Aaron Cox

Principal

Building Project Update

I wish I had an update for you but the building project is currently with the powers that be. After receiving more than 300 responses online from our community and about 30 parents turning up to an in-person meeting, I believe our School Council and I have represented the community views as best we can to make clear the community’s feelings. We met with our new state government representative the Hon. Heang Tak to crystallise our position. We just hope common sense prevails in how our grant money is used.

Canberra Camp

Congratulations to the Year 6 team for a wonderful camp. I heard many positive things from the kids, including “the best camp ever!”. Even though it was very cold, the camp ran like clockwork and whilst many schools have cancelled, our kids got to experience Canberra in all its glory. Thank you staff for all the preparation. Thank you Mrs. Katrina Sargent for going as the inclusion team member and Mrs Sarah Joseph as the additional staff member. The camp’s team was also aptly supported by 2 parents Dhani and Rachael, so we thank them too. Finally, thank you to all who kept the ship running last week at Kingswood as the rest of the School Improvement Team went to Canberra as backup just in case things went south. We really do ‘thrive in a team culture’ where we clearly demonstrate ‘we are here for the students’!

Dogs in School

Virgil the Seeing Eye Dog

Virgil started school this week for his year long visit to our school. Virgil will live in the library with Lucie. He seems to be a very well tempered dog. He is sleeping up to 20 hours a day and going to the toilet on command.

Kara Bogicevic and Leo, the School Therapy Dog in Training

Leo starts his training Thursday night on his way to becoming the school's first therapy dog. His training will go for some time. We are excited to welcome Leo onsite when we are advised that he is ready for such visits. We are in the process of sharing draft school policies with appropriate subcommittees.

Pupil Free Day Friday 10th June

A reminder that this Friday will be a professional day for all teachers. Due to the lack of teaching staff around the state, the Education Department want us to have this day together. My initial thoughts about this are that these will repeat every term until the pressure is reduced on replacement teacher access. Ultimately, this means a pupil free day for all students this Friday.

School Grounds

The school grounds are currently completely water logged. Relief will first come from the City of Kingston who will clear a blocked drain near Plaza Crescent some time this week or next. We have booked in a professional to blast the rest of the school drains around the school over the upcoming holidays.

Parent Teacher Interviews

These interviews will open next Friday. These interviews are for parents wanting/needing a face-to-face meeting with teachers during the delegated meeting times. These times will again be offered around school hours as we need to learn how to meet the work requirements of teachers to be compliant with the 2022 Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.

Teacher Enterprise Bargaining Agreement

I am personally very concerned about the impact of a recently agreed Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) and what it will mean for any of our teachers partaking in any out of hours activities that we offer students and families. We have been advised by the Minister of Education that an implementation guide will be coming in mid June. The devil will be in the details.

TeamKids

Louise Roupas

Director of Service