School News
Superhero Alexis 23/10/2023
The superhero this week is someone who always demonstrates all the school values and learning dispositions. However, if there is to be one or two, it would be for perseverance and respect.
Alexis is a good person with a quirky sense of humour. Her teacher has really enjoyed getting to know her and be part of her learning journey, as they have seen firsthand the perseverance shown with learning new and challenging tasks and seen her always work through these tasks to the best of her ability.
Alexis is respectful, kind and a considerate person, well-liked by her peers in her own studio and the school. She always speaks respectfully to her teacher and her peers. Alexis keeps her tub nice and tidy, respects her school belongings and kindly shares them with her friends when they need them.
This grade 4 student also showed perseverance by earning her pen license. Alexis deserved and acquired this, not by working her plea into all her work by writing messages about it to her teacher, but for her determination with her cursive writing. Studio 8 is very lucky to have Alexis .
Congratulations Alexis, we hope you had a great week!
Superhero Cohen 16/10/2023
The recipient of last week's Superhero Award is a shining example of what it means to embody all of our School Values. Cohen deserves to be recognised not only for his academic achievements, which demonstrate Excellence and Persistence, but also for the exceptional qualities that make a student truly outstanding, particularly Pride and Respect.
Cohen demonstrates an unwavering commitment to his work, bringing eagerness and a growth mind-set to each task. He approaches activities with a positive attitude and a belief that he can reach his goals. Cohen recognises that learning is not done in isolation and because of this he is an excellent collaborator. He shows cooperation, listening and negotiation skills, and encouragement when working with his peers and he can comfortably work with anyone he is grouped with.
Cohen is an enthusiastic student who loves to learn new things, take on new challenges and consider multiple ways of solving questions. He also confidently shares what he has learnt and achieved by contributing his answers, thoughts and written responses during class discussions and reflections.
This Grade 5 student also possesses impeccable manners and treats all of his peers and teachers with respect. This is seen through Cohen's choice of words, compliments and kind words, and his offers to assist in the classroom. He also demonstrates these qualities by listening attentively to instructions and giving whoever is speaking his utmost attention.
As if these qualities were not enough, Cohen is committed to the school community, trying out for various leadership roles at the start of the year and deservedly being chosen as a Gardening and Sustainability representative.
This Studio 14 student truly embodies the exceptional qualities that make a terrific role model. We are proud to honour his achievements and look forward to witnessing his continued success.
Congratulations Cohen, we hope you had a great week!
Classroom Awards
Congratulations to the following students for receiving classroom awards: Mikayla, Elijah, Brody, Finnegan, Ruby, Victoria, Beren, Annabelle, Cohen, Brooklyn, Evelyn, Archer, Freya, Charlotte, Chloe, Mara, Abel, Lila, Jack, Michael, Morris, Ava, Sunday, Angus, Bridget, Ethan, Polly, Elwood, Elijah, Huntyr, Hayden.
Bandanna Day
Just a reminder that we are currently taking part in raising funds by selling Bandannas at KPS for Bandanna Day on the 27th of October. This is a fundraising and awareness campaign for the organisation 'Canteen'.
Money raised will go toward helping young people impacted by cancer get access to programs, counselling, and peer support.
Student Council members will continue to sell bandannas outside the canteen area during the first half of recess and lunch. There are 8 colourful and fun designs to choose from and the cost of a bandanna is $5.
Additionally, these can be purchased from the bandanna box as you enter the office.
We encourage students to wear their bandannas tomorrow on Bandanna Day.
Thanks for your support!
Gardening & Sustainability News
gest number of tally marks received a free dress day and this was Studio 9.
A big shout out to all studios and teachers for participating in this and keep an eye out for the Nude November challenge.
A Buzz In The Air
Last Thursday, there was quite a buzz in the air! A swarm of bees decided to make a tree outside the Music room their temporary home. Mr Chambers, quickly put on his bee suit and captured the queen and the other bees, relocating them to a hive at his property. Let’s hope they like their new surroundings.
Tree Planting Day
Last Thursday, the school had a Tree Planting Day and the Gardening and Sustainability, and some lucky students from across the different Studios planted 14 beautiful mature trees. We now have a variety of eucalyptus species, a callistemon, and an acacia tree, in the area between the oval/basketball path and the basketball court. Students worked hard in the lovely sunshine and in time, this area will provide lots of shade for hot days. Here are some photos of the day.
Smile Patrol Dental Van visit
Smile Patrol will be onsite from Thursday 26th October until Thursday 2nd November. Smile Patrol provides free dental health education to all students.
For more information, please feel free to contact Smile Patrol at
Working Bee
Join us in a productive (and hopefully sunny) day of gardening at the school this Sunday 29th October from 10:00 to 2:00. Bring the whole family along to help make the school grounds look just that little bit nicer.
We are going to be tackling some native plant maintenance led by Marty from Grow Locals Nursery - a brilliant opportunity to learn from an expert in natives. He has asked to please bring along some sharp secateurs if you have them. We hope to do some more planting, mulching, and general tidy.
There is also a new landscape project and maybe even the beginnings of a chook shed to consider... Bring anything that might be handy such as wheelbarrows, rakes etc. and we'll supply the sausage sizzle!
Hope to see many of you there! Many thanks,
Alwyn (on behalf of the KPS Parents and Friends)
Music
Production News
The day of the production is fast approaching and is next Wednesday 1st November. Our students have been practicing hard and are so excited about the performance.
Ms Polly will be sending a detailed news feed on Compass tomorrow with some last minute reminders so keep an eye out for this.
