Hi families

As we prepare for an exciting end of term and beginning of a new school year, we want to keep you informed about some key dates and information that are important for our school community heading into 2025.

Curriculum Days

On January 28 and 29, we will be holding curriculum days. During this time, our teaching staff will engage in professional development and planning to ensure we are providing the best possible learning environment for our students. This will mean that we will have 2 remaining curriculum days for the rest of the school year. These dates are to be confirmed, and we will let you know as soon as we can.

Start of Classes for Grades 1-6 

Classes for students in Grades 1 through 6 will resume on Thursday, January 30 at 9am. We look forward to welcoming our returning students back and meeting new faces ready for an engaging term ahead.

Foundation Kids Start

We are excited to announce that our Foundation students will begin their classes on February 3 with their first day finishing at 1:30pm. This is a significant milestone for our youngest learners, and we can’t wait to see them embark on their educational journey.

2025 class structure

We have also made significant progress in our whole school organisation and are able to confirm the following class structure for 2025:

Foundation x 3

Year 1 / 2 x 5

Year 3 / 4 x 5

Year 5 x 3

Year 6 x 3

Thank you so much to everyone for your input into our class groups for 2025. Weare busily working away to make the best possible fit for everyone. This year we will be undertaking a few whole school transition sessions to allow students to become familiar with what 2025 might look like and to begin to get excited about the possibilities!

As always, pleas reach out to me if you need anything at all.

Emma

At 11 am on 11 November 1918 the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years continuous warfare.

Remembrance Day, on the 11 of November, marks the anniversary of the armistice which ended the First World War (1914-18).

Each year Australians observe one minute's silence at 11am on 11 November in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts.

On Monday the 11^th of November the school will hold a short Remembrance Day Service at 11am. Our year 6 leaders will lead the school through this solemn and respectful ceremony in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts.

Students who missed out on the opportunity on Friday to purchase a Remembrance Day badges as part of the Spotswood/Kingsville RSL Poppy Appeal, will be able to purchase a $2 or $5 badge from the front office on Monday 11^th of November after 8.45am.

At the start of August, 91 Kingsville students from Year 3 to 6 participated in the Australian Mathematics Competition. This was the highest number of Kingsville students to ever participate in the competition. We also had 21 students receive a distinction, which means they are in the top 20% of their year level and region. Well done to all the wonderful Kingsville mathematicians who were risk-takers by taking on this challenge.

After eagerly awaiting the results, we are proud to congratulate all the participants and announce the winners:

These Kingsville champions will receive their certificate at assembly on Friday 15^th November.

Congratulations to all the students who participated.  These students will receive their certificate from their classroom teachers on Friday 15^th November:

Year 3: Noah A, Hugh B, Theo C, Hazel J, Henry K, Estelle K, Aidan K, Ruby L, Marlon M, Archer M, Cameron M, Hamish M, Lucinda N, Eamon O, Hannah S, Luke S, Shahzad SA, Benjamin T, Alycia V, Ike W, Olivia Z

This year Kingsville Primary School had two teams participate in the Maths Olympiad (Years 5 and 6), and the Maths Explorer Program (Years 3 and 4). These teams competed in 4 challenges over the year.

Some of the aims of these programs are to:

- introduce effective problem-solving strategies and develop flexibility for problem solving

- foster creativity and ingenuity and strengthen intuition

- stimulate enthusiasm and enjoyment of mathematics

- provide for the satisfaction, joy and thrill of meeting challenges.

Well done to Sophie L, Pearl P, Louie L, Hamish M and Angus J for being Kingsville Primary School’s equal highest achievers in the Maths Olympiad. A big congratulations to the whole Olympiad team for achieving a score in the Top 50% of team scores in Junior Division Maths Olympiad.

Congratulations to Elliot M, Harper W, Henry H, Fergus M, Ned O and Kai L for being Kingsville Primary School’s highest achievers in the Maths Explorer Program.

Certificates and awards were presented to these great mathematicians at the school assemblies on Friday 1st November (Explorer) and Friday 8th November (Olympiad).

Year 3 and 4 Maths Explorer Team


Year 5 and 6 Maths Olympiad Team




Jennifer Duckworth and Christie Miller
Learning Specialist and High Ability Practice Leader

This year, our Level 5 and 6 students had the exciting opportunity to participate in the 100 Story Building’s Early Harvest Program. This creative initiative supports primary school students in writing, editing, and illustrating a professionally published book.

