News

Coronavirus - Department of Education statement

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 18:56:34 AEDT

The department is working with the Ministry of Health to monitor and respond to the unfolding international novel coronavirus situation.

Get up-to-date information about the department's response to novel coronavirus.

#Ready2020 – a great year starts here

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 13:08:51 AEDT

Starting school is a big moment in a child’s life. Here’s how to make the most of it.

We can’t wait for you to join us for a great year – the first step towards a lifelong love of learning.

Visit the department’s primary school resources for hints, tips and checklists to make a great start to the new school year, whether your child is starting Kindergarten or Year 6.

You’ll find:

Getting ready for primary school booklet – everything you need to be #Ready2020
Daisy’s First Day – the story of Daisy the koala’s first adventure at Kindergarten
advice from teachers – they’ve been through this before.

Video – #Ready2020: First day of Kindy

Duration – 1:00

Staying healthy into the new school year

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 16:23:18 AEDT

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way to protect your family from harmful diseases this holiday season and into 2020. Visit your doctor for general health and vaccination advice.

Immunisation not only protects you and your family but also others in your community, by reducing the spread of preventable diseases.

Children starting school in 2020 must have up-to-date immunisations to enrol.

These vaccinations help protect children from highly infectious and severe diseases including whooping cough and measles.

Travel health

If you’re travelling overseas during the school holidays, you may need vaccinations or medication – both for general health protection and for region-specific diseases.

If you’re travelling to the Northern Hemisphere, you may even need a flu shot.

Find out more about staying healthy while travelling.

NSW schools respond to bushfires

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 16:50:00 AEDT

Many schools are responding to the catastrophic fire rating that is affecting communities across the state this week.

We are continuously updating the School safety page with a list of government and non-government schools, as well as TAFE NSW campuses that are currently non-operational.

While some schools are temporarily non-operational due to localised fires, many others in high-risk areas are non-operational as a precautionary measure.

Schools in some areas are being used as emergency evacuation centres at the direction of the Rural Fire Service.

For schools that are currently operational, school pickups and dropoffs will continue as usual. If your school is currently non-operational, it will likely remain so tomorrow.

Large scale distressing events affect our school communities in many ways. Headspace’s mental health support resource (PDF 100.52KB) is available to help students, teachers and school staff respond to the bushfires.

Visit the School safety page for updates. The department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts will also provide updates during this period.

Grab a ticket to Schools Spectacular 2019

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 14:17:22 AEDT

Will you be joining us at Schools Spectacular 2019? Tickets are on sale now. Experience our live show featuring a cast of thousands of public school students from across metropolitan, rural and remote regions of NSW.

Students from different ages, cultures and backgrounds will share the spotlight as they dance, play and sing for you. Choose from one of our four massive performances at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday 22 November and Saturday 23 November.

This year's events will feature:

more than 380 schools
5,500 performers
a 3000-strong choir
2,300 dancers
an 80-piece symphony orchestra
a world-class stage band.

Group bookings

Need to make a group booking for over 10 people? Complete the Schools Preview Order Form 2019 (PDF 110KB) to attend the discounted 11am Friday matinee. The Friday matinee is discounted for school students and accompanying teachers.

If you’d like to grab a spot at one of the other three remaining shows complete the Group Booking Form 2019 (PDF 110KB).

Tickets for you and your family and friends

Save you and your family a spot online or by phone on 132 849.

Video – Schools Spectacular 2019

Duration: 0:26

Have your say on before and after school care

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 13:34:54 AEST

We want to better understand your needs for before and after school care in NSW.

Have your say today on before and after school care.

Fill out the survey by Service NSW to share your specific care needs and to register interest to stay informed of new developments.

Your input will provide insights into where there are gaps in service availability and help us to deliver extra places where they are needed.

You can also contact the team responsible for rolling out the before and after school care commitment at BASCreform@det.nsw.edu.au.

Book yourself in for Reading Hour

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:21:33 AEST

This Australian Reading Hour, encourage your child to discover or rekindle their love of a good book. Take the time to learn, escape and relax on Thursday 19 September and read for one hour.

Get involved at home

Join in at home and read your child a bedtime story. Studies show that reading a bedtime story six days a week can give kids almost a year’s head start when they begin school. Reading has also been shown to develop empathy, promote critical thinking and help children find a sense of self.

Join in from the classroom

Bestselling children’s author and illustrator Matt Stanton will broadcast live to primary school children across the country from the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday 17 September. We invite schools to register for the livestream of this free event.

Stanton’s author talk is among more than 140 events happening across the country involving more than 50 authors.

Take the Book Swap Challenge

We all have favourite books that we come back to again and again.

To help celebrate Reading Hour take our Book Swap Challenge. We want students, teachers, staff and parents to try reading something new on the day. To get involved, simply pair up with someone and swap your favourite books.

Take a photo and tag it with #ReadingHour so we can see how you got involved.

Video – #ReadingHour authors talk about their favourite place to read

Duration: 0:38

Looking for a good spot to open a book? We asked authors Benjamin Law, Morris Gleitzman, Jacqueline Harvey and Mick Elliott about their favourite place to read.

How to be smart and safe on social media

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 11:40:21 AEST

Use our new Digital Citizenship toolkit to empower your child to understand how their online behaviour affects themselves and others.

You and your child can find information on:

how to ‘be positive’ by understanding online behaviour and its effect
'be smart’ by thinking critically and being digitally aware
'be safe’ by protecting your security, privacy and wellbeing.

