Welcome Back

It has been a terrific start to the term in this shortened week. Already so much has happened, and students have only been back three days! The way our students have come straight back to the routines of learning, with focus and a commitment to learn has been great to see.

A reminder that Miss Johnstone is on leave for the first six week of this term. If you have anything you would normally raise with Miss Johnstone, please contact the office and you will be put in contact with someone who can help.

Miss Toner is travelling the country for the next few months. Junior B will be taught by Mrs Black in her absence.

We also welcome Mrs Donna Larson as our new PE teacher, starting this term. We are thrilled to have Mrs Larson join our team here at KPS. She will be working on Thursdays and Fridays so make sure you say a big "Hi" when you see her.

ThinkUKnow - SPECIAL COMMUNITY EVENT

TUESDAY 2nd MARCH at 7PM

We know that from time to time, our children face things online that they are not prepared for, are not able to navigate easily, and may not know how to get help with. Our world is a technology rich world with an ever increasing level of connectedness online. As parents we need to support our children as they learn to navigate this online world in ethical, responsible and self-protective ways.

Our school will be hosting a ThinkUKnow presentation on Tuesday 2nd May at 7pm and all parents, carers and teachers are encouraged to attend. This presentation is for adults specifically, not for students. Information of how to involve your children positively in these discussions will be a focus of the night.

ThinkUKnow Australia is an evidence based education program delivered nationally to prevent online child sexual exploitation. The program is a partnership between the Australian Federal Police, Microsoft Australia, Datacom and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The program is delivered in collaboration with policing partners around the country, as well as Neighbourhood Watch Australasia.

The presentation will be delivered by a local law enforcement member and an industry volunteer. The presentation is pro-technology and addresses topics including self-generated child abuse material, online grooming, sexual extortion, and importantly encourages help seeking behaviour.

This is a fantastic opportunity for you to learn more about young people and the online environment, and how you can help them to be safe and responsible users of technology.

We encourage you to extend this invitation to adult family and friends. This is an issue that we face broadly as a community, and one we need to work together on to promote safe and responsible behaviours.

THIS IS AN EVENT FOR ADULTS.

Children should not be in attendance at this event. Child minding in a separate room will be available if necessary, however the event will run until 8.30pm.

For more information, you can visit www.thinkuknow.org.au or contact the Kilsyth Primary School office on 9725 4320.

Please let us know if you are coming. Click Here to RSVP

WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US FOR THIS IMPORTANT EVENT!!!

ANZAC Assembly

On the top a small, slightly flattened hill stood a single tree. A lone pine.

Windswept, exposed, alone.

A short distance away, in the early hours of the morning, enveloped in darkness, small watercraft full of nervous, scared young men quietly made their way toward shore.

At dawn they attacked.

On the 25 April, 1915, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) attacked the army of the Ottoman Empire on the shores of a country called Turkey, at a beach called Gallipoli. Thousands died. On both sides of the battle.

At the end of that first assault, the ANZACs had taken the beach and pushed through to that small hill with the lone pine. In terms of territory, they gained little. In terms of the war, that 'little' was highly significant. They held on to it with all they had.

After months of fighting in terrible conditions, the ANZACs and the Ottomans remained in dead-lock. Until on the 4th August, the ANZACs mounted a final offensive. The Ottomans fought hard and brought in reinforcements after reinforcements. After 6 days of 'the fiercest fighting' the ANZACs had ever experienced, they prevailed and the Ottomans withdrew from the area. The Allies had control of the position.

Despite this ANZAC victory, the wider August offensive reached a stalemate developed around Lone Pine and eventually the Allies evacuated the Gallipoli Peninsula in December 1915.

In recognition of the significance of the Battle of Lone Pine and that first ANZAC landing on 25th April, 1915, that small hill and the Lone Pine is the site of ANZAC commemorative services at Galliploli each year. At Lone Pine.

Today, we held our assembly on our own small hill. Next to a significant, lone pine in our school grounds. This tree, at the front of our school, near the Junior School classrooms, is a direct decendent of the lone pine on that hill in Gallipoli. It was grown from seeds from the original Lone Pine.

Not just on ANZAC day, but whenever you see that Pine at the front of our school, remember.

Remember the people who died, and the families they left behind.

Remember the pain and the suffering.

Remember the loss.

Remember the resilience of the soldiers, facing unimaginable terrors.

Rember with respect.

Remember the peace we now and have, and sometimes take for granted.

Remember the futility of war.

Remember the value of life.

Lest we forget.

Have a wonderful weekend and terrific Term 2

All the best - Daniel

Community Notices