Message from the Principal

Good leaders learn from those around them, and at our Leadership Induction Assemblies I have spoken about the example of Nelson Mandela whose passing at the age of 95 (almost the combined age of our whole Prep class!), in December last year, brought the world to a time of reflection.

Mandela’s life has lessons for us all: not because he was perfect; not because he solved all his country’s problems, but rather because he aspired to a better, more equal and just world, and devoted his life to these goals.

Most significant for me, is that having been imprisoned for 27 years – more than half my life – he was able to forgive those who had imprisoned him; to reach out and work productively with those who had overseen the subjugation of coloured people in South Africa. Sometimes we forget that his Nobel Prize in 1993 was actually jointly awarded to Mandela and F W De Klerk, who upon becoming leader of South Africa set about moving forward and freeing prisoners like Mandela.

I would like to think that in the same circumstances I would have the compassion to forgive those who had imprisoned me for such a large part of my life; but I fear I would not be able to do so. Mandela has inspired many across the globe to make the world a better place, and I hope that our College leaders will think about what they can learn from Mandela’s example of pursuing justice, reaching out to others, and not accepting situations that demean individuals and groups.

Elisabeth Lenders

Principal

Parents and Friends Association

The PFA has been busy over the past few weeks welcoming new parents, catching up with old ones, completing back to school activities and organising upcoming events.  

Our first PFA meeting for 2014 is on Tuesday 25 February 2014 at 7.30 pm in the Cato Centre.  Judy Taylor will give us all a lesson in using the iPad. This will be essential for most Year 7 parents, but if you have an iPad at home and it still holds some mysteries for you, feel free to come along and participate.  When you come, you might like to bring your, or your son or daughter’s, iPad so you can have a play whilst Judy presents.

A major activity for the PFA at the beginning of the school year is to engage parents as Class Representatives.  Class Reps are the point of communication between the PFA and the parents of a particular class.  They send out emails regarding events and requests for volunteers and organise social functions for the parents so they can get to know each other a bit better.  Thank you to those wonderful parents who have already volunteered to be a Class Representative. Class lists will be sent out via your Class Rep as soon as they are available. If you are not sure who your Class Rep is or if you are interested in becoming a Class Rep, please contact Tracey.

The PFA International Women’s Day Dinner to be held on 6 March is fast approaching. Tickets are selling fast and numbers are limited. Please book now. 

You will have seen elsewhere in this newsletter that Open Day is Saturday 1 March from 10.00am until 2.00pm.  The PFA typically provides volunteers for a number of different tasks to ensure that Open Day runs smoothly.  This includes parents to man the PFA stand and speak to visitors about the College, as well as parents to run the BBQ, help with car parking and count cars and people as they come in the gate. Thank you to all our volunteers so far. There are a couple of spots left if you would still like to help for an hour or more on the day, please email Tracey Seignior.

This week we welcome Letticia (Tish) Delmenico as our newest member of the PFA Executive.  Tish has agreed to take on the role of Fundraising Coordinator in the Junior School.  She will work closely with Carol Lerk, our Junior School Social Coordinator.   Please welcome Tish to the role and feel free to make contact with her if you have any ideas for fundraising.

Alana Hollenberg, PFA President
Tracey Seignior, PFA Communications Officer

International Women's Day Dinner

For the third consecutive year the PFA will host a dinner to celebrate International Women’s Day. The dinner will be held at the Box Hill Golf Club on Thursday 6 March from 6.30 pm.

The theme for this year is Ghandi’s quote that you should ‘be the change you wish to see in this world’. We have two great speakers who have done this: Sally Rippin, an author, illustrator and grass roots change maker in her local community of Carlton where she has championed the building of a Literacy Centre; and Nandy Gurr, a local woman working with UNESCO to have children taught in schools in rural areas of East Timor.  Both have a great story to tell and we would love you, your partners, your children (Year 6+) and any friends to join us.  Ticket prices are Adults $60, Students $50.

Tickets can be purchased through Try Booking. Act quickly to avoid missing out as places are limited and will sell quickly.  All proceeds from the evening will be donated to SOSK, a not-for-profit organisation which funds programs to promote education for orphan and slum children and training for destitute women in Kenya.

