Issue 7, 23 May 2025, Week 4 Term 2
- Principal's Message
- Upcoming Events and Dates to Remember
- Futsal Tops
- Tasmania Futsal Tournament
- Class in Focus - Physical Education
- Australia: One Land, Many Stories - TSO Family Concert
- Swimming and Water Safety Program for Grades 3, 4 and 5
- Public Bus Network Feedback
- Huon and Channel Cross Country Carnival
- Jack Jumpers Clinic
Dear Families,
As we reach the end of Week 4, it's been a really engaging start to a busy term! As I walk through the school, it is delightful to see our students immersed in their work.
Firstly, I am absolutely delighted to share some fantastic news regarding our school's play spaces. We have been successful in receiving a generous $100,000 Grant from the Department for Education, Children and Young People for the expansion and improvement of our Middle and Upper Primary playground located near the school oval. This significant investment in our school infrastructure will allow us to create even more dynamic and engaging play opportunities for our older students.
As a result of this exciting grant, we are also exploring the possibility of redefining the oval spaces to carve out a dedicated soccer oval. This initiative has been heavily supported by ongoing student voice, with Ms New's class recently recording a powerful persuasive video and a signed petition to present to the School Association. It's wonderful to see our students advocating for their passions and we are keen to see how this vision can come to life.
From the classroom, I'm particularly proud to highlight our comprehensive approach to word recognition with the implementation of UFLI (Understanding Foundational Literacy Instruction) and Word Origins – which is now well established at Kingston Primary School. While it was an expectation from the Department for Education, Children and Young People to implement this from 2025 to 2026, the eagerness of our Teaching Teams and Leadership allowed us to begin exploring critical improvements in this space from the end of 2023. As a result we have been able to implement each approach, spending valuable time examining each other's practice to tweak and adjust teaching methods – ensuring every student thrives. We are incredibly proud of these results and the growth we have made in student Literacy. A huge thanks to our dedicated staff for being so willing to be early adopters and embrace this learning opportunity, ensuring our students are receiving the best possible education.
A special highlight recently was our Kindergarten students' very first Bush Adventures session. It was heartwarming to watch their faces light up as they explored the natural world around them, fostering a sense of wonder and connection to our beautiful environment. These sessions are proving to be an invaluable part of their Early Learning journey, building curiosity, resilience and a love for the outdoors.
We are also thrilled to announce the continued success of the hot lunches which began for Term 2 this fortnight! The aroma wafting from the Canteen has been delightful and the positive feedback from students and staff has been overwhelming. A huge and heartfelt thank you goes to Wendy and her incredible team for their tireless efforts, dedication and delicious meals. Their hard work ensures our students are well-nourished and ready to learn.
Our popular Kitchen and Garden Sessions are continuing to flourish throughout Term 2. Students are learning invaluable skills, from planting and nurturing to harvesting. The produce from these sessions is not only teaching them about sustainable practices but is also being directly utilised to support various programs within the school, creating a wonderful cycle of learning and contribution.
On the topic of our green spaces, we are all incredibly excited to commence the build for the 24 Carrot Garden expansion! This project will provide even more opportunities for hands-on learning, environmental stewardship and community engagement, and we can't wait to see it take shape. The end result will include an outdoor kitchen and classroom and additional garden beds and infrastructure, which will allow us to continue to support our school and wider community.
Finally a reminder that our Year 3-5 students will be participating in their Swimming and Water Safety Program over the next fortnight, starting Monday 26 May at Collegiate Pool. This fortnight is always a highlight, but it is a vital part of our Physical Education curriculum and builds capacity in swimming and water safety for our students. Students will be transported to the school by bus and will need to bring a towel, goggles and a swimming cap. Crocs or thongs are also strongly recommended.