A toolkit to empower you and your child

You can find articles and videos to equip and empower your child to minimise the risks and maximise the opportunities in our digital future.

We’ve partnered with leading researchers to produce a curated toolkit – aligned to the curriculum – which teachers and you can share with the young people in your lives.

Guide your child through important concepts such as:

managing privacy settings in social media
collaborating online
avoiding scams and hoaxes
understanding the law when it comes to online speech
Internet banking, shopping online and much more.

Keep your child safe and happy online

Visit and bookmark the Digital Citizenship website. We’ll continue to add articles and resources to ensure the best possible tools are available to help you guide your child to be positive, smart and safe online.

Education Week – Every student, every voice

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 14:03:27 AEST

We are celebrating our students and their powerful voices this Education Week Monday 5 August to Friday 9 August. Every year Education Week celebrates the achievements of public schools, our students and the value of public education.

This year, the theme is Every student, every voice.

Join us for #EdWeek19 as we celebrate our students and their power to shape the world.

Video – #EdWeek19 – Every student, every voice

Duration: 0:34

Creative and Active Kids vouchers now available

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 11:35:27 AEST

Creative kids can now put a $100 voucher towards extra-curricular creative activities outside of school.

Together with Active Kids, this program aims to encourage more NSW children to participate in a range of extra-curricular activities such as coding, languages, circus, performing arts and visual arts.

Parents can apply for one $100 voucher for each child enrolled in school on the Creative Kids website and use it towards the cost of registration, participation or tuition. You just redeem the voucher with a registered provider in your area when making your payment.

This is a great opportunity for your child to become involved in a range of activities that will build on their education, growth and development.

Service NSW is working with industry bodies to deliver the program.

For more information, contact Service NSW on 137 788 or creativekids@service.nsw.gov.au.

The Game Changer Challenge is back

Fri, 31 May 2019 12:22:09 AEST

It’s not too late to become a Game Changer with applications for the Education Week challenge due by 7 June.

The Game Changer Challenge brings 16 teams from public schools across NSW – eight from primary and eight from secondary – to Sydney during Education Week in August for a three-day, intensive design-thinking workshop.

The Game Changer workshops, which start on Tuesday 6 August, includes teacher training in the use of design thinking as a teaching methodology and its application for school planning.

It also includes a team competition where schools will work under the guidance of experts from industry and academia to develop a solution to this year’s critical question: How might we humanise technology?

Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott has encouraged students and teachers to get behind the event as it highlights the critical thinking students will need to develop to succeed in the future.

“The Game Changer Challenge is an exciting initiative that helps educate and inform our students and teachers on how to integrate the problem-solving methodology of design thinking into the classroom,” Mr Scott says.

“It embraces the 21^st century skills our students will need to thrive in a globalised world such as collaboration, creative thinking and communication.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students at all levels to be involved in discussing and addressing a real-world issue that will affect their future lives. I encourage every school to get involved.”

The challenge is designed to make strong learning and teaching connections to the NSW syllabus specifically in the area of developing general capabilities such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication and problem-solving.

The challenge also provides teachers with an opportunity to gain exposure to the design thinking process and includes teacher resources to introduce this creative problem-solving methodology into the classroom.

Finalists will be selected based on a 60-second video that showcases your team’s vision around the question of humanising technology.

For more information email edweek@det.nsw.edu.au or visit the Game Changer Challenge page.

Your NAPLAN questions answered

Thu, 09 May 2019 15:08:44 AEST

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The tests assess the foundational skills in reading, writing, spelling and numeracy that are essential for every child to progress through school and life.

This year NAPLAN takes place between 14 and 16 May for paper tests and between 14 and 24 May for schools participating in NAPLAN Online.

NAPLAN data is used to help monitor student progress over time against a national measure and to identify areas of strength and improvement. It is used in combination with other school assessments to guide and support student learning.

Watch students ask an expert the tough questions about NAPLAN.

Video – Kids ask the hard questions

Duration – 3:45

Apply now for My Community Project funding

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:08:14 AEST

Do you have a great idea to improve your area?

My Community Project is a new NSW Government funding program that is all about local ideas, local projects and local decisions.

You can apply now for grants from $20,000 - $200,000 for projects that will make a difference to your community. Projects could include new playground equipment, sports facilities, paths or ramps to improve access, public art or a community service.

The local community can vote for their favourite projects in July and successful projects will be announced in September.

Project applications close 15 May 2019.

Apply for My Community Project funding

Bring back memories, not measles

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 14:28:52 AEST

With school holidays just around the corner, it’s time to visit your doctor to check that you and your family are fully protected against measles, before you travel overseas.

Measles is a serious, highly contagious, viral illness that is easily spread through the air when an infectious person coughs, sneezes or breathes. If you and your family are not fully vaccinated, or have never been vaccinated, you are at risk of contracting measles.

Not sure if you’re fully protected?

In Australia, the measles vaccine (MMR) consists of 2 doses. If you’re not sure whether you’ve had 2 doses of the measles vaccine, visit your doctor. It’s safe to receive another dose.

Children born in Australia

If your children were born in Australia, they may have received the measles vaccine at 12 months old and the second dose at 18 months, in accordance with the National Immunisation Program.
If you have a baby under 12 months old, consult your doctor about getting their measles vaccination.

