From the 

Head of Junior School

Sharing our Learning

There are many ways we share and celebrate our learning in the Junior School. We believe learning is an ongoing process and, as such, we provide both formal and informal opportunities for parents to share in their child’s learning journey. We place great importance on our home/school partnerships and recognise that parent’s interest in their child’s education is one of the most important factors towards achieving success.

Over the coming weeks there are many opportunities for parents to engage with their child’s learning experiences. 

URSTRONG

Towards the end of Term 2 many Junior School parents joined staff to hear about the URSTRONG program being implemented in the Junior School. Through written communication and at the presentation families were invited to take advantage of a FREE Parent Membership to access hundreds of resources – including an 8 session video series. These resources allow parents to learn the same language & strategies being taught in the classroom through the Friendology 101 curriculum. We hope that, as a URSTRONG Family, you will reinforce the important messages of empowerment, self-compassion, and kindness at home. 

If you have not done so already Click here to view an overview of URSTRONG. Then activate your FREE Parent Membership and explore all the resources available to your family. As students continue to engage in specific modules throughout the remainder of the year talk with your child about what they are learning and how are they using what they have learnt so they can co-identify social issues and learn to better communicate solutions.

Semester reports 

At Kinross Wolaroi School, we communicate with you in a variety of ways regarding your child’s learning. As part of this process, each year, you receive two formal reports. The information contained in each report is a summary of your child’s achievement for a semester. Semester 1 reports were sent to parents at the end of Term 2.

In your child’s report, teachers sought to provide targeted information about key skills and knowledge, which in turn can be used to develop learning goals and targets. The information provides you as parents and carers with specific items with which you can support your child to either meet grade expectations or go beyond. 

Student-led conferences

In 2022 the Junior School has introduced student-led conferences as an opportunity for students to share their learning successes with their parents and teachers following their formal written report. On Wednesday night at the student-led conferences, it was wonderful to see the students talking to their parents about their learning and explaining what they had learnt and their learning achievements. Many parents were very positive about the experience and were impressed with how well the students articulated their learning. 

Thank you to the staff for all the work in assisting students prepare for this experience. Through this conference, teachers, students, and parents collaboratively set learning and social goals for the coming semester. If at other times throughout the year, parents or teachers feel another conference is required, this can be arranged. 

If you have not booked a time yet there is another opportunity to meet with staff on Tuesday 26 July. You can book a time by contacting reception on 6392 0316 or via email junioroffice@kws.nsw.edu.au 

AMAZING ME workshop

Parents and students in Years 5 and 6 had the opportunity to participate in our annual AMAZING ME workshop. AMAZING ME specialises in providing primary aged children, parents, and educators with positive and empowering information. It reinforces the important message of respecting others and appreciating we are all incredibly unique, diverse and AMAZING! The power of this experience is the opportunity to start a conversation with children. To assist in continuing the conversation families can visit www.amazingme.com.au.

Celebration of Learning

As we continue to open the School to the extended community after COVID more opportunities are occurring to welcome for parents and friends into classrooms to share the learning that is occurring. These are an informal opportunity for members of our community to view learning in context throughout the School. This week parents are invited to share in our digital showcases on:

Thursday 21 July: 2:45-3:15pm Year 3 Orange History Channel Showcase

Friday 22 July: 12:00-12:30pm Year 4 Robotics Showcase

Friday 22 July: 2:00-2:30pm Year 5 Space Colony Expo Showcase

Throughout the term parents are welcome to attend Junior School Chapel and assemblies. Please refer to the proposed dates for Term 3 to know when and where these regular events in the School week occur.

Parent Workshops 

In 2022 the Junior School has been engaging in a Numeracy Project with the Australian Independent Schools. On Tuesday 30 August 5:30-6:30pm in the Glasshouse parents are invited to engage in a workshop to understand current approaches to mathematics. 

Over the course of the term, we are looking forward to meeting parents across a range of experiences. Please continue to refer to the proposed dates for Term 3 sent to families at the end of Term 2 and again this week to know when these experiences are planned. 

Kinross Students making their Mark 

At Kinross Wolaroi we value and strive for academic rigor. Students have a myriad of opportunities to engage in enriching learning experiences which in some instances the School provides or facilitates student access to them.  Please share with us your child’s interest, passions, and achievements by emailing junioroffice@kws.nsw.edu.au.

Below: A lovely art work by a Pre-Kinder student who is fascinated by Ms Gunther’s little dachshund puppy, Coco.