That’s all for me this week. Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
| Date | Event |
| 5 June | Kingston High School Open Evening, 4.30pm-5.30pm or 6.00pm - 7.00pm at the Kingston High Auditorium |
| 6 June | Student Free Day |
| 9 June | King's Birthday Public Holiday |
| 10 June | 2 Wood/Paine excursion to Marine Discovery Centre, Woodbridge |
| 12 June | Year 6 Waratah Band rehearsal, Kingston High School, 3.30-4.30pm |
| 12 June | Prep Doyle and Prep Barker excursion to Marine Discovery Centre, Woodbridge |
| 18 June | Year 3-4 excursion to Channel Museum and Dru Point |
| 18 June | Prep and Year 5/6 Open Classrooms (Prep 2.00-2.30pm, Year 5/6, 2.00 - 2.50pm) |
| 19 June | School Association Meeting, School Library, 6.00pm |
| 24 June | Interschool Chess Tournament |
| 26 June | Year 1/2 Open Classrooms, 2.00pm-2.50pm |
| 26 June | Year 6 Waratah Band rehearsal, Kingston High School, 3.30-4.30pm |
| 30 June-4 Jul | Prep-Year 2 Water Orientation |
| 4 July | Term 2 ends |
| 21 July | Term 3 starts |
| 24 July | Year 6 Waratah Band rehearsal, Kingston High School, 3.30-4.30pm |
| 6 August | Year 6 Waratah Band Tour |
| 13-14 August | Year 5 Waratah Band Workshop, C3 Convention Centre |
| 20 August | Year 5 Waratah Band rehearsal, Kingston High School, 3.30-4.30pm |
| 3 September | Year 5 Waratah Band rehearsal, Kingston High School, 3.30-4.30pm |
| 4 September | Year 6 Waratah Band rehearsal, Kingston High School, 3.30-4.30pm |
| 10-11 September | Matilda Jr - The Musical performances at Hobart College |
| 17 September | Year 6 Waratah Band Workshop, C3 Convention Centre |
| 26 September | Term 4 ends |
| 13 October | Term 4 starts |
| 15 October | Year 5 Waratah Band rehearsal, Kingston High School, 3.30-4.30pm |
| 16 October | Year 6 Waratah Band rehearsal, Kingston High School, 3.30-4.30pm |
| 29 October | Year 5 Waratah Band rehearsal, Kingston High School, 3.30-4.30pm |
| 30 October | Year 6 Waratah Band rehearsal, Kingston High School, 3.30-4.30pm |
| 12 November | Year 5 Waratah Band rehearsal, Kingston High School, 3.30-4.30pm |
| 13 November | Year 6 Waratah Band rehearsal, Kingston High School, 3.30-4.30pm |
| 21 November | Year 5 and 6 Waratah Band Annual Concert, MyState Bank Arena |
| 26 November | Orientation Day Kingston High School |
| 18 December | Term 4 ends |
Thank you to all students who have returned their Futsal tops. If your child has borrowed a Futsal top and not yet returned it, could it please be delivered to the School Office as soon as possible.
With thanks,
Michelle Cockerell
PE Specialist
During Physical Education this year we have spent time preparing for both the Athletics and Cross Country Carnivals. During these lessons we have discussed topics such as the importance of being active daily, how our bodies react to being physically active and what activities we can do at school and at home to stay active.
Our Year 3-6 students have completed a unit of work on netball where we focused on creating and performing fundamental movement skills to create more complex sequences of movement in practice and game settings. We also set goals to improve our performance. We have just started soccer and our focus will be fair play, playing by the rules and working cooperatively with our team.
Our Prep to Year 2 students have spent time developing their ball skills. We have focused on both hand and eye coordination and foot and eye coordination using a variety of different balls. We have also just began some rope and hoop play activities.
Each week all Prep and Year 1/2 classes participate in a 50 minute Gross Motor Program called 'Challenge'. During Challenge students have been participating in activities that focus on developing physical skills that will enable them to participate successfully in a variety of games and physical activities at school, at home and in the community.
PSST STATE ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
Congratulations to our 6 students who participated in the PSST State Athletics at Launceston on Friday 9 May as part of the Huon and Channel Athletics team. Our students achieved some amazing results:
- William Hallock 2nd 800m and 400m
- Joel Kuun 1st 200mm, Long Jump and 5th in the preliminary round of the 100m
- Harper Jones 3rd Long Jump
- Lilah Blackman 12th in the preliminary round of the 100m and 2nd 4x100m
- Olivia Studley 5th Shot Putt
- Amy Gomer 1st Shot Putt
TSO Family Concert coming soon to the Federation Concert Hall. Bring the whole family along to Australia: One Land, Many Stories!
