Karingal News 01/08/25

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Principal News - 1st August, 2025

Dear KPS Families,

Welcome back to Term 3! I hope the school holidays were a restful and enjoyable time for you all. It’s been wonderful to see our students return with such enthusiasm and positivity as we begin another exciting term of learning.

Parent-Teacher Interviews
We started the term with our Parent-Teacher Interviews, which provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen the connection between home and school. Thank you to all the families who attended and engaged in meaningful conversations about student progress, achievements, and future learning goals.

Incursions and Excursions
Payment and consent forms go out on COMPASS at least 2 weeks prior to the event. Please make sure you check your COMPASS app regularly to keep yourselves updated.
Payments and consent will NOT be accepted after the COMPASS cut off date. If you need support with payments, please come and see the office.

Science Night and Chemistry Carnival
Another major highlight has been our Science Night, where students proudly presented their self-made science projects. The creativity, confidence, and scientific thinking on display were truly impressive. Adding to the excitement was the Chemistry Carnival, which featured engaging experiments and hands-on activities that sparked wonder and curiosity across all year levels.

100 Days of Prep Celebration
Our Foundation students recently celebrated their 100 Days of Prep, marking a major milestone in their first year of school. The celebration was filled with fun, creativity, and reflection on how much they’ve grown since the beginning of the year.

Tree Planting Day
We also hosted a successful Tree Planting Day, with Derek and Natalie from the Frankston Council joining us for this special event. Students enthusiastically helped plant native trees, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability and community partnership. Once again, a very special thank you to Marilyn and her team of helpers for everything they do for our school.

Upcoming Events
Looking ahead, we’re excited about several upcoming events:

2026 Prep Transition Session - Wednesday 6th August @ 2.45pm
Our first Prep Transition Session, as we begin welcoming our 2026 Preps and their families into our school community: Wednesday 6th August @ 2.45pm.

Bogan Bingo – Saturday 2nd August
Don’t miss this hilarious and fun-filled fundraising event for our school community! Bogan Bingo promises laughs, music, and prizes, all in support of school initiatives. Tickets are selling fast, so gather your friends and come dressed in your best “bogan” attire.

Chess Tournament - Monday 11th August
Our Chess Tournaments always provide students an opportunity to showcase their strategic thinking and problem-solving skills: Monday 11th August.

Montessori Garden Working Bee – Sunday 17th August
Families are warmly invited to join us for a Working Bee focused on revitalising our beautiful Montessori Garden. It’s a wonderful chance to connect, contribute, and help us create a thriving learning environment for our students.

School Concert – Wednesday 27th August
Our much-anticipated school concert is fast approaching! Students and staff have been working hard in rehearsals, and we can’t wait to showcase the incredible talent and enthusiasm from across the school community.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in school life. Let’s make Term 3 a successful and memorable one for all.

Stay safe and take care

Samantha Cooke
Principal

School Awards - 1st August, 2025

CONGRATULATIONS to the following students who received a classroom award at assembly:
  • P1A - Will
  • P1B - Theo
  • 12A - Nathanael; Charlie S
  • 12B - Thomas
  • 34A - Austin
  • 34B - Tremaine; Nadia
  • 56A - Blessing; Brock
  • 56B - Billie; Logan



Semester 1 Student Endeavour Awards 2025

The Semester 1 Endeavour Awards celebrate students who have shown outstanding dedication, hard work, and commitment to their learning during the first semester. These students have made significant improvements in all areas of the classroom/specialist subjects, demonstrating perseverance and a strong desire to succeed.

Their achievements reflect not only their individual efforts but also the support of our school community.

We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Prue from Karingal Hub for her generous support of the Endeavour Awards—her contribution helps us recognise and encourage the positive efforts of our students.