Adults born in Australia

Born before 1966 – you were most likely exposed to measles as a child and are generally considered to be immune. If in doubt, ask your GP.
Born between 1966 and 1994 – you may not have received 2 doses. Talk to your doctor about the free vaccine if you’re unsure.
Born after 1994 – the National Immunisation Program offers 2 doses, and you can check your vaccination status using the Australian Immunisation Register.

For more information about the measles vaccination, visit NSW Health or consult your local doctor.

Did you know our playground is open in the holidays?

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 15:53:38 AEST

We are excited to participate in the Share Our Space program when it returns these autumn school holidays. Participating public schools across regional and metro areas of the state will continue to open their playgrounds, ovals and sports courts for the whole community to enjoy.

You and your children can play in public schools all over NSW. Schools from Lord Howe Island Central School 600km off the east coast of mainland Australia all the way to Palinyewah Public School in the far west will share their outdoor facilities as part of the program.

Participating schools are open 7 days a week between 8am-6pm from 13 to 26 April 2019, including weekends and public holidays.

Come and visit our playground. For more information or to find another participating school near you, visit Share Our Space.

5 road safety tips for parents and carers

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:16:53 AEDT

Now that students are back to school after a break it’s a good time to chat with your child about safe behaviours when you walk or commute to school.

Here are our top tips to help our students make a safe trip:

1. Be alert and aware

Take note of the dangers you come across on your walk and bring them to your child’s attention. Point out dangers, such as vehicles coming out of driveways. Talk to your child about being alert in a road environment.

2. Hold hands

When on the footpath, at a crossing or in a car park always hold your child's hand. It is advised to do this up to the age of at least 8 years old and closely supervise until at least the age of 10.

3. Choose a safe crossing

Lead by example and choose a safe place to cross the road. Explain why it is the safest place to cross.

4. Set a good example

Your child watches everything you do, so if you cross at the crossing they will too. It is also important to share these messages with other carers who may walk with your child to school.

5. Stop, Look, Listen, Think every time you cross the road

Discuss this important road safety message. STOP! one step back from the kerb. LOOK! continuously both ways. LISTEN! for the sounds of approaching traffic. THINK! whether it is safe to cross.

Practise makes perfect

The more supervised practice your child can get the better, so why not make Term 1 the start of a new routine to walk with your child to school more often.

Older children may be ready to make the journey to school independently. Before they take this step, observe if they are road safe and reinforce the road safety messages.

For more information, check out the department’s pedestrian safety advice for students, parents and carers.

Back to school

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:55:28 AEDT

The first day of Kindergarten and the return to school in the new year are busy times for your child – and for the entire family. To help you make the most of this time and enjoy the experience, we’ve compiled some useful tips and checklists. We want every student to be known, valued and cared for in our schools.

Our film #FirstDay2019 captures the excitement – and the nerves – of the rite of passage that is the first day of Kindergarten.

Video – Back to School 2019: First Day at Kindy

Duration – 1:00

2019 school budget allocations

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 16:22:31 AEDT

Like all NSW public schools, this week we will receive a School Budget Allocation Report with our funding for 2019. The report will help us manage our total budget delivered through the Resource Allocation Model (RAM).

The RAM supports schools through needs-based funding to ensure a fair, efficient and transparent allocation of funds. Our school has the flexibility to make local decisions based on the specific needs of our students.

We will use our 2019 funding to support students and improve educational outcomes. The school executive will continue to work with the school community as we implement the school plan using this needs-based funding.

Learn more about the 2019 RAM funding.

World Environment Day - Tuesday 5th June 2018

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:56 AEST

World Environment Day A4 (pdf 81 KB)

Use the Skoolbag app to find upcoming school events to put in your diary!

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:55 AEST

We have retired the website calendar as it isn't meeting community needs. All school events are listed on the Skoolbag events calendar from Term 2 2018.

Download the Skoolbag app; instructions can be found at this link .

PBL - teaching students about bullying prevention at KPS

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:52 AEST

On Friday 16 March, the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence, students participated in a PBL lesson about bullying prevention which focuses on teaching students what's okay and not okay at school and when to report. As we continue to teach students how to be respectful to others and how to "expect respect", we also encourage students to let an adult know if they have a problem they need help with at school. We are teaching our students about how to be an "upstander" rather than a bystander. If you would like to view this lesson, please click on the link below.

PBL "expect respect" (pptx 3612 KB)

Gold Key Kids 2017

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:48 AEST

This year saw 250 students receive their Gold Key for the independent way they demonstrate the five keys to success: persistence, resilience, confidence, getting along and organisation. Well done to all our Gold Key Kids. Watch the gold video here (password required: kpswatch)

gold 2017

Learning and Support Team Evaluation

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:50 AEST

Kincumber Public School is always striving to be the best school that a child could possibly attend. As part of the school's ongoing efforts to be the best we can, we have created a short survey for parents to evaluate our Learning and Support Team processes. The role of the Learning and Support Team in a public school, is to ensure that schools meet the additional learning and support needs of all students in all schools.

Your assistance in our evaluation would be appreciated.

Please follow the link below.

School Evaluation Survey

Tell Them From Me - parent survey

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:54 AEST

The Partners in Learning parent feedback survey

Our school is participating in the Partners in Learning parent survey, another part of the Tell Them From Me suite of surveys (student, teacher and parent surveys) on student engagement. The survey asks parents and carers questions about different factors that are known to impact on student wellbeing and engagement.

