KSS_Newsletter_W4T1_2025
** Principal Update **
Our classrooms are buzzing with learning! Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the learning environment and ensuring that students receive a quality education. One of the most effective strategies they employ is setting up consistent instructional routines. Quality instructional routines help students with stability and predictability, encourage responsibility and independence allowing classroom management to be enhanced. Attendance at school each day supports our students with how they can learn through instructional routines.
From Monday 24th February, Gate 14 will remain closed before and after school. Gate 14 is the pedestrian gate between the C & K Kingston Community Kindergarten on Laughlin Street. Students and families needing to access or leave the school can do so through Gate 8, also on Laughlin Street.
Sometimes, parents and carers need to visit the school during learning times. When visiting our school during these times, entry to the school is via the Student Administration, accessible via Juers Street. Parents and Carers can speak with our Administration staff about their reason for being there and they will be able to help you with your query. If parents/ carers are wanting to sign their child out early, we are asking that parents and carers wait in the Student Administration office and staff will call for your child to come down to Student Administration. This will mean that we do not have parents and walking around the school looking for the correct class in the event that they are in a specialist class or accessing learning in another area that is not their normal class room.
Please also note that if you would like to contact the school, the best email would be admin@kingstonss.eq.edu.au for all general queries, or principal@kingstonss.eq.edu.au if you would like to make an appointment with myself. The Messenger function on our school’s FaceBook page is not a form of communication that is used.
** Head of Department - Curriculum Update **
This year our Year 3 and 5 students will participate in the annual National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) from March 12 – 24. These tests are held annually for all Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 and assess students’ literacy and numeracy skills across four tests, Reading, Writing, Language Conventions and Numeracy.
NAPLAN is for all Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students and ACARA supports inclusive testing, so all students have the opportunity to participate in the National Assessment Program. Mrs Nolan will be soon contacting the families of our students with disability to discuss participation and reasonable adjustments.
Attached to this week’s newsletter is some additional information regarding NAPLAN, including ACARA’s Privacy Statement. If you have any questions about the assessment program, please contact Mrs Tabitha Jos on 3827 6222 or tjos1@eq.edu.au.
** Sport Department Update **
** Departmental Update **
International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated on 8 March annually, celebrates the progress made and recognises the work yet to come to achieve gender equality. This year’s theme is a call to action to March Forward for a gender equal future. It also commemorates 30 years since 189 countries adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action for gender equality and 50 years since IWD was first recognised in Australia.
To find out more about IWD, visit https://education.qld.gov.au/about-us/events-awards/events/international-womens-day
IWD falls during Queensland Women’s Week, 2-9 March. Visit www.qld.gov.au/community/women/events/queensland-womens-week for more information.
Do you know a student, teacher, school, support officer or education partner standing out in STEM education? Nominations for the 2025 Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education are open. Nominees have the chance to win $5000 to boost their STEM education with world-class learning opportunities. Applications are open until Monday 31 March 2025. Find out more and nominate on the Peter Doherty Awards website.
Parenting often can be confusing when you’re faced with differing opinions and advice. Join author of So You Want to Know What’s Good For Your Kids, Dr Norman Swan, as he offers insight into research-based evidence on preparing children for adolescence. Listen to the latest Department of Education podcast here, on Spotify or on your favourite podcast app.