In Terms 1 and 2, our students worked hard to craft narratives exploring the themes of 'betrayal' and 'survival.' Their stories were submitted to a student editorial board, which included two of our very own: Beatrix M and Ayla M. The editorial board had the important tasks of naming the book, selecting the final collection of stories, and guiding the illustrators. Reading submissions from students across six schools, the editorial team provided thoughtful, personalized feedback on what they enjoyed about each story—a massive achievement!

Last term, we were thrilled to learn that three of our students' stories were selected for publication in Two Faced Tales, this year's Early Harvest anthology:

• Hazel M: Author of Verity’s Tale
• Sophie L: Author of Making Friends: Not an Easy Task
• Xavier N: Author of The Quest of Life

This year, Early Harvest introduced a new dimension to the book: student illustrators. Congratulations to Eva G, Violet F, and Violeta C, who brought these stories to life with their incredible illustrations.

On Saturday, November 2nd, Kingsville Primary School teachers, students, and families gathered at 100 Story Building in Footscray for the launch of Two Faced Tales. It was a memorable celebration of our young authors, illustrators, and editors. The event, hosted by the editorial board students, was filled with fun activities, games, and engaging interviews.

A huge well done to all the students who submitted stories this year! Your creativity and hard work are inspiring. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the teachers who supported and encouraged our students throughout the writing process.

Copies of Two Faced Tales will soon be available in our Level 5 and 6 classroom libraries and the school library. Be sure to check out this incredible collection of stories!

Lauren Anile
6LA Classroom Teacher
Level 3-6 Learning Specialist

Each year, October is recognised as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Awareness Month. The theme for 2024 is ‘Awareness is Key’. Raising awareness opens the door to so many possibilities to support those with ADHD in school, at work and in the community. It also helps teachers and employers understand their students and employees who have ADHD.

Here are some helpful links to learn more about ADHD:

https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Attention_deficit_hyperactivity_disorder_ADHD/

https://allplaylearn.org.au/primary/teacher/adhd/

Please see below the list of children who will be presented with an award at assembly on Friday 15^th November:

FOKPS EVENTS CALENDAR SNAPSHOT – TERM 4, 2025

Friday 29/11 - Uniform Sale   
Session 1 8.30-9.15am | Session 2 10.15-11.00am

Thursday 5/12 - KPS School Disco       
F-Y2’s 4.30-5.30pm | Y3-Y6’s 6.00-7.30pm

Friday 6/12 - Uniform Sale         
Session 1 8.30-9.15am | Session 2 10.15-11.00am

Thursday 12/12 - Holiday Stall                   
Kids to visit during Class Time (Like Fathers/Mothers Day stalls)

Friday 13/12 - Uniform Sale                  
Session 1 8.30-9.15am | Session 2 10.15-11.00am

Friday 13/12 - Holiday Raffle Draw   
All kids entered & winners drawn at last Friday Assembly

Friday 20/12 - Teacher Thankyou      
Teacher Coffee Van & Pastries – End Semester 2

TBC - Zooper Dooper Sale    $1 Zooper Doopers sold on the deck after school

MORE INFORMATION ON TERM 4 EVENTS

Signing up to volunteer at any of our events? You must have a Working with Children Check!

https://www.vic.gov.au/working-with-children-check

If you would like to volunteer at any daytime / school run events, you must also complete the KPS volunteer induction: https://forms.office.com/r/Zs3ecsM62L

Uniform Sales – 2025 Transition Days       29/11, 6/12, 13/12
In line with the 2025 Prep Transition days, we will be holding a used uniform sale in the Uniform Shop (main building upstairs classroom). Held over 3 consecutive Fridays; the shop will be open before the transition session 8.30-9.15am, and straight after 10.15-11am. Open to all parents / caregivers – cash & card accepted.

From our school community we need:

• Uniform Donations:
  • Clear those cupboards in time for the new school year!
  • We will be accepting all good condition branded school unform items.
  • Please ensure they are; washed, no rips/missing buttons, and free from any major marks
  • Please donate into the Uniform Donation Tubs located at the front office
• Volunteers:
  • Parent volunteers to help run the sales, please sign up here: https://volunteersignup.org/QM73R

2024 KPS Kids Disco – Save the Date!       5/12
Using funds raised at the 2024 Trivia Night, Friends of KPS are holding a school disco for all KPS Kids – and its free to attend! A compass note will be sent out to all parents shortly – you must confirm attendance if your child would like to attend (we will be checking names at front door, and need exact numbers).

