Message from the Principal

Christmas celebrates the miracle of new life, and spreads a message of hope. Sometimes in the rush and rumble of year’s end, and in Australia with summer holidays beckoning, the true message of the Christmas season can be lost in wider chaos! I do hope that you will find a moment to pause and reflect on the meaning of Christmas, the message of joy to the world, of peace, and the miracle of new life.

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End of term finishing time

A friendly reminder to parents that the last day of school is Tuesday 10 December.  Classes for all students will finish at 12.00 noon.

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

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

If you have a child under 16, and you hold a valid Health Care Card, Pension Card, or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible to receive the EMA. The allowance is paid in two instalments, one in March and one in August.

The payment is intended to assist with education-related costs such as; uniforms, excursions, textbooks, and stationery. You can elect to have your EMA paid in one of the following ways:
• Paid by direct deposit (Electronic Funds Transfer) into your own nominated bank account; or
• Paid to the school to be held as credit which you can use towards education expenses; or
• Paid by cheque which will be posted to the school for collection.
In 2014, the annual EMA amount per student is:
• $200 for prep students
• $150 for students in years 1 – 6.
• $300 for year 7 students
• $250 for students in year 8 – until age 16*.
* A pro-rata amount is payable for students turning 16 in 2014.

How to Apply: Contact the school office to obtain an EMA application form.

Closing Date: You need to obtain an EMA application form from the school office and return by 28 February 2014.

More information about the EMA.

January Holiday Program for 3 - 12 year olds

Kingswood College in conjunction with Camp Australia is running  a holiday program from 13 - 28  January 2014 for 3 - 12 year olds.

You don't have to be a Kingswood College student to attend - everyone in the community is welcome!

The holiday program at Kingswood College is the only provider in the area that allows kindergarten aged children to participate in the program, which is staffed by Early Childhood Educators.

The program is affordable and you can also save 50% or more with the Childcare Benefit and Rebate.

There's loads of different activities each day, and you can come a few days or every day, whatever suits!

Holiday programs at Kingswood College for 3 - 12 year olds will also run every other school holidays in 2014:

7 – 17 April
30 June – 11 July
22 September – 3 October

Places for the January program are filling fast so be sure to book soon.

Make a booking

The Drama School is offering classes in 2014

The Drama School has been operating for over 12 years and will offer primary and secondary classes at Kingswood College in 2014.

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

Kingswood College students are welcome to attend along with other members of the community.  Come along for a trial - the first class is free!

Classes will be held during term time on Wednesdays in the Science Lounge in the Middle School:  

Junior School: 3.30pm - 5.00pm (5-11yrs)
Secondary School: 5.00pm - 6.30pm (12-15yrs)
Master Class: 6.30pm - 8.00pm (VCE or highly skilled students)

Giving students the opportunity to be expressive, discover
new skills and pursue their passion for drama and theatre.

For more information and bookings please contact Sharon Foley on 0401 902 886 or Carla Gilzean on 0413 405 936 or email.

Click here for the flyer.

Liam awarded Queen's Scout

Kingswood College Class of 2013 student Liam Sierakowski has not only just finished his VCE exams but he has achieved the highest honour a Venturer Scout can receive - the Queen's Scout Award.

Liam contributed more than 270 hours of work over three years into earning the Award.

The award has four sections - outdoor activities, personal growth, community involvement and leadership.

Congratulations Liam.

Junior School News

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our Junior School families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for all of the support you have provided the Junior School throughout 2013. Have a restful holiday period and we look forward to seeing you in 2014.

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Primary Years Programme

On this semester’s report you will notice a change from an Integrated Studies report to a Unit of Inquiry report to reflect our Primary Years Programme. The students have now completed their second Unit of Inquiry and I would like to thank the teachers for tirelessly and seamlessly developing their lines on inquiry and engaging the students in interesting experiences and activities to develop their knowledge and skills. It has been most pleasing to see the students from the ELC to Year 6 involved in asking questions, investigating and researching in pursuit of knowledge, and then taking action to provoke change or educate others.

Junior School SEEK

Euan Fox Graham and Itzy Kelly of Year 1 show off their Passion Projects along with Karly Spiridis of Year 2 showing off her edible Passion Project.

Great job everyone.

Donna Rady
SEEK Teacher

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Year 5 Fundraising

During the Year 5 Unit of Inquiry ‘Where We Are in Place and Time’, the students investigated the differences between their urban lifestyle and that of Aboriginal children living in Outback Australia.  They discovered quite a few differences. One issue that particularly concerned them was that some Aboriginal children didn’t enjoy the same standard of healthcare they took for granted.

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SEEK

Year 5 and 6 Mathematics SEEK group participated in the Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiad throughout the year. This involved completing a number of competitions over the course of the year. Ellora Kelly achieved our highest individual score at Kingswood College and Mia Harold, Hiruni Sirimanne, Talana Kitchen, Liam Morris, Ewa Pluciennik, Shinjini Shrivastava, Charlotte Bolch and Lewis Ironside finished in the top 10% of participants. Well done to all those students who practiced and prepared well for these events.

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Junior School's Debating Team

On Thursday 28 November the Year 6 Debating Team hosted an interschool debate with The Knox School. The students participated in a prepared debate and an impromptu debate. During the term, the students have completed research and developed well thought out arguments for both the affirmative and negative sides on a range of contemporary topics. We were very proud of our students who prepared well for the event. Congratulations, on a fine effort, to Jessica, Talana, Ellora, Lachlan, Lewis and Josh. Kingswood College won the prepared debate for the affirmative that ‘The driving age should be lowered to 16 years of age’.

Donna Rady
SEEK Teacher
 

Parents and Friends Association

As we move to the last few days of school I want to thank all of our hard working volunteers who have helped out with social and fundraising events this year.  I understand that many of you have very little time so I hope you know how much your efforts are appreciated and that, like me, you enjoy your time with the PFA and have developed new friendships.

Christmas Puddings

Christmas puddings are ready to be picked up from the school offices. The Christmas pudding drive raised almost $400 for the College.  Thank you to Andrea Crane who organised and executed this fundraiser, with a broken elbow and knee operation!

Final Book Exchange

Due to the use of eBooks, the PFA held its final Book Exchange on Saturday 23 November. Although we only had a small number of books to sell, we raised nearly $900. Many people chose to donate books that were not sold, other books were donated to the House of Books in Mitcham, who donate text books to worthwhile causes. Thank you to Martina Chambers and Deb Cumins for organising the Book Exchange and to the many parents who helped out on Thursday and Saturday morning.

Junior school end of school sausage sizzle

Once again the PFA Junior School Social Coordinators, Kerrie and Carol have organised an end of school year celebration at Ruffey Lake Park (Victoria Street entrance), in the afternoon on our last day of school. Please join us for sausages and icy poles, BYO nibbles.  Click here for the flyer.

Blue Illusion Fashion Parade – Saturday 7 December          

Don’t forget the fashion parade at the Blue Illusion store at Camberwell on Saturday 7 December from 12.00pm – 2.00pm.  As well as a social event, this is a fundraiser and 20% of all sales will be donated to the College.  Please contact your Class Rep for more details.

First PFA Meeting in 2014

Our first PFA meeting for 2014 will be held on Tuesday 25 February in the Cato Centre.  Judy Taylor will present an Introduction to the iPad. This will be of interest to new parents and those whose children start using iPads at school next year.As we move to the last few days of school I want to thank all of our hard working volunteers who have helped out with social and fundraising events this year.  I understand that many of you have very little time so I hope you know how much your efforts are appreciated and that, like me, you enjoy your time with the PFA and have developed new friendships.

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