Assistant Principal
Tracy Skiba
Assistant Principal
Curriculum Days- “Creating Cultures of Thinking” and school based workshops
We welcomed the staff of South Melbourne Park Primary School last Friday, to participate in our “Creating Cultures of Thinking” professional learning.
Our presenter, leading Harvard University researcher Ron Ritchhart, unpacked the case for "enculturation" as the key to deep learning and the development of the Habits of Mind and dispositions needed in a changing world. He demystified the process of creating dynamic learning communities by first identifying and then walking us through the eight forces we must consider to build a strong group culture. He used case studies and practical guidelines to enable our teachers to understand how we can shape our schools and classrooms into powerful learning communities.
This was followed by Monday’s opportunity for staff to connect their new learning about enculturation and to unpack the essential elements for engaging and challenging students in their reading and mathematical problem solving. The afternoon session culminated in staff professional learning about the wellbeing approach called “Play is The Way”.
I would like to thank all our staff for being open to new learning and to our community for supporting our school with undertaking the two curriculum days early in the year.
UNSW ICAS Community Feedback
Thank you to all our families who contributed feedback in relation to the school’s future directions regarding the UNSW ICAS assessments. What was most apparent was that our families would like to continue with a more streamlined approach which does not impact on students being removed from their classroom and specialist programs. This was an ongoing issue in 2019.
Due to UNSW changing their ICAS test approach to online formats last year, there were a great number of issues with the test platform crashing. This impacted on learning time as students were required to come back at different times throughout the day to complete the tasks set for each subject area. This feedback was provided to UNSW throughout, and after the assessment period to rectify the issue.
The leadership team have discussed in detail the feedback provided by our community. Moving forward Kingswood Primary will continue to offer the Mathematics and English assessments in 2020. We will also be actively involved with the Education Department’s program for high ability students. Mrs Sharron Cramer will lead this with the support of the school’s leadership team. We will provide information to our families regarding the program as soon as the staff have completed initial training in this initiative.
There were many requests by our families to investigate alternatives to the UNSW ICAS assessments. We will use this year to research other academic competitions and programs to engage our students in 2021 and beyond. This will mean that the school will cease to offer the ICAS assessments in 2021.
Enrolments 2021
Due to the high demand of parents seeking enrolment at Kingswood Primary School we ask our Kingswood families who have children eligible for enrolment in 2021 to complete an enrolment form by Wednesday 1st May.
The enrolment form is attached to download or available via the Kingswood website:
Please email the enrolment form and supporting documents to
Priority will be given to families who reside in our school zone and families who have siblings at Kingswood; hence your cooperation in ensuring that you enrol your child by the due date is of paramount importance.
Enrolments will be confirmed by 24th July.
School Parking – Drop off and pick up
The parking signs situated outside the main pedestrian gate in front of Kingswood Primary School indicate a KISS & GO ZONE. There is a 2-minute drop-and-go rule during drop off and pick up times. This rule is set by the Kingston City Council and is in place for the safety of all students. The sign means you have a maximum of 2 minutes to drop off or collect your child(ren). You must not leave your vehicle while you are parked in the Kiss & Go Zone. The staff car park is for authorised vehicles only. There are 3 pedestrian gates available to parents and children. No pedestrians should use the car park gate.
All parents are expected to role model correct road behavior by using the designated school crossing.
STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
AMBULANCE COVER ARRANGEMENTS AND PRIVATE PROPERTY BROUGHT TO SCHOOL
Parents are reminded that the Department of Education and Training does not provide personal accident insurance or ambulance cover for students. Parents and guardians of students , who do not have student accident insurance/ambulance cover, are responsible for paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of ambulance attendance or transport as well as any other transport costs.