Kingswood Public School Newsletter

Welcome back to the 2019 school year. We extend a special welcome to all our new students and their families. We welcome a number of new staff to our school - Louisa Clayton a new permanent teacher appointment, Lisa Crooke and Samantha Sach our new School Counsellors, and Rosina Clarke and Rebekah Marscham Vision Support Teachers and Rema Geerin a School Learning and Support Officer.

Students went into their 2019 classes this week. We have now grown to 485 students and have reached our 19th class. As in previous years the class will be located in the Library until a demountable is placed on site. A new teacher will also be appointed via the merit selection procedures and will commence a the start of Term 2.

Teachers have put a lot of thought, time and effort into putting our students into their classes this year. Factors such as student’s academic, behavioural, social and emotional needs have been taken into account when placing students into classes.

All classes are staged and of mixed ability except for our two Opportunity classes. Due to uneven numbers across the school, there will again be an across Stage class. We are looking forward to a productive year with a strong focus on quality teaching especially in literacy and numeracy.

The Parent Stage Information night will be held on Wednesday 20 February. Notes will be sent home next week with further information. Please note that this is not a time for parents to have an individual interview time with the class teacher.

Parent/teacher interviews will be held on Tuesday 2 April. This year we will be trialing a new system of how interviews take place. More information will be available closer to the date.

If you have any concerns in regards to your child’s learning or well being please make an appointment at the office with their class teacher in the first instance. If there are ongoing concerns please make an appointment with the Stage Supervisor.

2019 Classes and Staff:

Principal - Norma Petrocco

Executive Team:

Deputy Principal/Instructional Leader - Belinda Clarke

Assistant Principal - Kim Hall

Assistant Principal - Lorraine Husarek

Relieving Assistant Principal - Lesley Taylor

Assistant Principal - Meredith Jeff

Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten)

Stage Supervisors - Kim Hall & Belinda Clarke:

ES1C - Jordan Cleaver

ES1D - Janelle Di Giglio

ES1J - Lisa Jansen

ES1P - Danielle Proud

Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2)

Stage Supervisor - Lorraine Husarek:

S1B - Adrian Bruny

S1C - Louisa Clayton

S1H - Lorraine Husarek

S1P - Jacalyn Phillips

S1S - Johanna Settree

S1/S2T - Lauren Thomas (Across Stage Class)

Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4)

Stage Supervisor - Lesley Taylor:

S2D - Jennifer Dunstan

S2H - Shane Hughes

S2O - Lynne Ochert

S2S - Kellie Selwood

S1/S2T - Lauren Thomas (Across Stage Class)

Stage 3 (Years 5 & 6)

Stage Supervisor - Meredith Jeff:

S3J - Meredith Jeff

S3H - Neil Hazell

S3L - Lindsey Lutton

S3F (Year 5 OC) - Katie Fahey

S3T (Year 6 OC) - Lesley Taylor

Teacher Support Staff:

Michelle Young - Teacher Librarian/Release from Face to Face

Sally Eleftheriou - English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD)

Sheree Parkin - Learning and Support Teacher (LaST)

Ingrid Weiss - English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD)

Carolyn Coffey - Executive and Teacher Release from Face to Face

Carla Azzopardi - Executive and Teacher Release from Face to Face

Lisa Crooke - School Counsellor (Mondays & Fridays Odd Weeks)

Samantha Sach - School Counsellor (Additional Time each term)

Rosina Clarke - Vision Support Teacher

Rebekah Marscham - Vision Support Teacher

Ernie Principe - Release from Face to Face

Paige Kullen - Release from Face to Face

Alicia Langerak - Currently on Maternity Leave

Administrative Staff:

Brenda Shead - School Administrative Manager (SAM)

Karen Edwards - School Administrative Officer (SAO)

Christine Brown - School Administrative Officer (SAO)

Michelle Adams - School Administrative Officer (SAO)

Frank Bright - General Assistant (GA)

Michelle Dunsire - School Learning Support Officer (SLSO)

Vicky Moran - School Learning Support Officer (SLSO)

Rima Geerin - School Learning Support Officer (SLSO)

Cleaning Staff:

Andrew Hanson

Gordana Zivec

Canteen Supervisor:

Yvonne Pagett

Class Structures:

Classes that are made up of children of different year levels have traditionally been called composite classes. These classes are now also known as stage based or multi aged classes.

