Issue 19, 9 December 2022, Week 8 Term 4

Dear Families,

With only two weeks to go for the 2022 school year, we have lots of very important end-of-year celebrations that we invite and encourage our school community to be a part of. Please ensure you keep updated via the school’s social media channels, the school newsletter and Seesaw/Class Dojo so you do not miss out on any of these important events.

2022 Staff Farewells

As we move towards 2023, there will be several significant staff changes at Kingston Primary School. I am saddened to announce that we will be losing Mrs Barbara Schreiber, Mr Simon Clifford and Mr Josh Durno from our team at the end of this year.

Barbara Schreiber has decided to retire and will be finishing up at the end of this year. I first met Barbara at Mount Faulkner Primary School when beginning my first role as a classroom teacher. I remember Barbara well, as she was incredibly supportive of me when I was struggling to find my feet with some of the challenges we face as fresh-faced teachers. Barbara has been a key member of our Early Primary team, and the Kingston community as a whole. On behalf of the school, I would like to thank Barbara for her outstanding service and dedication, not only to our school, but for her entire career with the Department. It goes without saying we will miss her commitment to our students.

Mr Clifford has accepted a role at Bellerive Primary School. This will allow Mr Clifford to be closer to his young family. Mr Durno has won a leadership role at Dominic College which is acknowledgement of his outstanding skills. He will also pursue one of his passions as a Japanese Teacher.

Simon Cifford and Josh Durno have been at Kingston Primary School for a combined total of 10 years. They have a great wealth of knowledge and connection with the wider school community. Whilst their respective departures is a loss for our school community, their experience, dedication and care will certainly be a gain for their new roles. I am sure you will join me in wishing them all the very best for their future endeavours.

Alongside our staff leaving, Ms Kris Steele, Mrs Shona Hunt and Mr Russell Dowsett will be taking a period of Long Service Leave. Whilst we will miss our much loved staff for this time we wish them all the very best and can’t wait to hear about their adventures.

2023 Staff Structures

Kinder/Launching into Learning - Mrs Anita Grey
Kinder/Launching into Learning - Mrs Jess Suffolk
Prep - Ms Kirby Barker
Prep - Ms Amelia Doyle
Year 1 - 2 – Mrs Ella Holmstrom
Year 1 - 2 – Mrs Deb Briffa
Year 2 – Mrs Lesley Wood
Year 3 - 4 - Mrs Joanna Rickus
Year 3 - 4 - Ms Kellie New
Year 3 - 4 - Mr Matt Stafford
Year 4 - 5 - Ms Yilin Cai
Year 5 - 6 - Mrs Micaela Munday
Year 5 - 6 - Mrs Eva Leppard/Mrs Christine Rumley
Year 5 - 6 - Mr Jon Parrott

Performing Arts, Kinder – Year 6 - Mr Stephen Jones
Visual Arts, Prep – Year 6 - Mr Brett Best
Health and Physical Education - Mrs Michelle Cockerell
Design and Technologies - Mr Brynn Williams
Japanese, Year 3 - 6 - Mrs Robyn Spinner
Bush Adventures, Kinder – Prep - Mrs Jade Primrose
Support, Kinder - Year 6 - Mrs Sam Dobson
Early Year Leader – Teaching and Learning, Mrs Leanne Hebden
Middle-Upper Primary Leader – Teaching and Learning, Mrs Christine Rumley
Kindergarten - Year 6 Wellbeing Leader, Mr Chris Anagnostis

End of year reports will be sent home for all Prep to Year 6 students today. Our Kindergarten students will receive their reports on Wednesday l4 December. Face to face Parent-Teacher Discussions allocated for conversations about this report with our wonderful teaching team will take place next week. Information on how to book a Parent Teacher Discussion has already been sent home. Please contact classroom teachers or our friendly office staff should you need assistance in booking.

Along with reports, families will also receive their 2023 Class Placements. This will notify parents of their child’s 2023 classroom teacher. On Monday December 19, your child will have the opportunity to meet their 2023 classroom teacher and their classmates. They will also visit the classroom where they will be located. This will occur during the school day. Meeting their teacher and peers is a valuable opportunity for students to understand what is expected of them in 2023, whilst also becoming acquainted with their surroundings, enabling the students to return in the new school year with confidence.

School Association 

Our fabulous P&F Fundraising Team have raised approximately $25,000 in the past 10 months due to their hard work and dedication. This is an outstanding achievement, and we cannot thank our team, sponsors and community enough for their incredible generosity. We are especially grateful to our individual and business sponsors who have enabled us to reach this result with their significant cash sponsorship and product donations.  

Our School Association meets twice per term, with an in-school afternoon session in Week 3, and an evening session in Week 8 of each term. All family members are welcome to attend and participate in discussions, and we will hold our AGM in Term 1 of 2023 where we would love for new members to join our exciting and positive committee. 

Last Tuesday evening, our School Association attendees discussed the responses from the Parent Survey we recently held, reviewed student data, considered teacher feedback, through rich and meaningful conversations. We recognised and celebrated the successes achieved so far, as well as highlighted the improvements required to ensure our school is one of the best in the State. As a result the Association have committed to the following:  

• Continue to fund the Breakfast Club Program
• Contribute to the 2023 Leavers Jumpers 
• Continue to support the cost of the Swimming Program for students in Kindergarten to Year Six 
• Fund the online program, Reading Eggs, which will reinforce the explicit teaching and learning occurring in the classroom. This can be used at both home and school and is an amazing resource. 
• Provide assistance with the upgrade of the Primary playground, including shelter, seating and equipment. A consultation process will be underway with staff, students, and the entire community early in 2023. 
  
  

On behalf of the KPS staff and students, I would like to thank our School Association for attending meetings across the year, giving up your time to discuss policies and assist with the positive changes and direction of our School Community. I would also like to extend our thanks to the entire P&F Fundraising Team for providing our incredibly successful fundraisers this year. Your ongoing support of our school and all that we do is valued. We really appreciate your time, dedication, and commitment to our school. We truly could not do it without you. 

Wishing everyone a happy and enjoyable weekend.

Ange Crane
Principal