging literacy

Becoming literate is a gradual process that begins at birth and continues throughout childhood. Most

children first learn to use oral forms of language and then begin to explore and make sense of written

forms. Early literacy begins in infancy as parents speak to their baby. It’s incredible to think that this

casual, spontaneous interaction actually helps babies learn about how conversation works.

Reading at school

Major reviews of research on reading agree on both the key components of reading programs and the

most effective way of teaching reading.

The five essential components of reading instruction are:

Phonemic awareness: Knowing and manipulating sounds in spoken words; hearing the

different sounds in a word, such as the first sound and the last sound. Understanding rhyme

is an important part of this component.

Phonics: Learning and using the relationships between sounds and letter-symbols to sound

out (decode) written words.

Fluency: The ability to read accurately, quickly and expressively. Fluent readers are able to

focus on reading for meaning.

Vocabulary: The words children need to know in order to comprehend and communicate.

Oral vocabulary is the words children recognise or use in listening and speaking. Reading

vocabulary is the words children recognise or use in reading and writing.

Comprehension: Extracting and constructing meaning from written text using knowledge of

words, concepts, facts, and ideas.

Evidence-based instruction

Importantly, there is mounting evidence that direct instruction is the most effective teaching method

in reading. This means that the teacher presents clear, systematic lessons which focus on the five

components, as appropriate to each grade level.

In the Prep, we have developed our reading and spelling programs to ensure we are meeting these

evidence-based recommendations. All children in the younger years are explicitly taught phonemic

awareness and phonics in order to develop strong foundations in letter-sound correspondence. We

also focus on fluency through repeated reading and levelled texts that allow the boys to read quickly

and with understanding. In the older years, we focus more heavily on vocabulary and comprehension

to ensure the boys develop skills that help them read to learn.

What can you do at home?

Talk to your son and use a variety of vocabulary. Repeat new or difficult words and explain

their meaning.

Read aloud to your son, no matter how old he is.

Model reading – let him see you reading for pleasure and for work.

Let him tell you a story – encourage a beginning, middle and an end.

Teach phonemic awareness – demonstrate beginning, middle and end sounds of words, look

for rhymes.

Teach phonics – letter names and their sounds.

Finally, come along to the parent literacy seminar on Wednesday 13 March 13 at 7:30 am to find out

more detail about our literacy program in the Prep. Details are in the flyer attached.

Sonia Weston [email protected]

DIRECTOR OF LEARNING







Book now at www.kings.edu.au

http://www.kings.edu.au/


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People identified the refinement of character as a wish ... · Dreams for our Children As parents, we are all eager to see our children happy and flourishing in life. ... preparing