Congratulations

‘Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try’ – anon. It has been a big few weeks for our year 5 students as they have navigated the process of applying for our student leadership positions. The decision to put yourself forward for these opportunities is the hardest part, but what an amazing job you all did!

It is now with immense pride that I announce our student leadership team for 2025:

School Captains- Elsa and Poppy

Vice Captains – Sonny and Flynn

I look forward to working with each of you next year as you contribute to the leadership of our wonderful school. Our captains hand over and badge ceremony will take place at next week’s assembly.

More KPS kids accomplishments…
I always love hearing about what our kids get up to outside of school hours, and by the sound of it, Jacob in grade 6 has been very busy! Jacob is a keen soccer player and quite handy at it too after being selected into the Maribyrnong Sports Academy to begin year 7 next year. However, Jacob is now able to add another accomplishment to his already impressive resume. He is one of only 2 12-year-olds to be selected for the Australian Football Academy (NTC)

"The NTC program, (National Training Centre), is a new initiative introduced by Football Australia, and is a full-time comprehensive soccer training program with a main purpose of assisting and preparing young players who show potential talent to progress through the FFA development model.  Their purpose is to create a football environment which identifies and develops world class players".

A huge congratulations from us all Jacob – we can’t wait to follow your career in future years!

2025 Staffing

Where has this year gone? I cannot believe that there is only 2 weeks left of the school year! Ahead of our whole school transition session on Tuesday where students will meet their 2025 teacher and classmates, I am thrilled to announce out teaching teams as below;

Foundation – Frances Waugh, Mike Carey, Blagma Veljanovska / Catherine Wood

1 / 2 – Caitlin Hamer, Alison Michetti, Megan Chen, Christie Miller / Jeanette Mejak, Amila Osmanagic

3 / 4 – Stuart Koolmees, Finnia Gray, Susan Hosking, Laura Winberg, Louise Iero / Myffy Scott-Walker

5 – Georgia Hunt, Susan Phillips, Lizzie Horan / Sarah Williamson

6 – Emma Wasson, Rosemary Talbot, Jennifer Duckworth / Jeff McDonald

Visual Arts – Monica Gallivan

Physical Education – Sam Casey

Performing Arts – Kate Middleweek / Gabe Mullins

Wellbeing – Lucy Oates

STEM – Aaron Wood

Mental Health and Wellbeing – Carla Rossi

Inclusion and Tutor Learning Initiative – Leila Sheehan

Year level support – Pierra Marzella (F-2) Lauren Anile (3-6)

It is also a bittersweet time where we farewell some staff members as they take leave or move on to other schools. Thank you to Sophie, Peter, Sheri, Ashley, Will and Daniel – we wish you all the very best. And a ‘see you later’ to Gareth who will be taking leave in 2025.

Wishing you a wonderful week.

Emma

The Step-Up Program will take place on next Tuesday 10th december between 11.30am and 1.30pm. Prior to this day, teachers have and are talking to the children about the purpose of the days leading up to the Step Up Program, as it can be a little tense at times for students. The excitement builds and rumours abound about the teachers and the grades. This year is no different to any other and, the conversations and stories are all part of processing and dealing with the next important step in the 7-year journey of primary school.

The class groups by that time will have been determined after significant consideration by teachers and leadership. We expect that the students i.e., the members of these individual communities, will work together, forge new friendships, challenge and ‘stretch’ each other and grow together. No combination of students in any one year will be perfect in the sense of “the whole team played well” everyday however the combinations of personalities and the challenges of the day to day for F – Year 6 students should ensure growth, development and an increase in that vital personal resources that are described in the Learner Profile.

It is important for children to be able to talk about what lies ahead and of course they do like to make predictions. “I’m going to be with my friends ……”, “because I’m going to grade 5 I will be with …..”.  The “I bet you” statement, is also often heard in the playground at this stage of the year.

The reality is of course that the make-up of a class group takes into account a variety of factors and, expectations of students may not always be met.

What is important to remember with regard to all of this is the children are supported through this yearly transition/step up process. Parents can assist by chatting positively but informally with children about the move and the realities in a school of almost 430+ children.

Who will my new teacher be?

We are hopeful that all 2025 staff will be available on that day to meet with students on step-up day. However, if for unforeseen reasons some grades have a stand in teacher it will be made clear to the students who their 2025 teacher will be.

Who the class teacher will be for your child or children of course is of interest but should not cause stress. All teachers at Kingsville have gained their positions whether contract or ongoing, through a comprehensive selection process based on merit. All Victorian Government school teachers in primary schools are classed as generalist teacher and as such are expected to have the capacity to take up teaching duties in any level or area of the school. Your child or children will benefit greatly from spending time with any KPS teacher as they facilitate the learning in Foundation – 6.

Thinking about what lies ahead

Being reflective is a thinking skill that we practice explicitly. Each day our children and teachers spend some time in reflection making connections between experiences, events, thoughts and feelings that have occurred over time. Time, an abstract concept, is a little more concrete when considering events that have already happened.

So what happens when we ask our children to consider the future? Is this the process of acknowledging the past and planning, or maybe predicting, what might be about to happen? In the context of school many children are perhaps wondering what the next stage of their learning will be like. Who will be their friend in a new class, who will their teacher be, will it be different?

