Issue 8, 14 June 2024, Week 7 Term 2

Dear Families,

With last week’s cold snap, the start of Dark Mofo festivities and the Winter Solstice coming soon, I think we can officially say welcome to Winter! With three weeks to go until the end of Term 2 we are incorporating as much learning and assessment as possible in preparation for the Reporting period. This information will not only be utilised to finalise Mid-Year Reports but will also provide vital information that will inform teaching and learning for Term 3.

It is incredibly important to celebrate the learning success and achievements of our students across the last few weeks. I hope that you have been able to observe and share in these learning snapshots through our regular Social Media updates and across the learning shared on our classroom sharing platform Seesaw. We try to keep you connected as much as possible through sharing these successes regularly. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful educators who continue to plan for and support our students in reaching their full potential. I feel a huge sense of pride in what I observe as I walk around and visit our students several times across each day. We just love connecting with our families and are always after opportunities to do this more often!

Bush Adventures at Kingston Primary School

When touring Kingston Primary School or discussing whether to enrol a student at our school, I am often asked, “Why Kingston Primary School?” One of many learning opportunities I always highlight is the importance of Nature Play in the early years. Led by Ms Jade Primrose, our Kitchen/Garden educator, our Bush Adventures program for Kindergarten and Prep students has been operating now for over four years. Our students gain huge benefits from taking part in regular outdoor play and learning in nature, bringing the curriculum alive. The program sees our Kinder and Prep classes heading outside each week to immerse themselves in our outdoor environment.

As a primary school that is located in Kingston’s central business district, we are incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by rich bushland that provides our Early Years students with vibrant play spaces to explore. In many ways, Bush Adventures is still in its infancy at Kingston Primary School, and we aim to expand the program to include our Year 1-2 students from 2025. The goals for Bush Adventures are:

• 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.

Growing Future Leaders: The 24 Carrot Garden Program at Kingston Primary School

At Kingston Primary School we are thrilled to share the remarkable benefits of our expanding 24 Carrot Garden program, a hands-on gardening initiative that is transforming our students’ educational experience.

• Cultivating Healthy Eating Habits: Through the 24 Carrot Garden program, our students learn the importance of fresh, healthy foods by planting, tending, and harvesting their own vegetables and fruits. This hands-on approach encourages them to try new foods and make healthier eating choices, both at school and at home.
• Enhancing Academic Learning: Gardening provides a dynamic environment for applying classroom knowledge. From Science (understanding plant life cycles and ecosystems) to Math (measuring plant growth and calculating areas for planting) and even Art (designing garden layouts and creating nature-inspired projects), the garden is a living laboratory where lessons come to life.
• Fostering Environmental Stewardship: Students gain a deeper appreciation for the environment as they learn about sustainable gardening practices, composting and water conservation. These lessons instill a sense of responsibility for our planet, fostering environmentally conscious citizens for the future.
• Building Social and Emotional Skills: Working together in the garden enhances teamwork and cooperation among students. They develop patience, responsibility and a sense of accomplishment as they see their hard work grow and flourish. The garden also provides a space for mindfulness and relaxation, contributing to overall mental well-being.
• Strengthening Community Connections: The 24 Carrot Garden program connects our school with the broader community. Parents, local gardeners and community members are invited to participate, share their expertise and celebrate the harvests. These interactions build a stronger, more connected school community.

We are immensely proud of the 24 Carrot Garden program and the positive impact it has on our students at our school. It is more than just a garden; it is a vibrant, outdoor classroom where learning is deeply rooted in real-world experiences. We look forward to continuing to grow this program with the introduction to the Outdoor Classroom, dining area and expanded garden almost ready to start. The benefits the current program and the new build will bring to our school and community are endless.

Early Years Classes

A child’s early years are the most vital in their educational journey and are the cornerstone for learning for life. Kingston Primary School’s Early Years classes provide a stimulating, nurturing and vibrant environment for all children from birth to Year 2 across our classroom and Launching into Learning programs.

However we are only able to offer two Kindergarten classes in 2025 to ensure we deliver an effective program. There are only limited spaces available for our 2025 Kindergarten intake.

All prospective students and families are invited to join Mrs Anita Grey on Monday 17 June, who will be showing families through our Kinder and Early Years spaces.

Bookings are essential. To register, please visit: https://kingstonps.schoolzineplus.com/view-session/13 or contact the School Office via 6229 5728. This is an opportunity to not only tour the Early Years space, meet key staff members, speak to students about their experiences at Kingston Primary School but also to ask any burning questions you may still have as you make this important decision regarding your child’s education.

Please note that later in the year we will be running a Pre-Kinder program for students who have been accepted for enrolment.