There are two reasons why classes are formed this way:

Educational - where they are seen as having an educational benefit for the students and;

Administrative - where there is an uneven enrolment in school years which occurs in most primary schools.

Classes are formed following either of the above criteria or a combination of these criteria.

As in previous years our school enrolments are uneven in certain year levels therefore composite/stage classes are unavoidable. Furthermore all primary schools are staffed by a statewide formula which works in favour of having smaller class sizes in Early Stage 1 and Stage 1. This makes good sense as these are the formative years of learning and class sizes need to be kept at a minimum. As a result, classes in Stage 2 and Stage 3 have a higher number of students.

Our school is formed using a stage based model. The classes are known by their stage based name and the initial of the class teacher’s first name or surname ie ES1P - Early Stage 1 Proud. The range of criteria used for forming these classes includes social relationships, academic ability, age/maturity, gender balance and organisation of teaching groups.

NSW Curriculum and Syllabuses

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is responsible for developing Kindergarten to Year 12 syllabus for NSW schools.

The NSW curriculum includes the Key Learning Areas (KLAs) of English, Mathematics, Science, Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE), Languages, Technologies, Creative Arts and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE).

Each KLA includes syllabuses for K-10 and Years 11 and 12 that are inclusive of the learning needs of all students.

Syllabuses identify:

• The knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes students are expected to develop at each stage

• Outcomes and content that describe what students are expected to know and do

• Cross-curriculum priorities, general capabilities and other important learning for all students

Stages of Learning

The NSW curriculum is organised in seven stages of learning.

Kindergarten to Year 6 (K-6) includes four stages of learning.

• Early Stage 1 - Kindergarten

• Stage 1 - Year 1 and Year 2

• Stage 2 - Year 3 and Year 4

• Stage 3 - Year 5 and Year 6

Year 7 to Year 12 includes three stages of learning.

• Stage 4 - Year 7 and Year 8

• Stage 5 - Year 9 and Year 10

• Stage 6 - Year 11 and Year 12

The stages of learning each have a number of learning outcomes students are generally expected to achieve as they move through their primary and secondary education. Students have two years in each stage to achieve the learning outcomes for that stage of learning. The exception is Early Stage 1 which has one year.

The curriculum also recognises that students will be learning at different rates and levels throughout their schooling. It is the teacher’s responsibility to plan, program, present and evaluate syllabus outcomes for each student. Even though all students within a stage are working towards the achievement of learning outcomes for their stage, some students will be on Individualised Learning Plans (ILPs) to cater for their specific learning needs. Aboriginal students also have Personalised Learning Plans (PLPs).

All teachers across all educational sectors are now required to be accredited through the National Education Standards Authority (NESA). This means that all teachers need to meet their accreditation requirements against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers including the maintenance of professional learning hours.

More information about the NSW curriculum and syllabuses can be found on the NESA website.

A-Z of School Life at Kingswood PS:

Absence Notification through Skoolbag App

Thank you to the many parents and carers who are promptly advising their children’s absences on the app. We are having some issues with the ‘Away Start Date’ and the ‘Away Finish Date’ notifications.

If your child is away for one day the ‘Away Start Date’ and the ‘Away Finish Date’ will be the same date. Some notifications are putting the finish date as the following date which means your child is recorded as being away on consecutive days. Please ensure the correct dates are entered for absence notifications.

Anaphylaxis

An increasing number of our students are being diagnosed with Anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction and is potentially life threatening. It must be treated as a medical emergency, requiring immediate and urgent medical attention.

Anaphylaxis is a generalised allergic reaction, which often involves more than one body system eg. skin, respiratory, gastro-intestinal, cardiovascular. A severe allergic reaction usually occurs within 20 minutes of exposure to the trigger and can rapidly become life threatening.

