The Kingswood Newsletter

Assistant School Principal

Aaron Cox 

Assistant Principal

UNSW Competitions

Congratulations to all families that have decided to join the competitions throughout the year. I will provide further information when I receive the tests.

School Photos 

School photos were taken on Monday 6th March. We are now waiting for them to arrive at school. As soon as we have them we will notify you by Compass and distribute immediately. For any families who missed individual portrait photos, we do not have access to a photo backup day at Kingswood, however, you will have another opportunity to have these photos taken at St Marks' on Monday 27th March.

Family Night

Just a reminder that next Friday 17th March at 4.30 is the school’s inaugural Family Night. This event will be held on the school oval. Our event will be supported by a stage and singing similar to the school carols last year. Please come along with your family and a picnic blanket to meet other families from the Kingswood community. There will be a sausage sizzle, face painting, food trucks and other family friendly activities so make sure you lock this date in.

Progressive Reporting Update

The leadership team is currently investigating progressive reporting for parents. We have visited another school that introduced it to their parents in 2016. We are looking to dip our toes into the water during Terms 1 and 2 this year. From this point we will evaluate what to do for Terms 3 and 4. Currently we see real benefits in using the Compass platform to deliver this information. I will provide updates and seek parent feedback as we begin our testing.  We are fully aware that parents want us to move to progressive reporting as soon as possible, but we will need to complete our due diligence in relation to the systems and the processes we put in place. 

Never Give Up

I would like to draw your attention to the following motivational video of an Olympian and the power of never giving up. A good message for our children and it supports one of our Habits on Mind.

Learners As Thinkers - Pupil Free Day

The school is currently accepting delegates for our first Thinking Conference on Monday 24th April, the day before ANZAC Day. This will require the school to have a curriculum day. Please ensure you make all necessary arrangements for the care of your children on this date.

Tech Corner - Yellow Tinder like App

Just a word of caution and for parents to be alert. There is a new fad app going around that potentially could be considered inappropriate for young children called Yellow. It is similar to an underage Tinder! If you find the app on your children's iPads, please consider deleting it and have a conversation about remaining safe online. 

What Kind of Online Role Model am I for My Children?

Children watch everything and hear everything when it suits them. Good role modelling starts at home and at school. Have you ever posted anything to Facebook or other social media that does not include all the facts or just from a one sided perspective? Have you done this because you want others to validate your position? Did you say what you either did or did not do to exacerbate the situation? Unfortunately, this is becoming the norm this day and age. A very scary prospect indeed. It's extremely easy to sit at a keyboard and make judgments but what does this teach our children? What we do as role models has a profound influence on the online behaviours of our children. Some things to consider before posting:

  1. Is this the appropriate forum to express my views?
  2. Am I being entirely honest? Remember your reputation in real life and online is very important.
  3. Have I taken all steps possible to rectify the situation? Have I made a phone call? Spoken to someone face to face? Written an email to the person?

 

Remember that no matter what you put online, it is there forever and no matter how private you think you are being, it always invariably gets back to the person or group you have maligned.

 

We want our actions to be regarded as examples of good online behaviour for our children. Are we practicing what we preach?