Kingswood College Newsletter

Message from the Principal

Celebration 2015 is on Wednesday – our largest community gathering of the year! We are looking forward to farewelling our Class of 2015; to looking back on key moments, achievements and performances during the year, and to reflecting on our 125 years of history. There are still a few seats left if you are yet to make a booking – but be quick!
Click here to book a ticket

HPV – the Human Powered Vehicle competition held annually in Maryborough has been part of the Kingswood College calendar since 1998. We sent a fantastic team of passionate, dedicated students and staff, along with a newly engineered and built vehicle to this national event last weekend. What a great experience it was for all involved! I was so proud listening to our students present their vehicle and their story of problem solving, preparation and perseverance to the judges. It was no surprise at all to me that they won this section of the competition – their eloquence and coherence and commitment shone through. Judges were similarly impressed with the design of our latest vehicle. We hope you enjoyed the updates on Twitter as the race took place!
Finally, the 24 hour race got underway at 1.00pm on Saturday and our riders and pit crew stayed focussed, supportive and strong right through. We finished in the top five places this year, which was a spectacular effort. Congratulations to all involved in an activity that truly captures mind, body, heart and spirit, and requires innovation, collaboration and engagement on an hourly basis. It is worth noting that Andrew Robertson has led this program at Kingswood College since 1998 – a remarkable contribution to student learning and wellbeing.

I look forward to sharing Celebration 2015 with you at the Robert Blackwood Hall on Wednesday evening.

Remember to keep up to date with news at the College – follow us on Twitter@kingswood1890

Elisabeth Lenders
Principal

Parents and Friends Association

In this issue:
• URGENT! Your 2016 PGA Involvement Preferences e-form
• Uniform Swap Meet – Saturday 12 December 2015
• Volunteers Function
• Feel Good – Christmas Gifts

Your 2016 PFA Involvement Preferences
Don't miss out on your child's class notices!
Quick! Easy! Simple! We're using Volunteerspot to assist our parent community in selecting their preferences and level of involvement within the PFA. This is replacing the PFA questionnaire that usually accompanies the 2016 Family Information form. This new initiative by the PFA will now also replace the consent you have provided in the 2016 Family Information form.

What you need to do – Click the Volunteerspot link  and sign in and make your selections, it will only take a minute of your time. There is also a direct link on Kingsnet.
By using this system it gives you, the volunteer, the ability to amend your details, change your status at any time and the list organisers will be notified. Please note that this will only change details you provide to the PFA – it will not update your details with the College itself.

Uniform Swap Meet – Saturday 12 December 2105
For sellers and buyers
Here’s a wonderful opportunity to on-sell school uniform items that have served their time in your family. If you’d like to participate, please see details below. Just turn up, no notice required.

When: Saturday 12 December
Where: C.F Walker Centre
Sellers set-up: 8.30am
Doors open for sales: 9.00am - 11.00am

Only the new College uniform (ie. white logo) can be sold. The pre-loved uniform pieces should be in good condition - no rips, worn spots, missing buttons or patches.

Sellers don't forget to bring a cash float. Table and chair provided.

Buyers don’t miss out come along and grab a bargain.

First in, best dressed!

Feel Good – Christmas Gifts
Would you like a little laugh? Here’s the top five billionaire Christmas gifts picks. I’ll have five of each, thank you very much!
1. A floating Island - Price: over $155.98 million
2. Elizabeth Taylor’s Jewellery Collection - Price: $30 million
3. Virgin Oceanic Flight - Price: $10 million
4. Amour, Amour Dog Collar - Price: $3.2 million
5. Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bra - Price: $2.5 million

Tish Delmenico
President
Parents and Friends Association

Welcome 2016 information

Detailed information relating to the start of 2016 can be found on the Welcome 2016 webpage. Information provided includes:

• Commencement dates and activities for each year level
• 2016 term dates
• Uniform
• Tuckshop
• 2016 booklists
• ICLT policy
• iPad and BYOD program
• Instrumental Music Program

A reminder that the Confidential Information form sent to all families should have been completed and returned to the College. If you have not completed this form, please do so at your earliest convenience.

ELC Mini Athletics Carnival

We had a terrific time at our Athletics Carnival on Monday 23 November.  Our whole ELC participated in a 400 metre warm up lap, a 40 metre sprint (lots of turns each), a shuttle relay, hurdles and a giant treasure race.

Our children all joined in  with such enthusiasm, taking turns, cheering each other on and being really good sports. At the completion of our Carnival we were all given a ‘well done’ ribbon and Mr Leith commented on what a great job we all did. The ELC appreciates all of Mr Leith’s hard work and the Year 5 and 6 students who volunteered as well as the parents who came along to cheer us on.

Our ELC students demonstrated the PYP attitudes of: Respect, Cooperation, Enthusiasm, Independence, Confidence and appreciation for each other’s effort.

Wendy Corser
ELC Coordinator/Pre Prep Teacher

Kingswood College Christmas Appeal

Located in the Middle School reception is the Uniting Church wishing tree. All donated gifts will be distributed by the Uniting Church to less fortune people and families.
Click here for more information.

Thank you for your support

Prep Excursion to IMAX and Melbourne Museum

On Tuesday 24 November, 17 excited Prep students travelled by bus to spend a fun filled day at IMAX and Melbourne Museum. They engaged in an education session, walked around The Melbourne Story Exhibition, examined dinosaur fossils, saw a giant squid, watched Under the Sea 3D at IMAX and so much more!

