Principal's Report

Rosemary Cosentino

As this is my last newsletter, I want to thank everyone associated with the Kingswood Primary School community for their continued support and trust in my leadership over the past 14 years. It has been an amazing journey and a highlight of my teaching career. As I reflect and turn back time to Term 4 2004, I can’t help but feel a real sense of achievement. The school had 330 students, 11 classes and 16 staff. The hall was an empty shell and the school had run out of money to complete the next stage. With the support of a Federal Government grant, we turned the shell into a fully equipped hall for everyone to enjoy.  We resurfaced the staff carpark, installed the junior sand pit and sails over the play areas.  We made provision for a junior soccer field, synthetic running track and cricket pitch, redeveloped the school oval, purchased soccer goals, installed a synthetic volley ball court and long jump running track.  I recall having brown bark underneath the two play equipment areas, not the lovely recycled rubber soft fall that we have today.

We were excited to receive a grant to establish the Stefanie Alexander Kitchen and Garden program. We further developed our specialist programs to include Performing Arts, Science, Engineering, Robotics and Coding.  The basketball courts were resurfaced, and we are grateful for the 21st century digital sign and high fence surrounding the school. We took a few years to build the much needed bike shed.  We created outdoor learning spaces, to support the garden and kitchen program. I remember the classrooms and library were outdated and they resembled the 1970’s era and were in desperate need of renovation. With the help of grants and fundraising we were able to modernize these facilities into contemporary, flexible learning spaces, with a range of innovative technology to support learning. As the school grew we added additional storage spaces such as the uniform shop, performing arts store room, teacher resource room and office areas for staff. We introduced the Habits of Mind and a Thinking Culture, we are proud to be recognised at an international level for our work in this area.

One of the turning points for the school was the launch of the Kingswood Brand, to lay the foundations for success whilst making a positive difference.  We introduced many extra curricula activities, because we believed that it was important for students to discover their passion.  We further developed the camping program to enrich outdoor adventure opportunities such as surfing, skiing and study tours to Japan. Today there is a strong focus on building teacher capacity, upskilling staff by providing coaching and best practice professional learning and leadership opportunities.  Our teaching has become more precise and targeted to students’ individual needs, resulting in the school being recognised by the Department as a high-performing government school in the State. Collectively, we worked so hard to ensure that Kingswood would be recognised for providing an engaging, innovative and caring learning environment that builds the foundation and makes a positive difference in the life of each student.  

I am extremely proud and ever so grateful to the wonderful team around me, for supporting me in my leadership role to drive a culture that values excellence in practice. I take this opportunity to thank my two assistant principals, the amazing, dedicated teachers who only want what’s best for their students and finally our School Support Staff who help us deliver an outstanding education for all students.  I thank School Council and Parent Club for their continued support, and for allowing me to ‘spread my wings’.  My number one priority has always been that ‘we are here for the students’, this has guided all decisions that we as a school make.  I will miss you all, especially the students who made coming to work every day a joy.

I leave the school in ‘good hands,’ knowing that the Assistant Principal’s, Instructional and Curriculum Leaders will carry on and continue to lead Kingswood.  I am confident that the school will flourish and prosper.  If ever you are in the vicinity of Albert Park Drive, please come and visit. I would love to give you a tour of South Melbourne Park Primary.