Student Achievements

Kalinda Kids shine! 

Every day Kalinda kids are achieving great things in their classroom and yard, but we know that outside of school, they are often kicking lots of goals as well (literally and figuratively)! Celebrating the growth of 'the whole child' is something we treasure.

If your student has an achievement that you would like to share please send to Mrs. Hopkins so that we can celebrate them in the newsletter! Whether it is a sporting achievement, Karate grade, Cub badge, community service or amazing new skill - we want to share it with our community. 

I can't wait to hear about your achievements and share them with our community! 

Lauren Hopkins

lauren.hopkins@education.vic.gov.au

Star of the Stage

Submitted by proud Mum Jo, of Millie in 3/4K

Last Friday night, November 28, Millie  (in 34K) performed on stage in St Kilda at the National Theatre with the Youth Australian Broadway Chorus (YABC).  Can you imagine doing a whole day of school then driving 1hour to St kilda for a 2hr full dress rehearsal followed by a 2hour performance? Well that's what Millie did! What a superstar! She was buzzing with excitement but also very exhausted after her performance, which finished at almost 10pm that night.  She performed on stage in 4 singing & dancing acts with 12 students from her Croydon YABC class & another 25 students in her age-group from other areas of Melbourne.   The finale had almost 300 Students on stage at the same time! Millie showed beautiful kindness to the younger students in her group who were new to the YABC program, (and as nervous as she was last time).  Offering them support & encouragememt when they arrived. It was a great experience for her to see how large scale productions work, with rapid costume changes, props & bustling backstage activity as her group got ready to go on stage for their turn. Millie showed great resilience by facing & overcoming her stage nerves, wearing never-before-seen costumes, & working with groups of unknown people on the performance night.  We were very proud of her for conquering her fears & giving it her best. It was a joy to pick her out from our seats at the the back of the theatre: she was the girl with the big smile & high energy on stage! We are so incredibly proud of her.   

Wildlife Warrior

Submitted by proud Mum and Dad of Calum 1LR

Calum has always had a deep love and empathy for animals, no matter how big or small, which really shone through on the weekend!  When Calum graduated from kindergarten, he declared proudly that he wanted to become a "wildlife warrior".  

Last weekend, we were on our way to swimming lessons when we spotted a young noisy miner bird on the road in the car park.  It looked scared and alone, potentially with a damaged wing.  It was letting us come very close which seemed unusual, almost as if it was asking for our help.  

Calum was very worried and tentative to go to his swimming lesson while the bird looked in danger so we made a deal that mum would call Wildlife Victoria for advice whilst he was swimming.  Calum helped mum put the young bird (who he named 'Gerard') into a comfortable and warm box whilst we waited to hear back from Wildlife Victoria.  

We learnt that the young bird was likely a fledgling, learning to fly, and that his parents, uncles, aunties, brothers and sisters would all work together to look after him, giving him his best chance of survival.  Calum and I gently put Gerard back onto a low branch near where we found him, and saw his family fly towards him, tweeting loudly and all bringing him food.  It was a lovely sight and a beautiful lesson in the power of community.  Mum was super proud of Calum for advocating for this little bird.  

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

Next Sunday at swimming, we will keep our eyes peeled to see if Gerard is doing ok and has learnt to fly!