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Kensington Primary School Newsletter Kensington Primary School Newsletter

11th December 2014 McCracken Street Kensington Vic 3031

Phone: (03) 9376 6013 Fax (03) 9376 4574 www.kensingtonps.vic.edu.au E-mail: Kensington.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Care Program: (03) 9376 9848

Principal: Mark Ryan Assistant Principal: Julie Stephens

Upcoming Events Contents Upcoming Events 1 Helpers Morning Tea 1 Principal’s Report 2,3,4,5 Aquatic Education Program 6 Moving Up Day 7 Student of the week 7 Prep E Class Get together 7 2

nd Hand Uniform 7

Girls Netball 8 Year 7 Transition 8 Plantmania 9

Community News 10

.

DATE TIME EVENT December Mon 15

th

9:30 – 11:00 11:00 – 3:00

Parent Helper Thank you Morning Tea Grade 6 Day Out This event will be off site.

Tue 16th

6:30-7:45pm.

7:30

Moving Up Day Grade 6 Farewell Evening. - This event will be held in the school hall

Fete Information session for parents New to Fete will be held in the Library NOT the foyer Reports sent home

Wed 17 Prep – Pet handling Incursion

Fri 19th

1:00 1:30

Assembly End of Term 4

January Tues 27th

9:00-11:30 Uniform Shop Open

Thur 29th

Term 1 2015 Commences - Grade 1-6

Fri 30th Term 1 2015 commences PREPS

February Fri 27th

Men’s Golf Evening - Riverside

March Sun 22nd SCHOOL FETE

You’re Invited...

KPS Helpers Morning Tea

Date: Monday Dec 15th 9:30am – 10:30am

Where: School Hall Foyer

The staff at Kensington Primary School greatly appreciates parental involvement in a whole range of activities and on committees throughout the year. Parents, grandparents, carers and members of the community who have assisted the school in any way this year are invited to a special morning tea

provided by the KPS staff.

The morning tea will start at 9:30am after assembly and will continue after assembly until 10:30am. We hope that you are all able to join us for all or part

of this special morning.

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Kensington Primary School Newsletter

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Looking ahead to 2015

We will have 21 grades next year, the same as this year. There will be 4 preps, 7 grade 1/ 2’s(one less than this

year), 6 grade 3/ 4s( one more than this year) and 4 grade 5/ 6s. We will however increase in numbers to about

460-470 but we are lucky that the extra numbers are spread really evenly across the grades. It is pretty typical

that we lose a few families over the holiday break. The grade sizes will be around 23-24 and 22 in the younger

grades which is great.

Staffing

Clare Ellis will be leaving us to take up a position in the Northern Territory which she has had some experience

and interest in. It is a great opportunity but we will miss her. She may be back with us the following year. We

wish her well-she has been a great addition to the school. We are very excited to have recruited a new teacher

Rachel Gurr who will be working in the grade 1/ 2 area. She is very experienced and we are pleased to have her

with us. All other teachers are remaining at the school which is great except for Pamela who is taking Long

Service Leave. We are very delighted to maintain this consistent staffing profile.

Beat the Brain Slump these Holidays

Help your child beat the brain slump these holidays

Summer holidays are a great time to get your child reading for relaxation.

Most children are pleased to have a break from the rigours of school work over the summer holidays, but

many will not open a book again until the beginning of the next school year. Not only does this make it

difficult to get back into the swing of study when the time arises, it also means a valuable opportunity is

missed.

And that is the opportunity to discover the joy of reading for pleasure.

Reading for pleasure is a wonderful way for your child to escape and unwind. It's also a great way to keep

their brain active.

Studies have shown that children who stop reading over the school holidays experience something American

researchers call the "summer slide" - a term used to refer to students' learning losses over the summer break.

