Message from the 

Head of Junior School

Dear Parents,

Student Leadership

Last week we reflected on Leadership as we celebrated Year 6 at their Induction Service. In Year 6 not every student takes on a specific role, but this does not mean all Year 6 students cannot lead. I would like to encourage all Year 6 students this year to actively express our philosophy of student-led learning. As the oldest and most experienced students in the Junior School, our Year 6 students are role models for younger students, particularly the girls and boys in the Junior School who are beginning their school journey. It has been so encouraging to see so many of them who have commenced this journey as they guide and engage with students during break times. The Year 6 students will have the opportunity to work with their teachers and other members of staff throughout the year as they identify and grow their skills and are encouraged to take initiative, make courageous choices and reflect on how they are leading others. Over the year I hope you will read the articles by our Year 6 students as they provide a student insight into school events.

Leadership is a responsibility and privilege the School takes seriously. We believe it is imperative for young people to learn how to lead others effectively because at some point in our lives, we all exercise leadership! Our Christian perspective is about serving others, rather than ourselves. Each leadership role fulfils a special service in the School and reflects our philosophy of a student-led learning environment. This philosophy of leadership sees leadership by students, for students. All Year 6 students have important roles, which will enable them to contribute to the improvement of our school and the wellbeing of others. 

Every day in the classroom and playground presents opportunities to grow and show leadership in kindness and service to others without any hope of personal gain. Every Year 6 student is a role model to the rest of the student community, and I would like to congratulate our Year 6 student leaders for 2021.

Routines

Now that the school term is settling into its full rhythm, it is impressive to see how KWS students are approaching their learning and becoming involved in their studies. As I visit classes, I am impressed with the level of engagement and interaction that is occurring. Students tell me not only about their learning but why they are learning or what they are trying to achieve. The classrooms are very active with good discussions being held, hands on experiences being conducted and students using learning spaces in interactive ways. 

As we all settle back into the school year, establishing those morning routines, knowing what to pack for school, what to wear and what is happening on any given day gets a little easier. Please initially support and then encourage your child to be independent and responsible for their day-to-day organisation at KWS. Children do enjoy and grow from being responsible for themselves as is appropriate to their age and abilities. Of course, this is a process which they sometimes need assistance with by way of reminders, charts and other techniques. But the end goal should be that they do it, rather than Mum or Dad or the teacher doing it for them. By working together, we can teach our children to be organised so they grow into the increasing demands of the later school years and life. A simple place to start is encouraging our younger students to carry their own bag into and out of school and unpack it themselves. Our older students can be reading this Newsletter and using their diary to pack their own bag with the necessary materials for each day. It is worth remembering that when students do forget items, experiencing the natural consequences of this (which may include explaining to a teacher or missing out on an activity) can be an important part of the learning process. 

The first few weeks of any school year are an important opportunity to establish routines that will serve students well throughout the year. The girls and boys have made a great start in their first few weeks and have handled events with ease. I encourage parents and children to work together in these early weeks to ensure the establishment of good habits at school and home. It is important for students to be on time to school each day and with the correct equipment for the day’s lessons. The diary will be of great assistance in this regard and parents should be ensuring they sight and sign it each day as well. It is an important avenue of communication between home and school. The KWS Newsletter (emailed fortnightly and on-line) and the Parent Handbook (on-line) will also be a constant source of valuable information and I would encourage parents to maintain familiarity with both. We are working towards Wednesday being “note day” in the Junior School, sending one email with a number of attachments.  We are not there yet, but we have hopes. Questions will still arise from time to time. Please, in the first instance, contact your child’s class teacher through the diary who will be happy to help you with your inquiry or direct you to whomever can provide appropriate assistance.

School Uniform

A reminder that all girls wear their panama hats to and from school and boys their bucket hat. Girls should have their hair tied back if it touches their collar and wear KWS hair accessories. Earrings are plain gold or silver studs and while at this stage girls may wear sleeper earrings; I would encourage studs for school. All students must have a raincoat or umbrella at School. While students can wait under cover for Kiss n Go, there is a distance from this area to get into cars. 

Are you struggling with what to pack for recess and lunch?

Developed by dietitians, healthylunchbox.com.au is a one-stop shop for everything you need to know about packing a healthy lunch box. On the website there is an interactive lunch box builder, a wide range of nut-free recipes, an ‘Inspiration and Ideas’ section that includes healthy snack alternatives and informative blogs to help kick start the year.   Healthy lunch box examples – Healthy Lunch Box

Kiss n Go

Thank you to the many families who have read the information sent out last week on how to move through the Kiss n Go zone and are moving to the top of the zone, remaining within cars, students are exiting on the curb side and placing bags inside the car rather than in the boot. Thank you for your understanding and continued vigilance in all shared zones within the school grounds as we work together to make these key transition times in the school as seamless and safe as possible.

Communication

Tonight, is the first of 2 evenings for families to connect with teachers online for parent teacher learning conversations. This is an opportunity for you to meet your child’s class teacher and support each other in your child’s learning this year.