Megan Franklyn

Assistant Principal

SunSmart Policy in action!

As required in our Sun Smart Policy, from the 1st of August to the 30th of April, all students are required to wear a school hat or another hat style that protects the face, neck and ears when outdoors. For Kingswood Primary School students, this is a broad-brimmed hat. Students who are not wearing a hat will be asked to play in the undercover area between Units B and D. Staff will also act as role models by wearing broad-brimmed hats when outside.

Before and After School Yard Duty Supervision

As per our school Yard Duty policy (available on our school website), we’d like to remind all parents and carers of the following:

Kingswood Primary School’s grounds are supervised by school staff from 8.45am until 3.35pm. Outside of these hours, school staff will not be available to supervise students.

Before and after school there will be two staff members on duty, one in the senior area and one in the junior school area . Families are encouraged to contact the Outside School Hours Care program for more information about the before and after school care facilities available to our school.

Attendance

As we do each term, our Wellbeing team explores our whole school attendance data. We’d like to say congratulations to all in our school community who have continued to support attendance and student engagement by ensuring that when children are well enough, they are attending school. We have less than 10% of our student population whose attendance rate is currently sitting at 85% or under with reasons including extended illnesses and family holidays.

The following information about the importance of attendance and the impact of non-attendance comes from the 'Good to Great Schools' website:

The advantages of daily school attendance extend well beyond the classroom, embedding a set of skills and values that prepare students for both academic achievements and the broader life experiences that lie ahead.

Daily school attendance creates an uninterrupted learning experience, where each day builds on the previous one, reinforcing knowledge and understanding in a consistent manner. This continuous engagement in the educational process enables students to maintain a steady pace with the curriculum, ensuring they grasp key concepts and stay aligned with their classmates’ learning trajectory.

Beyond academics, regular attendance nurtures essential life skills such as discipline, punctuality and accountability. It sets a daily routine that instils in students the importance of commitment and responsibility, qualities that are invaluable throughout life. By attending school every day, children develop resilience, learning to face and overcome the daily challenges that accompany their educational journey.

Socially, daily attendance enhances students’ ability to forge and maintain meaningful relationships with both peers and educators. It provides a platform for constant social interaction, crucial for developing strong communication skills and emotional intelligence. These interactions contribute to a sense of belonging and community, vital for emotional and mental health.

Furthermore, regular attendance prepares students for the future workforce, mirroring the expectations and structure they will encounter in their professional lives. It signals to future employers that they are reliable and diligent individuals, which is a crucial foundation for career success.

Being absent from school, even for a day, disrupts a child’s educational journey significantly. Each day missed is an opportunity lost in understanding new material, contributing to discussions and engaging with educational content that cannot be replicated through homework alone. The gap created by missed days can make it challenging for a student to keep pace with the class, potentially leading to a cycle of catch-up that can be both stressful and disheartening.

Moreover, the ripple effect of not attending school also impacts social development and mental wellbeing. Students who frequently miss school may find it harder to integrate into social groups or participate effectively in team activities, leading to feelings of isolation or exclusion. These feelings can exacerbate the reluctance to attend school, creating a feedback loop that further hinders academic and social engagement.

Consistent absence can also impede the development of critical life skills such as time management, responsibility and the ability to navigate and overcome challenges. These skills, honed through the structure and demands of regular school attendance, are foundational for success both within and outside the educational environment.

Additionally, missed school days can have a profound impact on a student’s confidence in their academic abilities. When students fall behind, the challenge of catching up can affect their self-esteem and motivation, potentially deterring them from fully engaging in future learning opportunities. This loss of confidence can have long-lasting effects on their educational aspirations and overall self-perception.

If you or your child are having struggles with attending school regularly please reach out to your classroom teacher or me for support.

TeamKids

Kristine

Director of Service

Mission Possible: STEM Club Adventure Series