Researchers used the analogy of a 'tap' to provide some insight into their findings, saying that while children

are at school there is a flow of information, and all children have the same opportunities to learn. When they

are not at school, however, that 'tap' is turned off, unless there is some active engagement with books or other

resources. Children whose 'tap' stays on throughout the summer holidays return to school with an advantage

over those whose 'tap' may have been turned off for the past two months.

Over time, that advantage accumulates, and becomes a reason why some children are more successful at

school than others. Success aside, there is a world of enjoyment waiting to be discovered inside the pages of

picture books and novels. Books are perfect for the sofa, the back lawn and the beach – all the places your

child is most likely to be lounging these school holidays.

The Department has even compiled book lists for children of different ages – making it easy to find something

for your pre-schooler, Preppy, eight-year-old or teenager.

The book lists, which are refreshed every year by reading experts to include popular new releases, form part of

the Premiers' Reading Challenge – an annual event that inspires young people of all ages to read more books.

So while their textbooks may be closed for the summer, their brains certainly shouldn't be. Make sure your

children have a ready supply of books that appeal to their age and interests these school holidays, and help

them discover the joy of reading for fun.

To download a copy of the Premiers' Reading Challenge booklists, visit:

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/events/prc/Pages/booklist.aspx

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Kensington Primary School Newsletter

Swimming Fun

Once again the aquatic program is going along swimmingly. The happy smiles

of the students and the reports from the teachers has been great. It is a delight

to see the older children buddying up and taking care of the younger ones on

the way to and at the pool. It creates a great sense of camaraderie and getting

to know each other a little better. Some of the

conversations while walking to and fro are delightful.

Student Reflections

As the reports are ready to go home it is a great time to reflect on the children’s’ achievements over 2014. As much

as I enjoy reading the student’s reports written by the teachers I most enjoy reading the students’ reflections on their

learning even more. I find that the children’s’ perspicacity is spot on. Goal setting and reflection is an ongoing

occurrence across the school and throughout the year. The children set both long and short term goals in all areas of

the curriculum. The children also reflect upon how they went as an individual learner a team or a work group. Here

are some of the stimulus questions and responses from the children in Specialist areas.

Art

My group worked really well and working together, helping each other and agreeing with each other. I think my

group needed to work on finishing and saying when enough was enough. We all helped build each part of the

construction. We worked together on each task and always helped out, rather than taking turns in having one or two

people doing nothing. Our group worked as a team really well. There were not many arguments at all and we all

gave constructive comments.

Our group was really good at design in getting all our ideas together quickly. Our group could improve by actually

following our first design and not improvising.

Our group could work on sticking to the one idea and think if it will work or not.

The thing our group could work on is making our structure stronger because it was slightly weaker we could have

used our time slightly better.

Our group was really good at communicating, cooperating and agreeing on what we decided to do.

Our group worked very well together. We agreed on all of our ideas and we are proud of what we have

accomplished.

I have achieved my goal of not taking control of the group. This is because everyone got their ideas in our work and

I wasn't telling everyone what to do.

My main role is to make people feel welcome. Our group was really good at discussing what we were going to

make.

I like my artwork because we put lots of effort into it. I worked good because I concentrated.

My group was good to work in because it is fun to work in a group that has friend in it.

None of us really had separate jobs because we all want to share the load around have a turn at all the jobs.

I found the tree appealing because it has lots of emphasis and it looks really good. I think I figured out that talking to

the group was better than just voting.

My Noh mask is a girl and it has a moustache. I really like how will put lots of detail. I also like how I put lots of

gloss because it made it very shiny when it dried.

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Kensington Primary School Newsletter

Prep Art-clay

I like putting the oxide onto the toile. It’s fun. It makes it red and looks very nice. I like making patterns in the

clay.

I made a cubbyhole to climb into and a jug of milk to pour the drink for the party. Clay comes from the dirt

near the river. It is fun you can make what ever you like. It is soft and easy to score, slurry and smooth.

I made a bowl with the bread in it. I like clay because it is nice. I never felt it. I didn't know what clay was, so

now I know. You can make interesting things.

