ISSUE 20
Important Dates
Year 6 Fun Day Out - Week 10, 14 December 2022
Last Day of School - Week 10, 16 December 2022
Chris Shaddock
Principal
Principal's Address
Dear Kaleen Community,
Thank you to all members of the school community for your valuable contributions to what has been another very challenging, yet successful 2022 at Kaleen Primary School. I am very appreciative of the talented and dedicated group of educators who have once again gone above and beyond to support each and every child to achieve their academic and social learning goals. Thank you also to our families who continue to contribute their time, efforts and skills to support our learning programs.
Last night we formally farewelled our Year 6 students at their Graduation Ceremony. On behalf of our staff at Kaleen Primary School, I wish these amazing students all the very best in their future. Our Year 6 students have been such positive leaders and amazing role models to our younger children. Congratulations to all students across the school on all their 2022 achievements. I would also like to take this opportunity to say farewell to Haylie Eyers, Caren Lowther, Lucy Chambers, Lynn Leon and Sarah Crawford. Kat Jeffress and Sam Bryant will also be leaving us for a year to pursue other opportunities. I would like to acknowledge all of these wonderful teachers for the value they have added to our school community.
Class Structure 2023
Please click here to view the class lists for 2023
Newsletter Term 4 W9 2022 - Google Docs.pdfMeet The New Teachers
Katie Kanowski
Hi there. My name is Katie and I am looking forward to being at Kaleen PS next year. I have 10 years teaching experience and am passionate about making learning fun. I have 3 kids, a dog, a cat, 6 chickens and a stick insect. I enjoy camping, going to the beach, reading and spending time with my family. I can’t wait to meet you all in 2023.
Maia Parker-Sloan
Hi my name is Maia. I am thrilled to be joining the Kaleen teaching team and look forward to meeting the community and students. I have been teaching for 6 years and am moving schools for the first time! I grew up in Tasmania and have lived in Canberra since I graduated from UC. I love to travel, be creative and go on adventures to explore more of Canberra. I am a passionate early childhood teacher who has enjoyed teaching kindergarten for the last few years.
Sophie Newton
Hi there! My name is Sophie and I feel both fortunate and excited to be working as your Specialist Health and Physical Education (HPE) teacher at Kaleen Primary in 2023. I graduated from the University of Canberra in 2021 and since then, have worked at the University tutoring student teachers in HPE. I was also the specialist HPE teacher in a large PE program in which Kaleen was a part of! So, I may have already taught some of your children! It is fantastic that students will be able to engage in a PE specialist program next year and I cannot wait to share your child’s learning journey with you. Outside of school, you will find me going for walks and listening to music.
Tanya Ford
Hi I’m Tanya, I’m really looking forward to teaching at Kaleen Primary in 2023. I have taught at several schools in Belconnen in the past and am fortunate to have the opportunity to continue teaching at such a great school as Kaleen. I particularly enjoy Maths, PE, and Band. When not teaching I play several sports including hockey and softball. I also orienteer with my sister. Apart from sport I also enjoy spending time with friends and family.
Mike Smith
Hi, my name is Mike. I have been teaching for approximately 20 years and am super excited to be teaching at Kaleen Primary School 2023 onwards. I am currently halfway through finishing a Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Studies. Outside of school I love bushwalking / hiking plus delight in being a dad to a 4-year-old.
Reading Program
Parents make a major difference through reading and talking about books and stories with their kids, in any language. Reading skills are taught at school, and parents can help build a crucial foundation for successful literacy through conversation and reading together, which develops the motivation to read, a greater level of comprehension, and strong oral language skills. Below are a couple of the structures (I PICK & Five Finger Rule) our teachers use to support students to choose a good-fit book.
The Five Finger Rule
The five finger rule is a quick and easy way for your child to check if a book is suitable to read on their own. Before they start, ask them to turn to a random page in the book and read it. For every word that they don't know, they should hold up a finger. Your child can use the following guidelines according to how many fingers they hold up:
0 or 1 – Most probably too easy for your child.
2 – A good choice that will give your child a reasonable challenge and allow them to learn new words.
3 – Your child might need some help, but still a good choice if they're up for a challenge.
4 – May be too difficult for your child to read on their own. If you are on hand to give them help or read along with them it can be suitable, but if they are reading on their own, choose a different book.
5 – Most probably a bit too advanced, try a different book.
Important things to remember about the five finger rule
The five finger rule should only be taught as a guideline for helping your child to find 'just right' books. It's worthwhile remembering that if they have their heart set on a book that seems too hard, it's probably okay to let them have a go. Be nearby to help them if they get stuck on a tricky word, and don't forget to praise them for making an effort.
Alternatively, if you know they'll struggle to enjoy the story or will likely feel despondent, tell them that they can read it later in the year and suggest a different book instead. At the end of the day, allowing your child to read the books they're interested in (whether they're too easy or too difficult) is an important part of nurturing and maintaining their love of books and reading.
Reading Strategies Video
If you haven’t done so already, please view our short video which outlines some of the strategies we use to enhance shared reading experiences.