When considering the transition points within our children’s lives, we hope that our children view this process with optimism and excitement. We hope to provide the right opportunities for success, through building relationships, making connections and embracing change. Starting at a new school is a big step and we sometimes forget that for all children there are other significant transitions i.e. from the F-2 area to the 3-6 area. It is important to spend time considering the processes of change not just for our children but also for parents and staff.

At Kingsville we endeavour to empower the students in managing change. One of our successful initiatives is the Step Up Program. This program takes place towards the end of term four and all children will spend time on Tuesday 10^th December in their new class groups with their 2025 teacher (please note some staff may not be able to attend due to their schools commitment). This experience provides opportunities to meet new classmates and talk about the similarities and differences in their new grades as well as becoming familiar with a new physical learning environment.

It is important as we move through this transition stage to reflect and be grateful for what has been

• your classmates for providing an environment with diverse backgrounds and perspectives that stimulated learning and growth
• your teachers for their dedication and for passing down knowledge, skills and attitudes to you
• your best friends for being there for you whenever you need them
• your friends you made and the possibility of them being your companions in life
• your disappointment, so you know the things that matter to you most
• your mistakes for helping you to improve and become better
• life’s challenges for helping you grow and become who you are

Then having the right attitudes as we embark on this new adventure is key to success –

• you can complain because the weather is rainy or, you can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free
• you can moan about the loss of friends from your class or, you can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships
• you can complain because you didn’t get the teacher you wanted or, eagerly open your mind and fill it with rich new pieces of knowledge and experiences that they will offer

Parents can also support these milestones by talking positively to their children about the next stage of their learning journey. Engaging our children in the process empowers them to face the changes with confidence and gives them permission to accept the feelings and possible apprehensions that might arise along the way.

“Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out!” John Wooden, “Wizard of Westwood”, legendary American basketball coach and player.

Jeff McDonald
Assistant Principal
PYP Coordinator

Are you interested?

School Council's play a key role in Victorian Government schools.

At Kingsville Primary School we have a long history of very successful and active governance teams who have helped establish the broad direction and vision for the school.

Successive councils have carried out their key roles effectively and in doing so enhanced the educational opportunities of our students over a long period of time.

The School Council election process in government schools begin straight away in Term 1 (see timeline below)

                    School Council Election Schedule 2025

Now until the first week of 2025 school year –

• raising community awareness regarding school council membership opportunities
• providing details of school council vacancies – role of parent members, and expectation of members
• setting up questions and answer opportunities via email and placing information on Compass

Friday 31^st January – Call for nominations

Wednesday 5^th February –

 Nominations close 4pm

• Display list of candidates, nominator & seconder
• Declare new School Council if nominations accepted equal the number of vacancies

If the nominations are less than the number of vacancies in either category, call again for nominations for a 3-day period.

Wednesday 12^th February –

If election / ballot required – distribute ballot papers by this date

If no election / ballot required plan to hold the first School Council meeting of new School Council i.e. first special meeting to elect office bearers followed by first full normal meeting

If election / ballot required – current School Council meets for the last time on this day

Wednesday 19^th February - Close of ballot for election (if required)

Thursday 26^th February - Count votes & declare poll (if required)

Friday 27^th February - New School Council able to meet from this date

TBD - First meeting of new school council if election / ballot required - to elect office bearers – followed by first full meeting of new school council

Thursday 27^th March - Government compliance attained by due date -being March 31^st

We are excited to announce that on Monday 16th December Kingsville Primary School’s ‘Play Day’ is on!  In line with the philosophy behind Global School ‘Play Day’, which will be held in the Northern hemisphere on the first Wednesday in February each year, students at KPS will be partaking in a day of PLAY!  Global School Play Day/Kingsville Play Day is more than just a day of play. It's a day of acknowledgment that play matters, that children need play.

Why is a day of play important?
Children are designed, by nature, to spend huge amounts of time playing freely. That's how they develop social, emotional, and physical skills and it's how they become creators and innovators. It is how they learn to take charge of their own lives. Play is where they learn to solve their own problems and learn therefore, that the world is not so scary after all. Play is where they also experience joy. Play is where they learn to get along with peers and see from other’s points of view and practice empathy. Play is by definition creative and innovative.

What will the day look like?
The staff and children will engage in sustained opportunities to experience and participate in unstructured play. Students will be free to play from 9.30am-1.30pm without organised lessons.  In providing this opportunity, some key components will be in place:

• Safety: Teachers will supervise and support students to ensure they are playing safely throughout the day
• No Structure: Teachers will not organise or run games. Student problem solving, being creative and imaginative are key elements of the day
• Support: Teachers and ‘play ambassadors’ will be in support to assist in students managing and adapting to the experience
• Inside / Outside: Students will have the opportunity and be able to choose where they play
• Stations: There will be stations set up around the school (inside and outside) with resources students can choose to use for play. The children can be as creative as they wish with the resources e.g., dress-ups, odd parts, active and passive zones etc.
• No Screens: Play will not involve electronic devices
• SunSmart: Stations and ‘play ambassadors’ will be in place for students to apply and reapply sunscreen
• Hydrating and energy: Snack and lunch eating times will be as per normal and regular reminders by both teachers, ‘play ambassadors’ and peers will prompt the importance of hydrating and eating
• Periods of boredom: Boredom helps stimulate creativity. When our minds wander, we are more likely to come up with new ideas and innovative approaches to problems and tasks. If we give our brains a moment to rest, we have room to start thinking and daydreaming, which allows us to make new creative plans to accomplish those dreams.