I stuck the clay down with the score and slurry and smooth. It's stuck on now and its strong, it sticks together

very well. It's good to play with so you can make lots of art.

In the music drama area children reflected upon these questions/prompts.

The drama unit really challenged me. I knew what I was doing. I am happy with what I achieved and learned. I

felt I was given enough time to finish my work. I felt I used my time well. I received the help I need along the

way. The unit of work was really interesting. You think that I have learnt are……I would like to know more

about… The parts I enjoyed the most were….

Some of the children's responses

Acting is something I would like to know more about. Our plays about aboriginal dreamtime stories really

inspired me. I really enjoyed working with the other students. Playing some of the main parts unleashed strong

happiness.

I learned about the setting and emotions in the story and how to try to perfect them.

I really liked the part where we would get into a group and plan the choreography.

I enjoyed working with new people in the class and how we cooperate and are positive.

The parts I enjoyed most were moving around the stage and putting rhythm into it.

PE

Some PE goals for the grade 5/6s. …………. Did your goal keep you challenged while still being achievable?

Is it possible? Is it too easy? What are the team's strongest areas? Why is this so? How can you as a team

improve these areas?

Some responses from the students

My goal was not too easy because I had to do it two times.

I think we learnt lots of new skills in this let us make our team skills stronger as well as other physical skills.

Our team's strongest areas were teamwork and encouragement because we understand each other.

My favourite things where everything because I love to dance. Here are a few things we did, the Macarena ,

Zumba, and making our own dance.

My favourite thing was the Macarena dance – super fun.

My favourite thing was the Macarena because I think I was good at it.

My favourite thing in dancing was making a dance moves to music because it was fun making up these dance

moves in my group.

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Kensington Primary School Newsletter

Art on Show

A delightful art installation made by the

grade 1/ 2’s

Prep art work in the style of Pollock

An actual Jackson Pollock hanging in the MET at New York

Stay Healthy in the Heat

Summer Safety Resources for Schools Students and Parents

This Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a hot summer. It’s important for schools and children’s services to be

ready to manage extreme heat and support their communities to be prepared for the hot weather ahead of the

holidays.

Stay healthy in the heat

With hot weather on the horizon, it’s important to plan ahead and know what to do when the heat hits. Young

children, alongside older people and people with disabilities, are at greater risk of getting sick from the heat.

Think of ways you can prepare your home, for example, checking your cooling appliances are working. If it’s

just not possible to stay cool at home, have some places in mind of where you could go to escape the heat -

and get there early.

Remember, power failures can happen in extreme heat. Think about what you will do to stay cool if this

happens.

If you have concerns about staying healthy in the heat, see your doctor or call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60

60 24.

For more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/heat .

For information about the dangers of leaving children in cars when it’s hot visit www.kidsafevic.com.au.

Mark Ryan

Principal

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Kensington Primary School Newsletter

Aquatic Education Program

Our Aquatic Education Program concludes on Friday. The students have not only enjoyed participating in the

program but have further developed their confidence, skills and safety awareness in and around the water.

Thank you to the parent volunteers who have assisted with walking classes to and from the pool each day.

Student Semester 2 Reports and 2015 Grade Placement

On Tuesday December 16th

your child will bring home a large white envelope containing:

- their Semester 2 Report for 2014

- an information letter about the reports

- your child’s grade placement for 2015

- your child’s self-assessment documents from specialist classes

- additional reports from support teachers, if applicable

All government schools in Victoria use a common report format to report on a child’s progress. This means that no matter

what Victorian Government school your child attends, your child’s progress will be reported in the same way and against

the same Australia – wide and state-wide standards in Years Prep to 10, giving parent’s a clear picture of their child’s

progress.

Physically children grow and develop at different rates. This is also true of children’s progress academically. Sometimes

children show periods of rapid development with their learning followed by periods of consolidation. During the

consolidation phase children learn to apply their newly acquired skills and knowledge to a wide range of situations,

deepening their understanding and enabling them to demonstrate this in a variety of ways.