Running this survey will help our school understand parents' and carers' perspectives on their child's experience at school. These include: communication between parents/carers and staff, activities and practices at home and parent/carer views on the school's support of learning and behaviour. This valuable feedback will help our school make practical improvements.

The survey is conducted entirely online at home or on public computers. The survey will typically take 15 minutes or less to complete and is completely confidential. The parent survey is open until Friday 20 October. Participating in the survey is entirely voluntary, however, your responses are very much appreciated. Please click on the link here to access the survey:survey link

More information about the survey is available at: http://surveys.cese.nsw.gov.au/information-for-parents

Whole School Musical

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:55 AEST

Whole School Performance: Week 9, Term 3

Type your paragraph here... Focus on one idea per paragraph and use an active voice e.g. The library is now open every lunchtime. Don't include every piece of information on the subject you are writing about - only use information that is central to the topic. On the Web, less is more.

Every two years, every class and all its students are given the opportunity to perform for family and friends.

The performance is usually held over two consecutive nights late in Term 3 in the school hall and tickets are offered for sale online. The whole performance is recorded and can also be purchased on DVD.

Each class chooses an act around a theme which is woven into a story. In 2017, the theme is Cinderella and Rockerfella.

Auditions for lead roles took place in Term 2 and rehearsals are well underway. The performances will be on Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 September with a possible matinee as well. Information on ticket purchases below:

Tickets will go on sale in Week 7 and are available for purchase online. Click the link below visit the school webpage: Whole School Performance

Congratulations to former school captain!

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:48 AEST

Former school captain, Darcy Dunlop, has achieved great HSC results and we are all very proud of him and the effort he has made to top the state in Aboriginal Studies.

Darcy was school captain in 2010 and showed many of the same qualities that enabled him to excel in a subject offered at Gosford High School for the first time.

You might like to read about him here Top student

Classes resume after the summer break!

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:48 AEST

After a great summer break, classes resume for all Years 1 - 6 students on Monday 30 January. Children will commence the new school year in the classes allocated last year. All children should be at school after the 8.20 am bell and go straight to the COLA and remain there until the bell goes at 8.50. All teachers will be under the COLA ready to take students straight to class.

All 2017 kindergarten students will commence school on Monday 6 February. New students in our three special education classes begin their transition to school on Monday 30 January also.

A class map can be found at this page on our website Starting the 2017 school year for your information. Welcome to our school if you are new and welcome back everyone else!

P.S. You can also find the 2017 School Information Book here.

Gold Key kids 2017

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:48 AEST

Well done to all of our gold key kids for 2017. You can click the link below to watch our short video celebrating our GK kids. The site is private so you will need a password to watch it. The password is kps

Privacy settings ensure this video can not be downloaded, shared or embedded on other sites.

click hereto access the video

Music: Count Us In

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:50 AEST

Music: Count Us In is Australia's biggest schools initiative, where students across the country sing the same song, on the same day, at the same time. In 2015, more than 550,000 students from over 2,100 schools participated nationwide. Encouraging young people to become passionate about music and music education; 2016 marks the 10th year of Music: Count Us In and Kincumber Public School's involvement.

On Thursday November 3rd at 12:30pm, children from all over Australia will join together to sing this year's song, Let It Play - same song, same day, same time!

Kincumber students from Kindergarten to Year 6 will be singing their hearts out on 3 November in our school hall and watching the event streamed live from the Sydney Opera House. This year, students will accompany our combined singing with ukuleles, guitars, violins and other musical instruments!

Read all about it at Music: Count Us In!

Quality education resumes after the summer holidays!

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:53 AEST

After a great summer break, classes resume for all Years 1 - 6 students on Thursday 28 January. Children will commence the new school year in the classes allocated last year. All children should be at school after the 8.20 am bell and go straight to the COLA and remain there until the bell goes at 8.50. All teachers will be under the COLA ready to take students straight to class.

All 2016 kindergarten students will commence school on Thursday 4 February. Students in our two special education classes begin their transition to school on Thursday 28 January also.

A class map is attached for your information. Welcome to our school if you are new and welcome back everyone else!

2016 classroom map (pdf 171 KB)

CURRENT NEWSLETTER

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:48 AEST

Current school newsletter.

Premier's Reading Challenge 2015 closes Friday 21st August

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:52 AEST

Thank you parents for supporting your child/ren to engage with the Premier's Reading Challenge. The Challenge closes for students on 21 August.

All Kincumber K-2 students have been validated as completing the Challenge. Students 3-6 can check their status from home, logging on through the student portal.

Certificates will be mailed to the school in Term 4, and distributed in class.

Judy Townsend Gold Coin Author Talk

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:49 AEST

Book Week Author Talk – Judy Townsend

On the 24^th and 25^th August for Book Week we have invited a local author, Judy Townsend, to show her six titles and talk to the children about the value of reading and the important role of picture books in the development of reading. Judy is a recently retired children's librarian who is passionate about sharing her love of children's literature.

Although the books are written for younger readers, the process of publishing a book is high interest for all students.

While at the school Judy will be showing the initial sketches of her picture books, bringing along the first proof books and talking about the process of publishing a children's picture book. The cost is a gold coin donation with all the money raised goes to buying books for the library. The author will also be selling her books at cost price - $10 (recommended retail is $24.95 hardback and $19.95 softback). Please send in your money with the title of the book on the front of the envelope. Judy signs the books for your child.

