Issue 11, 9 August 2024, Week 3 Term 3

Dear Families,

Celebrating Growth and Planning for the Future

Kingston Primary School recently underwent its External School Review, a vital process that occurs every four years. This comprehensive Review is designed not only to celebrate and acknowledge the growth we have achieved, but also to collaborate with the entire School Community in planning and mapping out the next four years of recommended work.

We are thrilled to report the incredible success that was celebrated during this Review. As a school we have made significant growth in many areas:

Commendations

• Kingston Primary School is held in high regard by the School Community as a place where students are known, safe, well and learning. Families feel welcomed and supported.
• Staff demonstrate high levels of trust, respect and appreciation for School Leaders and the support and expertise they provide.
• All staff articulate a strong moral purpose to provide quality education for all students.
• Kingston Primary School has a strong collegial and trusting culture where staff feel optimistic, valued and committed to improvement.
• The Leadership Team and staff are driving a strong improvement agenda which is known, understood and supported (they’re on track!)
• The Principal and School Leaders view timely access to reliable data as essential to guiding the improvement agenda of the school and allocate time to develop Teachers’ data literacy.
• The school wide analysis and use of data informs and drives decision making and professional dialogue that supports improvements in student outcomes.
• All staff demonstrate the importance of positive and caring relationships to student success and work to build mutually respectful relationships across the School Community.
• School Leaders ensure ongoing opportunities are created for Teachers to work together as a collaborative learning community using the Data Wise Improvement Process.
• The Kingston Primary School Instructional Playbook documents expectations for staff focused on the learning environment, planning, data use, PLCs, PLTs, class structures, interventions, and the approach to teaching Reading and Writing.
• The regular collection of student voice provides Teachers with feedback and an opportunity to reflect on their practice.
• The recent establishment of The Hub to support student regulation, staffed by the School Leadership Team, provides all students with a safe and supportive environment.
• The use of data to inform Intervention Support is providing targeted assistance to identified students as a part of a multitiered systems of support.
• Opportunities are provided to celebrate Teacher and student success.
• Both families and students value the wide range of extra-curricular activities and opportunities provided.
• Aspiring Leaders are identified, and opportunities are provided to build their capacity as leaders.

 Opportunities

Evaluate professional learning for impact.

• Develop a systematic approach to mentoring, coaching and feedback.
• Continue to seek student voice about how students learn best and what they need to be successful learners.

 Recommendations

• Ensure the consistent school wide implementation of continuous professional improvements in pedagogy is evidence based best practice and aligned with DECYP’s Pedagogical Framework. Systematic observations, mentoring and coaching arrangements will ensure agreed priorities are being implemented and monitored with fidelity.
• Develop a deep and consistent understanding of and commitment to differentiation (content, process, product and environment) with all staff to ensure that in a culture of high expectations every student is engaged, challenged, and makes progress in their learning. 

The External Review provided valuable insights and recommendations which will guide our strategic planning over the next review cycle. We look forward to continuing this journey of growth and improvement, building on our successes, and addressing new challenges with the same spirit of collaboration and excellence.

Thank you to everyone in our School Community for your ongoing support and commitment. Together we will continue to strive for brilliance and create a bright future for all our students at Kingston Primary School.

Please stay connected through our fortnightly newsletter, Social Media posts, Schoolzine and Seesaw, or drop in and have a chat with one of our fabulous team.

That’s all from me this week. Stay warm!