Principal's Message

Another busy week at KFPS! Over the last week our Student Support Group meetings were held, thanks to Kim Anketell for chairing these, teachers, Education Support Staff and parents for the sharing of information designed to create successful learning opportunities for every student discussed.

SWPBS Focus

Our whole school matrix of expectations is attached to this newsletter. The focus this week in our classrooms is “We follow instructions”. At KFPS we do not expect our students to know how to behave in every situation. That is why we teach them what our expectations are, and we acknowledge them positively when they display them.

Many of the strategies that we use to support our students’ learning are similar to what parents are using at home. That is why it is so important to have a positive home and school relationship. 

Teachers often use “wait time.” So do educational TV shows for kids. “Wait time” is that three- to seven-second pause after you say something or ask a question. Research shows that kids process better what you have to say — and respond to it appropriately — when they let it sink in.

Your child still may not follow directions or answer your question after that pause. If so, it’s OK to repeat what you said.

Checking for understanding goes hand in hand with giving your child some “wait time.” Ask your child to repeat your directions back to you. It’s also helpful to ask kids to explain your directions in their own words. It gives them a chance to ask questions. It also gives you a chance to clarify what you said in case your child misunderstood anything.

We also encourage families to establish a routine for daily home reading or  reviewing of the sound introduced. A regular time and place will help you and your child to remember and enjoy the reading. This is an extremely important part of your child’s education. We have found that the most effective learning occurs with an effective home – school partnership. 

Let’s work together to help our students follow instructions in every setting. 

The Engagement Platform (TEP)

Students from grades 3 to 6 have been completing an online survey about their thoughts on school, their friends and their teachers. It is important that we participate in activities like this, so that we can reflect on the feedback our students are sharing with us.  We are happy to share the data with our families in a few weeks when we receive it from the TEP facilitators in the UK.

DJARRA TRAINING 

This Thursday, 26th February, Karen Plain (Grade 1)and Sue Gloury (Grade 5) will complete Djarra Competency Training for Educators at the DUMAWUL CULTURAL TOURISM AND CREATIVE ARTS HUB in Bendigo. This important training will continue to strengthen our school’s relationship with Djarra / Dja Dja Wurrung, enabling us to embed local indigenous perspectives into our curriculum. Many families may not realise that across Australia teaching indigenous perspectives across the curriculum is mandated, so we are very lucky to have our local language group working closely with the school to have a local context and connection.

Canteen News 

This week is the last week we will have Bullwinkle’s van selling lunch orders at our school. We would like to thank Tara for stepping in and providing a lunch option for our students when Raye was unable to. If you want to have a Bullwinkle’s order, this week is your last chance.

 From next week Raye will be back in the canteen and will be offering us some delicious lunch options on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  Raye has put together the menu she will be offering for the remainder of the term. Helpers are always needed in the canteen, and we would welcome as many as possible to support Raye. We are happy to support you to get your Working With Children’s Check if you do not have one. 

Sovereign Hill Grade 5 excursion next week

The very first excursion of the year will be next Tuesday when our Grade 5’s travel to Ballarat. I have every confidence that all students will follow the instructions of their teachers and have an enjoyable learning experience. My fingers are crossed that the weather will be good, as we have had such a mixed bag of weather conditions lately. 

Remember if you have any questions, wonderings or concerns regarding your child then please reach out to a member of the Leadership team, we are here to help.

Thank you 

Faye Martin

Acting Principal