Parents are very welcome to join their children and enjoy listening to this great author. Monday 24th August classes, MC, 1T, 1G, 2M, 2/3H, 2C, KN, 2H and 3A will attend. Tuesday 25th August 1T,1G, 3M, 3S, 2M,1E, KJ, KP, 3W, 2K,1C and 1B will attend.

WHAT BOOK IS SUITABLE FOR MY CHILD?

Off to bed, Sleepyhead! Is a fun rhyming book perfect for 4-6 year olds. Perfect book for growing a young vocabulary.

Evidently That's Not Normal! Funny hardback book that tells of a household run by animals - best for ages 5-7.

Chalk and Cheese is a popular hardback book with a twist at the end and has been used by many schools to teach gender stereotyping.

How Do I Know? is a hardback for the older reader as it shows a different viewpoint on disability.

Because You're My Grandson was written after the birth of Judy's first grandchild and tells of the love a grandparent feels for their grandson. It won an Australian award in 2013.

Because You're My Granddaughter is the perfect gift to give any new grandparent. Many children buy these books to read with their grandparents.

Shine a Light - in school performance

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:53 AEST

"Shine a Light!" for Book Week 2015

We have booked "Shine a Light!" for our Book Week celebrations 2015. This production will be at KPS on Monday 31 August. The cost is $5 per student. Notes were sent home last week.

Please send your note and payment to school this week.

Donna Judd

Teacher Librarian

Once Upon a Rainy Day Tickets

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:51 AEST

Ticket sales for our school performance Once Upon a Rainy Day go on sale 9am Monday 24th August 2015.

Follow the link - Once Upon a rainy Day

YMCA

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:56 AEST

Our after school care provider - YMCA - now has vacancies for before and after school care every day of the week. Please contact them direct on 0408 658 187 for further details.

Student progress reports go out on 26 June

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:54 AEST

Not long until student progress reports are finalised and you can celebrate your child's efforts and achievements with them. Last year we asked whether you'd like reports emailed or printed. Our reporting software has the capacity to email student reports to families and we'd like to see whether you would prefer a soft or hard copy and invite to register your opinion on the following link.

http://poll.fm/5b1rm

Kindergarten 2016

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:50 AEST

It's hard to believe but we are starting our planning for next year's Kindergarten! We will be holding an Open Day on Wednesday 6 May from 9.30-10.30am where children are invited to come and meet our Kinder teachers and see the Kindergarten classrooms. We are also inviting parents to come back from 6.00-7.00pm that evening to follow up from the morning session and get an overview of our programs for Kinders next year.

The Kindy Start prgram will run again this year on Wednesdays (one group only) from 14 October to 18 November. There is no cost for the Kindy Start program. Enrolment packages are now available from the school office.

ICAS tests - note sent home today

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:49 AEST

The University of New South Wales is offering your child an opportunity to participate in the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS). Each assessment is on a separate day and are scheduled throughout 2015. Students can participate in assessments in the area of Digital Technologies, English, Mathematics, Science, Spelling and Writing. ICAS provides an excellent preparation for national testing and enables students at all levels of ability to participate. ICAS contains questions designed to specifically explore the abilities of students of all standards – this includes those of both lower and higher levels of achievement. Please see the note attached.

2015 parent information (pdf 167 KB)

Student Led Conferences

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:54 AEST

Kincumber Public School Student Led Conferences will be held from Monday March 23 until Thursday April 2, 2015. Student Led Conferences are not "one-on-one" parent interviews. The format of the conference allows students to "lead" their own conference, showing independence and learning confidence as they follow the set class agenda. Our school highly values the learning experiences that Student Led Conferences can offer. They allow parents to:

Spend time in your child's classroom,
Look at your child's work and possibly work on a learning task together,
See some examples of their learning experiences from Term 1 and
Help your child set learning goals for 2015.

Multiple conferences will take place at once in the classroom. There

will be a short amount of time to talk to teachers about learning goals.

for 2015.

When you make your booking on www.schoolinterviews.com.au

you will be asked for a school event code. Our school event code is 2MLL4

Being safe in the grassed play areas

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:46 AEST

This is an important PBL lesson for all students. Our school expectations in the grassed play areas are for all students, every day. Being safe, respectful learners in the playground helps us to stay safe, calm and happy. This is an important lesson for parents to discuss with their children. We encourage you to watch the video with your children and take time to discuss the expectations outlined in the lesson. View the lesson here:

PBL in the grassed play areas (the password is kpswatch)

For more PBL videos, please visit our Positive Behaviour for Learning page. Positive Behaviour for Learning

Safe, respectful learners in the playground

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:53 AEST

This week we are focusing on how to be a safe, respectful learner on the hard surface play areas at school. Click on the video link to view this lesson at home. This is a great way to support your child make safe, respectful behaviour choices at school. Visit our PBL page for more video lessons.

Play video (the password is kpswatch)

Positive Behaviour for Learning webpage

Our PBL lesson for the week - visiting the office

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:51 AEST

This week our students will be learning about what behaviour is expected when visiting the office. Our school expectations are that students will be SAFE, RESPECTFUL LEARNERS across all areas of the school and the office is no exception. Interested in what our students are learning this week in their PBL lesson? Follow the link here:

PBL in the Office

All videos are password protected. Please type in kpswatch when prompted.

All our PBL lessons are on our website. Visit our PBL page: Positive Behaviour for Learning

This week KPS kids are learning about TRANSITIONING safely and respectfully around the school.