Congratulations to the following students on receiving the award:
  • P1A: Molly B
  • P1B: Emerson F
  • 12A: Ivy P
  • 12B: Natalie W
  • 34A: Olivia P
  • 34B: Rebecca DF
  • 56A: Charlee M
  • 56B: Alice C
  • M1A: Layla W
  • M2A: Paityn M
  • M3A: Lyla B
  • PE: Sophie C
  • Art: Hina W
  • Japanese: Aylah B
  • Science: Jessica F
  • P Arts: Amaya HC
Keep working hard.



SCHOOL FEES 2025

At the end of last term, a letter was sent home with your child asking for your support in voluntary contributions of school fees.

Thank you to the families who have made this contribution.

School fees are voluntary contributions. We keep our voluntary contributions amount as low as possible.

In saying this, every little bit helps and goes towards your child/ren at Karingal Primary School.

It would be greatly appreciated if you can pay your child/ren's school fees and/or go on a payment plan.

Science Fair and Chemistry Carnival Afternoon Wrap Up

Karingal Primary School’s inaugural Science Fair and Chemistry Carnival Afternoon was a fantastic celebration of curiosity, creativity, and scientific wonder. The event, held in two exciting parts, showcased the talents and enthusiasm of our young learners and brought families together for a night of fun and learning.

The Science Fair, held from 4:30 to 5:30pm, provided students with the opportunity to independently explore a scientific question of their choice and present their findings. From experiments exploring the power of magnets to models explaining natural phenomena, the fair was filled with original ideas and engaging displays. It was inspiring to see students proudly explaining their projects, and just as wonderful to see other children attending to support their peers and learn from each other.
Congratulations to the following stduents who presented their projects: Jessica, Ada, Elliot, Shelby, Gemma, Nathan, Emily, Cailean, Catriona, Natalie, Hazel E, Izzy, Phoenix, Tyge, Atticus and Elijah.

Following the fair, the excitement continued with the Chemistry Carnival from 6:00 to 7:15pm, hosted by the brilliant team from PrimeSCI! at Swinburne University of Technology. The carnival brought science to life through a series of interactive stations exploring states of matter, chemical reactions, and materials science. Children were mesmerised by dry ice experiments, sticky slime creations, and even dramatic (and safe!) explosions. The energy and engagement in the room were electric!

With food and drinks available for purchase, families were able to relax and enjoy the full evening together. It was a truly memorable event that sparked scientific curiosity and encouraged hands-on learning in the most exciting way possible.

We can’t wait to see what next year’s Science Fair and Chemistry Carnival will bring!



Tree Planting Morning – A Wonderful Success!

Our Tree Planting event last week was a great success! Our enthusiastic team of student volunteers were ready to go bright and early at 8:15am, eagerly helping to set up tools, wheelbarrows, and watering cans in preparation for a busy morning of planting. Spirits were high as we awaited the arrival of Derek and Natalie – and of course, the stars of the show… our plants!

It was a pleasure to welcome Derek and Natalie from the Frankston Council to Karingal Primary School. We give our heartfelt thanks to them for generously sharing their time and expertise – it was deeply appreciated by everyone involved.

Together, we achieved an impressive amount during their visit. We successfully planted out the designated garden beds at the school entrance, as well as additional existing beds in the surrounding area. These spaces will soon thrive into a beautiful green welcome for students, staff, and the wider school community to enjoy. In the coming weeks, the remaining plants will be used to rejuvenate other bare areas across the school grounds.

A very special thank you to Ellen (Frankston Council) and Marilyn for their incredible effort in coordinating this event over the past few months. Her organisation, communication, and commitment have been instrumental to the success of this project. 



Garden Update 010825 from Marilyn

Quote:  “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago… The second best time is now!”

School holidays were busy preparing our garden beds for the official Tree Planting Day on Friday July 25th.

KPS was one of just two schools selected to be Environmental Ambassadors by Frankston City Council Environmental Planning and Policy Department… As such, we received 300 plants from Frankston Indigenous Nursery including trees, shrubs and ornamental grasses and a presentation to be held at school on Thursday August 7th by Living with Wildlife Educator Janet Wheeler.