It is important for parents to consider this when reading your child’s report, as your child may have spent some time in the

consolidation phase of learning. As the reports are only programmed to reflect a standard six months growth, your child’s

report may appear to indicate that he/she has not made any progress this semester. However the reality is your child has

continued to learn and consolidate their understandings but may have just fallen short of the standard six months growth.

Understanding the graphic section of the student reports - What do the A-E ratings mean?

In every school:

What do the dots and lines on the graphic show?

Information about the student reports and the AusVELS curriculum can be found at:

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/studentlearning/studentreports/default.htm

A Well above the standard expected at this time of year

B Above the standard expected at this time of year

C At the standard expected at this time of year

D Below the standard expected at this time of year

E Well below the standard expected at this time of year

Your child's achievement 12 months ago

Your child's achievement this semester

Your child's progress

The expected level of achievement

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Kensington Primary School Newsletter

Prep E Class Get together Student of the week

Second Hand Uniform

Moving Up Day

Monday 8th of December 2014

Maryam 1-2C

For writing a persuasive piece on why

we should stop nuclear power.

Tom 1-2C

For writing and presenting an excellent

persuasive piece on why Minecraft is

the best game.

Annie and Latoya 3-4D

For working quickly and independently

to finish their science fair project,

setting a high standard.

Prep E Get Together

We have organised a Fun Get Together for Prep E

this Sunday 14th December from 3.30pm onwards at

the Bike/Skate Park at Holland Park. BYO food for

the BBQ or a plate of food to share. Weather

Permitting!! Call Katherine (Matilda’s Mum) on

0439 325 212 with any questions. Please note that

kids need to be accompanied by a

parent/guardian.

See you there!

Moving Up Day

On Tuesday December 16th, between recess and lunch, your child will spend time in their new

classroom, meet their new teacher for 2015 and get to know the other children in their class for

next year.

There will be 21 classrooms located in the same areas of the school as this year.

• 4 x Preps– downstairs near the old Artroom

• 5 x 1/2s – upstairs, in current position, access via stairs near old Artroom in the main building

• 2 x1/2s – downstairs, near the reading resource room

• 6 x 3/4s – upstairs, central staircase in the main building

• 4 x 5/6s – above the library

Julie Stephens

Assistant Principal

2nd Hand Uniform – Helpers needed

We have recently had lots of 2nd hand uniform donated to the school

which is fabulous. However we are now looking for a couple of parents

who could spare a morning sorting through the uniform, putting it into

labelled bags, ready for other families to buy. We would also love to be

able to run a 2nd Hand uniform stall several times through the year. If

you can help, please let the office know.

Thanks for your support

Esther

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Kensington Primary School Newsletter

Girls Netball

Transition Yr 7

TRANSITION - YEAR 7 PLACEMENT FOR 2015

Term 4

Grade 6 students and their families can gain information about their secondary school

Bookmark – add to favourites your secondary school website so you can check out for yourself things like

Diary dates for 2015 (lots of schools have Yr. 7 camp in first term)

Uniform requirements

Booklists

You might read their newsletter if it is online to get more information on

Curriculum

Policies / Procedures /Expectations

Extra Curricular Activities

Gaining an awareness of secondary school life is likely to assist you and your family make a smooth and supported

transition into your secondary school community.

Grade 6 - Diary Dates

15 December 2014

Grade 6 Day Out from 11:00 – 3:00 back for a 3:30 dismissal.

This event will be off site.

16 December 2014

Grade 6 Farewell Evening. This event will be held in the school hall from 6:30pm - 7:45pm.