A musical storytelling concert featuring The Kookaburra Who Laughed at the Moon with narrator Gina Rose and other Australian inspired music. All backed by the full Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra! Adults $35 | kids under 17 $15
Thursday June 19, 6pm
Buy tickets and find out more: https://www.tso.com.au/concerts/australia-one-land-many-stories/
The dates for our Swimming and Water Safety Program for Grades 3, 4, 5 (and selected Grade 6 students) are Monday 26 May to Thursday 5 June 2025 at Collegiate Pool.
Your child will need to bring the following items every day of their program:
- Bathers and swimming cap;
- A towel and plastic bag to put wet clothes in;
- Any medication (e.g., asthma medication) that may be needed at the poolside.
(Please contact the school if you have any difficulties in providing this equipment or wish to ask questions about what is appropriate).
Please note:
Goggles: Students may use goggles in the pool however there will be some water safety activities where students will be asked to remove their goggles.
Swimming Caps: For health and safety reasons, it is Department for Education, Children and Young People policy that all students are required to wear swimming caps. Swimming caps are available for purchase from the School Office for $2.00 each, or students can bring their own.
Jewellery: For safety reasons, ear studs and dangly earrings are not to be worn in the pool. Sleepers are allowed.
Please be aware of Collegiate Pool's updated Safety and Access Procedures. Collegiate Pool is committed to the safety and safeguarding of all children and as part of this all visitors and spectators will now undergo a dedicated verification process upon entry. Parents wishing to spectate their child's swimming session will only be granted access on the first Friday of the SWSP program, where a staff member from our school will be present to assist with verification. On all other days during the program, visitor access to the pool will not be granted. If you need to make an alternative arrangement to visit the pool, please contact Ange Crane via email, angela.crane@decyp.tas.gov.au. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in maintaining a safe environment for our students.
The schedule each day will be as follows:
3-4 Briffa and 5 Munday
9.15am Depart Kingston Primary
9.45am – 10.30am Swim Lesson at Collegiate Pool
10.45am Depart Collegiate Pool
11.05am Arrive back at school
3-4 New, 5 Stafford and 5 Leppard
10.15am Depart Kingston Primary
10.45am – 11.30am Swim Lesson at Collegiate Pool
11.45am Depart Collegiate Pool
12.05pm Arrive back at school
3-4 Fone and 5 Cai
11.15am Depart Kingston Primary
11.45am – 12.30pm Swim Lesson at Collegiate Pool
12.45pm Depart Collegiate Pool
1.05pm Arrive back at school
If you have any further questions regarding the program, please feel free to contact the School Office.
Get on board – tell us about our buses
The Tasmanian Government wants your feedback on the current public bus network in Greater Hobart including outlying areas such as New Norfolk, Sorell and Southern Beaches, Richmond, Campania and the Huon Valley. We want you to tell us how easy or hard it is to use the network and why, and what you need to be able to use it more often (or at all).
Click here to tell us what you like and don’t like, and what you would like to see in the future.
It doesn’t matter if you currently use the bus or not, we would like to hear from you!
Consultation will remain open until 20 June 2025.
On Wednesday 21 May, 38 Year 3-6 Kingston Primary students travelled to Huonville to take part in the Huon and Channel Cross Country Carnival. We arrived in Huonville to a very chilly and foggy day, but by the time students had finished walking the Cross Country course the fog had begun to lift and we were graced with beautiful sunshine and blue skies in time for the races to begin. All students represented the school well and we saw some fantastic results. It was especially exciting to be wearing race bibs which gave us our finish place and race times instantly via live results.
Top 10 Finishers
Grade 3
Matilda C, 6th, 10.24, 2km
Grade 4
Jaxon D, 7th, 8.57, 2km
Hinami A, 5th, 9.58, 2km
Grade 6
William H, 1st, 11.14, 3km
Arthur W, 8th, 12.29, 3km
Isabelle D, 4th, 14.15, 3km
Partipants are welcome to join from Week 2 onwards!
