I need to begin this week’s newsletter with the sincerest of apologies to Hazel in year 6. In the last addition, I wrote about the exemplary efforts of our year 6 leaders across a few significant events, failing to mention that it was actually Hazel who co-hosted our ANZAC day service along side 3 of our school captains. Hazel you are the epitome of the saying ‘not all superheros wear capes’ as at Kingsville – not all leaders wear badges!

Upon beginning here at KPS, I sent out a short survey to the parent community hoping to get a quick pulse check on how things were going and if the community had any suggestions that we could take on board. I was thrilled to get 99 individual responses that provided such clear, positive, and constructive feedback. As a staff we have had a look through all the opportunities that we have to strengthen our partnerships with families, the community and beyond. Over the remainder of the school year, we plan on building upon lots of the wonderful events that Kingsville is known for; like ‘Share and Connect’ and open afternoons to name a few. We are looking at reinvigorating some events that may have dropped off the calendar in recent years – like an art show or a concert (stay tuned for more details!!) and introducing some new ways of connecting you with the learning and experience of being a member of our school. I sincerely appreciate the time that you all took in filling out our survey and I can’t wait for you to see some of those ideas come to life!

I thank you all so much for your support over the first half of this term. Please be in contact at any time if you have any questions, concerns, feedback or would just love a chat.

Wishing you a lovely weekend,

Emma

Ensuring road safety around schools is a collective effort that involves students, parents, carers, and the entire local community. At our school, the presence of a major road and two cul-de-sacs adds challenges for students and families making their way safely to school each day.

Being neighbourly around Kingsville Primary School involves respecting and understanding the needs of residents living along nearby roads and streets. This means avoiding parking that blocks driveways, maintaining a quiet and courteous demeanour, and being empathetic towards the daily routines of local households. By staying open-minded and considerate of the impact of school traffic on the community, students, parents and carers can help create a harmonious environment that benefits both the school and its neighbours. This approach fosters a supportive and cooperative community spirit, ensuring that everyone feels respected and valued.

Children learn by observing the behaviours of adults around them. Therefore, it is crucial for parents and carers to set a good example when accompanying their children to school. Demonstrating safe crossing practices, showing gratitude and empathy to our wonderful crossing supervisors, and respecting those living in our school zone, but have no connection to the school shows the students what it is to be a good citizen who will make the world a better place because of the way we live our lives.

Children’s Crossing Supervisors play a vital role in ensuring students crossing roads safely. They oversee the crossings on Julian Street and Somerville Road, but reinforcing safe crossing behaviours at home is equally important. Remind children to:

• Not block or impede neighbours’ driveways while waiting to cross
• Make space for other to move along paths who are not coming to school
• Get off bikes and scooters before crossing.
• Move swiftly and safely across the crossing.

Creating a safe environment around schools requires cooperation and mindfulness from everyone in the community. By following these guidelines and fostering a culture of safety and respect, we can protect our students and ensure a harmonious coexistence in our local neighbourhood.

Let’s work together to make our school zones safe for everyone.

Hi Kingsville community,

Please come join us after school on Tuesday 28^th May to help plant and create Native Hibiscus flowers to mark Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week.

National Reconciliation Week is May 27^th – June 3^rd, and National Sorry Day is on May 26^th. At Kingsville Primary School we’d like to bring our community together to mark these events by meeting and planting some Native Hibiscus flowers. The Native Hibiscus flower is the official symbol for Sorry Day.

The theme for National Reconciliation Week in 2024 is, “Now more than ever”. 

The Reconciliation Australia organisation explains, “This is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.”

“Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.”

If you’d like to join us, please email me, Lucy Oates (Teacher), via Compass or at lucy.oates@education.vic.gov.au to RSVP.

Please also contact me if you’d be interested in being involved in helping create Kingsville Primary School’s Reconciliation Action Plan.

Kind regards,
Lucy Oates (Teacher)

As you may be aware, Daniel Vella is our expert facilitator to support our ongoing partnership with Real Schools. Fast approaching 30 years as an Educator, Principal, and System Leader, Daniel has led school communities across Victoria. He builds cultures that welcome feedback, value collaboration and strive for all members to feel appreciated. Daniel is committed to working alongside school leaders and school communities to harness their energy, shared expertise, and experiences. He believes that by nurturing a climate that encourages students and educators to problem solve, welcome feedback, reflect and collaborate, school communities can flourish.

Daniel has three messages he wanted to share with the KPS community.