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:54 AEST

This week our KPS students are all learning about how to transition (move from place to place) in a safe, respectful way. Our students also show they are successful learners when transitioning by responding to bell times and being at the right place at the right time.

We encourage all family members to learn alongside our students about our PBL behaviour expectations. Please visit our Positive Behaviour for Learning webpage and follow the video link. Here's the video on TRANSITIONS: click here

PLEASE NOTE, OUR SITE IS PASSWORD PROTECTED. The password is kpswatch.

Gold Key Kids 2014

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:48 AEST

This year saw 257 students earn their Gold Key! We are so very proud of our gold key kids. It was really fun to spend a day making a video together! There was lots of dancing and running around and, of course, blowing up balloons (and letting them go!). Our theme for the video was "weightless" and we wanted to show just how confident and happy our gold key kids are: not weighed down or restricted by burdens or difficulties. Sure, our gold key kids experience challenges, like the rest of us. But it is the way they cope with problems with such resilience, persistence, confidence and great getting-along skills that makes them successful and happy. Well done to all our gold key recipients this year! We hope you enjoy our video.

click to watch video

* the password is kpswatch

Have you seen our online PBL lessons?

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:52 AEST

This term our students are learning about what it means to be a LEARNER.

If you would like to learn more about what LEARNING behaviour looks like at KPS and how our staff are teaching and encouraging LEARNING behaviour from our students, simply click on the links below to view our MOVIE lessons. You can stop the video at any time and talk about each slide or activity with your family.

PLEASE NOTE: YOU WILL NEED TO USE THE FOLLOWING PASSWORD: kpswatch

BE ORGANISED lesson (password is kpswatch)

ACTIVELY LISTEN lesson (password is kpswatch)

BE PERSISTENT lesson (password is kpswatch)

(For all other KSP PBL lessons, visit our Positive Behaviour for Learning page)

PBL Launch Video

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:51 AEST

Watch the students of KPS explain what PBL is all about in this short video: PBL launch video

You'll need a password to watch: please respect this password (for the use of KPS and our school community only). The password is kpswatch

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is coming!

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:51 AEST

On Monday 28 July at 1:30pm PBL will be launched at a special school wide assembly to be run by our school leaders. Our school wide expectations to be‘safe, respectful learners' will be introduced, along with a video that explains what PBL means to individual students. PBL is a school wide system of support for defining and teaching positive student behaviours and our own PBL journey will begin this Monday. We would like to take this opportunity to invite all parents and carers to this assembly to be a part of this significant occasion.

Vital To Education

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:55 AEST

Our school has many dedicated and highly competent staff. Teachers would be unable to deliver quality programs without the incredible contribution of our School Administrative and Support Staff. During SASS Recognition Week we publicly thank our office staff - Pat, Carole and Theresa; our learning support staff - Bev, Eve and Lisa; our general assistant - Ken; and our canteen manager Linda. Without their support we could not accomplish anywhere near as much as we do - they are Vital to Education. Congratulations to Linda who will be recognised at the Central Coast Awards of Appreciation on 5 September for her contribution to public education!

5 Lands Walk

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:46 AEST

Saturday, June 22, 2013

The Story Line and Mac the Sand Snake

The kids at Kincumber Public School have been creating their links to the communities of the Central Coast - flags, Chinese lanterns, hand stencils, serpents. They are inviting you to create a Story Line by planting their art works at 1m intervals, all the way up the beach to Copa. So as you start your walk, grab a stick and plant it in the Story Line as it winds its way up the beach and create the connection with between Macs Beach and Copa.

And don't overlook Mac the Sand Snake. Mac will grow if you help him, and he'll come alive if you give him colour and decoration. So bring some flowers, leaves or shells - anything colourful that is natural and bring him to life. He'll be on the beach waiting for the kiss of life from you.

Here's the timetable:
7.00 am: Registration desk open at the Surf Club at the end of Marine Pde.
7.15 am: Serving of free breakfast starts - bacon & egg sandwiches or a taste of Chinese breakfast
8.00 am:Opening ceremony starts, We Are One - featuring Acknowledgment of Country and Message stick ceremonies, Chinese music and dance, pre-schoolers ribbon dance and the kids from Kincumber Public School.
9.00am: Official start of 5 Lands Walk with walkers led up the beach by the Macs Beach bagpiper. Help build the story-line to Copacabana and bring Mac the Sand Snake alive.

Visit website: 5 Lands Walk

PSSA Netball

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:53 AEST

Congratulations to our Stage 3 PSSA netball team who today won their Round 2 game. The girls played a fantastic game against Umina Beach Public School. The final score was 18 - 9.

The girls are straight back into it tomorrow with their Round 3 match against Brisbania Public School.

Well done girls!

Fun Run postponed until 3 May

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:48 AEST

It is officially too wet to hold the Fun Run on 11 April!

Gosford City Council advised us that it had closed Frost Reserve late on Tuesday afternoon so we have to postpone the event to the back up day of 3 May which is the first Friday after we return from school holidays.

We're fundraising to finish the school hall sound system and lighting in preparation for our whole school performance in Term 3. There is a bright side to postponing the event, and that's the added added bonus you can get heaps more sponsors over the holidays!

Library Lovers Day

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:50 AEST

Forget Valentines Day, 14 February has been re-named library lovers day! We love our library.

Preparing for 2013 at KPS

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:53 AEST

Staff and students want to to thank you for your wonderful support this year. We have so much to be grateful for as we complete another great year. We wish you Merry Christmas and happy holidays and look forward to a bright 2013.