The Preps made connections with the units of inquiry they have explored this year. It was a fantastic way to end a fabulous year! A special thank you to Amanda Nunn, Nicki Sharma, Dennis Dellas and Tim McCorriston for attending the excursion as Parent Helpers.

Phoebe Mellody
Prep Classroom Teacher

RSPCA Fundraiser

Late last term we held a cupcake stall, where Junior School students were able to purchase a cupcake or two.  This activity was an ‘action’ that we took after completing a unit of inquiry on Supply and Demand. We raised a total of $208 and last week we presented this amount to the RSPCA. We thank all members of the Junior School for your support.
 

Aurelienne and Stephanie
Year 5

ThinkPlus

At the 2016 Year 7 Information Night on Wednesday 11 November, parents were given a brief overview of ThinkPlus. Early next year, I will give a more detailed presentation at the first PFA meeting of the year on Tuesday 23 February at 7.00pm, which is open to all parents. ThinkPlus can have an enormous impact on a child’s resilience, perseverance and self-regulation. I will explain how ThinkPlus can be used by parents to support their child’s growth towards becoming an independent, resilient student.

As part of ThinkPlus, Junior School students have been learning about neuroplasticity - how their brains continually wire and rewire as they learn.

Year 1 and 2 students are entering a competition being held by a group from USA ‘Neuroscience for Kids.’ They have spent the last few weeks creating some amazing poems about the brain. The competition closes early February 2016. Winners will have their poems published on the ‘Neuroscience for Kids’ website and will be awarded a book or other prize (to be announced later) related to the brain.

Here are two of the poems:

You Can Spark
Your brain can spark
To light up the dark.
Thinking while linking,
Linking while thinking.
Firing while wiring,
Wiring while firing.
From cell body to axon
Your brain is working hard.

Lucinda Burke
Year 1
 

One hundred billion neurons
In your brain.
Twitching, sparking every day.
Axon, dendrites touching hands
While they expand.
Synaptic gap crossing in seconds
Cell body, nucleus working together.
Amazing brains learning every day
To make you then say “Hooray!”

Emily Scholes
Year 2

Bernie Lanyon
ThinkPlus Educator

News from the Junior School

Anyone who thought the Junior School is slowing down as the year comes to end would be sadly mistaken! This week we hosted up to 40 parents from Years 3-6 for a Sex Education Australia parent information evening, said ‘thank you’ to our incredibly supportive parents who have contributed in so many ways throughout the year at a PFA function, held a Prep – Year 2 House Swimming Carnival at Aqualink Box Hill, held speeches and interviews for 2016 Junior School Captains and this evening we will celebrate the wonderful contribution our Year 6 students have made to the Junior School at their Celebration Dinner. I trust you will enjoy reading about these events within this eNews.

At the end of this year we will be saying farewell to some of our dedicated and talented staff members. Our Deputy Head of Junior School, Donna Rady, will be finishing at Kingswood College having held a number of positions over nine years with us. Donna has been a wonderful support to me as the Deputy Head and PYP Coordinator and the Junior School is in a great position leading into our PYP Verification Visit next March. Also moving on are Amanda Ekonomides, Phoebe Mellody, Lee-Anne Pyke, Jay Callaghan and Michelle Radcliffe. Rob Olifiers is taking a year’s leave to pursue further study. I would like to thank each of these members of staff for their valuable contributions.

In 2016 we will be welcoming a number of exceptionally talented and passionate educators to the Junior School team. Krisha Macdonald (ELC co-educator), Karryn Exner (Year 1 and PYP Coordinator), Stacy Purdon (Year 2), Rebecca Stasinowsky (Year 5) and Ruth Webster (Year 6) will be joining our team. Yang Chen currently teaching in the Middle School will be teaching Chinese and Lisa King will teach Art and lead Wellbeing across the Junior School. I am sure you will join me in welcoming our new members of staff and I am excited about the skills and experience they will bring to the team.

Booklists for Junior School classes are now also available on the College website. Click on the ‘Community’ heading at the top of the page and ‘Booklists 2016’ on the left hand side to follow through to what is required. A hard copy of these can also be collected from the Junior School office.

I look forward to seeing you all at Celebration on Wednesday 2 December.

Aaron Loats
Head of Junior School

Fee Payment by Direct Debit

Parents may choose to pay fees by direct debit in ten instalments (Year 12 – 6 instalments). Fees will be debited to your nominated cheque account, savings account or credit card on the first weekday of each month February 2016 to November 2016.
Direct debit authorisation forms can be obtained by contacting Anne Salamouras, in the Business Office and must be returned for processing no later than 16 December 2015.

Surrey Hills Uniting Church - Christmas Chaos

Surrey Hills Uniting Church - Christmas Chaos
Saturday 12 December 2015
5.00pm - 7.00pm

Click here for more information

Fees in advance

Parents may elect to pay fees annually in advance and receive a 3.5% discount off the total annual fees.
Payment must be received by the College no later than 5.00pm Friday 11 December 2015 to be eligible for this discount.
Please contact Anne Salamouras on 9896 1713 for further information.

Bookings/Orders

For your convenience a page has been set up on Kingsnet for College bookings/orders.

Click here to view the latest bookings/orders.

Date Reminders

Click here to find out more about the upcoming events for the next couple of weeks.