Principal's Message

Dear Families,

Welcome to the latest addition of our school newsletter. A common theme that is documented within our school plans, and communicated across our various platforms, is our goal of strengthening the learning partnership between home and school.  If you have any suggestions on how we could improve, or if you would like to share ideas for community events, please do not hesitate in coming to see me or contacting me at angela.crane@decyp.tas.gov.au. 

NAPLAN Testing
I would personally like to congratulate our Year 3 and Year 5 students for the dedication, commitment, and determination each one of our students demonstrated throughout the recent National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing. We have now concluded our NAPLAN testing for 2023 and results will be thoroughly communicated with the staff and families later this year. The testing is a significant undertaking for our students and their willingness to participate and do their best was admirable. A sincere thank you to Mrs Rumley who coordinated the testing and ensured it all ran smoothly. Mrs Rumley implemented plans to make sure each student felt comfortable, supported and was able to engage in the testing platform in a settled and quiet testing environment. NAPLAN testing was held earlier in the year in 2023, meaning results are  provided earlier than in previous years. This has the benefit of giving classroom teachers opportunities to analyse data and plan for support or extension for each student, based on individual need.

Bush Adventures
This week saw the commencement of our Bush Adventures Program for Kindergarten and Prep students led by Ms Jade Primrose – Kitchen/Garden Educator. Our students gain huge benefits from taking part in regular outdoor play and learning in nature, bringing the curriculum alive. The program will see Kinder and Prep classes heading outside each Wednesday to immerse themselves in our outdoor environment. Bush Adventures is in its introduction phase at Kingston Primary School, and we aim to include our Year 1-2 students from 2024. The goals for Bush Adventures have been developed and include:

• Increased understanding and applied knowledge of nature pedagogy, inquiry learning and child-led learning through modelling a best practice, high quality nature play program.
• Support the children to begin to increase; emotional regulation, self-confidence, resilience, and connection to place and nature.
• Begin to foster an increased sense of belonging and connection to the Little Bush site and the local community through immersive and meaningful nature play-based learning experiences.
• Provide a space for teachers and staff to begin to experience success, feel engaged with and able to contribute constructively to nature play-based, child-led, inquiry learning.
• Provide an opportunity for our Early Years students only recently available at Kingston Primary School.

Kindergarten 2024
In 2024 we plan to have two Kindergarten classes and we already have a list of confirmed enrolments. It is vital that if you have a Kinder aged child in 2024 (a child born in 2019), you collect an enrolment form from the office and return it by the end of Week 1, Term 2 so that we can secure your enrolment. Please contact the office should you wish to meet with our Early Years team to learn more about the fantastic opportunities Kingston Primary School has to offer!

We wish you a great holiday break and look forward to welcoming you back and learning again with you in Term 2. Again, I would also like to personally extend my thanks to the teaching staff, students, parents and wider school community for your ongoing support and commitment to our school. Just remember you can stay in touch with our school over the break via Facebook, our school website or by emailing me directly at angela.crane@decyp.tas.gov.au.

Enjoy a fun filled and restful Easter break.