Newsletter 24th February 2021
Principal's Message
Starting the Day
I encourage all parents to do their best to get their children to school well before the siren goes for lessons to start at 8:50am. It is striking what a difference it makes to how a child experiences school and their day, when they have the time to get themselves organised and settle in before the lesson starts. The alternative means that they feel flustered and out of sync with the class when they come in late and have to catch up with what they have missed – even if it is organisational instructions that they have missed – or the time to say ‘hi’ to their classmates and their teacher. The staff also miss out on the opportunity to welcome them properly each morning.
Early Close 31st March, 12 noon
The School Board approved our usual early close for parent-teacher meetings to occur at the end of this term. While we would prefer that all students leave the school at 12pm, we will make arrangements to supervise those students who cannot leave until 3pm. Please note, if your child crosses any roads that are usually manned by cross walk attendants at 3pm, these will not be available at noon. In this case, it would be better for any child impacted by this to wait at the school until 3pm so they can cross safely with an attendant, unless you are able to provide alternative transport. Meetings will follow the usual process much like “speed dating” whereby 10 minute slots will be able to be booked by parents to meet with each of their children’s teachers and a bell will ring to let you know when the time is up. These meetings are held in the Senior Block. More information will follow, but please note this date in your diaries.
Facilities
Recently we were informed that the school would have the exterior paint work repainted in the main area. This has commenced. It will take the whole term to complete, but it will be nice to see the school looking fresh, especially given the election will bring many visitors into the school.
I have also been visited by a candidate for the next election who is looking into the possibility of getting something done about the basketball and netball courts. Unfortunately, re-roofing the school was considered a bit too expensive. However, we hope that if the Department are given money for re-roofing in the next financial year, that they will consider Kensington PS.
Year 6 Gift
We thank the 2020 Year 6 graduation committee for their fundraising to provide a gift to the school from the graduating students. This metal artwork will be attached to the limestone wall between the Senior Block and kindy area soon. Thanks to Gill Roberts for putting the design together for the artwork; to Kent Street SHS for producing the metalwork; to Mrs Backhouse, her husband and a friend for finishing the artwork off by organising the mounting of the metalwork on marine ply.
Cyber Safety
I have booked Paul Litherland for his biennial presentation to the Year 5/6 students and parents. The booking is for Thursday 24th June – please put it in your diary as you won’t want to miss his parents’ presentation that evening. Thank you to the P&C for continuing to fund this.
Additionally, it is worth downloading the Beacon app (see below) as this will support you in dealing with, or preventing issues regarding cyber safety for you and your family.
Trials
We are currently trialling a new arrangement for break times and eating lunch after a play break, rather than before. We will be seeking feedback later in the term, once everyone has had a chance to get used to these arrangements.
Similarly, although COVID is still a threat and impacts our ability to accommodate lots of adults in a classroom, we are continuing to ask parents of students in Year 1-6 to not enter the classrooms in the morning. However, we have allowed the Kindy and PP parents to continue to drop off their children in the ECE area this term. Next term we will organise the staff to collect children from the kiss and wave area each morning as we did last year. This will mean that parents can use the kiss and wave to drop their kindy and pre-primary children off at school. While this isn’t really a trial, because COVID is interfering with the way we would like this to occur, we are always happy to hear feedback or suggestions. Please email, phone or see me in person. While the aims of the program are to build student independence; to start the day with their teachers giving them their attention; and to reduce the number of people in the room so that the room is calmer and less anxiety provoking; we are happy to tweak things to make them better for all.
Upfront Payments
The office is now ready to take payments for upfront charges. Parents can either come in, email us or phone the office to arrange this. It is a good way to sort out most costs so you don’t have to worry about them throughout the year.
Bronwyn Jones
PRINCIPAL
Some Fun Additions to our Playground
These pictures show some fun additions students made at playtime to our wooden greeters near the bike shed – their new hairdos made from leaves!
Education Assistants
Meet our new education assistants - some started this year and some have been made permanent this year after starting last year.
Bikelinc strategy for schools
Bikelinc is a Crime Stoppers WA strategy endorsed by the WA Police Force in response to over 9000 reported bicycle thefts in Western Australia each year for the past five years. The initiative is strongly supported by the wider Western Australian cycling community, bicycle retailers, local governments and community organisations.
While police officers have been successful in recovering and retrieving bicycles, they have had difficulty returning them to their owners. This was mainly due to owners not having enough information to supply to police when they report a bicycle theft. Bikelinc is now the first search option for police officers when they come across bikes in various situations.
Users can create a free Bikelinc profile which allows them to add the details and serial number of their bicycle, including photos, into a virtual bike rack. There is no limit to how many bicycles can be uploaded.