Fiona McIntosh 6-7 Transition

Kensington Girls in Parkville Netball Competition

In 2013 a few KPS mums got together to start ‘NetSetGo’ – an introduction to netball- with KPS girls on

Fridays afternoons after school. This year our programme grew and we formed a team to play on Saturday

mornings at the State Netball Centre in Parkville. Named the ‘Kensington Kites’, the girls have showed

wonderful team spirit, enthusiasm and energy. Most importantly, they have had lots of fun. Here are some

comments about their netball experience:

‘Netball gives you courage’: Emma (year 3)

‘Netball is great exercise’ (Gen B, year 3) and ‘gives your great stamina’ (Genevieve G, year 3)

‘It is awesome’: Olivia (year 2)

In 2015 we are planning to enter two teams in the Saturday competition and have a couple of spots available in

each team. If you have a daughter who will be in year 3 or year 4 in 2015 who would like to join the KPS

netball team/s please get in touch with Michelle Foster (year 3, 2015: 0424 262 309) or Naomi Fennell (year 4,

2015: 0412 558 555). We only have a few spots available, and if demand exceeds supply priority will be

given to parents who can help out in some way- with coaching (absolutely no experience necessary just good

crowd control skills and a sense of humour), some admin assistance or even cutting up fruit for Friday

training.

If there are any parents who will have girls in year 2 in 2015 who might be interested in running a NetSetGo

programme, we have all the equipment and programme guides and would be happy to assist you to set it up.

We have found it to be a very rewarding experience and great for the girls.

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Kensington Primary School Newsletter

Opportunity to care for KPS chickens during the summer holidays

We would like to offer the opportunity for interested families to volunteer to care for the

chickens again this year during the summer holidays. This is not a very onerous job and ideally

each family might care for the chickens for a week, however this is flexible depending on

demand. The children have all been incredibly enthusiastic during the Wednesday cooking and

gardening sessions and I’m sure our volunteer families will get just as much pleasure.

The chickens would remain in their current housing at school but you would be required to:

check on them,

top up their food and water (1-2 times per week)

feed them your kitchen scraps and of course,

collect (and keep) the eggs.

This can be done any time of the day that suits. They would need attending to every second day, but every day is fine if

you want to spoil them.

You will be well supported with an instruction lesson before the end of term. We will also ensure there is a Grubbie

member available as a contact if you have any questions or concerns during your time caring for the chickens.

If you think you might be interested or know you are interested then send me an email/text with your contact details at

sharynolive@gmail.com 0417 237 497

If you only have certain times you are available in the holidays then please feel free to let me know these dates.

Thanks, Sharyn Olive

Call out to all KPS families and teachers who know how to use a hose!

The holidays will soon be here and we are setting up a roster to ensure our veggies thrive over the

break. If you will be around at any stage and could give a little time for watering please email me

with your availability and contact details before 10th December.

The children have enjoyed planting their summer crops of tomatoes, beans, pumpkins, zucchinis,

sunflowers (just to name a few) and it would be lovely to come back to a lush garden and bountiful

harvest at the start of next year.

If you think you can help, please put your hand up.

Thanks in anticipation.

sharynolive@gmail.com

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Kensington Primary School Newsletter

Community News

Department of Education & Kensington Primary School do not endorse the products or services of any private advertiser. No

responsibility is accepted by the Department of Education or Kensington

Kensington Carols

Kensington’s Christmas Carols is on again, Friday December 19th At the Women’s Peace Garden in Epsom Road BYO picnic from 6.30 pm, Carols after dark (sometime around 8pm) Flameless candles available for $4 (proceeds to the Smith Family)

Remember that there are no toilet facilities at the gardens

Please help to ensure the lovely gardens are not damaged The Carols will be cancelled if the weather is bad

Learn New Skills in 2015

Wingate Avenue Community Centre runs

affordable courses for adults wanting to learn

new skills. The Centre offers a wide variety of

courses in a number of areas including

computers, technology, hospitality and health

and wellbeing. Onsite childcare is also

available.

Enrol now to start in February 2015.

For further information about the courses on

offer go to:- www.wingateave.com.au

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Kensington Primary School Newsletter