Teacher support
In order to ensure the day runs successfully, teachers will be preparing students in class by:

• Revisiting the school’s SunSmart approach: slip, slop, slap, seek, slide
• Outlining the opportunities for play
• Providing sentence starters to engage in play e.g. “That looks like fun, can I join in?”
• Providing options to make the day successful e.g. “Have you looked at what is happening in the quiet play area?”
• Outlining the essential agreement for play at Kingsville
• Discussing how to invite someone into a game and the attitude of empathy

Parental support

• Talk about the excitement that the day offers by discussing possible things they might enjoy playing
• Ensure your child is SunSmart prepared for the day. slip, slop, slap, seek, slide
• Coach your child on how to cope in social situations
• Talk with children about facial expressions, and body language and how these can provide clues to other people’s thinking
• Before making your approach, watch what the other kids are doing. What can you do to fit in?
• Try joining the game by doing something relevant. For example, if kids are playing a restaurant game, see if you can become a new customer
• Don’t be disruptive or critical or try to change the game
• If the other kids don’t want you to join in, don’t try to force it. Just back off and find something else to do

Not only will the students be enjoying a day of play, but they will also be covering core curriculum areas including that are in the domain areas of:

• Health and Physical Education: where students develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to strengthen their sense of self, and build and manage satisfying relationships
• Personal and Social Capability: which is essential in enabling students to understand themselves and others, and manage their relationships, lives, work and learning more effectively

We look forward to making this a sustained annual day, where children can interact with the world around them by using their creativity and developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strengths through unstructured play.

Myffy Scott-Walker and the “Whole Day of Play” Team

Kids Disco - 12/12 (Next Thursday)

• The Kids Disco is happening next Thursday 12th December in the hall
• Prep-Year 2: 4.30-5.30pm (enter bishop street hall gate, exit julian street gate)
• Year 3-Year 6: 6.00-7.30pm (enter & exit bishop street hall gate)
• Please ensure all parents have completed the compass consent form if your child would like to attend the disco
• Without the consent, they will be unable to attend
• We still need volunteers, please sign up here: https://volunteersignup.org/RWHKX

Holiday Stall 12/12

We will be holding our annual holiday stall on Thursday 12th December. Students 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. Gifts are priced $2-8.

A compass note will be sent around closer to the date. We welcome volunteers to help sell gifts on the day- link to signup at https://volunteersignup.org/FDPAR

Uniform Sale - 13/12 (Next Friday)

• The last uniform sale of the year is next friday 13/12
• We have re-stocked so more sizes & items are available
• If you have any uniform donations, please drop to tubs in front office (must be in good condition & washed please!)
• We still need volunteers, please sign up here: https://volunteersignup.org/QM73R

Christmas Hampers - 13/12 (Last Assembly of Year)

• Our 3 FOKPS Christmas Hampers will be drawn at next weeks assembly
• No need to purchase tickets - all KPS kids will be automatically entered into the draw for free (and don't have to be at school to win)
• Winning hampers must be picked up from the front office by the last day of term 20/12

WhatsApp Class Groups - 10/12 (Step Up Day)

• Information with a QR code to join the 2025 WhatsApp class groups will be sent home with kids at step up day next Tuesday 10th December
• The QR code will take you directly to the KPS 2025 WhatsApp Community - from here you will be able to join your class group, as well as broader year level groups

Casual Clothes Day - 20/12 (Last Day of Term)

• The last day of term is a casual clothes day, and this term we are raising money alongside for the Make a Wish foundation
• Like at the end of term 3; in lieu of the usual gold coin donation, we will be sharing an online donation link to make it easier for all parents / caregivers
• A donation link & poster will be shared by the Junior School Council

Roster for Assembly Items – Term 3

13th Dec - 5SP
20th Dec - No Assembly Item - Year 6 Graduation Song

Happy Birthday to Dimitrije S, Lachie B, Arlo L, Lucinda N, Neenah C, Kiaan P, Harvey K, Sophie L, Matilda W, Violet F, Charlie C, Frankie E, Flynn C, Nikita J, Jude S, Sam D, Jamari F, Xavier C, Louie C, Rosamund H, Lara H, Santana K, Charlie C, Archie Doekes, Sebastian W, Billy A.

Be a part of the night - entertainment call out for Hot March Night 2025!

Want to be up on the main stage at HMN next year?  Maybe you are an amateur magician, a budding slam poet, a talented juggler?  Or maybe you can sing, dance, tell a good joke or play an instrument...be a part of the biggest night of the year!  Expressions of Interest are welcome from both parents and kids; send us an email at fokps58@gmail.com, and include some information on what you can do.