Police officers and other members of the community can search the database for a serial number should a bicycle come into their possession. Pre-purchase checks on serial numbers can be made if buying a second-hand bicycle, and WA Police can confirm bicycle ownership. If the bicycle they search is listed as lost or stolen, users are able to anonymously message the rightful owner through Bikelinc to make arrangements to return the bicycle, although they will not see the owner’s details.
Set up your profile or watch a short video on how to get started on the Bikelinc website.
BEACON
In today's digital world, we have seen a significant increase in device usage from a young age and keeping kids safe online is a growing concern for parent and carers.
Beacon looks to help parents and carers navigate digital challenges with their kids around device usage, screen time, age-appropriate apps, as well as tackling some of the more serious online threats around things like grooming, cyber-bullying and stalking etc.
Here is a link to the Beacon resources page where you can find out more information Resources | Beacon (telethonkids.org.au)
Values and Honour Awards
CREATIVITY
Discovering the power of imagination!
Encouraging original thought, curiosity and daring to see things in new ways.
Identifying your own special strengths.
Classroom Foyer Display
ROOM 10
Students have been learning about setting goals and the importance of having goals. We have discussed SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant & Time-based). The students have written 3 personal goals for their 2021 year.
1. Learning Goal
2. Outside School Goal
3. C.R.I.S.P. Value Goal
Di Filmer - Teacher
Sports News
Faction Swimming Carnival
The carnival is on next Thursday March 4 at Aqualife 10.30am – 2.30pm. Attending students are to wear their bathers to school with their shorts and faction t shirts. Students are to take food, water, hats, towel and sunscreen with them for the day’s events. All students from Year 4 – 6 will attend and invited Year 3s. Consent2Go has been sent out so please check your emails and respond. Yellow envelopes will be coming home for payment. The program for the day is attached to the newsletter. Students will swim in their nominated events. Competitors will be selected from the Faction carnival to swim in the interschool carnival on March 18. Parents are welcome to attend, you must sign in at the front desk and follow COVID protocol. Cost for spectators is $2.00.
Circus
This year we are having five circus sessions for all students from Pre-primary to Year 6. Year 1 – 6 will have their sessions spread across the four terms with two sessions in Term 2. Pre-primary will have five sessions in Term 4. Pleases look out for Consent2Go in your emails for parent permission and also the yellow envelopes for payment (if you have not paid the upfront charges).
Sporting Schools
Thanks to Volleyball WA for conducting volleyball sessions with our senior students. Students in Year 1 – 6 will participate in Tennis sessions later in the term.
Winter Sport
Check out our local community sport clubs for their winter registrations. Information will be on their websites.
Raema Stanford - Teacher
Music News
The Junior Choir has commenced today. It will continue on non-assembly weeks for the remainder of the term at 8.15am. Please bring along a display book and your best singing voice.
All children in Years 3 and 4 are welcome.
Thank you.
Lynette Dewing - Teacher
Chaplain News
About me
Hi everyone, I’m Michael Anson, your new chaplain. It’s super exciting to be a part of a school community with so many great teachers and students. They say, like father like son (or like mother like daughter), so I guess that means the parents at this school are amazing too. And I look forward to meeting you all. Just look for the 6 foot most relaxed man you've ever seen -that will be me.
Please say 'hi' when you see me around on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I’m from New Zealand (yes I do love rugby) and have been in Perth since 2016. I am passionate about community, sport, conversation, care and respect.
About chaplaincy
As your chaplain, I am happy to hear about you or your child's day, and any life challenges. I
will listen and provide a supportive place to talk. Conversations are confidential and
non-judgmental. Chaplains also run support programs based on respect, compassion and
service to individuals or groups. I’m trained in pastoral care and attend ongoing training in
specialised areas of care. I am equipped to assist with friendly social conversation as well as
critical incidents, people living in isolation, and a range of mental health issues.
Michael Anson - Chaplain
School Board
The School Board has had a busy start to 2021, with the finalisation of the new school business plan for 2021 to 2024. Built around the school's values and positive relationships, this next business plan prioritises continuous improvement and achievement in key areas of numeracy and literacy, whilst building foundations for a play and inquiry approach to learning, self-management and cultural and environmental citizenship. A working group is now finalising the key targets and milestones for achievement for the next 3 years.
A reminder that school board nominations are due Thursday 25th of Feb (tomorrow). Nomination forms are available here for this rewarding role. We look forward to the contributions of new board members in 2021.
P & C News
Thank you to the P&C
Thank you to the outgoing members and to the newly elected executive members for 2021. Even, or especially during COVID times, the P&C fulfil a very important role in the school – supporting the educational programs and providing resources, as well as building a sense of community. I wish all the new members and office bearers all the best and look forward to working with them. Bronwyn Jones, Principal
Waterwise and Wastewise
Community News
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