Kotara South Public School Newsletter

Harmony Week and Bullying. No Way! Day culminated in everyone being encouraged to wear orange on Friday to signify that ‘everyone belongs’ through inclusiveness, mutual respect and regard for one another’s cultural diversity. Thank you to Phoebe and Leila for organising this week for us.

Regina Fear – Learning & Support Coordinator

This fortnight - in Stage 3, we have been working on a variety of activities involving Literacy and Numeracy. In Mathematics we are focusing on length, addition and subtraction and how to divide larger numbers. In English we are collectively working on our novel ‘Storm Boy’, which encompasses Aboriginal Perspectives focusing on character and relationships. We have all had the opportunity to have some hands- on fun with technology, using the iPads and robots. All classes are engaged and building on our inferencing and monitoring skills when reading and this is happening daily in our reading groups. Art is also a focus this term and we are also integrating our Storm Boy unit into these amazing experiences. 

Stage 3 students

As Education and Environment Ministers we planned a project called Green Day. Today, everybody was encouraged to wear green clothing to support this initiative. This day is a fundraiser for the purchase of seeds that can be planted around our school. On the next Green Day, 16th June, students will bring in egg cartons to place soil and seeds in. Students will care for the growing shrubs and flowers and take them home for continuous growing. Other seeds will be used to make a small garden at the front of the school, close to where the four house plants are (Acacia, Banksia, Geebung and Hakea). All students are welcome to join in.

Get your green on!

If you have any questions come and ask our Ministers, Chelsea and Genevieve.

Environment and Education Ministers

Students working in small group intervention lessons with myself have been working super hard this term! Our focus over the last two weeks has been reading comprehension and deeply understanding texts read. Students have identified rich vocabulary in texts, figurative language such as similes and personification, categorising words into common letter patterns and continuing to work on fluency and expression when reading aloud.

Congratulations to the Years 3 – 6 students participating in small group literacy intervention this term!

Kara Brailey – Years 3-6 Literacy & Numeracy Intervention Teacher

 

This term I have been working closely with all K-2 classes in my role as Instructional Leader.  During this time I work closely with the K-2 teachers to develop and implement quality teaching and learning in English. 

In 1/2M we are using the text Rose Meets Mr Wintergarten by Bob Graham to model quality literature.  Through this text, we are working with students to model the structure of narrative writing.  Students are analysing the characters and setting of the text and using this to develop their own imaginative writing.  1/2M has created their own characters, setting, problem and solution to write a story based based on the structure of Bob Grahams text.  They have come up with some amazing work!

Catherine Ward – Instructional Leader/K-2 Assistant Principal 

Encouraging Independence

As children get older they can manage more and more tasks and decisions on their own. Some kids are confident trying new things, while others need a bit more encouragement. Finding the right level of support can also be tricky – you’re trying to hit a sweet spot where kids are challenged and can learn through trial and error, but also feel secure and know that they have adult backing. It can be an adjustment for parents too, but one that pays off as kids' self-confidence, maturity and resilience grows.​

Increasing autonomy through new experiences

Taking risks and being impulsive can be part of a younger child’s quest for new experiences, and kids are notorious for testing boundaries. You can help by providing structure and gradually introducing different challenges, giving them space to experiment and figure things out by themselves within the safety of your family.

Taking them to a different playground with bigger play equipment, getting them to help when you’re preparing meals and encouraging them to play on their own for short time periods are all ways you can support this growing independence.

It’s important to remember that the part of our brain that processes consequences develops much later than the parts responsible for actions – in short, kids often do things without thinking through what will happen as a result. Make sure you balance their growing need for independence with enough supervision to ensure they’re always safe from harm – to themselves and other kids.

Establish clear limits

It’s important to be clear about what behaviour is OK and not OK in your family. Sit down together and talk about the rules of the house, and set the consequences for breaking those rules. It can help to display the rules somewhere visible – on a poster, behaviour chart or the fridge.

For younger children, keeping it simple works well – for example no hitting, no breaking things, inside voice/outside voice etc. Consequences can also be pretty straightforward, such as time out, or removal of a toy for a time period.

As kids get older you can keep updating the family rules together. Remember that rules don’t always have to be negative. Think of them as guidelines for how everyone in the family treats each other, and expects to be treated in return.

·         Find out more about setting boundaries

Pay attention to their needs

Paying attention to your child’s emotional needs helps them feel secure and gives them the confidence to be more independent.

Here are some ideas:

·         Pick some fun activities that they enjoy and that give you a chance to spend some one-on-one time together. Things like baking, going for a day trip, or making a book of family photos are all good options.

·         Develop a habit of doing something special with each child once a month away from the rest of the family.

·         Try and eat dinner together as often as you can. This can be challenging, as younger kids often need to eat earlier and might not want the same food as the rest of the family. Dishes like tacos or mini pizzas can work well as a family meal as everyone gets to choose their own ingredients.

·         Encourage friendships, especially ones they’ve made themselves.

Know when to back off

It’s important to balance adequate supervision with giving kids the space to figure things out on their own. Give them a chance to make mistakes and try to avoid taking over. If you’re unsure if you’re stepping into a situation too often or too early, ask yourself “Do I really need to get involved?” and, “What would be the worst thing that can happen if I don’t step in?”

