KSS_W2T4_Newsletter

** Acknowledgement of Country **

** Principal Update **

Good morning parents and carers,

We have had a very busy start to the term, and it is great to see the classrooms settled, with students working towards their learning goals.  Attendance at school is important in helping students reach their academic learning goals, and also their social emotional goals.   

Every day counts is a state wide initiative that aims to assist in improving student attendance at school through a shared commitment by students, parents, caregivers, schools and the community.  Please read below for more information on this.

To do this, Every day counts promotes 4 key messages:

• all children should be enrolled at school and attend on every school day
• schools should monitor, communicate and implement strategies to improve regular school attendance
• truanting can place a student in unsafe situations and impact on their future employability and life choices
• attendance at school is the responsibility of everyone in the community.

Attendance at school is important for the WHOLE day.  I understand from time to time that appointments can not be made outside of school hours.  However, we are noticing that we are having students getting signed out early before the school day ends.  Whilst I understand the preference to leave before the car park gets too busy, it is impacting staff and students due to class teachers needing to be phoned to send students down to the office.  The administration team will be happy to work on strategies with parents in this regard to assist them in supporting students to attend school for the full day.

Please also keep an eye out for the Term 4 Parent Community Calendar that will be updated and uploaded to the newsletter panel to the left, as well as our school website.

As with previous editions of the newsletter, please feel free to provide feedback as to what you would like to see more of in the newsletter.  Our recent School Opinion Survey has showed that parents and carers appreciate the updates, but we would like to hear more from parents.  Please feel free to email principal@kingstonss.eq.edu.au with your thoughts, feedback and ideas.

Thank you,

Robyn Marshall

Principal

** Deputy Principal Update **

Reading and writing at home and school – Shared reading

Shared reading is a wonderful way for parents and children to connect while developing a love of books and language. When families read together, children hear fluent reading, build vocabulary, and develop comprehension skills—all while enjoying quality time with someone they love.

You don’t need to read for long periods to make a difference. Just 10–15 minutes a day can spark meaningful conversations and foster curiosity. Take turns reading pages, talk about the pictures, or asking questions. See the graphics below for ideas on when to pause and questions to ask.

Enrol Now for Prep 2026

If you have a child born between July 2020 - June 2021 they are ready to commence Prep in 2026. Please collect an enrolment pack from the office now to start the enrolment process. We look forward to meeting with you and your child to prepare for Prep in 2026.

Powering into Prep sessions

Our Powering into Prep orientation sessions for our prospective Prep students have commenced. It was wonderful to see students exploring the Prep classroom and beginning to connect with each other. These sessions will continue to run on Thursdays 9.00-9.40am till the 20 November.

After these sessions each week, there will be a morning tea in FamilyLinQ where you can connect and find out more about available services.

Student Celebration

Congratulations to all our students who received Student of the Week certificates this week. We enjoyed celebrating student achievement in reading and wellbeing.

Bravehearts’ Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Show

Thank you to the Bravehearts’ Team for the wonderful incursion this week.

Bravehearts’ Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure show teaches young children essential personal safety skills and

knowledge using age-appropriate language, song, and dance.

 Bravehearts’ Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Show is underpinned by the following principles of personal safety:

• Differentiating safe and unsafe feelings
• Recognising the body’s warning signs
• Body ownership and that it is ok to say no
• Helping children name public and private parts using anatomically correct names
• Reinforcing that there is no secret that children cannot tell someone
• What to do if children feel unsafe or unsure

Bravehearts’ Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Program is aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework and the Australian Curriculum.

** Head of Department - Curriculum Update **

** Year 2 Update **

What’s happening in Year 2 @ Kingston State School in Term 4

English

This term, students are exploring a range of imaginative and informative texts. They’re learning how stories are structured, how characters and settings are developed, and how language can be used to create meaning. Students are reading picture books and simple chapter books, building confidence as independent readers. In writing, they’re planning and creating their own imaginative stories using familiar characters and clear story structures.

Assessment: Students will read and respond to an imaginative text and create their own written story featuring a known character.

Mathematics

Students are strengthening their number skills by practising addition, subtraction and multiplication facts. They’re learning to use numbers flexibly by recognising patterns, making connections between operations, and applying different strategies to solve problems. Students also explore how maths helps us understand the world through hands-on, practical activities that involve reasoning, modelling and problem-solving in real-life situations.

Science

In our “Watch it Grow!” unit, students are investigating how living things grow and change. Through hands-on activities, they’ll observe plants and animals, exploring the life cycles, growth and reproduction that all living things share. This unit links closely with literacy as students describe and record their observations and findings.

** Social Worker Update **

** Community Update **

To celebrate World Teachers’ Day (31 October), ABC Kids listen radio is asking primary students to shout out their favourite teacher.

To get involved, students can submit an audio message about why they love their teacher.

Listen to the pop-up radio show hosted by Mr Luke between 8-9am on 27-31 October for a chance to hear your message.