This year it will be held after school across 2 sessions:

• Foundation to Year 2: 30-5.30pm
• Year 3 to Year 6: 00-7.30pm

More information will be sent closer to the date, including a volunteer sign up sheet!

Holiday Stall    12/12
We will be holding our annual holiday stall on the 12^th December. Kids will visit the stall located in the hall or library - during school hours in their class groups; and will have the opportunity to buy family & friends a small gift. A compass note will be sent around closer to the date, along with a volunteer sign up link.

Holiday Raffle   13/12
With money raised at the 2024 Trivia Night, Friends of KPS will be putting together some festive hampers for our annual holiday raffle. Like with the Easter Raffle, all KPS kids will be automatically entered into the draw. The raffle will be drawn on the last Friday assembly of 2024.

Kids do not need to be there to be entered / win, however hampers will need to be picked up before the last day of term, 20^th December.

If you would like to donate any items to these hampers – please drop them to the front office with attention to ‘FOKPS Holiday Raffle’ please.

Teacher & Staff Thankyou (Semester 2)   20/12
With money raised at the 2024 Trivia Night, Friends of KPS will be holding our Semester 2 teacher thankyou morning on the last day of term. We will be providing all KPS Teachers & Staff a barista coffee and pastry treat to thank them for all of their incredible support throughout Semester 2.

 
Zooper Dooper Deck Sales   Dates TBC
Once the weather starts warming up, we will again be holding our FOKPS Zooper Dooper deck sales.

Zooper Doopers can be bought for $1 (cash only) straight after school. We will advise parents via a compass post when we schedule these in.

We do need a list of volunteers that we can call on with short notice (ie. week prior when we know the forecast will be warm). If you are a parent that is usually at pick up, and can spare a quick half hour – we would love you to pop your name into this form please: https://forms.gle/Q2JZ4Wo9RfeLE3cT9

All you need to be able to do is snip Zooper Doopers and take cash payments – quick & easy! The more volunteers, the faster the lines move!!?

OTHER FOKPS UPDATES

Book Week – Scholastic Book Fair
Through our Scholastic Book Fair in Book Week – Kingsville Families & Friends snapped up an incredible $6,700 worth of books, which has resulted in $2,676 in Scholastic vouchers for KPS to use against new books & items for the library & classrooms!

Alison is working through this and will provide a further update in a future newsletter. But a huge thanks to everyone in our school community for being a part of an amazing book week for KPS!

FOKPS Funded Items
With money raised at FOKPS events throughout the 2023/2024 year, we are currently in consultation with the KPS kids junior school council to draw up a shortlist of items that the kids would like us to focus on.

Once this shortlist is finalized, FOKPS alongside the KPS Leadership team will agree on what items will be the priority, and what we as FOKPS, are able to contribute to. Once confirmed, we will pop an update for our school community in a future newsletter!

 
WhatsApp Class Groups 2025 | Class Reps
In consultation with KPS Leadership, we are in the process of creating the parent volunteer run 2025 WhatsApp class groups, and this year we will be introducing a simplified process!

All class groups will sit under a broader KPS Community Channel – and on step up day, kids will come home with a QR code that parents can scan to join the channel & their class group. No need to fill out any forms!

We will also again be asking for parent class reps to put their hand up to organise class catch ups & events. We will be in touch closer to step up day with more information!

Please note – as with this year; the WhatsApp KPS Community Channel & Class Groups are not affiliated with the department of education or Kingsville Primary School. They are parent volunteer run, used for quick communication with other parents, and are by opt in only. By joining the channel & class group/s – you understand your name & contact information will be visible to your class group.
 

Join Friends of KPS
If you would like to join FOKPS or help with any future events – please sign up here - https://forms.gle/yt4LMSF5sxqEqi8BA

Happy Birthday to Zachary B, Luna A, Noah A, Claudia N, David G, Dray G, Luiza P, Daisy TN, Archer M, Audrey Hansen, Ike W, Amelie R, Maggie W-V, Sababa T, Regina F-S, Leo H, Ruby L.

Roster for Assembly Items – Term 3

15th Nov - 6EH
22nd Nov - FMJ
29th Nov - 1/2M
6th Dec - TBC
13th Dec - 5SP
20th Dec - No Assembly Item - Year 6 Graduation Song