Early last Friday morning an eager group of students helped us prepare to welcome two members from Environmental Planning and Policy and of course, our long-awaited plants!

Many thanks to Derek and Natalie for their time, expertise and guidance which were much appreciated.

Armed with wheelbarrows, filled watering cans, hand spades and gloves students listened carefully to planting instructions and set about together transforming garden beds both inside and outside the school gate on Mallum Avenue, the ANZAC Memorial Garden as well as two other areas this vicinity.

The morning was a huge success rewarded by cups of hot chocolate and biscuits served by Miss Cooke and Jess (Morrison and Mabel's mum) while the rest of our team also enjoyed a well-earned cuppa to warm us all up!

Thank you to Jess whose beautiful photos and video I am sharing with you today. They will be cherished as a reminder of this very special event for our students and wider KPS community.

Thank you also to Julie and Emily (Lucy and Jack) for guiding the students throughout our morning and to Rachael (KPS School Council President) for taking part in this great initiative which the Council will be sharing via their various media platforms…

Special mention to our fantastic Planting Team who embraced the morning with abundant enthusiasm, big smiles, laughter and awesome team work!

Yet another thank you! This time to FCC Waste Circularity (Samantha Ondrus-Jansen) and Repurpose It (Thom Fox) who donated and arranged delivery of a truckload each of compost and mulch in the very early hours of Monday morning! I was there to meet the delivery and have included some photos of our school at dawn; eerily quiet but rather beautiful! 

On that note, we would greatly appreciate some help spreading compost and mulch over our garden beds.  If you can spare even just 1 hour during the week please let the office know when suits you to do this and I’ll meet you in the garden!

Photos: Tree Planting Day and Compost/Mulch Delivery.

Before and after Planting Day.



Staff Appreciation Afternoon Tea

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Amazing Teachers and Staff

As Term 2 drew to a close and students eagerly embraced the mid-year break, our school community came together to celebrate something truly special: the dedication, care, and hard work of our incredible teachers and staff.

On the last day of Term 2, immediately after the final bell rang, the School Council and school families hosted a Staff Appreciation Afternoon Tea — a warm and thoughtful gesture to say a heartfelt thank you to the people who go above and beyond every single day for our children.

The event was held in the staff room, which was transformed into a welcoming space filled with gratitude, smiles, and sincere appreciation. Thoughtful touches and kind words made the afternoon a meaningful way to recognise the tireless efforts of our staff.

This gathering was more than just an afternoon tea — it was a celebration of the ongoing commitment our teachers and support staff show throughout the year. Whether it's staying late to help a struggling student, preparing engaging lessons, supporting wellbeing, or offering a kind word when it’s needed most, our staff continually go the extra mile.

The halfway point of the school year is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and acknowledge the positive impact they have on our students and school community.

We thank the School Council and all the families who contributed to making this event so special, and most of all, we thank our dedicated teachers and staff for everything they do.

Your work shapes the future — and we are truly grateful.



Pajama Day: Cozy, Comfy, and Full of Fun!

Just like we all were for Pajama Day on the second-last day of last term, the whole school swapped uniforms for something far more comfortable—pajamas! It was a day full of color, comfort, and smiles, as students and staff arrived dressed in their favorite sleepwear, ready to enjoy a fun and relaxed end to the term.

From fluffy slippers and cozy onesies to classic checkered pants and dressing gowns, everyone embraced the theme in their own unique way. Some even carried along their favorite cuddly toys, turning classrooms into a sea of softness and cheerful energy.

But Pajama Day wasn’t just about what we wore—it was about celebrating the end of a hardworking term together. There was laughter in the air, stories shared, and plenty of photos snapped to capture the fun.

It was a simple idea that brought a lot of joy, reminding us how a small change in routine can create big memories. Pajama Day was the perfect way to wind down, connect with each other, and finish the term on a cozy, happy note.



Theatre Magic at School!

