From Daniel
Our Principal
What a great term @ KPS!
We have, once again, come to the end of a great term of learning. It has been great to see everyone making such positive growth in both academic and social learning and really strengthening our school routines.
On the first day of term, our staff spent the day looking at best practices in Numeracy teaching, and how we can further improve our program here at KPS. This work was built upon over the term and we have seen excellent growth in student learning in this area. We will be continuing this focus as we head into Semester Two.
This term, we welcomed Mrs Candice Buckland on to our staff. Mrs Buckland has proven a welcome addition to our Junior team has already fit smoothly into our routines and explicit instruction practices in the Junior School. We also welcomed Miss Chloe Nash as an ES team member working in the Senior School.
The very hard working Mrs Janine Batten took some well earned time off toward the end of term to travel with her family. We are looking forward to her return at the beginning of next term.
We are a highly collaborative staff here at Kilsyth PS. One of the things I have always appreciated about our school is that every staff member knows every student and proactively takes an active involvement in every child's learning journey. We are a tight team, and we work very well together. This means for students (and families) that they know they can talk to any member of staff and they will receive consistent and personalised support. You can ask a question of any of our staff team, and if they don't know the answer immediately they will be able to help you speak to the person who does.
A reminder of our staff teams this year are:
Admin Team -Mr Daniel Gooding (Principal), Mrs Pip Sciffer (Business Manager), Mrs Janine Batten (Reception)
Foundation Team - Miss Alysha Toner (Teacher), Mr Patrick Reis (Ed Support), Mr Aaron Hutchison (Ed Support), Miss Dani Bullas (Ed Support)
Junior Team - Mrs Scarlett Clerke (Teacher), Mrs Candice Buckland (Teacher), Ms KD Donnelly (Teacher), Mrs Karina Ely (Ed Support), Mrs Rhonda Sneddon (Ed Support)
Middle Team - Mr Nathan Shanks (Teacher), Mrs Karen Black (Teacher), Ms Jane Evans (Ed Support), Mrs Leora McMahon (Ed Support), Mr Matt Neil (Ed Support) - [Note Mrs Hubbard is on extend sick leave at the moment. We are hoping she recovers well enough to return later this year.]
Senior Team - Ms Alison Harris (Teacher), Mr Taila Donald (Teacher), Mrs Melissa Simpson (Teacher), Miss Chloe Nash (Ed Support)
Specialist Team - Mrs Melissa Simpson (Art), Mrs Emma Sceberras (Science), Ms KD Donnelly (PE & ICT), Mr Anthony Lyon (Connections)
Wellbeing Team - Mr Taila Donald (MHW Leader), Mrs Lily Dix (School Wellbeing Officer), Miss Lou Gooding (Student Engagement Support)
Our Hot Dog and Footy day last week was a highlight. As was our PJ Day celebration day after we filled our tree once again. So far this year our students have received over 9 thousand positive acknowledgements for their excellence, resilience and respect. I am so proud of the wonderful effort we all put into our strong and collaborative community and fabulous school culture.
As we head into next term, there a few big events coming...
... Senior Camp in the first week of term ...
... Whole School Athletics Day in the second week of term...
... Book week and Book Fair in Week 6&7...
... Junior School Sleep Over in Week 6...
... A variety of exciting excursions...
... our Twilight Art Night (date TBC)...
... just to name a few. It is going to be a great term.
And don't forget the Production is coming!
Yes, our school production - Captain Kelly's Diamond - is on it way. Our performance will be held on Thursday 8th October. Throughout next term our students will be rehearsing and learning lines. It is going to be fabulous. Over the holidays, we have asked the children to design an image for the production. The winning design will be used as the cover of the program and runners up will go towards our poster campaign.
Thank you to Boral
We are very grateful to Boral for donating 60 tonnes of gravel mix to repair our rear carpark. Over the holidays a section of our carpark will be graded, and repaired. This will remove the significant pot holes in the main section of the driveway. This has been possible thanks to the generous donation from Boral and the tireless efforts of your school council president Mrs Kim Goodger. Kim has led the project with determination and positivity. We are exceptionally grateful for her efforts. We also send our thanks to Mr Brad Vey who has also helped guide the project and will be volunteering his time to prepare the surface and lay the gravel. Thank you Kim and Brad. You are both stars!!!
Three Way Conferences
Early in Term 3 we are holding our three way conferences. This is an important opportunity for you to meet with your child's teacher, along with your child, to discuss their progress so far and goals for the coming semester.
This time we are doing it a little differently. Teachers will be available for a 10 min meeting with parents on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons (from 3.45pm). Rather than booking on Sentral, parents will make the time directly with the classroom teacher. You will receive an email from your child's teacher on Monday 13th July with an invitation to make a time.
Which Brings Me to the Start of Term...
students return to school on
TUESDAY 14th JULY
There is no school on Monday 13th July. Please keep your child at home.
Have a great Holiday Break everyone!
All the best
Daniel