KSS_W5T2_Newsletter

Principal Update

It has been encouraging to see the resilience and maturity of our students and it is clear that they take pride and responsibility in their own learning. Across all year levels, children are actively engaging with their learning goals, seeking feedback, and demonstrating a sense of ownership that is both inspiring and encouraging. This commitment is creating classrooms full of motivated and informed learners that can talk clearly and accurately about their own learning and progress. 

A key part of this success has been our continued focus on self regulation strategies such as the Positive Change Highway—a concept helping students problem-solve, regulate their emotions, and shift their mindset to find solutions. It has been great to watch students independently using the language of “crossing the line of opportunity” and stepping into the optimal zone for learning. These tools are not only improving academic outcomes but also shaping respectful, resilient individuals. 

Last week, we also had the pleasure of celebrating Under 8’s Day! The energy, creativity, and excitement were contagious as our youngest learners immersed themselves in a wide range of fun, hands-on activities. It was a wonderful showcase of learning through play and discovery. 

A huge thank you must go to our dedicated staff who planned and delivered such an engaging and memorable day. Your hard work, collaboration, and passion are deeply appreciated, and the smiles on students’ faces said it all! 

This week is my last week at Kingston State School as Mrs Marshall is returning from long services leave.  Thank you to all the students, staff and families or making me feel so welcome during might short stay.  

**Deputy Principal**

Reading at home and school using shared reading practices 

At Kingston State School, we use shared reading to teach language comprehension that includes planned and explicit exploration of rich, varied texts. Teachers use prompts to systematically build student’s language skills in specific areas. Purposeful questions are planned to facilitate discussion and encourage students to deepen and clarify their understanding of complex texts.

In my last newsletter article, I shared information about shared reading and what it can look at home. Now that we know what it looks like, what books should be used for shared reading? 

In the early years of reading instruction, children engage with different books for different purposes. They need to read decodable texts to develop their word reading skills and they need to read and hear authentic texts to develop strong oral language skills. Authentic texts include picture books, storybooks, information texts and any reading material the child enjoys. 

When children are first learning to read, the books they will read independently are designed to improve their ability to decode (decodable texts). For most children, the language used in these books will be far simpler than the language they already understand and use. 

Virtually all children’s books are appropriate for shared reading, but the best books will have rich, detailed pictures, and are interesting to the child. Remember, the purpose of shared reading is to stimulate rich talk between the adult and child, not for the child to be able to read the text themselves. 

Under 8s Day 

Thank you for joining us to celebrate Under 8s Day! We had a wonderful time participating in fun activities together.  

Year 1 and 3 Incursion 

On Monday 26th May 2025 we will be having a wildlife presentation incursion as part of our English unit.  In Term 2 students will be learning about informative texts and using facts to write a description on animals including their appearance, diet and habitat. The incursion aims to give students valuable information about various animals while providing a hands-on experience to support them in completing their assessment. 

Year 1 students will also have a visit from the Queensland Fire Department on Tuesday 27 May to discuss fire safety. 

Prep Excursion 

On Friday the 30th of May 2025, the Prep classes will be visiting Paradise Country as part of our English program. The aims of the excursion are to provide children with a real-life experience that they will be able to recount. Our students and staff are excited to attend, and we look forward to reading their recounts. Please make sure your child arrives at their classroom by 8am.  

**School Photos**

**Prep Enrolment 2026**

**High School Transitions**