On Friday, July 25th, our students were treated to a captivating performance of Sleeping Beauty – with a twist! This dynamic and engaging theatre show offered more than just entertainment—it delivered meaningful messages about emotions and the importance of making loving choices over fear-based ones. 

Our Prep to Year 4 students were completely drawn in, laughing and learning through the magic of live storytelling. With powerful themes, catchy songs, and plenty of interactive moments, the show created a truly memorable experience for everyone in the audience. 

Theatre has a unique way of connecting with children, and this performance reminded us how stories can both entertain and inspire. A big thank you to the performers for bringing such heart and creativity to our school stage!



STEM Club Kicks Off with Innovation and Excitement!

On Thursday, July 24th, our after-school STEM classes officially kicked off—bringing energy, curiosity, and plenty of hands-on learning to our students!

Facilitated by Computer Xplorers, these engaging sessions are designed to spark creativity while building real-world skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths. From coding challenges to interactive digital projects, each activity helps students grow as confident, capable digital learners.

With the expert guidance of the Computer Xplorers team, students are diving into the world of STEM in fun and practical ways—developing the problem-solving, collaboration, and tech skills they’ll need for the future.

It’s more than just fun—it’s future-focused learning. These sessions are an exciting step forward in supporting our students on their STEM journey, and we can’t wait to see where their curiosity and innovation will take them next!



August Birthdays

AUGUSTSTUDENTS
1stLenore N
2ndAubrey W; Henry R
4thLouis W
9thScarlet B
10thRiver P
12th Natalie W; Indigo C
14thSebastian P
17th Zen F
20thRonnie B
21stBaylee LC
22ndElliot W; Bentleigh RC
24thLily P
26thAlice W
27thCaleb W; William E
31stAmelia P



BOGAN BINGO

BUY YOUR TICKETS AT THE DOOR...

WORKING BEE: Sunday 17th August

Join Us for the Upcoming Working Bee 

We are excited to announce a Working Bee, scheduled for:

  • Date: Sunday 17th August

  • Time: 9.30am

What to Expect

The Working Bee is a fantastic opportunity for our school community to come together and contribute to the beautification and maintenance of our school grounds.

We will be focusing on preparing for the new Montessori garden space.
Tasks will include:

  • Painting
  • Cleaning
  • Gardening
  • Digging
  • Sweeping

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a first-time volunteer, there's a task for everyone.

Refreshments Provided

To keep our volunteers energized, snacks will be provided. It's a great chance to enjoy some tasty food and connect with fellow community members.

How to Get Involved

We encourage all families to participate. Your involvement, no matter how big or small, makes a significant difference.

Let's work together to create a welcoming and well-maintained environment for our students.

Please keep an eye out for further information!



SCHOOL CONCERT - Wednesday 27th August 2025

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS NOW...



NAPLAN message from the Education Department

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority has now published the statewide NAPLAN data results – and Victorian schools have achieved outstanding results.

The 2025 Victorian NAPLAN results were the best in the country. We ranked either first or second in 18 of the 20 measures, well ahead of any other jurisdiction.

Student participation in NAPLAN improved at each year level in 2025 compared to 2024 and was the second highest participation rate ever, behind only the first year of NAPLAN in 2008.

While these results are exceptionally good, and a result of the outstanding professionalism of Victoria’s school staff, there remains work to be done.

Any student who remains in the “Needs Additional Support” category for Reading, Writing or Numeracy is one student too many.

The gap between average attainment levels in Reading for advantaged and disadvantaged students marginally decreased for Grade 3 students in 2025 compared to 2024, but remains unacceptably large. For Year 9 students, it increased.

And while the gap between average attainment levels for First Nations and non-First Nations students in Reading decreased at both Grade 3 and Year 9, this also remains unacceptably large.

Nevertheless, these results should provide the Victorian community with the highest level of assurance that Victorian schools are producing great results, with the improvement trajectory suggesting even better results lie ahead.