The first of these is a short video introducing the work we’ll undertake in our partnership: Parent video #1 Introduction to Partnership

The second of these is an article that describes why punishment does not work: Why doesn't punishment work - Parent Snapshot

The third message he wanted to share was about what to do when things go wrong at school: When things go wrong at school - Parent Snapshot

Parent Information Session
Thanks to all those families who were able to attend the virtual Real Schools Parent Information Session. It was great to have Daniel describe in more detail the journey we are on with Real Schools, and how parents and carers are an integral part of this journey.

We had recorded this session although, as can happen, technical issues meant this wasn't able to be shared. However, Daniel has shared a previous recording of a session he ran, which although was not explicitly for Kingsville, covers the same concepts we discussed last Thursday.

This recording can be found here: Real Schools Parent Information Session

If you have any issues accessing this please reach out.
Daniel is also more than happy to follow up with any families that have further questions. His email is shared in the presentation.

Sam Eason
Assistant Principal

We are grateful for the support of our volunteers at Kingsville Primary School. As a reminder, all volunteers must sign in and out at the front office upon arrival and departure. Please ensure you wear your lanyard with your Compass Pass at all times while on school premises. Additionally, it is essential that you have completed the school's induction process before beginning your volunteer duties. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to creating a safe and productive environment for our students.

Education Week is an annual celebration of education in Victoria. This year’s theme, Spotlight on STEM, highlights the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in our everyday lives, in the classroom and beyond. Throughout the week levels have been sharing examples of STEM activities via compass, if you have missed these, here is a short summary of what has been happening across the school to shine a spotlight on STEM at KPS.

The Foundation began spotlighting the week by creating their own greenhouses. Some shared their prior knowledge about greenhouses, and they read a story about a seed, discussing, and predicting what might happen, before building their own greenhouses out of zip-lock bags.

The children had a focus the sound ‘v’—a volcano! They collaborated to build a volcano in the sandpit, adding sand until it reached the desired height, then creating a hole for the "lava."

They took turns adding baking soda, dishwashing liquid, and red food colouring, eagerly awaiting the vinegar for the lava reaction. The children loved watching the bubbling "lava" and discussing why some reactions were bigger than others.

The level 1 and 2 students did some coding using Osmo Coding Awbie. Coding Awbie uses hands-on physical blocks to control Awbie, a playful character who loves delicious strawberries. Each block is a coding command that directs Awbie on a wondrous tree-shaking, strawberry-munching adventure. Through this experience, the children worked collaboratively to achieve a shared goal or outcome for Awbie.

While in the BER, the level 3/4 students spotlighted the ‘S’ in STEM with multifaceted and enriching science experience. They read books about science laying a strong foundation of knowledge, which was further deepened by participating in hands-on experiments. This led to the recording of observations through writing and drawing, enhancing understandings and retention, before connecting the concepts being explored to real-life phenomena, such as physics in action, bringing the learning to life. Additionally, planning and designing Rube Goldberg machines fostered creativity and problem-solving skills, while exploring different materials and their functions broadens the student’s practical understanding of science.

The Year 5/6 students explored Minecraft, transforming it from a popular game into a dynamic educational platform. They used the virtual environment to apply their knowledge and creativity, designing sustainable solutions for urban living and demonstrating their understanding of environmental sustainability from the "Sharing the Planet" unit.

The primary task was to redesign parts of a virtual city to enhance environmental sustainability. Working in teams, students developed innovative solutions:

• Designing homes with solar panels and wind farms to showcase renewable energy use.
• Adding rooftop gardens to improve air quality and create green spaces.
• Implementing electric trams and bicycle lanes to reduce emissions.
• Installing rainwater harvesting systems to support urban gardens and reduce water waste.

The spotlight on STEM during Education Week at KPS has vividly showcased the teaching and learning the occurs every day at Kingsville that fosters creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking among students.

On Wednesday 22^nd May at 10.45 our whole school will once again get together to participate in National Simultaneous Storytime.

This picture book stars a beautiful bowerbird on the search for BLUE! It’s a moving story of longing and connection, that unfolds as the bowerbird’s search sends him soaring across the sea, sky and city. He swoops and snatches vibrant treasures for his collection, and soon his bower—a mix of natural and unnatural objects—attracts something greater and more fulfilling than he could ever have imagined.

The author of the book is Aura Parker. She is an award-winning illustrator, writer and designer. Her picture books are joyful with a playful sense of humour, brimming with details to explore. Aura Parker’s storytelling though words and pictures inspires imagination, courage and confidence in young readers as well as a love, curiosity and passion for nature.

“I am a collector. Always looking, finding ... and keeping! Bowerbird loves BLUE. Magnificent cobalt. Brilliant, vibrant BLUE! But something is missing. What could it be?”

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is an important annual campaign that aims to encourage young children to read and enjoy books as well as teach them the value of literacy. We can’t wait to share this event with you! Come and have a look at our work on the Library windows.

