Kings Park Campus Principal Message

A big hello to you all!

Welcome Back

Firstly, welcome back to the entire Kings Park campus community; staff, parents/carers and last but absolutely not least, our 682 students. For those students in Year 7 and their parents/carers, let’s hope it’s the start of a memorable journey through to Year 12. We hope the summer break was a happy, healthy and safe experience for all…and yes, you read correctly…we are fast approaching 700 student enrolments. This growth is telling us that Copperfield College is continuing to be the secondary school of choice in our area.

Schools are only as strong as the quality of the teachers who work there. For a number of reasons; retirement, enrolment growth, returning from/going on leave, promotion and inter-campus movement, we welcome quite a few new faces to Kings Park:

Nathan Mills (Physical Education/Health)
Kylie Dagher (Maths/Science)
Ana-Maria Gheorghiu (English/Humanities)
Jacquie Vella (Media/Humanities)
Muneel Goundar ( Physical Education/Health)
Pierina Alessio (Art/Technology)
Johnathon Do (Maths/Science)
Jereme Farrell (Maths/Science)
Russell Hunter (Humanities/Psychology)
Ruhsen Alkan (English/Humanities)
Anthony Willis (English/EAL)
Rasha Obucinski (Health/Physical Education)
Birgitte Spence (English)
Mykel Mifsud (Art/Technology)
Bronwen Ch’Ng (Library)
Paul Hiddle (Library)

As an aside, both Johnathon Do and Mykel Mifsud were former students here at the Kings Park campus. Their experience as students together with their understanding of the local context should hold them in good stead as they begin their teaching careers at Copperfield College.

On a sad note, Pauline (Cookie) Cook, our college gardener of the last 3 years passed away recently after a short illness. Cookie was instrumental in not only the maintenance but also the beautification of the Kings Park grounds. In particular, Cookie’s work with our Japanese garden will be a lasting legacy she has left that we will all enjoy for years to come. We extend our sincerest condolences to Cookie’s family.

Year 7

As in all other years, it has been organised chaos and vitality around the campus as we try to seamlessly transition from the Christmas break into a new school year. Our Year 7s began with a 2 day Transition Program which will be followed up with Iron Form day later in the term. Iron Form day allows Year 7 Home Groups to come together in a spirit of friendly competition with a variety of activities and games aimed at strengthening intra and inter Home Group bonds.

Speaking of Year 7s, your child has undergone testing as part of our regime to ensure we are as informed as we can be with their literacy and numeracy levels. This data allows teachers to target instruction both at the individual level and at the Year 7 level. Later in May, both Year 7 and Year 9 students will undergo NAPLAN online for the first time. NAPLAN coordinators are currently being trained to administer the online version. The college has also allocated resources to support this change.

Swimming Carnival

This year, the College swimming carnival was trialled as a whole day event for all students in Years 7 and 8, with only competitors in Years 9 and 10 attending. From all reports, this worked better than in previous years as the competition participants were significantly more than in previous years. Well done to all participants, placegetters, winners and to the staff who helped make the event run smoothly.

Meet and Greet Evening

Our Meet & Greet evening on February 12 was another opportunity to develop the three-way partnership between the school, home and child. Parents and teachers mingled, made enquiries with the various exhibitors and discussed all manner of things relating to their child’s education and to the supports and resources we can provide for them.

One of the exhibits at the Meet & Greet was Robotics. Mr Hofman has been working with a small group of dedicated students who are interested in this fast growing technology. His goals for this year include getting a Robotics Team to qualify for the VEX Nationals, increasing female participation, using the 3D printer for assessments, develop both the Lego and Coding club

Doctors in Schools

The college ‘Doctors In Schools’ program which is based at the Delahey campus will now be expanded to the Kings Park campus with Dr. Jason and RN. Agnes here on the first Wednesday of each month to see students with referrals and permission from their parents. An assembly for Year 7 students on Tuesday February 26 is organised with a launch and information presented. Students in Years 8-10 may also access the service but our initial target audience are the Year 7 students.

Elevate Educate Program

Our Elevate Educate program is building on the success from 2018. Students in Years 7, 8 and 10 have already engaged in sessions on Time Management, Study Skills, and Study Sensei. Trained facilitators take students through a journey of reflection and action planning that enhances their success potential at school. Staff will also be trained in providing supports to their students on a day-to-day basis with a campus professional learning session planned for Monday February 25.

Careers

Our Year 10 students attended the ‘I Belong’ day at RMIT on February 11 and 13. The partnership with RMIT meant that both Kings Park and Sydenham Year 10 students were invited to participate in a series of interactive presentations and hands on workshops. RMIT introduced our students to a range of careers and study opportunities with a general theme around the aspiration to continue with education beyond Year 12.

Visitor's Carpark

We have noticed that the visitor’s carpark on Gillespie Rd is overflowing at the moment after school during the end-of-day pickup period. Can we ask that parents please respect the same rules that apply on the road with car parking spaces as they do in the carpark and just park in designated spots. We also need students to exit along the edge of the carpark gates until two new pedestrian access gates are built in the next few weeks. Finally, please remind your child to use the supervised school crossing when walking across Gillespie Rd or Kambalda Ct. It is not only dangerous but in breach of road laws

UP Coming Events

Other campus events include School Photos (February 25), Curriculum day (March 12), Discovery Evening (Grade 6 parents) (March 20), College Athletics (March 29) and Parent Teacher Student Interviews (April 4)

That’s all for now…

Take care and stay happy, healthy and safe

Mr Renato Carinci & Ms Mary Chiodo

Campus Principal