Bookings

Parking reminder

Student safety is our priority.

Parents and Guardians are reminded that ‘drop off’ and ‘pick-up’ is not permitted at Gate 2 (off Piedmont Street).  This is a staff car park and at the end of Term 1 a security boomgate will be installed. Please ensure that students are dropped in an appropriate area. 

Please also be respectful to our staff and students of the 5km/hour speed limit through the property, and avoid unnecessary use of the driveway.

Junior School News

The start of the school year is well and truly behind us and it is certainly all systems go in the Junior School.  Beginning of the year student assessments have now been completed and our Individual Development and SEEK programs are up and running.  There will be further information about our expanding SEEK program coming shortly.

Read more

Early Learning Centre

Welcome to the New Year at Kingswood College Early Learning Centre.

We have had such a busy, fun filled start to the year.  We were invited to join the larger school community at the Welcome to Country ceremony during the first week of school.

Read more

PYP - Parent Engagement Sessions

We are pleased to announce 2014 PYP Parent Engagement Sessions.  Please mark the following dates in your calendar:

Read more

SEEK

SEEK classes have commenced with a focus on literacy and numeracy for this term.

The highly able Mathematical students in Years 5 and 6 are developing their problem solving skills which builds upon and extends their mathematical knowledge and understanding of concepts through a process of reading and analysing the question and then working through various solutions.

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Year 5 visit IMAX and Melbourne Museum

The Museum and IMAX proved perfect educational venues to help the Year 5 children ‘Find Out’ about their PYP Unit – ‘Extinction is Forever’.

We first went to the IMAX and saw a thought provoking film called ‘The Earth Wins’. It demonstrated our relationship with planet Earth and what happens when it has its way and humanity loses. Does the Earth need us or do we need the Earth? The Museum was brilliant and very relevant and I heard many comments from the children: I wonder … Our reply was, let’s find out. We visited 600 Million Years, Bugs Alive, Dinosaur Walk, Melbourne Story, Forest Gallery and Wild Amazing Animals. A terrific day out was had by all. Thank you Karen, Atefeh and Emma for your help.

Education Maintenance Allowance

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is provided by the Victorian Government to lower-income families to help with education-related costs.

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Open Day Saturday 1 March

Open Day is the biggest showcase of our College to the wider community.

On the day students from across the College participate in musical items, performances, demonstrations, tours, displays and other activities. We thank parents for your role in assisting and supporting your child to represent the College on this important community day..

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Camp Australia - Friday 28 February

ELC - Year 12 classes finish at 12.30pm on Friday 28 February to prepare for Open Day on Saturday 1 March.

Camp Australia will run from 12.30pm - 6.00pm on Friday 28 February.

Bookings can be made via the Camp Australia website.

Kingsnet workshops for parents

The College is running two workshops for parents to assist with navigating your way around Kingsnet. You are welcome to bring your own device.

• Tuesday 25 February, 6.30pm–7.30pm in Cato Centre.
  (prior to PFA meeting)

• Monday 3 March, 8.30am–9.30am in Cato Centre.

Celebration 2013 DVD

To commemorate the occasion, Celebration 2013 was captured on DVD.

You can order your own copy by completing an order form and returning with payment to the College by Friday 28 February 2014.

Click here for the order form

Drama school

Drama classes for students aged between 12 and 18.

The Drama School has been operating for over 12 years and will offer classes for secondary aged students in 2014.

Create, take risks and build confidence while extending theatrical skill.

Wednesdays at Kingswood College from 5.00pm-6.30pm.

Email Sharon Foley or call on 0401 902 886.

More information

Prayer Group

The next monthly Parents' Prayer Group will be held on Tuesday 25 February 2014 at
8.30am –10.00am in the Meeting Room in the Administration Building.

This is an opportunity for any interested parents to join us to pray for our Students, Teachers and for ongoing needs within our School Community.

The meetings are informal and anyone from the Kingswood College Community is very welcome. 

If you would like more information or would like to pass on any prayer needs please telephone or email:
Ruth Hook   Telephone 0430 289 344  
Lyn Gray      Telephone 0424 001 933