Newsletter 18th November 2020
Principal's Message
Outdoor Classrooms Day
Last week the classes had an amazing day learning outdoors. This included:
- A paper plane challenge
- Poetry in nature
- How many blades of grass in a square metre? (Fermi question)
- Writing spelling words in chalk on the courts
- Drawing the school from a bird’s eye view
- Making analogue clocks in groups using nature, art liners, glue and paper
- Writing our spelling words with chalk on the pavement
- Brainstorming characters and events for our next writing innovation
- Collecting natural materials to make a symmetrical mandala in small groups
- Sitting outside to complete a sound map (recording on a map what they heard and where they heard it)
- Getting acquainted activity where the children had to interview each other to find answers for a variety of questions
- Reading
- Completing missions from a student-made version of the popular online game, Among Us.
- Investigations – gardening, water trough, beach volleyball, drawing on paper on the fence, chalk writing, painting on easels, mini concerts and dress ups, bean bags and mud kitchen
- Searching for polygons and polyhedrons
End of Year Events
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions we have had to do a major re-think about how to deliver a version of our usual end of year events. We ask that everyone be understanding about how we now have to conduct these. It is definitely not how we would wish to run them. Our aim is to provide the most enjoyable event we possibly can within the requirements expected of us. Venue capacities and hospitality requirements are our biggest issues.
Christmas Concert
We will be having two invitation-only concerts on Wednesday 2nd December – two seats per student involved in this concert (band and junior choir). The first concert will be at 9am and the second at 2pm. The students and staff of the whole school will watch the dress rehearsal the day before.
A link to the vimeo of the concert will be sent home to everyone to allow anyone who wishes to view the concert remotely.
We are also accepting monetary donations (in our wishing well which will be in the undercover area on Tuesday and Wednesday) for the Story Dog charity that provides dogs for school students to read to (our dog is called Odin and his handler is Polly).
We are required to encourage everyone to:
- Maintain COVID-safe requirements that include good physical, health and hygiene practices such as no kissing, hugging or shaking hands.
- Register your attendance to ensure the group size does not exceed capacity.
- Use hand sanitiser which will be made available to all participants.
- Minimise communal sharing of resources and equipment.
- Encourage prompt departure from the venue’s area following the conclusion of the event.
Additionally, we encourage everyone to:
- stay home if they are unwell
- follow good hygiene practices such as hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- avoid sharing common items
- Maintain 1.5 metre separation between people who are not from the same household, with the exception of students on school grounds.
- Maintain 2 sq m physical distancing for the space accommodating adults.
Parent Helper Thank you
Due to COVID-19 requirements we cannot have our usual parent helper morning tea as that has involved home catering and sharing of food from shared platters. Apart from this we do not have any available venues within the school to accommodate the number of adults we need to cater for. This is disappointing for all. However, as a token of our gratitude to all parents who have worked with us this year, under difficult and strange circumstances, we will be sending parents cards printed with student artwork and a message to show how much we value parent and helper contributions.
Year 6 Graduation
Parents of students in Year 6 will shortly be receiving invitations to the Year 6 graduation. This year, being subject to COVID guidelines, we have had to do things very differently. The venue has been shifted to the City of South Perth’s Community Hall/Centre and the number of people who can attend will be very limited. Registration will be mandatory. This event will be recorded for remote access too.
Year 5/6 Social Dance
Students in Year 5 and 6 will also shortly receive information via Consent 2 Go explaining this event and seeking written consent for attendance. This too will be held at the City of South Perth’s Community Hall. Due to current hospitality requirements, the usual bring and share a plate will not be able to occur. For more details, please await the Consent 2 Go email.
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.
Responsibility for the placement of students rests with the principal.
Artist in Residence - Akwaaba African Drumming
Over the past week students from Pre-primary to Year 6 have participated in an African drumming experience. Each class got to spend time with Paul and Sally learning drumming patterns and African songs. Please see enjoy the video of our Year 6 students presenting a drumming display to the whole school today.
Contributions and Charges 2021
The Kensington Primary School Board has endorsed our schedule of Contributions and Charges for 2021.
Kensington Primary School has adopted upfront payment of all charges as per the link below. Full payment is to be made within Term 1 if students are to participate fully in excursions and incursions. Note, repayment plans are also available for those families experiencing financial difficulties.
If you have any questions regarding payment, please consult the Manager Corporate Services. Note that EFTPOS facilities are available for payment.
Values and Honour Awards
RESPECT
An attitude of treating ourselves, others and all living things with dignity and courtesy. Treating others as we want to be treated.
High School Scholarships
Special congratulations to:
Neave from S4 who has been accepted into the Specialist Music Program at Mercedes College in 2021.
Classroom Foyer Display
Sports News
Summer Carnival
Last Thursday was the perfect day for the Summer Carnival. 80 Year 5/6 students competed in Tee Ball, Volleyball, Newcombe Ball and Boys and Girls Cricket. Thanks to parents Rowena, Mel, Martine and David for assisting with team management and coaching and teachers Mr Powers, Mr Griffiths, Mrs Andrews and Mrs Jetta. Thanks to Lily and Harper for their assistance taking photos and collecting score sheets. The competition was very close and we came second in Tee Ball, Boys and Girls Cricket and Newcombe Ball with each team losing to one school. The Volleyball team persevered and came a valiant sixth. The overall Summer Shield was won by Victoria Park with Kensington coming second by 4 points. Well done to all our teams for being great representatives of Kensington Primary School and displaying the True Sport and Kensington CRISP values.
Running Club
We had our last run for the term yesterday and celebrated with a run and breakfast. We wish our Year 6 leaders all the best as they leave us and thank them for their leadership and assistance at Running Club. Thanks to our parent helpers, Mel who only missed one session all year, Tina and Nick for their assistance with coaching and leading the sessions. A big thank you to Swansea Street Market for their donation of lovely fruit for our breakfast. Keep running on the holidays and see you all next year after the swimming carnival in Term 1.
Swimming Lessons
Lessons will take place in Weeks 9 and 10 for all Pre-primary to Year 5 students. Parents, please complete the pool enrolment form that was sent home this week, complete Consent 2 Go online and return the yellow envelope (if you received one) with payment. Lesson times for classes will be in the next newsletter.
Japanese日本語news
Connect and Communicate with Nihon
Konnichi wa!
I wish to congratulate the Kensington Calligraphy contest entrants who were presented with their certificates and fudepen this term. The “家” ie which means house or home Calligraphy Contest 2020 had entries from schools all over WA teaching Japanese. Kensington entrants were Year 3 James, Year 4 Evita, Year 5 Marcus and Year 6 Neave. Congratulations, your calligraphy is beautiful.
You may have already seen some Japanese speaking practice happening lately. Students are presenting some sentences in Japanese about various things they like, play and do in class. Coming soon to the library are some Japanese and bilingual storybooks so that students can begin reading some simple Japanese sentences and connect with Japanese language and culture.
Whittle sensei
Japanese language teacher
P & C News
DUCKs Campout
DUCKS Campout on the Oval
Despite the weather this was a very successful event. Thanks to Dave Mundy and Justin Nichols for their wonderful planning, including organising the visit from the police. Thanks also to Mr Griffiths and Mr Powers for attending and representing the schools.
School Banking
A reminder for interested parents and kids that school banking is on outside the Music Room on Tuesday mornings, 8.30 - 8.50am. Please bring the whole deposit book with you. New bankers always welcome!
The last day to order reward items and receive them this year is 1st December.
We are seeking volunteers if parents have a free hour to spare Tuesday mornings.
Thank you, Cathy
Community News
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