Friday 17th May is International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) – a great opportunity to show support and allyship to our LGBTQIA+ family, friends and colleagues. This global event aims to raise awareness, promote acceptance and stand against discrimination faced by the LGBTQIA+ community.

Mental Health in LGBTQIA+ Youth

Results from the 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health show LGBTQIA+ youth suffer more psychological distress than their peers (The Trevor Project, 2022). The research found 73% of LGBTQ youth reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety and 58% of LGBTQ youth reported experiencing symptoms of depression. LGBTQ youth who live in a community and attend a school that is accepting of LGBTQ people reported significantly lower rates of attempting suicide than those who do not. 

Where to get information and support

• QLife, provides anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
• Minus 18, champions for LGBTQIA+ youth, creating an Australia where all young people are safe, empowered, and surrounded by people that support them. https://www.minus18.org.au/articles/love:-how-to-support-and-celebrate-your-lgbtqia+-child
• Switchboard Victoria, a community based not-for-profit organisation that provides a peer-based, volunteer-run support service for LGBTIQA+ people.
• Rainbow Door, a free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family during COVID-19 and beyond.
• Black Rainbow, a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, trans, intersex, asexual, sistergirl and brotherboy (LGBQTIA+SB) through a variety of community projects and programs.
• queerspace, an LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing support service established in 2009 by LGBTIQ+ communities for LGBTIQ+ communities. Queerspace has a focus on relationships, families, parenting and young people and offers co-located services across the north- west metropolitan region of Victoria.

Our rescheduled working bee has been set for Saturday 1^st June. All our working bees are open to the whole school community, Foundation to year 6. We are hoping for a big and varied turnout from our families. This is a great opportunity to help contribute to the grounds maintenance and development, plus catch up and meet other parents. Working bees are also highly popular with the kids as they help out or spend a bit of free time on the oval or playgrounds.

Tasks include:

• garden maintenance – kitchen garden and school gardens
• planting
• mulching (a wheelbarrow and shovel from home)
• grounds maintenance – painting and staining

Please ensure:

• you and any children are wearing suitable closed in shoes
• gloves are worn
• children are supervised by parents

Entry will be through the double gates to the hall on Bishop Street. All parents who are volunteering on the day must report to the check in table that will be situated just outside the door of the 5/6 classrooms.  Please read the information set up on the board and sign in on arrival and out on departure.

RESPONSES REQUIRED

To assist the Buildings and Grounds subcommittee to organise this event, please respond by Wednesday 29^th May. 

Responses can be sent:

• to the school email kingsville.ps@education.vic.gov.au please ensure you put “Working Bee’ in the subject line and indicate in the body of the email your Family name, Eldest child’s name, and the number of family members attending the working bee
• by clicking on the link and complete the form https://forms.office.com/r/JVTXHCi4s2

Friends of KPS will be holding a second-hand uniform sale next Friday 24th May.  

There’s a wide range of clothing of all sizes.  All KPS branded clothing is $5, and unbranded items are free! 

Come and grab yourself a bargain or two!

The sale will run over two time slots: 8:30am – 9:30am then again 3pm – 3:45pm. 

You’ll find the store upstairs in the main building, use the stairs near the library and follow the signs. 

Donations welcome!  Please drop off any clean branded items to the school office in the next week to be added to the sale. 

Volunteers also welcome; you can register here: https://volunteersignup.org/HJ8YE "

Please see below the list of children who were presented with their award today Friday 17^th  May:

Please see below the list of children who will be presented with their award on Friday 24^th May:

Happy Birthday to Toby W, Niamh A, Hattie F, Oslow E, Hamish M, Isabelle W, Lily F, Emma N, Ivy G, Mikayla T, Jonathan H, Maha M, Tessa M, Sena K, Maggie C, Pearl P F, Jarvis W, Benjamin T.

2024 Student Free Days

Term 2 - Friday 7th June
Term 4 - Monday 18th November

2024 Term Dates

Term 2            Monday 15th April to Friday 28th June
Term 3            Monday 15th July to Friday 20th September
Term 4            Monday 7th October to Friday 20th December

Roster for Assembly Items – Term 2

24^th May – Assembly item – 12J

31^st May – Assembly item – 34F

14^th June – No item

21^st June – Assembly item – 12A

28^th June – No item


Key Sports Dates

Monday 27th May - School Track and Field Carnival (3 – 6) and Sports Expo (P – 2)

Wednesday 29th May - Division Cross Country Carnival

Tuesday 4th June - Winter Gala Day

Thursday 6th June - Back up day Track and Field

Wednesday 20th June - Regional Cross Country Carnival