Newsletter 4th November 2020
Principal's Message
Class Placement 2021
We are currently working on classes for 2021. 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 27 November 2020 (Week 7, Term 4). If requests are not in writing, they will not be taken into account when placing students. Please keep requests to a minimum and prioritise them.
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. Different year levels have different industrial requirements in terms of maximum numbers. So a Pre-primary class can have 27 students but Year 1-3 classes can only have 24. A Year 3/4 class can have 23 but Year 4-6 classes can have 32 although, if it is split, it can only have 31. This makes the process complicated.
Additionally, we have to leave space for students that may enrol later in the year within our school boundaries. Late withdrawals are also a fact of life with jobs taking families elsewhere with little notice. Restructuring or juggling students between classes can sometimes be a necessity just prior to the start of a school year. This is the reason we don't publish the class lists until the day before school starts.
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. We do not stack classes with students of similar abilities, including split classes. Every class has a range of abilities and needs, no matter whether they are split or straight grades.
Travel exemption support for students
If you are planning to leave WA for overseas or interstate destinations during COVID-19, please consider current travel exemptions, restrictions and quarantine requirements if you wish to return.
Families travelling to, or returning from, overseas, who are not listed in the travel restriction exempt categories, may require a Confirmation of Enrolment letter and a letter of support from the WA Chief Health Officer to support their travel exemption application to return to Australia. If this is the case for you, please contact the school as soon as possible. We can then provide you with further advice.
World Teachers Day
Thank you to everyone who acknowledged our teachers on this special day. Thank you also to all parents for your support and partnership in delivering the best education for your children we can, even under very strange conditions this year.
Day for Daniel
Thank you to everyone who wore red and made a gold coin donation towards the Daniel Morcombe Foundation. We raised over $300. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to talk with your children about what they have been learning about safety throughout the year and on Friday.
Book Week
While it has been unfortunate that parents were unable to witness the dress up parade for Book Week this year, it was a lovely event and Mrs Rankin-Hume, along with some key staff (Mrs Backhouse, Mrs Filmer, Mrs Kavanaugh) and our head boy and girl (Ryan and Ella) put on brief skit to introduce this year’s theme. Thank you to all those involved and to the students who dressed up; and a big thanks to Mrs Rankin-Hume for organising some wonderful activities. See the Library News, below, for more details.
Art Exhibition
For those of you who were able to attend, I am sure you will agree that the Art Exhibition was a great success. We have some very talented students. A big thank you to Mrs Carpenter and Mrs Bennett for the wonderful work they have done with the students and the effort they put in to mounting this exhibition. Thanks also to staff who gave their time on weekends etc. to assist – Mrs Backhouse, Mrs Brook and Mrs Mehnert. See the Art News, below, for a sample of the displayed work. Art Prizes will be announced later in the year.
Road Safety
This term our Year 3 students are learning about road safety through their Bike Ed lessons. Mrs Stanford has organised this with funding from Sporting Schools. As we are hearing reports of students darting out on Fourth Ave in front of cars, we encourage all parents to please talk to your children about the importance of road safety and stopping and looking both ways before crossing the road. There have been a number of community members who have been really upset by some close calls. We would hate anything to happen the children.
Outdoor Classrooms Day – tomorrow
We are looking forward to this annual event. With lovely weather forecast this should be a special day spent enjoying learning outdoors. Please ensure your child has appropriate sun safe clothing.
New Staff Uniform
You might have noticed that the staff have a new uniform polo shirt. It bears a banksia design and has our school motto - Together we achieve - on the back with a Noongar translation and a graphic representing our community (staff, students and parents) using Aboriginal symbols. The different choice of colours reflects our previous uniform which was deliberately distinct from the students' colours.
Our Willie Wagtails
We've been watching our nest of Willie Wagtails since it appeared. They have hatched and left the nest. It was great to observe this little family. They were in the tree outside the library door. We will miss them.
Values and Honour Awards
Creativity
Discovering the power of imagination!
Encouraging original thought, curiosity and daring to see things in new ways. Identfiying your own special strengths.
Sports News
Bike Education
Last week the Year 3 students started a 6 week Bike Education program conducted by People on Bikes. This program has been funded by the Sporting Schools program. The first session we learnt about the ABC of checking our bikes and how to wear our helmet properly.
Social Dance
The Year 5/6 students have made a positive start to the dance program. The program continues all term and culminates with the Social at the end of term. Beau and Sam gave a demonstration of their dance moves last week and were very impressive.
Basketball
Most classes are participating in basketball lessons. Coaches from the Perth Redbacks are assisting Mrs Stanford. This is funded by the Sporting Schools program.
Running Club
There will be NO Running Club this Friday November 6. We will continue next Tuesday. The last Running Club session for the year will be on Tuesday November 17. We will have a short run and then breakfast. New runners can join us at any time.
Summer Carnival
This Friday is our last senior sport session before the Summer Carnival on Thursday November 12 at Harold Rossiter Park. Year 5/6 students selected for their sport will be sent a Consent2Go email. There will be teams in Tee Ball, boys and girls Cricket, Volleyball and Yr. 5 Newcombe Ball.
Library News
Art News
Music News
Telethon Song
Our choir was recently involved in making the Telethon song. Due to our choir being so large, they were spread out across the massed choir. However, you can see some of our students from the 3:30 minute point onwards. The children found the experience interesting because it took such a long time to film such a short clip. Thanks to Mrs Dewing for organising our involvement in this project. See the link below to view the clip.
P & C News
Scholastic Bookclub- Missing Order
Thanks everyone for their orders for the current Bookclub issue. The books are due to arrive soon and will probably be delivered to class rooms early next week.
I received one order through the P&C box with no child’s name on it and would like to identify who it belongs to before the order arrives. If your child ordered one book only and the form was filled in with a blue glitter gel pen, then please contact me at hennys@iinet.net.au or 0414 915 169.
Susan Henwood
School Nurse News
Above is a link to a great Cancer Council newsletter packed with great information on things such as Crunch 'n' Sip and being sunsmart.
Community News
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