Principal's Report
Great things are happening
It is such a privilege to walk around our school each day and see the great things that are happening in each and every classroom.
Foundation: It is wonderful to see our Foundation students settling so quickly into school. They are really a part of our community now. The vibrant learning environment and creative hum in the Foundation classroom is sign of great learning occuring!
Junior: I have "popped in" to the Junior classrooms a couple of times over the past week and have been thrilled to see our students so engaged in their learning. I love the pride the students are taking in their learning and the displays they have created to celebrate their achievements.
Middle: This term our Middle classes are piloting SeeSaw. A terrific new app that will be used across the school this year as a digital portfolio of students' learning. The app allows students to create a digital artefact of their learning experiences, reflect upon it and share it with their family and friends. I have been so impressed with the way the students have taken to the new approach, and the way they are using it to provide peer feedback and collaborate to improve their learning.
Senior: Each and everytime I walk into the BERBs I am thrilled to see the productivity of our senior students. They are always so engaged in a powerful learning activity, whether it be Maths, Literacy, or CBL. It is great to see the high level of collaboration between students. They are already looking well prepared for secondary school.
Visual Arts/Indonesian: If you have not yet had an opportunity to visit the an art class at our school, I encourage you to come along to our Twilight School later this year. It is wonderful to see the way content and language learning are so well combined. Over the past week I have been watching the "Harmonies around the World" Art competition with interest and can't wait to hear the winners!
Science: Science has arrived at KPS this year and hasn't it just taken off. Mrs Sceberras has created a fantastic science hub, carefully designed to encourage curiosity and creativity. I have visited a number of Science lessons and whether it be analysing the parts of a seed or measuring the rate at which water evaporates, the students have been so deeply engaged in the wonder of discovery.
Physical Education: I am exhausted every time I visit our school hall to see what is going in PE! Watching our highly active and energetic students drilling to develop their skills and then competing with each other in fun and challenging ways is always a highlight of my week.
Book Fair: The team has outdone themselves again in organising our book fair this year. It is terrific to encourage reading in our students, and I am so glad we are able to offer the opportunity for students to add some great books and other exciting literacy based games to their collections.
Grandparents' Day: This Monday will be Grandparents' Day. Over the past few years, I have really enjoyed meeting the extended family of our students. Unfortunatley on Monday I will be at meeting in the city and unable to attend. I wish you all the best for a great afternoon.
Connecting with community: Playgroups, Bookaburra, student visits to Walsmley Village... I am so proud of the great ways our school community extends itself to the broader community fo Kilsyth.
So many great things happening at our school!
Twilight School 2016
At our February School Council meeting last week we set the date for our Twilight School this year. On Thursday 5th May we will hold school from 12pm-6.30pm!
This was a highly successful event last year. We had many prospective families join us for tours of the school, and there was a great community feel throughout the school. IN the survey we conducted following last year's event we received very positive feedback from many parents who attended. Some parents felt that the change in school hours caused a disruption to their families routine, and we acknowledge that this may occur again. We hope that with advanced notice, families are able to plan for the event to minimise disruption. We would love to see as many people as possible come along and join in the excitement.
As a School Council, our goals for Twilight School are to:
1) provide an opportunity for all existing parents (including those with commitments during a "normal" school day) to view the school in operation and share in their child's learning experiences
2) provide an opportunity for prospective parents(including those with commitments during a "normal" school day) to view the school in operation, and have access to tour opportunities
3) celebrate the great learning achievements of our students and allow students to share these achievements with their families and friends
4) show the school at its best, with clear displays highlighting the extensive programs we offer
5) provide an engaging and exciting experience for students
This year we are encouraging all members of our parent community to come through on a tour and spend some time learning alongside your children. Our aim is to give you a true experience of what life is like at our fantastic school.
As we did last year, we will partner with Camp Australia to provide care for students from 9am-11.45am for those families who require it.
More details of the arrangements for the event will be coming before the end of term!
Farewell Jo!
Today we said "Farewell" to Jo Bradley. Jo has served our school community for many, many years in our maintenance role. If you walk through our school grounds you would be hard pressed to find something that Jo hasn't built, installed, planted, painted or repaired. Her commitment to our school has been immense. She was always the first to arrive and last to leave at our working bees and always worked way above and beyond her role. I don't know how many times she di a "love job" for the school, simply out of the goodness of her heart. She is a truly remarkable woman and we will miss her so very much.
Thank you Jo for everything you have done for our school. Your legacy will live on for many years to come.
Have a great weekend...