There are still tickets available for the afternoon show and can be purchased here
Please see the below attachment for information about the day
2024 Foundation Enrolments
Our transition program will commence soon and will consist of one session with their fellow students in their allocated Studio and two further sessions with all of the Foundation students.
Once students are placed in their Studio they will be invited to attend one of the following transition sessions:
Tuesday 21st November 2023 from 2:30pm – 3:15pm – Students in Studio 5A
or
Tuesday 28th November 2023 from 2:30pm - 3:15pm – Students in Studio 5B
Further sessions will include all of the Foundation students and will be held as follows:
Tuesday 5th December – 2:30pm – 3:15pm
Tuesday 12th December – 12:00pm – 1:30pm
On the final transition day, students are asked to bring along a snack, drink bottle and hat as they will have an opportunity to have a play outside.
Members of our Leadership Team will also be available for any questions you may have about 2024.
- Alistair Rayner – Principal
- Julie Arnephy – Assistant Principal
- Michelle Thompson – Learning Specialist
They will be located in the staff room and be available for any drop in chats and a cuppa.
We will be in touch once students have been allocated to their Studio but please feel free to contact the school if you have any questions in the meantime.
If you have a child you wish to enrol for 2024, please drop into the office to collect an enrolment pack. These can also be sent home with your current student if you wish.
2024 Class Lists
Staff will soon begin working on our 2024 class lists. If your child/ren will not be attending KPS in 2024 please let the office know so we can take this into consideration when planning our classes for next year.
Library Book Donation
A very big thank you to Clare from Aesop's Attic Bookstore for their kind donation of over 70 books for our Library. Clare is often helping our school with donations or discounts which is greatly appreciated.
These books are in great condition, possibly only read once, so I will be busy preparing them to add to our Library.
School Gates and Opening Times
In the morning all gates will be open for access to the school site at 8:45 as this is when under industrial arrangements staff supervision in the yard commences. No students are allowed onsite until this time.
In the afternoon all gates will be open at 3:15 for access to the school site. Access to the office during the school day is via the pedestrian gate on Edgecombe St.
The new ramp/path between the school and the kindergarten is now operational. Access to the school grounds using the ramp is between the hours of 8:45 – 3:40. On either side of these hours, the bottom of the ramp will be chained off. Access outside of these hours needs to be arranged through the school office or a staff member by calling 5422 1855.
A reminder to all members of the school community the staff car park is not to be used to walk between the school and the kindergarten for safety reasons. Now that the ramp/path is operational the pedestrian gate next to the car park gates should be used following the path, crossing the road in front of the boom gate using the marked pedestrian crossing and then down the ramp.
* Please do not access the school site at any time via the staff car park for safety
reasons.
* Please do not park in the kinder carpark unless it is your kinder day and you are a kinder family.
2023 Uniform
School uniforms are available for purchase online direct from A Plus Schoolwear www.aplusschoolwear.com.au
When ordering uniforms please put the studio number of your child for easier delivery.
Once uniforms arrive at school, they will be sent home with your child.
Contact Details
There are times when we will need to contact you during a school day. It is important we have your most up to date contact details on file.
Please update these on Compass or email the school at kyneton.ps@education.vic.gov.au so we can update our records. Please include parent/carers’ name, address, phone numbers, email address and emergency contact details.
Student Attendance
If your child is sick or absent, you are required to notify the school as soon as possible on the day of absence, by logging your child’s absence using our school’s Parental Portal in Compass.
Notifying the school of your child’s absence either prior to, or on the day that they will be away, helps ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and will fulfil your legal responsibility.
Victorian government schools are required to contact parents/carers as soon as practicable on the same day of an unexplained student absence. If your child is absent on a particular day and you have not contacted the school to explain why, the absence will be marked as unexplained. It is a DET requirement that we have a reason for each child's absence.
This system also promotes daily school attendance. Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education, they learn new things every day – missing school puts them behind.
The Kyneton Primary School Attendance Policy which outlines the school’s processes and procedures for monitoring, recording and following-up of student absences is available on our website www.kynetonprimaryschool.com.au
Students Arriving Late
Students arriving late to school should come to the office, accompanied by an adult, and sign in either on the Compass Kiosk or in the late book. They will then be issued a late pass to take to class and their arrival at school will be updated on the roll. This will avoid parents/guardians receiving notification that their child is not at school when they have arrived late.
Accessing Compass
Compass is our main way of communicating with our families. It is important that parents access the Parental Portal in Compass at https://kynetonps.vic.jdlf.com.au
Using our parent portal will enable you to –
- View up-to-date class and school attendance information
- Approve or enter upcoming or past absences for your son/daughter
- Update your registered email and mobile number (used for SMS alters)
- Access information regarding upcoming events and news
- Access your child’s Semester Reports
- Book your Parent/Student/Teacher conferences
We encourage families to download the Compass App and to enable notification to ensure you receive all communications.
Please click on the “Welcome to Compass” booklets for further assistance or contact the office.
Parent Payments
Thank you to the families who have paid the $130 Parent Payment.
These funds are used for –
- Curriculum Contributions – items and activities that students use, or participate in, to access the Curriculum.
- Other Contributions – for non-curriculum items and activities such as memberships, subscriptions to programs and affiliations.
- Extra Curricular Items – the Kyneton Primary School Yearbook
If you would still like to pay for these please use one of the following methods -
- EFT - at the office or by phone
- Cash - at the office
- Direct Bank Transfer - BSB 063-000 Account No 14033609 - use your child’s name as the reference
- BPay - contact the school office for your personalised identification details
- Centrepay - use of this method is available to recipients of Centrelink payments
Please do not hesitate to contact the office for more information or for any other query you may have.