Source: https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/age-6-12/raising-resilient-children/encouraging-independence

Belinda Robinson – School Counsellor/Registered Psychologist

Week 7 & 8

K O'R   Lucy Cummings Hudson Deane Mia Herkentrup-Albring Arden McCurley Peter McKee Ollie Vierne	1/2 A  Amber Brock Sophia Layzell Aliyah Palmer-Lange Braden Clarke Coby Sheldon Sia Cristaudo	3/4 B  Sienna Hain Harry Willis Lexi Sullivan  Holly Brock Kaylee Taylor Lennox McDermott	5/6 J  Sophie Oliver Christyana McLean Reed Hoskins Seanna Keats Dylan Googe Nicholas Harland
K P Xavier Spencer Piper Abel Jordyn Cutbush Darcy Cook Jasper Roberts Gretta Horscroft-Smith	1/2 E  Danielle Creamer Aiden Bland Alex Bruton Cooper Mason Natalie Henderson James Edwards	3/4 C  Lachlan Egan Cameron Menzies Eleanor West-Sooby Abigail Cousins Lucy Kearn Madeline Watson	5/6 P  Cameron Belcher Orla Crowe William Outram Gabriel Rigby Evelyn Hutchison Genevieve Postol
K/1G  Xan Dwyer Tabitha Willmott Connor Regan Aiden Everson Brock Van Der Zanden Braxton Peters	1/2 M   Willow Langi India Luppi Alastair Falconer Elle Crispin Chokden Thinley Silas Dorman	3/4 M  Colby Wilson Julietter Creamer Jasmine Breen Madie Tasker Sophia Horscroft-Smith Tommy McClymont	5/6 S  Liam Buchanan Emilyne Creamer Eli Lewis Jack Thomas Yulanda Thompson Elsie Wood
HSU   Yusra Omari	1/2 Mc  Emily Roberts Cian Crowe Emily Furner Jackson Horscroft-Smith Isabel Moran Bobby McKee	3/4 W  Bowie Harrison Amber Sharpe Mia McIvor Cooper Betts Spencer Toole Bronte Rippon

Keep track of school events by signing up for notifications on the Skoolbag app. ‘What’s On’ reminders are posted each Sunday evening. Or, please check the Events page of the KSPS Website for upcoming dates and details.

EASTER RAFFLE!

Raffle tickets are still on sale until the draw next Thursday morning, 1 April. The draw will take place at the Easter Hat Parade, and last minute tickets will be available for purchase via cash or card at the parade or online until 10.30am. When you buy tickets you can give your child’s name and class for them to bring home any prizes won (if you trust that the chocolate will make it home!) or opt to pick it up from the school office. Any prizes not picked up or taken home with students by 3.30pm on the day will be held at school until Term 2.

We have some amazing prizes on offer – first prize includes a family pass to see “Pete the Sheep” in November, kindly donated by the Civic Theatre. We also have gift vouchers donated from Kotara Coles and Kmart, chocolate eggs from Bibina, and special chocolate Bilbys from the Wildlife Conservation Co. Tickets are $1 each, and may be purchased here: https://www.rafflelink.com.au/kspseaster2021.

Share the link with your local family and friends, and remember that all proceeds come back to the school to fund a new nature play and sensory garden space for all students.

Donations needed

Donations of chocolate eggs, bunnies, or other packaged Easter treats are still very welcome. Please bring your donations to the school office by Monday 29 March (next week). Thank you for your support!

School Banking – Important Announcement

At our March P&C Meeting, we again discussed the lack of volunteers to run the School Banking program. We have been unsuccessful in running this program for some time now, and have made a decision to cancel our participation in the banking program, rather than remaining “on hold” indefinitely. We know that this may disappoint some families, but the program simply cannot run without the regular ongoing support of multiple volunteers. Our survey of the school community last year suggested that there was mixed support for the program in the school. We are also aware that the Commonwealth School Banking program has recently been banned in Victoria and the ACT, and it is possible that the same will occur in NSW in the future. The closure of the school banking program does not impact your child’s Commonwealth bank account in any way – the account will remain open and you can deposit or withdraw money at any branch of the Commonwealth Bank. Account details can be found inside your child’s deposit book or bank statements. If you wish to close the account, please visit your nearest Commonwealth Bank branch. Please direct any other questions about bank accounts to the Commonwealth Bank. Thank you for your understanding.

Canteen

Mrs Best needs one additional helper this Friday 26 March (canteen operating as normal as the Athletics Carnival has been postponed), and two helpers next Thursday 1 April (last day of school). If you can help, please add your name to the online roster: Online Canteen Roster or contact Mrs Best directly (or via a message left at the school office). Each shift is from school drop off (around 8.30-8.50am) until approximately midday. Fiona will send you home with a delicious lunch as a thank you for your assistance. Please note that no children are allowed in the canteen while you are helping. Thank you so much for supporting the BEST canteen!

Uniform Shop

The last day for orders to be filled this term is next Tuesday 30 March. Please order and pay using our online store: https://kotara-south-public-school-pc-association.square.site/. Orders received before 8.30am on Tuesday will go home with your child that day. It is important to include your child’s name and class in the “Notes to Seller” part of the online checkout so we can send the orders to your child’s class to take home with them.

In-person visits to the uniform shop are available by appointment only. Please email the P&C or the uniform shop (kspsuniforms@gmail.com) if you need to make an appointment.

Thank you for supporting KSPS P&C!

Email: kspspandc@gmail.com

Facebook: Kotara South Public School P&C

Next meeting: Wednesday 12 May, 7pm in the school library