Students in Years 1 - 6 start school on 30 January 2013 and kindergarten students commence on 6 February 2013.

Uniform shop is open on 30 January for uniform sales and pickups. The opening times will be 8.30 - 9.30am and 2 - 3pm. Please use the following link to assist your preparation for the new school year.

2013 Information

We are the champions!

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:55 AEST

Well not quite... Our fantastic girls' football team has earned the right to travel to Speers Point on Monday to play off for the State PSSA Girls Football Knockout. Coach Ennis has steered the team to the same level as our boys' team last year and we are very proud of their talent and sense of fair play.

The team bus sets off at 7.15am on Monday morning, 15 October, loaded with players and supporters. We wish them the best of luck and look forward to their triumphant return.

Cinema Under The Stars!

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:47 AEST

Bring picnic rugs, blankets, cushions and bean bags..... lie back and enjoy the movie Despicable Me with your family and friends under the September stars!

Kincumber Public School kicks off a week of fun-filled activities to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Kincumber Community Festival.

Buy your $5 tickets online and join us from 6pm on Saturday 8 September at school for an alcohol-free family movie event. A BBQ and confectionery stall will sell all your favourite movie treats while we wait for th emovie to start at 7pm.

The event will be rescheduled in case of bad weather. Tickets are transferable but not refundable.

Book online at: http://www.trybooking.com/BUXS

See flyer for more details.Movie Flyer (doc 726 KB)

Opportunity classes: Year 5 placement procedures for 2013 entry

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:51 AEST

Opportunity classes cater for highly achieving, academically gifted students who may otherwise be isolated from a suitable peer group. These classes can provide intellectual stimulation by grouping gifted and talented students together and using specialised teaching methods.

Online applications are now open on the internet at www.schools.nsw.edu.au/ocplacement and close on 18 May 2012 for 2013. Read more...

Book online for student learning conferences

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:47 AEST

Student learning conferences will be held from 26 March for Years 1 - 6. Use our online booking service to make an appointment to participate in your child's conference where your child will walk you through their achievements and areas they have identified as goals for further learning. Conferences are held in term one so that parenst are fully informed and can support school learning at home. We hope you can all find the time to meet with your child and his/her teacher.Book a conference (doc, 110 KB)

Kincumber Kid Cleans Up!

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:50 AEST

Once again, Laura Day from 2A is organising Clean Up Australia Day for Sunday 4 March at 10.30am at Pinyari Park Kincumber.

This is the third year that Laura has organised a Clean Up site and she is hoping to extend the clean up to the bushland that runs off Brushwood Ave Kincumber, but it is dependent on how many volunteers she gets.

The first year that Laura and many volunteers cleaned up Pinyari Park Kincumber, they retrieved a huge amount of rubbish from the park and bush, including a washing machine drum. Last year there was not as much rubbish, but not as many volunteers either.

Laura would really like to encourage parents, and students to think about contributing, even just one hour, on Sunday to clean up our environment.

Laura is an absolute credit to her family, her school and her community. If you can find the time to help, please read her item in our school newsletter.

National Year of Reading 2012

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:50 AEST

2012 is the National Year of Reading. Kincumber Public School will participate in the NSW Premier's Reading Challenge this year and the National Simultaneous Storytime on the 23rd of May. All students at KPS visit our library each week to borrow books that have been selected to encourage and promote student reading.

To quote Albert Einstein -

"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales.
If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales."

Kincumba Learning Community

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:49 AEST

Our local management group (LMG) of schools, includes Kincumber High School and its partner primary schools of Kincumber, Avoca Beach, Copacabana and Pretty Beach. As the Kincumba Learning Community we have developed a public education profile and promotion program, a comprehensive and highly effective Year 6 to Year 7 transition program, a successful Aboriginal education program and a comprehensive professional learning program for teaching staff across all five schools.

We have set up a page in our website to showcase the success of our learning community and individual member schools. You can find the Kincumba Learning Community brochure and Kincumber High School newsletter on this page.

Football Champs

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:48 AEST

For the second time since 2006, Kincumber Public School has had a team in the NSW Primary Schools Sports Association's State Boys Football Knockout finals. The team's seven-match journey to the finals was thrilling. They played great football to become runners-up to Balgownie Public School, whose first half only goal secured them first place. Team manager, Gary Nipperess, said, "The boys showed great skill and team play throughout the competition and to be runners-up out of five hundred participating schools is an achievement to be proud of."

New to the area?

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:51 AEST

Just moved into the area and need information to help you enrol?

Check out information on enrolment, uniforms and general school information on our website.

Enrolment forms can be found here. Send an SMS to 0434 320 744 for new enrolment enquiries.

Uniform shop order form can be found here.

School Information Book can be found here.

Premier's Reading Challenge 2011

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:52 AEST

Students at Kincumber Public School are busy reading the last few books to be added to their Premier's Reading Challenge list for 2011. The school list will close on Tuesday 30th August in time to be validated. We encourage all students to attempt to complete the challenge. Students, whose online entries are received by the closing date and validated, will have their certificates sent to school in Term 4. Students who complete the Challenge for four years receive a gold certificate.

News flash

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:51 AEST

The Year 6 - 7 transition Picnic Day to be held on Monday 2 May at Kincumber High School has had to be postponed due to the wet weather.