Kaleen Reading Strategies Overview.mpgHoliday Hot Reads!
Are you looking for some interesting book titles to engage your children in reading over the holidays?
Our Library Coordinator Krissy has some great recommendations. Check them out!
Kindy to year 1: School of Monsters
A new series written by Sally Rippin (Hey Jack and Billie B Brown). These books are a great first step towards independent reading- with a trusted adult alongside. To create each of the books in this series Rippin takes common vocab words, adds a dash of spooky, a cup of comedy and blends it all together with rhyme and striking illustrations by Chris Kennett. The result is a pretty darned special mix of instructional home reader and engaging recreational read.
Year 2 to 3: Dragon Girls
Dragon Girls is a super collectible new series that celebrates the inner fire of everyday girls.
We are Dragon Girls, hear us roar! Azmina, Willa, and Naomi are thrilled to learn they're Glitter Dragon Girls. Summoned to the Magic Forest by its magnificent ruler, the Tree Queen, the girls quickly find out their dragon-selves have unbelievable abilities. They can soar above the treetops, breathe glitter-y bursts of fire, and roar loud enough to shake the ground. With this newfound magic comes a big responsibility, however. As Dragon Girls, they are sworn protectors of the forest and must help keep it safe from the troublesome Shadow Sprites, who are determined to take the forest's magic for their own.
Year 4 to 5: Amulet Graphic Novel series
The first book in Kazu Kibuishi's #1 New York Times bestselling series that features a beautiful but dangerous world of new friends, giant robots, and shadowy enemies!
After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather. The strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a tentacled creature lures the kids' mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into a fantastical world inhabited by robots, mysterious plants, and talking animals. It's up to Em and Navin to figure out how to set things right and save their mother's life!
Year 6: 10 minutes to Danger
The newest book in the danger series written by local Canberran author Jack Heath. 20 stories. 20 dangerous situations. 20 brave kids. 10 minutes to escape. Dodi is in the blast radius of an asteroid on a collision course with Earth. Gary is stuck up a tree with a giant tsunami wave fast approaching. Tatum is climbing a caldera when an earthquake makes the volcano erupt. Read 20 new dangerous stories in 10 minutes of reading time each!
Thank you for your ongoing support. Have a wonderful summer break and I look forward to seeing you in and around the school in the new year.
Bye for now,
Chris Shaddock
Principal
KPS End Of Year Video
A huge thank you to the Kaleen community. What a year!!!
Virtual Assemblies
Year 3 Virtual Assembly
Have a look at the Year 3 Virtual Assembly!
Japanese
Every year only two students receive the Japanese Merit Award.
At the end of the first semester, Rithysak (Ayu) Ngoun (5TA) received the award.
The second awardee for this year is Yohaan Shaikh(6SD).
Yohaan is an exceptionally talented and motivated learner. He has a very analytical mind which enables him to construct new sentences and texts using what he has learned in the class. Yohaan also extends his learning by actively searching for information on Japan and the Japanese. I have appreciated his enthusiastic involvement in extracurricular Japanese activities. Yohaan, being very musical as well, played a pivotal role in the Japanese choir. This year he delivered a very complex speech confidently and came first in the senior division of the ACT Japanese Speech Contest.
Yohaan, it has always been an absolute pleasure to teach you. I hope you keep up with your great work and one day go to Japan to enjoy what the country has to offer.
Yohaan with Dean-Sensei
Gingerbread House Fun
On Saturday 3 December, the P&C held its last event for 2022 - a gingerbread house workshop at the preschool. It was a great opportunity for the school community to come together after a busy year, catch up with old friends (including quite a few former KPS students), explore our creative culinary sides, and raise some money for the school. And we even had the first proper day of magnificent summer weather to top it all off!
A huge thanks to Lisa Harris and family for organising and running the event again this year, which was bigger and better than ever.
The P&C would like to thank the school and the local community for their support. In total the event raised several hundred dollars, and even more importantly, the results will embellish many Christmas tables throughout December.
P&C News
The P&C met for the final time in 2022. Parents can now access a summary of key items discussed on the P&C site: https://kaleen-primary-school-parents-and-citizensassociation.square.site/
Items discussed at this meeting include: staffing, the school improvement plan, after school activities and support helping students to read. Anyone interested in subscribing to the mailing list to get P&C updates including full minutes can subscribe by clicking on this link Subscribe.
Have a question, please feel free to email the P&C kaleenpandc@gmail.com
Heroes' Corner
If you would like to have your child's achievement acknowledged here, please email a short blurb to KaleenPSAdmin@ed.act.edu.au
Community
The Kaleen-Giralang-Lawson area has three units meeting in Kaleen on Wednesdays: 6:00 – 7.30 pm for girls 5-10 years; and 6.00 – 8.00 pm for girls aged 10+ years. Other units meeting nearby also offer alternative nights to accommodate girls who can not attend on Wednesday nights. All girls are very welcome. Inquiries to: Bev on 0417 485737.