90% of allergic reactions are caused by the most common triggers which include food such as peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans and soy. It is important to understand that even trace amounts of foods can cause a life threatening reaction. Other triggers include insect stings, medication or such things as latex.

We ask for your support and request that all students do not bring to school any nut products or foods that contain traces of nuts. This includes birthday cakes, cupcakes, doughnuts and lollies.

Students do not share their food at school under any circumstances.

If you would like more information about Anaphylaxis or have a child who has this condition and you have not notified the school please contact the office immediately.

Bikes and Scooters

Students are able to ride their bikes or scooters to school. These must be chained to the bike rack during the school day. A helmet must be worn at all times that the student is riding the bike or scooter including to and from school. The school takes no responsibility for bikes or scooters brought to school.

Contact Details

Please notify the office in writing or through Skoolbag App if your contact details have changed including emergency contacts. If your child is sick or we need to contact you for any reason it can be really difficult if numbers are not current.

Cubbyhouse Out of School Hours Care Service

Cubbyhouse offers an out of hours school care service in the hall each school day. Please contact Cubbyhouse directly for more information and to enrol your children on 1300 553 583. Parents and Carers must contact Cubbyhouse immediately if your child/children will not be attending, especially if picked up early or away sick.

Dogs in the School Grounds

Section 14 of the Companion Animal Act 1998 states that dogs are prohibited from school grounds. Please do not bring your dogs onto the school site as many children are frightened of dogs.

Early Arrivals

Morning duty commences each school day at 8:30am. Students are not supervised before this time. Please do not send your children to school before 8:30am. If children need to be dropped off early, please organise before school care.

Early Stage 1 and Stage 1 Students - Change of Clothes

If your children are in Early Stage 1 or Stage 1 please ensure that you have a change of underpants and track pants or shorts in their bag in case of a toileting accident or wet weather.

Excursion Notes

Please note that we do not accept hand written notes or verbal permission for excursions and other school events requiring permission notes. A school permission note for each child must be completed for every excursion and/or school event.

Lost Property/Clothing Pool

Each term we have lots of lost property. Please label your child’s hats, bags, jumpers, lunch boxes and drink bottles. Lost property is location in the block closest to the school entrance and exit gate. Due to hygiene issues lost lunch boxes and drink bottles without names will be disposed of.

The P&C operates a clothing pool each Tuesday before school in the block located next to the front gate. Items can be purchased for a gold coin donation.

Medical Conditions

If your children have any medical conditions that the school should be made aware of such as anaphylaxis or asthma please contact the school office immediately and provide them with their Health Care Plan if you have not already done so.

Mobile Phones and Electronic Devices

We discourage students from bringing mobile phones to school unless they an in the Opportunity classes and they are travelling from another area to the school. Mobile phones must be handed into the office each morning when they arrive and turned off and picked up at the end of the day. If you need to get a message to your children please contact the office.

Electronic devices are not to be brought to school. The school takes no responsibility if electronic devices are brought to school and they are broken or lost.

Out of Hours After School Care Services Off the School Site

If your children attends an After Care Service not located at our school please contact the service directly if your child is not attending on a school day or picked up early from school.

Running Late

Please pick up your children promptly at 3:00pm if you collect them from school. If you are running late or have been delayed, please notify the school as soon as possible. Children can become quite distressed when they are not picked up at the end of the school day. Your children will wait in the office till you arrive and will need to be signed out.

If someone other than the usual person who picks up the child is collecting them please notify the office. The person will need to show identification.

School Gates

Our school gates are closed each morning for the school day. Please enter and exit the school via the front gates and close the gate. Please do not go into the school car park at any time. Students are banned from the car park at all times.

Skoolbag App

The Skoolbag app is free and available to iPhone, iPad and Android users. Some of the key features include push notifications, email, newsletters and GPS Directional Mapping. Please allow the push notifications so that you are regularly updated. Please check regularly that you  have the latest version of the app.

Student Banking

Student Banking this year will be on Thursdays.

Term 1 Parent Planner

The term planner for parents is attached to this newsletter. Notifications of changes will be made via the Skoolbag app and the newsletter.