Fun Run / Cross Country

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:48 AEST

The excitement is building as the big day draws near. Next Friday, 13 May, weather permitting, we will be assembling at Frost Reserve to run our first ever Fun Run in conjunction with the annual Primary Cross Country.

This is a fund raiser to assist with the purchase of interactive whiteboards (IWBs) for our classrooms. IWBs bring teaching and learning into the 21st Century. They have been proven to increase the motivation of students and their interaction with the curriculum. They can be used across all curriculum areas as a valuable teaching and learning tool.

IWBs are very expensive to buy so we need all the help we can get from our school community.

The students have an amazing array of incentive prizes to choose from as a reward for their efforts.

The emphasis for the day is having fun that will support health and education.

Further details are available in the school newsletter and in a separate detailed note available in Week 2.

PLEASE SUPPORT THIS FANTASTIC EVENT!

Changes to student welfare

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:47 AEST

Feedback from staff, students and parents last year led us to assess some aspects of our approach to student well-being, particularly around planning room. Staff and students were surveyed and results showed that we needed to increase the consistency of teacher expectations and responses to minor problem behaviour in the classroom and playground. Our redesigned school-wide approach to increase student responsibility in meeting our expectations of Care, Commonsense, Co-operation and Courtesy is being trialled in term 1. Read more about STOP.

Meet your child's teacher

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:50 AEST

Claim the date - 9 February! Last year's "Meet Your Teacher" breakfast was a big hit. This year it will start a little earlier to allow more time for breakfast and finish a little later so that you can visit several teachers. The canteen will have a breakfast menu at reasonable prices and we invite you to bring a plate of food to share. For more information, read the newsletter and the note coming home soon.

Athletics Success

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:46 AEST

Congratulations to all students who participated in the Sydney North Regional Athletics Carnival last Monday. Two students achieved outstanding results. Georgia Lee won the 11 years girls' long jump and Keiran Richardson was first in the senior boys' 800m race. Both students will represent our schoolat the NSW State carnival at Homebush in October.

Regional Premiers Spelling Bee

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:53 AEST

Our stage finalists competed in the regional final at Ettalong Public School on Monday 20th September. Although they do not progress to the next stage, we are proud of their progression to this level of the competition. Well done Peter Lubke, Summer Lloyd-Johnson (4th place), Darcy Dunlop and Fionn Henderson- Foley (3rd place).

Planning Room changes

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:52 AEST

Changes to Planning Room

Next term at KPS our students will notice some changes to our Planning Room procedures. Most of our students rarely visit the Planning Room but for those who attend, the Planning Room is a safe place where students who have not complied with our school rules in the playground can reflect on their behaviour and, with the help of a teacher, formulate a plan to replace unhelpful/unsafe choices with more positive actions.

At Kincumber Public School we have introduced an emotion-based problem solving strategy into our Planning Room procedures which will start being implemented in Term 4, 2010. The new planning strategy is called PEACE CAR. Together, students and Executive staff will work through the playground incident in a calm and reflective way, encouraging individual students to think helpfully about their choices. By reflecting on the incident the teacher will be able to encourage the student to identify whether their thoughts and feelings at the time were helpful or unhelpful. Ultimately, the goal of the Planning Room is to ensure that students make more helpful choices in the future, therefore reducing the likelihood of re-visiting the Planning Room.

Should your child visit the Planning Room for a behaviour-related incident they will be required to work through a Peace Car planning sheet. They will need to identify the problem they were faced with and the emotion they felt at the time this problem arose. The planning sheet provides an opportunity to track two hypothetical choices the student may have made in the same situation. By examining the consequences of these possible actions students are more likely to be able to reflect on which would have been the best option to choose and therefore provide them with more positive action choices and consequences, should a similar problem arise in the future.

It is integral that students discuss their actions and consequences not only with the Planning Room teacher but also with their parent/s. Strong partnerships between home and school will encourage students to take responsibility for their own behaviour and support them in making more appropriate behaviour choices in the future.

Click here to view the Peace Car Planning Room Sheet (pdf, 66 KB)

Year 6 Market Day

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:56 AEST

It's that time of the year again! As Year 6 get closer to their last term of primary school, they will be involved in some very serious fundraising. The first event is Market Day on Wednesday 22nd September. Year 6 students will run a variety of stalls which will be lots of fun for students from Kinder to Year 5. It costs $3 to participate. Everyone is assured of a very exciting afternoon.

Premiers Spelling Bee

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:53 AEST

Stages 2 and 3 have conducted school spelling bee finals during the past couple of weeks. Congratulations to our finalists, Darcy Dunlop and Fionn Henderson-Foley in Stage 3 and Summer Lloyd-Johnson and Peter Lubke in Stage 2. They will now compete in the regional finals to be held on Monday 20th September at Ettalong Public School. We wish them success!

Public Speaking Finalists

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:53 AEST

Our school stage finalists have been selected. They will now progress to the next level, the regional finals. Congratulations to Kasey McClean and Chelsea Johnston from Early Stage 1, Laura Day and Leah Green from Stage 1, Georgia Kent and Danielle Maljevac from Stage 2 and Darcy Dunlop and Monique Pym from Stage 3. We wish them well!

Will Takes on the State

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:25:55 AEST

Kincumber Public School Student Will Grassby will represent Sydney North at the PSSA State Rugby Union Championships in Wagga Wagga. Will has worked hard to reach this elite level. The school and community are extremely proud of his achievement. We all wish Will the best for the competition. Good Luck!